Hail to the Sun God! He's the Fun God! Ra! Ra! Ra!

<Snip>
He looked back down at Jade, considering telling her how much he needed a drink, but she looked back at him so… what was that… admiringly? Trustingly? That he couldn’t bear to let her know what a loser he was, and kept it to himself. Still, all the kissing was certainly helping him feel better. Perhaps she’d dive at him again. And what exactly had she meant by making it up to her later? Was she propositioning him? Or was she just pretending to be ‘Jaahhdaay’? (Why they used that pretentious pronunciation of her name, he did not know.)

Hasina turned her mask to Jamie, tilting it a little. Why did you let the twits play in the water?
“This way…” she beckoned, striding off confidently in the lead.

They followed, and after a while Alex felt Jade's still sleepy hand fumbling for his.
</Snip>

I could get used to this. I mean, what's not to like about walking in the sand hand in hand with the man you...

WOAH!

Hold up there.

This isn't a holiday you're on you know? It's a deadly situation where a crazy man wants to rip out your soul and exsanguinate you. You have to pretend to love him. To adore him. To worship the ground he walks on. No matter that you tried to kill him. You stabbed him in the leg, so what? He does have nice calves... With so much on show it's only time before someone notices that he has that wound.

They walked through the streets back to the palace. Several nobles and dignitaries waving and engaging in small talk. A few greeting Alex and Jade, giving them strange looks at their dishevelled nature.

Oh. He's looking at me again. That confused face, like he wants to say something but is afraid I'll either hate him, beat him, or break his h...

"Jade, you come with me. Alex, go with Jamie." Hasina expertly interrupted Jade's train of thought as she looked at Alex, who was mid gaze down at her.

"What? Why?" Her head snapped around to face the woman. Her hand subconsciously tightened on Alex's own. Her throat closed slightly and she remembered all the times recently that she had been alone. All the danger that she had faced recently.

Don't leave me alone. I don't want to be alone in this place. They might try to bleed me dry. Every time I'm alone something bad happens

"Tradition dictates that guests prepare separately. You will see your crew mates again at the feast. Alex and yourself will be presented to Ra as a couple as you enter." Hasina said, mildly irritated at the delay.

"Relax Jaadikins! It will be fine. I'm sure there is enough time for me to get ready." Alex said with a flourish of his free hand and a wink.

He doesn't get it. He doesn't understand. Don't let the fear show. Keep up a loving face. Don't let the others see you aren't her

"Oh Poo! you know exactly what I mean!" She pouted and folded her arms. Spoiled brat impression at 100%.

"Yes dear. Afterwards." He patted her on the head. Not getting it at all, be playing along with whatever game he thought she was playing.

Hasina coughed.

Right! Slobbering affection... Just don't think of how awkward it is. He doesn't like you. Doesn't even want you as a friend... Think of... Think of...

Both of them had been paused for too long. Hasina coughed more insistently and obviously. A few people cast her a suspicious glance.

Think of... Fine then, if you can't get it out of your head think of that kiss in the fun house. Pretend it's the bugs making you do it again.

Simultaneously, they both leaned in and kissed. It was perhaps the most kissing that had been done amongst the Blue Dwarf crew since Fernandos, especially between two crew who weren't 'into each other'. They kept it up for a remarkable amount of time.

Is he taking advantage of this? Does he think that I'm usually this... Brazen? Oh no. Does he think this means that?...

Hasina tugged on Jade's wet sleeve.

"Hmm?" She turned, breaking facial contact with Alex.

"Time to go." Hasina walked off, away towards Jaaday's rooms. "I'll not be far away. You don't need to worry." She added quietly to Jade after she let her fingers untangle from Alex's and reluctantly left her crew mates behind.

"See you soon 'Lexipoo." Jade said, only letting her voice break and tremble slightly.

*****

The three roomed wardrobe would stay with her for life. Jaaday had an entire room dedicated to shoes, some that were less crippling than others, but some that would be impossible to walk in.

Look great for having sex in though. don't need to put weight on them then. In theory.

The, Jade recalled Mereneith calling it the 'Play Room' would also stick with Jade for life. So much leather and PVC.

How on Earth do you get PVC in this place? Gods do I really want to think about it?

After the tour, it took an entire team of people the rest of the day to primp, groom, preen, prepare, smarten and spruce up Jade to the standards that were expected. She dosed off quite quickly after it had begun, not really taking in the details.

"Miss Jade. Would you like to look in the mirror?" Mereneith said calmly. All the salves knew something was up, none of them cared as this Jade was much nicer than the sadistic bimbo.

"Oh my..." Jade gasped in delight, looking in the full length mirror. "I... I'm beautiful."

"You always are Mrs Solvay." Merry said dutifully. Jade missed the name completely.

"Oh pshaw!" Jade spat "Not like this..." She did a small twirl. After her long nap she was feeling more refreshed. Captivated by her own reflection, she had a brief glimpse into why it was such a heady feeling. Like a drug.

They had done a magnificent job, trimming and plucking hairs into perfect alignment. Dabbing and drawing make-up to cover up all her imperfections. Her hair was up, in an elaborate style, bejewelled and decorated traditional perfumed wax cone in-situ. Enwraped, enveloped and elegantly enclosed in various layers of yellow, black and orange laces, silks, cottons, tweeds and feathers.

Tweed? Eh... They made it look good on me.

"Ma'am. Are you ready?" Hasina spoke up from the door.

"Yes. I believe so. You might have to help me at first, I'm not used to heels this high..." Jade said, tottering slightly in the shoes. Leopard print? Skin? kitten heeled things that had a heel of over four inches and a platform of at least two.

"Remember, Ra won't use his psychic powers tonight, they wear him out too much. You are safe from that, but remember everything we went through." Hasina coached as they left.

*****

AH! HA HA HA HA!

"You... you looked like an over stuffed peacock." Jade smirked. Looking up and down the oiled Solvay. He was naked from hips to neck, a gaudy arrangement of feathers and gold hanging around him. His hair was also arranged in a decorative fashion, feathers, wax cone and all. A skimpy leopard print loin cloth adorned his manhood. Just.

"Shut up." He glowered.

They'd touched his hair... He'll be grumpy, give the game away

"Cheer up Lexi darling. Think of all the skimpy clad servants in there you can play with?" She leaned in close, entwining her hand in his again.

Just don't run away. I don't want to have to face this alone.

She beamed at him. An angelic innocent smile. Her eyes not quite behind the gesture.

The noise as they entered the room was huge. Music drifted through the gigantic hall, talking, laughing, singing, arguing and...

What the... Are they... Is that sanitary?!

...Orgasms filled the air.

They were escorted through the crowd by two guards, Jamie and Hasina being diverted elsewhere in the room to... Well... One assumed guard things. The room did seem separated into areas, some for food, some for dancing, some for... horizontal dancing. Everyone was doing everything, sometimes at once too. All of a sudden, there he was. On a golden throne, he was bedecked in shining metals and jewels. He dazzled as he sat and greeted people. He was imposing, magnificent, bloodthirsty and beautiful all at once. He radiated a certain aura of power and dread that made Jade tighten her grip. He smiled at the couple, a face full of golden teeth, his eyes shadowed with gold powders. His eyes were dark, scrutinising and not veiling any threats of death and torture.

"My favourite off world-er and his concubine." He beamed. Alex and Jade bowed low in respect, as they had been coached to do, staying silent as they had been told. "You look ravishing my dear." He leaned down and pressed his lips to Jade's, his tongue finding hers. She reacted instinctively out of surprise, trying not to tense at all. His breath was like nectar and wine with a hint of ash and blood mixed in.

He's going to know. He's going to kill me. He's going to...

"Reluctant tonight are we?" He smiled a shark toothed smile, eyes as cold as the night. "I'm sure we can change that." He pressed a hand up through the layers and cupped her breast. She fixed her grip on Alex's had, an anchor to the real world. something safe.

Don't think. Don't react. Just exist...Do something. Stop him. Please... Alex I can't...

Her mind pleaded out to him. Alex remained silent beside her. She didn't look at him. She retreated inside herself, letting Ra feel his way around. Her hand let go of Alex's.

"Great honourable Ra. We have your next guests." Someone said. Jade didn't hear, didn't feel as Ra let go. She bowed as she was dismissed into the crowds.

It was minutes later when she realised that she was alone again. No one she knew nearby. Glass of something fruity and alcoholic in her hand. Topped up by servants dressed in not much or nothing at all. Plates of food passed by held high, everything you could dream of. She could smell meats and sweet breads, roasted nuts and perfumes. The heady mix was making her feel nauseous.

She looked around for anyone she knew.

<TAG>

OOC - Debauchery anyone?