Magic of Books (Roland and Aveline)

[Deleted]

Roland was probably busy with whatever he normally was busy with, would suddenly feel himself pulled by a strange force. Aveline would find herself very much in the same situation. They would suddenly find themselves tucked away in a private corner of the library. Roland would find himself shackled to chair with magical handcuffs meant to cut off the use of magic. Such a useful tool it was indeed. Next to him was a book that clearly read how to please your man…..obviously they were in the more….romantic section of the library. Some wine with crackers and cheese was spread out as well. Course there was a key that would be in Aveline’s hand….but she could roll with it however she wanted to.

[severine]

Aveline could tell when her mother was in a snit from a mile away, and she could certainly tell when she was seated right next to her. The grand Lady Severine was positively fuming at the announcement of some stranger being paired with his Majesty- it was no royal lady any one of them had ever heard of, and the other courtly women present were similarly shocked and furious. Then her own name was called, beside the name of Roland Walker. She felt her eyebrows rise sharply- she didn’t suspect Lord Roland to be someone to put his name on such a list. She could feel the burn of her mother’s eyes on her and Aveline tried to put on a careful smile, but she was only greeted with an accusing glare. Ah, clearly it would be her own fault that the goddess paired her with a mage instead of the king. Aveline rose from her seat to descend the dais, but was soon clasped on the arm by a beautiful young woman with shining golden hair. She smiled dazzlingly and leaned in, pressing a kiss to Aveline’s cheek.

When Aveline blinked again, she was standing in the library. Something was in her hands and she looked down- there was a key nestled in her dove-gray gloves. She turned it over in her fingers, then looked up when she heard a noise. Roland was seated in front of her, his usual dark and surly self, chained to a chair. Aveline gave a start and rushed to his side.

“Lord Roland! I’m so sorry, let me help you!” she moved to unlock his shackles, leaning over to see the book resting beside him. A deep flush spread across sienna tint of her face and she reached over, turning the book over the other way so it’s title was not visible.

“Th-this is some sort of… foolish prank. The Goddesses have a sense of humor, my Lord.” Aveline unlocked Roland from the chair and quickly moved back so he could stand, her back hitting the chair. Well, here they were. Alone.

[Roland]

Roland had been doing paperwork regarding the event that was going on. As he fills out a form he reflects on the fact that he was glad he did not need to participate, he had neither the time nor inclination to participate in this event. Though something catches his eye as he looks through the paperwork for the event...An applicant list, I suppose I should check through who's participating...THE KING!? REALLY!? He finds himself angry at the realization that the king was doing something so stupid. Then he noticed another name on the list, his. "You've got to be kidding..." He begins to say and then everything went black.

When he awakens he begins to move to try and get up from the chair and quickly finds himself chained in. He closes his eyes and begins to use the spell he learned from Ilta to break the metal, but he realizes he does not have access to his magic. For a brief moment panic begins to flood into his eyes, magic was a part of Roland, a part of how he defined himself, taking it away was like removing a limb. When Aveline arrives she would find him struggling against the bonds with a look of genuine alarm, and what could possibly be fear in his expression and eyes.

Upon seeing Aveline he takes a deep breath and brings himself under control. "This is the goddess's doing huh?" He asks dryly, though his voice was still shaking. As Aveline releases his Roland takes another deep breath and his eyes burst into a bright light as he draws in the magic that had been separated from and it begins to circulate through him.

"Thank you." He says in a calm and genuine voice. Then he looks at her and then places his cheek on his hand, "I guess I can file the arrest warrant later, are you okay?" He asks.

[severine]

Aveline’s eyes widened at the sight of Roland’s alarm- for all this time she had seen him, she had rarely seen an expression on his face other than sternness. He was a very serious man, so the alarm was especially troublesome. She lifted her hand as the light shone in his eyes to shield her own, watching the magic be absorbed back into him.

“Y-yes.” Aveline swallowed and turned the chair that she just ran into around, sitting down heavily into it. Her pale blue and silver skirts fluttered as she sat and she leaned forward a little in the chair, her hands gripping the seat. “The festival was today, did you forget?” she grimaced, sympathy crossing her expression.

When she was addressed more directly, she felt her face burn again. She shook her head, then realized what she was asking and nodded rapidly, waving her hand in front of her. “I’m perfectly fine! I was not the one bound, so you should not be asking that question.” she looked back to the shackles, frowning.

“Did they harm you?” Aveline asked, gesturing to the chains on either side of his chair. She pushed herself up and walked back towards him, pressing the key into his hand. “You should be the one to hold onto this.”

[Roland]

Roland notices the girls surprised expression and tries to get himself under control. The girl had helped him when he'd been in a pretty bad situation overall, scaring her would be unfair of outright ungrateful of him. As she mentions the festival he frowns and bit then rubs his eyes with his index finger and thumb.

"No I remembered the festival was happening I was taking care of a lot of the administration. I just hadn't realized my name was on the participant list. Must have been a joke from someone...probably some of the guards, or Noku's Dragon Lady Mysteria." he grumbles as he orients himself, he was in the library...was this the section that the guards kept their smut in?! He shakes his head, both surprised and a bit impressed that Venessa or Ai even knew about this place.

Roland soon gets to his feet and walks over by Aveline then uses his senses to try and figure out if the wine or cheese was drugged, or had some kind of magical effect. He nods whens he tells him she was fine, "they did not hurt me, just bound me and severed me from my magic, which was...unsettling." He admits, though he pockets the cuffs, these would be very useful in the future.

"Again, I thank you for setting me free..." though after the gratitude he looks her over, she seemed to be dressed up and he found himself speaking his mind. "And sorry you ended up with an old socially inept wizard as your partner for this. It might not be too late for us to try and set you up with one of the nobles if you'd like." he offers in an attempt to be helpful, if somewhat awkwardly.

[severine]

Aveline found herself smiling a little at Roland's offer. She raised an eyebrow up at him- maybe if he smiled more he wouldn't look nearly as old. But it was probably best not to share that information. She shook her head. "A bit too late for that, Lord Roland. The goddesses are already watching."

Aveline pointed to the ceiling, sighing. Another year, another disaster. At least she hadn't been paired with a woman again. And besides, she thought with a shudder of sympathy to the poor woman paired with his Majesty, there were much worse options. She didn't think she would be able to survive the whispers. Roland, on the other hand, had a poor reputation but at least it was not for being brutish. The man was only stern, and stern she could manage. She cast her gaze to the table, laughing at the contents.

"I doubt they're drugged, Lord Roland. They're aphrodisiacs." She picked up a piece of fruit and waved it a little in his direction to show him. She tilted her head up at him, wondering if he had played this particular game before. She couldn't recall.

"When was the last time that you participated? Willingly or not, I should say."

[Roland]

Roland looks at Aveline and with a look of resignation and shrugs. "If you are looking down here Vennessa, you are wanted under suspicion of kidnapping and restraint without consent." Roland announces and then turns back to Aveline. "Well with that out of the way, I suppose just leaving or trying to get you with someone who actually knows how to do this kind of thing is just going to result in an even more awkward meeting wont it?"

He sits down at the table and looks at the cheese and crackers, he considers taking one, but decides not to for now. Though he remembers something about the last year. Right~ didn't she get paired with a girl last year, does she swing that way? Probably not entirely. He reasons out, then rubs his eyes.

"Can you please stop calling me "Lord" Roland, I am no lord." He says with a certain measure of distaste. His demeanor was lapsing back into his usual attitude, and despite being born to a noble family, Roland had long since been disowned.

When she asked him when the last time he participated in this even was he found himself thinking about that. It had been quite a long time ago. "It must have been around 12 or 13 years ago." He says as he runs his fingers through his hair, messing it up further than it already had been. "Things did not go well, I don't think Ai or Vennessa like me much." He grumbles and then gets to his feat.

"...So what do you want to do from here?" He asks her.

[severine]

Aveline shrinks a little at the sound of distaste in Roland’s voice. Ah. Touched a nerve. “Forgive me, I did not mean to offend. What title do you prefer?” she really should have expected, as Roland didn’t move with the usual circles in court. She had never heard her mother refer to him as ‘Lord Roland’ herself, but she had chalked it up to lack of respect. It seems it may have been both, though.

"They say the gods do have a sense of humor, sir." Aveline folded her hands in her lap. "But surely you do not find my presence entirely unwelcome, do you?" The question was a trap, and Aveline knew it. But seeing a different expression on the man’s face other than a scowl would be welcome. She looked around the library, raising her eyes to the high ceiling. After a moment she pulled her glove from her hand and reached forward for a piece of the cheese.

“We either eat or explore.” Aveline turned her quiet smile back to Roland. “But since you are uncomfortable, I will let you decide. I will be pleased with whatever you choose.”

[Roland]

Roland lets out a sigh as she suddenly participates. "No, listen... I didn't mean to snap at you, I just don't like being called lord or anything like it." He admits as he scratches the back of his head. "Just, Roland will be fine, or if you really feel the need for a title Guard Walker, or Roland will work." he tells her, he really did not like pomp, but he really wasn't really used to conversations like this.

Though when Aveline suddenly asks him if he founds her her presences unpleasant and he frowns, though soon this softened into a smile and then into a laugh. "Hahaha, I see what you are doing there." He says now actually smirking a bit. He reaches up and rubs the stubble on his cheek. "No I suppose you are one of the few people whom I would say I enjoy the company of." Roland replies.

"Well anyways, I suppose that if we are going to do this I am going to do it right. Would you mind coming with me?" He asks and he leads her out of the library and towards the guard barracks. When they arrive he says. "Can you give me 5 minutes to get cleaned up?"

[severine]

Aveline blinked, feeling heat touch her cheeks again. That smile was nice, when she could see it. She nodded, replacing the cheese and rising to her feet, pulling her glove back on. “I would not mind. Roland.” it sounded strange without a title, maybe Captain Roland? She’d have to consider it. Either way, she allowed herself to be guided out.

She had never been to the barracks before and she felt terribly out of place there- she was much too well-dressed for this place. She patted her hand against her intricately braided hair and the small gems hidden within, looking around. Well, if it wasn’t safe she could always scream for him. That thought didn’t comfort her much though. She gave Roland a smile however, masking her worries flawlessly.

“I will count the minutes. I’ll just… stand right here.”

[Roland]

When Aveline called him just Roland be smiled and nodded before his features relaxed into a more neutral expression that seemed to be his default when he wasn't scowling. "Anyways, let's get going."

When they arrive at the barracks he looks around at those present before separating from Aveline and going to clean himself up. As he is gone a couple of the guards in the barracks begin to talk amongst themselves, several shooting glances at the young woman who accompanied the Royal Guard captain in.

Exactly 5 minutes after leaving Aveline Roland emerges from the room looking completely different from when he had entered. Roland was clean shaven, and appeared to have somehow cleaned himself well, as if he had taken a long bath, in addition he was now wearing a fine linen coat instead of his usual leather one and beneath that a vest and shirt made of high quality cotton and to top it all off he'd combed his hair so that it sat neatly instead of being the usual curly tangle that it was.

As he emerged Roland executed a flawless court bow then extended his hand formally. "Would the Lady Aveline accompany me for a trip into town?" He asks her. Despite the change and cleaning Roland was still very formal, he showed the courtesy and poise of someone form the court, but his demeanor and movements had a distinct military flavor to them.

[severine]

Aveline rubbed her arms self-consciously as the guards shot her strange looks. She’d never been here before, so naturally she would be an oddity here. Especially with Roland. Before she realized that the five minutes were up, she saw Roland emerge from the barracks and her arms fell limply to her sides. Oh. Oh, Goddess.

He actually looked… lordly, almost. She did miss the stubble though, but didn’t have the heart to tell him after he clearly put in so much effort. Her face burned again though, and she couldn’t quite understand why as he bowed, extending a hand.

“Y-yes!” Aveline’s voice squeaked and she pushed a hand over her mouth, her face going dark from the blush in her cheeks. Composure, Aveline. Just because her mother wasn’t there didn’t mean she could just do anything. “Gladly.” she finally managed and extended a gloved hand, taking his.

“Where are we going? I’ve never…” she grimaced a little, embarrassed. She’d never gone into town on her own before, only with her mother and a guard present at all times, and never beyond the first district. She knew painfully little of the city that she had lived in for the past ten years. All she knew were stories of disease and violence, and she squeezed Roland’s hand. “...you’ll keep me safe, won’t you?”

[Roland]

Right before Roland emerges he adjusts his collar, why do nobles wear this stuff? It's so uncomfortable? He wonders and then emerges and pulls his gentlemanly act.

Roland initially misses Aveline's blush, but notices it when he looks up as she takes his hand. He squeezes it lightly and smiles in what he hopes is a reassuring way, though it comes off kinda awkwardly since he had no idea what he was doing. Though seeing her light up he figures he'd done well which made him kinda happy.

As he leads her from the barracks he begins to try and figure out exactly what they were going to do. Hmmm, if I'm going all out normally I'd go somewhere fancy, but I suppose she's seen a lot of places much nicer than I can afford. He ends up admitting to himself. Though as he continues to think he comes up with an idea, and when she admits she's never really been out on her own he decides it'll probably be much more exciting than going to some fancy play.

Though when she asks him if he would protect her he leans down slightly to look her in the eyes with a serious expression on his face. "Listen Aveline, for today I am your exclusive guard, I promise on my magic and my honor that I will protect you from harm if something happens." After that he stands up and continues on with her hand in his.

Roland steps over to a carriage and thinks about using it, but after some consideration he realizes that he'd need to send it back and it could get complicated. He considers his options for a moment. The lion would be kinda intimidating... hmm, something comfortable...I've got it!

"Wait here for a moment." Roland says and then jogs back into the castle, after some fusing and the use of his right of requisition he emerges holding a rug that was not currently being used due to the season. He uses his force magic to repel the dust off of it and then lays it out on the ground.

"Well Milady, it's been a while since I've done this, but you'll probably like this trick." He says as he exhales causing the carpet to come to life, next he steps onto it and closes his eyes, then he use his magic and give the carpet the ability to lift itself from the ground using his magic when he wished it...this was not a practical spell since it took a lot of energy, but if he was just making a quick flight to the other end of the city he'd be fine, he'd done much longer trips in the past.

As the carpet begins to hover Roland extends his hand down to Aveline, "well ready to go out and see the world?"

[severine]

Aveline expected Roland to move her hand to his arm as they walked, but him continuing to grasp her hand as he lead her along was unexpected. It was certainly more forward than she expected, but she couldn’t object. After all, she thought looking up at him, it wasn’t unwelcome. Then he turned and addressed her so blatantly without a title attached to her name and Aveline was clearly thrown. The heat in her face was beginning to creep down her neck and to her ears. Oh. He was very serious, then. All she could do was nod, continuing with him.

Aveline sunk a little against the carriage when Roland ran off again, looking down at her hand. She pulled her glove off and pressed her hand to her flushed cheek, trying to will herself to calm down. This was just a date ordained by the gods. That’s all this was. There was no obligation attached to this. But this was the first time for her that it had gone so well. Their last interaction in the royal library had left her with so many questions, but here he was different. She had to wonder if it was the lack of obligation or the fact that she caught him vulnerable. She forced herself to stand back up straight when he returned, pulling her glove back on.

A gasp escaped her at the trick, her hand flying up to her mouth. This magic was incredible! She wished she had the gift herself, to be able to create such wonders. She quickly bent over, touching the carpet. “Roland, this is-” she looked up at him, beaming. She reached up to take his hand once more.

“Is it safe? You’ll make certain I won’t fall off the edge, I mean.”

[Roland]

This is going surprisingly well. Roland thinks to himself as he sets up the carpet, most people have problems with his lack of formality and straight forwardness...at maybe a bit with his bitter attitude, but Aveline seemed to be taking it all in stride pretty well. Though he had to admit he was surprised that this was the same girl that was terrified of him in the library. Well what do you expect with your reputation? he asks himself.

When she asks him if the carpet is safe he grins at her and pulls her on. The carpet was pretty large but the two of them still had to sit shoulder to shoulder to avoid being right on the end. Roland created a bubble of force around them that would dampen any major wind to a simple breeze. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you don't fall, though it might be a good idea to keep a grip on me." He suggests as the two of them rise into the air and begin to fly to the second district.

"I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to take us to the second district guard house so we can change. We'll stick out too much in our current cloths if we go somewhere in any place but First District, and I have something I want to show you." He explains as he looks over the edge and grins widely, it had been a while since he'd flown over this city, he forgot how exciting it was.

Well truth be told he couldn't remember the last time he'd been genuinely excited or had a lot of fun. He looks over at Aveline and then says "hold on tights." Before moving the carpet faster. He lets out an almost boyish laugh as they soar through the air.

"So what do you think of the city?" He asks curiously "seeing it from up here always gives me a different perspective of it."