#bravosmuses

The count was often one to be out on his own a fair bit, but today, he wasn’t entirely so. No. He was in the company of Cardia and Sisi. Cardia holding his arm and Sisi toddling at their side. The girl hadn’t been feeling well, and since everyone else was busy, the count made sure to keep an eye on her, and Sisi, fond of Cardia as ever, refused to leave her side.

“Is there any place you’d like to go, my dear?” Saint Germain asks softly.

“Any place is fine.” Cardia’s voice remains softer and much more faint than usual.

Victor had said she most likely had some kind of rare cold that only she could get, but that only worried the five men even more.

“How about somewhere with fresh air? The musty scent of London might be what’s causing it.” 

“Perhaps. I’ll leave it to you, Saint Germain.”

Their predicament was certainly an unfortunate one. Nemu, who was well aware of the world’s predisposition to eliminate her, was none too pleased that an outsider had gotten dragged into something that didn’t concern her. Even if Ukyo and Rika both held generally unfavorable opinions toward the fan club, that didn’t mean a single one of those girls deserved to be led into the welcoming arms of danger. No, Nemu would have to take that girl somewhere safe and then get as far away from her as possible; that was her only option.

But where were they going, indeed. The brunette didn’t have an answer for her blue-haired companion. She also didn’t have the luxury of stopping to indulge in short conversation with her either. What was probably even much worse for the both of them was that they weren’t in a position to get to any of the nearby shops – separated from them on either side by roads. And eventually, the sidewalk they were on would come to an abrupt stop at a particularly busy intersection. Nemu couldn’t wait that long to make a decision, and Orion was definitely in agreement with that as he worried out loud what they should do.

The feeling of rain pouring down over her had become familiar to her in the short time they had been running, so when it suddenly stopped, the girl was startled and instantly looked up only for her eyes to meet the protective cover of a black umbrella above her. She knew without looking that the owner of the umbrella was the girl from Ikki’s fan club, and she had to wonder if those girls were perhaps being judged much too harshly. At the other’s words though, a peculiar expression distorted Nemu’s features into a look of shock and she had to remind her feet to keep moving.

”That’s not comforting at all!” Nemu shouted, partly to be heard over the rain and partly because she was so taken aback by the declaration. ”No one’s getting struck by lightning…” She trailed off, trying to recall a time in which she might have learned this girl’s name. She remembered serving girls from the fan club days earlier, and if she wasn’t mistaken, the girl beside her had been among the group. ’Ma…something…No, that wasn’t it. Mi…Mi…Mi…ki…’ And then recognition dawned on her. ”Miki-san, I think we’ll have to make a run for it across the street.” Nemu gestured to the road at their left; it was narrower than the one to the right, and also promised more opportunities for safety. ”The overhang stretches for the entire length of the sidewalk, so we can stay dry and you won’t have to carry your umbrella.” she calmly explained, keeping her eyes fixed on the road in question.

The vague hand gesture she made had not specifically been for Miki’s benefit; rather, it was a nonverbal way to communicate with Orion, which, she was relieved to see he had caught on to as he detached himself from her side to scan the area.

”Get ready to run on my signal,” Nemu was saying to Miki, her hand also coming to rest on the poll of the umbrella. Her heart thundered in her chest; she wondered if Ukyo-san felt this way whenever he was looking out for her. To hold another person’s safety in her hands was a bit scary, and she silently prayed Miki wouldn’t get hurt.

The moment Orion appeared beside her and gave her the okay to cross, she turned to Miki and nodded and took a step into the street. When she felt the other follow, she discarded caution and rushed forward to the beckoning sidewalk – the splashing sound of their footsteps almost seeming to chase them.

But they had made it.

Nemu couldn’t suppress the heavy sigh of relief that escaped her lips as she demurely placed her hand over her chest as if comforting her heartbeat until it returned to normal. For a long moment, only the violent rain striking the roof over head could be heard, but once Nemu had caught her breath, she directed her attention to Miki and smiled. ”Are you okay?” she asked, genuine concern for the girl coloring her tone. During their brief encounter with danger, her only thoughts had been for Orion and the girl innocently caught up in her problem. She was glad that nothing tragic had befallen them in that situation. Luckily, it wasn’t an uncommon occurrence; lots of people rushed around desperately to get out of bad storms.

Without giving it much thought, Nemu absently pulled on the glass door behind her and politely waited for Miki to go in before her. There was no point in standing around outside in front of a store like that. And they really needed to get inside anyway, but what was that Orion was saying?

When she stepped inside after Miki, she suddenly knew exactly why it was Orion had been trying to get her attention. The biting cold of the shop slammed against her body like a stinging slap – amplified in intensity thanks to their little adventure in the rain. ”Ah, nothing like delicious ice cream on a rainy day, hm?” She smiled brightly as if it had been her intention all along and she didn’t just randomly (and without paying attention) walk into the nearest establishment. ”Choose whatever you want; it’s my treat, okay?” She pointedly ignored the look Orion was giving her because yes she was being overly cheerful, and no she wasn’t going to stop.

”Excuse me,” an unfamiliar voice cut into their conversation. Turning at the sound of the new voice, the sight before her eyes was perhaps the most welcomed one for their situation. One of the employees – a young girl who was probably Mine’s age – stood there holding out towels to them. ”I thought you might need these.”

Yes, they needed them. More than that girl could know. Nemu beamed a glowing smile at the younger girl and graciously thanked her while taking the towels and handing one over to Miki. Now they definitely had to stay and have some ice cream, and in drier clothing, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Midori sighed heavily and brushed his fingers through his hair sniffling. “I tried but he didn’t answer…he kind of just left the house last night…and Im not sure where he went so I thought m-maybe…maybe.” Midori took in a shaky breath turning away and sneezing again. “Engh…excuse me…again. T-this is actually my allergies..I’m not sick…I’ve been like this since this morning..”

Oh, well... [He quickly rifled through his pockets for a packet of tissues, which he offers to Midori] It still sounds like you might be better off retreating indoors. Do you not take antihistamines?

The Hufflepuff blinked a few times and adjusted his over-sized glasses. His long hair a mess. “Ah…no I won’t tell anyone! I don’t think it would be against the rules. Is tickling him the password?” The first year tilted his head at the painting as he approached.

Arthur sighed in relief. It wasn’t yet past curfew, but he wasn’t sure if students were even allowed down here. Let alone in the kitchen.

“Yeah. You tickle it just right and apparently-” He was cut off as the pear began to fidget and laugh, then it transformed into a handle. “It does that. And the kitchens are behind it.”

[Arthur jumped back from the painting of the pair he was attempting to tickle, looking guiltily sheepish. Hastily, he pulled down the hood of his robe.]

I, uh... Ravenclaw. [Then he shook his head.] Some of the... fourth years were talking about the entrance to the kitchens and.... I missed dinner so...

Mimi stared at him with a cold dead stare. She was twitching slightly, shaking like she was nervous. “S..Sakon…why…are you…help…me…..I can’t…control…” She thrust her head back and her look was replaced with a smile.

“Ah…your awake. About time.” She walked over to him with the confident strut of a model. “How are you feeling? Still groggy from when I knocked you out?”

His face remained expressionless even at the sudden change of her emotions, fear or anger hasn't cliqued on his mind to react and by the other had it wasn't situation to laugh about. Either way, was shameful have been taken as hostage; no matter how happened.

“ ----Why I am here ? ”