Chapter Three: Familial Ties.
Elsword looked around her room, her sister standing behind her leaning on the door. It was plain and simple, although following a distinct red theme. At the foot of the bed was an armor stand bearing an unusual garment with a large greatsword and a scabbard on the back. Elesis looked more closely at it and stifled her surprise. The former armor had seemed to change, turning into more of a dress of blades. Strange; did Conwell form with the armor? She wondered; it was the only logical thought to this.
"Sis?" Elsword turned to her, "What did I like to do?"
"You spent a lot of time sparring and training with your sword there." Elesis pointed behind her, "But just because that's what you used to do doesn't mean it's what you need to do now. We all love you sis." The crimsonette walked over and hugged her sister gently, "We don't care what your hobby is, as long as we still have you."
"Thanks…I still just have no idea what to do."
"Don't worry, we'll help you." Elesis comforted, "Hey, why don't you hang out with me and Ara today?"
"You sure? I don't want to get in the way."
"Keep saying that and you will be. Just come on, hang out and be yourself."
"Alright, sure." Elsword nodded, it could be fun.
The sisters left the room and headed back downstairs. Only Ara and Chung were in the living room as everyone else chose to go about their day as normal.
"Hey Ara, fancy paying a trip to the mall?" Elesis asked.
"Sure." Ara got up, knowing what this was about. The three girls headed out to the garage. Elesis opened the back door of her car for Elsword as Ara settled in the passenger seat. Opening the garage door the trio drove out onto the forest dirt road and onto the highway heading to Elder.
"So Elsword, you like the group?" Ara asked, turning back to look at her.
"Y-Yeah. You're all really nice. But I'm a little confused…"
"On what?" Elesis hopped in, not taking her eyes off the road.
"When Add kissed my hand, what's that mean?" Elesis and Ara exchanged glances. If they lied and said Add was being rude then it could end up making Elsword miss out on a grand chance later in life.
"People do that to show that they…like someone." The elder sister phrased it delicately.
"But it's just boys who do it, us girls don't tend to do that."
"Oh, I see." Elsword thought that over, so did Add like her? "What do people do when they like each other?"
"Well, they tend to…go out on dates." Ara said, "Like me and your sister, we're in a relationship."
"Oh, what do you do?" Elsword asked. Ara and Elesis exchanged glances. Ara was just curious but Elesis was worried; was Elsword thinking about asking Add on a date due to his action?
"Well, you do just about anything. Go out to dinner, the beach, maybe catch a movie." Ara said.
"Just because it's a date doesn't mean it's anything too special." Elesis elaborated, "You're just doing something fun or interesting with someone you really like."
"Ok."
"Speaking of food, how about we catch a bite at the diner?" Ara asked. Due to the harsh conditions of the morning, everyone was pretty hungry and Elsword hadn't even eaten yet.
"Sounds good. Usual place?"
"Sure." Ara nodded as they cruised into one of the parking lots around Elder. Stopping in an empty space they got out of the car. Elsword looked about in curiosity at the people around him; Ara and Elesis hoped they didn't run into anyone they were close to. With a short walk the trio came to Ara and Elesis's favorite place to go on a date. A café called Rosewell's which was located atop a flower boutique. As they walked inside Elsword was confused.
"Are we eating…this?" Elsword asked, staring at a clump of white roses resting in a vase on the display table before the window.
"No, the diner is upstairs." Elesis said, having to hold back the laughter. Taking her confused sister's hand the elder sibling and her lover escorted Elsword up to the diner. It was a small waiting room that was empty as well. Elesis knocked on the door and after a few seconds it opened to show a well-dressed man with smooth brown hair.
"Ah, Mademoiselle Sieghart and Haan, welcome." He smiled, speaking with a strong accent. He gently kissed Elesis's hand.
"Oh ho, Monsieur Armand." Elesis giggled slightly, "Un charmeur comme toujours."
"Rappelez-vous monsieur Armand, manquez Sieghart est mon amant." Ara said eloquently and with a smile.
"Oh you wound me madam, I would never infringe on your wondrous love." Armand said with a smile, taking Ara's hand and kissing it as well.
"Umm…" Elsword gently scratched her head, "Does he really like you guys?" Armand looked up at the new woman.
"Oh mademoiselle, I am married, to a beautiful wife I might add." Armand said, "Where I am from, this is a way of affectionate greeting. But, may I ask your name?"
"Oh, Armand this is my sister, Elsword." Elesis said. It was safe, as Ara and Elesis never really talked about their home life at this diner.
"Oh madam, you have a lovely sister." Armand said, gently kissing Elsword's hand, "A pleasure to meet you. My name is Armand Vildon Pasqual."
"T-Thank you." She blushed.
"Please, please, allow me to show you to your table. The usual I assume?" Armand grabbed three small menus and looked at Ara.
"Of course." She grinned. Armand brought them to the balcony, with a small table with four chairs and a lavish tablecloth. He pulled out a seat for Elsword as Elesis did the same for Ara. Following the brunette's motion Elsword let Armand seat her.
"So, Mademoiselles, shall I bring you your usual?"
"How about you give us a few minutes for Elsword to decide?" Elesis asked.
"Magnifique. I shall return soon." Armand said and left the balcony.
"So, what are you looking at?" Ara asked, scooting next to the indecisive crimsonette.
"I don't know…these names are all weird." Elsword frowned.
"Well they're a different language, from Armand's homeland." Elesis explained.
"I love the Tarte Flambé." Ara said.
"What is it?"
"It's a pizza. Bread with a layer of cheese, with bacon and onions." Elesis said.
"I guess I'll…try it." She said. The doors to the interior opened and Armand returned.
"Do we have a conclusion?" He asked merrily.
"Yes, we'll just have the usual, but can we have some more of the Tarte Flambé for Elsword?"
"But of course." Armand said.
"Oh, and three Devil's Gardens." Ara said.
"As you wish, we shall begin posthaste." Armand said, taking the orders and heading to the kitchen.
"So, Elsword, do you have anything you want to do?" Elesis asked her sister, "Anything at all?"
"Umm…I kind of want to get to know Add more." Elsword said. The two cringed, "I feel like I don't know him the most."
"What about Lu and Ciel? They only arrived yesterday so you never got to meet them before you lost your memory." Ara phrased it delicately, trying to steer it away from Add.
"I think they're nice people, but I have no clue about Add. And he seems really sweet." Elesis cast a glance at Ara, and they both nodded slightly.
"Add is somewhat of a loner." Elesis began, "Our original meeting with him was not on the best of terms. He stalked us for months, always planning things for Eve in particular. So there isn't a lot of…trust for him from the rest of the house."
"But isn't he nice now?" Elsword asked in ignorant bliss.
"Well, to an extent." Ara sighed, "He's always doing things to annoy the girls in the house so he gets slapped on a regular basis as none of us have an interest in him romantically."
"I swear to El his face can't even get sore anymore from the amount of times Eve has smacked him." The doors opened again and Armand arrived with a tray of food.
"As ordered, two servings of Tarte Flambé and a Tartiflette. I shall bring your drinks out in just a moment." Armand set down the food and left, quickly returning with three glasses with an orange liquid inside. He clapped his hands once, "Bon appetit." He said, and left them to eat.
"Careful Elsword, it'll be hot. Might want to blow on it a little first." Ara said, taking a piece of her meal and nibbling it.
The three women talked about many things, mostly centered on important topics Elsword needed to know. But soon enough their drinks ran dry and their food diminished and they paid their bill and went back to the car. As they drove home, Elsword taking a nap in the back, Elesis clenched the steering wheel in anxious tension. If Elsword wanted to know Add, he may try to play her into his arms. If he hurt her; Elesis had no idea what she might do.