Private Return of the Queen

[Arq*]

Arq swept back in. "Now, beauties, let us welcome our shining star back to the fold!"

The dancers gathered, forming a semi-circle. Each offered Sommer a graceful curtsy or bow, their smiles genuine relief and excitement. The air buzzed with possibilities—movement poised on the edge of song.

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer's chest fluttered as she returned each greeting, overwhelmed and honored

 

[Arq*]

Arq placed a glittering hand on her shoulder, his eyes sparkling.

"See?" he purred. "Your Veil awaits. And with you at its heart, our constellation will burn brighter than ever."

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer inhaled, the warmth of home filling her. Around her, the dancers—her family by choice—smiled, and she knew: this was where she belonged.

 

[Sommer Dai]

The Gilded Veil – Reignition Night


Sommer turned from the dancers, her heart racing with something sharp and electric—alive. She spun on her heel, hair cascading like a banner of warpaint and joy, and shouted with the power of a woman reclaiming her empire:

"LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!! What are we waiting for?!"

A cheer erupted. . The other girls burst into motion, sweeping back to their prep routines with fresh energy

 

[Arq*]

Arq squealed with glee, clasping his hands.

"Ohhhh, there she is!"

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer marched toward the side corridor where her gear station awaited. A polished chrome locker opened with a retinal scan. Inside: her sleek rose-gold earpiece, still engraved with the initials "S.D." and her personal comms cuff—lightweight, touch-responsive, still tuned to the Veil's internal network.

She clipped them into place like a woman sheathing knives.

"Comms, check. Arq, can you ping the kitchen for me?"

 

[Arq*]

"Already done," he replied, blowing a kiss. "But go give them that chef's kiss of yours. They love the drama."

 

[Sommer Dai]

She trotted off toward the back kitchens. The smell hit her first—sweet braised nerf ribs, floral spice glazes, and those sizzling plates of honey-drizzled pastries the Zeltron VIPs went feral for.

"Ria, Hanno," she said, spotting the chefs. "Menu looks killer. You know how important tonight is."

Ria gave her a flour-dusted salute. "We've got six kinds of spice rub and three kinds of flame intensity. We're ready."

Hanno grinned. "I got a pot of passionfruit glaze simmering just for you."

Sommer winked. "My heart and stomach thank you."

Next stop—costuming. She swept into the wardrobe wing, where three performers stood under glowpanels while assistants fussed with lashes and velvet harnesses.

"I want bold, glittering, and just this side of scandalous," Sommer instructed. "Tonight's look is irresistible rebellion. Arq's going for luminous opulence. Match his wavelength."

One of the dancers twirled in a rhinestone bodysuit. Another slid a leather belt into place with a low whistle.

Sommer gave an approving nod. "Perfect. More oil shimmer on the clavicle. Chelsee, you good on your 'midnight' number?"

 

[Chelsee Gray]

Chelsee smirked from the doorway, already half-laced into a black and crimson ensemble that looked carved from shadows. "I'm ready to haunt the dreams of senators."

 

[Sommer Dai]

"That's my girl."

Sommer detoured next into the med bay, a sleek glass-paneled space tucked behind the lounge. Clean linens. Stim-packs prepped. Low lighting and chill jazz playing on the monitors.

Dr. Tisyn, their in-house medic, nodded. "I heard the shout. Glad to have you back. You okay?"

Sommer smiled. "Getting there. Just wanted to make sure we're stocked for anything—light stumbles, jealous exes, spice overdoses…"

Tisyn chuckled. "Everything's green."

Finally, she moved toward the office.

 

[Arq*]

Arq fell in step beside her, clutching a tablet of holo-performance schedules and velvet mood-spray samples.

"I made no changes in here," he said, voice softening. "It's exactly as you left it...Well...Other you... Because, darling, you loved it more than anything."

The doors slid open.

 

[Sommer Dai]

The office sat perched above the main dance floor, its glass walls offering a full panoramic view of the Veil's inner sanctum. The lights below were low for now, but even in stillness, the stage shimmered with expectation. Her chair—black leather, curved like a throne—waited behind the crescent desk where she'd written dozens of themes, coded security patches, and whispered encouragements through the comms.


Sommer stepped in slowly. Her fingertips brushed the polished glass railing. It felt… right. Like a heartbeat syncing back into place.

"Damn," she exhaled. "I've always dreamed of this...And it's like..What I envisioned happened. The other me, made my dreams a reality."

 

[Arq*]

Arq stood beside her, clutching his chest dramatically.

"Sommer Dai…has returned. Now keep them in love with you darling."

Below, the lights flickered to gold. The beat of the night's opening track began to rumble. The Veil was ready.

~Fin