Sister... are you still awake?
     The sun has long ago set, dinners long ago served and last good nights whispered between lovers, when the Sun King's voice sounds at his older sister's ears like the slight pinkening of dawn.
     He is already in transit to her chambers, the royal hall lined now with constant guard details. And for the increased security, Balthazar has decided to increase the amount of clothing he wears to bed (or in the royal halls). Where before he might have moved bare-chested, he is fully clothed, however comfortably. The only thing bare about him is his feet. The Egyptian cotton trousers are richly dyed a deep burgundy red. Bound by a drawstring, they fall mostly loosely around his legs, except where his anatomy demands more from it. The long-sleeved pullover is quite a bit more fitted. Though it covers him, it leaves little to the imagination. His feet are bare, sounding on the marble. I know it's late... I just wanted to see how you were doing. We haven't had a chance to talk much, and I'm restless. Feel up to company? Balthazar rakes his hands through his golden hair, the thick strands standing here and there when he's done.

     I am still awake. You can come ahead of you like.
     She is awake, although dressed for bed, in a fragile-looking white cotton night-dress trimmed with lace at the cuffs and hem, like an oversized ballet dress. She is altogether too self-composed to make a good Clara, however, and she rises from her bed where she has been lounging, reading.
     She does not bother with pulling on a robe or the like, merely brushes her hair back and goes to the door to await you. There are drinks; hot cocoa, cider mulled with spices, even a small bottle of brandy. There are, of course, cookies and nuts; everything for the turning weather's delights.
     I hope that all is still well with you and your beloved, Tanira remarks. No sudden surprises?

     Remember that time a month or so ago when I wondered if you would ever talk to me when I was actually happy? Well, my sister, we've finally done it. For once this visit is ...just because I want to see you. And catch up.
     Balthazar appears not two minutes later, as if you and he were sneaking out and staying up past bed-time all over again. Like the time he would sneak into the rooms with you and Sabira and you would read to them under a tent made of blankets. "No surprises," Balthazar whispers as he enters. He closes the door behind him, and draws you into a hug. "I am here for you, for once. Oh, cocoa," he says. And brandy.
     Golden eyes are warm, even in the low light of deep evening. The basilica barely makes a sound, most floor hushed in sleeping. "I am sorry I haven't had time to check in with you. How are you? How are courtship activities going? I hear you have gotten it down to three..." Arm around your shoulder, he walks with you toward the sofa and cocoa. "The only one I know is Eavan..."

     That is good. She is tolerantly amused. I prefer you happy, little brother.
     You enter, and she goes to sit on the sofa with you with a small smile. "Down to three, yes," Tanira agrees quietly. "Eavan, and two archangels; Duma and Jophiel." She has cider for herself, and she tucks her feet up under herself. "I don't know if you've met them. I admit, I am ... in a bit of a bind."

     Balthazar takes a seat next to you but still with a bit of space for you both. He pours a cup of cocoa for himself (and adds just a thimble full of brandy). He smiles to you. "Me too," he teases as he settles back. He then turns his attention to you, sipping at the cocoa. No matter how tall or broad he gets, he sits with the same posture as he did when he was seven, a foot lifting to curl its toes at the edge of the table.
     "Oh yes?" he wonders, a golden eyebrow ticking up as he sips. "In what way? I haven't met the archangels, no. I know Eavan fairly well. Good man. So... your bind. I don't know what it would be like to have to be open to three possibilities." Resting back against the cushions, he rolls his head against it, looking to you. He waits to hear the nature of your bind, not remarking on how odd it is to be the one listening to you for a change.
     He likes it...

     "I do not know how I feel yet." Tanira shrugs a little bit, sipping her cider and looking to the fireplace. "I like Eavan; he is sweet, and very endearing. But ... I do not know him well enough to know if that would be enough. Sweet and endearing is a bit of a novelty, from someone to whom I am not related, little brother." She lightly ruffles your hair, then leans back again.
     "I am not sure I like Duma at all. It is - complicated, and difficult to explain." She goes quiet for a moment, again looking into the fire. "It is difficult to know how to feel about someone who begins by telling you that he has watched over you since you were born, and is already in love with you and that that is why you should choose him. And Jophiel... Jophiel is the first man I think I have found flirting with to be a natural act. Of course, I have only met him once, so far."

     "I don't think you're supposed to have all the answers yet," Balthazar looks to you, smiling slightly but warmly. Leaning forward, he sets the cocoa aside for a moment. He opens his arm outward to allow you to pile on if you want to. "Duma... is he bad boy of the three, then? The one you love to hate, like a Mr. Darcy," he wonders. Balthazar brushes back your hair. "You can't always know after two dates. I didn't know about Calliope after two dates. It took a month for me to really figure out how or whether I was attracted to her in a deeper way. It's not always like a lightning strike. In fact, the lightning strikes aren't common at all. Just, you happen to know two people for whom that happened. One, twice," meaning Gruffydd.
     "So if you had to pick one right now, which one are you most attracted to? Or are they all still about equal?" Balthazar wonders, his head tipping back.

     "I'm not sure that he strikes me as a 'bad boy', or even a Mister Darcy. I am not sure what he is," Tanira frowns, "except that he seems very intent on always being right, which makes me dig in my heels and want to prove him wrong." She shakes her head. "I can't really choose between them at this point. At the very least, I need to see Jophiel again; we've only met once, you know. It just isn't enough."
     She sips her cider again, sighing and letting her head tip back to rest against the back of the sofa. "Eavan seems so simple, in some ways, next to them - not simple as in stupid, but straightforward, less complex. And while right now that is something of a blessing in disguise, I am not convinced it is a lifetime's worth sort of thing. I worry that I would grow - well - bored. But I don't know; I can't know. We all seem relatively simple, as a rule, upon first acquaintance. It's difficult as it is not to try and rush it, to reveal too much, to ask too much on such short acquaintance, because of the awareness of time passing. And he has less time than they do; less time than I do. He's a king, and he has a kingdom to run. I don't want to be detrimental, or to have to put him in the position of choosing between pursuing me or doing his duty."
     "Angels, on the other hand," Tanira continues dryly, "can move back and forth with much greater ease. It's almost unfair, really. But none of them seem really to be bad boys; they all strike me as upright and honorable gentlemen, in their own strange ways. Have any of them met with you yet, for that portion of their challenges?"

     Balthazar listens to you, his body relaxed against the sofa as well. He sits forward just briefly to retrieve his cocoa, then relaxes back again. "No, not yet," he says. "But now that my role in the games are done, I will have time to meet with them. Do you want me to meet with them tomorrow? I will have Thalin block out whatever portion of my calendar that is necessary. I would like to meet Duma and Jophiel." Gold eyes peer at you. "How do you make arrangements with them? Do they just show up, or has mother been making those appointments?"
     Yes, how does one ring up an archangel?
     Balthazar chuckles softly, looking into the remains of the cocoa. "It sounds as though Duma has gotten under your skin. And maybe you would be bored of a simple, good man. But," Balthazar grins as he leans in toward you, "...don't forget that I, too, am a simple, good man. And I'm not boring. I don't know that I really need to meet with Eavan, as much as I do the two I don't know. That is," he defers to you, "...unless you wish me to ask Eavan something on your behalf..."

     "It is supposed to be scheduled in advance," Tanira answers, tone again dry, "but Duma, at least, does not feel compelled to stick to that. I suppose he has a point, in a way; all's fair in love and war. He has not attempted to outright kidnap me, however - I think he knows that I will respect and perhaps reluctantly admire someone who bends the rules, but would eschew someone who breaks them in too self-serving a fashion."
     She rubs her face with both hands, cider put to one side now. "I don't know, Balthazar. I do like Eavan a great deal, already, or it would be easy. It was very easy to get rid of Asad. Which reminds me," she says suddenly, "I've 'solved' the situation of Imogen for you. I hope you don't mind. She would like to regain your friendship; she was put in a very unfortunate situation by her mother, who still would be trying to marry her to you, and may still be trying, in fact."
     More on that in a minute, evidently. She picks up her cider again. "I don't really know what to have you ask any of them. I suppose, ultimately, I want to know how they interact with you, what they ask you, what they ask of you; what your opinions are. I will make my own decision in the long run, but ... I need more information, and time is always short." She makes a face and closes her eyes, sinking down slowly on the couch. "Jophiel and Eavan are both comfortable to be around. Duma, I want to throw sand in his face."

     The mention of Imogen is a sudden switching of gears. He looks to you and you can see that all is not lost for Imogen's cause. "Her mother has done her no great service, but then... it's always been that way." He looks into his cup a moment and then back to you. "I forgive her, of course," Balthazar whispers. "But if you are confident that she is redirected and is genuine, then I will let her know that I do." He smiles then.
     Those political lessons are really starting to pay off...
     Balthazar reaches out to nudge you. "Time is not short. You put too much pressure on it. Let it be. You can't control it anyway. Learn from my mistakes. I make so many good ones, it would be a shame to waste them." Brandied cocoa is set aside finally and he rests back, his hands folding at his stomach. "I will arrange to meet with them. I'll tell father to put me on the archangels' schedules. And I'll find Eavan, too. He might confide something of use to you. And I don't mind you sorting out Imogen," he adds warmly. "In fact, thank you. One less battle-front. I have pre-dawn battle nerves enough as it is," he smirks. "Tomorrow is going to be an... interesting day. But," he exhales, waving that off for now. He's here for you. "That's tomorrow's problem."
     Balthazar looks to you, head tipping slightly. "Are you going to meet with Jophiel in the morning?" he wonders quietly. "I can certainly be available before mid-day. The only thing I'm really doing tomorrow is building islands."

     "I've set her up with Asad. I suspect they'll fall for each other. It's a good match, and one far from here and from her mother's meddling; it would be difficult for her to say no to such a match, and if Imogen and Asad are smart, they will make it a fait accompli. Their happiness from that point on," Tanira shrugs, "it's up to them. He's not a bad man, but I think he's a little weak. But their strengths and weaknesses should complement one another's."
     She lifts her cider in both hands, making a face at you as you nudge her. "What is so interesting about tomorrow? And I am meeting with him in the morning, yes. If he does not decide to do as Duma did, and be extremely early and surprising." There's a slightly wistful tone to her voice, quickly banished. "Ah. Then you will want your chief architect on hand, won't you? How is she handling all of this?"

     Golden eyebrows lift in surprise, but the surprise doesn't last. "That's a rather fitting match, actually. You're nothing if not brilliant and cunning," he chuckles a little. "That's perfect. And it's a good match for her, better than she should expect really. There are a number of princesses who rank ahead of her. And Asad likes beautiful women, but he doesn't really seem to deal well with beautiful, complex women. Well, compliment or not, that's up to them, but I should expect that will give her mother something to concentrate on. How did you get him to bite on that?"
     What's interesting about tomorrow. "Well," Balthazar exhales with a half smile, "...Gillian, Arian and Madison are being formally recognized by the Court of Avalon as Lancelot's heirs, and apparently Elaine's as well. It sounds as if they'll all be titled shortly after the coronation, if not before. Of course, that's the least of the big news of the day. The biggest being the revelation that they are, in fact, related -- a fact they've kept to themselves, hidden, until today. The word started filtering through the palace right after it was announced. Lys came to tell me about it personally. And Gillian is handling it well, I think," he murmurs, propping his head up on his hand, his elbow to the back of the sofa. His smile takes on a different timbre. It is openly besotted. "She's planning to host her first event about two weeks after the coronation. She's met with Calliope, and has been making the social circuit in addition to her coursework. And entertaining her parents. For a moment there, I thought you were talking about Ani," Balthazar suddenly chuckles. "He's the architect."

     "He likes intelligence and beauty, even if not complexity." Tanira shrugs. "He wanted to do business with me, with my efforts to spin cloth from precious and semi-precious stones; I merely made Imogen an assistant, to see him when my schedule does not permit it. As long as I do not constantly send her and only her to make him think he is being slighted, his position, that is, he has no cause to take offense and they have plenty of opportunity to meet. The rest is up to her, of course."
     She nods thoughtfully, although she doesn't look surprised. "They could not keep that secret for long, not with as many people watching them as have begun to do so. It's better that it comes out now, before they have enough time to dig a deeper hole for themselves." She smiles. "Ani may be the architect in terms of construction. Gillian is the architect upon whose behalf the work is being done, little brother."

     "I agree," he says quietly, teasing done. "I understand why they didn't at first, to allow each of them to be individually established, but it is better, no matter how uncomfortable it gets for the next few days, for it to have been revealed now -- and by their choice. No one found them out -- so hopefully that will help dispel some of the conspiracy plots."
     It makes him tired just thinking about it.
     "You are certainly a woman of beauty and intelligence," your younger brother smiles. "And I'm glad you've narrowed it down to the three most deserving. I really didn't want to see you with Asad," he admits. "He keeps a number of mistresses. And my sister quite frankly deserves better."
     Balthazar grins as you mention his true architect. "She's both architect and muse. Actually, we're both acting as architects. She tells me her dreams, and I add a few of my own. I am thankful to have started it. It gives me a focus for all of my...energy." His desire. His Love. His need. How difficult it must be, indeed, for the Sun King to be chaste...

     "Oh, it was obvious that he has mistresses." Tanira rolls her eyes. "He thinks himself the universe's gift to women, and therefore it would be a shame - no, criminal - to confine himself to just one. I am open-minded, but if a man wishes to marry me, he had best be at least open to the idea of monogamy. Although," she hesitates. "I don't know," she says finally. "I am on the fence..."
     It makes her uncomfortable, even if it doesn't quite distress her. She frowns and puts the thought away again, smiling slightly to you. "She seems a very old-fashioned girl in some ways. But she is very capable, very competent. I am sure that half the girls already hate her, but she does not seem the type to mind; if anything, to some degree that will mean to her she is doing it right, as long as she has enough people to love her. I am glad that you're with her and not her sister, Balthazar. Madison is a sweet girl, but you two are too much alike in some ways. You even both fight dirty in the same ways, just in different arenas."

     Balthazar takes a moment of thoughtful silence. "It was only after not being with Madison that I realized... what was making me so intense, so on edge. Incapable of thought. Sun energy and fire energy have no business being so closely or so intimately involved. It was ... the magical equivalent of cocaine. I was just... well, at first I was just trying to be open to the possibility, and then... really it was after I had to serenade Gillian on behalf of Bran that I just...threw myself into Madison in all senses of the word. It really is for the best. I wish I had simply remained single, but Madison appears to be no worse for wear. In fact, she seems to be thriving."
     His thoughtfulness warms, his face taking on an incandescence when he thinks or speaks of Gillian West. "She is very old-fashioned in some ways, yes. Which I actually like. There is something very old world about her, old soul about her. And we connect in a way that is immediate, electrical. Like two stars of equal mass coming into sudden orbit." He pauses, his smile slanting. "Do I fight dirty?"
     Balthazar rolls his eyes slightly on the matter of Asad. "I would think the universe would have better taste. On the surface, he seems quite cordial, mannerly, even gallant. But then he opens his mouth. So... you would be interested in an open marriage? I can't imagine that," he murmurs. "For me, that is. I'm not saying it's not right for others. I could never do it."

     She nods, unsurprised by what you say regarding your time with Madison, then smiles faintly. "Ask your opponents in the battles of the past week, champion," your sister tells you. She lifts her cider for another sip. "Asad wasn't as bad as Dale, but ... there was something about him which reminded me of Ymrys, and that would be enough to put most women of sense off."
     Tanira glances to you, and sighs, closing her eyes. "I don't know," she admits. "Part of me shuns the idea, part of me... I just don't know, Balthazar. I am a little afraid of falling too much for them. I like this one, I like that one, and the scales keep remaining even, and the more I feel, the more it stays even - sooner or later, I have to choose, and if it continues on as it has been, then that means cutting a piece out of my heart, sooner or later. I am no prophet, but I'm not stupid enough to be able to delude myself. Sometimes I imagine it must be easier, if you have that gift or flaw of self-delusion, but I don't have it."
     She finishes off the cider and leans back, putting her feet up on the table. "So here I sit. I am not in love. I might be a little bit in like; I do like Eavan, I do like Jophiel, and," she makes a face, "I at least am not ready to cut Duma away, so I suppose on some level I must like him. There is a spark, even if it is maybe not the healthiest, cleanest kind of spark. So what happens? Sooner or later, either I have to choose and hurt someone I like, or two someones, or ..."

     He smiles at the term Champion but neither confirms nor denies his techniques. Balthazar leans in, lowering his voice. "But, sister, that is presuming that it will remain equal throughout. You've only had a handful of meetings. You cannot expect that it will be so clear, so soon. Again, too much pressure," he whispers. "Just... be around them. Enjoy the dates, whatever you do or wherever you go and try not to constantly take its temperature. You will know it when you feel it. And your choice ... while it may hurt them not to be chosen, it's not fatal. They will recover. I was in love, and I recovered. Remember? So... do not feel guilty for whatever choice you may make."
     But then, Balthazar pauses. "How do you feel about having...several someones. Your opinion's really the only one that counts. I suppose it could work out quite well to have either two archangelic husbands, or one angelic and one terrestrial. Angels typically don't reproduce. Or ... at least not in the typical fashion, so you wouldn't have to worry about securing someone's line..."

     "It might. It might not. I am trying to be around them." She closes her eyes. "I wish I knew how I felt. Little brother, you have always been open. I have always been the one standing with the carnival mask in one hand." Tanira looks very tired. "Love does not recognize masks; I have to lower my masks, reveal myself, if I am going to find the real thing. And yes, it is not impossible for me to do; I don't live in shadows, after all, and I am not an actress. But it is strenuous. And it is frightening."
     She admits it to you, but does not elaborate. Yes, she is afraid of being hurt. It is, after all, a two-way street. "So we will see. And I will try to curb my sense of responsibility, at least a little bit, to try not to feel as if I am preventing them from doing their more important work by being here and courting me. But it is times like this that I almost wish that I had been born a man."

     His arm comes out to draw you in, strength and warmth given to you easily. Your little brother isn't so little anymore. "I know it is," he whispers. "And it isn't any easier for men, or at least... I'll use myself as an example. Has it been easy for me?" he teases a little. He knows you know that isn't true.
     "It is okay to be afraid and nervous," Balthazar whispers between you. "But ... yes... my sister, please know that you are not making them do anything they aren't wishing to do. Nor does choosing one mean irreparable harm to the others. That is taking on far too much responsibility."
     He turns his head and places a kiss upon your forehead. "I should probably let you get some sleep, hmm? I wouldn't want to be the cause of bags beneath my lovely sister's lovely eyes." Balthazar hugs you to him, gently despite the solid mass of his form. He releases you with a last kiss upon your forehead, withdrawing to stand. "I'm still hours from sleep myself, I fear." A man in love is a funny creature.

     She pokes your arm. "Your difficulties are very specific to you. Look at Gruffydd," Tanira retorts. She sighs. "I know it doesn't, even if my ego would be a little pleased, I suppose, to think that they might pine - there is, after all, something heady about being sought after by kings and archangels. But... I suppose part of it is that I don't really understand them. Eavan, I understand, if he is being genuine - and I do think that he is."
     She sighs again, hugging you uncomfortably and then looking at you wryly. "Archangels, though. It is difficult to think of them as seeking me for a wife in the same way, yes? I do not think that they are lying. But it is - hard to understand. I feel as if I am wrestling with calculus, and while I know Sabira would tell me to just stop trying and enjoy it... it isn't quite the way my mind works."
     She pats your shoulder. "I will try and get some sleep. Go, little brother. Wander the streets of the city clutching roses if you must. I will be fine. I am just wrestling with a belated adolescence, I suppose."

     Balthazar's mouth pulls in a warm smile. "Welcome to the Late Bloomer's Club." Gold glimmers in the wink and your brother turns with an I love you mouthed in return. "Sweet dreams," he whispers at your door.
     He closes it quietly behind him, a soft knock of his hand against the wood as his final good night.

Posted by rowan at April 02, 2010 10:22 PM