Chapter Six: Frivolous Tea.

"Elsword. Time to get up."

"Nngh…" Elsword groaned as she was rustled from her sleep at a soft voice and gentle shake. Her crimson orbs fluttered open to spy Rena standing over her bed, the sun's radiant rays pushing through the open curtains.

"Wakey wakey Elsword." Rena sang gently, urging the young redhead awake.

"Oh…..hi Rena…." She mumbled, yawing as she rubbed her sleep victimized eyes.

"You slept through breakfast, so come on. Up and at 'em." Rena said motherly as she pulled the blanket off the bed, exposing Elsword full on to the chilly morning air. She shivered and slowly sat up.

"I'm sorry, I was just so tired."

"Oh I'm not lecturing you sweetie." Rena said, pulling Elsword gently off the bed and remaking it, "Besides, you're coming with me and Eve for tea remember?"

"Huh?"

"Did you forget I told you we needed to have an important conversation?"

"Oh right." Elsword scratched her neck.

"Come on, Eve's waiting and we gotta get you dressed. Just throw this on for now." Rena tossed a bathrobe at her. Wondering what would happen Elsword slipped in to it and accompanied the elven maiden down the hall. They stopped at the third to last set of doors and went into the one on the right. The crimsonette saw the robot maid, Ophelia she believed, standing there waiting for her, "Okay Ophelia, you know what to do. Elsword, Ophelia is going to help you find a suitable dress, I have to go fetch mine, I'll be right back."

Elsword followed Ophelia at her behest to the far right corner of the room, which was filled with rows upon rows of elegant dresses of all kinds. The chromatic soiree of fabric was dazzling to Elsword's addled memory. As if planned ahead of time Ophelia gently pulled a dark red ensemble off the rack, showing it to Elsword for her opinion. However, to no surprise, she had nothing to say; she didn't know if it looked good or not, let alone if it's what she needed to wear.

"Oh, a sheath?" Rena came up from the next aisle. She was already dressed, her own regalia consisting of a pale green sundress, an emerald choker, and stilettos coupled with stockings. She smiled at the younger lady, "I think it'd look good on you Elsword. Brings out your form."

"If you say so…" Elsword blushed. With her friends' aid Elsword quickly got into the outfit and left the dressing room and down the hall to the balcony where Eve was patiently waiting in her royal garments. Oberon was standing by the door and with a courteous bow he opened the door.

"Ah, just as I thought." Eve said the moment she looked at Elsword. The loyal butler pulled out a chair for both ladies and sat them down.

"So…what did you want to talk about Rena?" Elsword asked, but Eve caught her attention with a snap f her fingers.

"First Elsword, we will instruct you on proper etiquette. First, your posture." Eve said. Rena gave the crimsonette a reassuring rub on her shoulder to tell her it was alright, "Back straight, hands on your lap and cross your legs."

"Like…this?" Elsword tried to do as she was told. Eve shook her head.

"Ophelia." At her order the maid appeared, ready to serve. She took a spot behind Elsword, "Your back is still arched. Straight, it will feel unnatural." Eve explained as Ophelia gently forced Elsword into the proper position, "One hand on top of the other, rest it on which ever leg is on top of the other. If you cannot or do not wish to cross your leg over the knee, you may cross one foot over the other but the rule for the hands remains the same. If you cross your feet, tuck them under your seat as best you can."

"Okay." Elsword nodded, she felt so awkward.

"Now, that is sufficient for now. We will work further on posture another time." Eve said, motioning for Ophelia to pour the tea. As she did so Rena chose to begin.

"Now Elsword, on to what I arranged this get together for." She said, "Elesis didn't talk to you about sex, and it's a very important topic."

"Indeed." Eve commented, "Sex is an act that many men take for granted and take advantage of when possible."

"Well, excluding the guys around here." Rena said quickly, "But yes. Given the way you have decided you like to dress, most typical men would assume you are…looking for someone to just have sex with."

"Oh…." Elsword looked at her hands.

"Not that all women who dress like that do. There's plenty who dress like that as a form of expression."

"Now, onto virginity." Eve said, moving the topic along, "A woman or man who has not had proper sexual intercourse is known as a virgin. In many cultures it is forbidden to lose one's virginity before marriage, a way of keeping love pure. Do not take it lightly Elsword, choosing who takes your virginity is a choice that perhaps one day, if you were lenient with it, you might regret."

"But enough of that. Do you understand our worry Elsword?" Rena asked.

"Y-Yeah, thank you." Elsword nodded.

"Now, let's enjoy a nice, relaxing tea." Eve commented.

Finally excused Elsword got undressed in her room. She actually had fun with Eve; Rena was right, she wasn't as scared as she sounded. Hanging up the dress in her closet she put on the clothes they purchased yesterday and headed downstairs. She was greeted in the living room by Lu and Ciel.

"Oh, hi Elsword." The petite demon waved.

"Oh, hello." She waved in return.

"Why don't you have a seat? Get to know each other?" Lu asked. Not having anything better to do the crimsonette sat down on the couch. Ciel swiftly offered her a cup of tea.

"Oh, thank you." She said graciously as she took the cup.

"So, Elsword." Lu spoke kindly but seriously, "What's it like to be living a forgotten life?"

"It's…..hard." Elsword frowned.

"Don't fret, I was in a similar position once." The demoness said, "I all but forgot my own name, but I managed to work through it."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Memories are nice, but fleeting things. Be who you want to be."

"I think I understand." Elsword nodded.

"So, what do you like doing?"

"Well, I have fun talking with everyone. You're all so friendly."

"Well I'm glad I made a good impression. I myself like reading."

"Reading what?"

"Novels. Romances, crime serials, I love them." Lu smiled.

"Romance…sounds nice."

"Say, I'm planning on going to a play tomorrow, perhaps you'd like to come with me?"

"A play?"

"Yeah, people learn lines and act as different people on stage, it's great fun." She explained, "This next play the local troupe is doing is a classic love story, forbidden love. It has some wonderful sword battles, poetry, and warm young love."

"That sounds fun." The crimsonette admitted.

"Knew you'd find it interesting. Ciel can get you tomorrow, it's not till the afternoon."

"Lu, what's love like?" Elsword asked suddenly.

"Well, I myself have not been….in love. But there's all kinds of love. Familial love for one. Like your sister." Lu used an example, "Don't you love her?"

"I…guess?"

"No need to be shy. Elesis loves you too, dearly. But it's not like the love she has for Ara, which is more…intimate. I guess the easiest way to say it is that she loves you, but she isn't 'in' love with you."

"Oh, I see."

"Anyway, you have any plans for the day?"

"No, I'm just trying to figure out what I'm supposed to do." Elsword looked at her tea.

"Whatever you feel is right." Lu said, "That's what you should do."

"It can't be that easy….right?" Elsword didn't believe her but Lu just smiled.

"It is. Elsword, from one fellow former amnesiac to another, if you ever want to talk about anything at all you just come to me, m'kay?"

"Okay. Thank you." Elsword smiled. She felt like spending some more time with Lu for the day.

Vayne: Oh my god….been stressing my mind like mad to get some work out on this. I may actually have to go back on ym word and work on some other minor stories to get the mind working again. Sorry for the short chapter.