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Post by GingerBlues on Nov 30, 2016 23:55:29 GMT -6
"A Matter of Principle"
A Private RP
Hawkeye and Selora
Spring 1700
(Shortly after the events of Chapter 2)
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Time: Late morning
Location: The Emperor's Palace (Throne Room)
Weather: Cloudy with a light Drizzle
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Post by GingerBlues on Dec 1, 2016 0:00:28 GMT -6
Hawkeye
Emperor of the Talori
The emperor sat upon his throne, stoic as ever, waiting for the arrival of the Seroran ambassador. The rain falling outside could be slowing her, but even still, Hawkeye expected she'd arrive soon. It wasn't everyday one received a summons from the emperor, and those who did knew better than to keep him waiting.
The young mare had only been in Aquore for a short time, and already she was making an impact, and not in a good way. The emperor had received one too many complaints about the mare and came to the conclusion that he had to act, quickly. He'd sent a message by way of sea to the Sultan of Hireath's desert dwelling equines, and knew that there would be much to discuss with him if the two had any hope of salvaging their already shaky alliance. Even still the Emperor knew he couldn't let the things that had transpired slide.
His country was in the most fragile state it'd ever been in, and he couldn't...he wouldn't let some outsider jeopardize all he, and those he came before him, had struggled to build. Hawke watched the door as he contemplated his options. He could send the mare home, but with what he'd heard of her, that act alone could risk the collapse of his entire country. He couldn't deport her to Aodh, no matter how badly he wanted to. That in itself could cause a war, and it wasn't worth it. He could keep her among his people...within his boarders. Not an ideal situation, but it would do. He'd place guardians nearby to keep an eye on her, at least for a while... but as long as she stayed in Aquore, she wasn't as much of a threat. He'd briefly tossed around the idea of sending her to Torrine, but in the end, he knew that wouldn't end well either. No. He'd offer her a peaceful existence within Inaria that would only be threatened if she fought him on the topic or began to cause more issues than she was worth.
Word Count: 346 |
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Post by PennthePony on Dec 1, 2016 15:52:01 GMT -6
Selora Seroran Ambassador
The wind and rain had started early that morning, and though it was not heavy, it was not necessarily welcome.
The streets were nearly empty, save for a few merchants huddled under their brightly colored canopies, draping tarp over their precious goods. The pitter-patter of rain drops echoed off of the golden cobblestone, little puddles collecting between the precisely placed blocks. The pale mare that walked with purpose, a light colored cloak draped over her body to hide her from the rain, avoided these puddles at all costs. Puddles were the commencement of mud patches, after all. And mud was this particular mare's mortal enemy.
Today, of all days, Selora had been summoned to the Palace to speak with the Emperor himself - the Emperor, imagine that. Though she could hardly imagine what he was summoning her for, she was nervous and excited all in the same breath. She had left early that morning, but of course with the rain and the slick cobblestone, it was taking her longer to get to the Palace. Of course, she would not be late. She would never be tardy, especially not for a meeting with Emperor Hawkeye himself. Only Cascade could have blessed her in such a way to be noticed by his Great Highness, and she could not deface the Wave Mother by being late.
Picking up her step, the tiny Ambassador, standing at a humble 11 hands high, pulled her cloak tighter over her hair, making sure the rain would not frizz her very particularly styled curls. Every morning, she woke to set her naturally curly hair on rods before she started her day, ensuring their smooth and uniformity throughout the day. Today would be no different. Turning large lilac eyes up ahead, Selora saw the waterfall, a brilliant show of crashing water and peaceful beauty. Guardians were placed at stations around the Palace, including behind the doors, she gathered, as when she grew nearer, they opened to part the waterfall in two. Two mighty doors engraved with old Talorian runes allowed her refuge from the rain within the palace. A servant offered to take her wet cloak from her, and she gratefully obliged, using her pale telekinetic tendrils to loosen her curls from her neck. Her stately bun was still neatly resting on her crest, held by a metal circlet adorned with a single turquoise gem, which shimmered as if it emanated its own light. Her beauty alone seemed to light the hall, until she realized in disappointment that it was in fact torchlight. She had only been in the palace a few times before, and each and every time, she stood entranced by the structure, which seemed to be carved by the Wave Mother herself. It was sheer perfect, the entirety of it. Its walls glistened gold yet seemed to glow with a dampness - yet not an unwelcome dampness, but instead the sort of wet that reminded Selora of the beach, where the shallow seawater met the hard sand. Shimmering, yet textured like stone. It was simply glorious.
She was led by two Guardians down to the throne room, through several corridors. Odd - two Guardians? Perhaps it was simply policy that outsiders, if ever granted access to the palace, were to be led by two Guardians. But now that Selora thought about it, her visits to the palace before had never been accompanied by two Guardians. It had always been one. Yet also, there was also the issue of the recent attacks on the city. The anxiety level was high, and it was only logical that the most essential pawns of the herd - such as the Emperor - would be closely guarded. So she thought nothing more of it.
Two more Guardians, brandishing sheathed swords strapped to their shoulders and simple triple pronged tridents held tightly within their telekinetic grasps, stood guard outside of the throne room, pulling open two large wooden doors similar to the initial set of doors to reveal a glowing room, ambient lighting breaking through the torchlight of the hall. Her arrival was announced, and Selora stood tall, wanting to make her best first impression possible. Taking light, practiced steps, the Ambassador entered the realm with a proud air about her, though careful not to radiate too much pride. She did not want the Emperor to think less of her for the way she stood.
words: 730
tags: GingerBlues
notes: goodness I feel like my descriptions of buildings are repetitive (': |
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Post by GingerBlues on Dec 1, 2016 23:20:05 GMT -6
Hawkeye
Emperor of the Talori
The emperor watched as the large wooden doors swung open, leaving the ambassador standing between them looking even smaller than she already was. Sighing heavily, he began running through his options once more as one of his guards announced the mare's arrival. Nodding his head slightly in acknowledgement, his gaze turned once more to Selora as he spoke.
"Enter." He said, his voice strong and unyielding as he watched the mare carefully walk into the massive room. She seemed poised and confident, both things he would expect to see in someone of her stature. His ears twitched back slightly as she came to a halt before the stairs leading up to his throne.
"Selora of Sedo." His voice, though calm and even, echoed throughout the hall. "Do you know why it is you have been summoned here this day?" He asked, his brows furrowing slightly as he studied her. She was still young by the standards of her own herd, and looked nothing like the past Seroran ambassadors. She chose to deck herself in the finery of his country, instead of the simple garb of her own, and even carried herself in a way more befitting a native born Talorian. It was almost as if she'd lost her way once arriving in Aquore...and maybe that was indeed the case. Either way, she was still a threat to his nation, and she had to be dealt with before it was too late.
Word Count: 250
((Naw your descriptions are fine <3))
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Post by PennthePony on Dec 2, 2016 23:29:28 GMT -6
Selora Seroran Ambassador
His voice.
It was so much like the sea, unbridled, bellowing... yet also calm, soothing... welcoming.
Although Selora did not necessarily find it welcome to her ears. Something about the atmosphere of the brightly lit room brought a shiver down her spine, which she concealed by dipping her head low, followed by a rather ostentatious bow that nearly touched her chest to the glimmering, polished floor. When she raised her body back to a standing position, the Ambassador was careful to keep her eyes lowered - although she couldn't help but glance up to catch a glimpse of the Emperor's rich green eyes, which held a troubled sort of stony expression that caused her belly to twist.
She had prayed on the entire walk there that she was being summoned based on Cascade's loving blessings that rained on her... yet something told her it was quite the opposite situation. Perhaps it the coldness of the Emperor's aura, or the overall gloominess of the throne room... The pale mare couldn't quite place her hoof on it.
His rumbling voice interrupted her perfectly anxious silence, and she felt a panic tear through her belly, although she hid it behind ice cold eyes and a rather expressionless resting face. Although at first she thought to be sarcastic, she decided it unwise to strike an attitude with the Emperor of the Talori. Instead, she chose a vaguer route... one she was quite crafty with.
" I cannot in an honest mind say that I do, your Highess. Though I hope it is by Cascade's blessings alone that I am graced to have been summoned by your graciousness, yet I am not worthy to attempt to decipher the Wave Mother's will. I prefer to leave her blessings up to interpretation, much like that of the limitless sea. It is not my right to interpret Her wishes, but that of the Divine." Spoken like a true Diplomat. She only hoped he would cut past all the formality and tell her why the hell she had to push aside her daily "appointments" for a summons from His Greatness.
words: 348
tags: GingerBlues
notes: My original post was lost to my computer's spasms, so I had to rewrite it.. ugh. |
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Post by GingerBlues on Dec 4, 2016 11:45:49 GMT -6
Hawkeye
Emperor of the Talori
"I cannot in an honest mind say that I do, your Highess. Though I hope it is by Cascade's blessings alone that I am graced to have been summoned by your graciousness, yet I am not worthy to attempt to decipher the Wave Mother's will. I prefer to leave her blessings up to interpretation, much like that of the limitless sea. It is not my right to interpret Her wishes, but that of the Divine."
The emperor snorted softly at the mare's response, nodding slightly in acknowledgement of her apparent ignorance of the situation.
"I have received numerous... troubling reports concerning your behavior since your arrival in Aquore. While I am patient and understand that there is always an adjustment period for any coming to our nation, there are some things I just can not overlook. You have consistently shown disregard for our laws while hiding behind knowledge of our customs. You have not only betrayed my trust, and the trust of all in Aquore, but you have destroyed the trust your own people put in you." He paused, frowning slightly as he contemplated his next words.
"The Seroran sultan has been notified of your traitorous actions, and while I have yet to hear back from him, I have come to a decision of my own." Hawkeye's gaze continued to stay locked onto the mare as he inhaled deeply. "You have put me in a difficult position, ambassador. One where I must risk potential war to keep my country and my people safe."
Slowly, the emperor rose to his feet, standing upon the platform that acted as his throne. "Selora, you are henceforth stripped of your title as ambassador. From this day forward, you shall remain in Aquore, under the watchful eyes of my guardians. There may come a day where surveillance of your actions is unnecessary, but that day is not today." He paused briefly, nodding to the guards by the door. "You have forsaken your people, and shall never again return to your homeland. While I would prefer to see you punished to the full extent of our laws, I am merciful. You will be branded for your traitorous acts, to serve as a reminder to yourself and those around you of what you have done, but I will allow you to remain in your home, and make a life for yourself among my people." His eyes narrowed as he spoke. "If I ever hear so much as a whisper of your continued treachery, I can assure you, I will not be so kind." Hawkeye pinned his ears back against his neck as he spoke, intent on making his point as he glared down at the little mare.
Word Count: 451 |
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Post by PennthePony on Dec 6, 2016 16:59:54 GMT -6
Selora
Traitor
The Emperor's words crashed down upon Selora like a tidal wave, nearly breaking her hardened exterior show. She listened, feeling her ear twitch slightly against her hair as she raised her head high and proud. He had sentenced her to a branding... Yet this did not trouble her. The former Ambassador only wandered who had complained. Who was the dirty rat who ruined her business, ruined her plans, ruined her very life... And perhaps she would never know, but even under the watchful eye of the Guardians, she would come to find out. She would find the traitorous bastard that brought her actions to light, and quench his flame. He would regret the very breath he breathed, and so she would relieve him of his guilt. Whoever he was, he would pay for what he had done to her. For no horse would go against her and go about the rest of his life in peace... No, whoever had caused her such grief would suffer. Her lip twitching to ever so slightly reveal clenched teeth, the tiny mare pushed her chest out, pulling her head back and tall to give off a regal air. After what seemed like an age of tense silence, Selora peered into the eyes of the Emperor. If she had been blessed with any sort of elemental manipulation, the element would have created a bridge between their eyes by now. The amount of dangerous venom held within her gaze was enough to fill a large vile. Finally, she opened her lips to speak. Her voice was ice cold, almost spitting the syllables and letting them drop to the floor like water - liquid, smooth, yet unpredictable. " As you wish, Emperor." Yet she knew better than to overstep her boundaries and lose her temper with the leader who so graciously allowed her to keep her life there among the Talori. " As for the branding... when shall this take place, if I may be so bold to ask?" Though of course the statement wasn't bold, Selora would talk her way through this meeting, as the silver-tongued diplomat that she was. Her title would not be taken from her until the moment she left the Palace, she decided. May as well play her part until the act was concluded.
words: 381
tags: GingerBlues
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Post by GingerBlues on Jan 11, 2017 23:50:39 GMT -6
Hawkeye
Emperor of the Talori
"As you wish, Emperor. As for the branding... when shall this take place, if I may be so bold to ask?"
Hawkeye gaze remained colder than the snow covered mountains of Onea as he spoke. "You will be branded before you leave the palace gates. The guardians will escort you to receive your punishment. After that, you are free to return to your home." He snorted softly. "Selora, I truly hope you have learned your lesson here today, as I do not wish to see you punished further. I pray you adapt to our ways quickly, and that our great wave mother shows you her mercy as you go about your days. The guardians assigned to you will also be available to help you find work, as I do not wish to see you starve."
He paused briefly. "You are a resourceful mare, Selora. I suggest you use it wisely in the coming days. You are dismissed." With that, he nodded to the guardians nearby, signalling them to lead the Seroran born mare away.
Word Count: 178
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Post by PennthePony on Feb 2, 2017 11:59:13 GMT -6
SELORA
And just like that, the Ambassador was no longer the Ambassador. She was a lowly commoner all over again, a traitor, the scum of the earth. Her, Selora Elladal Ninares, a traitor to her own country. She dared glare at the emperor as she was led away, her cool lilac eyes taking on an iciness that could have frozen over to its entirety the great oceans that licked the shores of Onea’s northern borders. It was as if to say, I hate you for this. In all reality, it was Selora’s own wrongs that had caused this. But as selfish and as unaware as she was, she could only see the punishment the Emperor had set before her.
The branding itself was quick and anything but painless. An iron brand shaped like a slashed through broken circle, which had been resting in the embers of a fire for presumably hours, was pressed to her shoulder as she was held down by two large Guardians. She did struggle at first against their combined weight, but what damage could she really do? She was one of the smallest mares in Sedo, and she perceived in the Talori as well, standing at a mere eleven hands high. It took her grinding her teeth together and bringing her hoof down on the concrete of the small room to keep her from screaming. To keep her from calling out to Cascade to help her, to save her from this misery. Branded.
She left ashamed, the Guardians having left the brand exposed on her shoulder, throbbing and still shining a bright red. It was mid afternoon, and the streets still bustled with the liveliness of the day. She avoided the main streets, using the back roads to get home. The sun had hidden its face long before she had found her way home. She had used her hair, no matter how much it had stung, to cover her branding when she did have to use the main roads. She avoided the glances of familiar faces, and used her height to her advantage. None could see her like this, not if she could help it. Who was she now… who would she be when her companions were told of what she had done? They say time heals wounds, but for Selora… time would only fester the infection of bitterness within her heart. And only Time could tell how repulsive that bitterness would become.
words: 397
notes: and end scene. sorry it's taken so long for me to post .-. Busy busy bee
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