Ch11 - Elegant Hatred

If you're going to hate someone, at least do it with poise.

Purpura looked at himself in the mirror.

His hair was clean of blood, and his neko ears flickered to noises.

His clothing was rather decorative.

Pants being a plain black, perfectly tailored.

His top was long sleeve.

There were simple patterns on the sleeves near his hands.
On his torso there was a simple design based on the Tynan's emblem.

Decorating it further, was a V shape, with intricately detailed cloth flowing over his shoulders.

Mostly it was white, with all the detailing in purple to match his hair.
It was all perfectly tailored.

He lightly tugged at the collar, it being tight on his neck.

"Don't play with that, you'll rip the fabric." Tynan said.
Purpura growled a bit a him.
"You're the one who refuses to get something to wear to these.
So, I get to design what you wear.
You'd think after five of these, you'd pick something for yourself.
Be happy. My mother told the designer to put pictures of mice on it.
I made sure he did not."

Purpura turned away from the mirror and looked to Tynan.
Tynan was wearing plain black pants as well.

His pants had a single white stripe down the side of each leg.
His top was very formal, being mainly a deep purple.
All the buttons, and line detailing was white.
He had shoulder caps, and on his left side were a variety of ribbons and symbols.

It was natural, given that he was considered a military commander.

"Besides designing your outfit is my favorite part of this whole thing."

Purpura rolled his eyes, and crossed his arms.

Tynan chuckled lightly.

"I'm sure besting my sister, will be the best part of this year's ball.
Perhaps the look on my mother's face...
I think this will be a good year."
Tynan put out his hand.
"Ready?"

Purpura sighed, he didn't want to be seen in this.
But he knew that he was essential to this final part of Tynan's plan.

He closed his eyes to another sigh, and took Tynan's hand.

Suddenly the two vanished into darkness.

They reappeared, standing at the top of a set of stairs.
Just outside a set of doors.
Down the stairs, carriages and other modes of transportation were arriving.

Bring in more and more people.

The building was massive, and towering.
Yet, soft.

It wasn't imposing, it felt welcoming, and inviting.

There were a impressive seven towers.

From each large main tower, seven smaller towers sprouted off.

Clearly some sort of magic helped put this place together.
And kept it together.

Purpura looked behind them, passed the carriages.
It was the ocean.
Far as the eye could see.
This beautiful castle sat on a massive island.
Purpura looked forward, and to Tynan.

As a brown haired neko, dressed in formal serving cloths approached.
Not as a servant, simply staff of the castle.

"Sir?" the neko asked.
Tynan looked to him.
"Prince Tynan, of the Heartless Empire. and guest."

The neko nodded, and ran over to the door.
Announcements were made upon arrival.
The neko simply reported exactly who had arrived, so that names & titles were announced properly.

The neko then looked to them, and gave a polite ushering bow.
Tynan nodded, and Purpura watched the neko.
As the neko seemed to be watching Purpura more than Tynan.

The two walked inside, and stood at the top of a set of stairs.

The announcer spoke, and all guests looked to them.

Being the heir apparent of the Heartless Empire warranted a glance from most.
"Heir apparent, Prince of darkness, Tynan of the Heartless Empire.
Commander of the Heartless armed forces.
Son of shadows, the beginning of a new dark age."

Purpura rolled his eyes, as the two began to go down the stairs.

"Joined by...

Dynastes Daemonium de Laevifidus Purpura Felis insulae.

Natus de Caelestes ad servo no tenebrae."

Purpura felt his arm jerk as Tynan had actually stopped walking a moment.
But the two of them quickly continued on down the stairs.
They were greeted warmly by other guests.
Most welcoming Tynan, and giving Purpura small acknowledgement.

They moved across the room, before ending up with their own space.
"My neko is a tad rusty...
What did they call you?"

Purpura looked to him, then looked away.

Generally seeming to ignore the question.
"It sounded like they called you a gift from the gods.
And like your title was-"

"ANNOUNCING" the announcer drowned out Tynan's voice.

"Princess of darkness, Crudelius of the Heartless Empire.

The second coming of nightfall.

Commander of the Heartless reserve forces."

Standing at the top of the stairs was Crudelius.
Her hair was  up in a low side bun, decorated with green gems.

Her dress almost mirroring Tynan's in design.
They didn't get much leeway given that they were both military commanders.

Her's was green, with white detailing though.

Distinguishing the two easily.
The dress part of her outfit was in a beautiful ballgown.
Mostly white, with the green of her top flowing down the back.

Her and her guest, simply titled her adviser came down the stairs.
They did not approach Tynan and Purpura.

Instead off to 'mingle'.

The party began, with more lively music.
Though it generally lacked for dancing.
After a bit, doors all along the left side of the room opened.
"Dinner will be served shortly, please take your seats." Another neko announced.

Purpura felt strange seeing so many nekos walking around.
They were not cowering, as he was used to seeing.

They were proud, but felt approachable.

Most working were brown hair of various shades.
Nekos believed that your personality or potential created your hair color.

As such, most brown hair nekos were polite, and content serving.
That was not a guarantee of course, and no judgement was placed on not wanting to serve.
Or being another hair color and wanting to serve.

Tynan lead Purpura into the dining hall.
There were a multitude of round tables.
Each with small name tags.
A center piece at each table was meant to signify the nation.

Tynan quickly spotted one reminiscent of the Heartless Empire.
It was actually rather impressive.

The Heartless was a magically built fogging device.
Creating black fog into the air.
Yet it didn't spread, it just seemed to vanish.
The nation of shape-shifters were represented by a turning device that showed a figure that changed to various animals.

The Deformis had a spire with a white mask.

Each was unique of their nation.

The placement of each nation seemed random, yet managed to keep rival nations away from each other.

Though the attempt to keep the worst rivals away from each other was always made.
Sometimes smaller rivals were next to each other.
Somehow the nekos had managed to place each nation perfectly.

They approached the table, and Tynan looked at the name tags.
He found his, and Purpura's.
Simply labeled, 'Damiaan'.

As was his official name as Tynan's adviser.

The two sat down.

Purpura looked to the stage.

To nekos it was customary for live entertainment.
Usually in the form of dancers.

Across from Tynan was his sister.
The two glared at each other in annoyance, likely at having to breath the same air.

Finally the room was filled, everyone at their seats.

A neko, with white hair came onto the stage.
"If we could have all stand."
Everyone politely stood.
The neko continued, "Please note that to the right of the stage."
He put his hand out, towards a small empty table.
It had a single place setting, inverted glass and a vase with a single red rose.
"We have a place saved, in remembrance of fallen soldiers, and lost loved ones.
I will say a prayer."
The neko closed his eyes and said a prayer, though it was all in the neko language.
When he finished he opened his eyes, and looked ready to cry, but managed not to.

"We pray to whatever gods may be, for the resting of their souls."
Everyone spoke, "Let them rest."

The neko nodded gently, and left the stage.
Food began coming out, with fierce coordination.

Everyone began to eat, starting with salad.
It was quiet as everyone ate.
Nekos began bringing out main dishes, and taking away salad dishes.

Another neko took the stage, with orange hair, and many paused eating.
"Please continue eating.

This ball is held in the name of peace, and in memory of those lost.

This year, we of the neko kingdoms realized the date coincided with a very important day.

Today is the birthday of the Trustless Kingdom's own prince."

The neko paused to giggle.
"Today he turns seventy-seven.
Seventy-seven is considered the luckiest of numbers to us.

And as such, the seventy-seventh birthday is a very special one.

So, if you would all please.
Be sure to wish Prince Damiaan a happy birthday."

Tynan and Purpura were both frozen.
Tynan then looked to Purpura, who refused to make eye-contact.

"We will be serving a purple cake to celebrate.

Also, there will be fire-works display once it's darker."
The neko paused and looked around.
"Can we have a light identify Prince Damiaan?"
A light moved and shined on Purpura, who quickly lowered his head.

"Ah! Yes, there he is.
Happy birthday.
Thank you everyone, enjoy dinner."

Purpura ate slowly, as the light left.
Crudelius was frozen in shock, as was her adviser.
Tynan glanced to them, before speaking quietly.
"Is today really your birthday?"

Purpura looked to him, he had actually completely forgot.

But he nodded.
Tynan then laughed, "Well happy birthday.
Seventy-seven, hu?

I always forget that I'm only four years older than you."

Crudelius shook her head.
"They called you prince!" she spoke in a hushed voice.
Tynan glared at her, "That isn't the point.
Wish him a happy birthday."

Crudelius looked to Tynan, and looked about to protest.
Tynan continued.
"Technically this whole event is in his honor."

She bit her lip a bit, losing just a touch of her poise.

Finally she spoke, "Happy birthday, Damiaan."

She was quiet, then added.
"Just because this is in your honor, does not change anything."

Purpura smirked, it would have ruined the fun if it did.
Tynan smirked too.
"The night is young, sister.
Eat your food, you'll need the energy for later."

She glared at Tynan, "Mother is going to be furious that you never told her who he is."

Tynan shrugged, as he ate.
Tynan hadn't known, Purpura had never informed him.

Purpura's mother had been born the princess of the Trustless Kingdom.

And after a rather interesting life, gave up the right of succession.

It passed directly to Purpura, being the oldest of his mother's children.
He had wanted to pass on it as well, but that meant Rose gained the title.
And he couldn't allow that, so he had let the title stay.

Not that he thought on it often.

He mostly forgot his position.

Nekos were long lived, and his mother had had him before turning a hundred.
As well, his grandparents had had his mother before they turned two hundred.
So, given that nekos lived to nearly a thousand...

He had a good couple centuries before it might be an issue.

Finally a large cake was presented.
It had purple detailing on mainly white frosting.

Purpura and Tynan were invited up, and cut the cake.
Purpura ate it feeling awkward, he didn't care for the attention.

The cake was cut into multiple pieces, and passed about.
The inside of the cake was also purple.
The two stood as everyone ate.

Tynan spoke quietly, so only Purpura could hear him.
"I wish you'd told me.
I'd have gotten you a present.
Something befitting a prince.
Perhaps a purple sword.
Ah, but a neko prince...

Perhaps then an aquarium full of salmon.

Who cares, it's your birthday.
I suppose you can do whatever you want.
No repercussions, I promise."

Purpura looked to him, and smirked.
Tynan looked over, "What?"

Purpura then mushed his slice of cake into Tynan's face, before walking away nonchalantly.
Tynan stood in shock, before cleaning off his face a bit.
"This is only the start...

I'm gonna regret promising no repercussions."

Author's Note

Tynan's and Crudelis's outfits are inspired by this...
http://www.dhresource.com/albu_561463201_00-1.0x0/mens-womens-royal-navy-medieval-dress-renaissance.jpg