• In Dythandra: Dythandra Royal Gardens
    "Kiev University. The most prestigious university of all five realms and we are going there. Lucky us, huh?" Ayame asked. Dythandra Gardens was the only place the children could find partially vacant. Being such a hot summer day, all other recreational sites were completely overloaded, Tanning Day. The Gardens was the only empty-ish place in the whole realm as it was guarded like a fortress since it was the most frequented entrance to Akutenshi Royal Palace but also because only the royal family and nobles were allowed to loiter there and all the adults were in a parliament meeting.
    "Lucky?! Yeah…about that… no. There are Fairies.... and Hoshis! I can tolerate with the wolves, but I can’t handle the floating, glittering, glowing, buzzing noobs!" Saki, Ayame’s right hand and eye squealed.
    “I’m simply surprised Saki passed the entrance exam,” Sorda mumbled. Saki snarled and hit him in the head. He easily ignored it continuing, “Thought may I remind you, Ayame does two of those four things ‘you can’t handle’.” Sorda air-quoted her.
    “Ayame doesn’t do them 24/7, you damn nerd.” Saki snapped. Ayame smiled indulgently and looked down, beginning to pluck the petals from a wild daisy at her feet.
    "I want to stay with you two, not princes and princesses," She sulked.
    “One must conform.” Sorda said softly, then chuckled, “Nobles cannot teach royals ‘how to be royal’. They need elders, comrades, people on the same level as they are.” Ayame sighed heavily at the logic and frowned at him.
    “Plus it’s in the rules Aya. Sorrry.”
    “Psha! Rules are meant to be broken." Saki said carefreely.
    “But Saki, my parents-”
    “-will be miles away” she finished, making Ayame sigh.
    "Plus, seriously, do you think you parents will even mind?" Saki asked.
    "I guess not." Ayame whispered.
    “Plus, during the vaca, if we get to go, you’re allowed to stay with us,.” Sorda explained.
    “You really studied your handbook well, nerd.” Saki teased.
    “Well I had to learn the loopholes so I could get you out of your knots.” He retorted easily.
    “You nerdy sickening -”
    “He isn’t a nerd Saki, you’re just a delinquent.” Ayame teased making Sorda laugh and Saki scowl, “Yes Hiro?” she then said tilting her head backwards to catch Hiro trying to sneak up on them.
    “Geez, Miss Ayame. You always catch me.” He said chuckling.. Ayame giggled.
    “What are you doing here, Hir’?” She asked.
    “Just bringing news. Shinsu’s home from Kiev and is presently with your parents who request your majesty’s and the Izhavoc children’s presence as soon as possible,” he replied.
    “Shinsu’s home?” Ayame’s eyes lit up at the mention of his name. Saki giggled and jumped to her feet.
    “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!” She squealed, pulling Sorda to his feet as if he were no heavier than a notebook. Ayame smiled and mentioned for Hiro to lead the way.

    In Silken: - Royal Palace
    “Mommy, I’m afraid,” Minika said pacing the living room anxiously.
    Her mother chuckled, “With your antics, it’s hard to notice.” she teased.
    “Not funny, mother!” She screamed.
    “That kind of outburst should be punished Catalina.” Raiga growled.
    “Oh, gimmie a break Raiga. You are not my father so you…”
    Even before Minika finished speaking Raiga screamed out “What?! I’m not your father but I have authority over you and you don’t really have a say in the matter of whether or not you go to Kiev!” Minika folded her arms and rolled her eyes. She never truly heard Raiga. His voice became and irritating buzz every time he opened his mouth.
    “I know you like your privacy but they may be just as you are.” Catalina reasoned.
    “We will not disregard years of tradition for a spoilt brat!” He snapped.
    “Why don’t you shut up!” Minika commanded using her Mist, an ability all royal families had over their people making it impossible to be disobeyed.
    “Minika! You are not allowed to use your Mist on Raiga. We have discussed this before! Release him!” Catalina snapped despite wanting to burst out laughing herself. Minika rolled her eyes again and released him from her control with a flutter of her fingers. He puffed up, his face turning an indignantly cherry red.
    “You are staying. That is final!” He growled and stormed out of the room, flame red fairy dust erupting in torrents from his unused iridescent wings.
    The mother and daughter stared at each other until the footsteps faded. Then they burst out in howls of laughter.
    “Such a twit! He’s like a turtle turned over.” Minika snorted.
    “Oh goodness, you’re ridiculous in your schemes Minika.” her mother said as she got up from the old Victorian-styled couch and kissed her daughter’s forehead.
    “Don’t come back too late.” Catalina whispered then left the room. Minika pulled out her Blackberry – one of the few brands that made it through out the ‘apocalypse’ – and rang up Lightmi. After two quiet rings he answered;
    PHONE CONVERSATION
    M: L?
    L: Yeah. Who b’ you?
    M: Minika you idiot.
    L: Oh, sorry...Wha’d happen’?
    M: Have you already forgotten our date?
    L: Oh, no, not at all. Uhhhh….
    M: Doesn’t matter. Meet me at the city pool?
    L: A’ight.
    M: Bye.
    L: I Love you.
    M: -rolling her eyes- Bye L.
    -Click-
    Minika felt her face turn red as she hung up. She wanted to say ‘I love you too’ but she couldn’t bring herself to. Plus, that’d just make him clingier. She got a handle on her emotions and leaped out of the window and headed to the designated spot.

    In Solaria: - Royal Twins Bedroom
    “Thank darkness school is out of here.” Cili purred smiling.
    “Brother, you are lucky that you haven’t been banned from even exiting this room. The amount of trouble you cause here, Grand-dad might have killed you, if not for Xavier defending you,” Ai teased.
    “Ai, for once Grand-mama was right, you really are my Achilles – heel.” He groaned watching her calculatingly.
    “I could have told you that.” she said stuffing her pillow in his face.
    “Aren’t you glad we get to stay on campus during the Listeria vacation? It’s like…hell, the first time I’d willingly stay on a school compound.”
    Ai giggled. “Ecstatic but I’d have loved it more if Sagi could have come with us now instead of at mid-month.” Ai said softly. Cili raised a curious eyebrow,
    “He would have loved to be with you.” he commented, a teasing tone to his voice. Ai, utterly oblivious to it, softened,
    “I guess that’s true.” she whispered tenderly.
    “Oh? What is that I hear? Is it love?” he gasped.
    “Cili!” She pushed him off the bed, his head cracking loudly against the marble floor. Ai burst out laughing as he pulled himself up on the bed, grabbing handfuls of the sheet. “Why did you do that!” Cili shrieked, his eyes wet.
    “So what? You tease me. I hurt you. It’s been this way for years, don’t act surprised!” She snapped back. The twins’ bedroom door swung open, the large figure of their older brother, Xavier stood within its frame. They turned slowly, cowering as his anger slithered though the room, a pliable emotion.
    “Why are you both so damn loud! Go to bed!” He snapped.
    “But we are!” The two said as one. Cili hopped into bed, proving the statement true. Xavier’s eyes narrowed on his siblings and they fidgeted under his gaze.
    “Go. To. Sleep.” He snapped grinding each word, and then slammed the door shut. Ai turned to Cili and they stared for a while. As the cicadas started up again, they burst out laughing, the torrent welcoming a restful sleep.

    Back in Dythandra: - Kiev University, ‘Archy Dorm, Room 101
    "Nai, I just remembered something," Eris stated. She was sitting in Naliu's apartment living room watching football with him. Naliu muted the television and turned his attention to Eris. "What has my lil' evil mastermind of a friend been up to now, hm?" he asked flirtatiously.
    "I'll ignore that tone but I'm not evil! Just a mastermind.” she teased. Naliu chuckled,
    "Okay,okay. Your point?"
    "Xavier and Shinsu will be back by tomorrow and I heard that all the other royal kids are coming and Shinsu's siblings,” she stated.
    "Oh yeah!” he giggled for a moment but then he frowned,
    Wait...oh s**t," he said gravely.
    "What happen?"
    "We’re gonna have to show them around the school," he whined.
    "Don't get too down. Xav and Shinsu will most likely take care of that. Their families are the ones coming, remember?"
    "Oh yea, Cool! The Dythandran princess is probably coming too. Shinsu's always talking about her. He says that she's so beautiful, boys get entranced, and she's really shy." he said thoughtfully.
    “Why do I feel as if you’re exaggerating Shinsu’s exaggeration?” Eris mumbled.
    ”Hehe, I wonder what the girls here think about her.” he mused
    ”Hmm, I wanna meet her.” Eris then said absently.
    “Huh? B-but! Awww! I wanted to spend the day with you!”
    “You still get to. Calm down, geez, you’re so immature.”
    “Wahh! That’s not true!” He flung himself on top of Eris and threw them both fall to the floor.
    “Get offa me!” She said sternly as he pinned her arms above her head.
    “No! Say it!” He whined playfully.
    “You bisexual b*****d! Get off of me!” She screamed bucking.
    “No! Say it! Say I’m mature!” He begged pressing down on her wrists.
    “Sorry I can’,.” she replied slyly, “Now why don’t you –” He kissed her so swiftly she gasped into his mouth and he took full advantage of it.
    “Why aren’t you straight?” she whispered breathlessly as he pulled away.
    “Don’t know.” He sat up on her lap, straddling her legs and played with the edge of her blouse, “By now I should be, with every girl on campus vying for me but boys are just too cute!” He replied girlily.
    “You’re hopeless.”
    .
    “What the hell is going on here?!”
    Their heads snapped up simultaneously to see a glaring Kadei towering them. The Sardian High Princess, her purple hair cropped short, her eyes glittering dangerously, held a carving knife idly twirling it in her hand. Wearing a denim mini skirt and white tank, she would look innocent enough if not for the red stains on the tank top and knife that looked a little too much like blood. Eris and Naliu screamed out when the knife faced them.
    “Aww I don’t wanna die!” He squealed leaning back as she put the silver blade closer to his neck.
    “Ahhh! My eyes! They burn! Kadei, have you ever heard about underwear!?”

    Akutenshi Royal Palace
    “Hello mother, father.” Ayame said bowing gracefully the Izhavoc’s –Shinsu, Sorda and Saki – at her left and right as they faced the king and queen of the most powerful realm in all Magickz.
    “Hello your Majesties.” The Izhavoc’s said simultaneously bowing. King Raye greeted them cheerfully as always before commenting, “You all really can drop the formalities despite us sitting in these…chairs?” He winked at his wife lovingly and she giggled shaking her head, “No one here’s watching your words.”
    “How are you all?” Queen Bowe asked, her voice a soft soprano. Ayame ran towards her parents and kissed them each then sat on her mother’s lap with her hands wound around her neck.
    “Well, I’m fine but bored.” Saki replied for herself flipping her hair over her shoulder.
    “I’m marvelous, just dandy with this…THING of a ‘sister’,” Sorda mimicked the air quotations with his fingers, “of mine tormenting me because of my higher level of education.”
    “Hey! Watch you manners in front of the king and queen. No sarcasm dimwit!” Saki snarled grabbing Sorda around his neck and bringing his head under her arm, rubbing her knuckles into his dark blue mass of hair roughly. Sorda cried out and flailed until he snagged Shinsu’s shirt,
    “Save me!” He pleaded. Shinsu held up his hands in a ‘no-way’ gesture,
    “Your fight man, you’re on your own..” Raye and Ayame howled out laughter as Bowe shook her head ruefully smiling.
    “Happy to hear that.” she said chuckling softly.

    “How come you wanted to see us, Daddy?” Ayame asked, still perched on her mother’s lap.
    “Well, I just wanted to know if you guys would like to spend the vacation at the school campus.” he stated.
    “Seriously?!” Saki and Sorda squealed in unison. Raye smiled and rolled his eyes at their excitement, “Shinsu suggested it might be a good idea and I agree.”
    “I just figured they would like to go spend some time with each other as well as it’d give them extra time to…adjust.” Shinsu said easily.
    “We’d love to go! We’d love it!” Ayame jumped off her mother’s lap and hugged her father, kissing his cheek and smiling as he wrapped his arms around her.
    “You’re all staying in ‘Archy dormitory. Ayame you are in apartment 102 with the other royal children your age, Princess Minika of Silken –”
    “Bleah.” Saki groaned softly.
    “– and Prince Cili and Princess Ai of Solaria. Shinsu is in apartment 101 as he always has been,” Raye paused to smile at him before continuing, “and Saki and Sorda will be in apartment 103 with Sighibo Prime Minister’s son, Hagi. Also, there’s supposed to be a newcomer, the Prime Minister of Sardia or Silken’s child may take up the forth room of apartment 103. ” Raye explained. Ayame had already made it back over to her mother’s lap where she played in the violet tresses of her mother’s hair. “I don’t want anyone taking advantage of Aya so I expect you boys to take care of her,” Bowe said absently, the motion of Ayame’s hand in her hair distracting her.
    “Yes Auntie.” The boys replied dutifully. Ayame looked at Shinsu to see him smiling at her. She blushed and looked down, a soft shy laugh escaping her lips.
    “You have two days before you are able to go the campus, so get outta here and go pack.” Raye said. The children bowed and left the throne room.

    “Oh Gawd. That school is gonna be so annoying.” Saki groaned as they walked down the corridor.
    “Trust me. You’re gonna love it there.” Shinsu remarked.
    “I really hope so.” Ayame said quietly.
    “Trust me, Ayame,” Shinsu said forcefully, looking down at her. She glanced at him shyly then looked back down at her feet. Shinsu’s head snapped back up as Minster Chai crossed the hall spearing them a dip of his head. “I promise you’ll love Kiev U. It’s a really great school.” He said to them all. Then he looked back at Ayame, stepping closer to her. He leaned a bit lower and spoke in her ear, “I’m especially sure you’ll love my school, Aya. We’ll get to hang out much more there.” Ayame immediately looked up at him but he had already moved back and was looking ahead like he never spoke to her. She whimpered quietly and bit her lip. Saki yawned and stretched out her arms above her head then placed them as a pillow behind her head. “Shinsu, are you sure this place is worth it? I still don’t like school you know.” She groaned.
    “I know Saki. Believe me, I know.” he teased a hint of irritation in his voice. Ayame and Sorda laughed.
    “Hey, here’s a major you can take when you reach third year, Leisure Studies.” he said. Saki’s hands flashed out grabbing Shinsu’s arm as she jumped up and down.
    “What! That class actually exists?!”
    “Are we on Earth? Of course it does.” Sorda grumbled.
    “Everyone who’s taken that class passed.” He explained, “You just have to know how to throw a really good party. It’s more like…Party Hosting Class. You even get assignments to throw parties or stuff like that.”
    “Oh my gosh! That school is my heaven!” She blew out excess air in a contented sigh.
    Ayame spun around and hugged Saki and Sorda in one tight grip then in excessed formality that was natural to her relationship with Shinsu, she bowed to him, a gesture he returned, his face set into a disappointed frown. “I’ll see you all in two days,” she said. Saki and Sorda waved goodbye and continued down the corridor as Ayame went into the library’s antechamber. She turned around as she realized someone stayed back. Shinsu stood in the corridor, looking at the floor, opening and closing his fist repeatedly. Ayame called out his name meaning to ask what was wrong but he cut her off. “Will you have lunch with me tomorrow?” The question burst out of him like a sneeze. Ayame blushed as he raised his eyes to hers.
    “I…um…can’t. I have the Realms Annual Dinner to attend with Mother and Father tomorrow. Also I have –,”
    “Okay,” he cut her off again, “Will you give me a rain check?” he asked hopefully.
    “Definitely,” she said smiling shyly.
    “Well then, see you around, Aya,” he said with a little wave then walked off.
    “Bye,” she whispered, “This is going to be an interesting year.”