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Post by Dungeon Master on Nov 25, 2018 10:09:51 GMT -8
Nestrim turns and walks out the door, as he leaves he speaks. "He should be up here soon”.
NESTRIM
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Post by Dungeon Master on Nov 25, 2018 11:09:16 GMT -8
Several minutes pass when a small knock sounds and the door opens, revealing Anglerond as he walks in. A large smile on his face when he sees Key, with a playful raised eyebrow. "I was told my presence was needed."
He looks around the bedroom, glances at the bed and the smile quirks slightly as he asks coyly, "Is there anything my queen needs of me?"
temporary image ANGLEROND
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Post by Keyleth on Nov 25, 2018 11:22:19 GMT -8
She stands and follows his eyes to the bed then back. She pauses for a moment before meeting him in the middle of the room. She doesn’t come close enough to touch, and her features betray the anxiety and sadness she is feeling.
“I have a few things to talk to you about and a favor to ask you.” She takes a deep breath then speaks in a steady stream as if she is afraid if she stops she won’t start again.
“First, Nestrim and I decided that I needed a title higher than queen so now Im an Empress.” She lifts her shoulders in an uncomfortable gesture then continues.
“Im naming you officially as Royal Consort and giving you the title of High Lord. I know it may be something that your uncomfortable with. But I want to be sure that you are not dismissed out of hand. That you are taken seriously and that people know how close to me you are. Lastly, could you stay at the monor and be Nestrims second? You can say no, I will understand if its not something that you want to do.”
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Post by Dungeon Master on Nov 25, 2018 11:49:56 GMT -8
As Key stands up and her anxiety becomes apparent Anglerond stops his movement and a wary look crosses his eyes. As if he is expecting to be dismissed immediately. The anxiety does lesson some as she continues to talk, his left hand playing with a dangling decoration on his belt. When she talks about a title his face gets a pale color that quickly disappears to his normal ruddy tones. Finally as she speaks, her last words deflate him slightly, but he nods as if he understands.
He bows to her formerly, accepting her words. "I like the title Empress, I think that is more fitting for you. It is something you can force down the craw of some of those busy body queens. I reluctantly take the title as my Empress asks." He bows his head again, no humor or joking, "I respect and obey." Finally he takes a breath and an almost inaudible sigh escapes, "I will stay here and look to your interest Key. You can always trust me, and maybe it is better to have me here anyways and not just Nestrim."
temporary image ANGLEROND
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Post by Keyleth on Nov 25, 2018 12:06:26 GMT -8
She visibly deflates, any regal bearing she mustered leaving her. She bridges the distance between them and wraps her arms around him. She just holds him for a long time, but finally looks up at him.
“I don’t want you to ever do anything for me because I command it. I need you to tell me how you feel about all this. I also need you to know that this is not what I want, but it’s something thats needed. If you don’t want to do it then I will find someone else.”
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Post by Dungeon Master on Nov 25, 2018 13:24:24 GMT -8
Anglerond holds her tightly, small shuddering can be felt from him as he just becomes one with the moment and holds her.
When Key steps back she sees emotions are whirling behind his eyes and after a deep sigh he sucks in some air and regains some composure. "I am not saying yes to this because you tell me to. I am still a ranger in my heart and I won't bow just because of someone's authority, not even for yours."
His old eyes watch Key for a moment, holding his hand out to keep her from talking, he seems tired, bone aching tired, "Nestrim is correct, there needs to be someone here at all times for you, and he needs people he knows are loyal to you and the fist. I don't think you want me to stay away. I know this is duty. I apologize, sometimes an old man gets tired of duty and has to take a breath."
Still holding his hand out, almost like it was a shield, "There is only one other person even in the Fists that I think is fanatical enough to you to be trusted like that... well maybe Luke as well, but he has Sekhmet so that is always problematic. The problem is I think Rabbit would be better at keeping you alive then myself. She is good at politics, but she isn't used to surface politics where I am. She would also be hated by any elves she met with just because of her blood. She needs to stay with you. I said yes to this not because you order it my Empress, but because I love you. I know it has only been a couple of months together but I think I can say that now. I will do whatever it is in my power for you."
He lowers his hand, his energy expended.
temporary image ANGLEROND
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Post by Keyleth on Nov 25, 2018 14:03:14 GMT -8
Key grabs his hand and leads him over to the bed where she sits on tge edge and encourages him to do the same. There are unshed tears in her eyes and she takes a few breaths to steady herself before she speaks.
“I love you to. You know that I would have persued you after the first time we met had things not gone the way they did with Glorian.” She lays her head on his shoulder and continues.
“It makes me feel a bit better to know you won’t do anything because I order it. It will keep me from getting a big head. I also didn’t do this because I don’t think you can protect me, because I know you can. Honestly I did it because the only other person it will effect besides me is you. I think if I asked Rabbit to stay she would be miserable, and so would Luke. Im going to make sure you have a stone so that we can talk when Im away. Im sure you’ll be to busy to miss me.” She looks at him and tries to smile but it doesn’t quite look believable.
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Post by Dungeon Master on Nov 25, 2018 14:13:13 GMT -8
Anglerond chuckles softly and sits down beside Key, enveloping her smaller hand in his. "I will miss you ever minute you are gone. However, we can get stones and you can call me whenever. I also know a gate mage that owes me a favor, I think there might be something he can get for you and the fists, it will be worth it I think."
He smiles at Key, "I thought you were something special when we met. That is why I had to flirt with you. I will be honest though, I wouldn't have approached you for real. You are too strong, intelligent and beautiful and you are intimidating that way. Also, consider this again, I am old and you won't get the time spent you would with someone your age. You should consider that."
temporary image ANGLEROND
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Post by Keyleth on Nov 25, 2018 14:28:31 GMT -8
Key rolls her eyes at Anglerond.
“You can stop that right now. Ive made my choice. If it makes you feel better I promise to try and soldier on after your gone... In a few hindred more years.” She elbows him lightly in the ribs.
“How do you feel after having been healed?” She sits up straight and looks at Anglerond so that she can see his reaction.
“How do you feel about the fact that the Rangers left a door open to compel you in the future?”
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Post by Dungeon Master on Nov 25, 2018 15:02:13 GMT -8
Anglerond stretches out like a cat. "I don't remember when I felt this good. I think before I joined the rangers. You should be careful about what you want when healing people."
He shrugs when he responds to the second part of the question, "I don't feel surprised. I would have recommended you doing the same. They are angry at me, change is happening and change hurts. Change is coming for them
temporary image ANGLEROND
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Post by Keyleth on Nov 25, 2018 15:25:57 GMT -8
Key pivots she shoves him backward on the bed. She climbs ontop of him, her legs on either side of his body. The look on her face is playful but there isca touch of anger in it.
“What do you mean be careful? I think I know exactly what I wanted when I asked for you to be healed.” She shifts her hips and lifts an eyebrow.
“I wanted you to feel better. I thought I might get to keep you for an extra few years too, so it will work out for both of us.” He mood darkens a bit but doesn’t loose its playful edge.
“Just so you know, as far as Im concerned, there is no good reason to tamper with someone’s mind for any reason. The Rangers have lost a bit of face in my book.”
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Post by Dungeon Master on Nov 25, 2018 15:53:41 GMT -8
Anglerond squirms under the Empress, but not wholeheartedly, not really minding her at all. "I like the idea of a few extra years here. You are absolutely correct that it shouldn't be done. Still, to my knowledge they haven't done it so I am thinking no harm, no foul"
He gets a serious expression for his next words, "I need you to promise me one thing Key, and no equivocations..." He eyes her as if she might object, "I lost my wife and family there, in that same ceremony. Promise me you will come back, otherwise this would be two times I have allowed someone to die because I wasn't with them. Also, keep an eye on your mother, this impacted her greatly and for many years. I wouldn't want to see it hurt her again."
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Post by Keyleth on Nov 25, 2018 16:00:19 GMT -8
All sense of happiness drains from her. She goes still her gaze intense.
“Im sorry for your loss.” She runs her fingers down his cheek.
“I can promise you that I will do my very best. But I won’t make you a promise that I can’t grantee the outcome of. Im pretty tough and I have good friends that will do all they can for me. I can promise to watch out for my mother. I know that she has a bit of baggage surrounding this event too.”
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Post by Dungeon Master on Nov 25, 2018 16:17:12 GMT -8
Anglerond nods to Key. "I will take a promise that you will do whatever you can to come back. That would suffice."
He chuckles loudly, "I suspect Rabbit would take it personally if you didn't get back."
temporary image ANGLEROND
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Post by Keyleth on Nov 25, 2018 16:26:28 GMT -8
Her face lights with a smile. She takes his face in both hands and kisses him hard for a long moment then lets go.
“If it makes you feel better I’ll carry you with me always.” Her cheeks go link and she turns away for a moment.
“Im sorry, that was overly sappy.”
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