Tarnished Opulence [open]

[Yuki D'Avranches]

“That would be fine. It will be nice finally see that lays outside of this city.” She didn’t care truly if they stayed at someone’s estate, a nice inn would be nice as well. But she wasn’t going to suggest that since it would make people think that the two were more involved than they are already. Still she couldn’t wait for day that she can finally leave Nova even for a few moons to and see what lay beyond the wall of her fair city.

Smiling softly understanding his reason for not allowing her to help. It wasn’t uncommon that nobles don’t really do manual labor, but learnt lots while being away from her mother for short time period. Now being back at home she feels restless with nothing to do in the day that involve physical work.


Looking around at the temple, knowing that it would take a few days to have it restore to it’s former glory. All the tapestry she took note of would have to get replace, the picture of Zepon a new one needs to be hung and just the simple smaller items would need to either get remade or replace as well. Looking at all the work to get done she knew that it might take a while for it to be complete. “I guess your next stop would be the guild district some time in the next few days.”

Laughing at the idea of being more stealthy. “If you find a way then you will have to tell me. I tried everything. Some how Roland knows and make sure to have a guard or two keep an eye on me.” She was thankful that he never mentioned it to her mother, then again he was the one who found her after she ran away and didn’t drag her back home. She also knew that her own guards kept an eye on her when she decided to slip into the city.


“As a priest of a God, Zepon no less you have to go. It’s not everyday you get to meet the God who you serve.” She wasn’t sure was happy to hear him go, maybe it was because she would have someone to talk to. Since everyone would be hiding behind the mask they use everyday. “I might go for the first time this year." 

[Deleted]

Cole nods at the mention of the guild district. Trying to remain optimistic, he decides to focus on the novel experience. “It will be interesting to see an entire district of guilds. Very convenient. I am more used to having to obtain from other cities.”

“Roland?” he asks, curiously. However, it dawns as soon as he asks the question though. “Oh, you mean Sir Roland Walker. It may be more difficult with the head of the mage guard looking after this. But…” He begins pacing to try to think of a plan. “Hmmm… we might be able to sneak out during the guard change. Or when people are busy bringing stuff into the castle. And it might be good to wear a hat or scarf around your face to hide a little more.” Suddenly coming to a stop, he smiles and laughs, “I feel as though I probably should not be helping with this, but it sounds like fun.”

The festival being an obligation makes it slightly less fun. Still, Yuki was right. “This is true. I have never met Zepon in person either. It would be good to introduce myself in person. And if you get a chance, please do attend. It would be nice to have someone I know present.”

[Yuki D'Avranches]

“I guess it would be different, but you do get to see the artist working. It is truly something to see.” Mentioning remembering some of the guilds, she didn’t know them well enough to give a recommendation. Since she did visit the merchant district more often than anything to get her clothes tailored, she didn’t mind the castle tailors but she did enjoy the tailors in the city.



Nodding her head, when he mentioned Roland’s full name. “I never thought of sneaking out during the guard change. A scarf could work but until winter comes it might look weird to be wearing a scarf. I guess a hat would work better until it get colder.” Having a partner in crime helping her plan different ways to sneak out of the castle was nice even if the plans did end up failing. “You know you wanted to help. Plus the planning is half the fun. ”



Not being able to help herself she lightly pinch his arm. “I know what you are thinking.” Placing her hands on her hips she looked into his eyes. “I said you have to go. Not you must go. Zepon would love to meet his new high priest but doesn’t mean he can’t come visit you some other time. I will go this year if you promise me, you wouldn’t see it as an obligation but as a regular party.”

[Deleted]

Cole nods in agreement that a hat made more sense in this weather than a scarf. “A hat would make more sense unless you wanted to pretend you had a summer cold or something. People might not bother you if you seemed sick though.”

He runs the back of his neck and laughs as she says that he wanted to help. “Yes, I suppose I did. And this is exciting.” It’s more fun than he expected to have upon entering the city. A little on the reckless side, but exciting. Besides, as a head clergyman, who would speak ill of him? There was a certain amount of power and prestige in his new position that allowed him to get away with some trivial things.

He smiles fondly as she asks him to attend for reasons other than obligation. He could try to have fun at least. “I promise I will try to have fun and do more than make appearances then. I’d personally be surprised if Zepon wished to speak to me during the party anyways. This seems like it would be a busy time for him. So yes, you are right. I should have fun with this.”

[Yuki D'Avranches]

She shook her head not wanting to even pretend to have a summer cold because with her luck she might end up getting one. Plus faking any illness she done that for years now before she was finally forced to married she didn’t want fake another illness and have some crazy doctor try and heal it. “Hat please, I had enough fake illness to last the rest of my life.”  She said not completing realizing that she had just admitted to have faked illness before to get away with things. 

“It is exciting and have a little adventure to it.” It was always an adventure each time the sneaking out, plus she never did know who she would run into. Sadly it was closest thing that she would have to a real adventure unless one of the Gods came to her and her mother and said that she had to go on a quest for whatever reason it might be.


Smiling brightly happy that he was going to have a little bit of fun at the festival. “Plus everyone would be in a mask. So you never know who you might meet there. As for Zepon you never know he just might try and seek you out to have a word with you.”

[Deleted]

Cole snickers a little as Yuki states her preference for a hat. He’s remembered faking sick when he was younger to get out of his studies. However, that quickly came to a halt when forced to drink the most vile medicine over the course of two weeks. “Understandable. A hat it is then.”

Cole gives Yuki a sympathetic smile. “I take it you must spend a lot of time around the castle.” It wasn’t uncommon for noble women to be confined to their homes. Such a restrictive life. It made sense for Yuki to want to leave on her own occasionally.

Rubbing his arm and looking down, he’s unsure how much he’ll actually be able to blend in with the crowd. “That’s if my mask and clothes don’t make it obvious. I believe I am supposed to commission a special outfit as head priest. It shouldn’t be too difficult to find me. I always feel awkward when people know me and I don’t know them.”

[Yuki D'Avranches]

She smiled happy that Cole understood her settlements about faking sick even if she was to get out of a marriage for some years. Then who at her age never faked sick to get out of work, studies and even marriages. Shaking her thoughts on the last one knowing that she might have been the only one to ever have thought about faking ill to get out of a marriage.


“Yes. Even the gardens on the grounds get boring after some time.” Her eyes downcast remembering the walks in the gardens. The small freedom she got on the day of her wedding which was very small compared to the fact that she was locked in a room until she got away. Surely others in her shoes live wasn’t as restricting as hers was, but then again she never get to ask them.


“I guess your clothes and mask would set apart from everyone else. Also not everyone is going to know who you are. Those of us within the castle might but those born outside of it wouldn’t I am sure. If it helps I could introduce you to some people if I could pick you out in the crowd.” She hoped that he didn’t feel too awkward since surely with everyone there it would hard to pinpoint a single person in the crowd.

[Deleted]

Cole has trouble imagining being confined to such a small of space. It’s a wonder the girl wasn’t married (but the reasoning behind the marriage being called off was still a mystery). She might have slightly more freedom of movement at least. Then again, rushing into a marriage wasn’t something most people wanted. “Well, let me know if you are ever in need of an escort then.”

He counts himself as lucky that the first person that he meets in the city is so willing to help him. After all this was done, he would be in Yuki’s debt quite a bit. “I would appreciate help with introductions. While I know of most them, I haven’t met a fair amount of the families here. What do you think you will wear so I can spot you in what is likely to be quite a crowd?”

[Yuki D'Avranches]

Yuki never thought about asking him to escort her when she is leaving the castle properly. It’s just she didn’t want to bother Cole too much with something so trivial in her mind. Then again one of the reasons she wanted to avoid having a male escort was that she was worried about what her mother would think, she knew that she would approve of Cole more than she would Kail. “Okay, I’ll remember that for next time.”

Thinking for a moment she never really thought about what she was going to wear. She did have her sapphire dress with the silver beading around the waist and top part of the dress. If she could find a simple mask maybe one of the butterfly mask to match the dress not wanting to get a custom made mask. “I’ll be in a sapphire dress and simple matching butterfly mask. Of course I will have a fan.”

Looking towards the door she noticed that her handmaiden May was there with some books in her hand. Sighing she turned to Cole giving him a sad smile. “Sadly I have to get going. I’ll send a message next time I would love for us to meet up.” Being a bit unsure how to whether to hug him or just to shake hands. Deciding to go with the latter she extended her arms pulling him into a hug, letting go for a short moment. “See you around.” Smiling she waited for his response before leaving with May to get her work of the day done.