imperial_stage | Party time and more [Action]

[In a ballroom at Central City.]

The auction was done and a hefty pile of wealth had been gathered to help pay for the reconstruction of Amestris in the wake of the devastating undead invasion. All that was left at this point was the after party, and EVERYONE has been invited. The majority of the party has moved to a huge ballroom, complete with an in house orchestra, several tables of light snacks and drinks, a large dancing area, tables around the edges of the room, and servants with trays of drinks making sure no one goes long without a glass. Brag about your newest acquisition, seeth with jealousy at the guy who bid more on the piece you wanted, enjoy fine food and drinks from across the empire, get drunk, dance, have fun. Mr. Wayne is footing the bill tonight.

[Elsewhere, later that evening...]

A dark figure edges close to the tall wall surrounding the manor belonging to the mysterious man known only as The Major. It produces a grappling hook from under its cloak, and is perched atop the wall in short order to get a better look at what it has to contend with here.

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Light, on the other hand, seemed to be doing quite well for himself, what with two young ladies in somewhat daring dresses on either arm.

"Ah, hello my lord. Have you been enjoying yourself?"

"Y-Yagami," Mitsunari sputtered, somewhat startled. He'd been so engrossed in keeping an eye on Bradley (using the reflection in his wine glass, of course - he couldn't let himself be caught looking in the Fuhrer's direction!) that he'd completely ignored what was going on near him. By the looks of it, he'd missed a lot. Since when had Yagami been so popular with the ladies?

"Not as much as you have, I'll wager..." he began, looking from one girl to the other, wondering if his advisor had brought one for him as well. Or did he intend to spend the evening with two beautiful women? Once again, Mitsunari was outclassed by his own subordinate.

I admit I enjoy parties such as these. I haven't had much time to socialize of late with how busy I've been. Have you spoken with Master Wayne? Crystal and Sarah here were telling me that he's quite the philanthropist, and some business ventures with Wayne Enterprises could prove quite profitable for Sawa.

Is that what you were talking about with them? Business ventures? "I... I've spoken to him before, yes, but our paths haven't crossed yet tonight. Excuse me, Miss, um, Crystal, and Miss Sarah."

Mitsunari pulled Light aside, just out of earshot. "Yagami! Whatever happened to Miss Archer!? I don't think Hayate would approve of this kind of behavior..."

Ms. Archer? How does she factor into this?

"Don't tell me you've already forgotten about her! Hayate's new tutor! I thought you two were... involved. I know it's normal to keep these kind of relationships discreet until an official engagement is made, but everyone was giving each other significant looks that night at dinner! I may not look it, but I'm very perceptive."

"I...

WHAT!?"

"Hayate's going to be crushed, I just know it..."

Light is trembling. Or perhaps seething. Yes, definitely seething.

"My lord, there is nothing between Ms. Archer and me. She is Hayate's tutor and caretaker. That is all."

Light had always been the cool and composed one, in direct contrast to Mitsunari's more hotblooded personality, but this... this was cold!

"Nothing!?" But what about all the awkward silences and meaningful glances that night? There had to be something going on - even Hayate had been aware of it.

"No, nothing like that anyway. That woman... there's something odd about her. I never had a chance to vet her, apparently Hayate's original instructor had a family emergency and chose her to take over, but that was the first time I had met her. Something feels off, but I haven't had a chance to look more closely at the issue."

Well.

That was embarrassing.

"I... I see." Flustered, Mitsunari took a sip from his overly warm champagne, but it did nothing to clear his head. He'd been captivated by the thought of a relationship between his court advisor and a simple teacher - in Dagaria's upper classes, where politically-motivated arranged marriages were the norm, actual romance was rare. Mitsunari had only managed to avoid his duty to provide a royal heir by refusing kingship over Sawa.

"But... then... you left Hayate in the care of a suspicious woman without even checking her references? She could be... er... an Amestris spy!" Just a moment before he'd been defending Archer's honor, and now she was a potential enemy operative. Sometimes Mitsunari's unorthodox thinking lead to brilliance, and sometimes his wild leaps of logic took him straight off the edge of a cliff. "Not that Amestris has the skill or subtlety to pull off covert operations..."

No, it's definitely not Amestris. Ms. Archer seems genuinely dedicated to Hayate, and Hayate is not so foolish as to immediately trust a sinister operative - not to mention I don't keep any official documents at home.

There's something strange about her, but I can't put my finger on what it is, exactly.

Mitsunari nodded, willing to take Hayate's trust in this Archer woman at face value. "Perhaps I've been overly suspicious since having that vision. Whatever the story behind this Miss Archer, it doesn't seem to have anything to do with mysterious books. Forgive me, Yagami. I'll leave you to Miss Crystal and Miss Sarah..."

But the women were already gone, chatting with a different courtier. Mitsunari huffed under his breath. "Why do I always have this effect on women?"

"Perhaps we should arrange you a nice marriage, my lord," Light replied sagely. "Maybe that will keep you out of trouble."

Mitsunari made a strangled noise in the back of his throat. "An arranged marriage? Don't be ridiculous. I've already been appointed to one position that I'm ill suited to, and I'd probably be even worse of a husband than I am a ruler."

"A nice Zeon girl, I think," Light said, ignoring Mitsunari's protestations. "One who will keep you in line and put some starch in your diet so you can stand up to Bradley more."

"Zeon!?" he sputtered, as if Light had just suggested he marry a girl from another planet. "Wait, doesn't Prince Char have a younger sister? You can't possibly be thinking I would... no, that's out of the question! And too much starch gives me indigestion," he finished petulantly. "I have a very sensitive stomach!"

"He does have a younger sister, doesn't he? An excellent idea, my lord! I shall make arrangements immediately."

Mitsunari, who had never met the Prince's sister, simply visualized Char with pigtails and a dress. Carrying a bushel of potatoes.

It was utterly horrifying.

"I... I think I'm going to need another drink," he croaked. "Something stronger than champagne this time. Preferably poison."

Light laughs and passes his liege a particularly strong brandy.

Party time and more [Action]

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It won't be the first or the last time, Mitsunari

Your sister is going to hear about this!

You wouldn't dare!

The loli army will have your head!

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