Age of Aurora

Episodic episode First:

Marriage Bells
The August night stretched out its magic over the imperial residence.
The crickets sang their erotic calls and the rose bushes of the tasteful gardens
had replaced their usual scent with the stuffy and heavy perfume of plant
breath when the sun is absent. The bats were going in for their palatable
hobby under the public lamps and the fox that was used to eating the palace's
scraps raided the fowl-run with the Christmas turkeys. The serene undulation
of the sea on the gravel-covered beach supplemented the indolent picture of
aestival stagnation that heavily covered, as a veil, the imperial cottage, even
heavier than the starry cloak of the night.
Certainly, the facts usually deceive. In the plentiful luxury of the three-
storey building, Geron X, Emperor of the Democracy of the Humans, King of
Sthro, Prince of the Colonies and Praetor of the Commonwealth was
indignant at the idea of abandoning his personal electronic chess instructor to
discuss burning questions of the Dynasty with his son and successor, Ardene.
"Your Majesty", Butler Klaus announced with his hoarse voice, "Io is
notifying us we have a line".
"So, the time has come".
The emperor moved slowly towards his loyal assistant and grabbed the
earphone.
"I’ve been forwarded to the Mars communications centre" he
complained.
Klaus hurried to press a key of the gizmo on the corner of the oak-
wood desk.
"What now?" the loyal Butler asked.
"It's through".
After an unspecified number of minutes a chilly voice answered the
call.
"Secretariat of the Viceroy of the Republic, Dauphin of the Senate,
Successor of the Commonwealth, King of Dokrii Superior, Patriarch of…"
"I am his father".
"He isn't here".
"Pass him to me and tell him not to pretend being his secretary".
"Your Majesty, you got me?"
"Your voice does not resemble feminine, no matter how hard you try".
"Come on dad! When will you stop listening to Klaus?"
"I will, when he starts calling your secretary instead of your mobile
holophone".
"A senatorial committee should be formed to direct the budgetary
service towards recommending to the Supreme Court to propose to the
ministry of public expenses to require the suppression of the mobile
telephony budget from the crown prince's secretariat".

Age of Aurora by A. Basoukos & L. Noutsis

www.ageofaurora.dom.gr
© 2006. All rights reserved.
 Age of Aurora – Marriage Bells

"What are you saying, my son? Such a thing as the ministry of public
expenses doesn't exist!"
"Really, huh?"
"And what does all this nonsense mean, anyway?"
"I want a card mobile! … And I'm not telling you the code name".
"I'm trying to reach you through the entire solar system for half an
hour now, and you tell me such things?"
"It's reasonable to search me for some time. I happen to be on the far
edge of the world".
"My son, I intend to inform you immediately for the cause for which I
called, without the exaggerations that your mother is unable to avoid. My
boy, the dynasty is counting on your actions for its continuity, which will
deter the economic collapse of the Earth and her dependences, allow the
continuation of civilization throughout the galaxy, extend the period of
prosperity for the people and prevent series of suicides of members of the
crown fan club. Moreover, I will be absolutely sincere to you, your mature
attitude will accomplish a drastic blow on one of the most vital problems that
deplore the republic, the royal nagging".
"How come all these depend on me?"
"The successor must have a successor".
"You don't mean….?"
"You have to wed".
"You mean exactly what I have thought! No way! At least not until I
come of age. It's my last word".
"But you’re twenty already".
"In certain countries adulthood comes when twenty-one and I do not
want their residents to consider I disrespect the manners".
"As you wish. But the summer nature, the hot air, the boiling hot sun,
don't they inflame your eroticism? Leave alone the concept of marriage for the
time being, deal with the charms of love, my son. Think of your mother. She
worries - or at least the Senate dictates she owes to worry. All the children at
your age… Moreover, now at summertime, the men's urges… Don't say no to
me! I was your age and I know".
"Dad, first, I have done enough in order to know that when it comes to
the urges of men, they tend to be indomitable throughout the year; second, it's
snowing outside. Melbourne is where I am, you remember?"
"Ah, of course! What an exceptional girl; nevertheless I wouldn't
recommend her for what we discuss. Her nose is the model for the beak of the
army's eagle. Give her my best regards!"
"I'm in Australia, not in Beijing! I haven't seen Melbourne since she
committed suicide".
"This is most unpleasant. Is there a chess terminology for suicide?"
"Yes there is, ` I’m good but I play sordidly!’"
"Smarty boy. In any case, I want you to think very well about our
tonight’s conversation. I have a sense that the Senate will deal with the
marriage subject immediately upon your return".

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"Should I suppose that this sense emanates from some hereditary

talent?"
"Everyone in our family has any attribute they declare. Maybe it
indeed is such a thing? Further research should be done".
"Any attribute because no-one takes us seriously? Anyway, I will
consider all these at the solarium. Greetings to all family".
"I’ll pass them on. As soon as Klaus finds them on the phone".

Two months later, at one of the numerous seats of the Senate…

"I believed that it would be something important. They called us here
for a high-level question, but this discussion turns out to be for match-making
and lasts for ages! I'm so bored! The guy over there has fallen asleep!" one of
the advisers told the man next to him, nudging him at the same time.
"And you find that a reason to wake me up?" he replied drowsy.
In the semidarkness of the room, the debate had livened up and the
tones had been rising.
"Mr. chairman, could I speak for a moment? Please?" the emperor said
once more.
"You are whom I beg, your majesty. I have that itching from the
testicles mycosis I got, I also face continuous interruptions; how do you expect
me to preside over the discussion?"
"But I am not responsible for the health of you discreet parts!"
"However, you could attend to the hygiene of the girls at your service!"
Those who were paying attention agreed noisily with the chairman's
comment against the interventions of Geron.
"Any other opinions concerning the marriage of the crown prince?" the
chairman went on with the air of the victor.
Somebody of the audience stood upright and, with a sign of incentive
by the seat, spoke.
"May I go pee?".
After a sigh, the chairman summarized what had been discussed.
"Our today's discussion proved the necessity of marriage for the crown
prince. The political stability in the long run requires strategic movements at
all levels. One of them is the imperial model as considered by the regular
citizen of this Democracy. I dare, however, express my speculation on the
concretisation of our current decision. I am positive that my concerns will be
appeased by the zeal with which the colleagues in this meeting have dealt
with the question. I have the certainty that our advices and incentives will be
listened to not only by the Parliament but also by the imperial family and the
directly interested part, prince Ardene. Your highness?"
The senators drew their attention to the crown prince, who filed his
fingernails carefree. Several seconds of silence caused Ardene to raise his
eyes, only to find the whole Senate staring at him.
"What did I do again?" he cried out.

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The crown prince's room door closed with a bang. Ardene exclaimed
upset:
"They have decided. All is finished. I am doomed! Doomed!!!"
Behind the armchair with the broad back, a bass voice replied with
coolness that reached sarcasm:
"Are you finally joining the army?"
"They are to wed me Theo!"
The armchair rotated slowly bringing the mysterious Theo face to face
with the prince.
"My name is Theodore" said strictly the teddy bear that was sitting on
the armchair.
"That's the problem, you think? Don't you hear what I’m saying? It's
final now. The Senate wants it. Henceforth, there's not a single thing I can do.
I believed this story forgotten for good".
"Does this mean that you knew they would propose such a thing to
you? You should have come to me at once".
"To prevent it from the very beginning?"
"No, in order to convince you for its necessity".
"Are you nuts, darling?"
Theodore rubbed clumsily his doll hands and with his usual scheming
style declared:
"Where you see problem, I see opportunity. The right marriage can
save us from unpleasant situations in the future".
"What could be more unpleasant than living for life with a female?"
"Being chased by a lot more than one women!"
"Disgusting, dear!"
"You, however, understand what I mean, don't you?"
"Certainly… But you’d better explain it to me".
"I thought so…", the bear grimaced. "With a marriage you consolidate
your place as successor of the throne and we can possibly bring under our
control another House."
"A disorderly one?"
"No, this palace is disorderly enough. I mean one of the powerful
families of the empire, from which will originate the bride that I will point out
to you..."
"And why should I care about these? I'm not ready to abandon the life
with the unmarried men!"
"When do you believe you will be ready?"
"Never?"
"Precisely" the bear stressed his voice while climbing on the desk.
"However, you don't consider all that you can gain from having a woman by
your side…".
"What? Her stealing my underwear?"
"I imagine that she will be the one to complain about that".
"Yeah, whatever. What did you have in mind?"

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"You can visualize the woman as a model, which you might dress, dye
and comb her hair and, in general, do with her anything you might come up
with…"
"I hadn't thought it that way. I might go shopping with her, too?"
"Certainly. So, what do you say?"
"Hmmm… the way you present it, it doesn't sound bad. But will she
want sex?"
"You will be astonished by how easily you'll find willing individuals to
offer it to a princess. She won't miss it".
"OK then… I'll think about it" Ardene said reluctantly hugging the
teddy bear.
"What sacrifices do I make for world domination" the bear murmured.

Having arrived the prince's birthday, the preparations in the palace

were feverish. The master chef screamed orders at the cooks and the waiters,
the maids dusted the imperial family banners that hang from the sides of the
room and Klaus, red-faced and sweating, ran back and forth attending the
very last detail was as it should. From an early time a lot of members of the
Senate were at the palace supervising and making indications all the time.
Shortly, when the first of the invited were coming and the preparations
finishing, well or just like that, an elegant man abandoned the senators group
that spoke with laughter and gestures and with firm steps he headed to the
toilets.
The heavy baroque luxury of the room didn't make the least
impression to him. He was used to being in a luxurious environment. As fast
as the official cape of the Senate allowed him, he took in his hands a small
holophone and prepared to make a call. He, however, realised he was not
alone. Sound of running water made him turn towards one of the isolated
relief rooms. Somebody left hastily trying to find his trousers’ buttons among
the lots of the accessories of the pompous garment. The banging sound of the
closing door assured him; he was now alone and thus called freely.
As soon as the shadowy figure appeared on the phone screen and
before any speaking was possible, the usual monotonous recording was
played:
"The connection with the subscriber you requested was terminated for
technical reasons. Please try again".
"Fucking connections!" he exclaimed, forgetting his good manners.
Before he could call back, he received a call and with swift moves, he faced
the dark figure again.
"Why do you make me call you? Don't you have free calling time?" the
figure asked.
"My apologies my Lord, it won't happen again. Everything is going
according to plan. The aspiring brides began to arrive and they look forward
to meeting the kid".

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"Perfect… I also learn from elsewhere that every detail develops as

planned. I have a sense that surprises will come out tonight. Tell our people to
support Ardene's final choice".
"As you wish my Master" the fearsome man said respectfully.
Having relieved after the call, the senator came out of the lavatories
with a discreet grin. Grin that froze when he realized that everyone in the
room, which in the meantime had been full, was staring at him. Trying to
understand what happened, and after looking at his shoes in case toilet paper
had stuck there, he turned back. His attention was captured by a reflection on
the floor. Curious, he glanced up. Speechless and embarrassed he saw a
flashing sign above the door, which read: "Did not wash hands".
At the other side of the room, the chairman of the Senate turned to the
emperor and whispered in his ear:
"When I told you to attend to the hygiene of your personnel, I didn't
have that in mind…"
The emperor had just enough time to sigh puzzled, when the prince's
older sister came forward gracefully and said:
"It's something quite original, isn't it? As much as effective. I believe
you will agree that the tax money is well spent. Finally, perhaps that will
teach all these filthy creatures some manners. How are you Mr. chairman?"
A perplexed chairman answered:
"Very well now that I see you. Each time you become even more
beautiful miss Amelia" he said trying not to vomit, disgusted from the false
politeness that his position imposed.
"Your highness. Your majesty for you" she corrected.
"I have always known you had a unique sense of humour. I agree with
your sanitary concerns; something I was just reporting to your father. What
preoccupies me more is tonight's success".
"If you mean the occurrence of an imperial acquaintance that will lead
to marriage, I am positive that you will achieve your objective, however, I'm
not absolutely convinced that the Senate knows what they do this time".
"Oh, our choices are always for the public good".
"This is precisely what I am afraid of".
It was one of the few times that the chairman of the Senate didn't have the last
word in juxtaposition. What bothered him the most was that the wayward
Amelia was perhaps right.

"I shouldn't let myself to get convinced to be drawn in this. All my life will
become an endless lie. The patronizing of the Senate… What profits one to be a
monarch if you can't even buy toilet paper without control? What is the profit to be a
monarch in a democracy, anyway? If it wasn't for the old man's lust for power… We
have been condemned for an unknown number of generations to be the puppets of a
mad system, flashy scenery that is supported by rotten foundations. I want power; I
want the force to be the master of myself and of others".
Extensive research in prattling circles has never proved that Ardene
thought such a thing, even though many people that period would agree it

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would be proper. On the contrary, the prince appeared in an exceptionally

good mood and was cheerful with everybody. Of course, he need not think
anything. The Senate had attended everything, from the quantity of polishing
cream that was used for the silverware up to the candidate brides.
The night ran smoothly with the exception of certain trivial injuries
during the guest assault to the rich buffet. The chairman of the Senate, while a
thousand and three hundred dancing pairs along with several loners had fun
frantically stepping on one another in the background, prepared the grounds
for Ardene's acquaintance with the twelve selected girls. The choice would
take place in the corridor of roses, a small room where the empress welcomed
the new ladies of honour, lit up with candles especially for the circumstance.
An arched gallery allowed the music from the central room to flow there,
softened, almost magical.
Back in the room that the reception took place, the crown prince,
standing upright by his seated mother's side, enjoyed the spectacle. The
guests, the empire’s cream of the cream, with the political significance of the
term, were going in for mood-improving herbs in front of screens that showed
what was happening at other parts of the room, while hearing the dynamic
sounds of an infamous group.

Let's sway at the rhythms of your music

Insatiably 'hale the pot of your soul
Words and glances giving the signal
Get naked now, I'm ready to goal.

Princess Amelia, looking serious, approached her brother waving at

him to go next to the wall.
"What do you think, shall we follow their example? We don't want
them to think we’re snob".
"No, not tonight. It's been a long time since I had so much fun, I don't
need aiding".
Amelia laughed, something rare. Ardene smiled, too.
"I see you’re in a good mood. If I were you the stress would be killing
me. It's not that simple to have to choose a predefined companion".
"Don't take everything so seriously, or you'll die young".
"We have a philosopher in the family, I see" Amelia mocked, "…but I
know you well enough to understand that once again you see the situation
more superficially than is beneficial".
"When has a situation not proved beneficial for us?" Ardene wondered.
"Quite more often than we'd wish, I believe".
The face of Amelia had clouded, her eyes hid threat and awe at the
same time. She rapidly brought to her lips the glass that she was holding and
with a cute abrupt movement, she emptied it. Then smiled again and
addressed to her brother:
"Of course, my little brother rather knows what he's doing".

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She pulled Ardene to the plain thrones where their parents sat and in
an irrevocably mincing way, whispered something at her mother's ear.
"Good idea! Besides I am drowsy enough" the empress said with
shining eyes.
"Honey" she addressed the emperor "I believe that the time to
withdraw has come, don't you think?"
"But, why? Aren't you having a good time?" he protested.
"Exceptional, although I will soon need a chaise-longue because my
back is killing me!".
"Here we go again... If you want, you can go. I will stay with the
children".
"The children are old enough. It's precisely for the children we should
leave, let them be with their friends".
"If they consider the deputies, the politicians, the businessmen, the
priests and the extraterrestrial ambassadors as friends then what are the
enemies for?"
"Daddy…" Amelia intervened "… don't start again. You have nothing
to worry about. You know we are mature enough. Let us be a little".
"So that the orgies, that my mother hated, can happen again? The old
imperial protocol for receptions has ended for good!"
"Ah, yes! Just like then! Your grandfather adored them!" the empress
butted in, addressing to Amelia.
"Yes, he did. That's why I have no clue how many half brothers and
sisters I have. First he went upstairs with mum and afterwards came back
dressed as a servant. Once, he almost made love to my sister!" said Geron
with temper.
"Do not worry dad, nothing is going to happen. Besides, it will be
better for you to get some rest" Amelia said.
"Besides there are members of the Senate here, too" Ardene intervened,
speechless until then.
The empress stood up saying to her husband:
"Come on, let's go".
Then she turned to her son:
"They told me about the girls, they are all exceptional! You will choose
the best one of them, I am sure".
Geron, who in the meantime had also risen, nodded affirmatively. In
response, Ardene smiled discreetly, innocently and foxily at once.
While all these took place near the thrones, throughout the entire
length of the neoclassic room valets ran in every direction hastily to make
sure that the imperial couple's retirement took place as it should: so that all
would notice. The musicians stopped playing right in the middle of the song,
the lights were turned on and everyone looked to the far side, where the
emperor and the empress withdrew after a light bent of their heads as thanks
for all those that had come.
While leaving, the emperor approached Amelia that accompanied
them up to the exit of the room:

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"Don't drink too much, have your own cigarettes…"

"Yes, dad. You worry too much. There's no reason to do so" she replied.
"Be sure to take care of your brother no matter what".
"No matter what happens he'll like it".
"Come again?" the emperor turned to his daughter abruptly.
"I say that everything will happen the way he likes it, that is to say just
as you have taught us" Amelia smiled disarmingly.
"Oh!"
The empress blinked foxily at her daughter and hurried to be found at
her husband's side who was leaving with a heavy heart, looking back once in
a while in order to see his girl and, further, the figure of his son.
Moments after the return of his sister next to him, the prince, with a
gesture that meant "do as you please", gave the sign for one of the famous
orgies of the imperial receptions to commence.
"You are so mean! They have become so wasted that they'll search to
find where to put their equipment until tomorrow!" Amelia commented with
satisfaction.
"The model of my older sister has been decisive for the growth of my
adoringly complicated temperament" Ardene exclaimed self-satisfied,
flattering his sister at the same time.
She looked at him conspiratorially and limited herself in saying:
"Enjoy them".
When the Senate realized what was about to happen, some of its
members asked insistently of the chairman to accelerate the process, before
something irreversible had resulted. He, in turn, approached Ardene
hesitantly and announced him that the hour to make the choice had come.
"Oh, nice" the prince said softly and followed the few senators that
didn't participate in the orgy. Behind, Amelia whispered something angry
and followed, too.
In the dim light of candles of the room of the roses, the Senate's
selected girls waited for the appearance of Ardene and the strange small
procession. They were holding in their hands the precious invitations with the
signature of the chairman of the Senate and the imperial seal. Some were
talking to each other, exchanging bitter compliments, while others with a
pretty much lost look examined curiously the cold gilt furniture of the room.
Shortly, a cool Ardene came in, heading a stressed group. The
chairman of the Senate, slightly out of breath, began one of his infamous little
speeches.
"Dear girls, you are the twelve that were considered worthy candidates
to stand by the future emperor's side. The Senate ended up to you after… "
The prince interrupted him decisively without warning.
"Enough with the formalities. We are all grateful to the Senate, but I
believe that we should get to know each other first".
Indeed, the hellos started, with each girl telling certain things about
herself, their names being the only truth. When Ardene reached the thirteenth
candidate, the senators started to murmur. Ardene and the young women

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turned to see what happened but the only thing they accomplished was to
hear "How did she get here?".
"Is there a problem?" the successor asked.
Before getting an answer, a dark object fell abruptly from the gallery
above in the hands of the last candidate. Immediately, all looked and were
astonished to see her holding Theodore. That moment he looked like a mere
toy.
Ardene took him softly and asked him "How did you end up here?",
without expecting a reply.
The brides encircled him at once with threateningly false simpering
ways, saying how cute the bear was and other corresponding comments.
"I like the men that have teddy bears" one of them expressed.
"I, on the other hand, by no means!" was Ardene's unanswerable reply.
The twelve that besieged him looked sour initially but shortly put back
on their foolish grins. The unwelcome one that was also caught in the middle,
remained lost, feeling the hostile looks of some senators.
The prince made way to pass between the piranhas that were grabbed
onto him, to take his bear to his room. The chairman of the Senate stood with
imposing magnificence in front of him, and prevented him from leaving.
"Where do you think you’re going your Highness, you didn't complete
the choice" he said.
"The match-making will have to wait for a little, until my return. I don't
believe there's a problem?" said the crown prince and overtook the other.
The chairman, irritated because for another time everything was going
askew, turned to the other members, searching for answers.
In the bedroom of the successor, Ardene said to Theodore:
"I didn't expect such feminine rage for the throne".
"From all of them?" asked the doll cunningly.
"No, I remain apathetic" the young man replied childishly after a short
pause.
"You’d better go, to join the rest of the girls" the bear cried out angrily.
Ardene leaving, stood by the door.
"Oh, now I understood what you mean saying ’the girls’, I had my
suspicions for the chairman, too" he said closing hastily the door, before the
bear could answer.
"Fortunately, everything goes according to plan, because with all this I
hear I wouldn't have any other solution than falling into fire" he told to
himself shaking his doll head.

The successor returned to the room in a good mood, probably because

of the naughty bear, or the turn that the exceptionally organised senatorial
plan had taken, or, more likely, for both.
The grin froze on his lips only to come back stronger with the drama
that was being played in the room of the roses. Half of the candidate brides
tore out each other's hair rabidly, the other half stood supposedly decent,
looking at the walls so that they had their backs turned to everyone else, three

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senators watched uninvolved and the remainder, among them the chairman,
argued in high tones with Amelia before the surprised mysterious thirteenth
candidate. The setting was completed by the faded rhythm from the central
room accompanied with equally rhythmic puffing, blowing and exclamations.
"I don't know how she came here! We didn't put her on the list!" yelled
the chairman of the Senate.
"She has an invitation, however!" Amelia stressed intensely "What
diabolic machination are you preparing?"
"Your Highness, I forbid you!" said dynamically one of the senators on
the chairman's side. He was made silent by the slap which he accepted from
the embellished with heavy rings hand of the angry princess.
"This fiasco is a shame! Your entire genius plan should be cancelled!"
Amelia continued unstoppable.
"Maybe…" the tones were suddenly lowered by the chairman.
"Bullshit. But first we should arrest her. She must be a terrorist!"
another member of the Senate drew back the attention to the stranger
candidate.
The frightened young woman didn't need to hear more. Panicked, she
ran away with the dress and her hair waving in the frantic escape. Ardene
didn't lose any time. He ran behind her, shouting simultaneously at all guards
that could hear him to follow. For a moment he stopped to collect an
originally impressive high-heeled shoe that the girl lost in her hastiness, and
then continued the pursuit. Trying to time his breaths, because he hadn't run
for a long time, he heard Amelia shout "Ardene!", and immediately after "The
imperial hospitality is well-known. Throw these rabid bitches out to get
screwed! Perhaps that'll calm them down".

Still wearing their clothes in a final and psychologically laborious effort

to maintain the dignity that they considered their place imposed onto them,
two distinguished members of the Parliament drowned their abstinence in
drinking. The nature of the discussion, the innate government discretion
about sensitive subjects -that always fall into the constitutionally provided
parliamentary "action at conscience"- and the effective censorship, have led to
the anonymity of these deputies, whom the intermingling circles of the
republic inspirationally called Mister X and Machiavelli. Careful as they were
to avoid temptation, they stood at the palace's verandah equipped with
aperitifs with the view of the, imperial proportions taken into account, small
garden.
"I heard them say we should get over with the monarchy" Mister X
painfully managed to say.
"And I'm telling you, you have drunk too much and you're
hallucinating. Such words amount to treason".
"You know it isn't… For the heart of the law, I mean. The people… "
"Since when do we care about the people between pre-election
periods? You aren't thinking clearly these days. You take the statements of
your party too seriously, don't you? We don't change a successful system that,

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in the bottom line, allows us freedom of action, gives us the last and most
essential word in the decisions and maintains a discreet attitude, to our profit
in general".
"The stability of the regime is most satisfactory, the truth is" Mister X
commented with a grim face.
"Precisely! Have no intention of telling such a thing to anyone else, you
will have to… neutralize them afterwards. As far as I am concerned, I tend to
forget quickly in my situation. Having ideas is good. They give you
inspiration, arguments, motives. You needn't apply them, too" Machiavelli
continued the preaching with the astonishing lucidity his prolific mass gave
him, so he could stand large amounts of alcohol.
Their discussion, even though the particular subject had rather been
spent, was interrupted by a barefoot girl that passed between them as a
whirlwind, followed by Ardene and a dozen of imperial guards.
"Now they're bringing it outside, in pursuit, mind you! Does the
protocol also include rape?" Machiavelli commented annoyed.
"Not usually."
"I will take that as a yes. But it was the heir the one that led them,
wasn't he?"
"Yes, therefore they did not move the orgy to the garden. It has to be
something else. The secret services will stop her at the gate".
"I doubt that. The gate is wide open and the guards, there and in the air
patrols and everywhere, are charged with stopping the suspicious entrances,
not the exits. Above all they are discreet ".
"The royal family always makes sure we are never bored" the other one
shook his head, and together they burst out in an out of tune chorus:
"The glory of the empire is my soooong!!!"

Lisa Spaan had never witnessed such an indescribably curiously queer

group of passengers in the seventeen years that she had been working in the
ticket booth of the subway, and her eyes had seen a lot. Before her stood a
classy, as well as irritated prince. Along with him were about thirty
individuals from every safety corps that guarded the palace the birthday
night. Imperial guards with helmets, breastplates, swords and spears,
expressionless men-in-black -agents of the secret services wearing sunglasses,
despite the fact that the sun faced the other hemisphere, with their hands
ready to seize the firearm hidden underneath their jackets- and, finally, a
handful of men of the special forces, sportier those, with shields, batons or
electric shockers, helmets; one of them held something that the fans of science
fiction would immediately recognize as a portable repetitive cannon of
antimatter plasma or, simply, "chanting Bertha".
"Can't you see we are on a mission?" an imperial guard shouted
furiously.
"And besides, I'm telling you I am Ardene!" the prince exclaimed orally
as well as physically.

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"No ticket, no party for anyone, I'm afraid. I am Lisa, your Highness,
nice to meet you" the unyielding employee insisted.
"Do you think any money could fit in here, my love?" Ardene said,
demonstrating his body glove garments with an airy gesture.
"Perhaps they can fit some money under their skirts" Lisa objected
pointing at the ancient-like clothes which covered the palace guards from the
knees up to the waist. Fiercely, one of them, obviously offended, lowered his
sword on the unbreakable protection field of the cashier’s office. After the
thump that was the one and only result of his action, he spat contemptuously
on the artificial glass.
"This was it, I’m calling security" Lisa managed to declare more
focused than she would ever expect and pressed the corresponding button.
An ear-penetrating warning sound from the train in the background
drew Ardene’s attention. Without hesitation, he called the men to follow him.
They jumped over the bars - Ardene, of course, passed underneath - and
found themselves on the platform running full speed to the train doors that
were closing.

The train accelerated quickly in the dark tunnel. The few passengers
looked with surprise Ardene and the guards that passed examining them,
from seat to seat, from wagon to wagon.
On the last wagon they found what they sought. A frightened ethereal
creature kept painstakingly her sight away from her persecutors that
approached, with the hope to fool them. Ardene came towards her as
carefully as possible, non-breathing, waving to his company to remain
behind. The young woman turned to him and burst out in tears.
The prince, who didn't lose any opportunity to act cinematographically
whenever he thought it fitting, took the shoe from his attachés and, stretching
out the hand, waited for her leg. She offered it, wounded from the running.
Without delay Ardene tried the shoe that, with some effort because of the
swelling, matched.
"A unique piece" Ardene said softly.
"Is this what you're chasing me for?"
"Not only for this. Who are you?" Ardene asked while the train entered
the next station.
"Someone that was stupid enough to believe she would be for real
invited at your birthday".
"Nay. Wrong answer. You are someone that someone made her believe
that she is someone that someone would never invite to someone's party".
"You are very polite" the girl had now calmed down.
"I am glad that you follow what I say. The lots of political influences
make me so vague that often even I can't understand my own words! But
what is your name?"
The young woman took a deep breath of unspecified meaning.
"Unless you don't want to tell me. Therefore, if your stop is here you
may get off or we can get off… ", he tried to be discreet, rather in vain.

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"We'll all have to get off I am afraid. I got on the first train I found. I
live in the centre, in the opposite direction".
"So, will you allow me to accompany you…" Ardene proposed having
more and more the sense he was becoming ridiculous.
"It would please me, if the doors opened…"
In reply to that observation the doors opened and some security staff
appeared on the platform pretending Tarzan evading non-existent bullets.
"Here's the security…" sighed one of the secret agents who
accompanied Ardene.
"Call the Minister… No, the chairman of the Senate. He'll know what to
do" Ardene ordered bored and added "Where's the wagon-restaurant?".

"But, they made us pay a fine!" the prince exclaimed taking violently
the sandwich from the table.
"Your Highness… Apologies, Ardene, the rules are the same for
everyone" the girl put a halt to him.
"I agree, but I am the crown prince".
"Ardene, it is exactly because of this you should know that we are all
equal. Your position provides you with privilege and this is translated into
more obligations than the other people".
"Only once in my lifetime I got on the underground and they have
turned it into such a big deal. From now on I'll only use the limo".
"You have a unique way to express things!" the young woman laughed
drinking some sips of her refreshment, careful not to drown.
"Your company is unusually pleasant for me, too, Inara" Ardene said
not so clearly as he was chewing, "Do you want us to go shopping
tomorrow?"
"I would like it a lot, I think. It's been a long time since I went shopping
with somebody else. The last time was before my father died, I remember.
Before the fateful event it was the last time I did a lot of things. When I
received the invitation I considered that my father's memory had been
restored in some way".
"Stop recalling unpleasant things. The emperor had kept in mind that
your father sacrificed himself, sacrificed is the best word I think, for the
throne's sake. But his hands are often tied".
"The safety valves of the regime run smoothly only when it's about the
legalization of evil. When the point is about nice things, they simply provide
obstacles. I've got used to it. And I feel it's you whom I'll come over it with".
"I know you only for a few hours and your words appear to me so
wise, they seem to work as balm; they lead me to continue in a course that
unfolds before me but I keep avoiding systematically".
"My soul!" Inara reacted impulsively and, bending abruptly towards
him, she kissed him before he could react.

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 Age of Aurora – Marriage Bells

The prince released an exclamation of surprise and said out of breath:

"Salty!". Instead of an answer Inara rose, seized him firmly from his arms and
brought again her lips on his.
"I'll make you a man, shy boy" she whispered to him with lust.
"It appears you're a bit hasty… But in a way, I like it. For that I wish
you to become the woman the Senate demands I take".
"You propose me?" Inara whispered in tears.
"What the fuck… Yes!" Ardene smiled after a few moments of thought
and he continued "You should meet my parents tomorrow. Before we go
shopping".
"I promise you to be the best I can".
"Just be yourself. It will suffice. You'll impress them. Without the
kissing part, of course. I only want you to promise you'll take me where you
bought your high-heels when we go downtown, OK?".

Age of Aurora by A. Basoukos & L. Noutsis

© 2006. All rights reserved.

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