Friends of Many Kind:
Disclaimer: It's amazing how my name isn't Tamora Pierce and yet I like to play with her characters. Too bad that I only own Eriko and her family but what are you going to do when all you have is an overactive imagination and proudly make no money from this.
A/N: Yay! I got my first review! Thanks nativewildmage for reviewing this fic and my Journey one! So happy…but anyways onto another long chapter!
Duke Baird had let me out right before dinner so that I could get something to eat. Instead of going to the Mess, I ended up at my room. Looking around, I finally got a good look at how spacious and comfortable it was. The color scheme of my room was very calming with various shades of beige and cream with the exception of the two wide white windows. The dressing room as well as the bath area was off to the left side of the room while the four-post bed with a canopy, wardrobe, and my trunks were on the right side. A lone bookcase and big chair sat in between the wide windows while the vanity sits just opposite of them close to the door. There was enough room for glaive practice but that can be done in the practice yards. There was a small writing desk next to the vanity with various letterheads and such.
The only thing that contrasted with the room were the wood from the bed, desk, vanity, and wardrobe, which were all made from a dark mahogany type of wood as were my trunks. Coming closer to the desk, I found a letter address to me on it. Opening it, I realized that it was a note from Mako and Matt telling me that they had left for Heathercoves and will be back in time for the ball next week.
Not staying there in my room for another minute, I walked out and started to wander around. After a few minutes of wandering, the dinner bell rung as groups of knights, nobles, and such made their way to the Mess. Avoiding them, I made my way out to the stables.
Checking to see if there was anyone, I walked straight for Peachblossom's stable for a little chat. Taking a few sugar cubes on the way, I found myself in front of the gelding and watched it. The way Kel described him, made me want to see him myself, not that I haven't seen him before. When he noticed, Peachblossom turned around and looked at me. I stood still as stone in front of his stall, not flinching once when Peachblossom feigned a biting.
"That was a stupid thing to do. He could've bitten your head off."
Ignoring whoever it was, I continued to stare at Peachblossom all the while tentatively reaching out my hand.
"Hey stop that! You're-" but the person's voice was cut off. Peachblossom was still staring at me but he was also watching my hand.
"She's a goner."
"Shh," another voiced said.
I suppose I wanted Peachblossom to bite my hand but I guess it was more of finding out if I was as stupid as Aunt had told me. When he stretched out his neck, I was ready to pull back but Peachblossom only sniffed my hand before nipping it in what I think was acceptance. I think... well I'm pretty sure at least but I knew one thing Peachblossom wasn't so wary of me anymore. Patting him lightly, so as not to offend him, I took out a lump of sugar and gave it to him. Cleaning my hand of its sugary substance, I walked away from the knights' stable and up to the visitors' stable next to it with footsteps following behind me.
Stepping inside of Dust's stall, Dust glared at me before going back to his hay.
"Aren't you going to dinner?" a feminine voice asked me.
"I grabbed some food in the kitchens," I lied as I picked up a comb.
"No you didn't. I was in there and I didn't see you," Tobe said as I identified his voice.
Shrugging my shoulders, I continued to brush Dust's right side when a woman with smoky brown hair and blue-grey eyes started to brush his left. When we were done, Tobe stood facing me and glared like Kel would but I only glanced at him before sitting down on the upturn bucket.
"You don't have wild or horse magic and yet Peachblossom didn't bite you. What were you thinking anyhow?" the woman asked.
"Just wanted to see if he would trust me," I said absently.
"Why aren't you in the Mess Hall with milady?" Tobe asked while admiring Dust.
"Because I don't want to."
"Would you like to come with us then? We're having our meal in our rooms and Numair won't mind another person."
"You should you know, just to eat something. Otherwise Lady Kel's gonna have a fit."
"No thanks. I'm good," I said stroking Dust but he turned and bit me.
"Hey!"
"He wants you to eat and to stop worrying," the woman relayed.
"Fine...I suppose it's better than eating by myself," I stated while following them out.
Returning to my room after talking to Daine and Numair, I was hoping to pass time by writing letters... but that only lasted two hours at most since the only letters I wrote were for Mama and Papa. I had another bell before dinner, so picking up my small leather bag, I left for the visitor's library. Getting there, I found it locked so I knocked a few times before being let in by Yuki.
"I've been trying to look for you all afternoon," Yuki said almost impatiently.
"And you couldn't have come to my room?" I questioned.
"Well I went there first but then I needed some preparation time so I left it alone and came here."
"Preparation time?"
Pulling me, she pointed towards the window and there was Dom, with no shred of dignity left. He was donning a deep blue kimono with light silver flower designs and a matching light silver obi. Looking down to his feet, he had a pair of Yamani style sandals rather than slippers. Trailing up to his face, I noticed a bit of rogue, face powder, and lip rogue. Slipping on my mask, I controlled my urge to laugh and looked at his wig.
"Where'd you get the wig?" I asked looking at his newly styled hair.
"From one of the older court ladies," was Yuki's answer.
"You, milady, have been stripped of your dignity," I directed at Dom. If one was far away enough, no one would notice that he was a man.
"You mean I've been stripped of my manhood," Dom corrected with distaste.
"Well Donna, if you behave then I'll let you see the other sketches I've done," I offered positioning him to stand behind Yuki.
"You do sketches? And Donna?" Dom asked with amazement before it turned into a bit of disgust.
"Yes to both. Now I want you to stand behind Yuki like that and Yuki just sit and turn a bit to your left... perfect!"
Taking out my sketchbook, I made a quick sketch of them both making sure to get the right shading. It didn't take more than 15 minutes before I finished it and smiled at them.
"Alright you can move now."
Dom must've been so happy that he fell over flat on his butt when he tried to hobble to the door. Getting to our feet, we went over to help him up but found ourselves falling down with him.
"Okay, why do men always have to be so difficult?" I said exasperatedly as we finally got Dom on his feet after the fifth try.
"Because dear lady, we like to be rough handled." I assumed he meant it as a joke but I pushed him down again, as he grinned cheekily at me.
"If you weren't a lady right now, I'd punch you in the nose," I muttered to myself.
"You Yamani women have really got to lighten up," but that only earned him two glares from us.
"And you Sir Knight need to learn that we can be very dangerous," Yuki said calmly before leaving the library with a thick cloak.
"So do I get to see the sketches?"
"No."
"Aw, why not?" he asked pouting like a true court lady.
"Why is this so disturbingly weird?" I asked looking at him.
"Are you calling me weird?"
"If the slippers fit hun."
"Why I never-oh crap! I have to get this off of me!" Dom said rushing towards the table by the door.
"Oh no! Nononono! Did you see a cloak when you came in over here?"
"Yes why?"
"Then... Yuki. Dammit!"
"Swearing isn't very lady like Lady Donna," I said mockingly as I passed him towards the door. I had almost left him in there when he grabbed my wrist and pulled me back.
"Hey!"
"Look how close is you room to here?"
"Down the hall."
"As in..."
"As in about a minute or two's walk."
"You think I can go there and change?"
"And where, pray tell, will you get the clothes? Unless you want to try on one of my other dresses..."
"Can't you get a servant to bring me a some tunics and breeches?"
I was very much adamant on leaving him here like this but seeing as how we only have half a bell before dinner, I motioned him to follow me.
"I can't believe I'm letting a man into my room," I mumbled quietly but he must've heard me because he was grinning widely.
"Am I really the first man in here besides family?" Dom asked teasingly.
"You want to go out like this?" I threatened placidly.
His face fell a bit before saying, "No."
"Good, now get behind the dressing screen and don't touch anything or else," I said pointedly looking at his outfit.
Calling for the nearest servant, I asked him to quickly bring me a tunic and breeches from the palace tailor for 'my brother' before giving him a piece of silver. I told him that he'd get another one if he got some appropriate sized ones too. I didn't think that palace tailor was that close to the visitors' wing since the servant was back in about 10 minutes. Thanking him and handing him another silver, I went over to the dressing room and handed the clothes to Dom.
"Now hurry up and get out," I said.
"Wait!" Dom said almost panicking.
"What?"
"How do I get this off?" he asked a bit sheepishly.
Sighing, I went over to him and carefully removed the obi so that it wasn't damaged, which made me wonder where did he get such a nice set of kimono.
"They're Kel's."
"What?"
"These belong to Kel although, I'm pretty sure she said to burn them after I'm done with them."
"Are you done yet?"
"Yeah. Now how do I get the wig off?"
"Men. Always the damsel in distress aren't you?"
"Who are you calling a damsel?"
Rolling my eyes at him, I sat him down and took off the pins holding the wig in place. Giving it to him, I pushed him quickly out the room before following him out. Lucky for me, there wasn't a single person out in the hall so we walked to the Mess Hall together while I tried to keep the smile off of my face.
The bell had just rung for dinner when Dom and Eri sat down with the others. Kel only raised an eyebrow at Dom while Eri and Yuki both looked down at their tray trying to hide their smiles. Merric, Owen, Seaver, and Neal were the only ones looking at Dom with confusion on their faces. The people who passed by and saw him looked confused; there were even a few amused glances. They soon bowed their heads and listened as Lord Wyldon said the prayers before beginning dinner.
"Okay do I have something on my face or something?" Dom finally asked.
"There's-"
"Nothing," Yuki said, cutting Owen off and sending him a glare.
"Are you sure? Because I keep getting weird looks," Dom said looking around.
"Oh no. They're just noticing how handsome you look. I mean, did you see the ladies giving you the attention?" Eri elaborated.
"Really?"
"Sure Dom. Those ladies are just...appreciating you," Kel answered.
"Hey guys! Eri you look better... Uh Dom?" Eric asked, as he looked him over.
"Yes?"
"You're lip color is smudged," Eric said pointing to the corner of his own lip.
"It's nice to talk to you Eric. If you'll excuse me," Eri said quickly before getting up with her empty tray. She almost seemed like she was running out of the Mess Hall, when Dom noticed he had face paint on.
"Why that little..." Dom left off wiping off the paint and throwing the napkin onto the tray of his half eaten dinner. All around the boys were laughing at him while his face became redder and redder.
"My, my Dom. I never knew you were into such things," Neal drawled out.
"Shut up."
"That color really does look good on you," Seaver added.
"I said shut up."
"I guess you really are womanly," Merric continued.
"Just you wait Merric, you're the last one and next in line for this crap," Dom retorted angrily.
"Language Lady Donna," Yuki quietly told him but it wasn't quiet enough as they all started to laugh at him again.
Eri was sitting on the bed when there was a knock on her door. Getting up, she peeked outside a bit before opening it wide enough for Shinko, Yuki, Kel, and Jump to come in. Eri only looked at Kel questioningly before she answered.
"He wanted to come," was all Kel said before the girls set their things onto the ground. It took them a few minutes for them to set up the makeshift beds but when they were done, the room was cozy and comfortable.
"You guys did bring extra clothes right?" Eri asked.
"Yes mother," Shinko, Yuki, and Kel answered in unison.
"Ha ha. So funny," Eri retorted blandly.
"Now, now. Before we begin, how about we recite the pledge for old time's sake?" Yuki suggested. Seeing nothing wrong with it, Shinko stood up and cleared her throat.
"We, as Ladies of the Rose, are presented and accounted for. Let us raise our left hands and begin," Shinko started before saying it with them.
"Here we stand as friends and sisters, to share our lives with one another. It is between us that we share our hopes, dreams, and fears without false lies. Together we may grow and learn from one another, to never let anything in our way. We promise to stay true and to be guided by the Great Mother Goddess. So mote it be."
Jump added his own bark to the pledge before they fell back into routine and set about to catch up. Their conversation ranged from memories to current standings. There was an occasional gossip here and there but it was for fun rather than taking it seriously. All of them were listening and talking while doing their own things such Kel playing tug-of-war with Jump. Shinko and Yuki were trying to style each other's hair while Eri sat on the floor comfortably drawing her friends.
"So Eri...what did that woman say today?" Shinko asked casually.
"Nothing in particular," Eri said frowning at her shading.
"It can't be nothing if she's pissed at you," Kel brought up.
"She was not... she was just testy."
"Eri, there's nothing to be ashamed of. If anything she should've been ashamed for her display," Yuki told Eri.
"I appreciate the concern, really I do, but it was nothing."
"Whatever happened to sharing everything with each other?" Yuki inquired.
"Yeah. It's not like we'll tell everyone, so don't worry about it," Kel pointed out.
"It was nothing. Honest."
"Really? Then why did she call you stupid?" Shinko asked with a hard stare.
"And blind?" Yuki asked getting up.
"And a disgrace to court ladies?" Kel said following Yuki's example.
"I've told you how she could be. I hear it all the time."
Seeing that her sketch was being shadowed, Eri glanced up to see her three friends surrounding her, looking very intimidating at the moment.
"We're not stupid you know," Shinko stated.
"We actually have more brain cells than those court ladies put together," Kel said jokingly.
"Besides, what kind of friends would we be if we let you become a damsel in distress?" Yuki said smirking.
Eri sighed before running her hand through her tangled hair and setting her sketchbook aside. Seeing that they were finally getting somewhere Shinko, Kel, and Yuki sat down around her with Jump in the middle.
"Technically, it's always the same speech I hear every time she's around," Eri started.
"You mean the disgrace and stupid part?" Kel asked.
"Pretty much except it was more this time. She said that I was useless and had no respect for rules and regulations, which I have to say is a bit true. I could be a farmer and I'd still be happier than I would be now, but I didn't realize that I had said it out loud. Aunt Lucille became furious then and started yelling at me. She criticized my looks, my intelligence, my skills, and my sketches. She told me that they weren't good enough to wipe horse crap with," Eri said bitterly.
"Then she went on to say how I would never amount to anything or even snatch a husband for that matter. 'Snatch' she says! I'm some Carthaki vulture out for male carcasses. Honestly that woman makes me want to vomit...and I wouldn't mind if I did that in front of her either. Oh and then she goes on a tirade about how barbaric I've become by living in the Islands instead of going to the convent like a 'good little girl' and proceeded to bad mouth Mama about how she was a slut and whore for taking Papa away from her. She said that if I ever do that to another court lady, she'd throw me to the Scanrans. I swear that woman makes me want to kill her someday!"
When Eri finished, Shinko pulled the girl into a tight hug letting her know that she could cry and show as much emotion as she wanted to. But either she didn't notice the tears or she just ignored them, Eri started to angrily swear like a sailor instead of crying. Yuki and Kel exchanged looks about the whole affair deciding that it was better to let Eri swear as much as she wanted to, although, they were a bit worried about where she got the words. After a few minutes, Eri fell into a peaceful sleep next to Shinko. Laying the girl down, they pulled the blankets around her and went to sleep themselves letting Shinko take the bed.
