~Eventide Reflections~ (Open, Ladies Al'lende and Llyhedras)

[Lliae Llyhedras]

Her feet had found their way into the gardens surrounding Pirvan’s estate, and currently a small shape, dressed in the cool, flowing garb from her time in Arakmat, was moving with leisurely, directionless grace through the shadows and the fading light.
There was a hint of her passage as it wended round the trees and flowers in the rustle of cream-coloured silk… a gleam of the rising moon where it glinted off the golden trim… Lliae didn’t have that many beautiful clothes, but somehow taking a calming stroll decked out in her armour didn’t seem… right.
However being Lliae, it was almost certain that she was armed and a slight thud, heavier than a normal footstep, indicated that she was still wearing her boots… some habits, such as survival, were hard to break and though she might be dressed up in the gauzy silk, any night-roving predator with a passion for young women would find that attacking her would be biting of far more than he could chew.

But for now, her hair was loose and hung down to her knees in a slice of pure black in the gloom of the falling night, and her face was a picture of a maiden at her ease and taking pleasure in her exquisitely sculpted and trimmed surroundings.
A small smile curled up the corners of her mouth, the odd lilac pink of her lips and eyelids a stark contrast to the jade and lazuline undertones of her skin… the reason for her smile would be apparent to anyone with the talent to pick up the whisper of minds in the aether.
An owl sat on a branch above her head, and a gentle conversation was going on… humorous and poignant, in the best of tradition where their unusual relationship was concerned.
I haven’t seen you this lonely ever since that incident with the Cyraxathingy Valasse rattled her beak, eyeballing (and no one could eyeball like an owl) Lliae out of the corner of her beady eye.

‘It was a Cyraxian. And I’m not lonely, I’m… taking a little time apart, for myself,’ the Thëlyri maid murmured under her breath, pausing to take pleasure in the scent of a few early blooming roses as they gave up their perfume into the night air in remembrance of the warmth of the afternoon.
Don’t try to bugger me about, Elf, the owl shot back without rancour, but if you really feel the need to wander around like a consumptive heroine from a poorly written romantic play, then please yourself.
Lliae sighed, but without true feeling… among the many things that Valasse had picked up in her long and rambling association with the well-educated lady was an appreciation for the high arts, a passion for opera and the more classical forms of music, and of course a well-rounded sense of sarcasm that overlaid an ocean of razor sharp perceptiveness.

Not wishing to continue on that particular subject, she avoided replying by burying her face into the velvety petals of the small, tough roses that grew here in Frigid River, and let the smell wash over her.
She hadn’t had much opportunity to have many luxuries in her life for near to a decade now, and while she might look the part of a Lady, she secretly wished that her hair could be as golden and soft as the Lady Al’lende she had met recently, or that her dark eyes could shine like the bright bronze discs of Andavariel, or that her hands, though kept softened because of her trade as a Midwife but as tough and as durable as chamois leather through constant use, were as indulgently delicate and fine-skinned as theirs were.
Or that she could have their wonderful graciousness… Lliae had grace, but she moved like a tiger rather than like a splendid peacock. Even… and she could scarcely admit this, even to herself, even if she weren’t build like two halves of peaches on a plank.

She cast the thoughts out, embarrassed at her sudden attack of soppiness, and instead decided to watch the moon as it rose, golden then platinum then silver, into the vault of the star-bejewelled sky.

ooc: Ready for any weird and wonderful stuff?

[Wessex de Evile IV]

(Continued from exposition post in Ariumite Highlands...)

The man blinked and looked around at the lush garden in momentary confusion. What the heck brought him here? Sometimes it was best to let random direction take course, but he expected to be dropped in near a tavern or a center of learning or something of the sort...

Adjusting the adamantite spectacles on his nose -- they were an afterthought to the whole image, conjured just before he'd thrown himself into the bend of reality that had taken him here -- he took a quick glance in a nearby pool, double-checking that everything was nominally all right. The image presented was one of a young human man in his early twenties, rather slim and attired in in loose clothing befitting the Empire's sprawling middle class -- cream-colored shirt, brown pants with suspenders holding them up, worn leather boots -- a knapsack slung over his left shoulder bulging with tomes and a book in his right hand, thumb holding his place -- if he was going to travel and carry the things, he might as well catch up on his reading -- and some unruly tousled brown hair, most unlike his normal perfect blond spikes. Not at all anybody extraordinary at all, just a wandering bookish scholar. The perfect disguise for asking questions and looking innocent enough that few would suspect anything more.

He looked around his immediate surroundings to see what could have possibly brought him here and saw... a female figure in gauzy silk, looking up at the sky, the reflection from the moon giving her an almost ethereal look. The man took a deep breath, and glancing around, found a small rock suitable for his purpose on the ground nearby. With a whisper of power it appeared between him and the almost-ethereal figure. Steeling himself, he opened the book and held it up to his face as if he were absorbed in the text, reading it by the moonlight, and walked towards the woman, the rock in place to ensure that there would be an inevitable collision with fate...

[Lliae Llyhedras]

She didn’t hear him coming, which was remarkable for her hypersensitive ears, and really the only first indication she got of the man’s presence in the garden was when he tripped over that rock that she had somehow missed, and stumbled right into her.
Lliae might have been a fleet-footed warrior, sleekly toned muscle and with amazing agility, but all of that was good for pretty much stuff all when the reality was that you weren’t a very large person, and she didn’t even have time to brace herself before she got bowled into by a fully grown Human man.
The Telera blinked, then gripped his upper arms hard with either small hand in a futile gesture towards regaining some balance, they teetered in a wobbly way on the rim of gravity’s glass for a moment and then, with a quiet exclamation of,
‘Oh… bugger…’ they toppled over gently onto the grass with a soft thump.

The pages of his book rattled a bit in the breeze for a moment before Lliae lifted her head and, as politely as possible, she pushed him off and sat up, smelling slightly of crushed grass and with her dress askew.
Not for the first time, she reflected why dresses were such an annoyance and a pair of pants was infinitely preferable over a dress any day… her legs tangled for a moment before, with a bit of effort, she managed to unwrap herself from the confines of the cloth.
‘I’d ask if you’re hurt, but I think I broke your fall,’ she groaned without rancour, with a grin that held the slightest bit of a wince, stretching her arm so she could rub at complaining shoulderblades, and after getting to her feet, helped him back to a vaguely vertical position.
Let’s see… bookish, glasses, distracted expression of the sort of person who happily lives in a world made out of words inside their own head…

Lliae was no mean scholar herself, but she recognised a terminal library addict when she saw one, and immediately forgave his absentmindedness that had ended up in both of them sprawling on the grass. She was a kindly person in general though she couldn’t abide sillyness and loathed high-handedness in others, and so she went to plucking the few grass blades out of her hair while she looked at him in the small amount of light left.
‘You must have very good eyes,’ she commented finally after a moment or two of silent contemplation of the Human, during which any thoughts she might have had been a complete mystery behind a poker face marred ever so slightly by a tiny smile.
‘I mean… no wonder you tripped over that rock, you had to have been straining a bit.’ And she handed his book back to him.

What was a young Human man doing in her grand-nephew’s grounds? True, she didn’t know every single one of Pirvan’s friends, but she was sure he would have mentioned if he had a visitor… wouldn’t he?
No matter. With a mental shrug, she decided to wait to see if he was going to explain his presence himself.

[Cassidy Al'lende]

Unless Wessex had an intense, master plan of seducing the Lord of the Kaldres manor, Cassidy and he were not on his estate's property for similar reasons. She didn't think her ideas were so materialistic- a woman had to do what she had to do to guarantee happiness in her life. And it was hardly a female's problem if men could be so easily persuaded... by carnal delights. Yet, to her own curiousity and slight confusion, Pirvan differed. This either meant that there was more to the dark skinned man, or like many women of this day- he read, or received an eduction - which would result in the illness of internal, or in his case - external sexual organs. It truly was a shame.

Ha. She didn't believe that rubbish. Why, she'd read plenty and had no problem with the act of lust. So much that she believed herself fully practiced-- Enough. This certain lady hardly expected anyone to be with her along the massive, swirling routes and paths within the garden, and never really fancied gardens to -begin- with... however there wasn't much privacy within the Kaldres' manor, something she'd change, of course.

A pearly white tooth nibbled on the luscious lip below it, where the pouted bow of her lips grew into a seductive, pink mouth and expanded enough, so that if desired - a most appealing dimple may strike her left, fair cheek. However, Cassidy rarely smiled in truth. She was in a dilemma. Pirvan was being most unwilling. A sound, and then a gasp- and then a low groan. Her eyes widened, as she ceased walking, hidden behind the lavish, tender branches of a small tree. Peaking across the way, Cass'dea's silvery blue eyes flashed when she saw no one other than Lliae, Pirvan's Grand-aunt, with a younger man, positively making love in the middle of the grounds!

A squeal escaped those ruby lips, and Cassidy's slender hand fled over her mouth, as laughter curled in the most melodious way from her. Her golden locks were tied back in a lazy braid, held with a polished leather strap, that bounced against her round derrier and swayed in a similar fashion as her hips. Her gown was the same as she'd attired this day, as her damned coach had disappeared. She hoped to go shopping soon, anyhow. Ah, well- Lliae didn't seem like a prissy one, anyhow. Good for her, Cassidy thought wryly...fully planning to give the couple some privacy.

Maybe Lliae was on the Kaldres estate for the same reason, afterall.

[Venn Drega]

He had rode up the thane’s palatial manor and dismounted, asking a servant whether or not Lliae Llhedryas was present. Given an affirmative answer he declined an escort when he was told that she was spotted toward the gardens, wanting to surprise her. He hoped that she would receive him well given their precarious relationship.

Throwing his worn traveling cloak over his arm, he walked through the garden slowly, buying time to formulate an explanation for his presence. He had left for Natura to attend to his duties after Kaldres-Lothain wedding in Silrosia and had not seen the Telera since, although he had thought of her more often than was healthy.

He came now, seeking her presence, even if only as a friend, but he was all too aware of the feelings he tried to bury in the depths of his psyche. He had of late felt a sickness in his own heart born of visiting the families of his comrades-in-arms that had fallen in the battle of Zerdargia. The reactions of the widows and orphans weeping upon him had pierced him to the quick, wounding him more deeply than any orc’s blade or goblin’s poisoned arrow. The venom of guilt and sorrow had run its course through his veins and was slowly destroying him. One of the only refuges he could think of was in the unpretentious and quirky company of Lliae.

He was struggling still to find words to say when he heard a sound and turned a corner around a hedge. What he saw made his breath catch in his throat and his face to go suddenly pale. Wide-eyed, he stared a moment at the scene down the path before him. It was Lliae, there was no mistaking her couched upon the ground with a young man atop her on the soft grass. He immediately ducked back behind the hedge with his hand over his mouth. He heart had turned to water and spilled over his boots, staggered that he had accidentally caught the sea-elf in flagrante with a man.

He leaned against the hedge, hand still pressed over his mouth to quell the strange anguish that came over him. His already unsteady heart felt the alternating passions of anger, loss and betrayal. It caused him to crumple to his knees where he knelt in a daze for some moments. He tried to force his over-taxed mind to rationalize. What claim did he have upon the Telera? He had failed to requite her affections after all. Did she not have the right to any man? And yet other voices assailed him. Did she not confess her desire for you? She is false! She plays your heart as any base tavern troubadour tickles his lute! You are a fool to think her true! Wracked by such doubts he beat his hand on the ground, attempting to bring his emotions back into control and some semblance of order through physical pain.

In time, the sharpness of the feeling became a dull pulsing ache within him as he regained an outward composure.

Looking up however, he was shocked to see an elf-maid peering out from under a tree. His face went from pale to a shade of pink. Had she seen his embarrassing private display of emotion? He stood and dusted himself off in as dignified a manner as possible, hoping for the best. His true feelings for Lliae had been revealed and he had been betrayed by his own heart.

[Wessex de Evile IV]

Wessex hoped he hadn't hurt the Elf at his connivance, but it had not only been a segue into conversation, but it provided him with the excuse to get within the range to gauge her relative strength of will, proficiency in craft, as well as sensing any possible enchantments she might carry. A buzzing sound that began to irritate his ears when he neared her made sense as soon as he touched her -- the woman had a Druidic Translator, a priceless artifact even in his time -- and he quickly made sure that his Mystic Suggestion was in full force to muddle the perception of the nearby wildlife, or at the very least keep them from betraying his true existence. Animals always had been more difficult to fool with shape-changing than other beings who relied more on sight and touch instead of scent or even mere instinct.

He graciously accepted back the copy of Bifurcative Focality: An Exploration of Single Weave Duality Methodology, checking the cover to make sure it wasn't marred. The actual original was back in that place between worlds where his actual library existed, but it would've been out of character to not care so much for the book's condition, particularly considering that if the Lady were a discerning scholar she might recognize the volume as a text of which probably only five copies existed anywhere in the Empire. It wasn't exactly a highly popular book in and of itself, exploring methods of acheiving multiple effects with a single casting that usually would only be of use to Masters and Archmages, but it would probably fetch a small ransom at auction if it came to that.

Pushing the essentially indestructible bifocals up to the bridge of his nose, he responded to the Elf. "My Lady, you have my sincerest apologies for that... I really should have been looking out more, but there was this passage that was just absolutely enthralling and, well..." he cleared his throat.

He looked around at the surroundings and feigned some small astonishment at finding himself where he was. It was a useful thing when people assumed you weren't paying total attention. "Oh dear, I seem to have gotten lost again..." he shook his head. "Could you possibly tell me where I'm at? I have this issue with popping up in strange places when I'm deep in thought -- it's a long story -- and I have absolutely no clue where I am now."

And then, an afterthought. "Oh yes, my name is--you can call me Wes. May I have the pleasure of your name, My Lady?" He tried out his most winning smile, slightly crooked and a bit roguish, but experience across quite a number of centuries had picked it out as the one most often made women think of his traveling scholar as an overgrown boy who needed help.

And damn, it was an effort to not itch his back just that instant. He'd have to see about refining the Ikosian translation later; it'd been entirely too long since he'd last hidden his wings like this. He just smiled and tried to keep his hands on the book so he wouldn't reach back over his shoulder and go at it.

[Lliae Llyhedras]

Well, the smile took her off-guard… Lliae wasn’t very used to being smiled at in such a way by men, and cursed her cheeks for going slightly pink in the cool dusk… hopefully his Human eyes wouldn’t notice how flustered she suddenly was.
If only someone else she cared so very deeply about had ever found it in his heart to smile at her like that.
But that was a hope that she wasn’t allowed to entertain and a memory that she shouldn’t allow herself to dwell upon and so, in an attempt to gather herself, she smoothed the front of her dress down, and went about helping the poor fellow, who’d obviously wandered in here somehow.
It crossed her mind briefly that he might be an assassin, then it criss-crossed her mind right on the tail of the first thought that if he was an assassin, he was also a very bloody good actor.

‘You’re in the gardens on the estate of Pirvan Kaldres, Thane of Frigid River and my grandnephew. I won’t ask you about how you got here if you don’t ask how I got to be someone’s granny,’ she grinned cheekily, ‘but if reading that book transports you to a different place either literally or in your head then I understand. I’ve got one that’s a bit like that myself. As far as I know it’s unique… good reading but magical books are sometimes a bit difficult to just sit down and have a cup of tea with.’
She peered at the title, then frowned as all of the boring lessons she’d endured in the Palace-state of Tk’hzaar as a little girl came back to her… while her own magical abilities were still being developed completely apart from being able to listen to any animal within a certain ten-mile proximity, she knew vaguely what the subject would be about and wondered if it would be any help concerning her ability to draw from two spheres at once.

No matter. She hadn’t had any strains or problems up until now, though surely she was a walking example of a fool going where angels feared to tread.

‘I’m Lliae Llyhedras,’ she said, purposefully leaving out the “Lady-Regent” and the whole “Highness” bit… it made no difference to anyone in the Empire, and she preferred to make her own way in the world rather than rest on the inherited laurels of her ancestors.
Llyhedras was safe though… unless this Human somehow knew about the secrets of her hidden people or was a really avid researcher about the long, convoluted and frankly rather dull histories of the Elves, then he wouldn’t have any idea of who she was.
‘I’m a midwife and a doctor,’ she added, aware that airbreathing people seemed to place great import on their job, ‘and it’s nice to make your acquaintance, Wes.’
She held her hand out to shake his, but lowered it after a moment when it became apparent that he was clutching that book in a death grip.

Strangely enough, here she was alone in the garden with a man she didn’t know and she didn’t feel unsafe.

Lliae’s dark eyes glazed over slightly as Valasse hissed a warning that someone else was in the garden besides them… to be correct, two other someones, and it was hard to be missed by an owl’s keen eyes at night time though the Telera’s nocturnal friend seemed to be having some difficulty in deciding what she thought about Wes.
‘Excuse me just a moment,’ she said, holding up a slim brown finger, and after a short pause to find and tune into the heartbeats of the two people, she walked right over to them.
After a short pause, Lliae said;
‘Well, it appears we have ourselves a Cassidy Al’lende and… a Venn Drega.’
The last name was said with quite a bit of surprise and the sort of tight tone that suggested that the speaker was being very careful about not letting her voice shake.

Venn looked a little bit pink about the cheeks, she thought, while Lliae’s face had promptly drained of any colour or animation the instant she’d seen him and her visage was now a smooth mask, keeping the lid down on the personal inner agony.
Gods, she thought she’d dealt with the rejection she’d had from him long ago… after all, he’d made it very clear how he felt – how he didn’t feel about her, and yet the only way she could deal with it now that he was in front of her was to put up a chilly distance between them that would do justice into any glacial crevasse around the world.
‘Nice to see you again,’ she said, and really meant it, though she was probably substituting “Nice To See You Again” for “I Prayed I’d See You Again” and though she was distant, she was as friendly as she had ever been to him, though some small but important part of her was locked away well out of his reach.

Exhibit B was Cassidy, looking as cheeky as ever and also looking as if she’d just heard a very saucy joke and couldn’t wait to tell it to everyone.
She couldn’t explain it but… despite her being a blatant manipulator of the emotions and perceptions of others, and despite the fraudulent appearance, the fallacious personality, the overt sexuality and the jealousy that had raised its head and had dumped a goblet of berry wine on another woman’s head…
Lliae really liked her.
There was something infinitely refreshing about being around her, probably because Lliae was so good at hiding her feelings that she felt honest admiration for someone who had no qualms revealing her own, and besides, the Telera found her very pleasing to look at.
It wasn’t envy, but it was a very wistful contemplation of a true rose-like beauty by a small dark woman, for the pale skin and golden hair and breasts that didn’t disappear as soon as she put clothes on.

She was so lovely that Lliae caught herself mid-sigh, and remembered her manners at the same moment.

‘It seems that introductions are needed all round then,’ Lliae’s lilac pink lips tweaked themselves up into a smile and, turning so she could see all three of them, she indicated with a wave of a fragile hand the newcomers to the garden.
‘Wes, this is Cassidy Al’lende… she likes berry wine,’ Lliae grinned briefly here at the other elf, ‘and is staying here for the time being courtesy of Pirvan… this is Venn Drega, a good friend of mine who had the misfortune to meet me shortly after I’d fallen into a pond, and everyone, this is Wes, who likes books on what I’ve heard are some rather radical theories of manipulating Arcane forces through the Spheres… I’m probably wrong on that last bit though, because I’ve never been able to avail myself of a copy.’
She turned to Venn, saw he seemed very wrought out and upset and went to take his hand comfortingly, stopped herself, and settled for gripping both of her hands together tightly. She had no right to touch him, nor had she ever.

‘Venn… what are you doing in Frigid River? I thought you had… had left for other places.’

[Cassidy Al'lende]

Why, this suddenly wasn't working out! While she supported Lliae and the human's sexual urges, and encouraged consensual satisfaction, her back was starting to ache. Her curvy, lithe body was leaned over in such a particular way, that her legs burned. Burned like they did after a long night of- She whimpered pathetically, a helpless melody flowing from two very pouted lips. Her sapphire orbs fled to the ground, wondering if she considered sitting on the ground until there was a good time to escape being caught. Cassidy laughed aloud at that, and with speed of lightning, her hand flashed to cover her pink mouth and the sound was muffled. Muffled, but not unheard...or unpleasant. Still, it was impossible to think that this lady would prefer soothed muscles to a dirty dress.

Yet, she was not the only visitor, or "on-looker," as horrible as that sounded. (Actually, wickedly--- Cassidy desired to find a stable-boy to lure, as she certainly wouldn't catch Pirvan, that brat!) to quench the lust that was installed by the site of two happy individuals. So, still slightly wincing in pain- Cassidy's golden head raised to see a slim Human (for all she could tell), with an admirable build, (And Cassidy did admire -- for he was scarily close) and the work of tattoos along his arms and legs... oh, and then she noticed (after the most important- his appearance, ha) that he was in deep pain.

Her gaze left to the couple across from them- rearranging their tousled clothes and hair, and Cassidy mentally wanted to remove a piece of grass from Lliae's hair. And while she'd like to believe it was because Cassidy couldn't stand minor imperfections, even the elven-maiden could admit that she viewed the blunt woman with a little bit of fondness. The blue-eyed woman pushed that silly thought from her very cold heart and realized that her fellow beside her wanted a stable-boy (...girl) as much as she did! Why, she would just snatch him up immediately. "Sir" she whispered softly, her voice curling around him like rose-petals, but resting with sensual conclusion.

‘Well, it appears we have ourselves a Cassidy Al’lende and… a Venn Drega.’ An interuption! Before she could even prepare herself, Lliae was standing above her, but was no longer even addressing her. "You already are aquainted with him?" She asked, amazed. And despite her want - even Cassidy could notice the tone she used with him. Soft, even romantic, needy. Cassidy's lips jut shut as she narrowly glared at Venn Drega, what had the man ever -done- to her? While Cassidy never made commitments -they put you in funky situations like this one- she knew people who had- else the population of Allerians would decrease profoundly...

And as she listened to their nearly intimate conversation- it all became clear to Cassidy. Lliae and Venn Drega had been together, but driven by lust - Lliae had decided that she was insatiable - UNTIL she met Wes, (Cassidy looked over to the scholar at this time) Cassidy smiled prettily at him, and murmured, "Good evening," then returned to the very dramatic story between them all. Venn was just torn, driven by grief that he could not complete her physically. A long, whistful sigh fell from her blossoming lips. Lust was a tricky thing.

Moonlight cast shadows along the groups' feet, but allowed one to regard the other quite well. Curiously, Cassidy spied Wes with curious eyes, and realized that Lliae must like the intellectual type. No shame in that, but Cassidy heard they did certain awkward things in bed. Mid-shrug, caught in her own throughts, she turned her head and ran a hand through her the fallen, blonde cascade of wavy hair, that was originally in a weak braid. "Lliae, your friend, Venn, is distraught." And she felt a little proud- she was doing a good deed, helping a couple with their problems...

She looked pleasing in moonlight, more innocent than in bawdy light, her silken gown rippling down full hips and long legs. Her eyes were bright with life, and her high-cheek bones were accented by a healthy glow.

"He is frankly, very disappointed that he cannot satisfy you sexually." And while even Cassidy would not bring conversation like this up - in this situation, where they obviously were all adults, and had this dilemma, Cassidy did not see why not. "I've learned---"

And then Cassidy would noticed the puzzled, nearly insane expressions.

[Venn Drega]

“Sir,” he heard elf-maid whisper to him. He voice was soft, even alluring and he finally let his eyes rest upon her, having gotten over the surprise. She was rather attractive, wearing a dress that effectively accentuated her feminine charms. He wondered how it was that she had ended up peering out at him and at the two others in the garden. She couldn’t have been spying on someone could she?

“M’lady,” he nodded in return to the blond elf just as Lliae rounded the corner and addressed the two of them. It seemed the jig was up and any thought of sneaking away back to Centripax was now impossible. He tried to put on a brave face a smile at the Telera’s, “Nice to see you again.” He could feel the tension underlying her words, perhaps even her movements, wondering if it was merely his own imagination deceiving him. There was a feeling of regret gnawing at him as her eyes seemed to linger upon his own, even if it were only for a moment.

He bowed to Lliae. “I…I thought I’d surprise you,” he murmured, searching her face with his midnight eyes. It had been so long since he had beheld her features. Indeed he felt that he was the one who was dealt a surprise.

By now the young bespectacled man had joined them as well and Lliae moved on to introductions. He bowed toward Cassidy again when she was introduced and presented a rather stiff but cordial bow to the young man named Wes. It bothered him somewhat that the Telera used a short form of address for her lover while she introduced him using a full form. He interpreted this as familiarity versus formality. Perhaps that was how it would now be between them – formal. He accepted this with resignation. Lliae also spoke of Wes’ interest in the complex machinations of arcana, which seemed to speak of a rather impressive intellect. He spied the title of the book the young man was sporting – Bifurcative Focality followed by something about weaving and duality. The paladin was impressed indeed. He had spent some time in the library, even in the study of arcana but this text was certainly beyond his normal conceptual range. It seemed that Lliae had chosen a great mind to be her companion. He looked over and saw Valasse looking on with staring beady eyes. He began to feel an affinity with the protective bird of prey.

The Telera’s gaze turned from Cassidy and Wes to rest upon him and for a moment he wondered if his discomfort was hidden well enough on his face. He was never really very good at playing false. It looked as if she was concerned but then it passed, her hands moving to clasp themselves. She then inquired how it was that he had come to Frigid River.

“Oh, I… uh… umm,” he began, trying to think of something to say. He had since discarded telling her the truth, especially in front of these two new acquaintances. He was about to say something to the effect that he was in the vicinity and thought he’s peek in and see if she were present when Cassidy interrupted him and said, “Lliae, your friend, Venn, is distraught."

He shot the shapely blond elf a stunned look, his eyes expressing the pain of this revelation. For a moment he was tongue-tied. Should he deny the statement and be a liar? The last thing he wanted was to make Lliae uncomfortable or disturbed by his inordinate feelings. It would be better to betray oneself rather than inflict pain on another. Looking back to Lliae he was about to provide a denial, but then the other shoe dropped. In this case it wasn’t just a shoe but a patent leather jackboot packed with brimstone!

"He is frankly, very disappointed that he cannot satisfy you sexually,” the lady Al’lende insinuated in a casual tone.

Venn was utterly mortified, his coal black eyes growing wide and his jaw dropping wide. Her first statement was the absolute truth, but the second… a presumptuous fiction! He could think of no suitable reply and responded only with a flabbergasted visage of disbelief. He did not know whether to be angry with the minx of an elf or to burst out laughing at the extreme assertion. He did worry in the back of his mind however how Lliae and her beau would take the notion.

[Lliae Llyhedras]

Lliae’s face was a picture, probably painted by an artist with a very bizarre sense of humour, and she opened her mouth once or twice, truly baffled, and shut it each time with a little sigh because the words that had been in there simply couldn’t do justice as an adequate response.
Cassidy had certainly managed to become the centre of fascinated, horrified attention with her statement and the thought occurred that although she was a very likeable personality because she was outspoken, she was also a very shocking personality… because she was outspoken.
Finally Lliae gave up and just said the most honest thing she possibly could, with a bit of a smile on her lips that she couldn’t totally banish.
‘Well, it would certainly would be very hard for either of these gentlemen to satisfy me sexually… seeing as neither of them have made it into my underwear! Honestly, is that what’s gotten into both of you…?’

Her voice trailed off as she stared first at Venn, then turned to look at Wes, blinked at Cassidy’s expression of innocent misunderstanding, then shot a sharp look back at Venn as the razor of understanding cut through the veils of obscurity and laid him bare. Lliae could be disturbingly perceptive when she looked at things from the right angle.
‘Oh… oh. I see…’ she said, narrowing her black eyes until they positively smoked.
She could storm out, she knew that. She had every right to. In fact, this was the second time that Venn had assumed that she was being sexually generous and it was starting to get on her nerves. She could pick up the hem of her dress, put her nose in the air, call up every iota of good breeding she had and sweep out in a tempest of offended feelings.
And then what?
Lliae sighed internally. Grand gestures really were for those people who didn’t think ahead to the possible consequences.

So Venn liked her? What in Aeternia had happened to his beloved maiden?

Why, oh why did the world wait until she’d been married for over two Eras to a man she didn’t love before it dropped her in the middle of a love triangle? She could have done with it before. Granted, it was only a love triangle from Cassidy’s point of view but she was still annoyed and flattered in one odd, frustrating mix of emotion.
Flattered because they thought she was capable of catching a young, rather handsome man of any species, and annoyed at herself because she was flattered.
Hah! From Lliae’s point of view amorous men were things that happened to other women, and certainly after the treatment she’d received at Venn’s hands she had resigned herself to a quiet fate of wistfully watching others fall in love.
She shut her eyes in pain for a moment… Lliae had thought her heart had been burnt to nothing but a fistful of dirty ashes in her breast, but the treacherous thing was still there, beating away where it should be still and dead.

And hurting so that it nearly brought her to her knees.

But she wouldn’t be Lliae if she couldn’t hold back tears or conceal anguish from others, and so, with a carefully cultivated expression of wry amusement being worn like a mask, she tried to lessen the embarrassment for the gentlemen involved… there wasn’t much else anyone in the world could do to hurt Lliae now apart from killing her outright.
‘You know, we all really ought to adjourn for tea and scones sometime. I’ve probably been a bit corrupted by the political fanatics on my elvish side, but I think that we’re all fairly decent people who in other circumstances wouldn’t have been speculating on my sex life… nonexistent as it is.’
She grinned quietly there though… the ultimate irony. Lliae hadn’t actually had sexual congress with a man for… it would be approaching a decade, possibly even two, since being used and betrayed.
All that she had ever loved was gone, after all.

Valasse, meanwhile, was squinting myopically with the intensity that only an overeducated owl could use at Wes… she never liked men hanging around what she had claimed as her personal perching territory, and what was worse was she was having some trouble actually telling that he was in the garden.
Behind Lliae, she got confused and picked a fight with a tree.
Audible as it was to only Lliae and any others who were tapping into that part of the ether swirling around them invisibly, the small Telera had to keep a deadly straight face at the ringing challenge.
Who’re you looking at eh? Eh? Oh yeah? Come over here and rustle that! You might be a mighty oak to some, but to me you’re just a stiff overgrown weed!
There was a crash and a screech behind them as Valasse started the brawl and despite the fact that her opponent was as close to as inanimate as a living thing could be, she seemed to be losing.

[Cassidy Al'lende]

"Seeing as neither of them have made it into my underwear!" Cassidy's eyes widened and she looked at Lliae with pure curiosity and surprise, "Really!" she said- her tone of utter interest, like she was finding out a deep-secret. It was not disapproving, nor approving- just surprised. "Honestly, Aunt Lliae- sometimes it is not all it's put up to be..." Her eyes flashed across to the men surrounding them and she stepped closer to the older woman, patting the lady's dark hand with her own, "I"m starting to think I'm embarassing them." Her silvery eyes flickered teasingly. As she observed what happened between their group, Cassidy calmly regarded Lliae. What a fond, fond woman she was. This certain lady had been nearly the first female to ever cast non-judgmental eyes on her. While she admitted that she -was- more scandalous than most of the petty ladies of today, she also realised that she had a backbone stonger than most of them.

And had more sex.

Venn was nearly stuttering, stumbling over his words- and the way he looked at Lliae, she nearly pitied him. But didn't. Instead she pushed him into one of the categories that all of the men she'd ever met could be organized in. Well, almost all of them, Pirvan was the exception. Her pearly white tooth nibbled down on a lucious red lip, he seemed to be an exception to everything. Cassidy didn't fancy that one bit! Anyhow, this Drega fellow was just too soft for a tough woman like Lliae. She saw how his eyes softened when he spoke to her, and how he leaned in, if only an inch- to hear her uttered words.

Nay, Lliae needed a man as strong as she was. And that would mean that Lliae, like Cassidy- would never fall in love. This was presumptious of Cassidy, yes; but the blonde temptress had a mentality that love weakened the soul...and technically, it does. The affection Cassidy bestowed among men was one of a sinful, lusty nature... the notion of enjoying a man's company out of her bed was a surprising and new one.

"Oh, enough!" Cass hissed and clutched Lliae's elbow, "I- we- have had quite enough of his blabbering, you men can solve this by yourselves!" She pulled the pretty woman close to her and would, if she had to, drag her out of the men's sight. Being in situations like this one was degrading; you had to show that you had power. And this couple, this feminine duo certainly -did- have power when they put their heads together. Hips bobbing against one another, the women started to leave- Cassidy clinging to Lliae. But before she left, she turned and slyly cooed;

"If you make her wait this long all of the time, it is hardly a wonder to me why you leave her so unsatisfied!"

[Lliae Llyhedras]

There was a distinctly bemused look from Lliae… one moment she’d been preparing to face up to the two men and their opinions, the next Cassidy had her by the arm and was dragging her off only Gods knew where.
So surprised was the Telera, she allowed herself to be towed along by the taller elf-woman without even a token objection, dark eyes wide in the gloom of the twilight and her mouth open slightly to form words that didn’t seem to be able to come.
The next emotion she had was of the deepest gratitude… it was probably inadvertent, but the Al’lende had just spared the small Llyhedran a lot of embarrassment, although Lliae couldn’t help glancing over her shoulder at the menfolk with an expression of helpless confusion.

If Lliae had been inclined to read Cassidy’s mind, she would have been very inclined, after a moment of burning, irrational irritation, to agree with her estimate on Lliae’s chances for ever falling in love… she would have been the first person in the Empire to admit that she was as tough as old boots and probably just as appealing as lover material.
When they were out of earshot, she cleared her throat quietly.
‘Thankyou,’ she said, the relief pouring off her shorter, darker form almost palpably, ‘I seem to have a innate talent for getting myself into these situations without realising it. I… he… I loved Venn once, but it wasn’t returned. Gods only know what he’s doing looking for someone like me,’ she frowned, still a bit irked.
Probably wants to borrow money, honey, the jealous Valasse put in quickly, unheard by any and eager to keep Lliae to herself, though quite notably the owl didn’t have any objections to Cassidy’s proximity.

‘Look, there’s a few things I’d like to talk to you about. I think we can get a cup of tea in the Riverside Clothing store at this time of night still… not that I’d be willing to go into the Tavern here unarmed and unarmoured, mind you… and tea’s not really their speciality. More… hard alcohol.’
With that, the two ladies adjourned to the emporium, to talk of those things that women all over the world did when they were together without the ears of men lurking around.
This would probably be an educational discussion… Lliae certainly planned to have a very frank discussion with Cassidy about life and love in general and specifically about her grand-nephew, Pirvan.
As his family’s adoptive grand-aunt, and his cousin’s adoptive grandmother, Lliae considered it perfectly natural to interfere and to pry into their business.

After all, that was what grannies were for, wasn’t it?

ooc: Thread continued ~Here~ although if you want to have an IC chat with her, Venn and Wes, you can find the mad old bint anywhere in Pirvan’s house or around FR, so RPing that in this thread after a short interlude’s perfectly fine
For now, Cass and I will just continue this thread as we’d originally intended it to be… don’t want to bore you both out of your skulls with girl-talk!