Romanticide (Mature/TW: Abuse)

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Lilith watched with wide eyes as Aria called out the boy, before Severine got him taken away. She kept this detail to herself for the time being, but that had been the boy that had brought Lillth to the Kings Bathing chambers in the first place! My, he really was an idiot. However, by bringing her to those chambers, she had ended up being courted by the king, so that was good… but still. She turned her attention back to Severine, blinking as she spoke to her. Oh, thank you Lady Zoe. That means a lot. She smiled, although it was hollow, wondering how Yul was going to fair. She glanced down at the cat in her lap, wondering if Yul had a similar fate before shivering; what kind of thoughts were those?

Lilith took one hand away from the cat, surprisingly she had no blood on this hand, and picked up the tea cup, bringing it to her lips before stopping a moment. She had to be safe. Doubting a noble like Severine was probably idiotic beyond belief, but then again, trusting her was probably just as dumb. Lilith quickly purified the tea in the cup like Aria had taught her not long ago, then continued to take a sip, a small one in case it was too hot. She brought the cup down, a smile on her face. You were right, this tea is delicious! She remarked, bringing up the topic from before.

She glanced back and forth between Aria and Severine, not sure how to asses their situation and smiled awkwardly as Severine turned her attention back to the elf. The trial? Oh, um..Yes actually, I will be. She cleared her throat and glanced at Aria nervously, wondering if that would be news to her friend.

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Aria placed her tea down for a moment, a calm expression on her face as Severine disagreed with her. Continuing to try to weave it so that in a way Aria would agree with her. But frankly Aria really honestly did not consider herself close with Noku. Just because he spent time with her on occasion, did not mean he was close. At the moment it was barely more than an acquaintance. But apparently his title as king seemed to complicate matters. Aria tucked a stray hair behind a pointed ear; and finally replied. ”If we continue along the line of that thought; I am at this very moment spending time in your company. Does that make us close?” She may not know Noku well, but even she could guess that Noku wouldn’t be happy that Severine was perpetrating such gossip.

Aria took another sip of the tea she had purified; something really was off about this tea the more she tasted it. Eventually she put her cup down to listen to Liliths answer about being at the trail. She was curious as to why this information would be important…Though she was glad that Lilith would be there so she knew someone to sit with…it would either be Lilith or Melda. Aria caught Liliths glance and shrugged. ”It would make sense you would attend his trial; he was your teacher for a short while was he not?” Aria turned back to Severine. ”Speaking of the trail, what is your take on the matter at hand? Also how is Lady Aveline fairing; I heard she has been ill”

[severine]

A laugh peals from Severine, practiced and feminine, waving her hand at Aria’s line of questioning. “Oh, ask me that again in a decade.” She leans forward, the kindly smile still on her face, tilting her head towards the waifish elf. “Well, I’m certain with your practical experience you’re accustomed to blood and guts. That should keep your stomach settled if there is to be an execution.” Which there certainly would be, if she had any say in the matter. Her gaze turned back to Aria, her sharp shoulders shrugging as she leaned back in her chair.

“My simple view of the matter is that he is guilty, what other answer can there be? The former Captain was always a stubborn man who insisted on things go his way. It’s not a stretch to see that those insistences would also extend to matters of state.” Her expression breaks for an instant, a snarl crossing her lips. “And to matters of my daughter.”

Severine takes another long sip of tea before placing the cup back down, looking back up to Aria. “My daughter is in recovery from her ordeal. It’s quite traumatized her. Whatever spell the former Captain placed her under still holds strong, I’m afraid it will need time to be undone.”

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❊ BACK TO NEVERLAND ❊

Lilith shifted in her seat, not sure what to make of the exchanges between Aria and Severine- but she knew to stay out of it. Lilith was nothing if not neutral. When Aria brought up the logic behind Lilith attending, she hesitated, nodding after a moment. Oh… yes. Captain Walker was my mentor for the better of two months, as well as my employer for far longer. If it weren’t for him, I might have killed myself trying to heal people… Lilith spoke carefully, not wanting to cross a line with Severine. Though, I’m going because His Majesty believed it would be a good idea… Lilith mumbled, feeling like she had to add that, lest Severine think she was going to support Roland…

I am unbiased on his case… I don’t fully know why he’s being put on trial- no one’s said much to me about it. Plus, I don’t know much about him in general, even while working under him, he didn’t speak much… So I would stick with my neutrality… Lilith didn’t say anything about Severine’s stance, in hope that her respect for it, would earn some in turn. At the mention of blood and guts, Lilith frowned. Well, although it wouldn’t bring me large discomfort, I do hope it doesn’t come to that… whatever he may be, or may not be guilty of, I don’t believe in dying for it. Unless he committed murder himself… Lilith stood firm on that, not liking the thought of death unless completely warranted.

Talking of Lady Aveline, Lilith perked up slightly, remembering the young woman sweetly. She’d attended a tea party with her not long before this, and had worked semi along side her for a short time. I’m happy to hear she’s okay; I’ve been meaning to go check on her myself, offer my assistance in any way I can. She’s always been so warm to me, I figure it’s the least I can do after all she’s been through. Lilith refused to comment on the “spell”, not wanting to even go near that topic.

WORDS:--- TAGS: @tag NOTES:

SHIN OF GS + ADOX

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Aria tilted her head to the side as Severine laughed and asked her to ask her that in a decade….would the woman live that long? She looked ancient already…and she was mortal from what she could tell. But it seems that she may have made her point; as Severine and herself definitely were not what one would call...close. Their first meeting after all was this woman having her arrested after all. In fact Aria was surprised the woman was actually not addressing her as vermin at the current moment. Really she was being kind to the point of suspicion. At least with her last meeting with Aveline there was still a hint of dislike. That was genuine ….this felt rehearsed. As the topic turned to a possible execution, and Severine trying to make Lilith squirm. A small but dopey smile came across Aria’s features as she put in her warped two cents. ”I like to paint with it” Severine would likely be confused; however Lilith, knowing the first time Aria ever brought her a patient…did indeed paint with the blood that had been spewn across the library’s floor. In the form of a large smiley face and ladies under garments on Sadens statue. Course he then had her clean it up without magic but that was to be expected.

As the topic came to Walker Aria’s facial features took on a more serious tone. ”I fully agree that he is a stubborn man who had serious black and white views on what should and shouldn’t be and you’re not wrong that it wouldn’t be a stretch to think that he would carry the same ethics into his work. But what specific matters of state do you believe he was insistent on and for what motives?” Aria didn’t agree on a number of opinions that Walker had. In fact he mostly rubbed her the wrong way. However his black and white views were strictly regarding the law, to which he would fallow to a T. Whether they were wrong or right. The circumstances surrounding his trail were fairly difficult; she knew he had sherked duties and was accuuused of kidnapping Aveline. But was there another matter she was not aware of? Her eyebrow arched as the kind smile on Severines featured was replaced with a snarl that seemed much more fitting. ”You believe Walker forced Aveline into going with him?”

A bit more of her question was answered as Severine referred to Avelines marriage as an ordeal…and that there was a possible spell placed upon the girl. ”If you are worried about an infatuation spell; perhaps you should pray to Ai. Maybe even bring the girl to Crystal springs. I do not think the goddess of love would stand for falsehood. Let the matter fall into a gods hands” If Aveline was truly in love with Walker then perhaps good would come out of that visit as well…if it was what her mother was worried about then it would be resolved….and perhaps save the girl some more trauma. Aria nodded when Lilith said she meant to go visit Ave soon. ”I would but I’m pretty sure I still give her the creeps.”

[severine]

Severine turns her gaze to Aria at the girl’s comment on painting with blood, her smile not leaving her face. “Is that so?” Of course the little worm would be doing that. Still, better to call her bluff regardless. It was an unseemly, disgusting hobby whether true or not. “You’ll have to show me. Perhaps one of your servants could bring a piece here, now? I’d love to take a look.
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“And I cannot speak on matters of state here, but all will become clear in the trial. Those matters are confidential between Lord Breton and myself.” Severine’s head dips at Lilith, her brows furrowing at her. Her question was simple, but would dig in a place where Lilith could not hide from it.

“But- as a woman how can you be neutral on such a topic?” She reaches her gloved hand over, grasping the tea kettle and pouring herself a new cup. The scratches hidden under her glove burn as she pours, reminding her of her own hypocrisy. Not that it mattered. What was more important was to put Lilith in a firm box that she could not wriggle free from.

She lifts her tea to her lips, sipping deeply as Aria speaks. Prayer. When had prayer ever worked? It didn’t return her daughter to her when she asked. What could would it do now? It would do none. “Of course I believe that. It’s obvious. You’ve seen the man, have you not? No woman has approached him despite his title of nearly twenty years and my daughter is the first? It’s improbable.” she takes another sip, letting her racing heart calm. She couldn’t show too much emotion. “And I have tried prayer. Whatever he has done as held fast. I’ve recommended isolation for her and the outcome of the trial should see her cured. She will not desire to see either of you until the trial is concluded.” By then, Severine thinks, she will have time to figure out what to do with her, and the parasite growing inside her.

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”My last piece was done at the library; unfortunately they are done in the moment and are not lasting….the red loses its luster after a while. However if the chances presents itself I’ll certainly indulge you if you wish.” Last piece she did was actually in the library; wasn’t her best as she was painting it with her paws…butttt it was to try to lighten the intense atmosphere. She did have to say the bikini on the Saden statue was a nice touch….even if he made her scrub it by hand with no magic after. It was worth it.

As Severine pushed Lilith for more of an opinion Aria raised her brow…”Roland was Lilith’s former teacher; and as you just stated the details of his case have not and will not be shared to anyone but yourself and Breton. I believe Lilith’s neutrality to be wise given the information she has on the subject.”

Aria was quiet as Severine gave her opinion on Roland and Aveline’s relationship. Aria highly doubted that Roland had placed Aveline under a spell. Even short glimpses of the two together she could tell Roland was…softer when addressing Aveline. It was not impossible the girl got to see a face that the man did not let others see. After all even in her own small experience, love had a habit of bringing out the softer side. Garrett was never as goofy around others as he was with her. Aria looked down as she felt something tug on her skirt…Noky apparently had enough of sitting quietly. Aria pat the drake on the head and looked up; there were things she had to do anyways. ”You will have to forgive me but I must be going; but since I’m here Lilith, there was something I actually wanted to do with you today. I’ve come across some very interesting medical herbs. I would like you to take a look at them and help transplant them into pots. I’d like to give some to the castle along with the infirmary that’s in the second district. It’s a bit of a job for just two hands, would you very much mind coming with me?”