The Princess cradles the doll as if to protect her. "How could you even tease such a thing?" She asks indignantly. "I would never hurt one of the Fae, not even a doll. Miss." She addresses Apricot. "You come tell me if he's ever mean to you, and I'll have him locked up in jail." The little girl says seriously with utmost sincerity. Bringing a smile to all the adult's faces.

"I'll keep that in mind, little miss." Apricot says, humor filling her voice.

"Oh no." Amelia cries melodramatically. "She's going to tattle on you any time you don't make her seconds for breakfast, now."

"Heheh. But if she does that, I won't be around to make breakfast at all." I counter. "Then who will make Apricot waffles, just how she likes them?"

"Curses, my plans have been foiled before they could even hatch." The tiny woman raises her fists to sky, shaking them. "Damn you, and your insidious confectionaries."

"Don't worry miss Fae." The Princess calls out. "I don't know what waffles are. But, we have the best chefs in the country, they can make you any kind of breakfast you want."

The poor girl is so earnest that she's got tears beading up in the corner of her eyes. This is too much for us and we all start laughing, even the queen lets out a gentle titter. The Princess looks around for a moment before realizing that we're laughing at her. Then she lets out a little huff, and slumps back to play with her doll after muttering "meanies".

Apricot seeing this, flies over to land on her knee. "I'm sorry Princess Faye. Sorrel, Amelia, and I love each other very much. We would never do anything to hurt each other, but we do like to tease. Can you please forgive us?" She asks solemnly.

"Anything." The child breathes out. Completely in awe at having an actual pixie sitting on her knee. "You're so pretty. Is your name really Apricot? Are you a pixie? I couldn't tell before because you were so far away. But, everything I've read or been told says that pixies look just like tiny humans. Where did you get your dress? What's it like to fly? How high up can you go?" The princess quickly pick ups speed again, asking question after question.

"Faye, dear." The Queen gently chastises her daughter. "Don't you remember that the Fae are very secretive. Maybe you can think of just one question to ask? But, wait until after we eat, otherwise dinner's going to get cold." At her words, the servants that have been hovering just outside the door come in bearing a multitude of plates and platters

A look of shock come on the girls face, and she mouths the words "Sorry Mommy, sorry miss Apricot." This causes apricot to fly up and kiss her on the cheek before returning to our side of the table. The look on her face as she touches her cheek earns another round of laughs from the table.

Dinner is beyond delicious, easily the best thing I have tasted on either world. Whoever made it must have nearly maxed out their cooking skills. "Maybe, we do have to worry about Apricot jumping ship." I lean over and whisper to Amelia.

"Mmm, I think you're forgetting that there's one meal she can't get anywhere else." She lets out a low, wicked chuckle. "Now, hush and let me eat, or I'll be the one jumping ship." The rest of the meal passes quickly after that with only the sounds of silverware clinking against plates.

"Oh, that was so good." Apricot says after cleaning her plate. "You two are good, but you definitely need to get some tips from whoever made that." She floats over and tries to pick off the last scraps from Amelia's plate, but is swiftly rebuffed.

"Here, you can have the last of mine, what's left is of it." I push my plate forward. "I'll be sure to mention it up after dinner. I think they're going to bring up the real reason they asked us here."

"Hmm?" Amelia looks up after forking the last bite into her mouth. "There's more?"

"Don't speak with your mouth full, dear." Her mother chastises her. "And, I think your young man is correct. Tonight may have just been about feeling him out, but he seems to have made an impression."

"Quite right." The Queen speaks up. And, after she sets her silverware on her plate, the horde of servants comes in to quickly clear the table. "Master Rumex has indeed left a good impression. Not only tonight, but through his actions at Circle Orchard, and before." She nods to Amelia. "That, and he likely divined the true reason for this visit as soon as we left the royal apartments." I simply nod. Which raises questioning looks from my party.

"I told you that you'd see." I say to Amelia before focusing on The Queen. "May I approach?" At her nod, I stand. "Have you given any thought to where your mark will be located?" Amelia's eyes go wide at this rather large hint, but her parents seem even more perplexed.

"The right wrist is traditional." She explains, and I swear I can almost hear a hint of nervousness in her voice. Not that it shows on her face, which is regal and calm as it has been all evening.

I pause for a moment and lean down as I pass by the General. "Could you please speak with your men about their trigger discipline? I already had to prevent one accident when I was making the doll. I'd rather not risk being distracted while I'm next to Her Majesty." I cut my eyes to the false panel on the left wall.

His eyes go wide after following mine, then filling with fury. "My apologies sir, it seems 'someone' needs a little more training." He stresses the word, and the whole room can hear the 'someone' in question gulp.

I just nod and move on. Kneeling in front of The Queen, she raises her hand for me to hold. "Can you tell what kind of magic she has?" Her daughter asks nervously.

"I can, and it's the same type as you, so she'll be able to Awaken you. Once you're old enough." I smile at the Princess and send a probe of mana into her mother's wrist. "Does Magical ability often stay in the bloodline like this?" I ask the court wizard.

"It's more likely to skip a generation or two." He explains. "The Royal line has always been rather gifted. They are typically elementalists, though. Which left us in a bit of a quandary until you came along. We only knew they had potential because all Royals are tested at birth. Might I ask what type of Magic they have?" I can feel him focusing all his magical attention on us.

"One that doesn't like sitting still." I say with a pout before looking down the table to Amelia. "Dear, I hope you don't mind me dancing with other women." This sends a look of shock over everyone in the room. "She has Motion Magic, and it's not going to let me Awaken her if she's stationary."

"A Kinetomancer, that's rare! And, you say they share the same Magic?" The grey haired man shoots an excited look between mother and daughter royalty. "Yes, I suppose a dance would work... I'll send for a musician right away."

"Better than running laps down the hallway." I joke. "And, no need for the musician." I start an instrumental version of Dancing Queen by Abba. I just couldn't help myself. "May I have this dance, your Majesty?" I help her to her feet and guide us away from the table.

Her right hand held in my left, my right slips under her shoulder blade and I guide her through the basic moves of a foxtrot. It's about the only dance I know, and that's only because it's so simple.

She picks it up quickly, and I get a little more advanced. Swaying back and forth, widening our steps, spinning around a bit. As we cover more and more space I can feel that the magic almost there. So, I pull her in close; only send her back out in a twirl. Her magic takes hold with another of those unbelievably loud rings.

*DDDDDIIIIIINNNNNGGGGGG*

-You have awakened Vivian Laren!-

I let the music fade, release her and step back with a bow. "You are a wonderful dancer, your Majesty."

"Mommy, did it work?" The Princess comes running up. "What was that sound? It felt like it was so loud, but I could barely hear it at the same time. Oh look, you've got a mark on your wrist now." The excitement bubbles out of her, over-riding any and all etiquette training she's had.

"Yes it did, Faye. And, yes I do. A little dancer, how appropriate." The mark looks like a watercolor painting of a woman mid twirl. One hand up, her hair flung across her face, her flowing dress wrapped around her legs and spun out at the hem. "That was a very interesting dance, and I've never heard music quite like that." She directs to me with a hint of question to her voice.

A smile breaks over my face. "I hope you'll forgive me for the song choice. But, it's uh, actually called Dancing Queen. I thought it fitting." Her face picks up a bit of my smile. "It was a favorite of my mother's. She's the one who taught me to dance the foxtrot, by the way. My apologies if I was too forward."

"I think we can forgive you, this one time." She says with a twinkle in her eye as she traces the Magical tattoo on her wrist. "This is twice now that our Kingdom is indebted to you. If you ever need anything in the future, you have but to ask." She looks up at me seriously.

"Thank you, your Majesty." I give her another bow. "I will keep that in mind. But, for now, I think we'd like to head home. It has been a long day, and I'm sure you'd like to get more acquainted with System-chan and your Magic."

"Heh, it was quite funny reading young Coen's report on that. A bawdy joke competition, heheheh" The old Mage pipes in with a chuckle. "It's something of an open secret amongst the older Awakened that The Book of Knowledge has it's.. Her own personality. And, I had read reports previously that mentioned the Fae calling her The System." He says with a nod to Apricot. "You have my personal thanks as well. I'll have the butler take you to the carriage."

The Queen smiles and nods to us as we're led out of the room. Her daughter at her side making her new doll wave goodbye, mostly to apricot. The General follows us out but heads off in the other direction with an angry look on his face.

"I can't believe you danced with The Queen." Amelia squeaks out once we're settled in the carriage. "And that song. Was it really called Dancing Queen? You're lucky she liked it. And, why didn't you tell me you could dance?"

"Easy there Amelia." I smile at the enthusiastic blonde. "Yes, I did. Yes, it is. Yes, I was. And, I suppose I just never thought of it. Any more questions?" I tease and earn a light smack on the arm.

"Oh, my heart though. When you pulled her to her feet..." Kaitlyn fans her face with her hand. "I thought I would faint."

"I don't know where you get your courage from, son. To just go up and dance with and hold The Queen like that." Turner adds.

"Well, he's obviously not the first man to touch her, otherwise there wouldn't be a Princess. Would there?" Apricot chimes in, getting big howls of laughter out of Amelia and myself, and looks of shock from her parents. "Now where's that movie you owe me? Don't forget the popcorn, either."

"You just ate!" I laugh out. "Oh, fine. How about some kettle corn? It's sweet. Speaking of sweets, that torte they served... Mmm, heavenly."

The discussion shifted to the amazing meal we just ate and the funny animals in Dumbo. The Rialtas were all quite interested in the train until they learned how much iron would be needed just to lay down the tracks. Magically compressed stone might work, but would require constant maintenance. And, I'm not sure how much disruptive technology I want to introduce to this world.

We arrive back home to find Mittens waiting for us. He rushes up and twines himself through mine and Amelia's legs. "Did you miss us boy? Or are you just hungry?" Amelia asks, getting a *Mew* in reply.

"I think that was a yes on both counts. Why don't you guys go finish the movie while I take care of our fuzzy little friend?" I pick him up and carry him to the kitchen while everyone else retires to the sitting room to finish the movie.

After it's over, the girls and I decide to make an early night of it. It really has been a long day, between the traveling, The panic attack, getting moved in, dinner with royalty, Awakening The Queen as a mage, and translating three movies in one day. I really am wiped out.

"What a day!" I gasp out as I flop onto the bed. "I don't want to leave this bed for a week. At least we figured out why The Queen was so anxious to meet us."

"Why she wanted to meet you. You mean." Amelia flops down right next to me. Apricot landing on her chest a moment later. "I still can't believe you danced with her. Argh. I’m so jealous."

"I may have danced with her, but my eyes were on you the whole time." I roll over and wrap my arm around her waist. "That, and you don't seem to mind me doing a lot more than just dancing with Apricot here." I extend a tendril to wrap her in a hug too. "Queen Vivian did say I only had to ask if I wanted anything. I doubt she meant a foursome, but who knows." I laugh out loud at the look on her face.

"She was kinda hot for an older chick." Apricot joins in with the teasing. "Wonder if her nipples are as sensitive as yours?" She rubs her hand atop Amelia's dress.

"Quit teasing." She huffs. "Bad enough you two made me cum right in front of my parent's earlier."

"Oh? And who tried to jump me while we were riding down the street? Right in view of her parents and the world, hmm?" I use magic to peel our clothes off. "You don't have to worry about me 'dancing' with anyone else, but as for teasing..." I extend more tendrils and have them help Apricot in her efforts. "Well, do you really want us to never tease these wonderfully sensitive little things ever again?" I stretch one up as Apricot takes the other into her mouth, eliciting a moan from the gorgeous woman beneath us. "Mmm, that's what I thought."

***

The next day has us staying in bed to recover, both from our travels, and from a long night of gentle lovemaking. I'd be happy to stay there all day, but it looks like we're getting visitors.

"Mmm, babe. Looks like we need to get up. Seems that someone came over for a play date with our little pixie friend." I breathe into Amelia's ear.

"Hmm? Tell 'em to go away. It's still early." She mumbles out still half asleep.

"It's a couple hours before noon. But, if you want me to tell the Princess to get lost, I will." This finally get through to her.

"Ack. Why didn't you say so?" She jolts up in a start, clutching the sheet to her naked chest. Nervously looking around for something to wear. "Quick dress me."

"Relax, she hasn't even gotten out of the carriage yet. She looks nervous." I dress the three of us getting a relieved sigh from Amelia, and an aggrieved groan from Apricot.

"Tell the little lunker to come back later. I'm too tired from last night." She covers her eyes with an arm. "Mr. slow and deliberate there wrung me out with all that tease and deny stuff."

"Heheh, sorry. But, I didn't have the energy for anything more enthusiastic. And don't tell me you didn't enjoy every second of it." I send her an air kiss, a little skill I've been working on since Embiggening her is so difficult. "She did bring sweets for you though, and..." I don't even get the chance to finish my sentence before she's out the window.

"Hurry up." Amelia grabs my arm and starts dragging me down stairs.

We're just reaching the door when a soft knocking starts. "Good morning Princess. Care to join us for a late breakfast?" She standing there with a look of surprise on her face. Her doll in one hand, and a rapidly dwindling box of sweets in the other.

"H-how did you know it was me?" She's actually under a fairly decent disguise spell, but Magical sight let's me see right through it. Not to mention all the other clues that gave her away.

"Master Long is indeed quite skilled at illusions. But, you're the only little girl we know in the city. The only one who would be riding in such a fancy coach. Your guard was hiding behind the wall last night. Hope your mate didn't get in too much trouble, by the way." I give him a nod. "Not to mention all of them, and the magical probes." I look out at the street that's full of 'normal' citizens that definitely don't look like undercover guards. Nope, not at all. No guards here.

"I thought you reigned in your spell again last night." Amelia whispers to me.

"I did." I whisper back. "But, look at them, they don't exactly blend." The guard glances back and looks like he wants to face palm. "Please come in." I say. "I was just going to make us something to eat. I've got the perfect movie for you and Apricot to keep busy with while I cook."

"Thank you Mister Rumex, I'd be honored." She tries to curtsey but her hands are full and she almost spills the box of treats and Apricot. "Uh, what's a movie?" She asks the guard in an undertone.

"It's a moving story show." I explain as I guide them back into the kitchen. "This one is called Sleeping Beauty. It has a princess, three good pixies, and one evil fairy in it. Though, they weren't written by people who knew anything about the Fae. So, they may seem a little weird." I start the movie as her and her guard sit at the kitchen table with Apricot still stuffing herself on the sweets.

"Ooh, it's like how you made the music last night, plus a storybook" She exclaims, and I just stand there smiling at the look on their faces as it transitions from the storybook into the opening celebration. "..."

"Thought you'd like that. Apricot's already addicted to these movies." I turn to Amelia. "I want to do something with that vanilla bean I found in the last town. So, I'm thinking and angel food trifle, and vanilla French toast."

"Can't believe you spent half a gold on that, you could have gotten it for two silvers here in the capital." Her inner merchant breaks out, but is quickly shutdown by her sweet-tooth. "But, I will admit that ice cream you made was probably worth it. I don't know what angel food or trifles are but if it's half as good as that ice cream, I'm in."

"Angel food is a very sweet, light and fluffy cake. And trifles are layers of cake pieces, pudding and fruit stacked on top of each other." My little foodie's eyes get wider with every word. "And if you thought the ice cream was good, just wait until I can find some cocoa beans."

"Thank you for knowing how to make so many sweets, and thank you Temmie-chan for giving me the extra stats that let me eat them every day." She gets a little dinging chuckle from that.

"You're welcome. I was always on one diet or another and usually had to settle for just looking at pictures of food. I spent more than one hungry night just reading recipes for stuff I'd never be able to eat."