𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑖 𝐴𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑟𝑎 - 𝐴𝑎𝑚𝑎𝑦𝑎 𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑦𝑗𝑎
Curious eyes would rise from the literature that enthralled them, a puckish smirk forming in response. Aamaya would lift a dainty hand, brushing a strand of silky hair behind her ear.
"Princess Valeri, what a pleasure it is to see you here.. Couldn't sleep?" The woman would tilt her head slightly, openly allowing her eyes to sweep over the other woman's figure. It was no lie that Andorian women were unique in appearance, beautiful nonetheless.
"I love literature, makes you smarter, exercises the brain."Valeri beamed a pearly smile, tilting her head as Aamaya spoke. When she finished speaking, Valeri chuckled,
"It's far too early for sleep."She wasted no time in getting closer to the Princess, walking curtly to face the bookshelf right next to Aamaya, reading over a few book titles and stroking their covers, while she pondered what to say. She spoke after a moment, her voice soft,
"I have... Well, a lot of energy at night. I find the day to day curriculum of royalty somewhat tedious anymore. I know what I'm doing, yet I still have to do certain tasks that are to my station, as I am sure you are most aware Princess. So, I guess I don't do a lot during the day that one would consider physically exerting. I should be tired after today's events, but I'll sleep later, after... other activities." Valeri paused with a sly smile. She was being very open with Aamaya, for some reason or another, probably due to the wine she had earlier.
Valeri then turned her gaze away from the bookshelf, having found a far more interesting story then what books could offer, and looked at Aamaya.
"I never seem to read enough anymore... Being whisked away to far places, reading a poets favorite work, even old literature! It can be relaxing to let the mind wander. Though I do find old works to be a bit difficult to understand, though rewarding once cracked." Valeri shifted, as she gazed at Aamaya longingly, her eyes admiring every bit of the girl's features. The Freya people really were beautiful up close, and when not so... burdened with accessories. The things she would d-
She stopped herself, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. Valeri quickly said,
"Oh look at me, being so informal. Forgive me, Princess Aamaya, I can drone on and on. I see that I've interrupted your reading, I should go." Would her little display work, she wondered. There was a fine subtlety between being too straight forward, and not trying hard enough but Valeri was optimistic of the night, especially when alone with potential partners.
Aamaya giggled, placing her fingers against her lips to silence the laughter.
"Oh no, you don't have to leave. You aren't bothering me love." The woman blinked slowly, placing the book she held on a nearby shelf, sauntering off towards the elegant couch placed in the middle of the room. Swiftly moving to sit, her hand would pat the space beside her, a welcoming smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
"Sit." Aamaya placed both of her hands behind her neck, raking her fingers through the abundance of hair.
"So, how has life as a Princess been treating you Valeri? Does your mother and father expect you to wed as well? Is that your plan during the festival?" Valeri eye's lit up at Aamaya's words, followed by a wide grin. She watched Aamaya walk to the couch in silence. Valeri liked the girl's tone, it was both commanding and gushing with formality. The kind you only find with those who were meant to be royalty. The tall pale girl then responded to Aamaya's summons, meandering over, and sitting upon the cushion next to her. She crossed her long slender legs, and turned her body to face Aamaya. Her clothing would be practically see through at this point, though Valeri did not care in the slightest. She then placed both of her hands atop each other, on her left knee, pondering the question asked. It was a good one, but also difficult to answer.
She spoke after a moment of silence,
"I've only ever known this one life honestly, as I am sure you can attest. It has its low points, and high points. I can't say it's all bad, but it does get boring. I don't think I would trade it for anything else though, but a part of me always wonders what my life might be if I were... someone else." She finished with a soft smile. Now for the harder part.
"I'm not entirely sure what my plan is..." Valeri said somberly,
"My Father can be... difficult to talk to most days. I don't think I'll be getting married though. Between you and me, there aren't that many handsome bachelors, but the ladies... Now, I wouldn't be against taking one of their hands." She finished with a light laugh. Valeri then went quiet, shifting her legs and arms around, thinking for the first time that she had no idea what her Father wanted from her at the Festival, it would just be another topic for tomorrow, if they talked. She gazed off into the distance, thinking about her Mother. She had avoided saying anything about her, the memories it brought were still painful.
She turned back to Aamaya with a sad smile,
"How about you Princess? You must be feeling a hundred different things no doubt. I can only imagine what it would be like in your shoes."The woman listened carefully to Valeri, nodding when it was required, glancing towards the rows of shelves adorned with books.
"Oh I must agree, the ladies attending are rather... intriguing, exotic, much different from my own people." Aamaya smiled brightly, fingers fiddling absentmindedly with the tassels decorating the throw pillow beside her.
"It has been, stressful, but I have been handling it well. I am unsure of my plans as of now however." Her eyes of varying tones would shift to stare at the bandage wrapped snugly around her hand, a soft exhale following. Further concern would be interrupted by the sound of shrieking, just barely making its way through the pattering of rain. Aamaya stood quickly, moving out of the study and towards the palace's entrance, a wary look settling on her features. She was however, stopped by a group of guards, insisting she stay inside due to the palace being on lock-down. They explained the beast that was outside and Aamaya's wary expression would shift to that of dread.
"Princess Valeri, I must see what has happened. The guards say I shouldn't because it is a horrific sight, but the beast is dead.Without further explaining, Aamaya draped a long, decorative shawl-wrap over her nightgown, slipping flats onto her feet before being escorted outdoors. The rain hit her skin immediately, but she ignored the downpour, marching with confidence towards the mess of men. The guards made way for her, giving her a view of the dead beast, beheaded and covered in blood. Her expression remained blank, unwavering, glancing around the scene before her. There were mutilated men everywhere, blood painted buildings, entrails littered the street. It was horrid, but Aamaya would not show her discomfort. Instead, she rose her head proudly, insisting the man who killed the beast be brought to the palace once he cleaned himself up. Nothing more was said, more guards were ordered to bring the wounded in, healers instructed to help who they could. Aamaya found her way back in the palace, dismissing her guards to retire to her room where she would prepare for the arrival of the man who had slaughtered the bear.
Valeri looked to Aamaya, following her eyes every now and then, as the girl talked. She could tell the girl was not handling it well, it was very apparent to Valeri. Aamaya looked exhausted in that late hour, and the bandage around her hand probably told a story of its own. She was about to place a hand on the girl's shoulder when the screams started. This made Valeri snap to attention, suddenly wondering what it could be. She followed Aamaya as the girl left the study, only to be stopped by guards who explained the situation. Valeri's stomach twisted, she felt very sick to hear of the beasts spree. When Aamaya started to leave, Valeri spoke to her,
"I don't think that's a very good..." But Aamaya payed no attention to her, as the woman left, escorted by guards,
"Idea." she said half absently. She frowned, there always seemed to be something getting between her and her prize.
She was, thankfully, escorted back to her room. When they rounded the corner, there were now five primfiran's, guarding an empty room. She sighed, well, at least they didn't get murdered by a bear. She went inside the now dark room, and fell face first onto her bed. She pouted a bit, having come so close but it was not to be, again. Aamaya was a woman of service, a proud and a little bit impulsive. There were some sights that no one should see, and a massacre as this one sounded was one of them. The girl would be lucky to not have nightmares of the carnage, and Valeri would have no part of it whatsoever. Her place was in the palace, away from such violence if she could help it. Besides, the blood would have made her very sick. Though she pitied those that had died, their sacrifice meant that others did not have to meet the same fate. Tomorrow would be a very sad day, full of mourning and praise for whoever stopped the beast.
Valeri got under her covers, unsatisfied with how the night turned out. Sleep did not come easy, but it came amidst the rain. It came.
Snowdrops
