Ardea awoke on his bedroom floor, the last of the chalk markings he had made for his summoning spell smeared across his clothing. He sat up slowly, still feeling weary from the intense use of magic, and brushed his fingers through his hair a little.
Outside, it was light, but the Heron had no recollection of what time of day it was. When he could bring himself to stand after a few moments, he walked stiffly over to his window, and worked on getting a kink out of his shoulder as he peered out."Master...?"
The feathers on Ardea's shoulders stood erect for a moment as the scribe peered around them, and at the bat on his floor that was just starting to wake up. Right, Ink could talk....
"How do you feel?" he asked as he walked over to kneel beside his familiar."Alive, I suppose?" Ink replied, flipping over onto all fours.
"A good way to put it" Ardea said with a shrug, observing that the scent of the incense still seemed to linger quite strongly in his feathers and hair.
He held his hand out for Ink to climb onto, wondering if that would be the best way to pick up the bat. "I need some fresh air, though. I wonder how the garden looks now, and if anyone would tell us what time it is...."Ink climbed carefully onto Ardea's palm, and the scribe shuffled tiredly down to the castle garden.
Rosa was sitting out in the courtyard by the fountain. She was enjoying the fresh air as well as the smell of the flowers around her. Dipping her fingers into the cool water she smiles then sighs. Glancing up she shook her head "
I was foolish to think about coming out here. No one would be around this early in the morning." her hair that was normally up fell around her face. With a small laugh she pushed her bangs from her face.
She mostly came outside in hopes all the bad feeling she felt would be lifted away from her. Brushing her hands lightly over her dark red velvet dress she sat back just looking up at the sky. Why even in a beautiful place such as the court yard she felt on edge.
Ardea rose a hand to his mouth to conseal a yawn, and Ink took the opportunity to jump from the Fey's hand to his shoulder, and then to crawl into his hair. Ignoring the bit of tugging from the creature, the Heron figured it was as good a place as any. He stood still a moment until Ink had stopped moving, and then he pushed open the wooden door that lead out to the garden.
Once outside, the scribe knitted his fingers together and stretched his arms out in front of himself, rotating his shoulders a little to help get rid of the last of the cramping that he had gotten from falling asleep on the floor. He took several more steps out into the garden before he noticed another Fey.
.... Curses, he was so unfamiliar with so many of them, and of course now he would have trouble recalling names. Oh well, there was always the chance she would not see him, and if she did, Ardea supposed it would not kill him to interact a little.Rosa had been to busy just looking up at the sky to hear the wooden door open. She was humming to herself also, so that to was distracting her. Sniffing the air she wrinkles up her nose as she looked around. What had a strange smell that didn't belong in the court yard.
Tilting her head as she spotted the other fey walking into the courtyard. He wasn't someone she knew, and he didn't look like anyone she knew that might have grown. Sitting up she pushed her hair over her shoulder, she wasn't really sure how to go about this.
She curse herself for hiding away for so long, she use to be so good at greeting her fellow fey. But now she was slightly unsure of herself. Pushing the bad thoughts aside she smiles alittle waving to him "
You just going to stand there? You welcome to sit with me if you like." she laughs alittle then looked back at the water.
As he was addressed, Ardea tensed like a child caught with one hand in the cookie jar. Then he quickly plastered a more diplomatic expression across his features, and approached the woman.
"Thank you for the kind offer, but I think I shall stand a while," he told her as he stopped nearby. Ardea watched her for a minute, then glanced off at the trees around them. "What time is it now, by the way?" the Heron then asked, hoping he did not sound too confused. "I have been lost in magic and books, and managed to completely lose track of the time."For now, Ink decided to remain hidden in Ardea's hair. He could easily cling on in the back, and listen of course, while easily staying under one of his master's head wings.
Rosa simply nodded then relaxed once more, her fingers moving though the water slowly. Looking up as the young man spoke to her once more she gave a soft smile "
Early morning, the sun has yet to fully rise into the sky." glancing up at the sky she pauses before looking looking back at him "
As far as time, forgive me but I do not know. I've been out here for alittle awhile." with a small nod she watches him for a moment "
Forgive me again, but I can't seem to recall who you might be."
She nods her head alittle as she didn't want to stand at this point. She was enjoying the peace around her too much to stand. "
May I get your name sir? Or is a lady not allowed it?" she laughs alittle. Even after locking herself away for a long time she knew how to keep a conversation and be nice in her own way.
The Heron nodded slowly as he peered up at the clouds, and the pink tones of sunlight that were stretching across them. Well, even if he did not prefer to be up quite this early, he was still an early riser. And the magic had not thrown off his schedule of regular sleep by much.
"My name is Ardea," the Fey said with a bow that looked slightly stiff. Since she thankfully had required an introduction from him, Ardea figured it would not be unacceptable to ask, "May I know your name as well, my lady?"Rosa smiles then standing only because she knew it was the proper thing to do she curties as she speaks softly "
Rosa, and its a pleasure to meet you Ardea." standing gracefully back up she brushes her dress off then looks up at him "
Why haven't I seen you around the castle, if you don't mind me asking?"
She folded her hands in front of her going back to being very lady like. This was a change from being all alone. It also gave her a chance to work up the courage to venture out of her room in hopes of finding those she knew.
Ardea frowned and was quiet for a moment before telling her quietly, "I spent much time until just recently hidden away in my quarters. I wish to say no more on it, aside from that it grew to make me ill, and so I decided I should venture out again."
He sighed a little, his shoulder feathers rustling again, and forced a faint smile. "I am out and about more now, though. Work to do for His Majesty, and such."Rosa nods then gives him a small smiles "
It seems we have something in common then. I to have kept myself locked away within my chambers. It wasn't until the king called us together that I venture out." falling quiet she thinks about that night then shakes her head banishing the memories for now.
Looking back up she nods "
Yes work for the king. I should find my sister and discuss things over with her. I'm not being a good countess it seems. I haven't been in contact with many anymore." giving a small sigh she tilts her head to the side "
Its a nice day to venture out though, its very peaceful. It might do us both good that many are not here. I for one am not sure it I can face my friends as of yet."
"I left not long before that, but I still feel as though I should have done so sooner, considering all that has happened." Ardea, too, chose not to think about the odd night when they were summoned by King Cervus.
"Today does seem like a nice day, though, so perhaps I could stand to do some reading in the out of doors," he continued, crossing his arms. 'Venturing out' would be saved for a few days hence, when he would go out to meet with Feles in the woods again. "As for meeting other folk, perhaps a bit of conversation would be nice."
Ardea turned his gaze back to Rosa and asked after a moment, "Who is your sister, by the way?" He thought through the rather limited list of fellow Sun Court members he knew, wondering if he had met the countess's sibbling yet.Rosa looked over the courtyard thinking of her sister as Ardea asked her about Filix. She hadn't seen her sister other then the gathering, she didn't speak to her either while the gathering was going on. Looking up she seem to be thinking things over before she spoke "
Filix, she my older sister. Like me she is also a Countess, although the last time I saw her I believe I wanted to be a Countess more then she did." with a small shake of her head she sigh.
Waving her hand in the air she laughs "
But that is a topic I do not wish to dwell in. It is a sore spot for me." pushing her hand carefully through her hair she smiles to him "
So what is your title Ardea? From the way you talk about spell, magic, and books. I would gather you are a scholar or something along those lines."
"I am the scribe of the Sun Court," he declared, though inside he was dearly hoping she did not think poorly of his pursuits. If she and her sister both were noble women of the court, then she probably easily had numerous other, loftier things she could be doing than chatting with the court papermonkey.
Shifting his weight to the other foot, Ardea brushed his fingers through his hair. He suddenly felt rather insufficient, and, on top of that, lacked ideas with regards to prolonging the conversation.Ink squirmed a little in Ardea's hair as the Heron played with it nervously, and after a moment, the bat ventured to go ahead and peek his nose out from under the Fey's wing ear. Maybe he could see who his master was talking to?
Rosa smiles then nods "
A scribe, a worthy position. You help the king as I help my queen. I think I have learned one thing from my dear sister as well as my friends. It doesn't matter the position your have in the end we all are equal if we wish to keep this kingdom from falling." with a nod she takes a seat back on the edge of the fountain. Running her fingers though the water again she looks back up to speak to Ardea again but she seem to fall silent.
Her eyes fell upon the small nose that was peeking out from Ardea's wing ear. Tilting her head she stood "
What is that?" she pointed toward the wing ear. She took a small step toward Ardea only because she was slightly curious.
Ardea smiled faintly in response, a bit unsure of what to say. Because that model did still account for positions, did it not...?
His musings on social structure were cut short as Rosa stepped closer to him. Instinctively, he started to step back, but forced himself to stop. "Oh, the bat?" the Fey asked, having nearly forgotten about the small creature. "His name is Ink. I just summoned him yesterday, to be my familiar. I figured I would need a companion if ever I need to venture into the woods, since His Majesty instructed us not to go alone."Having been discovered, the bat crept down onto his master's shoulder and peered more carefully at Rosa with round, curious eyes.
Rosa took a step back herself when the bat fully appeared. She wasn't one to go near creature that weren't in her eyes beautiful. Looking down at the small creature she smiles alittle "
Yes he would make a good companion when traveling in the woods."
She then did something that wasn't something she would normally do. Holding her hand out toward the bat she smiles "
Its also a pleasure to meet you Ink." with a smile she nods to Ardea "
You must be a powerful scribe, and for that I am glad I have met you." looking back at Ink she watches the bat, her hair fell around her face hiding it alittle.
"Powerful?" The Heron laughed a little and shook his head. "Even if I knew how to weild blades, I likely could never lift one. I know spells, but I have seen no battle, so I know not if I could cast them to protect this castle if necessary. I have no majestic beasts or fearsome spirits under my command."Ink turned his head away from Rosa to glance at his master.
Ardea rubbed the bridge of his nose with two fingers, closing his eyes as he laughed again like nothing was funny. When he opened his eyes again, the Heron only glanced at Rosa for a fraction of a second before turning his gaze away.
"I apologize for the outburst, my lady. I must be more weary from spellcasting than I thought. I should return to my room and rest."Rosa nods then smiles "
Its alright Ardea, trust me I have had many outburst myself, and I have also seen many. But you are right, you need rest. So do not let me be the one to stop you from it." taking a step back she curties "
Maybe sometimes soon we will cross path again." standing up again she looks at the fountain then back at Ardea "
So I will bid you a good day for now."
Figuring he had made enough of a fool of himself, Ardea bowed to the countess. "My apologies once again," he murmured. "Good day."
The Fey turned and headed back to the door, sighing. Well, that had been going well until he started to get nervous. ... Which was, admittedly, just about right away. Maybe he should just stay in the library or his room and avoid converation.As Ardea walked back to the doorway, Ink fluttered from his shoulder halfway back to Rosa, as though to say goodbye. Then he returned to cling in the scribe's hair as he let himself back into the castle.
Rosa smiles waving slightly to the bat before she turned to look back at the water. It seem to be going well. Sighing she shook her head taking a seat on the edge once more "
I always seem to mess up." pushing her hair from her face she just watched the water as she thought things over.
After a few minutes she stood brushing her dress off before she walked back towards the castle. She wasn't going to lock herself away, she made herself promise she wouldn't. She was however going to think about today.
