Meet and Greet

Within no time it seemed, the clock struck 7:30 am and Justin went back to his room, drenched in sweat and his muscles aching. He was buzzing with energy though and felt the best he ever had. He read once that exercising released endorphins throughout the body, feel-good vibes as he liked to think of him. He felt that to be absolutely true.

He entered his room only to be greeted with the three maids from last night, alive with energy and excitement. It was infectious and soon he found himself beaming at them for no reason. They tried to fuss all over him, touching him and ogling his physique but anxiety started creeping up his neck and his shoulders started tensing when they tried to touch his back. He quickly excused himself to take a cold shower, wanting to get away before he hurt their feelings and also needing to be clean before meeting the queen. The officials said something about makeup, but he thought only women wore that.

~~~

Ava paced the room, unsure about the selection now that it had started. Her limbs were aching from the many hours of physical exertion she had put herself through, and she decided to take a quick nap, making sure that her clothes and perfect makeup were not wrinkled or ruined. She informed her guard not to let anyone inside except her maid, who was to take her to the hall and closed her eyes, falling into a much-needed sleep. 

Ava dreamt that the Selection was over. She was walking down the aisle holding her father's arm, dressed in silver and white. At the altar stood a young man with blonde hair, his back to them. She slowly walked down the aisle, crushing blood-red rose petals beneath her feet, 'Here Comes the Bride' playing ominously in the background. The groom turned his head and looked at Ava, his multicolored eyes gleaming. His face was constantly changing, from his nose shape, his eye color, and more. Ava realized with a start that the boy at the altar was changing faces to match each and every boy she knew, including the Prince of Saudi that she had met years prior. Ava awoke in a cold sweat and glanced at the clock. It was already 8:45, and she was to meet the men at 9:15! Her clothes and her makeup were ruined, so she stripped quickly before racing to the bath, eager to clean the sweat off of her body. When she had finished her quick shower, she emerged smelling like lavender and ran to her dresser. Although her red dress was unsuitable due to her fearsome dream, she had a different bright orange one. This dress, similar to the red one, ended right above her knee, revealing her toned calves, and had off the shoulder straps that allowed room for her diamond necklace to shine. She looked at the mirror before ringing to call her maids. After all, she could not very well finish her makeup and hair herself.

~~~

Justin finished his cold shower quickly, the spaciousness of the shower and various different buttons were a bit overwhelming, if he was honest. However, the cold water did wonders to his aching muscles and he felt ready to meet the others. Maybe, just maybe he could make a friend...or was he being too hopeful? He pursed his lips slightly as he walked into his bedroom. His bedroom. He loved saying that, back home he had to sleep in the barn so he never really had a room to himself.

The women flocked him, fretting over his hair and face, trying to run their hands through his unruly curls and locks, all to no avail. They looked at each other and giggled, but Sky told him that it looked good all ruffled and disorderly. He beamed at them, he has never gotten a compliment from anyone besides his mother, whose job it was to dote over him. They sigh contentedly for some reason and go about picking out the perfect suit for him. They hand it to him so he can dress in peace, as he requested. Then they usher him into what was called The Great Room, and boy that word did not even do it justice. The room was enormous, filled with various types of furniture and paintings. He loved the different paintings. They were exquisite, like nothing he had ever seen before.

~~~

The maids found Ava in her room, silent and brooding. She had been staring into the mirror for who knows how long, her hair leaving wet lines down the back of her dress. Daniella and Mak pinned up her hair, leaving space for her silver diamond crown, and dried off her dress. Ava had not said a word to them yet, however, as they turned to leave, Ava grabbed Daniella's wrist, and muttered a quick, "Thank you". Daniella nodded at her queen and left, her skirt swishing with her every move. It was 9:05 now, and Ava sat on her bed composing herself for what lay ahead.

~~~

Justin was soon crowded with women and men alike, all touching his face and poking at his shirt and pants, sighing and muttering things. He started breathing faster, his eyes darting around to look at all of them surrounding him. His heartbeat was more erratic now than in his two hours of exercise earlier this morning. Anxiety started settling into his chest and mind, causing him to feel the need to bolt. Someone noticed this though and started whispering reassurances to him, calmly talking to him about what they were doing and why they were doing it. He did not hear much because he was still hyper-focused on all of them surrounding him, and he could not focus his ears to listen as well as his eyes to watch out for everything. However, her voice was calm and her touch soothing, so he tried to relax and let them do what they wanted. He tamped down his ridiculous fear of being hit because if they were going to hit him, they would be yelling at him, or their faces would be flushed red with alcohol and rage: all the warning signs his father never failed to show before he grabbed his belt or lashed out with his own bare hand...no, they were all quiet and even-tempered, rushing about just to get things done.

After a lot of touching and putting foreign-looking stuff on his face and in his hair, they finally left him alone, only for some camera-wielding men and women to hustle over and snap quick, close pictures. He tried to smile, honestly, he did, but there were so many cameras and the flashes were so bright, he was easily getting overwhelmed, so he just focused on not squeezing his eyes completely shut like he really wanted to.

After everything was over, all the fussing and bright lights, they were all told to just sit around and wait for the queen to come in. They were not told that she would come in at a specific time, rather she would come when she wants to and that they should be grateful when she did. Justin nodded emphatically, he was ever so grateful that he was selected, just the last 18 hours of his life proved all that she has given to him-time alone, chances at peace and tranquility, save when everyone was fussing over him, the opportunity of freedom. He hoped to be able to show and tell her of his everlasting gratefulness for the chance to escape his degenerate living situation if even for only a little while. That would have to wait though because he figured he would not be able to talk with her any time soon, as there were far more entertaining and suitable men in this room vying for her personal attention. Ones that would undoubtedly pique her fancy first and this was okay with him. Justin was a patient man, he had to be.

Justin looked over the room as he waited for the queen, fully taking in his supposed competition for the first time. Many looked to be about his age, 20-22. A few of them looked 18 or 19, and very few looked older, 24 or 25. He did not feel any ill will towards them though, because he knew the queen would not pick him, and thus he felt no competition within himself to put down anyone else. They were far more suitable for her than he was, anyway; they were not as emotionally hindered and they probably had proper schooling and friends. Looking at a few of them though, he realized some of them may not have, some may have come from 6 or 7 families that could not afford schooling and did not have time for friends. An idea flitted across his mind that maybe he could befriend some of them. They would know the life Justin had endured, they would know of deprivation firsthand and could relate. Maybe not in the same way exactly, but on some level.

~~~

Mak arrived in Ava's room and escorted Her Majesty along with her guards to the Great Room. Ava walked slowly and loosely, her eyes level and focused on the task in front of her. She would finally be able to meet the group of boys who would eventually be her prince consort. She could not imagine dating 35 young men at once, as she had never had a serious relationship with anyone before. Her guards knocked on the door, and the heavy ornate doors swung inwards, revealing a large room filled with books, TVs, and couches. Many of the men lay sprawled out, but when the queen was announced, they sprung up, brushing invisible specks of dust from their clothing, which ranged from black and brown, to even more bold colors such as bright green and red. Ava caught each of the Selected's stares, and nodded once, before looking at a set of strikingly familiar eyes. She frowned, confused, and took a small step towards the man, who had been gazing around the room with childlike wonder, before recognizing him as the boy she had run with the day before, the very same one who had been spinning just this morning. Her eyes raked up and down his body, taking in his lean posture and curly hair, before going on to the next boy. However, her mind was a jumbled mess of incoherent thoughts. She had assumed that the mystery boy had been a new hire, a guard, perhaps. She did not dare to hope that he would be one of the Selected.

~~~

Justin quickly snapped to attention when he noticed all of the other Selected on their feet and shifting about, he had not heard the doors open when the queen came in. He snapped his head around to where everyone else was looking, and for a split second their eyes locked and her face looked so familiar. His head dropped immediately though, as he did not want to be caught staring at the queen, for fear of it being considered inappropriate. Racking his memory, he tried to remember where he saw her before but came up short because it was not like he ever saw her on television, father never let them get one or even watch one when they went into town. It was not like he saw a picture of her in the newspapers or fliers for the Selection because father never let them see those either. Then it hit him. She was the one who he went running with! Well, not with, more like behind...until he caught up to her and beat her in the last few seconds. A devilish grin snuck up on his usually innocent face and he looked out of the corner of his eye to watch her. He wondered if she recognized him or even remembers him.

~~~

After making quick contact with each of the Selected, she settled on one of the plush couches in the back and waved Mak over. "Could you get the one with the longish brown hair?" She asked, glancing at the boy that she met yesterday. Mak frowned, before jerking her head at him, "That one, miss?" Ava nodded, arranging her legs nervously on the couch. She noticed that the room had quieted, and only a few whispers could be heard, whereas there had been many yells and laughs before she intruded. Ava could feel piercing stares at both her and her maid, who had swiftly picked her way to the lanky boy. She whispered something into his ear, and Ava looked away, suddenly shy, unable to meet his eyes again.

~~~

Justin started when a girl came up to him and started whispering in his ear. He bit his lip nervously as he nodded and went to walk over to where the girl directed him. Why would the queen, Her Majesty, want to talk to him first? He was a nobody, definitely not as important as some of the other men in the room he thought to himself before finally reaching the couch he was directed at. The girl said he could sit down, but he did not feel comfortable doing anything more than just waiting for the queen to tell him what to do. He feared he would do something wrong if he were to choose to sit down himself. What if he sat too close to her and made her feel uncomfortable? Or sat too far away and insulted her? Or she could be waiting to tell him where to sit...or maybe he should not sit at all? He worried anything he did could be perceived as wrong. But then...he had to remember she is not his father.

He bowed his head when he reached the side of the couch, "Your Majesty," he whispered quietly.

~~~

As the boy approached, Ava stood, watching his smooth gait and still arms. Just looking at him, Ava could tell that he was an exceptional runner, and was a little startled by the soft, "Your Majesty," that came from his lips. The queen let out a little smile, before offering him her hand, to kiss. The second after she did it, Ava internally smacked herself on the head. She realized that he might not know the customary way to greet his sovereign, as she realized, a little too late, that some were from lower castes. She might have inadvertently embarrassed him, and she did not even know his name yet.

~~~

Justin blinked when she offered him her hand, his brows furrowing in response to the innocent gesture. He knew he was supposed to do something, but what? No one had prepared him for this moment, and he started shifting back and forth on his feet for a few seconds before remembering he was supposed to kiss her hand. He was awash with relief and ever grateful for those books his mother snuck to him when he reached out to take her hand gently, reverently, in his before placing smooth lips to the back of her hand. He kissed it quickly, before removing his lips and looking up slightly and smiling (mostly at himself for remembering how to greet Her Majesty). His eyes glittered with mischief; both at the memory of beating her in the race the day prior and also at having remembered to greet her with a kiss on the hand only because of a book he read and not from TV or lessons, but he will never tell her that. He still did not dare sit next to her though, instead content to just wait for further instructions from her.

~~~

Ava smiled, relieved that he had known what to do and quirked an eyebrow at his eyes barely hiding mirth. She gestured for him to sit on the couch across from her, and said, her chin on her fist, "I have seen you before. What is your name?" She was aware of the other men in the room and was not sure how she would get through all of the introductions if every meeting was like this. She hoped that the majority of the Selected would know how to address the queen, even the ones from the lower castes, but she knew that some would not. She knew that extensive background checks had been done on each candidate, and she should feel safe during the process, but as she glanced quickly to her right she was startled by an intense stare. She looked away quickly, and through her peripheral vision could see the smirk lingering on the boy's face.

~~~

Justin's lips twitched but he managed not to smile at her comment, not wanting to let it be known that they saw each other before the designated time and place for fear of getting in trouble. He relaxed his features and went to sit where she had gestured, relieved that she had told him what to do so he did not mess it up. "My name is Justin Long. What is yours?" He replied quietly, without thinking, but then wondered if that was the right thing to say. He frowned at himself and closed his eyes in pain, thinking that it actually was not the right thing to say. Surely everyone else knew her name, and he would be expected to know it as well, she is the queen, after all. What if she was insulted that he did not know her name? He opened his eyes quickly and looked at her, hoping she would not take offense at his ignorance.

~~~

Justin, Ava thought, remembering the applications that she had looked over. Oh yes, caste 4... he was a farmer, which meant that he had to be in reasonably good shape... well, of course, he is in good shape, he beat you yesterday! Ava thought to herself. Her eyebrows raised at the second part of his sentence. He did not know her name. This was surprising, as her name had been blasting from every radio station and every news show since she was born, a mere 18 years ago, and the fact that he had not spoken to her yesterday. She thought this was because of respect to her status, but it might have been his sheer determination to win. She saw the immediate panic that lit his features after he asked the question, and she, unthinkingly, rested her hand on his knee, and said, "Nice to meet you, Justin. My name is Avalai Boleyn, but you can call me Ava for now. And although surprising, you do not need to apologize. Perhaps we will get to know each other soon enough." She smiled and stood up, hoping Justin would get the hint to stand up as well.

~~~

When she said that they would perhaps get to know each other soon enough, he relaxed slightly, glad he did not do anything wrong. When she stood up, he automatically stood up as well, but he did not know why...he looked at her, blinking confusedly, maybe he was supposed to leave now so she could talk to everyone else? He did not want to assume anything though,  so he just looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to tell him what to do next.

~~~

Ava nodded at Justin, knowing that there was no way he would be the first one going home. "I will see you around," she said, clearly dismissing him, hands behind her back. She had finally met the mysterious man from yesterday and was glad that he was not just a hired guard but one of the Selected. However comfortable her first introduction, though, she did not know what to expect for the rest.

~~~

Justin beamed brightly at her statement, she will see him around. He got to stay for now. He nodded at her dismissing statement, indicating he understood that he was to take his leave as she put her hands behind her back. He walked back over to his seat on the couch, not daring to look back. He saw a few books on the table beside the couch and his hands eagerly grabbed at one of them, never having seen such thick volumes before. The ones his mother gave him were short, mostly romance stories about the past or something impossible. These books were long and looked like they held truth and knowledge and he wondered at all the gifts this palace was giving him, and it was only his second day here. And he will not be going home today… Justin picked up the first book on the table, it was about the history of fencing. A sport? He wondered, looking at the title 'The History of One of the Most Deadly Sports: Fencing'. He did not know much about sports, how to play them, or what consisted of being a sport, but he knew that he wanted to learn.

~~~

Ava's eyes trailed Justin's retreating back. She glanced at the clock and noticed that she had talked for less than a minute with him. Her brows furrowed, as she had thought that they had talked for longer, but, upon replaying their conversation, realized that she had not asked him any questions, besides his name, as was customary during the introductions. She had half a mind to ask Mak to bring him back, but decided against it, knowing it would cause him much embarrassment, and perhaps aggression towards him if he was thought to be 'favored' this early in the Selection. She would make it up to him by inviting him on the first solo date. She watched him settle on a couch, and glanced at the title, "The History of One of the Most Deadly Sports: Fencing." The queen herself had read that book when she was younger and had learned many important techniques that she used today from it. Tearing her eyes away from Justin, Ava nodded at Daniella and motioned with her eyes at the man who had caught her gaze with his dark, smoldering stare. It would be better to get this one over with... she thought to herself, straightening her dress, and putting on a small smile. When the boy swaggered up to her, she put on an unimpressed front, and again, held out her hand, her eyes holding a challenge.