Chapter 2: Many Men
Disclaimer: I do not own Atlantis: The Lost Empire or any of it's characters.
Here's Chapter 2! Enjoy!
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"Now that he has been escorted to your father it's time for you girls to return to the Grand Hall; you have fiancés and the people waiting for you." Their mother smiled at them, gave then a stern look that meant they had five minutes, and left. Yue and Ciro began to walk back and as they did Ciro babbled continuously.
"Oh, Yue you need to see your fiancé; he is so handsome! He also happens to be very polite and the people love him! As I left he was telling a joke to that woman from the council of advisors, you know the one who always scowls and you wouldn't believe how hard she was laughing! My fiancé is a little odd…I know he is the best warrior in Atlantis but he is still such a boy! I want to marry a man." Ciro sighed and looked crestfallen and jealous.
"I'm sure my fiancé isn't that handsome and how much of a boy can yours be! You are a woman and he is exactly the same age as you! Plus it takes maturity and discipline to be a great warrior. I'm sure there's something there under the boyish exterior! Plus I have no intention of marrying the Prince of our neighboring Atlantian Island. He may be "royalty" but I intend to marry for love, not because of politics." Ciro looked at her skeptically but remained silent and they entered the hall and sat on their thrones; Yue in the King's place and Ciro in the Queen's place. There was more applause and then music started up; Ciro's fiancé was at her side in seconds.
He was a boy who even though he was 16 looked a little young for his age. He had the traditional Atlantian look except his hair was a light sky blue instead of white. He was wearing the traditional garb of a high ranking general and he carried a sword. However he was the same with her sister as all other guys were; drooling and unconvincing.
"I am General Tiergan and it's a pleasure to meet you Princess Ciro! So, Ciro…you're looking lovely in that…dress. Would you care for a dance? I would love to dance with you inside the royal palace." He smiled what he seemed to think was a winning smile and she put her fan up in between their faces and answered him.
"I'm sure I look like as good as anyone can in the dress of a dead priestess. As for the dance I wouldn't really care for one, although I'm sure that giggling band of so called girls over there would all gladly dance with you a million times over. Now if you would excuse me I would like to sit in peace and reflect on the meaning of womanhood." She flashed him an intimidating glare and he stumbled as he took some steps back.
"Don't mind her too much! I'm sure she would love a dance later! Pleased to meet you General Tiergan, I am Princess Yue! I have seen you at the academy although we have never met since I am two years older than you. I hear you are the top warrior in Atlantis; I would love to have an informal fight some time! What do you say to that?" He still seemed to be a little shocked by Ciro but he snapped out of it and struggled out a sentence.
"Well I…Later perhaps…I'm going to get a drink and…maybe later…we can dance. Let me know when you are done, uh…reflecting. I'll take you up on that fight, your Highness." With that he turned and hurried off into the crowds.
"Oh, Yue! Now he will come back for a dance! I don't want to dance with him! He is so gross! He comes on to me in the worst way and-look! Here comes your fiancé! Isn't he gorgeous?" Ciro sighed and when Yue turned around she instantly felt a lump in her throat. He wasn't only gorgeous, he was beautiful. He wore the traditional robe and cape of a Prince and he seemed to glide across the floor. He had a very gentle smile, deep grey eyes, and long flowing black hair. He was as beautiful as a woman but with a powerful air of masculinity; a number one catch. As he came to her he took her and, knelt, and greeted her.
"It is a pleasure to meet the crowned Princess of Atlantis. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Prince Jun of the neighboring Island to Atlantis. I humbly ask you to honor me with a dance." He smiled at her an actual winning smile and she replied.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Prince Jun and it would be an honor to accept that dance. Shall we?" She let him lead her onto the floor and start the dance before devolving into no manners talk.
"So "prince" Jun, do you really expect me to marry you just because you kiss my hand, have good manners, and good looks? Surely you must intend to woo me in another way?" She smiled sweetly and she could tell he was taken aback.
"Well Princess Yue while we are on this topic I came here assuming there would be mutual wooing going on. Are you too proud to allow yourself to enter into a relationship because of looks or are you just looking for a way to rebel against what is expected of you? I can assure you that if we were to marry I could fulfill either aspiration." His comment was odd but she didn't let it get to her.
"It is a matter of hearts Prince Jun, not a matter of pride. I will only marry someone I love who loves me in return. I won't marry you no matter how dashing you may be. Try my sister; she seems very eager to get to know you." He smiled and laughed a little.
"I'm sorry Princess but if you interrogate all of your dance partners won't it be a little hard to find a man? I can be twice the man any "true love" of yours can be and I can inspire and connect with the people also. As for your sister she is a child; I came here to marry the crowned Princess of Atlantis not a girl who has no idea how to rule a country." That was the final straw; she pushed him away, bowed, and marched out of the hall. He insulted not only her but her sister also and she would not stand for that. Just as she got into the hall her father and the boy from above came out of another room.
"Yue, have you met Mel? He is from above! Oh wait, you found him so you two have already met! Ducking out so soon? Isn't this your party? You wouldn't want to miss it and I heard from you mother that your fiancé is quite a nice guy!" He smiled his goofy smile and she spilled everything.
"Oh, father you have no idea what a night this has been! First I find him and he scares the living daylights out of me, then I meet this "Prince Jun" and he turns out to be a jerk and he is just after the throne with no feelings for the people and he insulted Ciro's love for Atlantis and he hides it all underneath a mask of good looks! Please father, just make him go home!" She pouted and he thought for a second.
"Yue I can make him go, but he was invited until the end of the week, so I can only make him go after then. You don't have to marry him, it was just a friendly suggestion of your mother's and we heard he really was a nice boy. Why don't you take the rest of the night off and show Mel around the city? I'll tell everyone that you felt a little sick and no one will recognize you down in the city with Mel because they will all think you are up here. Just stay with Mel because the guards also have the night off! I'll talk to you later." With that he walks into the hall leaving Mel and her alone.
"I'm sorry about earlier; I didn't mean to scare you or insult you. Just for the record I think any guy would probably marry you and not because your royalty. I would be honored if you would show me around the city. I've only heard stories about Atlantis before." He held out his hand to her.
"You're forgiven. Just for the record I don't think anyone would marry you but it's not because you are from above. Do you have anything less like what you're wearing? You will stick out like a sore thumb. Come on, I'll get you some clothes." She took his hand and dragged him into her room. He handed him a pair of shorts, and the equivalent of a wife beater while she went behind her screen to change he examined them.
"Are you sure this is what people wear? Don't you people wear shoes?" She stepped out from behind the screen and it was like she was a different person. She took her hair down so her hair was just flowing and her bangs hid her eyes. She was also now only wearing a long sarong skirt and a very tiny shirt.
"No we don't wear shoes and you would look ridiculous if you did. What are you looking at?" She gave him a look and he cleared his throat a bit just to make sure he didn't squeak.
"Well, with an outfit like that in my world you would not only stick out but you might also get arrested. It would definitely attract attention." Now he went to change behind the screen.
"Would I really be that weird in your world too? I guess I'm just not meant to fit in anywhere." She sounded sad and he came out from behind the screen ready to go.
"What do you mean not fit in? Aren't you the Princess? How can you not fit in?" He seemed to snap her out of a reverie and she came to attention.
"Nothing! It's nothing! Come on, you will want to be at the temple before the sun completely sets." With that she grabbed his hand and dragged him out the back door into the jungle. She had almost told him too much; she had to watch her mouth.
They crept through the trees down the hillside to a path that led up to a small temple. It was built of incredibly smooth stone and had tiny little holes in it everywhere but he had no idea what for. She led him inside and they sat down on a small bench in the center of the temple. In front of them was a pedestal and she took her crystal and put it in a hole in the center and they just sat and waited; but what for? The sun set and all of a sudden everything glowed. It was like a huge moon but it was blue and it glowed down through a large circular hole in the ceiling onto them both. The light came in through all the tiny holes and bounced off of crystals until all the light hit the crystal on the pedestal and like water it flowed through cracks in the walls and floor of the temple outlining pictures and words that you would have never seen without it. It was beautiful. He looked over at her but she was over near a window looking out upon the rest of the city. The blue glow bathed her in light and she looked almost like an angel. Without warning she spoke.
"My sister as you must have seen is perfect. She knows the people, she knows the politics, and she knows herself. At school, even before we announced our royalty tonight, everyone loved her. She has so many friends and she can always make more so easily. It's like there's a light inside of her that draws people in naturally and she can shine like a star at anything. She is so true to her name; Ciro means Sun. My mother named her that because her hair was like the sun. She named me Yue or Moon because as the first daughter I would someday rule the people of Atlantis; people of water. Without the moon there are no tides so they have to work together to accomplish goals; that was the idea behind my name. Over time it has become like my motto; the moon thrives in the dark, the moon is cold, the moon can never be awake when others are awake, she lives alone. That's why people were surprised; I the moon, the outcast at school, the macho chick will someday be Queen. You said it yourself; I don't fit up above. I can't fit in anywhere." She jumped slightly as he put his hand on her shoulder.
"I never said you wouldn't fit in. I said you would stand out. The moon shines too; it shines in the dark when there is no other light to guide people. I'm sure you will be a great Queen. If you wanted you could come visit above with your father and see how well you would fit in." He smiled at her and she looked confused but just before she turned her head he could see her blushing.
"Come on, we should go into the city now. Thank you for listening to me; I've never had anyone do that before. When my father does go up I would be honored to go with you…and him." This time she just walked out without taking his hand. He found it funny that he had embarrassed her but it was also confusing and she was confusing.
"Women…" He rolled his eyes and left the temple.
End Chapter
So how was it? Who is your favorite guy so far because I'm leaning towards Mel. Rate and review! Next chap probably not until the end of the week but maybe tomorrow!
