The door slammed open. "Allaria!" One of the soldiers rushed in, out of breath and a bit more sober than any of them seemed a few minutes ago. "Find your mother before you get in trouble! She's demanding to know where you disappeared to!"
Jon gave Karyn a nervous glance. If this mother of his inspired so much fear in a veteran soldier, he certainly didn't want to be the focus of her attention -- much less plan a wedding with her.
But he also knew delaying here would only compound his troubles. "Of course. Might you escort me to her?" He'd tried to say, Sure, where is she? It's like a hiccup, he thought. I'm saying one thing, and the damn bookmark changes the script underneath me so fast I don't even know it until I close my mouth.
"Of course, your highness. She's in her room at the moment. I believe she wants to review the day's schedule over breakfast. We'll be presenting you to the king at noon, you know."
Karyn spoke up. "I'd better come along too. But lead the way, Pinnir!"
As far as Jon could tell, they retraced his confused path from his room. Of course his mother's would be close to his own. Once again, all he could focus on were the unfamiliar body and dress. Pinnir was in the lead and couldn't stare, but Jon could tell he was slowing his pace to accomodate Jon's constricted steps.
Karyn, of course, kept stealing glances and smiling at him, causing him to blush in humiliation. He couldn't help but notice how she was walking: head held high, almost marching, scanning the hall for threats like the veteran she was supposed to be. The sight only frustrated him as it reminded him his own mannerisms had changed. Those heels weren't familiar by any means, but his feet seemed to know what to do with them.
At least she wasn't teasing him. He wondered if the bookmark had simply sealed her lips so she'd stay in character around, well, a non-player character.
