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 Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 2:14 pm
Careful to keep his voice low and gentle, Liozu smiled as he stood up from the swing, leaving it swaying back and forth behind him as he walked up to Ana and gently forced her to stand straight.
"Ana... Any time spent with you, however "much" or "little" of what we did of any plans anyone of us might have had, is worth it by itself. You're shining, and I don't regret a second," Liozu whispered, bowed down slightly so his lips were hovering above the shell of her ear.
Stepping back a bit, Liozu smiled again, bright, but perhaps a mite too wide and sharp, as he stretched out a hand for Ana.
"If I wasn't sure it would be wholly inappropriate and might have you fleeing for my boldness, I'd kiss you goodnight," he said as the grin slid into a lopsided smile, but he kept his distance, not making a move closer again. She would let Ana take the leap of trusting... and daring it would take to take "Liozu's" hand after such a declaration.
It might, of course, Empress thought with a mental smirk that had a tinge of calculating hopefulness to it, make Ana bolder, not just taking the hand but also, in some way, admitting a kiss would be welcome, and if not now, in the future. It might also, of course, be much too soon, and in that case she had just made this harder for herself.
Either way it went, Empress didn't really mind. She loved it when a plan like this unfolded quickly because the other person had a bit more fanciful daring than might be seen at first, but she was also patient enough to love a challenge of such a request being rebuffed and even further advances being rebuffed after that, too, at first. Either way, she would have what she wanted, and with Ana's dazed and willfully given agreement.
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Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 4:14 pm
Ana was entranced and it wasn't until Liozu was standing several feet back again, giving a half-smile, that she realized she had forgotten to breathe. Exhaling slowly, feeling as though the air around her was suddenly far too light, that it would spin off to the sky and take her with it, she stared at his face. Her vision was alighting upon his high cheekbones, unable to make the final jump to his eyes. If she looked, who knew what she might see?
She was aware that her face was burning and that she was unable to do anything about it. It felt as though his words had lowered a hook into her torso and caught hold of something in her chest, tugging it up and out. Ana could have sworn at that moment that some spell had been cast on her or that, when his lips came so close to brushing her ear, she had felt something inside her burst into flame.
My heart, Ana thought dazedly, this thought quickly followed by, Oh, God, I have no idea what he just said.
She blinked hard, closing her mouth from where it was open in a soft gasp.
"I... um..." she was holding her sketchbook and pencil tightly, running her other hand up and down her arm, wondering how to respond to whatever he had said. "I... I need to b-be back at the castle," Ana finally heard herself say, wondering why the words were coming out of her mouth. She didn't want to go back! No, she did, but she didn't want this long waiting in the park to come to such an abrupt end.
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Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 12:34 pm
Liozu was quiet for a moment, then he nodded, the quick narrowing of his eyes lost in a wide, sweet smile.
"Alright. Lets go then, Ana. We'll just take a very quick shortcut, hm?" Liozu waved her up to his side before he started walking, letting Empress think over what had happened.
It seems my sweet was much too surprised by what I said... I might have a bit of leeway... Empress smirked mentally and outwardly, as they passed a few shops still open to take advantage of the city couples still out, waved a hand for Ana to stop.
"Here. I'll be back in a moment," Liozu murmured and disappeared into one of the shops, coming out with a single, deeply blood red-petalled flower. It wasn't a rose, looked more like an orchid, in fact, and the center was fresh and pale like new fallen snow.
"Would this delight you?" Slightly too sharp and proud, but sincere for all that, and only after the words had slipped out did Empress realize the tone of voice and the choice of words had been all hers. Though, Ana could hardly know if it had been genuinely Liozu, since she hadn't known him before the feast, and so Empress was safe.
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 12:28 am
"O-oh," the gasp escaped Ana's lips and she looked slowly from the flower to Liozu's face. "Yes," she said, for once not realizing how forward it might sound. "Oh, Liozu," she paused wonderingly on his name, turning it over in her mouth. "It's beautiful."
Smiling warmly up at him, Ana tentatively brushed her hand against his, fleetingly marveling that she had been so apprehensive about tonight. Was it really only twenty-four hours ago that she had first spoken to him? He was so sensative and charming and, she thought blushingly to herself, incredibly handsome. At that moment she decided firmly (and in awe at her sudden resolve) that this was the man she loved.
I would do anything for you.
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 2:43 am
Not even a day. Empress could practically taste the amazed wonder in Ana's voice, and the smile bore victory. Of course, just because she had this part in her hand was no reason to relax about it... you didn't get what you wanted if you let it go just after getting a good grip.
"Then I'm honored to give it to you," Liozu murmured and handed it over as Ana's hand brushed his, gently squeezing her fingers as the flower changed hands. Gently laying an arm around her shoulders, walking with just enough space between that so he wouldn't be pushed up against her and, if she still felt nervous, so she wouldn't feel caught, Liozu steered them back up towards the castle.
"I hope we can do this again. we might not have managed much, but I liked spending time with you," Liozu said, head tilted down to look into Ana's face, and the light cast from various houses and the almost over-powered moon above made his eyes much redder than usual.
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 2:58 am
Ana nodded, leaning very slightly into the nook of his arm. She didn't quite trust herself to speak. Looking up into his face, vaguely aware of the fawning look upon hers, Ana didn't notice the crimson glow to Liozu's normally softer eyes. She had rarely been near enough to see his face clearly before now. so instead she adoringly took in his high, fine cheekbones and the slight curve to the slender bridge of his nose.
There was definitely an air of regality about him in the cold night air that, unknown to Ana, was very different from normal.
"I... I'd like that," she finally managed in a voice a little over a murmur as they walked slowly back to the castle.
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 3:23 am
Raising a hand to gently brush it against Ana's cheek before letting it drop down on her shoulder again, Liozu smiled, his head straightening again to a prouder, if one knew him from before, bent. It was so liberating, even if she had only inhabited Liozu's body for such a short time, to be able to behave more like herself, even if the body was all wrong.
"I'm definitely looking forward to that, Ana." Of course she was. This was heady and crystal perfect. It was much too long since she'd had a chance to twist something and pretty and sweet as Ana around her little finger, and Empress was sure Ana would be just as beautiful... though in another way, when she was finished. It would be glorious.
"Thank you for this evening, Ana. I'm happy you would reveal yourself to me," Liozu said quietly, face suffsued with a smile that glowed with warmth... and fierce, if only a brief flicker of it, possessiveness.
They had paused a way outside the castle, shadowed by a large tree from most possible casual looks that could come from the guards stationed by the gate.
"Excuse me..." Liozu grinned charmingly before ducking down, brushing his lips gently over Ana's cheek, at the corner of her lips. "I'll talk to you later, yes?" With a nod, Liozu took half a step back and kissed the fingers of the hand Ana's wasn't holding her gift and sketchbook in, before letting go and walking back through the gate. He just had to raise an eyebrow and smile cheerily at the gate watch to know that Ana would be let in without any trouble. Or teasing.
But kissing such a sweet girl with these male lips is utterly wrong and an affront. I have better find an alternative way, for later, if I have to do this for long. Empress shook her head mentally, sneering in disgust.
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 3:35 am
Ana felt as though her body was submerged in a cool, clear fire; all of her being was tingling in the night breeze as she watched, dazed, as Liozu walked back into the castle.
Falling breathlessly against the trunk of the tree for a moment, she stared down at the items in her hands, the whispered kisses still burning with a sharp intensity against her skin.
A drop of rain fell from the sky, passing through the branches overhead and landed on Ana's arm, jerking her out of her revive. A sudden fear overtook her and she fled from the gardens and past the guards at the doors to the castle, not stopping until she was at the door to her dormitory, breathing heavily as rain poured down outside.
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Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 5:19 pm
Kamikits "And these symptoms first presented themselves tonight?" Aiketh asked, hoping desperately the question didn't sound like the one she had first intended to voice: and how many times have decisions been made under this influence? "...Yes," This was true. He had only had odd, vague 'feelings' before. Never did they manifest until his confrontation with Kushina. "Though...I wonder if it was exacerbated by our trip to Arinas..." He mused, mostly to himself.
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Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 6:15 pm
Aiketh nodded, relaxing very slightly. That was good, then. Things were not quite as bad as they could be... although how one was supposed to handle this she did not know. What were you supposed to do if the head of state was in a position to potentially destroy it?
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Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 6:41 pm
As if reading Aiketh's thoughts, Jett continued, "I... am at a loss for as what to do now. I cannot..." He trailed off, obviously choosing his words carefully. "I cannot remain in this state. I am a danger to myself, everyone else around me, even the kingdom."
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Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 12:41 am
There was a tense silence following Jett's words. Aiketh looked down at the floor, her arms folded tightly in her lap, gloved hands gripping them tightly. This was her place to speak.
"It is certainly unusual," she said, finding herself slightly short of breath, "but we need to think carefully before doing anything drastic. You," Aiketh turned her head to include Kushina in this as well, "mentioned that the Lord became short-tempered and held a 'disregard for life'. This is definitely a danger and a concern, but I see no reason why he shouldn't be able to continue to rule as normal when not under this posession. Lord Jett has proven himself to be nothing if not a capable leader and these symptoms are obviously not permanent. As long as someone is there to ensure that they do not reappear and cause our Lord to harm either himself or others, there should be no problem. Kushina, you were with him today. Am I right in saying that you know how to, uh, negate these symptoms?" Aiketh felt distinctly guilty about speaking about Lord Jett as if he was an ill child, so she continued a little faster than she would have normally. "And we just do not know yet if they will show themselves again, or if there is a simple and permant remedy. Lord Jett was right; their surfacing could merely be a result of his recent voyage to Arinas."
Aiketh looked at the other people gathered in the office, willing her face to remain calm and feeling the nervous heat subsiding from her cheeks. "As the Black Dragon Officer, my suggestion is to speak to the Seer. He may be able to tell us something useful. The people already know about your upcoming marriage to Lady Micoi," she added directly to Jett, "and they are nervous enough about the increasing attacks. I strongly recommend that the marriage continue as planned. It would greatly increase the country's morale. In addition, I would have Lord Jett continue his regular duties, although under temporarily supervised conditions."
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Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 6:58 pm
((RAWR!! D= Nadil be really pissy(ed) now! *gaia didn't wanna let her on and told her it was the wrong password*))
"I'll take on that duty," Illusia, who has been sitting quiet and listening for a moment now, said as he stood up. "My duty is to take over when our Lord can't rule so therefore, if I stay by his side, no extra hand will have to be taken from their current task," he explained, turning his eyes onto Jett. "If you would let me, of course, my lord," he said with a warm smile. This wasn't something he said out of sense of duty but rather as a friend.
Turning, sweeping his eyes over the office's occupants, he continued. "Also, I strongly agree with Aiketh. We should not, however troublesome this new discovery may proove to be, let it slow us down. At such a crucial moment in time as this, when the enemy is obviously making a move, the increased attacks taken into the calculation, we cannot afford to loose any ground. Even the smallest show to the people would serve to prove to tehm that we're far from loosing. My Lord's upcoming marriage is a very important event, but it's still long until then. However, the mere fact that we have finally found the future queen is good. We just need to... lighten the tense aura around her." Illusia was sure that they all knew what he was talking about; the (failed) welcome feast for her majesty.
"On another note, I would like you, Kushina," the dragon turned to his fellow Officer as he spoke to her, "not to leave the capital, if possible, for the nearest time. Aiketh can probably send out more scout parties, and in smaller numbers to compensate, but with orders to only watch and report, not fight... unless necesarry, of course," he added to not sound completely impossible and hard. He wasn't trying to put too many strains on the situation and the people, only being rational to their current situation. Their Lord's condition was their top priority right now, after all. The condition, a cure and the situation with the queen-to-be.
"Do you all consider this to be agreeable?" he asked the room in general, but let his eyes rest on Jett after having looked at the Black and Blue Officer.
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Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 7:25 pm
"Thank you, Illusia. That is fine. Akieth, please go speak with the Seer, inform him of the current situation and have him prepare." Jett sat back down, feeling exhausted and very old.
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Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 12:18 am
"My Lord." Aiketh stood, momentarily inclining her head towards Jett in a gesture of respect before quickly leaving the room. She continued to walk rapidly through the corridors, dimly hearing her footsteps echoing in the halls and down the stairs and uncertain why her chest felt so tight. It had gone well, really, given the situation and the circumstances.
"You're on duty!" Aiketh snapped as she passed a trio of Dragon Fighters chatting while standing guard just inside one of the side exits to the castle. They jumped and jerked to attention, startled by her uncharacteristic outburst.
She was still feeling edgy as she neared the seer's chambers. Pausing briefly in a futile attempt to regain her full composure, Aiketh knocked on his door.
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