Of Eden

Pear - Where do you feel rested?

in nature, when there is no one near to keep watch of me. 

Ecru - How do you feel about the world today?

He couldn’t help the little smirk that curled at his lips when he saw her cheeks light up, his eyes taking in her grin as she looked at him. “It’s hardly appropriate talk for an event such as this,” He agreed with a nod. He’d been around few humans with whom he’d enjoyed their company, but he was easily amused by hers. 

He allowed her to start out of the room first before falling into step just behind her. It wouldn’t take much for him to overtake her strides, and so he made the conscious effort to stay at her speed. “I agree,” He said, his smirk widening into a grin as he looked down at the stained dress again. “I’m sure someone will know how to remove the stain.”

she felt a warm relief wash over her as she made her way into the hall, the scent and sound of so many in a room enough to have her heart racing. if the lilt in the man’s voice had not already accomplished doing so. if she had much sense to her she would have known that parading through the halls with any man was far from the most clever thing to do, but her desperation for any excuse to leave far exceeded any sense she still had. 

aurora laughed, a short and rather rare note of music that echoed through the barren hallway. it hardly mattered did it? in no time at all she would have some equally absurdly lovely gown laid before her, and another function for which to wear it. doomed once again to the same dilemma she had encountered tonight. “does it usually work a such an excellent conversation starter my lord? destroying the gowns of unsuspecting women.”

A snide comment, a “yes you should”, a moment given in to the frustration too long traveling and too little peace had inflicted, was on the tip of her tongue, but this was a diplomatic mission, and one never truly knew who held power in a new court until one had thoroughly investigated. The twitchy little thing who’d nearly shoved her into a wall could be- not powerful herself, per se, but someone powerful’s mistress. Or friend. Probably mistress.

“Nothing to apologize for, truly, if I cannot survive a brush like that then I expect I should benefit from discovering my own fragility.” The false cheer sat awkwardly across Yvaine’s face, and she doubled down on the warmth she’d learned in bits and pieces at court. “I don’t suppose most courts are this crowded even at their busiest. Are you a guest of his Majesty, or is your family among his court?”

there was something in the woman’s tone that almost had the young lady stepping backward before controlling herself. the kind of address that would of caused a young servant girl to shiver, but she maintained her smile, somehow. with each passing day it grew easier, that smile, that confident demeanour; she might have been sad, if in that moment relief had not flooded through her. 

regardless of her initial impulse she returned the warmth in the woman’s voice, deciding that what she’d believed to have her was no more than a ghost taking advantage of her own heightened nerves. “no, i’m but a visitor. i’ve travelled with the grimoults from calydon.” a quick scan of the woman and she discovered there was something magnificently regal about not only her attire by the energy she exuded, “and yourself?”

He knew that being alone must still be a daunting prospect for her, as it was not so long ago that she had lost her family and home. Stefan knew all too well what it was like to lose your parents, but he still had his uncle, whereas Aurora had no family left. If he could be there to make her feel a little less isolated, then he was happy to be of service.

Glancing towards the closed door and the muffled sounds of the reception happening behind it, Stefan sighed. “I suppose we must go in sooner or later.” He assumed that Aurora had been hesitating outside of the doors out of nervousness, but at least now they could make an entrance together as a united front on behalf of Calydon. “Shall we?”

it was quite unfair, she thought, to have every act of kindness tainted by the ambition thrust upon her. even then, her smile wide and eyes alight, she was struck by the image of his advisors no doubt foaming from the mouth at the thought. the two of them entering a reception together. she did her best to vanquish the thought, taking the chance to enjoy the knowledge that -at least in that moment- she was not nearly as alone as she felt. 

facing the door and glancing up at him she smiled, nodding before she replied, “i could hardly deny you, could i?” not that she wanted to, even if her pursuit of him was not an idea entirely her own she did admire him. if for no other reason than his kindness. 

“Well, it’s certainly not the worst way I’ve ruined a dress,” He remarked, looking down at her ruined gown before he looked at himself. Most of the glass had emptied over her, but he’d still gotten a little on himself in the collision. He set the now empty glass on a passing tray and looked back to her again. 

“At the very least, I  can only offer to walk you out,” He said, waving towards the doorway closest to them. He didn’t have the power to turn back the time to fix her dress, so he supposed that he ought to at least try to make up for it.  “Unless you plan to remain in the ruined dress?”

it was not like her to be so easily surprised, spending her life surrounded by servants and other colourful characters had done well in acclimatizing her. but, there was something about the stature of him alone, and the strength of his gaze that brought fire to her cheeks. a pink blaze that felt scorching. somehow she could not temper her grin, which followed a spark of amusement in her eyes. “i would beg of you to share such methods with me, if i did not fear they’d sting a ladies ears”, she laughed. 

nodding her eyes followed his gesture, a smile unbefitting of a woman of her stature taking hold of her mouth as teasing words followed, “indeed it is the least you could do”. looking over her shoulder to ensure he followed she moved towards her exit. “though i’m sure the colour suits me i think it best i have it removed”. 

Olive - What is your favourite food?

there was a cake i enjoyed years ago, as helena, aurora often tried her hand at baking and tried to replicate it for me on many occasions. i’ve not had it since. 

Silver - Are you a good person?

Hollywood Cerise -  What are your ambitions?

Stefan had been made aware of an unofficial reception where the different species were mingling with each other. Although it was more of a duty for his uncle, he could see that the king was in one of his moods and it was best to shoulder this responsibility on his behalf. As usual, his advisers were on hand to guide him on every tiny detail, even down to which cufflinks he should wear. 

It was those cufflinks that he was now fiddling with as he strode down the halls to where the reception was being held. He just couldn’t get the blasted things to sit right, and his distraction caused him to bump into someone. Stefan immediately began to issue his apologies when he realised to whom he was speaking.

Relief washed over him at the sight of a familiar face. “Lady Aurora. I am so glad not to be the only representative of Calydon at this reception.”

she couldn’t quite decide, upon turning to recognize stefan, whether it was perfect it was he she’d run into or absolutely disastrous. she’d do her best to convince herself of the former being true.  

he was kind, always unfalteringly so, it was that which made it so difficult each time she met with his advisors. it was that which had made her so reluctant to follow him to abdera. but she was not one to refuse, or put up such a fight, not so long as she inhabited the life of a florent. it was that kindness that brought a genuine smile to her face, regardless of the guilt that rippled in waves beneath the surface, “as am I your highness. i’d begun to worry i would be alone here”. a lie by any definition -his impending presence was her primary reason for making the journey- but it sounded nevertheless sweet coming from her lips.