Dara -- or Karyn -- was waiting outside Allaria's suite when Jon-as-Allaria stepped out, ready for presentation to the king. "Wow, Princess! Looking good! I see you're taking no chances in winning over the prince."
Jon winced. "Perhaps you mean my mother. She has commanded me to change into something better suited to an elf maiden." He meant, more revealing. "And to make the torture that much more exquisite, she left its selection to me! It must have taken no less than an hour to pick over the options. I do not wish to upset her again, but I also have no wish to appear too daring by human standards." Or half-naked, he thought, but apparently that criticism would be too far out of character.
He looked down at his choice as he said it, realizing he may have already lost that battle. He had ended up choosing a green, backless halter dress with a slitted skirt. At least it covered his midriff, unlike most of Allaria's wardrobe, so he didn't see quite so much skin when he looked down. But he knew he was showing plenty to a viewer behind him or next to him. The ladies-in-waiting had been all too excited to complete the look by fastening some of his long hair in a coil atop his head, effectively shortening it. Then they'd attacked with earrings, bracelets, tiara and makeup.
Karyn laughed. "Listen to you! You sound like a girl 'back home' getting ready for her big date. 'Is this too slutty? What if it's not slutty enough?'"
Jon glared cutely. "If I did not know better, I might think you had implied that your dear friend and princess is a slut."
"Oh no, never! Anyway, my job is to get you to the throne room. I think I remember the way." She pointed, and started walking.
"On another topic," Jon started, eager to talk about anything else while they walked. "I am still forced to stay in character -- perhaps even more so when talking to anyone but you."
Karyn grinned. "Oh yeah, it's fun! And convenient. I can just take a breath, open my mouth, and let go while Dara takes over. Take my meeting with the captain. Turns out I'm an expert on security." She paused. "It makes sense. We're part of the story, but we can't be that if we don't know the story." She looked directly at Jon. "Seriously, the worst thing you can do is clam up. It's not like I was doing all that drinking for fun. Well, maybe some of it."
Jon rolled his eyes. "Yes, it may be convenient. In a different role, it might even be fun. But what if I disagree with myself on a major decision?"
"I don't know. But it seems to me your mother is making the big decisions this week, anyway."
They entered a major hallway and Jon saw his "adopted" mother and Iroldu waiting before a pair of great, ornate doors that could only be the entrance to the throne room. A pair of Kornostan guards stood at attention on either side.
Allaria's mother took a long, critical look at her daughter, then half-smiled. "Hmm, interesting choice." Jon could only wonder what she meant. "Well, Allaria, your flair for drama has not failed, as you arrive with precious little time to spare. We will be invited inside momentarily. Dara, we will not need a bodyguard in the king's audience chamber and it would be an insult to suggest otherwise. Please wait here." She, Jon-as-Allaria, and Iroldu quickly lined up to stand, side by side, before the doors.
Then the doors opened, and a herald called, "Honored guests from the greater High Elven Kingdom of Tyr, enter and present yourselves to the king!" The elven mother emphasized this with a tug at her daughter's arm, and they stepped through.
