A Bustling Castle Greeting | 039

[cavaliering]

[It's a dark and rainy night.

Seriously, who thought traveling in weather like this was a good idea...?

Thankfully, at the end of the road, there's always the Clarines castle, inviting to those who need to get out of the storm. Inside is certainly much brighter, bustling with people doing their own tasks and doing them well.

Everyone can be found here, if you look around hard enough. There are even snacks set out, so surely someone intended to eat those but perhaps got sidetracked--

Just don't make a mess. Prince Izana won't be pleased.]

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[cavaliering]

[MITSUHIDE IS BEING PRODUCTIVE.

Okay no he isn't.

He's looking for Zen.

Because it's a dark and stormy night and what if Zen gets himself in trouble looking for Shirayuki or something or what if he gets lost or sick or...!!!!

This is probably why he's peering behind the curtains, yeah, don't question it too hard.]

[informal]

[gosh mitsuhide he's nineteen not nine!!!

And standing a short distance away from him—]

... Playing hide-and-seek, Mitsuhide?

[cavaliering]

[YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT COULD HAPPEN--though he drops the curtains instantly, straightening with impressive speed.]

Prince Zen! Here you are! What a relief.

[He...at least seems to be in good humor about the entire thing.]

[informal]

[...]

Oh, looks like you found me, Mitsuhide! I guess I'm 'it' now, so you can go away and hide.

[~*~smile smile~*~]

[cavaliering]

Well, that's true--

[...OUCH that hurts, princey prince prince.]

H-hey, are you trying to get rid of me?

[informal]

[you're used to it, aidey aide aide]

Why would you ever think that?

[cavaliering]

[sob why is this life...]

Because I've known you to do it before!

[well it's true.]

Anyway, I was looking for you because the conditions outside don't look very good.

[and he wouldn't put it past you to go out there--]

[kidnapple]

[ Shirayuki definitely feels some eyes on her as she walks by. But she doesn't really notice anything other than that ( hint: she's dense ).

There's a variety of herbs and papers in her hands as she perks up, moving to peer out a window.

It makes sense. ]

He-llo?

[cavaliering]

[oh Shirayuki, darling. This is why Mitsuhide needs to look after you too.

But.

He turns around quickly from peering out another window, brightening.]

Ah, Shirayuki! It's good to see you. Have you seen Prince Zen?

[well, it's easy to be friendly when it's Shirayuki.]

[kidnapple]

[ She bounces back a little bit, but still offers him a kind smile. ]

You snuck up on me, Mitsuhide. [ She still offers a bit of a wave. ]

Hm... I haven't seen him lately. He's not in his chambers?

[cavaliering]

[Oh oops. He rubs the back of his head sheepishly at that.]

I'm sorry for startling you.

[He even bows a little, because yes, he really is sorry.

But right...]

He isn't. I assumed he would be looking for you.

[But here you are, and no Zen. OOPS.]

[informal]

[It's a dark and rainy night and Zen is doing paperwork in his... office/WHEREVER HE DOES IT yeah.

... Or rather, he was. Except he was doing this all day and he was doing it for a good chunk of last night too and wow was he exhausted—

So, er, yes. Zen is now asleep at his desk, face-first into his paperwork with a pile still left to go, apparently blissfully oblivious to the storm outside.]

[kidnapple]

[ Shirayuki left her duties just for a minute ( with Ryuu's okay, of course! ) to step in and check up on Zen. As was painfully usual - meetings generally had to be cut short because they both had business to attend to.

She can't help the fond smile on her face when she finds him sleeping at his desk, partially flustered and oh god should I wake him up, I should leave, I should definitely leave.

But she doesn't. Shirayuki silently pads across the floor, letting her hands falls on his shoulders. ]

Prince Zen? [ Shaking him very delicately. ] Wouldn't your bed be more comfortable?

[informal]

Hmm...? Shira... yuki...?

[mumble mumble (and let's face it: he was probably dreaming about her)—

At any rate, once reality begins to dawn on him, his head snaps up.]

Shirayuki!

[kidnapple]

[ He snaps up and she jumps back, arms falling back directly at her sides. ]

Ah! [ She shakes her head, fingers fumbling around with the hem of her dress. This is so improper!!!!! ] I should have let you sleep.

[informal]

[He rubs at his eyes.]

Ah, no... I've still got some work to do, so it wouldn't do any good to sleep now, or else it'll never get done.

[He smiles.]

So thank you, Shirayuki.

[kidnapple]

[ She pouts out her lip a bit. ]

You deserve a break. [ She shakes her head. ]

Maybe you'll spare a minute for me?

[informal]

I can always spare a minute—more than that, actually—for you.

no one ask how long it took me

[succinct]

[ Kiki may be around doing paperwork (or making Zen do paperwork). Or she may be teasing Obi and/or Mitsuhide with the Pokerface of Champions.

... Or she might actually be out and sparring with anyone who wants to take her on.

It's likely the latter, given how many of the guards are limping back to their posts with nothing but complaints and groans. ]

your secret's safe with me

[cavaliering]

[He's actually looking for Kiki, now that he knows Zen is safely with Shirayuki. Inside.

Because it's so rainy and gross outside--maybe he shouldn't be surprised that she's out here schooling the guards despite the weather, but...]

Is it more or less of a challenge in the rain?

[He lifts a hand in greeting as he walks up, starting to already get drenched, but he's honestly curious about that.]

golly thanks

[succinct]

I've found it's about the same. [ Kiki offers a shrug in greeting, and if Mitsuhide is starting to get a little wet, she's already soaked through and as calm about it as ever. ] Except they start yelling about mercy a lot faster.

[cavaliering]

[...haaaa.]

I could believe that. Why did you pick tonight of all nights to beat on the palace guards, anyway?

[Seriously, Kiki, you're soaked and he's getting there quickly.]

[succinct]

A certain someone was running around yelling for a prince whose name I didn't quite catch, so I thought outside might be quieter.

[ and she may be soaked, but hey, she was right. ]

[cavaliering]

[ah, he'd never miss her not-so-gentle-scolding.]

I was concerned he might be out in this weather--you know how he is--but it turns out my sensible partner is instead.

[succinct]

And your sensible partner will be in shortly, so you should be able to sleep tonight.

[ you worrywart. ]