"Gemini!" Asra's airy laugh felt like coming home, the scent of lavender accompanying his warm embrace. It took her breath away, figuratively and literally—his hugs were famously too-tight, but she still counted them among her favorite things in the world. She laughed as he seemed to squeeze her tighter and steeled herself before turning around to reciprocate. Resting her chin on one shoulder, she watched as Faust slithered up from his other side to boop her and give her a friendly snake kiss.
Asra leaned back as his eyes roamed over her in what Gemini had come to recognize was his obligatory scan to make sure she was well after they'd been apart. While he did that, she took note of how his normally fluffy hair was slicked back for the formal occasion and the luxurious robes that adorned his lithe frame. They were impeccably tailored, no doubt prepared by Nadia as well. When she was done giving him the once-over, her eyes traveled back to his face in time to meet his gaze, the dimples that made her heart skip a beat deepening. The results of his own review must have satisfied him, as he released her briefly to delicately hold her shoulders. "How are you?" Squinting his eyes after a moment, he tweaked her chin. "Why is your face so red?"
Shit. "I've been drinking," she replied cooly. "You'll be red soon too." Asra made a face like he didn't quite buy it, but she was saved by someone coughing behind him.
"Um, I'd like to hug Gemini too."
Asra playfully rolled his eyes and stepped back as Julian pulled her into another embrace and rocked her from side to side. They noticed Asra looking between the two of them and glanced at each other, erupting into laughter a split second later. "Don't give us that look!" Gemini teased, extending a hand. He then shamelessly wrapped his arms around both of them, sighing in contentment. Asra's desire to hold their attention at all times was never going to stop being funny to her. As they broke away, she worked herself up to ask the question she'd been dreading the answer to for months. "How was your trip?"
Asra leaned against Julian with a dreamy expression. "Oh, it was wonderful," he gushed. "We saw many amazing things during our travels, although I'll admit I originally wasn't excited about a sea-faring adventure."
Julian grinned pridefully. "Though many are skeptics, everyone always comes to see reason once they get their sealegs." He snaked an arm around Asra's waist as he continued. "Can you imagine it, Gemini? Blue skies and serene waters as far as the eye can see, the occasional town just cresting above the horizon. We did have to stop for supplies every now and then, but I really wanted him to get the full experience of the freedom being on a ship provides." He swept his free arm out theatrically, fully engaged in his tale. "No destination, no sense of time, no obligations… just sailing." Gemini bobbed her head politely, trying not to be too obvious about looking for another servant with alcohol.
Asra looked up at him with a teasing yet affectionate look. "You lost me there, my love. I wouldn't say we had no sense of time and obligations when we rushed to arrive here on time."
Julian flushed a light pink, Gemini joining Asra in a fit of giggles. "Well, I—you know what I meant."
Perking up, Asra turned back to her. "How have things been in Vesuvia? The shop? How has your training been going?" He fired off questions rapidly, and it took everything in Gemini to contain her laughter. He crossed his arms defensively. "You didn't contact me once, I was worried."
Bitterly, she thought about how she would have had to use the water communication spell he taught her and swallowed the words that bubbled up about how she didn't want to see what he and Julian were getting up to. "Of course I didn't, you were on vacation," she said instead.
"That so?" he answered, concern creasing his forehead. "I was gone for a while this time though."
Gemini shrugged. "You've been absent longer." She immediately regretted her word choice, kicking herself as she watched his face fall. Julian looked back and forth between them, clearly lost. Before Asra could reply, she spotted the servant with the tray of shots again and emptied her glass as he approached. Oh my god, yes, Shots Guy. Just as Portia did earlier, she grabbed three of the small glasses and replaced them with her now empty flute. Gesturing with her arms, she turned back to her companions. "More importantly, shots! Yay!" She pushed the drinks onto them despite Asra obviously having more to say.
"Gemini," he started, tone tinged with worry. "How many drinks have you—"
"Not enough, cheers!" She hurriedly clinked her glass with Julian's and swallowed the clear liquor. He did the same and let out a belch, instantly blushing when Asra's eyes narrowed at him. "I should go. I need to ask Nadia something." The lie rolled off her tongue with ease as she waved her hand at them and turned, Asra moving to follow her. However, before they could take more than a few steps, an acquaintance of his that she recognized as a regular at the shop stepped between them to say hello. They proceeded to engage him in conversation, and she gratefully took the opportunity to slip away.
She leaned against a pillar to ponder her next move. Her steps were beginning to require more concentration than usual; she chided herself for drinking so much within such a short amount of time. She knew it wasn't the right way to cope but didn't know what else to do, never having been in a situation like this. Even still, her reputation of being able to drink anyone under the table would not help her here if she didn't slow down and pace herself.
Suddenly, something caught her attention from the corner of her eye. It took every fiber of her being not to jump ten feet into the air when she realized Quaestor Valdemar was standing right next to her. The urge to close her eyes and calm her beating heart was strong as she considered the similarities between them and a spider. One minute there's nothing there, the next they're perched somewhere they shouldn't be and daring you to say something about it. Even under the surgical mask, she could tell they were smirking at her with their signature wide grin as if they knew how much they'd frightened her just then. Knowing them, Gemini figured that was exactly what that look meant.
"Hi," she tried, surveying their attire for the night. Not that she needed to—as expected, they had not dressed up for the occasion. Instead, they wore their usual medical uniform and horned headdress. Looking closer, she saw a tiny red heart placed carefully along their jawline, standing out against the stark white of their mask. She couldn't help the way her lips twitched as she struggled not to snort in laughter at the random reference to the holiday. "Nice heart," she offered again, tapping the heart's location on her own face.
Valdemar cocked their head in their familiarly unsettling way. "It was the handmaiden's request."
She quirked an eyebrow. "You didn't decline?"
"She stole all my masks," they said flatly, this time eliciting a real laugh from Gemini. It was a very Portia-like thing to do. She could just imagine her snickering at her own genius as she snatched the stack of masks they kept in their dungeon, leaving only the one she'd drawn a heart on and a note. At the sound of her laughter, Valdemar quirked their head in the opposite direction as they looked her up and down.
"You are wearing a dress." As she came down from her laughing fit, Gemini became suspicious. Did they have an ulterior motive for talking to her, or was this their attempt at making conversation? If the latter, why? They were hardly known to bother with other people.
Nevertheless, she took it in stride and simply agreed. "Uh-huh." The band started up another animated song, prompting people to couple up and move to the dancefloor. She looked on with envy as one guest got up onto a table and started footwork so fast, she couldn't understand how they remained upright. I wish I was enjoying myself that much right about now…
When she returned her gaze to Valdemar, she noticed that they had followed her gaze out into the crowd. She took the chance to study their profile, having never taken the time before. All of their features were harsh and symmetrical, almost meticulously placed. Yes, they did have a rather severe look, but they weren't all hard edges and intimidation in her eyes. Their tiny nose was cute and she was a sucker for long eyelashes, which they had in spades. What they were like when they were still human remained a mystery, but she wondered where their appearance between now and then differed—besides the green complexion, of course.
She paused abruptly, swiveling her head away from them.
Did… did I just think Quaestor Valdemar was cute? Maybe she shouldn'thave any more drinks tonight. Do I really find them that attractive? Her face began to heat up. Natiqa was going to get an earful for this later; Gemini absolutely blamed that silly game for putting those thoughts in her head.
Her reverie was broken when she sensed ruby eyes on her once again. The poker face she summoned was done in vain, as she could see the amusement on their face plain as day. God, I hope they can't read thoughts. She narrowed her eyes to see if they reacted to that last thought at all. When they just blinked at her, she felt a little better. Fiddling with the shot glass she'd never discarded, she asked, "Want to dance?"
There was a pregnant pause before Valdemar broke out into a large, toothy grin. "No," they answered coldly. She admittedly expected that answer, but the sting of rejection still stung. After giving her a parting chuckle, they promptly spun on their heel and strode away briskly. Gemini clicked her tongue, only a little disappointed. She tried to imagine what they would be like dancing and made herself laugh out loud as she conjured a picture of them stiffly moving one limb at a time to the music.
Once she started thinking about getting some water, she felt yet another familiar presence. This one, however, was pleasant. When her eyes met with Nazali's, the laughter in their expression was contagious and she couldn't help but chuckle at herself. Amazing. I'm two for two on running into people I made shameless comments about to Tink today. "Yo."
"Was I intruding on an imaginary comedy performance, or…?" they teased. Gemini just shook her head and gestured at the water fountain with her chin. Nazali fell into step with her as they walked over and they regaled her with the details of their last trip. When she asked if they had come straight to the ball from their travels, they relayed that they'd made a pit stop in Prakra first.
Sipping her water, she caught Nadia's eyes across the room. She was standing by her mother, Queen Nasrin, at the stairway, listening to what she was saying intently while holding Gemini's gaze. It made her shift in her spot next to Nazali. Noticing this, they turned back to look in the same direction and hummed once they spotted their sister.
"Don't worry, she's probably not looking at you," they reassured with a grin. "Dia tends to look off into the distance when she's really concentrated on something." When she nodded, they scratched the back of their head and looked back again. "They're probably discussing that member of the Prakran court that's recently gone missing."
"Missing?" At this, Gemini's serious mode kicked in, and she stood up straighter.
Nazali just patted her shoulder, laughing lightly. "No need to get yourself all worked up in a tizzy. I don't have all the details since I've been traveling, but apparently, it was somebody important enough for maa to be so concerned. Of all the things she has to worry about with governing Prakra, this person's absence still made her top ten."
"I see…" Gemini still wasn't at ease—she knew not everything amiss would lead to a world-ending threat like Lucio's shenanigans did, but she remained on edge even now. She wanted to help but had no "in" with Prakran politics and affairs, so she begrudgingly accepted that there was probably nothing she could do.
Nazali checked their pocket watch and adjusted their clothes. "Well hey, I should get going. It was good to see you!" She returned the sentiment and turned to move on as well, Nazali raising a hand in parting. After a moment, Gemini sighed and wished she had her own watch to look at. Despite the brief reprieve talking to the Quaestor and Nazali provided, she still didn't want to be there. She decided she would take a stroll outside in the hedge maze to clear her thoughts, and exited the hall. Guests were scattered throughout the hallway, although sparsely; the din of their chatter was enough to be noticeable, but not drown out the click of her heels on the palace tile.
When she rounded a corner into a quieter area, she spotted two people tangled together against the opposing wall. Quietly sucking in a breath and backpedaling to hide, she hoped she hadn't been heard. Judging by the sounds coming from their direction, she didn't think she had anything to worry about there. Instead, she was doing her best not to make a sound.
The eyepatch and long limbs.
The tuft of white hair and golden brown skin.
All of her efforts that night were for nothing because now she had seen it. She was forced to face what she didn't want to accept head-on. Like a dam in a mighty storm, the feelings Gemini had stuffed down deep within herself for the past few months threatened to burst all at once.
She worked as quickly as she could to cast a temporary cloaking spell that would cause people not to pay her any mind. Then she hiked up her dress and whirled around in search of an empty room, her heels now overpowered by the sound of her beating heart in her ears. Against her wishes, the first tear slid down her cheek as she pushed open the door to the library and shut it quickly behind her. She collapsed in a heap onto Julian's old desk, sobbing.
The door opened again almost immediately and she sat ramrod straight, arm poised to immediately blow whoever it was right back out. Seeing this, Nadia raised her hands, blurting out, "Gemini, it's just me!" They stared at each other for a moment, Gemini's heavy breathing the only sound between them. Then, slowly, she sank back down onto the desk, sniffling as she tried to calm her tears. She did not want to cry in front of anyone, but it seemed Nadia had other plans.
Gingerly, she sat on the desk and faced Gemini, lifting her chin gently. "What is wrong?" she asked, concern painting her refined features.
Gemini turned away. "Sorry," was all she could utter with the lump in her throat. Nadi should be enjoying her party, not in here with me because I couldn't even cast a spell right. The evening was somehow turning out even worse than she anticipated.
As though she sensed where Gemini's mind was going, Nadia spoke up. "Hey. I am here with you right now, and I want you to tell me what's going on with you. You've been off the whole night, I could tell." Gemini did her best to steady her trembling lower lip.
"Nadi…" Her voice came out in a wail. "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't be like this."
"Don't apologize, just talk to me." When she reached over to rub her back, Gemini gave up as more hot tears swelled. The weight of her feelings for Asra bore down on her, overwhelming and destructive all at once with their hopelessness. She told Nadia about realizing her feelings only to learn that her love was nurturing a romance with another. About the regret she felt at not recognizing sooner, especially after Portia had let it slip that Asra previously held the same feelings for her for years. About the constant guilt she battled with as she kept this secret from her closest friend, unwilling to burden him with the confession, yet unable to truly be supportive of his new relationship with the former plague doctor. More than anything, she was frustrated with herself for feeling powerless to move on after months of watching the two be the happiest she's seen them when they were together. She should have known better, yet she'd let her emotions boil over to this point, and now she was ruining her friends' experience on such a magical day with her personal issues.
Nadia didn't say anything while she poured her heart out, only listening and continuing to rub soothing circles into her back. Gemini's breathing eventually calmed a little and she slowly began to wipe her tears, taking deep breaths.
"I think," she continued after a long pause, "that I was dreading tonight because I knew this would happen. I knew they would turn up for the ball, and that seeing them together like this would be the end. That it would…" The words weren't coming to her easily. "That it would hurt." She sat back in the chair, having said her piece.
Nadia squeezed her hand. "And yet, you still came."
Gemini sniffled again. "I didn't want to disappoint you. Yet here I am doing it anyway." When she chuckled at that, Nadia shook her head fiercely.
"You have not disappointed me. In fact, I couldn't admire your strength more." Gemini's confused expression encouraged her to continue. "Coming here, knowing what the outcome would be, was the first step. That takes a lot of bravery, and you've already done that part. All that's left is to keep moving, and things will only get better from here." She gave Gemini a warm smile as she wiped her wet face. "Thinking of it that way, as the start of a new chapter… today is a good day, isn't it?"
Gemini stared up at her, perplexed. How could it be a good day when it had taken such an emotional toll on her? And yet, after a few moments allowed those words to sink in, the prick of fresh tears stung her eyes. She didn't know if it was the tone of her voice when she said it, or the tender expression on Nadia's face as she returned her gaze, but she understood.
"It's a good day," she nodded weakly. Nadia made a soothing sound in reply, and they sat in calm silence for a few moments. Finally, after regaining control of her sniffling, Gemini spoke.
"Where do I go from here? I don't have much experience with…" she trailed off, gesturing at herself. "…all these feelings."
Nadia paused to think. "You take it day by day. There is no easy way to let go when you love someone, and the process is different for everybody. For you, that might be putting some distance between the two of you temporarily, at least until the pain isn't so fresh."
Gemini sighed heavily—she wasn't okay, but she was getting there with Nadia's help. It would be hard to go back to the place she and Asra shared together for so long, the years of memories gathered in every trinket and around every corner in their shop and home. Nadia generously offered her a place to stay in the palace while she sorted out her feelings; Gemini wasn't one to rely on others much, but she thought she might have to take her up on that offer.
"You must have had an emotional day," Nadia said, standing. "I completely understand if you would like to duck out of the ball early." When Gemini began to deny it, Nadia waved her hand. "My feelings won't be hurt, I promise."
Resting her chin in her hands, Gemini looked up at her in wonder. "Nadi, what have I ever done to deserve you?" She tilted her head slightly and allowed herself a small smile. "Thank you. Love you."
"You can always lean on me," Nadia returned with a subtle curtsey. "And I love you too." She then excused herself, parting with the promise of breakfast together in the morning before the library door fell closed behind her.
Alone with her thoughts, Gemini turned to the window and let out yet another sigh. What a fine situation this is. You've really outdone yourself this time, falling for your best friend like this. It's like a scene out of one of Julian's dramatic plays he loves so much. She figured making light of her plight might help her get herself together quicker so she could at least trudge back to her room with some dignity, but she felt no motivation to move. Sinking back down onto the desk, she put her head down and let her exhausted eyes fall closed. Perhaps she could just sleep there and worry about everything tomorrow.
She was jarred fully awake when a sneering voice hissed into her ear, "Tears, apprentice?"
In a split second, she was on the other side of the room, heart beating wildly out of her chest as the remains of her magic fell lightly around her. Valdemar was looking very pleased with themselves, advancing on her slowly with a mixture of glee and malice behind their razor-sharp grin. "I didn't think you'd take it so hard when I said no earlier."
Oh hell no. She didn't waste much time thinking about how and when they had slithered into the room, closing her eyes and sucking in a deep breath. However much they'd seen of her moment of weakness, she wasn't going to let them have this. They were not going to get the last laugh by intimidating her after the night she had. She straightened her back and set her jaw, daring them to try to bully her. "On the contrary," she shot back. "Today is a good day."
The doctor only briefly paused in their approach, cocking their head in their telltale amused expression. There wasn't a doubt in her mind they took note of her smeared makeup and tear-stained gloves, and she didn't care. Even when they entered her personal space and towered over her—cold, latex-clad fingers settling on her bare shoulders—she didn't break eye contact, regarding them defiantly. They leaned down until their lips hovered dangerously close to her ear. She stopped breathing for a moment, disturbed by the contrasting lack of body heat yet still-warm breath Valdemar emitted.
"I have business in here, apprentice. Move." With that, they spun her around within their firm grasp and quickly, yet prudently, hustled her out of the library. Once she was in the hallway, they pushed her away and shut the door without sparing her a second glance.
Gemini blinked. What was that about? After all, it wasn't as though she hadn't already seen their secret dungeon. Sighing for the umpteenth time that night, she pinched the bridge of her nose. She decided she didn't care.
This time, she focused while crafting the spell to hide from the palace guests, doubly motivated by the sorry state she was sure her makeup was in. She passed a multitude of themed rooms as she walked but had no energy to peek into any of them and marvel at the wonders inside. Truly, she felt bad about not being able to fully enjoy the wonderful evening Nadia worked tirelessly to create, but it was out of her hands. All she was looking forward to was her bed.
The time she took to get undressed and scrub her face clean was a blur upon returning to her quarters. Within seconds of crawling into bed, she fell into a deep sleep.
#
The chirp of songbirds getting up and about for the day gradually pulled Gemini out of her slumber. Her eyelids felt too heavy to open, body too sluggish to even roll over in search of a cooler pillow. She was just about to go back to sleep when she heard a sharp rapping of knuckles on her door, the sound of it opening following a moment later. The memory of Nadia's promise about breakfast was the first to surface from the previous night, and she groaned at the thought of getting up before at least ten.
"Five more minutes, Portia," she mumbled, nuzzling into her pillow further.
A feminine, yet unfamiliar voice rang out in response. "Excuse me, Miss Klim." Gemini cracked open an eye to find a different palace servant hovering awkwardly in the doorway. "Milady is waiting with breakfast ready in the dining hall."
Honestly, she didn't want to go. Her body begged her to stay and sleep in as if she hadn't rested in a hundred years. Surely, Nadia would understand. Turning her head away, she announced, "Sorry, but I don't think I'm able to make it. I'm not feeling too well."
There was a pause before the servant spoke again, sounding conflicted. "But her ladyship stated it was of the utmost importance that you attend."
Gemini opened both eyes now with a start. While she knew Nadia might want to check in with her to make sure she was okay, she doubted she would push the matter just for that. It was more than likely that something else was up. "Ah, hell," she muttered to herself.