Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: Apr 19, 2024 4:13:54 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2016 18:43:07 GMT -8
 Castle Reinholdt is young as far as castles go, only about two and a half centuries old, as one can tell by the architecture and its shape, meant to be decorative than it was to be functional. It comes with surrounding land known for its orchards, and fields of wheat. It is capable of providing its lord with a tiny little sum, as it had done for the family that is as new as the castle is, having existed for only five generations. House Berengar resides in Castle Reinholdt, a House that was created by the Archduke of Steitz some 120 years ago. Sir Alan Berengar came from a family that had long served the Duchy of Steitz, and so he was rewarded. Although Lord Alan, his son, and his grandson had helped to fill the coffers of House Berengar by marrying well, investing well, and watching their pennies, the fourth generation Berengar had been too ambitious, had married above himself, and had almost left the coffers empty. Now, the young Lord Ruther Berengar, the current leader of the House, seeks to bring back some success to this failing House, by marriage, by contract, by trade... or by other means. |
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Emperor Rexus Aleksander
Committed
Kaiser, Tsar, Imperator; Lord of Mankind
Roleplay posts: 79 
Age: Much older than he looks.
Physical Description: A throwback to the Emperor's of old, he is extremely tall at 7'5, very muscular and generally bulky. He has has short and very neat blond hair and baby blue eyes. Powerful regal features are upon his face along with a small scar on his forehead. When extremely tired or irritated he will begin to show some wrinkles of someone much older than he would appear at first glance.
Clothes and Equipment: A massive suit of five-piece armour and a large Xiphos sword both of which are beautiful and deadly in equal measure.
Registered: Nov 22, 2016 5:22:53 GMT -8
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Post by Emperor Rexus Aleksander on Nov 27, 2016 8:48:32 GMT -8
(Since I do not want to interrupt the Steitz scene I mosey over here)
The Emperor had began his tour of the country he would now rule recently. He started with the nearest lands within Augustgrad, and the first he came upon was Castle Reinholdt. He rode here in his jet black coach along with a column of mounted soldiers of his own for protection. When finally having arrived, he casually stepped out waiting to be greeted.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: Apr 19, 2024 4:13:54 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2016 12:47:59 GMT -8
When the black carriage pulled up to the castle, there were people gathered in two straight lines, to either side of the front entrance, with Lady Catalina and Lord Ruther standing on the steps. The day was bright, but it was crisp, and a charming layer of snow covered the land and the branches of the orchards visible from where they stood, just over the curtain wall of the tower-like structure. It was, if nothing else, pretty, as were the Lord and Lady that stood waiting. Lord Ruther was dressed in:  And Lady Catalina was dressed like:  When the Emperor's coach and men pulled forward, Lady Catalina felt a clench in her gut and tried to make sure that her distaste didn't show on her face. She wasn't much of an actress, however, so she lowered her gaze to the ground, feigning feminine submissiveness. When the Emperor stepped out of the coach, all of them bowed and curtsied, the peasants as best they could, and Lady Catalina dropped into a graceful one. "Emperor Aleksander, you bless us with your presence," Lord Ruther said from his courtly bow. |
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Emperor Rexus Aleksander
Committed
Kaiser, Tsar, Imperator; Lord of Mankind
Roleplay posts: 79
Age: Much older than he looks.
Physical Description: A throwback to the Emperor's of old, he is extremely tall at 7'5, very muscular and generally bulky. He has has short and very neat blond hair and baby blue eyes. Powerful regal features are upon his face along with a small scar on his forehead. When extremely tired or irritated he will begin to show some wrinkles of someone much older than he would appear at first glance.
Clothes and Equipment: A massive suit of five-piece armour and a large Xiphos sword both of which are beautiful and deadly in equal measure.
Registered: Nov 22, 2016 5:22:53 GMT -8
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Post by Emperor Rexus Aleksander on Nov 27, 2016 13:22:13 GMT -8
The Emperor looked at Lord Ruther with a nod and impassively frowned at Catalina. Her submissiveness and such while expected was so... boring. It was not something he was looking for, so he mentally noted "not her." It wasn't that he disliked the social norms; to the contrary, they kept order. But when done in such a manner, when so fearful it just shows that they are of the unambitious, haughty, rich and most likely inbred families with no desire to accomplish anything. This did not seem to be a ploy by the girl to get in control of him either due to the wholly different looks he was getting from the others. After bowing he rubbed his gloved hands with some exaggeration. "It is a fine time in which I am meeting you Lord Berengar. Soon we will be having a glorious expedition into Swavia, in which I am sure you will participate. The heathens will be smitten after all they had done to us. It will be a vendetta like no other." he finished, looking at the toy castle curiously. With a shrug, he waited to be lead in to where he could have a chat with Ruther, get the so called "lay of the land."
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: Apr 19, 2024 4:13:54 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2016 13:35:11 GMT -8
Catalina remained quiet, her head bowed, not even looking at the Emperor even after his acknowledgment meant they could all stand tall again. She kept her lashes lowered, so he wouldn't be able to see the distaste in her gaze.
Ruther remained poised and looked the handsome and the ambitious Emperor in the face. If only the world weren't so cruel as to make Ruther be born unto House Berengar. Perhaps he might have been born as Aleksander instead.
A noise suddenly came from Catalina, which she covered with a cough into her palm when the Emperor started talking about "smiting" the "heathens" with an expedition into Swavia. Ruther glanced at her, a disapproving frown on his face.
He gestured into the estate and turned to walk beside Aleksander as they entered into the home. It was clean, and it was tastefully decorated if a little sparse, and if a little... dated. Not shabby, however, but for those that knew that background of House Berengar and the straights it had just endured, one could see that progress was being made from the ruin that had threatened it. For someone used to the luxury and beauty of Augustgrad, however... it would seem, provincial.
Catalina trailed after the men as Ruther spoke. "Of course, House Berengar will support the Emperor in reclaiming Swavia from those Barbarians in whatever ways we can."
Catalina rolled her eyes behind the men's shoulders as Ruther led the Emperor toward his suite of rooms that had been prepared. "I would like to discuss these measures as soon as you've rested and made yourself comfortable, Your Imperial Highness."
Catalina, once more, said no such thing to agree. But then, women were often there to be seen and not heard. As long as she was pretty, who cared what she said?
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Emperor Rexus Aleksander
Committed
Kaiser, Tsar, Imperator; Lord of Mankind
Roleplay posts: 79
Age: Much older than he looks.
Physical Description: A throwback to the Emperor's of old, he is extremely tall at 7'5, very muscular and generally bulky. He has has short and very neat blond hair and baby blue eyes. Powerful regal features are upon his face along with a small scar on his forehead. When extremely tired or irritated he will begin to show some wrinkles of someone much older than he would appear at first glance.
Clothes and Equipment: A massive suit of five-piece armour and a large Xiphos sword both of which are beautiful and deadly in equal measure.
Registered: Nov 22, 2016 5:22:53 GMT -8
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Post by Emperor Rexus Aleksander on Nov 27, 2016 14:43:03 GMT -8
The Emperor grinned upon hearing the noise from Catalina. A squeamish one, that should be interesting. "Yes, they shall be destroyed to the last. I heard a village of our kin was destroyed by them; let me tell you we will strike back threefold. Our Legions will be unstoppable. While they can hide and try to wither us down they will have a choice. To leave their lands and die, or to face us and die. When told told resting he waved a hand wearily. "There is no rest for the sorts of me." he said, sitting down. "Tell me Lord, what do you know of the Archduke Isenbardus?" He knew it would be very little but he needed all he could get. "The man has... piqued my interest."
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: Apr 19, 2024 4:13:54 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2016 15:18:24 GMT -8
Catalina had heard enough. She turned to her brother, lifting her head although not looking at the Emperor at all. "Brother, I have business I must tend to in the garden and greenhouse," she said, her way of requesting that she be excused from having to listen to the coming conversation.
Ruther frowned at her. "What business?" he asked, sure that he knew all of the ins and outs of what Catalina could possibly be doing. The pretty young woman fidgeted in her beautiful green gown.
"Business that can't wait." She then did look at the Emperor, and one could easily see it in her gaze that she did not like him and barely respected him... so she lowered it once more, appearing subservient and missish as she had been. "Forgive me, Your Imperial Highness, but I must take my leave."
Catalina turned and made for the doorway of the Emperor's rooms.
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Emperor Rexus Aleksander
Committed
Kaiser, Tsar, Imperator; Lord of Mankind
Roleplay posts: 79
Age: Much older than he looks.
Physical Description: A throwback to the Emperor's of old, he is extremely tall at 7'5, very muscular and generally bulky. He has has short and very neat blond hair and baby blue eyes. Powerful regal features are upon his face along with a small scar on his forehead. When extremely tired or irritated he will begin to show some wrinkles of someone much older than he would appear at first glance.
Clothes and Equipment: A massive suit of five-piece armour and a large Xiphos sword both of which are beautiful and deadly in equal measure.
Registered: Nov 22, 2016 5:22:53 GMT -8
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Post by Emperor Rexus Aleksander on Nov 27, 2016 17:04:41 GMT -8
The Emperor looked at the girl, and when she left looked at Lord Ruther. Few would know but the Emperor was personally touched by the happenings in Swavia, by the Witches, and such was the reasoning for his hate and focus upon them. He could not bear to see someone be a sympathiser with them and stood up. "Excuse me Lord, but may I have a word with your daughter? I would just like to educate her on history."
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: Apr 19, 2024 4:13:54 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2016 18:06:14 GMT -8
Ruther ground his teeth together as Catalina swept from the room. She had been rude, and just barely on the edge of propriety with her statements. And she'd said it to the Emperor of Vessia of all people. The NEW Emperor of Vessia.
"She is my sister," Ruther corrected the Emperor, and he stepped from back the doorway and gestured to the threshold. "Please," he said.
Catalina's green gown was trailing behind her as she took to the steps quickly, her dark hair flowing as she tried to put distance between herself and the Emperor as quickly as possible.
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Emperor Rexus Aleksander
Committed
Kaiser, Tsar, Imperator; Lord of Mankind
Roleplay posts: 79
Age: Much older than he looks.
Physical Description: A throwback to the Emperor's of old, he is extremely tall at 7'5, very muscular and generally bulky. He has has short and very neat blond hair and baby blue eyes. Powerful regal features are upon his face along with a small scar on his forehead. When extremely tired or irritated he will begin to show some wrinkles of someone much older than he would appear at first glance.
Clothes and Equipment: A massive suit of five-piece armour and a large Xiphos sword both of which are beautiful and deadly in equal measure.
Registered: Nov 22, 2016 5:22:53 GMT -8
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Post by Emperor Rexus Aleksander on Nov 27, 2016 18:26:00 GMT -8
The Emperor opened his mouth realising the massive mistake he made but shut it. "The sincerest of apologies to you, Lord." he said, standing up.
He followed Catalina, quietly but quickly despite wearing heavy gilded armour. When he finally got close enough to speak properly he called after her. "Excuse me but did I say anything wrong? Surely you do not feel squeamish merely planning to raise an army to destroy the threat of the East?" he asked, the imposing man getting closer with each step. "Come, do you truly fear me? What have I done wrong but be blessed to make me a person of this stature."
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: Apr 19, 2024 4:13:54 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2016 20:02:05 GMT -8
She had pushed on the front door of the castle to go outside, her cloak over her arm as it was given to her by a servant that quickly scurried away when she saw the Emperor coming down. No doubt some of the tapestries that hung from the beams overhead stroked against his head.
Snow was gently falling again, and it dropped against her dark hair as she moved to put her cloak over her shoulders. She turned her face toward the Emperor so he could see that she hadn't been subservient at all -- she was defiant, and temperamental, and too wise to show it to him in the presence of others, but not wise enough to continue to hide it from him.
"War is not a topic for ladies, so I've been told," Catalina told the Emperor as he stepped closer to her. Her gut twisted. He was indeed very tall. And with his armor, very imposing. She took a small step back for every one step he took closer to her until she had to stop and tip her beautiful face back to look up at him. Both of their breaths frosted in the chill of the mild winter air.
"You wear such armor to intimidate, Your Highness," Catalina said, half accusing, half honest observation. "If I don't feel some measure of fear, then your armor and your airs are not doing as they aught."
Her long lashed gaze flickered to the windows of the castle where she could see her brother watching from the second-story window. "If I've offended you with my need for distance from you, then I apologize, Your Imperial Highness," she said again, her words quiet and only half-genuine. "I'm sure you have far better things to discuss with my brother."
She once more tried to walk away from him.
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Emperor Rexus Aleksander
Committed
Kaiser, Tsar, Imperator; Lord of Mankind
Roleplay posts: 79
Age: Much older than he looks.
Physical Description: A throwback to the Emperor's of old, he is extremely tall at 7'5, very muscular and generally bulky. He has has short and very neat blond hair and baby blue eyes. Powerful regal features are upon his face along with a small scar on his forehead. When extremely tired or irritated he will begin to show some wrinkles of someone much older than he would appear at first glance.
Clothes and Equipment: A massive suit of five-piece armour and a large Xiphos sword both of which are beautiful and deadly in equal measure.
Registered: Nov 22, 2016 5:22:53 GMT -8
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Post by Emperor Rexus Aleksander on Nov 28, 2016 13:10:11 GMT -8
When she tried to leave he gripped left hand with his right, and pulled so she would end up facing him. The unspoken acknowledgement that permission to leave was not granted hovered in the air for a few moments, with an unsympathetic frown from Lord Rexus. Then the man switched to his usual grin belying his true intentions or motives. "It's not war, it's policing and reclamation. I was born in Swavia and saw the Empire lose what is it's own. You can hardly call smiting barbarians war. Do you call a Witch Hunt, the fight against the enemy within war? Neither is this. Regardless, you should not shy away from it."
He let out a hearty laugh (his eyes still focused on the woman before him) when she brought up his armour. "Surely you jest. It is decorated, and worn by a man of state to show the union between the orders within our state. I am showing you that despite all you should not fear the authoritarian rule we impose. We who fight do it for the kinsmen we love, and for the wonderful land which we behold. Surely you do not fear the one who keeps anarchy away, and stops rabble from coming to slit your throat?" With a dark chuckle he turned to the approximate direction Swavia was in and pointed. "Would you like to go there where the likes of me cannot protect you from the maddened hordes?" he asked, knowing the answer that most likely would be said with a hint of snarkiness.
"Surely you do not think I am truly frightening? A man anointed by the holiest within our state, blessed by clergy and the kindest among us. Certainly you can see the absurdity of fearing one who works with people of any age and status?" he said, scanning her face for hesitation or some sign of ulterior emotions.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: Apr 19, 2024 4:13:54 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2016 8:45:46 GMT -8
Catalina gasped -- both in fear and in outrage -- when the Emperor reached out and grabbed onto her slender wrist. She could tell in that very moment that he'd be strong enough to snap her fragile bones like a twig if he so chose. She stumbled a little in the light layer of snow closer to him in her shock, and her pretty eyes glinted with her anger even as fear still edged their depths.
He kept her arm in his grasp as he spoke, even as his charming smile crossed his handsome face, even as his smooth voice spoke. "Violence begets violence," she said back to him, her voice a little breathless. She did feel intimidated by him, she did feel fear, but one could only be truly courageous if one FELT fear. "An eye for an eye will leave the whole world blinded."
She swallowed when he laughed, when he spoke that surely she didn't fear him, he, the savior at all? His words became dark very quickly, hinting to the bodily harm that could come to her, if he were not there to stop it. Or... rather... if he were to allow it.
"If you would like me to love you, Your Highness, then you will have to order it," she told him quietly. "If you would like me to respect you, Your Highness, then you have it, and I beg your forgiveness for my ignorance and my folly." It was hard to tell if she meant her words. There was certainly an edge to them. But there was honest to goodness terror -- at least mildly -- visible in her face. For, of course, he still held her arm in his grasp, and he controlled whether she lived or she died... as well as her brother and her family, and indeed, everyone and everything she knew.
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Emperor Rexus Aleksander
Committed
Kaiser, Tsar, Imperator; Lord of Mankind
Roleplay posts: 79
Age: Much older than he looks.
Physical Description: A throwback to the Emperor's of old, he is extremely tall at 7'5, very muscular and generally bulky. He has has short and very neat blond hair and baby blue eyes. Powerful regal features are upon his face along with a small scar on his forehead. When extremely tired or irritated he will begin to show some wrinkles of someone much older than he would appear at first glance.
Clothes and Equipment: A massive suit of five-piece armour and a large Xiphos sword both of which are beautiful and deadly in equal measure.
Registered: Nov 22, 2016 5:22:53 GMT -8
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Post by Emperor Rexus Aleksander on Nov 29, 2016 13:37:08 GMT -8
He shook his head, disappointed at her reaction. "Violence begets a reaction, and I chose violence. Do not forget that were are not the ones who started this. Would you rather I stand idle and watch my people fall? Would you rather I just gave you to the oh, so unsympathetic savages? We will not be blind, we will take off their damn heads and leave with both eyes intact."
He gave a short but quieter chuckle when she spoke of her love and respect. "No I shan't order it, I doubt such an order can truly be done regardless. He let go of her arm and threw up his hands. "You see, this is not what I want. I don't want silly obedience, and quietness for whatever I say. I want you to see, to understand that I am right. I am right and that is a fact, however the unwillingness of so many like you to accept it is just... infuriating, no personally against you but in general. I don't want to have to use my ordained power, I want you to understand. I do not desire to force people to do as necessary, I wish us to all be intelligent equals... well with me and the other chosen ones the first among them, of course. But do you not see the massive concessions I make? Do you not see the patience, and kindness running thing yet persevering where it could be easily replaced by fury?" during the whole time of the tirade he paced around, following her if she tried to leave and only getting louder. "Certainly you can see reason?" he said. He was not as charismatic as some of the Emperors prior, but he (at least he thought) he made up for it with ingenuity.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: Apr 19, 2024 4:13:54 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2016 21:13:23 GMT -8
She was unable to look away from his face, even if she wanted to. He was arresting, and as he said so of himself, divine. Like a God descended from Mount Essos. And, like a God, he was dangerous.
When he let go of her arm, the dark haired woman drew it to her chest, her other hand coming up to cradle her wrist where he had bruised her. The marks on her skin were already visible, and as she glanced down at it, she gasped, and then her gaze fled to his armor. Iron? Was there Iron in his armor? Iron about him somewhere?
SHe took a step back, but he followed with his impassioned arguments and defenses of his nature, exalting himself since Lady Catalina would not do it for him. He followed her as she moved until the curtain wall was close.
"I can see reason, Your Highness," she said quietly to him. Catalina was not one to argue very deeply. The minds of men could not be swayed. But as her brother might have warned the Emperor she was quietly, silently stubborn as a mule. Preach to her as you like, threaten her, starve her, beat her, debate with her, bribe her -- none of it would do a thing if her mind was made up... but she would not argue. No, it was a waste of time she had discovered.
Even now, was she agreeing with him? Pacifying him? All that could be truly seen was that thought she was afraid (and physically hurt), she was still standing. She was still replying, albeit in a soft voice.
"If Your Highness would allow it, I would ask to be excused from his presence in order to tend to my duties in the greenhouse." Her wide hazel eyes looked up at him as the snow continued to gently fall all around them, dappling in her hair and sliding over his armor.
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Emperor Rexus Aleksander
Committed
Kaiser, Tsar, Imperator; Lord of Mankind
Roleplay posts: 79
Age: Much older than he looks.
Physical Description: A throwback to the Emperor's of old, he is extremely tall at 7'5, very muscular and generally bulky. He has has short and very neat blond hair and baby blue eyes. Powerful regal features are upon his face along with a small scar on his forehead. When extremely tired or irritated he will begin to show some wrinkles of someone much older than he would appear at first glance.
Clothes and Equipment: A massive suit of five-piece armour and a large Xiphos sword both of which are beautiful and deadly in equal measure.
Registered: Nov 22, 2016 5:22:53 GMT -8
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Post by Emperor Rexus Aleksander on Nov 30, 2016 8:05:07 GMT -8
He frowned at what she said and when she finished had a low growl, like a wolf to a sickly deer he mustn't eat but does it nonetheless. "All my efforts for naught. This is why the peasantry revolts, when nobility cannot see how the world is outside of their own sheltered life!" He knew it would sound somewhat odd coming from an Emperor but in truth all was to the contrary; he knew an un-sheltered life very well. "Get out of my sight." He said when she asked to leave. He was horribly frustrated and needed a few moments of heavy breathing, plated shoulders going up and down.
He would eventually return to Lord Berengar, still thinking over his interaction with Catalina. He would listen to what he had to say with the occasional "Mhmm" to show that he was not ignoring the man. The man wasn't of nobility all that high and seemed to know nothing of the Archduke so he reckoned he could let his mind wander. If he had nothing to supply to him he would eventually bow with thanks and with a reminder about the coming conflict leave.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: Apr 19, 2024 4:13:54 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2016 20:40:04 GMT -8
Catalina wasn't entirely sure what the Emperor had expected -- his ramblings had seemed to go in a zig-zag that she couldn't comprehend for a problem she wasn't even aware she had. Or he had? She didn't know what her distast for war had to do with peasantry revolting, or what her shelter life had to do with the Emperor's perceived kindness -- but clearly, he was a man prone to tempers and violence and Catalina had to get away from the iron upon him.
She didn't have to be ordered twice, and she quickly put distance between herself and the emperor, her wounded arm cradled to her chest. She didn't dare look down upon it until she had gotten to her greenhouse, where braziers were lit to keep things warm inside.
Her heart pounding hard, she looked down at her arm where the bruises in her skin had been, and before her very eyes she watched them disappear from her flesh. "Oh, thank the gods," she murmured, leaning back against the greenhouse door and lifting her gaze to the glass ceiling where snow was gently blanketing.
She pulled off her cloak and rested it over a chair, and where she moved, the flora around her seemed to sudden blossom and turn to face her, as if she were the sun. When Catalina began to hum, sure that she was alone, even the flora far from her begin to grow more lush, more vibrant, blossoms opening.
She snapped out an apron and then tied it around her frame, and then began to get to work -- pruning, shearing, taking care of her plants and experimenting with others while her mind wandered over the Emperor's rant and what it meant, exactly for her.
Meanwhile, Ruther had watched the exchange from the window. There was a frown present on his face that was not there by the time the Emperor returned back to his rooms. He didn't apologize for his sister, for it wasn't his apology to make. It seemed, however, that Catalina had put the Emperor in a dark mood, so Ruther made his excuses to leave the man alone.
He doubted the Emperor would stay in Reinholdt for very long. It was a small castle, and not at all as ornate as others that he was no doubt more used to. Letting him rest, Ruther decided to get back to his work with his lands until it was time to eat dinner that night.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: Apr 19, 2024 4:13:54 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2016 16:23:27 GMT -8
Catalina was not in a good mood. She hated the people that the archduke had sent to her castle, to look over her shoulder. Lord Ruther, of course, had no idea and even seemed to support it. He had been hovering over his twin sister more ever since she'd been poisoned at the Imperial Palace.
Luckily, they'd been able to get away without a further check into why it was that Catalina had seemed to "bounce back" from the poison, or why Lord Ruther hadn't been poisoned at all. Thank god she had given him that ring that he seemed to wear all the time. It purified whatever Lord Ruther ate or drank, and it had been a gift she'd given him when she'd been worried that his ambition would see him dead. She'd been right.
Kind of.
She now needed one for herself.
Catalina worked on her plants, snow blanketing her green house when she suddenly heard a SCREAM.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: Apr 19, 2024 4:13:54 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2016 16:34:38 GMT -8
She looked up and over her shoulder, her hands dirty with soil and fertalizer and dirt. Then there was another scream and a rush outside. Catalina immediately left her station, leaving her cloak behind. She felt a sudden pain in her neck, a twist and harmful pain that made her gasp, and she pushed open the door.
Servants were rushing toward the curtain wall in a panic, and Catalina find it hard to breathe. She began to walk, and then moved faster, faster, the snow flurries in her face, crisp against her skin. A horse was trying to stand, but its leg was broken. There was a body in the snow.
"It can't be," Catalina said, even as her own neck seemed to bruise. Her cheeks turned rosy with the cold, her breath frosting in the air, snow settling in the dark strands of her hair. "Ruther," she called. Servants began to cry, wailing, and then they saw Catalina coming closer.
"Milady..." they said to her, but she shoved them aside until she saw her brother.
His neck twisted unnaturally. His arm broken.
Dead.
And then Catalina SCREAMED.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: Apr 19, 2024 4:13:54 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2016 19:43:04 GMT -8
The shocking news of Lord Ruther Berengar's death -- some accident with a horse -- spread quickly. Notices were given to Emperor Rexus Aleksander , to the Archduke Isenbardus , to their neighbors the Duchess Empress Aurelia Rexus and Cerridwyn von Heschburg 's father and his estate. Even Master Inquisitor Jov and Adrian von Heschburg were informed of the untimely and shocking death, through tales and tales and tales. Lady Catalina was... in a state of shock. She felt numb all over. She had curious bruises along her neck where Ruther's own had twisted, but as she had taken to wearing the veils of mourning -- as appropriate -- people hardly saw it. She felt as if she was in a fog, a daze, perhaps. She wasn't even aware of the passing of hours, she could only think of Ruther... ... His body was lying out in the small chapel on the grounds of the humble Castle Reinholdt. Catalina had avoided going there as she hadn't been able to handle it. Every night she cried herself to sleep once the candles were guttered, but in her days she was silent and spoke to no one, wandering the grounds as if she was already a ghost. Her plants in the greenhouse had begun to whither and die... Flowers had to be arranged, however. For the ceremony. She went to her beloved greenhouse and saw how the plants were on the verge of death, whithered and starved of her presence. A few tried to blossom for her, just to feel her near... And she reached out a hand and cradled a bloom. The plant began to gain life, turning green as she looked upon it, and then... suddenly, Lady Catalina went breathless with realization. She took her skirts in hand and she whirled out of the greenhouse, leaving the door open for the crisp coolness of winter to come sweeping into the greenhouse itself. She burst into the castle where the fire in the great hearth was being tended to by sleepy-eyed servants who didn't even bother standing at attention. Catalina whipped her veil out of her face and went into the chamber of the spy that Archduke Isenbardus had sent with her, to "help" her with her herbal remedies as well as to report to the Archduke all of Catalina's spells. They had brought a trunk full of books which Catalina had had no interest in, and she had manipulated the spy's memories each day with their evening cider, which they took before writing the report to Isenbardus. It was the dead of night when Catalina took them by the shoulders and shook. "Wake, wake, you must wake!" The funeral for Lord Ruther was in two days, and guests would no doubt begin arriving with tomorrow's hours. What Catalina needed to do, she needed to do quickly. Time was running out. |
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