Fantasy Howl's Flying Castle (Finished! ---Whoo! (*＾▽＾)／)

[Zer0]

- Johnny Caprice -
" Dawnsfield "​

"Yes, it was! So good it was scary, I thought I was going to go mad!" said Johnny in amazement. "You were so . . . " he made exploding mind gestures again, " . . . I can't describe it, but I feel so lucky you are just . . . you." he gestured to all of her.

When Echo asked her question, Johnny chuckled and rubbed shoulders with her playfully. "Yes, you can. You can kiss me all you want." he whispered coyly.

When they got home, he remembered that question she had asked before, and while he was under her kisses, he asked her the same thing, "What do you want to do?", expressing that he wants to fulfill her desires too, and chuckled saying that he will go through with whatever her deepest longings are no matter what, even if they make him go mad.

Katsuya
OOC | Characters | Moments in Time
​

 

[Katsuya]

While kissing his nape, especially the pink ring around his neck, Echo paused on her lovings and leaned back to gaze at him; blushing red. "Um...explore me...?" She said in a meek high pitch voice, her fluffy ears folded back humbly.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- One Week Later -
" Marilou Theater, Kingsbury "​

"Gladly." said Johnny warmly.

The next morning, he couldn't stop touching Echo, sneaking caresses during breakfast until one of her aunties asked him to behave.

Ever since that welcome back hug, he's been very amorous, cuddling a lot and seemingly insatiable in serving Echo spaghetti bread.

Those first few days were spent catching up with her, asking her and her family what they've been up to these years, how were they doing with their lives, and helping around in the house and Lykon's smithy.

When the date of the premier neared, Johnny left in the mornings and came home in the evenings. He gave everyone in Echo's family who was going tickets, and Koko and Mr. Devon too. James had visited this week, the two men bear hugging each other after missing each other for a long time, and spent a couple of early mornings just going on a ride on Frey and Butters around the surrounding forests.

The day of the premiere finally came; Kenren and Chenglei were able to visit, as usual swarmed by their fan girls. Johnny had invited Tsumiki and Granny Zhou too, and the family took their seats on one of the balconies; they were joined by the twins, Queen Mia, James, and a couple of soldiers from their war days.

Back stage Johnny was hard at work, getting everything ready. The moving pictures play was starting in half an hour and everyone was so excited. There was going to be an introduction before the film starts, showing off the magic and wonder of moving pictures for the first time in the Kingdom. The seats were jam packed with the audience.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

"Ah! None of that on the table!" One of her aunts caught Echo and Johnny being all lovey dovey and touchy during breakfast, pointing at them with a fork that pierced an egg.

The fawn had been just as amorous, feeding Johnny hazelnut gazettes and snuggling whenever they cuddled.

Her family answered Johnny's questions, telling him that they were doing fine and pulling their weight on making sure their home stayed strong. So far Aunt Melody is keeping an eye on part of the trades with Queen Mia, making sure the imports are good and making sure their exports are great. Lykon's smithy is doing fine as well, selling items and helping build houses around the area. Echo and Renee were helping Bahamut with making farms over the years, teaching him how to determine which soil is fertile and how to regenerate it back from being dry to being filled with nutrients.

Echo noticed that Johnny had been leaving early in the mornings and coming back late at night. So she woke up earlier to give him something to eat while he leaves and when he comes back, there's always a warm plate of food ready for him. If he was ever achy, she'd massaged his tense muscles and make baths for him, brushing his hair. Same for Butters and the other summons. She cared for them too, leaving food on the table like they are part of the family. When James came over to see Johnny, Renee visited as well with Mica on her shoulder. Johnny can see that her wings grew a bit too. "It's good to hear you, Johnny." She told him with a grin, like a student welcoming back a mentor from his long journey. While the guys walked outside, the girls stayed inside and talked while poking fun at each other.

As the premiere was getting ready to start, Echo and her family sat down, excited and anxious for Johnny's appearance with his summons. Chenglei was talking with Mia casually while holding hands with Kenren. Renee is listening in, Sirius in her arms, and resting her head on Seifer's arm as Minnie talked with the model about her adventures in the guild over the years. They were penpals, sending letters about their jobs and bragging their accomplishments, sometimes betting each other with who will beat their rivals first. Serena is chatting with Kenren about music and how excited she was about doing a concert soon with her mentor and a new friend of hers; her new friend works for the twins and looks like a very toughen pirate but he can play a flute like no one's business. Tsumiki is playing 'Peek a boo' with Sirius while Granny Zhou occasionally commented about how comfy the chair is.

"I'll be right back, Aunt Mel. Dad." Echo said. Melody and Lykon nodded in understanding and off she went, jogging to backstage where she'll hopefully see Johnny before he went on.

In the back, while Johnny was working hard, he could hear a woman's voice yelling out for him. The voice ...sounded familiar, extremely so. If he looked up, he would see an old companion from his mentor's traveling circus days. " 'ey 'ey, Johnny! Remember me?" Grinned Marina, a siren. "Break a leg, squirt."

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Backstage -
" Marilou Theater, Kingsbury "​

The next morning, he couldn't stop touching Echo, sneaking caresses during breakfast until one of her aunties asked him to behave.

Johnny had hugged Renee when she came, warmly saying he missed her too and how was things, asking her if she talked to herself or if she talks to something far or something one could not see; Meatballs was mad with joy upon smelling Mica. The great boarhound came bursting through the door and tackled Renee, whining and wagging it's tail wildly, licking Mica from tail to ear until the little ferret looked like one big cow lick.

He felt cared for whenever Echo massaged him and prepared hot baths, combing his hair. And would ask her to join him during baths, just hugging her and thanking her for taking care of him and his summons. He did that for her too if he had time, waking extra early in the mornings and preparing a hot bath for her and a drink, complete with a good morning note like he used to do when they were younger. He came back home every night with a flower or two, and any grocery items Echo or the Muses household may have wanted from Kingsbury. Some nights he took the train back home, just to talk to the people, other nights when it was really late, he'd shift into his fluffy dragon form and offer a free lift to fellow Dawnsfield folks on his back.

Now at the premiere, Kenren rubbed Chenglei's hand, as he congratulated Serena on her up and coming concert, asking if she'll be part of Johnny's moving pictures in the future too. More than anyone in their group, Serena loved most to entertain, her music known far and wide even since their war days, for it was always she who uplifted everyone's spirits. Serena the Maiden of Strings some rumors called her, and her music was being called Serena's Serenades. Until know, people still hum them during hard days or if they can't sleep to have perseverance and peace.

Seifer had his arm over Renee's shoulder for her to rest easily. He was absently playing with Renee's braid or massaging her wings, as he chatted with Minnie, who had quite easily, to everyone's surprise, became one of his best friends. He told Minnie about how he and Renee were thinking about settling down soon. He had already graduated with flair from his theater and arts school. He was as popular as ever in his modeling career where he was now modeling men's clothes and underwear, earning more than enough money to support a big family with Renee.

Backstage Johnny perked up at the sound of a dear old friend. "Marina?!" he came up and hugged her. "You're here, wow! It's good to see you, how is life?!"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Marina - ​

When Johnny asked her who she was talking with, Renee laughed awkwardly. "I-I was...um...I was talking to Mr. Lamento..." Ever since she stopped seeing, the Pendragon teen started to acutely hear other things like the Manna trees singing and spirits talking. Seifer freaked out once when she was having a full conversation in her garden and told her that no one was there. He could tell when she was talking to plants, it's usually baby talk, but Renee was talking about politics. POLITICS!

"Don't tell Echo. It'll freak her out that I was talking with her great great grandpa."

She said to Johnny before telling him about what happened over the years. Working for Kenren and his family is fun and enjoyable. She's even helping the shinobi with certain things like how to tell what type of poison is what and the likes. "Seifer and I are thinking of settling down soon. Since we make enough to support a big family and all." Renee's wings flapped happily as she smiled brightly.

When Meatballs jumped on her and licked Mica, the winged teen yelped before laughing while her ferret was squirming and squeaking in joy. So much so that he started to jump wildly, not caring about his fur being covered in dog dribble and nuzzled. She called it 'His war dance' because of how silly it looked.

"Oh, it would be wonderful if Johnny wanted to collaborate my music in his films." Serena said to Kenren, waiting for the premiere to start. "Though it's up to him if he wants to. Hmm~! Maybe I should ask him whenever he thinks of another film."

The gunslinger nodded before congratulating Seifer and Renee on settling down. "...We should go to a shopping spree to celebrate, Sei." As odd as it was to hear Minnie, of all people, to say 'Shopping spree', she does enjoy Seifer's company. He's fun to hang out with. Plus she did promise to help him look for the right ring when he asks the important question...

Back stage, Marina hugged Johnny back with a confident smile. "It's good to see you too, squirt." Then she waved a hand, her turquoise hair billowed behind her as little orange fishes swim in and out of the undergrowth of seaweed hidden in her hair. "Life is fine. You know how the Madam is, making sure everything is up to par." The siren is one of his first friends in the traveling circus, giving him tips on certain things like making sure to keep up with his manna and to exercise in order to do so.

"I'm not the only one here. The others are here too. I had to drag Vincent away just to get on a train. You know how he is with motion sickness." The poor vampire would stay sick for hours if he ever gets on a train or carriages. It's a miracle he even travels well with the circus.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Backstage -
" Marilou Theater, Kingsbury "​

"I'm glad they all accepted my invitation." said Johnny, "There's still fifteen minutes before the introduction. Quick, let's go see them. I miss them so much." They were his family these last four years before he struck out on his own in showbiz a year ago. He was still under Madam Goodhart's wing, sending her letters, showing her his script and getting her approval on everything before he started on it.

When he saw them, he became teary and hugged them all. He felt so happy his family is here to watch and he was going to do them proud, especially Madam Goodhart.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Echo was about to call out to Johnny when she saw him leave with another woman. She followed the pair, wondering what that was about until she saw others in their seats. All of them congratulating Johnny and he was getting teary eyed while hugging them as well.

'I should leave him be...' The fawn thought, pausing in her spot behind the curtains. Before she turned around however, she saw the same woman from before bringing him into a hug and ruffling his hair. Really comfortably too...

"Like I said, Squirt: Break a leg." Marina cheered on with the rest of their family as they hugged back, some teary and crying too. "Man up, Vincent!"

"Shut up Marina! Y-You try t-to-"

She shook her head, smiling with her ruby red lips. "Yes, yes. I know you're still traumatized about the train but our baboo is about to show his stuff. Smile! Not cry!" The pair continued to poke fun at each other as they hugged Johnny too.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Marilou Theater -
" Kingsbury "​

"Baboo." chuckled Johnny, "I haven't heard that for a long time, Marina. Vincent." he hugged the vampire. "You haven't aged a day!" he chuckled. "It's really, really good to see you all. I've missed you." he sniffled. Someone from back stage called him, saying that it was five minutes to show time.

"I've got to go, everyone, after the show, there's going to be dinner at Freedom Park. Please come, it's a Brusk style feast, so there will be all you can eat!"

Giving them all one last hug, especially Madam Goodhart, whom he was just brimming with respect for, like a son about to show his mother the fruit of all she had taught him to reach his dreams. He told her there's someone he wants to introduce to her later, then waved them good-bye.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

"Of course!" Vincent piped, sniffling as he wiped his tears away with Marina's watery dress...

"We'll definitely see you there, Squirt- Hey!" She pulled her dress away from the vampire, angrily pouting. "Don't use my dress as your hanky, you old nut job!"

"I'm a nut job?! You called me a nut job?! You're the one who's-"

The other entertainers waved at Johnny, telling him that they wouldn't miss it for the world as the couple argued again. Completely ignoring them until the curtains rose and told them to be quiet. Unbeknownst to Johnny, he barely missed Echo's antlers as she turned the corner, ears wilted down as she returned to her seat and watched the premiere.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Marilou Theater -
" Kingsbury "​

Because there was no sound in the black and white film, an opera was seated below the stage, playing the background music as Johnny, in his colorful ring master outfit and make-up, stepped out into stage with much applause. Echo's seen him practice his opening line so many times during their war days and now here he was living it with Butters by his side.

It started with tricks on the screen, as though he had teleported himself in and made himself black and white. And got some laughs from the crowd when they thought this large ship at sea was going to crash through the screen.

Marzan started with a couple from Frankia and their baby boy escaping a shipwreck, ending up in an uncharted rain forest. It was a story about family and belonging, and as the picture went on, the opera drumming their songs, Johnny returned up to the balcony to his seat beside Echo, looking happy and excited, watching the expressions of the audience down below to see if they liked it. He pointed, whispering to her. "That's Madam Goodhart, she's here with my friends from the fair, I hope this film is up to her standards, this is her first time seeing it." he sounded like a son on a mission to make his moma proud.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Echo clapped with everyone else, watching her beau saying his opening line. The corner of her lips twitched up, sitting up straight as she clapped her cheeks. Now is not the time to feel this way, Johnny is living his dream and she should pay attention-! Though it was pretty hard to smile...until she saw his magic and giggled when the ship came close to the screen, leaning back in her chair.

Then the film started and Echo watched with full attention, noticing the theme. She smiled, a bit sad as she had a feeling where Johnny got the theme from. Her ears perked up when the opera drummed their songs. The fawn's green eyes looked beside her as she watched Johnny plop down his chair with a soft smile. She looked to where he was pointed at, blinking a bit before looking back at Johnny.

"I'm sure she will be proud and more, Love." The fawn grabbed the hand that's pointing and intertwined fingers, squeezing lightly. "I'm sure of it."


Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Marilou Theater -
" Kingsbury "​

During the interlude, right after a musical scene where the apes had stumbled into the human's camp and turned it upside down, singing, "Shoobidoo, ladada, doobadibaba!" Johnny leaned back on his seat, pleased, that everyone was enjoying and the opera was doing a splendid job as usual.

There was a fifteen minute break and some of the people in the audience got up to stretch their legs or visit the bathroom. There was a long line there and some were going out to buy pop corn or visit the other loos.

The twins, after hearing that Madam Goodhart was here, wanted to go down and greet her. Johnny thought this was a good opportunity to introduce his dearest Echo to them, and asked her if she wanted to go down and meet them.

If she said yes, Johnny would nervously hold her hand and waited after the twins and Minnie finished greeting their old friends. "Madam Goodhart, everyone, this is Echo Muses, the one who loves me most in the entire world." he said proudly. "And the one I hold closest to my heart." he gazed at her warmly. "Echo, this is Madam Goodhart, the one I said is like a mother to me. And this is Vincent, he's the vampire of the house of mirrors, this is Marina, the one who taught me magic in the beginning, and this is . . ."

Johnny introduced add fifty-two members of the fair, including the half-giants sitting outside the theater and peeking through a window who carried their tents and guarded the troupe. He had told his friends about Echo a long time ago, but this was the first time they were meeting face to face, and most of them were very interested of her, saying that before when Minnie, Sen, and Seth told them about Johnny having a girlfriend, they didn't believe them because he had his girl phobia. And they were very interested of the story of how Echo became the exception to that.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Echo nodded, lightly squeezing his hand again as encouragement as the twins and Minnie talked with Madam Goodhart. Then when Johnny introduced her to the whole group, her face went red, and her fluffy ears hid in her hair as she curtsied humbly.

"H-Hello. I'm Echo Muses...." She said. "It's ni-nice to meet you all. Thank youforwatchingoverJohnnyovertheyears-!"

"...We told you so...that Sheepy has a girlfriend..." Minnie mumbled, narrowing her eyes a bit. There's a smug little smirk on her round face too.

"Awww~! She's so cute, Squirt!" Marina chirped as the fawn blinked, watching the fishes swim in and out of the seaweed growth from under her hair. "It's nice to finally meet you, Echo. Tell us: how did you meet our favorite little student?"

"O-oh um..."Her cheeks turned red again from the silly memory.

"Echo and Johnny met through their friends who are siblings to these two over here," Minnie pointed at the twins. "and Echo complimented Johnny about...what was it again?...She appreciated a guy's form after James lifted up Johnny's shirt?"

Her face is matching her hair now!

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Marilou Theater -
" Kingsbury "​

"And I told her I had somnambulism!" laughed Johnny. "Oh those old times." He squeezed Echo's hand. "Had you not approached, we'd never would have dated. I was so intrigued by her hanging pots." He told the others. "I still like them now." He poked them. "No one else has hanging pots like her."

James and his shinanigans. Renee too. Echo's eyes had widened like headlights that time. "We met properly in the clinic in the Academy after I fainted trying to go up and talk to her."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

The sirens and females of the fair group gave a resounding 'awww~' while Vincent and the guys chuckled at the odd story.

"...So did you sneak into our pantries while you were sleeping too?" The vampire of the mirrors asked teasingly only to have Marina slap his shoulder. "Enough with your teasing, Vincent. That's really sweet, you two."

"...More like really weird."

"Then again..." Everyone agreed even if it was silent and to themselves; it makes so much sense when Johnny's involved. The kid is really odd but they love that about him.

Echo giggled, watching her pot sway after Johnny poked it. It held a spider plant. "...and no one wore make up like him...or have sheep ears." She smiled at her beau. "Honestly...If you didn't try talking to me before you fainted, I don't know if I would come up to you again." Before she thought Johnny disliked her after Renee and James' shenanigans, but it turned out to be the best and awkward thing to have ever happen.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Marilou Theater -
" Kingsbury "​

"Blimey, that little gesture made such a difference?" said Johnny, amazed. "Wow . . . I like our story." he smiled at Echo. Funny, sweet, and now hot. He really counted himself lucky. He had heard that most couples ended up getting bored of each other and then leaving, like their sparks dying. With Echo it was relaxed and he felt cared for, and every now and then something spicy happens like what happened a week ago. Merlin's beard it was still on his mind, and he was glad his friends hadn't asked about the pink ring mark around his neck and wrists that were now faded.

For some reason he didn't mind them on, and had kept them on until Echo pointed them out and removed them herself. It got him thinking . . . chains plus staying bonded together at night, he wondered if Echo wants to have him stuck to her like glue at heart, like wanting to be needed by him to the extent of chains. Being marked . . . Echo marked him too as hers with her nips. When she had asked him to mark her, did he do it? Like a sign to show she's his? He hadn't done that . . .

It surprised him how far his thoughts had taken him in this span of time. Then in front of everyone, the moment there was a pause and Echo happened to look into his eyes, she'd see a look as though he had made up his mind about something and then very lovingly, kissed her in front of the crew, very much showing that she was jealously his, and that he was hers.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

"I like our story too..." Echo replied before paying attention to everyone else as they asked her questions and she answered them; like she was used to answering a million questions at once.

She looked over to Johnnny as there was a pause, waiting for him to answer a question someone had asked only to be kissed.In.Front.Of.Everyone.

Whistles and cheers came from everyone with Minnie shooting confetti up in the air, smirking in amusement.

Her ears and tail perked up high, shocked at first. Then her face went red again, redder then her hair, as the fair troupe can see steam coming from her head. Her legs were shaking, her arms wrapped themselves around his shoulders; almost clinging onto him. She kissed back just as lovingly, letting everyone know that she's his and he is hers...

The thought made her feel dizzy...

Oh look! The stars are coming back! She hadn't seen them in a long whil-

Her knees buckled as she fainted. Once again...she had the most silliest smile on her red red face, giggling like she was drunk or something.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Marilou Theater -
" Kingsbury "​

Johnny laughed, reassuring his friends that Echo is okay. He hugged her, letting her lean on him, and nuzzled her close. "Oh, Echo." he chuckled, patting her back. He made a mental note to be prepared to catch her if this happened during their wedding day. He'd literally be carrying her across the aisle.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Renee Pendragon & Mica -
"Seifer and Renee's home, Living room"​

The early winter afternoon sunlight shone softly through the large closed windows of the living room; the dark blue curtains drawn up and pinned on the walls, draped gorgeously to the warm colored wooden floor. The snow white porcelain tea cups is set on the table that's in the middle of the large and cozy space, ready to be used. With the beautiful snowflake carved teapot at the center of the dark wooden table, waiting for the water to be poured in with tea leaves. The fireplace, where it held pictures of their friends and family, was lit up, crackling the earth-scented Pete wood.

A petite and curved figure gracefully walked across the floor with a large record disk in her hands, bare feet touching the heated floor. She placed it on the old and loved phonograph that's held on an open bookshelf, letting the needle scratch the disk, and her secret favorite song played throughout the room. Renee sighed with a smile, her wings fluttering as she sang the lyrics that she knows by heart; swaying her hips to the smooth beat.

Today's the day. The day that she finally gets to talk with Mr. Rathmore for the first time. It's rather odd, she admitted. Before he wouldn't acknowledge her existence (she based that on him never meeting her even with Mrs. Rathmore visiting occasionally) and then suddenly he sends her a letter. She had to convince Seifer to read it. Her second option was to have the nice neighboring spirit to read it for her if Seifer didn't, but thankfully she didn't have to look for the letter or hope it didn't burn in the fireplace.

She's pretty sure that Seifer and Mica wanted to destroy that piece of paper though. Mr. Rathmore wrote about wanting to visit her home to talk about something and she wrote back, saying 'Okay.' Of course Seifer knew and he was absolutely against the idea. She can practically hear his dislike dripping in his tone of voice, but after convincing him (in more ways then one, mind you) she got him to agree under a few of his rules. One of them was that he had to be there in one point of the conversation, to watch and make sure Mr. Rathmore didn't sneak a photographer in their home. The other was to let Mica bite him if he did anything stupid and alarm her brother about it. She agreed to those terms.

She had asked Mizutsume and Bahamut if they could watch over Sirius while giving him a lesson again while the visit was happening too. She didn't want her son to meet this grandfather yet, not when she didn't know if the senior was going to be violent towards her son. Renee didn't forget Mr.Rathmore's treatment towards her boyfriend while he grew up and was still miffed about it; however...she still wanted to talk with him. He is Seifer's father, no matter how dreadful of person he was, and she wanted to talk with him...

If only to really stick to a chair and hear him farting non-stop for being a terrible father figure.

Besides, Mrs.Rathmore stayed with him. There has to be something nice about him for Mrs. Rathmore to stay with him. There has to be...hopefully, Renee can find it too.

"...Mica," She called out to the sleepy ferret who's lounging on the soft couch. "Please don't bite him as soon he comes in, okay?" Renee heard Seifer order Mica to bite him last night. With the somewhat mischievous and haughty chuckle coming from her summon, she sighed. Her wings fluttered nervously. "At least wait until he does something silly, okay?"

He snorted, like he wasn't making promises.

"...That's better then nothing, I suppose..."

She peeked over her shoulder when the Kingsbury door rang and she took out the disk from the phonograph, placing it on the side and tucked in the bookshelf safely. Then she walked over to the door, turning the dial, bracing herself for a moment as Mica quickly climbed from the long cotton skirt she wore, to the leather corset that hugged her figure snug, and up to her sleeveless button up shirt that's tucked in the corset and skirt.

After a few seconds, Renee twisted the doorknob and smiled gently. "Hello?"

Spoiler: Renee's favorite song

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seifer and Renee's Home -​

The door opened, brightening the darkness of Renee's closed eyes. A curt and overbearing voice, dripping with that Rathmore snooty-ness, replied with a droning, "Hello." Mr. Rathmore's footsteps already crossed the threshold before Renee could welcome him in, and she'd hear a little huff of indignity. "I see my son didn't come to greet me."

He smelled of earth and sweat as though he had to walk all the way here, and despite his high and mighty vibe, he sounded tired.

"Good morning, my dear!" said the familiar voice of Mrs. Rathmore, and her brisk footsteps followed after. Next thing Renee knew, there was a thud of dropped heavy bags, then she was being hugged. "Nice of you and my son to let us visit."

"Is there no servant around?"

"It's alright, dear, I'll show you where the washroom is. My husband isn't used to walking under the sun, we hitched a ride from a farmer's wagon from Frankia and had to walk all the way from farm lands until we reached Kingsbury."

At the frosty backyard, a moody Seifer was shooting arrows at a snow-topped straw target. He just heard the opening of the front door and already he was sour. He had promised, after Renee convinced him in more ways than one ('She really knows my weakness.' he thought in surrender), that he was going to at least be civil and silent --- except if he starts looking down or treating his baby and Sirius wrong, then he's out of the house. He couldn't trust himself to not . . . well, be his haughty self right now, so he was here, literally cooling himself off for a moment, though his father's remark about: "Too many flowers." and "Huh, no servants." and, "Can't he afford you shoes?" didn't help.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Renee hugged Mrs. Rathmore back, her gentle smile widened in glee. Her wings fluttered happily. Mica immediately growled silently at the sight of the chubby man, reflecting on how Seifer feels at the moment before going to Mrs. Rathmore and licked her cheek in a greeting too.

"Ah! It's not a problem, Ma'am!" She said cheerfully before turning her head a bit towards the huffy voice of the Rathmore Senior. "If you two would like, you can rest in the living room and take off your shoes too. I don't mind obviously." The winged teen mentioned, not caring nor putting mind to the sharp remarks from the older man.

"I'm preparing some tea and made snacks for us to enjoy while we talked." Renee said to the parent couple, letting go of Mrs. Rathmore so she can show her husband where the bathrooms are. Then she walked over to the back where she can hear the familiar thudding of arrows hitting hay targets. Her wings fluttered in a fluster as she frowned in a bit of worry. "Sweetheart...I think they brought bags in...and your mother said they hitched on a farmer's wagon and walked here from the farmlands of Frankia." She whispered.

She didn't know that his parents were living in Frankia and wondered why they took a farmer's wagon instead of using their usual means of transportation. When she heard the bathroom door open again, Renee walked over to the entrance of the living room and gestured them to go in. "Go ahead. Make yourselves at home."

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seifer and Renee's Home -​

"Yeah, the old man's broke." said Seifer, not surprised and sounding smug. Then there was the quick crunching of snow as he suddenly held Renee's shoulders. "Wait, what kind of bags? Luggage bags?" he whispered, dreading what that could probably mean.

He followed Renee to the kitchen veranda and sure enough, it wasn't gift bags. They were luggage bags. He was just peering through an ivy-overgrown window. His old man looked like someone who was fat, who suddenly lost a lot of weight, looking kind of flabby. His parents' clothes were the expensive ones as usual, but they were old, too old, with the colors faded and some parts with visible sewing lines. Their pricey shoes weren't shined and there were too many scuffs and dirt on them to be acceptable at any noble gathering.

"Oh no . . . They didn't get kicked out of their place, did they?" he whispered to Renee before she went to the living room. He had kept mum about his parents fortunes. Mrs. Rathmore had done the same too, she was probably too embarrassed to admit this fall from grace, and Seifer probably didn't want Renee to worry. In any case, he sounded like he knew a lot and had been keeping it secret.

As Renee went in the living room, he stealthily followed suit, still carrying his bow and quiver and just stayed hidden inside the kitchen, listening to the conversation.

"Thank you, Renee." said Mrs. Rathmore, and there was the chinking of cups.

"More snacks." said Mr. Rathmore curtly. That was fast.

When Renee came back, he seemed to ease himself into the chair. "Good, now, let's get down to it. I've come to loan two millon, four hundred thirty-two gold from my son, and to borrow Serious."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Renee was alarmed when Seifer whispered about them getting kicked out but she kept her smile on as if she didn't know about what happened.

"You're welcome, Mrs. Rathmore." As she sat down on the opposite side of Mr. Rathmore, placing a seemingly larger plate of sandwiches on the table, the winged teen calmly took her cup and sipped her tea.

"...Why?" Renee asked too casually. If Seifer peeked in from the kitchen, he would see that his girlfriend is sitting up straight like a proper young lady of high class. Her wings weren't fluttering, folded still on her head. There was a slight frown on her face.

Mica, who slid down from her shoulder to her lap, hissed and was about to jump at the Rathmore senior until Renee cupped her hands on top of him. Stopping him from biting the man.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seifer and Renee's Home -​

There was a hesitant pause. "I owe some . . . very bad people that much gold. Very bad people." said Mr. Rathmore gravely. "And I've heard all about Serious, that he's powerful and listens to you."

Seifer, whose eyes were narrowed, did peek over the kitchen counter. Renee was so calm, he wasn't.

"Your pet doesn't seem to like me. Anyway, I need these people . . . defeated, so to speak. Just . . . intimidated enough to leave me and my wife alone. And I am Seifer's father, I have raised him, given him all he needs, he owes me that money, which I assure you does not even reach a fourth of all the gold he's asked me for his parties, vacations, toys, before the war. And I assure you, I can pay it all back, with interest."

Katsuya