I think she's had enough of all the royal shit for the night, but ditching Van is kindof rude. ,_, Ah screw it, movies it is. :0
I ignored my phone and stood, taking the empty wine glass. I poured myself some and savored in the sweet white wine he had brought. “All right,” I said. “Why not?” As the car pulled up around the winding road, I saw in the distance what must be Cereus Hill. It was a gently sloping hill with a large white screen sitting at the bottom of it. I could see people sitting upon the hill on blankets. Further up the hill some people were sitting in parked convertibles. The car came to a stop and Nathan got out. “Let’s go,” he said, opening the door for me, blanket in hand. We walked up the hill, and found an empty spot. He laid out the blanket and grinned at me as he sat. He patted the spot next to him and I sat a little embarrassed at how much this reminded me of a date. “The movie should begin soon,” Nathan said, looking at the rapidly darkening sky. “Shall I get us popcorn?” He nodded his head towards a small vendor cart to the side. Without waiting for an answer he got up and trotted off to it. I looked around and noticed that most of the people here seemed to be couples. I felt my ears start to burn. It really did feel like a date. People were leaning in close to one another, talking intimately. The sky was almost dark now and the projection screen flicked to life with the opening credits to a movie. Nathan came back then and sat down next to me, his shoulder brushing mine. He had set down two drinks and a tub of popcorn. I couldn’t meet his eyes suddenly. He noticed. “What’re you acting so shy for, Ms. Werner?” he laughed. “It’s not like this is a date. Or is it?” His expression was playful and suddenly I felt a little upset. It was like Nathan to make jokes like this. “No, it’s not,” I said obstinately and took a sip of my drink, resolutely looking forward at the movie. I saw his grin out of the corner of my eye and felt self-conscious again. He really was leading the mood tonight. The movie quickly unfolded and I realized all too soon that it was a romantic comedy. I saw the silhouettes of the couples sitting further down the hill and they seemed to be getting closer. Nathan leaned close to my ear and I felt a shiver go down my spine as his breath tickled my skin. “She’s really naïve isn’t she?” he said. “W-What?” I gasped. “The protagonist,” he said. I realized he was talking about the movie. I turned to look at him and I could see his grin in the darkness. “She’s kind of like you, huh?” I was glad he couldn’t see me blushing. I could see the outline of his lips and they were so close to me. Although Nathan seemed so non-descript before, in this proximity he was rather beautiful. It was difficult to concentrate. There was a light laughter from the crowd and the spell seemed broken as Nathan moved away. “I’m glad you came tonight,” Nathan said in a barely audible voice. In the moment I wasn’t even sure he really had said anything at all but he suddenly seemed shy as well.
The movie ended and I glanced at my watch. It was almost 11 o’clock and I felt myself yawning. The credits were rolling and Nathan looked over at me. “How did you like this movie? Better than a stuffy party don’t you think?” I laughed in surprise. Nathan was definitely different from the other guests on Isola del Paradiso. He was much blunter about his dislike for the pompous affairs. When he mentioned the party however a pang of guilt hit me as an image of Ian flashed through my mind. Van would also be disappointed, and most likely Siegfried would be annoyed that I didn’t attend a rigorous schedule. It was nice being out for a night but I couldn’t help but wonder how the party had gone. Nathan stood and stretched his slim figure, barely visible now that the movie was turning off. He reached over and held his hand out to me. I took his hand without thinking and felt his soft fingers clasp around mine. He pulled me up briskly and I fell into his chest. I froze, stunned. His pleasant scent filled my nostrils as his breath ruffled my hair. I thought my heart was going to stop. When I at last looked up, his stunning grey eyes were looking at me and I felt myself getting lost in them. Time seemed to stand still as his lips came closer to mine. His phone rang suddenly, a loud shrill ring jarring me back to reality. He looked disappointed but pulled it out of his pocket and glancing at it. He gave a sigh. “I have to take this. Go on back to the car. I’ll be there in a minute.” Nathan answered the phone and turned away, talking in a low voice to someone on the other end of the line. I shook myself back to reality and felt the shock of what had almost happened. Had he been meaning to kiss me? I don’t know why but I felt disappointed myself. The walk back to the car was short, but strangely lonely. Nathan came running up a moment later carrying the blanket and unlocked the door for me. We got in in silence, and he drove me back to Hotel Calla. He got out in front of the hotel and kissed my hand. “It was wonderful spending the evening with you Ms. Werner,” he said with his usual grin. He paused as if to say something else but then turned away and got back in the car. He seemed reluctant to go but eventually drove off. I felt confused. Was he just being nice? Riding the elevator back to my floor I felt my phone vibrate. I remembered that I had turned it off during the movie. I glanced at it and noticed that Van had texted me two more times. I put the phone back in my pocket. Falling asleep that night was difficult so I ended up finishing my article and sending it to Werner. My fingers remained poised over the keyboard. Tomorrow I recalled there would be a parade in the town center. If I was correct it was rather early. I laid down and tried to force myself to sleep.
In the morning I got coffee from the café inside the hotel and carried it out to the car that was waiting for me. I was dressed rather casually today as a parade seemed to be very low-key. Werner had only written that I was to attend the fireworks at 9pm and to send my article as usual. The car took a long winding path towards the town center. As we arrived I could see many people lined up along the cobblestone streets. I was surprised to see that everyone had dressed down, although the expensive jewelry still sparkled in the afternoon sun. The driver parked a ways away as I got out. Music was booming from the speakers lining the shop fronts, and it was a festive march. Some small handmade floats and costumed dancers began proceeding down the streets and circling the large path through the shops. I took a small camera from my purse and began taking some pictures. A man in fringe and tassels cartwheeled up to me and I laughed in surprise as I snapped his picture. Elaborately made up women swayed by in flowing dresses, doing elegant fan dances and some men in costumes followed doing magnificent sword displays. It was all very extravagant and beautiful, and I found myself swept into the crowd. The patrons around me were clapping their bejeweled hands, women shaded by their oversized plumed hats from the brightness of the day. This was different from the uptight ceremonial dinners. I could see the guests were genuinely having fun. A long procession of drummers and flag twirlers passed and I recognized the insignias of the royal families emblazoned on the billowing silk. A sleek black convertible was coming next and I saw the dragon of Thiamat adorned on its sides. Banners displaying Thiamat's seal fluttered in the breeze. Sitting rather stoically amidst the shower of confetti that was swirling about them was Siegfried von Adler and an elderly man and woman whom I knew by their poise must be the King and Queen. The King was so regal I found myself in awe, the way he sat he commanded a presence. The Queen looked just as serious but beautiful and I could see parts of Siegfried in both. Next was a long white convertible that was decorated with the wings of the Avyys Kingdom. Zane DeGillus sat in the back by himself, waving genially at the crowd. He seemed to look through the people and I felt his eyes upon me. He didn't look pleased. It appeared he was not happy about my prior decision at the brunch. The parade continued, the music changing to a sweeter sound as a chorus went by and then a procession of masked acrobats who leapt and bounded about the roads, pandering to the crowd. I found myself jostled as people began filling the street to follow the parade. Swept along I ended amidst the acrobats, some who took my hand and twirled me about and others who sprayed confetti in my hair. It was an entirely joyous feeling being thrown in the middle of this organized chaos and I found myself laughing for the first time in a while. This was a good day... Or so I thought.
you'll soon see that the choices made so far affect how the princes and characters treat the main character... Sometimes positively... Sometimes negatively.... enjoy