the story

author's corner

gemini headquarters

—  2010; 19:30

  Seoah wasn't really annoyed that no one was there when she arrived, not really. The thing about keeping faery time was that, no matter how early you were, the other party would always arrive five minutes late. And since whomever that was that asked for her - she forgot about their name - was apparently fey as well, she would believe that rule applied too.

  ...or whatever it was. Honestly, Seoah couldn't really keep track of everything that was going on, not anymore. She tried to keep her thoughts in order, but as always, forgets. Typical. 

  Nonetheless, Seoah wasn't annoyed. Somehow, she even found herself jumping to her feet when she heard heels echoing down the hallway, and filled with a sort of nervousness that she couldn't explain. That was, until she caught a glimpse of the woman who was there to pick her up.

  "...Seoah?"

  Momentarily in a stupor, she quickly got out of it when she heard her name being called. "Y-yes!" The faery managed to put a smile on her lips as if nothing was wrong, though it did not go unnoticed by the other. "My apologies. You were saying?" 

  The agent seemed slightly concerned, tilting her head to the side. "I was saying, please place your weapon in my possession for now. It would do no one good if you are to walk fully armed to the King's study." 

  "Oh, of course!" Still flustered, Seoah reached around, fingers fumbling at the sheath strapped to her thigh, somehow unable to get the damn dagger out until the other suddenly stepped in the line of her sight. "Perhaps...some help?" 

  "No, no, please - don't worry about it." A slight tweak with her fingers managed to get the clasp free, and Seoah handed the entire sheath over. "Here you go...?"

  "Chess." The faery took the weapon from her, before doing some kind of obscure spell with her fingers that caused it to vanish. "Rest assured; it is safely kept. Now, please, follow me." 

  As the other started making her way down the seemingly never-ending corridor, Seoah found herself slowly collecting her thoughts, her former flustered self and nervousness vanishing, though still suspended in some sort of disbelief. How could she have forgotten her face...? 

  Consumed with her thoughts, Seoah didn't notice Chess stopping, and walked straight into her in front of the King's study. Flustered for the second time, she stepped back, apology on the tip of her tongue when the other spoke first.

  "Are you quite alright, Agent Gossamer? If you're sick, perhaps - " 

  "No, really, I'm fine!" She insisted, then realizing her impulsiveness. "I'm sorry; it must be nerves." Seoah lied, gritting her teeth through a smile. 

  Chess studied her, then gave a small sigh of disbelief. "I doubt it; my background check revealed you are constantly in the company of the Seelie court. It would be quite a loss of face if you could not conduct yourself properly in Court." There was a slight pause. "I've been in Court once myself. It was quite intimidating, I must admit, but appearances had to be kept, of course." 

  At that, Seoah's eyes widened slightly, then held herself back. "Y-you have? What were you doing there?"

  A suspicious glance was passed over her face. "Official Gemini business, of course. Why else would I be there?" At the other girl's expression, she softened slightly, and cleared . "At any rate, you don't have to be so afraid of the King. He can be kind if he wants to, and he usually is to new recruits. Compose yourself, please, Agent Gossamer." 

  The sentence seemed to waken Seoah to some kind of realization. The jitterness slowly disappeared from her fingers, and she stood up straighter, rearranging her features to that of calmness. 

  "Yes, of course, Agent Chess."