Yesterday had indeed been the peak of his trials, the count believed, told himself over and over as he approached the castle at the heart of the kingdom of Zalto. Instead of flying, he had elected, for once, to be flown in by one of his staff. What kept him going was in many ways the same struggle that brought about the nightmare that was his life to the outset--Bernard was told, Youkimi knew, but no other would know just what kind of monstrous headwind the count was charging through as he stepped forward onto that artfully cobbled way leading up to the gate. A quick bow and he was rid of his handler, thinking that it would be better for appearance's sake if he came to them as a harmless but confident man. In many ways, he considered Ethe such spirit.
He waited and appreciated the view. Certainly, the kingdom was something he could love in terms of aesthetics--and he thanked his...--lucky stars that the feud between dragon and phoenix had been so buried as to be as inert and entertaining as the dirt from which both nations mined their fortunes. Finally, in that moment, he was able to find his smile again. He would need it.
The Queen walked though the gardens with a guard and a maid, one kept as close to her as they could while the other stood at her back with a serious face and a spear in hand, protecting her and the child of the King. Elentiyas hands were on her very round stomach, obvious though her loose clothing. She had wanted to get out for a walk and it had taken the longest time and the fanciest of words to get the maids to let her out for a walk, she hated the rooms of the castle, they were stuffy, they wouldn't let her open the windows or light a fire or go down to the kitchens to see the food being prepared. She had been cooped up in her rooms for months! She understood why but even though the intentions were meant well, she felt like she was going to go crazy not being able to smell the flowers of the garden. That's when she saw the visitor, at least that's what it looked like. She looked at the dark haired man and smiled at him, the guard made a move but Elentiya raised her arm slightly to keep him back, the man wasn't doing anything wrong "Excuse me, do you have an audience?" she asked him, her kind features seeming to be highlighted by the smile that made her fairly ordinary appearance look radiant.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx◆EC $800 ◆OutfitWinter Gown◆Location Home ◆Company Elentiya and Dixon ◆Mood Calm ◆Out of crackersForgive me for the late and not so good response. I do hope this is alright...
Having felt the need to take a walk and spend a little time away from her boys while Sharla looked after them, Athena slowly made her way through the garden. Drawing closer to the castle gate, she noticed her dear sister-in-law addressing someone, the maid and guard with her of course keeping silent. As she quietly made her way closer still, she noticed it was Lord Titanus and smiled a little. "Hello Ele, and hello to you as well Lord Titanus." She said, keeping the small, pleasant smile on her lips the whole time. Though she naturally gave Elentiya a quick beaming one as she stepped up beside the Queen Consort.
Having heard news of a visitor Aldon quickly wrapped his beloved daughter Flora Elizabeth in a warm blanket on top of her coat and walked outside towards the gate. The storm had left the ground cold and icy and he walked with care. As he neared the gate he brought his power to the front and tried to appear cold. Well as cold minded as one could be holding your child. Soon enough he saw his wife and sister and gave a mean glare to her attendant and guard. Before sighing and knowing Elentiya had probably talked them into it. He gave her a once over and nodded his hello to his sister. Then turned to look upon Lord Titanus who had just recently contacted him. "Lord Titanus, it is a pleasure to see you here. Why don't you come inside and warm up, I'm afraid the storm left it rather cold. If not for your sake then that of my child, wife and unborn child please." At that he turned to give Eli a look of reprimand at her being outside in the cold. "Eli you should be inside where it's warm." He spoke to her softly before touching her face ever so gently in a quick but loving gesture before letting go and once again putting on a slightly cold air. He then turned to his sister and his eyes brightened lightly, he had been meaning to talk to her about helping him with his talk with Lord Titanus. "Athena, I had been meaning to discuss this earlier. Would you care to join Lord Titanus and I in our talks? I would find your guidance and advice most helpful....If that would be alright with you?" He said the last bit as he looked at Lord Titanus, hoping he'd accept his inviting his sister as an advisor.
The manner of those their had impressed him so. He just knew he could bank on the peerage and royalty in Zalto to thrill him with the simple a profound relief of class. He greeted them all with a short but deep bow to each and the most proper and brief pleasantries out there in that frigid court before moving in. He found himself bemused, charmed by curiosity, at the dualistic bearing of the King. Such a thing, he reminded himself as he walked on, might have indeed been the truest essence of the noble character.
Inside, the count let himself be led to whether the those who were willing to meet--other than King Llewellyn--with him on such a somber and pivotal day in the history of Ethe. He kept his head still and regarded all the beautiful decorations an architectural stylings of the castle with soft, contented smile befitting someone in his position; his mien would reflect no trace of the distressed man Athena'd met in that tavern at this time.
"Such a lovely place you have here--reflects the beauty of your country in fairer weather, I'm sure," commented the man with soft resonance to his voice. The group would have plenty of time to look at the scars on his face, appearing as though delivered by several small nicks from a sword or stabbing from a knife-fight, when close to him. He folded his hands in his lap, not seeming to think anything of it. "I do believe our nations' people have this in common--a natural desire and gravity for the aesthetically pleasing. Might I speak frankly of the state of our nation to begin?"
Upon "yes"
"In the past year Ethe has seen a resurgence in our patriotic drive. We have a name for our goal of a stronger, more beautiful nation: 'Tomorrow's Ethe.' Needless to say, we have made tremendous strides in diversifying and growing our economy anew that it deeply rooted in our work ethic and artistry. A large part of this new policy is reaching out as a strong ally to other nations." He gave them a moment to voice any concerns, and continued. "It is now the opinion, the belief, of Ethe's leaders that we have much to offer all our neighbors in this new economy... However, Tomorrow's Ethe will require a bit of investment on your part--a sign of faith, you might call it. Personally, I can tell you with full confidence and explicit detail that any investment you make here today in our future will have a significant return."
Elentiya smiled softly at her husband and then looked at her sister in law, smiling at her as well as he leaned in and gave her a familiar hug, not to tight so she wouldn't harm her child before she then looked back at her husband and looked down at the ground as if she was slightly guilty of having persuaded the guard and the maid to allow her a walk out in the cold, but after she looked back up at him a playful smile was on her lips, showing that even if she felt guilty about it she didn't feel sorry.
When she heard of whom had come to the gates and the bow he gave Elentiya didn't suppress her surprise "Lord Titanus." she said as she tried to make some memories of her education resurface. She tried to sift though the new information and the old, The Titanus family was a noble family of Ethe weren't they? but she felt certain that they had come into more then one proprietary of land "Of Titania and Spirra?" she voiced quizzically before she then looked to her husband, taking his arm and looking at their daughter as they walked toward the palace.
Once inside the main foyer Elentiya let go of her husband and scrunched up her nose at her little girl, almost a year old, she would have to plan a little family birthday for the child and then in thirteen years she'd have to plan her birthday as a debutante. She didn't want to think of that, she had just had her! Looking back at Dixon, Elentiya would bow her head to him in acknowledgement as her condition and station would only allow the smallest of nods, though her smile never left her "Excuse me for prying but.... did you run into some trouble along the road and skies on your travels here? she asked him as she noticed his face.
Wearing a Zalton Dress With: Guard and maid, Aldon, Dixon, Athena
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx◆EC $800 ◆OutfitWinter Gown◆Location Home ◆Company Elentiya, Aldon and Dixon ◆Mood Calm ◆Out of crackersAgain sorry this is so late and not very good, work has been busy...
Seeing her brother com up beside them, holding his adorable little daughter in his arms, Athena gave him a warm smile and quick nod. Naturally she could tell he was angry about Ele being outside in the cold, but he was playing it rather cool as he addressed the Count. Of course when he turned to look at her with slightly brightened eyes, she tilted her head a little and listened carefully. "Y-you want my advice? Um... if Lord Titanus agrees, then I would be delighted to join you both and try to help." She murmured with a small smile before looking to see if the Count would agree or not. Naturally while waiting to find out the answer, she followed the group, quietly listening to the conversation as she normally would unless otherwise told.
Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2017 8:52 am
✺ Forgotten Son
EC: 100
Perhaps it was for the best the women seemed to take the lead in the conversation--it was at least very pleasant and hopeful in regards to the wit of the fairer sex in and around the throneroom. Dixon could think of few things more important to the speed of men's decisions than to be surrounded my clever women. Kind too, asking about his country, his family (they had become somewhat synonymous recently, innit?).
"Terribly sorry, your majesty," began the count addressing the queen. "House Spirra has gone by the wayside some time ago, I'm afraid. Their lineage is lost among the remaining noble lines..." A sigh drew itself silently over his countenance. "Such a thing is not easy to think of in times like this--I'd much rather think of what we have yet to gain than what we have lost as we struggle to climb back to our glory..."
"--Forgive me. House Spirra's spirit," rejoined the count with a gentle optimism, "I hope is preserved in Titanian art." He waved a hand, dismissing the whole matter. "As it is now, the lands Titania, my namesake, Etelan, home of our spiritual leaders and gems, and Antigone, newly without leadership and home to fields of cotton and silk, are under my charge. It is quite a bit of work, but to oversee the growth of my country is more than sufficient as reward."
This next question issued a chuckle from the count. "Aye, but not on this day," He allowed a peek under his collar to reveal a few more small scratches that mirrored marks on his face and hands. "Brigandry is so much more ugly in person," he concluded rather flatly as he slid his shirt back into place. "I should hope a time comes when such aberrations leave the traveler, while setting my eyes hard on the horizon at dawn and dusk."
And finally, a small nod and smile to the lovely and ever-benevolent Princess Athena. "Yes, I believe I would prefer as many voices as can be had on this matter of union and prosperity. Our posterity deserves the unified grace of as many clever minds as have gathered here today governing for the love of both country's peoples."
Kaiden steps out of the castle as he lifted his head up then he sighs as his breath was shown due to the cold as it still hangs on Zalto with both hands and wont let go. One of the guards walks over,"My prince?" Kaiden turns his head slowly toward the voice and said,"how are the other guards and the town? Everyone alright and warm?"the guard nods his head,"Yes sir..but you ought to get inside, its too much for anyone to be out here.." Kaiden nods,"I will but in a moment.." he walks down the stairs as the guard heads back inside.
Kaiden just stood there for a good five minutes until he heard something walking through the gates then he heard someone then she said,"P-Please..Help.." she falls on her knees as she tries to warm herself up as a canine went up to her and whines. Kaiden then warps his cloak around the woman,"Here..this way.."Taya looks up at the man then she stands up with his help,"Th-Thank you.." Kaiden nods and walks back inside the castle with the woman and canine.
How long has it been since he was able to see his beloved fiance? How long had it heen since he could hold his sons Arthur and Leon? Their was the storm of ice which stopped him but now that the ice was gone his wings took flight and the dark phoenix flew straight for Zalto to see his beloved woman and children once more. Roland had sent a raven early to ask her to meet him in her castle's garden and it was there he stood in his prince outfit waiting to see Athena's fair skin and to see her lovely lips smile for him; Just as his crimson eyes smiled while gazing for any sight of his beloved woman.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx◆EC $800 ◆OutfitGown◆Location Home ◆Company Her boys and Roland ◆MoodHappy ◆Out of crackers...
It had far too long since Athena had last seen her beloved Roland and so the moment she had recieved his letter she started making things ready to meet with him. The boys had even begun to walk while they were apart, and so she had chosen to let them come with her. With one on each hand, she carefully and slowly made her way down the corridors of the castle and finally outside. Naturally the pace was that of the twin boys, until they saw the man waiting for them that is, and their mother whispered it was their father. Sure the pace didnt pick up a great deal, but the babbling they called speach grew louder and louder as they all grew closer. Of course Athena smiled the whole time, but it became brighter and much more loving at the sight of her wonderful fiancee.
"By the Gods, you all look so beautiful." Athena had neared him with a smile that was mirrored by Roland and all the while had never faded just like hers. "Come here my boys!" He growl playfully as he charged at Arthur and Leon, swooping one of them in each of his strong arms, and then he closed the gap between he and his Athena with a step forward and a passionate kiss to her lips. Only after their lost moment in each other's embrace would he take a breath to get lost in Athena's emerald green eyes and coo. "I've missed you Athena... I've missed you so God damn much..."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx◆EC $800 ◆OutfitGown◆Location Home ◆Company Her boys and Roland ◆MoodHappy ◆Out of crackersyou want a separate one or the one we are already talking in? ...
With the distance being short enough between them, Athena slowly let go of the boys hands, wanting to make sure they reached her beloveds arms. Of course she couldnt help giggling as Roland swooped the twins up and soon afterwards blush from his kiss. Naturally she returned it after a brief moment and then playfully poking his nose. "Ive missed you as well my love." She whispered in a gentle tone before giving him another kiss, though this one was a bit more tender. "Ive missed you enough to blush and feel shy all ovrr again. You really have been gone far too long." She said lovingly as the boys babbled incoherently to their father.
A turning feeling in his stomach of both butterflies and burning illness was something akin to what he feels. This knowing of tonight probably being his last true night with Athena and his kids tugged at his heart, driving to want to make the most of time before the call to country and arms would drive them apart. He didn't know what side Zalto would be taking, either that of Bellris or the empire, but he didn't care what side his Athena chose publicly. He knew he was hers, and he knew he could never harm her with a sword. "So I have! Our sons have a mouthful for me!" He giggle to see his grown boys take to him so well. After being gone so long he fear that he own blood wouldn't be able to recognize him. "I'm sure you have a lot to say to me too. After all...we need to speak not as man and woman but as two diplomats. It's part of the reason I'm here as well, my Athena."
