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Post by @IsNotABomb on Apr 19, 2016 22:48:35 GMT -6
((OOC: So. First order of business. I'm still waiting on the new Garen sheet, and I'm still waiting on Nocte's new character. Running a slightly social bent thing first while I figure out how to integrate them in the next part.))
The first major rainfall of the spring was over. Terynsgarde was drenched, but the volcanic ash cloud was dispersed, for a time at least, and it washed away the soot from the vegetation, making it look much more alive and lush. The cliff face no longer looked like black wax from the sea's reflection, and the Avalonian heraldry looked richer on account of the soaked fabrics appearing darker in the soft glow of the mid-morning hours. The Dulmaire manor was repurposed to keep the nobles sequestered from the military, although most of the nobles present were in fact, knights sworn to a liege, meaning that Del'Rathan kept the manor to himself with a handful of servants and his personal retainer, Lady Trevelyan not far off, although she preferred the company of her wyvern and chose to take over a guest room with a balcony so that Ragothatrux could stay close to her companion.
The gem of Terynsgarde was a serviceable keep that had been converted into a fortress citadel to house the royals who visited, or in the case of Lexana, Callisandra and Cherche--lived there. The retainers for both the royals and the nobles had turned the council chambers into into a place to convene and discuss, with now being the start of their bi-weekly meeting to ensure the safety of their lieges. Or at least it would have been, had those occupying the halls not been sequestered in such a way for close to a year.
The chambers were arranged in a circle, with a round table made of a reddish oak that 'naturally' occurred in the area, and while there were a plethora of comfortable chairs available, most of the retainers preferred to stand. The domed ceiling was accented with white columns, and while the place was cleaned up after the meetings, the dust of disuse outside of the central platform where they conversed and the hall leading up to it was readily apparent.
"I hate to say it, but this is terribly dull." Caim murmured. Caim was a slight and dark figure, clad in purple and grey padded armor with an almost musical tone to his voice. He had pale skin and a long scar running down his right cheek with the red eyes of an infernal blood with silver rims denoting the Erinyes ancestry. A fallen angelkin. "I move that the consensus end the meeting early this week so we can all go explore Caer Amddiffynnydd's ruins."
"That's absurd. Leaving the fortress is tantamount to suicide with the situation being so precarious." Alexandria spoke up. She was a taller woman, clad in stripped down fieldplate and a black unitard and had blue highlights to denote her allegiance to House Viriel, with little else. While it was far from form fitting, she cut out any extra weight she could to ensure her steed could maneuver unhindered.
"While I hate to disagree, Lady Alexandria, Lord Caim does have a point. Tensions have been running high, and an outing might be enough to at least alleviate stress." Cherche spoke up. Cherche wore silvered armor with black steel pauldrons, and greaves with a purple sash. She was on the smaller side. A young woman in her teens with raven hair and skin like polished ivory, most striking were her eyes, a deep purple, near black and with enough focus on them, they appeared to be cut of night sky. "Nobody knows who we are, we do have the edge of anonymity. You pass for Krieg, and the rest of us can easily claim we're Belkan."
Alexandria rolled her eyes at Cherche's backing on Caim's spur of the moment decision to leave safety, then looked to Del'Rathan expectantly.
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Post by kyroshinai on Apr 21, 2016 13:05:41 GMT -6
Del'Rathan Viriel sat there almost dazed, his thoughts trailing between the conversation and a book held before him. He wore a flowing outfit of deep blues, white, and black, like shades taken from a night sky, though most of its elegance was lost as he shifted lazily in one of the chairs. Alex did have a point; the situations around made it dangerous to even think of venturing from Terynsgarde, let alone exploring ruins unprepared. He looked back down at his book and went to resume reading, only to realize that he had read this passage, nay this book three times over in the last week out of boredom. Sighing, he looked back at Alexandria, then to Caim, then to his book, back at Alex, his book again, then sighed once more.
"Actually, count me in." He threw his book down carelessly.
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Post by @IsNotABomb on Apr 21, 2016 22:52:17 GMT -6
Alexandria had a look of smug satisfaction on her face. "Precisely, it's--wait, you're agreeing with him?" She looked about ready to eat her axe, or at least make one of the magi present do so. "But, how does--why would--are you?" She sputtered, shooting a glare at Del'Rathan, and then Caim, a grown man and a knight stick his tongue out at her.
"Speak the Roenman tongue--were he here, His Majesty, would string you up for Varsimillax to eat had he heard you butchering it so thoroughly, dear Lady Alexandria!" Cherche chortled, as a princess she was expected to maintain a level of maturity, but it was too priceless to watch the stoic wyvern riding marauder crack in disbelief.
It was then that a bald, dark skinned man in a silver and purple tuxedo with a blue cravat walked in, striking green eyes looking over the others. In his hand was a tray with a teapot and several steaming cups. "Such a shameful display, Lady Alexandria. Though I deign to say it, red is most certainly not a good colour for you." He quipped. Avel Nogaret was a retired Avalonian knight and companion to Del'Rathan. He ended up sustaining a grievous crossbow injury protecting Princess Cherche several years ago and lent his expertise as a technical consultant on siege equipment in the time since. Most recently, he had been spending his time working on the defenses for Terynsgarde, though with the city being quite safe, he chose to waste his time building something akin to a miniaturized version of the Dingyuan's Wuyi Baolei (Vaguely: Arms Fortress) to provide mobile support to infantry formations. The prototype served as an interesting setpiece, though the starved resource pool of Terynsgarde left it inoperational due to the lack of oil readily available.
With a flourish, Avel set down tea for those present. Tiger's blood, he'd called it in the past. The love affair began after trying it when accompanying Tristan in Belka. "While I must apologize for my tardiness, perfection does not craft itself." He said cheerfully, ensuring everyone was properly tea'd, except for Caim, who pointed to a long since cold cup of coffee by his elbow. "Cheers." Cherche said cheerfully as she blew steam away before cheerfully sipping on the steaming liquid.
Alexandria opted to let her tea cool instead, reasoning that her pride should be the only thing to get burned today.
"So it's settled. Responsibility is dead. Long live responsibility." The tiefling chuckled mischievously.
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Post by kyroshinai on Apr 22, 2016 12:16:44 GMT -6
"I'm sorry, Alex, but-" He stopped to take a sip of the tea. "Mmm, thank you, Avel. Anyway, I'm sorry, Alex, but at this point either I end up going along with exploring something or another, or I am wandering off to go book shopping or something and frankly both are hazardous to my health and only one is hazardous to my coin. So exploring it is." He smirks and sighs, continuing to sip from his cup.
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Post by SolidSprinkles on Apr 24, 2016 2:48:11 GMT -6
“I smell tea.” Callisandra poked her head into the chambers, her silky strands of crimson red hair cascading from her head with her golden eyes scanning the room, “And Tiger’s Blood at that.” She stepped into the room, donned in her armor made of high-quality leather, dyed in blacks, golds, purples, and reds, along with decorations that suited a princess. She stepped up to the group and put her hands on her hips, “The nerve of having a cup without inviting me. It’s like I don’t even exist in this house!” The princess teased before bending down, grabbing a cup, and held it to Avel expectantly for a portion, “And what’s this I hear of exploring through the ruins?” Her hearing seemed to be as impeccable as her sense of smell, “I would condone such an act. But only if I were to not join you. Breaking this monotony seems like a brilliant idea!” She seemed a bit too cheery for going headlong into possible danger.
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Post by @IsNotABomb on Apr 25, 2016 1:52:32 GMT -6
Caim raised a gloved hand. "Apologies, milady. Zahafiel usually doesn't wake you at such an ungodly hour." He chortled. The steward took the mornings out to practice with his violin in solitude, from which he was still nursing an ugly scar running from his hairline to his jaw along his right cheek. He promptly folded his hands behind his back. Avel promptly slipped a teabag into Callisandra's cup, pouring some out for her with a smile playing on his lips. "If I can direct everyone's attention to the table. Mind the circles. Pretty sure someone was playing Tombs and Terrors last night and forgot to clean up spilled beer..." As Caim reached for a handkerchief, Avel had already drawn one, wiped up the beer residue and left Caim to pull out his map from a bag. It was pretty clean considering the vantage points were lacking. To the east was a minor fortress that had been derelict for at least a year. "Lady Trevelyan, would you care to place the visual aids?" Caim asked.
Alexandria went through her pack and produced finely carved miniatures, placing a sylph archer a human man with a scythe to the north and east of Caer Amddiffynnydd, and a polyhedral die where Terynsgarde was.
"Wait, why am I to the east?" Cherche asked as she sidled up next to the map and moved the scytheman token off the map.
"You're not, they're the scouts." Alexandria explained.
"So wait, which one am I?" Cherche inquired, putting the scythe wielder back.
"You're not--"
"And who's the die?" Cherche interrupted.
"That's Caim."
"But aren't we all here?"
"That was the point. This is his stupid plan, he gets to be the die." Alexandria cleared her throat, as though attempting to gain everyone's attention.
"So here's Caer Amddiffynnydd. It's a little fort that's fallen into disrepair. Ostensibly our problem to clear out, but with our little... 'vacation' here, the Avalonian milit'ry never actually got around to clearing it out." Alexandria began, pointing to the scouts. "So the last time I ended up taking Ragothatrux out, I ended up taking scouts with me to check the northern approach for signs of entry. None were discovered. Actually, from the wyvern's eye view to the east, the place has been unmolested for a few years now. Barring... you know. Fauna." Alexandria moved the die along a mountain pass. "At any rate, if we were to explore the place--which, as I said previously is the worst idea Caim's spewed out since--"
Caim cleared his throat. "Right. Anyway, I recommend using the mountains to circumvent the worst of the swamplands, stop off in Caer Carreg to resupply, then head straight to Caer Amddiffynnydd, sack it, and get out before those of us who aren't royals get found out, tried and executed for kidnapping royals or whatever. Alexandria said simply. Cherche looked over the map carefully. At nineteen she was allegedly an adult, but she wasn't tested like the others present. The best equipment and training money could buy only meant that her lack of experience was compensated for as opposed to outright replaced. "That said, I'll be bringing along a weapon just in case, the rest of you are free to do whatever you wish, provided you believe you can adequately protect yourself." Caim offhandedly handed Cherche a bastard sword with a helical shape near the pommel that separated into two blades which conjoined near the tip. "How... uncharacteristically generous of you, Caim." Alexandria noted with a raised brow.
Caim snorted dismissively."Well, remember that incident last month involving Master Del'Rathan? The princess commissioned me a new one. Though it plays better, I still cannot help but feel those moments haunting me as they're echoed in every note." Caim shuddered. "Right. That... unfortunate business. Would anyone like to contribute some sort of plan of approach?"
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Post by SolidSprinkles on Apr 26, 2016 21:35:21 GMT -6
Callisandra perked her eyebrows up as she sipped the tea, then gave a nonchalant shrug, “What you mentioned with the… uh… mountain path or whatever, sounded fine. The swamplands sound more bothersome than I care to deal with.” She waved a free hand at the map, “Honestly, I don’t rightly care too much on how we approach the place, as long as we get there efficiently and in one piece.” She raised her cup to her shapely lips and took another sip of the wonderful tea.
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Post by @IsNotABomb on Apr 27, 2016 0:06:39 GMT -6
Caim idly picked up a similar weapon, though his was broader and lacked the silvered polish of Cherche's. Alexandria drew a greataxe with a single, long blade on it, the other blade broke off in the undead steed of the lich that usurped Terynsgarde. Alexandria was less perturbed as her greataxe was now 'easier to swing on Ragothatrux's back.' She shouldered the axe and moved out first, mostly since she needed to feed Ragothatrux before they headed out, as the wyvern got sullen and complain of hunger if he couldn't hunt before a trip. Cherche looked up to Caim, who looked perplexed for a brief moment. "Wait, you're not stopping me?" Cherche asked him. Caim patted her shoulder. "Well you wanted to join the vanguard, right? If you can't get through a skirmish, you'll probably get passed over every time. Besides, your aunt's here, I'm here. We'll protect you." He replied in a warm, mentor-like tone before folding his hands behind his back. "I'll take my leave to ensure our things are packed, milady." Caim says with a bow before heading off.
"Ugh. If mother hadn't decided to abdicate the throne I could've had my own retainers." Cherche sighed. "I mean, you have Zahafiel and Caim at your beck and call. You probably never get lonely." The draconic child said as she took her new weapon in hand.
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Post by SolidSprinkles on Apr 28, 2016 5:10:41 GMT -6
“No… I suppose I don’t get lonely. However, there’s a wanting for some privacy at times.” The crimson-haired princess noted as she finished her tea, placing it gently on a table, “Hence why I sneak out on my own sometimes. Independant women like us should never be burdened down by anything! No matter our standing in society. Oh! I almost forgot!” Callisandra half-cupped her hand over her mouth and shouted toward where Caim went, “Sir Caim! Don’t forget my sword!” Her hands rested on her hips as she shook her head, “Honestly, how embarrassing would that be going on an adventure and not having a proper weapon?”
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Post by @IsNotABomb on Apr 28, 2016 8:59:44 GMT -6
Caim turned, blinked and stared. "I'm not Zahafiel, milady. It will be done." He replied. It's true. He wasn't. Caim was not a fighter like Zahafiel was, which made his assignment as Callisandra's bodyguard incongruous (though, to his credit, he has committed the second classiest kill the royals of Avalon had ever seen, involving a noble who had disrespected Tristan, a chalice and a tray) though not fruitless. He lacked Zahafiel's raw talent, but was driven enough that Calli endured watching him be defeated by superior fighters in tournaments year after year until he could claim a victory. Zahafiel was a very capable cook but has on occasion spilled tea, dropped food, broken trays and ripped clothing, it was only after Calli retired for nights that things seemed to improve. While she knew full well that her breakfasts were usually put together by Caim (vegan dishes gave it away) Zahafiel markedly improved at not destroying her clothing or burning himself, her, Avel, or the other servants, although Caim has occasionally ended up catching fire while helping with dinner.
Which incidently, Zahafiel came in just as Caim shot out, making Zahafiel spin and nearly causing the valet to drop a tray of miniature sandwiches and a jug of tomato juice. Zahafiel managed to stabilize the tray, just as Alex passed by, snatched the tray. "Dearest Zaha, you must work on your punctuality." Alexandria quipped as she headed out with the tray of goodies. "What...?" He asks, staring at Alex, then the others. "...Why...?" Zahafiel was Kytonborn, everyone knew it, nobody seemed to care. He was pale with blue tinging, white hair worn at neck length, yellow eyes and a perpetually exhausted appearance from keeping his ancestral urges to torment everything nearby in check. His angled features seemed almost perfect, but showed the dark intentions he so carefully kept in check. The fact that he was only comfortable in a fight with an adrenaline high and he hadn't fought in ages meant that the old wounds had caught up with him and left him with many sleepless nights. Like Avel he wore a tuxedo, though his sash was red to denote his service to Callisandra.
"You consider friendships and companionship to be a burden?" Cherche asks, securing the bastard sword to her back. She makes some slight adjustments to her sash before looking up. Despite being raised in isolation without guards or even servants, she seemed to at least be able to dress herself. No bunching by her plates, her sash flowed perfectly and her straps were put on just fine. In the past, Callisandra had tried ceremonial platemail and needed help with it, and even then it took several minutes.
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Post by kyroshinai on Apr 28, 2016 20:59:52 GMT -6
"I don't believe that it is the companionship that is the burden, Cherche. In the case of having retainers, it is what comes with it. Consider carrying a month or two worth of rations in a basket. It is not the basket that is the burden; it is what comes with it." Del spoke a bit trying to sound sage, before stopping and pondering a bit. "Though I am not quite sure why one would use a basket. Anyway, the point is... there are obligations with retainers. Formalities, and duties. Expectations. Not just your own, but theirs, and those of the people around you.
"A retainer will not stand by your side just because they want to; but because they need to. They will not check in with you because they are genuinely curious, but because it is their job to know. They are bound to keep watch and serve, regardless of personal feelings, and despite your best protests sometimes." He looked over to Alex and chuckled. "Not to mean that there isn't caring there, still. But there is more to it than that. Like there is probably more to those ruins, so let's go."
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Post by @IsNotABomb on Apr 28, 2016 23:40:42 GMT -6
"Well. You certainly have a way with words, Master Del'Rathan." Cherche chortled despite the deflation of the romantic notion of having her own knights in shining armor. With that said, Alexandria and Caim were both rather rude to anyone who so much as looked at their lieges wrong, Caim couldn't ride worth a damn and Alex had this alarming tendency to threaten to feed uppity nobles to her steed. "Though now I am rather curious as to where my grandfather finds these people. His children's trusted retainers consist of a cavalier with a mean streak, a warlock, a band of minstrels, a whore, a thief and a mercenary." Cherche rattled off before pausing. "Should pack my things." She said after a pause before heading off to do just that.
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Post by SolidSprinkles on Apr 30, 2016 5:20:06 GMT -6
“I know you’re not Zahafiel, which is why I asked you!” Callisandra expressed a cheeky grin, “I mean, he’s probably about to stumble his way in here any-” Sure enough, her kytonborn tiefling retainer stumbles in. Late, as expected, “-second.” She stifles a chuckle before turning her attention to her niece and noble friend, “And what Del’Rathan said. Plus, father has always seen the better side of people. They wouldn’t be our retainers if they didn’t have at least some redeeming qualities.” She then waved her hands in dismissal, “But yes, never mind all that, go pack your things. Adventure awaits!” Her finger shot up into the air with enthusiasm.
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