Coming to Amber: TashaTasha was in her very favourite place when the momentous message arrived. She wandered the garden breathing in the scents and enjoying the freedom that being in the garden allowed. Though she had been in Chaos for two years, she was still not used to how her life had changed in that short time. There were moments, like now, where she could almost imagine herself back in Darkmoore walking the path from the village to her Gran's cottage. But the gardens here were missing the loamy scent of Darkmoore, and there was the smell of unfamiliar flowers, as well, that broke the illusion. Her keen hearing became aware of the crunch of boots on gravel, and she paused along the path to see who else was wandering in the garden. Tasha smiled in greeting as the person approached. It was her mother's maid, a quick-tempered woman who was rumoured to have demon blood (Tasha's mother swore those preternaturally long fingers and nails were perfect for arranging her hair in the elaborate curls and whorls that fashion demanded). "There's an invitation come for you," this individual said, with a sniff. "Your mother wishes to see you immediately." Tasha's blue eyes opened wide, "An invitation? Is it to a dinner party? A ball?" Tasha asked as she followed the maid back to where Tabitha waited. She had just sat down for tea, as she was seated at a small table on the veranda; a tea pot and two cups were in front of her, along with a plate of finger sandwiches. Tasha approached and waited to be invited to join her... or not. Her mother held something in her hand - a strange-looking piece of card, with writing on it in elegant Thari. Hersuspicious gaze suggested that it might bite her if she was careless. "It's from Lord Mandor, the Prime Minister in our province of Amber," she said. "He invites you for a visit. And this ... " She tapped at a small, black road pebble. "This is from Lord Despil, his brother. He invites you to dinner, tomorrow night." "Me? Visit... Amber?" Tasha rocked onto the balls of her feet and then back, with a happy smile. "And dinner tomorrow with Lord Despil?" Tasha suddenly looked nervous, "Did you say 'me' to dinner? Alone? Are you and father not coming?" "No," said her mother, her expression suddenly calculating. "We need to decide what you should wear ... Something simple. Plain, even. "And no, you won't be alone. Your father and I won't be there, but I understand there will be some other young ladies of Chaos. And visitors too. From Amber." "How about the white dress?" Tasha asked, feeling anxious. "Other young ladies of Chaos?" she mused. "Have I met them before? Are any of my cousins, going?" Tasha felt her chest tighten. She would be alone; there wouldn't be anyone there she would know, whom she could look to to give her clues as to what would be expected of her. Her mother shot a swift, frowning look at her, and then gave a decisive shake of her head. "No, I believe not. These will be unknown to you. And the white dress will be perfect." She rose to her feet. "We do not have a great deal of time." Tasha felt confused, "Time? To select a dress? But the dinner is tomorrow...." "There are a lot of preparations to be made," said her mother. "Who knows how soon after the dinner they will want to leave for Amber? You must have your wardrobe prepared ... and other preparations made as well." Tasha nodded. It was what was expected of her. She had been instructed that it was her duty to go to Amber, if and when an invitation arrived. But now that the advent was nearly upon her, she found she would rather prefer remaining in Chaos. There was still so much to learn! Tasha giggled nervously, "Of course I will, Mother. I will try my best to represent House Minobee to the best of my abilities." She so wanted her mother to be proud of her! Her mother smiled - but nmow there was a faint hint of concern. "Tasha ... " she began - and then she smiled, shaking her head. "Let's sort out your wardrobe," she said firmly, rising to her feet. Tasha followed her mother, though threw a sad look back at the uneaten tea. They went up the long formal staircase... Tasha didn't say a thing as she knew Tabitha wouldn't hear of taking a back stairwell even if it were closer. Then down the long hallway, past the bedrooms where her siblings slept, and past the nursery where they played. Tasha envied them a bit, being able to grow up here surrounded by all this splendor. It still amazed her as she looked at all the gilt-framed portraits hanging along the walls, that this was her family. At the end of the hall, they came to the door that led to the rooms that Tasha called her own. Somehow the maids already knew of their imminent arrival, for not only was Tasha's own maid waiting, but two others as well. Tasha smiled at the maids. They seemed very excited. Tasha stared at the huge trunk that had been deposited in the middle of her bedroom floor. It stood open, waiting to be filled with whatever items her mother deemed appropriate. Wishing to be helpful, Tasha opened her wardrobe and began to pull some frocks out herself. She stopped with a green dress in her hand, laying it over her arm, she turned to her mother, "This is one of my favorite party dresses. I haven't had a chance to wear it yet, do you think it would be all right for Amber?" She reached out her long, pale hand to stroke Tasha's fair hair. "There were secrets in Darkmore that you will carry to Amber, my precious." Tasha giggled nervously, "Of course I will, Mother. I will try my best to represent House Minobee to the best of my abilities." She so wanted her mother to be proud of her! Her mother smiled - but now there was a faint hint of concern. "Tasha ... " she began - and then she smiled, shaking her head. "Let's sort out your wardrobe," she said firmly, rising to her feet. Tasha followed her mother, though threw a sad look back at the uneaten tea. They went up the long formal staircase... Tasha didn't say a thing as she knew Tabitha wouldn't hear of taking a back stairwell even if it were closer. Then down the long hallway, past the bedrooms where her siblings slept, and past the nursery where they played. Tasha envied them a bit, being able to grow up here surrounded by all this splendor. It still amazed her as she looked at all the gilt-framed portraits hanging along the walls, that this was her family. At the end of the hall, they came to the door that led to the rooms that Tasha called her own. Somehow the maids already knew of their imminent arrival, for not only was Tasha's own maid waiting, but two others as well. Tasha smiled at the maids. They seemed very excited. Tasha stared at the huge trunk that had been deposited in the middle of her bedroom floor. It stood open, waiting to be filled with whatever items her mother deemed appropriate. Wishing to be helpful, Tasha opened her wardrobe and began to pull some frocks out herself. She stopped with a green dress in her hand, laying it over her arm, she turned to her mother, "This is one of my favorite party dresses. I haven't had a chance to wear it yet, do you think it would be all right for Amber?" Her mother looked at it in horror. "No! Tasha - in that dress, you would be taken for a woman grown and experienced. This ... this will be better." She drew out a dress Tasha had set aside two years ago as being too little girl. "There - that will be perfect!" Tasha gasped, but quickly hid her dismay, "That's what they wear in Amber?" "It's what you will wear in Amber," said her mother firmly. The maids, seeing the mistress's choice, immediately set to work to find other 'perfect' dresses to display for her approval. In the event, her mother proved right - a day was barely long enough to make all the preparations - when only the last of them was to prepare Tasha for the dinner party. Indeed, it seemed no time at all before the demon butler announced that the carriage was ready to convey Tasha to Lord Despil's Ways. END OF THREAD.
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