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"A leader is a dealer in hope"
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Human
33 Yrs
Nobility
Single
Crowned PRincess
None
720 Bolts
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Grant
Dec 6, 2018 7:04:44 GMT -5
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Jul 15, 2018 18:07:40 GMT -5
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Post by Eloise St. Germaine on Jul 22, 2018 15:05:39 GMT -5
Eloise glanced at Arasmus' outstretched hand. It was so odd to her how suddenly things had changed. She was still a prisoner...but held so by a man who claimed she was his Herz, alongside being a notorious traitor to the crown she represented; a man who moments before she had desperately feared. Her full lips pressed into a thin line for a moment. If she truly was his Herz...he wouldn't seek to hurt her she suspected based on what she new of Blutsaugers. Carefully she reached out and just barely took his hand. Maybe she could use this to her advantage...and perhaps even use it to escape. A far fetched idea, given she had no magic or weapons, but it was the best she had so far. "I prefer dresses." she said quietly, following wherever he led.
THREE MONTHS LATER
Three months had passed, and still there was no sign of rescue for Eloise. It was disheartening at best, devastating at worst. Her new cell of sorts was a small bedroom next to Arasmus', so he could keep an eye on her presumably. Despite knowing the hold she had on his heart, hers still firmly remained out of his reach. In this time she had learned that there were still one or two women in his harem that he had intimate relations with - and she had made clear to him that she would share a man with no one else. He was supposedly working on breaking off those relationships...but time would only tell if he would. In the meantime, Eloise had learned that she held power over Arasmus in one way: physical touch. She wasn't sure if it was a personal trait, or because she was his Herz, but he always seemed to want to be in contact with her in some way. He wanted to hold her hand, especially with their wrists touching so he could feel her pulse, put his arm around her shoulders or waist, he even occasionally kissed her head, cheek, or hand. These things she all tolerated as they were mostly harmless and kept him happy - best to keep one's captor in good spirits right? - but the occasions where he tried to let a hand wander or sneak a full lipped kiss she was staunch in denying him. Miraculously he always obeyed. It was the one thing she had on him, and she wanted to reserve anything more as a bargaining chip should she ever need it. At this exact moment thought, she was strolling through the passageways that made up the Left Hand's home with one of Arasmus' younger children. She was always escorted by one of his kids when she wanted to get out of the little room. This little girl in particular loved spending time with her because she "looked like a princess" as she always said. To his word, Arasmus had seen her fitted with dresses of the sort she appreciated, as well as hats and fascinators - which he happened to accidentally realize she loved. Today she wore a purple gown and little black hat with and eye veil. Right around the time Eloise realized how close they were to what she had come to know as the exit of the underground hide out, the girl mentioned how she wished she had pretty hats too. Before she realized it, Eloise said, "Well, dear, why don't you run back to my room and pick one of mine to wear? I promise I will wait right here for you and we can continue our walk." She said. After an indecisive moment, the little girl ran off, leaving Eloise alone in the passageway for the first time ever. Her lips curved in a small smile and she took off towards the entrance of the passageways. Maybe, just maybe, she could finally escape!
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Arasmus is a Magister, and holds every Grimoire that is currently available--therefore his max Grimoire level is Grimoire Epsilon.
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"One day, the world will worship me."
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Blutsauger
132 Yrs
Impoverished
Single
Left Hand
Walking Staff
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Vee
Sept 23, 2018 12:49:37 GMT -5
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Jul 15, 2018 15:43:44 GMT -5
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Post by Arasmus Nyler on Jul 23, 2018 9:29:06 GMT -5
The day Eloise sent her escort to get a hat from her room, and broken her promise to the little girl, as soon as the child came back to the spot she had left the princess, she screeched--shrilly, and as it echoed through the halls various women of various races snarled and gathered. Every one of these women had mothered every single child.
When they realized the child was not hurt, but simply upset, half of them tended to her, and the other half rushed through the passages. They were frenzied--horrified the girl had already gotten outside. She could end them all, bringing her father's robot army down upon this place, destroying women and children who just wanted to live a good life.
Finally, one of the mother's was able to spot the girl--almost to the mouth of the exit. She snarled, and darted as quickly as she could, clearly intending to stop the other woman at whatever cost. Just as the angry Blutsauger got too near to the princess, near enough to grab her dress and rip it, Arasmus snarled lowly, stepping into view from just outside the tunnel, where he had been negotiating with a trader on the Black Market.
"Marisa." He growled, moving to slowly pull Eloise against his side. "Go, tell the others I've got her." The woman was shaken, and clearly upset about being stopped, however she left them. Carefully, Arasmus would right the princess, and study her thoughtfully.
"Eloise, if all you wanted to do was see the outside, you only had to ask me." He adjusted the woman against his side, murmuring, "Will you behave, if I take you on a walk around the outside of the compound?" It was quite a beautiful area.
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"A leader is a dealer in hope"
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Human
33 Yrs
Nobility
Single
Crowned PRincess
None
720 Bolts
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Grant
Dec 6, 2018 7:04:44 GMT -5
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Jul 15, 2018 18:07:40 GMT -5
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Post by Eloise St. Germaine on Jul 23, 2018 9:41:28 GMT -5
The entrance was in sight! Real, true sunlight broke through the cracks. The sounds of footsteps hurrying behind her only spurred her forward more quickly. She was almost out, she was almost free!
Almost.
The low growl sent a shiver down her spine as she ran into Arasmus, being pulled flush against his side. Her face had been smooshed into his chest, her heart pounding wildly from the exertion of her sprint. Her body wasn’t used to that sort of a physical labor. Catching her breath was her first priority though, as it came in short gasps. The woman who had been chasing her she recognized as one of the mothers of Arasmus’ children, a Blutsauger no less. It seemed between him and her, her attempt at freedom had been futile. The disappointment was devastating.
As he spoke to her, her lips pursed, eyes squeezing closed as she tried to not let tears rise in them. She had been so close, or at least it had felt that way! “That isn’t what I want and you know it.” Eloise said breathlessly, her lungs and heart finally beginning to steady again. “I want to go home.” She missed her family. Her mother and father, her siblings…she had never been away from them for even close to this length of time.
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Arasmus is a Magister, and holds every Grimoire that is currently available--therefore his max Grimoire level is Grimoire Epsilon.
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"One day, the world will worship me."
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Blutsauger
132 Yrs
Impoverished
Single
Left Hand
Walking Staff
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Vee
Sept 23, 2018 12:49:37 GMT -5
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Jul 15, 2018 15:43:44 GMT -5
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Post by Arasmus Nyler on Jul 23, 2018 10:00:07 GMT -5
Arasmus pursed his lips, as he brushed a thumb under her eyes. "Come here, Eloise. Let's go and see if Stephanos has your gift finished." He would pull her gently along, and step into the room where many alchemy kits lay open, scattered--multiple items were being created. The man who was working was not his brother, but his brother's assistant, and Arasmus bowed slightly.
"Do you know if the gift is finished?" The man nodded and scurried behind a pile of books, before he returned with a mirror, quite large to be handheld, but nonetheless a mirror. Arasmus took it, and led the princess back towards her rooms. "To activate this mirror you say: somnium videam and the name of the person you wish to see." He tightened his arm around her.
"However, it will only allow you to see their dreams, dear. And you cannot actually speak to them--but you can see... To actually see that person, however, you say: videbit vitam and the name of who you wish to see. Once again, this will allow you to see them, rather than their dream, but there is no way to communicate."
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"A leader is a dealer in hope"
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Human
33 Yrs
Nobility
Single
Crowned PRincess
None
720 Bolts
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Grant
Dec 6, 2018 7:04:44 GMT -5
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Jul 15, 2018 18:07:40 GMT -5
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Post by Eloise St. Germaine on Jul 23, 2018 10:16:21 GMT -5
Another gift. Eloise had never thought in her life that she would grow tired of gifts but she was sick of the ones from Arasmus. Everything was a gift. The clothes, the hats, books, little board games – everything he gave her was a gift, intended to make her more comfortable, feel more at home, lull her into a sense of trust. She didn’t buy it though. She didn’t want things, just like she didn’t want to go outside. She just wanted to go home. But she was rather powerless to Arasmus’ whim, and followed him to what she had learned to be an alchemical lab. It made her grossly uncomfortable, having been raised to be wary of magic.
Her brows furrowed when she saw the mirror. She had a hand mirror in her little room already, why would she need or want another, especially one so large. He explained what it was for and her jaw dropped a bit. She could use this to see people? To see her family? It was truly a wonderful thing and she took it from him when he offered, staring at it in awe. But it was so large that it was hard for her to hold. Eloise went to and sat on a chair, balancing the mirror on her legs. It was daytime, so surely no one was asleep…”Videbit vitam William St. Germaine.” She said quietly to the mirror.
Her own reflection faded away and instead was replaced with a crystal clear image of her father. He looked as though he had aged many years in these last few months, which caused her to frown. She recognized the throne room of the palace, where he was pacing. It warmed her heart to see him, but it was painful as well. She couldn’t talk to him, she couldn’t touch him – even as she tried to run a finger over his form on the glass. Her breath caught for a moment with emotion. He must be so worried, he must feel so guilty. If only she could tell him he was alright…
“Videbit Vitam Vera St. Germaine.” She said, saying her mother’s name now. The image of her father faded away, but all that the mirror showed was darkness. Her brow furrowed, her heart starting to race. Even if she was asleep…wouldn’t she see her mother resting in bed? Why was there only darkness when she sought her mother’s image. “Arasmus…” she said, her mind jumping to a conclusion, one she feared and hoped was not true. But Eloise was no fool, she could make connections between the dots with ease. “Arasmus why will this not show me my mother?” she said, pinning him with a serious look.
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Arasmus is a Magister, and holds every Grimoire that is currently available--therefore his max Grimoire level is Grimoire Epsilon.
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"One day, the world will worship me."
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Blutsauger
132 Yrs
Impoverished
Single
Left Hand
Walking Staff
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Vee
Sept 23, 2018 12:49:37 GMT -5
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Jul 15, 2018 15:43:44 GMT -5
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Post by Arasmus Nyler on Jul 23, 2018 10:22:37 GMT -5
Arasmus bit his lip at her question, moving to kneel in front of her. "Eloise... your mother grew ill, after your disappearance. She died a week after you were brought here." It had not been his fault, the queen had grown ill of her own, weakened immune system. But perhaps the stress of the matters at hand had furthered her illness much quicker than it should have. Nevertheless, if the king had allowed magic, his wife would be alive. His daughter would be home. Arasmus knew that. But he also knew she was going to be very upset, and probably blame him.
He was used to that, used to taking the blame for everything... After all, she did not want to be here--he made her be here. "I am sorry. I should have told you three months ago--but I did not want to risk you growing ill." And trying to escape. However, she was already trying to break of his hold. She had a right to know. "The kingdom celebrated her, and they will also remember her." He spoke quietly, studying Eloise.
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"A leader is a dealer in hope"
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Human
33 Yrs
Nobility
Single
Crowned PRincess
None
720 Bolts
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Grant
Dec 6, 2018 7:04:44 GMT -5
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Jul 15, 2018 18:07:40 GMT -5
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Post by Eloise St. Germaine on Jul 23, 2018 10:40:37 GMT -5
Eloise felt like her heart stopped and stomach dropped all at the same time. Her shock was so strong, so sudden, her hands released their grip on the mirror. Unless he caught it, or it was somehow magically enhanced, it would fall to the ground and shatter. Her mother was dead. She was so young! She had been healthy when Eloise saw her last! His explanation didn’t make sense. She had suddenly fallen ill? Conveniently right after she had been kidnapped? Ridiculous! Her breath hitched and tears spilled forth as the princess collapsed in on herself, bending over her lap as sobs broke free. In her first few weeks here she wept regularly, but never like this. Her grief was powerful, unruly, and showed the true depth of emotion that Eloise could feel.
But such powerful cries never lasted long. It was exhausting on the body. She lifted her face as her sobbing settled, cheeks tear streaked – and bloodshot-blue eyes bright with anger as she glared at him. “Save your breath.” She hissed at him. Arasmus had seen a few emotions from her in her time here. Fear. Boredom. Anxiousness. But never anger. Likely when she was finished he would do his very best to never see it again. Her own siblings were fearful of their eldest sister when her hackles were raised. “How stupid do you think I am? She is dead because of you!” she said, standing quickly, only able to lord height over him as he was knelt before her. “Is this the justice you sought, Arasmus? Kidnap a woman innocent of crime and in doing so kill a woman innocent of crime? Does such revenge bring peace to your soul?” Eloise said, the edge to her tone sharp enough to cut. Her father had killed his family, friends, and community. Revenge was an easy emotion to cling to when in such pain – but Eloise knew it could not satisfy. It did not raise the dead, it did not erase the past.
Magic was still banned, his family was still dead, and now so too was her mother. It was senseless.
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Arasmus is a Magister, and holds every Grimoire that is currently available--therefore his max Grimoire level is Grimoire Epsilon.
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"One day, the world will worship me."
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Blutsauger
132 Yrs
Impoverished
Single
Left Hand
Walking Staff
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Vee
Sept 23, 2018 12:49:37 GMT -5
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Jul 15, 2018 15:43:44 GMT -5
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Post by Arasmus Nyler on Jul 23, 2018 11:02:10 GMT -5
Arasmus did not rise when she did, he did not answer when she accused him. If anything, he bowed his head and closed his eyes. It physically pained him, seeing her in such pain. He took a breath, and slowly pushed himself to his feet, mirror in hand. "We had nothing to do with your mother's death, Eloise." His voice was coarse, as he reached to situate the mirror back into her hands. "In fact, one of my people sit in your father's dungeons because he dared to offer remedies. Remedies that were deemed too magical--too evil, to be allowed to be used." Without another word, he was leading her back to her rooms.
"I will bring your meal in a bit." He murmured, as he left her standing just inside the room, and shut the door. She'd hear it lock.
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"A leader is a dealer in hope"
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Human
33 Yrs
Nobility
Single
Crowned PRincess
None
720 Bolts
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Grant
Dec 6, 2018 7:04:44 GMT -5
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Jul 15, 2018 18:07:40 GMT -5
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Post by Eloise St. Germaine on Jul 23, 2018 11:18:20 GMT -5
Eloise scoffed at his excuse. “He would not have had to risk anything if you had not kidnapped me! She would still be alive if it weren’t for you!” She said, raising her voice as her grief began to get the better of her. Adrenaline and anger was all that fueled her as she followed him in that moment. Her fingers gripped the mirror tightly, leaving imprints of the designed edge in her skin. Not only was Arasmus and his actions the reason her mother was dead, he had known this whole time! She should have known! She should have been there! But she wasn’t, because he had her locked in these tunnels.
Her glare remained fixed on him as he said he would bring her food soon. She didn’t want it. She didn’t want his gifts. She didn’t want anything he had to offer her other than her own freedom. When the door closed and the lock latched she collapsed onto the ground, her skirt splayed around her, and she cried anew, her anger mixing with her grief. Her poor father, her poor brothers and sisters! She held the mirror close to her chest as she curled onto her side on the floor, lacking the will to rise and go to her bed. It would take a good 45 minutes before she had cried herself out. Another 15 passed in silence as she lay there, listless, staring blankly at the wall. She should have been there and she wasn’t. She hadn’t tried hard enough to escape. And now her mother was dead, gone forever, and all too soon.
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Arasmus is a Magister, and holds every Grimoire that is currently available--therefore his max Grimoire level is Grimoire Epsilon.
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"One day, the world will worship me."
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Blutsauger
132 Yrs
Impoverished
Single
Left Hand
Walking Staff
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Vee
Sept 23, 2018 12:49:37 GMT -5
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Jul 15, 2018 15:43:44 GMT -5
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Post by Arasmus Nyler on Jul 25, 2018 19:23:41 GMT -5
He knew she had cried the entire time. Once she had fallen quiet, the teenage boy he had posted outside her door came to get him. He sported a bowl of homemade vanilla ice cream, and her dinner, and knocked before he entered. "I brought you dinner. And water. You need it." After crying so much she was certainly dehydrated, and that would not do.
He settled beside of her, on the floor, and sat the tray of food, and the bowl of ice cream down. "Eat, please, Eloise. Then we might arrange an outing, at least to visit your mother's grave." He was trying to be kind. She knew he could not risk letting her go. Though how was she ever to learn to love him if she viewed him as a bad guy? He shook his head and focused his gaze on the door, which he had shut behind of him.
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"A leader is a dealer in hope"
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Human
33 Yrs
Nobility
Single
Crowned PRincess
None
720 Bolts
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Grant
Dec 6, 2018 7:04:44 GMT -5
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Jul 15, 2018 18:07:40 GMT -5
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Post by Eloise St. Germaine on Jul 26, 2018 7:25:56 GMT -5
Eloise did not move when she heard the door open. She couldn't bring herself to care who it was or what they had or why there were there. From her emotional high, the princess had now fallen to an almost emotionless low from the exhaustion of the high. For the first time since her capture she felt despair. Nothing was going to be okay. She would never return home and be able to pretend this had all been one long nightmare. The guilt she felt, guilt she didn't deserve as she could control the situation no more than her mother could, ate at her already. The only person who could have prevented this showed no sign of budging either.
Of course, that person sat infront of her in that moment. Why couldn't he just leave her alone? Why couldn't he just let her leave? What use was she here in fixing the problems of the magic community?
Her eyes glanced over the food and the water, uninterested in eating or drinking any of it. But then she spotted the ice cream and her eyes widened a bit. Everyone had an achilles heel and for the princess it was ice cream. It had been a while since she had had any, since before her capture, and seeing it now almost brought a sense of comfort. Slowly she pulled herself up to a seated position and picked up the bowl. If she could drown herself in it in that moment she would have.
Arasmus spoke of an outing to her mother's grave and she resisted the urge to cry again, stuffing a big spoonful of ice cream in her mouth to stop the tears. When she swallowed she stared at the bowl, lips pursing in a frown. "Why can't you just let me go?" She said, voice cracking with emotion, a bit hoarse from crying. She turned her gaze up to him, eyes bloodshot. "Keeping me will not change my father's mind about magic, it will only make him hate you more."
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Arasmus is a Magister, and holds every Grimoire that is currently available--therefore his max Grimoire level is Grimoire Epsilon.
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"One day, the world will worship me."
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Blutsauger
132 Yrs
Impoverished
Single
Left Hand
Walking Staff
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Vee
Sept 23, 2018 12:49:37 GMT -5
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Jul 15, 2018 15:43:44 GMT -5
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Post by Arasmus Nyler on Jul 26, 2018 18:34:14 GMT -5
"I'm not trying to change his mind, anymore." He spoke softly, watching her. Ice cream was the first thing she went for. So she liked the chilled sweet. "I'm trying to change yours. And... perhaps I am going about it wrong." He reached to brush her hair from her face. "If I let you go, now, you could have me and my family killed. You may not mean too, but..." He bit his lip gently.
"...it's too risky. Now that you are here..." He shook his head gently. "Releasing you would only ensure my family is harmed. And that is not something I can allow, you understand that, right?" He moved to brush his thumb underneath her eye, murmuring, "However... I can allow you more freedom. Of course, on these excursions outside of the compound, you will be with me, not one of my children."
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"A leader is a dealer in hope"
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Human
33 Yrs
Nobility
Single
Crowned PRincess
None
720 Bolts
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Grant
Dec 6, 2018 7:04:44 GMT -5
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Jul 15, 2018 18:07:40 GMT -5
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Post by Eloise St. Germaine on Jul 26, 2018 19:59:57 GMT -5
Eloise looked back at her bowl as he started to speak again. It didn't take her long to finish off the bowl as he spoke, having more to say on the topic than she was used to for him. She shook his head instinctively at some of his words. "You are a fool to underestimate me so much." she said bluntly, putting aside the empty ice cream bowl. She looked up at him again a slight frown on her lips. "I am more politically adept than you. If I left, and didn't want you dead, you wouldn't die." She said simply but with confidence. She knew what she was doing in court. If he didn't believe her capable he was an idiot.
So he would take her to her mother's grave. Wonderful. He wouldn't have to if he hadn't kidnapped her in the first place. She picked up the food and picked at it, the ice cream having set off her hunger. Eloise ate in silence for a moment, continuing to think on his words. Finally she set the plate down and looked at him again. "I don't see how this is supposed to convince me of anything, other than everything I have ever been told is true. Magic users are reckless, selfish, full of themselves, and don't respect the authority of the crown. You have kidnapped me and held me against my will, even though I was only thirteen when the ban occurred, which has caused my mother, equally innocent for your people's state, to perish. Just how, Arasmus, are you trying to convince me that I should trust you or any magic user?"
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Arasmus is a Magister, and holds every Grimoire that is currently available--therefore his max Grimoire level is Grimoire Epsilon.
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"One day, the world will worship me."
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Blutsauger
132 Yrs
Impoverished
Single
Left Hand
Walking Staff
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Vee
Sept 23, 2018 12:49:37 GMT -5
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Jul 15, 2018 15:43:44 GMT -5
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Post by Arasmus Nyler on Jul 31, 2018 10:15:48 GMT -5
Arasmus studied her silently for a moment, murmuring, "You are right. I should not underestimate the change you could bring to the kingdom from within." He reached to trail a hand against her cheek, murmuring, "But it's hard to trust you." He shifted and pressed a kiss to her forehead, "It hurts me to know you're hurting, that you're unhappy. I feel it in my heart, and I hate it, Eloise. But..." He regarded her quietly, "I don't trust that you will seek change for us. Not yet." He'd settle his hand against her cheek, and lean to press a kiss to her mouth--light, quick. He'd have done it and pulled away before she could deny him that touch. "Convince me you want the change I want, the chance for equality, and I will escort you to your home myself, unarmed." He would let her personally pull his implements away, carry them on her person. "Show me that I can trust you with the lives on my children, and I will let you go." If you love someone, let them go. If they return for it, they were always yours. If they don't, they never were. His mother had repeated that little poetry clip to him and his siblings when they were young, and it was something that Arasmus had never understood--at least, until now. He sighed and shook his head, "Tell me what you want, Eloise, aside from release." He couldn't give her that, not yet. He could, however, give her other things--free roam of the compound without a child to lead her, more freedoms in that sort.
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"A leader is a dealer in hope"
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Human
33 Yrs
Nobility
Single
Crowned PRincess
None
720 Bolts
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Grant
Dec 6, 2018 7:04:44 GMT -5
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Jul 15, 2018 18:07:40 GMT -5
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Post by Eloise St. Germaine on Jul 31, 2018 10:31:46 GMT -5
Eloise didn’t particularly care for all the little affectionate touches or kisses he bestowed upon her. She would shrink away from them when she could, or in this case when she was unable to move away, she deliberately made no move to return them. It made her angry that she had no control over these things, and that he seemed to forget where her boundaries were whenever it suited him. “Do not kiss me again. I am not one of your harem to have as you wish.” She said in a low tone, her anger obvious enough. Especially now, when she was already upset with him and everything else, the last thing she wanted was him touching her.
“I want a reason to help you.” She said, her eyes narrowing at him. “Everything you have done makes me believe evermore that my father was right to ban magic. You’ve kidnapped me. You’ve killed my mother in doing so. You hold me against my will, touch me against my will…you display an arrogance that I’ve been told is intrinsic to those who use magic which they lord over those like me without it.” Her lips pursed as she glared at him, her fingers curling around the skirts of her dress turning her knuckles white. “It is not a question of if you trust me, Arasmus, because I will never give you a reason to do so lest I trust you and your people first.”
Claimed through here
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