Relaxing in the Garden

[Lucinda Noru]

After having spent the morning in the gardens with Noku and Aria, Lucinda decided it'd be a great location to take Alli to play and relax. She didn't return to the gazebo however, but rather just went to area of the garden that was closest to her room.  It had a cute fish pond set up in the middle with a small fountain. The area had benches and was shaded by a tall tree and separated by hedges and castle walls from the other garden areas. It seemed like the perfect place to let a little dragon play.

Lucinda had changed out of her earlier ensemble and into one of her silk dresses. It was a very pretty royal blue color with a sweetheart neckline, and short sleeves, which were made with cream colored ruffles.  The dress comprised two layers. The blue layer ended at an angle, the top of which was just above her right knee. Cream colored taffeta fell from the edge of the blue silk to to her ankles. Her blonde hair was in a half ponytail, tied with a blue bow, so it just barely brushed her shoulders and her bangs framed her face.

The Princess set Alli down in grass and settled herself on a nearby bench with her harp, which she had also brought with her. She began to play as Alli wandered around, humming along with the melody as she plucked the strings. The sound was beautiful and the song would be recognized as a festival favorite for this time of year.

[severine]

There was so much work left to do.

Aveline was making a short cut through the gardens, counting off on her fingers the work she had left to complete. She had to speak to Jeon, make certain that Fated girl was safe to trust with the information they were about to provide for her, put together the information from the Moon Temple together for his Majesty, figure out the best way to hide what they were up to from her mother, devise a plan to tell her and sneak away, write a letter to her siblings… the list grew the more she thought of it and it made her head spin with anxiety. It was so much in such very little time.

As Aveline crossed the gardens, her fingers moved up to her throat, slipping under the folded gold silk that crept up her neck. Underneath the cloth a chain lay hidden and she parted the cloth slightly until it touched the small black ring attached to the chain. She let out a sigh of relief when she felt it- it was still there. Her hand went up on reflex, touching the brooch that held the gold wrap covering her hair together. Aveline continued to walk until she heard the sound of the harp and paused.

It was a beautiful sound. She turned her head and detoured in the direction of the music, until she saw the Princess. Her introduction had been less than stellar the other day and doubtless the woman would think her better than trash, but it was good to at least try. She waited until the song ended before stepping forward, curtseying to make herself known, her head bowed low.

“Her Royal Highness plays with such grace. It is a great honor to simply be walking through.”

[Lucinda Noru]

Lucinda looked up, slightly startled at Aveline's arrival. She looked the girl over as she curtseyed and offered her compliments on the music. Last time she had seen Aveline, the girl had shown a disgrace to his majesty on behalf of her mother. A lesser person might not offer her a chance to redeem herself, however Lucinda liked to consider herself fair and reasonable. "Thank you. I didn't catch your name the other morning in court? To be formal, I am Lucinda Noru and it's a pleasure to make your official acquaintance," she said, getting the introductions out of the way.

The princess gestured to the bench. "You may keep me company, if you'd like. I have some questions I would ask of you. If you don't mind, of course," she offered. Her face was calm though a curiosity lurked in her gaze and her voice was light and friendly enough.

[severine]

“Aveline Zoe, your Highness.” Aveline approached, hands folded in front of her. “It is a great pleasure to make your official acquaintance.” while it was difficult for Aveline to truly dislike anyone- that was her mother’s forte- she could not claim any fondness for the new Princess. She was a Noru, clearly, more after her cousin his Majesty’s ilk. A beautiful face hiding a spiteful and quick to vengence tongue. But Aveline smiled regardless, masking her distrust of the girl and proceeded to sit on the bench beside her.

They could both play at this game of words.

“Anything her Highness wishes to know. Within reason, of course.” Aveline laughed, folding her hands in her lap. “We must all have our little secrets as ladies, must we? But I want to make your stay in our court as comfortable as possible, your Highness.”

[Deleted]

As soon as it’s little claws touched the grass it was off, bouncing around like a spazy ferret. She wanted to smell everything; get her nose into everything. She had been burrowing under a large bush when a new voice entered the area. Her little white head poked up covered in dirt. She cautiously crept through the plants for a closer view. She crept silently up behind the two girls, slipping underneath the bench. In an instant the young dragonlet found herself in the very tent like skirts...at least for a small dragon... of the new woman, curiously licking her leg.

[Lucinda Noru]

Lucinda smiled in earnest as Aveline joined her. "Thank you,Aveline. I'm glad we've got the formalities out of the way,"she said, sighing a bit. She set her harp off to the side.

"Now then, how' have you been since the court? I haven't seen you about and you looked rather distraught last time I did see you," she began, sounding and looking genuinely concerned. The wine had been drugged, after all. "I wanted to ask you if you knew what following your mother's instructions would bring when she bade you taste Uncle Noku's wine? I'd like to say that I don't hold you responsible either way. You were just doing what you were told were you not?" Lucinda questioned, seeming more curious than anything.

The princess heard the scurrying around but couldn't see her little dragon and after Alli quieted, a slightly worried look settled on her face. "Alli? Where'd you go?" She called into the garden.

[severine]

“I have been a member of his Majesty’s court since I was ten. So nearly eleven years now.” Aveline smiled. “It is not surprising that her Highness did not notice me- I do not make a habit of drawing attention to myself and I am ill rather frequently.”

Aveline tilted her head a little. “Of course I knew, your Highness. I have a strong immunity and my mother is fragile. It is a habit we share between us-” she gave a start, looking down at her skirts. She had felt something- she lifted the gold silks and eased the dragon out with her foot. She laughed a little, her cheeks flushing.

“Curious little thing, isn’t it?”

[Lucinda Noru]

Lucinda nodded, listening, as Aveline answered her. She was a little surprised that Aveline had been here so long but she had a good point. "It's surprising that you've been here so long and I'd never heard of you but I do not visit often. I am sorry to hear that you are so often ill, but that would certainly explain things. Do you mind if I ask why you are so ill despite your high immunity?" she said, curiosity ringing in her questions.

Their next distraction came in the form of Alli and Lucinda laughed as Aveline edged her out from her skirts. "There you are! Are you causing problems for Lady Aveline?" she questioned the little dragon, reaching to pick her up and settle her on her lap. Aveline would notice that Lucinda had pulled a pair of falconer's gloves from under skirts to do so. "May I introduce my lovely companion, Alli, the house dragon?" she announced playfully, tickling the dragonlet behind her horns.

[severine]

“My health can be fragile at times, but when I was a child I was very… curious. I underwent an accident as a child that left me with a strong immunity against certain poisons. I am afraid to say my health has suffered a little as a result from that accident, however.” Aveline’s fingers twitched against the skirt, smiling like she is embarrassed. “I must confess I suffer from food poisoning rather easily. My mother is vigilant in looking after me when those spells occur, however.”

She watched Lucinda scoop up the tiny dragon and her eyebrows raised, clearly surprised. What an odd pet for a princess. “She is a lovely companion.” she remarked, keeping her hands folded in her lap.

[Deleted]

The dragon looked up with big innocent eyes as its hiding place was exposed, and let out a small chortle, before climbing up Lucinda’s skirts to sit in her lap. Then proceeded to inspect the other woman closer.

[Lucinda Noru]

"That's very unfortunate. It sounds like you're lucky to be here at all," Lucinda commented after listening to Aveline's explanation. "Back to the original topic though, if you knew that tasting his chalice without his permission that he would be upset, why would you go ahead with that? It's very disgraceful; it also made both you and your mother look ungrateful rather than just your mother alone," she continued, her voice at this point bordering between confusion and thoughtfulness.

Lucinda gently held Alli as she continued to be nosy about Aveline and smiled. "Thank you. She's only a few days old. She was a gift from my brother before I left Palico," she explained. "Have you ever seen a dragon?" she asked.

[Deleted]

Aveline shifted uncomfortably. “Your Highness-” she began, then bit down on her words. She sighed. “No, I cannot claim to have seen one in person.” she moved topics to the dragon, then stood. She smiled once more.

“I’m afraid I am on a rather urgent errand, your Highness. But believe me that my family meant no offence towards yours, especially towards his Majesty. We love him much too dearly.” Aveline took a step back and began to walk away, “Please, enjoy your stay here. I look forward to seeing what you will be wearing at the Festival!”