Syren de Winter
Member
Queen Of Winter Land Former Princess of Summer Land [/color]
Posts: 156
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Post by Syren de Winter on Feb 2, 2013 0:33:39 GMT -5
She clung to his shirt while he walked her backwards, her heart pounding fast, her eyes locked on his. It wasn't warm here, but it was slightly warmer than it was outside, although the stone he pushed her up against was frozen behind her back. As he kissed her, she pushed her body forward against him, the thick layers of their clothing separating them, still holding the front of his coat with one hand, she reached the other up to his neck, pulling him closer.
She blinked her eyes open when he pulled back and spoke, and she laughed lightly when he spoke of how all teenage boys would have wives if the wed because they wanted a woman. When he went on to speak of what he wanted in his queen, she met his gaze. "And why should I want to lie with a man who only thinks me worthy of his bed, but not his throne? I would have a husband who wants to share everything in his life with me, everything, whether it's a shack by the sea or a castle in the meadow. And to a man like that, I would give everything."
Syren smiled when he brushed her hair back and repeated his offer. "When I said I would not lie with a man to whom I was not married, I did not mean to say that you should marry me just to bed me. I meant to say that... if you do not want all of me, then you will not have any of me." She released his shirt, letting her hands slide down from his neck, running both her hands down his torso, falling off at about his waist, she let her hands drop to her sides, and she leaned back against the wall, waiting for him to let her go. [/color]
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Post by Viktor de Winter on Feb 3, 2013 13:40:49 GMT -5
Viktor watched her face; and found himself leaning into her touch. This had been a game they had played for a while now; but only until this day had it crossed to him spelling out what he wanted of her. He leaned his head down to steal her lips; giving her a long kiss to give her something to think about tonight; when she was alone in her bed. When he lifted his head; he kept her face close. "Go up to your room; finish your day; tuck yourself into bed; and hope that man eater does not take a bite out of you."
He would have to get a maid to bring her something warmer to wear; as where he was leading her it would be very cold. "Then in the morning; after you dine on your breakfast; ask your guard to take you to the tower stairs. Meet me at the top; and I will show you something." Viktor stepped backwards and kept going until he was at the door. Before he turned to go back outside with Artemis; he spoke one last thing to give her something to think on tonight; as she wondered what he was up too. He wasn't even sure what he was doing; he only new he wanted her; and wanted her in a way that made him unwilling to seek another woman out; in order to get this one out from under his skin. "I might even ask you something."
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Syren de Winter
Member
Queen Of Winter Land Former Princess of Summer Land [/color]
Posts: 156
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Post by Syren de Winter on Feb 3, 2013 15:28:47 GMT -5
She leaned into his lengthy kiss, and it was only through an act of will power that she kept her hands by her side, resisting the urge to reach out for him again. When he pulled back, she inhaled sharply, looking into his eyes as he basically sent her to bed. She chuckled lightly when he spoke of the dragon, it was funny because she couldn't imagine the dragon ever trying to hurt her, let alone trying to take a bite out of her.
She didn't expect him to continue, and when he did, she blinked curiously, listening to his directions. He wanted her to go to the tower? Why? So he could push her off? She wanted to ask, but he was already backing away from her, and something stopped her... she wanted to wait and find out the hard way. She smiled slightly when he said he might ask her something, her eyes lighting up with her curious excitement. After he closed the door, she returned to her room and even did as he had instructed.
In the morning, a maid brought her a new dress; one that was thicker and warmer than the clothing he'd been letting her wear since her foray into the snow. She would not make an effort to repeat that endeavor anyway, but she wondered if this did mean he was willing to trust her? She ate quickly and when she asked the guard to take her to the tower stairs, he seemed to know what she wanted before she even opened her mouth. She climbed the stairs alone, wondering why he wanted her all the way up here. He wasn't really going to throw her off the tower, was he? There were easier ways to kill her. "Viktor?" She called curiously as she reached the top. [/color]
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Post by Viktor de Winter on Feb 3, 2013 15:48:35 GMT -5
Viktor had spend the night thinking about thing; trying to decide what he wanted from her. What he thought she wanted from him. What the kingdom expected of him; though that was what he cared least about. When dawn came; he ate alone; dressed warmly and then took a few touches to the tower. Putting them around the small room; he hoped it would help break the chill away. This was the highest point in the castle; so high that the warmth from the fires below did not travel this high. There was a large window; large enough that the seal only came up to his knees; and the top went above his head.
Once; this land must not have been frozen over; and this lookout could have been served as not only a look out; but a place for send and receive birds. Hearing steps he turned to face the door way; dressed in cleaner clothing then he had ever wore before; and a over coat that was half coat and half cloak. On his head was the sliver iron band that formed a crown. When she called his name he waited until she saw him; before speaking. He felt like the over dressed idiot that he must look; but he was going to impression. He was a bloody king! And from this height; you could see his whole kingdom. "Good morning."
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Syren de Winter
Member
Queen Of Winter Land Former Princess of Summer Land [/color]
Posts: 156
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Post by Syren de Winter on Feb 4, 2013 1:06:08 GMT -5
Syren wasn't sure what she expected to be at the top of the tower. She pushed open the heavy door at the top of the stairs, peering inside, she was surprised at what she found. Viktor greeted her but she found herself staring as she slowly stepped inside, closing the door behind her without taking her eyes off him. She didn't think she'd ever seen him in clean clothes before, let alone a crown. Realizing she was being rude, she smiled. "Good morning," she paused before adding, "you look very... formal."
If she'd known they were dressing up, she would have...worn exactly this. She didn't really have much of a wardrobe to choose from, especially since on her first day here, when she'd taken off, and Viktor had told her attendant maid to keep her in her room at night no matter what, and the woman had taken him quite seriously. At night she took away everything but Syren's nightgown, and in the morning she brought her another dress. Syren might have complained, but as far as methods of keeping her in her room went, it was extremely effective.
When the surprise of seeing him so attired wore off, she looked around the room, her gaze immediately finding the massive window, her mouth dropped open and she couldn't resist the urge to look through it. She stepped over to the window curiously, taken aback by the view of the frozen landscape, she looked down and took a step back; who knew they were so high up?! "Wow," she murmured under her breath, clearly impressed by the view. [/color]
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Post by Viktor de Winter on Feb 4, 2013 18:15:31 GMT -5
He wasn't familier with this word; wow; but it did not sound bad. She had not laughed when she saw him all dressed up as if he was really a king and not a fishermen playing pretend. "You can see for miles; almost the whole of Winter Land if not for the mountains that the dragons claim as home." Moving to stand half behind; and half beside her; he gestured to their north. "They live there; in caves. We do not venture past the ridge line there. They do not come this far south very often."
Turning toward the south; you could not see anything but trees and hills for miles. There seemed to be no end to them. "That way is Summer Land; On the clearest day you still cannot see lands beyond the snow." But it was there; and any army that came they would have advanced notice of if they sent someone to stand up here. "This is my kingdom." This was what he had to offer; if he choose to offer it to her.
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Syren de Winter
Member
Queen Of Winter Land Former Princess of Summer Land [/color]
Posts: 156
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Post by Syren de Winter on Feb 5, 2013 3:01:43 GMT -5
She didn't turn when Viktor came to stand with her, too absorbed with the landscape laid out before her. She listened to him as he told her about his lands, letting her gaze follow his gesture to the mountains where the dragons apparently lived. She gazed at them curiously, wondering about the creatures he spoke of. Viktor had made his feelings about them quite clear, especially since he'd given her the baby dragon, so she knew that asking him more about them was probably a bad idea, but she was so curious!
It was only reluctantly that she turned her gaze toward the South, her home. She still longed to return there, to feel the sun on her face before the wind stole it's warmth, to see her mother again. But... looking out over the snow-covered horizon, she found herself curious about Winter Land. "It's very...vast." She commented, there was ice and snow as far as the ice could see, and it was astonishing that anyone had managed to survive here, let alone build a kingdom. "Impressive." [/color]
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Post by Viktor de Winter on Feb 7, 2013 20:04:28 GMT -5
It was; and any who saw it would think so; thought not many got this view. "I was not the first man who tried to claim her for himself; only the first to manage to do it." There had been two attempts that he knew of; and he even witnessed one; but the man had been been killed; for his plan had been to invade another kingdom in order to stake his clam as king.
Viktor had sent a messenger; with a message. He owned the north now; and if they damn well wanted it back; they could come and take it. No one had ever came; and knew they would not. No one wanted a war in the north. You had to own the castle to win it. It was why he had planned to bring her father to him; for the assured win. "It helped that I built friends first; that I learned to hunt better; that I had Artemis--and she would fly for no other." The people had learned to need him; and when he claimed to be their king; they cared not; he was no different then the others; and at least he was not trying to get them killed. When he spoke of his plan to get them out of the ice; they then called him king in earnest. It was then he gained support and loyalty. "Avoiding the dragons kept more men alive; and meant they were more willing to follow orders."
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Syren de Winter
Member
Queen Of Winter Land Former Princess of Summer Land [/color]
Posts: 156
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Post by Syren de Winter on Feb 7, 2013 22:19:02 GMT -5
"Her?" She repeated, tearing her eyes away from the window to look up at him. "You think of your land as you would a woman?" She asked, something like amusement in her eyes. He sounded so proud of his conquest, and looking out on the land, it seemed impressive. It was a very different tale from the ones she had heard of her ancestors, nobles who had roused their armies to overthrow the tyranny and unjust laws of the Olindian king. He spoke not of armies and great battles, but of survival and challenging foes who would not dare fight.
They had not cared in the south when word had reached them of a man laying claim to the north and calling himself the Winter King; if he wished to play at being a lord, no one from Summer Land would try to stop him. They had giggled about the insult delivered to the Olindians, stealing what little land they still laid claim to, but otherwise she had given it no more thought until she found herself here. [/color]
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Post by Viktor de Winter on Feb 8, 2013 15:05:51 GMT -5
"Fridge ice that traps a man; the ability to make him loose his bearing; leaving him seeking what heat she offers. Gives him enough challenge to make him have great need of skill; but there in the heart of her there is a protected place." The castled; were all could live. She seemed humored that he would call this land a woman; but in his mind; it was a perfect analogy. The untameable that left every man trying to tame it; and only dead or broken in her wake.
"Wild; untrespassed; and too beautiful for her own good. Every man who tried to claim her; failed. She needed one who knew how to live with the untameableness; and would let her be; rather then bending her to his will. Who could learn to live in her world; without being broken by it." He was no longer talking about the land; and he didn't know if she knew it; but he was making it more clear as he went along. "Only stepping in when she was about to do something . . . foolish." Like run out into the damned snow.
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Syren de Winter
Member
Queen Of Winter Land Former Princess of Summer Land [/color]
Posts: 156
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Post by Syren de Winter on Feb 8, 2013 15:57:42 GMT -5
Syren smiled at his comparisons, an untamed, frigid wilderness that could drive a man insane on a whim? He certainly didn't have a very high opinion of women, but it still amused her. She turned back towards the window as he continued, and as the words seemed to make less and less sense when applied to the land. Too beautiful for her own good? She looked out at the snow-covered mountains and twirled a lock of hair around her finger as she considered his words.
At his last sentence, it became obvious that he was no longer talking about the land, and she gave a light laugh. After a moment's consideration, she turned her head to look at him over her shoulder, the laughter gone from her expression. "And do you think yourself such a man?" [/color]
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Post by Viktor de Winter on Feb 10, 2013 18:36:10 GMT -5
Her question made him laugh; and he turned to look out over the land for a moment. "The question is; do you think so." He would withhold his thoughts on the matter until he had her's. He knew damn well he could not force her hand in any matter; and before he made a fool of himself again; he was going to know where he stood with her; and if that ground was rocky or solid.
She could claim to want him from morning til night; but it mattered not if she would not act on it. He needed to know what she was ready to act upon. "The time has come for you to make clear that which you feel for me; for this land." No more half words of it being tolerable. It was time for her meaning to be clear; and for him to in turn make clear where he stood.
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Syren de Winter
Member
Queen Of Winter Land Former Princess of Summer Land [/color]
Posts: 156
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Post by Syren de Winter on Feb 11, 2013 2:00:39 GMT -5
"I don't know you well enough to say." She said with a shrug of her shoulders, looking back out over the land. She knew that Viktor cared for her, and she knew that he desired her, but as last night evidenced, she didn't know him well beyond that. She'd learned last night that he could be kind, and that he was not the kind of man who would expect her to spread her legs in exchange for such kindness. But there was still so much about him that she did not know, that she could not simply decide what kind of man he was.
Her brow furrowed and she turned towards him when he told her it was time for her to reveal her feelings, and she regarded him with some confusion for a moment. What did she feel for Viktor, and his land? She liked him well enough, she might even care for him, and yes, she desired him, but he wanted her to make it clear? As for his land, she certainly bore it no love, although she was growing fond of it. "And who has decided it is time? Why must a woman's heart be governed by the schedule of a man? I will make my feelings for you and your land clear when I decide it is time, King Winter, and no sooner." She spoke authoritatively, as the queen she had been raised to be would, before she turned around and walked to the door, not certain where she was going to go but certain that she should not remain here. [/color]
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Post by Viktor de Winter on Feb 14, 2013 11:05:23 GMT -5
Viktor kept his face still as she answered and then after a long moment of only staring at her; he nodded his head slowly. He would not advance further until he knew for sure what was between them; but nor would he stop pressing her to join him n his bed. "When you decide it is time to make you mind known; we will finish our talk." He told her; and then moved to walk past her; leaving her to think about everything that had happened between them up there.
Viktor went down the stairs; and changed out of these silly clothes. Then he went on to meet with him men; and avoided her until it was time for everyone to eat in the hall together. Dressed normally; he and Artemis took their normal seats; and he waited until she was seated before speaking; and ignoring this morning's visit to the tower. "How is that man eating adjusting; has it broken anything yet?"
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Syren de Winter
Member
Queen Of Winter Land Former Princess of Summer Land [/color]
Posts: 156
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Post by Syren de Winter on Feb 14, 2013 17:03:44 GMT -5
After she went back down to her room, woke up her dragon and fed him, Syren spent most of the afternoon out in the courtyard with the baby dragon, playing with him and making sure he stretched his little wings and exercised. He wasn't big enough to fly, she discovered, but he seemed to like it when she tossed him in the air, so that when he stretched his wings out it slowed his fall and he could land in the snow with a squeak, raising a cloud of powdery snow up all around him.
The sun was starting to go down by the time she noticed the time, and she hurried back to her room, clutching her baby dragon to her chest. She tucked him into bed to nap, leaving some food by the hearth for him to eat if he woke up before she came back, and took off Viktor's heavy coat. She was late for dinner, so she didn't bother to shake the snowflakes out of her hair before she hurried to the dining room. No one seemed to notice her late arrival, busy discussing other things, so she took her usual seat adjacent to Viktor without too much fuss. At his question, she rolled her eyes and shook her head. "He's doing wonderfully, thank you for asking. And no, he has not, as a matter of fact." [/color]
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Post by Viktor de Winter on Feb 14, 2013 21:23:38 GMT -5
"Give it time." Was all he said about the dragon not having broken anything. Viktor expected the beast would break more then a few times while growing. Many things in the castle were made strong; but strong was compared to human strength not that creature's. He's seen the full grown beast lift horses from the ground; and wagons. He was not sure their full power; but nor was he stupid enough to go find out.
He also noticed she called it a he; and he wonder what that meant for his men. Viktor knew some animals; the males often sought to dominate others; while the females grew protective. He knew he would have to watch for signs of either; and take care of the trouble before it came to harm his men; or the castle. "I wanted to speak with you about what you spoke to me of; yesterday." He used the words 'spoke to him' but they both knew she had but used her lips. "About Artemis." In attempt to convince him the bird held loyalty.
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Syren de Winter
Member
Queen Of Winter Land Former Princess of Summer Land [/color]
Posts: 156
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Post by Syren de Winter on Feb 14, 2013 22:53:31 GMT -5
Syren gave him a disapproving look when he said all it would take is time. She would argue, except that she had no idea whether or not he was wrong. She'd never raised a baby dragon before. But she didn't think he was right anyway... or if he was, she was sure it would be unintentional. Her little dragon wouldn't purposely do anything destructive, he just didn't know his own power. "We'll see," was all she said, they'd find out sooner or later.
She looked up when he spoke of what they had said yesterday curiously, wondering what exactly he meant. They had discussed much yesterday. When he clarified, she smiled, looking to the bird in question fondly. "What of it?" She asked, eating a mouthful of food while she waited for him to clarify. Was it finally sinking in that animals could be more than he thought? That they could have feelings and thoughts more complicated than simply wondering where their next meal would come from? She hoped so. [/color]
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Post by Viktor de Winter on Feb 17, 2013 21:54:27 GMT -5
Viktor looked toward Artemis and then back toward her; judging what he knew with what she had showed him while she sought out her proof. He was still having trouble seeing animals as anything besides beast; who were loyal to the hand that feed them; no matter the hand that might be. Animals still acted out; still bit; still acted like the wild beast that were untamed.
So how did one show loyalty? "Explain to me; what Artemis has told you. How you speak to her; and how she explains loyalty to me." He would know more; and it seemed that he did not know as much as he assumed he did about his favored pet. One that had been with him for years; but he had known favored him in return.
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Syren de Winter
Member
Queen Of Winter Land Former Princess of Summer Land [/color]
Posts: 156
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Post by Syren de Winter on Feb 18, 2013 2:09:07 GMT -5
Syren considered his question for a long moment, pushing her food around her plate with her food absently as she thought of how to explain it to him. It had been easier to show him, but now he wanted her to explain what she had shown him. "I told you, animals don't think in words." She reminded him of what she had said earlier, before she'd opened the hawk's mind to him. "Animals like horses and dogs think mostly in scents and sounds, because those are their best senses. But birds are different. Birds rely on sight, so when they think, it's mostly in images... their emotions appear as colors."
That might help to explain what she had shown him, but it was hard to explain what the spectrum really meant. It was really a matter of feeling what they felt, and if Viktor hadn't let himself open up to that, she didn't know if words could help. "She doesn't explain anything, she just feels it. It's not as complicated as with people." Animals were simple. They didn't lie, they didn't deceive, what she saw in their minds was what they felt. [/color]
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Post by Viktor de Winter on Feb 19, 2013 22:29:41 GMT -5
As colors? How . . . . feminine. How bloody girl of them! Viktor watched her as she explain things; still not understanding how one could see emotions; being birds did not smile or laugh. He was not keen on her showing him anything more either; still it made a man wonder. "They see emotions?" He asked with a disbelieving tone. Reaching up he ruffled Artemis' feathers the wrong way; knowing bird did not like it; then looked at Syren.
"What color was that?" He was trying to see what she meant; and trying to make his own point too. After he had his answer; he ruffled Artemis' feathers the way she had 'told' him that the bird liked. This time he did not stop just to ask his question; "And what color is this?" The good and the bad.
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