RP:Annabelle meets Arien
FYI Arien Is Awesome:::
The contrast here - for the present, in comparison to what lay before - is stunning. No longer does the stark, barren landscape lie void of life. Now the works of the denizens of the forest and the powers of the Pixie Druids have restored it to the full glory it deserves. A thick carpet of grass lies underfoot the moss and shrubbery making it soft and spongy. You almost feel tempted to remove your shoes if only to run through this lush blanket of greenery as no thorns or briars are visible, but decide against it as unsure who may come across you. This small patch of forest harbors a new feature than before, a glistening pool encircled by trees. The harsh destruction wrecked from the fires split the very earth here but the final effect has been far from detrimental. From the very ground has sprung a clear spring, filling the small crevice with its natural fluids as if the blood of the earth. Walking slowly over to the water’s edge, you spot several tiny creatures flitting on ethereal wings about the radiant water, water Nymphs that guard this haven of life and nourishment with their Druidic magic. You cautiously lower a hand to scoop up some of the blessed water, the Nymphs paying little attention as you mean them little harm and upon drinking it down you feel a sudden rush of vitality. It's truly a wondrous act of nature and once again showing its unwillingness to give up. To your north, east and west lay the other patches of new forest whilst the southern route leads to the Old Forest.
Arien curled her bare feet beneath her body, toes digging into the lushness of the grass that coated the banks of the spring like a velvet carpet. A soft smile curved the lips of the elf, her gem like eyes shimmering to life with warmth and love as she cradled her palm over the curve of her swollen womb. The babes were stirring again, and it never ceased to awe her. "Soon, my darlings..I know it's a tight fit in there.." she murmured with laughter in her tones. Next to her, still half filled with the crystalline waters of the spring, was a ceremonial bowl. It had become her habit of late, to come to the springs once a day to be revitalized. The unexpected growth of the children she carried both advantages and disadvantages. Clad in an elegant, and comfortable summer dress, the paladin was not to be thought defenseless. A fingers length away, the hilt of Shoales caught the light and reflected it to the eyes of any observant enough to look, and with a single whispered incantation, the power of the nature that embraced as comfort now, could be harnessed to be a weapon of dread to another at her will alone. For now, though..her thoughts were not upon ever present dangers..but upon the future that stretched out before her, one hopefully, filled with joys that she had never dreamed to experience.
Annabelle manages to find her way to the most comforting of places she had yet to find in these lands. She seemed to be drawn to it, be it power or sheer beauty, this place was easier to find than her own home. Her nose was studiously buried in the same book she carried and was ever learning from since the day it was gifted to her; a leather bound book with her name magically engraved in golf filigree on the cover. Small hands scooped the book close to her face, covering any line of sight required for one who would be walking and reading at the same time. She hums, by habit of course as she makes her way toward the spring. A loud grunt emits from her small throat and she tumbles face first into the lush, and thankfully comforting grasses as she trips over sunken toes accompanied by a murmuring maiden. It was not her way to curse the blasted thing that left her to find herself in a precarious position- ass up and head first into the tattered pages of the over read literature. She peers up, turning her tousle-haired head back to spy what she had tripped on. Her cheeks flush violently when she lays her chartreuse gaze upon the lovely and very much pregnant woman. “Oh wow, forgive me, I …” She wondered if she disturbed the younglings buried in her womb to the point of pain. “Are you ok?”
Arien had been alerted to the approach of the female by her humming and open tramping through the underbrush. The sound of such evident good spirits had only heightened her own feeling of general well being, and the elf had lifted her eyes with the intention of turning to greet her fellow visitor to the springs. No attempt was made to remove herself from the path of the girl, assumption made that she was not exactly invisible, and that the new arrival would make way around her. Too late did the elf realize that Anna could not see where she was going, and ironically, it was legs gracefully uncurling in attempt to remove herself from the girl's path, that ended up tripping the earnest reader. "I'm so sorry!.." The concerned apology met and mingled with that of Annabelle, and a soft laugh erupted from Arien as she realized that they were both all right. "I'm fine…" she said softly. "If the pups can survive an invasion of Prekleks, they can survive an accidental jostle.. are -you- ok? I should have been more careful in my movements.."
Annabelle took little notice of the giggling Nymphs that lent no helping hand to her cause; she simply shakes her head and purses her lips while she rights herself on the lush surface of the forest floor. The book is folded and placed neatly in her lap as the offered words of the Elvin woman grace her ears in a melodic tone that boasted of pride and motherhood. “Pups?” She opens her book, a thin finger scanning down a page where script mingled to form complete thoughts rather than sentences. She peers up from her text and quizzically states “I thought Elves bore children much like Humans… Am I to assume the father is a furling?” Her tact in conversation was at very least…off. She had left the latter of questions unanswered for the time being, the obviousness of her wellbeing was probably implied through her pleasant tone and lack of visual pangs. Truth be told, she was no stranger to random tumbles; reading and walking are not combinable talents. “A sitting duck should be an easy target to miss, dear. The fault was mine and mine alone.” Her cheeks flush once more as the words flowed from her lips before her mind could tell her to stop. “N-not that I think you look like a duck or anything, you are… quite lovely!” the last two words squeaked out of her in a shrill compliment laced with panic. “I’m sorry.”
Arien : A tumble of melodic laughter rippled from the lips of the paladin, the elf moving to cross her legs beneath her once again. It was evident that the female was not inclined to think overly much of herself, despite the mantle of leadership that she wore in any number of areas. Here, and now, she was simply a female and an expectant mother already proud of the children that she knew would grow into creatures as noble in spirit as their father was. "Rho..." she said softly, her heart in her voice, "..is lycan, yes…though the children were conceived of his elven form. So they will be elflings when born.." she said quietly. "..There are times however, when I feel their souls touch mine...and there is much of the wolf in them. They are their father's children…" A slender hand reached out to cradle the ceremonial bowl, and a sip of sustenance taken. "Pups is a term of endearment more than anything else...it is Rho's favored way to address them." Her ivory nose wrinkled ruefully. "And I take no offense to your description...it has tried my patience to be so hindered in form. I am most unused to being a lumbering creature...I look forward to them joining is in this world for more reasons than one, I assure you." The elf glanced then at the woman as she settled down more comfortably. "Have you children of your own?..." emerald gaze drifted to the cover of the book curiously. "And it must be quite enthralling, to so capture your interest..." It would be evident that it was the book of which she spoke.
Annabelle smiles at the comforting and loving nature of the woman before her. She is both captivated by her ambiance and amused at her resilience to remain in her lumbering condition; captivated so to the point her question of younglings had caught her quite off guard. “Me? No!” She clears her throat and calms her tone rather quickly as she finds her ground. “I have never…. been in the position to assume cradle to life.” She had hoped her response was quite clear. Her eyes cast down to the book which had since closed and was now clutched tightly to her chest. “Twelve generations of the finest arts of magics ever recorded…. Enthralling is not the word, my dear.” She had yet to decipher half of the gibberish written by old men in the tiring days as epitaphs to their life’s work; All collected, all preserved, all… hers. “I am the last of my house, and as such I have to find a way to continue the book to be passed on. It is a travesty that the male heirs have all come to pass without leaving a child in their wake. But such is the story of magic and power, it all comes to war, and war comes to death. My Brothers do not rest in peace. Not yet.” There was sadness in her voice. A correction soon made with the formal greeting she had almost forgotten to announce. “I am Annabelle Ära” In its hay-day the House of Ära was known the world over, though the last few decades the name had been lost to the ever-changing pages of history. With new wizards and new ‘trick’ old magic seemed to have lost its importance to the world. “And you are?”
Arien eyed the tome again, a lingering and open curiosity evident in her gaze. If what the woman spoke was true, then it was an artifact of considerable power, and one that in the wrong hands could cause great mayhem. She canted a fiery head, studying the woman before her with a thoughtful expression. She had not accumulated what power she had without the ability to read the souls of men, and her instinct told her that the heart of the woman sitting before her was in the right place-so long as it was protected, preserved from the taint of those who might seek to access and manipulate her power for darker purposes. "I am Arien, of the Rynvalian House of Illaren, Governor of Rynvale, General of the Order of The Fold.. wife..mother.." she smiled suddenly. "And it is quite amusing to one once married to my work, how very much more important the latter have become than the former. Though, the world will not allow me to retreat from those responsibilities..as much as I would wish it so." She met the eyes of the woman. "I know the taint of which you speak..of war, and death…it has been almost all of what I know..had been, until my wolf." Even thinking of him brought a softness to her posture. "I am sure, that in time you will know what it is to love and be loved..and to cradle life. You have a spirit designed to share joy I sense.. It is good that you study the old crafts. Too often have the old magics been abandoned, in favor of distorted and darkened rites. Cherish their power..and wield them wisely." She murmured with sagacity of her own.
Annabelle said to Arien “ Oh, I cannot wield them. It is forbidden. Any Keeper in possession of the Book of Ära must never wield the secrets within. It is why we carry the book and no other. We have very limited magic ability, but protection is ours as long as we carry the book. You have to understand, some of the things in this book are here for the only reason that they may be too powerful for any one person to rightfully control.” She holds the book closer still, nostalgia in her eyes and appreciation for someone who would recognize the importance of not playing with fire, so to speak. “I have nearly built several of the machines myself… “Her mouth clamps shut and her cheeks flush once more. Never in the history of the Ära had anyone actually ever attempted to build any of the science-magic contraptions. “… not that I would ever be able to use it anyways, I just…. Need to see it finished.” She shifts slightly, bringing her legs comfortably beneath her and tucking the exposed flesh under layers of formal dress. “Who has time for love when there is so much that has yet to be learned? We humans need to make the most of our tiny existence.” It was a poor excuse for her innate ability to scare off the opposite sex. It wasn’t her physical appearance; she was actually quite attractive, for a human. It was the damned talking; science and magic and knowledge sometimes took its toll. She sighs heavily. “I don’t expect you to understand…”
Arien’s face lit up with an impish grin. "You would be surprised by how much I am capable of understanding Anna... I may call you Anna, may I not?" Her eyes flickered to the book again. "I can quite understand the desire to explore the possibilities of new and amazing things. You should perhaps make the effort to meet one of my kinsmen, Kumorohyou... he is our own inventor, as it were. He, like you, has little time for much but science...though he has a heart of gold. He is a shaman. Many of his machines and inventions have been put to use in our combat scenarios, and he is ever questing for new truths." Her eyes turned pensive again. "Do you not worry that the book might be taken by one who has not the allegiance to the code of the Keeper that you carry? If it is so powerful, surely you should not be walking around reading it in the open?" she asked softly, the first shades of worry in her eyes. "Does to book protect you from assault in some way? It should be kept in a secure location, and read somewhere where you are safely protected, no?" Her mind drifted to her talk of machines again, they were sorely in need of new defenses for the compound, now that the black dragon had seen their polybolos in action-he would be prepared for them on the next assault. "Is it decreed that others, who are not the Keeper, should not know of the contents either?" The elf burned to know what it was that the spell blade was building...but had learned over the years, that information volunteered was often more reliable than information pried out.
Annabelle nods, allowing Arien to call her what she will. “Anna, or Bella… seems to be the names people adopt for me.” She lets loose the book in her lap. “The book cannot be taken, it can only be given. Once it is given, it cannot be returned.” Words that were set in her mind since birth. “That is the code the book lives by.” Lives… it was the proper term. The book was so enhanced it almost had a mind of its own. “And, it is not really here or there. The true location is on an alter in my house, I would never actually take it outside, yet I do. It is hard to explain but I will put it simply that the book can be in two places at once… and yes, it does protect me” She had let others read from the pages before, but it was not for purposes any other than expanding ones knowledge. “For instance…” She scoots closer to the woman and opens the book upon her lap. The words glittered in golden script, constantly rearranging themselves and written in riddle before a pictograph was formed. “This is my latest attempt.” The machine was large, settled in the middle of the page. A metallic fortress of what appeared to be a firing mechanism of devastatingly epic proportion. It was in no way means to win a skirmish but to win a war. A thin finger presses to the core of the firing point and is drug downward to amplify a small but distinct artifact in the shape of a teardrop stone. It began pulsating like a heartbeat and glowing red as raven’s blood. “This is an artifact from the year of the Crow, I haven’t been able to find it nor is it in my stores but this piece is what will finish it.” Following along the direction one could see the pin would strike the artifact and become amplified and shot out of the machine repeatedly through long chromium purges at the end of the rotating cuff. The words beneath the image would be lost to anyone who lacked both mechanical knowledge and magic ability.
Arien absorbed the information spoken in thoughtful silence. It would seem then, that the power of the book would be secure enough-provided that its magics were strong enough to resist the influence of the most powerful of the wielders of darkness. But something bothered..some flaw, in seeming perfect protection. Her will. The book could be given. In her sound mind, the woman would never dream of doing such a thing..but should one gain influence over her mind.. The elf frowned, and opened her lips to issue warning, though the movements of the spell blade to scoot to her side and open the text momentarily distracted. Arien's brow furrowed on her pale forehead. Machines had never been her strength, she was an Elder, a creature of magic and the old ways..the advancement in the ways of war would have left her bemused were it not for the knowledge and aptitude of her husband, and their clan inventor as well. She tried to commit what she saw to memory, but knew that she would fail sadly in the task of detailing it correctly to him. If only.." Arien lifted her eyes to meet those of Bella again..she'd decided she preferred the latter alias. "I know..this may be much to ask..But would you mind terribly showing this to my husband sometime?.. Or, perhaps, to my scientist? I know it is incomplete, and lacking in some device that might make it functional..but perhaps it can serve as inspiration for some other creation." The paladin's face was gently urgent. "We live in a world, where the forces of good, and of the balance are often overwhelmed by looming darkness..we are ever in need of devices which might give us an edge in combat.." The elf sat back, drawing away from the book. "Though I totally understand if it is not something that you might wish to do." Annabelle thought over her request very soundly in her mind. “I will show it to a person of magic; they do not have the skill to build it. I cannot show it to a person of science; they are too easily manipulated by those of magic. Good or Evil… it does not matter, this weapon gives either side too much of an advantage and the balance would be thrown to chaos. An edge is one thing. The things that reside in this book could be a guaranteed win.” The reservations of the Elfess were true enough. Anyone who could manipulate Annabelle could indeed inherit the book. Luckily, she seemed to have a fair head on her shoulders and she never clouded her mind between the epic battles of good versus evil because each side could be diluted. Balance, it would seem required some of both sides. “A utopian world is where evil is born, where there is great good there must also be great evil. Even you can admit you have committed little evil to accomplish greater good.” The words weren’t meant to sting or offend in any way. They were simple facts, facts that held this young human many years beyond what she should truly know about the world. “He must promise to keep science and magic separate in his endeavors. The book is for knowledge only. Only in the House of Ära have these two worlds come together quite so. Because both worlds have come to respect the fact that much like good and evil, magic and science must have balance.”
Arien nodded quietly. In some part of her mind she had understood that such power could not be handed to one side over another. It was perhaps the instinct of the general, ever present, even in the mother, that sought to find advantage where there might be none. "I can admit to doing that of which I cannot be proud in retrospect…" she murmured. "I suppose, as long as those truths are truly protected, and will not fall to the advantage of one or another…balance can truly be maintained." A soft sigh escaped. "Rho is a male of honor.. I think he would be willing to converse with you, for the sake of knowledge alone. I do not doubt that if he understood that recreation was forbidden, that he would ensure not to do so. His mind is such, however...that he could be inspired to something similar-which may be equally as damaging. I shall leave it to your instinct." A sudden smile curved her lips. "He is hard enough to miss..a great black wolf, walking as would a human upon two legs and clad in armor. Perhaps you shall meet someday and discuss the mysteries of machines…for now, I shall let the matter be." Changing the subject of the moment, the elf asked the question that had been tugging at the back of her mind. "You have a home here, then? And a people still? I have not heard of your House, though I am but years returned to these lands myself..."
Annabelle’s heart sunk in her final words. “My people… Dear, I am all that is left.” The normally radiant chartreuse glowing orbs began to fill with tears that had yet to be shed, and she wouldn’t cry not until it was finished. “My father gave me the book on his death bed, while my brothers died fighting to protect it. I was never meant to have it; it was always supposed to be Edward…” She had read from the pages and many others her whole life, devoted to study in history and anything else that would further her mentally but the devastation that day brought her attention to the fact that not everything would always remain as it had been. And nothing would ever be the same. She closes the book; a soft thud of heavy old parchment sealing itself from the outside air is the only sound parting the silent wood. A short exhale parts her lips to words of endearment to the mother to be. “You should be so lucky you have someone to carry on when you are gone, when my flesh is not but ash and my grave stone crumbled by time the words that follow my name is all that will come from me.”
Arien observed the eyes that turned liquid with unshed tears, and a hand reached out to fall upon the nearby knee. "No.." she said, her voice filled with conviction. "That is not all that will come from you..not if you choose for it not to be so." Quiet intensity filled her voice. "For over a century, I thought as you did. I lost everything..everyone, in the uprising that took my father's throne. I had no family..I had no purpose.. Until I generated one. Blood, is not the only harbinger of bond." Her fingers fluttered to her heart. 'I found a purpose..a reason for living..and then I found those to gather around me who shared that purpose. I made a family for myself, whose bond runs deeper than blood..because it is generated of will." Arien smiled, a soft whimsical thing. "I love them..as I will love my own children..and the mark we leave on this world, will be our legacy-even if I had no children to carry my name and blood. You too, can leave a mark..if you find a place to make a difference in the ways only you can..and a family on which to lean.." The elf would not complete the obvious offer implied. Anna would be the one who would know best, if life within a clan would be something suited to her calling, of if hers would have to be a walk endured alone.
Annabelle smiles weakly and sighs. “Alas, my purpose is as it has always been, since before I was ever rendered a thought from my father’s loins.” She giggles lightly. “I am the Keeper.” It was such a small word but the responsibility was enormous. “Besides, I really need to work on my people skills… especially if I am going to be walking over them at times.” She smiles brightly back at Arien. “Are you sure you are alright?” Her stomach gurgles like a very small Minotaur in a very large jar. “Apparently we have been talking the day away and I have yet to grab a bite to eat. I forget sometimes with my studies.”