Interlude: Yelena

Watching Tabitha leading Reglin out of the room, she felt a strong pull to follow. It took a good deal of restraint on her part. It was not something she was used to doing, having not shown much in the way of restraint due to her not usually being terribly compelled by much of anything. After all, not much had been able to hold her attention throughout her relatively young life. Feeling like she had a good deal of love and caring to give but was lacking in the confidence to put herself out there. That was why she had turned to the caring and nurturing of animals, especially those who were in great need.

Dealing with this rare feeling, Yelena had to find a distraction. It would be a good thing if she would pay attention to her current company. Wilmyna and Vidala were talking in a pressing manner with Asha, though they were being subtle enough for Asha to not get uncomfortable. But instead, she watched the girls’ auras instead. After concentrating, there was something different about the room. When Reglin was present there seemed a commonality among the ladies. Yelena could remember an overabundance of blues and green clouds from all the women present. Especially from Magistricia Tabitha and this cute brunette Asha. But in his absence, colors had become changed with the interactions of only the females.

The least altered were Camilla and Freighla. The two women conversed in low voices while the mature southern woman was stitching the doublet in need of altering for Reglin. From what she could tell, they looked to be sharing notes about a mutual hobby. The tones of color from them what was static for the most part. The green hues had become more subdued, but the cloud that the princess say interplaying was predominantly a very light sky blue, a good bit lighter in hue than those clouds around Reglin. So, their fondness for each other is relatively new and not terribly deep at this time from how she could interpret the aura.

Going from distinctly stable auras of Camilla and Freighla, to the girls who surrounded Yelena show a bit more dynamism. While Reglin was in the room, Asha was awash in rich hues of color giving off the sentiment of love, affection, and, to Yelena’s slight embarrassment, desire. With the princess’s old friend, the stunning guardsman gone along with the Magistricia, the poor sexy brunette showed a good amount of uncertainty. Not surprising when surrounded by strangers. Yelena gave the girl high marks in gumption to say the least. With her own social ineptitude in the same situation, the petite princess would have found a corner to haunt and make herself as inconspicuous as possible. But this girl of common blood pushed herself out there with smiles that shone genuinely. As much as her aura showed that she was cautious and a tad bit envious of Wilmyna, Vidala, and even Yelena herself. Yelena could only assume it was due to the noble and royal social station.

With the feeling of envy fresh in her reading mind, Yelena was somewhat surprised to see the colors depicting a light amount of jealousy swirling in the cloud of Wilmyna. The violet hue was washed out, showing that the feeling was not incredibly intense, but Yelena wondered what the thoughts or feelings behind that were. Could it be that the northern Lady had puzzled out what the princess has deciphered? And if that were the case, the riddle of Wilmyna’s aura while Reglin was present was all but solved. Not a terribly advanced riddle after all.

Now Vidala was a different story to read. Even with Reglin present, the aura she conveyed was subdued, with no real dominant color. This woman’s emotions were kept in check in a way that was far more than superficial. Observing her, Yelena appreciated the southern noblewoman’s melodious voice. Just in conversation, the languidly long woman’s tone was both relaxing and invigorating at the same time. But she was perhaps the most aloof of the women in the palace. Her interactions with Asha were a confounding. At times she came across sincere and caring, and at other times, the dark woman seemed haughty and condescending.

It was during one of Vidala’s more patronizing episodes that Yelena broke from her silent stillness. The abrupt movement caused a start from both Vidala and Asha. To her credit, Wilmyna gave away nothing but a small smile as she watched the princess move to go get a bottle of open wine and came to stand next to the common girl that Yelena had a nagging envious feeling. She wasn’t being truly honest with herself as to why, of course.

“Excuse me Ladies. I know that I haven’t been particularly verbose this evening, but if I might extend my Royal privilege…” She held up the bottle, offering it to Asha. This caused all three women’s eyes to bulge. They obviously didn’t know Yelena well enough as of yet. The nobles were used to dealing with her sister Katya obviously, who would never demean herself with simple serving. Whereas Asha was probably just mortified on general principle. Yelena tried to put on her most pleasant smile though. “Would you like filled up?”

Another momentary bulging of the cute brunette’s eyes came before her Asha’s lovely lips turned up in an anxious smile. The girl raised the glass up, her hand trembling slightly with nerves. “Y-You are too kind, Your Highness!” the volume of her voice was raised by those very same nerves. Grimacing, the poor girl must’ve heard herself and bit her bottom lip.

Yelena had to admit, this girl was adorable. Maybe if she could get to know her a bit, she would see what it was about her that was so endearing to two very esteemed people in the princess’s mind. And maybe she could put this lingering bit of jealousy that was plaguing her. She poured the wine glass more than halfway full, “There you go, my dear…” She looked to Wilmyna and Vidala, “Anyone else like another glass?”

The tall, full-bodied northerner stepped up to Yelena, making the petite woman feel dainty, though not as badly as she felt when next to Reglin. She offered to take the bottle and serve. Wilmyna wore another dress that had a plunging neckline showing the woman’s enormous amount of cleavage. Now there was another thing that might drive Yelena to a bout of envy. Handing the bottle to the curvaceous woman, the princess scolded herself mentally and tried once more to not compare her tiny buds of breasts to the enormous jiggling mounds that Wilmyna wielded like a mace.

After the Nordling noble filled her own glass, she then filled Yelena’s own before topping off Vidala’s. Seeming like a cue, all four women tipped back their glasses more frequently. Before long there were giggles and laughs coming in ready supply. The four of them had meandered their way over to replenish the glasses of Camilla and Freighla, commenting on the stitchwork that Camilla was doing.

With plural bottles emptied, the girls didn’t notice right away when Tabitha returned with Reglin and Oliyah in tow. When Yelena’s rosy-cheeked visage turned and caught sight of them, her ****-induced grin widened. She might not have caught the look of amusement that the three newcomers had on their faces. Yelena was not overly prone to excess, so her words caught even herself off guard, “Giiirls! Your eye fancy has returned! And lucky for us he didn’t manage to find any clothes…” Her hand shot up to cover her mouth as her eyes bulged and her wine-colored cheeks deepened in hue.

Uproarious laughter came for the girls in the room, excluding Oliyah and Tabitha, though both looked amused enough. Reglin smiled wryly, turned his head down and shook it. His hands were held in front of him in an attempt to give himself a bit of cover over what lay beneath those smallclothes of his. A mystery that piqued Yelena’s curiosity itself.

“I have been to parties similar to dis.” Camilla said in her accented voice, eyes half on her project and half making sexy eyes at the enormous man that had once been Yelena’s childhood playmate. “De man would come to entertain de women when one of dem would soon be married. De man would be de model of… masculinity?” She looked to Vidala, who nodded, and then continued, “strong and proud. A last temptation for de bride to be….” She raised a brow in appraisal once more of Reglin, “Someding tells me dat if dear Reglin here were to have showed up at any of dese parties, few of dose brides would have made it to their vows…”

Giggles and laughs came from that idea, but it gave the statuesque Freighla her own ideas, her eyes narrowing as she looked at one of the few men who could make the Nord handmaiden feel delicate. “I think that there may be something to that notion, Camilla. Perhaps our guardsman here can repay you for your work with entertainment? Perhaps some dancing of his own?” Now that caused the big man’s face to shoot up with startled eyes.

Yelena watched as the usually supremely confident young man’s face filled with dread. She was not used to Reglin being so poised, so this bit of panic was more like what the princess was used to. Looking on, he raised both hands, as if to fend off the idea. Instead, he got almost all the eyes in the room checking out what he was presenting below that waist. Even the usual smooth-talking words were failing him. She decided to save him, not sure how many opportunities she might have in this role, “I’m afraid that Master Reglin has probably had very few opportunities to dance in his days…” She set down her glass and took her best effort at an effortless glide toward the poleaxed looking man, “Though perhaps not as base as the dancing that Camilla spoke of, maybe we can take our turns at giving dear Goldy some lessons?” the quirking of her lips betrayed the mischief in her mind.

More laughs and votes of approval at the idea came. However, it was not taken without some reservation. Camilla sounded skeptical as she spoke, “But how are we to dance without music? I am no so good as to imagine it in my head.” Her look of consternation looked a bit feigned as she looked to her liegelady.

Vidala, for her part only gave a demure snort of a laugh and rolled her eyes. Her lips were smiling wider than Yelena could remember. It seemed that wine loosened the southern noblewoman up nicely, “My handmaid makes a less than subtle request of me… Though, I suppose…” the bold-nosed woman was making theatre of this, “I suppose I could sing some…”

Grins grew wide at this, as Yelena looked around the room. Her own was beaming. In her current state of mind, Vidala’s voice need only be passing in talent for her to have a good time. Bring her head around to look straight forward once more at dear Reglin, towering more than a foot over her. Yet, in his looming stature, he was petrified at this scenario. “Come now, Reg…” She whispered as Vidala did some vocal exercises to prepare her voice. “You have faced many dangers and travails, yet you balk at the idea of dancing with a room full of attentive, and mostly gorgeous women?” Her sly smile was out of character for her, but she blamed it all on the wine… Not at all because of these reoccurring thoughts of the man.

Murmuring low so that only Yelena could hear, “Something like that… With the others what was the worst that could happen? I would die, it ends… Here? I look a fool and seen as such in perpetuity by women I care for, or I am growing to care for.” He stood, still as a statue.

This regression of his struck Yelena in the heart. So much did he remind her of the boy who was looking to earn his way in the palace. Afraid to look ridiculous due to his fear of being seen as a hay-haired farmboy, as he had told her once. Involuntarily her hands reached out and took his, in effort to show him support. “Come… This will be good for you.” She said quietly. Then, as loudly as her less than resonant voice could carry, she spoke the room at large, “I am taking it upon us to offer Reglin some tutelage in exchange for his provision of visual, ummm… stimulus…” That earned some chortles, but more leers on the formidable young man.

“I have to ask… Is there a chance that I can at least put on some leggings? Or are they still being worked on?” His eyes looked over to Camilla with hopeful longing but remained motionless.

Camilla looked up at him from her work to regard him. At his words, she gave a huff and pouted her bottom lip, “A shame… You do no want to provide us simple spectators more… enticement it seems…” She tsked then but reached down and pulled up the pants. “here you go… but if you grow any more, dere is no enough material for further alterations.” Freighla took the pants from the southern handmaid and walked over to him.

While she did so, Tabitha spoke up after a long bit of silence, seemingly content to observe, “Mistress Camilla, I think poor Reglin is still young and may be in the midst of more growth ahead of him. Can I offer you a sum for you to make something that he could wear now, but still have some room for the future?”

Yelena noticed that the Magistricia was not drinking and that her eyes kept returning to her and Reglin. Not surprising, given the sight of the man. However, a good number of the looks and small mysterious smiles appeared aimed at the princess in particular. Under those green eyes of hers, Yelena felt perspiration form on the small of her back. It was only recently that Reglin had pushed his way into the forefront of her mind in regards to her more intimate yearnings. For so long, Yelena had not let that part of her imagination run wild, but when it had, it had almost always been the wise, beautiful, and mysterious Magistricia that starred in her depraved longings. The small princess composed herself and looked back to Reglin, who had put on pants, much to the chagrin of the females in the room and was now putting on his boots.

A lovely voice started to fill the room, singing a song that Yelena did not recognize. She thought that she might know a dance or two that would be suitable for the tempo. She smiled up at Reglin once more, reassuring him hopefully. Still holding his hands, she guided them to their proper place. Within a few moments the princess had the handsome young guardsman moving about the room in rudimentary moves. She cooed and encouraged an obviously nervous Reglin, and before long his enhanced physical aptitude took hold. He even gave her an anxious smile.

The sonorous voice of Vidala was soon joined by a light drumming. As she had been lost in her dance instruction, she had not seen Tabitha go and find a dulcimer and was not playing a loose percussion for the southern lady. If only they could have a harp or lute to accompany and it would be a lovely little intimate performance. Regardless, Yelena enjoyed her time in Reglin’s arms, allowing herself to daydream of a time where the two could do so in court. An odd thought once more, given her general disdain for court life.

After a couple of songs, the dancing duo was interrupted by a grinning Wilmyna, “You cannot be hording the man, your Highness… Others of us can take our turn at teaching as well…”

And just like that, Yelena smiled up at Reglin fondly. He returned the smile and bowed to her, holding her hand. The optics of it were thrown off by him still being without any clothing up top, but she would not complain a bit, “Your Highness… I am indebted to you for your patience and instruction. If any of these ladies live through our dancing together, it is solely thanks to you.” That caused a laugh from her, which was followed by a playful slap of his well-muscled shoulder.

Taking a few steps away, Wilmyna bowed to her as would be done in a ballroom. Yelena bowed her head in acquiescence to the northern lady taking her place. She stepped over and stood next to the new pupil of Tabitha and picked up her glass. Asha looked on at the new dancers with a look that could either be excitement or fear. It could be both for that matter. “Asha… Are you… feeling ok?”

The blush in the brunette’s cheeks were a constant now due to the wine, but she did jump a bit at the little princess’s words. She had been so enraptured in the song and dance apparently, that Yelena had somehow snuck up on her, “Oh! Oh, yes! I am sorry, your Highness…” She bit her bottom lip nervously, “I got to admit that I do have some butterflies in my belly. You see, I’ve only even done tavern dancing. And that… well, it’s not like this…” the commoner girl’s voice came low, a small amount of shame in her face and voice. She really was easy to like.

“Yelena, please… okay?” Asha gave a small nod at that. Yelena looked out at Reglin and Wilmyna dancing. It was a northern variant of a dance that she knew. Smiling, she looked back at the anxious girl, “Well, if I can get that brute of a man out there to not trample me and Wilmyna, I must not be to poor a teacher… I would be willing to show you some steps.”

The mortified look and the shake of Asha’s head came quickly, “You-ummm… Yelena, I couldn’t ask that of you. You’re a princess. You don’t need to waste time teaching a simple laundress to dance amongst the nobles.”

Yelena smiled and reached out a hand to take Asha’s, “Well, then it is a good thing that you did not ask… I asked you after all…” She peered at those hazel eyes through a squint, “And a simple laundress? I am thinking not… You are not going to throw me off with such a simple guise. With the company you are keeping, no, definitely not so simple.”

With a shocked expression, Asha sputtered, “But I am! I mean, I was offered a chance to learn from the Magistricia… But that was almost as a favor to Reglin!” to her credit, the girl did not remove her hand. She took a deep breath, collecting her thoughts, “I suppose it does look like that I may be more than it seems. Yet, I am just a girl from a small farming town to the north.” She took another moment and smile faintly, “But if you are truly willing to offer me some tips, I would be eternally grateful… Let me get one last drink…”

The girl’s mind was a hornet’s nest of activity, but Yelena kept up, “Of course dear…” And the princess watched the girl with those voluptuous hips take a long draught off her glass, then give a smile and a curtsey. The two of them stepped out into the open area where there was enough room for the two pairs to dance. Yelena watched Reglin and Wilmyna dance a few more steps before taking the lead with Asha. Luckily, she had danced a bit of lead in her life, teaching a young Cirsha how to dance among the stables.

Asha was a quick study, though for different reasons than Reglin. She had a natural rhythm to her, whereas he relied on physical acumen. He grew quite competent in his steps. Asha started to flow with hers. Comparing them back to back was quite the contrast, though not overly surprising. Asha became all smiles and loosened up a great deal, seemingly forgetting that she was dancing with a princess. Yelena approved… She danced with the Asha for a good number of songs.

It had been almost an hour and poor Vidala needed a break, so the girls and Reglin all stood about and talked. A bit more wine was drunk, but the intoxicating feeling of exertion and dance had taken prominence. While Yelena had danced with Asha, Freighla and even Camilla had taken turns at dancing with the tall guard. Camilla had taken a break from her alterations to show Reglin some southern dances.

Still without a shirt of any sort, Reglin had walked over to Tabitha and was talking with her. It seemed that the Magistricia decided that the young ones should be allowed their time to bond this evening, as she remained removed from the larger group. Yelena looked back among those huddled together and couldn’t help but stare momentarily at the enormous heaving breasts of Freighla as she had just finished dancing with Reglin.

“That boy….” She took a deep breath, “He’s… tireless…” the majestically tall Nordling woman smile mischievously, “Does him some credit… in other activities… I hope…” The scandalized laughs at such crass intentions were abundant, though Yelena looked sideways at Asha at that. The girl did not laugh with shock but covered her mouth. The princess had to wonder.

“He does seem a natural at most dings physical, no?” the thick accent of Camilla came in, “One could assume, buuuut… Dere is a difference in being efficient and being good in certain… activities, as dear Freighla said.”

The dulcimer started to pulse in the room, causing Yelena to look over at Tabitha. When she did, she saw Reglin approaching the group of women. Drawing up in front of Vidala, he bowed in a courtly manner. Yelena saw the southern lady actually blush, but she took the hand offered to her from Reglin and the two stepped off to dance. Tabitha’s voice filled the room. She did not have the range that Vidala had, but she was more than proficient enough to sing a few songs for the olive-skinned noble to rest her voice and enjoy some dancing with a magnificent young man.

From the look on Vidala’s face, it looked as though Reglin may have broken through the formidable bulwarks of her feelings. She smiled and laughed as Reglin led her around the floor. He seemed more and more comfortable in his steps.

Yelena’s handmaiden, Oliyah had taken up a spot near Tabitha. This left the five women in their own little huddle. It turned out that they were missing out on dancing, so they followed Yelena and Asha’s lead and went off to dance with each other. Yelena was asked to dance by Freighla but decided she would like a little more of a break. And so, the large beauty asked Asha. The big blonde and the hippy brunette went off then.

Smiling to herself, this was all so very different for Yelena. Most nights she would be in her rooms with only Oliyah. Whether she be tending to a wounded or needy animal, or just reading, her life had become rather hermetic. Though different, she thought that she liked it. It was a something new, and it had been a long time since something new had come into her life.

The dancing continued only a bit longer before the ladies were showing signs of fatigue setting in. Hands were waving faces in hopes of cooling off and chests heaved with lovely effort. But smiles were on almost all faces, save Oliyah’s, but then again, she looked as though her mind was elsewhere.

“I must say thank you to Mistress Camilla once again… For taking up the task that I asked of her on such short notice.” Tabitha spoke up in a commanding tone, leading Yelena to believe that it was indeed for everyone to get on their way, “Myself and our dear Goldy are indebted to her…”

Camilla bowed her head reverently at the woman, but gave a sly smile, “If you have more of dese little events and I am allowed to attend, dat will be more dan enough…” She looked over at Reglin then, her smile finding its intended home.

Reglin stood in his newly altered House Polivander uniform, flexing his arms and legs subtly. He smiled at the black and silver haired seductress with quite a bit of warmth in it. Yelena reached into a small pouch she had tucked away and removed its contents. While everyone seemed to be distracted saying their thanks and farewells for the evening, the princess backed up to one of the small tables and place something down on it… Once placed, she made her way to Reglin and Tabitha, saying goodbye to them as Oliyah sidled up to her Royal charge. There were questions that Yelena had…. Perhaps she could answer some.

Tabitha, Asha, and Reglin escorted everyone out to the library doors and paid their final farewells. Out in the halls everyone’s mood became a bit more reserved, not wanting to alert the rest of the palace to what would have been seen as an outrage. Most seemed content to luxuriate quietly in the experience had.

Halfway to her rooms Yelena made a start, “Oh dear! I’ve forgot something…” After moments are arguing with Oliyah that she could handle the matter, she made the handmaiden go on ahead and take care of the chicks in their charge while the princess did an about face and started her way back downstairs and to the library…

~This is knowledge for the Reader~

The Affection Multiplier

~Mana: 331 (+100) 431~

~Mana Channels: ~Labiae Passionii (Lips of Passion) free, ~ Corpu Vigorii (Vigorous Body) 100, ~ Uirtau Proelium (Martial Prowess) 100, ~Mensu Lucidae (Bright Mind) 100, ~ Tactu Beatae (Blissful Touch) 100, ~Plurem Amatrixae Normalii (The Normalcy of Many Loves) 500, ~Corpu Libidaem (Lustful Body) 100, ~Corpu Spectabilum (Intimidating Body) 100, ~Mentulae Potencii (Potent Cock) 150, ~Limbu Infinitum (Endless Loins) 100, ~Voluptae Gustatum (Delightful Flavor, Gratify the Appetite), ~Figurae Cultura (Shaping Culture), ~Vulgum Venerae (The Love of the Masses), ~Corpu Vigorii Magii (A More Vigorous Body) 400

~Lovers~ A: 200 E: 200 L: 200
~Tabitha~ Affectionae: 100 Erosii: 100 Libidae: 100 (Effective 79)
~Asha~ A: 100 E: 100 L: 100 (Effective 85)

~Royal Polivander House~ A: 74 E: 16 (+6) 22 L: 34 (+8) 42
~Princess Katya~ A: -52
~Princess Yelena~ A: 100 E: 16 (+6) 22 L: 34 (+8) 42
~Princess Cirsha~ A: 18

~Nobles~ A: 87 (+17) 104 E:6 (+2) 8 L: 44 (+20) 64
~Lady Wilmyna~ A: 58 (+5) 63 E: 6 (+2) 8 L: 38 (+11) 49
~Lady Falina~ A: 16
~Lady Vidala~ A: 13 (+12) 25 L: 6 (+9) 15

~Royal and Noble maidens~ A: 165 (+18) 183 E: 5 (+2) 7 L: 89 (+27) 116
~Maiden Caterina~ A: 18 E: 1 L: 2
~Maiden Gwynfuir~ A: 15
~Maiden Erynna~ A: 5
~Maiden Oliyah~ A: 24 (+4) 28 L: 10 (+6) 16
~Maiden Iridia~ A: 4
~Maiden Freighla~ A: 65 (+6) 71 E:4 (+2) 6 L: 54 (+10) 64
~Maiden Deela~ A: 12
~Maid Camilla~ A: 22 (+8) 30 L: 23 (+11) 34

~Day watch~ A: 238 E: 3
~Grahm~ A: 40
~Lim~ A: 62 E: 3
~Boll~ A: 40
~Halpern~ A: 29
~Nimit~ A: 22
~Gamil~ A: 9
~Magnurs~ A: 12
~Canith~ A: 12
~Yohan~ A: 9
~Sebestin~ A: 3
~Yorick~ A: 4

~Evening watch~ A: 22
~Thedin~ A:10
~Vorn~ A: 12

~Night watch~ A: 6

~Palace Staff~ A: 55 L: 6
~Lina~ A: 48 L: 6
~Govren~ A: 7