Private Tales The Es-Cah-Pay

[Leon Ilayda]

Leon Ilayda held the piece of paper that carried the missive with his directions written in perfect, beautiful script. He read it again for the hundredth time as he looked around the empty streets this deep into the Midnight Market of Underhill. The letter told him where, when, and what to look for – a red carnation - he was meeting this day. The words read, we have something that we wish to hide and entrust into the Dawn Court’s safe keeping for a year and a day. We request for someone to collect it and escort it safely and keep it safe for that duration. It was quite possibly the weirdest request he had seen and why anyone would entrust the court of chaos with anything floored him. He had volunteered to go as representation for the Dawn Court since he would be able to easily manipulate the situation if it was some sort of trap.

The low light of Underhill really made it perfect for secret meetings and sneaking in and out of areas undetected. He stood in the shadows near the specified tavern, scanning the thin trickle of people for the person who would be delivering said it wearing a red carnation. No luck yet.

It was truly driving him insane being in the Winter Court and not being able to start any trouble. He was trying to be good. He was representing his Court and he did not want to embarrass them – today. His resolved lasted a whole minute before the most adorable Fae couple came into view. They were kissing and giggling and clearly on their way to a secret hookup spot.

A mischievous smile crossed his lips as he let his power flow from him. It flowed across the street and wrapped its dark tendrils around the female. She immediately stopped laughing and started yelling at the male for cheating on her. He, of course, denied it and she slapped him hard. She turned on her heel and marched angerly from the direction they had come. The male ran after her. He could hear the shouting for several more minutes before it went quiet again.

He lived for that stuff. He liked messing with relationships more than anything else, but that did not stop him from manipulating other things – other people – too. He refocused on looking for the person he was meeting. He was ready to get this done with.

 

[Alynthi]

Why Dawn? Because chaos was where she'd thrive and her father knew it. It was the obvious choice, for no other court was likely to deal with the sorts of trouble she caused. In Dawn, she could learn, in Dawn, she might even do well. Alynthi may not have had much choice in leaving the Night Court right now, but this was the only way she was going to go without a fuss.

She had never been to the Underhill. She'd heard stories of its markets and so despite her guard's insistence that they not tarry, she had already made up her mind that whilst she was here, she'd explore. She wandered the array of traders stalls with the childlike wonderment of one kept on far too short a leash, now finally free to roam on her own. Of course, she wasn't on her own, and Haven was still harping on at her heels.

"M'Lady I'm afraid I must insist else we risk the representative from the Dawn court leave." the worn looking male flapped at her heels. The red carnation looked ridiculous in his hair, but she'd bid that he wear it since red wasn't her colour and he'd reluctantly relented to save himself the headache of an argument.

"Must you always be such a nag?.." the female rolled her eyes as her fingers danced over various vials of tonics and tinctures, powders and potions. The raven that bobbed and swayed on her shoulder let out a cackle of a sound, seemingly in agreement. Aly's lips quirked.

"Just a few minut--"

"ALYN---!" He almost blurted her name at the top of his lungs and she rounded on him, her eyes wide with warning, but he'd already realised his mistake and he let a sigh tumble from his lips, lowering his tone as he went on. "Please allow me to fulfil your father's orders. It was agreed that if you diverted from the plan I am authorised to take you back. If a cell would suit you better.." he frowned.

Alynthi glared at him for a long moment before baring her teeth with a sneer, having little to do but relent and she adjusted her hood with a huff. "Fine. Whatever will get you out of my hair sooner." she muttered and shoved passed him.

"Trust me, My Lady, the feeling is mutual." he growled in response, and ushered her to the meeting place to wait just in time to see domestic argument. Her head tilted at the little scene with a twitch of amusement on her lips.

"They're here somewhere.." she commented quietly, and the raven on her shoulder clicked his beak mischievously.

 

[Leon Ilayda]

Leon had taken to sending small bursts of power towards passerbys until they looked around the area in confusion like they forgotten where they were going. He was trying to keep his mischief managed for the time being. It was not long, though, and his eye caught the red carnation...in the hair...of a very tired looking male Fae.

The man was walking with a smaller figure that had a hood on its head and raven on its shoulder. He immediately got that feeling in his gut that he should not have left Leogaire on this errand.

He casually stepped out of the shadow and crossed in front of the two Fae that were clearly looking for him. He sighed deeply before delivering the last line that was on the message. He really hated himself right now. "She shells sheshells down by the sheshore."

Leon swore and pointed a finger at the man with the carnation. "I'm not saying it again. You got it. Now what is all of this about?" He looked from the man to the hooded person and raised an eyebrow in impatience.

 

[Alynthi]

Haven straightened as the male approached them, taking a side step in front of the smaller figure and lifting a hand toward the male, mutely waiting on confirmation that he was the one who'd been sent to collect the 'something' detailed in the General's letter. As the alliterative little sequence was attempted, the guard sighed, offering a tight lipped smile in apology at the sound of a snort coming from the hooded figure behind him. That little line had been her addition..

As Haven stepped aside, Alynthi lifted her gaze from the ground, her lips twisted as she tried to contain a childish laugh. Her violet eyes like shards of crystal, sparkled in amusement. She said nothing as she studied the Fury with intrigue, her head tilting in obvious consideration. He was a head taller than Haven and had a solidness to him, as though a flood could wash around him without uprooting his feet. Her father had been insistent that Haven ensure whomever was sent to collect her, could 'handle' her. Haven had apparently decided that he could.

"I am Haven, M'Lord, and this is Lady Alynthi Farrow.." he cleared his throat, hoping to the Gods that she would be swiftly taken off of his hands. "General Farrow is grateful for the Dawn Court's hospitality in this...situation.." he dipped his chin and set a hand firmly on Alynthi's lower back, ushering her toward the male. The raven's wings ruffled and he cawed in warning at the male touching her.

"Her things will be sent separately." he added with a quick bow and a nod to his charge before making an attempt to swiftly flee before the Fury had any opportunity to refuse.

 

[Leon Ilayda]

Leon tilted his head slightly to the right as the snort came from under the hood. A female, huh? He thought with some amusement and then she looked up. Her face was still shrouded in some shadow from the hood and the fact that she was foot shorter than him, but he could see the amused smile on her lips. He studied those lips and wondered what the rest of her face looked like. She was the daughter of a General in the Night Court and she was being sent away. This meant that she had gotten into some serious trouble.

He was pulled from his reverie at Haven’s next words. Situation. He thought back to the message and how it called this tiny Fae a something. Leon growled, actually growled at the escort. His teeth clenched as the woman and her raven were pushed toward him.

"That," he pointed at the woman, "is a whole ass Fae woman not a something." He tried to catch Haven's attention but the man mumbled about her belongings and then he was gone. "Hey, you come bac..." Leon realized his protests were falling on deaf ears as the guard disappeared from view.

He looked at her and sighed. "Well then, I guess you are my problem now, Miss Farrow. I am not hurry to return to Dawn Court in light of the recent change in events. You are not the something we were expecting. Is there anything you want to do in Underhill?"

He knew how women were treated in the Night Court and he was not about to treat her like an object even if that is what he was told he was getting this day.

Alynthi

 

[Alynthi]

Alynthi's slender brows rose as she was referred to as 'that', and the raven snapped his beak at the offending index finger that had the audacity to point at her.

A whole ass Fae woman?..

The chagrin on her face was quickly replaced by something between a smirk and a frown as she looked between him and the departing guard. "Yes I do have a whole ass, but it's improper to comment on a female's assets before one has even extended a proper greeting." she said, her voice soft with politeness with an undertone of beguilement.

Her lips pursed and she lowered her cloak hood, revealing her silvery-blonde hair now that she didn't have Haven nipping at her ear to keep it covered. She wore a circlet of silver crescents, her eyes settling on his face like moonstones rimmed in a dark purple powder that made them all the more intense. She smiled, showing her pearly teeth.

"So far you have called me 'That' , commented on my backside and insinuated that I am a 'problem' to you. I wonder, are you this rude to all of your guests?.." she asked with a slight tilt of her head.

"And as for your question. Yes." she nodded, and without any further explanation she turned to stride off, now finally free to wander the markets.

 

[Leon Ilayda]

Leon was about to introduce himself when she removed the hood from her face. He paused with his mouth open and his breath caught. She was absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. Her purple eyes bore into him with all the intensity of a scorned woman and he all of a sudden wanted to do whatever she told him to do. When she smiled, he seemed to come back to himself.

As he took in her words, he chuckled. She was off before he could reply again and he smiled, catching up to her easily. His stride was much longer than her own so he could keep pace without issue. “Firstly, I was expecting a box or some other kind of object. I was not expecting beautiful Fae woman that would be entrusted into my care for a year and a day. Secondly, your guard was very quick to hand you off so that tells me you were a problem that he was eager to saddle someone else with. And thirdly, I am not rude.”

He looked down at her with his golden eyes and then at her raven who he was sure would get mad at him for talking to Alynthi like that. Oh well, the raven was stuck with him for a year and a day as well. “Are you hungry? There are some very good restaurants here if you are.” He was trying to extend a very twisted olive branch right now. He really did not want to start this very long year off on the wrong foot. He would have plenty of time to mess her going forward.

 

[Alynthi]

"Is that not what I am, My Lord.. Some kind of 'object'?" she asked as she walked, her gaze drifting dreamily, trying to take in all the wonders that the Underhill offered. Though at least, he had complimented her beauty, and her cheeks dimpled as she smiled brightly at the flattery. Her dainty fingers were adorned in silver and amethyst rings, her fingernails painted black and filed into sharp points, and they danced over a row of hanging silver chains with crystal pendants whilst he continued to explain himself.

"Hm." she smirked and turned to look up at him, her head tilting as she let a pregnant silence fall whilst she studied him in consideration. Aly pulled a deep breath into her lungs and her smile curled. "And what if my father's letter had read 'we have a beautiful fae woman that we wish to entrust into your care'?', I wonder?.." she chuckled.

"And... Haven is, incredibly boring." she waved a hand dismissively with a roll of her eyes, though she was still smiling that satisfied smile. "Am I wrong to assume that the Furies are a little more partial to a little excitement?" her slender brow rose quizzically. "And yes." she added. "I'm hungry... I suppose I'll allow you to disprove my assumptions of your unmannerliness.." she sighed dramatically and offered her hand.

 

[Leon Ilayda]

Leon was taken aback by her response. Of course, she was not an object. Why would she -- ahhh Night Court. He forgot that they treated women like the lowest possible thing they could thing of. "You are hardly an object, my lady," he used the same inflection on my lady that she had used on my lord. "An object would not give me this much sass over a single comment." He smiled at her wonderment as she took everything in the market in.

When she turned and looked up at him, he studied her face and had to admit that he liked her sass very much. She would definitely fit in with the Dawn Court. There was no question. He chuckled at her pondering and knew exactly what would have happened if the letter had been written differently. "Well there would have been a fight over who was going to come get you, I suppose. In this case, I was the lucky volunteer." And everyone else was going to be jealous.

Leon took her hand and rested it in the crook of his left arm. "We do enjoy chaos and excitement. Which reminds me, my name is Leon Ilayda, Fury of Manipulation of the Dawn Court. I believe we will be spending lots of time together." His smile down at her was full of mischief and promises of trouble. "I just prefer to be the cause of the issues."

He led them a little ways before he stopped at a small building with red and gold lanterns hanging by the door. It was the best food in Underhill, in his opinion at least. Leon opened the door and let her walk in before him. He paused for a moment to look over the rest of her before he followed.

He spoke to the bartender and then led her to a back table. He did not want her to be recognized if there was anyone looking for her. Better safe than sorry was not usually his motto, but in this case it was wise. He held her chair out for her. "Please, order whatever you would like."

 

[Alynthi]

Her smile was brightest in her eyes, shattered amethyst catching the flickering torchlights and shining her amusement back at him. Sass. She couldn't disagree, but it was somewhat refreshing to challenge a male with her 'sass' and not witness him attempt to put her back in her place. Not that she fit very well into said place, her problem was that she wasn't afraid enough of males who enjoyed asserting their superiority over her. She kept her chin high when they'd rather see it pressed against the dirt.

In this case, I was the lucky volunteer..

"Lucky... Yes.." she grinned with a soft chuckle as patted his forearm sagely. "Quite." she agreed, though she was certain that neither her Prince, her father or well.. any male in the night court who knew her would agree. The raven on her shoulder swayed as they walked, his little chest puffing out as he snapped at the air in warning, but Aly huffed and sharply shrugged her shoulder, sending the bird into the air with a disgruntled caw.

Aly looked up at her escort, deciding that with the title he'd given her, he was more worthy of her interest than the offers of the Underhill. "Fury of Manipulation.." Oh, she liked that. There was a brief flare of thrill in her expression. "Sounds interesting." she commented, her fingertips dancing pensively on his arm until they reached the restaurant and she let go to wander inside, not forgetting to glance over her shoulder at him with a knowing smirk.

As he addressed the barkeep, Aly unfastened the silver moon broach on her cloak and shrugged out of it. The backless dress she wore underneath hung low on her shoulders was periwinkle and glittering with tiny crystals scattered across it like stars. As her hands were adorned in rings, her neck and wrists were too adorned in jewellery, encrusted with amethyst and portraying the moon and stars, just as the tattoo that ran the length of her spine depicted constellations.

She smiled curiously around at the cosy little place as she followed to their table, a slight curl at the corner of her lips given as her chair was set out for her. No longer in the Night Court indeed... "Alright. I take back what I said of your rudeness, Leon Ilayda.." she grinned as she sat. "You may just survive me yet."

Alynthi didn't bother looking to see what the little restaurant offered, instead she waited for a server to approach their table and she smiled sweetly up at the young fae. "Why don't you just surprise me. And by surprise I mean with the best and most expensive dish that you offer, along with an equally expensive bottle of red wine.."

 

[Leon Ilayda]

Leon had lingered far too long with his golden eyes trailing down the tattoo along her spine. It was beautiful and her skin was so delicate and soft looking that he wanted to touch it, but he held back. He did not know her and he was trying to prove that he was gentleman. His gentlemanliness did not stop him from checking out the curve of her ass though. Baby steps, he thought with a sly grin.

He laughed out loud as he took his own seat, "As I remember, I am the one that is supposed to make sure you survive, Alynthi. Perhaps it is in your best interest to make sure I survive you." His voice was smooth and may have sounded threatening to an outsider but the twinkle in his eye and the evil smile on his lips gave away his real intent. There was no threat from him.

The server approached and Leon nodded to Alynthi to go ahead and order. As soon as he saw the sweet smile cross her lips, he groaned. He should have known that she was about to spend a lot of his money. He remembered why he had stayed single for so long all of a sudden.

Most expensive and equally expensive wine. He sighed and nodded to the server, "you heard the lady, she wants the best and most expensive options you have. I will have the same. One bottle of wine for now, but another may be ordered."

Leon watched the server walk away and he turned his attention back to the radiant lady in front of him. "Alynthi, I must ask before I whisk you away for your new life. What did you do?" The curiosity had overcomed him as soon as he had seen that his object was no object at all.

 

[Alynthi]

"Hm." Alynthi grinned, setting her elbow on the table and resting her chin on the heel of her palm as she watched him, a mirror of his mischief. "I shall try my very best." she chuckled.

The light in her eyes dimmed slightly as he posed the question she'd fully expected him to ask, her lips pursing in consideration of her answer. It wouldn't be a lie, but her throat still ached from screaming at her father and the hate was still too raw for her to speak about whilst maintaining the composure and bravado that she'd already set in first impressions.

Wine was brought promptly to the table, two large goblets poured and the remainder of the ornate bottle left in the centre of the table. Aly continued to smile as she lifted the cup to her nose, drawing in the claret scent and taking a sip, her brow quirking slightly, apparently pleasantly surprised.

"I.." she laughed under her breath and sighed with a roll of her eyes. "I wanted to better myself." she said vaguely, but in her court, whether that had been a spoken thought or whether it had been acted upon, it was already grounds for punishment. "I belonged to King Tulok's court.. Have you ever visited Tatkret?" she asked with a venomous smirk. The city of Nightmares, they so aptly called it, and it had been her nightmare for the past few centuries.

Her throat cleared and she took another longer drink of wine, leaving her politeness behind in favour of a heady buzz. "But I wish to hear more of your court, and this new life of which you speak." she smiled, though the gesture did not reach her eyes this time.

 

[Leon Ilayda]

Leon felt absolutely terrible as soon as some of the light left her eyes. He was about to say that she did not have to answer when the wine was delivered. He waited for her to taste the wine and he smiled at her surprised look. He would not waste his coin on a mediocre establishment.

He followed suit and took a drink from the goblet. The smooth liquid slid over his tongue and down his throat to settle in his stomach. Perfect. He quirked an eyebrow in her direction, "how dare you try to better yourself, what a crazy thing to do."

He closed his eyes and let her continue. She was part of Tulok's Court and now it all made sense. He was the worst of the brothers. He suddenly felt even worse. "I have never visited the Night Court and I have no intention to ever do so. I may be a manipulater and an asshole at times, but I am not evil or cruel." He wanted that fact to be known.

He let out a hmmm before answering her last question. How would someone describe the Dawn Court? "Your new life will be chaos in the best possible way. You will have a room in my manor where all your needs will be attended to. I will actually have a ladies maid hired upon our return for your use. You will be free to do as you wish as long as you do not leave the Court without me by your side."

He took another drink and let out a breath that seemed to release some of the tension in his shoulders. Alcohol always helped with situations like this.

 

[Alynthi]

'How dare you try to better yourself, what a crazy thing to do.'

Aly's head bobbed in agreement to his sarcasm, a soft chuckle tumbling from her lips. She found it strange interacting with males like this. She enjoyed conversation, she enjoyed telling stories and hearing them too, but so much female chatter quickly became tedious when they had nothing of interest to talk about.

'I have never visited the Night Court and I have no intention to ever do so. I may be a manipulater and an asshole at times, but I am not evil or cruel.'

Her gaze settled on him then, her expression unreadable. Were they evil and cruel? Yes. Was she? Absolutely... But even that had become mundane. Alynthi lived as her court told her she should live. She was a product of harsh realities, of a lifetime of oppression and cruelty and she knew her mind could be twisted at times. Though, as she'd already said, she had a desire to better herself.

She sipped slowly at her wine, his depiction of her new life creating images in her mind and allowing her a short moment of daydream. Her lips curled, and she set the goblet down, her eyes lifting to meet his with a slight tilt of her head.

"That is all well.. But tell me, Leon Ilayda. What happens if you find me to be evil and cruel?.." her brow quirked.

 

[Leon Ilayda]

Leon enjoyed watching the corners of her eyes crinkle slightly as she chuckle. It was a beautiful sight. Happiness in this bundle of sass and anger was a nice change. It changed with his next words though and he immediately felt bad for calling everyone in the Night Court evil and cruel. Alynthi did not seem like either of those things.

He took another drink of his wine before grabbing the bottle and filling both of their goblets back up. When her eyes met his, he let a small smile cross his lips. He was prepared for a remark on his comment and he was afraid he upset her. He did not want to upset her.

"That is all well.. But tell me, Leon Ilayda. What happens if you find me to be evil and cruel?

Leon set his goblet back on the table again and reached out his right hand to softly grasp her left. "Alynthi, I will be honest with you. I have no idea what to expect from you or what this next year will bring, but I do not believe you are evil or cruel." His thumb rubbed the top of her hand as he continued. "You are fiery, you are brave, you are beautiful, you are sarcastic, you have good taste, and you know what you want. You are not evil or cruel."

He had seen evil and cruel. He had seen too much of it in his 13,000 years of being alive. He tried to diffuse any tension he had caused by finishing his compliments with a little sarcasm. "If I do find out you are either of those things - and not in a good way - I will lock you away in your room for the remainder of your time here." He winked and hoped he had not hurt her feelings or made her mad.

 

[Alynthi]

Her gaze dropped to his hand as he took her own and rose again to meet his gaze as he spoke. She watched him closely, expressionless aside the brief idiosyncrasies that betrayed certain thoughts and amusements at his words. A fleeting quirk of her brow at his dubiety over her being evil, or cruel. The slight narrowing of her gaze in flattery at his compliments.

The small smile she wore slowly bloomed, though she waited until he was finished saying what he had to say before she let out a soft laugh and set her free hand atop his. "My my, am I so transparent that you have seen straight through me and already know me so well in such a short time?" she grinned, her sharp fingernails dancing along his knuckles.

Alynthi had been cruel, some might have called her evil, but she'd been born to a court that had nurtured nothing but pride and hatred, and Gods did she know how to hate. She studied the fury opposite her for a long moment, his eyes polished amber in the cosy light.

"I suppose then, I shall have to be on my very best behaviour..." she smirked and her lips twisted deviously. "Or perhaps not.."

At that, their meals arrived and Alynthi slipped her hand free of his to sit back, the scent of food causing her stomach to remind her painfully that the last she'd eaten had been days ago. A rare cut of venison sat in the centre of her plate, crusted in crushed, sweet and salted chestnuts and surrounded by sliced potatoes, vegetables and cooked figs. She swallowed and smirked at him.

"Well. You know how to treat a lady." she laughed, and wasted little time in digging in.

 

[Leon Ilayda]

Leon watched her face dance through emotions as he spoke. Someone who was not practiced at reading people could easily miss the microexpressions. When her free hand sandwiched his, he smiled knowing for sure that he had not made her mad.

"Everything I pointed out was on the most superficial level, my lady. I have a feeling there are many many layers to you." Her sharp nails drawing on his skin made him feel warm inside. That could have also been the wine, though.

Before Leon could respond to her sarcasm about being on her best behavior, their food arrived. His senses were assaulted with the fabulous smells of the very expensive meal that sat in front of him. He was not about to complain though because it looked and smelled absolutely amazing.

He did not waste time cutting a piece of the venison and bringing it to his mouth. He slowly savored it and even let out a sound of appreciation. "I may know how to treat a lady, but you know how to order the perfect meal." He took another bite and made sure some of the vegetables joined the meat this time. "I believe I am going to have to put you in charge of the menu. I tend to stick with what I know when it comes to food. Marna will enjoy having the ability to be creative."

They ate in silence, taking breaks to drink some wine before returning back to the delicious meal in front of them. Once they had both finished, the plate were cleared from the table and the wine bottle that had been emptied was also taken away.

"What would you like to do Alynthi? We can head home and get you settled in, shop around Underhill some, or order another bottle of wine." In reality, he would do whatever she wanted even if it was not one of the options he had listed. She deserved to be treated like a princess and not like how Night Court enjoyed treating women.

 

[Alynthi]

Her? She had never been ‘in charge’ of anything in her life, and she gave a breathy laugh at the thought. “Challenge accepted.” She mused, her eyes on his for a moment before she returned to her food. The meal was a gentle massage to her soul and it was an effort not to groan in delight at the flavoursome feast, but she managed if only just.

She was just blotting her lips with her napkin when his question made her pause. In the short time she’d known him he’d given her more options and choices than she’d had in weeks, and the question was one so foreign to her that her mind felt like it might implode with the possibilities. Narrowing it down was helpful, not that she’d tell him that. He seemed to think she knew what she wanted, and on a grander scale, she supposed she had an idea. Still, it was exhilarating to be the one making at least some measure of decision. That she could drag him around shopping for a few hours piqued her amusement and she fought a grin at the thought.

“I haven’t been afforded much rest these past few days.. Perhaps home, with another bottle of that sorely expensive wine to drink by the fire.” she smiled lacing her fingers together and perching her chin atop them.

 

[Leon Ilayda]

Leon had fully expected this wily creature to force him to go shopping. He had already made up his mind that he would allow it and he would do it with a smile on his face if that meant seeing a smile on her face. Her smiles transformed her entire face and he liked seeing them very much. In just these few hours, he was smitten with her. He did not know her life story and he did not need to. He was tasked with keeping her safe and he had decided that also meant keeping her happy.

"I would argue that I have wine at home, but I do not want to disappoint you on day one," he stood and gave her a sweeping bow before heading over to the server. He ordered two more bottles of the sorely expensive wine and paid the ridiculously expensive bill. The very nice server gave him the two bottle in a padded satchel and he headed back to the table to collect Alynthi.

He held out his hand to her and helped her to her feet. Once they were out of the restaurant, he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm as they walked. He took her through the beautiful market streets and they finally exited Underhill through the Lovers Gate.

"Have you traveled via ley line before?" Leon preferred the method of travel and he had purposely built his house to coincide with one of them so he did not have to deal with walking around Leogaire when he had been drinking. He had gotten lost way too many times in his 4,000 years here and each of those times had direct correlation to how drunk he was. "Keep hold of my hand, Alynthi," he said as they stepped into the nearest ley line.

It was not long before they were stepping through the front gate of his property. He would take her on a tour of Leogaire at a different time. Both of them would need to be rested and clearheaded for her to learn how to navigate the chaos. His property was set to a consistent spring temperature, which is how he liked it. He could not deal with the constant changes like the majority of Leogaire.

His manor was on the normal looking side compared to some other houses in the area. A large manor was two stories and built with white stone. The front had an abundance of windows and the back was the same. There were trees that lined the walk up to the front door and more greenery ran along the front of the house. It was his peaceful slice of space in the chaotic life that he thrived on.

The inside of the house screamed bachelor pad. While the furniture was taken care of and matching, it was sparse. He had the basics and that was it. He also did not have much in the way of decor. His walls were even the same white stone as the outside. He had never cared for such things and he had never had a wife or long-term partner to spruce up the place. Maybe Alythni would enjoy such things. It would involve spending his money and it would be her decisions. She would be here for a year after all.

"I am going to have your room made up, Alythni, but until then," he gestured to the front room where there were two couches that faced each other with a rectangle table in the middle. A rug sat on the ground underneath them and ran to the edge of the hearth. "Let me open this wine and grab some glasses, please make yourself comfortable." He smiled and disappeared into the door that lead to the kitchen.

 

[Alynthi]

It was a rare thing for Alynthi to be treated with such significance, and rarer still for her to find herself in company that she actually enjoyed. He certainly seemed to be all the gentleman that he claimed he was. She liked the attentive way in which he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm, keeping her close in safety rather than wearing her like a possession. She enjoyed the way her name sounded when he spoke it, and how he spoke it often, as though it were a significant thing.

She'd never get used to travelling by ley lines, she had done so many times and the rush still brought about a brief wave of nausea and dizziness. She leaned into Leon as they arrived in the Dawn Court and she felt her spine tingle, as though the deal that'd been struck had now been set in stone. This was her home now, for a year and a day.. After that? She didn't wish to think about that right now.

The manor was not what she expected. It was the opposite of chaotic, and she had never been more grateful. As excited as she was to live amongst the furies, she'd had enough turmoil over the past few days that thought of peace and quiet struck a very pleasant chord and she smiled dreamily at the soft silence.

She stood in the foyer, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. It was plainly obvious that the place lacked a female's touch, something she was surprised to find was a relief to her. If he was going to continue with this game of gallantry, she didn't wish to share his attention.

'I am going to have your room made up, Alythni, but until then..'

Her chin dipped with an impish smile as she shrugged out of her cloak and she watched him leave before draping herself on one of the couches with a deep sigh. She was safe here, and all at once her body and mind seemed to accept it and every ounce of tension seemed to melt away. She was glad of the wine, then. The protected peace she now found herself in would surely leave room in her mind for thought, and she tried desperately to block out such things.

"Could do with a lick of paint. But your home is quite beautiful." she said as she heard him return, her eyes settled on the flames dancing in the hearth, the light suffusing her pale skin in a warm glow. She hadn't felt quite so relaxed in some time, and despite the unrest she'd left behind, despite the worry that she was currently drowning, she struggled to stop smiling.

"There was nothing in my father's letter that specified that you had to take me into your own house." she pointed out as she looked up at him. "But if it is your behest then I will cite no argument.."

 

[Leon Ilayda]

Once Leon pushed his way through the kitchen door, he leaned up against the island counter to let the weakness from ley travel wash over him. It has taken everything in him to remain stoic and strong especially after Alythni had leaned into him. He did not want her to see any weakness in him, not this early. Preferably not ever but he doubted he could hide anything for a year. He was not used to bringing more than himself through the lines so it taxed him at a higher rate.


"My lord, she was not what we were expecting," the soft voice belonged to Marna. He smiled fondly at the winged Sidhe with long black hair and bright emerald eyes. She had been with him for years and she acted as his everything. She managed his home, his schedule, his food...everything. He would be utterly lost without her.

He chuckled and stood up, producing the two bottles of wine from the satchel. "She is not what anyone was expecting. I wanted a nice box that we could lock in a closet for a year, not a Fae." He rubbed the back of his neck and looked at Marna, "make sure she is welcome and comfortable though. I like her and I want her to at least have a good year while she is with us."

He grabbed one of the bottles and opened it with a grunt. He gathered two glasses and headed towards the kitchen door. "Oh and Marna, please find her a ladies maid or whatever it is you call them."

He pushed through the door and walked toward the couches, the fire already blazing in the hearth. "As afraid as I am to say this, you may make this place your home while you are here. As long as it's not pink, please, for the love of everything holy." He was a patient man and an open man, but the unholy union of red and white made him cringe. "And I could find you a nice dungeon or something if you do have issue with me," he winked at her.

He set the open bottle of ridiculously expensive wine and the two glasses on the table. He filled them both to the halfway point and held one out to Alythni. He held his own up to her in a toast, "may this year bring happiness, chaos, and survival." The last part was a joke, but really, he had never lived with a woman before besides his mother.

 

[Alynthi]

Alynthi gave him a questionable look, as though mutely asking if she looked like someone who would favour such a delicate colour. There was little question of her favourite colours, she favoured the tones of purple and silvers, colours that stood for power, wealth, ambition and luxury and of course, colours that made the violet hue of her eyes all the more intense. No, pink was far too innocent and cheerful a colour for Alynthi, and the look on her face and cold smirk said as much.

That smirk bloomed into a grin that was all perfect teeth as he winked at her, her eyes dancing with mischief. "I do not wish to be saved from one dungeon to be thrown into another. I shall endeavour to cause you no issue." she smiled, and lifted her wine to his toast. She dipped her chin at his words and drank back the entire glass of wine, hiccuping against the back of her wrist as she set the empty vessel down. Her head spun for a brief moment and she let a deep sigh tumble from her lips as she sank back into the cushions and chuckled to herself.

"Survival. For a year and a day.." she mused with a huff. Such was not guaranteed afterward. "I intend on making the most of it." she smiled, though on the contrary appeared to be fighting sleep.

"Tell me something about yourself, Leon Ilayda." she said in a soft murmur.

 

[Leon Ilayda]

Leon saw the worry in her eyes when she mentioned survival and the time she had in his safety. He was not sure if it was a promise he could keep beyond their contracted time, but the words tumbled from his mouth anyways. "Alynthi, I will not let anything happen to you even after a year and a day. You do not deserve to live in that fear and I will keep you from having to deal with it ever again." He knew making a promise like that to a virtual stranger was probably a terrible idea but he did not care in this moment.

She looked like she was about to fall asleep, but she was still struggling to stay awake and make conversation so he sat next to her on the couch and drank his wine. "I have a ridiculous name that I may tell you one day if I am drunk enough. I grew up in the Summer Court. I have a sister who is much much younger than me and I have never met her." That was three things not the one she had asked for but he shrugged and took another drink.

"Tell me something about you, my dear Alynthi," he asked her the same question and looked at her wondering how long it would be before she passed out.

 

[Alynthi]

The smile on her lips was wistful, though there was doubt behind her eyes as she looked fondly at him. She knew it was not a promise he could keep, nor would she have wished him to make it. He'd done enough by taking her in, and he didn't know what risks he'd be taking by protecting her. She curled a lock of ash blonde hair around her bejewelled finger and forced what she hoped was a more genuine smile. "Let us see how you feel after a year and a day." she chuckled dryly. He'd seen how desperately her father's guard had wanted rid of her. She might end up in that dungeon he spoke of far sooner than when time she'd been promised came to an end.

Gravity pulled at the heavy lids of her eyes but she fought hard to keep them open, shifting herself to lean against him as she listened to the sonorous sound of his voice, like deep, rolling thunder in the distance, though it only aided in soothing her further.

"Hm.." she laughed sleepily. "Noted." she sighed. Get him drunk enough to tell her his ridiculous name. Her brow quirked at the matter of where he'd grown up and she looked up at him with a curious frown. "I would not have guessed that.." she told him, snaking her arms around his as her cheek nuzzled against his shoulder.

"About me.." she yawned. "I spent the first sixteen years of my life in the mortal world." she answered with a sigh as her eyes finally drifted closed. "And... My bird is going to be extremely pissed off that he has to fly here from the Underhill.." she snorted.

 

[Leon Ilayda]

Leon had completely forgotten about the damn bird. Well it would find its way here eventually or it wouldn't. He did not have anything to care for animals here. Before he could respond, he noticed that she was asleep.

He smiled and grabbed a pillow to set on his lap. He gently moved her head from his shouler and set it on the pillow. It probably was not super comfortable but he figured she would adjust. He just did not want to carry her right now and risk her waking up when she cleary needed sleep.

Marna entered about half an hour later and he gestured for the wine and the book sitting on the table. She brought his both and he propped his feet up on said table. He mouthed thank you.

He sat back and started to read and drink wine while she rested. He would eventually move her, but she needed to sleep right now.