The Other Side

Asura had easily fallen asleep in Sanestra's lap. It felt so good to get some sleep without having dreams. Dreaming in the dream world how ironic. She wondered if the other people here dreamed. Or was it because she once was human. That was an interesting concept.
"Sanestra, do you ever have dreams?"
She picked her head up and looked at her friend. She still felt tired, but was used to it by now. Asura rarely go a whole nights sleep. She pet the girl's hair lovingly, had she stayed with her all through the night? Sanestra was so loyal and beautiful, she was the only one Asura trusted, the only one she really loved. Divian was a happy distraction from everyday life, but without Sanestra, Asura didn't know if she could live at all.

Sanestra smiled at her gently. She loved to watch Asura sleep, the way her face looked at peace for a few moments, sometimes an hours or 2. This was a pleasant surprise and Sanestra had enjoyed stroking her hair, watching her mouth move occassionally. Sanestra knew that Divian rarely stayed while Asura slept. He was more for her when she was awake.
"Yes, sometimes, my love," she said simply. "But I don't remember them upon waking very often. I just know I feel good, or sad. I suppose it would depend what the dream was of."
Sanestra closed her eyes at Asura's touch, smiling a little, then opening them again.
"Did you dream?"


Calcifer had been up several hours already and had washed, polished his armour and done his normal things for the morning. Now he was off to the village. He didn't need to start for a little time yet and he wished to purchase things in the market.
The stall owners didn't take money, because they had no concept. Their world worked with 2 concepts spinning together. Where you could trade, you would trade for the items you wished for, but sometimes you wouldn't need to even do that. Everyone here understood that they played a role and that what someone might take today for nothing, they would get something in return.
Calcifer didn't get paid, as such. He was allowed to have certain items, like candles and paper, which were rare. These were easy to trade, but he also used his time to pay people back by performing tasks.
Dressed in informal clothes, linen shirt and trousers, he passed easily through the people, stopping to look at pretty things the Weavers made out of wood. They carved unusual things and he admired them, but pointed at a simple wooden bangle that was painted in different colours and carved to show a forest, with trees that went all the way around, never ending.
"What would you wish for it?" said Calcifer, as the man took it down and placed it into a wooden box, also carved with flowers all over it.
"Wood for the fire," said the man. "My back hurts some."
Calcifer nodded and left the box with the man. He headed to the edge of the forest and began to cut wood.

Asura yawned and stretched out a little.
"No, I am happy that I did not dream this time. I normally have nightmares, that's why I don't sleep very often."
She looked at Sanestra.
"You must be tired, we have a few hours before court opens up, maybe you should get some rest as well. I wouldn't want you to be tired. I think I am going to try to get a few more hours of sleep myself, you may stay in my bed if you don't want to go back to your room."
Asura moved for her bed and flopped down in the comfy bed, secretly she hoped that Sanestra would stay with her. She liked snuggling with her, it helped her sleep to have someone in the bed, though she rarely allowed anyone to stay with her overnight. Asura curled up under the warm covers placing her head on the pillow. It wasn't long before she had fallen back to sleep.

Adrien looked down to Eva.
"Hey don't get so upset. I can go and find out what's going on in the human world tomorrow. Where do you live? I'll go by your house and check on you. I'll even take the day off school. Ok?"
Adrien picked up Eva and hugged her gently.
"No need to cry, we will figure this out for you."
He looked to Tom
"anything strange going on in your human life? I mean if all of a sudden she is not leaving maybe something will happen to all of us in the human world. Is anything weird going on?"

Tom shrugged, "Other than I woke up later than normal last time, but other than that everything's fine". He looked down at Evania, worried that maybe somehow she had got herself into a coma. Then thoughts of this happening to him, how he wouldn't be able to go back to his wife when she was acting weird. These thoughts were then getting Tom worried, but he pushed them to the back of his mind and kept his face neutral.

"What about you?" Tom asked.

Evania eventually calmed herself, whispering her address and Mom's phone number into Adrien's ear. Then she plopped herself down again, wiping at the remaining tears. "Coma..." Shaking her head, she lay back on the grass. "I had a lot to think about last night. Like... I heard a story once about the Queen. That she had indeed been human. I had never thought about it before, but... what exactly became of her body? Did she die? Of course, that means I could be dead. Is she in a coma? Either way, it doesn't look good for me." Evania shuddered, and then jumped up, brushing of the grass which had clung to her back and exclaming enthusiatically. "Well, I guess that's for another time. If I'm not mistaken, we've got ball to attend! Now, the Queen had warned that she will harm you if you are offensive. A brash, but not unreasonable warning. Uh.... Tom? I think you should probably leave the gun. Now, I'm going to go back to the castle... I left my dress and brush there. Feel free to join me." She turned and began her journey back to the palace in stride, calling back to the men. "And, Adrien? Never call her my pal!"

Arriving at the castle, Evania hurried back to her room in the hopes that no one would notice her before she got cleaned up. She lacked the energy to use her ability, and didn't bother to see whether or not she had been followed by the men. Finally, she arrived back at her room. Changing into a nicer outfit, she cleaned herself up as much as was possible and grabbed a book. Opening up What Happened to Lani Garver, she had gotten through almost all of the book before finally tiring of the thing. She pondered whether or not to notify someone within the castle of the fact that she had not left last night, but quickly decided against it. They would most likely find out sometime soon, but today was not the day. And so, laying back, she began to sing Haley Westenra's Dark Waltz, unconcerned as to who may or may not have been listening.

Adrien shrugged at the girl's obvious bipolar. One minute she was crying, the next she was bouncing around like a happy puppy. How strange.
"Everything normal except I woke up late to. I have noticed that i am waking up later and later. Maybe it's like a weird side effect. I don't even wanna know what will happen if we start spending days here. Well I will soon find out whats wrong with little miss crazy over there, my life is nothing but school work and classes. Whats going on in your life? You have a wife or somethin? You look a little off today. Is the missus giving you trouble at home?"
He chuckled a bit following Eva slowly. He didn't have a direct desire to go to the castle, but what was the worst that could happen? He would wake up in like eight hours or so. Wait, if you died in the dreamworld did you die in real life? That thought was unsettling. What if the queen had them killed. Or this was a trap? Adrien was going to be on his best behavior. He still hated the queen but with one word from her mouth they would be killed. So he would be nice to her face and secretly plan to find a way to overthrow her.

Tom followed and chuckled, "My life...not something you would expect from an old war veteran. I work as an Art teacher for high school students in California, my wife's idea, Ling. And no trouble with her, though...I don't know, you probably don't want to hear to much about the married life I'm guessing am I right?" Tom asked walking beside Adrien.

Adrien looked over at him.
"I'm sure your not surprised to hear I haven't had a relationship that has lasted more then 6 months so yea I guess I am curious about the married life. How is your wife? Is she doing ok with the fact that you travel to some acid trip alice in wonderland place. So yea tell me about your wife. We will be spending a lot of time together so we should get to know each other I guess."

"Well she's worried, as if I'm back in the war again. Personally I don't think she's gotten a good nights sleep since this whole thing started. But that's not what's worrying me. You see for the past couple of weeks she's had this stomach flu thing going on, but she says that she's ok, and not only that, but her taste buds changed. She's been eating all this weird stuff lately. Anyway I'm just worried and confused, and I do believe that something bigger than a stomach flu is going on that she's not telling me," Tom said shaking his head, "And for me, I'd rather be back in our world. I just feel bad every time I come here about leaving Ling behind. And don't worry you'll find your girl someday". He clapped Adrien's shoulder.

Sanestra kissed Asura's temple. She would have loved nothing more than to climb in beside her, but right now there was important things to do. There was a good reason why Sanestra was Asura's right hand woman.
She crossed to the mirror, touching it and whispering to it softly. In a moment it revealed what she wished to see. To anyone else, it would look as though Sanestra was looking at herself, but in truth she saw more than they could imagine.
A tear was her window now, showing her the truth behind the girl's fiction. And she had left her alone with Asura? She had even been invited back into the palace. This was unacceptable, but how could Sanestra do anything that would not incite war, or endanger her beloved Queen?
She slipped from the room carefully and spoke to the captain of the guard. The orders went out to every guard on duty. Should Evania try to enter the palace, she could only do so under strict guard. Tell her it was for her safety. She would be watched. If she entered any room, it was to have gards at every exit and at the windows on the above and below floors.
Sanestra smirked, walking back to Asura's room and using mirrors, water and any reflection, to monitor the castle.

Adrien raised an eyebrow.
"Stomach flu? Strange eating habits? All started two weeks ago? uh... So she is pregnant?"
He looked over at him, the symptoms seemed obvious enough. How could Tom not pick up on that.
"You should ask her to take a prego test. Better to know for sure, but it sounds like pregnancy symptoms. Can't sleep, eating weird stuff in the fridge at weird hours, morning sickness, she always looks exhausted, she is moody, retaining a lot of water weight. I did a study on that stuff."
He laughed when Tom mentioned him finding a girl.
"I don't think women could handle me."

Asura turned over in bed and looked over to see Sanestra. She was done with her little cat nap. She smiled at her.
"I should get up huh? I have work to do to get ready for that party."
She tipped her feet off the edge of the bed and stood walking over to her closet. She sifted through the endless wardrobe of gowns and clothing. She had no idea what to wear but the dress she was currently in, though comfortable, was not appropriate for court. She pulled out an elegant and well adorned gown of crimson red and gold lace accentuating the full skirt and corset. She easily slipped into the dress and walked to Sanestra.
"I dismissed my Servants for a little while, could you perhaps lace me up?"
Normally she didn't ask such things of her advisor but she didn't really have anyone else to do it for her. Her servants were no where to be seen, it was her own fault for letting them go home, but they did need time with their families. There was a reason her staff was so loyal, she treated them all like they were her family, well unless she was having a temper tantrum. She pulled her hair to the side so Sanestra could easily lace up the back. She really didn't want to be a burden on her, Sanestra must have better things to do then act as her chamber maid.
She looked to her friend.
"Is something bothering you love?"

Sanestra gave Asura an amused little smile.
"Oh, nothing to trouble you, my angel," she said, turning to Asura with a face full of calming reassurance.
She turned to the task at hand, carefully and slowly pulling the fabiric together, tightening each section carefully. She was firm, but not brutal. Every so often, a finger or part of her hand would graze Asura's back. Sanestra worked with a small smile on her lips, not seeming to mind the task she was put to. She actually rather enjoyed it.
"What are you thinking for the party?" she said, as she worked her way up. "Dancing? Light entertainment?"

Daina walked out of her house with a basket of clothes on her head, she was heading towards a river to clean them, when her neighbor and her son blocked her path.

"I don't mean to bother you, but could you take Conn with you and watch him for a bit?" she asked.

"Sure, I'd be glad to take him along," Daina answered, she looked down at little Conn, "Sorry to say you will have to help me with these cloths". Conn groaned as Dain took him by the hand and dragged him along to a small river.

Once at the river Conn ran into the water and began to splash around, Daina laughed as the boy became muddy from head to toe. She called for him to help her with the clothes, he obliged and tried to help her clean, only in succeeding in getting her clothes muddy as well. She gave him a fake stern look and began to chase and splash him. The two were having a lot of fun and were laughing as loud as they could.

Tom stopped walking shocked that what Adrien had said about Ling being pregnant actually made sense.

He slapped his forehead exclaiming," Why didn't I see that before! And the right girl will be able to handle you, I thought I was invisible to all women when I was your age, but now look I'm married to the best woman and apparently having a kid coming. You just have to wait and keep your eyes open". When he finished everything was silent, then it was suddenly filled with a joyful laughter of little boy and girl.

"What do you suppose that is?" Tom asked looking in the direction of the sound.

Asura enjoyed this a lot more with Sanestra preforming the task. She didn't want to get used to this because it felt very good and this was not in Sanestra's job description. She didn't look like she minded so Asura settled down a bit. When Sanestra was done Asura turned around and took her hands bringing them up to her lips and giving the top of them one soft kiss.
"You are the best friend anyone could hope for. Thank you."
Asura released her and did a little twirl for her friend.
"So do you like it? I don't think I have worn it in ages."
It was nice that people in the dream world didn't age, nor change in appearance. Things like clothing never was too big or too small. Major bonus to having things fitted to you. She smiled and undid her braid of hair. It was long and wavy from drying in the braid. She twirled her hair pinning it up in an elaborate bun in the back of her head, a few strands of hair delicately placed around her face. She placed her crown on her head smiling.
"Yes the party. I was thinking food, but doing more of the theme of human food, allowing the people to get a little taste of the human world and it would make the humans more comfortable. I know some recipes, and I think our little human girl would know some to. I have been wanting to try what they call Pizza. I think everyone would like that. Dancing, yes. I would like the humans to learn some of our dances. It will be more of a trade off so maybe we all can learn something about the other. A cultural exchange so to say."
She looked back to her friend after checking her reflection in the mirror.
"Has the thief returned? We make for the tree tonight."

Sanestra watched with pleasure as Asura chattered and spun, like a young, care-free girl. Even if it was only for a couple of moments.
You look as beautiful, Asura," she said happily. "Truly beautiful."
Sanestra stood, tilting her head.
"If you like, I could ask the cooks to get her help. They could perform in one of the audience halls, so she wouldn't feel she needed to go to the kitchens. It would be a nice chance for some of the staff to also meet the humans."
And keep her distracted, though Sanestra.
When the Queen asked of the thief, Sanestra, glanced at the door, as if this would tell her.
"I don't think so yet," she said, crossing to Asura and taking her hands, looking at the girl fully. "There is something very important we must attend to before we do that. Conduct court, but please only for a short time. I have a very pressing matter which cannot wait more than a few hours. I need you to come to my chambers as soon as you can get away without being missed."

Asura glanced at her.
"Yes the cooks would love to meet her. Good Idea. They should deliberate with the human on what to cook. That sounds lovely."
Asura frowned at the thought of the thief not in yet.
"I'm sure he will turn up. He always does."
Asura was curious what Sanestra had in mind for her. She always did like surprises, she just didn't know if it was a good surprise or a bad one.
"Alright I will go to court at once, and then meet you in your chambers in an hour."
She kissed the girl on the cheek giving her face a loving caress before walking out and heading down to the throne room. The double doors opened in front of her and she was properly announced. She was met with a room full of courtiers bowed down in front of her. She stepped lightly and took her place on the throne.
"Please rise, and good morning."
As one group voice piped up with a good morning your majesty. She smiled.
"First order of business. I want to send a group of architects out to the Glenfry district. I want them to survey the area and assess the damage to the homes. I want the damage to every house repaired and built up to standard. Glenfry has always been our problem zone, let's give these people something that will help them, make their lives easier."
The order was met with happy clamoring.
"Next I want the gatherers to go out and collect what we will need to ensure that every house has a warm fire and food on the table. Families that are struggling need our help, they look to us. We will not disappoint. Disperse the wealth among all the people of the realm."
They were even more excited by that statement. She enjoyed equality and fairness. Such things that didn't exist in the human world.
"And our party is going to be the highlight of the year. We will be eating human food as part of a cultural exchange. We will teach them our dances, we will drink wine and eat exotic foods. We will make them welcome and show them how wonderful our wold can be. There will be a demonstration here today in the castle as one of the humans teaches our cooking staff how to prepare some human foods. Everyone is welcome to watch, but please do not overwhelm the human."
She pulled aside one of the servants whispering in his ear.
"Go get the human girl, and send for the cooks. I want all this set up soon."
She looked back over her court when they began to cheer about the events.
"Now, I believe that is all the orders of business for the moment. If you would excuse me, I take my leave."
The queen gave a respectful nod and left out the side door. She walked for Sanestra's chamber as the servant went in search of Eva.

Adrien smiled a bit and pat Tom on the back.
"Congrates dude, but you should still have her take a test and all. Just to be positive and all."
He could hear the laughter to so him and Tom went to investigate.
"Yea the castle can wait and Eva can obviously take care of herself since she just ditched us out here."
He peered over into the area where the laughing was coming from.
"It's just a girl and her kid playing. You wanna go and say hi? Eventually I want to go back and see Kleo, I think she has some information and also I just kinda ran out on her. Not very good manners."

Calcifer came on duty to the strangest of instructions. The Human Girl was to be watched at all times? What had happened in his absence?
He hastily put away the carved box and headed to releave the guard on duty.
"Anything I should know?" said Calcifer, as the man went to leave.
"Not made a peep, not left the room, but she's not to be left to wander. Queen's orders."
Calcifer nodded, his mind confused.
He glanced to the door, trying to make his mind up. Should he knock? Say hello? Should he.....?
He looked at the door again and was about to knock, when a servant hurried over.
"Is the human in here?" she said.
"It's Evania Sylbr," he said, not coldly but as if the girl needed to know that. "And yes she is."
"The Queen wishes that she is to be taken to the Ante-Chamber for her guidance in preparations for the Ball," said the servant, looking to the door.
"Very well," said Calcifer, having a decent excuse now to knock.
He could hear her voice beyond the door, but whom she was speaking to he had no idea.
"Lady Evania Sylbr," he called, knocking again. "May I enter?"


Sanestra was staring out of the window when Asura arrived. She seemed suddenly a little worried, but hitched a smile upon her face.
"I.... I have a small gift for you, my lady," she said, looking, for once, a little less sure that Asura would like it. Sanestra was always sure, but now she looked as if she didn't know if this were a good idea or not.
She crossed the room quickly before the Queen could respond, locking the door so they wouldn't be disturbed and then moving to stand by a chest. She paused there, glancing from Asura to the box and then opened it.
It contained nothing all that interesting, cloth that was simple and fit for a maid or peasant, but nothing all that exciting. Was Sanestra feeling okay?
But she raised the dress slowly.
"I thought, for one day before we do the ritual, you....." she paused again, holding up the dress further, "..... you might wish to be one of the people."
Sanestra paused, allowing the silence to be created.
"You don't have to," she said quickly, "but I thought this would be a perfect time to just be..... well anyone. Just for a few hours."
She pulled out a simple hat worn by most of the girls when working. It looked a little like a bonnet.
"And you could wear this to cover your hair. No one would know it was you. I would say you were not to be disturbed in your quarters and you could....."
Sanestra shook her head and gave a beaming smile.
"I'm being silly, aren't I?"

Asura was very surprised by this. She could go outside? No one would recognize her? She could just be Asura for a few hours...
"Silly? This is the best surprise anyone has ever given me."
She took her friend's hands.
"I would love to go outside. As long as you were coming with me?"
It had been a long time since she had gone outside among the commoners without guard or a parade following her, this would be different. She was so excited about this.
"I can't even believe this, I get to wear commoner clothing. I bet it's much more comfortable then what I have to wear."
She looked over the dress smiling. It was so plain and simple. It was beautiful. Most of the commoners had never been to court and they would not recognize her. She couldn't call herself Asura though.
"Can I even pick a different name?"
This was like playing dress up which she often did as a child. She giggled a bit giddy at the idea.
"Maybe we can even go to a tavern, or go for a walk down to the river. Could we go swimming? I have not been in the water in so long."
Sure Asura got to take baths and things like that but she had forgotten what the forest smelled like, what it was like to dip her feet in cool rushing water from a stream. She could see the people first hand and maybe even talk to some of them.

Tom shrugged, "We don't have to, but something about that girl seems familiar, she almost looks like that other girl we talked to, Daina? Wasn't her name? Anyways I do whatever, back during the war I was part of the combat team, not one of the leaders. I just followed orders. But you, you seem to be a pretty good leader, so I'll follow you in whatever decision you make. And if that girl down there is that Daina girl, I think she could help us some more too. I'm sure she's filled with tons of information and she has motive to tell us all she knows while that Kleo is indecisive and I learned in war that those can be your worst enemies because they might change their minds and you won't know. Just some input on the war, if that helps".

Evania had heard people walking about the halls, and had kept on singing through the commotion. By the time a single knock was heard, Evania had cycled though over an album's worth of song, and had been interrupted in the middle of Vienna Teng's Lullaby for a Stormy Night (a beautiful song she especially loved). She shot up, barely avoiding a particularly painful head butt with the bed post. Still reeling from the occurance, she concentrated on placing a face to the name, eventually realizing that it must be Calcifer. Jumping up, she held the post in order to avoid passing out and made her way to the door. After clearing her head, she opened it up gracefully, and (the singing had put her in an truly good mood) gave him a playful curtsy. "Of course you may. Actually, it's probably for the best, considering I've been singing for much to long." She smiled, humming as she seated herself upon the bed and gave him a chance to speak.

Adrien nodded.
"Yea lets go and talk to her."
Adrien emerged from the bushes. It was kinda strange walking up to people like this. He walked up to the girl slowly not wanting to startle them.
"Hey you look awfully familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?"
She did look very familiar, and he was almost positive that Tom was right and she was the same woman from before.