POV Rio
It was the 25th of November, which was the day that was decided as Family Day or, in other words, the Imperium's equivalent to Thanksgiving. It was decided to rename the day as we have many different cultures and species and Thanksgiving was too American and Canadian. But the Imperium gives both days off regardless. And Holiday pay is given if they work on those days.
'That, and the day doesn't change every year. Family Day is only on the 25th. So no more second guessing or forgetting what day it is celebrated on.'
Which made things easier for me as I would occasionally forget to get the turkey. Or make dinner. But this year, I wasn't involved at all as I gave the job of organizing the celebration in the palace to Sunset.
'Which killed 2 birds with 1 stone. She gets a test of her skills, and I get to be lazy today as it is an official holiday.'
Knock Knock Knock
Rio: "I just had to say that, didn't I? Come in."
Lucy: "Rio, you have some guests to greet."
I look up from my bed. I give her the most blank stare I can.
Rio: "I don't want to get out of bed."
Lucy: "Hmm, your mother told me I can do anything to get you out of bed."
I see her vectors appear and start making some very suspicious gestures. It's as if she was channeling her inner Kazuma.
Rio: "You wouldn't."
Lucy: "I hear you have the softest mane. And your feathers are the most comfortable substance in the Universe."
Rio: "Have you been on that wiki again? I told you that wiki was full of a bunch of degenerates who look at me inappropriately. It isn't a place for an upstanding member of society to go."
Lucy: "Then why haven't you banned the site?"
Rio: "The Senate overruled me. Maybe I should summon the Anti-Horny Bonking Dog? he would sort it out."
I suddenly feel numerous hands touching me. I look at Lucy. She just smiles, and I realize what she is planning.
'Huh, I should have expected this to happen since I tickled my kids to tears before, but suddenly it doesn't seem as funny anymore.'
Rio: "Truce?"
Lucy: "No."
I try to run, but there is no escape.
4 Minutes Later...
I walked out of my room while scowling at Lucy. She just had the happiest smile on her face. I start fixing my mane and feathers.
Rio: "The insolence of you."
Lucy: "I don't even know what that means."
Rio: "You and Hondo need better education. I mean, he was a pirate, so he has an excuse, but you don't."
She just shrugs her shoulders, clearly not caring much. I just sigh.
Rio: "Okay, who do I need to greet?"
Lucy: "Oh, that was just an excuse your mom told me to use."
Rio: "I see."
I create an illusion and have it walk with her while I walk back to my room. But before I can open my door, I hear hoofsteps behind me. I look behind me and see my mother.
Amore: "I thought you might do this."
Rio: "This is possibly not what it looks like."
She just raises her eyebrow at me, and I sigh.
Rio: "Sigh. Fine. I still don't know why you can't let me sleep just this once."
Amore: "Sleep in! Tis 1030! We are quite certain thou has already done a fine job of sleeping in."
Rio: "I suppose. Well, time to start the day."
Amore: "Really, Rio?"
Rio: "What?"
Amore: "It is thy calling."
Rio: "I should get a break, shouldn't I? I mean, I could have you fill in for me for a while. To give your son a break he desperately needs."
Amore: "WHAT?! How can't thou say such a thing!? You just came back from VACATION!"
Rio: "Technically, it was a Trial, and I was only gone for 3 days here. Also, you are slipping into your olden speak."
She blushes when she realizes how she has been speaking and clears her throat.
Amore: "Ehem. Perhaps you were only gone here for 3 days, but you were in the Trial for over 3 years, correct?"
Rio: "That's not important."
Amore: "Rio Magus Crepusculum!"
Rio: "Fine, fine. Perhaps I am being a bit childish this morning. But I will go clean up, then I will be in the Throne room for the day court."
Amore: "That's better. Now go get clean, as you look like you were found drunk in the gutters."
Rio: "I don't look that bad."
Amore: "And you smell."
I sniff myself, and what I smell is pleasant.
Rio: "Like Roses and Lavender. With a touch of Strawberries."
Amore: "Go take a shower!"
Rio: "Okay, okay, sheesh. People these days."
15 Minutes Later...
I sat in my throne waiting for petitioners for the day, but so far, there hadn't been any. That was until a bit after I arrived.
Mosue: "Your Highness. Thank you for seeing me on this day."
Rio: "Of course, now, may I know why you have come today?"
Mosue: "I am here to deliver this petition."
A gurd takes the petition and reads it. I can sense they are very happy and even laughing a bit, which makes me suspicious. They handed me the petition, and I realized why they were feeling like they were. I keep a neutral face and pretend to read it.
Rio: "I see. I understand the request, and it will be discussed with the council at a later date."
Mosue: "Your Highness, I am terribly sorry to ask this, but they requested I get an answer when I met with you today. The candidates are all very eager to hear the good news."
My eye twitches, and I try to use political and very fancy words to give a nonanswer but they person they sent seemed to be very experienced with that kind of language as he kept steering us back to the topic. Eventually, the time limit set for each petitioner is reached, and Mosue is sent away.
'Ugh, finally, I thought that would never end. I wish they would give up already but they are damn persistent in the marriage proposals.'
Rio: "If the next petitioner is here for the exact same or similar reason as the last one, they are to be sent away."
Guard: "Yes, Your Highness."
The next petitioner is let in a few minutes later, but when I see the next one, I glare at the guard while the petitioner bows. They sweat nervously and try to avoid eye contact.
'This is going to be a long day.'
Several Hours Later...
'Finally! Ugh, I just want to lay on a cloud and melt away. I should make it illegal to make such petitions. Ah, who am I kidding? Even if I try, the Senate will veto me. Maybe I should make an announcement that I found a bride and then just delay the wedding indefinitely. Hmm, that could work. But I would need someone that would be willing to take the heat of being engaged to me.'
I try thinking of anyone, but the candidates I can think of I wouldn't want to be rude to them. But then I had a genius idea.
'If I can't think of anyone, I will make one up. It wouldn't be hard, and I wouldn't have to lie since they are technically engaged to me. Sure, the being in question is only a golem or something like that, but they won't know that. Hmm, but I will need to swear everyone in the Palace to secrecy. Or at least make it so no one meets them. Yeah, actually that sounds stupid.'
While the petitions and marriage proposals are annoying, they aren't hurting anyone, so I decide to let future me deal with them.
'Heh, future me is such a chump. Always falling for my traps. And past me is an idiot. Only present me is the best.'
I laugh at the dumb joke and arrive at the dining hall. Once I get there, I see everything looks fine, but I know Sunset had trouble setting everything up. A minor spell mishap, nothing too big. But what was important was that she learned a lesson during this test.
'Hmm, I think she might be ready for the Cave Trials. At least she most likely is. I will ask Windu what he thinks.'
While I dealt with all sorts of stuff, some Clones dealt with cooking some things. They were how I knew that quite a few things went off track. While they can't transmit memories, I can use a spell to see what they see. But none of that mattered. All that mattered was that dinner was ready and everyone was finding their seats. We had a lovely dinner, and there weren't any unwanted guests this time. Which was good as I didn't want dinner soured by another Courier mishap. Once dinner was over, we went to the entertainment room. It was time for our yearly tradition of singing karaoke.
-----------------
Authors Note:
Another Thanksgiving Chapter. A bonus chapter with some songs they sang will be posted after this. It has no bearing on the story, as it is only a side story. You can skip if you want. But the last song is pretty funny, in my opinion. Also I will likely stop posting chapters on Sundays from now on due to how busy I have been. Until next time Ciao.