(If you have not read my prologue or previous chapters, please do so now.)

Tales of Tanjia, Chapter 8 - Enjoying the City

   Still mostly asleep, I take a deep breath and start to open my eyes. Despite all of the thoughts in my head last night, my sleep was dreamless. It was only a long, dark calm. I sit up, the silk sheets falling off of my shoulders and into my lap, and I take another deep breath as I stretch. It was refreshing to wake up in this comfortable, yet unfamilliar room. I look around the room and see that Rii'ei is still asleep in the second bed, which is a little odd because she's usually up before me. I don't give it much thought, though, as I leave my bed and walk to the ivory wardrobe across the room. I open it's doors to reveal the many dresses and other items of clothing that I had brought for our stay in Taj'erii. Briefly I brush my hand over each item, feeling the soft, cool fabric pass under my fingertips.

   I decide on wearing separates this morning and pull out a pale green skirt. I walk behind the changing screen and as I slip on the skirt the light, airy fabric ripples over my bare legs and pools on the floor, tickling my feet. The skirt was loose and flowing, very comfortable. After adjusting the skirt and making sure there were no flaws or wrinkles in the delicate material I took a white top from the wardrobe. It rested just off my shoulders with close fitting sleeves that reached halfway to my elbows. I checked myself over in the mirror again, not for the sake of vanity, but because I had no idea who would be attending breakfast in the dining hall. A formal breakfast can be just as important as a formal dinner.

   Satsified with my clothing for the day, I fold up my nightgown and walk out from behind the changing screen to see that Rii'ei was now up and dressed. I wonder if she heard me get up and decided that she had to do the same. "Good morning, Rii'ei. Did you sleep well?" I greet her as I placed my folded bedclothes over the back of a chair.

   "I slept very well, miss, thank you." She said in her usual shy tone, "Would you like any help getting ready?"

   I thought about it a moment, "Would you help me do my hair? I don't have much else I need to do before I'm ready." She quietly nodded, smiling, and I sat on the silk covered stool by the vanity table. As I dusted a translucent powder over my face I can feel Rii'ei's slender fingers slipping through and undoing my braid. She makes quick work of it, she always has, and she begins brushing out my long, midnight blue hair. Then she twists and folds my hair into three draped, overlapping buns. The highest one in the center of the back of my head and the lowest at the nape of my neck.  I glide a tinted balm onto my lips with my little finger. I never wear much makeup, but some is necessary to look polished.

   Rii'ei steps back, satisfied with her work on my hair, and brings over a pewter jewelry box. "You look very nice this morning, miss." She said as she opened each drawer of the box. I chose drop pearl earrings and three thin silver bracelets to put on my right wrist.

   "Thank you." I stand up and walk to the door, "Would you like to come to breakfast with me?" She shook her head.

   "I couldn't. It isn't my place..." She said as she played with her fingers.

   "If that's what you want." I turned and left the room after waving back at her. I remembered my way down to the dining hall from last night. Despite the complexities of this place, it's fairly simple to get around if you know where you're going. As I walked down the enormous hallway I looked out the floor-to-ceiling windows and I could see most of Taj'erii City. People running about, selling things and buying things, and all so early in the morning. Seeing it all made want to be out and part of that energy. I smile to myself. Maybe later. 

   I decend the spiraling staircase, the marble steps cool to the touch, and I stand in front of the heavy doors. The dark wood stood out beautifully against the white walls. I glanced at the guard and he opened the doors for me. The room was decorated very differently from the way it was last night. The long table was set with a powder blue runner and pale flower arrangements every few feet. There were very few people in the dining hall and I was the only one from the Imperial Family. My brothers were likely still asleep and my father must be feeling the effects of the wine he drank so abundantly last night.

   Unfurling my napkin and placing it in my lap, I admire the mother-of-pearl plate and polished metal untensils in front of me. Tea is served first, and the server poured the pale, green-colored liquid into my cup. The steam billowed up in curls and light fragrances of mint and honey danced up to my nose. I thank the server and bring my cup to my lips, pausing a moment to make sure I wouldn't burn myself, and taste the subtlety of all the simple, yet exquisite flavors. The next thing that was served were chilled fruits. Many diiferent varieties were presented, all of them cut decorateively on small porcelain plates. Then came both sweet and savory pastries and after that everyone quietly dispersed and breakfast was over. I couldn't eat much more, so I was glad to be able to go back to my room.

   Leaving the dining hall, I ascend the staircase once more. As I reach the landing I see my father approaching. I trust that he'll be in an unpleasant mood this morning so I kneel with my shins parallel under my thighs. I wait patiently and keep silent as he passes me, his dark teal robes floating as he walks. His hair is slightly disarranged and the silver streak in his hair is more prominent this morning. He grumbles something under his breath and goes down the stairs. He's missed breakfast entirely but I have no doubt that he'll demand something unreasonable from the kitchen. His appetite is always voracious after a night of drinking.

   Once I was sure he was far enough down the stairs to not notice my getting up, I start on my way back to my room. I check out the windows again and see that everything is still just as lively as an hour ago, and I still wanted to be in it. I get back to my room and Rii'ei is sitting on her bed reading quietly. She sees me and immediately stands up, abandoning the book that she really seemed enjoy. "M-miss! Did you enjoy breakfast?"

   "Yes, I did, thank you." I pause and walk to the balcony. "Rii'ei... What would you say to a little shopping?" I see her eyes light up, she tries not to let her smile creep up any further than it has. She clears her throat and nods.

   "Yes, miss, that sounds wonderful." She tried to sound calm, but her voice dripped with excitement.

   "Fantastic!" I say as walk over to the wardrobe again. I pull out a simple blue-grey dress and a sage green cloak. "I'd like to shop as equals, if you don't mind. I'm just as much a stranger to this city as you are." Rii'ei seems stunned.

   "But... We aren't equals. Far from it, really, and I can't pass for a member of the Imperial Court..." She gingerly touched the ends of her hair. As beautiful as her raven hair was, it barely reached her shoulders.

   I walk to her and hand her a peach-colored dress to wear. "The only thing we'll be out there is tourists, here for the coming festival. You'll be with me, it'll be fine." I look at her and hold her hand. "I promise." She takes the dress, giving me a nervous smile.

   "Yes, miss." We both go behind our changing screens and get into our new outfits. My dress is sheer from the knee down and has a slit on each of my hips. The top half has a high neck and low back. It is simple enough to not be noticed in public, but not so plain that people here would be suspicious. I switch out my drop earrings for simple studs and my bracelets for anklets. My hair is just fine for seeing the city, so I leave it be. I drape my cloak over my arm and check on Rii'ei.

   "Are you almost ready?" I stand in front of the changing screen, her silhouette showing through the thin paper.

   "J-just a moment, miss!" I hear her give a grunt of frustration and I deicide to peek behind her changing screen. She can't quite get the dress on becuase she forgot the clasp at the back of the dress. I can't help but giggle, she's helped me get into this dress before. I step behind her, undo the clasp and the dress slips right on. She turns to me, blushing the cutest shade of lavender. "Thank you... I don't know how I forgot that."

   "It's perfectly all right," I say as I replace the clasp at the back of her neck. "You've never worn the dress yourself." I hand her a silver cuff bracelet to complete her outfit. She looked lovely, but not out of place for a handmaiden. "Are you ready now?" I ask as I take 600 Kesh·ge'ai (Tanjiian currency) and put it in a small, silk drawstring purse.

   "If you're ready, miss, then we can go." She's trying not to smile ear to ear again. 

   "Then let's go." I open the door and she follows me out. Just as were were about to leave the building Ma'olu and Koa burst in through the doors, squabbling with each other. Ma'olu had a bruise on his shoulder and Koa had a bloody nose, I could only guess that their sparring got out of hand this morning.  Rii'ei bowed her head as they went past, I put on my cloak but left the hood down and then we left for the heart of city.

   It took about 10 minutes of walking to get to where everyone was, but it was worth every step. The sites and smells were exhilarating! People cooking all sorts of foods, smiths, potters and glass blowers were making things that only their craft could produce. All of it was practice for the festival next month. For each alignment festival new decorations are made. They include glass orbs that mimic the moons, bells, chimes and silk ribbons to decorate homes, toys and instruments for children to play with, and all the incredible food for the First Night's Feast. The festival feels so close and yet so far off.

   Rii'ei stuck to my side most of the time, occasionally wandering to a booth here or there. We stopped for a moment to watch a glass blower form an orb that resembled Ki'konia. I bought two of his other glass orbs and we moved on to watch a potter take his earthenware bowls from the kiln. Rii'ei turned to me, "These people are so talented! Making so many beautiful things from the most basic materials..." She admired one of the glass orbs we'd bought and her stomach rumbled. We laughed and I walked over to a food stand.

   "Two Pa'ghae please." The woman behind the stand slid two steaming buns onto thick paper and drizzled a sticky red sauce onto them before handing them to me. I gave her 30 Kesh·ge'ai in exchange for the food and hand one of the Pa'ghae to Rii'ei. "Here, go ahead and eat." I set our bags down and start eating my own Pa'ghae. It was salty and rich, very satisfying after shopping in this busy city. I see Rii'ei smile as she bites into the thick dough. 

   We finished eating and decided we'd done enough for today. They were starting to dim the lights in the city and we were tired so we went back to our room. Our feet were sore and our backs ached, but it wasn't an entirely unpleasant pain. Another member of the staff came in and I asked to draw me a bath. The heat soaked into my tired muscles and the floral scents soothed my mind. I must've soaked for an hour, but I felt completely at home with everything, I just needed a day to get to know the city and where I'm staying.

   Rii'ei helped me get dressed for bed and then went back to reading her book. I went to look out on the balcony again and the city had relaxed. People closed shops and the lights were dimmed, telling the submerged city that night had come. I turned and slipped back into my bed, the silk sheets covering me once more. My eyelids dropped like weights and I slept, hoping tomorrow would be as wonderful as today.