ஐ 3rd Serenade ஐ Voice and Action [Antoinette] Backdated to the 28th

[princelycharm]

[Voice]

Hello everyone~!!!! It has been a while.

I hope that everyone's settled once more. I also hope there weren't that many casualties on our part and wishing for Dog's speedy recovery. Stay safe~!!!

[Written]

[To the crew of Antoinette]:
Everyone, we have a meeting later. Please meet me in front of the Wardroom!

We have much to discuss. [Plus, he needs to show everyone the new Kotatsu.]

[Private: Kaoru, Hikaru, Karen and Kyouya. Dated: January 30]
February is so close! We have a meeting in the Wardroom tonight. After Haruhi has slept! Make sure no one tells Haruhi about it!

Comments

[princelycharm]

Yes. It is.

[Tamaki had a gentle smile focused at Karen, before he shows Karen the double-colored pillow. The last thing he wanted was for Karen to feel out of place, most especially now that they were getting to know each other more and that he sees her as his daughter.]

This is where you sit. It is beside Haruhi's place.

[Because they were both his daughters.

It was very concise, but he had to explain why there was a Kotatsu.]

You see, everyone in this ship is like a member of my family. I, the captain, am the Father, and the first mate Kyouya is the Mother. Everyone else, including you, are my children.

In Japan, a kotatsu is the greatest symbol of family unity. They bring families together, and this is where you share your fondest memories. Ever since I first met Kyouya, the first member of my family, I requested for a kotatsu. Because I wanted to make sure I had a good relationship with him, and my friends to come.

[He pointed once more at the pillow.]

Have a seat.

[oceanicbutterfly]

[Karen... oh, dear, Karen accepts all of this. Yes, of course a kotatsu represents family unity. Why wouldn't it? And yes, a crew is like a family, and the captain and the first ma...

Karen offers no explanation for why she starts blushing, and if asked she will refuse to acknowledge it.

Anyway, she carefully sits on the indicated pillow.]

A family, huh?

[They're already more like a family than her actual family was. It's kind of a nice thought.]

[princelycharm]

[Of course Tamaki will respond to that with the fondest of smiles.]

Yes. And you are my daughter. You can treat me like a father if its all okay with you. And Hikaru, Kaoru and Haruhi will be like siblings to you!

[Most especially Haruhi. Cause they're both girls, and he's sure they'll understand each other.]

Now go seat. You don't look too well.

[Yes, he notices that slight blush. But he doesn't want Karen to feel too uncomfortable, so he let's out a simple chuckle. The same thing he told Haruhi during her first day as a host should do the trick.]

If I didn't know better, I'd think you're starting to fall for my charms.

[oceanicbutterfly]

[The problem is that Karen isn't entirely sure how one treats a father. Siblings are easier to understand, she has friends with siblings, but her experience with parents is that you talk to them on the phone and welcome them home at Christmas--]

Eh?!

[--and that seems to come out of nowhere. Oh, she really was blushing--this could lead to serious misunderstandings--]

Ah, no, that isn't it. I mean, it's nothing, but it especially isn't that. --Not that there's anything wrong with you, it's just... I mean...

[princelycharm]

[Wait, he was joking. She knows he was joking right?

Why was her words so opposite from her face's reaction. She was blushing even more than earlier. This spawns a pink blush on the host club king's face.]

Don't tell me you're really starting to fall in love with me...?

[oceanicbutterfly]

[AAAAH SHE MADE IT WORSE. Tamaki will now be treated to the rare sight of Karen flailing wildly.]

What? No! It isn't that at all! It's the opposite of that! --Wait, no, that would mean I hated you and I don't hate you, I just...

[princelycharm]

[Almost instantly, Karen will see the blonde run to the nearest dark corner of the room, with a gloomy cloud around him.]

...so.. you hate me....

[oceanicbutterfly]

[Holy crap that was fast.

Karen follows him over.]

I don't hate you at all!

1/2

[princelycharm]

[Again, almost instantly, a mood change that the rest of the club was so used to already. He now looked happily at Karen like a puppy.]

Really~!?

2/2

[princelycharm]

Then.. What is it that you feel?

[Of course he wanted to know. After all, if they were to be a family, he needed to know his daughter's thoughts - how ever much she wants to expose herself to at that moment.]

[oceanicbutterfly]

Ah, well... [How does she feel? She hasn't really thought about it.]

I suppose the best word would be respect. You're a good man, and you do your best for your crew. Club. Family. All three, I suppose.

[princelycharm]

[There was a smile that emerged from the blonde's face. This smile was more genuine than any smile shown thus far.]

They are my family and mean the world to me.

[There was a pause before he spoke once more. This was something he had to tell Karen. It was something he has been thinking for a while now.]

I know it must feel awkward, that you're in a crew of established friends already. We have our history, which I can't deny, but that doesn't mean you aren't welcome. You've been with Kyouya, Kaoru and myself for a long while, and though I haven't spoken much to you due to health issues coming one after another, I would really like to get to know you more.

If you have any problems, or just want someone to talk to..[There's another friendly smile.] I'll be here for you!

[oceanicbutterfly]

Thank you.

[There's a pause. It may not be obvious that Karen's going to speak again.]

I have to admit, it was easier when I first arrived, when everyone else was in the same situation.

[princelycharm]

I think it is easier when you have more people to help you, wouldn't it?