February 27th, 1974

A school dance was far more interesting now than it had been in middle school, for two reasons, Minxia thought as she surveyed the scene around them. Well, perhaps three. One, Creta had much better decorations. Two, high school had much better looking guys, and they could dress like something other than little girls. Three, she had a boyfriend.

A little tingle ran down her spine as she glanced over at Thrakos, who had actually worn the tuxedo Angelique had asked him about, just to show off, and he looked fabulous. Minxia, torn on dress options, had decided to go with one of her newest acquisitions –given she only had three formal dresses of any kind- a Xingese style sheath of burgundy silk, embroidered with flowers along the hem and up the asymmetrical hem, as well as the collared neck, which was a little more open than it would have been in her grandmother's day, or even her mother's. Her hair was twisted up and in place with two lacquered red sticks. While she might have looked typical in a Xingese crowd, at a Cretan party she stood out as exotic, and far more Xingese looking than Amestrian, despite the even mix in her features.

While she didn't want to admit it, it was kind of nice to be noticed for her beauty instead of just different. Other boys –even seniors- looked at her in surprise, and Thrakos hovered and gave them dirty looks.

Minxia thought she might just be able to get used to this.

:This is so fabulous!: Angelique beamed as she approached, coming off the dance floor. :I've danced with three senior boys!:

:What about your date?: Minxia asked with a chuckle.

:Oh, Simon? It's all right. He was dancing with the Seniors' girlfriends, so it worked out,: she giggled and picked up a cup of punch from the drinks table. :We're going to meet up again in a few for the dance contest. Are you and Thrakos entering?:

:Oh… I don't know.: Minxia enjoyed dancing, but she didn't really consider herself competition worthy. But she knew Thrakos had taken actual dance classes when he was little. Something his mother had insisted on, for formal occasions. :We probably will, I just don't expect to win.:

:You never know until you try,: Angelique replied, smiling as she sipped her drink. :Isn't that what you always tell me about homework?:

Minxia was left with that thought as Angelique went looking for her date, or perhaps another dance partner. :So, what do you think-: she turned around and stopped speaking when she realized that Thrakos was no longer standing just a few feet away. The guy he had been talking to was gone as well. Looking around the room, she found Thrakos-

-speaking with Korina Katsopalaus, a raven-haired sophomore in a rather clingy brilliant purple dress that sparkled in the low lights scattered around the hall.

Minxia felt an unfamiliar surge of jealousy as she watched them. Not that Thrakos was doing anything at all inappropriate, but Korina was smiling, and giggling, and her arms rested just-so under her cleavage that it looked even more like it might pop out of her dress if she moved wrong, though Minxia was sure the dress was probably designed to keep that from happening. Every sign of flirting with Thrakos that Korina could have given was there. She looked far too interested in whatever he was saying and, for his part, he was apparently enjoying the conversation.

It was time to put an end to that. Minxia finished her drink, put a pleasant smile on her face that her cousin Ian would have been proud of, and slipped through the crowd, sliding her hand easily around Thrakos' upper arm. :Excuse me, I hate to cut in, but the dance contest is about to start.:

:We were just talking about it,: Thrakos replied, his smile turning towards her instead. :It should be fun. You want to dance?:

:It is a dance,: Minxia pointed out, keeping her tone light and ignoring the momentary fury in Korina's eyes. Apparently the older girl had her own designs for the Argyros heir. :Let's have fun.:

:Sure. Well, it was nice talking to you,: he tossed off to Korina as he turned and walked towards the dance floor with Minxia still on his arm. When they were out of ear shot, he glanced down at her, slightly puzzled. :I thought you weren't sure you wanted to enter.:

:I changed my mind,: Minxia shrugged, trying to keep it casual. :Angelique convinced me.:

:I'll have to thank her later,: Thrakos replied, his smile turning to one of relief. :Don't tell my mother, but I kind of enjoy dancing.:

:Didn't you say you hated the lessons?: Minxia asked, surprised.

:That was because our teacher was the most boring old hag alive,: Thrakos laughed. :And it's hard to enjoy dancing with a woman who frowns at you the whole time. But I like dancing itself, especially the newer moves. It helps to have a gorgeous partner,: he added with a wink.

Minxia hoped she wasn't blushing, but it made her feel slightly irritated at the same time. :Which is why you were talking to Korina?:

Thrakos looked surprised then sighed. :We were just talking. She came up and said hi.:

:She was flirting with you.:

:Really? I didn't notice.: Thrakos was grinning impishly. :I'm not into her, so relax okay? You're the only girl I want to stare at.:

Minxia resisted the urge to punch his arm as they got into position on the dance floor. :You make that sound really creepy.:

:So clearly, no other girl could possibly want me,: Thrakos laughed as the music started, and Minxia's reply was lost in the first steps of a very fast rocking number.

February 28th, 1974

"See you later, Mom!" Callie called out as she scampered out the door. "Have fun!"

"I'll try," Cassie replied with a smile and a shake of her head. She was glad the kids would all be out of the house this afternoon. Not because she anticipated any real quiet, but because no matter what was said, it wouldn't be overheard.

She had decided that the best way to put an end to the mutterings around town was to invite Rilla Causwith over for afternoon tea and a chat, and hopefully make things civil between them and clear the air. While Cassie didn't find herself particularly bothered by talk, she knew it was stressing Aldon out unnecessarily and it wasn't good for the general running of Resembool either.

She had tea ready and a tray of small finger foods on the living room table –all animals exiled outdoors or upstairs to avoid interrupting- by the time Rilla arrived, punctually, at two in the afternoon.

"Good afternoon, Rilla," Cassie smiled as she met her at the door. "Please come in, get comfortable. Would you like some tea?"

Rilla looked, for all the neutral expression, light she might rather be anywhere else, but had accepted the invitation only because it had been polite, and made in the presence of other women and she hadn't wanted to appear rude or unaccommodating. Still, she looked stiff, and she looked around the house as she stepped inside as if she had expected something different. "Yes, thank you."

"Would you prefer Amestrian Gray or Xingese Chai?" Cassie had quite the stash of tea in the kitchen, but she had prepared both since they covered a wide range of tastes. The chai was an imported favorite; a gift from Will and Ren that previous winter.

Rilla looked momentarily startled, but the expression was gone a second later. "Chai, please," she replied smoothly as she did take a seat in the nearest chair to the door, by the sofa. "Cream, no sugar."

Cassie poured two cups of the chai, added cream to both, and honey to hers, and brought Rilla her cup before sitting down. "I'm glad you accepted my invitation. We haven't gotten much of a chance to talk."

Rilla sipped her tea. "Was there something in particular you wanted to speak to me about?" she asked, her tone mildly cool.

"I just thought it would be nice to get a chance to know each other," Cassie replied calmly, refusing to let her irritation at the implied condescension.

At that, Rilla's expression became actually distasteful. "Do you really expect me to believe that?"

"What do you mean?" Cassie asked. "Other people don't invite you over for tea?"

"Not unless they want something," Rilla sniffed. "This may come as a surprise to you, Cassandra, but not everyone thinks the way country folk do. There are certain ways in which one does business."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Cassie quipped, her smile slipping from her face. "Would you have preferred martinis?" Sarcasm edged the words, but she fought down her temper. "Or perhaps a less rustic location?"

"Now now, I haven't insulted your… home." Rilla hesitated over that last word. "But things are much more complicated in the city, and politics is just not something that people seem to get around here. I know Resembool has a sort of, special position in the minds of some Amestrians, but that doesn't mean it makes for career politicians."

"Or their wives?" Cassie finished for her.

"I see we understand each other," Rilla replied. "There are certain expectations."

"Such as civility when invited into someone else's home?" Cassie asked as she set down her cup on the table. This was not what she had hoped, but she couldn't say it was entirely unexpected. At least, here, they could say whatever they wanted to each other, and the truth finally seemed to be coming out. "I suppose you'd love to tell me exactly how we do not meet these expectations."

"If I have to," Rilla shrugged slightly. "As they seem obvious to anyone familiar with them."

That was it. Absolutely it. Cassie forced a smile to her face. "Indeed they do. I suppose, to you, or house seems quaint, our family large and boisterous, and our mode of dress less fashionable than anything you might buy at Silverman's, like the Gorgano Verducci sweater you're wearing, and the Pylosian handbag," she gestured at Rilla's clothing and purse.

"So you aren't completely ignorant of fashion," Rilla stood the same time Cassie did. The other woman was slightly taller, but Cassie didn't particularly care.

"Not at all," Cassie shrugged. "I have a closet full of Silverman's originals upstairs. I'm a little surprised, given how much research you seem to have done on my family -badly I might add- trying to start slanderous rumors, that you didn't ever put together that my maiden name is Silverman, and my father founded and still runs our department store in Central. Or, that my mother and I are the women he has run all of his new designer and line choices past most of my life." She crossed her arms under her chest and glared straight into Rilla's eyes, daring her to look away. "But that's not really the point here. The point is you seem to have some egregious misconceptions, both about Resembool, and about my family, and I'm not going to put up with your petty and pathetic power plays. In case you hadn't noticed, they don't work."

Rilla had gone silent at Cassie's unexpected candor, but her face was turning slowly purple.

"Some of us choose to live sensibly, frugally, because throwing money around is not only a waste of it, but a terrible example to set for children. Why do we have six? Because we enjoy having a large family, and spending time with our children, and because Callie needed a home, and we were in a position where we could afford to raise our family and give them what they needed without lacking for anything important. Now, I'm sorry if you can't seem to understand that people around here aren't really interested in keeping up with the fast paced, ever-changing fads of Central, but that's because they have different priorities, and if you want them to accept your ideas, than you need to be respectful of that."

"You… you dare tell me how to present ideas?" Rilla sputtered. "I was a member of-"

"I don't really care what fancy clubs you were part of," Cassie cut her off. "Not now. I invited you over so we could find a way to get along, find some common ground, and maybe clear away some of any odd misconceptions clouding things up. But, clearly, that's not why you're here, and I'm tired of pretending you haven't been trying to play dirty politics. That isn't how Resembool works, and not how we play this game. So if you aren't interested in getting along, then I suggest you leave with your dignity intact."

It was very clear that Rilla was not used to being addressed in that fashion; possibly hadn't once in her life. A real shame, Cassie thought. It might have done her some good. Because she seemed utterly incapable of finding a coherent retort. "Fine," she finally said sharply. She turned and picked up her purse. "But I think you'll find, you are very much mistaken." With that, she flounced out the door, slamming it behind her so hard that the decorative wall hanging by the door jumped on its hanger.

Cassie stared at the door for several seconds, just making sure Rilla didn't return. After a minute she moved to the door and peered out the glass inset. Rilla was already most of the way down the driveway in her car, which she had driven over instead of walking the three miles between their houses. Rilla insisted on living up the hill in the main part of Resembool, in one of the newer, more town-house style homes.

Well, good riddance. Cassie didn't think this boded well for the rest of the election campaign, but at least she and Rilla knew exactly where they stood. Now Cassie just had to grit her teeth and smile for the next couple of months. She hoped that Rilla would leave off, having been confronted about her obvious and inappropriate behavior, but somehow Cassie doubted it.

She went back to her cup, picked up her tea, and drained it before pouring Rilla's tea down the drain.

The fight was on.

March 1st, 1974

Minxia set out the literature books, and pulled out her notebook, getting ready for another study session with Angelique and Thrakos. They had a quiz coming up, and while it wasn't as big as their last round of tests, the material was denser than usual, and she wanted to be sure they all really understood it.

Though so far, both of her friends were running late. Minxia tried not to grumble too much to herself about the lack of promptness, or apparent concern despite the fact that she was the only one of them who currently had an A in the class. There was no reason her friends couldn't too if they applied themselves. They both had varying levels of B.

Angelique's arrival was marked by a flurry of footsteps in the hall and a slightly breathless friend sweeping in, her scarf and hair a little wild, looking apologetic. :So sorry I'm late! I got caught up talking to Simon.:

:Don't worry about it,: Minxia sighed. That seemed to happen a lot lately. It was also making Thrakos' roommate sort of mopey, but Minxia didn't think Angelique had noticed. :Let's just get set up.:

Angelique looked relieved, though a moment later she glanced around. :Where's Thrakos?:

:Late, like you,: Minxia replied. :I don't suppose you saw him on the way here?:

Angelique shook her head. :No. But I was coming from the dining hall.:

:All right.: Minxia stood up, slightly exasperated. :I'll go get him. You just get set up and start studying.:

The hallway outside the study room was empty, so Minxia headed back towards the end of the hall, out of the building, and across towards the dormitory houses. It wasn't that it was unlike Thrakos to be a little late sometimes, but this wasn't the first time he had been late the last couple of days, and today was the latest yet.

Minxia finally spotted Thrakos sitting under a tree in the afternoon sunlight. :Hey!: she waved and called out to get his attention. :Where have you…: Her voice failed her as Korina and Thrakos both turned in her direction.

Korina looked irritated, but mildly smug. Thrakos looked surprised to see her at all. :Minxia?:

:What's going on?: Minxia asked. It felt as if a coal had just been dropped in the pit of her stomach. First it felt cold, then it began to simmer.

Thrakos' face turned cool, relaxed. :Korina and I were going to the soda shop.:

:What about our study session?:

:What are you, his babysitter?: Korina scoffed. :All you do is study. Not everyone likes to spend all their time with their nose in their books. Get over it.:

A few of the other students were stopping to listen, and look.

:Thrakos,: Minxia looked at him, a feeling of horror creeping through her, and anger. He'd lied!

:I'm not coming,: he replied, shrugging. :I've got a date.:

A…. the simmering exploded. :What do you mean you have a date, you cheating, lying…."

:Oh my,: Korina arched an eyebrow. :Quite the temper on your friend. Come on, Thrakos. We'll be late.:

:Yeah, let's go.: Thrakos turned, as if her tirade wasn't even aimed at him, or he didn't care.

:Come back here!: Minxia shouted, but now there were nearly fifteen people staring, and starting to whisper, and she felt her face turning red. This was so very wrong…. It couldn't be happening. But she wasn't asleep. This wasn't a dream. Though it certainly felt like a nightmare.

March 2nd 1974

Aldon wasn't sure what the muffled noise in his house was when he came home, until he opened the door to find Cassie ranting in the kitchen! "What's going on?" he shouted over her growling as she slammed a pot down on the stove and turned on the heat to make dinner.

Urey, who was standing there looking rather bemused, handed Aldon an article. "This."

Aldon looked down at the Resembool paper, and his eyes fell on an editorial letter from "Anonymous" entitled "Parenting Concerns from a Worried Correspondent." He began to read the article, but by the third line, his own face was going red, and Aldon wanted to toss the paper across the room. "What do they mean about can't control their son's inappropriate public behavior?" They were talking about Ian! The entire article was a disparaging barely-veiled attack on their parenting because Ian was an actor, and was photographed with multiple girls, and was clearly living a lascivious and inappropriate life without his parents, away in Central, without good parental supervision.

As if General Sara Heimler wasn't good parental supervision? As if working a full time job and still bringing home decent grades was in any way problematic? Aldon might not agree with his son's number of girlfriends, but Sara hadn't reported anything worse than typical teenage boy stubbornness.

"-going to make her sorry she ever-" Cassie was still ranting as she added pasta to the water in the pot, and yanked out a knife and started chopping carrots violently.

"She who?" Aldon looked at Cassie.

"That woman!" Cassie killed a carrot with such force that the head flew across the room and smacked into Urey's chest.

"Mom thinks Rilla Causwith wrote the article," Urey explained more quietly. "Ted and Callie are hiding up at Grandma and Grandpa's."

Aldon could see why. He couldn't remember ever seeing Cassie this furious about anything, and given how many times she had told Aldon not to worry about the rumors, that they didn't bother her, that no one believed him… this one had clearly gotten right under her skin. "Good idea."

"Except that we're here," his father commented as Ed came into the house, followed by Winry. "And we saw the paper," he added, forgoing any need for explanation.

Cassie rounded on them then, eyes looking straight at Aldon. "You've got to do something about this!"

"The rumors or Ian?" Aldon asked.

"Both!"

"All right, all right, calm down," he said, even though he wasn't sure it would do any good. "I see Ron all the time at meetings. He's a nice guy. I can't just go walking up and accusing his wife of writing this stuff without evidence. But-" he cut Cassie off as her mouth opened to start shouting again, "obviously these need to stop. I have no idea what Jaro down at the paper thinks he's doing, publishing this stuff. He knows it's not factual."

"Probably trying to drum up sales," Ed commented, not looking amused either, but taking it with surprising calm. Of course, Aldon thought, it wasn't his father's parenting skills they were questioning. Not straight up, anyway.

His mother looked almost as mad as Cassie, but she wasn't shouting or throwing wrenches. Not yet anyway. "He definitely needs to be spoken with. This isn't helping the election, or his sales. It's just going to keep making people mad."

"I agree," Aldon assured her. "If he stops printing these kinds of things, everything should settle back down." He honestly doubted anyone believed the slanderous statements, and with Cassie in a rage, he found it oddly easier to keep calm. "I'll talk to him, and hopefully this will be the end of it."

Oh he hoped so… for the sake of his own sanity, and the rest of his family.