Belia- Prewedding Jitters

Belia wakes suddenly as the bed feels cold. She sees a figure moving around the room. She's about to hit the panic button, but she catches a thought from Timur. He's hoping he didn't wake her. Belia lets out a moan to let him know she's waking up. He freezes.

"Didn't expect you to be the kind to sneak away before dawn," Belia says.

"It's bad luck for the groom to see the bride on their wedding day," Timur says without turning around. Belia checks the time, and it is still the day before their wedding. Belia gets up and goes over to Timur and hugs him from behind.

"Don't do this to me again," she whispers.

"I won't," Timur says, holding her hands. "I need to go back to my room; I'll see you at the altar," he says, and Belia can tell he wants to kiss her. She lets him go, and Timur slips into his half of the room. Belia puts on her nightclothes, the sensation of having anything on down there just makes her want Timur instead. She can't say she regrets what she and Timur did, but now it's all she can think about.

Belia goes back into bed, the events of the last few hours going through her mind. Belia can feel one of the walls her father put up crumble in her mind. She has a slight headache and then a sudden power surge. Although rather than trying to suppress it, Belia reaches her mind out to Timur. She can hear his thoughts clearly.

"What the hell were you thinking?" she hears him think. "You just slept with the girl; it was her first time, you even made some kind of psychic bond, and you just got up and left her. Not to mention getting caught… I'm such an ass. Although you did it for a good cause… Nope, that still doesn't excuse what you did." Belia closes her eyes, and with a bit of focus, she can see what Timur is looking at. It's his reflection in his bathroom mirror. "I took advantage of her. Even if we're going to do it tonight regardless, what I did was awful. I'll need to apologize to Belia when we're alone…" He yawns. "But right now, I need sleep." Timur gets into his bed, and Belia breaks the link. Belia ponders Timur's thoughts. She finds it a little cute how he's concerned about her and her thoughts on his actions. Belia knew this arrangement wouldn't be one of love, but it was nice to know he cares about her. Belia falls back asleep, sweet thoughts of her and Timur's future filling her dreams.

Belia hears the curtains being pulled, but it isn't until the light hits her that she wakes up. Belia puts the pillow over her head to block the light coming in.

"Bel, it's time to get up!" Kya says.

"It's too early," Belia tells her.

"That's because there's a lot to do to get you ready." Kya approaches the bed and pulls the pillow off of Belia's head. "Did you not get enough sleep last night?" Kya asks. Belia feels her face flush.

"Why do you ask?" Belia asks as she sits up.

"You seem a little, different; I'm not sure how else to put it."

"I've been a little nervous and haven't been sleeping well," Belia lies. A knock on the door saves them from continuing the conversation. Belia senses a familiar mind behind the door. Kya opens it, and Alexei bursts in.

"Where is my muse?" Alexei says, looking around the room. "What are you still doing in bed?" He asks. "Have you become a lady of luxury while living here?" Alexei smiles, and Belia knows he's joking.

"Timur has been letting me sleep longer." Alexei gives Belia a look, and she catches some impure thoughts from him.

"Let us get you ready," Alexei claps his hands, and a whole team of people swarms the room. Kya helps Belia bathe, but after that, Alexei and his assistants take over her grooming. Alexei has Belia try on her dress so he can tailor it. "Thankfully, you remain the same size!" Alexei says with a smile, holding several pins between his lips. "I was worried I'd have to alter it quite a bit, but it fits you perfectly!" Belia takes the dress off so Alexei's hair team could go to work. Belia eats the morning meal while they do her hair. At first, it feels good to have her hair deep cleansed and styled, but the more they do it, the more they pull, poke, and prod. Alexei has them do several different looks before he's satisfied. Kya comes in with more food mid-morning since she wasn't sure if Belia was going to be able to eat the afternoon meal once she has her dress and makeup on. Alexei supervises his assistants as they put on Belia's makeup, and he finishes Belia's dress. "You look beautiful," Alexei says as the assistants finish her makeup. "Now everyone, leave us! Kya, you stay." Alexei's assistants leave. "Now it is time to transform you from a beautiful woman to a beautiful bride. Alexei, along with Kya's help, gets Belia dressed and puts her jewelry on. The finishing touch is Belia's crown. It feels heavy on her head as Belia hates wearing it. There's a knock on the door and Kya opens it.

"M'Lady, you have a visitor," Kya says. Belia turns gracefully towards the door. She expected Rin or even her parents at the door, but she's greeted by another familiar face instead. Belia gets off of the dressing platform and rushes over to the visitor.

"Bela!" Belia says as she embraces her brother.

"Told you I was going to be at your wedding," he says. "Now, I remember you saying if I made it you'd make me your maid of honor," Bela says with a mischievous smile.

"I'm so happy you're here!"

"Careful not to ruin your look!" Alexei says. "Not to ruin the moment, but I must finish." Alexei helps Belia back onto the platform and Bela watches her in awe.

"You look stunning, if I do say so myself," Bela says.

"She looks like a goddess!" Alexei counters. Alexei uncovers the large mirror and for the first time, Belia gets to see what she looks like. Belia doesn't recognize herself. She looks like a delicate ice sculpture. The dress is covered in small crystals that Alexei hand sewed on himself. It has a similar silhouette to her dress at the ball, a little more conservative, but no less stunning. Her hair and makeup are done to perfection. "Ah! I almost forgot!" Alexei takes out her veil and adds it on under her crown. "Now you are perfect." Alexei begins to tear up. "It just seemed like yesterday when I was making your first ball gown…"

"I, I don't know what to say," Belia says as she stares at her reflection.

"Say, thank you, Alexei, you are a god among men," Alexei says.

"You've outdone yourself with this one," Bela comments to Alexei. Belia feels a twinge in her chest. The edges of her vision seems to blur and the twinge grows.

"Get this off me," Belia says. "I can't breathe." Alexei and Kya quickly take her crown and veil off and loosen her dress. Bela takes Belia's hand as he steadies his sister.

"I'm getting better, but I can't say the same for you."

"Your work is beautiful," Belia tells Alexei. "I just need some time." Alexei and Kya leave the room, but Bela stays.

"I lost my powers, but I don't need them to see that you're suffering."

"It's too much, it's all too much," Belia tells her brother. She can feel tears beginning to form.

"Don't cry, Alexei will kill you if you ruin his look," Bela says half-joking.

"The walls and barriers Father put up, they're coming down."

"Deep breaths Bel." Bela pushes up his sleeve revealing a comm-bracelet. He pushes a button on it and a light begins to flash. Suddenly a Lunusian nurse comes rushing in. Her antenna twitch and her gold eyes scan the room.

"Your Highness, what is wrong? You pushed your emergency button."

"My sister, can you help her?" Bela's nurse goes over to Belia.

"You are in great emotional distress," she tells Belia. "I am going to calm your mind." The nurse puts two fingers to Belia's temples. "Relax your mind," the nurse says. Belia begins to feel wave-like sensations hit her and soon it feels like she's floating on water. "Let your stress and anxiety melt away." Slowly the weightless feeling fades and Belia comes back to reality. "I need you to take some deep breaths." Belia breathes with the nurse and she feels more in control.

"Thank you, Amani. Belia this is Nurse Amani, she's the one who's been keeping me sane. Amani, this is my sister Belia."

"So this is the twin I hear so much about," Amani says with a smile. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness."

"Thank you for your help," Belia tells her.

"It is my job."

"Amani is the best empath on Lenus," Bela says. "She's the reason I'm here."

"Do not discredit yourself, Your Highness. You have done a lot of work to get here as well. I just help clear your mind when needed."

"I'm finally beginning to feel normal again," Bela says. "If what you say is true, maybe you should get some treatment."

"Whatever you did, did feel nice," Belia tells Amani.

"It was a simple relaxation therapy session. However, if I may, you have a very busy mind, much like your brother's. It is both my personal and professional opinion that you get some help for managing your stress and emotions," Amani tells Belia.

"It should get better after the wedding," Belia says, putting on a smile. Amani gives Belia a skeptical look.

"I am glad I could assist you, Your Highness," Amani says as she leaves.

"Do you feel better?" Bela asks Belia.

"Much. She made me feel like I was floating, and I can't tell you the last time I was that relaxed."

"I practically melted after my first session with her," Bela says. "Although, I agree with her. You need to see someone about your powers coming back. I can understand if you don't want Father in your head again, but you need help."

"Now it will have to wait." Belia senses Kya and Alexei outside the door. "Now it is time for me to save our planet."