Crystal looked back towards Violet and Lord Ravenwood as she walked away, stopping for a moment, turning around and taking a few steps back to them, wanting to go back and try to fix things but she convinced herself it would only make things worse in the end. She stopped again, her hands wringing each other so tightly even through her silk gloves she could feel her wrists warming up from the friction. She groaned to herself as she again started the debate in her head if she should go back. When she finally chose not to again. She turned around not realizing who was around her and suddenly bumped into another person.
She stumbled and fell into this said person, grabbing onto his arm and shoulder so shoulder out of reflex. âIâm so sorryâŚâ She immediately said without even looking up at the tall man. She quickly found her own feet again and took a few steps back looking at the floor. Her face was bright red again. âI am so clum-â She cut herself off when she looked up and saw it was Prince Callum. The one whom Violet dan-well drank with during the first dance. âI am sooo sorry your highness.. Please forgive me. I-I-I didnt mean to walk into you.âShe said growing even more nervous. She hadnât really heard much of Prince Callum, so she didnât know how he would react.
Callum, lost in thought, wondering just how long this ball would go on for and watching with mild interest those around him, was entirely caught off guard by the sudden collision. He nearly dropped his wine glass, felt a sudden tugging on his free arm, and rather ungracefully, tried to help keep the stumbling woman upright. But, at least he managed not to spill a drop of wine. Once the culprit had regained her footing he noticed the same woman who had run into Wulfric during the dance, the rarely seen younger Lady Damien. And it seemed she looked somewhat mortified by the whole ordeal.
âIt would seem you make a habit of stumbling into princes, Lady Crystal Damien,â Cal paused, offering up half of a smile, before shrugging mainly with his hands, âbut I also make a habit of being in the way, so no need to apologize. It would seem youâve had quite the eventful night already.â Cal continued, giving the expected polite bow. He held up the wine glass and grinned, âNot a drop spilled, no harm done.â He said before finishing the glass and setting it on a nearby table. âI hope your night is getting better.â He added with a bit more sincerity.
Crystal blinked when the prince knew her by name taken off guard clearly. She tried to smile back but it only came up as a half nervous one. But she was grateful when he was generous enough to let it go. Her nervousness rose more when she gave a curtsy back to him when he gave a bow. Apparently he had seen her previous blunder. âY-y-Youâre too kind your highnessâŚâ She said softly, Her eyes flicking to him and down to the floor. âIt would seem notâŚI-i-i keep making a fool of myâŚself.â She answered as she waved her hand to indicate what just happened. Not even mentioning what happened between her sister and Lord Ravenwood. But suddenly it clicked what he said before. âPrinces.â
She looked up at him, slightly mortified to ask but she did. âY-you saidâŚPrinces before?â Her nervousness peaked as she covered her face. âU-mâŚwhoâŚdid I run into?â She asked looking in between her fingers at him.
âMy brother, Wulfric,â He answered pausing as he searched through the crowd before pointing him out. âHe was dancing with Wystan, the watchdog of my other brother, earlier.â He added in case she had forgotten. âAnd said other brother, Auguste, is right over there in case youâre looking to accost all three of us.â He offered with a smile, his tone light, and teasing, but after taking a bit more notice of Crystal's anxious disposition he wondered if that had been the wrong thing to say.
âI donât think you need to worry, people are already talking all about Duke Vikenaâs run-in with our guest from Alidasht, so as long as you steer clear of the sultan someoneâs already made themselves the bigger fool. Either way, my opinion is not to take these things too seriously, Iâm sure your life has already been laid out for you by your father just as mine has been laid out for me. Nothing we do here matters much in the end.â Callum offered up his defeatist outlook, not because it was comforting, but for him, it usually soften the blows of disappointment.
Crystal eyes widened with horror. Not Prince Wulfric. She looked over as he pointed to his other brother Auguste who was speaking with one of the women from Alidasht. She also saw Wulfic speaking with Lord Leo and Charlotte. She just wanted to run back to her room in her tower and lock the door and never come back out again while in the fetal position under her covers.
However, Prince Callum brought up the fact that Duke Vikena already made the biggest commotion of the night. She only nodded to him saying to steer clear from the sultan. Knowing her luck she would probably push him out a window by accident at this rate.
She was pulled from her thoughts as he mentioned not to take things too seriously. That their lives have been laid out for them and what they do doesn't matter. She allowed her hands to come down from her face and into her lap as she looked at him. Thinking about what he said, she felt an instant connection to the youngest prince. Both were trapped in their worldsâŚfor different reasons. But the way he looked at it was so sad.
âOf course it mattersâŚâ She said softly. âFor such a long time my father simply wouldnât allow me to do anything so I could just stay healthy enough to live. If he had his way I am sure I wouldnât leave my bed at all. But I kept on pressing and wanting to do more. He finally let me learn to do all different kinds of things within the home. So much now I help run the estate nowâŚand now here I am. Iâm sure I am going to get in trouble for coming by myselfâŚdespite making a fool of myself, I-I am still happy I can at least experience it.â
âWhat I mean is, I changed what my father had envisioned for me. I am sure you can as well.â She reddened as she looked up at him with that last sentence. Looking away. âI mean⌠I donât know what itâs like for you, but if you can be ok with ânothing really mattersâ you are clearly strong enough to accept the disappointment. You are certainly strong enough to change what you want out of life.â She said with a small reassuring smile while making eye contact with him. âAt least that is what I see in your eyes.
Callum grinned as Crystal began to open up more, finding it refreshing that someone outside of his own family was willing to challenge him. For someone who seemed so plagued by anxiety, she certainly lit up a lot more when speaking about something she believed in. He held her sapphire gaze with interest for a moment before speaking, âyou know what I see in your eyes? That youâre not as fragile as people think, not in the ways that count.â He said before breaking eye contact and looking over at where Edin sat. He gave an annoyed sigh as he watched concubines massaging the king all in full view of his mother.
Crystal had waited a few moments wondering what he was thinking as they held each other's gazes. He did have a grin on his face so she wasn't as worried, but she still did a little. He then complemented her. Her whole face somehow got a brighter shade of red. As she looked down away from his smile.
âBut you leave out one important detail, my father is King Edin, and his mind, well his mind is probably a terrifying place to imagine, but little in there changes. This is his world and we are all his chess pieces. Some more than others.â Cal said, a small smile at the knowledge that while he couldnât win at Edinâs games, he was already learning the rules of another game, one of forbidden knowledge and magic.
She looked up as he mentioned his father, glancing at the king, and seeing such an awful display with his concubines. Even though she had heard all the rumors about him it still shocked her that he would do such a thingâŚespecially in front of his wife⌠Crystal was happy that Callum was nothing like him so far. He seemed sweet, a little sad and beaten downâŚbut still managed to have a good heart.
âAs for what I want out of life, well, you know I was often ill as a child. Not up for the training my brothers went through, useless with any sort of blade, and it disappointed my father greatly. Being a disappointment is easy, I would choose that over complacent any day, but a lack of control over my life is far more frustrating. So what I am content with right now, is to be the thorn in my fatherâs side any way that I can.â He admitted with a shrug.
She looked back to him and perked up when he mentioned he was often ill as well. Honestly she had forgotten about that, that made two things they had in common. WasâŚwas that why he knew her name? She knocked the silly idea out of her head. âBut, your points are valid, and I prefer those who speak freely. Sounds like even if youâve made a bit of a fool of yourself, youâre still happy you came, right? Remember that, as you walk through this nest of vipers, you can hold your own.â Callum added.
She then looked to him when he asked her a question, she simply nodded. But hesitated when he mentioned walking through a nest of vipers. She certainly didnât hope it really wasnât like that. She heard stories from her father, or her father telling violet something similar.
âWell I hope I donât have to walk through it long. I do detest snakesâŚâ She said with a small smile. âThank you for your compliments Prince Callum.. You don't realize how much that means to me.â
âWhile being a thorn in your fathers side is all well and good for a short time goalâŚ.â She said hesitantly, saying something like that would be quite dangerous. âYour father won't be king foreverâŚafter Wulfric takes the throne, what do you want to do with your life? Hypothetically?â
Callum thought about her question, it wasnât something he gave much thought to because Edinâs rule seemed like it would go on forever. He couldnât imagine his father stepping down willingly, and despite how often Cal had wished it, somehow his father seemed to easily avoid being struck down by consumption or syphilis despite his lifestyle. Somehow King Edin remained immunue to any sort of karmic backlash for anything he did.
âHypothetically, I would leave all of this far behind.â Cal gestured towards the entirety of the ballroom. âNo palaces, no titles, no more horrid suits. Find somewhere secluded and quiet, focus on scholarly pursuits, spend my time in rooms that have more books than people.â Cal answered, mostly honestly, leaving out that if he could, heâd spend all his time focused on studying magic, try and bring some of those old ways back to a world that seemed in despite need of it. âBut I imagine it will be a very long time before Caesonia sees a new king, my father loves his crown more than anything.â Cal added, stopping himself from thinking about improbable dreams for too long. âWhat is it you would do, with full freedom?â He asked.
Crystal blinked when he mentioned he would leave it all behind, she was surprised that he would rather have a secluded place far from people. She was interested that he enjoyed books, a third thing in common. For a prince, he certainly wanted a fairly simple life. Before she could ask him what did he enjoy reading, he flipped the question on her.âMe? I would travel the world, take in everything I can see.â She said, smiling a little at the thought.
âI want to see and sail on the Ocean, walk through the sea of sands surrounding Genasea in Alidasht. Explore the ruins in Montouppe woods. Climb the snowy peaks of Kolonvika, or or even⌠The Hidden Loverâs Waterfalls of Breoven forest. She said excitedly, if Callum could look closely enough he probably could see the very scenery in her eyes as she said each place. Her excitement grew with each one, even to the point where she unconsciously stood up on her toes, holding her hands to her chest. . She grew red at realizing what she was doing and lowered herself. âI also want to collect and read as many books as I can. I-I absolutely adore them⌠She also wanted to continue writing⌠using her experiences to help her. She looked up at Prince Callum. âThen⌠perhaps, possiblyâŚstart a family.â
Calâs head tilted to the side as Crystal listed off a variety of places she dreamed of visiting, all of which sounded breathtaking. His own dream seemed much smaller by comparison, but Cal had never been one for lofty goals or to allow himself to wander freely into the realms of dreams and whimsy. It was hard enough to slip out of the palace, he knew the leash he was kept on would never extend past Caesonia. Books and paintings would be the closest he ever got to seeing the world as long his father was king and Cal had simply accepted that long ago.
âAnd how do you let yourself drift so high into dreams when there is so much here to weigh us back down?â Cal asked, not as a critique of her dreams but out of curiosity. From what he knew and from what she had said, it seemed they both had a number of limitations on their freedoms.
âIf youâre planning on being around for the season, the library here is expertly stocked, I saw to it myself. Youâre welcome there anytime.â Cal offered a rare invite to another into his sanctuary, not that he really had control over who came and went where in the palace, but it was one place in his home that really felt like his and he had his mother to thank for that allowance. In recent years he had overfilled it with books, picked out most of the furniture, sought out art for the walls, and kept careful watch over it ensuring it was organized and tidy.
Crystal placed her hands behind her and gripped her left wrist at his question. âDreams can go as high as you want. Itâs only weight down by putting limitations on yourself. If you really want to, you will always find a way to make them become a reality. No matter what real world thing weighs us down.â She said without hesitation. As she smiled sweetly. She had spent years âlockedâ in her tower, with no hope in sight of ever leaving. There were many dark days for her in the past.âWould you believe me this was one of my first mountain of a goal? Iâve always wanted to dance in a beautiful dress at a ball. It took me nearly twenty years, but I am here.â
Her eyes grew wide as Callum offered her access to the palace library. I-I-I dont know what to say!â She stammered, her joy welling up again inside her. âI-Iâve always wanted to see it, Iâve heard it's quite impressive! The very thought of visiting the library was another one of her goals. She couldnât contain her excitement as she covered her face for a moment. Before taking his hand and saying. âOh Thank you! Thank you!â She giggled and stood up on her toes and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
This time it was Callumâs turn to blush, redness spreading across his face from the unexpected peck placed on his cheek. He blinked a couple times as he tried to remove the look of surprise from his face. Her entire response to his question had already thrown him for a loop, unused to this amount of enthusiasm or sincerity. Not among Caesonian nobles; they were all a mix of jaded, or power hungry, or cruel, or vain, or selfish, but Crystal, somehow, remained overwhelmingly positive and from what he could tell, genuinely kind, despite the difficulties in her life.
âWhat? Um, no itâs really not that big a deal. I mean it is a good library, and congratulations, on your goal, and if you have any others that I can help with, let me know.â Cal said, stuttering out a jumbled mix of words, finding himself confused by his offer. Had he meant to say that? He didnât usually offer to help like that, and he didnât normally stumble around over words either. Something about being around someone so good-natured drew him in. And just like the saying about moths and flames, such a draw could only be dangerous.
âYouâre very much not like most people here. I hope your next dance fairs better.â He added with a smile as he regained his composure.
Crystal also blushed as she realized what she did. Looking down and letting go of his hand she gripped her hands behind her back, She cleared her throat and her eyes flicked from him to the ground multiple times as he stuttered his words. She smiled and looked down. âYou already did.â She looked up to him. âMy second was to visit the palace library someday.â She really wanted to make it up.
She blushed even more when he mentioned she wasnât like anyone else here. She raised a hand to her face, running a finger along her skin to pull back some hair and tucked it over her ear. âT-Thank youâŚI hope you can enjoy at least one dance tonight as well!â She curtseyed politely to Prince Callum and turned to walk away to find Sir Mathias⌠However she stopped, hesitated for a moment before looking back to Prince Callum.
âYou helped me with one of mine. Now⌠I owe you⌠PleaseâŚlet me help you with one of your life goalsâŚwhen ever you think of one.`` She said softly with a warm smile before turning back and walking away from the young prince.
Time: Morning Location: River Port-Inn Interactions: Rue @Potter Equipment: 1 hunting knife, a flask of alcohol, a backpack, small tent, blanket, waterskin, rope, fire starting kit, lightmaker, cooking pot, a bar of soap, some drugs; skaula (8 grams) and zemak (a bit less than an ounce), rolling papers, and 191 amas.
âDo you want to leave with anyone else?â
Bowyn thought for a moment on Rueâs question, unsure if he was the right one to make that decision. He didnât trust any of them, and after what the elves had just pulled he didnât like either of them very much right now. He also knew himself enough to know his judgments on these things werenât always practical. Heâd thought Arn was the last one he should trust, but in a time of crisis Arn proved to be level-headed, and the dwarf had trusted Bowyn enough to make his decisions. Unfortunately, Arn was no longer an option. The opposite could be said of Eris, who he had previously thought was pretty alright for an elf, and heâd clearly misjudged that assessment. Kaleb seemed tainted by his association with Eris now, as did Annya. The only one he was sure of was Raven, the known human, volatile with her newfound powers, an unsafe companion, but not someone he could not hold a grudge against given her circumstances.
âRight now, youâre the only one that I trust, Rue. So, I think itâs best if you pick who we travel with, and I will follow your lead. Just the two of us might be too dangerous, especially with some many dark elves out and now, maybe even demons.â Bowyn, as always, remained true to his word, he told Rue heâd trust her, and while he hadnât said heâd trust who she trusted, heâd at least try and work with them.
Her next question, about where to eat, was far simpler. âRight now all I want is a cold drink and some honey toast. I was thinking we could get food at the stalls and maybe pick up supplies if we need anything for the journey. And, I guess weâll also have to figure out where weâre going to go from here. That is if you're up for walking around?â
Time: Morning Location: Avian City Interactions: Yuka@princess, Aiko@CitrusArms, Xavier@Potter, Augus IV @Funnyguy Equipment: Sword, bow and arrows, small knife, wayfinder, fire kit, a pouch of amas
Once outside, Orias took a deep breath of the fresh air to calm his nerves. The one small win had left a nearly endless to-do list of increasingly more difficult tasks. Those that lay ahead; securing an alliance with the fairies and finding a way to contact anyone in his family, seemed near impossible. Not to mention the added issue of demons in the mix, the entirety of the war, and its aftermath to come. A mountain of responsibilities that made it even more difficult to focus on just one task at a time. He had to remind himself that for right now all he had to focus on was a shopping trip, that was at least manageable.
Orias bowed his head towards the two young Avians as they introduced themselves and waited for the group's introductions. âOrias.â He said, leaving off his surname and the title heâd never really deserved. It still felt weird to hear his own name spoken in his own voice after so long but the time for lies had ended. âYou are so like your father, Young Augus, I can see why he trusts you to help aid us.â Orias added bowing his head to the young man as he noted the way the boy mimicked his fatherâs solemn demeanor.
âJust try and stay as calm as possible.â He rested a hand on Xavier's shoulder, offering a small bit of advice before they parted ways. He didnât want to split up the group or even let the human out of his sight, but at least Aiko possessed some magic and they were equipped to help the lad if needed. It was best to get the shopping done as quickly as possible, arguing would only stall them further.
Orias gave Yuka a puzzled expression, âI want to go get a transmission bracelet.â He answered, wondering if she had zoned out for part of their meeting with Augus. âSo Gadgets and Conveniences it is, and-.â He stopped, having been about to say there was no need to weigh themselves down with too much stuff. Yuka used to be a fashion designer, and this was probably far from what she was used to. âAnd afterward we can pick up whatever it is you need as well.â He said instead, maybe a few extra comfort items would help the lioness feel more comfortable.
Time: Early Evening Location: Caesonia Palace-Ballroom Interaction: none
And maybe I shouldâve just kept the mask on. He thought, finishing another glass of wine and pouring another, as he watched Violet run off towards her sister. Admittedly, the other Damien sister had looked quite distressed as she fled her dance partner. Though his own sister, Anastasia, was quick to snatch up the tall man with a cowlick into a dance. True, Anastasia wasnât often the best judge of character, but the clear childlike joy on both his sister and the blonde manâs face as they spun around each other was enough for him not to worry. It wasnât like anything was going to happen in their own palace, surrounded by people, and with Wystan and his brothers nearby.
Even so, having nearly lost his sister once he was often worried about Anastasia. He hadnât liked his sister for most of his childhood, she got to be ignored by their father and arguably had more freedom than even Wulfric. Then, one day, she was gone. The palace got unbearably quiet and during the ungodly hours of the night when he would hide away in the library there, was no distant company of his sister dancing through empty hallways. Only Edin had seemed unbothered, more concerned with his image and money than his own daughter's safety. It was pretty clear then that he and Anastasia had a lot more in common than heâd realized. When his sister finally returned, that was one of the few days heâd actually been happy.
His thoughts, and drinking, were interrupted by a man who wore a mask handing him a letter. He gave a knowing nod, and smile, as he accepted the letter. A quick glance confirmed it as an invitation to another party, one that was about fun rather than titles and proper decorum, an event he could actually look forward to. He carefully tucked the letter into a pocket, noting that the masked man had stealthily departed. He continued to simply watch those around him, drinking wine, picking at and occasionally eating some of the food laid out. He did his best to look very invested in his study of the offered food, as long as he looked busy most here would likely leave him be.
Time: Morning Location: Avian City Interactions: Yuka@princess, Aiko@CitrusArms, Xavier@Potter, Augus@Funnyguy Equipment: Sword, bow and arrows, small knife, wayfinder, fire kit, a pouch with 137 amas
Orias remained composed, effort put into seeming calm and assured, though beneath that he was fully shocked that all of this had gone far better than he expected. They actually had secured an alliance with the Avians, and sure Augus seemed more than willing to take on any threat to keep the city he served safe, and maybe just about anyone couldâve convinced him with nothing more than a just cause, but it hadnât been anyone. It had been him. If, or hopefully when, he ran into his sisters again at least he had this to offer, to show he had done something helpful, useful, for once in his life. He could almost smile at that, but not yet, not in front of the general. He had to continue the strong front but even the slightest relaxation in his posture was making his hands start to shake as the adrenalin wore off.
He shoved his hands in his pockets, listening as Aiko spoke, his weight shifting from one foot to the other as the fox shared their story. A bit of honesty was refreshing from the fox, but the jab toward Augus at the end made his eyes widen. His heartbeat quickened, even more so as he watched the Avian study the scorch marks on the floor. The general was clearly displeased, but Orias doubted it would be enough to change Augus mind. No, Augus spoke with passion about defeating dark elves, he was unafraid of demons, and the Avains would not remain passive in a war. Orias couldnât fault Aiko for speaking the truth, they showed boldness, nor Xavier for controlling his magic as best he could, he showed power. Everything was still going well, he stayed controlled, and waited for Augusâ response.
As expected, Augus took the slights in stride, their alliance seemed cemented as the Avian offered a shopping trip, for a transmission bracelet, and a spot on the generalâs own bracelet. Even better, they were to be escorted by the generalâs sons, a far less intimidating pair than the man himself. Regrettably, Yukaâs attention broke from Xavier and she began waving her arms about drawing everyoneâs attention. Most of what she said, he could agree with; now that dark elves had aligned with demons their task would be exponentially harder. They would have to know more about these rarely seen outsiders of Avalia but proposing to seek out a demon ally, here in front of the general, seemed a bit much.
"Basically I think weâre all fucked!â
Yukaâs final words hit him harder than he couldâve anticipated. I canât even convince my own traveling companions that we can win. Any idiot couldâve convinced Augus to agree to something man clearly already wanted. But Yuka? Yuka thinks we're all doomed, maybe she's right. No longer completely composed, he glanced at the lioness with a pained expression. Maybe some things never changed, maybe he was destined for failure. But if things never changed, then his sisters would surely succeed, there were other Birens capable of ensuring they won this war. He could count on that, he just had to focus on keeping one human alive long enough to get Xavier to them. Maybe he could manage not to fuck that up.
âGood points Yuka. More study, of demons, would be a good place to start. Maybe one thing at a time though; a shopping trip, put some distance between us and Roshmi, then I am all for researching.â He offered, nodding towards Yuka. A halfhearted attempt to smooth over her harsh words while they remained in front of Augus.
âSir, while you may not need our gratitude, you have it nonetheless.â Orias bowed again to Augus, before attempting to herd the others back outside. The sooner they got things moving the better.
Time: Morning Location: River Port-Inn Interactions: Rue @Potter Equipment: 1 hunting knife, a flask of alcohol, a backpack, small tent, blanket, waterskin, rope, fire starting kit, lightmaker, cooking pot, a bar of soap, some drugs; skaula (8 grams) and zemak (a bit less than an ounce), rolling papers, and 191 amas.
Bowyn merely offered Arn a half-hearted wave goodbye as the dwarf was called away on what the fairy could only assume was official dwarven prince business. He kept his eye on the windows in the inn that looked over the beach. Everything outside seemed to have called down, Annya mustâve gotten everything under control. Then, his attention turned back to Rue, and since she was now awake and alert he was less concerned. Arn had still seemed concerned before he left, but Bowyn knew the other fairy and her capabilities. Most fairies knew how to heal, even he could heal himself pretty well, and he didnât have a fraction of Rueâs talent when it came to that discipline. Rue would be fine.
âIâm good, Rue.â Bowyn offered a solemn nod, then a smile as she held the glasses to her eyes. Mooney seemed less than amused and Bowyn couldnât blame him, although Rue was not the main source of his anxiety now. River Port was wholly unsafe now, Ravenâs actions had drawn too much attention, and her display of power was something just about any Avalian could easily determine was done by a human. âA lot of people saw that though. Weâll need to leave soon.â He added before looking back out at the beach. They had forced him through a portal and let the blue guy stay. Did they trust him less than the demon? Was it worth staying with them if that was true?
âLightheaded huh? I think I feel about the same. Maybe we should get some food? Weâll need it anyways before we head out of here.â He added, offering his hand to help pull Rue up off the floor.
Time: Morning Location: Aboard The Harem Interactions: Tigerlily @Potter, Tesoro@Infinite Cosmos, Lizzie @Tae, Barboda @Alivefalling, Helio @princess Equipment: A cutlass, 2 knives and a dagger strategically hidden, a spyglass, a wayfinder, pouch of amas, various jewelry.
One moment there was the thick scent of blood and talk of amas and bounties, the next there was only darkness and pain. Just like sinking to the depths of the ocean; inescapable, disorienting, all-consuming, darkness. He thrashed and struggled against it until his lungs burned and he felt the darkness slowly strangling him.
And just as quickly as it had engulfed them, the darkness dissipated. Gone. Free. Then, everything got worse. Water filled the belly of the ship and moved in ways that were not natural. Lizzie slew Vellen, Vellen used his dying strength to lash out.
The captain fell. He followed Barboda, who carried Lizzie, and the others as they scrambled from the ship and back to The Harem. Their spoils, all soon to be lost to the sea. Their captain, soon to be lost to the sea as well. They had won and it was still an absolute failure.
â...Now he is taking those who do not even belong in this world.â
A human. He realized, his head tilting to the side as he studied Lizzie a bit closer. And one chosen by the seas. Oceanblessed. Nym wore a sad smile, as Barboda walked away, indicating there was little they could do for Lizzie now. Tigerlily tried, moving quickly to bandage the likely mortal wound. Nym didnât know much about humans, how adept they were for survival, but Lizzie did not look good. Heâd seen sailors die plenty of times, she looked no different from any of them. Nym approached Lizzie's other side, across from Tigerlily, knelt by his captain, and gently wrapped his hands around hers.
âCapân, I donât know if ya can hear me, butcha ainât alone. It donât look good, but weâll all see to it that ya get a proper return to the seas here. Know that the sea doesnât give gifts to the unworthy, and you, aye the sea she took one look at ya and gave you her finest gift, made ya Oceanblessed. It is an honor to sail in your company.â He spoke softly to the human, his captain, one who controlled the seas. âUntil my last breath, Iâll tell tales of yer bravery, of a Pirate Queen who moved oceans with her whims. One day little ones will sing songs of Capân Lizzie and you will never be forgotten.â Nym offered the sort of thing he would want to hear if their situations were reversed. He was far better equipped to inflict damage than to heal it, but this, ensuring Lizzie did not die alone, this he could do.
âAnything you can do? He asked, looking over at Helio.
Leo, as with most things he did, put conscious effort into his movements, careful not to allow any flaws to be seen by those around him. His steps were deliberate, mindful of the Shehzadiâs dress that wisped against the marble floor, and his timing in sync with the music. He hit the right marks at the right time but the in-between lacked the finesse of a true dancer. What he lacked in gracefulness he made up for with confidence. His eyes kept focused on the rich amber eyes of Nahir, rather than scanning the rest of the room as they so often did during these dances of chance.
âSo, how does Caesonia stack up against Alidasht? I hope the events here arenât too dull for your tastes.â Leo, who so rarely found himself without words, struggled a bit to find a proper topic of conversation. A situation he could only chalk up to the strange bit of nervousness that caused the echo of his own quickened heartbeat in his ears to overshadow his thoughts. He had settled on the topic of the Shehzadiâs homelands, a place he saw as being as rich in excitement as it was in wealth.
"If we were in Genasea," Nahir had placed her hand gracefully on his shoulder as he took the lead. Being this close to Lord Smithwood she could see the specks that adorned his cheeks, cute, Nahir thought. "the tanbur and the kudĂźm would be ringing across the halls drowning the noise of celebration." She smiled at the memory of Alidasth's lively parties always filled with laughter and joy. "Caesonia is a welcomed change to my home's festivities."
Nahir met his eyes, tilting her head with curiosity. "Do Varian celebrations differ from Caesonian ones? I've never had the pleasure of attending to your home's festivities."
âVarian is a very welcoming place, but events there are normally not as extravagant as they are here.â Leo chose his words carefully, nothing that would be an outright insult to Caesonia, but the way he spoke of Varian made his bias towards his own home clear.
âWhere Varian truly shines is outside of palaces and ballrooms, deep within the forests and top her mountains, where the land is unconquered and serene. And in her people; those who have thrived in a harsher land and who welcome strangers as friends, who despite the cold carry a hearth within them. It almost goes without saying, but you, Shehzadi, are welcome there anytime.â Then with a swift motion, Leo lifted their joined hands beckoning Nahir to twirl.
She could picture it as he spoke, the lush green mountains touching the clouds. "How quiet and peaceful it must be to be surrounded by so much beauty," she twirled, the gems and decorations of her dress jiggling in the air. "I would be delightful to visit sometime," Nahir smiled, looking down momentarily, amber eyes taking him in. "To see what Varian has to offer." She looked back up again, battering her lashes as she did so.
"Of course, I would love to welcome you into my home in Alidasht. Show you some of our most exotic animals and the most marvelous temples Genasea has to offer." She remembered the way he had looked at Nala, the excitement had almost been contagious.
The brief break in eye contact as Nahir twirled gave Leo the chance to admire a very different form of natural beauty. Her dress flowed in a way that only drew more attention to her figure, the gold and jewels that adorn her only enticed more of his attention. Nahir, much like everything that he admired in the world, was built to stand out and demanded full attention without effort.
âI doubt Alidasht is in short supply of beauty,â Leo said as their hands met again and his eyes were drawn back to hers. âIâve always dreamed of seeing such a place for myself. Somewhere so different from my own home, and there is so little one can learn from books and paintings alone. Tonight has only made that more clear.â He added. Alidasht had entered the palace with a show, unlike anything heâd seen before. From the dance to the fashion, the exotic animals that came with them; it all spoke of strength, beauty, and freedom.
âFor me, it is the constant search for a new adventure, new experiences, that gives life its true meaning. What is it that drives you, Shehzadi?â Leo asked of the woman in front of him who remained just as mysterious as the land she hailed from.
"What is life if not an adventure itself?" Nahir had smiled at the question, "Admittedly, I do not know." Her gaze fell, "There had been a time when I strived for freedom- to leave my home and explore what the gods gave us. To learn more about the beauty of other cultures. Similar to you, Lord Smithwood." She often felt like a caged bird in Genasea, and guilt would wash over her every time.
"But my responsibilities and duty is to Alidasht and its people." There was a glint of sadness in her eyes as she finally looked up at Leo again.
Leo smiled in agreement at her first statement, life was indeed meant to be an adventure. Even while Nahir smiled her amber eyes held a touch of sadness. He understood the need to see the world and everything it held, a need for freedom, a wanderlust that his spirit craved just as much as his body craved breath. Her acceptance of responsibility resonated as well.
âEver since my father disappeared I have felt like there is a clock ticking away at my freedom. One day the hour will come when I will be called to serve Stravy before myself, but that time is not now and all I can do is enjoy the time I have. Iâm sure the responsibility of a royal is so much greater, but surely even a Shehzadi has time for a break every now and then? And at the very least, you have the summer here, Iâm sure we could make it memorable.â He offered, hoping to return her eyes to the brighter shimmer theyâd held before.
What Leo had said felt right for Nahir. She could at least enjoy this summer without worrying about everything she had to do to prove herself to her father, away from the long sleepless nights and the dread of what would become of her if she failed. Instead, all she would worry about would be her next adventure or who would be her summer romance. The thought of the momentary freedom no doubt pleased her, but that tiny voice in her head continued to pester her mind like a parasite.
Nahir looked back at him, brows raised slightly when she heard about his father. "The responsibility to our home is all the same, and we both wish the best for our people. But I suppose you are right; one summer to enjoy the limited freedom won't hurt." She agreed with a slight nod.
"All there is left is to find a suitable adventure." She pulled back before he could in time for a twirl, lifting her arm and, with a smile, encouraged him to spin this time.
Leo hesitated for a moment, the invitation to twirl catching him off guard. But rather than the concern of looking foolish or strange in front of the entire court, Leo was only focused on Nahir and her smile. He made his best attempt to mimic a move heâd only ever watched before and felt no sting of embarrassment at the awkwardness of his unpractised movements. He returned Nahirâs smile, grateful for lifeâs unexpected pleasures, no matter how small.
âMight I have earned your name Shehzadi?â He asked as the music began to wane and the dance came to an end. As he awaited an answer a man in a mask tapped Leo on the shoulder. He turned, his face wore an expression of confusion as this was not a masked ball. Before he could speak, however, a piece of paper was handed to him, the masked man bowed, turned around, and left. Strange. He thought but as he scanned the paper his confusion turned into a grin. Another party? He thought with amusement. The address, 420 Wicker St, the only warehouse insight, was easy enough to remember. So he folded it back up and checked that the masked man was no longer in sight before passing the letter to Nahir.
âSometimes, with a bit of luck, an adventure finds you.â He added.
She had laughed softly, enjoying the effort he put into the twirl that made Nahir appreciate him even more. Unfortunately, it seemed that the dance was coming to a stop. "You have Lord Smithwood; my name is Nahir Aysun Kadir." She had pulled back and readied for a curtsy just as the masked man approached them. She eyed him, golden eyes looking at the masked man with suspicion before Leo turned to face her. With one raised brow and clearly intrigued, she took the letter.
As soon as she was done Nahir looked up at him, excitement gleaming in her eyes."The first of many this summer."
Time: Morning Location: Aboard The Harem Interactions: Lizzie @Tae, Barboda @Alivefalling, Helio @princess, and Ardyn @FunnyGuy Equipment: A cutlass, 2 knives and a dagger strategically hidden, a spyglass, a wayfinder, pouch of amas, various jewelry.
The air was thick and damp with the scent of blood, despite his most recent meal, the smell only made Nym's stomach burn with hunger. It was a constant struggle to keep focus, his gaze shifting between the projection that glowed and flickered with the image of Ardyn, and the darkness, looking for any potential threat. It seemed like the other elf had fled, but it remained just as possible that Vellen lurked somewhere shrouded in his element; in darkness and shadow. Was this the sort of crew Ardyn Croft employed? Weak and cowardly creatures. Had the tales of the great Pirate King been exaggerated? Ardynâs offer was a joke, expecting them to turn on one another, hand over Helio, and kill Barboda, ridiculous. It was loyalty that made a group of sailors a crew.
Barbodaâs reply contained venom just as potent as what laced his arrows. Nymâs ears twitched at the mention of the bounty on Ardynâs head. Fifteen thousand amas? That amount of amas was more than enough to pull his attention away from blood, away from any potential lurking threat, and directly towards Barboda. Fifteen thousand amas! Nym was nearly salivating at the thought of having even a fraction of that.
His thoughts of piles of amas were broken only as Barboda removed his helmet. He really did have a face underneath the bucket. And what a face it is. He thought as he watched the light flicker off deadly fangs, reflected off serpentine eyes.
âA parley? Call it what it was, a failed extortion attempt, mate. Yer crew started something they could not finish. Weak, cowardly, pathetic, surprised the Pirate King would have such a gutless bunch.â Nym shot back. Barboda, technically, had fired the first shot but even if the bucket head had not killed the fairy the outcome wouldâve been the same. âBest tread carefully, Croft, lest you too try anâ bite off something ya canât chew.â Nym added, his mind still thinking of amas, and of the grand tale it would make, for their little crew to take down the Pirate King himself.
Time: Morning Location: Roshmi City Interactions: Yuka@princess, Aiko@CitrusArms, Xavier@Potter, Augus@Funnyguy Equipment: Sword, bow and arrows, small knife, wayfinder, fire kit, a pouch with 137 amas
Orias heard what Aiko said, their words sounding like they knew a bit about who this Pride creature was, but Orias only noted this and did not react. His face was neutral both as he watched the scene that played out and as he waited for what General Maximus would say. Watching the human drawn and quartered was a terrible sight, but not among the worst things heâd seen. But Xavier, Orias turned to look at the human in their group and wished the young man didnât have to see it and was thankful Yuka had been there to shield the boy's eyes. He wished the situation they were in allowed him to say something more to Xavier but with General Maximus staring down at them all, he had to keep up a strong front.
What he learned from the general was that they already had the support of the dwarven nation, going there would be unnecessary. More than anything, he wanted to find Rosaria and Annya, he needed their guidance, their authority in this, and most of all to know for sure that they were still alive and well. But he didnât know where they were, nor had he any means to get in contact with them. If Orias was skilled at one thing, it was burning down bridges rather than building them. That left the Flower Kingdom, as it sounded like the fairies had yet to take a stand in all this. It seemed the most logical destination, maybe, if he was lucky, one of his sisters would be there too.
âThe River Kingdom, sir, they hold a sizable army, and they have every reason to fight in this war as well.â He stated his destination clearly, forced confidence in his decision, knowing that the Avain would not respect any signs of weakness. The fairies had seen their own youngest prince slaughtered, they had been forced to exile their other prince, and as strange as it was that they had not already jumped at the chance to seek justice, Orias suspected that they needed only a further nudge to convince them.
âFrom there I will work towards getting in contact with the rest of my family. I think we should arrange for transmission bracelets, to keep in touch with you, sir, before we go. And I do wish to move forward as quickly as possible, the sooner we end this war the better.â He added, his focus kept on the general, making sure to keep everything he said as transparent as possible. No lies, no secrets, at least not from him. Later, heâd have to find out what Aiko had been hiding. They shouldnât have secrets between their group either.
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