-The subtle but persistent feeling of being out of place-
Naomi was on a rant. She paced around the living room, arms flying about expressively as she told her father about everything that was driving her crazy in her role as Grand Council Member. The most common thread seemed to be Chancellor Esteban.
"And then he said-" She pulled herself upright in a parody of Esteban "-'Miss Turner, it is not appropriate to sit in such a manner on the divan.' First of all, it's a couch not a divan. Secondly who is he to tell me how to sit! Stuffy old know it all... " Her grumbling became unintelligible.
Captain Turner sighed. "Naomi, they do things differently at the palace, you know that. It's just like when we move to a new place, we try to do things the local way."
"But he's always on my case! I don't think he even approves of the way I breath! Ugh!" She sat down hard and the couch beside her father, her emotions spent.
Captain Turner patted her consolingly on the back. "It doesn't matter what Chancellor Esteban thinks, I'm proud of you and Elena values your opinion." He told her.
She smiled halfheartedly, knowing he was trying to help.
"Thanks dad." She hugged him. "I guess I better get ready... Official royal party and all that." She went up to her room to change. Her ballgown was laid out on her bed and she stared at it miserably for a moment. The last royal function she had attended there had been some members of court who disapproved of the dress, and the fact that she only had one. They didn't say anything to her directly but they made sure she heard them.
Of course she only had one dress! Why would she need more than that? She was sure Elena would lend her something, or have one made for her, but she wasn't interested in using her friendship for material gains. It would feel… sleazy. It wasn't the nicest dress, her father had picked it up for a bargain from a merchant who'd been late with his docking fees, but it was hers.
She sighed and put it on.
The next thing she lacked was makeup. The other girls all looked fantastic with their faces painted up but she had no idea how they did it, nor did she have the patience to find out.
Finally she brushed her hair and tried to give it some semblance of order. These were occasions when long hair would be useful, she would be able to just pin it up in some sort of fancy style. Although, knowing her hair, it would just be a mess anyways.
She was ready and waiting by the door when Gabe pulled up with the carriage. Her chauffeur to take her to the ball. Ridiculous. She had never imagined this was how her life would go.
"Hi Gabe." she said as she climbed up on the bench beside him.
"Hey... Watch out tonight, Esteban's in a mood."
She sighed, just what she needed.
"Did someone make the party decorations the wrong shade of red?" She asked sarcastically.
"I don't ask questions I don't want to know the answers to." He said stoically.
Carriages a were pulling up to the castle and women in lavish ball gowns were being helped down by gentlemen in elegant suits. Naomi hopped down gracefully before Gabe could get any fancy ideas about being gentlemanly. At least, it would have been graceful except that the back of her dress snagged on the carriage.
She heard giggles and unhooked herself quickly, not even checking if anything was torn. No one seemed to be looking at her. She tried to convince herself they'd been laughing at something else and the timing had been bad.
"Have fun." Gabe told her before taking off to put away the carriage. With him gone she felt utterly alone and surrounded by people. Taking a deep breath she forced herself to keep her head up and march decisively to the palace door. She was a member of the Grand Council, she belonged there she told herself.
The foyer was packed with a sea of humanity she was loathed to have to navigate. The air smelled of perfumes and powders, it was was suffocating. The worst thing part: she was actually quite good in crowded social situations. She'd grown up in ports and on boats where you had to be able to get along with all sorts of people, sometimes in very close proximity. She reveled in packed bars, listening to the bawdy sailor stories, playing cards, dancing and singing. Sure it was a rough place sometimes, and you always had to be careful, but you knew where you stood. This was different. Here everyone wore a strange mask of politeness, yet their remarks and glances could cut deeper than the most profane insults.
Stars, she hated this part. It felt like everyone was looking at her as she walked by. She thought she'd been growing comfortable with the opulence of the palace but when it was filled with strangers its grandiosity became intimidating once more.
She just needed to find Elena or even Isabel before...
"Do you smell that?" a girl's voice said to her right. Violeta Porra, younger than Naomi, but her makeup and dress make her look older. She fanned herself, nose crinkled delicately against the offending scent. She had her little gang of ladies standing around her as always. Naomi couldn't remember any of the other's names, they didn't seem to have no other purpose other than to torment her.
"Oh yeah, the harbour smell? Gross." Her friend in pink replied. Then she added "Oh, look, it's Naomi." They watched her over the tops of their fans.
She wasn't going to say anything...
"Oh, Naomi, I didn't see you there!" Violeta said, exchanging amused glances with her entourage. "Do you smell that?" She asked knowingly.
She was going to find Elena and…
"Ah, miss Turner, there you are." It was Esteban, great, just what she needed right now… "I require your assistance in some very urgent matters. You know we are far too important to be standing here chatting idly like children." He looked pointedly at the girls. Violeta's face was red.
He gave his his arm and they walked away, slowly "You know, it's very good of you spend some time with those young girls, they could certainly learn something about respect from your example." He said it to her, but loudly enough the girls were sure to have heard.
Naomi didn't know what to make of all this so she just went with him. The crowd seemed to part more readily for them now that the Chancellor was there. He lead her to the other end off the room.
"What's the 'urgent matters'?" She asked skeptically.
"You simply must try the sandwiches." He told her flatly, gesturing to the table of refreshments.
She stared, bewildered. Had he just been making an excuse to get her away from those girls?
"Thanks Esteban." She said, still not believing he was just being nice to her.
"Miss Turner, I will not allow a member of the Grand Council to be disrespected. I will see to it that it does not happen again."
Had he just called her a member of the council without sneering? A real, sincere acknowledgement of her position?
"Now straighten up. Shoulders back. Do not eat the small sandwiches in a single bite this time." He commanded.
Well, he couldn't let her get comfortable she supposed.
"Yes, sir!" She said with a mock salute and a smirk.
"Go, go!" He shooed her back to the party. She kept her spine exaggeratedly straight and stiff.
He rolled his eyes but he was smiling.