Terra stretched sinuously as her eyes opened slowly. The warmth of the umbrella filtered sun, the soothing sound of the breaking waves, the distant calls of the wildlife mixed with the warm, salty sea air coupled with a day of frolicking in the sea had lulled her into a light sleep. She looked over at the chaise beside her to find her mother looking in her direction.
"Have a nice nap?" Beka smiled at her daughter.
"Yes," Terra stretched slowly once more. The vernal season was slowly pushing away the winter. The weather at the shore was more like late spring to early summer. Terra supposed it had to do with the latitude of Alatopah, the currents of the sea and the oceanic winds. The family had arrived late the previous evening to 'check out' the palace at Alatopah.
This morning the family, including Tamerlane, had breakfast together on the upper terrace. Afterward, Tamerlane had disappeared to the office at this palace. According to Tyr, Tamerlane could carry out most of his routine duties, remotely, from Alatopah. Throughout the day, Tyr disappeared into the palace as well. Terra and Beka had spent some time with Lex going over ideas for the ceremony location and other events. Lex and Kindred had taken a long stroll around the property with Beka to look for locations.
Terra had explored the palace which was not off limits to her. As usual, there was more than ample security in the palace and on the grounds. It was a fascinating blend of old and new just like the main palace.
In the middle of the day, they had all gotten back together and had lunch. Once again, Tamerlane disappeared after lunch with Tyr.
Beka, Terra, Kindred and Lex had finally made their way down the cliffside stairs to the long arching beach below. The sand was powder fine and whiter than any sand Terra had ever seen. It was nearly soft when she ran her hand thorough it. Chaises and large umbrellas were in a long row on the sand. Two larger draped cabanas were positioned a little farther from the surfline.
Terra had joined Lex and Kindred in the water for most of the afternoon while Beka watched from shore. Terra did not think her mother would ever be fond of the sea. Long swims, snorkeling and diving had made the afternoon pass quickly. When Terra had finally emerged from the sea, one of the staff was there with a towel. A cool beverage was waiting for her on the table beside her umbrella covered chaise. Terra had stretched out and must have dozed off while talking to her mother about their evening plans.
Terra's eyes moved to the water. Lex and Kindred were frolicking in the surf. Two forms farther out in the water were making their way back to shore. Terra looked over at her mother as Beka's eyes remained glued to Tyr as he emerged from the water. Terra's gaze joined her mother's as Terra's eyes ran appreciatively over the Nietzschean male emerging from the surf. Tamerlane and Tyr separated at the water line. Tamerlane walked by the chaises and stepped up onto the platform of the cabana directly behind Beka and Terra. Tyr came over and perched himself on the side of Beka's.
"So what are your plans for this evening?" Terra asked as her attention turned to Beka. Terra was fairly certain Beka had been telling her as Terra nodded off earlier. At the moment, Terra couldn't remember what had been said.
"Tyr and I are going into Alatopah for the evening with your brother, Lex and Francesca. We are meeting the wedding coordinator there. She has connections in Alatopah. There are several suppliers in town we are considering using," Beka replied as she looked over at her daughter. "You are more than welcome to join us."
"Hmmmm," Terra pretended to consider it. "Lounge by the clear blue sea drinking cocktails? Or running around Alatopah meeting with suppliers. It's a tough one, but I think I'll stay here. Pretty sure one of the staff mentioned dinner could be served right here to my chaise."
"This place is beautiful," Kindred's voice broke into the conversation as he and Lex hurried up to them.
"Damnit Kindred," Terra shot her brother a look when he hand dried his hair, spraying her with water.
"If I were Tamerlane, I would make this my full time official palace," Kindred gestured around them. "I'd probably never get any work done … but that's what staff are for … right?"
"I doubt anyone would get any work done if the main palace was located here," Terra remarked. "And why let all the … plebs … enjoy such amenities."
"True," Kindred pointed to Terra. "You going with us tonight? I could really use your opinion on colors and flowers and ribbon."
"You all have fun," Terra shook her head when Lex swatted Kindred. "When it comes time to shop for dresses, I'm there. Until then, flowers, table linen, plates and forks and stemware … not on my list."
"We should be going," Lex informed them as she picked up the datapad on her chaise and consulted it. "We are running a little behind schedule …"
"You have a schedule?" Terra looked over at Lex. The woman nodded as she showed Terra the datapad.
"We should all be showering now if we want to make it the Abrielle's hotel by 1700," Lex began picking up her things and Kindred's.
"We should have no problem making it," Beka said as she got to her feet when Tyr put out his hand to help her up. "Showering won't take long."
"Hopefully you have two showers in your room," Terra quipped lightly. "Or you will probably all be late."
"Terra," Beka chastised her daughter with the shake of her head.
"Oh, come on mom," Terra shook her head before laying back and closing her eyes. "We are all adults here. And every one of you have been late because of … showering."
"If you change your mind about joining us this evening, I forwarded you a copy of our itinerary," Lex added as she and Kindred started toward the stair back up to the cliff top palace.
"Are you certain you do not want to join us this evening, son," Tyr called over to Tamerlane. At the moment, the other Nietzschean male reclined back on the oversized chaise with a flexi in one hand. Terra had noticed staff from the palace had dropped off several while Tamerlane and Tyr had been swimming.
"Ashan scheduled a video comm meeting this evening," Tamerlane replied as he waved the flexi he had been reading. "Viceroy Halder was insistent that he and I talk privately about several issues in the Madore system. Apparently, it could not wait until I return tomorrow."
"Viceroy Halder is treading on thin ice with his people," Tyr nodded as he considered it. "I can understand why he would feel it urgent to speak with you."
"I have informed him numerous times that the internal politics of the system are not my concern so long as they are not a threat to the system's membership to the Empire," Tamerlane shrugged slightly. "I could care less whether he or his opponent run the system. Their views and leadership are nearly the same. Either way, they are both comfortable with their place within the Empire."
"As your sister said to Terra, Alexandra forwarded you an itinerary if you would like to join us later," Tyr replied as his hand slipped to Beka's back for them to go.
"I have staff to make those decisions," Tamerlane shook his head as his focus returned to his flexi. "The universe cares not what color linens are on the tables at Alexandra's wedding."
"But your sister does," Beka reminded before she and Tyr headed toward the stairs as well.