When the boat landed in Severina, the first thing that caught me was the wind.
More than a sea wind….
More than a sea wind, it seemed to come from everywhere. I could barely keep my wings straight.
But we had business to do. You see, there are some Realms where you can, erm, acquire things that you might not be able to get in others. Of course, some of these things are not the sort of things you’d pick up at your local chemist, even if your local chemist happens to be a wizard named Alcazar or something.
Checking my List
I checked my list mentally (it never does to write these things down) as we approached the little shop under the docks of Severina. We’d made the appointment days before, and the proprietress had assured me everything we needed was in stock.
Dark and Empty
But to our surprise, the shop was dark and empty, save for the lanterns hanging beneath the arch. Inside the arch, there were many candles, as if someone had just been there and left for a moment, but there was no note on the door or an other communication; not even a Wisp.
I felt deflated. It’s not easy to set up a meeting like this. I checked the time on my iPhone; yep, right time zone, right Realm, right address… just no proprietress.
“Maybe she had an emergency,” Bran said. He was trying to calm me down: it didn’t really work.
“Right. I need to be by myself for a while,” I said. “This is a serious disappointment. I need that magic for Awenia.”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” he replied.
I sighed. “Don’t call me that here,” I said.
Bran rolled his eyes and gave me that superior Sidhe look of his. “You are My Majesty, and I will address you as such,” he said.
What could I do but nod? “Well; post somebody here, and I’ll just take a little while.
“As you wish, Y-…” Despite his declaration, Bran cut himself off.
I flew up to the highest point I could easily reach.
I flew up to the highest point I could easily reach. In the background, I could see the Halls of Story, and in the distance, the spires of Aetherea glowed. It was calming, though the winds were still wild.
I took a few deep breaths.
I took a few deep breaths. Up so high, the air is colder, different. It’s head-clearing. I needed to breathe and not get so caught up in timeliness. After all, different Realms have different customs and mores. Maybe she got called away and didn’t have anything to write on. Maybe it’s customary here to be half an hour late for everything. Maybe she got hit by a large bus full of exuberant Fairelanders (Don’t laugh! it’s happened before!).
But there was time, time to breathe a little more, time to calm down and quiet my impatience. Time to think.
Thinking is dangerous.
Thinking is dangerous, of course. When I visit all the Fairelands Realms, I always come back to thinking about Awenia, what she will be, how she will move forward in this strange new world we’ve been thrust into. With the lifting of the Veil, we have both opportunities and challenges to face. I considered turning her sky purple and imagined the twinkling lights of Severina adorning her. Then, I considered the towering spires of Aetherea, how beautiful they were in the distance. Or the stained glass marvel of the Halls of Story. All exotic, all strange, all deeply beautiful in themselves.
I stood there for ten minutes, fifteen, half an hour.
In the distance, the clouds glowed
In the distance, the clouds glowed, mirroring the strange glyphs on the massive trees of Severina.
And then, a Wisp appeared. “My Lady, greetings from Délarissa, the proprietress of M&M Industries of Severina.” The voice changed to the one I’d heard only days before on the phone. “I’m so sorry to say I’ll be late for our appointment this evening. My little boy is ill and while I’ve found a sitter, she’s in another Realm and I must travel there to drop him off. I shall be with you before midnight, and I ask you, kindly, to wait for me. I can apply a discount to your purchases for your trouble, of course, and you’re very welcome to share a pot of tea with me when I arrive.” The voice changed again, to the wisp. “Have you any answer?”
I drew my glamour around me. “Yes,” I said. “Tell your mistress we shall wait for her gladly, and send our best wishes for her son’s swift recovery.”
“Noted, My Lady,” replied the wisp, then brightened and disappeared into the winds.
I sent a short message to Bran to let him know what had transpired.
And then, I took out my eReader and settled down on the massive tree stump to read. Never mind the wind: never mind the twinkling lights. Sometimes, you have to just wait. And always, always, a good book waits for you.
Style Card:
Body: Maitreya
Head: Lelutka Bento Mesh Head, Simone
Skin: Lumae LeLutka – Deia – Ethesi // Neutral (Available NOW at the 2018 Relay for Life of Second Life Fantasy Faire, in Pools of Ethuil!)
Ears: Lumae, Leevi Long Ears
Collar Adornment: Ama, Forever Yours Collar
Gown: Silvan Moon Designs, Moonstone Gown (Available NOW at the 2018 Relay for Life of Second Life Fantasy Faire, in Aetherea!)
Hair: Analog Dog, Storm (A and E), and huge thanks to Queue Marlowe for sorting a little hair detail for me!
Three Twisted Knots 