Grand Unveiling

[Darastrix]

Dusk gently rocked Sunlight in her arms as they readied to present the tiny heir to the court. With all the goings-on of late, she dearly hoped that this might bring a bit of peace to the courtiers. She'd heard of the debacle with Marion and Emerald (honestly, who HADN'T?), and of the split between Zira and Kleio, though that wasn't nearly as public. Her heart went out to all of them, of course, but dammit all, couldn't Marion have been a little more discreet?

Sighing softly, she made sure that her son's Water sign was well-covered. After everything else, that was the last thing they needed to get out.


Out in the hall, amongst the mass of nobles and courtiers, was Zira. He hadn't a clue why Twilight was requiring his presence in court that day, only that it was a serious matter. He still disliked court, but it was unusual enough a scene that it helped take his mind off of other matters. Well, to a point, anyway. Zira couldn't see Zack from his position, but he knew the bard was there; he could hear the violin above the low buzz of the crowd.

[Kender Bard]

Sunray glanced at his wife as the sea of courtiers moved and pulsed, all eager to see the crown prince. Those nearest to the King squinted and leaned forward, trying to get an early peak. He ignored them, leaning over to Dusk and whispering, "Do not hide his sign, Dusk. Twilight has a... plan." His face twisted slightly. He wasn't sure whether to laugh or frown. It was such a stupid idea. But effective and Sunray hadn't been able to think of anything better.

Twilight, in his seat, scanned the crowd until he spotted Zira. He made a come-here motion to the man. His heart was racing with his plan. Hopefully, at the price of a little pain (and what more was a little more to Twilight?), he would put to rest many of the rumors. Already he had noted that a few people noticed Kleio's shop had shut down and they were speculating why. No word of Zira touched their lips, but it wouldn't be long. He had to nip that one in the bud as well. He hoped Zira would forgive him for this.

If nothing else, Marion, the Prince thought to himself, lips twisting in a dark smirk, you were useful for this.

[Darastrix]

Dusk blinked at Sunray in surprise, but did as he said. "I will have to speak to him later about not keeping me informed about such things," she murmured in a low voice, leaning over to peck Sunray on the cheek so she could be heard.

Zira caught the gesture and moved through the crowd toward Twilight.
~I wish you would let me know what's happening beforehand,~ he thought to the prince.

[Kender Bard]

Twilight shook his head slightly. It's better if you don't. It could... complicate things. Besides. His smile was devilish. I can't wait to see your face afterwards.

Sunray smiled at Dusk and turned his head so his nose bumped affectionately against hers. If he did it close enough it looked like he was going to kiss her and that would please the court. In a whisper he added, "Don't be harsh. It's been a hard time lately."

On those ominous notes, he motioned for the people to come forth. A looping line was formed and the people were encouraged to look but not dawdled. Soon the progression was going at a fair pace. Those who came up looked at the prince in awe - or surprise. Those that had already seen him were beginning to talk quietly, excitedly. Twilight strained to listen very carefully and his eyes began to dart between people as the topic of the Water sign came up and folks began to wonder why the Prince had one. He waited, waited until about half the line had gone through and finally his name came up and someone cast a look at him. They looked very quickly away but Twilight knew if he waited a few more minutes, and he would, his name would begin to spread like wildfire. Sunray cast him a nervous look and Twilight tried to smile reassuringly at his baby brother.

After a few more minutes, he stood up abruptly and laughed. Everyone looked at him. Good. "Is not the Prince a beautiful child?" he said, projecting his voice. Everyone kept staring. "Aye, he'll be the most handsome man in the land when he's grown. Second to me of course." This earned a few nervous titters. "Now may not be the time but it has occured to me that perhaps you are all still wondering about my fair, sweet sister Emerald and that rascally bard who seems to have disappeared. Argh that's what you get though. I paid him handsomely, aye." He heaved a dramatic sigh. "I had always heard that bards attracted jealous lovers. I paid him well to kiss my sister so that the object of my affections did not grow flustered by his presence. Of course you all know how well that turned out."

The court tittered nervously, or not at all in most cases.

"Ah well," Twilight sighed, and put an arm around Zira, casually but almost sensually in how he moved. "You'll forgive me right, heart?" He then leaned over and kissed Zira full on the mouth. Ugh. Thank you for your inspiration, Marion. I'll only beat you half to death when I next see you if this works.

[Darastrix]

Zack had softened his playing as Twilight began to speak, growing more confused by the moment. His eyes widened as Twilight put an arm around Zira like that, and when he saw him kiss the man, there was a short screech from the violin and a softer 'snap' as one of the strings broke, springing back to pop Zack on the cheek.

Dusk's own eyes went wide and she had to hide a smile as she whispered to Sunray, "Do you think they'd mind if we commissioned a painting of that at a much later date?" That sight was like Efilive had come early!

Whatever reply Zira had been about to make was muffled as Twilight made his move. He lay a hand on Twilight's chest out of pure reflex, but realised quickly that he couldn't push him away without ruining the setup. He could feel himself blushing to the roots of his hair with embarrassment and a little bit of anger at being thrown into this position with no warning. Since everything else would make him liable to cry, he went with the anger.

Twilight wanted to convince the court that they were lovers? Fine. Might as well make it convincing. Zira let his hand slide up the prince's chest around to the back of his neck as he showed Twilight a bit of what he had learned during his relationship with Kleio before he allowed the man to pull away.

[Kender Bard]

Twilight stood his ground, though it was hard. He was working not to turn away or show his disgust. After a moment, he let go of Zira and sat down. And, just because he's not one to do something half-assed, gave Zira a whack on the rear for good measure.

The court stared for another moment before bursting into conversation again. Sunray was doing his best to not put his face in his hand and shake his head. And he KNEW this was coming.

[Darastrix]

Zira jumped and squeaked at that, then turned to give Twilight a reproachful look that was hidden from the court by one of his wings.

~What do I do now?~ he asked silently. ~I can't go back out there; they'll eat me alive.~


Zack swallowed hard and looked down at his violin. He was glad the string had broken; it gave him an excuse to leave. After all that, nobody would be listening to him, anyway. Drawing his wings in tightly, the bard made his way out of the hall, refusing to even glance in Zira and Twilight's direction. He'd be too tempted to say something if he did.

[Kender Bard]

Twilight rubbed his eyes and then brought his hand over his mouth to hide the sigh of great fatigue. I know. And I'm sorry. Given a little time, I think I can fix this as well. No grandstanding either, this time I'll just put some words into the servants' ears and let it go from there. You can either stay up here with us or go out another way. The servants in the castle probably won't hassle you.

[Darastrix]

Zira scanned the room, hoping to see the reassuring sight of Zack among the gossiping courtiers, and felt his chest constrict when he realised the bard wasn't anywhere to be seen. ~No rush,~ he sent back tiredly, moving to lightly rest a hand on Twilight's shoulder. ~I've already lost what I valued most. What's my reputation?~

He ached to reach out to Kleio for comfort, for his calm gentleness. But even if he tried, Zira doubted it would be forthcoming even if his mind could reach him.

Dusk sighed to herself as she noticed Zack's quick departure. She leaned over to Sunray and whispered, "After court is finished, I'd like Rosetta to fix up a sleeping tea. Fairly strong."


Zack, meanwhile, had carelessly tossed his instrument into his room and strode off to what appeared to be an empty training room. He very, very seldom ever felt the urge to hit something, but today was one of those rare occasions. He didn't bother with grabbing one of the wooden practice blades; he'd never learned to use one. Instead, he just went up to a padded practice dummy and started punching and kicking at it, his movements jerky and artless. By chance, he managed a hard enough blow that it threw both himself and the dummy off-balance. The bard landed flat on his face, and the dummy flat on his back. Zack's back, that is.

Death by punching bag. How novel.

[Kender Bard]

Your reputation will be restored, Twilight thought tiredly. I've already figured how - I'll just have a rumor circulated that you honestly bear no feelings towards me and that today's show was just my attempt to bully you into being my lover. Granted, that voids the logic of what I said concerning Marion - a stretch already - but given all the confusion that I'm generating, hopefully they'll be forgotten. He lay his head back against his seat. I'm sorry again, Zira.

The dummy on Zack's back moved and the weight was lifted. "How did you manage that?" Jonathan asked, puzzled, as he knelt down next to the bard.

Sunray waited until the last of the people had seen Sunlight and then gave a rather boring speech about the years to come, so on and so forth. He also added that the reason behind the mysterious Water sign was merely heritage and reminded the courtiers that Dusk's father had been a Water.

[Darastrix]

~I understand. This week has just been....~ Zira let his thought trail off. There were too many words to choose from and any would do. All of them together would probably be most accurate.

"Talent," Zack muttered, avoiding Jonathan's eyes. "Or Soahc loves me or hates me. Or both." What was the difference, really? He flexed his wings carefully, testing for injury. No real harm done, thank goodness. Just a little sore.

[Kender Bard]

"If Soahc, I'd say both just to be sure," Jonathan replied and held out a hand to help Zack up. "I've never seen you around my domain before."

Twilight gave a slight nod and left Zira to his silence as he brooded.

Once his speech had been concluded, Sunray dismissed the courtiers and offered a hand to Dusk. "I suspect you wish to speak with Twilight over his actions?" Sunray inquired.

[Darastrix]

"I wish to flog him about the head and shoulders with my wings, then speak," she replied, taking his hand. "And then have that tea made. There is healing to be done, and that can't start to happen without some decent rest. I want Zira staying here tonight, not all alone in his shop."

"That's because I'm not a fighter," Zack said, accepting the hand up with some reluctance. "I just wanted to hit something." His eyes kept flicking off to the side, not wanting to settle on the other man. Zack had kept to his room mostly since he'd heard about Zira and Kleio, only leaving to perform his duties. He didn't know what Kleio's friends thought of the whole thing, and Zack was afraid to find out. He hadn't meant for that to happen. He hadn't wanted that to happen. That's why he'd said he wasn't going to tell Zira how he felt.

[Kender Bard]

"I'll let you handle it," Sunray replied, eager to be away, and holding out his arms for Sunlight. "I'll tend to the baby and you tend to the other big baby as well as Zira."

Jonathan frowned as he studied Zira. He was sad that Kleio was going but was not the most emotional of the group. The most compassionate, perhaps. He felt bad for everyone involved. "Well, if you like, I can give you a big heavy stick and you can beat on it a bit more effectively."

[Darastrix]

"He's not acting like a big baby," Dusk protested, passing Sunlight to his uncle. Yet. The queen exited the hall, beckoning Twilight and Zira to follow. "Zira, dear one, in light of everything that's happened recently, I'd like you to stay here tonight," she said gently.

Zira's expression grew troubled. Well, more troubled. ~But...what Twilight did. He said later he's going to start a rumour that he was trying to bully me into being his lover. If I stay....~

Dusk tilted her head slightly and frowned. She thought the story could use a bit of editing, but that could be discussed later. Well, I hate to ask this right now, but let's pretend that's what's really happening. Twi just kissed you in court and is going to try to seduce you. What do you do?

Zira turned slowly red. ~I think, even if I knew, I-I just might let him. Right now, I just want....~ He trailed off and looked away.

To feel loved? Dusk supplied, her expression sympathetic as she stood on her toes to cup his cheek. You are, Zira. Trust me on that. And since you would stay anyway.... "Take the guest room you've used before," she said aloud. "Try to relax and make yourself at home. I need to speak with Twilight and change, then I'll bring you some tea and we can talk. all right?"

He nodded mutely and headed off to the room Dusk mentioned, while Dusk swept into a sitting room to have a private word with her love.

-------------

"I'd probably just hit myself in the head," Zack muttered as he eyed the dummy. "I- I'm just- Az'-" Abruptly, he turned and punched the dummy, landing a surprisingly (for him) solid blow. "Dammit, Twilight," he whispered.