Minas Tirith Streets and Levels (Free RP)

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

|
Arnyn | Kaylin
Arnyn's home at the Fourth Circle - Second half of November

Arnyn nodded when Trastion asked if the decorations and the cake were for him. Her smile grew much more relaxed when he laughed quietly and smiled himself.

Kaylin watched as Trastion went to hug her. Aww. Trastion couldn't see Arnyn's face as the blonde hugged him back briefly, but Kaylin could. And she'd never seen the Lieutenant so... she wasn't sure how to put it. But it was obvious that Arnyn was happy with Trastion's reaction.

At his question, Kaylin grinned. "Umm... about a quarter bell?" she laughed quietly. "Our Arnyn here can be pretty mysterious, if you haven't noticed." She shrugged. "I had no idea. Or I would have gotten you something, too. Birthdays are a great reason to celebrate and have a good time." Any reason would do as far as Kaylin was concerned, but birthdays seemed to draw more people than 'just because'.

Arnyn clapped her hands. She looked almost excited. "You should probably blow out the candles first, Taras. Those tiny ones burn down pretty fast. And I prefer my chocolate without wax."

Kaylin laughed. "So do I! Alright! According to tradition: you wish for something, in silence, and then if you blow out ALL the candles with one breath, you know your wish will come true," she declared.

Arnyn took a seat in one of the armchairs. "But if you don't manage it in one breath, that doesn't mean the wish can't still come true."

"True enough!" Kaylin agreed. "But a guarantee is always nice."

Arnyn leaned forward, her elbows on her knees, as she grinned up at Trastion. "Twenty candles is a lot. Think you can manage?"

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Trastion
Arnyn's house - 2nd half of November

Trastion grinned as Kaylin admitted she had pretty much only just found out. "Yes, I've noticed," He answered about the lieutenant being mysterious, then shook his head to Kaylin, still smiling. "You don't have to get me anything. I'm just.." He paused to try and swallow down the little lump threatening to swell up in his throat.

He was glad for the distraction from Arnyn, reminding him about the candles. "Oh, right, candles!" he gladly left that sentence unfinished and directed his attention toward the cake instead. Amused, he realized that she did actually put twenty tiny candles on there. "You really went all out, didn't you?" He asked, glancing at her in wonder. Maybe a tiny bit of admiration as well.

He was further amused to be reminded about making a wish while blowing out the candles. Well, what could he possibly wish for, aside from.. the obvious? That would come in time, with help from friends like these. But at the moment, he couldn't really think of anything to wish for, since it seemed like he already had pretty much anything he could want. Then something occurred to him. With a little smile, he gave a nod. "Alright, got it." He grinned as he sat down on the floor by the coffee table, so he would be level with the candles. When Arnyn asked if he thought he could manage all of the candles, he smirked. "Watch me." He grinned, though he really wasn't sure if he could.. he'd sure try.

After taking a moment to mentally prepare, as if it were a test, he drew in a deep breath. It had been a long time since he'd celebrated a birthday, much less had cake with candles. Once he had taken in as much air as his lungs would hold, he blew out so that the wind swept across the candles. It took every bit of air, and he almost thought one of them was going to be stubborn and refuse, but at last, he succeeded.

As the last flame puffed out, Trastion fell back on his elbows on the floor, laughing lightly as he recovered his breath. He hadn't had to blow out birthday candles in a very long time, and it was silly and a bit childish, but a lot more fun than he'd remembered. "Alright!" He sat up again, grinning. "Let's have cake!"

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

|
Arnyn | Kaylin
Arnyn's home at the Fourth Circle - Second half of November

She wasn't sure what to say when Tras said she'd gone all out. Part of her felt like cake for a birthday was kind of the bare minimum? Then again, with the candles, the flags... She would have done more for him, if she thought it had been safe for more people to know. She lifted one shoulder in wordless reply as she glanced back at him.

Quietly amused as he sat down on the floor by the low coffee table, she glanced at Kaylin before returning her attention to Trastion. The redhead flashed Arnyn a little smile before dropping herself into the couch. "Let's see it then!" Kaylin urged him on, grinning now.

When the last candle went out, both Arnyn and Kaylin clapped for him. Kaylin laughed. "He really is five," she told Arnyn.
Arnyn ignored the comment and briefly disappeared into the kitchen, returning with a large kitchen knife and a few plates and forks. "Cake it is," she agreed. After removing all the candles and slicing the large cake into about six pieces - instead of eight - she handed both Tras and Kaylin a piece on a plate. "Once you're done with this, you get your present," she told him, pointing her fork at him briefly before taking her own first bite.

Kaylin hummed, just swallowing her own first bite. "What did you even get him?"

Arnyn merely glanced at her and otherwise ignored the question.

"Alright, alright," Kaylin nodded. "I can wait." She looked at Trastion. "What did you wish for?"

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Trastion
Arnyn's house - 2nd half of November

As Kaylin declared that he 'really is five', Trastion grinned at her. "Times four." He laughed, then watched as Arnyn went to get plates and things. While she was doing that, he carefully removed each candle and laid them aside, after wiping the icing off, of course. "Hope there's no wax on it," He inspected the cake for any wax drips. There were a couple, but they could be easily picked off with a fork, he figured.

When Arnyn mentioned a present, he raised an eyebrow. "I get a present, too?" He asked in surprise, even though he had seen the mysterious box. He pretended not to. At Kaylin's question, he shook his head with amusement. "If she answered that, it would spoil any surprise to me, wouldn't it?" He pointed out, then shifted up to a chair so he could eat his cake. "Thanks," He smiled at Arnyn as she handed him a plate.

When Kaylin asked about his wish, Trastion shook his head again and smirked. "If I told you, then it wouldn't come true. Isn't that right?" he glanced at Arnyn, wondering if she would agree, or if maybe that was not a thing here. It was where he was from, anyway.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

|
Arnyn | Kaylin
Arnyn's home at the Fourth Circle - Second half of November

"That's right," Arnyn said, agreeing with Trastion. "Don't tell us. You can tell us once it's come true," she said with a smile. Kaylin rolled her eyes, but didn't argue.

The cake was... scrumptious. No wonder - because Arnyn had put in a special order at one of the best bakeries in town. It didn't take any of them very long to finish their piece. Then Arnyn put her plate and fork on the coffee table next to the cake, and retrieved the box, holding it out to Trastion. "Happy Birthday, Taras! I have never been the best at gifts, I'm afraid. But I tried." She smiled happily at him, waiting for him to accept the box.

Kaylin had put her plate down as well, and had slid down the couch to sit on the rug, her back to the lower part of the couch, instead. "Open it!" she encouraged him, curious as to what it could be that Arnyn had gotten Trastion. He didn't drink, so it couldn't be booze. He was a ranger, so he had access to all the weaponry and armour he could want through the armoury. Rangering supplies, too. How much did Arnyn really know about Tras to get him something more personal that he might like?

Within the box, were two separate paper-wrapped bundles. One was quite obviously a book of some sort. After removing the paper, Tras would see it was fiction - a detective story, no less. It had a seemingly impossible challenge for the protagonist, but Arnyn had read it herself and knew that the main character ended up successful in the end. And within the second bundle he would find a pair of black winter riding gloves, lined with fur on the inside. Very warm. And expensive - even though they didn't look very different from regular riding gloves on the outside.
She didn't offer much if any explanation on the book, but she rubbed her neck when he took the paper off the gloves. "I know you like to go riding on Lightning," she offered quietly. "What with winter right on our doorstep." With the cold temperatures and the sharp winds, a rider's hands got way too cold, way too fast. At least, this way, Trastion would still be able to feel his fingers halfway through an outing...

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Trastion
Arnyn's house - 2nd half of November

"Mmm, that was really good." Trastion declared, setting his plate down on the table. It was mostly cleaned.. as clean as he could scrape it with his fork. "Did that come from Ms. Nell's bakery?" he wondered. "Or.. don't tell me you made it?" He grinned at Arnyn. She seemed to have many skills, but he had yet to hear that baking was one of them.

When she wished him a happy birthday, his smile grew. "Thanks. You really didn't have to do this, you know." He laughed. But she had, and that meant something. As she held out the box, he took it and smiled. "And you didn't have to do this, either."

Kaylin seemed almost more eager to know what was in the box than Trastion, which made him laugh as she begged him to open it. "Alright, alright." He lifted off the top of the box and found some paper inside. A playful grin spread over his face. "Paper! Just what I wanted." He joked, finding it a little amusing to wait for a few seconds before removing it, just to make Kaylin have to wait a little longer. Then he laughed and pulled off the paper to see what was under it.

The book was a bit of a surprise. He had never been much of a book person, but the fact that Arnyn had given it to him made him curious, for she would surely not give him this if she didn't think it was something he'd like, right? She wasn't that sort of person. He looked it over curiously, noticing that it was a detective story, and that it was fictional. "This looks interesting," He commented, glancing up from reading the information thing, to smile at Arnyn. "Thanks."

Now for the second part. Trastion set the book aside, then unwrapped the second bundle. As he saw the gloves, he was intrigued. Looking closer at the insides, he was impressed to see that it was fur-lined, and therefore, that meant these were expensive. As Arnyn explained her thinking behind it, his smile grew as he looked up at her. "Thank you, those will be very useful, I'm sure." He grinned as he admitted, "It has been getting a bit harder to keep my hands warm when I go riding."

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

|
Arnyn | Kaylin
Arnyn's home at the Fourth Circle - Second half of November

Kaylin narrowed her eyes when Tras said Arnyn had gotten him paper, and it was just what he wanted. Soon, she was rolling them, and faking a lack of interest. The gifts honestly seemed a bit boring to her, though she couldn't deny the usefulness of the winter riding gloves, she supposed. A book was nice and all, and Kaylin could enjoy an evening by the fire with a book but... she would never give a book to someone as a gift. Or at least, she had never done so up until this point, nor could she imagine herself gifting a book. The people she knew that might like books as gifts, probably had quite different tastes than Kaylin did. So...

Arnyn was sliding another piece of the chocolate cake on each of their plates - not having asked whether anyone wanted seconds. "You're welcome," she declared after Trastion thanked her. "You'll have to tell me what kind of gifts you enjoy," she added, and smiled at him. "You know. With next year in mind?"

They filled up on more cake. Kaylin told a few stories while they had to guess which one was true and which was a lie (a game that was much harder than either Tras or Arnyn had imagined when they'd first started it). Arnyn brought out water, coffee - and offered Tras tea instead, if he wanted it. They played a few games of Never Nervous, Arnyn this time beating the two others into the mud utterly and completely. Kaylin made a comment that she still didn't quite know what to think about Trastion defeating Arnyn that one time, at the inn. Arnyn made a comment that she didn't quite know what to think about a certain pair of siblings, who had helped the guards in apprehending a pair of thugs while pulling down a clothes line in the first circle. Both women wordlessly agreed to drop both matters.

When evening was drawing close, Kaylin finally announced it was about time for her to head home. "I'm supposed to meet Thûllir for dinner," she explained, with a little smile neither Trastion or Arnyn had seen all that often.

"Well, then, you had best not disappoint him," Arnyn nodded, with a smile of her own. She raised her eyebrows. "Not sure how hungry you are, though..." The plate which had hold the large chocolate cake was... rather empty. Save a few stray crumbs.

Kaylin flashed a grin. She fist bumped Trastion and then headed for the front door. "I think I'll be fine, thanks. See you!"

Arnyn just let the redhead find her own way out. Sipping from her glass of water, she looked at Tras. "I know this was really small scale. But I figured, since you weren't telling people about your birthday... and that being the safer option..."

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Trastion
Arnyn's house - 2nd half of November

Trastion had no objection to a second piece of cake, and gladly picked up his plate again even as Arnyn asked him to tell her what sort of gifts he liked, for next year. He paused to consider that while chewing a bite of cake. "Hmm," He took his time chewing while thinking about that, trying to figure out the best answer for that, as it wasn't really anything he'd actually been asked before. "I guess," he said finally after swallowing, "things like that, you know.. practical.. something that's useful to me," He motioned to the gloves. "Or things that someone's put a lot of thought into, like that.." He motioned to the book. Having read the information about the storyline, he could guess why she had picked that particular book, as opposed to something that might have been more exciting and adventurous. While he would not have selected a book of his own accord, he was interested in that one.

"Then of course, more obvious things would be.. you know, stuff to do with things that I enjoy doing." He added with a little shrug. They ought to both be familiar enough with him to be aware of his favorite activities, by now, so he didn't elaborate on that. "I'm not really sure how else to answer that." He laughed slightly awkwardly, feeling a bit put on the spot about that topic. "And delicious things to eat, of course. Always." He grinned. "Especially involving chocolate. Anything maple is also amazing."

Trying to play Kaylin's story game was fun, but challenging, and there was a lot of laughing involved. Before he knew it, the evening was wrapping up, and Kaylin preparing to leave. "Enjoy," He told her, smiling to hear of her dinner plans. As he fistbumped her in return, he added, "Thanks for coming. This was fun." While he wasn't actually the one who had invited her, he was very glad to have had her there and felt it only proper to thank her for being there.

Once she had gone, he returned his attention to Arnyn and smiled. "This was great, really." He assured her. "Thanks. I.. well, I didn't expect it at all." He laughed softly, then grew more serious. "I haven't done much for my birthday since I left home. Last year.." He looked down. "I was hiding out in the woods, after leaving the quarry job. I hardly thought about what day it was." He cleared his throat, going quiet for a moment. Then he glanced up at her again, going back to something previously brought up. "So... you knew about that.. incident in the alley, all this time?" He asked, a bit amazed.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Arnyn
Her home at the Fourth Circle - Second half of November

She chuckled quietly. "I was counting on you not expecting it," she admitted, about the whole birthday thing. "I thought it would be..." She had some trouble finishing the sentence to convey what she really meant. "Well. I suppose it just felt right."

Raising her glass to her lips when he circled back to the incident in the alley, Arnyn looked at him while taking a drink of water and then nodded. "I think it is best you assume I know things. Or that I find out about them, at some point. And given all that, you might think about the wisdom in me finding out from you, rather than from anyone else. Renditions of events can easily get coloured by the person relaying them." She put down her glass. "But that was not the point of me mentioning that, earlier. I only mentioned it because Kaylin saw it fit to try and push my buttons. I pushed back."

"I also don't think I know the full story," she added slowly. "I know about what happened in that alley." She had seen it with her own eyes, after all. "But I do not know how you got there, or why. And sometimes... it is best for me not to know all of the details." She hoped he would remember a certain visit to his room in the barracks, where she had said something similar. "A fine line to walk, as my apprentice," she said, amused, smiling faintly. "I merely hope that you will know when to come to me, Taras." Her smile grew. "You are older now. That is supposed to wisen you up a little."

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Trastion
Arnyn's house - 2nd half of November

As Arnyn replied about the incident from months ago, Trastion's gaze down its way downward, listening quietly while she went on to mention that it was better to tell her directly about things. He felt bad about that, and glanced up once she had finished. "I didn't mention anything about it because I promised Kaylin that I wouldn't tell anyone about it." He explained quietly. "And I still consider myself bound by that promise, so I can't offer any further details about that story. Just.. I assure you that those guys were criminals, and they should not have been released as soon as they were." He shrugged, then took a sip of his glass of water.

"They tried to get revenge on us later, and.." He clasped his glass between both hands. "Well, that's sort of what drove me to staging that big fake drunk scene that night," he explained. "Cause my attempts at faking drinking in the tavern ended up in what felt like disaster, so I figured I needed a better plan." He smiled a little wryly. "Which also didn't turn out quite right." He cleared his throat and set the glass down.

"Anyway." Smiling, he put that topic aside. "This.. was great." He said, referring to today. "Even though it's a few days after, I really appreciate this. I do wish it didn't have to be such a secret," He sighed. "I can't tell Nal, or Mourgan, or anyone else.." He paused. "Then again, I suspect it might not be the wisest idea to tell Mourgan that it's my birthday, unless he also was aware of my.. issue with alcohol..." He acknowledged with a little laugh. "I'd hate to think what his idea of celebrating might be."

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Arnyn
Her home at the Fourth Circle - Second half of November

Sensing it was best not to revisit the topic, she had to hold back a multitude of questions when Tras said the two criminals tried to get revenge on him and Kaylin at a later date. And then once again, when he said how fake drinking at the tavern had ended in disaster. Nothing about either event had traveled back to her ears, which was a painful contrast to what she had just claimed a moment earlier. How could she know nothing about either of these events?

"Right," was all she said. In seeming agreement not to explore it any further. Even though she wanted to. What she wanted, though, was not always what was best for others. So she decided to try and let it go.

She smiled when he reiterated that her doing something for his birthday was great. "It's hard," she agreed, "not telling your friends. And I wish it didn't have to be this way for you. But take heart, Taras... it won't always be like this. A time will come where everything is out in the open, and you can have a proper birthday celebration. Where you can invite everyone you want to. Nal, Mourgan, your sister... and whoever else you want." Arnyn looked genuinely convinced, her brown eyes gleaming at the prospect.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Trastion
Arnyn's house - 2nd half of November

After what she had just said, and how public the 'disaster' at the Wayfarer had been, Trastion simply assumed she must have heard about that by now. Especially since there had been others involved besides him and Kaylin. And the innkeeper had been aware of it. So he felt no cause to offer any further explanation about that one, and she didn't ask, so he continued with his assumption.

"Yeah," He agreed with what she said in regards to the birthday thing. "Maybe next year," He said hopefully. He had never expected, when he came to Minas Tirith, that he would end up with so many friends. And while that was nice, it also brought a few problems with it. They talked for a bit longer before Arnyn mentioned having some duties to take care of at Headquarters. Trastion offered to help with washing up the dishes, although he was denied. But since they were going to the same place, he waited for her and continued to chat with the lieutenant while she finished up, then they left together to walk up to the sixth circle.

At the headquarters, he paused. "Thank you.. for everything." He told her. "I absolutely did not expect that.. I didn't even think you'd have remembered me telling you about my birthday, although I should've known you would." He grinned. "I'll see you tomorrow for training, right?" He checked with her, then waved once she had confirmed it. "Good night." He was smiling as he parted from her and went to his dorm, carrying the book and gloves, which he tucked into the chest at the foot of his bed.

[Ercassie]

@Lantaelen

Behind Closed Doors – Part 3


Lady Ilisys Azrubêl, at her Minas Tirith residence, Fifth Circle.
Receiving a visit from Lord Abrazimir Dimaethor
approximately a week after Erulaitalë.

Lotte managed to recover herself sufficiently to see the Knight settled in the parlour. “Very good sir,” the housekeeper agreed, although the woman made no vow in response, that the guest should have to wait no time at all. Given the nature of the lady of the House there was, of course, no guarantee upon that score. And most recently, indeed. Ilisys had been coming and going at all hours. Even when housed safely indoors for the night, she had been found more than once trawling up and down the first floor corridor in hours before dawn, as though she were a ghost haunting the halls in her long, pale nightgown.

In lieu of this, Lotte’s first port of call was not to seek the noblewoman, but to first send in the maid, Claery with an offering of water and wine. It was only right after all to meet all of a welcome guest’s needs, even as swiftly as he might conceive of them himself. By the time Ilisys passed the portal of the parlour herself, enough time had been took for Abrazimir to have drunk dry the delicately faceted glass flute, if he had a thirst. Not to mention have partaken of more than one of the slices of fruit cake which the agreeable maid had also provided, if he were possessed of any appetite.


“Good sir,” the Ehtyar remarked, with a flawless curtsey, even as Lotte quietly led young Claery without fanfare out of the room. The lord and lady were, after all, of kin and could be trusted to conduct their business without any chaperone. “An unexpected honour to entertain your company. But welcome,” she fed her chin into her neck, to lower grey eyes respectfully.

As her guest had remained standing, Isys held up also, without descending into one of the cushioned seats. Her unruffled ensemble suggested to a trained eye that Ilisys had not been sat about the house all day yet in such fine garb. And though her grey eyes marked the knight with their full attention, the absence of all else telling emotion could not hide the dark circles of some exhaustion. She had, as a matter of fact, been awake at guard duty in the Houses of Healing all the previous night. Not for the first or only night either. And only now that Sorrela was stood sentry in her stead, had the Lady come home for some rest.

Rest was an errant thing, of course. And had evaded her for long hours before her guest had come to call. Would his visit ease her mind, or breed new cause to fret the night entire ? Either way, she was awake and it seemed likely to remain so, despite all her efforts. It would not become her to turn the man away. So here they were.


“So,” Ilisys smoothed down her skirt from the waist with one hand, and raised her gaze to meet his. “You have found my little nest in the White City.” she noted, with a tone which seemed rather more relaxed now that they were unobserved. “But how did you find the recent festival ?” she enquired.

[Isolde Alarion]

Nelladel, on a Saturday Evening

At the home of Addhor, 2nd Circle

@Ercassie



Finding her throat dry after the telling of her rabbit escapades she took another sip of the wine and still found it enjoyable. "Five, five brothers." She answered his question as she lowered her glass. She then watched him rise to attend to their meal as he explained his had one brother but also one by bond. She nodded lightly in understanding. Although she might only have one son by blood, she also had another, Andarion, she claimed by bond.

Hearing he also had a sister of the heart she smiled lightly, when he told her she would have set free any rabbits they caught. She chuckled at the image. She watched him ready their plates and listened as he continued. His invite to come along the next time he went to catch supper and the suggestion to judge how much of a distraction she might prove to be caused a slight blush to rise on her cheeks, but she tried to hide it by taking another sip of the wine.

"From the lovely aroma I highly doubt I could be put off liking rabbit." She told him as he approached her. She took his offered hand and rose from the chair, glass in hand, to be guided to a seat he then pulled out for her. He'd described the meal now sat before her. Her green eyes cast around the various offering, appreciating the work it took to gather and prepare such a feast. He went on to describe the side dishes. "It smells wonderful Addhor." Her smile approved of his choices, and she took her seat. Lightly adjusting as he took his own seat, but her smile widened at hearing of his surprise dessert. "A surprise? After all it must have taken you to prepare this feast. I wouldn't miss it for the world." She lightly shook her head and smiled.

She then remembered her bread. "Oh yes, the bread!" She chuckled as she took the loaf in hand. "What kind of baker would I be if I didn't offer you bread the proper way?" She grinned at him and tore the loaf in half, the crust crackling as it gave way. "It's the best way to enjoy it." From one of the halves, she tore off a couple manageable chunks then placed it on his small plate as she did the same with hers. "Some people like it properly cut but I find this way seems to enhance the flavors, at least it does to me." She smiled and shrugged.

Finished with the bread for the moment she looked back to her plate and took up her fork. "I'm not sure where I wish to start." She grinned but thought it best to start at the beginning, the rabbit. It was fork tender and she made sure to add the mix of mushroom, celery and fennel with it. The moment it crossed her lips it had her smiling. The flavors mixed wonderfully on her palate. So wonderful it was she closed her eyes and let out a small sigh of approval as she slowly chewed, then swallowed.

When her green eyes opened, she couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed and used her napkin to hide behind for a moment. "Forgive me, it's just that has to be the best rabbit I've had in a long time" She lowered her napkin and continued. "I fear the rabbit population could suffer greatly for it." She gave him an amused smile before returning to her meal.

[Lantaelen]

@ercassie

Lord Abrazimir of House Dimaethor
Visiting the home of Isys, Fifth Level, Minas Tirith, Gondor
Shortly after Midsummer, Fourth Age

Lotte led Abrazimir into the parlour of the house and he spent a moment inspecting the furniture, wondering if it would support his armoured weight and all, before deciding on just standing and waiting. It was a nice house that Isys had acquired and despite the serious conversation he needed to have with her, he couldn’t help but wonder about the payment and purchase that might have went into such a place. Maybe he should acquire such a domicile for himself within the White City, especially in these days of a hard won peace.

Then of course he remembered the nightmare of the great battle upon the fields and at the walls and of the shadows of things more wicked than man or orc…no, Isys was much braver than him. The sea. He needed to be close to the sea. It was a constant in his life that always brought him calm and enjoyment.

The proffered food he ignored but he had a few sips of the drink provided. Soon enough Isys arrived, much sooner than he expected, and much to his amusement and delight she gave him a curtsey. Not a great one, but he appreciated the offer. ”My Lady Azrubêl,” he said and gave her a more graceful and well practiced bow in return, before rolling his eyes, shaking his head, and laughing a little. What in heaven’s good name were they doing? They didn’t do this. He approached her and in a soldiery fashion, held out his fist for a bump.

”Thank you for the welcome. You have such a nice home here. Nice views too.” He complimented the surroundings in the Sindarin tongue, but now he was watching the other woman carefully. Was she busy? She didn’t seem busy. She was dressed pretty well but the looks under her eye…well, that went missed as well, because almost all knights looked like that to some degree, stressed or busy with some labour or mission. In truth, seeing Isys without the exhaustion under her eyes would be more attention grabbing than it was with them.

”I would not call it a nest though, you need some eggs for that.” He joked at her, before shrugging his broad shoulders in reference to the festival. ”Ups and downs. Good food, good drink, the bonfire was nice. But of course, there was the encounter with our mutual friend from Umbar. And unfortunately, I just had the displeasure of encountering him again. At the Houses of Healing.” He explained to Isys, turning to face westwards, as if he could see through the walls and mass of buildings right to the room of…that man.

”It did not take long for the worm to be apprehended, but there is not even any peace or enjoyment to be had in the capture of a villain. Suddenly he is asking for me and a task and investigation is put upon me, to which I could use your guidance and advice, if you have a moment.” Abrazimir explained to her, before gesturing to the couches that they ought to sit. He precariously pressed on the cushion of a couch, before carefully sinking into it. It supported his armoured weight. He relaxed and waited for her to be settled as well.

”You put a guard on his room, so surely you must have heard this tale of his…that he has been falsely set up for arrest?” He asked her, seeing what she might know first. False accused of this particular crime but he had a great many others that still condemned him all the same. But it was only for the old nurse that he was going to look into this.

[Ercassie]

@Lantaelen

Behind Closed Doors – Part 4


Lady Ilisys Azrubêl, at her Minas Tirith residence, Fifth Circle.
Receiving a visit from Lord Abrazimir Dimaethor
approximately a week after Erulaitalë.

A small smile escaped her when the man surrendered his manners and make clear that no one was at hand who cared how they ought behave. Isys considered his proffered fist and met it with her own in time just enough before Abrazimir might wonder if she would.

“You are always welcome,” she would have him know, joining the gentleman in elegant Eldar speech which their respective governesses would be proud to mark. “The height at this Circle of course affords it status as an eyrie, even when my mother does not embark on the perils of the road to inspect our modest efforts,” Isys confided, almost conspiratorial. The Lady Eressild’s dislike for sailing was of course as well known, as her tendency toward seasickness; necessitating a longer journey if the matriach ever wished to visit her far-flung child. And even if she should descend upon them, Eressild’s precious birds of prey would not be welcome. Isys fed every stray cat that wandered close to the kitchens here. One might even suppose, on purpose. For defiance against an overbearing parent comes in many shapes and sizes, particularly where ill manners might else curb it’s effectiveness.


As her guest commenced polite response and his reason for coming, the lady poured out a slow glass of the water which Claery had left for them. The small seeded cake drew her intrigue, though no portion was severed with the ornate knife, for tasting quite yet. Instead grey eyes turned up toward the Lord, reactive. “We have eggs,” she assured him, as though the matter were very much important. “If you wish for eggs ..” Any notion of food then fell from thought, as Isys was forced to meet the man’s subject matter. As if she ought to be surprised at this point. “I watched a puppet show,” she smiled, distractedly at the memory. “At the fayre” she clarified. For she had clearly skipped back to that subject, rather than yet delve into .. the other.


Calmly then, as precarious about the state of her thinking as the man was over the weight of his steeled dress, they took to a lowered seat upon the couch together. Isys enveloped her fingers about the small fluted glass and did not sup from it, as Abrazimir led her to discuss the dilemma.

“He was neither apprehended, nor captured,” she admitted. “But willingly admitted himself into my custody, after helping the Rangers to retrieve an escaped prisoner. A fellow Umbarian.” This last might have surprised anyone else, but like as not the Swan Knight. They had both witnessed Arkadhur’s calls upon the ‘Scythe’ to dispatch with the entire captured Corsair crew. His own people, as it turned out. “That is what he says he came back here for,” she sighed.


What either of the Umbarians had been thinking, independently strolling into the midst of the Midsummer fayre, as though they truly expected no repercussions for what each had undeniably been involved in .... As though the King had offered amnesty, or something of the like, .. for citizens of his recently reclaimed colony. Isys still struggled to fully understand. Umbarians … they truly seemed a breed apart, at least where thinking was concerned.

“I do not think he was expecting for any dirt to fly in his direction at Midsummer,” Isys mused aloud, taking an opportunity to sip at her water while she considered. “Perhaps he had such arrogance in his own disguise ?” she pondered. Before a second, more abhorrent, possibility erupted, just moments after. “Perhaps he did not expect to ever see the two girls again .. much less here, and now.” Isys closed and reopened her eyes, as though the world might seem a better place with but a fresh perspective.


“The Smith accused him of orchestrating their abduction, of selling two innocent young women to smugglers in Harlond ..” The Ehtyar would affirm that her kinsman was on the same page as she, regarding this. “This having happened, a mere day after Shamara escaped the dungeons last year. So between him and a recently liberated slaver, the girls were very fortunate to evade a more sorry end.”

Isys dropped her gaze, unwilling to admit how deeply the alleged crime had injured her. For little though she knew the Smith, Iole by contrast was one of the Lady’s own employees .. in her marketplace shop. The risk of loss to further of those whom she felt personally responsible for … by that man’s involvement .. had been a hard blow to face up to. And she could not think why the girls would lie. Not even Unalmis would have put them up to this, to strike back at the Umbarian. And who in their right mind would go along with such a …. No. Not a chance. Although neither the younger Ranger or Iole had confided in her about any of this .. Isys was well aware that ‘something’ had happened, the previous autumn. The two close friends had certainly been keeping it between them, but neither one was an accomplished enough liar to overcome the existence of trauma entirely. There was something there, she had known. She had never expected though that it would bring her back to .. him. Whether the girls’ abduction was related to the illegal release of Shamara on the other hand, was a link she could not tie together., besides the convenience of timing. Unless … perhaps Arkadhur had intended to frame a certain recently escaped female slaver for his own crime in stealing away the two young women ?


“The knife which was used by their abductor to intimidate them during that ordeal was found in the place where our ‘friend’ had been loitering, during the fayre, just days ago. So, that does not sit well with his claims of innocence.” she conceded to Abrazimir. “I have been working at close quarters with the Guard, because our ‘friend’ now claims that one of them gave him the knife, that this same Guard forced him to carry out the abduction, and also to aid in the escape of Shamara, last year.” Isys shared freely with Abrazimir the very same that she had informed to Pele and Arnyn. She trusted the man, had known him personally longer than she had known the two officers collectively.


“His current predicament in the Houses of Healing is supposedly due to a Guard attempting to assassinate him, mere hours after he was arrested. And I could not conceive of a reason why any Guard of Gondor would commit a single of these many crimes. Save that perhaps the city of the King now has an Umbarian secretly gnawing away at it’s foundations as we know one was before, in Dol Amroth.” Isys twirled her spent glass, which no longer stood a threat of spillage, though it took her attention, as she forced out the words.

“What escapes me yet is what Arkardhur wants, what he hopes to gain out of .. any of this,” she confessed. “If his will is to drive us all mad with mistrust and suspicion, he can not honestly think to escape punishment in due course ? I searched him, Abrazi, I delivered him into the custody of the Guards myself, and he did not look to impede .. at any time .. any of it. He went willingly, almost jovial in fact. I can only imagine that if this mysterious Guard who is behind all of this does in fact exist, and is responsible for all that has been claimed, .. then our friend was under the impression that this same Guard would protect him somehow, or see him safely out of any repercussions that were aimed in an arrested Umbarian’s direction. Maybe have him escape, just as Shamara was allowed to last time. So if there really has been an attempt made on the prisoner’s life, perhaps our friend is ready at last to name the one who has let him down at the end of all things. Or perhaps it is all an effort to destroy the reputation of an unsuspecting Guard of Gondor .. maybe more than one ..”


As was often the case, more than one of these imaginings was occurring to the Lady even as she considered the situation anew. Comfortable to do so, in the Lord’s company, Isys leaned back without ceremony in her seat as though the furniture might somehow prop her up in spirit as well as body. She was certainly unsure if she was aiding Abrazimir’s own concerns with insight, or in fact adding to them ..

"He asked for you," she reflected at the last. "Did he give you any intimation of what he expects ?"

[Ercassie]

The Unexpected Invitation – Private One-off post.



Malus Aldis and Dessy Hart’
Approaching/arriving at the House of Lady Ilisys Azrubel
Fifth Circle of Minas Tirith. FLASHBACK - June.

“You are sure that she meant for me to attend as well ?” the young woman gnawed upon her lower lip, wide-eyed as they passed through an avenue of grandiose houses, with elegant statuery about the small front lawns.

“That is what she said,” her husband recalled, for maybe the tenth time in as many minutes. “Besides, I need you with me.” Warm fingers squeezed his clammy grip about her own. “She’s .. ” the man floundered for a fitting adjective.

“I know,” Dessy agreed, understanding.


The Undertaker had first met the Ehtyar when she came enquiring about the record of a dead man, found out on the Pelennor. By all accounts the departed had fallen, or jumped, from the wall of the First Circle down onto the city’s lawn below. But the Guard had insisted upon handling the autopsy themselves, and it had been left to Malus to merely make arrangements with the departed’s new widow. Who had .. never been found. Malus had done his best as per the policy for those who are ‘unclaimed’. They held a special place in his heart and so he and his wife had been the sole attendees and host of the very modest, but respectful funeral.

There was not much that the young man had been able to offer the lady’s investigation. There had been a letter in the dead man’s pocket, so the report said. But the Guard had taken that as well. Malus had never come to read the thing. His reading was not very good, if truth be known. The old man, Master Ishen had done his best but by the time the apprentice had come to him, he was too embarrassed to admit his lack of skill .. in order to properly take advantage of later lessons. Thankfully his new wife was well versed in literacy. She was a keen bookworm, in fact, and no end of assistance when it came to the paperwork side of their occupation. Their union, their partnership, their easy cooperation .. it transcended every element of their life together. Even the accepting of quite unexpected invitations.


The young couple held their hands entwined until Malus was forced to break apart, and knock on a vast dark blue door. The building was not imposing for it’s size; after all the pair lived above a none too shabby Mortuary. It was more the uncertainty of what had brought them here, and what state they might thus come to, before they were permitted to leave.

The old woman who opened the door considered the two, wiping both hands on the apron which spanned an impressive waist. When Malus managed to make clear that the Lady of the House was inspecting them, Lotte broke her expression into an increasingly welcome one. And ushered them inside.


This must be the man’s daughter then. Dessy .. the housekeeper recalled, as she considered the young thing for any sign of resemblance, to her father. It was more than time that she was made aware of Domanol’s arrival in the city. And as occasions went, to meet a new in-law, why not have all rendered nervous about table manners to effectively break the ice ?

Knowingly, the loyal servant closed the dark blue door upon the street beyond. She had never anticipated being so busy with company, since leaving the intricacies of Belfalas behind her. Honestly, of course, she ought to have known better.

[Rillewen]

(private)

Torthon and Duvaineth Talven with Iris
Fourth Level, one of the upper-class inns
Night of the Midwinter Masquerade Ball

They had only one level to traverse, and yet it might have been the entire walk to their home, for as much as it tired the lady. She had to pause frequently to catch her breath, while her husband waited.. outwardly patient. Finally, they arrived at their suite chambers, and she was able to recline on the 'fainting couch' that poised elegantly in the front room, as if were somehow known that she would have need of it. Duvaineth pressed one hand to her chest, feeling how her heart raced. She had wanted a suite on the ground floor, but the inn staff had apologized that all of the suites were located in the upper floors, which had meant she'd had to climb up the steps to get here.

"They ought to do something about that," Torthon grumbled, thinking it wasn't right that they should have to climb up so many steps just to reach their rooms. It was because the view was better from the upper rooms, and some other things like that. But what other option was there, he wondered? Install a person-sized dumbwaiter? That would be interesting. He sighed and laid his masque down on the dresser, then went over to where Duvaineth was reclining, her breaths shallow and weak, but rapid. He took up her hand, kissing the back of it lightly. "I'll call your nurse, and then I'll ensure that you get a proper night's rest."

Duvaineth nodded while Torthon rang a bell to summon Iris from the servant's room that adjoined onto the suite, so that they would be near enough to the suite to hear the bell and come swiftly when summoned.

The nurse/servant had been anticipating that the lady might be returning early from the dance, and had therefore been waiting up, ready to come at a moment's notice. She hastened to the next room to find the lady, her masque already removed but still dressed for the ball.

"The lady requires rest," Torthon informed her quietly. "Help her prepare for bed." Turning to his wife, he added, "I'll get your medicine." At a nod from Duvaineth, he went to retrieve the vial of medicine which would help her to sleep very soundly.

Once the lord had left the room, Iris helped Duvaineth with undressing from her grand ball gown, and into a sleeping gown of considerable more comfort. By the time Torthon returned to the room, Iris was had gotten the covers tucked in around his wife, and was stoking the fire up a bit.

"Thank you Iris. That'll be all," He dismissed the servant. Iris took a glance toward her lady, who nodded slightly to confirm that she was fine now. Torthon sat on the edge of the bed next to Duvaineth as the nurse curtsied and left the room. He held the glass up to Duvaineth's lips, helping her to drink. "There, you rest now. I'll make sure no one disturbs you." He kissed her forehead and gave a light squeeze of her hand.

"Thank you, Torthon." Duvaineth said softly. "I know you would have rather stayed a little while longer.." She sighed. "I really appreciate you giving up your enjoyment for my sake." Duvaineth smiled sleepily at him, the medicine already working to make her very drowsy. She sighed softly, letting her head sink into the soft pillow. "Don't forget to put the sign on the door." She murmured as she began to drift off.

Torthon nodded. "Of course, my dear." He watched until her breathing showed that she was sleeping. He waited a moment longer, just to be sure, looking at her for long a moment. If they were at home, he would have taken this perfect opportunity to swap her pillows, as he did almost every a night. But alas, the 'special' pillow had been left at home, so there were less chances of anyone finding out what he had been doing.. to purposely make her sick.

Once he was certain that she was asleep, he smirked as he went over to the dresser and took out another set of clothes. Swiftly, he changed the outer garments that everyone had seen him wearing at the ball, then took a moment to slick his hair back into a different style than he had been wearing it previously. By the time he emerged from the room, Torthon was dressed quite differently, yet he was still dressed for attending a ball. He slipped out of the suite quietly, so not to draw any attention to his departure from anyone, including the servants.

And he certainly didn't need his wife's reminder to put the 'do not disturb' sign on the door; he absolutely didn't want any of the inn's staff, nor the Talven's own staff, to discover that he had gone out again. Having made sure that the sign was hung on the door and that it could not fall off, Torthon set off down the steps, smiling in satisfaction at himself for having slipped out completely undetected. As he stepped out onto the street, Torthon fixed a fresh, new mask over his face, and turned his steps back toward the fifth level, laughing a little, inwardly. She may think he'd given up his evening for her, but really, he had only brought her back to the inn early so that he could be free to enjoy the rest of the evening without her. Now, he could finally enjoy the ball, and neither his wife, nor anyone else, would be none the wiser.

Besides, this way he could keep an eye on Dulinneth. After all, he had only agreed to let her stay behind at the dance in hopes that she might have some plans to seek out Anurion. If she thought that her family had already left.. if she had some reason for keeping this secret from everyone else, then she might unknowingly lead him straight to his 'prodical stepson'. That was the entire reason he had agreed to let her come to Minas Tirith in the first place.. because he knew that she knew he was here somewhere. Hopefully, he might finally have a stroke of luck tonight.

---

As the figure strode down the street, a curtain fell into place in an upper window of the servant's adjoining room. Iris shook her head with a little sigh as she witnessed Lord Talven stride off down the street, wearing the clothes and masque that she and Lady Duvaineth had found in his dresser earlier. Duvaineth had known he was going to pull something like this. Iris was saddened that the man would not stay true to his wife, but she would never speak a word about it to anyone. It was a close secret between she and Duvaineth.

A moment later, she heard the ringing of the bell. Iris had been expecting it, since the lady had anticipated something like this. Iris slipped out of her room and returned to the suite, where Lady Talven awaited her, struggling to keep her eyes open. "M'lady," She went to help her sit up slightly, knowing the medicine would be making her quite drowsy.

"Did he go?" Duvaineth asked sleepily, blinking slowly.

"Yes," Iris answered with a little sadness. "He returned to the ball, alone."

"I doubt he'll leave it, alone." Duvaineth mumbled. She shook her head slightly. "And he wonders why I don't want him touching me, after he's been with who knows how many others.." She let out a sigh that ended in a weak coughing fit.

Iris helped her with taking a sip from her glass of water. "Shall I watch for him to return?" She asked tentatively.

"No," Duvaineth's reply brought relief to the nurse. "He'll return before morning, no doubt, so that he can pretend he has been here all the night." She smiled wanly. "As if I don't know any better. What a fool," She muttered.

"Why don't you confront him, m'lady?" Iris dared to ask, frowning in concern for her employer.

Duvaineth let out a soft laugh. "If he knew I was wise to him, do you think he would be as tactful and secretive about it as he has been thus far?" She shook her head and rested back onto the pillows. "Just because I'm aware of his playtime, doesn't mean I want any of our peers learning of it, either. Not to mention our daughter."

That reminded Iris; the girl had not returned with them. "Where is she, my lady?" She wondered. "She did not return with you and your husband."

Duvaineth's voice was growing clearly sleepier, as well as her responses becoming fainter. "Still at the ball," She let her eyes close. "She wanted to stay, so he said she could sleep at Gaer's, tonight. Surprised he didn't hint.. at us having the place to ourselves for the night." She mentioned with a vague smile. "Probably already set his sights on some beauty he saw at the ball," She guessed, her voice faint as she was close to drifting off again. "He thinks I didn't see him sneaking looks," She mumbled. "The woman in red..."

Iris nodded, then checked the lady's pulse and lightly placed the back of a hand to her forehead. Then she adjusted the covers over her. "Sleep well, m'lady." She whispered, feeling sorry that Duvaineth's husband did not appreciate the woman that he had. She slipped out quietly and returned to the other room. She took one more look out of the window in the vain hope that the lord might have changed his mind and returned. He had not, however. Shaking her head, Iris went to bed.

[Rillewen]

(Private)

Úllothel
Fifth Circle
Sometime in October

Another workday had come to a close, at last. The daylight was fading already, as the days grew shorter. Tobedir ought to be getting home from Lond Col in a few days, and she was looking forward to hearing all about his trip, as well as worried about him while he was gone. With a soft sigh, Thel stretched her arms and back, then picked up her sewing basket. Her aging hands were aching after so many hours of stitching, making adjustments to gowns and suits and all that. Everyone knew the midwinter ball was coming up, and there was a rumor going around that it was going to be a masquerade this year. Everyone wanted to be there, and those who planned enough ahead were already putting in their orders for the finest attire they could get. Thel and the other seamstresses were busier than normal for this time of year, so it was a relief to go home at the end of the day, sit back, and relax.

But first.. she had a stop to make. The same stop she had made every day for the past five years; she walked to the park and stood at the wall, looking out across the land below as she wrapped her shawl close about her body. Today, the light was dim, and the old woman could hardly even see the Anduin far below, but she knew the sea was there. And somewhere, out there on the vast ocean, so was her grandson. Where was he now, she wondered? Was he safe? Was he missing her? Did he miss his brother? And his friends?

Wiping a silent tear from her eye, Thel sent up another silent prayer that her boy was safe, and that he might someday come home. Why didn't he ever reply to her letters? Her heart ached for news of him, even just a rumor that he still lived... yet none ever came. It was disheartening, and she couldn't help but fear the worst, and yet she refused to accept anything of the sort. Just as Tobedir continued to hope and believe that his brother would return someday, his grandmother also hoped and prayed the same.

Resting her folded arms upon the smooth stones of the wall, Thel stood still as the breeze stirred the grayish-white wisps of hair around her face, and her dress swayed around her ankles. Soon, winter would be settling in, and these upper levels would be quite frigid. In another month, she would need to dress in her winter garments, and bring along a coat for the walk home. Dabbing lightly at her eyes with a dainty, lace-edged handkerchief, Thel sniffled quietly and let out a sigh. "Oh, I miss him so much.." She said softly into the wind, gazing out across the darkening Pelennor and beyond. "Where are you, Trevadir?"

"I'm right here, Grandma." A strange, and yet familiar, voice answered quietly from behind her. Startled, Ullothel turned to find a young man standing a few yards away. His face was alarmingly similar to her son-in-law's, and yet.. the age was just right for Trevadir. Thel's eyes widened as a hand came up to her chest, as if to stop her heart from leaping in joy. Could it be? Was she imagining this?

---

Trevadir

The joust had been.. a bit of a wild ride, emotionally. In many ways, Trev wished he had not gone. But in just as many ways, he was beyond glad that he had. He didn't want to think about what might have happened to Toby if he hadn't been around. And despite all the good moments, he was extremely glad to be home again, and to have Toby home where he should be safe. And he was grateful to the Azrubels for providing them a safer mode of transportation, to get here without having to take the ferry, which his father might have been watching.

The brothers had arrived back to the city late, just as the sun was dipping low in the horizon. First, he had made sure that Toby made it safely to their grandmother's house, then continued upward to deliver a trunk of Cali's belongings to girl's house, which he left on the back porch for now, since no one was home at the moment. From there.. he had gone for a walk. He was feeling torn, really. Because he had promised Toby that he would find and speak to his grandmother when they got back, and that he would try to patch things up with her. But did he have to do it right now? And what if she didn't want to see him again? That was the biggest fear he struggled with right now. That Grandma wouldn't want him, that she'd tell him he had made too big a mistake and she had disowned him.

He could wait until tomorrow. Maybe he could get Toby to sort of.. break the ice, and help him ease into it.. but then again, he also didn't want her to hear all about Toby's misadventures, before he could talk to her. Thus, the dilemma. He strolled along the street with his hands buried into his pockets, thinking. His friends didn't yet know he was back.. and he wasn't sure where they were at the moment. Macardil wasn't back yet, either. Trev wasn't really sure of who to talk to, to get any advice about this.

Before he realized it, he had found himself heading toward the dress shop on the fifth level. But it was closed by now. He debated going to the hall of song, and hiding out there. But, again, it was a bit late. He wasn't sure if it actually closed up at night or remained open.. probably not, right? So instead, his wandering steps brought him to a park, with the intention of just sitting on a bench to think.

It was as he approached one of those benches that he heard her. It was faint, but he still heard every word, and felt his heart twist up with the emotion audible in those few words. And he realized how stupid he'd been for ever doubting that his grandma would want him. He should've known she would love him no matter what he'd done, and that she would always welcome him back. Feeling tears sting his eyes, he answered her question without even thinking about whether she would even recognize him. "I'm right here, Grandma."

Ullothel ran to her grandson, throwing her arms around him. She hugged him tight as tears spilled from her eyes. "I don't believe it.." She stepped back, looking up at him in wonder. "Is it really you..?" She hardly dared to hope.

Trev's grin spread from ear to ear. "It really is me," He answered, holding her a bit more gently, but as tight as he dared. She looked so fragile, he was afraid he'd break her if he squeezed her too tight.

"You never replied to any of my letters," She mentioned with a touch of sadness.

Trev frowned slightly. "Letters..?" That was the same thing Toby had said, he recalled. "I.. I never got any letters." He informed her with regret. "You sent me letters?"

"Every day." Thel replied, with tears in her eyes.

Trev felt tears of his own brimming up. "Every day..? For.. five years?"

Thel nodded, squeezing his hands lightly. "Every day, I wrote to you, asking you to come home, telling you how much we love and miss you, telling you what was going on in our lives.. hoping things were going well in yours."

"Oh, Grandma," He swallowed down a lump swelling up in his throat. "I'm so sorry.. I never meant to hurt you, I.. never should've left, I.. I've missed you so much.."

"Shhh," Thel hugged him, shaking her head as she patted his shoulder lightly. "It's alright, Trev, dear, you're home now." She looked up at him, then reached up and wiped the dampness from his eyes with the handkerchief she still held. "You're home now." She repeated with a smile of joy.

Trev smiled, let out a little laugh, and hugged her again. "Am I ever glad to be home..." He wiped his eyes, then smiled at his grandmother as he stepped back from the hug at last. "Speaking of home," He added as he picked up her sewing basket from where she'd set it on the ground; intending to carry it for her, and offered his arm to her. "Toby's waiting for you there... and we've got a lot to tell you."

"Really?" She asked in surprise. "I didn't expect him for a few more days." She added, taking his arm happily. A joyful smile had now replaced the tearful frown from before. "Well then, let's go home." She suggested, eager to go and greet her other grandson back from his trip.

Trev smiled, swinging the sewing basket from his other hand as he led his grandmother down through the levels toward home, together at last.

[Lantaelen]

@ercassie

Lord Abrazimir of House Dimaethor
Visiting the home of Isys, Fifth Level, Minas Tirith, Gondor
Shortly after Midsummer, Fourth Age

Her fist connected with his after a moment of ponderance, with Abrazimir almost suspecting that Isys had never seen such a gesture before in her life. He smiled at the tidbit about her mother’s disdain for sailing, ironic that she lived so close to the coast and had married into a family long affiliated with sea-farthing traditions. He gave an innocent shrug. ”Well, be sure to impart upon your mother that the offer of a ride on my ship always stands, if she ever decides to brave the seas.” He offered up politely. Journeying much between their home and Minas Tirith, it was no problem at all to give any of the locals in Belfalas a ride on his battleship to the port of Harlond.

Her remark about eggs truly puzzled him. No, I did not mean literal eggs, Isys. But he didn’t press the matter. He was amused by this revelation that she had seen a puppet show. That really did not seem like a Isys type activity, but then again, despite having known her the better part of three decades almost, he was still discovering all sorts of new things about her. A puppet show…that sounded adorable.

But such things were put aside for now, as they got to the core of his business here.

Isys proved to be a wealth of information, some of which he knew and heard already, but some of it…was new. And strange to him. Shocking even, he’d go as far to say. Arkadhur turned himself in, he wasn’t arrested. But he was not as innocent as his claims of being “set up” seemed, for he had attempted to capture two young women of Gondor. Again. The least surprising information was that Arkadhur aided in the capture of another Umbarin. So what? No honour among thieves, or pirates. Theirs was a profession prone to infidelity towards one’s companions and ambitions to be the strongest, usually through cutthroat measures. Abrazimir wore an expression that essentially expressed his opinion that he thought Arkadhur incapable of truly selfless action. No, he was up to something.

But there was the knife again, which belonged to the Smith’s brother, now having been employed by her would-be captor to harm them. Despicable. But of all being said, it was the mention of the Guard that intrigued him most, for that was where a great source of uncertainty and hidden answers lay. The same Guard which Arkadhur had named to him? Isys could not conceive why a Guard of Gondor would do this. ”I can.” Abrazimir muttered to himself, but did not say any more, so as to not interrupt Isys in her telling. Same as the Corsairs, this Guard was probably interested in power, in wealth, in something more that his position did not allow him.

In the end, Isys seemed to share a lot of the questions and riddles Abrazimir had. What did Arkadhur want? Was he truly set up or was he trying to turn over a new leaf? Was this a scheme to cause disunity and tension amongst the restored Kingdom? Was he just…in over his head? The last was Abrazimir’s foremost assumption, though without solid proof. The Corsairs were backstabbers and cruel. It could be that Arkadhur’s luck with his own people had run out and he truly had to come seek refugee and asylum with his former enemies. There was no place safer from his former countrymen…than in a Gondorian dungeon.

”You know much and more and some of this is news to me, though all of it was news to me when I arrived this morning.” He said at first, rubbing his jaw and staring off thoughtfully towards a patch of wall just over Isys’ head, before meeting her gaze. ”Firstly, I will say that I have spoken with the Smith’s mother, a Nurse at the Houses of Healing. I have offered to retrieve this weapon that Arkadhur used to intimidate the Smith and the other. It belongs to their family and I will admit it does frustrate me that a familial heirloom like that was used to harm and hurt a descendant of that family by this man. I would like to see it returned. You would not happen to have it with you here or in a guarded place?” Abrazimir said first. Before his own desire for revenge and curiosity of getting to the bottom of this scheme, he wanted to help and bring peace to another.

Arkadhur had told him that the knife in question lay with a Guard Lieutenant and that may as well be correct, but Abrazimir was never going to take the man’s word for anything. Let Isys confirm or verify first, if she knew.

”As for what he wants…is an astonishing thing. He wants to be taken back to Dol Amroth to stand trial for his crimes, not here.” Abrazimir told Isys, now his turn to impart what he had learned. ”It could very much be that he is under threat and menace here from a corrupt officer within the ranks of the City Guard. To be taken to Dol Amroth, out of this man’s authority and reach, might just be his pathetic way to extend his life for a short while. Or it could be far worse, as he could still have connections in Dol Amroth that could more readily spring him from a dungeon than what could be accomplished here.” Abrazimir continued, still rubbing his jaw and beard in thought. Then he inhaled…and exhaled, quite tiredly.

”I will confess I…said I would honour this wish, in exchange for information. However, the information he provided was very lacking and I would not say it was in spirit of a fair and equal exchange as I desired. But I would not mind having him in our grips. He further stated that he would be more willing to divulge information once in Dol Amroth, but that could just be a ruse to encourage us to expedite his request. He even deigned to say that he “owes” us for all his crime and would be eager to assist, once his personal safety is assured. Laughable.”

Abrazimir then shrugged. ”Personally, I am content to let the sharks have him, wherever and whoever they might be. But on the off chance he actually has something useful to give us? Because he did give me a name, of the one attempting to set him up. He is currently being blamed for the death of the Smith’s brother, a man named Ryndir, who is known to my family. But Arkadhur says, with some accuracy, that he could not have been present for the murder…as he was with us escaping Umbar.”

He then shifted and moved over towards Isys, joining her on the same couch, so as to share the next bit of information more privately. Almost as if they might be spied on, for the one he was about to name…wielded some influence in the City. ”Does the name Aderic Androillius mean anything to you?” He asked her in a whisper.

[Lantaelen]

@Rillewen

Lord Abrazimir Dimaethor & Lady Azraindil Dimaethor
First Level, Minas Tirith, Gondor
The Day After Midwinter Masquerade

It was a chilly, yet sunny and bright day, and nothing that a few thick cloaks and mantles couldn’t handle as the trio passed through the Pelennor and into the White City of Minas Tirith. In these days of peace, the gates stood open and welcoming to all travelers and locals, with a great bustle and traffic constantly exiting or entering. Some leaving to work and till the fields, others entering to ply and sell their wares. Despite having come here many times, it always pleased Abrazimir to see the City restored after the Great Siege and Battle. It always brought a sense of security and welcome to him, a home away from home, so storied in history and dignity.

For Azraindil, it was the first time she was getting to enter the City and truly get to see it for all it’s sights and sounds, without being on some mandated purpose or journey to a select place within, under the purview of a parent.

It had already been impressive to see the pearl tipped Tower of Ecthelion in the morning, shining like a star come down to Middle-Earth. Passing through the formidable sable walls of the first level had been another astonishing sight. Now, the trio of them, Abrazimir, Azraindil, and her best friend Dulinneth, walked through the gate and into the wide courtyard of the City. There seemed to be life in every street and avenue, every home filled with sounds and faces, and in every space some merchant stall or vendor, plying a variety of goods that she had never seen even at her port home of Lond Col.

She wore a long dress of yellow, with a red, fur-lined cloak and hood around her shoulders, to stave off the modest winter winds. In her gloved hands however she held a white peahen feather, which had adorned her masque the previous night. It was now useless and to be shed, though she figured it would be a great symbol and token to reveal themselves to another acquaintance they hoped to reunite with.

Abrazimir followed, having led the way from their home to the gates, now overtaken by the girls as they passed the gate in their rush and excitement. He wore a long dark tunic over trousers, tucked into high boots, and had a blue cloak that was draped tightly about him. He had his longsword at his belt, his arm draped over the pommel, with the tip protruding near his ankle, peeking out through the cloak. He didn’t expect trouble, but he was a knight, and was never far from his perpetual-companion of a sword. He had a coin purse concealed up his sleeve as well. Robbers and thieves. He expected both, even so early in the day.

”There is so much to see on every level! But, would they let us go up?” Azraindil mused aloud, not really knowing how it worked in the fortress-city.

”That was then, in war time. They are much more lax now, not having the fear of spies or infiltrators.” Abrazimir explained to her and Dulinneth. ”Besides, I know all the passwords, up to the Sixth Level at least. I do not think just anyone can approach the Tower without some invite or important business.” He had to pause to yawn. He had drank way too much last night. ”So, what would you two like to see first?” He inquired of them. ”Up there on the gatehouse is where I was posted during the Siege, along with Isys. There, we faced down the dread-ram of the Enemy, and there I saw the terrible and hooded shape that was the Lord of the Tower of Sorcery-“

”No, let’s go look at something fun.” Azraindil quickly interjected, before her brother started waxing poetry and glorious anecdotes about the War, which she didn’t understand nor wanted to know more about. And the mention of the Tower of Sorcery made her shiver. Was that even real?

Abrazimir just shrugged and smiled. ”How about breakfast on the upper battlements somewhere? Second or Third level.” He made a suggestion. They had a bit to eat at the house but it had been modest and quick. Their parents had already departed on their own visiting tour and taken much of the servants with them. Azraindil looked to Dulinneth as they followed the broad, main road up from the gates into the midst of the First Level, and thus onto the gates leading into the Second.

[Rillewen]

@Lantaelen

Dulinneth Talven
First Level, Minas Tirith, Gondor
The Morning After Midwinter Masquerade

It was just as awe-inspiring today as it had been before, when Dulinneth came into the city with her parents. But today, it was all the more exciting! Because today, she was not stuck with her parents. She was ready for adventure with her very good friend, Gaer. Even if they did have to have Abrazimir along, she didn't mind him as much as she did Togg. She still hadn't seen him since he left them yesterday to get dressed for the masquerade, and had no idea what his costume had been. She didn't care, either.

As she walked along beside Gaer, she wore a warm winter dress, a soft grey cloth with maroon trim, and a dark green cloak over all, which she kept wrapped close about her. Her mother, apparently, had thought to send a servant down to the Dimaethor's rented home, to bring her whatever she would need while spending the night there. "It's so beautiful!" The younger girl declared, gazing in wonder at all the white stone buildings and everything that looked so bright and pretty.

"They must let us.. or at least me, go up as high as that." Linn pointed out with a grin. She paused to hear what Abrazimir said about it no longer being wartime, and how there were no more spies and such. "Right, and anyway, my family is staying at an inn on the fourth level, so I must be able to get there, at least." She looked around curiously as the knight asked what they would like to see first, but rolled her eyes when he began telling them all about this and that place that had to do with the battle. "Yes, something fun!" She agreed with Gaer. "Oooh, yes. Breakfast would be wonderful!" She wondered what it would be like, eating up on the battlements?

But she was also keeping an eye out for someone. "Do you think Foxglove will be here?" She asked Gaer softly, hopeful. She hadn't said exactly when she'd be able to meet them, but she had hoped the other girl would show up about the same time as them. She wasn't sure if Gaer had mentioned their planned meeting with her brother, but she also didn't want to end up missing the other girl if she showed up after they had gone to do something else.

---

Wisteria
First level

Wist was out of breath as she neared the last gate. Slowing her run to a walk, the girl tried to keep her green eyes open and alert for anyone who could be her new friends. Were they really going to come? She hoped she hadn't already missed them! She'd had a long distance to run, but figured it was good for keeping fit. She paused to lean against the corner of a building to catch her breath, and watched the people coming in and out of the main gate. And then, by the time she had managed to get her breathing slowed closer to normal, she caught sight of the little group who had just come in. And the feather in the hand of the older girl.

For a quick second, Wisteria's first reaction was to rush over and greet them eagerly. Then, she hesitated. They were.. all dressed in very nice-looking clothes, she noticed. Warm clothes. Expensive looking-clothes. She recalled their gowns and other attire at the ball, last night. And the way they had spoken about being betrothed and coming from Belfalas and all the rest. They weren't just pretending, like she felt she had been. They really did seem to have plenty of money. She bit her lip, looking down at her own faded dress. Her jacket, that was about a size too small, had been all she had to use since she was about the same age Nymph was. She could wear it to keep her arms a bit warmer, but it was too tight to button it. And her shoes, well.. they'd seen better days, although they were at least without any holes.

A flicker of uncertainty stirred up as she watched the trio from across the street, wondering if they would take one look at her and decide they wanted nothing to do with her. Amid the crowded street of the first level, she was as good as invisible, and they had no reason to even take notice of her. She absently toyed with the button that was hanging from the end of her jacket sleeve. One of these days it was going to fall off, but she couldn't seem to stop herself. They were walking by. It looked like they might be heading up to the second level, where she had just come from a few minutes ago. She looked after them, feeling torn. One part of her wanted to go and greet them, and the other told her she should just let them go on, and hope they hadn't noticed her. What if they turned up their noses at her? What if they scoffed at her?

Taking in a deep breath, she shook her head slightly to herself. No.. if they did those things, then sure, it would hurt, and she'd be upset. But what if they didn't? What if she missed an opportunity to have some real friends who didn't care that she was poor? Wist decided that it was worth taking a chance, and straightened her shoulders as she hurried to catch up with them, having taken so long to make up her mind, that they were several paces beyond her now. "Swan? Nymph?" She called in a hopeful voice, while feeling as if her nerves were bunching up in a knot in her stomach.

[Lantaelen]

@Rillewen

Lord Abrazimir Dimaethor & Lady Azraindil Dimaethor
First Level, Minas Tirith, Gondor
The Day After Midwinter Masquerade

They must let us.. or at least me, go up as high as that. Right, and anyway, my family is staying at an inn on the fourth level, so I must be able to get there, at least.

”See? We don’t need your passwords!” Azraindil shot back at Abrazimir who followed, who just shrugged and rolled his eyes innocently.

”Maybe they’ll let me and Dulinneth in and not you.” He retorted, but it went unheard as the girls entered their own world, speaking quickly and intently to one another in their way.

Breakfast would be very nice. And to look out over the fields and to such a great distance as they further surmounted the heights of the City would be grandiose. And of course, a little sustenance for continually walking uphill, as it was. Linny inquired about Foxglove, making Azraindil chuckle at the memory of nicknames and aliases of the previous night. She twirled the peahen feather in her hands, before snapping it up to the side of her face, letting it tickle her cheeks as she peered at Linny between the soft fabric of it.

”She will. Birds of a feather flock together and she is definitely like us.” Azraindil said confidently, albeit with little proof to back that up. But whereas the other girl might fret about her status and social rank, Azraindil thought only of their minds and hearts, which seemed to be in alignment whatever their social status might be. She did not care for the distinction much, like her proud father or older sister. People were people and there was much to be enjoyed, learned, taught, or experienced together, the more open one was.

And then there it was, the spoken nicknames, which were a sort of passwords to them. Azraindil spun swiftly at the mention of the animal and the mythical entity, catching sight of a young woman. Abrazimir heard it too, though one look at the revealed Foxglove girl showed there was no threat or harm that might befall his wards. ”You’re Foxglove?” Azraindil said back, though the need for confirmation was moot, as she could tell at once by the other young woman’s bearing and eyes that it was indeed her.

”Hello, hello, good morning to you!” She said cheerily enough, walking to the girl known previously as Foxglove, grasping her forearms in a semi-formal introductions. Not quite a hug but more than a handshake, but there was a positive sentiment expressed, that she was glad to see the other girl. She was pretty too, with such long hair and soft features. ”It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Gaer. Gaerlothriel. It means Seaflower. Yes, very original, right?” She introduced herself, poking a little fun at the translation of her name.

She let Dulinneth introduce herself next, before Azraindil gestured at the other. ”That’s my brother, Abrazimir. He’s our…chaperone.” She said, pretending to find that distasteful, in a teasing way. But it was necessary and he usually didn’t ask too many questions, complain, or be overbearing.

Abrazimir took it in good humour and gave a wave to the young woman. ”Good morning, ma’am.”

[Arnyn]

First Level, Minas Tirith, Gondor
The Day After the Midwinter Masquerade

After a long but satisfying evening, in no small thanks to the masquerade, she had slept like a rock. Despite the lateness of the hour on which she had fallen asleep, she'd woken early enough. The decision for a bath had been easily made, and since her hair was still damp, she'd pulled up her hood against the winter chill.

She had just exited the Guesthouse, intending to head up to the Marketplace in the Second Circle. There were a few errands she intended on running, and some business she had to see to. For one, she was running out of ink and parchment, and she could use a new quil while she was at it. Knowing just the place where she intended to get it, she turned up the main street toward the second gate, approaching a small group of girls accompanied by a man, and she took note of his extraordinary, long curls.

With a little smile - at the sweetness with which the girls were greeting each other, no doubt - hidden behind the folds of her hood, she passed them by, walking in an altogether different way than she had the night before, and for all intents and purposes completely unrecognizable - and more importantly, unnoticeable.

[Rillewen]

@Lantaelen

|
Dulinneth and Wisteria
First Level, Minas Tirith, Gondor
The Morning After Midwinter Masquerade

Turning at the sound of the name she had used during the masquerade, Linn grinned happily to see their friend from the night before hurrying toward them. She had her hair the same way as last night, so it was easy enough to imagine her with that peach and green mask on her face. "Foxglove!" She waved eagerly. "We were just saying how we hoped you would be able to meet us." She waited while Gaer offered her introductions of herself and her brother, then added her own, "And I'm Dulinneth! That means Nightingale," She added. "Although my friends call me Linn."

As she joined the group, their friendly and warm welcome erased any doubts she'd felt about coming to join them. A big smile broke through on her face. "Sorry, I got a bit delayed," She explained. "So nice to meet you! I mean, you know.. properly meet you," She giggled. The masquerade had been fun, but it had been a bit strange not knowing anyone's real names. But now she did! "Oh, Seaflower! And Nightingale! Those are both so lovely." She declared, trying not to feel jealous that they had such elvish-sounding names, with pretty meanings. Even Gaer's brother had an elvish-y name! Although she wasn't sure what that one meant, as he did not say. "Pleased to meet you, sir," She answered to his greeting, a bit unsure how to respond to his 'ma'am', which seemed a little funny to her, but she also didn't want to laugh in case he got offended... she could see the end of a sword sticking out from under the hem of his cloak, and wondered why he was carrying a sword around just to explore the city... But maybe it was none of her business.

"Gaer, Linn, Abrazimir," Wisteria repeated with a little nod to each in turn, respectively, making sure she got all the three names correct. Now she knew the real names for her new friends. But what was she missing? Oh right! "I'm Wisteria," She revealed, with a little laugh at herself for nearly forgetting that part. "Most people call me Wist, though," the girl admitted with a hint of shyness as she did.

"Oh, that's also very pretty." Linn declared. "You're actually named after a beautiful, flowery tree! How lovely! Have you ever seen one?"

"Umm, no, I haven't." Wist answered, surprised to hear this. "I.. don't think there are any in this city. If there are, I've never seen them, or else I didn't know that's what they were."

"We should search the city to see if there are any!" Linn suggested. "They're really pretty trees. But first... we were about to have some breakfast, would you like to join us?"

Wisteria glanced from her to Gaer to check that the invitation was mutual from them both, slowly smiling once the other girl had confirmed it. "Yes, thank you. I'd love to join you." She answered with a smile. She hadn't yet had any breakfast, but she had eaten plenty at the dance last night, so she wasn't tremendously hungry. Still, it would be good to have something, and even better to enjoy the company of these new friends.

"Good!" Linn smiled happily. "Sir Abrazimir was going to show us where we may sit and look out over the fields while we eat." She said, turning expectantly toward him, since he knew where to take them.

[Lantaelen]

@Rillewen

Lord Abrazimir Dimaethor & Lady Azraindil Dimaethor
First Level, Minas Tirith, Gondor
The Day After Midwinter Masquerade

It was all working out fabulously then and so early in the day too! More time to for better activities too then. Foxglove found them and introduced herself as Wisteria, making Gaerlothriel give a soft coo at the name. ”A pretty name for a pretty face!” She complimented cheerily, as Linny pointed out that Wist was also named after a flowery tree. Unfortunately they didn’t have many examples in the City but that was okay. The three girls more than made up for the City’s lack of fauna in their names and appearances.

Gaer nodded in agreement to Linny’s proffered invited. Of course they would want Wist to come with them! ”Come!” Gaer beckoned, pulling Wist to walk between her and Linny, all three happy and equal friends. Plus they could all share some warmth together against the occasional chilly breeze. ”I am so happy you were able to find us so quick. I feared it might be late in the day and we would have missed so much together.” She mused to them.

Abrazimir stood a little ways apart, raising a fist to stifle a yawn. Well, at least the young women weren’t that loud. He was reminded that he was supposed to lead them on to an overlook where they could eat. ”Oh, right. Yes, the Fourth or Fifth levels have plenty of alcoves in the walls and rock where one can sit and look down upon the Pelennor and River. Come, I’ll show you.” He said, moving to walk ahead of them and letting the women follow.

”Did you stay very long after we departed last night?” Gaer inquired of Wist as they walked along, referring to the Masquerade. Abrazimir led them along the main avenue that steadily climbed through the City and up the hill-side upon which it rested, looping back and forth given how the gates to each new level was laid out. The gate to the Second Level faced southeast, then they had to walk all the way around to the gate to the Third Level, facing northeast, then back again towards the southeast to reach the Fourth Level. Luckily, the cold temperature had most people inside and it wasn’t difficult to snag a nice picnic table and bench that sat astride the wall. Abrazimir had the women sit and get comfortable, while he headed to a nearby inn to collect them a basket of foodstuff.

The table they sat at faced a more southeast direction, allowing them to look down at the plains of the Pelennor, with all it’s cultivated fields, homesteads, what was left of the Rammas Echor, and beyond the port of Harlond on the ribbon like bends and curves of the Anduin as it flowed southwards to the Sea. From this distance, the ships pling in and out of Port looked very small. Gaer let Linny and Wist sit together on one side. She would share a bench with her brother, who soon returned, with a helper, bearing a large pot of hot stew, bread rolls with oats and cheese, a salad, flagons of water and juice, and all the plates, bowls, cups and utensils they would need. Abrazimir tipped the worker a silver coin for his aid, who bowed and departed back across the street to his place of business.

”The air feels different here.” Gaer remarked. She had been in the foothills of mountain but this was perhaps the highest she’d been. To and from the masquerade had been brief treks. And she had seen very little on the way there and back. Now she could behold everything, looking down at the City and the Pelennor, but still seeing so much above too. They hadn’t even explored any of it yet! Best prepare with full bellies though.

”Air becomes thinner the higher altitude you ascend. This isn’t sea level anymore.” Abrazimir explained, with an air of teasing in his voice. ”In all my years and time spent here however, I have never been on the Seventh Level.” Abrazimir commented, as he and Gaer helped distribute the plates and cutlery, with Gaer moving to distribute the foodstuffs to each of the girls. Despite their noble rank they were not shy or hesitant to serve others in such a capacity. ”Our father has though, many times. I hope we might disrupt his monopoly of such a thing.” He grinned, though maybe only he would share that desire.

”You dwell here in the City, Wisteria?” He inquired of Wist, pouring juice or water for Wist and Linny, as per their preference.

[Arnyn]

@Lantaelen

Minas Tirith, Gondor
The Day After the Midwinter Masquerade

She had swiftly acquired her parchment and ink - as well as a new quil. Having tested the quil at the store, of course, she had a note written. Something generic, and yet specific enough to hopefully suit her purposes shortly. The shopkeeper let her take it with her when she asked. It didn't matter to him, as she'd known it wouldn't. He had made a sale, after all. The note had mostly dried by the time she left the store, though she still kept it unfolded in her hand for a few streets.

Able to follow the young lady, two girls and the man from a casual distance, sometimes even losing brief sight of them without it being much of a concer, she made her way up to the Third and then the Fourth Circle of the city. Seeing that the young woman and the girls were settling at one of the outside tables that provided the best views while the man went inside the closest inn, she smiled faintly. The note would work perfectly. That pleased her.

Right as the man and one of the inn's staff came outside, she moved inside. One hand deftly moved out of the folds of her cloak, the movement no more than a whisper of the breeze as she tucked the now folded note into the pocket of the man escorting the ladies.
Once inside, she assessed the room, located the back door and made her way there. Ending up in the back alley behind the inn, she scrunched her nose at the trash bins and moved away from them, to the very start of the alley, where the air as well as the street's cobblestones were clean. How long would she wait? It was a question she was not yet all that sure of, herself.

[Rillewen]

@Lantaelen

|
Dulinneth and Wisteria
First Level, Minas Tirith, Gondor
The Morning After Midwinter Masquerade

If she had known that they were going to be going up to the fourth, or possibly even the fifth, level.. Wist would have arranged to meet them there. Having just come from there, jogging most of the way, she was going right back up.. this time uphill. She might have laughed but she didn't want to call her new friend's attention to the fact. So, she would just endure the long climb. It wasn't as if she was unused to it, after all. She had lived in this city her whole life, and the uphill and downhill streets were hardly anything to her. She was, however, very glad for the way they decided to have her walk in between them, so that she was able to share some of their warmth, being sandwiched between them.

"Oh, for a little while," Wist answered. "But not too late. I didn't want to risk oversleeping and miss meeting you two this morning!" She grinned, looking around as she walked with them. As they walked, she periodically pointed out this or that notable landmark, or point of interest to her friends. The higher up the levels they went, the colder the air became, as well as windier.

"It feels like we've gone really high!" Dulinneth mentioned as they sat down at the picnic table, quite glad for her warm cloak. She glanced at Wisteria, wondering how she could endure having only a jacket. "It was starting to snow a little bit when we left, last night." She mentioned, glancing around. "Too bad it all melted already though, it was quite beautiful."

"It's supposed to be like, a hundred feet from one level to the next," Wist mentioned, then tilted her head thoughtfully. "Although, I'm not really sure who's measured them.. or where they would've measured from? Cause like.. the main streets go uphill, you know?" She let out a thoughtful hmm as she pondered that. "Do you think they took a really, really long measuring tape and had one person hold one end and drop the other down to someone at the next level down?" She asked, amused at the idea of it.

Dulinneth laughed at the idea of such a thing. "I don't know why they would even want to bother. But it is a very lovely city, even if it is a lot of exercise to walk up the levels!" She grinned as Abrazimir returned with food and drinks. "Ooh, that smells wonderful!" She declared, inhaling the delicious smell of the stew that wafted out of the pot.

Wist was inwardly a bit amazed how much of the food there was. Even for just the four of them, she had not really expected quite so much. She was so occupied with looking at the pot of stew and other items, she didn't quite catch Gaer's comment about the air being different until after her brother had already explained about it being thinner. But she nodded slightly in agreement with him. "You get used to it after a while," She assured Gaer, smiling a little. "You must have noticed it last night too, I mean the Tavern of Seven Stars is on the fifth level, so that's even higher than here." She mentioned.

"I thought the only one allowed on the seventh level was the king and his family, servants, and guards?" Dulinneth asked, a little wide-eyed to hear that Gaer and Abrazimir's father had been there. Many times, he said!

"Oh! Did you two see the king and queen last night?" Wist asked, also going wide-eyed. "I never imagined I'd ever be so close to them!"

"I don't know if I did." Linn frowned, trying to think if she had seen anyone that might have been them, but she felt as if she must have left before she'd had the chance to get a glimpse of them.

As Abrazimir asked her if she lived here in the city, Wist nodded. "Yes sir, all my life. Except for a little while, when I had to go away. But everyone did too, except the soldiers, and it was only for until it was safe to come back to the city, so I don't know if that really counts." Glancing toward Gaer and Linn, she added, "And.. you both said you live.. out toward Belfalas, right?" She asked, trying to remember if 'Swan' or 'Nymph' had said anything more specific at the dance or not.

[Ercassie]

@Lantaelen

Behind Closed Doors – Part 5



Lady Ilisys Azrubêl, at her Minas Tirith residence, Fifth Circle.
Receiving a visit from Lord Abrazimir Dimaethor
approximately a week after Erulaitalë.

“I had heard that you were yet in the city,” the lady confessed, with a side glance toward her guest. “Though whispers put to me spoke of your lingering to obtain smart new armour for the pending joust.” It was not difficult then to presume where the Knight had obtained his further intrigue in the tale of the smith. Nor why he had conceded to investigate, when the thought of leaving a certain Umbarian to rot would have otherwise held great appeal. Had the hope of speaking further to Abrazimir been why Arkadhur had gotten himself sent to the Houses of Healing ? After all, the men had found each other at Midsummer’s end ... so the prisoner had known the other was perhaps within reach … Or had it been another goal .. for .. apparently this Cali’s mother was a nurse ? Isys had not known that. She ought to have known that ..

“The mark of Dringolben stands to work of great worth,” she remarked instead, agreeably, “whether it be armour, or a dagger. So it is to my regret that I do not have the weapon you speak of, in my possession,” she admitted, sincere about the regret. “I know that it was handed in as evidence, that the young smith herself identified it, but that it was retained by the City Guard since, I can only assume, for thought to be presented at a trial. Whether that trial would now stand against our Umbarian himself or against the Guard he claims complicit .., maybe both, I do not know.” The odds of such an item being returned, when the rightful owner was in fact deceased .. seemed no guarantee. “I can make enquiries through my contact in the City Guard,” she vowed however. It would be difficult to imagine the family in question ever would refuse to produce the weapon, should it be required to secure fair sentence for one who did them such an unkindness. Perhaps it might be returned to them then, particularly in light of certain .. suspicions within the Guard as a whole ?


The more perplexing question, of why Arkadhur wanted to face judgement for his crimes, .. in Dol Amroth, of all places, saw Isys frown her alabaster brow. Did the man truly not even consider his having committed crimes here ? Was he now so suddenly concerned about being betrayed by his own City Guard contact, when but days ago he had walked willingly to face investigation ? If the assault in the dungeon had been self inflicted, then what else had so changed the Umbarian’s view of his position ? And .. then there was the question too, of why Arkadhur had broached this proposal to Abrazimir, rather than to herself ? She and Sorrel had not left the prisoner’s side, since his injury. How then was this the first that she was hearing of this ambition for a transfer ? The man could not possibly think that the Lord was more likely to grant the favour than she ... And yet, she marvelled as the man confessed, Abrazimir had sworn to see it done .. Would she have done the same ? Would she now support the motion ?

“The more of this I learn, the less I understand,” the lady admitted, as her guest unburdened himself of this other side of the story. The notion was certainly a revelation, even as she was growing used to such ‘surprises’ from their acquaintance. Slowly though, she rose and began to pace as though the answer might be found someplace beyond her seat. “I can see the point in his withholding information until he gets what he wants. It is not in the man’s nature to be generous without somehow attributing some boon back to himself. And you are right, it may just be a means to bide some time .. Yet of the two cities, this is the one where an Umbarian has once already escaped custody,” she mused, thoughtfully.


There was more to it than simply that, more than she ought likely to share, as much as she wished to. For the matter of a Ranger secret… Relic : the Sorceress’s strange abilities were a nagging concern here. Relic had previously worked with Keket, they knew now. And Arkadhur had been the one to ally the two horrific beings, by way of inviting Shamara to make introductions. The Ehtyar certainly did not feel comfortable in having three of the four potentially all within the same circle of the same city all at once …. It was too much of a convenience .. Was it really the supposed grudging Guard who Arkadhur truly wished to get away from .. ?


“Androllius is the Guard suspected of helping the other Umbarian escape this city in the first place,” she answered to the Knight’s question. “He has been named to me in an ill light by Unalmis. And for that reason, on your honour, I must ask you to speak not of the suspicion, beyond ourselves. Not yet. We have been seeking for proof beyond a mere grudge ... which in fact you may have just uncovered ..” she realised, slowly. After all, the likelihood of both Unalmis and Arkadhur pointing the finger at the same Guard, when the two had no other cause to support each other .. was almost damning.

“While there is no sure way to know whether the Guard or the prisoner himself was responsible for the injuries suffered, to sever access between the two of them might not be a bad thing,” she thought aloud. For what if it were a third player .. someone else who might assume the identity of a City Guard, to access the dungeons ? What if Relic herself was responsible for Shamara’s initial escape, in desguise as a Guard ? How long had the Sorceress been in the White City ? She had threatened Pele the previous year. Shamara had escaped .. the previous year …


“I would not mind having Arkadhur took further from the children, either. From the nurse too, and from the other, recaptured Umbarian as well .. ” Isys broke out of her concerns to voice aloud. After it might have been some time of silence. At least Abrazimir were more used to her, than others who would assume she’d ‘departed’ from their conversation. “I trust that our Prince can boast the surest means to hold a corsair, and the greatest number of citizens who are opposed to their ilk. If we can get him there, I believe he would undoubtedly be more secure from causing any further trouble .. there, rather than here. What do you think ?”

[Lantaelen]

@Rillewen

Lord Abrazimir Dimaethor & Lady Azraindil Dimaethor
Fourth Level, Minas Tirith, Gondor
The Day After Midwinter Masquerade

Abrazimir listened to the girls chatter over how the City must have been constructed, with what means and methods. All since lost to the Gondorians of the present day. Even the great River Fort that guarded his home had stonework and engineering that was difficult to replicate and replace. Yet it was so hardy and robust that it still served as a bastion of defence right up to the current day. The old Gondorians knew so much. But maybe it wouldn’t stay secret in the past for long. There was a King again. And with him came much renewal and a rediscovery of what was.

”Help yourselves.” Gaerlothriel encouraged the girls, passing out hot bowls of stew and breaking bread for them to dip or enjoy separately. ”We’ll stop by your Tavern too, say hello to your father and mother.” She also suggested to Linny, thinking it would be a polite thing to do. But of course maybe she would have to interact with that other bothersome man so maybe they could skip this step too.

Conversation turned to who was allowed on the Seventh Level, a question directed towards Abrazimir who seemed to know, and other remarks about the King and Queen being present last night, something again Abrazimir was best equipped to deal with. But something was off. As he moved, distributing the food and utensils alongside his sister, he heard a strangle crinkle in his outer coat, beneath his cloak. Sounded like parchment. He usually kept his pockets clean and empty, though hearing that was quite a surprise. Must be some note or missive he forgot to put in a more secure container back home or at his lodgings. No matter. He reached into his pocket and withdrew it and…

Oh.

Wisteria was responding to his query about living in the city, talking about how she had been evacuated during the War and when it was safe to come back. Eyes, including his own sister, flickered to Abrazimir for his answer but his brow was furrowed as he first gazed at the note, then looked around warily, inspecting faces, bodies, shapes. How…?

He took too long, so Gaerlothriel answered Wisteria’s remarks about where they hailed from. ”Belfalas indeed, just north of Dol Amroth, right on the coast where the Ringló empties into the Cobas. That is where our home is.” She said, indicating her and Abrazimir. ”Linny lives much more inland up the river Ringló, where the Ciril joins it down from the Ered Nimrais.” She explained, hoping Wisteria knew her Gondorian geography. Or not. But father would be so proud of Gaerlothriel for knowing hers. Now why couldn’t she showcase this sort of knowledge and eagerness in front of her suitor?

”I…they forgot something.” Abrazimir abruptly said, doing a once-over of the food and drink he brought, then rising to his feet and moving off without waiting for any sort of question. Gaerlothriel looked puzzled for a moment, but then shrugged. How would the girls know? She turned towards Linny and Wisteria across from her, idly lolling her feet and legs under the table with barely concealed excitement. This was so much fun.

”So you live on which level, Wisti? Was your home terribly harmed during the…battle…?” She said, for a moment glancing eastwards as if shadows and wicked armies might suddenly come over the horizon but it was so…clear and bright in that direction. She was told that yonder realm was always a place of darkness and storms. But whatever great evil once dwelt there was vanquished. It seemed so surreal, seeing it for the first time. It looked so…normal. But Wisteria, who must have lived here when the War was at it’s height, would know otherwise.

---

@Arnyn

Lord Abrazimir Dimaethor
Fourth Level, Minas Tirith, Gondor
The Day After Midwinter Masquerade

The note had been brief and yet precise. The alleyway beside the café. It was so random and yet…so knowing. This had been put on him. Very recently. And that someone had gotten so near to him and planted this without his notice was very alarming. As he left the table and walked, he covertly reached to his side and loosened the sheath that held his longsword. The alleyways of Minas Tirith were known to contain trouble sometimes. Thieves, bandits, belligerent drunkards, all the kinds of criminal scum that a large city just seemed to draw.

He came to the alley, turned the corner around the shop…and spotted her.

It was a woman, cloaked and yet with a clear face. Her eyes looked familiar. Could it be…? It was. Abrazimir’s grip on his sword hilt went from determined to casual, hand roaming instead to latch onto the pommel in a more relaxed posture as he closed the distance. This didn’t seem dangerous at all. His eyebrows were piqued with curiosity and his eyes inspected the woman in full from head to toe and back again. It was indeed her.

A smile came to his lips. ”It is you.” He pointed out, vocalizing that thought, seeing it realized before his eyes. ”How did you get that message on me so deftly?” He asked with a half-grin, coming closer but keeping apart from her, some three or four paces, leaning his shoulder against the alleyway as he regarded her. Now this was an interesting encounter. Had she planned it? The note implied that. No one was that good to prepare a missive and plant it on his person just on the fly, right? Right?

[Arnyn]

|
Arnyn | Tercen
Arnyn's house, Fourth Circle, Minas Tirith, Gondor
The evening after the Midwinter Masquerade - Dec 22nd

Adjacent to the living room, with the double doors taken out and replaced by an open archway, the dining room table was set for two. Waiting for brother and sister until they moved there from the kitchen. Arnyn had been th eone to set the table, while Tercen was cooking. At present, she was doing some damage control in the kitchen as he was finishing up.

"You're going to love this," he claimed, licking some sauce off his finger.

Arnyn smiled as she was drying off a dish. "I do not doubt it. Your food is always great."

"Thanks," he grinned, looking at the wreckage in front of him and deeming it suitable. "Right then. Now all we have to do is pile it onto a serving plate and get it to the table." He pulled open the right cabinet without hesitation and proceeded to do just what he had said, while Arnyn quickly washed and dried the first pot he emptied. She hated it when the dirty dishes would set... And while Tercen brought the food over to the dining room, she quickly moved to soak the worst of the remaining dirty dishes before giving a sorry look at the state of her kitchen - and finally following her brother.

"I missed you at the masquerade?" he half-stated, half-asked as he was serving the food, first for Arnyn and then for himself.

Frowning, Arnyn gave him a look of disbelief.

Tercen shrugged. "Well, I thought I knew who you were. Don't stab at me with your dinner knife or anything, sis, but I thought you were the lady in blue with the fairy wings. At least, I did, until Gladhron - sorry, he was the guy in the green dragon mask, if you happened to notice that - insisted that the fairy was some other woman he knew. And as it turned out, he was right," Tercen admitted with an apologetic smile. "I didn't think I could be fooled so easily, but you either have a close doppelganger running around the city or I'm losing my touch."

Arnyn's look of utter surprise made way for understanding and amusement as her brother explained, and she just poured water for both of them. "I was there," was all she said, though she was smirking as she said it.

"But I only saw one other blonde there who was about the right age," Tercen said, mystified. "And she turned out to be a redhead."

"Oh, you saw Kaylin?"

Tercen shrugged. "I didn't really interact with her at the dance, but apparently Gladhron did. And then we met her at the inn today, so I could put two and two together. She's really looking forward to your sparring thing, tomorrow."

"She mentioned that, did she?" Arnyn asked, possibly slightly bothered, before taking the first bite.

"Yeah. But then who were you at the masquerade, sis?"

Arnyn made a face. "Siblings don't have to tell each other everything, you know."

At that comment, Tercen fell silent a moment. Instead of talking, he started eating.

Recognizing his expression couldn't mean much good, Arnyn slanted her head. "Oh come on. It's not that big of a secret for me to keep just a little bit longer. Is it?"

"I suppose not. You do keep secrets of a different order," he said tersely.

"What do you mean?"

Tercen tapped his collar on one side of his neck. "Pull down your collar." When Arnyn moved her hand to the right side of her neck, he narrowed his eyes. "Don't you freaking dare, sis."

Her hand stilled as she swore mentally. He knew she'd been going for the wrong side? "Who told you?"

Her brother stared at her. "Does it matter?"

It hit her soon enough, though, even if he wouldn't answer her. He had met Kaylin at the inn. Arnyn poked at the food on her plate with her fork. "I just... didn't see any reason to alarm you. You weren't at Minas Tirith when it happened. By the time of your visit, things were healing over nicely and the matter was closed. It didn't turn me into a cripple or anything," she mumbled. "You couldn't even tell, could you?" she challenged him.

Tercen was frowning as he was munching on a mouthful of the dinner he'd prepared. After swallowing, he leaned forward, forearms pressing down on the table. "That is not the point, Arnyn. You should tell me things." If not him, then who? Right? "You need to talk about this stuff to someone."

"I talked about it to a whole room full of rangers at the debrief," she countered. "Believe me, that was enough."

"That is not what I meant. And you know it."

"I am fine," Arnyn said, crossing her arms. "I don't need to talk about my feelings and experiences to help me cope."

"Right," he bit back. "You draw them. You thought I wouldn't notice the wolf drawings in there?"

Arnyn fell silent and returned to her meal.

Tercen sighed. He ran a hand through his hair and leaned back in his chair. "Look... I just... I just want to help. And I don't want you doing crazy things, taking unnecessary risks, that could get you killed. You're my sister, Arnyn. You and I are all that's left of the family now. I don't want to..."

"Be alone?" she guessed.

"Lose you," he corrected. "It's not like there's no one who will miss you."

They ate in silence a while longer, both siblings trying to see the other's side of the situation. Finally, Arnyn glanced back up at him. "How mad were you?"

"Very," Tercen grumbled. "It sounded like a stupid decision to me."

Unexpectedly, Arnyn laughed. "I guess it was. I was just lucky it played out favourably."

"See?" Tercen asked. "That's what I mean. Why not think it through, why not be more careful?"

She shifted in her seat. "It's not that easy. There was no time to wait for anyone else. There was no time to think it through more. She had already killed several rangers, she was threatening a civilian... She was death walking on four limbs. I... made a judgment call."

"So make better ones next time," her brother demanded darkly.

Arnyn gave him a thoughtful look. Balancing her wish not to yield so much as an inch on this with the need she knew her brother had for reassurance. And decided she might be able to swallow some of her pride. For his sake. This time. "Alright," she said quietly. "I'm sorry. At the very least, you should have heard it from me."

They finished the rest of the meal with increasingly companionable conversation, talking about this and that. How things were for Arnyn in Minas Tirith. How things were for Tercen in Ithilien. Once Arnyn put out dessert - chocolate cake - she shot her brother a grin. "Speaking of. How things are for you back in Ithilien are one thing. But how about how things are going for you here?" she asked, raising an amused eyebrow. "Even if you didn't know who I was, I sure knew who you were. And I saw you with a certain lady in gold and black."

"Well, it wasn't much of a challenge to recognize me, sis," Tercen said, rolling his eyes. "So I wouldn't toot your own horn on that one."

Arnyn just grinned.

"But yeah." He seemed to get a little self-conscious, which amused Arnyn further, but it only lasted a moment before he plastered it with his usual confidence. "We had a good time," he said with a smile.

"At the masquerade?" Arnyn prompted.

Tercen first ate a piece of the cake before he answered. "Yes. And after, at her place, too."

Arnyn's lips parted in surprise. "You're kidding. I saw you two were leaving together, but I did not think you would do anything more than walk her to her door. Maybe kiss her goodnight."

He gave her a smirk as he rose to fetch the coffee that would probably be ready by now. After they were both sitting down with a cup, Arnyn waiting for more exposition, Tercen raised his eyebrows. "What? A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell, does he?"

Arnyn snorted. "Sorry to break it to you, brother - but you're not a gentleman."

He had to laugh at that. "True enough," he admitted. "In most senses of the word. Well. Let's just say I did not get much sleep. And you should be happy you still have such an alert and interested brother sitting at your table right now."

She clacked her tongue. "Unbelievable. You dance with her a few times and then you spend the night with her."

He grinned. "You should try it sometime. I can recommend it."

Arnyn made a face and threw her spoon at him.

[Arnyn]

@Lantaelen

Fourth Circle, Minas Tirith, Gondor
The Day After the Midwinter Masquerade

While she'd been waiting, she had pushed back the hood of her black cloak. Her hair had mostly dried, and she freed the dark brown strands from the folds of the hood, if only for having something to do while she waited. It was clear that she would tire of this rather quickly, and that she would not wait long.

However, as it turned out, there was no need for a long wait at all. She noticed the way his hand had been gripping his sword hilt, but then moved to the pommel in a more casual manner. The change brought a hint of a smile to her lips, and she only lifted her eyes up to his after he had greeted her by making it clear he recognized her, even without the mask and fancy dress.

When he asked her how she had managed to slip him the note, she mirrored his half grin. Her arms stayed by her side, hidden beneath her cloak - but her posture was clearly relaxed - if impeccable. "I've heard it said that the mystery of a woman is the ultimate dream of a man," she spoke slowly in her velvety voice, her brown eyes inspecting his unmasked face as she took one single step toward him, then halting again. "So, whyever would I want you to stop dreaming, sir?" It was more fun to leave him guessing. Sometimes they shared their wild ideas, amusing her. Sometimes they did not share anything at all, which spoke of a lack of imagination or refusal for speculation. She slanted her head, every move she made unrushed, to draw his attention to it all the more. "Did you?" she inquired. "Dream, last night?"

---

Tercen
Fifth Circle, Minas Tirith, Gondor
December 23rd, midday

Walking up the steps to her house, it was impossible not to think about how ridiculously wealthy she was. He still couldn't fathom how Ava had bought a whole house here, merely for a short stay in the city. Simply because she did not like to stay in a room where others had stayed before her. Shaking his head, he used the heavy door knocker to announce his presence. He figured Edwyrd would be opening the door for him, but then - Ava had other servants here, as well. It was kind of crazy, but that did not mean that he had a problem with it. Tercen was simply so unused to it that he still had to wrap his head around it.

Mostly, however, he was simply looking forward to finally spending some daylight hours with her. He was planning on taking her out and showing her around. Talking. He hoped very much that they would have a great time together, today. That they continued to click.

[Rillewen]

@Lantaelen

|
Dulinneth and Wisteria
Fourth Level, sitting at a table outside a cafe
The Morning After Midwinter Masquerade (Dec 22)

The food was already quite tempting as the smell of stew wafted up from the bowls, and so neither Linn or Wist needed much prompting to 'help themselves'. Linn, however, indicated for Wist to accept the first bowl as Gaer passed them out, and accepted the second one for herself. "Thanks, Gaer." She smiled and started with dipping bread into it.

The sunlight shining down on them made the spot a bit less cold than it would have been in the shade, and yet Wist was quite glad for a nice hot bowl of stew to start her morning. She was content to listen for a little bit while the others talked, and she focused on eating while she was listening.

Linn paused and considered the idea of stopping in to say hello to her parents at their inn. "I don't know if we should," She disagreed. "They might tell me that I've explored enough, and that I must stay at the inn now." Best not to tempt fate, right? Besides, she wasn't certain whether her mother would be feeling well enough for a visit right now, and if she wasn't feeling well, she might still be in bed asleep. And if she was, then her father would be busy doing something or other, and so it would really just be best if they didn't disturb them anyway. But she didn't tell all of that to Gaer, especially not in front of their new friend.

As Abrazimir seemed to be puzzling about something, Linn watched him curiously while eating her stew and bread. What was that paper he'd pulled out of his pocket? A receipt, perhaps? Since he said something about the cafe having forgotten something, she could only guess that's what it was. He must have been checking what he had been charged for, right?

It turned out to be Gaer who answered Wisteria, and as she did, the girl nodded thoughtfully. Thinking back on her few lessons in history and geography, she was pretty sure she remembered a river called the Ringlo, but the only one she really knew exactly where it was, was the Anduin. And that's because it was literally within sight from the top of the walls, as a ribbon of water cutting through the greenness below. But it wasn't as if she really needed to know where those places were, right now. She could always look at a map, later.

As Gaer's brother took off to see what had become of the other items he had purchased, Wist turned her attention back to her new friends, and their questions. Some of which were.. a bit uncomfortable to answer. She swallowed the bite of stew she'd had in her mouth while she thought about that, and took a sip of juice to clear her mouth better. Might as well answer truthfully, she reasoned, and cleared her throat. "Well... I don't live in the same place now that I did then," She began, a little hesitant. "Back then, I lived on the first level. It was.. damaged, yes. Not too badly. They were able to rebuild it, I suppose. At least, it's still in op-" She hesitated, then continued. "operation, now." With a little fidget, she noticed Linn glancing at her in puzzlement, and she looked down at her hands that she clasped in her lap, and sighed. "I grew up in an orphanage." She admitted quietly.

"Oh..." Linn recalled some of what they had spoken about at the masquerade, and she hoped their questions hadn't made her feel bad or anything. "I hope it wasn't damaged too badly. But.. you and the others were all gone then, right? Cause you said that you were evacuated? None of you were hurt, right?"

"Right." Wist smiled faintly. "I went away to some place in Lossarnach during all that, and it was.. different. I'd never been there before. It was sort of nice. And I made a friend along the way, so that was nice, even though I missed the wagon that I was supposed to be in." She admitted, a bit amused at herself for that. "We were placed into different homes, and the people who let me stay with them were really nice, but.. then everything was safe again, and we came back to the city, and.." She paused and her amusement faded. "Well, there were a lot more orphans after the war. Some of the families in Lossarnach had agreed to take some of them in for good, but.. not me." She shrugged with a tiny smile, as if to say 'oh well'. "There were still too many of us to try and cram into the orphanage.. so the headmistress said there wasn't enough room and that all of us who was old enough to find jobs.. should do that. And that we couldn't live there anymore, because they needed the room for the younger kids who weren't old enough to work." She shrugged slightly. "So, that meant me, and mostly all of us who were about twelve or older."

Dulinneth blinked in surprise at that. Twelve? That was her age. Her gaze flicked to Gaer briefly, wondering if she was thinking the same thing as Linn, but she quickly returned it to Wisteria. "So.. you live somewhere else now? Is it.. better?" She asked, hopefully.

Wist smiled. "Oh, lots better! And really spacious, too, I have plenty of room to practice dance, and.. um, it's really, really close to where I work."

"Great!" Linn smiled in relief. "So, you're not still on the first level, you said?"

"No.. I'm on the fifth now, actually." Wist smiled, then glanced from her to Gaer. "Can you both keep a secret?" She asked, lowering her voice.

"Oh, we're both really good at keeping those." Linn assured her with a grin to Gaer.

"Well.." Wist hesitated, glancing around to make sure Gaer's brother wasn't returning yet, and no one else was around. "I actually live in the attic of the place where I work.. but don't tell anyone, 'cause I'm not technically supposed to... but no one was using it, so I figured... why not? It saves me having to scrape together enough money to pay rent, and then I'm like.. right there, and I don't have to traverse all the levels just to get to work, you know?" She glanced from one girl to the other, a bit anxious as she hoped that she hadn't made a mistake in sharing this information.

---

@Arnyn

Fifth Circle, Minas Tirith, Gondor
December 23rd, midday

It was a large hallway to sweep, but for the amount of money that Muriel was being paid for this job, even if it was only a temporary job, she didn't mind. She was about halfway done with sweeping when the doorknocker startled her, making the woman jump slightly. She looked around, waiting for a few seconds, but the butler did not appear. He had gone to deal with some issue in another part of the house, Muriel remembered, and realized that meant the task would fall to her. No big deal. She set the broom and dustpan aside and wiped her hands on her apron as she went to open the door.

Seeing the handsome blond gentleman at the door, the maid blushed lightly. Mostly because it was the same man who had returned home with Lady Ava two nights ago.. she had not forgotten her own little embarrassment when, upon hearing that the lady had returned, Muriel had stepped into the room to ask her if she would like anything, only to find her employer and this man deeply involved in a kiss.. if that could be even called just a kiss. The maid had swiftly withdrawn from the room of course, hoping she had not disturbed them, but still... And then, the same man had then come back last night after suppertime, and all the servants were dismissed for the evening not long after he arrived. Not that Muriel minded that, since they still got paid for the full shift. But here he was, back again, already!

"Ah, sir, please come in," She ushered him inside, recovering from the surprise swiftly. But now, she was unsure what she ought to do, as she hadn't quite expected end up needing to do anything but cleaning. But obviously, he had come to see the lady. So, obviously, the thing to do would be to take him to her, right? "Uh.. right, you've come to see Ms Ava. Right this way, sir." She smiled as she felt sure that was the correct thing to do, then set off down the hall at a reasonable pace, glancing back to make sure that the blond gentleman was following. Unsure what else to do, she went to the exercise room, where she knew Ava to be, and stepped inside.

Clearing her throat softly, Muriel glanced around for her, but didn't see her at first. "My lady? You have a visitor.. the gentleman..." Belatedly, the maid realized she had entirely forgotten to even find out the name of the caller, but it was probably fine.. since Ava probably already knew his name. She would hope so, anyway, with the way they had been kissing and such.. but she was only a servant, so she couldn't exactly be judgmental about what the lady did. In the room, there was an assortment of equipment the maid was unfamiliar with, but she could at least recognize a balance beam. And there was a mat placed in front of the windows, which were partially open. There were a few other items that Muriel had no name for but looked like things to climb on or balance on or something. She finally spotted the lady, she was a bit surprised to find that she was up near the ceiling... and apparently tangled up in the odd strips of cloth that had been mounted up there. Puzzled, Muriel wondered whether she would need help getting down.

---

Ava

She was focused on keeping her position just right, when the maid spoke up. Ava was dressed in snug black leggings and sleeveless top, which allowed her to move easily, her hair tied back in a bun to keep it out of her way. She was currently hanging suspended as high as this ceiling would allow her to be, and she had her back to the door, so she did not see that he was with Muriel. The news that she had a visitor.. 'the gentleman', made her blink, but also smile. Already? "Is he?" She asked with a pleased sound to her voice, though she was a bit surprised she had lost track of time. Unless he was early?

She shifted her position so that she ended up hanging upside down, now facing the door. And saw that Tercen was with her. She was not quite expecting that, but she simply took it in stride. "So he is." She smiled at him before turning her gaze to her maid. "Thank you, Muriel. You may go." She dismissed her, watching as the maid exited the room to return to her duties.

It only took her a few moments gracefully descend to the floor in a series of dancelike movements that unwound her from the silks. "I meant to have cleaned up before you saw me," She apologized as she approached him. "I suppose I lost track of time.. although I didn't expect her to bring you in here." She admitted.


(If anyone is curious, she is doing this type of thing)

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Tercen
Fifth Circle, Minas Tirith, Gondor
December 23rd, midday

He smiled politely when a woman opened the door. Noting her blush, but not realizing she had been the one to have walked in on him and Ava after the masquerade, he simply offered her a friendly greeting. He wanted to add he had come to see Lady Ava, but the employee immediately invited him to come in without asking any further questions. She stated her assumption, which was of course correct, and so Tercen nodded and stepped into the house. "Yes, I have. Thank you."

As he followed her, he paid some attention to the house, but mostly wondered at how bizarre it was to follow someone in silence. It unnerved him a little, and mostly he just wanted to tell the woman she could call him Tercen. Ask her for her own name. But maybe that would make her uncomfortable more than anything else?

The exercise room was a complete surprise. He hadn't actually gotten as far as a tour through the house yet. His amusement at that,though,made room for an even bigger surprise when he heard Ava's voice coming from above them. She was near the ceiling... suspended in the air... with cloth wrapped around her... His jaw dropped a little. He'd seen his sister do impressive stuff on a balance beam, but never anything like this... And damn, did she look good doing it, too.

As she changed position, he watched her, spellbound, his utter surprise slowly being replaced by awe in his eyes and a grin on his face as she was now upside down, looking at them. "Yes, thank you, Muriel," he added happily. For he was glad he was able to see whatever this was, and he didn't think that Edwyrd would have brought him here at all.

"But this is much better," he said in response to her words about meaning to have cleaned up before he saw her, closing the rest of the distance to her to greet her with a hand sliding along her jaw and into her hair, and a thorough (unapologetic) kiss. He shot her another grin as he withdrew enough to look at her. "Were you all done with that?" he asked, teasing slightly. "I wouldn't mind for you to finish, first. We have all the time we want, after all. And I've never seen anyone do... that... before."

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Ava

As he declared that this was much better, Ava couldn't help raising an eyebrow slightly at that. "But I'm all sweaty," She pointed out - partly as a protest, and partly as a warning - as he crossed the distance between them. Before she could offer any more protests about how she was a little damp from her exercise, his kiss made her forget about such concerns for the moment, resting her hands on his shoulders as she kissed him in return.

When he withdrew, grinning, and asked if she was done, Ava thought she detected some intrigue in his tone. That seemed confirmed when he added that he'd never seen anyone do... that... before. She gave a little laugh. "I don't know if there is a particular name for it. Perhaps I invented it, or perhaps others have done something similar before me... but if they have, I do not know of it." She informed him with a little grin. "I could stop now, or, I would be happy to show you more, if you would like." She offered. She had been really only doing a bit of exercise while she waited on him to return, but if he was interested, she didn't mind a little audience. Not this audience, at least.

When confirmed that he would like to see it, as she had suspected he would say, Ava smiled and stepped back. "If I were at my home, I have a much higher place to work in, but this ceiling is a sufficient height for most of the techniques." She mentioned, moving toward the yellow- and orange-colored strips of silk. "Did you get to see your sister fight, by the way?" She asked, taking hold of the cloth, so as to invite him to talk if he would like to while she was doing this. Then she swung herself upward, going straight into an upside-down motion before hooking a leg around the cloth, and from there went into sort of routine using a several different motions, some challenging, others mostly challenging because of holding the position for a moment. Since she had an audience, Ava tried to make sure she didn't rush through any of the moves, and also took the opportunity to make it look as much like a dance as she could. Perhaps.. showing off just a bit.


(A routine a bit like this but not as rushed as that girl did it. Also decided to use the same color cloth as in that video because it looks really nice lol)

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Tercen
Fifth Circle, Minas Tirith, Gondor
December 23rd, midday

She was seriously bothered about being sweaty? Considering what they'd been up to for the two previous nights, that seemed kind of... ludicrous, didn't it? He decided not to comment on it, however, after their kiss hello. Some things were better left unsaid, when dealing with the fairer sex.

Perhaps she had invented it! That made him glance at the long strips of cloth again. That made it even more impressive to him. He let her step back unobstructed, since she was willing to show him a bit more, and he was in turn very curious to see more. And while he registered her question just fine, about whether he had seen his sister fight, he was too involved with watching Ava to give an immediate reply. No wonder she's so fit.

"You do it higher than this at home?" he wondered out loud, backtracking first to the comment she'd made before asking about his sister's fight. "I'd ask if that wasn't a dangerous thing to do... but given what else you have told me, I'm starting to think you like to live dangerously," he said with a broad smile, speaking up a little so she would be sure to hear him. "And I'm starting to suspect you will find me dreadfully boring in comparison, my lady..." Watching her in silent admiration for a while, Tercen finally realized she'd asked him a question. "Oh. Oh, yes, I did," he blinked. "Also very impressive. In a different way, of course." Realizing he might be babbling a little, he cleared his throat and focused a little better on thinking rather than just watching the gorgeous aerial gymnast in front of him.

"I think I'll worry about her less when it comes to her going on dangerous missions or what not, now I've seen that," he told Ava. "She's ridiculously good. And so was the ranger she was fighting. I'm really glad I got to see it." He ran a hand through his hair, grinning a little. "Also found out that a friend I made at the masquerade is kind of smitten with my sister. Poor man is trying to figure out what to do with all that."

"Did you think about what kind of food you want for lunch? As in... are you feeling more like fish? Or meat?" He sounded a little distracted still, while he watched.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Ava

His question made her smile faintly, thinking it sounded almost like concern. After doing a flip, she paused to readjust her grip. "When I do this at home, there is a fairly deep pool beneath me, so if I happen to slip or make a mistake, the worst that happens is I get a dunk into the water." She explained. She had mentioned that she enjoyed swimming, so it shouldn't be much of a surprise to hear that she would have pools around her place. As for his being boring, she wanted to take a few minutes to consider how to reply to that, so she didn't immediately reply.

After another flip, she climbed back up a little higher, having dropped down a bit after the flips. "Danger is.. a regular part of life, especially where I live. What I have.. chosen to do." She left it at that for now, since she had already told him a little bit about her 'fight' and he was aware of the danger that could come from what she was involved in. He sounded distracted, and she couldn't help feeling a little pleased, as it seemed that he was definitely interested in watching her.

She focused on making sure she wrapped the fabric correctly around herself. His reply about seeing his sister brought her smile back as he spoke about how it had been impressive, and that he would worry about her less. "That's good. I would say, if she is the way you said she is, that she would probably rather you didn't worry, either." Hanging upside down, she paused and looked at him for a moment while she listened to him talk about his friend, while crossing the cloth strips behind herself in preparation to do another thing. "Is that a good thing?" She asked, curious what he thought of this development. A guy interested in his sister? She had no idea whether that was something he would be for, or against.

After inverting back upright again, she took hold of the two strips of silk and held them out on either side of her like wings. Hanging there for a moment like that, she smiled at him as she considered his question to her. "I would enjoy either, really," She answered thoughtfully. The company was more important than the food, but then.. she was here for only a little while and would like to try some new dishes and things. She flipped again, one knee pulled up close to her chest and the other leg pointed back straight, and held the position for a moment before she shifted into another that brought her closer to the floor. Gliding back down to the floor after a few more moves, she swished the cloth behind her a bit dramatically, and flashed him a smile as she went over to a side table to grab a towel.

After wiping a little dampness from her face, she picked up a partial glass of water that she'd been working on. "Fish is quite common back home, but then some other meats are common as well. But it might be prepared differently there than it would be here. I'd like to try something that is more unique to Gondor. So, I shall leave the choice to you, Sunshine, as you know more about that than I would." She grinned, then drank what was left in her glass.

"Well.. what do you think? Worth watching?" She asked with a little nod toward the silk strips, leaving her empty glass on the table. She smiled at him as she leaned against a nearby balance beam, resting her hands on the beam on either side of her as she rested from her exercise.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Tercen
Fifth Circle, Minas Tirith, Gondor
December 23rd, midday

A deep pool beneath the cloth? In her house? He wondered just what her place looked like, and how extravagant it would seem to him. This house already seemed as such to him, and that was architecture he knew. At least on the outside. It was bonkers how much had been done to the interior in the short timespan Edwyrd had had before Ava's arrival. It did provide a taste of what she liked, though - or so he assumed.

His mouth went a little dry when she said danger was a regular part of life for her. It shouldn't be that way, should it? For anyone. Tercen frowned very lightly as the feeling associated with that thought settled inside him. He nodded at what she said about his sister. "Yes, she'd definitely prefer me not to worry. That way, she doesn't have to worry about me either, I suppose." When she asked about his friend being interested in Arnyn, whether it was a good thing, he shrugged. "It could be. For both of them, I think. But it could also blow up in their faces. And, knowing Arnyn, the second option seems more likely. Doesn't mean it's not worth a shot, however."

His frown, light as it was, dissipated as he looked at Ava suspended in the air like she was, the two pieces of cloth on either side of her, like she was a fiery bird that was looking at him. His eyebrows rose as she moved.. danced.. flipped... somehow... her way down the cloth. And couldn't help but grin at the way she tossed him that confident smile before stepping to the side for a drink of water. She wanted a Gondorian dish, and that was good information to have. Though honestly, most places he knew prepared Gondorian things... or so he figured. He wouldn't know if they were common elsewhere. "Well, I wouldn't know what is unique to here, since I haven't really been anywhere else, except for Rohan. But I know what are popular dishes. I could point those out to you, at the very least," he told her with a smile.

"Worth watching?" he repeated slowly, looking her over as she leaned against the balance beam. "I should say so. Could watch you all day." He paused, considering whether or not to speak his thoughts out loud. "Since you are so aware of being... damp... I imagine one of the next things you'll say is that you want to clean up before we leave," he said more slowly. "Can a humble Gondorian offer you his assistance?" he asked, sounding very polite in spite of the grin on his face.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Ava

"For the sake of your friend, and of your sister, I hope things work out well for them." She replied, truly meaning it even though she didn't know either of them. After all, if his sister was happy, then it would make him happier as well, right? And that might mean even less worrying about his sister, she figured. Which meant he could focus on other things.

Moving onto the topic of their upcoming meal, she smiled as he said he could point out the dishes he knew to be popular. She had not been in the city for long, and had not ventured to any of the restaurants yet, having hired a cook to make her meals here at her temporary home. So, it was exciting to get a chance to go out to explore the city a bit, and try some of the local cuisine, and most importantly, enjoy Tercen's company while doing so.

To hear him say that he could watch her all day, she grinned, then as he continued on with his offer to assist her, her grin shifted to a little smirk as she pushed away from the beam she was leaning on and approached him. "How very helpful you are." She slid her arms around his shoulders, leaning closer to kiss him briefly. "I think.. the answer to that depends on how hungry you are, and how soon you would like to get food." She teased, grinning softly, one hand playing with some of his sun-colored hair while she spoke. Biting her lower lip lightly as she thought for a moment, Ava then decided to address the comment he'd made a few moments ago. She leaned in close to his ear. "Let me assure you, Sunshine, I most definitely do not find you boring." She added softly, then lightly kissed his neck near his ear.

[Lantaelen]

@ercassie

Lord Abrazimir of House Dimaethor
Visiting the home of Isys, Fifth Level, Minas Tirith, Gondor
Shortly after Midsummer, Fourth Age

Abrazimir couldn’t help but give a little foolish grin when Isys pointed out his fancy new armour. She said it looked smart! And being a former champion herself, the praise meant a lot to Abrazimir. In fact, he almost…blushed. Almost. But there were more important things to discuss and figure out. The Dringolben family were capable and talented and great friends to his own family. He wanted to help them, the way they helped him. Not to mention that their query was also a man who had been irritating and sabotaging the internal stability and peace of Gondor for so many years.

Isys unfortunately did not have the Dringolben family dagger in her possession. It just happened to be with the individuals whom Arkadhur named as complicit in his misdeeds. Kept as evidence? What for? Surely the blade could be identified by any scion of Dringolben, called upon at any such trial or investigation. They deserved the return of a priceless family heirloom. But that would take a whole different series of petitions.

More difficult now if they intended to move Arkadhur to Dol Amroth to stand trial for his crimes. He did like that Isys seemed to accept that a City Guard, a Captain even, could be involved in this conspiracy. She knew people amongst the Guard. He nodded affirmatively to her proposed efforts. ”I would appreciate it very much, friend.” He said with genuine gratitude, putting his hand over his chest to showcase where that emotion came from.

But the idea of moving Arkadhur clearly did not sit well with Isys. The more of this I learn, the less I understand… ”The basis of enlightenment.” Abrazimir jested in the common tongue, shrugging his shoulders. But she was so very serious so he lost his cheeky tone at once. He watched as she began to pace about, the gears of her mind truly at work. He waited attentively, having known Isys all her life, and always essentially being a subordinate in her schemes and ploys. He listened to her words and to her reasoning her way through the facts and precedents involving their mutual companion here. However long it took her. It would not be to their benefit to keep Arkadhur here. He had a history of escaping and the named collaborator had been possibly involved last time as well.

”On my word of honour, not a word.” He promised her, when she asked for his discretion. His words and actions here seemed to have reinforced the overall suspicions against Androllius. Who was this man? Abrazimir felt he ought to meet him, get the make of the man, see what he was really about. But knowing his own temper, he’d probably make things worse for all involved. But in the end, Isys seemed agreeable to the entire plan. Move Arkadhur out of the capital, away from his possible collaborators, and out of sight for his victims. In Dol Amroth they could try him for his transgressions. Who was this other Umbarin in captivity? Did it relate to this case and investigation?

”We are in agreement then. Arkadhur is unlikely to have friends or help amongst the servants of the Prince, to whom his kind has done the most damage and ill.” Abrazimir nodded at first. ”He should be moved as soon as possible. It would allow us to compartmentalize him and his compatriots from each other. Prevent them from knowing all of our movements and schemes. Make it difficult or near impossible for them to impede or disrupt our plans. It would allow us to conduct our investigation in full and make the right accusations, with the right evidence and testimonies. Because for a snake like him…I do not doubt he will try every wicked way to escape his due punishments.” Abrazimir stated, none too slowly, indeed growing a little excited for a possible conclusion to this entire affair. That sea-snake will get exactly what he deserved for all the hurt he caused.

”The next step seems to be petitioning the City Guard to agree to this prisoner transport. We will need some…generous backers of our plan. You have contacts here with the City Guard you say, who can perhaps leverage some influence. I can return to our home, speak with my father, and get an audience with the Prince, and explain our ideas here in order to garner his approval. If he is agreeable, he can lend his word and authority to this transfer.” Abrazimir then mused on their next steps, looking to Isys for both her thoughts…and her approval. She was the older and smarter of them two. It should be no problem to move Arkadhur. The War was over. The sea lanes were open and relatively free of danger, except for the odd hold out. But how would they learn of this transfer?

”We need to keep this under the utmost secrecy. A list of names of who all knows of this request so far. Right now it’s just you and me. No doubt you will have to bring a few others into your confidence…?” He looked to her, asking for some names of who she thought she would bring on. For his part, he had already said. He would probably inform his father, who had the standing to bring Abrazimir to the Prince, who would also know. The Prince may tell others though. He wanted the least amount of leaks possible for this. It had to be done right. Or that snake might slip through their fingers like trying to grab a fistful of water.

[Lantaelen]

@Rillewen

Lady Azraindil Dimaethor
Fourth Level, Minas Tirith, Gondor
The Day After Midwinter Masquerade

”We’ll skip saying hello to them, then.” Gaerlothriel laughed nervously, when Linny brought up how her parents just might make her stay with them if they passed them by. Sounds like something her own parents would do and it would be most embittering to have such done when in the presence of friends. Best to play it safe. Maybe Abrazimir knew a way around that but he just gone off with hardly an explanation. Well, no matter. It was better with just the girls anyways.

Gaerlothriel thought her questions were innocent and unassuming, but the look on Wisti’s face made her stomach churn. She could sense she had mis-stepped even before Wisti began to speak. Yes she had lived on the first level before and it had been ruined by war. That, Gaerlothriel could somewhat relate, her own home assaulted by Corsairs and ransacked, while the menfolk took garrison and refuge in the River Fort and the women and children, like her, were sent inland for safety. But why hadn’t Wisti returned to her original home. Especially if it was still, as she curiously put it, in operation? Did she have a family business in her home? Gaerlothriel understood some commoner families lived in such a manner, their home and store in one location. Seemed very convenient!

But that was not the case for Wisti. She…grew up in an orphanage. Gaerlothriel had the exact same reaction as Linny. Oh indeed. Thankfully, Wisti had been evacuated as well, but upon her return…she was not permitted to return to her orphanage upon its reconstruction? She didn’t seem too old. Certainly not older than Gaerlothriel. It seemed such a cruel thing. But hard decisions had to be made after the War. There were so many more orphans. And the orphanage probably had limited availability. They had to care for the youngest first. So older folk like Wisti, twelve and older…unfortunately were turned out onto the streets.

It made her frown deeply and he sat there, hardly touching her food and drink. There was a sudden urge to go there and donate everything she had to the place, to help those in need. What was the point of being born into privilege if one could not use that privilege to give back? Then it was just greed and avarice. It was remarkable, speaking to a girl about their age, who had an entirely different upbringing than they did. Gaer and Linny were both children of nobility. They lived in vast houses and had land and servants. Then they met a girl like Wisti who had to do everything by herself. No safety net or help or family. She just wanted to hug the other girl.

Wisti did not seem discouraged though. She had a new home, close to where she worked. In fact, it was where she worked, in the attic. Gaer was utterly surprised by then. Her curiosity was getting the better of her. ”Your secret will never pass these lips to an outsider. Not even my brother will know.” She assured Wisti.

”I am glad to hear your new home is very spacious and allows you to pursue your hobby at least. I recall my father ranting about this one time, that we humans were not meant to work and war and scrape up money to pay rent, but to live each day pursuing art and beauty and the things that make us laugh. Somewhere along history, we lost sight of that. It sounds to me like you’re really living a fulfilling life in that regard.” Gaer said approvingly of Wisti. Not like Gaer, who despite coming from wealth was entrapped in a rigid hierarchy with high expectations and norms. There were hardly any freedoms or liberties. What might seem an advantage to some came off as a negative to the other. Life was so contrasting and vast and complex like that. But she was learning so much from Wisti.

”We must exchange letters too, knowing where you live and where we live. You told us last night you love to dance and have had practice? Maybe you could…teach us a little, some day. If not through writing then through future meet ups!” Gaer suggested then. And we can pay you for the honour and you could live better. And dancing was considered acceptable for noble girls, right? As long as it wasn’t too…bawdy, whatever that might look like.

”Maybe we could even have our own dance party.” She even suggested mischievously. Like wood elves dancing under moonlight or something, as told in some of the old fireside tales she heard as a child, if they were even true or not.

”Do you have many friends then here in the City?” She then inquired of Wisti, her soup now cooled enough to begin supping on. Wherever her brother went, his food was soon going to get cold!

---

@Arnyn

Lord Abrazimir Dimaethor
Fourth Level, Minas Tirith, Gondor
The Day After Midwinter Masquerade

Wherever her brother went…

Well…he went right back into a dream.

His eyes continued to flash down and then up upon the other woman, marveling at how she retained so much beauty and yes, enigma too, despite being out of costume. She stepped closer to him and he couldn’t help but feel drawn to her, also taking a step to close the distance between them. There was no danger. He was so much taller and bulkier than her. He was overconfident and let his hand fall completely from his sword pommel now, as if in anticipation that he might soon touch her. Did he, dream, last night? About what? About…her?

Abrazimir locked eyes with her and let a slow, broad grin form over his lips. ”You certainly gave me plenty to remember.” Abrazimir mused back at her, again stepping forward, until they were mere inches apart. But dream of? Wouldn’t she like to know. His tongue momentarily poked at the side of his cheek, remembering very vividly their encounters the previous night at the masquerade, his eyes alight with amusement and something more. The distance between them was shortening. Now he could reach out and touch her, but he didn’t, and leaned only slightly forward, like a wizened tree bending in the wind, bringing his lips towards her ear.

”And what of your dreams, my Lady? Vivid enough that you needed to sneak this note upon me, to draw me here, to such a place?” His eyes darted around the alleyway for a brief moment, indicating their dubious place to meet, though it seemed painful to him to even take his eyes off her beauty for even a few heartbeats. ”A gentleman might feel his honour is under threat.” He teased her back, leaning back to reveal a half-grin on his lips now. Almost the entire world behind him, the City, his sister, her friends, the food, it all seemed forgotten. Had he stepped into a dream world, right now? He decided to go for the jugular.

”Perhaps if this gentleman had a name to go with the dream, he might have cause to do more than just remember. Perhaps he might even…pray.” Abrazimir said, coyly asking for her name.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Tercen
Fifth Circle, Minas Tirith, Gondor
December 23rd, midday

His grin didn't fade as she approached and called him helpful. Well, of course. When she put her arms around his shoulders and leaned in close, he slipped his arms around her in turn, and made himself keep it light as he returned her kiss. He chuckled at her answer and the way she played with his hair. "Hunger is a broad term," he reassured her, watching the way she was biting her lower lip. Had she figured out what that did to him?

That she did not think him boring, made his grin gentle into a smile, and one of his hands snaked up her spine when she kissed his neck. That eliminated the need for him to verify how hungry she was. Tercen let out a low chuckle. "What a relief, Temptress." In a similar fashion to how he'd picked her up and carried her up the stairs after the masquerade, he lifted her feet from the ground once more with one big swoop. "You'll have to tell me where your bathing room is," he said as he walked them out of the exercise room. "This place is too big, I don't have the layout down yet."

---

@Lantaelen

Fourth Circle, Minas Tirith, Gondor
The Day After the Midwinter Masquerade

He mirrored her step toward him by taking a step forward himself. That only left about one more step between them, but she knew better than to close that herself. Men like the one before her? They liked the chase. They liked to take the initiative. This game was subtle, sometimes. But she knew how to play it well.
When he looked into her eyes, she did not look away. A mysterious and minute smile settled over her own lips at his words. Plenty to remember? She should think so, yes. Their game at the masquerade, as well as when they had stepped out for air, had been most intriguing, had it not?

He took the last step, now, and she angled her head up enough to maintain eye contact at the new proximity. He asked about her dreams. Whether he had managed to invade them enough for her to feel the need to drop that note on him. When he looked around the alley, her eyes stayed on his rather than following where he was looking. After he asked for her name, her gaze moved from one of his eyes to the other,then slowly dropped to his lips before returning just as leisurely to his eyes.

"Words have meaning, but names have power," she said softly. "My dreams were vivid. I might say that gives you more than enough power, Dauntless." She lifted two fingers to languidly brush past his jaw, before lowering her hand to rest at her side once more. "Tell me, do you not wish to remain as you are now?" she asked, tempting him. "The handsome gentleman from the masquerade, who I know is quite the scholar and unafraid to meet a challenge? For I would much prefer to remain the mysterious lady you met there, who appreciates banter and indulges in only the most interesting of company. Such as yourself."

"There you might find the reason for the less than ideal location," she suggested. "For if your company were to see me, surely the need for introductions would arise. And I must say, I would much rather not share our acquaintance with the public eye."

She had more than one reason for that. Sure, she could find out who he was. But if she were to do that, who knew what the Hand might have done to his family or some people he cared for? She had rather not know. Secondly, if the Hand found out she was spending time with someone - anyone - outside of the organisation, it would mean trouble. He had never said as much. But she could sense it.

"Not because you are not worthy to show off, of course," she said, her hand reaching up again to brush by the edge of his cloak. His clothes were of as fine a make as hers. She made good money, after all. He might take away from the fabric and the tailoring that she was well off, too. Would he assume, however, that she was a noble woman? Probably not. Surely she lacked some of the proper 'airs' for that. It was more likely he would assume she was of the merchant class. But the route she was taking surely fit with that assumption, as well. "Rather... Would you not like it if there were one aspect of your life, however small, that was not subject to the pressure that a family or society can lay upon it?" she ventured. "For I would."

[Rillewen]

@Lantaelen

|
Dulinneth and Wisteria
Fourth Level, sitting at a table outside a cafe
The Morning After Midwinter Masquerade (Dec 22)

"Yes, same with me!" Linn was quick to assure Wist that she would not breathe a word about the secret. She wondered what could happen to the girl if anyone found out. Would she be homeless? Jobless? She glanced at Gaer, sharing some of her thoughts about that. It was so sad that there were so many orphans that the place couldn't even take them all in. She often felt annoyed or frustrated toward her own parents, but she couldn't imagine being completely without anyone to take care of her. She at least had her Governess, and other servants who saw to everything she needed even when her parents were too busy for her.

Wist smiled a little to hear that Gaer's father believed that, although she had a bit of a correction to make. Hobby? Not hardly! "I'm studying to be a ballerina, actually." She declared with a happy smile. "One day, I'm going to be the best ballet dancer in all the kingdom." She smiled, setting her empty bowl aside. She had eaten it despite it being a bit hot, because she was hungry.

"I've never seen ballet dancing." Linn mentioned, curious. "How often do you have lessons?"

Wisteria hesitated. "I ummm, don't really have lessons, exactly," She admitted, looking down as she picked at her piece of bread. "I just sort of, well, I make sure that I do my sweeping and dusting and stuff near the dance rooms while the lessons are going on, and then I watch the other girls having their lessons, and then I make sure and remember everything the teacher has them do. And then later, I go up to the attic and I do the same stuff, and I keep practicing over and over until I can do it as well as any of them."

"That sounds really difficult!" Linn stared at her with wide eyes. "How do you remember everything?"

Wist shrugged. "I don't know. I just do. I write things down too, if I can. And sure, it is hard, but it's so beautiful," She smiled a little dreamily. "I remember the first time I ever saw a ballet performance. I was so little, but I remember how beautiful the dancers were, their movements, how graceful.. And I knew that I wanted to do that. I'm not going to be a cleaning girl forever." She insisted.

"I'd like to see some!" Linn said, intrigued. "Can we see a ballet dance? How often do they have them? How come you don't take lessons?"

"There's going to be a performance next summer, if you want to come and see!" Wist told them, eager to offer them a chance to come and see a real proper ballet show. "They're holding auditions about the first of the year, and I'm going to make sure I'm in them. Even if I just get a tiny little part, I want to be in it." She squeezed one hand with the other, trying to suppress her excitement about it. "They've had more performances since the end of the war and all, than they used to. So that's nice." She released her hand and tucked them each under one arm, finding that they were getting a little cold. "I, uh, don't get to join the lessons because I can't pay the fee." She explained quietly. "It costs more than I get paid, so.. I do what I said, and learn everything I can that way." She shrugged, then smiled, not letting her troubles hinder her cheery attitude.

"You'll have to write us and let us know if you get the part!" Linn declared, excited and hopeful for their new friend. "Maybe Gaer and I could manage to talk our families into letting us come see..." She looked at Gaer hopefully, thinking that if she could at least get her family to come, maybe Linn could tag along with her?

"Oh, I definitely will write!" Wist assured them. "But you'll have to tell me where to send a letter." She added with a little laugh. "I've, um, never written letters to anyone before. But I will write to you." She promised, smiling at the thought of having pen pals. So exciting!

---

@Arnyn

Ava
Fifth Circle, Minas Tirith, Gondor
December 23rd, midday

She let out a little laugh as he swept her up into his arms, then grinned as she shifted her arms around his shoulders. "The washroom is adjacent to my bedroom," She murmured into his ear, somewhat amused by the comment about the house being so big. Although she couldn't blame him for not knowing his way around, as it had taken her a little bit to get familiar with this house too, after she had arrived, and it was far smaller than her estate back home. Fortunately, by now, she knew the layout well enough that she had no trouble finding her way.


Sometime later, after enlisting Tercen's aid in selecting her attire, Ava wore a fairly simple dress in two shades of teal; dark with a lighter toned overskirt. She had wanted to wear something which would not make her appear quite so wealthy, yet not poor either. She certainly didn't want to appear as a target for any pickpockets, after all. And for going around on a tour of the city, she wanted to wear something comfortable. "You see, you really were helpful," She grinned at him as they came down the stairs. She was holding his arm with a little smile, despite not really needing to hold onto him for any support. "It might have taken me hours to decide on just the right dress," She joked, although she had already had a few options laid out, and had already been leaning toward this dress anyway.

"How is the weather outside, by the way?" She asked, stopping at the coat closet near the front door. Pulling out two options, she turned to him and held each up in turn. "Cold, or cold?" One was a long coat, almost as long as her dress, and the other was more like a jacket. She had not been outside today, so she had no idea what sort of outerwear to select. He had, so she would trust his judgement on this.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Tercen
Fifth Circle, Minas Tirith, Gondor
December 23rd, midday

She looked good in anything, but his preference had gone for the teal among the other options she had been looking at. It was close enough to Gondorian fashion that it wouldn't stand out too much. Even if it would be impossible for her not to stand out at all, in his opinion. She could probably make anything look good.

"Why, thank you," he grinned back as they made their way downstairs. "I doubt that," he countered lightly when she said it might have taken her hours to decide on a dress. "A woman like you?" He lifted his eyebrows. "Knows what she wants," he added.

He chuckled at her question about the cold. "Cold," he said emphatically, nodding toward the thicker and longer coat. He took it from her hands, waiting for hertoput the jacket away, before he helped her into the coat. "Especially for you," he added. "But - thankfully, it looks like it will be a dry day. With a bit of sun, even. Perfect winter weather to see the White City." Hesitating, he glanced around. "Do you need to... inform anyone that you are leaving?" He had no idea how living with employees running around the house worked.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Ava
Fifth Circle, Minas Tirith, Gondor
December 23rd, midday

She grinned when he said that he doubted it would have really taken her that long to decide, as she was a woman who knew what she wants. That was quite true, she had to admit. "Well, your opinion helped, anyway." She shrugged slightly, smiling. He knew Gondor much better than she did, after all, and its fashions and what would be seen as normal would be as second nature to him.

As he declared that it was cold and indicated the ankle-length coat, Ava nodded and put the other back. Her butler would typically be around to handle this stuff and assist her with such things, but he had other tasks that were keeping him busy today, which she was aware of, and therefore understood that he could not attend to these smaller matters. Which was fine, since Tercen was such a gentleman that he was offering to help her.

She flashed a smile at him, seeing that he held out her coat to help her into it. Just as he had done as they left the masquerade. Sliding her arms into the sleeves, Ava listened to his report of what he expected the weather to be. "Excellent!" She declared, happy to hear that it would be dry and possibly even sunny despite the chill dominating the air, then she turned to him with a pleased smile after the coat was situated around her.

Hearing his question about the servants, she shook her head. "No, they've been informed I would be going out today, and that I would be having my midday meal elsewhere, so it won't be a surprise when I'm not here." She assured him. "Edwyrd is busy with other duties, or he would have been here to help me choose suitable outerwear," She added with a little shrug, while buttoning her coat up. She was pleased that the color of her coat matched the darker color of the dress quite well, as if they had been made to go together. She even found a pair of gloves tucked into the pockets, although she didn't know yet if she would need them. It was good though, in case it got colder later.

"Shall we, Sunshine?" She asked him with a little smile. "Or do you recommend any other "armor" to defend myself from this vicious cold?" She added with a lightly teasing tone, although she was joking about herself and her lack of tolerance for such weather, more than anything.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Tercen
Fifth Circle, Minas Tirith, Gondor
December 23rd, midday

"A scarf," he told her with a raised eyebrow, curious whether she would conjure one up from seemingly her unending supply of clothing and other things. "To protect that sensitive neck of yours," he teased, unabashed. Then he moved to open the door for her, waiting for her to pass him by before he exited himself. He assumed she would either have a key or Edwyrd would be around to open the door for her later.

Once outside, he offered Ava his arm. "My lady," he grinned at her, until she accepted his arm and he could lead her down the steps and on to the street. "There is a lovely place on the third circle," he told her. "Not too fancy, but upscale enough that the patrons' boots will not be muddy," he described succinctly, to give her an idea of what to expect. "And they have an excellent cook. It is a ways to walk, but moving will keep you warmer," he said with mild amusement. Whenever they passed one of the many parks King Elessar had introduced, he took Ava through it rather than around it, determined to show her there was more now to Minas Tirith than white stones and grand architecture.

Meanwhile, he told her how his parents had raised his sister and him in part in the woods of Ithilien, and in part in the White City. He also made sure to pass by his sister's house in the Fourth Circle, even if he didn't take her inside. Arnyn had told him she had a busy day, but that didn't mean she would definitely not be around - and he did not feel like it was the right time to let Arnyn and Ava meet. Not just yet. He wanted to learn more about the still quite mysterious lady he was escorting around town, first.

"I imagine Umbar looks very, very different," he said quietly as they walked, opening up the conversation to see if she would tell him more about her life, as well.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Ava
Fifth Circle, Minas Tirith, Gondor
December 23rd, midday

A scarf, he said. Ava paused, smiling at the little teasing comment before taking a look back into the closet. Did she even have any scarves? She could only locate a silk scarf, hanging on a peg. Figuring it was better than nothing, she looped it around her neck loosely, then smiled at Tercen as she took his arm again. "There. My 'armor' is complete." She grinned, allowing him to escort her out. It was indeed cold outside, and she was glad she had taken his advice and went with the longer coat. In fact, she wondered if she ought to have gotten a hat as well. But she figured she could always readjust the scarf to wrap over her head if needed. Or, if she really had to have something more, she could take a look in the market to find something, right?

As he described the restaurant he had in mind, Ava smiled. "Sounds perfect." She declared. "I don't mind a bit of walking." She had expected a lot of walking today anyway, and therefore had chosen proper footwear that would both be comfortable and warm enough for being outside in the cold. As they set off down the street, she listened curiously as he spoke about growing up partially in the forest, and partially in the city. At times she kept her gaze on him while he was speaking, and at other times she let her gaze roam about the different sights they passed, silently admiring things while listening to him. When he pointed out the house where his sister lived, she tried to make a mental note to try and remember which house it was, and how to get to it. Since he was staying there, she thought she might want to find him sometime, instead of waiting for him to come to her, after all.

She was rather surprised by how many parks there were in the city, and also pleased that Tercen chose to go through these, rather than around. While she passing by the various trees growing in the park, she also recalled the description he had given during the masquerade, of the forest where he lived. While strolling through the parks, she occasionally inquired about what this tree or that tree was called, and if it was found in his forest.

"Very different, indeed," Ava agreed softly, after he asked about Umbar. "My home is a few miles removed from the city itself, thankfully. I usually avoid going into the city unless I must, except on a few occasions when I might get bored and decide to see what's available at the market. However.." She hesitated, then sighed softly. "One must be wary at all times, for there are an abundance of thieves and thugs and the like, lurking in the Warrens.. what would be equivalent to your first circle here, I believe. Also, there is a certain.. unpleasant feature in the market there, which does not exist here. It tends to be the focal point of the market square, which.. tends to make shopping trips less enjoyable for me. Although, that is how I managed to acquire my cat." She added with a little smile hinting at amusement.

"There are no parks there, either. Nothing beautiful that I can think of, unless you venture into the The House of Studded Midnight... a jewelry shop." She did not mention that the proprietor was also a known 'fence' for stolen things. "Around my home, however, there are many fig and pomegranate trees, and date palms, and things like that. And pathways paved in colorful stones, and stained-glass windows, and pools of water to swim in.. mostly outdoors, but some smaller ones indoors, as well." She paused, frowning slightly. "But in the city? Nothing like this." She motioned around. "There, the only structure built with white stone is called the Ivory Tower." She hesitated with a slight frown. "It is.. not a place one hopes to be summoned to. Although not the worst place to visit, either. But these," Her expression lightened slightly as she motioned around with a little smile at the houses and buildings around them. "These are quite lovely. And there is a very different sort of.. feel, to this city. I like it here."

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Tercen
Fifth Circle, Minas Tirith, Gondor
December 23rd, midday

"An unpleasant feature?" He was not following, and looked at her with questioning eyes. "What might that be? And how did it get you your cat?" He smiled a little at that, for it seemed like a strange contradiction that she would find whatever she was referencing to be so unpleasant, if it was the same thing that had allowed her to get a cat. And she'd seemed very fond of cats, going by one of the conversations they'd had at the masquerade.

When she told him there were no parks in Umbar, his face rather clearly reflected what he thought of that. "I'm glad you like it here. I should say - there didn't used to be as many parks in Minas Tirith, either. But we have always had some, at least. After the King's return, existing parks were revitalized and new ones were added." He shook his head. "None at all?" If the only beautiful thing she could think of was a jewelry shop, it did not seem very much like a place he wanted to visit. Which probably worked out well, he supposed, given it would be rather dangerous for him to set foot in Umbar. Or around it? Tercen looked at the lovely woman walking next to him, walking on his arm. Would he ever be able to walk around with her like that in her home city? Would she even want to?

Rather than asking her those things, however... "What is the Ivory Tower?"

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Ava
Fifth Circle, Minas Tirith, Gondor
December 23rd, midday

She was a little surprised that he did not know to what she was referring, but then.. it was not a prominent thing that he would have seen all of his life, she reminded herself. Her gaze drifted downward to the street as they walked together, while he asked how she had come by her cat in that way. "The.. auction block." She explained in a low voice, just loud enough for him to hear, but not loud enough for any passersby to overhear. With a small frown, she answered the second part, "Normally.. it is human slaves being sold there. But that day.. I heard words like 'pelt' and 'fur' being often repeated during the.. sales pitch, and it piqued my curiosity. So, I went closer to see what sort of creature they had for sale, because it seemed rather odd." She hesitated, looking a little troubled at the recollection. "They were auctioning him off for... for his pelt.. or whatever the highest bidder had in mind for him." She explained with a darker expression crossing her face. Her hand tightened marginally on his arm, taking a slow breath in. "Some of those bidding had plans to hunt him for sport, others wanted to make a rug of his pelt... that sort of thing."

Glancing at Tercen, she softened her expression. "He was only a few days old. Such a helpless little thing.. and such a little sweetheart, too." She briefly took her hand from his arm and held both hands cupped together in front of her, "He was so small, I could hold him in my hands like this." Slipping her arm through his again, Ava frowned. "And they wanted to wait for him to grow up, and then kill him." She frowned, shaking her head slightly. "I couldn't let them harm him. So, I waited for those who were bidding to reach the limit they were willing to spend, and then just before the auctioneer was about to make the sale final.. I offered double the last bid." She smirked slightly. "The looks on their faces was quite amusing."

That several of the parks were newer did not come as much of a surprise, since there were some which clearly had younger trees planted, and other things in the park looked newer and more recently built, while others had signs of age and older trees and things. "It is sad, isn't it? But, it is a place full of strife and rivalry." She answered in a quiet, somewhat sad tone. "Those in charge are more concerned with spreading hatred and cruelty, and slaying innocent people, than making the city beautiful and pleasant to see." She shrugged slightly, sighing. "I hope.. someday, it will be different. But it seems like an impossible dream, at this point. As long as.. the temple exists, and its priest holds such power over everyone.."

Trailing off, she hesitated when he asked about the Ivory tower. What could she say about that, exactly? How to explain it? She remained quiet for a moment as she walked along with him, clasping his arm with both hands. "It is.. a place where the powerful go to discuss and debate matters. There is a rule that no blood may be shed there.. those who meet there, meet under terms of parley.." She explained slowly, hesitatingly.

"Yet... that is only for the time that they are actually inside the tower. If someone doesn't like what they hear during such a meeting, nothing would stop them sending an assassin to find you at your home, for instance... or.. there are many other ways to get rid of someone that is undesirable or with whom you disagree, or even just someone you're angry with. The rule of 'truce' is no real protection, it only means you cannot be harmed while you're there. So.. to be summoned there, to meet and discuss matters with the most influential and powerful people of the city.. it is quite nerve-wracking and potentially dangerous, to be sure. Especially for someone like myself, who disagrees with all that they stand for..."

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Tercen
Fifth Circle, Minas Tirith, Gondor
December 23rd, midday

The auction block. What was wrong about an auction? Even as the thought flitted through his head, he cringed mentally. Right. That second response was confirmed when she spoke of human slaves being sold there. Trying not to imagine what that might even be like, for he did not wish to dwell on such inhumane practices, he focused on what she was saying about her cat. He frowned thoughtfully as she spoke, thinking that her cat sounded much... bigger... than he had assumed. Surely they would not make a big deal about a small kitty's pelt? And how would they be able to make a rug out of one? That'd barely be a door mat, right?

Blinking at his own thoughts, and not finding them very comfortable either, especially when thinking about the stray cats that visited his cabin in Ithilien, Tercen had to smile a little when he saw Ava cupping her hands together and speaking of how tiny the cat had been when they'd been auctioning him off.

"How big is your cat?" he asked her, raising one eyebrow. "Earlier I assumed you meant a regular cat." He held out his hands himself, indicating about the size of the typical cats he was used to seeing. "But judging from what you just said..." He slanted his head. "I also assumed you have named him?" he inquired. Having a name would be more convenient, he figured.

When she mentioned the 'temple', he was almost loathe to ask. "Why would some priest from a temple have so much power over everyone?" he asked in a mutter. He had no clue of how things worked in Umbar, and he was starting to see just how foolish and naive that was coming across. Would she think that of him, if he asked too many questions about how things worked at her home? Would she think him uneducated? Dumb?

His eyes widened momentarily when she explained about the tower. "Have you ever been summoned?" he asked. "Or is it likely that you would be summoned in the future?" Concern laced his tone, even if he was trying not to make it too obvious. But he wanted to know whether it was a real possibility that she would have to go there. Maybe she was summoned there regularly.