A/N: I've never been good at writing these things.
Serenity knocked at Rastus door, the knocker sound louder every time she used it.
"Enter!" The mage called out, Serenity turned the door and stepped in. Rastus was staring at a picture, his thumb ran over a part. He was facing away from her but Serenity could feel the feeling of longing in him. He folded the picture and slipped in his pocket.
"Can I help you, Princess?" Rastus said turning around and grabbing his staff, a long piece of world carved with interesting design and runes. He then looked at the princess with a smile on his face.
"I was wonder if you could make a potion for me? A calming potion." She said. Rastus turned to her and picked up a bottle with a thick, pale blue liquid in it. He walked over to table with a mortar and pestle and various plants and seeds. He took a few seeds and leaves of plant into the mortar and began to crush and grind them up into a paste. He took a teaspoon and added it to the bottle. Making the thick liquid bubble turn bright blue then back to its pale blue color. Rastus swirled it and handed it to Serenity.
"There you go, one calming potion. Should keep you calm for a good 3-4 hours." Serenity looked at it, and hugged Rastus tightly. Rastus wiggled out of her bear hug for a princess, she was strong.
"Drink it a half hour before The Report." Rastus said coolly as he took the mortar and pestle to the sink, washed it, then took it over to another table. Beginning to cut open an avocado. Serenity looked at the potion with concern and carefully asked why.
"Because if you drink it right before you'll say everything in a complete deadpan voice. You'll basically be that girl from that sparkly vampire movie. No emotion and while I would love to see that I wouldn't like the entirety of Illea thinking that you are uninterested in a selection." The mage said as, he picked up a fresh onion and began chopping it up. Serenity looked at the potion again, she was beginning to doubt Rastus, maybe she could paint the garden and achieve the same effect? Or she would end up spilling green paint everywhere again. Serenity left the mage who began dicing a tomato.
Serenity was sitting in her dressing room at the studio. Her heart was beating out of her chest and her throat felt tight, all eyes were going to be on her tonight. She had to announce her Selection and pray that there weren't any questions about restrictions on it. Serenity popped open to cork on the potion and drank the thick liquid down. It felt like she was chugging down yogurt but she felt the effects near immediately. Everything slowed and she felt her worries melt away. She felt at peace, she looked into the mirror, her face turn to one of complete apathy, no emotion at all. She leaned back in her chair, it was at least forty five minutes until The Report, she had time to sketch. She looked around, picking up a blank sheet and a pencil. Maybe she would do a self-portrait.
"Good Evening, Illea!" Lynette Marina, the Report host yelled, echoing throughout the studio. Lynette was an opera singer before becoming the host for the Report. She was already popular before becoming the host and her popularity only skyrocketed when she became host. Some of her popularity stemmed from her not wearing fancy dresses and option for casual but stylish clothing. This time she was wearing flats, black leggings, a navy-blue miniskirt, a thick black belt. She had a white blouse one with small red ribbons bows to the buttons. She had a pinstripe jacket on and a white beret.
"Welcome to The Report, where we learn the juiciest secrets of the Illean Royal family and ask the hottest questions. I'm your host, Lynette and today instead of just The Lioness of Illea, Queen Aspen. We have Serenity, Ophelia, Justine and Quinn!" Lynette cheered and the crowd clapped.
"Alright, first up we have a very special announcement from Princess Serenity, herself! Come on out Princess!" Serenity walked out, dressing a flowing ivory dress, adorned with jewels. Serenity's necklace was heavy and covered in several gems. She smiled at the crowd and hugged Lynette.
"So, tell us Princess, what is this news? Spill the beans... or as you kids say spill the tea." Lynette said, the crowd laughed. Serenity chuckled and turned.
"Well it isn't any news that I am now twenty. I was supposed to have a tournament soon. I know the tournament had mixed opinions but..." Lynette looked at Serenity with interest.
"But? C'mon Serenity don't keep us waiting!" Lynette chirped. Serenity took a deep breath.
"I've decided not to have a tournament. I will have a Selection instead. A breath of fresh air, right?" Serenity said. Lynette smiled.
"Is that so, princess? A Selection, wow folks we haven't had one of those in a while! It will surely be something new! Anything else to add, Princess?" Lynette asked leaning forward. Serenity nodded
"With the exception of the age restrictions. I encourage everyone to apply. I wanted to meet people from all walks of lives and all kinds, Humans, Dwarves, Lycans, Vampires and everything in between. Applications have already been sent out!" Serenity said. Lynette put an arm around Serenity shoulder.
"You heard it right here folks, our beloved princess is holding a Selection! Thirty-five lucky young men will have a chance to live in the lap of luxury and meet the royals!" Lynette sang and let go of Serenity. Serenity curtsied and quietly excused herself. Now let's see what Serenity's sister have to say about it. Illea say hello to Ophelia!"
The crowd cheered as Ophelia stepped out onto the stage, dresses in a layered blue dress. A beautiful sapphire and pearl necklace adorned her neck.
"Justine!" The crowd clapped as Justine came out, dressed in a black dress, with puffy sleeves. A high collar and black gloves. She looked like she was going to funeral instead of a show.
"and Prince Quinn!" The crowd clapped as Quinn came out, his hands jammed in his pockets, wearing a black suit.
"Princess Ophelia! Good to see you again. How are you doing?" Lynette said as she and Ophelia air kissed each other's cheek. Lynette shook Justine's hand and patted Quinn on the back.
"I'm doing great, Lynette. You look as stylish as ever." Ophelia said taking a seat. Lynette grinned
"I try, now tell me did you know about The Selection?" Lynette asked, taking a seat next to Ophelia.
"I kind of did, Serenity told me about it. She didn't give me any details though. It must be nice though have a bunch of handsome men trying to romance you." Ophelia said placing her hands on her lap.
"Oh, but surely some selected will interest you?" Lynette said, Ophelia nodded.
"Yeah, I guess but only if Serenity doesn't want them, call it me wanting the scraps but I just don't want to get kicked out for oogling a lycan she might like." Lynette laughed and moved on.
"How about you Justine? Quinn?" Lynette asked, Justine took a seat, followed by Quinn.
"I had no idea, actually. I do admit that I'll try to help Serenity with planning. It'll be fun time tabling everything. Aside from that I have no interest in her suitors. My books are far better companions than an elf or a Kitsune." Justine said with a small smile.
"Personally, I'm only gonna stick around to see who can take a joke. Otherwise I would have asked dad for a one-way ticket to Waverly." Quinn said placing his hands behind his head. Lynette groaned at the prince's response.
"Well! Let wish Serenity and her siblings the best of luck!" Lynette said, Ophelia got up and left, with Justine and Quinn following her.
"and now for our last guest, officially her name is Aspen but we all like to call her by her nickname. Ladies and Gentleman give it up for The Lioness!" Lynette sound, the crowd erupted in cheer as Queen Aspen walked on stage, wearing a layered white and cream dress, resembling an inverted flower. An ice blue, fur lined cape rest on her shoulders. A sword in an ornate sheath was on her waist.
"Lioness! Pleasure to see you again." Lynette said standing up and bowing to the queen. Aspen laughed.
"Oh, no need to be so formal with me Lynette, it's a pleasure to see you too and to the people of Illea too." She said turning to the crowd. She took a seat
"So, Lioness tell us. What do you think of your daughter finally having a Selection?" Lynette said sitting down next to Aspen.
"I think it's wonderful that my daughter is finally going to have a husband, perhaps my other daughters might find a man too. Although I might be jinxing it. " Aspen said.
"Will you help your daughters? Or would you be passive?" Lynette asked leaning forward in her seat. Aspen then drew her sword and placing it down in front of her.
"Any man that wants to marry my daughter will have to go through me and duel me. Only then will they be able to marry my daughter." Aspen said, seriousness filling her face. Lynette's face looked partially frightened.
"Hear that Illea? A chance to duel the Lioness! The woman who beat 35 other ladies for Georgios hand!" Aspen laughed.
"Oh Lynette, I was joking I don't want my daughter to be alone forever, however I won't turn down anyone who wants to challenge me. If they win, I'll give you some advice on my daughters." She said sheathing her sword. Lynette laughed nervously but quickly recovered.
"That's still a challenge so, people of Illea do you think you have what it takes to challenge the Lioness? Lynette then looked at her watch.
"Unfortunately, that's all the time we have. Tune in next time Illea, when we announce the lucky men that get chosen. Haven a good night Illea!" Lynette said blowing a kiss to the camera.
Serenity was quiet the entire ride home, she leaned her head on Ophelia's shoulder as she gently sang.
"Who do you think are? Running 'round leaving scars. Collecting your jar of hearts and tearing love apart." Ophelia gently sang. Serenity felt sleepy, she felt the calmness slip from her. The potion wore off.
"You're going to catch a cold from the ice inside your soul. So, don't come back for me... don't come back at all..." The younger sister sang gently, stroking Serenity's hair idly. Serenity began to drift in and out of sleep.
"My beloved sister, I hope things turn out well for you." Ophelia said, looking down at the sleeping princess.
"She may not realize it, but what she does will ripple across the years." Justine said, peeking up from her book.
"What a pain, that everything rests on her." Quinn quipped
A/N: Whoa! Wasn't that fun? I have a few submissions already and they turned out great! I hope I get more deadline is the 28th of February so you have a fair amount of time to submit and reserve spots.