Common Day (Open)

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The first warm day; with the promise of spring right around the corner. The sun was shining strong and by midmorning it was what most would call warm. Already winter cloaks were being shed, a single layer was all that was needed. The first warm day made the citizens giddy, as everyone seemed to have an extra bounce to their step. Aria was no different, and was more than happy to shed the extra pounds the layers added on. Aria was dressed in a loose off white shirt with billowing sleeves that cinched at her wrist. A full forest green skirt accompanied the outfit; cut just above her ankles which were clad in soft brown shoes. Her waist was defined by the brown corset that she wore; it was plain with very little embellishment. The only thing that betrayed any sort of wealth was the two necklaces she had hanging from her neck. A silver locket with a moon stone at its center on a silver chain; and another necklace on a gold chain just hung below it. The other necklace was a glass vial shaped like a pebble, inside bits and pieces of elemental gems and bits of dried lucky plants sat inside. Arias hair was don up in a high pony tail; tied off with a bright green ribbon. It was one of the ribbons Garrett had placed up in his room for decoration for her party.

Aria hopped along the larger stones of Coppers Head Beach; the common beach of Nova. It still may have been a bit early for visitors but Aria likes combing the beach to see what may have washed up. She had a brown satchel with her where she would place anything interesting she found inside; inside the satchel also contained one of her last midwinter gifts to give. Horribly late; however she had difficulty getting the information she needed to get the present made. She still wasn’t sure if she got it completely right; but she was confident in her ability to judge.

Earlier that day she had sent a message to her friend Roxanne asking her to meet upon the beach. Later they could probably go get lunch at one of the local taverns. She hadn’t spent much time with the girl and it was time for a girl’s night out. Perhaps she would swing by Tres’s place and see if she’d like to join them. Maybe even have a little shopping trip; perhaps Lilith would like to come as well.

Aria hopped along some rather large rocks that jutted out further into the sea; balancing on them perfectly. She stopped just before she got to the area where she’d be hit with sea spray; as it was still to chilly for that. At least it was here. She looked about admiring the coast; unlike the nobles sandy beach, this beach was lined with small smooth stones. Much like the ones found in the springs. The rocky beachy had plenty of tide pools, and most always had something interesting scuttling about. The waves broke out farther from shore; so the water only lapped at the rocky short. It was rather calming with the sound of gulls cawing in the air; and entertaining as one would dive into the water only to come up with a fish in its beak.

[Roxanne]

Roxanne had spent the morning putting the finishing touches on Aria's gift while also lounging on the lakeside. It was a beautiful day, warm for the first time in what seemed like forever. She was glad not to have to wear such heavy clothing or cower indoors because she really didn't like the cold. All that traveling for Aria, the worst part was the weather. Today though, the half demon dug out a two piece outfit consisting of a short sleeved, fitted top and a long, split skirt. The top had a sweetheart neckline, an open back, and was a light lavender color that was unusual for her. The skirt was the same color, it clung to her hips, showing off her midriff, the bottom edges hanging loose, split up to her just above her thigh on her left side. She used the hairpin from Aria to pin back one side of her hair, the left side of course. She'd had it discreetly tailored to have a small slit in the rear, perfect for her tail which twitched idly in the grass as she worked.

After she had finished and it seemed to work to her satisfaction, Roxanne hopped up with a small flap of her wings, skipping a few inches above the ground. She made her way back into her cabin, wrapping the gift loosely in plain green paper and tucking it into her leather satchel. She looped that over her head and walked out, having decided that it was a good day for a flight. Moments later, the half demon was soaring through the clouds, twisting and doing flips and sighing happily. This was the best part of being what she was. She wasn't sure how long she'd been up, not long she thought, when she got the message from Aria. A meet at the beach? Could be interesting, great place for flying, at least. She was more than a bit curious. Straightening out her flight pattern, Roxanne beat her powerful wings a few times, gaining speed and turning towards the beach.

It took her a bit to find said beach. Roxanne flew lower over the water, a few feet above the crashing waves. The half demon found Aria at one end, balancing on some rocks and looking like she was enjoying herself. Roxanne landed gently on of a rock away from the reach of the sea, which was still cold despite the warmer air. "You called?" she questioned, giving Aria a raised brow and a grin. She stood with one hand on her hip, using her tail to maintain her balance as her wings settled against her back.

[Noky]

The sounds of wings could be heard in the distance, and within a few moments, a large black beast could be seen in the sky, circling it's way down to where the woman were. Noky had stuck around Palico, enjoying his time bugging the man called Silas. His master had left him weeks ago, and he'd begun to miss her dearly, so he'd leapt into the air that morning, using his nose to track her down. It had taken a bit of time- the trail had gone a bit cold-- but eventually he found her. His wings brought up sand, as he landed a few feet away from them. Once his feet were fully grounded, he put his wings against his back and trotted up to Aria, pushing her with his head.

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Aria hadn’t waited long before the sound of wing beats caused her to turn; smiling as her friend who was looking rather springish landed not far away. ”Yes I realized I never gave you your midwinter gift; I figured today would be good. We can perhaps have lunch later as well.” Aria smiled; she’d wait to give Roxanne her gift when they weren’t so close to the water. She didn’t want to get it dirty. ”For the time being I figured combing the beach may be a fun activity. So how have you been since returning?” Aria hopped on the rocks and moved closer to the woman; but was soon distracted by another set of wings.

Aria looked up; her eyebrows shooting up in surprise. It would seem her dear little drake had finally graced her with his presence. It would seem he could indeed locate her; even when the trial went cold. She grinned; proud of her little drakes accomplishment. Her arms opened wide as he trotted over to her. ”Noky! Good boy” Aria bent down and hugged the drake around the neck. He was about the size of a large dog. But he still had a good deal of growing to do. She had missed the dragon; and was glad he had come. ”Roxanne this is Noky my drake, Noky this is my friend Roxanne; and I do mean friend.”

Aria turned back to Noky looking him over; he looked healthy. Meaning he hunted well in her absence. ”Noky; I have a gift Noku gave me for you. I think you’ll grow into it nicely. Also Alli is here in Nova as well, so you will have someone around your own age to chat with. I’m sure Lucinda will be happy to see you as well.”

[Roxanne]

Roxanne's grin widened when Aria mentioned she had a gift for her. "That's a neat coincidence. I also have a gift for you. Lunch sounds great though, I haven't eaten yet this morning," the half demon said, watching Aria hop across on the rocks. She nodded when the other woman suggested combing the beach for a bit. "Sure. You never know what could wash up on a beach," she said, pausing to make her way down from the rocks to the beach proper. "I've been alright. I spent a little time with Louie and Serenity at the bar. Overheard Calix telling him about a bounty on Claire and something about a special sword. What else? Oh, I got a new cabin by Dragon Falls and I've started bone carving for hobby. I've been rather bored, actually." Roxanne finished answering Aria's question just as a black drake joined them.

She watched, curious and amused as Aria greeted the drake. "Oh he's yours? Where did you get a drake?" Roxanne asked after the other woman explained. She made her way over to the drake, giving him a gentle smile. "Hello, Noky. It's nice to meet you," she said, listening as Aria talked to her companion. "How have you been since the last time we met? Who's Lucinda?" Roxanne asked once Aria had finished talking.

[Noky]

The dragon nuzzled Aria when her arms went around him, happy to see her. He was hesitant with the other person nearby, and stayed on his guard until Aria confirmed their friendship. Once that was confirmed, Noky dropped his guard, and plopped down into the sand, happy to finally be resting.

His head was tilted up, cocked to the side as Aria spoke to him. He didn’t know what the gift was, but it made him excited for it. He made a small noise of approval, and rested his head down in the sand. He’d be ready to move if they did, but until then he was relaxing.

[Deleted]

”That is amusing; and good I asked Calix to start sending people out on that. That special sword is a dear friend of mine; he’s been with me for eight years until Claire stole him from the castle….unfortunately I cannot go and get him without questions being raised…..” Arias face fell; she did miss Core terribly and so much had happened since they were apart. Her attention turned back to her little drake; whom seemed quite exhausted from his trip. It was a long flight and he had done quite splendidly…even if he took his sweet old time doing it. Her smile only growing when she noticed he only let his guard down after she had declared Roxy a friend. He’d turn into a fine little soldier yet. She couldn’t wait for him to see his new saddle that Noku got him; along with the new place she had being made for him as well.

Aria clapped for her friend when she said she had obtained a new home; and what sounded like a splendid location. ”Oh that is lovely the coincidences just keep coming. I’ve gotten a new location as well. I’m still having things built along with needing to meet with Noku and discuss some business before anything’s finalized. Once it’s done you must come visit. Also bone carving sounds interesting; I would imagine its delicate work”

Aria looked down at Noky when Roxy questioned where she got him, along with the other questions that fallowed. ”Well I got him as a gift from Silas the King of Palico when he appointed me head dragon trainer. He hatched on my way to Palico. Lucinda is Silas’s sister the Princess of Palico; she’s become a friend since…well actually the day after the execution. She’s been the main supporter of my place within the courts; and frankly the reason why I’ve been made a Duchess.”

[Roxanne]

Roxanne gave Aria a quizzical look, turning her head to the side as she listened to the woman explain further about the sword. "I suspected it was something like that, considering the information you gave me the last time we spoke. I was planning on going after it myself, either way. Claire never did sit well with me but I also know her penchant for sharp and shiny things," the half demon said, smiling wickedly for a moment as she contemplated what she could do to Claire with all of her own swords. Remembering her manners after a moment, Roxanne returned her attention to Aria who was commenting on their new abodes.

"I'd love to come visit once you have it finished and approved or whatever you need done to it. You can come visit me too but it sounds like your place is much grander. I don't even have proper furniture yet," Roxanne said, laughing a bit. She really needed to go furniture shopping but she wasn't quite sure how to get it all the way out to Dragon Falls once she purchased or acquired it. She laughed as the other red head contemplated on bone carving being delicate work, nodding. "It is. I'm still learning but I'm teaching myself so it's a long process. Actually, that's what I was working on before I left." she said, pulling a small, green something from her satchel. "This is late but I finally got you a gift this year," the half demon said, smiling a little as she handed the present to Aria. It was loosely wrapped in green paper and upon unwrapping, the young goddess would find a delicately carved bone flute. It was small, only having 4 holes, but Roxanne had also managed to fashion a sort of string for it from what appeared to be dried tendons.

Afterwards, she listened as Aria went on to answer her question about the drake, looking rather impressed. "You've gotten in with a rather well to do crowd these days, it sounds like. Just be careful ok? I don't trust nobles at all. No offense," Roxanne said, then smiled. "I'm sure you can handle yourself and it sounds like it has some decent perks, at least."

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”I’ll be talking to Noku about it soon I sent him a letter asking him if we could a little while ago. But it is gorgeous; location reminds me of the glade a bit. As for getting you furniture; I don’t think that will be too difficult. I’m already helping Serenity with that. In fact when we go to the market this afternoon we can look for pieces for your home.” Aria smiled; she very much wouldn’t mind helping get furniture for Roxanne’s home. It was nice to hear she had a place of her own. ”Dragon Breath falls is a lovely area; I know a few of the nobles have summer homes in that area.”

Aria listened as Roxanne explained she was still learning how to carve; but it was good she picked up a hobby…especially one that fit her so well. Aria was surprised when she pulled the small parcel from her bag. She wasn’t expecting to do gifts here; but she suppose it would work. Aria smiled as she accepted the gift with thanks and opened it; careful not to let the paper fly away in the breeze. She picked up the flute with a grin; it was the second flute she had gotten this midwinter. However she loved music as much as she loved books. This gift had Roxanne written all over it. ”Thank you; I love it. This is definitely one of the more unique gifts I have gotten this year.” She chuckled. She would play it later to see how it sounded. But for now she had a gift of her own to give Roxanne. Aria placed the extra paper in her back before pulling out another gift. Wrapped in shiney brown paper with a gold ribbon. ”I have my own gift for you; I saw it in a traveling’s merchants cart and thought of you. So I had to get it.”

When Roxanne opened the gift she would fine a long floor length satin gown in black orange and red. The material was the type that would hug each of the demons curves that she loved to show off. The dress had long sleeves that came to points that attached to her middle fingers with a black ring; delicately carved with flowers. The material of the sleeves was see through material; ones that started just off the shoulder in a shade of orange that faded into a dark red. On the left arm a black metal arm band wrapped around the sleeves in a branch like pattern; a black chain wrapped around it with a sharp black metal spike at the end which was sharped to the point of it being able to be used as a knife. The black part of the dress was done in a sweat heart neckline and a corset style back. The material was a silky satin; the inside of the dress the same orange fading into red. Easily seen by the large split going up to the left leg. The split kept going up sliding across the dress at the top of her hip and stopping just below the right breast. From the hip on small black sections of the material were kept to allow the dress to stay in place; but enough to give a bit of peekaboo skin. A black chain started at the top of the left breast and wrapped around the shoulders and neck to a pretty black metal choker; like the rings delicate flowers were carved into it. A flower petals of metal and glass sat at the clasp of the necklace. Orange fading into red; with a black metal outlining three petals that spread out in a half circle around the clasp. The back of the dress was low; low enough that Roxanne’s demonic tail could have free roam; At the shoulder of each of her dress a flame like material burst forth adding a bit more edge to the dress. Decorative black material spread out from a clasp at the center of the breast and wrapped around her arms. The material came up and attached themselves to the back of her shoulders before dropping down in long strands to the floor. The material fading from black to a deep red. At the end of each strand of material decorative beads hung made out of black and orange tiger eye gemstones. Aria had even included shoes with the dress; black shoe’s with a slight heel. With a decorative piece that traveled up her calf’s that very much matched the black arm bracelet.

As Roxanne opened her gift Aria listened as she mentioned she had gotten in with the nobles. ”Noku’s been kind to me; and so has Lucinda. Melda’s fairly protective as well. I’m kinda weirded out that Noku seems to have as big of a sweet tooth as I do…and somehow I have permission to sit in his lap... There’s a sense of humor in there somewhere. I do miss being able to just goof around when I feel like it though; can’t do it nearly as much anymore.”

The dress

[Roxanne]

Roxanne listened as Aria commented, moving to reach a careful hand out to the drake, holding it up in a questioning gesture for permission to touch it. While she waited on the drake's response, she bounced her attention between it Aria, smiling. "I hope your new place gets approved, it sounds like that might be a bit tricky. If it reminds you of the glade, it does indeed sounds gorgeous. I'd appreciate the help with the furniture though I'm not sure how the hell to get it all the way out to Dragon Falls. Aside from carriages, of course but I do so hate to babysit," Roxanne said, musing. When Aria mentioned it was a lovely area, she nodded. "Indeed it is. My cabin sits on the lake edge and has a beautiful, unmatched view of the falls," she answered, sighing happily.

The half demon smiled as Aria opened her gift, professing love for it and its uniqueness. "I carved that myself, in case that wasn't obvious. The sound is a bit eerie but still pretty, I double checked it before calling it finished. I have to say, the whistle of wind through bone is definitely unique," she commented, smiling. Her face changed to one of curiosity when Aria presented her with a gift as well, carefully opening the box and gasping lightly as the gown was revealed. She beat her wings lightly, lifting off the ground just about a foot, and pulled the dress out, allowing it to fall its full length without touching the sand. "Oh Aria, this is beautiful! I love it!" she exclaimed, as she hung it on her tail so she could touch it with both hands. The half demon spent several minutes exploring the details, marveling at the feel of the material and the sharpness of the metal spike. The box rested on the sand below and Roxanne noticed the shoes peeking out along with an additional accessory. "This might very well become a choice working outfit, Aria. It's brilliant in its usefulness," Roxanne said. She lowered the dress slowly, collapsing it neatly back into the box and then set down herself. She stepped forward, wrapping the tiny red head in a hug. "Thank you," she said, smiling afterward.

The half demon listened as Aria described some of the nobles, including the king, who apparently gave Aria permission to sit in his lap. Roxanne's eyebrows rose at that, laughing a bit. "I'm kind of weirded out hearing all this from a fellow outlaw. But as long as you're happy, that's all I'm concerned with," she said.