Can we be friends still?|Aegestrom, Maelstrom

[Northen Light36]

Flash closed his eyes and sighed in relief as he sank into a soft chair and kicked off his boots. "Forces," he murmured to Salacia. "I didn't think today was ever going to end. Between today's auidence, the usual mountain of paperwork and the chaos Dami hiding in the attic caused..." Flash shook his head. "I am seriously looking forward to just going to bed."

A knock at the door proved that the day still wasn't over. Flash groaned softly.

[Kender Bard]

"I'll get it," Salacia told him, leaning over to hiss him on the forehead. "You rest, love. Once the shoes come off, I declare you officially done for the night." She flashed him a grin, hoping to raise his spirits, and went to the door to answer.

[Northen Light36]

"Good evening Lady Calder," A guard greeted her. Appolgetically he added, "I'm sorry for disturbing you this late, but is Lord Calder here? We have a small situation." He nodded towards the other guards with him, who were holding tightly to Bas, Pas and Aries. "We found these three attempting to sneak into the palace."

The twins squirmed in the grip of the guards and looked sour. "We weren't gonna do anything wrong," Bas protested. "We just wanted to see Lumi."

[Kender Bard]

"And she wants to see us," Aries added. Or at least he seriously hoped that she did.

Salacia glanced back at Flash. She didn't want to bother him just yet. "He's here. Perhaps you should release the children into my care, though, sir. I will deal with them myself."

[Northen Light36]

"Very well," the guard replied, only too glad to dump this little problem in someone else's lap. He nodded to his companions, who let go of the children. The guard who'd been holding Bas seemed particularly greatful to get rid of her. Probably because of the half dozen times Bas had kicked him while being marched here. "We'll return to our posts then, if we're not needed here."

Bas glanced down the hallway, considering bolting, then eyed Salacia. "Are you going to tell Muma we came?" she asked warily, trying to judge how much trouble they were in and if running and hiding would make anything worse or not.

[Kender Bard]

"No," Salacia told her. "I won't. But I do want to talk to you three and perhaps let Flash speak with you as well depending on how that goes."

"We just want to see Lumi," Aries said firmly.

"Aye, and I suspect she will want to see you too," Salacia agreed. "But the queen does not and your mother does not. And yet here you are. You risk much by coming."

[Northen Light36]

Bas crossed her arms over her chest and muttered sourly, "Well we weren't planning to get caught."

Pas elbowed his sister and quickly tried to make up for her rudeness. "We really didn't want to cause any trouble, Lady Salacia. But Lumi's our friend and it's not fair that we can't see her. I know Muma and the Queen don't want us to visit anymore, but we didn't do anything wrong and neither did Lumi. So why do we all have to be punished because someone wanted to hurt Lumi?"

[Kender Bard]

"Why indeed?" Salacia asked with a sad sigh. "Stay here children. I need to speak with my husband for a moment."

Aries gave her a slightly mistrustful look but didn't bolt the moment her back was turned. Though he would if it seemed like she was going to make them leave.

Salacia returned to Flash's side and gave him a concerned look. "This isn't anything that will endanger anyone's life... So first promise me you won't go tattling to the queen about what I'm about to tell you."

[Northen Light36]

Flash kept his eyes closed for a long moment and took a deep breath. Then let it all out in a sigh. "Very well, love, but if this is going to upset Lya and she finds out, I'm claiming I knew nothing about it," he replied, opening his eyes and giving Salacia an amused smile. "I'm not quite asleep either. And I'm certain I heard voices I know I shouldn't be hearing in here."

[Kender Bard]

Salacia blushed--she should have figured. "Well, I don't know what I'll say if she does." But that wasn't true. From the stubborn set to her, it was clear that Salacia wouldn't stand for letting the children be bullied in front of her. "...What do you think, Flash? About this whole situation?"

[Northen Light36]

Flash sighed, the humour leaving his expression. "I'm not sure, Salacia," he admitted. "On one hand, I can see why Acqua doesn't want them here. She's grieving and grief doesn't tend to be rational. She's seeing the worst possible situation and reacting to that rather then thinking how unlikely it is to happen. And Lya... Lya's offended and upset on Lumi's behalf. All understandable, really. But on the other hand, it's not fair to any of the children and it's making them all unhappy. And that can't be good for Lumi's recovery."

He considered for a moment then sighed and reached for his boots. "I think they should be allowed to see each other. I just hope Shadow and Lya will accept 'I was looking out for Lumi's welfare' as an excuse if we get found out."

[Kender Bard]

"We?" Salacia repeated, brows raised. "Flash. No... Let me handle this. If Shadow and Lya grew angry with you now, it'd just make everyone's lives that much harder. They need to be able to trust you right now while they try to calm things down, politically. You stay here. I'll escort the children."

[Northen Light36]

"I don't particularly want them angry with you either," Flash replied, but he was too tired for an arguement and the longer they talked, the more likely the children were to try running off. "Very well, love. But be careful, all right?"

[Kender Bard]

"I will," Salacia agreed and kissed him farewell as she returned the trio. "All right, let's go. But be quiet and don't draw attention to yourself."

"I can silence our way," Aries offered, feeling hopeful.

"Just behave," Salacia sighed.

[Northen Light36]

The twins exchanged grins, delighted at how things were working out. It would have been better if they hadn't gotten caught, but this was the next best thing. "We'll be good," Bas promised quietly.

Struggling not to giggle with excitement and pleasure, the twins followed Salacia to Lumi's room.