#sdsadi

It was one of the biggest celebrations in Tacea next to Winsol and the annual Masquerade.   The Harvest was more relaxed of the three celebrations.    The servants would hear none of it that Seren be working at the festival.   She had made much of the festival possible and had helped bring the harvest in bescause she was one stubborn witch.   Everyone was unamious in saying she deserved to celebrate with others.   Eat, drink, partake in everything.    There were all sorts of things set up, even a haunted cornfield.

Seren laughed at the idea mentally.    She had made it to one of the tables and was having her plate filled with all sorts of  food and a mug of spiced Ale.   She had noticed not far away she could Bethany, and she tried her best ignore the women.   Though her eyes drift towards Daemon who was accompanying Bethany apparently.   While she didn't mind the man's company, okay she enjoyed his company however brief it was, she loathed Bethany and if something tragic happened to Bethany she wouldn't have shed a tear.

Jaenelle had always wondered how, in the Realm of Light, things could be at their very darkest for her. Still there was no denying as she walked quietly through Dorothea's halls on her way from her room to Dorothea's sitting room for her weekly audience that this place held nothing but pain. Everything from the well cut Court gown appropriate for a young Lady to the severely elegant style of her hair was wrong in a way that constantly grated.

The tutor who accompanied her was named Lady Haelen and was woefully inadequate as a teacher of Craft for a gutter brat - let alone a Lady of the most powerful Court in the Realm. Still Jaenelle was not, thankfully, dependent on her for her instruction. It didn't mean the woman's constant barbs about her seeming 'inability' to master the most simplistic basic Craft didn't touch her. She had just learned long ago to not let them see. To never let them see. To be weak, here, would spell her death.

They were admitted to Dorothea's presence where they were kept waiting while Dorothea conducted the business of her Court. While the older Lady was not obtuse enough to gloat openly Jaenelly understood she was being watched. So her face was paper blank and her eyes summer-sky blue. Once they had been called her tutor was asked to give her report - it took less than ten minutes to tear her down to size, then the rest of the Court was dismissed and Dorothea took her into her suite for a private audience.

The sashaying hips and sultry smile did nothing for the twelve year old girl who stood there, but Dorothea did not put off her airs just yet. She tapped her feather quill against blood red lips as she examined the girl before her. As always when she appeared before her mentor Jaenelle wore the Red Jewel she claimed as her Birthright openly. "What are we to do with you, Jaenelle?" Dorothea purred. The light in her golden eyes was cruel and vicious. "If you cannot focus on your studies and master what even children can understand perhaps it is time to take more permanent measures." Her golden eyes lit on the Jewel around Jaenelle's neck seemingly by random and she smiled. "You know, it has been shown that an... excitable young woman can be calmed by undertaking her Virgin Night." Perhaps she should have been frightened. Jaenelle was not. "You won't have it done. Your purge of the darker Jeweled Blood who could have challenged you was thorough. Thorough enough that you now have no one dark enough at your command to threaten me that way." But the dig, intended to remind Dorothea of her power, brought a smile to the Priestess's face. "Oh? I think you'll find I do."

There had been an uproar for a few days now, the entire house was expecting someone important.    Though it wasn't uncommon for Lord Charlus to entertain anyone.   He seemed to like to rub elboes with the powerful.   Today was an example of one othose days he was going to 'rub elboes' but there had been an undercurrent of fear amongst the staff.    She hadn't been told who this important guest was to be regardless.   George, Alistair, and Darius had been like hissing geese trying to find excuses to try and push Seren out of the house for the day.    There was something wrong here.

Finally she snapped after cornering all three men.   "Tell me what has got you in such a tiff," her tone was of hot white anger.

"Nothing Seren, nothing at all.    We just thought you could use a break is all."

"A break?" She eyed them.

"You're just recovering from your moontime."

"Two weeks ago." Seren snapped again.   "It sounds like you three are the ones needing a break from me."

Alistair was strangely quiet.   "Daemon Sadi is the visitor Lord Charlus is expecting."

Seren's anger seemed lost in that moment.   She knew of the Sadist, who didn't?   Perhaps she could do her best to stay out of his line of sight.   

"And Lady Bethany is coming to visit," Alistair explained.   The implications hung in the air.    Lady Bethany was a Opal Jeweled Priestess who took delight in making Seren miserable and poking her in just such that it pricked at Seren's temper, just enough to go ice cold.   Lady Bethany hadn't visited since then.   If she tried to anger Seren this time, there was a chance Seren would lose control this time a bloodbath would happen.

"Is there any excuse to send me away to market or something?" Seren asked.

George and Darius shook their heads still staring at Alistair, they obviously had been intent to keep this from her for obvious reasons.

"If something comes up, we shall be sure to do so," Alistair told her and unsure how to comfort the young Queen.    There wasn't a single Warlord Prince in the house that could tether her and calm her down at this news.   While many of them had formed a makeshift Court around her, she wasn't their Queen.   They served and protected because she didn't wear Jewels, she was a Queen they would willing serve even she wasn't their's.   Seren had also become family, and amongst the staff, that was important.

One of the cooks nudged the door open.   "I may be able to help," the old woman was a ragged looking woman, she was old but still could be counted as the best cook in District.   She had a large basket and a list.

Seren was hopeful.

"I need all of this by tomorrow morning." The cook informed the three.

"We can say you are busy with your duties," Darius piped in, "in case anyone asks."

"Someone should go with her, I could--" George began.

"No, anyone else goes missing, questions will be asked." Alistair siad through gritting his teeth.

"Not necessarily, if someone was simply walking near her, to keep an eye out for any unnecessary trouble would be ideal.   So she can get the supplies."

"Send Darius, he can blend in with the crowd."

Seren was rolling her eyes at the quartet that she had already retrieved the list, money, and basket and snuck out the back grabbing a dark red cloak and made her way on foot to the market while everyone was preparing for the visitors.    She just hoped everything went over well.    She began to search over the list while she was near one of the stalls.

How did Ben get himself into these situations? Relentlessly hunting someone, not really caring who got caught in the crossfire and most of the time being an insufferable arse were probably high on the list. This time it was the Shi'ar though, and not entirely his fault no for once the fault lay on Jean Grey and his parents. Apparently his DNA and the fact that he was a telepath set off some major 'Phoenix' warning bells with these people.

Now he was fairly close to being cornered, no one from the royal guard had made it here yet thankfully but they wouldn't be far off. A few soldiers rounded a corner at him, a psychic blast stunned them. Hopefully for long enough. Calling forth the power of his amulet he jumped blind. Anywhere had to be better than this. Just as the vortex was taking form someone rounded a corner and fired. They missed him, sure. They hit the vortex though and that was when everything went crazy.

The vortex became incredibly unstable and violent as it closed around him. Not the smooth ride he was used to everything was spinning with turbulence gone mad as it seemed like he was being pulled in every direction. He remained conscious somehow but barely as the vortex spat him out.