See part 1 for disclaimer
---------The Legend of the Akakami----------
Karise was overjoyed at Janet's answer.
"You really accept?" she said. Janet smiled.
"Yes, I do," Janet said, "As I told you, I've been thinking about it all week. I told Aerin I'd been given a chance to make a real difference in others' lives. I was so disappointed when I came to the realization that I couldn't heal. This is the next best thing. If I can't help people medically, I'll help them in every other way that counts." Karise smiled and pulled Janet into a tight hug.
Janet enjoyed the feeling of Karise's arms around her; it was like she was receiving a hug from her mother, a warm, comforting feeling that she had been missing for so long.
"Thank you," Karise said as she pulled away. Janet shook her head.
"No, thank you for giving me this opportunity," Janet said. Karise gave Janet a loving smile.
"Well, now I have to prepare a speech to give to the Council telling them I've decided on an heir and she's accepted," Karise said. Janet froze.
"That means the entire country will know within the week, right?" Janet asked. Karise nodded.
"Yes, that's right," Karise said, "I think the entire country has been waiting with bated breath for me to choose an heir. Now that I have, they'll all be able to relax, knowing that there is a future for their government if something happens to me." Janet looked at Karise, slightly confused.
"Isn't there usually a ceremony for this type of news?" Janet asked.
"Yes, but it'll have to wait," Karise said, "It's something that takes time to plan and coordinate. Plus, it has to be at an auspicious time of the year. The Winter Solstice will do perfectly. That's in a few months, after your first term ends." Janet nodded.
"Well, then, I'll let you get to work," Janet said, "I have school work to finish before tomorrow." Karise gave Janet a parting smile before the younger woman left the room, returning the smile before she went.
Janet made her way up to the Tower, a soft, happy smile on her face. Something about accepting Karise's offer felt so right, like she was realizing her true purpose in life. But, Janet knew the hard work was still ahead. There was still so much she had to learn about Zimmeria and its people, so many things she had to prepare for.
But that's why I have Karise, Aerin, and Tanith: to help me figure those things out,' Janet thought as she reached the landing and headed for her rooms. Before she could open the door, however, Aerin stuck his head out of his own rooms and called out to Janet.
"So, you're back. You're in a good mood," Aerin noticed. Janet turned around, removing her hand from the doorknob, and smiled at Aerin.
"Yes, I am," Janet said. Aerin raised his eyebrows in curiosity.
"Care to share?" he asked.
"I've accepted Karise's offer," Janet said. Aerin smiled and stepped out onto the landing.
"Seriously?" Janet nodded.
"Yes, I just came from talking to her," Janet said. Aerin's smile widened.
"Congratulations are in order, then," Aerin said, "Looks like I have a permanent partner-in-crime for the next few hundred years." Janet chuckled.
"Looks like you do," Janet said, "We'll be ruling this country someday." Aerin nodded.
"So, when's the coronation ceremony?" Aerin said, "I have to participate in that, too. I get named as your Lord Protector the same day you become Queen-in-Waiting."
"Karise said she was going to hold it over the Winter Solstice." Aerin nodded.
"A good time of year to have it," Aerin said, "For the simple facts that it's a fortuitous time of year and the fact that you'll be on break from school during that time. You know your studies will slow down once you become Queen-in-Waiting. You won't have as much time to devote to them." Janet nodded.
"I figured I'd have some duties to attend to," Janet said.
"Mostly publicity and charity work," Aerin said, "The Queen-in-Waiting and her Lord Protector have to earn the public's trust and devote a lot of time to showing how they can take care of the people. It's like a test."
"Makes sense," Janet said, "One can't be a good ruler if they don't have the faith and trust of the people." Aerin smiled.
"Well, this calls for a celebration. Would you like to go out for dinner to celebrate?" Aerin asked. Janet smiled.
"That sounds wonderful," Janet said, "When?" Aerin looked down at the small wristwatch he wore, something Janet helped him devise from the Earth version.
"It's the 17th hour now. Say in about an hour and a half?" Aerin said.
"How nice is the place we're going to?" Janet asked.
"Dress nicely," Aerin recommended. Janet nodded
"An hour and a half is fine," Janet said, "I'll start getting ready now. My homework can wait until we get back. I don't have much left." Aerin gave Janet a nod and the two went to their respective rooms, Aerin so he could finish up some work and Janet so she could start getting ready.
-----------
"She accepted?" Tanith asked. Karise looked over at her brother and gave him a small smile.
"Yes, not an hour ago," Karise said. Tanith looked fondly over at Karise.
"You seem happy with it," Tanith said, "I must admit, she is a good choice for your heir." Karise smirked.
"Besides the fact you didn't trust her at first?" Karise asked. Tanith had the decency to look ashamed.
"Well, yes," Tanith said, "I regret my behavior at first. But, truly, you could pick no better." Karise nodded.
"I know," Karise said, "It's why I chose her."
"So you're going to hold the coronation ceremony during the Winter Solstice?" Tanith asked. Karise nodded as she fingered the communication crystal around her neck.
"Yes, I thought that would be the best time to do it. It's an important festival and much luck surrounds it. Also, the University will not be in session at that time, so Janet can devote most of her time to the ceremony and the observances that go with it," Karise said. Tanith made a noise in approval.
"I couldn't agree more," Tanith said, "Now, let's get to work. We have much to start preparing." Karise nodded.
"Yes, we do."
-------------
The next three months flew by like a dream. Once Karise announced Janet's place in line for the throne, the whole country knew within days. Her classmates were back to treating her like she could smolder them with a mere look. But, Janet really didn't pay too much attention.
Knowing she wouldn't have as much time to give to her studies once she was officially the Queen-in-Waiting, Janet threw herself into her studies, doing little else but continuing her sword training with Aerin, using real blades instead. For Janet, learning how to fight with a real sword was like going back to the beginning.
When she first started, she couldn't even get it to go where she wanted to and she had to get used to its weight in her hands. Eventually, she built up the necessary muscle and was starting to get it to move how she wanted it to do.
The other activity that took up what little time she hadn't devoted to her studies was an intensive study of Zimmeria's 10 millennia history. Karise had told her she wasn't expected to know every detail, so Janet studied only the important parts.
As Janet had no time, she couldn't wait for the coronation ceremony and the associated events to be over with so she could have a little free time to herself. But, since Janet had drowned herself in her studies, she had gained another level (and a ring on her left index finger, an aquamarine set in silver for mastery of Air Magic and basic Manipulative and Conjuring magics) and was well on her way to her third.
She never tired of using magic, not even coming close to draining the deep reserves of power stored in her body. The only time she grew exhausted and needed to restore her powers was when she donated them to the Healers, helping them with the more complicated and dangerous healing processes and spells.
All in all, the past three months had been busy for Janet and, on the eve of her coronation, she was happy, excited, and nervous all at the same time. As she stood in her living room, watching snow fall down onto her balcony, she couldn't believe it was finally happening. She could see her reflection in the mirror and remembered just how much had gone into making her look the way she did.
The dress she wore was radiant, fully deserving of her future status. The gown was pure white to represent the purity of the office, going down to her ankles with long, tight-fitting sleeves and a form-fitting bodice. It left her shoulders bare, exposing the graceful curve of her shoulders, collarbones, and neck.
The long sleeves came down to a point above her middle knuckle, a small string of fabric wrapping around each middle finger to keep the sleeves in place. Interwoven into the dress was fine, silver thread and, in the light of the room, she glowed with an ethereal light.
Her shoes had tiny diamonds studded into the straps, making them glow along with her dress. Her hair had been pulled up into a bun high up on her head, a couple of tendrils framing her face. The cosmetic magic that had been applied was barely there, but gave her a shimmer that matched the dress. She was unadorned with jewelry, having nothing to go with the purity of the gown.
As she looked at her reflection in the glass, Janet had to admit she had never looked so beautiful. A sad smile crossed her face. After this night, there was no going back, no more pretending she could return home if people from Earth discovered her.
Aerin had explained to her the magic involved and the magical oath she would have to swear to. Janet figured something of the kind was involved and still stood by her decision, though the idea unnerved her a bit. Though it scared her, she was ready. She had three long and busy months to contemplate her decision and never during that time had she doubted it.
A knock at her door caused her to turn around and break her gaze from her reflection.
"Yes?" she said as the door opened to reveal Aerin. He was her polar opposite for the evening. He was dressed regally in all black, a black, Nehru-style raised collar coat that was fastened up all the way with hidden buttons and tailored closely to his body, stopping right below his waist; a pair of black trousers, also cut close to his body, blended seamlessly with the jacket; black, knee-high boots that were polished until they shined; and, the final piece, a silver, narrow belt that allowed him to attach his sword and sheath at his hip.
His hair was unbound for once, the straight, blond strands spilling over his shoulders. Janet thought he looked amazing. Aerin smiled as he spotted her.
"You look beautiful," Aerin said, "I always thought you looked like a queen. Now you're dressed like one."
"And you look wonderful, too," Janet said as she walked over to him, "Are you my escort this evening?" Aerin nodded.
"Seems fitting, doesn't it? We'll be the last to arrive in the Throne room," Aerin said, "I think everyone else is already down there. I just have to wait for a signal from my communication crystal for when we're supposed to head down." Janet nodded.
"Sounds good," she said, butterflies looping in her stomach, "Are you nervous too?" Aerin nodded, his face slightly pale.
"Terrified, actually," Aerin said, "I can't believe this is happening. Oh, by the way, I have something for you." Aerin held out a flat, square box and opened it to reveal a matching set of diamonds, all set in silver. Janet gasped at the sight, the light glittering off the gems.
"They were commissioned just for you," Aerin said, "By the most prominent jeweler in all of Zimmeria. Put them on." With bated breath, Janet plucked the large diamond studs out of the box and put them in. She then picked up the diamond necklace, made up of 8 diamonds, all at least twice the size of her thumbnail, and held it out to Aerin.
"Help me put it on?" she asked. Aerin smiled as he took the necklace from her hands and waited for Janet to turn around. Once she did, he slipped the necklace around her neck and fastened it, allowing the gems to rest delicately on her bare collarbones. She turned around and Aerin had to admit the effect was dazzling.
"Now you really shine," Aerin said. Janet smiled.
"Thank you," she said, "They're beautiful." Aerin smiled back and, suddenly, the crystal around his neck glowed. Giving her a reassuring look, Aerin held out his hand.
"Shall we?" Janet gave him a nod.
"Yes." She reached out and grabbed his hand, allowing him to lead her downstairs. Neither one of them said a word as they made their descent, both of them wrapped up in their own thoughts.
For Aerin, he almost couldn't believe what was happening. If someone had told him a year ago he would become Lord Protector to a woman from another planet, who happened to be the Akakami no Ishi, Aerin would have laughed in his face. And, further more, if the same person had told him she would be his closest friend, his sister in everything but blood, he would have thought the person to be crazy.
But, there he was, standing next to Janet, the woman who had become his sister and his best friend, a woman he would give anything to protect, to make sure she was always safe, waiting to be named as Lord Protector to the woman who was supposed to protect all of Zimmeria. It blew Aerin away, the thought of what she was going to have to do, going to have to sacrifice, of what she had already had to give up.
Aunt Karise really could have picked no better person to be the next Queen of Zimmeria,' Aerin thought with a small smile.
Janet's thoughts, meanwhile, echoed some similar sentiments. Part of her was convinced it was all a crazy dream, that the past 7 months had all been made up in her head. But, every day that she woke up and went through her day, she knew it wasn't a dream. The pain she felt at the loss of her friends, her family, and her way of life, though it had dulled over the last few months, reminded her that she was very much not making things up, that it was all really happening to her.
It was daunting, everything that she went through. Still, though it was overwhelming, it filled Janet with a sense of rightness, a sense of purpose and righteousness. She would be able to make a difference in peoples' lives and the gods be damned if she was going to sit by and let people suffer when she could do something about it.
Aerin had told her of the many people in poverty, the many who came from outside countries, and many who didn't, who had no where to go, to live, to work, to raise a family, and it struck a chord in Janet's heart. There were millions that could benefit from her attention and she was determined to see their lives improve.
Soon, Janet and Aerin reached the entrance to the Throne room, the large double doors shut tight, waiting to be opened. On either side stood members of the Royal Guard, holding large, ornamental-looking, but still functional, halberd in their hands, the bases rooted to the ground. All the guards bowed respectfully to Aerin and Janet. Both tilted their heads back in response.
They stood waiting there for a few moments, for the doors to open to allow them in. Suddenly, a few moments later, the doors swung open. Janet and Aerin looked straight into the Throne room to see Karise standing in front of her throne, dressed in an elegant,
champagne-colored dress and her official crown resting on her head, with Tanith standing beside her, dressed much the same as Aerin, his brown hair slicked back.
"Janet Fraiser, Akakami no Ishi, and Aerin of the Royal House of Cyrella, son of Lord Tanith, come forth!" Karise called out, her voice filling the large room. As Janet and Aerin walked down the long, narrow red rug that led straight to the throne, Janet allowed herself to take a quick look around.
The room was filled with people, the bleacher-like seats filled and many other chairs placed in front of them in rows, covering the floor everywhere except for the 10-foot wide strip of rug Aerin and Janet were currently walking on. All the seats were filled with the dukes and duchesses and their families, members of the higher classes, and anyone who could afford a seat.
Janet figured that there must be almost a thousand people in attendance. It was, after all, the most important royal function aside from the crowning of the King or Queen.
Janet and Aerin walked slowly down the carpet until they reached the raised dais that the throne stood on. From Karise and Tanith's position on the dais, they were looking down at the young pair. From Karise's other side, Lord Omar stood, his arms folded into his sleeves, a small smile on his face. Even Tanith had a small, yet official-looking smile on his face. Karise looked like she was about to cry, her eyes shining with unshed tears, and a smile rested on her face as well.
Aerin lowered himself into a bow while Janet dropped into an elegant curtsy, both of them muttering, "Your Majesty." Janet was happy that Aerin had told her how to act during the coronation ceremony.
"You may rise," Karise announced and both Janet and Aerin straightened up.
"Janet Fraiser, step up," Karise commanded. Janet did as she asked and stepped up onto the dais. Karise looked straight into her eyes and Janet could see the happiness that resided inside them.
"You have come here tonight to make a solemn promise. Is this so?" Karise said.
"Yes, it is so," Janet said, speaking the words she had been instructed to say.
"As heir to the royal kingdom of Zimmeria, the promise is solemn indeed. What is it that you promise?" Karise asked, her tone official and regal.
"I, Janet Fraiser, Akakami no Ishi, and heir to the royal kingdom of Zimmeria, promise to uphold the traditions of the kings of the past."
"Do you solemnly swear, in the name of the Mother Goddess Lystra, creator of all our people, to abide by the laws of Zimmeria? To treat all others and judge all others fairly? To put the wishes of the people above your own? To protect the people with all the power available to you?" Karise asked.
"I swear," Janet said.
"Very well," Karise spoke and held out her hand to Omar, who placed a jeweled studded knife in her hand, "Give me your hand." Janet gulped as she did so, knowing the blood ritual was part of the ceremony.
Karise took Janet's hand into her own and, holding it palm up, cut a thin line into the skin. Janet winced slightly in pain, watching as the blood slowly pooled in her hand. Karise did the same to her own hand and immediately grabbed Janet's cut hand, allowing their blood to mingle together, their hands glowing as the magic activated itself.
Janet felt her whole body tingle as the magic in Karise's blood, a magic that had been passed down from her father when she became Queen-in-Waiting, passed into her own body. Janet suddenly felt alive, more alive than she had before. She felt stronger, wiser,
exhilarated.
After a few moments, Karise released Janet's hand, their combined blood smeared on both palms, and Omar held out his hands over both of theirs, releasing his healing magic. The cuts immediately sealed up and the blood vanished, leaving both their hands clean.
"Through the sharing of blood, I give you the length of life to gain the wisdom to rule fairly and justly and the strength to defend your people. I name you, now, Janet Fraiser, Akakami no Ishi, the heir to the royal kingdom of Zimmeria," Karise said and the entire hall broke out into applause. Karise waited until the applause died down before turning to Aerin.
"Aerin of the Royal House of Cyrella, step up." Aerin did the same as Janet had and stood by Janet's side.
"You have come here tonight to make a solemn promise. Is this so?"
"Yes, it is so," Aerin said, his voice ringing clearly in the Throne room.
"As Lord Protector to Queen-in-Waiting, Lady Janet, the promise is solemn indeed. What is it that you promise?"
"I, Aerin of the Royal House of Cyrella, son of Lord Tanith, Lord Protector to Queen Karise, promise to protect the throne and the kingdom from all that would harm it."
"Do you solemnly swear, in the name of the Mother Goddess Lystra, creator of all our people, to abide by the laws of Zimmeria? To treat all others and judge all others fairly? To put the wishes of the people above your own? To protect the people with all the power available to you? And, lastly, to protect the throne and the Queen- in-Waiting from everything that would cause her harm, even if you had to give up your life?"
"I swear," Aerin announced.
"Very well," Karise said and motion to Tanith. Tanith stepped forward.
"Give me your hand," he said. Tanith and Aerin performed the same blood ritual and Omar healed them both when their hands separated.
"Through the sharing of blood," Tanith spoke, "I give you the length of life to gain the wisdom to protect the people and the kingdom and the strength to do so. I name you now, Aerin of the Royal House of Cyrella, son of Lord Tanith, Lord Protector to Queen Karise, Lord Protector to the Queen-in-Waiting, Lady Janet." Once again, the entire hall burst into applause and Karise and Tanith had to wait until they quieted down again.
Karise nodded to Omar and, with a wave of his hand, two crowns appeared, one in front of Karise and the other in front of Tanith, both of them floating in the air. Karise grabbed the one in front of her, a diamond studded tiara, while Tanith plucked the silver circlet from the air.
"I present to you, the symbols of your office," Karise said as she lowered the tiara onto Janet's head, the tiara secured into Janet's bound hair. At the same time, Tanith placed the circlet onto Aerin's head, the small metal band coming down to cross his forehead, fitting perfectly around his head.
Once the crowns were placed, Karise turned her attention to the crowd of people.
"Citizens of Zimmeria, I present to you the Akakami no Ishi and the Queen-in-Waiting, Lady Janet and her Lord Protector, Lord Aerin of the Royal House of Cyrella, son of Lord Tanith." For a third, and final, time, the entire hall broke into roaring applause. Karise motioned for Janet and Aerin to turn around to face the hall.
They did so and took a good look at the people who were applauding for them. Janet and Aerin turned to look at each other, smiles on their faces. Their lives really would never be the same.
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After the coronation ceremony, everyone in attendance retired to the Banquet Hall for the feast that was served. It was the eve of the Winter Solstice, one of the biggest holidays of the year, and everyone was in a festive mood.
Janet and Aerin had sat up at the head table with Karise, Tanith, Callista (who kept eyeing Janet enviously throughout the entire evening), Omar, and the other Head Mages, Alinna included as Head Empath. After the sumptuous feast, which had lasted two hours, the tables had been cleared, magically of course, and dancing had commenced.
Janet danced with Aerin, Tanith, Omar, and several of the dukes, all of them congratulating her on her coronation. Janet kept up a happy face though she was gradually losing energy. By the end of the evening, several hours after the ceremony had started, all Janet wanted to do was curl up in bed and fall asleep.
A glance at Aerin told her he was just as tired as she was and she offered him a small smile. Unfortunately, they couldn't leave until all the guests had left.
Finally, they did and Aerin, Janet, Karise, Tanith, and Callista all made their way up to the Tower.
"I am so exhausted," Janet said as she walked next to Aerin, several steps behind the other three.
"So am I," Aerin said, "I would be happy to sleep until the Santsuki festival this summer."
"The Santsuki festival? What's that?" Janet asked.
"It's the festival held once every two years when the three moons are all full at the same time," Aerin explained, "Since this only occurs once every two years, it's a special occasion. Everyone from all of Zimmeria, and abroad, even, gathers in this city to celebrate the festival, which lasts two weeks. It's the biggest occasion of the year and so much happens during that period." Janet nodded in understanding as they finally made their way to the top.
"Well, I'm going to bed," Aerin announced, "I'll see you in the morning. We have to go to the zimmerian nation of Ieta tomorrow, remember?"
"To bond with newborn zimmerians, right?" Janet asked, remembering the next part of the ceremony. She was curious about it; the zimmerian country lay far, far to the south, yet they would be back within two days. Just how did they intend to get down there, Janet wondered. Aerin nodded in response to Janet's question.
"Uh-huh," he said before turning towards his door, "Good night."
"Night," Janet said before turning to her own door. Entering her chambers, Janet turned on the lights to see her way up the stairs, turning them off at the switch by her bedroom door. She walked into her bedroom and turned on the light before closing the door.
She leaned against the door and sighed, thankful for the silence and peace of her rooms. She stayed like that for a couple of moments before heading for her bathroom and the vanity.
She stopped halfway there as a shiver ran through her body and she had the strangest sensation that she was being watched. Being paranoid, Janet turned around and scanned the room, but saw nothing.
Giving it no further thought, she went over to the vanity and sat down. After removing her jewelry and tiara and undoing her hair, Janet slipped out of the gown and dressed for bed.
After quickly brushing her teeth and washing her face, Janet moved back into the bedroom. Turning off the lights, Janet climbed into bed and, in moments, was fast asleep.
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Daniel was having a very off day. He and SG-1 had made a trip to an uninhabited world to look at some ruins while Sam conducted her soil samples. It was a very tame mission according to SG-1 standards and would have gone off without a hitch if Daniel hadn't tripped and fallen on their way back to the Stargate.
He had hit his head rather hard and ended up a concussion that won him a night in the infirmary. Janet had checked him over and told him he should be fine, but that she wanted him to stay overnight just in case. Daniel had acquiesced and, when Janet gave him something for the pain, he had drifted off into a restful sleep.
Immediately, he opened his eyes to find himself in a very familiar room, the one he had been seeing in his dreams when he was with Janet. He didn't understand why he always ended up in that room instead of somewhere he knew, but he figured his imagination was overworking itself again.
He looked around, expecting to see Janet, but, to his surprise, she wasn't there at all. That in and of itself was odd, Daniel thought as he looked around the darkened room. He looked down and found himself fully clothed, dressed in a pair of hospital scrubs and barefoot, something else that never happened in these strange dreams he had of him and Janet. Just what was going on?
Daniel decided to walk around the room, taking in details he had never had the time to focus on. His gaze fell on a desk and he went over to it, looking down at the scattered papers and books on its surface. He reached down for one and picked it up, but he couldn't read the writing. That didn't bother Daniel too much; he usually couldn't read anything in his dreams.
Setting down the papers, he went over to the balcony door and stared out at the evening sky, watching the snow fall from the sky. It entranced him for several minutes before he turned and went to look around the other side of the room. He searched the open armoire, but couldn't discern anything inside. Next to the armoire sat a dresser and atop the dresser was a long box.
Curiosity filling Daniel, he opened the box and, immediately, a soft purple glow filled the surrounding area, glowing through the fabric in the box. Moving aside the velvety material, Daniel's eyebrows rose in wonder and confusion at the twin short swords he saw there. Obviously made by a craftsman of considerable skill, the blades glowed with a light that captivated Daniel.
He reached out and touched one of the blades, his hand encircling the hilt, and felt the wrongness of the action; clearly the blade didn't want him. Letting go, he placed the fabric back over the swords and shut the case.
Turning, he was about to go and sit on the bed to wait for something to happen when he heard the door open and the light turned on. Turning sharply, he gasped at the sight in front of him, feeling like the wind had been knocked out of him.
In front of him stood a fully clothed Janet, but it was a Janet looking more beautiful than he had ever seen her before. Clothed in a white gown, she shone in the light, giving her a regal and ethereal quality Daniel knew he would forever associated with her.
Her hair had been pulled away from her face, but a few tendrils framed her face, softening her look. The diamonds around her neck and on her ears sparkled against her skin, only adding to the magical glow that surrounded her. Atop her head, a tiara studded with hundreds of small diamonds glittered in the light. In his mind, she looked like a queen. But, why was she dressed like that? Daniel had no idea what was going on and he wanted to understand.
He watched as she closed the door and leaned against the solid wood, a soft sigh escaping her lips. Daniel suddenly saw how tired she was. Why would she be so tired?
He watched her like that for several moments before she pushed herself away from the door. He took a few steps toward her as she moved forward.
"Janet, I..." he said as he approached her, trailing off as she passed right through him. Spinning around quickly, he watched as she shivered and turned around to look about the room.
Her eyes passed right over him and Daniel came to realization that she couldn't see him. Now, why would he be having a dream where she couldn't see him? Daniel didn't have any answers as he continued to watch her.
She turned around, obviously not seeing anything out of the ordinary and entered a bathroom that was right off the main room. How hadn't Daniel noticed the bathroom before? She sat down at a large vanity and, with great care, removed the tiara, the necklace, and the earrings.
Suddenly, without any seen force, a drawer beside her opened up and Janet took out a large velvet box, placing the tiara inside so it was nestled in the silk-lined box. She put the box back in the drawer and the drawer shut itself as Janet pushed herself away from the vanity to open the top center drawer.
Daniel peered over her shoulder and watched as Janet placed the diamond earrings and necklace among several other glittering pieces of jewelry, all made from different stones. Daniel gave a small whistle at the number of precious jewels in the drawer.
Janet then undid the bonds that held up her hair and Daniel watched her hair spill down her shoulders in waves, stopping about 6 inches past her shoulders. Her hair had been progressively getting longer in his dreams, but he hadn't known why and this was the first time he wondered about it.
Giving another soft sigh, Janet stood from the vanity and walked over to the armoire, the laces that held the dress together starting to undo themselves. After a little bit, once they had been loosened to halfway down her back, Janet took over the rest and, once the laces had been loosened completely, Janet slipped out of the dress, leaving her only dressed in a pair of panties and her shoes.
Daniel didn't turn away from her nakedness, having seen it before in his dreams, but he suddenly noticed how toned her body had gotten and how young she looked. Why hadn't he noticed that either? What was going on?
She put the gown away in the armoire, giving Daniel an opportunity to peek inside and his eyebrows raised in amazement at all the fine clothing he saw inside.
"I'm going to have to get more closet space. Maybe Aerin can give me a hand," she murmured to herself as she removed her shoes and placed them in a drawer at the bottom of the armoire before slipping into a nightgown.
Daniel moved with her as she went back into the bathroom, wondering about what was going on while she finished her nightly routine by brushing her teeth and washing her face. Watching her doing all this was so intimate and so very strange.
He had been in this room countless times over the last 7 months, but every time Janet could see him and he wasn't exactly paying attention to the details of the room. What about this time was so different? And why did this seem so real, so right?
He followed her back into the bedroom, watching her as she climbed into bed, turning off the light with a small, crystal switch next to her bed. He moved and sat on the other side of the bed, watching her fall asleep in minutes.
She must have been tired,' Daniel mused as he reached over and brushed an errant strand of hair from her face. A small smile worked its way across Janet's face in her sleep in response to his touch and Daniel couldn't help but smile.
Though this was, without a doubt, one of the strangest dreams he had ever had, he still help but appreciate the intimacy of the dream. Daniel adjusted himself until he was lying on top of the covers, facing Janet, watching her sleep.
Eventually, his eyes drifted shut and he fell asleep...only to wake up in the infirmary to the sound of voices. A glance to his side showed him Sam sitting in a chair next to his bed, looking at someone at the other side of his bed. He turned his head to see Janet standing at his bedside.
"Well, I see you're awake, Daniel," Janet said warmly, a small smile on her face. Daniel couldn't help but think of the dream that he had and couldn't look at her without seeing the ethereal qualities she had shown in his dream.
"How long have I been asleep?" he asked groggily.
"About 6 hours," Janet said, "You still tired?" Daniel shook his head.
"No," he said, "Hey Janet?" He had to know, he just had to know.
"Yes?"
"Have you ever worn a tiara?" From his side, a choked laugh escaped from Sam's mouth and Janet's lips upturned into an amused smile.
"Only when I dressed up as a princess for Halloween when I was 7," Janet said, "I'll be right back." With that, she walked away, presumably to conduct whatever business she had.
"What was that all about?" Sam asked. Daniel sighed.
"Nothing," he said, "Just a strange dream." Sam seemed to accept the answer and as they chatted about nothing in particular, Daniel thought about the dream he had just had. It had seemed so real, like he was actually someplace else, like the Janet in his dreams was actually real.
It was nonsense, really; the Janet in front of him was the real one. But, then, why did he feel like there was something off about her?
Sighing softly, Daniel shook aside the thought, thinking it nothing more than his aforementioned overactive imagination, and concentrated on what Sam was saying.
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TBC...