***Hey guys, I'm so sorry for keeping you all waiting but if you want a full apology (because some people like to hear a full aplogy) you can read it on my profile near the end of my weekly burst (doesn't seem so weekly anymore) and there you go. Anyway, here's the new chapter and I'm grateful you guys are reading. Thank you so much. :) ***
"First of all, to be a proud member of the Bloor family, we all must follow a set of rules, only to be broken when the time calls for it." Dr. Bloor was saying to Jade days later.
He led Jade and Manfred, both of whom were linked by arms, down the corridor to a destination unknown to all of them; Dr. Bloor just simply wanted to walk in circles around the school while talking to the engaged couple.
"For the ladies, it's very simple. You must always have your back straight. You must look graceful, you must be well reserved, and you absolutely must not show emotions to my pupils. They will see you as a weak spot in our strong and mighty family." Dr. Bloor said vigorously.
"Weak spot?" Jade repeated curiously.
"Some students here are rather mischievious." Dr. Bloor muttered bitterly. "But nevertheless," he said with such gusto that his energy and liveliness almost made Manfred jump in surprise. "Nevertheless, you must show that you are strong, very willed, and strict."
"But what if I'm not?" Jade asked quietly. "I'm not really the strict type of person."
"Then you must become one." said Dr. Bloor simply.
Jade exchanged amused glances with Manfred. Just by looking into her bright eyes, he could tell that she was thinking, Is he really serious? Haha, he's hilarious!
If only you knew what he's like... Manfred thought sullenly.
"Are you not taking me seriously?" Dr. Bloor asked, raising his voice to a slightly dangerous, but not so that it scared people until they couldn't speak anymore, tone.
Jade's face fell and she shot out a quick, "I'm so sorry sir. Please continue." She gave a side glance to Manfred and then settled her eyes on her soon to be father.
"Charlie, Charlie!"
Charlie glanced up from his breakfast and said, "Fido, there you are. What's going on?"
Fidelio sped up his pace and reached Charlie, panting. "Have you heard? Have you heard what happened?"
"Heard what?" Charlie asked eagerly, dropping his eating utensils in his excitement. Fidelio was rarely ever breathless, and whenever he was, it was always good. Or at least exciting, if not good.
Fidelio shook his head and reached for Charlie's glass of water and took a long sip that drained half of the contents. "There goes my drink." Charlie sighed. "Now spit it out Fidel-NOT THE WATER, DON'T SPIT THE WATER OUT AT ME!"
Fidelio wiped the small trickle of water that leaked from the corner of his mouth and gave Charlie a look of the upmost indignation. "You'd think I'd do that?" he asked.
"You could."
Fidelio sighed. "Anyway, guess who Manfred asked to be the wedding designer?"
Charlie frowned. "Anyone I know or someone famous?"
"It's Emma, Charlie!" Fidelio exclaimed. "Manfred, the Manfred, asked Em to design the ballroom for the wedding!"
"Em?" Charlie repeated incredulously. "But why? Aren't we enemies? Whatever happened to that?"
"Charlie, Charlie!" another voice rang out from behind him.
Charlie turned in his seat while Fidelio glanced up. Olivia bounded towards the two and cried, "Guess who's-"
"Designing the ballroom? We know, it's Em." Fidelio said.
Olivia skidded to a stop. "Em's designing the ballroom?" she asked in disbelief.
Charlie and Fidelio exchanged looks. "Yeah, why?" Charlie asked, trying hard not to stare at the enormous purple feather sticking out from Olivia's wavy mass of green hair. "What do you know?"
Olivia huffed and brought a stray strand away from her face and tucked it neatly behind her ear. "Well," she said. "I heard that Manfred asked Lysander to carve an ice sculpture for him and his fiancee."
"What? Why doesn't he get adults to do the work instead?" Charlie asked. "I mean it's not like Em and Sander are getting paid. Are they?" He hated to admit it but if Emma and Lysander were getting paid to do all of that, then he wouldn't actually mind being in the art department, although he might be lousy at it. He wondered with Manfred has asked Tancred to do anything.
"Maybe he offered a whole year's worth of no detention." Fidelio suggested, taking a seat at last. He did a quick double take and hissed, "He's coming our way!"
Olivia jumped and spun around in surprise and started to apologetically walk away but Manfred held up a hand and she stopped, exchanging puzzled gazes with Charlie and Fidelio.
"Vertigo," Manfred said in a voice that didn't sounded quite like his. It was softer, less harsh and cold. "Could you please ask your mother if she could make a guest appearance at my wedding? Jade-er, that is, my fiancee is a big fan of your mother and..." He trailed off and gave Olivia a demanding glare. "Could you...please?"
Olivia stared at Manfred for a moment, with her mouth slightly open.
Charlie nudged her in the side with his elbow. "Livvy..."
"Um, yes, of course sir!" Olivia said hastily, laughing nervously. "I'll ask her."
Manfred gave her a curt nod and sent her off with a wave of his hand. He turned his head to look swuarely at Fidelio, who gave a small yelp behind to the left of Charlie. "Gunn, could you gather a small orchestra of the best players in the music department to play at the er, wedding? A few violins, violas, cellos, and bass please. Keep it under fifteen people."
Fidelio gulped but nodded.
Charlie froze when Manfred switched his focus from Fidelio to Charlie. "And you Bone..." he said in a louder, more rough voice. His face reluctantly softened and he turend away, refusing to meet his gaze. "Could you help serve food at the wedding? I'll...I'll make sure you get your time's worth."
Huh? Charlie blinked. "Um, sure Man- I mean, sir." Manfred strolled away without giving him another look. Charlie and Fidelio watched him leave the cafeteria before Charlie muttered, "You know, he's up to something."
"Maybe not. He looks like he doesn't want to ask for our help." Fidelio piped up.
"He could be acting." Charlie said. "And while you're playing music, Livvy's just asking her mom to appear, Em's decorating, and Sander's sculpting, what am I stuck doing? Serving people. What kind of job is that?"
"One that many people would find convienient." Fidelio teased.
Charlie gave him a 'Oh really?' glare and returned to his breakfast.