A New Chapter...

[Anjel]

Samuel felt something inside of him snap as he began to stand up, but something pushed him back down. “Patience Bear.” Aria whispered as his knuckles turned white from tightening and relaxing them. “He’s a man Samuel, it’s somewhat normal and more over your own fault for bringing the matter up in the first place.” Samuel forced a smiled on his face. “Yeah, then I’d actually have to kill you.” Samuel said laughing lightly. Still he was just as serious as Raidon had been. He tried to relax. The entire situation seemed to come back to hit him every time he thought about it.
Harumi smiled a bit. “yeah… it’s a good thing you’ve never seen what I’ve seen then.” She said softly. Yuffie nearly choked on her rice and glanced at Harumi. She fell silent seeing as Harumi picked at her rice in a daze. “Well, I’m done!” Yuffie said changing the subject. She really was however and was ready to leave, but she sipped her sake as she waited to interrupt Harumi in case she started to say anything upsetting.

[Animebella]

Raidon looked over at Samuel and frowned, "I'm sorry Samuel, that was uncalled for." He said and sighed before walking over to sit on the edge of his bed again. "I should have known better, especially at a time like this." He looked to his hands that were clasped in his lap going silent. Tadashi frowned, feeling the tense air surround the two, "Well so much for all being brothers, it seems you two can go a few hours without letting something small get to you." He said sounding almost exausted from watching the two, but he also knew that if he wasn't there they would probably both be beaten to a pulp. He shrugged it off, he'd have to get used to that matter.

Lillie looked up from her plate with curious eyes, but didn't pry for more answers. Instead she returned to finishing up her dish then pushing it aside. The quietness had gotten to her and she had to know, but again she wasn't about to ask. "So, are we all set then? No desserts?" She asked as the waitor came back around asking the same matter. "I'm full, less you two would like something to take with us?" She asked looking them over as the waitor was pulling the bill from his apron front, freezing when he remembered these types of situations and pushed it back down. He had forgotten the royal families were different, they never carried money, it was all taken out of their accounts.

[Anjel]

Samuel crossed his arms and nodded. He wasn’t use to apologizing so much in one day so he decided to change the subject. “Well, I’m hungry… and it’s getting late so Harumi and your mother should be getting back soon… try and cheer up would you?” Samuel said gruffly. He paused and rephrased what he’d just suggested. “Actually, cheer up, just don’t get too happy. At least not around me anyway.” He said walking towards the door. He began to leave but turned, a bit curiously. “You have that album I showed you, right…? Would you keep it safe for me until I need it back?”
Yuffie shook her head, but as Harumi began to speak she started up again. “Nope, I’ll wait until we get back…” she said. She then glanced at Harumi who blinked, unable to tell if she was drunk or not. “No, I’m fine too. Thanks for taking us out Lillie. That was-“ “Fun!” Yuffie interrupted, cutting her off. She smiled daring Harumi to try and speak again. “Are you-“ “Okay, yes, I’m fine too.” Yuffie said, giggling a bit. “No, she’s gone…” Harumi said watching her friend frown at her. “No I’m not I’m fine. I was just kidding around right Lillie?” She said, seemingly normal. She kept up her smile that was about to burst open with laughter even as she got up to leave the table.

[Animebella]

Raidon watched as Samuel walked towards the door, clearly sick of the conversation. He nodded, "Yeah, I still have it. I'll keep it safe." He attempted a smile but knew it wouldn't matter either way as he watched Samuel leave and all. He looked to Tadashi who was watching the door. Feeling eyes on him he looked over to his brother with questioning eyes, "What is it?" He asked but Raidon shook it off, "Nothing, nevermind." He said standing up, "He's right you know." Tadashi piped up and Raidon nodded, "I know, now come on. I'm hungry too." He said walking out.

Lillie watched the two and sighed but waved on the waitor and smiled, "Alright girlies, lets get going before anything happens." She said looking around to grab the remaining bottle and backing out of the booth. She couldn't tell if Yuffie was gone or not, but she knew Harumi was alright. She thanked the waitor as she moved towards the door, looking over her shoulder to make sure the two could manage.

[Anjel]

Samuel walked about the castle, stalling a bit before going to the kitchen. He felt strange now, not exactly happy or sad and he hated it. Looking around he thought about where he was just a few years ago. it'd been a big improvement on positive levels, but he didn't seem himself anymore after the years of letting Harumi baby him. He was an adult, but the years of reversing that seemed to make him weak. He frowned. “I miss the old me…” he mumbled, to no one in particular. After deciding he was going to go back to his old self, he walked into the kitchen a lot more cheerful. He wasn’t sure how busy Paolo would be, so he waited for him to come by, or anyone else who wanted to chat.
Yuffie followed, although Harumi pestered her about being okay. After long they both gave up and followed after Lillie. "Geez, I'm fine." Yuffie mumbled as Harumi was the first to catch up. "I hope we haven't been too rowdy. I feel kind of bad for embarrassing ourselves in front of so many people." she said. Yuffie smiled. "I don't. They were probably happy to have the extra energy. Who knows, maybe we should come back later one day soon." she said.

[Animebella]

Paolo walked out of the kitchen upon hearing the matter that they had a visitor. He carried out the dish he had made earlier, even though it looked as if it had just been made. "My friend, glad you could make it. I have one of your favorite dishes here with me." He said sliding it down infront of him. "Are you alone? Or will anyone be joining you?" He asked as he looked around not seeing anoyone else behind him. Meanwhile Raidon and Tadashi were taking their sweet time to get to the kitchen.

Lillie smiled as she rounded the two up and into the carriage that had just pulled up to the sidewalk for easy access. She let the driver know to go back home and settled in. "You two were no problem really." She said and smiled, no more so than Raidon had been when he was younger anyways. She giggled before sitting back and getting comfortable.

[Anjel]

Samuel smiled a bit and shook his head. "No, I'm here alone... Sorry for disappearing on you earlier. I had to go cheer up Raidon but... well, I forget I'm really only good at cheering females up... curse's of being a teddy bear you know?" he asked thoughtfully. His smiled faded a little, and he looked up at Paolo blankly. "So, how've you been the past hour or so?" he asked. "It looked busier here last time I came..." Samuel smiled at the food, but wasn't really hungry. Still he ate some so not to be rude.
"See, that's good." Yuffie said a bit sheepishly. Harumi nodded and glanced at Lillie curiously. "...Really? Yeah that is good." she paused for a while listening as Yuffie started to nod off to sleep. "Lillie... are you really comfortable around me?" she asked randomly. She glanced at Yuffie, seeing as she rested drowsily on her fluffy chocobo and comfortable carriage seats. “After seeing me in the forest with the other dragons... did it... bother you? I mean, I never had a chance to explain myself but… since I’m going to do some explaining later I may as well get everything out in the open right?” she asked.

[Animebella]

Paolo smiled at his friend, "Well, Samuel.. if I do say so, no one's perfect. You cannot expect to cheer up every living thing and expect them to be happy about it too." He placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "Stop worrying yourself over these small matters, everything will fall into place, I can garentee that matter." He watched him for a bit before nodding, "Yes, it seems a cheif's job is never complete, always someone who wants a snack here, drink there." He shrugged lightly, "But I live for this sort of thing, cheering up others is just a side hobby, I'd rather see smiles then frowns. Plus I get all of the inside details from everyone." He grinned, "It all pays off int the end."

Lillie face grew from one of happiness to sincere, one she only used when she was completly serious, in meetings or what not. She nodded once, looking to her folded hands that rested in her lap. "Harumi, you must understand..." She said after taking a breath. "I..I liked you from the beggining, after everything raidon had told me about you it seemed nothing else really mattered much. Though after seeing you like that with the dragons, it almost seemed as if I had hit a dead end. You know.. like your progression had slipped away, but you being honest and all and saving Raidon like he has you so many times, well it proved me wrong. Your every bit as strong as he says you are. Maybe even more for that matter." She looked up and flashed her a warm smile. "Your not giving yourself much credit hun, me and Ryou are behind you two one hundred percent no matter what it comes down to."

[Anjel]

“I know, you’re right…” Samuel said. He smiled a bit and rested his head on his hand. “Everyone gossips huh? So, what have you heard about me?” he asked a bit amused. He paused and continued. “And about everyone. I don’t talk to the maids very often because they’re always so busy… and no one would dare gossip about the royal family in front of one of the members. It would be interesting to know though.” He said thoughtfully.
Harumi began to speak but stopped s there was nothing more for her to say. She sighed a bit relieved and continued. “Thanks… I wasn’t sure if you were still upset about it or not… I wanted to ask you, but every time I thought about it I put if off. It’s good to know I’ve got your trust again. It’s not something I’d usually get considering… you should never trust a dragon.” She said, mumbling towards the end. She smiled back at her thankfully. “Don’t mind my self consciousness. So many things have happened to people around me… I’ve got the power to go back and change them, but… I can’t.” she said softly. “Even when it happens to me. I’m so helpless, and the people I left behind are all suffering because of it. Even if it’s not my fault I can’t help but feel like I’m responsible. Even if they hated me…”

[Animebella]

Paolo grinned, "Ahh but my friend you do know i cannot speak bad of the royal family." He winked at him, "But from what the maids have been saying on your account, they just cannot get enough of you. Seeing you wandering the halls such like a..mm.. lost puppy dog if you will. imakes them want to scoop you up and cuddle you." He laughed, "I've only heard good things about you, as for the family though." He grew a bit more serious, "Some still speak of the times before the whole fiasco with you know who. It's a wonder Raidon took him out so willingly, even if it meant going through his father. He never quiet knew the truth until this curse thing took over not onlky hom but much in the village surrounding the castle. So many were wounded, as if in a sort of battle, know one ever knew the truth behind it all.. well not until the king himself took back the throne and all." He smiled, when he noticed Raidon had walked in and was now leaning against the doorframe watching the two, "Ah, prince Raidon." he said with a grin, "Yeah yeah." he said walking over and sitting on the opposite side of Samuel as Tadashi sulked in after him.

Lillie rested one of her own hands on Harumi's, "Hush, I knowof all those means, yo must remember we deal with allsorts of magical beings. Dragons being one of our specialties, granteed they are not all like the ones you are aquainted with." She shrugged lightly pulling her hand back slowly, "what you cannot help you shall not worry of. That life is partially in your past, regardless of the friends you have made then, they follow you. Grudges may be held, but no one is perfect or can please everyone. Even heros are not capable of winning more fans because of a simple smile. Life is difficult, you just have to deal with what you can when it comes time to." She lifted her hand to Harumi's chin, "Your a prettygirl hun, don't worry so much. Worry lines may form, who knows what Raidon would say about that one, I'd bet he'd blaim me though." She giggled, "Your life is a wonderful one ahead of you, don't rush it or live in the past, live for the now."

[Anjel]

Bear nodded, soaking in all the information when he noticed them. He blinked a bit, at the way they both walked in and crossed his arms. “Well Paolo, tell the maids how much I love them too will you? It seems you have some guests here who are hungrier than I am… as strange as that sounds.” He said resting his chin on the side of his fist. He watched them sit and frowned a bit before wondering why they still both looked so miserable. “Didn’t I ask you to cheer up about ten minutes ago?” he asked the both of them.
Harumi nodded and smiled gently. “So then, you think it would be better to not say anything at all then…? I mean, I’ve gone pretty far without explaining most things and this last one may not even come up considering your castle. You have some pretty strong guards and the kingdom is pretty discrete…” she ran the options over in her head, but fell silent as Yuffie woke up a bit. “Hey, we’re almost there right?” she asked, cutting in a bit. She glanced at the both of them with sleepy eyes and smiled. “Almost time to really party!” she said with a small yawn.

[Animebella]

Raidon was first to speak up as Tadashi told Paolo what he wanted. Raidon looked to Samuel, "Perhaps I'm not fully aware of everything that needs to be done, or perhaps I am and I'm simply overthinking it all." He shrugged, "It cannot be helped in the matter, i just have to live with it.. accept it. Never as easy as it sounds though." He said nodding to Paolo who was only to assume what it meant but he soon disappeared into the kitchen with the matter. Tadashi looked over to the two as he sat down a few seats away so not to crowd Samuel, so much for trying to convince Raidon.. he was such a stubborn brother. He was almost glad he haden't known about him for so long. But then again he wasn't giving him enough credit. He sighed lightly as he rested his chin on his folded arms that laid on the counter infront of him.

Lillie looked at them both, Yuffie hyper as ever to get going. It seemed that she liked to party or whatnot, as to be expected on her part. Lillie knew she still loved to party herself, drinking was even part of it on her behalf, like only a few she could keep hers down with little effort. It really took a lot to knock her down. She looked back at Harumi, "That my dear is entirely up to you. but you know as well as I do that telling the truth, though troublesome is always the best way to go. Raidon's a big boy, he'll understand it all. Even if it takes a bit, he has the right to know." She smiled, "But once again, "No one's forcing you to tell him either." She looked to Yuffie, "Yup, it's only a bit further." She said with a smile.

[Anjel]

“Nothing is as it sounds. You just never know until you’ve done it yourself.” Samuel mumbled quietly. “Like bringing someone back from the dead. It sounds impossible… but it’s really just very messy and once you’ve done it, everyone’s happy. Not as hard as you thought… let’s just hope everything goes as it’s planned. I don’t like seeing people brought back to life, but one slip up could mean anyone’s life at this point.” He said oddly. “In the meantime, why don’t we just try and relax? Nothing’s going on yet and I have a really crazy party to go to in a few minutes. Have to be in a crazy party mood you know? Or they’ll kick me out.”
Yuffie smiled pleasantly and glanced over at Harumi. “That’s good, just a few more seconds of sleep is all I need!” she said turning over a bit. She stopped, with her back to them and sighed, her elbow in Potatoe’s back. “It would be really unfortunate if you didn’t tell Raidon what’s going on. Then I might get drunk, maybe start spilling some information… you know how I am when I hold secrets in. They all get out one way or another…” she yawned. Harumi nodded as Yuffie started back on her sleeping and turned to Lillie. “Right… Well, I guess that settles it.” She said, seeing as her plan had failed. “You guys have fun for me then okay? I’ll probably join you much later tonight.” She said.

[Animebella]

The two looked over at him, "Bringing people back to life? But isn't thjat like forbidden or something?" Raidon asked as he stared at Samuel with disbelief in his eyes. But he soon shook it off considering he was right. "A party ehh?" Tadashi spoke up finally just as Paolo came out with with the two dishes and placed them infront of either prince. they thanked him and looked back at Samuel. Even Paolo stuck around to see what was going on, considering it had been a slow day and all.

Lillie smiled, "Yes, I do think you know whats best then hun. I woulden't be tooo afraid to tell him, you know whatever you tell him will not change his mind of how he thinks of you. Your still his number one." She looked over to Yuffie and then out the window, the castle was coming up fast, they were almost back home. She wanted to sit back for a bit before she attended any party. She wonderd what Ryou was up to for that matter. She sighed, "I wonder what the boys have been up to while we were away?" She said looking back over to Harumi.

[Anjel]

Samuel shrugged. “Who knows? I’ve seen it happen a few times though. It’s very common among dragons. They don’t deal with change well…” he said softly. He smiled and thanked Paolo before continuing. “Yeah, just me and Yuffie so far. I told her to invite people, but being stuck inside that room all day, I’m not sure if the word got out very well… All of you can go though, minus Raidon. You can’t go because then Harumi would and it would give her an excuse to not talk with you… let’s just say no one wants there to be any secrets that pop up after the wedding.” He said thoughtfully. “But don’t be sad, that is what you wanted right? For her to talk with you?”
Harumi smiled a bit and played around with the pendant on her necklace. She thought about Raidon for a while before blushing as Lillie broke her thoughts. Just knowing she was able to read them made her blush harder, even though she knew she hadn’t read hers. “Um… oh, they could be still standing in front of the door waiting for us for all I know….” She said lightly. She coughed and continued. “It would be interesting though, if they were just sitting there waiting for us… I’d feel kind of bad.” She said, her smile contradicting what she’d just said.