World: Timiro
Scene: The palace gardens, Credia, Timiro. Spring 4256. Christina is thirteen, Adrian twenty-three.
Players: Adrian = Abby; Christina = SJ
Within the gleaming palace walls an orderly paradise is laid out, lush and verdant. Neat paths of crushed marble wind between velvet green lawns and clustered beds of brilliant flowers, opening out into sunlit terraces where crystal fountains play. Tidy tree-lined avenues lead down to fragrant, half-hidden bowers; graceful benches of carved teak are placed here and there, some in sunlight, some in shade. Roses bloom everywhere, from the snow white and buttermilk flowers of the bushes along the walkways, to the vibrant blood-crimson blossoms that festoon the ivy-clad walls, to the rare black roses whose midnight petals show up starkly against the creamy marble of benches and statuary. Several spacious balconies overlook the gardens from the palace.
Tiny, small for her age, and delicate, wide blue eyes peer from a pale face where a small nose and delicate chin combine with high cheekbones and a fineboned structure to create a distinctly aristocratic face. Masses of golden curls tumble down her back, falling nearly to the backs of her knees, held away from her forehead by a band of burnished gold inlayed with twining white cobras. She wears a sleeveless chemise of fine cream batiste with a brocade yoke, visible beneath her full gold satin underdress, which has gathered sleeves, and a brocade front; pearls accenting the neckline. The silk jacquard emerald green overdress is high-waisted and open in the front to reveal the underdress, and tiny hook and eye closures catch the graceful drop sleeve for a puff and slash effect. She wears only one ring: a signet ring upon her left hand.
Adrian's strong features and slightly unruly dark curls give him a forceful look, belying his mild demeanor and the inherent gentleness in his brown eyes. He is not yet twenty-five, though his gravity sometimes makes him seem older; his movements have the easy grace of confident youth. When he speaks his voice is deep and mellow, his tone usually quiet; his rare smile is curiously sweet.
Christina is crumpled on one of the benches, sobbing softly into her hands.
Adrian wanders down from the center of the garden, hands locked behind him. At the sound of weeping, however, he stops short, and comes around the corner cautiously, frowning.
Christina looks up at the sound of footsteps, tear-fulled eyes wide. "Oh..." she murmurs, and attempts to wipe her cheeks.
Adrian says gently, "Do I intrude, madam?"
Christina draws in a shaky breath, and shakes her head. "N-no," she answers softly.
Adrian crosses to drop to one knee before her, watching her in concern, though he says nothing further for a moment.
Christina wipes at her cheeks again, breathing in soft gasps. "Oh, Adrian, it is so awful. I am getting married in the morning."
Adrian blinks once. Twice. "Tomorrow?" he says, too bewildered to remember honorifics or even that she just said that. He does have the presence of mind to poke in his pocket for a handkerchief, however.
Christina accepts the handkerchief with a faint smile, and dabs at her eyes. "This is happening so fast. I..." she pauses, and shakes her head. "Forgive me, I am not myself."
Adrian's voice is soft, even understanding. "Who would be, Highness?"
Christina shakes her head, then tosses propriety to the winds, and throws herself against his chest, sobbing once again.
Adrian, rocked in more ways than one, reflexively puts his arms about her. Gods... she is only a child. But the only thing he manages to say aloud is "Shhh."
Christina huddles against him, weeping as if her heart were breaking. "He... he does not even s-smile at me, Adrian.."
I can well believe that. Adrian strokes her hair hesitantly and lies the best he can. "Dazzled by your beauty, no doubt, Highness."
Christina shakes her head at that. "Oh Goddess, I cannot do this. Run away with me, Adrian," she says, rather irrationally.
Adrian sighs quietly, there being no answer to this.
Christina sags against him, wetting his shoulder with her tears. "He is cruel. I can see it in his thoughts, but my parents will not listen."
Adrian pets her hair again, at a loss. "Dear my lady..."
Christina lifts her head to look up at him with her wide blue eyes. "How can I do this? My father has ordered me to wed, but why could not I have picked the man? This is not fair, Adrian. I..." she trails off, shaking her head once again.
Adrian reaches out tentatively to put back a straying curl, his eyes very warm. "I know, madam," he says gently. "I wish I might help you."
Christina sniffles, her eyes watering again at his gentleness. "Will you... will you kiss me, Adrian? I do not want my first kiss to be with... with him."
Adrian's dark brows lift. He looks down at her for a moment, and pity and affection and trepidation are jumbled together with something more intense behind his impassive expression. At last he says only, quietly, "As your Highness wishes."
Christina bites her lip, then nods. "I do. Please, Adrian." She closes her eyes, and lifts her face to his.
Slowly he smoothes back her hair till his hand cradles the back of her neck, and slowly bends to kiss her; gently, restrained.
Christina makes a soft sound, shifting closer to him, returning the kiss a bit uncertainly, one hand curling over his shoulder.
Adrian's arm tightens around her slightly, the kiss deepening a little -- only a little. She'll have enough to deal with in twenty-four hours, no doubt.
Christina sighs into the kiss, relaxing against him. She draws back after a moment, and lays her head on his shoulder. "Thank you, Adrian," she whispers.
Adrian takes a slow breath. "Your servant, madam." But even he has to see the absurdity of that and there's an odd little choking sound.
Christina slips her arms about his neck, holding on to him tightly. "Oh, Adrian..." her shoulders shake slightly, and she burrows closer to him. "I would choose you, if I could."
Now is not the moment to point out that he's married, too; even if it occurred to him, which in point of fact it does not. Adrian only cradles her against him, stroking her hair, speechless.
Christina gasps suddenly, and pulls back, looking towards the doors inside. "My father is looking for me. I must go." She looks up at him, and leans to press a quick, sweet kiss on his lips. "Thank you, Adrian. Thank you for being my friend."
Adrian blinks, and lets her go. "I always shall be, madam." He rises, reaching for her hands to help her up as well.
Christina rises with him, brushing at her skirts. "You do not know how much that means to me."
Adrian so far forgets his composure to run a hand through his hair. "Anything in my small power that will ease your Highness, I will do." He hesitates, and then adds softly, "Little princess, be brave."
Christina looks up at him, biting her lower lip, then catches up her skirts, and turns away. "I shall," she whispers. "You give me strength." With that, she hurries inside, just as the King's voice calls for her.