Day 99, afternoon

[anissina_chan]

Anissina was surprised fewer doubles were taking part in her invention that returned people home. But it must mean that this place was even better than their real homes. Though she wondered if they even cared about their families. Surely they had them

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[theheatinside]

Wolfram had been drawn by the sound of knitting needles. Naturally, he looked up to his eldest brother for guidance and reassurance. And Gwendal was also the most knowledgeable when it came to goings on within the castle, and without. Though he had caught himself up on all the recent events, who was who, and what doubles were which, and even the latest of the gossip, he still had some lingering questions. Gwendal would understand.

But when he found the origin of the rhythmic clicking, he found only Anissina.

"Oh," he sighed. "It's you."

[anissina_chan]

Anissina turned to the disappointed voice behind her. "I'm sorry to have disappointed you, Wolfram. Is there something you needed?"

[theheatinside]

Wolfram set his hands on his hips and looked out past her. "Have you seen Gwendal? He isn't in his office, or anywhere else I've looked."

[anissina_chan]

Anissina stopped knitting with a sigh of her own. "I haven't. And I checked everywhere else for him also. He goes and disappears without even a word!" She took a deep breath. "I may not be Gwendal," though they were rather close, "but maybe I could help you?" She was irritated at Gwendal, but was trying to keep from taking it out on everyone else.

[theheatinside]

Wolfram's arms dropped in disappointment. "He must be busy," he defended. He considered her offer, and nodded once. "Perhaps. I was hoping for his opinion on some matters." Maybe her opinion would suffice for now. "May I sit?"

[anissina_chan]

Gwendal did have some logical opions on things, though sometimes he let emotions get in the way. She gestured with one hand towards the empty chair. "Of course. If you would like some tea, I could have one of the maids bring you a cup." She still had about half a pot or so left, she guessed.

[theheatinside]

"Tea would be nice. Thank you." He took a seat across from her. He wasn't sure where to begin, or if his concerns would seem childish to someone like her. (It was okay to be a little childish when it came to big brothers. They expected it.) "I met Yuuri's double," he started. "She's nice."

[anissina_chan]

Anissina flagged down a maid and asked her to bring a cup for Wolfram, and a fresh pot. If Wolfram was going to talk to her, then it might be better to have plenty on hand. It was a slightly rare occasion after all - at least, when Greta wasn't involved.

"I hadn't realized there was a double of heika here. And a woman at that!" She was actually feeling a bit more interested in this conversation. "So, tell me about her."

[theheatinside]

"She arrived the other day," he said. "Wolf, Yuuri and I showed her around and got her settled. She'll need a wardrobe." He left off mentioning the confusion over whether or not the new Yuuri really was a woman. She said she was, and that was all that mattered as far as he was concerned.

"She's different. But ... of course she is. She's not a Maou in her world. Soft spoken." He shrugged. "I didn't learn too much about her, but I will." Because she was a Yuuri. "Her safety is a top priority, of course."

[anissina_chan]

Soft spoken.... that was a little disappointing. But she could help her become stronger! She already was determining that she was going to turn this Yuuri into a project. She'll become quite a strong woman by the time she was done.

"A wardrobe shouldn't be too complicated. I'll have one of the tailors take her measurements and either construct several items for her or have things brought in from town for the time being. It probably isn't good to send someone like that on her own into the village right away."

The maid returned with new tea and a cup for Wolfram. "Everyone's safety is a top priority. Aside from that recent occurrence, this castle is probably the safest place for her. Unless there was something else you're referring to." She knew a lot of the men around were stupid, but hopefully not stupid enough to do something despicable.

[theheatinside]

Wolfram pursed his lips, on the verge of annoyed. But then grunted, conceding. It probably was best that a woman handle the wardrobe end of things, after all. "Well, don't get carried away. We don't need you creating another one of ... you."

Though ... maybe that was her plan.

He accepted his tea with thanks and poured a cup for himself, leaving it to cool for a moment. "I'm not referring to anything. She is the Maou's double. Even if she is not a Maou herself, she could still be harmed or used for nefarious reasons, just for resembling him. She does wear brown hair and eyes, however. She's at least disguised in that way."

[anissina_chan]

"Then it would surely be best to keep her here for some time. Having herself disguised is fine for going out, but I wonder if she'd need to bother in the castle. If anything, it should get her more respect." At least it should, not that it would always since Yuuri himself was a a little too relaxed about things sometimes. "But I do see what you mean."

"By the way, what is it you mean, another one of me?" Anissina was feeling highly offended. "Is there a problem with me you'd like to discuss, Wolfram?"

[theheatinside]

Wolfram looked a little panicked, and cleared his throat with a hand to his mouth and looked away. "I meant nothing at all. Only that you can be ... intense. And this Yuuri does not seem to that kind of a person." And he didn't see anything wrong with that!

"Anyway. I don't think the hair and eyes are a disguise, really. I mean, they are obviously not natural. I've seen Yuuri - my Yuuri - in a wig and contacts enough times to know what it looks like. If those colors are part of her identity..." He trailed off with a shrug. "We shouldn't try to change that, should we?"

[anissina_chan]

"Ah. Is that so?" She crossed her arms and sat silent for a moment while he continued on. Her strength was something she was quite proud of and there was nothing at all wrong with a woman being assertive for things that are right. Especially when weak men did nothing to rectify situations!

She picked up her teacup and thought for a moment. "I'm not going to take anything away from her. I'll have some clothes brought in for her and I won't form any opinions until we actually meet. Unless she encounters Gunter, I doubt she'll be in any danger for the time being inside the castle. If she goes outside, she should have someone of adequate strength to accompany her for the time being. I trust that would be to your satisfaction?"

[theheatinside]

Well, that was all fine, he supposed. He nodded curtly, taking up his tea for a sip. Except.

"Gunter?!" The tea sloshed out over the saucer and his hand as he slammed it back on the table. It stung, but he had something more important to worry about. "That ... that man with loose morals is wandering the castle!" He slammed his hands on the table to stand up. "He could this very moment have his sights on her, to woo her away into his depravity!"

[anissina_chan]

Anissina was caught off guard with Wolfram's sudden outburst. "Well, him too, I suppose. Though I have heard he doesn't force anyone into situations. But I was referring to the one that gets all goo-goo and sloppy over anything pertaining to heika or a double black in general. He doesn't seem to know when his actions are a bit overkill." She set her own teacup down and thought for a second. "But if the Gunter in which you spoke of does approach her and she doesn't have the ability to turn him away, then she will be in need of a bit of von Karbelnikoff guidance."