by Jessie Wolf
About that time Lisa returns with Taylor hot on her heels. Now there is a real mutt and Jeff team up. Lisa may be at most five two or five three, next to Taylor she is absolutely tiny in comparison. Looking up at the big man “Corporal Taylor, may I ask why you left Miss Morehouse alone with these young ladies?”
The blush that covers his face is as red as a fire truck. The big man is actuly embarrassed about what happened. “Well, um… ya’ sees ma’am its likes’ dis’ them little girls wouldns’ lets’ me stay. Theys’ said its’ wasn’ts’ propors’ fers me’s ta’s be’s here. At’s less’ untils’ she was diers’d.” the poor man was so upset he couldn’t control his accent. I needed to calm him down so I can understand him.
Before I say one word though Morehouse yells from the bathroom “Stalker if you don’t slow down and start talking like you have a brain in that melon you call a head I won’t talk to you for a month of Sundays!”
“Damn it! Short Stop! Give me a fracking break here. You know how I get around pretty girls. Now shut the hell up and let me deal with Lady Maiha.”
“Then pull your head out of your ass and act like the trained Jump Infantry Soldier that you are. You big goof ball.”
“All right already! I swear she hasn’t been this bitchy with me since she first started tutoring me. Oh, sorry about that my Lady. I kind of have a little problem around pretty girls.” When he sees the look on my face, he realizes what he just said. “That didn’t come out right. What I meant to” I stop him by waving for him to get on with it. “Right, yes ma’am. The Lady Dai Etsu’s hand maids said that its wasn’t proper for me to be in the room while they took care of Short Stop and ran me off say not to come back tell they said I could. I didn’t know what to do, I mean they are Lady Dai Etsu’s personal maids, and they seemed to know what they’re doing. So I told them I would go wait until they were done in the kitchen.”
I could see how it all went down now. And a good portion of what went wrong was my fault. First I didn’t take into account how the girls would react, second I didn’t think about how Dana would react and third I never thought that Taylor would be out of his depth not knowing how to deal with women. Talk about your classical S.N.A.F.U.
“Don’t worry about it Taylor, I’m just as much at fault as anyone else. Right now I need to you make sure no one, and I mean no one; bothers or gives Morehouse any shit for the next few days. She is going to have a hard enough time getting used to her new status as first a girl and second as the youngest department head in my household. Oh, before I forget; you and Combs are her new bodyguards. Have a good day.” With a smile on my face I turn around and taking Alice by the hand head for my own rooms.
As we’re walking down the hallway Alice looks over at me with this silly look on her face. “You know that was just mean, right?”
“What on earth are you talking about?”
“With Taylor and Combs acting as her bodyguards no one in their right mind will go near her. Those two would tear them apart just for looking at her wrong.”
“And that is exactly what I want them do to. Look, I know this is going to sound crazy, but that little girl in there is going to feel extremely vulnerable for a while. She has been able to hide who she is for two and a half years. Before that she was kept sheltered from the world and her only contact with it was through her tutors. Don’t you understand when she comes out of that room those three High Families brats are going to have her looking like a runway model and every single man or woman will be on her like a bear to honey. She never learned how to be a young woman around people. Until she can get used to it, she’ll need those two giants at her back.”
“Holy shit! You mean until Morehouse came here that she never knew what the outside world was like? She never went out and just had fun? No friends just to play or hang out with? No real childhood?”
“That is exactly what I’m saying. Look for starters she is a gen-ault bride. When those rich ass pigs pay out that kind of money for a custom bride for their sons, they do whatever they have to, to protect their investments. When I heard that Dana was a gen-ault I know we had a real problem on our hands. I’m just surprised she has been able to last this long without blowing her cover. Come on love, you and I need to get cleaned up and ready for dinner.” Entering our rooms I find that the household engineers have worked their magic. As I look around the room you can’t tell that there was ever a fire fight in here. Every bullet hole, laser burn, and shrapnel pit has been painted plastered, covered over or replaced.
Heading over to the bedroom I find all three of our maids waiting for us. Seeing their looks of concern I quickly put them at ease. “Relax ladies, I’m fine. I’ve just had a trying day. Let us get a quick shower then you can help us get ready.”
Gin just gives a look of disbelief. “Lady Maiha, if I may use your own words, bullshit! You are not fine. What did we tell you about lying to us, your lady’s maids? You need more than just a quick shower. Lady Allison if you’d be so kind as to take your love and wash her back we’ll get the tub set up for a relaxing soak.” With that they just went about doing what they figured needed to be done.
We spend the better part of an hour soaking before getting out and to get dressed for dinner. As we were soaking a messenger delivered an invitation for us to join the House troops for a celebration dinner. I ask Kina if mama was expecting us for dinner. “No, my Lady. In fact she is dining with the House troops this evening. I believe your sisters are to be there as well.” As I think about the reason for this celebration I begin to get depressed. Within a matter of days fifteen heavy assault divisions will land on Doreen V with the sole purpose of destroying the High Family House of Moore. At one time they were one of the most respected of the High Families, now they have let their greed turn them into one of the most hated.
Seeing the change in my mood, Nia pulls me into a hug. “I know you do not feel like celebrating, Lady Maiha. Yes, I know what is happening out there in the galaxy, we all do. We also know what will happen tomorrow, so do the men and women who have gathered in the main hall of the troop barracks. They wish to eat, drink, and be merry tonight; and believe that they will live forever. Let them have their dream, do not let on that some will be dead at the end of the fight tomorrow. You have a very important task this evening.”
“What? Lie to them and say that only the enemy will die.” I said bitterly. I always hated the pep talks some commanders always gave just before we hit the shit.
“No, my Lady. Your job is to show them what they are fighting for.”
“And just what is that?”
“Beauty, love, and a hope for a day when they will no longer be needed. Do you understand?”
Looking into Nia’s eyes I can see exactly what she means. Hell it’s what all soldiers have prayed and hoped for throughout history, peace in their time. “Thank you Nia, I needed that. Do you know if there is any special dress code for tonight?”
Letting me go she steps back and gives me a sly grin. I follow her into the dressing area. I see two identical kimonos that are a solid black with only one decoration. Sown into the left breast is what looks like a dancer with a storm cloud overhead. They were beautiful in their simplicity. Before I can ask where they came from Kina gives the answer. “Your mother ordered that these be made for all of you. They have been ready since yesterday, we had to rush to get Lady Allison’s done in time for tonight. Come along let’s get you two beautiful.”
Twenty minutes later both Alice and I were dressed, made up, and heading for the troop barracks for dinner. Our maids had out done themselves, we were beautiful. I could tell by the looks we received from the people around us as walked the pathway to the troop barracks. They weren’t the only ones looking, Alice and I were looking right back. I saw the different uniforms for just about every unit there was inside of the compound’s walls. I saw the red jacket and black paints of the Hell Hounds mixing with the solid black of Death Dealers. The blue and gray of F Troop with the dress whites o
f McHale’s Raiders, all around us the members of the different units were coming together to talk shop, share stories, and just relaxing having a good time.
As we enter the barracks hall I’m greeted by Captain Ravenswood. “My Lady Maiha, I have great news.”
“Well, Captain, I could really use some good news about now.”
“While I was in C and C I found all of Rockwood/Daniels private communications codes.”
Not thinking I blurted out loud. “Holy Shit! You have got to be kidding me?!” when the people around turned and looked at me for my sudden outburst, I blushed in embarrassment. “Sorry about that.” Turning back to Ravenswood “Are you sure you got them all?”
The smile on his face is one of true joy. “Yes my Lady Nakatoma. Not only are they all there, but they’re the real deal. The arrogant bastard had them stored in the commanding officers log under his personal authorization codes.”
What Ravenswood just told me was that we have full access to the enemy’s communications. We know exactly where they are, where they’re going and when they expect to get there, and a whole lot more. Before I can comment on this we are interrupted by a very odd trio. Out front was a petite young elven girl who was flanked by two humanoid giants.
Morehouse was the picture of High Families elegance. Even though she was by far the smallest of the three, she was the one that stood out the most. I can tell that mama’s hand maids had scrambled to find clothes that would fit her. She was positively tinny. Looking hard at the kimono she is wearing I can tell it was most likely one of my baby sisters. They were the only people in the house that was close to her size. Her hair had been pulled back from her ears and braided exposing her ears that are newly pierced. A pair of small gold studs adorns them. Her make-up was under stated and highlighted the classical beauty of her face. The eye shadow and liner made her purple color eyes stand out. In short the enter look made her one of the most beautiful women around.
“Good evening, my Lady. Do I look presentable?” even her voice sounds more in line with her appearance. In other words she sounds like the young girl she looks like. I wanted to say ‘Hell yes’, but I didn’t get the chance.
Captain Ravenswood beats me to the punch though he uses High Elf. “May I, inquire to which clan you belong to Sprite Child?” I can tell that Morehouse is confused by her friend’s question.
“Captain Ravenswood, I’m stunned that you do not recognize one of your longtime friends? Surely she has not changed that much?” I ask teasingly.
Switching back to Standard. “Lady Maiha, what are you talking about? There were only two Elves here at House Nakatoma. Myself and Ni’alo Great Oak. As for this beauty standing before me, we have yet to be introduced.” Turning back to Morehouse once again he switches back to his native tongue. “Allow me to introduce myself, Sprite Child, I am Prince Raygel Ravenswood. May I please know your name?” then the damned fool takes her hand and kisses it.
The smack to the back of his head as he is bent over was a shock to more than a few, but not to me. I knew the moment he did that, that Morehouse would do something. “Damn it! Reggie pull your head out of your ass. If you ever do that again I’ll kick your bloody ass up between your shoulders, and then wring your fool neck!” Yup, Dana was pissed.
Standing up rubbing the back of his head with a very confused look on his face, and wondering what he did wrong my new Captain finally took a good hard look at the young lady before him. Taking in everything and then doing a double take he finally puts the voice to a face he remembers, or thinks he does. “Morehouse?”
“Yes it’s me you big dummy. Don’t ever pull a stunt like that again.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were an Elf? If I had known I could have gotten your family and you out of that contract marriage.” Before he can say more Morehouse holds up her hand to stop him. When he does she sets him straight.
“Captain Ravenswood, I am not an elf. What you see is the result of every specific gen-mods made before I was born. I am and always have been a gen-ault human.” When she finishes she drops her head and looks down at the ground in what could only be described as shame.
“You are no more a gen-ault than I am.” Ravenswood statement makes her look up in defiance. She was all set to argue with him when he continues. “I have seen many gen-ault male brides, but to get your appearance they had to have the genetic codes for an elf. They would have to alter your gene pattern to that of an elf. You my dear whether you like it or not, are an elf. Now what do you call yourself?”
I step in at this time to make introductions and act as mediator. “Prince Raygel Ravenswood may I introduce Mistress Dana Morehouse. Dana Morehouse his royal Highness Prince Raygel Ravenswood of High Winds.”
“Excuse me, my Lady, but that isn’t my name.” at Dana’s statement I look her in the eye, something is up.
“What is your real name Dana? I need to know if I’m to help.”
Swallowing hard the young girl lifts her head in defiance and looks me in the eye. “My real name is Dana Raina Saint Johns.”
Oh hell! I didn’t need this. An outlawed High Families member, and one that has an automatic prison sentence if found off of Hellos Prime. “You mean to tell me you’re from the High Family of Saint Johns?”
“Former High Family, my Lady Maiha. We were disgraced and declared outlaw by Parliamentary Decree forty years ago. I was to be my family’s redemption by marriage.” The look on her face tells me that there was more to this than she was willing to say in front of others.
“My I ask why you used the name of Morehouse.”
The poor girl gets this sheepish look on her face. “It was part of the drop ships name that brought me here. It was called the Morehouse Express. I figured if I used it, it would bring me good luck.”
“So, what should we call you? You obviously have a dislike for your family name and you can’t use Morehouse anymore as that name is a falsehood as well.”
My question actually caught the young girl off guard. “What do you mean, my Lady?”
Thankfully Captain Ravenswood answers for me. “Dana, you cannot use your family name as it carries a prison sentence if you’re found off Hellos Prime. Yes I know that you had nothing to do with what happened to your family, but you would still be considered an outlaw. Then there is the fact you have been using a false identity. Yes you have your reasons for doing so, but we need a new name for the new person you have become.”
“Excuse me for a moment, Captain Ravenswood, but there is something I would like to know. Before you realized who Dana was you called something I have never heard before. Just what did you mean, when you called her Sprite Child?” I asked.
“Oh, that is what we Elves call all Silver Elves. That’s what Dana is, a Silver Elf. If I had to make a guess as to how this came about, I would have to say that whoever was in charge of her gen-mods used a Silver Elf as her arch type.” He explained.
“But why would a human world have that in their gene records?”
“Well, to be honest it is in every human world gene records. It’s there in case a pair of elves has a child on a human world. The reason for this is that Silver is the rarest of all elves, only one in one thousand is born and only one in every four hundred ever live to be older than a year old. The reason for this is they have a very poor immune system, a simple cold can turn deadly before anything can be done.” As he tells us about the Silver Elves he becomes depressed. “Most of the Silver Elves that are born are on human worlds, and have the highest mortality rate. Even the ones born on High Winds don’t always survive, the ones that do are considered to be blessed by all of the Great Sprites and we call them a Sprite Child.”
With that in mind I turned to Dana. “If you don’t I would like to make a suggestion. In light of the fact that you are a Silver Elf, why don’t you go with the name of Dana Raina Silver Leaf? How does that sound?”
“Hay, I like it. It keeps part of the old me and defines the new Me.” the smile on her face wa
s one of pure joy. “Alright people, enough of this for now. There’s a party we’re supposed to be at let’s get a move on.” She just smiles and heads on into the barrack hall.
Captain Ravenswood falls in beside me and Alice as we follow the trio inside. Once inside we join in with the merriment. I saw mama dancing with the House Captains and commanders, Fuyuko helped out with the mercenary commanders who didn’t have their wives or husbands with them. Alice and I were in high demand by the younger House and mercenary troops. The twins were having fun dancing with the enlisted Death Dealers that could be there. All in all everyone was having a grand old time.
Every now and then I saw a young man or woman would come in and talk with Dana then leave. She still tried to dance with a few young men, but she was having problems as she had never danced as a girl with a partner before tonight at least she tried. I was proud of her. Taylor and Combs made sure no one got out of hand with her allowing her the chance to learn to be a young girl first.
After about two hours later Ravenswood called out for everyone’s attention once he had it he stood up on a chair. “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we have gathered with several reasons to celebrate. The first is to congratulate the Lady Dai Etsu’s upcoming wedding to First Sergeant James Bailey. May their lives be filled with happiness and their bedroom with the sounds of ecstasy.” After a round of cheers and well wishes for mama and Top he continued.
“The second reason is that the Elves of High Winds have announced that they shall join us in our fight against the rebels. In five days, by Royal Decree the First Battle Group of High Winds shall land on the planet Doreen V to free the people that live there from the rule of House Moore!” a round of cheers went up at this. Many of the men and women here had long held scores with that House, and had been unable to settle them.