OOC: Thread for Goblins! I was listening to E.S. Posthumus -
Nara when I wrote this :T *shares the link*
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Across the landscape the Kilanthro's stretched, farther than the eye could see as jagged, crags of beauty that pierced into the very clouds of the blue skies above. The lands here were lush and self contained, with rarely any piece unveined by streams and wrinkled rolling hills. Though the grounds were rocky, what vegetation took hold thrived as tall trees and valleys now flourished with late summer blooms.
A North wind swept in between the mountain pass, tossing her dark hair as Lady Davina made her way along the rocky path. The path hugged the side of a mountain like the natural coil of a serpent and soon her porcelain skin was coated in a thin layer of sweat. She was breathing heavier now as the path grew steeper, a flush capping most of her skin- from the exposed flesh of her shoulders, to her ample bosom nearly spilling out from the confines of her dress.
By the time she had made it to the top of the path, the summer sun rose higher than the mountains and broiled the world beneath it in waves of heat that distorted the lands. The air, appearing dry, clung to her sweat in a stifling warmth as she paused at a crest in the path.
She over looked the cliff side towards the towering stone aqueducts that extruded out from the mountain sides. Part of her knew it was foolish, but she had done it before-a nd she was going to do it again. Bending over, she wasted no time unlacing her boots and casting them side, leaving them to rest in the small shadow beside a knee high boulder that was slowly melting away from the ever rising, steaming sun. With her feet exposed, she crawled her way over the stony, cragged lip of the path and onto the uneven terrain of the gully's peak.
Though some of the path splintered and cracked beneath her weight, she ignored the droplets of pebbles that broken free and trickled into the ravine below. Though one wrong step was deadly, and there was barely any mountainside or vegetation in which to grope. But pampered feet gripped into the rough terrain, and the thrill of the mountain winds rushing through her clothes and hair sent a prickling sensation up her spine and electrified across her skin.
And onward she walked, layers of white skirts in one hand, and her other pressing flat against the hot stone of the mountain side as she walked along the thin line of harsh terrain between the mountain- and the tall, stone aqueduct before her. At the end of the rocky grounds she paused to where a six foot gap stood between her and the man made structure. She was catching her breath and recovering her nerve before pushing off the mountain side as she leaped into the air.
Catching the side of the aqueduct, she gripped it fierce, though sweaty fingers stumbled once, she ignored the pebbles that flaked off and tumbled into the valley below as she pulled herself up onto the outter stone lip of the aqueduct before crawling to her knees, and rising to her feet. Now her shadow spilled across the fresh smell of the trickling mountain waters that gushed cooly down the path, and her eyes shimmered in wander- appearing to mimic the same dancing glitter of the fresh spring water's surface. And it was here she turned around, back to the mountain, eyes upon the world- as another wild wind swept around her and carried her emotions up towards the sky as a thrill rose through her and she threw her shoulders backa nd proudly stood without fear-
at the top of the world.Nothing could be seen above or below her. It was as if she were walking on the clouds- and the power and fear that swelled within her breast was enough to make the woman begin to shake with pride. The smile that soon followed consumed her painted lips as she took in all of Hellvion- like a Goddess from the Sky.
This would be all her's someday. This land- once ruled by the blood of her ancestors. Soon, it would be time for their family to make it's claim.
Hours later, Davina came riding home on the back of a black stallion, lady like with her legs daintily laying to one side. As she pulled around the sharp bend of a grassy hill, the half-timber, stone building of her family's keep pulled into view. A smile touched her lips as she guided her horse to the front of the building, and was immediately greeted by their front door servant, Erique.
"See that he is brushed and fed when you take him to the stable. See that Andrew makes his coat shine. And ensure he has ample fresh water," she told him as she yanked off her gloves and tucked them beneath her left arm. Her green eyes went to his as he nodded, and she nodded briskly in returned, before turning away and stepping in through the main doors of her home. Etta was there to open the door was usual, and bowed her head properly out of respect for her lady. And whatever it was Etta said, Davina ignored and made her way towards the grand staircase to return to her room. But it was here she paused at the foot of the steps as she found herself beneath the glaring gaze of her elder brother.
"Hello, Davishire," she said coolly as she worked at untieing the lace of her bonnet. She shook her hair free and tapped out the invisible debris that had been resting inside. "You're home early."
"I've been home all day," he snapped. Davina rolled her eyes and simply walked past him from the landing, but her brother, in his impatience, snatched onto her arm as he growled.
"What? Are you going to bite me?" she told him through a pout, which coaxed another deep throated growl from him. "Be careful, I might just let you." She told him, leaning in real close as if to give her brother a kiss onthe lips before she skirted past him- leaving him to wallow in the afterglow of her perfume.
Rigidly, he turned to her and called after her in a bark as she was making her way up the second tier of the grand stairs.
"Three men came to call on you, Davina.
Three. Not including Lance Elderscott who joined us at breakfast."
Davina's chuckle was soft as she smiled.
"Only three?" She let Davishire's growl become background noise as she waved him off. "Save your breath. Or come talk to me in the bathing room." And as her heels clicked on the hard wood floors of the hall, she noticed Toddie and gestured to her maid.
"A fresh bath. Make it warm and bubbly- and extra water." And she tossed a wink back toward her grumbling brother who had just arrived from storming up the stairs. "Just in case my brother wants to share."
Davishire, red faced, bared his teeth at Davina.
"You know the party is within the hour."
Davina rolled her eyes. "And?"
"And you look as if you'd just come back from one of your sex parties."
Davina, annoyed, scoffed and turned away from him as she planted her hands on her hips.
"As if you'd know a thing about sex parties," she said, giving a fluff to her dark hair.
"Davina..."
Smirking, she turned her attention back to him and draped one arm over his broad shoulder before leaning in and kissing his cheek.
"Happy Birthday, brother. I know I forgot to wish you that earlier." Her grin grew more smug at his blush. "I'll be ready in time for our guests. Don't you worry." And being so close to him, she took the time to lightly brush a loose strand of his hair away from his forehead.
Davishire gave a snort, but Davina's short display of affection seemed to put a lid on his anger for the moment. So she turned away from him and with an extra sway to her hips, disappeared into the bathing room.
Davishire simply glared at the door long after it had closed. Oh how he loathed his sister. She was shameless. But she was still his blood- but at her age...
What could be done of her? He wondered if he'd have to force her into a marriage, before she ruined her reputation even more- and even his. But he hadn't gotten a chance to ask his sister about... the letter. He had invited Lady Illi Treyburn, a woman of.. lesser social standing than all of his fmily would hve liked- but she was the lady where his current affections resided, and it was the fact he hadn't heard the woman's response in her attendance that had him the most anxious for such an event. What if she never got his invitation? Or the letter that followed? What if she didn't show or want to come? He was against the party from the start, but Davina's subtle reminder he was unwed lead him to a quiet agreement and quickly found his birthday ball's fate now rested in his sister and mother's hand.
And speaking of his mother, as he left one terrible female- he ran int the other. But he simply scowled at her and waved her off.
"Your daughter is back, and I have nothing more to say to you."
But his mother stopped him in the hall and looked at him sharply.
"Davishire, don't forget we're here to represent. And if you fail to talk to the Duchess of Hellvion and prove your worth here tonight... well.." She sighed, her tired old eyes looking him over as her frown deepened. "You might be the ruin of us all." He wanted to remind his mother
Davina might be the ruin of them all, but steeled his tongue as he bristled under his mother's attentions.
"I'm going to my room to finish preparing for this evening."And with a rigid bow, he left his mother standing alone in the hall.