Lover

[Nella Fantasia]

Thalion looked down into Aislin's eyes, his smile fading somewhat at her words and her own smile. I know you do. He never doubted she didn't have feelings. He'd seen them--when she saved Alassiel, when he caught the faint glimmer of tears in her eyes right before being tied, when she smiled at him earlier that evening. And while he didn't think Atreyu did it purposely out of disrespect, he had to agree that he probably should have gone about it a different way. People just misunderstood the older man sometimes. But Thalion knew. Atreyu might have a loud mouth, but he had a good heart deep down. Which means Aislin probably does, too.

He hesitated. Now there was a thought. Yet again, her question of innocence began stirring in his mind. And as he stared down at her, her eyes light and soft, her smile sincere, her hair sprawled out around her bronze face like a silky fan, it was hard to imagine she would kill anyone so viciously. Which brought him back to his earlier question he had been meaning to ask her--why kill Martin?

Scooting back off of her, Thalion ran his hands to her wrists and stood, pulling her up with him. As he did, Atreyu walked to the horses and flipped open one of the saddlebags. "Now, if you'll excuse me..." Atreyu began, turning to brandish a pair of breeches. "...I need to change into something less scorched." He glanced down at his ruined breeches he was wearing, chuckling softly. "And perhaps attempt my hand at making some kind of shoes out of these." Without another word he walked back over to camp and disappeared behind one of the larger rocks.

Thalion looked back to the woman, his hands still on her wrists, and went to untying the rope from around her waist to place back on her hands. He watched his fingers work. "I know my brother has a habit of getting on the last of people's nerves," He said, fiddling with the knot. "But he does mean well." Though why he was talking to her about this, he had no idea. She probably didn't care, and he doubted Atreyu cared what she thought of him. But Thalion did. Even if no one else did, he didn't like others thinking badly of his brother.

 

[MissCellaFane]

Aislin was a bit relieved when Atreyu left, announcing he was going to go change. That meant she had a moment alone with Thalion. Maybe she could use it. She didn't want to push too hard, but they weren't far from the capitol now and if she didn't...then it might end up being her downfall. She went willingly as Thalion pulled her to her feet and began untying the rope at her waist. She knew he was going to tie her up again, but maybe he'd allow her hands to be in front of her and she'd be able to feed herself.

But then he spoke. "I know my brother has a habit of getting on the last of people's nerves." Aislin's eyebrows raised. So he did this with other people too? She'd suspected as much. "But he does mean well."

That Aislin doubted. But she wasn't about to contradict him. He was defending his brother. They had a bond, no matter how strange their relationship might seem at first glance. And it probably wasn't a good idea to go against that bond in her present situation. All that would do was make him more defensive, siding with his brother. And she needed him on her side.

Nodding, Aislin began running her fingers through her hair working out knots herself in her hair as he worked on the rope. "I know I shouldn't have done that." Aislin admitted. And she shouldn't have. It really could have made things worse for her. "But he just made me so angry!" She sighed, flicking her hair to the other side of her head and running her fingers through it some more, a few twigs and grass pieces falling out. "It's bad enough I'm being brought against my will to the capitol, heading for certain death..." Aislin picked at a small twig, dislodging it from her hair. "...but I'd just had it with the way he'd been treating me on top of it. And..." Her voice softened. "...and I'm so hungry and he won't let me eat." Aislin shook her head, dropping her hands to her sides and looking up into Thalion's face, her brow furrowed in a pleading expression. She reached out and grabbed his wrists gently. "I know you have to tie me up again, but please...at least tie my hands in front so I can eat?" She searched his eyes. "I promise I won't use any more of my magic." She let a tiny smile work its way onto her face as she stared up at him. "Unless...of course...you want me to get that fire going for you." She tilted her head towards the pile of sticks he'd been trying to light earlier.

 

[Nella Fantasia]

While Thalion could definitely understand Atreyu making people angry, he wasn't sure what Aislin meant by the way the older man was treating her. He had paused in untying the knot, glancing up at her questioningly. Was she referring to the way Atreyu had teased her? All right, while it could be aggravating and annoying, Thalion didn't think it deserved to be caught on fire over. But then, isn't that what she said? He would give her that much credit.

But saying Atreyu wouldn't let her eat? That was ridiculous! Of course he was going to let her eat! He had offered her food! It had been her who denied it. Maybe it was degrading to eat from someone's hand, and by the looks of her--definitely having wealth to her name--she probably never had to consider doing that before. But to more or less say he rejected her food? Entirely untrue.

When she reached up to grab his wrists, he tensed, hesitating. Unsure at first of what she was doing. He didn't fear her, but he also didn't relish in bursting into flames like his brother! Not something I'm looking forward to. But when it became apparent all she was doing was resting her fingers on his wrists, he relaxed somewhat. Staring into her eyes as she insisted she wouldn't use anymore of her magic. Unless he wanted her to make a fire. Frowning, Thalion quickly glanced to the pile of sticks. No, he didn't want her using her magic at all. Even if it was to help them. How could he trust her? He couldn't. And didn't. Just because he questioned her guilt didn't mean he was going to sway in every other regard.

Slowly he shook his head, pulling his hands away from her grasp at the same time he loosened the rope, letting it drop from her middle. He took a firm hold of her arm with his one hand, hanging onto the rope with the other. "No. I'd rather you not use your magic for anything," He said. Though doubted if she would listen to him. Probably not. She was trying to escape for her freedom, after all! Of course she would use it! And that's what concerned him.

He glanced up into her eyes. "And I agree, you do need to eat, but you have to understand where we're coming from." He raised an eyebrow. "Not all of us want our boots to sprout flames." With a sigh, he grew more serious, giving a light nod. "It might not be much better, but if you'd rather I help you eat than my brother, I can do that."

He wasn't too sure how she'd take to that suggestion. But she seemed to be more calm and kind towards him than Atreyu, so maybe she wouldn't seem so inferior and think the idea terrible if he helped to feed her instead.

 

[MissCellaFane]

Well it had been worth a try. He had denied her, but she had more or less expected him to. Even still...it was a disappointment. She did understand where he was coming from. To both him and Atreyu, she was still a fugitive, and they still believed she was a necromancer, still thought she'd killed Martin. And she'd just attacked one of them. Granted, if she really had been a necromancer, then both brothers would probably be dead right now. But apparently Thalion either hadn't thought about this or he was ignoring that fact.

He gave a sigh, gripping her arm, the rope in the other hand. "It might not be much better, but if you'd rather I help you eat than my brother, I can do that." He offered, looking at her intently as if trying to gauge how she was going to react.

No, it wasn't much better. But at least he'd be doing it for the right reasons, not because he just wanted to watch her eat from his hand. She eyed him for a moment. Atreyu would still see it, though. See her accepting food from Thalion. It might even make her look even more stupid, accepting it from Thalion but not from Atreyu. Make her look foolish. As if she was willing to starve herself over who it was that fed her. Suck it up, Aislin. You need to eat. Right. Who cared what Atreyu thought of her? She needed her strength to escape and Thalion was offering to help her. Not escape, obviously. But at least have the strength to. And then she'd never see Atreyu again, so what did it matter?

With a sigh of her own, Aislin closed her eyes and nodded as she lowered her head. "All right." She whispered and opened her eyes to gaze at his knees, some of that hopeless feeling coming over her again. "But only because I'm starving."

 

[searchingsoul]

((Seriously, If someone doesn't include me, I'll have no material to go on. Are we still talking night?))

After browsing the town and makng a few purchases, Jasmine regretfully made her way home. On her way she passed houses with lights on. Homey family scenes were clearly seen. A pang in her heart reminded how far and few between those had been in her childhood. Her days had been intentionally filled with tutoring sessions, private lessons, and strict rules. That was why Jaz loved sneaking out and pretending to be a commoner so much. Jaz passed a couple of shopkeepers closing down for the day, switching the Open sign to Closed. She wondered what would happen if her mom ever figured out what she did. She'd probably have a fit, yelling at me to act my rank. She'd also probably send me back to Etiquet classes and "How to Act Royal 101" Jaz thaught. She rolled her eyes. Why couldn't she just have a normal life? It was just a good thing she didn't have any marriage requirements. She had been repulsed by all the boys she'd met with her mother while she was still a teenager. They had been far to stuck up for her taste. She prefered a guy to be down to earth. That's why she thaught she would most likely marry a commoner, rather than a nobleman. When she arrived at her mansion, she snuck in the kitchen door. The kitchens were closed by now and all the workers were probably at home by now. She tiptoed to her room, thankfully without any unwelcome confrontations. There, she changed from her common-clothes to her noble bedgown. It was made of silk, and because of that very sleek and shiney. It also had lace around the neckline, sleeves, and lace covered some attached silk underskirt. Well, at least I get a say what I do with my money. she thaught. She was popular amung the commoners because of her random and generous donations. That was her last thaught before snuggling under the covers and slept.

 

[Nella Fantasia]

((searchingsoul, you might want to try messaging people and talking out subplots with them between your characters. That always helps.))

Well it had been worth a try. He had denied her, but she had more or less expected him to. Even still...it was a disappointment. She did understand where he was coming from. To both him and Atreyu, she was still a fugitive, and they still believed she was a necromancer, still thought she'd killed Martin. And she'd just attacked one of them. Granted, if she really had been a necromancer, then both brothers would probably be dead right now. But apparently Thalion either hadn't thought about this or he was ignoring that fact.

He gave a sigh, gripping her arm, the rope in the other hand. "It might not be much better, but if you'd rather I help you eat than my brother, I can do that." He offered, looking at her intently as if trying to gauge how she was going to react.

No, it wasn't much better. But at least he'd be doing it for the right reasons, not because he just wanted to watch her eat from his hand. She eyed him for a moment. Atreyu would still see it, though. See her accepting food from Thalion. It might even make her look even more stupid, accepting it from Thalion but not from Atreyu. Make her look foolish. As if she was willing to starve herself over who it was that fed her. Suck it up, Aislin. You need to eat. Right. Who cared what Atreyu thought of her? She needed her strength to escape and Thalion was offering to help her. Not escape, obviously. But at least have the strength to. And then she'd never see Atreyu again, so what did it matter?

With a sigh of her own, Aislin closed her eyes and nodded as she lowered her head. "All right." She whispered and opened her eyes to gaze at his knees, some of that hopeless feeling coming over her again. "But only because I'm starving."

At first it didn't seem like Aislin was going to agree, not that Thalion would be surprised. Most of their fugitives refused to cooperate with them, even if it was for their benefit. But finally she nodded, closing her eyes, and dropping her head. "All right. But only because I'm starving."

Well, okay. At least it looked like she wasn't going to set him on fire or yell. Knock on wood. And he did, quickly, tapping the block on his side before giving a few nods. "Fair enough," He said, slipping his hand from her arm down to her wrist and loosened his hold somewhat. "Now turn around."

 

[MissCellaFane]

That was the second time she had noticed him tapping on that piece of wood at his side. She'd always thought it was a box of some sort, that it held something inside. Now she wasn't so sure. Not that she had any clue what it actually was, but the fact that he'd done that again, tapping it with his knuckles, as if making sure it was still there...it was strange. Her eyes darted up to meet his, however, when he told her to turn around.

Her heart fell. Back to the ropes again. Back to feeling like her shoulders were coming out of their sockets from being pinned, and as though her wrists were on fire from rubbing up against the ropes all day long. Blinking once, she looked down at the ground again and slowly turned, placing her hands behind her back submissively.

She turned her head so she could see him out her peripheral vision. "What is that thing, anyways? On your belt?" She asked, curiosity getting the better of her. That and because she wanted to take her mind off the fact that she was being tied up, yet again. "You keep tapping it."

 

[CJF]

((Bump. ))

 

[searchingsoul]

((Is it the morning yet? I might be able to do something if it's the morning.))

 

[Found777]

thanks.

He sat on the edge of the soft bed gazing down upon the still sleeping face of the woman who lay comfortably upon the pillows. The room was bright; the white sheets seemed to glow whiter in the morning light that filled the room. A small breeze carried the crisp fragrance of fresh grass through the open window from which blue skies were visible, flecked with puffy clouds. The air was filled with the soft chirping of birds in the garden.

It was Spring...

He stroked her cheek gently; feeling her soft skin rubbing smoothly against his fingers. She stirred; yawning and stretching after a sound sleep.

He smiled. "Good morning, my love."

"Good morning." She said, her voice piercing his heart with every word she spoke, making him smile even more. She opened her eyes and gazed lovingly into his. her eyes were like the deep blue of sapphires, adding to her beauty.

"My love, you are beautiful." He said, still stroking her cheek andadmiring her.

"Is that why you love me?" she asked.

"No."

"No?"

He smiled again. "I love you for many different reasons."

"What are they?" she asked, smiling back at him.

"Soon you will know, my love."

She only smiled at him, caressing his face.

"Are we ready for the celebration?"

"We are."

"Then let us rise and be on our way, my love."

"Yes." she smiled, and rose to kiss him tenderly on the lips.

 

[Found777]

((So I guess you have the queen instead??))

hi

 

[Nella Fantasia]

((It's morning where you all are in the city, yeah.))

That was the second time she had noticed him tapping on that piece of wood at his side. She'd always thought it was a box of some sort, that it held something inside. Now she wasn't so sure. Not that she had any clue what it actually was, but the fact that he'd done that again, tapping it with his knuckles, as if making sure it was still there...it was strange. Her eyes darted up to meet his, however, when he told her to turn around.

Her heart fell. Back to the ropes again. Back to feeling like her shoulders were coming out of their sockets from being pinned, and as though her wrists were on fire from rubbing up against the ropes all day long. Blinking once, she looked down at the ground again and slowly turned, placing her hands behind her back submissively.

She turned her head so she could see him out her peripheral vision. "What is that thing, anyways? On your belt?" She asked, curiosity getting the better of her. That and because she wanted to take her mind off the fact that she was being tied up, yet again. "You keep tapping it."

Satisfied she wasn't going to fight him with the ropes, Thalion let go of her arm briefly to take hold of the rope in both hands, and then began wrapping it around her wrists in figure eight motions. At her question, he glanced up to the side of her face. She'd noticed that? Honestly, he hardly noticed it himself anymore. It was something he'd grown accustomed to, and automatically did it without much thought to what he was doing.

"It's for good measure," He answered, looking back down to the ropes as he started wounding them up her arms. "Keeps unfortunate things from happening." Like bursting into flames.

 

[MissCellaFane]

Aislin winced as the ropes began to tighten, flexing her fingers to make sure the blood was still flowing to them. That was the last thing she needed. Her fingers going dead from lack of circulation. He wasn't tying the ropes that tight, but it still felt like it. And as he wound them up her arms, her shoulders began to hurt once more. So much for my brief reprieve. She thought bitterly to herself as she listened to his explanation.

So...it was kind of like a good luck charm. He touched the piece of wood to bring himself luck? Her brow furrowed a bit. She'd heard of people doing such things. Her people really didn't believe in luck. They believed in guardian spirits that were to be honored and prayed to if they wanted to be kept safe. Her father never put much stock in it, however. He'd told her to honor the Great Spirit instead and that he would keep her safe. Not that the Great Spirit was doing that fantastic of a job right now. Atreyu and Thalion seemed to be getting all the protection...and luck.

She took a deep breath and blew a stray strand of hair out of her face, jerking her head. "Maybe I should get one of those." She said, looking down at the ground, her brow furrowing as her voice softened. "A lot of unforunate things seem to be happening to me lately." Martin's death. Her inability to catch up with his murderer. And now her capture by the brothers and being unable to escape them. Unfortunate might be a little bit of an understatement there, Aislin.

 

[Nella Fantasia]

Thalion's brow furrowed as he worked on the ropes, wondering if she was mocking him or simply making a statement, as such referring to her capture. It sounded like the latter. Not that it mattered. If she hadn't killed anyone then she wouldn't be getting herself into these messes, would she? "It happens," He said, tying up the rope into a knot at her arm. Then, grabbing her one arm, he gave a tug to pull her back towards camp. "Come on."

 

[MissCellaFane]

Thalion didn't respond for a moment, but Aislin wasn't really thinking about him anyways. Her mind was on Martin. His kind eyes and ready smile that only accentuated his already lined face. He wasn't a very good looking man. He hadn't aged well. But he'd been like a second father to her. Yes, he'd been her teacher, but he was all she had so far away from her home and her people. She could still see his smile, hear his laugh as he taught her new things and teased her with a wink. "Morning, Aislin. Let's try not to blow up my house today, all right?" She had caught his house on fire the very first lesson. By accident, of course. She wasn't used to using the stones for magic. Nothing like that had ever happened again, but he still continued to tease her about it just about every morning.

Thalion's voice brought her back to the present. "It happens." She blinked. What did? Oh yes, unfortunate circumstances. Aislin frowned. Quite a sympathetic soul, aren't you Thalion? Not really. As was apparent by his tug on her arm. "Come on." He said, leading her back towards the pile of sticks he'd been trying to create a fire with.

She let him guide her back, wiping her foot on the grass to get the soiled mud off of her shoe as she went. When they reached the pile, she sank down into the grass, pulling her legs beneath her to the side and wondering whether or not he'd start the fire before feeding her. She hoped he'd start the fire. The chill from the night before still hadn't worn off. She glanced down at the sticks, tempted to start the fire for him. It would be very simple and then she'd be able to get warm. But she figured it probably wasn't the best idea, considering he'd told her he didn't want her using her magic at all. Besides, now that the ropes were back on her, she wasn't sure she could use magic. That's what Atreyu had made it sound like. As though the ropes wouldn't allow her to do any magic at all.

Aislin lifted her eyes to look at Thalion, noticing what other interesting objects on his belt he carried, not the least of which happened to be what looked like a foot from a small animal. Her nose wrinkled. "Is that a foot?" She asked, nodding to his belt and then looking up into his eyes. That couldn't be just for good measure! It had to be some kind of medallion. Worn to protect, right? "What does that protect you from?" She asked, raising one eyebrow. Maybe those who tried to kill him? Wild animals? Or maybe it was some kind of hunting trophy he'd collected.

 

[JdwB10]

((Hey, this is CJF. Is this still running? Or no?))

 

[JdwB10]

((Never mind. Since no one has responded, I can see that this RPG is completely dead. Very disappointing, I must say.))

 

[LightofHeaven]

((If you ladies wanna pick it back up, we can. I've been bored.))

 

[LightofHeaven]

His boots made soft thudding sounds as he made his way down the corridor to the dining hall. He wasz dressed for travel; cloak and all. Sabrielle walked beside him, grasping his arm in her slender; yet strong hands. Her white gown billowing slightly behind her as she walked.

"You are really leaving?" she asked, her voice sounding almoszt sad.

"I must, my love." Flynn replied, reaching over and giving her hands an assuring squeeze.
h
The night before, the king had requested that he go to Illin to negotiate matters between the elvenkind and the dwarves. Flynn had agreed to do do so, knowing that war was athand between the two.

"Isn't there someone else?"

"Sarielle, my love, do not worry. You know I shall return. I always have, have I not?"

"You have."

They turned a corner and entered the dining hall. They bowed to the king and queen before sitting to an elegant breakfast.