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The Storm [M][DragonSong]

Started by Lowen Thorn, April 23, 2018, 06:59:13 PM

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Lowen Thorn

@DragonSong

A Serenian in Connlaoth.

It had been some time since Lola had ventured into land that was not Serendipity, but it was not without reason. He had heard rumors that Lord Arvin of a Serenian noble house had taken up residence in Uthlyn, and those rumors led him to further investigation, and that investigation led him to confirm it as truth. That coward, that bastard Arvin. He was one of the vile men that took turns on his mother, that tortured his mother, that gave her endless torment until there was nothing left.

Well, it was his turn to die - and Lola had full intentions to make sure there was nothing left of him.

Traveling to another land was all too easy. With "Theodore," he disguise of nobility he so carefuly accumulated over the years, he had all the means. Means of travel, guards, escorts - getting to this place was not difficult. The most difficult part up to this point was sneaking away from his company at the inn they were staying at for the night.

But he did, and now he was walking, in and out of the shadows, of Uthlyn, searching for the man who had to pay.

He needed to be quick, as the clouds were only making the night skies even darker as a storm approached. The stars were disappearing, and the wind picked up with each passing second.

Before he knew it, the rain came, and it came with heavy downpour.

"Shit," he grumbled to himself as the falling storm soaked him and all of his clothes. He was still looking for Arvin's supposed residence, but now he couldn't see a thing. Nothing but the closest estate to him.

He had no choice. He couldn't track someone down if he couldn't even see the area around him. He would need to go to the nearby home and seek shelter there until the storm slacked.

He hurried over to the nearby house, reaching the door.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

DragonSong

Curled up with a good book on the window seat in the parlor, watching the rain hammer against the pane of glass-- there really wasn't much better. Ilia smiled as she glanced toward the hearth and saw Twyla stretch out and give a sleepy kitten murmur, then almost roll into the flames. The closer she got to the heat, the louder she purred.

The young lady chuckled and returned her attention to her book, smile still in place. A suddenly movement outside drew her eye though, and she raised her head, squinting to try to see through the silvery sheets.

...Someone at the door?

"Papa?" she called, still frowning quizzically. In less than a moment, Varyyn Amaranth was at her side, drawing the curtain just slightly to the side so he could look out as well.

He snorted. "Not a demon."

Ilia rolled her eyes. "Well I figured that, how could he have gotten passed the seal on the gate if he was?" She tilted her head, eyeing the stranger consideringly. "You should let him in, he'll catch his death out there."

Varyyn gave her a long-suffering look, which she returned with wide, pleading eyes. With a sigh, he shook his head and moved into the foyer, then opened the door to reveal the rather bedraggled stranger on their doorstep.

He blinked, as though surprised, and stepped to the side. "Good gracious, you poor lad, wherever did you come from? Come in, come in, out of this wretched storm."

Lowen Thorn

As soon as the door swung open, Lola shot the man standing opposite of him an embarrassed smile. They answered the door, but he still needed to convince them to let him stick around for a while - without raising any suspicion. He was still wearing his noble clothes, thank gods, so he could still portray "Theodore" to an extent, even in another country.

"Much obliged, m'lord," he said rather quickly as he shuffled into their home.

Holding up his arms, he glanced over his dripping clothes and feigned a delicate moan. "Oh dear," he said quietly. "My robes are soaking wet now!"

Lola's eyes quickly scanned the room as he turned back to face the man who let him in, briefly catching a glimpse of the young woman by the window. He let out a defeated sigh before giving the minor lord a weary smile.

"Thank you for the kindness, sir," he said politely. "I was just out for a nightly stroll when I got a little lost, and then the storm came. I do not know what I would have done if you hadn't answered the door."

He extended his hand, hoping he would accept it. "My name is Theodore. Theodore Alcott."

DragonSong

"Varyyn Amaranth." The lord inclined his head politely, russet eyes roaming up and down the stranger's form with a distinctly calculating air.

He took Theodore's hand easily enough though, and gave it a brisk shake. Spotting Ilia's warily approach from the parlor, book tucked under one arm and the ever-present Twyla at her heels, he indicated her with a wave of his hand and added, "This is my daughter, Ilia."

The lady dipped into a brief curtsy, green eyes sparkling. "A pleasure, ser," she demurred, then added with a wry smile, "Though I'm sure you'd have rather not been caught out in the rain."

Lowen Thorn

"Theodore" flashed the young woman his best attempt at a charming smile. "The pleasure is all mine, m'lady," he replied with a bow of his head. "But yes, the rain. What's a man to do? I'm only grateful that you two were kind enough to let me in your home. You see-"

He paused for a brief moment, contemplating his next response.

"The company I am with are a little strict on me leaving the premises, to keep me safe from harm's way, but where is the fun in that? I do not see why anyone would want to harm me! I am not even from here! But when I heard Lord Arvin or Serendipity might have taken up residence here, I just could not help myself. I've always wanted to meet the man!"

Lola was never the one to waste any time.

DragonSong

"Lord Arvin?" Varyyn and Ilia exchanged a glance. "The name is familiar, but I'm afraid I don't know precisely who that is," the lord of the house said slowly, looking back to their unexpected guest.

Lowen Thorn

"Oh, well shoot!" he said with a cheery tone and a snap of his fingers.

'Fuck,' he cursed inside his head. 'But.. they could be lying. I should do some exploring while I am here.'

He looked back down on his wet clothes, as the water was dripping off of him and onto their flood. He didn't think to bring a change of his clothes before sneaking away from the ones he traveled with, but he couldn't just sit here like this.

"I hate to ask," he began, a look of shame in his eyes. "But it appears as if I've brought a bit of the storm inside with me. Is there somewhere in your home where I can get out of these wet clothes? Also, I'm afraid I didn't bring anything to change into."

He scratched the back of his head and let out an embarrassed chuckle.

DragonSong

Varyyn nodded easily, after a quick, sharp look from his daughter. "Of course. Let me take you to one of the guest rooms," he offered, gesturing toward the stairs.

"I'll fetch a change of clothes," Ilia piped up. "He should fit your things, don't you think, Papa?" She was gliding up the stairs without waiting for an answer, Twyla scampering along behind her.

Lowen Thorn

"Thank you sir."

He followed Varyyn up the stairs, watching the girl carry off in front of them. His eyes scanned the house more as he made it to the top of the staircase. Nothing out of the usual so far.

Outside, the sound of thunder could be heard rolling across the sky. It almost sounded like the storm was getting... worse. He may be here for a while.

He peered at the man over his shoulder. "I promise I will not be a burden. I am very grateful. If you would like, after I change, we can all talk more."

After he looked around, of course.

DragonSong

"Mm." Varyyn cast him a single glance, then looked away again, evidently disinterested. As Ilia tripped lightly into what appeared to be the master bedroom, he led Theodore down the hall to one of the spare guestrooms, gesturing for him to enter.

"Ilia should be by with a change of clothes in a moment. Please, make yourself comfortable-- there's a fire going in the parlor, you're welcome to meet us there once you've dried off a bit."

Lowen Thorn

"That would be lovely," Lola said, giving him another nod of thanks.

His eyes followed the man as he went back down the stairs before half-way closing the door. He peaked around the guest room momentarily, but not enough to really get his eyes on anything in particular. The girl would be there with clothes any minute, so he would have to wait a bit longer.

"These people do not strike me as your typical noble family," he said, mostly to himself, and with his normal 'Lola' accent in place.

DragonSong

Ilia, quiet as the cat by her side, smirked slightly as she knocked on the door frame. "We aren't," she noted casually, striding into the room without waiting for an invitation, folded clothes in her arms. "Though I suppose that might depend on what you mean by typical."

Lowen Thorn

Lola's eyes widened at the sound of her voice.

'Dammit. Why did you say that out load?!'

Lola put "Theodore's" face back on, spun around and flashed the girl a wry smile. "Oh, you heard me," he said in playful defeat. "Forgive me. I did not mean anything by it Miss.. Ilia, was it?"

DragonSong

"Yes, that's right," she replied with a small smile as she laid the clothes on the bed. Twyla mewed and trotted over to sniff at Theodore's wet boots curiously.

Ilia turned to eye him up and down, eyes somehow both playful and calculating. "And don't worry, no offense taken." She smirked again. "Papa and I aren't exactly typical."

Lowen Thorn

His eyes briefly followed the clothes as she laid them on the bed, but then shot back up to her. "I believe you could say the same thing about me," he said wearily.

Kneeling down, he rubbed the little kitten behind the ears. Lola has always loved cats, and most animals, for that matter.

"So, Ilia. What's your story then?"

DragonSong

She shrugged, perching on the edge of the bed lightly. Twyla took the opportunity to jump up into her lap, purring, and she stroked her absently, digging her fingers into bronzed tabby fur.

"It's...well, rather a long story," she chuckled. "But the short version... My mother passed away in childbirth. But she wasn't nobility, you see. Papa's family disowned him when he married her. But then when she died..." She shrugged, the lie she'd told so often falling easily from her lips. "Well. When she died, Papa was allowed his inheritance again. To help raise me."

Lowen Thorn

"Ah, I see," he said quietly. "No matter, you are here now, and it appears as if you and your father have are quite fond of each other. I, myself, was born to Nobility in Serendipity," he lied. "Born and raised that way, so nothing interesting there. But..."

He trailed off, pondering for a moment. "Being of Noble stature isn't all it is cracked up to be, as I am sure you know. It's not very exciting, is it? Besides," he stopped again, a rather 'Lola' smile spreading across his face. "Being Noble doesn't necessarily mean you are a good person. There are many that share our title that are quite the opposite. We all have our secrets."

His stopped again, shaking his head slightly. What was he saying? Now was not the time to go on a self-righteous rant about the people he disguised himself as.

"Not saying that you are not good people, of course," he said, trying to ease out of the subject. He picked up the clothes that she had placed on the bed for him, and gave her a shy look. "Oh. Do you mind?"

DragonSong

Ilia giggled, cheeks going a little red, and ducked her eyes as she hurried from the room with a half-laughed, "Oh of course, my apologies!" As she slipped through the door, she said over her shoulder, "If you're hungry, I'm sure Papa and I can have something prepared in the parlor, once you've dressed."

Lowen Thorn

Lola smiled at her as she exited the room. She was sweet, but he did not believe her story for one second. Still, they had showed no signs of having knowledge of Lord Arvin and his whereabouts, or who he even was. If they did, that would be another story. He really doubted Ilia had anything to do with what happened to his mother, considering her age. But the father he was not so sure about.

He could think about that later. There was really nothing in the guest room that looked like it would be of any help, and he was still in his wet clothes. Closing the door the rest of the way, he removed his wet robes and changed into the dry pair of clothes the girl had provided him.

He really wasn't hungry, but he did not want to come off as rude or ungrateful. That, and he had no idea how long he would be there. Better eat now, while he had the chance.

With that thought, he slipped out of the room and headed for the parlor.

DragonSong

Varyyn was settled in a rather plush armchair by the fire, flipping through what looked like it might have been a book of accounts. Ilia was back in her place at the window seat, Twyla curled into her lap.

It was the kitten who noticed their guest's arrival first, mewing and jumping down from her mistress's lap to trot over to him curiously. She sniffed at him, then rubbed against his legs with a rumbling purr, demanding attention.