Chereads / Cutting Out My Heart / Chapter 8 - The Dance of Colors

Chapter 8 - The Dance of Colors

Jalla expressed many new faces today that Moira hasn't seen her make since Tsina and Greyse were hired on as trainee handmaidens. Though it was funny to see Jalla scoff as Vyviann fawned over Moira, and Moira catching her reaction, Jalla wore a tense face at all times and arms crossed . Moira swore she saw Jalla give a small cheer when Vyvian wasn't looking when the guard came down the hall to escort them back to the Throne room.

Standing in these boots was easy enough, they were rather comfortable, but walking in them, Moira wasn't quite sure she would make it down the stairs. The black plum colored boots made of heavy silk and lace had a slight heel on them; having never worn heels before, they put Moira off balance, as she took a step and twisted her ankle a bit.

Jalla rushed forward to offer Moira her arm, but was cut off by Vyvian, steering Moira forward.

"Ah, Thank you Vyvian, these boots are very tall, are they not?" Moira laughed, stumbling as Vyvian, without effort, held up most of her weight. "I've never worn this type, I never had to."

Vyvian laughed as well, patting Moira's hand that grasped her arm, "I can tell, though do not fret, these are barrettes, heeled boots that all the women in Odiovitae wear. I find them most comfortable in the colder seasons, my lady."

They walked slowly as they talked, the Dome Guard having to slow his pace so that he wasn't too far ahead of them. Hulmir was behind the three, silent except for the clinking sound of the glass armor. "Not many wear this style of dress here, none at all actually as far as I've seen." Moira said dreamily. "It's nice having something new."

"I quite understand, when the queen mother gave me this dress, I was absolutely enthused. You see, she only gifts me dresses when I have a new lady to work for. Though, that was a year ago, I was very surprised to hear King Rejan denied our request for Ceremony after previously planning it with King Soren. That angered them, and they arranged for the Representative to be sent in their stead. Your betrothed was certainly heartbroken, because delaying Ceremony delayed the wedding and-." Vyvian looked over at Moira, furrowing her brows. "Surely you already knew this?"

Moira shook her head, she did not want to admit to being a child, to admit she begged her uncle for something- anything that would save her from her duties.

"Hmm. Most irresponsible for the King to withhold this information from you. You're like an empty cup ready to be filled, my lady. You will learn." Vyvian reassured as they descended the steps, Moira's train flowing fabulously as Jalla and Hulmir stayed behind for them to enter first.

"Hopefully, I do wish not to sound uninformed in front of Olvina, or any of the Representatives party, or you for that matter, but one cannot speak of things she does not know of. And Olvina is very gracious for a... Representative." Moira was going to say 'Unhuman' but she didn't know how Vyvian would take that term with being Unhuman herself.

Vyvian stiffened as they reached the bottom of the stairs, "l see. Well, no matter what you fear, Moira, you are a very intelligent woman amongst Man, not many have your gifts."

Scoffing playfully at Vyvian, "Pfft, my only gift I wish to have is utmost balance. I'm afraid I will fall while dancing." Moira stopped at the grand throne room doors, letting go of Vyvian as she saw the King striding in her direction. As he approached Moira he ushered away Vyvian with a flick of his and took her left hand in his, raising it high, making her spin around to see her new dress.

"Lavish." He pronounced flatly, piqued by her outfit, "Very contrasting."

"I too adore the shade, Vyvian practically said I looked ravishing." Moira said it innocently, not really thinking about the wording, but looking at her uncle's face she was met with revulsion.

"I am optimistic you'll refrain from saying incautious things while in the Representatives attendance?" The King said, squeezing Moira's hand hard, she didn't dare challenge his kindness tonight by pulling away, she knew it would only make it worse.

Trying to explain herself, she exclaims, "Uncle, I did not mean..."

"...'my King'." he corrected coldly, staring ahead as the doors opened, revealing the throne room transformed into the most beautiful ball room. Moira did not further her sentence, she knew the conversation was over now. She instead focused on the 15 thrones at the far end of the room that were decorated with the sigils of the ruling houses, some were occupied by Representatives of the houses.

The circular shape of the throne room was ideal for hosting parties and having dances. The throne room ceiling was a mirror mosaic, it reflected the lights from the brilliant glass chandelier and the white concrete, looking like starlight glittering on a snowy ground. The King led them in the room only a few steps before stopping beside the Representative and handing Moira off. The musicians began to play a slow happy melody as Olvina, whirled Moira away.

The room was theirs as they danced to the center, everything was a blur until she focused on Olvina's face. Moira blushed furiously and looked to the side, trying to force out something to say.

"I- I hope you like our kingdom, Queen Mother. We have long awaited your visit and the whole dome has been in an uproar for cleanliness. The Priscibene and Luca house was sweeping the streets every night for a week before the army of carriages showed up."

Olvina chuckled graciously, "Yes, the dome is quite a place," more of the houses started mingling and the colors of each household started to clash. "There is much tradition here, and they are ancient traditions. I was just a few hundred years old before they evolved the clothing. Being here reminds me of the past."

Moira laughed, Olvina joining her a bit. "I couldn't imagine you in chiton, Olvina." she blurted this out not thinking, her uncle's reprimanding voice filled her head. She finally looked at Olvina's breathtaking eyes, she could not stop looking at them, they were incredible to be looked at with as well. Olvina's gaze was like waves of calm coursing over her. Soothing her wariness.

"I could not imagine wearing one." she retorted playfully, her tone sweet, twirling Moira around as every lead did with their partner. Almost every house was dancing, their colors creating a rainbow reflection off the mosaic above. "You looked like a vision before, and now you are stunning. I take it you have received my grandsons, King Soren's, gift?"

"Yes, it is wonderful. I have never worn anything as comfortable as this. Please, pass on my gratitude when you return to Odiovitae."

"Oh sweet Moira, when we leave in a fortnight you can tell him yourself. You'll meet all sorts of dress makers and be introduced to hundreds of new designs while in Odiovitae. I am excited for you to see the land. It's nothing like this place..." Olvina explained.

"Quite, there aren't many activities to do, especially these past few years since I've been named Heir of the Domes."

"Oh? So what does a young woman such as yourself do to keep busy? I imagine you are musically inclined then?"

Moira laughed at her assumption. "Goodness no, I can't sing very well at all, or at least that's what the voice tutor told me, and my hands are too small for string or piano instruments."

"Such a character. Many young women, I presume, want to woo their betrothed family by song or by music. What type of hobbies do you have then, Moiranos?"

Moira threw her head back, chuckling loudly, "Well, I do paint and write, and I enjoy foreign foods."

"So a surveyor and creator of art? How wonderful. In the castle, we have a massive gallery with paintings that date back over seven generations." Olvina seems to be genuinely interested in knowing more about Moira. She was not used to being probed by anyone like this, blushing a bit. "Yes, I know you will love it there. You have a very magnificent aura about yourself. Any other hobbies?"

"You mean other than humoring the servants and making my uncle irrationally mad at me for being 'unladylike', I don't think so. I would love to pick up something more active like archery or hunting or horseback riding, but King Rejan does not allow me outside the dome."

"Shame, a beauty such as yours should not be hidden from the world. But, tell me, Moira, you claim that you are humorous. Give me a quip." Olvina demanded, as they slowed their dancing, moving off key. Moira stood, swaying with Olvina for a moment, thinking of a joke.

"Um, well... There was a father whose last name was Rose. As a lark, he named his daughter Wild, with the happy conceit of having her called Wild Rose. But that sentiment was tossed out when the woman grew up to marry a man whose last name was Bull."

Olvina chortled loudly, one of her party members looking to see if she was alright.

"That is actually funny Moira, I will have to remember that one to tell my court; where did you hear it?"

"I heard it from a guard a few seasons ago, it lacked refinement so I took it as my own joke."

There was a long moment of silence between them as the music came to the crescendo, Olvina picked Moira up, twirled her around wistfully and placed her back down gently, in synchronicity with the rest of the dancers.

It was like a whirlwind of color as she was spun around and raised to the music. It was a weird feeling being lifted without challenge. Moira was thoroughly out of breath at the end of the number. Olvina heard her heavy breaths and guided her toward the small drink tables that sat at the edges of the room. Handing a glass of yellow ale to Moira, giving a short bow before excusing herself.

"Thank you for the dance Moira, now if you'll excuse me, I need to discuss matters of importance with your King and the other representatives." And with that, the queen mother of the King of Odiovitae left for the platform of thrones, one by one speaking the Representatives. Moira was inquired to dance by a few more houses, it would be rude to deny their dance requests, especially here.

Moira found it an amazing feature her first dance was with a vampire at the Dance of Colors.