We're getting ready for a revel. It's for some courtiers birthday, I care little about it. I take a sip of wine and look over at my beautiful wife who is being buttoned up by Tatterfell.
"Is there anything you miss about the mortal world?" I ask her suddenly. It's something I wonder about often but have never mentioned.
"She was holding her dress tight to her waist but at my words, she looks at me sharply and drops her hands. "Of course not, Elfhame is my home."
"No, that's not what I mean," I try to help her understand what I'm asking, I didn't wish to offend her. "Not deep things, like purpose or family, or ambition. But simple things, that make it not so bad. I love Elfhame, and if I ever had to leave" she looks at me sharply, "which I hope will not happen until I go to seek The Land of Promise." I amend and she seems to calm herself for a moment, so I continue on my first thought, "I would miss Elfhame, but I would also miss the things that makeup Elfhame. The pink wildflowers, the smell of the Palace gardens just after nightfall. The way some leaves seem to sparkle and shine, not like the Milktrees, but just because they're so healthy and whole…I would miss Elfhame, but those little things that make Elfhame, as well."
She's looking at me oddly, but she seems to understand. Tatterfell has finished buttoning her gown and Jude moves over to her jewelry box and starts picking through it. "Showers." She says lifting a Sapphire necklace that is a darker shade than her dress but matches the pale blue gown nicely. She lifts the royal jewels to her neck as Tatterfell comes up behind her to clasp the necklace.
"Showers?" I repeat. "But we have showers. The rains are lovely here. They clean the outdoors and perfume the air. If you want a lovely shower that makes you think of warm summers and sweet kisses, I'm sure you can help me conjure one up." I say sweetly to her. I love that we share the power of the Crown. I especially love it when we use that power together. My favorite moments are when we use it together in lovemaking. I think I might need to kiss her this instant…but she's frowning at me. What have I done, now?
"Not rain, Cardan." She sounds annoyed, and then resigned as she continues "The rain here is far more lovely, you are correct, especially without the exhaust fumes."
That catches my interest "Exhausted fumes? What are they made from, how do they grow weary?" I say excitedly, I love it when shares new pieces of information with me, especially about the world she understands so well, even though she claims not to belong to it.
"Not exhaust - ugh - that's not what I - " she sighs and then rolls her eyes. Her eyes suddenly look scornful as they come to rest on me again. I smirk at her nervously. "Showers." She emphasizes the word, "are bathing mechanisms."
"You miss mortal baths?" I am astounded, I have never had a bath not sweetened in Elfhame, the baths here are magnificent. I try to communicate this. "But the baths here are lovely, and always have lovely things steeping in them. I enjoyed the one we had together immensely." I smile wickedly at her with the memory beginning to play in my mind. "Maybe we should skip the revel and bathe…I would be happy to be your mechanism." I give her a look that I hope she can't resist. Tatterfell gives me a look that is not amused.
Jude resists my alluring offer. Instead, she sighs, turns, and sits down in front of her vanity as Tatterfell begins to do her hair. Her hair is almost always down at revels now, in order for the crown to stay in place. "Showers," she continues as if my proposition is not appealing, although I'm sure she would love it. "Are bathing mechanisms that mortals use for convince instead of baths. To take a shower you stand naked in your bathtub and water comes down with force from…" she stops speaking, her face looks like she is searching for a word…but not the word for the bathing mechanism…maybe a synonym. "A tube," she continues, "but then it's set into many tubes, that are all held together." She smiles to herself, pleased with her description.
"You miss standing while bathing rather than sitting while bathing?" I ask in earnest, I am baffled by the thought. But she seems to think I am mocking because she gives me a scathing look.
"I don't miss standing and bathing, I miss showers." She seems very frustrated now, by my not understanding. I was trying to be charming, and maybe hoping I could manipulate her desires, I did not mean to frustrate her. She continues before I can explain my motives, "I miss the little streams of hot water hitting me with force. The streams that create trivets across my skin as they wash a full day down the drain so that when I climb into bed, I feel fresh and clean. I miss waking up and stepping into the shower to get the smells of sleep off of me and to start the day fresh. Baths are nice, especially Faerie baths. I especially enjoy them with you," she gives me her own sly grin. Tatterfell makes a disapproving face at her hair. "But, you asked me what little things I miss. I miss showers, and sometimes the abundance and ease with which to get a coffee."
Tatterfell steps away from her, Jude smiles kindly into the mirror at Tatterfell. I know she wishes to thank her, but will not. Jude stands and steps towards me. I set down my wine goblet and pick up the crown from the mantle that I've been leaning against. When she gets near enough to me, I place the on her head. She looks me straight in the eyes and continues, "But I don't miss the mortal world. Elfhame is and has been my home since I was very young. However, you are my home now, and I could not bear to be separated from you, even for a shower." With a small smile, she puts a hand up and around my neck, leans my face towards hers, and meets me with a kiss. She pulls away slowly, "Shall we go to the revel now?" She proffers her arm to me. I smile and place it around mine.
Tonight, after the revel, I will stand over her while she is in the bath and squeeze a hot saturated sponge over her naked mortal body. Hopefully, it'll be enough.
