Three Twisted Knots

My Welsh Granny thought Dr Zhivago was the most romantic film ever made. I have to admit, when she made me watch it with her (I was like 9), I fell asleep. Because it was a 3-hour film about some weird relationships and romances and wars in Russia, and I was nine.

When I had to see it again for a screenwriting class in uni, I could see a few more merits, though I confess I never read the Boris Pasternak novel upon which it is based.

But still, when I find myself in an odd place, and it must be a dream, because this would never happen in real life, getting dressed for some kind of a ball, and the landscape is all wintry and the trees are covered with ice but I’m not really feeling the cold, I can’t help but hum “Lara’s Theme” in my head, and maybe even out loud, as it wouldn’t matter, because this is a dream.

I have a happy feeling, as I explain about my grandmother and Dr Zhivago to the two adorable tiny people helping me dress. They’re not wearing those furry hats, so we must not really be in Russia. I used to know what those hats were called. Then again, the weird steps held up by balloons would prove to anybody this isn’t actually Russia and is obviously a dream. Never mind that there are chandeliers hanging from the trees.

“What? What’s wrong?” I ask, as one of them turns to the other and they share a concerned bit of tutting. “Thank you for helping with the dress; I feel amazing, and I’m sure it’s going to be a wonderful ball.” It’s always a ball, isn’t it, in a dream?

“My lady,” says the little blonde one cautiously, “you really must come back to us and come back to yourself. We need you tonight. The Realm needs you.”

Well, that’s a bit dramatic, isn’t it? I look around for what might be causing such trouble, and then I notice a latge, black cat sitting perhaps two metres away from me. Just staring.

“Oh,” I say. “Oh, of course.”

And there I am, no longer brunette, my countenance restored. I feel the familiar brush of pointed ears beneath the formal but comfortable hairstyle. “I wish I knew why I keep doing that,” I say.

Clutie looks at Kern again. He shrugs. “We’ve not got any idea, but Kern’s theory is you don’t want to be Queen so much that you’re willing to pretend you’re back in your old mortal life to get away from it.” She clears her throat. “But, My Lady, that doesn’t matter right now. We’re in the Royal Suite prepared for you at the Winter Court, and you’re due to speak about the importance of unity in the combined Courts after dinner, which will be starting soon. Obviously, they can’t start without you, but the gong’s gone, and keeping the Fae from a feast is never a good plan.

“Right,” I say. “Winter court. Speaking after dinner. Better have some wings, then.”

“Much better; I feel more imposing and Royal already,” I mutter, then turn to Clutie who is standing by with a makeup wand. “I take it there’s more?”

“A little colour on your face will make you more visible to spectators,” Clutie suggests. “It’s why we started with the twig eyebrows, to give a more naturalistic look.”

I  feel the smirk before I start talking. “Fine; paint me up, Clute.”

“She hates when you call her that,” Kern says. It’s the first time he’s spoken, which is unusual for him. I must ask him what’s wrong later.

“I know.”

Now, I’m ready. Time to address the Unseelie in their own Halls. Or forest, as the case may be.

And that, of course, is when I wake in the Bower. It is late summer and I won’t be in the Winter Court proper for some time, not as a leader, anyway. And let’s just not think about Kern’s diagnosis of me: it’s too early in the afternoon to even consider that.

The Wisp comes before I’ve even finished my breakfast. Dyisi has found Bronwyn, and she’s on that island, White Owl. “Clute, can you find me some blue jeans?”

“If I must!” comes the reply.

“She hates when you call her that,” Kern says. It’s the first time he’s spoken, which is unusual for him. I must ask him what’s wrong later.

“I know.”

Style Card:
Body: Maitreya
Head: Catwa, Destiny (Available at the Mesh Body Addicts Fair!)
Eyes: Soul, Sidhe Eyes
Skins:
Brunette photos: 7 Deadly s{K}ins Main Store7 Deadly s{K}ins, Miracle, Snow Catwa applier (Available in LIMITED EDITIONS at the 7 Deadly s{K}ins Main Store! Body appliers also available at the Main Store.)
Blonde photos: Lumae, Eirtae, Emryll (Available at the Mesh Body Addicts Fair!)
Hair: Calico Luna II (Available at Hairology!)
Gown & Necklace: Beyond Persuasion Designs, Someday We Will Meet Again   (Available at Fable!)
Makeup and Twig Eyebrows: SlackGirl, Faye Makeup and Add-on for Catwa Mesh Heads  (Available at Fable!)
Poses:PoESioN, the Throne Series; GlamRus, Bianca
Setting: Vintage Romance. I found this gorgeous sim through Strawberry Singh’s must-read blog.

My American mother thought Dr Zhivago was the most romantic film ever made. I didn’t fall asleep watching it as a kid: I actually loved it.

Here’s a video of Connie Francis’ rendition of it, with lyrics. The Beyond Persuasion Dessigns’ dress name just made me think of it, and I couldn’t get it out of my mind.

Spiffy photos taken with the indispensible aid of my LumiPro. I never suggest that my primary roleplay character is completely losing her mind without it!