Rose looked around the palace in awe. "Wow."
"Bit monosyllablic, aren't you, Rose?" Amethyst teased.
"So this is what Tortall looks like," Rose continued, purposely ignoring her best friend.
On the journey to Corus, Rose had asked lots of questions. Jendi had been in silent worship of her idol. Amethyst had been hungry.
"Do you think they have chocolate here?"
Rose shook her head, and spoke as if to a very young child, "No, they don't. They don't have television either."
Am's eyes rounded in horror. "So, we're - not planning on staying here that long, then? Right? Right?"
Their guide, Neal, who had been temporarily distracted by some page he knew. Owen, or something like that. Now the curly haired boy also joined their tour. He kept smiling at Amethyst, in a way that made the fourteen year old nervous.
"So, how long have you lived in the palace?" Rose asked Neal. He answered her question, and then added a few more of his own about her home country. She made most things up, and avoided things like electricity, not wanting to scare him. The two walked ahead of the others, leaving them to find their own way around.
"Some guide," Jendi sighed. She was now left with a crazy girl and her (if possible) crazier fan. Owen eagerly stepped into the role of guide, and led a less than enthusiastic Am to see Balor's Needle, which was about to be demolished.
Jendi sighed. It looked like she was on her own. Now that wouldn't be the first time, either.
"Hello? Jendi, isn't it?"
Jendi turned, to find Kel and Cleon standing behind her. "Hello," she said, frostily.
Kel gave Cleon a small smile. "See you later." She walked off, waving a hand behind her.
"Hello. You look a bit lost," Cleon smiled.
Jendi blinked. "Um, yeah, I s'pose I am," she admitted. "They seemed to have deserted me."
He grinned. "Well, I've been deserted as well. C'mon, I'll show you around." He looked slightly surprised when she practically leapt into the air with joy.
--
Rose fingered the paintings with an exasperated look. Then she turned and kissed Neal full on his lips. He stepped back in surprise, and then leaned forward to kiss her back. He grinned and broke away. "I wasn't expecting that."
"I like to be unpredictable. Besides, you led me away. It's not my fault I got the wrong idea."
He knew she was joking; the dancing green eyes told him that much. She fiddled with her dark blonde hair, cut to her shoulders, as she spoke. A mischievous glint entered her eyes. "Where could I find Lord Wyldon?"
"Lord… Wyldon…" he spluttered in disbelief. Rose watched him coolly until he recovered. "Why?"
"I have a little… score to settle with my friend." He grinned and slung an arm around her shoulders.
"Well, in that case, I think I can find him for you." He kissed her again, and then took her in search of the training master.
--
Amethyst groaned. What lovely friends she had (!) Rosie had disappeared with Neal, and Jendi had… well, she wasn't keeping Amethyst company, that much was certain. She smiled stiffly at Owen, who beamed back, to her horror. Oh great. Just great.
"And here's the library…" Ooh, that could be useful. Maybe this stocky boy could help her. She doubted it, but maybe.
"Um, Owen-" was that even his name? Oh well; too late now - "Is there anywhere we could get something to eat? Only-" here she put a pitiful face on - "I haven't eaten in days."
His expression grew immediately concerned. Ha! Take that, Rosie. I don't even go to drama classes. She had to fight a grin.
"Well, I'm sorry, but our meal isn't until later. I'll get you for it if you like. You can sit next to me!"
I need to sign up at those drama classes. D'oh. Rosie, running up with Neal behind her, distracted her attention.
"Am, you know that bloke from Tortall you had a crush on?" Her mind flicked instantly to Liam.
"Seriously?" Rosie covered her ears - when Am shrieked, it was loud.
"Yes. Come with us, we'll take you to him." She smiled innocently. Luckily, Am didn't notice - otherwise Rosie would have been in serious trouble.
--
Jendi groaned, frustrated. When Cleon had said he would show her round, he had meant exactly that.
"And these are the rooms for the teachers…" Jendi signalled for him to shut up with her hand, having just seen Rose, Am and Neal knock on one of the doors. Cleon was obscured from their view, as they were from his.
Offhandedly, she asked, "Whose room is third down from the left?"
"Lord Wyldon," was the reply. "Why?"
Impulsively, she kissed his cheek, and, before he could say anything, led him to see what the others were doing.
--
"This is Liam's room, right?" Am asked for what had to be the five-hundredth time. No wonder; Rose had never given her a straight answer.
The door opened, to reveal a tall, bald man. Am's eyes widened in shock. She began to stutter incoherently.
"Sorry to bother you, Lord Wyldon." Rose gave a bow, obviously deciding that it was better than the pitiful curtsy she had attempted before. "My friend, Lady Amethyst, just wanted a glimpse of her idol." Actually, if you didn't understand that Am was spluttering because she was angry, it could look like she was just embarrassed. "Thank you for your time."
As the door was closed behind Lord Wyldon, Am looked darkly at Rose.
"Not funny, Rosie."
"It was."
"Well, how are you and your idol getting along, Jendi?" Teasing Jendi was a lot easier than teasing Rosie. Rosie was just evil back. She'd get her later.
Jendi blushed. "A lot better than you and yours."
Am glowered. So not what she had hoped for. "What about you, Rosie?"
Rosie grinned. "Why? Want tips for a hot evening with Wyldon?"
"You're just e-stuck on the key-vil."
"Yeah, I am, aren't I?"
Owen looked in slight amazement at his idol. "What?"
"Long story. Too confusing for stupid people."
"Don't you mean smart people? Stupid people made it up, surely their kind would understand it."
Am lunged at Jendi, Rosie fiddled with her hair.
"Don't argue with idiots. They only bring you down to their level."
Am grinned, muttering, "Ginger minger," under her breath, menacingly. Jendi scowled.
A loud bell rang.
"Dinner?"
