[IC] At your Service, M'lady (Rusalka & Sailor)

[Rusalka]

Considering that she was still a tad hung over, only mildly from last evening's drunken and irresponsible debauchery, and topping that with here recent these frantic and worrisome events that brought quite the surges of adrenaline to her body, if only for a brief moment, Irina felt sluggish after a while sitting in her chair and awaiting the castle nurse to arrive and see to her lady, still that present fear that Crystal may or may not have gravely injured her legs, possibly to the point of never being able to walk again, that unspeakable pang of fear still lodging itself ever grimly in her chest.....along with her own pain of feeling scorned by her lady. No, she held no anger whatsoever to her lady, no disdain at all to the white haired Princess she, in a way, seemingly refused to make any contact with those glimmering eyes of amethyst she swore she had felt glance upon her in melancholy for a few lingering minutes before she parted from Crystal, trudging her way over to the empty solitude of the wall.

Not long after she had taken her seat, in came the castle nurse. Just from first glance of the slightly middle aged woman with hair black as coals and small oval eyes, Irina could tell she had been here for quite a while, a loyal and highly dedicated servant to the Royal Family and possibly the nurse who had helped in delivering Crystal unto this world. As the nurse approached Crystal, Irina couldn't help but notice a small glint of steel from the nurse's left hand. A needle? What in blazes was she going to do with that? Unsure though, it certainly caught the Princess by surprise, albeit a fearful surprise as she was practically begging for her life as this woman neared her with the sharpened object, before giving a light and jovial chuckle and setting the syringe aside, a bit humorous it was to Irina, the Princess' nurse jesting with her in such a way. For a moment, it caused a wry smile to cross her lips, before again fading into that hardened exterior of her face that showed a small displeasure. At least there was some good news, for the Princess had not broken her legs, but merely sprained her ankles, the nurse reprimanding the girl for wearing high heels...which wasn't much to the cause of this sprain but a small contribution. She then looked towards the knight with her almondine eyes, giving an equally wry smirk and a wry laugh of the Princess Making Irina at home. "Aye. In more ways than one, Lady Rosie." Irina sighed, though attempting to give a considerate smile.

[SailorMoon]

Nurse Rosie raised an eyebrow at Irina and narrowed her eyes, a suspicious look about her as she studied the knight. "From the looks of it, I'd say you're the injured one - not The Princess." Rosie smirked and turned her back on the two girls and studied her medical supplies. She hummed lightly, picking up several surgical instruments to scare the Princess; only because she knew Crystal was keeping a close watch on her every move. The Princess didn't seem to be pleased with the comment about Irina being injured either, she knew exactly what Irina was upset about, but if anybody should be down in the dumps it should be Crystal of all people. Rosie lifted a small bucket of ice up from the last shelf on the tray and scooped some of it into an ice bag. "You'll feel better in no time. Just try to stay off of your feet." She said confidently as she set the blue ice bag on one of Crystal's swollen ankles, repeating the same process for the other.

"The Princess won't be able to get very far, and will probably need you more than she lets on. She's quite reckless so stay close." Rosie winked at Irina and pushed her cart out of the room, leaving the two to their issues.

Crystal sighed and turned her head on the pillow to see what her Royal Attendant was up to. She could finally somewhat think with the ice soothing her pain, hopefully the pain would be completely gone in several hours. It wasn't likely though. "I'm sorry for blaming you earlier... I-I admit it wasn't your fault, Irina." Crystal extended her arm over the side of the bed and reached for Irina with her fingers, inviting her to take her hand if Irina wished. She wanted to be friendly, to make amends so that Irina could smile again. The whole point of getting that gift was to show her Royal Attendant that she was appreciated.

"Oh, just in time!" Crystal said happily as a random maid entered the room with the items she'd bought from the market. "Give the heart shaped box to Irina, please. It's for her." She motioned toward Irina with a tilt of her head, and the maid obliged. "Be careful not to drop it!" Crystal said nervously as the maid made her way over to Irina to hand her the gift. The Princess breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed against her pillow, appearing quite satisfied with herself.

[Rusalka]

My this nurse was a sharp one, already just from a scrutinizing glance into the troubled soul of Irina, she could tell right off the bat something indeed bothered this woman to no apparent end, and still...she, like much of these women servants who flounced merrily about the halls of this grand and majestic palace, all had given her that smirk, that conceited wry smile as if they were constantly joking with her and jabbing her with a figurative elbow to the side. Maybe Irina wasn't exactly getting the notion these maids and nurses were trying to pass forth to the bewildered knight, but she certainly understood they were tying to do such. For a while, the knight remained in her unnerving tone of silence, her eyes for a small amount of time following the nurse as she walked back and forth before Irina peeled her gaze from the woman and rather glanced out towards the open windows of the Princess' balcony, across to the hills as the bright red and orange hues of the evening sun submerged beneath those wondrous shades of emerald green, violets and deep blues emerging as the moon was sure to rise and night....to usurp the day.

Still quite humorous she found it this nurse toying with her lady, every once in a while gathering up scalpels and long knives, possibly used for amputation or any other ghastly surgery, to spook the easily frightened Princess in her bed, but after her jovial jests of Crystal, Nurse Rosie soon garnered from beneath her cart of medical supplies a thinly woven sack of burlap, and filled it with ice, tying it off and laying it tenderly upon the throbbing ankles of Crystal. That was sure to ease the pain.....for Crystal at least. Irina gave a curt nod to the nurse, replying to her warnings of the Princess' reckless behavior, all too known to the knight already, "Will do, Lady Rosie. Thank you again." And with that and a sly wink in return from Rosie, the nurse had gone....leaving the knight and her Princess...to their own devices. Crossing her arms, Irina for once turned to the girl, but still upon her face that same scowl, the very image of displeasure Crystal had placed upon her, oh that cruel mask of melancholy. And as such, she was practically in a state of comatose, unable to speak to the young lass, even after she had admitted that she was in the wrong for laying all blame upon her Royal Attendant. To that, Irina's only response was a mere sigh. She didn't really....have much of the effort either to cross the room and take her lady's hand either....

Twas during this standoffish occasion a maid had entered the room, carrying with her all of Crystal's trinkets and such she had bought here recent today. Irina's eyebrow seemed to perk a little though at the mention of....a gift for her. "M'lady you..." And for once to the Princess, she spoke. "You...purchased something....for me?" She didn't know what to feel....in that very moment, a surge of emotions rushing over her body and mind, the most prominent being not much cheerful and relishing the fact that the Princess was indeed kind to her, but.....guilt, a deep pang of absolute remorse as she soon realized...what the witch she was being to her lady, in fact it was Crystal scorned by her attendant's dismay towards her, her bitter silence and her cold glares. What the witch Irina felt indeed, glancing mournfully to the Princess...only to again see that smile she began to cherish, and then back towards the heart-shaped box in her trembling hands, wrapped in a red silk and topped with a purple bow, as if to signify this was from her lady personally. Now it was just to wonder what was held within this box? Hopefully it wasn't too expensive for her lady. Yes Crystal was royalty, but Irina...she hated the fact of someone going all out at their own expense, just to acquire a most lavish gift for her. Wasting no time on ponderings however, the knight opened the box, and within it.....was not just the most beautifully crafted snow globe she had come to witness, but.....her most cherished of memories....recollections of childhood long past, now flowing back to her with misty, tearful eyes of such joy returning to her cold and embittered heart. "C-Crystal......"

---

"Happy birthday, Irina." She heard her father speak, his bright and cheerful smile amidst the thick brush of his salt and pepper gray beard. "I got you a present during my travels, from the faraway Kingdom of Alegasia." Irina, only about maybe six or seven then, her heart was aflutter with rapture as she was practically hopping with joy, "Oooh! What is it, daddy?! What is it?!" She was so excited that she could not wait any longer to see what her father's grand birthday present was, only becoming ever more ecstatic upon learning it was from the beautiful realm of Alegasia. Her father, the tall muscular warrior he was, he chuckled heartily, a firm hand playfully ruffling his daughter's shimmering blue hair, "Now now. Patience, li'l lass. You'll get your birthday present soon. First, close your eyes, and no peeking, you hear?" Happily young Irina nodded, shutting her eyes as tight as she could, but her joy, it was just too much to contain. "Alright." Her father continued, she could tell even in the darkness of her closed eyes the man was smiling ear to ear, she always knew when her father was at his happiest. "Now hold out your hands. Careful, don't drop it, okay?" In her open palms, she felt a sort of heft gently fall into them, and to this bizarre shaped object, almost spherical in a way, she clutched her hands tight. "Okay, now you can open 'em." Finally, the moment of truth. Little Irina opened her eyes, and.....in an instant they were wide eyed at what befell her hands, the most beautiful and elegant snow-globe she had ever seen, from the magical and majestic castle in the midst of the small white flakes swimming about the polished glass sphere to the ornate decorations of gold and silver that embroidered the stand the globe rested upon. Immediately, she squealed in such a high pitch, "Eeeeee!! Daddy I love it!! Thank you so much daddy!!" In her fit of such joy, such happiness, she had almost dropped the globe, but she managed to hang onto it as she threw her small arms around her old man and hugged him tight. "Aye! You're welcome, my daughter." Her father greatly returned the affection with one of his famous bear hugs, hoisting his daughter into his strong arms. "You see that castle in there? That's the Royal Palace of Alegasia. It's one of the most beautiful castles I've ever seen, and Alegasia....it's as though the Goddess had brought down a sliver of her paradise and placed it upon the world." As she listened to her father speak so vividly and so grandly of that far-off and magical land, Irina could only stare in awe of the miniature replica of the Royal Palace, pondering on how wonderful it must've been for her father to view such an amazing sight. "Daddy?" Her little voice carried, a soft smile forming to the petite curl of her mouth. "Do you think I'll get to see Alegasia?" Her father nodded, another soft chuckle rumbling his belly, "Maybe someday, Irina. Maybe someday......"

---

And who would've thought this day, here she was not just standing before the majestic Royal Palace, but actually living in it, actually being able to grace its gilded halls of marble and see the very splendor it this amazing castle for herself, and....for that she had to thank her lady.... For a while or so, Irina could yet again feel herself as that very same child, the one who gazed so starry eyed, so happily at the snow-globe in her tiny hands, imagining herself one day seeing the true Royal Palace instead of a porcelain miniature, oh the joy it brought to her little heart, to visualize herself in time standing before those gargantuan towers of white with tops of purest gold. Such a smile it brought to her younger self, and....such tears it brought to her older self as Irina lost herself in the nostalgia. "M....M'lady....." Her blue eyes moved towards the Princess, and for once in this day, her lips curled into a soft and pleasant smile. She sat down the snow-globe upon the Princess' nightstand and approached the white haired girl, immediately throwing her arms around Crystal's neck and hugging her tight. "Thank you, Crystal.....thank you so much...." Twas the most thoughtful gift anyone could've given her, not just a beautifully crafted and most elegant trinket she could cherish forever, but....the memories that accompanied that very snow-globe....

[SailorMoon]

Crystal tried to contain her excitement, tried not to smile too wide when Irina was opening the cute little box, but the feelings she brought out in Irina mirrored her own. Irina just looked so sweet and innocent in that moment, almost like a child would on Children's day. At first Crystal was afraid Irina didn't like it very much judging by her expression as she took the snow globe out of the heart shaped box, but it was very clear that Irina's mind was somewhere else. Reminiscing? Whatever it was, Crystal left the woman to it. Honestly, she was just glad to be on good terms with Irina again, no more silent treatment or cold glares from her Royal Attendant. That alone would have been enough for her, but Crystal got more than she anticipated when Irina got up from the chair and unexpectedly embraced her. Instead of pushing her away, Crystal wrapped her arms around Irina's neck and held her close, smoothing the blue hair down with gentle strokes. She felt as though she could melt in Irina's arms... Is this normal? Crystal had given many people hugs, but the sensation of warmth that came over her when Irina hugged her was completely different. A hint of pink tinted her cheeks as Irina spoke her words of gratitude. She was honestly at a loss for words and only managed to smile...

---

The next couple of weeks seemed to move at a glacial pace for The Princess as she was confined to her bed most days and only got up to take baths, and to make feeble attempts at walking around her bedroom...which usually ended in her retreating back to the comfort of her bed almost immediately. Perhaps the best thing about the whole experience is that her Royal Attendant was more relaxed since she didn't have to worry about The Princess running off again and getting into trouble with Lord Vaross. Crystal was happy about that as well, the Lord of Narsil hadn't made an appearance in a very long time and she was convinced he had gone back to whatever hole he crawled out of.

Exactly two weeks from that day when she sprained her ankles, Crystal slid off of her bed to see how long she could stand without any pain and to her surprise...there was no pain! At least not great enough to keep her from walking confidently. No longer would she be glued to her bedroom! It's a miracle! Irina will be happy to know. Not even considering how immodest she appeared in her nightgown, Crystal quickly left her room and practically busted through Irina's room door as she entered, slamming it wide open and allowing it bounce off of the wall. One might think there was an emergency with how The Princess acted, but she didn't say anything - only stood in the doorway with a grin on her face until Irina acknowledged her.

[Rusalka]

How long has it been since she had last seen her lady? A week? Perhaps two? Sure there were those small chances of the two meeting in between those days that seemed to pass idly by but rather gradual, Irina tending to whatever needs and wants her Princess had asked of her, being more of a servant than a protector, but it didn't bother the woman none to do such. For once, there was a peace within her and nay was there a thick and burdening tension between the knight and Crystal. Not to mention being free from those grim and cold, rusted shackles of worry, no longer having to tear asunder every nerve in her body, every fiber of her living being, just to make damn certain her Princess stayed out of harm's way, though she had a knack for putting herself in such ghastly circumstances, which of course led to Irina always having to come to her lady's rescue, but...that was part of the job, and while it was maddening at points, the woman grew used to it over time. Luckily though, no such harm had come to the Princess in her two long and drawn weeks of recovery and rehabilitation, and that meant Irina could relax and....grow a little more acquainted with her lady. Gradually, she began to enjoy the company of the beautiful lass ever more, carrying on cheerful conversations with her, spending however much time she could spare with the white haired beauty, twas as if Irina....was making some sort of connection with the Princess....a rather close one...

And of those days she spent with Crystal in her recovery, Irina reminisced soaking in the soothing heat of a tub of hot water, prepared for her earlier by Ginger. At least this time she could enjoy a nice hot bath, instead of the brutal scrub-down she had incurred from the castle maids that one day. A bit of a humored chuckle escaped her as she pondered of it. Though as nerve-racking as it was before for the knight, it was still quite the funny memory to look back on. Many memories she recollected, a soft sigh she gave while fiddling around in her slender fingers the soft, silken locks of her sapphire hair, her own touch reminding her slightly of feeling the Princess' hand upon her hair, feeling herself being embraced so sweetly in those arms, eventhough it was she before who embraced Crystal with every intention to do so, her way of showing her deepest gratitude for the wonderful present of her Princess. She smiled to herself, her eyes glancing for a moment at the snow-globe, now nestled upon her nightstand next to her bed, where every night she could gaze upon it, remembering her childhood long past, those years she spent with her father, but also....she could think of her Princess, think of what happiness she brought the knight, despite her rare misgivings. Flawed yes, but being flawed....even had its beauty.

Yes you may cause me to lose my sanity at almost every turn, but you bring back to me....the joy I seemed to have forgotten. Pleasantly, her smile deepening, she mused of her Princess. She had to wonder when she would see Crystal again. Well speaking of the girl in question, the knight didn't expect what was about to happen next. Almost immediately did her chamber door fly open, damn near jetting from the very hinges that secured it and indeed taking the unexpecting woman by abrupt surprise, same as when she glanced around quickly to view who dared to enter her domain ever so brashly, and there....she saw her lady, standing proudly and rather excitedly on both legs, not a single hint of pain or agony to her charming, beaming face full of such rapturous joy. "M'lady! You're healed!" Irina unwittingly jolted upwards ecstatically from her bath....only realizing too soon....she had practically exposed herself skin and all to her Princess, her gleeful grin...now an absolute scream of mortification. "Dear Goddess!!!" She yelped, hastily scrambling for the towel on her bed and covering herself bashfully with the soft cotton, her face, not just her cheeks, but her entire face.....a bright shade of embarrassing red...... "I...eh......I'm v-very happy for you....M-m'lady ehehe...." Oh Goddess, Irina! Why don't you just go ahead and flash her another peek of your sinful delights, you bumbling idiot!

[SailorMoon]

Crystal grinned and bounced on her heels excitedly, nodding in agreement towards Irina about being healed...almost able to ignore the fact that Irina was buck naked right in front of the already immodestly dressed Princess, calling attention to herself by screaming like someone was out to kill her all for something as natural as this. She wouldn't have noticed Irina's beautiful figure, delicate curves, and how cute she looked blushing with only her hair to cover her nude body had Irina...again, not called attention to herself, but now Crystal was having a very hard time looking away. What was it that Irina was trying to hide, anyway? They were both women...right? Though Crystal looked at her Royal Attendant with a curious gaze, her face was about as red as a tomato and Irina's embarrassment had now rubbed off on The Princess. Crystal was trying to get the image of Irina's more feminine parts out of her mind, but it just wouldn't go away! It didn't help that she was still looking either, and since Irina was covering her face with the towel Irina probably wouldn't know it, giving Crystal no reason to stop looking. She didn't understand why it was such a big deal now, surely Ginger had seen Irina naked more times than this...even gotten to touch Irina.

Pressing her lips together tightly, she covered her eyes with her hand and fumbled around for Irina's door. She grabbed a hold of the knob and slammed it shut, quickly locking it. It was the least she could do for her naked Royal Attendant. Wouldn't want any of the staff to see Irina in this condition, especially with the news among them that The Princess had slept in Irina's bed after the Opera. Crystal kept her back facing the room and lowered her hand from her eyes. She started to take a peek over her shoulder as Irina spoke, but stopped herself for fear of offending Irina further. She inhaled and held her breath several seconds before slowly relaxing, attempting to find her center again in the midst of this very...embarrassing situation. Exhaling, she opened her eyes and stared at the closed door, eyeing the silver detail on the wood to keep her mind busy.

She swallowed nervously, seemed her throat was getting a bit dry. "I-I'm glad to be better, thank you for your concern. But please keep your door locked when you're not fully clothed, Irina. The King would have had a heart attack had he seen you...though he probably would have knocked first..." Crystal said somewhat sternly to mask her own shame, though it didn't help at all as Crystal was not angry or in the lecturing mood over the little incident. She was quite the opposite actually, she had to keep that to herself though. She considered that maybe she was born into the wrong Kingdom after all, Avalon would have been a much better fit for someone like her; a woman that enjoys looking at other women. Crystal raised a couple of fingers against her lips and chuckled, her shoulders moving with the intensity of her laughter. The thought didn't seem to bother her at all, it was a purely physical attraction to Irina she guessed, because anything beyond that would just be... Well, it just couldn't happen.

Irina was sweet, protective, and really all of the things that could make her a perfect... W-wife? No, not wife... What would Irina be to her as a lady lover? If Irina were a man, Crystal would say that Irina would make an excellent husband someday, but she wasn't... She was a woman with the qualities of someone she hoped to settle down with someday, and even though Crystal had always imagined herself with a man... She never found herself attracted to one, it was just something she did because that picture had been ingrained into her head by high society. The Princess folded her arms and moved on the balls her heels slightly. Now she was a bit bothered by the turn her thoughts had taken. Honestly, it didn't make any sense how seeing Irina disrobed suddenly changed her view on the woman. Irina was not a Prince, despite her being damn good at fooling The Princess into thinking so. Crystal sighed softly and turned around, keeping her eyes away from Irina's body regardless of if the lady knight was dressed or not.

[Rusalka]

Well thank the Goddess it wasn't the King who came brash and boldly stumbling into Irina's chamber uninvited, while she was....practically immodest, and also Irina was with absolute relief that it was not those two idiots either who crashed through the door, the fat and loudmouthed Pindel and his lanky and dimwitted companion Versetti. She had already given those numbskulls a free show, unexpectedly of course, and like ever would she do that again. But of all the people to have seen her nude, of all the people to have entered her chamber, abruptly interrupt her relaxing afternoon bath, and of course....gaze upon her while she was disrobed....why oh WHY did it have to be Crystal?!

She would not remove the towel once from her damp, glistening skin as her eyes only stared widely at the back of a rather bashful Crystal's head, who was so kindest to shut the door and deadbolt it at least for her unclothed attendant. Of course, Irina couldn't help but wonder what strange and obscure imaginings must be running rampant amidst the Princess' frazzled mind, especially after catching quite the eye-full of the knight without her armor....or anything else for that matter. thankfully Irina's sapphire hair was long enough to cover her nearly exposed bosom, the long locks heavy with dampness clinging tight to her pale and somewhat radiant complexion, enough to at least coyly censor some of the woman's nude figure....well...except for one part.

I can't believe this just happened! Already Irina was shaking her head in utter disbelief of the scene that had just occurred, still pondering on what her lady might be thinking of her this instant. Yes they were slowly becoming close, especially with that whole sleeping in the same bed for one night, but for Crystal to see Irina naked....no! That's considerably too close for the knight, to close for comfort to be precise! "I...I shall do so, M'lady. T-thank you." Shakily and ever hesitantly did she respond to Crystal's soft voice, asking of the knight to make sure her door was locked....to avoid situations such as this. "And...I'm terribly sorry you had to see me as such, but next time....could you possibly be a bit more...courteous and knock." Again her cheeks were blushing, not as intense as before, but enough to at least consider her still embarrassed by the Princess outright barging in on her.

Twas funny to her though, the thoughts that came to her mind as she carefully dropped the towel from her body, making sure beforehand that the Princess wasn't looking upon her anymore and that her face was towards the wall opposite of her attendant. Yes Irina was a woman with nothing to hide at all, and surely she didn't have to make such a fuss about another girl seeing her naked, for Ginger, her supposed maid, was one who quite often had viewed upon Irina being disrobed.....and now that Irina had thought of it...she would often get these..bizarre, almost languid, long stares from the girl...which disturbed her a little. But besides that, she had to wonder if next time around she would be more....comfortable with the Princess seeing her nude....or maybe if.... No! No of course not! That's incredibly licentious and crude! I would never consider such of M'lady! However......I do admit she is lovely....her soft, amethyst eyes....her pale skin.... Ah! What am I doing?! Away with these lecherous thoughts! Avalon may have been more relaxed when it came to such attractions to other women, but in Alegasia, the moral standard was much higher, most nobles and common alike viewing any attraction of the sort....as deeply wrong. Still...Irina couldn't help but feel such an attraction, though physical, to her lady. Nothing wrong with admiring another woman's beauty, was there?

Giving a brief, rigorous shake of her head, as if to jar the insecure notions from her mind, she slipped on her chainmail and surcoat, tying her hair back into a ponytail as always and adjusting her swordbelt before donning her gauntlets and greaves. She was starting to prefer this outfit alot more instead of having to go through grudgingly the meticulous process of pulling on her armor piece by piece and checking vigilantly every belt and fastener was tightened to the utmost cinch. And at least in this chosen and breathe-ably light attire, her movements weren't so cumbersome and sluggish, so in the event of any sudden and disastrous circumstances, she would be able to rush to her lady with ease. "Okay M'lady. You can look now." A gruff clearing of the woman's throat to gain her Princess' attention.

[SailorMoon]

Unluckily for Crystal, Irina had donned part of her suit of armor to protect her body...and possibly to prevent Crystal's wandering eyes from getting another good luck at her lady parts. Not that Crystal was particularly interested in seeing Irina again, not under those circumstances at least. "Mmm. I suppose I'll need to get changed as well." Crystal looked down at her robe and fastened the belt a little tighter around her waist. It did a poor job at covering her nearly sheer nightgown as the little satin robe was more of a fashionable cover up, but still nothing of importance was visible unless one concentrated long and hard. "If it will make you feel better you can watch. It will make us even, yes?" A small innocent smile played on her lips as she said this, no hint of jest in her voice at all. "It was my fault for barging in uninvited...after all." She spoke smoothly and invitingly, but Irina would be silly to think The Princess would actually dress in front of her. It was just one of her games... Or is it? Crystal was unsure.

It didn't concern The Princess whether or not Irina followed, or how she responded to the little offer. Well, Unless Irina agreed to it...then Crystal would be quite flushed in the face and very tempted to hold up her end of the bargain.

Crystal unlocked the door, and as she did so let out a small giggle of amusement. Pulling the door open, she glanced over her shoulder toward Irina with a devious glint in her eyes before stepping out into the hallway and heading for her own chambers. There was a pep in her step, and a little swish in her hair as she was feeling quite happy. Despite the rather embarrassing start to her morning, things were looking up now that she could walk again.

When they arrived to her room, the door would already be slightly open from when Crystal last left. She immediately went to the closet and tossed her robe onto the bed, keeping her back facing her room. "Hmmm. This will do." Blushing a bit, she slipped her night gown off and stepped out of it. She picked up a simple pink dress, frilly at the bottom and simple at the top, stopping just above the knees. Silently, Crystal dressed in her undergarments before putting on her dress. As a finishing touch, she placed her sun hat on and a pair of white flats - by order of Rosie. The crazy nurse had confiscated most of her heels for the time being. With a few dabs of lavender scented powder on her face and collar area, The Princess was ready to go.

"Let's go for a walk. I'm dying to get out of the castle." She said coolly, already on her way out.

[Rusalka]

"If it will make you feel better you can watch. It will make us even, yes?"

Did she really have to say that....and in that tone? Not the usual of her lady, Crystal's jovial and often deviously cheerful voice that would be utilized to punctuate such a demeaning thought to Irina, of course to deliver it as only a joke of sorts. No....to the woman it sounded as if the Princess was more sincere and perhaps....actually serious about Irina taking a peek upon the more...unexpected side of the girl, and naturally out of due respect to not just the Princess but also the royal daughter of His Majesty the King, Irina would refuse greatly such an offer, but of recent....this offer seemed rather tempting to decline...but of course she must. No way...never in any way would the honorable knight look upon her lady...with the most licentious and volatile of lustful intentions. In other words, accepting a chance to see Crystal disrobe before her....maybe later on. But damn were her cheeks ever reddened, blushing brightly at this notion of the Princess. "I assure you, M'lady, I would never do such a thing." She sighed in reply to Crystal. "And besides, twas only an accident. I'll be sure to keep my door locked next time." Gathering from her wardrobe a small, jewel encrusted dagger and slipping the blade scabbard and all into her belt, perched firmly next to her sword, she trailed behind the Princess, cautiously of course, from her room and out into the hall again, making sure that once the two arrived to the chamber door of Crystal, she would plant herself firmly against the wall outside her lady's room and dare not to peek in....that is if Crystal kept her door open, and Irina be damned if such didn't happen. Ugh!

There were times, yes...a few times when her curious eyes would try slyly to stray over to the small sliver of light between the wall and the precariously cracked door, just to gain a small glimpse of Crystal...without clothing, but Irina was sure to snap her eyes back to their appointed place, facing the wall opposite of her, with a firm, mental slap upon the wrist. Stop it! She scolded herself, a quick squint of her troubling eyes and a huff of irritance. Finally after only a few minutes...which seemed much longer to the again flustered knight, the Princess emerged from her room, beautiful as always and that delectable scent of lavender ever present upon her, charming the knight...

"A walk does seem rather relaxing for today, M'lady. It is quite beautiful outside." Irina replied calmly as she could, straying close beside the Princess in her more protective and authoritative manner. "Where shall we go then? Possibly to the eastern forest? It would be very-" But in the most unfortunance for the knight, she was crudely interrupted....by none other than the idiots. "Hate to spoil yer morning plans, lady knight, but the King wishes to see ye." The King...wishes to see...her? But whatever for Irina wondered, alerted greatly by Pindel's abrupt cutting-in of his boisterous voice. "Me?" Was the only response the knight could seem to give, bewildered such and a tad nervous as to what particular reason His Majesty would call upon her. Could it have been.... Dear Goddess....I knew it would have repercussions, yet why did I even agree to such? I never should've considered once sharing a bed with M'lady Crystal. Oh....such a punishment I will endure for this most foul of acts... "Ah...r-right then. I shall go then, but...who will keep watch of M'lady in my absence?"

"Ahh don'tcha worry 'about that, lady knight!" The fat one guffawed, followed behind by that walking stick Versetti. "Versetti and me shall keep good eye on the Princess. Why, me lad here's been training his arse off to be a better guard. Versetti! Defensive position!" And with that quick command, the stick snapped into action, so to speak, rather humorously and indeed inexpertly taking up what Irina considered in her own personal knowledge of the martial art....the worst fighting position imaginable. "Well.....it's a start I suppose." Rather sly did she slip by that insult, though not much in the jesting manner, as the anxiety of this ill fated meeting with His Majesty was commencing to claw at her. "I shall leave M'lady Crystal in your care then, Sir Pindel and Sir Versetti, but if anything is to happen to her.....I swear we shall be having the most harsh of words. M'lady, will you be alright with these two until I return?" As much as she wanted to await her lady's response, time was of the essence, and such a dishonor it would be to ruse impatience from His Majesty. "Right then. I must be off." Turning heel, she made her way, gradually but with a firm step, towards the throne room of the King.

[SailorMoon]

They only made it through the doorway before the lanky and chubby annoyances rudely interrupted their plans to head to the eastern forest for a day of relaxation, and some much needed bonding time between the two women. Crystal glared at that Pindel and Versetti the same as when she scolded them in the courtyard, but this time she saved her breath. If the King wanted to talk with her Royal Attendant, she would have to wait patiently for their meeting to be over. She knew better than to question her father, though when it came to his only daughter he was a big softie, and all The Princess would have to do is bat her eyelashes several times and ask The King if they could have their meeting at a later time. A more convenient time where she didn't already have plans for Irina, and he would oblige. Still, The King was the one person she didn't like to manipulate and yo-yo around. Crystal held the utmost respect for him, not just because he is The King, but as her only living parent.

Crystal pouted and huffed as Pindel and Versetti volunteered themselves to be her bodyguards during Irina's absence. Fools... With a roll of her eyes, she turned her back on the two before walking back into her room, a devious smirk appearing on her lips at the sound of Pindel and Versetti following closely behind. Crystal paused and folded her arms, appearing to be contemplating something. "Mmmm. Now that I think about it, this dress isn't very fitting for a walk in the forest." She studied her outfit innocently, but Pindel and Versetti were on to her tricks, and weren't going to let her pull a fast one. They were much too witty for that!

"Then ye take yer dress, and get changed in yer room. We'll wait in the closet... Yer not gettin' away that easily, Missy!" The fat one said with his hand on his hips, looking to be quite proud of his clever idea. "Errr, but-" The lanky one tried to chime in, but was abruptly cut off by Pindel and ushered into the closet after a very disappointed Princess retrieved a new dress to change into. Pindel folded his arms and watched The Princess like a hawk as he walked into the closet, shutting it on he and his sidekick.

Crystal abandoned her dress on the bed and silently walked over to her vanity table, retrieving a small silver key from a drawer. "Are ye almost done Princess?!" She smiled to herself and walked over to the closet door. *Click* Crystal turned the key in the keyhole and locked the door into place, leaving the key there for whoever might find the idiots later. That was easier than I thought. She gave herself a mental pat on the back and slammed her room door shut. Shortly after, the muffled screams would start, and Crystal wouldn't be around to hear it.

---

No one had seen her slip out of the castle, and she was grateful for that...but, there was that hint of guilt brewing in her stomach for breaking her promise to Irina. There really was no excuse for leaving without telling anyone, and Crystal knew that. Perhaps she felt it was alright since Vaross hadn't made an appearance, which meant he was probably back in the Land of Narsil tending to his own affairs. She walked along a grass path, gazing around at all of the greenery around her, taking in all of the scents of the spring flowers. No way was she going to miss out on a day to stretch her legs after two weeks of being in doors.

I'll cross that bridge when I come to it... Crystal smiled softly and held her hat close to her head, there was far too much to see out here, and she didn't want to spend a second more thinking about what if's.

[Rusalka]

Meanwhile in the closet.....

"Princess? Princess? PRINCESS?!!! Why's the bloody door jammed?! Versetti, get over here and help me get this door open!"

"But...but...but Pindel, I don't think it's jammed. I think the Princess locked us in here."

"What? Nonsense ye string bean! That's just idiotic even for ye! Ye can't lock a closet! Now help me bash this thing down! Princess, when we get out of here, yer in trouble li'l missy!"

"Now now Pindel, don't go blamin' the Princess. This ain't her fault....well actually it sorta is, but I tried to warn ye!"

"Ohoho! So yer saying it was my fault I forgot the Princess was a sneaky sneak, eh dumbbell? Callin' me the idiot are ye?"

"Well not exactly but- EEEEK!!"

"C'mere you damn talking stick! I'll break ye in two and shove the other half up yer bum!"

"Owowowowowowww!!! Pindel wait! That's me arms yer breakin' there!"

"And I'll snap 'em off and use 'em for chopsticks, ye bloody- Ooh! Ooh! Me foot! You stepped on me foot ye lug!"

---

Finally after what had seemed such a long trek through the seemingly expansive grand halls of the castle, weighted down with such overbearing anxiety as to what His Majesty has summoned her for while Irina trudged along, a fear invoking within her with every harrowing step she took towards what appeared as ultimate demise, the ever worried knight had finally found herself amidst the large golden doors of the throne room, pushing them open with all her might and straying in, keeping her head tilted downward in a bit of shadow and her ice blue eyes mainly focusing upon the ornate and decorative patterns of the lengthy red and gold embroidered rug that trailed all the way to His Majesty's gilded and majestic throne. "Ah here she is now, Lord Varros!" but.....at the very utterance of that name, even in the King's naturally hearty and joyful tone of voice....Irina's eyes quickly darted upwards, ever alert, only to lock fiercely with those infamous....yellow eyes of the serpent glaring back at her, along with the grim face of feigned delight. "So we meet again, "Sir" Irina.", the lord hissed, that ever sinister smirk crossing those dry and horrid lips Irina just.....died to peel from that smug face of the demon. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance after such a long absence, my lady." What happened next had to be the most vile of actions he had committed upon Irina, in a way forcefully taking her hand and laying upon the back of her palm his venomous kiss. Thank the Goddess her hand was encased in hardened steel.....steel she longed to backhand that bastard with, had it not been for His Majesty being present. "Ah...eh....gratitude, Lord Varros." Reluctantly and ever spiteful of herself to do such, Irina took a knee before the beast, but not to show respect to him, none he deserved, but rather to show much honor towards His Majesty. "Your Majesty, you wished to speak with me?"

"But of course, Sir Irina! How foolish of me to forget my kingly duties while speaking with a fellow ruler." Jovially the King responded, another light chuckle wiggling that jolly belly of his before shifting over to his more authoritative tone of voice with a light clearing of his throat, "Right then. Sir Irina, I have called upon you, my most valiant and noble of guards, to take upon you a task that is of great importance not just to me or to my daughter, but to all the Kingdom of Alegasia. The Ides of Spring draw close to us, in four weeks and eight days, and upon that time is when Alegasia hosts the annual Tournament of the Four Kingdoms." Cleary she heard right, but did she just hear the King speak of....a tournament? "A...a tournament, Your Majesty?" She spoke, a bit of a rashness to her voice as her throat seized with...much excitement, even as the King continued, "Why yes, Sir Irina. The Tournament of the Four Kingdoms is the most splendid of events held here in the beautiful Kingdom of Alegasia. It is here the knights of Avalon, Iftenreld, and Narsil travel far and wide, to test their mettle, their strength, and their courage against each other and the knights of Alegasia of course. We have never lost a single tournament once, and this year, I don't think we'll be forfeiting the trophy any. That is why I ask of you, Sir Irina of Alegasia, to serve as a knight in the Tournament and bring forth glory and victory to this majestic land." She was speechless....absolutely was Irina robbed of any words. Her eyes were widened, sparkling as if stars in the heavenly skies of night and her mouth was agape slightly, unable to catch a single breath normally.

"Your....Your Majesty I....I don't know what to say!" Ever excitedly she stuttered, glancing upward with such ambitious features to her face towards the King, he too sharing her joy in this most wonderful of moments. "Then say nothing, my brave Sir Irina!" Happily he rejoiced. "With you leading Alegasia in the grand tournament, we'll be unstoppable! Ah and this would be such wonderful news to pass on to the Princess, which reminds me. I best be letting you see to her now, Sir Irina. Thank you for your time." Before rising, Irina gave another respectful bow to the King, addressing him courteously, "Of course, Your Majesty, and thank you for allowing me to serve in the tournament. I shall fight my hardest and bring glory to Alegasia." And with that she stood, slowly making her way out of the throne-room...only to be caught by Varros' insolent words, "Don't be getting too excited now, "Sir" Irina. Narsil is still known for raising the strongest and most ruthless of warriors. One of them...might be quite the challenge for you to defeat." A bit disturbing was that last inch of his sentence...sending a slight chill up the backside of Irina, as always when she came face to face with this terrible fiend. The King was rather bewildered as well, cocking an eyebrow in suspicion towards the Lord of Narsil. "Now now, Lord Varros," He chimed in. "No need for hostilities. This is only friendly competition between the four kingdoms."

"But of course, Your Majesty." Again that false mask of glee he donned, burning underneath with such rage, such malice to throttle the fat neck of this grotesque and gluttonous pig. "My apologies for seeming so brash. I must be making my return to Narsil now, for I too have my knights to prepare for the tournament ahead. Fare thee well." And shall I see to it you drown in your own blood, you miserable, rotting sack of puss. His courtesy given to the king, Varros departed, swiftly following behind Irina, only to catch her again in the hallway as the doors upon the throne room slammed shut with a resonant and ominous thunder, "You there, turn and face me." And there his mask had cracked, revealing within the man so scorned and brimming underneath those dark and wispy robes with such anger and hatred. Irina turned, her face once exhibiting joy, now her own mask of absolute disdain and contempt towards the man who call upon her. "You may be able to best my men in a mock battle, Lady Irina, but mark my words....Narsil shall be the true victor of this tournament." The bastard....he was so full of himself, already seeming less and less frightening to the knight with every spiteful word he spat upon her in every one of their....ill fated crossings. Now...Irina could only give a defiant smirk to the beast, glaring deeply into the viper eyes of her adversary with unwavering resolve as she scoffed him, "Quite vain of you to make such grand boasts, Lord of Narsil." To which the lord returned fire with his own remark....albeit his....a bit chilling, "Vanity would not be the worst of my sins....Knight of Alegasia. Now, see to your Princess and begone from me."

One more defiant glare cast before the two broke vision from each other scorned, Irina storming off to find her lady and Varros....hopefully crawling back to that black abyss of ash he brays so highly of. And I hope to the Goddess he stays there forever!

[SailorMoon]

Crystal was less than a half a mile away from the castle when she decided to stop by a large Red Bud Tree. Sighing, she knelt down and sat down on the grass; it was actually pretty lush. Crystal removed her floppy sun hat and set it on the ground beside her and leaned forward some, hoping to see Irina coming. She didn't want to get too far into the forest and then have something happen with no one there to help. Plus, she figured if she waited a bit Irina might show up sometime looking for her. That might help soften the blow actually since the eastern forest was easily accessible if you went from the garden. There was an unofficial path leading to her, but surely Irina already knew that.

Just what does Father want with Irina anyway? There was nothing she could think of...Unless, he had heard about them sleeping together. No. No. If that was the case, he would have come to Crystal first before seeking Irina out...Probably would have thrown her out for defiling his young daughter. Even though that's not what really happened. Actually, Crystal still wasn't sure as she didn't even remember slipping into her royal attendant's bed. Either way, she would rather leave some things in the past, and obviously Irina felt the same way. Neither of them had brought it up.

Finally after several minutes, Crystal got up from her spot and put her straw hat back on, dusting anything that didn't belong off of her dress. There was a bit of disappointment on her delicate features, but she couldn't wait any longer. Irina would just have to find The Princess on her own, and this time it wasn't her fault for breaking their promise! Pindel and Versetti were untrustworthy and Irina knew it... So, why did she leave those two there to fill in for her? Crystal was better off alone than being protected by someone she could easily outsmart, and lock in a closet.

"Those two are probably having a fit right now." She chuckled to herself and continued down the small path.

[Rusalka]

True...again she was a bit unnerved by that recent encounter, her fifth or so with the ever haunting Lord of Narsil, but Irina merely shook the plaguing and often melancholic thought from her head. Like she would ever again let this fiend rob her of her purest moment of joy. A spring in her step, or rather several as her face was beaming bright with such rapture in her haste to tell the Princess of the wonderful news the King has bestowed upon her, Irina quickly ran down the hall of the castle, soon making her way to the chamber of Crystal and opening the door, forgetting to knock as courtesy, but she was just too damn excited to consider such, shouting merrily to the top of her lungs, "Princess! You'll never believe what-...." Luckily in her haste to fling open the wooden door...or rather unluckily....she had discovered much to the swift change of her happiness....to a much more grim and anxious face of bewilderment. "Princess? M'lady?" Oh....not again... She would have only assumed the worst. Such a fool of the knight to leave a cunning and crafty lady such as Crystal in the care of....two bumbling idiots. What was I thinking leaving her with those imbeciles? Now she's gone, but where to I wonder? Could it be....no. Varros, as much as I detest of him, it's below the honor of a Lord to commit such a horrible deed against his fellow Kingdom....but when has the beast ever known honor. Certain was Irina though that Varros' ill hands were far from clutching her lady in those gruesome, deathlike palms of his, but....just where exactly was she? The answer may or may not have been given to her....by frantic muffled voices from the Princess' wardrobe....

"Oi! I think someone's out there!"

"Hey ye! Help us! We're stuck in here!"

Oh Goddess....how could I have known? Now that once worrisome face...had melted into a glower of such annoying disapproval towards the voices coming from the other side of the pinewood door of the closet. And of course...this has M'lady's handprints all over it... Of course anyone, even a blind person who was hard of hearing, could easily dupe a couple of pea brained guardsmen like Pindel and Versetti. Giving a most dismayed sigh, a bit of a growl upon the end, Irina's eyes searched around for the wardrobe key, finding it glittering in the early light of morn upon Crystal's vanity. Snatching up the key, she stormed over to the closet, unlocking it with a simple turn in the keyhole and stepping back as the two buffoons piled out unto the hardwood floor of the bedroom, over-dramatically gasping for breath as though fish plucked from the pond, as always the fat one scampering like a freed rat towards Irina and clutching her legs in the vice-grip hug of his meaty arms. "Lady Knight! Thank ye so much for getting me and Versetti outta there! We never thought-"

"Shut your gob, you bloody idiot!" But Irina...was none to happy to see these fools, such a deathly glare of smoldering spite she cast down upon the two men cowering before her like whipped pups. "Did I ask you not to keep good eye upon the Princess? And look where you ended up! I swear if it were not for me being a bit more considerate, I would thrash you dolts upside the head with a birch switch" She wasn't holding back once, letting these two have their well deserved scolding from a woman deeply embittered by their idiocy, their lackadaisical and lethargic mockery of what should have been a very simple task..even for these two....but...Irina did have to consider whom they were looking after. "Ugh! Nevermind. Just tell me where the Princess has run off to." Ever annoyed the knight grumbled, pinching the bridge of her nose with a deep and bothersome sigh. The thin one replied to her, "Ahmm....I think she went to the forest, Lady Knight."

---

Not long after, Irina had already called upon her steed Argo and the two were riding away from the castle and towards the path of the eastern forest, Irina being sure to keep a hawk's eye upon every tree, upon every stone and brush, should an ambush come to pass, but also being sure to keep a much vigilant eye out for the Princess, and after a bit of riding upon the forest path, she soon caught sight of that all too familiar white mane of hair, not to mention catching scent of that ever lovely lavender. "Ah, there you are." Quite courteously Irina addressed her lady, riding next to her with Argo in a slow trot of his hooves, a sincere smile crossing the woman's face.

[SailorMoon]

The Princess had actually considered turning around, going back to the castle where it was safe and Irina could protect her, but she had already come this far. Probably the farthest she had ever traveled in the forest. Alone. Now she was thinking of worst case scenarios. Crystal glanced around self-consciously, suddenly she felt like...there was someone...or something watching her. Something! There were wild animals out in the forest, Crystal knew that, and not all of them were friendly like Lily and Argo. Would she be able to outrun an animal with her ankles? It had been two weeks since Crystal walked around like this, and on top of that, she didn't really know her way around the forest. If she stayed on the path it would be easy enough to follow, but the path was natural... It wasn't meant as a guide for people. "I should have just dragged Pindel and Versetti out here for company. Irina's---"

The sound of horse hooves clopping against the dry path interrupted her as she was about to utter bitter words about Irina being gone. Crystal held her hat to her head and looked over her shoulder, a smile forming when she saw the familiar armor gleaming in the sunlight and the valiant steed, Argo. Irina... She didn't want to reveal her excitement that her Royal Attendant finally made an appearance, but a wide grin was working it's way onto Crystal's face. Now that Irina had arrived, all of her worries seemed to disappear... Well, the ones about feral animals attacking. The fact that they shared a bed one night...that was still in the back of Crystal's mind, and not to mention walking in on her lady knight in the nude. Crystal quickly lowered her gaze and pulled her hat down a bit, just so there was a shadow over her face. Her cheeks were more pink than usual, and the courteous manner in which Irina spoke surprised The Princess, yet also warmed her. Crystal was a little afraid that Irina might scold her, guilt trip her for breaking their promise that she couldn't even keep for a whole month. I'm terrible. Underneath her hat, she was frowning and mentally scolding herself for not listening to Irina. She didn't even understand why she all of sudden cared about what her Royal Attendant thought!

She relaxed a bit, glancing at Irina and dropping her hands to her side. Casually she spoke, as if she wasn't just nervous or reminiscing about earlier events. "I didn't anticipate Father letting you leave so soon. What was it he wanted to discuss with you?"

Not even five seconds had passed before there was a distinct buzzing around her head. Instinctively, her purple eyes searched, and it didn't take long before she saw the perpetrator!...not that she needed to gaze into those giant almond shaped eyes to know what it was. The giant hornet was so, so close. "EEEEEEEEEEE!" A look of utter terror, and not another moment spent walking. Crystal threw her arms up while simultaneously bolting away from Irina. Her eyes clenched tight, she had no idea where she was headed...nor she did she even care. She didn't want to be stung by that thing, or even have it touch her. These things were deadly. Nurse Rosie had treated Pindel for a sting once, and it was not pretty. She was convinced this insect would be the death of her if she ever came into contact with one.

She ran as fast as she could, but the buzzing never seemed to disappear, or even fade at her feeble attempts to distance herself from it. The hornet was right on The Princess' tail, sometimes moving beside her or even in front of her, it's stinger ready to impale her tender flesh for no good reason. Crying, screaming, Crystal veered off of the path and through the thick brush. One would think someone was trying to kill Crystal with the way she screamed...the girl might as well have lost her mind. She flailed around, and there was nothing Irina could do to the hornet without hurting Crystal in the process as it was nearly in her hair.

The buzzing faded just a little, but now she was in a clearing. It was quite dark, the trees above were blocking most of the sunlight, though small rays managed to peek through. She couldn't have gone too far from Irina, but a giant steed like Argo may have difficulty moving through all of the thick plants. Her Royal Attendant would be there any minute though... They can't be far.

A hand came to rest over her heart. The poor thing was nearly thumping through Crystal's chest. She leaned over to catch her breath, panting softly, her throat nearly dry from all of the screaming. Paranoia was kicking in, and Crystal wondered where the hornet went. Bzzzz! She perked up, and out emerged a knight clad in that black armor - the very same those men wore that attacked their carriage on the way to Avalon. The hornet was perched atop the knight's shoulder, like a bird, and completely uninterested in her. The insect's work was complete.

Crystal furrowed her eyebrows in confusion...horror. This was worse than a hornet attack, but there was only one...she might be able to outrun him. Crystal backed up slowly, only to hit something cold...metal. Before she even turned, two large hands were clasped over her much smaller arms and hoisting her off of the ground. Crystal screeched her royal attendant's name, repeatedly even as her possibly soon to be captor attempted to throw the young Princess over his shoulder. "No! Stop!! IRINA!!! "She kicked against the armor repeatedly, but the beast of a man did not respond.

"She can can not hear you, Princess. Irina has met a fate much worse than your own... It is the price she must to pay for slaying our men. I imagine Bazyil will have done away with the insufferable woman by now. Come, let us go now - It is not wise to keep him waiting." The dark knight said coldly, turning to leave without waiting for his comrade. He was unfazed by the Princess' screams, and was positive Lord Vaross would show him favor for doing this job.

[Rusalka]

"I didn't anticipate Father letting you leave so soon. What was it he wanted to discuss with you?"

Oh right! How could Irina have forgotten already, the wonderful news she had been meaning to pass onto the Princess, that of her attendant soon to be a valiant knight of Alegasia, leading the prestigious kingdom in a tournament of honor? Still the woman's head was beaming with such pride, such happiness towards this most grand aspect, and strangely, she wasn't much to be in a scolding manner towards the Princess for locking those buffoons in a closet and making off with her merry and reckless self to the forest...without any attendant. But then again, it wasn't much the Princess' fault as it was the knight's, leaving her in the care of two incompetent guardsmen, knowing for certain Crystal will have duped them ever easily, whereas the woman always came off as a challenge to be swayed by her lady's cunning ways. "Hmm? Oh, of course. I forgot to tell you-" Her eyes met with the girl's those beautiful shades of violets, glowing amethyst staring into the sparkling sapphires of her attendant, giddy as ever about her newest task appointed by his majesty, but the rest of the words would fail to escape Irina's lips, as suddenly, she heard it "What the bloody-?! Princess?!!"

Just before she could even send a hand forth to swat the li'l bugger of a hornet from midair, the fiendish insect had already riled her lady into the most frantic and terrifying of paroxysms, the girl swatting mercilessly and ever fruitlessly at the nuisance buzzing about her silken white hair and those flustered, red cheeks, but this was no time to admire the beautiful Princess,as she was darting away fearfully...too far from her Royal Attendant's protective arms, all while crying and screaming to the top of her lungs with such ill shrieks of terror to permeate the knight's ears and rile her to chase after the frightened girl on foot, after hastily dismounting her steed and running towards Crystal, "M'lady! Stop! Stop right now!!" But even her own frantic cries and pleas were falling upon deaf ears. She ran as fast as she could, as far as her feet could carry her, the bottoms of her feet singeing and burning in the fiery heat of her sabatons, metal clanking hastily with each long stride of her legs in this deathly horrible sprint to save her Princess, calling out to her more and more, "PRINCESS!!" But to no avail as the white haired girl kept running, that damned insect still chasing her....odd for a hornet to be so hostile though, as most Irina thought....would cease their pursuit of their aggressors if they were to stray too far from their hives. And not long after she had lost sight of the Princess upon this most harrowing forest trail, her suspicions were met...in one quick and devastating blow to her side.

*CLANG!!!* "AAAAUUUGGGHHH!!!!!"

It happened so quickly, a plundering mass of steel and rock crashing hard into her lightly armored exterior, throwing her sideways with a painful cry forced from her lips along with quite the most horrendous sound...that had been Irina's misfortune to hear, that being the sickening crack and shatter of damn near every bone in her left arm and not to mention her ribs, both exploding violently in the most severe and agonizing torrent of pain rattling Irina's frantic nerves. With a loud thud, she crashed to the dirt, skidding sideways until bashing into a tree ever so viciously, another crack of bones issued with more of her ribs snapping from her cage. Twas then she realized it....the hornet, twas no hornet at all... "N-no....P-princess....." Staggering against the searing hot fire blazing throughout her entire battered frame, the knight could only make it to one knee...before her attacker had revealed his self to her. "Geheheh! Sorry knight, your Princess is taking quite the journey now. Won't be long till she's arriving in Narsil and you....into the Abyss!" What illness, what horror the knight was stricken with at the cackle of this cruel and malevolent beast clad in armor, armor as black as Death's tattered and frayed robes, he might as well have been the reaper of this damaged warrior's soul, but it was that all to familiar shade of darkness and his own gruff and horrible declaration towards the knight....that declared his affiliation with the Lord of Narsil, and all too soon did that very name haunt Irina again, "VARROS!!" Suddenly, that same ball of steel death was hurtling towards Irina again, but this time she evaded it with a swift somersault forward, the mace splintering the trees rather than more of her skeleton. Hastily was the knight to her feet now, using her only able arm to unsheathe her sword, snarling ever feral to the knight in dark armor, those same glares of malice from his blood red orbs gleaming from his helm, ever reflected in the fierce, frozen ice of Irina's own eyes. "To Narsil my lady will not go!! HAVE AT THEE!!" Certain was she not that her words spoken in such malicious but honorable fashion had not signed for her a personal death warrant, but to death Irina would go boldly for her Princess, staring down the metal beast as he gathered up his cumbersome and brutal weapon, flailing that sinister chain about his gargantuan helm before sending it again flying at Irina with a heavy grunt, "DIE WENCH!"

In the nick of time, Irina ducked under the mace, the loud crack of a downed tree thundering throughout the forest, again and again while she ran from this beast and evaded most of his attacks, not wanting again that steel ball to come smashing into her...delivering a foul blow of death unto her heart, which at this point was threatening to break from her already shattered ribcage, the adrenaline of such a vicious and bloody brawl coursing through her veins with abysmal fire! "GRRR!! HOLD STILL! I'M GONNA CRUSH YOU INTO NOTHING BUT BONE MEAL, YA BLOODY NAVE!" His bark was seeming worse than his bite, but this knight's bite was still taking quite the toll on Irina, her head filled with wearying rage and unwavering resolve, ignoring the beastly growls and snarling threats of this towering fiend, but for how long could she dodge that massive weapon of his. Her entire body, it felt as if she were alight in flame, every pore of her skin, every nerve in her flesh, seething, burning as she struggled to face down this horrendous assailant and his ghastly flail. Dammit! He's armored all over! How can I even get a single blow on him, especially with him flailing around that damn thing! One more hit and I'm done! But despite her most unfair of circumstances, the knight would not fold to this man, clenching her sword tight, she charged forward, a mighty cry of war erupting from her every blazing fiber of her being as again headlong she sprinted forth to meet her fate at the hands of Varros' grim warrior, but in a swift maneuver, she again dodged that massive maul of spikes, sliding under the beasts legs. Twas then she realized, His backside's unarmored! Quickly she was to her feet again, clutching tight that golden hilt of her shimmering silver blade, and with one mighty thrust through the beast's bare back.....the fight was over. "HURGH!!" Groaned the monster, falling to his knees with a powerful thud and dying with a deathly shout of anger. It was over....well..this was over... If Varros' men were amidst the forest....then Irina must hurry. Grabbing her bloody blade from the gargantuan corpse, she called her noble steed to her, struggling to climb his muscular frame and position herself in the saddle before giving a swift kick to his side and sending the horse galloping with haste, "Forward Argo! Forward!!" But with every bound, every gallop of her mighty warhorse....the pain in her body just became all too unbearable...

[SailorMoon]

"Can't we just kill her and search the castle for it instead? Her voice...it's driving me mad!" The brute said gruffly, his face twisted into an ugly scowl underneath his helmet as The Princess struggled over his shoulder. One good whack over the head with the hilt of his blade might shut her up, but... he wasn't allowed. No matter how tempting it was.Clang! The Brute's head jerked to the side as Crystal elbowed the knight's helm repeatedly, his ears ringing something terrible. For such a small woman, he had to that admit she is feisty. Lord Vaross did mention that about her...but he also said the Princess' Royal Attendant was much worse. It was the reason he separated them, but none of the dark knights expected them to come waltzing right into their hands on the Dark Lord's first day back in Alegasia.

"Save your anger until we arrive, friend. Right now she is to remain unharmed." Leif remained calm, but The Princess' screams were starting to grate on his nerves as well. Perhaps it would be best if they did shut her up before Aldo got too angry. He wasn't even half as bad as Bayzil, but he knew his companion could crush The Princess with his bare hands if he lost control...and that would put them both in an unfavorable position. Leif stopped in his tracks and unwrapped the thick rope draped across his armor, heaving an irritated sigh whilst rolling his eyes. Running his fingers along the yellow rope, he approached Aldo, motioning with his head to hold Crystal still, but both appeared to be having trouble taming the woman. As soon as Leif attempted to tie the rope around The Princess' ankles, he got a swift kick to the front of the helm, crunching his nose under the pressure. "Ooof!" He stumbled back and pressed a hand to his nose briefly, clenching his fists afterwards and trying again.
"Hold her still!" He growled to the other knight, prompting Aldo to restrain Crystal as best he could, leaving her over his shoulder. Leif hastily tied her ankles together, and then her hands, right behind her back like a prisoner.. Standing behind Aldo now, Leif gazed into The Princess' amethyst eyes from underneath his own helm, a look of apathy on his face. He hated Alegasia more than anything, but their Royalty... There were no words that could describe how much he loathed them.

Crystal kept her lips pressed together, knowing very well that the next time she parted them the monsters would gag her. At the moment, all she could do was wriggle around like a caterpillar, but she was also wasting their time. If they stayed in this spot, there was a greater chance that Irina could find her and...save her. No way had Irina fallen back there, not to these men. She didn't want to believe it, but Irina still hadn't shown up for her. Being optimistic was increasingly difficult with the turn of events. I can't give up though...not now. Who knew what these knights had in store for her? She hung her head in defeat.

Leif did not want to waste another second standing around. With a grunt, he threw the rope back over his body before leaving their side and continuing their journey through the forest. Aldo followed suit.

[Rusalka]

As beaten, battered, and bloodied her body, flesh, bones and all, was after that last battle with what the knight presumed to be Varros' most fearsome and threatening of warriors, Irina still soldiered on, wincing and gritting her teeth harshly at every searing bout of pain issued from the rough terrain of the forest and Argo's galloping swiftly through the thick of it, easily traversing the tall brush and storming valiantly through the thistles of thorns and dry leaves, though it didn't help much that even the slightest touch to Irina was agony and....she was practically bleeding all over the place, through her chainmail and surcoat soaked with viscous red blood, the once graceful and royal purple of Alegasia's seal now marred violently by gruesome crimson blotches, as if to match her very skin, once a fair shade of pale now riddled horrendously with ghastly cuts, scrapes and bruises of varying severity. And even as she rode forth, every once in a while a harsh coughing of her own blood would rack her entire body with infernal pain, but....no matter the torment, she must continue.

"Hya! Hyaa! Ride Argo!" Irina, hoarse in the throat, she shouted to her mighty steed, urging the massive Clydesdale to hasten his valiant charge into battle, the mere clopping of his hooves a fearsome and intimidating beating of war drums, just the atmosphere to match his master's eyes, her very demeanor at this point symbolized by that fiery and feral glare in the intense ice of her frozen eyes. And it mattered not if she was pushing her wounded self beyond her normal limits, forcing herself onward despite the torment her flesh and bones were suffering at Irina's own expense, every ounce of the woman's blood, damn near left in a macabre trail of crimson down her forehead, down the shattered remnants of her broken arm, and all throughout the forest she scoured hastily and fearlessly in search of her lady, soon to be in the rotten hands of that vicious cad Varros. No! I will not falter to him! I will not let M'lady Crystal be taken by that nefarious bastard! Even if I am to die, I will save her! A promise.....a promise she had made countlessly, and not just to the Princess or to her father the King....but quite possibly....to the very grave she may lie in sooner or later, but death be the road she take for her Princess rather than fealty.

With a firm grip on the leather reins of her rushing war horse, she goaded the muscular beast to turn left on a whim, and what lied left was yet more thorn thistles, causing the horse to flex the bulging muscles of his back legs and leap high into the air over the ghastly forest brush, and just beyond that very brush....was Irina's lady and the two damned creatures of Varros, having bound Crystal as if she were some poor and defenseless animal being dragged mercilessly to slaughter. Twas one thing to steal her lady, but to treat her in the manner as just a mere animal.....that was the last biting thorn in Irina's side. "M'LADY!!" A cry echoed through the forest, followed by the shrill and vicious neighs of Argo, the two storming towards the men in black armor, a glaring mix of anger and fear cast through their crimson eyes towards the gallant woman and her steed. "How in the bloody Abyss is she still alive?!! Aldo, kill her!!", one of Varros sinister warriors barked to his fellow knight, the black armored brute now headlong towards Irina, and with a cold punch to the gut, off was Irina from her horse, falling onto her back with a gruff growl of pain shooting through her skin before standing, right as the bastard had his sword drawn.

"C'MON!" She screamed and soon the two knights' blades clashed in a fearsome clang of steel, sending sparks to and fro with bits of the deadly metal chipping away, same with each and every other strike of this Aldo's gargantuan sword of obsidian, Irina blocking and dodging nearly most of his brutal attacks, some able to penetrate her defense and deliver a few cold slashes to her cheeks and the exposed portion of her arm...unfortunately the broken one. The bastard, he was putting up quite the defense with that zweihander he wielded so smug and confident in his own swordsmanship, but finally Irina saw a break in his defense, immediately going for it with a quick jab of her own sword, deep into the crevasse of the man's armor between his chasse and cuirass, a fatal blow to the vitals and down the towering beast went with a heavy thud. One down, but there were two, and that was made quite evident....with the next bitter wound to add to Irina's ever growing collection of pain. "AGH!" Such a hot sensation to overcome her shoulder, and so quick and abrupt did this piercing agony erupt. It had to be only one thing, and Irina knew it...without even having to look at the bloody steel bolt protruding from her freshly impaled flesh. Dammit! A crossbow! Another bolt was soon fired, but Irina was able to dodge it in time, the metal tip only grazing her cheek as she dove behind a thick sycamore's trunk...her only cover from certain quick demise...

"Ha! You think I fear you, Knight of Alegasia?!", from beyond her cover, Irina could hear the last knight, his vile words and his utterances of disdain spat upon her, the Princess, and their beautiful kingdom, "Alegasia is filth, you hear me! Filth covered in gold! And once Lord Varros has the Princess, that filth will be revealed to all, then our Lord will burn this Goddess-Forsaken kingdom to ashes! Don't think you'll evade me for long, you bloody wench! Surrender now, and I won't turn you into a bloody pincushion!" Surrender? No.... Even if it meant never seeing her lady again, even if it meant....the end of everything she once desired, to death Irina would go before faltering to a beast such as Varros. Clutching the gilded hilt of her blade tight in her gauntlet, with such intensity to dye her knuckles white, she emerged boldly from the cover of the tree, a wolfen glare upon her face, bloodied and hardened as the very steel of her sword she raised in defiance of the Narsilian warrior, equally shouting, "To Varros the Princess will not go, but to victory or death, I shall for my Kingdom!" But to her defiance, the knight of Narsil bit back, "You fool! You take one step, one step alone, and you will die! I swear it!" Growled the bastard, raising the crossbow to his face, his aim dead on the knight of Alegasia, a death glare cast through the weapon's measly sights.

Irina was not deterred however by such a weapon. Range it had as an advantage, but it would take alot more than a few arrows to stop her. From the corner of her eye, she glanced unto the first knight she slain, upon his back a rigid and possibly daunting kite shield. Some would call her foolish, an idiot for what she had done next, trying her damndest to ignore the pain shooting through her shattered left arm she dared to move, causing more damage to the already decimated bone and tissue as she clutched the heavy shield in her left and her sword in her right, raising both in a defensive stance, another defiance aimed towards the remaining knight of Varros. As fast as her burning feet could carry her and the weight of this massive shield, she charged headlong, every thunk of the crossbow's bolts against the shield pushing Irina back slightly, but forward she pressed until she was face to face with the warrior, no longer able to use that damn crossbow of his once he felt the full force of the shield crashing into him and finally....the impalement of Irina's sword through his neck.....

The battle was over...and Irina was the victor.....

"P-princess.....I.....I'm here....." But after that gallant surge of adrenaline had left her veins from the heat of such a daunting confrontation, all that was left was the debilitating crash of her entire body to her knees, shrugging off the weight of the shield from her severely damaged arm and the rest of her battered exterior...as well as her interior. Her bones were splintered, her skin was bruised and coated with wet and dry blood, dirt and mud, and her head, her eyes....damn near everything....was heavy with exhaustion. Irina....with the last bit of her strength waning from her tiresome body, she struggled over to the Princess, but unable to untie her as the woman fell next to her....glancing wearily into those beautiful amethyst eyes....that might be the last time she would see them... "A-are you....a-alright, M-m'lady? I'm sorry I...I didn't get here...earlier....."

[SailorMoon]

Crystal hadn't even made a dent in any of these guys armor, but she was already so exhausted from struggling, screaming, being chased by a hornet...and on top of that Irina may be dead. Her chances of escaping were slim to none, and she knew it. If by some miracle she managed to make it out, then the King would have to be alerted to Vaross evil plans, though he might not believe that Vaross was actually an evil snake even after something more precious than any of the gems and gold in all of the land. Still, she didn't know the man to be that vile, but surely he at least wanted to interrogate her about it. That was the only conclusion Crystal could come to about why these knights, assuming from Narsil, had kidnapped her. Why now?

Beads of sweat dripped down the side of her face as she imagined all of the horrible things that were going to happen once they reached their destination. She wriggled her hands against the rope restraints, finding she had barely enough room to pull one hand free. They would know though, and Crystal didn't want to risk it. An opportunity would present itself and Crystal would take it. Right now, she just had to stay calm...

Aldo heard the thundering hooves of Argo in the distance before Crystal did, and swiftly turned to see the intruder. He picked Crystal off of his shoulder like a bug and dropped her on to the ground before engaging the female knight. Everyone was shocked, but Crystal... She was more surprised by Irina's presence than anyone. A stream of emotions washed over her as she saw Irina engaging in battle with Aldo. Her knight was already wounded, badly from what she could tell. Crystal inched away from Leif, who seemed to be more focused on Irina than anything right now. She began the painful process of slipping her wrists out of the ropes, it helped to keep her mind off of all of the chaos surrounding her, the clanging swords, screams... It was all too much at a time like this. She just wanted Irina to make it out alive so they could get as far away from this mess as possible.

The sounds of battle stopped, but Crystal was too afraid to see who the victor was. She stopped fiddling with the rope and turned on her side, hesitantly looking up as the sounds of crunching leaves drew nearer. "Irina!" She shouted, her eyes watering at the sight of her Royal Attendant's battered and bloodied body beside her. Crystal cried to herself and began panicking, trying to break through the last bit of rope around her wrists. "Oh Goddess, please! Help me..." She begged, never giving up her attempt to get free. A whole ten seconds passed before Crystal finally broke free. She managed to calm down a little and stop crying, for Irina's sake. "Argo, come boy... You have to help me!" Crystal said, taking Irina's dagger and slitting the rope around her ankles, quickly rushing to her feet and lifting Irina from under the arms.

Argo walked over to The Princess and laid down on all fours beside his injured master, low enough for Crystal to get Irina on his back. It was a lot of hard work, but Crystal managed to get Irina on Argo. She was laying sideways, but if Crystal held on tight, there wouldn't be any trouble."Yaa, boy!" She said hastily after getting on his saddle and securing Irina with an embrace. Argo rose and bolted through the forest toward the castle. He too was worried about Irina.

---

The ride back to the castle seemed to take forever, and Crystal was truly convinced Irina only had seconds to live. "GINGER! CALL ROSIE! HURRY!" She screamed as they rode through the courtyard. Ginger jumped as the two of them rode into the courtyard, a hand covering her mouth in horror at Irina's condition. The petite maid nodded and rushed to fetch the nurse, nearly losing her breakfast at all of the blood. She wondered what had happened, Crystal looked almost as bad as Irina covered in the lady knight's blood, but it was obvious that Irina was the injured one.

Argo lowered himself to the ground to allow Crystal to climb down. Nurse Rosie was already descending the stairs with several other nurses and a stretcher. She didn't say anything to the Princess, only glancing her way as she and the others lifted Irina onto the stretcher. They were gone as fast as they came, but Crystal didn't even watch them leave. Midway through the process, she fled through the courtyard and stopped in the gazebo, falling to her knees. She needed to get away before people starting asking questions. Crystal pressed a hidden pressure plate underneath the bench, and suddenly the platform was lowering underground.

[Rusalka]

"GINGER! CALL ROSIE! HURRY!"

That was all she heard....the frantic and heartfelt cries of her Princess calling to her maid, calling out desperately for the salvation of this weary and wounded knight from the gripping arms of death slowly approaching to enfold her....and drag her unwillingly and mercilessly into that dark and lonely abyss where melancholic spirits dwelled with echoes of mournful sobs. But before long, that very darkness, cold and bitter, was consuming Crystal's attendant, Irina's eyes growing heavier and heavier during the violent and hasty ride back to the palace grounds...her tattered and practically destroyed body slowly numbing to the infernal shocks of pain that ravaged her ever so vile, only a grimace or an incoherent groan given before fading out into silence...everything around her, even the ensuing chaos, nothing but silent murmurs in her ears, before long able to hear....absolutely nothing. By the time the castle nurse had descended the palace steps, a grim look upon her face with several of her ladies in tow....Irina was already out cold, appearing absolutely lifeless....

"Oh dear Goddess...." Nurse Rosie slowly brought a hand to her lips, quivering in such a terrible grip of fear to grasp her as she gazed upon in horror of this battered woman, bleeding from damn near every orifice of her body. "Girls! Get her on the stretcher! Stat!" With haste in her voice she called to the other women clad in white, but soon to be soaked in the very lifeblood trickling from the ghastly wounds of Irina as they hoisted the damaged knight from her steed and laid her quickly but carefully upon the wooden stretcher, already lifting it up with Irina's weight bearing on them and hauling her up the stairs and into the castle, Rosie sprinting before them, shouting to the top of her lungs to any and all, "Clear the way! Clear the way! We have wounded!" And such misfortune the nurse's cries brought to all who dared to look upon the shattered face of the Princess' protector, their faces becoming those of fear, worry, and misery, a few shedding tears upon seeing Irina, limp and seemingly gone, her broken arm hanging off to the side, as if to display the mayhem further inflicted upon her. And of those people who were roused to attention by Rosie's frantic screams, two of them...were the bumbling guardsmen, both the portly Pindel and lank Versetti...eyes widening in such terror to enfold them. "My Goddess....Lady Knight!"

The fat one was the first to sprint after the frantic precession of nurses, the wooden klunk of his spear dropping to the marble floor...whereupon a ghastly trail of Irina's blood was left following behind her terrible visage of a half-dead warrior....possibly hanging onto whatever life was in her...by a mere thread. "Oi Pindel! Where ye goin'?!" Versetti shouted back to his mate, confused as much as he was scared, only to gain a hastened and sharp reply from his friend, "No time to ramble, Versetti! Go alert the King! Go damn you!" Versetti only gave a quick nod and a brash gulp of air down his slender neck, before darting off towards the throne room. By the time he would reach the king, news would already spread through the castle of Irina's grisly fate, unaware of her attackers, unaware that this vile deed was played out by the deceitful bastard, the Lord of Narsil, and...unaware that the Princess has vanished again. "Alright, easy now!" The nurses were already to the castle's infirmary, lifting the stretcher onto a large wooden table, where on all sides of Irina, Rosie's servants were setting out various sharpened tools, bandages, and whatever else their lady might need to keep this knight from straying into the darkness of the Abyss. "Dear Goddess...who did this to her? May they be brought to justice! Eight broken ribs, a possibly punctured lung, and her left arm is completely fractured!" The head nurse could've gone on about all the horrors that plagued this injured woman before her, but there was no time to waste. "Mayful! I'll need a scalpel and some rose water! Goddess help me if I let this one die. And you, fat one!" A firm finger pointed towards Pindel, right as he had barged through the door, pausing a moment to catch his breath after such a run to the aid of one of his fellow knights. "Guard the door! I can't have anyone interrupting this procedure, understand?"

"R-right!" Pindel gave swift reply, already putting himself out the door and standing firm, albeit...sick to his large stomach over what he had just witnessed.... Meanwhile, Rosie was already making the first incision into Irina's torso, a bit relieved that the woman was out cold, so there would be no use for harsh anesthetics to jeopardize this daunting of tasks...but in her years as the castle nurse, unconsciousness of a person was never a good sign. "We'll try to do the best we can, but the rest....is up to the Goddess... May she be forgiving and let this poor soul live another few years..." And with that final prayer, so followed the long and meticulous, not to mention grueling hours of operation, the nurses doing their damndest to patch up wounds, mend broken bones, and save the life...of a slowly withering Irina. As Rosie had put it best....the rest was up to the Goddess now...

[SailorMoon]

The gazebo lowered about thirty feet underground before it stopped on an empty circular platform which fit perfectly with the base to lock it into place. Around it, there were climbing flowers of mostly reds and pinks decorating the stone walls and ceiling. In the middle of the room, there was a fountain, somehow flowing with crystal clear water. In the corner of the room there was a bed, similar to the one in The Princess chambers, just begging for Crystal to lay her weary head to rest. Crystal knew that if she tried to sleep though, she would wind up staying awake, thinking about Irina and the sight of her near lifeless body. Now she wished she would have stayed behind and asked Nurse Rosie how Irina was doing...If she would make it or not. Crystal wiped the last of her tears away and stood, her knees like jello and threatening to give out. It was better if no one else saw her like this; Crystal hated to cry and right now, she looked an absolute mess.

First thing tomorrow, I'll go... I'll go and check on her. Crystal closed her eyes and sighed, nodding to herself. Until then, I should stay out the way... Pushing the gate aside, she stepped off of the platform and pressed a button to send the Gazebo back up. Wouldn't want anyone coming down into her hiding place, there was no telling when the dark knights of Narsil would show up again. Crystal grabbed a box of matches from a drawer in the nightstand and lit several several candlesticks before the Gazebo closed her in the dark. The room was dimly lit, but it still felt comfortable to The Princess. She did feel rather glum at the moment, so it matched her mood perfectly.

Crystal slipped out of her dress and went to the next room, a small open area with a claw foot bath tub and a small chest with clothes and a couple of her Mother's things. This little underground place had served her Mother well years before, so Crystal liked to come during her lowest points in life. There was a time when she thought she would be married off, because Olivia had told her it was customary for all Princess' to be wed at sixteen, but that wasn't the case at all. Well, perhaps it was in less fortunate Kingdoms.

After her bath, she dressed in one of her Mother's old nightgowns and took out a silver hand mirror. She laid down on her bed and held the mirror up to her face, smiling softly at the image that appeared where her reflection should be. She fell asleep like that, smiling with the mirror clutched tightly in her hand.

---

Morning came and Crystal was already up, feeling refreshed despite yesterday's depression. She put her Mother's mirror away in the chest, burying it under loads of clothes before shutting it and locking it. If anyone ever found out about that... No, she couldn't even think about what would happen. She already had too many secrets, one that Crystal was sure Vaross knew about it. Shaking the negative thoughts from her head, Crystal took the gazebo back to the Courtyard and rushed to the Hospital Wing. She ignored everyone that tried to stop her, Crystal was in no mood to be questioned or pitied.

Rosie was exiting Irina's room just as Crystal came down the hall. "Princess! Everyone's been worried sick about you!" Crystal frowned and sighed at the nurse's words. "C-can I see her?" She asked nervously, glancing behind Rosie at the door. "Yes, but try not to look so sad. She will be fine." The nurse said, placing a hand on Crystal's shoulder to give it a firm squeeze. Rosie left Crystal, shaking her head with a smile.

Crystal turned the door knob slowly, and pushed it open slightly. She didn't go in immediately for fear of seeing Irina, but after some seconds of mustering up enough courage, she finally went inside. "Irina..." She said softly, closing the door behind her before walking over to the injured woman's bedside.