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The last scene of the story was going to be a party scene. And then I tried to balance all the characters and interactions and gave up in hopeless dismay. It would have been a good 5K if I'd gone through all the conversations and confrontations I wanted to.
So the final scene is a lot quieter and subdued. More reflective, less snappy. Although I'm going to miss the snarky dialogue between Maria and Tony.
Lots of Marvel references in this chapter.
--
Maria remembered watching the Winsol dances from the gallery balconies of the hall in the Xavier estate as a child. There'd been witchlights and laughter, the chatter of adults, delicious food, and the excitement of the celebratory season. Although the adults knew she and Nate crept out of their rooms, they were allowed to stay up and watch the festivities until midnight on the first night of the celebrations.
Here in the residence at Aer Gerulus, there were no galleries here for children to watch from, and no children to watch even if galleries had existed.
And Maria was no longer a child watching the Queen dance, but the Queen dancing with one of her First Circle.
"Brings back the memories," Logan murmured, his hands rough against hers as they moved about the floor in one of the simpler court dances – one she'd learned in the Phoenix Court, Scott partnering her, while Jean partnered Nate and Charles played the piano in accompaniment. "How are you holding up, brat?"
Maria huffed. After the other night, out in the garden with Prince Rogers, everyone had been fussing. "I'm not about to faint, whatever you or the rest of the First Circle seems to think."
"We're just doing our duty by you."
"You mean you're managing me."
"And what do you think Fury and the others have been doing these last five years?"
"I'm not arguing what they're doing; I'm just giving it its proper name."
--
At some stage I need to start contemplating a cover graphic for this. Or finding someone who'll make one for me.
So the final scene is a lot quieter and subdued. More reflective, less snappy. Although I'm going to miss the snarky dialogue between Maria and Tony.
Lots of Marvel references in this chapter.
--
Maria remembered watching the Winsol dances from the gallery balconies of the hall in the Xavier estate as a child. There'd been witchlights and laughter, the chatter of adults, delicious food, and the excitement of the celebratory season. Although the adults knew she and Nate crept out of their rooms, they were allowed to stay up and watch the festivities until midnight on the first night of the celebrations.
Here in the residence at Aer Gerulus, there were no galleries here for children to watch from, and no children to watch even if galleries had existed.
And Maria was no longer a child watching the Queen dance, but the Queen dancing with one of her First Circle.
"Brings back the memories," Logan murmured, his hands rough against hers as they moved about the floor in one of the simpler court dances – one she'd learned in the Phoenix Court, Scott partnering her, while Jean partnered Nate and Charles played the piano in accompaniment. "How are you holding up, brat?"
Maria huffed. After the other night, out in the garden with Prince Rogers, everyone had been fussing. "I'm not about to faint, whatever you or the rest of the First Circle seems to think."
"We're just doing our duty by you."
"You mean you're managing me."
"And what do you think Fury and the others have been doing these last five years?"
"I'm not arguing what they're doing; I'm just giving it its proper name."
--
At some stage I need to start contemplating a cover graphic for this. Or finding someone who'll make one for me.