If You Wish For Peace, Prepare For War

[Adimus]

Franz listened to Dretta's story, and soon felt a little sorry for her. Hearing say that she knew about Quincies being down in Japan was only a mere hunch for her left a pit in his stomach. The knowledge of knowing you could be the very last one of your kind left alive must be a terrible burden he thought. But then he remembered learning about other orders that had not joined the Jade Order, The Quincies being one of them. To add to any form of hope, he also knew how people were awakening their latent abilities to find themselves as quincies all along, and he sought to tell her that.

"Dretta," He said putting her hands into his, "I do not think you need to fear about you being the last of your kind. Many people have awakened in this day and age to find that they had Quincy blood in them. In addition, I know for certain that the entire race cannot be wiped out without a trace. After all, you yourself seem powerful enough to stand up to what has occurred to our world. I am sure others have as well." He said kissing her forehead, then spoke again. "And do not worry about the council cancelling the trip or going after you because you figured there'd be quincies in Japan based off of a hunch. Those bastards are like old mountain goats that have fallen off their path, only obsessed with war and rule. But enough of that, we should coming upon my home here soon. I think you'll like it, it's a nice place to live." He said to her with a reassuring voice.

A moment later, he looked outside the window to behold a magnificent vista of a green field and colorful meadow with a very large, 4 story castle-esque mansion at the end of it all. "And behold Ms. Alexandretta Heartstring, House Hernan, Home of the Albert`'s."

[dizzyizzy]

Dretta blushed as the man took her hand holding it as he spoke. His words were designed to be reassuring, and it did help relax her and she smiled ever so slightly. The woman was not a kind to smile all the time, and when she did it would appear tired as though it was by force that she placed it on her lips. A slight shiver ran across her spine as his lips touched her forehead; it was a simple expression of ‘caring’ as it were. She really hoped he was right, in the pit of her heart she hoped that there was others and that she would find one.

Her eyes adverted as he continued, it was something she worried about, but she resumed looking at him as he reassured her that she would not be kept from going to Japan… Hell even without the council she would have going to Japan, but she was glad to get there sooner then later. Dretta was not beyond lying and cheating others to get what she wanted, she half-lied to Franz’ bosses to get what she wanted and was glad that even if he knew about it she would still go. Dretta then closed her eyes relaxing her face going back to its usual bored expression… it was her before anyone else and she needed to remember that, taking her weight off of the man as she just sat next to him, slipping her hand from his own placing both her hands in her lap.

She looked out the window at the sprawling estate and the large home. “….woah” was all she could say as she looked at it then back at the Frenchman. She then looked at the building once more as the train stopped. She placed a hand up stopping Franz if he moved to pick her up. “…Renstangai” She sighed as her legs glowed for a moment then a sudden burst of energy rose forth and she then stood up from the seat swaying her hips for a moment. “there we go” she murmured smirking at him, “Alright big boy, I guess you can show me your home” she shrugged looking at it as she walked off the train, “It is pretty nice” she added then looked at her stomach at the hole in her top, the small cut on her stomach barely bled. She snorted crossing her arms over her chest glancing at Franz who was pretty bad off with his outfit as well. “heh ha god we look like we just got out of a war zone” she laughed letting out a slight snort as she laughed.

[Adimus]

Franz laughed generously at Dretta's comment on how they both looked like fools. "I suppose we should get ourselves some new attire huh. I'll call one of the keepers and fetch you something nice to wear for dinner once we get in." He said as the train car docked itself into the station and the doors opened up onto the property grounds.

A stout little man came running up Franz and Dretta, sweating from the run and seemed to be very distraught. "Misseur Franz! What has happened to you master!? Why are you in shambles! And who is this woman!" the little man said, in a rush of words, most of it being French so only Franz understood it, of which he also replied in kind. "This woman is Alexandretta Heartstring, and she will be joining us for dinner tonight. Have the hand maidens fetch her something nice to wear, and prepare something that's actually edible by normal humans standards Hanz. Now relax, I am fine and so is she, so go, shoo, do what I have asked." And the man simply bowed and ran off, eager to do what his master had bid him.

"Before you ask who and what that was, know that I am a nobleman, and that was my butler, Hanz. He has looked after me for many years, and helped my mother reclaim the house when we had a civil war within our order. He is going have the hand maidens get you something to wear for dinner, and show you to your quarters so you can freshen up and relax a bit." He grabbed her hand and planted a kiss on it, then said "This is where we part ways for now. I'm going to clean myself up, and one of the hand maidens there," He said gesturing towards one of the girls behind her, "Will guide you to your part of my home. Please Ms.Dretta, enjoy your stay."

[dizzyizzy]

Dretta took a step back from the arrival of the quick talking guy… She could barely catch what he was saying, she knew a few words here and there from traveling but over all she was not catching a damn thing from the guy’s lips. Dretta glanced at Franz and listened as the men spoke. She figured the little man was just confused and concerned for how Franz looked. Dretta crossed her arms and bowed her head slightly when Franz stated her name then looked over at him when he said something about ‘hand maidens’ a term she had not heard since reading a historical novel. ~if a petticoat comes within five feet of me I’m hurting someone~ she thought narrowing her eyes.

She smirked a bit as Franz explained the situation, “Its fine... I kinda figured much... That or he was your nanny” she muttered under her breath the last part. Much of Franz’ history was getting poured out to her over the past twenty minutes and the woman at this point was slightly half listening, catching mostly just the civil war part but even then she pushed the information aside. Dretta looked up at Franz as he took her hand and kissed it causing a bit of color to creep up her neck. She was to get escorted by the woman to her quarter and would not see the man until dinner it would seem. “…see ya at dinner then” she said with a shrug.

Dretta looked at the woman, and made a motion with her hand to tell them to lead her to ‘her quarters’ ~God I got to remember not to piss this guy off~ she started to think, ~ might put me in a dungeon or something~ Dretta rolled her eyes at her own thoughts and simply followed the woman, taking in what she saw as she was lead to the place she would freshen up and get an outfit for the dinner.

[Adimus]

Franz walked off as Dretta was taken in her direction. He moved throughout the gilded halls of his home to a small stand with a gold dipped rose on it, sitting next to a medallion with his family symbol on it. Going back to his French dialect, Franz began to speak.

"Father...." He said in a soft tone, "I hope you're looking after mother in heaven, and that you have peace at last up there. At the rate I'm going, I feel as if it won't be long before I too will join you..." He finished as he closed his eyes, and a tear rolled out of his eye as he remembered his family and how it was humans, his fellow, that wrought such pain and suffering upon him and his home.

Never one to let the past rule the future for too long, Franz lifted his chin and continued to his room, where he took off his destroyed armor, and cleaned himself up. Minutes later, he found himself one of his more formal suits, and put it on. The suit was a basic style; black slacks and jacket, with a white shirt and maroonish-pink vest with a dark pink tie with black stripes {Went black on yo asses say whaaaaat}. Combing his hair and setting his collar into place, Franz looked at himself and decided he was ready.

With that, he moved down to the dining hall, where he found the table set with an assortment of food and drink. "Ms. Heartstring will be out shortly Milord." One of the hand maidens said to him, and Franz nodded and thanked her in return. Turning to his butler, Hanz, Franz asked "Do I look well? Or do I resemble a foolish jester?" he finished with a grin. Hanz looked him over, and with a few finishing touches, nodded at him with a smile as if he was watching his own child go on his first date. "Relax Hanz, this isn't my first time with a girl in this home you know." He said with a smirk. "

"Ah but sir, it is your first time with an actual woman!" He said with a small laugh.

Just then they both heard the doors to the chamber open, and it became apparent to them that Dretta would soon be coming and Franz hurried Hanz away as he stood patiently for Dretta.

[At this point Izzy, you can make up anything you want for what kind of attire Dretta would be wearing, I honestly do not care, as long as it at least half assed fits the scene.]

[dizzyizzy]

(Awwww -puts away the leather mini skirt and leather halter- <.< no fun...)

Dretta was taking in the sight of the home as she was led to the bed room for where she was to clean up and change. It over all was a nice home, nothing related to her style then again she had never tasted this life style, ~But eh, still to fru-fru; something a princess would want ha!~ she smirked to herself as she entered a room and the woman bowed leaving her alone. She removed her clothing, not taking in the beauty of the room as she cleaned herself up. Leaving the bathroom she saw a dress had been laid out for her... Ninja handmaids.. you never heard them.

She towel dried her hair quickly before brushing it, she was not used to getting dolled up, and tried her best at it. Make-up had also been laid out and she tried some stuff, but after thinking it over she just put on the eyeliner, mascara and dark red lipstick. She grabbed the dress and looked it over. It was a simple black dress; floor length, sleek, and with a slit up the left side. She placed it on before looking at herself. She sighed and went into the bathroom grabbing some hairspray before leaning forward, she remembered the style she used when she graduated and tried to repeated it. She stood back up and looked at herself, pretty much the same as she remembered having the right eye covered elegantly with her hair. "better" she declared before putting on some slip on kitten heels, any higher then half an inch and she would break her neck and wore no jewelry beyond her quincy cross around her neck that rested on the line of her cleavage.

Dretta exited the room and was escorted toward the smell of food by another maid, she was then told to go ahead down the hall and the maid disappeared. Dretta took a deep breath before walking out her one visible eye half closed to continue her natural expression of boredom. "Hi.." she greeted Franz calmly, "Food smells nice" she added walking toward the table.

[Adimus]

Franz was nearly speechless by the simple beauty and pleasure to the eyes Dretta presented in her simple but elegant black dress. "Dretta, you look amazing, and yes, the food is well prepared tonight. it seems the cook did not know what exactly to make seeing how we barely know you." He said with a chuckle. "But do please enjoy the meal, for he did work very hard on it." He said, as he seated Dretta and took his own seat across from here. "Normally, I'd say a prayer for tradition, or wait for others to sit and eat. But after today's events, I'm starving, so bon appetite!" He said, and got his eat on before continuing to talk to Dretta about her battle experiences, and if she found Quincies in Japan, what she planned to do about it.

[dizzyizzy]

Dretta took her seat and joined Franz in eating mentally noting to herself that he looked pretty sharp. She did not have the best manners but was pretty good for a commoner who had not eaten like this in almost a year. "Eh..." she swallowed, "I've been fighting hollows since i found out what i am... and been traveling around killing them as i find them." she quickly explained as she ate, "Um... i was not trained well, just enough to survive and use my powers" she paused for a moment, "Heh..." she smiled sadly, "I don't know what i plan to do if i meet other Quincies in Japan.. i mean i was trained there by quincies, my only hope is that there are other that weren't in the order i was part of" she explained taking a bit out of something, she did not know what it was but it was pretty tasty. "hehe maybe i'll just see if they have a Facebook and to add me to it" she joked smiling awkwardly, "I'm sorry if i suck at small talk" she suddenly blurted shifting awkwardly in her seat, the dress was something new to her to sit in.

[Adimus]

Franz listened to Dretta speak and pondered along with her about whether or not the order survived. He then thought about her not knowing her full potential, and he hoped to find the Quincies now, as she may be able to realize her full measure of power.

Just then she made the off comment about not being good at small talk before shifting in her chair, clearly not used to wearing a dress. However, Franz had to admit; she was pretty attractive and wore it well for a novice. He was beginning to actually like this girl for more than just her "wonderful personality"; her legs sat out of the slit in her dress, with well built thighs and curves, and her cleavage, well her cleavage was enough to make the queerest frenchman as straight as Franz was at that moment. Even her hair hanging on her shoulders and small of her back was entrancing him.

He then got the childish impulse to make his own way to get Dretta's "adult attention". Looking down at his plate of food, he flicked a small chunk of his pasta at her and hit her dead on the top of her cleavage. "Now now Dretta, didn't we clear up the whole 'Sorrowful Outlook' thing awhile ago? Cheer up! Or else I'll have to pelt you with more food!" he said as he prepared another spoonful to throw at Dretta.

[dizzyizzy]

Dretta was fidgeting around a bit as she tried to eat her own pasta, but it had some weird type of meat sauce.. or so she thought it was meat sauce. ~I don't really believe in a god anymore.. but i'd sure like him to strike me down so that i can get out of this situation~ she thought darkly biting her lower lip. "heh, So how is it being a-" she was cut off from saying her basic conversation starter. She felt something warm and slimmy on her bare chest causing herself to look down. "........mother..." she growled glaring at the frenchman who had a look on his face she could only describe as when a little boy does something 'naughty'.

"This how you expect me to get out any 'gloomy feelings'?" she sneered taking her napkin and wiping off her chest. "by pissing me off? and getting my dress almost messed up?" she stood up from her seat, "i was thinking of keeping this dress too" she muttered and then dug her hand into her food, "Heh frenchy, if you're gonna start a fight you better get your hands dirty" she declared tossing her dinner toward him striking him in the chest ruining his cute little tie.

Dretta had no clue why he had started this... but oddly felt at ease and was ready to smack a French guy with some food.

[Adimus]

Franz took the food flying into his chest with stride. He hadn't had this much fun since he was a little boy playing with his parents and friends from around the world. "That Dretta, is no problem at all!" he said throwing a pie at her with such force is covered her entire front. "And as for the dress and my suit, it's not a problem to get a new one made, just a simple call away!" He said throwing yet another food item at her, while dodging what he could of what she threw back at him. "By the way," He said picking up a handful of potatoes, "That dress did look fantastic on you." as he threw the potatoes at her.

[dizzyizzy]

Dretta kept throwing whatever she had at the man, then squeaked feeling pie hit her chest. "..ugh" she shuddered trying to pick it out of her cleavage, but it ended up just going down her dress making her cringe. "ew ew" she grumbled then threw some pudding at the man glaring as he dodged it. "...Franz.. don't.." she said slowly as he got the potatoes and held her plate up as she felt the warm goop hit her body but the plate shielding her face. She put the plate down, "heh Don't be chicken, fight like a frenchman, oh who am i kidding?" she winked shaking her head as a bit of the potatoes slid from her black strains. she then picked up a gravy boat, throwing a bit of hot gravy at him, luckily it was not blistering hot.

"Admit defeat or so help me i'll throw a chicken at you" she declared at Franz smirking a bit evilly her eyes scanning to... a pair of cooked quail. Not chicken really but it was poultry of some kind!

[Adimus]

"There are many rumors about the French, two of which I will now explain." Franz said crouching holding some more food, as if he was a lion ready to pounce his prey. "One is that the French retreat at every fight, which," He said as he threw the food at her and dipped inward to her side. "And the other i that us French make excellent lovers..." came the words from his mouth as he grabbed her and spun her around to kiss her. Letting go, he finished with "I believe I did not retreat, and if you want, I can help prove the second rumor." He said to Dretta, moving in yet again.

[dizzyizzy]

Dretta smirked to herself ready to hit him again, but then he disappeared a bit, "..huh?" she blinked moving to try to see him only to be smacked with something gooey, "bleh this is getting disgusting" she grumbled hearing his statement, ~what is that bastard up to?~ she thought before feeling arms spin her around. She blushed a bit hearing his pretty blunt statement before kissing her. As she kissed him she could taste a mix of what they were throwing around, it actually tasted pretty alright together. But not something she would want on a daily bases.

She glared at the man as he moved back speaking once more. "So... wait" she chuckled a bit placing her hands up a moment to pause him, "You proved the rumor that the French retreat.. wrong, now are you going to prove the other rumor to also be false?" she asked with a bitchy smirk, crossing her arms under her messy breast. "and in truth I never guessed you were a guy with such an unusual fetish, or am I just special enough to get my meal thrown at me?" she asked in a tone that seemed almost like a scolding parent. Dretta stepped back, moved a few things back and sat on the table looking at him waiting for a response arms still crossed under her breast.

She had to tease the man a bit, poke fun to have fun as it were. ~Come on Franz, play a little more... I'm starting to get more amused by you with every second..~ she glanced at a clock in the room, "you have... 3 hours to prove your point"

[Adimus]

"Oh oh!" Franz said at her wise ass remarks. He was impressed with this American Girl, "So much better than the ones here at home." he thought. "Yes, you are a bit special and needed to be decorated better, and I thought the food would be better suited on you, so I out two and two together." He said lifting her up and putting her over his shoulder. "And if I have only three hours to prove my second point, I guess I had better get to work then!" And with that, he carried her to his room, where hopefully he would get his chance to enjoy himself a bit in a world so full of pain and sorrow.

{Izzy, I wanna finish this thread so we can start a new one. I'll leave it up to you though to make the final call as to whether or not to end the thread, and if you do end the thread, don't forget to add the Achievements at the end. I'm leaning towards "Food Fight! - Engage in a food fight with Dretta, 5G, and "Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum - Finish 'If You Wish For Peace, Prepare For War' Chapter on any difficulty. 25G"}