Chapter 28
Peony
“Alien party!” Hattie yelled, throwing her hands up in excitement.
Still standing in front of the door of their suite, Peony laughed as Hattie and Alanna began to eagerly talk about the idea of an alien party and what would be involved.
Atem had kept Peony locked away with him for an entire day and night. He refused to let anything interrupt them. They spent most of their time making love, but they also ate, learned, and talked. They talked so much.
He had her read a carefully created short story, made specifically for those who had the Domtri language implanted all at once.
It covered every important written word, letter, and all of the important grammar rules.
She had to read it before her neural imprint faded so she could continue reading without issue.
Last night, before they lost themselves in each other again, he told her that there was going to be a massive party in their honor, as being named Vora Vakara was a big deal. He wanted her to meet his Council and he wanted to introduce them to his people properly to help make them more comfortable.
“He's sending someone to help us dress,” Peony continued, passing on the message he had left her with before he returned to his duties this morning. Taking a day off, for a planet ruler, meant that he had to do a lot of work to make up for those hours doing nothing.
“Who?” Scarlet asked.
Peony shrugged. “He said her name was Cutie? Or something like that?”
“Highly doubt that's right.” Scarlet chuckled, because Peony had said 'Cutie' in English.
Transitioning between the two languages had started out strange, like switching gears in a car.
However, as the imprint faded and she grasped the language naturally, she was starting to be able to switch between them with the ease, and occasional frustration, of any second language speaker.
Peony grimaced. “He was kind of... distracting me when he told me.”
“Don't want to know,” Scarlet lifted a hand as though to hold back her words. “I'm looking forward to meeting others though. I'm getting comfortable here. And I want to learn about this new world. Especially since it seems like this is going to be our home now.”
Holly, who was nearby, leaning her chin on her arms, draped against the back of a lounging cushion, frowned worriedly, “You don't think we're going to need to, like, give a speech or anything, do you?”
“Hope not,” Peony laughed as a bell dinged softly from the front door.
Before she could open it or call for the visitor to enter, it opened on its own.
The beautiful domini female standing on the other side had a carefully blank look on her face as she stepped through.
Peony didn't even get the chance to say hi before the female snapped at the door.
Another female, this one slightly shorter, pushed a tray inside.
It was stacked high with fabrics, jewels, and jars and palates of what looked to be makeup.
“Er, hi?” Peony greeted her, confused, but not unwilling to be polite.
The female looked them all over with a frown that somehow didn't mar her features.
She was so pretty; it was hard to look at her.
She had high cheekbones, plump lips, and her three, slender eyes glowed a dark, royal purple.
The majority of her skin changed to the golden cream of their room the moment she walked in above the long, multilayered, silver skirt fluttering around her legs.
She had a bandeau style top covering her small breasts, showing off her perfectly flat belly.
Her long hair was half up in an elaborate crown of braids before trailing down her back.
Her arms and tail were both decorated with silver bands set with shimmering purple gemstones.
“Honored Vora Vakara,” she greeted formally but with an obvious coldness to her tone. “Vi Dominani has asked me to prepare you for the party tonight. I am Third Guardian Quvi. This is my younger sister, Tilii.”
The slightly shorter female looked similar to Quvi, but her hair was in a simple tail at the nape of her neck, and she was wearing camouflage clothing that changed with her skin to match the room.
Her three, equally purple eyes, were downcast, her shoulders hunched in on herself as she pushed the cart to the center of the room.
Peony looked from the shy Tilii to the cold Quvi, then deliberately to Scarlet. The redheaded powerhouse caught her pleading look and grinned, stepping forward. Their most beautiful member coming out to meet the beautiful, obviously disdainful, domini female.
“Scarlet,” she introduced herself. “So nice to meet you.”
Quvi sniffed, looking down her nose at Scarlet. But Scarlet met her with a haughty expression of her own, her considerably larger bust pushed out in a power stance. Peony ignored them to approach the nervous Tilii who hadn't yet said a word.
“Hello,” she greeted kindly as Hattie began nattering at Quvi with fake kindness that left the sneering female unable to get a word in edgewise.
Tilii looked up at Peony through her bangs, nervous. She was actually taller than Peony, but the way she hunched in over herself still made her seem smaller.
“Honorable Vora Vakara,” she mumbled.
“You can call me Peony.”
Tilii's eyes widened in terror. “Oh, no! I couldn't never-”
“It will grow on you. Give it a chance.” Peony chuckled. “You came to help us dress?”
Tilii shrank back down in relief. “My honorable sister has been given the task. I'm just here to assist her. And you, of course, if you need.”
“Perfect. Then, you can help me pick a dress.” Peony smiled at her, checking on the others.
Holly was sitting back, watching the group, but Hattie and Alanna were talking around Quvi as Scarlet continued to give her a high-necked stare. They had picked up on Peony wanting to speak to Tilii and ignore Quvi and had reacted accordingly.
Tilii, however, looked so uncomfortable. Peony had to walk right past her protests as she began looking through the dresses, asking her what would be appropriate for the night. Whatever shyness problems she had battled and lost against her need to answer Peony's questions so as to not be rude.
Since Peony was going to be right by Atem's side, she wanted to look her best. She didn't want to embarrass him or shame him in public. She was already going in at a disadvantage, being from a completely different species. She needed as much help as she could get.
Once she had picked a few choices from the multiple colors and styles available, she stole Tilii away to help her change into them. They were much more complicated than the clothes that Temnavi kept bringing them to claim for their closets.
Separating the shy female from Quvi was the sign the other girls needed. They immediately abandoned her and set about gathering the dresses, shoes, and jewelry on their own. They were going to take to the spare, unclaimed bedroom where they could change without worry.
“So, Tilii,” Peony smiled at her as they walked away from them. “Do you mind if I ask you some questions?”
“Er, you may ask me whatever you want, honored Vora Vakara.”
“Peony. And thanks.” She smiled. “I just want to get a better handle of what I'm coming into tonight, so I don't make a fool out of Atem or something.”
“Oh, you could never. Vi Dominani has claimed you as family, but we are all very aware that you are offworlders. We would hold no grudge if you broke some sort of custom or taboo.”
“Thanks. That means a lot. I still want to know some things though.” Peony dropped her chosen dresses onto the bed before facing Tilii. “Atem said he's going to introduce me to his Council tonight. Who are they? What is his Council exactly?”
He had phrased it that way as well. He wanted to introduce 'her'.
Not specifically the others, though she didn't think he would leave them out.
He was just more worried about her. They still hadn't defined whatever relationship this was, but Peony wanted to be prepared.
And also, not humiliate herself in front of the biggest of the big wigs on the planet.
Tilii smiled softly. “The Council of Betters are those that serve the First Domini. He is the First of our people. The shining example of what we feel best represents us. His Council aids him in whatever that role requires. You have already met one.”
“I did?”
“Yes. First Healer Donivi. He is the leader of the healers.”
“Oh! Is that why he's called first?” Peony turned to pick at her dress selection, but she was more interested in what Tilii was saying than her gown.
“Yes. There are five that serve the First Domini as his council. First Healer, First Warrior, First Guardian, First Scholar, and First Voice. They all serve to represent specific groups of people. While the First Domini represents all people.”
“I see.” Peony nodded, keeping up without too much trouble. “So, your sister. She's the Third Guardian? What does that mean?”
Tilii pointed to a bright green dress that reminded Peony of the color of peridot stones. “If I may? I believe that one will look the best with your eyes.”
Peony stroked the soft fabric with an approving hum. “I believe you're right.”
Tilii smiled shyly, ducking her head, before finally answering the question.
“Each First is, in turn, served by five others who make up their individual council. The Second through Sixth Healers all represent specific regions and they all report to the First Healer, who reports to vi Dominani. And each of them has a group of five who serve them as well.”
“Like a big corporation,” Peony nodded picking it up rather easily. It wasn't dissimilar to any other workplace she had heard of. Peons serving managers serving regionals, etc, etc. “How are they chosen? Or assigned? How does one become First Healer?”
“First, one must become a healer,” Tilii said, separating out some of the jewelry for her to match to the pretty dress.
“If you become skilled enough, you can gain rank in your assigned region. Then, if you distinguish yourself, you can serve the lower circles – er, those who serve those who serve the Council. And you just keep advancing from there.”
“So, it's purely merit based?”
“Indeed. First Healer Donivi is the greatest healer of the domini. His breadth of knowledge, skills, and experienced are unmatched by any other.”
“What about First Domini? Is it the same?”
“Vas,” Tilii smiled wider, now pointing her towards a pair of strappy sandals.
“His is the most important role and he must be the greatest of the domini. Each First represents a specific subset of people. Healers heal, of course. Scholars advance knowledge and keep histories. Voices are speakers and diplomats – ambassadors between regions and all the way to the stars. Guardians protect and serve the people on the planet – policing and providing essential services. Warriors protect us from other species and the leaders are in charge of all our warriors that sell their skills off planet. First Domini must be greater than them all.”
Peony stilled as she held the dress up to herself. “Wait... What do you mean greater? Are you telling me Atem is a better healer than even Donivi?”
Tilii waved her hands in a motion that Peony took for 'no' based on her expression.
“Not precisely. First Domini is supposed to be the strongest, wisest, most adaptable domini.
To become First Domini, you must prove yourself to the First Council, impressing them with knowledge of their field, then challenge and defeat the previous First Domini in hortii vai.
The Highest Challenge. Unless he's served his term for life, in which case, you must defeat the others who impressed the Council in the Hortii Kristivar.”
“Back up. You mean that any domini can challenge Atem to be ruler at any time?”
“Tor, tor!” Tilii assured her quickly. “A dominani can only be challenged by anyone in his first seven years as dominani. After that, the position is his for his life. Then, only one of the Council can challenge him for his position and that is rarely done. And so long as the dominani is respected, they are rarely challenged during their initial seven years either.”
Peony frowned, a bit uncomfortable now. “Was Atem challenged a lot?”
“Not really. Vi Dominani is much beloved, and everyone knows he is undefeated in battle. He only receives challenges once every few turns of the greater moon.”
Peony chose to ignore that the planet apparently had more than one moon and instead focused on the more disturbing idea that being challenged every few months was considered 'rare'. And that Tilii had spoken in the present tense.
“How long has Atem been Dominani?” She asked, nervous now. Exactly how tenuous was their position on the planet? Not to say she would abandon Atem if he wasn't royalty, she just needed to know if she had to be prepared to be kicked out without warning.
Tilii smiled softly as though seeing her concern. “He is approaching seven years in a few turns of the lesser moon. There will be a great celebration when the day comes.”
Peony's fingers played with the silver jewelry Tilii had picked.
She had already been impressed, hearing that Atem was like a king, but that was back when she thought it was a bloodline kind of thing.
Sort of like what she traditionally thought of as kings.
But hearing he had needed to earn it by impressing the most impressive people on the planet suddenly made him seem intimidating and unattainable.
She got dressed alongside the others, with Tilii's sweet help and under Quvi's uncaring, cold, but admittedly discerning eye.
She clearly didn't like the humans she had been assigned to look after, and being Third Guardian meant she was definitely high ranking enough to consider this beneath her, but she did her job regardless.
When the five of them filed out of their suite, they were dressed to the nines, looking every bit a group of princesses.
Scarlet was the only one who carried herself like one – Hattie was trying to emulate her and failing, Holly was still self-conscious, Alanna was rather out of it, more interested in the swishing of her long skirts than anything.
And Peony was now nervous to meet the male that was suddenly way further out of her league than she initially guessed.