Big Eyes, Small Mouth (BESM): Monster Academy - Chapter 4.2 Final rehearsal

[Justin OOC]

It was the night before the Festival began. Two weeks had passed with astounding alacrity, especially for the theater and newspaper clubs. Derek had the last of their setting pieces finally in place, mounted as they needed to be, and finally the artwork was done. The fliers had all been passed out, and posters posted around school. The responses were very warm, moreso than Serena figured they would be.

She looked at the crew on stage, Everyone either doing a little solo rehearsal, or making sure the marks were properly placed. She was nervous and seemed to vibrate with pent up anxiety and excitement. To her suprise, and that of everyone else, Jiren had shown up,introduced by Miss Nekomone as a new member of the newspaper club. Last anyone knew he was a star on the basketball team, so his joining the club seemed out of place. The way Nekomone explained it, he would write up their sports interest articles. Serena didn't care much, Jiren was a big boy, he could do what he wanted.

She'd put him to work with Derek, helping to get the sets done. Now he would be a stage hand, and he didn't seem to mind. They'd made an actual small alcove off the stage, wholly for the show. This would be where Kyra lay in her dragon form, while Kyohei in the garb of a servant narrated the story to her. They'd already tested it for the weight, and overbuilt it so if she wished she could use her actual horde.

The fittings had been fun, though Delilah's outfit had to be reworked so she didn't tear it when she moved. In the end Serena'd procured a special fabric that wouldn't tear, and everyone knew not to ask about the cost.

Lilith had seen parts of the show, but tonight would be the first time she saw it in her entirety.

"Allright everyone, places, please we're going to run through the whole thing as if three thousand pairs of eyes were watching." She had to put some pressure on them, to remind them that they'd sold out the show. Everyone was pleased on that score."

For his part Kyohei nodded, clad in a cream-colored tunic, gold bands around his wrists and ankles. Serena had to admit he wore the outfit well, and of the cast, he'd not given her any problems. He looked to Kyra. "Come on, we're up first." He began moving to his place on the small add-on alcove.

[Karren Gaunt]

Yuuki waited out of the way of her fellow castmates and the stage crew in an audience chair, green eyes focused inward as she calmed herself for about the third time today. Three thousand people. There weren't a fifth that many Dryads living in the Hina Valley, and to gather all of them in one place for them to watch her perform... The perpetually-self monitoring young dryad inhaled and squeezed her hands into fists on her lap.

The promise of her fellow Gardening Club members to find seats nice and close to the stage to silently cheer her on, made the pressure both better and worse in a way, their Club Advisor himself promising to make an apperance to, in his words 'see ye play out a human doing what she really would to get what she wants'.

She released her fists and smoothed out her costume, allowing herself to admire the deep burgandy folds of riding pants that tucked into practical and attractive boots and long-sleeved top, the pattern trimmed with white. White-edged red ribbons that crowned the back of her head like a feathery bloom, and wove into her hair. Not the most feminine of outfits or one that any dryad would ever wear into war, but it was the one she was given and she would do it proud.

Soon as she reached her place of certainty, that was. 3,000 people. Matriarchs take her, that was a lot...

[glyde]

Jiren sighed, allowing himself a tired grin as he flopped down on a seat in the theater's front row. The upholstered folding theater seat creaked loudly under the athletic Yokai's weight, its worn hinges having obviously gone without oil for the past few months at least.

Jiren leaned back into the seat, drumming his fingers on the arm rest as his eyes did a once over of the stage, coming to rest on the alcove the two had built. "Remind me never to volunteer for set detail again," he thought to himself, scowling. The alcove had taken him and Derek the better part of the previous week to finish, and it had to be rebuilt several times after their initial creations collapsed when tested against heavier weights. It was only after their 4th try that they managed to construct something that would support the Dragon hatchling's increased weight.

But at least now his job was done... And at least he didn't have to go out and perform in front of an audience of three thousand the next day, unlike the others.

Jiren's eyes circled the room theater once more. He had been quite busy the past week, and he hadn't had time to get to know everyone else in the newspaper club just yet. He knew their faces and some of their names at least, but beyond that they remained almost complete strangers to him.

But perhaps it was time to change that. He'd probably be working with these people in the future, so it would make sense to start getting acquainted with them.

The seat creaked noisily once again, folding up as the young Yokai got to his feet. Jiren paused to brush some lint off his printed black T-shirt before walking toward the other side of the theater. He came to a stop beside the black-haired girl he had spotted earlier.

"Hi," he said cheerfully, offering a handshake to Yuuki. "You're part of the newspaper club too, right?" he asked. "My name's Jiren. What's yours?"

He stood there for a moment, a relaxed smile on his face as he looked into Yuuki's green eyes.

[Karren Gaunt]

The young dryad looked up at Jiren's question, features composing automatically as she accepted the hand. "Yes, when I'm not attending to my studies or Gardening Club duties," she answered with a bow of her head, "I am Hina Yuuki of the Hina Clan. A pleasure to meet you. You're one of the stage crew and new Newspaper Club members, right?"

[glyde]

Jiren nodded his response as he sank into the seat beside Yuuki. "Guilty on both counts," he said, glancing in the direction of the alcove on the stage. "Though personally I'd prefer not to be stuck being a stage hand, and running errands for Derek all day long," he laughed, shooting a quick glance at his fellow stage hand, and then over to Serena before returning his attention to Yuuki.

"Fascinating," he said, his brow furrowing slightly as he tried to recall what he knew of the Hina Clan. "I wasn't expecting to run into a Hina... At least not here. It is an honor and pleasure to meet you as well, Miss Yuuki."

[Karren Gaunt]

"The feeling is mutual, Jiren-San," responded the young dryad with the polite promise of a smile, having dredged up his name from her memories of his introduction, "And, yes, I am the first to attend this Academy, one of the youngest ever trusted to leave the Hina Valley in a time of peace in living memory in fact. I can but hope to live up to their trust in me. Perhaps then others of my sisters might follow me here to learn about what humans have done in the centuries since the last of us walked their world."

She chuckled, "So far they seem to have, for the most part, used their same old virtues to avoid being killed off by their same old vices."

[Kyradathea]

When Kyra appeared, it wasn't in her human form at all.. well, at least, it was not fully human, she had clearly done a bit of work with the makeup artist to make it seem as though it was a costume, but the wings, the skin covered with scarlet scales, and the cat-like eyes, with claws apparent on her finger made her look very dragon like. Certain touches with make-up made her also touched with strange looking purple spots and she was wrapped in a cloak that she huddled in like she was sick. She was all prepared to play the part of a sick dragon-grand child.

"So, what do you think?" She asked the others present as she gave them a wink a moment, then pretended to look miserable for a moment.

[Justin OOC]

Kyohei smiled. "I think you're going to pull this off quite nicely Kyra." He was glad she let him use her shortened name, and smiled. She originally seemed upset she didn't have a larger part in the play, but in the end she'd tackled the part she'd been given with the ferocious tenacity he'd come to expect from dragons.

Serena nodded. "Indeed. You two take your places, and the rest of you get ready. Aria, Kurosoroshiimaru, you'll be first up after Kyra and Kyohei."

She chuckled. "We certainly have a bunch of "K" names with this group."

[glyde]

Jiren smiled slightly. He opened his mouth to reply to Yuuki, but cut himself off as he saw that the others were getting ready to begin the rehearsal.

"Well, it looks like you folks are about to begin," he said to the dryad. "I read that it's a human custom to wish performers bad luck before they go up on stage, so break a leg up there," he chuckled. "Even if it is only a rehearsal."

The yokai settled back into his seat, folding his arms over his chest as he prepared to watch the rehearsal.

[z-Skye Angelus]

Skye lounged behind the wings, waiting for her first scene. She’d never had admitted it, but she kinda liked her costume. It was very much a swashbuckler/pirate outfit and Skye didn’t mind thinking that it made her look hot. The vest emphasized her chest, but the white undershirt kept her from flashing skin. Delilah had suggested foregoing the shirt, but had been voted down by Skye and Kuromaru immediately, which was shortly confirmed by Serena. Her pants were tight and while Skye wouldn’t have said they were painted on, they were at least moderately clingy. The boots were awesome; they came to her knees and had a low heel, not even enough to interfere with her fighting.

And Kuromaru… Skye looked at her boyfriend, giving him a slow smile. He was looking hot too, though it was hard to say that Kuromaru ever looked anything other than stunning. The corners of his mouth twitched but there was nothing sedate about the heated look he gave her. Since they had started kissing, they’d been much more aware of one another; just being around him could send her heart racing, without him having to touch her or even look at her. Skye was sure it was the same for him, even if he never showed it except when they were alone. Lost in thought, Skye was unaware that she was staring at Kuromaru, her expression soft with affection and a bit of lust.

[Togashi Kagato]

Kurosoroshiimaru playfully affected not to notice Skye's gaze on him, though now and then he would glance her way, his aristocratic features composed as ever, though Skye could read the gleam of those eyes as though it were the vault of the heavens and Kuromaru's expression was the weather. There was little indeed composed about his gaze when it alighted on her for those brief, searing glances, but to all other cast members he was the cold, distant haughty princeling that they had come to know and... well, know anyway.

Even his most vehement detractors, which after weeks of rehearsals included pretty much everyone, had to admit that Kurosoroshiimaru, if not actually relishing the role, at least tried to do it justice. But really, did he have to insist on hisfull name all the time? Any attempt by anyone other than Nekomone or Skye to use something more familiar resulted in the brat simply ignoring them, as they couldn't be speaking to him in such a familiar tone without his leave, which meant that they must be addressing some other 'Kuro', 'Kuromaru', 'Cat-guy' or, in Delilah's case on one particular occasion 'Kuro-sweetie'. When pressed on the issue on one occasion, he had declared simply that the rudeness of overfamiliarity had precisely two correct responses, one of which was against school rules, so he chose the other.

He also looked stunning, in a flowing white shirt with tight cream riding britches. As 'Butternut', he was supposed to look the part of a haughty landowner's son who spent all his time riding and issuing high-handed orders to the farm-girl. His particular brand of hauteur loaned the role a smoldering Byronic air, especially with the drawstring shirt opened over the sleek pale chest and the knee-length riding boots. And of course, when he drew himself up and turned on the 'hautness', as Delilah insisted on calling it, he became utterly compelling. So much so that Serena had asked him to tone it down just a little, as Kurosoroshiimaru in full 'hautness' was hard to picture as needing rescuing from anything short of a Celestial host: nobody else would dare.

Privately, he was enjoying the challenge, though he gave no indication of this to anyone and maintained his scorn for the role offstage even as he delivered romantic lines with panache and feeling onstage. Of course, rehearsing privately with Skye taking on the Wendy role made it all the more bearable, and Aria was a considerate and fitting partner onstage. He appreciated the attractive jorugumo's civil manners and quiet patience as only one raised in the daiyokai court could, for those virtues were highly praised amongst the lords of the Beast Demons. And he thanked any number of gods of stream and rock that he wasn't playing opposite Delilah.

"I am ready." he declared simply in response to Serena. If he felt at all nervous, the ripples were well hidden beneath the glassy calm surface. He glanced at Skye again and smiled, the barest curve of his lips, but a spoken word from a man who usually whispers is all the louder for it.

[Delilah Synn]

Standing in the wing opposite Skye, Delilah had her purple eyes on Kyohei - she wanted to take him back to her room and rip his cream-coloured clothes off - waiting for her first appearance on stage, not that it came with a line. The succubus hadn't given up in her efforts to persuade Serena and the others to add a little more... flair to the production - especially her own part - but for all that, she was nothing less than encouraging towards the rest of the club members. Despite his aloof demeanor, she knew Kurosoroshiimaru was enjoying the challenge of his role, she could taste it. Aria and Skye had claimed their own roles with a rising passion too.

Delilah just wished she had a part as large and important as theirs.

But since she didn't, she'd play the villain to the dramtic - overly dramatic - hilt. Delilah checked herself out in a mirror, preening, and inhaled, once more testing the sturdiness of her costume. She felt the pleasant restraint as it strained to contain her devastating curves, but it held.

Using her innate talent as an awakened succubus, Delilah had altered her appearance for the part. She had lightened her flawless complexion to milky-pale hue and darkened her burgundy hair to a glossy black with thin wings of pure white, styled into an elaborate coronet that then flowed down her back in a cascade of intricate braids. She looked older, more mature, but ageless - she could have been anywhere from twenty to forty, her carriage and expression conveying a seductive beauty, imperious, arrogant, and nefarious, and all the more enticing for it.

She wore a glistening tunic-dress of finely-woven goldsilk that ended well short of her knees along with a pair of thigh-high riding boots with a pronounced heel and a short-cut bolero riding jacket of matching sable leather with an intricate bodice and slashes of more goldsilk in the sleeves. A broad weaponbelt emphasized her tiny waist to which was attached a slender saber with a bejeweled hilt and upon her hands were embroidered gloves of the finest kidskin leather. It was a look both aristocratic and sensual while somehow not being totally inappropriate as riding attire... barely.

With poorly hidden excitement, Delilah watch the act unfold, waiting for her turn on stage. The revelation that they had sold out the production hadn't added an iota of pressure to her. Indeed, all it did was urge her on.

[Kyradathea]

She went to the alcove on the stage, with a pile of treasure for a bed, where she'd been told to be, and sort of curled up in the blanket and tried to look miserable. Sniffling just a bit, to add to the effect, she closed her eyes and waited for the next person in the play to speak up, who was supposed to be the slave sent by her grandfather.

"Mistress.. I know your not feeling well, but your esteemed grandsire has come to visit."

She sniffed. "I don't want to see him, I'm sick... can't you tell him to go away."

"Please mistress.. "

"OH.. Alright, tell him he can come in.. just stop pestering me."

[Justin OOC]

It wasn't her granfather who entered, instead it was a young servant. "Mistress, your Grandfather has sent me to entertain you while you convalesce. He told me you liked stories."

[Kyradathea]

She seemed to be thinking for a moment. "Well.. ok.. but only if it's a good story, with lots of adventure and plenty of fun, not some sappy romance or such."

[Justin OOC]

"Oh you can't have a good story without abit of everything Misstress." He gestured to her hoard and nodded, "Now please make yourself comfortable, and I shall begin..."

As the young dragon made herself comfortable upon the small mountain of gold, He began his story...

(Those of you in the next scene feel free to write it out and post it.)

[Justin OOC]

The play went on, the entire read through, without any incidents. Everyone knew their parts, nobody missed their marks at all.

They all did privately wonder why the lights were bright enough to obscure the audience, but after the final bow, the lights dimmed and they saw.

Sitting on either side of Lilith, smack in the middle of the grand theater, sat Five Lords. Three were smiling though their eyes told a different story. The last male Lord in the line, Forbesi, Lord of the Demons, wasn't betraying any anger, he was actually speaking with the last Lord, someone they all knew well, Aoi, Lord of the Angels.

The Panther King was the first to rise, clapping, followed by Adranthean, the Dragonlord, then came Asano, the Kyuubi, the Lord of all elementals. Lilith separated him from Forbesi, Who was all smiles, and finally Aoi rose clapping for them.

Forbesi was the first to speak. "Well done, marvelously well done, all of you." It was a "deer in the headlights" moment, as most of the Young Yokai on stage had no idea this was coming, and exactly how it came to be that Aoi was here.

In the back, the headmaster sat beside Shizuka smiling. "Think my suprise is worth it?"

[SalmonMax]

Aria took to a knee immediately on seeing Asano, knowing full well the force to which her family was beholden too...and his temperamental moods. Bowing also let her hide her face by turning it down to look at the ground rather than betray the shock she felt. Either this was the result of elaborate secrecy, or her information gathering had slipped far more than she'd thought as a result of the play's demanding schedule.

To think the Five Lords AND Aoi could have set foot on school grounds without her knowing about it! It made her teeth grind just thinking about it. This was what came of vanity, she decided. She'd indulged her vanity in doing this project. She'd wanted people to like her, to look up to her for a moment. The jorogumo were not an esteemed breed of yokai, in general. They were considered weak and honorless by most. That was one reason so many lived in the human world, even now. Aria had to admit to herself that she'd hoped other students might like her more for this play...and for that hope she'd sacrificed far more important things.

She couldn't mend the mistakes of the past...but she could see to it that they were not made again.

[z-Skye Angelus]

Shock and fear was written all over Skye's face for a moment. She had not expected to see the Five Lords in her life - well, she maybe she had expected to meet Kuromaru's father, but not here and not with no warning. She locked her eyes on Lilith, deciding that since she'd already met the Queen of all Succubi, she was the safe one to stare at. Of course, safe was a relative word, when the woman possessed the power to make her forget her promises to herself and Kuromaru and do something stupid. Skye was merely quietly thankful that Lilith hadn't pushed an issue like that.

There was always Aoi, but Skye wasn't sure she should even acknowledge her. She was supposed to be keeping her nature secret and bending knee to her seemed pretty unsecret. She rather hoped she'd let the breach of etiquette slide, this time. Aoi didn't seem the forgiving type, but Skye hoped she'd manage this time.

Her eyes kept darting to the Panther King, almost against her will. He was handsome, a snapshot of a grown Kuromaru and she was having trouble not sneaking peeks at him. Steeling her nerves, she locked her gaze on the Headmaster. He was actually probably the safest target for her to focus on and the girl tried to bore holes into his masked face.

[Toby Lupin]

Darrik looked shocked for a moment, as a warlock might when finding out that the Lords, who tend mostly to be hostile to your entire people have been watching you all along during the play. But then his face turned to the Headmaster, reflecting an emotionless quirk of the mouth and a hint of resignation. It might not be correct, but he had a clear suspicion as to the purpose of the ultimate visit by five Lords and Aoi to the Academy.

This is my doing isn't it? The warning of the Headmaster had been annoying and aggravating, since he seemed to be playing his game too... but unless Darrik was mistaken, he was right.

[glyde]

"Uh oh."

Jiren glanced out of the five lords applauding the performance. The yokai froze for an instant before bowing his head deeply. To others it might have looked like he was just respectfully acknowledging the presence of the Demon Lords, but in truth he was just as much trying to conceal his face. Luckily everyone's attention seemed to be focus on the members of the cast, and not on just another stage hand.

"What are THEY doing here?" he thought to himself nervously, sneaking a quick peak at the group as he nonchalantly stepped behind some of the other crew members onstage. The visit had caught him completely by surprise. Had he known they were coming he would probably have not turned up at all for the rehearsal.

He wasn't too worried about his father's presence; He knew for a fact that Forbesi wasn't going to publicly out his secret identity if he could help it. The other lords were another story however. With exception to Aoi, he had been introduced to them all in the court of the Greater Demons, and the last thing he needed right now was to be recognized by one of them.

Seeing his chance while everyone's attention was fixed on the cast, Jiren took a deep breath and sauntered off to the side of the stage, keeping his back turned to the audience while trying to look as inconspicuous and nonchalant as possible. Heading for the exit, he could almost feel Serena's questioning gaze upon him.

[Karren Gaunt]

Yuuki shed any of the lingering traces of the 'armor of benign contempt' she had been channeling for her role, drawing from her memories growing up under Matriarchs who knew the health and happiness of any one member of the Clan, while desireable when possible, was secondary to the health and happiness of the Clan itself when possible. It was much easier to play the part of Princess Humperdink as a well-meaning heiress whose lack of certain crucial insight and qualities meant her reach exceded her grasp and good plans turned self-destructive in hastiness.

All that and the rather pleasant feeling of playing the part well was pushed to the back of her mind, as she dropped to her knees and kowtowed to the assembled Lords of the Monster World in obediance to years of training. The young Dryad wondered furiously why an angel of all beings had been permitted to enter the school grounds, but that was only in her thoughts as she kept her forehead the traditonal two inches from the floor, her gaze on the floor, her neck bared for any strike they might order upon her flesh.

To do anything more without direct instruction would be madness and risk retaliation on her Clan. And that she would not do.

[Justin OOC]

Sadly for Jiren, he didn't count on someone else halting him. The petite Kana, barred his path. "It's for everyone. I don't like it either, but we have to be out there, even if you don't want to be. And tomorrow night, there will be three thousand people there."

With that she took his hand and led him back to the end of the line, suprisingly strong for someone so small.

[glyde]

Jiren sighed, letting Kana lead him back to the end of the line without a fight. As much as he wanted to leave, he wasn't about to start a ruckus over things, especially not in front of such important guests.

"Oh well, I guess I'll just have to make the best of it."

[Kyradathea]

Kyra froze under the eyes of her father, she could care less about the presence of the other Lords.. well, mostly, she was to smart not to be polite to them, but it was her father that mattered to her. It was hard to imagine how a red-scaled dragon could blush, but somehow she managed it, her scales turning a deep red.

After a moment, though, she managed to get control over herself and stood up, still rather embarrassed, but joined the rest of the cast on the stage. She then made her gesture of respect, it was not the deep bow of some of the others, she was a princess the manner in which she bowed reflected that.

[z010]

Rica's Lord and his sister bowed respectfully, never saying a word. This was a situation well beyond their social station, and both were politically savvy enough (and terrified enough) to err on the side of silence. Rica herself knelt flawlessly at her Lord's side, tilting her hear just enough to watch the Lords and Aoi, and even some to watch the reactions around her. It was interesting, and dangerous. By her contract she was bound to protect her Lord, no matter what foolishness he engaged in, and some part of her had begun to extend that several others she had observed during this play.

And some of them could be foolish indeed.

[Justin OOC]

Kyohei looked at the Lords, and knew instantly who each of them was, and how best to kill them all.

He bowed, his eyes mostly locked onto Aoi, much as she was watching him. This was unexpected. Lilith he could handle, maybe even Aoi, the other lords though, that was abit much. Something was definitely up.

[Delilah Synn]

Delilah had known something was up, just not exactly what. Even with the bright lights hiding the audience from view, she had tasted her mother's encouraging regard. It had been the other emotions she had tasted spicing the air that had aroused her suspicions, the sense of unassailable pride and power.

As the light dimmed, revealing the five Lords of the Monster Realm and a Lord of the Celestial Realm, surprise flitted across the young succubus' face, which instinctively reverted to her natural, youthful splendor, though the rest of her appearance stayed unchanged from her performance. The surprise didn't last long, the irrepressible demoness stepping forward to the edge of the stage with a bright grin and dipping into a deep and saucy curtsy, her leather and silk costume creaking under the strain of her voluptuous curves.

"Why... thank-you, Lord Forbesi," Delilah responded for her struck-dumb classmates, her tone impressively smooth and sultry in the face of such powerful personages.

Subdued, this succubus was not. With bold audacity, her purple eyes met the gaze of each of the Monster Lords from the depths of her curtsy, even if it was difficult. Forbesi was technically her liege - succubi were demons after all - but with Lilith, the issue was rather grey, and she hadn't spent much time in the Monster World anyway, until she started attending the Academy. The Panther King was even more delicious than his son, but Delilah couldn't suppress a shiver at the sight of Aoi - she still wasn't fond of the judgmental angels, despite finding out she was half-angel herself. Does that make Aoi half my liege too?

"I - we - have all worked hard to bring this piece of the Human World to life here in the Monster World. To have performed it in front of such august personages is a heady pleasure."

Delilah's full lips curved into an accusatory grin as she narrowed her eyes on Lilith. "Is this your doing, Mom?"

[Justin OOC]

Adranthean nodded slightly towards Kyra. Though Delilah held his attention well. "I see she definitely takes after her mother."

Forebesi nodded. "Of course, all her children do."

Asano chuckled. "Serena and Skye certainly aren't too bad as well." There banter wasn't loud enough for them to hear on stage, and Aoi laughed. "Come now they're your children."

Forbesi nodded. "Indeed." He vanished and appeared on stage. "All of you stop bowing and kneeling. This is strictly informal. We got in early, and the Headmaster had said we could find our children here."

The other lords had all begun making their way down, Aoi leading since none of them really trusted her.

"I take it things have been interesting here?" He speared Serena with his gaze, though Jiren could also feel his father's eyes on him as well.

Aoi arrived and nodded to Skye. "Your Father couldn't make it so I took the opportunity to come here in his place. I am glad to see you doing well, and adjusting to your place here."

Asano smiled at Yuuki once he arrived, then to Aria. "It makes me smile to see two of our kind in leading roles. Your performances were fantastic. I can only imagine the accolades the audience will present you with tomorrow night."

He looked up to Krag. "The man who filled the role you do now was always a favorite of mine. You do his memory well."

The Panther King looked down to his son and nodded. "I'm glad to see you doing well." He looked to Skye and nodded. "We will discuss things later, all four of us."

Aoi looked at Rica and her masters, "Well this is a suprise. I never expected a pair of vampires to be in a play like this." She smiled. "The three of you did well."

She moved on to Darrik. "I was impressed with your performance as well. Your embellishiments were handled nicely."

[Karren Gaunt]

Having risen from her kowtow to her feet in a single smooth motion upon being instructed, Yuuki kept her eyes respectfully averted as her Elemental Lord complemented their performance, "Thank you, Asano-Sama. The oppurtunity to serve is reward enough, but recognition of the quality of one's service is always an unexpected pleasure if deserved."

The old Hina Clan aphorism flowed easily enough from her lips, features serene and respectfully confident as she finished speaking, but behind her eyes, her thoughts churned like leaves in a windstorm. What was going on? What game was being played that would have all five of the Monster Lords and an *angel* of high rank show up at the Academy at the same 'early' time? And did it effect her duty to protect Kyohei-San?

[Toby Lupin]

Darrik's face was a polite mask that could have been carved out of hardwood as the Lords came up to the stage... frankly, he was just waiting for them to become focused on their subjects and children he could move away and get some space and away from their scrutiny.

But Aoi moved up to him, and then began offering compliments about his acting. Inwardly, he snorted. Having had his mind half-on the problems of late all this time, he certainly did not share the same views of his performance. And what was Aoi up to, if she simply wasn't spouting pleasantries to everyone here? Her words, seemed suspicious to Darrik. Unexpected and odd certainly.

"Well, Vizini is supposed to be an entertaining character. Though compared to the others, I wasn't expecting much compliments for my acting." Translation: I am playing the role of an incompetent villain, which plays right into the prejudices the audience will have about mages. And what are you up to, talking to and complimenting me?

[Justin OOC]

Asano chuckled. "You Hina Clan members are so formal. Formality has its place, but we aren't at court, and these are your friends. I realize my presence is unannounced and unexpected. Be yourself and do not worry about things. You've done what was asked of you quite well."

Aoi looked to Darrik. "Perhaps not, but You did do well. I may need to speak with you later on. I trust you will be available."

[Toby Lupin]

Darrik cocked his head, though somehow, he wasn't surprised by this at all, presuming that his appraisal of the reasons behind the Lords being here was accurate. "I thought that might be the case. Usually, there tend to be few demands on my time, so I expect to be available."

So the question is, if it's not about my 'slip of the tongue', what is it you want to talk about?

[glyde]

Jiren turned briefly to face Forbesi, eyes downcast as he bowed his head slightly in respect. For the moment that was all the acknowledgment he could afford to give his father.

He glanced around at the others as he did his best to hide his anxiety. It probably wouldn't have been that unexpected to have one yokai lord present... But to have all six here at once? Something was definitely up, and Jiren wasn't all too sure he was going to like it.

[Kyradathea]

Once it was indicated that this was informal, Kyra's manner changed from that of regal princess, to happy daughter, as she threw her arms around her fathers neck, her manner now exuberant and affectionate.. which was an emotion that some of the others had yet to see from her. "Hello Daddy." Like some of the others she wondered what was really going on, but she'd either ask her father in private, or assume he had a reason for it. In the meantime, she really was happy to see her father after all the time spent at the school without any of her family around.

[Justin OOC]

Aoi nodded. "Until then Darrik."

For Jiren it was uncomfortable, though he felt Serena come up behind him. "Thanks for being here. I didn't expect one of our premier atheletes, let alone you and Krag to show any interest in this.

She nodded, looking to Kana. "You go ahead with Kana. I've got a suprise for you all, and she'll need some help to get it."

Kyohei smiled at seeing another side of Kyra. The Dragon Princess was full of suprises, and he was glad to see her relaxing more. Now if Only Yuuki and Aria would do the same...

[Karren Gaunt]

Originally Posted By: Justin OOC

Asano chuckled. "You Hina Clan members are so formal. Formality has its place, but we aren't at court, and these are your friends. I realize my presence is unannounced and unexpected. Be yourself and do not worry about things. You've done what was asked of you quite well."

Yuuki bowed her head and blinked, hiding the heartbeat worth of open terror that would have shown in her green eyes. Informality? Amid the five Lords of the Monster World with an angel present? Oh, tree help her, she hadn't been trained for this, not yet...

"Forgive me, Asano-Sama. It will be difficult, but I shall strive to relax," she answered, her polite ghost of a smile rising to her rescue as she fought down a dozen inaporpriate questions that if it hadn't been given to her to know she didn't need to know, settling on a polite one, "May I ask if there is any news of the Hina Valley? I have made many friends here, but I miss my kin dearly."

[Justin OOC]

"Well, I've convinced the Matrons to send another three students by year's end. Aside from that they've done well. There are no crises in our realm."

[Toby Lupin]

Darrik watched as Aoi left, his lips quirking a bit as his concession to his inner feelings. By name even? I'm impressed. But really, he didn't like any of this, but getting what he could from Aoi, if he could manage it, on the hidden secrets of the recent past would be well worth the interaction.

He then left the stage, and walked up to Serena. "Mind if I do a bit of cleanup?"

[glyde]

"Sure thing," Jiren replied seemingly cheerfully, favoring Serena with a quick smile. A moment later, he and Kana exchanged nods before heading off together towards the backstage exit.

"Wow," he said, calling over his companion's shoulder as they left the stage. "For someone so small, you were pretty strong back there! What's the secret? Do you uh, work out or something?" he joked weakly, trying to start a conversation.

He paused for a moment as they continued on, Jiren still not sure where they were going, or what it was exactly they were off to get. "So... What are we supposed to be picking up again?" he asked, his bright and cheery tone masking his anxiety. Was this surprise of Serena's by chance related to the Yokai Lords' visit?