Chapter Twenty-One
Thursday, May Seventeenth
Ev Vanadey, Legacy of Demeter
Ev Vanaday forgot they were from Angeles when Selena requested to talk to them about their press release trip. Ev is grateful to leave the palace, don't get them wrong, but they'd rather see somewhere than they've already been. Ev has lived in Angeles all of their life and has seen all that their province has to offer.
Rose however, who she chose to accompany her, has not been to most of Angeles. Ev appreciates Rose. She's been teaching them coding during their free time and Rose will play video games with Ev and not throw a tantrum when she loses. Rose is better than most people Ev regularly played with back home.
"You all have everything?" Selena walks into the front foyer. Ev would note that both Selena and Princess Consort Ciara have the habit of making this very spot their meeting point, but they're nodding.
In the bag Ev's holding, there is a formal outfit. It's a navy blue suit with a matching tie and white collared shirt. They're feeling particularly masculine today.
Selena opens the doors to the limo awaiting them. While they head towards it, guards grap the formal wear and put it in separate vehicles. The door is opened by the driver. Ev steps in, then Rose and Selena. Ev doesn't think they can get used to limos, remembering their love for motorcycles.
"I like your shirt." Selena comments. She's talking to Ev and the Panic! at the Disco shirt they're wearing. Ev remembers Selena commenting about the band earlier in their stay at the palace. "Favorite album of theirs?"
"Pray for the Wicked." Ev replies, "You?"
"Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die." Selena replies, "Do you listen to Panic! at the Disco, Rose?"
"Not really," Rose answers, "but if you enjoy it, it must be good. I heard you have a good taste in music."
"I think you'd be into Vices and Virtues." Selena comments.
Ev interjects, "or A Fever You Can't Sweat Out."
"And these are all album titles?" Rose asks, searching the band up.
"Yes." Selena plugs in her phone to the aux cord, she starts with their first album: A Fever You Can't Sweat Out. Selena's singing along, her voice not being the greatest, but it looks like she's having fun. Ev chimes in occasionally; Rose is trying to figure out the lyrics.
When they reach the intermission, already steadily on their way to their event, Rose asks, "What are we doing today?"
"We are visiting a local elementary school to inspire and implement STEM courses for young children then attending a banquet that has an auction with all proceeds going towards my foundation Animal Again."
"I didn't know that you were interested in STEM subjects." Ev replies.
"I'm not," Selena admits, "I picked something I thought you two would be interested in. I'm bringing along a NASA worker and a Computer Science major, so why not?"
"Thinking about us, huh?" Ev asks.
Selena responds, "I'm forcing you all to come to my charity event for my non-profit; as well as force you to do public appearances so I can at least make one event interesting."
"Considerate and has great music taste." Rose smirks and Ev rolls their eyes. Ev knows what Rose thinks of Selena, they've talked about it before. Rose cares a lot more for Selena than Ev does and if Rose wants to openly flirt with the princess, they won't stop her.
Selena smiles, "Thank you."
Rose and Selena get into a conversation that amounts to the two of them flirting with each other without any regard for Ev. They don't mind. Ev just puts their earbuds on and listens to a video game podcast they've been catching up on.
Selena Schreave, Legacy of Zeus
They head from the school where they did their first event to the hotel room where they change into their formal attire for the second event of the night. Ev and Rose sit in the hotel room while Selena finishes her makeup.
She turns towards the duo, her partners for the night, and asks, "You like it?" Her long, burgundy, ball gown swooshes at the pleats, making the glitter appear to be moving as well. The lipstick matches her strapless dress. Her freckles and eyeliner are defined, but blush and eyeshadow are minimal.
The duo nods. Grabbing their things, the three of them leave and head towards the limo out front. Selena's arms interlock with both of her dates, Ev on the left and Rose on the right.
There is a camera flashing, paparazzi. Selena smiles, holding her head up high. Rose does the same while Ev keeps their neutral expression. When they reach their ride, Selena lets her dates enter the vehicle first. She motions to the nearest guard, the same smile stuck to her face, "Make sure to lose the cameras in case they follow."
"Yes, Your Highness." He replies, "sorry that they are there ma'am."
Selena gets in, making sure to take up as little room as possible with her dress.
Rose asks, "What was that about?"
"Paparazzi," Selena replies, "they probably weren't invited to our event; needed to get a good image of me looking like a mess."
"You never do."
"Thank you Rose," Selena buckles up, "but that's why. The cameras."
"What do you need us to do?" Ev asks, "at the banquet?"
"Mostly make conversation with the trio who've paid to sit beside us." Selena answers, "Talk to people; don't make fools out of yourself. Basics."
"Yeah," Rose replies, "Viatrix taught us."
Selena laughs, "She taught me too."
"You had Viatrix as a teacher?" Ev asks.
"So did my siblings一Luna still does," Selena replies, "but I doubt she's teaching you two about chemistry."
"It's mostly power control and palace etiquette." Rose replies, "fascinating stuff power control is."
"But certainly not etiquette." Selena laughs.
Ev and Rose nods along.
Selena comments, "I need to see power control. See what everyone has."
"You could always come down to the classes." Rose offers.
"Yeah, I could…" Selena trails off, then changes the subject, "So, when we get there, there will be a walk towards the entrance and cameras when we step in. We'll pose for a minute or two and then we'll be escorted to our table."
"Not unlike red carpets." Ev compares.
Selena nods, "Except indoors."
"Thankfully." Ev comments.
Soon, the limo pulls into a stop. The door opens and music can be heard from the outside. Selena once again, locks arms with Rose and Ev. This time, Ev on the right and Rose on the left. They walk in, preparing themselves for the flashes of multiple cameras, but it isn't as chaotic as Selena's selected planned for it. There's a camera or two, each giving them time to pose in a variety of ways.
Selena and her dates are led to their table, now unlocked from each other. It's the center circular table. A young lady and two slightly older men are seating there.
"Minnie Illéa!" Selena wraps the lady in a hug, "I didn't think you'd be one of our tablemates."
"Well father arranged it." She whispers the next part, "as a way to convince me of going on another date with the guy to my left."
Selena looks at him. He's not the handsomest, most of her selected certainly look better than him, but she replies, "He's not that bad."
"Don't lie to me girl." She mutters, "but father is getting incessant on me getting serious about settling down, giving the family more children. You know the deal."
"Yes, I do." Selena rolls her eyes, "If he gets handsy I'll fight him. Believe it."
"I can handle my own battles, Selena. I'm a legacy as well," she laughs, "now go sit with your selected."
Selena stands, waiting for the last remaining guests to walk in before heading to the stage. It's only a few minutes before everyone else is seated and the music softens, allowing all eyes to be on her.
She holds the microphone in her hand, standing at the front of the stage. People are in front of her and things to bid on are behind her.
"Welcome to my Angeles Banquet for Animal Again. All proceeds towards this event shall go towards the province head and shall be redistributed in helping all shelters in our lovely province." Selena pauses for applause and she gets it. Though, quick enough, she's able to speak again, "I am thankful for everyone who attended today. In a couple of minutes, we shall engage in the first course of our three course meal for the night and then you all will be given thirty minutes to socialize and participate in the silent portion of this auction. Afterwards we'll open up the bidding per item. Throughout the time, servers will be passing drinks through. I hope you all will have a lovely time tonight."
Applause rings through the hall, this time louder and longer than the one before. Selena sits and waiters start bringing the food out for the appetizer portion.
AN: if nobody noticed, legacies turned a year old a couple of days back and wow, im shocked. just shy of 100 reviews and 21 chapters is an acheivement i'm proud of!
