Lunari
30
Secretly engaged.
Head of deGrey Trading Co.
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Wesley deGrey on Jun 4, 2020 19:29:35 GMT -5
The sailor always went to the water. Maybe it just happened to be his first idea...or maybe it was intentional because rushing through the waters, even in high boots, was really stupid in the middle of winter. But then again, he dealt with the devastating sea spray and high winds on the seas no matter the time of year. It barely fazed him as he rushed across, splashing the river up in his wake.
Wesley rushed deeper into the woods, zigzagging like the fleeing fox that he was. He didn't stop, didn't look behind him just yet to see if she was on his trail, maybe something already told him that she was. He could feel the laughter bubbling up within his chest, but the humor was swiftly being replaced by determination.
He kept going, trying to remember these grounds from childhood. His brothers and cousins would always play out here and he knew there was a small cave in the mountainside. The castle was built into the rocks so there were probably plenty of hollowed out sections around. When he neared one, the fox rushed into his den and pressed his back against the wall to try and remain out of view. His chest heaved as he struggled to find his breath.
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Magpie
25
Single
Military
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Post by Rhysand Sellar on Jun 4, 2020 19:42:29 GMT -5
As Rhysand ran between the trees, he slowed slightly, looking around him. Not too far away a man was climbing one of the trees--not a bad idea, he'd admit; he'd considered it himself--but he didn't want to do exactly that. He followed the treeline deeper into the grounds and spotted a little shed up ahead. The wood was weatherworn and grey, but the structure was large enough that he should be able to walk right in. He breathed a sigh of relief as he yanked open the door and hid inside. One of the prongs of a rake was poking him in the shoulder, and it was a bit of a squeeze, but it ought to work for now.
He peered out a split in the wood of the door as he caught his breath.
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Tendy
27
Widowed
Noble
Tier 3 Character
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Post by Helene Hewitt on Jun 4, 2020 19:54:45 GMT -5
Onward! To the River Helene's legs carried her. A sane woman might have tried to find another way to cross, but Helene was a woman on a mission, and not all that sane despite appearances. She grabbed her skirts, and pulled them up, draping them up over an arm. Since she had pants on underneath she wasn't that worried about modesty and went splashing across. She couldn't help the large grin that appeared on her face as she hurried through the cold water, a giggle bubbling out.
Once she was across, she let her skirts fall and then ran to the last place she'd seen him. Adrenaline coursed through her, and sent a thrill down her spine. Where was he headed? She wondered as she hurried. Pumping her arms and dodging bushes as she went. He had the advantage, knowing the castle ground better than she, but it didn't detour her. Not one bit. "I'm coming for you Wesley deGrey." She muttered under breath as she pushed forward.
It took her a few minutes, but she eventually came to the rocky part of the mountainside. She finally slowed to a stop, placing her hands on her hips while she struggled to catch her breath, her chest heaving with the exertion of her running. Her dark eyes scanned the rocks, and trees nearby, wondering where he'd decided to go. Helene slowly began to walk forward, making herself take the time to pay attention to the noises around her. Her head was on a swivel as she looked around, her eyes peeled for any sort of movement, while her mind raced in trying to lure the fox out of his hiding place.
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Lux
22
Recently Divorced
Lady in waiting/Spy
Tier 2 Character
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Post by Alice Calder on Jun 4, 2020 19:56:39 GMT -5
Alice has given Eleesa a smile of acknowledgment, forcing the smile to be as happy as she could manage, even more so to keep it across her face. "Of course you're right, your Highness." She said softly with a nod. Still, the dark-haired woman did not force herself to the front of the starting line, instead deciding to wait where she stood. Once they were given the cue, Alice at moved forward at a simple pace, arms swinging at her side as she strode forward with her chin up. This was stupid, or at least that's what she decided.
Her plan was simple: take to the forests. It seemed several of the hares had the same thought, which meant she could likely get away with sitting out this little game while still seeming to play. Ever since her divorce, Alice had paid little mind to the overly romanticized ideology of taking another lover. She was perfectly fine with being alone and didn't intend to change that single-minded way of thinking based on the premise of some silly game. Besides, perhaps Eleesa would enjoy the time away from her watchful eye. Her Queen deserved to have fun.
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Lunari
30
Secretly engaged.
Head of deGrey Trading Co.
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Wesley deGrey on Jun 4, 2020 20:13:45 GMT -5
He struggled to keep his breathing quiet, but he hadn't sprinted that fast anywhere in quite awhile, so his heart was still pounding against his chest. It was so loud in his own ears that he swore she would hear it if she got close enough.
And close she was. Wesley heard the splashing of water and the rustling of leaves just outside that small cave. He didn't have to see to simply know it was her- of course it was, and he was grinning a bit at how swiftly she had followed his trail. Carefully, he inched his way around the rock to peer through the opening and saw her standing that short distance away; searching for him as well as her own breath. She was half soaked as he was and he had to press his lips tightly together to keep himself from laughing.
Now, the question remained: should he stay where he was and chance her finding him, or make a run for it?
That was a stupid thing to contemplate. When was it ever fun to stand still?
Waiting for just a second longer, Wesley finally emerged from his hiding spot to purposely sprint right past her and deeper into the woods. The river was to his right and he was veering towards it again but wasn't aiming to cross it just yet. He wasn't aiming to disappear from her sight, since that would be impossible. This was now a race of stamina or to see just how clever she could be.
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Soleil
30
Single
Queen's Guard
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Post by Stefan Gifford on Jun 4, 2020 21:19:00 GMT -5
Stefan couldn't help but laugh as Aric did. He imagined he laughed at the thought of him crawling around rather than running, and it was a pretty humorous thought.
He ran hard and fast, though toning it down a bit so he wouldn't get ahead of Aric. Despite being a large man, he had some speed-- maybe it was his long legs, or just that he had trained for a very long time, and he was able to run long and fast without losing his breath. So when Aric corrected his statement, Stefan laughed. "What's the matter, majesty? Are you slowing down on me?" He grinned and kept pushing forward, nodding at Aric's suggestion for the courtyard garden and that the tall hedges might be able to hide him. "Funny, my lord..." He shook his head and managed to look behind them, there was no sight of any of the hounds yet. They had made a good lead, it would seem. Or none of them were running in this direction.
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Soleil
28
Married to Aric Demarais
Queen of Aralore
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Alexandria Eveleigh- Demarais on Jun 4, 2020 21:48:07 GMT -5
Alexandria grinned at the sight of her bundled up lady, Claire. She was so gosh darn cute, she couldn't stand it. Her gaze turned to regard her lady as she assured her that no one would go after Aric. A soft smile danced along her lips and she nodded in response. She did not know many of the ladies here, or if any of them had a past with Aric previously, or not. It wasn't that she didn't trust Aric.
"Are you certain you wish to do this, Claire? Please do not push yourself too much." She placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and lightly squeezed it. "Sit and relax if you need to, alright?"
And the men were off, her sapphire-colored eyes watched as her husband darted off. Her grin grew wider and she giggled at the sight of him. He actually wasn't going to make this easy on her, was he? She noticed Stefan running along with him and she laughed, shaking her head as she turned to Claire again. "Stefan will probably stay with him. Swat off any ladies who try to go near him?" She grinned and glanced back in the direction her husband and Stefan had run off to, taking note of it. "Maybe we could just walk? Keep them waiting a bit, hmm?" She smirked and looked back to Claire with a devious questioning expression.
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Tendy
27
Widowed
Noble
Tier 3 Character
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Post by Helene Hewitt on Jun 4, 2020 21:59:13 GMT -5
Helene heard the crunch of snow under boots, before she felt a rush of movement run right by her. She whirled just in time to see Wesley sprinting by. "Ope- you!" she hollered, trying to make a grab for him, but he was far to ahead of her. Helene gave chase again, pumping her arms as she ran after the deGrey. She couldn't help the smile on her face as she was in hot pursuit. She wished suddenly that she had Marinette's height. Surely with those long legs of hers she'd be able to catch him much faster. As it was, Helene was a little above average for a woman and she was fit.
He appeared to be heading back towards the river, keeping it on his right. Did he plan on going running back through it? Helene breathed in through her nose, and out through her mouth as she gave chase. She noticed then, he was veering towards it, but hadn't crossed it yet. Helene altered her course only slightly, rushing to the river bank quickly before she darted up the bank , so she was running parallel with the river. Hoping she'd gain on him a little, if not cut him off before he could reach the bank himself.
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Lunari
30
Secretly engaged.
Head of deGrey Trading Co.
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Wesley deGrey on Jun 4, 2020 22:27:41 GMT -5
It would have been easier to stay put, he was realizing, as the cold air was finally affecting his lungs. But the deGrey still pushed on, ignoring the burning in his muscles from pushing himself too hard. Still, he was laughing as she pursued him with everything she had, which only spurred him on faster if that was even possible.
Turning to look over his shoulder, he noticed she was running along the bank now, getting closer. Far too close. Wesley knew she was trying to cut him off, and if he was smart, he would turn left and away from the river. However, there were flat stepping stones in the river, a makeshift bridge for people to cross.
It was stupid, but he was aiming for that, chancing that she might be wary of the slippery stone. Unlike Wesley who practically jumped right onto the first one, already almost losing his footing. It slowed him down considerably, but he tried to keep going.
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Tendy
27
Widowed
Noble
Tier 3 Character
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Post by Helene Hewitt on Jun 4, 2020 22:46:20 GMT -5
Helene smirked as Wesley looked over his shoulder and could see how close she had gotten. Oh yeah, I'm closing the distance you impossible man. She thought. Would it be too cocky to say she could already taste her victory?
She charged forward, seeing he was aiming for something towards the river. Her eyes flickered over and could see something flat, possibly stones that acted as a bridge. He leaped for the first one, nearly losing his balance, and Helene grinned like the mad woman she was as she forced her legs to go even faster despite how much they were burning from her exertion.
Wary she was not. She was fearless, and determined, as she leaped forward onto the flat stones, and ran on the balls of her feet across them. Running just like Elliot had shown her. "Ye need to stay on the balls of yer feet lass!, ye need sure footin' out on the seas if ye wish ta not land on your arse whe'n a big wave hits." He'd told her once. She nearly slipped on one, her arms going to quickly steady her. When it looked like he was nearly across, Helene did something she'd probably regret later, but he wouldn't be able to say she hadn't of given it her all.
She used one of the taller stones essentially as a springboard. Using her legs to propel her forward she leapt, pushing off on the stone and threw herself into the air. Aiming to tackle him onto the riverbank."WESLEY!!!!" She shouted, sounding more like a war cry as she held her arms out in front of her.
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Tendy
20
Single
Lady in Waiting
Tier 2 Character
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Post by Claire Beauchard on Jun 4, 2020 23:04:18 GMT -5
Claire nodded her head eagerly at Alexandria's question. "I'll be okay! I didn't plan on running that much, so I should be fine." Came her muffled response. Claire watched as the men darted away, her eyes following after her king and the guardsman she desperately wanted to thank for his kindness. She glanced up at Alexandria Eveleigh- Demarais, hearing her giggle and she couldn't help but beam from ear to ear at hearing the sound. It was like music to her ears, happy this foreign event was making her queen so happy. At the mention of Stefan her eyes went wide, and look of horror crossed her face even if her scarf hid half of it. WHAT?! She grew very concerned. "Wh-what i-if! I-I mean-" She began to say. She approved of Stefan wanting to keep King Aric safe, and prevent other ladies from smooching him, but what if it wasn't King Aric they were after? "I'm glad he's protecting King Aric, b-b-but what if the ladies go after him! I won't be able to catch him!" She said in a rush. The devious look in Alexandria's eye told Claire that she was forming a plan of some sort, and Claire took comfort in that at least. "Okay..." She said. Claire then reached out and looped her arm with Alexandria as the rest of the hounds began to line up. She watched as the announcer then shouted for the hounds to go, and watched the herd of women dart off in every which way after their wanted hares. Her's had gone off to the right. He really wasn't that hard to miss... "I wanted to thank him for the other day..." Claire murmured behind her scarf, beginning to walk with Alexandria. Yes, walking would be good on her lungs she decided. Less of a chance of a coughing fit as well.
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Lunari
30
Secretly engaged.
Head of deGrey Trading Co.
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Wesley deGrey on Jun 4, 2020 23:10:11 GMT -5
Bad idea. Bad idea. Bad idea. Bad idea.
Those two words kept echoing through his head as he traversed the slippery stones as fast as he could. Wes should be good at this, should be able to balance fairly well and compensate for the lack of dry land. He had only nearly slipped that one time at the start, but the rest was a piece of cake for the sailor once he got the hang of it.
That is, until Helene decided to be extra brazen and take a bit of a risk. Wesley was just jumping onto the riverbank when he heard her shout out his name (and not in the way that any man would desire a woman to do so). It was a war cry, a warning...a threat. It had him turning swiftly, seeing her leaping towards him like some wild cat.
Those blue eyes went wide. The fox was about to die.
"Oh fu-" He didn't get the rest of those words out before she slammed into him, forcing both of them down into the mud and snow and promptly knocking the wind from his lungs as he hit the hard, cold earth.
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Tendy
27
Widowed
Noble
Tier 3 Character
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Post by Helene Hewitt on Jun 4, 2020 23:34:50 GMT -5
The greater the risk, the higher the reward. Helene practically cackled as she slammed into him. Knocking them both down onto the ground in a heap of mud, snow, and limbs. Some of her hair had loosened from her bun, and she was struggling to catch her breath. She'd expected to land on the hard ground, but it seemed she landed right on top of Wesley. Good. He couldn't run away.
She raised her head in a breathless laugh, as she looked down at him. "I-" She struggled to breathe for a moment, her lungs burning from the cold and the exercise. "Told you I'd catch you." She reached up patted his cheek gently and then rolled her lips in under her teeth. Forcing herself to not laugh as she realized she had mud on her fingers and it was now on his cheek. "Oops." She burst into a fit of giggles then, before she rolled off of him. Not wanting to let herself get distracted by those blue eyes of his, especially in such a compromising position. She let her back hit the ground next to him as she stared up at the sky. A shit eating grin on her face at catching her hare.
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Lunari
36
Married to Alexandria
King Consort of Aralore
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Aric Demarais on Jun 5, 2020 13:07:29 GMT -5
The prince almost seemed a bit taken aback by Stefan's taunt. He was so surprised that it probably looked like he was almost offended by the man's words until he burst out into laughter. That made running a little harder, too, especially with the cold. "Yes, Stefan...I am. I'm old- at least older than you." And he was beginning to feel very old right now.
Still, he couldn't stop laughing (probably more at himself) as the two rushed towards the small garden maze with its tall hedges. The flowers obviously were not in bloom this time of year, but he remembered how beautiful the place got. He wondered if they would be in Tresteria long enough for Alexandria to see them. Yet, with the upcoming war, he feared it would not happen. They truly had to return to Aralore as soon as possible; he just didn't want to think about it just yet.
Today was to be filled with good thoughts. And after the festivities tomorrow, all other business could happen and resume. Today, he needed to laugh, but more importantly, Alexandria did.
"Any sign?" he asked, noticing how Stefan glanced behind them. Aric led them to the hedges and immediately rounded to the other side of one. The brush wasn't as thick because of Winter, but it would do.
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Lunari
30
Secretly engaged.
Head of deGrey Trading Co.
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Wesley deGrey on Jun 5, 2020 13:53:57 GMT -5
His chest still heaved, his lungs burning as he continued his struggle to find breath. He'd already been losing it, but falling flat onto his back had made it all the more worse. Without a coat, the snow was quickly beginning to soak in through clothing and chilling him to the bone, but he was afraid to move.
Helene happened to fall right on top of him. Well, that explained why he couldn't breathe...but making a comment about her weight (even as slight as she was) would not have been ideal. He liked his pretty face the way it was.
Regardless, he did take notice of the prideful glint in those brown eyes as she was so close, the way her hair had fallen loose from its bun, her panting breaths. He'd be a fool not to. Fortunately for her, she was rolling off of him before he could make some stupid comment when he managed to get proper air back into his lungs. Wesley grimaced with the mud that was now caked against his cheek.
"That...you did, my lady," he said in mock defeat. "But I'll have you know-" A pause, he was gaining his breath back. Meanwhile, his arm had reached up for a handful of snow, not even bothering to move the rest of his body yet. "I lost my head start. You got lucky." Still, the sailor was having trouble feeling like he lost. Technically he had, but...did he really? Before she could argue (or in the middle of her argument), Wes dropped that palm full of soft snow right onto her face.
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