Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Dec 28, 2020 1:11:47 GMT -8
There was a gasp, signaling the understanding of what Evelyn was saying. Her wife was a Lost in the company of the True Fae.
Worse yet, Evelyn felt the changes. The pain. Whatever else occurred...
As she spoke, Ivory remained silent, respecting the space an allowing Evelyn to let go of all she wished to relay.
"Darling," she said, her hand raising to caress one of Evelyn's cheeks, "This changes everything... but not in the way you expect. I had no idea you were carrying such a burden."
"You've granted me a purpose in telling me this," she says, her tone resolute, if slightly trembling as she delivered her vow "And, when your darling returns, I won't block the path home for either of you. Whether Fate determines that includes me or not. Do you understand? Your love is clear to me."
You will not be made to feel what I have felt.
"What can I do?" she asked.
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Post by Krakenbox on Dec 28, 2020 10:44:58 GMT -8
Evelyn leaned into her hand, offering a strained chuckle at the mention of 'burden'. She knew Ivory didn't mean it that way, and thus kept her lips zipped. The Avowed beamed as the Hunterheart swore, knowing how her people took such things to a higher calling. "You never stop being larger than life."
Looking out towards the city, letting the calm settle across the dark stage in which they sat, she mulled Ivory's question. "I...have been working to raise my station. Not that it works that way, I understand, but politics are the same across both sides of the mirror." The clear sky of her gaze lands back on Ivory, giddy with the innocent conspiracy, "Stheno's just the start. I'll meet someone who can brave the Thorns. God, I'd love you to meet her, dear, wouldn't that be perfect?"
She teared up as she sighed, overwhelmed with the moment and the tangible weight of their shared world. The dragon's smooth, pale hand was taken again in the candle light as she settled in the silence.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Dec 28, 2020 12:06:34 GMT -8
Ivory's expression softened as Evelyn beamed and expressed her gratitude.
"Larger than life?" she repeated, "Darling I could say the same for you. When Arthur died... you were the only one who stayed. You let me mourn and, when I was ready to rise again, you were there to help fan my flames. I would do more for you than I think you expect. I must."
She offered the Avowed a gentle smile and nodded as Evelyn gave her answer.
"Then I will work to increase mine, it will help you to have allies," she offered, "Buck seems the obvious endgame for now, considering his... portfolio, but I have some repute with our more fiery friends as well. I can work that angle."
Friends among the Iron Spear were always welcome in tasks aimed at battling the Gentry and their servants.
"I would love that," Ivory said, "I will do all I can to make that happen, I want you to know that."
Then the Pale Dragon's smile lessens a little, her expression growing more solemn as she visibly considers another thought.
"Evelyn, if courting the nobles and others fails, there is another option..." she offered quietly, her free hand joining with the other, so that Evelyn's hand is grasped in both. Her golden gaze shifted momentarily to the table, "You truly want her returned, yes?"
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Post by Krakenbox on Dec 28, 2020 12:18:37 GMT -8
Evelyn tossed her hair over her shoulder — a dismissive gesture at the concept of failing to woo the elites.
Ivory's last statement snaps her back to a serious attitude, "Well, don't leave me with anticipation," she said, lifting an eyebrow.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Dec 28, 2020 12:28:36 GMT -8
"I, um... I fought my way out," she admits, her tone quiet, "I don't remember much, but I was wounded. And hostile... well, as hostile as you can be when you can barely stand."
There's a light chuckle to that, tinged as it was with some faint sadness.
"The point being, I've done it before," Ivory said, "I only see flashes now, but, if it comes to it, I think I can remember who I was. What I was."
Evelyn knew Ivory's fears more than anyone. What Ivory was suggesting was goading out something feral from her past, something that she has kept hidden in a cage since meeting Pendragon.
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Post by Krakenbox on Dec 28, 2020 21:24:24 GMT -8
"Are you saying..." she seemed genuinely surprised, if a little worried.
"You can fight to get her back?"
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Dec 28, 2020 21:29:28 GMT -8
"The Good Folk won't let a treasure slip through the Thorns unharassed," she said, "If nothing else, I can buy her time, but... it will take time for me to open that piece of me. And things might change. In me, I mean."
There was a pause.
"Is this what you want?" Ivory asked, "Don't let anything cloud your judgement. Just tell me... please."
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Post by Krakenbox on Jan 1, 2021 18:59:57 GMT -8
"I-" she blinks, jaw knotting as she swallows a hiccup of raw emotion.
"No, darling, I'm not asking you to sacrifice yourself in the off chance of 'buying time'. She wouldn't want that, and neither do I."
Evelyn's eyes remained on the table, unsure if she had just shot Ivory's offer for help out of the sky because she found being responsible for her death incorrigible. Being asked to articulate that in the heat of the moment left her a little exhausted.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Jan 1, 2021 19:20:06 GMT -8
Ivory let Evelyn's recover from the intense offer, it was not a small thing, after all.
"I- I shouldn't have forced that in like that," she admitted her tone apologetic, "That path is only assuming other options aren't available. I should have made that more clear."
It wasn't a true apology, but Ivory didn't necessarily believe she had done anything truly wrong. Avowed or no, Evelyn had never been to Arcadia and Ivory wondered if it was her darling's hope to retrieve her wife without incident. Though her Durance played in her mind as shattered fragments, Ivory's memories thought that to be a pipe dream.
"You had mentioned Stheno," Ivory said, turning the topic back to Evelyn's preferred methods. Ivory still bore a slight dislike of the gorgon, believing her challenge to speak to Buck Chasseur had not been done in good sport. Nonetheless, Evelyn seemed to think she bore some use. Thus, Ivory would entertain the idea of helping her if it meant she could assist Evelyn in turn, "Do you think she can open a path to Buck or did you have a different champion in mind? I still want to help, darling. And I can be persuasive given time and favors cashed in."
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Post by Krakenbox on Jan 1, 2021 20:14:32 GMT -8
The shift to politics snaps Evelyn out of it, lapsing into her role as the Emerald adjutant. "I mean, her challenge to you was meant to help us both out. Making a game of it is apparently how you catch his attention, if the rumours are true," she said, tapping glittering nails along the stem of the wine glass.
"Seems to have worked! She's very close to Sir Chugunkin, as well, whom I understand is the authority under the queen." She left the implication of Power Behind The Throne unsaid, not wanting to imply anything rude to one of the Mantle. "They're usually together at most of the parties, and she's squeaked by on a few public scandals thanks to his intervention."
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Jan 1, 2021 20:33:13 GMT -8
Ivory listens, her soft features hardening into something more stoic and analytical. It was a rare face, showing itself when Ivory was becoming actually engaged in political thought. Ivory enjoyed politics, but being Pendragon's lover meant she had little to concern herself with in the game. Pendragon did well and so too did Ivory as a result.
"If that's true, I am willing to continue our correspondence when the opportunity presents itself," Ivory replied, "I'm just... wary."
Relationships were built on trust. It was important to Ivory that Evelyn understood she would work with the gorgon if it meant the progress of their goals, but she was uncertain how to feel about Stheno.
"I know dreadfully little about him, I'm afraid," the Pale Dragon admits, "Though I've heard rumors... And it seems his circle is not within mine. I don't think we've had much cause to meet."
There is a pause as Ivory considers something in her thoughts.
"Do you believe it fits your goals to associate with him?" she asked, "There is no judgement, but if that's a path we are going to walk I'd like to know."
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Post by Krakenbox on Jan 1, 2021 23:30:03 GMT -8
Evelyn traces her finger against the dew forming on her red wineglass from Ivory's Mantle, a mischievous smile quirking her subtly painted lips.
"You should be weary, she is quite fierce and doesn't quite care about anyone's opinion," she says, admiration tinging her voice. As Ivory spoke of circles, the Avowed seemed excited, "From my understanding, there's only two." Knights, that is. "One has been around for several changes of office, and always cuts a deal to keep his place of power, and the other is a young philanthropist that got snatched up by a cougar."
She laughs, no disdain for Piper in her tone and more congratulatory. "I'm not the gambling sort. And frankly that woman is unpleasant. Stheno at least is good for a laugh and an adventure."
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Jan 2, 2021 0:35:49 GMT -8
Ivory nods, her form relaxing into her seat as the conversation turned fully to social intrigue, a comfortable subject for both.
In fact, as Evelyn speaks, Ivory finally cuts into her steak for the first time. The first bite is taken as Stheno is spoken of and it's impolite to speak when one's mouth is full, so she just smiles and nods.
Evelyn swallows, reaching for her wine glass as the Knights are discussed.
"And you believe the one who's been around longer is the better horse for netting your champion?" she asked, "Or would you prefer to work both angles?"
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Post by Krakenbox on Jan 2, 2021 0:49:00 GMT -8
Evelyn nods, "Yes. From my understanding, leadership changes often, but that one is consistent. Also, I know that Sir Nimbus tends to flit around a bit, but that's probably due to his...nature. Being constantly in his face to keep attention seems a bit...beneath us?"
She looked to the Lost for approval on her observation about Elementals and their quirks. The Knight of Rains was an infamous flake, but also a being of drifting mist and clouded attention.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Jan 2, 2021 1:09:49 GMT -8
Ivory pauses her eating to consider her lovers words.
"Whether it's beneath us or not, it doesn't matter," she mused, "The reality is what you have planned is something that requires a consistent hand. Sir Chugunkin seems to be the best bet and, with his tenure, their is much he likely knows of our peers. Given the rumors, I still believe working into the graces of Mr. Chasseur would be best, considering his... success. Nonetheless, Sir Chugunkin likely knows of alternatives should that fall through, whether in our greater circle or elsewhere in the city."
"So... I agree, his assistance would be the most useful," she offered, "I'd rather his knowledge be working to assist rather than hinder, as could be the case if we assisted a rival."
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