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.]

Comments

[succinct]

Mitsuhide, you're acting like a mother again.

[ stop that. ]

[cavaliering]

I am not!

[. . .]

Maybe I am a little, but someone must think of Prince Zen's reputation, and Shirayuki's as well!

[succinct]

Do you honestly think Zen hasn't considered that? Or Shirayuki, for that matter?

[cavaliering]

I think they both have...perhaps too much, honestly.

But focusing too hard on something can lead to rash decisions just as much as not thinking at all.

[And they both know Zen wasn't thinking straight when he kissed her the first time.

...So honestly, it's hard to say what he's more worried about. What they actually do, or what it looks like they're doing, or what they don't do.]

[succinct]

[ Time to lift a fist and thump it between his shoulder blades. ]

So what now? You charge in to protect their virtues?

[cavaliering]

[He winces--and it's not entirely show. Kiki's no slouch, that's for sure.]

Ha ha...If I did that, I don't think Prince Zen would ever forgive me!

[not that he's saying he wouldn't, if it was necessary.]

[succinct]

[ What a worrywart. ]

Then give them space for now. If you're desperate for something to do, you can help me grab the paperwork from Shirayuki's last trip.

[cavaliering]

[yeah totally

but he sighs at that.]

You're full of good advice like always...

I didn't realize you were assigned to paperwork duty. [That's pretty much a yes--he'll help with the paperwork.]

[succinct]

There's not much else to do on a rainy day.

... So certain people would complain.

[cavaliering]

Now, now, I can tell when you're about to scold me, but I'm sure we can keep ourselves busy without getting soaked, right?

[right????]

[succinct]

Might as well.

[ look, she'll behave. ]

... For now. [ as she turns to start walking down the hall at a more purposeful pace. ]

[cavaliering]

[..........]

Ah...Kiki is so stern. [And perfect. But. He doesn't say that.

Instead, he hurries to catch up, trotting down the hall.]

I'm coming!

[succinct]

Keep up with me, or I'll leave you behind.

[ She wouldn't. Not when it mattered.

But he doesn't need to know that. ]

[cavaliering]

[by the smile on his face, he probably has a good idea. But he doesn't call her out on it, as is their habit, and instead catches up, walking quickly by her side, as it should be.]

I'll do my best to be faster, then. Someone has to watch your back--and make sure you don't catch a cold from facing down all of the knights of Clarines in the rain.

[succinct]

That again... just the thought of all the smothering you'd do is the greatest remedy.

[ Not that Kiki gets sick all that often. ]

[cavaliering]

[Thank goodness, because he probably would go into mother hen overdrive...]

Ha, how cruel...Well, if it keeps you healthy, I suppose I can't much complain.

[succinct]

Shouldn't you be worried about all the other guards out in the rain?

[ In before Kiki actually gets a bad cold and hates everything for a day. ]

[cavaliering]

I suppose I'm concerned for their healthy, but none of them is my partner.

[That he delivers easily because it's true, clearly--

But oh god that would be an Unfortunate Day and Mitsuhide would Panic.]

[succinct]

... Really, you'll make yourself sick before I even catch a thing.

[ but there's a smile. Today might not be so bad, for a quiet day. ]

[cavaliering]

[Aha...... He shakes his head at that.]

I'll just have to work extra hard to avoid that, then. I can only imagine how troublesome that would become for Prince Zen.

[since he...likes to go trapaising around without a care.

and since clearly we know that it's poor Kiki's turn for suffering.]