Cicle comes and goes very quickly as the last month of the school year wraps up with its winter festivities, Natasia finds herself at home contemplating deeply in her office. She thinks of Ardonia to an abhorrent amount but it’s mostly safety concerns wrapped with some thoughts of romantic fancy. 

Should I call her sometime? Should I go to her home? Would that be rude? It would be rude for me but maybe not…from her. She sits there with a glass of Night wine in her hand and her blouse slightly undone. One of her head maids, Kristilla, knocks on the door disturbing her thoughts. She looks shaken but stills herself and looks in Kristilla’s direction.

Natasia: Yes?

Kristilla looks a bit nervous: Hello madam. I just wanted to know if you wanted to eat. You haven’t had supper yet. 

Natasia downs the last of the wine and sets it down, standing up after and walking towards Kristilla: Yes. I probably should. I still need to take care of myself. I suppose…

Kristilla curtsies and leads her to the dining room where her whole staff waits and greets her as: Good evening, Duchess of the Night.

Natasia bows her head in a greeting back: Good evening you all. You don’t have to be here all night, I am perfectly fine.

They all look at each other with flits of concern.

The Head Butler, Nigelius, speaks up: Madam…if I may be so bold but you have lost a bit of color in the most recent days…is everything alright?

Natasia cuts into her food, eating quietly: I’m fine…

They all exchange looks again.

Natasia: I can literally all see you doing that..

Nigelius steps closer and begins to whisper: Your Highness, the staff is just a bit concerned is all. We haven’t seen you this disheveled since…well…you know…

Natasia looks at him from the side: I am fine. I am perfectly okay. 

Nigelius sighs and does a slight head nod for everyone to remain at their post: Alright. As you were everyone.

More people file out from certain dark areas to leave her be with her more personal attendants. Natasia stops eating after sometime, going back to her thoughts of Ardonia.

Natasia says very quietly: What should I do?
Nigelius: Madam?

Natasia: Nothing…

The night fades into quiet confusion as she drifts into a dreamless sleep with the house being the quietest dark in Lucid City. When morning comes, she wakes abruptly, sitting up, thinking of a plan. She hops in the shower and looks at her face, seeing the color drain from her eyes, going from the deepest blue to the palest sky. Ugh this again…? Fine…She pepps herself up with a slight talk in the mirror.

Natasia: You can do this…it’s just going to be a friendly check-up. Nothing to worry about…maybe not a check-up. How about…a slight fib? Hmmmmmm….

She looks at her closet and checks to see what’s a very stunning outfit and finds a very beautiful deep blue, deep cut V-neck dress with the back out, pearls strung on either side. She smiles at the design and pulls it out for later. Then, she contacts a good friend of hers by orb. Someone she will need if her plan were to have any success. She needed to get Ardonia out of the house and into a more safe area. Somewhere succubi and incubi can be themselves…

Natasia: I will know the truth…and then I can know how you feel…

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nightfall comes and Natasia puts her plan into motion. She styles herself in that dazzling dress and jewels, looking every bit the Goddess she is. She picks her most stunning car and heads to the address listed in Ardonia’s file. Natasia heads to an affluent neighborhood in Sifinica filled with large beautiful houses. She pulls up to one oddly bland house near the edge of the neighborhood. While the rest have flags, lawn ornaments, and intricate gardens, this one just has a clean lawn and hedges. Natasia examines the house for a few seconds before she steels herself and walks up to the door, her knock sounding more confident than she initially feels inside. She can hear stomping from inside get closer and closer to the door until it swings open. Standing in front of her now is a towering half orc man with pale hair, a body built like a strongman, and a nasty scowl on his face. This was Braxton Lyonel, Ardonia’s husband.

Braxton: –he openly looks her up and down before smirking- How can I help you?

Natasia smiles and then looks this man in his eyes: Hello I am Natasia Haile, Ardonia’s boss, and I actually require to speak with her currently.

Braxton: -his smirk falls and his scowl is back- What do you need her for? Finally firing her?

Natasia smirks: Of course not. I actually need her for a meeting between some clients of mine that happened to be incubi and succubi. I want to gain more staff for Lucid City and she’s very capable. As a teacher and as a mediator so if you could please, get her for me so we can speak. Thank you. 

Braxton: Hm. At least she’s being useful…Fine. I’ll get her. -he slams the door in her face and stomps back into the house-

It’s okay Natasia, that brute is just an obstacle easily removed…by whatever means I deem fit. I have diplomatic immunity…As she’s thinking this, the door opens again and Ardonia is standing in front of her. Natasia could sense her smile but kept her cool, and took a more neutral approach.

Ardonia: -she initially looks exhausted when she opens the door but visibly brightens up at seeing her- Na- I mean Dean Haile? What can I do for you?

Natasia: Hello Ardonia. I need your help with a meeting I have with a succubi and incubi couple so I need you to put something really nice on so we can head there if you don’t mind. Or actually I am sorry, are you busy right now? *She realized she just commanded her to get dressed versus asked so she had to stop for a second to at least ask if this was okay?*

Ardonia: No I’m not busy rig-

Braxton: -he yanks the door open all the way, revealing he was nearby listening- Just how nice? Where are you taking her? When exactly are you planning on bringing her home?

Natasia looks directly at him because they are roughly the same height: I am taking her to Sinsational Dining, it’s not far at all, located in Presenata. And it’s roughly 9 pm, it shouldn’t take more than a few hours. I have to treat my clients well and the club is owned by one of the Kings of Baehalan so she will be treated with care and safety. 

Braxton: -he grips Ardonia’s arm and pulls her close. He leans down and whispers in her ear but it’s still loud enough for Natasia to catch- You better be home by the morning…Don’t make me call for you to get home. -he lets her go and looks at Natasia- She’ll be right out…Do make sure you return her to me in one piece. 

Ardonia: -she quickly runs back into the house to change before he changes his mind-

Natasia smiles but it doesn’t reach her eyes: Of course. She is in good hands and I am very careful. And Safe.

Braxton: Mhm…You’re lucky enough I let her work at your little school to keep her happy. Just make sure she’s back in time for my breakfast. She knows what time is right. -he slams the door in her face again-

Natasia’s eyes glow with anger but she knows that once she can get Ardonia away from this…whatever she calls him then all will be swell. She has a plan. Hopefully it goes well.

Ardonia comes out fifteen minutes later in such a drastically different outfit than she’s ever worn in front of Natasia before. She’s in a form fitting floor length black dress that’s see through mesh around her collar bone and sleeves, while the rest of the dress is opaque satin that makes a sweetheart neckline with a slit up to her knee, smokey make up, and her hair is up in a delicate up-do with little pearls threaded throughout, and large gold hoops.

Ardonia: Will this do?..

Natasia looks and has to literally lock her face into more of a soft but friendly look: Yes wonderful. You clean up nicely and the clients will adore you. Let’s. We are already quite late.

Ardonia: Of course of course. -she steps out of the house and softly closes the door. She looks at Natasia’s car and her eyes widen- Wow~! Your car is lovely~.

Natasia smiles but keeps her head forward so her husband can’t see her face: You look absolutely beautiful by the way. Really stunning. While we are out, just think of relaxation and what that means to you…and good food. Heh. *Natasia opens the door for her because it opens up.* Watch your step, darling.

Ardonia: -she giggles quietly- It’s nice to see chivalry isn’t dead. -she gets in and marvels at the leather and interior- 

Natasia closes the door softly and gets in and watches as Ardonia takes it in. She smiles and her eyes glow from the slight adoration: Do you like it? *She puts the car in gear and begins to drive to the club.*

Ardonia: Oh I love it~. I adore beautiful cars, especially fast ones~.

Natasia smiles and then increases her speed and shifts into Sports mode and begins driving much much faster, going around corners and drifting through traffic: You do? *She smirks at Ardonia from the side.* Do you like a more daring life every so often? A bit more…risk?

Ardonia: -she smiles brightly, a real genuine smile as they gain speed– Every now and then…a bit of risk can be exciting~.

Natasia drifts into the parking lot, right in front of the club where she has a VIP space: Well here we are. Hope you are a bit hungry, darling.

Ardonia: Hehehe~ I could have a small snack. -she hops out of the car, in a far better mood than when Natasia picked her up-

Natasia takes her arm and walks to the door and the incubi bouncer sees Natasia and lets them in immediately, ahead of the people waiting to come in. They are seated in a beautiful area with lovely lounge chairs and tables for drinks and food. Natasia looks and sees Asmodeus, the owner of the establishment and a professor of Mythic Academy, waltz his happy self over in a lovely purple trimmed black suit.

Asmodeus: Ah Dean Haile and…wow wow who might you be? I don’t think I've  ever had the pleasure to meet you, young one?

Natasia: This is Ardonia Lyonel, she is going into her second year at Mythic Academy and she is also the home ecc teacher.

Asmodeus: Natasia? Were you hiding her or something? I felt I would’ve met her many times by now.

Ardonia: -her jaw drops slightly at meeting the King and creator of her species- Y-Your Majesty…! I had no idea we’ve been right next to each other for a whole year!

Asmodeus shushes her and winks: Come now it’s alright, although…Ardonia Lyonel? Hmmm that doesn’t ring as much of a bell with me. I’ll have to look you up in my records.

Natasia speaks up: My friend, I brought her here so she can relax, whatever you are doing, you can do later. 

Asmodeus looks and smiles, feeling a bit embarrassed for him going into Creation Mode: Ah! Please excuse me for that but I am going to be servicing you personally. So what would you like to have to drink? We have Resosian and Baehalanian drinks. *He looks at Ardonia and smiles.* And also drinks from Crossimer as well.

Ardonia: Oh do you have…Passion liqueur tea?

Natasia looks at her with a smirk: That sounds wonderful. I’ll have a Night Sky. 

Asmodeus smiles: Ah a Passion Liqueur Tea? Spicy or Xtra Spicy? And I got you Natasia. Good choice also for both.

Ardonia: Spicy please.

Asmodeus claps softly: Hehehe. Excellent, I'll have my waiter bring them over and then I'll leave you to it.

He leaves in tow, giving the orders to his right hand man. Natasia smirks and just giggles to herself and then looks at Ardonia: He’s such a wild card honestly.

Ardonia: -she stares after him for a few minutes- I really can’t believe he works at the school…I…wow…

Natasia: Yes he’s been there for some time now. I do believe his office might be under yours which makes sense why you haven’t run into each other but he’s usually here or there or in Baehalan doing the royal duties. His wife is very nice too but very protective…as she should be.

Ardonia: I can imagine…I wonder if…I could talk to him personally some time…

Natasia gets a curious look in her eye as one of the waiters comes over with the drinks. She takes her drink and Ardonia’s to hand to her: Well maybe once school starts, you could. But for now, let’s toast. To you. *She raises her glass.*

Ardonia: -she snaps out of it and takes her drink- To me? Whatever for dearest?

Natasia: Well for our meeting, our…friendship. We have good chemistry, good conversations, and good quiet affections towards one another. Plus you have done well in your first year. Very well. The students are clamoring for your class, I have so many that want to take it! Heh, I feel I picked quite well with you. *She drinks her drink.* Cheers to you, Ardonia.