What are you?

Chapter 25: Speeches and Peaches

Leo and the others waited at the bottom of the stairs, D wasn't out of her room yet.

"I wonder what's taking her so long.." Leo began.

"You know how women are. Take forever to get dressed and such.." her father chuckled.

"I'd like to start over with you sir. I figure if I'm going to be with your daughter forever, I may as well learn to get along with you.." Leo sneered smugly.

"I reckon so.." Her father chuckled.

"It's Al by the way.." Al retorted.

" The names Leo.." Leo said shaking Al's hand.

Everyone stopped at the sound of D's door opening. She rounded the corner and slid down the banister of the stairs.

"D! You are going to tear your dress!" Al cried.

"It's fine dad.." D sigh. She stood at the bottom, presenting herself to everyone.

She stood with a very fancy, very expensive red dress. It was accented with yellow and pearls draped from her neck and ears. Leo tugged at the collar of his shirt, swallowing the lump in his throat.

"I know I know.. I look dumb.." D sigh.

"You look beautiful, M'lady.." Leo said kneeling. The others knelt before her.

"Agreed.." they said in unison.

"Get off of the ground, you guys don't have to do that.."  d said nervously.

"The carriage awaits you all.." Al sigh.

"Thanks dad. We'll be back." D announced, leaving the castle at once.

They all stopped at the carriage. Leo waited for D to get in, watching her walk up the steps. She sat down, patting the seat next to her. The guys fought about who would ride up front with the guard and the Pegasi.

After everyone was filed into their correct placement, they were on their way. D sigh, looking out the window.

"The first thing I'm gonna do is get rid of these fussy dresses. Maybe go for more of a Roman style dress.. or maybe just earth clothes." D sigh. She struggled in her corset, slumping over onto Leo.

"I hate this fucking dress and the stupid fucking corset and all this fucking bullshit. I can't believe I agreed to this again.." d said hiding her face.

"You are gonna do great.." Leo reassured her.

The carriage hit the ground with a bump, causing Leo to clank against the roof.

"Now announcing the arrival of our long lost princess, Princess Deanna!" The guard announced, opening the door.

The guys poured out, waiting for D to walk out. Leo helped her out of the carriage, shielding her from the sun with a parasol he found under her seat.

The crowd chanted as D walked up to the stage. All the same faces but gray and worn with years of age. She smiled.

"Hello my faithful subjects.. I've come back so that I may save you all from the tyranny.. so rejoice in celebration! No more of those awful none sense rules with some exceptions alright?" D asked.

The crowd cheered.

"No stealing, no murder, no violence of any kind. You may all be free to love who you love! Male and male! Female and female! Male and female! Whatever you want! Build and create to your hearts content! I will start an era of pure intentions and fun!" D cheered. The crowd chanted her name

"Princess Deanna! PRINCESS DEANNA!" They grew louder, smiling and yelling to their hearts content. Lovers rushed into each others arms, embracing everything.

"Ladies! No more fussy dresses! Wear whatever you want! No more stupid corsets!" She cheered, ripping off the fussy dress, revealing her shorts and tank top.

"No more heels! Flats or even bare feet! Celebrate my subject! Rejoice!" D announced.

The crowd, now eager and rowdy  cheered as D and the others waved. She waved them silent.

"Please make music! Make memories! Make advancements, make whatever your hearts desire. There is one thing I learned in my time away.. and that was to embrace your feelings and ideas with compassion and determination.." she said walking off of the stage. The crowd wailed at the attempted departure.

"Princess! Let us throw you a parade in honor of this new rule!" They begged.

"How about you guys plan it out? And maybe let's say next Friday night, we have this parade?" She asked.

And with that idea in everyone's mind, the group was off as quickly as they got there. D sigh and laid her head on Leo's shoulder.

"My work has only just begun.. I have to free the innocent prisoners and rewrite the laws and everything is just gonna suck for the first month.." d explained.

"We will be here to help you.. in any way we can." Leo chimed.

"Yeah, who said you have to do this alone?" Ace asked.

"We got your back!" Daniel chimed.

"I can help with anything as well!" Adam squawked.

-at the castle-

D rushed into the kitchen, greeting the cook. She had know the cook forever. He was a young gentleman with dreads and a smooth, dark complexion.

" Ah, Princess! I picked some peaches this morning.. tell me if they are any good and I can make a cobbler." He chimed.

"You always made the best cobbler- oh, these are my friends. Everyone this is Ryan. He was a childhood friend that worked in the castle." D began. She took a peach from the table and bit into it smiling.

"They are soo ready for a cobbler Ry.." She gleamed.

"I'll get to it, and for breakfast I'll add it to the menu!" Ryan said with a smile.

Everyone went to their respective rooms and began dressing in their pajamas. Leo sigh at the change of pace. One moment, they were on the run, unknowing of what would happen next. But now everything was peaceful.. no problems, no anxiety, no authority. Just a new place for new memories.