The Other Side

Adrien listened intently to the conversation. A party huh? This may be beyond perfect,a great opportunity to gather information and see what the queen is really like for himself. Though he had already formed an opinion and changing that was damn near impossible. He might perhaps be able to reason with her, maybe get her to stop doing what she is doing to the humans and the people. Everyone else seemed to think of her as some kind of savior or something. He slowly made his way back to Tom waiting for the guy to leave.
"Ok so the queen is throwing a party in our honor and we are invited as some kind of guests of honor. I am definitely going so that I can get some more information. I don't really care if it's a trap because when I wake up, I'm outta this place anyway, and it seems I have a few hours left for tonight. I want to talk to Eva when she is done with mister shiny armor."

"Mister shiny armor?" Tom asked, looking over his shoulder at Adrien and raising an eyebrow, "She's been here only a couple of times and she's already found Mister shiny armor?" He shook his head and laughed. "And sorry about the hiding, it's second nature after the war". He stood up and stretched a bit. "I've got a lot of those quirks, you should be aware of that".

Tom started to walk over to Evania and the knight in shining armor. "We should probably get Evania, in a situation like this, it's always best to be in a group".

Adrien nodded and walked out with Tom towards Eva and the stranger.
"Hey Eva, who's your friend?"
He walked along side Tom.
"Yea and don't worry about the hiding stuff, I can understand where your coming from. And your right sticking together would be the best idea."
He was leery of this stranger, he didn't look like a simple guard, he looked like he was a member of the royal guard. And anyone loyal to Asura was a threat. He crossed his arms as they approached and stood behind Eva. He eyed the stranger suspiciously.

So much for her being alone, he thought as he stood quickly, his posture instantly becoming less relaxed. He didn't step back from her though, even as it seemed that these humans were not only known but familiar to her. So it was a trap.
He didn't seem to be alarmed at this revelation, but felt slightly disappointed that she had spoken false, and that he had believed her. However, this gave him a golden opportunity to please his Queen.
"Good day, Gentle Sirs," he said, nodding his head to them. "It is a good timing you have, for I was just speaking with your companion, Lady Evania Sylbr, of an invitation extended to you by her Highness."
He looked from one to the other, his voice and gaze even.
"She wishes to extend an invitation to join her in her palace for a Ball in your honour, and hopes you will accept. I am to give you this news and then, should you be willing, return to discuss a date that shall suit, for her guests of honour will need to make their entrance."

Adrien smiled at this new guy.
"A party, wow, how nice of her. You hear that Tom, we are the guests of honor at a ball that the queen is throwing."
His tone seethed with sarcasm.
"I just can't wait! Well dear me, what ever shall I wear..." He said with a fake southern twang.
He grinned at the guy standing in front of him.
"Alright buddy, you can count me in, all sarcasm aside. Get back to me on the time and all that jazz."
He looked back to Tom and then to Eva.
"Where did you say this party is? I thought I heard the palace. It will be interesting to see it close up."
He thought for a moment, he was forgetting something.
"Oh, you know I forgot to give you my name. I'm Adrien. And whats your name? so I don't have to call you Mister shiny armor anymore."

Calcifer didn't seem to understand sarcasm. Either that or he simply ignored it.
"If Mr Shiney Armour is what you wish to call me, then I shall answer to that," he said simply. "You are the Queen's guests and I would allow you call me anything that would give you pleasure. However, I must now take my leave."
He nodded to the men and then bowed to Eva.
"If you would wish me to find you an escort, Lady Evania Sylbr, I shall be happy to do so upon my return. I shall beg your forgiveness for bothering you. I shall trespass no longer upon your time."
He took two steps back from her and then turned and walked with an even walk, as if he were merely taking a stroll and they hadn't been behind him. Either he was very trusting that no harm would befall him, or he wasn't afraid.
Calcifer had no time to mull over what the humans had said, for the moment he reached the palace, a servant told him the Queen wished to see him immediately.
He followed the servant to the Queen's quarters, where the servant knocked and stepped inside.
"My lady," she said, softly so as not to disturb. "Calcifer has returned and waits beyond the door."

Though not quite understanding why, Evania was furious at Adrien and Tom. Now Calcifer must think she had lied to him! She didn't know why, but it mattered to her not to lie to him or his people. He had seemed nice enough, albeit a tad bit ignorant as to what they had been saying. Of course, her companions had practically scared him off... and the sarcasm that dripped from their mouths! She turned to Adrien, and (thought thinking back it seemed slightly unfair of her), suddenly becme extrmely hostile, giving him a look that meant she half expected him to drop dead.

"What the heck was that about! He was nice... was being perfectly nice! Now he thinks I've lied to him! And the way you two spoke to him? He might not have understood, but it made me sick! Can't you just cool it for two freakin' seconds?! Ugh!" Evania turned and left the men in the direction that Calcifer had gone, not sure whether she would go the the Castle or back to Diana. Either way, she had made up her mind. She was getting out of there!

Adrien shrugged at Eva's outburst.
"Don't get your panties in a twist. He didn't take any offense."
He laughed a little at the girl's obvious fondness for this new guy.
"Was I that rude?"
He looked to Tom.
"Guess that's why I don't have a girlfriend." He said with a chuckle.
He turned away from the direction Eva stalked off in.
"Who's side is she on anyway. That guy is one of Asura's imperial guards. I mean look at his armor! Ugh... What a weird girl."
He was pissed that she was so fond of these people, and even more pissed that she looked infatuated with a guy that obviously was in Asura's court.

Tom shrugged his shoulders casually.

"Well and plus she should be more mad at you, I didn't even say one word in that conversation," Tom said. He looked in the direction where Evania had took off, "I think we should go after her. And I would tone down the sarcasm a little bit, it's an easy way to get yourself killed". He started to walk after her, quickly whispering as he passed Adrien, "Stay a couple yards behind, we want to keep an eye on her, but not scare her anymore". He started to trudge after her in the direction in the town.

"And I'll try not to hide this time!" he called back to Adrien.

Making sure she went unnoticed, Evania crept to a secret place where she stored most things that she had brought with her, as well as objects she had collected here. Taking an antique suitcase, she collected one of her finest dresses, a hair brush, a change of clothes, a fresh and sharpened dagger, and plenty of literature. Stuffing them into the small traveling bag, she made her way in the direction of the castle, now sure of her destination. Maybe she should have stopped to think, but her mind was set on the looming palace, and there was no stopping her. After quite a bit of walking, she arrived at the heavily guarded gate, and looked up in pure awe. Then, approaching the youngest and most vunerable guard, she stared straight into his eyes.

"I wish to speak with someone immediatly about the possibility of entering this... establishment."

Seeing her as no threat, he quickely went to notify someone of the strange human on their doorstep.

Asura smiled slightly when the servant came over to inform her that Calcifer had returned.
"Show him in."
The servant rushed out and retrieved Calcifer from the hall and brought him into her chambers. She looked over at him smiling.
"Tell me Calcifer, have you run into any humans? What are they like?"
Asura stood from her bath nude and stepped out still looking at Calcifer. She held her arms out as her attending servant wrapped a towel around her. She walked over to her loyal guard running her fingers through her hair with one hand and clenching her towel with the other.

Adrien laughed and followed Tom. He liked this guy. The smile that was plastered on his face disappeared when he watched Eva approach the castle.
"Shit she is going right into the lions den. That girl has some balls, even I wouldn't have marched up to the castle. You don't think it's because she is so pissed at me right? Because if she goes in there and then gets killed or something, I will feel responsible for about 20 minutes or so."
He looked to Tom.
"Ok joking aside what do you think she is doing in there? Maybe she is going to talk to the queen or something."

The guard returned awhile later with news that she was to be escorted inside. The place was that of unmeasurable beauty, the ceilings higher than imaginable. This place was rightly dubbed a palace for the Queen, and a priviladged Queen she must have been. She was shown to a lavish room, so splendid in fact that Evania was almost embarassed by their generousity. Here she was instructed to wait for Calcifer to retrieve her, and she blushed at the thought of that. Did he still believe she had lied to him? This thought was quickly shoved aside, and she opened her suitcase, pulling out the first book within her grasp. Emily Dickenson... a book she had carried over with her on her first journey to this place, and cherished like no other. Content at last, she opened the book at random and started to recite.

"An altered look about the hills;
A Tyrian light the village fills;
A wider sunrise in the dawn;
A deeper twilight on the lawn;
A print of a vermilion foot;
A purple finger on the slope;
A flippant fly upon the pane;
A spider at his trade again;
An added strut in chanticleer;
A flower expected everywhere;
An axe shrill singing in the woods;
Fern-odors on untravelled roads..."

She trailed off, suddenly aware of someone who had entered while she had been reading, and was now standing next to the bed...



[OOC: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pAHzzoB72Ww/SWBgrIr-zMI/AAAAAAAAA2A/BcIyke4ji_4/s400/napoleon_is_bedroom_in_fontainebleau_palace.jpg]

Sanestra could indeed be silt when she wished to be and couldn't help but have seen the girl, after all it was one of her talents.
Calcifer's little friend, she thought, smiling at the girl as she turned her head to look at her.
"That was a most interesting choice of words," she said gently, motioning slowly with her hands that the girls should remain seated, then took a seat on a chair. "Be not alarmed. You are most safe and welcome here. I am Sanestra."
She tilted her head and smiled at the girl.
"I heard the guards speaking and could not help myself but come to speak with you. I hope I am not disturbing you."
Everything about Sanestra, from gaze to tone was soothing. She had put a little of her hypnotism into her voice, to clam the girl.

Across the palace, Calcifer stood before his Queen. He did not blush, but sunk to his knee as he had for Evania, his eyes upon the floor. Nakedness was not new to him, but this was the first time he had ever seen the Queen in such a way. Her servants didn't seem to find this unusual.
He remained knelt as he spoke.
"I met with three, your highness," he told her. "A female and two of the male variety. They accept your invitation, but they were rather odd."
He puzzled over how to explain it to her.
"There was one male who seemed very still and quiet. I believe he is the solider of the three. He said nothing but watched everything. His stillness was of a hunter. The other male seemed a youth, though he looked as old as I, perhaps a year or 2 me junior. He said he was pleased to be attending, but I believe he fears his clothing will not be accetable."
He paused to think of what to say of the girl.
"The female, she seems the happy sort, though her innocence seems doubtable as first believed. However, she seems eager to learn of us and our ways."
He paused again.
"They, well at least two of them, have expressed an interest in accepting your gracious gift and wish to know more of the details."

Evania felt an odd twinge for this woman, as if she was somehow manipulating her. But she seemed nice enough, so Evania complied.

"My name is Evania Sylbr, but please call me Evania... your people can be overly polite sometimed, though it is very flattering. And this is a book. I assume you've read some? This one isn't a story, it's many stories in one book, filled with what could be compared to fosillized wong. Poetry." She opened the book and spouted a poem for Sanestra in even tones.

"A darting fear—a pomp—a tear—
A waking on a morn
To find that what one waked for,
Inhales the different dawn. "

She closed the book, satisfied. Now it was her turn to get answers (though Sanestra hadn't asked anythting). "So... could you tell me about what goes on here? I've heard rumors... and also, I ws wondering about the dance...

Asura approached Calcifer and placed her hand on his shoulder.
"I know it is the proper way to take a knee like that, but we are not in court, you can address me plainly if it suits you."
She moved over to her vanity and sat down, letting one of the servants comb through her long blonde hair.
"Three you say. How interesting. One woman, and two men. You may tell them that the ball will commence in three days time. I don't want the party to interrupt the binding in anyway. Business before pleasure I'm afraid. Everyone shall be invited to delight in the arrival of the humans, commoner and court alike. The commoners have been itching to have some fun recently so this will be a much needed treat."
She looked over to him and smiled.
"Calcifer, I want your opinion on all this. Your honest opinion. Do you think this is a good idea inviting them here?"
She looked to the door as a servant ran in and bowed respectfully before informing them that a human woman was in the castle.
"Hmm... Calcifer you did so well. You even brought one back. I am very impressed."
Asura smiled.
"Calcifer, could you be a dear and fetch the human woman for me, I wish to speak with her."
She stood up and allowed her servant to dress her in a simple red gown that was plain but very elegant and perfectly shaped to her body. She would have plenty of time for flashy gowns and glimmering jewelry. The servant styled her hair into a lovely braid down her back and placed a simple golden crown upon her head. She took the servants hand smiling at her.
"Thank you dear, you should get home to your husband, it's getting late. Your dismissed for the evening."
She servant happily bowed and took leave of the room.

Daina watched as Evania walked towards the castle. The people around her began to whisper excitedly about seeing a human. She whispered excitedly with the rest, but in her mind thought, 'Shit, shit, shit, what the hell is she doing?'. She wanted to go and grab her before she could get herself killed, especially after Evania had heard her conversation with Adrien. 'Stupid, stupid, stupid,' Daina thought shaking her head. She then noticed Adrien and Thomas walking towards the castle too. 'Now this,' she thought, 'Is complete idiocy'. She rolled her eyes and breathed a silent sigh.

"I have to go," she said to her neighbors, they said their goodbyes, kissing each other on the forehead, as was their way of saying "hello" and "goodbye". She quickly made her way through the crowd to her house, keeping her eyes on the two humans to make sure they didn't see or recognize her. It was hard to get through the crowd because it was so thick, so she had to push and shove extremely hard.

Daina finally got to her house, closing the door behind her and sighing and leaning against it sliding down to the ground. "These humans are senseless and completely insane," she said to herself.

Calcifer rose slowly, as if with some reluctance. The Queen was now covered, which made him feel more at ease. He was not worthy to look upon her flesh.
"I take a knee to show you my devotion and respect," he said gently. "I would do it for all the world, or for just you, to see. I have sworn myself to you, my Queen."
He listened as the Queen spoke, not interrupting for a moment. He would not dared to interupt, not because she was frightening, but because this was the Highest Lady. When she asked him a question, he was surprised. He had never been asked to give his opinion before. Matters of state were always decided by high advisors to her, but she spoke to him as if he were her equal.
His tongue was silenced as a servant came in spoke to the Queen. He even felt pride, though great surprise, when the Queen said that he had done well. One of them had followed him? Surely not the soldier male, nor the leader....
The the Queen said who it was, and he felt another feeling.
The female was here? Why? Had he not left her with her own kind. Was this another plan of theirs? Where were the males?
But the Queen issued new orders and he would follow them. He bowed to her and then headed after the servant to retrieve Evania.

Sanestra was enjoying herself emencely. This human was intelligent, well at least she seemed to be, and bold. She liked that.
"Sanestra," she said, placing her hand upon the human one and patting it gently. "It is a pleasure to speak with you, Evania. Such a pretty name. It could be fae name."
It was a compliment, for most human names seemed so short and dull. The books she read were often filled with these names, that shouted that a short burst of noise to define a person.
"I see you have met some of my kinsmen," she said, as Evania spoke of the politeness. "I suppose it can be a little odd, almost too formal and impersonal. We speak with great delicacy, for we believe that words are powerful and should you respect someone, you show them with your words and actions."
Sanestra looked at the book with obvious interest.
"I'm afraid I have read but a few of your human books. My loss, for those I have read I find rather enchanting. I must have read the Pride and Predjudice and Zombies several times. Very pretty. Shame about the zombies. They seem to dilute a beautiful work. I have not read this one though. Perhaps, if I could be so bold, you could tell me a little of it. I adore books. I wish I could read more. I would love to visit your libraries. They sound such a wonderful place."
Sanestra gave her a sweet smile.
"I shall answer anything I can," she said simply, motioning in an open guesture. "Tell me the nature of the rumours and I shall give you the facts, as I know them. I shall also be glad to tell you of...."
There was a knock at the door.
"Enter," she said, standing slowly.
A servant came in, bowing her head.
"I am sorry to disturb you, my lady," she said.
"Quite alright," said Sanestra.
"The Queen has sent for the human maiden. Calcifer is here to collect her and take her to the Queen."
Sanestra's face gave away nothing, but there was a flicker of humour.
"Indeed," she said. "Then we shall not keep her waiting. "
She turned and gave Evania a sweet smile.
"Alas, the Queen seeks an audience with you, so we must part. However, I shall be in my chambers should you like to talk more. I would enjoy the pleasure of your company, but I see her Majesty is intrigued by you. A pleasure, Evania. May we sit together again soon."
She walked across the room and opened the door to show Calcifer stood slightly back from it.
"Calcifer, Evania is ready for you to take her now."
The guard nodded, bowing low to Sanestra, then stepping back to allow her to pass. Sanestra gave her a warm smile and then walked away, leaving Calcifer stood there.
"If you'll follow me, Lady Evania Sylbr," he said, all formality and politeness. He didn't seem quite as relaxed as he'd been before.
He led her quietly, walking slightly ahead and opening the door to the Queen's quarters, bowing his head as he did so.

As they walked, Evania noticed the obvious rigidness within his gait, and sighed.

"I didn't lie to you, you know." At his slightly baffled look, she tried to elaborate.

"I... didn't know the men were there, so... I didn't lie to you about them not being there. I left them earlier that day, and they must have found and followed me. I don't like that your not trusting me on this matter. When you left, I got extremely angry towards them and left. And... I ended up here." She glanced at him, and then decided to stare at the ceiling as they walked. She wondered what the Queen was like. And then another thought struck her, and she just couldn't be silenced.

"And... please, call be Evania."

He raised his head slightly from his bow, looked at her with a frown, but it was one of puzzlement. As he straightened, he went to speak, paused, and then tried again.
"My Lady," he said. "Please do not feel that anything I think should affect you. I am pleased you are unharmed, but you need never explain yourself to me. i am sorry that I have made you feel that you did."
He could see she was somewhat upset about it, though it was hard for him to see if it was because she had felt the need to apologise or that she had gotten angry at the other humans.
"You should not have vexed yourself over me, my lady. You need not concern yourself with my thoughts."
He gave her a bow.
"But thank you, Lady Evania, for your kindness. Now you must go. The Queen is awaiting you."
He gestured inside once more.

Asura pulled her hair over her shoulder and touched the braided hair nervously. A human in her castle, walking amongst her court. This was mildly nerve racking but she would give this girl a chance. She waited until she could hear Calcifer and the woman outside her door. She had already dismissed her servants for the evening so she opened the door herself and smiled at the pair.
"Please come in."
She looked to Calcifer smiling fondly.
"Thank you for bringing her, I wish to speak to her alone. Your dismissed for the evening. I will show her back to her room when we are done."
She opened the door wider beckoning the girl to enter, and as she did Asura closed the door behind her. She looked the girl over walking around her in fascination.
"You know my dear, I have not been in contact with a human in some time. It is strange and different to see someone from your world again."
She stopped circling her and stood directly in front of her smiling.
"You have heard who I am, so tell me, what can I call you?"
Asura moved over to a couch and took a seat patting the seat next to her for the woman to sit.

Asura pulled her hair over her shoulder and touched the braided hair nervously. A human in her castle, walking amongst her court. This was mildly nerve racking but she would give this girl a chance. She waited until she could hear Calcifer and the woman outside her door. She had already dismissed her servants for the evening so she opened the door herself and smiled at the pair.
"Please come in."
She looked to Calcifer smiling fondly.
"Thank you for bringing her, I wish to speak to her alone. Your dismissed for the evening. I will show her back to her room when we are done."
She opened the door wider beckoning the girl to enter, and as she did Asura closed the door behind her. She looked the girl over walking around her in fascination.
"You know my dear, I have not been in contact with a human in some time. It is strange and different to see someone from your world again."
She stopped circling her and stood directly in front of her smiling.
"You have heard who I am, so tell me, what can I call you?"
Asura moved over to a couch and took a seat patting the seat next to her for the woman to sit.

Calcifer bowed, saying not another word. he would have stayed and awaited her, he actually wanted to, but if the Queen asked him to leave, he would have no choice.
"Good eve, my lady," he said, bowing once to Evania and then walking away.
He wondered what the Queen could wish to speak to her of, perhaps it was just a curiosity. Now Evania was with the Queen... It wasn't that he feared what the Queen would do, or that the Queen would be in harms way, but she had come here because of him. He was responsible for her.
"Calcifer," said a silky voice, that sent a buzz of pleasure into the back of his brain. Only one person could do that to him.
Sanestra stood in the doorway of a room, smiling at him. She didn't very often speak to him, even more rare that she would speak to him directly, but he thought Sanestra was beautiful.
And she was gesturing to him to come to her, an order he couldn't have disobeyed, following her into a room where she asked him to close the door.
"Calcifer, I have a favour I wish to ask of you," she said in honey tones, making his eyes widen in surprise.
"Yes, my lady?" he said, bowing, his head raising quickly to look upon her again.
She smiled, walking around him slowly. She watched him stiffen, straightening and remaining staring forward, as she circled and spoke.
"You like that girl," she said. It was not a question. "You were so polite, like you were speaking to the Queen herself."
He seemed surprised.
"I saw everything, Calcifer," she said simply. "Everything."
He kept his gaze forward.
"But I haven't come to talk to you about that. I wish you to perform a small task for me."
"Anything, my lady," he said, sinking to his knee.
She stood before him, bending to touch his face and raise his chin.
"Stand, Calcifer," she said, her words so soft, it was hard to hear them.
He rose slowly, standing his ground. She didn't back away so suddenly they were very close. He was just a little bit taller than her. If someone walked in, how it would look. But Sanestra remained where she was, smiling at him, her hand moving from his cheek to his neck.
"I want you to attend the party, as a guest. And I want you to ask that fascinating young woman if you may escort her."
He swallowed hard, his face turning to obvious surprise as she stepped away from him slightly, smiling.
"I... I believe I am expecting to guard that night," he managed to respond.
"I shall ensure you are not. You shall wear an appropriate outfit and I shall invite the girl to see the royal tailor. Her Highness will be more than happy to do so."
He blinked.
"I don't think I could go. I..."
"You can dance, Calcifer," said Sanestra, her tone becoming suddenly a little cool. "You shall take her."
"But..."
"Calcifer," she said, using her hypnotic voice and staring him down. His body responded. "You shall do as I ask. Invite the girl to the ball as your guest. You will do everything you can to ensure she has a wonderful time. Now do as the Queen said and take the evening off."

Calcifer left the upper palace in somewhat of a daze. Sanestra's powers had that effect, if she used them strongly enough. They fogged the mind like a drug, implanting her will. It wasn't always so strong, but when she insisted, she could make it so that you could have a head ache if you tried to disobey. She was powerful.
Calcifer made his way to the kitchen, where he plonked himself down, taking a piece of fruit and a cup of cold tea, staring into the tea like it were a beer glass and drank deeply.

She felt slightly uncomforted while being inspected by the Queen, and stiffened a bit in the hopes that she would notice. However, when she stopped, smiled at her, and asked for her name, she felt compelled to answer.

"My name... my name is Evania Sylbr, and I do wish everyone would call me Evania, or even Eva if you'd like. I understand why you say and act as such, and I greatly appreciate it. But please notify whomever you can that I will not be offended if they could be just a tad less formal... Oh!" She blushed and curtsied for the Queen, embarrased that she hadn't thought of it earlier.

"I've heard a lot about you, and am pleased to be able to meet you and make my own judgements. Every human I have met has been foul towards you, and your citizens consider you their savoir. I, on the other hand, am very unbiased, and am pleased to meet you, seeing as I currently have no good reason not to. I'm so sorry about rambling on like this, I am just very elated and... intrigued." She silenced herself, calming down a bit and finally giving the Queen a chance to speak...

She felt slightly uncomforted while being inspected by the Queen, and stiffened a bit in the hopes that she would notice. However, when she stopped, smiled at her, and asked for her name, she felt compelled to answer.

"My name... my name is Evania Sylbr, and I do wish everyone would call me Evania, or even Eva if you'd like. I understand why you say and act as such, and I greatly appreciate it. But please notify whomever you can that I will not be offended if they could be just a tad less formal... Oh!" She blushed and curtsied for the Queen, embarrased that she hadn't thought of it earlier.

"I've heard a lot about you, and am pleased to be able to meet you and make my own judgements. Every human I have met has been foul towards you, and your citizens consider you their savoir. I, on the other hand, am very unbiased, and am pleased to meet you, seeing as I currently have no good reason not to. I'm so sorry about rambling on like this, I am just very elated and... intrigued." She silenced herself, calming down a bit and finally giving the Queen a chance to speak...