Galaxies Apart

Let's live a little

Avni walks out of the dressing room, attempting to appear nonchalant as she fixes the straps of her dark purple gown, "I think this looks better Everly, what do you think?"

Everly smiles sadly at Avni, her warm amber eyes swimming with spots of black, "You look beautiful, Avni. How much of that conversation did you hear, by the way?"

Avni swallows and looks away, "All of it? Though it didn't make much sense in the end, just that he's hiding something from Vadarius. Anyway, I never thought he could be such a thoughtful or caring person before now, I always imagined his emotional capacity flickered between anger, cruelty, sarcasm and perhaps, protectiveness. It was strange hearing him say all that about your bonding."

"He's a lot more than what he portrays, Avni. I haven't known him personally for long, but even I can tell you that what you perceive of him is just a figment of his personality, you see what he wants you to see. He's our King, so he has to act the part, even if it means suppressing the gentle Volzite in him. He's Vadarius and Precious' sibling after all, I can't imagine why he'll be much different to them in true temperament."

"Perhaps. I don't know what to think of him anymore."

"Just keep an open mind. Anyway, let's begin to get ready yeah? I'll call the helpers to help us with our hair and makeup, while the costume designer can get the accessories arranged for our shortlisted dresses, you know, gloves, sandals, jewelry and all, I'll also need a veil and a train."

"Alright, lets get started then."

________

Fourteen hours before finale

"You look so beautiful, Everly, I can guarantee Vadarius won't be able to take his eyes off you all night", Avni says as she fixes her veil one final time.

"That's the point, right?" She smirks at her human friend who looks as beautiful as her, if not more.

"Absolutely. Come on, let's go now, we don't want him waiting too long after all", Avni grins mischievously as she pulls her towards the door so they can finally go to the royal ballroom where the party is already in full swing.

"Wait! I haven't put on my gloves yet!", Everly frees her hand from Avni's as she picks up her matching red gloves from the dresser and begins to put them on.

"If you don't mind me asking, why do all Volzites wear gloves? I don't think I've ever seen anyone without them ever, except maybe Precious a couple times when she's playing in the garden."

"Oh, you don't know? It's another one of our customs. Volzites consider their touch very sacred, so they refrain from touching worthless, mundane things or unknown, unimportant people. We only touch things that we consider pious or people we consider pure, or our own. Only who deserve our love and respect, receive our unfiltered touch; it's quite powerful, the essence of a sacred touch. When the bonding ritual occurs tonight, the participants will get rid of their gloves. You'll see what I mean then."

Avni nods in understanding. Her interest is definitely piqued, she cannot wait to attend the royal Volzite wedding and find out more about their strange and intriguing rituals.

______

Vadarius paces his room in excitement and anticipation as he waits for Albatross to arrive with the royal red wedding cloak, passed down from generation to generation on every wedding, as well as the ritual dagger to be used during the ceremony.