Superlate chapter is superlate. D:
Reviews make me happy. Thank you! Also I own none of Homestuck. NONE OF IT.
Not too far off from the city of Prospit was a large fief by the name of Locah, a lush green land filled with life and the largest fief in Skaia. The lord of Locah was a fair and level-headed man, watching over his estate and his fief with the utmost care, with the help of many, paid handsomely for the work they did due to the man's undying wealth and generosity.
One such servant was a young woman by the name of Jane. Jane was born to a father and mother with little money, but at a young age was discovered by the right hand of the lord's and told that if she stayed in the palace with the lord and lady, she could keep her parents out of the poverty they faced. Jane's job required little work, as the lord's right hand was fond of her, but she was a sort of part-time maid, cleaning the estate from time to time.
It was on the afternoon of one of her maid days that Jane went outside the house to fetch any incoming mail and found a brightly purple and decorated envelope addressed to the lord of the estate. It came from Prospit, Jane noticed, and put it at the top of the pile before taking it inside.
Jane was met at the door by a small girl - roughly twelve years old, tall and pale with short light blonde hair and lime-green eyes. She had an angelic smile on her face - and on that day - she was carrying a small shield with her that bore Skaia's royal symbol, a blue spirograph. She was the lord's daughter, but Jane knew her as Calliope.
"Hello!" Calliope trilled, throwing her arms around Jane and almost hitting Jane's head with the shield. Jane was caught by surprise - stumbling backwards and scattering the mail on the ground, nearly falling down in the process.
At the sight of the purple envelope, Calliope let go of Jane and dove toward the envelope, staring in awe at the color of it - as opposed to the bland yellow-white of the other parchment in the stack. Once she saw who exactly it was addressed to, she leapt up and grabbed Jane's wrist, pulling her along excitedly in the direction of her father's study.
The lord's study was a room by the stairs, one wall covered entirely in windows. The walls without windows were painted green; the floor a smooth stone, and an unlit chandelier hung from the ceiling. The furniture consisted of a large high-backed chair behind an ornate desk and a coat rack, from which hung the lord's long green overcoat and his colorful scarf. The lord himself was sitting in the high-backed chair, tending to his business.
Lord English was one of the most respected men in Skaia, frequently being called upon for advice on the king's decisions, and likely the most knowledgeable man in Skaia as well. He stood at a height of almost two heads taller than the average man, with combed-back white-blond hair and dark green eyes, with the same pale skin as Calliope. His daughter slowed her pace as she entered, loosening her grip on Jane's wrist slightly.
At the sight of Calliope, English gave a small grin, his eyes resting on the envelope in his daughter's hand. "What is that?"
Calliope shrugged. "It's from Prospit, from the palace!"
"Well, bring it over," English ordered. Calliope let go of Jane's wrist and pranced forward, placing the envelope gently on her father's desk before scampering backwards to where Jane stood. Lord English opened the envelope with his nail and pulled out a small card, tossing the pretty envelope aside.
"What is it?" Calliope asked excitedly as soon as she had given her father a moment to examine the card.
"I knew when I saw the envelope. It's some sort of ball for the younger prince's birthday."
Calliope's eyes lit up. "Does this mean I get to finally see Prospit?"
English raised his eyes from the paper, fixing an authoritative glare on his daughter. "No. It definitely does not mean you are going to Prospit."
Calliope opened her mouth to protest, but a look from her father caused her to snap it shut once again. She had never left the estate, told by her father that if she left, her innocence and beauty could make a dangerous combination for her.
English turned his gaze to Jane. "Meenah will want you along. Ready yourself, we leave for Prospit tomorrow morning."
"Yes, sir."
At a wave of Lord English's hand, Calliope and Jane shuffled out of the study, Calliope looking despondent and Jane looking annoyed.
"I really want to see Prospit," Calliope sighed quietly, touching a hand to the Skaian shield she had tucked behind her back. She had always had dreams of going and seeing the people and places, as she read much about them and often attempted to get those around her to roleplay as important people. Every time a letter came summoning Lord English to Prospit, Calliope begged her father to take her with him, and every time he refused.
"I really don't," Jane grumbled. She had been hoping to spend the time perfecting a recipe for a certain form of pastry, but due to this unexpected event, she could kiss it goodbye. Jane turned towards the stairs and headed in the direction of her bedroom to pack.
Jane's room was small, a small bed in a corner and chest filled with her various clothes. Her floor was littered with piles of drawings by Calliope; of official-looking men with elaborate mustaches. Ever since Jane had discovered that Calliope could draw well, the two had developed a system of exchanges in which Calliope would draw pictures and in return, Jane would bring back various souvenirs of the outside world and give them to Calliope. Lord English allowed the practice, much to both of their surprise, but did have to approve the souvenirs before his daughter could have them. He had approved them all so far.
Jane owned few of the clothes she wore, most of them owned by Lady Meenah - Lord English's trusted advisor - so she spent little time packing and returned downstairs for dinner. By the evening light outside one window, Jane could tell that now was when many of the servants would be cooking and immediately went down the main hallway to the kitchen's entrance.
The kitchen was a large and usually busy place; men, women, and teenagers bustling about in preparation for the meal. Some specialized in the meat or soup, some in bread, and Jane in pastries. Jane had already prepared the dough for her confection and now set to putting it into smaller cups, to make...cupcakes.
The rest of the evening went by in a flash. She roleplayed detectives with Calliope before being called to dinner - which she ate and then went to sleep. She was awoken by one of the servants, telling her to get dressed and that Lord English and Lady Meenah were leaving soon. Jane hurriedly dressed and pulled her and her things downstairs, grabbing a cupcake for eating before she went outside and waited for English and Meenah.
"Oh, Jane, you're here already!" Meenah called out from the entrance of the estate as she strode over to meet Jane by the the carriage that was arriving. Meenah was the second most important person in Locah, standing about half a head taller than Jane with dark skin and long black hair that extended to her waist.
"Yes, Meenah."
"Well it sure is wonderful to see you. I trust you will have a good time back in Prospit?"
"Aw shucks, thanks," Jane replied, then admitted, "Actually, I've never been to Prospit."
"Odd. Well, you will be amazed, it is quite a place to be."
Lord English arrived shortly afterwards and their things were piled into the back of the carriage, the seats were filled with people, and the carriage went on its way.
The ride to Prospit lasted a couple hours, and by then, all of the interesting conversation topics had been exhausted and each was left to their own, staring out of the carriage and watching the fields go by. When at last they spotted the city, Jane could only stare in awe at the tall towers, seemingly gold in the light of the sun. When they were allowed to enter the grounds in front of the palace, she and her companions exited the carriage, touching their feet to the ground with relief to be out of the small crowded area. While some palace servants showed Lord English and Lady Meenah to their rooms, Jane waited on the stone steps, looking around with awe.
A boy exiting the castle caught her eye. He was a tanned boy with well-kept black hair and dark green eyes behind spectacles, about Jane's height, muscular and about her age as well, sporting simple clothing and a basket in hand. He was a striking figure, and he was heading right for her.
"Jolly good morning here in Prospit, isn't it?" he said, and Jane took a moment before realizing that she had been staring off blankly and came to her senses.
"Oh, uhm. Yes, it sure is," she managed to say, to which the boy nodded and flashed a grin.
"You're from Locah, I can see, and it sure has been nice meeting you..."
"Jane," she introduced herself.
"Jake," he replied. "But I have to go and get some things for preparations. I do so hope to see you around."
Jake turned and ran off in the direction of the town, leaving Jane feeling dumbstruck. His name was Jake, and he talked to her. He hoped to see her around...oh goodness.
So yeah. That was the chapter. The next one's from Aradia's point of view! Reviews and critiques are much appreciated.