10-12-2003, 04:59
The Blue Moon series continues with this chapter. The previous chapter is here (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=101893&highlight=) and contains a link to the first chapter. Enjoy. Remember, you may make comments, but no IC posts.
Desmoni looked out her window to the forest in the west. It was another clear blue day, and the sun was shining brightly. Perfect for a tan. She grabbed her beach robe and sandals, and headed out.
The servants gave their usual greetings as the princess made her way down the marble hallways. Her blond hair waving along with her movement, she pranced merrily toward the front door. Tanning was one of her favorite activities. It let her think; it let her reflect. Plus, it made her look good. Always a plus.
The smooth, mirror-surfaced lake blinked in the sunlight. The trees surrounding it gave the illusion of a royal guard--mimicking the numerous soldiers on the walls and battlements around the sizeable courtyard. Covering an area nearly the size of a city, the grounds flanking the castle were vast and flat; the perfect area for a royal capital. The huge marble structure of the castle proper looked benignly back at the traveling princess, and gave the impression that it saw all.
But it didn't. Disappearing quickly into the border trees of the lake, she slipped through a narrow trail that brought her to a thicket of bushes. Climbing carefully over the bushes, she came to her secret place. The sun came down from over head, but the surrounding shrubbery ensured that no eyes could reach it. She had found it two years ago on her twelfth birthday after running in to catch her pet cat. To her knowledge, the cat was the only living thing besides her that knew of the area.
Desmoni discarded the robe and put it down where she would lay. Kicking off the sandals as well, she spread herself on the ground and took a position that allowed her to soak up the sun with every inch of her body. She closed her eyes and daydreamed--this was the reason she loved coming here. The thoughts that drifted through her head were comforting. Even if they were simultaneously depressing.
Desmoni was a princess of the Soltar kingdom. She could have anything she wanted: jewlery, clothing, money, and fame. But her over-protective father would not allow her to have the one thing she truly desired. She had no real friends. The servants were always there to chat with, and they were all incredibly friendly and interesting. But they were also much older than she, and usually had to leave to perform some task or another during their conversations. Her family was always willing to talk about anything she was worried about but they would give the "You'll grow out of it," or "Everyone goes through hard times," speeches. There was no sympathy, no exclamations of "That's completely unfair! That's horrible!" Princess Desmoni was terribly lonely. If she wasn't able to come here and wrestle with her emotions, she might be tempted to become depressed.
She often thought how it would be to have a best friend. Giggling together over some silly thing...Pointing out materials they might use to make an outfit...Discussing completely frivolous matters, such as why people always pointed out the quirks of others, yet never noticed their own. These were the comforting thoughts, the ones that consoled the princess enough to bear it all. Laying back with her eyes closed, she imagined the times she and her companion would spend. She reached out to herself and felt good. She took a deep breath after a particularly pleasing thought. Her head raced with ideas, her mind tingled with satisfaction. She sweated with the desire for a friend.
A bird chirped from one of the nearby trees. Its call was sharp enough to jolt the princess out of her reverie and wake her up. She stayed still for a moment, catching her breath and cooling off. Then she stood up, pulled on her robe and sandals, and decided it was time to go back to the castle. Today had been different from her other experiences here; it had been one of the best ones ever.
* * *
That night, the royal family sat down to dinner. The king and queen sat together at the far end, flanked by the princess on their right. She sat in her casual gown, and wore her silver circlet. The rulers were dressed similarly, excepting the king's golden high set crown. The high servants stood by their sides, awaiting any order. It was a normal royal meal, nothing out of the ordinary.
Suddenly, the doors to dining room were opened. The consierge approached formally, and waited until the family looked up. When finally recognized, he spoke. "A message has just arrived that there are two visitors to our kingdom. Both are from far Lunaria, on the other side of the Forest of Last Hopes. One is a man, the other a young girl. They are not related, but they travel together and would like to ask permission to reside in our fair land, as they are currently homeless."
The king, much surprised but too proud to show it, rose from his seat. "Homeless visitors from Lunaria? I was under the impression that no one was allowed to leave that kingdom. Whatever the case, I would much like to hear news of the place. Tell the visitors that for tonight they may stay at whatever fort is nearest. They are to be treated with all the additions of a delegation. Tomorrow they will travel to the castle, where they shall reside as long as I or they see fit. The gentleman may stay in the guest chambers while the girl will stay with Desmoni." He smiled at his daughter when he said this. "And tell them welcome to Soltar. We can't have visitors without properly greeting them." The consierge bowed and left, to relay the message to a horseman. The king sat down and resumed his meal, though he and the queen conversed to some length. The princess excused herself and said she was going to bed.
Fighting hard not to run down the hall in glee, she finally made it to her room and leapt onto her large fluffy mattress. Disrobing almost wildly, she embraced the warm summer's night and clutched a pillow to her stomach. She was going to meet someone her own age; maybe she would get a friend! She thought excitedly about what to do with the girl. A tour of the castle, of course, and a stroll through the grounds. Perhaps they would both visit the secret spot. The princess grasped firmly on this idea as she toyed with the thoughts. Each new idea, more vivid than the last, sent shocks of happiness through her. Her body seemed to tremble with pleasure as thought after thought surged through her mind. Faster and faster they came, and they made her feel so happy she sweat. As her ecstasy overflowed, she relaxed her mind and seemed to drown in a feeling of euphoria. Feeling unlike anything she had ever felt before, she looked out her window at the starry night. Only the skies had seen her just then; only the skies knew how happy she was. A friend...a true, real friend. Suddenly feeling exhausted by happiness, she fell asleep.
Thank you once again for reading this chapter. If at all interested, look for the next installment Welcome to the Jungle, We've Got Fun and Games... I hope you are enjoying the Blue Moon series.
Desmoni looked out her window to the forest in the west. It was another clear blue day, and the sun was shining brightly. Perfect for a tan. She grabbed her beach robe and sandals, and headed out.
The servants gave their usual greetings as the princess made her way down the marble hallways. Her blond hair waving along with her movement, she pranced merrily toward the front door. Tanning was one of her favorite activities. It let her think; it let her reflect. Plus, it made her look good. Always a plus.
The smooth, mirror-surfaced lake blinked in the sunlight. The trees surrounding it gave the illusion of a royal guard--mimicking the numerous soldiers on the walls and battlements around the sizeable courtyard. Covering an area nearly the size of a city, the grounds flanking the castle were vast and flat; the perfect area for a royal capital. The huge marble structure of the castle proper looked benignly back at the traveling princess, and gave the impression that it saw all.
But it didn't. Disappearing quickly into the border trees of the lake, she slipped through a narrow trail that brought her to a thicket of bushes. Climbing carefully over the bushes, she came to her secret place. The sun came down from over head, but the surrounding shrubbery ensured that no eyes could reach it. She had found it two years ago on her twelfth birthday after running in to catch her pet cat. To her knowledge, the cat was the only living thing besides her that knew of the area.
Desmoni discarded the robe and put it down where she would lay. Kicking off the sandals as well, she spread herself on the ground and took a position that allowed her to soak up the sun with every inch of her body. She closed her eyes and daydreamed--this was the reason she loved coming here. The thoughts that drifted through her head were comforting. Even if they were simultaneously depressing.
Desmoni was a princess of the Soltar kingdom. She could have anything she wanted: jewlery, clothing, money, and fame. But her over-protective father would not allow her to have the one thing she truly desired. She had no real friends. The servants were always there to chat with, and they were all incredibly friendly and interesting. But they were also much older than she, and usually had to leave to perform some task or another during their conversations. Her family was always willing to talk about anything she was worried about but they would give the "You'll grow out of it," or "Everyone goes through hard times," speeches. There was no sympathy, no exclamations of "That's completely unfair! That's horrible!" Princess Desmoni was terribly lonely. If she wasn't able to come here and wrestle with her emotions, she might be tempted to become depressed.
She often thought how it would be to have a best friend. Giggling together over some silly thing...Pointing out materials they might use to make an outfit...Discussing completely frivolous matters, such as why people always pointed out the quirks of others, yet never noticed their own. These were the comforting thoughts, the ones that consoled the princess enough to bear it all. Laying back with her eyes closed, she imagined the times she and her companion would spend. She reached out to herself and felt good. She took a deep breath after a particularly pleasing thought. Her head raced with ideas, her mind tingled with satisfaction. She sweated with the desire for a friend.
A bird chirped from one of the nearby trees. Its call was sharp enough to jolt the princess out of her reverie and wake her up. She stayed still for a moment, catching her breath and cooling off. Then she stood up, pulled on her robe and sandals, and decided it was time to go back to the castle. Today had been different from her other experiences here; it had been one of the best ones ever.
* * *
That night, the royal family sat down to dinner. The king and queen sat together at the far end, flanked by the princess on their right. She sat in her casual gown, and wore her silver circlet. The rulers were dressed similarly, excepting the king's golden high set crown. The high servants stood by their sides, awaiting any order. It was a normal royal meal, nothing out of the ordinary.
Suddenly, the doors to dining room were opened. The consierge approached formally, and waited until the family looked up. When finally recognized, he spoke. "A message has just arrived that there are two visitors to our kingdom. Both are from far Lunaria, on the other side of the Forest of Last Hopes. One is a man, the other a young girl. They are not related, but they travel together and would like to ask permission to reside in our fair land, as they are currently homeless."
The king, much surprised but too proud to show it, rose from his seat. "Homeless visitors from Lunaria? I was under the impression that no one was allowed to leave that kingdom. Whatever the case, I would much like to hear news of the place. Tell the visitors that for tonight they may stay at whatever fort is nearest. They are to be treated with all the additions of a delegation. Tomorrow they will travel to the castle, where they shall reside as long as I or they see fit. The gentleman may stay in the guest chambers while the girl will stay with Desmoni." He smiled at his daughter when he said this. "And tell them welcome to Soltar. We can't have visitors without properly greeting them." The consierge bowed and left, to relay the message to a horseman. The king sat down and resumed his meal, though he and the queen conversed to some length. The princess excused herself and said she was going to bed.
Fighting hard not to run down the hall in glee, she finally made it to her room and leapt onto her large fluffy mattress. Disrobing almost wildly, she embraced the warm summer's night and clutched a pillow to her stomach. She was going to meet someone her own age; maybe she would get a friend! She thought excitedly about what to do with the girl. A tour of the castle, of course, and a stroll through the grounds. Perhaps they would both visit the secret spot. The princess grasped firmly on this idea as she toyed with the thoughts. Each new idea, more vivid than the last, sent shocks of happiness through her. Her body seemed to tremble with pleasure as thought after thought surged through her mind. Faster and faster they came, and they made her feel so happy she sweat. As her ecstasy overflowed, she relaxed her mind and seemed to drown in a feeling of euphoria. Feeling unlike anything she had ever felt before, she looked out her window at the starry night. Only the skies had seen her just then; only the skies knew how happy she was. A friend...a true, real friend. Suddenly feeling exhausted by happiness, she fell asleep.
Thank you once again for reading this chapter. If at all interested, look for the next installment Welcome to the Jungle, We've Got Fun and Games... I hope you are enjoying the Blue Moon series.