PhoenixFromTheAshes[Continued from Sins Best Forgotten] At the beginning of Coronation Day, Gillian hand't known the serving women beyond their names - Roowyn and Brassana. But within the two hours of dress preparation and fitting, they knew every inch of her more intimately than the Almighty. Like some doll, she'd been stripped, dressed, stripped, and dressed again. And fawned over, time and time again. Make-up and hair applied with the protracted precision of some arcane ritual. Princess Flora's memory - and influence - remained as strong as ever. "Wine," Gillian whispered, her eyes pleading toSeabhac. "Lots of it." In the corner, Seabhac snickered unreservedly - delighting in her regal suffering. Now and again, he'd suggest additions. Thought even the Brassana and Roowyn drew the line at ruffles for their 'Creation.' "Did I say wine? I meant whiskey." They briefly retreated from the room to check on the status of the carpet in the throne room - color-coordinating the flowers Gillian was to carry. Seabhac straightened his officer's uniform; crisp and clean, darkly colored. "You look magnificent, you know." "I feel like I belong on top of a cake," she countered. "I had to say no to Roowyn wanting to put the colored goopy stuff on my eyelashes. But you...now you clean up quite nicely." Gillian smoothed out the front of Seabhac's uniform jacket and stood on tiptoe to bite his lower lip playfully. "You look almost respectable." "Almost? Hah. I'm always respectable," he said, growling wickedly. "But keep that up, and the Wonder Twins will need to redress you from scratch." His 'respectable' hand tugged playful on the strings of her corset, threatening to release a barely-contained torrent of bodice and boobage. She entangled his roaming hand in her own and relocated it to her hip. Less damage he could do there. Probably. He smiled at her, cocking his head. "How you doing, angel? You've seemed more gloomy than usual. And not because you've been dressed and tussled up like a holiday turkey." Gillian stepped away to inspect herself in the full-length mirror brought in for the occasion. Her hands readjusted her bodice with little direction from her mind, which was somewhere else entirely. "There are laws, and due process, and just because we're part of the royal family does not mean we're exempt, right?" “As much as we’d like to believe otherwise,” he replied, nodding. His hand touched her shoulder, fluffing a ruffle. “Still, we are Lords and Ladies of Creation. Our passions can get the best of us, untempered by the rules of heaven. We have only ourselves to answer to. And each other.” He smiled at her in the mirror, “You’re beautiful, you know that?” Trumpets blared distantly, calling them to the Great Hall. Seabhac sighed softly, but smiled just as quickly. “We have our Duties. But we’ll face them together, yes?” Gillian felt surprised at how very relieved she was at the interruption. She returned his smile in the mirror. "Yes. We'll face them together. Let's go." The Grand Hall hummed with a thousand hushed voices. Nobles and commoners alike were pressed into the vast room, forming two lines of from the entrance of the Main Hall to the farthest end. Their varied membership originated from throughout Amber, the Golden Circle, and the Courts of Chaos. In another time, such a display would have been foreign, almost unthinkable. But nothing brought people together like shared tragedy and mutual celebration. Amongst their ranks were special guests - the friends and family of the Honored. Gillian’s mother and brother were accompanied by Lord Feldane, currently talking softly with Cynwyd’s mother and father. Lady Karm and Perondors were in the row ahead of them - joined by a mauve-skinned Rebman woman, who hug onto Deric’s arm. Despite Lady Karm’s boisterousness, an air of discomfort hung around the ground. Temnal’s father and the Baroness were beside them, enjoying a more pleasant conversation with the Emperor Merlin. Even Joao’s mother was present, but still dressed in Rebman mourning garb. She was surrounded by the Rebman contingent, at the back of the room. Dozens of colorful banners were hung from the marble pillars - fluttering slowly even without a breeze. They announced alliances, new and old. Great houses and bloodlines forged during what had become widely-known as The Fall. In many ways, the room’s display harkened back to the days of Oberon and the beginning of Amber. A renaissance raised upon the bones of old. A long carpet ran between the massed crowd, green with white trim. The Royal Family stood at the end of it; atop a tiered, podium that allowed all to see them. They were dressed in their most regal outfits, recognizing the monumental moment they now shared. King Random led them, his wife a step behind him, her hand resting supportively again his back. To the right, a band filled the orchestra pit. They waited patiently for the signaled arrival of the guests of honor to the Great Hall. Rhea waited in the Main Hall, nervously adjusting her flowing dress. “I’m sure they’d all understand if I called this off. They look like an understanding group.” Cole nodded. "I'm sure you're right. But then they wouldn't get to see you in that gorgeous dress. The damage to morale might cause the economy to collapse. We wouldn't want that." He took her hands in his own and looked into her eyes, smiling. "You are the strongest woman in the universe. You stared down the avatar of its destruction. This? It's a party. It'll be fun. Those people love you almost as much as I do." He gave her a tiny kiss on the forehead, the only place where he might not disturb any makeup. "But not quite." Rhea blushed brightly, smiling. "I think I preferred staring into the mouth of Hell. It was less judgmental." A sly quirk rose at the corners of her lips. "Still, I get to see you in uniform. I guess that makes up for the dreadful knowledge that all I'll be seeing for centuries to come are Hawaiian t-shirts. I swear, you've the fashion sense of a tornado-struck Goodwill store. But I still love you." "Let's compromise," Cole said with a laugh. "You commission a comfortable uniform in a bright floral print, and I will wear it every day." “Ah yes. His Lordship of Eyesore,” she quipped. “You can distract the arriving dignitaries, so negotiations go our way more easily.” Pelageya had found a variety of dresses thanks to the efforts of Rhea. She had thoughtfully (and perhaps with a bit of research) managed to get the colors and style to fit a vassal of a High Chaosian lady, to wit, the Baroness. It was an off the shoulder dress, form fitting, but formal. She approached Cole and Rhea, bowing low to both of them. "Thank you for your hospitality and kindness." she began to Rhea. Even though she was more than half-Chaosian, Rebman instincts still held within her. "And I understand that congratulations are in order?" she added, encompassing both Rhea and Cole in her gaze. Rhea grinned in welcome, moving to hug Pelageya as best their bustles could allow. "Well, it's just an honorary title really. Not that it doesn't make me want to throw up. Again." She breathed out, managing a smile. "And how are you, Lady Pelageya, Royal Matador of Amber?" "Royal Matador?" she quirked her lips into a smile. "The healers did not tell me that title and rank had been assigned to me. Although it is of far less import than yours." She quirked an eyebrow in Cole's direction. "After all, keeping *him* in line is a big job in itself, I'd think." She gave Cole a smile. Cole held up his hands. "I've reformed, I don't cause trouble anymore. Mostly by making myself scarce whenever she has work to do. And if she asks nicely, I'll even take her dad with me." “Wouldn’t that be a treat?” Rhea smirked. “Of course, I’d spend half my time wondering what glorious hell he and my father were unleashing on Creation.” She lightly nudged Cole’s arm, grinning - unashamed of her obvious love for him. Pelageya showed her pleasure for this with a smile. She had lost Martin, and Sekhmet, both. But they had not lost each other. Not all that was good had been destroyed in victory. For once, Cynwyd was not 'fashionably late' as was his norm. It could have something to do with the Baroness- as he lounged awaiting the time to start his change into something befitting the occasion, her statement that she'd keep the in-laws entertained as they awaited his arrival did more than any number of hints about the time to get him into gear. But even in a hurry- and especially for such a gathering- he had to dress in an appropriately 'Cynwyd' fashion. A white silk vest adorned with subtle patterns of blossoms set off the light olive of his tailored silk pants and slippers. A long black silk overcoat with a nehru collar made it even more subtle than it might have otherwise been, though the layers of fine pearls on his neck under the collar tempered that. Though his original intent had not been to participate in this particular part- though he liked being a spectacle at times, he didn't like being part of a spectacle- now that he was here, he made his way towards Rhea and Cole. Having not had a chance to talk to either since the battle, it was probably appropriate... or at least as appropriate as he allowed. Standing to the side, he waited for Rhea to finish her greeting of Pelageya, his hands clasped behind his back. Pelageya turned slightly, and regarded Cynwyd. "Cynwyd." she said. "Come, join us." She gestured with a hand. Standing less on formality, Cole strode over to Cynywd and wrapped him in a bear hug. "Good to see you, Brother." Rhea waved at Cynwyd, but remained behind - allowing the brothers their shared moment. Though a little discomfited by how well Cole had integrated Finndo, Cynwyd enjoyed the moment. "Good to see you too," he responded, as he tried to regain his feet. He smiled genuinely, waving back at Rhea. Looking back to the other man with an appraising eye, he remarked, "It seems forever since we've seen each other. You look... at peace. More than I've seen you in a while." Cole smiled. "Nobody around seems to need stabbing at the moment, and school's on hiatus for the time being. So all that's available for me to do draw sketches, practice music, and distract the new regent. Debauchery is good for me." "And how about you? You also seem at peace, moreso I think than I've ever seen you. Like some sort of weight had been lifted. Of course, I hear that there's a lady you're involved with that might have something to do with that." He looked around. "She didn't come?" "Oh no!" Cywnyd laughed. "I don't think there's anything that could have kept her away from this." "She's over there," he said motioning towards where the Baroness was mingling- a motion that turned into a slight wave as she smiled. "I don't think she ever isn't aware of where I am," Cynwyd added bemused. "Just trying to keep her from my parents," he said, and the familiar irony there was gone, and he was surprised at his absence. "Maybe not peace," Cynwyd said, turning back to Cole. "But at least... acceptance. I guess that's enough after everything." "So, any plans for the wedding?" he asked, playfully elbowing Cole. "Um, plans to make plans," Cole said. "She's really busy right now. The only plan I know for certain is that the wedding cake will have raspberry jam and chocolate ganache inside." His face fell. "Maybe that's not important anymore." Temnal, arriving at just that moment, smiled to see their greeting. His long, straight-fronted white robe, a more or less happy wedding of the academic and the priestly, was rich with gold embroidery, a phoenix displayed on the breast flanked by a rampant unicorn to the dexter and an intricately coiled serpent to the sinister side. He moved over to greet Rhea first, with a deep bow. "My lady." “Lord Temnal,” she said, smiling in welcome. She crossed to hug him tightly, although cognizant of her make-up. They’d shared something the others could not hope to understand - expect, perhaps, Gillian. So, it made sense that her smile transformed into a frown of concern. “You look tired,” she said. Pelageya trailed in Rhea's wake, allowing Cynwyd and Cole their moment of privacy. She curtsied as she approached Temnal. "Hello Temnal" she said, and then quieted, Rhea's questioning mirroring her own. "At least I'm conscious now," Temnal pointed out to Rhea and Pelageya. "And no longer skeletal." "I had a long recuperation period of my own." Pelageya said to Temnal. "My recovery was not at all certain, either." Rhea smiled, and offered Temnal a sisterly hug. "I'm glad you're rested. I was worried about the toll you endured. Please, if the festivities later grow tiresome, do make your excuses. There'll be so much going on, few will be upset about your absence." She nodded to Pelageya, "The same goes for you. No pushing yourself." Temnal returned Rhea's hug. "Joy and festivity is likely to sustain rather than drain me," he observed with a smile. One of the hall doors opened; Seabhac stepping through with Gillian in tow. They were arm in arm, looking rather dashing as a couple – the height of Amber Fashion. Despite this, Gillian looked thoroughly miserable, fighting with her bodice and train as if she were in the grips of some Nyx-empowered beast. Seabhac grinned at the others, “I deliver onto you a vision of loveliness. Oh, and Gillian too…” Gillian thwacked him good-naturedly. Seabhac grimaced and moaned most pathetically, "The abuse I take." He supplemented his display with a light kiss on her cheek, making sure not to mar her exquisitely-painted blush. Pelageya turned to regard Seabhac and Gillian. She curtsied again. Temnal accorded them a bow that partly hid his amused smile. "Hello again, Gillian. Seabhac." [Pelageya] looked at Gillian. "Are you having difficulty? I confess I am still rather unpracticed in such things, or else I would offer aid." "It looks like you're getting the curtsying down right," Gillian replied. She winced and surreptitiously reached down her bodice to adjust something or other. "Roowyn and Brassana miss Princess Florimel. I'm providing therapy. It's a public service. "So what are your plans after the coronation? It's a brave, new world out there. What do you want to do?" "It's a wide universe out there." Pelageya agreed. "Something Etrosk and I were discussing as I was recuperating in shadow, actually" she explained. "I still owe fealty to the Baroness, and I believe she will want me here, for the nonce. And even if I wanted to walk from Pole to Pole, one would best begin at the beginning. And this is one of the two beginnings of such a trip." "Are you happy, Gillian?" she asked. "Having power and knowledge you could only wish for, back when we were students trying to complete assignments, with a secret lab and everything." She smiled at the memory. Gillian paused, taken aback a bit by the surgical precision with which the question cut through the protective layers of B.S. she'd wrapped herself with today. She was spared from having to formulate an answer when behind them, Malachi and a young, blonde woman entered. Malachi wore a Ranger's uniform - a crisp, dark outfit tailored to perfection. She wore a dress of simple elegance - outlining her petite frame in soft colors. Gone were the pale features and sad eyes they'd witnessed upon first meeting her so long ago - the Princess Mirelle now vibrant and beautiful. And ridiculously happy, despite her nervous demeanor. Rhea's grin broadened, and she crossed the foyer to greet them. "Malachi. Auntie." Mirelle laughed, covering her mouth shyly. "That will take so getting used to, I think." "Welcome back, Mirelle," Gillian smiled. "Hello Mirelle" Pelageya turned to face Malachi and Mirelle. "Mirelle, Malachi," Temnal greeted the couple with a smile. "It is good to see you both ... together in the way you wished to be." Cole turned to Mirelle. "Wait a minute. If you're here...." He looked back and forth between her and Malachi. "Does that mean? Um, is Bob still alive? I mean, Dworkin? I, um, sort of killed him, I thought." Pelageya turned toward Cole in confusion. Gillian turned to Cole and blinked. "YOU KILLED DWORKIN?" "I'm sure it must have seemed like a good idea at the time," Temnal noted mildly. "Not really," Cole replied, looking embarrassed. Rhea grimaced, shooting a scathing look at Cole. "What? You couldn't have waited until a more appropriate moment? Say the middle of the ceremony?" The guards stiffened at her voice, and several of the guests in the Great Hall turned their heads. A low murmur spread through them, their eyes focused on the foyer. Seabhac smiled sadly, "Want to try again, Gilly? I think some of the people in the front row missed that." "Don't freak out," Cynwyd said. "You know him as well as the rest of us do... if Cole did indeed to it, it was only temporary, I'm sure. An inconvenience at best." "And continuing on that path, you're making the natives restless," he said, sidling closer to her, and directing her to look at the faces in the crowd. "Ask him later, if you will. But give them their due, for now." Gillian glanced at the guests, then frowned at Cwynwd, but she let Cole be. Rhea offered Cynwyd a thankful smile, "Yes. I suppose I should begin the ceremony. Let me inform the guard." She left to speak with the guard, exchanging some quiet words. He nodded and went to inform the band to begin the entry march. Mirelle chewed her lip, "He was in the grove where Malachi found me. He helped us. Let me go." She grew thoughtful. "He did seem... saner than usual." "Perhaps he, too, has found some peace in all this." Pelageya ventured. "That's a relief," Cole mumbled. Rhea returned to the conversation, "I've informed them that we're ready to begin. I'll go in first. Father will do speech and then introduce me as the new Regent-in-waiting." She nearly choked on the title, shaking her head in disbelief. "Then, my first 'formal' duty will be to welcome each of you. Come in when your name is called and wait up at the front. Best game faces. I'll then do my little scepter-waving and name each of you Protector of Amber. People clap. Done. Then a very stiff drink and something sweet and fattening." Seabhac smirked, "Don't forget the Schmoozing. And Obligatory Ass-kissing." Rhea blanched. "Yeah. That too." She glanced around, "Everyone ready to become part of history?" "Da. I am ready." Pelageya said. "Even if we are already part of history." She smiled slightly, covering her slight nervousness. She wasn't Amberian, and was only partly Rebman at this point. She was different, distinctly so. And then she rolled her shoulders. Pride, Binah would have told her. Respect. Represent. For the Baroness, For Herself. "We'll be there," Temnal assured Rhea. Cole gave her a hug. "No problem. If you get too anxious, imagine that everyone in the crowd has drawn swords and is coming to kill you. You know, so they won't seem as scary." "That could lead to inadvertent bloodshed." Pelageya noted with a smile. "Well it couldn't be any worse than Cole," Cynwyd said, barely restraining a smile. "For him, it would be advertent bloodshed." "Bad joke, I know," he replied clapping the other man on the shoulder. "Are we ready to do this?" [Continued in Phoenix from the Ashes Part 2] |
