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Tweak says, "Sealing. Sealing."

Avalynn Dubhghail (dubhghail) wrote in bizarre_city,
@ 2013-06-22 17:44:00

Entry tags:

avalynn dubhghail, mikino alcaeyn

October 5th
Who | Avalynn Dubhghail & Mikino Alcaeyn
When | October 5th
Where | Royal Stables
What | Returning from the West.

When Ava had left court five days earlier, she had not expected to be gone as long as she had. It had meant to be a day or two at the most to simply touch base with both Nye and her Mother. She had not yet invited her cousin to Tadriel and she had no intention of doing so until such a time where she would step down. It was still her home, at least for now, and she would ensure that it would continue to run as it should in her absence. There was a lot there to oversee and not everyone had been put in the correct place. There were still a few individuals she needed to draw in and a few roles to be filled. Once that was done, the estate would all but run itself as smoothly as one could hope. Which meant, her Cousin would stand only as a face for the Public. His limited knowledge would not undermine the estate, which made her all the happier for it.

With two extra days spent in the West, Ava finally managed to set out once more. As she returned to Court, she brought with her the three guards Nye had insisted she take with her. Their faces were familiar, as she had seen them often enough on the Calmcacil holdings, but none she knew personally. It was not something she was entirely comfortable with, but she allowed them the chance to become more familiar. Besides them, Brokk had ridden as well. The loyalty and trust there was something earned over years and it would seem that he would travel with her no matter where she went, even the South. Ava had accepted his decision only because he was not leaving anything behind. His wife had passed in Child birth and his son was long since grown. If she was completely honest, a part of her was relieved that he would remain a constant presence in her life.

Court had never been her favourite place to be, but as they returned she accepted the fact that she could hide away from it no longer. With her horses she'd been able to put more distance between herself and Court proper. Business had always drawn her away at the most convenient of times. She supposed, she was high time she actually became a part of it. In the upcoming weeks, she would need to make more appearances out and about. Not necessarily anything important, just enough to be seen and her presence noted. The rest would come in time, as it always did.

For now, however, she hug back in the stables a little longer. Knowing one's responsibilities and following through on them were two entirely different things. With Brokk standing not too far away, she chuckled, reaching out and running her hand over the Litharian's nose as he moved to nudge her. "I suppose I can't stay hidden in here forever, can I? I don't believe smelling like the stables will earn me any respect."

It would seem, however, that even in the stables, the world outside still found her.

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gilded_justice
2013-06-25 02:41 am UTC (link)

Reason only carried one so far in matters of the heart, and he had known Sidonie longer than anyone else living. He had been a child with her, known her before the burden of power had changed either of them. If he could not stand by the woman she had become, he could also not help but mourn the one she had been, and in doing cling to some small hope that there was a chance yet to reclaim what was lost. That he did not press to see her despite her insistence otherwise was proof enough that he did know better. Mikino had always acted on the behalf of logic and an interest in the well-being of the whole. He was Judgment. Those duties came before all else. Before family and friends and even himself.

Not everyone understood the sacrifice or the intricacies of it, but he knew he did not have to explain to Avalynn. Her name had held weight longer than Alcaeyn.

She did just as he had insisted she always had, of course, and he forgot for a moment about the worries ahead of him for the sake of biting back a grin that may have gotten him into more immediate trouble. Instead, his demeanor was all too somber, which was likely worse because she was clever enough to know his concern was for the sake of taunting her. The blush was a treat and he took it in greedily.

“No. You thought she was our Royal Chaldean, who answers to no one but the Queen.” Or, in some instances, the interim Regent. He had taken advantage of that a time or two, but he assumed the reasoning was acceptable to Reihana, as she had not brought it up since. She might have died had he not overstepped. “I do not claim to know her well, but I feel it safe enough to say she will overlook whatever it was that caused such tension between you, if you will do the same. Neither of you will forget it, I trust, but she needs you and she certainly needs me. Besides, your overprotective young Lord and I agree that the two of you are too alike to be at odds for long.”

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dubhghail
2013-06-25 03:32 am UTC (link)

As his worries were momentarily forgotten, Ava found new ones. It would seem she was already at odds with the new Queen and their previous conversation was all the more embarrassing under the weight of her new understanding. If nothing else she was determined to keep this from Nye. He would laugh outright, while Mikino taunted her with his somber demeanor. She could see the humor in the situation, she supposed, but she was not in the position to appreciate it as much as Nye, for instance, would.

"I thought she was looking down her nose at me," she sighed, just the hint of a pout in her tone as she dropped her hand from her still warm face. "And that she wanted me out of the way." She knew without him having to tell her that neither of these were excuses and rolled her eyes at her own stubbornness. She would need to face the Chaldean once she was well, no matter how awkward such a meeting was bound to be.

She glanced back to him, considering his words. "I have little choice in the matter," she responded, somewhat dryly. "Overlooking such a thing is a much better option than remaining this particular shade," she muttered, waving a hand to indicate her blush. She had never been a fan of scarlet and, at this particular moment, that was unlikely to change.

Though it seemed that Mikino was not quite done with his amusement, as he so kindly reminded her of Nye speaking on her behalf. "A part of me is horrified by the image you create with those words," she muttered, the idea of Nye being "hers" pushing her to make a face, "and I think you find much more amusement in my embarrassment than you should." There was some exasperation in her tone, but not enough to drown out the underlying affection.

She was not convinced that she and the Chaldean were alike, but given the changes to the Court that were about to take place, she was sure she'd be given the chance to see for herself.

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gilded_justice
2013-06-25 03:48 am UTC (link)

“She was gauging what sort of Queen she would be answering to, should she step aside,” he said softly, with a comforting hint of sympathy. “What precisely did you suppose you were in the way of, Ava?”

A bit of the smile slipped through, but he fought it back quite valiantly. He might not have found it so amusing if he had known that he was the source of some of that contention. “I think I could grow accustomed to it, but it would be impractical, I will grant you that. I will remind you, my own introductions with our Lady Chaldean were no better. I was sent to her at Sidonie’s behest for an examination I wanted no part in and I was particularly uncouth in making that point.”

He could confess that now. Mikino knew when to hold his tongue, but he was also in a position where he didn’t have to often, and sometimes a foul mood meant throwing his weight around to get his way. Where it concerned his wings, one could scarcely blame him. He had been through enough “treatments” to last several lifetimes and they were no more agile for it. There was new hope now, of course, and it wasn’t as if he could owe Melisande Wyndel more than he already did.

“Frederic Mehkal,” he pressed his palms to the edge of his desk to push himself away from it, “has us both soundly defeated on that front. Yet she seems almost fond of him these days. It would seem our little Princess is cursed when it comes to introductions.”

A shrug accompanied a smile. He had always been good at regaining that notorious calm of his. The bouts of temper that plagued him on rare occasions never persisted overly long and at the heart of it all he had been born with a good, benevolent nature. Mikino did not cling to outrage in the way so many of his peers tended to. He did not thrive on internal conflict, though he did seem quite taken with the usual sort which laced itself through politics. Intrigue was second-nature, but too many lines had been crossed lately.

“Tell me you’d have less fun of it were our positions reversed and I will make my apologies.”

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dubhghail
2013-06-25 11:45 pm UTC (link)

"It would seem I offered her an example that was somewhat lacking," she sighed, shifting to rest her elbow on the arm of her chair before tucking her hand beneath her chin. It was not necessarily something to be worried over, she supposed. Yes, she had made a fool of herself in front of the Chaldean. However, she was not disappointed that she had not provided the woman with proper presentation. She did not wish to be Queen. She would have done so without complaint if that was what had been needed, but it was not what she wished for. If her embarrassment had granted her that, then she really had no reason to complain.

Those familiar violet eyes turned back to settle on him as he asked her what she supposed she was in the way of. "You. The throne. Whatever else the Chaldean had been planning at the time," lifting her chin from her hand and allowing her arm to fall. "It was not simple a single thought or even the words she spoke. It was more of an impression mixed with my own indignation, I suppose. I was not entirely pleased with the idea of gaining favor through the favor of another."

She considered that a moment, before she waved it off. "Silly, I realize." It made little difference now as the indignation and frustration she'd felt then had vanished not long after she had taken her leave from the Chaldean's suite. "I am surprised that she seems fond of him. That was not the impression I received when we spoke of him in the past." It was, perhaps, not such a bad thing if she were to be Queen. Loyalty would be hardest won in the North, though she was uncertain as to what could have changed the other woman's opinion. Of course, as much as she was curious, there was also a healthy amount of caution there. Somethings it was simply better to be unaware of.

"If Lord Mekhal has so easily made friends with the Princess, I worry less about my own precarious position," she added, still somewhat bewildered by the suggestion. She did not respond to his challenge, leaving her silence as answer enough for him. She knew well enough that she would have the same fun if their positions had been reversed. How often was it, after all, that Judgment put the proverbial foot in his mouth? If he needed as a sign of her amusement, which she garnered that he did not, he could easily find it in the slight upward turn of her lips.

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gilded_justice
2013-06-26 12:06 am UTC (link)

“They are not such easy shoes to fill.” It was dismissive, but kindly enough so. He did not suspect most would have lived up to that expectation. He was not sure he was suited to rule himself. And yet it would seem that Azyebel was someone he felt he could follow, because he needn’t ever have revealed the document naming her heir.

“Ah, yes, because she gave you the impression she would seek my name for herself for the sake of consolidating the power that goes with it.” It wasn’t a terrible idea, except that it they trusted one another they could maneuver more successfully as individuals. They had already played on the reputations of one another to do so in the past. “She does not need me. And she certainly does not want me. Not in that manner. She is young and as lovely as Sidonie ever was. The people will embrace her, and the nobility will fall in line so long as it is made evident that doing so benefits them.”

He would aid with that, but he could do so as her Justice. It was the first time either of them had ever outright said that there was nothing behind those rumors that Mikino had already taken advantage of what had been seemingly offered to him when the Chaldean attended his gala in Alcaeyn colors. “One might argue that is what marriage was made for. Building alliances and gaining the right favor.”

Seeing Mehkal as anything but a rough tool to implement as necessary did baffle him, so he merely shook his head at the comments to that effect. “Friendship is a strong word, but she has forgiven him.” That tug of her lips did indeed catch his eye, held it. “Your position is sound enough, in truth. I think you know that, but if you do require some assurance… You can scarcely blame her for having impossible expectations for her Queen. You did not want me as King, as I recall. Though when I tell the story I will insist it was jealousy.”

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dubhghail
2013-06-26 01:19 am UTC (link)

She hoped that he was correct in his certainties. As the Chaldean she was not unknown and that would certainly help her secure her position. There was always a higher level of willingness when asked to embrace the familiar rather than the unknown. It was said that humans, in particular, feared the unknown, but it was true in any race. As much as the next individual, Ava wanted things to settle. The Danaan situation was causing enough problems without facing uncertainty surrounding the crown. Even the concerns she had had previously had been set aside. There was no room for them now.

His assurance was unnecessary, but she smiled appreciatively in the face of them. She had let go those thoughts at this point. Her disapproval of them ultimately would not gain her anything and she was intelligent enough to realize that, if not quick enough to stop her tongue from lashing out. It was a bad habit of hers, she was sad to admit. She was not the only one to have tried and failed to tame it. She supposed everyone had their faults, this just happened to be hers. Her Mother liked to say it was her Father's spoiling of her that had caused it. Her Father had always said it was just a side affect of her element. Like the wind, she would not be limited.

"Perhaps," she allowed, knowing well enough that marriage was seen as more of a tool to most, then anything else. Not everyone had the capability or the capacity to marry for more than that. She would admit that she found relief in Mikino in that he did not need to use her to boost his own prevalence. He did that well enough on his own. She had no wish to a tool, whether it for a harmless intent or not. Of course, she realized that this idea set her apart from many of the others at Court and it would be an opinion best kept to herself.

His interpretation of what had happened surprised a laugh from her, lifting the weight of some of her most recent thoughts. "It is not such a strange thing, I suppose," she responded, considering him for a moment with open consideration, "though it was not for your possible role as King that I might have been jealous. You've spoiled me with your continued attention."

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gilded_justice
2013-06-26 01:36 am UTC (link)

He offered up a distinct frown at her laughter, as if he would indeed take it to heart, though surely she knew better. “Have I? Well, I trust marriage will end all of that. We shall no doubt grow sick of one another in short order.”

Golden eyes flickered away from her in what may have, in anyone else, have been taken for shyness. But this was Mikino and she knew him better than that. When his eyes drifted to the door, it was not to evade her gaze but because he was considering whether or not they ought to linger here in seclusion. Once he’d made his decision, they found their way back, undaunted.

“I will be honest with you, Avalynn. You haven’t my gift and truthfully I do not know how anyone can trust a word spoken without it, but you must find a way, and I shall endeavor to not make you regret it. I did agree to marry Sidonie. I did it for the sake of controlling her, and maybe that was a more despicable thing than this coup I have engineered, but I feared for the results of anyone else taking that power for themselves. And it felt like a sacrifice. Like I was becoming the martyr for some cause that the world would never even know of.” His smile was faintly sardonic, molten gaze downcast as he considered it for a moment.

“There was no excitement in the prospect. But I lied to her because I thought that if I did not, someone worse would. A decade ago I would have taken a yes from you without regard for the motivation. I tell you all this now because that has changed. You said I could take it back and there would be no love lost between us, and I want to take you up on that offer.” His gaze flitted back up, somber and sincere. “I want you to come to Galicia. I want you at my side at Azyebel Salicar’s inauguration gala. And the next time you say yes, I want it to be a moment of excitement and of genuine passion. I want that, or I do not want it at all. Neither of us have a taste for political maneuvering where our private lives are concerned. Let me spoil you a while longer."

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dubhghail
2013-06-26 02:44 am UTC (link)

She had not intended for it to seem as though she was laughing at him, but rather that she was laughing at herself. Jealousy was not something she would have ever admitted to and he knew that just as she did. The fact that she was doing so now, brought with it a suggestion not that things had changed, but that perhaps they had matured into something more.

An explanation for his actions was not something she had expected. He had told her before whey he had made the choice he had and while she had not agreed with it, she had at least come to understand it. Having spent as much time as she had in his presence, it was a decision that spoke of his characteristics. It was an admiral, if not frustrating, quality to face a sense of duty. It was one quality she had not been quite so successful in refining.

Such talk, however, brought with it confusion and she was - for the moment - uncertain as to his intended point. When it became clear, her features softened. Beneath his honesty she could just be Ava and not be bound by status or obligations. That was what she enjoyed most about their interactions. His station was above her own at Court, but when they were like this, she could speak to him as an equal and she would take full advantage of that now.

"The last thing I wish for this to be a sacrifice you've made, you know that," she offered, her tone light. She was not suggesting that was what he thought. She was simply making her own thoughts clear to him. She held out a hand to him for assistance, not because she needed it but because she wished to. As she stood, she did not immediately release it. "I can not fault you for wanting something more than what you would have been given with Sidonie."

His acknowledgment regarding the changes that had occurred, returned a smile to her lips. "A decade ago neither of us was what we are now and that was enough reason to say no." Had she agreed then, the Chaldean would have been correct in her suggestion that their friendship would wilt beneath the weight of such a union. "If that is what you wish, then I shall go with you to Galicia, and I will be at your side for her inauguration gala, and we shall see how this unfolds between us."

No matter how things unfolded between them, Calmcacil would stand in the West. She truly believed that was what was best for the people in those lands. Nye offered them a sort of protection that she would only struggle with providing. Any obstacles Mikino had faced in the past were slowly disappearing and she was interested to see how that would change the dynamics between them, if it did at all.

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gilded_justice
2013-06-26 03:02 am UTC (link)

“I am not talking about me, Avalynn.” The humor to be found in her speculating as much did not escape him. They both spent too much time worrying about the other’s point of view, but perhaps that was admirable as well. Regardless of what he would make of any of it, he did not deny her that feeble excuse for contact, stepping forward instead to take envelop the hand she offered in his own.

He did have faith that things would, as she said, fall into place yet. It was no time to announce such a prestigious union as this in any case, and timing meant so much amongst the Sidhe. The time would have been necessary in any case, and this was merely his way of making the most of it. Perhaps it was simply the illusion of courtship, but it was more than either had to acquiesce to, which by his estimation had to count for something.

For a moment he fell quiet; that thoughtful sort of calm that he had grown into somewhere along the way. Once upon a time he would have sought to steal a kiss. He would have pressed for more to come of that affection. But for the time being he was content with the tension brought on by the simplicity of an innocent touch granted for the sheer, delightful sake of it. For all the time they had spent together, he could not recall one where he had merely held her hand, and it seemed a tragic thing in dire need of remedy.

“I will confess,” he offered, with the air of just such a thing—some quiet secret shared between them, “I am hopeful. We need only escape this place somehow."

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dubhghail
2013-06-26 03:35 am UTC (link)

She had honestly not bothered to consider that his concern was for her. There was little for her to be concerned with in regards to a union between the two of them. She had never wanted a marriage based on political gain and it had been easier in earlier years to simply not want a marriage at all. Mikino did not offer a marriage based on sheer politically and social gain. He did not need a marriage to another House leader for that. More importantly, they were familiar with each other, leaving her with little concern regarding personal dynamics. "I have told you before and I will continue to tell you until you believe me," she responded, fond amusement colouring her voice, "You need not worry about putting me in such a position. I would lose nothing but a title and a title does not define me."

She did not feel trapped or obligated to push forward and she appreciated the fact that they did not have to push forward immediately. She agreed so easily to his stipulation simply because it would be beneficial for the both of them. Should either of them need it, there was room and time for contemplation.

The moment of silence between them was not heavy nor awkward as some might associate with any topic of significance. Instead, she found it companionable. His hopefulness was endearing and she nodded her head in agreement. "Patience is not such an easy thing under such circumstances, but I am sure that we will have the opportunity to be free of the Palace soon enough. I will trust in your belief that things here will settle soon." Outside of a unavoidable frustration with Court, she saw no reason to rush forward.

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gilded_justice
2013-06-26 03:52 am UTC (link)

He thought to warn her that this would always be a part of his life. It was a part of her world which he knew she had never cared much for, though he did tell himself that the right guide could change that. And yet, he worried already that he had done more to talk her out of giving that final, lovely assent than he had to show her why it could all be worth it. Besides, it was not as if she didn’t know. She had her point there and he did not even seek to argue. If anyone in all the world knew what they were getting into with him…

There were sides to each of them the other had not seen, but they each knew what the other was. It would not do, for instance, that Judgment be anything but stern within the confines of the Courtroom, but he teased her in word and deed alike, easing back away as if for once it was her chase. The way he regarded her, however, as captivated as ever, spoke otherwise. “Patience has never come easy for you in any circumstances, Ava.” He lifted the hand in his, fingers uncurled with a playful brush against her palm as he let her slip away.

“They will settle enough for a little escape. A calm amidst the storm. Enough for us to find time for one another. “ It was a charming thought and an easy one to be taken in by. Something to look forward to at the very least. “I had best let you go before there is talk it is not just your hand I seek.”

Taunting or no, he was more concerned that she must be tired, even if she did an admirable job of keeping up nonetheless. She had just arrived, and it must have been a long journey.

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dubhghail
2013-06-27 01:33 am UTC (link)

Politics and the Court were inescapable. More than anything she knew that. For all her attempts to stay away, one way or another she was drawn back. While she did not entirely enjoy the complexities of it, she did not deny the fact that it would always be a part of her life. She could not say that she would not continue to avoid it when she could, but she had matured enough to deal with it when she could not escape. Perhaps, in time, she would share his interest in it, though she did not have much faith in that.

Talk of patience brought with it an amused smile. If he had ever been right about anything, that would be it. At the very least, he would not be surprised by it. How often had that very thing landed her in trouble? How often had that landed herself and others into trouble? She would like to think she was getting better at pretending, but he knew her too well to think she could fool him with it.

"It would do us both good to spend some time away, even if it is just for a short time," she spoke of both of them, but she thought it would do himself more good. She often escaped the tension at Court and suffered through it less often. "It has a been a long time since I ventured into the South. It will be good to see it again, no matter the talk that will follow, I'm sure." There was always someone talking. As intricate as Court was, there was always the idle and bored.

In all respects, she should be tired. She may not feel it now, but she knew that once she had wound down from the trip she would feel it. Sleep would not be evasive once she sought it out. "I shall retire for the evening, then. If I don't rest some, I'm sure Brook will tattle on me," she responded, wryly. The last thing she wanted was Nye breathing down her neck about it. "I trust you know where I'll be should you need me."

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gilded_justice
2013-06-27 02:44 am UTC (link)

“And who does Lady Dubhghail answer to?” Amusement laced into the murmur as he eased past her to open the door, the gesture coming without thought. He would accompany her at least until Brock had rejoined her.

“A diplomatic trip to Galicia. What is there to read into?” He somehow managed to sound genuine and innocent enough. Mikino himself was always under scrutiny—one more thing she would be committing herself to. He trusted she could handle it well enough. If she would stand up to the Chaldean, there weren’t many she couldn’t face, after all. Avalynn was not the fragile thing that Shayleiah’s mother had been.

He would not disrupt her rest, tempting as that may have been. He was with Nye on this and had no desire to see her push herself too hard. As for Mikino, it did him some good to have at least the hope that things would turn out well at the end of all this. If Azyebel Salicar was the Queen he knew she could be, and if he wasn’t fooling himself about the life he could have with Avalynn.

“Likewise, though I am not stationary for long these days. Sleep well, Ava.”

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