Challenge Fic: On a Bright Cloud of Music 2/3
Story Title: On a Bright Cloud of Music
Author: Amedia
Rating: PG
Characters/Ship: Cain/Glitch
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by Imagiquest. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Summary: Dance!
Word Count: 3566
Author's note: This is pure crackfic inspired by the cliché discussion here. The cliché I chose: the formal dance! And a little bit of Cain wrestling with his feelings. It also incorporates candacestls's request at heartnbrain_req. There's also a bit of personal canon in there. The title is taken from the song "Shall we Dance?" in The King and I.
Part 1
Part Two
Cain attended a rehearsal of the opening ceremony the evening before the ball; one of the young scientists who worked in the palace laboratories stood in, rather nervously, for Glitch. He was glad to see DG and Azkadellia both in a festive mood, and even Ahamo and the Queen seemed more relaxed than he had seen them since the eclipse.
He was kept busy the next day with a hundred security details, almost up until the moment when he had to change and go to the antechamber where VIP guests were invited to wait. He did not recognize a soul among them; these were the nobility, the ambassadors, the officials great and minor. The men were in dress suits of every shade, the women in glittering gowns. All nodded to him with exquisite courtesy, but no one attempted to engage him in conversation.
At last he heard the opening trumpets announcing the beginning of the festivities. Servants in formal uniforms came, opening the double doors that led from the antechamber into the ballroom, and guided the guests to their places, Cain at the forefront.
The grand ballroom was merely the largest in a series of connected chambers that wound through this part of the palace. He had seen the beginnings of the preparations the night before and even during part of the day, but the final transformation still took him by surprise. The rooms were hung with swags of brilliantly colored fabric and sprays of flowers, with a different color predominating in each. The grand ballroom was in emerald green with gold highlights. Green and gold globes, each about the size of an apple, bobbed magically in the air throughout the room, emitting a brilliant glow. A gleaming dais stood at the far end of the room, while the orchestra was arranged along one side.
The fanfare ended; there was a brief silence as the conductor re-arranged the music on his stand and then tapped with his baton. He raised it, brought it down again, and the achingly familiar strains of the royal anthem, so long silenced by the Sorceress, burst forth in joyful concord. Looking around at the guests, Cain saw broad smiles on many faces, and not a few unashamed tears.
As the orchestra moved from the opening stanza into the chorus of the song, the royal family appeared from behind the dais and took their positions, led by the Queen and her consort. DG and Azkadellia followed, and finally Glitch brought up the rear.
Cain found himself staring. Later, when he saw photos and recording disks of the dance, he realized that the Queen and her consort were radiant and the Princesses, both stunning. But all he could see was Glitch. Gone was the shabby raiment that he had worn as a wandering zipperhead; gone, too, the newer but still untidy clothing he wore around the palace, with the sleeves rolled up, covered in ink blots and chalkdust. Glitch was dressed like a prince, in silk and velvet, and held himself with an unconscious grace and dignity that sat as naturally on him as the silver coronet that obscured his zipper.
After a moment, Cain suddenly realized that Glitch was staring at him as well. And blushing.
Ceremonial words were spoken, official proclamations were made; it was all a blur until the music began and Cain found himself in front of Glitch and asking for the honor of the first dance. Glitch took his arm and led him onto the floor, and they moved into the steps, into the music, in an effortless glide. It was a formal dance; physical contact - a hand each on shoulder and waist - was minimal. Yet each partner keenly felt the other's movement, skill, and rhythm.
"It's good to see you again," Glitch said after a moment.
Cain nodded. "I've, um, I've missed seeing you around," he said, letting Glitch whirl him gracefully out of the way of DG and Az. "I know we've both been busy."
"I'm glad you agreed to escort me," Glitch said with a quick, momentary smile. "I am honored."
Cain didn't know how to respond to that. "You are honored? I'm the commoner who's been invited to dance with royalty," he said, tilting his head toward the Queen and Ahamo nearby, and then toward Glitch himself.
Glitch gave a self-deprecating chuckle. "You mean, you're the one who earned your position, while I'm the one who was born into it."
Cain shook his head. "You were born for it, my friend," he said earnestly as they moved in stately steps that carried them around the room of green and gold. He managed to put into words what he'd felt when he first saw Glitch on the dais. "It's who you truly are."
This time the smile was slow, and it stayed, and it lit Glitch's whole face. Cain wanted the moment to last forever. It was then that the music ended.
As he had practiced, he released Glitch, who simultaneously let go of Cain; they each took a half-step back and bowed.
"Cain," Glitch said quickly, "I have duties now, people I have to meet, and, heaven help me, remember, but please, will you meet me in the lavender room in exactly two hours? I would very much like to dance with you again."
"I'd like that," said Cain. "I'd like that very much."
******
The lavender room was decorated in shades of pale purple and silver, with lavender and silver globes emitting their magical light. The room was empty; most of the guests in were in the main ballroom. Cain realized, as he passed from the main area into this smaller room, that he was actually entering an older section of the palace, although the transition was well-disguised by the decorations. Cain looked around, somewhat troubled, and pulled out the small walkie-talkie that he used to communicate with his staff, who were stationed unobtrusively around the area.
"Kerrity," he asked quietly, "did you check out the subsidiary rooms for structural stability?"
"Of course, Chief," came the ready answer. Kerrity was stationed near the musicians; he could hear them tuning up in the background. "That portion of the palace dates from the protoarchaic period. They knew how to build to last back then. It's probably sturdier than the new section."
Good woman, thought Cain. Aloud, he said, "And you checked for signs of sabotage?"
"Yes," she said, calm and confident. "The area's clean."
"Thanks, Cam," he said, relieved. "Glad you're on top of things. Cain out."
He snapped off the walkie talkie and tucked it back into the inner breast pocket of his dress jacket, just as Glitch came in. He looked a bit tired and harried, but lit up when he saw that Cain was there, and made a beeline toward him.
"Ready for another dance, Cain?" he asked.
"Any time," Cain said, and bowed. As if on cue, the music started up again, and Glitch swept him into his arms. It was a faster dance than before, and a closer one; he found himself fitted snugly against Glitch, in constant contact. Glitch's body felt sinuous against his, moving with confident certainty and expertise. Cain knew this dance, knew that he was keeping up and moving in time, that they were well-matched.
Perhaps in more ways than one.
He turned his face slightly to bring his cheek against Glitch's; it felt right and natural, and it was less surprising than he might have thought to feel Glitch's hand move up from his shoulder to his neck, Glitch's index finger caressing the skin just under Cain's ear. He moved his own corresponding hand to the back of Glitch's neck, playing with the wayward tendrils that curled at the nape, and felt Glitch's smile against his cheek.
The music ended. They did not move apart. Cain wondered what would happen if he turned just a little more - would Glitch pull away, or would they kiss?
He never got the chance to find out. He heard the sound of a muffled explosion from beneath their feet, and looked around to see the walls trembling and the ceiling cracking. Moving faster than thought, he pulled Glitch off his feet, guided him to the floor, and threw himself over him just as the pillars supporting the roof cracked and gave way with a deafening roar.
Part 3
Author: Amedia
Rating: PG
Characters/Ship: Cain/Glitch
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by Imagiquest. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Summary: Dance!
Word Count: 3566
Author's note: This is pure crackfic inspired by the cliché discussion here. The cliché I chose: the formal dance! And a little bit of Cain wrestling with his feelings. It also incorporates candacestls's request at heartnbrain_req. There's also a bit of personal canon in there. The title is taken from the song "Shall we Dance?" in The King and I.
Part 1
Part Two
Cain attended a rehearsal of the opening ceremony the evening before the ball; one of the young scientists who worked in the palace laboratories stood in, rather nervously, for Glitch. He was glad to see DG and Azkadellia both in a festive mood, and even Ahamo and the Queen seemed more relaxed than he had seen them since the eclipse.
He was kept busy the next day with a hundred security details, almost up until the moment when he had to change and go to the antechamber where VIP guests were invited to wait. He did not recognize a soul among them; these were the nobility, the ambassadors, the officials great and minor. The men were in dress suits of every shade, the women in glittering gowns. All nodded to him with exquisite courtesy, but no one attempted to engage him in conversation.
At last he heard the opening trumpets announcing the beginning of the festivities. Servants in formal uniforms came, opening the double doors that led from the antechamber into the ballroom, and guided the guests to their places, Cain at the forefront.
The grand ballroom was merely the largest in a series of connected chambers that wound through this part of the palace. He had seen the beginnings of the preparations the night before and even during part of the day, but the final transformation still took him by surprise. The rooms were hung with swags of brilliantly colored fabric and sprays of flowers, with a different color predominating in each. The grand ballroom was in emerald green with gold highlights. Green and gold globes, each about the size of an apple, bobbed magically in the air throughout the room, emitting a brilliant glow. A gleaming dais stood at the far end of the room, while the orchestra was arranged along one side.
The fanfare ended; there was a brief silence as the conductor re-arranged the music on his stand and then tapped with his baton. He raised it, brought it down again, and the achingly familiar strains of the royal anthem, so long silenced by the Sorceress, burst forth in joyful concord. Looking around at the guests, Cain saw broad smiles on many faces, and not a few unashamed tears.
As the orchestra moved from the opening stanza into the chorus of the song, the royal family appeared from behind the dais and took their positions, led by the Queen and her consort. DG and Azkadellia followed, and finally Glitch brought up the rear.
Cain found himself staring. Later, when he saw photos and recording disks of the dance, he realized that the Queen and her consort were radiant and the Princesses, both stunning. But all he could see was Glitch. Gone was the shabby raiment that he had worn as a wandering zipperhead; gone, too, the newer but still untidy clothing he wore around the palace, with the sleeves rolled up, covered in ink blots and chalkdust. Glitch was dressed like a prince, in silk and velvet, and held himself with an unconscious grace and dignity that sat as naturally on him as the silver coronet that obscured his zipper.
After a moment, Cain suddenly realized that Glitch was staring at him as well. And blushing.
Ceremonial words were spoken, official proclamations were made; it was all a blur until the music began and Cain found himself in front of Glitch and asking for the honor of the first dance. Glitch took his arm and led him onto the floor, and they moved into the steps, into the music, in an effortless glide. It was a formal dance; physical contact - a hand each on shoulder and waist - was minimal. Yet each partner keenly felt the other's movement, skill, and rhythm.
"It's good to see you again," Glitch said after a moment.
Cain nodded. "I've, um, I've missed seeing you around," he said, letting Glitch whirl him gracefully out of the way of DG and Az. "I know we've both been busy."
"I'm glad you agreed to escort me," Glitch said with a quick, momentary smile. "I am honored."
Cain didn't know how to respond to that. "You are honored? I'm the commoner who's been invited to dance with royalty," he said, tilting his head toward the Queen and Ahamo nearby, and then toward Glitch himself.
Glitch gave a self-deprecating chuckle. "You mean, you're the one who earned your position, while I'm the one who was born into it."
Cain shook his head. "You were born for it, my friend," he said earnestly as they moved in stately steps that carried them around the room of green and gold. He managed to put into words what he'd felt when he first saw Glitch on the dais. "It's who you truly are."
This time the smile was slow, and it stayed, and it lit Glitch's whole face. Cain wanted the moment to last forever. It was then that the music ended.
As he had practiced, he released Glitch, who simultaneously let go of Cain; they each took a half-step back and bowed.
"Cain," Glitch said quickly, "I have duties now, people I have to meet, and, heaven help me, remember, but please, will you meet me in the lavender room in exactly two hours? I would very much like to dance with you again."
"I'd like that," said Cain. "I'd like that very much."
******
The lavender room was decorated in shades of pale purple and silver, with lavender and silver globes emitting their magical light. The room was empty; most of the guests in were in the main ballroom. Cain realized, as he passed from the main area into this smaller room, that he was actually entering an older section of the palace, although the transition was well-disguised by the decorations. Cain looked around, somewhat troubled, and pulled out the small walkie-talkie that he used to communicate with his staff, who were stationed unobtrusively around the area.
"Kerrity," he asked quietly, "did you check out the subsidiary rooms for structural stability?"
"Of course, Chief," came the ready answer. Kerrity was stationed near the musicians; he could hear them tuning up in the background. "That portion of the palace dates from the protoarchaic period. They knew how to build to last back then. It's probably sturdier than the new section."
Good woman, thought Cain. Aloud, he said, "And you checked for signs of sabotage?"
"Yes," she said, calm and confident. "The area's clean."
"Thanks, Cam," he said, relieved. "Glad you're on top of things. Cain out."
He snapped off the walkie talkie and tucked it back into the inner breast pocket of his dress jacket, just as Glitch came in. He looked a bit tired and harried, but lit up when he saw that Cain was there, and made a beeline toward him.
"Ready for another dance, Cain?" he asked.
"Any time," Cain said, and bowed. As if on cue, the music started up again, and Glitch swept him into his arms. It was a faster dance than before, and a closer one; he found himself fitted snugly against Glitch, in constant contact. Glitch's body felt sinuous against his, moving with confident certainty and expertise. Cain knew this dance, knew that he was keeping up and moving in time, that they were well-matched.
Perhaps in more ways than one.
He turned his face slightly to bring his cheek against Glitch's; it felt right and natural, and it was less surprising than he might have thought to feel Glitch's hand move up from his shoulder to his neck, Glitch's index finger caressing the skin just under Cain's ear. He moved his own corresponding hand to the back of Glitch's neck, playing with the wayward tendrils that curled at the nape, and felt Glitch's smile against his cheek.
The music ended. They did not move apart. Cain wondered what would happen if he turned just a little more - would Glitch pull away, or would they kiss?
He never got the chance to find out. He heard the sound of a muffled explosion from beneath their feet, and looked around to see the walls trembling and the ceiling cracking. Moving faster than thought, he pulled Glitch off his feet, guided him to the floor, and threw himself over him just as the pillars supporting the roof cracked and gave way with a deafening roar.
Part 3