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| Abandon hope...; (bringing back Aera Jusona!) | |
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| Topic Started: Oct 20 2009, 11:29 PM (93 Views) | |
| Shalinda Undire | Oct 20 2009, 11:29 PM Post #1 |
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The first thing the slim brunette realized upon finally coming around was the heat radiating off of her skin; the second being that her body failed to move upon command. Through squinted blue eyes, the young woman felt that she was laying on something hard...and was being jostled as if on some sort of wagon or cart. The next sensation was that metal encased her wrists and ankles; the arms twisted at an unnatural angle behind her back. The woman's stomach growled in protest, and she wondered when was the last time food and water passed her lips. Finally letting her eyes fall open after adjusting to the sudden light, the tattooed woman took in the scenery in full. Her suspicions were confirmed; she was laying on a cart, bound hand and foot, and was being carted across some humid and hot plains area, and from the position of the shadows, it was midday. Letting her eyes fall into slits once again, the amber-haired woman glanced around, noting the accompaniment of men as well as the other unfortunate captives that were shackled in the same position at her sides. As an unfamiliar tongue reached her ears, the woman closed her eyes and tried to remember how this happened... She was back in Eystra, having slipped back into the capital city under cover of darkness. The woman had promised herself to try and get into the library to hopefully uncover anything about what the situation was here, and to hopefully find the real king. There was a vampire that discovered her, and the two had gotten into a fight. The woman had tried hard to defend herself, and somehow succeeded to land a few scratches on the undead opponent...only to realize that they would heal soon after. The darkness and shadows were the foe's allies then...soon grabbing hold of the unfortunate Earth Order Lieutenant from behind. Pain shot through her neck, soon followed by the sensation of all life and action being drained from her being...and then her world faded to black. Trying to conserve her strength, the woman, Aera Jusona, kept her head still while lifting her gaze to see what lay ahead, which was soon made clear in a matter of hours. Some sort of stone building could be seen among the trees with a cave nearby. Without warning, the brunette and the others were hauled off of the cart and forced to stand as the leader of the settlement eyed each captive before speaking again in that unfamiliar language and making some gestures. Unfortunately one of the prisoners decided to get a little rowdy and was dragged away, only to be followed with a few burly men as Aera and the others were tossed into separate cells not far from an entrance to a second cave. As the woman's eyes drifted closed again, a panicked voice arose, which quickly changed into a blood-curdling scream. A few hearty laughs followed, no doubt mocking the poor captive's now unrecognizable pleas. I cannot end up like this...not here...but what happened to me? Why can't I move? She thought, trying to flex her muscles into at least sitting up, but between whatever drained her strength and not having food or water for at least a day or so, the Carthian was pretty weak. A tear slipped down her cheek and onto her ragged hair as she thought about the terrified scream she heard earlier, and shuddered. Suddenly, someone appeared and was unlocking the door of her prison. This is it...I'm done for... I won't see Kalimshere again...I'm going to die in this secluded place...away from everyone I know... Swallowing hard to try and rid herself of the dryness in her mouth, Aera Jusona lifted her eyes to the stranger, and expected the worst. Edited by Shalinda Undire, Oct 21 2009, 07:15 PM.
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| The Goddess is my shield; let her Light banish the darkness! | |
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 Shyla Tadros
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Oct 21 2009, 02:03 AM Post #2 |
 
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(((And yet another NPC for Katie! This is Maximo Lino, head of the Semhari resistance. Bring it on!))) He kept his head down and his movement to a quick silence. He'd only a short window of time. There were men with him, trusted men, men he'd once freed from the very cells before them. Nothing would go wrong, he'd done this several times before. He pushed the unruly black hair from his vividly blue eyes and stared at the woman in he cell. She looked sick. He cursed in his own language. Of course the traders would have been rough with her. None of the bastards understood they had to be delicate with ladies. Maximo Lino threw open the bars to Aera's prison and places his forefinger over his lips. Motioning her to remain quiet, then lifted his hands, palms down and pushed them in a motion toward the floor, to try and mime for her to remain calm. "I am here to rescue you, lady." he said in the common language, unsure of where she was from. He looked over his shoulder, one of the men with him gave him a thumbs up and the stress that caused the wrinkles at the corners of his mouth, relaxed and turned into a soft smile. "We are clear to proceed. Can you run, lady?" Maximo waited for her to respond, listening all the while to the whistling of the guards down at the end of the long hallway. He and his men knew that should the whistling stop or grow louder, they were found out. Maximo turned his attention back to Aera and leaned down next to her, reaching to rest his wrist on her forehead to judge whether she was too ill to travel, but the whistling stopped. There was a commotion, and Maximo and his men ran, their freed prisoners in their arms, for the freedom of the world above. He had not waited for the young woman to allow him to pick her up, which was against his judgment, but when they were as close to being caught as they were, all bets were off. There were shouts from below as he ran with Aera up a flights and flights of steps, cursing in Semhari, the sound of dogs barking, then nothing cut midnight crickets and the sound of wind in the trees. Maximo and his men kept up their impossible pace. Until finally, they set their freed prisoners down in tall, cool grass. Together the formed a circle around the prisoners, none of them were out of breath, all of them were alert. Minutes, perhaps hours past while they stood guard and the night time world around them buzzed with life. Finally, Maximo let out a soft laugh. "Another successful mission, boys. Well done." He turned to the ten people huddled together in the grass behind him and spread his arms wide and smiled a winning handsome smile. "My friends, you are free!" |
| I have returned | |
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| Shalinda Undire | Oct 21 2009, 02:38 AM Post #3 |
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Despite the brief swallow, her mouth had gone dry, so there was no chance she could have let out anything louder than a soft whimper anyways. Despite the coolness of her surroundings, she still felt somewhat feverish. Maybe delusional too; did she hear him right? He was going to free her? But how? She wasn't even sure where she was, or to even trust this man! Every instinct screamed to turn him down and deal with the consequences, but in her current state, there was no sense in arguing. At the question of if she was able to run, all she did was gesture weakly toward the shackles around her wrists and ankles, as if to say 'how can I run with these on?' Not to mention she still felt drained; even in what little light that shone in these holding areas, one could see she was pale. All of a sudden, the man that addressed her glanced back, then scooped the woman into his arms before taking off, causing Aera's head to spin. Blackness threatened to cover her world again as it bobbed up and down due to her rescuer's quick pace. Shouts in the distance could be heard, along with the baying of dogs, but to the brunette, none of it mattered right now; keeping herself conscious was the only thing on her mind. Moments later, the stranger and his entourage emerged into the cool atmosphere of the forest, but kept going, soon leaving their pursuers behind. The soft wind felt refreshing on her exposed flesh, causing goosebumps to appear even as she was set down within the tall grass. Finally, the world stood still long enough for the woman to take a breath and regain her equilibrium as the man cheered his comrades on another successful mission. What mission? Just who ARE these men? Aera thought to herself, trying once again to moisten her lips and throat enough to speak in a voice barely above a whisper. "Who...are...you...?" Even if she wanted to, the bonds on her wrists and ankles prevented further movement at this point; no doubt her captors noticed the tattoos that covered her left cheek, wrist, and a good portion of her back and assumed she was 'tough'...but still, those manacles weren't the only thing holding her down. Again, her stomach howled, causing the woman to groan and attempt to curl into a ball. "Where...am...? What...day...?" She couldn't finish the questions but the intent was clear: how much time had passed since that fight in Eystra, and where was she now. |
| The Goddess is my shield; let her Light banish the darkness! | |
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Shyla Tadros
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Nov 2 2009, 03:15 PM Post #4 |
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Maximo looked down at the woman he'd rescued. She wasn't as alert as the others were. She was pale, incoherent. He crouched down next to her and shook his head at himself, he'd forgotten to take off her bonds. He snapped his fingers at one of his friends and the man produced a skeleton key. Maximo lifted her arms gently and took off the chains that held her. Then he sat her up and very delicately brushed the hair from her face. "I am Maximo Lino." He said gently, "Take your time lady. We have rescued you from the underground slave mines. I don't know when you were brought there, but today is Juldye, the second day of Grawnya, in this the Light's year 1201." His smile was very warm and he sat down next to her and taking off his long black wool coat, wrapped it around her. "You are probably dying of thirst and hunger." he said again, quietly. "From the look of you, you were most likely there a lot longer than the others. You aren't Semhari are you?" He traced the tattoos on her cheek, then smiled again. "Carthian, do you know Kinara De'nakashta? We are close friends. And the man that travels with her, William Mandragoran? I have worked closely with her Guild for years, they have helped me build the resistance to Semhar's corrupt government. I've been so busy here, lately, that I have not had word from my friends for some time." He snapped his fingers again and another of his friends brought water and some bread and cheese. Maximo set then in Aera's lap. "Drink and eat, they will help you." He watched her for some time, then drew her hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear, then he paused in surprise. "You have been bitten by a vampir." He said, even more quietly, just to her. "Who are you?" |
| I have returned | |
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| Aera Jusona | Nov 2 2009, 03:30 PM Post #5 |
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The cool air helped get her senses back in order, but even as what little moonlight shone through the trees, she was still pretty pale. Feeling someone move her to gain access to her arms, Aera winced as pain seared through her arms, though felt relief flood through them as the manacles were removed. As the man, she heard his name being Maximo Lino, moved the stray hair from her face and traced the mountain of green on her cheek, she tried to shake it away, still a bit unfamiliar with the situation. He informed her of the date and year; the year sounded right, but the day...had it been that long? She couldn't remember the day or month in which she and Logain had been in Eystra. Kinara... As Maximo said the old Commander's name, a tear silently formed in the Earth Lieutenant's eyes, recalling the white-haired woman that so valiantly defended Carthan and their allies against the Shiranai all those years ago. "I...I knew her...she perished in battle...at least ten years past." The brunette wasn't going to reveal much more than that until she knew this man better, but for now, food and drink were offered to her, which she accepted gratefully. The water was cool to her dried lips, easily quenching her thirst. The food...it was as if heaven had been offered to her in that one bite. She ate slowly, not wanting to make herself sick as she tried to prop herself up on her own. Maximo's sudden gesture of placing her hair behind her ear to check her neck made her anxious, back on edge once again, but his next set of words made the flashback come in more clearly. Vampir...vampire? Wait...I remember now...that attack in Eystra... The sudden pain in her neck, the sensation of being robbed of all energy... Why did she not realize that sooner? Now forcing her gaze upon the man who rescued her, she cleared her throat after taking another sip of water. "My name is Aera Jusona...Earth Lieutenant of the Guild in Kalimshere. I remember...being in Eystra, looking for some sign of a cure for the illness that has spread across the world, but we had found out that Eystra's monarchy had been taken over by vampires. I had slipped back into the city to find a way into their library and find the real king, but I got attacked..." Her hand went to the two small puncture wounds on her throat, as if recalling that incident again. How could she have let her guard down that quickly? And to end up in Semhar of all places...? I must have been out for quite a spell. She thought, taking a bit more bread and cheese; she would need all the strength she could get after those lost days. |
| Strong as the Earth and gentle as the Wind, a Warrior and a Lady... | |
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Shyla Tadros
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Nov 2 2009, 03:52 PM Post #6 |
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A member of the guild, his face lightened. She would be very useful, she would have knowledge and experience in battle and she would also have the aid of Kinara- His eyes widened in shock and it was as if the very life drifted from his eyes. He had not known of Kinara's death, he'd been too steeped in the fight in his homeland. Ten years... "Light forgive me of my words. I did not think to give you pain. I did not know." He listened to what she said next, but only barely. The knowledge of his friends gone from this world had affected him. He'd always believed that Kinara and Will were one step ahead of death. That they would be there the day he finally won against the corruption in his land and be at his side for its downfall. He could almost here William's voice, the cheeky remarks, the soft jabs at the stoic woman he called wife in private. Maximo let a soft sigh escape his lips after Aera Jusona had fallen quiet herself. "Ten years have gone by since I saw them, I should have known, but now, the world seems a little less bright at the knowledge of their death. I've been fighting this regime for so long..." He wiped tears from his face and shook his head, trying to find his smile again. "We must move you when you are ready. We can return to my estate in the capital. You are of the Guild in Carthan, you will be of great use to me if you wish to help me fight the vampires that are now in control of our own government. I have sources that have told me that they have infested the leadership of the whole Ulutain. No one is safe...except perhaps those in the north, I don't know anyone, Vampir or not, that would try and attack those hardened Kostromans...not in their own homeland. Deranged northmen." He said it with a light laugh. "Come, Aera, we should take our leave of the valley here, and head back into the city. The others will go their own way, but you may come with me and be under my protection, if you wish. These are dark times and friends must try and stay together. It pains me to tell you, but yesterday we received news that Carthan has fallen to a Zombie army and the vampires have completely destroyed Terra. The west has fallen. We in the east are all that's left." He shook his head in sadness. |
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| Aera Jusona | Nov 2 2009, 04:04 PM Post #7 |
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Legacy Earth Lieutenant
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Listening to his words and what he had planned seemed a lot better than staying here and waiting to be caught again. No doubt whoever had dragged her to that hellhole would be on their way, trying to retrieve their 'stolen property'. Nodding, the woman ate some more before trying to stand, unaccustomed to using her legs in the few days she had been unconscious. Leaning against a tree for support, Aera just about collapsed again when the news was received...about Carthan's fall. "Light..." Was all she whispered as she sank to her knees in sorrow. But wait...zombies...who had such power to wield those unsightly beings in battle? A chill ran down her spine at the possibilities, but she was more or less concerned of the other members of the Guild; where were they now? Were they safe? Her attention was once again diverted back to Maximo as he mentioned something about Kostoma, and she thought about Lasher Tadros. "Kostomans may be stubborn, but they will not allow themselves to be dictated over or defeated that easily. They are proud people, Kostomans. I used to butt heads with Lasher Tadros in my youth..." A brief chuckle followed as if to recall those memories before she tried to stand once more, this time having some degree of success. "As for aiding you and your allies against the vampires here, I will accept that offer. Besides, they owe me for what they did to me." Those blue eyes of her blazed with an inner fire that seemed all too familiar a sensation as she nodded to the resistance leader. "As long as there are people with the freedom to choose their fate, this world will not fall to those of darkness." Testing her legs once again, Aera tugged the wool coat around her tighter to ward off the chill as she tried to make her way slowly towards the group, still a bit wobbly on her legs. |
| Strong as the Earth and gentle as the Wind, a Warrior and a Lady... | |
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Shyla Tadros
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Nov 2 2009, 04:25 PM Post #8 |
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Maximo nodded with a smile. It seemed that the whole world agreed when it came to Kostromans. They would figure out their land and their own battles. The eastern peninsula needn't worry about them. Maximo watched Aera stand and gave her his arm for support. "You have Guild determination. I am thankful that you are here. There is much to be done. We will be safe in my house. The government has tried to eradicate me for years." He laughed. "But i am beloved of the people. No one can touch us, not even Vampir. They would have to explain my death to angry mobs if they tried to move against me an mine. When we get to my estate, we will talk more, and you can eat more and sleep. No doubt you have been through enough for one night." He helped her walk and soon they were passing trees, a river and lights started to raise in the distance. "Have you ever been to our fair city?" Maximo asked as the great Semhari capital of Tarkin came into view. "I have never been to the west, where the cities are the greatest in the world, but I have been south, and I still think that our golden city shines like no where else." He smiled, pride obviously plain on his face. He loved his home and his people. The city was beautiful, shimmering in the moonlight and magic lanterns. The streets were not busy, only a few people coming and going. The Palace district was light up, a beacon in the darkness. Gold everywhere. Maximo pointed to an estate, smaller, but still beautiful in the moonlight that was to the to the right of the shimmering palace. "That is my house and grounds. It shouldn't take us long to get there. once we're in city limits i'll call a coach to pick us up." They walked on in silence for the most part. Maximo was still hurting from the news of his fallen friends, but he was also trying to put his personal feelings aside and remain focused on the task at hand. The only task he'd worked his life toward: destruction of the government, re-establishment of power, peace, and an end to the slave trade in his country. But now there were vampires to contend with. Soon they were within city limits. The lights and the building were all the more glamorous up close. They were literally covered with gold. Maximo called out and a young man came running, pulling a wheeled coach behind him. Maximo helped Aera up into the seat and then turned to the few people that were left behind him. He made a few quick gestures and they were all gone. In different direction through the city. The survivors of the rescue attempt being taken to safe houses where they would be rehabilitated and sent to other countries for their safety. Maximo looked at Aera after he dropped a few gold coins into the young mans hand and told him to take him home. "They will all be taken care of." he said softly. "But i cannot know where they are going to be kept or where they will be sent. Its better i not know. I trust those men, and if i were ever court marshaled I won't have to lie." The buggy ride took only a few minutes. The young man obviously knew his way around and Maximo kept himself silent in the presence of a public servant. Once they were on Lino grounds he tipped the driver and then helped Aera down and walked with her, slowly, up to the doors of his city house. |
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| Aera Jusona | Nov 2 2009, 04:58 PM Post #9 |
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Legacy Earth Lieutenant
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At first, she thought she could handle being on her own two legs, but realizing that she was about to fall over, managed to grab the offered arm and steadied herself as the world started spinning again. "I should not have stood up so quickly..." She murmured softly while forcing her legs to move, one after the other, as Maximo lead the small group of rescuers and the rescued out of the woods toward a glimmering light in the distance. At first, she thought it was due to the fact she was still somewhat delusional from lack of proper food from the past few days, but as they got closer, Maximo started speaking about how the government tried to get rid of him for several years, but was untouched due to the fact the people of Semhar loved him. That's good. That is, until they develop some false charge or something against him that gives the government a good reason to assassinate him. Aera thought to herself, soon seeing more lights and a river flowing into a city that seemed to be covered with gold. Apparently this was the capital city of Semhar, so this was a first for her in any case. Momentarily blinded at the sheer brilliance, the woman barely heard what was said about the city being better than all else. Her mind still swam with unfamiliar details, taking in each new scenery as if it was the last time she would see such finery. "I admit, this is as far east as I have ever been before. I have heard of Semhar itself, but no other details. Most of my life I have been in Carthan, and Kalimshere was my home. At this point, I have been as far west as Darya only for a while during the Shiranai War, and I've been in Kostroma once or twice." To her, it was hard to believe such a large amount of gold was acquired to create such splendor; what about the poor? Were they forced to work in the mines like she almost did? Now that they were inside the city borders, Maximo called for a young man and his carriage, which came quickly. True, Aera was a bit of a stubborn woman at times and this was no different as she tried to ascend the carriage herself, but relented and let Maximo help her up. She glanced back at the others and waved farewell just as the man explained that it would be better that he didn't know where the others were going, in case he got into trouble. "Then how would you get in touch with them again should you need their help to free others?" She asked, situating herself in the seat as it started to move toward the mansion. As the trip continued in silence, Aera looked down at her clothes, and blushed a little. They were torn, dirtied, and slightly bloody from the ordeal, which caused her to be a bit self-conscious and pull the coat tighter around herself. She looked like a mess, but what would the people say about this nice-dressed official of the city aiding someone who looked like she just crawled from the gutters? Trying to make herself somewhat more presentable, the woman quietly spat on her hands to try and at least wash off some of the grime on her face just as the carriage stopped in front of Maximo's home. Again, he played the gentleman and helped her down, then proceeded to escort her into his home. |
| Strong as the Earth and gentle as the Wind, a Warrior and a Lady... | |
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Shyla Tadros
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Nov 4 2009, 12:10 AM Post #10 |
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He walked with her up the steps and pushed the giant doors to the manor open. They shut noisily behind him, making him jump. He gave a nervous laugh and smiled at her. "That's always too much for me. Stupid doors." He shook his head and laughed again. "Those men," he said to Aera, "I'll not see for five years. We have a system. With me for one, away for five. They are escaped slaves themselves. Its took risky to keep them here too long. But I have more friends in the city, don't worry about that." He took a piece of flint from his pocket and hit it against the stone of the wall, it burst into flame, lighting up the Semharian's face. He was beautiful, Semhari women would say, so beautiful. Bright blue eyes, dark black hair, sharp clean face, high cheek bones. But as beautiful as the face was, it was also tired, and the brow was furrowed together in thought. But Maximo thinking, was still sexy. He lit a candle, then lifted up a small sliver bell and rang it. It was the softest ring, dainty. He set it back down and turned to Aera, spreading his right arm wide and wrapping it around her. "Now, we'll get you cleaned up, dressed in clean clothes, get you a room and some more food. Sound nice?" He was smiling at her, then looked up as he heard footsteps coming from the great stairway before him. Maximo raised the candle up to see who it was. A finely dressed servant with a dull expression came toward them. "Henri, this is Aera Jusona, she is a lady that will be staying with us for some time. I want you to set her up in the East room, which is our finest," he said to Aera, "Then spread out some clothes for her to pick from, its going to be fine dresses I'm afraid, Semhari culture demands frivolous clothes for its women," he said to Aera again appologetically, "and once she's got her room, send for Mildre and get her a nice warm bath. When she's ready, show her into my study. I'm working late tonight." The servant bowed deeply, but anyone could tell that the man was bored, and didn't like his job. He extended his hand to Aera, being polite, assuming she needed his help to walk. Maximo shifted Aera so that Henri could help her up stairs. "Oh, and Henri, inform cook that our guest will need a meal, and make it a hearty one at that, I'm famished." Henri bowed again and began to move Aera away from his master. "Oh, and one more thing, Henri, did the letters i've been waiting for come today?" The servant inclined his head, meaning 'yes'. Maximo gave him a genuine smile. "Thank you." "Will there be anything else, sir?" Maximo shook his head. Henri turned to Aera. "This way, if you please, lady." |
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| Aera Jusona | Nov 4 2009, 12:33 AM Post #11 |
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Maximo answered her question about making sure he would protect himself by not seeing those he rescued for five years, but then reassured her with the fact he had many friends in the city just in case. Here she nodded, continuing to follow his lead up the stairs toward the doors of the mansion. Upon entering inside, she was taken aback by the darkness despite the heavily-lit outdoors before being startled by the doors slamming shut. Maximo had moved aside to light a candle, letting his face be illuminated by the flickering light. If it were not for the fact she was still half-out of it, she would have at least blushed a bit at the appearance, if not for the sudden arm around her shoulders. After ringing a bell, Maximo had mentioned having her take some time to refresh herself, which sounded all well and fine. An extra set of footsteps approached the two, causing her to look up in response to see who it was. Another candle flickered to life, removing shadows from another male face, whom Maximo identified as Henri. As he started giving orders to the servant, Aera tried to protect. "Please...I am no lady...I am certain...to handle this on my own..." But at the thought of having to wear dresses, she shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I..." Having not worn any dresses for many long years, the woman grimaced; she was a warrior for the Guild, not some noblewoman! Light, right now she barely even looked the part of just a normal woman at that! Just as the servant got ready to leave to show Aera her room, Maximo had mentioned something about letters coming in, which made her wonder just what letters they were, and from whom. Maybe from other leaders informing him of what's going on...or from his people... She thought, deciding to try and walk on her own this time without Henri's assistance. "I appreciate the offer, but I should be capable of handling things from here." She tried to give the man a friendly smile while carefully testing her balance one step at a time as the two slowly moved upstairs. It took a while longer than expected, but Aera was determined to at least do something on her own. She didn't feel comfortable being doted on and treated like some sort of noble; she was a Carthian for Light's sake, and when did she know any comfort like this? True he is a nice man, but still...how in the Light am I going to get through this night with a dress?! Arriving at the room, she made her way to the closest chair as Henri went to retrieve some dresses for her to choose from before disappearing to inform Mildre. "I just need a tub and some warm water to wash this..." But it seemed like the man didn't hear her as he left the room. The woman sighed, shaking her head. Yes she was grateful for being rescued, but why in Light's name did it have to be in a country where women were confined to bothersome attire? Edited by Aera Jusona, Nov 9 2009, 10:36 PM.
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Shyla Tadros
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Nov 18 2009, 06:43 PM Post #12 |
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(((If this isn't enough let me know. I wasn't sure if I was power playing or not, i can change what you want me to, no problem. I think that you should write returning to the study where Maximo is and we can take it from there, but i'm more than willing to have a few posts with the maid if you want to have a little girl time before stuffy male politics, haha!  Sorry it took me so long to reply, but i'll have you know that i posted for you this evening before I started my home work, so you came first! YAY! Enjoy.)))Mildre was a young woman, dark hair with dark eyes and a smile that seemed to be present on her face not matter the situation. She was a loyal servant to the Lino house hold and no one spoke badly of the Master of the house while she was around. The maid entered the guest room, her slim body moving gracefully inside the door. She turned and shut it quietly. The woman she saw on sitting on the bed looked tired, worn out and dirty. She gave her a warm smile. "Of course you need a bath." She said in response to the statement the woman made that Henri ignored. "Don't mind him, he's stuffy and old and doesn't like to serve, even though its his job." The young maid laughed at her own description of the man and she turned to open the door behind her again when there was a knock at the door. More servants entered, carrying a large heavy tub, lined with soft white linen for comfort. They placed it in the other room, and soon there were buckets of water brought up and the tub was filled. Mildre beckoned for them all to leave and soon it was just she and Aera. "Come, lady, i'll help you to your bath." She gently placed her hand under Aera's arm and helped her to stand, then very diligently helped the guest out of her dirty, tattered clothes and into the tub. There was some grumbling from the other woman about modesty that Mildre brushed aside with a soft, "Its nothing I don't own myself, I'm only here to help." Once the tub was occupied Mildre slipped her hand into the water and spoke a few word and the temperature of the water rose to a steaming warmth that would surely sooth aching muscles. Then she stood up, found a small stool, a wash basin, a pitcher and some soaps and set about washing Aera's hair. All the while the young woman spoke softly, about her interest of the western cities and her sadness for the news that had reached Semhar of its fall. "You are lucky that you were not in Carthan months ago, the news coming out of there was brief and we've had none since. It is believed of us now that the city is entirely lost. I am sorry." She lifted the pitcher, dipped it into the bath water and poured it over Aera's hair to wet it, then drew up some soap and lathered it into the woman's hair, let it soak, then rinsed it out into the basin and set it aside. She reached for another bottle of soap and smoothed it over Aera's hair to soften it. "This is flower essence, it smells wonderful and nothing makes hair shine or feel as smooth as this. Its my own secret recipe." She giggled. "It so wonderful, you'll feel refreshed in no time." When she was through with washing Aera's hair she found a sponge, more soap and set about lifting Aera's legs and arms in turn to wash them, oils after that to sooth and relax her muscles then left her after warming the water again to soak and clean the other area's of her body. As Aera soaked in the tub, Mildre moved through the bed room, lighting oil lamps and lighting the fire to warm up the cool room. She opened the bed room door at another knock and accepted clean sheets of fine linen to freshen the bed with. Soon the both rooms were comfortbly warm, and Aera, done with her bath was helped from the tub, wrapped in long luxurious towels was helped back to the bed where the young maid dried her hair then combed it then went to the closet to go through the dresses for Aera to pick out. "Which would you prefer, lady? The red, blue, green or yellow?" Each was as lovely as the last and all a of fine Kostroman silk. Mildre waited for Aera to choose with her patient warm smile. "We'll get you dressed and then i'll help you to the study where cook has set out a hearty meal for Master Lino and you." |
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| Aera Jusona | Nov 19 2009, 09:10 AM Post #13 |
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Legacy Earth Lieutenant
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((It's fine by me.  ))It wasn't long before the maid had arrived, and already Aera was starting to feel a bit better due to the woman's ever-present smile it seemed. She reminded the brunette so much of her mother back when she was a girl... The Carthian had to force herself not to think about that as a tub and buckets of water were brought in. The two were alone once again with the tub full of steaming liquid, and Mildre had moved to her side and began helping her out of her clothes, even though she still insisted on having those washed and fixed. "It...it is not modesty; I am not used to having a bath...but I do not need to be doted upon. I am no one special." Aera spoke up as Mildre helped her in the tub. Cringing a bit as the heat from the water made contact with her skin (not to mention a few open cuts from the trip to Semhar), it took some time for the brunette to relax, and even then she wasn't used to the whole bathing ritual; back in the Guild, she would normally bring a bucket of water to her room with a rag and just wash up quickly. Mildre had asked about the western cities, to which Aera replied to the best of her knowledge. I should remind myself to travel more often...I feel so ignorant of the rest of the world... She thought to herself, closing her eyes as a pitcher of water was dumped onto her head. At the mention of the other's relief that she wasn't in Carthan when it fell, the Earth Lieutenant ignored the other's scrubbing of her hair and said, "In hearing that, I would rather be in Carthan now...I cannot believe I lost so much time..." Again she swore to not lower her guard again, and as soon as possible get back to Carthan and find out if there were any survivors. There has to be. If I can find who else was responsible, because somehow I do not think the vampires would not have come that far...have they? Her thoughts were once more interrupted as Mildre explained that she had some 'flower essence' and was going to use it on her hair to soften it up. "No no please..." Aera began to object, but it was already too late. It does smell nice though...I have to admit... She thought afterward, falling silent for now; it had already been proven that the maid was dead-set in making sure she was good and cleaned despite what the young woman said. The tub was refilled with fresh warm water, and now that her hair was done, the maid set on cleaning the remaining dirt from her skin. Despite the fact she was now clean and warmed from the water and the fires Mildre had started to stoke to life, Aera's stomach growled loudly, causing her to wince a bit. "It probably would have been better for me to eat first, that way I can just wash and go to bed without any other worries..." She murmured softly as Mildre returned to assist her from the tub and wrapped warm towels around her body. "I could just fall asleep right now..." Aera added, unable to hold back a yawn. As the maid ran a comb through her now-dried hair, the brunette couldn't help but start humming a song her mother would sing when she was little. Shaking her head to force herself to stay awake, Aera glanced at the dresses Mildre had taken out. Stepping forward to touch each one gingerly, she couldn't believe it - real Kostoman silk - but these were for people of nobility, not for someone like her who grew up near Carthan's borders, not for someone who was raised in the farmlands, and especially not for someone like her who spent most of her life with some sort of weapon in her hands fighting against tyranny and despair! "I...I cannot accept. If I could just have my clothes repaired and cleaned..." She started to say. Mildred held up a hand to interrupt her, the smile still present on her friendly face. "Oh hush now. You'll have your old clothes back, but women here - even a maid like me - deserve to be respected and treated kindly. That's custom here; it's been that way for many, many years." Aera cringed at this, but nodded reluctantly. She didn't want to break tradition and offend her host and rescuer, even if the bothersome garment would make her really uncomfortable. After deciding on the blue gown to match her eyes, Mildre helped her dress before escorting her downstairs into the study (amid Aera nearly tripping over the long skirts), where the scent of delicious food was overwhelming; it made the brunette want to grab the nearest piece of food and start eating as her stomach rumbled again. |
| Strong as the Earth and gentle as the Wind, a Warrior and a Lady... | |
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12:48 PM Nov 23
