Carantathraiel

Wanderers

"I'm not going to shu-" Ruli began to insist, only silencing when he caught the look on Envy's face. Frowning, Ruli went quiet.
When Kire and Ed began to speak in Taakalon, Ruli and Ysaryn both glanced in their direction. Ysaryn wasn't aware of Kire's plan or her previous slip, but Ruli somehow knew exactly what they were discussing.
Though he wasn't sure why Ed cast a glance his way when Kire mentioned a sign. When Ed did, Ruli dropped his gaze quickly, which prompted the fuchsia eyed elf to leer curiously at him, as well.

"What was all that secretive muttering about?" Ysaryn asked as they all got up to head to work on the wards.
Ruli shrugged. "Kire announced she wants to give up her throne. Ed likely thinks I'm the cause."
Ysaryn snorted. "Hardly. She made mention of such a desire long before she decided to bed you."
Ruli arched an eyebrow and glanced her way, wondering how she knew. But he merely shook his head and joined the other two, Ysaryn lingering to observe and offer her help if required.

Envy stood where he was to listen to the other two, offering his comments as they discussed the spacing, the height, the material. Ruli and Gavin wandered along the perimeter slowly. In an effort to allow Gavin to learn more, he let the Gemini take the reigns, making notes as they went along based on what he calculated.
Ysaryn, when the males grew focused in their work, turned to join Kire and the others, smiling down at the younger cousins as they emerged. Catching the bit of conversation about Ruli being Kire's suitor, the elf smirked, then laughed outright at Narda's addition to the conversation.
"While I am not so familiar with this word, unless 'wooing' means an abundance of the word 'ple-"
"Kire?"

Ysaryn went silent, a mischivous glint in her eye.
Ruli wandered over, glancing curiously at the elf for a moment. "What is the palace made of? Stone wise? Is there a quarry of excess stone somewhere? They'll word best if we use the same sort of stone. Any rubble from the siege is potentially ..." He peered at Etta again, tilting his head. "...damaged." Why was she staring at him like that? He glanced to Presy, who looked as inquisitive as ever. "Are you feeling alright?" He asked, slightly recalling mention of fevers.

Wanderers

Ysaryn winked at Kire as she began to eat, casting a secondary glance in Ed's direction in time to see him frown at his cousin. Her fuchsia eyes flit to Ruli, next, who shook his head before gesturing to Envy. Don't ask. He hinted, and turned toward Gavin.

"Visions and dreams are different, but part of the same strand of understanding." Envy said. "If I recall, there was a scholar, long ago, who said all dreams were visions that were simply not powerful enough to be accurate. He enjoyed the use of hallucinogenic devices to help let his mind speak more clearly and obtain more accurate visions. Though many denounced him as a simple imaginative addict."
"In theory, the same sort of charm we used on the palace could work to dispel dreams and visions if worn by us." Ruli mentioned to Gavin. "Assuming they are magic."
"What else are they to be?" Ysaryn asked, her mouth full.
Ruli shrugged. Envy tapped his finger to the table in thought. "If they truly are interference from the Gods, then they are divinity."
"There's no proof that divinity isn't magic. Or visa versa." Ruli argued stubbornly.
"I have not said that they-"

Daryll's sudden question silenced the Kartaian, who glanced in Ruli's direction with a gently frown before going back to his meal. Ruli arched an eyebrow before likewise resuming, his attention shifted to the Tower-dwelling Wyvern. At Narda's mention of the sunset, Envy grinned, while Ruli glanced back toward Kire.
"You think the strange visions you get have something to do with the Goddess?" He asked suddenly. He heard Envy put down his fork with a exasperated sigh, which Ruli ignored. "You were getting them long before the gate thing."

Greetings! Candy Cane Service!

Thank you to the kind soul who thought of me and sent me a greeting. (And the thread runner for doing this. It's a lovely idea.
Happy christmas / yule.

Wanderers

Only if they want a contract written up. Ruli's expression softened. That sounded much easier to handle. No official title, more than adequate payment for the odd little tasks would help with. He'd never been fond of titles, even one as none threatening as court sorcerer. And this way he could avoid whatever awkwardness came with bedding the empress.
As Kire so tactlessly pointed out, it would be a short contract anyway.

While he kept his head down, Ruli still went still as even Envy's head rose, sensing the sudden tension in the room. Kire's insistance that whatever she had brought up not be discussed. Envy turned his head from her to Ed, and then, shortly after, toward Narda, quite confused.
Ruli chuckled low as Daryll asked about Myka. "You certainly have the tact of someone who knows she has the final word." He said low towards Kire. "How ever will you get away with that, after?"
"Enough." Envy said warningly.
Ruli smirked, then looked around to Narda. "We have a lot of herbs for desert fevers that may help. Mix it with the leaves of a tree that grows in our desert, and it helps keep the drinker hydrated without tons of water ingestion. I'll bring some over to help."

"Something tells me you should go prepared." Envy suggested. "A charm to inhibit all visions."
Ruli frowned at the Kartaian. "But they are significant. I'm not going to avoid them."
"A Goddess, and one you're not fond of for good reason, is speaking to you. It isn't wise-"
"You don't think I should listen to whatever it is she has to say?"
Envy exhaled, sighing. "You cannot remember the last thing she said to you. I think thats a warning that she is not trying to ask you for tea."
Ruli pursed his lips and went back to eating. Behind them, a low, feminine chuckle announced Ysaryn's arrival. She'd redone her hair, now back in its usual tight plait, and her clothes were clean of all sand. "Envy wins again."
"Who asked you?" Ruli grumbled, and she only laughed before pouring herself into a vacant seat and pulling heaps of food onto her plate.

Wanderers

Ruli grinned back, though it was cautious. "Yeah." He answered, about getting hurt. "Rather a bad history with it. I ... I'm cautious. But I'm not .. afraid." He offered awkwardly, rather glad when she said they should fetch Gavin. The food would get cold? "Wait, is it already cooked?" Ruli asked, tailing her inside. "Thats horrible timing, really." He teased, up until they ran into Gavin, who had their own little tease.
The lip on this lad. Ruli smirked at him behind Kire's back, giving a subtle shake of the head to announce it wasn't a huge thing between them. Even if he did agree on letting Kire shave Gavin's hair.

"You're bound to get only vegetables, with that mouth." He warned in addition as they wandered through the caves, hollering for Envy to join them.

When they entered the Tower on the Amrian side, Envy inhaled and wrinkled his nose. Hearing Daryll and quickly locating the source of the smell, Envy said nothing. It wasn't as if he had never been around work-focused males before. And many refused to bathe in their adolescent years, as well. "Daryll." He greeted with a nod. "You're looking well."
"Funny." Ruli grinned, though he likewise nodded to Daryll. "You look like you've been hard at work."

As they walked across the grounds, Envy was tense, his arm tucked to his side to keep Narda's hand against him as he walked. His steps were cautious. He could feel the sunlight on his skin, the warmth of it, and every one of the hairs on his skin was raised in cautious. Ruli walked a few paces ahead of him, mindful of the Kartaian's pace.
Until he noticed the orchards, and gawked. "Not too shabby." He commented. "Maybe we should grow a bit of these in Úvano."
"What?" Envy asked, his voice giving away his unease. Then he inhaled. "Oh. I smell alot of fruit. And flowers."
"Not quite in bloom yet, but yeah, alot of them." Ruli offered, turning to gaze at the palace, then. He recalled Kire mentioning that there was an original structure and what had been added, and now that he was paying attentiong, the scar of the storm was obvious.

They found their seats, the elf far more relaxed under the shade of the tent, his chair creaking slightly as he adjusted his position. "Well, really, the food and silks would be more than enough." Ruli offered.
"However, the gold will really help the city develop and stabilize." Envy added, with a firm nod. "It would be more than adequate."
"You giving us titles, though." Ruli said. "These are only fees paid per job? Or is this an allowance of sorts?"
"Really, must we talk business over lunch?" Envy asked, sighing. "I smell lamb, flowers, and I am famished." He raised his hand and gestured toward where he believed Kire to be seated. "How are the wedding preparations?"
"Yeah, like that's not business." Ruli commented.

Wanderers

Envy inhaled, raising his eyebrows. "My, that does sound nice. I will take you up on your offer, dear Narda. I look forward to trying more of the Armian cuisine, anyhow." He grinned eagerly. "Will you be with us while the boys and I wander the palace and make the wards? I know you aren't overly fond of magic as a whole, so I won't blame you if you take your lovely company elsewhere. Or follow that Empress around to keep her out of trouble." He added with a teasing chuckle. "Perhaps, since I have the charm, I can join you under an Amrian sunset somewhere?"

~

Ruli only shrugged, still unbothered about the fact that he may lose some ability. Ability to speak? It wasn't as if he wasn't familiar with that. Ability to use magic? He tried not to rely on it, anyway. Ability to fight? He was more suited for cooking anyway. Really, unless he lost the ability to cook or bed he wouldn't be bothered.
However, he was clearly outnumbered.
He glanced sidelong at her again, wondering how annoyed she was by the tone of her voice. While the situation bothered him, it wasn't enough to get him worked up.

When she switched topics, from the menu to this morning, he looked away again. "Ah, uh." He paused when she did, hands tucked into his pockets. "I don't know. I mean, no, I -I'm not bothered by it at all. Not ... not that you said it. Just ..." He inhaled. "Its not that I don't ... feel that. But I'm ... not used to ... you know. I might need to time swallow the fear of w-what usually comes after that. That is said, I mean." Ruli cleared his throat again.

"By accident?" He asked, then, tilting his head a little. "Does that slip out often in conversation with your cooks?"

Wanderers

Envy hummed at Narda's response, glad to have the situation from hers and Kire's perspective. And when the giantess moved on to Envy's assistance and his venturing out, he chuckled. "That is correct." Envy answered. Aware they were somewhere near the seats in his chamber, he motioned for her to sit as he made his way to do the same. "The last time, it wasn't so much about choice. This time, yes, you are the reason I have decided to go. However, I limit my wanderings to Amria. I don't care for the people here to know I can leave and to grow uneasy."

~

Ruli raised his eyebrows, nodding. "That does sound like a handful. And a very slim lead on Daryll's part." he commented, standing up again. "And, erm, no. Apparently, whatever it is, its ... I don't know. Closed? Sealed off? The Goddess doesn't want me remembering. He can pry at it, but at a risk. I might forget how to speak or something. He didn't want to." Ruli sighed, as if he had argued and lost.
Closing the door behind them, he wandered back toward the caves with Kire. "I haven't seen Ysaryn. I think she and Ed have been busy all morning. But I've apparently been asleep half of it, so."

As they neared the caves, he glanced sidelong at her, the word she'd spoken over breakfast lingering like a temptation in the back of his mind. He cleared his throat. "So, uh. What are we eating?"

Wanderers

Envy shrugged his thick shoulders as he started toward the chambers in which he resided, where they could wait for Kire. "I'm torn, admittedly." He answered. "He's been broken often, but Kire seems good for him, and good on her world that she would be sure. She really seems to like him. He seems happy." Envy sighed. "This arrangement between them seems strange to me, but if they're satisfied, who am I to really butt in."
His head turned toward Narda, a soft smile on his face. "I, of course, likewise enjoy your company. I wouldn't object to some arrangement where we can enjoy dinner together once in a while. Though I am no where near the cook he is."

~

Ruli opened his eyes when he heard the knock. At once, he knew it to be Kire. Envy wouldn't wander out, Gavin knocked quickly, and Zeke knocked as if he meant to toss the door down. And Ysaryn rarely knocked at all.
All of them, he would have ignored, but for Kire, he rose and opened the door, squinting slightly at her. "M'alright." He answered. Freshly washed, Ruli smelled of a smoky flower, and his hair was clean and unbound. "Lunch time already? I must have napped a bit."

Leaving the door open, Ruli ducked back inside to sit on the edge of the bed, pulling his boots toward him. "How's Daryll? Any luck on his end?"

Wanderers

Ysaryn smirked as they left. "She is in a calm mood." She stated, guiding the way through the halls again, then smiled crookedly. "Gladly. We will see you at lunch." She sang before she tore off in the direction of the house with a hop in her step.

Upon Kire's return with Narda in tow, the immediate chamber was empty. Just outside, Envy raised his head, his ears picking up their voices. "Is that Narda I hear?" He inquired. He rose from where he sat in the shadows and wandered toward them, hand on the wall for guidance. He wore a mustard yellow knitted shirt and bright blue trousers. His hair was bound back in a braid that was uneven and crooked; courtesy of one of the children. Around his neck on brown twine, he wore the charm Gavin had made for him.
"Not that I am uneager to see you, Kire, but your presence has been quite common as of late." He added with a smile. "Ruli is in his house laying down, if you wouldn't mind fetching him. He developed a bit of a headache after we attempted to dislodge his memory." Envy said, stepping up to Nard and reaching for her hand to kiss. "And how are you, my dear?"

Wanderers

Risa pursed her lips as Kire spoke, then over her shoulder to Ysaryn. When the elf's expression gave nothing away, her brown eyes went back to Kire. "In your world." She repeated, as if she still didn't quite believe the fact. Behind Kire, Ysaryn smirked, amused by the knowledge that Risa had no idea what lay beneath the cliffs.
"I suppose I could arrange such a meeting. Afterall, passing on the Goddess's warmth can only be a good thing." She inhaled and squared her shoulders. "When did you wish this? Not one of us is suited for proper company, at the moment." Risa said, passing a glance at Ysaryn again, and the sand that fell to the floor whenever she moved.