Cinnamon Bun Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Three - Of Course You Realize

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Three - Of Course You Realize this Maybe War

Tea was the greatest social lubricant known to young-woman kind.

I supposed that alcohol was ant to serve the sa purpose, but I didnt like the idea of being all tipsy and such. My mom had told that when she drank she would start to cry and hug people a lot. The hugging part was alright, but I could do without the crying.

Crying was for when you were sad, not when you were with friends.

I gently stirred the kettle, letting the leaves steep for a mont until I felt like the tea was ready, then I poured five cups. Each one was placed before one of my friends, One before Awen, then Amaryllis, then Clentine and Rosaline. The last I dragged closer to my spot around the table. There! Now everyones served, I said.

Rosaline clapped.

Awen smiled and took her cup in dainty fingers.

Amaryllis and Clentine glared at each other, the air between them sparking and burning with hazy magic.

I set my cup down onto its saucer with a click. Amaryllis, Clentine, can we not do this? I asked. Youre both sisters. You should love each other.

Oh, I love my moronic sister, alright, Clentine said. She tore her cup off the table and gulped half of it down in one go. I love her so much. But not when she betrays the entire family to run off to world knows where.

Amaryllis scoffed. I love my sisters, she said. But not when theyre willing to sell off to the highest bidder.

We put it off, Clentine said. Its not like the clan isnt used to cancelling marriage engagents. She turned her glare to Rosaline who looked away with a bit of a flush.

You should have asked , Amaryllis said.

I locked eyes with Awen and we both shrugged at the sa ti.

Rosaline smacked the table a few tis. Girls, please, no. Its over now, right?

Amaryllis and Clentine huffed and crossed their wings at the sa ti, like mirror images. I held back a giggle. It wouldnt be right to laugh, especially not when Amaryllis was genuinely upset.

She hadnt exactly left her family on the best of terms, so this return might be a bit taxing on her mood. I patted her thigh under the table to remind her that I was there. So, uh, you guys wanted to see Amaryllis for sothing important, right? I asked. About the maybe-war?

The Maybe War, Rosaline said. I like it! Much better than the current na.

The presses havent found a good na for it yet, Clentine said.

Amaryllis sat a little straighter. Its reached the public ear? she asked.

Clentine made a wishy-washy gesture with a wing. Not entirely. But people are beginning to notice. You know how easy it is to ruffle feathers when it cos to the sylph. You could crack eggs in the middle of the sidewalk and get less hatred for it.

How bad is it? Amaryllis asked.

Clentines expression made her look like shed bit into a lemon. Its not good. There are rumours that the sylph and the cervid are forming an alliance. Just rumours, none based in fact, but its quite ugly.

Were getting a lot more commissions for warships, Rosaline said. Which is the only good bit of news weve had in a while.

I took a sip of my tea after adding a dollop of honey and two spoons of sugar to it. Amaryllis said that you wanted us here to help stop things from getting worse, right?

Clentines response was a slow nod. Theres a dignitary leaving soti this month. So jumped up crow from Farseeing and a few lesser nobles for every clan. Cousin Fell is one of the mbers going.

Is this going to be one of those things where every clan has a talon in the pie? Amaryllis asked.

Pretty much, Clentine said. If the ship theyre taking doesnt get attacked, blown up, or usurped by its crew, theres a good chance it will crash because two idiots aboard couldnt get along for a few days.

And you want us to accompany them? Amaryllis asked. Usually familicide is the one without a title getting rid of the one with the title.

Clentine glared across the table, then paused when Gen-Gen the butler placed a plate of little dumplings in the centre of the table. Thank you, Gen, thats just what I needed, she said before taking one of the dumplings and throwing it full-force across the table and into Amaryllis face.

My friend squawked and batted her arms in protest.

Clem! Rosaline said. Dont waste the food! Also, dont hit little Amy.

Clentine relented under the force of Rosalines big accusing eyes. She was being stupid... stupider than usual.

You must know what it sounds like, Amaryllis said.

Were not sending you on the diplomatic ship. We have others, We were hoping to send you and a hired crew out a week or two before the diplomatic mission leaves. You can pave the way for the diplomats, and can carry copies of most of the important agreents. If they never show up, you can present them yourself. If they do, then you can spy on the sylphs. World knows we dont know the half of what theyre up to.

Well consider it, Amaryllis said.

I dont mind helping, I added.

She sighed. Broccoli, youre ant to play hard to get, or else people like my numbskull sister here will walk all over you. You wont get any concessions if you agree to just do things for free.

But you shouldnt put a price on helping!

Rosaline giggled into her open palm. Your letters didnt say that your new friend was this cute, she said.

I froze, teacup halfway to my lips. N-no, no, Im not cute, I said.

The first thing well need is better training, Amaryllis said. Broccoli and Awen are both... capable in a fight, but they could be better. And theyre both rank novices with magic. I think so better equipnt wouldnt go amiss either. Ah, and Awen has a keen interest in chanics and the like.

How much training do you think you can cram in? Clentine asked. For that matter, how long do you think you have before leaving?

I dont know; how much of my ti do you intend to waste? Amaryllis snapped back. Then, because she just had to, she added, You idiot.

Rosaline pushed her sister back into her seat without even looking. Im sure we can help you and your friends beco even stronger, Rosaline said. I can call in so favours, and we have a few good teachers in the clan already.

Dammit Rose, you cant just agree to anything, Clentine said while ignoring Amaryllis smug look.

Sure I can. How do you think I go on so many dates? By saying no? Rosaline turned towards Amaryllis, a dangerous look in her eyes. Speaking of...

Amaryllis groaned.

So, Amy, did you find anyone interesting while you were out and about? she asked coyly.

No. No I did not, Amaryllis said. And if I did, I wouldnt tell you.

I picked a dumpling off the table and started chowing down, only pausing when a question ca to mind. You dont trust Rose to help you with romance stuff? Shes your big sister!

Rose is... Amaryllis began, but got lost and started making gestures that didnt explain anything.

Rosaline took it in good humour. I have a bad reputation, she said. I want to find the perfect man--or woman--and so Ive gone on dates with, ah, most of the local clans' most eligible bachelors. People say that Im a bit hysterical.

Oh! Awen said.

Her little outburst had us all turning her way. Awen was good at being quiet when she wanted to, especially when she was sitting at the far end of the table, a sleepy Orange on her lap.

I, awa, I have sothing that might help you, Miss Rosaline. But, um, I cant give it to you forever. You can keep it while were here, maybe?

Rosaline tilted her head to the side. Whats this?

Awen reached into her satchel and carefully pulled out the wand of cure hysteria. Um. This is very precious to , she said. B-but youre one of my best friends sisters, so, ah, you can have it?

Awen looked my way as if to make sure I was okay with it, so I gave her a discrete thumbs-up and a big grin.

Um, Rose said as she stared at the wand. Do you--

She doesnt, Amaryllis interrupted. For so reason she covered her face with both hands. Neither of them know. Honestly, Ive been waiting for the most opportune mont to tell them.

Tell them what? I asked.

Nevermind that, Amaryllis said. Im not losing such good social blackmail on a whim.

I looked to Awen, but she didnt seem to understand either. Across from us, Clentines face was so far past red it looked sickly, and Rosaline was biting her lower lip and holding back laughter.

Awa, you dont want it? Awen asked.

Its, um, a very nice gesture, Rosaline said. But I dont think I need that. I have my own.

Rose! Amaryllis squawked. Now she was turning red too.

I had the impression that I was missing out on sothing important.

Oh, Im sorry, Awen said. She stuffed her wand away in a hurry. I just, um, wanted to help.

So cute! Rosaline said. She got to her feet and circled around to glomp Awen from the side. My sister is so lucky to have made so many cute friends.

Awen was busy blushing up a storm while Clentine cald down. Your friends are... so... theyre uncivilised!

Hey! Amaryllis jumped to our defence. Awen is actually quite well-raised.

What about ? I asked.

Youre an idiot, she said without missing a beat.

I wilted.

Ladies. We all turned to see Gen-Gen standing by the entrance, his arms folded with a new towel draped over them. Dinner is served in the main dining hall.

I patted my tummy. It was definitely nearing empty, and judging by the way Amaryllis jumped to her feet, she was hungry too. Awen might have done the sa, but she was being hugged to within an inch of her life by Rosaline.

Ah, I hope you dont mind receiving us for dinner, I said. We had kind of invited ourselves.

Clentine waved it off. Nonsense. My ingrate, foolish younger sister might have a hard ti with basic decency, but I wont have the rest of us suffer the sa accusation.

Thank you, I said. Youre a lot like Amaryllis arent you? All spikey and an on the outside, but filled with nice gooey niceness inside.

Clentines face took on an interesting shade of red. She turned to Amaryllis. Your friend is an idiot. We can finally agree on sothing.

Hey! I protested.

Amaryllis and Clentine both huffed and went on their way.

I turned to Rosaline and cleared my throat. Um. Rose? Hugging people is nice, but only if they want to be hugged.

Awen nodded into Rosalines side.

The harpy woman let go. Ah, yes, of course. Sorry Awen!

Its, awww, okay? Awen said. She stood up in a hurry and brushed herself off. Im still not used to hugs and things like that.

Both Rosaline and I twitched towards Awen to hug her so more, but we caught ourselves.

Co on, the food will get cold! Clentine scread.

The dining hall turned out to be an ostentatious room. One wall had a painting of a mountainscape on it that was taller than I was and had to be five ters long, while the head of the table was placed right before a large bay window overlooking a garden filled with blue and white flowers in full bloom.

The table alone was probably bigger around than so peoples entire hos. It felt weird to sit down at one end of it while leaving two dozen or so chairs empty.

When the entire clan gathers this room isnt nearly big enough, Amaryllis explained. My sisters and I might be from the main branch of the family, but the estate holds cousins and uncles and aunts and those they married. We have great uncles and aunts too.

And one great-great aunt, Rosaline added.

Amaryllis nodded. The Albatross clan has done well for itself, despite its small size.

That didnt sound small at all.

Were rich! Rosaline added with a chirp. Speaking of, did you bring more attire than what you have on you? she asked.

I shook my head. Nope, Im afraid not.

There was a dangerous gleam in Rosalines eye.

And a terrified one in Amaryllis own.

***