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Six

It was fairly early when a knock woke Touko up from a fairly deep sleep, she rubbed her eyes as she called that she'd be there in a moment. As she opened the door she smiled seeing Anthea standing there with a grin she was wearing a cute pale pink dress shirt, neat white pants, and heels she really stood out against the dark décor around her.

"Hey you're not dressed yet."

"Sorry no I just woke up...didn't realize I was on a schedule." she said nervously, worried that this was going to lead to a punishment.

Anthea shook her head quickly.

"Oh it's okay, I can wait we are going out today remember?"

"...I'm supposed to go with you?"

"Yeah, we're going out to eat."

"Your father doesn't trust the Grunts with medicine but he'll let a stranger make his food."

She grinned.

"Well the Triad keeps ahold of several businesses all they have to do is make sure the family is safe and they keep all the funds also they can twist memories and keep us in the dark so there are no mistakes. If we attract attention from people who would want father dead. So things can be...well normal I guess."

She nodded slowly.

"I see..is he paranoid..or should he be really concerned about things like that."

"Both." her grin widened then she chuckled nervously.

"I mean...you're safe, we all are now to a point but he keeps the best precautions he just doesn't like being trapped. Peace of mind and all."

Touko nodded as she leaned against the door smiling wide she spoke just as evenly as her father or sister did but she was definitely bubbly. She even managed to put Touko at ease the way she spoke, Anthea waved as her sister came into view with a few bags.

"Morning you two."

"Morning..."

"Ms. Touko I realize you may not like the same thing we do but for some more...formal-casual times I ordered some things for you, for today if you could wear one we'll have you pick out things more your style after we eat."

"Thank you...but I'm sure it's fine.." she said eyeing the pale green dress she wore, the pretty translucent sleeves were even ruffled.

She thought it was cute, Concordia smiled at her.

"Nonsense I know they didn't bring you as they were supposed to so I expected you didn't get to pack anything. Take your time, Anthea we'll go check on N."

They nodded to her and turned to go down the hall as she moved to quickly get dressed having showered before bed just in case. She had peace and didn't want anyone running to get her, Concorida picked out some pants, skirts and two dresses for her. She examined the pants one dark one light, a flowered skirt and a black pencil one, one yellow sundress and one white dress cut to show her shoulders with a clingy shape in white, not to mention there were heels she could choose from she really went all out.

She chose the white dress considering how they were dressed.

Letting her hair hang free she only looked up as there was another knock she hadn't locked the closed door so Ghetsis could open he paused in the doorway. Like most of her girl friends puberty seemed generous, they were active yes but with a healthy curve Touko was often pointed out as having the best one she crossed her arms absently, he wore a more casual black dress shirt and slacks he only walked in to grab the jacket she had hung up before bed. He grit his teeth slightly the orders were delivered by the Triad's apprentices they warned him about the clothes only because they didn't hang around the house they didn't want to surprise him by being there without his call.

He took a breath as he slid his jacket on, seeing her fit to his family's image he needed to collect himself.

"You look nice today remember to dress how you feel comfortable my daughters will turn you into a fashion doll if you let them."

She couldn't help but smile slightly, over the compliment or hearing 'fashion doll' in his deep tone.

"...Thank you..so do you...I don't mind I wouldn't have known what to get, though Concordia said we were going out after eating but.."

He glanced over mostly thinking she had said anything about how he looked there was almost a bit of self awareness there. He didn't change much maybe he should have shaking his head he turned she stopped immediately.

"It's nothing...and we do need to so you can get more clothes...you cooperate and aside from your friend's safety I'll..." he trailed off feeling a bit possessive especially with her in that dress.

He could curse his daughter's taste it suited Touko a little too well and he noticed it the longer he stared.

"...Let me see them?"

"Yeah, that if you behave walk with your head up...and keep away from other men away from misleading situations and you will be rewarded."

"So I'm not entirely a prisoner...?"

"So long as you stay on my goodside after you earn my trust you won't be one at all, now come here."

She walked over slowly as he reached in his pocket to pull a black box out he opened it to show her a necklace. A plain silver chain diamond cut into a stemless rose in bloom up close it was easier to see the details.

"It's beautiful..."

"I'm glad you like it I had it picked out before hand I forgot to give it to you consider it a welcome present. Turn around I'll put it on for you."

She turned moving to raise her her hair he examined her neck as he clipped it in place bending forward to kiss her neck she went still as he grit his teeth.

"Let's go."

She dropped her hair to follow behind him her mind still on how she arrived she tried to focus on the fact that he should be at arms length. She still had more questions on what was done to her and why she simply knew to believe him.

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