393 Hearts Speak Part 1

The sky bestowed a fresh snow blanket over the Frost Lands. Pure white, and glistening in the morning sun. The pavilions and temporary tents in city square looked like bright colored flowers tipped with white,  as if they had always been there. Ice cicles like tassels hanging off the edges of the stages, as though ready to celebrate.

Hard at work, several knights used snow shovels to clear the dance floor. Each stroke revealing the cool grey tiles around the fountain itself. The celebration would start soon. When it did, the opening dance would set off a chain reaction of beauty, dancing, music, and the most delicious foods in the kingdom.

Kyera stood still while her maids twisted fabric around her, making the tight leather fit like a glove to her hips for warmth. Just below her waist line many layers of thinner cloth that spun with her movement flowed down her lower body. Enough layers to keep out the chill but move with her, so not to disrupt the beauty of the dance. Her hair fell freely in its natural state,feathers and beads carefully attached to strands, most the beads in deep purples and clear glass shimmered in the sunlight. She looked like a Priestess standing still while servants women fussed over her outfit.

"Does the skirt detach properly?" Kyera asked a touch of unease in her voice. She smoothed the skirt gently. It was soft under her fingers. She swished her hips testing the effect of the silver cloth. It reacted to those soft motions by swirling around her hips like water in a jostled glass. She smiled softly seeing what she wanted to. The varied edges of the skirt danced perfectly.

"Yes, you should be able to pull it off to get a wider range of motion." the girl offered and Kyera smiled. The innocent child having no idea what Kyera and Clovis had planned.

"Good. The hairpin is secured?" Kyera asked reaching up to gently finger the dangling bits around her Zither.

"Yes Miss, even though it isn't really necessary for this hairstyle. It looks much more magical without the old fashioned accessory. The dress too for that matter. Neither really do you justice, Miss." The servant replies, sighing deeply. She looked at the skirt she had altered with a touch of disdain. It was such a old costume.

Kyera smiled, there was love in her eyes as she caressed the worn fabric. It was a connection to a woman that loved her, even though she had passed before Kyera could truly know her. A gilded beauty. The maid saw the look and her expression softened. Perhaps the old dress was worth restoring.

"I love it. Sometimes the times move too fast for us to appreciate. Using something old to create something  new is a celebration of life." Kyera replied smiling sweetly before slipping the heavy fur cape on over her dress, hiding it from view.

Her grandmother's song was played often, so it wasn't hard to find someone who knew the melody. The tune was known as the Matriarch's favorite song, so most musicians learned it early on. Just in case the chance ever arose, they could play it for her and gain some prestige. The warning notes were strummed and Kyera walked out onto the stage, posing to begin.