| Logs |
2003 December 28
| Idlewild |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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| Realms: Idlewild Logs |
December 28
The party continues on into the wee hours of the night, but Seodil makes his escape comparatively early on Aiden's arm after Clairchiare brings him over looking tipsy and unsteady. The pink elf goes to join Steven's little group next, where Linden has come out of her shell enough to chat fairly animatedly with Steven at his coaxing. Clairchiare flirts back at the sulking Sarete on Steven's arm without the slightest bit of heat, more as though he is playing a friendly game.
Steven keeps his attention alert for the nuances of the conversation. he is remarkably bad in social situations, he knows, but sometimes it's better to listen more than speak, though he does try to avoid uncomfortable silences.
A slight, lean elf standing perhaps 5'2" strolls up in darkly elegant clothes, perfect curls hanging past his shoulders in a green so deep it's easily mistaken for black. His skin is light golden, his eyes a clear pale green. Too sharp-faced to be anywhere near as pretty as the rest of the elven throng, his voice almost makes up for it in flavors of brandy and smoke. "Going to introduce me, Clairchiare?"
Linden immediately goes silent mid-sentence, though she'd been telling Steven happily about the library's botanical section.
Clairchiare beams at the new arrival and happily say, "Steven, this is my oldest friend Rathskeliad, but you can call him Keli or Kel, we all do. He's much nicer than he looks."
Both Sarete and Linden are completely ignored by Rathskeliad, and seem not to take offense. Linden actually seems happy about it-- in a near-cringing sort of way.
Steven guesses from Linden's sudden silence that this is Linden's betrothed. He nods politely. "Good evening, sir." He wonders why the man is ignoring Linden and Sarete.
Rathskeliad smiles at Steven and sketches a bow. He says softly, "And how do you find our home and our selves thus far, Steven?"
Steven tries to choose his words carefully without looking like he's choosing them carefully.. and promptly forgets what he was trying to do. Oh, right, how do I find his home.... He glances around to the others, then replies, "It's all very new to me, but I find it very... very enjoyable, all in all." Why am I feeling like I'm about to get in over my head?
Green eyes give Steven a clear, unreadable look above Rathskeliad's unwavering smile as the elf responds softly, "I am pleased to find you appreciating your surroundings. The smile stretches briefly to a smirk as he glances pointedly at Sarete and Linden, then smooths again as he bows. "I must be on my way; I look forward to finding you again, Steven." He turns and walks off.
Linden relaxes, just barely noticeable. Clairchiare doesn't seem to notice, or to be offended at the lack of a farewell.
Steven nods, "Good meeting you, sir," he says, though he doubts that Rathskeliad is really listening. He didn't like the smirk as he looked at Sarete and Linden; and that Clairchiare called him a longtime friend, ratchets down Steven's respect for Clairchiare just a notch. Gah, you hardly even know the situation here! Don't go making broad judgements yet. At least give them a chance to stab you in the back. Wait, that doesn't make any sense.... He clears his throat a little. "That sort of reminds me, actually," he says, when in fact it didn't, "are there many gardens like this at the Court?"
Cheerfully oblivious, Clairchiare tosses pink hair back and nods affirmatively to Steven. "Everywhere. I'd be delighted to show you around, but I could not for a day or two-- the Princess requires me tomorrow. Oh! Ilirith could, however, or I could ask Kel? Or Lindenel, really-- she knows as much about the gardens as anyone but Ilirith their keeper, honestly." He smiles kindly at Linden. "You hardly see her anywhere but with plants or curled up in a book."
Steven is a bit stunned by the rattling of Clairchiare. Oh, he really opened up a can of worms with this question. "Ah.. I'd be honored, actually... if you don't mind, that is?" he asks Lindenel. "I've just... never seen any gardens quite like this." To him, Lindenel is the least threatening, at least if she doesn't mind the idea. Though he does remember his teacher had a very nice garden, and wodners if the Summer elves ahve somethign similar. He starts to try to find a subject for the entire grop to talk about; the last thing he needs is Sarete to start getting irritated with him, as well.
Clairchiare beams after Lindel nods shyly and says, "Stay as long as you like; I cannot leave til the end, I'm the host, but the ladies can show you home--" he waves generally at Steven's two female companions-- "I'll go see how your prince is doing, shall I?" He drifts off and leaves Steven to Sarete's gleaming smirk. Linden looks timid.
Sarete says purringly, slithering closer to Steven, "Shall I show you home, then? And shall I show you how to turn down the covers? I know you're not familiar with our beds, yet."
Steven's thoughts as Clairchiare meanders off is nothing short of, I'm doomed. "Ah... thank you... Clairchiare...." Why is Sarete smirk-- Oh, Pelor. As pleasant as the closness is, there's something unmitigatingly nerve-wracking about it. For the moment, though, he does his best to not show his disturbedness -- Is that even a word, Steven? -- and tries to come off as innocent as possible. "Oh, ah... we were already shown the part about the covers, thank you! But, I do admit that I have no idea how to get back there from here." There. I may be disappointing Sarete a little bit, but Linden won't be discomfited.
Sarete pouts only briefly before fairly seizing Steven's arm and pulling him inexorably off. "Well, all right then. We'll take you back, won't we Lindenel dearie?" Sunset hair and a lithe body stay close against the monk as Linden nods quietly and follows, a pale green ghost in the dark beyond the torchlight. Nearly 45 minutes later, their winding and lovely path has taken them back to what Sarete assures Steven is his doorway... though someone has recently walked out of it at the edge of sight, too far away to see or identify at the leisurely pace Sarete set. Linden actually helps Steven turn down Sarete's second offer, perhaps inadvertently, as she says her quiet farewell and starts to walk off-- Sarete breaks off her second attempt with a genuine look of alarm, mutters goodnight and hurries to catch up with Linden. Steven barely hears Sarete scold, "You know you shouldn't be walking alone," and then the women are out of earshot much faster than they walked here.
Steven blinks at the abruptness. "Uhm.. thank you! Very much! Good night to you both...!" He relaxes somewhat, and goes inside, looking around and wondering who the person who left was. As tempting as it was, it's better that nothing happened. Besides, I was starting to feel like she'd end up eating me alive or something. I don't know if I can hold off against her for our entire stay here, though; politeness only goes for so long. I'll as Seodil and Soleil for their advice.
The night passes uneventfully after that, and morning finds Steven waking refreshed. No one else is awake by the sound of it, and when he enters the common room he finds the usual breakfast spread of fruits on a low table that the group might well have come to expect, as guests in this world. Two of the three archways-- the two not belonging to Steven-- are opaque and irridescent, as though the air itself had hardened. Perhaps his companions have fallen prey to a trap...
Steven frowns a bit at the archways. Is this what they meant by turning down the covers? He goes to one of the archways, examining the curtain curiously. He's reasonably certain that if there had been some sort of trap, it wold have gotten him as well, and he'd be examining the curtain from the opposite side. He touches the curtain with a fingertip, wondering if it will give him a shock like the forcefields in those old science fiction films.
The hardened air feels smooth, and although it does not shock Steven it is dead cold to the touch, like dry ice. The cold starts to numb his finger quickly.
The air around the field, however, is not cold at all.
Aiden stirs in his sleep, coming awake slowly. He stretches on his bed, then touches Sol's cheek. "Sol.. Wake up for a moment."
"Nngh?" Sol's eyes flutter open, rich golden orange this morning. He gives Aiden a meltingly sweet smile when he sees him there.
Aiden smiles, "I'm absolutely starving and I want to get something to eat, but wanted to make sure that you know I'm just in the other room and haven't left you, okay?"
Steven pulls his hand back quickly, wincing at the chill. Frozen air? No, the air around it would be cold, too. He frowns a little, stepping back from the curtain and pondering it curiously. He goes back to his alcove and starts to examine the archway, wondering if there's some visible mechanism or emitter or track or something that'll do the same. It would be my luck to get the room without the cold-air-curtain-thing....
Sol wraps a half-awake hand around Aiden's and squeezes, eyes tender. Fuzzily, he says "'Sanks... 'll be h're a l'il longer... g'w eat, swee'har..." His eyes flutter closed.
Steven's doorway looks perfectly normal and identical to the others, aside from the lack of hardened air. No levers, chills or strange glow can be found in the smooth wood border.
Aiden walks over to his door and speaks the word to open it, then closes it again with another word. He looks around the room, just in case food has magically appeared so he doesn't have to go searching around for it.
Food has magically appeared, and so has Steven. Steven is staring intently at the edges of his own doorway.
Steven folds his arms, half-glaring at the doorway, then blinks as hee hears Aiden's voice. "Oh! Good morning, Aiden...."
Aiden waves, "Morning, Steven. Oh.. trying to figure out your door?"
Steven smiles a bit, "Pretty much, yes. You and Soleil and Seodil got back all right last night?"
Aiden nods, "Yep. Everyone's back safe and sound.." He walks towards Steven and gives him the words to operate the door. "I'd have told you last night, but I was already asleep by the time you got back."
Steven says, "Thank you. That'll be useful, I think. Really? I didn't know I was out that late."
Seodil arrives, silentfooted. "As was I, or I would have imparted the same knowledge. Our hosts neglected to remember we-- or rather, you-- did not know. I recalled the words from childhood, myself. I do not think Soleil knew them, either. Careless of our hosts... or perhaps not."
Aiden shakes his head, "Oh, you weren't. I was exhausted." He smiles at Seodil. "Good morning."
Seodil looks up from eyeing a grape with suspicion to smile at Aiden, briefly. "Fair waking, Aiden."
A soft cough comes from the doorway to the outside walk.
Steven says, "Good morning, Seodil." He glances at the doorway to his rom, wondering -- then turns to the doorway at the cough.
Aiden turns to look at the door when he hears the cough from there.
Looking awkward, Lindenel stands as though balancing storklike on one leg, fingers twisting in the diaphanous folds of her green-and-rose gown. She shifts her balance when noticed, but still looks as though a passing breeze might blow her over or take her off using her gown as a kite. "H-hello. I was, they said, supposed to show you things?"
Aiden frowns, confused. He looks over at Steven, recognising this girl as the one that he was speaking with last night.
Linden gives Steven a pleading look, shying from Aiden's frown.
Steven blinks in surprise at both her being there, and the way she phrases it. "Supposed to" show me things? I asked if she didn't mind.... "Oh! Good morning! Ah... please, come in, Lindenel! Er...." He makes introductions to Seodil and Aiden, and adds, "Have you had breakfast yet?" He tries quickly to understand what her look is trying to convey -- 'No, I havent had breakfast and Im starving,' or 'I'd really rather not be doing this.'
Aiden smiles at Lindenel when he's introduced to her. "Good morning." He settles down near the food and glances it over curiously.
Linden smiles, looking at her feet as she comes in as soon as she's told. "I have eaten, thank you. I break my fast at first light." Several hours ago, then... it's at least ten already. She stands by a couch, in almost a dancer's position-- feet close but at right angles.
Aiden motions at the couch, "Please, have a seat." He tries not to make it sound like a command, but rather an invitation.
The food does not glance back at Aiden, being fruit and nuts. Grapes, tiny apples, strawberries and cherries share company with mangoes, oranges and lemons. The nuts are also recognizeable.
Linden bobs her head shyly and seats herself on the couch Aiden indicated, tucking her feet under her. Seodil gives her an odd, thoughtful look.
The girl on the couch stays quiet while the men eat.
Aiden leans forward and takes a small bunch of grapes. He settles back on the couch, eating quietly.
Steven nods, then looks over the spread to see if there's something smal and light he can nibble on while walking. "Ah... yes, please, sit! I'm sorry, I just woke up myself. Er, I'll just... grab something to nibble on while walking...
Linden says seriously, "I am at liberty until nightfall. There is no rush, please, I await you-- I am not kept waiting." She smiles, nervous rather than reassuring.
Seodil gives her a sharper look.
Linden notices it and looks quickly at her folded hands in her lap, eyes downcast.
Seodil glances at Aiden. "Will Soleil be joining us on our walk with this guide?"
Steven isn't quite sure what to make of that, but smiles and nods, half glancing to Seodil. "Erm... Thank you, Lindenel. Even so, I don't want to keep you waiting. I'm grateful that you... that you're showing the gardens today." SOmethign tells me that this isn't exactly by her own choice. The least I can do is to make it comfortable for her. He takes only a few fruits, eating quickly though not so quickly as to become sick.
Aiden looks over at Seodil. "I'll go and ask him. He is still sleeping." Aiden picks himself up and goes over to his door, opening it and shutting it behind him. He walks over to the bed and sits down. "Sol..?"
Linden smiles at Steven, looking sincere. "I don't mind, I have nothing important to do... and you really do need to know your way." She looks serious again and more sure of herself. "Until you know where not to go and what not to touch, you can't really go too far alone. The garden protects itself."
The amber elf on the bed rolls to face Aiden, eyes opening halfway. "Uh huh?"
Aiden says, "Lindenel has arrived to take us on a tour of the gardens. Are you up to joining us?"
Soleil groans. "S'soon?" He sighs and flops over onto his stomach, muttering... almost whining. "Rather sleep."
Aiden nods, "I know you would, but I have a feeling that we need to. Ilireth mentioned something about the gardens not always being the most hospitable places and I'd rather we not find out the hard way what we can look at without being eaten. Besides, we're better off if we're not separated.
Soleil mutters again and crawls off the bed facefirst onto the floor a few feet down, a great deal like a long golden cat. He shakes his short hair, fluffing it, and makes his way over to his clothes without standing up. It manages to look graceful.
Aiden walks over to Soleil's clothing, grabbing his shirt out of the pile. He holds it up and open for Soleil, patiently.
Sol peers up at Aiden, smirks, and then climbs him like a ladder, fast. The golden elf goes higher than he probably needs to, hopping off just as his feet touch Aiden's thighs, but the weight is well-balanced and doesn't stagger his living ladder. He sighs dramatically and starts getting into the shirt Aiden holds. "If you really loved me you would let me sleep and get eaten by plants later." He gives Aiden a slanted look, eyes laughing.
Aiden shakes his head, laughing, "I really love you, which is why I'm making you get up now and not get eaten by the plants at all."
Aiden helps get Sol into his clothing, then heads back out into the main room, settling back down to grab a bit more to eat before they go.
Sol sniffs, making quick work of dressing now that he's awake. The second waking apparently was the real one. When he hits the common room, he goes straight for the strawberries and monopolizes them.
Linden squeaks and scrambles up to bow low when the prince arrives, her pale green head nearly brushing the floor.
Sol gives her an amazed look, mouth full of strawberries, and waves at the others to say something while he hastily chews and swallows the speech-impeding fruit.
Steven blinks startledly at Linden's sudden obsequiousness, then glances to Sol. "Uh... good morning...."
"Mmff," says Sol, eyes frustrated. He tries to say something too soon and chokes on a bite of strawberry.
Aiden watches Sol, concerned and starting to get up, just in case he needs help.
Linden stays in her deep bow.
Steven opens his mouth, but realizes it'd be bad form for him to tell Linden to get up when it's supposed to be Soleil's role to do that.
Soleil coughs, breathes, and glares in Linden's direction. "Get up for hell's sake. I appreciate the gesture and all but it's really not necessary and let's just never do that again and pretend we're formal when no one's looking, anyway, shall we please?"
Linden puts herself meekly back on the couch with speed. "Yes, my lord prince."
Seodil's face could be made of stone, but his eyes are dancing with amusement as he watches Sol.
Aiden watches the exchange carefully, but continues eating slowly, quite certain that everything is alright for now.
Soleil gives his companions a pleading, hopeful look for intercession and mutters at Linden, "You just missed the point. Call me Sol."
Breakfast passes without further incident-- Linden having meekly agreed to call Soleil by his name-- and the walk begins at a quick pace. In much less than 45 minutes-- more like 10 or 15-- the party passes the previous night's gathering site, and Linden shoots Steven an apologetic look. Along the way, she informs them that there is nothing particularly dangerous until farther from their quarters, as they are staying in the guest area, but seems to enjoy pointing out the harmless plants and naming them. She unfolds from shyness as she talks about a subject she's clearly well-informed on, and Sol continues more kindly to encourage it, though Linden is still obviously most comfortable with Steven, uncertain of Sol but warming to him, a little afraid of Aiden, and never looks directly at Seodil.
Aiden listens attentively to Lindenel. The various plants and such here being a subject that he's quite curious about. He does ask the occassional question as they wander. He is conscious of keeping his tone kind and pleasant with her.
Steven encourages her, asking questions curiously of her as she speaks of the plants and flowers. It's not a subject he's ever had much aptitude for, but he does have interest in it; further, there's the little bit about 'dangerous' parts of the gardens which concerns him somewhat. What kind of garden would be kept that's dangerous? But he lets Lindenel get to that at her own pace.
As they start to pass the dangerous plants, Linden points them out cheerfully-- even affectionately. "Maiden's Choice looks just like ivy, but has thorns-- you have to know which is planted where, really, unless you look under the leaves where the thorns hide. It's called that because the poison is gentle and slow; a maiden seeking a painless death for insult to her honor, or to escape a marriage, might choose this one." Aiden's efforts are rewarded with a slow thawing of her worry when she answers him, though she still answers every question promptly, including Steven's.
Aiden spends some time as they walk repeating these names and a quick description to himself. He's far more concerned about knowing these ones.
Moving on, Linden points out purple vines and says "Never touch those, they'll reach out and pull you in-- unless, see that yellow flower? Unless you crush those and rub them on you. We guard the outer walls with that, but the counteragent is usually nearby just in case we want to save someone who stumbled in."
Aiden gives the vine an odd look. He's used to plants being fairly.. benign. This is going to take some adjusting to.
Steven keeps his hands to himself; the mention of Maiden's Choice worries him, particularly since it seems like Lindenel's not exactly eager to be married to her betrothed. A sudden thought takes him: was Rathskeliad Lindenel's betrothed? he tries to remember the names, even as he's staying well clear of the purple vines. "What... er, what do they do once they pull someone in?" he finds himself asking. Then he wishes he hadn't; he knows he's not going to like the answer.
A garden composed entirely of oddly familiar-looking flowers passes to the right with a sharp citrus scent. Linden waves at it and says, "The lemon smell clears the head-- any of the mint family would, this one's just stronger. That garden won't kill you, but it will make you forget what you're doing and stay there lost in pleasant memory. Some people come here to relax, and carry a spring of mint to breathe when they're ready-- or ask a friend to get them out later, as it takes considerable willpower to remember you wanted to leave."
Aiden stops for a moment looking into that garden. He knows he's seen those flowers before, and reminds himself what happened last time he encountered them. He resolves never to visit this garden.
Looking at Steven, Linden answers matter-of-factly. "The purple clingvines? When they catch you, they call the others in the area, and a section attaches to each of your limbs. Then they slowly tear you apart, limb from limb. It's not at all quick, though, if you don't struggle." She smiles.
Steven pauses at the doorway, frowning at the sight of the garden, remembering it from the first time things started changing. His pause ends as he moves to keep up with the others, glancing back wonderingly at the garden. he wonders if thee's not some tidbit of important congruence here, but Lindenel's answer draws him back to the present. "How... charming," he murmurs.
Linden gives Steven a curious look, taken aback. "N... yes, sir."
Steven looks abashed. "I'm sorry, Lindenel. That was.. fascecious of me. It's actually rather scary. Those yellow flowers keep the vines away?"
Moving on, several species of mushroom and a beautiful treeful of gleaming, jewellike fruit are identified as narcotic in small doses, lethal in larger ones. A kind of moss apparently works in concert with subtle ankle-height creepers to squirt slick liquid when trodden upon, so that the creepers have time to move in and anchor the fallen person to the ground; the pairing is apparently called New Slippers.
Linden blinks uncertainly at Steven and says, soft, "Yes, the yellow flowers will protect you from the vines once you crush them and touch them to the vines if you're already caught, or just rub the flower on yourself."
A strong, pleasant scent of roses fills the air now as they walk, the surroundings lovely-- and thicker with dangerous plants than anywhere the group has yet been. Linden smiles and says, "Oh, we're here already..."
Aiden continues to keep track of what's going on around him, quite disturbed by the plants around here.
Steven nods, smiling quietly, "Thank you. I hope I never have to try and remember that." He wonders if all the rather dangerous and lethal flora here isn't some sort of guard system much like very cultured, urbane, and decorative junkyard dogs that can bite the rear fender off a Volvo. He slows as he smells roses; the last time he had smelled them in such abundance was the redcap's garden, and this bothers him. His steps become a bit more wary.
Aiden mirrors Steven's wary pace when Linden announces their arrival.
Linden bends to pick a few yellow flowers and rubs them on the purple clingvines on the wall in front of the group. What appears to be a dead end slowly becomes a pink marble archway as the vines recoil, writhing back. Soft, Linden says "Since you're Clairchiare's friends and we're right here in the dangerous area anyway, I thought you'd like to see his garden." She walks through. The scent of roses is stronger now the vines have parted.
Sol shrugs and follows her in.
Seodil mutters a curse and darts in after Soleil.
Steven asks, as he follows her in, "His garden? Do many of the COurt keep their own gardens?"
Aiden follows Soleil and Seodil into the garden, looking around as he enters.
Linden gives the group a shy, secretive smile. "A few have favorite spots, but this one is special." The rose scent is apparently coming only from one bush in the center of the garden, surrounded by a delicately carved waist-height marble wall as thin as lace. The rest of the square garden is pink marble walls and benches, soft moss, ivy and little green and white flowers. The central bush looks as though it's never been pruned, and has at least a hundred roses on it-- all in full bloom but one new bud, and all the exact shade of Clairchiare's pink hair.
Aiden looks at the bush, amusement running through him, though he doesn't let it show on his face.
Linden runs her fingers very carefully across a pink bloom and smiles, wistful. "He's always been nice to me. Sometimes I take care of it, when Ilirith's away."
Steven is inwardly amused that the color matches Clairchiare's hair, but he doesn't show it. he doesn't quite trust himself, after his last gaffe, to say anything in commentary, looking around in quiet appreciation and admiration of the garden.
Seodil says, "When Ilirith's away?"
Linden flushes pink, and says meekly "Well, if Rathskeliad doesn't mind. I guess I'm more like the third caretaker, or fourth. Clairchiare does his part too, and his mother."
Aiden frowns inwardly. Linden really does seem to be a servant to other's wills.
Seeing the frown, Linden's chin actually firms. Quietly, she tells Aiden "I would do it even if I were the hundredth in line. He's the only truly nice person in court," and then shuts up suddenly, looking scared.
In a very small voice, Linden says "Nicest. I meant to say he's the nicest. Other people are nice too..." She stares at her feet.
Steven considers. Again with Rathskeliad. Gah, the webs here are too tangled. I don't know who is who! But I don't know how to ask. It's a painful subject for LIndenel, apparently. Her declaration for what Clairchiare gains his attention, and he blinks in surprise. Ah. That explains a lot. "And it's clear," he says warmly, smiling, "that you take great care to tend the garden well." He does nothign to draw attention to what she said.
Aiden smiles at Linden. "The frown was not for you, honestly. I find I frown when I'm thinking, it's just a habit and not meant to offend you in any way."
Soleil smiles gently at Linden as well, and starts forward to inspect the rosebush.
Linden still looks frightened, but gives Aiden and Steven tentative smiles back-- Seodil is politely not looking at her at all, resigned to her consistent reaction to him. Glancing back at the rosebush, her eyes widen in horror and she springs forward at Sol, grabbing his hands and carrying them away.
Steven blinks in surrpise. "What's wrong...?"
Soleil yelps as she spins him around, startled, and stares at her as she kneels again. Lindenel is whispering apologies frantically, apparently to Sol for assaulting the royal person. Soleil blinks at Steven. "I was only about to pick one. I don't know."
Aiden narrows his eyes, watching and ready to move the second any threat is presented. He steps forward a few paces.
Steven nods to Sol, looking to Lindenel. "It... might be a bad thing to pick a rose. Maybe. I think."
Linden cringes at Aiden's movement in her direction as she kneels in front of Sol, and says breathily, "I'm so sorry, my lord, but he's right, you mustn't pick them. I should have said, I didn't think, I'm so sorry... I just wanted to show you, his friends... Never pick them..." and goes on repeating herself with soft apologies. Sol mutters and bends to try to stand her up, cross. He gives Aiden a look as he tells Linden, "Oh, get up," to no avail. He snorts and says, "She's all yours. Maybe you can fix her," to Aiden and Steven.
Aiden walks over to Linden and offers his hand out to her, "Please. Stand."
Steven blinks at Sol's apparent irritation, and nods a little, crouching down beside Linden. "Lindenel... it's all right. We won't pick them. You can stand..."
Linden meekly takes the offered hand and obeys both gentle requests, staring at her toes. "I'm truly sorry, my lords. I just didn't think. Please don't tell anyone."
She sniffles softly, "It's true, I'm no good with people... just books and plants."
Aiden smiles at Linden. "It's not true. And we're hardly going to get your in trouble for preventing the Prince from being hurt and keeping him safe."
Steven shakes his head, smiling quietly. "You were protecting the garden. That's all. If you don't want us telling anyone then we won't. And you've been perefectly fine with us, and the last I saw, we were 'people.'"
Linden gives them both a puzzled, hopeful little look and tells Aiden in confused tones "But he wouldn't have been hu--" and cuts off suddenly, nodding hastily and smiling at them both more hopefully. "Oh. Right. Of course, my lord. Thank you."
Aiden steps back and looks over at Soleil, relieved that he's alright.
Sol rolls his eyes at Linden and smiles at Aiden, walking to his side. Under his breath, he says, "I think the tour is about to be over," wry.
Over by Steven, Linden finally calms down enough to stop flinching when anyone looks at her, and says in a voice too small to carry past Steven, "I can take you back to your rooms now if you like."
Aiden grins at Soleil and nods. He waits for her to take the lead again.
Steven smiles quietly and hopefully comfortingly to Linden. "That would be fine, thank you, Lindenel. And thank you very much for the tour. We very much enjoyed it, and you were very helpful."
Seodil remains quietly out of the conversation after agreeing with Steven out loud-- much to Linden's apparent relief, as she still will not look him in the eye and shrinks whenever he speaks.
The tour back is much quieter, although the subdued Lindenel answers questions still when addressed. She leaves them at their archway and flees after a curtsey and another apology to Soleil.
Aiden wanders back into the room, sitting down on the couch, unsettled.
Sol sighs and tells Steven and Aiden, "You get to stay her handlers. I'll take the mean ones, they're easier." He flops onto the couch beside Aiden. Seodil snorts, amused, then frowns. "I wonder if they beat her," says the silver elf.
Steven bids good-bye to Lindenel warmly and politely, but when he's back inside the room he's shaking his head, frowning. "Is it too obvious for me to say that something is wrong here?"
Soleil grins, "No. Go right ahead."
Aiden nods at Seodil. "Judging by the way she reacts to things, I'd say they do. And frequently."
Seodil gives Aiden an almost lazy-looking glance and waves a hand at him. "Who would you choose, then?"
Aiden cocks his head to the side, "For what?"
"The holder of her whip."
Aiden says, "Rathskeliad."
Steven winces at Seodil's comment, but sighs. "It.. seems that way." Calm... calm, Steven, he thinks to himself, feeling his hands clench. And what are you going to do, anyway? You're in a living castle that sprawls over a square mile, with plants that aren't merely carnivorous but torturous, and you've been told that you are a hair's breadth away from being some kind of kibble. "Rathskeliad," he says in response to Seodil. Then he blinks, and shake shis head. "No... that's jumping to a conclusion. I don't know enough." Why did I just think 'Clairchiare?'
Seodil just frowns, thoughtful, and nods. "It bears... further attention, I agree. I believe I would like a longer meeting with Rathskeliad. All of you, please remain on your guard. She may answer to more than one person."
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