Ajay always liked when Aja called Ajia, Sparrow. So, despite being dolled up in a white gown and looking stunning enough to be a bride, she felt as though she could chance flying away. Well, at least she wanted to. Dawned in jewels, so expensive that a man would kill, and elevated by heels that would make any other woman groan in agony, Ajia found herself in an awkward position. She traced her fingers over the diamond bracelet around her wrist before tracing the elaborate necklace about her neck. Being so dolled up made her feel uncomfortable, but not an ounce of her discomfort would out weigh just how her sister Aja felt.

Once she was done inspecting herself in a full length mirror, Ajia turned towards the door to her room at Ballentine, the one that connected her room to her sister's, and opened the door. Some times Aja was fun to listen to, at least when she was uncomfortable. She took a moment to stand there, admiring her twin in her snowy white dress and golden jewelry.

"You'd think this was some twisted game of dolling us up before leading us to the slaughter." For Ajia to be uncomfortable with how she was dressed said something.

"Who says it's not?" Aja grumbled and unceremoniously plopped herself into a wing back chair. "These are torture devices!" she pointed at her feet.

Ajia lifted the skirt of her dress, showing her own heels as she spoke," Just remember that this is for Ajay. He's probably dolling up Rico and Padriq too. Considering they're our escorts."

"They best hide Padriq's weapons." Aja grinned. "Or bribe 'im with something."

There was a snort and she settled in a chair across from her sister. "Padriq must be a man after your own heart." She made a face.

"Why da ya think we work so well as a couple. We know better than ta expect da other ta be what we ain't." Aja's speech was back to the style that made Ajay crazy. Ajia smirked thinking about the way Ajay was going to cringe if Aja didn't correct it before the party.

"I'm just grateful Rico's used to this kind of stuff..." She paused in thought," I don't think any other man would put up with it the way he or Padriq does."

"Ricks looks pretty good when he gets gussied up." Aja said with a smile. "Mami don't ask "em ta do it much though. Which is why he's willin ta do it."

"Seeing him gussied up will be a first for me." She added before kicking off her heels to rub her ankles.

"He does love his sleeveless shirts." Aja snickered. "Show off da big guns."

There was a rap at Aja's door, one of the maid's voice calling out to the twins within," Ladies, we'll be ready for you in ten minutes!"

Ajia sighed and leaned forwards again, hooking her feet into those heels and muttering," You know Ajay's going to expect you to dance, right?" Big amber eyes fixed on Aja as she grinned," First with our escorts then with him."

"Not dat crazy fan dance!" Aja sighed and shot her sister a look. "I draw da line at that one."

"I think the first dance we do is the waltz. You know....one, two, three, four. And so on." Her hand waved and she sighed, tugging at the bodice about her chest. "Why do they have to make these things so tight' I know it's a part of the dress" look, but....why couldn't I have a dress like yours at least."

"Yer da coming out Princess this time." Aja snickered at JiJi. "Yer bright idea, sis."

"Yeah, but this party is for the both of us, else the invite wouldn't say "Princesses Aja and Ajia Bird"." She made a face at her twin one that got mirrored back to her.

The door opened in time for that, Padriq being the cause of it. On his frame was a sleek blue and black naval uniform, golden buttons adorning the lines of the outfit. At the sight of the face Ajia was giving her sister he spoke, "Oi, lass tha' nae be very princess li"e."

Aja blinked at Padriq's get up and smiled brightly at him.

"And dat git up ain't very pirate like." she smirked. "But it's quite dashin all da same."

His boyish grin blossomed on his face at the sight of Aja. "N" ye dunnae look li"e yerself, nae, ye look li"e a princess, a very beau"iful princess a" tha"."

"Charm like dat will keep ya from da doghouse fer da princess mention." Aja grinned. "Today's da only day ya gets away with it."

"Well, i will nae be tellin" a soul "ow nice ye clean up luv." He winked before offering his arm to her. "I be "ere t' escor" ye t' the dance, Princess, n" t' tell yer sis"er tha' "er ma"e will be alon' shor"ly."

Aja sighed and got up from her chair with a wrinkle to her nose. "Hate these shoes." she muttered and paused as she took Padriq's arm. "Must remember to speak like a normal person." Aja reminded herself. "And don't punch out the Duke of Whoville or whatever his name is."

"When we ge" settled lass, I'll le" ye "ide em "n a corner n" stand on me toes while we dance." He winked to her and placed his hand over her hand before starting for the door. "I "ope they nae be expec"in me t' spea" all fancy li"e luv. I cunnae do tha"."

"Nah. Ya ain't got speak fancy. Jist me." she winked at him. "As fer da shoe thing, yer mah hero." she gave him a kiss to the cheek then. "Rikki be along in a minute?"

He grinned to the kiss at his cheek and nodded. "Aye luv, "e'll be "ere "n a mo."

"Cool." Aja smiled then looked at Ajia with a grin. "Last chance. We can make a break fer it, sis."

"Not on your life Aja Bird, you're going to this ball." She grinned broadly and slouched back in the chair, taking a moment to clear her thoughts.

"Oh, ya think I'm makin da offer jist ta get myself out of this?" Aja grinned. "Hellz no. I'm serious. Ya need a way out. I got yer back."

"Sounds good. I'll keep that in mind. Don't party too hard in the meantime!" She grinned from ear to ear, her hands idly brushing over the skirt of her dress. Aja shook her head and gave Ajia a warm smile.

"Alright then. I shall play pretty pretty princess for you. If yer sure this is what ya want ta do." Aja gave her sister a kiss on the head. "Ya look beautiful by the way. Quit yer fidgetting."

"You look beautiful too, sis." Ajia wasn't sure this was what she wanted, but this was the propriety and courtly thing to do and frankly she needed to do it; if not for Ajay or Aja's sake, even their parents" sake, it was more or less to show someone else that she could fill expectations. That's what worried her the most. The more time she spent in Ballentine the more she felt like she was a different person.

"I'm going out, scope da joint." Aja said as she made her way to the door where Padriq waited for her. "Me and Padriq will locate all da exits. Ways ta run distractions..ya know. In case ya wanna bail." Aja gave a wink to her sister then took Padriq's arm.

"Aye, Ajia, I be willin" t' streak fer ye t' get free from the fuddy duddies." He was too.

Ajia gave Padriq a look," Please don't.." Aja just laughed.

"He's completely serious." She smiled easy then. "It's a last resort if we can't just simply sweep ya out the back door."

"Aye, lass, a last resor"." He winked to her, a broad grin on his lips. He then stepped to hold the door open for Aja while Ajia stare-glared at him. Aja blew Ajia a kiss and headed out into the hall. Ajia could hear some laughter then a little light conversation. Likely with Rico who was due to be there soon.

There was the appropriate amount of applause to accompany such an announcement. Aja watched from her place near Ajay with a smile. Ajia seemed suited for these events. She at least didn't mind getting dressed up in such a manner. Aja remembered not to point and giggle at Ajia like the urge to do so pestered her. She did as she was expected to and remained by Ajay's side.

To keep herself occupied, she started to focus on the party guests all the while thinking about how JiJi at least looked more princess like than Aja ever could imagine herself being. Yes, they might have been twins, but Ajia just seemed more suited towards these events. She could slip into those fashionable torture devices they called shoes and walk gracefully seemingly without thinking about it.

She had to admit she was glad that Ajia was doing all of this, even if Aja herself still was a bit worried about the previous conversation her and JiJi had about it. Aja glanced around at all the dignitaries there. There were some Princes milling about that seemed to be checking out her twin more than a casual observer should. Aja made a note to keep track of them. A couple faces were hidden by the crowd. Aja would make the rounds, checking on the party guests during the event. Subtly of course. No need to stir Ajay's sense of annoyance with Aja's particular skill set of treating everyone as a suspect.

While she checked out the party guests, the thief in her went through the ways they could score the gems and baubles off the various guests and the exits to make a clean getaway. It wasn't that she actually planned to use those skills today, it was the mindset she was going to need in days to come.

Aja made her rounds through the party, Padriq escorting her the whole way keeping a close watch on her. That made her a little nervous. Cause if Padriq figured out what she was truly thinking about doing, he'd make a very public scene. And Aja couldn't afford anymore attention being drawn to herself than was being done already.

There was no way to talk Ajay out of this without telling him why and Aja wasn't about to tell either sibling what she had planned. For one, they'd protest. For two, JiJi would protest Rico going with her on such a dangerous mission and possibly insist upon coming along. There was no way that was ever going to happen.

As much as Aja needed to take them down, she needed Ajia far away from these people. Just in case something did go wrong, she did not need to think about what would happen to Ajia if they got their hands on her. It would only put the whole mission in jeopardy if she was even a little bit distracted.

So she smiled and nodded appropriately to heads of other nations, discussed matters of national border security with several of Ajay's defense advisors. A conversation that Padriq could participate in as well. It had taken time, but the defense advisors had come to appreciate Aja's knowledge on defensive weapons and strategic placement of them. Not that Ballentine had a lot of enemies, but it never hurt to be prepared.

"Ye alrigh' luv" Ye seem t' be a bi" antsy." He glanced to her as he brought her hand to his lips, giving it a soft kiss.

"Overly dressed people acting nice tend to make me nervous." She said to Padriq quietly.

"I cud strip n" scare em all away. Jus" say the wor"." He was serious, he'd do what he needed to do for the sake of her comfort.

"And have Ajay behead you for causing a scene?" she grinned at him. "No thank you. I like you in one piece."

"Jus" a sugges"ion luv." Saying to her while smiling warmly. He glanced over the area curiously before looking back to Aja. "Perhaps we need t' g" see yer sis"er" Hatch an escape pla??" Aja looked at him then made a quick glance around the party.

"Should go make sure she's not freaking out with all these people about." she said mindful of her tone and expression.

"Aja luv, she's been preparin" fer this fer wut' Weeks?" Padriq arched a brow. "Ya sure ye alrigh?""

"You and I both know there's a difference in preparing for a battle and actually being in one." it was a metaphor, but the only one that came to mind at the moment. "Actual application is different than just reading about it."

"Aye, alrigh". Le's go check o' yer sis"er." Smiling to her, a gentle kiss being pressed to her brow.

Aja smiled at him. He was a good man. Who seemed to get that she didn't operate on what anyone would consider a normal level. One of the few men she knew that could deal with her particular set of oddities when it came to many different situations. They made their way through the crowd at a sedate pace and found Ajia and Rico speaking with the social advisors. A group of men that always set Aja's teeth on edge.

Padriq looked at these men then to Aja, his brows rising while he murmured to her softly. "Why are advisors always so ol??" Motioning to the greying men before resuming his approach with his beauty on his arm.

"Not sure. But they're creepy." Aja grinned and winked at Padriq as they came up to Ajia, Rico and the advisors, catching part of their conversation.

"It is vital that we keep good relations with their kingdom, Princess." one of them was saying to Ajia. "They supply Ballentine with many types of goods."

"I see, so naturally they are given titleship and ownership in our country, but from what I've heard from my brother, they have refused to offer the same opportunities to the lords and ladies of this country. How is that fair?" Ajia was doing her best to keep a level head, but these advisors irritated her, especially when they attempted to skirt around the countries laws for their own gain.

"Princess Ajia, I assure you that it is vital we remain allies with this nation." the advisor said with a somewhat authoritative and bias tone.

"And which country are we speaking about?" Aja then interjected eyeing up the advisors who seemed to take a step back from Ajia when Aja made her presence known. "I'm sure Ajay and I could meet with the leaders to discuss a meeting about the subject."

"Dolgorath. And Ajay's tried, but every time he attempts to arrange a meeting, his advisors recommend that he wait for them to seek an audience with him. Apparently it was one of the countries Serm gained an alliance with." Her nose wrinkled with discomfort. "Apparently they feel that it's proper for us as a nature to show good will at a distance considering their prior allegiance. Threat to Ajay is apparently great, even though they've maintained a kind and honest relationship with Ballentine." Ajia's voice went stiff," I was merely stating that if it needed more of a woman's touch, I would gladly offer my services as princess to aid my brother in his diplomacy."

One of the advisors spoke up," The same risks, Princess, that our King faces, apply to you. Heaven forbid that something happens to you, your majesty."

Aja then fixed a stare on the advisor. She was mentally counting to ten before she tried speaking, because that sounded to Aja like a lightly veiled threat.

"Dolgorath. I'll be sure to locate their leadership before the party ends and let them know that I can drop by anytime they like to discuss this matter with them personally. Leaving their advisors out of the loop may circumvent any further procrastination with coming to an agreement." Aja's tone was even but the look in her eyes to the advisor was anything but calm.

Ajia glanced to Aja and then back to the advisors," Unless you find a way to arrange a meeting with them for within the month, I will handle the meeting with them, and it won't be announced." She remained straight faced," It's about time we stopped stepping on needles around Dolgorath and speak of our intentions."

Aja glanced at Ajia then back to the advisors and waited to see what they would say. They could either deal with Aja or Ajia. But neither sister gave the impression they were willing to wait on the advisors to arrange a meeting with the lord of Dolgorath.

The speaking advisor's jaw clenched and he drew in a defensive breath. "As you wish, your Majesties."

As Aja had predicted, on the other side of the Ball, a similar conversation was being held between Ajia and Rico.

"Why did she do that' I am perfectly able to take care of myself, Rico. I did it before we had even met." They were back in her room and she was pacing back and forth. Both her brows knit and her heels had been kicked off and stowed in a corner. "I just....ugh...she makes me feel like some little girl that needs to be protected." Frowning.

"She does love you, Ajia." Rico said smoothly and calmly. "I don't think she sees you as one of her kids."

"I know she doesn't see me as one of her kids, but sometimes she makes me feel like a little kid that she's made herself responsible for." Turning to him, she sighed, "I know she loves me and that she wants to see me safe and sound, but she can't always do that....She can't always step in and make me feel like this, like I need to be spoken for."

Rico sat watching Ajia pacing back and forth. For how different the sisters were, they did have similar habits.

"She has experience with that particular set of advisors, Ajia." he reminded her. Gently of course.

"I know, I know." She paused and sighed, looking to Rico. "I understand that these advisors can and most likely will be trouble, but why can't I do something for my brother without it making me feel like Aja's trying to prevent a bounty from being put on my head?" Okay, she didn't feel like that all the time, but at that moment, she did.

Rico considered carefully how to answer that. He knew far more than he could reveal. "In our travels, we have seen how a kidnapped member of a royal family can spark wars that take the lives of many innocent people." he sat calmly and watched Ajia. "I wouldn't like to think what either of us would do if that were you being the one taken."

Ajia moved over to him and placed her hands on his shoulder, she bit her lip softly. "Well, we....we...I know you and Aja are worried about me." She bit her lip and thought softly. "What if I promised that everything I do will be under Ajay's watchful eye....or of the watchful eye of his trusted guards?"

"That is more acceptable than you attempting to deal with those men alone." he gave her a disarming smile. "I know I would be more comfortable if you were never alone with them."

"I won't be alone with them. Promise." She leaned in ever so slightly to press a kiss to his lips. "If you need to..." Biting her lip," We could get some of your ninja staff to keep an eye on me."

"I have a ninja staff?" he chuckled as he pulled her onto his lap then looked around with a grin. "I know of no such thing." his tone was playful then.

Snickering softly, her head rested on his shoulder, arms wrapping around him. "Thank you for listening Rico."

"Of course" he kissed her cheek and smiled. "Just remember. You are loved enough to be looked after." he paused and squeezed her lightly. "By us both. Aja is just more in your face about how she goes about doing that."

The squeeze was returned and she nodded. "I know, but sometimes she can be a bit overbearing." Biting her lip. "I do love her, and I love you, but I need to do something...that means something."

"I understand." he answered watching her carefully. "Does she know that?"

"I don't know." Biting her lip a little. "I don't know."

"Ah. And I sense where the problem lies my little Sparrow." He winked at her. "Perhaps someone should tell her?" he grinned and caressed her cheek lightly. "Instead of just crabbing in a room somewhere?" Rico had never had a sibling, or even a pseudo sibling until he had met Aja and Tanner. With them, he had learned ways of brokering peace.

"Please don't make me go back there..?" She lifted up her feet, showing her sore ankles and feet. "Those shoes are going to be the death of me."

"I will not make you do anything." he smiled and looked at her feet peeking out from under the long dress. "I have no objections to you wandering around barefoot."

"Ajay would." She nestled into his lap.

"I believe that is true." Rico smiled. "You do have cute feet though." he leaned his head against her and laughed at a thought in his head about others noticing that. "Not that I want your brother to be the one to notice your cute feet."

"Let alone anyone else for that matter?" She teased him playfully. "Admit it, you're in love with my feet."

"I like who the feet are attached to." He grinned his best flirty boyish smile at her.

She smiled back to him, fingers tracing over his cheek softly. "I like who that grin belongs to, too."

"Oh really?" He smiled at her. "Even in this ridiculous outfit?" he motioned to the getup he had on for the event.

"Well yes, in any of your ridiculous outfits." Winking to him.

"I shall have to test that statement." Rico grinned broadly. "I do have a chicken suit in the closet back home."

"Oh I'd love to get pictures of you in that." Once again teasing him and waggling her brows.

"And what would you do with these pictures of me in my chicken suit?" he waggled his brows at her playfully.

"Share them with your crew?" Still grinning as she mused. "I bet they'd love to see that."

"You have the same wickedly mean streak your sister has." he laughed.

"Oh come on, now, I'm not that mean." Giggling a little.

"I never said it was a bad trait." he winked at her. "Makes me worry a little less." he then squeezed her a little as he said. "I just wonder what a certain someone who loves you very much would do if she knew that a side of you was like that?"

Ajia leaned back a little, thinking slightly. "There's a lot about me Aja doesn't know..."

"And whose fault is that?" he eyed up the woman in his lap with a raised brow. "She can read minds, but I'm sure she rather just talk to you to learn it."

"I...part of it I'm not proud of." Frowning a little while taking a soft breath. "I wasn't a princess."

"She wasn't always one either." Rico reminded Ajia of that. "If anyone understands the dark, it's her."

Ajia nodded, her head resting on his shoulder while her arm looped around him. Both her eyes closed as she thought. "I wouldn't know where to start."

"I'm not sure she does either." he said quietly. "But I know she tries at least for you. Little bits. Cracking open the past. Letting you see what she won't show anyone else who was not there at the time." he handled her like anyone would a fragile piece of crystal. He knew this was a tricky area to touch upon with either of the Bird sisters. One false move and he could wind up on the wrong end of a weapon.

"Rico...There was a reason I was sent to find Aja, there's a reason why I've not returned to where I grew up." She bit her lip and looked away from him while one hand rubbed her brow.

Rico set her to the floor and got up. It was now his turn to pace. He would stop once in a while and look at Ajia then continue to pace. When he stopped again he looked at her evenly. "What reason were you sent for?" he asked calmly.

"To get away before I couldn't get away." Ajia sighed, her eyes looking at her hands. "Yes, the nurse that took me from our family was dying, but....I had a few months after to think about what she said to me before I was told to leave. I was afraid of seeing Aja, but when I.." Taking a deep breath. "Rico, I killed someone and when I fled, I didn't know where else to go."

He tried to make sense of what was just said. He thought it over carefully making his way to the window and looked out at the ball guests. He watched Aja and Padriq on the balcony talking with a group of people. "She's killed people, Ajia." he said finally, feeling like he betrayed Aja a little by even admitting that much, but he felt it was a necessary piece to reveal in order to get to the truth then turned around. "But you knew that. So this is about something else."

Ajia's head was shaking softly. "It was bad, very bad Rico. I didn't know what I had gotten into." Her hands moved to cup her head. "I had always been trouble, you see, always, but the longer I was in that atmosphere, the easier it was to get lost in what was happening. I killed this person because I was given no choice, because the people I worked for had a grudge against this person, not me." Her head lifted, copper eyes locking on him while she spoke. "The told me to make a statement, make it cold and memorable....So. While his family was sleeping I took them all out of their beds and made them watch as I murdered him, all because I knew they would do something worse to me before hunting down anyone I loved. Including the twin sister I had never met before and the older brother I had only heard about in stories."

Rico thought all that over quietly. Not much of the story made sense to him, at least not yet. Ajia when flustered, didn't explain things well. That much he had learned over time. "And who were these people?" he asked. "The ones you worked for?"

"He went by Malwan. He said that this man was holding back production and said that he had threatened the well being of the community." Frowning a little. "When I saw this man, he didn't seem dangerous, but I.." Fingers pinched at her temples and sighed out softly," had no choice."

Rico simply nodded. It sounded like stories they had run into many times over the years. People getting in over their heads before they realized they were.

"And you haven't mentioned this to Aja because..?" Rico asked being curious as to why it was the two siblings seemed to be so secretive to the other. He knew Aja's reasons so well, they had often become his own reasons for being tight lipped about certain things.

"And make her worry more than she already has about me?" Ajia scoffed. "It's not like I could have walked up to her and said, Hi some nurse told me I was your twin, and oh hey while we're getting to know eachother, I murdered someone because someone else told me to." Then she sighed, "I don't know, ever since....she's seen me as this innocent, girly girl. She has enough to worry about Rico, she already has enough about me to worry on, I don't want to add this to the list."

Rico sighed, the one trait that often ran him crazy was Aja's own penchant for keeping some things quiet in order to protect other people. It seemed now to be a family trait. God only knew what sort of secrets Ajay hid as well. Rico ran a hand through his hair lightly and leaned against the window sill thinking while he watched Aja and Padriq. When he turned back he looked at Ajia quietly before talking again.

"If anyone in the world is going to hear all that," he motioned with a hand. "And understand it?" he stepped a little closer. "It's going to be Aja. For reasons you already heard a little about." he reached her then and took her hand, before sitting down. "Instead of building up this big head of worry, you could simply try speaking to her."

"Have you seen me trying to speak to her" It usually ends with her hugging me tight and kissing my head like I'm some little girl who's been damaged." At least that's how she saw it. Ajia frowned, shaking her head.

"I have." Rico gave her a small smile. "It's because you tell a story in frantic pieces." he tried not to laugh. "Like a freaked out little Sparrow seeing a cat."

Ajia's eyes rested on Rico, "Is that why she calls me Sparrow?"

"Might be." Rico smiled. He didn't know, but it was a good guess. "Just now, relating the story to me, it's like you expect us to explode. Or overreact." he smiled at her softly. "Which by now, you should know better."

"Aja won't overreact because I'm not some innocent and sweet girly girl?" Ajia laughed softly. "Do you know what exactly I do in my barn when Aja's not looking" I lounge in sweats, a wife beater, and drink beer. You know this, you've walked in on me doing that. All she's ever seen me in is a skirt, heels, and a t-shirt. Her image of me would be shattered and I think she likes me being all prim and proper." Sighing out.

"On top of that, she knows I fought, but does she know I was some common goon' I fought, I bashed people's face in to pay back what they owed, I just don't want to take twenty steps back with my sister and end up losing her all over again." The truth reveals itself!

"Did you tell her any of that?" Rico asked again. "The only way she'll know it, is if you say it or stop hiding it." to him it seemed simple. But he knew he was a man who didn't always understand what went on in a woman's mind. Ajia's shoe habit still made no sense to him.

There was a frown from her while she sat there. "Rico, it's Aja. We don't usually tend to speak well without a middleman or booze. Or if there are people around."

"I admit." Rico smiled. "Finding your sister just simply sitting there doing nothing, is not something you will find often." he chuckled. "She likes to keep busy." he thought a moment. "Could try talking to her while she's building stuff. We have a lot of conversations while working on projects."

"You get to do all the cool stuff with her." Ajia pouted.

"And you could." he said tugging her to sit next to him. "She wouldn't object to you coming and picking up a hammer and working with her."

"To which she'd ask "When did you learn how to swing a hammer?" There was a bit of a sarcastic tone in her voice.

"Oh no." Rico said with a grin. "An opening to a conversation!" he started to laugh then. "How horrible!"

"Not helping." She said with a side glance to him.

"How is that not helpful?" He grinned at her. "It's how you start a conversation isn't it. Start small."

"Because she..." She muttered something inaudible.

"She might learn more about you?" He raised one of his brows then. "And maybe figure out there's more to you than girly dresses and a flair for fashion?" he chuckled. "Yes. Very disturbing." he was grinning at her. "Frantic Sparrow."

"No, because she intimidates me. She reminds me of Malwan when I was growing up. In charge, forceful, rough, and not going to take crap for anything." Ajia admitted.

"I can't deny that about her." he said smoothly. "She deals with men that are often twice or three times her size. She's used to having to appear tough." he thought about it for a moment. "But, if you come talk to her while she's working, she's occupied. And is often more settled. It's when she's idle that she can be a force to be reckoned with." Rico thought about Aja. He had been close in the description. It was something he often noticed about the boss. When she wasn't occupied, she seemed to be more dangerous.

Ajia studied him carefully. "She's always a force to be reckoned with."

"True." he nodded his thumb running circles on Ajia's hand. "She's lived through more than even I am aware of. However," he looked at Ajia. "You've seen her with children, yes?"

"But I don't want her to treat me like a child Rico."

"That wasn't what I asked." he said calmly. "I merely asked if you've seen her with them."

"I have." Ajia flopped back on the bed, hands moving to knead at her brow.

"Does she seem intimidating then?" he looked back at her.

Her brow quirked," So, I should talk to her while she's around children?"

"Yes. Or while she's building something." he suggested. "Both times is when the Captain takes a side seat. The rare calmer side emerges."

Ajia could just picture her sister slamming the hammer on her thumb when she found out part of the reason why Ajia had come searching for her sister. The amount of swears and curses would increase shortly after and no mental processing would occur between pain.

"I can try."

"Good girl." he smiled at her. "Now. How about we get back out to the fancy party before your brother sends the guards after you?"

"Do we have to?" Sighing out again and lifting her feet, reminding him of the heels. "Despite what my Twin thinks, I'm so not used to them."

"You want to end up on Ajay's bad side?" Rico asked her with a smile.

"No..." She really hated blackmail, even though it was such a small form of it.

"Come then, Princess." Rico stood up and held out his hand. "Let us rejoin that party before your brother realizes you are not at it.?

It clearly obvious the only thing Ajay found amusing at that moment was how well Padriq and Aja complemented each other.

"Well. He's asking me why she acts like a skittish field mouse." Aja looked at Padriq. "You're the one she talks to. So " Aja shrugged. "Clearly she doesn't like me much."

"You're joking right' I love you Aja." Ajia was back, Rico right beside her, and shoeless, but she kept that part hidden securely beneath the skirt of her dress.

Aja turned then and looked at Ajia and Rico, taking in the height difference for a moment. Sneaky Sparrow took off her torture devices. Aja silently huffed. She waited a minute to answer, Ajay nearby had her thinking about whatever off the cuff answers she had in mind. "Interesting way of conveying that." Aja finally said in a quiet tone.

"What does that mean?" Ajia's brow furrowed.

"Padriq knows more about you than Ajay and I do." Aja said calmly. "Interesting that someone non blood knows more than we do, don't ya think?"

"Actually Rico knows more about me than any of you and I was hoping to change that, but considering the vibe coming off of you right now. Pass." Her brows furrowed a little while she looked between her siblings and Padriq. "I'm going home, enjoy talking about me." With that Ajia turned around, giving Rico a side glance that read "told you? before she headed off.

Points at Ajia turning to go and looks at Ajay. "I am so not in the mood to deal with that." she said with a frown now completely annoyed. "You want to know what her problem is" Go chain her to a chair and get her to tell you. All I ever get is an immature attitude."

"Aja..." Ajay and Padriq chimed in sync.

"Don't Aja me. I asked a fair question and she went all five year old about it." Aja replied smoothly. "I have two kids, and she isn't one of them." Aja stepped away to look out over the garden.

Ajay glanced to Rico," Do you know what?s going on?" He didn't ignore his sister, he just wanted to find out what was bothering Ajia this much.

"Ajia doesn't know how to deal with ..." Rico nodded with a smile over to Aja off to the side. "Aja being Aja." he chuckled a little.

"That's....That doesn't make any sense." Ajay said softly.

"They're your sisters, Ajay." Rico smiled warmly at the king. "We just deal with them on a daily basis."

Ajay glanced between Aja and where Ajia had been. "All right, enough. Enough! Rico can you get Ajia for me?" He glanced to Aja," And Aja you come with me."

Aja glanced back at Ajay and then exchanged looks with Padriq before saying anything. "As you wish, your highness." she said with a grin to the look Ajay gave her.

Rico went to go retrieve Ajia, simply by taking her arm and turning her back around mid stride.

Ajay led Aja to his study, smiling to those he passed kindly. Once within his study he spoke softly," I'll be right back, stay here." It was then that Ajay stepped out and spoke to his guard," She doesn't leave until I say otherwise." He even locked the door.

Aja grinned at the door and then around the room. "There's eight different ways out of this room, J!" She called with a grin. Not really caring if he heard her or not. Aja paced around, just checking things out in his study. She could tell a lot about people by the items they collected and displayed. Ajay's study was as she expected. Manly, regal and sedate.

"Rico I don't understand what?s going on. I just want to go to my room, finish packing my bags, and go home." Ajia said as she was ushered into Ajay's study. At the sight of Aja standing within, she turned to go out the door before it could be shut.

As it was being shut Padriq could be seen with a "this was not my idea!" look given to Aja. Ajay's voice called out again. "Every exit is covered, you two are to talk and work this out. However long it takes." Then the door was shut and locked with the two of them within.

Ajia sighed," Wonderful."

"Like I couldn't overtake yer guards, brother?" Aja grinned at him as he shut the door again. "I trained em fer pete's sake."

Ajia looked everywhere but Aja as she kicked her bare feet over the fancy rugs on the floor. She moved towards the fireplace and studied one of the various trinkets atop the mantle.

Aja went to the window, while Ajia paced, and just to prove it could be done, she unlocked it and knocked out the guard outside the window. Stepping back she chuckled a little. "Lock me in a room will ya?" this seemed to amuse her and she turned back around to look at Ajia. "So. You done throwing a tantrum yet?"

"For the record, you're not acting like an adult either." Ajia said calmly while she set the trinket back on its appropriate surface.

"Yes. Cause I was running away." Aja snapped her fingers and pointed at Ajia. "Oh...wait. That was you." she grinned. "Again."

"Yes, because I can't talk to you while you act like this." Giving her twin a flat look.

"You can't seem to talk to me at all." Aja said. "Don't you go layin all this off on me, JiJi."

"I can't talk to you because you never seem to treat me like an adult, I may act like a child in your eyes but calling me things like "JiJi" doesn't seem to help. Especially in situations like this. It makes me feel like I'm a four year old to you." Flatly.

"Oh for the love of Pete." Aja sighed. "Fine. No more nicknames for the Princess."

"Will you just cut it out and stop acting like Miss High and Mighty for once?" She said defensively," Why do you always do that' I do one thing, you start with the nicknames and the condescending tone. It doesn't make me feel like I'm your sister."

"Well. You do not act like it." Aja said eyeing her sister up. "I give nicknames to everyone. Including calling a very large nasty three headed dog Fluffy." she made an amused twitch of her eyebrow at that one. "Not that you stick around long enough to learn any of that. So this..." Aja motioned between them. "Is not all on me. Is it?"

"No, it's not." Swallowing a little while she frowned and folded her arms over her chest.

"Thank you." Aja said and flopped into a chair.

"You're a pain in the ass." Ajia felt like getting off her chest. "And so am I."

"Yer jist now figuring that out?" Aja grinned at her sister.

"No, I just thought you'd like to know what I have figured out about you before I told you about me." Flopping down in a chair across from her.

"Ya seem ta have it in yer head that everything needs to happen right now." Aja sighed. "It doesn't." Aja took a breath then.

"Yeah, this needs to come out so that you can smack me and get it over with." Ajia fidgeted.

Aja shook her head slightly. Family drama wasn't helping, her mind had been elsewhere most of the day. Figuring out strategy and trying to figure out how everything was going to get done before Monday so she could execute the plan she had in her head.

"Smack ya for what? Actin like yer two?" she grinned. "I'd just assume ta leave ya be till ya got out of that mode. I have little patience fer it."

Ajia pointed to the grin on her face while she spoke seriously," Why are you never serious when I'm trying to talk to you?"

"I'm perfectly serious." Aja said looking at her sister. "I do not have the patience to deal with you taking off for the barn, or wherever it is you go all the time. I'm not gonna hunt ya down. I have a crew to keep in line, a business ta run, projects ta over see and two kids to look after. I do not have time to figure out why you can't just hang out and talk."

"Because I don't want you to get hurt if something happens, okay?" Ajia snapped, again defensive. "I wasn't entirely honest with you when I said I was just looking for my sister. I've been hiding, not from you, but from..." She bit her tongue," As little as a footprint I can make in Arcadia the better."

"You. Worried I'm gonna get hurt?" Now Aja was giggling. "Ya really do not listen when we talk, do ya?" she stopped giggling then. "Arcadia" Is protected. I've told you that. And me?" she started to smirk. "I was a gypsy pirate who has a love of collecting and using every weapon under the sun. Where in all that did you get the impression I could get hurt?"

Ajia tensed," I killed someone."

"Join the club." Aja said nonchalantly not really liking revisiting that part of her history, or Rico's. "Me and Rikki have jackets."

"For powerful people who probably didn't like how I left." Adding.

Aja just sighed heavily and shook her head. "Yep. Getting the impression you didn't listen before." She sat up then and motioned between them. "We're in da same boat, Kid."

"With the Quistigard right?" Ajia said, the crumple in her brow showing that she was having a very vague recollection.

"Not that I like to talk about them." Aja said her voice tensing. "But yes. I told you all about them." Half of that was true. She had left a lot of it out. Simply because no one needed to hear the atrocities committed in front of her eyes. No need for others to carry that burden too.

Ajia frowned, eyes fixing on the fire. "I was told to make it public and brutal..." Saying softly, a gentle sigh leaving her lips.

"And what?" Aja said trying to figure out what point her sister was trying to make. "I'm fragile?" she laughed then. "I've cut men's heads clean off, JiJi..." yep the nickname was back, not that Aja did it on purpose anymore. "Is it worse than that?"

Shaking her head softly, Ajia spoke, "No. I guess not."

Aja sighed a little and looked at her sister thoughtfully. "Listen." Aja sat up a little more leaning forward. "We each have a past. Not all of it pretty." she took a breath. "I don't talk about mine all that much. Cause I don't live there. I live here. In the present." she watched her sister thinking that over. When a few silent moments had past and Ajia still hadn't spoken. "I'm not saying that one day, I wouldn't mind hearing about it. But you seem to cling to it like a lifeline only it's not savin ya, it's draggin ya under."

Ajia looked at her sister in silence thinking over what she had said.

"I..." she sighed, her foot moved around under the white dress nervously. Once again, she felt like a kid, even if her head told her that Aja hadn't meant for her to feel that way.

"Ji.." Aja said softly. "I don't think you had a Tanner like I did." Aja gave her a smile. "Someone that knew all that stuff, and loved you anyway."

"I didn't."

"Thought not." Aja said gently. "You grew up alone I think." Aja thought about everything that her sister had managed to tell her over time. "I had a crew of brothers. Loud, rowdy, smelly brothers." Aja grinned to that. "A bunch of raunchy, sometimes violent pirates that looked after me. Saved me even from my own past." She looked at Ajia. "Ya have that now...it's a family, jist not yer conventional styled one. And you have Ajay and all of this. Same as me." Aja then smiled at her sister gently. "But you have to reach out and accept it, I can't make ya take it." Aja got up then and started to pace. "Just like I can't make you talk to me." she went to the window and checked on the guard who she had knocked out and grinned pointing out there looking back to Ajia. "Boys still out like a light." Aja grinned at Ajia like they were sharing a secret.

"Why did you knock out the boy' I mean....unless you think we should make a getaway." Arching a brow and motioning to the door.

Aja grinned at Ajia with her usual cheeky smile. "Ta prove a point ta Ajay." she winked at Ajia then. "No one keeps a Bird woman someplace against her will."

Ajia came to the window and looked to the man on the ground and then at her sister who was still smiling.

"There's something wrong with you." Ajia borrowed a phrase she had heard both Rico and Aja use before.

"Aye." Aja winked at her sister. "And ya are related ta me." Aja put her arm around her sister who was a little shorter than her now since she wasn't wearing the heels..."We have time, Ji. Neither of us...goin anywhere. Right?"

"Not until Ajay sees fit." Waving her hand towards the door the boys were obviously hiding behind.

"True." Aja looked at the door. "And we shall have ta work together to come up with appropriate punishment for them." Aja then stopped and glanced to the window. "Or...." she grinned. "We make a quick getaway out da window...make "em wonder where we got off ta?"

"I vote get away. I don't do punishing Rico." Ajia said nervously.

"You're missin on some fun, then." Aja winked at her as she gathered up that long dress and hopped into the window smoothly. "Come on. Let's let "em wonder where we've gotten ta." Aja dropped to the ground, barely making a sound even in those shoes. "Come on, I won't let ya fall on yer head."

"Hang on a second, you want to punish them' Turn around." Ajia was grinning as she motioned to Aja's get up.

"Huh?" Aja wasn't following.

"Don't be such a princess Aja, we'll get caught instantly with these dresses on." She paused," This is Ajay's study right' Maybe there's some jackets somewhere around here."

Aja laughed. "Or, we just take the back stairs to our rooms and change into normal clothes."

"Think we can make it without getting busted?"

"Of course we can! Everyone's out front." Aja grinned and looked both ways. "Come on."

Ajia nodded and moved to follow her sister out the window. Which Aja would help her to the ground then take her hand and they snuck around to the corner where the stairs were, one window could give them away. She ducked back around and looked at the dresses.

"We're gonna have to duck the first window. Think ya can get low enough in that get up?"

"Part of what I learned growing up. Move fast, act small, and strike when it counts." Ajia looked at the window. "This should be easy."

"Yer crafty." Aja grinned. "I likes it!" she shot her sister a wink and gathered up the bottom of her dress then moved low and quick along the wall and past the first window.

Crouching by the window, she watched her sister go past then ducked down and did something the maid would probably faint about later, she rolled. Slipping past the window and everything.

"Show off." Aja whispered back and hurried up the stairs.

They ducked any of the staff that came along the corridor and made it to their rooms, Aja just grabbed some clothes then followed Ajia to her room.

Ajia had to dig into her bag for clothes she'd enjoy. A pair of jeans and a tank top. When it came down to shoes she chose none, her feet had suffered enough during the night.

The girls breathed a sigh of relief being back in their own clothes and grinned.

"Now, if we head down the hall, shimmy down the flower grate, it'll put us out by the stables. No one is gonna blink twice about us taking the horses. Feelin up fer a ride out ta da countryside?"

"Only if we can snag a few glasses and a bottle of wine." Ajia paused," Or hard stuff."

"Uh.." Aja thought of the layout of the castle on the way to the stables. "The pantry is at the bottom of the trellis. We can snag a bottle from there. Do we really need glasses?" Ajia shook her head and the girls took off for the stables, slipping by the staff and guards easier now that they weren't wearing those long gowns.