Syrenrei

Star Crossed: The Duke's Rebellion

It might have been wiser for Solae to take a nap herself but she elected not to do so; Rene had made significant contributions towards getting them to San Roayo and she felt obligated to match his efforts. She obviously lacked the raw strength he possessed and thus had been of little help in making the barge sea worthy. What she was able to offer was an apparent natural knack for technology that had not been explored during her upbringing as a future marquise and leader of the Stellar Empire. The diplomat was by no means an expert even with the tutelage of Mia. Time and practice were absolutely necessary for her to reach the skill level that mere apprentices had in the field. The artificial intelligence she was reliant upon for her learning was also not designed for the purpose of imparting a specialized education on its users. Even with the advent of synthetic beings, human (or humanoid) individuals were used for instructors, as it had proven an impossible task to make any program mimic the discipline and intuition that were used by the best to motivate and understand their pupils.

Both the woman and child were seated at the small table in the galley that seemed to get very little use. Damaris had a tall glass of water that was half-gone, a simple beverage intended to make certain she stayed hydrated, while Solae had an almost empty cup of coffee. She had spiked her brew with a few splashes of cheap liquor that she had discovered buried deep in the pantry where one smuggler must have been hiding it from their criminal colleagues. The linguist wouldn't jeopardize herself or anyone else by getting inebriated, so the dosage had been low enough it would not even produce a buzz, but it gave a little more bite that helped keep her awake, alert, and focused in conjunction with the caffeine.

"Did you have a good nap?" Solae asked as Rene entered.

Hanging off the back of her chair was a small waterproof tote that in its past life had been used for the transportation of small sums of currency and illicit drugs during inclement weather. Tucked inside was a clunky, outdated tablet roughly the size of a brick and half as wide. What it lacked in pleasing aesthetics it made up for in the multiple protective coatings and barriers that meant anything short of an apocalyptic typhoon would not destroy it. Twenty or thirty years ago it would have been standard issue for colonizers and scientists evaluating the results of terraforming on an unstable world. Solae didn't know what the tablet had been used for before, although she ventured a guess it was something unsavory, and had it reset to factory conditions. The only data that had been uploaded after it was wiped clean were maps of San Roayo. All of the rest of the storage was free purposefully for the noblewoman to fill to capacity with what she could download from the communication center's archives.

In addition to the sturdy tablet she had packed a compact emergency medical kit, a small set of utility tools in case she had to brute force her way into a control system, and the funds that had been left behind by the prior crew of the Bonaventure. Packing any more felt as if it might be too burdensome. Solae recognized a need to travel as lightly as possible while being prepared; they did not want to appear more suspicious than they already were and they ought to weigh down their sea vessel as little as possible if they hoped to navigate it successfully.

Damaris let out a giggle at the reference to the nap as Rene stepped in. Knowing he had taken a nap had made him significantly less frightening to the adolescent as she saw it as something small children did rather than adults. Her parents were not of sufficient social standing to take breaks in the middle of the day, like many working aristocrats who took full advantage of their status, and so she legitimately did not know anyone above the age of a toddler had such liberties or inclinations. Considering it as was advantageous for Damaris to be more friendly and trusting towards the soldier, Solae was not inclined to point out the gap in her perception.

"Did you want to have something to eat before we go? We have quite the variety of instant, high in carbohydrates, low in nutritional value meals to choose from. I'll even let you take a swig from my bottle," she teased with a wink. Damaris only devolved into more girlish giggling that reminded Solae of when she used to be so easily amused by adult things. At the time her parents had found her adolescent amusements grating because a lack of composure could reflect poorly upon them.

Star Crossed: The Duke's Rebellion

"Excellent, then you can report back to take a two hour nap," Solae replied smoothly. Damaris immediately burst into a fit of giggles in response to the maternal remark so casually issued to a full-grown man undeniably larger (and perhaps older) than his female counterpart. Despite the amusement it caused the young girl, and the sweet delivery by the diplomat, her tone was insistent. She had seen the exhaustion in Rene's movements and countenance and now had a fresh worry on her mind. They would not fare well on the open waters, much less with their mission on the land, if their navigator and protector looked like death warmed over. He would be responsible for finding and perhaps hauling fuel back to the caldera. None of their goals would be more easily achieved with him sleep=deprived.

"Will he really come back and take a nap?" Damaris inquired. Now that she had filled her belly with protein bars and an instant vegetable soup she had become emboldened. Physical recovery had strengthened her courage to ask questions, to show glimpses of her personality, to not be so timid and paranoid about her host and hostess regardless of their origin.

"Maybe, maybe not," Solae shrugged, "He's my partner before he's my knight in shining armor, so even when I tell him what to do I need to respect his right to refuse," she said, trying to utilize this bit of time as a teaching moment. Damaris had not yet puberty yet but she would in a few years. Their encounter with another might be fleeting but she wanted to impart on the girl a model of a relationship with healthy boundaries. The aristocrat wasn't honestly certain what courtship and marriage was like in the troubled teenage years of the general populace, but it was a horrific mess for nobility. Surging hormones, parents who treated each other like business partners, and the backstabbing that happened all too often among the elite did not make those awkward years of transitioning from a child to an adult any easier.

"Mia, can you please pull up a map of San Roayo?" the slender blonde requested.

"Yes, but there is not a proper display in the kitchen. Would you prefer for me to use the screen in the hold or the cockpit?" the artificial intelligence replied. Her tone was still even, placid, and polite, as if the inappropriately sultry vixen had never existed. Solae was now certain she found it unnerving to hear Mia speak without the purr. The comical and exasperatingly amorous manner in which she spoke when a minor wasn't present had become comforting in its own way. Now that it had disappeared she was nearly unrecognizable to her biggest supporter.

"Let's use the hold. Would you mind coming with me, Damaris? If we're going to take you home with the high tide I will need you to show me where you live so we don't arrive on the other side of the island. The storm will have caused a lot of damage so we'll want to travel as far as we can by water. Roads will be washed out for at least another day or two while they clear debris off of them," she explained as she led the way to the hold. By the time they had changed rooms Mia had already projected a very simple topographical map of San Roayo onto a large screen attached to an abandoned storage rack. Solae would never tell her innocent charge that this same screen undoubtedly was used to monitor the vitals of slaves chemically induced to a comatose state. She and Rene may have committed grand larceny by taking The Bonaventure, and continued arguably criminal acts to elude capture and defend themselves, but they were still putting the space vessel to more moral use than it had likely seen before.

The girl looked at the map for several long moments. It wasn't that she didn't know where she lived but rather she wasn't familiar with looking at the geography from above. Solae was beginning to contemplate how she might be able to assist, either by conducting a long range scan and building a more basic 3-D image, or by trying to hijack a satellite in orbit around the planet. Damaris cocked her head to the side and pointed to a small ridge on the outskirts of the city where homes were clustered tightly together near the shore. "There, I live there I think," she said.

"Would you like me to create a chart, Lady Solae? You may want to upload it to a device and take it with you on your journey," Mia suggested. She sounded like an eerily pleasant automated system or perhaps a recording of a receptionist that was given a script of appropriate words and phrases. The linguist bit the inside of her cheek lightly to keep herself from commenting. Shifting her focus back towards their upcoming mission she nodded.

"Yes, thank you Mia. It would be in our best interest to take something that we can upload data to since we won't be able to easily contact you. Can you do an inventory search and let me know what would require the least modifications, have the largest storage, be moderately resilient to moisture, and have a sufficiently long battery?"

"Of course, Lady Solae," Mia replied instantly before falling silent to carry out her task as well as afford her human counterparts a chance to converse. Rene and Solae had gotten used to having the company of a sentient machine but Damaris had not; she found the concept novel, fascinating even, but it was hard to trust a disembodied voice guided by foreign algorithms and with no facial expressions to interpret.

"Is there something else you need from my home?" the girl asked with a slight quiver in her voice.

"No, we're just taking you to your home, I promise. Since we'll be in town, though, I thought I'd try to find some information on how Sir Rene's family is doing. He had to work very far away from them and they haven't keep in contact. We want to see if they are safe, if they moved, if they are doing well before we see them. It's very hard to be apart from your family, isn't it?" she asked rhetorically with a soft pat on the head. Her heart ached all that much more for her recently deceased parents. Perhaps a week had passed since they were brutally murdered and instead of mourning them like a dutiful daughter she was trying to forget them while she kept her mind occupied and hands busy. Reuniting another group of relatives was all she could think could possibly be penance for such a transgression.

Star Crossed: The Duke's Rebellion

"We are going to do our best," Solae promised smoothly with a tone that was softer and free of the frustration she had expressed while conversing with Rene. Detangling herself from her fiance she strode over to their young guest with a gentle smile on her features. Despite how congenial and kind the marquise had been, Damaris was still nervous and suspicious, and had backed away a couple steps anxiously. The young girl continued to watch her pensively as the diplomat knelt down in the space where she had stood a few moments earlier.

"Before we try to find your papa I want to make sure you're feeling better. I don't think your papa will like us very much if you are sick and hungry when we take you home, will he?" Solae asked somewhat rhetorically. In truth she wasn't as worried about the parental figure as she was about making certain that Damaris had the strength necessary to endure the boat trip on the barge to San Roayo. Right now the conditions were relatively favorable to travel but she dared not make the assumption that the weather would continue to be mild. She needed to prepare for the very real possibility that they could meet with a wide variety of difficulties while transporting their charge across the sea. The more they were able to rejuvenate the girl the better. "Do you feel better after getting some rest?"

Damaris glanced over at Rene before looking back to Solae. She was both old enough and smart enough to realize that no one would have tucked her into bed if they didn't sincerely care about her well-being. They had not earned her complete trust but she also wasn't making the worst assumption about the needle and tube dangling out of her arm. "Yes, thank you," she said after some hesitation. The youth was still rather convinced the flaxen-haired figure in front of her was a princess in disguise so she wanted to mind her manners. It was the soldier that was the more intimidating person that made her wary. Watching the couple together, however, she was starting to believe that the man was actually a knight guard of some sort for the delicate royal lady.

"Wonderful! Are you hungry?" Solae asked as she reached out with one hand. Damaris was slightly reluctant but her growling stomach was testament that the IV hadn't been a complete replacement for food. Using one hand to keep the sheets wrapped around her she used the other to accept Solae's proffered hand. The noblewoman stood and and started to lead her towards the galley where Rene remained waiting. Whether it was because he was dozing while sitting, because he was afraid to move and startle Damaris, or because he was also half-starved she couldn't be certain.

"What kind of shelter is this?" Damaris asked inquisitively as she glanced around. Hours ago when they had brought the girl onto the ship she had been too drowsy on their approach to notice it was a galactic vessel. By the time they had actually reached The Bonaventure Rene had to carry her as she succumbed to the siren song of slumber. It was not surprising that now she was seeing the interior that she was realizing this was no simple beach house. The way that Solae had referred to it had made it seem smaller and more modest than it was. The freighter was not as large as any space yacht but it was significantly larger than the smallest cruisers used for transportation of a mid-income family.

"It's a spaceship," Solae replied honestly. "We're trying to get back to our own home. Well, I suppose we're trying to go somewhere to make a new home. You see, that man over there is a little scary because he's so tall, strong, and handsome, but I love him very much, so we're looking for a place where we can get married and have a big house," she elaborated with a wink to Damaris. Her new smaller friend's eyes got wide and after a couple seconds she giggled as she looked over to Rene. Like most girls her age she found the concept of romantic love both silly and enchanting. To hear the absurd way that Solae described it just made it all that more humorous.

"There is one more introduction I need to make. We have an Artificial Intelligence system- a computer that talks to us- named Mia. If you hear her talk she is just here to assist us. Mia, would you mind saying hello to Miss Damaris?" she requested.

There was a faint hum before a nearby speaker before they heard Mia's dulcet tones. "Hello, Miss Damaris. It is a pleasure to meet you," the sentient machine greeted but without a seductive undertone. Solae and Rene had both prepared themselves for the purr and breathless anticipation that was firmly integrated into Mia's programmed persona. Evidently even Lord Armon realized that he couldn't have a sultry vixen whispering to his visitors with underage children in attendance. Mia was wholly inappropriate, normal even, and Solae was stunned at what a profound difference was. The linguist had gotten so used to the comically sexy voice that she didn't know how to adapt to this newfound formality.

"You should get changed," Solae suggested to Rene as they joined him. While she wouldn't have objected if he wandered around nude on the regular she felt a touch uncomfortable having him soaked to the bone and shirtless in the presence of an adolescent girl. "Can you look for something we can use for a jacket for Damaris while you're getting dressed? At some point we'll need our sheets back," she said with a bemused grin. Because they had put Damaris on their bed, as none others were cleaned in preparation for guests, it was their linens that were being used as a makeshift cover. Solae was generous but not enough to let go of her one few domestic luxuries.

For the Lady! (Syrenrei x Foolish Errant)

The faintest smile tugged at her lips for Leanja found victory in hearing the strength growing in his voice as he asserted he was healthy, ready to fight, and ready to serve. Perhaps he was still ensnared by the past but this was a precious first step out of the internal quagmire he had willingly submerged himself into. Tali was still pacing at a distance, keeping the princess in her line of vision, and was less convinced that stopping for the errant knight would have any victories. The handmaiden didn't lack compassion but she had a more healthy amount of caution about whom they consorted with and how leisurely. While the heir to the throne might be swelling in pride over her minute gain that did not mean this was worthy of their attention, safe, or not about to turn on its head and devolve rapidly.

"I don't proclaim to be a lady, but my mother is one, albeit certainly not your lady. She once told me we should never presume to know any lady's heart except our own should we happen to be one," she cautioned gently but sternly. It would have been comical if their only audience wasn't an increasingly worried servant of the royal lineage. The youth was so confident, so composed, and so casual she was almost chastising the brutish figure that had scared away so many other travelers on the road.

"Sir knight, no one but your lady can judge you for whatever you have done if what you say is true, but you should not let whatever sins you bear keep you from your duty. If you have marred her name and your own, what good will it do to sit here and possibly tarnish it more? If I had a knight I would want him to prove his diligence, his loyalty, his faith by trying to redeem himself. Only then would my heart rest easy," she stated resolutely. "If our soldiers their battle and then refused to fight again in the war many innocent lives would be lost."

After a moment's pause she reached forward and put her hand on the massive gauntlet. Out of the corner of his eye her eyes she could see Tali nearly have an aneurysm at the gesture. "There are many people who still need knights. If you are able I am certain your lady would want you to defend the weak. No leader of any country can be a force of good for everyone at all times. Until your lady releases you from your service, I truly believe you are needed."

Star Crossed: The Duke's Rebellion

"I already don't like this plan," Solae said disapprovingly as Rene appeared on the ramp of the Bonaventure. Her gaze slid over to the injured shoulder that had been washed clean by the rain but was still clearly wounded from his adventure in getting their barge afloat. Pressing her lips into a flat line she took a sip from her second cup of coffee before continuing. "This was not supposed to be the dangerous part and yet here you are already injured," she objected flatly once she had swallowed down the bitter caffeinated beverage.

Both law and professional protocol required that any technology that incorporated artificial intelligence not include program personalities that were capable of actual emotional response. Sophisticated software might mimic their affect in certain situations, such as mirroring empathy when specific parameters were met and the correct dictation in their code was triggered, but they were not independently capable of evolving into true feeling. Mia and her kind were, however, capable of what could be interpreted as loyalty. Home systems would have an administrative user that was prioritized above all other humans that interacted with them. As Rene might correctly surmise, Solae had inadvertently become the administrative user and thus the paramour soldier was secondary in the chain. The inappropriately seductive synthetic being would not jump to his defense so long as it was the diplomat chastising him.

"I needed a break," she said with a gesture towards the repurposed engine. From the tools splayed around it on the floor it was clear that not all the necessary adjustments had been completed. Solae had made another cup of coffee because she had gotten more frustrated than she ought to over the task. Unlike her beau she was not as adept at compartmentalizing and adjusting to such large deviations from her expertise. She had spent her entire life being railroaded into careers rubber-stamped by the nobility as appropriate for her station. While she had had not been bothered by mingling with her societal lessers in the least, and embraced it whole-heartedly, it would take more time for more monumental transitions. Rene had the unanticipated benefit of being thrust into the military and spending years realigning himself, embracing new roles, and developing new skills. By contrast the linguist was still in her first week.

"We encountered some errors while increasing the throttle to compensate for a water transport vehicle rather than a spacecraft," Mia purred in such dulcet tones he could see Solae almost bristle. Rationally she knew the computer was not competition but sometimes it was hard not be slightly irked at the openly seductive voice speaking to her fiance. "I am running simulations to try to determine if our margins were too generous. I estimate the calculations will be complete before our guest awakens."

"I'm self-medicating with coffee in my best attempt to pretend I'm not bothered," Solae explained. Glad as she was that Rene was successful in his endeavor she felt as if her nerves were frayed. Once the engine worked properly they still would need to navigate over foreign waters, with a child to whom they were scary strangers, trust that their charge wouldn't turn them into authorities, obtain fuel, and sneak into one of the communications buildings to dig for information. On New Concordia all of their missions were simpler and with a single goal; now they were pursuing many, all at once, and flying relatively blind given how little familiarity they had with the planet on which they had landed. Some anxiety was only natural. Were the aristocrat to be completely placid that would have been cause for concern in and of itself.

"You should get yourself patched up or I can do it for you if you need me to. While we're waiting- do we need to find containers for the fuel? We haven't really discussed at length how we're going to do it. I have currency but if we're going to headed there tonight, before sunrise, won't we look suspicious making a purchase?" Not that Solae really wanted to add another larceny to her criminal history. Hopefully they could obtain some secretly and leave behind physical payment, but she realized this might be an impossibility. Solae was too weak to haul fuel, and too recognizable to try to charm her way into making a slightly strange transaction, so Rene would have to rely on his social skills if stealth wouldn't suffice.

The Betrothed

Rhiane shrugged as he suggested no one would believe she was at death's door not too long ago. Once again she proved herself to be disturbingly unconcerned about her own mortality. A casual observer might erroneously conclude she didn't recognize the danger she had been in, that she was willfully ignorant to the price she'd ultimately pay for being a commoner spouse in the royal family, that a healthy young lady at herself couldn't possibly be ready to die. Luke's experiences with the former farmer had likely made him view her casual attitude toward it differently. He may now rightly presume that somewhere along the way his fiancee's mind had been warped and that she was truly unconcerned with how long she would ultimately live. She was by no means suicidal, nor was she unwilling to fight for her survival, but her jokes and gestures belied an acceptance that was unhealthy at best.

"Just doing my job," she remarked nonchalantly. "To be resilient and recover as quickly as possible is one of my requirements, isn't it? Maybe I can convince everyone that I am at my peak performance when certain food items are involved," Rhiane suggested cheekily before taking a second bite of the tiramisu and sinking into her medical mattress with bliss. It was incredibly unlikely that sweets would become an accepted tonic for any ailment of the princess elect. No matter how well supported it was that morale had a direct influence on one's recuperation the crown would not always be this indulgent. The cunning businesswoman suspected she'd not be able to exploit this tactic much unless her life was in peril again or she was pregnant. At those times the stakes were higher and thus the rules less stringent.

"I'm not exclusive to sugar," she remarked as she surveyed another item to sample. Luke's advice had not gone unheeded. Rhiane was a stubborn woman but she knew she had her limits and it was literally impossible to consume everything that had been ordered and delivered in such generous portion sizes. "I like spicy food too although all I've really had of it are peppers and a few simple recipes using them. Our farm never grew peppers really well," she lamented though she was so ecstatic about her dinner it was distinguishable only by the slightest dip in her voice. "One of our trade partners used to give mom samples of his peppers and I would eat them raw before anyone told me you're supposed to take out the seeds," she recalled with a little laugh at her childhood naivete.

With that she dipped her spoon into a delicate mousse as she watched her betrothed access a control panel for the television on the opposite wall. She was envious of the familiarity with which he navigated technology. Rhiane had proven to herself and the kingdom she was an intelligent woman but that did not mean she memorized and/or understood everything instantly. Social situations and accounting figures had always come more easily to her than other endeavors in her education. Hopefully she wouldn't need Tobias or Luke guiding her how to select a channel or play a movie after a few more times watching them queue up their selection.

"You do know not every woman likes the same thing I hope," she said with a roll of the eyes but her tone was still as bouyant as ever. He might credit her continued good mood on the rich silky taste of the chocolate mousse she was taking the tiniest little bites of between her sentences. "I really like the action and adventure genre," she thought aloud, "and suspense. Earlier today we watched a good drama. I guess I really like every genre," Rhiane concluded, "so I will take any and all recommendations you have since you're the expert. I especially want to watch the ones that help me understand all your references."

With that she settled herself into the covers and turned her attention back towards the screen as she dabbled into a bread pudding that was more often baked in other kingdoms. Its soft texture had helped make it survive to be on her medically approved menu; it also had a relatively mild taste and was a favorite of one of the sous chefs that hailed from another country north of New Rome. Unfortunately she was not allowed to have it at the hot temperature it was usually served at for fear that might aggravate internal abrasions. Even lukewarm she enjoyed the cinnamon and raisins that were dispersed throughout to give it a flavor that reminded her of home during the winter season. "You really seem to love film. What do you like best about it? I'm sorry, didn't mean to sound like a newscaster doing an interview," she laughed, "I was just curious about its appeal to you personally."

For the Lady! (Syrenrei x Foolish Errant)

Leanja didn't so much as flinch as the knight reached towards her. Whether this was courage bourne of her youth or simply a reflection of bravery being a core component of her personality the end result was the same. She waited patiently for him to respond to her questions or, at the very least, explain why he was here and in such a state. What she had failed to anticipate was that he would claim she was not some ambiguous lady and then inquire as to whether she had seen the lady referenced. The princess hesitated. It was possible that the man beneath the armor had gone mad from whatever combat he had last been engaged in. More than once her mother had been forced to dismiss a soldier from her surface when melee had culminated in an illness of the mind.

"I don't know how I would recognize her," she answered truthfully after some thought. "I don't know you or where you came from so I am not certain how I would know your lady." More curious than the expertly made armor was that she saw no emblem, sash, or inscription that identified from where the stranger hailed. Had he been a knight of Itraniel there would have been an emblazoned crest somewhere on the plate mail. There was no reasonable way she might deduce the poor creature's lady without any insight into from which lands he hailed.

It was also strange that the errant knight thought even for a second that she could be the mysterious women for whom he was waiting. There were eyes beneath the helmet albeit bloodshot. Either he was confused, his vision was hindered by visual strain, he was afflicted by a malady mundane or magical in nature, or he had never met his lady. The latter was almost preposterous to consider but was no more absurd than the enigmatic spectacle in front of her at present. Leanja sighed and shook her head.

"Don't you think it would injure your lady's heart to see you like this?" she asked carefully and in a soft tone. Leanja was not trying to chastise him but rather make him consider the perspective she might have were it her and her sworn faithful. "If she's a noble lady she would want to see you standing tall and proud, to see your strength, to see your resolve, and to see you healthy. Would you not be sad if you found your lady and she was sitting beside a tree like you are? Please, let me help you. Think of what your lady would want for you."

Leanja wasn't certain that her appeal would be effective; the lady she alluded to was even more foreign to her than the knight she was conversing with. What she wanted, however, was to be of some assistance. It was not in her nature to just walk away from someone to which she could render aid. Tali was still pacing at the edge of her vision. The handmaiden was perplexed on what she should do- she was terrified of the warrior, but also scared for her charge, disallowed from growing closer, but also given the responsibility of keeping the girl safe. Were there to be an even hint of hostility she suspected that Tali would come charging in and destroy any rapport that might be established in this fledgling discussion.

The Betrothed

Rhiane flushed slightly at the mention of turning her 'old room' into an art studio. While she had not been bothered by the move into Luke's quarters she had perhaps foolishly anticipated that at his first opportunity he would find a way to eject her. It had seemed pretty clear to her that he would continue to entertain other women in secret and valued his privacy even when he was alone. Admittedly in retrospect it seemed unlikely that having separate bedrooms would be tolerated by Queen Camilla. The engagement was only as valuable as the illusion of a perfect love story it conjured. Sleeping together and then apart would raise eyebrows no matter how discreet they were and would give rise to rumors among all that there was a weakness in their relationship that could be exploited. The princess elect was still adjusting to the permanence of their arrangement.

"Oh that... that won't be necessary. I have too many responsibilities," she said hurriedly. "Besides, you can't possibly mean you'd allow me to try to draw you..."

"I should let you go," Sebastian said, more than a touch uncomfortable at the innuendo the pair were making so casually with him still connected to them through the phone. He'd be lying if he said he thought Rhiane ought to have entered the contest in the first place but meant what he had told her earlier: he supported her with unconditional love. Though he endeavored not to judge them for their choices he was still entitled to feel like an awkward third wheel when they acted a bit too familiar.

"Thank you Sebs. I love you," Rhiane said buoyantly as she pulled a plate of tiramisu closer to her. The kitchens had prepared it with decaffeinated coffee, something that they opposed on principle, but they knew better to question the judgment of the medical staff that had saved the newest royal's life. It had been determined that they didn't want to introduce strong stimulant, such as caffeine, into the princess elect's diet that evening given the heavy doses of multiple medications she had already been prescribed.

"I love you too. I'll try to talk some sense into your impossibly stubborn brother before we talk again, okay?" he promised before severing the connection and leaving the regal couple alone to enjoy their dinner.

"Who knew there was an upside to getting poisoned and throwing up everything in sight?" Rhiane asked gleefully as she sank her spoon into the thick layer of cream. As the former farmer pushed into the layer of ladyfingers the cookies, softened from soaking in coffee and then being sandwiched between thick ribbons of mascapone, her silverware cut through it easily. She sighed in contentment. For a moment she could forget the machines she was still connected to by wires and stickers, the IV puncturing her hand, and the sterile surroundings.

"Do you want any?" she inquired as she took her first bite. The cocoa and custard was absolutely divine. Rhiane would have enjoyed this special treat even if she had been full from a prior meal, but on an empty stomach it one of the best things she could remember having eaten if not the absolute best. She had been conscientious about complaining but her hunger was excruciating. Until now there had been more pressing concerns than her daily caloric intake. Now she wanted to graduate from medically stable to physically comfortable. The princess elect closed her eyes as she savored the luxurious taste before reluctantly swallowing. It was smooth enough even the illustrious Elena Villani would have been pleased it wasn't damaging to her throat.

"I thought I'd put on one of the movies you like while we eat," she continued as she started to dig in for another bite. "Tobias and I watched a few earlier today but I don't think he's any more of a film aficionado than I am." Which was to say not at all. The bodyguard hadn't given any insight about his preferences or his hobbies but she had a hard time imagining the prince's cousin spending a lot of time at the theatre. In the hours they had spent together Rhiane had gotten the distinct impression Tobias was consumed with his work.

"Any recommendations?"

Star Crossed: The Duke's Rebellion

"Wait, before you get started," Solae said as she set down her cup of coffee. The aristocracy would consider it scandalous how quickly she had acclimated to the food and rations of the lower classes. Most, if not all, would have excused it as a necessary adaptation for her continued survival, but would have still been appalled at her acceptance. The marquise did not criticize, did not wrinkle her nose, did not go through the motions to express her disappointment in the quality of the provisions. Not only did Solae think that it was be pointless grandstanding she didn't think that the meals of the last few days had been that bad. The more time they spent on the run the more understanding she had for her societal lessors and the more convinced she was that there was much the nobility could learn and appreciate from the common, hard-working folk of the worlds.

She left the kitchen for a moment and went to the hold where she retrieved two items from a compartment in which they had stored smaller electronics and supplies. When she returned to the galley she had two devices in her hand that were approximately the size of a pack of playing cards but slightly more slender. There had initially been five of these devices but two were damaged and corroded and they had no need of a third so she had brought the two in the best condition. Both were smooth and the color of aged copper. Six small buttons encircled a large black oval at the center that had pinpoint holes and functioned as a speaker.

Solae pressed one into Rene's hand and kept its twin in her own. "I found these cleaning. Best I can tell it's one of the ways the former crew kept in contact when they landed and were temporarily separated. Fortunately for us because they were criminals the technology is old enough that neither the empire nor the rebels will be looking for it. Even if they were it's encrypted. Drawback is that it's audio only and the maximum range around 150 kilometers." It made her realize just how similar they were right now to actual criminals. Hiding from authority figures, staying in a home that wasn't theirs, grand larceny, subterfuge, and that wasn't even delving into the violence they had used even if in self-defense.

"I know you're only going to the beach outside the caldera but... I'll feel better if we have a way to contact each other," she explained, "and this is durable enough that even if another storm swells we'll have a way to reach each other for a while at least. I'll let you know when Damaris wakes up and you can send me updates on how you're doing or if you see any ships out there doing rescues that we need to hide from," she suggested. "Probably unnecessary but it doesn't hurt to be cautious, right?"

"I do not detect any strong winds that would indicate another such occurrence," Mia purred in interruption.

"Thank you, Mia, but I want to be prepared just in case. We just got engaged, didn't we?" Solae asked with a light tone. "I'd be quite a terrible fiancee to let Sir Rene out of my sight so easily. It's practically my duty to keep tabs on him now," she joked. That and also she was slightly anxious about any minor separation still. They had been through so much together, side by side, that she had started to conjoin survival with his presence.

"Is there anything I can do to help from the inside while you work on the exterior of the ship? I could... cook, not that I really know how, but you'll probably need a break between your two projects. Or Mia and I could work on detangling the components you need from the internal interface," she proposed.

The Betrothed

Sebastian had offered his knowledge and now it was up to Prince Luke to decide what he wanted to do with the information provided. The heir to the throne was free to believe, to disbelieve, to act upon it immediately, to disregard it, to keep it to himself, to share freely with others, or a multitude of other options. Perhaps he ought to have worked harder to persuade the other man but he was silent as distrust laced the other man's words. He suspected, however, that arguing and pushing would not net him a positive result. There was little that he could say or do to make a royal suddenly have faith in his confidence. Sebastian's conscience was clean and his lingering guilt erased just by summoning the courage to give voice to the coveted intelligence he held.

Unlike Hubert and Gerald Black he was not opposed to helping the prince. He was not, however, moved any more by the promise of monetary award and title as he had been amnesty. What Luke failed to grasp was that these things meant very little to the farmer. His fidelity could only be won by principal and ties to those whom he loved dearly; it was this way in which he was most similar to the princess elect that he viewed as a sister. If Rhiane herself had made an emotionally-charged plea for his cooperation he might have conceded because of their relationship alone. The elite made trades and transactions but Sebastian, and many others of his station, were moved by less tangible compensation.

To Sebastian the greatest tragedy was that while Rhiane might achieve some personal goals, he didn't believe that either the queen nor her son would meet theirs. Luke's words believed a confidence that he might be able too wage war on his adversary (the rebellion), eradicate them from New Rome, and triumph in a more stable future. Sebastian saw the revolution and growing calls for a violent coup as a symptom rather than the problem itself. Even if they imprisoned and murdered every treasonous rebel more would rise in their wake. There needed to be a fundamental change in society, starting with the monarchy itself, before commoners would stop calling for war against their real or perceived oppressors. Routing them out, assassinating them, or hosting public trials was unlikely to have the outcome desired. He was no politician but he knew how adeptly Rhiane could be a voice to the 'infidels' and that she had not yet, nor made attempts, made him suspect she was withholding for reasons known only to her.

"Of course," Elena nodded before rising from her chair. She patted Rhiane's leg where it was covered with one of the medical tower's thick blankets. They had utilized a slightly weighted blanket to help soothe their princess elect and improve circulation since she was confined to the bed at least for the evening. "Think about it. You can do it now, later, or never- the choice is up to you," she said with a reassuring smile towards her patient.

"Ah, and I've received a message your dinner should be ready in about fifteen minutes," she added with a wink as she walked out the door. Rhiane wouldn't admit it aloud but the toxin specialist was growing on her rapidly- if only because she was assisting in this indulgence to sample every decadent dessert that didn't have one of the ingredients she was temporarily forbidden from having.

"Seb?" she asked with obvious excitement. "I thought Gerald, that ass, wouldn't have let him call me! Can you put him on speaker?" Rhiane asked excitedly as she sat up with obvious joy in her features. A minute ago she was despondent that no one would call, visit, or inquire after her condition; no one except those obligated by their profession. She was delighted to know now that she was wrong.

"Seb! I thought you would be busy planning an extravagant wedding," she teased once Luke had acquiesced by placing the call on speaker phone. "And before you tell me any secrets, I asked Luke to put you on speaker. They are insisting I keep this IV on me until I eat," she admitted with an exasperated sigh that expressed her sentiments on the matter.

"How are you feeling?" Sebastian inquired gently as he dodged the question entirely. "Are you listening to your doctors?"

"I thought you'd be forbidden from calling," Rhiane said as she picked at the edge of her comforter and tried to pretend she hadn't heard his questions. She knew better, however, than to expect him to drop the issue. Even if he hadn't built a rapport in his brief discussion with Luke she also knew that her fiance was more likely to be an accomplice to her facing the situation than evading it. "I'm feeling better but not great," she confessed with reluctance. "Sebs, you know how I feel about doctors..."

"Rhi," Sebastian started to reply. His voice was firm but also warm; it genuinely sounded like he was her eldest sibling. Gerald was six years older than his sister and Sebastian was a year and a half older than Gerald, which made him Rhiane's senior by almost eight years. This made her listen to him better than most especially since she knew his heart was in the right place. "I love you, Rhi, unconditionally. You make decisions I disagree with, and I make decisions you disagree with, but we are family even if Gerald and I aren't married. Nothing you can do will ever make me stop supporting and loving you, though we might get angry with one another, or disappointed, or worried. Hubert and Gerald are... well, they are idiots when it comes to things like this, so they know to stay out of my way," he jested lightly.

"I want you to listen to your doctors and Prince Alessondro in matters concerning your health," he continued sternly.

"But..." she started to protest.

"Rhiane Violet Black, I won't listen to any excuses," he said sternly but gently. "I understand how you feel but the best way to honor the dead is to remember what they wanted for us and what they stood for. Your mother and Edwin wanted better for you and that includes your health. I'm sure if you needed someone to speak to about your fears and flashbacks that Prince Alessondro would rather arrange for you to privately see a counselor than continue to put yourself at risk."

The princess elect was properly chastised. She lightly bit her lower lip and sighed in defeat. No one was more effective at making her change course than the docile farmhand that had come into her life when they were struggling the worst. Had she believed in reincarnation and were Sebastian many years younger she might have thought he had had the same spirit as the two individuals he had just referenced. Before their deaths on her mother and Edwin had been able to pierce her stubborn streak with maximum efficiency. "I understand."

"Promise me you'll actually rest instead of conspire to escape," Sebastian said more lightly. "Maybe you could practice your art like you used to do. Have you told Prince Alessondro..."

"I promise," Rhiane said quickly. "I'm much too busy for hobbies, Sebs," she added hastily in an extremely obvious attempt to divert the topic.