Private Return of the Queen

[Sommer Dai]

The Velvet Room behind the main stage of the Gilded Veil was hushed, draped in deep indigo silks and lit by softly pulsing holo-lanterns. Sommer sank into a cushioned alcove, her fingers still trembling from the echo of the dream world's silence. Arq settled beside her, concern and curiosity dancing in his violet-gold eyes.

Sommer drew a slow breath. "It was like… stepping into a house that wasn't mine yet felt painfully familiar. Every surface was perfect, but I was alone. I tried to write in my journal—nothing appeared. The walls whispered of memories that weren't mine yet haunted me. I could feel another me down the hall… but I couldn't reach her." She paused, voice tight. "And then I saw her—my clone—standing over me, her face so determined. I've never felt more both myself and not myself."

 

[Arq*]

Arq nodded, absorbing every word. He gestured to a low table between them, atop which sat a decanter of amber nectar and two glasses. "Darling...Your clone ran the Veil in your stead," he began, pouring them each a measure. "She negotiated our latest sponsorship with the Tarisian Spice Syndicate, quelled a riot in the dancer quarters, and even designed the new wardrobe line for this season's debut. She kept the Gilded Veil not just afloat, but thriving—without missing a beat of your… personal touch. Then again...You were in a coma during the construction of the Veil.. So my guess is, she did what you would do."


He handed her a glass.. Arq continued, voice gentle. "But now that you're back, I need to know—how do you plan to take the reins? The dancers are loyal to you, the patrons have expectations, and… well, your clone set the bar impossibly high."

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer lifted the glass to her lips, thoughtful. The amber light caught the rim as she spoke. "First," she said softly, "I need to reclaim my dreams—this place, this life, it all means more to me now. I'll spend these next cycles reconnecting: with the dancers, the staff, even the bar—tasting every spice bark-infused caf until it feels right again." She set the glass down firmly. "Then I want to introduce something new—a series of late-night performances inspired by the streets I wandered at sixteen. Raw, honest. A space for the lost and the hopeful to find each other."

 

[Arq*]

Arq's eyes lit. "A reflection of your past to guide our future. I love it." He clasped her hand. "We'll transform the Veil into not just a haven, but a home for every soul who's ever felt adrift."

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer smiled, steadied by purpose. "Exactly. No more shadows—only music, movement, and stories. My story, our story."

 

[Arq*]

Arq leaned back, pride shining in his gaze. "Then let's begin. Together."

Arq leaned back, his visage thoughtful beneath the soft glow of the lanterns. He traced a finger along the rim of his own glass before meeting Sommer's gaze.

"Kael," he began gently. "Your cousin—what do you remember of him?"

 

[Sommer Dai]

The name hit Sommer like a sudden gust of wind. Her breath caught, and she set her drink on the table with a muted clink.


" Kaelon Virex " she whispered, eyes widening. "I—I haven't heard that name in years. Not… not since before…" Her voice faltered. The real her had been too young to keep many vivid memories.

 

[Arq*]

Arq nodded, reading the flicker of panic in her expression. "I know it's a lot. Your clone and Kael patched up whatever quarrel they had—became annoyingly inseparable, actually." He offered her a reassuring smile. "They hosted holo-dinners here at the Veil, stayed up laughing in the wardrobe bays, even trained together in the courtyard."

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer's heart thudded. "They… they were close?" Her fingers curled around her glass, knuckles whitening.

 

[Arq*]

Arq poured her another measure of amber nectar, the liquid catching the light. "Closer than you might expect. And he's… seeing someone now." He hesitated, then continued: "Her name is Scherezade deWinter . They're vacationing on Spira—sailing the coral lagoons, you know how he is with his need for adventure."

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer pressed her lips together, absorbing the cascade of revelations. Memories she'd never lived felt like distant echoes finally given voice. "Scherezade…" she repeated, tasting the name. A smile ghosted at the corner of her mouth, bittersweet. "Of course he'd pick someone with a name like that."

She lifted her glass in a small toast to the invisible cousin she'd nearly forgotten. Then, with deliberation, she took a heavy sip—letting the warmth settle in her chest, steeling herself for the life she was about to reclaim.

 

[Arq*]

Arq watched her, pride and relief shining in his eyes. "He'll be overjoyed to have you back," he said softly.

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer set her glass down, resolve hardening like tempered steel. "Then I have a lot of catching up to do. Starting with my WARDROBE.." She laughs

 

[Arq*]

Arq swept into the corridor ahead of Sommer with all the panache of a starship launch, his mood-hued locks shifting from sapphire to rose in the soft lantern light. He wore a tailored tunic of iridescent silks that fluttered behind him like a comet's tail. At his waist, a holo-pendant glowed with the Veil's emblem—a stylized lotus blossoming amid starlight.

"Dahling!" he called over his shoulder, voice rich and theatrical. "Welcome back to your kingdom—the Gilded Veil! Prepare to be dazzled."

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer followed, still finding her bearings but buoyed by his exuberance.

 

[Arq*]

The corridors curved like the inside of a pearl, walls inset with shifting holo-art that played gentle waves of color. As they walked, Arq snapped his fingers; lights brightened to spotlight each alcove.


"At your left, our Celestial Court, where we rehearse the silken ribbon dance," he announced, sweeping an arm. Two performers drifted in practice—arms weaving patterns in the air, ribbons unfurling like painted light.

Arq twirled, and the corridor expanded. "And here, the Nebula Nest, our more intimate stage. Notice the new terrazzo floor—imported from Naboo's finest quarries. Perfect for barefoot glides!"

They rounded another corner; dancers clustered around a sleek rehearsal bar, laughter echoing soft as wind-chimes. Arq beamed, snapping his fingers in a private rhythm. "Ah, here we are!"

He approached a tall figure leaning against the wall—a dancer draped in obsidian velvet with eyes so pale they caught every flicker of light. She stepped forward at Arq's flourish.

"Chelsee, darling!" Arq exclaimed, sweeping her into an elegant half-embrace. "Reintroducing the queen of shadows to her rightful throne."

 

[Chelsee Gray]

Chelsee bowed lightly, lips curved in a mysterious smile. "Welcome home, Sommer."

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer met her gaze. There was something timeless in those pale eyes—something she recognized only as warmth.

 

[Arq*]

Arq clapped his hands softly. "Sommer, this is Chelsee Gray—our prima nocturna. Her artistry is the stuff of whispered legend." He winked conspiratorially at Sommer. "And between you, me, and the moonlight, Chelsee's little secret only adds to her allure."

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer felt a curious thrill—wondering what stories swirled behind that poised exterior.