Consort?|Aegestrom | Maelstrom

[Kender Bard]

King Sunray did not have a majestic hall of his own anymore. It was.. both relieving and heartrending. Sunray had never been comfortable sitting on that throne in front of everyone, though his mother had assured him that no good king ever was. But the palace had been his home since he was born, and now it lay under the sea. If he thought too much on it, he was afraid he'd begin crying.

At the moment, there was much confusion and a flurry of activity concerning where the royal family would hold sway over their people. Did they have sway? Or were they now to obey King Shadow? It was becoming a hotbed of political concern, since the refugees wished to maintain their autonomy, and yet...

The King shook his head. All things with time; they probably wouldn't stay in the city forever. Queen Lya had hinted broadly at the refugees carving a kingdom of their own at the foot of Talen'sul's mountains, which suited Sunray just fine. That would take time, though, and money, and good weather so for now his people would just have to sit tight in the weakened shell of another Kingdom. One thing could be said for the arrangements - they were certainly helping the shattered economy of Maelstrom. That gladdened his heart.

Amidst his wanderings through the street, his bodyguard and sister Emerald close to him, Sunray's mind drifted to his search for a Queen. Of course, other pressing matters had thrust that onerous task to the backburner, but he had some idle time now, and the pressure was building again. Sunray wasn't getting any younger after all, even if he still felt nigh immortal in his youth.

He paused to greet some of his citizens who had come up to speak with the King, either gossip, concerns, or whatnot.

[jhaal]

Lady Carissa DeVette observed the young King with steely grey-blue eyes and a calculated expression that softened into a radiant smile the moment she felt anyone's gaze. There was no need to check her hair - the blonde curls styled and yet missing the mark of perfection were fully intentional: a perfect imitation of a determined woman taking the time to look presentable despite difficulties. She was, in her mind, without doubt the very image of beauty in adversity and had taken quite some time over it.

For now, she didn't attempt to directly catch Sunray's attention- merely placing herself just at the edge of the group he was currently talking with and listening with an air of dignified patience.

[Kender Bard]

After displaying remarkable patience with a few people, Sunray finally turned his baby blues on Lady Carissa. Remembering her as one of the more noble houses, Sunray dipped into a regal bow; nothing too low, for he was above all subservience, but enough to mark respect. "M'lady, how fare thee today?"

[jhaal]

Carissa blushed a little and curtsied properly, keeping her gaze - which had warmed considerably - on the King.
"Well, your Majesty," she replied, offering him a rare and short-lived radiant smile, a burst of colour that faded quickly as her tone dropped for a quiet confession.
"... but I grieve for the land of my kin."

[Kender Bard]

Sunray nodded, looking quite somber himself. His voice was very soft, but in the manner of kings, it carried so the entire group could hear it. "Aye, I do as well, m'lady. It is an unfortunate event. Each day, my sister Snowflake prays to all the Forces, especially Etaf, in search of an answer and none have been forthcoming yet. We must bow to their wisdom, I suppose. But is this land not enjoyable as well? King Shadow and Queen Lya are most hospitable."

[jhaal]

"Our hosts have been most generous," the lady conceeded with a gentle nod, her eyes betraying a longing for familiar ground, people and customs.
"Perhaps I might be permitted to say... I am most grateful for your efforts, your Majesty - and those of these allies who have accepted us."

[Kender Bard]

"Of course you are permitted," Sunray chuckled, oblivious to any hidden meanings. "It is a good compliment. Though not one I deserve. What other course of action was there? I would not just let my people and family drown with our land." Gently, he added, "Give it some time, though, m'lady, and we will make a new Anarlina."

[jhaal]

Carissa smiled again, warm and delighted at Sunray's apparent easy confidence. "I pray for the day, my King," she said, simply. "May the Forces bless you richly for bringing such hope to my heart."

[Kender Bard]

Sunray grinned at the remark. Emerald leaned over and whispered in her brother's ear. Sunray's grin faded and he gave her.. an odd look. Unreadable to someone who hadn't grown up with the siblings.

Emerald poked him in the ribs and he cleared his throat. "M'lady, would you care to join me for a meal?"

[jhaal]

Eyes widening in apparent surprise, Carissa found herself too stunned to reply for a few moments. Gathering her wits and straightening up, the lady acknowledged Emerald with a quick curtsey and turned her gaze back to Sunray with reserved, yet evident delight.

"I'd be most honoured, your Majesty."

[Kender Bard]

Damn.

A smile plastered on his face, the court-bred man offered his arm to Carissa. "Perhaps you could refresh my memory on your family, m'lady?"

Smirking to herself, Emerald fell in behind the two nobles.

[jhaal]

Carissa took the King's arm smoothly and glided into step with him, smiling prettily and looking completely as if she belonged in such company.

"My great-grandmother was second cousin to the then Queen Avelin, after whom my mother was named. She married the Lord Lucir Devette... but of course this is all quite uninteresting," she laughed, catching his eye conspiratorially. "Perhaps you might tell me what you find to be the single most exciting thing about this new land the Forces have carried us to."

[Kender Bard]

Sunray contemplated her words deeply, as if she had asked him something as profound as the meaning of life. "Exciting? I suppose it's getting to see new cities and meet new people. Mother assures me that everyone she's met thusfar, short of those nasty Storms she engaged in when war swept over Talen'sul, have been very polite and interesting to talk to. Right down to the commoners, even."

He grinned at that. "And you?"

[jhaal]

Carissa smiled, but her eyes remained cold. Absently, her free hand flew up as if to hide the Storm sign just visible above the lace of her bodice.

"Yes, I've been quite surprised by the difference in culture here," she offered quickly, settling herself down and allowing her expression to soften. "I've been quite busy trying to track down the other members of my family, but from what I have seen this is certainly a whole new world for us."

[Kender Bard]

"I'm sure everyone will find one another soon enough," Sunray assured her. "Then we can all settle until a possible move to Talen'sul's mountain, though, I daresay, there will be others who wish to stay here a while if not for good. I can see some people taking to the city like a fish to water."

A sudden thought struck him, and he couldn't help himself but inquire, "What do you think of my brother, Twilight, m'lady?"