Disclaimer: This takes place after the double eclipse. It will be a multi-part adventure if I get good responses to it with eventual pairings so let me know what you think!
"Let's get cleaned up for dinner and have a proper celebration," said the queen, smiling. "I'm so glad to have you all back," she said, looking between her daughters and husband who had put his arm around here, beaming with a "so am I" added in.
Azkadellia still looked uncertain with all the changes but happy nonetheless and definitely relieved.
DG grabbed her hand, leading her out of the room. "Let's go get cleaned up. Where are the bathrooms in this place, anyway?"
Az merely pointed down the hall to the right.
"I'll be right back," DG whispered, turning to look for her devoted friends. The three appeared to be in conference.
"You're all invited to dinner as well, you know, so you might as well go get cleaned up too instead of just standing there."
At this the three looked uncomfortable so she took a step towards them to explain. "You helped save the O.Z. You protected me. You helped me. Most importantly, you're my friends, practically family even so I am asking you to join us." The tone clearly said she wasn't taking no for an answer, though she didn't feel the need to add that, and instead waited to see what they would do.
They looked around the room, anywhere but her eyes for those big blue eyes would surely be anybody's undoing, as a certain ex-Tin Man had found out before.
"Yes, of course!" exclaimed the queen. "We are celebrating. You will always be welcome here. My angel is right, you are practically family now."
DG grinned, wondering how her friends could possibly bow out now that the queen had put her two cents in.
Glitch beamed up at the queen and Raw blushed at the high praise. Cain, however, hesitated.
"Is there a problem, Mr. Cain?"
He looked at her uncomfortably before saying, "No, Princess, no problem." She could have sworn she heard the same low growl as she had when he almost her and Glitch on their way to central city before giving in.
She returned to Az's side, but before leaving turned back. "Oh, and Mr. Cain?"
"Yes, Princess?" he asked, wondering what she could want now that she had gotten the answers she wanted.
"Before you get ready for dinner, could you go and ask Jeb to join us as well?" Her eyes sparkled as she asked this and his almost matched her when he replied with a big grin and quick tip of his hat, "Yes…thank you" He said it so quietly only she heard, and even then it was only barely loud enough, as if he had had trouble making his voice work.
"Come on Az, let's go get ready for dinner. I hope you have something more…normal…for me to wear than that!" she said pointedly as they walked down the corridor and out of the sight of family and friends. Cain, of course, not too far behind as he was still paranoid and wanted to make sure they got to their rooms safely.
For the first time since they had been reunited Az laughed. "I'll see what I can do little sister." They clasped hands as they walked down the hall, deep in conversation.
The queen and her husband smiled before taking their leave, happy to see their girls together and happy once again. The queen only wished that this happiness could last, but, considering what the girls would have to do next…the queen shuddered and stopped walking. Ahamo looked at her questioningly but she shrugged it off. They'd deal with that after the celebration. Her girls had been through enough for one day.
TBC
