Legends of Erandor

"Hello Xeras." Jade said smoothly, chuckling as she rose from the lounge. "Do you think I'd miss a chance to spend time with you, and at a festival no less?" her lips thinned into a line and she approached him. Her green eyes mocked him, playfully, and she sighed. "Unless you don't wish me to accompany you...." she feigned a hurt spirit at the thought.

True Justice

"No..." Zachary/Ellery said, looking at Terence innocently. "Just interested and curious. Perhaps I shall talk to Adrian." he stood and bowed. "Have a goodnight, Ma'am, Mr. Rowland. Sorry to disturb you...." he smiled and walked away toward the door.

Legends of Erandor
Tain Manor

"Of course not. I'm glad you're here." Xeras tried not to show too much interest, and instead subdued the pleasure he felt at seeing her. "You're more than welcome to accompany me. Aedra is coming as well. It seems I just can't get away from the women in my life, can I?" He winked at Jade. "Shall we head out? I've had a carriage prepared."

True Justice

"Goodbye, Mr. Ellery," Shay replied, mildly surprised at his abrupt exit. She waited until he was completely out of sight, then turned to Terence, raising her eyebrows. "That was somewhat strange. What do you make of it?"

Legends of Erandor

Jade smiled at him, hooking her arm into his, and pressing her check against his shoulder gently, and briefly. She then tossed her head back, and winked in Aedra's direction. Every action could be a lesson to the young girl; she taught Xeras' sister, though not directly, the proper way to flirt and draw in a man.

Xeras' love was nothing thrown about easily, and though she acted coy around him, to tease him and mock him, she actually wanted him very much. "The offer of your carriage sounds very inviting."

Legends of Erandor

Tain Manor

Aedra rolled her eyes and faked a yawn as Jade winked in her direction. Jade was one of her favorite people and also one of her most disliked. At times, she loved to talk with her and other times, she couldn't stand the sight or sound of her.

Aedra's barefeet thudded as she galloped down the wooden stairs, ahead of Xeras and Jade. She stopped on the landing where the stairs took a turn and said, "Speaking of the women in your life, Xeras, did I mention that I sort of invited Miss Daphne to accompany us to the festival...in your carriage?" She tilted her head to the left and stuck of her lower lip a little. "You know how disappointed she would be if she found out there was no more room. She would be positively despondent...With such a cheerful disposition, I would hate to crush her spirits of excitement..."

She slid a glance toward Jade and said, "I'm sure Jade wouldn't mind sharing. Daphne is a wonderful young woman. She'll have you roaring with laughter before you even leave the manor! It would be such a delightful time!" Aedra grinned, shrugging her shoulders.

~~~

Erivale Festival

"I wonder if it's possible for Alex to have a change of character..." Kye said with a mischievousness smile. She looked in Ainsley's direction. "My next goal, after I get married, is to match Ainsley up with someone..."

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

True Justice

Terence shook his head, watching the man walk away. He turned to look at Shay. "I'm not sure. I'll ask Adrian about it later..."

He grinned. "For a second, I thought he was coming over here to talk to you..."

Legends of Erandor

Jade's frustration levels climbed as Aedra spoke, and her grip on Xeras' arm increased. The little... she thought, sending a fiery glance down the steps in the girl's direction. She had accepted, long ago, that Xeras' good looks, charm, and general place of power would attract many young women, but none of them had come as close as Daphene had. She too was on a quest to win Xeras' heart, not by Jade's way of eluding love, but by comical remarks, and masked romantic intentions. Daphene, whether intentionally or unintentionally, mocked Jade and acted as if Xeras favored her.

And I thought perhaps today I'd have him to myself...so silly of me to hope so strongly. she bit her tongue until it felt as if it would bleed. She pretended then, not to care, and instead gave a gentle tug to Xera's arm. "I think the festival has attracted more people this year. It shall be quite amusing."

Legends of Erandor

"It's possible... though it would probably have to be some sort of major event to trigger a positive change in Alex's case." Elaina said with a slight laugh. "Still, there's always hope he'll turn out good."

Elaina turned her attention to Ainsley again, studying the girl out of the corner of her eye. "So, does Tristan have any eligible brothers? Or perhaps a cousin that lives nearby?" she asked half teasingly before realizing Kye was serious. "I'm sure you will do a fine job finding someone for her. You have done a fine job for yourself, after all." Elaina said in a reassuring tone accompanied by a genuine smile.

True Justice

Captain Seranoy wondered whether he was being foolish. The inclination that he was rarely crossed his mind, but he wondered, for his own personal health, whether challenging Jean was so wise. The boy had pricked his pride, defied him, and more or less blatantly admitted to insubordination. As captain, and an older sea-man, such was a great insult.

The prisoner was beautiful, he glanced toward his cabin in the wind and rain, but he might not have taken so much interest in her and put so much effort into conquering her, if Jean hadn't tried to stop him. In a way, the whole situation was Jean's fault. He needs to be taught a lesson...he...he... with a wicked glint Seranoy looked longingly at the yard arm. I'd take great pleasure in seeing him dangling there. Never liked that up-tight boy...

"Toby!" The Captain called again, to the crew man stumbling away from his cabin, drenched.

He stumbled over. "Aye, Captain!?"

"Take the tiller!"

"Aye Aye!"

Come down Jean, if you dare. If you do I will guarantee your death sooner or later.

Legends of Erandor

Tain Manor

Xeras gently tucked Jade's arm in his with a small smile, then turned to Aedra. "Ah, so now my sister has taken to matchmaking me, has she?" The thought filled him with quite a bit of displeasure. "I would prefer that next time, you ask me before inviting someone to join us on a carriage ride. As of now, since there's nothing you can do about it, I would be happy to loan her an extra carriage. She can ride in that one--alone." He sent Aedra a pointed look, then smiled at Jade. "Yes, the festival shall be quite amusing. Shall we depart, then?"

The Festival

Ainsley turned a deep red. "I don't need your help finding someone for me, Kye, though I thank you. He'll come along. Someday." She took a deep breath. This whole day was troubling her, as much as she tried to be happy. It was time for a well-timed subject change. "So, Kye, do you have any pie that I could sample?"

True Justice

"Talk to me? Why on earth would he want to talk to me?" Shay shrugged and took a sip of water from her tankard. "At any rate, I'm glad that's over." She abruptly stood. The amount of people in here was starting to make her head spin. She needed peace. Solitude. Room to think. "I need to get out of this stuffy galley," she muttered.

Legends of Erandor

Tain Manor

"Ugh." Aedra scoffed. "You can't be serious! You know that's rude, Xeras!"

She faced Jade. "Jade, tell him he's being rude. You can't put a guest in a carriage by herself!"

~~~

Erivale Festival

Kye laughed and then turned toward the pie stand. "Well...they're all the same kind, so you can try whichever one you want. Unfortunately, not all the trees were so giving with their fruits..."

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

True Justice

Terence watched Shay stand. He stood and said, "Are you feeling dizzy?" Before she could answer, he gently touched her elbow and tugged her toward the door. "Maybe some fresh air will help."

Legends of Erandor

Jade was about to answer Xeras when Aedra spoke once again. She swallowed down frustration, and instead turned coyly to her love's sister. Batting eye-lashes over dark, smoldering green eyes she spoke. "Oh no. You're right I'm afraid. It would be rude to let her go alone." she glanced for a minute to Xeras studying him with her side-ways look, searching for any sign of a reaction. "That's why she won't! You'll ride with her, Aedra!"

Legends of Erandor

Tain Manor

Aedra gave a short laugh and then said, "I'm afraid that's not possible, Jade. I've been invited to accompany an entirely different group of people. It would be a shame to disappoint so many people, wouldn't it?"

With another snicker, she continued her way down the stairs, coming to a stop at the front door. She smiled at the older man standing there and said, "Willis, Miss Daphne should be arriving any minute. When she comes, would you let me know. I need to finish preparing to leave. My brother will be taking the 4-seat carriage. See to it that it's properly prepared. Orlando will also be arriving to take me to the festival. Make him feel at home as well."

True Justice

Adrian went straight to bed. It was threatening to storm, and though every bit of him itched to help the crew, he knew that they had things covered, and unless things were really bad, he would let them do their own work.

----

The morning dawned bright and clear after the storm. He got out on deck as quick as he could, not wanting to miss the sunrise. The captain of the ship was conferring with the mate and he walked over to Adrian as soon as he saw him.

"The storm was a bit rough last night, Valdez," He said to Adrian.

Adrian nodded. "Yes. What's the problem?"

"We've found that we scraped the bottom of the ship with a reef in the storm. There's no problem now, but it has to be fixed."

Adrian stared at the captain, not quite comprehending. "What are you saying?"

"We've got to go to shore. It'll be a week, maybe two, before we can sail again."

Again, Adrian simply stared. Then he swore in two languages. "I can't wait two weeks! We could get to the capitol on horseback much faster than that."

The captain fixed his steely gaze on Adrian. "Then I suggest you do that. The nearest port is Mecia, and no ships leave for the Capitol from there." He turned and left Adrian.

Adrian wanted to punch someone very hard.

-------

Jean's sharp eyes spotted the Captain moving and he was down the ladder like lightning. The ropes were slick, but he managed not to fall as he all but slid down.

"What's happening, Captain?" He called out above the sound of the wind, stepping into the other man's path.

True Justice

Shay shook her head. "No, I'm going to get some sleep. It's been a long day for all of us." She removed her elbow from his grasp. "Good night, Terence. See you in the morning."

----

Shay woke up the next morning after being lulled to sleep last night by the ocean waves. She found some water to wash up, then ran a hand through her blonde hair. Taking a bath would be pretty much impossible until they got to land, but it was something that came with the travel. Like most aspects of long journeys, Shay was used to it.

She headed up to the deck, where she found Adrian. Normally she would have attended to her own business, but the stricken look on his face caused her to think twice.

"Are you alright? You look like you've just learned of someone's death."

Legends of Erandor

Tain Manor

The only visible response that Xeras had to this exchange was the slight raising of his eyebrow.

He inhaled deeply. "Aedra, you are being rude by overriding my authority. I appreciate your invitation to Daphne, but I don't exactly have the reputation for 'most polite man' and I prefer that it stay that way." He paused to consider this. "However, not many people know this, so maybe I should keep up my polite facade for their benefit." He threw a sly grin in Jade's direction. "After all, we can't have people thinking I'm rude, now can we?"

Erivale Festival

Ainsley smiled. "I suppose I'll sample some of the apple pie, then." She served herself a piece and took a couple bites. "This is delicious, Kye - how do you do it?"

As she spoke, a sudden wave of dizziness overtook her. Sick? She had just gotten over a fever a few weeks ago. No, she couldn't be. She was just overwhelmed from the festival, that was all.

Legends Of Erandor

A man around his mid twenties leaned heavily against the sturdy wooden pole that supported one of the busier stalls. He liked it here, watching the people pass before him in their vibrant festival attire. They were all so busy that none of them took any notice of a dark haired young ma who stared -inobtrusivly- but intently on their many and varying faces. Meironn caught faint strains of music from nearer the center of town, a fiddle melody here, some harmony from a flute there. He smiled and stood strait so that he could walk towards the wonderful sound. He had a bit of experience in music himself- although his formal occupation was membership in the counsel- he had on occasion even made an attempt to write down a tune or so, but mostly he stuck to playing on his lute or singing what other people had already written. He smiled as the song changed to one that he knew, Fionnghuala, it wasn't exactly a "Light on the toes" sort of song, but it had a way of making people smile (even if they couldn't understand the language that it was meant to be sung in). He reached where the music was coming from and found another pole to lean against while he let it all soak blissfully further in. He began to hum.

~Lady Fee

Legends of Erandor

Byron Gadreau hated festivals. However, for some reason he had shown up at the annual festival in Erivale. It was common practice for all the council-members to attend, although this kind of rule was unspoken rather than instituted. Nevertheless, he knew it would make a good impression that he was there, whether anyone noticed him or not.

The people, of course, was the part he hated most. All the unfamiliar faces... most of them harsh reminders of what he'd lost. And what he wished had lasted.

He shook away these dark thoughts. No one seemed to notice him, so he lurked on the outside edges. A familiar face starkly made itself known in the midst of the crowd. It was good to see one of his fellow council-members here, of all places. Then again, he should have expected to see Meironn here. All the council-members would be, even Xeras. Especially Xeras.

Byron took small comfort in the fact that he hadn't run into Xeras yet. Meironn was one of the few members of the council that Byron actually liked. Meironn was also alone, and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to socialize.

He covered the ground efficiently in long strides, and came up behind the dark-haired figure. The sound of humming accompanied the lilting music in the background, the sound that Byron had been trying to drown out. Once upon a time, he might have enjoyed it, but now festivals were far too cheery for him.

He waited for a dancing couple to whirl past him, then reached over the fruit stand separating him from the young man. He tapped him lightly on the shoulder. "Hello, Meironn."

((OOC: Jillhope, I hope this character interaction works well for you. If it doesn't, just let me know. ))