The Commencement Ball
Chapter 2
Delegates gathered from all of the kingdoms dressed as well as they could afford. Natsuki stood at one end of the table as host and organizer. It was a duty she both loved and loathed. Sometimes she just wanted out of her skin for awhile, but another time.
"Gentleman, Ladies, welcome to Garuderobe. We have five main points to discuss. First is security, but before we begin, are there any reservations or questions regarding any issues from before?" she looked around and was glad for once to have no hands. The last batch of meetings was racking her nerves.
She took a seat before them and opened a folder, "Shall we begin then?"
"Yes, please." A kind bald man spoke. He was king of Aries, although no real power, he delighted in such social events. Yukino was beside him and Haruka decidedly absent.
Actually, Shizuru secretly requested it.
--
"Arika-chan!" Mai shouted as she ran across the court yard. The students had gathered into groups. Mixed emotions were brewing with the coming date. Their parents would arrive and who knew what surprises were in store. This was the big school dance.
In actuality it was a time for introducing the students to possible fiancées. Even if sex would disrupt their abilities, the wars have ended and new treaties were written. Otomes now weren't the only way to combat wannabe dictators and harsh rulers.
It meant a lot to their parents to have this tradition work out this way. It wasn't the same as an arranged marriage, but many felt that it was. Both parents and students.
"Mai-san!" Arika had been rather depressed and self reflective the pass few days. Mai was asked over to act as her stand in mother. Sergei was also asked, but he had not fully recovered yet and Nina asked kindly to pass on it.
Arika jumped into Mai's arms and was swung around 180 and landed back on her feet, "it's good to see you." Mai smiled.
"You too, Mai-san!" Arika was overjoyed, but Mai knew better.
"Arika-chan, you were depressed, weren't you?" Mai smiled half as much as before.
Arika looked away, some of her joy also fading, but not for holding it back. "Sorry."
"No, no, I don't mean anything, just its good to see you smile." Mai tried to backtrack some.
"I'll be fine, don't worry." Arika reassured. After all that had happened with the recapture of the city, a dance seemed pleasant, but empty.
"I was asked to take you to the ball as your mother. I hope you don't mind."
"No, I'd love that, thank you!" Arika was genuinely happy now and everything seemed to make sense just a bit more. Family can be like this too.
--
"That useless woman," Haruka muttered. She was seated at a table with wrappers and napkins on her plate. She was picking at her tooth with a toothpick in disgust. Shizuru smiled and sipped her tea. It was her third during the meal.
"I find her useful." Shizuru smiled, her eyes mostly closed. She was content.
"Eh?" Haruka eyed her trying to get her meaning, but failed horribly. "Useful for what?"
"Lots of things." She sipped her tea again.
Haruka stared at her face for a long time, "You have her clean for you or something?"
"You may say that." Shizuru tried to hide her laughter at her meaning of the word 'cleaning'. The shower was quite fun and she was quite surprised they got to work on time or even at all.
"I give up." Haruka spat the toothpick out onto the plate and got up. She carried the tray over to the garbage can a few feet away. "Think the meeting is done?"
"They will be on break in a few minutes." Shizuru glanced at the clock across the room. "I should get Natsuki something." She finished her tea and got out of her seat.
"Hmm." Haruka thought aloud.
Shizuru walked over and put her dishes away and tossed the garbage. "You should get something too."
"I already ate."
"For Yukino-san." She eyed her sideways enjoying how bull headed her friend was. Not that she'd ever change, but she delighted in helping those two out what she could.
"Oh, right. Yes." Haruka was confident now. She walked over to the buffet and glanced around for what to get. She was clueless.
Shizuru sighed.
--
The delegates walked out in a trove, many of them talking about this and that. It seemed the meeting had gone well, but no doubt Natsuki had a headache. Shizuru prepared some tea which always seemed to hit the spot.
Haruka tapped her foot with a tray in hand. She had a salad and lemonade hoping that was what her partner would like. She cursed herself for not knowing this well enough.
"Haruka-san." Shizuru commented.
"Yes?" The unease was evident in her voice.
"Go to her."
"I don't need your advice!" Haruka chastised her. Shizuru laughed just a bit at the reaction.
"Haruka-san!" Yukino hurried over just a bit from the mass of people. She was surprised just a bit to see such a gesture. She spotted Shizuru making her way through the crowd and shared a bit of eye contact. Shizuru smiled and kept walking. She had tea to deliver.
--
In a dorm room some distance away a phone was raised slowly and a memorized number was dialed once again. This number was hard to get and she was sad that it did not go to a household. It rang endlessly and she hung up. She called again. She had long forgone the idea that she was intruding. She felt intrusion was the least she could do. She had to call.
--
"Damn, people. I asked if they had reservations." Natsuki groaned. She was slumped on the table in her hands. The footsteps went unheard in the gentle commotion, but the smell of the tea beside her brought a smile to her face.
"Will this help?" Shizuru asked.
"Yes, thank you, Shizuru."
"Only a few days left now." Natsuki sighed and picked up the cup. She blew on it a bit and took a sip. Much better.
"Yes, a few days, are you sure you don't want me to meddle any?"
"I'm afraid of what he might do. Not anything dangerous, just…."
"Dumb?"
"Yes." She took another sip. "They've tried this a few times before."
"Oh?"
"You were away then. It was some years ago." Natsuki took a bigger sip and collected her thoughts. "I believe the lunatic they tried to get me with went home in one piece."
"Ho ho, Natsuki step on some toes?"
"May have broken some." She sighed.
"I remember now. His name was …"
"No, I can't stand his name."
"So sorry." Shizuru smiled. She looked behind her as a few people trickled in. The break was coming to an end. "Do you wish for me to sit beside you?"
"Yes, but, I shouldn't."
"Too distracting?"
"Yes, but, just... Wait for me outside, ok?"
"I will wait."
--
The meeting ended early and Natsuki had taken Yukino aside to talk about a finer detail. She had a magazine out and was pointing to this and that. Yukino had quite a smile on her face and was happy to help with this.