Callalaya Sisterhood

Chapter Two

Bartholomew played his ukulele as they paced around the green expansion, with a guard chaperoning them. Emilia listened to the strumming not impressed. She was sure all the women of Arcadia thought he was very handsome and talented, but Emilia thought he should cut his hair and learn something productive. "So Prince Bartholomew," she began, "tell me about your interests, if you will." Emilia's voiced dripped of honey.

"Please drop the pleasantries. You can call me Bart." He offered.

"Bartholomew will suffice." Emilia said, not flattered by the friendliness.

The Prince made a hesitant expression, but continued, "Well my hobbies are far and few between. I love the ukulele as you may tell, but I write songs of my own, and I love to just explore. To be outside amongst creation is such a wondrous site." He was unstructured, to Emilia. He would make a terrible King. Emilia regretted walking off with him on her arm. She had only partnered herself with him do to their close proximity in age.

Bartholomew sat with Emilia on a bench under a willow tree. She looked out at her sisters, Annabella was laughing as she sat on Michael's coat over the dewy grass as he acted out some absurd story. She scanned for Persepha, unable to see where she had run off to. Bartholomew was speaking about an idea he's had for a novel, Emilia found it quite dull. Just as the bachelor was talking about a dragon living in the ocean, she spotted her irresponsible sister. She rounded the corner, most likely coming from the river. Persepha was walking at arms length with Balthazar. Her head was down, only looking at the soldier when addressed, as women were suppose to do when in the presence of a military man. She would smile at him when she was acknowledged, but he didn't seem at all interested in the topic chosen. From what Emilia could tell they were simply sharing small talk, just as her and Bartholomew were doing.

Emilia didn't want to appear rude other wise she would have saved the marine from the dull conversation Persepha provided. If she couldn't entice him now, how would she seduce him into marriage. Persepha would never be Queen, let a lone a good one.

"Bartholomew, would you excuse me? I just remembered something I must inform my sister of." the bachelor dismissed her. Emilia made her way to Persepha and Balthazar, meeting them in the middle of the court yard. "Persepha, sister dear. May I talk to you?" They both looked at Balthazar for permission, he gave it. When they were safe under the leaves of Maple tree, "Go talk to Bartholomew." Emilia said.

"Why?" Persepha inquired.

"Because he's a stiff, and I can tell you're bored."

"Well if he's a stiff then he's perfect for you, and I'd only be less entertained." Persepha countered.

"All he talks about it gibberish, maybe you could get a decent laugh." Emilia pleaded with her sibling. Persepha agreed to switch Gentlemen.

Persepha walked away to Prince Bartholomew under the willow tree, and Emilia laced arms with Lord Balthazar. "My Lord, I apologize if my sister walking away from such a gentlemen. It is indecent." Balthazar accepted the apology. "You are a marine yes?" Balthazar confirmed with a nod." The soldier didn't talk much. Perfect. Emilia thought. The less he talks the better.

Persepha sauntered over to Prince Bartholomew, and curtsied as he rose to bow. "Ma-lady." He greeted.

"My Lord." The man gestured for her to sit first. Once Persepha was comfortable, "Prince Bartholomew, that's a ukulele, no?" She said.

"Please call me Bart and yes it is, do you play?" He answered.

"Well, Bart," She giggled, "no I don't, but I do sing."

"Well, what chord my dear." he offered to play as she serenaded. She whispered in his ear the chords.

As he strummed she thought of a song she had written, "Since that last that we parted, since that I saw him, down by a river, silent and sullen. The morning was mocking us sun hit the sky, sun is just happy my manic and I. He couldn't see me the sun was in his eyes. Birds were singing to calm us down, and birds were singing to calm us down." The ukulele tempo picked up as did Persepha's raspy siren voice. ''I'm sorry you manic. I can not be your friend, I don't believe in a fairy tale land. I don't keep my head up all of the time, I find it dull when my heart meets my mind. I hardly know you I think I can tell, these are the reasons I think that we're ill. I hardly know you I think I can tell these are the reasons I think that I'm ill." She paused to catch her breath as Bartholomew's fast pace strumming slowed a bit. "And the gods that he believes, never fail to disappoint me. The gods that he believes never fail to disappoint me. My narcissist, my happy man, my manic and I have no plans to move on, but birds are singing to calm us down and birds are singing to calm us down." Persepha stopped singing. Her throat was a little rough. She had closed her eyes to help her focus and when she opened them, her sisters and the gentlemen were gazing upon her.