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Post by Ruin on Dec 8, 2015 19:55:38 GMT
Even though Apophis did not usually find himself all that bothered by the hours sometimes spent listening to other nobles bickering about politics, it did become tiresome every now and then. That was how the lord had found himself taking a break from Vuoria's royal court, and instead travelled out to the forests for a period of time. It had been a week or so since he last had the chance to devour more than just two books, metaphorically of course, and on top of that he had not had time to hone his magic some bit more. His hunger for such things was becoming a mild obsession, to say the least.
The High Elf dismounted from his horse, a steed of a similar dark colouring that nearly matched his armour, once he had reached the mouth of the woods. Apophis had been planning to find a comfortable and quiet spot to read, but instead found himself plagued by other thoughts. It had certainly been a while too, since he had properly conversed with anybody he considered a friend. One of these people was another elven Lord by the name of Nuruil, who could be rather odd at times, in Apophis' opinion. But they had grown up together and somehow developed a strange bond; one that consisted of being amiable towards each other one moment, and then threatening or pranking each other the next.
As he ambled leisurely, the light armour he wore not creating much of a sound against the soft forest floor, Apophis plucked a blue flower from a mossy outcrop he passed. The lord twirled the thin stem of the plant in his pale, nimble fingers, before loosening his hold and instead holding out his palm. In queue with this movement of his hand, what was once a flower was now a flickering flame, and then a spotting of ash. Nuruil would not have been happy with that, Apophis thought to himself with a quiet chuckle. He would admit, there was a peculiar sense of satisfaction when it came to burning things with the magical fire he could dispel from his body. The tall, platinum-haired male figured that he was pretty lucky then, that the nature-adoring lord was not in the vicinity. Or at least, to his awareness.
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Post by arawen on Dec 9, 2015 19:30:14 GMT
Mother Nature was not kind to those caught unawares, be they man or beast. The elf lord cradled one such victim in his cupped hands, thumbs stroking the feathers of a small owlet, soothing it of it's fear and pain the best he could. In mid-flight it had fallen, and by some miracle had not perished in the fall and instead had fallen before Nuruil, and of course he picked the small creature up, and had been making his way back to the old sycamore that he had crafted into his home. It was the acrid stench of burning things, and the owlet's surge of fear, that alerted Nuruil to another's presence. He shifted the bird to the crook of his elbow, leaving a hand free as he stepped around a large tree, prepared to deal with the intruder... until his gaze landed on a familiar black-clad figure. Of course, where there was fire, there was the pyromaniac Apophis. Brows drew down, and he ran a finger over the owlet's head, quieting it's distressed hoots. "Lord Iredale, what a pleasure to have you and your flame so near." Elsewhere he would not speak on his... (associate? Friend? Childhood bully?) fellow noble's tendency towards fire... but this was Nuruil's domain, and there was a little cruel part of him that would have dearly longed to kick the sparkloving lord out, but then... well, Nuruil would truly be alone then. None visited the keeper of growing things, and sometimes it was difficult to remember he was not of the earth as integrally as the roots and trees he tended to. Thus Apophis was... a welcomed reminder. "Forgive me, that was rude. What brings you so far, Apophis?" The owlet had remained quiet in Nuruil's arms, until a quiet chirp of pain drew the lord's attention back down. It had not escaped the fall uninjured, and the elf chastised himself for his forgetfulness. With an incline of the head for Apophis to follw, Nuruil headed towards his home, soothing the owlet's thoughts once again.
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Post by Ruin on Dec 9, 2015 19:58:13 GMT
Speaking of the devil, Apophis thought. Or, thinking, he corrected himself, upon recognising the voice of Nuruil. The lean male turned to face the direction in which he believed the voice had originated from, and immediately his pale blue eyes were drawn to the owlet in the Lord's grasp. He supposed he should not be all that surprised. "I hope you are not of the opinion that you are the father of that creature," remarked the other Lord, humour lacing his tone. The eyebrow he might have arched was hidden by the headpiece that he wore at all times. He seemed to have brushed off Nuruil's rather icy greeting with ease. With the mention of his flame, Apophis gathered that Nuruil had in fact somehow been aware of his burning of the plant moments before.
Then, Apophis considered his explanation for why he had come out here to the forests. He was certain that Lord Briarwood could empathise with his current boredom in regards to the royal court. "I felt as though I was in need of a break. Observing the others bicker about this and that grows tiring," stated the elven pyromancer, who had begun to follow Nuruil upon noting the invitation. His fingers brushed over the leaves of more foliage as he spoke, however these were not set alight.
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Post by arawen on Dec 9, 2015 20:39:00 GMT
"Do not be absurd. I am merely caretaker here, not sire." Though his words were laced with the same humor as Apophis, they were true. He considered these forests his only in the legal sense, for to the elven lord he was as much the forest's as it was his. He was the defender, the mortician, the jester, but he was not the liege, and that in it's simple beauty was one of the many reasons he found the company of solemn things preferable. Built for leadership he was not, far to uncomfortable with the customs of nobility and far too quick of temper for the foolish twits of courtly things. And, apparently, he was not alone in that aspect, crystal-cut eyes shifting to peer at Apophis curiously, judging his words for falseness before he smiled "It Iis good you came to me, then. Provided you keep your flame away, a pointed look to his hand as it brushed the bushes of their passing, "you are welcome here." Nuruil paused before the trunk of a sheerly gargantuan tree, running a hand over it's bark. Of course he technically owned a manor house closer to the city, but those who truly had business with him knew where he roamed. Very helpful in avoiding random strangers and annoying salesmen. Long fingers traced the patterning in the bark, before he found the node, and with a little mental push of magic, Nuruil stepped away as a door swung open. Home. The inside was simple in taste; a small table made from the wood of the tree, as if grown from it, and a small staircase spiraling higher, to the next floor that served as his room. In terms of furniture there was little but a couch and one chair (though they were comfortable), and little else for decoration save the walls themselves. Intricate works of art, stories and legends playing out in the grain of the tree kept preserved after it's long death by magic and Nuruil's own power (though when he left on long journeys... repairs were hell.). He set the owlet on the chair, bundling it gently in a blanket before glancing to Apophis. "I notice you spend quite some time with the Queen... have you ffinally become her Consort?" He jested, rising to move quickly up the stairs, returning with a small medkit, crouching by the injured owlet. Within minutes the broken wing was splinted and bound, and the owlet was dozing in the makeshift nest, freeing Nuruil to his other guest, and free to do now, his gaze settled upon Apophis, a single brow arched and the quirks of a smirk gracing his lips. ;
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Post by Ruin on Dec 9, 2015 20:56:47 GMT
"Of course I am welcome," stated Apophis with a leisurely smile as he sauntered into the humble home of the Briarwood lord. "Just as you are welcome at my own manor. How long have we known each other now - about three centuries?" His words were spoken casually, and when it came to Apophis, he probably would have felt the same way had they been sworn enemies. "As for my flame.. well, I can't make any promises." The pale elf wiggled his fingers a bit, an exaggerated and teasing display. At the moment however, he had no intention of setting fire to anything of Nuruil's.
The darkly clothed Lord dropped into one of the seats, reclining comfortably. However, after Nuruil had opened his mouth again and asked such a question, Apophis felt a scowl planting itself upon his normally rather passive face. "The Queen's consort? Don't be daft," he scoffed, casting that idea aside with a wave of one slender hand. "I happen to acquire an abundance of knowledge, from the whispers of the men around me, which the Queen so happens to be willing to pay for," he stated, and gave a smirk of a smug nature.
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Post by arawen on Dec 9, 2015 21:24:31 GMT
Nuruil cast his gaze skyward, before looking to his fellow lord, shaking his crowned head. "That may be true, but you and I both know I know your manor of stone is not so easy for me to stand within as you." His gaze went distant as he rifled through memories both pleasant and less so. "Hmmm give or take a decade, yes." Three hundred years, a mortal's equivalent of three decades or so, and Nuruil found himself quite amused. He may be the taller, elder of the two, but Apophis was always both bully and defender to Nuruil, whom (admitted even to himself) was far gentler and, well was pretty much defenseless until he came into his power. That distant smile exploded into a full grin at Apophis' s words, and he had to resist the urge to laugh; was Apophis not aware of how open he left himself? "You are aware that you just Iimplied our Queen is a prostitute, correct?" He grinned wider, before humming, head tilting. "Alas, but i am unsure if it is illegal to call the Queen a prostitute, but undoubtedly in poor taste." He smirked then rose, moving past the couch, crouching upon the floor to open yet another door, gaze shifting to Apophis. "Would you like refreshments?"
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Post by Ruin on Dec 9, 2015 21:35:16 GMT
Apophis found his generally collected demeanour faltering, and a splutter of disbelief escaped the elf. "I did not," he retorted firmly, "there's a rather large difference between paying for information and for.. other nefarious things." With a harrumph, the platinum-haired male found himself adjusting his position on the seat to a far more stroppy looking one, which included arms that were folded tightly over his chest.
"Yes," came his next response, a curt and demanding one. Only Nuruil bared witness to the sulky version of Apophis, simply because the pyromancer found himself a lot more irked by comments made by the nature-loving Briarwood lord, than by anybody else.
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Post by arawen on Dec 9, 2015 21:51:52 GMT
Nuruil found hhimself rather amused by the Iredale lord's surliness, mostly because it was a sight not often seen, and one that let Nuruil know that his companion was still the elf twat he knew as a child, and had not become corrupted by the twisted nature of the politics he seemed intent to thrust himself upon. "Testy testy my lord, where are your manners?" A light joke as the elder elf descended into the cellar, returning with a bottle of wine, a loaf of bread, and an oddly red apple. He set the small tray down, returning to gather glasses before pouring himself and his guest a drink. "So tell me then what interesting things you have heard. I fund myself with a sudden desire to become a court gossipmonger." An obvious jest; in truth Apophis was really his only source of information outside the servant who restocked the cellar, and he came but once every month. A lonely existence the Briarwood lordling held, but peaceful and as free as one of his status could be; he did not neglect his duties, once a week he pried himself away for petitions and other such things, but rarely did he depart his forest.
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Post by Ruin on Dec 10, 2015 11:08:31 GMT
Apophis took the glass in his hand once Nuruil had poured him his share, and it glowed in his hand for a matter of seconds. The elf had obviously heated the liquid up somewhat. Apophis enjoyed hot drinks, especially wine. He rather enjoyed the burning sensation it left in the back of his throat. With a nod of thanks that was gestured towards his current companion, he took a sip.
"You should return with me, and become my apprenticing spy," suggested Apophis after regaining his composer, another jest of his. The idea was a humorous one, however. Then, the sorcerer considered the other lord's request for recent updates. There was some news to tell, but not that much. "The Ponterion Queen has not been heard from in quite a long time," Apophis began, "and the Vuorian court cannot decide whether this is a good thing or not. The tensions between our two kingdoms have lessened as a result, but Ponterion might just be planning something." It was natural to be suspicious when the other kingdoms were quiet, with the history of disputes and wars they all held with each other.
"On a less dramatic note, though, I've heard of many a scandal occurring back in Sora." With this remark came a grin. "Apparently some centaurs around the city are on the look out after hearing about a dismemberment of one of their own, which was done by a necromancer of some kind who sought enchantment components. A bold move, but then again, necromancers were never known to be completely sane." That seemed to be Apophis' idea of less dramatic news. "Is there anything new with you, friend?"
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Post by arawen on Dec 10, 2015 12:41:24 GMT
Nuruil did not remark upon Apophis' s use of the flame to heat the wine; in truth he was quite alright with it, it provided no harm to himself or the forest he held dear. Taking his own glass, Nuruil sat on the other end of the couch, neglecting to take a sip yet, and for good reason as his fellow's jest earned a quiet burst of laughter. "I fear we both know I would be wretched. I do not desire to peer into the minds of men, elf, or whatever beasts roam the court." The last time he did do such, in fact, he accidentally left his victim comatose, and he himself had a nosebleed and a large handful of uselessly disturbing information (he did not wish to know of the man's sexual habits. Quite disturbing).
However his gaze focused on Apophis at the mention of the Ponterion Queen, and he took a thoughtful drink of his wine, a low hum in thr back of his throat. "That is... unusual. Perhaps she has simply taken ill?" Such a thing would not be unheard of, and given the far more ruthless politics of the Ponterion court, an illness would be akin to summoning the buzzards vying for her throne. Nuruil quietly shook his head, a light frown upon his face. Politics brought out the worst in people, and rarely ever the good.
Once more Apophis drew his focus, and he grimaced at the rumor. "For once, why do you not speak of nice things? Kittens, for example. There was a very healthy litter of sabrecat kittens last moon." Fluffy little hellions who already tore apart his favorite cloak. "I loathe necromancers. Those that have died should be left in peace..... aside from the kittens, no. The forest slumbers even in this warmer climate, but the cold still brushes us here." He was far enough north in Vuoria to get the whispers of winter's chill, but never would snow or ice fall (unless an elemental went on a chilling spree, alas but then there would be one very irate elf lord to deal with). "Come spring I shall be most busy, however. There shall be elder ones and saplings alike to remove, passing away this winter, and the wood to the townsfolk. Then the spring festival.... for all the lack of things to do in the winter, there are an overwhelming multitude in the spring." With the soft smile on his face, it was clear he wasn't complaining; he thorughly enjoyed having something to do at all times. The winter months were a forced vacation, and he oft found himself listless and aimless with little company save his own thoughts and little to do aside from usual lordly duties and the care of himself, all of which took up the early morning hours alone.
Perhaps those whisperers in the court were correct, that he was mad. Strange, at the very least. At that prospect Nuruil's smile shifted to a far more sorrowful one, and he forced his gaze away from the glass he'd been gazing thoughtfully into, resettling upon his companion. "Apologies, my mind strayed. Shall you be coming to the spring festival? It is no grand tourney, but the folk here come from all corners of my reach, and it is rather... fun, I should say."
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Post by Ruin on Dec 10, 2015 13:02:00 GMT
Apophis could agree that Nuruil was not all that suited to the sort of thing that the other lord did on a regular basis back at the court. Observation was often very boring for certain people, but not for Apophis.
"Perhaps," Apophis replied, nodding his head thoughtfully at the suggestion of the Ponterion Queen being ill. "That does not lessen our worries, however. Our own Queen only stepped up to the role recently, so there's a possibility of such a thing happening in Ponterion too if the current ruler does not make enough of a presence there. Whether that would be for better or for worse is another thing."
"Kittens," repeated the pyromancer with an incredulous look which was followed by laughter. "I'm afraid I find these odd tales a lot more interesting than the young of various animals. That is one area where we differ quite a bit." Apophis personally did not understand the enjoyment Nuruil gained from tending to trees, plants and other creatures.
As for the Spring festival, Lord Iredale assumed he would make an appearance. He was generally quite good to participate in every sort of celebration that he was invited to, mainly because his curious mind enjoyed meeting different kinds of folk. "I'm sure I shall be there, unless something stops me from attending. That is a bit unlikely, though."
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Post by arawen on Dec 10, 2015 18:39:15 GMT
Nuruilwas unsurprised to hear a new monarch was a concern, Iin fact he himself held reservations over it. If a new king or queen ascended in Ponterion, would they be amicable to Vuoria? Or mayhap hostile? And should such a thing occur, would that not leave both Vuoria and Ponterion open and weakened for Arcul to move upon? If it worried a backwoods lord such as himself, what concerns might Apophis face as the Queen's spymaster? His gaze was a mixture of concern and sympathy before he banished such things from his thoughts, mostly because of the guest's next words. "That is because you give little regard for the simpler things, Apophis. Upon this, yes we are vastly different." Such a thing was unavoidable, rarely had Nuruil met one whom's views mirrored that of himself, and had long since set his loneliness aside.
At the acceptance of his invitation, Nuruil smiled, lifting his glass to his companion. "I am glad. We've not seen much of each other this past century, makes me curious as to what mischief you have been up to." He narrowed his eyes teasingly, taking a sip of his drink. "I jest... i do not believe i wish to know." He smiled softly, then grinned. "What say you to a game?"
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Post by Ruin on Dec 10, 2015 18:52:37 GMT
"Simple things are not as interesting," defended Apophis, who felt the need to stick up for his passion for reading and the fine art of magic.
Then he returned the toast to Nuruil, and tipped back the rest of the warm beverage. It was pleasant; the feeling of the liquid warming his veins. At the mention of mischief, the lord displayed a minute smirk. He was one for trickery every now and then, if his mood was right. He was about to respond to Nuruil's jokes, before the mention of a game snared his attention. As usual, Apophis' curiosity spiked tenfold.
"What sort of a game are we talking about?" he asked the other male, regarding him with interest, but also with scepticism. Because I certainly won't be playing 'who can make a daisy crown the quickest' or anything like that, decided Apophis, almost worried that Nuruil's suggestion might be harmlessly absurd.
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Post by arawen on Dec 13, 2015 16:47:00 GMT
Nuruil smiled wryly at Apophis's declaration. "You say that because you do not understand simple things. If you did, you would not speak as such." He did not blame his friend for his ignorance, no, for he himself was ignorant of the things that drew Apophis's attentions, and thus lacked any right to truly comment upon the lord's attentions.
He knew, however, that he had Apophis's attention himself at the concept of a game, and at his judgement he simply smiled. "An intriguing game. There is a young drake taken root deep within my woods, yet to breathe it's first flame... and I have no desire to allow it to remain here and figure it out. So, our game shall be, should you be willing, who can either persuade or scare the beast away." A risky venture, but Nuruil had few options. He would not endanger the lives of others to slay it, and... well, admittedly he was too afraid to go alone. Fire was everything he abhorred, and the drake was practically fire incarnate. Apophis would be a welcome aid, with his control of the flame, and it would be possible to chase away the beast.
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Post by Ruin on Dec 13, 2015 18:58:58 GMT
"A young dragon, you say?" questioned Apophis, his interest spiking immensely at that. There weren't many kinds of creature that interested him as much as the dragons did, especially when it came to the mysterious reasoning behind the ability to change forms that some dragons' possessed, and others did not. He wondered which category this dragon fell into.
Apophis had not even given himself time to consider what he might do with such a creature if it came to it, and instead got to his feet with speed. The lord had a thing for wishing to always win any sort of game or competition between himself and Nuruil. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go find this dragon." Sweeping out the door, Apophis left Nuruil no choice but to follow. He seemed to have forgotten that the other lord was the only one who knew where this dragon was situated.
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