"Hmm…" Erasmus stared at himself in his mirror, holding up to suits in front of himself. One was a white dress shirt with a black and blue vest that had firm, pointed shoulders. In his other paw was a black dress coat with golden buttons. "Linota, your opinion?"

The Rattata shield knight approached his side and examined the outfits in the mirror. "You haven't worn the dress coat in a while, and it would look quite dashing on you."

"Perhaps, but I do not want to seem like I am trying too hard for Adenine. She gets so nervous about this stuff, and I do not want to her to feel like she had to dress with the absolute peak of formal wear."

Linota smirked. "How often do I hear the Prince Erasmus fussing over what someone else's thinking than himself?"

He laughed. "I want to look my best for her. This is a big step up from our secret. True, my parents will not know the truth quite yet, but better they meet Adenine first before we take any major steps forward."

"Do you really think your parents will agree to you marrying a commoner, though?" Linota asked. "That kind of decision rarely goes well. Plus, the poor thing doesn't look like she's fit to rule a kingdom."

"Marriage is not what is on my mind right now," Erasmus said. "I just want my parents to meet her." He looked away sadly. "For all the anguish I felt, a part of me was relieved my wedding with Melissa was cancelled, though I would not have wanted such unfavorable circumstances."

Linota nodded. "Have hope in your heart that Melissa is still thriving."

"Speaking of thriving—" Linota winced and turned around, spotting her spearman partner, Serell, fluttering in the air. "Anyone else hoping we'll have more to do than security detail? At least when we're acting as Erasmus' personal guard, we can chat with him. Tomorrow, I'll be doing my impression of a statue while everyone chatters away and eats."

Gaufroi, who was hanging by the door, huffed. "It's any wonder you made it through training."

"You would know. You're the one who trained me," the Togetic said with a cheeky grin. "Did you realize my incredible talent?"

"I realized you had the potential to defend a kingdom, but lacked the etiquette to."

"Hey, I'm plenty more focused than Rikmai!"

"Watch it, buzzard brain!" Rikmai yelled while sitting on Erasmus' bed. "I have plenty of self-control."

"Riiiiight, and you drooling on the floor after Darby winked at you was the height of proper conduct?" Serell asked with a smirk.

Rikmai pouted. "I'll have you know, he also said hi to me." She huffed. "You'll be so jealous when I win over Darby's attention and make him my husband."

Linota groaned and faced the Vaporeon. "We really need to talk about that, by the way. You keep getting distracted over every other guy you see and pleading with them to marry you. That kind of thing scares guys off, and the ones that do say yes immediately are often people you want to stay far away from."

"Oh, what do you know? Your heart's as cold and dead as Serell's respect for women."

"Hey!" Serell exclaimed.

Linota pouted. "I have no need for love, or at least the kind you're obsessing over." She sighed and pinched between her eyes. "I mean, seriously, you fawn over every other guy you run into solely based on looks and status. Do you know how incredibly shallow that makes you look?"

Rikmai huffed. "I'm not interested in just those things."

"No, but they are your attention grabbers. For once, can't you just obsess over one guy for something a bit more credible? Like, I don't know, chivalry."

Serell laughed. "Chivalry? In this day and age? Perish the thought!"

Linota rolled her eyes. "Or at least something along those lines."

Rikmai huffed. "I can certainly find someone chivalrous and prove to you I do have standards."

"Heh. Like that will ever happen."

Erasmus sighed and turned around. "As riveting as this conversation is, it is doing little to help me for tomorrow."

Rikmai frowned. "Sorry, Erasmus." She smiled and hopped off the bed. "I can help you with your fur if you want." She stood on her hindlegs and ran her digits through the fur on his head. "Nothing too fancy, but something to impress Adenine. Is she fond of any flowers?"

Erasmus tapped his chin. "Let me think—"

A knock on the door drew their attention. Gaufroi straightened up and opened the door. Upon doing so, he immediately bowed. "Good day, Prince Dimitri."

Erasmus hopped off his chair and faced his dark-furred brother as he entered the room. "Is something the matter, Dimitri?"

The young brother glared at the floor hesitantly for a moment before looking him in the eyes. "Can I speak to you in private? My room?"

Erasmus narrowed his eyes. "You were not eavesdropping on me, were you?"

"Why do you ask?"

"…No reason. What is it?"

"My room. Now. Just us."

Erasmus shared a look with his knights, shrugged, and followed Dimitri into the hall. Gaufroi shut the door behind him, then turned to the others. "What was that about?"

"You don't think he overheard us talking about Adenine, do you?" Linota asked.

Gaufroi narrowed his eyes. "Somehow, I don't think that's what this is about."

Dimitri shut his bedroom door after letting Erasmus in. The eldest Talbot paced around his younger brother's room, taking in the mess of scrolls littered around his desk and sand pendulum sitting on the corner. He pulled the pendulum and released it, watching it swing over the shallow pool of sand and etching soft curves with each passing swing.

"You have been studying hard, Dimitri. I am impressed," Erasmus said. "This kind of dedication would make you a worthy king one day."

Dimitri narrowed his eyes on the floor. "I didn't call you in to talk about my studies."

Erasmus turned and raised his brow. "Informal speech, dear brother? Is something wrong?"

He scratched the back of his neck. "I didn't know how to approach you about this, but I can't leave anything up to chance. I wanted to talk to Father first, but he's so wrapped up in business that I didn't have the heart to confront him…especially with King Tetrarch around."

Erasmus glared. "Dimitri, what is this about?"

"Promise to take what I'm about to say as seriously and understandingly as possible."

"Dimi—"

"Promise?"

"…I promise."

The younger Glameow sighed. "Thank." He took a deep breath, relaxing his racing heartrate. "I have been spying on Prince Darby for the last couple of days—"

Erasmus' eyes widened. "Pardon me?"

"You promised, remember?"

"I was not aware you were going to start off with that! Dimitri—"

"Before you throw any accusations toward me, you need to hear this."

Erasmus closed his mouth, took a deep breath, and nodded. "…Alright."

Dimitri glared at the floor. "I was coming back from the kitchen late at night. The 26th, same day the Tetrarchs arrived. I heard someone walking through the halls at night. I rarely hear anyone else walking that late at night, so I was naturally curious. I detected the noise coming from the royal guest hall, and I happened upon that Indeedee maid."

Erasmus glared. "Dimitri, do you even know her name?"

"Not the point. I didn't think anything of it and wanted to apologize for my behavior last time. However, I stopped when she knocked on Darby's door. He was still awake. I got closer when he opened the door, and he was talking to her. I…noticed she looked a little out of it. Like she wasn't all there. And I cannot forget the way she greeted him. She sounded so distant and…empty. I wasn't sure if she was asleep or something else.

"She just followed him into his room and stayed there for three hours. I didn't know what to do, so I stayed there keeping an ear out for what was going on. I couldn't chance alerting Mother or Father is fear I…was too late to stop something."

Erasmus' eyes widened. "Dimitri! Are you saying Darby was trying to r—"

"NO! M-Maybe. Yes? I don't know, alright?" Dimitri huffed. "I didn't know what to do. I couldn't risk busting down the door and accusing him of something without proof, but I couldn't leave in good conscience under the threat of something like that."

"Dimitri, that is a serious accusation you are putting out there. And of a prince, no less."

"I know it sounds crazy, but he did something to her. I know he did."

"She was probably tired. Our night vision can't see all details clearly."

"I saw her face in candlelight. She looked off."

"It had to have been late when this happened. It could have been anything."

"Even if that is the case, why was one of our maids skulking around in the middle of the night having secret meetings with a prince she just met?"

"What did they do?"

"I don't know. L-Luckily, nothing happened as far as I could hear. He was mostly just talking to her, but I couldn't make out most of it. I think he mentioned love or something. I think I heard him talking about a forest. I don't know." He glared. "Come on, you have to admit this is a little suspicious. You even told him not to bother the staff."

Erasmus scratched his cheek. "Well, she was off duty by that time, so—"

"Are you serious?!" Dimitri yelled. "You're not even going to question this?!"

Erasmus glared. "If this has been your concern for the last couple of days, why am I only now hearing about this?"

"Because I had to get proof. Hard, factual proof that Darby Tetrarch is a no good scumbag!"

"That is ridiculous—"

"Is it?" Dimitri snapped, stomping his paw down. "I had an interesting chat with that gang boss the same day. Even he told there's something screwed up about Darby. He has some nickname, the Prince of Desire. There are people in the Wick Kingdom that have certain issues with the guy. Now, isn't that just a bit suspicious?"

"Dimitri, you have to be exaggerating. If this was as much a problem as you are claiming, someone should have outed him by now."

Dimitri laughed. "You think it's that simple? Darby's a prince. He has power. You can't really accuse the guy of anything without looking like the bad guy yourself. If anything, any accusation thrown against him would make him look like the victim of an unappreciative kingdom."

"Or you are looking too deep into something that is not there."

"Or you aren't looking deep enough. Come on, even you admit he's weird."

Erasmus looked away. "I…have heard certain things from Princess Evangelina during her visit here, but surely she would have confided in me if Darby had malintent."

"Would she, though? Again, Darby is a prince. Just as much as he has loyal subjects, he has subjects that cower under the possible danger they would be in should they turn their backs on him. It's her word against millions of others, regardless of her influence."

"You are being paranoid—"

"I am NOT! I don't trust him!"

"You do not trust anyone outside the capital!"

"And for good reason! We stayed isolated for two hundred years because of all the blasted wars that have been going on since our ancestors conquered this section of land. Suddenly, we're opening our walls to complete strangers and—" Dimitri paused for a moment, then scowled. "Oh. Oh, that's why."

"Huh?"

"You don't believe me because you don't want to admit it."

"Dimitri—"

"You know if we accused Darby of malintent, it would ruin relations with our kingdom. You're blatantly ignoring everything for Father's sake like the good heir you are." Dimitri growled. "Is that the reason?"

"No, of course not! Look, I admit I have my suspicions of Darby, but stalking him is not going to solve anything—"

"Well, I'm doing a lot more than whatever you've been fussing over the last several days! But sure, let's do things the formal way and let Darby do whatever the hell he wants until it's too late."

"That is not what I mean. Maybe we can just talk to him."

"He'll just deny everything!" Dimitri poked Erasmus in the chest. "Face it, you are just denying the real possibility that there's something screwed up about Darby, maybe even the rest of his family." He scoffed and turned away. "Then again, what do I expect from his high and mighty majesty? So blessed because he is the oldest, thus becoming Father's favorite."

"When did this become about me?!"

"Because you LOVE to remind everyone about how great you are. You don't say it out loud, but I know you look down on our brothers and me for not taking our royal responsibilities seriously. We didn't have a shot at the throne, so we chose to ignore it, and now all Father seems to care about is opening our walls and putting all his time onto you! Everything for the Perfect Son."

"Excuse me?!"

"That's what Cairo, Galen, and I call you behind your back. You're the perfect son who can do no wrong, and does whatever Father says down to the letter. So, when he says he wants this stupid party to go perfectly, you ignore all the warning signs that there's a corrupted penguin marching through our halls!"

"You're the one making blatant accusations and stalking people!"

"Ah, look who finally broke proper speech! Guess you're not so perfect after all!"

Erasmus clenched his teeth. "You know what? I am getting sick of this. I have a lot to prepare for before tomorrow." He stepped around Dimitri and opened the door. "I will talk to Darby later, but I expect you to be on your best behavior. No more throwing around accusations."

Dimitri scoffed. "Please, you're just going to talk to him, he'll say nothing's wrong, and you'll buy it because you're too busy deciding what suit to where. What? Do you have a hot date tomorrow or something?"

Erasmus pulled the door open and huffed. "We will continue this conversation later. Do not do anything stupid and just let me handle it." He shut the door behind him.

Dimitri growled through clenched teeth. "Bastard…"

Darby stepped out of the dining hall, gently patting his breast pocket. He chuckled to himself as he walked through the hall, nonchalantly waving at the passing servants or winking at lovestruck maids.

He walked around the corner, stopping just short of bumping into someone. "Oh! Pardon me, I did not see you…" He blinked, then smirked. "Ah, Prince Dimitri. What a pleasant surprise."

The dark-furred Glameow narrowed his eyes. "Darby…"

"What a cold tone there. Are you always this abrasive, or is today a special day?" He chuckled. "I jest, of course. I was just on my way to the training grounds. Would you fancy a sparring match with—"

"Can it with the syrup, you scumbag," Dimitri growled.

Darby blinked twice in confusion, but smiled nonetheless. "Someone is definitely in a bad mood. No wonder poor Vanessa was so nervous around you. Poor girl must have thought she would lose her job."

"I do not know who that is, but that is beside the point." Dimitri stamped his paw down. "Tell me the truth, Darby. Now!"

Darby sighed and raised a wing to his forehead. "Very well. I knew this would come sooner or later. I, Darby Tetrarch, confess my sins." He looked away from Dimitri with a fake whimper. "I enjoy a spot of knitting!"

"…What?"

Darby sighed in relief and shook Dimitri's paw. "Thank you, dear Dimitri. I feel like a burden has been lifted from my soul—ACK!" Dimitri seized him by the collar and pushed him against the wall. He smirked at the snarling cat. "It is not the manliest activity, but that does not warrant such a violent—"

"Do not play games with me. I know what you are up to," Dimitri whispered.

"Yes, I am sure you are, but do be careful with the suit. It cost a fortune."

"Do you not feel shame for what you have done?"

"Hard to imagine. There is no shame in a man learning to knit. It is actually quite relax—"

"I am NOT talking about the freakin' knitting!" Dimitri snapped. "You did something to that Indeedee. You drugged her and persuaded her to come to your room in the middle of the night, or something like that. Admit it!"

Darby sighed and smiled. "You know, such accusations can lead to serious repercussions. You assume I performed foul deeds behind your back? Perish the thought, it almost sounds inane. You dare say I drugged her?"

"You did something. I saw the look in her eye, that dazed expression like she was lost in a different world. You are to blame."

Darby calmly removed the cat's paws. "You must be joking. And I assume you have proof of this?"

"I heard you."

"Oh? What were we discussing?"

"…" He clenched his teeth. "Alright, I do not know what you were talking about, but I know it was something bad! You two were talking the previous night for like three hours."

"Three hours of conversation is hardly worth such suspicion."

"Erasmus told you to stay away from our staff—"

"—while they were on duty. I kept my end of the bargain, but I was genuinely interested in speaking with the poor girl. Forgive me if we were too engrossed in our conversation to not bother with the time. She had a later shift, thus she would be fully rested before she had to work. I expect she performed optimally despite the matter."

"That does not change the fact you did something to her—"

Darby raised his wing and silenced the cat. "Honestly, while this has been strangely entertaining, I do not enjoy being accused of. I suppose you want to accuse me of some other misdeed? Perhaps something a lot worse than pleasant conversation?" He flashed a wry smirk. "We both know what you really want to say, but you know what will happen if you do. Something you cannot take back once it is out in the open."

Dimitri backed away from the Prinplup, growling through his teeth. "You…!"

"Darby? What's going on?" Dimitri's ears perked up as the Indeedee maid approached them with a stack of clean shirts.

Darby fixed his collar. "Nothing to worry about, my dear. Just a mild argument with your prince. He was worried about you."

"Oh?" She faced Dimitri curiously. "Is that true?"

"I, uh…" Dimitri shook his head and glared at her. "Forget that. You were in Darby's room two nights ago, right?"

"Yes? Is that bad?" She frowned. "Terribly sorry if I was out past curfew."

"Did Darby do anything to you? Did he hurt you? He did not do anything to your body, right?"

Her face flushed red. "That is…a highly inappropriate thing to ask, Prince Dimitri. He was nothing but a perfect gentleman to me."

"Then what were you doing in his room? And why did you look so vacant when I was sppppp…" He looked away. "Um, what I mean to say is—"

Darby sighed and shook his head. "You have no social skills when it comes to women." He hooked his wing around the maid. "If you must know, dear Vanessa wanted someone to talk to about her troubles back home. She could not bring herself to speak with her fellow coworkers or you princes. I, however, made myself approachable. She must have heard about me from the other maids."

Dimitri frowned. "Trouble?"

Vanessa sighed. "When I enraged you, Prince Dimitri, I was worried I would be fired. I need this job, otherwise I would have to move back home. I…do not have the best relationship with my parents, and my choice of career wasn't ideal in their eyes. I only took this job because I wanted to eventually work up enough money to study in Sinnoh and become a cook."

Dimitri's frown deepened. "I…"

"My parents don't believe I have a future as a cook, even though I worked so hard. I want to attend a culinary school in Sinnoh so I can improve my skills. But Darby was kind enough to talk it over with me. He did most of the talking, but it gave me the courage to confront my parents over the issue. It was really sweet of him."

"…" Dimitri glared at Darby. "I do not believe this."

Darby shrugged. "Believe what you will. I do not deceive, my friend." He pulled away from Vanessa. "I wanted to prove to dear Vanessa that she could trust me, and she spilled her heart out in response. Frankly, you should be ashamed of yourself for even remotely suggesting malintent on my part."

"This has to be a pack of lies. That does not explain why she was—"

"All you have done was sling accusations in my face under baseless assumptions." Darby turned away and scoffed. "It is pathetic."

"Pathetic? Is looking after my kingdom pathetic to you?!"

Darby smirked over his shoulder. "Ah, but last I checked…you are not Erasmus. This is not your kingdom."

His eyes widened as the Prinplup chuckled and went on his way. His ears flopped against his head, and he fell back on his haunches, staring at the ground vacantly.

Vanessa awkwardly looked around. "Uh…I'm just going to drop these off in Galen's room. Take care, Prince Dimitri." She stepped around him and walked away.

Dimitri blinked twice and lifted his head, barely catching a glimpse of Darby as he rounded a corner. He felt a heat rising up in his chest. The fur on his back bristled as he recalled the smug grin Darby left him with, a dastardly image that burned into his mind, cackling at him.

He gritted his teeth, breathing heavily through clenched teeth. This…is not over.

Ignacia bit into her chocolate bar and loudly munched on it as she stared out over the capital from the castle tower. She leaned over the side lazily with a bored expression as the winds blew in her face and rustled the green and red poncho she opted to wear. "Ugh, this job is soooo dull. What a waste of time." She looked at her chocolate bar and glared. "Don't think the chocolate was worth it."

"It will all be over soon enough, sweetheart." She glanced over her shoulder just as Hobs closed the tower door behind him. "It's for one day, then we can leave." He glanced to the side. "Well, depending on the fallout, at least."

"Hmph." She turned back toward the capital. "Did you hand off the Wraith to our ally?"

"Just a moment ago." He approached her side and looked over the tower ledge. "Now, we just wait to see how he uses it."

"The fallout, you proposed?"

"If it comes down to that, you may get that fight you're craving." Hobs glared. "Terrowin is expecting him to use that Wraith to turn the tides of battle in our favor. He's good, really good. He's our best chance to get the Foresters off our back."

Ignacia frowned. "And what happens when Terrowin gets what he wants?"

"Depends. He still needs to find an heir. After that?" He shrugged. "I can retire in peace. I've always wanted to retire near the beachside. I lived in enough battles and warzones for one lifetime. This will be my final call to action before I take to the delight that is coconut drinks and slumber."

"Eh. I might stick around as a bounty hunter."

"I'm sure other regions could use your skills." Hobs closed his eyes. "Ignacia?"

"Yeah?"

"If you don't want to get involved with any of this, I'll understand. This isn't your fight."

"It isn't yours, either."

"Heh, yeah, but you're still young. I have business with Terrowin that must be carried out. You can quick whenever you feel like it."

Ignacia smirked. "Like hell I'm letting you have the fun, old man."

Hobs chuckled. "Harsh, kid."

"I haven't been a kid in a long time."

"You're still a brat in my eyes." Hobs rubbed his forehead. "Ugh…" He pulled out his bag and grabbed a pinch of herbs.

Ignacia groaned. "You're going to kill yourself if you keep eating that stuff."

"I should've been dead a long time ago. This is nothing." He threw the pinch into his mouth and swallowed. "Plus, it keeps me mellow. You haven't seen and lived through the things I experienced in my days."

Ignacia narrowed her eyes, leaning onto the edge. "How did you meet Terrowin exactly? What's your history with him?"

Hobs shrugged. "It was just a job. Unlike the rest of his council, I was just a modest bounty hunter. I do what I want when I want. The pay was good, so why refuse a second calling? I don't give a damn for the cause, just the pay. Still, what Terrowin showed me on that day…it does change your perspective of the past."

"…Hmph. Like what?"

"Things that sound almost supernatural." Hobs looked out over the city. "I feel like Virdis changed since the Great Invasion, but…I'm beginning to see things have regressed more than I realized. There's something in the ruins Terrowin wants to avoid at all costs, lest it become the last resort. Something…that has become the center point of all of this."

Ignacia glared. "You're not making any sense."

"To put it simply, it's a part of history that has been completely forgotten, but we all remember deep within our souls."

"…What part of that was simple?" She waited a moment for a response. "Dad?" She looked down and frowned as the Gumshoos slumped to the ground, snoring loudly. "Ah, your medicine decided to kick in."

She removed her poncho and lay it over his body. She shook her head and flew off into the capital.

Last Autumn. Yeesh, you have some weird friends, Dad.

Senbo Capital – Night

"Thank you for the ride, my good man," Marie said to the Passimian coachman. "We'll hail for you when it is time to depart."

The coachman tipped his hat before he and his steeds drove off, leaving the girls just outside of the inn they will be staying at. The sun had just began setting, casting the sky in a purplish-orange glow. Pokémon walked about through the darkening streets, guiding their way with lanterns or the natural light some produced.

Lillia spread her arms and twirled through the streets. "Ah, the capital. And we made good time, too."

Marie flashed a smug grin. "Told you."

Adenine clutched her bags and awkwardly bowed her head. She spotted some eyes roaming her way. It was too dark to make out their expressions properly, but she could feel their eyes boring holes on her alone as if the retreating sunlight casted a spotlight on her position. "Ah already feel singled out…"

Melissa patted her back. "You are fine, do not worry. No one is solely looking at you."

Pandora huffed smoke from her nostrils. "I'd give them a stern talking if they were."

Lillia faced them. "Oh, settle down, Pan. No need for confrontation."

"Says you, I'm here to start trouble if it benefits me."

Marie laughed. "Best to hold off until we check in."

Melissa sighed. "Indeed. I could use a respite after the journey over." She glanced at the Mawile. "Seriously, how did you afford a carriage? You really did not steal funds from the Foresters, right?"

She snickered and pressed a finger to her lips. "Sorry, hon, but these lips are sealed."

"Of course they are…" She shook her head and smiled up at the inn. "Well, shall we check in for the night?" The girls nodded and followed her inside.

The girls opted for one room to share together. They brought their belongings in, got unpacked, and made themselves comfortable after putting on their sleepwear. Melissa sat by the vanity mirror and brushed her fur while Marie held her dress up in front of the other girls.

"Oh yeah, I'm going to turn some heads with this~," Marie said as she ran her hand across the fabric. "Best part? I made it so that I can tear it away with one clean pull."

Pandora frowned. "You're planning to strip yourself at the party?"

"Oh no, I would never do that." She looked away and smirked. "It's for when I find a handsome fellow to…take me somewhere private~."

Lillia chuckled awkwardly. "Perhaps not in the Talbots' castle, lest you bring down a heap of trouble for the rest of us."

Adenine sighed. "Agreed. Ah'd hate to get kicked out before Ah had a chance to dance with Razzy."

"Such a cute nickname~," Lillia squealed.

Melissa turned around as she brushed her ear. "I would be lucky if I got the chance to dance with Darby, though he would probably have other worthy women vying for his attention."

Marie set her dress down and scoffed. "Please, you're a total catch. Forget Darby, you'll be too focused swatting away the guys trying to dance with you." She grinned. "I'm almost jealous, but I wouldn't blame them. They have good taste in women."

Melissa smiled off to the side. "Oh, I do not know about that—"

"None of that! Men would be begging to have a piece of you." Marie winked. "I know I would."

Melissa shook her head. "Let us just focus on the real reason we are here: getting Adenine ready for her special day."

Pandora smirked. "I didn't know the wedding was tomorrow."

"Eep!" Adenine grabbed a pillow and covered her face.

Lillia patted her shoulder. "You'll be fine. Erasmus will be right by your side when you meet his parents. He won't let anything happen to you."

"W-What if Ah screw up and make a fool of mahself?"

Pandora rolled her eyes. "Then we do what everyone does when they have an embarrassing moment: cover it up by burning the immediate area to the ground—"

Marie slapped her hand over the Growlithe's muzzle. "What she meant to say was that you have nothing to worry about. We are here to keep you company and give you the strength to confidently strut through those doors and tell those stuffy nobles you are a fierce Kecleon who takes no shit from anyone!"

"…Not the words Ah would use, personally."

Pandora brushed Marie's hand away. "Look, the point is you'll be fine. Erasmus will be looking out for you, too." She rubbed her paws together and grinned. "I, however, will be keeping an ear out for this super-secret project everyone's raving about. It will be mine to exploit. Mwuahahaha—" Marie covered her muzzle again.

"Perhaps we shouldn't let our neighbors think we're harboring a lunatic," Marie said.

Pandora pouted and crossed her forelegs.

Lillia kicked her legs against the bed. "Oh, you girls and your love lives…and crazy goals in Pandora's case. I'm just here to give moral support." She fell back and spread her arms out over the covers. "The only fancy formal stuff I ever went to back home were religious ceremonies. Not quite the spark of entertainment, those were."

Melissa finished brushing her fur and set her brush down. "That reminds me, while you girls were getting settled it, I went out and got these." She reached into her bag laying beside her and threw party masks at them. "Even though most of us are not on the most wanted lists, best to keep a low profile."

Marie spun her silvery mask on her finger. "Good call, Mels."

Adenine shuddered as she took a deep breath. "Ah don't know if Ah'll get any shut eye tonight."

Melissa jumped off her chair and went over to the bedside lantern. "We might as well turn in early. We have a busy day tomorrow."

Lillia nodded. "Good call."

Melissa opened the lantern and blew the flame out, submerging the room in darkness. "Goodnight, girls."

"Night."

"Night-Night!"

"Sweet dreams~."

"May evil dreams bless me tonight."

Melissa, Lillia, and Adenine climbed into the bed and squished together under the covers. Pandora threw a spare blanket over herself and lay down on the foot of the bed. Marie made herself comfortable in the thin gap between the bed and the wall.

Melissa, who was the edge of the bed, peeked down at her. "Uh, are you comfortable there?"

"You kidding?" Marie asked with a grin. "I've slept in a wardrobe for a week once. And compared to sharing a box with you and the others for three days, this is nothing." She pulled a blanket over herself and closed her eyes.

Melissa smiled awkwardly. "If you say so." She yawned and pulled herself back into bed, nestling into the pillows. She smiled to herself as her mind drifted to thoughts of the party. A chance to see Erasmus again, and a chance to see Darby.

Darby~. My sweet, sweet Darby~.