Belated Gift (Aria, ask to enter)

[Lucinda Noru]

Lucinda's face paled a little at Aria's outburst towards Serai. However, as she watched Aria try to climb into the ice boat and slip, an amused grin settled on her face before she managed to cover her mouth demurely with her hand and look away. Aria's comment on the situation brought a blush to princess's face and she threw the redhead a grateful look.

She didn't say anything though as Adrain continued with his worries, which she had to admit were very valid. Even though her brother wouldn't protest the magic side of things, there might be questions about Adrain's lineage which no one could answer. It might matter to her brother, even where it didn't matter to her. It could be complicated if Adrain got his memory back, but she was willing to work with that, to accept whatever may happen should that occur. When he admitted to being Fated, Lucinda blushed again, this time in guilt. That was something she already knew, Aria had mentioned it before.

"People might indeed question your family or lineage. I do not personally put much stock in such things. Some of the worst snakes come from the most respectable of familys. Archduchess Zoe is a good example of this, and personally I find you act much more noble than she. But, I digress. We could handle such questions, should they arise. Your lack of memory is much more concerning, making your unknown lineage understandable. Though, that's not something you want everyone knowing obviously. I'm more concerned with what might happen should you regain your memory though," she said, looking at Adrain softly for a moment.

Her eyes shifted back down to her feet as she continued, though. "I already knew you were Fated. I've known since our first date. Aria told me after she caught me out that night," she said, looking back up. Her blue eyes met his with a determined and unapologetic look. "I do not care that you're Fated. It doesn't change who you are. Being Fated doesn't make you a horrible person. You and Aria are some of the best people I know, compared against many non Fated people I've known my whole life. Yes, some people here do care and it can cause complications, but we'll deal with that as well. Together. If you'll have me, I'll stand with you, proudly, and by your side, against the world," Lucinda finished, having unconsciously slipped into her 'princess tone.'

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Aria sighed, tigers grieved to she supposed; but male tigers had little involvement in raising their cubs. Such an attachment was not something that Serai would be able to understand. As far as moving on she thought she was making a valiant effort; for the most part. After all she wasn’t even able to have a proper mourning period. For most parents who lost a child, mourning was expected; they were excused from polite society. Even the lower class was allowed to mourn…..but considering the circumstances in which she had become pregnant, and then the circumstances in how she had lost her child, well both led to her having to not miss a step in her social and work obligations. Hell for the first week of her child’s death she was out there helping bury the deceased from the attack.

Aria looked out towards the sea; in the direction they were traveling. She would be more then pleased to take some much needed time to mentally recharge herself once the island construction was complete. Aria looked up over at Adrain when he said he should make a flying vessel, a frown forming on her face…. ”Probably wise, though save the idea” It wasn’t like Palico wasn’t becoming air born in its own way. Arias nose scrunched up when he suggested he use salt to make things more comfortable ”Pretty sure that might make it worse; cold wise. Especially if you’re maintaining the ice to keep its form….sticking with just bringing cushions or such could work.”

Aria frowned she suppose him not knowing his past was a problem with his and Lucinda’s relationship. However claiming ignorance may actually be the easier route then the truth. However if it came to it, she might have to consider breaking her decision to keep her mouth shut on it. She would need to think on this, and or ask him how he felt when they had a moment to talk one on one. As Lucinda responded Aria couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at Lucinda’s direct insult on Severine. She wasn’t aware the princess had another encounter with the woman since the first time that she had met Lucinda. Lucinda didn’t even know about the tea incident yet. She was saving that specifically for the trial coming up. If Roland was to have any sort of hope the woman would have to be discredited. Not an easy feat for someone who had for years earned the trust of the king and served as an advisor. Arias face just slipped into a deadpan one as Lucinda continued her speech ending with an overly strong note….”Calm down princess, it’s not like you two are outlaws worlds not against you guys yet.”

Aria turned her attention back to the direction they were going; a series of residual coughs escaping her as she covered her mouth with the crook of her arm. Noky who had taken up a seat next to her provided her something to lean against.

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Serai then nudges his head against Aria after his comment. [/i]'Apologies...it's not the same I know from your end, there isn't much I can do other than attempt to distract or provide contrast.'[/i] the large cat states then going quiet for the time forward.

As the water sled rushed forward, Adrain was quiet as both women spoke. His expression was neutral as his lips thinned whether it was part of the content or the effort of maintaining the water sled that was to blame.

"Imagine if you would.." Adrain starts as he takes a deep breath for a second. "You don't know much about yourself, the circumstances that made you come to be, or your history. Then imagine that another were to tell those very details to someone one may be having a closer and building bond with. It puts one in a very odd position of not knowing where the proper lines of privacy or truth should be. Which isn't so much a thing to blame either of you that much. Having hundreds of unanswered questions, hundreds of unknowns makes it complicated with trying to chart a course forward but I do what I can, I just hope something from another place and time doesn't try to attack either of you or anything as a result." he says with a somber tone.

"Things are just complicated, and for my part in that I am sorry." he says to nobody in particular as he then looks ahead. "I see land a ways off.......probably your island." he states as he courses more mana through the elementals and increases the pace of the transport