Last time, Lunair finally sneaked in Revier, at the cost of a future Duke. Then, the two looked around the entire city, with Lunair searching the palace complex and Revier exploring the city proper. Lunair found where Serai was held, and planned to rescue her on the day of the wedding, reasoning that most guards would be distracted by it to keep an eye on her. However, she relented and agreed to show Revier where she was held.
The Intrigue
It turns out that Serai is held in a prisoner of war camp hidden close to Kardian's grave. That seems like an odd choice for it, but sure. Nearly everyone else here was used as a test subject for Quintessence and then disposed, with Serai only being around to provide for more spying agents in case Lunair failed. Revier meets Serai, and naturally the both of them are quite ecstatic to see each other again. They spend some romantic moments together, and Lunair leaves in disgust.
Back on the surface, Lunair keeps watch. Suddenly, she senses someone coming; a dog moves towards her and barks. She wonders if it's the Aerian spy they fought earlier, and it transforms into her mother!
Chapter 5 ends there. Chapter 6 opens with the Duchess warning Lunair to leave Aeria soon, openly telling her that she's being used as a puppet ruler. Lunair retaliates, pointing out that she had played a role in making and administering the Quintessence to her in the first place, and so she couldn't trust her.
Fiona tries to reassure her that she didn't mean to do that, then firmly informs her that she has little time, and tries to give Lunair a remedy to the love drug, which she assumes she consumed already. She goes on a mild rant about how awful it is, perhaps in an extended effort to convince Lunair of her intentions.
Of course, Lunair doesn't buy it. Frustrated, Fiona tries to force her into taking it by scolding her, but suddenly has a weird sensation hit her. She talks incoherently, and tries to stab her at one point. Then she turns into a bird and awkwardly flees. Lunair ponders the whole affair, then discovers that she has left a bag of drugs behind.
Fiona tries to reassure her that she didn't mean to do that, then firmly informs her that she has little time, and tries to give Lunair a remedy to the love drug, which she assumes she consumed already. She goes on a mild rant about how awful it is, perhaps in an extended effort to convince Lunair of her intentions.
Of course, Lunair doesn't buy it. Frustrated, Fiona tries to force her into taking it by scolding her, but suddenly has a weird sensation hit her. She talks incoherently, and tries to stab her at one point. Then she turns into a bird and awkwardly flees. Lunair ponders the whole affair, then discovers that she has left a bag of drugs behind.
Eventually, she heads back into the prison to bring Revier out. He's still spending time contentedly with Serai, nearly oblivious to everything. Lunair whispers to him from afar to avoid Serai's attention, and he awkwardly reassures Serai that he'll come to rescue her tomorrow. Back at their residence, Revier is overjoyed to be so close to rescuing Serai at last, but Lunair remains tense. She reminds him that they're still deep within Aeria, and so he shouldn't let his guard down. Especially when tomorrow is a huge occasion.
The next day, Revier wakes up to Lunair entering their bedroom as Heath. She once again instructs him to act his role as Heath, knowing well that he's still awkward about playing it.
A short scene demonstrating the townsfolk anticipating the wedding in their own varied and amusing ways later, we cut to Revier trying some wedding clothes on. He complains about it being too extravagant, but one of the wedding organizers tells him that such extravagance is expected for the occasion. With that out of the way, they move on to meet Lunair.
Revier becomes visibly uncomfortable seeing her in a wedding dress. Lunair again dismisses everyone around, and asks him how he's doing. He reveals that he's still worried about Serai, and wonders when they'll get to rescue him. She loses her patience and tells him that he can worry about it after the wedding. This doesn't soothe his worries, but after she points out that they got this far only due to her plans, and that this might be the last big event they get to attend in their lives, he relents.
We then cut to the royal procession outside. The guards salute them, the organizer gives a speech met by cheers, and everything seems fine!
But is that actually the case? And will the two finally manage to rescue Serai? Find out next time.
Thoughts
While a bit light on progression, this sequence of events still had enough to hold my interest. Fiona's circumstances are clearly setup for something down the line, and the interactions between Revier and Lunair still remain solid, with Revier being enthusiastic about finally rescuing Serai and Lunair reminding him that they still need to, y'know, actually play their roles before getting there.
Next time... I won't spoil the surprise. You'll have to find out by yourself.
Next: The Aerian Court Intrigue 5 - The Death of Plots
Prev: The Aerian Court Intrigue 3 - Role Play
Next time... I won't spoil the surprise. You'll have to find out by yourself.
Next: The Aerian Court Intrigue 5 - The Death of Plots
Prev: The Aerian Court Intrigue 3 - Role Play
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