Snippet #1306451

Athy moved inconcspicuously through the streets of the city, his coat zipped up to his chin lest his clothes should draw attention to himself. If his step-sister was wasting time in-city, she could at least have the decency to do in the the square, or the precinct...or somewhere else she'd be easy enough to spot. He sighed; he didn't like it when things took too much effort. Still, at least down here he didn't have to listen to the palace staff whittering on about the great event on some legendary submersible island.

He stepped out into a marketspace at the juncture of two large pedestrianised streets, and scanned the crowd. No sign of Orchid. But...what was this? A smile came to his lips, and he made his way in a levitous stride over to the middle-aged woman standing near the centrepiece monument holding a canvas, chatting to her friends excitedly.

"I do say," Athy exclaimed to her, "that is an impressive portrait you're holding. Did you have it done here in the city?"

The woman nodded enthusiastically, and replied "Yes! In fact it came by the hand of princess Orchid herself!"

Athy feigned a delighted surprise. "The prin...really! That's amazing! Well I simply must try to get her to do one of me. In a few days I'm getting married and I can't think of a better gift to my new bride than a portraint by the princess. My dear women I'd be much obliged if you could point me in her direction."

"Certainly sir," the woman said, thankfully far too excited about her first royal encounter this morning to realise that she was in the middle of a second. "Princess Orchid left that way, I think she may have been going to set up in the Covenant Gardens."

"Then I shall spare not another moment!" Athy said grandly, in a more royal manner than he'd ever affect whilst not pretending to be someone else. "I take my leave of you good ladies, forgive my haste but I simply must get that portrait done!"

The women waved as Athy jogged in the direction they indicated, innocently believing they had done Orchid a favour by sending another painting subject her way. Athy traversed the streets as quickly as he could before emerging in the Covenant Garden. Looking around, there was no sign of Orchid...until he spied a brief flash of red hair hastening to conceal itself just around the corner from the consulate offices. Shaking his head and chuckling to himself, he approached the corner, but stayed on the other side of it, and spoke out: "Sister, you know I couldn't care less how you discharge your leisure hours, but frankly this capriciousness today is costing us all money."