Writing ☪ Glimpse of a new life.
Delicate fingers closing around the sleeve of Romana’s clothing, Esitella stood at her right, a young woman of picture-perfect beauty. Ginger curls were tucked away neatly in the folded, plaited braid pinned up behind her head. Eyes of no color peered at Romana as red painted lips smiled warmly up. Had she not been the wiser she would have believed this woman to be a doll brought to life - but no, this daughter of the Astonian blood line was an intelligent girl, much too young to carry the burden of ruling all on her own.
On her other arm, Joh-hin was waiting with the utmost of patience. He withdrew for the briefest of moments to retreat to the window. As compared to his sister, Joh-hin did not give off the appearance of being fragile or easy to break. Romana knew he was gazing out to the city beyond the fencing with eyes like Esitella, the lights outside glittering under the evening sky, reflecting off his gaze. He ran a hand through his own ginger curls, now slicked back. With his sister still at her side, the older woman’s reflection on the windowpane beckoned him back over.
A gala of the leaders from other cities of Eppesta had arrived that night and what lay before them was an evening of negotiations, discussions and dancing. Since she was their Etinben-newkelth, it was her duty to attend this gathering. As Joh-hin fitted his arm in the crook of her own, however, she could not help but wonder when she ceased to view these two children as figure-heads of authority and more as her own children.
“They are waiting, you know,” Romana chided softly in their tongue. “Even if the Ambassador from Riadon is something of a pompous, arrogant buffoon.”
“He never does cease to brag of the advancement his city has made every year we do this,” he answered with a sigh.
“Arrogance runs rampant through all politicians. Even the other members of the Council have the same foolish habit.”
Esitella tugged gently on Romana’s sleeve. “And you?”
“Well, let’s just say I have my own brand of it; it’s much healthier and quite easier to listen to, wouldn’t you agree?” A gentle smile spread across her lips as the young woman laughed brightly and the lad grinned, humor dancing in his colorless eyes. “But joking aside, he may be rude but he is a good man. He has led the city far and done well for the people. The two of you should be proud of what he has accomplished.”
“If only he would rid himself of this disgusting Basionin cigars!” Esitella wrinkled her nose in memory. “Such a strong odor should not be allowed with in the walls. It ruins the scent of the lit candles.”
“Perhaps the talks will be held outside this time. Then at least many can be spared that horrid stench.” Joh-hin shrugged, offering his sister that bit of hope. Esitella opened her mouth to reply but was immediately silenced when Romana shushed the two and the doors opened. Without another word the Gallifreyan woman led the two Eppestans out from their private study and down the hall.
For such an occasion the brother and sister pair were dressed in matching colors. Cuffs of red lace draped over both of their hands, sewn to sleeves of a golden-tan with simple designs of swirls, and curls were embroidered in the fabric. While the sleeves came to a stop just under Esitella’s shoulders, the same lace branched across just under her collarbone to meet, held in place by a golden brooch that had once belonged to rulers before. A sash of red wrapped around her waist, the skirt opening and parting on either side to show the cream underskirt. Against the tiled floor her heels clicked, managing to keep up with her brother and Romana’s long strides.
In a waistcoat fashioned in the same colors, Joh-hin was always rather handsome no matter what he wore. The red cuffs of his collar balanced well with the cream cravat tucked under the red vest. His leggings of the same golden-tan came to halt just inches below his knees since the boots he wore were fastened thus high. Both siblings wore gloves that held Romana’s own bare ones.
The sounds of life below could be heard at the top of the stairwell. Step by step she guided them down the carpet to a sea of applause of onlookers greeting Joh-hin and Esitella, both using the traditional habit of neutral smiles and an air of importance. A smile twitched at the corner of her lips at this all too familiar skill before releasing the twins from her care to allow them to greet each and every one of the guests.
Muse: Romana II
Fandom: Doctor Who
Beta Reader: savagestime
Word Count: 797