Written By Dagon
June 18, 2016, 6:14 p.m.(10/17/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Edain
Prince Edain Valardin is a man that I hope to one day call a friend. I know that friendships between Valardin and Thrax are a rare thing, but I believe we have similar notions of honor and chivalry, and I respect that about him. Perhaps a tighter bond could be fashioned some day? Who's to say. For now I will do what I can to help build that friendship.
Written By Isolde
June 18, 2016, 11:14 a.m.(10/16/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Niccolo
Papa has come out of his self imposed exile and now wanders the streets of Arx. He is still protective of me, and his rage over Mama's death is potent. While I should not worry, I shall have to be careful it does not consume him before his vengeance is slaked. I know he does not particularly approve of my path, I think he still respects it.
Written By Isolde
June 18, 2016, 11:11 a.m.(10/16/1003 AR)
Lady Alessandra has gone missing. I worry for her, desperately. The last I knew, she was visiting Lord Victus, but the dear brute seems to think he can ignore my messengers, and then be indignant when I embarass him in public. I truly do not know what happened to Alessandra, but I will find out. Alessandra was one of -mine-. And, the world will know just how true our house words are - No one may harm us unpunished.
Written By Isolde
June 18, 2016, 11 a.m.(10/16/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Viviana
Oh, Cousin Viviana is going to be a -delight-. She's an exquisite showman with actual skill and it's going to be utterly delightful to watch her cut down those I want to see humiliated. I need to remember to get her something pretty.
Written By Isolde
June 18, 2016, 10:58 a.m.(10/16/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Luca
Dear Cousin Luca seems to have no motivation or delights in his heart. We will have to work on this. The poor boy -must- have some interests that don't involve drinking entire bottles of alcohol at a time. Could he be interested in more formal service? My gut says no, but there has to be -something-
Written By Isolde
June 18, 2016, 10:54 a.m.(10/16/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Victus
With Alessandra's disappearance, Victus is now something of a brute. I am not convinced he knows NOTHING of his disappearance, but I would also be shocked if his brain truly has been brined to worthlessness. He will have to be handled in political situations. Generally by someone other than me.
Written By Isolde
June 18, 2016, 10:52 a.m.(10/16/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Hadrian
The Duke Malvici. First impressions are of a formidible man, with a roguish flair, who delights in not presenting his true face first. He could become extremely dangerous in the days to come, and great care must be taken ensure he remains a strong ally. He's also of the family that attempted to overthrow Calista and Leo's family. A side note, but potentially an important one.
Written By Valencia
June 18, 2016, 7:38 a.m.(10/16/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Brianna
I haven't seen her around the villa since word came of the king's condition. The poor girl is probably beside herself with grief, everyone knows that she and Alaric IV were nigh inseperable before his marriage, and now this. I should reach out to her in some way, but how do you broach the topic of the death of someone's since-married ex-suitor? Carefully, when they're as violently inclined as Brianna Halfshav.
Written By Valencia
June 18, 2016, 7:38 a.m.(10/16/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Niccolo
He's been out of sight since Aunt Carlotta was lost in the recent tragedy, or so says the information coming out of the Lyceum. So many have lost so much, it wouldn't be gracious of me to not extend my sympathies in his direction as well, I suppose. He is my uncle after all, more or less. Less since this petty squabbling between us began, perhaps it's time to bury the hatchet. I certainly won't be apologizing first, however.
Written By Valencia
June 18, 2016, 7:37 a.m.(10/16/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Kieran
Young Prince Kieran has lost his father, I can only imagine his grief. The idea of Kieran in mourning is an odd one, he's always so manic, so full of life and vigor it's actually a bit exhausting. Perhaps the gravity of the situation will center him long enough for him to find himself and discover the type of man he means to be. There's only Princess Deva between himself and the throne now, in theory.
Written By Valencia
June 18, 2016, 7:37 a.m.(10/16/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Ailith
I haven't seen Seraph Ailith since news came of the king's condition, but I imagine the girl is stricken. So much of who she is seems so tightly wound around the idea of her closeness to the king and indeed the entirety of the royal family, this tragedy may have touched her almost as deeply as those of us that actually lost family.
Written By Valencia
June 18, 2016, 7:37 a.m.(10/16/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Darren
I haven't seen Prince Darren since tragedy struck, though I suppose I should rightly start thinking of him as 'His Grace' now. I don't know how close he and the late Prince Sherrod were, let alone how close he was to his cousin Angus, but I fear it's an uncomfortable conversation we'll need to have soon. Widowed without issue, what exactly is my place here, now? Do I still have a home at Farhaven?
Written By Valencia
June 18, 2016, 7:37 a.m.(10/16/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Alarissa
Princess Alarissa is a sweet girl, though the brightness of her eyes cannot mask her ambition. Good for her, it's nice to know that joining the Valardin doesn't immediately sap the will out of the ladies that wind up there. I haven't seen her since tragedy struck, but if I recall correctly, she was engaged to Alaric IV for a brief time. I hope she's holding up well, she's lost so much, and so many, in such a short period of time.
Written By Valencia
June 18, 2016, 7:37 a.m.(10/16/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Edain
I haven't seen His Grace since tragedy struck, truth be told I haven't seen much of anyone. Just recalling the silly, exasperated look on his face when Sir Arugala tossed him off, or the determination on his features in the training center... I hope recent events haven't stolen away his expressiveness. That's often the worst part of these things, the way people sometimes seem to shut down, guarded against letting one in.
Written By Hadrian
June 18, 2016, 2:29 a.m.(10/15/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Kima
Lady Kima Saik is delightfully unconventional. That is to say, she flaunts any convention that rubs her wrong on a given day.
It is good to be reminded that knights come in many types. The Templar model is merely one, and in my opinion, not the best one for his liege and the kingdom.
A man unwilling to dirty his honor for the good of his people - what use is he? I will take a man who accepts himself and the world as it is and loves both rather than a templar, every time.
Or in this case, a woman. I am honored to have her in my service.
It is good to be reminded that knights come in many types. The Templar model is merely one, and in my opinion, not the best one for his liege and the kingdom.
A man unwilling to dirty his honor for the good of his people - what use is he? I will take a man who accepts himself and the world as it is and loves both rather than a templar, every time.
Or in this case, a woman. I am honored to have her in my service.
Written By Acacia
June 18, 2016, 2:21 a.m.(10/15/1003 AR)
Superstitions.
Oh, you meet the odd extremist now and then, usually those older folk who you think might just be touched, swearing upon how you must use the blood of a live chicken to coat the doorways with a sprinkling of iron or other such nonsense on particular days to stave off all sorts of cruel things. And then you get the other side, the stubborn denizens who grew up or now know better, like they passed some metered point in their life where enlightenment came upon them to bestow truth and they're the wiser for it.
Me? If I can wear a single bronze necklace touched by the sign that might ward off demons or avoid the devastation of a storm, without too much additional effort involved -- why not? We laugh at the peddlers of the trinkets and wards, exposing their games or feeling the wiser for knowing their tricks before they're dealt to the vulnerable. We smile with that faux pride like we're untouchable, even if we put our backs to the wall out of habit. And in the same breath, there's those forced laughs when something occurs that doesn't /really/ have a clear cut explanation at all, just to make it a little easier to brush it aside.
But those things, those superstitions and what brought them into existence to begin with are all easy to forget, aren't they? In the daily turmoil of that which is more important: things like living and breathing, the coin weighted in your hand or pocket, the contacts established along the way. These are the things we can readily see, feel and experience. There's enough unseen in the shadows to be cautious of without exploring the unknown. But does it hurt to be a little wary?
Oh, you meet the odd extremist now and then, usually those older folk who you think might just be touched, swearing upon how you must use the blood of a live chicken to coat the doorways with a sprinkling of iron or other such nonsense on particular days to stave off all sorts of cruel things. And then you get the other side, the stubborn denizens who grew up or now know better, like they passed some metered point in their life where enlightenment came upon them to bestow truth and they're the wiser for it.
Me? If I can wear a single bronze necklace touched by the sign that might ward off demons or avoid the devastation of a storm, without too much additional effort involved -- why not? We laugh at the peddlers of the trinkets and wards, exposing their games or feeling the wiser for knowing their tricks before they're dealt to the vulnerable. We smile with that faux pride like we're untouchable, even if we put our backs to the wall out of habit. And in the same breath, there's those forced laughs when something occurs that doesn't /really/ have a clear cut explanation at all, just to make it a little easier to brush it aside.
But those things, those superstitions and what brought them into existence to begin with are all easy to forget, aren't they? In the daily turmoil of that which is more important: things like living and breathing, the coin weighted in your hand or pocket, the contacts established along the way. These are the things we can readily see, feel and experience. There's enough unseen in the shadows to be cautious of without exploring the unknown. But does it hurt to be a little wary?
Written By Hadrian
June 18, 2016, 2:17 a.m.(10/15/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Talen
Talen Artiglio is a man after my heart. Proper and respectful without being terrified or obsequious, he is well-spoken, clever, and willing to run a social risk here and there. He is a servant; he makes that clear. His worth is no less because of that.
Oh, and he is the Sword of Velenosa. How about that? A killer with the mien of a rabbit. Fear the man whose pride does not get in the way of his duties. It is all too tempting to trust him.
That is a high compliment for a man from Lenosia.
Oh, and he is the Sword of Velenosa. How about that? A killer with the mien of a rabbit. Fear the man whose pride does not get in the way of his duties. It is all too tempting to trust him.
That is a high compliment for a man from Lenosia.
Written By Hadrian
June 18, 2016, 2:10 a.m.(10/15/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Marian
She was the most well-armed visitor to the Ambassadors Salon that day by a margin of at least two swords. Given what happened to her husband and his family, I cannot blame her.
I did warn Princess Marian that the most likely threat in the capital ignored armor and weapons alike. It feels very strange to tell someone that she ought to worry about poison. I believed this common knowledge. To her credit, she did not look at me afterwards as though I invented poison myself.
She does not seem a traditional Valardin, but we did not get into sharing the stories of our lives. I am not an expert on how members of the House conduct themselves, but she was not scandalized when- well, that is a matter for a Black Reflection, I think.
I did warn Princess Marian that the most likely threat in the capital ignored armor and weapons alike. It feels very strange to tell someone that she ought to worry about poison. I believed this common knowledge. To her credit, she did not look at me afterwards as though I invented poison myself.
She does not seem a traditional Valardin, but we did not get into sharing the stories of our lives. I am not an expert on how members of the House conduct themselves, but she was not scandalized when- well, that is a matter for a Black Reflection, I think.
Written By Kima
June 18, 2016, 1:57 a.m.(10/15/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Hadrian
We've known one another since childhood, though few outside of Southport are aware of that fact. Oh, how I fondly recall the days when I was actually taller than a boy. Being a handful of years older than he, I even got to enjoy such a thing for a little bit longer than if we were of the same age. Then puberty hit, and with it all of my vertical advantage. They were halcyon days indeed. Who would have imagined he would end up Duke?
Written By Hadrian
June 18, 2016, 1:55 a.m.(10/15/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Isolde
The Lyceum's respect for the Thirteenth is misunderstood everywhere else in Arvum. Lady Isolde Velenosa is well-suited to being a Mirrormask: she tempts deliberately; she reminds men and women of what they want and what they secretly wish they could be.
She needs no mask to be a mirror, for she is a reminder that you, too, have a Dark Reflection, whether you admit it to yourself or not. You need not fear being possessed by your reflection, so long as -you- are willing to possess -it.-
Did I miss my calling in life as a disciple of the Thirteenth?
Heavens, no.
Isolde is good for Arx. It is human nature that we frequently resist what is good for us.
She needs no mask to be a mirror, for she is a reminder that you, too, have a Dark Reflection, whether you admit it to yourself or not. You need not fear being possessed by your reflection, so long as -you- are willing to possess -it.-
Did I miss my calling in life as a disciple of the Thirteenth?
Heavens, no.
Isolde is good for Arx. It is human nature that we frequently resist what is good for us.
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