The Black Widow of a Man [WQ, Solaria]

The City of Azurian, the fallen city of the flame is an aged and decaying city that had fell from grace a millennium ago yet the city and its ruler, Countess Ruvelia are still respected and the power of Azurian and Ruvelia is still to be respected and feared. Although the young Countess Ruvelia and her family have been strong Falderen support for decades, due to recent events Countess Ruvelia has withdrawn to the side lines of the conflict rather than join the banner of Falderen again. Her intentions are not completely known although some nobles have considered her motives as more "sinster" than she lets on. In the last couple of days for reasons unknown but to herself, she has sent invitations to a numberious number of lords and lady of renown to attend her party, Seto saw this as an oppurinity ripe for the taking for his own plans for the future, he would use the queen and if need be, dispose of her if it was needed. Seto himself had been given a invitiation, being a noble himself albeit his house was destroyed and he was the last one standing but that would soon change. He had been preparing for days to leave Dawngrave for Azurian when Solaria had over heard him talking to himself about it, for her own reasons she wanted to go with him. As much as he tried to resist her annoying stupidity, he eventually caved in, figuring he could use her for a distraction perhaps?

A few days later, Azurian, Castle Draconis

Seto was amazed by the lack of consideration for the affairs of the court by the queen's royal advisor, Larg, an older gent in his fifty's, almost pushing sixties, Seto couldn't tell but he was certainly old. Dressed like a proper noble with the nasty atitude of one, he had felt like killing the man where he stood for his arrogance, He could kill him with ease with the flick of his fingers but he knew he couldn't or at least when no one was looking. Seto had arrived in the city a day before the ball hosted by the queen, when word had came to her city that he had arrived, Countess Ruvelia had requested his presence for possible employment due to his renown as a warrior. Solaria was permitted to come as well but the city housed such a large amount of fun for someone like her, he wouldn't be surprised If he didn't see her until the next day's evening. As Larg blincked away his eyes as he read one of the many tomes from the library, Seto crossed his arms bored, the old man was to take him to the queen but instead he insisted on showing him something "important" but he never showed such an important thing to him. Seto had nearly died of boredom when the queen's royal guards came for him, he was so reliefed as they took him away through the castle's many halls until he found himself on a huge large marble balcony with a woman sitting and sipping tea.

As he drew closer, it was Countess Ruvelia, Seto wasn't normally aroused by beauty alone but she...well she was a tad different, Her beauty was made complete with her slim figure, long, curly blonde hair, her eyes blue like the color of rain and her victorian era style dress just made the image something else.

"Lord Kurama, would you kindly take a seat? There are a number of topic's I wish to dicuss with you."​

Thrown die:

74

74 / 320
​

@Solaria

 

Knowing she had basically forced his hand, Solaria was still glad she could get into the party with the help of Seto. While being aware that Seto was a noble hadn't managed to change Solaria's view of him, let alone had it made her learn to behave more affluently with him, she was rather keen to spend time with him when she could. It was enjoyable, and made her feel like a kid again in some ways...Which was likely why she had a bit more childishness with him than others.

Still, she did know that manners were vital, especially with strangers of such strong views and status. It hadn't been on her mind when she met the lord of the Kurama house, but she hadn't known he was of noble descent to begin with- and if she had already made such a fool of herself with him, there was no reason to change her ways with just him.

However, considering she herself was a Yladian, it was likely she should be even more cautious, a word not normally in her dictionary. When she was invited to join him at the Countess's summons, she was more than just a little surprised. However, she did not ignore the offer- though it had taken her much longer to get through the gates, due to some more difficult security with someone so little known.

It had taken time, but she was led inside. The stranger, an aide she knew not the name of and was not able to get despite asking diligently, spoke in a brisk manner and rough voice. Miss Solaria of the Yladians has come to seek audience with you, Countess.

Walking ahead of the man, she hadn't been able to get anything particularly fancy for the occasion- but she was dressed the best she could be, her hair carefully waving down her back and covered just slightly by a headband to keep it steady. She curtsied, though slightly embarrassed at her lack of ability to do so- it felt ungraceful if she did it, even though she'd been practicing for a couple days.

"My apologies for being late. It was difficult to get through at first. I was told I should arrive with Lord Kurama. Am I still permitted to join you?"

Thrown die:

49

123/320​

 

"Thank you, Charles, that will be all." Without looking back to see who it was, the Countess waved her servant off to leave, the servant in returned bowed from where he stood before taking his leave to attend to his other duties. When he heard the voice of Solaria apologizing to him and the Countess, he peeked around his chair to confirm his suspicion. He sighed quietly while he fought off the urge to face palm himself, did she just really come strolling in here without showing the proper Etiquette? The audacious! He yelled to himself in his mind, how could she act so stupid!? She was meeting a Countess of a city and she was acting like she was speaking to a peasant! He was angry now! He called out towards Solaria "Show some respect! you're in the presence of Countess Ruvelia! a woman that controls a City State! She has the author" His lesson to Solaria was cut short when the Countess chuckles over took his speech to her "Oh my, Lord Kurama you surprise me, I didn't think a girl like this would be your type,.....well whom I am to judge who you take on as a lover." Countess Ruvelina shrugged slightly as Seto froze in place like ice, he was speechless, LOVER? that word came running through his mind, This couldn't be! HIM and SOLARIA LOVERS??? WHAAAA?? He couldn't wrap his brain around that, He turned his head back at the Countess "My Lady, please! You don't understand! This is just a mis" Seto was cut off again by the Countess's chuckles, NOT AGAIN! he thought to himself "Really it's fine Lord Kurama, there's no need to be embarrassed about it, If you feel that strongly about the matter, I can have her be put into a room for your pleasure and maybe doll her up?" The Countess crossed her leg over the other, showing some cleavage from under her dress than she winked at him as she continued to speak again, this time in a slight playful, seductive tone "Although I would have thought a woman like myself would be more of your tastes."

WHHAAAAA? What did she just say? Was that flirting? That was it, any mental capacity he had was gone, this women logic was going to kill him, he swore it! He would die from the sword or by magic, oh no....his fate was much worse than that! to die by the logic of women! The logic of these two women were going to kill him! he was sure of it! He didn't even try to fight it, he simply fell back into his chair defeated with his head lowered, with his bangs hiding his eyes. On the the other side of things, Countess Ruvelia regained her composure waved for Solaria for her to come closer "Go sit with your Master young lady. There are certain things I need to discuss with him."​

By this time Seto was able to pull himself back together for the time being until either one of these women decided to give him a migraine again, Sitting back up in his chair with his composure regained, he listened closely to the Countess as she began to speak again "The first topic I wished to discuss was the subject of Chief Retainer. Due to....recent events with the birth of a new kingdom, I wish to strengthen the walls of Azurian by emplyoing retainers who are mor than capable ot leading men during battle or enter the battle themselves if need be. Lord Kurama, your skills when.....unlocked are formidable in battle and I know of your house's legacy that you know know how to lead as well as fight in battle, that is why I wish to employ you as Chief Retainer, I know the tragedy of your house and you are the lest of House Kurama, I cannot offer you power or land at the moment but it will help regain your stature and make those connections you need, Think it over before you give me a answer, now on to other business..."​

Thrown die:

83

206/320​

 

She apologized quietly for her lack of proper respect, explaining to one of the people that had gained ire from her that she had very little time to prepare and learn, as she was raised in a rather unique manner from birth. It wasn't a lie, of course- but explaining the other world wasn't really logical, and it wasn't really a lie, was it?

One of the servants nearby, as she grew closer, was in pain. Without thinking, she separated from the pair momentarily just to heal the stranger, though quietly returned without a word. She sat in mostly silence, listening to the words of the woman and the rather bold assumptions she'd had about she and Seto- but it was best to avoid commenting on that, she realized. She was being surprisingly careful, all points considered.

The birth of the new kindgom- yes, that was why they were here, she almost forgot. Smiling softly as she listened, she couldn't help wondering why one would strengthen the walls of their home, unless they sensed danger. In her head, she wondered if to them this was like a typhoon or hurricane, where one would naturally blockade their home with boards on the windows. But it wasn't anything like that, was it?

The woman was soon asking about the office of 'chief retainer', and mentioned something about the Kurama house's tragedy. She didn't know the details, but she knew it was a strange reason to choose someone. Still, the woman clearly meant well. She was apologizing for being unable to really offer much during her request. But, the question still lingered.

"As someone who doesn't know much of the Kurama house aside from the Lord here himself, I think I'd be curious to know rather than the tragedies of te past, what is it in the present that has lead to your desire? I agree he's quite capable, but...Isn't that what truly matters, in general?"

Smiling cheerily, she saw from out a window a gardener falling down, and without thinking, she cast a quiet spell towards them through the window. When they seemed surprised their pain was no more, she couldn't help grinning wider while watching them outside- but soon returned her attention back to the countess and Seto.

 

Upon hearing Solaria's curiosity of the past, both the Countess and Seto's faces became bleak as if they became filled with deep sorrow, Seto turned the other way from the two women sitting near him and looked over the balcony towards the city as a heavy aura of silence took place, it took a minute before Seto finally responded "That is...a conversation for another day....perhaps." Solaria didn't know it but she may have hit a nerve, It was not something he ever spoke of and it was even rarer for someone to know of the tale, let alone speak of it. The Countess only knew of it since house Ruvelia was once aligned with House Kurama during it's later days, the Countess was mery a maiden in waiting when House Kurama had fallen to it's fate.The Countess snickered this time when Solaria finished the rest of her comment, she looked at Seto when he finally turned around "Really Lord Kurama, I must ask you found such a woman? Her mind is.....nevermind." The Countess at that instant turned to Solaria as she contiuned to speak "Of course that is the entire point Yladian, I want your master's power at my disposial, I know of his locked away power. In the correct situation it can be an incredibly powerful tool, I want him as a warrior and as a trainer of my troops, I may be using him but he it's not like he doesn't use other people to fulfill his own goals, He gets the connections he wants to rebuild his fallen house and I gain a powerful warrior who will slay and destroy on my command, I will require more power if this...new kingdom of Yladia becomes a threat than I will destroy or conquer it. Do you understand now Yladian?"

As usual, Seto looked at the two showing near no emotions whatsoever despite looking Composed and detached from the conversation. When it appeared he had come back, Seto rubbed his chin with the palm of his left hand, he took in and processed all what the Queen had spoke of, he wasn't surprised at all at what she said, she did speak the truth after all. The Countess was smarter than he gave her credit although was still wasn't sure of her offering, He knew she wasn't a saint or a marty but she certainly wasn't an evil person like her father was supposedly was. He had no problems elminating those who got in his way but she wanted to use the demon as a weapon of mass destruction, yes it held power that he would never be able to use himself but it was a monster without a master, she would have to do something extreme to control such a being." I cannot give you answer right now my lady but am sure you know the risks of such power? Such power is not controlled easily, otherwise you are correct, you know me quite well. I am impressed, such beauty and brains, a deadly combination indeed. Please grant me another time to think it over until the end of the ball, I will give you my answer than." The Countess fluttered her eyes before she waved at him with her hand "Very Well Lord Kurama, I will you until the ending of my ball then I will want a answer otherwise my offer will become void, do you understand and accept the terms?"​

Seto nodded, reassuring the Countess she would get her answer soon, he was no knight but he did cling on to some honor, she would get her answer soon. He still didn't understand why she was so concerned about this new kingdom to the point she wanted to employ him? surely they couldn't be a threat? With their military power almost non existence he didn't understand. "My lady I must ask since it regards your offer, Why is it that you have taken such a defensive stance agianst Yladia? Wouldn't it simpler to simply destroy or ally one self with this new kingdom? Surely you heard the rumors of those who took the castle? there power riviled my own full power, if not more, Wouldn't it be safer to alley with such powerful beings?"

Thrown die:

16

222/320​