Chapter 2: I like ceilings

ON WITH THE MAGIC!

Everyone stared at the girl, who was sure to be sweating under her coat despite the weather being wet and cold. While she made her way past the crowd, the queen couldn't help make a few womanly judgements based only on the girls shoes. Then her pants, coat, colour combination, hair style and finally, her skin. Which infuriated the queen. It was just white. WHITE! With no marks, nothing. Just white, perfect, porcelain skin. It wasn't jealousy that got to the queen, but the fact that unlike her own skin, which was not scarred but more splotchy than anything else, was that despite her knowing little to nothing about her magic abilities, she still felt she needed to know more than the average person. She didn't think there was any more will users in Albion, but just looking at this girls bright aqua eyes, and her pale glow like skin, she could tell she wasn't the only one who could cast a few spells. And judging from how out of place this girl was, the queen could also tell that the girl knew more than just a FEW spells, she could weave them without gloves. Unlike the queen, who was dependent upon them. 'Well, I suppose it's not all bad having another will user in Albion.' the queen thought. 'Actually, it might be useful having her in my company...'

Not yet introduced, the young woman just stood there, very awkwardly, her eyes fiddling with the light and space and deep silence she felt in the room. Unaware of the common aspects and traditions associated with the life of the city, she wondered what would be more proper: To complement a part of the queens home, then introduce herself, or the other way around. Would it break the tension she was sure was there like fresh blood on a white surface, or increase it? She also wondered if she would be asked to introduce herself, if she should wait for someone to ask, or wait for the person she was to converse with to be introduced first. It would be shameful for her to ask: she thought it expected of anyone to self inform themselves before an expected appointment. But this was not expected, nor was she informed. Such a simple thing as introduction seemed just that: simple. But as she had said time and time again, nothing should be expected as being simple, or plain. Complexity hid in the most unexpected places.

The queen caught the girls eyes, who then looked up in embarrassment. The young woman found it rude to look someone in the eyes before introducing herself, but realised she was looking at the ceiling, which was more awkward than she anticipated. Panicked, the girl decided this was the perfect opportunity to introduce herself, and opened up the conversation with a less than traditional way than she would have liked: "Nice ceiling you have there, very reeeegal...I don't really have a ceiling, more sky than anything else. But it's nice to meet a queen with such a nice...ceiling..." It was out before she knew it was in, and only realised the stupidity in the comment when it was all to late. 'What in the world? Why did I say that? I sound like a fool! Speaking without thinking was stupidity controlling my compulsions, not to mention it sounded all kinds of ineloquent' she though, eyes wide and anxious as she stared at the queen. 'Good job Eva, what a nice way to start a conversation with the queen. Oh look! her eyes are twitching! That's nice...'

The queens head snapped into attention 'Did she really just say what I thought she said?' The queen couldn't believe it. This woman had kept the court waiting, the QUEEN waiting for more than an hour, and all she had to say, all she could think of to say had seemed to revolve around a ceiling. Was she even serious about living? The queen was ready to behead someone, though proper judgement warned her not to attack this mage, let alone attack her in court. She still couldn't believe what she had said. So, to quench her thirst for an answer, she simply ask as innocently as she could, without sounding as if she had heard the girl at all, she simply squeaked: "Excuse me?" and awaited a more than satisfying, and explainable, answer. Which she didn't get.

"Oh, I was just admiring your ceiling. I was thinking I might like to get one...myself. Quite lovely." the girl said. With a huge sigh at the end. The atmosphere seemed to darken as the queen stared at the girl with hawk like eyes. The crowd was shrouded in blackness as the only focus the queen struggled to get a hold of was standing right in front of her. She wondered if it might be proper to just walk out. Right now. And not come back in, 'let Laz deal with this ideate' she thought. But she knew that was irresponsible of her, and she just couldn't walk out after spending so much time waiting. 'This girl is either deliberately trying to waste my time, or she genuinely likes ceiling...and no one likes ceilings. Doesn't really matter, both are stupid explanations and I don't have time for it. I thought will user were academically correct.' And just as if Laz had read the Queens mind, he said more politely than she would have liked, and decided to break the ice and get back to the problem at hand.
"Yes, well the queen did get it properly styled to match her right and justly rule, but you can have a talk with her about her ceiling later. I think it's time to get back to the debate." Once that was said, noise broke free within the room, and most either whispered their relief with either "Thank god" or "Finally", and some even decided to yell and moan. Whoever wasn't speaking about their relief, the queen was almost certain they would be thinking it. And if they weren't, then they might as well be hollow men to her. None who felt pain and emotions could've possible enjoyed the grinding, endless two and a half hours of silence they had to wait through. It was just plainly and simply: PAINFULL.

And so Laz began to explain to the court the situation with which they had to witness the judgement upon. Almost immediately people began to shut out the pain of their legs and backs, and listened intently to what the informer had to say about the queens former Army. All were relieved that the court was finally in session, and everyone except one had forgotten the late issues of time that had passed so slowly in order for the session to start. That one person, who felt obliged to be as stubborn as she was, who could not let it go as easily as most of the citizens had, was sitting in the current seat of power, and had no intention to let this slip past so easily without an explanation. And so she waited for Laz to finish his introduction in order to scorn and get a better viewpoint as to what happened to the traditional opposition.
"Ladies and Gentlemen who have gathered here today to witness the judgement and decision of the queen upon the statements and opinions of the debaters in which will be heard by everyone present, with which the matter revolves around the late Regal army of Logan, former king and tyrant, brother to the queen and maker of Albion's poverty and distress. For all those who do not know of both armies of Logan, the Red coats and The Regals, let it be known that one is of the making of the old queen, The Red Coats, and that of the old kind, Logan, The newly formed Army, The Regals. Known for their purple uniform and Violent nature, The Regals were created using a large sum of the crowns profits, and were fitted with the finest armour and weaponry the crown could offer. They out date The Red coats in both armed skills and strength, as they have been trained to fight no matter the moral code. As only the best are left, we cannot dispose of them due to the money spent, or the waisted skill, but neither can they carry on without money to fund these super soldiers. Further most, something is to be decided amongst the people, as claims of indecency and abuse have surfaced from the very depths of their society, should the regals be saved, with the cost coming from much of the crowns wealth, to harbor and finance the complaints held against them, but also to recruit more as only a handful still stand, or should another opportunely arise, a more profitable one, such as the thraldom of these super soldiers for free labour, and the complete abolishment of the current standing recruitment. The Regals are soldier with strength and skill, and this is why it is necessary for a court session to be held. Reaver will state his intention, and the young miss will oppose him"

As Reaver stepped forth to announce his preposition, the queen raised her hand to stop him, and in a tone that was too serious to be messed with, she spoke with a strength that could only have come from her bubbling anger: "WAIT! Before you decide to spew out yet another morally wrong and corrupted word, first I want to know why we were kept so long from this meeting." She looked to the girl, who seemed to grow small in the presence of the queens hateful stare. "And If you have nothing useful to put forth, a name, maybe? I might just loose what little sanity I have left. Because no matter how great your excuse is, it better well be darn better than that preposition of yours. God only knows the cost has been tabbed to the crown, so I need to hear this, or, oh, I don't know, The Regals fate might be decided with my spite. So. Name, who when why. Give me gold, or more of my time might be waisted splitting your head open." No time to sigh now, the queen was in a state of heated determination. The girl however, had all the time to sigh in the world.

And she swallowed all her stupid little insecurities, which was hard considering A Queen had just threatened to split her head open. She hardened her stature, and glanced at the queen with what she hoped was a deep sophistication. She now had the Queens attention, everyone's attention really, but the queens was the only one she felt mattered.

"My name is Nova Evander, and I am a represented of the Dwellers, as far as they have told me. The original representative was Vincent Van Vilene , who...unfortunately...was found, well, I think he was dead more than two hours ago?" It was a mistake she often made when trying to be herself, and often when she was unsure of her information. And so, she talked more quickly than before, mumbling some thoughts and mixed them with her sayings "I think they thought I was a dweller or something, honestly, I've never seen those people before in my life, but they seemed more than happy to see me! Maybe Page was involved...not really sure, but it took me awhile to get here because there was no more carriages available, and I had to walk from the entrance of the market to here, which didn't take me that long considering all the people and pretty things I saw." She giggled, then scrunched her face into a more questionable state"They also gave me this letter, and told me to tell you to read it aloud. That's all I know. They didn't really stick around to tell me more, and I didn't think I could understand them through all the sobbing. I think they thought I was someone I'm not. Although I know enough of this 'regal' thing, I can only deduct that their preposition is within that letter, and that they might wish me to kindle upon it's meaning. Today has been very random. It's all quite exciting! Mystery...Murder...Monarchy...All in the same day! But I swear to you, I will not wast any more of your time. Whatever lays within that letter, be it a news format or their statement, I will stand by it and make more of myself." And with that, she climbed up to the queens throne, bowed her head halfway(to avoid awkward eye contact, remembering the ceiling as she did) and handed the queen the letter. All while Reaver now seemed more happy than he was before, watching Nova in his perverted way.

"Well, Miss Evander, I'm so glad you find death so exciting, but do remember it almost cost you my respect. Also, If this doesn't concern the Dwellers argument about The Regals, well, I guess you'll like death even less than you did before I started using your name. Laz, do you mind?" She held out the Dwellers note to Laz, who nodded his head and took the letter softly from the queens hands. "It's what you hired me to do" he said, before struggling to open the letters casing, ripping it open with his teeth, looking over at the queen with an apologetic smile, and finally pulling out white parchment with stains of blue ink and some very messy handwriting sprawled upon it. He cleared his throat, making way for his booming voice that was too big for such a small man.

"To the queen and audience present at the reading, We, the Dwellers, send our most big and gracious of apologies for whatever time taken away from your daily lives, but it was more than three days ago that one of our best was sent off to your city, and only today was he killed in the alleys of your streets. We send another in his place, to defend our cause in the mist of the evil opposition." Everyone placed their eyes on Reaver, who immediately chuckled, then shifted with an annoyance once he realised everyone was aware of his musings. "We propose that instead of getting rid of The Regals, and instead of spending money on new recruits, keep them as they are, and form from them the crowns own elite guards. Since as little as 50 remain, we suggest picking out the strongest and most skilled form this group, and have them trained to be the best of the best. The remaining should then be transferred to The Red Coats, and have The purpled coated Regals as the crowns private solders. Seeing as the Aurorans already have their own post of red coats within their rein, it only seems fair one of our own take place as leader to these Regals in order to keep a globalised, open-minded and equal race set amongst the soldiers. Seeing as this is a big proposal, you, the queen, may choose one of our representatives as your lead guardsman." The queen then mumbled "I would hope so..." and laz continued "Please excuse any late arrivals, it took a long time for this letter to be signed. As for what the other guy may say, it doesn't matter because our idea is better. Signed, Sabine." As the letter sunk in, everyone started to whisper, which soon turned to neutral conversation, but just as dominos fall to leave a bigger trail behind, the voices soon nocked over the other, causing a ripple of loud conversations and frantic evaluations.

"But the Dwellers have called for independence, why would they want anything to do with the army?!" "A secret army at that! They want in on all the crowns secrets! THEY'RE ALL JUST TERRORIST!" The queen pressed her fingers to her temples and thought as everyone pitched in to fraternise and judge and poke at every little thing she might have been considering. They all needed, wanted to be heard, but some spat out conspiracies like there was no tomorrow, and others wanted in on all the attention. The queen was getting restless, and she knew that it would take another hour to get through the court session. But she was tired, and really couldn't take anymore. God only knew she didn't want to hear anything Reaver had to offer, no matter how entertaining it was on some days. 'Screw it' she thought 'there's a god dam mage in my court, IN MY COURT, and people still have the guts to speak to me like that?'. Her eyes flung open, as she realised: THERE WAS A GOD DAM MAGE IN HER COURT! One of the dying breeds of will users, and she was standing right were the queen wanted her. No one else could say the same, no one, and if she wanted her crown to be bullet proof, why not have someone to deflect the shots? She was, after all, just what the Dwellers wanted. She was a representative, and no doubt someone who could train violent soldier to be more mindful and academic.

The queen looked to Laz, offering her eyes as her only explanation. He knew she wanted people to shut up, so again, he cleared his throat and turned up the volume. "SILENCE IN THE COURT ROOM!" And to his pleasure, every singled person attuned their attention on him, some even jumped to it. "The queen wishes to speak"

The queen nodded her head in approval, and turned to the crowed. "Today, I will not be hearing another option as I do not have the time. It has taken too long for this court to be summoned, and I rather like the idea of having my own group of elite soldiers. So I agree to the terms of the Dwellers, besides, I've already chosen one of their representatives." She looked at Nova, and smiled. It was a smile that was both pretty on her face but sneaky in the eyes of others. Nova put her index finger to her chest, and everything on her face seemed to fall open in shock. "Me?" The queen got up and walked down her stairs. Placing a hand on Nova's shoulder she said ever so slyly, "It's no everyday you come across a will user who isn't completely insane let alone coming across one at all." Nova stuttered, "h-how can you tell? Why would you want a will user in your ranks anyway?"

"Because, if I'm going to have a secret service team, I want them to be darn good, unique and rare, something to be feared and respected. Magic is just that and more, it was dying when my mother was alive, and believed to be only that which thrives in children's stories. People these day are still the same as old, scared of what they cant explain, but they also hold a deeper respect for knowledge than the people of my mothers age." when she said that, Nova's pride burned deep within her stomach, feeling relieved that she had pulled off a that good impression, even if it was from something she was trying to hide. "Oh, and as to how I could tell? Your eyes basically glow in the dark. And your skin is whiter than Reavers coat. Get a tan on that shit before he tries to wear it." And with that, the queen strode out, hands above her head in a stretch, leaving the court to its silent demise.

Authors note or something: oh. So this chapter isn't as good as the original one I wrote. Which was deleted by google when it decided to have a bitch fit and reload. More than 4 times. Luckily, I've decided to be more carful and actually save it on anther document first before doing anything else. It took me too long to write this up. After the first chapter was so short I thought I could write the second a bit longer and sooner to make up for that. Anywho, plots finally forming! SO YAY! I'm so happy! I think I disserve a cookie...later. D: I've had tonsillitis all week. Which is really annoying, fun, but annoying. Anywho, Thanks for reading. Guys hope to keep doing that...you know...reading stuff. ON WITH THE SLEEPING.