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Post by Thea on Nov 19, 2020 19:22:01 GMT -5
Sarah couldn't help but to laugh. Something so unexpected, so sudden it shocked even Sarah. She couldn't help it. Hearing what Anya had thought about Cardinal caught her off guard. The sound of her laughter wasn't as loud as the slap Adisa had delivered to Julian, but it wasn't quiet either. It reminded Cardinal of when she was younger. Then, that laugh warmed and lit up the house she had grown up in.
And it gave him hope that she would be willing to do more it for the rest of her life.
"I didn't think of it like that," Sarah said, still smiling. "But I'm glad you did."
She turned that smile to Tempest when the girl came closer, the smile turning from jovial to comforting. Never mind what I went through, she thought to herself as she took in the sight of Tempest. She looked like she had seen a ghost. Considering that she had seen Crevan in a particularly awful state - not something that she would have liked to see if it had been her father, personally - a ghost would have been a better option. "Are you okay?" she asked when Tempest was in earshot.
Her attention quickly passed to Asvi at Anya's words, eyebrows furrowing in a concerned frown. "Really?" she asked, not in disbelief when Anya said they had ran into the red-haired girl. More in a "I wonder why she's called traitor?"
When Tempest was closer to them, she smiled again. "We were just told that help is on the way."
***
Felicity had felt the effects of whatever Hellania burned during her tale. But it wasn't until she had let Hellania take the orb from the air that she had let the smoke completely relax her.
Her limbs felt like jelly, her mind and heart surprisingly numb to the orb giving the detailed version of her story. She was thankful, because she didn't want to cry. Her past self did enough of that.
"To be blunt, Advisor, your appearance is quite offensive to my eyes."
Through Felicity's eyes stood a beast. He was bipedal, with scaly skin the color of a cloudless noon sky and chocolate eyes. His feet were that of a dragon's, his hands human in nature but tipped with talons. He had wings, leathery in looks - the only one of his four siblings to have them - and half-opened like he debated flying away. Or flying toward her, she had thought if the twin plumes of smoke coming from his nostrils in short bursts were any indication of how angry he was.
"To be equally as blunt," Foster mocked through clenched fangs. "Your lack of respect and nasally voice is quite offensive to my ears. It is unfortunate that the King and my clan has forbid me to kill you for them."
"I am glad to see where we stand," Felicity said, her nose in the air as she dismissed herself - a large no-no as that can be a major blow to his honor.
In the next scene, Felicity was dancing with other courtiers in a quadrille-like dance. It was obvious she was at a masquerade ball - each partner that she danced with had some sort of mask on. One had a fire-red fox mask, with tufted ears and whiskers. Another had the countenance of a tree frog, bedecked in sparkly green jewels. But she was looking for a dragon mask, soft in its pastel blue yet had intricate gold filigree around the eyes.
She didn't have to look long; soon, her next partner took her hand in his, wise brown eyes looking at her. He sneaked a kiss to the back of her hand, full fae lips warm on her knuckles. "Lady Felicity," he greeted as he smiled.
"M'lord," she replied, heart beating fast and butterflies in her stomach. "This is a masquerade. Isn't the purpose not to know who you are partying with?"
His chuckle made heat pool at the bottom of her stomach. "I will never not know my True One."
The contents of the orb changed again, once to show Foster carrying Felicity in his fae form through the cabin threshold to lay her down in the small bed covered in quilts. Felicity closed her eyes in bliss, feeling his hands trace every part of bare skin she had.
Once more, the scene was replaced with a Felicity in pain, whimpering and screaming in turn. Her eyes met Foster's as she heard his wings rustle - ready for flight. "I am going to get the healer," Foster said, fangs gleaming every time he lifted his lip as he spoke. "I promise to you that I will be as quick as I can."
She sobbed in response, hands holding her rotund belly as she curled as much she could into a fetal position, sweat making her hair stick to her face and back. "Hurry," she pleaded in between huffed breaths.
The next scene was Felicity feeding the infant Aranel from her breast, weak but happy to hear the child's suckling sounds.
"I made a deal with Uncle," Foster said slowly, another term he used for the King. He spoke like he would to a wounded animal so as not to freak it out. It was a rather horrible deal if he was speaking to her like that. Something that he knew she would freak out over.
"What did you promise?" she asked, eyes narrowed as she looked from Aranel to Foster, who was sitting at the dining table looking back at her with saddened eyes.
"He wants Aranel's hand in marriage. He believes that she is Aideen reincarnated."
"Why would you promise that?" she demanded hotly after few minutes of tense silence.
"Because you were dying," he answered, not angry or defensive. Still using that consoling voice. "And the only way I could think to keep you here with Aranel and me was to have the healer come here."
"You should have known that he would ask for that," Felicity hissed out, tightening her hold on her child as if at any moment she would be taken away. "Oberon is chasing a woman that has long since passed. And even if she did come back her fate would have been interwoven with her husband's, who would have come back with her. He is delusional." She loosened her grip slightly when she heard Aranel cry out, shushing her back to suckling.
"Is it so wrong to give her hand to him?" he asked, still soft-spoken. "She would be queen, something that Seelie has not seen for a long time. She would be adored by everyone. Uncle would treat her as equal."
"No, he wouldn't," was her retort, refusing to look at her partner. "As soon as he finds out that Aranel is not Aideen, he wouldn't treat her as a husband should a wife, or a king would to his queen. She will be in a loveless bond, never understanding why she isn't good enough for him."
Finally, the orb showed Cardinal, face grim with arms outstretched for the babe. Felicity looked down one last time into her arms, at the squalling, seemingly human child. For the briefest of moments, she considered conceding to Oberon. Letting Foster honor the deal he had made to the King, so that she could be the one to raise Aranel.
But before she could follow through, she tucked the baby safely into Cardinal's arms. "Be swift," she whispered shakily. "Please make sure she goes to a good home. Watch over her."
"I will," Cardinal promised, nodding once before disappearing.
That was when she was dragged out of her home by her hair to watch what came next.
"Kivessen Perleth," Felicity heard over her screams of pain and demands to let her go. Kheelan. He had to have been the one to lead them here.
She felt the whoever had grabbed her let go, and she fell to the ground, using her hands to catch her fall. A boot forced her down further, staying in between her shoulder blades as her hair was once again taken in a fist.
"Look," the fae soldier hissed in her ear, lifting her head by her hair so that she saw her mate standing rigidly, hate in his eyes and sword in mid arc as he looked at his brother.
"You will obey no other save me. You will do everything I command."
"Fuck. You." A momentary swell of pride overcame Felicity because she had taught Foster that.
"Lower your sword," Kheelan continued. He was nearly identical to Foster, both in his fae form and dragon.
Foster lowered his sword, straining futilely against the command.
"Drop it. Get on your hands and knees. Stick out your neck as far as it will go."
Her True One did all of this, silent as if resigning to his fate.
"Foster!"
"Fell," he said, not able to look at her because of the order to stick out his neck. "I love you."
"I love you, too," she said, tears welling in her eyes as a sob caught in her throat.
Kheelan had taken Foster's sword from where he had to abandon it, stood in such a way that he didn't hinder Felicity's sight of her mate, and swung.
The sword swiped through Foster's neck effortlessly. His head dropped the short distance to the ground, his body not far behind.
Finished with telling the story, the orb disappeared just like the first one did.
Her breath shuddered, eyes squeezed shut to keep the tears at bay as she turned her head. "It's ... it's not what you had gone through, Hellania." Her fingers drummed against her knees. "By any means. But I carry that with me always."
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Voss
Warrior
Confidence is not 'They will like me'. Confidence is I'll be fine if they don't.
Posts: 1,068
Pack Status: New Dawn, Other
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Post by Voss on Nov 19, 2020 21:10:22 GMT -5
Anya smiled hearing her laugh, she was glad that it had not disappeared from what had happened. "That is what friends are for. I will always have your back." She said with a giggle. She would see Tempest come to stop near them both nodding her head." Yes, I just feel ashamed of how angry he got. Though I am not too informed about politics here." She had an embarrassed look." I apologize for his actions." She said bowing to her.
Anya shifted," She is of Velcrest blood she will withstand anything." She said with a smile referring to Tempest. Tempest would look to Sarah finally." I heard. My earing like all vampires is acute. It is very hard not to overhear things less I try hard." She said with a soft-spoken voice. Anya would answer Sarah with what she thought was the answer." Well, I would assume It might be that she helped a vampire. " She shrugged a little.
Crevan had been spending his time burying his comrades in battle, there were so many still probably lost at sea that the burning anger flamed again as he set rocks over his grave. He wanted a hot shower and to sleep in a real bed, he planned on going to his old castle after a night in the King's. He would see Alister standing stock-still as he approached him carefully to look to see what he was looking at.
~*~
As she watched what she saw were moments of happiness in her life that made her smile. She thought it was cute how they fought in the beginning. Then it went to them being together to start a family, her face seemed pain as it turned to a distressful scene. Her heart hurt for her.
When the interference of the court came to pass. When her husband was executed her eyes flamed with crimson red briefly with anger. That anger would settle in her to be used for later. Perhaps very soon than really later in the day.
Once the orb was finished she would pick up the bowl with the dragon's breath in it. Lighting it on fire then fan it making the smoke gather more." Hush, do not compare our hurts. Each one is deep regardless of how much or little. Now breath this deep. You will feel the effects less than inhaling directly. It is stronger than human's cannabis, It has acid-like tendencies. Think back to the cabin and only then" She said softly. Her voice would turn to a deep sound like throat singing.
" Lad de gode minder blive dine vågne drømme"( Let the good memories become your waking dreams) Helliana would climb on top of the bed placing the bowl close as she could to Felicity. She hovered over long enough to wave the smoke over her before she stood up.
" Sister of pain you have my honor as your shield." She had a few words to speak with the captain." Stay and watch over her. If you so much as disturb a hair on her head. I will set to torture you by removing your skin over and over again. "She meant to heal and repeat the process. The words she had for the Captain were not going to be kind, her steps were silent and quick. When she reached the deck a Raven landed on her neck and Alister's voice sounded distorted came through.
" Hurry before someone dies and I get to eat their soul." Helliana would climb to the helm, her rope dart in hand. " Make this ship stop its torture of us." Kahlid would shake his head." It is not like this, but if you think of better things it will be better. " She growled and acted as if she was going to punch him hard." You could have said that!!" She shouted at him. Her eyes went to Crimson again. " I have to need to feed soon. Best you hope your not my next meal." She hissed.
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Post by Thea on Nov 20, 2020 1:22:58 GMT -5
Tempest apologizing for Crevan's actions didn't set right with Sarah. It was like not chewing a chip enough and it hurts swallowing it. Or drinking a carbonated beverage and get the burning in her nose. Uncomfortable. "No, don't apologize," Sarah replied not unkindly, shaking her head slightly. "Master's actions don't reflect on you, so don't fret it."
Sarah wasn't surprised to hear that she had acute hearing, so she merely nodded, the eagerness in her manifesting in how she smiled giddily. Something that couldn't be helped, despite everything that happened.
At Anya's hypothesis, she hmmed thoughtfully to herself. She wondered if in the end Asvi would be lumped in with the rest of the indigenous people or because she was considered a traitor she would be given a higher honor.
"The first thing I'm doing is taking a hot bath, when we get back," she stated firmly after she fell silent for a few minutes. "Then hibernating." Tired of holding the hanky and stiletto, she took her pack off slowly and set it to the ground. She had lost her sheathe somewhere in the forest for her stiletto, so she was looking for something to cover the blade temporarily. She was parched and famished as well.
First, she pulled her water skin out, offering it to Anya. "Here, drink," she said. "Felicity charmed it to never run out." Then, she set the items she had been holding for the longest time down so that she can have her other hand free and unwrapped the cheese. "The cheese has spice," Sarah said, offering that to Tempest. "But it's my favorite. Would you like some?" Regardless of whether either one of them took the things she offered she was sure to get some of before she put it away.
Finally, as she subconsciously connected to Crevan's emotions again, she was methodical in putting the stiletto away, using a top she had planned on changing into during their hoped for training session as a temporary home. Her hands were steady, fingers sure as she un-rumpled fabric; placed the stiletto on the center of the tunic; then rolled the blade into the shirt.
Not a sheathe, but it will do.
***
Felicity wasn't sure why, but Hellania reassuring Felicity that her pain was valid - real - no less important ... it eased her. For as much as she loved her family, it had always been a competition of who was doing what more. Someone was worse off or better off than the next person. And just forget it if you were looking for a sympathetic soul in Fairy.
Yes, Felicity always remembered Foster, death and all. She, however, had never opened up to anyone save for Hellania and - by extension - the Seductress. Felicity had gotten on this ship, wary of the duo. Now, she was glad that they had opened up to each other. She wasn't sure if Hellania felt the same; she had opened her heart, and she hadn't been turned away or shamed for it.
She had seen a kindred spirit in both Captain Kahlid and Hellania, but for two entirely different reasons.
She wasn't going to lie: she was a little bit nervous when Hellania came closer with the bowl. But it was only because she wasn't sure what the plant in the bowl was. She had felt the effects of the smoke at first, not really minding it because she has felt the feeling before (she had experimented with drugs once upon a time). Only when Hellania explained what it was did she relax once more.
On top of the herb, she felt the gentle magic coming over her from Hellania's throat singing, as soft as ripples from a pond. It was much like the few blessings she had received from her family.
"Wait," she said just before Hellania left. She had heard Hellania's threat to the other witch. But she didn't say anything - what was she to say to that? Felicity didn't trust the Seductress, if she gave you the honest opinion.
"Let me give you a blessing." It was as old as her family, their motto, and the first spell that was in her family's tome. It was nothing to sneeze at, by any means. Felicity found it only right to give her a blessing for giving her one in turn, and why not the one that was the best she knew to give?
Still sitting, she looked up to her friend, heavy-eyed and at peace, and lifted her hands palm-up. "May the Sun light your path and the Moon guide your soul."
When she left, Felicity closed her eyes and sighed softly, not finding it hard to succumb to the dragon's breath. The last coherent thought she had was of what Hellania had called her: sister of pain.
She felt that fitting.
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Voss
Warrior
Confidence is not 'They will like me'. Confidence is I'll be fine if they don't.
Posts: 1,068
Pack Status: New Dawn, Other
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Post by Voss on Nov 20, 2020 15:40:59 GMT -5
Tempest seemed to relax a little upon hearing it wasn't her fault and that she need not worry. She would move to Sarah and hug her briefly with a smile."That seems like a marvelous idea." Tempest said with a sigh as if she could not wait either. Anya would nod and dream the same a nice bubby bath her face around her cheeks went bright red as she spoke" Yeah." She said all dreamy-like then cleared her throat when she heard Sarah speak.
She would take the water to drink it before handing it to Tempest who took a small drink before setting it back in Anya's hands. When Sarah handed her some cheese she would take it and break some off for Anya who devoured it without thinking. Tempest chewed slowly wanting to savor it. " How long do you think you all will sleep?" She asked, she had slept most of her life so she doubted she would sleep too long.
Crevan moved over to the people that were shackled checking the spelled chains before moving off into the forest." Asvi!" The woman would jump slightly hearing the large man Bellow for her. She was quick to come to his side as they walked among the walk where the battle ended before it started near the Prince and him. He looked around briefly before looking down at the witch who was confused as he wanted her. He would take his blade out and prick her finger.
"Retrieve quae perierunt" (Retrieve the lost) as her finger dropped blood from it the ground would glow where the item was. He would walk over and pick it up before shoving the sheath in her hands and walk off." Give it to her." Asvi just kind of stared at the sheath in her hands. When she looked up he was paces away before she took off on a run to catch up with him.
~*~
Helliana had taken delight in the blessing her newfound friend had given her. It made her feel strength from a new bond-forming for her. Now as she held the Captain by his collar of his shirt she found that strength warming." I will not be sharing with those about to board this ship. And Felicity doesn't need to either, why is none of your crew having this problem?" He would look at her and swallow hard." The crew is under contract. They do not have to fuel the ship for they do so with the sweat of their brow by working."
She would slowly lower the man with a sigh, she was not about to sign a contract to just get out of feeding the ship. The captain would adjust his clothes a little so he didn't feel like he was choking to death." We are nearly there, we will be sending out small boats to gather them we can not go any further inshore." He said. No Storm formed this time it was as calm as the ocean could be. The raven would take off and explode into a mass of feathers and disappear.
Seductress moved from the floor to look at Felicity as she seemed deep into the dragon's breath, she would look her over wondering how many parts of her dark magic she could use from her ingredients from her body. She would make a face remembering the threat and under the circumstances, she would not be able to negate the pain. She would pace the room slowly wondering how much longer this ship ride was going to be, she was bored and wanted to cause trouble. She thought the vampire had lost her marble trusting the very thing that caused trouble in the first place for the kingdom.
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Post by Thea on Nov 20, 2020 19:14:03 GMT -5
"I wouldn't be surprised if I sleep for weeks," Sarah said, finishing up putting everything away. She had to use the pack as a brace for her to get back up, grunting slightly as she did so. After she was on her feet she swung it to her back and slipped her arms through the straps.
Breathing in deep the sea air, she did another once-over along the beach. As she exhaled, she squinted her eyes to look out at sea.
Was that what she thought it was?
The loud "Whoop!" from Cardinal confirmed what she was seeing: a silhouette of a ship stood a ways away from the shore. Cardinal was dancing now, she saw, playing a happier tune on his pipes. The sounds the instrument was emitting were melodic, almost magical in the way the notes were composed. Sarah had the strongest urge to dance along with him.
"Do you see what I see?" she asked Anya and Tempest, starting to walk forward. "That's a ship!"
She had seen Crevan and Asvi walk into the forest when she heard the traitor's name being called, but she quickly looked away, reminded of Crevan's anger simmering in the back of her mind. She didn't have the heart to feel the jealousy that reared its ugly head, so instead she ignored it, instead opting to head down the shore, giving a clear invitation of "Let's go!" to Anya and Tempest.
Help has arrived!
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Voss
Warrior
Confidence is not 'They will like me'. Confidence is I'll be fine if they don't.
Posts: 1,068
Pack Status: New Dawn, Other
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Post by Voss on Nov 20, 2020 19:41:25 GMT -5
Anya squealed in delight," Yeah I see it. Thank the gods." She shouted and ran for the shore. Tempest was speechless but had a mist forming in her eyes because she was just so happy to be off the damned island. She would run with Anya towards the shore just in time for the boats.
It was not long till the rowboats were at the shores. Julian had waited by the shoreline once a boat was close enough he would jump in and sit down dropping his bag behind him. He was ready to get on the ship and get home. He thought of hiding in his room for a while where he could collect his thoughts. Adisa would strut towards the boat. When she got to shore and into the other boat wanting to be as far as she could from Julian her arms were crossed over her chest.
Crevan would sit across from Adisa who did not look at him as her anger boiled over stewing over Sarah and Julian. Crevan was void of any emotion physically wise but he equally had a brew stewing of rage among other emotions. The chained witches would walk into the water before holding onto hooks on the side of the rowboats. The other witches climbed into the third one that rowed ashore. Asvi would climb into The boat Julian was sitting in her head down far from the prince.
Alister would wait for everybody to board before he would take off for the ship as a raven his wings flapping quickly as if he was in a hurry. When he reached the porthole to their room he would dart inside landing. In that instant, he had turned back adjusting his suit as if pissed." Scram find your Mistress." He said standing over Felicity watching with a caring eye before he would turn and stand guard over her.
The Seductress would scurry above to find Helliana standing by the side of the boat with the ladder to get up on it. She didn't speak a word as she watched her wait for them, she figured Helliana would be escorting the child to see her mother.
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Post by Thea on Nov 20, 2020 22:14:48 GMT -5
By the time Sarah got to the shore, she had seen the witches in shackles chained to the boat, still standing in the water. The women and children had taken up the center boat, she saw. Even so, seeing that not all of them were in there had slowed her excitement down considerably.
Her smile dropped and stomach seized for a few moments.
She had to look away.
To the left, Crevan and Adisa sat in one boat. Sarah knew that Crevan was still angry, despite the demeanor of the stoic soldier he portrayed to everyone. He might have been far enough from her, but she felt that rage hovering over her like a thunder cloud. Not to mention she was still upset that the witches are being taken from here.
Adisa just looked mad. By the way she had her arms over her chest and a 'don't come anywhere near me' expression, coupled with the tense situation with her master, she didn't want to disturb the hornets' nest.
Looking at her right, Julian didn't seem to be in better shape than her. Suddenly, her mind went back to the forest, how she had gotten in between him and her master. She had almost gotten him killed. Or her master, one. Would he even want to look at her?
Adisa's words came back to hiss in her ear. "You have won," she had said.
She had a feeling that the reason why she had been told that was the same reason she reassured herself Julian wouldn't mind if she got in the boat with him and Asvi. Besides, she had some questions that she was sure Julian will be able to answer.
"I am going to sit with Prince Julian and the girl Asvi," Sarah said to her friends beside her, her fists clenched in slight nervousness. "I have to ask him some things." She would have loved it if they both rode in the same boat as her, but she wasn't going to beg them to if they didn't want to.
She gave them a quick smile, regardless of their decision, knowing that she would see them shortly afterward once they got on the ship. Then trudged through the water and got herself into the boat with slight difficulty.
"Hello," she greeted to Asvi, not sure if she understood her or not. Regardless, she wanted to be polite. After that, she sat down on the bench beside him, leaving a half-foot space between them.
For a brief moment, she was silent, quickly going through her head how she wanted to start this conversation. Sarah didn't want to bring much of what had happened thus far, hoping that there isn't a repeat ever. But she wasn't good at dancing around with her words. So she decided to just be straightforward. "Adisa told me that I won. Do you know what she would mean by that?"
Cardinal wasn't the first to leave, playing his pipes until Sarah was safely inside the boat. In a blink, he went from fae to bird, hovering in the air before he flew to the ship. With his aerial vision he flew over the deck in search of Felicity. That's weird, he thought. Felicity would have been up on deck waiting for the boats to get back to the ship.
The cardinal bird swooped down, then changed in another blink back to fae in midair. His boots made a satisfying thwump against the hard wood of the deck, causing him to smile briefly before he started looking for Felicity on foot instead.
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Voss
Warrior
Confidence is not 'They will like me'. Confidence is I'll be fine if they don't.
Posts: 1,068
Pack Status: New Dawn, Other
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Post by Voss on Nov 21, 2020 8:43:45 GMT -5
Anya would raise a brow as if to say we coming too, Tempest, and she would sit a little further back in the boat so they could talk somewhat privately. Tempest knew her asking her father a bunch of questions was not a good idea for the ride at hand. There was plenty of time on the boat to scold him.
The chained witches pushed off the sand their muscles rippling as they worked to make the boat take off, they would remove their hands from the hooks moving to the next boat. The last boat they would push off then hold till some climbed inside the boat with Crevan. The ones that could not fit inside would hang off the side seeming to enjoy the fast-paced ride.
Asvi would look up," Hello?" She said kind of questioningly her hands would rub together, looking down at the sheath. Though when she sat next to the prince she thought perhaps later would be the best time to give it to her.
Julian would sit up straighter rubbing his hands on his pants when she came to sit down. When she asked him that question he would make a face and close his eyes." She was being..."He would pause and look at Sarah with a smile that was not really happy but it wasn't sad either. " She kept making it sound as if we were together. I like her as a friend, she wants more. I told her that would never happen because I had my eye on someone else. " Was all he said about it not answering her question.
Alister stood with his hands behind his back as he waited for anything or anyone. He would look to Felicity once in a while. He would at some point take a double-take seeing the smoke rising from the bowl and his eyes would narrow a little. He did not place the smell because it was something he smelled all the time. But when he realized it he became curious as to why it would be by Felicity. He remembered his first experience with the local herb, it was the pain of the loss of Crevan's wife is why the General for a while used it.
But he smoked it the use of it this way was a lighter effect, Alister was pleased with that. Helliana waited above her body stiff as a statue as she waited.
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Post by Thea on Nov 21, 2020 10:56:27 GMT -5
Cardinal had only taken a few steps when it had happened.
He no longer stood on a boat. No longer was waiting for Sarah to arrive on deck or looking for Felicity, who he guessed was below. Instead, he stood in front of a rowan tree, heart heavy with what he saw there.
It had been three human years after Foster's execution. Three years he watched from the shadows as Aranel - no, Sarah - grew from a squalling baby into a rambunctious toddler with a squealing laugh that was infectious. No matter how many times she got in trouble ("Don't touch that! It's hot!" or "Watch the cannoli, sweetheart.") she never lost that laugh for long.
Time wasn't a thing in Faerie, however. Cardinal had returned to see Felicity. To see if anyone was caring or daring enough to rescue her from Oberon's clutches. When he returned, snow floated from the sky, equally frigid here as it was in the human world during winter.
He had hated the snow, but he had hated what he saw even more.
Foster had been beheaded - there was no denying that, as Cardinal's eyes took in the headless body that was embedded into the trunk of the rowan. Not too far away was his head, connected to the body at the bottom of the head by writhing vines.
It was a grotesque sight. Blasphemous and disgusting as the tree gave some of its life force to the dragon-man. It was clear to Cardinal what the Forest was trying to do
Bringing Foster back from the dead.
He was brought back from the past with a jolt, shocked. His face, already pale in the fae way, had become paler, almost gray with sickness.
What had made him relive that? ***
Sarah's resolve had strengthened and courage was bolstered when Anya and Tempest followed her to the boat. She was thankful for them, because she hadn't been sure if she would like how talking with the Prince would turn out. Regardless, she needed to know.
She was acutely aware of the legs of her pants, soaked from mid-thigh down and sticking to her legs. Her feet were soaked as well, she noticed as her toes wiggled in her boots. She hated the feeling.
Her eyes, the color of violets and whose pupils were reptilian in nature, looked up at Julian at the same time he looked to her. And for a moment, her heart stuttered painfully in her chest like it had tripped over its feet. Sarah couldn't deny she was hopelessly attracted to the Prince - not anymore. Of course, all of the vampires were dangerously beautiful, with those purple-and-platinum eyes and charming smiles. It was not unlike watching big cats move - beautiful from afar but up close you could very well lose life or limb.
With Julian, there was another danger lurking there. Sarah would be a fool to not see it. The danger of her heart being broken looked back at her with his eyes, but she knew that it wouldn't be him that broke it.
It would be her with the hammer amid all the broken pieces.
Julian was a prince, slated to rule the Isles after his parents. He had so many women fawning over him. Easily, he could pick someone he could spend his life with, could rule with. Very obviously not her - a hybrid of witch, dragon, and fae, with freckles and dragon skin and pointed ears who had screwed up so royally that she pulled a Freaky Friday with Jewel and Laina.
Yet ... she liked him. How easy he was to speak to and dance and laugh with. He wasn't a pompous asshole, never treating anyone he came into contact with ill intentions. She remembered how he was willing to speak with her master to take leave of him so that she could see her parents.
She matched his smile, void of anything, only given as a reflex. But she listened to him, her full attention on his words. She knew that Adisa was rather possessive of Julian. Really, it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Adisa felt unrequited love towards her master.
But he didn't answer her question.
Did he really have to, though? If Adisa's words to Sarah had anything to do with the fact that Julian did not reciprocate her feelings, Adisa thought that Julian had his eyes on Sarah.
Which was laughable.
Sarah didn't think it was funny though.
Was the Prince really... Did he?
"May I ask who?"
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Voss
Warrior
Confidence is not 'They will like me'. Confidence is I'll be fine if they don't.
Posts: 1,068
Pack Status: New Dawn, Other
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Post by Voss on Nov 21, 2020 12:09:22 GMT -5
Just as he began to wonder why his goat eyes would go unfocused. He has ripped away from the present to the past.
A jazz song played distorted in the background of an ash-covered ruined landscape. A figure that looked solid but on occasion would wave like smoke. The figure was mixing odd herbs and dried out mushrooms, the voice was as distorted as the music as it mixed them. When the mixture started to wilt the figure throw the bowl with a raged filled distorted howl. In the place of the wilted shattered concoction, a flower would grow vibrant against the grayed-out background. The figure stood with a smile full of tar and jagged teeth.
The figure would creep towards it with this disgusting smile when it was inches away from touching the flower a well-dressed man would appear picking up the flower. " You have been naughty trying to breach the fae's world without Masters say so. " He would make a tsking noise as he was about to crush the flower. He instead gripped his other hand crushing the lower level demon into ash. He would stare at the flower for a while before tucking into his Suit pocket.
He would blip into another plain, his eyes focusing as he looked around a market place a bustle he would smile taking his stride to slow into the path leading to the castle. Taking moments to glance at souls that he had interests in. When he had graced the entrance of the large building he would open a door and then close it. He would do this several times before a garden lay before him. He would step into it at the edge of the stone that surrounded it.
" Greetings. " A voice was heard by a long pointed ear woman who sat with the queen waving a mixture before the burning mix seemed to be calming her. " Ah, Yes. Greetings." He would not step into the garden watching them. The woman would eventually stand with a smile as she approached him." Give me." She held out her hand as if she knew what he wanted. He would give her the flower watching her carefully. She would move ner the small stream and waterfall before digging into the deep rich earth of the ground. She would set the plant to grow, anything that might have been nefarious was purified by the ground and the life tree. He would smile watching the plant before hearing a bell chime.
He was ripped back to the present that it made him suck in a breath as if he had lacked to breathe during the time. He would look down at Felicity remembering the timing and became stiff.
~*~
Anya watched her friend leaning back on the boat as it strong strides on the water, she liked the view of the man rowing the boat trying to ignore her friends talking. She could hear though and it pained her that Sarah was still trying to be thick-headed. Tempest sat sideways looking at Anya who was doing the same. She would stare at her for a long moment till the woman saw her. They would stare at each other as if playing the staring game, Anya's eyes unfocused as Tempest's did the same.
The vision was being taken over by Helliana which she didn't get what she wanted she would release them. Anya would shake her head a little looking at her. Tempest would wink at her as in telling her she kept Sarah's privacy as much as she. Julian refrained from looking at her as he looked over the sea as the fog began to go across it. He would frown a little not being able to see the ship they had once seen from the island. He would turn to focus on her when she asked him the question. He had not meant to laugh when she asked the question but it had just come out.
He would shift a little in his seat looking away from her again." She is very beautiful. A woman that can pull anyone's attention along with her looks, but can retain it with her kindness and sharp mind. " He would smile looking at his signet ring." But she has a hard time seeing things when it comes to herself. " He shrugged his shoulders before looking at her." A brilliant woman with magic that she can fail and still have magic meet its end with results. " When the boat slowed he would stand up. He looked down at her." And in some lands, her name means Lady, Princess, or Noblewoman. " He would push off the boat jumping up on the deck. The boat would rock a little after he did so.
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Post by Thea on Nov 21, 2020 14:45:54 GMT -5
The blush that warmed her cheeks and ears was an instant reaction to Julian's laugh, but she could tell it wasn't a malicious laugh. Slightly embarrassed, she chuckled along to show herself that her question wasn't too forward. She was just curious.
She had the desire to scoot closer, so that she could hear him better, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Instead, she leaned toward him, eyes unfocused as she paid more attention to what she heard and less to what she saw. She didn't realize how much she was leaning toward him, or how fast her heart was beating until it tripped again, then picked up its pace once more.
She was hoping.
Hoping that she wasn't crazy for wanting Julian to be attracted to her. Hoping that she didn't break her own heart for wanting something that wasn't hers. Hoping that she didn't look like one of his fan girls. That he knew regardless she wasn't one.
I wouldn't consider myself beautiful, she thought the response to each of the compliments he gave to this mysterious woman, as if he was talking about her. Can't really imagine looking at me. I think I am kind to other people and pretty smart. And ... maybe I can be a bit too harsh on myself.
When he turned back to her, she quickly backed up, shoulders straightening so that she could pretend she didn't get into his personal space. But her eyes didn't hold embarrassment.
They had that hope in them. And maybe a bit of awe.
She stopped comparing herself to the person he was describing, dumbstruck. She was this person. It finally clicked when he had described what her name meant, eyes stuck on the Prince's face as he stood and smiled at her - an actual genuine smile.
The boat rocking was sudden, scaring her enough to squeak out her displeasure. She reached one hand to grab at the side of the boat instinctively. After it stopped, she stood up herself, making sure she didn't fall over the side. Her eyes finally traveled to Anya and Tempest, not being able to completely stop the giggle that came from her mouth.
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