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[ofhope]

[Colette Brunel]

She agreed to move here.

[/Colette Brunel]

[Spike Spiegel]

If you want it back, come to the mansion where I live.

[ He would rather not have this kind of conversation over the journal because of recent filter shenanigans... But mostly because he'd like to see Spike's reaction in person, thanks.

[/Spike Spiegel]

You know, with all the secrets that have been spilled, you'd think something would change. Or is all the dramatic aftermath successfully being kept hidden, now? That's just a cheat. With all of the unique powers here, how did nobody blow a building up in a temper tantrum?

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[heloise]

[ Lucrezia isn't in the best state of mind. Her argument (it really was an argument, was it not?) with Stephanie has left her troubled, but it would not do to come visit in such a mood. It would upset him too, and she has tested him enough. So she sets her mind to a different purpose on this occasion, aside from scoping out her new abode-to-be, something lighter for once.

She has a peacock feather in hand and a box of sweets on the other when she arrives by the gates, only to realize she doesn't know how to walk into a mansion without being announced. What to do... ]

[ofhope]

[ Anyone who lingers that close to the mansion for long enough is bound to catch his attention. By now it's nothing more than a whisper he can't decipher, which is tolerable enough. He has adjusted to complete silence out here, but even that has it's occasional drawback.

He can't always immediately tell where the source is, but the front gate would naturally be the first place to look. When he steps into the cortyard and sees her beyond the gate, he wastes little time in arriving to pull it open for her. ]

It isn't locked. Normal locks tend to be useless here, haven't you noticed?

[heloise]

[ Not the reception she is accustomed to, but she thinks she prefers this quieter one. This way she can reach for his hand without disapproving looks cast her way.

She offers him the box filled with canditi with her other hand, something closer to her time, fruits preserved in sugar and still not sweet enough to compare with the candies he might be more used to. ]

A doorbell may yet prove useful. Or a guard to call out your guests' names.

[ofhope]

There's a doorbell by the actual door, no need to worry about that. And why do you think I've been wanting a maid?

[ Having someone to answer the door would be nice, although it isn't as if he gets a lot of visitors. Who knows, though, Lucrezia might try to throw a bunch of parties.

He accepts the box curiously, although he can't open it without letting go of her hand, so he'll be patient enough to wait until they get inside. It's impossible to not cast a curious glance between it and the feather as he guides her past the frozen fountain and statue to the mansion's front doors. ]

Should I ask about the feather or the box first?

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia might, though not at his expense. He mentioned once that crowds were disagreeable. Perhaps a quiet dinner or two later, but guests and maids were difficult to invite. His reputation does precede him.

The statue catches her attention for a moment, and there is a delay before she tries to tickle his neck with the feather at the question. ]

This one is for the cat, the box is for you.

[ofhope]

[ Oh, a cat toy. At least it's something different from the crinkly newspaper and the string. He squeezes her hand in approval before letting go and opening the left door for her to enter the foyer, patiently waiting so she can look at the statue. It's not like the cold bothers him and the animals are always free to come and go at their pleasure. ]

Lucy is probably asleep in the kitchen... She likes to sleep near the stove.

Watch out for Aron, though. He's made of rock, and likes to jump at people to greet them. The only word he really responds to is 'No', but you have to be firm. Quill doesn't really respond to any order, but he always seems calmer around girls. That might be because his old owner was one, though.

[heloise]

You call her Lucy?

[ And a pet rock! How like him. She just chuckles at her own thought and follows him in, casting her gaze about with breathless wonder. He did say it would be a mansion, large and quiet, but the palazzos in Rome were never so vast, and neither was Sforza's dark fortress any comparison to this. ]

You have many friends here already. But this place must be-- [ She sighs and laughs. ] You are in need of more than just a maid.

[ofhope]

It might confuse other people if I call her Lucrezia. And I don't know about friends... The pokémon aren't originally mine, I just ended up having to inherit them. They're more like nostalgic decorations...that like to try to steal my bed.

[ He really does let them get away with a lot, but he's never had to care about company before. At least Aron spent most of his time down in the cellar trying to unsuccessfully chew on and dent Deathwing's sword, and the Qyndaquil had taken to either following Lucy around or napping near one the hearths if Joshua bothered having a fire going.

Too curious to resist any longer, Joshua opens the box to peek inside. He doesn't recognize what it is, immediately, other than fruit. Which is all right, he doesn't hate fruit. ]

If it were a maid like Fiore, this place would be no problem. But she was a little more than human, too.

[ He leads the way to the kitchen, so she can see the kitten and so that Joshua can try this snack with her. ]

What prompted the visit and gifts? I'm used to it being the other way around.

[heloise]

[ He likes doing that, she notes, drop names as if she would recognize them right away. As if she has met them too. Like Colette and Rosette and now Fiore. She keeps the names in her pocket for better times to ask, now she only wants to see him happy to have her here. ]

You should ask me instead why I took so long to return the favor. That is candite.

Lucrezia steps closer to peer at his reaction to her gift, biting back a grin. She picks out one and holds it out for him to bite. ]

You are aware that inviting me here will not earn you more space on your bed?

[ofhope]

That sounds enough like candy for me to want to try it. Call it a home run and we're even, princess.

[ Lucrezia's suggestion about crowding him gets an amused chuckle as he slips an arm around her shoulders. ]

Don't worry, I can lock the both of them in the cellar. They get along well enough after training from Sakura. [ Yeah random namedrop again. It is a bad habit of his, who knew? ] You shouldn't mind Lucy being there though, right?

[heloise]

Home run?

[ She thinks she can almost make sense of that, he means when she finally makes this place her home, perhaps? But these modern phrases never sound like what they really mean. ]

I would see none of them in the cellar. Except for the rock, perhaps, he would not make a good bedfellow.

[ Which isn't hard to believe in Paradisa, that a stone can pounce you with glee. But since he won't take that candy, well, she will just take the first one for herself. He still gets a poke on his lips though, a smear of sugar. ]

[ofhope]

It's a sports term... Baseball. I have a book and a few magazines on it, but I don't expect you to like it too much.

[ And he would continue, but there she goes with the touching again, and he's not complaining, especially when it comes with what tastes like sugar. And when he had been trying to be all polite and wait until they got into the kitchen, too. What would Fiore say?

Although, really, it does just taste a lot like candy, he's surprised to find when he licks it off and ruffles her hair in reprimand. Which goes well enough along with gratitude, no doubt. ]

Quill is a Cyndaquil, so he comes with a little bit of fire. He's not the best bedmate, either, although he has learned to be very careful most of the time. Mai's training, I'm sure. She was a girl I knew who...had a knack with fire and all it's relations, Zelman included. [ Nostalgia can't help but accompany those words, on two hits. ]

[heloise]

[ And Lucrezia had got her hair nicely done today too, not that she really minds the ruffling. She takes as much pride in her appearance as she disregards any mess in the name of fun. Expensive dresses are worth the sacrifice for dancing in the rain. And this is better than that.

Only now he is talking too much, and the mention Zelman makes her a little sad for all the people that have come and gone. So she decides to distract him with more touching, leaning in to taste whatever sweetness is still on his lips.

She likes making the first move. ]

This is how I should like to be greeted next.

[ofhope]

[ It brings him to a halt just as they reach the entrance to the large kitchen, the arm around her shoulders making it easy enough to keep her still until he feels like moving again.

It isn't long, though, because it's hard not to put his two cents in at any available opportunity. ]

What number wish is that now?

[heloise]

Two, last I counted.

[ No skimping on the wishes here. She taps his cheek with a giggle and walks away to find the kitchen ahead of him, as best as she can in the sprawling mansion, at least. ]

[ofhope]

[ He follows, and at least she doesn't have to walk far. It's not really any different than the one at the castle, although maybe the fridge and cupboard contents aren't as varied. There is certainly a large selection of easily prepared meals and junk food, a bowl of fruit here and there, and strawberry ice cream cake in the freezer.

Lucy is, as predicted, asleep in the kitchen, although it's on the table in the corner rather than the counter top. ]

Feels like more... Maybe I should have started counting a long time ago.

[heloise]

[ The most excellent gourmet of course. But she moves to find her namesake cat first, grinning his way once she does, so as not to disturb its slumber. Not that it stops her from then trailing the feather along its spine, as lightly as a breath.

She speaks quietly too. ]

We should use something to count them. Coins, or seashells?

[ofhope]

Seashells. I probably have more of those than I do caisos, but you can always get more from the castle.

[ Joshua watches while finally stopping to actually take a piece of one of the candied fruits to try. He's noticed Lucy seems to be the lethargic sort, slow to wake up, although plenty playful enough once she does get into the mood. ]

What's on your mind?

[heloise]

Need you ask?

[ She spares his glance and stops disturbing the cat's sleep, resorting to just watching it now. She only ventures a thumb to stroke its cheek. ]

Stephanie came back with a bottle of seashells for me once, after one of those expeditions.

[ That is a digression perhaps, or a clue. ]

[ofhope]

[ Despite what she may think, and Joshua has rarely corrected anyone on the matter unless they ask, he doesn't pick and choose what he does and doesn't hear, and he can't actually feel the emotions or see any memories. Thank goodness, because he can barely handle what little he does experience. ]

Colette likes to go on those, too. Something dangerous always happen, from the reports I've read. Does your friend Stephanie like danger?

[heloise]

[ Lucy stirs finally, stretching her little jaw in the biggest yawn and drawing a chuckle from her. The cat still seems sleepy, looking about with bleary eyes first.

It is an advantage to have others believe yourself stronger than you are, or weaker. That's an advantage too. ]

For herself, perhaps. But not for those dear to her.

[ofhope]

[ Joshua inches closer again, though he doesn't get in way way of possible kitten claws during playtime. It isn't like he can heal himself, despite being more durable than a standard human. ]

This doesn't sound like a story with a happy ending.

[heloise]

Maybe...

[ The ending depends on him, but she isn't sure how to say that yet. The kitten is only just growing annoyed at the nap cut short, but claws can't hurt too much. Lucrezia tickles her tummy and withdraws her hand just in time to avoid a swipe. ]

The ending is not written yet.

[ofhope]

And the story so far?

[heloise]

[ She leaves the kitten be to face him. ]

What happens, Joshua, if then the other princesses said she is a fool for believing a frog is a prince? And what then if they saw him as no other but a little creature with a crown?