Old Haunts and Memories

[Lance]

Kabuki managed a surpised, "Hey! What are you-" before Simone launched into her (admittedly well deserved) tirade, the Oni blushing slightly when he learned that no, the meeting rooms were NOT muffled by design like he'd thought. He also was silently thankful to the dolls for keeping them obscured, so that no one could eavesdrop on them being scolded.

When Simone let him go, he coughed slightly and fixed the collar of his fur lined tunic, exhaling softly and looking down at the young woman. "I apologize, I was under the assumption that a closed meeting room would have muffling charms put on the doors constantly, as it was in other places that I've traveled to in the past. As for being indiscrete, the only reason that location was chosen was because it was the closest to 'private' we could think of. Rose does not strike me as an exhibitionist, and I am many things, but that is not to my taste either. In the future, I will do my best to at least warn you before things take a turn for the...carnal, like they did."

The Oni tightened the strings holding his shirt closed, the ties having come loose when Simone grabbed them. "I do ask that you calm yourself however, it is hardly a scandal for a man and his lover to be intimate. If anyone asked, I would tell them what I just told you. She is of age and capable of giving consent." Kabuki was talking rather matter-of-factly for someone who'd just been caught as he'd been, not exactly understanding the issue, a small side effect of his Oni upbringing.


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Philemon raised his hand and wavered it back and forth, his tone uncertain. "Yes and no. I'm from A future, but not a SET future. I'll admit that it seems my time stems from this branch of the timelines, due to how similar it is, but with how massive the number of branches in a single timestream can be, I am uncertain of EXACTLY where mine divulges from this one."

[Arin]

Aria nodded and rubbed her chin, deep in thought. But then a wry grin formed on her face as she gave Philemon a knowing look "Well, as long as you aren't affiliated with Ciel in a malicious way, you and I will have no quarrel...grandson.~" She giggled and turned back to Aeternitas "So; now that I know there is evil coming to us, what else needs to be discussed? I'm sure you don't mean to keep me here for much longer if there is no other business to attend to?"

[roseline]

Rose would never again speak of the events that led her to banging Kabuki semi publicly, she knew there was no muffling spells on the door or anything to stop someone from innocently walking in on them, but the only relief from stress she seemed to have was in Kabuki's arms and after the events of this day alone she felt justified in taking what little stress relief she had on hand. Still, let it not be said that the Crown Princess was shameless because she took pains to ensure she looked as neat and presentable now as she had before she'd dragged him away to the conference room originally.

"We were only gone twenty minutes what exactly could have gone down?" she objected with all innocence, her flushed face giving away her guilt even to those who hadn't heard of her exact activities in the conference room, but she nodded and glanced to Simone for more info before getting distracted by Florentine once more.

"If you keep being so kind to me i'm going to suspect you actually want me dead," she teased, and yet despite her words, there was no small amount of releif in her eyes as their gazes met. Taking up her mothers title, let alone the rank of Crown Princess, was a socially isolating position and she was grateful at the possibility that she might just have another friend in the making.

All the heartwarming thoughts that were beginning to pass through her head were interrupted, however, when Simone marched over and dared to grab her by the collar of her dress! Her righteous indignation faded pretty fast though when she realized everyone could hear them outside the room and her face flushed crimson as she shot daggers at Kabuki over some secret of what they'd done that caused her to be that loud.

"I understand your position, and I apologize on Kabuki's behalf for the disturbance, but it's not a scandal. Before the king decided to adopt me I was just a normal girl, and like all normal girls my age, I have a boyfriend," she eeped rapidly switching between throwing Kabuki to the wolves, apologizing for the disturbance, and yet still defending what little freedoms she still had in life.

[The Harrowed]

Simone took a half-step forward to make sure Rose could hear her without being overheard, two dolls moving to hide Simone's face as she did so. "And if you should become with child? I admit I'm not familiar with Fire Kingdom nobility, but if they are anything like the ones back home they will use any opportunity to undermine the crown. If the newly-adopted crown Princess becomes with child shortly after her adoption, I could see the nobility claiming that Aldari is the father and the adoption an attempt at avoiding a scandal or a royal bastard."

She glanced at Kabuki, then back at Rose. "If I understand you correctly about him being your intended, I strongly advise you make that fact well-known as soon as you can. If nothing else it may defang that potential scandal."

She paused, her eyes widening slightly as a thought struck her. "You did take measures to avoid becoming with child, yes? If not, I need to make some additions to the list of recommended equipment."

[Lance]

Kabuki gently gave Simone a pat on the shoulder, trying to calm her nerves somewhat. "I have a contraceptive seal placed on me, here-" Kabuki pulled his shaggy hair to the side and knelt down, showing a small rune that seemed to be etched into his skin with magic. "I had it placed on me by my village's healer before I left to wander the world. It renders me infertile until she removes it. I believe your scholars refer to it as Biomancy?"

He let go of his hair and stood up again, his tone became more serious. "And if somebody attempts to slander Rose or Aldari, I'll put my foot so far up their ass that their dentist will be able to read my shoe size. He's willing to give Rose a home, and made sure that Diana couldn't have leverage over her any longer, he's earned my loyalty and then some."

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Philemon just sighed and rubbed his face beneath his mask, while Aeternitas chuckled softly. "I believe that is it. There will come a time when we will disclose this information to your son and his companions, but unfortunately there isn't much that they can do, save for staying safe and becoming stronger by training their magics."

Philemon nodded, "Our enemy won't attack directly, he knows that doing so risks destabilizing the timeline that he's in, so they'll have to be on the lookout for agents or enemies sent into their path by him. But, if they are vigilant and keep honing their skills, I have faith that they will triumph in the end."

[Arin]

Aria nodded and rose to her feet, straightening her clothes and giving the two a calm expression "Well, I suppose then I should take my leave. If there are things brewing in the future that could devastate the world I have chosen to protect, I cannot sit idly by. I need to make sure the world is prepared for what's to come. I trust, Philemon, that you will watch over my son until he and I are reunited?"