A lamentation... of sorts

[Delerium]

Scarlett perched daintily with a very unlady-like 'Hmph!' on the edge of the fountain, uncaring that her silky, well-groomed tails trailed in the cool waters. She re-adjusted the silver chain she wore around her slender waist and ran a delicate, manicured hand over her ears, trying desperately to hold back the frustrated tears that were pooling in her scarlet eyes.
That Arkady! Just WHO does he think he is?! No one... NO ONE said no to Scarlett Chelsea Windsor! Especially some scruffy vagrant! He should've felt honoured that she would even grace him with her presence let alone want to... get closer.

This was a travesty!
"Rogue... you shall learn your place..." Scarlett huffed, turning just enough to trail a hand in the clear water. A wistful sigh followed her vent.
Ahh, Arkady... Maybe he really was gay. Wasn't that what usually happened when a girl found a devastatingly-handsome guy who didn't want her? And Arkady was ravishing. That hair, that smile, that BODY! Oh! Scarlett just wanted to rip his clothes off and...
She growled and dashed the clear surface of the water, disrupting her reflection.
This time she couldn't stop the tears that trickled down her cheeks. Why didn't Arkady want her?!

[Katsumi]

A bright, clear hum rang through the air as a very content Chesna Darwin strolled up to the fountain and laid herself down on it's edge. She shut her eyes, smiling as the sun hit her face, and continued her happy little tune. She didn't notice the other person who was hanging around. No, she was far too busy. In such light, with her reflection smiling in the water as well, she looked so angelic. She wore a prim white dress, which ran just above her mid-thigh, and her golden locks fanned out under her neck and shoulders. It was obvious that she was thinking of some one: her face positively glowed. When a siren was pleased, it seemed that the sun smiled along with her. She couldn't help but think of what a lovely day it was; so perfect to be spending outside, and so perfect to be thinking of him. Nashino. Her first true friend.

Chocolate eyes fluttered open, starring delicately up into the pure blue sky. Still, nothing could take her mind away from her thoughts. Not even the huffy little girl who accompanied her. The other person just didn't have the power to pull Chesna's thoughts away from her happiness. Her smile was so gentle as she sighed and her humming was done. A shame: it had been a beautiful song.

[Delerium]

Scarlett glared at the pretty girl as she came forward and lay down on the edge of the fountain like she owned it. Pfft, whatever. She looked like a tramp. And that happy little song she was humming! URGH! So irritating! What was she so happy about?! And why did she have to come HERE with her happy little "Oh look at me!" attitude?! Couldn't she see Scarlett was sulking?!
Some people just had no manners. Oh well, at least she stopped humming. It HAD been pretty, but Scarlett would rather have her tails ripped out than admit it.

But worse still, this girl was IGNORING her! She, Lady Scarlett Windsor! What the hell!
"Having a good day, are we?" Scarlett suddenly blurted out, unable to hide the scorn in her voice.

[Katsumi]

Chesna leaned her head back, almost bending backward, to look at whoever had decided to rain on her parade. Getting a glimpse of Scarlett, though upside-down, Chesna leaned back to normal and closed her eyes. No one important, she had decided. Not even any one that pretty. Of course, being a siren, it was easy for her to make the decision. But, it would be rather rude not to answer, even if it was rather rude for whatever-her-name-was to interrupt Chesna's thinking. With a smile, Chesna waited before she answered. In fact, her mind had only wandered back to Nashino and other things, but she didn't jump to attention for this girl. No, she had better things to think about.

Finally, her lips parted and she spoke. "Actually, I am. So kind of you to notice," she said, her voice calm and soft. It was nothing like the rude girl's voice at all; Chesna's voice was delicate. She was like a rose, soft and perfect. She said nothing else though, and she would have been pleased if that rude girl did the same. She didn't feel like tolerating any one like her when her mind could be on far better and more important things.

[Delerium]

(OOC: Hee hee... Ah luv it)

"Good for you," Scarlett replied gruffly. As if just noticing now that her silky tails were in the water, the girl let out a growl of dismay and pulled the furry appendages out of the fountain. "Oh for the love of..." was followed by a string of very unladylike curses. Lord Elwood would be most aghast to hear is precious daughter speaking of such things.
But daddy wasn't here now, was he?
And that was part of the problem - although Scarlett would rather have another part of her body ripped off than admit it.
Another irritated huff was forced out of her bosom at the sight of her once-glistening, well-brushed tails dripping with the no-doubt filthy water of the fountain. That Arkady! This was all his fault! If only he hadn't spurned her affections; she could be making love to his magnificent body rather than sharing the presence of this tramp and having her tails soaked with disgusting american water.
GAH!
What was a lady to do?

Then a thought came to her sly, devious mind; two heads ARE better than one. And if this girl was as much of a tramp as she looked...
Smiling sweetly, Scarlett turned and regarded the girl with a completely different air of tolerance. "Hello there, my name is Scarlett. I'm... very sorry that was so rude to you; please don't think I did that intentionally!" She tucked her feet beneath her neatly. "I'm not... having a very good day, as you've probably gathered... There's this boy... a most vexatious little boy... And I'm... trying to understand him, you see. Perhaps we could... talk a while on the matter? It would help me greatly, I'm sure."

[Katsumi]

Chesna didn't look back at Scarlett this time. So that was her name. The siren sighed: pretty name. A shame she couldn't seem to say the same about the person. But, she did seem to be having honest 'boy trouble.' How cute. Chesna couldn't help but wonder just what she was complaining about. Why would she insist on dumping her bad day on a complete stranger? Chesna really had no interest in listening to this brat complain; how dare she try to ruin Chesna's wonderful mood!? Chesna still didn't answer right away. She just lacked the ability to care about Scarlett's petty little issues. Couldn't she just relax and enjoy the sun? It really wasn't hard to tell that a boy didn't have any interest in you. Why did Scarlett need Chesna to explain to her just how unlikable the little fox was?

But, Chesna merely sighed and decided to bear it. "Well, Scarlett," Chesna said with an air of superiority and contempt. "My name is Chesna, and I would be absolutely glad to help you. You see, I happen to have a wonderful understanding of men and I have no doubt that I could pass some of my wisdom onto you. I mean, we can't all have such a grasp on why men do what they do..." She laughed a bit there. "But, those of us who do have knowledge of them should be kind enough to pass it on to girls like you, don't you think? So, tell me of your situation with this 'vexatious little boy...'"

[Delerium]

Scarlett's cheeks adopted a considerable amount of the hue that was her namesake. Such INSOLENCE! If the kitsune hadn't decided a minute ago that she might need the tramp -Chesna, was it?- for a brief spell she'd really let her have it. And for that she was semi-thankful that Chesna was not looking at her.
She hoped for Chesna's sake that her insolent superiority measured up to her actual knowledge. If not, well, it wouldn't be pretty when Scarlett made her pay for her rude tone.
Barely keeping the conempt out of her voice, Scarlett bowed her head slightly and replied, "Thank you, Chesna. I am ever so... grateful for your support."
Hmph! It should be the other way around! A peasant tramp like her should be fawning at the chance to help one of the royal House of Windsor! And although it could only be by some outrageously strange wind of fortune, Scarlett could even be QUEEN one day! Unlikely, but still!

Her tails swishing lightly -and leaving a trail of water that futher irritated her- Scarlett became all polite and prim and proper as was befitting a lady of her stature and began her tale, "You see, this boy, his name is Arkady Belmont and he is..." She couldn't contain a wistful sigh before continuing; "He is most... becoming. Ok, fine, he's drop-dead GORGEOUS! Heh heh! Ahh, anyway... I don't understand what his problem is! He's single, he really seems to... need someone, if you know what I mean, and yet he spurns my affections! Most ungentlemenly! It's so obvious that his heart is pining for someone to love him and yet... Oh, dearie me, sorry; I'm going around in circles. I'm at the end of my rope on how to win his heart and show him just how good for him I will be!"
Hopefully, Chesna would have the good sense to sympathize with her plight. What true lady wouldn't?

[Katsumi]

Chesna smiled lightly. Ah, young and blind love. Chesna had been there just recently, so it was for the best that Scarlett brought her problems to the siren. Finally, Chesna sat up and turned herself around on the edge of the fountain, and faced Scarlett. Gently golden locks cascaded around her soft face, and her almond eyes dove into Scarlett's. Arkady Belmont, she thought. What an unfortunate boy to have earned the 'affections' of this girl. Perhaps she would have to find him herself and see just how 'becoming' he was. But, that was for Chesna to know, and for Scarlett to become enraged about once Chesna had made a new friend. Now, Chesna had promised to pass her knowledge on to the poor soul. She would have to be a mentor, of sorts.

"Well, Scarlett, why don't you tell me a little more about him? I mean, you seem to know that he's good looking, and that he's looking for a relationship. But, wen's his birthday? What's his favorite color? Does he have any brothers or sisters?" Chesna could easily go on and on with questions that Scarlett should be able to answer about Arkady if she was pursuing a relationship with him, but she didn't want to overload her. "I mean, I can't help you very much if I don't know what he likes in a woman. He seems to be looking for a meaningful relationship with some one he truly connects with. What do the two of you have in common?"

[Delerium]

(OOC: XD Ehmagaaawd that's so funny)

Well! That's more like it!
Scarlett felt her volatile temper cool somewhat when Chesna made proper obeisance and actually faced her while speaking. A prissy, joyful smile adorned the Kitsune's face as Chesna began - and steadily faded as she went on.
"Umm, well, he... uh, he..." Scarlett stammered, at a loss for words for the first time in her life. Frustrated by this turn of events, her cheeks adopted a bright, frustrated pink once more and she burst out, "Wh-what do those things have anything to do with... anything?! Favourite colours? Brothers and sisters? What could that possibly..."
Wait! That was it! What had he said...? Scarlett calmed once more and her cool, devious demeanour took over again. "Well, he is very down to earth, and takes good care of himself! His dormitory is very neat, and he loves animals! Oh and books! He likes books!" She added the last point after recalling the large, unappealing novel she had seen on his desk after barging into his dorm. "He's nice to a lot of people, but he's not very good at keeping his thoughts to himself! I dare say a lesson in tact would do him a world of good!"
Scarlett paused and waited for Chesna's input; she didn't want to overload the poor girl who was trying to help her.

[Katsumi]

Chesna nodded each time Scarlett added something to the scarce list of what she knew. These were all very vague details: minor observations that could mostly be made without having a deep conversation with Arkady. It really was a very lacking collection of knowledge about the boy, but Chesna would have to make due. She could already feel that there would be problems with trying to make this match. 'Down to earth' and 'tact' weren't words that came to mind when Chesna had met Scarlett. 'Uppity' and 'high-maintenance,' maybe, but never 'down to earth.' She had to keep reminding herself that she had to work with what she was given, but what was that old saying about not making a silk purse out of a sows ear?

'Sows ear': there was something that came to mind when Chesna thought of Scarlett!

"Alright, that's a good start," Chesna said; it was the only compliment she was able to think of. "Now, what about things you have in common? Do you share any interests? You said he liked books, and animals. What about you? He's obviously very confident, and he speaks his mind..." Though Scarlett had put those both much more negatively. "What about you?"

Chesna had the odd feeling that she was getting herself into something by asking that question, but now she couldn't undo the mistake.

[Delerium]

Oblivious to Chesna's true feelings about her, Scarlett began to relax more, feeling that perhaps she had found a diamond in the rough. Her advice had been very good so far, if a bit unorthodox - what did colours and having things in common have to do with sex? Ah well, the kitstune liked to think she was open to new ideas.

"Things we have in common..." Scarlett echoed, thinking outloud. "Well, I too like animals, especially cats. I like to keep my room very neat and orderly - although I admit it's a pain without my servants to do it for me... Ahem! I guess you could say I'm outspoken like him..."

When Chesna specifically asked about Scarlett personally, the girl could only pause and blink. Not too many had ever asked her that question. Scarlett's initial reaction was anger; anger for being asked such a personal question. Then... gratitude - something Scarlett knew almost next to nothing about. This girl that she had labeled as a tramp must TRULY care if she was making such a query!
"...Me? Well, I..." Scarlett had to pause. "I'm very much into music, especially female artists, I like good-looking boys, of course." She giggled before going on. "I caught a peek of what looked like a custom-made outfit of his and absolutely LOVED it - everything I own and wear is hand-made. Umm, I love to kiss and hold hands... I just like being close, really." She cleared her throat after that last one; perhaps she'd revealed a bit too much about herself there. Her ears perked up again after a moment and she said, "I guess you could say I'm a very touchy-feely sort of person."

Unable to stop herself, Scarlett blurted out a return question before it had even formed in her normally self-centered mind. "What about you, Chesna? What do you like?"

[Katsumi]

Chesna smiled sweetly as she said, "Well, we're not talking about me, now are we?" It was quite the polite way for her to say, 'Mind your own business.' Folding her hands delicately on her lap, Chesna's smile never faltered as she transitioned gracefully into the topic that had previously had. "So, think about what you just said you liked. Now, tell me: what kind of music does Arkady like?" The way Chesna said his name made it sound as if she had sang it, and it was a beautiful melody. "Is he touchy-feely? What does he like in a girl? You see, Scarlett, it's all about compatibility: what you have in common. Arkady isn't going to fall in love with some one he can't stand. You have to have the same interests, and similar dispositions, for him to fall in love with you. And you have to show some genuine interest in him and what he likes before he even gives you the time of day..."

Putting one finger up to emphasize her next point, Chesna's face became very serious. "There is one thing that you must always remember though, Scarlett. I cannot make this clear enough! If a guy thinks that you only want them for their body... how do people say it? If you only want 'in their pants,' they will not like you! Guys don't like girls who come off as common prostitutes, just parading around and trying to get 'laid' by handsome men. It sounds to me like Arkady is looking for a serious commitment, a real relationship, so you should make it clear to him that it's what you're looking for too. Otherwise, he'll never like you."

Chesna put her finger back down and folded her hands on her lap once more. The smile returned to her face. "Do you understand what I'm saying, Scarlett?" Chesna giggled lightly. "What am I saying? Of course you do! After all, why guy would want to be with some loose tramp?"

[Delerium]

Chesna's subtle insinuations were not lost on Scarlett - and they were the icing on the cake. A grotesque, vomit-flavoured cake, oh yes!
Her cheeks turning a vibrant shade of vermillion, the kitsune stood and cried, "How DARE you! I am not some... common prostitute! A vagabond like Arkady should be GRATEFUL that a woman of my stature would want him - even if it is currently just for his body!"
The girl began to tremble, as if she were about to lash out at something - or someone. "You take back that insult this instant! Or you WILL pay the consequences for your insolence! Nobody speaks that way to Lady Scarlett Chelsea Windsor! NO ONE!"
Her voice was reminiscent of someone trying to start up a stubborn lawn mower.

[Katsumi]

Chesna merely perked one eyebrow. She didn't even stand to meet Scarlett's stature; the siren remained above this brat by sitting, and they both knew it. She listened to Scarlett's ranting and by the end, she was only left with one question: "I'm sorry. Who?" Chesna muttered, having never heard the name 'Lady Scarlett Chelsea Windsor' in her life. Chesna looked over the little brat once and a smile gently curved her lips. "It seems I've been wasting my time. Frankly, I feel bad for poor Arkady. I hope the poor boy is never abused in such a way. Just for his body? For shame, Scarlett. Didn't we just discuss this?" Chesna's voice was the exact same as it had been: calm and serene. Scarlett may be one to over-react, but Chesna wasn't. Her emotions were always controlled, and she wasn't about to fight with the girl. As far as Chesna was concerned, she didn't care about this brat's title or name. Chesna was a siren, and therefore instantly the better of the two.

"As I recall, it was you who asked for my help, Scarlett. Really, you shouldn't blame the teacher if the student isn't willing to learn the lesson." Chesna looked up at Scarlett with bright eyes. Her body language exuded superiority, but it matched her mindset.