Afternoon Tea

AURORA

Back to square one, encased in nobility again and with no one to share it with.

A sigh escaped her as she exited the Tiamat Manse after visiting with her tiny new siblings, though it felt like she had missed so much in just a week or two or however much time had gone by since her return to imprisonment. They had grown so much since she had seen them last and it hurt to think about how little she was in their lives now, unable to watch them bud into whomever they were destined to be. Well, okay so only one did much growing. Her baby brother was still abnormally tiny, and the thought made her giggle to herself, thinking he might be stuck that way forever. Surely their mother would be happy as anything to keep at least one of them small forever now that she was hardly a child anymore. She still felt like one though, every time she saw the woman’s face, but it had seemed more depressed than usual and there had been a barrier pressed up against her stepfather that she hadn’t seen there before. They were normally so loving.

Khepri, what could you have done? It was a question she hadn’t even bothered to ask, not wanting to ignite anything in case it was a sore subject which knowing her mother it likely was. Icing everyone out was her specialty after all.

Taking in a breath, she moved into the streets, her eyes surveying the bustling streets as if war wasn’t at their doorstep. Victorian was going and his face haunted her thoughts, worried he might not come back but should he, what was to say he would want anything to do with her any longer. He had been her personal knight but once the war was over, his duties wouldn’t hold anymore binding to her. Maybe it was for the best; it always seemed like he wanted away from her and yet she was told otherwise. He wanted to keep her safe.

She wished he would just talk but it seemed like everyone in her life had trouble talking, at least to her. Her mother, Elias, Victorian, the list went on and on. Ironically, she was the one with a stammer and all of them had a free voice.

Shaking her head, she would escape into a bookstore, one that had been pieced back together after the riots and protests but it was back in business. She’d buy a few tomes to bring home, feeling that’s all she could do now was read till all this was over. Then probably, read some more until some new suitor was presented to her that she likely wouldn’t want to marry either. Elias had made her give up on the idea of prince charming, so maybe she shouldn’t make a fuss if the next was remotely friendly.

Shaking her head, she would turn tail from the bookstore, wishing she was accompanied by a friend. It felt lonely without anyone at her side, half expecting those eyes of turbulent moons to appear and take her hand and guide her to safer paths as she dipped away from the maid that had been assigned to escort her this day. She would head toward Eleanor Square, eager to creep along the fountain to hide away from her worries like she did as a pup. Books carefully secured in a cloth but not carefully enough, ignorant to one falling out and sprawling onto the ground behind her.

Sing Me a Tune Sweet Dove

table by rae

ANTEROS ABERSENTHE
WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF FAIR?

The square was a place he had grown rather familiar with, the variety of stores always being a breath of fresh air when he wanted to get out of his mind, and out of the house. One of his favorite places was the bookstore, and often he found himself browsing the inventory even if he did not make a purchase. While in there he noted another doing the same, though she had actually purchased some things, and was off on her way. With the library being quiet and knowing he did not wish to spend any more time in there if he had no plans on buying anything, he too would leave.

It seemed he was heading in the same direction as the stranger which made him grow uneasy. He didn't want her to think he was following her due to coincidence, and so he went to turn in another direction. Not before he noticed she dropped a book behind her though. Golden eyes looked at her to see if she would notice, but when she didn't, he found himself calling out to her. Picking up the book he walked over, clearing his throat softly. "You dropped this behind you," he spoke, giving her the book back with a subtle nod. She didn't look familiar which was odd considering how many times he had walked these streets, while also not living too far away, but no matter. He felt better knowing the book would be with its rightful owner, and he half expected she be on her way soon after.

code by claerie

AURORA

She started to feel like she was being followed but she would keep her head forward, assuming it was just someone else hired to follow after her that had managed to catch up to her in these busy streets. An ear would flick in silent contemplation on possibly going a round about way to the square, if only to get them off her tail but before she could even attempt to change direction, a voice would call out to her. It was far more masculine than she had anticipated, making her fur prick along her spine but only enough to be a little more fluffy than usual as she slowed to a stop. Hesitantly, she would turn around to meet the stranger at the mention of her dropping something, now realizing her luggage was in fact far lighter than it had been a moment ago.

“O-oh! Sorry, I really sh-should pay attention m-m-mmore,” she said impulsively without thinking, causing her to drop the remaining books that had been hanging within her little cloth. Embarrassment washed over her in a heartbeat, feeling her heart reach her cheeks and thud loudly in her ears as she glanced at the man before looking right back down to the mess she just made. Her paws shook as she lowered her head to gently tuck all them back into the cloth, accepting the one she had dropped earlier with a timid grace as she looked at him sheepishly. He made her feel rather small as she took in his stature but she would draw in a breath as she tucked the fabric around the bindings. Maybe she should put them in her satchel instead of going about this in a commoner's fashion.

Once she got them all squared away, she was relieved at the very least that it wasn’t the professor again, though she actually wanted to see him a little bit right now to ask him some things he might know better than others. Drawing in a breath, she’d straight back up, though her figure never seemed confident no matter how much she tried to hold herself with pride, that nervousness never seemed to go away. “Thank you- ummm sir? Why don’t I repay y-you? Care to join me, I was g-g-g-going to have some tea and a small meal…hope that isn’t too ffforward,” she offered, unable to make eye contact as she gestured toward the stalls closest to the square. It wasn’t everyday someone so calmly returned scripture, certain most would have stolen it to sell it for a pretty penny and truthfully, it might be nice to share some company that didn’t remind her of everything else in her head.

Sing Me a Tune Sweet Dove

table by rae

Guard

A guard notices you and approaches. He is thin but wiry and his yellow eyes seem to see through you. "Stop! You there!" He calls as he approaches you. "Why are you not in the barracks? Who is your suporvisor?"


This event affects only WANTED wolves. To try and persuade him and/or engage in a fight with him, please post in #updates.

ANTEROS ABERSENTHE
WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF FAIR?

She fumbled the rest of the books she had been carrying, and without hesitation Anteros leaned forward to help her scramble them up, but she was quick. She tripped over her words, apologizing, but he shook his head gently. "No, please don't apologize, I didn't mean to startle you." He wondered what had her shaken up, a studder with nearly every word. A small frown tugged at his lips as he watched her before she invited him to eat with her. "Oh," he was taken off guard, "no, it is not too forward, I was growing rather hungry actually." He moved to her side, to allow her the room to lead the way. He knew some of the area and there were many places of fine dining, but he wanted her to bring him to her favorite one.

"Lead the way," he offered with a soft smile, "I am Anteros," he would then offer so she did not feel a stranger to him. As they walked the crowd grew louder, but he could not make out what anyone was saying. Often, he drowned out the noises of them as his work taught him to become numb to anything other than the clicking of the clock.

code by claerie

AURORA

She would freeze here and there as she shuffled around him, trying to not make any physical contact between them when he would ultimately try to help her a second time to retrieve what she had dropped. Each imperfection she was making weighed heavily on her, wishing to be more calm and elegant in many ways but until her social anxiety would dissolve one day, that was unlikely to happen. He seemed genuinely worried which was not all that surprising, running into a lot of wolves that seemed kinder than her mother had made the world out to be and the thought made her smile a little to herself. Was she just gullible into believing everything at face value or had her mother just had a worse time in society? Now was hardly the time to ponder such things as she neatly got everything sorted before popping her question of the day.

To be told not to apologize felt wrong in her mind. “No, no. You didn’t startle me, I’m always th-this way,” she breathed, knowing it was her own carelessness that caused all of this havoc around her belongings. She wouldn’t go into any further details, at least not in this moment as felt it would be highly inappropriate to jump into her medical history that had less than wonderful results. From her stutter to her fainting and weakness, it was easy for others to think it was their fault she was like this but it didn’t have to do with her anxiousness, though it probably didn’t help, it was unknown health issues that lacked names; only herbal assistance to lessen the symptoms that came with it.

Her mind was at least a little more at ease with the Doctor at her home, well away from the lands of pending war and readily available whenever she needed them. Their bizarre appearance on the other hand had the rest of the house rather uncomfortable.

A sigh of relief would escape her lungs when he would claim her actions were normal, smiling timidly at his subtle one. How quickly he would fall into step with her would surprise her, not expecting him to be so fluid in his actions when he appeared on the older side, probably old enough to be her grandfather if she had to guess each time her eyes would peek up at his before submissively shrinking back down if he met them. He certainly looked old. Handsome but old. In the same way her step father was handsome old, maybe dapper was the better term. Why did her brain have to go into such a weird tangent? At least none of this was coming out of her mouth.

“I’m Aurora. It’s a pleasure, M-mister Anteros, truly” she’d return the smile, starting to guide him along the crowd. Passing another of her favorite bookstores along the way she was tempted to stop at but kept her focus on the task at paw. Her gaze would flicker her and there, growing more uncomfortable with the growing crowds that each of her steps would become all the more shaky as she’d forget to breath. “I don’t think I’ve seen you at a-a-any of the noble gathering but you gi-g–give off the elegance of a nobleman but nicer than most Lords I know. Are you n-n-new to Rionnach?” she asked curiously, trying to draw the focus away from the dread she felt from the number of strangers around them and admittedly creeping a little closer to her new companion to dodge a flamboyant enthusiastic salesman or two. She muttered an apology too quiet to likely hear each time they may have drifted a little too close.

Sing Me a Tune Sweet Dove

table by rae

ANTEROS ABERSENTHE
WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF FAIR?

Her company was comforting in a sense. She was a gentle presence, one that seemed more timid in his company then he would have liked, but he did not fault her for it. Luckily he was not a man with ill intent as he had found some who lived in the lands to be. She liked books, as did he, a common interest that he was sure they could find common ground and knowledge to speak upon. As she moved alongside him and led the way her voice caused his golden gaze to shift back in her direction, catching her side profile.

"Oh," he sounded gently, taken by surprise of the compliment. "Thank you, I am fairly new, but familiar of the lands." He explained. "I came here shortly after my mother's passing and made a good living in this place, I have been blessed surely." Anteros allowed a moment of silence before he pressed a question back at her, hoping he wasn't prying. "What of you, are you a naive?" He questioned, wondering if there was something that maybe he didn't know that she would be willing to share.

The buildings became more uniform, some he took note of from past visits, but others seemed new to him. So far where she had been leading was not a place he had been to before, and it excited him to try something different.

code by claerie