On the Streets
by jilla kala
a/n: As always, sorry for the slow updating, school is almost out, less then 16 school days to go, and until then I am, as always, quite busy and once again, real life (as unpleasant as it is) has gotten in the way of my writing. So, again, my apologies, and here is a longer chapter (another reason it took so long to get up.) oh and (words) are not author's notes, they are parts of the story.
disclaimer: what you recognize belongs to Tamora Pierce… I only own the plot, Jua, her housemates, Andrea, and umm… that's it so far…
Chapter Thirteen
The day of the banquet was, if possible, the most hectic day since his arrival yet. Jon had spent the morning in last minute adjustments to his clothes and in final meetings with his etiquette teacher and his parents for any previously forgotten instructions. He also had to go through a rehearsal run with his etiquette teacher to make sure he knew what to do. The rest of the day was spent getting ready in his room and doing meditations and exercises in order to relax and use up his nervous energy.
When the time arrived when he should go and get Jua before heading down to dinner he had only calmed down a little. The knock on her door was rewarded quickly by Jua flinging it open and pulling him inside.
"Oh thank the gods you're here, Jon!"
Panic flashed through is mind at the thought that someone had hurt her popped unbidden into his mind. "What happened to you?" he asked, fear evident in his voice.
"Nothing happened, I just can't tie my corset on right and I sent the maid who was supposed to help me away and now I'm going to be late. Unless you hurry up and tie it for me. Tight."
He sighed in relief. That was his Jua, always scaring him out of his mind over some silly thing. He had an idea that she knew and did it on purpose, it would appeal to her sadistic side afterall. Obligingly he went over to her and took the offered ties out of her hands and began to lace the corset up. When she sucked in a sharp breath he automatically loosened his grip.
"Did I hurt you?"
"My insides are being squeezed like a sponge, of course it hurts, but keep going, I can take it. Just TIE!"
He nodded, and began to tie the laces again. Soon they were done and he handed her the dress, which was draped over a chair. She pulled it on over her head, careful not to rip any of the seams, and then turned for him to lace the dress up.
Good thing she already did her hair Jon thought as she locked the door on their way out. The two ran quickly down the hall and the stairs until the reached the door to the dinning room. While they were trying to get their breathing under control, they straightened out their clothing so they didn't look like they had been running.
When they pushed the door open they were greeted by the site of over a hundred people sitting at dozens of tables set about the large banquet hall. Servers were waiting up against the wall holding little bowls of water to wash the guests' fingers. At the table in the front of the room were four empty chairs that they knew to be for the two of them and the King and Queen. Happy that they were not late, the two walked to their chairs and took their seats opposite each other at the table.
A few minutes later the monarchs entered the room. When they walked in everyone in attendance rose to their feet until the King motioned them all to again be seated. He stood at the head of his table and spoke the before meal prayer, thanking the gods for the food and praying for the people who were unable to be present that night, that they had enough food to eat. As soon as the prayer was finished with a "so mote it be," from the guests, the servers brought over the bowls for them to dip their fingers in. While the servers went back to the kitchen to get the first course, Jon, thinking back over his etiquette lessons, spread his napkin out over his lap. Jua did the same thing knowing that she would spill something on the dark silk of the dress the Queen had let her borrow for the occasion if she didn't.
The first course was brought out a few moments later and dinner progressed like any other, with people talking amongst themselves while they ate. Minstrels were set up in a corner of the room, singing ballads for entertainment. When the main courses were finished, servers brought out desserts. The delicious tarts were just what Jua's stomach had been waiting for since she had arrived.
Towards the end of dessert the King stood up, and as was customary, everyone in the room stopped what they were doing and stood too. Roald smiled and motioned them all to be seated once more.
"Good evening. I want to start off by saying that I am very grateful to you all for coming. As many of you know, almost sixteen years my son, Prince Jonathan, was taken from my wife and I. After many long years of searching we had given up hope that he would be found.
"A few weeks ago, Squires Gareth and Raoul and Page Alan went missing for about a day. When they returned, they brought with them two guests."
The King motioned to Jua and Jon as he continued, "The two people he brought with them are our guests of honor this evening.
"When the three boys returned, they brought with them the missing Prince, who had been living in the city, unknown to anyone for who he truly was, including himself, for over a year. Tonight, I would like to formally re-introduce to you all, my son and the newly reinstated heir to the throne, Prince Jonathan of Conté."
The room went dead silent while the news sunk in for those people who had not previously known. Then the guests broke into loud applause. The King and Queen beamed with pride as they asked their son to stand up so everyone could see him. Jon blushed as the applause and cheering grew louder. The King motioned them to be silent and turned to Jon,
"Would you say a few words to them? I'm sure they would love to hear from you."
"What… what do I say?"
"Whatever comes to mind about your position here," the King told him gently, "Go on."
"Uh, hell-hello every-one," he stuttered out, unsure of what to say or do, "I just want to say that, uh, I am very new to this whole, nobility business, but I am, uh, going to try my hardest to be the Prince you all want me to be. I just ask that you be patient with me because I'm trying to do a good job. Thank you." When he had finished speaking he quickly sat down. He felt someone kick his leg lightly and he looked up from his plate where he had been staring so as to avoid the looks on the faces of the others present. Jus gave him a reassuring smile as she clapped along with the rest of the guests.
"You did good, Highness," she mouthed. He smiled back, grateful that she was there.
"Lords, Ladies and other good people, I believe it is now time to retire to the ballroom for a night of dancing and entertainment in celebration of this wonderful time," the King said.
Almost in perfect unison the people sitting around the room rose to their feet and followed their Monarchs and Jon and Jua out of the room.
~*~
The sound of music was already permeating the ballroom when Jon and the others entered. The musicians were set up in a corner of the room just left of the stage that had been erected for the evening's performances. On one side of the room tables were set up to serve light snacks and drinks. That was where Jon immediately headed, his tongue and mouth had dried sometime during the brief speech and it was very important to him that he get it taken care of. Jua followed him over as other people started to file into the room. Some people went to the refreshment table, though not many as they had just come from a delicious meal, (which Jua would readily attest to) others went out onto the floor to dance while still others took to the edges of the room to mingle.
Jua leaned up against the edge of the table sipping her glass of fruit juice and watched the dancing couples while she waited for Jon to finish gulping down his drink.
"I never thought I would be this nervous about what people thought of me," he finally said while wiping the punch off of his mouth with his hand.
"Don't worry what they think. They'll love you. Trust me, Jon. Besides, I've seen your prince act, and you'll fool them easily into believing you are a nice, cultured, wonderful young man, because even though it will take a lot of hard acting on your part, I have faith you can do it," she reassured him with a playful grin to let him know she was joking.
"Just for that mean little poke at me, you get the honor of having the first dance of the night with me, as if I mess up and step on anyone's feet, it will probably be my first partner."
"Alright, O great Highness, lead the way," she said as she took his hand and led him out into the crowd of dancers.
"I thought I was leading."
"You get to lead while we dance, I get to lead while we walk."
"Oh."
"Good. Now dance with me."
She draped one arm over his shoulder and with the other she took his hand. He in turn put his free hand on her waist and began to twirl her around the dance floor. The two were silent as they danced, as Jua was too busy watching and following his feet, (because she did not know how to dance) to hold any conversation.
When the song was over Jon released her. She grinned at him before curtsying and said, "Well, my Lord, not as bad as I expected from a street brat."
He laughed and playfully pushed her away, "Go annoy someone else, Miss 'Weaver.'" Shaking her head at him playfully she moved off to go and find the other boys to get a dance from each of them. Jon, too, went off to find another girl to dance with as he had been told many a time before hand that he should dance with many different people.
~*~
After a few hours of dancing with lots of random ladies whose names he couldn't even remember, Jon's feet were in pain and he was decidedly ready to get out of there. Unfortunately, the night was barely half over, there was still more dancing and a play and even more dancing to get through before the evening was complete. He sat down on a window seat off in a corner where hopefully he wouldn't be spotted. He took his shoes off and began rubbing his feet, sighing contentedly. It was only seconds before Alan sunk down onto the seat next to him.
"Wanting to get away from all of the fawning ladies?" Alan asked. Jon nodded, still rubbing his aching feet. "Yeah, me too. I really dislike parties, which is why I have been hiding out all night. Raoul should be hiding somewhere too."
"No, I saw Jua drag him out to dance with her a few minutes ago. He didn't look too happy about it. But that's Jua, she likes to torture people when she can."
"What about me?" Jua asked as she plopped down on the seat on the other side of Jon, Raoul taking a seat on the floor in front of them.
"You like to torture people."
"That I do."
"Where's Gary?"
"I'm right here."
"How do you people sneak up on us like that?" Alan demanded.
"Magic."
"Jua, you don't have the Gift, I do."
"Alan, the Gift and my magic aren't the same thing. I have a secret kind of magic."
"Jua, stop teasing people, the last time you tried to convince someone you were magic you made that kid cry. Haven't you learned your lesson about lying yet?"
"Never, Jon, never."
"I can't believe this night is only half over," Jon complained.
"I know, how long can one celebration last?" Raoul added.
"Pretty long. But it's not fun if it's this formal and I can't breath because my corset is on too tight."
"Do you think anyone would notice if we slipped out right now?"
"Probably not, Raoul, but where would we go?"
"Well, Gary, if you guys care to follow me, I know a place where we can go," Jua offered as she stood up. Without waiting to see who followed her, she walked out onto one of the balconies off of the ballroom. When the others got outside she was testing the strength of the railing around the balcony.
"Jua, what are you doing?" Gary asked carefully.
"Well," Jua said as she pulled herself up onto the rail, "I'm going to climb down as far as I can get and then I am going to jump down so you four can… uh oh…" Jua's sentence trailed off as she lost her balance while trying to turn around to climb down. She grabbed the bar just in time before she crashed off into the gardens.
"Jua!" Jon cried out.
"Wait, I'm alright, this is pretty much what my plan consisted of actually, although, minus the almost falling." She let go and bent her knees as she landed, although she still fell over backwards once she was on the ground.
"She doesn't have the best balance," Jon explained as he followed her over, although he landed correctly. The others came down after them, first Gary then Alan and finally Raoul. When all of them were on the ground Alan asked Jua were they were going.
"Somewhere fun, where we can celebrate ourselves," was the only answer she gave.
~*~
The Dancing Dove was full and rowdy when they walked in. One of the prostitutes, a girl named Andrea, came up to Jua and Jon, giving them each a big hug.
"Andrea! I need some clothes; can you get me some? This dress is so uncomfortable and I can barely breath."
"Of course, hold on a couple of moments and I'll be right back."
"Thank you. Now," Jua turned to the others, "we can celebrate here, there's food and drink, much better drink, and we don't have to be formal."
"Good, now, excuse me, I'll be at the bar, after that boring party I can use a drink." Raoul turned and went over to the bar and took a seat. The others took a seat at a table in the middle of the room, a waitress came over and Jon ordered them some drinks. Soon after the waitress left Andrea came back carrying one of her dresses for Jua.
"Oh thank you so very much, Andrea! Come help me get this dress off will you? This corset is about to squeeze me in half."
While the two girls went off to rid Jua of the Queen's dress the waitress brought over the drinks for the three siting around the table. Gary and Jon each took a mug of ale while Alan took his customary lemonade. The three made small talk while they waited for Jua to come back. Raoul joined them with his own drink by the time Jua came back.
"Where'd Andy go?" Jon inquired while Jua took a large swig of her drink.
"On the way back she got a request and so is off earning a little extra money."
"Oh."
"Come now you four, we came here to have a celebration, not to sit around here like a bunch of old men, too tired and creaky to do much of anything." She swallowed down the rest of her drink before waving the barmaid over again. "Bring us another round, please. Oh, and could you tell the fiddler in the corner over there, I can't see who it is, to play something a little more upbeat, we're having a celebration."
"Of course."
By the time the next set of drinks arrived the fiddler had started playing more lively music and other couples had gotten up and started dancing.
The group alternately danced and drank for a few hours, no more than a couple at the table drinking at a time. Gary started to get pretty close to Andrea, who had come over to join them not too long after Jua came back.
~*~
After a few hours, when it was only a couple more until the sun would rise, and everyone (with the exception of Alan, who stuck to his lemonade and Andrea who only had a couple of drinks) had had more than their fair share of drinks, Andrea suggested that instead of going back to the palace they just get rooms, as they could have them for free as George's good friends.
After only a brief discussion, which was quickly ended after Raoul fell out of his chair and lay on the floor laughing until Gary pulled him to his feet where he staggered about, they decided that it would be a good idea to get rooms.
Alan, claiming a need for privacy, got his own room, while Gary and Raoul took one and Jon and Jua took another. The group stumbled up the stairs together when Andrea came to tell them where the rooms were. Alan helped Gary and Raoul to their room before going into his and locking the door behind him. Raoul passed out as soon as he hit the bed and Gary did the same only seconds after crawling into his bed, neither even had time to take off their shoes.
Meanwhile, in Jon and Jua's room, both of the occupants were still conscious. Jon had had less to drink and so was not quite as out of it as Jua. She sat on the bed while he knelt down in front of her and took of her shoes. She ran her fingers through his hair as he worked to pull them off.
"Jon?"
"Mmhmm?"
"Why are you down on the floor?"
"I'm taking your shoes off so you can go to bed."
"Why?" He ignored the question, as he knew from past experiences with a drunken Jua that that line of questioning could on forever. He stood up and pulled her to her feet.
"Jua, be a good girl now and take off your dress so you can go to sleep."
"But then I'll be naked."
"You have other clothing on underneath it, you'll be fine."
"Oh." She fumbled at the strings and finally Jon had to help her, although he was having almost as much trouble as she was with the laces as he was also drunk. Jua put her hand over his to make him stop what he was doing. He looked up at her questioningly, although it took a moment for him to make sense of the blurry double image he saw before him. Instead of an answer she pressed her lips up against his for a moment, but pulled back ere he even had a chance to taste her alcohol laced breath.
"Jon?"
"Yes?"
"Why did you just kiss me? Would you do it again?" He didn't even have a chance to decide whether or not he was going to do as she asked, or even if he wanted to, before she passed out onto the bed. Jon shook his head at the fact that everyone was always extra friendly (and confused as shown with her making the first move and thinking he did it) when drunk and set to work finishing pulling her out of her dress and covering her up on the bed. Then he too undressed and climbed into the bed, falling quickly into unconsciousness. Whether this unconsciousness was from the alcohol or an honest sleep, he didn't know. The last thought on his mind was a brief question of whether or not he would have kissed her back.
a/n: and there you have it, an extra long chapter thirteen. Jon has been reintroduced and Jua and he have had their first kiss, something I know lots of people (though whether those people are still reading or not, I dunno) have been wanting for awhile. I hope this was worth the wait. And please, leave a review, even if it is just to say, "I read it, good job." If you want to tell me you didn't like it, please leave more details as to why so that I can try and do a better job next time. Thank you so very much to those people who have reviewed and to those who will, reviews are what keep me posting. Much love to all.
Special author's note: I know sometimes conversations where it does not say "he said/she said/it said" can get confusing, especially when there is more than one person, so even though I tried to incorporate hints as to who has said what, for those who may have missed it (prolly due to my not doing a good enough job with the hints) here is a map of who said what, just trying to be overly helpful to people *helpful person smile*
"You like to torture people." Jon
"That I do." Jua
"Where's Gary?" Jon
"I'm right here." Gary
"How do you people sneak up on us like that?" Alan demanded.
"Magic." Jua
"Jua, you don't have the Gift, I do." Alan
"Alan, the Gift and my magic aren't the same thing. I have a secret kind of magic." Jua
"Jua, stop teasing people, the last time you tried to convince someone you were magic you made that kid cry. Haven't you learned your lesson about lying yet?" Jon
"Never, Jon, never." Jua
"I can't believe this night is only half over," Jon complained.
"I know, how long can one celebration last?" Raoul added.
"Pretty long. But it's not fun if it's this formal and I can't breath because my corset is on too tight." Jua
"Do you think anyone would notice if we slipped out right now?" Raoul
"Probably not, Raoul, but where would we go?" Gary
Thank you notes:
Keziah: why thank you for your confidence in my writing abilities and for your flattering comments, its always nice to hear people say good things about you, self-esteem boost and all. Yay for fluff! It has taken awhile but yes, I am finally incorporating some j/j into the story (and yes, I am planning on it being j/j, although that wasn't my original idea) but it isn't going to be all smooth and stuff. Don't worry, no A/J, jon doesn't even know she's a she. Lol, we should start a picket line, first the castle then the world! Thanks very much for your reviews; it means a lot that you keep reviewing.
MogsyCat: well, my apologies (again) for not telling you, and so I am going to make sure I tell you this time. It was nice talking to you before. Thanks for your review, hope you enjoyed the chapters :)
Everyone who reviewed: thank you so very much, your reviews seriously make my day *hugs*