“Are you genuinely not coming?” Lucina asked as she rushed through her hotel floor’s corridors.
“No. Now go” her brother said while high on her tail, “Everyone’s leaving for the celebration soon and you’re still not ready”.
“I got washed up earlier. I’m just relaxing until it’s time to leave” Lucina said, but didn’t slow her step.
“It is time. You leave in ten minutes” Lewis stated.
“That’s all I need” Lucina responded with confidence “The dress Becka gave me is easy to get on”.
“I’ve seen you spend up to an hour on your make up alone”.
“Yeah, back when I was still learning. I don’t take that long anymore” Lucina snapped.
“Hurry” Lewis urged, lightly pushing her forward.
“I’m going as fast as I can” Lucina barked almost tumbling.
“Surpass your limits then”.
Lucina let out an irritated sigh but luckily they’d made it to her room. Well her and Kate’s room. Cross armed, Lewis learned beside the door as Lucina pulled out her room key. She noticed his fingers where uncontrollably tapping against his arm. He was excited.
‘Why?’. Giving her brother a confused glance she unlocked the door, and they entered. On her bed, she found a luxuriously designed black box which was wrapped in a shining white bow. She turned back towards her brother, but he just nodded at the box. Lucina untied the bow and removed the box’s lid. Inside was one the most beautiful dresses she’d ever laid eyes upon. She held it up high revealing the entirety of the glistening dress that was the same stunning shade of violet as her eyes. She turned to Lewis, completely speechless.
A smile spread across his face. “You’ve never had the opportunity to dress up before, so I thought I’d spoil you”.
“You went out and bought this yourself?” Lucina asked, her eyes glued to the dress.
“Yes”. She glanced at him and raised a brow. “Kate and Eric helped me” Lewis admitted.
“Eric?”.
“He was bored and came out for the day” Lewis said, “What do you think?”. Lucina carefully placed the dress onto her bed and ran over to Lewis forcing him into a hug. He didn’t resist much. She then instantly began ushering him out the room.
“Go quickly. Wait outside while I get ready” Lucina said.
“Alright, alright. I’m going” he said as she shoved him out the door. “Just hurry up I wasn’t joking about you needing to leave soon”.
Lucina shut the door and rushed to the bathroom. She quickly did her makeup, she never bothered with anything extravagant, so it was a fast process. She then put on her night’s newly found magnum opus. She stared at her reflection in the full-length mirror installed in the room’s wardrobe. An uncontrollable smile grew on her face, the dress looked even better than she could’ve imagined. It fell down to her shins and was encrusted with small amethyst gemstones, that made it look as if was forged from the stars. She filled it out perfectly, he’d went and got it tailored. She gave herself a little a twirl before opening the door to the room. Lewis was waiting beside the door facing the opposite wall.
“Close your eyes, before you enter” Lucina told him while hiding behind the door. He covered his eyes with one hand and allowed her to guide him in with his other. Once he was in, she shut the door and took a position in front of him. “Alright. Open”.
He lowered his hand.
“So what do you think?” she asked.
He showed no reaction. “That you’re late. What happened to ten minutes being all you need?” he questioned while tapping an imaginary watch. Lucina scowled and his face broke into a grin. “You look beautiful Luce”. A childish grin cracked across her face, and she couldn’t help but giggle. “Now stop fishing for compliments and lets go” he said gesturing to the door.
They left and locked the room before heading down to the lobby.
“Do you think I’ll fit in?” Lucina asked.
“Why do you care?” Lewis questioned, “looking to obtain a date?”.
“No” Lucina snapped defensively, “I’m just wondering?”.
“Good” Lewis said bluntly. “You’re too good for any of them anyway”. Another smile broke across her face. “Now, let’s actually hurry up they’re already annoyed you’re making them late” he said.
“They can’t be annoyed when I’m looking this pretty” Lucina stated, and then almost tripped. She was really struggling with these heels, why the hell did women wear them?
“You always look pretty” Lewis said, “maybe not graceful though”.
“I’m always late as well” she pointed out.
“That’s not something to be proud of” Lewis sighed.
They made it to the lobby and Lewis released her into the custody of the party heading to the celebration.
She met up with Eric, Ike and Arthur. They were all dressed in pristine and sharp tuxedos and suits. Eric wore a black and white tux and Ike a deep navy that matched his hair. Arthur wore a two piece deep red suit, a white shirt, a black tie and a matching hat that tamed his wild hair.
“Looking good boys” Lucina said as she wandered over.
“Right back at you Luce” Eric said, “Almost makes me forget were late. Almost”.
“By two minutes” Lucina stated. They headed over to the row of elegant black carriages that the others were already climbing into and setting off. Lucina’s eyes went wide as she saw what was pulling them. At the front of every carriage were enormous horses with huge birdlike wings sprouting from their torsos. Pegasus. Lucina had always wanted to see one and now there were four pulling her carriage. This was turning out to be a great night and it had barley began.
She clambered into the carriage after Arthur and sat down across from Eric. The interior was decorated with soft, red cushions and had small windows. Once the driver had secured the door, there was a whip of reins, and they began to move. Every second they began to build up speed, then suddenly there was a jolt and Lucina found that they were now in the air. Their carriage was pulled high into the sky before it finally levelled out as they travelled forward.
“Not bad” she heard Ike mutter. She followed his gaze out the window. She could see the entire island of Palgia.
‘Beautiful’. Warm orange lights were scattered across the island, highlighting streets and houses. The coliseum stood out even in the night, as next to every statue on its exterior a beaming fire had been lit. Her eyes were drawn to the coast. It was glowing, shining like a million tiny sapphires.
“How?” Lucina mumbled stunned. She’d never seen anything like it.
“Bioluminescence” Eric stated, “Tiny magical organisms that live and feed off the seacoast produce light when they metabolize. In the night it makes the sea seem like its glowing” he continued to explain.
“Cool” Lucina muttered her gaze never leaving the glowing coast.
They flew over the island until they began approaching its north coast. With a light jolt the carriage began to descend. With nothing but a small shudder they touched ground and after a few clops they came to a halt on a vast and flat area, built from stone slabs.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
The carriage door slid open and the warm night air flowed in. Thank gods she didn’t wear a jacket. Lucina was the first to climb out and was instantly greeted with the Thalassi royal palace. Well that was if you could call it a palace. To Lucina it looked like a huge hybrid structure, mixed between a castle and temple, more suited to defend against war than home a royal family.
‘Suited for the Spartas then I guess’. Thick dark stone built its many guard towers and outer walls and through the towering open gateway she could see the palace. Unlike the rest of the city it was an enormous dark grey construction of towers and pillars with its main body resembling an enclosed temple. Although it was not as elegant as the Elysi palace it beat it for size. Lucina watched as their carriage rolled past to the far side of the open space and was parked up alongside the other carriages. The Pegasus were then detached from the carriages and taken away to where Lucina imagined would be the stables. From the sky, more carriages began to land in front of the palace and attendants in red uniforms began to usher their group along. They wandered through the gate into the garden that surrounded the palace. Along the tropical greenery, Lucina could see small temples spaced around the palace, with domed coloured roofs representing the ideals of Athena, Thalassi’s first monarch.
They travelled up the winding path through the gardens until they reached the palace’s entrance. Armoured guards were stationed outside and were checking everyone possessed their invitations before entering. Lucina withdrew her invitation from her subspace and handed it over to the guard along with a verified form of identification. The guard shuffled through all the documents and with a confident nod handed them back.
“Enjoy your night” he stated.
“Thank you” Lucina replied as she entered the royal palace. She entered an elegantly decorated, red carpeted room. To the far right she found the rest of their Elysian cohort, with the exception of the Elysi family who like the rest of the royals arrived an hour earlier.
Becka was in a vibrant green dress and the two Generals were perfectly dressed in expensive looking tuxedoes. Beside her father Serena stood in a sky-blue dress. Although not as lavish as the General’s Emily’s friend Maxim wore his own tux and the girl beside him, Amelie, had decided to stray from a woman’s traditional wear. Instead of a dress she wore a hat and black suit, whose coat stretched down to her thighs, a golden waist and high heeled boots. Emily looked amazing. She was dressed in a glistening sapphire dress not too different from her own and wore vibrant makeup and hair.
Emily was the first to spot them and quickly waved them over.
“Sorry we’re late” Eric said as they joined up.
“Don’t worry you’re not even the last here” General Jager told them while checking his watch, which like his outfit looked very expensive. “We’re still waiting on three” he grumbled. Only then did Lucina realise who was missing.
‘Where are Alex and Korra?’.
General Jager then glanced up from his watch. “I take it that Lewis isn’t making an appearance. He’s not the type to be late” he said.
“Kate too” General Zeit added.
“Yeah. Lewis said and I quote ‘I couldn’t imagine anything worse’. He also said some other things, but I believe that’s best left unsaid” Eric said.
“That sounds about right” the General sighed. “I’m honestly surprised you four still came”.
“We’re not going to say no to free, fancy food and drinks. Even if it means we have to put up with annoying company for a few hours” Eric joked, and Lucina could swear a small smile cracked across the Generals face.
Still to this day Lucina didn’t understand how Eric and Lewis talked to him so casually. She found him terrifying. The man was a personification of power and authority. If it wasn’t for the ‘big three’ he’d hold the position of Elysia’s strongest. ‘Or maybe Senshi’. The man’s illusiveness and habit of vanishing for long periods always made him slip Lucina’s mind.
“Here they are” the General’s gruff voice snapped her out of thought. She turned to see Alex in a tuxedo with a silver tie and Korra in a long black dress that shone like an Elysian night sky. However, those two weren’t what caught Lucina’s eye. Or should she say who.
Trailing behind Korra, as if she was trying to hide, was a girl who looked to be similar age to Lucina. She possessed ashy black hair and different coloured eyes and was dressed in a white gold dress.
“So that’s Azra” she heard Eric mumble.
“I had no faith in Alex, but your usually more punctual Korra” The General stated as they joined them.
“Blame him” she replied to elbowing Alex in the side and receiving a grunt. “Made us stop for a drink so he could get to know Azra. Poor girl’s traumatized”.
“She’s not” Alex said, “Are you Azra?”. She gave him hesitant head shake. “See”. Both Korra and General Jager let out exasperated sighs while General Zeit looked surprisingly amused.
They then headed through one of the three large double doors and into a humongous ballroom. Constructed of intricately carved marble and vibrant wood, it was illuminated by golden chandeliers that hung from its arched ceiling and highlighted the many weapons, murals and tapestries that decorated its walls.
Their group was instantly met with an attendant who then guided them to one of the many large round table, decorated in a white sheet. The tables were organised around the room to allow a for a large dancefloor to exist at the rooms centre. At the very back of the room was a sectioned off area with much fancier looking tables and chairs.
‘So that’s where the royal families sit’ Lucina guessed.
“Once the celebration begins, following Thalassi tradition, a buffet of our countries greatest dishes and delicacies will be available to you” the attendant explained, despite his Thalassian accent being thick his Elysian was very good. “Drinks will be available at the bars which you can find at the front corners of the ballroom or from waiters walking around. Please don’t hesitate to request help from any attendant or waiter in the room”.
“Thank you” General Jager said, giving the attendant a firm nod.
“Enjoy the celebration” the attendant gave them a polite bow before moving off into the ballroom.
They took their seats around the table and were instantly swarmed by waiters, carrying round silver trays holding an array of drinks. The girls claimed either a glass of champagne or wine while the men claimed themselves of fine aged whiskey. To Lucina’s dismay Becka and the General’s didn’t allow them any alcohol, and instead her, Ike and Arthur were served with sober drinks.
Lucian watched as more people were funnelled into the ballroom. Someone tapped on her shoulder. She turned to see Ike gesturing towards Korra.
“Where’s your brother?” she asked.
Lucina shook her head “Not coming”.
Korra let loose an annoyed sigh “Damn, I was going to leave Azra with him”. Azra creased her face at her mentor.
“She can stick with us” Eric offered, gaining Korra’s interested.
“It’s not a problem Miss Korra. I actually have someone I wish to meet” Azra spoke up.
Korra gave her apprentice a questioning glance but then quickly nodded “Well if you find yourself on your own and can’t find me, these guys are your friends. That’s Eric, Arthur, Ike and Lucina, Lewis’s sister”. Azra nodded. Everyone resumed back to their conversations and Lucina went back to watching the people entering.
‘Miss Korra’ she quickly stifled a laugh.
“Mark, Kurt we were worrying you mightn’t have been able to make it” a refined voice emerged from the crowds. The Queen of the Elysia approached their table, along with the royal family. The crowds vanished out their way once they saw who they were blocking. They were all dressed amazingly, like the stories depicted a royal family would. The Queen and princess were in silver dresses and the men in tuxedo’s with gold lining.
“Your majesty, apologies for our tardiness” General Jager said. The Generals, Jager family, Amelie and Maxim stood from their chairs to greet them. Lucina glanced round wondering if she should do the same but when Alex, Korra and Eric made no such move neither did she. Arthur and Ike seemingly had the same thought.
“No need to apologise Mark. You’re not even close to last arrive and it also gave us time to greet friends” the Queen stated as she took a seat beside him.
“Good to hear” General Jager replied they all reclaimed their seats. The King then sat beside his wife and the prince claimed a seat beside Becka. Princess Sera then walked around the entire table and sat beside Lucina. Now seeing up her up-close Lucina was able to see through her stoic expression, she already looked exhausted.
“Rough night already” Lucina whispered.
A small smile cracked across Sera’s face. “These events are always the same. I talk and interact with people I like but at the same time also with people I pretend to like” she whispered back, and then for a second glared at someone across the ball room. Someone sat in the private section.
“Poor you, I can imagine how awful it must be getting compliments all night about producing one of the greatest fights seen in years” Lucina joked.
A delicate laugh escaped the princess “Quiet you” she said, nudging her said where her mother wouldn’t see. “Despite the last hour I’m actually quite excited for tonight. This time I’ve got you guys here” she told Lucina while glancing around the table. Her eyes suddenly stopped on Azra.
“That’s Azra. Korra’s apprentice … or ward whatever you want it to call it” Lucina whispered, “She’s one of the Pantheons”. The princess expression broke slightly as her eyes widened at the information, but instantly returned to its normal state.
The last stragglers entered the ballroom, and the thick doors were shut closed. An attendant, in a much fancier uniform compared to his coworkers, strolled into the centre of the dancefloor, Lucina could see a mic attached to his collar. Upon seeing him people began quickly finding their seats.
“We best return to our seats” the Queen announced, “I believe Its customary for everyone to sit in their assigned seats during the opening toast”.
“See you soon” Sera sighed as her and her family left the table and returned to their empty table in the private section.
Once every guest in the room was seated the attendant began. “Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of the beloved royal family I serve, its my great honour to welcome you all to the ‘Three hundred and fifty third Atlas games opening celebration’. At the sides of our ballroom you can find buffets that are now available and the bars at the front of the room are now serving. Thank you for coming and I hope you enjoy your night” The attended stated with a deep bow. Light applause echoed around the room as the attendant left the dance floor. Instantly a small orchestra on a stand at the top of the dance floor began filling the room with music.
It didn’t take long for, guests to begin rising from the seats and heading to either the closest bar or buffet.
“Shall we get some food then” Eric asked. Lucina had never seen Arthur or Ike move so fast. She couldn’t help but laugh.