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Post by Admin on Mar 6, 2023 4:48:14 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/j5FLskF/Florimel~jpg The Regent's secretary says that he can see Flora now. He finds her in her office, changed into more casual clothes than earlier, her hair in a ponytail, leaning back in her chair with her eyes closed and a cold cloth across her forehead. She peels open one eyelid to look at him. "Ovid, come in, come in. Make yourself comfortable but speak softly, not like Lorelei and Brian." |
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Ovid
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Post by Ovid on Mar 6, 2023 14:48:56 GMT
"Hello again Princess Regent Florimel, I will try and speak softly though I don't know how the two have spoken with you." he did speak in a low voice at her request.
"First, it is good to see you again. While things may be uncertain with everything going on, that at least is still true. I come to you as you might guess though not just to wish you well and to catch up on things but because I have questions. I am hoping you might help with. On my way in from shadow, I noticed a feel as cliche as it may seem of evil coming from somewhere off in Garnath. Talking a bit with Maeve, she mentioned you thought it was cursed. I would like to check into what might be a darkness growing there in Garnath. If you know more of what is transpiring there, I would greatly appreciate it. I am also going to be working in the future to try and help out with what may be a growing famine problem here. Working with others to bring in seed, and plants that could grow well and feed the populace under the current conditions is my goal. Somewhere in the midst of it, I wish to visit Random and Gerards tombs and pay my respects."
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Post by Admin on Mar 7, 2023 5:40:21 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/j5FLskF/Florimel~jpg "They speak loudly.
"Corwin's curse has never been fully removed from Garnath. The Black Road is still there if someone is savvy and perceptive enough to sense it. The curse is in the trees of the place, so I want them all cut down.
"Seeds are a good idea, but if these rains are part of Brand's or Caine's curse on us, they will do little good.
"My brother's deaths are so recent that there hasn't been enough time to build tombs yet. Gerard's body is kept under the castle. A monument will be constructed in Random and Vialle's honour since there is nothing of them to bury."She puts a few pills of alka-seltzer in a glass of water and gulps it down. |
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Post by Admin on Mar 7, 2023 5:50:12 GMT
OOC: Sorry, I didn't get a chance to reply to your post at the armoury. The soldiers there would have shown Ovid a selection of crossbows of different styles for him to choose from, knives too. They would have also measured him in preparation for the armoured to refit him.
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Ovid
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Post by Ovid on Mar 7, 2023 16:00:22 GMT
He continued to talk quietly as it was clear she was taking medication of some kind.
"Oh, the black road. Yes I have heard of it. That is not quite something one could confront or face." Ovid set his jaw for a moment. "That is a shame, you said it got into the trees, how so ?" He allowed her a chance to answer.
"As for the seeds, I can only try. I want Amber to be the shining jewel, I know that it can be again. I remember the bright colors, the lively smiles, the flowing sails. You are part of that image of Amber. With so many gone, I am glad your still here."
"I don't envy the position you are in, I am sure loud voices is the least of things for you. You're managing the realm and the realm during an incredibly difficult time. Benedict chose you though, he saw in you the skills and means necessary to hold everything together. You have appeased the nobles giving the young nobles new lands, even I purchased some to help support things. While I don't exactly know why Brian was declared a Saint, it may very well be a good means to sway the church and I hope it works out. The church of the Unicorn is something I never delved too deeply into. What I am trying to say is, your doing a good job. While not everyone appreciates your efforts, I can see your doing your best during a difficult time." He raised his hand, "That doesn't mean I would be happy in any arranged marriage. It does mean I want you to succeed because if you do, then Amber succeeds. That is something I want."
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Post by Admin on Mar 9, 2023 4:17:06 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/j5FLskF/Florimel~jpg "It's magic," Flora says with a shrug, then a wince of pain when replying to the trees question. "That was a lot of butter just to say that you don't want to get married. You wouldn't do it to help the family? I'll tell you the same as I'll tell Dirk: Just lay back and think of Amber." |
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Ovid
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Post by Ovid on Mar 9, 2023 16:37:37 GMT
Ovid's eyes narrow, "I give you honest compliments, and you chose to dismiss them to a mere displeasure I have with arranged marriage. The rarity, with which we give such to one another it is insulting to have it thrown back at me so. Regardless I stand by my words. Accept them or throw them away as you wish." Though clearly incensed Ovid's words only rise in volume a bit continuing to respect the wish for more quiet words.
Ovid closes his eyes for a moment before opening them again, "I will still do what I can about removing that stain in Garnath than, now that I know more what it is. I will hold the family's heritage in my mind and try to burn it from Garnath unless this has already been attempted and failed." His words return to their prior tone.
Ovid looked to the Regent, "Regent, even King Oberon did not make such statements to compel marriage. It is not that I was not used and traded in my youth like breeding stock. The odd boy who healed from the worse wounds, who lifted more than the great warriors and worked longer hours. My parents were not there to stop the tests where I was stabbed to show how I could heal or shown off working stone. I am here though now, to defend myself against such things. What does this Motious family have that they could convince you to even think about offering up family?"
"Talk with me Florimel, you may find that I am capable of listening. May I sit, Regent?"
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Post by Admin on Mar 10, 2023 6:21:16 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/j5FLskF/Florimel~jpg "Sit, of course, sit" She adjusts the cold cloth on her head. "Our family only compliments each other when they want something or have saved Amber or something. Your excessive compliments were a surprise.
"If Oberon couldn't remove the Black Road by using the Jewel of Judgement to rewrite the Pattern and recreate Shadow then I doubt there is anything we can do to fix it. It's something we're stuck with and I'd prefer to have it clear cut.
"Oberon had no need to compel his children as they were a lusty bunch and quite able to keep the nobles occupied with only the rare scandal. You and your kind seem much less interested in the fun of life so I'd thought I could nudge you towards some happiness. also Oberon didn't have to deal with two sons who tried to kill off all the noble families during their attack on the city and another son who tried to destroy the universe. We need to try some damage control and get the great families on our side again. Cranking out a few kids could do wonders for stabilizing the city and the power of the royal family.
"Didn't you find the Motius twins, whatever their names are, to be pretty? Worthy of being arm candy for a few years for appearances sake?" |
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Ovid
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Post by Ovid on Mar 10, 2023 16:54:16 GMT
Ovid takes a seat and shifts it to face Florimel more.
"Perhaps it is I wish to act as a balance to the loud voices and sour sentiments. Also sometimes people can be genuine, you have many responsibilities and the weight of rulership on your shoulders. So a few kind words from me are no hardship and hopefully buoy your spirit some."
He listens to her speak of the great repair which he had heard of and he nodded silently. Continuing to listen as she then spoke of Oberon's children. Was he one? Perhaps not. Then Bleys, Brand and Corwin were brought up.
"Prince Gerard had distaste in his heart about those times as well."
A wry smile played at his lips, "I don't know perhaps you are right about us being uninterested in the happiness of life. I wonder if we are not the children of gloom, born of this generation of gray skies. When I come in with shipments of flowers here or to the Golden Circle, I try to brighten things some. To fight this in my own way. If you wish to nudge us towards happiness, find out what makes us happy. Dirk seemed most unhappy. Though I have no clue what may make the man happy. Considering he tried to throw me under the carriage, I am not sure I care really."
Ovid inhales a bit and then chuckles, "I must confess, I don't even know who these Motius twins are. When I returned, I was mostly interested in making my presence known to you, as opposed to the ladies present at the time. So, I don't know if they are flowers or weeds."
"When I came back to Amber this time, I wanted to get a more permanent room then the guest room, I usually occupy. My heritage here, my link to the family. These things have drawn me back. Perhaps since the South Wing, is so bare someplace there could be made available. Even though I would like to learn more, it seems the library has been destroyed. I want to try and help with some of Amber's troubles, and I know that will require trips into shadow. That would be unfair to any young bride."
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Post by Admin on Mar 11, 2023 5:34:32 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/j5FLskF/Florimel~jpg "A certain restlessness seems to be part of our makeup other than Llewella and me. Since those times of troubles, it seems to have left my generation. Now we struggle with you younger ones.
"What else would one expect from Dirk? He is a pirate through and through. I had hoped some time in Amber's cultured and refined air would sort him out, but I fear it is too ingrained, too much like his father. Many of your other cousins are similarly afflicted.
"The Motius girls are lovely, and you will come to like them as much as the rest of us do. They are quite inseparable, that's one reason their mother wants them married off. The other is simply politics. There is no need for love or affection in this. No need to drag them through Shadow. Just have a ceremony, get her pregnant, then get on your way. The truth s, I doubt they are all that interested in any of our family other than for the prestige of snaring one of you."She lets out a loud, long yawn. "Tell me about Dante while I can still keep my eyes open." |
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Ovid
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Post by Ovid on Mar 11, 2023 14:56:36 GMT
There is a long pause.
"Dante, I can't say I have known him long enough to form an opinion of the man. I can tell you what I know of him though. He is an anthropologist and artist. Quite a good artist, I saw some of his drawings. He was with Anna Mae when I met him the two of them had been seeking Amber, but no ships would risk the trip. Anna Mae left us in the city, and Dante was speaking with Lady Rein when last I saw him, here in the castle."
"He may be family the way he was so dedicated to finding Amber. Another lost son."
"Since you are tired, I will leave you, at your request of course.
"It is rare for the nobles to bargain better than a royal though. To have you press their desire so strongly over that of family. I do wonder what this Motius family has."
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Post by Admin on Mar 12, 2023 4:41:42 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/j5FLskF/Florimel~jpg "If he is as good an artist as you say then we can find him a place in the city to use as a studio. Unicorn knows that we have more artists than we know what to do with in Amber these days and not enough money to pay them for their work.
"Many people come here claiming to be a member of the family. You could try to teach him about walking the Pattern if you are willing to feel guilty when he burns up a few steps in.
"It is a deal that works for all of us. Why do you think Amber exists?" |
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Ovid
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Post by Ovid on Mar 12, 2023 14:55:45 GMT
"When I see him again, I will let him know. He might be pleased with that."
Ovid tilted his head slightly, "I don't know him well enough to feel guilty, the family blood test is something we all have to be damn certain of, at least those who come in from shadow. I will talk to him on it, he should know the risk."
"I will think on it, it is a deal that must work out for me as well. If I entertain the idea." There was an odd look on his face, "That last question is not really a question, is it?"
"Rest well, Regent I hope the morning finds you well."
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Post by Admin on Mar 13, 2023 3:54:18 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/j5FLskF/Florimel~jpg "Sure, it is a question. Why do you think Amber exists? Not the Pattern, but Amber. Why does it exist? Why is there all of this?"The hand that isn't holding the damp cloth waves about. |
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Ovid
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Post by Ovid on Mar 13, 2023 15:18:55 GMT
Ovid again tilted his head regarding the Regent.
"It is the first dream, the first imagining, the first thing that sprung to mind in the creator. Further refined by the royal family and molded by Oberon into his desires mostly for its early years. I know what happens here reflects out there and that is why they are called shadows of Amber. If it is the shining symbol of order, I am not sure we are doing so well. I think you may have further thoughts though; I am open to hear them."
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