Apologies for the long delay. Got a lot of games in December to play but they're all finished (and in one case replayed). I also sat down and thought about the direction of this fic and have made some modifications to the original plot. I won't give anything away of course but some things have changed. Still, your reviews do help to me to post faster. Also a quick note I do spell using UK English- I should have mentioned that straight off the bat.
Chapter Five
Once returning to her room and slipping out of the dress, Elissa was peppered with questions from a pent up Ghost. Deciding to share what had happened, the Warlock answered every question as she ran the bath in her minimalist facilities, summarising as best she could. Surprisingly Ghost stayed quiet as Elissa lowered herself slowly into the tub and sighed as the hot water soothed away the tension of the night. Whilst the duel hadn't strained her enough to sweat, Elissa still took pride in her cleanliness. The necessity of often being away from modern comforts made her appreciation of when it was available all the greater.
"So you fought, brawled even, with a member of the Awoken's nobility, who according to the information I have available is part of one of the most prominent families in the Reef" Ghost said, finally breaking his silence "all for a vague promise of a dance at an undetermined point in the future with the Queen?"
Cringing at how stupid that sounded, Elissa braced herself for a rant as Ghost floated into the corner of her eyeline.
"Nice work."
Sensing no sarcasm, Elissa swivelled her head incredulously to look at her partner. Perhaps sensing her amazement, Ghost continued.
"You managed to integrate yourself in an important part of their culture and from your own descriptions, won the gratitude of the Queen. Granted it would have been bad had you lost, but in winning you have proven that the Guardians are not to be taken lightly. Why would I be upset?"
"If you were there you'd be complaining it would be a bad idea!" Elissa huffed, strangely pleased she had avoided a scolding.
"Probably" Ghost informed her cheerfully "but it worked out in the end."
Putting a hand over her face to cover the smile, Elissa sat back and let herself drift as she processed the duel further. A thought caused her to frown and turn again to Ghost.
"What do you know about the Zapal family Ghost? You mentioned they were important."
"They're one of the oldest families in the Reef, and like all the nobility here claimed that one of their ancestors was the Captain of a ship that fled here during the Collapse." Ghost paused before continuing. "Several Queens in the past have been chosen from this family. All of which I might add have followed the same mantra."
"And that is?" Elissa asked, a sinking feeling in her gut.
"Isolationism. They have all advocated the Reef staying closed to outsiders. I can only imagine how happy they are that the current Queen has opened diplomatic negotiations with The Traveler."
"If we know this then the Queen surely does too right?" Elissa asked, suddenly not overly worried she had alienated a family who had no interest in friendship in the first place.
"Probably; this Drice Zapal and his family may have attempted some sort of political statement by monopolising the Queen's time at the dance. If that's true they won't be pleased you interrupted their grandstanding."
Elissa grimaced and closed her eyes, listening to the soft hum the station emitted. "I'm beginning to think politics are more dangerous than the battlefield Ghost."
Bobbing sympathetically, Ghost exited the room and left the Warlock to her thoughts "I'm beginning to agree."
Days after the ball, Elissa was restricted to the same routine of meditate, visit the market, leave the market, repeat. She asked the Guard outside her door what the Awoken did for fun who reliably informed her that theatre was the primary source of entertainment in the Reef. Not one for drama Elissa pressed for an alternative and was rewarded when the Guardswoman pointed her towards the closest drinking venue. Elissa wondered if the Awoken would look down their nose at her even further if she got thoroughly drunk. Deciding to chance it, she allowed the helmeted woman to lead her through the winding halls until they arrived at a square court with restaurants and bars situated parallel to each other.
Stopping at the first available bar, her guide stood at parade rest outside the doors and refused when Elissa awkwardly asked her if she wanted to join her.
Walking into the interior, Elissa strolled in and surveyed her surroundings. For all intents and purposes it was nice with comfortable looking chairs and an Awoken male standing behind a counter serving drinks. Deciding to be adventurous Elissa ordered a drink at random and leaned back against the bar as she watched the clientele come and go. She had always enjoyed sipping a drink in silence and watching the people go by in the Last City. In her civilian clothes she could blend in, but there was no chance of that here.
She had picked the right time at least as more and more Awoken came into the bar. Sipping her colourful drink Elissa leant back against the counter and watched curiously as a tall Awoken woman ascended the stage in the middle of the room, took a moment to compose herself before to Elissa's surprise began to sing. Her soft voice reverberated around the bar, and the audience stood quietly, enthralled as the singer continued.
She was soon joined by a dozen male and female Awoken on the stage who spread out on either side of her. Elissa tiled her head, wondering if they were a choir, even if their numbers seemed excessive.
Her mouth hit the floor however when all except the singer began to slowly shed their clothes while rhythmically dancing, slowly peeling away the layers until they were all clothed in nothing but rags, running hands over their own bodies as they swayed with a rhyme Elissa could only dream of.
Downing her drink, Elissa swiftly moved through the silent crowd to where the Guard stood outside and attempted to subdue the blush staining her cheeks.
"Why for the love of the light did you drag me to a strip club? Of all the places in the Reef! "
Elissa couldn't see but she could have sworn the Guard lifted an eyebrow at her "What is a strip club?"
"You know" Elissa floundered "a club where people take their clothes off for the enjoyment of others?"
"They don't have those on Earth?" The Guard replied, incredulity slipping into her tone.
"Of course but they aren't considered the first option by most when going out for a drink!"
The Guard said nothing at first and Elissa could almost see the cogs turning in the woman's head "There are bars on Earth that have no dancers?"
Elissa sputtered at the implication that all Awoken establishments had strippers, she was no prude, but this seemed impossibly different to what she was used to.
Seeing the Guardian's expression, the Guard continued "No comment against singing because it is beautiful, no protest against dancing because it is beautiful. Why should the body be any different? There are male and female exclusive dancing bars but they are considered rude to attend when in mixed company."
The matter of fact way the Awoken women explained this as if discussing the weather caused Elissa to grin at the differences in culture.
"Are dancers in the Last City not afforded the proper respect by their peers?" At Elissa's shake of the head the Guard's voice sharpened slightly "They should be. The dancers provide a valuable service to the people. "
Before Elissa could offend the woman by giggling, she was saved by the Guard's communicator buzzing to life. A short "understood" was all she heard before her cultural guide jerked her head towards the exit of the court.
"You're needed back at your room Guardian. Handmaiden Mira has requested your presence."
"I take it she didn't mention to you why I am needed?"
"It's not my place to question orders." At Elissa's questioning look, the Guard eyes narrowed "Do your people not respect the contribution of Handmaidens either?"
This time Elissa did laugh before she could stop herself. She was only human after all.
Getting back to the front door of her room was almost a blessing. True to her prediction, inadvertently laughing at Guardswoman Ladanya had meant getting the cold shoulder for the trip back. Elissa had tried to make amends but was waved off. Deciding for a tactical retreat, the Warlock eventually let the matter go.
Nodding to Ladanya as she stepped through her room's door, Elissa was met by Ghost floating in the corner and Mira who turned to her with a slight smile.
"There you are My Lady. I was surprised to see you were not here. You were enjoying the sights and sounds I presume?"
"Y-yes, very much so." Elissa responded, unsure whether or not she was being teased. Looking beyond the handmaiden the Guardian noticed there were several expensive looking dresses hung up waiting for inspection.
"Mira's here to talk about fashion Guardian" Ghost piped up "braid your hair, talk about boys, you know, the usual."
"I'm not here to play games, Machine" Mira said coldly, while taking a step closer to Elissa "This is important; your presence has been requested tonight and you cannot refuse."
Frowning at the urgency in the women's voice, Elissa glanced at Ghost "Don't look at me. All she's been doing has pacing up and down for the past thirty minutes. It's been quite maddening."
Holding her hands up in surrender, the Warlock drifted past both of them to look at the dresses. Unfortunately none were the green one she wore to the ball, but all were stunning. Her eye was immediately drawn to the black gown that looked like it would show a bit of leg and cleavage while maintaining that classy look. Elissa frowned; she had never thought about dresses before, and certainly never with a critical mind. And yet in that moment when she closed her eyes she caught hints of something. Dark hair, black dress different and yet similar at the same time, smiling out at the open ocean in front of her, turning, mouth parted, words that couldn't quite be heard.
And then it was gone. And Elissa was back in her room on the space station. The only open space outside her window into the abyss. Taking a breath to dispel whatever that was, Elissa glanced at Mira who was wringing her hands in anxiety, none the wiser about her lapse in concentration.
"Which lucky bastard has monopolized my attention for tonight then? If you say Drice Zapal I will absolutely go dressed like this." Elissa said, gesturing down at her armour.
"Armour will not be necessary tonight My Lady" Mira responded, shaking her head "Her majesty has requested your company at a private dinner."
"Oh..." Elissa trailed off, suddenly nervous "How private are we talking, like a hundred other guests, one-on-one?"
"Neither. If will be you, Her Grace, and the Prince. Quite the honour for an outsider."
Hearing she would be wining and dining with her verbal sparring partner caused Elissa to groan. "Are you sure I can't wear armour? I can never relax around him. Something to do with him holding a knife to my throat that one time."
"As I understand he only did that when you drew your weapon." At Elissa's sheepish rub of the back of her neck Mira pressed on "Either way I need to prepare you. It would be unacceptable for you to come before the Queen and the Prince not looking your absolute best."
"Unacceptable for me or for you?" Elissa sniped, irritated at being forced to play dress up again.
Hands folded Mira looked less than impressed at the Guardian's stubbornness. "For us both."
Biting her lip at a retort, Elissa focused on the positives. She finally had the chance to engage the Queen in dialogue, attempt to understand what it would take for the Reef and Humanity to have their interests aligned and then find a way to make it happen. Despite her initial misgivings, this was a crucial step towards completing her mission. She could not afford to fail. Would not fail.
Determination coursed its way through Elissa's veins, the thrill of a different kind of battle settling in her chest as she sat in front of the mirror before nodding once.
"Let's begin."