"Then, My Lady," Veles intoned, his voice a velvety cadence that resonated with both respect and affection. With the poised grace of a seasoned diplomat, he initiated a choreography honed by years of practice. His fingertips, light as thistledown, brushed against Luxana's elbow, guiding her hand into his waiting grasp. His other arm swept behind him with effortless elegance, his stance a study in controlled power and deferential homage. Bending at the waist, he executed the age-old ritual – the press of lips against the back of her hand, a symbolic gesture that honored both her royal lineage and the enduring intimacy of their bond.
KISS? A KISS? A KISS OF ALL THE THINGS TO DO?
Sweet merciful heavens, Veles! We're not fifteen anymore! I'm MARRIED! To an ASSASSIN! With SWORDS! And RITUALS about this sort of thing!
Did he forget I have a husband who literally collects the heads of men just because he was bored? The secret ducal executioner has a MONTHLY QUOTA!
And he does this with his usual smug face too! That same insufferable smirk from when he'd "accidentally" set the training dummies on fire instead of following proper magic protocol.
I swear by all the gods, this man has the survival instincts of a drunk lemming. Does he WANT to be blood-food? Is this some elaborate suicide plan?
Myla's eyebrows are practically in her hairline right now. Mylo looks like he's calculating escape routes. Meanwhile I'm standing here with my hand tingling like I'm fifteen again and not the QUEEN OF THE REALM.
If anyone finds out about this, I'll be attending Veles' funeral by next week. They won't even find all the pieces to bury.
Why couldn't we just have cake? Normal friends eat CAKE when they reunite. They don't commit casual SUICIDE!
Just smile, Luxana. Smile and pretend this is totally normal and not at all making your heart do that weird flippy thing it hasn't done since you were fifteen.
(Currently, Luxana is 18 and Cillian is 21)
Luxana's countenance blossomed into a radiant smile, a gesture of nonchalance that belied the swiftness with which she extricated her hand from Veles' grasp. The movement, executed with the fluid grace of a dancer, spoke volumes of her self-assurance and the delicate balance of their relationship.
"AHEM AHEM." Mylo's voice cut through the air, a deliberate disruption of the moment. His words tumbled forth with the subtlety of a stampede, "As this cow dung was saying, since, everyone is enjoying let's also go to brothel in Domino!"
The proclamation hung in the air for a heartbeat before Luxana's eyes widened, twin pools of astonishment reflecting the moonlight. The shock that rippled across her features was palpable, a testament to the audacity of Mylo's suggestion.
Myla's reaction was as swift as it was vehement. "BROTHEL? HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND, OLD GRANDPA?" Her words exploded into the night, accompanied by a resounding smack as her hand connected with Mylo's shoulder. The force of the blow sent ripples through the fabric of his clothing, a physical manifestation of her indignation.
Mylo recoiled, his face contorting into an expression of exaggerated pain and outrage. "HEYY!!! WATCH IT YOU POOP LOOKING DOG!" he retorted, his free hand flying to cradle his assaulted shoulder. His visage twisted into what could only be described as a 'nyram' expression, a curious blend of pain, annoyance, and feigned injury.
Myla's eyes flashed dangerously, her voice rising to match Mylo's in volume and intensity. "POOP LOOKING DOG? WHO ARE YOU CALLING A 'POOP LOOKING DOG'? LOOK AT YOU, SOON-TO-BE-DEAD LOOKING GRANDPA WHO PROBABLY NEVER GOT MARRIED IN ALL HIS 100 YEARS OF LIFE!" The words burst forth in a torrent, each syllable dripping with righteous indignation and barely contained mirth. "Did you finally lose the few brain cells you had left after falling from that tree as a kid? At least I don't need a magnifying glass to find my reflection in a spoon, you prune-faced fossil!"
"PRUNE-FACED FOSSIL?" Mylo sputtered, his face turning an alarming shade of red. "That's rich coming from someone who looks like they were drawn by a committee! And for your information, I fell out of that tree because you dared me to climb it in the first place, you little gremlin!" He punctuated his words with a dramatic flourish, pointing an accusatory finger at Myla.
"Oh, so now it's my fault you have the coordination of a newborn giraffe?" Myla shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Maybe if you spent less time trying to impress pigeons with your 'athletic prowess' and more time taking care of your looks, you wouldn't resemble a deflated leather sack!"
"A DEFLATED LEATHER SACK?" Mylo shrieked, clutching his chest in mock offense. "I'll have you know that I'm a man of distinguished character, a veritable connoisseur of fine arts and sophisticated conversation! Something you wouldn't understand even if it slapped you in the face with a velvet glove!"
"Oh, please," Myla scoffed, rolling her eyes so dramatically Luxana was surprised they didn't pop out of her head. "The only 'fine art' you appreciate is the art of napping in public places, and the only 'sophisticated conversation' you engage in is with the squirrels in the park! And even they look bored half the time!"
The absurdity of the situation proved too much for Luxana. A giggle bubbled up from deep within her chest, quickly escalating into full-blown laughter. She bent slightly at the waist, one hand pressed against her stomach as if to contain the mirth threatening to overflow. Haha...how did I forget these two never get along? The thought flitted through her mind, a fond realization that only fueled her amusement. Her attempts to conceal her laughter proved futile, the joyous sound spilling forth uncontrollably as she watched her dear friends bicker with the unrestrained passion of children half their age.
"HAAAAH." Veles' sigh cut through the cacophony, a sound of fond exasperation. "3 years and yet no change or difference," he mumbled, his words barely audible above the ongoing squabble. With a fluid motion, he reached out and grasped Myla's shoulder, pulling her back against his chest with gentle but firm insistence. The sudden movement caused Myla's head to tilt back, coming to rest against Veles' broad chest.
"That's enough," Veles intoned, his gaze fixed upon Myla from his superior height. Myla, caught off guard by the sudden proximity, tilted her head further back, her eyes seeking out Veles' in a moment of silent communication.
The atmosphere shifted perceptibly as Mylo's posture stiffened, his eyes narrowing to slits as he observed the tableau before him. The playful banter of moments ago evaporated, replaced by a palpable tension that crackled in the air like static electricity.
Luxana's transformation was instantaneous and profound. The mirth that had softened her features mere seconds ago vanished, replaced by a mask of steely determination. With a grace that belied the force behind her movements, she stepped forward, her hand closing around Myla's arm. In a single, fluid motion, she extracted Myla from Veles' embrace and propelled her towards Mylo. The action was so swift, so unexpected, that Myla's hands instinctively shot out, grasping at Mylo's shoulders in a desperate bid to regain her equilibrium. Mylo, still caught in the throes of his earlier tension, flinched at the sudden contact.
Luxana's voice, when it came, was a study in controlled fury. "Maintain appropriate distance, particularly from individuals who have not solicited your intervention." The words were delivered with a chilling calm, each syllable precisely enunciated, carrying the weight of royal decree. Her expression remained impassive, a stark contrast to the emotional maelstrom that had preceded it.
The effect of Luxana's words and actions reverberated through the moonlit chamber with the force of a thunderclap. A collective shiver, as palpable as the night breeze, rippled through the trio. Their countenances, once animated by mirth and playful banter, now bore the unmistakable imprint of perplexity, their eyes wide with a mixture of awe and trepidation.
"Well then," Luxana's voice cut through the tension, her tone shifting from regal authority to unbridled enthusiasm. She pivoted gracefully, her gaze falling upon Mylo and Myla, still entangled in their inadvertent embrace. "Let's go to the Night Festival!" she exclaimed, her face illuminated by a smile as radiant as the celestial orb hanging in the velvet sky. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as they locked onto Mylo, whose visage had transformed into a canvas of crimson, his hands frozen in place upon Myla's waist.
Myla, in stark contrast to Mylo's flustered state, stood impassive, seemingly unaffected by the intimate proximity. With a fluid motion, she pressed her palms against Mylo's shoulders, creating a space between them as she stepped back. Her body rotated with practiced ease, aligning herself to face Luxana fully. A smile, mirroring the princess's in its brilliance, blossomed across her features, a silent communication of shared excitement.
Veles, who had remained a silent observer to this rapid succession of events, exhaled a weary sigh. It was a sound that spoke volumes of resignation and perhaps a hint of amusement at the mercurial nature of his companions. Then, with a swiftness that belied his earlier stillness, he set into motion a sequence of events that defied conventional understanding.
In the span of a heartbeat, the very fabric of reality seemed to ripple and fold. The moonlit chamber, with its diaphanous curtains and balcony bathed in silver light, dissolved into a kaleidoscope of swirling colors. When the world reasserted itself, the quartet had vanished, leaving behind only the whisper of the breeze and the fading echo of Luxana's enthusiastic proclamation.
-Night Festival in Domino-
As the very fabric of reality shimmered and reformed, depositing them at the bustling heart of the Night Festival, an additional transformation occurred, subtle yet significant. Gone were their noble attire, replaced by garments more befitting the common folk that thronged the festival grounds. Luxana's regal gown had morphed into a simple, yet elegant, dress of deep indigo, embroidered with silver thread that caught the lantern light. Mylo's tailored coat was now a sturdy, practical tunic of earthy brown, paired with comfortable trousers. Myla's flowing robes had become a charming ensemble of layered skirts and a fitted bodice in shades of forest green. Even Veles' usually impeccable attire softened into a dark, unassuming set of clothes that allowed him to blend seamlessly into the background.
Mylo, ever pragmatic, shrugged. "Better to blend in, eh? Wouldn't want to attract unwanted attention."
With their new disguises in place, they were ready to fully immerse themselves in the wonders of the Night Festival. The transformation, seemingly effortless, added another layer of enchantment to the already magical evening. And now, properly attired for the common enjoyment of the festival, they set forth to experience its delights.
The quartet materialized at the heart of the Night Festival, their senses immediately overwhelmed by the vibrant tapestry of life unfolding before them. Lanterns of every conceivable hue swayed gently in the evening breeze, casting a warm, ethereal glow over the bustling crowd below. The air was thick with a symphony of sounds - the laughter of children, the calls of vendors, and the distant strains of enchanting music.
Luxana's eyes widened with childlike wonder, her face illuminated by the kaleidoscope of lights. "Oh my," she breathed, her voice barely audible above the festival's din, "look at all these stalls! It's... it's magical!"
Mylo, his earlier embarrassment forgotten in the face of such spectacle, grinned broadly. His stomach growled audibly, prompting a chuckle from Myla. "I say we hit the food stalls first," he suggested, his eyes already scanning the vicinity. "I'm absolutely famished!"
Veles, ever the silent observer, nodded in agreement. His stoic demeanor softened slightly as he took in the joy radiating from his companions.
As they wove through the crowd, the enticing aroma of sizzling meats and sweet confections filled the air. Myla suddenly stopped, her attention caught by a particularly colorful stall. "Ooh, what's that?" she asked, pointing to a vendor selling vibrant, spiral-shaped treats on sticks.
The vendor, an elderly woman with twinkling eyes and a kind smile, leaned forward. "That, my dear, is rainbow cloud candy," she explained, her voice carrying a hint of magic. "It tastes like dreams and starlight, spun into sugar by moonlight faeries."
Luxana's face lit up with delight. "We'll take four!" she declared without hesitation, fishing out a handful of gleaming coins from a hidden pocket.
As they each took their first bite, a collective sigh of pleasure escaped their lips. The candy seemed to melt on their tongues, leaving behind a taste that was indeed reminiscent of dreams - sweet, ethereal, and somehow nostalgic.
Mylo and Myla, standing close together, found their hands brushing accidentally as they savored their treats. Both blushed furiously, quickly looking away from each other. Luxana, ever observant, noticed this interaction and hid a knowing smile behind her candy. Veles, for his part, remained impassive, though a slight quirk of his eyebrow suggested he too had not missed the moment.
To be Continued...