A Risky Proposal|New Anarlina

[Darastrix]

Dusk barely contained a delighted squeal and practically launched herself out of the chair, still hugging Sunray tightly. She giggled, releasing Sunray, and tried to compose herself, fussing lightly at her hair and plumage. "You know you're too dear to him to need to worry for your life. I will, however, be glad to prevent any potential beatings."

[Kender Bard]

Sunray chuckled softly, reaching over to push back a strand of her hair. "I hope you don't mind my saying, but even if our marriage shall be political only, I could not have chosen better." Leaning over, he gave her a rather brotherly peck on the cheek and headed to Twilight's room where the Prince was playing with a game of darts from his bed.

"Twilight, get up, there is something important we must talk about," Sunray said, looking into his brother's room with disgust. "Good Love you live like a pig."

"It's comfortable," Twilight chuckled, sitting up.

[Darastrix]

Dusk smiled brightly and followed Sunray to Twilight's room. At his comment, she giggled and peeked around Sunray's shoulder. "I don't know about that. When was the last time you saw a pig tossing darts from a bed?"

[Kender Bard]

"Dusk!" Twilight yelped, and fell off his bed with a thud. Scrambling back up he began a mad dash of throwing a sheet over a pile of dirty clothes, and desperately shoveling everything on his floor underneath his bed. "Why didn't you warn me she was coming?!" he hissed at his brother.

Sunray chuckled deviously. "Whoops."

Twilight cuffed Sunray and then puffed out a breath, bowing to Dusk. "I'm sorry you had to see that."

[Darastrix]

"I do have a brother of my own," Dusk reminded him, eyes sparkling with amusement even as she curtsied.

[Kender Bard]

"I.. erm..."

"Please, sit back down, Twilight," Sunray said gently. "You are not going to like - at first - what I have to say."

Frowning suspiciously, Twilight sat.

Sunray rubbed his sweating palms together and took a deep breath. "I want to marry Angel but cannot, for our country will not let me."

"Of course," Twilight said. "I'm not mad yet."

"I must find a suitable bride... one that will be both understanding of my love for Angel and would be an acceptable Queen."

Twilight nodded slowly.

"I have asked Dusk to marry me."

Twilight was up in a flash, hands balling into fists.

[Darastrix]

Dusk's eyes widened and she stepped forward quickly, not wanting Twilight to do something he would certainly regret once he'd calmed down. "It's purely political; a marriage in name only! I love Sunray like I love Midnight; I am not in love with him."

[Kender Bard]

Twilight stopped mid-step and looked at Dusk curiously.

Sunray let out the breath he had been holding. "Heed me, brother. I marry Dusk." He winced as Twilight glared at him. "I'm then free to pursue Angel. You may have Dusk!"

Twilight blushed, looked to Dusk, and murmured, "You have agreed to this? ..All of it?"

[Darastrix]

"All of it," Dusk echoed, flushing faintly herself. She went on, emboldened by Sunray's earlier words. "I am happy to help bring Angel and your brother together, and to give our people a queen. And though your brother is the recognised King of Anarlina, you, dear Twilight, are King of my heart."

[Kender Bard]

Twilight felt a little light headed - everything was happening at once. But damned if that didn't stop him before. Moving to Dusk he tried to draw her into his arms. Sunray obligingly moved out of the room a little to give some semblance of privacy.

"I would be honored if you would take me as your consort," he mumbled, still blushing. "To be the Queen of my brother in name, and Queen of mine in truth."

[Darastrix]

Dusk happily allowed herself to be pulled, feeling a thrill at being held in the arms of her beloved. Smiling, she slipped her arms around Twilight and let her head rest against his chest.

"Nothing would make me happier," she murmured, her voice breaking slightly. Inwardly, she berated herself for not being more forward with her feelings to Twilight sooner.

I guess Midnight and I are even more alike than I realised, Dusk thought.

[Kender Bard]

Sunray let out a small sigh of relief, politely looking away as Twilight tilted Dusks's head up so he could lay a tenderly soft kiss on her lips.

After a moment, he cleared his throat. "And so everything works out. But we'll have to make this public news, and quickly. I've decided that Anarlina will hold a formal dinner for those who can come, first come first serve as always. At the dinner I will make an announcement. Does this sound agreeable to you, Dusk?"

[Darastrix]

Dusk's eyes fluttered shut as she leaned into Twilight more, savouring their first kiss. When their lips parted, she brought a hand up to gently stroke his dark hair, only vaguely aware that Sunray was speaking. "Mmm-hmm," Dusk replied, gazing up at Twilight with eyes made bright by happy tears.

[Kender Bard]

"What about you brother?" Sunray asked wryly.

Smiling widely, Twilight cooed, "Go the hell away, Sunray."

Chuckling quietly, Sunray bowed and walked off to arrange for the elaborate dinner.

[Darastrix]

((Time bounce to the dinner))

Dusk fidgeted nervously as she looked around at the crowd attending the dinner. She was dressed in her House's colours for the occasion--after all, she was to wed the King due to her status, not her priesthood--wearing a tight-bodiced dress of the palest pink with dark blue trim. She wasn't really worried about what the people would think, but knowing that all eyes would be on her as soon as Sunray made his announcement was just a little disconcerting.