The Curse and the Traveler's

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Serena stopped short, "Pay?" Her eyes got huge, "You mean money?" She looked at Skye then the twins, "They are supposed to pay her!" She dropped Serena's hand and looked at David, her finger pointing in his chest, "Your supposed to PAY MY MOTHER!!!!" Looking at Skye, "Are they supposed to pay my Father also?"

Skye tried to talk, but Serena was hot, "They are aren't they!" Turning to Max, she said, "MY FATHER GETS PAID TOO!!!"

Then taking Skye's hand again, she hurried her along, "There, that should get a reaction out of them. Imagine all this time, they haven't paid my parents anything. I must return to my room after lunch and trace what work my parents have done, and place a bill before David."

"For lunch we are to have goose sandwiches with pickled eggs and hopefully cook has prepare my favorite, cheesemar pie! And don't worry, as long as one of the brother's doesn't hog tie me, I'll be with you the whole time and if you want, we'll go swimming together and leave the boys behind, you know though.... I haven't actually gone swimming with them since I was very young, perhaps they will not want to swim naked anymore, we'll just wait and see."

"So how much should I tell them to pay ma and pa?"

 

[caela]

Skye tried not to laugh at Serena's outburst. She thought at first that she was teasing the brothers but she didn't seem to be and that killed Skye's amusement. Why wouldn't Serena's parents be paid for their work? It was obvious that her mother at least deserved to be paid quite handsomely and she was sure that her father most likely did as well. Sparing a sharp glare for David and Maxamillian she sauntered off down the hallway with Serena without so much as a backward glance.

"So how much should I tell them to pay ma and pa?"

A wicked glint flared in Skye's violet eyes at the question and slowly a smirk curved her lips. "A lot. By the standards of my home your mother is just about the cleverest woman with a needle and thread there is. She could easily have her own line and be making so much money from her other clients that she could turn her nose up at anyone she wanted...including royalty."

Still quietly seething she watched as Serena gathered the basket the cook gave her and followed her out onto the grounds. It took all of three seconds for Skye to become hopelessly lost but she knew that given time she'd figure the place out. Until then she just followed Serena and listened to her chatter as she pointed out things of interest to Skye.

 

[only_more_so]

"Serena, I am sure that if your mother prefers payment with gold that could be arranged. I thought she enjoyed the cottage, and eating with the family. Not to mention the material for her dresses, the festivals, protection from..." Maximillian paused for a moment to let his stung pride cool. "Protection from the beasts of the forest."

"You have to understand, this is a land under what you would call feudal rule. The curse, the techonology and the surroundings do not allow us the luxury of living in a capitalistic society. But as long as my brother or I still live, no person in our land goes hungry, or without clothing and shelter. Just three months ago, David and I were forced to hunt down a direwolf that had come down out of the mists. If David was not the best shot in the kingdom I would have been dead when the beast's mate blind sided me while I held the beast pinned with my spear."

Maximillian moves in front of Skye, his eyes starring directly into hers, "That is what it means to be royalty in this land. You accept the service of others, in return for protection and guidance. I would protect you from that burden, if it were not for the burden I carry myself. I would sacrifice my life, and my eternal happiness for this land, and these people. I would also perform that sacrifice for you, since you are the sunshine that can bring the happiness to this land."

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Serena rolls her eyes at Maximillions dribble of words and nudges David in the ribs, "I believe he has read to much of that Shake man's ode's of romance." Looking up at David she sees a look cross his face, "Oh Davy, don't worry, he is just spilling nonsense, he'll not steal you betrothed."

"All of you, come with me and we'll have a picnic, and then perhaps later, I'll take Skye to the swimming hole, and no boys you can't come."


Serena, keeping the basket of foods in her hands finds a quiet place under the shade of the tree. She waits for the others, then remembers her promise to stay next to Skye, "Well I'm close, that will work." She spreads the cloth out and arranges their foods, water and wine are brought out and place on the grass beside her.

She looks to the three and wave for them to join her. As they arrive she lookes to the brothers and sighs, "Maximillion, when will you go and find your mate?"

 

[caela]

Skye listened to Maximillian as he spoke about the responsibility of royalty and again was hit with the strangeness of her being here. She wondered if that would ever wear off and supposed that it probably would in time. She still couldn't get her mind around the idea of being a 'chosen one' for anything much less that she was somehow supposed to lift a curse.

"I would sacrifice my life, and my eternal happiness for this land, and these people. I would also perform that sacrifice for you, since you are the sunshine that can bring the happiness to this land."

Arching just her right eyebrow she gave Maximillian a look at asked, "are you serious?" while muttering under her breath to herself, "No pressure or anything Skye."

Glancing between the three people around her she simply didn't know what to say. Serena seemed amused and there was a look she couldn't read on David's face while Serena teased him.

"Shakespeare, Serena. I had a copy of his collected works back home that one of my cousins had to buy for a college class. She gave it to me when she was done. I think you'd like his comedies even if you didn't like Romeo and Juliet."

Unsure what to do with herself while Serena was spreading out lunch she simply waited before sitting down as soon as everything was prepared. She knew she as soon as she sat down that she was in trouble as the brothers flanked her with David on her right and Maximillian on her left. Silently she started reminding herself to watch her temper.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Serena looked at Skye and the brother's and rolled her eyes, "Dear Skye, my new friend, why do I need your Shakenfear when I have such comedy as these two nit-wits in front of me, acting like stave sicked pups."

She handed out the foods and she and Skye tried to enjoy their meal while the boys kept trying to feed Skye.

"Oh good grief, you boys..." Serena ate her dessert first and then pulled out a small notepad and began to draw a picture of the three that sat across from her. As she doodled on her pad of paper she listened to Skye take deep breaths, knowing that soon Skye would blow her top, from all the spittal of poetry that was filling up the air, and drowing both Serena and Skye.

Her drawing showed a beautiful Skye in the center of two figures. Skye's image was lovely. Her hair falling sofltly along her shoulders as it tried to escape a hastily done bun. The smile on her face tilted to one side, and her eyes looked to the clouds, as if in question. The figures on each side were idential pictures of the animals that her father brought back from the America's a place were Skye was from, they had short noses and long ears, and brayed. Serena chuckled when she finally remembered the name her father had called them, asses.... that was it.

She picked up her glass of wine and sipped it, enjoying the breeze and laughing at the conversation that surrounded her.

 

[poohlive]

"Serena, how has everying been for her so far? Good, I hope," They had spent months and months perparing. Some even years. The dawning of a chosen one was indeed a festive occasion, and everyone anticipated it. A time honored tradiaiton that could not be avoided. So, instead of avoiding it, people appreciated it all the more.

Not to exclude that if all went well, the curse itself would be lifted. Once that happened, everyone would be the happier for it. If it happened, if it was destined for happening here and now. Althought, David looked over at his brother. They had a plan worked out, something that he hoped would end what had begun soo long ago.

He hadn't been paying attention to what Serena said, as usual, and when his eyes dipped back into focus, he nodded and grinned at her.

"I am sure she's in good hands with you. Thank you for doing all of this."

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Serena looked up at David, "She is doing well, and I think she will make a great friend to me," She place her little drawing tablet away and looked over the two men and the woman. She wondered what was going on, why Maximillion paid so much attention to Skye and David didn't mind. Serena didn't want Skye hurt, so she would do her best to protect her. Serena suddenly saw the three young people, and something happened to her. Something she hadn't expected.

Standing up, she looked down at Skye, "Skye, I'm sorry, but I have just remembered something." She looked into the wide eyes of her friend, "I truly must go, the boys will take care of you." Turning away, her little book clasped tight in her hands, she moved towards the castle. For the first time ever Serena felt like she didn't belong. For the first time, that she could ever remember, she had nothing to say. She went into her room, and shut the door behind her.

Retrieved her journal and began to write.

I have returned again, this time we had a picnic. It was lovely and...

She closed her book and left it on the bed, then moved to the window. She could make out the three group of friends, the boys bringing smiles to Skye's face, "It is as it should be," she told herself, "she was after all a servant, and not there equal, with a new Princess living among them," she thought, "it is time I act my station."

Taking a book from her collection, she opened the story and began to read once more about the little girl who fell into a rabbit hole and her name was Alice.

 

[caela]

Skye blinked when Serena suddenly hopped up and was gone. She glanced between the two bothers and bit her lower lip gently at a loss as to what to say to them. Serena had had a calming effect on Skye, as if the girls hyperactivity and soothed her own. Now she was gone and Skye didn't know what to do or say around these two. They were royalty after all and she as just...well just her.

She was worried about Serena and determined to find her later and ask her what had suddenly driven her away.

Looking between the two brothers she finally fished a topic out of her mind that she knew she could talk about with some reasonable sense of clarity, "So which one of you was it again that got Serena the Shakespeare? Do you bring her books often from my home?"

 

[only_more_so]

Adjusting his gloves, Maximillian responds, "While I am to blame for actually bringing the book, it was my brother's idea to get Shakespeare."

How much should I tell her, he ponders. She will learn this all soon enough, but I don't want to frighten her. Finally decided, he says, "Once every three months, when the two moons are full, a portal is opened to other worlds. My brother and I, and... well, other members of our family before us, have a connection with the portal. We can go through the portal and then return with whatever we can carry. While it only takes moments on this side of the portal, we have a few days on the other side."

"The mechanics of the portal are not as important as the use. We use it for bringing supplies from other worlds. For the past few trips, I have made an effort to bring books on science and technologies, so we can make the most of our meagre resources. David reminded me that art and beauty are just as important."

"I went through and found myself on your world. I was in a city that didn't have much in the way of raw materials, so I obtained as many books as I could carry through. Oh, and plenty of chocolate, since it has to last three months. Well, longer, since we are never quite sure which world the portal will open in."

 

[caela]

Skye felt he rmind spinning again. Two moons, a portal to other worlds, books chocolate. It sounded like something out of a bad science-fiction novel. Yet here she was caught up in it. Looking between the brothers she asked quietly, "Is that how I was brought here?"

She wondered how they'd answer and quietly she looked over at David. He'd said he'd send her home if she asked but how could he do that if they never knew what world the portal would open to. And if time moved so differently here from there than how much time had already passed in her home? Had he lied to her just to calm her down? She arched a brow at him with that question holding steady in her gaze.

Suddenly turning her head to look at Maximillian she couldn't help but wonder more about what was going on. She'd been told she was betrothed to David ( a fact that still annoyed her if she thought on it long, being betrothed to a man she'd never met was barbaric!) and yet it seemed it had been Max who had spoken to her the most this afternoon. Was something going on here that she didn't know about and if she when would they tell her?

 

[poohlive]

David laid on his side, looking out at the beautiful meadow before them. It seemed to stretch on forever, and he was sad to see the forests at the edge gobble it up into darkened shadows and tree tops. Still, the forest beyond had it sown beauty, and they complimented each other with friendly ease.

A glass of wine as his fingertips. Only a few sips taken, nothing more. It was better to just savor it in his hand smelling it more than tasting it. He never had a passion for any of that, fine wines or succulant foods. He could fill up on food for the soul, and nothing else.

"It doesn't matter much," He said, "You are here, and I hope you're enjoying yourself. I'm sorry we couldn't have made better impressions. We have been raised to tihnk that life is one big grande ball, and everything is nice and diplomatic. I even have to ride a horse as if I were on stage for the people. I'm glad that you are here with us, and I do not have to impress you."

God, did he? Is that what she wanted? She was waiting for him to be arrogant and yell at servants and take charge. He had seen women like that, who pushed their men into charge, whether they wanted to or not.

"Are you feeling better after lunch?" He asked, swirling his wine around inside the glass, making it leak down the sides, "Would you like to do anything, take a tour of the grounds, perhaps?"

 

[caela]

"It doesn't matter much," He said, "You are here, and I hope you're enjoying yourself. I'm sorry we couldn't have made better impressions. We have been raised to tihnk that life is one big grande ball, and everything is nice and diplomatic. I even have to ride a horse as if I were on stage for the people. I'm glad that you are here with us, and I do not have to impress you. Are you feeling better after lunch?" He asked, swirling his wine around inside the glass, making it leak down the sides, "Would you like to do anything, take a tour of the grounds, perhaps?"

Turning to stare at David her violet eyes flashed brightly with a fire that let him know he'd most definatly said something wrong. She'd known she'd end up snapping at them which was partly why she wanted Serena there but there was no Serena here to buffer her temper and she let it flare over David.

"Doesn't matter? I'll have you know it matters a great deal! You snatched me without so much as asking my opinion in the matter and I find it highly important as to just how this was done! If it didn't matter to me I wouldn't have asked.

As for the need to impress me you may or may not be right. If you think acting arrogant and yelling at servants or flashing jewels is something i'd find impressive than you're right..you don't need to do anything of the sort. However if you think I'm going to stick around long you damn well had better impress me by being a good man and compassionate man."

Pushing up from her place on the blanket she nodded to them both and turned in a swirl of skirt, "If you'll excuse I've lost my appetite and my desire for company. A tip for you both, don't piss off a redhead if you want a tranquil life!"

With that she turned and headed back in the general direction she thought the castle was in and simply planned to ask directions along the way. She hated being lost - it rather ruined the dramatic exit in her mind - but there was nothing else to do since Serena had already left and the Prince's company had grown stale.

Not mattered? How could he have thought it wouldn't matter?! She was in a strnage place, among strange people and fighting to keep her equilibrium. Was he truly that insensitive or just thoughtless? Neither answer was a good one. And he didn't think he had to impress her did her? Oh she'd damn well show him different! You didn't just pull a woman into some strange world, throw the expectations of an entire people at her and expect her to wed someone she's never met and get away with thinking you didn't have to impress her!

"Men!" she growled and kicked at a stone before looking around and realizing she was utterly lost.

 

[poohlive]

"Did I just...." David looked at her as if she were speaking jibberish, "What? What in the world just happened?"

They were having a polite conversation and she just snapped at him. He didn't understand it at all. He was trying to be nice to her. His frow lifted. Maybe she did want him to be strong and opposing, ordering her around and making himself look like a pompous jackass. His father certainly did it enough times, and that made his people love him all the more.

David sighed at that. The last thing he wanted to do. Women... this was beginning to all sound like a bad idea.

"I'll meet you back at the castle, Max," He said, beginning to pick up the picnic. Maybe he could simply ask some advice.Someone had to know about this whole thing a lot more than he did.

He made his way back to the castle, supplies in tow.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Serena placed her book back on the shelf and looked back over the window. She saw that Skye had disappeared and the twins were just staring at each other. She sighed and went to look for her friend. The boys were childish and now Skye was probably lost and it really was Serena's fault. She had promised not to leave her and she had, even if she was just a servant she was supposed to be her friend also.

She hid her journal away, then headed out to find Skye. Her mind traveled over the most likely place that would get the woman turned around and it wasn't long before she thought she heard the familiar muttering of the funny girl. Serena walked through the garden maze and soon found Skye, her gown stuck to a large rose bush, that she was trying to untangle from, not wanting to hurt the fine material.

"Oh look what you have done, you silly goose." Serena pulled the offensive plant away and straightened out the gown, "you must have gotten riled to leave the boys." She looked up into her friends face, "I'm sorry I left you to defend yourself against them, come with me and I'll find something not so fine for you to romp in, the boys hate it when I wear these things, so I have to keep them hidden." Serena noticed how she quickly became the young girl the boys treated her as and she stopped, turned to Skye and with a look of nothing but pure honest need started to launch into a new set of problems.

"You remember I mentioned that my parents are traveling and will return with my mate, which I don't want nor do I need, but alas that is what a woman is here for isn't it?" she could see the flare in Skye's eye and decided to add more to her statement, as she resumed walking towards her room. "Well I know it isn't for every woman, it is just that I know I will marry and it will be this man they pick for me. So I need you to help me become a woman, now... I know I am a woman, but I am not refined nor am I like you. I tend to have a hard time keeping my mouth shut about things, I'm not sure if you have noticed that or not, but I do... it is a terrible thing about me, and if it annoys David and Maximillion, then it will annoy my husband."

As they entered her room, she motioned for Skye to follow then locked the door behind her, "They'll come here soon enough, so we had best change, then I'll take you exploring if you like, unless one of the brothers steal you from me. Do you know what!?" Serena exclaimed as she bent down to open her chest, moving her most treasured items away she took out Skye's jeans and her shirt, then handed them to her. "I couldn't let them burn them, so I decided I'd save them for you." Next she pulled out her own set of things called shorts and a shirt. Skye's eyes looked surprised. "I had mother make them for me, from a picture in a book.. the boys haven't a clue about them, if you like our seamstress that works for my mother can make you a pair!"

"I told mother that I only wanted to wear them when I went swimming because the boys were looking at me funny when I was swimming naked one time, but really the boys haven't swam naked with me since I was a young girl and I doubt that I even draw their attention. Well, I can't go swimming now, so I'll just wear the shirt and a skirt," Serena put the things back in her chest and closed it tight.

"Come on now if you want to change before the boys get here, you best be quick." Serena pulled off her clothes and slipped on the skirt that fell to mid-calf, the red color offset the white spaghetti strapped top. She grabbed a jacket that matched the skirt and tossed it onto the bed. "Look you know what, I bet you would like a top mama made for herself, it is lovely... it is similar to mine, but royal blue with crystals sewn in it. Serena shot out the door and was back within just a few minutes, "Here you go, I think someone is coming and I just can't wait to see what happens when they see you in those clothes.. and then you can tell me how to be a woman!"

 

[caela]

Skye thought she was about to scream when Serena appeared. The other woman was a welcome sight to her eyes, especially when she freed her from the darned rosebush that seemed determined to teard her skirt! Damned skirts, this was why she wore jeans!

Still fuming about David's comments she didn't hear much of what Serena said on the way back to the castle. She caught something about explaining to her how to be a woman but Skye thought she must have heard her wrong. What could she teach her? It didn't matter, she'd think about it later, right now she still wanted to lay into David a bit more.

Didn't have to impress her did he?! What did he think she was? Chattel? Did he think he could just kidnap her and then expect her to blithly go along with a betrothal that no one had asked her about? Apparently he did. And her wanting to know how she'd gotten here didn't matter either did it? Ohhhhhhh she'd show him what mattered!

She was only snapped back into the hear and now when Serena suddenly pushed her jeans into her arms.

"Come on now if you want to change before the boys get here, you best be quick."

Skye didn't hesitate. The skirt was off in record time and replaced with the jeans. She'd have been happy to keep the blouse but Serena disappeared and when she returned it was with a royal blue tank top with small crystal sewn into it that she shoved into her arms.

"Here you go, I think someone is coming and I just can't wait to see what happens when they see you in those clothes.. and then you can tell me how to be a woman!"

Not needing to be told twice she quickly changed her shirt as well. The blue brought out the violet of her eyes and a smile curved her lips. Yes let them see her now in her own clothes and on her terms.

"I don't know what I can tell you about being a woman that you don't already know Serena but I do know that if we don't leave fast you're going to be witness to a spectacular display of a redhead's temper. David is fully on my "to have his head bitten off" list at the moment."

 

[only_more_so]

So much for a nice pleasent picnic. First Serena leaves in an unexpected huff, then Skye storms off, and finally his brother leaves in a pout, taking lunch with him. Not that he had much of an appetite anymore.

Pulling a switch from a nearby willow tree, Max whipped it around as he strolled the grounds, dislodging a few blossoms from the fruit trees. He realized just how angry he had become at the whole situation. The last time he had been this destructive was when his father had told him about the chosen one and the twins obligations. He was only ten at the time and had destroyed a whole tree's blossoms. For that act of petulance he was forced to go without cherries for a whole year as a reminder of how precious supplies were under the curse.

"Damned curse!" he screamed at the sky and the surrounding orchard. So loudly that he heard an echo ring off the castle. He heard a fainter sound which he was sure was the cursed mists laughing at him.

Maximillions dark thoughts turned to the chosen one. Suddenly he realized that she probably had no idea where she was going. He couldn't even remember if she had headed back toward the castle or not. Dropping the switch, he ran back toward the picnic site and tracked her small footprints back to within sight of the castle. "If she's in the castle, then Serena will find her," he said under his breath.

Not that Serena was making things any easier for poor Skye, or for the brothers. Taking off his gloves, and tucking them in his belt, Maximillian began the long climb to the lookout tower. He doubted that Serena would take Skye there, and he hoped that Skye would be too daunted by the seemingly endless open spiral of the staircase to wander there on her own.

Once at the top, the guardsman on watch duty gave him a nod of a bow. Things were informal on the tower, especially as Max would often relieve the guards on duty from the ceaseless watching of the surrounding countryside. Sensing his mood, the guard left without a word. Max looked out over every part of their land and tried to figure out what to do about Skye.

 

[poohlive]

David found himself wandering aimlessly down the castle corridors, searching for something. He hadn't realized until he was in the royal chambers that he was in fact searching for some sort of answer. Although, just finding an answer lying here on the floor of one wing of the castle seemed an impossible task, still he could not help himself from going further.

He saw his father, though, sitting regally on a throne, attending to some guests. David quickly went over, bowing politely and waiting for them to leave. As soon as introductions were made, they did, kindly and politely.

"Yes, is something wrong?"

"I don't... I don't think I'm doing a very good job. With the chosen one. She doesn't seem to like me at all."

"Oh, nonsense now. She's in love with you. All you need to do is remind her of that. It is like that with every chosen woman. They are reluctant simply because they do not understand. Once they do, everything turns out fine."

David gave a far off look, trying to see the horizon from within the castle walls. He started to explain to his father what had happened outside.

"I just... I felt so comfortable with her, you know? Like we could just talk. Everything didn't have to be some stupid ceremony with her. She was just a person, and I was just a person..."

"But you're not, son. And neither is she. You are a prince, the prince, soon to become king of this land. And she is... by all rights a princess. You need to woo her, as any prince would woo a suitor."

David sighed at that. All those ceremonies, all those rules of attire and attitude and what he can say, what he can't. He hated them, he hated them with a passion. Why couldn't they just take a walk...

"Now, you are not to see her. If she wants this to be formal, then tonight we will have a grande ball to celebrate her arrival. You can meet with her there and dance with her. That will be formal enough, and then you two may speak more of your marriage to come."

Speak of their marriage. He just wanted to talk about her world, all the fascinating things, where she had come from, what she was like. In a flash that was gone, replaced by regality and a royal ignorance for feelings. It was a wedding without feelings, as his father kept reminding him. No longer did it matter.

"I shall inform everyone. It will be a fantastic time. We haven't had a grande ball in years. Everyone shall be so excited."

David left the room with a lump in his throat. If this is what she wanted, then this is what she would get. He would woo her the way a prince should. David made his way to his room, looking for an outfit he thought the chosen one might appreciate.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Serena and Skye moved quickly from Serena's chamber, as they went they passed a servant girl, "Hello Your Highness," the girl bowed to Skye and Serena saw Skye's look of confusion and irritation. Serena recognized the royal parchment in the girls hand and quickly stepped in before Skye did or said something that she knew would upset the girl. The girl was all ready looking at the odd clothing that Skye was wearing. "What have you there, Della?" Serena asked as she took the offered missive.

"The King asked that I give this to you Serena," she bowed at Skye and then backed away four steps before turning to leave. Serena raised a brow, "I wonder what is up? I haven't received a missive from the King since the last time I helped the boys bring down the turret flags." She looked up at Skye, "well actually, I didn't really help, they had dared me to take them down, and they didn't think I would do it." Shrugging her shoulders, "That was just a few months ago, you know Skye, I think they like tormenting me. Like I am their sister, and today... well when I left you, it was because I realized I wasn't a sister, nor was I an equal, I am a servant, and I should distance myself from them, since you are here and soon Max will search for his chosen one."

She still held the royal stationary in her hand as the two moved through the castle. "I mentioned you could teach me to be a woman, because I will be married, and I have no clue how to behave near a man, how to draw their attention to me. I need lessons on flirting with a man, because when my father brings back my mate, I want him to like me. So I hope perhaps you can teach me to flirt."

Blushing softly she put the letter from the King in her pocket, and showed Skye the collection of books and paintings the travelers from the past had brought back from their quests. "I hope you will help me become a flirt, I only wish to have my mate like me. But I have no clue how, nor anyone to practice on."

 

[caela]

"I hope you will help me become a flirt, I only wish to have my mate like me. But I have no clue how, nor anyone to practice on."

Looking at Serena to see if she ws serious SKye couldn't help but burst out laughing. She didn't mean to offend her but the irony of her request was far to amusing. When she could finally breath again she looked at Serena with friendly eyes.

"Forgive my outburst but my dea you've so asked the wrong person. You may as well as the sun to teach lessons in stealth as asking me to teach lessons in flirting. Back home I spent my days by myself out on the cliffs or the beach beside the ocean. I'd go days at a time where my only company were seagulls or perhaps a couple of younger children that I'd watch over when they wanted to be daring and climb the cliffs. I don't know anymore about flirting than you do..less most likely because you've at least watched it here I'm sure."

Linking her arm through Serena's she walked down the hall with your and smiled at the sight of all the books though a small frown creased her brow as she thought on something that Serena had said. "Serena, do me a favor and never again think you are less than me or anyone else in this place. You might be a servant and that letter handed to you might be from a King but those are just job titles. At the end of the day your both human and if he (or anyone else) things they are better than you simply because of a job they were born into instead of earning then they are crazy as a loon.

And for future reference you are more my equal than any of them are. I was born to poor parents and today is the first day in my life that I've clothes that didn't belong to someone else first. You'd likely make a better Princess than I will. I'm goin gto have retrain everyone here to not bow to me, it makes me nervous and I don't deserve it."

Glancing down at the letter still in Serena's hand she smiled gently, "So did you get into more mischief for the King to have sent you that or can I ask what it's about?"

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Serena smiled up at her, "You are a nice woman and will make an excellent Princess then one day Queen." She pulled the letter from her pocket, "Oh I don't know what it could be, I really haven't done anything of late." She looked up and wrinkled her brow, "Well.... I did try and catch that chicken that got lose in the thrown room last week, it really wasn't my fault, it had an injured spur and I needed to fix it, I didn't mean for it to get loose and well, it really wasn't my fault it needed to do its business on the Kings throne, but I had cleaned it up granted I grabbed the one of His Highnesses fine silk scarves, but again, I did try... oh I hope he hasn't found some other thing I did that I forgot about."

She peeled off the wax seal and opened the missive. Looking up at Skye her face broke into a grin and then she laughed, "Oh my goodness, you are so not going to like this." She read the missive out loud...

Serena you are to prepare our lovely guest for a welcoming ball. It will be held this evening, and you will need to attend to her so you will be allowed to mingle with the guests, however please refrain from your usual tactics. I trust you will care for the lady as if she were all ready a member of the royal family, please find her the appropriate clothing and jewels for one of our most Gala events. This is a special moment in out lives and we need to make the Chosen One feel welcomed, so I say this with great seriousness ... Serena, do NOT bring any unwanted creatures to this event!!!!

Your Lord and King~

Serena folded the paper back up and put it away, her eyes went to Skye's, "It looks like we can try that art of flirting tonight, and you can flirt with David, and I'll try to be wanton with Max. Wanton, is that the word I want?" She paused in her thoughts and looked up at Skye again, "I get the feeling your not to happy about all this."

 

[caela]

"It looks like we can try that art of flirting tonight, and you can flirt with David, and I'll try to be wanton with Max. Wanton, is that the word I want?" She paused in her thoughts and looked up at Skye again, "I get the feeling your not to happy about all this."

Not happy was puting it mildly. Her face had gone from happy and friendly to dark and closed. Her eyes glittered with annoyance and a flash of anger at the idea of flirting with David. She was still mad at him! He'd acted as if her feelings didn't matter all earlier and she wasn't about to let him off the hook for it until he apologized.

A small voice in the back of her mind whispered, Maybe that wasn't what he meant and you overreacted... but that thought was quickly pushed away. She didn't want to think that perhaps it had been a misunderstanding because than she'd have to apologize too and she was forever apologizing for her temper. That was part of the reason she spent so much time alone back home.

"I'm not happy about it. I don't suppose I can just buck the rules and show up like this can I?" She really didn't want to get dressed up in some big heavy dress and jewels and have her hair done. She felt enough like a fraud as it was without looking like one too.

"Damnit, I am not a Princess. I don't know how to act like one! How on earth am I supposed to behave at a...a...a ball! for christ's sake! I'll just embarass everyone, can't I call in sick or something?"

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Chuckling Serena smiled, "Well I have always stood on the sidelines of them, but I have watched many and tonight I will be allowed to dress in fine clothing and you are so not going to make me do it alone!"

She once again pulled Skye with her, "You know, you really should just tether yourself to me, at least then I'd make sure you wouldn't get angry with the boys."

Serena walked them both back to Skye's room, "We have plenty of time to get ready, so I'll go over a few of the rules for you okay." Once they arrived, she and Skye sat down on the edge of the bed. "You will have to curtsy low to the King and Queen and only partway down to David and Maximillion. Everyone else you can either chose to ignore or just politely nod your hello. There is no one here besides the royal family that out ranks you. There will be several dances and of course beverages and foods to tempt your palate."

She explained how the dances were very common to the dances in her world, and it would be quite simple to follow them. Serena climbed off the bed and mimicked some of the moves. "Eventually, you'll get the hang of it. I haven't danced with a gentleman before, and I don't know what really is expected of me besides staying near you, perhaps I won't get to dance, but at least being there and not on the outside looking in will be nice."

"I'm sorry you are not looking forward to this, and no you can't get sick, or claim a headache. I will stay with you unless you tell me it is okay to leave your side. Please, it will be fun and it really isn't something you can back out of. I will help you claim sickness though if it really is something you can't go to." Serena looked at Skye, wondering if the headstrong woman was going to claim illness and have Serena write a missive to the King informing him of an illness that Skye had suddenly received.

 

[caela]

Skye really wanted to just claim she was sick and couldn't go but Serena seemed so excited and obviously wanted to be a part of the festivites and Skye didn't want to deny her new friend that chance. With a soft sigh she flopped down on the bed and looked at her feet.

"Oh alright we'll go. You're going to have to teach me how to curtsy though, it's not done where I'm from. Where I'm from technically there is no such thing as rank so we don't bow and curtsy and all this other nonsense.

And I can't dance so you're just going to have to do it for me."

Looking up at the closets stuffed with all sorts of dresses, shoes, jewelry and everything else a Princess would need she sighed again. "I think you better choose my outfit Serena, I wouldn't know what to wear, everything in there looks formal to me. I know it's not but well, this is how I am used to being dressed," she said indicating her jeans. "Formal wear is as alien to me as...as cars are to you."

 

[only_more_so]

Maximillian heard the footsteps coming up the stairs long before the page stuck his head up through the trap door. Long enough that his surge of anger at being disturbed had subsided.

The poor boy looked exhausted from all the stairs. "Prince Maximillian, Johann, er that is guardsman Johann, said I could find you up here. The king sent me to find you and let you know there would be a grande ball tonight. It's in honor of the Chosen One's arrival." The boy sat on the top step for a few moments panting, before continuing, "Everyone's talking about it!..."

The boy went on and on talking about all the preparations that were being made, and all the people who were going to be there. He went on for so long that Maximillian was sure he was just making most of the stuff up.

A ball? Skye is as skittish as a colt surrounded by hounds. The last thing she needs is to have a ball. It's probably Serena's idea, that's probably why she left the picnic so quickly. She thinks we aren't treating Skye with the proper respect. Or maybe just as an excuse to have a ball so she can dance.

Max reflected while the page continued to invent new delights that were sure to be at the ball. He particularly reflected on the last time he had danced with Serena, during etiquette training, and her hand kept slipping from his waist to grab his bottom.

"Quint, be a good lad and tell my man Harvey that I'll be there shortly to get ready for the Ball. Also, drop this down the stairs once you're through the trap door." Max said, as he handed him something that looked like a shuttlecock. It was a device they used when the prince wanted to be alone on watch, so they would know when to relieve him.

The boy took the feathered weight and rushed toward the trapdoor. Max heard a pause while the boy let it drop, and then heard the boys feet racing down the stairs. None of the pages had ever managed to beat it down, but they always tried.

"Just great," Max spoke aloud. "An evening dressed in tights, puffy sleaves and silly hats." While trying to figure out what to wear for the evening, that wouldn't pinch or chafe too badly, it suddenly occured to him that codpieces were the latest fashion. *sigh*