sukikyoufu

The Arrangement [Suki & Kassarock]

I’m so glad! I’ve really enjoyed them too!

Once the scene is wrapped up, we could look to skip to one of the pre-wedding traditions? I don’t think I have anything planned for Elise. Is there anything you wanted to do first?

I could probably cover what she would have done in skip style post, she’d probably explore the castle a little and read up on those books they argued over. Elise will worry a little because of the poison, that will certainly put her on edge having her constantly look over her shoulder haha.

The Arrangement [Suki & Kassarock]

That was so enjoyable, and I loved replying to it haha.

I also really enjoyed that last line, it fit so well and no way? I love it when you have an idea on how something will pan out for a while.

Haha yeah I couldn’t have her not notice it when she is watching him, phew haha.

The Arrangement [Suki & Kassarock]

“Oh, well I didn’t actually think you would enjoy the Eorzian customs.” Elise felt her smile falter slightly as Manawydan seemed to hop onto the culture and premarital traditions that both Kingdoms held, she didn’t expect him to be so enthralled by it especially as she was sure that King Ozragad probably didn’t care to perform such tasks. It was interesting to hear that the Formori had a similar custom, a big hunt to prove their worth and ability to provide with the game they were able to slay. There was truth in the fact it would hold some nice symmetry accompanied with a bride hunt for the future, something she wasn’t overly keen on.

Although I would be interested to see if he could find me, what skills he poses in a kind of chase. Considering her thoughts for a moment as she felt a glimmer of satisfaction in the fact, she had been right upon hearing his dislike for the useless traditions. Folding her arms as she kept herself seated listening in on the conversation between the counsellor and the King, it did make her wonder how deep their friendship ran. It seemed that this man could be quite bold against the King and did so without fear of reprimand and then somehow, he was able to get him to agree?

How bizarre.

“Of course, your highness, I will play my own part in these… trials. Gladly” An amused look fell on her face as she found herself looking back at the counsellor still quite interested in how he had managed to sway the King, it seemed this person would make quite a powerful ally, but she knew she would never be able to trust him.

Leaning back into the chair she wasn’t sure if she should go now that they had resolved everything, but as a server came inside with three goblets so she assumed that meant she was staying even if it was just for a little bit longer to enjoy a glass of wine. It was a celebration after all as she was certain that they would never resolve their little fight because he was quite stubborn just like she was, but Lady Cheldarine had put a stop to that somehow. The woman was clearly versed in the Formori politics, something she desperately needed to learn if this was to become her new home. Knowing it’s surroundings, it’s people and who posed her a threat would be a key to her survival here.

Her eyes began to watch as Ozragad rose from his seat to pour the wine, watching as his glass filled up and then pouring one for her. Nodding politely at the action she said her thanks as she took the glass in her hand hesitating for a moment when Manwyndan proposed a toast. They didn’t have much to toast, not when they still had a few more weeks before they would be tied to one another with the marriage. There was still plenty of time between them for something else to drastically alter their course, with the news that there were people here who wasn’t fond of the marriage and then she knew back home there would-be people feeling the same she constantly felt like she was having to watch her back at every step. People were waiting in the wings just to watch them fall.

I agree, a little premature. Though Elise wouldn’t dare voice it, not when she had managed to get an apology as well as end their little spat. Raising her glass, she smiled nodding to both Ozragad and Manawyndan. “To the arrangement.” Though just as she was about to drink the wine herself, she frowned catching sight of something bright, something that shouldn’t happen even with crystal goblets. Had the sun not caught it she doubted she would have noticed, but something was wrong, and the dark wine held some other kind of substance inside.

For a moment it felt like her heart stopped as she saw it as clear as day, the wine had been tampered with and her eyes widened as fear spread across her face. All colour drained from her face as she feared the worst.

“STOP!” Scrambling to her feet as the crystal goblet of her own dropped from her fingers clattering against the table the liquid pooling out onto the wooden surface. “Don’t drink that!” Without even think she scurried over to him snatching the glass from his hands stopping him from drinking the wine as her heart hammered away in her chest. Elise could hear a ringing in her ears as she held it up to the light only to see she had been right in catching sight of some sort of powder floating in the wine, it had been short of a miracle that the light had caught it and she had been looking at him because of the toast.

Frowning she placed the cup back on the table before taking a step back, she glanced to the spilled wine of her own wondering if hers had been the same and if someone had tried to poison them both. No one could have known they would both be here at this time though. Had this just been intended for the King? Thoughts began to swarm around on what would have happened if he’d have ingested that wine, her survival and safety also guaranteed on him being alive. “Poison…” The word left her lips in a whisper as she was still trying to register it, that tiny specks of dust could have caused so many problems.

Specific world (AlphaXLuna style)

Bump~

The Arrangement [Suki & Kassarock]

With distance between them again Elise watched the warlord with her eyes just taking in his body language, she was certain there would be no more violence at least for today. The warmth of his hand still radiated from her own and even though he had pulled back she could still feel the touch lingering and for a brief moment she wondered how gentle those hands could be. Especially as she had experienced the rougher side of him already.

Could he even be gentle?

Hesitant to think on it any longer she glanced over as he returned to his seat and she was quite glad of the fact that she had left her room even if it had been against his orders. It meant they had gotten their conflict resolved even if her pride was slightly bruised for having to approach him. At least she had gotten an apology out of it, one that she honestly didn’t think she would get.

“How long do you expect for the final treaty to be drawn?” It wasn’t surprising the planning had been left to her father’s council, the Eorzians loved to plan a big event and a huge wedding was no different. Any excuse to gather people around and show off their wealth, their ability to appease most in court and act as if they weren’t in any sort of war was mesmerising in its own way. It was kind of relaxing to know the ceremony would be held in her hometown land, not that she could be calling it home for much longer not when this was soon to be where she’d spend her days for eternity.

Looking up as Manawyndan joined in the conversation offering his own opinions she raised her brow at the idea, wedding traditions was something she had been taught about from a young age. Eorzia loved its traditions, upholding them and parading about the women like they were some prize to be captured. Making them perform like animals being watched by onlookers who were sizing them up. Shaking her head in amusement as she remembered one of its favoured traditions, she looked towards the two men before her and smiled. Never had she had to take part in the bridal hunt even when it came to other people’s weddings as it was just improper to have the Princess roaming about the forest full of men. Wondering on if her father would insist upon the tradition, she kept that piece of information to herself thinking that her father would probably not bother with it.

“I think it’s quite a favourable idea, it would certainly allow for more opportunities to get to know one another as well as the people around. If it is agreeable with yourself, I would be happy to oblige.” Elise stated simply as she folded her arms, wedding traditions couldn’t hurt there was an Eorzian custom she could uphold hopefully when in her own Kingdom.

“Eorzian culture has a few traditions one of them being customary for the bride to showcase a talent. To present herself to her husband with a skill she can bring to the table. If that is something that interests you I can prepare myself for it.”

Hopefully I don’t make a fool of myself, I wonder what kind of traditions the Formori uphold when it comes to this.

The Arrangement [Suki & Kassarock]

Perfect! That sounds like a plan!

Meanwhile the assassination plot will still carry on in the background haha.

I should hopefully get a response up tomorrow :)

The Arrangement [Suki & Kassarock]

Ohhhh yes!

Perhaps we could have Elise do her talent at the Formori court because she would feel uncomfortable performing in front of them to people she barely knows.

I love the idea of Ozragad performing the bride hunt in Eorzia, especially surrounded by all her women at court. That would be so much fun!

Ohhhh yeeees, gift exchange would be nice too! Especially as you say it makes them have to think about each other and what would be a great gift for them. I think we could incorporate them all? It would set nice paces leading up to the wedding :)

The Arrangement [Suki & Kassarock]

Yeah, I still think the assassination plot in the background would be good, perhaps it could be during one of the customs before the wedding?

Ohhh that could work nicely!

I was thinking on a few Eorzian rituals and I have two that I was playing around with. One of them being sort of like a hunt, but it’s where the betrothed has to hunt down their partner. Like there would be tons of females dressed to the nines, all in a mask of some kind of prey and they run into the forest to hide. The men would then have masks of predators and have to hunt out their partner, their betrothed first as it’s meant to symbol good luck or something?

I also had another one where the woman would have to present themselves to their partner and show off some sort of skill of theirs that they have learned. Be it a musical instrument or something along the lines of a talent to show him and to the court.

Those were a few ideas I was playing with.

The Arrangement [Suki & Kassarock]

Ohhhhh hahaha wow I completely missed that xD

I am so oblivious to jokes sometimes haha xD

The Arrangement [Suki & Kassarock]

Elise couldn’t help but finding herself watch Ozragad before her, though she tried to stop herself from fidgeting it was becoming difficult when she didn’t truly feel comfortable in his presence. Whether that was because of the act of violence or the fact she knew how trapped she felt she couldn’t quite say, but she knew she had found herself rather worried that when married he would do something like that again.

No. If I hold me tongue then surely there would be no reason to cause harm? It was not entirely his fault when I boasted such a threat to him. I did not know the severity of his position, the fact it now relies on what he must think a mere child must infuriate him.

Elise found herself caught up in her thoughts for a moment until she heard him call out silence, narrowing her eyes as she glanced at him wondering why he would call for such a thing when no one had uttered a single word after her declaration of wanting an apology. Holding her breath, she wondered if he was insulted by her request and that maybe she had just made things a whole lot worse for herself.

Not again, he would not hurt me in front of his council, right? Manawyndan does like to meddle, what if?

Throwing her gaze over to the elder man who had spoken up suggesting time between them, that he could consider apologising without her presence. For a moment she thought it would be best herself and she couldn’t deny that making a swift exit seemed appropriate especially as he did not expect to see her in this room defying his orders of confinement. I must be making such a fool of myself; I should not have listened to anyone but my own judgement. Chastising herself over how she had allowed herself to get so caught up in Lady Cheldarines words and on top of that the rather sneaky Manawyndan. Everyone seemed so caught up in her life, her decisions and she knew she was getting agitated over it.

What does it even matter, freedom will never be an option for myself? This is my life, doomed forever more. I should look to make the most of it at least.

Finding herself drawn back to Ozragad at his declaration of having made a final decision about her request, well demand. Sitting up straight she met his gaze only to find herself falter under it, seeing the spark in his eyes as she watched expecting him to return to his own seat. Only to find that instead he had begun approaching her and she felt her body stiffen as he came closer, tense at the idea of him being close.

Hearing the low husky tone from him she removed her hands from the table placing them in her lap fiddling with her fingers out of sight because she was restless. Swallowing hard she tried to keep composure, but she didn’t know where this was going and she kept looking ahead of her even though she knew he was right behind her, his hands resting either side of the chair. Feeling her heartbeat quicken she tried to brace herself from some sort of attack from him, he stood by his words and she wondered if she should have stood by hers in refusing to marry him. Various emotions ran through her as she tried to keep a straight face not wanting to give him any signs of fear, but the emotion was clear as day in her eyes.

“I…” Hesitating for a moment as he moved from behind her to her side, she felt strange, he was extending the olive branch so to speak and as much as she had demanded the apology, she wasn’t sure if she had expected to receive one. A sincere one at that. Kneeling beside her only meant they were at the same height level and she had never really looked at him close up before. There was an odd sense of beauty to him, the way he held himself he was no boy playing war. This was well and truly a man, a beautiful one, one that could be fearful, but he had apologised to her.

Elise felt her features soften as she looked at him taking in the words, she didn’t care about him not apologising for his words because all she had wanted was an apology for the violence. “Thank you.” Her voice was but a whisper because it had caught her off guard, but none the less she felt a sense of calm within her from the apology. Not sure what she was entirely doing her hand reached out from under the table as she took hold of his gently, keeping him there at her height level for a moment longer.

“I would also like to apologise. To you. I did not help that conflict between us. I hope we can start anew today. Maybe even look to make preparations for our wedding?”