tampered | Log; Complete

Current Mood: happy

Log; Complete

When; Tuesday morning.
Rating; PG?
Characters; Princess Kraehe, Ahiru (duck form), Christine & Erik.
Summary; Ahiru arrives to the City, Kraehe goes to find her and to take her to the Opera House.
Log;
While at the beginning, Kraehe thought she was wasting precious time to pick up the duck girl at the fountain (and really, what did impulse her to care so much for the clumsy Ahiru? Gratitude?), the waters proved themselves to contain something more precious than a lost, yellow bird.

The Princess discerned, ignoring the echoes of a past that did not matter anymore, her Prince in that very moment, crossing lands, seas and mountains to seek for her location: any whisper, any hint. Her heart ached for his loving embrace but it relieved her she was not forgotten. That Mytho missed her with a desperation that matched her need.

His tears were real. His suffering was ecstasy. He would submit soon to her, to her needs. They would forget about their former kingdom and build one here where ravens were welcomed.

Content to corroborate her Prince’s devotion, Kraehe ushered Ahiru out the fountain into the road, into the streets filled with flashy lights and crowds of people that were enough to stomp down the small duck. Kraehe was so engrossed in her world that she did not notice what would be a plight for little creatures.

Or so Kraehe pretended. Smoke and mirrors. Kraehe was all pretending.

“Hurry up, Tutu, we’ll never arrive at this pace,” she said with exasperation; lifting her right hand, she forced the citizens out their way by summoning a black wind. “You can walk better now, can’t you?” She did not pause to wait for Ahiru or give a sign that was actually a little concern of her part for her friend’s welfare. The duck would be useful, that was all.

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Ahiru had been so glad to see a familiar face, most of all Rue's. Her happiness was short lived. This was not Rue at all. Here was Princess Kraehe and it hurt her deeply to know that somewhere within this cold demeanor was the friend she knew and loved.

Rue...What happened here to make you like this again? Is the wicked Crow controling you again? Oh no...What about Muto? While fretting, Ahiru fell out of step, lingering behind Kraehe's purposeful strides.

"Quack..."

The duck was looking at her with those big, blue eyes. They were pleading and filled with trust. Kraehe paused, irked by her sudden softened traits. Why oh why she cared so much? It was not just for Mytho, she knew, but Kraehe drowned herself in her own denial.

“Bah, you’re just a burden if we continue like this,” Kraehe announced nastily. Twirling gracefully, she picked up Ahiru and held her close. Not too close but enough to not allow her fall. Then the Prima Donna started to spin on her place until a black wind covered them completely, translating both of them immediately at the entrance of the Opera House. Black feathers swirled and the immense mass of ravens located at the entrance cawed in greeting.

“Home, sweet home,” murmured Kraehe with a voice filled with mockery. She set Ahiru down and opened the gates of the building. “This is my new palace.”

Christine had been keeping a lookout for Kraehe, and it was pure luck that she had paused in her sewing to see the black-haired ballerina approach the Opera House with a duck in her arms.

Well, this is odd, she thought, but shrugged it off. Everything about this place was odd. I wonder why she brought this duck here...could it be a friend of hers?

She knew Erik would want to speak to Kraehe as soon as possible. He knew more about what was going on than she did, that was certain. She found him on the stage, bent over a piano, playing with the utmost concentration. Waiting till he was finished, she approached him. 'Erik, Kraehe is back. She's brought a duck with her.'

Inwardly, she tried not to smile. Something had happened to Rue, but the fact that she was carrying a duck made it seem somewhat humorous.

Erik sighed and stepped closer to Christine. An uneasiness settled into the air even though he was relieved that Kraehe had returned. He blinked a few times, sharing Christine's confusion at the sight of the ballerina holding a duck.

More animals?

"Christine," Erik whispered softly to her, "be sure that Angel does not eat the poor duck." He gave her a little smile, sensing that she was just as unsure of this as he.

"Welcome back to us, Princess."

An opera! Wow. This place looks very old. Who are these people? They know Rue... but they are calling her Kraehe. Are they the ones who brought the Crow?

Ahiru flapped uneasily as Kraehe set her down. She turned and looked up at the princess. "Quack?" she said, trying to express something in the strange quiet that was edging in.

She did not know what Ahiru was asking but Kraehe spelled aloud the situation, no niceties: “We can’t go home. We’re trapped.”

Kraehe left the crows outside this time and entered only with Ahiru. She was not carrying the duck any longer, it was better for her friend get acquaintance of the Opera House alone.

Having Ahiru so close, so familiar, made her mind think clearer, even if she was lost in darkness – there was hope. That was what the little duck had taught her once. She was distracted to even notice Erik until he was close.

“Ah, yes,” Kreahe said, clearing her throat and curling her lips into a petulant smile. “This little animal,” she introduced, gesturing at Ahiru. “So seemly weak and harmless is the legendary Princess Tutu who sought to have her fate bound to the Prince and failed.” Her words were cruel to remind the girl that Mytho had not loved her at the end. Immediately, Kraehe changed her tone, almost if she was straining herself to sound nice. “This is Ahiru, she’s my friend. Ahiru, this is Erik. He takes care of the Opera House.”

I am the one whose fate is bound to the Prince in the story.

That is what Kraehe had said, and that could only mean that Ahiru was an old rival, but now a friend. Kraehe certainly hadn't shown her friendship. It had to have been Rue who had befriended this duck, who seemed to have a role in the strange fairy tale Rue was caught up in.

A small mew at Christine's feet forced her to stop staring at the duck to acknowledge Angel. The kitten was rubbing itself against Christine and Erik's legs in an figure eight pattern. She knelt and picked the cat up before it noticed the duck and decided to play with it. The kitten purred in content, watching the two newcomers - the duck especially - with interest.

For a brief moment, Erik took comfort in Angel's presence. Like a young child with excellent timing, she entered and set at least himself at ease. Kraehe's behavior toward this duck (a friend of hers?) was rather hostile especially when speaking of events that were in the passed.

I suppose I am not alone feeling the sting of old wounds. I know that Rue felt as though she had done a great wrong believing that the Crow was her father and acted on his whims to do her prince harm. Those events must have included this little duck.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Ahiru." Although he felt a little foolish, Erik bowed slightly at the waist. There was something in the duck's bright, large eyes that was not like another animals.

Failed? Rue, why? I didn't do what the story had planned but things ended up for the good. How could you say these things? We are friends, don't you understand? You are the one who made Mytho smile, not me. I'm glad that he is happy with you. She was unable to speak words, but Ahiru did her best to try and convey her feelings somehow to Rue within the crow princess even if it was only a gaze.

The masked man pulled her attention away. He must be the manager of this place. Is this a holiday? Is that why he is masked? Is Fakir here somewhere? And the others too? No, Rue--Kraehe she reminded herself said that we cannot go home.

She sighed and looked up at the beautiful lady and the kitten in her arms. Ahiru's feathers ruffled as she noted the cat's small pink tongue stick out to lick her whiskers as if in anticipation.

"Q-quack!" For fear of her life, Ahiru fluttered back, bumping into (and nearly falling over) Kraehe's feet.

Kraehe eyed the cat warily. She had no problems with those animals, her teacher had been a large, dancing cat, after all but the way it looked Ahiru boiled her tainted blood. Ahiru was her friend, she would not allow any force harm her. The only one allowed to hurt the duck was her.

“Keep that animal away from Ahiru,” Kraehe hissed, her red eyes blazing with an eerie glow. Bending down, she reached for the clumsy duck and picked her up protectively. The Prima Donna’s feathers were mildly ruffled, “I’ll cancel the rehearsal today,” she said to Erik, stroking the Ahiru’s head idly. “I want my time alone with her.”

She wanted to find out if Ahiru could turn human again and most importantly become Princess Tutu.

Christine stepped back slightly, taken aback by Kraehe's sudden protectiveness. 'D-don't worry, I'll make she behaves herself,' she promised, suddenly feeling very unwelcome. The tension that was building up around Kraehe gave Christine a bad feeling in her gut.

I just hope this duck, this Ahiru, can snap Rue out of this, she thought. Things are going to get worse if she doesn't regain her senses.

She could feel the kitten's fur start to bristle at Kraehe's harsh tone, but Christine shushed her before she could elicit even the lowest growl or tiniest hiss.

Erik couldn't help but make a snort. Of course she was a princess but her haughty behavior was becoming rather insulting. He draped his arm across Christine's waist with the slightest pressure. "Come, Christine. I'm sure that Angel would enjoy the can of sardines that is in the kitchen."

He through a disapproving gaze at Kraehe but said nothing, this was not the girl he had met. Keeping Christine comfortable and happy is what mattered the most at the moment. If Kraehe wanted to host her friend, she may but not at the expense of Christine's sensitive and kind nature.

A lot faster than Ahiru would have liked. As soon as she had met the lady and gentleman they were gone. At least the cat left with them. That could have been terrible! From their behavior, it was certain that they were not accustomed to the ballerina's behavior at least in this way.

Kraehe isn't all that bad. She made sure I wasn't eaten. Oh Rue! I miss you! She settled in her friend's arms and looked up at her.

"Quack?"

Kraehe returned Erik’s look with a glare and a malicious smile. What did he fear? That she would steal the heart of his sweet, simpering Princess? She would not, for now. She had other interests in her mind.

“There are others living here but you’ll meet them later,” Kraehe informed Ahiru almost disdainfully to think of those who dwell in her palace. “I’ll take you to my room.” She could have transported herself there but, for Ahiru’s sake (that again surprised Kraehe), the Prima Donna opted to walk her way so the duck would not lose herself.

Her chambers were dark, the glass of the windows broken and black feathers were sprawled on the floor, everywhere. The atmosphere was thick and dangerous and the shadows did not leave, even when Kraehe turned on the artificial light. She had not asked what happened with the lamps in this period.

Striding towards the bed, Kraehe placed Ahiru first then sat at her side, watching the duck quietly for a couple of minutes. “Has Fakir returned you to human yet?” she asked, holding her tongue to not address the useless former knight with an insulting endearment. “Remember? One quack is yes, two is no.”

Fakir! Was he supposed to make me human?

Qu-quack quack.

“What a disappointment but hardly a surprise,” Kraehe said in annoyance, her lips turned down. She was displeased to hear that. Because she needed Tutu? No, not for that. She knew very well even Tutu would be useless in this predicament. Then why? Why did she care so much?! Emotion filled her eyes, forcing her gaze away from Ahiru.

“He couldn’t even fulfill the secret assignment,” muttered Kraehe nastily. “He’s as useless as writer as he was as knight.”

She collected her feelings, easing the tension on her jaw and shoulders. Kraehe looked at Ahiru once more. “Would you want to…” her voice cracked but she finished the question. “Would you want to be able to turn into a human girl?”

Ahiru stepped closer to her friend, wishing she had the body of a human to embrace her with seeing the look on her face.

"Quack."

Ahiru sacrificed herself for Mytho and her. Kraehe knew it. She knew that the duck deserved to be happy, even more than she did. She was spiteful and selfish, ungrateful of the chance Tutu had given to her and her Prince.

Dorian grants wishes… Kraehe mused filled of an usual sadness. I’m willing to pay the price for Ahiru’s sake. I am… her friend.

She stopped thinking. It made her heart feel so heavy, filled with a strange emotion that the taint in her blood attempted to dim without success.

“Ahiru,” Kraehe addressed her with a neutral voice. “Stay in this room. Don’t stray out until I return. Can you do that? Don’t disobey me,” she warned, darkly.

W-what? Alone? What's going on! Rue... Behaving would be in Ahiru's best interest but the prospect of being left alone in this place so suddenly ruffled her feathers.

The cat! Sh-she wouldn't leave me with the cat! It's not hear...Oooooh! But what if something else is? Nerves got the best of the duck and she began to flap and flutter in fright.

She looked up at Kraehe and paused her panicked flapping at once. Things should be alright. Rue was there, she could see her. Somehow things would be alright.

"Q-quack."

Kraehe rolled her eyes in a distinctive un-Princess-ly manner and looked down at Ahiru severely. “Stop being a nuisance,” she told her, frowning. The duck was probably afraid of the little cat. “You’re bigger than the cat, Ahiru and I’ll shut the door. The beast cannot open doors.”

If the cat wandered outside, the crows would be guarding and it would suffer an unfortunate fall.

“Stay here, quiet,” Kraehe pressed, grabbing Ahire’s head and forcing her to calm down. “It won’t take me long. Honestly.”

Ahiru did feel comforted at the security that this room provided. She cringed at Kraehe's tone, she wasn't sure if she should try and thank her for being so thoughtful.

She slowly sat down and tucked her little webbed feet beneath her, settling on the floor.

I'll wait for you! I won't make a peep and I'll be so brave!

Ahiru let out a very soft quack and watched Kraehe leave the room, fighting the impulse to spring up again at the funny creak the door made.

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