~ One Last Kiss Before We Say Au Revoir (Elmaryia, PM to join)

[Straylor Leonard]

Current timestamp of visition. Post-Sacred Circle Meeting.

Continued from here ...

After thanking the clerk for his keys, Straylor easily entered his room upstairs and settled his things atop the bed. It was spacious. The suite had its private bathroom and some luxurious commodities, including a large dresser, a looking glass, and even a small sitting area to accomodate friends. It was worth the gold. Smiling to himself, Straylor quickly changed from his traveling clothes to a set of more comfortable, if not a little frivolous, combination of garb.

He wore a tan coloured vest over a long-sleeved poet shirt. He buttoned it neatly, leaving two unbuttoned near his neck. He then picked out the matching trousers, and his long jacket to complete the set. The clothes reminded him fondly of Natura ... and he quickly remembered Venn and the Archdruidess. How were they?

Taking his belt from his previous set of clothes, Stray strapped it on along with his twin shortswords. He didn't bother bringing the shield. He did, however, include the knight-hilted daggers which were hidden on sheaths strapped to both his military boots. Striding towards the door, he locked it behind him before making his way downstairs.

"Thanks", he smiled at a nearby waitress after he ordered a small bottle of wine. Then, finding an empty table he allowed his dark eyes to scan the room looking for the only woman he wanted to be with at that very moment.

[Elmaryia Grey Leonard]

It was late afternoon when Elmaryia had finished with her duties in setting up the ambassador office to bring information to the citizen's of Prime about Trysvale. Due to the chilly autumn air Elmaryia had adorned her velvet crimson rabbit fured cloak. While the garment was expensive it was a wise purchase as her black cloak was tattered and torn.

At her heel's Dilligence her assistant followed. He had papers in his hands and other books of information that he would not let his object of his affection carry. " Miss Grey do you think it a wise decision for me to be stationed in Prime? I mean I would be of far more use in Trysvale with you at the office."

Perhaps that was true but Elmaryia needed sometime away from him. In the absence of Straylor the old man was growing quite bold with his flirtations. The previous brightening he had brushed up against her in the guise of grabbing a book from a shelf. He was also speaking unflattering words about Straylor, and a few moments she had to tell him to stop.

" I can not stay here for great lengths of time. I will have to visit other cities, also I need to plan my wedding. It is in a few cycles." The woman was usually a patient woman and it took her much to get her flustered. Though at this moment she spoke to Dilligence in a annoyed tone.

" He will break your heart Elmaryia. He has a wandering eye. He is not the type of man that will remain faithful. You shall see one brightening Elmaryia you will find him in bed with another." Dilligence knew that he was speaking boldly to his employer but the wedding was fast approaching and he was desperate to stop it.

With a flourish she took the items from his hands and wrapped her arms around the books and pieces of parchment. " Look here old man. If you speak one more ill word. I shall fire you and make sure that you do not work ever again in Trysvale. Now I think it would be wise if you leave me alone." The words were spoke with thick malice and anger. Not wishing to anger Elmaryia further he scampered away and went upstairs to his chamber.

I need a drink and some food. I can not wait to be away from that old man. In a foul mood Elmaryia looked around for an empty table. It was then that she seen him. He was beautiful and Straylor often hated to be called so. After all beautiful was not a very manly term. With a wide smile for the moment her annoyance and anger forgotten she walked over to the table.

" You came. I thought you would not be able to step away. I have missed you." Despite the over populated city Elmaryia still some nights felt alone despite her entourage of familure faces. Putting the items that she had on the table she leaned in and lightly kissed Straylor. Seeing the wine she laughed softly and sat down. " I am in much need of a glass of wine. My beautiful prince charming." Elmaryia teased.

[Straylor Leonard]

Straylor had been resting his feet against the opposite chair from him. He idly regarded the passing waitresses and the other passerbyers with little interest. Perhaps Elmaryia was already off to Jaedaxia? The thought of Iseult and Ci'aran walking to Medonia caused Stray to grin slightly. Perhaps he would turn Izzy into a horse and have Ci'aran ride her ... in the most literal sense, of course. Then again, giving Izzy an extra kick with hooves might prove counterproductive after all.

Suddenly, his eyes caught movement as Elmaryia's form approached him. Getting up, Straylor recieved her in his arms and placed a kiss on her lips, lingering there for a moment longer. "Oh, yeah It's been a long brightening", he grinned at the mention of wine, "have a seat, I'll pour you some." With another kiss he pulled a nearby chair for Elma before producing another wine glass from a passing waiter. "There you go, love. How was ambassadoring?" He smiled then flicked his glass upward, recieving the crimson liquid with a satisfied sigh.

[Elmaryia Grey Leonard]

Feeling his warm arms encircle her slender waist she wrapped her arms around his neck and met his kiss with equal tenderness. " Yes it has been a long brightening. I am beginning to hate Dilligence Tink. If he was not so knowledgable of the Trysvale I would through him right on his wrinkled arse." Elmaryia murmured as she took the offered seat and sat down.

Taking the offered wine she took a sip and let it grace her pallet. Closing her eyes for a moment in blissful satisfaction she swallowed the sweet liquid. At her fiance's question she opened her eyes and smiled.

" It has been quite eventful. I meet the govenor of Prime her name is Liselle and she is a fine woman. I thought that she would be an old wrinkle faced bore, but she is quiet interesting and very friendly. I have been setting up my office and getting that in order. I spent some of the allowance on a cloak. I feel guilty due to the expensiveness of the item, but if I am going to be rubbing elbows with the blue bloods my tattered black cloak would not do."

It had been a cycle since they parted and she was curious to see what he had been up too. " I also made a fool of myself. As you know darling I have spent most of my life under a rock. I had no knoweldge of whom the regent was. Well one brightening I met two of his sisters. They are very nice ladies though Valanthia was quite shy." At her lack of political knoweldge she chuckled softly.

" What about you darling? What have you been up too. Also winter is quickly approaching. We are going to have to plan our wedding soon. That is if you still want to get married." Fething Dilligence.

[Straylor Leonard]

Straylor listened while his fiancee described her brightening. He didn't interupt, but managed to throw in a few lingering details out there. His trip to Aelyria Prime was something out of a bland text book, he said, nothing extrodinary happened. He did meet the Imperial Magus, and the elf was kind enough to recieve him into the Sacred Circle. "But I'll be based in Trysvale still", he added reassuringly, "you're not getting rid of me that easy. Plus, I think the Circle hopes to enlarge its influence in the Empire again. Too many ears have passed without adventuring and galliant deeds sponsored by the legendary Sacred Circle." He smiled and reached over the table for Elmaryia's hands.

"Darling, you know I want to marry you", he grinned before kissing her hands, "that, and I need someone to bear my children." Laughing Stray took the chance to take another sip of his wine and watched Elma do the same. He missed her greatly, and was already looking forward to seeing her again, in his arms, back in Trysvale. "I was hoping to get married before Spring. They say that it snows in Trysvale ... so it'll be beautiful. We could get married in Prosperity Square, maybe even trick the Aedile into naming a festival after the most beautiful woman ever to be wed to a government official in the Carmelyn." He smirked then kissed Elma's hands again. "What did you have in mind, love?"

[Elmaryia Grey Leonard]

The mention of the Sacred Circle caught Elmaryia's interest. Due to her sheltered life Elmaryia had never heard of such an organization. " The Sacred Circle what is that? Straylor sometimes I truely do feel like a half twit. I did not even know whom the regent was. I looked so foolish when I did not recognize the Levienne name." Feeling his warm lips on her hands ,Elmaryia giggled softly.

" I am just making sure. Dilliegence said that you would soon grow tired of me and that you had a wandering eye. Not that I believe such a thing mind you. I just do not want you to find me boring after twenty era's." As Elmaryia spoke these words her brow wrinkled as it often did when she was worried.

However at the mention of babies she almost choked on her wine, and managed a muffled chuckle as she composed herself. " Children... Before I never even thought of such things. I could not even protect my sister. Though I do think that I would love to have children. What if I am not a good mother? Saerunn abandoned my sister and I. She did not even fight for us." Those were her greatest fears that she would be a horribul mother and that Straylor would one brightening stop loving her.

For a moment she was silent as she contimplated what kind of wedding that she wanted. Usually the young woman was not indulge herself in fancy things, but she did want the ceremony to be beautiful and special. Perhaps she would allow herself that luxuary and not let herself feel an ounce of guilt.

" Well getting married in prosperity square would be lovely. I have not even purchased a wedding dress. Do you think it would be in bad taste for me to wear white? I am not the innocent virgine any longer. Not that I am complaining mind you." Elmaryia said with a soft chuckle.

" I think that I am going to have much fun though dressing Iseult in a dress. She will do it because she is family but I know that she will secretly hate it. I think that the dresses I am going to pick shall be pink in colour. Do you think that will be too cruel?" Elmaryia asked with a mishivious smile.

[Straylor Leonard]

Straylor laughed at the mention of Iseult in pink. "No, that's not too cruel." He chuckled as he took another sip of wine. Then, to a passing barmaid, he ordered something to eat. "Just some bread and cheese. And more wine, please." He winked at Elma and then sent off the waitress with a kind 'thank you'. "As for you being a mother, I think that all those things you endured will make you into a better mother than even I can imagine." Stray smiled then kissed Elma's hand again. "Worry not, my love. Some things passed happen for reasons above our mortal minds. Mayhaps the gods prepared you to be a mother in turn?" He paused, allowing Elma a few moments of reassurance before continuing.

"As for the Sacred Circle", Stray continued with an effective change-of-topic, "they are a band of politicians, knights, what have you who aim to bring good and welfare to the Empire again. Not a bunch of selfish, power mongering prats mind you." He grinned. "I believe that their general mission as of now is to extend their links in the Empire. Seek out new members, establish posts, remodel old forts. The usual. It's essentialy playing knight or soldier, except with grown ups this time."

Stray chuckled then shook his head when Elma mentioned not knowing who the Regeant was. He shrugged. "Oh well. I hardly know the guy either. Just hope he's not wasting all our tax gold, hmm? And white would be a pleasant choice for a wedding dress. I think it's more traditional than a sign of your virginity ... though you'll always be my innocent virgin."

[Elmaryia Grey Leonard]

Gently and with humor Elmaryia scolded her fiance. " I think that she would look quite lovely in that colour. It would highlight her skin tone and her blonde hair. Though every dress no matter what colour tone will be met with dissaproval." Elmaryia said with a chuckle.

His words of reassurance did lessen her worry some, but she still had her doubts. " I never loved someone so completely since my sister. Of course this is a different kind of love. I just do not want you to decided one brightening that you no longer love me. When did you start loving me? I think I knew when I was kidnapped. I was so afraid that I would never see you again."

The young woman's own wedding would be the first wedding that she was ever an audience too. She knew little about the occasion and the formalities. Straylor's comment on her questioning the appropriate colour for her wedding gown did make her blush. In the matters of expression of passion she was innocent and Straylor was the only man that she had ever laid with.

" Now that is true. Though I do think the colour of white would be fitting. Due to the coldness of the season perhaps I should have a cloak fashioned as well. I have an idea how I want my dress to look like. Pitty though that you will not be able to practice some magic. While I would be pleased with flowers I do enjoy the creative ways that you display your affections. I fear that when I learn sorcery my displays will not be as romantic. All the same my heart is yours and no longer my own." And that is what causes me some fear. To love someone unconditionaly and comepletely. Be kind Straylor Leonard and do not hurt me. I could not bare it.

[Straylor Leonard]

Straylor giggled when Elmaryia mentioned Sorcerery. In truth, he wouldn't see the woman he loved performing deeds of high adventure .... but then, deep inside, he saw the same metal that forged her elven steel shortsword inside her heart. She was a woman of steel; and those kind of women sought adventure and acts of courage. Elmaryia would be so much more than your typical ambassador, swordswoman, housewife. "Well, I'm sure you'll think of something as a wizard", he smiled then took a few more sips of his wine.

"Tell me, dear, who are we inviting to our wedding? You've already met my brother, so my parents are a natural second." He grinned. "How's your brother? Valan? And how many more cousins and half siblings does that Iseult have?" He chuckled then shook his head, "but honestly, with your position, and mine, we're obligated to invite politicians and nobles and such. And with your current agenda, the Regeant himself might show up as well."

[Elmaryia Grey Leonard]

What is so funny about me doing sorcery? I can do far more darling then house babies in my womb and pop them out like a farm cat.

Indeed the young woman would not be a simple house wife. She had been a prisoner for far to long and she would not be shackled to a coal burning stove nor the hungry suckling mouth of an infant.

Raising an eyebrow in feint annoyance Elmaryia was silent for a moment. " What is so humerious about me taking up the arcana sphere or sorcery? I can do it and I will do it."

At the mention of their impending wedding her ire softened some and she let a smile curve her lips. " Well Liam of course and I have not met the other siblings so their is no need to invite them. Besides their is a rift between Lynessa and Iseult and I do not want to make Iseult uncomfertable. I have also not seen Valan in months but I would like to invite him, as well as Ilista, and some of my staff."

The mention of inviting nobles and other politicians made her frown. " I would rather just invite people that have meaning to us. I do not want our wedding to be a place to rub elbows with the elite. It should be a gathering for us to express our love in the company of family and friends. I think I shall be writing my own vows. Also we need to discuss the venue and the food and drinks that we will be offering our guests."

Oh yes Straylor's parents. I wonder if they will like me. I already have an opinion of them regarding the abandonment of their son.

[Straylor Leonard]

OoC: Straylor's parents didn't abandon anyone Ci'aran left, and Straylor 'moved out' per se with their blessings

"Well, those are minor details ... the rest of our guests, that is." In truth, Stray did not want to assume that no one of the upper class, or nobility would join them. The fact was his parents would come, and probably pair themselves with more aristocracy, or people with hints of nobility. He didn't mention this, though. This was beyond the talk suitable for taverns.

"Venue? Well, we have Trysvale ... more or less. Prosperity Square is public ground. Most festivals are held there. I'm sure we can talk to the aedile ... either that, or I can declare martial law and order Prosperity Square evacuated pending our wedding?" He grinned the took another mouthfulls of wine. "For food, we have lots of friends in the farms. Most of them can cook, why not hire a handfull to prepare a feast? We can get the needed ingredients from P'a'S' or some of the Inns. The innkeepers know us by now, and they'd be willing to participate some if they were invited. Heh."

"And speaking of invited, what do you think about Diana?" He looked up at Elmaryia and studied her for a moment. "I mean the city, not the goddess. I'm planning to rounding up by that direction before going home. I need to speak to the Governor about some things regarding Trysvale ... Lady Glory and all that nonesense. Would you mind visiting the Church of Faith sometime?"

[Elmaryia Grey Leonard]

How could that be a small detail? It is our wedding for gods sake. The guests are very important. Perhaps I should learn elementism then I can shock him.

Her thought caused a soft chuckle to escape her lips. " Well I would not wish to burden the citizens by closing prosperity square, but that is a lovely venue. Do you really think darling that we will have that many guests? I am quite content with a small wedding."

The farmers would indeed be quite helpful, and gods knew that Elmaryia could not cook." I am sure that they will gladly cook for their beloved constable. Perhaps we should invite the citizens as well to our wedding."

Diana? While Elmaryia believed in an afterlife she did not prey nor pay homage to the gods. She knew that Straylor was a religious man and she respected that. Though upon hearing that it was the city that he was refering to, Elmaryia relaxed some.

" I have never been their before, I hear it is beautiful and I would like to see it. Would you like for me to meet you their?" At first Elmaryia was not very clear on his intentions. Though when he mentioned the church of the faith Elmaryia's body stiffened. " Why? I mean you know that I am not a very religious woman. Also what do you plan on doing about lady Glory?"