The dock was alive with activity. Men and women moved steadily with the determination of jobs to complete. Packages were unloaded behind her even as those needing to be taken aboard were prepared to be moved. A youthful porter begins making his way towards her with her own luggage weighing down his slender frame. Yet what caught her attention most was how organized and clean the docks were, any way she looked. She was used to this overlapping area of humanity in any other realm being the seedier part of town. Once, she would have preferred the air of danger. Now she finds that it suits her just the way it is.

“Where should I take your baggage, ma’am?” The question has her visibly wincing, or rather, the terminology the boy chose. It is a pointedly narrowed gaze that she turns on the youth. Since when had people taken to calling her ma’am instead of miss? It could not be a difference in appearance since that had not changed in many years. Could it be that the nativity of the young no longer surrounded her as it once had?

The boy senses her irritation, but misinterprets. Having dealt with the King’s guests often enough, he merely shrugs and supposes the lady expects people to just know who she is and where to take her. “Right, the Palace then. Good to have you visiting his Majesty,” then mutters under his breath about the King not even being in Court right now.

Picking up on his mumbled words, Ali decides to allow herself to be taken to the Palace then. If the King was not currently there he could not deny that he had never heard of her in his life. So, soon the young porter has her packed up in one of the royal carriages and on her way.

There was no way of knowing if –he- was actually here. He, her reason for even making this journey, had been aggravatingly silent despite several attempts on her part to contact him. Their flirtation had begun in Mystra’s realm. She had been searching for Ameerah there, but had ended up finding this man instead. He had caught her attention by not paying attention.

Men tended to give her a second look. Perhaps they always had, but Ali had not become aware of it until she had resided within the DeSade Empire. It was there that she learned to enjoy such attention, even entice it. Now it was not something that she was self-conscious about and had, in fact, been tutored to expect such a reaction from others. Hers was not an exceptional beauty. Her eyes had always been a bit to large for her face, and she was rather short for the fantasy pin up image. But Callidora had made sure that Ali knew it was her personality and graceful ways that gave her a sensual appeal.

The carriage ride is a soothing and familiar feeling. Her ex husband had enjoyed such old world conventions. Emerald eyes view the passing store fronts outside of the window of the carriage as the reason for her appearance plays over in her mind.

He was handsome, and she had noticed him from the moment she entered the room. She had earned the glances of others, yet he had remained completely unaware of her even when she passed closely by. Having already determined that Ameerah was not there, she had decided to linger briefly to see what would happen. His indifference had surprised to the point that she actually found herself walking up and introducing herself with her best smile. He had been polite, certainly. But he had not offered her a drink or a seat at his table.

The night moved on. When the man finally walked outside to leave, Ali found she could not keep herself from confronting him outside. He had watched her silently as she practically demanded to know why he did not find her attractive. Then, he had laughed. Somehow, she knew he wasn’t laughing at her. He was laughing because she had amused him. She had laughed with him when she looked at her behavior through his eyes. Did she expect every man to mindlessly adore her? Even as she was shaking her head with an inner voice berating her, the man had reached out and slid his fingers through her hair. Their gazes had locked, and the rest of the night had been their own.

The carriage entered the Palace gates as Ali blew out a huff. That night had not exactly been what she would have wanted. He had not even kissed her, but they had walked together under the night sky and laughed.

That would nearly have been enough to bring her here. It still partially was, but the fact that they had both forgotten about a certain piece of broken jewelry of hers that he had placed in his pocket ultimately swayed her to make this journey. She really knew nothing of Aleris, other than he had told her that he was a sort of councilman here. Yet the locket he had accidentally brought with him held miniatures of her parents inside. She could not go on without it, not to mention that her brother would try and knife her again if he found out she had lost it after an evening of flirtation with a random man.

The carriage pulls to a stop at the Palace entrance and she is eventually ushered inside. A well dressed man greets her shortly after, preparing to take her to a guest room. She reaches out and touches his arm with a warm smile, “I need you to let the one who invited here know that I have arrived. Roland Everness. I believe he is one of your councilmen.”

The man beams back at her, “Of course, I will let my lord Everness know at once. The Grand Duke will be happy you have arrived if he bid you to come.” Then the man goes to find Roland even while she is led to her room, a somewhat stunned expression lingering over her features. Grand Duke? She frowns and moves into the room without really seeing it, hoping that Roland was really as good natured as he had seemed. She had practically invited herself into the Palace and name dropped someone who was practically royalty and she hoped to hell it didn’t come back to bite her in the ass.

The following is taken from RP on August 6th. This is where Alidia and Caitlyn, sisters who had never met, finally find one another.

Caitlyn looked toward the bustling port with a mixture of apprehension and very real anger. Her heartbeat was steady only because she willed it to be so. If she were not to remind herself to be calm she knew that she would likely faint from her nerves playing tricks on her mind. Nothing had prepared her for this journey, to seek out those of kindred blood she had only recently learned of. She had half siblings, a brother and a sister. Upon her death bed her mother had told her of them, of her father. That man who had allowed himself to be seduced by her mother. Although she could not rightfully hold that against him since it was nearly impossibly for a mere man to resist a siren. Her mother was exactly that. A legend of old, a myth, a siren that manipulated men and pulled them to their demise in a multitude of ways. Beautiful and dangerous, that was their way. Using any means necessary to secure an outcome that they wanted. Her mother had been no different. She had wanted to have this Logan man, and so she had seduced him, forced him to give her a child and hence had had a piece of him he could never take back. Not that he had tried. Caitlyn didn’t even know her father, had never met him. From what her mother had told her as soon as the man had been told about her he had never looked back. He was ashamed of her, that much had been clear, but it did not change the fact that he had abandoned his own flesh and blood. Only for her mother was she seeking him out, only for her mother was she looking for the offspring of that detestable man so that she could ask their forgiveness for her mother’s actions. Her mother wanted that, and had never asked anything else of Caitlyn. She would not fail her in this. Once she had found her siblings she would ask their forgiveness, and whether it be given or not she would afterward leave and live her life as she wished, unhindered by her status as a bastard child. A hard worker she knew she would not fail in life. On that thought, the boat finally pulled into port, and she walked down the ramp to the docks with a reaffirmed resolve. From what her mother had said it would not be difficult to find her father, and those whom she had run into who knew her sister said she would not find it hard to find her either, since apparently they were nearly identical. Caitlyn had been told that she was a bit taller than her half-sister, her hair darker, but beyond that they were the same. Same eyes, same mouth. And that in and of itself angered her, because she looked like her father. A man she had sworn to despise for all time. Her eyes rose toward the castle. She would start there.

Caitlyn wore the clothing of royals. Dark silks and satins that had been hand dyed and embroidered with care. Her mother, deceitful as she was, had not been without her own riches since previous conquests had showered her with gifts aplenty. Caitlyn did not wish to have such wealth and she seldom flaunted it, but such things had been necesary in finding the whereabouts of her kin. People were much more likely to help the wealthy than they were the humble or poor, so she had bought her information. The same boat that her sister had taken passage upon was the same that she had chosen, the captain himself had pointed her in Alidia's direction. Caitlyn could have chosen a different means of getting her way, like her mother she was not without her own influence as a siren, but she did not like to speak to men, she did not trust them. Her voice was a dangerous weapon, it created ties in people so that they saught her. The last thing that she wanted to draw further attention to herself from themen on the docks. Or any man for that matter. They weren't to be trusted. However, she also knew that she needed to get to the palace and could not very prudently do so by foot. "Excuse me." The man to whom she spoke, and several within ear's reach of that voice turned to look at her, inwardly she groaned but forced herself to smile. Every feature upon her face was perfect, from the emerald green eyes to her auburn hair. "I am sorry to bother you but I must implore you, where might I find a carriage that could take me to the palace?" With shaking hands the man pointed toward an area with multiple carriages. Mumbling something about how she could hire one there. Bowing her head to him she sends him one more heart stopping smile before making her way that direction, where she promptly proceeds to hire a carriage, get her things loaded upon it and is then on he her way to the palace.

Caitlyn the carriage pulled up near the palace and she was shown inside while her things were taken into one of the rooms. She rose her hand toward them as if to ask them to wait but they were already gone. Blinking she could not help but wonder why they would have taken her things inside that quickly. They had looked at her as if they had known her, and perhaps they did, or at least were assuming she was someone different. "M'lady," Looking toward the one that had come toward her she narrowed her eyes and studied them. It was as if they feared her, or at least had a certain level of respect for her boundries. "Yes?" The youth swallowed, as once more even that single word drew him toward her, making him want to hear more of it. "Follow me please." Caitlyn nodded her head and followed the youth inside. "We can help you to arrange your new things if you like." New things? Her brow furrowed in confussion, then she smiled. Her sibling must indead be here, and they believed that she was Alidia. Soon she would be able to meet her half-sister, do as she had promised her mother and be free to go on her way. "No that will not be necesary. Thank you." With that done she stepped into her sister's room, but she did not wish to stay there long. Things were left alone for now but she would change into something more comfortable for her before she saught out her sibling. It was a dress, something more simple than the elaborate silks she had been wearing, but a deep rich mauve just the same that clung flateringly to each curve without flaunting them. Tasteful, yet elegant. "Soon I shall be free of this place, and any remnants of our father in my life."

Oblivious to what had been happening while she had been out and about, Ali makes her way back to her room with her mind wandering. The very reason she had came to this land was to find Roland Everness, and the locket he had accidentally left with. She had yet to even catch a glimpse of the man and her irritation is evident on her face as she opens the door to the guest room assigned to her. The other woman’s presence catches her by surprise. Figuring it’s just a mistake, Ali smiles and leans against the doorframe. “Looks as if we’ve been given the same room.” The woman’s back was to her as she changed clothes. Ali glances down the hall, but finds no servants lurking. She turns back, the woman now facing her direction, and the smile that had graced her lips but moments before slowly fades from her face. “Who are you?”

Caitlyn 's body freezes as she hears the voice behind her. It would have been nice to meet her sister in different circumstances but what was done was done and could not be taken back. Turning around she watched as the smile left Alidia's face and her own eyes, she was certain, showed her own shock at how very similar their looks were. "My god... they had said we were similar but... this?"

Waving her hand between them it was understood that she meant between the two of them. Shaking her head as if to clear it she sighed. "I would never have chosen to meet you this way. I assume you are Alidia? My name is Caitlyn." Purposefully she sent a soothing air into her voice, hoping to lessen the shock of her appearance here.

Such a siren’s voice is not lost on Ali, yet her own special brand of abilities leaves her less vulnerable to powers so like her own. It was the same kind of thrall that Ali excelled at. Her eyes close for a fraction of a second as the effects wash over her, then snap back open and narrow on the woman in front of her. The shorter sister shoves herself off of the doorframe and stalks closer to the other woman, “Do not try such enthralling tricks with me,” the succubus hissed. “So Caitlyn, who are you and why the hell do you practically have my face?” Surprise and the hint of persuasion Caitlyn had used raised Ali’s ire quickly. There had never been a question to her that she had only one sibling, and that was a brother. The thought that this woman was her half sibling did not even
begin to enter Ali’s mind.

Caitlyn never one to show any amount of cowardice she did not so much as flinch when her sister neared her. Alidia's anger was apparent, she probably assumed that she was some kind of threat, though she had no such intentions. "I know, this must come as a shock, and as I said I would not have chosen to meet you in this way, but regardless of what it is I would have liked this is how it must be. You may wish to sit down for this, what I have to say will surely come as quite a shock, and I will leave it up to you to tell Dominic about what I am to tell you. I looked for him first I am afraid, but no one seems to know of his whereabouts." Nodding her head toward Alidia she adds one last comment in hopes that soothe her. "And it was not my intention to insult you, I simply want to make this as easy as possible for both you and Dominic."

For now, Ali simply remains standing in front of the woman. She would not sit down even if it had been demanded of her. A woman in –her- room looking almost –exactly- like her and Ali not a clue who it is? No, she would not let her guard down. Perfectly arched eyebrows lift in surprise when Dominic is mentioned before that viridian gaze narrows once more. “Enough blabbering, who the hell are you and what do you want with my brother and I?” She doesn’t mention that she hasn’t the faintest idea where Dominic is. The last time they had been around each other was right after her divorce. He had called her a whore and stormed out.

Caitlyn seeing no way around her sister's ire, nor any way to state what she had to say in a gentle way she decides to just be honest. "I am your half-sister. Your father met my mother long ago. I am certain from your reaction to my presense that you had no idea that I existed, though I did not assume that that man would have told you about me. An illegitamate child is not exactly something you tell your family about freely." She waited for Alidia's reaction to that statement before she would continue.
Her reaction was disbelief, which was dumb, since it was obvious the girl in front of her had to draw from the same gene pool. She had always been told how much she looked like her father. Shock paled her face as she slowly sunk down to the floor. She did not faint, yet her gaze remained glued to Caitlyn’s face. Thoughts of not letting down her guard flew out the window. She wanted to scream at this girl, to curse her and throw her the hell out of the room. But it was obvious her words were truth despite the whispered question that crosses her lips. “What was your father’s name?”

Seeing her sister's distress she was amazed that she felt guilty for causing it. Never would she have thought she would feel sympathy for any of her father's children, seeing as how he had completely ignored her. With a single graceful movement she went to her knees in front of Alidia, so that they would remain on the same level, not wishing to appear condenscending by towering over her. "My mother knew my father only by one name. Logan. It was not until recently that I learned this was a last name, and that he was no longer alive. I would have spoken to him directly had this not been the case and you could have happily continued on with your life without knowledge of my existence. But as it appears neither of us are that lucky." Drawing a breath into her lungs she slowly
releases it on a sigh. "My mother requested that I find you. It was not my idea by any means."

What does she say to this woman, her sister? Normal sisters would have embraced. But those were the type of people who had had one another for their entire lives, or at least knew of each other. Alidia had not had anyone after her parent’s death. There was Dominic, but he wouldn’t hug her without a penalty of death if he didn’t. For a time, she had Byron, yet no longer. Years had been spent on her own, with Morlis the only one that really mattered anymore, and it wasn’t often that she came to see him. “My father’s name was Alexander Logan.” She finally responds. “He and my mother have been dead for years now.” She takes in a breath, letting it out slowly before speaking again. “Why would your mother wish for you to find us?” Then she winces at how that sounded. If this woman was her sister, than it was only natural that she seeks out the rest of her siblings.

Caitlyn wincing, at that question she felt a weight take up residence in the pit of her stomach. She had seen this going differently in her mind, but now that she was dealing with an actual person she found that simply saying 'my mother wanted me to apologize for her because she seduced your father' kind of callus. "I..." her voice cracked ever so slightly and she found that she could not look at Alidia as she spoke. "She wanted me to appologize on her behalf. My mother died recently, and it was while she lay there that she told me about both you and Dominic and what she had done to your father. All she ever asked of me was this one thing, so I could not very well deny her in this." Looking back at Alidia she called upon all of her resolve, all of her strength, to be able to speak the words her mother had asked her to speak. "She asked for me to appologize for seducing your father, for giving him a reason to live in shame, for taking a part of him he could never have back." Closing her eyes she felt sick. She had asked her mother once about that very thing, why her father didn't want to see her; and she had answered her plainly. 'it is because he is ashamed of you.' With that in mind she willed herself to continue. "I am our father's shame. The fruit of his weakness. The proof of his inability to be faithful to you and your mother. of course you would hate me. I do not assume that you would wish me here, and I promise I will leave as soon as I have your reply."

Slowly, she had been recovering from her complete surprise. The one thought that keeps echoing in her mind is that Dominic is going to be pissed the hell off. The impish side of her cannot wait to tell her brother about this one. But their father… she honestly never had any idea. Perhaps the affair had already been finished when she came along, or her father had just been that good at hiding it. Memories of being with him flood her mind and tears suddenly moisten her eyes. Had they pretended that all was well simply for her benefit? It would’ve just been for hers since Dominic had never lived with her. She sniffs back her emotions and pins Caitlyn with a stare, reaching up and touching her hands to her sister’s face. “And where do you have to go?” There was so many other things she ¤~could say right now, denial at her father’s lack of faithfulness… cursing the mother of Caitlyn for her interfering ways. Yet concern over the one she had accepted as a half sibling out weighed them all. They were so much alike after all, it was almost like hating herself.

Emerald eyes, so similar to her sister's opened in shock as Alidia reached out and touched her face. nothing could have surprised her more than Alidia's actions had. Censure she had been prepared for, even utter hatred, but not this reaction. Not this. "You should not worry yourself about that." Reaching up she takes her sisters hands and lowers them from her face before releasing them. She had not fully answered her sibling's question, that much she knew, but then again she couldn't. That had been something she herself wondered about. With both her mother and father now dead, it was not as if she had any place to go. "You should give me your reply Alidia and I will be on my way. If you wish it I will continue to seek Dominic to tell him of these things myself."

Alidia clasps her hands in front of her after Caitlyn moves them away from her face. She watches her sister’s face as doubt flits across it. Shaking her head, she pushes to her feet and draws her sister up with her. “Caitlyn, my reply is that whatever the circumstance of your birth, you are my sibling. Our resemblance is startling, both physical and mental. Why don’t you stay and give us a chance to get to know one another? I’ll send word to Dominic, and you can meet him as well. I warn you though, my reaction will seem angelic compared to his… so you will need me there to help you weather it. You don’t have anywhere else to go Caitlyn, I know you don’t. So why wonder aimlessly?”

As Alidia pulls her to her feet she gasps in shock and can only stare in bewilderment at her. "Well I-" Her words are cut off as Alidia speaks of Dominic and how her reaction will seem tame compared to Alidia's. Not that her reaction had been all that terrible. "You mean to tell me that you do not resent me for what I have told you? Not only that but you wish me to stay?" Completely flabergasted she raises a trembling hand to her forehead afraid that she might faint. Her mother had been her only family up until this point, to have a sibling. No, to have two siblings, seemed like a dream; and for once in her life that dream was attainable. Looking back at Alidia she opens her mouth to speak but no words escape. Alidia had said that Cait would need her help to weather Dominic's reaction. She could not imagine needing help dealing with any man, as she had never had trouble before, be they brother or otherwise. "Are you quite certain about this? If Dominic is to react as horrendously as you say he will the odds are he will not wish me to remain here as you do."

Even though she was still reeling from what her father had done, she slips her arm around Caitlyn’s shoulders and leads her towards the door of the room. “I think I will use my sisterly powers and demand that you stay actually. I think we could use a drink.” She begins to steer them downstairs to where the bar is, talking as they went. “Honestly, I have not seen Dominic in years, and it’s not up to him is it? He doesn’t live here. I really don’t know where exactly he has been living. I know I can get a hold of him though, through some connections.” She pulls them to a stop before they head into the Hall. “But don’t worry about Dominic. He’s a drifter anyway. I think you and I would get along, and I know you would like the people I’m friends with. So, just stay while I am here. I’m not sure how long my visit will be, but I’d like to have you apart of it.”

Post originally by Character_Roland Everness

“Sire, I would like a word with you…” Deidro entered quietly into the somber chambers, looking upon the shadowy figure of the Grand Duke, whose dark clothing near the large glass window had made him blend in with the night sky. The man’s back was to Deidro, the embroidery of his jacket shadowed.

A coy voice spoke up, muffled inside of a glass that came to the Duke’s lips, “Look at this full moon tonight.”

“… Sire, I have told you upon many occasions that being too open in the Palace like you usually are makes you look so common. This may sound like an outburst, but.. You need to hear it! It would be in your better interest to allow guests inside of your chambers, rather than gallivanting about. It degrades your stature, or at the very least makes you seem overbearing to the public’s eye. You would have them assume that you are flaunting your power? It is arrogance, Sire. Clear and abundant arrogance. Your loyalty is to the King and his throne, your powers are to rule the court with your lofty humanity and your iron fist. The very essence of your creation on this realm in being to uphold the rights of these people and to talk directly to the Lord himself, and you are instead finding time to take off your robes, the jackets, the outfits and to sit among the commoners like you are mocking them? Like you are berating their own existence by showing that you can do it all? Sire, it’s merely absurd. It’s-it’s, I don’t know. I’ve just been thinking a lot about it. I suppose you understand that, hear that, know that from my very soul what I am saying and the truth that lies behind my words. And I know, I know that coming from me, someone whom has been a close advisor to you, it might seem rude, crude, and even arrogant of me to supersede my place and question you, but I implore that you both heed my words and remember to watch yourself in this Palace. There are things, Sire. Things and people that go on around here that not even the deities know about. It is a darker time than you or I can either imagine.”

Deidro stops his rant, panting slowly, the man being of medium height with a clean-cut brown beard to match his balding head. His eyes were beady, sweat glistening on his forehead as he had mustered the words from his very heart to speak to the Grand Duke, to remind this Duke of his power and how it should not be besmirched on the people that he openly walks out and talks to, rather than upholding a bit of royalty. That there was pride in this room, pride in the position, pride in the loyalty to the royalty, pride in the existence of order and power in a society that could flip into chaos with a single breath. Who knew what could happen in this realm? But this, this was something that could be fixed. Fixed now. Deidro stood for seconds longer in the pause before raising his eyebrows, “Sire?”

“I’m sorry, what was that Deidro?” A fine eyebrow rose as the man turned from the large, open-glass window, giving an honest blink of his eyes. “The moon is quite lovely tonight, you should honestly see it.” Turning back to look forward, a wine glass was cradled in his palm, the index and middle of his digits holding on to the stem with liquid that appeared to be mere water. From the glass's reflection, the calm features of Roland Everness could be easily seen for Deidro to examine. The words had indeed sunk in on the man, but he would not show it. His features held a youthful fox-like look, as though he had pre-planned Deidro even being here in the first place, or some other sort of elaborate scheme. That’s what the council expected of him sometimes anyway, no? Schemes. Schemes behind the façade of justice and impartial loyalty. Perhaps he was nothing more than a bleeding heart in a position of power he felt cornered into existing in. He was handsome and vibrant in his expressions, even the subtle relaxation of looking down at the carriage that had dropped off his guest of honor.

His dirty blonde hair was tugged back into a tight ponytail, allowing for only thin, sleek tendrils to roll down his delicate cheek, grazing against it as he turned back to face Deidro. “You are a fine man. Keep your shoulders high, your head higher, and you should be fine whether I am chastised by the aristocrats or not. I have found you to be quite loyal through the good times and bad for me and the decisions I have had to make in the past, but I regretfully decline your advice now. If I am not with the people, then I am above the people. And if I am above the people, sitting high in my tree and sneering down below, then how easy would it be for them to chop me down?” Patting Deidro on the shoulder, he chuckled. “My tree analogies seem to work for everything these days. I thank you nonetheless.”

Walking slowly, his steps were light as he made it shoulder-to-shoulder by Deidro, who cleared his throat to bring Roland’s gait to a stop. “You should be cautious.” Roland felt a small smile creeping over his features as his eyes closed, head tilting down as he relaxes his form. “I have a guest to attend to, it seems, Deidro. You will be fine here to finish my paperwork?” Moving further to the door, he grasped at the knob and gave a simple twist of the wrist, the pearl-colored gloves he wore flexing as he released the knob to walk out into the hallway of the Palace. There seemed to be little buzz today as he looks around, noticing one of his comrades from days past approaching with a waving hand.

“Roland, Roland, Roland. My Lord, you look simply ravishing. Still garnishing that embroidery on your back, I see.” He motioned at the jacket that Roland wore. Now in the candle-lit hallway, Roland’s features could be better examined. He wore a general’s outfit of sorts, perhaps in some attempt to keep from entirely wearing the robes that the councilmen often wore during their sessions. The jacket was of royal blue with three gold buttons keeping it closed, his pants black and baggy at the knee where they tucked into his leather boots. On the back of the jacket, embroidered in white, was that of an oak tree, large and powerful with each branch carrying its own, different-colored apple. A line was made at the end of the tree where the roots then were spread out some to his mid-back. Although there were many, many outfits given to him over time all to wear around the Palace when not in sessions, he much preferred his more symbolic choice.

“Berrian, what a pleasant surprise. A boisterously pleasant one, at that. What brings you to my door?” Roland’s smile remained as he watched the other man. “And why are you, well, dolled up so-to-speak around here? You usually attempt to come in with bloody armor and a body to claim a bounty.”

“Well, you know very well that there are many people some of these councilmen want dead. So if I fight them and kill them, why do I not deserve them to pay me, my Lord? But today, I felt like looking normal around here. And it just so happens that while I was roaming around the front doors, some gorgeous woman came in. See, I was going to play the old take-your-bags technique and see if I could flirt with her, but the woman damn well said she was here to see you. Why do people want to talk to the Grand Duke more than Grand Berrian? Crazy, I guess. It’s all about the title.”

“Mm, yes, I suppose it is. You would have been better to invest time on diplomacy instead of war-mongering, I imagine.”

“Fighting gets women too, you know. Anyway, you apparently called for her, so I’m just letting you know she’s here.” Pinching at the sleeve of Roland’s jacket, Berrian laughs, glancing down to scuff his boots on the carpet, thinking. “Now what part am I again on the back of that thing? Your metaphor’s beyond my remembrance. The apples were the councilmen, I remember that. The owl was the king, and the roots were something el--” Stopping, Berrian looks back up to notice Roland already gone. “Right.”

Alidia. It had been too long. No doubt he had waited long for her return to see him, having found himself fascinated by the woman more than anything else. To think that one could find themselves so impassioned with another person from a mere conversation and walk. But he had certainly not forgotten the woman, the broken trinket that she had accidentally left with him lined in his jacket like that of a pocket watch. Doubting it to be a gift to him, of course, he at least got it fixed. Walking gracefully down the hall and into a greater laboratory, some of the people he passes bother a bow of their head or a simple stare. People always assumed that when someone like he looked to be on a mission to walk somewhere, that someone was either in great danger, great punishment, or simply not doing anything that they should be doing. Albeit, he was not exactly doing anything stately, Roland did find this to be of great importance to him. Stopping to ask for which room Alidia was moved to, he smiles warmly to the man at the counter and continued his steps.

Upon reaching the door, a low sigh rumbles through his teeth and cheeks. This was awkward. Quite awkward, even. Roland never was one for good dialogue with the opposite sex. Surely he knew how to communicate, yes, and at times he could find a way to be charming, but sometimes he felt like he was reaching too much when actually needing to make an effort. The King came first, other things came second. Most of his life, the job that he had himself placed at always came first. He was never much of a family-oriented person, for he had not even seen his sister for some great time, though it was debatable whether or not that was his own fault. But--Well, his thoughts ceased and deadened to a whimper as his glove-clad knuckles taps on the doors, his eyes rapt with the wood in front of him, like some barricade that he was waiting to be removed. There was silence. He knocks again, this time louder as he clears his throat. “Alidia?”

Still nothing.

“It’s Roland.. Roland Everness.” He grimaces at his own words. Like there was some other Roland that could have been knocking on her door? Why was he getting so flustered lately over this? A smile washes over his face as he calms himself, remembering his place. “If you are busy, I may return another time?” Only the dull noises of the Palace could be heard. Wondering if she was even in there, he twists the knob to find the door unlocked. And, throwing inhibitions out of his thoughts, he opens it to look inside and to find…

No one.

“Huh.”

What the hell had her father been hiding from her? Had her mother known? Ali rubs her fingers across her forehead. There was no way her mother had been that naïve. Now memories grew clearer, times when her parents had argued. She could not remember words exchanged, only tears and the hurt mixed with rage on her mother’s face. Through it all, her father had continued to the same dependable and good natured man that Ali adored. Now she cannot help but wonder if it had all been fake.

They were long gone now. It shouldn’t matter so much. Shouldn’t. But Ali couldn’t quite get rid of the lump that had become firmly lodged in her throat. She sits up and waves a servant over while she still has a few moments alone. The servant nods, shortly returning with a writing desk. Ali closes her eyes, gathering her thoughts before writing several lines in a loopy feminine swirl.

Meerah,
I hope this letter, as all my others, finds you well. I will make this as short as I can. I am in a realm called Aleris. Having already seen Rain here, I figure you already have a full report on this previously untapped resource of souls willing to partake in certain underground markets. The thought brings a smile to my face when I need it most.

You can imagine what reason I had ventured here. It was a man. I know, I know. But I haven’t even found him yet. What did I find to trouble me enough that I am in desperate need for a smile? A sister. A bastard sister.

Yes, I was shocked too. Still am. I have a feeling that Dominic knows of this, it might even be the reason that he, Austin and Rhiannon disappeared. But I’m just guessing. Anything to keep the thought of my father’s indiscretion at bay.

Meerah, if you are not busy – I could use a friend. I have sought to leave the impression that everything is alright with me for –her-. It’s not her fault. Yet at the same time, I loathe to even look at her face.

I remain here until I find the one I came here for in the first place. He accidentally took my locket with him, so I am hoping that he still has it.

If duty holds you away, I understand. My thoughts are always with you.
Always Yours,
Alidia

The letter is folded and sent with precise instruction to the servant. She had already inquired on sending mail across realms before she found Caitlyn in her room and knew that they had the capabilities.

Caitlyn returns then, handing Ali a glass of wine. Ali thanks her, then once again falls silent.

She was not ready to be civil at this exact moment. Her mind was back to screaming. Part of her wanted to take this glass and splash it across the face that so resembled hers. Another, and fairly larger part, wanted to curl up into this chair and simply cry. She had adored her father without question. It was such a harsh betrayal. Her father had been the one to raise her to be even tempered and out going. He had taken out into society to make sure that she would outgrow the nerves that her mother never had.

The pictures of both of them had remained with her at all times, except now. It was almost as if her moment of carelessness in which the locket had been lost had caused her to forever lose the perfect impression her patriarch had left upon her life. And then, then there was her rage.

She wondered if Meerah would pick up on that. The Princess certainly was one that had taken note of Ali’s guilt at the way she lived her life. Years had been spent with that guilt burning in the back of her mind as she flipped through multiple relationships, despite the loving marriage she had perceived her parents had. They had tried to teach her monogamy, and Ali had felt badly that she just could not abide by that.

Then, she wonders if this is what she had inherited from her father… an inability to remain with one other for all her days. Would she be leaving the same legacy as he suddenly had?

Post originally by Character_Caitlyn

At the back of her mind Caitlyn had a niggling feeling that things where not as right as Alidia would like it to appear between them. She knew, through similarities that existed between them which she had already discovered, that a part of her hated that Caitlyn was here. After all, it meant that her life was not as it always had been. Whatever memories Alidia had had about her father would be altered forever. Questions would arise, and perhaps even some answers would find her. Yet, through all of this she gave a semblance of calm. She had to admire her sibling’s ability to accept so readily the information which had been presented. Be it under pretense or otherwise it took a strong person to face significant change.

Having fetched drinks for the both of them she sat in silence trying as she best could not to pressure Alidia into any type of conversation. Travel, in addition to delivering the news of her existence to her kin, had all but drained her of her energy. Never having been much of a drinker Caitlyn had retrieved for herself a glass of water, for Alidia, wine. A nervous habit of hers, one she had had since she was a child, surfaced unwillingly and she began to run her finger in a circle around the lip of her glass. Closing her eyes, she let the familiar motion soothe her as she let her mind wander to the memories which her mother had shared with her upon her passing. She had the memory of her father’s build, his large frame, the texture of his hair, the sound of his voice, and yet her mother had not been able to remember his face. All except for that detail, she held her father’s physical appearance perfectly in her mind.

Her mother had told her often that she looked like her father, the same coloring, and the same eyes. For as long as she could remember every time she passed a mirror and saw her reflection something wrapped around her heart and squeezed tightly. She knew her own face, and it was what little she had always had of her father. Jealously, lashed through her unexpectedly at that thought… it was unfair of her, she knew it was, but she could not have stopped the emotion any easier than she could have stopped herself from drawing her next breath. Alidia and Dominic had always had their father. They grew up with his care, his love, while she had grown up with a woman who didn’t even remember that she had had a daughter most days. Ah, mother… a bitter smile curled across her lips as she remembered her. The world was all the better for no longer having Thréssa among its inhabitants.

Thréssa had been the perfect siren. Beautiful. Beguiling. Graceful. But, oh, she had not been without her flaws. One of the eldest, most powerful of the sirens, she had used her power without thought for the consequences. Like a woman starved for attention she drew men to her on a whim and discarded them just as quickly. As a teenager Caitlyn had spent many hours trying to figure out why Thréssa had not treated her father in the same way. It was not until one night long ago that she had found that answer. She had been out in the marketplace when her breath had been robbed from her. Startling all of those around her she had dropped to her knees in the dirt and dust and trembled uncontrollably, believing that her legs would never support her again. Slowly but surely she had regained her ability to stand. Immediately she had known that the reason for her weakness had been from her mother. Her mother’s blood ran in her veins, and they had always had some kind of empathy between them, a mutual knowledge of when the other was in distress.

Knowing that she had run home as quickly as her legs could carry her. As much as she may have resented her mother’s actions in regard to men, she could not hate her. After all, it was her mother. Upon returning home the moment she opened the door she had heard her mother’s cries. Making her way to her mother’s side she had been shocked when Thréssa had pulled her into her arms and bawled into her shoulder like an inconsolable child who had been gravely injured and did not know what to do. What seemed like hours had passed when eventually her mother’s tears had ebbed. Caitlyn dared not ask what had upset Thréssa, since she did not wish to begin the woman’s tears anew. As she stood to leave the room, to allow her mother to rest, she had reached out with a cool hand and gripped Cait’s arm firmly, thus halting her escape.

“There is only one for our kind Caitlyn….” Thréssa’s voice had been nearly a whisper, but Caitlyn felt the words which were whispered to her, making them more clear to her than anything her mother had said to her before now. “We can not help who it is and they may not even want us… but it will not matter. Even if they have a family, even if they love another we will only be able to love that one…all others are poor substitutes.” Tears pooled in her mother’s eyes and fell silently down her cheeks. Cait would not have believed her mother capable of more tears had she not seen them herself. “Love eludes us as a punishment for what we are, and your father was mine… for as long as I have lived, for as long as I remain only he is capable to make me whole and I have lost him…he did not want me… and I have lost him…” It was then that Caitlyn froze, looking down at her mother with fear deep inside of her very soul.

“What do you mean you have lost him? Mother… he left us long ago…”

“No! No...” Her mother wailed and gripped Caitlyn’s wrist tighter, causing her to wince, but she did not pull away. “I had not lost him until now… I can feel that he is gone…. He is gone!”

Reaching out her other hand, the one that was not restricted from movement thanks to her mother’s vice-like grip on her wrist, she pushed the chocolate brown hair out of her mother’s face. “What do you mean he is gone?”

“Do not make my mistake Cait… when you love be sure it is someone who will want you… someone you will not lose….” It had been the only advice her mother had ever given her but her mother had never answered her about why she felt she had lost her father. From that day on her mother had never been the same.

Perhaps that had been the day that her father had died, and somehow, through the feelings her mother had had for him, Thréssa had known. Caitlyn, for one, had never been certain. She had never been completely certain until she had learned as much from those that had known Alidia and Dominic.

Alidia.

Blinking she looked back at her half-sister, hoping that she had not been so far removed from herself traipsing about her memories that she had been ignoring her. Caitlyn rose her glass to her lips and took a sip, having not realized that her mouth had been dry. Emotions, even old ones, never lessened for her. They deepened. She knew that her jealousy was escalating being here, she knew that her anger would soon do the same, and she knew that she needed to do something to occupy her mind, to keep her from dwelling upon those thoughts. “Alidia? How is your wine?” A cliché question, she knew, but at the moment she would do whatever it took to think of something else.

*For the sake of timeline/storyline continuity this takes place after the “A Whole New World” storyline in the Eternelle Lune forums.*

Rain had in fact been dispatched to the new world she had been notified of and the efficient little creation had done her research and reported back in record time. It was a world “eerily similar” to the Empire, or so Soleil had said. This had instantly intrigued the Sultan, which did not surprise anyone really. It was a world almost identical to the Empire with one vital difference. She was not the ruler there which meant loads more fun for her. Sure, she could run all the drugs and illegal gambling and fighting rings she wanted...but it’s not illegal when she is the Princess which frankly, took all the fun out of it for her. Besides, how much more depraved could you get then the Eternal Empire? There was nothing new for her to do here. Aleris on the other hand, sounded like it had loads of potential.

It was thoughts like these that were occupying the Alpha’s thoughts when a letter was brought into her office in the Catacombs. A single glance at the handwriting on the address revealed just who the letter was from. Alidia. Her Liddie. It had been a long long time since she had seen Alidia. She’d heard rumors that she was back in the area which had caused the Alpha to rethink the rules and restrictions governing the de Sade pack but Liddie had never appeared and after reading the letter she knew why. She’d followed a man into Aleris. No doubt it was Alidia she had felt opening a portal into this world near the de Sade holding in Mystra Amor.

As crystal eyes read over Alidia’s words her brows rose over a slightly astonished expression, the words on the page seeming to jump out at her. A bastard sister.... Knowing just how close Alidia had been to her parents she could only imagine how she was reacting to this news. She herself had been the one to raise her parent’s spirits so she could finally say good bye. No doubt Liddie had flipped the fuck out when confronted with this girl. Had Dominic known? Dominic had once been a de Sade and she knew him well enough not to be surprised if he had kept this information from his sister. They had not always been one another’s biggest fan.

Plans had already been underway for her to visit Aleris and see for herself if the deSades should establish a holding there, this simply put a rush on those plans. Many among the Empire who were new and might not remember Alidia would no doubt wonder why the Princess was rushing off because of a letter from her, but Alidia had been family, a Duchess of the realm and her lover. She loved Alidia, she was her friend, and if her friend needed her she would be there. A sharp command had the messenger returning to her office. Obviously he had not gone far, anticipating that the Princess would need to respond. It wasn’t just a letter she intended to have him deliver though, but a set of instructions she needed carried out before she could depart. Messages were sent to the various people she had in her employ to ensure that her numerous business interests would be seen too in her absence and a short, simple, message was sent in return to Alidia. It was a single piece of paper with her familiar script scrawled across it that said simply On my way. and then she was off to find Valorius. If she was heading over, he was going with her.

It was no surprise that she found him in the training rooms. Since he had taken over the Protectorate, and the more elite pack Hunters, he had worked them mercilessly. Maniacal had been an excellent commander, but even he paled in comparison to Valorius. When he was working with his Hunters was the best time for her to sneak up on him. His attention was so focused on the training that he often did not notice the little tingling that always let one of them know the other was near and easing into the observation balcony she leaned on the railing and gazed down into the sunken training arena. No matter how many times she saw him like this he took her breath away. He had shed his long coat and shirt to leave his upper body bare save for the black leather straps across his shoulders, much like a gun holster, that held the sleeve in place over his left arm. One of his Hunters lay crumpled at his feet as he lectured the man as to what he had done wrong and why he had been put down so easily. Damn he was fine.

It was his upturned gaze, along with every one of his Hunters, staring up at her that made her realize she had been staring at him a little longer then she had intended. Grinning shamelessly at being caught oogling him she straightened up, braced her hand on the railing, and effortlessly vaulted over it, falling the twenty feet to the training room floor where she landed in a slight crouch before straightening and moving towards him as though she had only been mid-step. The amused expression on his face clearly said ”Show off” but he remained silent in front of his soldiers. Once she was standing in front of him her arms rose and eased around his waist, head tilting back so that she could maintain eye contact as she spoke.

”When you’re done smacking your crew around, we have a trip to take.”

Post originally by Character_Morlis Desiderio

Something was wrong with Alidia. He could feel it as surely as if he were experiencing it himself. She wasn’t being physically harmed, not that he could sense, but something drastic had happened to upset his succubus if he was experiencing her feelings at this magnitude. They were not always together physically, each had their freedom to roam and do as they wished, but he would always be able to sense her, to feel her. She was his creation, the first woman he brought into the world of lust and passion and he would always love her, always be able to sense her, and find her if he wished it. It was rare that he imposed on their bond but in moments of upset he would do whatever it took to see that she was well. It was with that in mind that he used the bond he would always have with her to locate her only to find that she was within the new realm of Aleris.

He had visited Aleris once after the assassin, Rain, had made her report to the Princess but had not known Alidia was present or he would have remained much longer. Having no idea that Alidia had already contacted Ameerah and asked her to join her there he made preparations to leave. With Discord in the Nexus Chamber with Amyraliss that left the Villa in Italy drastically empty. He had left the estate in the Eternal Empire to his daughters, his son, and his sons concubines. Xantara and Willow were the only ones left with him in the Villa in Italy and a missive was sent to them both informing them of his imminent departure. Willow would see that Xantara was cared for in his absence and Xantara knew the household like the back of her hand and would keep it running while he was gone.

He traveled light and only took up his overcoat before exiting the villa into the back terrace where his personal rift had been erected by his sister, Cahira, and stepping through he let the bond he shared with Alidia guide him through the dimensional rift directly to her location. It wasn’t hard; she had always drawn him irrevocably to her and now was no exception. Stepping from the rift in the shadows of the Palace’s main hall dark eyes took in his surroundings, searching for the desirable figure he knew so intimately.

And there she was, sipping wine with an unknown woman he was fully prepared to ignore as he began striding across the great hall. Her back was to him and he smiled gently as he drew up behind her, his hands coming to rest on her shoulders, his left hand sweeping her hair away from her neck as he leaned over to press a kiss to the side of her neck. Without drawing back he spoke, his lips brushing her skin with each word that whispered against her neck.

”I felt your call across the dimensions, my love, and so here I am.”

Perfection Was Not A Destination, But A Path. An Old Proverb Most Definitely, Yet It Still Held True So Many Years Later. It Wasn't Enough That The Protectorate Was The Strongest Force In The Empire, And It Didn't Matter If They Were The Largest. One Never Could Tell What Would Appear Just Around The Next Corner. For That Reason--He Was Relentless. When The Hours Became Too Long, He Added Another. When The Strain Became Too Much To Bare, He Piled On More Weight. His Group Was The Sword And Shield Which Safeguard His Homeland. They Could Never Falter, They Could Never Tire, And They Could Never Fail. Some Under His Command Favored Him For His Uncompromising Dedication, While Others Spurned Him. But; All Respected Him. Unlike Maniacal Who Had Guided The Protectorate Before Him, He Didn't Go Above And Beyond To Form Any Friendships. Theirs Was A Simple Understanding. Each Soldier Was An Important Cog In The Grand Construct--Yet, No Single Being Was 'Above' The Machine. They Would Protect The Empire, Protect Eachother, And If Necessary They Would Give Their Lives To Preserve Both. That Was The Expectation Of Their Position.

Since Death Was A Constant Threat, The Prince Couldn't Afford To Offer Those In His Command Any Mercy. If They Were To Be Prepared For The Worst, They Must Endure Trials Nearly Equal To The Lethality Of Their Duty. Even If He Would Never Truly Strive To Take The Life Of One Of His Own, It Wasn't Unheard Of For Him To 'Remove' The Occasional Soldier Who Broke The Code. Either They Had Put The Family At Risk By Multiple Short Comings, Or They Had Put Themselves Above The Empire On More Than One Occasion. He Was Strict, But He Gave All '2' Chances. One Was Allowed To Make 1 Grand Mistake In Their Life--It Is From Mistakes That We Learn. But, Those Who Learned Nothing--They Were Of No Use To Him. Why End Their Life Though? Isn't Such A Consequence A Tad Severe? The Empire Had Many Secrets, And Those Who Were In Its Employ Were Privy To Many Of Them. Once Your Services Were No Longer Required, Than You Officially Became A Civilian With Too Much Information. Knowing Too Much Sometimes Proved As Lethal As Not Knowing Enough. A Cold And Malicious Rule It May Be, But One That Has Kept Their Famly Safe For Many Years.

The Demand Of Each Soldier Was High. The Expectations Even Higher. However, The Rewards Were Vast. To Eventually Evolve, And Gain Command Of Your Own Segment. Wealth, And Information Beyond Anything That Could Be Imagined. Most Of All--Respect. Respect From Allies And Enemies Alike. The Prince Could Care Less About Adoration Or Wealth. This Was His Home, The Home His Mother Had Built. Every Stone, Every Tree--It Was A Part Of Her. In Many Ways The Empire Was As Much A Part Of His Family As Any deSade. That Fueled His Dedication.

Their World Had Seen Many Changes, And It Had Become The Crossroad Of The Wayward. Those Who Simply Couldn't Find Anywhere To Belong, They Inevitably Found A Home In The Empire. All Manner Of Creature And Creation Dwelled Within Their World. Some Mundane And Simple; Others--Not So Simple. Which Is Why The Protectorate Was Constantly At Work, Learning New Methods Of Combat And Defense. They Always Had To Be One Step Ahead Of The Opposition.

Ameerah Had Just Happened To Walk In On Him While He Was Giving A Demonstration On Unarmed Combat. Since Maniacal's Departure, The Protectorate Was No Longer Formed Of Only Vampirics. Now There Were Lycanthropes, Demons, Hybrids, Even Mortals. Hand To Hand Techniques Allowed Him To Teach The Lesser Gifted Soldiers How To Compete Against Those Who May Be Many Times Stronger, Or Faster. Ameerah Had Come Moments After A Particularly Confident Vampire Had Spoken That No Human, No Matter How Skilled, Was Strong Enough Or Fast Enough To Take On A Full Blood Kindred. Agreeing To Use No More Than Mortal Strength And Speed, He'd Succinctly Proven The Soldier's Words False--Which Would Explain Why The Vampire Now Lay At His Feet. Confidence Was Good, It Drove Men To Achieve More Than What Was Expected Of Them. Too Much Though Was A Liability. One He Wouldn't Allow On His Team.

The Presence Of His Better Half Was Felt Immediately, And When His Eyes Turned To Her, So Too Did The Eyes Of The Assembled Patrols. When She Leapt From The Top Balcony, He Glanced Over His Shoulder, Toward The Gathering, As She Approached Him.

"We're through here for this afternoon. Regroup at dusk for patrolling order. Until then, try to stay sober."

There Were A Few Laughs Along With Some Clapping Before The Groups Headed Off, Several Of Them Hoisting Up The Fallen Vampire And Carrying Him Off For A Few Drinks, And Some Time To Heal. With Them Disappearing From The Catacomb, Her Arms Wrapped Around His Waist And His Hands Moved Behind Her To Slip Into The Back Pockets Of Her Pants. With A Firm Curl Of His Fingers, And A Bit Of Lift, He Raised Her Enough To Let Her Stand On His Boots While He Began To Walk Toward His Coat.

"A trip? Sounds fun. I just bought this new bathing suit with sea horses on it--been dying to see how it makes my ass look.."

He Grinned Down To Her A Second Before The Wall Was Pressed Against Her Back. Even Though He'd Come Over For His Coat, He Couldn't Let Her Go. First He Had To Squeeze The Curves Behind Her Even Harder, Then Pull Her Against Him So That When He Kissed Her, Her Back Was Forced To Arch And Press Her Bust Shamelessly Into Him. Only After Tasting Her As Long As He Could Endure (Without Having To Strip Her Nude And Test The Durability Of The Wall) Did He Step Back, Reluctantly Letting Her Feet Touch Down On The Floor.

"So, wherever we're heading; are we going in soft, or are we going in hard?"

It Would Be The Answer To That Question Which Dictated His Mood For The Rest On The Conversation. If They Were Going Sight Seeing, Fantastic. But If They Were Making Plans To Conquer, That Was Something Else Entirely.

His soldiers filed out and were spared only a cursory glance before her full attention returned to the man now sliding his hands into the pockets of her pants. The grip on her ass had her smile widening as he lifted her enough to set her feet atop his. Feeling like a little girl getting ready to dance with her Daddy she clung to his waist as he walked them over to where his shirt and coat hung, his comment about the sea horse swim shorts causing her smile to widen.

”Sea horses huh? Personally I prefer your sexy ass naked, but if you have to cover it up, Sea horses will do.”

She really needed no urging from his increased grip on her ass to cause her bust to press more intimately against him. The moment she felt the wall to her back she used the leverage to arch herself against him until every available spot of her body was pressing against his, almost as if she was scent marking herself with him. Arms tightened around his waist as he kissed her, her hands sliding down the bare skin of his back until the tips of her fingers had slid into the waist band of his pants as far as the tension in the leather would allow. Lips parted beneath his wantonly, her tongue teasing along his lips before surrendering to his dominance of the kiss. Perhaps she might not have been so instantly wanton or submissive, it was rare, really, but the moon was nearing its apex and the fever that came with it had already begun to make its effects felt on the pack’s Alpha.

When he finally drew away an almost canine like whimper of protest came from her kiss bruised lips. Foggy crystaline eyes gazed at him as he began to pull on his discarded shirt and coat, taking great pains to arrange it around the sleeve and the straps that held it in place. She couldn’t seem to drag her eyes away from each inch of skin as it was covered and it took several moments for her to realize that he had asked her a question. Regretfully drawing her eyes away from his body she let her gaze, which was now tinged with the very tell tale feral gold, wander up to his.

”Huh? Oh...right. Um, no, soft for now. We’re off to Aleris. Rain made her report yesterday and it’s just like we heard, very similar to here, very little technology, few advancements. I was going to wait until next week to head over and survey it for a potential strong hold but Liddie sent me a message. She’s already there and could use some back up of the emotional kind so...we’re going in to help, but not to bust ass. Not yet anyway.”

Though if this bastard sister gave her, or Liddie, any shit she would be happy to knock the bitch on her ass, no charge. While she spoke she had managed to gain some composure and pushed away from the wall that had been her only support once he released her. When he was finally dressed she realized she hadn’t bothered with any additional clothing or supplies and with a frown the shadows that lingered in the training room seemed to travel across the floor as though drawn to her. Sliding up her figure they began to coalesce about her torso until a leather jacket that reached her knees was covering the cropped tank top that did little to hide her skin.

That left her without only one more thing she needed before she could go on this little excursion and the shadows would not be able to provide that. Both hands extended to her side, palms up, and in moments vapor began to swirl in her palm as though she were manifesting something from the aether itself until her talons rest in her hands. Handling them with a skill that would put many to shame she slid them into the custom made sheaths strapped to her thighs.

”Ready if you are," she announced once everything had been situated. Realizing he was ready she took his hand in moments the air about them began to shimmer, the familiar sense of disorientation and vertigo sweeping around them in a windless vortex as she mentally ripped open a hole in time and space that would allow them to reach Aleris. They would establish a permanent portal later, once they had a holding in Aleris where the portal could be guarded, but for now she used her bond with Alidia to guide her. Having had the former vampirics blood she was able to hone in on her life force and in what seemed only a minute or two the misty cloud that had surrounded them as they shifted cleared and they were standing in the center of a hall that was very similar to their own.

”Whoa dude, deja vu,” she muttered beneath her breath. It was disorienting at first but gave her confidence that the Empire would be successful in establishing a place within this world. Without releasing Valorius’ hand she turned to gaze across the Hall, her eyes instantly lighting on the familiar figure of her former lover. Only she wasn’t alone, not by a long shot. There was a woman sitting across from her who looked alarmingly like Alidia and she knew easily that this was the bastard sister, but another familiar form was standing behind Alidia and she smirked as she recognized her cousin, Morlis. Deciding it was time to announce their presence she let her rather distinctively accented voice ring out across the hall, amusement lacing her tone heavily.

”Looks like we’re late, Liddie. Guess you don’t need me after all.”