- Invitation Status
- Posting Speed
- 1-3 posts per week
- One post per week
- Slow As Molasses
- Writing Levels
- Intermediate
- Adept
- Advanced
- Adaptable
- Preferred Character Gender
- Male
- Female
- Primarily Prefer Female
- No Preferences
- Genres
- Fantasy, magical, modern, medieval, horror, dark fantasy, post-apocalyptic, sci-fi, adventure, action, anime
Aelita leaned against the banister of the second level, looking down upon the ballroom. It was a vast room of polished cedar and marble floors; the walls painted a glowing taupe against bright candelight, pillars trimmed with gold, and hanging tapestries depicting faeries and elves and all the races part of the Fae Court. Aelita's focus remained on the ground level where the Court was milling, waiting for full attendance. Her eyes kept trained on the elvish ambassador and her escort, currently conversing with a dwarf and the fae lord himself. She fidgeted. Her ceremonial outfit itched at her skin and she repeatedly resisted the urge to scratch them.
Aelita looked over her shoulder as an older elf came to stand next to her. Their hair was the same auburn shade, long and straight, and one may say they shared nose shapes. Beyond that the similarities end. Aelita shared her mother's face and height, while Xianolyth stood taller than the average elf and his skin was a golden tan. Xianolyth, her father, folded his hands at the small of his back and stood straight while gazing at the court below.
"You used to love these things," he spoke without looking at her. Aelita's head tilted, but she remained mute. "As a child you were overwhelmed by the colors and glamour of it all. Always asking endless questions about why giants stood so high and why trolls smelled.
"Father, that's embarrassing," she said, scratching at her shin.
"I got a smile, didn't I?"
They both paused when a pungent smell hit their noses, full of decaying earth and swamp water. They looked down at the ground floor as the attendees gave wide berth to the new comers: trolls, short and stooped with dark craggy skin and eyes like pigs darting around endlessly as they huffed and grunted, pushing against each other. The trolls had brought a whole platoon- five to ten, with some miniature version Aelita assumed to be children running over their parents and skuddling through the ballroom. A lady fae yelped as one tugged at her delicate green skirts with its teeth. Aelita chuckled, amused by the antics, even as the troll children were called to order and gradually, the conversations resumed. The Fae lord of the court went to greet the newcomers, and Aelita saw the black curls of her mother accompanying him. Everyone else maintained a certain distance from the trolls and the smile slipped from her face.
Xianolyth, watching her, sighed. "You're mother requests your presence, Aelita."
"I am present."
"By her side, Aelita," he said sternly, "that is where your place is."
"As a spymaster and guard, I believe my place is up here. Where I have the best view over the court."
Xianolyth's foot tapped impatiently but he was too controlled to let his irritation show. "That is not your duty here. That is the job of our honorary guard, who, I might add, find your constant presence interfering with their ability to work at peak efficiency."
Looking up, she saw armored elves across the expanse on the other side of the room, dressed as she in vibrant blue and red, trimmed gold, and weaponless. Each however were skilled mages with specialties in offensive and defensive skills; most were elementalists. The moment her eyes went to them, their heads jerked and they pretended to be observing the court. Her eyes narrowed and turned deeper in blue. "Then perhaps their capabilities are lacking. If one of their own can throw them off so much."
He groaned at her, slapping a hand lightly on the banister. "Aelita, it's not your skills that aggravate them—it's how you've changed. Our people are one family. We know everything about the other, we share everything, and we are one in mind. If conflict arises, we all sit and judge the case if those involved are unable to do so themselves. Our core values are set in such traditions…but when you returned fro- from that place, you lost those values. Aelita…" Xianolyth reached out and grazed her cheek. She nearly flinched, but held in check, but he felt her stiffen and the sadness deepened the lines of his face. "What happened to my daughter out there? You are so secretive anymore. Did we not use to share our fears? Have you forgotten the joy of walking among your own life, happy among friends?"
Aelita stared at him, her eyes grey-blue and unreadable. For a moment, she looked about to say something- then low, powerful footsteps were heard outside the court and her attention re-addressed the area. "The giants are here. You should return to mother."
Xianolyth looked about to argue, but just then the lady ambassador looked up at them and gestured for him to come with a curl of her fingers. Sighing, he kissed Aelita's head and disappeared. She watched him go, shortly, then glanced around. The elvish guard through her cold looks but she was unphased by them. Other guards grouped around the banister, here to protect their own races' deligates. They grouped together in groups while fae guards armed with spears lined the walls. She glanced at the one stationed behind her to the right, hearing the faint jingling of chainmail as a soldier shifts. Another elf was coming her way. He made a face- sticking his tongue out and widening his eyes- as he passed, forcing Aelita to duck her head to hide a grin.
"Captain," he nodded at her, taking Xianolyth's place and leaning against the banister.
"Regald. You know I haven't sailed for quite some time. Stop using that title."
"You'll always be that to us," he replied. She didn't say anything so he pressed on. "Gylamion and I checked the perimeter. All seems well."
"I doubt for long," Aelita murmured just as the giants entered.
Aelita looked over her shoulder as an older elf came to stand next to her. Their hair was the same auburn shade, long and straight, and one may say they shared nose shapes. Beyond that the similarities end. Aelita shared her mother's face and height, while Xianolyth stood taller than the average elf and his skin was a golden tan. Xianolyth, her father, folded his hands at the small of his back and stood straight while gazing at the court below.
"You used to love these things," he spoke without looking at her. Aelita's head tilted, but she remained mute. "As a child you were overwhelmed by the colors and glamour of it all. Always asking endless questions about why giants stood so high and why trolls smelled.
"Father, that's embarrassing," she said, scratching at her shin.
"I got a smile, didn't I?"
They both paused when a pungent smell hit their noses, full of decaying earth and swamp water. They looked down at the ground floor as the attendees gave wide berth to the new comers: trolls, short and stooped with dark craggy skin and eyes like pigs darting around endlessly as they huffed and grunted, pushing against each other. The trolls had brought a whole platoon- five to ten, with some miniature version Aelita assumed to be children running over their parents and skuddling through the ballroom. A lady fae yelped as one tugged at her delicate green skirts with its teeth. Aelita chuckled, amused by the antics, even as the troll children were called to order and gradually, the conversations resumed. The Fae lord of the court went to greet the newcomers, and Aelita saw the black curls of her mother accompanying him. Everyone else maintained a certain distance from the trolls and the smile slipped from her face.
Xianolyth, watching her, sighed. "You're mother requests your presence, Aelita."
"I am present."
"By her side, Aelita," he said sternly, "that is where your place is."
"As a spymaster and guard, I believe my place is up here. Where I have the best view over the court."
Xianolyth's foot tapped impatiently but he was too controlled to let his irritation show. "That is not your duty here. That is the job of our honorary guard, who, I might add, find your constant presence interfering with their ability to work at peak efficiency."
Looking up, she saw armored elves across the expanse on the other side of the room, dressed as she in vibrant blue and red, trimmed gold, and weaponless. Each however were skilled mages with specialties in offensive and defensive skills; most were elementalists. The moment her eyes went to them, their heads jerked and they pretended to be observing the court. Her eyes narrowed and turned deeper in blue. "Then perhaps their capabilities are lacking. If one of their own can throw them off so much."
He groaned at her, slapping a hand lightly on the banister. "Aelita, it's not your skills that aggravate them—it's how you've changed. Our people are one family. We know everything about the other, we share everything, and we are one in mind. If conflict arises, we all sit and judge the case if those involved are unable to do so themselves. Our core values are set in such traditions…but when you returned fro- from that place, you lost those values. Aelita…" Xianolyth reached out and grazed her cheek. She nearly flinched, but held in check, but he felt her stiffen and the sadness deepened the lines of his face. "What happened to my daughter out there? You are so secretive anymore. Did we not use to share our fears? Have you forgotten the joy of walking among your own life, happy among friends?"
Aelita stared at him, her eyes grey-blue and unreadable. For a moment, she looked about to say something- then low, powerful footsteps were heard outside the court and her attention re-addressed the area. "The giants are here. You should return to mother."
Xianolyth looked about to argue, but just then the lady ambassador looked up at them and gestured for him to come with a curl of her fingers. Sighing, he kissed Aelita's head and disappeared. She watched him go, shortly, then glanced around. The elvish guard through her cold looks but she was unphased by them. Other guards grouped around the banister, here to protect their own races' deligates. They grouped together in groups while fae guards armed with spears lined the walls. She glanced at the one stationed behind her to the right, hearing the faint jingling of chainmail as a soldier shifts. Another elf was coming her way. He made a face- sticking his tongue out and widening his eyes- as he passed, forcing Aelita to duck her head to hide a grin.
"Captain," he nodded at her, taking Xianolyth's place and leaning against the banister.
"Regald. You know I haven't sailed for quite some time. Stop using that title."
"You'll always be that to us," he replied. She didn't say anything so he pressed on. "Gylamion and I checked the perimeter. All seems well."
"I doubt for long," Aelita murmured just as the giants entered.
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