"Hope you haven’t eaten too much," Jotou gave Hotaru a light spin amidst the people standing up.
Hotaru slowly followed in the spin, "Oh shush," she chuckled back with a glint of her fangs, "What’s gotten into you?"
"Insanity~"
"Is it curable?"
"Depends on how this night continues," Jotou tugged her along, arm in arm.
"Thundering Blade?"
The cheerful two paused to mingle before the blonde felt shocks going down her hair. Not in warning...? ’That was weird. Random electricity? Eh, worrying over nothing~!’ She smiled to the one who called for her.
"Greetings," Hotaru curtsied with an arm connected to Jotou who bowed as well.
"Soone called for my illustrious na? Oh wow, you’re beautiful," Jotou stared with a tilt of her head.
Stood before them was the tall woman who called them out, her arm hooked around another woman as several suited n stayed in a loose circle around them.
One ring on her left hand of icy blue hue; pure black irises in the whites of her eyes and her platinum white hair was kept in a large tight bun at the top of her head. Around the bun was a long spiky crown of eight silver prongs that stuck out.
Her gaze icy cold, her lips with tints of blue and long eyelashes to complint her pale complexion. She wore a rmaid dress that glittered grey and her stature towered everyone in her vicinity, including what seed to be her date.
Chestnut hair parted to one side that flowed till her shoulder and a round face with hazel eyes. She wore a dark grey suit lined with whites around a tall collar, as well as a bright smile which could only be described as cute.
Hotaru gingerly tightened her hold onto Jotou’s arm, side-eyeing the blonde’s stare. The redhead still bead to the two.
"Not as beautiful as you, I assure you," low and honeyed her voice was.
The shorter woman leaned her head forward, "Greetings, I am Emissary Dahl hailing from Vandlevela," a high-pitched tone.
"I am Superintendent of Experintal Magi-Technology, Katrina Marionsdottir," barely a polite smile that was on the verge of collapsing into a scowl.
"Well, well, well, such high positions I’m humbled. As I assu you know, I’m Jotou Howllett, Thundering Blade of Kria. This is Hotaru Kinoshita, Temporary Royal Advisor of the Undying Princess."
"Pleasure."
"I am so glad to see worlds colliding and I certainly hope there is no ill intent in between us, I’m aware of my, complications with the regis," Jotou politely smiled.
"Oh, no not at all, we co here for the sa intent as anyone here," the emissary waved her hand.
"There is no animosity with the Vandlevela Regi and you personally, I should add. Your, feats and acts against the Trailon Regi is known. Allies we may be, but we are not them," the superintended furrowed one brow.
’Yet; you’re not saying yet~ Rember Frost’s warning Jotou.’
"Then we all have co here to enjoy what ti we have. It’s a pleasure to be acquainted, but I have to ask, what is your stance here? Controversial as it may be; I’m openminded," the blonde’s smirk never wavered.
"We’ve co to survey the elites and officials," the superintendent spoke as the emissary quieted down. "This sort of occasion is a rarity at a ti such as this.
Perhaps taking the ti to tour Cravolta City might be in order while we are here. Make no mistake, what our ally has committed is unforgivable and if I may speak frankly, pathetic, honourless, spineless even."
"Really? So you’re on the princess’s side on this?" Hotaru’s ears pricked.
"In this matter alone. I believe the Trailon Regi should be disbanded, removed from the face of this war. What war is there to win if there are no people to govern?
Harming innocents and the infiltration of Kria, the designated centre point to keep a constant variable in the war, is cheap. No ingenuity, no proper strategy.
Instead of priding themselves on new technology and using new discoveries, they hide and abuse it to a revolting degree. I hope that provides a sufficient enough statent," the woman examined every inch of Jotou.
"Hm, certainly. I can understand there is no acceptance here, just re tolerance till this ordeal subsides."
"Anything in particular that caught your eye when you received an invitation?" Hotaru queried.
"Neither of us received an invitation, those were for the people higher up," the emissary replied.
"One thing did catch my attention however. You seem to be quite supportive of the Undying Princess’s rule, despite her unfortunate case of amnesia; almost like rekindling friends," the superintendent swirled her glass.
Not even a squint, "Well what can I say? The princess and I got along very well and I can’t not support what I believe in. She sees a better future for Cravolta and I stand by it."
"I think we shall be mingling elsewhere then. We don’t want to waste your ti."
"None wasted at all," Jotou bowed followed by Hotaru’s curtsy.
"Enjoy the gala," the redhead waved.
"You as well..." the superintendent stared across the gala, her eyes caught in a scowl towards the blonde walking away and a purple-haired princess not too far.
"Rekindling friendship? Do you think?" Hotaru hushed.
"No, the information of or Daiyu dying is not impossible to find. Jack had access to files on ; Trailon killed Daiyu. I think it’s just our enemies making theories and trying to confirm the info. Be careful of what you say."
"I will. Sharp as ever Jotou," Hotaru bumped into her shoulder.
"Hmph, did you think I’ve dulled~?"
"Definitely," the wolf-girl pulled her along with a twitch of her ears.
_
"It was pleasant to talk to you archduke," Hotaru replied.
"Pleasure is all mine," Archduke Filtrin humd, both his arms around the waist of two of his wives.
"We’ll be off then," Jotou whisked away Hotaru.
"That was a lot of..."
"Red flags? Yeah. Hey, at least he can run a province."
The two chuckled behind his back.
_
Both of them held drinks again, talking to a Cravoltan ambassador from Burnetrout, "-so the matter is defended. We have more trouble within Burntish borders, Malecise is barely a threat."
He wore a lavish crimson suit that mixed with whites. "Well, when the war’s fought on battleships I guess I’m not much of use," Jotou chuckled.
Thirty minutes had passed and only now did the dance actually begin, as the musicians started the tune. One or two couples went towards the floor, most having cold feet.
Wanting the floor to be a bit more filled, Hotaru and Jotou swanned through the people, lightly swaying to give a tease of their dance to each other; neither shared a word, only grins.
"Minister Farouqq!" Jotou called for him to turn, "Thank you, thank you for that first page again. I believe it left a pretty fantastic impression."
"You’re welco, please just call Sion. This, is my wife Abir," they greeted, minutes were spent joking and gossiping. He ntioned three high-ranking reporters within the guestlist.
"The Altanor would be happy to have another statent, hopefully after the dealings with Trailon are dealt with?"
"I’d be happy too! Could I also pester you to allow Ms Kinoshita to add a few words into the paper? She’s the new temporary royal advisor after all; maybe an interesting perspective to get a scoop on?"
"That, could be done, easily."
"Oh well," Hotaru had a hand to her chest, "Thank you!"
"Hello!" Asobi popped up behind them, "Am I disturbing sothing?"
"Not at all, we were just finishing, right?" Jotou glanced to the minister as he nodded and bade farewell alongside his wife.
"What’s the matter?" Hotaru looked to the elf.
"Daiyu just wants both of you to et Feyan’s parents, co on. His mother’s an elf!"
Daiyu, Feyan, Arabella and Fuko stood talking to a burly man in bronze attire and jewels, and a slender tall woman in a gold veiled hat, similarly decorated.
Both with dark black hair, the woman with two sharply pointed ears below her tied up curly hair; light violet eyes as opposed to her husband’s dark brown ones; a light brown, both their skins were.
Asobi ushered the two into the small group, "I brought them!"
"We et again, hello Ms Kinoshita and Ms Howllett," Luciean was present as well, dressed in the similar attire of his parents, "Both of you look lovely."
"As do you Luciean, you two must be of course," Jotou bowed, "I am Jotou Howllett, the Thundering Blade of Kria, friend of your son; well, two sons," she bead.
"Yes, yes, Luciean’s told us about you as if the Altanor was not enough. I am Baron Rashid Jeremiah Artevik of Tel Karbalad," he bowed.
"And, I am the Baroness of Tel Karbalad, Dineyya Sarah Artevik, pleasure to et you," she spoke slow and steady.
Asobi bowed, "Greetings Baroness, could you please tell elven secrets?"
She raised a brow, "Elven secrets? What ever do you an young, ah, I see you are an elf as well. Curious, I did not notice before."
"I did not send a letter with any haste about the matter mother, but she has been eager about the topic," Feyan winced an eye.
"Did you brother not advise you to write ho?" the baron queried.
"I did, it just so happens that I was preoccupied with other matters and it still lies in my room father. Easier to deliver it now, is it not?"
"I don’t know any other elf, so, are there actually, any secrets?" Asobi’s head tilted, then tilted again.
"I am sorry young lady, there is no, ’elven secrets’ that I have heard of... Do you dear?"
"I wouldn’t know anything else on the matter."
"If you have any info on elves or elven families it would be great. More information the better because we know, about this much," Fuko pinched her fingers.
"Sorry to ask sothing like this unexpectedly, we’re just curious; no need to answer if you feel uncomfortable of course," Hotaru batted an eye.
"No, no, it is alright. My, parents are elves, so were my grandparents... As far as I recall my lineage has been in Alsham. I believe, centuries ago an ancestor of mine arrived in Alsham from Northern Cravolta.
Though, I," the baroness furrowed her brows, "I, I... My goodness I apologize, I cannot rember anything," she held her forehead.
"Is sothing wrong mother?" Luciean leaned forward, concern painting itself on everyone.
"Elves, tended to dwell in nature, so were the exception... We can live fifty to sixty years past the human lifespan, it is rare for an elf to be without an affinity and we are incredibly potent mages...
That is all the information I can relay, perhaps your parents would know more child?" she shook her head.
"I, don’t know my parents..."
"Oh, my sincerest apologies Ms Asobi. However, I comnd you on the spectacle you perford tonight," the baroness forced a smile.
Fuko squinted to the baroness, then squinted to the connected arms of Jotou and Hotaru...
"Thank you! And it’s okay! That’s more information than we knew, so yay!"
"Sorry to cause distress, it’s supposed to be a night of revelry," Daiyu spoke poised, "How about so drinks?"
The baron put an arm around the baroness’s shoulder, "I think that will serve us well. Thank you princess."
"Uh, I will be right back, excuse ," Feyan raised a hand before walking his parents to their table.
"You’re making such a good impression your majesty," Jotou smirked.
"Shut it."
"Impression? You left quite the impression on my parents months prior when you gained your title," Luciean smiled, "You need not be worried."
"No, it’s just the Thundering Blade has had too much to drink," Daiyu half-closed her right eye.
"She doesn’t look drunk," Fuko scanned.
"I’m going to go dance."
"I hope you and Feyan practiced!" Jotou exclaid to a fleeing princess. ’She’s never like this, even with Kaleb. Oh how flustered can I get you, Xia Lan Daiyu~?’
"Can I get drunk?" Asobi looked for permission.
"It’s better if you don’t Sobi," Hotaru pouted.
"Screw that, we’re getting drunk!" Fuko took Asobi by the arm.
"Actually ko, let’s go dance!"
Fuko halted her steps, staring at the floor... "Uh, I’m, saving a dance for soone else..."
"I’m sure that soone’s gonna dance with soone else first detective, you should go right ahead."
Asobi tilted her head, "Who’s this mystery person...? OH! Is it-"
"Bap! Shut," Fuko gritted her teeth, "Let’s go dance."
"Bye everyone!"
"No date to the gala Luciean?"
Luciean faced Hotaru, "Unfortunately not. Such a short notice, combined with the fact that I have been training to take on my father’s duties slowly; it has not given much ti."
Arabella snuck glances to Luciean before looking for Daiyu and keeping an eye on her again. "Well, I can save you a dance if you’d like?" Jotou winked.
"Hm, how could I deny?" he raised his glass.
Hotaru held Jotou a bit tighter, "Well, since everyone’s going and the music’s kicking up, shall we?"
"As long as I get to lead~"
"Are you sure about that Ms Howllett?" Hotaru drew her face close.
The blonde’s skin did not redden by the slightest as she touched noses with Hotaru, "I’m fairly sure firefly."
Instead of a flustered Jotou, now a blushing Hotaru stood, feeling goosebumps as they shared the sa breath. How did that intimidation backfire so badly...!?
Jotou winked an eye and pulled herself away, dragging Hotaru along with her onto the dance floor.
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