Whew, I went through all the previous chapters and made the breaks between paragraphs more distinct, because I didn't know FFnet formatted the documents like that… it must have been confusing, with everything just one seamless blob, eh?
Thanks to FoxyJosh (as usual) and OMFG-Roach for the reviews! As a fellow author put it, "reviews make an author update quicker.."
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When Torq emerged from the forest she was immediately surrounded by her parents' servants and maids.
"Ohhhh, Miss Torq! We've been looking all over for you!"
"You had us all worried, miss! Your Lady Sera has asked that you attend her immediately!"
The Vaporeon sighed exasperatedly as they fussed over her and half led, half dragged her back to the main hut.
-O-O-
Torq stood at the doorway of the elaborate room. It was just as she remembered. Silk and beads hung everywhere: across the walls, on the bedposts, over the windows… Thick, plush rugs lined the floor and expensive pottery stood on pedestals. And there was Lady Sera, busying herself in front of a gilded mirror. Seeing Torq's reflection, the fair Espeon immediately got up and embraced her.
"Oh, Torqoise, you finally came! You've been playing in the forest, haven't you?" she added, wiping dirt off her daughter's cheek.
The water maid opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off.
"Nevermind… now, have you any plans on what to wear for the feast tonight?"
Torq knew where her Mother was going. "Mom, I'm wearing this," she indicated her current apparel, "I like wearing this."
Sera held her daughter back by her shoulders and looked her up and down. The soiled blouse, the faded corset vest, the torn skirt… She frowned, "No, no, this will never do."
"Mom, you asked me to bring this?" Kito stood at the entrance, holding up a light coral pink dress. It was fairly low cut, and had long, billowing sleeves like his mother's attire. Sashes hung here and there, held up by glittering, shining things. The thunder dog looked quite embarrassed to be holding it.
"Isn't that a gorgeous dress, Torqoise?" the Espeon gushed, clapping her paws together fondly.
"I'm not wearing that," Torq said firmly.
"Torqoise…"
Sera placed a paw on her daughter's shoulder and looked at her meaningfully. "Please, it would mean a great deal to your father and me."
Torq looked down to the floor and sighed, defeated. "Parents…" she muttered, too quiet for anyone to hear. "Alright, I'll wear it… only for your sakes though."
"Wonderful!" the Espeon beamed, "Go and change now, dear. The feast should be starting shortly."
The water maid nodded and took the dress from her brother, who felt awkward standing in on this conversation.
"Torqoise!"
The Vaporeon turned, "Yes, Mother?"
"What is that thing on your ankle?"
"My ankle?" She lifted her footpaw and realized what her Mother was talking about. It was the red bandana. Torq was so accustomed to it being there that she had forgotten all about it. "It's a symbol of unity within the crew," she stated proudly.
Lady Sera shook her head soberly. "Take it off."
"What?! But Mom, no one will even see it under this dr…"
"Take it off!" came the shrilly order.
The water maid quieted. It had been so long since her mother yelled at her like that. "Some things never change," she thought to herself.
"Fine." Torq bent down and undid the knot of the cloth, paws trembling with anger. How she wanted to shout back… but this was her Mother.
Kito shifted uncomfortably, "Um, can I go now?"
"Yes you may." Sera snapped, "And you may take this with you." She grabbed the bandana out of Torq's paws and tossed it into Kito's. "I'll see you both at the feast," she huffed, and turned back to her mirror, an indication for the two to leave.
Torq stormed out, her ankle feeling unusually bare without the cloth. "I'll wear this dress…" she growled to herself, "I'll wear it, and after tonight I'll sail away with my friends and never come back again!"
-O-O-
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The Jolteon stared at the fabric in his paws, not knowing what to do with it. It felt wrong to dispose of it as his mother intended that he do. He decided to store it for safe keeping for now. He padded towards his room.
It was a simple and small space, with nothing but a bed and a desk. The thunder dog wasn't fond of lavishing himself like his parents did. However, there was a bow and a quiver of arrows leaning against the wall. Kito smiled to himself as he placed the bandana on his desk and picked up the bow. He set an arrow onto the string and pulled back, relishing the tension of birch wood and sinew, the tightness in his muscles, and then the sharp feeling of release as he slackened his hold. Yes, this is what he needed. Shouldering the quiver, he went out and headed for the archery field.
-O-O-
Calling it an archery field would be an overstatement, for it was nothing but a row of three wooden targets lined up in some dusty clearing. Kito built them himself, and was sure he was the only one who used them. The Jolteon selected an arrow and placed it against the bow.
Shnk! In the blink of an eye, it was embedded right in the bull's eye of the target. Shnk! The second arrow landed neatly nest to the first, nearly touching it. Kito grinned as old memories pierced him, flashing by like arrows in flight.
"Oh Kito, you're such a show off!" Torq stuck her tongue out at her brother.
The Jolteon sighed, "Well, I guess you can't help it if you're jealous…"
She scoffed, "Jealous? You wish! You have to carry around that big ol' bag of arrows and that bow, while all I need is this!" She whipped out a rapier. It whistled as she swung it through the air. "Light, fast, and deadly," she commented with each swipe.
The thunder dog chuckled, "Very nice, sis. But while you're twirling your fancy stick over there, I could lay you flat with one of my arrows."
Torq looked insulted, "Fancy stick?! This 'fancy stick' can chop off one of your scruffy ears, my dear brother!"
"Hey! My ears aren't scruffy!"
"Are too! And shaggy as well…"
"Well at least I have ears…"
"Excuse me?!"
Kito sighed, "Good times."
Shnk! The arrow missed the center ring completely and barely clung on to the corner of the board.
The sun had nearly sunk beyond the trees. A bell tolled in the distance. The feast was about to begin.
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A nice happy feast? Hah, they wish. Something's coming, me hearties, so ye best be prepared...
Read, Review, stay tuned ; )
-Canyx