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Post by Thea on Dec 5, 2020 20:24:17 GMT -5
"Edraele."
Lullah's answer was simple, like it was a no-brainer on who Lullah was talking about. However like most Phais, Lullah didn't quite get that she had to be more specific when it came to those that were not like her. The Phais, when speaking to each other, didn't use words. It wasn't until they encountered the vampires and humans that they adopted speech. Even then, it was difficult for them to understand that verbal communication was truly important in every day life for those that were not like her.
Lullah obliged Edraele, taking her time in doing so. She was grateful, if a bit agitated that Lullah seemed to be taking her time just to spite Edraele. The Phais didn't even pick up her Vessel's weapons, fearing that if she were to do so, the vampires would see it as an attack and counter. Then the duo would have well and truly been goners; Lullah didn't know how to fight. She knew how to weave her will into the environment, causing people to see and hear things that are not there. If those she intended to trick knew how to feel past the illusions, she was left defenseless.
Besides, she wanted to show that she was willing to do most anything if it meant survival.
Lullah stood beside Aranel, doe-eyed to look non-threatening, but her Vessel's hands were clasped in front of her and chin held high as she had seen Edraele do in front of her people. She looked every bit of royalty as Damien did when he sat in the chair. She had to look away, at a spot above his head, when she saw his blood-stained teeth. Edraele's stomach flipped once. Lullah couldn't quite seem to keep the slight disgust from her face.
Edraele couldn't help but feel a swell of pride in her spirit when Damien spoke, which in turn had her reeling that she would even feel that at all. Knowing that Lullah had never seen the vampires up close, much less one who had obviously just fed, should have made her concerned for the Phais. Which, she was. But Damien called her valiant - this was recognition. Something that her young country strives for, and where better to get recognition than from those whose freedom they won from?
This wasn't just any vampire though that had given her such a compliment. In fact, this was Prince Crevan's brother, Damien. Heir apparent. She had never met him personally, no, but she knew of him, just like she had known of Crevan. From the sound of it, he didn't know who she was, though. Otherwise she guessed he would have said her name.
Do not use my title, Edraele said to Lullah, who was trying her best not to be upset at the sight of blood. Or use my full name. Either introduce yourself or call me Eddie.
Lullah didn't acknowledge the order at first, taking a slow breath in before looking at Prince Damien's eyes and nowhere else. "We are not broken," Lullah said, the voices firm as she put an arm out as if that could shield Aranel from the Prince. Those words sent a fresh wave of pain down her throat, but she trudged on: "I am Phais. My name is Lullah. My Vessel goes by Eddie."
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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 Dec 5, 2020 22:08:01 GMT -5
Damien's eyes shifted to the one calling themselves Lullah, a raise of a brow at the name Eddie. He had thought he heard the person say Edraele before they entered the tent. He had remembered two children for the King of the humans, though at the moment he could not think of what the names were for the life of him. It was not long until it registered. " Ah, the magical force behind the human called Adraele, princess?" He made quotations as he said the word magical force.
Crevan made no motion or facial expression for his brother speaking about the person before them being the princess. He did notice the protective nature of Aranel. It seemed that he approved of such a move, seeing his brother smiling at the Phais words. He would raise a brow. "I am glad to hear." Damien stood up, his footfalls moving towards her. "Though you seem in pain." He said with a soft purr like noise. Reach out his hand to her throat, checking the bruises along her neck.
"Heal her." That was all he said without looking at Aranel. She looked as if she paled upon hearing those words. She knew now that he knew the magic suppression was gone. She would hold her hands out towards Eddie.
" lux sanitatem" (Light healing) would send a golden glow to her neck and any vocal injury. If it affects her, there would be a warming feel. When the spell would finish, she lowered her hands. "Thank you kindly.. what was your name." Aranel would look to Damien, who took her hand and kissed it gently. It made her face become bright red. " A-Aranel." She would pull her hand back quickly. A brief smile would cross his lips.
" Phais, would your vessel prefer her given name or continue the name Eddie under a farse?" It had him turning to focus on her. When he smiled at her, his teeth were once again clean. "How is the King?" He asked. Aranel felt odd being treated so nicely by these vampires, unlike their father. She did not understand how they were born from him. Now they seemed familiar with her new friend.
Crevan would move past Aranel bumping into her as she had shifted from the spot she had been in. He looked down at her as her eyes looked up at him. She saw something deep in his eyes. It seemed like a pain. She thought maybe it was for the men that had died. He remained still for a moment before his hands gentle against her shoulders. He chose to move her aside before walking on.
It was odd for her to feel sorry for him. She wondered if he felt sorry for what his father had done to her family. He had not hurt her, even as she had attempted to kill as many vampires as she could. It had her feeling a strand of hope for herself and her new friend. Again she had a flash of her parents killed by the King, seeing Crevan shout at him taking his eyes off her in just the right amount of time.
It kept her swaying back and forth in her mind on if she could trust them. She felt deep inside herself she could trust Eddie. She became scared as she caught out of the corner of her eye the Prince picking up the weapons of Edraele's. He flipped it holding onto the blade to hand her handle first. " Here you go." He would slowly sink back into the chair.
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Post by Thea on Dec 6, 2020 9:41:31 GMT -5
I had hoped they didn't hear my name, Edraele said to Lullah, interrupting her before she could say anything. Nevermind the fact that she bristled at the quoted words. Since Damien knew who she was after all, she was afraid of what they planned to do with her.
Strange ... she hadn't given any thought on what might happen to her and Lullah when she figured she could hide behind her childhood nickname and act like just a random warrior from her father's army. She expected an interrogation soon, regardless. But now she also expected to be taken in as a hostage to ransom. Her father didn't have the same mentality as Grandfather. Edraele was afraid that her father would probably meet the demands that the vampires would have, just to make sure she was all right.
He was a logical man, but he loved his children more than he probably ought. It had been like pushing a boulder uphill to get him to agree to come with her comrades on this trip. If ever they reunited, he would probably say "I told you so", and never let her leave Veneifri again. After he met some ridiculous request like giving half the country up.
She had to find a way out of the situation.
Edraele watched helplessly as Lullah made no attempt to hinder his advance to inspect her neck. It was too intimate for her taste; grumbling to herself about how she didn't understand why he couldn't just look. She did notice that his fingers were warm - from the gloves, she guessed, but found it funny that these beings who were once their waking nightmares had warm hands - as if they were anything but cold-hearted.
Don't even get her started on the purr that came from him.
Lullah did not speak. She winced once when he pressed against a bruise (whether intentional or accidental, she wasn't sure), but otherwise was quiet. Edraele's eyes darted to Aranel when Damien told the witch to heal her, then back to Damien in confusion. Why was Damien being nice? From what the Veneifrians have said, the vampires were evil. Yet, he had her healed.
The warmth from the spell seemed to melt into her skin, the golden glow seeping into the pores to do as was cast. Neither Phais or human could see the bruises, but they faded away, leaving Edraele's neck unblemished. Even the burning sensation from her throat disappeared, leaving Lullah to breathe in a grateful breath of air.
Lullah didn't answer Damien's questions at first, waiting for Edraele to give her the answer to the first and trying to understand why he asked about the king for the second.
I do not care.
"You ... you may call her by either. She says that she does not care. And the king is well."
Lullah was hesitant to take Edraele's weapon, having at first thought that he would use it against her. Not to mention, she was not used to holding weapons. Did he want to fight her and was being honorable enough to arm her first? But he didn't look like he had any intention of that. No determined set of the jaw or blood-lust gleam in his eye. So she took the blade and carefully put it back in its sheathe at Edraele's side.
"I do not understand," Lullah murmured as she did so, her gaze moving from Damien, then to Crevan. "Why are you being so courteous?"
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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 Dec 7, 2020 7:22:31 GMT -5
Damien put his ankle on his other knee as he listened to Edraele tell him either name was acceptable to her. Knowing it was the Phais talking, and wondered why? " As you wish." He said. His head rested on his upturned hand as he watched her. He chuckled when she looked from him and then his brother before asking why they were, being courteous. It was something Damien could not help but laugh. " I am not a brute. " It was a simple answer. He gently slapped the gloves on his pants leg. "Though just like a wolf needs to eat. Only some rip apart their prey for sport." He said before letting out a sigh.
"My father had lost himself, not that he hadn't long before we were born. " Crevan returned from his sleeping area with papers. Damien looked to his brother then to Edraele, " I had hoped this would have gone much smoother. It is going to be difficult for those that remain." He would stand up tucking the gloves in his belt before letting out yet another deep sigh." I am, sorry, but all creatures must eat."
He moved towards her again. Him holding the papers his brother had handed to him when he stood. " You do not save the plants that you consume and digest. Nor the animals that consume for your strength in battle, do you?" He held out a documented paper with a line to sign at the bottom. "You have options. You can remain here serve out the time instead of breaking the truce we have. "They had not come to a treaty but a mere stopgap in the waring between them.
"Or You can sign this document that you will return what you have taken. Upon return of said people, we will not invade and raise your small country to the ground." He had been calm faced and stoic for most of the speech. Now he smiled generously." I know this is the mildest thing I can get away with, without my father demanding a sacrifice of the one responsible. That being you." Crevan set a stool before the Princess as his brother set the papers on the stool. " I will give you some time to think about it. That will be roughly about an hour. " He looked as if he was counting something out. Then he would look back at her with another smile. "Feel free to think of anything to counter my offer little princess. If you have questions ask of my brother."
When he stepped out of the tent seeing no one guard left to form his escort, he could only relax fully. He let his fingers go into his hair, gently combing the long locks. He felt as if the energy inside of him was going to explode with rage. He knew it would much more difficult to fight them on their land where the phais were stronger. Yet he knew that his father would demand it. He couldn't quite the inner anger over everything since their mother had disappeared. He did not know if this time was for good, or if she may turn up one day covered in dirt and ripped clothes. He turned his mind back to the present thinking of the country at war. It had been some time since they had raided the, whether it was supplies of a different nature or not. He felt that none of the options he had would slack his father's rage. Seeing the embers snuffed out much like the life from their only stock of sustenance.
Crevan watched Aranel who's eyes had glassed over. Hearing the reality of things, being put so finely as the ink on the page. He thought she might faint as he watched her sway a little before righting herself from toppling. Her skin paled as she ran out of the tent bumping into the prince. It seemed to shake him out of his rage. He would see her nearly fall, his quick reflex would try and right her. The dress's fabric was hard to grasp. She went down on her knees and lost herself retching.
The stink of the night and events had finally caught up with her. She would move slightly away, shaking, crawling on hand and knee. He would move next to her, gently touching her back as she wept. He said nothing because words had no soothing for whatever may come next.
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Post by Thea on Dec 8, 2020 16:06:35 GMT -5
Lullah didn’t feel like her question was funny. She genuinely wanted to know why Damien was at the very least giving off the guise of being genuine. Edraele was Veneifrian, and she, Phais. As far as she knew, the vampires didn’t like them simply because the humans fought back and took the land they lived on. Tack on tonight’s event to the added raids for supplies and treasures and picked fights, one would think Edraele would have been killed. Or put in shackles and beaten.
This was the first rescue mission that they had ever tried. They had been woefully underprepared, and knew that from the get-go. Edraele had planned on coming back after depositing the witches they had rescued. But now, Lullah wasn’t too sure if the king would allow that now.
Lullah didn’t say anything when Damien spoke of his father, but knew of the stories of King Celestine’s reign. She wondered vaguely, though, if Celestine was just a bad apple. That his actions shouldn’t be the basis of one’s judgement on all the vampires.
Do not trust his words so easily, Lullah. Edraele stated firmly.
Lullah didn’t answer her either, though it was plain on her Vessel’s face that she was having a bit of internal conflict. “It is true that all creatures must eat,” she said, “but to slaughter them like we have witnessed off your shore is not only a waste. It is a disrespect for life.”
Lullah looked at the papers Damien had held out for her, then with a hesitant hand took them. Edraele’s eyes skimmed over the papers quickly, pursing her lips before they relaxed into a frown. Lullah couldn’t read. Not her people’s ancient symbols or this more modern script. She differentiated which paper said what by the way Damien had emphasized. But other than that she couldn’t tell what all the servitude entailed or if upon return of the people what would happen to them.
She knew her Vessel, however. Edraele would rather sacrifice herself than to return the witches that she had saved, and in turn during servitude would find any small way to be an inconvenience. Yet if Lullah made the decision to return the witches, all of their efforts would be for naught. And Edraele would never forgive her.
If you think you will make this decision without my say so you are sorely mistaken. Vessel or not, I will never trust you again.
Lullah winced, shoulders slumped in defeat as she sat down on the stool Crevan offered her. Edraele had been her Vessel since she was a child. They had a strong connection as all Phais and Vessels do. Lullah already tested the bond by taking over Edraele’s body without her say so. Edraele made good on her vows, so if Lullah signed either paper without so much as consulting Edraele, Edraele would sever their tie without so much as a blink. Because if a Vessel cannot trust their Phais, what point is there to let them have control of their body?
Silently, Lullah let go of her control. Having no warning, Edraele rushed to right herself before her body slumped off the chair. The change was obvious, though. When Lullah was in control, Edraele’s shoulders drooped and the papers were loose in her grip. Edraele, however, had straightened her shoulders, lifted her chin, and extended a leg out as she brought the documents up closer to scan them.
She had been paying attention to how things were worded when Aranel had run out. The tent flap’s announcement of it had her jumping up, startling out of her concentration. When she realized that it had been Aranel, Edraele was torn between following her and going back to reading the documents.
She wasn’t quite sure why she felt the way she did about Aranel. The feeling of protectiveness and concern. Maybe it was because they looked alike. Or maybe she saw in Aranel what she saw in herself. Probably it had to do with the fact she reminded her of her older sister. Edraele clenched her jaw in agitation. Aranel must think her weak anyway; she had come in to save her, but got captured in the process right along with her. Her people that were left behind will no doubt suffer because of the Veneifrians actions, as Damien had said. And if Edraele knew her father at all, he would cease all attempts of raiding - at least until further notice.
She sat down, muttering under her breath as she set the paper that talked about returning the witches the Veneifrians have saved down and away from her. It was clear that she would not sign that one. “I will sign this one,” the princess said, stoic as she looked up at the mountain of a vampire. “But only after it is rewritten, ensuring my country’s safety -because Prince Damien did not promise that when referring to the first option- as well as [/i]at least[/i] Aranel’s well being during my servitude. I also need to know how long the servitude will last, and what it will entail.”
She paused for a few brief moments then, warring with herself about whether to explain to Crevan that Lullah would need the soil of her country; if the Phais inhabited her body for too long, Edraele would perish. But she ended up not saying anything. The vampires probably already knew. And if not? That meant that Edraele would be free from her imprisonment shortly, and Lullah would be free, simply because they said nothing of Lullah having to serve as well.
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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 Dec 9, 2020 10:16:33 GMT -5
Crevan watched the Princess seems to have a moral dilemma. He reached out to her when she slumped slightly. He didn't want her to fall off the stool. When she had full control of her body he would let go. He knew his brother had stormed out before she could ask things of him. So he would try and answer the best he could.
"Slaughtering beings only happens when someone loses themselves or has no care for life but their own." He said pulling out a large pot with soil in it." Your father had given me a gift." He would gesture to the pot. He would slowly run his finger across his lips to indicate not saying out loud what it may be.
He would sit in the chair Damien had been in, but only after he had poured himself a drink. He would hold the glass in his hand as if it was a tiny set of sake glasses. His large rough hands cradling it softly before he would drink. Even though he was youthful there was no mistaking him for a prince of leisure. He had been surprised when she said she had amendments.
He would take the document looking over it. He squinted for a moment as his fingers touched the page. When he did so some of the words left the page or rearranged. Then words started to appear. " Here, this should be to your liking. " He said holding it out to her." My brother has never broken his word. Though he rarely makes promises." He had made it so that his brother had to sign the contract as well." Get him to sign this before you do." He said letting the paper go once she took it from him. " I am going to assume that he will suggest three years. I can change it to less or more if need be." He said.
~*~
Damien still gently pet her back till her weeping was done, she seemed to shake hard before removing his hand. " I am sorry for your loss little one. "He said before standing up again. He wondered how long until she would plot their downfall because of their father. Watching her rise to her feet bringing her head up the wind tugging on her hair. " Thank you." Was a tone that said she was angry. She would seem to either relax or slump slightly in defeat.
" Those that create chaos only need worry of the Karma that will come to them eventually in this life." She said her tone was soft as if she had let the universe take her troubles for her. She right now only wanted to crawl into a bed and sleep. She figured that this would not be happening any time soon.
Damien let out a deep sigh nodding his head in agreement. "Yes, we all will meet and end fitting our life." Aranel would look up at him seeing the sorrow in his eyes much like his brother." Do you think that you will meet an end that is foul?" He would smile his eyes filling with laughter." Maybe, I allowed my father to go on like this. I have to admit that I fear what might happen if I dethrone him." He seemed to think for a moment.
"The council might see fit to remove my head." He said rubbing his throat. He would frown," It is easy to speak with you. I feel as if our souls have known each other for a long time like old friends."She smiled. She thought the felt familiar as well. It had been why she hadn't jerked from his touch. She felt as if a family member was trying to console her. She thought her thoughts were foolish, that one of her brother's souls had decided to reside in the beast's prince.
She had thought perhaps that was his charm at the beginning. Now she thought different but would keep that bit to herself and him. His brother however was hard to read. "I am exhausted. " He said with his hand in his hair as he looked at her out of the corner of his eye." I think It is time to call it a night." She stared at him wondering if he had heard her thoughts, that could not be. He would walk to her touching her shoulder," Let us go inside and deal with this so that all in question may get some sleep." He would guide her back towards the tent.
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Post by Thea on Dec 9, 2020 17:21:38 GMT -5
By the time Edraele realized that Crevan was keeping her from falling from the stool, he had let go. Edraele couldn't help but glance back at him, eyes narrowed suspiciously before she turned back around. How can he make a gesture of concern like that when he had lifted her off the ground by her neck not thirty minutes ago? It confused her. Almost as much as the fact that she didn't feel repulsed that a vampire had touched her in such a way. No, Edraele didn't trust Crevan as far as she could throw him. But she was starting to wonder if she could trust herself to make sure that by the end of her time with the vampires, she remembered who was responsible for her ancestors' pain.
"Sound words," she found herself saying, looking back up at him for what was supposed to have been a brief glance. Instead, she watched him produce a large ceramic pot, painted blood red and yellow-gold of her family's colors with the words "Through Pain, Victory" across the bottom in black lettering. Her eyebrows drew together as she stood. From the view the action gave her, she saw the Oriven insignia on the lid: a bare-backed woman with her arms raised, the planet's three moons in an arc above her head. When creating the insignia, her grandfather used his wife as inspiration.
Despite the fact that humans couldn't use magic, some were privy to the mysteries of Drethinov. Saskia had been a healer before she died, and was the first person to ever become a Vessel for the Phais. Grandfather found her the night he arrived to Veneifri, broken and bleeding from a particularly nasty beating he had received from disobeying the vampires that toted him across the ocean. Or, well, she found him. She had looked like a goddess to him.
No doubt, in the pot was the soil of her homeland. Soil so fertile that anything planted in it would grow to be the healthiest of its kind. The Phais claimed that it was magic; Edraele wouldn't doubt it. To have it gifted in such a way as this meant that whoever presented this to the receiver had great respect for them.
Her father respected Crevan because they have fought before, that much Edraele knew. But this ... this was more than "he is tough to beat". This was "I see you as an equal".
Edraele sat back down with a whump, speechless. Was her father crazy? Giving such a treasured thing of her country's to a vampire? Claiming him as his equal? Inconceivable.
This means I can detach myself from you, she heard Lullah say, wonder in her voice. But Edraele didn't respond to her.
She looked up to him in time to see him make the motion of being silent. Her jaw, which had been hanging slightly open, clicked shut, mind reeling like a spinning top. The princess was too busy trying to get her thoughts to slow down to notice how careful Crevan was with the glass of alcohol he had poured himself. If she had noticed, she would have found it ironic that such a big being would hold something so carefully.
Edraele took the paper back after it had been magicked, then reread it two more times so as to ingrain in her brain what she was about to sign. She had noticed before Crevan had pointed it out that there was another line at the bottom above where she was supposed to sign, but gave him a nod of thanks because she wasn't sure why there were two spots instead of the original one.
When the tent flap opened again, Edraele half-turned in her seat. She looked at Aranel briefly, making sure that she was physically all right, before going to Prince Damien. "There have been some amendments," she stated in a matter-of-fact way. "I would like for you to look them over. And tell me how long must I be of service. Prince Crevan had mentioned that you would suggest three years. I would prefer less than that. The less time my people are in mourning, the better. Unless I can send them a letter telling them I am all right?"
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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 Dec 19, 2020 15:21:48 GMT -5
(Sorry for the shortness.)
Crevan sipped the drink before chuckling at her words that sounded more like a reflex. He would stand moving to pour another drink. He would hand it to Edraele, offering it to her. If she did not take it right away he would sip it so she would know that it wasn't poisoned. "I have a deep respect for your father. " He said his face stoic. " I could not best him and he, not me. We were equal in swords. I have never been such honored in battle with such a great warrior." It was the truth he spoke to the young princess.
He was not weak yet he did not do the things his father was known for. He had been a momma's boy up until she had gone missing. Now he had to fend for himself, he would push a look of the battle to harden young soldier. It was easier to anvoid his fathers gaze this way by being forgettable. Hiding his emotions was key around his father, Damein fucked with their father differently. By being cheeky and a hand full, Crevan would shake his head a little to bring himself around.
The prince came back inside with Aranel, who seemed fine for the moment was guided by him. He would take the paper along his way to the seat. Sitting he would grab Aranel around the waist pulling her into his lap. She seemed shocked her eyes wide. When his hand rested on her head she looked almost as if she had been put in a slumber. Her eyes began to look heavy and she would put her hand up to her mouth and yawn. It was a matter of seconds and she was slumped against the Prince.
" I will not lesson your years. That would be like paying the thief that stole from you for your goods back." He looked at her a little sternly." You have charm princess but not that much." He would change a few things on the page then sign it. Handing it to crevan who had been watching Aranel in his lap. Crevan would bring her the document saying she had to serve one royal for five years. " Take it or leave it, princess." Damien knew that if she served less than that he would kill her on the spot. His father was cruel he may still just kill her on the spot. He had no idea that he had taken a witch ahead and most likely would be too enthralled with her to be annoyed at the moment.
"You, we will hide under the guise of a witch." He said waving his hand." I will see that you are given to someone who won't ask questions. Though we have to bring you to the council first. " It would take some convincing them to let him pick. Or he would make them think it was their idea. He was debating heading back on foot. But since the shipment was off towards the castle he thought teleporting to the gates would be faster. He had seen his horse gone with the rest. But only after she would sign. His fingers would play with Aranel's hair which earned him a look from his brother. It only made him cuddle her closer as her hand would rest her hand on his chest her breathing come in and out slowly.
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Post by Thea on Dec 21, 2020 15:54:55 GMT -5
No, Edraele didn't take the cup Prince Crevan offered her at first, wary. Poison was a thought of hers, but it was more than that. Taking what was offered by a perceived enemy was, to say the least, frowned upon. If her family - her grandfather especially - knew that she took the drink they would see it as a slap in the face not only to them, but to all of Veneifri.
But she was thirsty. And if Lullah perceived her refusal as rudeness, she might just try to take over her body again.
Hesitantly, she took the glass and looked at the contents with in. The tawny liquid's scent told her that it was a scotch, something that she rarely had - not because it was hard to come by, but because she couldn't handle too much spirits. One glass had her feeling a warm, tingling sensation going down her shoulders and back, two stained her cheeks red and loosened her lips. Three, and she was a goner. This was a small enough glass, so she knew she would be fine enough. So would Lullah.
But this would not cure her thirst. Or find her a way out of the situation she was in.
"My grandfather made sure that his eldest was a warrior through and through," Edraele replied, nodding once as she took the tiniest sip so as not to be considered ... inconsiderate. "And having him paired with Mazion ensured victory in battle every time." She spoke of the Phais that her father Yaltz was a Vessel for. Mazion was a Phais that struck fear into one's heart simply by being in his presence. If he was to tap into his victim's mind, he reached into the depths of your core to find what you were afraid of and became your worst nightmare. Edraele had her father's golden hair and eyes, the proud set of his shoulders. Yaltz, too, was a pleasant man. But when he merged with Mazion, he was a whole other being.
In battle, Yaltz's height rivaled that of Crevan's, his features were gaunt and garish. His eyes were a rust color. His hair would be streaked with shadows. His teeth pointed and crooked. He looked like a downright monster that crawled from the depths of hell. His men could not look at him, because if they did they would be struck with fright. Yaltz would always join the battle later on. That way, he didn't turn his men's attention from their duty.
Of course, there were few that Mazion couldn't affect to such a degree. If Crevan and Yaltz matched blow for blow, that would mean that Crevan was one of those beings. Edraele wasn't sure why she felt this way, but she wasn't surpised.
Edraele watched Damien come in with a keen eye, taking in his movements as one ought if they were watching their captor. Edraele had to restrain herself when Damien grabbed Aranel by the waist to set her on his lap. Seeing the young witch cuddled up against him and falling asleep afterward didn't set right with her either, but she let her hand relax out of the fist it curled up in when she saw that Damien wasn't harming her. Despite herself, she gave him a sly smile. "You wound me."
Edraele took the paper back from Crevan and read the changes. They weren't much, so she wasn't upset. Then she took the writing utensil and signed it with her full name and title in a looping scrawl: Princess Edraele of House Oriven. Five years was fine with her. The mourning period was only a year long; it didn't mean she wouldn't try to stop her from finding away to speak with her father so as not to worry him.
Do you think that is wise? Lullah spoke for the first time since she let Edraele regain her control. What if he orders a rescue mission? There will be a war regardless.
Edraele hadn't thought of that.
"That shouldn't be hard," Edraele said in response to his mention of passing her off as a witch. Her voice was softer than before, a certain sadness laced within her words. "With Lullah, I have the ability to cast auditory and visual illusions. I could even pass as Aranel's sister."
Shoving the paper towards the princes with one hand, she took the glass of scotch she was offered earlier and downed the contents quickly in three gulps. Her body shuddered in response, and she coughed for a few seconds before standing. "I am at your mercy."
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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 Dec 22, 2020 18:08:50 GMT -5
Crevan had became enthralled with her mention of her father's prowess. He had recalled the lesser among the men cowering like sniveling whelps before the great warrior. When they had crashed together it was like gods playing at swords before mortals, the blood spilled between them an equal stand. His men had said this about both of them. His second had said the sparks and speed between swords were like watching magic dance between warriors. He had wished to see her father again, spend a while reminiscing about the battle over a nice smooth scotch.
Now he was watching his daughter forced into slavery. She seemed mismatched with her phais, unlike her father, she had one that would assure her safety. Yet she had a warrior's spirit. He found it odd that her father had allowed her to run this mission. Some felt off to him.
Their ways were different than his kind. He did not see, as to how sending his daughter off to such a dangerous mission. It had been no time to answer when he had first seen his brother come in, now his mind was on Aranel. It was nothing he could do seeing his brother with the young witch much like he found him holding their sister. He knew the two were to be married to each other soon. Their sister only half but her power came from the being that had ruined their mother. He was growing in anger that he felt, he had no idea where it was coming from.
Damien would shift a little in his chair listening to Edraele speak, seeing the shift in her again. This time he knew it was not her Phais, the parasite within her seemed to lack the basic thoughts a human does. She seemed resigned now, which he could handle. His fingers went into Aranels hair. He had noticed her distaste in the matter with the tensing of some parts of her body. His eyes were keen to the movements as vampires communicated as such, through body language as much through speech. He learned how to read his father well growing up, as well as his mother. Seeing how she shifted from soft to a more hardened woman hiding her body language as much as she could. This made him well versed in subtleties. Watching his brother take and seal the document with a magic spell. It was so they could tell if it was tampered with by anyone.
He could feel the tension from both parties while he seemed to continue playing with her hair as if it were normal. It was as if Aranel was out like a light and felt nothing as he shifted once more looking down at the witch." Hm, perhaps you could pass with a little magic from your friend."He would smile, the smile was quick." Maybe I can arrange for you both to go to the same place. " He would chuckle before letting out a sigh." Whenever you finish your drink we shall head for the city." His claw-like fingers gently moved across her skin, causing a little blood to spill. Aranel did not even move her breathing though changed as if her body had registered the pain. It seemed the only way it could show it was from the quicker breathing.
Crevan's eyes focused on him and his brother seemed unphased by this though his body would flex and tense in some spots as if ready to defend himself if the man would attack. To others, it seemed as if he was unnoticing of him. His smile would widen as he let out a small chuckle as Aranel would wake sitting up. She would reach her hand up touching the small bead of blood. She seemed confused upon noticing she was in the prince's lap she would move from him. In which he did not stop her. He would lick the sharp nail before his eyes dilated with excitement. "Mmm, interesting," Crevan mumbled a few words to make the document disappear in a cloud of smoke. It was not long before Damien spoke again." I wonder what your line tastes like." He was talking about Edraele. Crevan touched his brother's shoulder gripping it hard which had his dilated eyes return to normal. Crevan would release him once the Prince had seemed to regain himself.
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Post by Thea on Dec 26, 2020 21:25:10 GMT -5
Crevan's expression when she made the mention of her father was not lost on Edraele. Yaltz hardly ever spoke of his time during the rebellion, and of those few times he only mentioned Crevan once. But by her grandfather's bald head did his face light up with such an enthrallment. At the time, she had thought her father crazy. Speaking of such high regard for the Prince about his battle prowess, mixed with Mazion's curiosity of the vampire's reactions (or lack thereof) to his magic, had earned him a look of incredulity and sharp words about how vampires were evil creatures from Edraele.
Her emotions that Crevan's expression elicited ranged from relief that her father's respect did not go unanswered to pride that Yaltz was recognized in the first place by one such as Crevan. Which then led her to feel uncomfortable that she would care what Crevan felt about her father at all. Mentally, she shoved all those emotions into a metaphorical box and tossed them into the deep recesses of her mind to be sorted out and examined later.
Edraele didn't have any words to say to Damien, so she just shrugged her shoulder to try to give the air of nonchalance. As if she found herself signing five years of her life into slavery on a daily basis. Yet she did want to stay with Aranel, one of the main reasons being that she felt that she could trust the witch. Another being that maybe with someone who was in the same boat as her, she wouldn't feel so alone.
Upon finishing her drink and standing, she wanted another one. Seeing Damien taste Aranel's blood had her stomach seizing before the urge to kick his face in hit her hard. Of course, she didn't act on it. She was in no position to do so. She felt helpless as she saw confusion pass across Aranel's face, though.
I have a feeling that will be a familiar feeling as my time here continues, she thought to herself, her palm resting instinctively on the pommel of the sword. Edraele figured that evetually she would have to give up her weapons - after all, if she was to pose as a witch she would have to play the part. And from the looks of it the witches didn't have weapons when they were in those pens. Until then, she would keep them close by her.
Edraele straightened her shoulders, expression hardening as she looked every bit of a haughty princess. Secretly though, her heart skipped a beat in nervousness. It was one thing to see Aranel's blood being tasted, in which she had nothing but righteous anger to feel about that. But it was another to have Damien's predatory gaze set on her. "May you never have the chance to find out," she replied primly, not looking at Crevan who seemed to have pulled Damien back from a metaphorical ledge. Then she nodded to her empty glass once. "I am ready to go."
Because the quicker she can start her servitude the quicker she can go home.
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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 Jan 2, 2021 8:32:34 GMT -5
Crevan had not moved to Edraele yet had her drink filled once more, was more of a shot than a full cup of the tawny liquid. He had seen the expressions she made that were light hard to see. Ranged in shortness of time that one without the ability to see such things would go unnoticed. He had not made it seem he had seen it, knew she found herself better than them.
It was something he could see, considering they took slaves for feeding. He fasted despite the rest of his family, who often gorged themselves on whoever. While in the same breath, they say that Scions were the only thing one would need. His father was the largest of the breaker of rules.
Though the man himself pushed to have, this often boiled Crevans blood. He figured his father did it to keep him from spreading his seed and bleeding those that he found attractive. That Celestine could take them for himself. So Crevan fasted, trying to avoid setting his eyes on any woman that could catch his eyes. He had broken his rule already.
He had seen Aranel in her glory of rage for her parent's death to the point it had made his blood rise. He had one-moment thought of taking her for his own, but he saw that as being just like his father, a man who he hated. He drew from his mind to hear her speak to his brother. Crevan had genuinely felt the heat from her anger in her words to him.
Crevan could not help but chuckle loudly, caused his brother to become visibly angered for a second before he also laughed.
"Whoever receives you as a witch will have a handful. " He could not help but laugh more.
Crevan would shake his head, seeing that his brother had been mad but saw the irony. If Damien, not the one, it would be someone else to taste her blood. He would have been far more likely to be gentle than someone from the older time.
He let out a deep sigh as he rose to form the chair. " Well, if we are ready..."
He would grab Aranel let out a little yelp of shock. Damien also grabs Edraele by the shoulder. As everything around them went pitch black and there was no air to breathe, they were in front of a large wall with a gate made of a type of hardwood. Several men dressed in full armor stood before it. Damien would smile, a growl taking the attention of the men who had seemed to be asleep at their posts.
They opened a smaller door for them to cross into the city. Crevan would appear with the pot of soil. The city did not allow direct teleport into the city as it would be a security problem. Damien had waited while those that had traveled with him could gain their composure, though when Aranel jerked from him, her eyes staring at him as if she was afraid she might die.
The guards shifted their pole weapon on her, Damien would hold his hand up and rest his other on her shoulder." She has not traveled like this before. Completely a normal reaction." He said with a smile. She might have used her magic, but she felt something muting it.
The wall had etchings on it that matched the talisman that Crevan had in his tent. One would assume that it was so they could not storm it with explosive magic. It made it more difficult to invade the city, not allowing those with magic to lay siege to it. The stone was one of the rare resources of the planet from one of the Great Mountain regions.
He would grip her chin, lifting her face to look up at him. Her eyes would glaze over again as if she was tired. Damien gently sent her into the city through the door. He motioned for Edraele to go ahead of him. The pot of soil crevan seemed like a light package in his arms as he followed his brother, who was ushering them into the city limits. Where it was once silence, the nightlife, it was loud inside the city streets.
It was a celebration of the summer solstice the many different cultures traditions mingling. There were bonfires with beings jumping through them. Some danced with flowers in their hair, many vampires mingled with the other groups playing drinking games. A few faes flitted through the area as well.
"Welcome to the Great City of Celestia," Damien said with a sarcastic tone. Damien's tone was to that of the cities name being close to his father's. The man knew no modesty.
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Post by Thea on Jan 3, 2021 10:54:59 GMT -5
Crevan's chuckle made her jump.
It was something unexpected, like a booming clap of thunder. Compared to that, Damien's look of anger was lightning - rather obvious, there one instant and gone the next. Edraele felt her heart stutter, as if the life-giving organ tripped over its feet before getting back up again. Gooseflesh rose on the back of her neck, a reaction that started ever since she first met Mazion. Before she could get into the position of defense, however, Damien's expression changed.
She had to hold back the sigh of relief that bubbled up in the throat, shoving it back down with a swallow. At Damien's comment of being a handful, she smiled ruefully. Indeed, she intended to be a handful. Eddie wasn't sure what all entailed of being a witch, even more so a witch in service to a vampire. And while her main goal is to not be killed in these next five years, which would mean she would have to adapt, she didn't plan to take any command or request in a soft, docile way.
Edraele didn't touch the second glass of liquor Crevan poured for her, knowing her limits regardless if she wanted another. She wanted to keep her wits about her.
Much like Aranel, Edraele let out a sound of shock when Damien grabbed her shoulders. Edraele went to shrug him off, but was stopped when her world went black. There were no sounds, no scents, no air. She couldn't even see her nose. She wasn't sure how long she was like this. It could have been only seconds. She hoped it was only seconds.
Then suddenly, every one of her senses came back, along with her lungs' important function. Edraele stepped forward, releasing Damien's hold on her with a jerk of her shoulders. It was clear on her face that she hadn't expected ... whatever that was. But as she looked around, making sure that she was still living, she gained her composure once more in time to see the guards aiming their weapons at Aranel.
They must have teleported.
Like back in the tent, she felt a suppression of Lullah's magic, as if her brother was wrestling with her and he had the upper hand. She was conscious of the weapons at her side; she hoped that these guards didn't pay any attention to them, and if they did wouldn't link them to Veneifri. But then again, if they did she would let Crevan and Damien explain that away.
The princess couldn't help but scowl when Damien seemed to cast some sort of spell over Aranel, and before she walked after the glassy-eyed witch she said to him, "I believe she would have gone in without the help." She was glad that he didn't try doing it to her, though.
When she went through the doorway, she was taken aback. One minute there was silence, and the next a rapturous symphony of nightlife and vibrant colors and joy. With slow steps, she walked after Aranel, not knowing where she was going but figured there had been a silent command in the spell Damien cast over her. Surely this wasn't some ruse to further entrap her or something.
As Edraele watched the life around her, she was awe-struck. Her mouth hung open subconsciously, eyes wide. She had caught the notice of a pink-skinned woman, baby blue hair cut into that of a pixie style. The woman's smile was seductive in nature, causing Edraele to blush profusely and look down at the ground. As she passed the woman, whose ears - if nothing else - proclaimed her race, she heard her laugh. She seemed to take great delight in humiliating, Edraele thought, yet in the back of her mind wondered why her skin was pink and hair was blue.
She had never been outside of Veneifri's borders with the exception of raids. Seeing all of this, humanoid species intermingling with each other, had her in a sort of culture shock.
Upon hearing the city's name, she shook her head. Her grandfather told her of Celestine's ... eccentricities, to put it mildly. That Celestine was an egotistical bastard. She knew without Damien's sarcastic tone who named this city. Feeling the heat in her cheeks recede, she cleared her throat and looked straight forward. "I assume everyone is celebrating the Summer Solstice?"
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