Lullyn

A Brave New World?

You know what, if it wasn't for the fact that I think Eric is a bit of a softy, I think that would be an amazing plan. Problem is now all I can picture is a flash mob -_-

Fairy Tale (closed. RE: carsgovroom only)

Edward seemed not to mind his next partner and bowed to her with a smile. "Always a pleasure, Lady Theresa," he said with a grin. "So you'd like a dance? Well I'm always happy to accommodate a beautiful woman." It didn't matter how long a woman knew Edward. Unlike Stephen with his stiff formal manners, Edward was casual when it came to names. He always called them by their first names, unless there was a chaperon or parent within ear shot. He offered his arm, completely different to how he'd been with Ella. "Shall we, my lady?" he asked as the band struck up. Avril had to admit, only to herself though, that Stephen had looked so... she couldn't think of the words. He was so gentle, and though she'd pushed him, it would have cost him a lot to agree to dance with her. Then Edward had swooped in, and Ella obviously was sorry, but also happy. Edward, she said, was already engaging a new partner. She looked to her friend in time to catch the last part and found her cheeks flush. "Please," she said, rolling her eyes and quickly looking away. "The boys here are just that. They think because they have a title they are entitled." She didn't want to think of the incident upstairs. Nor of that strange guard. "I think my mother will end up arranging my marriage," she added. "She may even just make me a dance card and force me to dance with all the eligible gentlemen." The Queen was protective of her daughter, but it was also clear that she wanted Avril to marry well. Avril's greatest fear was that she'd be sent to another kingdom as the bride of some ogre. Her parents wouldn't do that to her, but it was something she sometimes worried about. Maybe she'd never be married. She knew she wanted to make Stephen happy first. She could wait until then. "What are the village boys like?" she asked in a nonchalant way, wondering for the first time if they would have betters manner and be more interesting than those that attended court. She felt her cheeks get hot and laughed a little. "I bet they're all the same," she added, though she secretly found herself hoping they weren't.

The Dragon Empire

She looked at him carefully, then shook her head, climbing to her feet. "Yeah, okay," she said, looking thoughtful. "I'm gonna go to the feilds. You're going to need some fresh lavender for those stone marks. You're mum will only be upset if she sees them." She gave him a smile, and adjusted her scarf so it covered her head before heading to the door. "I'll be back in 5," she added, before letting herself out of the house. The sun was warm and many of the local young were in the town center. The little ones played, whilst their older siblings chattered, the boys taking breaks from their work, the girls pausing in their chores to chat and laugh. Kes didn't seem to notice them, mostly because they'd always been background to her. Her brother, on orders from her mother, had been trying to get her to go in the evening to socialize. Kes had scowled and said she didn't want to go. She wanted to see her friends, which had meant Jube. Her brother didn't go often himself, sticking to the forge. The girls that liked him, that he didn't even realize, would cluster near the forge when their father went for his lunch, calling to him and giggling. They were there now, she saw. She moved past them to Robin, who's head was bent, ears red. She pulled a face at the girls and they shot her daggers but left. Robin looked relieved. "Feeling better," he asked, throwing the metal into the water to seal. "I'm still not happy, Robin," she told him, "but I have Jube to think about. I can't leave." "You really love him," Robin said kindly. Seeing her face, he added "like a friend." "He's my best friend, like you," she said, mollified. "I don't know what to do, Robin. I don't want to marry." Robin didn't say anything. If their parents had told Robin he was to marry, he would have been unhappy but obedient. It would be Kes who would have kicked up a stink for him. "I'm off into the feilds," she said. "I just wanted you to know I was okay." "Just be careful," he said, retrieving the metal to hit again. She felt relieved having spoken to Robin. She knew he hated being used by her mother and her as some sort of intermediary. At least now he could relax. She headed down a lane, looking closely for lavender. It was then that she saw Pepper and his friends, jogging slightly to the woods. They seemed excited about something. She looked around. She owed Pepper for that attack on Jube and Jube would never do it himself. Pepper needed to understand that she wasn't going to let him hurt Jube. She had been told violence didn't solve violence, and that a lady shouldn't raise her fist. She didn't care about being a lady, and she knew Pepper would never respond to being reasoned with. Beside, something that caused Pepper to run was not going to be good. She moved fast, even more concerned when she saw there was 5 boys, all holding sticks. Between their legs she could see a black wolf. It was cowering, cornered by the boys. Each time it tried to move, a boy would swing a stick, striking the poor beast. "Leave it alone!" she screamed, running at them and throwing herself at Pepper, who stumbled forward and the wolf, frightened and confused, bit him. He gave a howl and the other boys looked alarmed, frozen for long enough for the wolf to dodge away, clearly hurt but seeming to know that it would have only one chance. "You stupid...." Pepper shouted, angry as a bull and in pain, lashing out and hitting her head. Kes was tough, but she was still smaller than Pepper, and his pain and fury gave him adrenaline. He knocked her aside as easy as if she were a blade of grass, and she went over, her face hitting a rock. This would normally have put fear into any of the boys, who understood exactly who's daughter, and come to that family she was, but Pepper was too far gone on his rage and kicked her hard in the side. "Pepper!" one of the others shouted, as a couple tried to grab him. His nostrils were flared and his leg was bleeding.

The Dragon Empire

"Should have fed them Pepper," she said, though it was an empty wish. It would be fun though, to watch Pepper running away from a full size dragon. She bet they would be huge. She nodded minutely, biting her lip as she mentioned the next one. "Dragon slayers," she said, though the only word she associated with slayer was killer. There were Vampire Slayers, which was the same. In the village, there was no one of a magical background or any supernatural behavior. Parents told children stories to frighten them but not many of the folk around here had traveled further than the next village for trading, and even that was considered far. She wondered if any of this was really real, or just something in a book. Were there really castles and monsters? Who had decided who people were? For some reason Pepper and his gang came into her head, then her mother and sisters. Giving labels when they understood nothing. Was the person who wrote these the same?

The Dragon Empire

Kes looked thoughtful. "What were they killers of?" she asked innocently, rising onto her knees and looking at the book upside down as if this might give her the answer. "Beside, aren't wolves called the same thing? Maybe they were just hungry." Seeming to have the organised in her head, her looked to the ceilng. "Dragons are very cool," she added, thinking of a book he'd once shown her. "I would love to see one." It was easy to say such things, though she didn't think of it that way. When you could only imagine what something was like, it was hard to think seriously of it. She looked to the sky outside. It was clear, not yet dark. "One more," she said, fixing him with a smile.

Fairy Tale (closed. RE: Kyrisse only)

Stephen felt unsure what to do. Avril had pretty much told him to ask her and it would be rude not to, but now she said she didn't care to dance. No, his thoughts protested. She said she'd not very fond, which means she wants to. He felt such an idiot. Hiro was on looking as was Avril. What if he asked and she really didn't want to and she refused, or worse, she agreed because it was the crowned prince asking, not because she wanted to. The inner turmoil wasn't visible on his face and he resolved to be a little brave. He might not get another chance. "I beg your pardon, Lady... Alessandra . Forgive my rudeness. Please allow me the pleasure to escort you to the ballroom floor." He offered her his arm. Avril, who now was out of his line of sight, nodded furiously at her friend, gesturing for her to take the hint.

Fairy Tale (closed. RE: carsgovroom only)

ooc; make as many as you like. It was only because last time I played this, Avril was more of a “filler” character, so I thought I’d have a go at giving her someone to work against, for good or bad. I find sometimes you need to put in some action for a character so they’re not “in the wings” when they’re not interacting. NPC’s are okay but sometimes they need a name and a purpose. Kind of like in a story. A rival for Edward’s attention would be interesting, especially because you have not seen what he’s like… yet. ;) Avril listened to her friend’s explanation, nodding with sympathy. It was clear, as it had been from the start, that Ella had never meant to hurt Stephen. Edward was smooth and, though Avril didn't say, used to getting what he wanted. Stephen was used to playing second fiddle, so having his partner taken by Edward would have felt a lot like history repeating itself. She just smiled at her friend. Ella had been close to the boys when they’d been young, but they’d changed. Avril was glad, in some ways, that Ella hadn't been there for some of the things. Avril hadn't always been either. She wanted to reassure her friend. “You know what he’s like,” she said, patting her friend’s hand. “I bet he’s gone to read a book. These events never really were his thing.” That was true. Stephen came and found somewhere else to be. Stephen wasn't Edward. “You looked like you had fun,” she added, trying to move her friend’s thoughts away. Edward returned with a fine wine glass, which he offered her. It contained water, but at a party drinking water would have seemed odd, so it was like it was camouflaged. Edward, smiling, said, “sorry ladies, but I will need to leave you to it. Can’t be seen to show favorites. Ella, a pleasure.” With a smile and a bow, he was gone, another girl already jumping at the chance to dance with him. Edward was always popular at these things, and not only because he was the heir to the throne. He seemed genuinely liked by many. He was personable and charming. Avril sat looking forward. “Want another partner?” she said brightly. “I’m sure there are plenty of boys willing to dance still.”

Fairy Tale (closed. RE: carsgovroom only)

Isn't it low season at the mo? I take it you live near there. So jealous. There's nothing as good or even like Disney in the UK :S

Fairy Tale (closed. RE: carsgovroom only)

At her rebuke that her muddy child hood was due to him, he gave a good natured laugh. “Well, we were children,” he said with obviously pleasure at their past, not seeming to notice the way his words caused her to colour. When she seemed to need more support, his grip became more firm, not in a hard way, but in a way that said whilst she was his partner, she wouldn’t need to worry. Reassuring. “I’m sorry,” he said, though he was still smiling. “I do get a little enthusiastic.” It was true. Most balls Edward spent in high spirits, for they were something he loved. He loved the social aspect. He must have danced with a different girl every dance. “You are a wonderful dancer,” he complimented her, just as the song began to draw to a close. “I’m so pleased that you allowed me the pleasure of partnering you.” He held her whilst other couples clapped, making sure she wasn't going to fall. “Take it easy,” he said, as he escorted her from the floor. “Sit for a bit. I hope I wasn't too rough with you.” Behind them, there seemed to be a press of bodies, but he was only looking at her for the moment. “I’ll get you some water, Ella,” he said, gesturing to a chair for her to take and striding off, the crowd opening and closing as he moved within it. Avril had retreated to the landing upstairs again, looking over it into the dance. She saw the clear pleasure on her friend’s face as she and her elder brother turned around and round. She turned her back to where they swirled and stepped out onto the balcony for the second time that night, but Stephen wasn’t there. She’d persuaded him, practically forced him to ask Ella to dance. “Are you alright, your highness?” She jumped at the voice, forgetting that Hiro was posted out there, his dark uniform allowing him to blend so well with the shadow of the wall. “I apologise,” he said, giving a quick bow, though his head was raised again before his body could catch up. “I didn’t mean to startle you.” She caught her breath and then gestured around, saying by explanation, “I thought Stephen would be here.” The guard looked puzzled. “I’m sorry, your highness, but didn’t he just leave in your company?” She felt her cheeks flush. “Never mind,” she said quickly, leaving Hiro to stand there watching her go. Back inside, she heard the beat of feet as the dance progressed but she had no time to look. “Your majesty,” came a voice, which belonged to one of the boys who had been talking to her before. He was flanked by 2 others, all of them smiling in a friendly way, and seemed to think this the time to speak with her. “Will you attend the hunt tomorrow?” the one on the left asked, which was quickly answered, not by Avril, but by his friend. “Don’t be stupid,” his friend said with obvious annoyance. “She’s a lady. Ladies don’t do anything like that.” There was no need for her to speak, for the 3rd interjected, saying that ladies could hunt if they liked. It was the problem with groups of boys like these. They heard each other but never noticed that the female had not uttered a word. “Princess Avril does not hunt,” said a voice from behind her. “She doesn’t enjoy the sport as she thinks it cruel.” Avril, and the 3 boys, all sons of lords or gentry, turned to see Hiro, who was now stood in the balcony door frame, silhouetted by the moon outside. “And who are you?” said one of the boys snottily, looking him up and down like he was filth. Avril realised that in this light, like on the balcony, it was difficult to see the guard uniform. “He’s exactly who I was supposed to be meeting,” she said bravely, causing the boys to look shamefaced, but none more than the one who had spoken. “Good evening, gentlemen.” He looked shocked as she took his arm and led him back outside. She waited until they were beyond the ears of the boys and said, "do you know how much trouble you could have been in?" Hiro gave a silly grin and shrugged. "My lady was in trouble so I had to intercede. It's part of the job." She turned away so he didn't see her flush. She knew he'd said "my lady" like he would say "your majesty" but it had made butterflies move in her stomach. Also it was rare to find someone who would use a word like intercede. She looked to him and gave a curtsy, which she had the mild satisfaction to seeing caused him to redden and look panicked. "Thank you," she said as she straightened. "Please excuse me, but I believe my friend, by now should have finished dancing. She didn't wait for him to say anything, but headed back to the landing and down the stairs to where Ella was, feeling her own cheeks were heavily flushed. The clapping of the couples as the music had ceased died away again had already finished when she found her friend. "You've finished now," she said to her friend, sitting beside her. "Where's Edward?"

The Dragon Empire

She nodded, scrambling to her feet and retrieving a book. Kestrel didn't read much, mostly because the only books they had were childish fairy stories. Life wasn't like that. Passing him the book she say crossed legged in front of him, like a small child waiting for a story begin.