Julian in his later years started to get into acting in the Community Theater located in the Goldgrave district of Vesuvia. Getting away with playing himself in the most popular Lucio-lampooning production. Which always brought a crowd, so large the money box became flooded with coins. That were always was divided among the actors for end of the night. A chance that gave Julian a chance to take all members of his family out for a late night meal on him. Led to a routine of them always meeting him back stage, where they were allowed back stage to meet and socialize.
"You and dad aren't going to make out with him wearing a blonde wig and red lip rouge." Juliana brought up a memory.
"I have to hear this." Kipling never heard about this memory.
"When was 7 and my sister was 5, we went against out mother's warning to wait for her and wondered back stage after one of dad's performances to find our dad." julius waved his hand around.
"Walked in on mom making out with dad in done up a blonde wig and lip rouge." Juliana got chills.
Imagine of Jewel's face smeared in her husband's red lip rouge from their making intense making out. Her hands tangled up in yellow threads of a wig that completely covered up curled and Auburn colored tresses. Standing chest-to-chest with rambled looking Julian sitting on top of a vanity just lost in her own thoughts.
"Each one of those gloves hands tightly gripping..." julius shook his head side to side.
"Wow!" Kipling blinked a few times.
Juliana just crossed her arms and stared in the direction of a set of curtains that led to private dressing room. One that Julian had called his own since he first standing ovation from a dramatic performance as the doctor.
"They ever going to come out?" Kipling asked.
"No, since dad usual gets mom to make out with him." julius spoke fighting his chills.
"They could do after we eat." Juliana screamed. "I skipped dinner with Uncle Asra and Muriel for this."
She's have half a mind to go stomping off toward her parents to remind them she was starving and wanted food. Wasn't for guest of honor that started coming to these performances by him self to get away from his sister. He dressed like everyday commoner to not attracted attention and carrying flowers from The Palace's gardens.
"Isn't our favorite blond." julius bowed to Narseh. "A bit smothering aren't we?"
"I have been over this with YOU!" Narseh sighed full of frustration. "This is man usual routine to get out of the Palace. My sister's pining over a men mixed with my mothers lovey- dovey mush gets rather... nauseating... "
He ended up offering to take them out to eat with his weekly allowance he gets from his mothers for personal spending. Juliana accepted for all of them before yelling at the back stage workers and actors for aid. She needed a writing toll and paper with pin to inform of her parents they were all going out with Narseh. She got a eyebrow pencil and a piece of torn canvas to write on with a chipped hat pin to post the note.
"Lets go." Juliana grabbed Kipling and pulled him.
"Follow my sister." julius wanted Narseh tom follow them.
Narseh ended up crossing his arms and following right behind them toward whatever the Devorak family visit to each. Taking in the sights of people their passed when they exited large tent that comm unity theater was housed within. To outside bustle of Goldgrave district of the city, filled with the city's arts district most talented with a flare for drama. Street performers that ranged from musicians and theatrical mediums on every street corner he could see. Playing all kinds of music or acting out some kind of story for a passing tourist in company of a guide. Trying to earn a pretty coin or two to pay rent to the landlord and be able to get food for their families.
"This your first time unescorted into a this part of the city?" julius asked Narseh.
"No, Portia used to take me to this district all the time as a reward after my lessons." Narseh dropped a coin in a cup. "My sister wanted to stay in the Palace with mother."
He went to say about needing to prove he could leave the Palace without being hurt or taken hostage by someone. Which he spent the better part of two years learning under his aunt Nahara and reviewing with his teachers. To end up giving a demstration to his mothers and grandparents on evening with his sister watching. Earning their approval to step outside the Palace without guards to enjoy the riches of Vesuvia.
"Glad to know my sister is better hands." julius nods his head.
"Coming from someone who went over seas to become a doctor." Narseh brought up julius' education.
"Allowed me to meet Kipling." julius looked toward him.
When eyes of only two were talking stared at him as he kept a pace with Juliana as quietly as he could with his eyes wide open. Would end up staring back with an intensity that looked like a raging fire that made head face forward and give them privacy. Only placed a smile on Narseh's face as his arm was taken by one of Juliana's hands that slowed down his pace.
"Can we talk?" She whispered. "Alone?"
He took her hand in his own while stating to others they would catch up with them at a much later hour. Got a head nod from Jewel and Kipling with Julian being kept from asking what the matter with his daughter. Julius was the one that would explain to his father about his sister's emotional state once they were settled. Left Jillian to only agree in hopes his daughter was going to be alright upon her return to them.
"We need to talk about our plans?" Juliana mumbled to Narseh. "I need to know were we are."
Tears started to spill from her eyes when she went on how her brother and Kipling had already planned for their future. How when spring rolls around for them, a wedding was to take place for the two of them. How they wanted to stay living with her parents for julius to help their father run his clinic and Kipling help out. Maybe make plans to start living with Mazelinka in her house in the hear future when they want to have children.
"I know we informed your family and my family." She sniffled. "All of Vesuvia and our close friends are finding out. I am scared with out some kind of label for what we have..."
She was silenced when out his pocket he pulled two rings made of wood with a thin band of jade down the center. Sighing that he planned on giving one the smaller one when the sat down to dinner with her family. Wanting to ask for her hand and her father's blessing at the same time before she left to train as a nurse. Stating he plan to wait for her until she returned to Vesuvia and continue where they left off. May the tears she was shedding for them not having a future to now having some kind of plan become happy one.
"You can wear this any way you want." He whispered to her.
"I already have the means for that." She couldn't be any happier.
She ended up unwinding a rather yellow piece of string from her wrist about two times with Narseh watching. Stating she had been collecting piece of his hair from pillows and even his hair brush to weave into this string. Making sure to not lose a any of hair when she snuck around gathering with help from Aunt Portia and his own sister. She worn as a bracelet to always feel connected to him whenever he had to return to The Palace during Nadia's family visits, or a important meetings.
"This doesn't creep you out?" She whispered.
"From what I heard about how me and my sister were conceived." He shrugged. "No Not really."
"So..." She looked at his hand. "What we doing?"
He ended up taking one end of the string from one of her fingers to string her ring into the center, in a slow motion. Stopping when she reached out and took hold of the ring for their fingers it touch in those passing seconds.
"You know, I knew you were the one me when we first met as children." Narseh repeated an old confession.
He ended up being silenced when she stepped forward enough to stand on her tip toes and ended up shaping her lip into a O- shape. He accepted upon pressing on his own lips with out nee3ding to hold her in place with one of his arms. He wished he coild capture this moment as he inhaled her scent of sterile cleaner, Iodine and salt into his nostrils. Slowly releasing his breath when she pulled away from him and taking the other end of her string with her. To only have both ends taken from her by him, so he could reach out toward her her neck and ended up string the ring there.
"Better." He pulled his hands away.
He ended up taking one of her hands in his own and reminded her where they needed to be and who they were waiting for. Wanting to catch up with her family and friends for actual family meal then what he been eating at home with his family. She agreed with a happy sigh with her hand still holding onto his own as she led the way to where to her parents. Lazily casting a tracking spell that had her asking the ocean breeze to assist in finding her parents. Which came in the form of a small and chubby sized person in flowing clothes appearing on Narseh's shoulder. Squeaked every few times when the made the right turn with it eyes wide open and tilting side to side every few minutes.
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Aemilia was left in charge of the shop while the whole family was out for the night and in middle of closing up when she got a visitor. A hooded women wearing a tattered cloak over silken clothes and footwear had stepped forward. Asking if she could enter and visit with the young royal by the name of Narseh for a few hours before seeing shop's owner.
"Their all out for the night." Only answer she could give to the stranger. "I can take a message for you."
Person just stood before her with head turned away like they were discussing with themselves about staying or leaving. Who instead ended up looking right her with their hands reaching up and removing the hood.
"Lady Nessa!" Their name was revealed.
Hands that felt like softest velvet from a hand cream that carried the scent of jasmine and lilac covered her mouth. Face of the late Count Lucio's daughter staring back at her with a hint of disappear and sorrow, within her eyes.
"All I want is some where I can be without be annoyed by consist suitors." Young royal whispered. "Please?"
She got was a pointed toward the door and welcomed inside since Jewel had a open door policy for her friends. That got Aemilia her mouth back when Nessaea ran into when the she heard stomps of boots heading their way. Guards yelling for the cloaked girl would run by carrying lanterns in one hand and asking to people they pass about a girl. Left her to follow the unplanned visitor into the shop by closing the door behind her and locking up with a key.
"No shop to say we're clothing." Nessaea pointed out a lack of one.
"I was told the lantern that hangs out above the door." Aemilia tried to explain. "lights up or snuff itself out to tell people when we're open."
"Wow!" Nessaea was amazed. "I hear you came to work here after causing a scandal in Praetor Vlastomil's mansion, during your time working for him."
Details that of trying to confess her heart out to the magistrate of the city-state had become quite a topic within the courts. Everyone was giddy about how a lonely maid got rejected and how she completely vanished from his serve. Had people talking among them selves during all times of the day when not in the company of the Countess and her wife.
"Would you like anything while you wait?" Offer for nourishment was made. "I made a fresh bath of scones with fruit to go with some honey wine or tea."
"No, come back to the Palace and become my personal maid." A offer was made.
"Why?" Aemilia blinked out of shock.
Nessaea shrugged stating she knows unrequited love when she see it since she's experiencing the same thing herself. Being that she's told by her parents and governess to stay away from her father's former lover after being found out. Now she isn't allowed outside the Palace unless she's in the company of a hand picked suitor or a palace guard. Makes just wanting to step outside the grounds she known since birth harder for her to explore outside world.
"So..." Aemilia guessed why Nessaea wants her. "You need someone to act as a cover for you?"
"Partially." Nessaea waved her hand. "More like someone to come and go with me, so I could figure out how to be Valerius."
"Smart plan." Aemilia was impressed.
"Thanks since I already submitted paper needed to instate you as a personal maid working for me with aid from mother Portia." Nessaea took off her cloak.
She went on to unwrap a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from fabric of her scarf with request on she can this bottle delivered to Valerius. Stating she wanted to send him a gift like she been doing through secret using messengers in and out of palace. Surprise Aemilia when she looked upon the bottle and remembered a case of that being delivered to the Palace.
"Sorry Miss, but I don't know any magic that could make that happen." She apologized. "I am just help around this shop."
"Hmmm..." Nessaea shrugged. "I can wait."
She ended being allowed to store the bottle where the honey wine is left to fermente while they wait for everyone's return. Sipping cup of tea and sharing their stories of small moments with the men they adored form afar. Nessaea shared how she spent her first moment in Valerius' arms during remodel of the abandon wing. He shared and guided her through her first glasses of wine from a stolen bottle while sitting side by side whole time. Carried on a conversation with her, one that didn't center around her late father or events that happen years ago. Some how turned into small talk about everyday events and deep conversations before first kiss was shared. Aemilia with tears in her eyes went on to speak about her small interactions when she was around Praetor Vlastomil. How they would exchange words about his latest findings on his worms or what she been up to that day. Sometimes he invited her to seat by him and watch his worms move about after she brought him cups of tea.
Brought to one's girl face and other sadly sat there wanting to be asked what she thought about someone being interested in Praetor Vlastomil. Left her hand on the table to be taken by another and told everything was going to be alright. Left tears to spill from those Silvery eyes to sparkling like priceless gems she always wore when out in public's eye. Would be wiped away when through the back door Narseh and Jewel walked with drunken Julian between them. Juliana, Kipling, and julius were behind them bringing up the rear and singing along with Julian as they walked inside.
"Hello!" Julian would greet Nessaea and Aemilia. "How may we..."
He fell out his wife's and young daughter's boyfriend grasp when he waved one of his arms at the pair seating at the table. Landing onto the floor with a land thud laughing and singing how he was enjoying the rest of his night with his family. Kipling would end up helping Narseh get Julian back on his feet to get him upstairs to bed as Nessaea requested Jewel. Want her start teaching her somekind of invisible charm or cloaking she can use to sneak out of the Palace when escorted to her room for the night. Not caring what she had to pay to learn a basic spell or an enchantment from one of her mother's friends to sneak out without using a hooded, scarf stolen Nadia's closet.
"That bottle wine is payment enough." Jewel pointed to the bottle. "Juliana! Fetch me one of your grandaunt's grimoire. We have a lesson in magic to perform."
"Fine, doesn't mean I'll sit on this one." She yawned heading to the front of the shop.
Rest of the night til Jewel had to set up an extra bed in her son's room for Nessaea after a pretty busy few hours of learning to make one unseen by eyes of others on Duchovny and Malak.