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Post by Eruanna's Menagerie on Jan 15, 2012 20:29:22 GMT -5
Swann frowned quite noticeably. She had asked a question and not received an answer, and even worse, it was an answer that she knew Hayden was likely dying to tell her. He was toying with her. Toying with her like a Neopet dangling a bauble in front of its petpet. Hayden's arrogance was itself a force to be reckoned with, that much was certain.
I believe I shall respectfully discline thy inquiry, my Lord, Swann murmured, though she betrayed her nerves when her wine glass shuddered underneath her lips, sloshing some of the white wine over the rim. My own disenchantment has not, I feel I must remind thee, led me to conspire beneath the surface of not only one kingdom, but two.
Swann cleared her throat. She had by now finished her dinner, and the servants were beginning to remove their empty plates. They had beat around the bush long enough. Now it was simply herself and Hayden, facing each other, no distractions to drag them from the real purpose of this conversation. Let us return to that lone isle of what is called "the point," however, Lord Hayden, Swann said coldly. What do you desire of me, and what do I receive in return?
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Kit
Youngling
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Post by Kit on Jan 15, 2012 20:48:35 GMT -5
Hayden smiled with a shake of his head, "My, my, impatient now are we?" So his question hadn't given him a definite stance on Swann's position towards the kingdom, at least it got some sort of reaction.
He could see that she was nervous, but nervous about what? The wall of hate she had built up was surely being looked at questionably, after having met the handsome and charming captain and of course after hearing Hayden's own motives. She claimed to not want to conspire against the kingdom of her birth nor current home, but he would have to see how deeply she clung to those ideals.
Lacing his fingers together, with elbows propped up on the table, Hayden replied to her question just as she desired; directly, head on and with no more stalling. "I want you to re-claim your title as head of the noble Julia house and all that comes with it: land, finance and a position in court. For your own keeping of course."
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Post by Eruanna's Menagerie on Feb 11, 2012 20:26:37 GMT -5
Swann felt herself shiver inwardly at that insolent gaze Hayden threw at her. He was so smug that it was actually unnerving, as if he knew exactly how she would act, like he could see into her and know what strings to pull to get her to dance to his tune. W-excuse me? she spluttered out indignantly, for the first time revealing some of her nerves to the Meridellian lord. Whatever she had expected him to demand, that had not been it.
Her mind whirled. Swann hadn't considered reclaiming her title in years. Why would the thought have ever passed her mind? Once she had been established and happily settled in Faerieland, she had had no need to worry about what was past--she was content and wanted for nothing, so it was silly to consider the noble house she had left behind. She should have known that she would not escape it so easily, however. Here was Hayden, digging up her past for his own benefit--though for the life of her she could not follow his train of thought. Perhaps she was just too disturbed to think clearly.
How... how could my reclaiming help your aims, Lord Hayden? she asked, her face openly horrified at the thought of coming out of her exile and revealing her identity to take up the noble name of Julia once again.
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Kit
Youngling
Posts: 95
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Post by Kit on Feb 18, 2012 17:29:09 GMT -5
Hayden laughed openly, "Now, now my dear lady, to tell you that would reveal all my plans to you." Her shock pleased him, it meant she didn't know his motives as well as she thought she did. A silent signal from one of the guards reminded him that there were other matters to attend to tonight. Rising from his chair, he stepped around the table to be in line with Swann.
"I know this is a big decision for you my lady and if it helps you, do know that if you chose to reclaim your land and title, I will not take it from you. In fact, I will do my best to make sure no trouble comes to you if you wish it; the essence of your lifestyle will be unchanged," he explained. His voice was kind and honest, it did not seek a rushed answer.
Giving a low bow, he eloquently gave his goodbye, "I must take my leave now Lady Julia, I will have someone take you back to your room and attend to any needs you have. I do hope you consider my request in a positive light, I seek your request when you are prepared to give it. Until then, goodnight."
Leaving through a separate set of door then the ones Swann would soon travel through with her assigned servant, Hayden made his way through the twisting halls and buildings to his next destination. It was time to check up on the heroic captain, he needed dinner too after all.
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Post by Eruanna's Menagerie on Mar 5, 2012 20:15:21 GMT -5
Swann's eyes narrowed as the overly sweet words slipped like honey off Hayden's tongue. Was she honestly supposed to trust him? The idea was laughable! Forgive me if I do not take thy words with faith, my lord, she retorted, her disgust of his proposition clear. Her head held high, she watched Lord Hayden leave, only turning to follow the stern guards to her room once the door clicked behind him. Once he was gone, she suddenly felt a rush in her--the adrenaline that had kept her through that horrific meal was gone in a flash, leaving her feeling exhausted and uncertain.
The servants wasted no time in clearing the table and motioning for Swann to get up and return to her room. Numbly, she followed their instructions, not making any fuss all the way back to her quarters. She sat on the bed, watching the servants scurry around--fixing up her fire, asking if she needed anything, putting a glass of water next to her nightstand. It was still early in the evening, but apparently Hayden desired her to go to sleep like a child. Once Swann was settled, the servants left.
Swann gazed over at the fireplace. The room, though still tiny, looked a bit homier with the fire going. Suddenly, Swann felt a hollowness creep into her. She would admit it to herself. She was scared. Who knew what was going to happen now It all depended on her and Leonardo. Leonardo... What had become of him? Had Hayden already killed him? What other plans did he have in store? Swann found herself missing the steadying companionship of the Meridell knight. She found it unlikely that he was in a decent room like herself.
Suddenly, Swann's eyes widened. She wondered if the servants had locked her in. Slowly, an idea began to form...
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Kit
Youngling
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Post by Kit on Mar 8, 2012 13:12:00 GMT -5
It wasn't that the servants were under strict orders to get Swann into bed as soon as possible, it was just that they didn't know any better. They did as they were told, a hidden fear spurring them onward constantly. Had Swann asked them to leave her and come back later with an authoritative enough presence, they would do so with few questions. For as servants they knew not of the political games Hayden was playing, Lady Julia was simply a guest to be tended to, not a prisoner. It is this mind set that left the door innocently unlocked...
Just the sight of Hayden striding forward set the guards on a straight backed alert as they swiftly unlocked the heavy door and allowed him inside. Hayden didn't like to call this building a prison, and certainly it wasn't underground so it was hard to call it a dungeon. No, he simply referred to it as the holding chambers. Leonardo couldn't disagree more.
Cold stone that was drained of all color made up every surface; floor, wall, ceiling. Identical hallways twisted through, lined with rooms at even intervals. Some rooms stored weapons, clothes or food, some were for for meetings and battle plans, but a good portion of them were for holding prisoners.
When he thought about it, Leo decided that his current situation could be far worse. True he had been rough handled and beaten by the guards that brought him in and his feet hurt from the too tight clasps of his chains, but he had been through worse. There was a bed, though a sad one, and there was fireplace in the room next door which warmed up one of the cold, cold walls. The chains bound his feet together, but not to any single point meaning his movements were extremely limited but not impossible. Plus he overheard that he was going to be fed, on the first night too. What a treat.
But when the door to his "room" swung open, Leo's curious yet bored expression turned to one of glaring rage. Of course Hayden would be the one to feed him.
"Ah captain you're awake. I was hoping I could chat with you over a nice meal this evening," he explained with a voice too pleasant for Leonardo's liking. "Where's Iluni?" he asked sharply, ignoring Hayden's remarks. "Touchy, touchy," he replied with an exasperated sigh. "Your darling poet is fine and is close to accepting my business proposition." "You snake of a ba-" Leo spit out in a growl. "Ah, language captain. I know you have been trained better," suddenly Hayden's mannerisms changed, reverting to an icy expression and no nonsense tone. "So enough of this, we have business to attend to."
And with that the door slammed shut.
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