A father knows when there is something wrong with their child, Alexis knew. He could see it all on his son's face. Of course, the boy would not say it, no, he'd be too embarrassed to confront such. So the only way was through a mutual and casual talk. Having one of the servants summon him, Edward comes to his father's study.

"Yes? Father?"

From his desk, the Marquess rises to greet his son. "Please, sit Edward." Doing as he was told, Edward takes the open seat before his father who sits back down in his chair. There was silence for a bit, only the sound of seconds passing filled the room. Not sure what it was his father wanted, Edward prepared himself for it. Expecting it to be about the Order, to be sadly mistaken. "Tell me, Edward, how is the company of your cousin May fairing? During her stay?"

The young man froze speechless, his cheeks burning. The words would not come out correctly. "Well...I...wouldn't..." That he resorted to twiddling his thumbs and looking aside.

Did his father have to bring that up? That was not what he...oh God. What to say? What to say? As he thought of the words, Alexis kept talking. "I believe she is blooming rather well, into a lovely young lady. From what your mother has told me. She and Harmony have settled in well. Wouldn't you say?"

No answer from his son. "Harmony is enjoying her time well, with Elizabeth. Those two are quite a pair. It warms me to see them so happy. Harmony will no doubt grow into a lovely lady herself. As her sister. I must say, May is the quite adaptable young lady. Suited well in many manners. Driven and focused. Yet, still remains and retains her gentleness. Would you not agree?"

Swallowing hard, Edward nods slowly. Fanning himself a little. "Y-Yes...v-very much."

"I was told by your mother, that you took the young ladies all out to the zoo. How very kind. Where you and May able to make talk? Conversate?"

Right there Edward's head lowers, slowing shaking it. "No." He answers fully. "There..." he thinks back, there was obstacles that came. Despite the many times, he tried. One mainly being himself. Not fully Soma, whom he could easily place all the blame upon. It was truly him.

And his father could see. Rising from his seat goes over to his son and places a light hand on his slump shoulder. "Edward."

Though his words soft and comforting, Edward couldn't lift his eyes to his father. They remained on the floor. Lost in what could have been done, weighing him down further. There were so many times he could have...could have...some gentlemen he was. And she tried herself too, which was to be his job. His was concerned over petty things, his mother's words of trust twisted into a scolding. He could not look at her either when he came back.

Shutting his eyes tight, saw her...saw his cousin walking away and he just stood there. As her laughter faded away, her smile turned away from him and he found himself alone, in the dark. The light was gone.

Opening his eyes finds the floor of his father's study blandly looking back. Not a single bit of color. His shoulders slump again, that day could have been...been a wonderful day if he had just...his mother was putting in all her energy to assure this. His father too as well Lizzie, but, he wasn't. He couldn't get her to smile like that, the way Soma could.

Or hold her amazement like him either. He was truly tripping over his own feet. And all she wanted...rising from his seat, still avoiding his father's eyes. Adjust himself. "Thank you, father. Please...please excuse me."Gives the man a respectful nod and leaves.

Father, you...I...his mind cries walking down the hall. I should have...how can I even? No matter what I try...I should feel ashamed of myself, I was not a gentleman at all. And soon...

"Oh, Harmony we look so adorable!" Lizzie squeals. He stops and looks at her closed door. Hearing the two girls laughing and Paula's jingling bells praising them. It managed to bring a smile to his face.

That he stopped to listen. "I love the color. It's so pretty!" Harmony exclaims. "I feel like almost like a princess. Look! Look, Lizzie, how my dress flares when I spin!"

"Yes! Mine too!"

"We'll be the bells of the ball!"

Listening to them, this could happen all the time. Always. The two together and he'd be standing here outside their room not alone, but another by his side. The two girls would actually become sisters. Though now he wasn't sure. Continuing his forlorn walk through the halls and downstairs when his ears faintly pick up a lovely and exquisite melody. Flowing through the halls where he stood. It was beautiful and mesmerizing. Curious he allows it to guide, closing his eyes escaping to another world.

A world of charms and reverie. A ballet upon a crystal mirror lake, so delicate, so alluring. He could stay forever, it filled him with sensation unable to bring forth with words. Feelings could only explain. Resting his back remained taken, unaware of a hand reaching out towards him. Until its light touch and voice that came with it.

"Edward, well this is quite a surprise." you lightly joke, with a simple laugh. Only to startle him. "Edward? Are you alright? Did I startle you?"

He jumps back nearly stumbled giving himself and you distance. At least three feet, staring at you with wide eyes. He wasn't expecting you here...to be here standing before the slightly opened door, holding a violin and well...clearing his throat sets himself straight. "May, I-I hope I wasn't...forgive me."

A strange way to respond. "For what? What do I need to forgive you for?"

"Well, ummm..." his eyes shift and ling on the instrument before going to you to quickly advert them. "you were practicing and I...I happened to interrupt you. I apologize for that." He does a deep bow."It was rude of me."

Your eyes remain on him, why was he accusing himself in such a manner? Why was he acting this way? Why didn't he look at you when he rose, he kept his eyes adverted from you, there was something in them, you could see. Those forests eyes you grew to enjoy looking at seem to wither for some reason. You had to bring them back, your hand reacted to your thought and grab him by the wrist stopping him from leaving.

He stops mid-stride, feeling his body tense up, held himself together. Even if his heart was racing like fire. The sound of you closing the bit of distance between only flared his flight response. But, he forced it down and kept his eyes straight. Even when you came around to the front and stared up at him, searching for his eyes to connect with his, he refused. Biting his lip to hold in his words he wanted to speak. Struggling was becoming more task than anything, he couldn't look you in the eyes. Even if they pleaded. Even if they...they filled with wanting and seeking. To avoid anything further he shuts his eyes, stopping when he felt your touch transfer to the side of his face.

They shoot open finding his golden suns looking back, beaming with rays of warmth that cast aside everything. "Edward," you spoke so softly it reminded him of a cloud. Yet, poured like light rain.

Rain he wanted to wipe away, as he watched your lips move speaking. Caused his chest to tighten like a knot, he could feel its pain. Until it was swept away, from a fresh and warm touch. Looking down finds your hand upon it with eyes staring deeply. Concentrating. He didn't know what to say, lost for words. "Edward," he hears you this time. "can I ask you of something?"

He nods.

It made you glad. With a small hidden smile, that soon ran across your face. Realizing you hadn't asked, he does. "What, what is it?"

Hearing his concern heavy in his words, you bite down, you couldn't...you just couldn't. Looking up at him smiling. Touch the side of his face once again and say words of fib, but also drizzled with some truth. "That you remain as strong a forest. I so do love nature and you provide me with such."

His cheeks slowly redden. Seeing this couldn't help but poke at them just a little and laugh. "Are you some sort of balloon? Hmm? Edward?" You laughed some more.

That is cracked him and he couldn't help but laugh himself. The forest was becoming alive again. You could see it and it was lovely. Edward continued laughing even as yours began to settle. "I see mother has you on the violin, you play very well."

Looking at it nod with a sigh. "Yes, she does. Soon it will be the flute I believe. One would soon think I am one-man-band."

Hearing your humor he chuckles a bit. "Yes, one would think. You would make a wonderful one-woman-band."

"If I decide to do that, you shall be my first performer? Alright?"

He nods agreeing. "You are rather talented, May. It is amazing."

You look at yourself shocked only to laugh. "I suppose." With a slight sigh and mumble a few words to yourself. "Have you tried on your attire yet? For the party? I was informed that they have recently been delivered."

"Oh, no I have not. This is the first I have heard. Have you?"

"I will, once I have finished up with my lessons. Harmony I have heard is truly thrilled to attend. She cannot wait to show off her new gown or is it a dress? I'm not sure, except that Lizzie has her completely sparked. She is also hoping that Ciel will be there. Honestly, I do a little too."

Another joke. The two of you laugh together. "I am sure he will be there. Harmony does miss him, she writes him constantly."

"And sends him drawings. As well the others. I must admit something," your tone changes to a shaky one. Even your smile was of slight. "Though I have had one event, this one makes me rather nervous."

"Really? Why is that?"

As you tell him, a pair of eyes watch the young ones conversate and exchange a pleasant time. Seeing the two so relaxed and mellow, it took some time, but Edward eventually came too. He was settled and smooth. While May was fair and light, her mild bouncing in both posture and mood expressed much. The look shining in Edward's eyes as they remained gazed upon her. There was not once a laugh did escape from him. And not once a smile either. Which Harmony worked to increase and keep.

Their eyes satisfied upon it this leaves them be.

Edward wipes his eyes just a little from the comical tears he produced. "You are quite a delight, May."

"And you as well, Edward." You glance behind you back in the room seeing the time. "I should return. I feel your mother will be by soon."

"Oh, well..." he swallows hard but understood. "Yes, it would be best. We both know how mother can be. Thank you for your company, May." He nods out to you. You do the same thing and he starts walking away.

"Edward!" you call after him. He stops and this time turns around to you. "I do hope we share the evening dancing at the party. I would very much like it."

Realizing what you were asking him, he couldn't stop his lucky smile from spreading and was quick to respond. "Yes, yes I would love that very much as well."

"Wonderful. Then I shall wait with impatient joy. Thank you, Edward." Giving him one more bow go back inside and shut the door.