Princess Naahra
Knights of Osirus
Princess of Alyssus[/u]
The Pet of Queen Marcelle
Posts: 49
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Post by Princess Naahra on Aug 29, 2007 11:33:21 GMT -8
The night was growing darker and darker, and the servants were already lighting the torches and the fire in the large fireplace crackled loudy. The light from the fires reflected in Princess Naahra's blue eyes as she sat in the smallest of the three thrones in the throne room. She had been summoned by her father to come, but it seemed she was early. Sighing, she smoothed out the silk of her pale rose dress and looked around at the tapestries along the walls. King Kalaar Valarox, King Quintus Valarox, King Thorun Valarox... All of the kings of Alyssus, she couldn't even remember them all... Her head turned to look at the tapestry behind her, of her father, King Osirus. As she stared up at her father's appearance in the tapestry, her left hand moved to her ruby necklace and was holding it tightly. A quiet gasp came from her mouth as she pulled her hand away and looked at the skin at the tip of her pointer finger. It had split open and was starting to bleed slightly.
"Oh dear..." she said, her voice light and airy, as she put her finger to her lips and tried to stop the bloodflow by putting her tongue against her finger. As she nursed her finger, she glanced at the doorways that led into this room. Her mother and father should be coming through this door at any moment, shouldn't they?
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Post by Laties on Sept 2, 2007 9:08:57 GMT -8
"Princess Naahra?" a soft voice called out slightly in surprise as one of the doors leading to the great chamber opened slightly. The young general poked his head into the grand chamber with a small smile on his face as he stepped into the room and shut the door quietly behind him. "It's late, what brings you here of all places. His highness and the queen has already gone to bed." he said as he shifted a bundle of rags in his arms and a jar of what appeared to be polish.
Laties quickly walked over to the waiting princess and quickly dropped to one knee in respect. "Is there a reason on why you're here?"
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Princess Naahra
Knights of Osirus
Princess of Alyssus[/u]
The Pet of Queen Marcelle
Posts: 49
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Post by Princess Naahra on Sept 2, 2007 14:27:22 GMT -8
"I..." Naahra blinked as Laties walked over to her and knelt before her. She removed her hand from in front of her mouth and nodded to him. "You may rise..." she said softly. As soon as he mentioned that both of her parents had went to bed, her eyebrows arched. "But...Father told me to come...when the moon was high in the sky... He said there was...some important...matters to discuss..." she said. "But...He's...already in bed? But that means..." She stared down at the ground. "I'm so stupid..." she whispered, chiding herself for being so naive. She stood up and walked to Laties's side. "And...what brings you to this part of the castle at this time of night, may I ask?" she asked, a small smile on her face. It was good to have company every so often, especially when it was someone around her age.
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Post by Laties on Sept 2, 2007 16:57:08 GMT -8
The moment the princess allowed for him to stand, he let out a small sigh of relief as he stood. "That's correct, your highness. I escorted him myself to his bed chambers earlier this evening. He seemed exhausted from all the meetings he had today." he said as he gently place the rags and uncapped the jar of polish. "There is nothing to feel stupid about, everyone makes those mistakes, we're all human to a point thus we have the downsides of being one. Even his highness has some."
He bent back over and picked up one of the many rags in the bundle before scooping a gloop of polish onto the rag. "I was asked by one of the servants to help polish the thrones before the feast two days from now." The general said as he knelt down besides the queen's chair and began polishing the solid gold seat. For several minutes silence fell over the room, constantly being broken by the squeaking of the polish being rubbed in. "If you'd like, you can help, though I think your father would have my head." He chuckled as he continued before pausing a moment and turning his head to look at the royal. "Have you been praticing dancing? I've heard rumors you've been slacking off in your classes. That's not good, you'll never be able to get a fine dashing young prince for your husband." He said sarcastically.
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Princess Naahra
Knights of Osirus
Princess of Alyssus[/u]
The Pet of Queen Marcelle
Posts: 49
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Post by Princess Naahra on Sept 2, 2007 18:36:31 GMT -8
Naahra blushed gently and stared down at her feet. "I... I've never liked dancing, that's all..." she said quietly. "Besides, who would ever want a clumsy soul like me as a wife?" she asked, staring at the young general with her ghostly blue eyes. "At least, that's what the servants have said..." When he asked for her to help him polish the thrones, she glanced around, then nodded. "As long as Father doesn't figure out, I suppose he cannot have your head, correct, sir Laties?" she asked, walking over to him and picking up one of the rags in the bundle. She scooped up a small blob of polish on the rag and began polishing the throne as well. "Just...out of curiosity..." she began speaking again, "Are...Are you going to be attending the feast, sir Laties?" she asked, turning her head to look at the general. She paused for a second, then turned back to her hands. "I'm sorry...That was a stupid question..." she said quietly.
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Post by Laties on Sept 2, 2007 21:00:00 GMT -8
"Laties, no need for formalities, your highness. I'm still working on getting Israfel to not call me general." he chuckled as he leaned over slightly and moved her hand in the correct motion. "Like that." he said as he pulled back and continued his work. A few minutes passed before a quiet 'oh' escaped him before a smile formed on his face. "I love to dance. I'm not entirely a fan of ballroom dancing, I prefer the energy spiked ones of my tribe."
His face lit as he mentioned his tribe, his hands moving from the throne and began making gestures. "We don't have any string instruments but we have large drums and you move your waist and feet to the beat while your arms follow the flow of the flutes. It's like you're mimicking water." he said brightly before falling backwards to sit. "On the note of anyone wanting to marry someone who is as clumsy as you, well. There are few who wouldn't want to marry someone who is proper. Where's the fun in that?"
Laties smiled as her before he scooted closer to the throne and contiued polishing it. "I'll be attending it as a guard most likely. No-one has requested me to be their escort."
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Princess Naahra
Knights of Osirus
Princess of Alyssus[/u]
The Pet of Queen Marcelle
Posts: 49
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Post by Princess Naahra on Sept 3, 2007 7:19:31 GMT -8
Naahra blushed slightly as she moved her hands in the correct motion. "You see..." she said quietly, "I've never been good at dancing, no matter what kind..." She was silent for a while longer before looking up again. "Whenever I was young, I always loved dancing... I used to dance around in the gardens and fall backwards into the flower patches, but now..." Her gaze trailed up to the ceiling. She shook her head, not wanting to continue. She blinked and turned to Laties, who was sittig back. "Your dances in your home tribe do sound interesting... Maybe you could try to teach me someday!" she said, a small tinge of hope in her voice.
"No one has asked you to be their escort?" she asked, her eyes showing something that resembled shock. "I don't see why no one would've asked you, especially that bunny woman... She seems to like you and sir Israfel a lot... But if she doesn't ask you..." Her gaze trailed off to the far wall. "Would...you..." she blinked, looking around, "Would you go with me?"
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Post by Laties on Sept 3, 2007 7:36:30 GMT -8
"If you wish for it, your highness." The general said with a smile, "There is nothing going on between me and Loubun, we've been friends since I first entered the palace as a page and we've stayed close. Same with Israfel." He made a small grunt as he stood up and tossed his rag onto the pile of rags and wipped his hands vigorously onto his pants in attempt to rid most of the polish that rubbed off onto his hands. "Before we go to my tribe's dancing ways, shall we get over the oh so boorish ballroom dancing?" He asked as he held his hand to her.
Once the princess took his hand, he led her to the center of the room mimicking how a 'proper' gentleman would do it. "Now, as we walk to the center of the dance floor, smile tauntingly at the other young maidens who haven't been able to seduce a man to dance with her while I smile mockingly at the many princes who wished to dance with you." Laties slowed to a stop as he guided her into the proper position and placed one hand on her hip while the other cradled her other hand. "Ready?"
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Princess Naahra
Knights of Osirus
Princess of Alyssus[/u]
The Pet of Queen Marcelle
Posts: 49
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Post by Princess Naahra on Sept 3, 2007 8:16:41 GMT -8
Naahra blinked, then nodded her head. "I suppose we could go over ballroom dancing first..." she said, wiping her hands on the rag to get any polish that may have gotten onto her hands off. She stood up and held her hand out to Laties. "Very well, then, Laties..." she said, looking down at her feet and blushing, rather ashamed of calling a general by name like she did.
As he led her to the center of the room, Naahra imagined the room full of people, the atmosphere jolly and jovial, the small group of the finest musicians getting ready to play music for the people to dance to. She imagined her silver coronet on her brow, the small ruby pendant bumping against the bridge of her nose. As Laties placed his hand on her hip, she rest her hand on his shoulder and allowed him to cradle her other hand in his. She simply nodded to him and smiled gently. "Yes, I am ready..." she said quietly.
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Post by Laties on Sept 3, 2007 8:40:52 GMT -8
The moment she said she was ready, he began to lead her in a series of twirls and small dips. "I'm not a fan of slow ballroom dancing as you can see," he chuckled as he began to hum a random tune to dance to. A moment passed of them simply dancing around the room before the general began to slow to a stop. "Have you ever let your body dance, princess? Relax your body and let the music move you. That way you can enjoy dancing even more, and if you don't enjoy dancing, however will I be able to teach how to dance like my tribe?" He grinned as he began dancing.
The tune stayed the same but slowly a new beat was slowly being revealed. Every now and then, he slammed his feet on the floor as he turned the princess in his arms and guided her to follow the forgien beat. "Move your lower half to the sound of my feet." he whispered as he began to whistle a soft melody and began clapping his hands to add onto the beat. Within minutes, the throne room sounded as though there was a band in the room, except with only one muscian.
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Princess Naahra
Knights of Osirus
Princess of Alyssus[/u]
The Pet of Queen Marcelle
Posts: 49
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Post by Princess Naahra on Sept 3, 2007 10:12:16 GMT -8
Naahra smiled as she was twirled about the ballroom. She had never thought that she would be able to dance like this. "You...you are a very skilled dancer, Laties..." she said quietly, a gentle smile on her lips. Her ghostly eyes reflected sheer mirth as she heard him change the rhythm of the song. He was going to teach her the dances of his tribe!
When he told her to move her body to the rhythm of his feet, she first stood still for a second to hear the rhythm, then began swaying her hips to the beat, occasionally twirling around and clapping her hands above her head. At first, she was a bit clumsy with it, stumbling every so often, but soon, her movements became graceful and fluid, just like water. Her necklace jangled slightly every so often as she whirled around. "Like this?" she finally asked Laties, hoping she wasn't messing the dance up completely.
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Post by Lord Nikanoru on Sept 3, 2007 12:04:15 GMT -8
The dimly lit hallway leading to the throne room of the castle was completely empty, save for the presence of the head advisor and director of the Blood Chamber. He was casually strolling down the hall, hands clasped behind his back and eyes fixed directly on the towering double doors at the end of the hallway. Why was he roaming about the castle at such a late hour? Well, he was usually up until four in the morning doing work, but that was mostly done in the Blood Chamber. The rouge Shade was only required to work until midnight, but the screams and cries of tortured prisoners were far too enticing for him to abandon for sleep.
Nikanoru came to a sudden halt as he heard clapping and whistling coming from the throne room. Who else could possibly be in the up at this hour--and in the throne room, at that? Certainly not the King or Queen, for they weren't the types to engage in such frivolous merriment. The only possible candidate would have to be a member of the cleaning crew, having grown bored with his or her duties enough to dance around for entertainment! Well, this would definitely have to be corrected! The skeletal advisor strided down the hallway at surprising speed for someone in his physical condition, heels clicking against the stone floor.
Nikanoru pulled the towering double doors open to find none other than General Laties Luhma dancing with... Princess Naahra herself! He fixed his dark orbs on the two without speaking a word, his expression blank and unreadable; however, it was highly probable that he was suppressing a lot of anger and disgust. The advisor tapped his right foot against the floor to get their attention, arms crossed against his chest.
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Princess Naahra
Knights of Osirus
Princess of Alyssus[/u]
The Pet of Queen Marcelle
Posts: 49
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Post by Princess Naahra on Sept 3, 2007 12:22:04 GMT -8
As Naahra continued dancing, she whirled around to catch sight of one of her father's royal advisors, and the worst one at that. Letting out a loud gasp, she immediately stopped and lost her footing, almost falling backwards into Laties. "L-L-Lord Nikanoru!" she said, her blue eyes wide with shock. To think that someone else was up at this time of night, and to see her dancing as she was! Oh no, this was not good. She cast a fearful glance at Laties, hoping he would say something for both their sakes.
Her gaze slowly turned back to the man that stood before them, and tried to match his stare with a hard glare of her own, but, after a couple of seconds, she knew she couldn't win, so she hung her head in defeat. "I'm sorry..." she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just...please...do not tell Father... I beg you, Lord Nikanoru... Laties...he was just teaching me a dance from his tribe!" she said in an attempt to defend the general. "Please, do not punish him!" Once again, her eyes traveled to Laties, and they showed a look of shame. "I'm sorry, Laties..." she mouthed to him, fighting back the tears. She probably gained him a trip to the Blood Chamber now.
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Post by Laties on Sept 3, 2007 15:28:39 GMT -8
”Excellent, princess. Just like that.” Laties chuckled in between beats. “Someday with your father‘s permission, I‘ll take you to Gurella and to my tribe so can see how it really is. It‘s amazing when you see it in a group, it looks like a ocean of water.” He grinned as before slowing to a stop when the tapping reached his ears.
"Oh, look, it's dear old grandpapi." Laties murmured underneath his breath before helping the princess regain her balance. "You needn't worry, your highness. I can take care of myself." He said with a small smile before he stood at attention and offered the advisor a smile. "Good evening, I apologize, did we disturb your work?" The general walked over to the thrones and picked up the bundle of rags and polish before he examined the polished thrones with a hum of satisfaction before returning to the princess' side and whispering. "Remember, your highness, you hold a higher ranking then he, you don't have to ask, order and it will be done."
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Princess Naahra
Knights of Osirus
Princess of Alyssus[/u]
The Pet of Queen Marcelle
Posts: 49
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Post by Princess Naahra on Sept 3, 2007 15:49:44 GMT -8
Naahra looked up at Laties, a look of shock in her eyes. "I...can?" she asked. Her gaze then turned to Nikanoru again, and, though you could see that she was still afraid of this man, a tiny light of courage had illuminated in her eyes. "Nikanoru," she said, her voice quavering with fear, but at the same time, a small resolute tone was in her voice. "You will not take Laties to the Blood Chamber, even if you desire to with every fiber of your being." A quiet whimpering came from deep within her throat, a sign that, despite her commanding one of her father's advisors, she was still rather scared of Nikanoru. Her gaze turned back to Laties. A look that said 'thank you' was in her eyes, and a small smile crept onto her lips.
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