Woops, almost forgot to say again-I still don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, or it's characters, unfortunately.
Chapter 4: Dancing Queen
The torchlight shimmered in the glossy surface of the marble floor. I stopped pacing, lost in the reflection, as if the lipid pools of reflected light held some answer for me. No sudden inspiration struck; sighing, I started pacing again. An image came to mind. A seven year old me leaving the ballet studio, pulling my coat tightly against my pink leotard, my mother looking down, ruffling my hair and shaking her head. "You just aren't a dancer, pumpkin," she stated. I nodded in agreement and we never returned.
The servants had left after wrestling me into the skimpy outfit and adorning me with multiple golden bangles. They had also insisted on an ungodly amount of eyeliner and eye shadow. For someone who rarely wore makeup, I felt like a painted doll. A failed ballerina before her first show, my stomach fluttered. ~ I can't do this~.
As if on cue, the Pharaoh entered. I felt his presence long before I saw him, he stood proudly, arms crossed, entourage of four royal guards in tow. He was attired more elegantly than before. A cobalt blue headdress with a tiny, hooded cobra emblem added to his royalty, I was sure I'd seen something exactly like it on the Discovery Channel. White silk hung around his narrow hips, and an exquisite neckpiece of precious jewels, accentuated his broad shoulders. Impressed, I forgot to breath again, and for a moment forgot that this man could and probably would kill me at any time.
"Ready," his curt tone, shook me from my reverie, and I recalled my dangerous situation.
I nodded, took his arm and fell into step beside him. His head held high, his face devoid of emotion. So different than the man I'd seen earlier in the tomb, eyes full of tears. I was staring, and he felt my eyes on him.
"What?" He asked in response to my gaze.
"Nothing."
"What is it?"
"I was just wondering something."
"Yes?"
"What should I call you? Pharaoh?"
He stopped walking and turned toward me, brow furrowed, "Yami, you should call me Yami." Ah, some emotion lurked yet in the Egyptian King, he looked away quickly, pain again in his eyes.
I could only imagine his feelings, and I felt guilt wash over me for my part in it. ~ Should I tell him the truth?~ The question was moot as we reached the grand hall and the throng grew silent. Showtime.
The dining hall smelled of roast and exotic dishes from all over the globe. Fresh Orchids decorated long tables overflowing with wine. Seated in long rows were multitudes of Egypt's elite. After the Pharaoh took the throne at the far end of the room, and waved for the celebration to continue, a servant led me to a raised seat to his right. Thankfully, no one had any expectation of me-- yet. I scanned the room for exits, considered how fast the guards could grab me, and remained still.
The center of the large room was open for entertainment. Women wearing less than I were writhing to the loud, pounding rhythms that filled the room. The whole spectacle would have been incredible and engaging, if my stomach would stop doing back flips. I wrung my hands and hummed a nursery rhyme. Suddenly, the music stopped again, and the Pharaoh rose and addressed the crowd.
"I will praise the lord RA, for the gift of my beloved's return. I would like to put everyone's fears to rest. The treaty with Greece is still strong, as my marriage to Cassandra will bind our nations in peace forever. And to show my intended's health and everlasting devotion, I will ask that she favor us with one of her legendary performances."
My heart sank in my chest. ~ What is he thinking riding so much on me, ~then it hit me, ~either he trusts me or he's setting me up to fail.~ I felt numb, and mechanically rose from my chair. The others had cleared the floor for me. The palace seemed enormous, full of eyes following my every move. I noticed the vizier's intense blue eyes glaring at me, he gave me a sideways smile and raised his cup in a mocking toast. ~ Jerk.~.
The floor was cold against my bare feet; I walked as slowly as possible. My mouth was dry and I couldn't seem to catch my breath. I raised my right arm over my head, striking a pose. ~ Ok, what was fifth position?~ I desperately tried to remember anything from ballet, anything at all. I would have settled for the electric slide, the twist, anything, but my mind was a total blank. The musicians looked at me in anticipation. I prayed and... I could have sworn I heard thunder, but in Egypt? The rumbling grew louder, the walls shook, a portion of crowd felt it too, and began to look around for the source. Earthquake? I held my position and waited. The noise became deafening and people rose from their seats. The sound of the crowd mingled with the rumbles and a panic started.
The Pharaoh, motioned for everyone to stay seated and spoke to his head guard's men, they rushed off in different directions. It was then that the creature tore though the west wall, sending debris and a cloud of dust flying into the hall.
**
Ok, I know I am the cliffhanger queen, but stick with me, exposition will be in the next chapter-keep the Reviews coming!! :D
Chapter 4: Dancing Queen
The torchlight shimmered in the glossy surface of the marble floor. I stopped pacing, lost in the reflection, as if the lipid pools of reflected light held some answer for me. No sudden inspiration struck; sighing, I started pacing again. An image came to mind. A seven year old me leaving the ballet studio, pulling my coat tightly against my pink leotard, my mother looking down, ruffling my hair and shaking her head. "You just aren't a dancer, pumpkin," she stated. I nodded in agreement and we never returned.
The servants had left after wrestling me into the skimpy outfit and adorning me with multiple golden bangles. They had also insisted on an ungodly amount of eyeliner and eye shadow. For someone who rarely wore makeup, I felt like a painted doll. A failed ballerina before her first show, my stomach fluttered. ~ I can't do this~.
As if on cue, the Pharaoh entered. I felt his presence long before I saw him, he stood proudly, arms crossed, entourage of four royal guards in tow. He was attired more elegantly than before. A cobalt blue headdress with a tiny, hooded cobra emblem added to his royalty, I was sure I'd seen something exactly like it on the Discovery Channel. White silk hung around his narrow hips, and an exquisite neckpiece of precious jewels, accentuated his broad shoulders. Impressed, I forgot to breath again, and for a moment forgot that this man could and probably would kill me at any time.
"Ready," his curt tone, shook me from my reverie, and I recalled my dangerous situation.
I nodded, took his arm and fell into step beside him. His head held high, his face devoid of emotion. So different than the man I'd seen earlier in the tomb, eyes full of tears. I was staring, and he felt my eyes on him.
"What?" He asked in response to my gaze.
"Nothing."
"What is it?"
"I was just wondering something."
"Yes?"
"What should I call you? Pharaoh?"
He stopped walking and turned toward me, brow furrowed, "Yami, you should call me Yami." Ah, some emotion lurked yet in the Egyptian King, he looked away quickly, pain again in his eyes.
I could only imagine his feelings, and I felt guilt wash over me for my part in it. ~ Should I tell him the truth?~ The question was moot as we reached the grand hall and the throng grew silent. Showtime.
The dining hall smelled of roast and exotic dishes from all over the globe. Fresh Orchids decorated long tables overflowing with wine. Seated in long rows were multitudes of Egypt's elite. After the Pharaoh took the throne at the far end of the room, and waved for the celebration to continue, a servant led me to a raised seat to his right. Thankfully, no one had any expectation of me-- yet. I scanned the room for exits, considered how fast the guards could grab me, and remained still.
The center of the large room was open for entertainment. Women wearing less than I were writhing to the loud, pounding rhythms that filled the room. The whole spectacle would have been incredible and engaging, if my stomach would stop doing back flips. I wrung my hands and hummed a nursery rhyme. Suddenly, the music stopped again, and the Pharaoh rose and addressed the crowd.
"I will praise the lord RA, for the gift of my beloved's return. I would like to put everyone's fears to rest. The treaty with Greece is still strong, as my marriage to Cassandra will bind our nations in peace forever. And to show my intended's health and everlasting devotion, I will ask that she favor us with one of her legendary performances."
My heart sank in my chest. ~ What is he thinking riding so much on me, ~then it hit me, ~either he trusts me or he's setting me up to fail.~ I felt numb, and mechanically rose from my chair. The others had cleared the floor for me. The palace seemed enormous, full of eyes following my every move. I noticed the vizier's intense blue eyes glaring at me, he gave me a sideways smile and raised his cup in a mocking toast. ~ Jerk.~.
The floor was cold against my bare feet; I walked as slowly as possible. My mouth was dry and I couldn't seem to catch my breath. I raised my right arm over my head, striking a pose. ~ Ok, what was fifth position?~ I desperately tried to remember anything from ballet, anything at all. I would have settled for the electric slide, the twist, anything, but my mind was a total blank. The musicians looked at me in anticipation. I prayed and... I could have sworn I heard thunder, but in Egypt? The rumbling grew louder, the walls shook, a portion of crowd felt it too, and began to look around for the source. Earthquake? I held my position and waited. The noise became deafening and people rose from their seats. The sound of the crowd mingled with the rumbles and a panic started.
The Pharaoh, motioned for everyone to stay seated and spoke to his head guard's men, they rushed off in different directions. It was then that the creature tore though the west wall, sending debris and a cloud of dust flying into the hall.
**
Ok, I know I am the cliffhanger queen, but stick with me, exposition will be in the next chapter-keep the Reviews coming!! :D