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 Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 5:57 am
Jade was sat in the summer room of the palace, still in the Naga kingdom since the kingdom's had decided to form a treaty. His beautiful detailed wings lay spread out as he stared boredly through the window, feeling the warm breeze hit his skin, making him uncomfortably hot. He was just enjoying the quiet now, away from fussy nobles and Nagas and Mongooses, though he knew they could burst in and wreck his peace at anytime.
His mis-matched gaze settled on the water gardens, blue-green curious as he watched his mother walking through the gardens with the a Naga noble he did noot know. They had settled in without fuss, he didn't want to be stuck here. He had reluctantly come to a descision over things, he was slowly becoming infatuated with the Naga Prince and it did not quite sit well. He had never imagined settling down with another man as a life partner and he knew, throughout the time he has been in Illsaide's company, he stuck around him just to make sure he wasn't with someone else.
The bead-embroided drapes covering the doorway, tinkled as they hit other beads, allowing the tall Dark Pegasus into the room. The court Mage of the Butterfly Kingdom and Jade's personal servant.
"my prince" he said quietly, bowing. Jade looked up at him, evidently a little perplexed over why Calentze was here and not in the Goblin Kingdom, as he had agreed to go to barely days before Jade left for the Naga Kingdom.
"why are you here Calentze??" he asked quietly, turning his gaze back to the water gardens, his mother and her companion had disappeared.
"the news of your wedding travels fast, I was worried for your happiness" he answered, eyes trained on the feminine prince perched on numerous ammount of ben bags and oversized pillows.
"I'm fine" Jade answered, eyes trailing down to the ring he had been ordered to wear to signify his engagement to Illsaide. A gold band with 5 rubies set into it, one for each of the powers in a relationship. Forgiveness, Loyalty, Adoration, Caring and Giving. Would Illsaide be able to keep those commitments aswell??
"if you are sure, I must go and find the King" Calentze answere levelly, bowing, before he went back through the door, leaving Jade to gaze down at the ring thoughtfully.
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 8:59 am
"Such a sad face for one supposidly preparing his wedding chambers."
A gentle voice, though quite familiar to Jade, wafted through the room as a dark skinned elven woman walked in. She had recieved a letter from the forlorn butterfly and had agreed to keep him company for awhile. With the Goblin King gone there wasn't much fun to be had in her own court so why not visit another.
The seductive woman smiled at the boy and bowed.
"I recieved your letter, Lord Jade and I am here to keep you company as you requested."
Calistina had come for more reasons than bordom and Jade's request. She came because she thought she could get some imformation. A new court meant new eyes and new targets. Who knows, perhaps this prince would have need of her......services....
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 10:22 am
Jade turned his head slowly, short auburn curls bouncing around his soft face as he did so. He had only sent that message out two days prior, Calistina must have left just after she recieved it. He sat up more, blue silk clothes fallign gracefully around him as he perched on the gold trim, over-sized pillows.
"Lady Calistina, it has been a while" he answered, forcing back at scowl at her previous words. "even when it could turn out to be frivolous and unloving??" he asked, he had told Illsaide offishly that he feared marrying him, because of the risk of having an uncaring marriage. But he had not told anyone so bluntly.
"would you care for a seat?? standing around too long in this desert-like heat can make on dizzy" he said quietly, motioning to a large pillow atop a pile of many other pillows, just across from him.
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 10:37 am
"Ahh, the poor butterfly is unhappy with his perch I see. Marriage is a strange thing, I shall never understand its real purpose." The graceful lady settled down upon a pillow near the young boy, the blood red folds of her dress splaying out across the other pillows. She took out a fan to keep herself cool. Dark skin didn't help with heat exhaustion. She also pulled her long white hair back to allow for any breeze across her neck.
"Is this why you asked for my company? To speak a bit more honestly about your feelings on the union. I dare say I was surprised to suddenly hear whispers of the impending nuptuals of the Butterfly Price and the Naga Prince." Ice blue eyes looked at the unhappy prince and wondered just what he expected of his serpentine husband.
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 10:56 am
"it must be nice, flitting from man to man" Jade answered icily, if she was only going to say how much she was glad to not be married, he'd honestly lose his temper. All he had heard since the engagement was announced, was everyone saying how lucky he was to marry the handsome Naga Prince and how he might even be able to halt his wild ways. Jade had already heard enough of Illsaide's perverted activities, he had heard enough of them in motion aswell. He was in a room next to the Naga Prince, until the noise got too much and he requested he be moved.
"I needed, someone who I know to be near me, I trust you enough, Lady Calistina" Jade paused, so everyone knew?? he wouldn't be able to back oput. He wasn;'t even entertaining the thought, he was elated he was marrying Illsaide because he had admitted his thoughts of the Naga Prince too him, he was starting to LOVE Illsaide. "ah, this palace is full of gossips it seems..Illsaide...entertains many lovers...I am afraid, he will still do so during marriage"
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 11:05 am
"Ah but my flitting is only work, dear Jade. Nothing more. I am honored you trust me so, not many have such a high opinion of me." She fanned herself gently, looking the place over while the boy spoke his mind. She knew from experience the less you talked the more others tended to fill in the silence. So he was afraid his husband would be unfaithful.
"Gossip is part of the very mortar of any palace my dear prince." She thought softly for a moment then looked to the ginger haired boy again. "Well if he should be so bold as the entertain others in his marriage bed then why shouldn't you? Perhaps you should find a nice boy or girl who could entertain you whilst he is slaking his own desires. It seems only fair to me. But I suppose you are more....traditional...than most and believe in keeping true to your marriage vows."
She reached over and brushed some hair from the butterfly's eyes. "Has the Prince told you he will keep to his ways or does he make some sort of promise to rein in his lust and reserve it for you?"
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 11:37 am
"people keeping to such haungty views, usually have something to hide themselves" Jade answered his rpaise sternly, his father was the same. Always putting others down for their ways, but when it came to his ways with all his lovers behind his wifes back, he saw no wrong.
"gossip mongers should keep their nose out of people's business, they'll lose their large noses if they're caught out" Jade answered, blinking and instantly shaking his head at her suggestion. He could never do such a thing!! Marriage was an enternal bond between two people, it was not to be severed or weakened by others. " I could never do such a thing.." he answered shifting his legs so they were bent infront of him, he wrapped his arms around them and rested his chin on his knees, looking at Calistina. "...not to Illsaide..or anyone" he said softly.
"he stopped....because I said i'd give him a chance if he did...and then this happened, what if he decides he has me and can have others aswell, he doesn't talk about himself..I don't know" Jade said, sounding rather anguished, as a look to match his tone pressed to his features, his brow creasing in worry and sadness.
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 11:46 am
Calistina smiled a knowing smile. Her age, far older than most, gave her much experience as she viewed the goings on of the royalty. She placed a hand on the boy's shoulder "Well if you give in so easily and say he has you he just might. No one can truly keep you here, Lord Jade. Not even the Goblin King could force his ward to stay. He escaped many times, and is now off roaming the seas with a man he cares about."
Calistina well remembered the Goblin King's ire at finding Macy gone and with pirates no less. She had felt the same when her own son had disappeared. At least he wasn't pregnant or a father. "Who's to stop you from taking a trip before your nuptuals? If you promise to be back in time for the ceremony what can they say? It would be a true test of your betrothed. The one he is suppose to be loyal too gone with no one to report his antics."
She shifted herself closer to the boy, more of the mother in her coming out as she saw how unhappy the boy was. "If the man doesn't speak of himself then you must force him to talk to you. From what I've observed, no marriage can survive the two do not converse. Maybe you could both take a trip, one that would allow you both some freedom from this rather depressing place and would allow you to get to know each other without royal interferance."
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 2:45 pm
Jade was silently glad he had asked Calistina to come and see him, she was a big support to him right now, he was definately going to become closer to the elf. He knew he could just go, but a part of him just didn't want the fuss and an even bigger part had grown to find a sort of home in the Naga Kingdom. He just wouldnt know what to do alone.
"I know that" he answered softly, mismatched gaze drifting down to settle on the blue silk of his kimono-style gown, though it minused any sleeves and was a strapless dress. He thought over Calistina's words, maybe a trip alone would be a good idea. He could go to one of the other kingdoms, or even to one of the retreat palace's the Royal Family had scattered across the Butterfly Kingdom.
"....I'll try, I should stop being such a brat to him.." he answered, gaze shifting to watching Calistina quietly, smiling a little at her. "our parents....would never agree.." he answered, they'd be afraid one would get cold feet and run off without the other.
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 3:07 pm
The smile that graced the elven woman's features this time was a lot more mischivious than motherly. "Oh leave that to me my dear boy, Lady Calistina has a few tricks up her sleeves. How about this. I own a home outside of the Labyrinth. I stay there when court isn't in session and I need some peace and quiet. Its even near the opening to the Surface World."
She was proud of her home, after years of work she had made it custom built just for her and her son. Now it was empty save when she was there. It was no mansion but it was a very impressive home with at least six bedrooms, four bathrooms, a large kitchen and dinning room, and a large comphy living room. "Why don't you and Illsaide come stay with me for a bit. At least until things calm down here. I have my ways and I believe both sets of parents will allow you two to stay with me. It is a very large house and I never bring my work home with me. In fact I'm currently court training a young fae so I'm sure she would love some advice from someone else of the courtly type. And you and your husband-to-be can get to know each in a more.....relaxed....setting."
She smoothed out the folds of her dress then took up a brush from a near by pillow. She began to brush Jade's ginger hair in a soothing way. "I do not keep servants so it will be up to you both to learn to take care of yourselves. Perhaps you can even learn a few things about each other by having to help one another. How does that sound?"
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 3:35 pm
Jade giggled a little at Calistina, she sounded like one of those Gypsy healers or fortune tellers. The house sounded nice and with no servants, there would be no gossip, just quiet and having to rely on one another. He didn't know if Illsaide could cook, he could certainly give it a shot. "it sounds lovely" he said with a smile, brushing a few stray strands of curled, orange hair away from his eyes.
"I'd love to...hopefully Illsaide will aswell" Jade answered, he was really being cheered up, with the prospect of a cooler environment and leaving all the stress and fuss of the kingdoms behind for a few days, he decided that even if Illsaide would not go, he would, just to level his head a little. "yes...I should really learn more about Illsaide..."
Jade closed his eyes and tilted his head back a little, enjoying the attention the elf woman was giving his hair. He had always loved his hair brushed, it was one way his mother and brother used to calm him down or make him sleepy. "it sounds wonderful" he said softly, eyes fluttering closed as he relaxed. Calistina suddenly felt like a second mother.
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 3:41 pm
The woman continued to brush his hair and talk. She could tell the boy was relaxing more and was much happier at the idea of getting away from the headache of royal life. "Then I will speak to both your parents and Illsaide's as well. I want you both to come, to learn how real couples live together. You will both depend on each other to do the every day activities such as cooking and cleaning. I'll be there of course to help you, but I think you will both discover more about each other and about yourselves when all you have is each other."
Once she was done she set the brush down and smiled brightly at him with a warm motherly smile. Her arms wrapped around him in a soft hug. "You won't have to clean the whole house though. I have a few people come in once a week to do the main cleaning but I think you two will discover the simple joys of being self sufficiant. I also have a lovely garden I tend to myself. My young student, Julianna is such a dear. She's a Faery, not fully grown yet either. And of course, my rogue of son might drop by to say hello. Just ignore him if he gets a bit too course for you. A rather bad side effect from his choosen profession."
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 4:57 pm
Jade yawned softly, having his hair brushed always tired him, relaxing him so much that he felt sleepy. He listened to Calistina silently, leaning back against her as he did so, he was really relaxed now. His eyes closed and his mood brighter.
"daddy...will say no..." he murmured, knowing what his father was like. 'Jade must not lift a finger!!' or 'absolutely not! he needs to be protected and served!' were most likely something he'd bring up. "I hope so, I like Illsaide" Jade answered sleepily, cracking his eyes open to stare out the window.
Jade sat up once the brush was set down, smiling at Calistina as she pulled him into a soft hug. He hugged her back, she was helping out immensely. "well that makes things easier...but forgive me if I do get bratty...I've never even learnt how to ride a horse.." he answered, which was true. His ather had said it was too rough a activity for him. He was wondering if his father saw him as a replacement to his missing older sister Gabreal.
"a pirate??" he asked, knowing how rowdy and brass they could get/
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 5:54 pm
"What your father doesn't know won't hurt him. I just won't tell him I have no servants. Considering the splendor in which I will describe my home, he'll think I'm well cared for. But you will learn what it is like to be independant. Besides, it will be good for you and Illisaide. Perhaps make you both better rulers as you and your spouse will know the trials and tribulations of your subjects." She giggled mischiviously and smirked as the boy asked of her son.
"Yes yes, a pirate. I often wonder where I went wrong. But he is happy with his life so I suppose a mother shouldn't worry. But I do. He was so handsome once, I dare say he'd charm you right out of your pants. But now, he's missing an eye, has a shark bite on his shoulder, and various other scars all over his body. He even got a dreadful tattoo. Hardly what I had planned for my boy." Calistina smiled down at him, she knew this would intrigue him even further. The ability to talk to whomever he chose, even someone his father would normally never approve of him consorting with. Maybe she could even use her son's charm to help out the butterfly.
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Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 7:53 am
"I guess so,father was never big on the whole 'do it yourself' thing" Jade answered, though he was the same, his gaze moved to stare at the lush water gardens outside and he found himself wondering how such a place could exist in this desert-like kingdom. "let's just hope, we don't accidentally set the kitchen on fire" he said, smiling a little at the thought of Illsaide flailing around.
"not likely, I have to protect myself" Jade said softly, at her comment about her son's charms. In his klingdom, he had to stay pure for his beloved, or take the place as a guardian over woodlands or selected creatures. As the prince, it was his duty to remain a virgin until he wed and his husband claimed it. It sealed the bond of marriage, like a pact or contract between them. "such injuries!! he must stilll have his mothers unique beauty though!!"
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