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Post by Omni on Jul 28, 2014 0:14:01 GMT -5
Orrin was a bit surprised when the elf started laughing. At least as far as surprises go, this was a pretty good one. "Sorry, sorry, the elf said, dropping his formal speech. "It's just that you are the third person to ask me that question in as many days. Aye, I know Morgaine very well indeed; she is my mother. And apparently she has been making a good many friends for herself in this city!"Orrin chuckled. "For the sake of fairness, she mentioned you and suggested that we meet. I suppose we simply beat her to the punch!" The elf grinned at him sheepishly. "Sir Sieg Braham is my name. I do hope you can forgive me if I came across as overeager to make a fuss with the Courdonians. Certainly I should not think to do anything so foolish as to confront them, that would be suicidal and a diplomatic disaster besides. But if at all possible I would rather avoid further ugliness such as we witnessed in the square yesterday." He paused. "I'm afraid I have my oaths to the elves of Nid'aigle to consider, so I cannot pledge fealty to any of the nobles in the city. But certainly if there have been disturbances at their homes I can lend my sword to help.""That's alright; as a fellow knight, I can understand your desire to help the vulnerable." Orrin replied. "Similarly, I know you must stay true to your vows." He raised his visor and dropped the noble accent, giving Sieg a friendly smile. "Sir Orrin Ironbeard. Half dwarf, half four-armed-gorilla-thing. I was knighted into House Booveen. After I came here, I was hired by House Stallion, just agreeing to help them with their goals here in in Medieville, but eh... my position has since become permanent." Orrin admits to Sieg ( Shinko) that he probably wouldn't have asked if Morgaine had managed to introduce them first! He then introduces himself, telling Sieg a bit about his background.
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Post by Celestial on Jul 28, 2014 3:22:42 GMT -5
Lucinda's reply genuinely caught Ambrose off-guard. He knew to an outsider his visions must have appeared so strange and frightening but at the same time, to hear it said so bluntly by a member of his own family was startling. However, he noticed the sense of unease she acquired and realised that bringing up what he thought about Alain, here and now, was a mistake. After all, Lucinda had lost both her parents, he and Margot were the closest family she had left. And to have such conflicting information about Ambrose, from what she saw and from Alain said, must have been confusing. Maybe it was a good thing that Kaldora had told him. At least he could answer Lucinda's questions. "No, Lucinda, it's alright. I can answer you. You're right, you're old enough to know," Ambrose smiled and shook his head before looking ahead. "For a while, I thought I was just mad. I mean, I knew my visions were real but wasn't that the sign of madness? Everyone said that so it had to be true. But then...my visions started coming true, like the famine in Kine, and it felt like my belief was justified. That's when I really noticed that Alain believed me, or at least, he was a bit more open about his belief." He frowned, recalling Alain's reaction yesterday, and not just yesterday but other times too. He definitely knew something, Ambrose just wished he could find out what. Why would Alain not tell him something so important? "Your Grandfather knows about my abilities and I think he knows something about what is behind them, just for some reason he would not explain it to me. I don't know the cause, Lucinda, and I wish I did so I could tell you but I can at least say this," Ambrose paused, wondering if it was a good idea to reveal to another member of his House besides Alain what he had learned and Alain had confirmed. But it was going to spread sooner or later. At worst, they would just dismiss it as another illusion of a madman. "I have some kind of strong time magic that causes this. I cannot control it, however, it is beyond my power. I know magic is technically not something practiced in our House but I cannot help this." He realised how that must have sounded. Strong time magic. The perfect rambling of a madman. If Alain did not confirm it, he might not have said it so easily. "I know how this must sound, Lucinda, but I swear, it is the truth. But you should not frightened. The only one I am likely to hurt is myself and it is better since whe I first got it. I can contain it, for the most part, apparently," Ambrose shook his head. "You asked for the truth and there it is. As for why people think I'm mad...where would somebody from House Stallion get magic, especially magic this strong? It's much easier to think I'm mad." "Is this an alright answer for you? Perhaps...if I ever find out more, I'll tell you. You are a good girl and you do deserve the truth," he added. Ambrose listens to Lucinda( Kristykimmy) and replies to her question, telling her he used to think I was mad until his visions started coming true. He also tells her that he has time magic which he cannot control and hopes that Lucinda would accept that. He also adds that he is not dangerous and that madness is easier to accept than a Stallion having magic.
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Post by Shinko on Jul 28, 2014 7:35:42 GMT -5
Orrin chuckled. "For the sake of fairness, she mentioned you and suggested that we meet. I suppose we simply beat her to the punch!""Did she?" Sieg asked, bemused. "The minx. She mentioned nothing to me, though I can't pretend to be shocked that she wouldn't. She is rather besotted with secrets and surprises. She can get into no end of mischief at the expense of others if allowed to lapse into boredom." He listened as the other knight explained his background, interested. Apart from his sister Ophelia, Sieg never met someone else that was any kind of hybrid, let alone also a knight. There were practical reasons for that, of course- hybridism was chancy business. Sieg had actually started off life as a twin, or so he'd been told. But his fraternal brother had been very sickly, and within a few months of birth had died of genetic complications. Sieg and Ophelia had been lucky to have all of their chromosomes line up in such a way as to be viable. "Well met, Sir Ironbeard! As I said, I am Sir Sieg Braham- half elf, half human, all idiot," he grinned, inviting Orrin to share the joke. "I'm here mostly because Mother asked me to be- she's been nervous about the recent unrest. Though there is little I can do in this situation that is really practical, at least I can give her peace of mind with my presence." "So, you are from Kine then?" Sieg mused. "I have been there a time or two, during the famine a while back. I served as an escort for wagons with relief supplies from Corvus- that being my home region. Though as I said, I am sworn to Nid'aigle, the elven settlement in Corvus, not the Jades. We treatise with the ruling house in Corvus and do our part to defend the people there, but ah..." He rubbed the back of his head, smiling ruefully, "We do not get involved in their politics, so I hope you will not hold it against me. I have nothing but respect for House Stallion." Basically Sieg imitates a puppy meeting another puppy, wagging his tail so hard he almost knocks himself over and being bouncily cheerful. XD He introduces himself to Omni, opting to just get the awkwardness of his being from Corvus out of the way immediately to clarify that he has no animosity for the Stallions.
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Post by Kristykimmy on Jul 28, 2014 7:49:48 GMT -5
"No, Lucinda, it's alright. I can answer you. You're right, you're old enough to know."Lucinda listened as Ambrose explained his situation. The time-magic, her Grandfather's silence on his knowledge of the subject, the visions that helped to prevent disaster. Before coming to Medieville, all of this would have sounded ridiculous to her. Now, after spending time with the Jades and Aldrich, it seemed to make perfect sense. It was actually easier for her to believe than that Ambrose was simply insane. "Is this an alright answer for you? Perhaps...if I ever find out more, I'll tell you. You are a good girl and you do deserve the truth,” Ambrose finished. Lucinda thought for a moment, an idea occurring to her. “Aldrich cast a spell that gave life and continues to give life to all that he created. That bird you saw me with was once just stone. Could someone have cast this magic on you? Someone Grandfather might want to protect, either for their sake or for yours? I don't know that Aldrich actually knows anything about magic; it was an accident prompted by a mistake made while trying to bring to life a single object. Still, maybe he or the Jades might have answers for you? Regardless, Great-Uncle, I believe you and I hope someday you find out why you had this happen.” She smiled at Ambrose, deciding to be honest with him. He told her his secrets; she owed him one in return. “Well, far be it from me to judge magic in House Stallion. I own an enchanted vase I bought from Aldrich before I learned about the spell on them. It has become a wonderful friend, as has many of his creations. Perhaps I will show you sometime later?” Her smile faded as her mind drifted back to his mentioning having seen the famine in Kine, wondering what the extent of his visions were. “So, if you can see the future, or at least parts of it, do you know how this ends? The Courdonians, the coronation, these Shadows? What happens to Kyth as a result of all this?” Lucinda listens to Ambrose's ( Celestial) explanation, and, because of her time in Medieville, believes him. She suggests that Ambrose is enchanted rather than magical, which is why Alain may not want to tell him what he knows. She shares her secret about the vase with him before asking if he knows how the current situation will end.
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Post by Avery on Jul 28, 2014 9:28:14 GMT -5
The courier was expecting a servant to answer the door, and tried not to betray his surprise when instead he found himself staring at a noble. "Yes, it is," the noble answered him. You will have to speak to my brother, however. He is in his office, upstairs and to the right.""Thank you, m'lord," said the courier, beginning up the impressive staircase. At the top of it, he turned to the first door on the right and rapped on it, his knock echoing throughout the cavernous upper hall. Though no match for the Keep, the Stallion Manor was remarkable in its own right-- high ceilings and intricate wood paneling on the walls, massive skylights above that let in the rays of the morning sun. After a brief moment of waiting, a voice from inside the office called the courier in. He took a deep breath, opened the door, and stepped inside. "M'lord," he said with a courteous bow to the man who sat behind a gleaming oak desk in the office's interior. "I've been sent by the rising Queen Destiney with news for Laurie, Briar, Ciara, and Daria Kidde. It is urgent that I speak with them, m'lord. Your brother informed me that they were here?" ** In the vast bogs somewhere in northern Courdon, an ethereal voice rang out through the hot morning air. " Ceres!" it cried, disembodied and somehow flickery; anyone nearby would have had to strain to hear it-- not that there was anybody nearby in this rural, hellish part of the kingdom except for, well... "Will you shut up?" growled another detached voice. "If I hear that name one more time, I swear I'll--" "You don't have to stay with me, Amelie," reminded the first. "Well, you're headed north, I'm headed north, it makes sense." (In reality the ghost of Amelie Pritchard merely did not want to be alone; death was terrifying enough without being cast adrift in your slightly-transparent form all on your lonesome, even if the alternate-- your potential traveling partner--is the idiot impostor goat herd who get you executed instead of your pocket padded with riches.) "I don't see why you're going north, anyway," replied Kelcey, grateful for the fact that King Malik had not stripped him of his Courdonian noble clothing until after the fall of the sword, for his ghostly figure was now stuck wearing the outfit which he'd last donned in life, and Woo knew this whole situation was terrible enough without him being naked for eternity. "Because my husband and brother--" "Are probably already dead," Kelcey said brightly, oblivious to things like, oh, tact, even in death. "But Ceres might not be!" "And if she's not, they're totally going to just, I don't know, release her to an impostor Kythian who is a ghost," Amelie snapped back. "Oh, do you think?" Kelcey smiled. "... do I... what... no!" She went to rub at her temple, but her hand passed right through her hand. Amelie grimaced. This whole ghost-business was going to take a lot of getting used to. "Now," she said, "know what we should do again? That fun game where neither of us talks to each other." On second thought, she added, "Nor do we call out names of slave girls we barely know as if they're our one true love." And so the ghosts of Kelcey Kidde and Amelie Pritchard continued north. The palace messenger tells Alain ( Celestial) that he urgently needs to speak with the Kidde girls. Meanwhile, the ghost of Kelcey has adventures in Courdon! =D
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Post by icon on Jul 28, 2014 10:07:04 GMT -5
"Hope? Harmoney? Aura? You're needed downstairs, we have to go over your plans for the coronation tomorrow." "Sir Aines? There's been yet another noble death, I regret to inform you." Aines rubbed his temples at the arriving servant. "I honestly shouldn't be surprised, by now. Which House was it this time?" "Err, no House, but one of the Courdonians. One Haru Nan was found at the base of the Keep. Suspected assassination, the Courdonians are suspecting foul play." "Haru, Haru... wasn't he the one who made his slaves fight sharks as entertainment when we went to Courdon on a diplomacy trip a few years back?" "That's the one, sir." The servant coughed. "Incidentally, the Courdonians are demanding a funeral for what remains of him, it appears they caught wind of the service we held for Felicity and Lord Melvin two days ago." Aines frowned at this. "Well, I can't discuss that with them right now, I have to find Hope and the other princesses to prepare them for their safe retreat tomorrow. Tell them... tell them they can use one of the smaller churches, but the Grand Woo Cathedral is off-limits -- we need to prepare it for the ceremony tomorrow." "Sir, the Cathedral isn't part of the ceremony tomorrow. The entire coronation is slated to take place at the Keep." Aines flashed a grin at the servant as he flew down the hall. "I know." Aines is the best at diplomacy
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Post by PFA on Jul 28, 2014 10:55:45 GMT -5
Jeniver was more nervous than ever. When their Courdonian neighbors had come to visit yesterday, she didn't want to go anywhere near them, knowing how awful they could be—not that her parents would have let her, anyway. The rumors of war made her nervous, the rebels made her nervous... oh, if only she had been faster! Or better at magic! Or both! Then she might have been able to save the Jade Phoenix Ring! She didn't really know what the Jade Phoenix Ring was, but Marson had said it was an artifact, and now it was gone, and she was too late to do anything about it. She felt guilty, and useless, and really, really nervous. "No! No! This is a disaster!" came a familiar voice from down the hallway—Joffery. He hurried out of his room, stopping when he saw Jeniver. He skidded to a halt, crouching down so he could put his hands on Jeniver's shoulders. "Jeniver! It's awful. I need your help." Jeniver's eyes brightened. "Do you know how to fix the Jade Phoenix Ring?" "What? Oh, no no. Sorry, but not even our best mages can fix that," Joffery told her. Jeniver frowned, as Joffery continued. "No, don't worry about the ring. This is about something else." "Oh... well, what is it?" Joffery took a deep breath. "Queen Destiney's coronation is tomorrow. They're certainly going to pick a suitor for her, someone to be King of Kyth—it might be me! And I don't have a new song for the Queen." Jeniver blinked. "What's wrong with your old one?" "It's been done! I already sang it when we visited the castle the other day," Joffery explained, moving away from Jeniver so he could pace anxiously. "I need something new, something fresh. But what else can I do? I already used everything on my last song!" "Um... I'm not very good at songwriting," Jeniver replied apologetically. "Maybe I could ask Lucinda?" "Lucinda Stallion?" Joffery questioned. "No offense intended—I know she's your friend—but the Stallions are our competitors. She'd prefer to put her, uh... cousin?" "I think he's her uncle." "Her uncle on the throne, not me," Joffery explained. "I couldn't trust her not to sabotage me so Garrick can swoop in for the victory!" "I guess." Jeniver frowned in thought. "Well... maybe you could ask Marson? I think his family likes music too." "Marson... yes! Maybe I'll ask Marson. Thank you!" Joffery beamed, hurrying off to find Marson or one of his family members. Jeniver let out a sigh, watching him leave. At least sometimes she was helpful. Jeniver frets about the political tension, the broken Jade Phoenix Ring, and how she wishes she could be more helpful. Joffery frets about the coronation tomorrow, having suddenly realized that he needs a new song for Destiney! Jeniver suggests he ask the Marson family ( Coaster) about it, since they're apparently musically inclined. Joffery runs off to do so. ( Kristykimmy and Jayeee are also mentioned briefly)
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Post by Elcie on Jul 28, 2014 11:28:54 GMT -5
Duval's blood still boiled at the thought of how he'd been treated yesterday. "I intend to," he said coldly. "They can't keep my property from me and expect me to simply walk away from it. I invested too much into that slave to let him slip through my fingers again." He shook his head. "You should have seen the way they treated him. Like he was one of their own, an equal. If they've ruined his training..." The lord trailed off with a heavy sigh. "My apologies, my liege, I realize we have greater concerns. I've seen no traces of your son, I am afraid, though nothing is proven yet. I wouldn't put it past these underhanded northerners to have him hidden away." He'd always hated Kyth, but everything that happened yesterday was the last straw. He'd have expected rudeness like that from House Jade, although taking in a slave as one of their own was going a bit far. But that Grand Duke of Bern...! How dare he stand in their way. How dare he refuse Duval the respect and courtesy he deserved. "I am glad you do not intend to take these insults lying down," Duval said softly, his eyes glittering. "It's time to show Kyth what we are capable of." He hadn't been entirely convinced about war when they'd left, but now... King Malik could have Destiney. Duval imagined cutting the throat of Alain Stallion, and smiled. Duval complains at King Malik ( Avery) about the awful Kythians and how they kept him from getting his slave back. He's rather more in favor of war now, if only because maybe he'll get to kill Alain, yay. Cornelio ( Rosalie Dylas (Maddy)) is also there.
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Post by Avery on Jul 28, 2014 11:52:57 GMT -5
As Lord Duval lamented his poor treatment by the Kythians and then sadly declared that he, too, had found no signs of Joram, the meeting between the Courdonians was rudely interrupted by someone opening the door. Malik turned to look at the newcomer. The King of Courdon had been smiling before, thoughts of taking the throne dancing in his head, but now that smile ceded into a frown. It was one of his advisers, Tully, whom he hadn't noticed absent before. The look on Tully's face was grave. "Haru is dead. Murdered!" Tully announced as greeting. " What?" Malik leapt to his feet. Haru Nan, dead!? Though not a Lord, Haru was one of Courdon's wealthiest merchants, and his slave-shark fights were one of the seaside province of Seguier's most popular, consistent draws. In the summertime especially, when the interior provinces got so unbearably hot, nobles from all across the kingdom would travel to Seguier, where they'd be received by Haru and delighted by the twice-daily shows he put on. Man against shark, woman against shark, child against shark-- it was all great fun! Haru had been visiting the capital when the Kythians had been sent the impostor prince, and Malik had taken him north with his contingent because Haru Nan was quite the personable man, and clearly had no qualms drawing blood when it was needed, which was useful when war teetered on the horizon. For him to be dead... "We need a funeral at once," Malik said to Tully. "I've already demanded one," Tully replied. "They've given us use of one of their minor churches." "How kind," snarled Malik. Inside, his blood boiled; he literally quaked with rage. First Duval's slave kept from him-- and that peasant raising a fist to her better-- and now... now... this! "I-- Tully, tell them I demand an audience with whomever's in charge. And I don't mean the vapid little child-queen. I want to talk to the person with the real power. An adviser." As Tully nodded and slipped back outside the room, Rafe piped up: "What do you want to talk to them about, Papa?" Malik rubbed at his temple, exasperated. Gods, why wasn't Cornelio the eldest, the one who'd inherit the throne one day? Rafe was-- was-- so absent. Malik turned to face his son. "Haru Nan was murdered, boy," he snapped. Boy because he knew this would humiliate Rafe, who was at least thirty years older than a 'boy'. "I want the heads of everyone who let it happen. And I'm not going to get those heads unless I speak with a Kythian." He looked past Rafe, at Cornelio and Duval. "You two will accompany me to the meeting. We will not let this go unpunished." Malik is informed of Haru Nan ( Draco) being did done murdered. He is rageful, because Haru was practically the Courdonian Walt Disney! He sends an adviser, Tully, to demand an audience with the person really in charge (e.g., not Destiney). So, probably Aines! ( icon) He tells Duval ( Elcie) and Cornelio ( Rosalie Dylas (Maddy)) that they shall accompany him to the meeting.
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Post by Killix on Jul 28, 2014 14:36:56 GMT -5
Kirin awoke with with more energy than a sky full of thunderclouds. The time spent recovering had certainly been effective, but one quick glance at the state of his room revealed that it was now time to do some cleaning. The clutter made by spending nearly a whole day painting had gotten a little out of hand. Stepping carefully around the scattered objects, he gathered up all of the paintings and set them aside, then cleaned the tables, washed off the brushes and put everything back in its proper place. The room was tidy in record time. He still had plenty of energy to burn, too... There had to be other rooms that needed some tidying up, right? Well, after rearranging the furniture in the study, organizing the storerooms, and then replacing almost every lantern candle in the main hall, it was obvious that he was going to run out of manor before he ever ran out of energy, and the servants were starting to give him strange looks. Kirin flopped down onto a sofa in one of the vacant lounge rooms, and considered his options for the day. The most recent piece of news came to mind first - the Courdonian leaders had arrived in town. Courdon had quite the reputation and enough horror stories attributed to them that Kirin had already decided that he wanted to be anywhere they weren't. He'd experienced more than enough trouble in the past few days, after all. His stay in Medieville had certainly been an adventure, but not exactly the kind that deserved an encore. The only reason why he wasn't absolutely thrilled about the prospect of going home soon was... Leif. As much as Kirin didn't want to think about it, the time spent in Medieville could very well be the only time they had left together, and with the coronation just around the corner, that time was running out. Kirin straightened in the seat. He was going to find Leif. After a quick trip to his room to fetch his coat, Kirin headed out the door. Kirin apparently got a little too carried away with his painting last round, and made a mess. But it's okay, 'cause he cleaned it up! He's so energized that he decides to clean up a lot of the manor, too. Just let the servants do their jobs, Kirin. So, what to do? Wandering around town and possibly getting into more bad situations isn't high on his to-do list... but he also really wants to see Leif ( Tiger) again, and that will probably require wandering around town. Decisions, decisio- hey, get back here, Kirin! Gosh, you don't even know where he is... Oh well.
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Post by Rosalie Dylas (Maddy) on Jul 28, 2014 15:00:23 GMT -5
Prince Cornelio thought Lord Duval was being a bit ridiculous. It was just one slave, he'd buy Duval some others, much cuter than the runaway. But his father was right, it was a great insult. But going to war with the pretty girl Queen would be humorous. They'd crush Kyth in an instant. "I'm afraid I didn't find any traces of Joram either, though that doesn't mean he isn't here." Cornelio added glaring at his older brother. What an absolute idiot. Then Lord Duval was an idiot, but his father respected Duval so he had to tolerate him. Then news came, bad news. "Assassinated?" Cornelio looked disgusted, "Is Kyth really that gutsy? To spill Courdian blood? Though, I suppose sending a filthy peasant in Joram's clothes is proof they are far too bold for their own good." He stopped himself from laughing as Rafe was humiliated, that wouldn't be good form. "Of course, Father. I'd be more than happy to." Cornelio thinks he is better than everyone else. King Malik ( Avery) and Lord Duval ( Elcie) are there.
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Post by Celestial on Jul 28, 2014 17:32:34 GMT -5
He had expected her to deny what he said, to claim he was truly insane and at worst, leave him alone to go visit her friend. Ambrose's relief when Lucinda appeared to believe him was impossible to disguise. One more person believing him meant the world, especially one who was family. However, he tried not to let the sudden good feeling distract him as he listened attentively to what Lucinda had to say about her friend, and weight in on his situation. "Perhaps, though I don't know. Sometimes its difficult to know what he is thinking, I can only hope that his reason is a good one. Alain knows how difficult it has been because of this power, he must have a good reason for keeping silent. But I am even more curious to meet your friend now, Aldrich, was it? It might be nice to meet somebody who also has uncontrollable magic," Ambrose smiled at her. "As for the Jades, I tried asking but since it was only your young friend, Jeniver, she did not seem to know much about magic this complex. I wonder if I could ask Lord Everett or Master Leif...though I feel quite reluctant revealing my powers to them, me being a Stallion and all." He stopped and turned to Lucinda, looking her in the eyes. "But thank you for believing me. I know why people call me mad and I understand their reactions but...it still hurts, I won't deny it. To have even one person believe me, especially a member of my family, means a lot to me," Ambrose said, smiling widely before continuing walking on. He nodded when he heard about her vase. "I would like to see that. I had noticed some strange sounds outside your room but never bothered to ask, it was not my business. Though you don't have to keep it such a secret. I doubt any of us will mind one enchanted vase." However, when Lucinda began asking about the exact details of things in his visions, Ambrose's good mood and relief faded. He drifted off momentarily as he sorted through the thousands of visions he remembered, some of them terrifying, some of them sweet, some of them...purely nonsensical, at least on the surface level. "I don't know, Lucinda. My visions come without context save what I can glean from them. Back in Destrier, I've done my best to create some kind of timeline out of them but it's a jumbled mess. I know Kyth survives this. But what happens to us, I do not know. For all I know, it could all end in Queen Destiney turning out to be a supernatural shapeshifter who reveals herself at her wedding. I do not control my visions, I just see what they decide I should see," Ambrose said. This was hardly a comforting answer, especially with the ridiculous thing he brought up. Gently, he put a hand on Lucinda's shoulder. "But don't worry about it. I doubt the heads of the noble houses, Alain included, will let the worst come to the worst. We have to put our faith in them. Tomorrow is the coronation, we shall see what happens. For now, one thing at a time. Trust me, it's better to live in the present. Where is your friend's house?" *** Alain looked up as the messenger entered. Immediately, he took in the colours of his clothes and figured out that he was from Ascension, confirmed when he said he was from the Queen. Hmm...he was not expecting any summons of a meeting. Nevertheless, with the Courdonians, you never knew when one of them was going to act like a petulent child like Duval did yesterday. He carefully put away his plans, making sure the messenger could not see them. No need for the Queen to bother herself with rebels when she has bigger problems. "I've been sent by the rising Queen Destiney with news for Laurie, Briar, Ciara, and Daria Kidde. It is urgent that I speak with them, m'lord. Your brother informed me that they were here?"Or perhaps not. Why would the rising Queen concern herself with the fates of the Kidde sisters? He knew she was fond of their brother, overly so, but she never showed any kind of concern for the girls. If she had, he would not have found the two younger ones wandering the streets. Unless...something had happened to the brother. He had been missing for several days and Alain had been suspecting for a while that he was quite far away. It only made sense that he had gotten into trouble, he seemed foolish enough to do it. But that at the moment was not important. "They are here, yes. House Stallion has been looking after Daria, Ciara and, as of yesterday, Laurie. I can take you to them, if you wish," Alain said, getting up from his table and picking up his cane. He brushed past the messenger and headed towards the servant's quarters, expecting the man to follow him. "Briar did come to the Manor but unfortunately, I have not seen her for a few days. Wherever she is, she is out of my hands so I cannot give her to you." It was best that the messenger and the Queen did not know about Briar. Setting the girl free after her confinement while the rebellion was still going strong would just incite trouble. Best release her quietly, once the Shadows had been neutralised. Alain led the messenger downstairs, stopping right by the rooms where the girls were. Daria and Ciara's was on the right, Laurie's was a separate one on the left. The key had been left in the lock. While he had given her shelter, he did not want her sticky fingers going through the pockets of his House again so he had locked the door, just in case. Nevertheless, just before the messenger reached them, he carefully turned the key and unlocked the door. There was no need for him to ask further questions. "The two youngest are in there, Laurie is there," he gestured at the rooms before smiling slightly. "But may I ask what this is about? Why is the Queen suddenly showing interest in these girls?" Ambrose is very happy that Lucinda( Kristykimmy) believes him. He hopes Alain has a good reason for being silent and tells her that he is reluctant to tell the Jades, because he's a Stallion. But he thanks her a lot for believing and says she should not hide her vase. However, he tells her her visions are less than helpful and for all they've revealed to him, Destiny could end up being a changeling queen. Yet in Ambrose's wisdom, he reminds Lucinda to focus on the present and asks her where Aldrich's house is, since they're probably close. Alain, meanwhile, is surprised by the Queen suddenly showing concern for the Kidde sisters but tells him he only has Laurie, Daria and Ciara, not mentioning Briar since it was dangerous letting a Shadow go just now. He leads him downstairs to the rooms of the girls( Avery) and Laurie( Liou) and asks why Destiney suddenly wants them.
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Post by Coaster on Jul 28, 2014 19:13:27 GMT -5
The Baron of Marson Manor awoke with a start that night. Not because of the smashing of the Jade Phoenix Ring that was in his care, of course, but rather... well, actually, yes, the Ring, but not in any sense of alarm as to what its fate was. It was that glorious sound, that new sound that he scarcely heard once or twice before it became gradually more distant, never as vivid or visceral as it now seemed. Yes, that sound, it was absolutely smashing! Of course, as the Baron was a busy Marson, and wanted to remain pure in the eyes of 'Woo, he abruptly fell back to sleep (still in his upright position) until a reasonable hour, at which point he called a meeting of whatever family members were awake at that hour and didn't care or know better than that this would be yet another deranged idea for a musical number. "Fellows of the Marson clan of the Jade house!" he announced grandiosely from the balcony of the main hall, alongside his carrot-topped wife Martha, who despite the early-but-not-un-'Woo-ly hour had already managed to bind up a rather fancy-looking swirly tower of hair on her head. As the assembled Marsons below gazed at their patriarch with interest--Jenna, Rick, Endre, Stu D., and the self-reprimanded and once again mustachioed Phil N. all among the number--the Baron produced a rather large and expensive plate from the folds of his theatrical cape and asked one of the mages to come up and join him for a demonstration. The mage climbed up the stairs and reached the head of the Manor, but hastily whispered into his ear, "Sir, while we're here, I must inform you that there is something wrong with the door--" "Quiet, Jenna!" Marson replied, putting a finger to her mouth without turning from his original position facing over the balcony. "You'll never be as good a mage as that other Jenna and you know it!" "I'm not Jenna," the mage retorted, then pointed at one of the servants below. " That's Jenna. And you're thinking of Jeniver, and she's just visi--" "Fine, I'll do it myself! Woogardium leviosa!" Of course, he didn't actually use the magic as he said that, but thrust the plate he was holding down to the ground below, where it crashed into a thousand shards of ceramic or phlebotinum or whatever he'd commissioned to make those plates. And the display was sheer gloriousness, and judging from the expressions below, the servants seemed to agree. "This! This is the sound, with such raw emotion, this... impromptu, destructive percussion that came to me in a vision last night--auditorision? Audition?" Marson announced, trailing off as he tried to find the right word. Phil turned towards Jenna and said, "Is this about the Ring getting destroyed last night?" He was promptly (and spittlefully) shushed by everyone in the vicinity. Now it was Martha Marson's turn to speak. The pudgy mistress finished operatically on behalf of her husband: "...and, this is the sound we must have in our final production for the coronation ceremony! You, there!" She pointed to Phil, who saluted and stood at attention. "Go and fetch Joffery and tell him to prepare for our demonstration! And also get that Jeniver girl--of all our years of careful service, she is the only one who has managed to reproduce such a sound magically, and we must have her expertise as well. Dismissed!" Martha concluded, flailing her flabby arms about. The servants scattered and each immediately found something to use as impromptu-destructive-percussion. Endre settled on denting a hollow, silvered-railing with a small hammer; Jenna grabbed a pile of plates and threw them across the room one at a time; various others experimented with ripping pages of valuable (but, of course, spare) spellbooks; unfortunately, Stu had a cold and had to constantly interrupt to blow his nose at a trumpeting volume, but thankfully it at least fit in with the beat. All the while, Marson fluttered about, applauding happily, or suggesting sounds of his own, or admonishing the servants--"Ding! I love that part!"--"Do it again! Do it again!"--"Yeah, RIP IT!"--"Now, hit it!"--"What the 'P... yeah! I feel something happening here!" During this whole demonstration, Phil had acutely become aware of exactly what was going on in the room he had left, and located Jeniver and Joffery in a panic, shouting something about smashing and everything ruined and they-want-you-to-break-things and eventually he collapsed on the floor in a fetal position. Marson Jade rediscovers the joyful sound of breaking things, thanks to the Shadows' intrusion, and shares it with the whole family! As he and several servants start trashin' the manor and destroying the spare furniture, dishes, etc., Phil is sent to locate Jeniver and Joffery ( PFA) and get them in on the action. (Instead, he's freaking out and kinda wants one of them to stop the madness.)
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Post by Kristykimmy on Jul 28, 2014 19:39:05 GMT -5
“But thank you for believing me. I know why people call me mad and I understand their reactions but...it still hurts, I won't deny it. To have even one person believe me, especially a member of my family, means a lot to me.”Lucinda smiled at him, glad she had brought him along that day. Coming to Medieville had been the best thing that had ever happened to her, in spite of the troubling aspects with the Courdonians and the Shadows. She had met Aldrich, and that had so changed her perspective of the world that she could understand Ambrose. “I'm simply sorry for all the years I didn't understand,” Lucinda replied. “Though you don't have to keep it such a secret. I doubt any of us will mind one enchanted vase."“Do you really think so?” Lucinda asked. “I've been so afraid of Grandfather finding out. Partially because I was afraid he would make me give it up, but more because I was afraid he would be ashamed of me.” He addressed her final question, about the visions. "I don't know, Lucinda. My visions come without context save what I can glean from them. Back in Destrier, I've done my best to create some kind of timeline out of them but it's a jumbled mess. I know Kyth survives this. But what happens to us, I do not know. For all I know, it could all end in Queen Destiney turning out to be a supernatural shapeshifter who reveals herself at her wedding. I do not control my visions, I just see what they decide I should see," Ambrose said. This was hardly a comforting answer, especially with the ridiculous thing he brought up. Gently, he put a hand on Lucinda's shoulder. "But don't worry about it. I doubt the heads of the noble houses, Alain included, will let the worst come to the worst. We have to put our faith in them. Tomorrow is the coronation, we shall see what happens. For now, one thing at a time. Trust me, it's better to live in the present. Where is your friend's house?"Lucinda couldn't help laughing at the idea of Destiney being a shapeshifter; it lightened what Ambrose was saying for her. Lucinda reached up and took his hand, drawing it through her arm. He was right; they needed to focus on the present and deal with it now, instead of worrying about far off visions that may not even come to pass. “Well, even if Destiney is a shapeshifter let us hope that in spite of that, Garrick is her knight in shining armor,” she laughed, hoping to lift Ambrose's spirits with the jest. At that moment, they came in sight of Aldrich's studio. “There!” she cried, pointing. She released Ambrose's arm and hurried ahead to the studio. She opened the door and stepped in, announcing in a quiet voice, so as not to disturb Aldrich if he were still resting, “Aldrich, it is Lucinda. I've brought company.” She hoped she'd find him better than he had been the day before, which would only be the case if he had actually slept through the night. Lucinda and Ambrose ( Celestial) continue their talk as they make their way to Aldrich's ( Lizica) studio. She listens to Ambrose's advice, and tries to lighten the mood with a joke. They arrive at the studio, where Lucinda hopes to find a significantly recovered Aldrich.
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Post by Shinko on Jul 28, 2014 20:32:14 GMT -5
"You know, it's rather hard for me to get the magic keys out of the locked case and remain still so you don't knife me at the same time," Morgaine remarked casually, though internally she was anything but. Of course this would happen on a day when she was at the shop alone... "Shut up," the stranger grumbled, pressing the weapon closer to her skin. She hissed softly, feeling a line of white-hot pain along her neck as the blade grazed her. It had clearly been well sharpened. "No smart remarks and no mind games. I won't fall for it." "Who said anything about a mind game?" Morgaine retorted. "Seriously, I can't reach the shelf with the keys while I'm sitting here, we put them high up on the shelf for a reason." "There's one hanging on your neck." Morgaine clenched her teeth. Crap. "It's just for decoration, this one isn't magi-" The thief withdrew the blade, but punched Morgaine on the cheek before she could capitalize on the moment. The old woman woman yelped as she was knocked backwards into a display rack, sending a dozen heavy iron padlocks clattering to the floor. "No more being cute, old hag. Get those- Arrgh!" A tremendous screeching filled the room, and two small blurs- one grey, one black and orange- rocketed down the stairs and attached themselves to the theif. The stranger thrashed, trying to get Rust and Mercury's claws out of their skin and lashing blindly with their knife. Morgaine struggled to her feet, screaming in elvish, "No, no you fuzzy idiots, go find help!" Too late- there was a feline scream of pain, and Rust was flung across the room with a long gash across her side. Mercury leapt away just in time, glancing frantically towards his friend before obeying Morgaine's orders and darting out of the shop. "Nice try old biddy, but it'll take more then magically smart cats to-" The stranger broke off- the point of a spear blade, etched with the crest of the knights of Nid'aigle, was pointed at their chest. Morgaine glared at him over the weapon. She usually kept Belial's old dress spear hanging on the wall as a decoration- it hadn't come down from it's hooks in all the ten years it had been up there. The thing was far too heavy for Morgaine to weild, and her arms shook from the weight of it. Not only that, it wasn't sharp. Being a dress weapon, it was intended only for parade use. She'd hung on to it mostly out of sentiment, because it was the only piece of weaponry or armor of his that hadn't been half melted in the dragon attack. But hopefully the thief wouldn't realize the uselessness of the thing. "Get out of my shop," Morgaine snapped. "Or I run you through." For a long time they stood there, deadlocked. Then, the thief laughed. "Thing about threatening someone- it works better if you point the weapon at their neck. Otherwise they can just do this." The thief skipped backwards, out of range of the spear, and then darted around the counter towards her. Morgaine's grip on the weapon was awkward, and as heavy as it was her swing was far too slow to be effective. She only succeeded in buffeting her attacker with the pole before the knife bit deep into her right arm. She cried out, instinctively dropping the spear and clutching her arm to her chest. The attacker grabbed her by the shoulder and shoved her against the wall. "The keys. Now." Morgaine glowered at the stranger. "Bite me." There was a flash of silver, and Morgaine shrieked in pain as a line of pain shot down the left side of her face, cloaking it in darkness. "Filthy Kythian," the low voice snarled. "You vermin need to learn your place." Got bored, so here's more Morgaine. She and her cats both try to fight back against the thief, with limited success. By the end of it Morgaine's been slashed in the left eye and is sporting a few other cuts. Rust is lying in a puddle on the floor. But on the bright side, Mercury dashed outside to get help and the fight has definitely made a decent bit of noise, so maybe now it'll be more justifiable for it to attract outside attention. XD
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