BuzzingBee

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Settling down comfortably on her bed, the knight spent most of her day reading through the letters in the privacy of her room. She was pleased to find that most of the letters were ones of support. Jonathan had managed to convince his barons of her cause, all of them writing how the sooner the war was over the better it would be for the kingdom as a whole. The other nobles he had mention also wrote with either words of eager support or reluctant agreement to her plans. Even one of the dukes wrote his support. Penelope was pleased to add a firm stack of letters to her collection.

Of course, not everyone had voiced support for the war's end. There were a couple letters shaming her for even suggesting such a cowardice act and demanding for her to back down. However, the positive responses out weighed the negative so the knight merely crumpled up the couple letters and tossed them. She was far too thrilled about the letters of support she did receive to be worry about the ones she hadn't.

The last letter she opened was the one from Jonathan and the thickest one. As she opened it, she realized why it had seemed so thick. Three pages of paper were neatly folded together inside, making the knight feel a hint of confusion. Exactly how much did the other lieutenant have to say to her? Curious, she unfolded the first page to read it.

Dear Penelope,

I hope you are finding success in your efforts to end the war. Convincing my barons took a bit longer than I'd like to admit but they finally came around after we suffered a rather hard defeat. And that was after talking strategies with the king. The sooner this blasted war ends the better and I really do think reaching agreements with Younis is the only way... I just hope you're finding success. Please write to me about how things go once you speak to the king. I'd like to be prepared. Either for the war's end or it's continuation.

Additionally, a friend of mine gave me some advice when I told them about you and your campaign. I know you need as much support as you can get. Especially from higher ranking nobles. I gave you a list of all of them that I knew of but my friend pointed out that small voices, when combined, equal a big one. So at the end of this letter and on, I have collected as many signatures from the other knights in my battalion who wish for the war's peaceful. They might not be dukes or barons but I do hope their voices help.

Best of Luck,
Jonathan Burr

Penelope's eyes widened in slight amazement as she went on to flip the pages to see that the last two were covered front to back with names. While it certainly wasn't a whole battalion's worth of knights, it was a large chunk regardless. It made the knight's heart swell with both hope and excitement. Her deadline might have been shortened by the king, but at least she was making some good progress. If the party went as well as she and the others hoped, there was a chance they could really pull it off.

In good spirits, she tucked away her letters and headed out of her room. It was nearing supper time by now so instead of looking for something else to do, she headed off in the direction of the Great Hall. However, the knight didn't even reach it before she heard someone call her name. "Hey Penelope, going to get supper?" She blinked and turned her head to the left to see Cedric. The male knight shot her a smile and trotted up to join her. She gave a small nod in answer to his question.

"I'm surprised to see you. I thought you were off on a trip." he mused as he fell in step besides her.

"I just got back a little while ago." Penelope explained with a shrug. "I only traveled to Bexley for party stuff."

"Oh really? How'd that go?" Cedric asked curiously.

"Well enough." Penelope answered with a shrug. "Oliver wants to have it within a week from now."

Cedric gave a whistle and focused his gaze ahead as they walked on towards the Great Hall. "That soon, huh? Well I hope everything goes smoothly... Anything I can do to help?" he asked.

"I think I've got all the help I need.. Unless you have any other nobles to invite. At this point, the more the merrier." Penelope said with a smile.

Cedric grinned a little. "I might have a couple. I'll see what I can do."

"Great." Penelope nodded appreciatively. As the two rounded the corner and stepped into the Great Hall, she swept her gaze over the crowd, briefly eyeing for either Naida or Crow. She had been hoping to catch them for super, especially since she had to spend the previous day in less than perfect company. However, seeing neither of them, she instead focused in on the nearest empty table. For now, Cedric's company would have to be enough though she still held onto the hope of seeing either of the two later.

Off We Go [Buzzingbee & EldarionI]

I like it! How should they be selected?? Through a kingdom/higher power or maybe a person that kinda knows all of them?
This is just a thought but maybe the powerful/dangerous thing was something that was protected by either the wood elves, dwarfs or mages for like centuries until it was stolen. Knowing the destruction it's loss could bring, the village/society could choose to send out search parties for it as well as someone (one of our characters) to get help from the other villages/societies since it's a threat to them all.

And I could tie Clarcia in by over hearing the word about the danger. I imagine she'd want to track them down (possibly looking for a reward for herself as much as wanting to stop the bad stuff xD) so she'd end up helping the group as well since she's good at tracking down people.

Off We Go [Buzzingbee & EldarionI]

Cool! So are mine :D I might add a human but if I do, I'll add him later haha
So what are you thinking for the plot?

Off We Go [Buzzingbee & EldarionI]

Basics

Name (& pronunciation): Clarcia Yinroris (Clar-c-a)
Age: 23
Place of Birth: The Town of Yarrin in the Kingdom of Louiven
Gender: Female
Species/Racial Origin: Half Elf (human + earth-elf)
Social Class/Community Status: Wanderer/Bounty Hunter
Language: English
Family/Friends/Pets/Etc: Has a lone wolf that follows her around seeming either drawn to her or just too eager to get a free meal from her. She refuses to name it, not wanting to get attached and often addresses it as No Name Or Noe for short. No Family.
Physical Description

Height: 5'10"
Weight: 150 lbs
Hair: Blonde, wavy, long with small braids.
Eyes: Bright blue
Limb Dexterity: ambidextrous
Detailed Physical Description: Tall, thin, not particularly strong as she is more brain than brawn. Built for endurance though as a well seasoned traveler.
Typical Clothing/Equipment: Almost always sports her chainmail armor with a small dagger at her side. Keeps a bow for hunting with her as well.

Appearance

Personality/Attributes

Personality/Attitude: Guarded, cautious, intelligent, secretive, fun-loving
Skills/Talents: Combat with her dagger, hunting, lying, swindling, and some herbalism/healing, swimming
Likes: Meadows, animals, flirting
Dislikes: Most people (especially elves), cruelness, and being alone.
Goals/Ambitions: None.
Strengths: Combat and hunting. Mediocre at most other things.
Weaknesses: Illiterate, trusting others, being honest, physical strength
Fears: Dying alone.
Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, sightseeing, hunting
Philosophy of Life: It's unfair, get over it.
Attitude Toward Death: Tries not to think about it.
Beliefs: Believes in no one but herself.
Most Instructive/Painful/Memorable Experience: Losing her mother.
Education/Special Training: None formally. Did have a travel partner once that showed her taught her how to fight.
Place/Type of Residence: Anywhere in the outer villages of Louiven. Usually camps.
Occupation: Bounty Hunter

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Penelope just got her good news so the bad news will com eat dinner time xD
just when she thought she was going to have a good productive day lol

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

The journey back was just as uneventful as the trip there, if not more so. Conversation wasn't something that happened between the three of them. They pretty much all kept to themselves, aside from Oliver and Dimia occasionally speaking in hushed voices to each other. Whatever they were talking about didn't interest the knight enough to try and listen in though so instead she just watched the trees, buildings and people pass by as they traveled back to the castle.

Once the group finally arrived, it was around midday. Breakfast was likely done by now and since Naida was covering her shift, that meant the knight would have a bit of free time. She wasn't quite sure how she'd spend it as she didn't have much to do at the moment. All of her plans were at a small halt until she heard back from other people. She was beginning to think about possibly making a guest list of her own, after all she did know some nobles in the inner kingdom. She had reached out to them already through letter but clearly that hadn't been enough for most. Perhaps a party and some drinking would do the trick.

"We'll talk again soon Penelope." Oliver said with a small dip of his head as they turned to part ways.

Penelope nodded her head in agreement and was about to make her way back into the citadel when another voice caught her attention from her right. "Penelope." John called gruffly. She blinked at the sound of her father's voice and turned her head to see him approaching her. Though he appeared stoic, the knight could read him well enough to detect a hint of annoyance in his gaze. It made her flinch as she realized that she had never spoken to her father about the party or even a heads up about leaving for Bexley. She had simply to distracted and busy to even consider that was likely information he would have wanted to know.

"Ah.. Hi father." she said a bit meekly. "Did you need me for something?"

"A couple answers would be nice." John replied crossing his arms over his chest. "I leave you with the Lenzs one day and then a few days later I hear you've left the castle to travel with them. What's going on?"

"Sorry. I didn't mean to leave without a word but it was only for a day. Plus for good reason too." Penelope explained with a small shrug. "The Lenzs have offered their help to end the war and they plan to do so by throwing a large party. The plan is to invite every noble we can and have them sign a petition."

"A party?" John echoed. He paused for a moment and then sighed. "I suppose that makes sense. Where did you travel to yesterday?"

"Bexley. We were figuring out food and music for this event." Penelope told him. She paused and added. "We're hoping to host it by the end of the week."

John's eyes widened subtly. "That soon?"

Penelope nodded her head gravely. "We have to. The king had plans to send Crow to Gorm in about a month to try to form an alliance with them instead of seeking a peaceful end to the war. If we're not fast, we won't be able to convince him in time."

John fell silent for a brief moment and then nodded. "I hope your party works then for everyone's sake... Perhaps these will help too." he paused and pulled out a somewhat thick stack of letters. "I was going to give them to you this morning... Until I found out you were gone of course."

The knight stared at them in awe. It was around a day or so too early for these to be letters from her battalion so the knight guessed they must be from the nobles Jonathan had told her to contact. Perhaps even from his barons as well. Her heart began to pound a bit nervously. The letters could either mean a new wave of support or failure if most of them were letters of rejection. "Gods I sure hope they will. Thank you father." she said eagerly accepting the stake of letters from him. "I suppose I know how I'm going to be spending my time before supper."

John nodded and reached out to gave her shoulder a firm squeeze. "Good luck, Penelope. I've got duties to attend to now but if you need any help, find me. Ending this war should be everyone's top priority." he reminded her before turning and walking off.

Penelope said a grateful word of thanks to her father before turning and heading into the castle. Both eager and a bit nervous to open the letters, she felt her stomach churn as she looked down at them. The party would only get her so far and while she did already have a few letters of support, she would need much more to convince the king. The knight hurried to her room, wanting the privacy to read through her stack of letters in peace.

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Oh god. And Cedric's very in tune with the castle gossip XD he's going to make a bad situation so much worse

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

The next morning, Penelope woke to the sound of knocking at her door. She lifted her head wearily and let out a small sigh as it impatiently came again. Even in her groggy state, she knew it must have been Dimia on the other side. The knight slowly pushed herself up but before she could even reach the door, the noblewoman called out from the other side, "Penelope, get up! Otherwise you won't have time for breakfast before we leave! And we're not waiting for you!" Penelope snorted as she slipped into her boots. She listened as fading footsteps told her the two had moved on to get breakfast without her.

Once she was ready for the day, she headed out of her room and went to reluctantly join the other two nobles for breakfast. She slid in across from the couple, dipping her head slightly as she waited for a wench to come take their orders. Dimia seemed pleased that she had made it out in time and that was just going based upon the silence that followed her arrival. Certainly beats having her nag me over every little step. Penelope thought while the couple ordered their meals.

After Penelope had done the same, she turned her head to look back over at Oliver and Dimia. "So... how much longer do you think until we can set a date for this party?" she asked curiously.

There was a pause before Oliver let out a small sigh. "Well, considering our time limit, we need to have it as soon as possible. Honestly, I think we should set it for a week from now. That should be enough time to send out invitations and give us a bit of cushion afterwards if we have any nobles on the fence about siding with us. If they're allowed some time to give it thought after the party, they could possibly still write a letter of support. I certainly would want to at least give them the chance to."

"Yes well, it's going to be quite difficult to throw together such a huge party in such a short amount of time!" Dimia huffed. She glanced at Penelope and folded her arms over her chest. "I'll still do it but don't blame me if everything's not perfect."

"I trust you do just fine, Dimia." Penelope remarked. It was true there was no one else Penelope trusted more to throw together such a large event. Though, that was mainly because the people she knew had never really thrown together even a simple party. She at least knew Dimia had experience.

Dimia blinked, seeming a bit caught off guard by Penelope's genuine support. "Yes well... I'll do what I can." she muttered. She cleared her throat and glanced away as she noticed their food arriving. "Anyways, have we secured a location yet? What about a guest list?"

"I'll have to speak with Naida." Penelope admitted with a small sigh. "Have you thought of any alternatives?"

"Yes." Dimia grumbled. "If worst comes to worst, we can have it at our manor. The house should be big enough... I'd still prefer to have it at the castle though."

"I'm aware." Penelope muttered. "I'll see if she was able to pull it off or not. As for the guest list, I'll hopefully have something put together for you soon enough."

"Good." Dimia nodded.

With nothing more to discuss, the three began to dig into their food. A silence fell between them again, this time a longer one as it wasn't broken until after they had finished their food and Oliver suggested they begin their trip back to the kingdom. Since they were all in agreement, the nobles didn't waste any time as they made their way back to the wagon. Settling down inside, Penelope prepared for the long trip back to the castle, eager to end her time with her only company being the Lenzs.

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Oh no xD

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Now alone and left to her own devices, the knight enjoyed a peaceful meal alone. Though she did wish she had some sort of enjoyable company around after feeling like everyone had been badgering her all day, she supposed being alone wasn't too bad either. It certainly gave her time to calm down from getting a bit heated with Dimia. It seemed the Lenz's knew better than to push her though as she noticed them filter in and sit at a different table rather than joining her. Penelope was admittedly glad they had decided to sit away from her for now at least.

Another bonus of the night was that the inn had rather good ale. She took a long sip from her mug, enjoying the taste and the slight fuzziness that it brought. She wasn't one to drink her feelings away but it at least helped her relax. With no family or friends around to lift her spirits a bit, it was her next best option. Penelope finished up her food and drink soon and gave a long yawn. Between the alcohol in her system and a long day of traveling and meeting various people, she was ready to go to bed.

She was just about to get up to retire to her room when she realized she didn't have the key on her. The knight suppressed a groan as she recalled that Oliver had yet to give it to her after checking in with the innkeeper. It seemed she wasn't completely done with talking to the Lenz's that day after all. Penelope reluctantly rose to her feet and trotted over to their table, giving them a curt nod of greeting.

"I juu-ust came to get my." she mumbled.

Dimia narrowed her eyes at the knight and then groaned. "Are you drunk?"

"No." Penelope scoffed. "I am, however, a bit tipsy. Now can I please get my key?"

Oliver gave Dimia a shrug before digging into his pocket. "Here. It's down the first hallway, second door."

"Thanks." Penelope muttered before turning and heading off to her room. Tired and ready to lay down, the knight wasted no time getting ready for bed. She stepped inside and slipped out of her boots. Setting them down at her bed side, she flopped back and closed her eyes, ready to get another full night’s rest. Comfortable and slightly buzzed, it took the night no time to fall asleep.