War And Threat Of War Lord Sullivan neighed like a wild horse, and tossed his head as Circe clutched his shirt, squealing happily. Around him, Hiroaki carried a stick like a horse, pretended to be a commander in his own imaginary army. "Onward, men! Slay the evil enchantress and her magic stallion!" He shouted, waving a wooden sword above his head dramatically. "Will we let the good King slay us, oh enchantress?" Sullivan smiled at his daughter, and she bounced up and down on his back, giggling. "Of course not, Stallion of the black wind! Let us go forth and show the hordes of soldiers what happens when they get in the way of Enchantress Circe!" Sullivan nodded, "of course, my lady. But I have heard the only way to weaken the King's forces is to tickle him until he pleads for sanctuary" Circe smiled, but her voice was calm, and solemn "then we must do what must be done, good steed" With a mighty neigh, they charged the good king Hiroaki, chasing him around the room with shouts, laughter, neighs and giggles. Finally they caught him in a corner, and the king was easily trapped in the Enchantress and her magical stallion of the black wind's tickling war. Their laughter and Hiroaki's breathless laughs made such a racket Lady Isabel looked up from her painting. "Sullivan! Is it not possible to teach the children quieter games?" Sullivan released the king, and brushed a dark shock of hair from his eyes, smiling at his wife. "Why, Dearest of all dears, what fun would that be? A mute war is hardly believable" She rolled her eyes, and dabbed the paintbrush in the blue paint, carefully painting the expanse of sky. "Than perhaps the enchantress and the king should find their war taking place out of doors?" Sullivan stood, and hefted Circe on his shoulders as Hiroaki clutched his leg, causing his father to drag him across the floor. "Yes, love of my wild heart" Isabel laughed, "oh go on" Circe tugged her father's dark hair, "Papa! Can we go sneak blood tarts from the kitchen? It's always more fun to sneak them out with you" Isabel opened her mouth to protest, but Sullivan was already leading their offspring out, going over the proper details on how to sneak food from kitchens. She laughed softly, and laid her paintbrush down. These happy, though loud and rambunctious moments were the ones she knew her children would remember the most vividly. Her hand slipped into her gown's pocket, touching the note they had received only that morning. Vampire Hunters had been spotted a few days trek away. Who knew how long they had, perhaps this was the best way to spend their possible last moments with their children. In those wild, rambunctious, loud moments.