Carantathraiel

Cara's Originally Titled OoC Hangout Thread ♥ (Still)

That's settled. Togas are in.

and yesss... topless.... free and ... maybe a little bit chilly...

Love is a Noose [ Kru & Cara ]

A flicker of annoyance danced across Aera's face, her dark eyes narrowing, as she watched him look her over like a piece of meat. Though, somewhere, in the back of her mind, she enjoyed it. It was nice to know that at least someone found her attractive. Her husband certainly never looked at her like that. But that was no excuse to be eyeing her with such boldness.

Uncomfortable as she was under his gaze, she didn't move, holding her body still, the only change was the the quickening of her heartbeat, visible in the hollow of her throat. 
Company. He said. As determined as she was not to let this strange elf get into her thoughts, that got her thinking. She did want company. So rarely was she able to escape the palace and visit with her friends, she was often stuck here for days and weeks, with no one but the maids for company. But him? Now, Aera let her eyes wander over him, hoping her expression was as blank as ever and not giving away her attraction. He seemed full of himself. Like he was Yuelric's gift to women, and any woman would gladly lay back and welcome him with open ... arms.
She inhaled. It probably wouldn't do good to encourage him and let him stick around. But she did desire a friend.
Her thoughts went over to Envy. Her dear beloved Envy. He had always been just as cocky and big-headed, and she was able to put up with him with no issue.

"Very well." her voice was collected. "I won't mind your company, but mind you, I wont take kindly to your flirting." As flattering as it is. "I am faithful to the Prince, and intend to remain that way."

Love is a Noose [ Kru & Cara ]

Aera cool eyes stared, her face blank. Damn that girl, she thought. I say no visitors and she lets in the elf. Probably figured i wouldn't mind. His lips so close to her skin, she could feel his warm breathe on her flesh. With effort on her part, she pulled her hand away, lifting her chin. "Taris. So you've found the library after all." She stepped back, putting space between them, and motioned for the seat across from her, sitting back down in her own. "Please, sit." He looked reluctantly at the chair behind him before, instead, taking the seat beside her, pulling off his quiver and bow and setting it beside him on the floor. Aera's lip twitched.

"I find you have awakened my curiosity." Aera said, trying harder than she should to keep her eyes on his black face, rather than... anywhere else. "Elves are hated in this city, thanks to my dear cousins, the Kartaians. And yet here you are. You just marched in here, head held high, announcing that you're here for the tournament." She folded her legs and leaned back, studying him. "I admit, I feel a bit of envy at your confidence."

Something passed over her face in that moment, a shadow of an emotion, but nothing else. Just as quick, it was gone, her practiced porcelain expression back in place. That's where I know him. She thought.

She continued. "Part of me wants to believe you're here for another reason." Her eyes lowered just for a second, as she glanced over his muscles and clothing, before she looked up and met his eyes. Such eyes, her thoughts wandered, noticing the purple.

Cara's Originally Titled OoC Hangout Thread ♥ (Still)

agreed.
Can we go back to wearing togas and loin clothes?

Really, i love thrift stores. cheap ass clothing. perfectly comfortable.

Cara's Originally Titled OoC Hangout Thread ♥ (Still)

*chuckle* says the bewb man. ;P

Cara's Originally Titled OoC Hangout Thread ♥ (Still)

I DO! Often! I'm shameless about it.
But I need them for running, because oooooww....

plus, you know, when i actually go out for reasons beyond groceries or mail... i need SOME support.

Love is a Noose [ Kru & Cara ]

"And what is your name, Archer?"
Taris lifted his chin slightly in response. "Taris, your Highness. Taris of the Western Valley."

She stared for a long moment, regarding him with a practiced blank face, until she gave a forced smile. "I am sorry to hear our friend is unable to receive you, Taris of the Western Valley. And after such a long journey." She had known he couldn't be from around here. He was a blend of nothing from around here, his dark skin rather different from her cousins. Although his build was similar, even if he didn't reach their unnatural eight foot stature. 
And she couldn't help but notice other things, but refused to allow her mind to linger on them.

"Well, I welcome you, as you'll find no welcome elsewhere." Her expression was still blank but her eyes flashed darkly for a moment. "If you grow tired of meandering, I'll be in the library. It's on the second floor of the east wing." 

She bent and ended their meeting, turning without another glance to glide down the hall, her annoying train of followers at her tail. 

It would be at least another two hours before her husband and his friends returned, covered in dirt, dragging a boar or stag between their horses. So that gave her two hours, at least, to wander the library, amusing herself with histories and old songs. She longed to go with them. Or at the very least have the option to join her friends in a hunt. I'd need friends, first. She thought bitterly. They wouldn't notice if I vanished for a while. maybe I could go down into the tunnels. 

She hadn't seen Envy and the orphans in almost a year, now. Since marrying Kentaro she'd been forced to spend her time here, making appearances and curtsying and eating like some stuck up snob. Aera loathed it. If she had the choice between all this extravagance and cleanliness and the dark and dirty tunnels of the theives den, she'd much rather the latter. 

Opening the door to the library, she turned and smiled as politely as she could to the three maids that followed. "I would prefer you stay here. If I need anything, I'll call. Until then, do whatever you please. Just no visitors." Closing the door again, she turned with a sign and sat heavily in one of the cushioned chairs, wanting a few moments of peace before she picked up a book. 

Love is a Noose [ Kru & Cara ]

Aera stood in her doorway, the young Paytin a few feet before her with a lost look in her face. "My Lady?"
Snapping out of her thoughts, Aera looked at her. "I'm sorry." she said simply, offering no excuse. She stepped forward and allowed Paytin to undress her from the gray-blue dress and grimaced at the sunny yellow silk one. "Must I?" she asked. Paytin took on that look of horror again and Aera shook her head, defeated. "Very well, then. I want to get to the library."

Dressed, she excused the little maid and made her way downstairs. Her ears caught the sound of something that intrigued her. She glanced up and was instantly confused by the sight of an elf being led by two of the palace guards. "Don't think you're welcome here, Dark Elf, just because you got a pretty trinket from our spymaster. You're still a filthy creature." Said one.
"Oh, come on. He wants to participate in the tournament! I say let him. Though it is dangerous; accidents can happen. Arrows go astray. If only the Elven Whore wa-"

"Excuse me." Aera interrupted. The three of them whirled around and dropped to their knee, the elf the only one not embarrassed by her sudden appearance. "I shouldn't have to warn you that speaking with such carelessness will eventually lose you your posts."
"We're sorry, my Lady." "Forgive us, my Lady." They said. 

Her violet eyes were dark with annoyance. "And you." She directed her attention to the elf between them. He wasn't any relation to her, which meant he wasn't an immediate threat. But it was known everywhere that elves were hated in this city. What was this fool doing here? "What's your business, my friend?"

Cara's Originally Titled OoC Hangout Thread ♥ (Still)

I just spent ....$50? on 4 items of clothing. Then the bras. >< stupid bras. I RARELY wear them. Why must I buy them?

Love is a Noose [ Kru & Cara ]

Aera descended the stairs in grace, her hair pinned up in faint coils, held together by jeweled needles that sparkled in the daylight, her dress reaching the floor. Behind her a few paces walked a few maids, waiting to help at once, should she call on them. 
Aera hated it.

At the base of the stairs stood her husband, standing among a small gathering of men, all dressed in riding gear. Kentaro turned his bright grey eyes on her and beamed. "Good morning, my love." he took her hand and kissed it. "You look stunning, as usual."

Her smile was genuine. "Thank you, dear." She leaned in. "I missed you last night."
Kentaro looked away. "Ah, yes, I'm sorry. I was helping with preparations for today and was rather tired."
Aera nodded. More excuses. "Well, I wish you luck on your hunt. And can't wait to see you at the tournament."

With great cheer and shouting, the group of men, some dozen of them, all friends of the Prince, walked out to enjoy their morning.
His mother, Queen Lilith, made toward her, and Aera instantly felt uneasy. Its rare, she'd learned, for any woman to like her son's wife, but it was certainly harder when the wife was a horrid elf who would probably slit your son's throat. Aera smiled and curtsied politely. "A fine day to you, my Queen. Your son looks very excited about the hunt."

"Hm. Yes." Lilith agreed. "I still don't think they should have gone, what with the preparations still to be made for later today."
Aera nodded awkwardly. "And how is the Princess Risa? How is she?" 

Kentaro's younger sister was quite the character. She was rather polite to Aera, but, as Aera discovered quickly, it was only because Risa was sure Kentaro would be disowned for marrying her, and would be happy to take over as heir. Despite the fact, Aera enjoyed her company, although it made her sad to realize she was that desperate for a friend.

"She's getting herself ready for the tournament."
"Oh, yes. She does take a very long time to pick out a gown."
The Queen turned and eyed Aera. "Perhaps you should try to do the same." With that she turned and walked off, leaving Aera curtsying with a blank smile on her face.

She sighed, wondering what now. She supposed she'd have to go upstairs and change. Perhaps letting Paytin dress her would be wiser.
In a few hours, the men would be back and hopefully she'd be able to get some time alone with her husband before the archery tournament at noon.