by Robin Roseau
“May I touch?” She looked at Allium, who nodded, but she still waited for Va to agree. Shalendra brushed her fingers across Va’s coated cheek, and then in her hair. Va smiled. “Did you do this part intentionally?”
“No. It should have dripped out.”
“I was a little excited,” Va admitted. “Shalendra, does it startle you? Allium can probably brush it away.”
“It’s a little different,” Shalendra said cautiously.
Allium stepped up behind Va and began working on her hair, and after a moment, the resin began to drip from her hair onto her shoulders, where it was absorbed into the rest. But she left Va’s face covered and said, “This is fun.”
“It is,” Shalendra admitted. “That was…” She looked at the trench again. She gave a little shudder. “Is it wrong to say I want Allium to do that to me?”
Allium was the first to laugh, and Gionna said, “It’s not at all wrong.”
“You haven’t had your First,” Allium said. “Or I’d be more than happy to take a second pleasure slave. I think Darfelsa would have something to say about it, though.”
“Darfelsa would probably insist on watching,” I said with a smile. “And Darfelsa might ask us to have Claary here to add swirls when you were done.”
“Oh,” Allium said. “Swirls, you say?” And then she stepped up to Va and ran a finger down Va’s arm, trailing blue.
“Allium,” Va said. “Really?”
“Darling,” Allium said. “What color do you want?”
“Orange, or silver.”
“I’d do silver, but I think you’re going to be busy.” And so she brushed upwards, and the blue disappeared, but then she traced lines, leaving orange behind.
She spent a minute at it, everyone staring, and when she was done, Va looked even more stunning.
“I take it not everyone can do that,” Shalendra said.
“I can’t,” Olivia said.
“And I really, really can’t,” Gionna added.
“Claary kind of taught me,” Allium said. “She’s better at it.”
“That’s amazing, Allium,” I said.
* * * *
That evening, it began to snow, very wet snow. We handled more Firsts, but then Olivia came back to the embassy and sat down with Shalendra. “We may not have an event Saturday.”
“Why not?”
“Have you looked outside?”
“No. Is it raining?”
“Not exactly. Go look.”
She moved to the window, actually opening it, and looked out. “What is that? Is that from the trees?”
“It’s snow,” Olivia said gently.
“Okay, that doesn’t tell me anything,” Shalendra said.
“Let’s take her outside,” I said. “This isn’t going to last, and it will be true summer before she’s really alert again. It may be the last chance for her to see it.”
“There will still be snow in the mountains,” Gionna said. “But sure.”
She was dressed for bed, so we put her in boots and a long coat then brought her outside. “It’s cold!” she complained.
I moved to the grass and collected some of the snow, then brought it to her. I handed it to her, and she immediately dropped it. “Cold!”
“Baby,” I said. I picked it back up. “This is snow. It’s frozen water.”
“Ice?”
“Sort of.”
“It’s raining ice?”
“Snow,” I said again. “It won’t last long, probably. But the arena might be sort of miserable until next week.”
Shalendra reached out and took the clump of snow from me. “Ice.”
“Snow. Yes. Ice, I guess. If you go look at it, you’ll see it’s actually lots of tiny flakes. These are all mushed together, and it’s really wet. In the dead of winter, it’s a lot dryer.”
“It’s water.”
“Yes, but a lot of this is still water in liquid form, not frozen.”
She handed it back, and I turned and was ready to throw it at Olivia, but she waved a finger at me. I sighed and tossed it out into the road.
“I’m cold,” Shalendra declared.
“And that is why there might not be an event on Saturday,” Olivia said. But we got her inside and headed to the parlor. “We’ll decide Friday afternoon. If it’s cancelled, what do you want to do, Shalendra?”
“You decide,” she said.
“I will. I’m asking how important this was to you. Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks.”
“I saw the one challenge,” she said.
“Yes, you did.”
“Olivia, I don’t want to make this difficult.”
“Just tell her,” I said. “There’s no wrong answer, unless you lie.”
“I really hope it’s not cancelled,” Shalendra replied. “Especially after seeing Allium and Va.”
“Then if we have to cancel, we can wait a week. It will certainly be better by next week.”
“Do you ever cancel for rain?”
“Only really cold rain,” she said. “For obvious reasons. But if it’s heavy, we take steps to make sure no one can drown.”
“Tied down in a pit of water.”
“Right. If it’s bad enough, we just don’t allow that particular type of event.”
“I don’t want everyone to have to wait an extra week for me,” she said. “I think that’s a mistake.”
“That’s a problem to solve,” Olivia said. “You would like a way of still attending?”
“Yes, but not enough to turn it into a problem for anyone.”
“Then this is my decision. If the Saturday event goes as planned, we’ll all attend, and your First will be Sunday.”
“That works.”
“If we have to cancel, then you can get to know Charth better, and we’ll have some social events next week. You’ll attend next Saturday, but we’ll very slightly shorten your First so that you’re done the same time as the others.”
“You can do that?”
“Yes.”
“And it’s not a problem?”
“It’s not a problem,” Olivia confirmed. “However, we’ll release Va, and you’ll get a little comfort shortly before your First, but it won’t be non-stop touching.”
Shalendra laughed. “That’s fine.”
* * * *
It snowed overnight, but it was clear by noon that the snow wasn’t going to last. And so, the Saturday event arrived on schedule.
And now I’ve caught up to myself, I suppose.
Everyone else was at their First, but everyone from the embassy came. Olivia, Bee, and Dee were there, of course, and Gionna. Va was still wearing red and orange, holding Shalendra’s hand.
We got everyone settled in Olivia’s box, and we hung out chatting for a while. But then it was time. Gionna and I stood, offering affection here and there, and then headed downstairs.
When we stepped out into the arena, it took about three seconds before the small crowd realized who we were. “Princesses!” someone screamed. And they began screaming both our names.
Laughing, Gionna and I split up. I went one way, she the other, and we waved. I blew kisses, and I thought it likely she did, too.
We met at the far side and offered brief Ressaline greetings. Then someone screamed, “Kiss her! Kiss her!” That turned into a chant, and so I didn’t wait. I grabbed Gionna, bent her backwards, and gave her a doozy of a wet kiss. We both made a show of it, Gionna waving her hands in the air behind my back until I straightened her. Then we fanned ourselves before proceeding along in our circles.
“When is it my turn, Princess?” someone yelled.
“My mother keeps a list of suitors,” I yelled back. “If you travel to Barrish, she can add your name.”
That was funny, but then someone else yelled, “So Gionna’s a suitor now?”
“In her dreams!” Shalendra yelled.
“Now she’s one of my suitors,” I added. “Please don’t scare her off, you lot.”<
br />
“Who, us?”
Gionna and I met in front of Olivia’s box. We waved there, and I blew a few more kisses. Shalendra was laughing, which was good.
The event was going to be a little short. It would be busier in a few weeks, once the weather was more reliable. I commented on that, and Gionna said, “You all have gotten soft, living down here in the south.”
“But we have several excellent events,” I added. “Including one small group event at the end. If any of you are extra enthused and want Gionna and me to come up with a special event, you can come down during intermission, and we’ll pair you up with someone.”
“Only if it’s against the two of you!” I heard, plus several other similar suggestions.
We didn’t encourage those but launched into the first event.
* * * *
Six people came down during intermission. I didn’t know any of them, but we gathered together. “This is a manageable number. Do you want a group event or pairs?”
“I could do a group,” said one woman. “If everyone else wants to. No pressure, if someone wants just a pair.”
“I want to challenge Princess Darfelsa,” said another. Then she sighed dramatically. “But if that’s not possible, I’ll do a group.”
And so, we added a group event, making a seventh.
The next two events were fun, with the audience quite appreciative. I glanced up at Shalendra from time to time, and she seemed riveted to her seat. Va held one arm, and Allium sat on the other side. Bee and Dee were behind her, and it looked like they were explaining events from time to time.
The final event took time, but then Gionna and I stepped back out. “Well,” Gionna yelled. “We have one more event, a six-person free-for-all. While we wait, Darfelsa is going to entertain us by telling us ‘You know you’re from Flarvor’ jokes.”
Even I laughed. But before I could come up with my own response, the arena doors opened, so I thought it was our contestants. I was wrong.
It was half of Olivia’s box. I hadn’t even noticed when they got up.
“Princess Gionna,” Olivia yelled. “It may be that you are mistaken.”
“Darfelsa isn’t going to entertain us?”
“Well, she may, but we may have two more events.”
I waited for them to reach us. Shalendra walked straight towards me, Va dropping behind as they drew close. She offered a Ressaline greeting. “Olivia promised not to change your plans.”
“And she hasn’t broken that rule,” Shalendra whispered back. “Your cousin, however, is a brat.”
“I did warn you. What?”
“She, Bee, and Dee have been whispering into my ears for the last two hours.”
“Whispering what?”
“How hot you would look in red.” I stiffened. “How no one ever wins their first practice challenge. How much fun I’d have watching you lose. They’ve been whispering, and touching me, and…” She gave a little shudder.
“Shalendra.”
“And then your friends told me you turned into a complete brat yourself, in the weeks before you left here, and they told me why.”
“Shalendra,” I said again.
“And then the trash talk started.”
“I bet that was Va.”
“It was all of them,” she said. “And then came the wager.”
“Do I want to know?”
“I’m not allowed to tell you who the wager is with, or what I get if I win, or have to give up if I lose.”
“But you’re allowed to tell me the wager itself.”
“They wagered I couldn’t convince you to accept an event, here, today, of my choosing, with the participant of my choosing. And Darfelsa, you’re going to let me win.”
And then she tried to pull away, but I grabbed her. “You’re just caught up in the moment.”
“I’ve been thinking about seeing you in red since Allium and Va,” she replied.
“I need to help you tomorrow, but I may barely be awake. I could still be comatose.”
“Allium and Olivia will take care of me. You’re going to let me win my wager, and then you’re going to play, all you want, but when I’m done with my First, you’re going to be taking care of me. And when I’m ready for my first practice challenge, you’re going to let me win.”
I laughed. “No, but I’ll ensure you win one out of four times.”
“Half.”
“If you want half, then you’ll be winning them honestly. One out of four, but until you’re winning at least one in three, I’ll let you choose the events, as long as they’re reasonably fair. Olivia or Allium to judge if we have a dispute.”
“Jessla.”
“May not be present.”
“Fine. Agreed.” Then she pulled away. “Princess Darfelsa!”
“Princess! Princess!” the audience yelled.
“Quiet down, you lot, or you won’t hear me. I’m not yelling over you.”
“We don’t even know who you are,” someone yelled.
“Oh. I am Shalendra. Princess Darfelsa thinks she can escape my clutches, but I have other plans for her.”
“What about me?” someone yelled. “Thinking about her makes me swoon!”
“Everyone else heard what you have to do,” Shalendra said, laughing. “Queen Ralifta keeps a list. Now quiet down or we’ll be here all day.”
“We don’t mind!”
“Quiet down or you won’t get to hear my challenge to Princess Darfelsa!” That did it, and there was a lot of shushing. “That’s better,” Shalendra said. “I’m not going to talk over any noise, so if you start up again, you won’t hear.” She turned to me. “Princess Darfelsa, you’d do anything for me, wouldn’t you?”
“Probably not!”
The audience laughed. Shalendra put her hand on her hip. “You haven’t even heard what I want.”
“Then be more specific, Shalendra,” I said, smiling, then I blew her a kiss.
“Fine. You are going to help me win a wager. It has been suggested I can’t talk you into doing this itsy-bitsy, teeny-tiny little thing for me.”
“Watch out!” someone yelled. “When someone says it’s itsy-bitsy, it’s never, ever itsy-bitsy.”
“I think you’re right!”
“This is almost nothing,” Shalendra asked. “For me, so I can win my little wager with one of your friends, you’re going to offer to participate in one more event today.”
“Say yes!” several people screamed. More added, and they began the chant. Shalendra waited, but when she held up her hand, they quieted.
“You aren’t eligible for events yet, Shalendra. Come back in six months.”
“It’s not with me, Princess,” she replied.
“Then who is it with?”
“Agree, and you’ll find out. Eventually.”
“I see. And what is the nature of the event?”
“You’ll like it. I promise.”
That was actually a promise I believed.
I looked at Olivia. She gave a small shrug. Allium nodded slightly. And I didn’t really need to ask Gionna, but she was smiling broadly. “Is it with me?” she asked. “Tell me it’s with me!”
“You can help,” Shalendra said. “And I get to help.”
“How long?” I asked.
“Three-day duration,” Olivia provided.
My heart was pounding, absolutely pounding. I lowered my voice. “Shalendra, are you really sure?”
“Yes,” she said, just as quietly. “I want to see this. And I’m pretty sure you want to do it, but if so, we’re doing it this way.”
I nodded. “I accept!”
The audience went crazy. Shalendra didn’t even try to talk over them. She stepped to me. “Obey Bee and Dee. Get her ready, you two.”
They grabbed my arms, turned me, and hurried me from the arena. I didn’t ask questions, but they were giggling. They brought me to one of the ready rooms and went to work on my clothing. I let them undress me then pull a shift ov
er my head. But then I said, “Hugs.” They hugged me tightly before grabbing my arms and pulling me back outside.
The people for the group event were waiting. Gionna, Olivia, Allium, Shalendra, and Va were waiting, talking to them, but everyone turned when we appeared. Bee and Dee marched me to stand in front of Shalendra. She held up her hand. “This is a two-part event for Princess Darfelsa. The first part begins now. Princess Darfelsa, we’re going to tie you to that wall.” She pointed to one of the lattices. “There are braziers to keep you warm. Your feet will be in a trench of this lovely resin. You may then watch the group event, and the second half of your event will happen when they’re done.” She was grinning.
“Whose idea was this?” I asked in a normal voice.
“Mine,” she replied. “I get to tie you. If you manage to get free, you may demand a favor from me, but you’ll still have your second half.”
“Agreed,” I said. “Who will be my competitor.”
“You’ll see,” she said. She lowered her voice. “Not me, of course.”
“Have you already chosen someone?”
“No. I’m taking bribes.”
I laughed, and then Bee and Dee began pulling me to the lattice wall.
I was actually grateful. The braziers were warm, and I’d been getting cold. We stepped into the trench of resin, which was also pleasantly warm, and felt good. Then they turned me around.
Shalendra approached slowly. She was smiling broadly, watching me. She had a coil of rope, and she began running it through her hands as she came closer. She stepped up to me and brushed my face with it. “Your heart is pounding,” she said.
“I know.”
“Afraid?”
“No.”
“Do you like my change of heart?”
“Yes, but are you sure?”
“I’m sure,” she confirmed. “Especially because I get to tie you. You won’t get free.”
She used eight coils of rope, my arms pulled widely, away from my body and just above the height of my shoulders. She used more on my ankles, pulling them apart, but not uncomfortably. More were used to pull me tightly to the lattice, and one more on each arm, right at the elbows.
I wasn’t going anywhere.
When she was done, she kissed me then patted my cheek. “I could get used to the rules here,” she said. “You’re allowed to play all you want, with whomever you want, except you-know-who.”