Chapter 2
Dinner

The guests took their seats at the table. The three men sat on one side, while the women took the other. That left one seat open at the head of the table.

"The first course will be out momentarily," Jakob assured, before departing to the kitchen with Felicia.

The six strangers sat quietly; none seemed willing to break the silence.

None except one.

"It seems it has fallen on me to get this conversation started," Camilla Snow purred. "As a duchess, it's nothing I'm unfamiliar with. Being a hostess comes with the title."

"So you really are the lady of a noble house, then?" Xander Night asked.

"Yes, but it's just a title. I have no political power; those days are long gone," the purple haired woman smiled.

"Though you do have influence," Xander said, taking a sip of his drink he'd brought from the lounge.

"Anyone with a title in Krakenburg has political influence," dismissed Camilla. "Surely you'd understand that, Xander. After all, you're from Krakenburg too."

"You two know each other?" Kagero Crimson asked, surprised.

"I've seen him around, but I don't think he's seen me," winked the duchess.

Xander chose to ignore Camilla's comment, "True, I do live in Krakenburg. I'm just a businessman, however."

"Come now, Xander. We're guests at the same dinner party. Surely we ought to get know one another?" Camilla sighed.

"Since our identities are meant to be kept secret for a reason, I'll only say that I am an executive at an arms company," the black clad man rolled his eyes.

"So you work for the government?" Kaze Green asked.

Xander narrowed his eyes, "What makes you think that?"

Kaze shrugged, not meeting Xander's gaze, "I just mean you probably have a lot of contracts higher up in Krakenburg. It makes sense, from what I've seen."

"And just what have you seen, darling?" the acting hostess asked.

"I'm a diplomat – I can't help but notice things when I meet with my superiors. You know, overhearing conversations and the like," the slim man replied, growing apprehensive.

"Another typical politician," scoffed Selena Silver.

"What do you do?" Camilla asked the redhead. "Or rather, what does Mr. Silver do?"

"I'm not married."

"Then what is it you do?" Niles Blue raised an eyebrow.

"I'm unemployed," the annoyed woman responded in a short tone, inviting no further conversation on her part.

The guests fell silent for a moment, then the duchess picked up the topic again, "So, Dr. Blue, are you a real doctor?"

"Indeed – I'm a psychiatrist. In Krakenburg, in fact," Niles smiled.

"Another Krakenburg resident," Xander observed, looking suspicious. "Mrs. Crimson, do you hail from the capital as well?"

"I do," Kagero replied. "I'm a bodyguard for hire."

The three men exchanged glances, varying from discomfort to intrigue. Kaze finally spoke up, "A bodyguard? You?"

"In my culture, it is not uncommon for women to do work like that," Kagero fixed him with an annoyed look.

"I'm Hoshidan too;" Kaze said, frowning, "I've never heard of anything like that."

The door connecting the dining room with the kitchen opened up, and an irate butler stepped out. His face immediately composed back to the expression the guest were familiar with.

"I apologize for the delay;" Jakob sighed, "dinner is ready."

A very embarrassed Felicia stepped out of the kitchen. She began serving appetizers to each guest while saying "I apologize for the delay. There was an…accident in the kitchen." From her tone, the guests could tell that said accident was her fault.

"Dear, don't worry about it," Camilla assured. "It gave us ample to get to know one another. I should be thanking you, not blaming you."

Dr. Niles chuckled. From Felicia's appreciative, flustered countenance to Jakob's blatantly irate one, it was quite a sight to see.

The first course was served, and the two servants exited again.

"So has anyone got a clue as to why we are here?" Niles asked, diving into his meal with gusto.

Kagero politely unfolded her napkin and answered, "I suspect if we can find out what we all have in common, we should be able to ascertain the answer to that question."

"Mrs. Crimson, you're trying to be like a man, aren't you?" Camilla laughed.

"Wouldn't you want to be independent?" Kagero almost hissed.

The duchess shrugged, "I have no opinion on the matter."

"Spoken like a true politician," Kaze observed, with a hint of scorn.

Xander nodded, "She is one, whether she likes it or not. That's nobility for you."

"I, for one, agree with your opinion, Mrs. Crimson," Niles said, a smile on his face. "In fact, I'm rather jealous of Mr. Crimson if you're this dominant in the bedroom."

Kagero blushed and refused to meet the doctor's eyes, while Camilla gave the white haired man an appraising look; the others gave the doctor a look of discomfort.

Niles sighed, "I'm always forgetting to watch my mouth. I apologize for embarrassing you, Mrs. Crimson."

The woman in red still refused to meet his eyes, as if she had been far more wounded by his comment than she should have.

The six guests finished up their meals just in time for Jakob to bring out their second course. This time, he was accompanied by a woman who looked very similar to Felicia.

"This is Flora, Felicia's sister," the butler introduced. He seemed relieved that he now had a competent assistant.

Flora pointedly didn't even look toward the female side of the table while she and the butler were serving the food.

"Who's that spot for? You?" asked Xander, pointing to the spot at the head of the table.

"Oh, no," Jakob said, pausing before departing back to the kitchen. "That is for Mr. Kamui, the final guest."

"Hang on," Camilla said, reaching into the front of her dress to remove a letter. "It says here," she said, holding the paper into the light, "that Mr. Kamui would be our host. Unless, my letter is merely mistaken?"

"My letter said the same," Niles confirmed. The rest of the guest said similar statements.

Jakob simply smiled, knowing something they didn't.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

"Excuse me for a moment," the butler said. "I do believe that will be our final guest."