Somehow the revelation that Avery was attracted to girls brought Alder's
relationship with her closer. They were a lot more open together, and they
didn't keep any secrets from each other. Alder also became much closer to
Damon. Once Alder was out of her cast, she went back to her normal
schedule, and saw a lot more of him.
It was soon to be the first snow of the season. It was chilly, and the wind whipped at Alder's face. It was overcast and cloudy. Insane. I am out at a barn where it will be snowing soon! I didn't wear enough layers. Alder thought, and shivered.
Both Avery and Damon were saddling up their horses, but Alder was already done. She had already mounted up and was trotting Kaila back and forth to keep warm. Ever since her fall, Alder had been slightly afraid of riding. If it weren't for Damon and Avery, she probably would have dropped riding lessons altogether. She was getting better at calming her nerves, but there was still the "What if?"
Finally Kat led her horse out, and Avery soon followed. At last Damon came out on Hunter, and Kat started trotting down the path to the field. They all trotted single file to the field, to find the jump already set up, and Keren trotting along on her beautiful white horse around the field. She finished her circle and stopped in front of Kat.
"Hey Kat! I decided that I'm getting out of shape and haven't ridden in way too long. Hope you don't mind, I'm joining your lesson today," Keren said, and smiled.
"Good enough. And I'll remind you it was your own choice to freeze your ass off!" Kat laughed.
"That works too," Keren said.
"Okay-today we are practicing jumping again. You know the drill!" Kat said, and everyone got into single-file again, Alder at the end of the line. Keren immediately sent her horse into a gallop and easily hopped over the jump. Damon went next, making it look nearly as easy as Keren had. Next was Avery, and after a little hesitation, she too went into a trot and cleared the jump.
And last it was Alder's turn. Inside she was quaking with fear, but she kept an outside calm as to not spook Kai. She didn't trust her voice, but apparently her eyes sent the message to Kat.
"Alder, you'll be fine. You've gotten to be an excellent rider. All you have to do is squeeze your knees and lean forward. Got it?" Kat asked kindly. Alder nodded.
Here goes nothing, she thought, and nudged Kai into an easy trot. As she neared the jump, she squeezed her knees and leaned forward, and it was over faster than it began. Kai was over the jump and trotting again, and Alder remained seated steadily atop Kai.
:Good job: Avery said quietly in the back of Alder's mind. :Now was that really so bad?:
:Fun! That was easier than I thought it would be.: Alder Sent, and trotted back to Kat, who was waiting for her atop Nike.
"Excellent work! Next time, don't clutch so hard on the reins. Keren will you put the jump up a notch please? Alder, go again," Kat said. Kat continued to raise the pole on the jump, and Alder really began to enjoy herself. And then the first snow did come. Tiny white flurries dropped from the sky everywhere. "Okay everyone, looks like there's going to be a snow storm. Let's get back to the stable and have a cup of hot chocolate," Kat suggested, and they trotted back to the stables.
After they had groomed their horses, they all seated themselves around Kat's cozy office. She already had a fire running, and she put a kettle of water on it.
"Kat, are you going to the Midwinter Dinner?" Keren inquired.
"I suppose it is tomorrow, right? I guess you are going to make me go?" Kat asked dryly.
"You guess right! Would you all like to come?" Keren asked Alder, Damon, and Avery.
"Uh- possibly?" Damon said.
"I guess so," Alder said.
"Who will be there?" Avery asked.
"Basically the whole Court," Kat said, and Avery reluctantly nodded her assent. Alder could understand; Tyrel would be there.
:It will be fine. Damon and I will be there with you. Tyrel couldn't possibly be so bold.: Alder Mind-Sent Avery.
:You'd be surprised, but I'm glad that you'll be there with me. What are we going to wear?: Avery joked. :I say it would be rather interesting to wear a bright violet magical shield covering my body like a dress.:
:Interesting, yes, but classy, no.: Alder sent, and they both started giggling. Damon and Kat were giving them strange looks, and Alder said simply, "We were consulting each other on what we should wear," and Avery went back to laughing, and Alder distinctly heard Damon mutter, "Girls."
The next day, Kat let them out of riding lessons early to get washed up and ready for the Midwinter dinner. Avery and Alder went out to the Bathhouse to soak their saddle-soreness away. Half a candlemark later they met back at the suite to choose what they were going to wear. In the months that Alder had been at Court, she had acquired some new clothing, and two nice dresses.
One was a black strapless dress with a red lace over black silk corset and a beautiful flowing skirt. The other was an ice-blue dress that brought out the color in Alder's eyes. It was a silk sleeveless turtleneck dress that was quite form fitting. When worn, the skirt pooled around her feet. Both were lovely, but she couldn't decide.
Avery was about to model a dress for her. They were alternating showing possible outfits. Avery came into the Common Room wearing a lavender dress that tied around her neck, and no material on the top of her back. In the back the material plunged down her sides until her waist. It was tight on the top, but at her waist there was a seam that separated the top from the skirt. The skirt had beads all around, and the skirt puffed out gracefully. Avery was so beautiful that it left Alder breathless.
"That is absolutely definitely the one! That is gorgeous!" Alder exclaimed.
"Good enough. Your turn," Avery said, blushing at the praise.
Alder went into her room and stripped down to her underclothes, and got an idea. She put herself into a trance and imagined herself in a dress of purple magic. She opened her eyes, to see that she had a coat of violet on her. It looked interesting, to say the least. She went into the Common Room, to hear Avery's gasp.
"That looks as if it were sewn on!" She said.
"It's magic," Alder said, laughing.
"No wonder," she said, and laughed too. "If you weren't so easily startled, you could actually wear that." At Alder's puzzled look she explained, "You lose control of your magic when you're startled. Goodbye dress. Not that that would be a bad thing for me." Avery trailed off, and grinned mischievously. Recently Avery had been flirting with her a bit, but Alder didn't mind. She rather found it amusing.
"Oh well, that's one of us. I, personally, would be embarrassed if I was half naked in front of all of court," she said, and smiled. "But maybe that's just me. My next dress is a corset-dress. Would you help me tie it up?" she asked, and Avery nodded. They got up and entered Alder's room. Alder went into her closet and got her black dress, and came back into her bedroom. She dissipated the magic that had covered her, without even turning away from Avery, and stepped into the dress, and hoisted it above her waste. She removed the breast band that she had been wearing without revealing anything, and threw it into her closet.
"Avery?" she prompted, holding the dress in place. Avery again had been diverting her eyes, and she was blushing profusely. She got up and held the laces to the corset. "Tight, I don't want this falling off!" Alder said, and she could feel Avery's hands gently pulling the laces tighter at the small of her back, sending a thrill up her spine. Then came the point where she had to thread the laces through the holes in the dress and really pull tight. Alder sucked in her stomach so that when Avery was done, it would actually stay on. Finally Avery was done, and Alder turned to face her.
"Beautiful. It was worth the hassle of typing it! You look amazing," Avery breathed. "Lets go find Damon, see what he thinks," Avery said.
They re-entered the Common Room to find Damon already dressed in a suit, reading by the fire. He looked up as they came into the room, and his eyes widened. He stood up and walked first to greet Avery with a kiss on the hand, and then Alder with the same treatment. "Avery. if you weren't listern!" he said mock-wistfully. "But Alder, you look absolutely stunning. The dress looks amazing on you," he said shyly.
"Thanks," she said shortly. "Just looking for your stamp of approval. Now we do hair and makeup! Fun, right?" she said, and Damon groaned. "Now you see what females have to go through to be pretty."
"Avery decided to wear her hair up in an elegant bun, while Alder chose to leave her hair down. Her hair was naturally straight, and for once it looked good that way. Under the influence of the sun and magical bleaching, Alder's hair had turned into a dark shade of pure red. Alder lined her eyes with black paint to make them look longer and borrowed Avery's clear lip- rouge, which made her lips look glossy. In the end, even Alder had to admit that she looked good. She had recently struck a growth spurt, leaving her 5'9" and her body more mature. Avery, too, had grown. She now stood about 5'6".
As they walked out of Avery's room together, Alder had a surprising revelation. "Today is Midwinter, right?" At Avery's nod, she continued. "I just realized that I will be turning 15 in five days. I totally lost track of time."
The bright Court Dining Room was a big change from the dimly lit hallway. :The Palace really needs to have better lighting in its hallways!: Alder Mind-Sent Keren, who snickered. The Dining Room was extravagantly decorated for Midwinter. Keren had told them earlier that Lissa and Andrew had saved them a table, but she hadn't said where.
Keren lead them down the aisle, closer and closer to the Royal Table. And then Alder actually saw the Royal Table. It had five empty seats. "We are sitting with the queen tonight?" Alder yelped.
"Uh- yes. I didn't want you all to get nervous. You certainly are quick to figure things out!" Keren said.
"Thanks, I guess," Alder said.
:I wouldn't worry. Lissa is incredibly nice. She is such a down-to-earth person.: Avery Mind-Sent her, as they arrived at the Royal Table.
"Good evening, Keren, Kat, Damon, Avery and Alder. How are you all today? The Queen asked them. Alder was shocked that the Queen was addressing her by her first name.
"Very well, thank you, your Majesty," Alder said quietly, bowing.
"Call me Lissa, please. Good to hear it. And all of you look lovely!" Lissa said. Everyone seated themselves around the table and ordered their food. Everyone was talking about the decorations, and Alder turned to survey their surroundings.
Alder could see Syris sitting a couple tables away, and they met eyes. He smiled, and gave her a thumbs-up signal. She smiled back, and continued looking around the Grand Hall. Brittany was sitting near the wall, shooting jealous glances at the Royal Table. Alder stifled a giggle and continued looking around the Hall. The next table over was the Ambassador's table. Tyrel sat with his back to them, and the Ambassador of Emelis was sitting strategically as far away from Tyrel as the table would permit. On several occasions Avery had pointed Ambassador Alasdair of Emelis out to her. Alasdair was about Alder's height, with graying dirty blonde hair and brown eyes. He was Avery's uncle, and looked to be forty-something years old.
Lissa, Andrew, Kat, and Keren all excused themselves to go see Syris, and the Queen and consort to go around her Court, as to be more approachable. That left Damon, Alder and Avery alone at the high table. Alder looked back to the Ambassador's table to find Tyrel right in front of her.
"So, the demon-spawn and her friends have bewitched the Queen and her consort into letting them stay at the Royal Table? It must be a charity act. the Queen, sitting with such peasants. Interesting. Alder, I gave you the chance to come over to the right side. You are probably possessed too!" Tyrel spat.
"I am happy with Keren, Ambassador," Alder said quietly.
"Ungrateful brat. Avery has probably turned you into listern crap, too," he said angrily.
"You self righteous bastard! You are just bitter that I am happy with who I am. I've found peace within myself, and you obviously haven't if you are tormenting teenagers. You are just a jealous, prejudiced BIGOT!" Avery exploded.
"Why you little-" Tyrel began, and lifted his arm. Time seemed to slow, but it was too late for Alder to prevent the inevitable. Time sped up again, and Tyrel backhanded Avery, seizing her by the tie of her dress. Alder panicked as he lifted his arm again, and acted on impulse.
She seized a bolt of her magic and sent it at Tyrel, caught unaware. He dropped Avery, and Alder put a magical barrier around Tyrel. Damon meanwhile had been trying to fend Tyrel off, and now that he had been taken care of, he was holding a shaking Avery. She held her hand to her cheek, and was trembling all over.
By this point, the whole Court was watching them. Keren was sprinting over to them, Kat and Syris close on her heels. As a mage himself, Tyrel exploded the crude barrier, seething with rage.
"Avery of Emelis, YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!" Tyrel screeched, and then disappeared into thin air. Keren switched her course of direction to where he had disappeared.
"Guards! Catch him!" Lissa yelled from across the Hall. All of the mages searched to find where he had gone off to, but it was a futile search.
"Lissa, he isn't there. He has found a way to cover his presence in the energy fields. There isn't anything we can do," Keren called. And then chaos broke lose in the Grand Hall.
It was soon to be the first snow of the season. It was chilly, and the wind whipped at Alder's face. It was overcast and cloudy. Insane. I am out at a barn where it will be snowing soon! I didn't wear enough layers. Alder thought, and shivered.
Both Avery and Damon were saddling up their horses, but Alder was already done. She had already mounted up and was trotting Kaila back and forth to keep warm. Ever since her fall, Alder had been slightly afraid of riding. If it weren't for Damon and Avery, she probably would have dropped riding lessons altogether. She was getting better at calming her nerves, but there was still the "What if?"
Finally Kat led her horse out, and Avery soon followed. At last Damon came out on Hunter, and Kat started trotting down the path to the field. They all trotted single file to the field, to find the jump already set up, and Keren trotting along on her beautiful white horse around the field. She finished her circle and stopped in front of Kat.
"Hey Kat! I decided that I'm getting out of shape and haven't ridden in way too long. Hope you don't mind, I'm joining your lesson today," Keren said, and smiled.
"Good enough. And I'll remind you it was your own choice to freeze your ass off!" Kat laughed.
"That works too," Keren said.
"Okay-today we are practicing jumping again. You know the drill!" Kat said, and everyone got into single-file again, Alder at the end of the line. Keren immediately sent her horse into a gallop and easily hopped over the jump. Damon went next, making it look nearly as easy as Keren had. Next was Avery, and after a little hesitation, she too went into a trot and cleared the jump.
And last it was Alder's turn. Inside she was quaking with fear, but she kept an outside calm as to not spook Kai. She didn't trust her voice, but apparently her eyes sent the message to Kat.
"Alder, you'll be fine. You've gotten to be an excellent rider. All you have to do is squeeze your knees and lean forward. Got it?" Kat asked kindly. Alder nodded.
Here goes nothing, she thought, and nudged Kai into an easy trot. As she neared the jump, she squeezed her knees and leaned forward, and it was over faster than it began. Kai was over the jump and trotting again, and Alder remained seated steadily atop Kai.
:Good job: Avery said quietly in the back of Alder's mind. :Now was that really so bad?:
:Fun! That was easier than I thought it would be.: Alder Sent, and trotted back to Kat, who was waiting for her atop Nike.
"Excellent work! Next time, don't clutch so hard on the reins. Keren will you put the jump up a notch please? Alder, go again," Kat said. Kat continued to raise the pole on the jump, and Alder really began to enjoy herself. And then the first snow did come. Tiny white flurries dropped from the sky everywhere. "Okay everyone, looks like there's going to be a snow storm. Let's get back to the stable and have a cup of hot chocolate," Kat suggested, and they trotted back to the stables.
After they had groomed their horses, they all seated themselves around Kat's cozy office. She already had a fire running, and she put a kettle of water on it.
"Kat, are you going to the Midwinter Dinner?" Keren inquired.
"I suppose it is tomorrow, right? I guess you are going to make me go?" Kat asked dryly.
"You guess right! Would you all like to come?" Keren asked Alder, Damon, and Avery.
"Uh- possibly?" Damon said.
"I guess so," Alder said.
"Who will be there?" Avery asked.
"Basically the whole Court," Kat said, and Avery reluctantly nodded her assent. Alder could understand; Tyrel would be there.
:It will be fine. Damon and I will be there with you. Tyrel couldn't possibly be so bold.: Alder Mind-Sent Avery.
:You'd be surprised, but I'm glad that you'll be there with me. What are we going to wear?: Avery joked. :I say it would be rather interesting to wear a bright violet magical shield covering my body like a dress.:
:Interesting, yes, but classy, no.: Alder sent, and they both started giggling. Damon and Kat were giving them strange looks, and Alder said simply, "We were consulting each other on what we should wear," and Avery went back to laughing, and Alder distinctly heard Damon mutter, "Girls."
The next day, Kat let them out of riding lessons early to get washed up and ready for the Midwinter dinner. Avery and Alder went out to the Bathhouse to soak their saddle-soreness away. Half a candlemark later they met back at the suite to choose what they were going to wear. In the months that Alder had been at Court, she had acquired some new clothing, and two nice dresses.
One was a black strapless dress with a red lace over black silk corset and a beautiful flowing skirt. The other was an ice-blue dress that brought out the color in Alder's eyes. It was a silk sleeveless turtleneck dress that was quite form fitting. When worn, the skirt pooled around her feet. Both were lovely, but she couldn't decide.
Avery was about to model a dress for her. They were alternating showing possible outfits. Avery came into the Common Room wearing a lavender dress that tied around her neck, and no material on the top of her back. In the back the material plunged down her sides until her waist. It was tight on the top, but at her waist there was a seam that separated the top from the skirt. The skirt had beads all around, and the skirt puffed out gracefully. Avery was so beautiful that it left Alder breathless.
"That is absolutely definitely the one! That is gorgeous!" Alder exclaimed.
"Good enough. Your turn," Avery said, blushing at the praise.
Alder went into her room and stripped down to her underclothes, and got an idea. She put herself into a trance and imagined herself in a dress of purple magic. She opened her eyes, to see that she had a coat of violet on her. It looked interesting, to say the least. She went into the Common Room, to hear Avery's gasp.
"That looks as if it were sewn on!" She said.
"It's magic," Alder said, laughing.
"No wonder," she said, and laughed too. "If you weren't so easily startled, you could actually wear that." At Alder's puzzled look she explained, "You lose control of your magic when you're startled. Goodbye dress. Not that that would be a bad thing for me." Avery trailed off, and grinned mischievously. Recently Avery had been flirting with her a bit, but Alder didn't mind. She rather found it amusing.
"Oh well, that's one of us. I, personally, would be embarrassed if I was half naked in front of all of court," she said, and smiled. "But maybe that's just me. My next dress is a corset-dress. Would you help me tie it up?" she asked, and Avery nodded. They got up and entered Alder's room. Alder went into her closet and got her black dress, and came back into her bedroom. She dissipated the magic that had covered her, without even turning away from Avery, and stepped into the dress, and hoisted it above her waste. She removed the breast band that she had been wearing without revealing anything, and threw it into her closet.
"Avery?" she prompted, holding the dress in place. Avery again had been diverting her eyes, and she was blushing profusely. She got up and held the laces to the corset. "Tight, I don't want this falling off!" Alder said, and she could feel Avery's hands gently pulling the laces tighter at the small of her back, sending a thrill up her spine. Then came the point where she had to thread the laces through the holes in the dress and really pull tight. Alder sucked in her stomach so that when Avery was done, it would actually stay on. Finally Avery was done, and Alder turned to face her.
"Beautiful. It was worth the hassle of typing it! You look amazing," Avery breathed. "Lets go find Damon, see what he thinks," Avery said.
They re-entered the Common Room to find Damon already dressed in a suit, reading by the fire. He looked up as they came into the room, and his eyes widened. He stood up and walked first to greet Avery with a kiss on the hand, and then Alder with the same treatment. "Avery. if you weren't listern!" he said mock-wistfully. "But Alder, you look absolutely stunning. The dress looks amazing on you," he said shyly.
"Thanks," she said shortly. "Just looking for your stamp of approval. Now we do hair and makeup! Fun, right?" she said, and Damon groaned. "Now you see what females have to go through to be pretty."
"Avery decided to wear her hair up in an elegant bun, while Alder chose to leave her hair down. Her hair was naturally straight, and for once it looked good that way. Under the influence of the sun and magical bleaching, Alder's hair had turned into a dark shade of pure red. Alder lined her eyes with black paint to make them look longer and borrowed Avery's clear lip- rouge, which made her lips look glossy. In the end, even Alder had to admit that she looked good. She had recently struck a growth spurt, leaving her 5'9" and her body more mature. Avery, too, had grown. She now stood about 5'6".
As they walked out of Avery's room together, Alder had a surprising revelation. "Today is Midwinter, right?" At Avery's nod, she continued. "I just realized that I will be turning 15 in five days. I totally lost track of time."
The bright Court Dining Room was a big change from the dimly lit hallway. :The Palace really needs to have better lighting in its hallways!: Alder Mind-Sent Keren, who snickered. The Dining Room was extravagantly decorated for Midwinter. Keren had told them earlier that Lissa and Andrew had saved them a table, but she hadn't said where.
Keren lead them down the aisle, closer and closer to the Royal Table. And then Alder actually saw the Royal Table. It had five empty seats. "We are sitting with the queen tonight?" Alder yelped.
"Uh- yes. I didn't want you all to get nervous. You certainly are quick to figure things out!" Keren said.
"Thanks, I guess," Alder said.
:I wouldn't worry. Lissa is incredibly nice. She is such a down-to-earth person.: Avery Mind-Sent her, as they arrived at the Royal Table.
"Good evening, Keren, Kat, Damon, Avery and Alder. How are you all today? The Queen asked them. Alder was shocked that the Queen was addressing her by her first name.
"Very well, thank you, your Majesty," Alder said quietly, bowing.
"Call me Lissa, please. Good to hear it. And all of you look lovely!" Lissa said. Everyone seated themselves around the table and ordered their food. Everyone was talking about the decorations, and Alder turned to survey their surroundings.
Alder could see Syris sitting a couple tables away, and they met eyes. He smiled, and gave her a thumbs-up signal. She smiled back, and continued looking around the Grand Hall. Brittany was sitting near the wall, shooting jealous glances at the Royal Table. Alder stifled a giggle and continued looking around the Hall. The next table over was the Ambassador's table. Tyrel sat with his back to them, and the Ambassador of Emelis was sitting strategically as far away from Tyrel as the table would permit. On several occasions Avery had pointed Ambassador Alasdair of Emelis out to her. Alasdair was about Alder's height, with graying dirty blonde hair and brown eyes. He was Avery's uncle, and looked to be forty-something years old.
Lissa, Andrew, Kat, and Keren all excused themselves to go see Syris, and the Queen and consort to go around her Court, as to be more approachable. That left Damon, Alder and Avery alone at the high table. Alder looked back to the Ambassador's table to find Tyrel right in front of her.
"So, the demon-spawn and her friends have bewitched the Queen and her consort into letting them stay at the Royal Table? It must be a charity act. the Queen, sitting with such peasants. Interesting. Alder, I gave you the chance to come over to the right side. You are probably possessed too!" Tyrel spat.
"I am happy with Keren, Ambassador," Alder said quietly.
"Ungrateful brat. Avery has probably turned you into listern crap, too," he said angrily.
"You self righteous bastard! You are just bitter that I am happy with who I am. I've found peace within myself, and you obviously haven't if you are tormenting teenagers. You are just a jealous, prejudiced BIGOT!" Avery exploded.
"Why you little-" Tyrel began, and lifted his arm. Time seemed to slow, but it was too late for Alder to prevent the inevitable. Time sped up again, and Tyrel backhanded Avery, seizing her by the tie of her dress. Alder panicked as he lifted his arm again, and acted on impulse.
She seized a bolt of her magic and sent it at Tyrel, caught unaware. He dropped Avery, and Alder put a magical barrier around Tyrel. Damon meanwhile had been trying to fend Tyrel off, and now that he had been taken care of, he was holding a shaking Avery. She held her hand to her cheek, and was trembling all over.
By this point, the whole Court was watching them. Keren was sprinting over to them, Kat and Syris close on her heels. As a mage himself, Tyrel exploded the crude barrier, seething with rage.
"Avery of Emelis, YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!" Tyrel screeched, and then disappeared into thin air. Keren switched her course of direction to where he had disappeared.
"Guards! Catch him!" Lissa yelled from across the Hall. All of the mages searched to find where he had gone off to, but it was a futile search.
"Lissa, he isn't there. He has found a way to cover his presence in the energy fields. There isn't anything we can do," Keren called. And then chaos broke lose in the Grand Hall.