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Utter surprise was plastered all over Richard’s face before it shifted into amusement; “So your husband talks shop with you, does he?”

“There be no secrets between me and me husband,” Skye retorted with a bite to her tone.

Richard grinned cheekily; “Or so he says.. Everyone has secrets, my dear princess. Or are you going to stand there and tell me that you’ve never lied to the prince before?”

Skye narrowed her eyes like she could stab him with them, prompting Peggy to step in; “Pardon the intrusion, me lord, but we really must return to the party. Tis bein’ held in the Princess’ honor, so it wouldna do ta have her gone too long.”

Richard glanced at Peggy; “You’re a bold one, aren’t you? Very well. I suppose we can play cat and mouse later. Sadly, I also have a meeting I must attend now.”

Skye quirked an eyebrow at him; “Now? Wit all the money rubbin’ elbows in there? Ya must have a hella catch ta miss out..”

Seeing right through Skye’s attempt to solicit information from him, Yaris grinned as he replied; “Like I’ve said before: I always follow the gold. Fortunately for me, this banquet has offered many like me the perfect opportunity to make a few deals without worry. So I plan to take full advantage.”

Reaching out and taking Skye’s hand, Richard brought it to his lips, and kissed it as he said; “I look forward to seeing you again, my sweet Princess. Maybe I could...entertain you for a bit the next time we meet?”

.....

The smoldering look in his eyes would’ve likely sent shivers down another woman’s backside, but not Skye’s. Only Tidas made her heart hammer away in her chest, and this man’s attempt was boarderline insulting to her. She was ready to slap him when Richard added; “Oh, and tell tweedle dee and dumb to get better spies. I can spot the three trailing me from a mile away.”

After saying his final piece, Richard Yaris strode away, towards the main doors leading outside to the stables. Skye waited a few moments, then turned towards Klaus; “I want ya ta tail him, then report back after he returns to his home. I may not ken what he’s up to yet, but I’ll be ready when the time comes..”

Klaus nodded his understanding, winked at Kari, then gingerly walked off to follow behind the merchant. The look of sadness that traversed Kari’s face made Skye reach out with a sympathetic pat, and kind words..

“Dinna worry over that big lout. He’ll be back by mornin’.”

Kari smiled and nodded, but Skye knew that she wouldn’t be able to stop worrying. It just came with the territory of loving another, but a good distraction always helped. After checking over their appearances and cleaning up Mei’s face a bit, the group made their way back to the banquet room..

************

Upon entering, Skye immediately felt her spirits drop. Since the ceremony was complete, the Senators’ families had arrived. The surge in people should’ve added some life to the crowds, but everyone was quietly eating and talking with bland expressions all around.

The group’s collective demeanors noticeably dropped, making Skye’s plan for a good time seem impossible. Seeing her distress, Mei tried to soothe Skye by telling her not to worry, and that what she was seeing was par the course for gatherings like this..

“Anything pertaining to a display of honor is usually more of a...somber, affair. Unlike Alcon, most from Sai are quite reserved.”

Skye sighed heavily. She wanted to hear their music, and see how the people danced. Not just the priestesses; although their version of a Kagura dance had been breathtaking. Not willing to let her night be dissolved away by boring talks and audacious suck-ups, Skye turned to Peggy with a slightly devilish grin..

As Rukia squirmed in Peggy’s arms, Skye locked eyes with her and said; “Go get me violin, please.”

A small grimace stretched across her face; “Mei Just told ya that the Saianese dinna-”

“Well, this banquet is in My honor, isn’t it? Playin’ me music and dancin’ is what I wanna do. If anyone wants ta argue wit me, then they’ll be insultin’ the guest of honor. AND the Guardian of the Last Dragon. So I think I can get away wit a wee bit of entertainment, Peg.”

Mei’s eyes grew round; “No Skye! This isn’t Alcon, and you are their representative! You must maintain a sense of decorum at all times, or the Senators may think Alcon is not serious enough to form an alliance with.”

Skye pulled a face;”What? Fuck that. I wanna party! Do ya not recall that we were stuck on a boat for damn-near a month? I ken Genie won’t care, and this is his castle. Who cares what these people think or say?”

“You are a diplomat! Their opinions should be a Priority to you!”

Skye shrugged; “Well, they’re not. The only opinions that matter ta me are my loved ones’ words..”

Reaching out, Skye placed her hand on Mei’s shoulder again as she spoke; “Ya gotta stop tryin’ ta please everyone, Mei. Tis impossible ta do, and there be people out there that willna like ya no matter what ya do fer ’em. Ya need ta focus on yer loved ones, and yer self more.”

Mei sighed heavily; “My Father has said the same thing, but....The opinion of others matters. For my husband and daughter’s sakes: I must maintain myself in a dignified manner. Otherwise, I leave my family open to scrutiny.”

“I was taught that once you step foot outside of your door, you represent your family. People judge others based on their own experiences and biases regardless, but that does not mean that I have to add fuel to their fire.”

Looking up at the ceiling then back at her friend, Skye took in a deep breath, then replied; “No matter the shape or color of yer wood: they’ll wanna burn you to cinders fer their gains. So why give them the choice?”

“I ken why ya hesitate, but dinna let them bother ya. Yer the chosen sister of the Guardian of the Last Dragon: who’s dumb enough ta talk shite?”

The smile on Skye’s face, and the sincerity of her words brought Mei close to tears.. ‘We are sisters, aren’t we?’

As soon as her heart had lightened, it had sank the moment that her eyes fell on the crowds of people. They were staring and whispering already.. ‘What will they say when Skye starts to be herself? Will they speak badly about her and Tidas? Will they not want to sign the treaty? No..’

Thinking on it, Mei realized that Skye had never pretended to be anything more or less than herself. She spoke the same and dressed the same as she always had: how She liked. Mei’s life had had every decision made for her, including who she Should love. It was in that moment that Mei’s heart and mind started to change..

“I am not bold like you, Skye.. I do not think I can dance in front of all of these people-”

“We’re back! And we got the violin! What’s wit the looks?” Peggy happily chimed as she walked up to them with Rukia and Skye’s favorite instrument in her arms.

Setting the child down, Rukia toddled over to her mother, and reached out while saying in Saianese; “We have fun now, Momma?”

Mei looked at her daughter’s shining brown eyes, and felt her heart constrict. She didn’t want Rukia to go through life afraid of what everyone’s perception of her was, like her mother. Being raised as a politician’s child had restricted her to the point of constantly feeling suffocated.

Mei’s greatest fear was that her daughter would turn into a shut-in: like her. Looking back at Skye, she saw a rainbow in her black and white world..

“Yes, my little love.. We Are going to have fun,” Mei replied as she looked back down at her daughter.

A wide smile stretched across Skye’s face as she took the violin case from Peggy, grabbed Rukia’s hand, and led them through the banquet hall. Once they had reached the front, Skye announced her intentions to the crowded room. Many had disapproving expressions on their faces, but there were many that simply looked on with curiosity.

As Skye pulled out her bow and began to wax the strings with resin, Mei whispered to her; “Most do not look happy about what you are going to do.”

Skye grinned as she set the bow and resin down, and picked up her violin; “Guess I’ll just have ta change their minds, then.”

After tuning the strings, Skye strode confidently towards the center of the room. The tables had been moved aside, to make room for others to join in the fun. Many of the senators’ families had been perturbed due to having to move, but no one was about to voice said opinions loud enough for Skye to hear.

Standing with a spotlight on her, Skye looked about the room. The light fixtures were mostly intricate chandeliers evenly spaced across the ceiling. The windows were made of a clear glass that would’ve allowed plenty of sunlight in, had it not been nighttime. Jade-colored tiles with swirled patterns covered the floor, making the perfect dance floor.

The matching curtains stuck out against the golden trim and tan walls. Genie’s color scheme barely varied from one room to the next, but it was still a beautiful color combination. The subtle colors reflected the lights, and kept the room bright on the moonless night.

Skye’s dress shimmered with every move she made. As she set her custom-made, left-handed violin on her shoulder; a stark silence fell over the room. Lifting her head, Skye held her bow at the ready as she spoke in Saianese; “Before I play dancing music, I’d like to play a song for all of you..”

“I have always found Sai’s history and culture to be both beautiful, and unique. This is a song that Gen-Jin Laos taught me as a child. I have changed the tempo, but many here should still recognize it. I hope that you enjoy! It is called Senbonzakura..”

As Skye started to rapidly slide her bow across the violin’s strings, a fast-paced music filled the room. Knowing the song themselves, the small band of musicians that had been playing before suddenly matched her pace. Skye turned and beamed at them as she played even faster for a few moments, then returned to the slightly slower pace.

Those that had disapproving faces before were slowly shifting to impressed as the two sounds melded to make a harmonious melody. The pace was fast, but catchy, and many were beginning to tap along. Rukia was the first to start to dance, even though the music wasn’t necessarily being played for that yet.

Skye’s fingers glided across the neck of the violin as she let her body sway to whims of the music. As she started to reach the end, Skye threw her soul into her playing. By the time she had plucked the last string to the song, almost everyone in the room had been mesmerized..

Peggy rushed over with a glass of sake for her, then stepped back after Skye had downed it, and thanked her. As the next song started to play, Rukia grabbed her mother’s hand, and said; “Dance, Momma! Dance with me please?!”

Mei looked up at those closest, and realized that they were focused on Skye. Not foreseeing the coming harm, Mei smiled lovingly at her daughter, and replied; “Yes, my little love. Let’s have some fun!”