Buddings got their homepage at Neopets.com

Yes, ah...
I am Buddings. Har. The Lupess you'll see to your left. *Points*
Aren't I pretty? :D
Sappire is still working on my page. As you can see, though, there is much more spiffiness now. :3
This is in honor of the fact that the story down below, "A Forth," is finished. Sappire claims I act too childish to warrant a literate story, so it makes her look bad, but that's her problem. xD
So, um... I guess I really need an introduction until the page can go up full-force.
Um...
Well, I'm a female Lupe, my birthday is March sixth and next year I turn twenty-six, so... yes. Lots of sixes, apparently. xD
Ah... I'm currently a squire in Meridell. Females aren't allowed to become knights, so I'm actually pretending to be a man to accomplish it. There's a lot of people who know who I am, though, it's just that they know I can hurt them badly if they let anything slip.
I believe in equality for women, something Meridell apparently doesn't understand yet, and I intend to go to the guillotine if it means I can be knighted and make a stand for my fellow females.
I squire under a knight named Caluune. He's a freakin' jerk, though.
I enjoy mystery novels and have a tendency to overcomplicate situations I'm in, then take a childish way out that, while it still works, is immature and makes me seem like an idiot.
I talk myself into corners a lot.
I'm left-handed, am somewhat skilled in forging letters and I can juggle for no reason other than I enjoy it.
I'm a member of the Thieves Guild and am known as "Guv" there. Because of my joining them, I am also an expert lock picker, though stealth is my weak spot and I usually fail. Badly.
I'm at the head of my group of squires and have actually led a few younger ones into battle.
I can't cook.
I really, really like strawberry muffins. They're the greatest things in Neopia. xD Give me one and I'll love you forever.
Um... that's it. :3'''; I'm really a bit boring when I have to talk about myself. xD
EVASIVE MANEUVERS.

|~FAMILY

Wolfendia. Ah, Wolfendia. :3 She's my mother, y'know. Well, not, like, my real mother or anything, but she adopted me when I was very, very small. I'm forever grateful for her doing that, too, as it soon led to my discovering the wonders of knighthood, and making me realize what I wanted to be when I grew up. :3 Wolfendia, even though you may be on four legs and I on two, you'll always be the mother I never had.
Chiians. Wolfendia's brother, Chiians. He adopted me as a father to save me from Wolfendia's insanity. I think I owe him for that. xD But I've grown close to him now, and I don't know what I'd do without him. I once thought he was like an uncle to me, but now he's the only father I know of. He's a little on the grumpy side, but he's come out of it a bit due to my stubborn coaxing, and he's a bit more cheery now, but he's always there when I need a Dad to talk to. I'd be lost without him, I'm sure. x3
Eupel. Good ol' Eupel! 8D He's my other uncle, and he's a bit more fun. x3 I only met him after I had grown up, but we hit it off well, and he's always there to give me words of advice when I need it, or pull a camera out of nowhere when I need to humiliate someone. xD xD
...
Forget that last part. You never heard me say it. *Shifty eyes*
Vvelveteen. Ah, great. Do I really have to put her in here? ... Fine. Vvelveteen isn't related to me by blood directly. She's actually my half-brother's half-sister. So, even though we're not related, we do share a brother, and, technically, we're supposed to be step sisters. But I still don't like her. She's managed to ruin more things than I care to admit, and she's just... just... disgusting. All girly-girly and flirty and she's had more men at her feet than I can count. I hate her with a vengence. Moving on, now.
Sanjo. No, she doesn't have a pet lookup-thingy. She's my daughter. I love her to bits, and she's the only good thing I have out of miserable teenagehood. *Cough* Rumors say she's adopted. For the time being, I'll let that stand and go into details later. In my obituary.
Trimene. Well, flub. Another no-lookuper. Anyway, Trim is my half-brother. You can thank him for most of my rearing-up, so I'll wait while you punch him. ... Done? No? Okay, fine, you get another good punch. ... There. I think he's sorry. Anyway, I do love Trim, and he serves as a mediator between me and Vvelveteen to keep us from tearing each other apart. He likes to call me "lil' sis," which I find adorable. xD Oh, did I mention he's the greatest bumbling idiot in the world? Yeah. He is.

|~FRIENDS
Altiir.
*Squeak*

^Awesomest doll in the world. xD^
Heehee. x3 He's probably the best friend a knightess could have, weirdness aside. xD He's fun to talk to- *CoughteasemercileslyCough*- and Sappire seems to love drawing him, so I guess he's alright. xD
And whatever Chiians tells you, it's not true. I am not chasing after him. That's a lie. *Cough*
But, yeah, Altiir. Getting back on track. xD''';
He has an obsession with Paul McCartney from the Beatles. Don't let him tell you otherwise. ;3

|~LOVE
Okay, okay, new petpage, new updates.
I need to keep up with this thing, don't I?
Eh, anyway.
The "Love" section. In other words, where people usually look at first and giggle mercilessly while the Neopet in question attempts to deny all feeling for their hopeless little crush.
Not me. :3
Despite Chiians' comments, I'm not looking for a boyfriend. If I was, I'd have a heck of a time trying to explain why a /male/ squire is going out to see another /male/ on a date. Seriously, that'd be so awkward. xD
Then there's the fact I'm going to be beheaded. I don't intend to chase after some guy and proceed to break his heart when I'm dead. I'm going to have mercy on the lot of you and lock my heart safely out of your reach. So nyah~ you can't get me~. xD xD''';
...
And the first one to mention Altiir is getting punched into next week, m'kay?

|~STORIES
Sappire likes to write stories about me. Go figure. O__o So, eh, enjoy?
I shall now put up a banner of "NO ALTIIR PAST THIS POINT."
Don't ask.
(And, yes, before you ask, that is my Altiir doll on the top corner of the book. Do not question its powers.)

A FORTH

Book Blog by Sappire_Charizard

Buddings straightened her shirt absently, preparing for the encounter ahead.
Caluune had summoned her to his office, and she pitied the soul who actually refused to come.
Standing outside his door by now, the skunk Lupess paused.
There had been a time when she would've laughed in the face of his 'orders,' laughed and walked away, daring him to give her trouble.
She shook the thought from her mind easily enough and opened the door before her, stepping into the room that seemed to be a small library.
Too much had changed for her now, she reminded herself, and there was more at stake than ever.
Caluune himself sat upon a cushy sort of chair, the picture perfect image of a man retiring to his smoke after dinner. Of course, though his pipe was raised as though to add to the effect, it was nearly midnight at this point and the last thing he had likely been doing was eating a meal.
The robe he wore looked as plush as his chair, velvet to the touch and running down to his ankles, though his black silk pajama-esque slacks gave no reason for the tasseled gold string around his waist, tied into a sailor's knot.
At Buddings' entrance, green eyes rose to look at the newcomer curiously before he motioned towards the chair opposite him. Though it, too, looked comfortable, the black-and-white canine had little doubt she'd never spend a more uncomfortable night than what this was leading up to. Loyally, without a word, she crossed the plushy carpet to drop into the chair indicated and looked to the Lupe who had called her here.
Deciding not to mince words, Caluune dove into his reasoning, tapping his pipe lightly on the small, round side table beside him.
*Tell me about Altiir.* He asked directly, raising an eyebrow when the Lupess burst out laughing.
*I asked you a question, squire, and you'd best not laugh in the face of a superior.*
Buddings, gathering herself together, managed to get in a question herself, still chuckling as she did so. *You aren't- you aren't serious?*
*Dead so. You've been hanging around with him and I make my squires' business my own. Now, tell me about him.*
*No, really- seriously? Altiir? You called me here over /Altiir?/*
*Start, Buddings.*
Finally giving in, the Lupess leaned back into her chair and began.
*He's a Wocky crossed with something called a Maine Coon, I think it's called. He was painted ghost. We met ages ago, before I even squired under you, and he's good to talk to. Ah, he has a sword? Okay, really, this is going to be a really boring conversation if-*
*I know what he looks like. Believe it or not, I have eyes. I can see just fine. What is he like?*
*Er... Well, he's got a bit of an attitude problem most of the time, but he's great fun to tease. Sometimes I make an attempt to wrestle a smile out of him, but that's never very likely. I gather he's had... an interesting past that's at fault.*
*Ah, he's told you about it?*
Buddings' pride as a confident rose up against the curious look in Caluune's eye. *That, Caluune, is none of your business. Maybe he did and maybe he didn't.*
*He did tell you something. Out with it.*
*I'm not going to tell you a thing.*
*I'm giving you an order, squire.*
*And I'm giving you a flat refusal. Moving on.*
*You know me better than to refuse me something outright.*
*You know me better than to keep pushing me. Now, what else do you want to know?*
*Does he have a girlfriend, then?*
*You're trying to learn about his past.*
*Maybe I am and maybe I'm not.*
Buddings heaved a heavy sigh, but her stone foundation held stubbornly. *No. He doesn't have a girlfriend to my knowledge.*
*And you...?*
Now /this/ was funny. When Buddings would've laughed yet again, Caluune raised a hand to silence her.
*Alright, don't start again. Give me your impression of him, then.*
*Half the time he's an invaluable friend and a forth of the time I want to push him off a cliff.*
Caluune raised his eyebrows at her words. *The other forth of the time?*
*I wonder how he'd look with his shirt off.*
*You... /what/?*
*Hey, I'm being honest for once. You told me I was to be essentially a man when I stepped foot in Meridell. This may come as a shock, but I'm still a female somewhere in here. I see a guy, I picture him with his shirt off. I just do.*
*I... really didn't need to hear that, you know.*
*You asked.*
*Don't remind me. And you're sure you're just friends with this character?*
*To my knowledge, yes.*
*To your /knowledge/?*
*There's an echo in here. To my knowledge, he thinks I'm his friend. I'm a woman, not a mind reader, I can't look at a guy and say, *Oh, he secretly likes me,* or *Oh, he secretly hates me.* Though I doubt Altiir has it in him to look at a girl and decide point-blank like that, so that's likely a pretty sure 'no.'*
*Good.*
*Eh?*
*You're not to see him again.*
*Wait- what?*
*You are not to see this Altiir character again. Period. I don't want you near him.*
*Why on earth-*
*You don't question orders.*
*Caluune, Altiir is my /friend./ You may not grasp this concept, but I might actually enjoy someone's company other than your own.*
Caluune, however, suddenly switched topics completely. *Do you recognize what I'm wearing?*
*It's... a robe. But Altiir-*
*It's not just a robe, my little scullery maid, look closely.* Suddenly, the brown Lupe was on his feet and standing over Buddings, leaning towards her with a mischievous glint to his eye. *Does it look familiar at all?*
As much as Buddings might've wanted to return to the original subject, the want to answer his question and get away from him took priority. She started to deny any memories tied to the velvet cloth, but stopped when he took her hand abruptly and lifted it up to his collar, where he closed her fingers around the plush fabric, causing her to grimace.
Why could Caluune always make her flinch? He always had some new way to make her squirm, yet she could never get away from him when he pulled another card.
*Don't you remember?* He asked, placing his other hand on the arm of her chair, effectively trapping her. Buddings shrunk away from him, though her hand was still in his vice grip.
She remembered too well.
*The night before.* Caluune supplied, as if enjoying every tidbit he could add to the bunch, a vicious sort of grin on his face. *Now, I want you to stay away from Altiir.*
*You nearly tear me to shreds during training, and you have the gall to tell me who I can or can't be friends with?* Buddings, having found her voice again, tightened her grip around the velvety collar. Suddenly, she had the vicious urge to tear the collar to bits, the violent side of her personality taking over where her weakness might cause her to crumble.
Caluune seemed to sense the turn for the worst in her and rose to his feet swiftly, causing the Lupess' hand to fall away from him once again.
*You're not going to see Altiir again.* He repeated, returning to his seat calmly and picking his pipe back into his hands. *I'll see to it.*
*I'll talk to who I want to talk to.* Buddings replied, sitting upright herself and fuming at the absurdity of the entire ordeal. *There's nothing you can do to-*
*I might just let a few things slip.* Caluune replied, speaking as though he were musing mostly to himself. *About a certain someone who was going to run off and get married the second she turned eighteen...*
In the face of Caluune's lifted eyebrow, directed triumphantly in her direction, Buddings grimaced. *You wouldn't-*
*Oh, I would. And just when you finally started getting over his complete disgust with you, I might let a few things slip to the king about one of the squires and their masquerade.*
*You- I-*
*Ah, but it's late and past curfew.* Caluune announced suddenly, placing his pipe in his mouth and taking a book from his side table calmly. Speaking through his pipe, now he lowered his gaze to the pages before him.
*You've been dismissed, squire. To bed with you.*
Buddings, warily, rose to her feet. With a stiff bow, she turned and walked out the door without another word.
By the time she had gotten out of hearing range of his door, however, she broke into a run in the direction of her own room, wanting to put as much space as possible between herself and the brown Lupe.
She hated him.
She hated him with every fiber of her being.

---

The next morning came far sooner than Buddings had hoped. Of course Caluune knew she had been up at midnight and beyond, sitting in his room.
Apparently, this meant getting up at five AM the next day.
Groaning at the pounding on her room door, she nearly rolled out of bed and staggered towards the offending sound. Yawning widely, she finally pulled the door open to reveal none other than Caluune himself, who looked as though he were in the worst mood for his own late night.
*You're in pajamas again.* He noted instantly, causing the Lupess to grimace. *I've told you time and again that squires don't wear silk to bed.*
Buddings, herself not feeling especially cheerful, placed a hand on her forehead and muttered something beneath her breath.
She wore black satin pajamas, long-legged and sleeved and, as usual, cuffed with white at the ends.
*What did you say to me?* Caluune asked instantly, a dark scowl taking over his features.
*I said, 'this one does.'* She replied, allowing her hand to slide down her face slowly, trying vainly to wake up. *There has to be a man out there who wears satin. Besides you.*
*Sir.*
*Besides you, /sir/. Excuse me, sir, but what did you want?*
Caluune, his face seeming to take on a more accusing look, glanced to the woman before him.
*There's someone to see you.*
*Who the heck wants to see me at five AM?*
*If I said it was Altiir, what would do?*
*Holler at him that he's an idiot and then get dressed to see what he wants.*
*Are you suffering from short-term memory loss already?*
Buddings groaned inwardly, her futile hope squashed before she was hardly aware of it. *No, sir, I'm not.*
*As it happens, it isn't your little bodyguard.* The brown Lupe frowned as he spoke now, letting the matter of Altiir go for the moment. *It's a girl.*
*Score one for descriptions, sir.*
*You'll speak to me with respect or I'll send them away without another word.*
*Yes, sir.*
*A girl by the name of... Banjo, was it?*
Before she could stop herself, Buddings blurted out the first word that came to mind. *Sanjo?*
*You know her?*
Buddings placed her fingers to one temple, sliding her eyes closed at her own thoughtless action. Of course she knew her.
*Squire, do you know her?*
*She's a little girl from one of the small towns around Meridell. She took a liking to me and I visit her once in awhile.*
Caluune lifted his eyebrows at the news, inwardly stashing it away with all the other tidbits he had gathered about his female squire. *Do you, now?*
*Yes, sir, what does she want?*
*A woman named Zilliana happens to be with her. A Zafara.* He added, turning and starting out the door. Before any protests could be made, he paused and glanced over his shoulder.
*They're waiting in the downstairs hall. I'll have them sent up.*
The moment he was gone, the skunk Lupess shut the door and rushed around her room to throw on some outfit or other. It didn't matter why the two had come- there was no one she'd rather see at the moment. Sanjo claimed to be able to tell when she needed someone to talk to and, if there ever was a time for it, it was now.

By the time the pair came up the double-sided stairs and were on their way down Buddings' hall, she herself had already stepped out to meet them. Upon seeing the squire, the small girl, looking about eight years old, broke away from her guardian and took to a fast run, the lush red carpet being the only thing keeping her from rousing the entire castle.
Buddings, seeing the sprint in time, crouched lower to the floor and held her arms out, catching Sanjo up in a tight bear hug the moment she was close enough.
The little Lupess opened her mouth to blurt something out, but Buddings placed her finger over her own lips and muttered a quiet, *shush.*
No doubt whatever the girl was about to say would give Buddings away as a female, and she had more than enough threats piled on her for just that.
The Zafara came up a moment later, grinning lightly at the sight of Buddings trying to hold Sanjo like a much smaller infant. Luckily, the girl seemed tickled at the whole idea and allowed herself to be partially cradled.
It took only another few seconds for Buddings to usher her guests into her room, shutting the outside world out for the time being, and for Zilliana to lower herself into the nearest chair, choosing to sit across the room from the Lupess' bed. Noticing this, Buddings unloaded Sanjo on the sheets and sat down beside her, the little girl scrambling upright to rest her head on the squire's side, an arm going around her in an almost motherly fashion.
*Okay, Zill, this had better be real good to drag me out of bed this early.* Despite her words, Buddings had a grin on her face as she ruffled the hair of the girl beside her.
Sanjo, in fact, was black and white herself, though far from a skunk pattern. While Caluune's fur darkened to a black at his fingertips and toes, Sanjo managed the opposite. Her fingers were a solid white at the tips, as well as her ears, faded into from her base black gradually. Even her bare legs, poking out from beneath a short, pale purple skirt followed this pattern. Her shirt was a short sleeved affair, except for her left arm, where she had obviously cut off part of Buddings' usual dress and stitched it, sloppily, unto her own shirt in attempt to resemble her favorite person, as she so often called the woman beside her. Her hair was styled short, barely to her shoulders, though one bang fell over her left eye, and was a dusty sort of brown in color. Though her eyes were of interest- her right was a pale sky blue and the other an almost neon green.
Now, despite the dual-colored gaze directed at her, Buddings continued to look at the Zafara across the way from her. Though Skarl would likely flinch at knowing it, the Zafara Double Agent now sat in the chair opposite one of his squires.
Zilliana, however, had an almost uncomfortable look on her face. *We have a small problem.* She stated, her calm, nearly emotionless tone so opposite her look. When Buddings only continued to stare, she continued. *I have... business to attend to. The... 'Guild asked me to do some traveling for them, and I can't refuse them.*
A small smile formed on Buddings face, realizing the *guild* mentioned was the Thieves Guild. It was likely one of her top three favorite places to be. Zilliana, however, went on. *I can't leave Sanjo on her own.* She stated simply, though she squirmed just slightly at her own news. *She's bright, don't get me wrong, but she can't be left to her own devices all of a sudden. I've asked Merouladen to take her, but-*
Suddenly, Sanjo squirmed away from Buddings and sat upright, looking at her defiantly.
*Mommy, I want to stay with you!*
Buddings grimaced at the thought. *Sanjo, I'd love for you to stay with me.* The Lupess muttered, placing a hand upon the small shoulder. *But this isn't any place for you, either. Merouladen can watch you until Zill comes home, you'll be in better hands.*
*I want to stay with you!* Sanjo repeated stubbornly, leaning back against Buddings and wrapping her arms around her waist. *You haven't come to visit us in forever, Mommy!*
*It's only been a week.* The Lupess corrected, patting the head now held fiercely to her by those small black-and-white arms. *But I can visit you if you stay at the Thieves' Guild, you know, I might be able to see you more often, even. Then Zill'll be back soon enough and we can go back to-*
*I dun wanna go back to seeing you 'never!* Sanjo replied instantly, cutting Buddings off. *I wanna stay with you, like all the other girls at school! They all have Mommies to stay with when they need them and... and I don't!*
Buddings glanced to Zilliana at this, who shrugged helplessly, this being the first time she'd heard of anything of the sort.
*Sanjo,* Buddings started, attempting to pry the tight arms away from her. This was easy enough by this point as Sanjo was too busy struggling valiantly against tears. When she was shifted into Buddings' lap, however, she broke down completely and began sobbing furiously, leaving the Lupess to hold her and offer what little comforting words she could think of off the top of her head.
It took several minutes for the little girl to quiet down and for Buddings to speak again to Zilliana.
*Zill, this won't go over well at all.*
Sanjo, desperate at this point to stay with her mother, spoke up again. *I won't be any trouble!* She insisted, begging now. *I won't, Mommy! I'll be real quiet and real good, and no one'll even know I'm here!*
The Zafara double agent, however, shook her head lightly. *I'm at a loss.* She admitted weakly. *Buddings, if there's some way you could convince Caluune to let you baby-sit- I'll only be gone a week or so, even less if all goes well. But we have to do something with her.*
Buddings stroked the hair of the girl thoughtfully, inwardly trying to envision some sort of angle she could use to throw this on Caluune. What was more, how could she keep it from Sanjo that it was likely her father that she'd hate the most during her stay, and her father that Buddings was terrified of? Surely Caluune had noticed his own eye color in Sanjo, in the design of her fur-?
But she'd leave that out. Whatever she told Caluune, it wouldn't be that.
It couldn't be that.
Sanjo was the one accomplishment she felt she had, the one something that hadn't gotten messed up in the translation. Buddings would never let Caluune take that from her, for Sanjo's sake as well as her own. She always shuddered at the thought of Caluune attempting the role of a father.
She was interrupted in her thoughts by the sound of footsteps in the corridor outside. Instantly pressed for time, Buddings leaned over close to her daughter's ear.
*Sanjo, I'll let you stay on one condition.* She hissed, flinching at the sound of someone coming nearer. *We'll play a game the entire time you're here, okay? We're going to play pretend that your Mommy's like a squire in one of your story books, so she has be a boy for a little while. You can't tell anyone that she's a girl or she'll get in trouble, so you can't call me Mommy- and you can pretend to be something, too.*
*But, Mommy-*
*It's the only way you can stay, Sans.*
Sanjo, perking up at her favorite pet name, managed a weak grin through her partially dried tears. *'Kay.*
*That's my girl.* Buddings grinned and, carefully, slid the girl on the bed beside her. A moment later the skunk Lupess was on her feet and brushing herself off, already trying to figure out how to explain the tear stains on her shoulder.
By the time Caluune stepped through the door, she didn't feel in the least bit ready for the story that had to come from her.

---

Somehow, she had managed to sell it.
To her good fortune, Caluune had taken the entire ordeal as some sort of joke, though he laughingly agreed to allow the girl to stay. Buddings had explained easily enough- Zilliana was leaving and she, the concerned friend of Sanjo, was the only one the girl would stay with. The fact that the double agent was a Zafara didn't seem to produce too many concerns, and it was likely thought of that Zilliana had married a Lupe, having a daughter take after him.
Though it was made up on the spot, twenty minutes later found Sanjo waving goodbye to the Zafara, looking for all the world she was saying farewell to her own mother, and holding her small suitcase that held her few possessions.
It struck Buddings just how well Sanjo would have done in theatre.
The rest of the morning was spent between mother and daughter, unpacking the latter while they both chatted endlessly about the things they never really seemed to catch up on before this.
*It's kinda like a slumber party, isn't it?* Sanjo threw out at one point, placing her toothbrush and toothpaste haphazardly on the sink in Buddings' adjoining bathroom.
There were some plusses in requiring more privacy than the other squires, having a small hotel-esque room was one of them.
In answer to Sanjo's comment, Buddings grinned, looking up from the floor where she was busying herself with making a pallet for her daughter to sleep on.
*I never did have a slumber party growing up.* The skunk Lupess admitted, though the thought didn't seem to trouble her much. *I remember breaking up a few, though.*
Sanjo, suddenly interested, turned to face Buddings through the bathroom door. *Really?*
*Of course! A party was never a party unless someone crashed it.* The squire, her grin never wavering, set to resuming her arranging of pillows and sheets. *Your grandparents lived outside of town in a cave. When I started playing with the other girls, none of them wanted to come and sleep over with some crazy family of Lupes still living in the Stone Age. I was invited to a few by the others, but it usually just because they had to give out invites to everyone. I remember once I got my first wooden sword how much more fun those invites were. I'd pretend to go to the party and hide somewhere outside the house. Once all the girls were asleep, I'd find a way in through a window or door and scare them half to death, barging in with my sword and pretending to be a pirate. It was great fun, and I always scored bonus points if I had some of them tied up with sheet ropes before the parents woke up.*
*Mommy, you didn't!*
*Oh, but I did. I stopped getting invitations after my first few, though, so I had to listen to gossip to find out when and where the next one was planned. It was great fun until the parents caught you and sent you home.*
Sanjo took the information as though it were sacred somehow and, staring at her mother, attempted to see her in a different light, a little girl. After a moment, she spoke up again. *No one ever asks me to come to sleepovers.*
*Why not?*
Sanjo, glancing to her toothbrush and paste for a moment, finally stalked out of the bathroom and came up beside her mother, sitting on the floor beside her. *They think I'm weird.*
Buddings chuckled lightly at the thought. *Have you ever tied someone up with sheets?*
*Well, no-*
*Then, Sanjo, you're not as weird as your Mommy yet.*
*But they say I joke around too much- an' some ol' crabby teacher-lady says I can't take anything seer… seriously.*
*What does Zilliana do about that?*
*Oh, she tries to talk to 'em an' stuff, but they still don't like me much.*
*And you don't have any friends?*
Sanjo thought for a moment on the question before, picking up a pillow near to her, hugged it to her stomach and stared at the floor. *I kinda sorta have this boy… who's a friend.*
Buddings, abandoning her pallet project completely now, leaned back on her heels and watch the little girl beside her curiously. *Do you, now? … Clear the wedding date with me first, don't forget.*
*Mommy!* Sanjo, though she turned bright red, swung her pillow around and playfully whacked the skunk Lupess with it, thus ending the boy conversation completely.
As lunch drew closer, the preparations for Sanjo's stay came to a close. But as Buddings fumbled through the various boxes filled with books to use to fill the remaining time, Sanjo made a more interesting discovery.
*Mommy, what's this?*
Buddings looked up to notice, with mild amusement, that her daughter had taken a single doll from one of the shelves beside her bed and was now wandering towards her mother, carrying it curiously.
It was roughly the size of a teddy bear, yet it resembled a ghost-colored Wocky in every way and sported a string from its back, evidence of a voice box. Buddings, for all of her poor sewing skills, had managed to make the badly done purple outfit her that was, truthfully, outdated by this time. Someone with a more skilled hand than hers had also added the mess of black hair strung in a ponytail with a purple strip of cloth. The same person, most likely, who had placed little gold glasses on the plush nose and included the black tail ring.
Buddings, happily enough, abandoned her search for books and retired to sitting on the bed, motioning for the doll to be brought to her. When Sanjo placed it in her hands, the Lupess' grin broadened at the overly large button red eyes, made of a satiny material to better resemble the eyes of the real Altiir that never really had a glint to them.
*What is it?* Sanjo asked again, leaning over Buddings' lap to better see the face of the doll. *It looks like a teddy or somethin'.*
*It's a doll, actually.* Buddings corrected, sitting the plush Altiir up in her lap and facing him towards her daughter for a better view. *This is a doll of your Mommy's best friend, too.*
*What's his name?* The little girl threw in instantly, looking the Altiir doll up and down as though taking in its every detail.
*Altiir.* Buddings supplied readily enough, tapping the doll on the head. *Altiir… I think it was Akia or some such name.*
*Is he a kitty?*
*He's a Wocky.*
*He looks cuddly.*
The older Lupess laughed aloud at the thought, patting the seat on the bed beside her for Sanjo to take, something the girl did instantly, picking the doll up with her.
*He's far from cuddly.* Buddings threw in, looking the doll over herself. *For that matter, I think he's the least cuddly creature on earth. That's probably why I had this doll dug up- he's a bit of a comforting presence to me, and a lot of the time he's not even here.*
*What's he like?*
In the face of Sanjo's questioning, asked in far more innocence than Caluune's, the squire managed to relax a bit more with her descriptions, trusting her daughter more than the knight she was under.
*I think the best way to describe him is just his being Altiir. He's the greatest friend I've ever had, and I think I'd almost sooner leave Meridell than lose him. But he's annoying, too. He's kind of… bittersweet. I think I could trust him with just about anything, but I don't know everything about him at the same time. But he makes a wonderful bodyguard. If he sets his mind to something, I think he could probably do it with the best of them. He's had a rough time of it, though, so he tends to grump around a lot. And he never wants to answer questions unless he's in a good mood. Which happens about… once every three years?*
Sanjo giggled at the idea and promptly hugged the little doll close to her. *He sounds nice.* She replied, sensing more the odd fondness in her mother's voice than the actual words. *Does he have a fam'ly?*
Buddings tilted her head to one side at the question. *Why?*
*'Cause I think if he had little kids, they'd be nice, too, and I could play with them.*
*If Altiir had little kids, Sanjo, I think the world had better take cover and run.*
Giggling once more, Sanjo held the doll up to the light, a sloppy sort of grin on her face. *I think he'd make a nice Daddy. Can he be my Daddy?*
Suddenly, Buddings found herself in one of her painfully awkward positions. On one hand, she wanted to burst out laughing. On the other hand, Sanjo was dead serious.
After a moment of odd silence, to which the little girl was impervious, Buddings finally relaxed into a grin and placed an arm around Sanjo's shoulders. *If you really want him to be your Daddy, you can ask him yourself when you meet him.*
*I can meet him?* Suddenly, Sanjo turned to her mother and returned again to the strangling hugging of the doll. *Oh, Mommy, can I? I wanna meet him real bad!*
*And you will.* Buddings assured, tapping the girl on the nose. *One of these days, I promise, you'll meet him.*
No sooner had she finished talking than she reached and took the Altiir doll from her daughter's choking arms. Without explanation, she looped the small plastic ring sticking out of the doll's back over her finger and gave it a tug, pulling the string out with it. As it returned to its original position, Altiir's voice could be heard-
*I like Paul McCartney!*

---

Lunch came far too soon for Buddings and the two had to replace the Altiir doll back on his shelf. By some unspoken mutual agreement, mother and daughter paused long enough to give the plush creature an admiring gaze. Buddings for the sake of Altiir's forever-present conversational skills, existent only in his doll, Sanjo attempting to picture the plaything as an actual person she'd meet some day.
Before any contemplative thoughts could really form, however, a church bell seemed to ring from somewhere in the heart of the castle and the two left their friend to go down to the meal.
Having apparently not eaten since five o'clock that morning, Sanjo beat her mother into the dining hall and pranced joyfully in the direction of the squire's table, at the head of which sat Caluune, whom she could remember from earlier that morning.
By the time Buddings came up only a minute or so behind, the girl had already hopped unto one of the straight- and tall-backed chairs between the brown knight and an empty place, apparently already set for Buddings.
As she lowered herself beside her daughter, the questions began from all ends of the long table.
*How old is she?*
*Where's her mother?*
*Does she have a father?*
*Where did you meet her?*
Buddings, blessed with the skill to think on her feet, slung an arm around Sanjo playfully and ruffled her hair. *I met her in the main square. Zilliana had taken her shopping. I think she took a liking to me after that.*
Of course, this hadn't been her first meeting with the girl by a long shot, but it would serve for the other curious young men at the table, looking at Sanjo like she was something they'd never seen.
About then, a small green Kacheek came bobbing up to the table, struggling valiantly with a large round tray holding a dozen or so plates, one for each squire that hadn't invoked the wrath of Caluune during the morning training. Buddings, to her relief, received one and hardly hesitated to pick up her fork and dig into the small pile of mashed potatoes. Sanjo, meanwhile, looked at her plate disbelievingly.
Potatoes were one thing, but the green beans and- was that meatloaf?- was something else. She had acquired her mother's love for the former, but she had yet to taste the last two and now poked the slab of meat with her own fork.
*I thought you were hungry?* Buddings asked, cocking an eyebrow to the girl. *What's wrong?*
*What is it?*
Caluune answered, if a bit haughtily. *Meatloaf, and these squires have learned to appreciate it.*
Sanjo, at a loss when faced with an accusing phrase, turned to Buddings, who managed a weak grin.
*Go ahead and try it.* She encouraged, lifting a small section of the meat into the air herself. *It's good, I promise.*
The younger Lupess looked unsure for a moment, but followed her mother's action and lifted a slab of it into her mouth, where she chewed at it nervously. After swallowing, she looked again to Buddings. *It's... kinda good.*
Where Caluune might've snapped irritably about no respect, Buddings was able to beat him to the punch. *We might be able to get something else, if you'd like.* She offered, but, surprisingly, Sanjo shook her head.
*I was 'apposed to be real good.* She replied, putting her shoulders back resolutely. *So I'm gonna eat meat... meat...*
*Loaf.* Buddings supplied.
*Yeah! Meat...loaf!*
With this, several of the squires either gave a thumbs up or random comments of approval through their own mouthfuls, Buddings patting the girl on the back. *That's a girl.*
There was an initial breaking of the ice for the rest of the meal, Sanjo getting to know the other squires and happily beaming at being in the position of the latest curiosity. Almost all questions were answered by she herself, something Buddings was silently grateful for. Even Caluune joined the fray towards the end of the meal, though his discussion was less desirable.
*So how old are you?* He asked, leaning on his elbows over his plate, eyes locked on Sanjo for the time being. *Seven?*
*Seven an' a... a... I think it's less than a half.*
*Forth?* Buddings offered, a small grin on her face.
*Yeah! A forth!*
Caluune smirked at the word used, he, like Buddings, thinking back to the night before and their own discussion of Altiir. *A forth, hm?*
*Mm-hmm.*
*No brothers or sisters?*
*Nope.*
*Where's your father right now?*
Here, Sanjo looked again to her mother. *Where is he?* She questioned, speaking innocently enough in the face of Buddings' sudden grimace.
*Your father?* She repeated, forcing a calmer note to her voice than she felt at the suddenness of the question.
*Mister Altiir?*
About then, Buddings would've given most anything for the ability to slam her head down on the table. Her gaze shifted to Caluune for a moment and caught the sudden interest in his eyes, causing her to look back at the wide-eyed innocence of Sanjo, hoping to find something less awkward there. Before she could offer something in attempt explain, Caluune spoke again.
*Really, now? Altiir?*
*Yep!* Sanjo turned to the brown Lupe herself now, looking completely delighted despite her mother's awkward situation. *He's... he's...* To Buddings' good fortune, she remembered the rule of the pretend game and pointed to her instead of addressing her as 'Mommy.' *He's... /his/... friend, an' I'm gonna ask him to be my Daddy next time I see him!*
Before Caluune could ask another question, Buddings' brain came to life and she leaned a bit over her plate, a fleeting gaze including the other squires at the table. *Her Dad left before she was born.* She explained in a semi-stage whisper. *She'll ask any man she likes to take his place.*
Several of the men at the table nodded knowingly, accepting this easily enough. Even Caluune, who did lose the malicious spark in his eye, gave in with the news. Still, however, the topic of Altiir was something he was more than ready to breach. *You don't want Altiir for a father.* He offered, motioning a hand towards Sanjo absently. *He's a very bad man.*
*Nuh-uh!* Sanjo insisted, still happily innocent to any lies Caluune was more than likely to use. *I heard he's real nice.*
*You heard mistakenly.* The brown Lupe replied, clearly enjoying the dark gaze Buddings had cast upon him. *He's really quite mean when you get to know him.*
Here, Buddings went to war with herself.
Ever fiber of her being wanted to tell Sanjo that none of it was true. As Altiir's friend, at least, she could defend him when others put him down behind his back. On the other hand, speaking up against a superior could likely result in either Caluune taking custody of Sanjo for the remainder of her stay or questions of why she'd defend him in the first place. Not to mention the odd looks from the other squires who, for the most part, knew nothing of this strange 'Altiir.' Wasn't she forbidden to even see him, anyway? Arguing with Caluune would likely have the same effect as disobeying that order, and those were too high of stakes for the Lupess to willing relinquish easily.
What was it she had heard once? There was a term when someone was torn between honor and morals but afraid of the consequences if they stood up to either. More than likely it was more of Sappire's psychobabble, but it still described her situation to a *T* right now.
Biting her tongue, she returned her thoughts to the present, where Sanjo was vainly trying to defend the Wocky she had never even met.
*He can be evil.* Caluune was saying, speaking as though to someone who refused to face the truth. Buddings thought absently of the irony in this picture.
Sanjo, however, wouldn't be beaten down when speaking of someone she had clearly built some great romantic story around. *He is not!* She replied, matching Buddings' glare so perfectly with her own. *He's nice and kind and... and I'm gonna to meet him some day and he's gonna be my Daddy!*
*He'll laugh at you.* Caluune offered calmly, never raising his voice in the slightest, though it might've been somehow better if he did.
Anything would be better than that calm assurance he spoke with now.
*He'll laugh at you and refuse.*
*He won't!* Sanjo, having inherited so much from Buddings, would've stomped her foot if the chair wasn't high enough for her feet to partially dangle off of as she continued to wail her arguments. *He won't! I know he won't!*
Caluune shrugged lightly at what he filed as stubborn denial and glanced instead down the length of the table. *Squires, back to work. Finished or not.*
Several men, having no been able to finish their plates due to Sanjo's distraction, glanced at their food and grimaced, but pushed their chair away from it all the same.
The young girl hopped off her chair the moment Buddings rose to pull it out for her. When Sanjo might've turned and rushed out of the room in a semi-hysterical state, her mother managed to half pick her up once more and carry her out in a stiffer manner than usual. She paused to glance back at Caluune just before she left, only to find him grinning mischievously at her. *You're free to spend the rest of the day off.* He stated simply. What would normally have been a relief and done as a favor was delivered with enough malice that Buddings merely turned and left without another comment, Sanjo already starting to cry hopelessly in her arms.

---

The moment Buddings reached her room, and nearly slammed the door behind her, she sat on her bed and held Sanjo in her lap, trying to offer comfort while she herself was furious.
It took time, but, at last, Sanjo managed to fall into a much quieter sniffling, hugging her mother tightly as if for reassurance.
*None of it was true, Sanjo.* Buddings offered gently, returning the girl's hug tightly. *Don't listen to what Caluune says- I don't think he tells the truth half the time anyway.*
*B-but... but Mister Altiir looks so n-nice.*
*He is nice. You'll see when you get to meet him, you have to believe that.*
Sanjo sat in silence for a time after that, sniffling and trying to regain some of her old get-up-and-go. When the quiet was broken, it was by a knock on the door. Buddings, carefully, lifted the little girl from her lap and placed her on the bed, giving her head a small pat before going to the entryway and opening it enough to look out.
Standing there, if a bit uncomfortably, was Chiians, glancing up the moment the door opened.
Though he was a red Lupe, walking on four legs like a dog as opposed to Buddings' two-legged form, he was also her adoptive father. When word got around about anything having happened in the castle, he was the first to come to her door, asking endlessly if she was alright. Though Buddings had loved him like a real father all her life, she wasn't in the mood to see him just then, housing the granddaughter he presently knew nothing about. Before anything came to mind to distract him from whatever had brought him here, however, he spoke up.
*I... heard you're stuck babysitting?* He asked, rising from his hindquarters and starting into her bedroom. Unable to come up with an excuse, Buddings stepped aside and let him in. Upon entering, his black, irisless eyes caught sight of the little girl, still sitting where she had been left, sniffling hopelessly. Having had dealt with an equally young Buddings, he plodded over to the bed and placed his paws up upon the sheets, looking to Sanjo curiously.
Yet to recover, the young Lupess pulled her legs up to her chest and hugged them pitifully close, looking at the newcomer sadly. *Who're you?* She managed weakly, earning the low chuckle Chiians always seemed to use when he was amused.
*Chiians.* He replied simply, hopping up beside her a moment later to turn and flash his more winning smile. As most little girls did, however, Sanjo leaned partially away from it.
Chiians never was a charmer.
Undaunted, the red Lupe would've gone on, but Buddings reappeared in time to sit on the other side of her daughter and wrap an arm around her comfortingly. *Chiians is my Daddy.* She explained simply, a playful grin on her own face.
The effect was instant.
Sanjo's eyes seemed to double in size for a moment as she looked again at her grandfather and made a small squeaky sound where her voice failed. Before Chiians could question this, the little girl threw her arms out and nearly tackled him to the bed in a strangling sort of hug, causing Buddings to laugh at the sight of her father squirming to get away.
When this was finally managed and Sanjo, tears forgotten, happily retired to sitting beside Chiians, bouncing slightly on the springy mattress, Chiians looked over her head at his daughter.
*Kindly explain what on earth that was about.* He muttered, lifting a paw to try and ruffle his horrible mussed fur back into place on his head.
*You're Mommy's Daddy!* Sanjo supplied, yet to settle back down from her energy spurt. *That makes you a Grandpa, 'case you dinnit know.*
The news made Chiians freeze, one paw still in the air. *Gran... Grand... pa...?*
*Feel old yet?* Buddings' own grin was yet to fade as she looked to the Lupe innocently. *You now have a daughter and a granddaughter.*
*Buddings- you- had...* Chiians promptly dropped his paw to the bed in attempt to stomp that failed miserably. *Darn it all, Buddings, you have explaining to do!*
*But I have a cute face, remember? You could never stay mad at me.*
Groaning, the red Lupe turned to Sanjo. *How old are you?*
*I'm seven an' a forth!* She replied, eager enough. *Grandpa, you ought t'know that!*
*But I don't.* Chiians replied, if a bit miserably. *Great. You're going on eight and Buddings turns twenty-five this year. That means-*
*She was born when I was seventeen.* Now it was Buddings' turn to add the information, leaning back a bit where she sat, attempting an innocent face. *I was engaged when I was sixteen and seventeen, if you'll kindly remember.*
*You mean she's-*
*Don't say it.* The skunk Lupess flinched at the start of the sentence, not wanting Sanjo to learn the name of her real father. *She's my daughter and Zilliana is helping me raise her. I'm babysitting for a week while she's gone. End of story.*
Chiians took on a more knowing look as he turned to face his own daughter more squarely. *Buddings, why didn't you tell me?*
*For no better reason than that I was seventeen? Plain and simple, Chiians, I had no idea what I was going to do. I didn't know who to go to, so I went to Wolfendia.*
*Wolfen- Buddings!*
The complete and utter shock in his voice made the squire laugh lightly, waving a hand towards him absently. *Don't be so hard on her. She came up with the entire plan, I was the one who didn't want to tell you.*
*Who's Wol... Wolfendia?* Sanjo questioned, perking up at the name she hadn't heard yet. *Is she my Grandma? Mommy, do I really have a Grandma?*
Chiians chose to answer her, forcing himself to accept the news of an unknown grandchild. *She's my sister,* he explained, *but she adopted Buddings as a mother.*
*So she's kind of like your... Grandauntma.* Buddings chuckled at the idea, placing a hand on Sanjo's head as she spoke. *You'll love her, Sans.*
*Is that what you named her? Sans?* The red Lupes shifted his gaze again to the little girl, who giggled at the thought. *Silly Grandpa, I'm Sanjo!*
*Sanjo.* Chiians raised an invisible eyebrow at the name. *And... Buddings, what sort of mental state were you in at this point in time?*
Buddings managed a somewhat sheepish look to her face. *I... sort of just threw it out there and Wolfendia agreed with it.*
*It's a wonder she's not named Muffin. She called you Panda the whole time you were growing up.*
*I do kinda like muffins?* Sanjo offered hopefully as she looked to her grandfather. *Does my Grand...aunt...ma like muffins?*
*I think she's a muffin-a-holic, truthfully.* Chiians finally managed a weak grin and placed a paw on Sanjo's knee, looking over her head at Buddings.
*A belated congratulations, Buddings.*
*I was going to have you give me away for the wedding.* The squire offered absently, remembering back before Sanjo was even thought of. *Remember when I tried on dresses?*
*Your mother would've made a beautiful bride.* The red Lupe looked to the little girl, who seemed perfectly happy sitting there, listening to stories of life before she came along. At Chiians' words, however, she returned his gaze and flashed her own, wide smile.
*If Mister Altiir will be my Daddy, can we have a 'nother wedding?*
At her words, Chiians looked again to Buddings.
*Buddings, if you-*
*Okay, no, stop right there. I am not getting married again, and I am not getting married to Altiir.* Despite her words, Buddings grinned and slung an arm around her daughter again. *If Altiir agrees to be your Daddy, I'm afraid he'll have to do it without the celebration.*
*... Can we throw a party anyway, Mommy? We could... could pretend, couldn't we? Please?*
The older Lupess laughed at her daughter's persistence, though the image itself of trying to wrestle Altiir into a mock-wedding was enough in itself. *We'll see.* She replied, her grin never wavering. *I might be able to do something about it.*
This, apparently, was the icing on the cake, and Sanjo hopped off the bed joyfully, rushing to the set of shelves and removing the Altiir doll. *Did you hear that, Mister Altiir?* She asked, holding him up and addressing him like the living thing. *You're gonna be my Daddy, an' we get to have a party!*
At this, Chiians leaned towards Buddings and muttered quietly, in hopes he wouldn't be overheard by the ecstatic seven-year-old. *Altiir is never going to agree to any of this, you know.*
*Oh, you'd be surprised what sort of blackmail I could dig up for the cause. In fact, if you run into her before I do, ask Sappire for a copy of that picture where he's wearing the 'I *heart* Paul' shirt. If she's in a good mood, ask her for the one in boxer shorts, too. Bonus points if you meet up with Pharoh and remember the macho picture.*
*Oh, you're an evil, evil friend.*
*I'll play the 'Mother only wanting happiness for her child' card. It'll be classic.*
*Especially when you tell him you have a child in the first place.*
*Touché.*

---

The rest of the day went by easily enough, Chiians staying to get to know his granddaughter and Buddings digging through her room in search of things to occupy time.
At one point, they came upon an old picture of Buddings as a little girl, hugging Chiians fiercely as if all the world would try to take him away. Chiians mused over it absently, remembering the young girl in the photo fondly, while Sanjo babbled happily about how much she resembled her *Mommy.*
Still later, they came across an older Altiir doll that Buddings had managed to completely forget. It was set up in more of a voodoo style than her present-day teddy, and was missing one eye from the abuse it had likely taken. Buddings, laughing at the memory of when she prodded the smaller doll with pins, gave it to Sanjo, who squealed loudly in delight and proceeded to dance around the room with her newfound toy.
By the time the sun was beginning to set, is occurred to Buddings just how long it'd been since she had enjoyed a day all to herself and spent it going through her old knickknacks. A farewell to Chiians later, who promised to come back first thing the next morning to watch Sanjo during Buddings' training, left the little girl was more than ready for bed.
After placing her daughter, half asleep, into the bed, Buddings slipped the small voodoo-like doll into her arms.
*Mommy?* Sanjo muttered, grinning tiredly as blankets were pulled over her.
*Hm?* The skunk Lupess, patting Sanjo's shoulder lightly, took amused notice that her daughter was snuggling Altiir's image chokingly.
*Mommy, is Mister Altiir really going to be my Daddy?*
*You'll have to ask him, Sanjo.*
*I... I'm kinda scared to ask him.*
*Why's that?* Buddings lowered herself to her knees beside her daughter, grinning lightly at the conversation. She could imagine the look on Altiir's face, had he been there. What she wouldn't give for a picture of that.
*What if he doesn't want to be my Daddy? What if... what if he laughs at me?*
*Truthfully, I don't think Altiir can laugh. But I don't think he'll make fun of you, if that's what you mean.*
*What if he does?*
*What if he doesn't? I can't tell you for sure what he'll say, but I don't think he'll be mean, even if he turns you down.*
*But I want him to be my Daddy- I really do! I know he'll be real nice, Mommy, but- but...*
*Shush.* Buddings threw in, patting the side of Sanjo's head lightly. *It's bedtime. We'll talk tomorrow.* Placing a quick kiss on her daughter's cheek, Buddings turned to the bedside lamp and flicked it off, leaving only a small nightlight to keep the room from getting too dark. Sanjo was grateful for as much and, moments later, went to sleep.
Buddings, giving herself the mess of blankets on the floor, paused only long enough to fetch her own Altiir doll who she sat up beside her pillow as if he were to play the watchman. Chuckling at her own whimsy, she settled herself in and, laying on her side, addressed the doll in a whisper, for fear of waking Sanjo up.
*Where are you, anyway?* She questioned, giving the doll a small bop with a finger, is if blaming it somehow. *Knowing you, you're off on some random trip, having a bad day and not talking to anyone. Now what're you going to say when you come back and I'm not allowed to go near you? Hmm?*
When the doll offered no answer, she grinned weakly into the silence. *Sometimes I wish you'd stick around. I could use some of your frowny little comments right about now. You'll probably never even realize how much good your grumping around does me, though, will you? I just hope you'll be in a better mood the day you meet Sanjo, at least, and not scare her off. Hahaaaaa-*
When her laughter broke off in a yawn, the Lupess gave in and patted the doll's head a final time.
*G'night, Altiir. Wherever you happen to be.* Then, more to the plush beside her, *Stand watch tonight. I need you now more than ever.*
As she turned over to the other side, she chuckled weakly, allowing her eyes to close.
*I'm talking to an Altiir doll. How low have I sunk?*

---

*... So I'm not allowed to go near him.*
Buddings was standing over her bed, making it up idly while Sanjo had been scooted off into the bathroom for a morning shower. Chiians sat at his daughter's feet, watching as she tucked sheet under mattress in a practiced form, able to concentrate on her conversation at the same time. At the mention of her latest orders to avoid Altiir, however, the red Lupe on the floor spoke up.
*Why on earth not?*
*My thoughts? Caluune's jealous. He's afraid I'll go and pick up a boyfriend who'll beat him up. Of course he's mental- Altiir might make a good bodyguard, but that's all he'll ever be. As if Caluune even has a right to be jealous of my making friends, anyway.*
*I don't know. Caluune might have something in suspecting you and Altiir.*
*Chiians!*
*Eh? What?* Chiians glanced upward, taking note of the look on his daughter's face with a smirk. Though, it was hard to tell whether she was more amused or guilty as charged by the half smirk already forming on her features. The red Lupe gave a light nod in her direction. *You don't get out at all, you know, and you don't have any real friends. You're twenty-five, you're bound to be looking for a boyfriend.*
*I don't have the time to worry about anything of the sort.* Buddings replied, returning to her sheets and rolling up the quilt to stash under her bed. *Even if I did like Altiir, I don't want to mess with it. He's a friend, and he's staying that way if I have to dig in my heels and fight tooth and nail.*
*Trying to play the chivalrous young knight again, are we?*
*To an extent. Okay, say I did get a crush on Altiir. What then?*
*At least you wouldn't be standing alone anymore. It's one thing to fight your own battles, but it's another to face up to a battalion on your own.*
*Lovely words of wisdom. Tell me, what's going to happen if I manage to establish some sort of relationship with him and I find myself knighted a few months afterward?*
*Then you'll have someone for moral support.*
*And then what? I leave Altiir to deal with my death? Maybe if he was anyone else, I could chance it. Or if I knew I could just look from afar and he'd never catch on. He's dealt with enough in his time and I hate myself already for taking a friend from him when I die. If he considers me a friend, anyway. I'm taking away Sanjo's mother, too, and I kick myself for that, but I can at least keep Altiir from losing someone who got too close to him. Besides, for all I know, he's married to some little Wocky in Shenkuu and has six kids. He doesn't exactly blab everything to me- it was pulling teeth to get what little information I've got on him.*
*Yet you never think to ask him point-blank if he's really single?*
*Now, see, there's the normal guy on the street who'd chuckle and say *no,* or *yes.* Then, there's Altiir, who'd look at me like I've finally gone off the deep end and not speak to me for a few weeks until he thinks I've gotten my sanity under control. There's men, then there's Altiir. Big difference.*
*So you would ask him if you thought you could get away with it?*
*No, I probably wouldn't. I think he's the greatest friend I could ask for right now and that's all I want from him. Even if I wasn't going to be knighted, I probably wouldn't. Contrary to your beliefs, I am not shamelessly looking for a boyfriend.*
*Yet you want to see him with his shirt off?*
*Eh... well, ah...* Buddings froze for a moment before turning to Chiians with an accusing look to her face. *You've been into my diary again! Chiians, I told you the last three times-*
At this, he stuck his tongue out in the most un-Chiiansly way possible at the skunk Lupess, earning a playful thwack on the back of his head. When Buddings might've gone into a rant mode, however, Sanjo promptly made her reappearance, coming bouncing in happily in an outfit eerily identical to her last and clearly in a better mood for the early morning.
*Mommy, Mommy! Were you a-talkin' 'bout Mister Altiir?*
*Mister Altiir's an interesting person.* Buddings replied, grinning lightly at the mocking look on Chiians' face. Choosing to ignore this, she crossed the room to her daughter and ruffled the still-wet hair playfully, dropping down to one knee beside her to look at her on her own level. *Now, though, I need you to be a good girl for your Grandpa, okay? I have to go and spend the day in the courtyard, but I'll come back for lunch, alright?*
Sanjo seemed to consider this for a moment before giving her mother a quick, tight hug. *'Course, Mommy. Jus' make sure you come back.*
*I will.* Buddings returned the embrace and released the little girl to run up to her Grandpa, who she promptly started bombarding with questions regarding 'what they'd do today.' Before the older Lupess could step back into the fray and make a suggestion, however, there was a knock at the door. Glancing at the clock still reading seven thirty, Buddings would've gone to answer if the door hadn't opened at the hand of the less-than-courteous guest. A moment later, Caluune had stalked into the room once more.
Ignoring Sanjo and Chiians completely, he looked at Buddings with an amused air. *You're the most popular squire here.* He started absently, a smirk on his face. *You have another visitor who requests you come down to the hallway to meet her.*
Buddings, taking note her knight wasn't about to step out of the room without her, said a final farewell to her father and daughter, took up the sword propped against the door frame, fastened it to her belt and followed him out. Once in the hall, he chuckled lightly and gave her a pat on the shoulder.
*You did well to get your sword first.*
Was all he said before vanishing down a side corridor, leaving the squire to walk down the stairway alone. Once in the entry hall, she paused at the sight of the purple Kougress standing there, tapping absently at one of the suits of armor. Before Buddings could come up with an excuse to vanish back up the stairs, however, those pale blue eyes, so much more stunning than her own, turned in her direction.
Vvelveteen was paying her a visit.
She was a purple Kougra, sporting short-cut black hair and the full gypsy outfit, right down to the semi-transparent purple scarf now tied around her neck. She lacked stripes entirely and, as if to make up for it, had as many round gold earrings as could fit into her ears. At first glance it might seem a simple case of overkill, but once one knew the feline behind them, the glinting, jingling gold jewelry fit her personality perfectly. She was younger than Buddings, technically, by only three months, but the age didn't become as glaringly obvious as the difference in their outward appearance. Only one time, before Buddings had become a squire, did they both end up at the same celebration, dressed in their finest, and, quite simply, Buddings was the one who faded into the background.
Now Vvelveteen had come up to the Lupess, a wide grin on her face as if for all the world she was harmless, and offered her hand to shake. The Lupess took it, forcing a lighter tone to her voice.
*Long time no see.*
*It has been, hasn't it?* The feline continued to grin as she glanced around her at the visitors coming and going from the castle's front door. *What say we find a more comfortable place to chat, dear?*
That always meant trouble, but Buddings had never let any challenge lie unattended and she motioned for Vvelveteen to follow her back upstairs.
In a moment they had closed themselves into one of the many empty rooms, reserved for guests of the king or a visiting nobleman just passing through.
The Kougress stationed herself, happily enough, on the massive, velvet-quilted bed, leaving the less impressive wooden chair against the bedside table for Buddings to sit on, something she forced herself to do quietly. The moment she sat down, however, she was the first to speak.
*Okay, I'm wasting time that should be spent in the courtyard right now, let's try to make this quick.*
*Of course, of course, Caluune has told me all about your little... masquerade. I don't want to upset anything.*
Buddings resisted the urge to envision a painful collision of her sword and her mentor's stomach at the breach in confidence.
*How /have/ you been, though?* The Kougress looked across the room at the squire, almost seeming concerned for the moment. *Goodness knows I haven't had any contact with you for years.*
*I can't imagine why you haven't talked to me.* Buddings threw in, taking only absent notice of the sting in her voice.
*Oh, Caluune said you might still be angry about all that mess. Really, Buddings, I didn't-*
*I ought to thank you for breaking up the wedding before I got too deep into it, but that doesn't change the fact you utterly destroyed me at the time. Save the apologies and get to why you're here.*
Vvelveteen seemed to flinch lightly at the harshness she was spoken to with, but chose to go on all the same.
*I heard Caluune recently told you off for having a boyfriend.*
*Why does everyone think I have a boyfriend?* Buddings half smacked her own forehead in exasperation, but chose to answer through her palm.
*He's my friend and, apparently, I'm not allowed to go near him. If you just came here to check on a rumor-*
*Oh, no! No!* The Kougress acted almost desperate to convince her hostess that she meant well, and stumbled into an explanation. *I mean well, Buddings, really! I heard and I wanted to come and help. I can't imagine being told you can't see a boy- a friend, I mean, just on the whimsy of your superiors, and I wanted to know if there was something I could do.*
*I don't want you here to 'convince' Caluune to cut me some slack and I don't need you to get through this. Caluune told /me/ off, and /I'm/ going to deal with it.*
Vvelveteen, as if in pity, slid along the bed until she was sitting nearer to Buddings and placed a hand on her knee.
*You always needed help.* She offered, as if gently telling someone the truth for the first time. *You never had the backbone to fight your own battles, and I don't see how this is any different, Buddings, so I want to help.*
*I've never been a jellyfish.* The Lupess replied sharply, inwardly wishing she could swat the small, dainty purple hand away. *I can fight my own battles as well as anyone. I had half a mind to fight you on my wedding night if Caluune hadn't pummeled me before I got to you.*
*That's just it.* Vvelveteen soothed, giving her leg a final pat before returning it to her own lap. *You need someone to tell you when to stop and go. I can play Caluune's tune, and I can get the order lifted. Why not play along?*
*Unlike you, I have morals. I want Caluune to eat his words, but not because some pretty little thing walks into his office and winks at him. I want him to regret ever speaking up, and I want him to know he can't do it again. I'm not going to lean on you every time he comes up with this. Now, if that's all you came to say, I am wanted outside.*
Vvelveteen, knowing when she was dismissed, rose with Buddings and fumbled for a moment with the small bag tied to her belt and shuffled in it quietly.
*I trust you know the way out.* The Lupess continued, crossing the room stiffly and opening the door, motioning out into the hall with an arm. *Caluune's lived here since I met him, chances are you know the halls like the back of your hand.*
The feline shook her head lightly and started out the door without another word, re-latching her bag as she did so. Before she had gone two steps, however, a single note fell out, something she ignored as she vanished quickly down the stairways.
Buddings, already assuming the note was meant for her to find, stooped and held it up, skimming the simple message written in the loopy, practiced handwriting of the feline.
*If you change your mind, I'm living down the road from the castle- the Thieves' Guild is putting me up.*
So Vvelveteen had come knowing the possibility of being turned away. Of course, that was just like her.
Buddings folded the letter in half and shoved it into her pants' pocket for the time being, making a mental note that, for a time, the Guild had dropped out of her *top three places to be.*

---

The morning seemed to go on for a week in itself and, due to a later start than the others, Buddings was forced to be late for lunch, landed with a list full of odd chores to finish before she could eat. Eventually, yet to bounce back from her encounter with Vvelveteen, the Lupess found herself carrying a tray tiredly up the stairs from the dining hall, heading for her room. Upon opening the door, she took notice of Sanjo bouncing on the bed playfully, Chiians clearly trying to get a nap in between the jostling. When she saw her mother, however, the little girl bounced back to the floor and nearly tackled the squire off her feet.
Buddings found it in herself to laugh at the happy antics and set her tray unto the bedside table, glancing to her father who had, clearly exhausted from the morning of babysitting, rolled over and began snoring loudly. When Sanjo might've giggled, Buddings placed a finger over her mouth, indicating quiet, while she sorted one plate from another.
She herself could only have the typical meal- meatloaf yet again- but she had made a request to the kitchen for something resembling chicken nuggets for her daughter. By the time they'd both settled down, sitting on the floor facing each other, Sanjo burst into a fiercely whispered account of the day.
*Mister Caluune came after you left, Mommy.* She started, glancing up at Chiians as though afraid he were about to wake up. *He said a bunch of mean things about Mister Altiir, too. And- and he took Mister Altiir's doll. Grandpa tried to stop him, but he said he could take what he wanted an' then he left. I hid my dolly, but he took yours, Mommy.*
Buddings flinched, pausing with a forkful of meatloaf halfway to her mouth. Immediately, her eyes found the space on the cabinet where the doll had sat and, sure enough, it was now empty. While the urge to lash out and storm up to Caluune's room in a wild rage rose up, she fought it back for the sake of the little girl now looking at her nervously. Apparently, some of her anger must've shown on the Lupess' face despite her efforts, for Sanjo spoke up again.
*I'm really sorry, Mommy- I was jus' really scared an'... an' I didn't know he'd take your dolly, I-*
Buddings, forcing a calmer tone than she felt, shook her head lightly. *No, it's not... it's not your fault, Sans. I didn't think he'd do that, but I should've known better.*
*Can you get your dolly back, Mommy?*
*If there's a way for me to, I will. He's pushed me far enough with Altiir and I'm not going to lay by the wayside for him to sink this low.*
*Mommy... I... I'm kinda scared of him.*
Buddings looked to her daughter, the look of nervous fright on her face enough to make her forget the anger towards Caluune for the moment. It would burn all the brighter soon enough, but, for the time being, Sanjo needed someone with a more even head. Placing her tray unto the floor, the squire motioned for the little girl to come over, something she did quickly, climbing into her mother's lap and hugging her tightly.
*I thought it was gonna be like one of the cartoons.* The younger Lupess muttered, having clearly been scared by the earlier intrusion. *I thought he was just gonna be joking and give the dolly back, but he didn't. He wasn't like the cartoons at all.*
Buddings heaved a heavy sigh at the thought.
No, Caluune wasn't anything like a cartoon.
*I know, Sans, it's alright. He wouldn't have hurt you, your Grandpa would've made sure of that, I promise. Caluune acts big and scary, but he can't touch you.*
*But Mister Altiir's doll-*
*I'll get it back.*
*What if he says you can't?*
*You don't give me enough credit. I'd be more worried about him- I'd like to see him try to hang unto that doll when I find out where he has it.*
Sanjo seemed to accept this and allowed herself to be held for the time being, clinging to the comfort of having a mother close.
All too soon a bell rang loudly, not unlike a school bell, to announce that the lunch hour was over for the time being. Buddings pried the little girl away from her and settled her on the bed near Chiians, who she promptly snuggled against tightly for protection. Waking up, the Lupe started to say something only to be cut off by Buddings.
*I'm going to get the doll back, Chiians, don't worry about it.*
*I was going to tell you to keep a cool head.* He replied, yawning widely at his own words. *It's just a doll, Buddings, remember that.*
*It's a Mister Altiir doll.* Sanjo protested, tightening her hug on her poor grandfather. *He's impor'nant.*
*It's not just that, it's the principle of the matter.* Buddings added, starting across the room for the door. *It was on a whim he decided to come and take it, just to get a dig at me, and it's on a whim I intend to get it back.*
*He's baiting you.* Chiians warned, rolling unto his stomach in the little girl's arms. *He wants to get your dander up.*
The skunk Lupess paused in the doorway, turning her head over her shoulder, though not looking at her father. *Then he's already won, hasn't he?*
With that, she vanished out into the hallway.
Chiians shook his head at the squire's absence and looked to Sanjo, a weak grin on his face. *You're mother's quite the character.* He pointed out, if a bit tiredly. *I hope you can grow up just like her.*
*Me, too, Grandpa.*

---

Buddings wasn't present during the afternoon roll call, and she wasn't around when the other squires were partnered off to spar with each other. While Caluune questioned the others fiercely, threatening them if they were keeping silent, she had managed to elude them all.
The skunk Lupess was, in fact, proceeding to tear the knight's room to shreds, turning things inside out in search of the missing doll and throwing in the revenge of squiring under him for five years.
Needless to say, that was a lot of revenge to be made up for.
After leaving Chiians and Sanjo in her room, taking care to lock it behind her against any more likely intruders, she made a beeline to the third floor and Caluune's bedroom. He, too, had locked her out, but her time with the Thieves Guild had taught her to unlock the nightmare of the treasure vault, making a simple door lock child's play.
Still, it took her nearly half an hour of working at it before it eased open and she slipped in. Turning on the bedside table lamp caused the study to light up instantly, the wiring having been rigged to set off a chain reaction from one lamp to another. Undaunted, the Lupess began her search at once, starting with the great, plush red velvet chair Caluune favored so much. She had explored it once before and discovered a pouch under the cushion the brown Lupe would occasionally use to hide letters and such, and it was here she looked now. She discovered a letter from Vvelveteen- of course, he always had those around- and an old newspaper clipping that had been smudged with age. Oddly enough, it covered her fiasco of a wedding. If she hadn't been in a hurry, she might've paused to read both over, but the evening training didn't go as late as one might think, and Caluune himself usually returned early, anyway.
Next, after replacing the letter and newspaper, she went to the bedside table. Here she sorted through the odds-and-ends one usually kept near their bed. A novel- a romantic thriller of all things- with a fancy, tasseled bookmark, a magazine and several pointless knickknacks were among the clutter. The bottom drawer was actually used for socks, and Buddings made a point to leave several of them hanging out of their drawer and scattered unto the floor.
His wardrobe closet came next, probably the least time consuming of the lot. The skunk Lupess pushed several outfits around and tore a few jackets off their hangers, Caluune's favorite plush robe even found itself speared with the wire end of one and torn rather neatly into ribbons. There was some enjoyment to be gotten from wreaking mass destruction, and, though the thought of punishment if she were caught loomed in the back of her head, she went along her merry way. When she was sure there were no hidden pockets housing the missing doll, she moved on.
Books. Hundreds of books were lining the shelves, kept immaculately dust-free and in order. If there was one thing Caluune actually treasured, it was his reading. It was a little known fact that there was a large dictionary collection on the top shelf that hid a secret hiding place from view, and this was were most squires lost their confiscated items to. Very few souls actually dared to sneak in here and retrieve the items they'd lost, but Buddings had come far enough to chance it. Carefully, in the order of colors, she pulled nearly every other book down, tearing a page out here and there, bending a few spines backward and managing to rip a thin paperback or two in half. Finally, the second-to-last color left on the shelves was green- the color of the dictionaries. A few other odd books of the same shade were removed first, but the intruder stole upward on a library-like ladder and pulled the first book out, throwing it haphazardly over her shoulder. Sure enough, the hidden area was still in place, partially filled with a few random objects. Placing her arm behind the remaining books in the collection, Buddings pushed them all unto the floor in a fell swoop, inwardly grateful for the padded carpeting that muffled the sound almost completely. She peered anxiously into the cubbyhole, but it currently only held worthless items. Stubbornly, she reached her hand as far back into the stone nook as possible, feeling around until she took hold of something cold and metal. Withdrawing it, she found herself holding a single coin. Grinning like a mad fiend, she returned her hand into the compartment and this time, exploring further, she was able to produce a small bag filled with glittering gold.
Caluune kept a close eye on his squire's money that they held on-hand, and too much was usually taken by him to be spent as he pleased. Buddings twisted the small bag closed and half-slid down the ladder she was on, holding her prize tightly.
Already, it was getting later than she would've liked, but she loyally continued her search. A box in the corner, a chest of drawers against the wall, a few other odd books here and there, nothing turned her doll up. After another half hour had gone by, the Lupess stole to the bed and began stripping it of sheets and blankets. She tied one sheet firmly unto the next, making small, tight bows to allow as much length as possible, all the while coiling the length neatly on the floor. It was time-consuming, but, finally, after raiding several drawers of clean sheets and towels, she flung the window on the far side of the room open. It overlooked the curving, empty road that led to Meriacres, currently empty of any travelers due to the late afternoon hour. The moat around the castle was the only obstacle, but, as was known, all it took was a good swimmer to get to the other side. Buddings, herself usually sinking like a rock in water, tied a heavy paperweight- Caluune's personal favorite of a snarling metal Lupe head- to the end of her makeshift rope and tossed the sheets out the window and into the water. The weight at the end made a small *plop* upon contact, but then sank silently to the bottom of the miniature river. The other end, still in Buddings' hand, she stretched cross the wall to the bed, tying it securely to the bedpost. She gave it several tugs to test its strength, though she herself had no real intention of using it. When she was sure it made a sturdy rope, she returned to the window and dropped a small handful of coins down below, watching as they fell into the water and vanished into its depths.
Of course, any escaping thief would likely lose a few coins during his swimming getaway.
Taking a hold of either side of the sheet- half outside the windowpane and the other half against the wall, she ran it back and forth several times against the wood, stopping only once a decent indent was left. It had supported the weight of the burglar, after all.
Satisfied that the scene was set, she turned and started out, only to pause as she passed the bed. Her gaze had drifted towards the trash can where, she hadn't noticed before, a single helpless little plush arm hung over the rim.
Instantly, she was digging through the garbage and gathered the arm into her fist, pulling it out of the mess of tissues and stuffing.
/Stuffing./
With a grimace, Buddings pulled the arm out of the trash, digging around until the head and body were found, as well. The final part- a leg- was at the bottom. Divided into these four sections, the Altiir doll was at least found once more.
Hesitating a moment, the skunk Lupess held the doll remains in her arms, trying to formulate some plan to sew the limbs back together and ensure the voice box was still in good working order, but the sound of a turning doorknob made her heart stop dead in its tracks. Turning her head to look over her shoulder, she noted Caluune, looking as horrified as she felt, surveying the mess of his room.
*... What have you /done?/* He managed a minute or so later, wide eyes finally settling on Buddings. *What on earth have you /done/ to my room?*
Buddings resisted the urge to reply, 'The same thing you did to my doll!', and looked instead at the room around her. *I came to look for my doll.* She replied, the monotone in her voice startling even her. Her perfect plan- there had to be a way to save it. *I came for my doll, but someone got here before me.*
Buddings, to her credit, had already managed to hide her sack of money in her pants' pocket, leaving her free to toss her wild idea out.
The Skunk Lupess turned away from the knight in the doorway and looked instead to the mess of an Altiir doll in her arms. She didn't need to look to hear the cracking of a whip brought out, nor did she need to see the heavy footsteps approaching her.
Inwardly, she could only hope Chiians would care for Sanjo for a day or so.

---

Her hope wasn't needed as badly as she'd feared, and she woke up the next morning in the hospital ward, her fear of a week-long downtime being relieved.
Lifting a hand to her head, she could only flinch at the pain it caused her to move at all. Fighting back the squeal in her throat, she attempted to remember what had happened.
Caluune had blamed her, of course. It had looked bad for her case. She could remember being pulled to her feet roughly and slapped across the face, but then she drew a blank. More likely than not, the large bump on her forehead had come from contact with bedside table, mercifully knocking her out before she could feel the sting of the whip.
He had used his whip. She could tell by the bandage wound around her entire torso, already tainted crimson. Gingerly, she attempted propping herself up on her elbows, only to flinch and fall back unto her pillow in defeat.
Morning training was out of the question, anyway.
The hospital-like room around her, sectioned off from the rest of the ward with green floor-to-ceiling curtains, was still partially dark, the sun only just starting to rise through the window at her right, but the fact her vision was blurry on top of that was maddening. One moment she thought she saw movement from something- a chair?- the next she was sure there were six bedposts at her feet. Finally, she closed her eyes and gave in, silently preparing herself for whatever might lay ahead.
Luckily for her, Chiians and Sanjo were the ones to visit her that morning. She had managed a nap, brought on by her fatigue, and woke to the sound of Sanjo whispering rather loudly to her grandfather.
*Grandpa, is she gonna be alright?* The little girl questioned anxiously, earning a calmer, quieter response.
*She can handle herself just fine.* He assured, though Buddings detected that edge of worry in his voice. He never took well to when his daughter was injured, and he was forcing an outward calm now for Sanjo's sake.
Buddings, always bothered more by whispering than outright voices, dared to open her eyes, taking mental note that Sanjo sat on a small chair, Chiians beside her with a paw on her knee.
The little girl was the first to notice her mother's movement and nearly sprang from her seat, rushing up to the bed and bouncing slightly on her heels.
*Mommy! Mommy-*
*Shush.* Buddings managed, grinning weakly as she placed a hand on the girl's head. *Try to... stay a little still, alright? I'm a little dizzy.*
Sanjo obeyed instantly, suddenly looking depressed and forlorn at the request. *You're really hurt, aren't you, Mommy? I thought you were, an'-*
*Don't worry.* The Skunk Lupess threw in, placing her spare arm across her bandaged stomach. *I just wasn't as careful as I should've been. Chiians-*
The red Lupe was beside his own daughter instantly, propping himself up to her level with his forepaws. *Don't worry- Neeheia was working last night. She bandaged you up.*
Neeheia was the only member of the doctor staff at the castle who knew of Buddings' little secret, having been the one to deliver Sanjo and, as such, she was the only one permitted to work on skunk Lupess when she needed medical attention. It was too risky to drag another faceless doctor into the picture. At least the silver Eyrie was sworn to secrecy over the matter, and she was a woman of her word.
Buddings nodded absently at the news, looking at her father with a guilty look on her face. *Did she-*
*We, ah, found a bag in your pants' pocket.* He explained, guessing her question instantly. *It had gold coins in it, but I figured you had a reason for its being there.* Chiians, pausing, dropped to the ground for a moment, resurfacing beside the bed a moment later with the sack of money in his teeth, something he placed beside his daughter's hand.
*Good.* Buddings rested her head back once more and allowed herself to stare at the ceiling. *How did you find me?*
*Caluune claims you ransacked his room, and he was just trying to stop you. He doesn't know you had the money, either.*
*That's good.* The Lupess closed her eyes quietly, waiting for him to go on, something he did loyally.
*I heard you... scream from the floor below, so Sanjo and I went to see what was wrong. I managed to pull him off you and get the whip away from him, but he did a number on your side. Nee says it should be better in a week on its own, but she went out to find a potion to speed it up. She's not sure if there is one, but she promised to look. You should know Caluune is fuming today-*
*Did anyone get the doll?*
Buddings question caused Chiians to fall silent, suddenly searching his memory for anything involving a doll. Sanjo, however, already had her answer.
*When I saw you were hurt, Mommy, I got real scared an' stuff, but I saw you holdin' Mister Altiir's dolly and I... I sorta took it. You aren't mad, are you, Mommy?*
*Where'd you put it, Sans?* Buddings opened an eye curiously, regarding the girl at her bedside who shifted a bit guiltily.
*Well, Mommy, I kinda... I kinda ran back to your room and... and tried to put him back together. I've been tryin' real hard, too.*
Chiians, his own memory returning, nodded absently. *She has been. She was up most of the night trying to figure out how to work a needle and thread.*
Sanjo, loyally, reached into the large pocket of her skirt and withdrew the Altiir doll. The sewing job was horrid, and the stitches were uneven and the wrong color, but he was together again. When the little girl placed it beside her mother's arm, it could be noted he now sat crookedly, one leg sewn too close to the other one. Still, Buddings managed to lift her arm and wrap it around Sanjo's neck in a weak hug.
*Sans, you have no idea how much this means to me.* The squire, smiling a bit more widely, released her daughter and picked up the doll in her hand. Noting absently she was shaking, she placed the doll on her stomach where she could look down at him. She was sensitive enough the slight weight of him stung, but shifting the doll around slightly eased this and she was able to admire him in better light.
*Mommy, what d'you think Mister Altiir would do right now?* Sanjo asked suddenly, following her mother's gaze on the plush Wocky. *D'you think he'd be real mad?*
*I think Caluune would learn a lesson or two, but I don't think Altiir would go storming around in a rage, if that's what you mean.*
*Would he make Mister Caluune say he was sorry?*
*That would depend on his mood. He might stand there, staring at me, and wonder what on earth I thought I was doing, or he might be off hunting Caluune down. Or he might just shake his head and stay away until I was deemed 'sane.'*
*Mommy, could you tell me a story 'bout Mister Altiir?*
Where Buddings might've answered, Chiians broke in. *I told her you might just want to rest.*
*I am a bit tired, Sanjo. You know when you get a really bad cold and just want to sleep?*
*Uh-huh.*
*That's how I feel right now.*
*'Kay.* The little girl, though resolved to accept the verdict, shuffled a bit unhappily and Buddings, noticing this, gave in.
*Alright, alright, bring that chair over here and I'll see if I can't come up with something. Just don't expect too much from me, okay?*
Sanjo, however, was thrilled at the idea of any story at all and probably would've forgotten fetching the chair altogether if Chiians hadn't nudged her along. It only took a minute or so before she was settled in, her grandfather sitting at her feet.
*What do you want to hear?* Buddings rested her head unto her pillow and closed her eyes once again, listening absently for a reply. After a moment, Sanjo came up with an answer.
*Does Mister Altiir save princesses?*
*I never thought about it- he might very well try to pull it off, for the right princess.*
*What kind of princess?*
Buddings managed to chuckle at the thought, attempting in her mind to envision an Altiir version of a 'Miss Right.' *Well, it would have to be someone he knew well enough to get around his grumpy act, but she probably wouldn't be too bothersome. I don't think he takes kindly to my constant questioning I throw at him. Altiir strikes me as the type who wouldn't like secrets being kept from him, especially if he knew the person really well. I could be wrong. He might be the type who could honestly care less, but that's how I read him. And she'd need to have a sense of humor, I imagine, to keep herself from going insane, but a more dry, quiet sort so she didn't get on his nerves. And she'd have to move slowly- I doubt Altiir would appreciate someone who just tackled him to the ground and confessed undying love or something. He'd likely run from the latter.*
*Does Mister Altiir like jokes?*
*That's a good question. I already told you he isn't the type to laugh, but he might agree to give a little *heh* to one or two.*
Sanjo nodded fiercely at the news, storing it away into the archive of information she was attempting to store up. *Is he really han'some, like a prince?*
An amused smirk played on Buddings' face at the thought. *Well, now, that depends on the person you ask.*
*What d'you think, Mommy?*
*Not princely material, no, but he has potential. He'll knock your socks off if he dresses himself up a bit, though, and lets his hair down. Give him a light blue tuxedo and you've got quite a looker on your hands. Unhappy, but handsome.*
Chiians chose this point to jump back into the conversation, looking up at Buddings curiously. *And you would notice?*
*I can have opinions on guys' looks, can't I? If I think he's got rugged good looks, that's my problem.*
*Do you?*
*No, and I pity the poor girl who imagines him lifting weights at the gym.*
Sanjo, wanting to be a part of the conversation again, threw in her next question. *Can I have my dolly get real strong?*
*I never said Altiir wasn't strong, he's just not muscle man material.*
The little girl started to move unto her next question, but Chiians cut her off. *I think we'd better let your mother rest.* He started, rising to his four paws and stretching absently. *She'll need it.*
*'Kay.* Sanjo, though losing a level of her joyfulness, stood up herself and leaned over the hospital bed the best she was able, managing an awkward hug. *G'bye, Mommy.*
*Don't worry.* Buddings promised, giving the girl a small pat. *I'll get over this soon, I promise. Then maybe I can tell you a story about Altiir and his princess.*
The younger Lupess accepted this happily, following Chiians out a moment later with a bounce in her step at the idea of a full-fledged story ahead.
They hadn't been gone ten minutes, however, when another visitor made a reappearance, ducking into the green curtain that served as the 'walls' around Buddings' bed.
Awoken by the sound from a half-drowsing state, the skunk Lupess flinched at the sight of Vvelveteen, sitting calmly where Sanjo had sat moments before.
*Good morning, dear.* The Kougress started, managing a wide grin full of small, perfect white teeth. *I wanted to come back and see how you were doing- you didn't seem to even see me earlier.*
So the squire had seen something move in corner when the room was darker. She wanted to ask how she had gotten in before visiting hours started, but deemed it too much trouble and looked to the woman beside her tiredly.
*So how /are/ you feeling?* Vvelveteen went on, rising to her feet and leaning over Buddings, fluffing her pillow as if she were staff in the hospital ward. Before Buddings could answer, however, the feline stopped short and stared down at her shoulder, noticing the Altiir doll snuggled against her head.
The Lupess groaned inwardly and would've attempted to grab the doll away and under the covers if Vvelveteen hadn't beaten her to the punch and took the plush Wocky into her own hand first.
*If that isn't the sweetest little thing-*
*He's my sweetest little thing, thank you kindly, and he's the only thing I came out on top with.* Buddings, finding her voice, finally managed to sit up. Upon succeeding, however, she stifled a gasp and wrapped an arm around her middle, grimacing as the gashes lining her side were shifted into a more uncomfortable position. It took a moment of silence- which she hated every moment of- but the finally Lupess reached out and took hold of her doll, which her visitor relinquished easily enough.
*So that's the fabled Altiir?* The Kougress continued to grin as Buddings stashed her possession under her blanket to keep him out of sight. *I /have/ heard so much about him. Caluune says he's dangerous, is that true?*
*I wouldn't want to get on his bad side. What do you want?*
Vvelveteen seemed to take the harsh note in stride and patted Buddings on the head. *I thought I might offer my services again. Dear, you really must stop acting on impulse.* She lowered herself back into her chair and crossed her legs, as though intending to stay awhile. *Caluune is simply furious today, limping on one leg after your vicious brute of a father bit his ankle.*
*I wish Chiians would've torn it to bits.*
*You /are/ the little hothead, aren't you? Really, if you could only learn subtlety, maybe you'd get somewhere. You don't run into a brick wall, dear, you find away around it. Caluune is the same way. Can't you at least see that?*
*I don't want to go around; I intend to climb over him.*
Vvelveteen shook her head and started to reply, but was cut off as another voice broke into the room.
*'En yer needs a rope!*
Buddings grinned weakly at the familiar sound of Merouladen, followed seconds later by the young Meerca himself, bobbing in happily.
Vvelveteen, however, was less than thrilled at the appearance and rose instantly. *I'll come back later, dear.* She stated simply, turning and leaving as quickly as the Meerca thief had come.
Undaunted, Merouladen bounded up to Buddings' bedside and hopped unto the chair, using it to better see the Lupess sitting there.
*You always make the most opportune entrances.* Buddings mused absently, glancing sideways at the newest visitor. *I'm not sure how much more I could've taken of her.*
*I though' you migh' not like 'er visitin', guv. We was all tellin' 'er nots to come.*
Guv' was a nickname Buddings had earned at the Guild, having taken the head charge of a few of their heists, and Merouladen was one of the few who would call her nothing else. When asked, he'd usually say that it meant *Governess,* though his older brother had never been able to figure out the reasoning.
Now, however, Buddings skimmed over the reasoning for her nickname and got down to her business.
*I need a favor of you.* She started, daring to release her middle with one arm to dig under her sheets, producing the bag of coins she had taken the day before. Handing it to the curious Meerca, she went on. *Plant this on Vvelveteen, will you? And find one of her outfits- wait until later today- dump some water on them. If anyone asks, she came home last night wearing them wet.*
Merouladen opened the sack curiously, noted the money, and, managing a knowing look, closed it once more. Giving a wide grin, he slipped it into one of the many pockets on his person.
*Gosh, guv, I was comin' expectin' ta see you down an' out. Should'a known be'er, really.*
Buddings smirked at the comment and dug her Altiir doll out from under her blankets, hugging it tightly to her while she continued to hold her stomach. *You should know me better than that. I need it to-*
*Yer don' need ta tell me, guv, I getcha. Yer needs i' ta look like the kitty pulled a heist ta cover sumfing up. We's got'cher back.*
*Glad to hear it. Tell me- how's Heermeedjet dealing with Vvelveteen?*
*Aw, guv, 'e's smi'en righ' well. 'E's still walkin' 'round like she migh' no'ice 'im or sumfing. 'Is a bloomin' shame, i' is.*
The Lupess nodded thoughtfully, though her focus remained on the Meerca's voice.
Honestly, she could listen to his British drawl for hours.
Forcing her mind on the topic at hand, she finally gave up her Altiir doll, offering it to the thief, who took and looked it over, amused.
*Aw, innit tha' cute? 'Oo is this chap, guv? 'Looks familiar to me.*
*His name's Altiir.* Buddings started, inwardly refusing to go into the same talk she had done twice already over the ghost Wocky. *He's a good friend of mine, but I've been forbidden to see him again.*
*Aw, tha's a shame, guv, 'ee looks- is tha' a pullin' string?*
*Go on, pull it.*
Loyally, Merouladen gave the string a tug, causing the doll to recite his now famous phrase.
*I like Paul McCartney!*
The Meerca, laughing, placed the doll back into Buddings' hands. *Tha's a righ' fine piece o' work if I e'er saw i'. Wha' abou' 'im?*
*I'm stuck in this bed right now because Caluune took this doll from me and I went to get it back. I don't intend to bow to the wishes of a jealous Lupe, and I could use some advice. You heard what Vvelveteen was saying- she'd probably have me try to play him like a harp, or agree to let her do it for me. I want some way to, as I said, climb over the wall instead of going around. Any ideas?*
*Yer could play i' real coy-like aroun' 'im, guv. When 'e's not expectin' i', yer could catch 'im off guard.*
*... Brilliant. Now, kindly tell me how the heck I go about doing that.*
*Well, wha' iffin a lo' o' bad things 'appen to 'im? Af'er all o' 'em, wha' if sumfing 'appens to make 'im take back wha' 'e said?*
Buddings thought about this for a moment before a small grin spread across her features. *I've told you before and I'll tell you again- you're a man after my own heart. Sometimes I think I could kiss you.*
Merouladen broke into a goofy smile, turning a pale red as he lowered his gaze to his feet and shuffled them slightly. *Gosh, guv. Yer always makin' me blush when ya say fings like tha'.*
*I'll need some help on this one, though. Can you and Heermeedjet be counted on?*
*I says i' before, guv, I says i' again- we's got'cher back.*
*I think I owe you both my life- especially if we can pull this off. You both know all the secret passage- and by-ways of the castle, right?*
*Like ter back o' our 'ands, we do.*
*Good. I'll likely see Caluune mostly for training when I get out of here- morning and afternoon into evening. Can I hire you both for a week to tail me out in the courtyard? It's going to take me at least until tomorrow to get myself back around, but while I'm healing, can you find someone to make me a few more simplistic versions of this Altiir doll?*
*Yer don' need ta pay us, guv. I'm thinkin' I could finds some'un ta take ter job fer the plushes, too.*
*I will pay you, though. Take half of the money from that sack and split it between you both. I'm good for the price of the doll if you can't arrange for someone to make it out of the goodness of their hearts.*
*Wha's ta plan then, guv?*
*We're going to spook Caluune into taking back his orders. If it works out, I think I might even get a few good laughs along the way. Come see me tomorrow morning and I'll see how I'm doing. Remember- not a word to anyone but you and your brother.*
*I gots ya, guv. Don' worry 'bou' a thing. D'you need some 'elp wif tha' pillow?*
Buddings, about then, had started to lay down, but hesitated a moment, noticing her pillow had slid down against her back. Where normally she would've turned enough to replace it, the mere thought of the action made her flinch. Grateful for the Meerca thief's perception, she nodded. *If you could put back up about where my head goes, that'd be great.*
*Like this, 'ere?*
The Lupess laid back gingerly, flinching at the soreness in her side. Once down, she grinned and nodded her approval. *Perfect. Thanks a ton.*
*Glad ta be o' service.* The Meerca hopped from his chair and started out, taking this for as good a time as any for exit, but paused at the curtain to look back at Buddings.
*'Ows the lil' one?*
*She's doing good. Thanks.*
*Glad ta 'ear i', guv.*
With a slight wink in the Lupess' direction, he vanished out the folds of the curtain and left her to holding her doll in one arm, grinning lightly.
She could bark orders and dig up these intricate plots against someone, but she had to have her little teddy-Altiir with her through it all.
As she drifted off to sleep, she couldn't help but wonder just how much she had grown up from the little girl Chiians had raised so long ago.

---

Buddings drowsed on and off all day, being prodded awake once for lunch by the silver-painted Eyrie and once more at dusk to take a red potion that tasted strongly of apple.
Throughout it all, she had a mixture of odd dreams, most of which involved her, helpless to do anything, sitting on the sidelines during an epic battle between Caluune and an enormous version of her Altiir doll. When she ate her lunch, however, she had to laugh at how she could've been troubled over something that was easily sewn back together.
Despite her constant naps, however, the potion made her equally sleepy and she didn't wake again until the sun was up the next morning; shining happily in on her as if for all the world it was a wonderful day to look forward to. Gingerly, she propped herself on her elbows, taking note that her injuries felt only slightly sore for all the pain they'd caused the day before.
True to his word, Merouladen was sitting on the chair beside her bed, fiddling with a single coin that had undoubtedly come from the bag he'd received from the Lupess now stirring beside him. Upon hearing the shuffling of bed sheets, he stashed the coin into one of his many pockets and looked up at her, grinning widely.
*Top o' the mornin', guv.*
Buddings laughed airily at the greeting, still treating any movement of her torso with great care. It took a few minutes but, finally, she was sitting upright and the Meerca thief was attempting to awkwardly position her pillow as a back rest. When she settled back in, she smiled widely at her early visitor and placed her hands in her lap along with her Altiir doll.
*Feelin' be'er this mornin', guv?* Merouladen questioned, settling unto his own chair. *Been 'ere since sun up, I 'ave.*
*You should know of all people how late I sleep, but I'm glad to see you all the same.*
*I've go' sumfing fer ya.* The Meerca reached to the side of the chair and pulled a gray bag up where the Lupess could see. Opening it, he withdrew a small doll that resembled the voodoo Altiir Sanjo had taken as her own. The eyes were blotted on with black marker, instead of sewn red buttons, but the hair and purple kimono-like outfit fit the bill.
*Sorry 'bout the eyes, guv.* The thief added guiltily, noticing the red satin buttons used for the doll in her lap. *I fergot wha' color they was supposed ta be.*
*You did fine.* Buddings assured, taking the new doll gingerly and looking it over with satisfaction. *I couldn't expect the seamstress- or man, for all I know- to make me half a dozen of these with sewn-on eyes. A black blotter will work for the purpose.*
*I 'ave a lass down at the bake'ry makin' 'em, guv. She'll do i' fer free, ta boot.*
*Good, good. Is she pretty?*
*Eh?*
*Oh, come now, you can't tell me you aren't using your charm to get her to make these.*
*Guv!*
*Ahaha. Your secret's safe with me, I won't tell a soul.*
*I'm a-waitin' fer you, guv. Yer the only one I gots me eye on.*
Buddings grinned at the Meerca beside her and gave the doll back to him. *Well, I'm flattered. If I wasn't currently in the guise of a man, I'd take you up on that offer.*
Merouladen, turning his usual shade of red, began shuffling around with replacing the plush Altiir back in his bag, using it, rather badly, as cover up for any embarrassment. Buddings, however, was amused.
When she'd first joined the Thieves' Guild five years ago, Merouladen had been only sixteen and had, at the time, worshipped the ground she walked on. Now that he had finally breached twenty-one, he counted himself as more worthy of notice, and everyone at the guild could tell you about his current interest in the female squire. If no one else mourned her loss on the day of her execution, he would.
Now, as he managed to place the doll, in the bag, beside his seat again, he offered a weak sort of grin.
*Guv, wha' are yer planning' on doin'?*
*Glad you asked, actually. Er- Heermeedjet couldn't make it?*
*Tha' kitty cat 'as 'is knickers in a bunch, she 'as. 'E 'ardly knows up from down, bu' 'e was supposed ta mee' me 'ere, anyways. 'Aven't 'eard from 'im all mornin'.*
*Can I count on you to make sure he gets some form of the... hm. He's getting close to Vvelveteen?*
*'As close as she'll let 'im. I tells 'im las' night, I tells 'im, 'Heermeedjet, she's gonna use you 'til you bloomin' fall apar'.' 'E jus' looks at me all dreamy-like and goes, 'Yer don' know wha' bein' in love is like.' So I says back, 'I bloody do, an' ya've lost yer 'ead over some bloody kitty cat!' So then 'e gets all mad, see, and tells me off- 'I won' have yer callin' 'er no names! Yer take i' back 'er I take yer share o' the money!'*
*Oh, this is getting good.* Buddings interjected, grinning all the while despite the serious tone Merouladen used. *Then what'd you say?*
*I bloomin' high-tailed i', guv. Me brother isn' one ta cross.*
*So he's not. Were you able to tell him I planned to hire you both?*
*I tried ta, guv, but I don' think 'e 'eard a word.*
*All the better. Merouladen, can you take this job on yourself? The last thing I need is someone who might be pried for information by Vvelveteen.*
*Ah... tha's smart, guv. Real smart. I think I could 'andle i'.*
*You are the lifesaver today. Come tomorrow, chances are I'll have to at least go out to the courtyard and sit through Caluune's ranting. But I have a mission for you tonight, in the meantime. There's a passage way between Caluune's room and the empty storeroom next to it. It's about the size of that Altiir doll you have, so fitting into it isn't an option. But there's a dumbwaiter- a big affair, I used to ride in it when I was small and had plenty of room. If you open the door to it before you reach the store room, there's a little cubbyhole that runs under that passage. It's a bit musty, but the little tunnel carries sound like anything and the opening on Caluune's end was covered when they wallpapered his room. Thin enough to not block the sound, but thick enough that he won't know where it's coming from. Catching my drift?*
*Gosh, guv, you are feelin' be'er this mornin'.*
Buddings smirked at the comment, but waited for an actual reply, which came readily enough.
*I think I could pull i' off, guv. I can ride in them dumbwai'ers real well, an' musty places are me specialty. Wha' is i' yer wan' me ta say?*
*Think you can manage something along the lines of- *This is the spirit of what once was, but was not, and now will be?* Caluune is more likely to fall for things in strange riddles like that. Bonus points if you can manage to throw in something about lifting the order about Altiir. If he starts to try and argue, fade out with a *final warning before...* and then make your getaway. The threat can just be left hanging. Also, if you take something hard and metal, you can make clanging sounds.*
*An' this is jus' a lil' projec' in ta meantime?*
*Don't worry, the main fun starts tomorrow when I get to join in, but things should get easier as we go along, I promise.*
*Wha'evur ya say, guv.*
Buddings started to make another comment, but the sound of voices outside the green curtain caused her to stop. Before she could distinguish one from another, Sanjo bounded through the flap used for a door, Chiians loping along a minute behind.
*Mommy, Mommy, I- oooh.* Sanjo stopped short when she noticed the Meerca sitting beside her mother. Instantly landed in a less-than-ideal situation, Merouladen hopped from the chair and took his tail in both hands, fiddling with it nervously.
*I, ah... You mus' be ta guv's lil' girl.*
*This is Sanjo.* Buddings supplied, grinning at her daughter's confused look and assuming not everyone could understand the Meerca as well as she could. *Sanjo, this is Merouladen.*
*Meer... Meero...*
*You can calls me Meer, iffin you'd like.* Merouladen offered, daring to look at the little girl who was inching closer curiously. *I'm yer Mum's frien'.*
*You're neat looking.* The young Lupess announced, as if this settled the matter. Forgetting precaution, she bounded up to the Meerca and bounced a bit on her heels, grinning from ear-to-ear. *If Mommy likes you, you must be real nice!*
*I... I like ta think ta guv likes me.* He admitted weakly, looking up at Buddings with a hopeful grin.
*Of course. Merouladen knew me before I came to live at the castle, even. I'd be lost without him.*
The Meerca took this as a prime compliment and turned his wide grin on Sanjo.
*I'd bes' be off, lil' miss.* He explained, removing an invisible hat from his head as if he were addressing a lady walking the streets of London. Turning to Chiians, he gave a knowing sort of nod.
*Mornin', sir.*
And the next moment was gone out the curtain, leaving Chiians and Sanjo alone with the squire.
*Okay, Buddings, when you deal with the Meerca brothers, you're up to something.* The red Lupe turned to his daughter, an accusing ring to his voice.
*I'm not dealing with the Meerca /brothers,/ just Merouladen. So I'm not planning on anything too major, obviously. Sanjo- you look like you're about to bounce around the room, what happened?*
Sanjo hopped across the room and plopped into her chair happily, turning to face her mother. *Mommy, Grandpa said-*
*I told her she could come and stay at the Meridell Outskirts with me.* He finished, rearing unto his hind legs and propping his front paws on his daughter's sheets. *Buddings, Caluune is steaming mad, and I don't want her to get into any trouble. I can take her so you don't have to worry about her- it looks like you're going to be busy enough as it is.*
Though inwardly the skunk Lupess was struck with the desire to stubbornly refuse to give her daughter up, she managed an outward calm and turned to Sanjo. *Do you really want to see the 'Outskirts?* She questioned, keeping an innocently curious note in her voice.
In reality, she felt anything but innocently curious, but she chose to ignore this.
*I wanna see where you grew up!* Sanjo replied instantly, bouncing a bit in her seat. *I wanna see all the stuff you saw when you were little, Mommy, an' Grandpa says we could lookit the place you lived in!*
*Oh, you're in for a treat.* Buddings chuckled lightly at the thought of her daughter, upon discovering the cave, announcing it was the greatest thing ever. *It's up to you, Sans.*
*Mommy, can you come with us? Please?*
*I'm afraid I can't. I'm going to be stuck here until tomorrow, at least-*
*We could leave t'morrow, couldn't we, Grandpa?*
Chiians shook his head at the question, dropping back to the floor. *We can if you'd like to, but your mother probably won't come with us.*
Sanjo looked to the skunk Lupess with a begging sort of face. *You will, won't you? Please?*
Buddings, for a moment, considered the chance of getting away for a week, but pushed it firmly from her mind just as quickly.
She had very intention of staying on and earning her rights back, and going crawling to Caluune and asking for a week off to recover hardly counted as making a stand. Running away like that would seem like giving up, and now that Caluune had her dander up, he'd have to learn that that meant consequences.
*Sanjo, I have to say here. I'd love the week off-*
*Then why can't you come?* The little girl leaned over her chair, looking up at her mother with wide, hurt eyes. *It would only be fun if you came along.*
*I don't want to miss it, either, but remember when you asked if Mister Altiir would make Caluune say he was sorry?*
*Mm-hm.*
*Mister Altiir isn't around right now, and I need to take his pace. Sort of... defend his honor. Do you know what that means?*
*Not... not really.*
*He's not here to stick up for himself when Caluune says bad things about him, but I /am/ here. I /can/ stand up for him as his friend. If I left, it'd be like I left Altiir to be dragged through the mud, and I don't think I could do that.*
*I don't think I could 'neither.* Sanjo murmured, lowering her gaze to her feet and slumping back in her chair, apparently deep in thought. After a moment of this, she sat back up and managed a weak grin. *I'm gonna stay, too! I'm gonna help de... d'fend Mister Altiir's... honor!*
While Buddings broke into a wide smile herself, checking one more on her side against Caluune, she could hear the muffled groan of Chiians who, apparently, hadn't foreseen this difficulty.
Counting any arguments he might have as useless in the face of Sanjo's fierce protection of her 'Mister Altiir,' the red Lupe gave in.
*Fine... Okay, don't say I didn't try to help. No, you two have to have to stand up for Altiir. How did I get landed with two girls? I couldn't have had a grand/son/ who could see reason like I do.*
Buddings, daring to move from her sitting position, leaned over just slightly to better view her father.
*We're not keeping you here, you know.* She pointed out, if a bit jokingly. *You're free to follow your reason to your heart's content.*
Chiians, faced with the choice point-blank, smirked despite himself.
*You know me.* He stated simply. *I have to hang around to be here to pick up the pieces afterwards.*

---

Sanjo stayed with her mother that night, Chiians being delegated to the floor unhappily while Neeheia was able to fetch enough blankets to make a pallet for the girl near to her mother. The day was passed mostly with questions asked of Altiir, and several revelations on Sanjo's part when she realized Buddings was still a member of the Thieves' Guild. This was quickly dismissed as a more exciting way of life, however, and excused.
When bedtime came around, and Sanjo snuggled into her blankets, her Altiir doll held tightly against her, she looked upwards at Buddings curiously.
*Mommy, can you tell me a story?*
*Hm?* The Lupess, at last able to lay on her side, looked over the edge of her bed at the little girl, her own Altiir doll already resting beside her pillow in his usual lookout position. *A story?*
*Well, I kinda got to... to wondering 'bout Mister Altiir's princess an'... an'...*
*You want to hear a story about Altiir and his princess?*
*Please?*
*Alright, Sans, lay back and close your eyes and I'll see what I can't do. What should we name his princess, though?*
*Can we name her after you, Mommy? You'd make a real pretty princess.*
Buddings had to laugh at the thought of herself locked away in some tower, waiting for a prince, but gave in easily enough. After making sure Sanjo was resting, she took only a minute to gather her thoughts before she dove headfirst into a fairy tale made up as she went along.
*Once upon a time, in a little town just west of Meridell, there was a princess. She was traveling and, while passing through, decided to stay on for a time. The princess' name was Buddings, and-*
*She was prettier 'en all the other princesses!* Sanjo interjected, earning a mockingly stern look from her mother.
*Now, who's story is this?*
*Sorry, Mommy.*
*It's alright. Now, where was I?*
*Princess Buddings was staying in the lil' town.*
*Ah, right, right.
*So she moved most of her things to a small house where she wanted to live. She was happy for a long time, and everyone in the village liked her. She had several boys who fell in love with her, of course.*
*'Course. All princesses hafto.*
*That's right. But one day, a wanderer blew into town. He was a Wocky, greenish-blue color and he not only had a sword, but two jaw blades, as well. He wore gold-rimmed glasses, too, and had a ponytail that made all the girls swoon over him.
*Now, the moment he walked into town, everyone knew he was different. Handsome, yes, but he was the strong, silent type. If anything, though, this didn't help his case very much and caused several more ladies to follow him around than if he had just been a bit more talkative.
*It happened during his stay that he stumbled upon princess Buddings. Of course, she noticed right away he was the wanderer- he was one-of-a-kind and she could've likely picked him from a crowd from all the rumors around him. But he had been walking through a field when he had stumbled and, not only lost his sandal, but twisted his ankle, too. He wasn't one to ask for help of any kind, but he was a good ten minute's walk from the inn he was staying at, and he decided it would be less painful to just knock on the door of the nearest cottage.
**You must be the stranger.* Princess Buddings said the moment she opened her door.
*The Wocky shrugged. *I guess so.*
*She stepped aside to allow him in and noticed he was limping on one leg. Rather than fussing over him, as he was afraid she might do, she managed to make matters even worse by teasing him.
**Did one of your fan girls attack?* She asked, leading him along to a couch where he could sit down. *Or is your legendary grace not so legendary out in the fields?*
*While she talked and jabbered away, she gathered hot water and bandages, setting to wrapping the injured ankle up to keep it from jostling around too much. When she was done, he muttered an awkward thanks and she announced that dinner would be ready shortly.
*The two got to know each other after that. He said his name was Altiir, she introduced herself as a princess. At one point, she wormed it out of him that he was a prince, escaping from the rule of an evil king and just enjoying his time traveling around.
*Princess Buddings went on caring for him while his ankle recovered, and they went right along becoming better friends. Finally, one day, Prince Altiir discovered he could walk on his own two feet again and, saying a farewell to his hostess, left her house to return to town.
*Not before, of course, she added a comment about *watching out for those fan girls.*
*Several months went by and the Princess began to wonder if she'd ever see the Prince again, having grown attached to him. Finally, she went to town herself and ask around. Apparently he had moved on to the next town without giving her any word or warning. Hurt and furious, she returned to her little cottage and went about plotting ways to hunt him down again and drag him back kicking and screaming.
*That night, however, an evil wizard cast a spell on her and turned her into an ugly little goblin. Not satisfied with this, having once been rejected when he had proposed to her, he locked the little goblin into a high, high tower on a castle that had been deserted years before.
*He was a very evil wizard.
*It just so happened that Prince Altiir had been feeling guilty about this time, leaving the Princess of a sudden like he did, so he had returned to the little town she lived in. He went to her cottage but got no answer, then went to town to ask around. Everyone said they hadn't seen her in several days, and he actually- dare I say it?- felt /concerned/.
*He began his quest to find the Princess Buddings around her cottage, asking servants what had happened. Luckily, one of them had seen the evil wizard and could tell Prince Altiir that she had been taken to an abandoned castle somewhere, though they didn't know where.
*Prince Altiir ventured far and wide in search of the castle, but it wasn't until one day several weeks later that he passed some old ruins and heard furious banging sounds from one of the crumbling towers.
*Now, being Prince Altiir, he probably would've kept going and ignored them if they hadn't been followed by the familiar voice of the Princess, saying, *I'm going to hurt someone for this!*
*Realizing he had found his princess at last, he pushed his way into the ruins and had to scale the tower with his bare hands and feet, but finally swung into the castle tower room. When he landed in the middle of the floor, he saw the ugly little goblin clawing wildly at the door and, in that endearing little way of his, raised his eyebrow and didn't lift a finger to help.
*It took several minutes for the Princess to notice him, he stood so quietly, but she looked up at him with the blue eyes he could remember and flinched away slowly.
*Altiir shook his head and stooped, scooping the little goblin into his arm and spoke up at last. *We'll find the wizard and have him reverse the spell.* He said, sounding as though more traveling was not what he had in mind. Still, he-*
*Mommy, a kiss is 'apposed to break the spell.* Sanjo corrected sleepily, already starting to nod off slightly despite the want to hear the ending. *Ever'body knows that.*
Buddings smirked at the idea. Oh, to see Altiir's face right now would make her day for weeks to come. *And we have to follow the rules, don't we?* She asked, earning a sleepy nod in response. Loyally, she corrected herself.
*Before Prince Altiir could go anywhere, he looked down at the little goblin and, quite suddenly, really, brought himself to kiss it smack on the lips. Instantly, the spell was broken and, before he knew it, it was the Princess Buddings he held in his arms.
*After recovering from having to kiss a disgusting little goblin for the sake of tradition, Prince Altiir helped Princess Buddings to climb down the castle tower and they walked, hand-in-hand, back to the little town Princess Buddings had lived in.
*And they lived happily ever after. The end. Thank goodness, Altiir would turn over in his grave as it is.*
Sanjo, now half asleep, nodded absently. *That was... a real good story... Mommy.*
Buddings grinned and reached over the edge of her bed, carefully lifting the covers back over her daughter's form and placing her Altiir doll back into her arms, where she promptly hugged it tightly.
The skunk Lupess shifted back into a more comfortable position herself and, turning to her own Altiir doll, gave it a playful tap on the nose before turning over and going to sleep herself.
*Good night, my little plush prince.*

---

Morning came too soon for Buddings, who was woken up rather rudely by the tearing apart of her curtain walls, Caluune storming in loudly without any thought of someone wanting to sleep past sunrise. Sure enough, when Buddings dared to glance at the window, the sky was still partially littered with stars.
Caluune, however, marched up to the bed, narrowly missing Sanjo's head, and took a sharp hold of Buddings' shirt collar, wrenching her up into a partially sitting position and leaning dangerously close to her face.
*I don't know what you're trying to pull.* He started, speaking with a threatening undertone that made her wince. *So help me, Buddings, if I find out you've been out of this bed all night-*
*She hasn't been.*
Chiians spoke calmly, as if knights barged into hospital rooms every day and threatened the patient. Rising to his feet with the clanking of chains, he lifted his gaze to the brown Lupe. *You have my word she'd been in bed all night. Now let her go, Caluune.* Though he didn't seem angry, there was a steadiness to his look that caused Caluune to release his captive as roughly as he had taken her.
*Then she's called her henchmen out.* The knight replied, glancing from Chiians back to the squire in bed. *I suggest you call them off before I take care of them myself.* Turning on his heel, he started out once again, pausing a final time before vanishing out the flap.
*You're to report in the courtyard. The staff says you should be able to walk.*
And, just as quickly as he'd come, he was gone.
Buddings remained flat on her back for a moment before scrambling into a sitting position as if attempting to regain some dignity. Before she could speak, however, it was Sanjo who broke the silence.
*I'm real scared of him, Mommy.*
The skunk Lupess, pulling away her covers, managed to swing her legs over the edge of her bed and glanced down at her daughter.
Sanjo had managed to inch partially out of her blankets and was sitting, knees under her chin, against the wall, her Altiir doll hugged tightly to her side as if for protection. She looked terrified; staring in the direction Caluune had gone as if afraid he might come back.
Buddings flinched at the sight but held an arm out in the girl's direction, motioning for her to come closer. Obediently, Sanjo stood wearily up and, sparing a final glance in the direction the intruder had gone, rushed up to her mother and threw her arms around her tightly.
*I dun want him to come back!* She announced, tears gathering in her eyes. *I think he wanted to hurt you, Mommy- I think he wanted to hurt you real bad!*
*Shush,* Budding murmured gently, stroking the head held fiercely to her absently. *I know. He won't come back here, don't worry.* She hesitated a moment before looking to Chiians and back at her daughter. *It's not to late to go with Grandpa, Sans.*
What she had thought might serve as comfort only caused the little girl to shake her head furiously, refusing to release her mother for the world.
*Nuh-uh! I'm gonna stay for Mister Altiir, an'... an' I'm gonna stay for you, Mommy.*
*Sanjo, Caluune's only going to get worse and worse. You'd be better off going with Grand-*
*You need Grandpa, too!* Sanjo insisted stubbornly. *We can share him! Mister... Mister Altiir would want me to stay!*
Buddings, despite the situation, found it in herself to grin. *I'm not so sure about that. Even Altiir, being Altiir, probably wouldn't want you caught in the cross-fire.*
*But he'd stay, wouldn'int he?*
*If I wanted him to, he'd probably stick around.*
*Then I'm gonna be here in his place!*
*Oh, Sans-*
*I am, Mommy, I'm gonna stay right here!*
As if to make her point, Sanjo finally released her mother and took a step back, placing her hands on her hips stubbornly. *I'm not gonna go 'nowhere!*
*You can't fight your mirror image, Buddings.* Chiians pointed out, looking to the skunk Lupess. *She's going to take after you one way or another- might as well face it now.*
Shrugging, Buddings finally gave in. *Alright- alright. Apparently I can get ganged up on, too.* Laughing lightly at the thought, she inched a bit further off the side of her bed, allowing herself to slip off and unto her own feet. She stumbled a bit awkwardly for a moment, regaining the feel for standing, but it took her no time at all to be walking across her little room, Chiians tailing her as if afraid she were prone to falling.
After successfully crossing the room and back, the skunk Lupess fell to a pacing back and forth beside her bed, her stride as strong as ever as she fell into a thoughtful silence.
*Okay, out with it.* Chiians, though still a bit weary of her nervous movement, sat down beside the ever-present chair which, again, made itself useful to Sanjo.
*You're plotting something.* The red Lupe went on, watching his daughter as he spoke. *You might as well tell us- you do have the Meerca brothers involved?*
*No.* Buddings smirked just slightly at the accusation, though her pace never slowed. *I make a point not to outright lie- I might fudge a bit to save my physical being, but I wouldn't waste my breath over that. Merouladen is working for me solo this time- Heermeedjet is busy being infatuated with Vvelveteen.*
*Don't tell me she's back?*
*Hm? I guess I did forget to tell you. She keeps coming to me and offering to get Caluune to life his orders and cut me some slack.*
*You didn't take her up on it, I take it?*
*You've got to be kidding me. She wants something more out of this. If you ask me, I think she might be after Altiir the way she was after Caluune. She wants what everyone else has, she just has her sights set on me as of late.*
*So you would be jealous if she got a hold of Altiir?*
*You're bound and determined to trip me up on that, aren't you? Okay, yes, I'd be jealous. It's more a feminine instinct, you have a guy friend and your mortal enemy tries to whisk him away. Funny how it works. I have it on my side that I don't think Altiir would fall for a gypsy woman who's all giggles and flirting, but I'd rather not put any of us through that. I don't relish the thought of answering up to Altiir about why I'm jealous, and I don't put it past Vvelveteen of finding some low-down dirty trick of worming her way closer to him then just get bored and drop him for Caluune again. It'd be easier on Altiir to keep her away from him, and it'd be easier for me.*
*You have an uncanny ability to make yourself look chivalrous. Anyway, just what are you planning?*
*I want Caluune to eat his words about Altiir, and I intend to do it myself without Vvelveteen. Merouladen is acting on my orders now, and the first order of business is to set the mood. I'm going to make it seem like there's a spirit loose around here that doesn't approve of his orders and will see them taken back. Our little Meerca friend spent last night in a hollowed-out area behind Caluune's bedroom wall, talking in riddles and warning him to take it all back before something bad happens to him. That was likely the cause of his arrival this morning. Merouladen probably fell asleep somewhere, but he ought to show up before lunch. I could use all the hands I can get, though. Chiians, are you up to helping me out a bit?*
*Buddings, when you get to weaving these plots around people, you know I don't like to get involved.*
*I learned everything I know from you.*
*That's why I don't like getting involved- it's like I'm working with my clone, and it's unnerving.*
Buddings laughed at her father's words and finally ceased her pacing for the time being, looking at the red Lupe with mild amusement.
*I'll tell you what, we can split this one. I'm dry on ideas after my brilliance last night to Merouladen, and I could use some help in the plotting, too. I promise, by the end of the week, I'll let you bite Caluune's ankle a few more times. Deal?*
*You always did drive the hard bargain.* Chiians mused absently, lifting a paw and rubbing under his chin as though in deep thought. After a moment, he managed his eerily wide smile. *I give in. What sort of plotting can I help with?*
*I need to think of something to scare Caluune during training. Even if I have to resort to activating his more primitive instincts, just something to catch him off guard and make him jump.*
Sanjo, who had almost been forgotten during this entire discussion, dismissed as not having understood most of the bigger words Buddings had chosen to use, was actually the one to offer advice.
*Sometimes, it's real scary if a big bug hits you in the face.* She offered meekly, hugging her Altiir doll as if the very thought brought on some less-than-pleasant memories. *An' then if there's a big, loud sound, too, it makes you cry.*
Buddings started to ask exactly what had happened to give Sanjo the idea, but stopped short. Grinning from ear-to-ear, she crossed the room and placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder.
*Sanjo, sometimes I think you're more like me than I thought.*
The little girl, taking this as a compliment, beamed happily up at Buddings, who wasted no time in turning to Chiians.
*We need your tracking skills, Chiians. We need you to find Merouladen as quickly as you can. Tell him I need him and that it's important. If nothing else, hearing that I want him will get his attention. Can find him?*
Chiians offered a mock salute in response and rose to his paws. *I'm off, general.* With that, he turned and trotted loyally out the curtain flap and was gone. The moment he was, Buddings turned to Sanjo with proud grin etched on her face.
*We're going to hit Caluune with a bug he's never seen before.* She announced. *And he's not going to forget this any time soon.*

---

Chiians, luckily, wasted no time with his task and appeared with Merouladen in tow within the hour. The red Lupe took his usual seat beside Sanjo's chair, while the thief grinned a bit sheepishly at Buddings.
*Gosh, guv, i's good ta see you up on yer feet. Ya looked a righ' shame las' nigh.'*
*Speaking of last night,* Buddings started, seating herself on the edge of her bed and looking at the Meerca with an amused smirk. *Do you mind telling me what kept you?*
*Well, guv, see, I was goin' 'bout me mornin' runs likes I usu'lly do, an' I bloomin' fergo' yer dolls. So's I says to meself, 'Meero, yers in fer i'.* I was a-goin' back to ge' yer dolls, guv, bu' I saw me some cops hangin' 'round ta castle all 'portant-like, so I goes to see wha' they migh' be up to. Well, I sees they're lookin' out o'er the moat, and then I sees the sheet-rope comin' from one o' the third-floor windows. So's then I knows wha' they're talkin' 'bout, so I goes up to them an' start sellin' yer story real well, guv. I says ta the firs' bloke, I says, *Wha're ya doin'?* So 'ee says back all author'tive-like, *We's lookin' o'er this 'ere rope ta see 'ow the thief go' away.* So then I says back, *Well, she must'a been a real good swimmer.* So 'e though' 'e was being real smart and says, *'Ow're you knowin' ta say 'she?'* So I goes, *I'm jus' sayin', I don' wan' nofing ta do wif this is cour', bu' I saw a purple kitty runnin' like the 'ole bloody world was chasin' 'er nigh' 'afore las'.* So's then I jus' walk off, whistlin' all innocent-like ta get yer dolls, guv. On me way back I met ta chief, 'ere.* Merouladen, after his painfully hard to understand speech, indicated Chiians with a thumb. *'E was all worked up, guv. Says you gots a plan fer us?*
*I hope I do.* The Lupess smirked, glancing between Chiians and the thief. *We need fishing line. A long one- think, a story or two of Meridell Castle. No, no, wait- don't look at me like that yet. I need the fishing line, the Altiir doll, a handgun and- this is where you come in, Merouladen- I need the purple gauzy scarf Vvelveteen wears. We're going to give Caluune another scare this afternoon, but I can't be missing any of those ingredients, understand? This can be pulled off, guys, c'mon!*
As she spoke, both Merouladen and Chiians had acquired skeptical looks, but the Meerca was the first to speak up.
*Guv, 'ow on this bloody earth am I supposed ta ge' tha' scarf? Kitty won' par' wif i' easily.*
*I have to have the scarf. If need be, I need a replica of it, but it would have to be exact. Even then, the original is our best bet.*
*Ya've los' me, guv.*
*Okay, we need to try and pin this on Vvelveteen. What better way than for her scarf to be there? She isn't without it at all if she can help it, and everyone knows it's hers. Can't you see where I'm going with this?*
*Quite frankly, no.* Chiians threw in, shaking is head slightly. *You don't approve of guns- you've always been gun-shy, for that matter. I'm not going to shoot Caluune, if that's what you intend to do.*
*I have my pride.* Buddings pointed out, lowering herself unto her bed and placing her fingers together, looking over them at her audience in a patient, amused manner. *I expected more out of both of you. Take my word for it right now, boys, I need all those things, the scarf included. If you can't get them for me, Caluune might very well start to win out. I don't intend to let that happen any time soon. I'm trying to think of a way to keep my name in the clear, but if I have to do this on my own, I'm going to end up doing a sloppy job. My head's in the planning, not the action. Knowing that, I have enough of a stubborn head, now that I've been given direct orders I don't really consider following, I'll sooner throw caution to the wind. I'd take a nosedive for this if there's no other choice, and I'll blame you both when my head's being shoved in a guillotine prematurely.*
*Yer'd give up yer 'ole bloomin' plan jus' ta see this Altiir bloke?*
*I don't want to, no. It's not in my immediate plans to do anything of the sort. I'm already working towards my death for something I believe in, and I think Caluune is starting to give orders on a whim to me just to see me squirm. If I can expose him and possibly jeopardize his position, and see Altiir again on top of that, I'll take chances I wouldn't normally. I'm still going out for a good cause If I had some cooperation, it can be managed by other means. Hint, hint, guys.*
Chiians heaved a heavy sigh, but stood up once more, shaking his head. *Buddings, I have half a mind to claim that you're mentally unstable and get you out of here now.*
*Ahah- but you won't. I've got you over a barrel on that. I'd make an all-out effort to play the innocent, stable young man striving for knighthood. You've got nothing to support a claim like that. That and I'd be furious with you. You're not quite willing to take that chance.*
The red Lupe, groaning and placing a paw over his face, spoke through it, voice partially muffled.
*Alright, how much fishing line do you need?*

---

*... Okay, neither of you have any faith in me at all, do you?*
Buddings was standing outside the hospital ward by this time, leaning against the wall of the hallway, and looking at both Chiians and Merouladen. Sure enough, neither of them looked as if they believed this plan would amount to much anything. Chiians had a long length of fishing line coiled around his shoulder tightly as if he were ready to use it to go mountain climbing, if he could, considering he walked on four legs.
The Meerca, meanwhile, was holding the makeshift Altiir doll tightly in one hand, the gauzy scarf of Vvelveteen around his arm. On his right side, one could note he now sported a holster, complete with handgun. For all his admiration of Buddings, however, his words were delivered with disbelief.
*Guv, I don' righ'ly know 'bout all this.*
Sanjo, standing by and watching curiously, took this as her chance to defend her mother and spoke up. *Mommy knows what she's doing!* She accused, waving a small finger at the thief. *If she says this'll work, then it'll work!*
*Good girl.* Buddings gave the girl a small pat on the head and, pushing away from the wall, started down the corridor, motioning for the others to follow.
The hospital ward was on the second floor, and at the end of the hall a small balcony overlooked the courtyard. The squires were already starting to gather beneath the onlookers_ muttering amongst themselves about how short mealtimes were. Buddings reached along the sides of the small, round porch and pulled the heavy curtains usually reserved for privacy partially closed. She positioned Merouladen almost completely behind one and placed her father on the other side. Taking the fishing line and tying it around the Altiir doll's waist, she left it lying just inside the railing, ready to be kicked out on a moment's notice.
*When Merouladen fires the first shot, let this doll drop and it into swing it into Caluune's face.* Swiping the pale purple scarf as she spoke, the Lupess stashed it into her pants pocket before finishing her explanation. *We need to catch him when he's still trying to figure out what's going on. Merouladen, the signal is going to be when I get this scarf around his head like a blindfold, alright? Keep a lookout for that. When he's hit with the doll, I'm going to drag him down on his back. You,* she pointed to the Meerca thief, *are going to have to play the phantom again. Tell him this is his last chance. Stress that, now, and fire off a shot aimed near his head. You're a good shot- try to get as close as you can without actually hitting him. Sanjo, did you get-*
Sanjo, loyally, reached into her pocket and withdrew a large, heavy dictionary and thesaurus with a rock balanced on top of it, lifting it up to her mother. *They said they had gotten... gotten nothin' on it, so they gave it to me 'cause I asked so nice. An' I found the rock.*
*Brilliant. Sans, did you want to go up to my room for this?* Buddings took the book from the little girl and grinned. As always, there was no limit to what could fit into the skirt pocket of the young Lupess. As she spoke, she plucked the Altiir doll up a final time and, tugging at a small tear in its back, placed the rock inside neatly before replacing it back on the floor. *This is going to make a loud sound. It took me years to be able to handle a gun going off. It's alright-*
*I wanna help.*
*You did help by getting the book. I don't think I could've gotten it myself.*
*I kinda... I kinda wanted to... to... fire the gun, Mommy. Can I?*
*Sanjo, you're eight years old, I'm not going to-*
*Please, Mommy! Please, just let me try? I'll be real careful an' stuff! You just always have your sword an'... an' I never have anything! Please?*
*Chiians, help me out, here.* Buddings turned to her father, only to notice a wide grin on his face.
*I seem to recall a certain other little Lupe who wanted a sword for her fifth birthday.*
*It was wood- I couldn't hurt anybody-*
*I got hauled out to Meridell when you beat the neighborhood bully over the head and gave him a scar across his face. You were six at the time. I always said if you ever had offspring that I'd sit by and watch you deal with it.*
*Chiians, did it occur to you that she can be /hurt/ by a gun? I can't have Sanjo firing off something like that and-*
Merouladen took his turn to interrupt, a wide grin on his face. *Guv, iffin ya'd like, I could teach the lil' missus. She can learn, an' I'll be righ' there iffin sumfing goes wrong. I's jus' a lil' 'andgun, guv. Real easy ta 'andle, 'air trigger and wha'no'.*
Buddings, placing her hand over her face in attempt to gather thoughts for this unforeseen difficulty, finally gave in. *Alright, alright. Merouladen, don't let her hurt herself, understand? If I come back and find that the gun misfired for whatever reason, I am taking it out of your hide.*
The Meerca, ever confident, motioned for Sanjo to come up beside him, which she did gleefully. In a moment, he had withdrawn the gun and placed it in her much smaller hands, giving it a small pat. *Lil' missus, yer gonna 'afta learn sooner 'er la'er. Do wha' I tells ya, an' i'ill be a snap, alrigh'?*
While Sanjo nodded fiercely in response, Buddings placed the dictionary book beside Chiians and gave it a small pat. *When I wave at you, kick this book down to me, along with the gun. I'm going to need both.*
The red Lupe shook his head lightly at the idea but placed his paw over the book loyally. *Buddings, is Altiir really worth all of this? You can just arrange any visits on the weekends when you're off and no one'll be the wiser-*
*Except Altiir. I wouldn't put it past him to openly defile Caluune himself, but there are some battles I need to face on my own. I'm not going to lean on someone every time a problem comes up, I have a good head on my shoulders and I intend to use it. I'm not going to sit by and wait for someone else to help me; I'm going to learn to help myself.*
*... Sometimes you just really make me proud to have raised you.*
*Don't go soft on me now- I need a cool head up here to make sure Sanjo survives this ordeal.* Despite her words, Buddings crouched for a moment and pulled Chiians into a lopsided hug. *I always want to make you proud, Dad. I've given you enough trouble in my time.*
With that, she rose, turned on her heel and left the small group to their own devices, a grin on her face.
Instead of going right down to the courtyard, she climbed the stairs to the third floor and, yet again, set her sights for Caluune's room. Upon reaching the door, she dug into her pocket and, ignoring the scarf for the time being, withdrew a single sheet of paper. It was written in the long, script-like writing of Vvelveteen, though it had come from the expert hand of the Lupess now tacking it to the door before her.
Handwriting was something she had always valued and, though she was left handed and naturally slanted her own letters, had taught herself the art of copying a style of writing that slanted either way. Vvelveteen's style had been easy enough to copy- there were dozens of instances she had had of studying it, and this wouldn't be the first forged letter she'd made.
Before leaving the note for Caluune to find, she skimmed the words for a moment, making a final analysis of her own work.
*My dear Caluune,* The letter read, as most of the Kougress' did. *Hope to see you in the courtyard tonight, dear. We're due for simply beautiful stargazing weather.*
Vvelveteen never signed her letters. Buddings had learned early on to drop any hopes of pinning her down so easily, and there was no instance she could recall where *dear* hadn't come into play on at least one line.
Yes, Caluune would be in the courtyard that night after the other squires left. He had never turned down an invitation of Vvelveteen's, and this would be no different. Except, of course, it'd be a certain Lupess who'd be waiting for him, ambush and all.

---

Buddings arrived at the courtyard toward the end of training, only a half hour or so later. Chiians and Merouladen had been instructed to be patient, and she was grateful she had had the insight to give them that order. Now, as the other squires filed into the castle, Buddings pulled up the rear, yawning as if for all the world she was going to bed. During the mild confusion of who went first in the door, she slipped away into one of the dummy doors that lined the castle side of the courtyard between the two real entrances. It was meant to confuse thieves when it was first invented, and, though every self-respecting robber knew the correct way in, they were left in hopes of continuing their work. In reality, the wide doors only led to a small cubbyhole that had caused many confused visitors to snub their noses painfully, but this is what Buddings chose as her hideaway. Quietly, she slipped behind one of the great doors, held several feet away from the wall by thick metal pipes, and vanished into the shadows.
Now it was her turn to wait.
Caluune had gone with the other squires to keep up appearances, and went as far as entering his room before, as quietly as Buddings, he threw on a light jacket and slipped into the hall. Slinking down the stairs and into the back courtyard once again was done with a well-practiced air. Still, his entire performance on an empty audience took nearly an hour on its own, and the waiting Lupess had begun to wonder if Vvelveteen had already made other plans, and the letter was revealed as a forgery. She was about to mentally kick herself for overlooking such a detail when a door nearby opened with a slightly muffled creak and Caluune stepped into the night air, stretching out as if he had just woken from a nap and was just going for a quiet stroll. Though the fact his hair had been cleaned up gave a slightly different impression, he was going for looks, should someone be out besides his expected friend.
As she had already said of herself, her mind was in the planning and action was something Buddings usually avoided outside the battlefield. Sparring? Yes. Sword fighting? Anytime. Putting one of her plans in motion herself? Her confidence usually failed completely and utterly. But as the brown Lupe strolled along the walk in front of her hideaway, the squire forced the thought into the back of her head. She was fighting a different kind of battle, and it should be no different.
Carefully, she slipped out over the metal pipes and stole across the grass, inwardly grateful it had been tended well enough that it didn't crunch under her boots. Her hand was already in her pocket and, by the time she had come up close enough behind Caluune, it was wound around one of her wrists tightly in attempt to relieve her own nervous tension. Holding her breath for fear of giving herself away, Buddings slung the scarf out and around the knight's head, crossing it roughly in the back, not tying it just yet. For one horrible moment, it seemed like Merouladen and Sanjo had given up their post and the gun would never go off, leaving her holding the scarf red-handed. Already Caluune made a muffle sort of *Mmmph* and his hand had shot to his whip resting on his belt, but, at last, the shot went off with a resounding 'bang,' and, to her surprise, Buddings noted Caluune's whip had been blown off its rest and rolled a bit away. Another shot sounded, almost louder than the last, and the Altiir doll came swinging into the scene, making hard contact with the brown Lupe's head.
It had been a good idea to stuff a rock in the doll, after all.
Caluune, dazed by the impact, was easy to drag down. The Lupess behind him, giving him a sharp knee to the back, swung him around and pushed him unceremoniously unto the hard pavement. He made a stifled yelp, but Buddings had already forced his head upward by way of the scarf, treating it like she would reins on a horse. She sat herself firmly unto his back, pining his arms beneath him, a satisfied grin on her face.
This was already shaping up perfectly.
Before the captive could protest any further, Merouladen's booming voice filled the courtyard. Oddly enough, he spoke each word clearly and, in doing so, managed to hide his British accent to an extent.
*THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING. TAKE BACK YOUR ORDERS OF BUDDINGS.*
The skunk Lupess had to choke back any triumphant giggling when a baleful, painful wailing sounded behind the voice.
Apparently, Sanjo and Chiians couldn't stay out of the ring for long. But the Meerca wasn't done just yet and a clanging echoed loudly as what was most likely the handgun was pounded against the metal railing.
*TAKE THEM BACK BEFORE FURTHER HARM BEFALLS YOOooooouuuu....*
The wailing reached a fever pitch before it fell deathly silent for only a moment, broken again by several shots from the gun, all narrowly missing both Buddings and Caluune. The Lupess, taking her opportunity, yanked the scarf in her hands into a loose knot and rose to her feet, waving feverishly up to the balcony the next insant. Loyally, the dictionary was dropped, along with the gun, both of which she had to fumble to catch. Caluune was already starting to claw at the scarf when the heavy book made good, solid contact with the side of his head and sent him over unto his side, knocked out cold.
Buddings wasted no time in freeing the gauzy fabric from around the Lupe's head, pushing him over fully unto his back. The scarf was used neatly to wipe both gun and book off and then both, along with the Altiir doll, were tucked neatly into it. After ensuring the rock had been removed from the small, torn pouch in the back of Altiir, the tidy parcel was tucked under Caluune's arm as if neither had done anything sinister.
Tossing the rock aside and sparing a final glance up at the balcony, her small army waited on, she grinned confidently.
By now, half the castle was likely awake, but there was nothing to pin on anyone- except, of course, the scarf to Vvelveteen.
Having a vast knowledge of the hidden passageways that crisscrossed all of Meridell castle came in handy when the Lupess slipped into the nearest door and ducked into the large, heavy tapestry of Jeran that covered a short set of stairs leading directly to the flight above. Rushing up the steps in a quiet sort of rush, she nearly ran into Chiians, Merouladen and Sanjo as they scrambled to make their own getaway from the balcony. Buddings spared a smirk in their direction before corralling them safely into a side room where a piano sat.
It was here countless musicians had been tested and tried before skeptical looks from the most learned conductors in the kingdom before allowed to play at any sort of royal gathering or party. Also here, the squire noted as she rounded the grand piano, the king himself had sat once, attempting to learn how to play the ivories while being instructed by a younger, more dashing Caluune while Buddings looked on in admiration.
Forgetting this, too, the Lupess bent over the bench and took hold of a near-invisible wire leading from the piano to beneath the floorboards This released a well-oiled spring in the wall and a section of it slid away completely, causing Sanjo to gasp quietly to herself.
Buddings wasted no time in gathering her group into the newfound hallway and slid the wall back into place by way of a thick, rusted handle that had seen years of use before this. After making sure the spring was locked into position once more, by the small cracks of light that streamed in from the other side of the hidden door, she bent near Sanjo and whispered into her ear.
*Sans, remember the flashlight I asked you to get for me?*
Even in the darkness, she could sense the little girl nodding furiously and, after some rustling of her skirt, a beam of light lit up what was actually a decently clean, albeit cobweb infested, stone passageway they now stood in. It branched off to the side where, it one looked closely, there was a speck of starlight showing around the silhouette of a gargoyle. Buddings grinned and took the light gingerly from the little girl, pointing out into the night sky and spoke quietly for those not used to the little-traveled ways of the castle.
*There's an old path worn into the side of the castle. You could actually break into the upper towers that way and walk the full length of the building all around. On the other side, there's a path that leads into the dungeon corridor. A lot of thieves have gotten caught trying it, though, seeing as that hallway is more or less a maze. There's a guard stationed down there, too, and he doesn't take kindly to people sneaking in on him. C'mon, then, we have a bit of a puzzle ahead of us, too. If we're not on our toes we'll wind up in the kitchens or falling off a tower.*
Motioning with her flashlight, Buddings took up walking straight ahead, ignoring the side halls for the time being. It seemed every third step a new door led somewhere, twisting and turning into the shadows or leading up in a flight of stairs. Once, a bat was heard screeching unhappily from up in the hidden reaches of the stairways, and Sanjo released a quiet sort of squeak and rushed forward, snagging Buddings by the leg.
*Mommy, what was that?*
*It was a bat, Sanjo. They live in the old attic no one uses anymore, and they don't really like visitors.*
*Will... will they hurt us? Do they know we're down here?*
*They have an easier way out than we do, and it's only once in a blue moon one comes down here. But don't worry, they're only the size of your two hands together from wing-to-wing, and they won't hurt you if you don't go out of your way to pluck one out of the air.*
*Can I... Can I stay closer up with you, Mommy?*
*Of course. Altiir would want me to have a bodyguard up here with me, you know. Just in case.*
*D'you think... d'you think Mister Altiir would want us to hold hands?*
*I'm sure he would.*
Buddings reached down and took her daughter's hand in her own, giving it a small squeeze in attempt to comfort.
For the rest of the trip they walked hand-in-hand, Chiians and Merouladen tagging along behind in silence. Unlike Sanjo, they realized how much a loud sound could give their position away to anyone walking an adjacent hall in the rest of the castle.
It took several turns and, once, a dead-end, but Buddings straightened the map in her mind out at last and the foursome found themselves stepping out from behind a moveable bookcase directly inside the skunk Lupess' room. After turning and making sure their entrance was quickly re-hidden, she went up to Sanjo, dropped to her knees and gave her a tight hug.
*Sans, you were great last night.*
*She di' all o' ta work, guv.* Merouladen threw in suddenly, sparing only a single nervous glance to the door. Deciding it was safe enough to talk, he went on. *I 'anded 'er ta gun and she sho' i' off on 'er own an' took the bloke's whip ou' like tha'. The lil' missus 'as perfec' aim, she 'as.*
Chiians chuckled and sat down, if a bit wearily, unto the floor. *Aha. I'm getting old- I already feel bushed. But Sanjo was brilliant. Does me good to see my granddaughter rising to the occasion like that.*
Buddings, raising an eyebrow curiously, held the little girl away at arm's length. *Really, now? Sans, you've never handled a gun in your life.*
*But it was real fun!* Sanjo insisted. *I dinnit know how to work it at first, an' I think you were afraid I wasn't gonna do anything an' leave you down there, but Mister Meerca told me what to do. Did I do real good, Mommy?*
The squire laughed lightly and, giving her daughter a final lopsided hug, rose to her feet and patted her head. *You did me proud, then, you couldn't have done better.*
*She 'as an eye fer i', guv.* Merouladen supplied cheerily, seating himself on the nearest chair absently. *Took ta i' like a goose ta wa'er.*
*That's duck, actually. 'Like a duck to water.' But people use 'fish' a lot, too.* Buddings corrected, crossing the room herself and sitting on her bed, Sanjo hopping up beside her.
*Righ', righ. I can ne'er ge' tha' righ' straigh' in me 'ead.*
*Well, this is fine and dandy.* Chiians started, pausing long enough to stifle a yawn. *But how're we going to explain what all three of us are doing here when the sun comes up?*
The skunk Lupess fell silent for a minute, but her daughter was the one who replied.
*We can have a sleep over!*
Buddings chuckled at the thought, but picked it up all the same. *We're going for a sleep over minus the girly frills, then. Chiians, you're living here temporarily to help me watch Sanjo when I'm off training. Merouladen, you're the concerned friend who knows I was in the hospital ward and are under orders from Neeheia herself to keep an eye on me and make sure I don't exert myself too much. Any questions?*
*What am I, Mommy?*
*You are the little girl who's staying with her squire friend while Zilliana is away and have no knowledge whatsoever of guns.*
*Ooooh. 'Kay.*

---

The group managed to scramble around and find places to sleep for the night, though Sanjo was able to claim the bed for herself and her Altiir doll. Buddings took the pallet beside the bed once more, hugging her own plush Wocky tightly, and Chiians curled up on the center rug happily enough. Merouladen, however, was forced to sleep sitting upright, though he did get Buddings' favorite armchair, chosen over the floor.
All of them were finally roused somewhere around noon when word was getting around the castle about the night's events. By now, everyone knew Caluune had been struck down, but no one could account for the dictionary and Altiir doll in his arms. The scarf had already been whisked away by Vvelveteen, who had declared again and again that she didn't know what it was doing there, but she wanted it back, thank-them-very-much, and she hadn't been seen since. When Buddings and her motley crew finally yawned and stumbled their way down the stairs, they gathered in the dining hall for a sleepy breakfast, listening to recounts of last night.
Apparently, the group had woken a guard patrolling the gates first. He hadn't liked to admit he had been dozing at all, but the gunshots had startled him back awake and he had raised the alarm in the castle. No one, luckily enough, had heard the first shot, and that was what had bought them some time. The second floor where the shooter was positioned was actually empty of residents and, save for Buddings' room and the guest room, was used almost solely for the sick in the hospital ward and vacant at the time.
A few assorted people recalled the strange moaning and wailing that they had marked down as a bad dream during the night. By now, the entire castle was superstitious and jumpy, claiming ghosts had been about.
Caluune hadn't woken up yet and had been discovered with a bad nose bleed, but he, reportedly, continued to mutter *Altiir* since the discovery of his body in the courtyard.
In combination with the ghost stories- some of which had gone so far as to say they'd seen a ghost running away from the scene sporting a gun- it was now becoming the widely accepted fact that Altiir, who was a ghost Wocky, anyway, thanks to Buddings' information, clearly had magical powers and was bringing a curse on Caluune for some unknown reason. Several people agreed that if the knight didn't undo the damage he'd done, something worse would happen and Altiir's ghost would be back.
It took utter concentration and effort to keep Buddings' crowd from laughing hysterically at most of the claims, though the Lupess herself was perfectly pleased at how things were panning out.
After the late lunch, Buddings gathered Sanjo and Chiians together and started them upstairs, pausing only long enough to whisper something to Merouladen, who nodded quickly and slipped away.
Once in her room, she turned to her daughter and father and broke into her wide, triumphant grin.
*The ghost of Altiir is going to walk the halls again tonight.* She announced, earning a curious glance from Chiians.
*How do you propose-?*
*You don't think I'd send Merouladen out for nothing? He's off gathering supplies. We're going to need gauzy material- lots of it- a spotlight and a load of powder. And some bullet blanks. Not to mention I need a new Altiir doll. The old one, I hear, was taken by the police to investigate into. Not that they'll find anything on it, but it'll tie the doll up for at least a few days, and we need to act while Caluune's still partially out of it. By tonight he should've roused a bit more in time for his guest.*
*Guest-? Really, Buddings, you've lost me again.*
*Chiians, all this time I thought you were my one equal in plotting. Put two and two together.*
*I'm guessing Caluune's guest is going to be Altiir's ghost. The gauze is probably for effect. Same with the other things. I've gotten that far, but kindly fill me in on the details.*
Buddings placed herself unto the edge of her bed once more and lifted one foot unto her sheets, using the knee as an armrest. *We're all going to dress up. This is the grand finale. I'm going to play Altiir's ghost- I'm the one on the mission to get the orders taken back. I don't have to look like Altiir, but I need to look like I was somehow sent by him thanks to those mystic powers he apparently has. At the same time, I can't really look like myself; needless to say, he'd recognize me right away. That's where the powder comes in- I'm going to be as white as the gossamer outfit I'll be wearing. The both of you will be, too, and, Sanjo, we might need to tie your hair back so you don't look too much like yourself, either. Even white, he might be able to recognize you. Merouladen is going to be behind us with the spotlight and Neeheia is the only one who works the nightshift- she'll let us in. We're going to pull this off right and give Caluune a good shaking up. If nothing else, I'm going to get him to take back his words tonight, in his right mind or not. With some luck, I can get Neeheia to vouch for us, too, and claim that we were never in the area and we were invisible to everyone but Caluune- but she could hear us. We need to put up a good racket, too. Then, before we leave, we're going to leave him with another little Altiir doll to remember us by. This will be a grand performance- I only wish Altiir was here to watch, not to mention the help he'd be if he could stand behind us and play the voice-over.*
Chiians blinked several times in silence for a moment or so, staring up at Buddings.
*You... really know how to get to someone.*
*Don't get on my bad side. Apparently, I'm rather revengeful. If nothing else, we're going to let Caluune know that he can't keep pushing me around left and right. I draw the line somewhere- or else Altiir's ghost does.*

---

That evening, Merouladen returned happily, sporting a rather large bag and seeming to appear from nowhere just outside Buddings' door.
No doubt the hidden entrance to the castle in the bakery's cellar was still up and working.
The Meerca, wandering casually along the second-floor corridor, slipped into Buddings' room with a single tap on the door and turn of the knob. As he entered, he noted Buddings on her bed, Sanjo beside her, while she worked on the little girl's hair.
*I used to wear braids all the time.* The older Lupess was commenting, twisting the short hair in her hands into pigtailed braids absently. *That was before you were even thought of, Sans.*
Sanjo was giggling at having her hair done in a different style, and only spared a single glance at the entering Meerca when he shut the door behind him.
Buddings, however, spoke up. *Ah, Merouladen. Did you have any trouble?*
*No' a' one, guv. I was able ta ge' ta fab'ic ya needed from ta same lass 'oo we've's 'ad makin' yer dolls, an ta pow'er was easy ta fin' aroun'. Ta spo'ligh' is on loan from ter the'atre.*
*I assume the theatre doesn't know it's missing yet?*
*No' ye', guv. Give 'em time. We should 'ave i' back before i's missed too ba'ly.*
*Wonderful. Sans, scoot into the bathroom and we'll try on some of this fabric on for size in front of the mirror.*
Sanjo clapped happily and bounded off the bed, slipping into the bathroom loyally and turning to watch as her mother reached into Merouladen's bag, offered to her, and withdrew several handfuls of gauzy material. Satisfied, the squire turned and joined the little girl, trailing the long gossamer behind her.
While the two of them proceeded to drape themselves in their newfound costumes, Buddings giggling as much as her daughter, Chiians rolled unto his stomach on the carpet where he had been resting.
*Merouladen, sometimes I wonder what the world's going to do when one of its most brilliant young minds is beheaded in her prime.*
The Meerca started slightly at the Lupe's voice, but recovered easily enough. *Dinnit see ya there, chief. I don' know 'bout guv, though. A righ' shame she dinnit stay wif ta Guild- we could'a kep' 'er there wiffou' any problems.*
*She'd never have been happy.* Chiians replied simply, shrugging his shoulders as he did so. *She's wanted to be a squire and a knight for years. As much as I want to see her safe, even with a band of thieves, I think she'd never forgive herself for not making this stand.*
Merouladen flinched at the thought, but nodded in agreement. *Tha's jus' 'ow she works, innit i'?*
*I don't think I really know how she works. She just fights for her beliefs, blindly if need be, and goes on from there.*
Before any more comments could be passed between the two, Buddings stuck her head out the bathroom door and wrinkled her nose in mock distaste. Already, she had managed to chop her own section of gauzy material and was wearing it draped over herself, looking like a black specter in white dress. *If you two are quite done philosophizing about me, you're both next in turn for costumes.*
Sanjo looked around her mother happily, grinning from ear to ear in her own new outfit, now looking the part of a little ghost ready for Halloween. *It's like I'm goin' trick-or-treating!* She announced happily.
Buddings turned to her and grinned widely. *Mister Altiir would probably even approve.*
*Really, Mommy? Oh- do you really think so?*
*He'd likely try to make a comment that I shouldn't be dragging you into this, but I think he'd agree you look the part.*
*Then I'm gonna be the best ghostie there ever was!*
*I don't doubt it, Sans.*
Buddings gave her a final pat on the head to show approval before turning back to the men still out in her room.
*You two get your sorry tails in here before I make you the only real ghosts here.*

---

It only took Buddings working another hour or so to get their costumes ready, her clumsy cuts with the scissors working in their favor for once, and the group was left waiting for a later hour.
According to Buddings, Neeheia had said the hospital ward would be empty starting around ten and eleven. For good measure, the plan was to wait until midnight- a spookier hour, anyway.
During the time spent waiting, she scurried about her room and filtered through her things- the old suit of armor against her wall, who'd named *Domnu,* oddly enough, was forced to relinquish his sword to be tucked into the folds of her outfit. Digging further she produced a handgun, as well, one used for blank shots for setting a race going- something she'd won at a fair when she was younger. The gun was given to Merouladen with firm instructions to save the shots left in it for a good time.
The skunk Lupess, as eleven thirty finally came around, opened the bookcase passageway in her room and motioned for the others to step in one at a time. Taking turns, they powdered their faces and hands- or in Chiians' case, paws- and shook off any extra powder into the hidden hallway. By the time they had finished, it was a group of ghostly white phantoms that started out into the second floor hall, creeping along silently towards the end where a double-door stood.
Buddings was the first to go up to it and give it a single, hollow knock, followed by three short ones in a row.
Merouladen, currently sporting a rather large spotlight on his shoulder, couldn't help but grin at the secret knock used for the Thieves' Guild entrance, as well.
In a moment, the door opened quietly and the silver Eyrie beckoned them in. Once having let them inside, Neeheia couldn't help but grin at the scene she had just let in.
*Buddings, you're all a sight.* She whispered quietly, starting along the rows of empty beds towards the end- the only one where a curtain had been pulled shut to indicate a resident.
*He's sleeping like a baby right now. He's had a little something in his evening meal to make him a bit shakier and drowsy, too. You can all set up for a minute and I'll go back and lock the doors. I can claim I was paralyzed with fear and couldn't get to them to let anyone else in, not to mention I can say they were locked all night. There's a passage out behind my medicine room, I'll show you before I let anyone else in.*
Buddings grinned at the fervent whispering of the Eyrie, but nodded her approval. *I owe you one for this. Let us know when the doors are locked.*
The process only took a minute or so, during which Merouladen set the large spotlight on its stand on the floor, aiming it towards the closed curtains. At Buddings order, he flicked the light on and off once and settled down to wait beside it. When their Eyrie hostess returned, the group was ready for their performance.
*I shouldn't watch.* Neeheia commented, shuffling around in the curtain quietly to adjust for better transition from one side to the other. *If I do, I'm likely to clap at the end and ask for an encore.*
Buddings had to chuckle at the comment, a cocky sort of grin plastered on her face. *I feel like I'm the most immature woman on earth right now. Someone else might try to take this with dead seriousness, and I'm dressing up for Halloween.*
*Ah,* Chiians added, smirking himself, *but you're dealing with the most immature man on earth. It's a good match. Plus I, for one, wouldn't miss this for the world.*
After another moment of hushed comments, the actors took their positions, Buddings in the lead with her hands holding either side of the green curtain. With a nod over her shoulder, Sanjo and Chiians broke into their wailing and moaning, quietly at first and gradually getting louder as they went along. Adding to the effect, the red Lupe hoisted himself up unto his hind legs, coming up about even with Sanjo in height, and making them the perfect twosome for backup sounds.
When she decided they had gotten loud enough, Buddings tore the curtain open before her and the spotlight came on behind. Partially silhouetted now, she stepped into the curtained 'room,' finding Caluune curled into a ball and scrunched up to his pillow. Weapons weren't approved of in the hospital ward, and he had lost his. A thought had obviously crossed his mind that whatever was coming at him had a free shot, and he was attempting to shrink as much as possible. In Buddings' favor, one could tell he was still partially dazed from the night before, as evidenced by the bandage around his head that he was yet to fully recover, and Neeheia's concoction in his meal was obviously causing his current shivering.
Buddings, seeming to glide into the center of the floor with her smaller phantoms behind, came to a stop and finally spoke into the silence Chiians and Sanjo had offered suddenly.
*You've been given warnings.* She stated calmly, speaking with a richer, smoother voice than her own and earning a quiet whimpering from the bed.
*You... you're... you're... Buddings.* Caluune threw out suddenly, though his stuttering was enough to give the Lupess courage to face up to the claim.
*What more fitting form could I have chosen?* She went on, a grin on her face. *I am the ghost sent by Altiir- it's only natural I take a form of someone he knows under the castle roof.*
*Altiir... Altiir doesn't have any powers. He doesn't! He can't-*
*You've angered him by placing orders on your squire, forbidding her to see him. He has ways of having those orders lifted; I am here to give you that last chance.*
Caluune seemed to inch further up on his bed, cringing away from what he was obviously considering a threat at this point. *I'll... I'll... never!*
*Then you have already lost.* Buddings, her gliding steps well-practiced from a time long ago in her mind, approached the bed further, only to pause in amused silence when the Lupe tried to speak up again.
*Don't! Don't come- don't come any closer!*
Tilting her head to one side in an innocent sort of gesture, she took another step and noted the rising hysteria in Caluune's voice.
*She's the one! She's the one who's turned down help! She's the one who's too stubborn to do anything about it!*
*Oh, is she?* Buddings couldn't help the amused tone in her voice.
Stubborn, indeed!
Again she took a step closer to the bed, but the brown knight had been driven to more desperation and reached to the round bronze topper of the bedpost at is left. Spinning it off furiously he lugged it at the spectral figure before him. The Lupess, however, had learned reflexes better than that and caught the projectile calmly in a hand, holding it curiously to the light.
*One can't kill a ghost, Sir Caluune.* She commented absently, noting the squeaking from his bed. From behind her, Merouladen, hidden by the beam of light he stood behind, fired off a round of shots from the handgun Buddings had given him. The gunshots had their effect and Caluune scrambled wildly to his feet, standing on the bed in attempt to look down over the intruder.
*Go away!* He wailed desperately, leaning his back to the wall behind his bed. *I won't take back my orders! I won't!*
*Then you will be removed from the equation.* Buddings stated, keeping her voice even as she neared the bed. *We have ways of making it look like an accident.*
Caluune looked as though he were about to argue further when Buddings reached into the depths of her gossamer costume and withdrew the sword she'd taken from her suit of armor. It was as faceless as the armor itself, something she was grateful for, but the cold blade of steel still bore a sharp edge that was all too evident as it was bared towards the knight.
*I suggest you rethink this.* Buddings continued, up near to the bed now, sword held firmly in her right hand. Awkwardly, due to her left-handedness, but it was safer for effects that way. She could still work the blade in her hand, strange as it felt to her, and as quickly as it had appeared, it was slashed mercilessly out at the bare ankles of the brown Lupe. Releasing a screech, he dropped again to his bed and hugged his knees close to himself, hands protectively covering his ankles.
*I-*
*Interesting how a man of war is helpless against a spirit.*
*I... I...*
As Buddings lifted her sword for a second time, Caluune broke his stuttering and nearly shouted his next words.
*I'll take back my orders!*
Instantly the sword was slipped back into Buddings outfit and, taking a sliding step backward, she bowed to the Lupe in bed.
*You have done wisely, then. Perhaps next time you will think before making demands.*
Caluune watched silently as the head ghost, followed by the two smaller ones, wailing again, slipped out of the curtain and it closed behind them almost of its own accord, the light flickering away.
The moment they were gone, he fainted dead away.
*Pure and utter brilliance.* Neeheia whispered, grinning through her beak as she motioned for the group to follow her along. They had to slip past the doors, by this time being pounded on by several outsiders demanding to know what was going on, but they made it into the back room where the Eyrie herself worked. Shuffling along quickly, it took no time at all for her to push a small statue head over and open one of the many secret passages of the castle behind her medicine counter.
*This will take you to the main passage. Run along straight without taking any turns, and you'll have to squeeze through a thin little tunnel, but you'll end up behind your bookcase, Buddings. And here, take this.* The Eyrie reached up unto a nearby shelf and offered a flashlight to the departing squire.
*Really, I couldn't have managed that without you.* The Lupess offered, taking the gift gratefully and watching as Chiians led an excited Sanjo into the hidden corridor, Merouladen, carrying the spotlight again, traveling behind.
*You've already paid me back, don't worry about it- seeing that Lupe's face go as white as yours was priceless. I'll be remembering this for ages to come.*
Buddings beamed at the praise and ducked after her group, stopping only long enough to watch as the door behind them slid closed quietly and one could hear Neeheia walking away.
*Altiir is going to never speak to me again when he finds out how half of the castle thinks he's haunted.* The skunk Lupess threw in, lighting the flashlight the Eyrie had given her and starting down the new tunnel.
*Oh, the irony.* Chiians threw in, tagging along behind loyally. *You go through all this to see him again, and he won't speak to you.*
*Chances are the guards'll be terrified of him for months after this. He'll probably have access to anywhere he wants to go- he ought to thank me.*
*Mommy, Mommy, did I do real good?* Sanjo, not wanting to be left out, bounded up beside her mother and tugged at her shirt sleeve. *Did I make a good ghostie?*
*You were the scariest ghostie there.* Buddings assured, patting the girl on the head. *Mister Altiir would've been proud.*

---

The group was able to reach Buddings' room again safely, though there was a slightly thin tunnel that Buddings had to squeeze into, and they promptly took turns removing their powder makeup and tossing their gauzy outfits into the trash bin after tearing them into several little pieces and mixing them with glue and crayons supplied by Sanjo, making it seem like an art project gone wrong.
It was nearly sunup when they were able to get to sleep, discussing different parts of their late-night acting and bragging on each other's performances.
As Buddings rested her head back unto her pillow, the last one to go to sleep, she dragged her Altiir doll down beside her head and gave it a tight squeeze of a hug, a wide grin on her face.
*Altiir, what I wouldn't give to see your face now.*
As she drifted off to sleep, it occurred to her that it was Saturday morning, the week having slipped away already. This was her first day off of training, and already she found her mind making plans.
She was going to hunt Altiir down first thing, introduce him to Sanjo if time allowed, and laugh if Caluune tried to get in her way.

--- END

|~LIKES AND DISLIKES
(-Insert a "Likes" picture here. xD-)
Likes? Okay, I like knighthood. I like strawberries and black-and-white sort of items. I like my current position as a squire, I like to battle and I like to win. I also like my Altiir doll and standing up for what I believe in, like equality for women and things along those lines. Ahhh... I like my sword and the Thieves' Guild, which I'm a member of, and I love the Meerca brothers. Merouladen is the sweetest little thing. xD Erm. I think that's it.
(-Insert a "Dislikes" picture here. xD-)
Oooh, I know this one. xD I don't like how women are treated as inferiors, being denied knighthood and left to do the cooking and cleaning while the men go out to work. I hate that setup. That, and I can't cook, so that's not good, either. I don't like whips, as I appear to have gotten a chronic fear of them during my squiring under Caluune. Sir Caluune, I guess, but still. I also don't like Caluune. I don't like women who're flirts. They drive me insane. A random tidbit, too, is that I don't want to die. Shh, don't tell anybody. x3''';

|~FANART

By Altiir
Buddings: ... I. WILL. KEEL. HIM. LEMME AT HIM!
LETMEATHIMSOICANKILLHIM. D(

|~MIRROR IMAGES
ADOPTIES. xD xD Haha. I love these things.

(I HAVE A NEW FAVORITE ADOPTABLE. No, seriously, this is awesome. xD Lookit- I have the power to bring my little Altiir doll to life! Now, I ask you, what is cooler than that?)

(Oh, wow. Um. Gee, thanks, Mom. It's, uh... um. Yes. It's an adoptable, all right. xD )

( Squee! :3 It's so spiffy! xD One has to love giant keys. )

( Now this is a cute one. :D I look like I'm gonna do a sumersault. xD )

|~FAREWELL?
Uh... I guess that's it. :3
Yupyup. All done. ^^ For now, anyway, I s'pose it's a petpage better than the default one. xD
Soo... yeah. I don't have a good link back right now, but you can pretend. 8D
Also, I'm supposed to mention that this picture is to REMAIN HERE ONLY. You CANNOT use it for anything. Nothing, nadda, zilch, thankyoubye.
The same goes for the content of this petpage, and all the coding. |P
Thanks go to the adoptables makers, though. xD
Farewell, then, traveler! :3 Play nice, do not question the awesome power of Altiir and have a nice day.
~Buddings