Who are you to change this world, silly girl? (Tarissa)

[Galina Kerrigan-Alcori]

Galina was alone as she often was. Much had happened since Kaeshana, and training and lessons. Truth be told, she didn't feel like the same girl any longer. In her heart of hearts, she knew she was changing. Now, whether that was for worse or better, only time would tell. If only she knew the visitor she'd be receiving this day. One who might help her along her way to becoming the woman she needed to be.

One day, she might be a Queen. A true Queen of a world in turmoil and chaos that needed leadership and a strong decisive ruler. Right now, she wasn't sure she was that at all. In fact so many doubts plagued her mind. Doubts, that shouldn't even enter her thoughts. She wasn't lacking in skills, and in fact was quite brilliant with her scholarly ambitions. There wasn't a subject she hadn't been able to master if she set her mind to it. The smarts, the skills, the bravery was all there. Her doubts in herself always got in the way.

Today, she was on the target range, alone. There were no servants to help aid her, and she wouldn't have wanted them there anyway. She liked the quiet, the peace. In her hand was an old fashion bow, simple and elegant. It had been hand carved by Galina herself in her time on the island. It had been her lifeblood. The very thing that kept her safe and alive. Now to use it, seemed perhaps silly to those in the Villa. But to her, it was relaxation. It was knowledge that she could do anything herself, even if she had to start with next to nothing. A reminder she much needed. And it was safety and comfort.

With a gentle sigh, she pulled her next arrow from her quiver and aligned it with the target as she drew back the string, pulling it taunt. Breathing in, then out, she finally released her shot. The redhead watched as the arrow hit it's mark only just a touch left of center.

[member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Galina Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Children. They were not a subject Tarissa had given much thought to. It had been at the back of her mind while her mother was alive and leading House Cadalthor with an iron fist. Now the old woman was dead and Tarissa had claimed her birthright as the new matriarch. However, leadership was not an entitlement, but a responsibility. Thus it was accompanied by certain duties. Such as producing an heiress. Unsurprisingly Tarissa was not keen on the idea of going through the trial of childbirth and felt like outsourcing it by having one of her servant girls get knocked up. However, that was not on the agenda today.


As chance would have it, the young Firemane would not remain alone for long. Tarissa arrived on the archery range in the same moment as Galina fired off her arrow and sent it flying towards the target, embedding itself inside it. The duchess had come alone, save for a very attractive servant girl who demurely stayed in the background. For her part, the duchess was wearing a magnificient but rather conservative blue dress. She was less of an exhibitionist than Siobhan!


"In the old days, far before your time, archery was a common sport for Eldorai nobles. It's very rare today, but I've always found it relaxing and educational. It teaches your patience, precision and diligence." Many of its lessons could be applied to politics. There was so little respect for tradition these days. "You've got a good eye for it."

 

[Galina Kerrigan-Alcori]

Galina had sensed the approach of the two women within the force. As much as she held a dislike for her talent, it occasionally was handy. Today, her own clothing was simple, jeans and a long sleeve plain shirt to help protect her arm should anything go wrong in her practice. More the clothes of a commoner. Though to Galina, they felt a luxury.

She then listened, and gave a nod to make it clear she'd heard Tarissa. Before speaking she pulled one more arrow out and strung it before pulling the string tight and releasing this next arrow. This time was a bit more spot on, though the tiniest bit low of center but still in the bullseye. "Thank you, Duchess."

"Archery for me, for a long time was survival. On Sigma true weapons were few and far between. And child soldiers were rarely offered such luxury. One had to make do with what was around you." She said softly, casually as if talking about the weather. "It kept me alive when I was alone on the island. And I've found the skills are still useful. Now it helps me find my center, a meditation of sorts. It also taught me discipline, yes, patience, and knowing if my bow, my lifeline wasn't cared for, protected and maintained, then all could be lost." She gave a small shrug. "I now, like to use it to come back to my center. To remind me where I came from and how far I've gotten." She chuckled slightly, "A meditation on life, in archery practice. Not something most would think about, I suppose." Perhaps that just showed her to be a unique creature. After all nothing thus far in her life had been ordinary.

"I know it's eccentric now, but I love a bow as a weapon. A bow is personal. From the crafting, to the carvings given. It is silent and simple in nature. One has to be close enough to their prey to see them, watch them, to know them. And know your shot will kill the first time. Takes talent, skill. There's an elegance to it, any one can pick up a gun and shoot it. It takes time, practice and effort to learn a bow. And each is different. No two exactly alike. Each has their own personality, be that from the material they were crafted from to the what is used for the string. It takes time to get to know them each, how they feel against you, how they aim and shoot. Effort to learn the subtle art of using one efficiently." She smiled softly, running her fingers over the carvings on her bow before setting it aside.

She then turned to face the Eldorai woman. "What may I do for you, today?" She still was a fair bit uncertain where their relationship stood. It wasn't lovers, no, or friends, but something like a godparent, or an aunt that stepped in.

[member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Galina Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Tarissa nodded and smiled slightly at the young human. "Archery - and hunting in general - teaches us a lot about politics. There's elegance to it, but it's also deadly. You must be patient, diligent and always aware of your environment. You set yourself a goal, find your prey and observe it. There's no hesitation, you make a snap decision fast because your first shot must hit the mark. You learn to achieve great effect with minimal means and resources. Precision is key, unlike with a crude weapon like a bolter or a blaster."


Well, that was an interesting way of looking at things. "Life at the court is another form of hunting. You just hunt different game, but you must be aware of the subtlest nuances, the slightest change of the wind, if your arrow is supposed to hit home. Of course, you have to make sure you don't get by the others' barbs. I hunted a lot when I was younger. It was a welcome diversion from Angelii garrison duty. I hear you spent some time at Taldir's outpost, yes?"

 

[Galina Kerrigan-Alcori]

Galina frowned just the slightest bit. This would be another lesson without a doubt. One she knew she needed but still, she wasn't the most fond of them. "I suppose it does hold some similarities." Ah, little Galina, she was going to have to learn to be a little more ruthless, more decisive, to quickly make a decision and stick with it. "I never really looked at it in that way." Well and truth be told, she'd never really spent a true day at court. Of course, she'd met the queen once, under less than ideal circumstances.

The girl nodded, "Yes, I did spend a little time training out there." A soft sigh passed her lips, there were still a few memories out there that she wasn't entirely comfortable with. They hit a little too close to home. "It wasn't all bad. Just a lot of reminders of a past I'd like to forget."

[member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Galina Kerrigan-Alcori"]


The girl had so much potential, yet she was so....innocent. That would have to change. "The past is not something we can escape, sadly. It always finds us, often when we least expect it. We can make a stand or be dragged down by it," Tarissa said philosophically. "Your mother told me about Sigma. I understand you want to return to set things right. What are your intentions?"

 

[Galina Kerrigan-Alcori]

"No, we can't entirely I know. I only wish it hurt a little less than it does. Then again, there aren't many that have seen the kinds of things I have at my age. No child should be a soldier, to see so much death and evil grace their homeland. It's not right. But it's my life. My story, and there's little option but to own that story. After all, history is written by the survivors and I am surely that." She shrugged, realizing she was mostly musing to herself.

Galina sighed and took a seat on a nearby bench after cleaning her bow and hanging it up in it's proper place. "I do want to return. The places calls to me, and I feel it in my heart and soul every day. It's calling me home."

As for her intentions ... Galina grew quiet, her eyes on the ground as she thought how best to articulate her thoughts and ideas. "Truth be told, I could care less about the throne. I am not in this for that at all. Hell until less than a year ago, I had no idea of my bloodline." Rambling she reminded herself, "Anyway, I know how horrible that world is, and the things that happen daily to ordinary people. People without the force, as the thousand year civil war is divided along those lines: those with the Force and those without. People have been suffering under the Rahl's rule for so long, and are dying every single day in the most horrific of ways, from starvation, torture, and more. I want to see the suffering end. I want the civil war to end. I want the Rahl's torn from the throne. I want the patriarchal ways to change and women be set on equal terms."

The redhead sighed. "To think my sex, on Sigma is a misfortune. I'm looked at as less than a male. And had I a male sibling, I'd have been second to him in line, even if I was born first. He'd be my lord, my king. The only way a woman is even considered remotely equal is if she is like me, carrying royal blood and the only child and heir."

She leaned forward resting her head in her hands, "I never expected this. None of it. One day I wanted to go back to help change things, but that was before I knew of who I was. It just strengthens my desire to return and help make things right. The Valade name carries power and even if I never ascend to the throne, it does help to bring more followers to my side. Those that can aid in the coming battle to take back our world."

[member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Galina Kerrigan-Alcori"]


"How barbaric and backward. Men try to compensate their inadequancy by putting women down and making them mere broodmares. A woman is the living embodiment of the divine," Tarissa declared. Obviously she was mostly talking about Eldorai women, though she acknowledged that some human ones had the divine spark, too!


She patted the young redhead on the shoulder. "Your cause is a noble one. Change is always difficult. Many fear it and will fight it with every fibre of their being. But it is what would set them free. Only war will bring down the rotten, repulsive patriarchal regime...but then the real work starts. Change and progress are best brought about when you have power. Whoever pulls Sigma out of the darkness will have to be a native. I doubt foreign rule would be acceptable, as beneficial as it might be. But the people who've never seen beyond Sigma are steeped in the old ways. As Siobhan told me, your bloodline is ancient and has been out of power for a millennia, but names still carry power."


Of course, from a certain point of view Tarissa's perspective was very patronising since she dismissed the ability of 'commoners' to set things right. "You don't covet the throne because once upon a time your ancestors sat upon it or out of the naked desire for power, but you can seek it to make Sigma a better place. You've experienced the horrors of its terrible war...but also the outside world and thus a better way." This might be the first time someone said that Galina should seek the throne.

 

[Galina Kerrigan-Alcori]

Galina frowned and nodded. "It wasn't pleasant, that was for sure. And I know it's not pleasant for any of the women there now. Being a second class citizen isn't a good thing in any way." Even Galina didn't much care for the way things had been done on her world with men being the ruling class, and women being nothing.

She smiled slightly at the pat on her shoulder. "I worry. That I won't succeed. That somehow I'll make it worse. That I won't be good enough. So much change has to happen. So much I know. And it can't all come at once. First things first I have to find my supporters, and hide my presence when I return." Galina sighed, "I still know nothing of court. I realize that's a long way off, but I just don't know how to even remotely be nobility much less royalty."

She nodded, "The bloodline is ancient, having ruled for almost two thousand years. A dynasty. That name has much power. The Rahls stole the throne from them and oppressed the people. It used to be a just and fair world, but with the Rahls, they tightly gripped anything they thought might be a threat to them. With the Force behind them it became easier for them to keep their power as they nabbed up every last force user there was. With that, they secured their rule and then hunted down every last blood relative of the royal family. Somehow one managed to escape and the line managed to continue. My mother, died giving birth to me, leaving me the very last of the Royal line, the true rightful royals."

She gave a nod. It was odd to hear someone encouraging her to seek the throne. "That is the only reason I want to seek to get my throne back. Because from there I can help change my world for the better and protect the people. I just want to see Sigma restored to it's former glory. It's just hard to know where to begin. The intricacies of court line, of such politics, all of it."

[member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Galina Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Personally Tarissa was sceptical that the reign of Galina's ancestors had been as just and fair as the stories said. She was a strong monarchist and legitimist, but also a deeply cynical woman. However, she saw no reason to mention that.


"You have a good heart, child." Wait, was Tarissa actually being nice? Clearly she'd been replaced by a pod person. "If you go to Sigma, you cannot let doubts and anxieties rule you. You cannot second-guess every step you make. A leader must appear poised and in control at all times. Especially in wartime, when you must be a symbol of strength, hope and resolution. That is what you must project. The slightest display of weakness can and will be exploited. There are many sections of the populace you will have to command. You have those who are still true to your dynasty's name after all this time, but them wanting a scion of Valade on the throne and actually giving you real power instead of simply seeking to marry you off to the next best manling leader are two different things. The sceptical amongst the rebels will be in the majority. After all, they only know of your bloodline from stories. Then there are the Rahl supporters who are only supporting the tyrants out of fear. Appearances are half the battle in politics. You must take the reins and make the people follow you. Make no mistake, you will be forced to make compromises you may unconsider unpalatable. Just do not lose sight of your end goal or be afraid of doing what's necessary. You'd have Ashira's blessing."


Crusade! Topple the patriarchy! Spread the True Faith! "I am experienced with courtly etiquette, so I can help you with your education." She could teach Galia how to be a good absolute monarch and make the manlings cower before her.

 

[Galina Kerrigan-Alcori]

Galina fortunately had not really known the 'normal' Tarissa. She'd only seen nice Tarissa. So to her this seemed to be her perfectly normal auntie. The redhead nodded, looking back to the Duchess.

For a moment, well more than a moment Galina did wonder if she could actually project the woman Tarissa had described. She'd been so shy, quiet, and indecisive for so long. She'd hidden inside her shell, in part for safety. And in part because the language barrier had been there for so long. It had taken her some time to learn basic and how to behave properly within this society. She'd been stuck on that remote island and grew from a child to a young adult completely cut off from anyone at all. Some habits had to be broken from her years there. That too took time. "I understand." She wasn't positive she could be that person but she was going to try her damnedest to be that woman, to be the queen her world desperately needed.

One thought did cross her mind, "All anyone knows of my family are stories. Fairy-tales and ancient rumors, who knows what's true and what's been twisted by time. And I certainly don't know fact from fiction when it comes to those stories. I don't know my own family." She shook her head, sighing a little. "And they certainly left me one hell of a void to step into and try to fill."

She was quiet for a long moment, "But I have to. In a thousand years no one has managed to complete the task, but I have to. There's no one left after me. No heir of any kind. I fail this, and the Rahls will keep my planet and destroy all that is good left in it. And I can't let that happen. I won't. I'll do whatever I have to, whatever it takes." Galina said firmly. Probably one of the few times her words actually seemed firm, confident and unyielding. Only had she been this way once before, when she so firmly told her mothers that she would seek her throne. This wasn't something she was going to give up on. They might have hoped so, but no. No, Galina was far too stubborn once her mind was actually made up on a subject.

She smiled softly at Tarissa, "I would be most grateful for your help, Tarissa, truly."

[member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Galina Kerrigan-Alcori"]


The real Tarissa was a pompous, power-hungry queen and probably a sadist. Half the time she wasn't even nice to people she liked. Or rather she was too arrogant to properly empathise with them. So why was she being nice now?


Maybe she'd decided that being tactful would be more advantageous to her. Or perhaps she felt genuinely sympathetic to Galina. One had to keep in mind that Tarissa had no children of her own, though she'd probably end up having one of her servant girls get knocked up and claim the baby as her own. Or a certain redheaded Angelii.


Anyhow, she smiled. "Good girl. You're wiser than your years. That's the attitude you must have," she said firmly. Tarissa was a firm proponent of the 'great women make history' school of thought. The peons needed a strong matriarch to lead them with an iron fist in a velvet glove!


She took the girl's hand. "Let's start with attire. Take me to your room. I assume you have something appropriate to wear. By the way, this is Cyraea Aetani, one of my girls. She is a good bodyguard and very skiled at making love to a woman."


The blonde, statuesque, very attractive Eldorai, who until now had been standing in the background and looked demure, curtseyed before Galina. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Mistress Kerrigan. Thank you for your hospitality," she said politely.


"You're welcome to borrow her for the night if you wish to take her to bed," Tarissa said casually, as if this were a completely normal conversation. It did not enter her mind for a moment that Galina might still be rather innocent and shy!

 

[Galina Kerrigan-Alcori]

Galina nodded, her mind still a little caught in her thoughts as Tarrisa complimented her. "Thank you." She whispered quietly. If only she had known just how much this so wasn't the usual Tarissa everyone knew. Undoubtedly she'd learn about that soon enough.

Attire? The young redhead almost questioned it aloud, then and there but realized even in fairy tales queens dressed a certain way. Appearances mattered. Her appearance was going to matter. If only Tarissa knew that Galina owned a single dress worthy of nobility. Most of her clothing was rather plain, simple. The kind of thing your average tomboy would wear. Somehow Galina suspected the reaction was going to be one of a bit of shock.

Galina hand in hand with Tarrisa was about to lead the Duchess off to her room when the conversation took a turn she did not expect. For a second she seemed a bit like a deer caught in the headlights. Sex just wasn't something she really talked about openly, unless she was attempting to embarrass her parents. Her cheeks flushed bright red and for a moment she could not quite speak. Finally she came about to her senses and found her words again. "It's nice to meet you, as well Miss Aetani." Though, she sounded a bit flustered.

Her attention turned back to Tarrisa, "No, no ... I appreciate the offer. However ..." How did she put this? "I, I'm not, I haven't. I'm fine on that note, truly." She at least managed to finish her thought with some manner of grace, even though she was turning a bit more red. Her skin flushed so brightly.

By now, to try and bring this part of the conversation to a close, she gave a tug on Tarissa's hand to lead her off the target range and upstairs to her room. A room that was cluttered with many books of all manner of subjects. A desk full of papers, and books still open from where the young woman had been reading, studying. Her closet was closed. But that would soon change with Tarissa's lessons on courtly etiquette.

[member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Galina Kerrigan-Alcori"]


For a moment or two, Tarissa was truly surprised. She looked rather dumbfounded. Her harem girl/bodyguard had the good grace to keep a straight face instead of bursting out into laughter. Tarissa was a far less indulgent Mistress than Siobhan and thus did not tolerate trolls.


"You mean you've never known a woman's touch? Good heavens, I am truly surprised. I would've thought that one of your mother's harem girls would have initiated you by now. It is very common in Eldorai noble families," she said once she'd recovered her composure. Clearly there were many things Galina had to learn. By contrast, any man who was supposed to become the husband of an Eldorai noblewoman was expected to be a virgin because his seed belonged Mistress and should only flower in her womb. This could lead to awkward situations because at the same time it had to be assured that he was not impotent.


Once she was led into Galina's bedroom, Tarissa subjected it to an intense scrutiny. The various books on Galina's desk did not escape her. Many of them seemed to concern themselves with complex scientific questions. Tarissa was no scientist and indeed a bit suspicious of foreign ones but she could appreciate a scholarly mind. But now Galina needed to leave the scholar's ivory tower and apply her intellect for practical matters. "Well, let's look for a suitable dress, shall we? Do you have any jewellry?"

 

[Galina Kerrigan-Alcori]

Galina frowned a bit, looking away from both of the women. Needless to say she was quite embarrassed by this point. "I haven't, no." She said quietly. "I just, haven't ... had, er ..." The girl grimaced and just stopped talking at that point. Describing why she had chosen not to have sex until this point, wasn't what she wanted to do, at all. This was far too embarrassing already.

Galina frowned at the mention of dresses, and opened the closet. "I ... well, I only have one dress." The girl sighed, and walked over to her bedside, pulling a small box of jewelry and bringing it to Tarissa. In it, there wasn't a lot. Just very simple items, nothing fancy or expensive. "There's not much in there. I've never really seen much point to it, honestly. Or been that interested in wearing it. It always got in the way hunting and was a danger to me. So I never got much."

[member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Galina Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Tarissa scrutinised the closet with a critical eye. Galina was such a - what was the human term? - tomboy. It was a word Tarissa did not like because it was the construct of an ignorant patriarchal culture. Stupid manlings always tried to put women in neat little boxes so that they could define what was attractive and lord it over them. Ahem, moving on with the plot. The only dress in Galina's closet was the same one she'd worn a Coci's and Thurion's wedding. Tarissa had to admit that it was very beautiful and regal, but the girl obviously needed more.


"I will have to have a word with Siobhan," she concluded. Presumably this would consist of her nagging the Countess. That would not go well! "I concede your point that fancy dresses are terribly impractical for hunting and other outdoor activities or fighting. It always terribly annoys me when female characters in human holovids fight in impractical attire. Or wear revealing armour. No doubt those 'vids are made by stupid males," she preened herself a bit.


"Anyhow, you'll have to look the part when you're queen. Appearances are key. We'll have to purchase appropriate clothes for you and load you with dresses. Aetani is good at taking a woman's measurements. For now, put the dress on - and those diamond earrings. They're very nice. Aetani can help if needed and do your hair a bit."

 

[Galina Kerrigan-Alcori]

Galina held a worried frown as she watched Tarissa look through her clothing and jewelry. She sighed and nodded. As much as she might not like it, her future was going to be filled with gowns and courtly duties if she managed to succeed. "The vids are stupid, foolish things. No one would fight in a fancy dress, or high heels, not like that. Never mind that impractical armor."

With another sigh, she took the gown with that same worried frown. Truth be told this whole part of things made her uncomfortable. "Just the hair," Galina was quick to reply, not wanting help changing. That she felt more than capable of. Doing her hair? Someone else in the house had helped her when she needed it. "I'll be fine otherwise, with possibly exception to the zipper." With that the redhead stepped off into her bathroom to change, not wanting to do so in front of the two women. In some ways, still very shy about her own body.

She quickly slipped most of her clothing off, bra included as she stepped into the gown. The redhead cocked her head to the side looking at herself in the mirror for a moment, as she managed to lift the zipper about halfway. Eyes flickered over the dress, and herself. The gown made her feel odd now. With the zipper partially up, that much at least made her comfortable enough to step back out into her bedroom as she put the earrings on. As she did so, it was clear she didn't exactly feel the most comfortable now.

[member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Galina Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Tarissa noticed the discomfort...but didn't really care much! "You look lovely, dear. Like a princess," she said in what was probably her nicest tone. "Aetani, see to her hair and do her nails," she ordered briskly.


"Yes, Your Grace," the servant spoke submissively and stepped forward to pull up the zipper. The elf stroked Galina's firemane gently. "You have lovely hair, Mistress. Red is very rare among Eldorai. Those with it are often said to be destined for great things." While she spoke these encouraging words, she began working the girl's hair over. She was of the belief that Galina would look lovely in braids, but for the time being settled on something less fancy. Down and curled would have to do.


"Let it down. It looks beautiful that way. Curls suit you. Elegant, but simple." Presumably at this point a hair styling montage ensued. Galina was not the perfumed flower the Eldorai was used to dealing with, but she didn't show any of that. Suffice to say by the time she was done Galina's hair would look lovely and also carry a very pleasant scent. "Which nail polish would you like?"

 

[Galina Kerrigan-Alcori]

Galina tried to smile a touch. "Thank you." She managed to say before glancing nervously back to Aetani.

While the servant worked at her hair, Galina couldn't help but look down at the fabric of the dress. It still felt odd to be wearing it now and something about how it sat against her skin, she couldn't help but pull at the dress a little, trying to find the most comfortable way for it to rest against her. "You are rather sweet," She found herself replying to Aetani, in a voice she barely recognized. "Red isn't common on Sigma either. It for whatever reason tended to be a trait among nobility and royalty. Or so the legends go." Galina frowned, "I actually don't recall seeing another redhead on Sigma." Maybe it was a trait her family held. Or just mere coincidence.

Once Aetani was finished, Galina stepped over to the mirror to have a look at herself. Now, she truly, scarcely recognized the woman in the mirror. "It looks lovely." The redhead said softly as she reached up to touch one of the curls.

She turned back to the Eldorai servant at the question. Her eyes flicked over the offered choices, before coming to rest on one bottle. A lovely pale, almost natural pink. Something quite simple, nothing that boldly stood out. She already felt like she did that enough without a vivid red painted across her nails. "That one, I think. I don't want anything too fancy." Probably strange words coming from the daughter of Siobhan Kerrigan.

[member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Galina Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Aetani raised an eyebrow at that. "You are unlike the Lady Kerrigan in that regard," she remarked diplomatically. This was a tactful way of saying that Siobhan Kerrigan loved her pretty things and craved being the centre of attention.


As could be expected, Tarissa preferred servant girls who weren't trolls. Thus Cyreae was more restrained than say Harmony or Chesna. "It is a good choice, Mistress. I believe it will suit you. Sit down, please," she flashed Galina an encouraging smile. Having said that she picked up the bottle and gently opened the tube. Once Galina had sat down, the servant girl would begin to lap loving attention on her fingernails. "Pretty as a picture. Relax, Mistress. Enjoy the procedure. It's natural for a princess to be taken care of like this."


A clean, smooth manicure took time and effort, so she did not do things in a haste. First she prepared Galina's nails by trimming and filing them, then used a buffer to remove any ridges, applied a pleasant smelling cuticle oil to moisturise and soften dry cuticles, washed them and then painted them a lovely pink. A good base coat ensured that the polish would last longer and cling better to the redhead's nails.