The next few days blurred together as everyone prepared Moira to travel to Odiovitae. The Representative was barely seen except for supper, which was later in the evenings when the Dome shields were on; Vyvian left every night before dusk, which Moira was grateful for because being hovered over was starting to get on her nerves. Jalla may very well be a handmaiden but she knew boundaries and kept a watchful distance, Vyvian was at Moira's side from the moment she opened her chamber doors in the morning to the second that she closed her doors at night.
Not only that, Vyvian was very superficial. Moira loved cracking jokes with the servants and cooks, Jalla didn't care about them anymore as she's heard them for twelve years, but Vyvian didn't laugh or smile. Moira couldn't hold it against her, she assumed being in the company of serious princesses and important ladies made one have a stiff humour.
Just like every morning this week, Greyse woke Moira up with toast and tea with another gift from Odiovitian Lords and Ladies while Jalla reads off her appointments and Tsina picks out the dress of the day. It was a perfect cloudy day, the dome was open and let in the soft gray color of the sun shining through the clouds, Tsina always chose the gown that resembled the weather, so a floor length santorini blue stola, a more feminine cotton chiton, was laid out with a yellow wrap that went over Moira's torso, pinned with gold buttons on either shoulder.
The dome itself was never open. Never. But the entrances on the North, South, West and East were constantly open and circulating air; when the entrances were closed the people of the Domes rely on the vents leading up the side of the glass to give them oxygen. Under the Domes are giant purifiers, sucking in and releasing clean air from the vents that lay every six feet in the streets of the dome, at least that's how it is in this dome. The shield was simple enough to explain, as it is a dark blueish opaque tint that could be turned off and on.
On gorgeous days like these that are sunny or cloudy, the shields are turned off so the citizens don't get restless, today was on the verge of rain, cold morning air rushed from all sides of the dome so the yellow wrap Tsina pinned Moira was a necessity.
Days they cleaned the outside of the dome was always entertaining, every other week, about twenty men strapped with ropes and cleaning supplies get hoisted through the top of the dome, they repel up and down the sides of the domes to clean the glass with mops and a brass handled scraper called an ettore that wiped away the scum without any lines. Moira always found herself daydreaming of being on top of the Dome, looking down at all the buildings and the people, looking at the smaller, similar, glass Dome Keep she lived in. The King never allowed her to go outside, 'too risky', he would say, 'not while you're still my only heir', he would threaten.
Jalla was dressed in opposite colors, yellow stola with a blue shoulder wrap. Her hair was down with a single braid around her head. Moira loved Jalla's hair, it was thick and brown and easy to style. Moira's was a tangled red mess which she usually heaped together into a ponytail. She tried to stay in her chambers with Tsina and Greyse as long as she could, but the hour hit and a soft knock was heard as Vyvian walked in, not addressing Tsina or Greyse, like they were apart of Moira's decor.
"My lady." Vyvian said, her arms behind her back respectively. "You have an appointment with the Representative at precisely nine o'clock this evening, please bring Jalla with you. I also have a letter from King Soren." Revealing her hand, holding a rolled up piece of parchment sealed with a very recognizable teal Odiovitian stamp, Moira was in the middle of ripping her hair tame with a very reliable comb.
"Read it to me, Jalla." Moira asked, her voice high-pitched from pain.
Jalla took the parchment as Vyvian went back to her stance, unrolled the paper and read aloud.
"'Dear Moira Fasi, daughter of Mallina and Eren, born of the Domes, and Jallamina Themeuron'..." Jalla flushed upon reading her full name but continued. "...daughter of Willemina and Jahn, it is my immense pleasure to welcome you to The Kingdom of Odiovitae where you both will reside in Castle Athaar. Olvina, Queen Mother, Representative of the Athaaric Clan, and her company will escort you on the dawn of the first day of the Autumnal Equinox. The Queen Mother has told me of your Dance of Colors, I apologize deeply for my absence, tradition dictates mistakes were made, I hope to earn your forgiveness in the foreseeable future.
"'Inquiring about your passage, all the essentials of travel have been readied in the carriages since the Representatives arrival. Your wardrobe in the Domes is light and airy as there is no relentless weather, whereas Odiovitae is atop a sunny but snowy, mountainous, highland that is unforgiving on bare skin. I have given your Second orders to replace your wardrobe, and your handmaidens wardrobe, with Odiovitian fashion and climate appropriate clothes.'"
Jalla shot a glare at Vyvian and pointed a long finger at her, "You're the one who replaced all my clothes and packed them in your fancy boxes-"
"Jalla just read the letter." Moira demanded, getting excited from the news, but irritable from detangling her hair while Tsina and Greyse rushed in to try to help. Jalla gave Moira the same nasty glare and cleared her voice, rustling the parchment loudly.
"'Vyvian will accompany you the entire journey, I would advise not to exit the carriage at any cost without first consulting her, the passage to Castle Athaar is very treacherous. Vyvian will act as your chaperone on the way to Odiovitae, and a guide to when it is safe to pause the caravan. I must advise you once more, as your trusted acquaintance, as a future family member, as your King, as this bit is crucial, do not consume any food on the morning of the departure or on the road to Odiovitae. Vyvian will explain on the day of egress.
'King of Odiovitae, Lord of the Vampires. Caenus Ascila Soren of the Athaaric Clan."
Moira and Jalla stare at each other for some time, eyes full of uncertainty. Vyvian stood there cordially waiting for Moira to start her daily duties. Jalla scrolled the parchment and threw it on the end table beside Moira's bed, wiping her hands on her dress.
"Well..." Jalla said drolly, "that was informational."
"And cripted" Greyse added looking to Vyvian. Tsina rolled her eyes and took her hand, leading them out of the room, she whispered inaudible things that made Greyse turn her head reproachfully back at Vyvian. Moira could tell she didn't enjoy being around an Unhuman, a vampire, but soon Moira will be gone and wished Vyvian would not be here so early so she could enjoy them a little longer.
Moira finally looked at Vyvian, her eyes were a darker shade of red today. It was unsettling.
"When is departure? Will Jalla be traveling in the same carriage as us?" Moira desperately wanted to travel with someone who she can actually talk to.
Vyvian bowed her head, "We will depart in three days. and of course, the servants ride together in the back of the caravan, I will be traveling with you, as will Hulmir, and your luggage will-"
Moira held up her hand as her uncle did when stopping someone from talking, her head tilted a bit as though trying to listen clearly through one ear. Her voice turned stern, as she learned from her uncle, sounding defensive Moira rarely got this way, her uncle had always been a symbol of bitterness and anger, she swore she'd never act like him.
"I would like to first start off by saying that Jalla is my handmaid, but she is Human, just as I am. She is not a servant. And secondly, you are called a 'Second' for a reason, Vyvian. Second to Jalla. She will ride with me, and you will accompany us." Moira stared deadpan at Vyvian, and Jalla stared at Moira with shock. Vyvian bowed lowly, receding into the corridor.
Jalla quickly followed behind Vyvian and shut the chamber doors, pausing for a moment and turning around with a tensed face and a worried tone. "You shouldn't have done that."