CH14: Three Moons Ceremony
XxX… Present Time ..XxX.. Pandora Island: Royal Water Garden ...XxX
The twins lead Robin to the same room where she had first met the Shion royals. However, this time, the atmosphere was very different: lively, festive and excited. The room brimmed with the beauty of young Shion female's, each donned from head to toe in unmatchable glamour. The pack of girls crowded around the left of the room. The walls were drawn back of its velvet curtains, and Robin saw that, that entire side was not a wall, but instead a glass gate opening to a large marble veranda.
Not for the first time she thanked her great height for the ease of overlooking the crowd. Robin craned to see that the veranda adjoined to another room across the structure. From the opposing side stood a formal line of elegantly dressed warriors.
"Oh dear, it seems Lord Faranon had already made the opening speech." worried Ceria.
True enough, at the far center of the growing party, the high king and his lady sat on gleaming gold thrones.
"Now receiving-- Lady Nessa and Sir Lauren." Announced a bell-like voice.
A willowy women wisped through the crowd of girls. Stopping briefly at the door, she took a deep breath before gracefully stepping onto the marble veranda.
Robin watched from her distance. A handsome warrior step from the long assembly of line, the two met at center. The man bent down on one knee, taking the girls white hand into his, he placed the back of her hand over his forehead before pulling the same hand over the center of his chest. When the deed was done, the warrior rose. Keeping the same hand the two descended towards the watchful party below.
"Now receiving-- Lady Rosia and Sir Thantous--"
"Feria? Ceria?" Robin stepped away from the view. "What was that? The thing he just did with the her hand?" she nervously licked her lips, eyeing the fidgeting twins.
"Well…" began Ceria, carefully. "That is called The Gracing of Hand, it is a Shion custom performed before any ceremony. It is a vow where the warrior proves his heart to his Keeper." she spoke, watching the odd series of changes occurring over Robin's face. It went from understanding, to dull surprise, to uncontrolled horror.
"People watch very carefully when the warrior perform the Gracing-- like Lady Nessa for example," piped Feria, "having her father force Sir Lauren into taking her to the ceremony-- she shouldn't be surprised that he didn't grant her his heart." she briefed.
Her suddenly dry throat rasped, "Heart?"
The twins exchanged quick looks. "When the warrior places the hand over his forehead it symbolizes the giving of mind. This part is mandatory, granted that he was sane when the decision to arrive together occurred."
"Next step, he could do one of three things. One, place the hand over his right chest-- this shows the greatest disrespect. It equates something of 'I detest being here with you.' But of course, no one will ever do something that disgraceful in Lord Faranon's presence." insured Feria. "Second, he places the hand over the center of his chest-- most awkward couples do this. It's one of the most common way to greet their Keeper. It shows neutral feeling, not intense as love, or strong as hate, more of a friend-like message."
"The third…" Ceria chewed her lips, looking sheepish. "It's a step only used between the nuptial's or exclusive Keepmate's.. It's actually a very intimate gesture." the twin's blush showed even in the dimmed lights. "Here, he places the hand directly over his left chest-- over his heart. It graces his Keeper into possession of his mind and heart."
Robin felt her head go numb. When she looked again, she immediately noticed the sudden shortage of girls. The room had vacated except the last ten percent waiting to be called.
"Now receiving-- Lady Seth and Sir Vallon--"
This warrior held the hand over his heart. "Keepmate's for 2 years." whispered Feria knowingly. Robin nodded stiffly.
Fighting to steady her pulse, Robin distracted herself with the magnificent view of the garden below. The veranda atop the rows of stairs gave the level a feel of stage. Beyond the stairs, the path lend directly onto the main party. She peeked the line of modishly dressed Shion men. A wondrous melody floated from the unknown, tantalizing the ears as each warrior stepped towards their Keeper. The radiant females lent their hand out as the other preformed the Gracing. The lines began to shorten as the party continued their precession down the path. Given the limited angle, a certain dark haired swordsmen was nowhere to be seen. Robin felt a strange sinking inside as she desperately eyed the decreasing line.
Then, she saw it. A sharp breath caught in her throat as the last figure came into view.
MiHawk. Her Keeper. He stood near the very edge of the line of warriors. Othello kept just one step before the swordsmen. The nobles, their wears were nothing short of clothing worthy of the most divine entity. MiHawk's outfit did not compose of anything more or less grand then those around him. His dark coat held an elegant pattern of intricate symbols, lining the black background with its red and silver. The high collar and cuffed sleeves were plated in shiny silver pieces. Its V-shaped part of the heavy collar revealed the silky white shirt. The coat came together only at mid-body, its gradual separation below the silver buckles showed the lower end of the smooth shirt resting gracefully over dark pants. The length of the coat traveled near the boots, its sleek gleam also designed with matching details of the coat.
Free of the leather hat, the hair, each glistening strands were carefully groomed back. The thin lines of facial hair were shaped in its usual neat angles. The piercing, mesmerizing orange-gold eyes stared ahead as Robin looked on. From the surroundings, only Othello matched to the swordsmen's full height. Aside the difference of elevation, dressed in almost identical, almost uniform outerwear, the swordsmen should have blended in flawlessly with the parade of Shion warriors. But something more emitted from his presence; the Shion's felt it also, they turned and stole glances, each eyeing the figure reverently. Robin felt oddly touched by the air of nobility and greatness that seem to radiate from the man.
Taken aback by the swordsmen's elegant look, with heavy heart, she began critiquing her own appearance. Her mind screamed at her foolishness of arriving without even a glance in the mirror. Granted the Weaver and Stylist were crowned best in land, they could have easily dressed her as a troll and she would have never known. With the room less crowded, the remaining girls began noticing the quiet figure that loitered at the back. They stood gawking, pointing and whispering to each other.
Some looked surprised , some looked curious, but most looked angry. With each passing second she felt lower and lower.
As much as she dared, she stole glances of the many Shion women staring her. Each girl glittered in their grand robe and ivory skin, the brilliant jewels donning their hairs added more to their enchanting ensemble.
She felt like a duck, sinking in a lake full of swans.
"Now receiving-- Lady Syn and Sir Othello--"
A very handsome Othello stepped into the moonlight, approaching the center. He stood dully, eyeing the empty hall of his Keeper's entrance.
"Now receiving-- LADY SYN and Sir Othello--" repeated the announcement-- strongly.
The girls and Robin jumped at the slam of door behind. The figure raced for the veranda, "Move, move!" hissed the dashing blur of blue. She tried to slow at the door, but the force of her earlier momentum skidded under the sandals, gliding her towards Othello. With the dull look still on face, he skillfully caught her waist, stopping her slide. With both hands he steadied his Keeper. The crowd below buzzed with polite chuckles. Quickly, she jetted out a pearly hand, a haughty look already fixed over her turned face. Othello rolled his eyes, wearing a crooked grin, he bent on one knee and graced her hand generously. A light shade of pink briefed her face when he touched her hand to his heart. Short gasps and murmurs of protest sounded from both the girls in the room, and the ones already on floor. The sounds gradually decreased as the announcer called forth more names.
"Now receiving--
Then it happened,
"Lady Robin and Sir MiHawk--"
the moment of dread.
In a moment of insanity, she debated whether to make a break for the back door. Anything, to spare MiHawk the embarrassment of walking down the aisle with a human female, far too plain compared to the swan-like beauties of the Shion's.
"Lady Robin." urged the soft voice from both sides. The twin's seemed to have read her mind, they cuffed their small hands around each wrist, ushering her to the glass door. "Breathe--" reminded one of the girls. They stopped short, making Robin walk to the entrance alone.
She briefed at the door like the many girl prior to her had. Now, she saw why. In the angled view of the opened door, the glass content perfectly mirrored the subject standing the doorway. She watched dumbly, the beautiful stranger standing her place.
The figure shimmered, wrapped in a wondrous dress of wine grandeur; the color, matching flawlessly to the tan of her skin. The elegantly positioned hair, every glossy wave in its perfect place. The jewels glistening evenly atop her hair; each little stone possessed countless angle of its own, their immaculately smooth surface catching every drop of light as the piece glittered overhead.
"Lady Robin!" hissed the silent whisper from her left. She jerked to see a frantic Feria, pointing the direction she should have long started walking. For the first time, she noticed MiHawk awaiting her at the center. He was looking her direction. He seemed unfocused, dazed-- something she had never seen on the always keen swordsmen.
"Now receiving-- Lady Robin and Sir MiHawk--"
MiHawk flinched about as much as she did when the voice boomed overhead. Forcing her breath steady, she made her way towards MiHawk. The moonlight shone more brightly once she stepped from the cover of the room.
Simultaneously, when she reached MiHawk, he lowered onto one knee. The ever-enchanting shade of his eyes greeted her warmly, sending a tingling feeling that reached all the way to her toes. Gingerly, he took her idle hand from aside.
It was their custom, and as guests it was only natural for him to follow their tradition.
She knew MiHawk only did so in gesture of duty, but she felt warmed anyway.
Still. The whole way down the rows of steps, the warmth in her hand spread across her entire body, remembering the rhythmic pulse it had learned against his beating heart.
x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.
"Breathe." he whispered, a grin weaved in the word. She answered with stiff nods, wondering if the crowd below could see the tomato that was her face. When the two had descended from the last of the stairs they continued on to join Syn and Othello standing at the center of the wide, stage-like circle. The announcer called last of the names, but the crowd wasn't paying attention to the new arrivals any longer. Instead, they, who created the ring around the circular stage, watched the center four as if expecting some kind of show. With hundreds of eyes pouring on her, Robin nervously squeezed MiHawk's hand. Surprised but kindly, he glanced to his Keeper. "Didn't anyone tell you?" he asked. "We're supposed to start the ceremony."
"I told her!" Syn hissed defensively.
"Ah-- of course." Robin nodded quickly, "Of course. I know. Of course." she repeated tensely. Mentally, her brain bombed, frantically recalling the instruction Syn had given earlier.
The soft background melody changed to a different song when the last of the couple cleared from entrance. The murmur of the crowd dropped to a noiseless zero as the wondrous music echoed from every corner of the atrium.
Smoothly, simultaneously, MiHawk and Othello swept their left arm behind their waist, they raised the other hand in offer to their Keepers.
Syn nudged Robin-- hard, behind her back before taking to Othello's hand. Thanks to Syn's attention Robin remembered to take MiHawk's just in time. She remembered to cross her free arm across her chest as MiHawk drew her closer to him.
She never knew when the music started, as she would never know when their feet's began to move in the Shion Walk. Everything around them vanished, even Othello and Syn- just few feet away -seemed nonexistent. The steps came easily, as if she'd practice and performed this dance all her life. Her hand grew warm and comfortable in his. His lead was flawless; the two moved with perfect grace, her careful, lithe steps following his smooth, fluid ones. The two continued to glide in the waltz-like elegance of the Shion Walk.
Earlier, when she practiced with Syn, Syn had taken the part of the lead. During the demonstration even with hands locked together the two figure were apart by at least a foot-- not that she had a problem with the new closeness-- the flat of her arm brushed warmly against his coat as the two moved continuously. They were so close, she felt his even breaths soft over her cheek. As the feet's moved about their own, Robin looked into his face. The last time they were this close was when she was thrashing in his arms and tugging at his hair during her dire struggle in the storming ocean. She looked into the steady calm of his orange- gold eyes, losing sense of all things as she watched the luminous light of the moons reflect and change the shade of his eyes from honey-amber, to deep night, and back to orange-gold again. She was captive, spellbound by its hypnotic beauty.
A flicker of smile played across his eyes. Robin blinked confusedly.
Shoot.
She had stepped on his foot.
..Again.
..And again..!
She had let her mind wander too far, and in the panic of trying to recover into the steps, she treaded his foot repeatedly. Mortified, Robin bit her lips trying to remember which way her feet were supposed to go-- step back on left foot, not right. No! Step back on right foot, not left..??
"Relax," smiled the whisper into her ear. "Just follow my lead, don't think too much about what your supposed to do." Instantly, she felt her breath even. He pulled her even closer, carefully coaxing her back into the rhythmic pattern of the foreign waltz. The silver drops of melody changed, coming to a elegant finish. The two leading pairs remained still at center as polite applause echoed through the moonlit garden.
The Othello and Syn pair showed gracious bow to the audience. Robin followed MiHawk's simple bow. Syn quickly released her Keepmate's hand and fluttered into the crowd where the group greeted her like celebrity. Othello waved over to a group of boys calling over. "Lady Robin, please excuse me for just a moment." he smiled before going to group with the crowd.
Not able to meet his eyes, she stared his sandal trodden boots. "I'm so sorry." she murmured, cringing at the marks of dust soiled across the otherwise perfect black.
"It's nothing." came the easy reply.
"Maybe it'll just brush off--" Absentmindedly, she bent, reaching to dust the boots with her hand. Before it even neared the shoes, she found her hand captive in MiHawk's warm grip.
"That's unnecessary." he spoke, helping her up.
Her eyes widen from unknown thrill--
x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.
Somewhere, in the back of her faded memories a large women yelled,
"Look what you've done! You've gotten the drink all over the customers shoes! Apologize and wipe it immediately!"
A desperate girl begged,
"Ah! I'm so sorry!"
The kind stranger answered,
"That's unnecessary."
x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.
She stared, he returned her gaze; his eyes: masked, unreadable. A small servant boy approached the two, breaking the crucial silence.
"The council prays a word with you, Sir MiHawk." MiHawk turned from Robin's questioning eyes to nod the informant.
"Excuse me." Rather quickly, he left off-stage.
Before Robin could pause to gather her thoughts, she was suddenly addressed by a Shion who's beauty greatly resembled Syn's.
"Lady Robin, I presume?" her silvery blue hair danced when she bent for a small bow. Not waiting an answer she continued, "I just wanted to congratulate your pair on that excellent show of The Walk. It was just beautifully done, although... somehow-- I must have imaged a more elegant performance from Sir MiHawk--" The obvious tone of mock didn't go unnoticed.
"Sir MiHawk possesses nothing but elegance." she pressed down the seething of her tone. "Had he a more suitable partner--"
"So your saying, should he find a more capable partner you'd have no problem letting him, a dance with her?"
"Well--" she searched, trapped for words. "Well-- if that's what he wanted-- of course, I wouldn't mind." she lied.
"Oh, I see." the beauty smiled. "Thank you so much for this." giving another bow, she fluttered away. Irritated and confused, Robin made her way off stage. Her bad mood continued all the way descending the steps.
"Drink, dear lady?" rolled a marble voice. Othello's pearly whites greeted her with a cheerful grin. Smiling, Robin took the glass from his offering hand. She lifted the sparkling liquid, enjoying its startling effect. "We call it the Elixir of Esprit," Robin sniffed the content and found alcohol within the sweet scent of the liquid. "Don't let the name fool you, it can be very potent should you have too much." he warned.
The bell-like announcement rang once more: "The Second Walk: Myriad of Stars."
Othello swept the garden once, "Hmm.. seems like the Second Walk is about to play, and I don't see our partners anywhere.." Just then, parting the crowd with her usual ease, Syn approached with astonishing speed.
"Robin, have you seen Feria or Ceria?"
"Oh, umm, no. I believe they went to change for the ceremony-- they should be here soon."
"Excellent." her blue eyes sparkled. "When you see them, would you please tell them I must have the item delivered to me immediately?" she pressed excitedly. "They'll know what it's about."
"Sure." Robin nodded, largely mystified by the women's energy. Thin chimes of the Second Walk began to ring through the garden as the center cleared once more. Many couples filled the stage, moving beautifully to the song of the dance. Robin gestured the other two to join.
Othello made a face, "I wouldn't dare leave such a enchanting lady to stand solo."
"Robin, you may not know, but it is a HUGE disgrace for a women, who has arrived with a Keepmate to be single during a Walk." educated Syn. "Just where is MiHawk anyways?"
"The elders wanted a word with him, but he should be coming back soon. Ah-- there he is now!" Othello began to wave high above the crowd. Suddenly, the big smile shifted to a sour change. "What is Lady Rosia doing?"
Syn and Robin turned for the direction, "What?? What is my sister doing now?!" Syn stormed.
The offensive women of earlier had stopped MiHawk from his walk. Her eyes gleamed with wish-fullness, as she leaned to whisper words into his ears. He seemed taken aback by whatever message she spoke. He looked once in Robin's direction, carrying a puzzled look. The blue haired women extended her hand with a wispy gesture. She gave a girlish laugh before tugging him towards center stage. He gave one last sideway look to Robin, before complying to the Shion's direction. Graceful and exquisitely delicate, the women moved with possession of ease and rhythm, impossible for Robin to mimic.
"How in the world of all the lost souls-- did Rosia managed to do that?!!" Syn fumed to Robin. "Did she ask you?! Did you let her??!"
"Ask me?"
"YOU are called his Keeper for a reason! HE is yours to allow or not allow." her angry words stopped abruptly at the look on Robin's face. "Oh.. Forget it." she grunted, looking remorseful, "That scheming Rosia!! She's my sister, and the gods know I love her, but I of all people know she can be very sneaky when it comes to something she wants. I'll go right up there and drag her down if I have to-- Othello, hold my hair jewel." she began sorting out the glittering piece from her hair.
"No, please!" Robin sputtered, when Othello began helping Syn with the removal of her jewelry. "It's fine." her forced laugh came out strangled. "I'm okay, it's my own fault for not paying attention to the customs of your land. Please, don't dally yourselves on my account, the stage demands the attention of the royals." she pushed the reluctant couple towards the stage then quickly excused herself aside.
She distanced herself as far as possible from the stage. Moving to the far edge of the party, she tried to blend into invisibility. Leaning against the marble pillar, she emptied the amber drink in one swing. The blood rushed to her face intensely while her mind battered from the unknown wavering of heart.
Even the harmonic melody began to sound forlorn when hearing it alone. The increasing crescendo of the Second Walk seem to zone onto her loneliness; depressed, snatching two more glasses from the working servant she downed both cups in turn. Placing the empty glasses on tray she retrieved a set more from the server. Before the fifth helping touched her lips, a clear, silver note sang in her ear. Startled, she stepped away from the pillar. Wide-eyed, she saw that the melody of the night was indeed not made by musical instruments, but by living creatures.
The beautiful boy smiled from its hug on the pillar. Her vision climbed higher, finding more of the identical creatures singing in its wonderful voice. The blue scale of his skin shifted, and the green feathers of his spine waved every time he stirred. Its movement was like that of a lizard's, with its irresistible smile on face, he accomplished with unnatural ease the head-first, vertical climb down the pillar. With his green eyes locked on hers it called in a flowing, swooning melody. In his clawed fingers he held gingerly a bright red blossom. The boy enticed and seduced her with his dream-like calls, making her approach him even closer. Before she knew it, the boy cooed against her cheek, placing the brilliant flower into her hair. The blue tinge of his nose dragged across her skin as he continued to serenade in his alluring voice.
"I believe you're the first human female to ever win the hearts of a Nightingale." Still dazed, she faced the voice. The creature gave a vicious hiss to the swordsmen before retreating to the canopy of the pillar. "They hate the male's though.." he muttered, eyeing the angry bird. Once the bird retreated, her thoughts returned.
Robin fidgeted in her spot, "Umm.. Isn't the Second Walk still going on?" she asked nervously.
"..If it's alright with you-- I found it more appropriate to escort Lady Rosia to her rightful Keepmate." Guiltily, Robin studied the rubies of her sandal. "If it pleases you, you can likely have a dance with any Shion's here." he spoke, scanning the room.
Robin flushed pink at those words, "No, it's quite alright." she stammered. "I-I'm sorry about earlier- I had no idea I was assigning that girl for your time." she stole a quick side-glance to the swordsmen. "Unless that's what you wanted-" A strange look in his eyes stopped her parade of stutter.
"Well, I'm glad your enjoying the time here-- meeting the locals (he eyed the still angry boy), tasting the lands drink-- how many of those did you have?" he asked, casting a worried glance over the emptied glasses and the two more she held now.
Her skin flushed an impossible red. "Oh, umm-- these are for you!" too quickly, she thrust the glasses towards him; one emptied, one full. He looked at her strangely, and had she been brave enough to stare directly into his face, she would have seen the impossibly small grin tugging the corners of his lips. Nodding his thanks, he took the cups from her-- one empty, one full. He ended the drink with a smooth motion. "If… if it's not a bother.. Will you dance with no others tonight?" she asked bravely. When the silence lasted longer than she liked, she retracted, immediately cursing her boldness.
"No other." and with that, MiHawk lead her to the crowded circle of the stage, pulling her into the second waltz of the night.
Xx.Xx.Xx.Xx.Xx.Xx.Xx.Xx.Xx.Xx.Xx.Xx.Xx.Xx.Xx.
Icon Image Guide: Tonight - "Beautiful Robin"
A/N: Apologies for yet another late chapter.
T.T
I haven't slept in 43 hours… My procrastination has been killing me this week. I finally finished my bio research paper and currently, I'm so amped on so many Red Bull's and Monster's, I'm having trouble falling asleep..
Not my finest hour, but I think/hope the chapter turned out okay… Goodnight to all!