Unity of the Divided

Let us Begin

Caedaw, despite its stupid name, is quite the opposite in appearance. The palace is a marvel. Shining marble everywhere provides the crispest clicks upon impact with shoe soles. Polished so finely even the worst souls would appear sparkling in their reflection. I suppose this is what you can afford when you control the resources of the world.

I look for changes in décor, new passages built, unfamiliar faces as my trainers and I make our way to our quarters through high ceiling marble hallways woven with gleaming gold and white, sharply contrasting frames of black demanding attention for the portraits on the walls. Mine hangs among the other kingdom rulers' picture-perfect captures in the ballroom. The only one of myself in the entire place.

By my eighth appearance at unifier, I'm confident in navigating the immensity that the council call home. My feet carry me with certainty, swift footsteps bringing me to my room.

"Your stripes must be going grey if you think you're getting that room," Tora calls to a hastily moving Tezerra as he creeps away from us, his enhanced speed getting him to the furthest door in seconds.

"I don't think, I know," he reaches for the handle, mischief across his features, "and any grey stripes you've seen must've been in the mirror."

Tora's long strides towards him have him throwing open the door and diving in, gulping as he does so.

"Your coat is beautiful Tor, I promise!" Selene says as she runs after her, "it still shines like a dark river in moonlight."

That halts her, head snapping round, eyebrows raised, as she stares at Selene.

Now is a good time to take some me time I'd say. I slip backwards through the black door to a room I first called mine eighty years ago, sending Jolen a parting nod as he too retreats to his room.

This turn will be a long one. I sigh, leaning against the door.

My fingers drum against it as I observe the room through tired eyes, barely open as I tilt my head back to rest against the door. A large dark purple rug covers most of the floor, reaching far under my rather large bed that sits opposite me. The gold swirls embellishing the white of the covers is inviting me, and who am I to refuse.

I pay no mind to the door to the bathroom on my left, knowing I should bathe, as I flop onto my bed, the softness of cotton and the scent of fresh linin lull me into a warm comfort that has me sleeping in seconds.

Two knocks at the door have me startling awake. Hastily uncurling I pull white strands of hair from my mouth.

"Come in."

I'm quickly smoothing out my dress, so it doesn't look like I slept in it, hoping to avoid laziness being added to my reputation, when Selene pokes her head around the door.

"I knew you wouldn't be up."

I look at her sheepishly as she walks fully into the room, closing the door behind her. She stares, rolling her eyes as the state of me as she places her hands on her hips.

"And aren't I so grateful that you know me so well," I exclaim, standing and throwing my arms up as if to say halleluiah, "because I'd be oh so devastated if I missed tonight's ball!"

She stares blankly.

"My good friend Selene, saving the day," stares, "where would I be without you?"

My exaggerated enthusiasm does not appear amusing.

"In bed," she states, "although you appear to not have made it that far."

It's true, the bed is still made.

"What are you wearing tonight?"

"A dress," I answer quickly, eager to distract.

"Yes, but which?" She asks as she pulls open the wardrobe, then swifty closes it when she sees it's empty.

She frowns at me, "you haven't made your wardrobe yet?"

You've just looked and seen it's empty, what kind of question is that.

I run a hand through my hair, "I was hoping you could help me." I give her a sweet smile.

Say yes, forget my tardiness, say yes, ignore the empty wardrobe, say yes, say yes.

"Fine," she says, feigning annoyance, but I know beneath the act this truly means something to her.

No time is wasted in this episode of dress Creation. A lilac gown hugs my chest, layered tulle flowing around my legs with a discreet slit up the left. I run my hands along a dainty pattern of embroidered golden flowers stretching from the bodice down into the folds of the skirt. My white locks are braided and pinned up into an intricate style, a few stray hairs framing my face. Selene is glowing with pride besides me in the mirror, I am the masterpiece she has created, the picture of health and beauty.

I'm fairly confident I am the last representative to arrive, but at the cost of a lengthy nap that's fine by me. I pause in the doorway to the ballroom, giving myself a chance to observe the room from above without the scrutiny of those below. Everything appears the same, high white ceilings, golden framed portraits, council members, representatives, ability holders, and non-ability holders chatting, dancing, eating. The opening event of the divider is in full swing below me, a chance to make your impression and seek out your enemy. No expense has been spared for the occasion.

For my first formal appearance I need to decide how I will present myself. Cheerful, excitable? Cold, hateful? Uncaring, bored? The tone I set now is the one I shall carry for the entirety of turn eight. I would've put more thought into this had I not slept the majority of the day. Taking a deep breath, I step forward and conversations hush, eyes already in the stairs jump to me as I walk leisurely towards the top of the grand staircase that will carry me down. People have been awaiting my arrival it seems, I'm flattered. A flare of nerves shoots up inside me, but I stamp it down quickly. No matter how many times I do this there's always a little anxiety nibbling away at my confidence.

I allow my gaze to sweep across those in attendance, my features schooled into neutrality. It's relieving to find that nobody stands out, excites me, but it's boring. A promise of a dull but tame evening. I sigh inwardly, feeling a little tension release from my shoulders.

I look down for a moment to ready myself to take the first step but when I look up there's a new presence seeking me out. Our eyes lock from opposite ends of the ballroom, his gaze capturing mine and no matter how hard I try I cannot look away. My heart flutters. Eyes of such deep red you'd mistake them for black, in the light of the chandeliers they burn like embers on coal. I take my first step down; he starts striding towards me. The crowd parts for the man dressed in black, the silk of his shirt hugging his broad shoulders and muscled arms, the fabric smooth like that of his skin. Dark hair swept back from high cheekbones and firm brows, slight waves that end at the nape of his neck. I cannot stop staring.

My decent down the stairs is swift, soundless. I trust my feet not to let me fall and embarrass myself in front of the man I haven't seen in ten years. I dare not look away for fear that if I do he will disappear. My heart is in my throat, head filled with endless memories and thoughts, what roles will we play this time? Those of friends, lovers, enemies?

Eyes are on us, openly staring. Fear, awe, curiosity. There's a reason why we only see each other once a decade.

His pace quickens, I feel my breathing become quicker, skin growing hot, a need blossoming inside me that ignites when he is near. The fire in his eyes is a sure reflection of my own that I can see now he's closer and I have to stop myself from running to him. He's close, so close, and he's reaching for me.

"Crea," he breathes my name like a prayer, and I fall into his arms.

I rest my hands on his chest, body pressed against his. Relief rushing through me now I know he's real. I watch his lip's part as his eyes search my face and his breathing deepening as he trails a hand down my back with a feather soft touch others wouldn't think him capable of, the other gripping my waist like he'll never let go. And I want to live in this moment forever. To stare into eyes so full of emotion, be held by rough hands that caress with such gentleness. I shiver at his touch, the desire in his eyes sending a warmth throughout my body.

Creation and Destruction, reunited.