XxxxxXxxxxxxXxxxxxxx
Chapter 56 – The Feast
The freshly shaven Doctor, Lance and Poltious, wearing suits, walked into the huge room used for the Feast of the Fallen. The Doctor was in Rose's favorite grey suit with the red silk tie.
The room was rather high up in the castle, and the space between the large stone pillars on one side of the room framed a view of the city beautifully. The first sun had set and the light from the second sun threw beautiful colors on everything the light touched. The room continued outside to a large stone balcony.
White drapes hung off of each large pillar. The room was full of full of round tables with dignitaries and royalty from all over the universe. The room was filled with conversations in many different languages. An orchestra sat on a stage to the side of the room and played a tune very softly.
Lance looked around and took a deep breath. "I've never been to one of these things. Seems rather tame."
The Doctor smiled, "It hasn't gotten started yet. Keep an eye out for Stark. He is probably going to be surprised at this."
Poltious laughed as he pointed over at a table, "That Stark?"
The Doctor saw Tony standing next to the same lady he had escorted back to her flat the night before. He was wearing a dark blue pin-striped suit with a yellow tie. He had his sunglasses on and was talking to three other ladies, one who was blue. They all laughed at a story he was telling.
The Doctor shook his head. "Ah, he's fine."
Jack walked over to them wearing a kilt. Lance laughed when he saw him. "They weren't kidding. A kilt?"
Jack rolled his eyes. "Yes. One day I'll get you all in one. They are so much more comfortable than these suits you insist on wearing."
The Doctor smiled and shook his head. "Rose will have to ask me before I'll ever agree to that."
Poltious teased him, "Any reason to take off your trousers."
Jack smiled proudly, "Any reason! You should see me do yoga in it."
They all looked at one another.
Lance shook his head, "I could live without that."
The Doctor looked surprised, "Yoga? In a kilt?"
Poltious just laughed, "That's just ….. the craziest thing I've ever heard."
A Royal Page approached them, "Excuse me. Primus Doctor, sir."
He shook his head. "Oh, don't call me sir."
Jack laughed and mocked, "Sir."
"Ma'am Rose has asked me to have you join her. May I show you the way?"
He turned to the men, "Stay out of trouble." He pointed at Jack. "No yoga."
"What's the fun in that?" Jack insisted as they were shown to a table by another Page.
The Doctor followed the Royal Page out of the room and down the hallway. After a brief walk, the Page knocked on a door. It opened and the Page held it open for the Doctor to walk through. It was a small, brightly lit room filled with hand maidens tidying up. Logan stood near the doorway with Summus. Both wore a suit.
Logan smiled in relief as he saw the Doctor. They shook hands.
The Doctor smiled at him, "You look nice, Logan. Nice suit."
He smiled nervously, "Thank you. It's one from Plentitude."
He nodded his head. "They did a good job. Looks good. Hey, Summus."
They shook hands.
Summus smiled. "Good crowd?"
He nodded, "Already. It's lovely."
Logan slowly took a deep breath.
The Doctor pat him on the shoulder. "You alright, mate?"
"I have no idea why I'm so nervous."
Summus put both of his huge hands on Logan's shoulders and chuckled. "First royal court function. Don't worry about it. We're there with you. This is an easy one."
Queen Oen walked out from a room to the side. She smiled at the men. She wore long, white robes and almost made the men's eyes ache from how bright she was. She took the Doctor's hand. "Ashena and I have discussed it. When you give your speech, please also make the announcements of the things we discussed this morning with you."
He nodded his head. "Are you certain?"
She smiled, "It is the best time for it. It shows that we are not sitting on our hands while we are mourning. We are taking steps to prevent this from happening to anyone else."
He nodded his head. "My wife says to never argue with Royalty."
She pointed at him, "And she is wise. Logan. You look lovely. Thank you for escorting Ashena tonight."
Logan bowed with a smile. "The honor is mine, your majesty."
The Queen smiled, "Alright. Gentlemen. We're ready."
Summus bowed to her. "Your Majesty, it is my honor to escort you to the Feast."
She took his arm and they left the room.
The Doctor didn't have to feel Logan's emotions to know he was a nervous wreck.
"Relax, Logan. It's totally alright." He whispered to him.
"This is something I never dreamed I would be doing." He told him quietly.
He laughed quietly. "That is the definition of life, Logan. Oh, man. I could tell you some stories."
Logan exhaled slowly as he collected himself. "I'm alright." He whispered.
Princess Ashena walked into the room with them. She wore white and golden robes. A thin crown sat on her white hair. The light from the windows reflected against her and made it seem as if she was glowing. Logan's mouth fell open. All the Doctor could hear was him quietly whisper, "Oh, wow."
The Doctor couldn't help but laugh at Logan's reaction. He felt Rose's laughter, too.
Ashena smiled at both of the men. "Thank you both for being here with me today."
The Doctor bowed, "Your Majesty."
Logan smiled and the Doctor could feel his relief. "Ashena, you are lovely." He kissed her hand and escorted her out of the room. The Doctor watched them leave.
Rose said, "I think Logan was about to pass out."
"The kid might be in over his head." He told her as he looked back and saw her for the first time.
She was stunning in a light grey V neck chiffon cap evening gown with a lace top and silk which went to the floor. She wore her hair up and had on the necklace he had given her for Christmas. Long ear rings dangled to her shoulders.
"Oh, wow." Was all he could manage as she walked to him.
She smiled. "I knew you would wear the grey suit, so I picked grey a grey dress. It took them over an hour to do my make-up, so I don't want you to spoil it."
He laughed, "Alright. I'll be good. But, oh wow…." He told her as he looked her up and down.
She held his hand and pulled him close to her. His brain had completely shorted out. He put his hands on her back and held her as he looked at her. He bit his lip. "I can't kiss you. Is that what you are saying?"
She smiled as she ran her hand across his cheek, "Not now. But, I want you to know that everything you see. Right here in front of you, is completely yours. You are the most beautiful thing I've ever had to hide away in my heart, and now that you are here I feel complete. Feel my love for you. How when I say I'm happy, I mean it's only because I'm with you."
He felt her love for him as if he was being hit by a huge wave. He whispered, "This is overwhelming."
She continued to caress his face. "I feel that. Keep that feeling, always. Know that you are loved, more than you ever have been in all of your lives. There's no way anyone could love you more than I do."
He took both of her hands in his and kissed them. "A sea of whiskey couldn't intoxicate me as much as a drop of you."
The Page looked back into the room. "Primus Doctor, sir. They are waiting."
He kissed her hand again.
She smiled, "Send that back to him. We'll continue what we started later."
He took a deep breath and shook his head as he ran both of his hands through his hair. "Alright. Regrouping here. Okay. Let's do this!"
She laughed as he escorted her out of the room.
XxxxXxxxxXxxxx
The room stood as the procession that included the Queen and Summus, Ashena and Logan, and the Doctor and Rose, walked to the raised platform that was on one side of the room of Feasts. Everyone took their seats as The Queen and Ashena sat in thrones next to one another. Rose, Logan and Summus were escorted to a table with Lance, Poltious and Jack, and sat down. Ashena nodded her head at the Doctor, who stood next to her.
Rose asked him in his head, 'Baby, what are you doing?'
'Oen asked me to give a speech. Seems like I'm always giving a damn speech for someone.'
Rose laughed quietly at him.
He took a deep breath and looked out at the room. "Ladies and Gentlemen. Lords and Ladies. Honored guests, and friends. We are here tonight to offer our support to the Royal House of the Andromedaens. King Clagl and Prince Foetist are honored tonight, as Andromedaens have honored the passing of life for centuries. Welcome to the Feast of the Fallen."
"Let me introduce myself. I am…" He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I am Primus of the Prime Guard of Terra, Princeps of Plentitude, and just as of today, the Princeps of Jalikapo, Andromeda, and Nimiset. Guardian to the Princess Ashena and associate to her father, the King Clagl. Advisor to the leaders of Terra, Doctor Johnathon Smith. But, you may call me John. It's a lot easier to say."
The room laughed.
"Another title I am very proud to have is 'friend'. I was Clagl's friend. The King gave me Ashena as a bride, but, I had to refuse this honor. I already have a wife whom I love deeply. Her customs and mine only allow for us to share our lives with one mate. I instead became Ashena's guardian as Clagl trusted me enough to have her come to live with me in my home to experience life on Terra."
"Clagl and I would often speak about politics, business opportunities, medicine, Quauhtin, and even sports. I had just put the finishing touches on it, but the King had a wonderful plan to build a resort on Terra. I handled the construction and necessary legal matters with the leaders there. The Queen has asked that it be opened in the next two months and operate under the name of the late King. Clagl would be extremely pleased. I hate that he never got to see it, but he would have loved it."
"The Queen, and Princess and I have also discussed the matter of developing a research hospital to find a cure for the illness which took our dear King and Prince. Not to be forgotten, this hospital will carry the name 'Foetist', and will employ the top scientists from all over the universe. The meteoroid where the King drew his last breath will become the space lab that will do this research. Far away from anyone that might be affected by the medicine they will work on there. The main research ship has already been purchased and is currently being outfitted for the journey to the system. It will serve as a base of operation as the Baumeisters under the direction of Tectus build this laboratory." He pointed to a table in the far corner. "He's here tonight. Just over there."
Tectus, a huge humanoid that would probably had made four of Summus and twelve of the Doctor, waved at the room.
The Doctor continued, "It was Clagl's wish that Princess Ashena begin her role as Queen tonight. During the Feast. I know many of you probably look at her and see her as the child you have watched grow up. But, I'll remind you that she is of age. Clagl became King just a bit younger than our fair Princess is now, and look at all he accomplished. There was no doubt in his mind that she will be brilliant during her reign, nor is there one doubt in Queen Oen's, or mine."
"I met with the Queen and Princess this morning to discuss this and many other things. One of the things that Queen Oen immediately ordered yesterday was a complete silence regarding the King and Prince. Their names were not to be spoken. After talking to her this morning, the order has been reversed. You are not only allowed to speak their names, but encouraged to do so. We talk about them because we are proud. We talk about them because they deserve to be remembered. We talk about them, because even though they are not physically with us, they are never far from our mind. We talk about them, because they are part of us, a part that we could never ignore or disown. We talk about them because we love them still and always will. Forever. Nothing will ever change that."
"So, in the words of my children's favorite story. 'If there is ever a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart. I'll stay there forever. How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard'."
"I had brought Clagl's favorite drink, a whiskey from Terra, to celebrate our resort. Please, join me as we instead drink it in their memory. King Clagl and Prince Foetist."
The room stood and raised their glasses as a pageboy handed the Doctor one. He held it as the room took a drink and then he drank. He nodded his head to another procession of ten men and women in long, white robes that had been waiting at the back of the room.
They walked slowly to the raised platform and surrounded the Princess. Four of them stood around her throne and covered her with a golden piece of cloth. A woman spoke several words which Rose didn't understand. The Doctor looked back at her and winked. She smiled at him. The room was completely silent as the cloth was lifted and Ashena's hair glowed brightly. Queen Oen walked in front of her daughter, still seated in the throne and bowed to her. Oen's hair dimmed and ceased to glow. She turned to the room, lifted a glass that the pageboy handed to her.
"To the Queen. May her reign last for many years and be peaceful. Queen Ashena!"
The room erupted with cheers as everyone toasted the new Queen. Rose covered her mouth and couldn't help the tears that welled up in her eyes. She looked over at Logan who smiled back at her. "That's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." He told her.
Queen Ashena stood up and looked out across the room.
"I would like to thank you all for being here with me and the Queen Mother today. I know you are all very busy people and I'm honored you have put your plans on hold to be here with us to celebrate. As with every Feast of the Fallen, friendships between worlds and kingdoms are forged. Please, enjoy tonight and have a wonderful time. My father asked this party be one of Legend, and I'm counting on each of you to do your part." She smiled. "Okay, enough speeches. Everyone have a good time."
The orchestra began to play again as the Doctor helped Ashena down the steps of the platform. She walked over to the table and sat next to Logan. He took her hand and smiled, "It really glows."
She smiled. "I'm sure it looks strange."
"It looks lovely." He reassured her.
The Queen Mother Oen stood next to the table. "I would like to thank you all for coming."
Ashena looked surprised, "Mother, you won't stay?"
She shook her head and smiled painfully. "It's just too hard. Forgive me, but I really wish to retire for the evening."
Ashena nodded her head. "I understand. Shall I come with you?"
She shook her head. "No. Your place is here. I'll see you in the morning. Good evening." She gracefully walked out of the room.
Logan watched her, "Is she alright?"
Ashena shook her head. "No. She hasn't slept in days."
Tony appeared behind where Rose sat. "Hey! So is this the 'Cool Kids' Table? I want in." He sat down quickly next to Rose.
Jack and Lance laughed at him.
The Doctor pushed his shoulder. "Move over. That's my seat."
Tony moved over to the other seat and the Doctor sat down next to Rose. She took his hand in hers as the meal was served. It was some sort of meat with gravy and blue and purple vegetables.
Rose smiled back at the Doctor. "Baby, I had no idea about any of that. When do you find the time to do all of this stuff?"
He smiled like a loon back at her. "Lord of Time, Rose. I'm always up to something."
Tony chuckled, "Boy, if that's not the truth. Tuwo's meeting went well, huh? He finally roped you in?"
"Speaking of which." The Doctor pointed as Tuwo sat down quickly next to Tony.
He smiled, "Tony." He pronounced slowly. "Did I get that right?"
Tony smiled and shook Tuwo's hand, "Yes. You did. Have you been practicing?"
Tuwo smiled, "I have. Doctor Smith coached me a bit about it. I can't stay, but I have changed my offer. I've given it to Doctor Smith and would like to speak to you after you review it."
Tony nodded his head. "I'll give it a look. Thank you."
Tuwo stood up. "Your majesty. My apologies to run out, but I have to be someplace. Thank you for the meeting earlier today. The hospital of Andromeda couldn't be in better hands. Doctor Smith is the best Princeps I've ever worked with. I wish he would agree to take all of my hospitals."
The Doctor looked back at Rose. She smiled at him proudly.
Ashena smiled, "Thank you for coming, Tuwo. I'll be in touch."
He bowed and left.
The Doctor sipped his wine and spoke to Tony, "You should have been in on that meeting. He wants you to join me in that."
Tony sighed, "I don't know. Working for someone? I've never done that."
The Doctor shook his head. "That's what I told him. He wants you to work with me. Come in and fix stuff as needed. So, not all the time."
"Hell, I'd do that anyway."
"Yeah, but this way…you get a ship out of the deal."
Tony was drinking his wine and choked a bit. "What? A ship?" He cleared his throat and tried to play it off that he was even interested. The Doctor could feel he was so excited he was having a hard time sitting in the chair. Tony shook his head and exhaled loudly. "So, a little…. Volkswagen Ship or some shit?"
They all laughed. The Doctor shook his head. "No. Something you would enjoy. It's small, and extremely fast. You couldn't travel too far in it. I thought you would enjoy it so I pushed in the deal. We'll go over it later."
Tony rolled his eyes. "Medicine is really not my thing. I was honestly going to go, but…I got distracted."
Jack teased him, "By a brunette? The one you were with?"
Lance looked back at him and raised his eyebrows. "I'm curious about that, too. You've been missing all day. I went to see Genie, and Ma'am Ress has been missing, too."
Tony sipped his wine. "Really? That's just….odd. John, I was on the ship with you-"
"Leave me out of this." He stated quickly as he ate his meal.
Tony laughed, "I don't know what you are talking about. I plead the 5th. Can I do that here, Ashena?"
Ashena laughed, "I have no idea what that means."
Rose explained, "Where Tony is from, there is a set of laws that protect him from certain things. I'm doing a terrible job explaining this. Tony, explain."
Tony was looking back at the brunette.
The Doctor slapped him in the chest. "Tony!"
He snapped his head around. "What? Blue. That's what I think."
Rose and Ashena laughed at his reply.
The Doctor shook his head, "What?"
Tony stood up, "Save my seat. I'll be back later, John."
Rose put her hand on the Doctor's thigh as the entire table watched Tony meet back up with the brunette, Ress. He put his hand on her back and they left the room together.
'Oh, this is not good at all. Do you think they are finding an empty room?' Rose asked the Doctor in his head.
He looked back at her and cleared his throat, "I'm staying out of it. It's not my business."
Jack laughed as he sipped his wine. "There are some beautiful people here, Ashena."
The Doctor didn't look up, "Stop it."
"What?" Jack asked.
Rose looked surprised, "Why isn't Jake with you?"
"He's busy." Jack told them as he ate some of his dinner.
Lance asked, "With who?"
Jack sat back, "It's not like that. We're alright. He just decided to stay home. We're working on some stuff that needed one of us to stay. I was 'voluntold' to bring Tony Tyler out here by Jackie."
The Doctor shook his head. "Damn, I'm losing the shit out of that bet."
Summus spit his drink back in his glass laughing. "Sorry. Nevermind."
Rose laughed at them, "This entire table is mad."
Ashena laughed, "I love it. John, I wanted to thank you."
He looked up from eating, "For what?"
"Releasing Logan. He told me last night that he would like to remain here."
The Doctor wiped his mouth, "I didn't release him, you make it sound like he was serving a sentence. He was never mine. He can make his own decisions of what and where he wants to be."
Summus smiled proudly, "Logan is going to stay! That's fantastic! I'd like to have a go training you, mate! Have you thought about the trials? Becoming a Quauhtin?"
Logan's eyes became huge. "Are you serious, Summus?"
He smiled, "Absolutely. If you are to be Ashena's companion-"
The Doctor shook his head and groaned, "Can we not use that word?"
Summus laughed, "Right, sorry. It would be a good way to pass the time, Logan. Don't worry, I've trained hundreds of men. We'll get you sorted."
Logan looked surprised back at the Doctor. "John? Really? I could….? What do you think?"
The Doctor looked at him, "Let me give you some advice someone gave me once. You can never leave a footprint, if you are always walking around on your tip toes. Think about it."
Logan looked confused at the Doctor, then at Rose. Rose returned his glaze and shook her head. "I have no idea." She mouthed.
Ashena smiled as a dignitary approached her and spoke. The Doctor finished his meal and wiped his mouth. Rose smiled at him, "Eating at lighting speed? Something up?"
He shook his head. "No. I was starving. I didn't even realize it."
Jack pointed out, "I'm glad to see you shaved for this, man. You were looking a bit….."
"Scruffy." He filled in for him. "That's what Rose calls me."
Rose smiled, "He was wasn't he?"
He smiled back at her. "You like it."
She smiled back at him. "I like anything when you are involved."
Tony returned and sat down. "Alright. Sorry about that. We're totally square."
Rose laughed at him. "What the hell was that about?"
He shook his head. "Nevermind. It's….. nothing." He looked up at her and laughed.
Ashena still spoke to the dignitary and didn't see Tony.
Lance smiled, "I read something, somewhere. Tony, aren't you from New York?"
Tony put this napkin back on his lap and looked up at Lance. "Well, sortof. I have a place there. I prefer California. I have a place on the ocean there."
Lance pointed at him with his fork. "Oh, perfect then. You can settle a bet."
Tony sat back, "Oh shit. Here we go with the damn betting again."
Poltious smiled, "Oh! I had forgotten about this. Yes. John would help with this."
The Doctor had started on another plate of food. "I'm not getting involved."
Lance smiled, "What I read was men from New York have a higher sperm count than men from Los Angeles."
"What the hell are you reading, Lance? I need to introduce you to some new material." Tony complained. "This isn't a normal conversation."
Logan covered his face and laughed hysterically, "These guys are mad."
Lance pointed at the Doctor. "Is that true?"
"How the hell would he know?" Tony looked back at the Doctor who sipped his wine. "Shit. You do know don't you. Freak alien!"
He smiled, "That's true. They believe the warmer weather and higher pollution in California might be the culprit behind that."
Tony shook his head. "I'm not talking about this shit with you idiots. Just so we all know."
Jack laughed as he drank his wine. "Well, so you're saying that colder weather makes it easier for men to have children?"
He nodded his head. "Yes. Men are more fertile in the winter. Or on a planet where it's cold."
Tony rolled his eyes as he sipped his wine. "What a weird ass conversation. And to have in front of a Queen, no less."
Logan chuckled, "She's occupied."
Tony pointed at him with his fork. "Keep that in mind while you are here, man."
Logan covered his face and blushed. "We had to go there."
Tony laughed, "So, who won the bet?"
Lance smiled proudly, "I did! Oh, this trip is proving to be very good for me."
Tony was distracted again by the brunette. He looked at her from across the room. "Ummm… yeah, about that. I think I'm going to sit out the card game tonight, Lance. I'm being responsible and I've already lost enough of John's money."
The Doctor looked shocked back at him, "How much money have you lost?"
Tony shook his head as he pat his leg. "Let's just say I'm buying you a yacht when we get back home. Don't worry about it, John."
The Doctor looked back at Rose. "Do you hear this? It's not me. I didn't do this."
Rose laughed, "That's your friend."
He looked back at Tony. "I know the one I want. Let me pick it."
Tony nodded his head as he looked back at Ress again and smiled. "Sure. No problem. Whatever you want, man."
People had began to dance near them to the orchestra.
Rose rolled her eyes. "Ugh, this table is mad. And we haven't even started drinking yet." She stood up and the table of men stood up with her. She looked back and smiled. "Sorry. You don't have to get up." They all sat back down.
The Doctor looked at her curiously, "Where are you going?"
She took his hand. "We're going to dance."
"Oh!" He looked back at the table. "Excuse me, apparently, we're going to dance."
Jack raised his glass to him. "Go ahead."
Tony drank the rest of his wine and walked over to Ress again. They left the room together as they both laughed.
Logan looked at Summus, "You don't even have to be a strategic master to know what's in his playbook."
Summus groaned as he sipped his wine.
XxxxxxXxxxxxxxXxxxxxxx