Royal Infatuation

[Kender Bard]

Princess Luminous, age fourteen, was preening in front of her mirror. She didn't usually give much concern to her looks, to her mother's lament, but today she was being extra careful as she examined how her curls fell against her face, how her gown gave the illusion of an older girl, the make up, the jewelry she swiped from her mother's room.

Sighing contently, she decided it was perfect, and took it all off to be set aside for the ball tonight, changing instead into her usual garb; still beautiful, but a child's dress. She couldn't wait to cast it aside again. Stepping out of her room, she looked around for her shadow, her guardian. "Vortai?"

[adris]

Vortai was in his usual place, keeping an eagles eye on the door of the princess while staying back, in the shadows he has grown accustomed to. At the call of Luminous though he stepped out, smiling, every day has been for lack of a better word great since he took this job.

"Yes Lumi?" He has always figured to be casual with her ever since she was little. A princess doesn't get much time outside, it can't hurt to be a friend as well as a guardian, "what can I do for ya?"

[Kender Bard]

She held out her hand to him, smiling. "Come, walk with me. I must simply speak of the ball tonight, or I shall surely burst with excitement." And she felt as though she truly would. It was almost an effort to stand in one spot, and so she moved from foot to foot, eager to be on the move.

[adris]

Vortai couldn't help but let out a teasing chuckle while doing his usual nervous habit of scratching his head. In the end though there didn't seem to be any harm in just a chat, and he would still be doing his job in the end. He took the hand she was offering and allowed her to lead the way.

"What has you so excited? Not that I mind, you have a nice smile when your feeling good thats for sure."

His eyes were always on the watch, whenever they crossed the threshold of a corner he peeked around it, keeping watch out of windows and wherever else something may lurk. He couldn't take the chance of losing someone he knew again.

[Kender Bard]

Lumi swang their hands back and forth as she walked along, still beaming. "Tonight there's a big ball. Mom and Dad are inviting a few people. You know, the usuals. Nobody my age really." She made a face. "I mean, none of the boys my age. You know, I almost think they did it on purpose. I do wish they'd let me grow up. I'm so tired of being their little girl. I want to be a real lady princess."

[adris]

Vortai listened thoughtfully, it really was a lonelier life then she deserved being the princess of the Kingdom. He knows simply by shadowing her how often she has to be without really any contact at all with the outside. Its not like forcing her to sit in court is all that better either.

"Well, I know you can take care of yourself. And I'm sure as can be one day you will be able to find a knight somewhere on earth. Just have fun while you can. This does lead to the question of why you are so excited though... it may be because I'm simple but all that didn't sound too happy."

[Kender Bard]

Lumi's eyes sparkled as she looked up at Vortai, and grinned. "Tonight, I'm going to show them all that I'm not just some kid." A notion struck her, and the light dimmed in her eyes. "But... I won't have an escort, and it'll seem very childish if I show up all by myself. I could use someone at my side to really make an effect. If it works, maybe my parents will let me have more freedom."

[adris]

Vortai smiled warmly back at her, he doesn't exactly know what mischief she is planning but he could be pretty sure that is why she wanted him out here. He put his hand to his chin like he was thinking about what all this means, but really he just wanted to prod her further.

"You are huh? You have somebody in mind or are you going to get me to go and steal a date for you tonight? Either way I guess you know I have a hard time telling you no..."

He really wasn't sure what to do if it was the latter though. Sure he could find someone with the looks and one proper dress in the amount of time, but there is not guarantee he won't want to shove a spear through him at the nights end.

[Kender Bard]

Lumi looked at Vortai in surprise. For an observant bodyguard, he be kinda slow. She brought a hand up to stifle a giggle at her own speculation. "Well, I was thinking, you're going to be hanging around me all night after all. Not to mention I bet you look very nice in a formal outfit." She cocked her head and gave him a knowing look.

[adris]

He really didn't consider this to be an option, but now that he thought about it it would make sense. They were friends after all, and he wouldn't mind doing her this favor if she really thought it would help. In any case she was right, he was pretty much going to be shadowing her anyway... he usually tried to be as sparse as possible though especially at gatherings like this. First time for everything, and he probably could make a suit look good.

"I think I may be able to pull something off if you put it like that. You know where I can find a suit befitting the princess's entourage? I'm sure something military just won't do."

[Kender Bard]

Luminous threw herself at him in a happy hug. "Oh Vortai, thank you, thank you. Don't worry about your outfit, I promise I'll get something ready for you by tonight. Oh, you have no idea how much this means to me."

[adris]

Vortai was caught off guard at first, but soon found himself sharing in part her sudden glee. It seemed to diffuse through the air so he couldn't help but smile and return her hug a little bit. Overall he was just happy that he could help, however little it may be.

"Excellent, well I hope my two left feet don't let you down then. In any case I'm glad I could help."

If he could give her the confidence necessary to talk to her parents or find new friends or whatever it might be that alone would be a huge success for him.

[Kender Bard]

Looking up, she gave the older man an impish grin. "Oh Vortai, you've been in the court since my birth. Whether or not as an active player, you should have certainly had something rub off against you by now. Don't tell me you don't even know the most simple of waltzes."

[adris]

He scratched his head once again in impulse nervousness, he knew how to follow a pattern yes but that seems almost mechanical. He also didn't fully want to admit that he didn't really take to time to memorize the dance maneuvers of guests. Outwardly he tried to smile and shrug it off though.

"I'm sure with some helpful nudges I can be a good partner. I'm sure others will want to push their way onto your dance card as well. I think I can be ready to go by tonight."

He might end up having to do some cramming though, perhaps someone will be willing to help him while giving only about fifty percent of the hard time his sister would. Dancing through diffusion just didn't seem to work as far as his memory was concerned.