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The Invitations Go Out! (Raiden Woods)

Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 12:11 pm
by Zira
Invitation wrote:King Kadomos the VI of Alania requests your presence at a ball to honor the heroes of our time. Please, don your finest and come to the palace by April 5th, New Royal Calendar 547. Your immediate family is welcome to accompany you.

Thank you. We do hope to see you then.
King Kadomos the IV
Parn, former Free Knight of Lodoss
Queen Deedlit
Princess Ailil
A few miles to the south of the city was a small forest, inhabited by dark elves and their kin. A few half-dark elves found refuge here, as well as those who felt they didn't belong on Marmo; all who still desired the forest life. Zira had grown up in this forest from her 16th year on. A few decades away for adventure and now she was back. Not simply Zira any more, but Zira Redricks. The wife of the dragon kin to a long forgotten Ancient Dragon, Kaiser.

She shared her home with Blaze of course, as well as their son Gabriel and adopted daughter Alni. Zira, Alni, and Blaze had all met in the city of Blade just days before the War of Chaos. The half-dark elf girl had been a thief and Zira sought to give a better life. It had been twenty years now. Not too long to herself or beloved Blaze, but with children involved, it was too fast. Gabriel, and handsome boy who had some of best features of both his parents, was sixteen. Alni, eighteen when she was "adopted", was a grown woman now and Zira no longer tried to control her. Now Alni was a sort of little sister to Zira, though Blaze still regarded her as a daughter.

Zira wasn't much the type to become a housewife--though she wasn't by most standards--but she was starting to get the hang of this taking care of a family thing. She could cook, and much better than she did when she and Blaze first settled into the house. She still practiced her sword and tried teaching some of the dark elf children in the village with shamanism, but with Gabriel, she hadn't ventured far from in home since he was a baby.

Motherhood was still new to her as well, even with Alni to practice on. Babies themselves were something else entirely. Though, she had seemed to developed a higher level of tolerance for disgusting messes. Blood was one thing to a mercenary, she was used to that, but diapers had been a completely different situation.

As she relaxed on her couch, a knock came at the door. Zira bounded to her feet, anxious for someone to talk to and met Liora. The dark elf was much darker than most, and about 700 years old. She was the elder of this village and "tribe", and one of the first elves to settle here. Liora still appeared youthful with her smooth cheeks and lithe grace, but her ice blue eyes had a hardened look of maturity. She and Zira's mother had been lifesavers when it came to raising Gabe.

"A message for you and your husband," Liora smiled and held out a letter.

"Oh! Who's it from?" Zira took it from her hand and looked it over. Was that the Alanian seal?

"The king of Alania," she replied. "I've got a few chores to tend to, so perhaps we can talk later?"

Zira sighed, "All right, we will talk then." She was actually anxious to talk to someone. Liora left and Zira opened the letter to read the invitation. "Hmm... a ball," she mused. She wasn't much for dances and dressing up, but sometimes it was enjoyable. Besides, she wanted the excuse to leave. Meeting old companions was a very tempting offer as well.

Re: The Invitations Go Out! (Raiden Woods)

Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 12:12 pm
by Bloodshield
Blaze looked up at his wife. He was sitting comfortably in a chair he made himself, though...slightly tilting to the right, he paid no attention to his amateurish mistakes, it'd been years since he made it and he liked the chair now. What he didn't like was Zira's methodical cleaning fits, in which she stole his old journals that he used to right the crooked angle. She'd been on one of her fits recently. He chewed the end on his pipe. He never smoked, just enjoyed the presence of a pipe to chew on. "...You put the Journals back in the book case again...I'm lopsided again... I still say it feels like a tilted ship." He looked up at his wife with that look in his eyes. He smirked and laughed as her eyes lit up while she was reading the letter. "Lord Parn and Lady Deedlit wish us to come to Alania for a ball, gathering get together...I see a vision...may new faces, but they are tied to old known faces. A pleasant vision." Blaze had visions during the war, but with age and focus, he had clearer and more revealing visions. Often enough he saw nothing of any real importance. " I do believe dear Gabriel will need to be fitted with new clothing."

"Father, remember, I’m not a magician like you...I'm a fighter. I want armor." Gabe was a bit of a headstrong boy, but calm at heart. He lacked his father's quiet resolve, but gained his mother's spirited nature.

"Ha ha...I see...I see... Yes, you are right...but I'm not a magician either. I'm not a warrior or fighter either. In fact...I’m not sure what I am. Zira, what would I be considered?" Blaze, when not having an answer, often turned to Zira for an answer.

"...Will you never change? Father, can I have your sword? You don't use it anymore...please?"

Blaze looked at his son sternly. "Ask your mother...you know how she feels about weapons..."

"But, I'm 17...I don't even have a set of armor... All the other children have armor or weapons. Why can't I?"

"If all the other children were going to see Kardis and asked you to go with them, would you?" The age-old taunt that parents could use to render a child's argument null.

Re: The Invitations Go Out! (Raiden Woods)

Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 12:12 pm
by Zira
Zira chuckled and put the letter in Blaze's hand. "Sorry Gabriel, but we're going to Raiden tomorrow and we're getting you the proper garb for a ball," Zira grinned at her son deviously. "No armor, no swords." She emphasized his father's order.

Still grinning, she sat down on Blaze's lap, causing the chair to rock a little. "This may just be fun, don't you think?"

Re: The Invitations Go Out! (Raiden Woods)

Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 12:13 pm
by Bloodshield
Blaze was up and getting ready. He was hunting for his favorite cloak but couldn't find it. "Zira...I can't find my cloak..." Blaze whined about the cloak until he finally did find it. Gabriel sluggishly hauled himself into the living room in his dress attire. He hated it, but did look good in formal clothing. Gabe wanted nothing more than to where the armor his father was wearing. Blaze smirked a wagged his finger. "I'm cutting you off before you even say it. I EARNED my right to wear armor. Armor isn't just to protect you, it's also to show you have a cause."

"...Bullshit." Gabe was leering at his father. Eying up the armor. But he noticed Blaze slightly twitching his head towards the oak cabinet to his left. Without hesitating Gabe looking inside to see a suit of armor that was just his size. It was protective as much a flashy armor. It would go right over his formal wear. "...Did I ever tell you how much I love you?"

"I convinced you mother last night...I have to say...I'm damn tired right now." Blaze smirked widely as he fastened his sword and belt around him. "Love...we're waiting on you. Gabe, put on your armor, before she comes in. Surprise her."

Re: The Invitations Go Out! (Raiden Woods)

Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 12:14 pm
by Zira
Zira and Alni had spent the morning preparing up in Alni's room. They had bought new dresses, though Blaze and Gabe couldn't seem to understand what was wrong with the dresses they did have.

Zira eyed the blue silk gown Alni wore. "It is beautiful, but I'm half afraid of what Blaze's reaction would be," she said. The gown exposed quite a bit of Alni's bosom. She had indeed grown up from the skinny thief Zira found twenty years ago.

Zira's own gown was pink and red, the colors her seamstress said would really emphasize the warm tones of her skin and hair. In fact, the shade of red silk was chosen because it was a perfect match to her eyes. It revealed about as much as Alni's gown, though it was unlike Blaze would complain about that.

Blaze called from downstairs and Zira hurried to fasten a ruby necklace around her neck. Smoothing her skirt a few times, she came downstairs looking to impress the two men. They had yet to see the dresses.

"Yes, Blaze?" she asked with a smile on her lips as she awaited a reaction.

Re: The Invitations Go Out! (Raiden Woods)

Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 12:15 pm
by Bloodshield
Blaze's jaw nearly hit the ground, instead his knees did, as they gave off from under him. He looked up at Zira in stunned silence. He stuttered for words and finally found them. "If we weren't already married, I'd propose to you right now..."

"Mom, you look great...but...why's dad so...ummm...prostrate?" Gabe pointed out the obvious. Then he caught sight of Alni and was wowed, she was like a sister to him, but damn! "By Marfa! Alni, remind me not to be more than 4 steps from you! I have a feeling guys will try to take you where you stand!" Gabe was eying Alni head to two. He finally stopped and went outside. "By the Gods!"

Blaze looked at Alni, but didn't argue. "Normally...I'd scold you for wearing anything like that...but...you're grown up now...I think... Gale's training sure taught you control and discipline...I will not argue with you any more. You've became a fine woman." Blaze smiled at Alni.

Re: The Invitations Go Out! (Raiden Woods)

Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 12:16 pm
by Permanent Tears
Alni was grinning with the reactions she got. She laughed aloud at Gabriel. He headed outside before she could tell him a thing or two of what she thought of needing his protection. Instead, she chuckled and muttered, "Boys." She smiled brightly at Blaze, then strode over to plant a kiss on his cheek. "Thanks, 'dad'."

Re: The Invitations Go Out! (Raiden Woods)

Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 12:16 pm
by Zira
Zira smiled and glided over to Blaze's side. Kneeling in front of him, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him softly on the lips. "I love you," she said with a musical laugh in her voice. "You surprise me sometimes too."

Re: The Invitations Go Out! (Raiden Woods)

Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 12:16 pm
by Bloodshield
Blaze blushed and kissed her back. His eyes disfocused, almost like he was going to have a vision. After the Chaos War Blaze had learned he was partially a Seer. He pulled out a red cloth and tied it around his eyes. He could see perfectly his surroundings, but this prevented him from having visions. He hadn't seen Slayn to ask him how to control this and this was his only refuse. "I'm ok...it almost did it again. I hope I see Slayn...if he's still alive. This is starting to bother me and having to tie a cloth around my eyes makes me seem blind. It just brings more conflict in the form or Highway Men or muggers." He smiled. "But I'm being cold in such a wonderful time. Come, let us go my love." He began to chuckle softly. "Poor Alni will be way-laid by men."

Re: The Invitations Go Out! (Raiden Woods)

Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 12:16 pm
by Zira
Zira pursed her lips as she watched Blaze cover her eyes. She wished he didn’t have to. Sometimes, she wished he had never developed this "gift." Reaching up to his face, she placed a hand on his cheek and kissed him again. They stood to leave, and Zira was smiling again.