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Neutral
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“Liar, you were always a lot of things, but never clumsy, well, never enough to be too noticeable,” he grinned back devilishly. The majority of him was more than pleased to have her home again. It had been years and years and since his father was how he was: time crawled. But he did play her question in his mind. Tessa was a good few years younger than the both of them but no one could deny the way the fiery redhead felt from the beginning. . “Yes. It had to be Tessa, I mean, who else is there?” Faustian shrugged, keeping his hands held firmly behind his back in a very respectful manner. “I was given the option of her and another courtier’s daughter, but I’d rather have someone I know as my first wife. And she must get over herself, I’ll have more wives just like any other Lunarbeam male. My sister is thinking of starting her own harem, you know.” The thought of it brought a smile to his pale face. . The night air was cool and the darkness shamelessly painted Faustian a pale blue, as if he himself were a moonbeam being formed by the dark edges of shadow. Since she’d left, his features were much more sharp. His cheekbones, shoulders, and even his hands seemed a bit more thin and bony. Yet another reason when he stood next to his father he looked like a child. He remembered a time when his mother was still living. He’d been a child of color then. Rosy cheeks and a good amount of meat on his bones. . Mother adored Zeb. . “Zebythrae, I do hope you realize that as soon as you win the position you’ll go back to being Zebby around me,” he said, nodding and waving his hand as he spoke. “Yes, and I do believe you won’t say anything other than the usual growl and glare that ends up as a grin anyways.” The Lordling stopped for a moment and looked at her with all seriousness. “I’ve missed you.” . Up ahead on a perch high up, Deo watched his master walk with the female that was oddly familiar to him. At the moment though, his colors were fading and feathers were falling out regularly. It had put Faust through a fit until he realized it was simply the phoenix’s time to be reborn. The bird landed gracefully onto the cobblestones and stood up tall. He tilted his head at Zeb as he walked over to Faust who squatted and offered his arm to the creature. Of course Deo climbed up and rested on his shoulder, scanning this familiar newcomer. . “Um, this is Amedeus. He’s preparing for his first ash rising so don’t mind his appearance at the moment.” He glanced back over with a small shrug and a bit of a grin. . Refreshing. The whole experience was utterly refreshing and yet there was something pulling at him from the pit of his stomach that made his normally very smug grin falter for a long moment. |
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Lightbringer
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Zeb rolled her eyes at his statement about it had to be Tessa. "There was Coralie or even..." Her words catching in her throat as he mentioned that he would have multiple wives. Of course she knew the traditions but for some reason his statement sent a wave of hurt through her heart. "Is she really? I wish her luck in the endeavor. She is much better at the traditions than I would ever be. I don't like to share once someone is mine." Her eyes took in the way his features stood out in the lighting. Her heart stopped for a moment when he said her old nickname followed by that he missed her. His other sentiments almost lost on the female as she practically stared at the male before she shook her head. "I am suprised you missed me with all of the others that I know have kept your attentions." A quiet jab at herself as her eyes moved towards the bird. "If I am remembering correctly, you father got him for you at one of your birthdays." Another wave of hurt washed over the female at the memory of his father taking the little hatchling from her before taking full credit for the gift. Zeb had saved up her little amount of savings for the phoenix hatchling and had carefully chosen the only vibrant blue hatchling out of the clutch. The young girl never told her father about what had happened and only cried into her pillow, the first of many nights that began the building of her walls. "He is still handsome and regal. Though I don't know if I could say as much for his master." The teasing tone paused as she caught his grin falter. She reached up to place a hand on his shoulder with a gentle squeeze. "Fausty is everything alright?" Her eyes searched his features for a moment before suddenly she pushed him back into the shadows against a wall. Her other hand flew to her lips in the universal signal to be quiet. Though her features seemed to melt into the darkness except for her vibrant hair and eyes that grew darker as she kept herself pressed against him. An arrow wiggled after striking and lodging itself into the stone where the heir had just been standing. Any sign of a concerned Zeb were gone as she pulled herself away using the shadows to her advantage while her eyes combed the area around them for more movement. It would look as though her training was kicking in but if one looked closer, a slight shake was moving through the female's body be it from the adrenaline, cold air, or even possibly a mixture of fear and anger at almost losing her friend. Her movements were slow and it seemed to take forever before the fae spoke. "We should get you back inside before they attempt again but we need to stick to the shadows." Zeb slowly turned to offer her hand to Fausty. "I know it isn't one of your favorite things but I promise to not let go of your hand or leave your side until we return into the dining hall safely." |
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Neutral
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Faust rolled his eyes, “As you wish,” he grumbled, ignoring the previous question. It was no secret that the Lunarbeams had a very strong psychotic string, second only to the Frostbytes, but he hoped he hadn’t sunk that far so quickly. Hopefully it stayed far off for the next millennium. Deo, however, had abandoned his post on Faust’s shoulder to go off during the close encounter. The bird was easily able to slip away even without the normal abundance of feathers. How the bright colored bird always made it out but he did.
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He took her hand, feeling more like a child than he had ever before. Thank the Gods that he knew better than to go off and get himself killed. Although he had no shortage of siblings, as the child of the first wife it was tradition, it was bad luck to appoint someone from anyone other than the first wife. Last time that happened is when the insanity seeped into the bloodline. You would think that his father would be more aware of his beloved heir but he never seemed to notice much.
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Real shocker.
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“So, how do they treat you over at the training camps? Everything we feared it would be?” He asked, shivering as he remembered his father’s threats. Soldier camps were suited for those born into the rankings, put through every possible scenario possible and the weaker links were killed off. Crazy, right?
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The male looked at her, tilting his head with curiosity. A few stray strands of his hair fell out of form and flopped into his face. If he didn’t insist on keeping his hair long this wouldn’t be a problem, but what’s life worth if you’re not just a little bit messed up? Exactly.
. (Sorry its a bit short) |
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Lightbringer
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Zeb squeezed his hand for a moment before raising an eyebrow. "Not as what we feared it would be but not much better. The training is meant to harden and put resolve into people to make the necessary decisions. If anything I was singled out more for specific training because of the uniqueness of my skin tone and hair. An oddity of sorts even with the scars." Her hand released his for a moment as she reached up to brush the loose strands of hair behind his ear, granted it was a little interesting to see as she was shorter than him. The gentleness returned to her eyes as she searched his features. "Not all of the stories we heard were true. I saw children leave with no visible injuries. Of course there were many nights I would lay awake and worry about what your father was doing to you and how I wasn't there to protect you." As she spoke, her gaze moved from him to look once more around the brickwork pausing for a moment when she caught a slight movement in the shadows. Zeb turned back towards the way that they had been walking and began the journey back wrapping her arms around herself once more. "If I wasn't here to be a possible choice for protecting you, who out of the others would you choose?" A simple question that she asked over her shoulder before following it with her gaze. Hidden within the words was a hope that she had made the right choice in coming back. That it was fate that brought her back to the one place she had almost vowed to never set foot in again. |
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Neutral
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“Out of who dined with us? I’d rather choose Tessa over them for crying out loud. The two females looked more prepared to wed and bed me than protect me from anything, really. And I do not appreciate men who look like brutes.” He rolled his eyes at such a question. He was trained enough to protect himself in hand to hand combat, distance would be any onlooker’s strong point. Faust wondered how long it would be until he was taught to look out for the threats that lurked in the skies instead of infront of him. Zeb was the only one he trusted to truly make sure his safety was obsolete.
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The one person he trusted more than anyone else and yet he hadn’t filled her in on the recent troubles other than his fiance, but he assumed she had expected it. After all, most males took their first mate by the age of one hundred in this family, he had almost lasted another decade before his father started to press him for an engagement. Faustian knew he wasn’t going to be the one to tell her. He wouldn’t be shocked if she already knew about the fits starting. Genetic curses,am I right? Madness usually doesn’t start until well after the first child but here he was. Boy nearly hallucinates every night now. But that wasn't really what he worried about. Zeb and he had made precautions for when it happened. What worried him was his comforter.
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Faust blinked and gave a sideways grin. “What can I say, I think you’re just growing on me… like a fungus. At least you’re a pretty fungus,” he said with a wink, taking the lead and moving ahead. How long were these trials again? Till everyone was dead? Eh. With their Lord, it could be until their leader’s own passing- however long away that may be.
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“Who would you trust to babysit me other than yourself?” He asked, leaning up against a shadowed wall with a devious grin. His eyes seemed distant though, as if he were looking over her shoulder at something but the pathway was empty save for a few Night Lilies. “The others look dreadfully boring, sweet Zebby. Would you leave me in their hands? Boredom may kill me before any archer ever could.” the male grinned wider, his attention once again returning at full.
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A true Lord of the Night. Broody, yes, but he looked the part.
---
Above in the window, the fiance watched the two of them, her future father in law at her side. She didn’t need to turn to know that the male was grinning at the sight. Not out of happiness for them, no. But for the pain that the monster would cause them all. He’d use that beautiful woman down there against him, and their moments they think private will be his torture for her.
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“Tessa, I’m so very thrilled,” He said, hands folded so neatly behind his back. She hated how similar he was to Faustian. Down to his straight nose and ivory skin. Nearly identical.
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“I’m happy for you, milord.”
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“We should push the wedding forward. One month instead of two? Or perhaps we’ll make it another whole year. What do you think?” He asked, turning to her. The redhead was tight lipped as she nodded. What would she say? What could she say? People had nicer things to say about the guardian of the Underworld than her High Lord. “Good night, Tessa. Sleep well.”
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She shivered as he left her, soft steps retreating. The female blinked fiercely as she, too, retreated from the window and returned to her rooms.
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Lightbringer
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A chill ran up the back of the female's neck at the sudden feeling that they were being watched. She had almost missed his statement about Tessa being a better protector than the others and a softer chuckle left her lips. "Of that I have no doubt about Niara wanting to wed and bed you. Ceera is more interested in her training and I have never seen her spend any time with a male. If anything I think she prefers females. Also not all of the males are brutes. Syrol is the sweetest among them and he is one that I would trust with you." Her eyes watched his movements as worry for her once dear friend began to infiltrate her mind. Of course she had caught the indications that Fausty was starting to have the same inherent issues as his father and she wanted to help but a part of her was almost pleading for him to ask her for her help. Her eyes narrowed when he called her a pretty fungus and she raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "You would be one of the few that would call me pretty. Most everyone else called me Scar Face. Fitting nickname don't you think?" A harsh joke as her eyes looked away scanning the area around them before landing on him once more leaning against the wall. His devilish smile sped up her heartbeat as she took a few measured steps towards him. "No...to both of your questions. If I hadn't come back then possibly but now, you are stuck with me. And I know that you have ways of entertaining yourself to avoid the horrible boredom." She leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek before pulling back and doing one more pass with her eyes as she began to walk back into the building. "So Mr. Tree, since fungus grows on trees, shall we return?" ---- It had been a few months since that night and Zeb was currently walking along the castle walls keeping an eye out for any danger or miscomings. The building was overflowing with people that had come for the wedding of Fausty and Tessa and being as Zeb had been chosen as his protector, she was doing her job. She was wearing form fitting black leggings with her knee high boots, and the dark crimson shirt that covered her torso was cut low enough to keep some modesty but enough to catch a person's attention. Black bracers were sitting comfortably on her forearms with a couple of throwing knives within them. Two larger blades rested on her hips that curved in almost complete circles with a grip within the middle. Of course there were various other daggers upon her body but only a few were visible. Her arms were currently folded across her chest as she walked blindly listening to the guard that was gushing about the amount of people there were. A dark hand pushed a strand of her white hair behind her ear using the moment to roll her eyes. Most of her hair had been pulled into a pony tail that seemed to bounce with each light step that she took. Even though the day was meant to be happy and joyous, Zeb was the opposite. While everyone was wearing bright happy colors, she had gone with a darker, more depressing color. Partially because darker made it easier to hide among the shadows and partially because her heart was sitting so low in her chest, it felt like she didn't even have it anymore. Of course she was happy for her friend but the diabolical head of jealousy was trying to win and make her wish it was her standing next to him saying the vows as his first wife instead of Tessa. "As rivetting as it is to listen and keep your company, I must head back to the main hall. I shouldn't stray to far from the heir." The guard had been interrupted mid word by Zeb who had turned on her heel and was quickly disappearing back towards the main hall. Once inside she quickly scanned the room before making her way down the stairs and into the huge mass of bodies. After being bumped into more than a few times, Zeb was internally screaming that she wanted nothing better to do than actually spend time out in the open even if it was with the bothersome guard. Her eyes finally fixated on her target and she began to move towards him, carefully catching a bottle of wine that was about to spill all over a woman and her expensive dress. At first she earned a scowl until the woman realized that both the bottle and person holding it were gone. Zeb set the bottle on another tray and moved to stand behind Fausty's right shoulder putting her hands behind her back. "Congratulations Fausty...Now please explain to me why there had to be this many people invited? Are you trying to unleash my hatred of crowds upon you?" Her words were spoken just loud enough for the pair. |
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Neutral
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“My dearest, you must know that this is the wedding of the century, millenia perhaps. Depends on if Prince Caspian marries soon,” He said, fixing the buttons on his royal blue vest. Under that was a cream colored poet’s shirt. His breeches were tan and the riding boots he wore were polished so they gleamed like the obsidian jewelry bedazzling his hands. It was crazy to think that there was another ring soon to decorate those long fingers of his. “Besides, this day isn’t about you or anyone other than the entirety of Night Court. That’s an awfully big crowd, isn’t it?” he said as he turned around to face her with his signature grin.
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“You could come along on our honeymoon, I already asked Tessa’s permission.” The male raised an eyebrow and fixed the cuffs of his shirt as he scanned the fae in front of him. He always thought that she was one of the prettier faces around the court, even with that scar she rivaled Tessa. “Red suits you, Zebby. You look lovely,” he grinned, batting his eyelashes at her.
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Before she could try and take a swing at him, he took her hand and led her down a hallway. “I only have an hour until I’m the one standing in front of that enormous crowd. I do believe that means that I’m entitled to a drink first. Don’t you? If you won’t drink with me then make sure I make it to the altar on time!”
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“Drink? Are you going to the cellars?” a new voice pitched in and soon the redhead was in step with the male. She nodded her acknowledgement to Zeb, ignoring the fact that the man she was supposed to marry was holding her hand. She was already dressed for the ceremony. Her wild curls had been tamed to stay away from her face by ivory colored jewels. Snakes of silver were woven in, keeping most of the mass off of her pale neck. A similar silver snake was around the middle finger of the heir. Her dress was a chiton of baby blue, the sleeves draped off of her arms and opened up so bits of her pale skin snuck through. Accents of silver were everywhere and her jewelry was also made up of obsidian stones.
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“Ah, yes!” He said, no other comments were ready for her. Last night, instead of visiting his bride to be, he’d been pacing Zeb’s room. A very large part of him felt that she knew that already. There’s not much you could hide from her. That very large part of him also said that she wasn’t on a regular stroll when she appeared in this hallway, no. Not a speck of makeup was on that face save for the gloss that made her lips shine. She was hiding. “Nice to have my two favorite ladies with me as I go to waste myself away.”
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Tessa rolled her eyes, making the other snort with a laugh. “Zeb, I’m told you wanted to join the honeymoon? I’d rather take you than a slew of guards, and I can only handle him for so long. While it did pain her to know what he felt for Zeb, a good part of her knew she had to brace herself for when he married again, however many times that would be. She knew she’d never hold one hundred percent of his attentions. So she offered her a genuine smile that Faust was too busy trudging forward to notice.
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If only her eyes weren’t so sad, someone could have sworn that she was sending them off on their own honeymoon instead of inviting her on theirs. |
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Lightbringer
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Zeb had barely had enough time for a coherent thought as she was being drug along by Fausty. Her eyes had been locked on their hands as he had stopped the thought of her using that fist to add some differing color to his skin tone. When he first suggested that she would be coming on their honeymoon, Zeb opened her mouth to speak but quickly closed her as her heart constricted at the idea. "You really should save the drinking for after the service Fausty. If you drink now, you might not be as regal in front of everyone." Yes a quick distraction from the thought of joining the newly weds on their honeymoon. Of course that was shortlived when she heard Tessa's voice beside them. Zeb's eyes moved from the male still holding her hand and practically dragging her to look over at the other female. A part of her heart felt for Tessa and a pang of guilt at her and Fausty's actions tugged at her heart. "You look beautiful today Tessa. I am quite jealous as I don't think I could pull off that color nearly as well as you do." A sincere compliment that was quickly followed by an annoyed glare at Fausty. "Well it might just be one of your favorite and part of the other if you keep pulling on my arm like it is the last bit of anything in the world." Zeb was again speechless for words when Tessa brought up having her at the honeymoon. "I think we both can only handle him for so long but if you both desire to have me there with you, I will be the one to accompany you." An eyebrow raised at the smile and then sadness in her eyes. Was Tessa not as horrible as she remembered her being? Were Zeb's memories just skewed because so many involved making sure that Fausty wasn't alone? She shook her head remembering how he had paced her floor the night before and how she had sat on her bed polishing her blades trying to calm the other fae down. There had been a moment where she had wanted to push the man out of her open door and close it swiftly behind as she had a million other things to be worrying about but instead she sat and listened offering her words of encouragement when needed. She quickened her pace to match with Fausty's as they headed down into the cellar. "Is this really such a good idea? You know they will send people to look for us because it is so close to the time." Her eyes adjusted to the darker atmosphere of the cellar and a shiver moved through her body at a few very unwelcome memories. Once it seemed that they had reached their destination. Zeb pulled her hand away from Fausty and quickly wrapped it around herself. Her eyes moved over to Tessa then back to Fausty as she narrowed them. "Also why would you want your protector to drink with you? Shouldn't I be on high alert ready for anything or anyone to come at us?" A hint of a teasing tone filled her words as she moved to stand near the entrance. "And I wish that Prince Caspian would marry soon, then maybe it can be peaceful here again. Between this and the recent requests" Her eyes moved over to Fausty. "that I have been getting, it would be nice to have some down time." |
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Neutral
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Tessa gave a slight nod to Zeb, keeping her eyes forward as she grinned. Faust dropped her arm, feigning his hurt. He looked over at Tessa with a tight lipped smile. Months. She hadn’t been able to read him for months. Ages, it felt. And as for this dress? She felt it sagging. When they did the fitting for it, she had been full figured. She had somehow melted away since then. Tessa had lost her appetite faster than the High Lord lost his temper. She shuddered at that thought.
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Best behavior he said.
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“See, I told you she’d say yes.” Faust told Tessa with that tight smile. “And one drink won’t be so bad, Zeb. You really worry far too much for someone so young, be glad your hair is white or you’d show aging like a mortal!” He shook his head and his pointer finger in warning. Tessa looked at him, wide eyed.
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“Caspian hasn’t spoke to me in awhile, he better have a good excuse for it, too. Last time I checked, he was still smitten with Amren, but she's a priestess..." The redhead offered. Faust simply shrugged. Youngest Priestess in history and one who came off as quiet but definitely had her father's temper in her. Cas was calming, perhaps a good match if he doesn't marry a commoner. "But the size of this crowd? I better get some good wedding gifts or I'll throw a fit, I mean it!" she threw in the last bit as Faust started to grin. . Faust felt the awkwardness in the air and most definitely blamed himself for it. Maybe the trip with the three of them would lighten things a bit for the whole lot of them. They'd have to get over it eventually because true to his noble nature, he wasn't used to giving away something he already considered his own. How could he ever turn either of them away. "Perhaps drinking is a bad idea, how about we just go for a walk and then return. Honeymoon though, we've got a whole two weeks just the three of us! Up at the old cabin, Zeb. Tessa got to choose whatever we'll be eating so I chose the venue. Warning, her sweet tooth is worse than mine!" He grinned, giving off a glint of those sharp canines. . Tessa snorted, rolling her eyes. "Who ate a whole chocolate cake and put whipped cream and caramel on top? Wasn't me, that's for sure. Would have given me a headache," she said, rubbing her arms to chase the chill away from her skin. She had a small smile now. How much longer until the whole ordeal was over? She could already tell that she'd be the one handling the people today. Not that she minded, she'd been raised for this whole people-person thing. . Faust looks at Zeb in mock shock, "That...was not me. She speaks lies. Red heads, am I right?" he grinned, wiggling his eyebrows. |
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Lightbringer
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Zeb watched the interaction between the two for a few moments after rolling her eyes at his comment about aging like a mortal. "I have seen some mortals with hair like mine that are young and vibrant. You would be...maybe not amazed but possibly intrigued by where we all travelled while training. I thought about staying in a small mortal town just for the peacefulness." A small smile formed on her own lips as she listened to Tessa about the crowd. "He will always have a good excuse Faustian when it comes to you. Hell, even I can think of a couple of times I used an excuse just to spend some time away." Her arms seemed to naturally always wrap around her torso before she moved to walk by the different wines. "I know there will be plenty of drinking going on today in just a few moments." Her steps stopped when then old cabin was mentioned. It almost became painful to swallow as she kept her back to the pair, as she reached a hand up to her face and brushed a finger against her scar instantly feeling the stinging pain. A visible shiver moved through her body as her eyes closed trying to push away the memory that was wanting to re-emerge. Some nights it haunted her dreams, the memories of what the High Lord had done to her and Faustian but the memory of the creation of the scar that marred her face, only came out when she was truly exhausted. Her father had kept rumors of the incident quiet after she had returned from the trip to the old cabin with her face bandaged. Her mother even helped by taking on being the doctor until the injury had almost fully healed. It seemed like an eternity that Zeb was standing alone in her thoughts until she heard Faustian speaking that she was lying. She quickly recomposed herself and deep down she hoped that the memory would stay away and that everyone had blissfully forgotten about that trip. "I never tell lies Faustian. Maybe some half truths here and there but never lies." She lifted her hand to her heart in mock hurt before looking over at Tessa. "A walk does sound nice though. Out of the damp cellars to enjoy the overwhelming crowd that I think I would have stuck out in no matter what I was wearing, though at least their attention isn't on me. You two are the stars of today, I am here to make sure no one ruins the festivities with death." With her last words, Zeb offered both of her hands, one to Faustian and one to Tessa. Was she overcompensating for her quiet response to mention of the old cabin, absolutely. Was she also trying to remain friendly to Tessa? At least maybe a possible attempt. |
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Winter 
Night Weather: 
Clear Moon: 
