A Court of Games and Fate

The Velaris End

          The city was bustling about with the midday crowds as it likely would have been any other day. A cobblestone street opened into rows of shops and miscellaneous buildings, a series of outdoor vendors operating out of wagons and makeshift counters adorning the outer streets. None of it felt uniform, but it all seemed to flow together in similar styles of colors and decorations of banners and ribbons to draw attention. So many different assortments of fruit and treats Andromeda had never even seen before graced the carts, being called out by the fae running each booth. 

          Many different kinds of fae, High Fae, Lesser Fae, Illyrians, and more were walking the streets at varying paces. There were some who appeared to be off to work, quickly maneuvering their way along the crowd. There were females in huddles, chatting and laughing as they strolled leisurely. There were couples. There were children. The assortment was abundant, but they all shared one trait, which was that they seemed at peace. There was no fear, no aversion of eyes to avoid drawing attention from the wrong people. The people of Velaris were simply living their lives and were enjoying them.

          "It's different, isn't it?" her father, who had stepped from his own swarm of darkness only a moment after Andromeda winnowed onto the street. He had been taking in her awestruck reaction, watching to ensure there was no hint of panic.

          "They all seem so happy," Andromeda finally stated. The feeling of being on the outside looking in was returning. How was she supposed to just hop into this picture-perfect society? Even just standing aside it felt like she was a stain on a newly finished portrait.

          "This city is as much yours as it is mine," her father mentally spoke to her. "Let this be the home you never got to have."

          But she did have a home for the first eighteen years of her life. Whether they liked it or not, the Mountain and its court had been the place that raised her. Her father seemed to want to forget this fact more than her though, and she did not want to ruin this day. She gifted him with a smile that gave off a much more confident vision of herself.

          "There's a shop just down there that I like to go to whenever I'm in the area," Mor spoke, breaking them from their moment. Luckily, the female was happy to take charge of this excursion. "Perhaps we can find you some more things for your room? I believe I promised we would make it more you."

          Andromeda followed after her, barely registering her words as her eyes kept scanning throughout the crowd. She expected sneers or fearful bows. Her body was in pilot mode as it tried to nod acknowledgments to the nonexistent shows of respect. Instead, there were eyes actually meeting her own. Wide, surprised eyes. Gleaming eyes from smiles being sent their way. Curious eyes. None seemed to hold any contempt though. In fact, the majority seemed to show polite and joyful recognition but then carried on as usual. It was as if the trio were just another family prancing through town, a well-liked one that people were glad to see.

          "They aren't scrambling to bow. It's like you're just another male on the street," Andromeda mentally spoke in awe to her father.

          "As I said. It's my city and my home. No good ruler would force their home to bow at their feet. If anything, I bow to them," he responded, something akin to pride flaring across his face as he smiled at a vendor they were passing. This was so odd. So wrong and against everything she had been taught. It felt so much better though.

          "They're not scared of me? They don't necessarily seem surprised."

          They didn't. It was as if their High Lord wasn't walking around with a near clone of a spawn alongside him. One that appeared during the fifty years he was gone. Sure, Andromeda could attempt to reach out and scan through the minds of the crowd, but she didn't want to see whatever doubts may be lurking under the surface of their reactions.