The Curse and the Traveler's
- Thread starter RedHairedandFriendly
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"Perhaps I shouldn't thank you, but I am sure that Serena and my brother were unaware that it was your decision to send me that saved them. But to answer your question, while I wasn't asleep, I wasn't quite awake either. I caught some of the story, and I am sure I will be hearing the gossip about it for months and years to come."
Skye chuckled softly. No doubt he was right and the gossip would last for ages. No doubt everytime one of the nobles they'd seen in the hallway passed her she'd get a smirk or a knowing glance. The thought made her blush but it made her laugh too because they'd have no idea of the truth of the matter.
Hearing that the communal baths were actually something that was commonly done she couldn't help but stare at Max for a moment. Why would anyone bathe in the company of others?! To her it seemed ludicrious but apparently here it wasn't totally unheard of. Still she thought she'd stick to bathing alone.
When the maid returned with the news that David would come to visit later, and was still wandering around naked she simply started laughing almost uncontrollably. When she finally finished she offered the maid a smile and said softly, "Please go find him again and tell him to come sit with us. We'd prefer him dressed but if he chooses to come naked that is his choice. If he think his brother can stand the site of his bared flesh the rest of us certainly can."
Her eyes sparkled with mirth as the maid left once more and she turned her attention back to Max, "I'll let your brother explain to you why he has no clothing. I'll probably have to correct him but his story should be infinatly more amusing than the truth."
Skye chuckled softly. No doubt he was right and the gossip would last for ages. No doubt everytime one of the nobles they'd seen in the hallway passed her she'd get a smirk or a knowing glance. The thought made her blush but it made her laugh too because they'd have no idea of the truth of the matter.
Hearing that the communal baths were actually something that was commonly done she couldn't help but stare at Max for a moment. Why would anyone bathe in the company of others?! To her it seemed ludicrious but apparently here it wasn't totally unheard of. Still she thought she'd stick to bathing alone.
When the maid returned with the news that David would come to visit later, and was still wandering around naked she simply started laughing almost uncontrollably. When she finally finished she offered the maid a smile and said softly, "Please go find him again and tell him to come sit with us. We'd prefer him dressed but if he chooses to come naked that is his choice. If he think his brother can stand the site of his bared flesh the rest of us certainly can."
Her eyes sparkled with mirth as the maid left once more and she turned her attention back to Max, "I'll let your brother explain to you why he has no clothing. I'll probably have to correct him but his story should be infinatly more amusing than the truth."
only_more_so
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Max tried very hard not to laugh at Serena's blushing fretfulness. She would never be any good at poker, especially not strip poker. THat thought did make Maximillian laugh, hard enough that his side ached him terribly and cut the laugh off short.
"Serena, how did you ever grow to be so modest? When you were a little girl, the maids would have to chase you for hours to get some clothes on you after skinny dipping with David and me, and the other castle children. And now you think the communal baths are unseeming?" Max tsked at her gently.
"As for David... If he shows up naked, it's not like he has anything that I don't have. Well, that's not quite true, but it would take a very close look to be able to tell that." With that he winked at Skye.
"Serena, how did you ever grow to be so modest? When you were a little girl, the maids would have to chase you for hours to get some clothes on you after skinny dipping with David and me, and the other castle children. And now you think the communal baths are unseeming?" Max tsked at her gently.
"As for David... If he shows up naked, it's not like he has anything that I don't have. Well, that's not quite true, but it would take a very close look to be able to tell that." With that he winked at Skye.
"As for David... If he shows up naked, it's not like he has anything that I don't have. Well, that's not quite true, but it would take a very close look to be able to tell that." With that he winked at Skye.
Skye laughed brightly at the wink that Max threw her. He was silly and much easier to talk to than David. She wondered though if that was because he was actually easier to talk to or because she'd been told she was supposed to marry David before she even knew him. There was no such pressure associated with Max and she suspected that, at least in part, that was why she was so much more at ease with him.
"Well I can assure I don't intend to make that close a comparison between the two of you. I'm sure all the maids and nobles that have seem though will cast speculative glances your way and will wonder if you're twins in every respect."
After the way David had so blatantly wandered around the castle naked she doubt he or Max would have trouble finding partners to warm their bed when they chose. She'd seen more than one appraising, and approving, glance cast at David and didn't doubt that Max would benefit from it as well. That thought she kept to herself however and she was surprised to find that the idea of anyone in David's bed annoyed her. Whether or not she'd made a final decision on the whole marriage issue meant nothing, he'd lived his whole life thinking of her as his finace, the least he could was be faithful while she was here.
Shaking her head she laughed softly at her wayward thoughts and giggled even harder at the confused looks on Serena and Max's faces, "It's nothing I promise. Just silly wandering thoughts."
Skye laughed brightly at the wink that Max threw her. He was silly and much easier to talk to than David. She wondered though if that was because he was actually easier to talk to or because she'd been told she was supposed to marry David before she even knew him. There was no such pressure associated with Max and she suspected that, at least in part, that was why she was so much more at ease with him.
"Well I can assure I don't intend to make that close a comparison between the two of you. I'm sure all the maids and nobles that have seem though will cast speculative glances your way and will wonder if you're twins in every respect."
After the way David had so blatantly wandered around the castle naked she doubt he or Max would have trouble finding partners to warm their bed when they chose. She'd seen more than one appraising, and approving, glance cast at David and didn't doubt that Max would benefit from it as well. That thought she kept to herself however and she was surprised to find that the idea of anyone in David's bed annoyed her. Whether or not she'd made a final decision on the whole marriage issue meant nothing, he'd lived his whole life thinking of her as his finace, the least he could was be faithful while she was here.
Shaking her head she laughed softly at her wayward thoughts and giggled even harder at the confused looks on Serena and Max's faces, "It's nothing I promise. Just silly wandering thoughts."
RedHairedandFriendly
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Serena huffed in frustration. "You two are impossible. I'm going to get us some tea," she looked to Max. "Max. . . I trust you to be kind to Skye and to behave yourself." She looked to Skye, "I'll be back in a moment, I don't think I can take much more his humor."
She wasn't sure what was bothering her, once more she had felt pushed away, as if she were invading someone's space. Leaving her own room was almost a relief to her and she walked toward the kitchens. A maid walked past and a thought struck her. "Have you seen David?" she asked. The maid giggled and laughed, then blushed.
Rolling her eyes she said, "Nevermind I see you have. Where did he go after he got dressed?"
"He didn't Serena, he's still walking around naked. Walked right past the King he did!" The maid scurried off and headed toward the laundry.
Shaking her head Serena headed toward David's room to retrieve her map. Sure it had been dropped in the closet. Once she had it she'd grab a spot of tea and cakes to take to Max and Skye, then she'd have all three maps with her again.
She slipped into David's room quietly and it again was still empty. She moved to the closet and tried to find the map in the darkness of the far side of the small enclosure. Her hands were her eyes, and she felt confident she'd get the map before David decided to stop being silly.
She wasn't sure what was bothering her, once more she had felt pushed away, as if she were invading someone's space. Leaving her own room was almost a relief to her and she walked toward the kitchens. A maid walked past and a thought struck her. "Have you seen David?" she asked. The maid giggled and laughed, then blushed.
Rolling her eyes she said, "Nevermind I see you have. Where did he go after he got dressed?"
"He didn't Serena, he's still walking around naked. Walked right past the King he did!" The maid scurried off and headed toward the laundry.
Shaking her head Serena headed toward David's room to retrieve her map. Sure it had been dropped in the closet. Once she had it she'd grab a spot of tea and cakes to take to Max and Skye, then she'd have all three maps with her again.
She slipped into David's room quietly and it again was still empty. She moved to the closet and tried to find the map in the darkness of the far side of the small enclosure. Her hands were her eyes, and she felt confident she'd get the map before David decided to stop being silly.
only_more_so
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Max watched Serena leave with a concerned look on his face. He spoke softly, more to himself than to Skye, "Sometimes I worry about that girl..."
After pausing a moment for thought he turned his attention on Skye. He thought about warning her that she shouldn't be alone with him, especially not right after being seen with his nude brother. She had enough worries without having to think about the prudish gossip mill.
"Skye, I hope you have been enjoying your time here. I know it is a drastic adjustment, but I think our little kingdom has a lot to interest a young lady such as yourself. And it might help you to think of the next week or so here as a sort of vacation. I would love to..." Max was cut off as he tried to sit up a little higher in bed. The pain is his side reminded him why he had missed Skye's first few days in the kingdom.
Trying to hide his disappointment he changed what he was going to say to, "Make that, I am sure Serena or David would love to show you around the museum or the gardens. We collect things from hundreds of worlds afterall." In a conspiratal whisper he added, "I would have David show you the museum and Serena the garden, vice-versa would make for a very bored tour guide."
Settling back against the pillows Max added, "And if there is anything I can do for you, let me know."
After pausing a moment for thought he turned his attention on Skye. He thought about warning her that she shouldn't be alone with him, especially not right after being seen with his nude brother. She had enough worries without having to think about the prudish gossip mill.
"Skye, I hope you have been enjoying your time here. I know it is a drastic adjustment, but I think our little kingdom has a lot to interest a young lady such as yourself. And it might help you to think of the next week or so here as a sort of vacation. I would love to..." Max was cut off as he tried to sit up a little higher in bed. The pain is his side reminded him why he had missed Skye's first few days in the kingdom.
Trying to hide his disappointment he changed what he was going to say to, "Make that, I am sure Serena or David would love to show you around the museum or the gardens. We collect things from hundreds of worlds afterall." In a conspiratal whisper he added, "I would have David show you the museum and Serena the garden, vice-versa would make for a very bored tour guide."
Settling back against the pillows Max added, "And if there is anything I can do for you, let me know."
RedHairedandFriendly
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Serena scurried from David's room the map in her hand and headed back to her own room. She slipped the paper inside her pocket and moved quietly back into the room.
"They'll be bringing tea and cakes for you both in a moment," she took a deep breath and sat back down to look at Max and Skye. "Did I miss much?" she asked still trying to breath readily.
She looked to Skye, "David from what I understand is still running around naked." She glanced to Max and grinned, "You're still in bed."
Chuckling softly, she slipped over to her dresser and pulled from it the map she had hidden inside. Keeping it folded she looked at the two in the room, and put the paper back in her pocket. "Max, do you think you can walk at all or not?"
Serena was curious how much she could do on her own. These men in her life had protected her forever and now in her pockets were three travel seeds, three maps and a sense of adventure sparkled in her eyes. If Max was unable to move, and David was no where about because he was trying to prove some "male" point of reasoning, then Skye could entertain Max.
She hated leaving Skye behind, but she worried that Skye would stop her. She would pen a note to her friend and let her know she had taken the maps and planned on looking for her own life mate.
Turning her attentions back to Max, she asked once more, "So Max my old friend, can you take a walk around the pond or not?"
"They'll be bringing tea and cakes for you both in a moment," she took a deep breath and sat back down to look at Max and Skye. "Did I miss much?" she asked still trying to breath readily.
She looked to Skye, "David from what I understand is still running around naked." She glanced to Max and grinned, "You're still in bed."
Chuckling softly, she slipped over to her dresser and pulled from it the map she had hidden inside. Keeping it folded she looked at the two in the room, and put the paper back in her pocket. "Max, do you think you can walk at all or not?"
Serena was curious how much she could do on her own. These men in her life had protected her forever and now in her pockets were three travel seeds, three maps and a sense of adventure sparkled in her eyes. If Max was unable to move, and David was no where about because he was trying to prove some "male" point of reasoning, then Skye could entertain Max.
She hated leaving Skye behind, but she worried that Skye would stop her. She would pen a note to her friend and let her know she had taken the maps and planned on looking for her own life mate.
Turning her attentions back to Max, she asked once more, "So Max my old friend, can you take a walk around the pond or not?"
only_more_so
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Maximillian looked at Serena in dismay. "Serena, are you feeling alright? You are even more jumpy than usual, and you forgot what I told you an hour ago. Remember that I told you the doctor said I should stay in bed the rest of the day and can walk around tomorrow?"
He watched as she practically bounced in place. Whatever was in that drawer had her worked up. He hadn't seen her this anxious since the time he found her peeking into the baths. She of course denied it, but she was never a convincing liar.
He watched as she practically bounced in place. Whatever was in that drawer had her worked up. He hadn't seen her this anxious since the time he found her peeking into the baths. She of course denied it, but she was never a convincing liar.
RedHairedandFriendly
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Serena smiled back at Max, "Oh that's right silly me. I'm wonderful... I have something I want to do today, but I want to make sure everyone is settled and I'm not needed or anything before I take off."
She pushed her hair back from her eyes, her feet moving back and forth as she thought of the grand adventure she was going to take. Skye had been right all along, you just didn't marry someone you didn't know, you needed to make sure it worked.
If the men could travel to distant worlds, why couldn't she. She was an adult, yes at times she acted foolish, but the time on Skye's planet had taught her not to just do that. She thought of going there first, but decided not to. "It would be the first place they looked," she muttered.
"So, need anything? Want me to read to you? The maid should be here soon, I'm sure you'll enjoy the tea and cakes." She looked to Skye, "Fairy got your tongue, Skye?" she asked smile wide, and thinking of nothing but getting herself to the fairy ring. "Goodness you two are quiet."
She pushed her hair back from her eyes, her feet moving back and forth as she thought of the grand adventure she was going to take. Skye had been right all along, you just didn't marry someone you didn't know, you needed to make sure it worked.
If the men could travel to distant worlds, why couldn't she. She was an adult, yes at times she acted foolish, but the time on Skye's planet had taught her not to just do that. She thought of going there first, but decided not to. "It would be the first place they looked," she muttered.
"So, need anything? Want me to read to you? The maid should be here soon, I'm sure you'll enjoy the tea and cakes." She looked to Skye, "Fairy got your tongue, Skye?" she asked smile wide, and thinking of nothing but getting herself to the fairy ring. "Goodness you two are quiet."
poohlive
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It took an hour before someone with enough brevity came up to David with a robe. He simply shook it away, though, knowing he had to keep himself uncovered, at least for awhile.
Skye had played a game with him, and he had to uphold by the rules. There didn't seem any other way around it. It might have been him trying to one-up her, but he didn't feel like that's what he was doing. He just wanted her to know he'd go through any length for her.
If she desired him to go around the castle naked, then that's what he would do.
David took lunch in the throne room, where... surprisingly, no one else decided to lunch there. He was alone.
Skye had played a game with him, and he had to uphold by the rules. There didn't seem any other way around it. It might have been him trying to one-up her, but he didn't feel like that's what he was doing. He just wanted her to know he'd go through any length for her.
If she desired him to go around the castle naked, then that's what he would do.
David took lunch in the throne room, where... surprisingly, no one else decided to lunch there. He was alone.
"Oh that's right silly me. I'm wonderful... I have something I want to do today, but I want to make sure everyone is settled and I'm not needed or anything before I take off."
Take off? Where did Serena think she was going? There was something in what she said that set off all of Skye's warning bells and she eyed her friend skeptically. If she'd learned anything about Serena the last few days it was that she was usually up to something...she doubted that now was any different.
"Fairy got your tongue, Skye?" she asked smile wide, and thinking of nothing but getting herself to the fairy ring.
Fairy...good lord no! Suddenly Skye's eyebrow's shot upward and she eyed Serena sharply. Surely she didn't plan to go through another fairy ring! After what had happened in her world how could she even think it?!
Still she couldn't be positive that that was what was going on in Serena's mind and she didn't want to accuse her in front of Max.
"Why don't you stay with us Serena. Whatever it is you need to do can surely be done after we all have some tea and a snack and then I'll even come with and help you. Once he's been fed Max will surely be ready for a nap and won't want a couple of women around chattering at him."
Take off? Where did Serena think she was going? There was something in what she said that set off all of Skye's warning bells and she eyed her friend skeptically. If she'd learned anything about Serena the last few days it was that she was usually up to something...she doubted that now was any different.
"Fairy got your tongue, Skye?" she asked smile wide, and thinking of nothing but getting herself to the fairy ring.
Fairy...good lord no! Suddenly Skye's eyebrow's shot upward and she eyed Serena sharply. Surely she didn't plan to go through another fairy ring! After what had happened in her world how could she even think it?!
Still she couldn't be positive that that was what was going on in Serena's mind and she didn't want to accuse her in front of Max.
"Why don't you stay with us Serena. Whatever it is you need to do can surely be done after we all have some tea and a snack and then I'll even come with and help you. Once he's been fed Max will surely be ready for a nap and won't want a couple of women around chattering at him."
RedHairedandFriendly
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Serena's eyes grew to the size of gold coins and she stuttered for a moment. "Oh don't worry yourself," she said. She looked over to Max and then to Skye, "I know it is important for you to get to know the royal family more, and well I really am not needed, and besides you have been more then welcomed here by everyone and you really don't need me for now. I mean....." she paused and took a deep breath, her eyes dancing between the two.
"Max is in bed and David is being a silly goose, and well really... I'm," she swallowed her nervousness and she blinked rapidly, "I'm really wanting to be alone, I have a lot to think about. Did you know my mother and father will be coming soon with my chosen one and you know.... I really really should be taking care of preparing for him. Why don't I just go do that and you two talk....."
Serena stood up and headed toward the door, her feet moving rapidly. The door opened just as she got to it. "Oh look your tea and cakes. You both enjoy... I'm going to go and see how... ummm.... everyone is in the.. ahhhh... communial baths."
Her eyes lit up, "Yes... that's it, since Max says I don't know what I'm talking about, I guess I shall go learn."
She waved goodbye and shut the door behind her. Soon her feet were carrying her to the gardens and she went to the maze. She blocked out the images of Max and the awful man from long ago and she hurried deeper into the maze, purposely looking for one of the blocked paths so she could study her maps in private.
"Max is in bed and David is being a silly goose, and well really... I'm," she swallowed her nervousness and she blinked rapidly, "I'm really wanting to be alone, I have a lot to think about. Did you know my mother and father will be coming soon with my chosen one and you know.... I really really should be taking care of preparing for him. Why don't I just go do that and you two talk....."
Serena stood up and headed toward the door, her feet moving rapidly. The door opened just as she got to it. "Oh look your tea and cakes. You both enjoy... I'm going to go and see how... ummm.... everyone is in the.. ahhhh... communial baths."
Her eyes lit up, "Yes... that's it, since Max says I don't know what I'm talking about, I guess I shall go learn."
She waved goodbye and shut the door behind her. Soon her feet were carrying her to the gardens and she went to the maze. She blocked out the images of Max and the awful man from long ago and she hurried deeper into the maze, purposely looking for one of the blocked paths so she could study her maps in private.
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only_more_so
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Maximillian's respect for Skye increased a notch. Anyone could see that Serena was on edge about something, probably getting into trouble. But Skye seemed to have an idea about what flavor trouble she was planning. She also wasn't going to confront Serena in front of him...
While he was working this out in his mind Serena was fretting and backing out of the room, mumbling something about the baths. Before Max could order her to explain herself the door opened and Yvonne the maid bustled in with a platter full of tea and cakes. Serena used the distraction to duck out of the room and scamper down the hall.
As the maid was placing the tray on the table, Max said to her, "Yvonne, please go find Quint the page. He should be loitering near the guard room near the observation tower. Tell him to come here double quick, I have an important mission for him."
Yvonne got a startled look on her face because of the slight edge on Max's words. He quickly regretted his haste, but his stomach was dropping as he tried to figure out what Serena was up to. Yvonne bowed quickly and said, "Yes, my prince," and went quickly toward the door.
"Thank Yvonne," Max said in the calmest voice he could and with a smile. She seemed reassured by his efforts and ducked her head again before heading down the hall.
Max took a cleansing breathe and turned his full attention to Skye. Her beautiful face immediately calmed him, and he said with a slightly bashful smile, "Could you hand me one of those cakes and a cup of tea?"
He knew his change in tone would throw her. As she turned toward the tea with slight confusion he added, "Two lumps please."
While he was working this out in his mind Serena was fretting and backing out of the room, mumbling something about the baths. Before Max could order her to explain herself the door opened and Yvonne the maid bustled in with a platter full of tea and cakes. Serena used the distraction to duck out of the room and scamper down the hall.
As the maid was placing the tray on the table, Max said to her, "Yvonne, please go find Quint the page. He should be loitering near the guard room near the observation tower. Tell him to come here double quick, I have an important mission for him."
Yvonne got a startled look on her face because of the slight edge on Max's words. He quickly regretted his haste, but his stomach was dropping as he tried to figure out what Serena was up to. Yvonne bowed quickly and said, "Yes, my prince," and went quickly toward the door.
"Thank Yvonne," Max said in the calmest voice he could and with a smile. She seemed reassured by his efforts and ducked her head again before heading down the hall.
Max took a cleansing breathe and turned his full attention to Skye. Her beautiful face immediately calmed him, and he said with a slightly bashful smile, "Could you hand me one of those cakes and a cup of tea?"
He knew his change in tone would throw her. As she turned toward the tea with slight confusion he added, "Two lumps please."
Skye watched as Serena left and the maid came in. She didn't know what to do, part of her felt she should go after Serena, keep her from doing something foolish while another part of her thought she should stay and look after Max.
The sudden authority in Max's voice as he spoke to Yvonne startled her. She'd never heard quite that tone from him before and she didn't know what to make of it, a confusion that must have shown on her face when he asked for tea and a cake.
Quietly she poured out the tea and added the two lumps of sugar he'd asked for.
"Max, what was that about? Maybe I should go after Serena?"
The sudden authority in Max's voice as he spoke to Yvonne startled her. She'd never heard quite that tone from him before and she didn't know what to make of it, a confusion that must have shown on her face when he asked for tea and a cake.
Quietly she poured out the tea and added the two lumps of sugar he'd asked for.
"Max, what was that about? Maybe I should go after Serena?"
only_more_so
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Maximillian smiled at Skye and said, "While Serena is agitated, I don't think she will have the nerve to get into trouble for a little while yet."
Seeing that Skye was clearly torn between dashing off and staying with him he added, "Besides she has too much of a head start on you. Now let's have our tea?" He held out his hands for his cup and waited for Skye to place it in his hands. He blew carefully on the tea to cool it just a touch before taking a slow sip. He did all of this with the utmost patience, trying not to reveal how anxious he really was.
As he set the cup on the saucer a flushed boy slid into the room. The boy tried to salute and stop and say, "reporting for duty, my prince" but only half managed the salute before he had to catch himself on a chair.
"Ah Quint. Have you met Princess Skye? She is the... our most honored guest."
He watched in amusement as the boy tried a frilly bow and said, "An honor to meet you Princess." The boy stared just a bit too long before blushing and looking directly at his toes.
"As important as our lovely guest is, I have something even more important for a clever boy such as yourself. Are you ready for a most important mission? Well, it is really a training mission, but I know you want to work castle security one day." At this Quint's face lit up and he stood up incredibly straight.
"This is the mission: Serena is playing the part of a suspected spy who is visiting the castle as part of a delegation. Your job is to find her, and track her motions through the castle and the castle grounds. You are to report on her movements to either Skye or myself, especially anything that is extremely suspicious. If someone aside from Skye, Prince David or myself is around when you return with information you will have to use the pass phrase. If something suspicious is going on, say something about chocolate covered strawberries. If nothing exciting happened, say something about yogurt covered strawberries. Do you have all of that?"
Quint nodded enthusiastically and was bouncing on his toes ready to embark on his mission. Max added, "Remember if she sees you following her she will get suspicious and your mission is a failure. One last piece of information is that she was last seen heading east through the castle. You may now commence your mission!"
The boy managed a decent salute this time before vanishing out the door with amazing speed.
"He is the fastest page in the whole kingdom. He also has an incredibly crush on Serena and has been following her around like a puppy for two years now. He knows almost all of her hiding places, and even if she sees him she will chalk it up to his infatuation and not being spied on. Does that make you feel better Skye?"
Seeing that Skye was clearly torn between dashing off and staying with him he added, "Besides she has too much of a head start on you. Now let's have our tea?" He held out his hands for his cup and waited for Skye to place it in his hands. He blew carefully on the tea to cool it just a touch before taking a slow sip. He did all of this with the utmost patience, trying not to reveal how anxious he really was.
As he set the cup on the saucer a flushed boy slid into the room. The boy tried to salute and stop and say, "reporting for duty, my prince" but only half managed the salute before he had to catch himself on a chair.
"Ah Quint. Have you met Princess Skye? She is the... our most honored guest."
He watched in amusement as the boy tried a frilly bow and said, "An honor to meet you Princess." The boy stared just a bit too long before blushing and looking directly at his toes.
"As important as our lovely guest is, I have something even more important for a clever boy such as yourself. Are you ready for a most important mission? Well, it is really a training mission, but I know you want to work castle security one day." At this Quint's face lit up and he stood up incredibly straight.
"This is the mission: Serena is playing the part of a suspected spy who is visiting the castle as part of a delegation. Your job is to find her, and track her motions through the castle and the castle grounds. You are to report on her movements to either Skye or myself, especially anything that is extremely suspicious. If someone aside from Skye, Prince David or myself is around when you return with information you will have to use the pass phrase. If something suspicious is going on, say something about chocolate covered strawberries. If nothing exciting happened, say something about yogurt covered strawberries. Do you have all of that?"
Quint nodded enthusiastically and was bouncing on his toes ready to embark on his mission. Max added, "Remember if she sees you following her she will get suspicious and your mission is a failure. One last piece of information is that she was last seen heading east through the castle. You may now commence your mission!"
The boy managed a decent salute this time before vanishing out the door with amazing speed.
"He is the fastest page in the whole kingdom. He also has an incredibly crush on Serena and has been following her around like a puppy for two years now. He knows almost all of her hiding places, and even if she sees him she will chalk it up to his infatuation and not being spied on. Does that make you feel better Skye?"
RedHairedandFriendly
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Serena lay there for several hours on her stomach, her eyes studying every detail of the map of Earth. She had decided it was wise for her to travel to a place familiar to her. Though she had only been to the planet once she did know to not throw knives at men with noisy cars, and to not talk about fairies.
She sat up and heard a noise in the bushes, she looked around and saw no one so dismissed it as an animal in the maze. Serena toyed with her hair and as she did so she realized what path she would need to take to find the fairy ring that would take her to a place called, Las Vegas.
The other maps looked interesting and she promised that if she could not find a mate in the town of Vegas then she would travel to another place. She sat back on her rear and crossed her legs. She laid one map to the side and studied the shape of the small beads in her palm. Serena held one up to the sun and noticed how tiny it was.
"I wonder where they find these," she muttered to herself, once more becoming uneasy when she heard a brush in the maze again. She rolled her eyes at her silliness and gathered her things. She counted her maps and her little beads and went along one of the paths that would take her to Skye's world.
She reached it and marked its location in her mind before heading to the communial baths that Max had talked about. She would not be called a liar to him, and so she decided to see who all was there. Her eyes did get a sight when she saw several of the village men and women bathing. With a flushed face she left the area and headed back to the castle where she found cook and helped with the evening meals preparations. Her maps and beads safely tucked in her pockets.
"Cook... could I have several extra breads and cheese tomorrow. I believe I will take a picnic by the pond with Skye and Max, perhaps David will join us."
"If he has put on clothes by then," the cook laughed.
"Oh yes... only if he is dressed," Serena blushed trying hard not to think of David and Max and how different they both looked compared to how they did when they were the young boys she swam with in her youth.
She sat up and heard a noise in the bushes, she looked around and saw no one so dismissed it as an animal in the maze. Serena toyed with her hair and as she did so she realized what path she would need to take to find the fairy ring that would take her to a place called, Las Vegas.
The other maps looked interesting and she promised that if she could not find a mate in the town of Vegas then she would travel to another place. She sat back on her rear and crossed her legs. She laid one map to the side and studied the shape of the small beads in her palm. Serena held one up to the sun and noticed how tiny it was.
"I wonder where they find these," she muttered to herself, once more becoming uneasy when she heard a brush in the maze again. She rolled her eyes at her silliness and gathered her things. She counted her maps and her little beads and went along one of the paths that would take her to Skye's world.
She reached it and marked its location in her mind before heading to the communial baths that Max had talked about. She would not be called a liar to him, and so she decided to see who all was there. Her eyes did get a sight when she saw several of the village men and women bathing. With a flushed face she left the area and headed back to the castle where she found cook and helped with the evening meals preparations. Her maps and beads safely tucked in her pockets.
"Cook... could I have several extra breads and cheese tomorrow. I believe I will take a picnic by the pond with Skye and Max, perhaps David will join us."
"If he has put on clothes by then," the cook laughed.
"Oh yes... only if he is dressed," Serena blushed trying hard not to think of David and Max and how different they both looked compared to how they did when they were the young boys she swam with in her youth.
"He is the fastest page in the whole kingdom. He also has an incredibly crush on Serena and has been following her around like a puppy for two years now. He knows almost all of her hiding places, and even if she sees him she will chalk it up to his infatuation and not being spied on. Does that make you feel better Skye?"
Skye had to admit that watching Max in action, even wounded, was impressive. The man knew his people well and that was good to see. She wondered if David knew them as well and then smiled slightly wondering if he was still running around naked.
"Yes it makes me feel somewhat better, thank you Max. I worry about her. She has a beautiful heart but I've noticed she doesn't always think things through fully. Please let me know if he finds out anything."
Giving him a warm smile she sipped at her tea, suddenly at a loss for what to talk about and feeling slightly nervous.
Skye had to admit that watching Max in action, even wounded, was impressive. The man knew his people well and that was good to see. She wondered if David knew them as well and then smiled slightly wondering if he was still running around naked.
"Yes it makes me feel somewhat better, thank you Max. I worry about her. She has a beautiful heart but I've noticed she doesn't always think things through fully. Please let me know if he finds out anything."
Giving him a warm smile she sipped at her tea, suddenly at a loss for what to talk about and feeling slightly nervous.
only_more_so
Man
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- Jul 3, 2005
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Max heart warmed when Skye smiled at him. While Max wasn't quite the lost cause his brother had become, Max was fairly sure no other woman could replace Skye in his heart. He wondered how much of that was his own real feelings, or just the twin bond overflowing his brother's feelings into him. He had never even gotten past casual flirtations with any girl, although that was also partially because of the curse. No matter how much he longed for a woman, he wouldn't damn his kingdom.
All these meloncholy thoughts brought on because Skye had fallen silent and appeared distracted? Max thought to himself.
"Skye? In a few days we have the monthly gathering trips to the other worlds. Is there anything my brother or I can bring you back that you will particularly miss? A book perhaps? A game? Or if there are any flowers that you particularly like, that we don't already have in the gardens... Or a particular food? You have a few days yet to decide."
Max could see the look on Skye's face and knew he had screwed up. She didn't need to be reminded of what she had lost. He quickly added, "On the table in the corner is one of Serena's favorite games that we brought from your world. Actually we brought the idea and had the carpenter make it. Serena particularly loves yelling, 'King me! King me!' when playing checkers. Perhaps you would like to play for a bit? At least until we hear from Quint or David?"
All these meloncholy thoughts brought on because Skye had fallen silent and appeared distracted? Max thought to himself.
"Skye? In a few days we have the monthly gathering trips to the other worlds. Is there anything my brother or I can bring you back that you will particularly miss? A book perhaps? A game? Or if there are any flowers that you particularly like, that we don't already have in the gardens... Or a particular food? You have a few days yet to decide."
Max could see the look on Skye's face and knew he had screwed up. She didn't need to be reminded of what she had lost. He quickly added, "On the table in the corner is one of Serena's favorite games that we brought from your world. Actually we brought the idea and had the carpenter make it. Serena particularly loves yelling, 'King me! King me!' when playing checkers. Perhaps you would like to play for a bit? At least until we hear from Quint or David?"
"Skye? In a few days we have the monthly gathering trips to the other worlds. Is there anything my brother or I can bring you back that you will particularly miss? A book perhaps? A game? Or if there are any flowers that you particularly like, that we don't already have in the gardens... Or a particular food? You have a few days yet to decide."
Books, games, flowers? There were so many things back in her own world that she just hadn't had time to miss yet. Now that she thought about them she felt the ache of longing in her breast. How much had she given up by being here? How much more would she realize she'd lost and would it be worth what might be gained?
Obviously Max saw something of her thoughts in her face because his voice snapped her from her thoughts, "On the table in the corner is one of Serena's favorite games that we brought from your world. Actually we brought the idea and had the carpenter make it. Serena particularly loves yelling, 'King me! King me!' when playing checkers. Perhaps you would like to play for a bit? At least until we hear from Quint or David?"
Glancing over into the corner he'd indicated she smiled to realize there was indeed a checker board there. Getting up to retrieve the game she brought it over and set it up where it would be easy for both of them to reach the pieces.
"Go easy on me, I'm severely out of practice at this game."
Books, games, flowers? There were so many things back in her own world that she just hadn't had time to miss yet. Now that she thought about them she felt the ache of longing in her breast. How much had she given up by being here? How much more would she realize she'd lost and would it be worth what might be gained?
Obviously Max saw something of her thoughts in her face because his voice snapped her from her thoughts, "On the table in the corner is one of Serena's favorite games that we brought from your world. Actually we brought the idea and had the carpenter make it. Serena particularly loves yelling, 'King me! King me!' when playing checkers. Perhaps you would like to play for a bit? At least until we hear from Quint or David?"
Glancing over into the corner he'd indicated she smiled to realize there was indeed a checker board there. Getting up to retrieve the game she brought it over and set it up where it would be easy for both of them to reach the pieces.
"Go easy on me, I'm severely out of practice at this game."
RedHairedandFriendly
Too much red on Red?
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Serena returned to her rooms, and peeked in quietly. She noticed Max and Skye settling down to play checkers and she felt that feeling again. Shutting the door quietly so not to disturb them she left the castle to go to the home of her mother and father.
She hadn't been back to the house since they had left to travel in search of Serena's mate, but now she needed to pack for her trip. She had seen several different clothes that were worn in Skye's world and she wondered what her mother, or father may have from other worlds hidden away that she may use on her own little excursion.
As she moved toward the house she felt as if she were being watched but she dismissed the feeling, chalking it up to nervousness. She would have to write in her diary again soon, she hadn't had a real chance to since she had gotten home, and now she just had to write down her feelings. When she returned she'd be sure to write down all her adventures.
Reaching her parents home, Serena opened the door and went inside. She smelled the musty air, and left the door open to let the fresh air in. Quietly she searched her parents home for things that may come in handy in the place called Las Vegas. The young woman was tired of this part of her life, never being taken seriously, never being treated as an equal, so leaving would prove that she was just as capable as the men and Skye. Yes, she was sheltered and yes innocent, but surely, at her age, she deserved a bit of respect.
She hadn't been back to the house since they had left to travel in search of Serena's mate, but now she needed to pack for her trip. She had seen several different clothes that were worn in Skye's world and she wondered what her mother, or father may have from other worlds hidden away that she may use on her own little excursion.
As she moved toward the house she felt as if she were being watched but she dismissed the feeling, chalking it up to nervousness. She would have to write in her diary again soon, she hadn't had a real chance to since she had gotten home, and now she just had to write down her feelings. When she returned she'd be sure to write down all her adventures.
Reaching her parents home, Serena opened the door and went inside. She smelled the musty air, and left the door open to let the fresh air in. Quietly she searched her parents home for things that may come in handy in the place called Las Vegas. The young woman was tired of this part of her life, never being taken seriously, never being treated as an equal, so leaving would prove that she was just as capable as the men and Skye. Yes, she was sheltered and yes innocent, but surely, at her age, she deserved a bit of respect.
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only_more_so
Man
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Max and Skye played a couple of games of checkers in near silence. Skye was much better at the game than she had claimed, or maybe it was just that Max was very distracted by thoughts of what mischief Serena was up to. She had already broken one of the most inviolable laws of the kingdom by traveling. One of the greatest deterants to prevent others from breaking the law was the fear of the unknown. The princes had carefully allowed the rumors to grow and thrive about what a hostile place the other worlds could be. They allowed the lies to survive to prevent people from travelling and diminishing the magic that protected the kingdom. That is why travelling was done at certain times and certain places, with complex ceremonies which would actually add minutely to the protective magic.
Max felt his face starting to grow into a scowl at the thought of the Curse. But years of prince training made him relax his face. It was at that moment that he caught Serena peeking in through the door in the corner of his eye. Max chuckled and said, "Skye, you are much better at this game than you implied. I am glad we are only playing for fun and not for grand stakes, or I would have lost my clothes by now, and be wandering the halls like my poor brother."
The door closed and with straining ears Max could hear Serena sneaking down the hall. The door opened again suddenly and Quint stuck his head in through the opening. The boy had a silly lopsided grin on his face, stuck his fist into the room and gave a thumbs up before closing the door again. Strain as he might Max couldn't hear the page scampering down the corridor.
"I think young Quint gets an extra dessert this evening!" Max said to Skye.
Max felt his face starting to grow into a scowl at the thought of the Curse. But years of prince training made him relax his face. It was at that moment that he caught Serena peeking in through the door in the corner of his eye. Max chuckled and said, "Skye, you are much better at this game than you implied. I am glad we are only playing for fun and not for grand stakes, or I would have lost my clothes by now, and be wandering the halls like my poor brother."
The door closed and with straining ears Max could hear Serena sneaking down the hall. The door opened again suddenly and Quint stuck his head in through the opening. The boy had a silly lopsided grin on his face, stuck his fist into the room and gave a thumbs up before closing the door again. Strain as he might Max couldn't hear the page scampering down the corridor.
"I think young Quint gets an extra dessert this evening!" Max said to Skye.
poohlive
Silly Ole Bear
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- Jul 24, 2000
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"I thought I would find you here," David said as he leaned against the doorframe, his body silhouetted against the afternoon behind him, a lean frame of his shadow reached out to her, grasping at straws.
"I put some clothes on," He chuckled, a simple robe sovered him, showing that he was still naked underneath, "Bertha finally caught up to me. I thought I would be safe so long as Bertha didn't find me."
He cocked his head to one side, looking at Serena in a curious way.
"So, where is it you think you're going?"
"I put some clothes on," He chuckled, a simple robe sovered him, showing that he was still naked underneath, "Bertha finally caught up to me. I thought I would be safe so long as Bertha didn't find me."
He cocked his head to one side, looking at Serena in a curious way.
"So, where is it you think you're going?"
RedHairedandFriendly
Too much red on Red?
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Serena jumped then spun around, the small stack of clothes she in her hand fell to the floor. “David!” she exclaimed then bent down, gathering up the shirts, that resembled those from Skye’s world. She hoped that they would serve her on the excursion she was planning. Noticing David’s robe, she sighed, “Well... Bertha can be a bother sometimes, but at least your covered. That was a bit rude, even if Skye started it. But you’re the Prince, and can do whatever you like I guess.”
She turned around and placed the shirts back in her mother’s dresser. “As to what I am up to...” Serena shrugged her shoulders, and smiled, “I’m just putting away clothes mother loaned to me a while back. They’ll be returning soon with my mate, and I was missing them... so I ... gathered the old shirts, and thought why not come down here and be close to my parents... by ummm... visiting their house, the house I grew up in... when I ummm... wasn’t spending time with you and Max.”
Pushing the dresser drawer closed she crossed her arms and stared back at him. “Speaking of Max, you really should go say hello to him. He’s much better and will be walking tomorrow. Also he’s spending more quality time with Skye then you and you really shouldn’t allow that... you need to get to know her, not she and Max.”
Looking around the room, she got another idea that would help with her plans. “You know I was sleeping in my room when Max was unconscious, but now that he is better I will have to stay somewhere else until he is moved to his rooms. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before, I’ll just stay here until they move him. What a wonderful idea... I can rid myself of my loneliness for my parents at the same time.” Her excitement shown on her face over her brilliant idea, knowing it would give her the opportunity to leave when she was ready. If someone suspected her of wanting to travel then she would have to either leave sooner then expected or delay the trip.
“Well David glad you got dressed, do you need anything??? or... are you going to go and find Skye and play nice? They were, Max and Skye that is, playing checkers I believe.” She smiled softly at him, thoughts of escape and Vegas running through her bright eyes.
She turned around and placed the shirts back in her mother’s dresser. “As to what I am up to...” Serena shrugged her shoulders, and smiled, “I’m just putting away clothes mother loaned to me a while back. They’ll be returning soon with my mate, and I was missing them... so I ... gathered the old shirts, and thought why not come down here and be close to my parents... by ummm... visiting their house, the house I grew up in... when I ummm... wasn’t spending time with you and Max.”
Pushing the dresser drawer closed she crossed her arms and stared back at him. “Speaking of Max, you really should go say hello to him. He’s much better and will be walking tomorrow. Also he’s spending more quality time with Skye then you and you really shouldn’t allow that... you need to get to know her, not she and Max.”
Looking around the room, she got another idea that would help with her plans. “You know I was sleeping in my room when Max was unconscious, but now that he is better I will have to stay somewhere else until he is moved to his rooms. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before, I’ll just stay here until they move him. What a wonderful idea... I can rid myself of my loneliness for my parents at the same time.” Her excitement shown on her face over her brilliant idea, knowing it would give her the opportunity to leave when she was ready. If someone suspected her of wanting to travel then she would have to either leave sooner then expected or delay the trip.
“Well David glad you got dressed, do you need anything??? or... are you going to go and find Skye and play nice? They were, Max and Skye that is, playing checkers I believe.” She smiled softly at him, thoughts of escape and Vegas running through her bright eyes.
poohlive
Silly Ole Bear
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- Jul 24, 2000
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"Actually, I do need something. You see, I was going up to my room... after Bertha of course scolded me and made me put on this silly thing, when I met one of my maids. You remember her, golden hair, those soft blue eyes. She had blushed cheeks, which I firs thought was nothing more than my earlier escapades, but then she told me a story."
David never moved from his spot, he was still there, leaning against the doorway, staring at her in a new light. Perhaps it was a new light, or an old light shined on her for the first time in a long time. He didn't know which one it was, but then again it didn't matter. His opinion of her had changed, dramatically.
He told her the story the maid told him, about Serena moving into his room, sneaking in, looking for something, leaving without saying a word to anyone.
"The funny thing is, I checked my room. There was only one thing I found missing... can you guess what that one thing was, Serena? Or do you want me to call some guards in here... perhaps to search your pockets. I don't want to bring anyone else into this, but I will if I have to. What in the world are you planning to do Serena?"
David never moved from his spot, he was still there, leaning against the doorway, staring at her in a new light. Perhaps it was a new light, or an old light shined on her for the first time in a long time. He didn't know which one it was, but then again it didn't matter. His opinion of her had changed, dramatically.
He told her the story the maid told him, about Serena moving into his room, sneaking in, looking for something, leaving without saying a word to anyone.
"The funny thing is, I checked my room. There was only one thing I found missing... can you guess what that one thing was, Serena? Or do you want me to call some guards in here... perhaps to search your pockets. I don't want to bring anyone else into this, but I will if I have to. What in the world are you planning to do Serena?"
RedHairedandFriendly
Too much red on Red?
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Serena’s face paled, and she swallowed nervously. “I did go to your rooms David. . . I was looking for you.” She bit her lip and backed away from him, she could see what he was waiting for her to confess, but she couldn’t. Serena couldn’t give him what he wanted, she was so close, so close to adventure, to looking for someone to love her.
“I didn’t find you, but I saw,” she heard the fear in her own voice increase. She was never good at telling falsehoods, and today was no exception. “I saw a coat out, so I put it away. I. . . ummm, bumped a box, and some things fell out. I put them back, perhaps. . . Something fell out and rolled where I couldn’t see it. I’m sorry.”
Her feet continued to move back toward the furthest point of the house, David’s eyes watching her. She felt the knob of the back entrance hit her ass, and she bit her lip once more. “I’ll go and search again for you, incase I missed something.”
She spun around, opened the door and was running as fast as she could. Her only intent was reaching the fairy ring, and leaving her world behind. She only wanted to be treated an equal and not like some child that was only worth a good laugh. Her parents would bring her a mate, but if she were to find her own, then perhaps they would allow her to keep him. Thorns tore at her dress, but she continued to run, hoping she’d reach the ring before David could reach her.
“I didn’t find you, but I saw,” she heard the fear in her own voice increase. She was never good at telling falsehoods, and today was no exception. “I saw a coat out, so I put it away. I. . . ummm, bumped a box, and some things fell out. I put them back, perhaps. . . Something fell out and rolled where I couldn’t see it. I’m sorry.”
Her feet continued to move back toward the furthest point of the house, David’s eyes watching her. She felt the knob of the back entrance hit her ass, and she bit her lip once more. “I’ll go and search again for you, incase I missed something.”
She spun around, opened the door and was running as fast as she could. Her only intent was reaching the fairy ring, and leaving her world behind. She only wanted to be treated an equal and not like some child that was only worth a good laugh. Her parents would bring her a mate, but if she were to find her own, then perhaps they would allow her to keep him. Thorns tore at her dress, but she continued to run, hoping she’d reach the ring before David could reach her.
