I had the honor of contributing a written piece for the @rallyspectrumzine earlier this year! Thanks so much for having me, it was a delight to take part with you all. ❤ Now that the physical copies are all on their way out, I can share my contribution to the finished work – I hope you enjoy!
“Thanks again!” Lissa beamed, hefting the tray up and trying not to spill the marmalade Maribelle had magically produced alongside the full china tea service. How the duchess kept it from breaking on the march, she had no idea, but she was grateful all the same for her friend’s dedication to teatime.
“Think nothing of it, Darling,” Maribelle smiled, lifting the tent flap for the princess as she navigated her way outside. “And you simply must tell me what you think of the tea cakes, I selected them especially to go with that citrus blend you like so much.”
“I promise, I will,” Lissa giggled. The only thing that kept her from skipping was the very fragile, very heavy tea set in her hands – but she still hummed her way through the rows of tents, dodging the occasional Shepherd and miraculously managing not to spill anything before she reached the pavilion on the far side of camp. “Knock knock!” she called, rocking between her heels and the tips of her toes while she waited.
It took a moment. And she was getting tempted to call again by the time she finally heard movement inside and saw Robin poke his head out. “Lissa? …since when do you knock?” he asked, taking one look at her prize and holding the canvas aside for her.
“Hey, I’m a princess! I have manners,” she huffed, sticking her tongue out in a distinctly un-princessly way.
“Is that so? Perhaps I keep sleeping through it, then,” he teased.
According to her brother, the tactician never slept at all. “Oh, ha ha.”