Date: Sun, 28 Mar 1999 20:29:53 EST
title: morning
author: Teri

It was morning- she was awake and mildly frustrated at the early hour.  It was
hard, though, to stay frustrated when the sunlight that woke you up was so
beautiful, and the fragrane of garden flowers settled around you like a
blanket. After a luxurious stretch, Teri slipped from her blankets, padded
barefoot across the warm (warm!) floor, and slid behind the sheer netting to
lean against the window balustrade.  The floors were never warm in New York,
not in her dorm room.  And she didn't have delicately carved pink marble
balconies that overlooked a gardened courtyard. In fact, her 6x10 foot single
at school overlooked the dumpster.

A golden-winged butterfly fluttered lazily on the marble near her, and she
smiled, watching it.  She felt herself growing focused, her breathing becoming
deep, slow, and warm, the smell of warmth in her nose. She felt rosy herself,
and slightly earthy with sleep. Teri smiled, suddenly sensing the white-gold
of the butterfly's simple-minded happiness, a thin thread of feeling.

She extended her sense, imagined tossing a gentle, spider-silk thread of
appreciation towards the butterfly, and watched its wings flicker in pleased
praise.  Combining this with the minty-green of clam and security, Teri eased
herself from the balustrade so as not to disturb the butterfly, and went back
into her chambers.

She scooped up the book from where she'd tossed it, frustrated, the previous
night and flipped it open while moving towards the washbasin.  Thankfully she
had a toothbrush-  the weird bristled stick-things she had been provided with
looked too intimidating to try. But the salty-mint powder she brushed with
while reading left her mouth refreshingly alive. She made a mental note to
grab some and take it to a patenting place when she went back home.

The thought crossed her mind that Stana would probably know how to make the
stuff from scratch, and Teri frowned.

She heard a soft thump behind her and turned, smiling when she saw Shinji
pawing the skrim from around his body to float back into place. He brushed
himself off, and stood.

On protocol, Teri said: "Don't you think you could use the door? Or maybe
knock? I could've been changing."

"Not much I haven't seen before," he commented dryly, and Teri was reminded of
her towel-clad fainting episode.

"Well, what brings you here?" she said, tying her hair back in a twist and
settling down onto the couch. "Sleep well after the banquet?" she sended a
little dry-grey sarcasm to the boy.

He seemed strangely serious, and Teri's eyebrows drew close. "What's wrong?"

Shinji shook his head- "Nothing much. Had another little conversation with
Clip." Teri felt the settling-feeling that told her Shinji's spirit was
somewhat dampened. She wondered why...  not even a run in with clip would
leave him so exhausted.

"We have a summons to the Royal Chambers in a few hours- here," he tossed her
a somehwat battered scroll, and she quickly lifted the wax seal. "Some old man
gave it to me late last night. You were sleeping."

She read it quickly, and then paraphrased it out loud for Shinji's benefit.
"THe presence of the Chosen of Flame and her Guardian is requested by Her
Majesty and His Majesty, Rulers of Tashisei, on the third day of their arrival
at the hour of eleven." she paused, "i'm glad I woke up. Don't these people
know how late teenagers sleep?"

Shinji looked confused and she blinked before adding, "where I come from, that
is..."

"Stana and Clip will also be there," he said and Teri sighed.

"That girl's got problems, Shinji. All personal anger aside-- she needs help
and that stupid horse of hers isn't doing anything for her. You can't feel
it-- but she's like mercury... cold and slippery and poisonous." Suddenly she
shivered and broke into a smile, sending warmth and comfort in an arc around
her.

Shinji felt his spirits rise slightly in response. "You're getting subtler,"
he said, going to the couch and sitting down.

Teri smiled, "really? I've been practicing. The book, frustrating as it is, is
great. I wonder what I'll be able to do when i'm pissed."

Shinji laughed and shook his head, "I don't want to find out."

Teri tilted her head and in a voice tinged with fake regret said, "I know you
just sat down... but i have to get changed." She looked at the rumpled
clothing that looked as if it'd been slept in. "You do too. Go clean up- I'm
sure they'll have another beautiful... red... outfit for you." She laughed- "I
used to like the color red, but I can see it getting really old, really
quick."

"Think I should wear my bandana just to piss them off?"

"Get them to make you a red spangled one."