A/N- haha, another VERY LONG chapter for your pleasure, and more coming soon! Enjoy!
Disclaimer- Nothing you recognize ours, All Tammy's, yada yada yada, Kalila and Aria are (c)Cherry Coke, yada yada yada, get over it.
-Adara, writer of Obnoxious Author's Notes and Stupid Disclaimers
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The sun dawned and welcomed a new day.
~A day from chaos,~ Kalila cursed as she tried in vain to wake Aria. That was a task only the brave dared.
"Come on Aria wake up! I know its early but its our only time to practice," she pleaded, pulling the covers away from the blue eyed girl. Aria's only reaction was to roll over away from the blond and give her the finger.
"Kalila, not to be rude, but please fuck off. It's early."
"Aria Serena! If you don't get out of that bed right this instant I swear to Mithros you will find one of my fresh arrows shoved right up your ass!"
"Do you think it would go with my dress?" Aria asked as she rolled over and sat up. At this Kalila had to laugh, it was then that Aria noticed what Kalila was wearing. A pair of brown breeches and a white shirt with a green tunic over it.
"Come on, get dressed, the practice yards should be empty. Squires and Pages are spending all day preparing for the ball."
Aria genuinely smiled for the first time since her last meeting with Raoul. Finally, some private practice time in the yards! It was really hard to do some of her moves in her and Kalila's tiny room. She got dressed quickly, wearing almost the same thing as Kalila, only her tunic was blue. She grabbed her rapier and followed the other girl out the door. They walked quietly to the practice yards, Aria trying desperately to read Kalila's thoughts, but it seemed as if the other girl had nothing good to listen in on, all she was doing was fiddling with the feathered end of one of her arrows and humming.
"So, um, Kali, who do you want to dance with tonight? Perhaps a wayward Tyran knight?" Aria teased as Kalila looked at her fuming.
"Oh sure, just like you have every intention of dancing with his Highness, Prince
Jonathan."
" Actually, I heard he's rather cute," was the simple reply.
"Yeah, and I heard he was a total prick," Kalila said, smiling. The two girls climbed over the fence and began stretching in the archery yards.
"Which is also most likely true."
"Yet I heard that our two knightly friends were close with the Prince."
"Guys. You can't expect them to have functional relationships," Aria said as she drew her rapier to work on some of the tricks Raoul had showed her.
"True," Kalila said thoughtfully as she selected an arrow and strung it to her bow. She sighted on the target, aimed, raised her bow, tightened the string and…
"GIRLS! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING OUT HERE AT THE CRACK OF DAWN!? AND IN BREECHES! WITH WEAPONS! EXPLAIN YOURSELVES!" The yeller was a slender woman in formal court dress. She had formidable black hair, piercing black eyes, and her voice was much louder than her size would suggest. The girls' hearts sank, they knew her well: she was the new Court Etiquette Mistress. She offered classes for young women in the afternoons, and she was a terror.
Kalila's arrow, released into the air in surprise at the unexpected voice, hit the other side of the courtyard with a clatter, narrowly missing the Arms Master. Luckily, he was so wrapped up in his work, he didn't even notice.
Lady Morrisa, the Mistress of Etiquette, did notice, however. A look of wrath crossed her face and she began to royally chew the girls out.
"Well, we're screwed." Aria muttered and Kalila just nodded. She sighed and slung her bow over her shoulder as the two ladies followed Lady Morrisa to her office.
"Wearing men's clothing! I've seen some rather unladylike things in my years but never have I seen two ladies wearing breeches! Do you want men to think that you are not gently and delicate? Do you want men to think that you are wild and horrid?"
"Well, it sure beats the hell out of flirting like a brainless twit all day," Kalila muttered loud enough for Aria to hear. The girls giggled and Lady Morrisa shot death glares at them.
"You seem think its amusing to frolic around like heathens while there are suitable and potential husbands lurking at every corner," she continued to rage.
"Yeah, waiting to rape us," Aria whispered. Kalila fought the urge to laugh out loud.
"And weapons! It is not dignified for a proper lady to carry such a barbarian tool, do you know what men will think of you?"
"Sure, they'll think we're women who kick ass and should not be crossed," Kalila blurted, out unable to help it. Aria burst out laughing but stopped
immediately when she saw the look on Lady Morrisa's face.
"HOW DARE YOU CURSE IN FRONT OF ME!? THAT'S IT! YOU ARE PERMANENTLY BANNED FROM GOING ANYWHERE NEAR THE PRACTICE YARDS, AND IF I HEAR OTHERWISE, I WILL TAKE YOU BOTH DIRECTLY TO THEIR MAJESTIES AND YOU MAY BE BANISHED FROM THIS COURT!" the lady screamed at them. "NOW GO!! "
Aria and Kalila got up and scrambled for the door. As soon as they were inside and walking down the hall, they looked at each other and muttered at the same time, "Bitch!"
As soon as they were in their rooms they ate a very sparse breakfast. "Are they trying to starve us?" Aria grumbled.
Kalila laughed and replied, "No, they're trying to make us fit into our dresses!"
After breakfast, they went into town to pick up the gowns for this ball they were forced to attend. As they rode through the city Kalila sighed and struck up a conversation.
"You know I feel as if something bad is going to happen tonight. If nothing bad then something strange and annoying. I'm getting this strange feeling."
"I'm carrying my daggers in the folds of my skirt tonight, I'm taking no chances in case Edan returns," Aria replied, trying to reassure her friend. Unfortunately, she couldn't shake that feeling, either.
"Me too, if only a quiver of arrows and a bow could be easily hidden," Kalila said, and the girls sighed.
When they were inside the shop the girls were hurled behind changing screens. When they came out, Aria and Kalila were in shock. "Holy Mithros, I can't breathe." Aria muttered as Kalila helped her loosen the bodice of her silvery-blue gown. It was, of course, completely un-Aria like. It was tight and low cut, with a neck line that dipped low enough to see the pale blue shift under it. The sleeves were tight and flared at the bottom and cuffed with lace. The bodice dipped at a V where it met the skirt, flared out by layers and layers of petticoats. The back of the bodice was tied by a dark blue ribbon and the neckline and bottom of the skirt was lined in the same lace as the sleeves.
"Better?" Kalila asked.
"I can breathe, but Goddess bless- I really hate lace. How come you don't have lace?" she asked looking over at her friends green gown. Like Aria's it was tight and low cut, the neckline exposed her shoulders and the sleeves were longer than needed, yet transparent to show her delicate hands. The bodice dipped at a V and met the skirt that did not flare out quite as much but was beaded with gold beads in delicate patterns. Her bodice was laced by a gold ribbon and the neckline, hem of the sleeves and hem of the skirt were all lined with the same gold ribbon.
"I feel ridiculous in this gown," Kalila muttered, although it did go well with her hair color.
"At least you don't have lace," Aria muttered and Kalila rolled her eyes.
"Get off the lace already!"
They were quick to get out of those gowns and into their more simple dresses, which they were forced to change into after breakfast.
!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!
The rest of the day was spent doing absolutely nothing but being prepared by the palace staff. First it was baths, then hair (which took hours), then face paint and finally gowns. By the time six rolled around Kalila and Aria were made up and unable to breathe. Thankfully though, their presentations had been last banquet. Both girls shuddered at the thought of having to descend that staircase again. Instead they entered through one of the main doors with the rest of the ladies. Many people were already there, this ball was very important so the number of people nearly doubled.
Aria wondered what made this certain event so special, to her it was just another big waste of her time. Although, she did keep a close eye out for Raoul as she slid through the crowds and found a spot on the window seat to people watch.
"Having fun?" A casual voice said behind her.
"Shit!" she muttered out of instinct. She cringed inwardly. But when Aria turned she only found Raoul, to her immense relief.
"Now, gentle lady, cursing is not very dignified," he began in mock scorn.
"Don't start with that, Kalila and I got enough of that from Lady Morissa," she said.
Raoul rubbed his chin in thought. "Kalila, is she the blond that Gary has been enamored of for ages?"
"How many Kalila's do you think reside in the palace?" she asked. Music began to play. "I say we nix this joint and go riding." Raoul was about to oblige but a flock of women stole him away and Aria was left to her lonesome again. She began wandering till she saw Kalila, talking with a tall man with coal black hair. The prince, Aria thought. He looked like a prick, the way he carried himself radiated one word: 'jerk.' Then the Prince and her closest friend began dancing. Although, when Aria saw Kalila's face she did not look amused at all.
Disclaimer- Nothing you recognize ours, All Tammy's, yada yada yada, Kalila and Aria are (c)Cherry Coke, yada yada yada, get over it.
-Adara, writer of Obnoxious Author's Notes and Stupid Disclaimers
!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!
The sun dawned and welcomed a new day.
~A day from chaos,~ Kalila cursed as she tried in vain to wake Aria. That was a task only the brave dared.
"Come on Aria wake up! I know its early but its our only time to practice," she pleaded, pulling the covers away from the blue eyed girl. Aria's only reaction was to roll over away from the blond and give her the finger.
"Kalila, not to be rude, but please fuck off. It's early."
"Aria Serena! If you don't get out of that bed right this instant I swear to Mithros you will find one of my fresh arrows shoved right up your ass!"
"Do you think it would go with my dress?" Aria asked as she rolled over and sat up. At this Kalila had to laugh, it was then that Aria noticed what Kalila was wearing. A pair of brown breeches and a white shirt with a green tunic over it.
"Come on, get dressed, the practice yards should be empty. Squires and Pages are spending all day preparing for the ball."
Aria genuinely smiled for the first time since her last meeting with Raoul. Finally, some private practice time in the yards! It was really hard to do some of her moves in her and Kalila's tiny room. She got dressed quickly, wearing almost the same thing as Kalila, only her tunic was blue. She grabbed her rapier and followed the other girl out the door. They walked quietly to the practice yards, Aria trying desperately to read Kalila's thoughts, but it seemed as if the other girl had nothing good to listen in on, all she was doing was fiddling with the feathered end of one of her arrows and humming.
"So, um, Kali, who do you want to dance with tonight? Perhaps a wayward Tyran knight?" Aria teased as Kalila looked at her fuming.
"Oh sure, just like you have every intention of dancing with his Highness, Prince
Jonathan."
" Actually, I heard he's rather cute," was the simple reply.
"Yeah, and I heard he was a total prick," Kalila said, smiling. The two girls climbed over the fence and began stretching in the archery yards.
"Which is also most likely true."
"Yet I heard that our two knightly friends were close with the Prince."
"Guys. You can't expect them to have functional relationships," Aria said as she drew her rapier to work on some of the tricks Raoul had showed her.
"True," Kalila said thoughtfully as she selected an arrow and strung it to her bow. She sighted on the target, aimed, raised her bow, tightened the string and…
"GIRLS! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING OUT HERE AT THE CRACK OF DAWN!? AND IN BREECHES! WITH WEAPONS! EXPLAIN YOURSELVES!" The yeller was a slender woman in formal court dress. She had formidable black hair, piercing black eyes, and her voice was much louder than her size would suggest. The girls' hearts sank, they knew her well: she was the new Court Etiquette Mistress. She offered classes for young women in the afternoons, and she was a terror.
Kalila's arrow, released into the air in surprise at the unexpected voice, hit the other side of the courtyard with a clatter, narrowly missing the Arms Master. Luckily, he was so wrapped up in his work, he didn't even notice.
Lady Morrisa, the Mistress of Etiquette, did notice, however. A look of wrath crossed her face and she began to royally chew the girls out.
"Well, we're screwed." Aria muttered and Kalila just nodded. She sighed and slung her bow over her shoulder as the two ladies followed Lady Morrisa to her office.
"Wearing men's clothing! I've seen some rather unladylike things in my years but never have I seen two ladies wearing breeches! Do you want men to think that you are not gently and delicate? Do you want men to think that you are wild and horrid?"
"Well, it sure beats the hell out of flirting like a brainless twit all day," Kalila muttered loud enough for Aria to hear. The girls giggled and Lady Morrisa shot death glares at them.
"You seem think its amusing to frolic around like heathens while there are suitable and potential husbands lurking at every corner," she continued to rage.
"Yeah, waiting to rape us," Aria whispered. Kalila fought the urge to laugh out loud.
"And weapons! It is not dignified for a proper lady to carry such a barbarian tool, do you know what men will think of you?"
"Sure, they'll think we're women who kick ass and should not be crossed," Kalila blurted, out unable to help it. Aria burst out laughing but stopped
immediately when she saw the look on Lady Morrisa's face.
"HOW DARE YOU CURSE IN FRONT OF ME!? THAT'S IT! YOU ARE PERMANENTLY BANNED FROM GOING ANYWHERE NEAR THE PRACTICE YARDS, AND IF I HEAR OTHERWISE, I WILL TAKE YOU BOTH DIRECTLY TO THEIR MAJESTIES AND YOU MAY BE BANISHED FROM THIS COURT!" the lady screamed at them. "NOW GO!! "
Aria and Kalila got up and scrambled for the door. As soon as they were inside and walking down the hall, they looked at each other and muttered at the same time, "Bitch!"
As soon as they were in their rooms they ate a very sparse breakfast. "Are they trying to starve us?" Aria grumbled.
Kalila laughed and replied, "No, they're trying to make us fit into our dresses!"
After breakfast, they went into town to pick up the gowns for this ball they were forced to attend. As they rode through the city Kalila sighed and struck up a conversation.
"You know I feel as if something bad is going to happen tonight. If nothing bad then something strange and annoying. I'm getting this strange feeling."
"I'm carrying my daggers in the folds of my skirt tonight, I'm taking no chances in case Edan returns," Aria replied, trying to reassure her friend. Unfortunately, she couldn't shake that feeling, either.
"Me too, if only a quiver of arrows and a bow could be easily hidden," Kalila said, and the girls sighed.
When they were inside the shop the girls were hurled behind changing screens. When they came out, Aria and Kalila were in shock. "Holy Mithros, I can't breathe." Aria muttered as Kalila helped her loosen the bodice of her silvery-blue gown. It was, of course, completely un-Aria like. It was tight and low cut, with a neck line that dipped low enough to see the pale blue shift under it. The sleeves were tight and flared at the bottom and cuffed with lace. The bodice dipped at a V where it met the skirt, flared out by layers and layers of petticoats. The back of the bodice was tied by a dark blue ribbon and the neckline and bottom of the skirt was lined in the same lace as the sleeves.
"Better?" Kalila asked.
"I can breathe, but Goddess bless- I really hate lace. How come you don't have lace?" she asked looking over at her friends green gown. Like Aria's it was tight and low cut, the neckline exposed her shoulders and the sleeves were longer than needed, yet transparent to show her delicate hands. The bodice dipped at a V and met the skirt that did not flare out quite as much but was beaded with gold beads in delicate patterns. Her bodice was laced by a gold ribbon and the neckline, hem of the sleeves and hem of the skirt were all lined with the same gold ribbon.
"I feel ridiculous in this gown," Kalila muttered, although it did go well with her hair color.
"At least you don't have lace," Aria muttered and Kalila rolled her eyes.
"Get off the lace already!"
They were quick to get out of those gowns and into their more simple dresses, which they were forced to change into after breakfast.
!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!
The rest of the day was spent doing absolutely nothing but being prepared by the palace staff. First it was baths, then hair (which took hours), then face paint and finally gowns. By the time six rolled around Kalila and Aria were made up and unable to breathe. Thankfully though, their presentations had been last banquet. Both girls shuddered at the thought of having to descend that staircase again. Instead they entered through one of the main doors with the rest of the ladies. Many people were already there, this ball was very important so the number of people nearly doubled.
Aria wondered what made this certain event so special, to her it was just another big waste of her time. Although, she did keep a close eye out for Raoul as she slid through the crowds and found a spot on the window seat to people watch.
"Having fun?" A casual voice said behind her.
"Shit!" she muttered out of instinct. She cringed inwardly. But when Aria turned she only found Raoul, to her immense relief.
"Now, gentle lady, cursing is not very dignified," he began in mock scorn.
"Don't start with that, Kalila and I got enough of that from Lady Morissa," she said.
Raoul rubbed his chin in thought. "Kalila, is she the blond that Gary has been enamored of for ages?"
"How many Kalila's do you think reside in the palace?" she asked. Music began to play. "I say we nix this joint and go riding." Raoul was about to oblige but a flock of women stole him away and Aria was left to her lonesome again. She began wandering till she saw Kalila, talking with a tall man with coal black hair. The prince, Aria thought. He looked like a prick, the way he carried himself radiated one word: 'jerk.' Then the Prince and her closest friend began dancing. Although, when Aria saw Kalila's face she did not look amused at all.
