A Tower in the Sea

It had been a week since she had left Praetoria - and not one day since had she been let out of the solitary tower she had spent her entire life in. Sure, the view was beautiful -- but the company was stale, for Sirene had started to get on her nerves.

Everything had started to get on her nerves. The tiniest thing could make her cry -- especially the thought of Lanshu and how much she missed him.

She had her fingers pressed against the glass of her underwater penthouse, and stared down to the city that was constantly alight so deep under the surface. The towers were shaped like natural crystals, and all were high-rises that had corals and kelp that grew on them in harmony. Even Destiny's solitary tower had sea grass and flowers sprouted on it.

Although she could see the night life and the sparkle of lights, no one in the city was able to see her, or even the place she peeked out of, for she could see out -- but no one could see in. She was invisible, and from the outside her tower looked like an antennae or just a pretty little decoration to add to the castle's architecture. No one would have any idea that someone lived inside, and even had an apparatus to swim in that was made of the same material.

Instead of a balcony, Destiny had a pool of water attached to her bedroom that one small entrance with stairs that led down into the pool and then out of it.

At least her scales felt better here, and she had a lot of privacy to mope, cry, and throw up when she sobbed too much...or smelled something foul. Her breasts had even become very sensitive lately, and she was sure that it was time for her monthly shed - but no signs of the cycle showed themselves, other than the few headaches and sore abdomen she experienced.

It hadn't occurred to her yet that anything else was plausible rather than her expected 'visitor', and so her worry stayed on if she would ever see Lanshu again.

She had rejected food, and stopped her usual request for books, or time in the royal garden. All she seemed to do was lay in bed and watch the many schools of fish and large creatures swim past her fully-windowed bedroom walls.

She painted, drew, wrote - even played a little harp, but no matter what she attempted to distract herself with, Lanshu's eyes and scent came back to her brain.

With nothing to see or do, she crawled back into her bed and pulled her covers over her head to block out the world.

The loneliness was too much to bare most days, so she opted to sleep a lot. 

Today was one of them - and from the way her father sounded outside the door as he yelled at Sirene - he had enough.

Whatever. That was fine. What did it matter anyway?

The door slammed open, and the golden light of the hallway spilled into her dark room. Destiny hadn't even flinched. In fact, she hoped that he would tear her apart and end her torment.

"Destiny, get up. You need to come to dinner tonight. I have a guest who wishes to speak to us concerning your hand in marriage." Her father had grumbled and sighed in agitation. "I understand you're still pining for that man on the surface, but you must let it go. I need you to think of your kingdom right now. A marriage to our opponent's son would cease the war entirely, and it should be noted that we are not currently winning." He lectured as he approached her bed and pulled off the covers.

The air was cold and despite how hard she had attempted to grip onto her cloth armor - her father easily lifted it away without issue.

"Sirene, get her bathed and dressed." Sattus ordered coldly when he caught his daughter's face. "...and for Poseidon's sake - make her look presentable. God knows she won't do it herself...damn books. I should have never let you read those romance books...." He grumbled to himself and had been so angry, that he had taken her bed sheets with him, still clutched in his white-knuckled hand.

Destiny hadn't rolled over to see what happened next, but she heard the sound of her bedding being dragged across the floor, and the click of her door being shut again.

Then, Sirene cleared her throat, sat next to Destiny's back and put her hand to her shoulder. "If it makes you feel any better, your father said I could go with you wherever you may travel...so you'll always have me." Her voice was soft and consoled her just a little.

It was nice to have someone you knew and who cared for you always be at your side. The princess couldn't help but crack a smile at the thought of not being left alone. She raised her hand and placed it on top of her Lady-in-Waiting and squeezed it tightly.

Sirene had served Destiny since she had become a woman of court, and their ages were very similar, to lose her - would be to lose her best friend in the entire world. So this was a great relief to the Princess who took in a long, deep breath.

"I am so very sorry that Kalinda ruined all of this for you. It was no secret how much she and Vincent loved one another. I'm sure that Prince V'Azlak may have some charming qualities to him." Sirene continued, but that upset Destiny and all she could reply with was a rapid head shake.

"Oh dear..." she sighed again and pat Destiny's shoulder sympathetically.

"Listen to me, Dest - guys like V'Azlak die quickly. The Turjol Empire is known for their war-like society. He'll eventually die in battle, and then you can pull what Kalinda did."

Destiny swooped her head up at that suggestion, but did not sign anything to her. Instead she looked on to her dearest, and only friend with pathetic eyes of confusion.

"It's a nice thought at least...right?" Sirene asked as though she were unsure of her own stance.

The Princess nodded and looked back down to her mattress, then collapsed back onto it.

"Well, you can't sit up here no matter what your future holds - that's for certain. You must get up and face the facts, and I am sorry to say so harshly - but the odds of you ever seeing Lanshu again are very low, and if you torture yourself sick, then you're the only person to blame for your miserable existence. Sometimes, we have to trudge through the day. If anything - just go to eat. Please."

Destiny stayed still for a little bit longer before she finally resigned herself to her fate and pushed herself up entirely. For a brief moment she stared out the window, and watched a school of fish pass by, as well as what appeared to be two small schools of Ikuchi Serpents. They weren't often found around these parts - but war must have scared them off from their homes.

As she watched them swim by, her eyes caught one in particular that reminded her of Lanshu for whatever reason. Maybe it was the way he swam, or the bronze-golden silky hair that lined his red scales, and the backs of its legs.

She was mesmerized by the flock of colors that passed by her tower completely unaware that they were being observed by one lonely person who found beauty in the way they swam so elegantly and paddled their claws through the water to move their long bodies swiftly.

"Huh, strange to see Ikuchi this far west... I wonder why they're here. You don't think the war has spread /that/ far, do you?" Sirene asked in disbelief as she too joined Destiny.

They returned to the task at hand only after the lovely group of mystical creatures had passed. Too bad they hadn't taken longer, because the way Sirene had brushed at her knots in a hurry really pulled at Destiny's head.

This was one of those times she was glad that she was unable to make noise as tears silently rolled down her face.

"I'm sorry, my Lady - you haven't gotten out of bed in a bit, your hair is matted rather badly. If we had more time I'd be far more gentle," she apologized and Destiny could see that she frowned in the mirror at the rat's nest of silk she had in her hand.

All Destiny hoped for was that the pain washed away the agony that had built in her chest over the week. As Sirene tugged each strand, the Princess discovered that no, it had not even compared to the dent in her heart that towered over everything.