The Curse and the Traveler's

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Marissa... Serena

Marissa buckled herself back into her seat and started the car. It had taken the young man about an hour to explain how he and his girlfriend had struck it rich and how over time they caught the interest of a big-time player. He hadn’t known the man’s name only known him as a rich fellow that seemed to be generally concerned with their welfare as well as extremely happy they couple had “struck” it rich. Now he had found out the hard way. If it seems to good then it is too good. “We’ll go to the house where me and a few others stay when we are having some down time. Once there you can grab something to eat from the fridge and I’ll make a few phone calls. David. . . for your sake I hope she’s not as sheltered as you seem to think she is. . . or she’ll be growing up real quick.”

Eventually, she pulled down a long deserted stretch of sandy road and made a few sharp turns until she parked the car in front of an old run down house. “The decor outside sucks, but inside you’ll find is sufficient for relaxing.” As she locked the car and bounded up the stairs, a stray cat jumped down from the sill of the kitchen window and plodded up to her. She bent down scratched his ears, then unlocked the house. She tossed the keys on the table and pointed out to David where the kitchen was and explained him where the bathroom was. She looked him over and added that he probably should shower and if he needed a change of clothes. . . which judging by the looks of him, he did, he could see if anything in the upstairs bedroom would fit. “The male agents and detainees and informants usually find something that will fit.”

She pulled a soda from the fridge and grabbed her cell phone. “I’m going to make a few calls and see what has transpired since Wellington left the US... make yourself at home.”


******

Serena was literally pulled out of her sleep by the hard grip of her ankle. “Hey babe... let’s see you in all your glory.” She looked into the dark black eyes of the man named Bruno and screamed. He grabbed her neck, cutting off her air supply and she ran her fingernails down his arms, trying to force him to release her.

He laughed and lifted her from the bed, his grip on her fragile neck only increasing. Serena fought with her hands and her feet. She kicked at him and clawed at him. Bruno slammed her back against the wall and for a moment Serena thought she split her head open. His other hand moved up her skirt and he pushed his palm against her sex. She shuddered in revulsion and her eyes started to roll to the back as the air she desperately needed was no longer able to enter her body.

“Put her down you idiot!” a voice barely reached Serena’s mind. She immediately was dropped and she fell to the floor. One hand hit the floor and she winced at the pain that shot through her as the muscles were sprained by the fall. She brought her other hand up to her throat and massaged her flesh as she drew in as much air as she could.

The woman who’d bathed Serena was chastising the man and Serena fought the threatening void of darkness in order to hear her words.

“Andrew wants her left unmarred. He did enough damage on her already to make her a less than profitable item. He’s gonna keep her a virgin and use that as her selling point since he disfigured her. So get out of here and find one of the other girls he brought back with him.”

Bruno grunted and then spit on the fallen form of Serena. “Fuck it. . . besides I want a girl who has all her digits. . . a lot more fun breaking them all if she refuses to suck my cock anyway.” He left the room and Serena crawled back on the bed.

“Other girls?” she thought to herself. “There were others? Like her? Taken from someplace or someone and brought here? Selling... she was going to be sold?” Fear shot through her and she started to plan a way to escape. If she could get out of this room she would know more about her surroundings and then she could find some way to slip away.”

 

[only_more_so]

"No fear Quint. I won't ask you to wear blue and purple all the time. How dull that would be for you! Not to mention I'm sure you'd catch some ribbing for it and I won't have my Squire be the butt of anyone's jokes simply because of colors I like.

We'll compromise and have your shirts taken down to the tailors to have my new coat of arms embroidered on them but I don't see any reason for your current wardrobe to go to waste."

Max smiled. He knew that Skye didn't want to cause Quint any grief, but part of being a squire was learning to deal with grief. "Actually, a better comprimise would be to choose different shades for everyday wear and adding a neutral color. So for formal occasions, what he is wearing now would be fine. For everyday, perhaps grey with blue and purple. It will help other nobles and the various servants recognize Quint as your squire. The patch is well and good, but they can be hard to make out for someone with bad vision, or from a distance. The other option would be to dye his hair blue and purple, and then he could where whatever he likes."

Quint got a very panicked look on his face and quickly said, "Wearing blue and purple would be fine. Really."

Still grinning she look between the two males at her table and her face became more serious, "So it's obvious I'm stronger today and I need to talk to the Queen about the mannerisms of my world but first I want to know what was bothering you earlier Quint?"

Max's face grew a bit concerned. He cleared his throat before Quint could start and said, "Skye, this is a conversation you should have alone with your squire. While you are both probably comfortable having me here, it will help to promote trust if you have this sort of conversation in private. Quint needs to feel comfortable telling you everything if you ask him. He won't want to say anything bad about you or me while I am here, and you don't want to set a bad precedent. So please excuse me."

Max stood from the table, bent over Skye and placed a kiss on her forehead, rubbed Quint's head and walked toward the door. Before he left he said, "Quint, make sure Skye sees the Queen when you are done. I have some errands to see to before travelling tonight, but I am sure you will be able to find me."

As he was walking down the hall, Max could feel Skye's emotions bubbling through the jewel. It was a strange mix of feelings, which made Max sure that she would rather have had him there. Max let her know that it really was for the best.

* * *

Quint stared at the closed door. He was glad that Prince Max had left, so he wouldn't have to answer in front of him. He was also more nervous, since he really didn't know Skye well, and he had been around Prince Max for years.

Finally with a bit of a sigh he said, "I know they were spreading nasty rumors about you and Prince Max, but they were kind of true. Either way they shouldn't have said anything. And what you said was also true, but it isn't nice to say stuff like that anyway, true or not. I know you were mad, I am too."

He kept his eyes down the whole time he spoke, then took a deep breath and continued, "I know you didn't know, but you also caused a lot of problems for poor Lily. Her room is the only place those sister's could have been spying from, or ulterior motivating from. So if the sisters know they were found out, then they will think that Lily ratted them out, but she wouldn't. Also Lily is... Well, she's really nice, but she... well, she kind of likes girls more than she likes boys. Only like three other servants in the whole castle know, and probably Prince Max and the Queen. No one's said anything, but with a rumor like what you started spreading, those others might let something slip, and then everyone will think they were... Even if they weren't, just because they were in a room together, kind of like you and Max were."

 

[caela]

Skye sighed as Max left. She didn't want him to go but she felt his reassurance on her mind. Turning her attention to Quint she was startled by the serious look on his face and knew that whatever it was it must really be bothering him.

"I know they were spreading nasty rumors about you and Prince Max, but they were kind of true. Either way they shouldn't have said anything. And what you said was also true, but it isn't nice to say stuff like that anyway, true or not. I know you were mad, I am too."

As Quint continued Skye blushed with shame. The lad was right. She knew better than to gossip and spread rumors and it seemed that someone could be hurt by them! She'd never meant for Lily to get caught in the crossfire. As Quint finished she looked at him with pride and reached out to squeeze his hand gently.

"You Quint, are a good boy with a good heart and I'm proud you're my squire. You're right. What I did was just as wrong as what the sisters did, it was petty and stupid and just...wrong. I never meant for Lily to be hurt by it so if you have any ideas on how to minimize the damage I'm listening."

 

[only_more_so]

"You Quint, are a good boy with a good heart and I'm proud you're my squire. You're right. What I did was just as wrong as what the sisters did, it was petty and stupid and just...wrong. I never meant for Lily to be hurt by it so if you have any ideas on how to minimize the damage I'm listening."

Quint breathed a sigh of relief. He was worried that telling Skye he was upset about what she had done would make her mad at him. He was glad that she agreed that it was wrong.

"I don't know if you can make it any better. Prince Max might be able to figure something out. He is good at things like that. It might also end up that nothing will happen."

Quint was quiet for a moment and then said, "Do you really like Prince Max? I'm going to miss him, sometimes I wish David were the younger brother, but then I feel bad... Do you think he really doesn't mind, or is that all pretend?"

 

[poohlive]

David poured himself a glass of water. It was cold and metallic. He didn't like the taste. The water had something he didn't like, the taste unpure, unclean. It was like everything else on this planet. The food would taste bland and far away, as if not food, but rather someone's reproduction of what food should taste like.

He sat down, hating himself, hating everything about what he had done. How could he have gotten Serena into all of this? How could he have made it so easy for her to slip away. She was so naive, so simple. She had no idea of this world or the evil it contained.

"She does now," He said aloud, the words like acid in his mouth.

David didn't want to, but he fell asleep as he sat on the couch. He hadn't had a good night's sleep in too long. It just overcame him, and he was sleeping before he even knew what happened.

 

[caela]

Quint was quiet for a moment and then said, "Do you really like Prince Max? I'm going to miss him, sometimes I wish David were the younger brother, but then I feel bad... Do you think he really doesn't mind, or is that all pretend?"

Skye smiled wistfully and nodded her head as she reached out to ruffle his hair gently, "Yes Quint I really do like Max. I don't wish David were the younger brother, I think he'll make an excellant King but I do hope and pray with everything in me that we find a way to break the curse and that Max lives a very long, very happy life.

I think he minds very much Quint - wouldn't you if you knew you were destined to die - but he loves his land and his people and knows that if the curse isn't broken his going into the fog is the only way to keep them safe. His sense of honor and duty are two of the things I love about him."

Shaking her head she laughed softly, "Listen to me waxing poetic when we have a busy day before us. I know the outfit is formal but why don't you wear it, just for today mind you, so that people will know what colors and crest they can expect to see you in from now and will recognize you as my Squire. I'll talk to the tailors and have some everyday clothes made up for you in neutral tones with the purple and blue accents that Max mentioned.

Now I need to see the Queen and if you don't mind I'd like you to hunt up Max and see if he knows any way to help Lily. I truly didn't mean for her to be hurt by what I did Quint. If Max knows a way to fix it I'll do what needs to be done...I promise."

Sending Quint on his way she made her way down to the Queens chambers where she knocked quietly and waited to be granted admittance.

 

[only_more_so]

Max was in the armory selecting weapons to take while travelling. For some reason he had a very bad feeling about the trip and wanted to be prepared for any danger, even though Skye's world had proved much safer than most. He chose daggers that he could strap to his wrists and calves, they were made of stone and magically enhanced so they wouldn't break. He also brought the "bag of tricks" which contained various devices that could easily be hidden on a person but could get you out of a jam.

While Max was trying to figure out what else to bring, and what the women should take with them, Quint found him. "Prince Max, Skye sent me to find you." He paused for a moment and then explained what Skye had said to the maid, and how Quint was worried about Lily.

"I was worried that Skye might do something like that." Max sighed and continued rummaging as he thought. "Do you have any ideas Quint? This is part of your job as a squire. And while you are thinking, help me get things for the Queen and Skye to take."

Max continued sorting through things, with Quint's help. It almost felt like old times, except for the new outfit that the boy wore. Quint said, "Do you think that Lily was doing anything with one of the sisters? I don't know why else she would have let them in, since they aren't very nice."

"Quint, what if they knew her secret and threatened to tell people if she didn't let them spy from her room?" Quint gasped at the thought and balled his fists in anger, but Max continued, "But maybe they just pretended to be nice to her. You sat through all of breakfast without letting Skye know you were upset about what she had said. And let me remind you that you would normally never tell me what she had said except that she wanted my advice."

"I know Prince Max. I just don't understand how Lily could be fooled, and if they were threatening her, why didn't she just ask you for help? And why does she have to keep it a secret. Everyone knows about the Queen, so why not Lily too?"

"Because Quint, it is Lily's secret to keep. Would you like everyone to know that you talk to the horses in the stables? Other people talk to their horses, but you always stop when people come near. It is the same sort of thing, only even more private. Eventually her secret will come out, just as eventually someone, aside from me, will catch you talking to a horse, and everyone will know. How would you approach that situation."

"Well, I... I guess if I were prepared for it, it might not be so bad. I think having people whisper about it behind my back would be worse than having everyone know... So we should make sure Lily knows that it might not be a secret? And then if we hear everyone talking about it, we can let her know. Also if she isn't worried about keeping it secret, then they can't threaten her with it anymore. Right Prince Max?"

"I guess you didn't need my advice after all. Now if you would grab those necklaces, and the charm bracelets, I think we have what we need."

* * *

Queen Beatrix's maid open the door and showed Skye in. The queen was just finishing up her breakfast and greeted Skye with a warm smile, waving her to the chair opposite her. She waved the maid out of the room, and said, "Please make sure we aren't disturbed."

When the maid left and closed the door, Bea said, "So, are you through corrupting my poor son?" The queen smiled and said, "I am pretty sure the rumors I have heard this morning are not all true. I am also pretty sure that you did spend the entire night with Max and used the secret passage to get back unseen. But I am sure you didn't come here for gossip. Would you rather do the lessons in the gardens? It is looking to be a wonderful day outside."

 

[caela]

"So, are you through corrupting my poor son?" The queen smiled and said, "I am pretty sure the rumors I have heard this morning are not all true. I am also pretty sure that you did spend the entire night with Max and used the secret passage to get back unseen. But I am sure you didn't come here for gossip. Would you rather do the lessons in the gardens? It is looking to be a wonderful day outside."

Skye blushed furiously at the Queen's statement but she had to laugh as well. It was so nice that she was straightforward and told Skye exactly what she thought. Skye hadn't realized how nice until this morning when she found out that women she hadn't even met were spreading rumors about her. She had to admit however that she was curious how the rumors had spread and changed in so short a time.

"If it's corruption to love him Beatrix than no I'm not through. And you're right, I did spend the night though there's no chance of my making you a grandmother. Max is firm in the fact that he doesn't want to leave any children to grow up without him."

Giving a small shrug she smiled as she thought of Max and her mind reached out to simply brush against his in a gentle caress and then withdrawing once more to let him do what needed doing. Seeing the Queen watching her she laughed softly and shrugged slightly.

"I need the touch of his mind sometimes. It's already become reflexive to reach out for him. It'll be strange not to be able to when we travel. I think you're right and it looks lovely outside."

As they left the Queen's chambers Skye told the Queen about her and Max being in her place while they slept and the interuption by the fairy princess who sent them into deep dreamless sleep. She also told her about waking up and finding out some of the rumors flying about her and her own, impetuous, means of counteracting them.

"I'm worried now that I acted too harshly and that Lily might be inadvertantly hurt by what I did. Do you know if there's anyway to minimize that damage before it even starts Beatrix? Quint is asking Max as well but I thought a woman's perspective might be helpful as well."

 

[only_more_so]

"Alright Quint, why don't you take these things to Skye and the Queen. The necklace with the little animal imprint in it is for the queen. It's magic should keep her from getting sick in Skye's world. The charm bracelets are for both of them, and have various magical and non-magical uses. You can also show Skye and the Queen some of the knives, but I don't think they will want to have them. And make sure they both get their papers done sometime today, Skye will know what I mean, and the Queen will know where to go. David's and mine should still be good, but we need them for the Queen and Skye. Oh, and could you also ask Skye and the Queen if they would join me for dinner tonight?"

The boy scooped up the requested items and a number of miscellaneous weapons and tools to show to Skye and the Queen and started off. "By the way, I believe you will find them in the gardens."

Max gathered his own gear and carried it out of the castle and to the small hovel that was maintained near the travelling circles. He stowed the items and headed for the tower. He needed time to think more than anything, plus he had to see how quickly the fog was approaching.

* * *

"If it's corruption to love him Beatrix than no I'm not through. And you're right, I did spend the night though there's no chance of my making you a grandmother. Max is firm in the fact that he doesn't want to leave any children to grow up without him."

This caused the queen to laugh, as a mother does at the foolish, but precious actions of their child. "I am surprised you were able to resist! I ended up mounting Charles while he slept after he came to my room for a midnight tryst the week before we married. Of course, his concern was that my pregnancy would show before the marriage, or that their births would occur too soon. He woke up very quickly and feigned protest for half an hour before he planted his seed into me. Sometimes he still protests, but now he does it for an entire hour." The queen gave Skye a wink.


"I'm worried now that I acted too harshly and that Lily might be inadvertantly hurt by what I did. Do you know if there's anyway to minimize that damage before it even starts Beatrix? Quint is asking Max as well but I thought a woman's perspective might be helpful as well."

"This silly backwards kingdom. It is a wonder everyone doesn't know as it is. Her mother was the same way, and we caused quite a scandal in those days. She eventually left the castle, pregnant with a royal bastard. That is the most confounding thing about this place, they are so puritanical about some things, but when it comes to sleeping with the princes, or the king, no one bats an eye. Sure they say it is terrible in public, but in private all the ladies titter about how wonderful it was, or plot to have their own chance. And it might not be so bad as far as the gossip goes, except that the royal men always leave proof of the liason, even when using contraception."

The queen paused for a moment and said, "Like your young squire. I had David bring back some condoms when he travelled to my world. I assume your world has similar devices, but ours are foolproof, which they need to be with the sexual activity on my world. So there was a lovely thing that Charles found amusing, and I had to agree. She was quite adorable and loved us both. Charles and I had always been faithful to each other, despite urges on both of our behalves. But at some point it became so natural to invite her to join with us. We took all the precautions and no one outside of the royal family ever knew. But after a month it became clear that it was all for not. The girl felt terrible about it, she loved us and didn't want it to become known that Charles had been unfaithful (it is still the longest a royal male has been faithful in known history, and since we shared I still don't consider it unfaithfulness). So she left the castle and went to her parent's home, claiming she fell in with a guardsman. She named him Quint for the five weeks of happiness she shared with us. Quint came to the castle as a young boy, and his half brother took him under his wing and doesn't even know. You mustn't tell the boy, or Max. Perhaps especially Max."

The queen paused for a moment, fixing Skye with a steady gaze to emphasize her point. "Speaking of Quint, I hear his hurried footsteps." As the sound of the boy's running feet drew closer the queen said, "Now I believe you were telling me about the customs of your world?"

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Serena .... Marissa

Serena blinked rapidly and sorrow showed on her face as well as a mask of pain. She looked at the man staring down at her and the woman that was looking at her with suspicion in her eyes.

“What is wrong with her?” the man asked the woman. Serena closed her mouth and rolled back to her stomach. She pulled her legs in and she shivered violently.

“I don’t know. Damn girl, suddenly just dropped clutching her stomach and screaming. She was like dead wait and it took all I had to get her on that bed. Had to hit her hard to make her stop screaming in pain.”

The guard studied the young girl for several minutes. “She’s do to go on the block tonight, if she’s sick she’ll not fetch much. I best go tell Andrew.”

“Well take her to the Doc. I’ll not be having some sick bitch in this room. I’ve got other girls coming in and they need washed up proper. Why this whore got her own room is beyond me. There ain’t nothing special about her.” The woman ripped the blankets off the bed and pulled Serena up from the bed by her hair.

Serena screamed from the sting of her hair, but it helped to aid her deception. “Ohh... please... I don’t...feel good,” she told the woman. She doubled over and pretended she was about to get sick, when the woman released her and Serena fell to her knees.

“Don’t even think of throwing up on my floor,” she yelled. The woman’s foot slammed into Serena’s ass and the young girl slammed against the floor. “Take her to the Doc., tell Andrew he needs this one sold tonight, before she infects everyone with whatever sickness she’s got. She ain’t right in the head.”

The guard grabbed Serena and dragged her to another room. While she was being hauled she continued to fake her illness as well as study every detail she could. She noted exits and windows as well as rooms and halls. It was a maze, a maze that the young girl had no Prince to save her from.

********

Marissa bent down and woke the young man up. “David. David,” she called. Wake up.”

Once he was awake she studied him for a while. “I’ve made some calls and let me tell you what is happening. Serena is one of the girls that is going to be sold at a party tonight.”

Her eyes never wavered as she explained what she knew would pain the young man. “She attacked Wellington. I don’t know if he raped her or not. I do know that she hurt him... David, he cut off her finger as punishment.”

She bit her lower lip and frowned. “I’m sorry. . . I do know she’s been beat up. I don’t know much else. There is a party tonight. We’ve got special invites to go, though I won’t look like me and you can’t look like you. . . You’re supposed to be dead remember.” She sat back and waited for him to absorb everything she’d told him.

 

[caela]

"Speaking of Quint, I hear his hurried footsteps." As the sound of the boy's running feet drew closer the queen said, "Now I believe you were telling me about the customs of your world?"

Skye simply stared at the Queen in disbelief. Quint was Max's half brother and didn't even know it! She simply couldn't wrap her head around the idea and so, for now, she pushed the thought away entirely and tried to look as normal as she could when Quint arrived.

"My world is rather strange. Well my part of it anyway. Sexuality is rampant almost everywhere you look but at the same time most people don't simply have sex just because they want to. There's massive manuvering on both sides usually but not always.

Vegas itself is a party town. It's designed as a fantasy world where most of the outside rules don't apply. At least that's the image it projects. Honestly Beatrix I don't think you'll have a problem blending in there. You'll get hit on constantly..." her voice trailed off as Quint arrived.

Seeing the boy a smile curved her lips and she couldn't help but realize he was Max's brother. Now that she knew she could see the family resemblence and she was surprised that there weren't at least rumors about his parentage. Hell there might be and she just hadn't heard them.

"Queen Beatrix, Skye," he said and bowed rather awkwardly around the packages he carried. If she'd been alone Skye would have told him not to bother with the bowing but she wouldn't deny the Queen her due and didn't want to start teaching Quint bad habits.

"What bring you out to see us Quint? Is any of that gear for us or does Max have you playing errand boy?" Skye asked with a laugh.

"Some of it's for you both," he said and gently laid his items down on a nearby garden wall. Finding each one he gave them the bracelets and gave the Queen a necklace. Skye also chose a small dagger which made Quint's eyes widen but Skye simply shrugged at the surprised look on his face.

Handing himt he dagger to hang onto she ruffled his hair playfully before asking, "Would you please make sure this gets into my pack Quint. I don't want to be without protection. Was there anything else Max wanted of us?"

"Yes Skye. He said you would both need paper and that the Queen would know where to get them."

Looking to Beatrix the Queen nodded and Skye turned back to Quint, "Thank you Quint. I don't have anything else that I need you to do today so why don't you spend at least an hour, preferably two, in the library like we discussed and then the rest of the day is yours."

At the look of joy on his face at having most of the day to himself Skye was glad she'd said it. She knew he'd work on his lessons, probably for the full two hours, and grinned as he ran back toward the castle.

"He's a good lad Beatrix, why haven't you told him, Max and David, at least, who he is? Is it right to deny them their brother?"

 

[only_more_so]

"He's a good lad Beatrix, why haven't you told him, Max and David, at least, who he is? Is it right to deny them their brother?"

"Quint's mother asked that we not tell anyone, including Max and David. Besides you know how Max feels about royal bastards. Even if he knew the situation, his view of his father and of me would be diminished. Do you think he would be so zealous about not siring a child if he saw that his father had done so, and that his mother was an accomplice? Besides they are closer now than if they did know the truth."

The Queen walked a ways toying with the bracelet that Quint had brought, and touching the necklace. Max thought of everything, if they put them on right before travelling they wouldn't look used to wearing them.

"So what is this paper that Max says we need? You can explain on the way. I hope you will also explain why people will be hitting me, and why I should enjoy it. Also how do your people greet each other? In my world we kiss, and if you are familiar, it is a... very friendly kiss. David said in one world the men are expected to slap each other very hard. The harder you hit the more respect you give them. Is that what you meant? I certainly hope not, I bruise much too easily for that sort of thing."

* * *

Max stood at the top of the tower and scanned the kingdom. The fog was definately coming closer. He made note of the progress, and would need to check again to verify the rate. But it looked like they would only have a day or two from when they returned from their traveling.

Max closed his eyes and felt the wind ruffling his clothing. He extended his senses and breathed in his home.

Looking downward he could just make out the gardens. He recognized the distinctive coloring of Skye's dress and saw her walking with the queen. For a moment he felt the urge to eavesdrop on their conversation, but he couldn't bring himself to do so. Anyway, Skye seemed comfortable with the Queen, and when Quint raced up to deliver the packages, he knew the boy and Skye were going to do well. He tried not to linger, because they would soon sense they were being watched. Max sat on the bench and closed his eyes. He allowed his mind to wander and found himself think about the mystery forest and those thoughts brought him peace.

 

[caela]

"So what is this paper that Max says we need? You can explain on the way. I hope you will also explain why people will be hitting me, and why I should enjoy it. Also how do your people greet each other? In my world we kiss, and if you are familiar, it is a... very friendly kiss. David said in one world the men are expected to slap each other very hard. The harder you hit the more respect you give them. Is that what you meant? I certainly hope not, I bruise much too easily for that sort of thing."

Skye chuckled softly at the Queens questions and realized that while she thought she'd been clear she'd used terms from her own world that the Queen hadn't heard before.

"People won't be hitting you Beatrix," she explained with a smile," They'll be hitting on you. In my world that means they'll show an interest in you. They'll flirt and want to spend time with you, quite likely they'll imply they want to take you to bed with them. You're a beautiful woman, the men will definatly want you.

Greetings are usually a simple handshake if you've just met someone. If it's someone you know well or family perhaps a hug, kisses are generally just on the cheek unless it's a boyfriend/girlfriend or spouse your greeting. For all that my people like to be surrounded by sexuality they're still rather conservative about it.

The paper's we'll need are documents to prove that we are who we say we are. Birth certificates are good, drivers licences are better. In our case however I think a passport would probably be best. Lots of states have computer systems now and can check almost instantly on if you're really who you say you are. Passports take a little longer.

Of course if we go with enough money most people will simply leave us alone or go out of their way to be nice for a tip. Money does a lot of talking in my world and can grease a lot of wheels."

As she spoke she was tempted to reach out to Max again but she didn't know what he was doing and didn't want to interupt or distract him so she kept her midn to herself. She was amazed once more at the need she felt to be in contact with him. What this normal here or was it a side effect of the jewel? Glancing at her side she smiled when she realized she had the perfect person to ask beside her.

"Beatrix, I was wondering...well you see I feel this need to reach out to Max, to feel the brush of his mind against my own, to feel what he feels, to feel connected to him...all the time. I was wondering if that was normal between two people here? Or if it was perhaps a side effect of the jewel? I know that we can talk through it but this seems like more than that to me but I don't know anything really about magic," she asked with a small shrug at her ignorance.

 

[only_more_so]

"Beatrix, I was wondering...well you see I feel this need to reach out to Max, to feel the brush of his mind against my own, to feel what he feels, to feel connected to him...all the time. I was wondering if that was normal between two people here? Or if it was perhaps a side effect of the jewel? I know that we can talk through it but this seems like more than that to me but I don't know anything really about magic," she asked with a small shrug at her ignorance.

The queen smiled at Skye. She linked elbows with Skye and patted her arm affectionately, steering their path back toward the castle, "You really are a naive girl. That is the oldest kind of magic there is, it is called falling in love. It isn't that you want to touch his mind, it is that you want to touch him, be around him, in any way that you can. Touching his mind might suffice, but it would be better to be in the same room. THat will last for a while, but then you want to be closer, until actually touching him. Then you will want his bare body against yours, and still not be close enough, so you will need him inside of you. His fingers, his tongue, his manhood, you will want in your hand, in your mouth, in your sex, and perhaps even your bottom. Part of that is lust as well, but love and lust can go hand in hand, particularly for women."

"Now we should get to the royal calligrapher, he will write up these passports that we need."

* * *

Max found he was walking in the forest, surrounded by mist. He could feel the life of the trees around him, and could sense creatures, friendly creatures watching him from hiding. They were wary of him, but had no ill will towards him.

"You have returned, Prince Maximillian. I hadn't expected you to be able to find this place without my aid."

"Where am I? Is this a dream?"

"Yes and no. This is a part of the land of Fairy, people can manifest here in their dreams. You are dreaming so you are still back in your body, but you are also very much here." As the voice spoke those last words, Max felt a pinch on his bottom and a whisper in his ear, "You are very cute, too bad you are my great-great... grandson."

The voice continued, "You shouldn't linger here however. There are those who are still angry with what your forebears did. Before I go, I will warn you that your brother is in serious danger, as well as the one called Serena. Be careful Maximillian. Come back safely and break this curse."

Max felt a force pushing him in an unknown direction. The force grew until he was compelled to leave the forest and awoke in his own body on top of the tower. He gazed out at the fog, and thought, for a moment he saw a swirl of mist instead of the fog.

 

[caela]

"Now we should get to the royal calligrapher, he will write up these passports that we need."

Skye nodded and let the Queen lead her through the castle while thinking on what she'd said. She knew she loved Max already, that part didn't surprise her. She hadn't been thrilled about being called naive but she that in fact she was naive about many things so she didn't argue it. The fact was that she already wanted to touch Max all the time, ached to feel him inside of her but he was dead set against it. He didn't want to leave any children behind him and apparently hadn't been listening when she'd told him that she was going with him if they couldn't break the curse.

Meeting the royal calligrapher pushed Skye's thoughts from her mind but it couldn't push out the urge to reach out and touch Max's mind. The need for it seemed stronger now that they'd spent the night together and she wondered if it was due - at least in part - by the fact that they hadn't actually had sex.

Smiling to hide her thoughts she sat for hours while the calligrapher did his work creating expert passports that would stand up to any scruitny as long as no one tried to search them out in a database.

As they were putting the finishing touches on the passports Quint came sprinting into the calligrapher's shop. It was clear he'd been searching for them for awhile and he was out of breath. Skye had to tell him not to talk until he could breath, and speak, normally once more.

"Your Highness, Princess Skye, " he said bowing to both, " I forget to inform you earlier that Prince Max would like to have you both join him for dinner this evening."

"Of course we'll join my son for dinner Quint," the Queen said and offered the lad a smile. "Why don't you run and inform him so that he can make himself presentable. Knowing him he'd been preparing all day and could use a fresh change of clothing at the very least."

Skye and Quint both chuckled knowing it was likely that Beatrix was right and Quint ran off to tell Prince Max they'd join him for dinner.

 

[only_more_so]

Max checked the position of the sun and realized it was already past noon. He climbed down from the tower and headed toward the kitchens to grab a quick snack and tell the cooks what to send to his rooms for dinner, and that there would be four people dining. He assumed that Skye and his mother had accepted, and that Quint would be there as well.

Grabbing some scraps of meat and a hunk of fresh bread, Max made a little sandwich which he ate on the way to the gymnasium. He always felt restless the day of travelling and a gruelling workout usually helpe calm his mind and body.

Stepping out onto the gym floor, Max could feel the eyes from the balcony. He started his exercises he noticed the numbers were about normal for this time of day. But as he continued, he realized that more and more women were appearing and the buzz of conversation was loud enough to be heard on the floor between the grunting of the men. Normally the men exercising were able to ignore the women in the balcony, but soon most of the men were paying as much attention to the ladies as to the sparring and exercising.

Cutting his workout short, Max headed for the gymnasium sauna. Hopefully the women will lose interest now that the source of the gossip was gone. Then maybe the men wouldn't be so distracted. Max let the warmth from the heated stones soak into him and tried to relax. Two nobles strolled in talking quietly. As they sat they kept stealing glances over at Max. Although they were speaking quietly it would be a simple matter for Max to use a small amount of magic to eavesdrop. But he needed to store up as much magic as he could, and he knew what they were talking about.

Max stood, wrapped the towel about him and headed to the showers. He took a quick icy cold shower to wash off the sweat, changed and headed to his rooms. On the way he stopped a page and asked for some tea to be sent to his room, perhaps that would calm his nerves.

Entering his rooms, Max headed towards his bathroom and ran the taps in the large tub. Soon the room was filling with steam and Max sank into the tub, allowing the hot water to sooth his body and mind. The water started calming him, when he heard a timid knock on the door. He had nearly forgotten about the tea and called for them to come in.

Lily walked in bearing a tray of tea and set the service down on the counter. She poured him a cup and brought it over to the tub, handing him the steaming tea. There wasn't a strong nudity taboo in the kingdom, and Lily had seen him naked a number of times being Max and David's personal maid, so Max didn't think much of her entrance.

He drank the tea and realized it was damiyama, and figure he should have been more specific. How would that effect the rumors? It was then that Max realized that Lily was lingering in the bathroom. She was clearly anxious about something.

"Is something wrong Lily?"

"Prince Max, I feel terrible about the gossip. I didn't know it would happen. Last night I was... I was with Marga, she is Misty Dallen's maid. When she was leaving my room she saw Skye going in to your room. She must have told her mistress. But now the rumor's are saying that it was Mistress Misty who came to my room, or her sister Mistress Rowan. And the worst part is, I thought Marga liked me, but I've heard she was just pretending to like me because her mistress made her."

Lily was practically crying as she stood there. Max finished his tea as he had listened and when Lily brought him another cup he motioned for her to sit on the side of the tub and have a cup of tea herself.

"Lily, I take it you haven't heard this from Marga herself? Perhaps you saw her in the hall and she looked away quickly?" Lily nodded sullenly. "Do you always believe gossip? Could it be that Marga is just as afraid of coming out about her inclinations as you are? And perhaps she feels she betrayed your friendship by telling Misty about Skye? There are other reasons for such behavior, and you know how untrue gossip can be."

"So you think she might really like me?" Lily said, hunched around her cup of tea as she drank it. Max could see the tea was relaxing her, and could feel it reducing his tensions as well.

"It is possible. Don't let gossip rule your decisions. If you want to know how she feels you have to ask her." Max paused for a moment, sipping his tea and said, "Does it bother you that your preferences might become known?"

"No, Prince Max, I am not worried. Being a royal bastard, I have gotten used to a certain amount of gossip. There are already people saying that my mother must have been impregnated by the Queen and not the King or his brother. Because like the Queen I like men as well as women, although I do like women more," Lily said. She gave max an appraising look, and he became suddenly aware that he was naked, drinking an aphrodisiac with a rather attractive women, who also happened to be his half-sister and maid.

"Thanks for bringing the tea Lily. Why don't you find Marga and ask her for the truth." Lily blushed suddenly. Perhaps she recognized the awkward situation, or perhaps she recognized his current state. Either way she stood quickly, bowed and left.

Max sighed, got up to pour himself another cup of tea and relaxed back into the tub. Eventually the tea and the warm water brought him some relaxation.

 

[caela]

With their papers in order Skye and Beatrix left the calligrapher arm-in-arm. As they wandered the halls of the castle many heads turned to stare at Skye and she could all but hear the whispered conversations that both started and stopped as they passed. It annoyed her to no and and she wished that she could simply turn and slap the heads of those that thought gossiping about her was fun.

She didn't get truly angry however until she heard a whispered, "Lily..." as she drew near to a group of people. Gossip about her she would put up with but gossip about an innocent maid, gossip that was likely her fault...that she wouldn't tolerate.

Stopping she turned and looked toward where the voice had come from and saw a group of women chattering like old hens. Moving toward them she saw the haughty looks they gave her and placed her hands on her hips, her eyes flashing with anger.

"What about Lily? Surely you ladies," she sneered the word like it was an epithet. "Have better things to occupy your time than in gossiping about an sweet young woman like Lily."

With a look of contempt one of the women glared at Skye, her voice dripping with rancor, "Is that the way of it then? Perhaps the rumors are wrong and it wasn't Prince Max you visited last night but his maid instead!"

Tipping her head slightly Skye gave a short laugh but her voice was cold and sharp, "Jealous dear? Either way my bed would have been warmer by far than yours I'm sure." Glaring at each of the women in turn she made it clear that her opinion of them was lower than the bugs that crawled through the gardens. "No wonder the Prince prefers the company of his family to the ladies of the court. He no doubt figures he is better off alone than in the company of women whose hearts are so cold and hard they'd no doubt freeze him where he lay if he took one to his bed."

 

[only_more_so]

"Prince Max!" Quint yelled from the door to Max's rooms. Max had drifted off to sleep lying in the warm water, and didn't feel like getting up. "Come on up Quint."

The boy soon appeared and immediately came over and sat on the edge of the tub. "Skye and the Queen both said they would come to dinner with you. They were getting their papers made for travelling. They also said I should make sure you got cleaned up, but it looks like you already have. Just don't go getting messy again before dinner.

Max grinned at the boy and asked him to hand Max a towel. It was about time Max got out of the tub anyway. "You should probably head back to Skye now. Even if she isn't doing anything interesting, it is still part of your training."

* * *

The Queen pulled Skye along away from the gossiping women. She kept a serene look on her face throughout. When they were out of sight around a corner, the Queen pulled Skye into a side room and closed the door.

"You will win no friends, if you keep antagonizing the ladies of the court. They aren't all bad, but when you are heard making statements like that they will think that is what you believe. I know it is hard for you to adjust to this, but you really need to learn to control your temper. Part of the enjoyment for some of these women is knowing how much it hurts your feelings. That will make the gossip even more outrageous. With your latest outburst, it wouldn't surprise me if the rumors become that you are Lily had sex while Max watched impotent in a corner."

"Please Skye, you must ignore the gossip, or at least use subtler methods. You aren't just making things worse for yourself, but for everyone you are trying to protect as well. I hate to have to tell you all of this, and you must feel I am treating you like a little child. But I want you to have a long happy life here. I would go to bed for months crying about the awful things people were saying about me when I arrived."

"Now, what say we get dressed for dinner with Max? I think it would be fun to dress in clothes from your world for dinner. Something sexy, but casual, since it will be what we wear travelling to Vegas, and I want the people 'hitting on' me. You have learned about your magic closet, haven't you?"

 

[poohlive]

"That's fine, whatever we need to do. Let's just go, and hurry, please."

His mind began to focus, wrapping itself up in the problem. He began to get tunnel vision, knowing nothing else except Serena. Those last few details had done it, he didn't care about anything else now. All he needed was to get Serena, and a few moments with a man that thought he could take her away from Prince David.

"What's next?" He didn't even look at Marissa, just waiting for the next part.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Marissa

Marissa stared at David and shook her head. She could see he wasn’t really seeing the whole picture. He either didn’t want to or didn’t realize that he was going to have to do a lot of acting. She wondered if he could. What kind of man was he? Could he act? Could he pretend to be some rich, smart-ass that had more money then God. . . if God had money. She wasn’t sure.

An hour passed and a team arrived to give the couple a make-over. Hair-dye, new clothes, fake markings on Marissa’s face were added and as she sat quietly in the spare bedroom and David stayed in the living room, she found herself curious as to how the young man would appear when she walked out.

The plan would be covered by the team that was “dressing-up” David. Marissa was his “pet” and he was there to purchase another one. David would need to be controlling and Marissa would act the part of his little playmate. Once they arrived Marissa would follow behind him, a stainless-steel leash was tethered to her neck. A leather collar embraced her skin and she rolled her eyes. She hated playing the plaything, but David knew Serena.

Marissa stepped out and her long, thigh-high boots hugged her legs like a second skin. The black corset barely hid the lipstick coated nipples that protruded from the tight, onyx binding. Her hair was piled up high and little diamond hair pins glittered in the light. The leash rested against the center of her breasts and she stopped once she reached the living room.

She asked David if Serena would recognize him, “She can’t not at first. . . if she does, she’ll give us away.” She reached down and zipped a small handgun in her left boot. The other she had already slipped a small dagger. She waited for David, once he was ready they’d be taken by Limo to the Wellington estate.

 

[caela]

"Now, what say we get dressed for dinner with Max? I think it would be fun to dress in clothes from your world for dinner. Something sexy, but casual, since it will be what we wear travelling to Vegas, and I want the people 'hitting on' me. You have learned about your magic closet, haven't you?"

Skye drew a raggid breath and had to clench and unclench her fingers at her sides to help calm herself. She truly wanted to march right back to those women and claw their eyes out. She wasn't used to having to deal with such viscious gossip! Oh granted people in her world gossiped as well but she'd never been on the recieving end of it like this and she didn't like it at all!

Finally calming herself fully she looked at Beatrix and managed a smile. Yes she felt like she was being spoken to like a child but she knew that the Queen meant well and so she set that aside.

"Yes I've discovered the closet. It gave me this dress just...wait clothes from my world?! It never occured to me that it could give me my jeans back!"

Laughing in delight she grabbed the Queens hand and took off for her rooms. She could hear the Queen laughing as they raced through the castle. Reaching her closet Skye flung doors of her closet open and found a weeks worth of jeans on the shelf above her dresses. With a happy cry she shut the door and grinned at the Queen before looking at the closet.

"We need jeans for you too. Trust me they are the most commen garment among men and women on my world. They go nearly anywhere except the really fancy formal places. They can be totally casual with a sweatshirt or t-shirt or you can dress them up with a blouse and nice shoes."

Grinning happily she opened the door and found another stack of jeans sitting there that she assumed were for the Queen. Pulling down a pair for herself and a pair for Beatrix she also found that just under them was an array of t-shirts and sweaters.

"Have I mentioned I love this closet?" Grabbing a violet sweater that would match her eyes perfectly she ducked behind a screen and quickly changed. The jeans clung to her legs, hips, and the curve of her ass as if they'd been specially made just for her and were as soft and supply as if she'd owned them for years.

"Oh yessssss, I love that closet!" she said as she came back from around the screen to grin at Beatrix, "Go on, try yours on."

 

[only_more_so]

The queen looked dubiously at the clothes that appeared in the closet. "Are you sure that such rough material is considered sexy? I would have thought something in silk, or something shiny? But I will give it a try."

She grabbed a stack of clothes, that included a pair of jeans, a pink shirt and what the queen assumed must be undergarments. She went behind the screen and proceeded to undress. She looked at the undergarments dubiously, deciding to forgo the brassiere, the shirt material looked soft enough not to chaff. However the "jeans" looked too coarse. The silken material of the remaining undergarment took her a moment to puzzle out, there just didn't seem to be enough material, especially in what she decided must be the back. Sliding the material on, the queen wondered if the closet had forgotten what size she was. It seemed a bit too tight.

Next Beatrix started pulling on the jeans. Surely the closet had the wrong size, she struggled mightily to get them on, but they did fit her well curved bottom correctly, if snuggly. She finished by pulling on the shirt, which was entirely too small. The pink material left her flat stomach exposed and stretched tightly across her bosom. Her nipples showed clearly, although the glittery printing on the front might hide that fact.

She came out, walking a bit awkwardly and said to Skye, "I think these clothes were meant for you. They are a bit too small for me, plus you are the princess. See if there is a shirt in there that says, 'Queen' instead." Beatrix said the last as she indicated the silver glitter spelling out the word princess straining across her chest.

The queen headed toward the closet shaking her bottom a bit to try to get more comfortable in the jeans. "Oooh!" she exclaimed as she opened the closet, "I see you use similar cosmetics to what we have in my world. Here they only use red blush and red lip makeup." The queen pulled out a bunch of different items and took them over to the mirror, seemingly forgetting about the discomfort of her clothing. "If I make myself up, will you tell me if they would find it attractive in your world?" The queens fingers were flying over the various makeups applying it to her cheeks, around her eyes, on her lips, even along her long throat.

 

[caela]

"I think these clothes were meant for you. They are a bit too small for me, plus you are the princess. See if there is a shirt in there that says, 'Queen' instead." Beatrix said the last as she indicated the silver glitter spelling out the word princess straining across her chest.

Skye laughed softly as she looked Beatrix over. She was stunning! The jeans hugged her legs and ass perfectly and that little strip of her stomach would have men drooling.

"There won't be a shirt in there that says Queen and those clothes are a perfect fit for you Beatrix. In my world a "Princess" isn't just royalty, it can also be a term of endearment or a word to describe a girl or woman who is spoiled by the men in her life."

She watched as the Queen drew out different colored cosmetics and cringed as she started applying them. It wasn't that she did a bad job with them just that she used, in Skye's opinion, too much and she got sort of lost behind the makeup. Grabbing a wet cloth she came to the Queen and gently took the cosmetics from her. Wiping them off her face she looked at the make-up arrayed on the table and smiled warmly.

"You've got a great eye for color Beatrix but with your natural beauty you're using way more than you need on my world. Here let me show you."

Carefully she applied just a touch of blush to the Queen's cheeks, a sweep of shadow across her eyelids to emphasize her eyes, the barest touch of mascara to her already long lashes and a light grazing of coral lipstick to give her lips a little shimmer.

"There perfect!" she said with a grin. Beatrix looked beautiful with just enough make-up to enhance her natural beauty but not so much as to overwhelm it. "The men, and some of the women, in my world are going to be madly in lust with you! Come on, let's go meet Max."

With a grin she opened the closet one more time and pulled out comfortable sandles for both of them before taking Beatrix hand and drawing her out of hte room before she could change anything. Heading up to Max's room she chattered happily about her world as they made their way through the castle.

Reaching Max's room she knocked quietly and reached out with her mind, Max, come open up darling and let the women in your life in.

 

[only_more_so]

Max had just finished getting dressed when he heard the knocking at the door, and felt Skye call out to him. He put on his travelling attire, to get accustomed to the different feel of clothes for another world. Skye had said Vegas was in a desert, so he went with a lightweight white suit, with a red shirt button-down uncollared shirt. He simply hated wearing ties that were too common in the businesses of Skye's world.

He slipped on the black leather shoes as he headed down the stairs. He had mentioned to his mother before that it was helpful to don the costumes of the world you travelled to, early in the day to grow accustomed to the feel. So he wondered if Skye and his mother were doing so now.

He didn't have long to wait as he pulled open the door and saw the pair standing in front of him. He had seen Skye in such apparrel before, when he spied on her with David, but to see his mother dressed in such an outfit caused his jaw to drop. He wanted to avert his eyes, but she really was stunning. The jeans seemed to have been sewn onto her, and Max did a double take as he realized he could see her underwear sticking out slightly. "Mother?!?"

He looked at Skye and was equally amazed at her outfit. The tight material showed her curves to great effect and her eyes seemed to glow next to the material of the shirt. Max could hardly believe how sexy they both looked, much too sexy to be walking around the castle!

Max ushered them both into his rooms and closed the door quickly. "I hope you have some... less provacative clothes as well. We are going to be looking for David and not causing a riot." Max mouth eventually closed and he showed the ladies to seats.

Moving to the wall, he pulled a cord to summon Lily from her room. She arrived quickly and seemed to be smiling as she came in. "Lily, could you please go to the kitchen and see that dinner is brought up." Max thought for a moment, looking over at his mother and Skye and added, "Actually, could you bring it up please? And if you find Quint let him know that Skye is already here."

Lily nodded, and said, "Of course, Prince Max. And thank for earlier. You were right!" Lily was just about to leave when she got a good look at what the Queen and Skye were wearing. "Queen Beatrix! Princess Skye! You look incredible and so sexy..." The girl blushed severely and covered her mouth. "I'll go check on your dinner," and quickly escaped the room.

 

[caela]

"I hope you have some... less provacative clothes as well. We are going to be looking for David and not causing a riot."

That made Skye laugh with delight as had Max's shocked expression at seeing his mother. Though she was glad to see his appreciative glance his shocked tone and rather proprietary attitude grated slightly.

"Max hun, there's nothing all that provactive about our clothing in my world. We might draw some glances and have a few men hit on us but we'll hardly cause a riot. Trust me this is tame compared to what some women wear to draw attention to themselves."

Anything else she would have said was cut off as Lily came in and Max asked her to bring up their dinner personally. She had to chuckle again at that and cast a playful wink at the Queen when no one was looking. Giving Max fits like this was actually sort of fun and her eyes sparkled with mirth.

"Queen Beatrix! Princess Skye! You look incredible and so sexy..." The girl blushed severely and covered her mouth. "I'll go check on your dinner."

Skye felt badly when the girl all but ran from the room. She wasn't gone long however and when she returned with their dinner Skye offered her a shy, apologetic smile.

"Lily, before you go. I owe you a huge apology. I'm so sorry if my temper and trying to get back at those bitch sisters caused you any trouble. I wasn't thinking about who might be hurt when I lashed out. If there's anything I can do to help make it right please just let me know."