The Tiger Within 453 Music Part 1

The lunch was served before Kyera ever sat down. Evelyn and Raina were at one end of the table talking and giggling over something Raina had just told her grandmother. Mordrin and Clovis were drenched with sweat, neither looking worse for wear but both having damp sections on their hairline from their aggressive training.

Clovis rose quickly and pulled out a chair for Kyera, who smiled gratefully. Talis took a place in the corner of the room, deciding to melt into the shadows. There was a great deal of tension between him and the Shadow Veil Royals, who both had issues with Verone's brother watching Kyera's back. No one dared say anything, especially since last they did Kyera nearly had all three of their heads for fighting against Talis.

"How did your training go, Kyera?" Clovis asked almost instantly, he was rather intent on keeping the focus off of his own. Judging by the stiffness as he moved, his had been rather rough. Kyera looked away as she hung HeartString over the back of her chair. Mordrin saw this and raised a brow, looking at his father.

"I had some… issues during training. I have a long way to go." Kyera replied, as she began making her own plate to join in on the meal. Mordakai shot her a glance, and she avoided it, not bothering to be discreet about it.

"I see. Well, you can't be perfect at everything you try. Everyone has their s.p.a.ce to grow, a pretty, smart lady told me that." Princess Raina offered in her most regal voice. It was clear she was parroting Kyera's own words back at her from princess lessons. It had been a while since the pair of them had a lesson and Kyera smiled.

"Well it is true, little love. That reminds me, how are your Zither lessons going?" Kyera asked, and Raina turned a bit pale. She looked away, seeming quite ashamed and Kyera nodded. She had expected as much. Very few people played Zither here, it was second to the harp and the lute. It was unlikely she had found a master, and with everything else she was trying to learn, it fell behind.

"I haven't practiced." Raina admited, realizing it was best to be honest. Mordrin cleared his throat.

"I have had her pretty busy with her sword lessons." Mordrin offered, trying to help take some of the blame off of Raina.

"I also had her working on etiquette and history." Evelyn pointed out as she took a sip of her hot tea. She offered Kyera a placating smile wich Kyera returned warmly.

"Well, then it sounds to me like tonight is a great time for apprentice and Master to play for us." Mordakai offered as he gestured to the table. "We will go directly from here to the courtyard, the boys can work on their swordsmanship, I can look over my papers and Evelyn can bask in her children's greatness while She and Vella play with the little tike." He pointed out without missing a beat.

"That sounds lovely." Kyera agreed before Clovis could say a word. He really wasn't sure he was ready for another lesson on the mat but Mordrin winked at him.

"We can do a bit of sword play. I'm about beat as far as the mat goes." Mordrin offered as he finished up his own meal. Clovis readily agreed, he was much better with a sword than with his hands. That was partially from constantly practicing as a child, and partly from sword play with Kyera.

"Then it is settled. Raina, go change into something more breathable and less battle ready. I will go change as well, and we can meet in the courtyard." Kyera agreed as the young lady stood and scampered up the stairs obediently.

"Your not too angry right? I mean the child has been trying to learn a lot and we didn't have a proper teacher." Vella kinda scrambled to calm Kyera. There was a certain unease about the older woman that Kyera couldn't quite place. It wasn't something she understood, but it seemed to be underlying with Vella. There was always something there, something that seemed to set a tone to everything she said to Kyera. She had a feeling it was because Vella felt threatened or intimidated, though she had no idea why.

"Of course not. Raina is a child, and she has a lot on her plate, but all those things are structured. Each of the things she has been focusing on are all work no play. She's a child, and music, though it has structure, is fun for her. I just don't want her to get so caught up in being princess she forgets to be a child." Kyera explained with a hearty laugh. She smiled at Vella in the least intimidating way she could, before standing up.

"I never thought of it that way." Eve admitted a bit sheepishly. She had been so proud of how young Raina was rounding out, she hadn't thought about that. A quick glance around the table told her that no one else had either. That was a bit comforting, but only a bit.

"It isn't a big deal. This is why it takes a village to raise a child." Kyera smiled and walked up stairs. She changed into a looser and more comfortable gown that flowed around her. It was simple, and slipped over her head, flowing straight down on either side, untouched by her curves. She wrapped a simple wide ribbon just below her bust and tied it into a simple knot sitting on her rib cage. The dark purple ribbon had black lace draped off it like a cape for her skirt,, taking the simple dress to look more regal. It was simple, but beautiful and gave her the freedom she needed to be able to move.

When she rejoined the others down stairs, she already had her shrunken Zither in hand. Raina stood quietly by the staircase, seeming excited. She wore a light pink dress with a deep purple sash and little ruffels. It looked lovely and girlish, just like a child should. Mother and daughter now looked like Student and teacher as they walked out into the garden.