12. Silvershield Estate

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Aldous Silvershield

Araklusta

Jun 7, 2024 1:29 pm
Jun 7, 2024 1:29 pm
12. Silvershield Estate
Aldous doesn't seem to notice Stella's discomfort at the mention of Skie.

"I'm glad you think I'm patient with him. I hardly feel so, myself." Aldous sighs. "I feel like he keeps secrets from me. And well, as a Grand Duke he probably does, by necessity. But he doesn't have to treat me like I'm ten years old anymore."
Quote:
"As for, about us?" She shrugs. "I want to keep spending more time together. But we still have a lot of work to do. So I think we just keep doing...this. Whatever it is we're doing," she smiles. "And how are you feeling?"
Aldous looks down into her starlit eyes. "I... I'm happy. I've got a spring in my step, and butterflies in my stomach. And I'm pretty sure Slimy isn't responsible for either of those things." He grins as his eyes move back and forth between hers. "Well that probably ruined the mood."

Stella

Carcabob

Jun 8, 2024 4:52 am
Jun 8, 2024 4:52 am
12. Silvershield Estate
Stella giggles, cheeks pink, and eye-stars turning pinker.

"Well, Lord Silvershield," Stella says, squinting slightly and raising her eyebrows, "if you think the Duke of the house might be swayed, we may have to see if we can keep that going after this is all over."

Doubt still lingered in her mind, but Yeslick thought it was likely and Aiwë supported her. Perhaps she could add "Dutchess" to her list of titles someday. She felt some butterflies of her own at that thought.

"We have a lot to do after this is all over, too, though. Aiwë and I still have yet to perform here!" she says, referencing his invitation back before he had been abducted. "But we'll have time for that, I'm sure."

Stella's eyes settle on his lips for a moment, then she averts them. She wasn't quite ready for that yet, she thinks. She leans in and rests her head against him and gently hugs. "Thank you," she says. "For helping me...feel like I belong somewhere."

Aldous Silvershield

Araklusta

Jun 8, 2024 10:19 pm
Jun 8, 2024 10:19 pm
12. Silvershield Estate
Aldous snaps his fingers. "You're right! Father should hear you sing. Maybe you can serenade him during breakfast in the morning?" His eyes dance and he can't keep a straight face. "I'm kidding of course! Though I'm sure he'll be charmed whenever he does hear your singing voice."
Quote:
"Thank you," she says. "For helping me...feel like I belong somewhere."
"It's funny you should say that," he says as he enfolds her in his arms. "The only place I feel I belong is beside you. Wherever that may be."

He softly cups her chin and leans down, eyes closed and face an inch from hers...

And he waits.

Stella

Carcabob

Jun 9, 2024 12:14 am
Jun 9, 2024 12:14 am
12. Silvershield Estate
Stella wished he didn't say something like that. These feelings could be fleeting. What if she couldn't help him feel like he belongs all the time?
Quote:
He softly cups her chin and leans down, eyes closed and face an inch from hers...
She looks up and takes in a sharp breath. The thoughts dissipate, replaced by the feeling of her cheeks flushing, and a buzz where he holds her. Stars, this was the closest she'd ever been to a man—other than Papa, of course.

Some of her worries soon return.

What if it didn't work out?
What if one of them didn't survive?
Was there a technique to this?
Romance novels were never at the top of her reading list...
How was her breath?

She didn't know all the answers, didn't have all the details. It was frightening. But she didn't know how she would help Minsc, and she pulled her companions into enemy territory. She didn't know how she would rescue anyone in the collapsing mines, or even whether anyone was there to be rescued. But she dove in the waters anyway to find out.

Stella puts a hand on Aldous' shoulder, raises herself on her toes, and gently presses her lips to his.

It wasn't a long or deep kiss. But it was a tender and caring one.
Last edited June 9, 2024 12:17 am

Aldous Silvershield

Araklusta

Jun 9, 2024 2:01 am
Jun 9, 2024 2:01 am
12. Silvershield Estate
Stella feels Aldous smile when the kiss ends. "Stella... that was even better than iced cream!" He takes her hand and gives it a gentle squeeze, leading her to continue their walk.

"So I couldn't quite tell in the dark. What color do you think your eyes were just now, during that?"

Stella

Carcabob

Jun 9, 2024 5:35 am
Jun 9, 2024 5:35 am
12. Silvershield Estate
Quote:
"Stella... that was even better than iced cream!"
Stella furrows her brow but can't help but grin and look up at him. "Is that your measuring stick you use to compare sweet experiences now?"

With her hand in his, she strokes the back of his hand with her thumb as they walk.
Quote:
What color do you think your eyes were just now, during that?"
"Pink...yellow...maybe a bit of white?" Stella says squinting, wondering why he'd ask such a thing. She shakes her head. "Don't bother asking me what those mean—I'm sure you'll figure it out."

...

Stella arrives in her room in the manor, smiling and humming a jaunty tune from back home, gently swaying as she steps around the room, practically dancing as she prepares herself for bed. She felt she now understood a bit better what made Skie so...giddy.

She sees Aiwë there, and grins sheepishly, knowing full well Aiwë can read her like a picture book. "Hi," she says, eye-stars twinkling yellow and pink.

Aiwë Shelur

gardensun

Jun 9, 2024 5:50 am
Jun 9, 2024 5:50 am
12. Silvershield Estate
Aiwë is lying on her bed, flat on her back with her legs above her against the wall. She stops hammering the wall with her mallets (padded, for sound muffling and wall protection) and rolls over when Stella enters.

"Oh, hello. Glad to see you're feeling better. More clearheaded now?" Aiwë grins wolfishly at Stella. "Or have the butterflies taken over entirely?"

Stella

Carcabob

Jun 9, 2024 6:11 am
Jun 9, 2024 6:11 am
12. Silvershield Estate
Stella uses both hands to mimic a butterfly flapping its wings. An illusory sound of the soft fluttering of wings accompanies it. "I'm sure they'll be on their way in the morning, but by Mystra's Star Circle, for now I've decided to bask in them for them for a bit," She flops back onto her bed as she says the word bask and giggles. She sighs contentedly and lets her hair loose, shaking it out and letting it splay on the bed beneath her.

After a moment of 'basking', Stella pipes up again. "Thanks for...dealing with me, and always having my back," she says, staring at the ceiling. Out of habit, she picks up her tome from the desk and flips through it. "I'm sorry if I've been cold lately. I was a bit upset when I thought we were getting thrown out. I shouldn't have doubted you."

Aiwë Shelur

gardensun

Jun 9, 2024 5:07 pm
Jun 9, 2024 5:07 pm
12. Silvershield Estate
Aiwë mimics the soft fluttering sound with her mallets on the wall.
Quote:
"Thanks for...dealing with me, and always having my back."
"Always, sister-girl, no matter what."
Quote:
"I'm sorry if I've been cold lately..."
Aiwë chuckles. "Yeah, I've seen those orange stars pointed at me. Icy ones too." Her face grows more serious and the mallet rhythm more punctuated.

"I hate mind-reading. It's a violation. I don't want to know the things I learn from it." The mallets pick up speed. "We caught the Duke at a bad time so I was already riled when he insulted me, and then Aldous piled on... I didn't handle that the way I should have, but I was surprised when you three seemed to think it was over. Conversation can fix a lot." The rhythm slows.

"Duke Silvershield apologized first, you know. He was very gracious when he calmed down, and I don't blame him for being upset. I don't think even Aldous understands what he has to deal with on a daily basis. He has an incredibly hard job. I have a lot of empathy for him. I understand why he pushes Aldous like he does. Torm's fist, I've been pushing him too."
Last edited June 9, 2024 5:07 pm

Stella

Carcabob

Jun 10, 2024 2:42 pm
Jun 10, 2024 2:42 pm
12. Silvershield Estate
Stella nods as Aiwë speaks, idly flipping pages.
Quote:
I hate mind-reading. It's a violation.
A power that's like...a necessary curse? she asks. It was like how Stella felt about her visions. Perhaps Aiwë knew better than Stella had assumed.
Quote:
We caught the Duke at a bad time so I was already riled when he insulted me, and then Aldous piled on... Duke Silvershield apologized first, you know.
She pauses briefly. That was comforting.
Quote:
I have a lot of empathy for him. I understand why he pushes Aldous like he does. ... I've been pushing him too.
She nods, reaches a blank page then rolls over onto her stomach, slowly kicking her feet in the air. "Aldous said it's been a lot harder ever since his mother passed. It makes sense. Pressure is good for growth, so thank you for that," she acknowledges. Their whole party was living proof of that. "I just wish he had clearer support from his father to go with the pressure. It's...bizarre to think I have so much freedom in what I can do, while Aldous' role was determined at birth. I almost feel guilty for struggling so much with it."

Was Stella making this conversation too much about herself? Aiwë didn't share what bothered her very often and there were glimpses of that here, like stars through clouds; maybe she should—

Staring at the blank page, Stella realizes why she opened the book and groans, the violet in her eye-stars drifting into a dreading indigo.

"We...should probably try having you watch me as I do this, shouldn't we...it's just learning! Taking data" she says, trying to return to the blissful feelings as best she can. The young scholar takes a deep breath, swings her legs off her bed and takes a seat at the desk. "Or...no, did you want to keep talking? We can do that, I just...ugh..." she trails off. Was she avoiding this or just trying to be a good friend here? Maybe both? She tucks her loose hair behind her ears and fingers the pages of her star charts with one hand and a quill with her other.

Aiwë Shelur

gardensun

Jun 10, 2024 2:55 pm
Jun 10, 2024 2:55 pm
12. Silvershield Estate
Quote:
A power that's like...a necessary curse?
"Yeah. When being able to know someone's true feelings is life or death, how can I not use it? I'm glad we found another way to identify doppelgängers though." The relief is clear in her voice. She waves her mallet over her head. "Thanks, Blood," she says to the air as though he could hear her.
Quote:
It's...bizarre to think I have so much freedom in what I can do, while Aldous' role was determined at birth.
Aiwë rolls over to look at Stella. "Your role was determined at birth too, Druid of Kuldahar. I thought that was why you were running away from home? Your parents worked hard and made sacrifices to allow you the freedom you have. More than I realized I guess. I don't think Duke Silvershield had the opportunity to do the same for Aldous, but Aldous will take it just the same. You think he's going to stay here if you leave the Gate?"

Aiwë looks at the quill in Stella's hand. "Go ahead, sister-girl, I'm here. Let me know if you need anything." She smiles encouragingly, then rolls back over and resumes her drumming.
Last edited June 10, 2024 3:05 pm

Stella

Carcabob

Jun 10, 2024 3:12 pm
Jun 10, 2024 3:12 pm
12. Silvershield Estate
Quote:
Druid of Kuldahar. I thought that was why you were running away from home?
Stella squints. As an Archdruid, Mama would outlive Papa, maybe even Arannis, so she didn't think that was it. Being a druid never bothered Stella as much as being pressured so much to be an arcane archer. But still, Aiwë was right. She had, in part, been running from expectation.
Quote:
You think he's going to stay here if you leave the Gate?
She still didn't know exactly what she'd do...go home...go to Candlekeep...court Aldous here...Probably the latter. Still, Stella hated feeling like that was on her.
Quote:
"Go ahead, sister-girl, I'm here. Let me know if you need anything." She rolls back over and resumes her drumming.
Stella nods, still conflicted. then begins her studies.
Last edited June 10, 2024 3:15 pm

Aiwë Shelur

gardensun

Jun 10, 2024 3:24 pm
Jun 10, 2024 3:24 pm
12. Silvershield Estate
Aiwë chuckles internally as she drums away. Who did Stella think her parents had been training to be the next Archdruid? Auntie Halla wouldn't live forever. Maybe she is wrong, though. Ultimately, she is glad for Stella that she has enough freedom to twist herself into knots with. She'll do what she can to keep it that way.
Last edited June 10, 2024 3:25 pm

Araklusta

Jun 10, 2024 8:33 pm
Jun 10, 2024 8:33 pm
12. Silvershield Estate
After a few minutes of focused study, Stella finds her consciousness swept away...

To Aiwe, Stella’s eyes shine with the luster of a million stars, a swirling myriad of cosmic colors. And she seems to see, face tilted upward and with a blissful smile on her face. Her hands work of their own accord, opening her journal and writing in that strange language. Her motions are smooth yet emotive, seeming to line up with whatever wonders she’s viewing.

For her own part, Stella once again feels that sense of connection to the universe, of pure understanding. A part of her recognizes a certain lack of focus, that in seeing the whole she can’t make out the details of any of it. All the same, it’s wondrous and exhilarating to simply… exist in this way, to soar above it all. The peace of eternity.

Gradually the euphoria ends, and in its aftermath Stella becomes aware of a red star - no, a planet. It's one she's familiar with from her studies called Kossuth, or Uluemyn among the elves. As she watches, the distant planet begins to ooze blood. The red liquid drips down, staining the cosmos spread beneath it. A flood of blood and violent death, all stemming from bloody Kossuth.
OOC:
Stella can make a History or Nature check, or another one you deem appropriate!
Back in their room, Aiwe watches Stella lift her quill, grasping it like a knife, poised to stab it into her other hand. Still gazing upward, the young woman's expression of bliss is replaced by one of terror.

Aiwë Shelur

gardensun

Jun 10, 2024 8:39 pm
Jun 10, 2024 8:39 pm
12. Silvershield Estate
Aiwë abandons her mallets and is at Stella's side in an instant. She watches in fascinated horror at the shift in the scene but doesn't intervene yet. They need to Aiwë to see what happens next and report. Even so, she readies herself to restrain her cousin or cast healing magic as needed.
Last edited June 10, 2024 8:40 pm

Stella

Carcabob

Jun 10, 2024 9:22 pm
Jun 10, 2024 9:22 pm
12. Silvershield Estate
OOC:
Stella is not proficient in Nature or History (I question my character-creation decisions), but I imagine her Navigator's Tools proficiency or just general study of astral bodies in general could apply. Subtract 3 if not.

EDIT: Whelp, doesn't matter either way.
Last edited June 10, 2024 9:23 pm

Rolls

History (Navigator's Tools) - (1d20+5)

(3) + 5 = 8

Araklusta

Jun 10, 2024 9:35 pm
Jun 10, 2024 9:35 pm
12. Silvershield Estate
Stella presses the quill's edge firmly into the pad of her thumb, causing a fair amount of blood to well up there. Then she presses the injured thumb against the topmost page of her star charts. It leaves a bloody thumbprint on the page, a messy circle.

Before Aiwë can heal the minor injury, Stella speaks a word that flares in Aiwë's mind. It's not a language Aiwë knows, and the word is suddenly gone, torn from her memory.
OOC:
Stella casts Power Word Heal on herself.
Stella's vision ends, and she comes back to herself a moment later.

Stella

Carcabob

Jun 10, 2024 10:22 pm
Jun 10, 2024 10:22 pm
12. Silvershield Estate
Stella suddenly tenses in panic, looks down at the page and lets out a short scream, holding her hands in front of her as if the page were about to strike out at her.

She feels the stars through the window. Watching her, like baleful eyes.

She wanted to close the curtains. To hide. But she knows Aiwë was there beside her and wouldn't let her. So instead, she pulls her knees to her chest and stares at the bloody circle, trembling and eye-stars dim.

After several moments, without looking up at Aiwë, she whispers, "What happened?"

Aiwë Shelur

gardensun

Jun 10, 2024 10:34 pm
Jun 10, 2024 10:34 pm
12. Silvershield Estate
Aiwë sees Stella's horrified look out the dark window and closes the curtains before sitting on the desk. She begins in poetic Elvish, leaning into its expressive grammar.

"You looked up at the sky and saw the stars there, as if the ceiling never was and you stood amidst their light. Your eyes shone with the heavens and your writing flowed like art. I've never seen such bliss as was on your face." Aiwë's own face looks euphoric and wistful as she speaks of it. "Then it shattered into terror."

Aiwë looks at Stella with concern. "You clutched your quill like a weapon and I prepared to intervene, but you only pricked your thumb to make that mark." She touches Stella's unmarked thumb and then gestures to the bloody circle. "Then you spoke a word that I've never heard before. My whole mind was consumed trying to comprehend it and there is a hole where the memory of the sound is, never to be filled. It healed you. And then you woke."

She meets Stella's eyes, awed and worried. "You're a seeress, Stella," she whispers. "There can be no doubt."
Last edited June 10, 2024 10:35 pm

Stella

Carcabob

Jun 11, 2024 2:31 am
Jun 11, 2024 2:31 am
12. Silvershield Estate
Stella furrows her brow in confusion and exhales. "A word with meaning beyond the sounds...It wasn't just Healing Word?" she asks, replying in Elvish. She closes her eyes and tilts her head back.

Seeress. The word alone felt like a burden.

"Have you heard of Uluemyn?" she asks, eyes still closed. "I saw it bleed onto the expanse beyond the sky. A flood of death. I think it's the 'star' I saw corrupt the stars that were the four Grand Dukes. But I don't know what it means."
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