☬-Thorn of The Rose-☬ 2x2 W/ Wolfrunner & Spiritstar3

[wolfrunner]

“Does that include yourself?”

Lucas’s voice was emotionless.

He eyes locked unwavering from Esmerelda’s gaze.

The atmosphere in the room shifted. Just a slight sift but a shift just the same.

Lucas just stood there meeting the women’s gaze waiting for an answer of some kind. Then-

"Both of them have over stepped their limitations Esme. You well know how it has been between Orion and I all these long years, since we first lay eyes on each other I recall. I have tolerated him thus far due to it being a mere annoyance of our differing views and general incompatibility, but he has gone too far. Even removing the Vulture from the records, he still attacked two of my staff......possibly killing one of them.....and do not tell me he twould not have attacked Akira instead of Estella had we not been out of the Kingdom at that time. As for the first of our species-"

A brief mental image of Atlas flashed before him.

"Almost a thousand years...... This time shall be different."

His eyes narrowed.

"This time there shall not be a thing holding me back. This time I have something to keep protected instead of avenge and I know the only way to protect it is to finish him. "

[wolfrunner]

Rigel nodded. “In that case we should leave them be and catch someone from the hall to aide them. Then see to our steeds so that we may head into town as soon as possible, the Ball is quickly approaching and there is little to no time to be wasted.”, said the blond vampire heading for the door.

[Spiritstar3]

Isabella- f- Renier- blue eyed blonde- golden light and dog shift (mix of her parents powers)- married- Lucas is her son, Rigel is adopted- Tags: X

The blonde -going to wait for them to actually drop off the girls to her-

Haruna- Haru- male- Embere Heir- homosexual; Rigel is crush- Ai and Nina- Demon (reverse Appaloosa (black with white spots) and Angel (red (blanket?) Appy)- kitten Dream (white with black forehead streak and tail)- manor- Tags: Rigel and the girls

The dark haired boy nodded back to his crush. He said "Yes," and stepped out with him, then glanced around the hallway. He noticed some of the female staff down the hall. He pointed to them, saying "There's some of them," and waiting for the other to look as well.

Aiya- Ai- f- 4 y- July 12- human- bi when old enough; no crush- sister Nina- Ebony pony (black with white socks and blaze)- wants a pet- Tags: Nina, Rigel, Haruna

The reddish brown haired little one sighed as she looked around. She heard them outside the door, and had heard them even step out the door. She shook her head a couple times. She'd heard something about getting dressed, so she waited for someone to come in. She reached over to poke at her sister. However, she then stopped herself.

[owl0430]

If a picture can paint a thousand words, than the eyes, too, must be a picture. Each small crease near the corers of the eyes as they, just a small bit, turn downwards. The frequency of one's blinking, the position of the eyelid.

Each subtle details plays a role in forming one's expression, small, barely noticeable clues that reveals one's innermost thoughts.

As such, there could be no doubt. In the deafening silence of the room, Esmerelda's unspoken answer was certain. She would do whatever it took to prevent Lucas's untimely demise once it was time for his beloved human to depart from this world. Anything, at any cost, to ensure his survival. Even if it meant that, in his eyes, she'd appear to be no better than Orion. Even if he despised her so. 'Twas foolish to give up one's immortal life for a human. Especially one of a high-ranking pureblood at that.

"Orion wouldn't have attacked your precious little human...he'd have turned her, if only just to watch you squirm. When it comes to his personal affairs, he only ever wants the option that will provide him the most entertainment. Killing or simply attacking her would only serve to anger you. Not fun. But turning her would evoke a reaction from you, her, and the prince. All panicked, unsure of what to do, on top of your rage. That's much more exciting in his mind.

Esmerelda was grimacing, one sharp fang exposed. Whether her disgust was from Orion's selfish and thrill-seeking tendencies or Lucas's, in her opinion, incredibly idiotic plan, was unclear.

"And just how do you plan to do that? Let's pretend, for a minute, that the gap between you wasn't as far. He is, afterall, far older. Not even Orion or I know just how old he really is. But say he wasn't. Say he was precisely your age, down to the 'T'. He would still have all of his Thorns, save your grandparents, by his side. And I mean -all of them. It's hard enough for your average thorn to disobey a direct order from the progenitor- now imagine one that shared a vessel with him. Their souls, minds, and destinies intertwining in ways that very few shall ever know." Her eyes, which had sense wandered elsewhere, returned to Lucas.

"Friends are a rarity in this existence. All we really know is secrets and lies. A constant game. Could you really bring yourself to kill him if it came down to it? If it were to be between protecting that human, or killing Al...could you still go through with it?"

[wolfrunner]

"I really was on my way.”, the girl tried to defend herself as she was pulled along by the other women, “I just said I Twould go find him and see him come this morning Tis all. I was just about to get up and come find you.”

And yet Aralynn knew her words would be meaningless and fall on def ears no matter how she tried to explain. It was a miracle that the girl managed to yank Marilla into her room in passing just, and very much just, long enough to grab a cloak before she was being dragged behind the women once more. Not but a second after her fingers grasped fabric giving it a pull, already maneuvering her free arm through to pull it on.

[wolfrunner]

"Likewise there are those that would put forth the idea that love, real love, is just as if not more rare for our kind to find then even friendship. Especially among us. My grandparents were in love long before their transformations, and my parents were lucky. Though their's was arranged, they eventually fell into love which only continued to grow and mature over the centuries.", said Lucas.

[owl0430]

" It's also av weakness. You can't forget who you're dealing with." A steady, even tone held not malicious intent, but rather a word of caution. Every word rang with the truth and seriousness of one who's experienced it themselves.

It was from the doorway Esmerelda continued.

" Long ago you made a deal with the devil- its time to uphold your end of the bargain. And the devil always gets his dues." The metaphor was not entirely inaccurate either. The biggest thing would be that they all had, at one time, made an agreement with Atlas. The thorns, she and Orion, everyone. and he was coming for their payment one or another.

But that was all she said before storming off. Her words hanging heavy in the air."

[owl0430]

" Truly? For to me it seemed you were rather cozy up in the observatory with Al. I missed Valrntine just as much as you missed Al, but there really isn't any time! Not to mention I'm sure our sired explained the changeling traditions to you. Between that and a dress, that's not even including accessories- there's really no time! "

In the manors front entryway, the manors feminine residents had all gathered. Most were rushing about, gossiping and helping eachother with their present attire to ensure everyone looked suitable for their time out in the town.

Due to proximity, it was not uncommon for some of the manors residents to occasional date, or even fall in love in the case of Marilla and Valentine. But most found life partners outside the melt, if at all. For as much as humans obsessed over finding true love, changelings did so just as much if not more. Humans tended to see 'forever' as the indefinite span of their lives, never taking such a thing seriously. Vampires, being immortal, take it much more seriously. For in the case of those who are not blind by mortal restraints, forever is indeed a very, very long time. It would not do well to rush into a marriag or any kind of relationship.

" There. Now everyone is here. Aralynn honey, let Vivvian there help you with your cloak. and don't worry about your identity; the local places we will be going to find our gowns shouldn't know your face, and the kings guards shouldn't be patrolling the area until the sun falls just past the horizon. But we'll have you out of there before hand. At the first sign of trouble though Vivvian and Adriana will be in charge of getting you out of there discreetly as possible.

[wolfrunner]

Lucas watched Esmerelda leave. Her words hanging heavy in the air and ringing in his ears echoing over and over.

[wolfrunner]

Well she was rather cozy sitting with the dark haired male, but it wasn't as though Aralynn would say that and give Marilla's words validation. Instead the faint pink coloring her cheeks do the talking for her in silence.

The girl smiled at the other women gathered around as she and Marilla joined the rest of the female household. She let Vivian help her with her cloak while listening to the other women, her head moving in a small nod of understanding. Even if nobody where they were going to be visiting would recognize her, even so Aralynn still found herself wanting to take every precaution plausible to take. In all honesty the blonde wasn't even planning on leaving the manor and it shocked her that she was going to be included in this little outing with the rest of the women. "Alright.", Aralynn said showing she understood the plan heading into town while doing her best to let her shoulders relax looking at each women there, "I suppose we have a plan then."

Once Vivian had helped her with her cloak, the girl pulled the hood up over her head ready to leave with the other ladies. She had to try and relax. From the sounds of it all things had been planned so nothing happened but also a back up escape plan just in case the worse did occur.