The Raven's Harlots
Chap 2~The Royal Treatment
Author: Yo, I'm here to post another brand new chapter! Though September is ending, thank God, I am feeling extra-inspired today!
Drosselmeyer: You do realize that we will have to incorporate my genius in this continuation of ROTR? After all, without my intelligence and guidance your work would surely be…
Author: Blah, blah! Yeah, I know! You are magnificent Sensei! The King of Writers, etc. etc.!
Anyway, we will continue where we left off!
The night was bitter and frigid as the people of Raveen huddled in their cottages and townhouses. The cobbled streets were empty with the exception of a few strays rummaging in the alley dumpsters. A little calico feline stealthily strolled out of a fallen trash bin onto the street. It paused when it saw a lone figure standing near the town's fountain.
Intrigued, the curious cat leapt atop a nearby market stand's tent and jumped again to reach the shingled roofing of the townhouse that housed the owner of the stand. It nimbly capered across the rooftops until it reached the roofing's peak and peered at the cloaked figure.
The stranger wore a tattered black cape with a black top hat and outfitted with matching riding boots. The being circled the fountain by twirling like a seasoned ballet professional. Their frayed cloak swished and swayed in the cold night, as their boots lightly touched the grey rimmed bowl that held the gushing water.
They stopped their bewildering dance and peered toward the rooftops where the feline perched upon the shingled peak. Suddenly, the stranger outstretched their hand and caught the beast, which growled and hissed in fear of this stranger. Their flexible limb grasped the animal as it returned to its former length.
Golden irises gazed into the inky depths of the stranger as the tenacious tabby kicked and scratched at the offending appendage. Then, the person's hand moved toward the tom's neck and snapped it. The animal stilled, its paws dangled along with its tail. A knife appeared in the other hand of the stranger and soon blood sprayed into the fountain bowl.
The figure threw the skin of the dead creature in the red water of the fount. They wrote something on the forefront of the statuesque lady of the wellspring with the sanguine fluid. Scarlet blotches adorned their hand as they reached into their coat and pulled out a monogrammed handkerchief, D L. Finishing the penmanship and cleansing their hands, the lone murderer walked away from the town square and faded into the black.
Morning shone upon the illustrious castle, as its inhabitants arose for another day of duty and service. The maids, dressed in a modest lavender dress and a white apron, they skittered down the long hallways of Castle Anoxia to awaken the newly crowned Queens.
One of the maids, named Lilith, softly walked to the edge of the bed that held the two Queens and said, "Your Majesties, it is time to arise for the new day." She and her fellow employees observed the two ladies groaning in their sleep as their blue eyes wearily opened to see their servants waiting to attend on them.
"Ugh, what time is it?" groggily asked Aalina while throwing the covers away from her satin-clad body. Her sister unsteadily arose from her position and ran her fingers through her short white-tipped fiery locks.
"Your Majesties," replied Lilith, "Tis seven o'clock and the council await your presence in the Chambers of Solace." The other maids bowed their heads and curtsied as the young lasses stumbled from the soft divan. Lilith silently signaled to her compatriots to begin their daily assignments and went toward Tutu to assist in clothing her.
Aalina felt uncomfortable as four maids gently, but efficiently stripped the satin nightgown away and pulled out a red chiffon dress with a flexible corset top encrusted with small diamonds while the lower skirt is fashionably bunched up while the flowing slip trails at least 2 inches from the ground.
Tutu patiently dressed into a cotton white corset dress adorned with a long golden strip decorated with tiny red roses with the straps for the shoulders matching the fabric. The maids patted and tied the royal ladies until they were satisfied with the fitting. Letting the girls walk around barefoot, for they complained about the tightness of their heeled shoes and their dresses' length covers their feet, the maids went to make the bed and gathered the discarded papers on the floor.
Aalina stretched and flexed in her red dress as she waited for her sister to finish washing her face. 'Oh man, the Council of Solace! All of they do is stare at us as if we have the answers, and then if we decide wrong they begin to argue! I bet they've already come to their own decisions about these marriage proposals!'
Tutu finished drying her peach skin and walked to her sister and together they walked out of the room and down the west wing hallway to the Chambers of Solace. Along the way, Fakir and Autor walked out of their chambers and turned to see their Royal Highnesses.
"Hello Queen Tutu and Queen Aalina. How do you fare on this fine morning?" politely asked Autor while cleaning his glasses.
"U-uh wow, you two look gorgeous! Um, sorry about that, Your Graces." Fumbled Fakir while giving them a knightly bow.
"We're fine and thank you Fakir, but don't bow! You're our friends!" softly spoke Tutu as Aalina lightly glared at Fakir when her sister mentioned friendship. Aalina still did not trust her sister's 'comrades' even though two years has passed since their battle. "Are Rue and Mytho still asleep?"
"And have you seen Pique and Dante," demanded Aalina while watching for one of the doors to open to reveal her people.
"I think Pique is asleep, but I did see Dante exit his room and head to the gardens," answered Fakir.
Aalina brushed past the boys and rushed down the southern hallway to find Dante while ignoring her sister's concern about being on time for the meeting.
"They'll be fine! I'll be there in about 5 minutes!" shouted Aalina while sprinting through the doorway that led outside.
Tutu shook her head and excused her sister's rude behavior of which the boys just brushed off. She heard the door of Mytho's room open and out stepped her Prince Charming. Although two years have passed, she has never lost her affection for the snowy-lock boy.
Clad in his signature royal wear, Tutu observed her prince as he noticed her own attire. He grew at least 3 inches since she first met him. His hair was longer and a bit tamer, his halcyon eyes dimmed with experience in battle and politics, and he outgrew his lithe pubescent appearance into a toned, muscled male in his prime.
"Greeting, my princess," charmed Mytho as he swept a gracious bow toward Tutu.
She giggled, "Mytho, you know I am now a Queen."
He pulled Tutu closer and whispered, "You'll always be my princess, Tutu."
Tutu blushed when she realized that they weren't alone as Fakir and Autor looked away in embarrassment. She straightened her gown and gently pushed her suitor away to appear suitable for the council. "I have to attend a meeting my friends, we have to discuss these problems in the country. Sigh, I wish the committee wasn't so argumentative with our decisions,"
"Can you not just overrule them? I mean you are their leader, they have to give in to your command," asked Lillie as she came out of her room, "And you two," pointing to Mytho and Tutu, "Are so kinky!"
Tutu's face turned red and Mytho turned his head to cough, as Lillie awaited an answer to her question.
"Eh-hem, no she and her sister cannot do that, Lillie," volunteered Autor, "This government is designed to be a system in which the royalty must converge with the council of representatives of the people. If they, the leaders, overrule the council's decision there will be a mass revolt for not upholding the system."
Fakir, Mytho, and Lillie were stunned by Autor's innate knowledge yet again while Tutu merely nodded in agreement. Bong! Bong! Bong! Bong! Bong! Bong! Bong! Bong! The sound of the grandfather clock down the west wing hallway signaled 8:00 am.
"Oh no! The meeting is in fifteen minutes! I have to go, I'll see you all at lunch!" cried Tutu as she hiked up her dress and sprinted, barefoot, down the hallway toward the east wing where the Chambers of Solace resided.
Mytho, Fakir, Lillie, and Autor shrugged in their friend's familiar habit of being late and went their separate ways while bidding each other farewell.
Author: Hi, and thank you to everyone that has supported the old! And yes, there will be more to come.
Drosselmeyer: Hm, these gowns are getting expensive, apprentice. It is fortunate that this is not a play being performed.
Author: Thank God, Sensei! Just imagine the budget! Anyway, please review and I hope you like the dresses! They're on my profile if you want to check them out!
Reviews equal support!