676-01-20 - The Scariest Thing
| The Scariest Thing | |||||||
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| Summary: What starts off as a return from a hunt results in a visit from the scariest thing ever. An excited sister. | |||||||
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A group, which includes a few of the Ningo soldiers return to the castle after a hunting trip. Domitianus actually rode a horse finally. He went about as slow as possible, and barely stayed in the saddle, but he did it. To no surprise he brought back no spoils as he couldn't keep up with the other hunters on horseback.
The heir to the Ningo dismounts, or makes the attempt as he soon finds himself flat on his back as his foot twists the wrong way in the stirrup. The horse idly starts to wonder over to the stables and starts to drag him before one of the other Ningo walks over to take the reins and starts to help their commanding officer out of the troublesome device. Once free Domitianus stands up and dusts himself off. He appears fine and unfazed, even his pride seems unaffected.
Aeryn is walking through the snowy courtyard with Luanda, skating across the ice with her feet, twirling every now and then to show off. "Sae' you like the Prince Nathan do yae? He sounds like he has a good head on his shoulders, as far as someone from the Isles goes. I can't wait tae' meet him." She grins and leans over, sliding along as Luanda walks "So is he handsome hmmmmn?"
Aeryn has gone out hunting with the party. Her favorite targets are small animals that are difficult to hit, and she's exercised her skill and perception. Dressed in warm white with archer's gloves with arrows connected to them, she's proven to be a very quick shot. She looks to the Principe when he struggles "Doing alright there?"
As for Luanda, she is out walking her puppy. The little things is waddling its way through the snow, yipping now and again. Finally she plunges headfirst into a pile of snow, then starts to ki-yi with panic as she gets caught under a buried chunk of wood. The Princess laughs and lifts the pup out of the snow, and the little wolf growls at the branch. Luanda wipes her dry with her cloak, then looks over at the Ningo and Aeryn.
Domitianus looks to Aeryn as he recovers and she addresses him and nods saying, "I am still not used to those animals of yours." simply in a calm, serious tone. Spoken in the Ningo language. Turning to the sound of laughter he nods respectfully to luanda and says, "Hello Aunt Lunada." in Common. He is still learning, and the broken way he speaks the language is proof, but he is learning at least.
Aeryn hops off of the horse, landing onto her feet. She waves her hand "I know, I know, just joking with yae'". She moves towards the Principe, pointing at Luanda's little companion. "Hey, Princess Luanda has Nutmeg out.." She smiles with a little laugh "They're so cute together!"
"Hello, nephew," calls Luanda. She may find it odd to call him so, but she handles the awkwardness with princessly grace. "Do you need some warmed furs? I can have some brought out." Then she waves to Aeryn, smiling fondly.
Domitianus shakes his head to Luanda and says, "Home, far colder." simply. He then nods to Aeryn. As he and one of the soldiers see to making sure h is as cleaned off as possible, he looks to the wolf pup curiously but says nothing as his horse is returned to the stable. "DOMIIIIII!" is suddenly squealed out. Domitianus' body seems to move more from muscle memory then conscious thought. He pivots on the balls of his feet and faces the source of the sound.One leg behind him, bracing for an impact while the other remains loose to act as a shock absorber. The moment the movement is finished a woman who looks to be in her mid-teens leaps through the air and impacts Domitianus's body. Arms wrapping around the tall, stoic man's neck and legs wrap around his waist as a kiss is placed on his cheek.
The young woman then carries on in the Ningo language in an excited voice. She is wearing a dress that is clearly Ningo in style, her sides covered, the hem coming down to her ankles, and showing very little of her chest. She might seem slightly familiar to Luanda, or at least some of her features. She then drops down as Domitianus lets go of her from their brief hug and she turns her hip towards him and carefully parts the side of her dress to show a rather jagged-looking scar which is clearly fresh and chatters away further in an excited voice. For Luanda who is still learning the language it is hard to follow the fast, excitable chatter. What can be picked up is she is excited about the scar she is showing to the taller man, though she is hardly short herself as she stands at about five foot seven. They also have some form of close relationship, and mostly a lot of energy and excitement. Domitianus calmly looks at the scar and says in a much easier to understand, "A fine scar sister, it will no doubt get you many admirers." in his serious, straight-faced style in the Ningo language.
The woman then giggles like a sister who was just complimented, then seems to notice the others around and adjusts the side of her dress to cover herself back up, though nothing too personal was shown. She then nods to Luanda and Aeryn and asks in common, "Sorry, I'm Principessa Agostina of Family Cornelia. May I ask your names?" She at least seems to know the Common tongue well.
Aeryn blinks as the flung-arrow of sister goes shooting by. She takes a step back, then moves closer to Luanda, raising a brow as she stares at Luanda a moment. A soft sort of look that expects Luanda of knowing just who this is, or at least what's going on. She reaches over to ruffle the little cub's fur "'Nutmeg.." then looks up as she wasn't expecting to be addressed. "Lady Aeryn Firandall". She dips down into a curtsy. "A pleasure Principessa."
"Principessa." Luanda inclines her head in a nod, though she does not curtsey. "I am Princess Luanda Brais, of House Brais, eldest daughter of King Barret Brais, the Golden Leaf of the Maple of Two Rivers. Welcome and well-met. I had no word of your coming, or we would have been better prepared" She smiles, then nods to Domitianus. "Colder, yes, but you will still become wet. So I offer the hospitality of the hall to warm you." She glances over at Aeryn, and her brows furrow a moment.
There is a big 'AWW!' as Agostina walks over to Luanda and asks, "Where did you find such a tiny Dire Wolf?" she clearly thinks the puppy is cute. Is that really a great surprise for a girl in her mid-teens though? She then nods respectfully to Aeryn and asks, "Lady Aeryn. I believe I got that right. If you want to be formal it is 'Your Highness', unlike my big brother though I don't like being all stuffy. Informally Principessa Agostina would be the proper address." in Common. She then looks to Luanda as she introduces herself and the girl's smile broadens more and almost becomes as bright as the sun as the looks back to Domitianus and makes a face demanding, "Why didn't you tell me our aunt was here?" then sticks her tongue out at him. He simply shakes his head slowly at the antics and nods to Luanda and nods respectfully and says, "Thank. Sorry to bring doom of sister." in broken Common, and his typical calm, serious tone. Wait did Domitianus just make a joke? Agostina looks back at her brother as though insulted and says, "Just you wait." in a playfully threatening tone as Domitianus starts inside the castle and Agostina looks back to Luanda and says, "Sorry auntie Luanda, I didn't know it was you. And don't worry about me, I didn't send word because I wanted to surprise my brother, I earned my title." in a gleeful tone, seems 'earning her title' is why she's so excited.
Aeryn catches Luanda's look, and crosses her eyes, and her brows after she turns just enough so only Luanda can see her, trying to get her to break a smile. She fixes her face before turning back to the Ningo "O'course, Principessa Agostina. Yae' may call me Aeryn or Aeryn th' Red informally if you would prefer." She looks to the Principe falling back to stand near him, and in Ningo says juuuust purposefully loud enough for the Principess to hear "My, she is lively girl! Are you going to tell talk to her about you finding a wife?" in Ningo.
"No need to be sorry." Luanda smiles slightly, nodding again. "And this is Nutmeg. She is ... a foundling. Her mother died." She nestles the puppy against her. then grins at Domitianus. "And... your title? Congratulations!" She frowns slightly, though something twinkles in her eyes. "It isn't Doom-Sister, is it?"
Agostina smiles to Aeryn and says, "I like Aeryn. I guess your other ame is for your hair? It is amazing, how did you get hair like that?" As she joins Domitianus and asks her question he simply responds stoically, "No need." in Common. Agostina giggles and says, "I've talked to daddy more then grumpy has. I know more about his plans then Domi does." giggling softly in an almost evil sister kind of way. She then giggles more to Luanda and blushes lightly saying, "That is just Domi's version of a joke. We really do love each other I swear. With Ningo nobility, blood means nothing in regards to your title. When you are sixteen winters you are sent out with a few items and you have to make your way back to one of our settlements. I was out for four days before I finally found my way back to Unitas. I even got a scar from a... Sorry I don't know the translation. Anyway I was able to get away from it, daddy says I'll have to fight off the men now who will want to touch it." giggling softly and blushing more as she clearly means the scar won't be the only thing they'll be trying to touch.
Aeryn nods to the question of her name "Let's go with that as why they call me that.." The girl fires off at miles a minute! "If you mean th' color o' mae' hair ah' was born with it. If you mean the curl then it's from carefully applied heat.". She peers at Domitanus and comments a bit softer in Ningo "She is intimidating in her cheerfulness. I not surprise at all she pass trial. I can see she certainly has qualities to lead. Better be careful, boys will be running after her. Though I have feeling none ever able to catch her unless she let them." She grins as she reaches over to poke at the Principe's arm lightly and switches to common "So this is where yae' get your chatty, excited side from huh?"
"That is quite impressive. Again, my congratulations." Luanda looks towards the castle. "Coming of age.... earning a title and a place.... it is quite an accomplishment. I..." She shakes her head. "Things are different here. Myself.... I have never done such a thing. Though... I survived after falling off of a ship..."
Domitianus comes to a stop on his way inside and nods to Aeryn and says in Ningo, softly, "She always has been that way. She's smarter then she seems." Agostina nods to Aeryn and says, "Its very pretty, I wish I had hair like that. Think if I rub my head against yours some of it will rub off?" with a bit of a silly giggle, at least she isn't serious about it... Right? Agostina then nods respectfully to Luanda and says, "That would be hard too I would think. Especially if it took you days to get back. I don't think any Ningo has ever been on a 'ship' before. Maybe I could be the first." smiling.
Aeryn nods to Domitianus, pausing alongside him when he stops. "Yes, ah' can tell. There's directed hints here and there, and th' disarming attitude and personality will either put people on guard revealing certain traits, or put them at ease. I do something similair of a different flair. She's intelligent, witty, she'll be a powerful woman. Make sure she marries well. Don't marry her to someone who is stupid enough to squander her gifts. She'll be a powerful one, and she can go much further in politics." She gives Domitianus a softly resolute look before tearing her gaze away. "Princess Luanda hasn't the best luck on boats, but I'm sure she took her latest adventure with strength she didn't know she had. The Princess is intelligent, and is known amoungst our people as intelligent and competent. We all love her very much." She slips off her archer's bracer and raises her sleeve. "I don't know about the hair thing, you might catch freckles. See? They are all over my body, every time you wash off one two appear in it's place."
"It was hard. Water can't be breathed very well." Luanda frowns a little. "But why darken the day with talk like this. We have mulled wine inside, and there are some lovely pastries we can eat..." She looks towards the castle. "And warm furs and fire in the solar. Would you like to join me?"
Domitianus nods to Aeryn and says, "She has the potential to become heir." with an almost pride in his voice as he speaks softly in Ningo. As Aeryn pulls away, he starts back inside once again. Agostina looks to the freckles and giggles saying, "I hope you don't fall in a lake or something then, no telling how many you'd end up with." She then looks to Luanda and gives a bit of a squeal of excitement and says, "Of course, Family is what matters for Ningo, we should spend time together auntie. I think I tried one of your 'pasties', I think it was called a fruit tart? I don't know what mulled wine is. Is it like elderberry wine or blueberry wine?" as she attempts to slip her arm into Luanda's arm affectionately as though they grew up together as aunt and niece.
<FS3> Luanda rolls Perception: Moderate Success
Aeryn nods softly "I'm not surprised." She looks up as the talk goes further. A soft chuckle at the freckle comment. "Nutmeg the little cub has a sister, Charlotte. They aren't dire wolves but will remain much smaller. They were found so little. Princess Luanda shows Nutmeg much love, and ah'm sure she'll be a very fiercely loyal companion when she grows. Charlotte lives with me, she's with some of the dogs right now to help socialize her." She slips out of the coat as they move inside the castle, revealing a red dress underneath with 'Aeryn The Red' embroidered on the right side. She slings the coat over her shoulder "Wolves are wild animals, but if anyone can tame Nutmeg's wild heart I'm sure it would be the Princess."
