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Post by Helaena Caltarys on Dec 13, 2018 11:17:13 GMT
"Oh," said Hel, rather disappointedly. "Are you going back to the manse? I'll come with you. Saves me the trouble of having to summon another palanquin."
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Post by Lord Aeradar Caltarys on Dec 13, 2018 16:04:55 GMT
"I was indeed, as upon seeing our dear sister I realize the staff is woefully unprepared for her arrival," he said, tongue in cheek. "The slaves will need to be prepared for the crucible of scouring every surface she touches, at least three baths need to be drawn, clothes will need to be incinerate, new acceptable garments tailored. It will be quite the endeavor." He made a grimace to show that he was only half joking, as he escorted his sister back to the spacious palanquin. "You know, I went through all the trouble, and stone, to build your proper facilities at the manse and you keep coming back to this dilapidated ruin to work."
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Post by Helaena Caltarys on Dec 14, 2018 10:13:12 GMT
Hel laughed a little at her brother's hyperbole, said goodbye to Iggy and picked up Jaes before letting herself to be escorted off the premises. "Jaes might be able to help with the incineration part," she said, raising the critter up to look at his face as if he were a puppy. "Won't you, dear? Too soon, you say? Aw," She lowered him and idly began stroking its neck as they walked. "Work?" she asked with a slight smile. "What exactly do you think I do here?" she wondered.
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Post by Lord Aeradar Caltarys on Dec 15, 2018 15:44:34 GMT
"Just as long as he doesn't burn the estate to the ground or go anywhere near the menagerie again," he replied, clearly still holding some small resentment towards the creature for the chaos it had wrought among his collection. Though, he could not help smiling as his sister coddled the most dangerous creature in the known world.
"That is right, sometime I forget I work enough for the both of us," he teased, as a slave opened the door to the palanquin and Aeradar motioned for his sister to enter first. "Three of us now. But I had hoped you do something productive in your spare time. Though I suppose appearing a creature of such refined beauty and effortless grace is a full time job in itself."
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Post by Helaena Caltarys on Dec 15, 2018 21:27:37 GMT
"I wouldn't call it work," she replied, placing Jaes under her arm as she stepped into the palanquin, and let him roam on the seat next to hers once she was inside. "He's more of a blessing. There aren't nearly as many of them left as there used to be. But you already know that."
She waited for Aeradar to enter the palanquin before continuing, a sly glint in her eye. "How do you know how productive I am or am not?" she mused. "Some of us are meant for greatness, dear brother. Others have to work." Her even tone conflicted with her playful demeanour, making it hard to determine whether or not she was joking.
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Post by Lord Aeradar Caltarys on Dec 15, 2018 21:53:40 GMT
Aeradar watched the dragon's sharp claws on the delicate cushioned seats of his palanquin with noted apprehension, but left it unremarked.
"I see. And remind me, is is my hard work or your natural greatness that affords you such a comfortable lifestyle in these savage lands?" he inquired, in the same playful demeanor as he settled into his seat and a score of burly slaves carried the mobile edifice through the settlement's streets. "Someone has to polish the diamond so that it may shine."
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Post by Helaena Caltarys on Dec 15, 2018 22:31:45 GMT
As if reading his thoughts, Jaes gave Aeradar an insolent look before shredding into the cushions with a happy snort. Helaena didn't seem to notice at all. She was quiet for a time. "In the end, civilisation will not save this place," she said, but leaned in to take his hand and give it a reassuring squeeze. "But it will help tide us over. Your work here has been stellar."
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Post by Lord Aeradar Caltarys on Dec 15, 2018 22:58:07 GMT
The lengthy angry rant that was boiling to the surface as Jaes tore into the cushions died in Aeradar's throat as his sister took his hand. He was not sure if she was being genuine of patronizing, but in this instance he decided it didn't matter either way.
"Must you be so dramatic, Hel?" he teased, trying to lighten the sudden turn in tone though he returned the squeeze of her hand as he did so. "That is where you are wrong. Civilization will tame this place. There is a whole continent out there to make our own, enough land to put Valyria at its height to shame. Five years ago this settlement was a few timbers. In fifty it will be the capital of an empire."
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Post by Helaena Caltarys on Dec 17, 2018 14:59:20 GMT
Hel gave her brother another smile and leaned back into her seat again, letting go of his hand. "Perhaps you're right," she said, looking out of the 'window' of the palanquin and out to the 'city', as if envisioning in its place said capital.
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Post by Lord Aeradar Caltarys on Dec 17, 2018 18:48:52 GMT
"It has been known to happen on occasion," he replied, lounging back on the cushions Jaes had not shredded as his sister gazed out the window. "And it will need a new Lord Governor before long. Lord Vaenor is not getting any younger and has no heirs." The smile on his face faltered when he seemed to realize that the reason Lord Vaenor had no heirs was due to the death of his own wife.
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Post by Helaena Caltarys on Dec 17, 2018 21:04:48 GMT
"And when that day comes..." she trailed off, and after a long moment, looked at him expectantly.
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Post by Lord Aeradar Caltarys on Dec 17, 2018 21:47:44 GMT
"Well I did not come all the way out to this backwater to be the second most prominent lord on the continent," he said, with a self satisfied smirk. "Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven."
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Post by Helaena Caltarys on Dec 18, 2018 9:15:36 GMT
Hel gave him half a smile in return, having expected as much. "And what about reigning in heaven?" she asked conversationally.
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Post by Lord Aeradar Caltarys on Dec 18, 2018 13:48:56 GMT
“Perhaps heaven or hell depends more on who you are ruling with than where you rule,” he said with a pointed glance.
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Post by Helaena Caltarys on Dec 22, 2018 14:49:55 GMT
"I would say the two are interconnected, yes," Helaena mused, looking out the window again. It seemed she'd missed Aeradar's double meaning.
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