Hey little sister what have you done
Hey little sister who's the only one
Hey little sister who's your superman
Hey little sister who's the one you want
Hey little sister shot gun!
- Billy Idol
Longden Castle, the dark, looming gothic presence in the east, was all aglow. Guests parted from their carriages and entered through the main gate. Upon their arrival, they were greeted with such festive d?cor: white roses and ribbons lined the walls and ceilings. The ribbons twisted into some fabulous design which was so wild it was thought to have been dreamt up by the bride?s cousin, for her imagination was legendary but the whispers of her delirium were far greater.
But Viki hadn?t thought of the design. She?s spent all morning and afternoon in David?s suite, huffing and puffing as the servants fretted over her dress, the style of her hair, and the condition of her shoes. The dress, a marvelous blue ball gown, sparkled in the light. The evening stars would shriek with jealousy! Viki grinned. She could hear them even now. Her hair, those chestnut-streaked-silver tresses, was in ringlets and piled high atop her head, a design mimicking the d?cor of the castle halls. She allowed the servants to touch up her face and paint her lips modestly before she broke free of them to wander the halls.
She didn?t wander far. Pretty soon, she was whisked away to help Tara prepare.
?Just once I would have liked to see what I looked like in a wedding dress.? Her cousin Tara stood before a mirror, but her reflection refused to show itself, probably because she was a vampire, and most vampires didn?t cast reflections. It was just as well, thought Viki. Reflections weren?t as innocent and honest as everyone thought.
?Oh you look like a million sparkling lovely things.? Said the girl, but to her dress, as she was busy fussing with the material.
But Tara only gestured to the mirror. When she did, the glass filled with a supernatural smoke.
?You look very lovely,? said Amthy, suddenly appearing from the hall. Now two out of three bridesmaids were present, and the maid of honour had yet to appear. Amthy?s dress was blue as well ? a tea-length, A-cut, chiffon dress in a robin egg blue. Blue had been Viki?s choice. It seemed she led the way.
?Cousin. .you look stunning.. you look, well.? Those off-blue eyes o? Viki were now transfixed upon the mirror and the smoke which swirled within. But, she managed to murmur: ?Waaaay too good for any man ever.?
Tara raised a hand. ?Do not make me weep, girls. You know how I detest weakness in any form.?
Victoria?s modestly painted lips curled into a full-blown smile. ?Of course cousin!? She shot a wink to Amthy, who was laughing softly and hugging Tara?s side.
?You'll ruin your make-up,? said the nymph.
?I am of noble blood, I will not....? Tara was trying desperately to keep in those pre-wedding tears. ?Someone go see to Isuelt, our gypsy is out there.?
But Viki was skipping in the flats she insisted upon wearing ? though they were crystal, and caught the lights of the castle as she walked by. She threw her arms around Tara's other side, squeezing.
?Do I look pretty enough for David tae eat??
?With a spoon, Viki,? giggled Amthy, ?or teeth, I imagine in this case.?
Tara began to cry.
?Of cousin! He?s nuh really gunna eat me. Please dun cry.? Her hands flew to Tara?s face and batted at the tears. She was frantic. ?An' all that paint is gunna run off and
make little rainbows and things down your face.?
Meanwhile, Amthy quickly snatched a handkerchief from her bosom and made her own attempt to combat Tara?s tears. ?Everythin' will be perfect, Tara,? she assured her.
?It damn well better be. This wedding is costing us both a small fortune.?
?Enough to have made me a princess?? The nymph inquired.
?Yes! Perfect. Forget all tha' stuff I said about Ayreg 'causing a mess since he's in love with you an' all.? Viki bit her lip. She wasn?t helping, was she? Then, adding quickly, she said, ?The flowers look especially lovely!?
But someone was out in the neighboring hall, pounding on all the doors.
?Do you hear tha' knock-knock-knockin? Or is it the walls whispering. Well. No. They aren't saying anything tonight. There are too many other voices..? Viki, who seemed lost in the chaos of her mental processes, wandered toward the door.
She was too late. It opened with a gentle push, revealing Isuelt, the maid of honour.
?Ah.... must be the place.? The gypsy said as she took in the new scenery: Tara, Viki, and Amthy, dressed in their wedding finery, surrounding by flowers and ribbons and perfume and the like.
?Isuelt!? Tara exclaimed, obviously relieved.
?Hey, dollface!?
?Oh you were the knocker then. Okay. Well. Hi!? Chimed Viki, the resident oracle, and she waved Issy inside.
Jewell, to everyone?s surprise, slipped in after her.
?Sweet Pea!? Amthy squealed. Finally, the bridal party was complete.
?The most awful thing just happened!? Tara said, pointing to her wet cheeks. ?A rain cloud just passed into the room an' rained on me! Aren't they dreadful??
Viki turned, staring at her cousin?s face. ?I tole you tha' you'd have rainbows all over!?
The gypsy spoke next. ?Ah...I hate it when that happens, sexy.?
?Oh Empress I thought you were mauled!? It was quite obvious that Jewell?s delayed arrival did not go unnoticed.
?Close to it!? Jewell grabbed a hold of the nearest wall and slid on her heels.
?Jeez....I just hate when people are late!? Issy teased.
The Empress winked. ?I know, how dare they!?
Amthy looked her over. ?Ooo, I so see whacha meant about the halter styled top really accenting you.?
Jewell beamed. ?Doesn't it, Am? I swear I look much more busty.?
?Okay girlies! It's time for a pre-wedding huddle!? Tara called. Instantly, Viki was gunning for them, one hand sweeping the fabric of her dress off the floor and gathering it at her waist as she ran.
?Now, we're gonna go down there, an' we're gonna show em who's Boss!?
What the heck is she talking about?
?Who's the Boss?? Viki asked with a tilt of her head.
?Wait!? Tara?s hand shot up. ?Wrong speech! That's for wartime.? She shook her head behind her bridal veil.
?Isn't this similar?? Jewell asked.
?Well, I don't know....that speech could work well,? said Issy, offering Tara a wink and Jewell and elbow of agreement.
?War?? Viki blinked. ?The cracks in the ceiling are at war with the ones in the floor. Always.?
Hey little sister who's the only one
Hey little sister who's your superman
Hey little sister who's the one you want
Hey little sister shot gun!
- Billy Idol
Longden Castle, the dark, looming gothic presence in the east, was all aglow. Guests parted from their carriages and entered through the main gate. Upon their arrival, they were greeted with such festive d?cor: white roses and ribbons lined the walls and ceilings. The ribbons twisted into some fabulous design which was so wild it was thought to have been dreamt up by the bride?s cousin, for her imagination was legendary but the whispers of her delirium were far greater.
But Viki hadn?t thought of the design. She?s spent all morning and afternoon in David?s suite, huffing and puffing as the servants fretted over her dress, the style of her hair, and the condition of her shoes. The dress, a marvelous blue ball gown, sparkled in the light. The evening stars would shriek with jealousy! Viki grinned. She could hear them even now. Her hair, those chestnut-streaked-silver tresses, was in ringlets and piled high atop her head, a design mimicking the d?cor of the castle halls. She allowed the servants to touch up her face and paint her lips modestly before she broke free of them to wander the halls.
She didn?t wander far. Pretty soon, she was whisked away to help Tara prepare.
?Just once I would have liked to see what I looked like in a wedding dress.? Her cousin Tara stood before a mirror, but her reflection refused to show itself, probably because she was a vampire, and most vampires didn?t cast reflections. It was just as well, thought Viki. Reflections weren?t as innocent and honest as everyone thought.
?Oh you look like a million sparkling lovely things.? Said the girl, but to her dress, as she was busy fussing with the material.
But Tara only gestured to the mirror. When she did, the glass filled with a supernatural smoke.
?You look very lovely,? said Amthy, suddenly appearing from the hall. Now two out of three bridesmaids were present, and the maid of honour had yet to appear. Amthy?s dress was blue as well ? a tea-length, A-cut, chiffon dress in a robin egg blue. Blue had been Viki?s choice. It seemed she led the way.
?Cousin. .you look stunning.. you look, well.? Those off-blue eyes o? Viki were now transfixed upon the mirror and the smoke which swirled within. But, she managed to murmur: ?Waaaay too good for any man ever.?
Tara raised a hand. ?Do not make me weep, girls. You know how I detest weakness in any form.?
Victoria?s modestly painted lips curled into a full-blown smile. ?Of course cousin!? She shot a wink to Amthy, who was laughing softly and hugging Tara?s side.
?You'll ruin your make-up,? said the nymph.
?I am of noble blood, I will not....? Tara was trying desperately to keep in those pre-wedding tears. ?Someone go see to Isuelt, our gypsy is out there.?
But Viki was skipping in the flats she insisted upon wearing ? though they were crystal, and caught the lights of the castle as she walked by. She threw her arms around Tara's other side, squeezing.
?Do I look pretty enough for David tae eat??
?With a spoon, Viki,? giggled Amthy, ?or teeth, I imagine in this case.?
Tara began to cry.
?Of cousin! He?s nuh really gunna eat me. Please dun cry.? Her hands flew to Tara?s face and batted at the tears. She was frantic. ?An' all that paint is gunna run off and
make little rainbows and things down your face.?
Meanwhile, Amthy quickly snatched a handkerchief from her bosom and made her own attempt to combat Tara?s tears. ?Everythin' will be perfect, Tara,? she assured her.
?It damn well better be. This wedding is costing us both a small fortune.?
?Enough to have made me a princess?? The nymph inquired.
?Yes! Perfect. Forget all tha' stuff I said about Ayreg 'causing a mess since he's in love with you an' all.? Viki bit her lip. She wasn?t helping, was she? Then, adding quickly, she said, ?The flowers look especially lovely!?
But someone was out in the neighboring hall, pounding on all the doors.
?Do you hear tha' knock-knock-knockin? Or is it the walls whispering. Well. No. They aren't saying anything tonight. There are too many other voices..? Viki, who seemed lost in the chaos of her mental processes, wandered toward the door.
She was too late. It opened with a gentle push, revealing Isuelt, the maid of honour.
?Ah.... must be the place.? The gypsy said as she took in the new scenery: Tara, Viki, and Amthy, dressed in their wedding finery, surrounding by flowers and ribbons and perfume and the like.
?Isuelt!? Tara exclaimed, obviously relieved.
?Hey, dollface!?
?Oh you were the knocker then. Okay. Well. Hi!? Chimed Viki, the resident oracle, and she waved Issy inside.
Jewell, to everyone?s surprise, slipped in after her.
?Sweet Pea!? Amthy squealed. Finally, the bridal party was complete.
?The most awful thing just happened!? Tara said, pointing to her wet cheeks. ?A rain cloud just passed into the room an' rained on me! Aren't they dreadful??
Viki turned, staring at her cousin?s face. ?I tole you tha' you'd have rainbows all over!?
The gypsy spoke next. ?Ah...I hate it when that happens, sexy.?
?Oh Empress I thought you were mauled!? It was quite obvious that Jewell?s delayed arrival did not go unnoticed.
?Close to it!? Jewell grabbed a hold of the nearest wall and slid on her heels.
?Jeez....I just hate when people are late!? Issy teased.
The Empress winked. ?I know, how dare they!?
Amthy looked her over. ?Ooo, I so see whacha meant about the halter styled top really accenting you.?
Jewell beamed. ?Doesn't it, Am? I swear I look much more busty.?
?Okay girlies! It's time for a pre-wedding huddle!? Tara called. Instantly, Viki was gunning for them, one hand sweeping the fabric of her dress off the floor and gathering it at her waist as she ran.
?Now, we're gonna go down there, an' we're gonna show em who's Boss!?
What the heck is she talking about?
?Who's the Boss?? Viki asked with a tilt of her head.
?Wait!? Tara?s hand shot up. ?Wrong speech! That's for wartime.? She shook her head behind her bridal veil.
?Isn't this similar?? Jewell asked.
?Well, I don't know....that speech could work well,? said Issy, offering Tara a wink and Jewell and elbow of agreement.
?War?? Viki blinked. ?The cracks in the ceiling are at war with the ones in the floor. Always.?