Ex Parte Imperatricis [Isolde]

[Zhou]

Since the enactment of the blockade about the outskirts of Mosaic, there had been so few moments for Zhou to actually get out and socialize with other people of his age range. Upon one hand could he count the number of outings he had made over the past few months that were excused by his parents, and being obedient to his elders was something that had constantly been forced into his mind since he took his very first steps. However, even such a loyal son had his own limits to how long he could be confined to the schedules that seemed to bind him at every given turn. Home, School, sleep, repeated ad infinitum. By way of their own brand of guilt tripping, Zhou's parents had not only restricted his movements to and fro, but also had signed him up for various openings throughout the Golden Alice district, which would further eliminate what semblance of freedom the teen had. Robbing your son of his childhood just so that he could grow to be as old and miserable as you? Tsk Tsk. Never did it seem to show however, despite the complaints of some teachers and friends, for Zhou maintained an air of carefree happiness. Few knew how he could do it, and others maintained it was the efforts of a boy torn between tradition and his own lust for life. While only the future would be able to determine the truth of this, he seemed to keep soldiering onwards, and today, had taken a step towards his own personal freedom after discussing with his parents that he needed a break, if even for a day. After telling the two that he was not indeed trying to associate with the Japanese they bore so much hatred towards, they allowed him a day free of study and worry...his relief seemed near palpable.

Embarking on his way to the Queen's Arch district, the journey on foot seemed somewhat uneventful by comparison to what many would suspect, then again, it wasn't as if he was going through Mimoza at night, searching for trouble. Tale had passed through the grape vine more than once that the White Lion mall was quite the place to simply sit, relax, without the need of traveling out to the resorts and beach areas...somewhere just out of the way by a bit, with enough distractions to keep teens occupied. Arriving through the automatic sliding doors, the massive complex of kiosks, store fronts, and various entertainment facilities that catered to the masses. With a slight laugh, Zhou kept a slight smile on his face, observing each kiosk whilst he walked patiently with his hand dug deep within the pockets of his jacket. Pulling down his hood to reveal his ever-permanent bed-head, he seemed to warm up almost immediately, which was no surprise considering the time of year, and the mall's insistence on having their heat be somewhere approaching the surface temperature of the sun. There were sure to be familiar faces, different social groups, a perfect opportunity for people-watching. Taking off his coat and tying it about his waist, the grinning boy made his way over to a map that detailed the exact location of various shops and outlets, including restaurants built into the mall to no doubt promote the wasting of more and more money. Tracing his fingertip gently along the surface of the map, from the simple "You are here." arrow towards a confectionery shop on the second floor...with the sighting of that, his eyes widened. Within the Yuan household, sweets were a rarity, and by rarity, they were only enjoyed maybe twice a year on holidays. Making a bee-line for the escalator, he seemed to be much more antsy with the mere mention of sugar...the last time he had savored something sweet was months ago, during a fluke on the cafeteria's part, wherein  they were accidentally shipped chocolate chip cookies.

What was but a minute worth of riding up the escalator alongside bored adults seemed as if it was making Zhou all the more anxious for sweets, fidgeting a bit with his footing. Upon hitting the second floor, he began to tread towards where the sign stated the candy shop was. If one didn't already know how Zhou was during the moments between classes, they would've sworn that he was already on a sugar rush as he saw the sign of the shop, it's name evading him as he moved into the store front...for the most part, the entire store was empty save for the cashier himself. Most of his fellow teens would be down in the food-court, or socializing in some far-off smoke filled arcade room, but no, no...candy came first today. Eyeballing the various brands that colorfully were displayed upon each and every shelf, Zhou seemed to be holding back the urge to grab handfuls of the bars and begin devouring them...but all good things in moderation, plus, what would people think of him if he just outright went coo-coo over some off-brand candy? Wandering about with a grin to rival that of the cheshire cat on his face, he seemed to have made up his mind on what to use the money given to him by his mother on. Walking over to a display case full of various assorted shelled candies, he grasped a packet of the sweets with the same urgency that one would hold onto a man about to fall off a cliff's hand. After a meager exchange of dialogue with the cashier, he walked out of the store, and promptly took a handful of the colorful sweets, downing them, before chewing them up..."Ah...mana from heaven!" he said quietly to himself in Mandarin, before leaning over a railing...there was so much he could do, or watch. Taking a deep breath, he observed the crowds with the same gaze that a hawk did give mice in the fields. "So...what first?"

[Zhou]

Zhou seemed startled by the mention of his name, moving back from the railing as he then breathed a sigh of relief, t'was the empress from the day before, the one whom had undertaken the ceremony of making him a knight of her court. Closing his eyes and clutching his hands closely to his chest, Zhou spoke to her in a soft tone that was somewhat shaky, perhaps from the sudden nature of her greeting. "Ah, it's you, m'lady! I hadn't a clue that you were so adept at picking faces out of a cro-" Scratching the back of his head with one of the hands that was placed to his chest previously, he spoke out once more..."I was alone up here, wasn't I?" With his grin somewhat subsiding at the apparent embarrassment of being found alone on the second floor, merely watching others, he opened his eyes, placing his hand at his side. "I had not expected to run into anyone familiar yet, in truth, I came here alone." There was but a moment where he seemed to be wondering if he had transitioned to English well enough, before he took his left hand and hid the brightly colored candy packet behind his back, after all, weren't knights supposed to be disciplined enough to avoid such cravings? "T-That isn't to say that I am not grateful to see you! No, not at all...it's a pleasure as always." With his tone becoming less full of surprise, and more towards what seemed to be a happier voice, he bore his smile in full glory once more. "So what brings you here, m'lady? It's rude of me to pry, this I know, but..."

[Zhou]

There was seldom a word that Zhou could say back to the princess, for not only had she seemed to have sought him out, due to loneliness, but the princess also seen that he had stowed the candy behind his back. In truth, it was most likely not the best move to hastily tuck your arm behind your back around a princess, but...well, sometimes people do get that embarrassed by the silliest things. Pulling the candy packet out, he  reflexively put his other hand into his pocket, his cheeks getting a bit red as he spoke out to her. "Well...I...well as a knight, I know I have to have self-control and the like...but I haven't had candy in the longest while." Now to most this would've been a minor infraction at best, or not even a problem to the vast majority of people, but one could be forgiven for thinking that it was more at the thought of appearing undisciplined before a princess that compelled Zhou to hide the colorful snack behind his back. "I know it's more than a bit strange, m'lady...but if you'd like, I would have no qualms sharing it with you." While he appeared so very embarrassed about hiding something so silly from Isolde, his voice seemed to betray that he was incredibly happy to have ran into her. Whilst Zhou always appeared to be joyous, he seemed to be even more so in her presence. The prospect of  her accompanying him for the day seemed to make this even more apparent.

[Zhou]

A nervous look seemed to cross Zhou's face at the mention of there now being reprimands. Though there was no cartoonish gulp, he definitely didn't seem to like the sound of it...perhaps sharing the candy with her could placate her enough to where he wouldn't be chastised as much. Extending the candy towards her in one hand, he began to speak to her in a calm tone, perhaps hiding the fact that he did feel a bit of guilt for hiding it from her. "Reprimands, madame...? I shudder to think..." A nervous laugh escaped his lips whilst he closed his eyes...her company would definitely keep the day interesting, as it had the day before. Since the blockade, as stated previously, he had very few days to actually get out and socialize after school...and his first step was to possibly invoke the wrath of the empress on himself. An excellent job indeed. "M'lady, I always eat healthily, it is not only what is demanded of me as a knight...but well...also my parents." With a bit of a bounce in his step, he looked back at the princess, motioning for her to accompany him on a bit of a walk through the mall. He seemed to have shaken off the jitters about whatever horrid tortures could reside within the imperial household, and smiled, "Allow me to make it to you, m'lady, with something other than sweets, of course. A day in the mall may not be as entertaining as an hour within the palace, but I assure you, I will endeavor to make it interesting for you!"

[Zhou]

"Whew...I...I mean, well, there won't be a need for a second warning, this, I promise." Zhou seemed utterly overjoyed upon knowing that the reprimand in question would not be any sort of actual punishment, though he did seem to want to make it clear that he wasn't going to take it lightly, after all, who would want to foul up an afternoon with a princess? Moving with his hand firmly gripping the rail, the young knight would occasionally look behind him to ensure that Isolde was following, one time, stopping to speak back to her, knowing the noise of the groups below would drown out their conversation to any potential eavesdroppers once he hit a point on the walkway. "Since our last meeting, I've been dreadfully curious about you, m'lady...I had so very little time to ask you the entirety of what crossed my mind, and yet I do not wish to pry." Smiling warmly, he leaned over to look down at the throngs of people that were heading to and fro, ensuring that none took too much interest in their conversation, as he looked over to speak to her. "If it would so please you...I must ask, what is your spirit, nay, you informed me of this...Persona, like? Mine is quite peculiar indeed." It appeared as if one of the reasons he had stop solely was to keep others from hearing their conversation...he was more than willing to move though, it seemed, for there were many more things for them to do.

[Zhou]

Zhou broke eye contact with her for a moment, looking down at the crowd whilst processing the information she had just given him. After giving it some time and thought, he began to reply to the princess. "My persona is...well, I know not his name, in truth. All I can truly say of him is that he is a knight born of flames, and  that my relationship with the spirit is not there, I suppose. Merely he does as I direct, as if we were one." Once more looking to the princess to see her reaction, he stood up tall, rather than leaning against the rail for now, as he smiled..."I knew it would be best to discuss matters concerning each other in a place wherein the noise would cancel out our conversation to those whom may wish m'lady harm." Isolde had extended to him the position of a knight, and had even come this far to meet with him as to keep him company on a somewhat uneventful first outing to the city. T'was obvious he wanted to repay her trust in him by at least showing some degree of prowess, though he did not possess the virtue of stealth, as evidenced by the princess discovering he had the candy bar. "As I said, tis not my purpose to question that which I serve. I still can barely fathom it, m'lady, being a knight...the prospect of leaving Mosaic should the crisis end, and being a member of a knightly order? It still amazes me!" Happily he put his hands into his pockets, looking towards one of the corners that they would round should they continue onwards after saying his piece...he was giddy, of that there seemed to be no doubt, and he spoke back to her, "But M'lady, I truly have to thank you, it gives me all the more reason to survive this." His questions seemed to be placated for the time being, after all, why would he wish to bore Isolde with such banter when there was so much more to do than sit around and talk all day. "Allow me to whisk you away for a moment, madame, we may always discuss more troubling matters when that time comes...but I promised unto you a glorious time, and I intend to make it so!" Extending out his hand, he smiled brightly, ready to escort her to their next destination, which only he seemed to know.

[Zhou]

Taking the hand of the maiden fair gingerly within his own, Zhou led the young princess around the corner, no doubt having scouted out the location previously whilst looking at the map on his way in. Turning to look at her with a smile, he gripped her hand, whilst trying to obscure the view of the shop. "I do know that it's a gift more tired than time itself, but I really do think that it'll be a worthwhile purchase should I spend it on you, m'lady. Now...with the rest of my funds I intend on at least buying something for you to eat." He had picked up upon the fact that she had agreed to share some of his sweets, that she was obviously quite famished, otherwise he would have most likely been chastised with a greater degree of certainty...but it was all in good fun. If anything seemed apparent, it was that Zhou intended fully on making his day out, as well as the princess's, worthwhile. Moving a bit out of the way, there was a small storefront presenting itself as a floral shop. Whilst the concept of buying a lady flowers was as outdated as the idea of chivalry, there was a reason as to why he wished to buy it, rather than to simply gift her with roses. "Given your hair color...I do think I know what to buy for you, m'lady." Leading her into the store alongside him, the pungent smell of flowers seemed to overwhelm the air within. Looking across the various colored petals that did do so much to catch the eye, a violet seemed to catch his gaze...the princess had red hair, which would contrast nicely with the flower. Lifting it from the side of the shop, he moved to the counter and laid down a small sum of money...whilst the flower in of itself wasn't genuine, it at least would not wilt. Upon stepping closer to the princess, he broke  just enough of the plastic stalk to shorten it up, and presented it to her. "A hair ornament for m'lady."

[Zhou]

Upon the exact moment that Lady Imperatrice's lips touched upon his cheek, they became as red as Christmas lights just fresh from the store. Wholeheartedly it did seem as if he had not expected such a display of affection over giving the one he served a flower to merely place in her hair, and he placed a hand upon his cheek where she had placed her dainty lips. For a moment he was silent, and for another he tried to put together words, finding that they did not come out fluently. After stopping still in his tracks and placing his hands at his sides, he breathed in deep, and managed to speak, "I-I am...I am most glad that m'lady did enjoy the gift so much..." Regaining his concentration seemed to come next, as he gripped her hand gently in his own, smiling ever brighter than before, as he began to take her towards the railing outside of the shop. "If it would please you, madame, I would thoroughly enjoy getting to share a meal with you for the second time...you look famished, afterwards, there is much to do, to see." Slowly, he extended out his other hand and gripped the one that he had already not locked within his own, unintentionally interlacing his fingers with hers. Closing his eyes, he seemed to be utterly enjoying himself on this fine day...but the problem arose that he had absolutely no clue what a princess would dine upon at a food court in the mall.

[Zhou]

Holding onto both of dear Isolde's hands, Zhou released one if only for the purpose of leading the elegant princess down a nearby escalator towards the location of the food court. Intermittently, he would look behind him to ensure that she did not manage to get lost in the crowds that had resided below their position. For her, he seemed to be as chivalrous as was demanded of him, and seemed to strive for her approval with every gesture that he could make...not to mention she had a way of forcing him to blush now and again.  After making their way through the crowd proper, he stood before one of the kiosks, and seeing as there were many, the princess had her pick of various foods...although, being a food court, they were not exactly gourmet. Picking out his order at what appeared to be some sort of barbecue shack, he held onto his own tray with a smile, speaking over to dearest Isolde. "Alright madame...partake of anything that you do so wish, as it is my treat. Any seat as well, as in truth, I must say that I find it best to converse after having had a meal." Undoubtedly Zhou still held a great deal of curiosity towards the maiden fair, and found it best were they to take a seat. After awaiting the order of his princess, undoubtedly he would carry their food, and converse to satiate both his curiosity and hunger.

[Zhou]

Out of respect, Zhou took the tray of his empress like a gentleman, and in seeing that Isolde couldn't care less about where they sat, he decided to take the most prudent option. A seat far away in the court from the prying eyes and ears of the public. Pulling out her chair after laying the food down, he smiled with utmost glee, at both the prospect of conversing with the princess further, and at finally getting substantial in his stomach. Pulling a napkin onto his lap, he gazed down at the food with eyes full of hunger, hoping not to appear like a glutton to his dearest Empress...taking hold of one of the smoked ribs, he took a deep bite into the juicy flesh upon the bone, and had he not the manners he presented, he would've downright feasted on the thing right then and there.  Upon finishing chewing on one, he even wiped his mouth with another napkin before speaking to the empress. "M'lady...what is it like to live in the palace? I've been so dreadfully curious about it...about the nature that I am supposed to adopt as one of your knights as well." The smile on his lips was thankfully not smudged with sauce, as he took another deep bite into the savory ribs...the princess seemed the type to favor those around her eating healthily, thus it was safe to assume that she often did the same. Though, it could be said that Zhou seemed pleasantly surprised that she was affording herself the luxury of some good barbeque.

[Zhou]

There was but a moment wherein Zhou's eyes lit up with glee at the thought of learning how to fence, for his lack of formal training had limited his combat experience by quite a bit...his Persona seemed to be utterly in line with him, but yet he could not master physical combat well without it. Learning Wing-Chun had been an enjoyable experience, despite the fact that it was something that the had been forced to practice by his father. His lack of training with other weapons had held him back somewhat, so overall, learning how to fence would give him a deadly edge in countering the attacks of components. From what little he knew about classical fencing, rapiers had been used to pierce armored targets in the past, with the swordplay exhibited in his books showing it was adept at counters, much like how his chain whip was adept at going through an opponent's guard. Exuding joy from the mere mention of the luxury of the mansion, of protecting it, and dear Isolde...he responded to her. "It truly does sound like paradise compared to our current situation, no? But...yes, to answer your question, m'lady, I would absolutely love to learn how to fence!" A smile upon his lips was soon vanquished by another bite out of the savory flesh, and after another go at chewing, he spoke unto her calmly, wiping his mouth as before. "I truly must say...it is most gracious of you to offer to teach me such a sublime art of combat. Other than this madame, though I do not wish to presume too much...did you find your way here in order to simply speak with me? I..." He went quiet for a bit, placing the food down as he then opened his mouth but once more. "That was foolish of me to presume."

[Zhou]

Zhou seemed absolutely stunned over the fact that the princess knew that he was going to be here, and even more so, had actively sought him out. Now to most this would've been a moment wherein they would start assuming as to whether the princess had been spying on them or not, but Zhou merely turned his stunned expression into his trademark grin, speaking out to her in response. "I-I'm dear to you, m'lady...?" The two had met but twice, but it went without saying that the princess certainly seemed to be taking a liking to him fast. His stammer was not as horrid as it was previous when she had surprised him with a peck upon the cheek, but it went without saying he was undoubtedly a bit in shock over the announcement. "Madame...I'm overjoyed to find that you care for me so. Especially considering the fact that...well, in truth I am more of a squire than a true knight!" With great caution he picked up the last of his set of ribs, eating quietly whilst he appeared to process the information that she had given him, t'was a true honor to be told by a future empress that she had gone out of her way to accompany him. After finishing his food, wiped his mouth, eager to truly speak to the princess without interruption. "I care for you as well, my Empress...as I said upon my coronation, I would gladly defend you until my body is none but ash. Yet...you spoke of fencing involving spears as well...Wing-Chun allows for training with lugged spears of sorts, lances. I would be ever so thrilled to learn how to use them more effectively...especially from you." Training from an empress...now that was truly something that wasn't to be laughed at.

[Zhou]

As if struck in the head by a brick, Zhou recoiled back a ways as he heard the princess speak of marriage to him, his eyes widening in pure, unadulterated shock. Well, it went without saying that he was hit by utter surprise, to a point where he ended up scratching the back of his head, looking down with his eyes closed. "Whoa...I...uh...that's...wow, m'lady, that's absolutely out of the blue!" Utterly taken aback by the question, he regained his composure and leaned somewhat over the table. A deep breath seemed to calm him down for the moment as he opened his eyes, gazing over at the princess with a somewhat nervous grin rather than the simply joyous one that he usually wore..."In truth...I...I haven't given it much in the way of thought. My parents are somewhat...xenophobic. They ask time and time again if I am going to find a girl from the mainland, but I suppose you could say that I just have not found that special someone as of yet." His voice was gentle, soothing now that it had calmed down from the sheer shock. "However, I wouldn't be opposed to it, should I meet that special someone..." His smile was warm, his eyes closed, as he spoke, "As for what we were saying earlier...being trained by you would be a privilege, and I truly must repay you after we do so."

[Zhou]

Retaining his smile, Zhou could not refrain from giggling a bit at the prospect of living in the palace...truly it would prove to be something absolutely wonderful. However, he seemed to sense as if something was troubling his young empress, after all, one did not simply bring up marriage on a dime. "I think that would be absolutely wonderful! I mean...it's so beautiful, like something out of a fairy tale." Tilting his head to the side whilst opening his eyes, he ended up speaking over to her with a slight hint of concern, obviously towards her talk of marriage. "My parents are somewhat disagreeable...but I do of course respect them. However...it was disagreeing with them that allowed me this evening, so one could never know..." he said while smiling contentedly. The dear empress was going to be aiding him in so many ways, especially when it came to his martial training. Coupling that with the fact that she had just extended to him an offer to live in a castle, far from here should things turn out right? It was fantastic. "I do wonder what it would be like serving at your side, madame, once this crisis is over. My trial by fire will be from these shadows, but...I do think I will enjoy standing beside you, whatever comes."  Having finished eating, he waited patiently to see if the princess was still hungry herself, there was much to do still, while the light was out...training would not be on his mind today it seemed, but he did of course seem to want to repay her.

[Deleted]

The young princess wasn't really hungry at all. In fact, she just quietly ate while they were talking. She was told that Zhou's parents were disagreeable with him, but he still respected them. When he was concerned about her talk of marriage, she responded, "Well, my grandfather wants me to marry before my nineteenth birthday. He says he wants to keep the imperial family alive." She'll have to ascend to the throne unmarried, but she'll have to convince her grandfather first. She could see that Zhou was eager to live at the imperial palace and she was grateful for that. She replied, "When this crisis is over, you will serve under me as one of the Knights of the Round. I can tell that you have undying loyalty towards me and as such, I will help you train in swordsmanship."