Reunited

[Date: April 17, 4291.
It is now late at night.]

[Foyer Balcony - Castle D'Image:

Pale grey marble shimmers throughout the foyer balcony, forming a contrast to the darker granite that composes most of the castle. A runner of azure carpet, trimmed in silvery braid, gives the floor a bit of softness. Torches dot the walls to provide illumination, occasionally casting odd shadows on the foyer floor below, or giving the peculiar impression of extra steps in the staircase that leads downward. Soft noises can be heard from the archways leading into the northern or southern hallways from time to time.

To the north are the North Court Quarters where minor nobility reside, while all noble guests of the Crown live to the south in the South Court Quarters. An arch to the west yields entrance to the Throne Room Balcony, and a large, sprawling staircase descends into the Main Foyer.]

The Baron is standing on the balcony, before the rail, watching the foyer below with a distant gaze. His cloak is shifted to where the clasp is on his right shoulder, the cloak made to completely, and casually, shroud his left side, hiding the fact that he has an arm missing now. As the lady ascends the staircase, he turns and offers her a bow. "Lady Antha. Rumor has it your searching for me?" He greets softly.

Antha's eyes change focus as she realizes there is another person on the balcony, her lips stretching into a surprised, pleased grin as she hears herself being greeted. "Such a small town" she whispers to herself. "Just a little."

[Julius:

Standing at six feet tall, the baron appears to have the wirey frame of an elf, but is well toned without being bulky. High cheekbones and a pale complextion gives him dignity, long lashes of black velvet curtaining bright jaded eyes that almost seem to come alive with molten pools of jaded gems around a black pupil. They don't glow, but his eyes do seem quite bright in color. Small pale lips rest below a mediocre nose, those noble features being framed by long bangs of raven silky locks that fall on either side of his face. The rest of his long hair falls down his back to his waist.

This swordsman is dressed in tight black pants that hug his legs fittingly, tucking into black leather boots that go up to his knees. Donning his upper form is a shirt of deep silky crimson that tucks into his pants. On his upper arms and wrists are black leather doublets, as well as leather gloves hugging his hands fittingly. Over his shirt, he wears a black sleeveless coat that hugs his form lithely, going down to mid-thigh and overlaps to button closed on the left side of his chest with buttons hidden underneath the fabric. Over his heart is the DeCanter Barony coat-of-arms done in beautiful sewed embroidery. The coat of arms itself is a dragon and a unicorn, engaged in a deadly battle of horn, hooves and deadly teeth and claws from the dragon. Crossed swords are at the bottom of the coat of arms and a wreath of ivy is at the top. Around his waist, holding the coat in place there, is a black leather belt with a longsword worthy of a nobleman, and a dagger to match its silvery design on the back of his belt.

For concealment and warmth, he wears a black cloak that clasps at the throat with a silver vine-design clasp. He moves with a swordsman's deadliness and a dancer's grace.

Even though he is missing his left arm, the shoulder being nothing but flat skin that leads into the side, his clothes having been mended to fit his new ailment. His grace is not hindered, nor is his swordsmanship skills. His eyes seem ever so faintly darker then usual, having the hardness of a darkly experienced warrior.]

With a faint tilt of his head, his long ebony hair spilling over his right shoulder, he reguards you. "It is good to see you again." He offers, though there is a curiousity in his darkened shadowy green pools that watch her as to why he was being sought out.

"Por los Dios, it is good to see a familiar face as well" she replies. "What have you been up to this long while?"

[Translation: By the Gods]

Julius smiles faintly. "Tending to troubles overseas. Yourself?"

Antha lets out a thoughtful sigh. "Tending my galatea. Enjoying Oomura all the more at that time that it was not the cold, bitter winter I experienced here in D'Image."

Julius lets his light, almost sad smile remain. "I mean not to press the issue, but why were you searching for me, Antha? It is always good to catch up with an old friend, but is there aught amiss, that I can aid you with?"

Antha offers a musical chuckle. "I didn't search you out to slay a dragon or conquer a village. I looked for you, and I use the phrase loosely, because you were a pleasing companion."

Julius laughs faintly. "I wouldn't of conquered a village, but dragon slaying is better left for the Knights." He turns from him to better face the main foyer, his right hand offering a lithe gesture to offer to stand next to him. "It is indeed good to see a blossoming rose back at the castle. How long are you staying?"

Antha moves over to where you now stand, setting her elbows on the railing of the balcony and looking out into the night sky a moment. "I never know. Hopefully, I will stay until D'Image becomes an iceland again." She turns her gaze back to you, but says nothing. However, her eyes study your face a few moments, as though hypnotized.

His face holds an almost haunted, if not sad expression, but also a distant relaxation and calmness of being home again. Though it all fades as his eyes slide back to you, remembering the time they first met. "You know, I never had the chance to do what I promised I would..."

Antha smiles a confused smile, her off-color eyes shaping into half-moons. "We never made promises to one another." Her voice is sure. She looks at you as if you were not the same Julius she remembered.

Julius smiles faintly. "I sparred with you once, but never further had the chance to teach you the sword, as I had offered." He sighs at that gaze, unable to meet it, his eyes averting to the foyer below.

Antha, herself still a bit hesitant with this "un-Julius", tries to lighten the mood: "You should have gone with me to Oomura and taught me there." She smirks and adds, "They wear less clothing there."

Oh its still the same Julius at heart, and a blush taints his cheeks. He clears his throat. "I might just do that sometime." Though his wife would kill him!!

The smirk remains on her lips, but her eyes sparkle a little more. "Liar" she states teasingly.

Julius slides his gaze over to her. "Why say that? I would indeed go with you." He gives you his old charming smile, being around you bringing some of his old self back to him. He gives her a little wink, eyes sliding back out to the warming weather outside. "Feel like a walk in the gardens for old time's sake?"

Antha quirks a brow, entertaining the phrase 'old time's sake' for just a pause. "I'd love to, but you have to promise that you will not try to accost me, no matter how desirable I am to you."

Julius smiles faintly and offers you his arm in escort. "I will not lie, for you are attractive, but I would never do that."

Antha pretends to pout. "Just when you think you can count on a man to misbehave." She takes the proffered arm and lets herself be led the way.

Julius grins over at her. "Don't tempt me." He winks and leads her down the stairs and to the foyer below.

"Wouldn't dream of it" she replies.

Julius has a face that almost says 'damn' playfully as he smiles at her.

Gateway to the East

As they step outside, his eyes slide to her, watching her to see if she's cold at all in this damp, cool air.

[The world is dark and foggy. Everything is half-hidden, nothing clearly seen. It almost feels as if you walk through some otherworld. It's cool and the air feels damp and still.]

Antha blinks at Julius, her expression curious. The hair on her skin is raised and goosebumps cover her flesh, but she makes no mention of it.

Julius has a keen eye and can notice those little things. He moves a little closer and opens the right side of his cloak, offering that to her if she wants warmth.

Antha doesn't hesitate to move into the coat. "Any excuse to be pressed up against my body, eh?" she asks with a wonderfully wicked grin.

Julius slides his right arm around her shoulders to close the cloak around her. His left missing arm is still hidden. "Of course." He answers jokingly with an easy smile. "Though with your consent beforehand." He offers with a bit of a wink, the winds blowing his hair around a bit, a few strands dancing in his face.

Antha nods and mock-frowns. "Of course."

Julius arches a brow ever so faintly and continues on, keeping her from finding out about his arm to the best of his ability, but still acts casual. "Tell me, My Lady. Did you miss me?" He offers softly, bowing his head faintly, closing his eyes briefly. He looks so tranquil at the moment... "There wasn't a day I didn't think about you, and I'm sorry I couldn't visit you. Other matters kept me elsewhere."

Antha blinks, clearly not expecting the admittance. She shifts her gaze to the ground a moment, before looking back over at you. "I tell you, that's relieving to hear. And I didn't expect you to visit. Oomura isn't exactly a stone's throw from here." She casts her eyes to the ground again, repeating the same gesture as before. "And yes. I missed you from the moment I stepped on the boat back home."

A content smile rises to his lips, his eyes slipping to rest on her briefly, before moving to rest on the road before them. In this fog, it can be dangerous, and he knows this, especially with how dark it is. His thumb rubs on her shoulder ever so briefly, but in an affectionate, friendly manner, not wanting to make her uncomfortable. He seems to almost assume to the role of protector and guardsman so fluidly while being outside with her, eyes so casual as they search the depths of the fog as they walk.

Antha squints ahead before inquiring: "So what were these 'other matters' you spoke of?" Her gait is relaxed and sure.

His voice comes softly, like a whisper in the wind, but comes with confidence, more relaxed at the news so recently heard. "A friend of mine overseas called me for help, and I left to help him. It kept me away for a good few months... Though now its settled and I'm back home." He offers a smooth grin, content to be back, his steps carrying them further into town.

Village of Waes

Antha keeps pace with you. "Since when are you vague, Julius?"

Julius chuckles lightly. "Some things are best kept until a later time of unveiling, my dearest Antha."

Antha makes a quick glance down, her smile doubtful, but pleasant.

Julius gives her a faint reassuring squeeze with the arm that is around her shoulders, while moving on, into the gardens. The dark mysteriousness of the late foggy night, the pale, almost zero visability around them putting him at great ease... this seeming to be his new element.

Antha continues her pace toward the gardens (or presumably the gardens) by your side, her expression neither fond nor distasteful of the fog.

Lawn - Public Gardens

Dancing water is the first thing that catches your eye. Surrounded by velvety green lawns, a graceful fountain of snowy marble tosses crystal spray into the air, catching every ray of moonlight and throwing it back in glitter and rainbows. A broad path of crushed white stone runs in a wide circle around the fountain, ringed in turn by blooming beds of daffodils, crocus, anenomes and a host of other flowers. Beyond them, the lawns continue, smooth and softly verdant. A row of rosebushes, barely studded with buds, are planted along the stone wall to the north, flanking the gate. The path branches off to the south, where it joins a shady, tree-lined avenue, and to the east toward a quiet grove.

The good Baron leads you into the gardens, a place he knows well, like the back of his hand. He leads you to the fountain where they once sat and talked, offering for her to sit with a smoothe gesture with his right hand. Being a gentlemen, he keeps a polite distance once she's sitting, for he feels that she is uncomfortable with the subtle change he's undergone after his recent trip.

Antha glances at the fountain, taking in the beauty of it, before sitting down on it. She is silent for a few good moments before stating: "I'd like to crawl inside your head and take notes."

Where the hell did that come from? He can't help but laugh a bit at that one, grinning over at her. "It would be a dangerous trip, My lady."

Antha grins despite the fact that she was serious. "Is it truly? Indeed, it's been a year and some months since we've seen one another, but you seem more...preoccupied of late."

Julius smiles softly. "I should be rather bored now, due to all my business is done with, all loose ends tied up. Rather much back to the way it was when we first met." Though he was able to hold her in a loving manner then, now he's afraid to, since she seems distant from him now.

Antha hmms softly. "I know I've always been an 'ask questions' type of girl, but how long have you been so...reserved?" Subtle emphasis is put on the word 'reserved', neither discernably good nor bad.

The Baron tilts his head, eyes on her curiously. "Define reserved." He asks softly, his dark green eyes brightening some at being in her company again. He seems to have lightened up greatly, but he is a bit quieter.

"Well, you're still fully dressed" she jokes.

Julius blinks a bit at that one and laughs softly, offering her a wink. "I've... changed a little, Dearest."

Antha smiles coyly, relishing the wink. "In what areas?" She pauses, creating a mock-moment-of-suspense on her features. "Tell me you haven't changed in the areas of your expertise?!"

Julius laughs softly. "No, that has not changed..." He winks. "I'm still an expert in... certain areas." He smiles teasingly, but also flirtingly, but after words... it drains a bit from his face. He raises his right hand to brush back his cloak from his left shoulder, revealing that he has an arm missing now. The shoulder curves ever so faintly, but the side of it is perfectly flat, the skin leading into his side, and the way his shirt is made, it shows that by how it covers it.

Antha's eyebrows raise up, her face a mixture of confusion, pity, and shock. Other emotions are there as well, but indiscernable. She doesn't look as though she knows whether to crack a joke, stare, or offer profuse condolences.

Julius shifts the cloak back in place, so it covers the missing arm once again, his eyes resting on Antha's face, trying to judge and gauge her reaction.

"I'm sorry." She says it quietly, almost too soft too hear. It's about the dumbest two words that could be said about such a loss.

Even that seems reassuring to him though. He moves closer to sit down next to her, that joyful sense seeming to return to him a bit. He smiles softly in thanks.

Antha returns to him a smile of the same measure. "That's it, right? No other appendages are missing?" Her tone is teasing, yet wary that he might take it to heart.

He knows she's just joking to lighten the mood. "I swear, thats the only thing missing." He winks over at her, his eyes watching her face. So beautiful...

"Ah da gracias a los dioses!" she explaims, moving to wrap her arms around you.

[Translation: Oh thank the gods!]

Julius laughs and slides his arm around her waist, holding her close... enjoying the hug while it lasts.

Antha lets herself relish in the moment, letting the moment be a quite long one. Her arms are still around you when she says, "I have to go now, Julius."

Julius sighs faintly as she says those words, and offers her a faint nod, as well as a pale kiss on her forehead. "I will see you again, My dear."

Antha closes her eyes as she receives the kiss on her forehead. She positions her head so that her lips are approximate less than an inch from yours. "Guarantee it and you win a prize."

Julius smiles, having a guess of what that prize is... "I guarantee it, Antha."

Antha moves in to kiss you; a quick, mouth half-open kiss that teases. "Farewell for now."

Julius returns the kiss in its brievity, smiling softly. "Indeed, My rose." He lets her go, watching her leave into the foggy night.

Antha offers a final wave, then her body is concealed within the fog.

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