A woman would start to follow him around from a small distance away, she would be dressed like a warrior but he would not know her though she would seem familiar. She would have wings not like a phoenix or dragon despite having a slightly red tint to them but the twin pairs of wings would lay flat on her back. She would have a sword at her hip and she would finally speak when he was alone, it seemed she would not know that others couldn't see her "You should not encourage her to stay here"
Sure as the sun set each night, the seasons too displayed the full range of their colors, from the warming green and orange of a skin bursting with optimism to the cooling, mellowing swirl of blue and white and brown of the deathly nap of Winter; and surer than this, for it was that sometimes these seasons were shuffled by some unseen hand, a party is born, comes to bear the fruit of fun memories and laughter, and, without ceremony--except maybe the fresh-livered poets--died.
Whether or not the spirit remained and was reborn in a new gathering, like the seasons, was irrelevant to Lord Titanus as he shuffled through the beginning flakes of this cold season to pick up the tables with the help. He insisted, for the record. Bernard looked tired; Dixon could help but smiling, knowing this would be the first night in a long time that the estate would be completely quite without his compulsory cleaning spooking all the charming little nightbirds. The others, making him resolve to hurry this chore along, were keeping themselves busy in his home. He meant to return as quickly as possible, to entertain them like a good host should, but...
"Sir?"
"Frogtoast!" Bernard waited with raised eyebrows; Dixon shook his head, dislodging some flakes that had taken a homestead there. "Ehm... Yes, well. You may rest, Bernard. I'll finish up here." Dixon seemed to wait and plead with his eyes the necessary amount to explain his request/command. Bernard, after a silent moment there populated by nothing but fractillic reflectivity, nodded and crunched a whisper from the snow as he went on. Dixon watched his sigh bend to the right as he turned to the visage of a woman he once promised to forget.
"Now... What's this?"
The woman looked at him, she had been a strange woman. She looked at him and she walked up to him with sadness in her eyes, her red lips slightly open as if they had something to say "She's not what she says. You must send her away. Its not safe, she is not safe" the woman said.
Dixon took one step back, not following through. He stood there as a statue with a staggered stance as he regarded the woman who felt so warm, so good, so mysterious, that he couldn't bear to run away from her cool stare. "Who?... Youkimi? Please, explain yourself." He took a step forward, trying his best to analyse her visage. "And... Just who are you?" Many other questions--from the help as well, coming to see their lord was now quite insane and leaving him for their own safety--but the count steeled himself for the moment and waited for these answers.
The woman looked at him wide eyed "no." she reached for him in an attempt to touch him, but her hands would go though him and she would move away "She is flesh and blood, she bleeds like we do. The others died and because part of us, they ascended. She never died, she is only stronger." She said to him.
Dixon leaned back; reflexively, his hands came up to steady the woman, to comfort her by the shoulders, but to no avail...
"Please!" He begged, his eyes brimming with emotion that mirrored her urgency. "Who is? What can I do? ... Is there anything to do?" He began to wonder. Images of the goddess began to swim in the warming waters of his mind's pool, but he couldn't shake the feeling that... Yes. He began to notice some things now. "Your wings... You are... Different," he pointed out, gesturing toward her admittedly heavenly figure.
The woman looked at him sadly "you do not remember me" she whispered softly as she reached out to touch his face but instead she stood herself "Mother, should not be here, her being here is wrong it upsets the balance of things" she whispered to him "Agni....was never meant to survive this long, her wings should have turned red long ago but...." she stopped herself and shook her head, urgency coming back into her voice "She can not stay here"
She was going to touch him again. There was something in that look she held, that held her visage so perfectly in the snow for just an instant, that stunned the count in the most complete usage of the word. He froze.
Now his eyes reeled, pawing for purchase in hers as he reached for the yesterday she was so fervently holding onto. A feeling not unlike the warmth he felt at the sight of Agni when first he met the goddess permeated his being; though he did unconsciously chase it away with his mind's eye, the feeling of total affection overtook the core of the count, and he immediately rushed to her, doing his best to hold onto what he saw with glazed eyes.
"She... No," he began to tear up now. "Will you stay with me?" He felt her stinging loneliness in that moment, unable to fathom how he might have been strong enough to remove the goddess. "How? What should I do? We can't be alone... We can't be alone." Surely, he did not mean the country with this plural inclusive pronoun. His face sunk to the side.
The woman shook her head "She is not a god...not a true one, just an old being" she whispered as she looked at him sadly "She has been protecting her people for a year, the cold weakens her.... you will be able to send her back, I promise. Whatever happens it was meant to be" she said to him "You look so much like him.... I wonder why" she muttered, but then a dark shadow came, it passed though her and left a trail of ice on the ground. The woman shivered "One day i'll see you again" she whispered just before she vanished. The air around them would smell like winter, as if the god of the winter have come to collect.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx◆EC $800 ◆OutfitGown◆Location Home ◆Company Her boys ◆Mood Content ◆Out of crackersHope this is alright. If not please let me know...
Hearing her boys cry for only a moment before being hushed, Athena stepped out from the bathroom having finished cleaning some spit up from the floor earlier. Naturally it had grown colder duets the strange wind that had come up, but the maids had put on a fire to keep the room warmed as best they could. Of course she had made sure the boys were wrapped up warmly to keep them from getting sick, as per Sharlas instruction. When she came closer to her twins, she smiled warmly at them, leaving room for the spirit standing in front of them. "My little Leon and my little Arthur, you should both being sleeping." She cooed knowing full well they weren't going to sleep any time soon and purposely giving their names in case her late father wished to know them.
Kaiden just stood by his window as if he is looking out but his eyes were looking aimlessly at nothing then he lowers his head then he turns as he uses his hand to search for his warm cloak then he clips it on as he then heads toward the door as he opens it then he closes it. He was not sure on where he was going or what he plans to do but he just wanted to go out for a small walk.
As he continues to walk, childhood memories came to play since he and his siblings first played in the snow, he still wondered until this very day on what color was the snow and is the outside beautiful? he can only sigh at his unanswered questions.
" prepare money from my fund. If the storm doesnt get worse at first light we will give out 3 gold pieces per hour for every person that helps keep the roofs free of snow."his study was a mess of paperwork and his servants. One of them rushed of to do as he ordered as other brought him paperwork to sign. " anyone with an ability to control, produce or in some way affect effect or fire should be used to help burn the snow. Have the city guard. Prepare to get shovels from farmers if meed to we need to keep the roads as clear as possible once the sun comes up. Dont let them just pile the snow somewhere collect it in one place. How are our resevoirs? If they can hold more water melt the snow and begin purifying the water. Use barrels for the rest. Try to save as much as we can."
It took most of an hour to set everything up. He did not expect a blizzard to hit them this year. He was glad most of his staff was trained enough to act as his arms in most situations. He sent them away to send messages to the council members in any way they could. Tho most came back unable to. The morning would decide what he would do next. He sighed as he leaned into his chair. He felt a blistering headache begining to form.
He closed his eyes. Darkness, he gave himself to that almost empty feeling that lead to slumber in these busy days. The sound of the storm not a hindrence but a lulluby.
Thats when he heard it. The sound of a lgirl sobbing. Pangs of guilt hit his chest. He woke with a start. His hands trembling. " how kuch longer must i have such dreams"
Learning that one sister survive did not help him alliviate his guilt. He could not save his sister. He raised his head. Guilt in his eyes once more. But only for a second. As before his eyes he saw he wasnt alone in his study anymore
Sure as the sun set each night, the seasons too displayed the full range of their colors, from the warming green and orange of a skin bursting with optimism to the cooling, mellowing swirl of blue and white and brown of the deathly nap of Winter; and surer than this, for it was that sometimes these seasons were shuffled by some unseen hand, a party is born, comes to bear the fruit of fun memories and laughter, and, without ceremony--except maybe the fresh-livered poets--died.
Whether or not the spirit remained and was reborn in a new gathering, like the seasons, was irrelevant to Lord Titanus as he shuffled through the beginning flakes of this cold season to pick up the tables with the help. He insisted, for the record. Bernard looked tired; Dixon could help but smiling, knowing this would be the first night in a long time that the estate would be completely quite without his compulsory cleaning spooking all the charming little nightbirds. The others, making him resolve to hurry this chore along, were keeping themselves busy in his home. He meant to return as quickly as possible, to entertain them like a good host should, but...
"Sir?"
"Frogtoast!" Bernard waited with raised eyebrows; Dixon shook his head, dislodging some flakes that had taken a homestead there. "Ehm... Yes, well. You may rest, Bernard. I'll finish up here." Dixon seemed to wait and plead with his eyes the necessary amount to explain his request/command. Bernard, after a silent moment there populated by nothing but fractillic reflectivity, nodded and crunched a whisper from the snow as he went on. Dixon watched his sigh bend to the right as he turned to the visage of a woman he once promised to forget.
The wind howled and the darkness of the clouds overhead discouraged travel, even from those with the strongest wings. She gave little beyond a passing glance to the world outside, and soon enough her attention turned inward, to the council she held in council chambers, the room open to the advisors, the knights, and ever leaving the queen's chair open should she wish to join.
The conversation went well, as matters of great import were taken care of first and were taken care of and worked with. Resources that they had were still considered limited, and Youkimi continued to insist that the kingdom live frugally and within a limited budget, at least for the moment. Earnings they gained were moved back to the community, into encouraging local projects like education, guard training, farming and maintenance of orchards and the support of the local farms, and the artists moved to the new artist's capital.
When the meeting finished, they adjourned for a meal. She wouldn't be able to enjoy a walk in the courtyard today, because of the temperature, but perhaps that is for the best. She found herself in a hallway of the castle, pacing slowly as she debated trying again to interact with the queen. She wanted Ophelia to recover, but she worried greatly about her future. There were difficult topics to broach.... the declaration of an heir or successor to the throne, the fate of the kingdom, the goals of the kingdom, and... perhaps... somewhere in all of that, to know what would give the queen lasting peace. It was worrisome... Among many things to worry about.
However, passing in the hallway, a small group of talking servants walked by her. Calm except for a few mumbling complaints about the cold, they passed her by. Behind them, outside of their notice, she saw a form that she hadn't seen standing for over a year. There was ash and his appearance was somewhat disheveled, not unlike how he once came home from a battle in defense of the castle. But she knew his face anywhere. She couldn't hear him over the conversation of the servants. She couldn't tell what he said.
She needed to hear him.
Focused on this thought, she moved to cross the hallway quickly. She saw a tear. She moved around a servant, who when aware of her presence, startled and bowed apologetically. She assured him without thought as she focused on where her father had been standing. The word she thought she saw on his lips. What she thought she heard when she was close enough to hear.
"My lady?"
Why had he gone? Would he come back?
She trembled, but the reaction was lost in the robes and the coat on her shoulders. She was shielded by fabric and her back to the group kept them from seeing her confused astonishment. Was it real? Or was she beginning to see things?
"Pardon, everything is alright. I'm sorry to have startled you..."
Whatever the case.... the occurrence did teach her again how much she missed her father. Were that he were here now... How much there was to talk about. Or even to spend time in his company for an hour more...
She turned to reassure the servants and staff of the castle that everything was well. Then she turned again, but this time with more on her mind.
Azazel pushed the heavy doors open that lead to the throne room, the damned voice had been bugging him ever since it began. The Emperor leaned heavily on his cane, the flat top pressing against the tendons in his hand as he lifted the cane up and pushed forward with heavy uneven steps, his other hand held his robes together. His heavy breathing could be heard all around the large room. He listened to Apollion go off again. Azazel would wait a few seconds in order to see if he would say anything else, a vein in his neck pulsing in anger as he held his tongue "The Drosselmeyer name is only a name, what you call Filthy, Odorous and Unworthy comes from the shared ancestors we have" The Emperor said as he looked at his cousin, Apollion had been younger then he when he took the throne "What I did? I used the royal blood that runs though my veins to preserve the Lionis legacy, if it wasn't for me that Elba whore you took to wife would have destroyed a dynasty that lasted 200 years. At least with me here the blood still sits on the throne" Azazel said, thumping his chest and instantly regretting it as pain reverberated though his body and he had to grit his teeth and lean on his cane in order to keep himself from falling to his knees.
Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2017 11:36 am
river rocker
Evelyn watched the shape of a man she had come to respect and know well float though the overgrown gardens of the Bronzewell estate. She didn't want to go outside despite her admiration for the man, but as she dawned her cloak she knew she had to go out and meet with him. Evelyn sighed as she closed her eyes and walked out the servants door and into the garden, bowing her head to the man Welcome to the Bronzewell estate my lord" she said.
Dixon took one step back, not following through. He stood there as a statue with a staggered stance as he regarded the woman who felt so warm, so good, so mysterious, that he couldn't bear to run away from her cool stare. "Who?... Youkimi? Please, explain yourself." He took a step forward, trying his best to analyse her visage. "And... Just who are you?" Many other questions--from the help as well, coming to see their lord was now quite insane and leaving him for their own safety--but the count steeled himself for the moment and waited for these answers.
Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 12:34 pm
river rocker
Dixon leaned back; reflexively, his hands came up to steady the woman, to comfort her by the shoulders, but to no avail...
"Please!" He begged, his eyes brimming with emotion that mirrored her urgency. "Who is? What can I do? ... Is there anything to do?" He began to wonder. Images of the goddess began to swim in the warming waters of his mind's pool, but he couldn't shake the feeling that... Yes. He began to notice some things now. "Your wings... You are... Different," he pointed out, gesturing toward her admittedly heavenly figure.
The beautiful pale haired woman would have been beautiful as it seemed all women from the Bellrisian line would have been... but one wouldn't have to wonder how she would have looked as she had aged as her body had grown up to be queen but her soul had not. Stuck perpetually as a late teen, Kastara Malbara wandered around the Mayoral Estates with her head in her hands as she sobbed.
" prepare money from my fund. If the storm doesnt get worse at first light we will give out 3 gold pieces per hour for every person that helps keep the roofs free of snow."his study was a mess of paperwork and his servants. One of them rushed of to do as he ordered as other brought him paperwork to sign. " anyone with an ability to control, produce or in some way affect effect or fire should be used to help burn the snow. Have the city guard. Prepare to get shovels from farmers if meed to we need to keep the roads as clear as possible once the sun comes up. Dont let them just pile the snow somewhere collect it in one place. How are our resevoirs? If they can hold more water melt the snow and begin purifying the water. Use barrels for the rest. Try to save as much as we can."
It took most of an hour to set everything up. He did not expect a blizzard to hit them this year. He was glad most of his staff was trained enough to act as his arms in most situations. He sent them away to send messages to the council members in any way they could. Tho most came back unable to. The morning would decide what he would do next. He sighed as he leaned into his chair. He felt a blistering headache begining to form.
He closed his eyes. Darkness, he gave himself to that almost empty feeling that lead to slumber in these busy days. The sound of the storm not a hindrence but a lulluby.
Thats when he heard it. The sound of a lgirl sobbing. Pangs of guilt hit his chest. He woke with a start. His hands trembling. " how kuch longer must i have such dreams"
Learning that one sister survive did not help him alliviate his guilt. He could not save his sister. He raised his head. Guilt in his eyes once more. But only for a second. As before his eyes he saw he wasnt alone in his study anymore
His dead sister was sobbing.
Kastara looked up at him, her lips trembling as she tried to quell her tears, but alas she could not "Reyel... you're so old." she whispered but then looked away as she started to sob again "I'm so sorry..i couldn't save her, our little sister" she said as she started sobbing harder.
" yes i am. time is not kind to the living." he tried to rub the top of her head, to see if the image in front of him was real or if it was in his mind. " you saved her. i failed her. but what brings you hear from the lands of the shadows?" even as his felt his voice crack with emotion. he felt his brain work to calm him down. he felt tears welled in his eyes. Why woudl ANtari let the dead return
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx◆EC $800 ◆OutfitGown◆Location Home ◆Company Her boys ◆Mood Content ◆Out of crackers...
Athena gave her fathers spirit a small smile and nodded. "I knew you wouldn't have liked hearing of me falling for a so called traitor, but even you would not have swayed me otherwise dear father. I also know that you would have given the same punishment Aldon had, which is why I fully complied to it and stayed with in the castle grounds unless otherwise permitted." She replied in her usual soft tone while trying to fight back some tears. "I could never hate Aldon for what he did, it was fair and just. He's actually doing very well as king too. His first real act was to of course take a wife, and he chose Elentiya, who is making a good queen. Aldon is even a father now too and it suits him very well, so I think he'll do you proud." She said trying to keep herself sounding cheerful as she finally tried to place her hand over his and allowed a couple tears to fall. "I'm glad you are happy for me father, but I can't help missing you more and more as time passes. Especially now that I have the boys. I find myself wishing they would have the chance to see their grandfather at times, but I know you'll always be watching over us all and I'll have plenty of stories for when they're older."
It wasn't long after the servants left that she felt warmth around her heart. Though the contact was brief, and seemed to pass through her without doing more than leaving a slight chill on her nerves, she heard her father's voice again, but this time clear enough to make out a sentence She turned and saw him.
Tears came to her eyes as she reached for him, only to feel her arms collapse around nothing at all. He was there, she could hear him, and recognize his presence, but he was out of her reach. The hope that he had survived the eruption faded from her but was replaced simply with the acknowledgement of his presence and that he spoke with her.
With all that had happened, he was still proud of her? But she hadn't found a husband. In all this time, she was still unwed, and there was no sure heir to their lands, to guide their people should she fall. She did not watch Kaishin as closely as she should because of the time and effort she devoted to the whole of Ethe. He was still proud of her?
But then, this was her father. Could she doubt that he had been ignorant of her, even on the other side?
"Father," she straightened. Unable to wrap her arms around him, she folded her hands in front of herself. She tried to clear her eyes of tears. Could she believe this? "I missed you."
river rocker
Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2017 12:02 pm
Baroness Youkimi Kai
Was she alright?
Tears filled her eyes, and she blinked to keep them at bay. She lifted her hand to wipe away a stray tear from her own face, knowing that she couldn't wipe her father's tears. There was such relief and reassurance that came from him knowing he approved and supported her even if he wasn't always visible.
It almost seemed further proof that he worried about her. This job, the work she did, was indeed immense. It was a nation on the shoulders of one person, a weight that was painful without support of another. She was certain that this was another reason monarchs sought early to be married. Who among them could rule alone? The queen had been hurt deeply by all that had happened to her nation, and in the attempt to alleviate the pain to her people, she undertook more pain.
So was it too much?
"What else can be done?" Youkimi shook her head and her shoulders lifted slowly, reluctantly. "It is work that needs to be done, Father. Our queen has suffered so much for our nation, and there are none to support her. As long as is needed, here is where I will stay. What are my needs when compared to the whole of Ethe?"
She was going to touch him again. There was something in that look she held, that held her visage so perfectly in the snow for just an instant, that stunned the count in the most complete usage of the word. He froze.
Now his eyes reeled, pawing for purchase in hers as he reached for the yesterday she was so fervently holding onto. A feeling not unlike the warmth he felt at the sight of Agni when first he met the goddess permeated his being; though he did unconsciously chase it away with his mind's eye, the feeling of total affection overtook the core of the count, and he immediately rushed to her, doing his best to hold onto what he saw with glazed eyes.
"She... No," he began to tear up now. "Will you stay with me?" He felt her stinging loneliness in that moment, unable to fathom how he might have been strong enough to remove the goddess. "How? What should I do? We can't be alone... We can't be alone." Surely, he did not mean the country with this plural inclusive pronoun. His face sunk to the side.
