ProcessingToDinnerVikundHelenaIndex | Time Under Chaos | Game Logs | Processing to Dinner Introduction | ProcessingToDinnerVikundHelena The Rose Corridor was a long corridor, empty of any people, and lined with windows on one side. The darkness made it impossible to see what it overlooked, but the entire passage, ceiling, wall and floor, were painted with elaborate representation of roses - golden, red, pink, white - which climbed and twisted their way over all the surfaces, vivid in the light of the candelabra that had been placed on the small tables stretching the length of the corridor. Ness turned briefly to Helena. "Nell, it's such sweet sorrow to part with you after being so briefly reunited. But duty calls; I must protect the rest of our guests." Helena grinned at her sister. She then turned fully to Morgan, looked him over appraisingly, then took his arm with a charming smile of her own. "You know, Morgan, you do look fine when you haven't yet spilled anything on yourself. If you weren't a boorish child, we could probably find a host of young ladies who would spend time with you without requiring any payment on your part." Meanwhile Vikund had appeared at Helena's side, all smiles. "I believe the honour of escorting you is mine," he said to her formally. Helena glanced in Amba's direction and saw Ingrey approaching her. Content, she turned back to Vikund and favored him with the same smile Clytemnestra gave Morgan. "The pleasure is mine, Mr. Anansi. May I call you Vikund?" she asked as she took his arm. "Of course you may, dear lady," Vikund answered, patting her arm lightly as she placed it on his. "How are you settling in? Nothing too intimidating for you, I'm sure. And you have your friends to lean on should you need to, don't you?" She nodded absently. "I'm fine, thank you for inquiring. And please call me Helena." "That I shall, if you will call me Vikund," he replied with a smile. "Amber's not quite as barbaric as some might make out," he smiled. "Wouldn't you agree?" Helena glanced at him sideways as they walked, a hint of a smile on her face. "Didn't you have an assassination attempt here this morning?" Vikund made a dismissive gesture with his free hand. "That ranked as entertainment rather than a serious assassination attempt. Besides, assassination is the keystone of Darwinian politics. Government would be stagnant without one every now and then." I see," Helena replied. "How long have you worked for Mandor, Vikund?" "I work for His Majesty," Vikund replied lightly, "and for the good of Amber. The Prime Minister and I work closely, of course. The machinery of government requires it." "To answer you question, I will have served Amber seventy-five years next year. I doubt there will be much of a celebration, but I take a certain pride in that achievement," he continued. "Seventy-five years? That is an accomplishment," Helena replied sincerely. It was certainly much longer than she'd even been alive. Mild awe was replaced with a sudden frown as she considered something. "Is that how long the current regime has been in power?" "You would have to add another twenty years to that score to get to the length of His Majesty's glorious reign. Much as I would like to claim some credit, I was but a mewling infant at the time of his coronation," Vikund answered cheerily. "Ninety-five years..." Helena glanced at her sister in front of them, frowned slightly again, then looked away. "The roses here are beautiful," she commented, "and I look forward to exploring the architectural features and design of the castle in greater detail. Though I've seen little of the castle so far, what I have seen is reminiscent of home." "The roses are beautiful," Vikund admitted with a smile, "but the thorns are deadly." "So I've heard," Helena replied. She seemed unconcerned. "There is a lot of castle to explore," he said. "I can't honestly say I know every stone, despite spending most of my time here. It's a fascinating place." "Wonderful! I shall start as soon as dinner is over..." Helena lowered her voice so only Vikund could hear. "...unless it's required I attend yet another social event. Do you know what's on the agenda after this, or even how long this event will last?" "The event will go on interminably," Vikund answered in kind, "but fortunately His Majesty has a low pain threshold when it comes to such things. Take your cue from him. When His Majesty departs, you may do also. Just mind that your father doesn't trap you. Shall I try to cover your escape?" Helena laughed lightly. "If necessary. My thanks." "No thanks necessary," Vikund responded. "These functions are part of my duty, as is creating the illusion I find them something other than a dreadful bore. Present company excepted, of course," he smiled. "So how went the reunion with your sister? Pleasant, I trust," he asked. "Quite," Helena replied quickly. "Ness and I were very close before we were separated. Seeing her again has been like looking at my own face in the mirror and having it be both wholly recognizable and yet disquietingly unfamiliar at the same time--a little unsettling, but in a good way, I hope. I've missed her." "Understandable," Vikund said sympathetically. "When was the last time you saw her?" "We were four. Do you have any siblings, Vikund? I believe I've heard of a half-brother, Martin." "I've heard of him too, but he is not family," Vikund replied. "I have long recognised I forge my own path in the world. For you, it must have been difficult. Being twins... so close, yet so far away." Several responses suggested themselves to her—one sarcastic, one angry, one heartfelt—but Helena chose to remain silent on the matter. She turned and looked forward. "I forge my own path in the world—I will remember that." Vikund smiled. "Not a lofty goal, perhaps, but an honest one. I hope your loved ones remain true, and then the path you choose will be much brighter. Don't let an old curmudgeon like me spoil your party." She shook her head, dismissing his concerns. "You've been aces—don't mind me. It's just been a very...full...day, and I'm still processing." "Don't worry. Despite what your aunt may say, there's no exam," Vikund grinned. Helena laughed again. "Then I'll stop writing crib notes on my palm. What a relief." At this point they found themselves in the dining room, where a large board near the doorway indicated the positions where they would be seated. "Ah, here we are," Vikund said, as if every new doorway was an adventure. The family of Amber and their guests arrived in the larger family dining room—a large, oak-panelled room, rich and mellow with gleaming silver and candlelight contrasted with the rich, mellow wood. To the right of the door there was an easel, which held a sheet of parchment setting out the seating arrangement. Unusually for one of Flora's organised events, the ink appeared to be gleaming in the candlelight, as though it was still a little wet. "Oh dear," Vikund sighed melodramatically. "Looks like I'm in trouble. Still, if the stories about my father are true, baiting Auntie Flora is an old family tradition. I will suffer the consequences with good grace." "Amber Rule #1: Don't get on the bad side of Aunt Flora?" she asked. He escorted Helena to her seat and pulled out the chair for her. "Thank you," she replied, seating herself and looking around discreetly. She smiled at her twin, across and down the table, who was too far away to carry on a conversation. Helena suppressed a sigh and waited for dinner to begin. "Courage!" Vikund whispered to Helena as he departed, grinning contentedly. If the new seating arrangements had unsettled him, he gave no indication. He took the scenic route to his seat, pausing only to adjust one of the napkins on his way past, traversing the head of the table past the hostess and then to his own seat. He guessed Flora was watching him even if she was pretending not to, and cast a wink in her direction. |
