Terms of Estrangement
[The date is December 24, 4289. It is now night. A cold wind blows from the west, driving charcoal clouds before it and blotting out the stars in isolated patches overhead. The air is clear and elsewhere the stars shine brightly.]
Lawn - Public Gardens
A dazzle of ice is the first thing that catches your eye. Surrounded by snow-blanketed lawns, a graceful fountain of snowy marble lies frozen and quiescent, yet still catching every ray of winter moonlight and throwing it back in diamondlike glitter. A broad path of crushed white stone runs in a wide circle around the fountain, kept clear of snow, ringed in turn by snowed-over flowerbeds. Beyond them, the lawns continue, smooth and softly white. A row of rosebushes, largely leafless now, are planted along the stone wall to the north, flanking the gate. The path branches off to the south, where it joins a shady avenue lined with stark, bare-branched trees, and to the east toward a quiet grove.
The fair weather clouds in the west turn purple, gold, and vermillion as the sun sets. The snow, in shadow, looks blue. A cold wind blows from the west.
Brianna comes down the path from the gates.
Brianna has arrived.
[Brianna:
Brin wears a simple dress, black in color, velvet in composition. The sleeves are fitted, the shoulders having some leeway to stretch. Her hands are both covered in a hunter green leather, gloves that are custom made. Her skirts fold softly about her body, a hint of hunter green cotton underskirts peeking out at the bottom.
Brin's hair is braided, a plain country design, the end swishing around her thighs. Her face shows the subtle signs of adornment, rouge and gloss to the lips. Her lagoon-blue eyes shine softly, highlighted by the charcoal lining them.
A slender chain of silver encircles Brianna's neck, a pendant hanging against the hollow of her throat, and for those familiar with the design, they would know that it signifies that she's a member of the MageAcademy. She seems to wear the pendant proudly. She wears only one other piece of jewelry: A ring on her middle finger.]
Brianna smiles as she takes a deep breath of fresh air, her guards falling back quite a ways as she begins trailing through the gardens. She's come to listen to the water burble, but for now, just being out of the stone coffin of the castle is nice.
Antha stands near the fountain, gazing at the frozen substance in awe.
The crunch of footsteps draws Antha's attention toward the newcomers. Unsure of what to do, she makes an graceful attempt at a curtsy, though it doesn't look quite right somehow.
Brianna pauses, and tilts her head in greeting, moving over to examine the frozen fountain as well. "Good day. Enjoying the crisp air?"
Antha says nothing at first, her eyes searching your face before recognition settles there. She offers a polite smile. "Indeed" is her reply.
There is no recognition in Brin's glance. She's never seen you before. As she studies you, though, she offers, "Are you new to Waes? You seem...mesmirized by the ice, and with your complexion...I'd guess you're from climes much more temperate than this."
Antha nods faintly, giving the ice a quick slantwise glance. "Oomura, though I've been here before." Her statement is pointed, lacking malice, but nonetheless an attempt to draw a memory from you.
Brianna lifts a brow, then smiles. "You do look somewhat familiar. Perhaps you could help me, though, remember....Have we met before? I see so many people in the infirmary, I sometimes forget."
"Reaver's. I can't recall when abouts exactly." Lie. "Before you married Timothy and we both vied for his attentions."
Antha shrugs. "Maybe I'm thinking of someone else...there were always a lot of women after him then."
Brianna's entire demeanor changes. Her carriage is more regal, and her smile grows. "Ah. I apologize. I have forgotten. And yes, there was always someone wanting his attentions. He doesn't find them quite as widely spread now, though. His cousins, his daughter, and I keep him quite entertained." She pauses, "Welcome back to Waes then. I hope you enjoy your time here." Not catty, but confident. She knows who won his heart.
Antha smirks like a wolf closing in on its prey, letting out a faint chuckle. "I do enjoy it here. D'Image has many a knight and other brave, attractive men waiting on a silver platter." She frowns discreetly. Of course, they're all married or otherwise...engaged.
Brianna smiles, and moves to a holly bush, admiring the bright red berries. "There are indeed. The ones that aren't in love with other men, that is. But I'm sure if you're looking, m'lady, you will find one to woo you easily enough. You're certainly not unattractive."
If you look carefully, Antha's ears blush instead of her cheeks. "I appreciate you saying that." She pauses a moment and cants her head. "There /is/ quite of number of...oh, I don't the D'Imagian word...oh, well. But 'men in love with other men' here. I've never encountered a single area with so much..." She pauses again, obviously searching for the D'Imagian word. For a foreigner, her speech is about the same as natives, save for words laced with an Island accent. "Diversity" she says finally.
Brianna laughs softly. "Indeed. Diversity. Men with men, women with women, more than just couples..." She shrugs one shoulder, "I am lucky to have my husband. Thankful to be saved from all the confusion." She considers the berries, looking for something in particular.
Antha chuckles as well, raking a hand through black hair. Her face does not show it, but her heart flinched at the word 'husband'. There is hurt and disappointment, yet no anger or hostility. "What exactly are you looking for my Lady?"
Brianna glances up, and smiles softly, a knowing look in her eye. "I'm considering the berries, Lady. I do believe I will pick some, to work on some things I'm testing. I think they could be used in a poulstice I'm still developing."
Antha quirks a brow, a curious smile playing on her lips. "Are you a scientist or a healer?"
Brianna plucks ten of the hard berries, depositing them in her pocket. "A healer, though I'm taking a bit of a break, to research, study. Rest. And you, m'lady?" She considers a moment, then offers, "And you may call me Brianna, if you'd like."
Antha nods softly. "Antha" she states, gesturing to herself. "While in D'Image, I've been researching as well. The library is so comprehensive."
Brianna laughs, and nods, "My first love here in Waes. What are you researching, then, Antha? Perhaps I could help you in your studies?"
Antha chuckles, her body language more relaxed now. "Everything I can get my hands on, that includes the men that are fool enough to let me trap them between the stacks."
Brianna chuckles softly, "Have you trapped anyone of interest there?"
Antha comments with an easy-going grin. "Now that would be telling."
Brianna laughs, "Oh, but I do enjoy a good story. I understand, though...There was a time I had to keep my affairs quiet as well." She doesn't seem to notice the double entendre. "I'm down to the stream, to look for a herb. Would you care to join me while I walk?"
"I would" Antha replies genuinely, though a little uncomfortable by the presence of the guards.
Brianna looks over to the guards, and waves them to stay. "We won't be long. And it's not as if I'll be out of sight." She offers her arm to the other woman, and gestures.
Antha accepts and follows the other woman.
Brianna follows the path into the trees.
Brianna has left.
You follow the path into the trees.
Grove - Public Gardens
The snow lies thinly on the ground in this secluded grove, filtered by the interwoven branches of the towering trees. Pale winter light sifts down, falling in dappled patterns on the frosted ground. The moss is brown upon the weathered silver-grey trunks, and the air is chill and fresh. To the east is the faint gleam of ice. The quiet is absolute. Westward lie the snowy lawns and the frozen fountain. It's fair and chilly.
Brianna follows the track south along the streamside.
Brianna has left.
You follow the track south along the streamside.
Streamside - Public Gardens
A frozen stream trickles down from the northeast, flowing sluggishly over its rocky bed with a mournful, muted sound. Long brown grass, damp with frost, and rustling dead reeds line the bank. Starlight gleams on the ice. To the east, a quaint stone bridge arches over the stream, leading to an open snow-filled meadow on the other side. A path winds north into the grove, and a tree-lined avenue stretches west. It's fair and chilly.
"It doesn't look like a cold, dead wasteland at all" Antha murmurs to herself.
Brianna smiles as she turns her gaze upward, looking for something in the trees, evidently. "I'm glad that you've found D'Image pleasant enough to return to, Antha. It's a very special place." She pauses, and turns, one eyebrow arching again. "Who said that it was a cold wasteland?"
Antha snaps her gaze to you. "Hmm? I did, before the snow fell and all it seems to be was mud and jarringly cold winter. I imagined it could only get worse, but it's...pleasant in an unexpected way."
Brianna laughs softly. "I hate the rain before winter. It's always cold, and dreary. But then the snow."
Antha nods, yet her eyes flitter over the vastly different landscape. "Will you still be able to collect your herb despite the climate?"
Brianna looks upward again, and sighs. "No. I was looking for a particular herb that grows in the treetops sometimes, but...I've come out to late to collect it." She shrugs. "It's still nice to get out of of that castle from time to time. Though I shouldn't stay out for too long. Don't want to cause anyone to worry."
Antha furrows her brow. "You find that grand castle...unpleasant?"
Brianna shrugs again, finding a bench and sitting down, even though she can feel the cold seeping up into her legs immediately. "It gets...close after too many months."
Antha nods slowly, still standing. "I suppose that can be true about anything, if you think about it philosophically."
Brianna shrugs, "I suppose. Unless you find a way to open it up. I've been a chamberlain for over a year now, and each day is exciting. I don't feel trapped in my daily life." With Timothy, she leaves unsaid.
Antha tugs at the end of her right brow, a subconscious but nevertheless unending habit. "Chamberlain?" This word is not used on the Islands.
Brianna thinks for a moment, "Assistant to the Ki--To the Queen, or at current, to the Regent."
Antha looks down at the snow on the ground, a moment of respect for a fallen man. "I had been shocked to hear that King Bradley had been..." she says after raising her head back up. She does not finish the sentence, feeling it too strange to say 'assasinated'. The word feels dirty in her mind.
Brianna's eyes still burn with anger at the thought. "None of us expected, or take it mildly. I only wish His murderer wasn't released from pain already."
Antha frowns. "Released?"
Brianna answers, "He's dead now, as well. Executed." She folds her hands in her lap, calming herself only with effort.
Antha files this information away in her mind. She hesitates a moment before stating: "I've met the assasins son. Cannot recall his name at the moment." Antha explains. "He is the one who had told me about the King."
Brianna ahs. "Jordan? Demetri? They're both handsome, free. And seem to like women."
Antha nods. "Jordan was the one I spoke to. I sympathize for him." Her eyes take on a certain glint. "Possibilities, possibilities" she says in a singsong voice, though her tone is still not as chipper as it could be.
Brianna stands then, and smiles. "I should return to the castle...I do hope I will see you again, though." She senses that holding back of joy, and doesn't want to thing about it. Your name, after all, was on the bed.
Antha nods politely, but with a little more respect than initially. "And I you, Lady Brianna. I must be going as well."
Brianna smiles. "Do look me up in the castle sometime, Antha. This walk was quite pleasant, and I need distractions from time to time." With that, she turns, and heads back to her guards, and her warm suite.
Antha watches the other woman leave a moment, then heading in the other direction to her own destination.
Brianna heads west up the path.
Brianna has left.