RP:Take Care

Summary: Brennia just wants to care for her friends and Raphaline is off to fight in a war.

Song Credit: "Good Enough" - Evanescence

Take Care

Brennia's Miniature Castle

After finding your way through the Topiary Garden it would only be fitting to come upon a building which looks like a section taken right out of any castle in the same style as all of Schezerade, in all it's decadence; marble forming the entirety of the large home accented with gold and platinum in which you'll have to cross over a glass bridge in order to reach it. The front door is welcoming for all shapes and sizes that are the citizens of Hollow and spans a great distance in it's solid French Door of a design. Opening it up one might be perplexed at the ability for the home to hold such music coming from the main room there, provided the owner of the home is present. Once immersed, the eyes might be stolen by the gaping cathedral ceilings above, spotted by gold and platinum in which encircle mini glowing stones to mimic the night sky, but beauty is not what the ceiling is for; it carries one's voice in the ear most pleasing fashion. The walls of the room have shelves carved into the marble upon nearly every wall of this vast oval-shaped room, but the walls are shelves, carved into small squares. Each square hold scrolls to nearly any song someone might wish to hear and it should be clear now that a bard lives here; explains the marvelous white-wood, gold-accented, concert grand piano in the middle of this large room. 

Nearing further into the tiny castle one's nostrils might pick up on the scent of mouth watering food being cooked wafting from the kitchen which is north of the main room and it also holds a small, but elegant dining area. In the corner of this kitchen there is a winding staircase which travels below and is illuminated as if gold is to be kept down there. If you wish to stay and listen to the bard or wait for her to emerge there are luxurious sofas strewn about with the softest throw blankets and plushy cushions, but be careful; an unsettling feeling may overcome you as your eyes spot a locked door, which houses a staircase to take you up, with an outreaching design in onyx stone overlay which seemingly inking over into the pristine luxury you’ve found yourself in. It's as if the area beyond holds a darkness that's attempting to leak out into this little slice of heaven… Better just leave that door alone.

A white concert grand piano is here.

"Under your spell again.

I can't say no to you.

Crave my heart and it's bleeding in your hand.

I can't say no to you."

Brennia is home in the main floor which is dedicated to the love of music and of course she is sitting at her piano playing a simple, yet serene tune with only a hint of sad in the melody. Her silky alto tone accompanies the tune as perfect as her posture at the pianist bench while those onyx wings drape behind her as if a cape. Her attire a bit different than usual as it looks like training gear for melee fighting while her thick silky hair has been pushed into a high pony tail and this only accents her bird like features like those long pointed ears. Brennia seems to be alone in this vast castle at the moment and one would think that's a sad thing, but who really knows with her. Her song takes off into an empowering ballad of sorts as every note is carried beautifully to the faux starry skies of her cathedral ceiling . If there were to be a visitor at such an hour they would easily be able to let themselves in and be welcomed to the tastefully candlelit home and await the end of her tune - or disrupt - whatever works.

"Shouldn't let you torture me so sweetly.

Now I can't let go of this dream.

I can't breathe but I feel..."

Raphaline would wait until the avian has finished her music before she speaks. She has traveled a pretty decent distance to get here (Frostmaw) with the intention of finding somewhere where the way and those she knows that are involved in the war will not be. As she stands there listening, her own heart hears the sound of sadness echoing in each note that bounces along the stone walls of the castle. What could the avian be so saddened by? Curious, the bard approaches and raises her voice to join, singing the notes but never adding lyrics to the said song. Instead, she allows the song to penetrate her to the core and begin to swindle her of the blank slate she had walked in with, and in its place is the sadness of loss that cannot seem to loosen its own grip on her as well.

"Good enough,

I feel good enough for you.

Drink up sweet decadence.

I can't say no to you,

And I've completely lost myself, and I don't mind.

I can't say no to you."

Brennia ends the song gently as if a listless feather when her eyes finally open to see Raphaline and even though her focus was closed off during her practice she felt the fellow bard walk in - through song. Yes, her song was sad, but it was a hopeful one in the end and she was able to easily greet the beautiful woman with a stone heart melting smile which cause dimples poking in her cheeks. "Welcome to Chateau Smyth." Brennia stands now to bow respectively and the large wings reply in kind. "Did you travel far? Are you in desires for refreshments?" Her deep blues rest kindly in Raphaline, "Or is it the soul that needs feeding? I will gladly fetch that violin." She shifts her way around the piano while gently caressing the white wood of it like a darling lover and this is where the piano is placed between them.

"Shouldn't let you conquer me completely.

Now I can't let go of this dream.

Can't believe that I feel...

Good enough,

I feel good enough.

It's been such a long time coming, but I feel good."

Raphaline follows along with the playing, allowing her voice to echo through the room until the last key is struck. When words replace song and those said words are directed at her, she turns with a regarding look and smiles. “Ah, actually, it would seem both. I traveled from the icy region of Frostmaw, and for now, my soul needs a moment to breathe without others breathing down my neck.” Not to mention her constant run in with a certain warrior she just needed to forget already. “But, don’t let me run away with the conversation. What about yourself?” She inquires after the avian, especially given it has been a few months since their last meeting. “Have you been well?”

"And I'm still waiting for the rain to fall.

Pour real life down on me.

'Cause I can't hold on to anything this good enough.

Am I good enough for you to love me too?

So take care what you ask of me,

'cause I can't say no."

Brennia sighs gently when returning with little finger sandwiches from her kitchen and samplings of a few different wines from the cellar which she places at the coffee table of the seating area; seems she gave her chef the night off. "Let me know if you may need anything heartier for there is beef wellington warming in the oven." That seducing timbre seems to turn any word enticing, but it's really just the way she carries herself. "The violin is around here somewhere." She checks under one of the lavish sofas before pulling out a simply elegant case - the same one as before when she showed it to her and Odhranos. For now she lets the case rest on the sofa as she wanted Raphaline to play whenever she felt ready. "You may run as you please and I simply listen for sometimes that's all we need…" She fell quiet for a moment while pouring herself a spot of some dry cabernet, "How've I been?" Brennia's oceanic blues lazily glide over her own intricate tattoo pattern spanning nearly all of her caramel skin, "I recently had my ups and downs… Lost one thing and gained another." Of course she will elaborate more once prompted, but she wanted the conversation to be well balanced.

Raphaline shrugs casually, as if her own retinue of a life is merely something boring. “I will happily play you a song Brennia, but first, I care about you, so I would like to hear what I have missed.” She has never been one to deny her absences in others’ lives, but she balances it with her genuine concern and compassion when she is back. “What has brought downs to a such a lovely lady’s life? Who must I wallop across the face in retribution?” She lofts a brow before playfully falling into a short, silver-belled laugh. “I am not afraid to confront much of anyone these days.” And given the mithril armor that now covers her chest, it seems she is ready to step into a battle that might desire such precautions before doing so. She reaches for one of the darker wines, preferring something red and sweet and pours herself a glass before bringing said glass to her lips and enjoying the deep notes of its grape flavor mixing in with the fruit that had been added.

Brennia relaxes into one of the lush sofas while gesturing for her guest to sit and enjoy herself wherever she pleases. "You don't ever need to play me a song. I thought you might want to play you a song… Sometimes I feel that relaxes me." Brennia set her wine down untouched while one leather legging clad leg crossed the other in a most proper fashion, "It all happened very fast… My heart, my love and I were on a vacation and suddenly I was pulled away from it by his Barnabus. I know they weren't on the best of terms as of late, but I just cannot hear my loves mind anymore - I have been severed somehow…" She fell quiet for a moment, "Have you ever had to cut a body part off?" Whatever answer Raphaline would give didn't matter, "It was like someone ripped me from a vital part of my body and left me no clues on how to get it back." Her strength is resilient seeing as there was not even the hint of tears welling up. "So…" Her optics travel back into Raphaline's, "I was here - alone… Battling starvation and abusing my own access to my wine cellar until danger struck… Or so I thought and I found strength in a most unexpected place." That smile returns, "What has been on your plate?"

Raphaline has never had to cut a body part off, but the loss, she knows it like a chasm in her heart even now. She purses her lips, allowing the other woman to speak plainly with her while she smothers her own feelings once more into the pit where she doesn’t have to feel them anymore. “Have you seen him since then or?” If he were completely gone, that would be a massive loss indeed. “I am glad you were able to find your strength because I am not really sure how I would have been able to do so.” She pauses, considering the question directed at her. Swallowing, she shakes her head before saying, “War is on the horizon in Frostmaw.” This was a half-truth in regards to what she was feeling. “I am just tired of waiting, just ready to set forth and do what must be done.” And maybe, she could fill the hole in her heart finally. “I am glad you’ve got someone.” Because at this very moment, loneliness was trying to set in.

Brennia thinks for a moment while reaching for some fresh fruit from the platter, "Well…" She chews and swallows a grape, "I have not seen him…" She leans back unto the sofa cushions, watching and listening intently. "Raphaline… This war I've been hearing about sounds a heavy burden and I believe in you entirely." Her kind smile returned, "But… If I may ask you why you want to join this fight? Is it your fight?" She blinks slow, "I have my chef, Zachael. I currently took in a close friend and her baby, but I am alone. I spent so many years running from my home which is an Island… I have become and island and that is okay for I know I will never really connect with someone on the same level as I did with him… And that is okay." She drops the rest of her purple grapes in her drink and she takes a slow and small sip. "Have you anyone? On your side? In your corner?" Her left brow perks up in sincerity.

Raphaline isn't really sure if she is ready to answer that question, rather she turns back to the thought of war. "I came for a visit but now," she pauses, preparing for an apology, "my mind is plagued with it because good people I care about are about to set out and get into something." She sets her glass aside, feeling a tug at her heart as she rises. Had they left already for the scouting trip? Hopefully not. "I wanted to breathe away from it all, but truly, I think, if life is not lived standing for what you believe in it is an empty one." She moves to embrace the woman for a quick moment before saying, "Once the war is over I will pay a proper visit, but I have been putting off what I must do." She gathers up her thoughts, donning a genuine smile before she glances towards the door. "Forgive me?"

Brennia stands with her and hugs her back, but in hopes of not letting the fleeting embrace a short one she would wrap her velvety soft wings envelop the bard which would bring forth the woman's favorite scent. "That is a noble sentiment and I do believe in you. I await your return, but.." She would gently caress the woman's cheek in attempts to steal her attentions once more. A soft hum was given and the fireplace next to them alights, "Let me take care of you by the fire. We may drink lightly, sing our fight songs and have a healthy meal before bed, whichever bed you choose… And come morning I vow to fly you wherever you are needed." Her expression sincere in her soothing and gentle offer as she asks, "Let me just take care of you, my friend."

Raphaline really wants to accept that offer. Like deep down, she just wants to give into the avian and allow her whatever she wanted with the bard but. Thoughts of certain people flicker through her mind, things to come cause her heart to seize and with a gentle touch she shakes her head no. "I can't. Not right now. When things are done yes, but I made a promise to help and..." And no matter if someone she once loved is there or not, she needed to be there for the people. So, she takes a step back to put room before them and with a sigh she turns down the offer. "As lovely as that sounds, I must go and be a part of a mission I thought maybe I could run from. Soon though, soon, I will return."

Brennia places an arm around Raphaline's shoulder, "Of course, of course. I will be here. I do hope you know there was no pressure intended or any expectation from my offer." Gently, Brennia would take smaller strides of her six foot two height to keep in mind of her friend in order to head to those large entrance doors. Her wing would blanket around her friend in the last efforts to let her feel warmth before heading back to the cold. "Would you like for me to fly you to where you are needed tonight? … Unless you are afraid of heights, but I do feel bad you came all this way for nothing. No need to tire yourself with the way back." They arrived at the door by now and she gently holds it open for her in wait of her declined or accepted offer.

Raphaline shakes her head, she needed the nice walk to clear her head. She turns to her friend and gently embraces her before taking a step through the door. "I would never feel any pressure from you. Maybe next time we can have a bit more fun." And with that she turns, exiting from the castle.