Meli scowled, crossing her arms once more. “So just like that, you took his suggestion?” She scowled.
Shion smiled once more. “That’s within my power as the head of this organization, yes,” She told Meli sternly, though she would then give Ivy her attention. “I’ve decided to send you on an expedition with Michel and a handful to Bhujerba. You’re aware of what lurks there--I want to know exactly what we’re dealing with.” She stated, her voice and stature changing in an instant. “It’ll be Michel, Meli, Ren, and yourself.”
As Shion spoke, Nadeline watched Ivy with the same curiosity she always had. Despite Meli’s description, she seemed like a professional, listening to every word her mistress spoke. At the very least, she held her respect for Shion, though admittedly that attributed more to Shion herself. She decided she would simply watch to see exactly what sort of person this woman was, though admittedly, she was better dressed than Meli and Lola, so that was something.
”Of course. I’ll prepare at once.”
As soon as Shion would signal her to rise, Ivy would do as such. When she did, everyone would see her full frame. She had a slender figure with curves in the right places. Her skin, while it was fair, had hints of yellow and bronze spread throughout. No doubt this was due to her continuous exposure to the sunlight. Her attire as it seemed at the moment comprised of steel-plating on her arms, a top that came to a halt mid-abdomen. The fabric was colored a slate gray whilst tracings of pink rose went throughout her top and dark teal pants. They stuck to her figure in such a way that the observing glance could see her assets in full view.
And of course, Ivy wasn’t one to deny her audience a glance, so as she looked around, she purposely would turn around to show the males of the group exactly what she had to give. But, she wasn’t the type to do it for too long. AFter about a few moments, she grew bored, so she turned to face Michel and Meli. “Michey-bear~” Right away, she went to hug Michel. And through no fault but Ivy’s, his face became buried inside her bosom.
Ah, so that was the source of Meli’s hatred.
Nadeline watched with much amusement, though she winced as Meli let out a noise that may have been a scream. Was it? She dared herself to look, and sure enough, the raven haired beauty had a look of absolute fury on her face, though she was quick to pull Michel from Ivy, rage burning in her eyes. She gave Emiri a look, and the brunette slowly shifted towards Jaakuna nervously.
“Have you no shame at all?!” Meli screeched.
“What a greeting…” Grant said, in awe.
“I agree..” Wesley seemed slightly...wary of this one. Was she really the same Poisonous Rose that his father had done business with?
Finally having enough, Ivy had let her Michey-bear have a moment to breathe, which seemed like something he really needed. Though, she had never understood men. They were always lusting over her and when they finally got their chance, they acted as if they wanted to get away.
She let out a bored sigh, looking at Meli. “Oh, hello Camellia.” Ivy’s words sounded so cold. Bitter. It was as if Savayna’s own ice originated from Ivy’s mouth. “How nice it is to see you in something actually decent. No one needs to see that godawful figure of yours and your fake breasts.” As she spoke, she purposely flipped her hair to show her own.
And as she did that, every male in the room, whether they wanted to or not, fell victim to that display.
Snickering could be heard as Emiri let out the slightest of groans. Ivy was Cassandra times a thousand. No, a million. No, a billion. No, whatever denomination was above that! To her surprise, however, Meli would simply laugh, clearly recovered now that Michel was out of Ivy’s grasp.
“Please, with a body likes this--” She gestured to her curves. “--I can understand why you’d think that way, but as Michel can assure you, I’m all natural.”
The princess couldn’t help but smile. Meli’s defense was an adorable attempt at covering her insecurities. For now she wanted to watch, but honestly, it wasn’t any fun considering how Ivy was so easily able to walk all over Meli. It was then she decided that she wanted to see exactly what this Ivy was capable of. “Charmed to make your acquaintance,” Nadeline said, raising her eyebrow.
“About as charming as getting pricked by cactuars,” Meli snapped.
Ivy flat out ignored Meli. She knew that would get her even more riled up. “Ah, so you’re the Golden Rose of Rozarria. I’ve heard much about you. Though, your uncle never told me how short you were.” Ivy mused aloud, remembering something.
She liked the nickname. Her elbows were on the table, hands laced together as she rested her chin on them. “Unfortunate, yes,” Nadeline replied slowly, though something she said tipped her off, her eyes darting to Grant for a moment. The dark haired man was easily confused, though the dots were connected rather quickly. “I had no idea my uncle found me as a topic of discussion.”
“Oh honey, he had a lot to say. But hey, if you don’t believe me, just ask him yourself.” Ivy gestured to Grant. The man immediately started shaking his head, feeling several stares burning in the back of his head. “Been awhile, hasn’t it Granty-poo?” She shot him a wink.
Nadeline turned herself slightly to face Grant. “How long has it been, Granty-poo?” She asked him, unable to hide her grin.
“Please don’t call him that.” Savayna grimaced through a scowl, joining the I hate Ivy Club alongside Meli.
“I...believe this is the first time we’ve met,” Grant said slowly. “I’d remember meeting someone like you.” Cause you’re a little like Levi. He wisely chose not to voice the last few words.
“I’m hurt!” Ivy dramatically sighed.
She let out another one, but this time, at the snap of her right middle finger with the corresponding thumb, her hair inverted to a dark brown that appeared almost black as a starless night and her eyes became more of an eerie forest shade. Additionally, her clothes changed as well. It took the form of something more traditional to that of someone out of Balfonheim. She had a white, sleeveless top with a black bra that pushed up her breasts, though, her pants remained the same.
“Remember me now, hun?”
Shapeshifting was a common trick in Utena, it seemed. Emiri frowned, though as she looked at Grant her eyes widened. Grant peered at her, nodding slightly. “You know, when I was younger, I accompanied my father on a trip to Balfonheim, and we met this very charming lady,” He started slowly. “...Jeanette?”
“You know her?” Nadeline asked, surprised.
“Whoa, wait, that’s Jeanette?” Emiri blurted out, shocked.
“Wait, don’t tell me you know her, too?”
Emiri rolled her eyes. “Grant wouldn’t shut up about her,” She explained. “It was all, ‘She was gorgeous’ and ‘I wish she was in Rozarria’ and ‘Her eyes were like dazzling emeralds’.”
Nadeline’s jaw dropped, and she turned on Grant rather quickly. “Grant!”
“What? She’s objectively attractive, that’s not my fault!” Grant defended himself.
“Everything’s your fault.” Savayna added, directing her attention to Ivy, Jeanette--whatever she liked to call herself. Bottom line was this woman, who looked like a cougar, was the famed Jeanette that Grant had told her about when they were playing twenty-one questions about their past.
“Seems as though all of us have experience with the Poisonous Rose.” Wesley mused. He found this entire situation quite entertaining.
“I haven’t!” Jaakuna interjected, though he sounded almost disappointed.
“Nor have I, is there something you’d like to tell me?” Nadeline asked Wesley, doubtless hearing him choke on a piece of sausage.
As Wesley took a moment to swallow, he looked at the subtle glare his beloved had. “I mean, I personally haven’t dealt with her, but my father has. As I had stated beforehand, he was involved with Utena in business dealings. His main contact was the Poisonous Rose of Utena.” Wesley clarified, looking to Nadeline just so that she knew it wasn’t him.
“Wait, you’re Jonathan’s kid, aren’t you?” Ivy squinted her eyes. “Of course! Little Wesley, though, you don’t seem so little now.” Ivy made a rather...seductive-sounding noise. “You’ve grown into quite the handsome man.” She winked towards him, ignoring the increasing glares coming her way.
Had she no shame? No, of course not, this was why Meli hated her. Emiri shrank back, praying she’d be invisible, though no doubt with Jaakuna’s mouth she’d probably spot him next. For now, however, Nadeline was in her crosshairs (well, Wesley was), though she was no Meli who simply raged, nor was she Emiri who let her jealousy get the better of her.
Crossing her legs neatly, Nadeline smiled. “Indeed he has,” The princess agreed, placing her hand on his free one gently.
Ivy’s eyes fell on Nadeline, though they went to Wesley as she shook her head. “A shame that you had to knock up the shrimp of the Roselia family.”
Ah, it had begun. “I only pray my future child is just like its father,” She replied cheerfully.
“As do I!” Wesley added, taking Nadeline’s hand.
Looking at the two of them, Ivy grew bored. It was no fun riling up those who chose not to get bothered by her mannerisms, so she looked back to Shion who seemed positively distant; almost as if her mind was elsewhere. Though, when her eyes took a counterclockwise scan, she noticed the crown prince of Archadia and the famed time Scion. Both seemed to be intrigued in their own ways.
Ivy would prop herelf on the table, legs crossed and both shins pressing against Jaakuna’s leg. “You two aren’t like the rest here, are you?”
Oh, great. How she wished she could be like Nadeline, but Emiri could already feel the green monster clawing at her heart. Maybe if she pretended she was unflappable, then maybe Ivy would back off as well. Doing her best to muster up her self control, she tried to ignore whatever it was that she was doing to Jaakuna.
“What do you mean by that?” Emiri asked, trying to sound cool.
“You really are as dense as my mistress says you are, huh?” Ivy shook her head, choosing to just get right to it. “Well, let’s first take the couple who seems to have everything figured out: Wesley and Nadeline. They already have a plan. Utena has roots everywhere, so we hear all. We know that Wesley and Nadeline are to be wedded to one another. Nadeline will move to Rabanastre and be the new queen. Wesley will serve as king. They have a child on the way as well. Then you have Grant and Savayna. That’s a...tricky situation, but I’m sure they’ll figure it out as well. Here in Utena, the Sicarius father and son currently have romantic ties to my mistress and Fake Tits herself, respectively. But then there are you two.” Ivy stated as if finding fault in their relationship. “Of all of these couples, you two are the ones who’ve had the most problems with not only each other but those around you. Or need I--”
“No, you don’t.” Jaakuna stopped her mid-sentence. He knew better than anyone.
Emiri shifted in her seat, feeling awkward. As much as she wanted to disagree, things had been...rocky. It wasn’t that she had ignored it, but damn, she hated how Ivy read her like a book and just hung it all out there. Nadeline and Wesley were well on their way to being Karolina and Lorenzo 2.0, Savayna and Grant were crazy about one another, but Jaakuna and Emiri? Less than ideal. Again.
Shion seemed to return to the conversation at this point, clearing her throat as she snapped her fingers. Within seconds, the doors opened, Ren walking back in only to stop at her mistress’ side. “As per your instructions, my lady,” She stated as she would hand Shion the lotus flower that she had been holding onto.
“Well done,” Shion stated, though she looked at Ivy, Michel, and Meli. “It’s time. You know what must be done.”
Ivy happily got up, winking at everyone. “It’s been a treat. We should do this again sometime~” As she left them with that last thought, the three would take off as Ivy led them.
Shion watched them leave, though she realized Ren stayed in place. “...That order included you,” She reminded her.
“You...didn’t mention Ivy...would be on the mission…” Ren mumbled nervously.
“For the love of--Go,” Shion told her, clearly losing her patience. Ren squeaked a sound of fear, though she hung her head as she shuffled, though it turned into a run as she gave chase. Letting out a sigh, Shion would stand, looking at the group over her shoulder. “I’ll return when I hear something, but there are some things I must take care of first. Feel free to wander--though, I cannot guarantee your safety depending on what doors you open.” She told them as she began to walk out. “I’d stick around, but there is a very tense awkwardness I’d rather not stay for.”
Nadeline shook her head at her. “Coward!” She called at Shion as she left.
