Problems ( OPEN )

[kyou]

[/center]

lyra was rather happy. he almost felt bad for telling her that they should go. well, thankfully, nayeli that let them stay. he glanced over at her, taking in her beauty and refusing to blush. she didn't look him in the eye, thank gods. rather, she looked at lyra with that beautiful smile of hers and lead them down the hallway towards her room. lyra seemed even happier than before and bradley knew not to mess with the dark haired girl's mood. though, he couldn't help but wonder what was going on with nayeli's sisters. there was that one vampire, and two elves. they looked all rather close. he didn't trust the vampire, but he knew that lyra wouldn't care much about them . she was a rather open girl, he knew. as soon as he lead lyra into nayeli's room, he bid them all good night and he went into his own room. in the morning, he heard the scream and rushed out. lyra had come out, looking just as surprised. he didn't even notice nayeli with her black robe on until he had felt much calmer with lyra. the girl was huddled close to him, her electric blue eyes on the door where they had heard the scream from. nayeli took control of the situation and walked over towards the room where the scream was heard. he let go of lyra a little bit, his grip loosening. she was silently observing nayeli, he knew and if any of those elves came out with swords or whatnot, they would spring into action. he trusted that lyra had his back and he knew himself that he would protect lyra no matter what.

lyra's eyes then flickered towards him, which caused him to look down at her. what? lyra let out a small grin before she poked his arm. you're not wearing a shirt....maybe you should get back into your room to change...[/b] she suggested. bradley rolled his eyes before folding his well toned arms. right. like i'm going to leave you alone here. not until this is settled will i leave you alone. [/b] he told her in a stern tone. lyra rolled her eyes while nudging him with an elbow. he just wrapped an arm around her, holding her close to him. the girl smiled slightly while her eyes then were back on nayeli who was now talking to the elves. turin then came into view and lyra straightened up while wrapping the robe around herself tighter. bradley looked down at her, noticing her sudden change of moods. he then just let go of her shoulders, standing beside her while looking guarded. he gave a small nod towards turin as he saw the man. it was only polite to, anyways. the elves came out of the room and one of them spoke while looking straight at lyra before looking back at nayeli's sister. bradley's jaw tightened slightly while his own dark gaze looked at them cooly. lyra seemed unfazed for she just looked right back at the elf without a blink of an eye. bradley knew that lyra had little to be afraid of. she was strong. bradley had reason the believe that she had been in so many dangerous situations before that she had just become prone to be always in danger. she didn't mind it so much anymore, he noticed. her expression was blank, he also took in for her eyes were just staring at the vampire who was looking very much in pain. the man from the other day then appeared, looking vampire like himself. a snarl was heard from the hurt vampire and bradley took lyra gently by the shoulders and lead her back a little bit. lyra looked up at bradley while taking a few steps back but not looking worried at all. rather, she looked almost bored.

all that fuss because of that? ow. that looks painful.[/b] he heard her mutter under her breath. bradley rose a brow at her. lyra smiled at bradley while patting his arm more reassuringly. get dressed, brad. meet me back out here once you're done.[/b] she ordered him. the knight nodded while walking away from her, his back as straight as ever. lyra sighed, ruffling her own dark hair. her dark locks were messy and she needed to comb it. without another glance at the others, she walked back into nayeli's room as silently as a mouse. her feet were bare and it made her even more silent than usual. a maid bowed to her, providing her with a elegant red dress. of course she had packed pretty dresses with her. she didn't mind the color. even though she was an assassin, it didn't mean that she had to dress in such dull colors. lyra knew she was talented in assassinations and she knew how to blend in just as well. few did know that she was one. she was more known as the king's spy but whatever. if these elves knew, she wouldn't be bothered in the slightest. besides, it wasn't as if she was sent to spy on them, right? though, it would be great to know what they were talking about...she shook the thought out of her head. no. today, she would not be spying. rather, she would stay with nayeli and see what she could do to help her friend. once in her red dress, she slipped on her red heels. it made noise, but it was also a great weapon to her. lyra smiled at bradley who was now dressed in his dark tunic and dark pants. he adjusted his belt and his sword expertly while stretching his arms tiredly. lyra walked over towards him while smiling brightly at him and letting her arm slither around his. with a coy smile, she whispered to him,

you know, nayeli probably thinks you're really good looking right now.[/b] he turned a light pink color. lyra continued on with the same mischievous smile. bet you'd give about anything to know what i talked to her about. you know, i mentioned alot about you...[/b]bradley gave a small growl, like some animal warning her. her blue eyes flickered up towards him while pulling him into his room. closing the door quietly, she then looked back at bradley and walked over towards him while flopping on to his bed. lyra...what...?[/b] he started before lyra silenced him with a kick. he gave a small wince while she sat on his bed and quietly told him, i think there's something up with those elves. i want to know more about what they're talking about. [/b] his eyes widened slightly. lyra looked determined and bradley was worried about her. he reached out and touched her arm.

lyra. don't. that vampire is dangerous.[/b]

the girl shrugged his hand off of her while giving a small kick with her leg. i don't care. i want to know. i'll ask nayeli, but i doubt she'll answer.[/b] she stubbornly said. bradley looked worried. more than worried. lyra crawled over towards him and gave him a small hug. you're such a worry wart. don't worry. i'll be fine.[/b] he hugged her back, his hands in her hair. he breathed in her scent while saying softly, that's what i'm worried about. you're never safe. you're only safe when you're with me.[/b] he told her. she let go of him with raising a brow at him. pinching his cheek gently, she told him. listen. i can protect myself. you're just here to protect me from stupid stuff that i tend to do. got it?[/b] he rolled his eyes while swatting her hand away from his face. he rubbed it while she got off the bed. with his cheek now a pink color, lyra pushed him out of his room with her and tugged him over towards nayeli. let the show begin.[/b] she muttered before giving a smile towards her friend.
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[Emma]

As I stepped through the doorway of our bedchamber, I took a moment to gawk.

Normally, waking up was a relaxed, pleasant process that I could take four hours doing- rising from the bed, writing down what I’d dreamed, eating breakfast- and everything that happened in the past five minutes was almost too much to take in. First, I’d woken up too early because of Pele and Rusalka talking very intensely, so I’d forgotten my dream, and then I’d almost killed my own sister just by letting some sunlight into the room. Now, all of the wonderful people I’d met the night before were standing outside the room, staring. Rusalka was in an oddly terrible mood, and Pele didn’t even look human- her lips were completely curled back, revealing her long fangs, her eyes had gone black as pitch, and she was snarling like some kind of vicious monster- at Darek in particular.

I would never understand Pele’s rampant hatred for men of any kind. Darek was the sweetest one here- just last night, he’d actually flown up to my bedroom window and given me a rose. Rusalka had been asleep and Pele had been visiting the library- which was good, because now that I thought about it, at least Pele would tear him to shreds for going anywhere near me. Apparently, I was so beautiful that they needed to work diligently to keep the men off of me. I almost giggled out loud before I remembered where I was. I always had to remind my dear sisters that I was not that type of woman, and I was, after all, just married. I wanted to thank Darek properly, as well as let him know that I was no longer on the market, but now did not seem to be the time.

“Go to the sitting room, have all the curtains drawn,” came Leilani’s urgent voice. “I know most are, but get them all, I want no one in any discomfort.”
“Thank you,” said Rusalka. Pele just hissed and growled like an animal. “Expect us there within the hour. Your Highnesses.”

With a very deep bow, she backed away from the royal family and into the room. Once there, she quietly closed the doors, but then double-locked and bolted them while she was at it. Pele sucked in a breath and raised her injured arms, muttering spells of protection on the door and walls like I’d heard her doing earlier last night. Something had made them very anxious, but I couldn’t begin to fathom what. Rusalka stormed over to where her luggage was, rooting through it for a few moments. She only made me even more confused and worried than I already was when she removed her sabre from one of the bags, and her military uniform back when she was the General of Coldharbour. Pele took out a long dagger, eyeing the shiny metal, and then tucked it into her cloak.

“Humans. Monsters, all of them. Get properly dressed, Veela.”
“You can’t expect me to get ready in less than an hour!” I exclaimed. “We don’t even have any of our maids here! And you’re not one to talk, Pele- don’t tell me you’re wearing the exact same thing you did last night to the meeting?”
“I never took it off.”
“Awful! What were you even doing?”
“Bloody hell! I’ll happily change into something else if only you’d shut up!”

I threw up my arms with a scoff, but did as she bade. After all, I’d just injured her, and she wasn’t going to let me even heal it until she was in a better mood. I removed the ivory pin that was currently holding up my hair, and shook it out. I had never dressed myself before, so I genuinely hoped either Pele or Rusalka would give me a hand. I had already picked out what I was going to wear today- a purple taffeta gown embroidered with fancy silver scrolls and leaves that emphasized my cleavage. With a full skirt and voluminous sleeves, it was the sort of thing I wore when I needed to impress important people. I’d wear my hair up in a bun, and the blonde would certainly stand out against the violet. Broddring was very fond of blonde women, I’d noticed.

Rusalka was the first to finish dressing, and what I saw almost made me cry out in horror. Her Saxon military uniform consisted of a white turtleneck tunic, grey high-waisted breeches, and most awful of all, a knee-length men’s coat of the deepest ultramarine with a high collar. She also wore shiny, dangerously heeled black leather boots that reached her thighs, and short white cavalry gloves on her hands. Her jet-black hair had been slicked back with oil. It was exactly what she’d worn to our first meeting with Leilani, complete with the sabre hanging at her left hip. Even with her figure, it was easy to mistake Rusalka for a man in that outfit of hers. I had no clue why she insisted on wearing it- especially since she wasn’t quite allowed in Saxony anymore.

What Pele was wearing, however, made my jaw hit the ground. Never a fan of festive colours or decorative dresses, she was all in black crepe, like a widow- except for her bodice, which was decorated with crimson from the breast to the belt. But what was most painful for me to bear was that it emphasized her perfect hourglass figure- Pele never did any form of exercise, so she was fleshier than most women, but she had a very full chest and notable hips, and the tiniest waist. I had always cursed the gods for not giving me her curvaceous figure, even if she wasn’t skinny. She wore long, black lace gloves that stretched past her elbows, and her red hair, still drying from its recent wash, was curling in the heat. It hung around her shoulders like a wildfire. She looked magnificent.

I held up my dress to both of them, a pleading look in my eyes. They came over to help without hesitation. I tossed aside my robe as they began to help me into my undergarments. As they did so, Pele hissed in pain as a buckle nicked her arm.

“Let me!” I insisted, pulling off her gloves. “Waíse heill!”
As the burned flesh dropped off, and the wound began to knit together, Pele looked at me with concern in her eyes. “Veela, you should go back to Ceunon now.”
“Why would I do that?”
“The meeting might get… problematic,” said Rusalka hesitantly as she tied my hair. “Around those femme fatales Nayeli Richards and Lyra Redfern in particular.”
“Richards, too?” Surprise was in Pele’s voice.
“She received training as Redfern did before that ludicrous cretin Angrenost up and made her countess of Carvala. You know, it might actually be more lucrative if we all go back to Ceunon.”
“No!” I snapped, rounding on both of them. “I don’t know what beef you two have with Ladies Nayeli and Lyra, but we don’t even know what we’re here for yet!”
There was a long pause, in which Pele and Rusalka stared at each other for almost a full minute before Rusalka’s face suddenly broke into a smile. “If the lovely ladies actually have the gall to try anything, Pele, you’ve been a master sorceress since before they were born. I’m sure Veela will be perfectly safe with you around.”
“Wonderful!” I exclaimed. Pele looked horribly unsure, so I flew into her arms for another hug. “Don’t worry, love! There’s nothing more boring than diplomacy, but I promise you we’ll be okay.”
“You can’t possibly be that naïve, can you?”
“We should leg it,” said Rusalka. “We’re late, and I want this over with.”

Like last night, Rusalka took the head, with me just behind, and finally Pele at the back as we headed to the sitting room. We moved in total silence, since Pele and Rusalka seemed to be having dark thoughts. I daydreamed of Juilek and twirled the rose Darek had given me in my fingers. Within moments, we swept into the sitting room, a fancifully decorated chamber that would have been very lovely if it wasn’t so dark- black curtains had been drawn across the wide bay windows, shutting out even the tiniest hint of sunlight, and the lanterns didn’t make good replacements. This was how Pele had to make do in life? I reached over to take her arm, but she shrugged me off with a grunt. I sighed, wondering how I’d been born into the family that despised affection of any sort.

Cushions had been arranged around a low table set with tea biscuits for snacking on. Rusalka pulled her sabre out of her belt and laid it on the floor beside her choice pillow before crossing her legs and kneeling on it. Pele repeated the movement, while I simply plopped down on my cushion and started munching away at the cookies. Despite Rusalka’s worries that we would be late, the room was empty for now, but I didn’t doubt that the Richards would arrive very soon. Then, finally, Leilani could tell us what I’d been waiting the past four months to hear.

Characters Used;; Veela with Pele and Rusalka
Words;; 1545
Muse;; Not bad, but crappy around the dialogue bits.
Thoughts;; Woot for plot complications!

[dantieduurden]

Darek watched events unfold until the door was finally shut by one of the three sisters. Immediately following he felt very powerful spells be cast on the doors and knew not to try to even bother with them during there hour to get ready, but maybe he could wait until after the sisters were done with there meeting and catch them as they left, yes that would be a good idea Darek decided as he went over to Turin and said " I'm sorry i didn't take you with me but I feared you may take it as an attack." Darek said apologizing to the young knight. " If I may though I think I may just stop by at the end or so very quickly for the ball. " Darek said to the knight with a bow. " Where may I get some paper and a pen?" Darek asked before he began to walk backwards, he planned to write a proposal for the sisters, and was going to offer to take them all out for the night, saying it would be much more convenient for Pele that way.

Once Darek had his answer he took off with haste, rushing to get the note written, once done he picked three roses, one pink, one red, and one he magically changed to blue. On the note was written " Fair Courteous, and high sorceress I Darek Von Cleft, wish too ask for your company tonight for a night of entertainment and dinner. If you could send someone to the garden, or perhaps throw a reply out your window I will accept whatever your answers may be. I hope you do all accept and though this city may not have the splendors of any elven city I hope that I may please you all tonight. Signed Darek Von Cleft."

Happy with the note he let a roses thorn hold the note to the door and then left once more to the garden to await an answer. If it were to be a yes he would go up to there rooms and ask them all to first come shopping and he would then let them decided on the clothes they would wear and he would pay for them all, and then he would let them choose his outfit as well. If all went well it would be a lovely day.

[Nayeli]

( L A D Y N A Y E L I )
Featuring
Turin, Leilani, & Awiti

I was confused as to everything that was going on, but I watched as my sister went to the sitting room to check on things and then returned to my brother and I, along with Lyra and Bradley, however, they had gone into Bradley’s room, possible to talk. Her red dress was beautiful, but I was in my robe and so was Lyra. She looked at me for a moment and took a breath, she already looked far to worried. ”The elves will care for themselves, they know more then we do.”

[/color] She nodded quickly and then looked at the others, glancing at me for a moment. ”Let me go and check on Awiti… Um, Nayeli?”[/color] I looked at her, noticing that Lyra had already gone to get ready and so had Bradley. ”I have feeling they will be nervous, especially after that… It might be good to wait in the other sitting room, for me… I will explain everything as soon as I can, but this… discussion will be very touch.”[/color] I felt hurt that she did not want me to hear, my anger boiled slightly and I looked at her. She saw it, fear was in her eyes, but it was set with determination.

”Leilani… come to my chambers… Now.”[/color] She looked at me, letting out a breath and following. Turin looked at Darek, then looked at the vampire who approached him. ”I'm sorry I didn't take you with me but I feared you may take it as an attack." Turin nodded quickly to him, understanding. ”You are probably right.”[/color] He chuckled slightly. My brother always had a slight humor with him, but it only came when it was needed and when the time called for it. ”If I may though I think I may just stop by at the end or so very quickly for the ball." I nodded to him this time. ”I am sure that will be okay… How about two hours, I can met you in… The courtyard, just inside the gates of the castle, possible in the shades of the trees?”[/color] My brother was a kind man, but he needed to be firmer. ”Where may I get some paper and a pen?" I looked at my brother, who glanced down, thinking for a moment. ”The Library might be best… Ask the woman in charge, she can get it for you.”[/color] After that, he was gone and I moved into my chambers, shutting my door when all was in.

I was not sure where Lyra would go, but I sent my servant out to met me in the other sitting room, on the opposite side from the one the elves would be at. Leilani looked at me for a moment and I shuffled through my clothing, picking out the one that showed I would be taking the day off and relaxing as best I could. It was black, curved to my body well and slit up the sides to just below my hip on both sides. I pulled on a pair of leggings that covered a bit further down from my hip, above my knee and made it to where I was not showing off anything I would not want men to see. ”Leilani… You have five minutes to tell me what is going on.”[/color] She sighed slightly at me, making me wonder what was wrong. I waited, I wanted to know what was going on and I did not like secrets at all. ”For thousands of years, dragons and elves have been bonded together.”[/color] She spoke as if it was a good thing, that she respected them. ”I have met with a dragon rider, spoke with him about things… How our race may find equal grounds with the elves if we place our race into the bonded dragon, into the pact… He agreed, but said it would be hard. He said he was suppose to help me understand things, but I needed to take my concern and ideas to elves without dragons… He suggested these elves to me and I began working.”[/color] I looked away, her voice stopped and waited. ”You went behind my back… First… That slave girl and now this?!”[/color] She looked down as I turned back to her and then looked back at me.

”I am sorry, Nayeli… But I know what I am doing is helping and Awiti has nothing to do with this… Though, I feel that slaves are terrible, I can only hope others will agree.”[/color] With that, she was gone, leaving my room and my present. I felt bad now, I had pushed something and I knew better. I pulled my hair into a simple, plain pony-tail, which I was sure that Lyra would have something to say and left my room, turning to see the Leilani entering the sitting room where her meeting would be. I turned the opposite direction and headed into the other, seeing Lyra and Bradley there. I let out a breathe. ”Well, I was smooth.”[/color] I put my hand to my forehead and then went and set down in a chair near a large window.

----- ----- ----- ----- -----

I knew my sister was worried, but I had to try and make things better, that was my mission in this life. If I did one good thing, I was happy, if I tried one thing, I was set. My sister… She did not understand that… What is my idea and diplomatic tactics of helping people understand worked? What if it helped make a choice in the next 500 years? What if a human rider came from this very thought? I shut the door behind me, looking back at the chamber door, wondering if my sister thought of anything like this… I let out a sigh, straightened my body and headed down the hallway towards the sitting room. As I approached I took a deep breath, my nervous jitters coming as normal when I was planning on something that I felt was important.

I opened the doors to the sitting room, slowly to not make much noise. A servant had just come in through a back door to light one last candle and I looked at him. ”Take the rest of the day off boy…”[/color] The young man nodded to me and I let out a sigh. I would have to forget about my sister for the time being. I smiled at them, a true smile as I went towards them, moving around the low table and picking up the glass of wine that had just recently been poured. I needed something cold and this would do. I drank little of it, only enough to quench the thirst that ached my throat before looking at them for a moment longer. ”I am sorry about the crowd last night.”[/color] I looked at Pele for a moment and gave a smile to her. ”Are you alright? Comfortable?”[/color] I did not want anyone to be uncomfortable, that was for sure. ”Now, lets make this discussion fast, so you can all go home… I am sure you would all rather be there then here… I am seeking advice.”[/color] I lowered myself onto the cushion.
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[kyou]

[/center]

bradley didn't know what to think. First, lyra wanted to spy on the bunch of the elves. Now, she was off to try her luck with nayeli. Once out of his bedroom, lyra had walked over towards nayeli's bedroom. He stood outside of the room while she entered into the room, only to stop for a moment and stay out a view. The sisters were having a chat and lyra, being a spy, remained silent to hear what was going on. Bradley knew this, for she just gave him a look to stay on his ground. It wasn't until the younger sister of nayeli left and that bradley gave a small bow towards the girl. He watched lyra go in and followed her in to see nayeli smile weakly at them. yeah, that was smooth alright.[/b] lyra spoke after nayeli made that small comment. Bradley rubbed the back of his neck, not really wanting to say anything. Lyra nudged his side while he gave her a small glare before giving a small cough and speaking in a more hesitant tone, well...it's natural to feel a little angry since she did keep this a secret from you. It's almost as bad as lyra sneaking out to do...god knows what.[/b] he ended dryly while looking at the dark haired lady who was beside him. She avoided eye contact while pretending to be suddenly interested in the lights. Bradley then gave a sigh and walked slightly closer towards nayeli and asked, though...are you alright?[/b]

lyra then took the opportunity to say, i'm sure she'll be fine, brad. Anyways, what's this talk about dragons and elves?[/b] lyra got straight to the point. It was so blunt that bradley shot her a glare while he told her. it's really none of your business, lyra morgana redfern. [/b] he spoke her full name while she pouted at him. Scowling she retorted with a huff. it's very much my business, now that i know it, bradley something winters![/b] she stuttered slightly at his middle name, completely forgetting it. He smirked at her while she turned a light pink color. Rolling her eyes, completely getting over the small blush that reached her cheeks, she then boldly told nayeli. nayeli! We should go and see what their talk is all about. I mean, aren't you just a little bit curious on what they're talking about? That this very moment? The room is just there! Besides, i'm an expert at this.[/b] lyra placed a hand on her lip, as if this was the most obvious thing in the world. Bradley then faced her and growled.

Lyra. You're putting her in danger. Those elves...they won't be pleased to know that they're being spied on. Things could go bad.[/b]

lyra pouted once more while huffing. you're such a party pooper, brad. Where is your sense of fun?![/b] he gave her a look before saying in a dull tone. my type of fun is normally out of the danger zone.[/b] lyra stuck her tongue at him, being completely childish now. Folding her arms, she then faced nayeli once more while saying in a completely stubborn tone. soooo? Are you going to spy with me, or be a complete bore like bradley? If you choose brad, i'm going myself and not gonna even tell you the details.[/b] lyra grinned wolfishly, earning a light push from bradley.

notes: yeah, it's short. sorry.
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[Emma]

We did not have to wait for Leilani Richards very long.

Veela was driving me utterly mad with her odd behaviour. She was twirling a rose and grinning almost evilly, as if she knew something we didn’t. Pele and I were twiddling our thumbs and having a mental conversation on what the young princess of Broddring had in store for us, but neither of us had any clue besides the usual allies for conquest, secret government conspiracies, and whatnot. Leilani Richards did not strike me as the war-mongering sort, but she quite clearly had her own secret agenda. I was actually relieved when she finally stepped through the doors of the sitting room, and even more so when I saw that she was entirely alone, without any of her siblings present. After shooing away a slave boy tending the lanterns, she came and sat across from us.

The princess was dressed in a bright crimson dress that reminded me of the racy outfits Veela liked to run about in whenever I wasn’t around to keep a leash on her. However, it was much more modest than any of Veela’s gowns, full-sleeved and cut relatively high. I admittedly did like the humans’ manner of dress far more than my own kind, who generally preferred form-fitting clothing that left very little to the imagination. I myself was very happy to dress in my military uniform, uncaring and even rather partial to the fact that I was often mistaken for a man while wearing it. I also knew, however, that sitting next to the hourglass-figure Pele with her hair of flame and the blonde and blue-eyed Veela; any shred of beauty I possessed very much dulled in comparison to them.

“I am sorry about the crowd last night.” After settling herself in, Leilani gave my older sister a smile. “Are you alright? Comfortable?”

Pele tossed her scarlet locks and looked away with a dissociable grunt. She had never been the grateful sort, but I doubted we would get into any real trouble with Richards. Highly trained, exceptionally tactful politician indeed, but she did seem surprisingly caring, if that girl Awiti was anything to judge by. I smiled ruefully at the memory of what was undoubtedly an ex-slave- timid, frightened, and weak. It was truly pitiful how humans subjugated their own kind simply because of different colouring and physical features. Were Awiti born in Saxony, she might have risen to power as my own husband Symmachus had. It was yet another reason that mortals rarely deserved any sort of mercy. Leilani, meanwhile, had decided to not disturb Pele further, and continued to speak.

Now, let’s make this discussion fast, so you can all go home… I am sure you would all rather be there than here.” Understatement. “I am seeking advice.”
“How wonderful!” Veela exclaimed. “You must think so highly of us!”
“Advice?” sputtered Pele, utter surprise breaking her out of her sulk. “You mean to say this matter of utmost importance is that you need advice?”

I exchanged glances with her, and feelings and images flowed between us in our mental connection. After four months of Leilani’s pleas for us to come visit, we had arrived at Castle Carvala and found nothing but assassins and spies, and now Richards wanted advice. Was she going to use Nayeli and Lyra as blackmail if we failed to appease her? Was she simply trying to toy with us as some kind of revenge against the elven race? It was confusing and supremely irritating, and the princess’s continued evasiveness very nearly broke my carefully schooled composure. I remembered all the lessons Symmachus had given me about controlling my temper, inhaled a steadying breath, calmed my angry thoughts, and then opened my ice-green eyes to stare piercingly at the princess.

“Lady Leilani,” I said curtly. “We’d love to chat- tea, cake, the whole shebang- but we have wasted the better part of a day gallivanting about your castle, driven utterly mad by this personal agenda you have so coyly kept from us. If you’ve had your fun skiddling about with this ludicrous game of yours, then I beg you tell us everything that you so desperately require my sisters and I for.”

Characters Used;; Rusalka with Pele and Veela
Words;; 705
Muse;; Not bad at all. =D
Thoughts;; Yay for a pissed off countess with a refined British accent!

[dantieduurden]

As Darek had finished doing what he needed to do he once again went to the palace garden, this time though was happily surprised to see Awiti there. Hello child. Do you remember me from the road the other day. My name s Darek." Darek said kindly to her, as he held out his hand to hers to see if she would allow him to kiss it like any gentleman would do to a lady. " I am surprised you are not with your sister? Perhaps I should bring you to her." Darek said to her as he looked into her eyes. " Unless that is you would like to talk with me." Darek said kindly, not imposing that she had to in any way.

[Nayeli]

( L A D Y N A Y E L I )
Featuring
Turin, Leilani, & Awiti

I could not believe I had accused her of going behind my back. She had, but she had done it because she saw that it was something that needed to be done. I felt terrible for thinking about myself, but I had a city to run and not just a city, it was a important city, very important. The Gala was coming up soon and I needed to have my mind on this and now my sister was talking about the dragon riders as if they were a good thing? My sister had been raised better then this, if my uncle were to find out, she would be exiled for siding with them! I did not want to ruin out relationship, but each time she did something like this, it only made it harder not to get mad at her. ”Yeah, that was smooth alright.” I looked at Lyra and gave her a look that said bug off slightly. I knew what I had done was terrible, getting mad when my sister was doing nothing more then trying to help. I tried to push my mind away from it. We moved into the sitting room, opposite and down the hall from the one Leilani was meeting with the elves in. ”Well... It's natural to feel a little angry since she did keep this a secret from you. It's almost as bad as Lyra sneaking out to do... God knows what.” I looked at him and smiled. It was true, I should be angry, but at the same time, I knew she had a good heart and just wanted to help make things better. ”Though... Are you alright? I looked at him for a moment, smiling slightly. ”I am fine… Just… Frustrated.”

[/color] I said to him.

Lyra quickly chimmed in. ”I'm sure she'll be fine, brad. Anyways, what's this talk about dragons and elves?” I chuckled slightly. Lyra always wanting to know what was going on and I did not mind telling her, but Bradley was quick to scold her. ”It's really none of your business, Lyra Morgana Redfern.” I smiled at him for a moment. These two made my smile and I glanced at Bradley while he was not looking, looking over his handsome body. He was so handsome, but I did not need to think that way. ”It's very much my business, now that I know it, Bradley something Winters!” I laughed even louder for a moment and then shook my head for a moment. ”It is something Leilani thinks will be good for the Kingdom. You know how she is always looking for something to help and she feels that bring in those Hairless rats for the humans will be good.”[/color] I hated them, down right hated them. I wanted nothing to do with them. The fact my sister did was outrages in my opinion.

”Nayeli! We should go and see what their talk is all about. I mean, aren't you just a little bit curious on what they're talking about? That this very moment? The room is just there! Besides, I'm an expert at this.” It was tempting, but doing that meant going behind my sisters back and possible putting her in danger. The elves were on alert now I was sure and I did not want to put them in a situation that put her in danger. I was about to voice when Bradley spoke up. ”Lyra. You're putting her in danger. Those elves... They won't be pleased to know that they're being spied on. Things could go bad.” I did agree, but I was still wanting to know. I looked to Lyra who was puffing up like a bull frog. ”You're such a party pooper, Brad. Where is your sense of fun?!” I glanced over at him. This was rather entertaining. It was something that made me smile. ”My type of fun is normally out of the danger zone.” Well, I could not completely agree with him, but at the same time, my sister would. I did not want to put her in danger. ”Soooo? Are you going to spy with me, or be a complete bore like Bradley? If you choose brad, i'm going myself and not gonna even tell you the details.” I looked at her for a moment and thought about it.

”The temptation is there, but the danger for myself and also for Leilani is too great. I can not put her in danger like that. If you were to be found out by the elves, who are already on high alert they could easily grab Leilani and use her to get out, and whatever Leilani is trying to do will be ruin and the tension between elves and humans will be even more strained. We don’t need that pressure with the Gala coming up.”[/color] I said, though knowing Lyra, if Bradley and I began talking, she would slip from our sights and being spying any. Though I wanted to, I could not afford to put Leilani in such danger.

----- ----- ----- ----- -----

I hated to keep anyone waiting, it was rude and unneeded at this time. As I came in and set down, I noted Veela was in a good mood, but the others did not seem to happy. I tried to make things better by at least being nice, but it did not change the tension or the mood. I understood that they were not comfortable, I could tell by the tension in the air, but I could only hope to make this swift and to get them out. My sister was already pissed at me for going behind her back on a matter I found highly important. As I looked between them all, I watched as they looked me over, well, at least Rusalka did anyway. She could have been looking for a weapon, but I did not wear one. This was not a place for weapons, not a place at all. I was here to seek advice and a highly important matter.

Pele was not very happy either, something had gotten them extremely upset and I was honestly wondering what. I knew that what had happened to Pele was awful, but to be like this? I was regretting asking them to come, I should have just gone back to their home and stayed even further behind my siblings backs. I felt bad for asking them to come, but after telling my sister and guardian what had happened, they had forbidden me to go back there, in case the other was still there. They did not want me to die, though I was sure such a thing would not happen. After I told them part of the reason, Veela was first to speak. ”How wonderful!” I smiled slightly at her. I like Veela the most of of the three, she was kind and very hyper. ”You must think so highly of us!” I nodded quickly. I did think very highly of Elves, they were smarter then me and they held knowledge I did not.

”Advice?” I looked to Pele, hearing the slight surprise in her voice. ”You mean to say this matter of utmost importance is that you need advice?” I let out a sigh for a moment and then nodded quickly. ”Yes… Someone told me to come to you to bring forth something and ask your advice and your own… Concerns.”[/color] I said to her. It was the truth. The Dragon Rider and his dragon both had told me to come to them, had told me that they were possible the only ones I could get to who were outside the Great Forest and it was the truth, other then going to Ilirea and he said it would be best if I stayed away from there.

“Lady Leilani,” I looked to the other sister, Rusalka. ”We’d love to chat- tea, cake, the whole shebang- but we have wasted the better part of a day gallivanting about your castle, driven utterly mad by this personal agenda you have so coyly kept from us. If you’ve had your fun skiddling about with this ludicrous game of yours, then I beg you tell us everything that you so desperately require my sisters and I for.” I held her eye for a moment, not turning my own emerald eyes from her eyes. I looked between them all.

”Several Months ago, I went to Teirm… While I was there, I met with a dragon rider known as Anselm… After many months of meeting, we both agreed on one thing… The tension between the elves and the humans have gone on long enough. He was the first to say that he believed that it would be better is the humans and elves were on equal grounds and that they could become dragon riders… He said that I was the one person who could possible persuade this idea better then him and instructed me to come to you and your family because you were possible the only elves within’ the kingdom that I could talk to with any form of power.”[/color] I did not touch the wine that was before me, My eyes were focused on the woman before me, I was not playing around, this was no trick and it could be seen within’ my eyes. ”I did not want to say anything or send anything to you unless it was between us and face to face, or for that matter, in private, which is why I said last night we could talk about it today.”[/color] I knew many elves hated dragon riders, but it was the queen who had to make the choice and if she heard it from her own people, she might listen. I wanted elves and humans to get rid of some of the tension and Anselm and I had both agreed on this being possible one way to get rid of it.

----- ----- ----- ----- -----

Leilani had told me that I could go to the Garden. Even though I was no longer a slave, I still felt like I needed to be told what to do. I wanted to be strong, but it was so hard. I could still hear the screams of people in my mind whenever I thought about being strong. Many of my kind had done that and they had been beaten hard and they had been hurt and sometimes killed. It was punishment and a way to show the others that being strong got you no where. I was scared, this place was big and many who saw me looked at me with envy, especially the other slaves. I gulped as I walked into the garden, looking around and finding a quiet place to myself.

”Hello child.” I jumped, getting to my feet and turning quickly to see the man I had seen last night, the one who had accompanied us to the castle. ”Do you remember me from the road the other day.” I nodded to him quickly. I did remember him, he had been nice and I knew Leilani had found him to be a very kind gentleman. ”My name is Darek." I wastched as he held his hand out to my own. I remembered watched Leilani allow others to kiss it for her, along with many of my former owners had done. I gave it to him, allowing him to kiss it softly. His hands and lips were cold and my dark skin. ”I am surprised you are not with your sister? Perhaps I should bring you to her." I looked at him for a moment and shook my head. ”Unless that is you would like to talk with me." I gulped a bit and looked at him for a moment.

”S-she is busy.”[/color] I said to him quickly, looking down slightly. His eyes were like a cats almost, yellow and feral looking.
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[kyou]

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lyra sighed nosily, flicking back some of her dark curls. bradley shot her a look before giving nayeli a small reassuring smile. i'm sure things will be sorted out soon.[/b] lyra rolled her eyes finding a seat on a desk, sitting there lazily. the two bickered and out of the corner of lyra's eye, she could see nayeli smiling. well, that was good. she liked seeing her friends smiling. as nayeli mentioned the 'hairless rats' she automatically knew about the elves. personally, lyra had nothing against them. bradley didn't really seem to care, since he was normally unemotional towards everyone, except for her. she knew that her knight had a rough past and it was hard to trust anyone nowadays. of course, she was the one who trusted him and he trusted her. that's why they worked as a pair. bradley scoffed. what good will they do. they're useless to us.[/b] lyra gave a light shrug while getting off and leaning on bradley with a bored look on her face.

still think we should go spy. just saying.[/b] the girl airily commented while resting a chin on bradley's shoulder. he gave an exasperated sigh. lyra...we've gone over this already.[/b] she only gave a pout while retorting. i shan't get caught. i mean, spying is in my blood. i've been doing it since...well, forever.[/b] she gave another shrug while letting go of him and walking lazily over towards nayeli and smiling. fine. we won't go spying, but at least we can wait for the ladies to come out to talk to them? promise to be extra nice.[/b] lyra grinned devilishly while bradley shook his head with a hand over his face. he looked tired, lyra smirked. start getting used to it, the noble told him in her mind. with a thoughtful look on her face, the girl then added. besides, we really don't even know why they agreed to come! i bet your sister begged them over. though, i'm still curious to why they agreed in the end.[/b] her brows furrowed for a moment, wondering what the reason was. she wandered back over to bradley who took her by the shoulders and looked at her, as if an older brother looking at a younger sister.

lyra. i know what you're thinking...[/b]

lyra looked innocently at him, a smirked at him. oh? so you're psychic now?[/b] bradley looked irritably at her while adding. just...don't do what you're going to do.[/b] lyra laughed girlishly while rubbing his cheek with her hand playfully. he gave her a small glare before letting go of her. the spy looked mischievous while grinning like a cat at her knight. do what? i'm not doing anything.[/b] bradley only sighed and gave her a look before looking back at nayeli with a tired expression on his face. what gala?[/b] he asked her curiously while lyra hummed to herself, as if sounding like she was up to something. lyra then looked interested at this topic and spoke without much care. a gala held for elves and nobles? i think i've heard about this before...wanna tell me more, nayeli~?[/b] her voice sounded so sweet that bradley looked slightly worried about this idea now. he hated events like that. it meant that he had to dress up and when it came down to dressing up...well, lyra liked dressing him up like some doll. it was frightful sometimes and he really didn't want to do through that experience again. lyra glanced over at him with a light smirk playing at her lips. of course, she knew, bradley thought darkly. she enjoyed torturing him whenever she had the time, since that's what she considered 'fun'. bradley shivered inwardly, knowing that the dark haired girl liked playing games and her games naturally involved some sort of torture.

notes: museless.
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[Emma]

In the brief silence that followed my sister’s little rant, I looked between the two women. Rusalka was leaning over the table, chin held in her hands, and gazing at Leilani Richards with an impatient, questioning expression on her face, dark eyebrows raised and thin lips pouted. The princess, meanwhile, had stopped smiling and sipping at her wine, and returned the stare very evenly. I passed a hand over my face to hide the grin that had appeared there. Rusalka’s chief method of getting her way was to enrage them entirely- and though Richards wasn’t quite angry, she was clearly beyond being nice. Her green eyes were cool as ice, and for the first time, she bore a striking resemblance to her sister Nayeli, who always wore an expression of either dissatisfaction or infuriation.

“Several months ago, I went to Teirm… While I was there, I met with a dragon Rider known as Anselm.”

The monologue that followed completely stilled Rusalka and I. Veela leaned forward with a look of utter amazement on her face, elbows in her lap and head in her hands, listening as intently as if she were a child hearing a bedtime story. All three of us remained silent. I had never heard of any Rider called Anselm, and I didn’t think Rusalka had either. Her expression, however, was now completely unreadable, and she refused to let me into her mind. But I had raised her as a little girl, and I knew exactly what was going through her head. The prevalent hatred of humans that she secretly harboured. The possibility that humans and elves could never be on the same level- especially so soon after the war. And, of course, the fact that her power was very little indeed.

Though I was just as utterly perplexed as my sister at the situation, I was more concerned about the presence of two highly trained assassins. Private indeed- it was more than plausible to assume that someone was listening in to our conversation. Humans were not as stupid as most assumed- they were intelligent, and with intelligence came deception. Anxiety pressed down on me as I thought about it, and I grew increasingly paranoid, my eyes flickering to every nook and cranny in the sitting room. I had failed in protecting Mnemosyne, Rusalka’s only child, after she had entrusted me to her. What if I also failed in protecting Veela against these humans? I inhaled sharply, digging my fingernails into the folds of my black dress and keeping even more intense watch for any spies.

“I don’t know this Anselm,” said Rusalka pensively. “And I don’t know what he told you. But he was far off the mark. Our ‘power’ is very limited, milady.”
“What are you talking about?” gasped Veela. “We’re the Countesses of Ceunon!” She leaned forward. “You know, Rusalka’s daughter is a Rider, innit. A very important one, and I reckon she’d love to help-”
“Veela,” I spat threateningly.
“Now what?” she whined. “You never let me talk! Y’know, I’m not stupid-”
“NYX!” I shrieked, sending the flames in all the lanterns shooting upward in fiery gouts. “STOP BITCHING ABOUT GETTING YOUR OWN WAY AND THINK ABOUT SOMEONE OTHER THAN YOURSELF!”

In response to the sudden hot orange inferno, or my fit, or perhaps both, Veela went white as a sheet and curled up against her cushion like a frightened rabbit. Her utter terror somewhat waylaid my rage. With a sharp intake of breath, I snarled and raised my hands, quietly muttering the spell that sent the crackling flames from the lanterns back to a manageable size. With a wave of my hand, I then extinguished any new fires I might have inadvertently caused from my tantrum. When I brought down my arms and raised my head, I saw Rusalka looking at me with obvious shock, edged with confusion and disappointment. However, my gaze was focussed on the deceptive little princess sitting across from us. I curled my lips up, baring both rows of gleaming fangs.

“Did you not hear my sister?” I hissed. “She said; we’ve had enough of your games.” I rose to my feet, skirts billowing out around me. “I don’t know what kind of political move this is, Princess Leilani, but do not underestimate our intelligence. We know about your pet assassins, your sister and Redfern.”
“Shut your row, Pele!” barked Rusalka. “This isn’t Saxony!”
“I apologize, sister, but she is clearly playing us for fools.” I rounded on Leilani again as Rusalka began to rise to her feet. “You may drop the do-gooder act, because we know that you are far less sweet than you pretend to be. You have done nothing but prove yourself to be an enemy of our family, and I will not tolerate that threat.”

Characters Used;; Pele with Veela and Rusalka
Words;; 800
Muse;; Mehhhh.
Thoughts;; PARANOID FURY. It makes things interesting.

[dantieduurden]

Darek kept a close eye on Awiti, hoping to learn more about her sister from her. But as she turned away from either fear or shyness he knew he had hit a dead end. “ Do not fear me child. I mean you no harm, I promise.” Darek said with a smile as he took a seat on a bench next to the fountain in the middle of the garden. “ This is a beautiful garden you have to explore you know.” Darek said trying to work in some small talk with the child, he knew Leilani was busy in a meeting as well as her sister and brother. He also knew that the three elf sisters were with Leilani and was slightly surprised that Leilani was in such a predictive alone. Soon his small talk turned to much grander things as he felt a flux in energy coming from a room he could hear Pele’s voice from. “ Your sister dose know what she is doing and is not trying to anger these elves?” Darek asked as he stood letting his wings unfurl. “ I think it might be best if we go check on this meeting, it seems to have taken a turn for the worst and I would not like to see another war break out.” Darek said kindly as he held out his hand to Awiti. “ If you want I can take you with me, but you must stay out of the way.” Darek said concerned as he looked at the small dark skinned child.

[Nayeli]

( L A D Y N A Y E L I )
Featuring
Turin, Leilani, & Awiti

”I'm sure things will be sorted out soon.” I looked at Bradley for a moment and nodded, a bit of hope within my heart. My sister probably thought of me as a heartless bitch, which was not a complete lie. I was not very graceious, I was cruel and I knew it. That was the problem with me… I was just that… Cruel. It was the reason I was not married, the reason I ruled a city and the reason I became what I was… Assassin. Through my young years, I went through training many would never pass, but I had done it so I could kill people in my way. I could kill my uncle if I wanted to, but I was not ready to be a Queen and even if I did, my brother would be closer to the throne then I was. ”What good will they do. they're useless to us.” I looked to Bradley as we were back on the topic about the elves and their rats. I let out a sigh. ”I guess she wants to get the agreement between elves and rider changed to allow humans to be riders… It would only mean more traitors for us to deal with.”

[/color] I said to him and Lyra, looking out the window.

”Still think we should go spy. Just saying.” I smiled, looking at my friend and rolled my eyes. She always wanted to get in trouble, or go to where trouble was sure to be. ”Lyra...we've gone over this already.” I chuckled slightly. ”I shan't get caught. I mean, spying is in my blood. I've been doing it since...Well, forever.” I shook my head, leaning forward slightly and turning my head towards her. ”I have a feeling they already know about you being a spy and knowing you are here, they are looking at anything that could mean spy.”[/color] I said to her, knowing that they were smarter then many people.

”Fine. We won't go spying, but at least we can wait for the ladies to come out to talk to them? Promise to be extra nice.” I smiled, standing and opening the door that lead to the hallway. We could go and met them as they came out. I was sure that Leilani would come out first. ”Besides, we really don't even know why they agreed to come! I bet your sister begged them over. Though, I'm still curious to why they agreed in the end.” I smiled slightly and shrugged. It was not completely my business, but at the same time, it was.

The two of them looked at each other and I smiled as I watched. Bradley reminded me of Turin slightly. ”Lyra. I know what you're thinking...” I looked at Lyra who looked so innocent right now. ”Oh? So you're psychic now?” He did not look very happy, which was amusing on my part. ”Just... Don't do what you're going to do.” I smiled slightly. I also knew Lyra and I was syre she had something planned, but I just pushed it aside as I listened to them bicker back and forth. ”Do what? I'm not doing anything.” I smiled slightly, glancing over at the two of them before mentioning the Gala.

”What gala?” I looked at Bradley for a moment and smiled. I was about to explain when Lyra chimed in quickly. ”A gala held for elves and nobles? i think i've heard about this before...wanna tell me more, nayeli~?” I smiled slightly, giving a quick shrug. ”It is for the Renaissance… Something that I have to put a smile on for.”[/color] I winced at the thought, but knew it was part of my role as Countess of this city.

----- ----- ----- -----

There was silence, which I was not surprised by completely. I watched at Pele and Rusalka listened, but they were still as ever, while Veela was not as still. She was like a child and it kind of kept me calm. I had been so nervous about this encounter that I had to resort to much of my past lessons. I was only seventeen after all, but I worked hard to learn all I could so I could come to them. I knew that they did not hold a lot of power, but it was okay to come to them. ”I don’t know this Anselm,” I looked at her for a moment and looked at the table in a bit of wonder. I was about to say something else when she spoke again. ”And I don’t know what he told you. But he was far off the mark. Our ‘power’ is very limited, milady.” I looked at her for a moment and smiled, nodding in understanding. ”Elisedd and Anselm Volasyl… They are good people. Anselm is a very charming man and his dragon is a very… Interesting character.”[/color] I said to them slightly, smiling at the thought about them.

”What are you talking about? We’re the Countesses of Ceunon!” I smiled at Veela, but I understood the limit of power. ”Oh, Veela, I under…”[/color] As I was about to continue, I ehard something. ”You know, Rusalka’s daughter is a Rider, innit. A very important one, and I reckon she’d love to help-”” My mind went slightly blank, but not much. I looked at her quickly, however, her name was spat out quickly. “Veela,” I looked at Pele for a moment and then back at Veela. ”Now what? You never let me talk! Y’know, I’m not stupid-” I was about to say something when else happened quickly.

”NYX!” I let my hand raise to block my face from the flames and then looked at Pele. ”STOP BITCHING ABOUT GETTING YOUR OWN WAY AND THINK ABOUT SOMEONE OTHER THAN YOURSELF!” I looked at her for a moment. I glanced at Veela and saw her face had gone completely white and she had curled into a cushion like a frightened child. This seemed to slightly calm Pele, but not a whole lot, only enough to pull the flames back down. I looked at Rusalka and noticed she herself was in shock.

”Did you not hear my sister? She said; we’ve had enough of your games.” I looked at her softly, but I was not surprised. Anselm and Elisedd told me to watch for this. ”I don’t know what kind of political move this is, Princess Leilani, but do not underestimate our intelligence. We know about your pet assassins, your sister and Redfern.” I was stood myself, looking at her hard. ”My sister and Lyra have nothing to do with this! Nayeli knew nothing of this visit until yesterday evening when I sent a messenger to my brother to tell of the arrivals.”[/color] I did not waver my eyes from her, I looked at her dead in the eyes, I showed no fear.

”Shut your row, Pele!” I glanced at Rusalka, but my friendly look had not changed. Sure, I was a bit more tense, but I still did not hold out any friendship that I wanted. ”This isn’t Saxony!” I was confused, for I had never heard of the city. ”I apologize, sister, but she is clearly playing us for fools.” Fools? The last thing I thought of them was fools. ”You may drop the do-gooder act, because we know that you are far less sweet than you pretend to be. You have done nothing but prove yourself to be an enemy of our family, and I will not tolerate that threat.” I looked at her hard.

”This so called act, is no act and I took away my title as Princess long ago… I want nothing but peace between my race and yours, that is it!”[/color] I said, my voice did not waver one bit and my education started to come forth. ”I come looking for not only advice, but answers… I want to learn everything I can, about the pact, about the dragons. That is why I was sent to talk to you. Anselm is busy enough, only able to come to Teirm once a month. He told me to talk to your sisters, because he believed that they could answer my question.”[/color] I said, looking at her, my eyes still not wavering. I took in a breath and then let it out slowly. ”Our races have been at peace for ten years, but that peace is slipping each day… The tension builds with every second that we sit here doing nothing… Anselm, Elisedd, and I both agree that in order to help the tension it would be best to bring the humans and elves together in the pact… To make equal ground in a way… I wanted your thoughts on this.”[/color] I said to them, looking between the two sisters. I had come to them first, I had wanted to met on their grounds, not my own, but times called for it.

----- ----- ----- ----- -----

I could not believe I had come down here. I should have stayed in my bedroom, away from everyone… Leilani had given me permission to come down here, but I should have waited. ”Do not fear me child. I mean you no harm, I promise.” I looked at the man for a moment, seeing his smile. I watched as he sat down next to the fountain and I looked at him for a moment and then away. ”This is a beautiful garden you have to explore you know.” I glanced around quickly and nodded to him. I figured he was right, but it was big and I thought I was safe away from everyone.

I looked up as I heard yelling and then back down. ”Your sister dose know what she is doing and is not trying to anger these elves?” I looked at him and nodded. ”She wants to help the elves and humans…”[/color] I said to him quickly, before putting my hands over my mouth after seeing his wings. He had wings! ”I think it might be best if we go check on this meeting, it seems to have taken a turn for the worst and I would not like to see another war break out.” I looked up at the room. ”If you want I can take you with me, but you must stay out of the way.” I shook my head. ”No… She said she wanted a private conversation with them.”[/color] I said after removing my hands. I was scared, but I knew what she had told me.
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[kyou]

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bradley was beginning to feel annoyed my lyra's reckless behavior. with her thinking all about spying and being unhelpful to nayeli irked him. his dark grey eyes flickered towards lyra's dark head where she was smiling at nayeli without much care. lyra waltzed gracefully over towards the window beside nayeli, peering out curiously on what nayeli was looking at. bradley stayed at where he was standing, his expression emotionless. it was lyra that spoke in a more calming and almost innocent tone. well, it can't be all too bad to have humans as riders. I mean, it just means that we will have a dragon on our side if any of us want to be human riders.[/b] lyra looked thoughtful before adding. color=darkred] besides...it would be nice to have a dragon as a pet...[/color][/b] bradley gave a small eye roll, knowing full well that she probably would be unable to even get a dragon in the first place and her dragon would probably want to eat her or something. As she spoke about not spying, bradley watched nayeli make her way towards the door, opening it for lyra. Lyra skipped towards the door, pausing there at the two with a mischievous look on her face. In a dull tone and in a mutter, he spoke. really, lyra? it was more to himself than anyone else

then lyra had to just bicker with him. Again. It was beginning to become like a routine. They two fought all the time. They were like sibilings. She rolled her eyes and he was beginning to want to strangle her. Then she mentioned something about the gala. “What gala?”, he had asked. And nayeli explained it to him. Well, lyra first explained it to him, but he was still slightly curious. Raising a brow, he asked curiously. is it something that terrible to go to?[/b] Lyra grinned at him while saying coyly. we should go, just to dress you up.[/b] he looked at her, his face paling slightly. no. he didn't want to suffer under her wrath. When lyra got into parties and dresses, she was unstoppable. It may of been one of the smallest things that made him fear her. Otherwise, he didn't mind attending. Just put on a clean tunic and he was good to go. Though, lyra, on the other hand, forced him to wear fancy tunics and also made him wash his hair with special perfumed stuff that made him smell like a girl. It bothered him alot. In a dry tone, he told her. how about no? Can i not go with you?[/b] the girl grinned up at him.

if i'm going, you're going. Besides, did you actually think that i'd let you go all by yourself?[/b] she gave a small pout while grinning at the two. She peeked out of the doorway while looking around the place. Talking to herself, she spoke in a low tone. anytime now....[/b] bradley merely rolled his eyes as he addressed nayeli with a curious tone. So, what are you planning to do today?[/b] his grey eyes looked at her, smiling at her. He was curious on what she was going to do, since lyra didn't seem to want to do anything, but spy. It was ridiculous, really. he frowned slightly at her edgging off to somewhere and with a gentle hand, he wrapped a hand around her waist. he wasn't going to let her go off that fast. he gave her a small warning look before she gave him a small pout and stayed where she was.

notes: museless. all i could come up with.
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[Emma]

As the tension escalated into a full-blown verbal conflict, I found myself utterly lost.

Pele was even antsier than I remembered her- the poor thing probably never got any social interaction, buried under her books as she always was. Little wonder that she hadn’t remembered the niceties of diplomacy and was now screaming at the princess of Broddring despite the armed guards probably listening through the door. While Rusalka was furious- and even Leilani’s face was a mixture of shock, rage, and desperation- I felt sorry for her. However, I dejectedly knew from plenty of experience that attempting to speak to Pele at this point wouldn’t help matters- it would only turn into a shouting contest. Of all the Venalis, I appeared to be the only one that didn’t possess our infamous bad temper. Even with her lovely face rendered pale and sallow from becoming a vampire, Pele’s expression matched Rusalka’s exactly.

Leilani spoke just then, with surprising confidence for someone facing down an angry, rather mentally unhinged vampire. For whatever reason, Pele and Rusalka suspected Leilani of some sort of villainous act against our family- and that Lyra and Nayeli were assassins. Now that I thought about it, both women were in oddly excellent shape for noblewomen, but I couldn’t begin to think how either of them could be murderers for hire. They were noblewomen, after all. Leilani, however, didn’t outright deny either of them being assassins- she only said they had nothing to do with this meeting, before launching into a long monologue about wanting to mend the tension between humans and elves- and to do it, she intended to include humans in the Riders’ Pact. When she fell silent, Rusalka and Pele were quiet for a very long time.

“She’s lying,” muttered Pele. She had switched to Saxonese, our first language. “She must be. Else there’s something in it for her in all this. Ooh, humans…”
“I blatantly realize it might be crock, Pele,” snapped Rusalka, also in Saxonese, “but your philandering will have Azuan see us all hanged!”

At this point, I wondered why neither of my sisters went for the direct approach. Leilani was gawking at them as they hissed in Saxonese at each other- I doubted she’d ever even heard of our distant country before, let alone spoke the language- and I decided that it was utterly rude that they should engage in a tongue the host did not speak during a diplomatic negotiation. But I supposed it was to be expected- Pele had run away from nobility to go be a sorceress, and Rusalka had done the same to join Saxony’s military. Neither of them was properly trained in manners, like me. I stood up, placed my hands on my head to make sure my carefully arranged hair was still immaculate, and strode over to Leilani with determination. Then, squatting very inelegantly beside her, I put my hands on her temples and entered her mind.

This was done carefully, of course- I didn’t want to frighten her, and, as expected, I met barriers. I patiently waited for a response, and soon she seemed to understand why I was doing this and pulled back the barriers very slightly, just enough for me to skate around the outskirts of her mind. I immediately hunted down the story she’d told myself and my sisters- her personal life certainly had to be fascinating, but now I had to deal with my very rude sisters and their paranoia. At a glance, I found that Leilani’s story and her beliefs were not lies. She didn’t want us dead, she did honestly care for her people, and she did want to see the humans become Riders. Was there a selfish reason for it? Maybe, but I was only interested in the truth. And once I had found it, I pulled away and turned to face my now silent, open-mouthed sisters.

“Look at you two! Such children!” I admonished in the common tongue. “What would you do without me, hmm? Human or no, this one isn’t a liar!” I pointed down at Leilani. “And she doesn’t have any awful plans for us, either. And you wanted to send me back to Ceunon. Pah!” I took out a fan and waved it in front of my face, glaring at them.
For a long while, my sisters remained quiet. Pele’s face was still openly distrustful, while Rusalka looked thoughtful. She was the one to speak, after some time had passed.
“I apologize, Lady Leilani. I admit I am not accustomed to such tolerance, even open-mindedness, of our kin.” She rubbed her forehead. “Damn this bloody high society. Turned me into one of the green-brained skipperty-hops I once ridiculed.” She looked up at Leilani. “Very well, I will give you answers. Firstly, you must realize that we do not hail from these parts- though I am blatantly more than familiar with the intricacy of human and elven relations- living in bloody Ceunon makes it impossible to be blind to that- I was not raised among them. I lost no loved ones to the Blue Divide. I am, for all rights and purposes, an outsider in this conflict- something that has definite disadvantages as well as its advantages. And I will be frank, milady- I am not fond of humans. They are difficult to understand and even harder to accept as my equals. But I am willing to acknowledge that I cannot afford the luxury of this discrimination.” She leaned closer. “Secondly, I cannot promise you anything, nor tell you everything I know. Higher powers have ordered my silence, and I have too much to lose. But I will tell you this- there are plans for this country. Terrible plans. Watch yourself, Lady Leilani.” She fell silent, and then glanced at me. “Anything you’d like to add, Veela?”
“Only that you’re perfect.” I embraced her in a hug that she tried desperately to squirm away from. I only let her free herself when I realized that I was wrinkling my dress.
“Ahem.” Rusalka cleared her throat. “Shouldn’t have hoped for anything else, I suppose. Now, do regale me on precisely what you need to know, Your Highness.”

I turned to beam at Pele, but I was also somewhat annoyed that she hadn’t apologized as Rusalka had had the decency to do. However, rather than relief or even interest, she still looked upset, and kept glancing around herself suspiciously. Something unpleasant was still on her mind.

Characters Used;; Veela with Pele and Rusalka
Words;; 1080
Muse;; REALLY good from my... month-long break.
Thoughts;; I am SO sorry for how long this took.