Silver Moon

A hyena, frills, and a mystery

Once secured in my usual chair in my usual place, I grabbed my favorite book. Titled Armaranth, the tale was one of brave soldiers and magnificent sword fights. Enraptured by the book I did not realize it was dinnertime until Sophia came bursting in, sweat dotting her brow. Sophia looked annoyed, and I got up from my chair in a hurry to comply with her stare. She must have run the entire way to the library, and I felt bad because Sophia was not the youngest thing. She then became to talk of dresses, hairpieces, and other worthless thing that needed to be done before it was time for dinner, and I was already late. Not bothering to respond, as I knew it would upset her even more, I hurried along with her to my chambers. After we got there, I regretted my hasty movements, because then I would be forced down to dinner, and talk. Switching out of my blue dress to my rose-colored one, I prepared to take my time to the dinner table. Settling into my kid boots and gloves, and hair in a French not, I was ready to face the crowd. I moved silently and slowly down the staircase, pausing to prepare myself for the onslaught of stares and simply yet clever conversation. Arriving at the dining hall, I could see the long table stretched out, with my father, mother and sister at the head. I was placed somewhere along the table, near the end, to keep polite conversation with the less valuable titles. There also was a less chance that if I stuttered the men would not care. A servant appeared from a surrounding wing and pulled back my chair, which seemed highly decorated compared to the surrounding chairs. My sitting down was not ceremonial, and the surrounding men did not give me a glance, which I was grateful for. Turning my head, I heard Eldora perfectly clink her glass, calling attention. From there, my father stood, trying to be proud and important, even when some men seated around him had a higher title. However, he was the head of the house, and whatever he said goes. I would not be introduced, because I usually fainted when my name was called. As he started speaking, I was startled out of my peaceful thinking and brought to his loud booming voice.

"Dear my fellow comrades, it is of great honor to have you here among my dinner table. Even though we are not complete in our numbers, I feel obliged to tell you welcome. The ball, which we have all invited you to come for, will be soon in the coming days, and we wish you to ignore any annoying decorations or adjustments. My daughter here, Eldora, came forth with this brilliant ball, and I hope it works out for her" murmurs swirled throughout the crowd about Eldora, ranging from stunning beauty to simpleton. The glasses clinked again, and the crowd became silent.

"Now I know how kind and considerate each of you, and I hold great respect for each of you. Now, without any more delay the feast!"

With my father’s words closing the toast, the men cheered, and the servants poured in, carrying trays of all sorts of delicateness.

Keeping my head down, I focused on the food in front of me, which appeared to be some sort of soup, with maybe mushrooms, the only sort of food that actually grew on our land. Eating small tidbits was the best I could do, but of course, everything was off. I felt nervous and jittery, as if something was about to happen. The only thing I could think of was the full moon, which was happening in two days. This month was going to have a blue moon, and I was extremely excited. The closer the world got to the full moon, the more comfortable and daring I was. However, this month was special. The second moon would be amazing, since it rarely happened that there was a blue moon.

 "Excuse me miss? Are you the king’s second daughter?"

Finally looking up, I could see the man across from me looking directly at my face. A handsome face, he seemed like he would be a trickster. Covered in freckles, he had red curly hair loose about his face, showing off his expressive brown eyes.

Stuttering, I replied" what makes you think I am?' I answered back quietly, and my voice sounded so weak to me I just wished I had never answered. Not seeming to care that my voice was barely hear able, he continued.

"Well, you are the only other female that does not seem to be hanging on to a husband, and you look young, around fifteen I say. The only other option is that you’re a lesbian hoping to marry Eldora."

Staring at him with wide eyes, and my mouth opening up and down like an idiot, I did not know what to say. He was completely rude! How dare he think that! My mind raced down many paths, but not a single retort came up. I finally just replied,

"Well that was inappropriate."

Booming laughter resounded throughout his body, making him shake. He seemed amused at this joke.

"What so funny mister? Did I say something to make you laugh out like a hyena?" Covering my mouth with my hand, I stared down into my soup. That was so not woman like! It must be the oncoming of the moon. I felt different already; as the night progressed, I knew that my mouth would loosen even more.

More booming laughter resounded throughout the man’s body, and tears seemed to roll down his cheek from laughing.

"Whets your name?' I said truly frustrated with this blubbering hyena.

"Derek" he said, but as soon as the word was out, they were consumed by more laughter. By this time, my other dining companions had noticed him, and I did felt scrutinized. Feeling lost by Derek's laughter, I turned to the most forgiving man around me. To the right of my chair was a truly gay (not in terms of sex) man. His clothing had more frills and buttons then mine did. His hair was arranged in delicate blonde curls, and he held his silverware like a woman. He would look fine in a dress.

“excuse me sir" I did not feel any problems asking him, because he reminded me of Eldora. The man had been talking turned his eyes on me. They were the lightest shade of blue, and were piercing from his soft blonde hair.

"Yes, madam?" he asked, his voice sounded extremely gay, and if I did not realize he was a boy I would have thought him a woman.

"Can you please tell this hyena that he is making a fool out of himself and to respectfully stop?" I said gesturing to Derek, and keeping my eyes still fixed on Mr. Frills (my nickname for him).

Mr. Frills looked straight on at Derek, who still chuckled with laughter. "You heard the lady"

Derek stood stoic for five seconds before bursting out in laughter again.

Ignoring Derek for the moment, I asked Mr. Frills his name.

"My name is Kenzie" and all the while he gentle shook his head, showing off his blonde curls. He was handsome, with a fine face and modern English look, so many girls probably adored him, but he still seemed girly to me. With Kenzie a non-threatening dinner companion, I let myself relax. Until Derek finally stopped laughing at his joke and decide to join in on the conversation.

"Hey miss lunar"

"Its Luna Derek and you know it"

"Do you think that guy over there is staring at you?"

"Of course not Derek that's absurd...” turning my head, a man sat, and three seats down from us across the table, and he indeed was staring at me. He must have been a high position in society, because he sat a seat away from Eldora, across from her too. However, as I looked, I realized he was not just staring, he was observing me. I felt uncomfortable and confused. Why was he staring/observing me? So I had white hair, we had been at dinner for a while now and all the men (including Derek) should be well into their cups and ignoring me. So why did this man find it appropriate or even worth his time to stare at me now. I gave him a glance and he quickly turned away.

"Derek is right Miss Luna that mystery man was staring at you"

I nodded quietly at Kenzie, and had realized I was done for the night. The headache of the noise was starting to grow louder anyways. However, I was somehow reluctant to leave my new friends.

"I should be getting to bed Kenzie," I said absently, still glancing at the mystery person at the end of the table. I heard Derek shout loudly goodbye too, and I left him without even looking. Drifting my way to my room, I met a pleasant Sophia. I usually required her only two hours longest, and I had been managed to get lost for three. She also knew a small bit about my moon habits, and that I stayed out longer when the moon was fuller. Yet I still did not stay out this long. The usually bedtime routine was quick and short, since both Sophia and I had places to be. I knew that tomorrow was going to be my night at the piano, and I wanted rest tonight because the whole night tomorrow was just going to my piano, the moon, and me.