Thursday - 1/6
PALACE VON AMBERG
Austin and Greta looked at each other, a smile slightly crossing Greta’s face.
GRETA: Do you wanna explain it, since you’re the one who brought it up?
AUSTIN: I guess.
He took a deep breath and turned to Katalin and Emmaline.
AUSTIN: So, back before Greta here became an official princess, she and a partner, in this case me, had to go through a series of trials to prove that she was worthy of the crown. The trials took the form of a virtual reality modelled after the Garden of Eden.
KATALIN: That sounds kinda cool!
AUSTIN: It would have been, were it not for the fact that we had to deal with manifestations of her mother, my ex with witch powers, a host who was actively working against us, and the devil.
EMMALINE: What? Like the devil? That’s a real thing?
MARLENA: Unfortunately, yes.
AUSTIN: It was a computer sprite taking the form of the devil, but yes.
GRETA: And Sami doesn’t have witch powers in real life.
AUSTIN: As far as we know.
Carrie rolled her eyes.
AUSTIN: I’m kidding. Totally kidding.
KATALIN: So, I’m guessing we’ll have to go through this virtual Garden of Eden sometime soon?
MEDBH: Sure if you do, I’ll be by your side, Kat. We’ll just have to find someone for Em.
EMMALINE: And we’ll have to do it quickly, since the ceremony is tomorrow.
GRETA: You won’t have to worry about that. One of my first acts as ruler was to decommission Eden. It took Austin and I a month or more to get through that thing, and after becoming the princess, I decided that we don’t need that to prove someone’s right for the crown.
The girls sighed with relief.
KATALIN: Well, that’s a good thing.
AUSTIN: It is, for all involved.
HOPE: Well thankfully, neither of you will have to go through that.
JOHN: That’s a fact. Moving on to a happier topic, what kind of turnout are we expecting tomorrow?
GRETA: Should be a fairly sizable event, about the same as my coronation. Aside from all of you guys, a few royals from other countries will be here, like last time. Also, some representatives of the Alamain, DiMera, Kiriakis and von Leuschner families.
AIDEN: Yeah, we saw a few of those people on our way over. Should be a nice event.
GRETA: It certainly should.
BRADY PUB
Steve, Kayla and Stephanie had met up with Joey and Alanis for dinner.
STEVE: So Joe, what’s this big news you two are dyin’ to tell us?
Joey smirked.
JOEY: Why do you assume there’s some big news?
STEPHANIE: Well, we’re not stupid, for one.
JOEY: What? It can’t just be that Al and I wanted to take you guys out for dinner?
STEVE: It could be, but my gut’s tellin’ me there’s something else goin’ on here. Not that we don’t love havin’ dinner with you guys.
KAYLA: Oh, leave them alone, you two. If they want to tell us what’s going on, they will.
JOEY: Thanks, Mom.
ALANIS: But, Patch is right, there is something that we want to talk to you guys about.
Alanis and Joey took each other by the hand.
ALANIS: We’re engaged!
STEPHANIE: Oh my gosh!
KAYLA: Honey, that’s wonderful news!
STEVE: Congratulations, dude!
STEPHANIE: When did this happen?
JOEY: New Year’s. Just as the fireworks were going off.
KAYLA: That’s wonderful! You two are such a great couple!
ALANIS: Thank you! You guys are the first people we’ve told.
STEVE: You guys think about what day the wedding’s gonna be?
JOEY: Well, the engagement only just happened. And no, we’ve decided we’re gonna take our time and really think about how we want to do things.
STEVE: Good thinkin’, little dude.
KAYLA: This is so exciting! I’m so happy for you!
JOEY: Thanks, guys. We’re pretty happy about it, too.
KAYLA: Well, this calls for a celebration! Pick whatever you guys want for dessert, my treat.
JOEY: No, Mom, I said Al and I were taking you guys out for dinner.
KAYLA: Don’t be silly! We’re celebrating!
STEPHANIE: Seriously, Joey, don’t argue with Mom.
ALANIS: This is really nice of you, Dr. Johnson. Thank you so much.
KAYLA: You’re welcome, sweetheart. And please, call me Kayla. We’re going to be family soon.
JOEY: You guys are the best! Thanks.
SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Sarah was working the late shift. She came up the elevator onto the main floor. Elle was coming out of one of the clinic rooms and stopped at the circulation desk. She handed a nurse her tablet. Sarah walked over.
SARAH: Hey, how’s it going?
ELLE: Good, so far. The clinic’s packed with cold and flu patients, so we’re keeping busy.
SARAH: That makes sense. Enjoying your first couple of weeks with us?
ELLE: I am, yeah. Sorry we haven’t had much time to catch up more.
SARAH: No problem. There’ll be plenty of opportunity to do that.
Elle nodded, then shakily rubbed the back of her neck. Sarah looked slightly concerned.
SARAH: You okay?
ELLE: Yeah, just got a bit of a headache. I’ll be fine.
SARAH: You sure? You’re looking kinda pale there.
ELLE: I said I’m fine.
SARAH: Okay. Just asking.
Elle sighed.
ELLE: Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap.
SARAH: It’s all good.
ELLE: It’s just been a long day, and I haven’t taken my break yet. But still, I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.
SARAH: Hey, it’s okay. Look, I’m about to start my shift, so why don’t you take your break?
ELLE: You sure?
SARAH: Wouldn’t say it if I wasn’t. Go, go take your break.
ELLE: Okay. Thanks, sissy.
SARAH: No problem. I’ll see you in a bit.
ELLE: See you.
Elle got into the elevator and pressed the button to go down to the floor which had the cafeteria on it. While in the elevator, she took a small device off of her belt, and looked at it.
ELLE (to herself): Well, that’s not good.
