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 Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 11:13 am
She had heard a rumor. Of course she always heard rumors. But this rumor had importance to her. While relaxing next to her latest client, he mentioned something about the pretty butterfly a naga noble was taking care of. Her ice blue eyes continued to remain uninterested but her mind was already grinding out ideas of how to find out if this was her lost little friend. Jade had been so nice and almost like a naieve son to her. She hated to think something bad had happened. Initially she had blamed his father, but so far her sources had pointed to the more active Oni roaming the countryside.
Back at in her home she immediately set about preparing a trip to the Naga kingdom. She had a few contacts in the castle, people connected to the kingdom who also did spy jobs. Spys took care of their own in this line of work. Since they were only loyal to themseleves they didn't care if they pissed off one patron because they had plenty more to choose from. Once her invitation was set she headed off to the kingdom. She only hoped to find her little friend in safe arms.
Now she was there, the dark skinned woman was dressed in a light cloth outfit, similar to a belly dancer's. It was almost like the one she wore for Lord El Rey except it's color was golden, not red. She glanced about the elaborate water garden in hopes of catching a glimpse of the ginger haired prince. Back at Macy's party, she had seen the ill tempered Naga prince disappear with another dark skinned naga. No doubt he was his new lover and he had already forgotten about the lovely butterfly.
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 11:24 am
"Amber, why don't you go outside??" Galbriel asked, looking to the little butterfly he had rescued all those months ago. Jade looked up blearily, having been off in a haze of foggy, broken images that felt familiar and yet not so. He was sat before an open, window, legs folded under him as he watched the exotic plants and fountains dance a small meoldy of nature.
He stood up slowly, the white robe he wore modest and laced with light blue embroidery in the design on butterflies taking off from a collection of open flowers. Galbriel smiled as the butterfly slowly approached him, clinging a little to Galbriel as he always did, it was a thing he had picked up as Jade's way of gauging reassurance silently.
"are you alright?" he asked quietly, brushing a hand through the auburn curls that were starting to brush over Jade's shoulder. His hair had gotten a little longer, making him look even more like a female.
"yes, I was just remembering" Jade answered quietly, his hands clenching more tightly in the Naga's loose robe-top. Galbriel let his hand drift down to lay over Jade's hand.
"...any luck??"
"..no...i'm sorry"
"what are you aplogising for??" Galbriel asked, a little surprised by the butterfly's sorrowful tone.
"I'm a burden"
"no, you are not, now go out today. You've spent too many days cooped up in this stuffy study" Galbriel said gently, leading Jade out of the room and to one of the large side entrances that led to the water gardens. He untangled the Butterfly's hold on his shirt and pushed him gently into the garden, smiling reassuringly.
"I have many things to do today, I will see you at dinner"
"alright" Jade answered, used to Galbriel's responsibilities getting in the way of his social life. Jade watched the Naga slither back into the Castle before he slowly turned around to study the water gardens and walk around. It was quiet, save for the sound of rushing water and he was glad it was empty, he sat down on the edge of the central fountain and gazed in at the Koi fish swimming around in the deep pond-like depths of the water for a while, quiet and thinking once again.
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 11:30 am
For a bit, Calistina thought she had simply over reacted to the rumor of Jade's reappearance. She hadn't seen hide nor hair of him. Nor could she get into the Noble's room since she was unknown to him. So she continued walking around the garden. Then...she saw a familiar shade of ginger. As she slowly walked towards the person, she realized exactly who it was. Her face beamed in a smile but it quickly faded at the expression on his face. Jade didn't normally look so lost. She wondered if something had happened. Well, she would do what she normally did when she wasn't sure of someone.
The elegant yet sensual womaned walked towards the man in a calm and relaxed mannor. The little bells on her dress tinkled in a pretty tone and the scent of the oils he had bathed in made a soft aroma surround her. As she got closer to the butterfly she nodded at him with a smile. "A lovely day in the Naga Kingdom isn't it?"
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 11:38 am
Jade was watching a multicolored fish dart around the pond, not liking it because it reminded him as the Naga Galbriel had called Prince Illsaide. He didn't like the prince, because the prince made himn feel awful, as if his heart was about to shatter from pain and it confused him, it felt like he could die from emotions.
So lost in thought was he that he only looked up at the sound of bells when the woman had approached him almost completely. His blue and green eyes holding a look of confusion. His face no longer held the pride and sureness it once had, it had relaxed to an almost childlike look of submissive innocence.
"....." he looked down to the pond, unsure of what to say. Would Galbriel let him talk to a complete stranger?? She smelt nice and didn't look like she was harmful. His gaze full of questions once again looked up to her, a slow, unsure smile creeping onto his face. "...yes, as it always is" he answered gently.
"are you a noble?? I haven't seen you around before" he asked quietly, his head leaning against his folded arms that rested on the wide marble edge of the water fountain/koi pond.
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 11:44 am
"No, I am not a noble. I am the company of nobles. My name is Calistina, from the Court of the Goblin King." Her heart pained, the boy didn't recognize her. She remembered the days he would be so happy to see her. He would curl up against her while she brushed his hair and talked to him. She could always make him giggle. She keep her face bright and smiling despite the worry in her mind. "What is your name sweet one?"
She took a seat beside him, though not as close as she was use to. He looked so different from the bratty unsure prince he had once been. Perhaps whatever had happened would turn out to be a good thing. But she wouldn't reveal anything to him, at least not yet. The shock of sudden memories might be too much or he may not ever remember them again. Whatever the future held, it would be up to him.
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 11:52 am
"the Goblin King??" Jade asked quietly, a small curious smile on his face. This lady seemed nice and a little familiar, she felt like a mother. He couldn't remember if he even had a mother. He moved his right arm to brush a few curls away from his eyes, the slit sleeves revealing a long scar circling down his arm. The one he had recieved from the Oni's attacking him.
"Galbriel calls me Amber" Jade answered, shifting a little so he face Calistina more. He was opening up so quickly, but she felt so safe. "I can't remember my real name" he said quietly, looking a little upset by it. He was always wondering why he knew this place so well, why he knew where one specific bedroom was and why he knew where Illsaide's was. He ended up wandering around the palace late at night and always managed to end up in that hallway that bedroom and the Prince's room were located in.
"are you here to see Galbriel?? He said he was expecting a visitor" Jade asked, a hand daintily dipping into the clear water of the koi pond, watching the fish scatter from it.
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 11:59 am
"Oh yes, the Goblin King. Fluffy haired man with two colored eyes. Quite a grumple puss when he's in a bad mood." She winked with a smile, like she always did to Jade when she wanted to make him smile. When he introduced himself and said he couldn't remember his name, she realized poor Jade had lost his memory. But his emotional attachment to people still seemed intact as he opened up to her. At least she could still be some use to him.
"Ah, well then it is a pleasure to meet you Amber. And yes, I am here to see Galbriel. But my dear boy what happened to your arm?" She was very alarmed to see the injury to Jade. She took his arm in her gentle hands and examined it. It seemed well taken care of healing just fine. Well, at least whom ever this Galbriel was he was taking good care of Jade. She was lieing of course about being the one he sent for, but she had to find a way into see him. She needed to tell him exactly who Jade was.
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 12:10 pm
Jade's smile grew at Calistina's description of the goblin king and the wink just made his smile broader. She was fun and still felt familiar, accompanied by the hazy remembrance of a hot day in an airy room and hearing voices from behind a curtain. Why couldn't he remember?? Even after so long??
"The Oni did this to me, I remember waking up and not knowing how I got there...but they were surrounding me...and something was dead next to me..." he answered, his mood dampening. He couldn't remember the exact images, so it wasn't quite as disturbing to him as it could have been. But still, he didn't like thinking about it. He reluctantly pulled away from her nursing touch, standing up and dusted his robes down from invisible dust.
"I'll take you to him, he should be in his study" Jade answered with a smile, holding a hand out to Calistina. Galbriel wouldn't be mad, if Calistina was already invited to see him.
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 12:15 pm
So, it was an Oni attack. She would have to report their increased activities to Jareth incase they started appearing in the Labyrinth. But his smile was still so pretty. When he stood to offer his hand, she also stood gracefully and placed her hand in his. "I thank you. Just lead me to the study and I will go talk to him myself. You would be horribly bored with our conversation. Politics and what not." She rolled her eyes as if to emphisize the boring part then smiled at him. Her other hand came up to tuck a lock of ginger hair behind his head. "Lets go shall we?"
She had to talk to this man, find out what happened and how the Oni had attacked. Information was key in preventing more attacks. But she also had to inform Galbriel he was currently in possession of a prince. Of course she wouldn't reveal anything about the arranged marriage he had with Prince Illsaide. She was already formulating a plan to keep Jade in this other man's care until she saw fit to move him elsewhere. After all, if he was safe and happy with him, she'd prefer he never remember his past life.
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 12:29 pm
Jade kept the smile on his face, still feeling like he was in the presence of a mother. He sorely just wanted to curl up in this feeling and never leave, but he had to. After all, she wasn't here for him, she was here for Galbriel. He vaguely wondered if that meant Galbriel would be working all night again, it always got terribly lonely when the Naga did. Even when he had been offered his own room, Jade had refused and stayed in Galbriel's and slept in the same bed as the Naga, even after a bed had been brought in for the Butterfly.
"yes" Jade answered in a merry little tone as he led Calistina back through the water gardens and into the castle. He walked a familiar route, up a spiral staircase and then along a hallway, pausing briefly to see if Galbriel was in his bedroom before moving a few doors along and stopped outside another door. At this one he knocked gently and waited.
"enter" came the light, formal tone and Jade pushed the door open. Leading Calistina inside and sent a smile at Galbriel, who looked a little puzzled.
"Calistina says she's the envoy you were expecting" Jade explained, walking over to the desk to lean down at cuddle the Naga sat behind the desk. Galbriel stroked a hand through Jade's hair with a smile.
"ah, I see. I was just about to search you out, lunch is ready. Why don't you go and eat lunch and then i'll let you into the library later?" Galbriel said more than suggested and Jade nodded, letting the Naga go and leaving the room. Galbriel sent a smile to Calistina before motioning to the chair set before his desk.
"sit, we have much to discuss" he said politely.
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 12:34 pm
Calistina smiled polietely at the Naga, Jade seemed to trust him and he also seemed to be a nice caretaker. He obviously had some affection for the butterfly. But still, he had to be told. She waited until Jade had left the room before taking a seat. She looked quite serious. "As flattered as I am, Lord Galbriel I'm afraid I have mislead the boy a bit. While I am from the Goblin Kingdom court I am not the envoy you were waitng for. But it is very important that I talk to you about your little charge, Amber as you call him. As I know for a fact that is not his real name."
She crossed her dark brown legs and looked him in the eye. "But I will express my gratefulness that such a nice man has taken care of my little friend. I was very worried when he disappeared."
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 12:42 pm
Galbriel returned the smile he was given, moving the scrolls he had been reviewing, into a draw in his desk. He locked said drawer and then turned his full attention to the exotic woman sat before him. His pale brown gaze serious. He had been mislead?? He wearily passed a tanned hand through his long honey-brown hair and waited for an explanation, his hand avoiding the silver horns that curled at the side of his head, much like that of a Ram's.
"I am well aware of Amber's lack of past, I found him wandering the borders of the Naga kingdom deliriously. He was badly injured and fatigued" Galbriel explained, his chin propped on his hands as he studied the female before him. She was unusual herself, a mystery. "It makes me wonder, how he's only been searched for after nearly four months in my care." Galbriel said gently, a little on edge. He wouldn't know how he would take it if she insisted he part with the butterfly he had grown overly fond of. It wasn't love, it was fondness and a need to protect, a family-type love that the Naga and the Butterfly shared.
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 1:01 pm
"Well, a search is hardly warrented when the person is assumed to be dead. Or at least that is what is pig of a father has told everyone. But I didn't believe it for a second. I've kept an ear out for any information that might lead me to find the sweet butterfly. Again, I am grateful you took him in and cared for him. He can be so delicate sometimes." Exotic as ever, she moved a pale white strand of hair behind her pointed ear. She observed his behavior with a trained ice blue eye. Her years of court life had given her the ability to read someone's actions to tell their state of mine. He was nervous that she was here and that she knew who Jade was. She had to discover his feelings for the butterfly as well as how much Jade remembered.
"His name is Jade. But I must admit Amber seems far pretty for him. Tell me, what does he remember of his past?" She raised a long dark finger to her cheek as she reguarded him thoughtfully. She was only glad the butterfly had left the room. This would all be such a shock to him.
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 1:39 pm
"....dead......??" Galbriel asked, a look of genuine shock flashing across his face. Jade had been presumed dead?? He paused, going silent and lowering his gaze a little in thought. Even so, this was a bad situation. But regardless, he wasn't going to abandon Jade.
"this seems......trying" Galbriel said quietly, still looking a little shocked. "his father...does not care for him??" he asked carefully, his gaze flicking to Calistina.
He knew it would be hard not to call him Amber, would the little butterfly even remember that name?? He sighed and leaned back in his chair. " he does not remember anything, though he hates to see Prince Illsaide, he always bursts into tears and complains about his heart when he does" Galbriel was worried about that specifically, it meant he had been in contact with the prince beforehand. He was just not in a hurry to bring it up with the royal.
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 1:47 pm
"His father views him as property to with as he pleases, as all kings see their second son. Her face was completely serious as she explained Jade's royal heritage. "His elder brother is the heir to the throne so Jade is far less important. When Jade disappeared the king wrote him off for dead and left. His mother was heart broken and I was rightly upset at his father for never making an effort to find him." She stood and walked over to sit closer to him. "I know it is trying to hear, but I had to make sure you understood exactly who you were caring for. It wouldn't do you very much good if they accused you of being the one who took him. Think of this is a form of protection for both yourself and Jade. I'm a well connected in many kingdoms so if anything were to happen I can help you."
When Prince Illsaide was mentioned, she frowned. "The two princes....were once friends, but there was a very large falling out so I can see why Jade would still feel such emotional upheval seeing him. It would be best you didn't tell the Prince he is here. She sighed abit, collecting her thoughts before continuing. "But don't think for a minute I'm going to tell Jade any of this. It would be far too much a shock for him. Jade was like a son to me, I wanted only the best for him and I still do. And right now, the best seems to be right here with you.
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