Shapechangers

Chapter 7

The next morning, he dresses, struggling a bit w/stockings & bodysuit & almost forgoing the make-up. Grabs the parasol & fan as he leaves & heads down stairs.

(Ok, so sorry, switching p.o.v. 2 new character, Lord Kestrel, ‘Yes I know, that’s a bird I like that name.’ & his sibs.)

“Look at her, brother!…”

“Who?” asks Lord Thorn.

“I’ve never seen someone so beautiful….”

“Huh?”

“R u blind? The girl in blue at the front desk!!!”

“She’s pretty…”

“Pretty!! R u nuts!!! She’s way…..”

“So my bro’s finally fallen, huh?” breaks in his sis, Lady Simbel, as she comes up 2 them.

“Shut it!!!”

“Excuse me 4 breathing! But do u mean that girl, she’s way out of your league, bro.”

“Sim, behave…Don’t u see. Kess is in love…”

“That’s what I just said….So R u gonna talk 2 her?”

“Of course not, U do it…. Invite her 2 breakfast or something….”

“Why should I….I don’t want 2 help u w/anything!!!!”

“Simbel!!!” scolds Thorn.

“What…uh not like he’s done anything 4 me lately…”

“Really, sis…Nothing…What about your little trip….I seem 2 remember lying…”

“Oh, fine, I’ll try….”

She walks away 2 talk 2 Sirean.

“Wow, Kess aren’t u gonna a little fast….”

“No, not really….I want her…”

“Picking up a girl in a……”

“It's not like that….”

“……What would father say…”

“He’ll be happy when I bring her home…”

“Oh I get it. It’s like that, huh. I thought u didn’t want 2 obey his orders…”

“Yeah, well I guess, maybe the old man is right. I should settle down, already. Come on like it doesn’t make u happy. Now u can marry Simbel.”

“Wow, Kess, thanks. Though I thought, u said I’d never marr…”

“Never a long time. I’ve changed my mind, all right. I’ve just never seen someone as beautiful as Razia before.”

“That’s saying something. Considering how u’re always complaining what bad influence her highness is on Sim…”

“Just ‘cause I don’t like her. Doesn’t mean I can’t see how pretty she is!!”

“Absolutely, I just thought, u’d never admit it…”

“Uh, never mind that. b---h….Think the girl’s available…”

“Sure, looks like it. I don’t see any relatives, companions or guards. & it’s festival season. Plus u know the law…”

“Of course, u got 2 love that law. It’s what I’m counting on….Have 2 snap her up before anyone else spots her!!”

(OK, let me explain what they mean by law: in Ashmere_women- those who r born that way or who chose 2 assume the role like Razia, ‘Huh forgot 2 mention that before royal twins both physically male’ SILLY ME!! Anyway, girls must be in packs or accompanied by guards or relatives when they go out. Solitary girls r fair game 4 males. Like they’re announcing their looking 4 a husband!! Especially during the wedding festival, when everyone is thinking marriage. Like Kess’s father!! ‘Razia hates this kinda of thought!!!! She thinks it’s just another 1 in a long line stupid archaic laws. She’s fought 4 girls 2 carry swords 4 protection & not wear veils if they chose!!’ That’s why Kess doesn’t like her. He’s real, real old-fashioned. Not so good 4 Sirean, huh. More on that later. OK, back 2 the story. Sim striking up a conversion w/ Sirean.-)

“Excuse me, but have u had breakfast, yet?”

“Milady, was just inquiring about a meal…” responds the clerk.

“Oh, good then, how would u like 2 have breakfast w/me & my brothers?”

“I don’t know…”

“Please, it will be more fun w/another girl there. My brothers can kind of ignore me sometimes, please come.”

“But I’m a stranger…”

‘Who is this girl she’s sure is brazen. But it seems my cover is working neither of them think me out of place here…still arguing w/her might look specious…I guess, going along w/her wouldn’t hurt since I really don’t know my way around here, anyway…’

(Huh, little does he know. She’s just the decoy, Haha)

“Well, then, of course I won’t mind coming, 2 help keep u company.”

“Oh, thank u so, much….”

‘What a sucker….still she does seem nice enough…maybe 2 sweet 4 my bro…oh, well there no help 4 it. Not if I don’t want father 2 know about my (sword) lessons…DAMN U, KESS…’

“Where r we eating?”

“That’s 4 Kess 2 decide….I mean, my brother, Kestrel…it’s his choice today.”

“I see…”

“Oh, that’s right, here I am talking 2 u & I didn’t ask your name.”

“Oh, of course, my name’s Sirean…or Lady Sirean, I guess…I really don’t care 4 titles…”

“Me either…so I’ll call u Sirean & I’m Simbel, Sim. & those 2 over there r Thorn & Kess. Come meet them.”

“Sure.”