True Justice

Terence quickly glanced at Shay. His dream instantly came to mind and before he could do much else, a guffaw escaped his lips.

He ran a hand through his hair and said, "Oh, Shay..."

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

Legends of Erivale

Tain Manor

"It's not my fault you're walking away! I have no choice but to follow you..." Aedra said, stopping in her tracks before she bumped into him. "You know, it's still polite to invite me...but I've noticed you've been lacking in the area of manners recently." She held up her hands. "Not that I'm a very polite person myself, but I have noticed..."

She shrugged. "I just think it's something you should work on when you're not busy..."

True Justice

Shay frowned, with a quick glance in Ellery's direction. She didn't want to cause a scene, but Terence was acting ridiculous. Again.

She couldn't just drop the issue. Oh, no. She could never do that. "'Oh Shay'? What are you talking about?" she asked, hoping this didn't turn into another full-fledged debate. Arguing by themselves was one thing. Even arguing in front of Adrian was doubtful. But arguing in front of this man Ellery? No, not a good idea. Shay had the full intent to keep what remained of her reputation in tact.

True Justice

"I just think you're funny, that's all..." Terence said, hoping to calm her down before she got too upset.

True Justice
Shay closed her eyes in an effort to restrain herself. It was working. Sort of.

She pasted on a smile in an attempt to be as nice as she could to Terence in front of Ellery. "I'm glad you think so."

She bit her lip as a further act of restraint so she wouldn't say anything else. Then she turned back to the strange man sitting across the table. "You're quite inquisitive. If I may ask, why do you want to know about Adrian?"

Legends of Erandor

Xeras sighed. "I like to pace. It's what I do." He shrugged. "You're the last person who should lecture me on manners, by the way. I'm sorry for my apparent lack of manners in your sight. I try, but as you can see, I'm a very busy man." He sidestepped her with ease and continued his beeline to the door. "Speaking of which, I'd like to go to the festival, whether you intend to go or not." He gave her a pointed look. "Now out of my way, please."

True Justice

Terence grinned, shaking his head. He could tell she was fuming and he was tempted to make another remark, just to rile her up even more, but he decided against it. Instead, he nodded in agreement and looked at Ellery.

--------

Legends of Erivale

Tain Manor

Aedra stepped aside and motioned for her brother to pass. "I do intend to go," she said, skipping after him, but staying out of his way. "There was never a question about me not attending. I was going before you even said anything about going yourself." She giggled. "Miss Mery's son, Orlando, has agreed to take me. His sister, Olivia, will also be coming. Although, I find her very haughty and annoying...At least Orlando is charming enough...Unlike Flint, who I still expect to be replaced, brother dearest."

Legends of Erandor

"Doing as well as ever..." Elaina said as she hugged her friend. "Well, in my mind it's still your pie stand. Besides, you're the one working it..." With the last bit, Elaina gave Kye a friendly nudge and a smile before turning her attention to the other girl.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ainsley. My name is Elaina Verhoeven." She said as she shook the younger woman's hand. "I've heard Kye speak very highly of you, it's nice to finally meet you."

"How's Tristan doing these days, Kye?" Elaina asked turning back to her friend.

Legends of Erivale

Erivale Festival

Kye smiled and blushed when Elaina mentioned Tristan. "Tristan is doing very well. He's been working long and hard though recently, so I haven't spent a lot of time with him. A woodcutter's job is always the busiest at the harvest season. He's trying to get as much wood cut before winter sets in." She smiled again. "But he always makes time for me, even if it means staying up later or waking up earlier."

True Justice

Adrian walked up onto the deck and breathed in the fresh air. The evening was dark early-- a storm was brewing. He made his way to the rail on the edge of the deck and leaned on it, watching the horizon darken with storm clouds as they sailed into it. Aeryn was there, maybe as little as ten miles away. He had to get to her, he had to. His hand slid into the pocket of his trousers and clutched the small box that lay there, almost unconsciously. He'd done it for so many months while thinking of her.

Legends of Erandor

The Festival

"Kye has spoken highly of me? I should hope so, since she's my best friend." Ainsley grinned. "Everything you've heard is good, I hope?"

Ainsley smirked knowingly when Elaina mentioned Tristan. She elbowed Kye in the ribs and winked. "Yes, you and Tristan see quite a lot of each other, don't you?"

Tain Manor

Xeras listened disinterestedly as Aedra chattered on about her social connections. He knew many of the people she was mentioning, but not well enough to care about them. He nodded to give her the impression he was listening. "Yes, yes. Sounds quite lovely. Now about Flint... I won't be replacing him. Good stable boys are too hard to come by." Xeras shrugged. "Besides, Glimril is in charge of the servants. He can speak to Flint about... whatever is bothering you."

Legends of Erandor

"As good as can be expected." Elaina replied with a mischievous grin. "No, everything I've heard about Ainsley Roe has been of the best possible quality. According to Kye, you're quite the young seamstress."

With the combined blushing of Kye and the knowing look of Ainsley at the mention of the woodcutter, Elaina surmised there was more between her friend and Tristan than she originally thought. "So, it appears your relationship has progressed favorably since I was last here." Elaina said with a slight raise of one eyebrow. "I'm happy for you, Kye. I always thought you and Tristan made for a cute couple anyway. Though at this rate, I'll end up as an old maid looking after your kids when they're sick..." Elaina added with smile.

Legends of Erandor
The Festival

"There are many things Kye could say about me - and not all of them may be good," Ainsley said with a playful grin in Kye's direction. "But thank you anyway."

Ainsley's blush deepened when Elaina mentioned her seamstress and weaving skills. "Well, I don't consider myself that great at weaving or sewing... it's just what I do to pay the bills. But thank you for the compliment anyway." Her tone lightened considerably, and her mood was beginning to improve. "I hear you're quite the herbalist as well."

True Justice

Zachary had looked away during the slight exchange between Terence and the woman. He chuckled, softly, as he was told to not make an attempt on Terence's life, for it had already been made. Then, snapped back to reality, when her question penetrated his thoughts.

"You're quite inquisitive. If I may ask, why do you want to know about Adrian?"

He turned to her, brown eyes locking fixedly on her face. His gaze flickered intensely for a moment, then softened, as he tried to brush of the inquiry. "Well, after bumping into him, quite literally, in Griande I couldn't help but be curious. Plus, he looked so absorbed in his on revelry when he left, I didn't want to disturb him, so I thought I'd ask you two." he tossed some of his shaggy grown hair from his face.

Legends of Erandor

Erivale Festival

Kye chuckled. "Yes, very favorably."

She arched her brows at Elaina and joked, "Well...there's always Alex, you know..."

~~~

Tain Manor

"But that's just it, Xeras. He's not a good stable boy!" Aedra glanced at Glimril after her brother's suggestion and made a disgusted face. "No, thank you...I'd rather spend an hour in Flint's company than say two words to Glimril..."

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

True Justice

"Are you often suspicious of people you accidentally bump into?" Terence asked, thinking about when he first bumped into Shay. He hadn't been suspicious, but he most certainly was interested. The thought made him chuckle, but he masked it behind a cough.

Legends of Erandor

Despite knowing that a joke about her and Alex was coming at some point, it still caught Elaina slightly off guard. "Oh heavens! There is no way I would consider settling down with him." Elaina paused and thought for a moment, glancing back towards the Cavern tavern. "Though, if Alex had a complete change of personality... I'd at least consider it." she concluded with mischievous smile.

Legends of Erandor
The Festival

Ainsley's mind wandered as Kye and Elaina discussed their potential beaus. This was yet another thing that troubled Ainsley... her lack of a beau. She knew one would come in time, but she couldn't help but feel lonely at times, especially with her current troubles with Ellion. She gazed off at the horizon as well as the sights and sounds of the Festival, keeping all these thoughts to herself as Elaina and Kye chattered in the background.

Tain Manor
"Aedra, you may find enjoyment in critiquing my highly competent staff, but I'd prefer you'd do it at another time." Xeras breezed past her and pushed open the doors, nodding to Glimril on his way through. He walked a few paces down the hall, then stopped short in his tracks when he saw the person laying on the divan outside.

His eyebrows raised in surprise. This was one person he had not expected to see. "Jade?"

True Justice

"Well, if you're looking for substantial information, I still suggest you talk to him yourself. He's the only one who would be able to accurately answer your questions," Shay said with a small frown. She still couldn't understand why Ellery was being so nervous about talking to Adrian. If it were her in this position, she would have asked Adrian long ago. Something just didn't seem right here.

She shrugged it off and listened to Terence speak. She was reminded of the first time they'd met - she wasn't looking where she was going at the mercantile and had run straight into him. Both her cheeks and her pride burned at the thought. She couldn't help but think that Terence's purpose in life was to embarrass her... then, and now. It was good to know that some things never changed.