KOF Extras

Bora Bora Birthdays (Part 1)

7 March
Ash yawned as he came downstairs, wearing a dressing gown over his pyjamas. It was still very cold, the winter still lingering in Paris.
"Jacky, what's for breakfast?" Ash called as he sauntered into the dining hall.
Jacques smiled at him and gestured at the feast laid out on the table. "Croissant, chocolate Danish, orange juice, and some coffee. A breakfast fit for a king."
Ash wiggled his eyebrows as he smirked, seating himself down at the table. "Thanks, Jacky. You're the best." He looked around, even leaning forward slightly to look into the archway that led to the kitchen, before turning back to Jacques questioningly. "By the way, where's Betty?"
"She's out riding," Jacques sighed. "Been trying to call her for ages, but she keeps telling me 'one more round'."
Ash groaned. "Oh come on. That 'one more round' can go on for eternity."
"Yes," Jacques agreed as he wiped his monocle. "I'll go try calling her again."
Ash shook his head and got up. "No, Jacky, you watch the food. I'll go get her. There's a special technique for it."
"Well, I hope you succeed," Jacques motivated, placing his monocle back over his eye.
"I hope so too," Ash chuckled humourlessly as he made his way towards the back door.
Ash went outside and looked around the lawn to find traces of Elisabeth or her horse. Well, he found her horse in the stables, right beside his like usual. The two of them excitedly neighed at him as he approached, making him stop and feed them each an apple before continuing to find Elisabeth.
Much to Ash's surprise, he found his Big Sister Betty sitting down at the gazebo with a spot of tea. But what surprised him more was the fact that Rugal was seated right beside her.
"Monsieur Rugal! What a surprise!" Ash exclaimed as he went over, fixing his hair as he did. He grinned at the older man and joined them. "How have you been?"
Rugal nodded, a slight smile on his face. "Good. And you?"
"Oh, I've been magnifique," Ash smiled, casually taking a cup and saucer from the tray to pour himself some. "Anyway, what brings you here so early, Monsieur?"
Rugal stirred his tea and sighed as he placed the teaspoon down on the saucer. "Rose's birthday is coming up in a few days, and Wolfgang said that the Stroheimer Erbenacht doesn't fall on her birthday this time. Apparently, it fell early this year so we can't go ther to celebrate Rose's birthday."
"Where is she now?" Ash asked as he poured himself some tea, pretending to not know.
"At the Stroheimer Erbenacht," Rugal sighed. "Yes, she went with Adel, but now her birthday has nothing. Miss Blanctorche just told me that your friend, that boy with the long plait, his birthday is just a day before Rose's?"
Ash nodded. "It's true. I think we can do something there, celebrate both in one place so that we don't have to move around. How does China sound?"
"Sounds good, but didn't we celebrate Duo Lon's birthday there before?" Elisabeth said. "How about somewhere else, where both have not celebrated before?"
Ash thought for a moment and shrugged, turning to Rugal. "I've got nothing. Any ideas?"
Rugal frowned slightly before speaking. "I was just telling your sister that Hawaii was a nice place, but she suggested that we tried something new."
"Yeah, since we have been there for Gato's birthday," Elisabeth added.
Ash gasped as he remembered something. "Oh my gosh, I've gotta call Rocky!" He got up and ran off, but ran back to them. "Also, Betty, Jacky is waiting for you for breakfast."
Elisabeth immediately got up. "Oh gosh, I forgot!" She turned to Rugal. "Monsieur, would you care to join us?"
Rugal shrugged and got up. "Sure. That sounds good."

They had their breakfast together, then gathered in the living room with a second round of tea.
"Let's go to Bora Bora," Ash said, grinning. "It's not Hawaii, but it will still be a breath of fresh air from this cold. Also, because none of us have ever been there."
Elisabeth nodded, smiling. "Sure, that sounds good." She turned to Rugal. "Do you think Rose would like that?"
"Of course she would," Rugal smirked. "We can book a beach chalet, occupy the whole resort like last time too. Is Terry and gang coming?"
Ash nodded, texting Rock. "Yep. Rock told me to make preparations for it and he'll send the payments too."
"Tell him there's no need for that," Elisabeth said.
"I did, but I don't think he's listening," Ash sighed. "This guy. Also, I think your Cat is coming."
This made Elisabeth smile, especially when she realised who the cat was.
"Alright, so when should we leave?" Rugal asked.
Ash looked up from his phone, placing it down on the coffee table. "Does tomorrow sound good? Because we need to be there by Monday. I texted Xiao and she told me that everything was ready to bring Dewey over."
"Good," Elisabeth nodded. "You better pack too." She turned to Rugal again, concerned. "You sure you guys can make it in time?"
Rugal nodded. "I'm sure. I'll leave with you guys to Tahiti, Adel said he'll take care of everything for Rose."
"Okay," Elisabeth said and turned to Jacques. "Jacques, make arrangements."
"Right away, Milady," Jacques nodded and whipped out a tablet to arrange everything.
Elisabeth smiled and turned back to them. "I think we should start planning on what we should do for the birthday babies."
"Rock says he and Andy have something up their sleeves for Terry, so let's not discuss that," Ash said. "But for Rosie and Dewey, there is a lot to plan."
"What do you suggest we do?" Rugal asked, then pointed at the younger man. "And it better not be arresting her."
Ash snorted. "Nah, that trick is too old. I'm thinking of something else."
"Define something else," Elisabeth said, just as suspiciously.
Rugal nodded in agreement. "Yes, because I need to know if it's stupid or not before agreeing to go with it."
Ash smirked.