BuzzingBee

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Penelope followed them into the bedroom, stifling another yawn as she eyed the bed for a moment. She really wished the princess could have waited for a different time to do this lesson but she hadn't been given much room to protest. Plus she already felt bad for how many favors she had been asking from Naida lately. Fighting off her weariness for one more night would be a small price to pay for all the help she was receiving currently. Trying to wake herself up a bit more, she stretched out her back and then glanced over at Crow as he spoke up.

"Well.. I'm not sure how much you know or how people in the outer villages dance so I guess we'll just have to start with the basics?" Penelope mused with a shrug, glancing over at Naida for confirmation.

Naida nodded in agreement. "Yep! Probably start with posture and then go onto the steps." she advice before grinning and waving dismissively to Penelope. "Go ahead and start, I'll move the table so we have a bit more room."

Penelope gave a small nod and then stepped over to Crow offering him a small smile. "Posture is pretty easy. Just stand up straight and try not to look at your feet too much. It'll be difficult not to at first but it'll get easier with practice." she explained with a shrug. "So first raise your left hand and put your right arm behind your back slightly." As she instructed him, she raised her left hand, bending it at the elbow and discreetly putting her right arm behind her back for example. "When we dance, we'll press our hands together and sort of rotate in a circle. Normally there'd be music to set the pace but since we don't have that we'll just have to try and match each other's pace."

The knight looked up to meet his gaze. "Any questions so far?"

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Poor Crow xD
He's on the right track at least lol

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Penelope looked at Naida with a confused expression as she declared they'd be involved in a dance lesson. As the princess went on to explain her reasoning, the knight gave a small shake of her head, already disliking the idea. Normally, she wouldn't have minded it as much—it'd likely be quite fun actually—but she was tired and she knew Crow was too. So as the viceroy tried to dissuade her from the idea, Penelope offered a murmur of agreement.

However, her resolve to avoid the late night plans wavered at Naida's next words. The knight stiffened for a moment. Surely Liz wasn't that bold though... Right? Unable to give herself a certain answer, Penelope averted her gaze from the two. Even if she did, it's not like he'd accept the offer. she told herself, feeling a bit frustrated with herself for getting overly worked up. She was pulled out of her thoughts as Crow reluctantly agreed to Naida's plans. Penelope blinked in surprise and turned to look back over at the two siblings. Despite her momentary uncertainty about the situation, she knew it was probably best for both of them to just go to bed.

"Hold on I didn't agree to this yet." Penelope said crossing her arms over her chest as she looked across at Naida.

Naida looked over at her and gave a devilish grin. "Actually you have." As Penelope gave her a confused look, the princess went on, "I told you that you owe me for taking those guard shifts so this is how you're going to repay me!" She clapped her hands together, beaming happily.

Penelope blinked as Naida pointed out that she owed her. The knight hesitated and then let out a sigh before reluctantly rising to her feet since she was unable to argue any further. Naida grinned and began to lead the way back to her room. Penelope began to follow casting a quick glance at Crow and shrugging her shoulders haplessly.

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Penelope really wasn't able to help him at all xD

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Penelope eyed Crow for a moment as he paused to answer her. The viceroy was looking like he wasn't faring much better than her as she silently took note of how heavily he was beginning to lean onto the table. She really hoped that he would be able to sleep properly soon. As he went on to answer her question, she gave a small nod and was about to turn back to her food when Naida spoke up. She couldn't help but flinch as Liz was brought up by her friend. The knight certainly didn't want to talk about it as the woman had put her in a foul mood that morning.

It only got worse as Crow admitted that her didn't directly turn Liz down. She lowered her gaze to her food, poking at it a bit absently as her mind recalled how the morning had gone. A bitter taste began to develop in her mouth as the 'what ifs' began to make their return into her mind. She shifted uncomfortably, struggling to stifle a frown from crossing her lips. The knight nearly missed Crow's look, only catching it from the corner of her eye. Penelope blinked, coming out of her thoughts a bit as she glanced between the two siblings.

"He did say that." she mused with a shrug as she looked across the table at Naida.

Naida pursed her lips together, seeming unsatisfied by Penelope's rather lack luster response. "I guess..but I still don't like it!"

Well I suppose that makes two of us. Penelope added silently as she pushed around the food on her plate. Averting her gaze to her food, the knight missed the mischievous glint that entered the princess's eyes.

"You know what, I think you do have plans with me." Naida's lips widened into a broad grin. "In fact, I think you both do."

Her words caught the knight's attention and she glanced up from her food to raise a suspicious eyebrow at Naida, disliking the look on her face. She was up to something, but Penelope couldn't figure it out. "What do you mean by that?"

"A dance lesson!" Naida squeaked excitedly, catching the knight off guard.

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Oh boy cx
Penelope's probably going to regret agreeing to pay Naida back lmao

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Penelope chuckled a little bit at Naida's teasing attitude. "Sorry, I didn't realize I was on a timer." she said amusedly. As Naida rolled her eyes playfully, the knight went on to give her shoulders a shrug before answering her friend properly. "I had the midday shift today and after it, I went to go speak with the Lenzs to see how things for the party were coming along."

"Oh right! How's that going? Any developments?" Naida asked curiously.

"A couple... Mainly just with the planning." Penelope admitted. The knight paused as she recalled that she needed to get her two shifts covered for the next two days. She glanced at Naida and shifted a bit. In truth, she really didn't want to ask her for yet another favor since it already felt like the princess was doing quite a bit for her. Between trying to arrange for them to have the party in the castle to already planning to use her power to help convince other nobles, Naida was doing plenty and to ask for more made Penelope feel a bit bothersome. However, it was late and she was unlikely to find someone to cover her in time. She would just have to ask for one more favor.

"Speaking of which," the knight began shifting a bit uncomfortably. "I'm going to be traveling with them to Bexley tomorrow. Dimia has arranged some interviews for us at the Wolfpine Inn to figure out music and food. It's going to be a long day so we're staying the night there and coming back the next morning."

"Ooooh! Sounds fun!" Naida grinned before eagerly asking, "Can I go?"

"Well.. I was actually going to ask you if you could cover my guard shifts for the next two days." Penelope admitted with a sheepish smile.

Naida blinked and then pouted. "I guuueessss." the princess drawled then smirked mischievously. "But you owe me, Vermillion!"

Penelope laughed a little and nodded her head gratefully. "I'll pay you back somehow I promise." she smiled and then let out a small yawn. A servant returned with her food and placed the plate down in front of her. She gave a word of thanks before moving to grab a bite to eat. "So how did your days go?" she asked before taking a bit of her food as she glanced between Crow and Naida.

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

True xD Cedric’s just sneaky lol plus his history with Penelope kinda forces him to play the slow game cx

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Penelope reached the Lenz's room rather quickly and the couple allowed her inside to discuss a few matters. Apparently some progress had been made over the day and they were eager to share the news. Though, Penelope had a guess that it was more about certain details rather than pinning down a date for the event or other major aspects as Dimia seemed to brimming with excitement. As she sat down across from the couple, she nodded for Dimia to say whatever she was clearly eager to talk about.

"Today I reached out to a few musicians as well as some chefs from some of the more well known inns in the inner kingdom. They're very interested in catering to this party." she explained with pride. "We'll be meeting them all at the Wolfpine Inn in Bexley tomorrow!"

"Bexley?" Penelope echoed with a small frown. "Between travel and interviewing these people, it'll take all day if not more. Shouldn't we have it closer?"

"Well we can't have it in the castle." Dimia snorted and folded her arms over her chest. "The reason we're going to have it at an inn is so we can get rooms there for the night and travel back here in the morning."

"I don't know if I can make that though. I have duties that I have to tend to here at the castle." Penelope admitted.

Dimia gave her an exasperated look. "Just have someone else take care of them for the day then. It's only a day and half. Besides that, isn't this party supposed to be the most important thing for you right now? You've only got a month!"

Penelope cringed at the reminder. It was true but she still had work at the castle as a guard. Ending the war's got to come first though.. she thought with a sigh. It would be last minute but hopefully she could find someone to cover her day shift for the next two days, since she doubted she'd be back in time to perform either of them. "Alright, alright. I'll figure it out."

"Good." Dimia grumbled with a glance at Oliver, who gave a pleased nod. "We'll head right after breakfast tomorrow just meet us at the front gate." Dimia rose to her feet after Penelope nodded her head. "Well, I think that's all so we'll be heading off to supper now."

Penelope rose to her feet as well. "I'll see you tomorrow then." she mused before turning and heading out the door. The knight yawned as she made her way to the Great Hall. As she stepped inside, she swept her gaze over the faces eying for either Crow or Naida. Her gaze landed on Crow and the knight smiled faintly to herself. She was about to walk over to join him when she hesitated as she spotted someone with him.

She was quickly reminded about Liz that morning, making her tense up at the memory. However, as the figure peered around him, her worries were put to rest as she realized it was Nadia. The princess grinned and waved her over so the knight wasted no time in trotting over to join them. Nadia smirked and pulled her usual trick of leaning on the palms of her hands to block Penelope from sitting besides her. While Penelope usually felt a bit annoyed by it, she was actually glad for the excuse to sit next to him this time. The knight slid onto the bench besides him and offered the two a friendly smile, trying to hide her weariness that hadn’t improved much since the morning.

“Hey.” She greeted them with a nod as she leaned her elbows on the table.

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Liz is going for the kill and Cedric's out here playing the slow game xD