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Post by Freja Gudjondottir on Oct 10, 2010 9:24:03 GMT -5
Freja sighed as she felt her back slide against the stone wall behind her until her butt hit the equally stony ground. It was raining, which she figured was rather fitting given her situation. The weather decided not to smile upon her tonight and with good reason.
Freja's mind rushed thinking about what happened...how long had it been? A month? Two weeks ago? Last night? She wasn't sure she hadn't been keeping up with time. Just thoughts and memories of Anactoria, she couldn't sleep because every time she closed her eyes there would be an image of Annie with that face that showed betrayal.
The former-dominatrix groaned and leaned her head back. She had stopped smiling after that day. Freja's smile was pretty well known, but she decided to get rid of it. The only reason why she smiled anyways was because she had heard that it takes more muscles to frown, and she wanted to keep up her strength all the time didn't she?
But she also smiled for Annie.
After that night everything for Freja became a whirl-wind of bar hopping, prostitutes, and late nights. She was hoping that along the way while walking the street at night some mysterious shadow would come and kill her, but that hadn't happened yet.
Freja looked at her hands, they were quite dirty, covered with dirt and the such, from sitting on the ground all the time. She left as fast as she could so she never really had a place to stay because of her lack of money. She just wondered around constantly.
Then there was Liliana, her trusted servant whom she had sent off on her own..to do...she couldn't remember. But Freja felt she wasn't capable of being her master anymore so by the time Liliana had came back Freja made sure she was gone.
Groaning, out of annoyance of the uncomfortable ground and out of sadness of her torn up life Freja eventually decided it was best to just close her eyes.
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Post by Anactoria IV on Oct 10, 2010 10:03:59 GMT -5
At first, Anactoria had been livid. The betrayal had hurt like a physical wound and all she wnated was to hurt Freja right back. She struck her and all but threw her out. In the end she had lacked the nerve to banish her entirely, and merely forbid from the inner keep, the true heart and home of Sapphis Castle. She knew that would hurt. If there was any truth to what Freja had said, that would have hurt her to her very core, the fact that Anactoria had effectively banished her from her life.
She hopped it hurt. She wanted it to hurt as badly as what she was feeling.
At first.
Then days past and Ananctoria began to think she had overreacted. Not about the torture, she had been right about that. But she never should have hit her cousin. The days became weeks and finally Anactoria went to Freja's room to apologize, to find it empty and abandoned.
Then her regret turned to worry. She order the Palace guards to find her, but she was no where in the castle.
Worry became fear.
The City Watch was suddenly handed down a royal edict: Find Princess Freja. Do not approach her, only find her and send word back to Sapphis Castle. They also found nothing.
Fear became abject terror.
A reward was soon offed, 5,000 gold for news on her whereabouts. And here Anactoria finally met with success as a one certain streetwalker coming to end of her prime attractive years was only to happy for 5,000 gold with which to start a new life. She broke the unspoken whore/John confidentiality rule and revealed where the missing woman might be found.
That was why Princess Anancotira Sapphis was standing in the rain, protected only by one of her ridding outfits and the umbrella Dulcia held over her head, in an alleyway in Nights doorstep. Four place guards accompanied them the alley two flanking and two trailing. The rest of her escort was at the mouth of the alleyway, where her carriage also waited.
The woman they had found was dirty, ripe, and looked half-dead. She had none of the confidence or compassion Freja had often shown her. Still, Anactoria knew. She knew.
She commanded the guards and Dulica to halt where they were. Stepping out from under the umbrella into the rain herself, she approached and knelt down in front of Freja.
Abject terror became guilt.
"Freja," the imperial princess whispered. "It's me...Annie."
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Post by Freja Gudjondottir on Oct 10, 2010 10:19:12 GMT -5
Freja's eyes fluttered open at the sound of an angelic voice coming to see her, first they landed on dainty feet that used to run through the castle's halls with her. Then a small beautiful body she used to admire so much, and finally a face that anyone could fall for...
That face...
"A-annie?" Yes,indeed. Freja must've fallen asleep. Or died like she had hoped for before. It didn't matter though, since Annie was back. And if this was a delusion created by Freja she could do just about anything, now couldn't she?
"Annie,"Freja said again this time a large grin lit up her face as she stood up. It was a messy way of standing up and Freja stumbled a bit, but it was clear she was doing her best. Freja stretched her arms out and embraced her cousin in what she thought was a much needed hug.
"You found me."Freja whispered in the princess's ears, Freja's chin lightly brushed against the top as she gave her her odd and rather sleepy hold.
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Post by Anactoria IV on Oct 10, 2010 23:40:02 GMT -5
Anactoria didn't mind the hug. She had even wnated it, tactile proof that her cousin was alive and well.
Well perhaps well was overstating it. She was barely managing to stay upright and Annie found herself supporting most of her weight. It should have been harder than it was. Clearly her cousin had lost some weight.
"I found you," Anactoria confirmed, as she gently execrated herself from the hug, though remained close so as to help Freja walk. She wnated to apologize right then and there, but Freja was in no condition to hear her it seemed, and she was getting more and more wet by the second.
"Let's go home, Freja," she said softly, trying to guide the taller woman back up the alleyway to her waiting carriage. "Get you out of those wet clothes, some food a little rest. Then..." she trialed off. "Well, first thing frist."
Dulcia moved to resume her umbrella duties, but Anactoria waved her off. "I wont melt, Dulcia," the princess said. "If you must cover anyone, cover Freja. She has been in the elements long enough."
Her handmaiden blinked, but adjusted her aim and soon the rain was no longer drenching Freja.
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Post by Dulcia on Oct 11, 2010 5:05:48 GMT -5
"Of course, Princess." Came Dulcia's loyal reply, and she stepped nearer toward the two, and extended the umbrella to shield the princess's cousin. She'd been relieved to learn of her safety -- Anactoria had been suffering far more than she would let on over this. She remained quiet, already preparing herself for the duties of attending to Freja once they arrived. A warm bath, fresh clothes. She would assure her tended to well, for Anactoria's sake.
She had heard what had transpired from Anactoria. Yet, seeing Freja in this condition -- it was saddening and painful. Now, at least, the two could find some peace with what had happened.
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Post by Freja Gudjondottir on Oct 15, 2010 16:58:38 GMT -5
"Hello Dulcia,"Freja gave a tired blink at the maid but still managed to smile as she noticed the rain stopped falling on her thanks to the protection of Dulcia's umbrella. Freja leaned on her cousin for support as they made their way over to the carriage.
Freja climbed into the carriage like a 2 year old would climb into a car, crawling on her hands and knees and moving over to leave room for Anactoria. After wards she scooted in and leaned her head on the window, closing her eyes.
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Post by Anactoria IV on Oct 16, 2010 8:52:37 GMT -5
Anactoria paused before entering the carriage herslef. She turned to Dulcia. "I need to do this," she told her handmaiden. "Dulcia, you are the best there is when it come to taking care of me and those I care about. But... I need to be the one to tend to Freja this time. Its my fault she's like this, I should be the one to help her now."
She looked in the carriage at the woman who she loved like a sister, and felt even more guilty at the way she just sat there, defeated. She looked back t Dulcia. "Ride back to the castle with one of the mounted escorts," she ordered. "Get everything ready in my room for our arrival. Bath, fresh clothes, food. A light stew would probably be best. We'll be going slow; I dont want to upset Freja any more than she already is."
She hugged her handmaiden to show her gratitude, waved over one of the members her escort who was mounted on horse, and repeated the order to take Dulcia home ahead of them to get everything ready. She then climbed on the carriage herslef, ordering the driver to take her time and to avoid as many bumps as possible.
Once inside, Anactoria sat across from Freja, at frist, racking her brain on how she can ease or soothe the exhaustion she saw on the woman's face and that hung over her like a shroud. She had an idea at once, but worried it might send the wrong message. With a sigh, she decided to risk it. If it made the trip easier, it would be worth it. There would be time to talk a define boundaries latter.
She moved to the same side of the carriage as Freja, but on the far side of the bench. Gently, she placed her hands on Freja's shoulders and gently pulled the taller woman toward her until she was laying across the bench with her head in Anactoria's lap.
"I'm going to take care of you Freja," she promised as she gently wiped a few wet strands of hair form her cousin's face. "You just relax now, okay?"
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Post by Dulcia on Oct 20, 2010 7:39:27 GMT -5
As Anactoria paused to plead with her, Dulcia smiled with gentle pride and relief. She felt reassured by Anactoria's response, and she knew how guilty the Princess had felt. If this would ease that guilt, she would be glad to do as she was asked. The darkskinned elf embraced her Mistress as well, an understanding hug that pulled Anactoria's head to her shoulder. "Of course, Princess." She whispered while they were close, and then they parted. The maid insistently pressed the umbrella into Anactoria's hand. "Keep her dry, if you can, Princess. The poor girl needs it terribly."
As they parted ways, Anactoria climbed on top the escort's horse, and wrapped both arms tight about the soldier's waist as they took off at a rapid clip toward the castle. Dulcia's white hair billowed in the rush of air as they departed dramatically.
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