RP:The Key of Soul Secured
Part of the The Orb Of Life Arc
Summary: Rhocielle informs Arien of his discovery of the Key of Soul, as well as what other intelligence he has gleaned regarding the disappearance of the Grove and the relic that can be used to retrieve it. Arien is informed of his intent to work with Thea of Enchantment in moving forward to search for the remaining keys
Characters: Arien, Rhocielle
Location; Rynvale: Arien’s Island Retreat
Rhocielle was settled down before the main fire on the ground floor, a rusted key in his hands. Rather than disturb his mate late at night, he’d simply curled up against her and soothed whatever troublesome dreams she might have had because of his missing presence. Now that it was morning, he could explain what had kept him away so late into the previous night. Yawning softly, the wolfen male laid back lazily upon the fur rug on the floor.
Arien was tired, and it was likely because her sleep when it had finally come, had been restless. It had been some time since she had had to fall asleep without her mate at her side, and while she was not particularly worried, the disruption to familiar routine had left her uneasy. She had stirred awake when she felt him slip into bed, and then almost immediately fallen into a more restful sleep. Still, morning had come too soon and when she had reached for him he was already gone. A soft yawn slipped past her lips, and pale fingers dragged through her hair before coming to rest on the curve of her stomach with a tender smile. “What’s your pappa up to wolflings?” she asked of her children quietly, before swinging her feet over the edge of the bed. Robe was dragged over silken skin, and the female was padding barefoot into the common room moments later, emerald gaze coming to rest fondly on the broad back of her husband. “Morning wolf.” She murmured with dry amusement. “I had not thought my husband would tire of my bed so quickly..”
Rhocielle smiled fondly at Arien, despite her subtly annoyed amusement, "Never, elf..." He held out a rather large and rusted key. "This is one of the cursed Keys that will restore the Grove, Arien... I found it in the Fog Forest, in the den of the Mist Dragon." He nodded slowly, shuffling back to his knees before standing and moving to wrap his arms around her frame.
Arien laughed softly, her arms slipping around his large body as she brushed her nose against his in a wolfen kiss. “Mhmm..that’s they all say, until the once happy bride wakes up alone and wonders what happened to her happy ever after..” she teased softly aloud. Silently she would communicate her acceptance of his profession.~As will I never tire of you at my side Rho~ The elf’s gem like gaze fell to the object he held up on display. “Key? Cursed?..It would seem you have been busy wolf, I feel quite lost. How many keys are there? How are you aware of it…do we know how, or why the keys can cause the Grove to be restored?” It would seem that the elf was not nearly so prolific in her travelling to the mainland as of late, and especially to the tavern where her most recent visit had almost resulted in her death, and that of their children. “What must you do now..with the key?”
Rhocielle nodded to her, "I spoke to some of the tavern goers that were present. The missing Sage has returned, and three enchanted keys must be found to unlock a relic on Aramantium... Only a single key can be held by a person. They are cursed and something terrible will happen should someone hold more than one... It is the relic, itself, however, that can restore the Grove, not these keys..."
Arien nodded her understanding. “I see..I suppose this means that it is quite beyond question that you should attempt to find the remaining keys,” she murmured, eyeing him balefully. “Your children and wife would have a bit of a problem with something ‘terrible’ happening to you..” she added, running her fingertips along his runed muzzle. “But it will be in our interests to do what we can to make sure those who -do- find the remaining keys are willing to work in the interests of the restoration of the Grove, and not for some more..insidious purpose.” Her brow furrowed in thought. “Do we know the lore of the relic, why it was locked away and what may be potentially released if it falls into the wrong hands? How much are we risking to secure the return of the Grove? Is it worth the chance of something going wrong?”
Rhocielle rested his muzzle against her cheek, caressing her skin with his ebon fur. "Aye, dear one... And you are right, we should still aid those searching for the other two keys, to make sure they remain in proper possession." He shook his head in regards to the relic's history, "I only had the bulletin board post to go on... I will have to ask Thea if she knows more when I meet with her about this key. She was there at the site also."
Arien nestled into the silken warmth of the fur against her cheek, pausing to lean back only upon hearing mention of the pixie female. “ Ahh.. Thea was present? I suppose it should not surprise me, her connection to life is powerful enough that she would sense such a disruption to the balance..and those strange flowers..” A thoughtful frown furrowed her brow. “Be careful, beloved. For while I think it fair to say that her love of nature will be enough to assure that she may wish to see the Grove restored, I do not know her well enough beyond that to offer judgment on any other deeper motivations that may or may not drive her.” She glanced into his silvery pools worriedly. “And we must be sure, that our aid will not indirectly result in harm or troubles for our world. A soft smile curved her lips. “Still, if there is one to whom I feel safe entrusting the negotiation of those particular waters..it would be you. Let me know how that encounter unfolds?”
Rhocielle grunted softly, but remaining murring gently against her neck, "I know... and I will be careful, Arien. I do not know her at all, save what is said about her and her titles." His paw gently caressed her lower back before sliding along her side to rest upon her womb. Grey eyes met with her emeralds, "But, in the meantime while I await audience with her... I should spend some time with my wife... Hrmm, does the elf protest to such a request...?" He grinned softly to her, licking her lips gingerly.
Arien offered him up a slow smile in return, her arms raising to slip around the strength of his neck and rest there.. “Ahh, no. The elf does not protest at all. In fact, she thought you’d never ask..” she said softly. “And you can start by feeding her, and the pups who seem set on devouring her from the inside out..” she added dryly, lifting her petite nose to brush against leathern nostrils. “And then we should get back to work on the nursery…we shall be needing it before we realize.” It was for these moments that she lived, moments that she had believed possible only in her dreams. What was left of the morning would be spent in each other’s company, thoughts of official business set aside in favor of making the memories that would come to define their family.