I'm going away again and this time for a lot longer. My ship is deploying, and for those of you who don't know what that is, it means that my ship will be sailing the ocean and going into ports only every so often, and a deployment is no less than 8 months with the possibility of being extended all the way up to 13 months if necessary. At ports I hope to update stories so long as I have secure wifi access.
Here is a small taste of the chapter that is almost ready to be posted, though won't be finished before we leave.
IBWY King's Prize 2 ~10661 words so far
Music thundered through the large dining hall, and the only illumination to aid the humans' sight were the sparse candles that lined the middle of the long table. The king and all the lords and ladies of the land were there, seated at the table as they eagerly awaited the night's entertainment after their wonderful feast.
The drums ended and a blue glow shined over the stage all that were present were facing. A figure was standing at its center. A flute twittered and the figure moved making the bells adorning their hips, wrists and ankles jingle. The drum rejoined, but softer so as to not drown out the happy jingles. With a snap, the fans the figure was holding opened, and their white paper folds seemed to absorb the eerie yet comforting glow.
The music picked up, and so did the figure's dance.
The light brightened and the slight figure could be seen. Long black hair trailed to the floor with gems sparkling from the strands, and dark make-up lining their eyes made the big green orbs pop. They were decked out in an emerald-green, midriff baring, short-sleeved top that just covered their chest, a sheer scarf of a deep red was draped over one shoulder and secured into the flowing bright purple, and deep blue skirts. Slits on the sides of the skirts allowed the dancer's legs to slip free and show off the swirling designs painted on their legs and the anklets of bells, though the left ankle had a bell filled brace wrapped about it instead. Bare feet made nary a sound as the dancer pranced about the stage.
The guests were in awe, but the king instead felt pride swell in his breast. His Ulquiorra had come a long way since his adolescence. He was now a man of eighteen years, with the magical ability of a hundred-year-old wizard, and the maturity and grace of a woman oddly enough. He smiled as he watched the dance. Ulqui's body rolls were sensual, his leaps breath-taking, and his spins and flips playful.
The audience gasped as Ulquiorra did a flip and landed on his closed fan before fluidly returning to his feet. The music picked up tempo and he pranced and spun on the very edge of the stage; his feet never faltering or slipping.
All too soon, the music wound down, and when it ended the young man was in a stable handstand with his feet pointing at the clapping audience. Gasps rung out as all lights in the room went out, and when they turned back on seconds later the dancer was gone.
They clapped nonetheless, and a guest -them hailing from outside the kingdom- nearest the king spoke up.
"Such a beautiful dancer, your Highness, King Murcielago," a thin balding male praised. "The way she moved such a delicate body was a sight to behold." There was a giggle and the male's smile left him. "Was something I said funny, Lady Fornicaras? Or perhaps there was a joke I missed."
The busty woman sat back in her seat with a hand over her ruby colored lips. She fluttered her eyelashes. "Do not mind my outburst, I was merely reminded of... an inside joke."
The king hid his own smile behind a sleeve at the thought of said inside joke. It wasn't so much a joke as much as a fact that thoroughly boggled the mind of most. After all, who would believe that such a lovely dancer was not only male, but also the prince? Indeed, Ulqui had become the heir some years ago, after the king saw fit to adopt him into the royal line. There had been no dispute over it when he'd announced the news to a small group of nobles; they'd all knew it'd happen eventually, and most were surprised it hadn't happened sooner.