My Kingdom for a Flower (Open)

[Fa'raazhin Azhani]

Azhani lay flat on her back as she stared up at the sky. She knew the sun was out, but she could barely see it through all the leaves. She'd headed south in search of some flowers to pick for Annie. She knew she could have easily bought some, or even stolen some, but she wanted to be unique, and naturally, she thought that there must be flowers in the woods.

If there were, they were hiding from her. She'd been roaming the forest for over an hour and hadn't found a single flower. Now, that wouldn't have been so bad had she not gotten terribly lost. Azhani wasn't helpless. She knew how to find her directions even without a compass, but that didn't help when every part of the forest looked just like every other part of the forest, except darker.

It was hard enough to navigate as it was. Fortunately, seeing in the dark came naturally to Azhani, but that didn't seem to help her find her way any easier. Part of her begged herself to just pick a direction and start walking until she was out of the woods, but another wouldn't let her lose to a of trees. She had to keep going until she found her flowers. Suddenly, Azhani heard a noise and sat up. Cocking her head, she listened closely and heard it again. Just what was it?

[Skye, Zeli Leyley]

Trying not to scare off the girl who was obviously lost in her (or as she claimed it was now) forest Leyley slowly stepped out looking the girl over for any sign of danger that she may present. Sighing in happiness she steps out fully and walks over to her.

"Why hello there." She said in a sweet and innocent voice that brought about the image of a young girl the very same image she was currently portraying.

"Its rare to see people in this deep are you lost? mayhaps a little hungry?" She continued keeping up her voice with ease.

[Anactoria IV]

A few short hours ago...

Anactoria felt her carriage come to a stop. She has been focused on the scroll in her lap, but the unexpected cessation of motion made her look up. "Curious," she thought aloud, and opened the curtain covering the window of her carriage.

Outside, her honor guard was closing ranks about her carriage, and her driver had pulled the horses to a stop just before the treeline of the southern forest. "Why have we stopped?" she asked.

One of her guard approached the carriage. "Your highness, the southern forest is not safe for you. There has been talk of a queer illness affecting the animals here.. as well has rumors that the highwayman most often strikes in this region. We cannot guarantee your safety.

Anactoria looked thoughtful. "Has the scout reported back yet? Can they confirm the one I'm looking for has entered the forest?"

"Yes, and yes your highness. She has definitely gone in, though her exact location..."

Anactoria's head vanished behind the curtain again. Then the door opned and she steeped out of her carriage and into the crass, her long forest green dress settling around her ankles as she stood in shoes most assuredly not meat for walking about in the woods. Nonetheless she turned and headed for the treeline.

"You highness!" said the guardsmen, you can't...!"

"I am entering the southern woods," she called casually over her shoulder. "If you you wish to fulfill you duty and keep me safe, you will just have to accompany me."


Now...

Her honor guard kept a tight circle around her, weapons drawn, as the imperial princes made her way through the uneven undergrowth. To her credit, she only stumbled once or twice, the raised heels of her shoes getting caught in debris underfoot. Her expression remained perfectly at ease, but her feet were killing her before the frist mile.

By now the canopy of trees were so thick, that her forward guard had lit lanterns to see her way. But the were still able to follow the tracks of their quarry. It was rather easy, actually. Anactoria made a mental note to tease their target about that later.

Finally her forward scout doubled back to report. "Up ahead," they said. "But she has company."

Anactoria arched an eyebrow. That was unexpected. But she had gone to far to turn back now. "Proceed," she told the honor guard. "But do it quietly."

By the time they finally came to the small clearing where Azhani and Leyley were speaking, her feet were screaming at her and her stride had become smaller. Her guard proceeded her, weapons still drawn, drawing tighter around their charge once they had laid eyes on the infamous assassin.

"Oh for..." came Anactoria's indignant voice from the center of the ring. "Stand down. All of you."

Weapons were sheathed as the ring opened so Anactoria could emerge, nod politely at the woman she did not know before fixing her gaze on Azhnai and smile.

"You're a hard woman to get a hold of," she said simply.

[Fa'raazhin Azhani]

(My apologies to both of you. I didn't know anyone had actually replied to this thread until just now.)

Azhani jumped to her feet the moment she saw the girl step out of the trees. When she came towards her, she instinctively moved away to keep a distance between them. She looked completely innocent. She sounded so sweet. She'd made her a kind offer that few people could turn down in her position. She had no reason to be wary of her.

That's why she didn't trust the girl one bit.

Azhani didn't make it a habit to trust strangers; especially those who appear at just the right time and say just the right thing. Before that moment, she hadn't realized that one of her hands was already ready to draw one of her kukri should she need it; but when she did notice, she didn't make any attempt to move her hand. Azhani still didn't like this girl.

"I'm fine," she said evenly. The girl reeked of magic, stronger than anything she'd ever smelled before, and maybe that made her the most uncomfortable of all. She didn't know what a person like that was doing deep in the woods, but she assumed it couldn't be good. Not for her anyway. Azhani was ready to leave when she caught a whiff of another scent. It wasn't nearly as strong, but it was much sweeter. Familiar.

Damn! Azhani took a step back. Caught between a rock and a hard place. Why was Annie in the woods? She couldn't very well go searching for flowers for the Imperial Princess with the Imperial Princess. Then again, she always welcomed seeing her... Being close to her...

She was losing focus. That was bad. She focused her gaze on the unknown girl in front of her again, but her hand had already dropped from her weapon. She was a moment away from opening her mouth to say something else when she heard Annie's voice. And she didn't sound happy.

Azhani immediately turned her attention to the direction she'd heard Annie's voice come from and watched her come forward. The moment the princess smiled at her, she reflexively returned it. 'You can hold me any time you'd like, Annie.' There were plenty of things she wanted to say, but she knew she and Annie were far from alone. She glanced quickly at the unknown girl who was the least of her problems right now before turning her eyes back to Annie. She could hear better than any normal human. She knew she wasn't alone, and if anyone were with Annie, it'd be guards. Especially if she were still dressed like she was. "So I've been told," she said after a pause.

[Skye, Zeli Leyley]

Laughing Skye simply stared at the princess.

"Hello Anactoria. Its so lovely to see the great-great-great-great grandaughter of a friend I used to hold quite dear. How are you?" She asked without a trace of formality in her voice. She had heard that the princess was looking to choose a bride yes but that wasn't what interested the earth spirit. She simply wanted to come and see the fun of the times. Also to catch up with some other people but thats not what mattered now.

[Anactoria IV]

Anactoria's eyes widened in surprise, then she blinked at the woman she did not know. "I, " she faltered for a moment, then recovered. "I am... well, thank you. And yourself?"

Now this was a wrinkle. This woman certainly did not look the part of being over a hundred years old. But the imperial princess was well-read enough to know that meant next to nothing. There were all kinds of beings who's life spans were longer than humans, and a handful that were immortal. Of course there were also any number of people who were also just crazy, and only thought they were immortal.

As she did not not know which camp the mysterious woman belonged to, Anactoria thought it best to be polite, but keep her distance.

"We simply must talk in greater detail at a later time,: she went on, " But right now I would like to speak with Azhni, so please excuse me." With that she focused solely on the other princess.

Anactoria smiled, then opened her mouth. Then almost immediately closed it, her cheeks darkening in color. "I had a speech prepared," she mumbled, mostly to herself. Her smile shrunk into a impish smirk. "I even practiced it for sometime in front of a mirror. Tried to mentally prepare myself in the event that I would have to say it with a audience of guardsmen. Now that the moment has arrived, I find myself tongue tied. I think the presence of your friend here," she titled her head sleight toward Leyley, "has thrown me off."

Anactoria took a deep breath, let it out slow, smoothed her palms on her gown, and ignored her aching feet. "I've been doing a lot of thinking since that night it my chambers," she began. The fact that here was no audible reaction form the guards spoke much of their discipline, but the princess had no doubt the word would be all over Venus by nightfall. She wasn't worried; if the rest of this conversation went well, it would not matter. "If it seems I have been avoiding you since then, I confess that was intentional. I find it difficult to think when you are close, and there are things I had to consider. Because I think...."

Anactoria faltered again, her composure less regal and sure. "I think..." she stated again. She had never had issues with public speaking before, but she could suddenly and acutely feel the eyes of her guards, and the unknown woman boring into her as she stood in front of Azhani, and suddenly this didn't seem like a good idea any more. And why was it so hot out here anyway? And why, in the names of all the gods at once, had she not thought of wearing flats?

"I think i need to sit down," she said in final rush, evening a nearby fallen log not far from where Azhani was standing. She took one step towards it. One step too far it seemed, as her aching feet had finally had enough, and connived the rest of her leg to go on strike with it.

Its a difficult thing, to loose your footing on more or less level ground, and fall flat on your face with dignity and grace.

Not even Anactoria manged to pull it off.

[Fa'raazhin Azhani]

Azhani's heart raced and her fists clenched. "It's so lovely to see the great-great-great-great grandaughter of a friend I used to hold quite dear." She had no doubt that the girl was telling the truth, which didn't help her already skeptical opinion of her. As a child, Azhani had been told tales of gods, spirits, and other immortal beings. It wasn't a foreign idea to her that one person could live for centuries. That being said, she couldn't stand immortals, and she wouldn't trust them as far as she could throw them. According to every story she'd ever heard, they were fickle, mischievous, and usually powerful enough to make your life either heaven or hell - within the same day if they wanted to.

That's why Azhani made up her mind to get as far away from the girl as quickly as she could. The last thing she needed was some immortal interfering in her life. Especially when it involved Annie. She didn't know whether to feel honored or terrified by the fact that she wanted to talk to her. She couldn't help but want to smile at the smaller princess's blushing and mumbling, but she kept her expression as even as possible. She wanted to touch her, but she knew it would be a bad idea.

Azhani had little impulse control as it was without a beautiful girl dangling in front of her. When Annie mentioned the night in her room, the assassin's eyes compulsively darted to the guards nearby, reminding her why she should keep her distance. But as Annie kept speaking, Azhani felt it difficult to do that. It was hard for her to think around Annie too. She couldn't say she blamed her for ignoring her. Azhani waited to hear what Annie 'thought,' but with every second that passed, she began to notice something...off with her.

"Annie!" Azhani couldn't stop the girl from falling, but the moment she hit the ground, she was already on her knees next to her. In an instant, she was conscious of the fact that she had thrown discretion to the wind by calling the Imperial Princess such a familiar name, but in the same instant, she decided to hell with discretion. She sighed and helped Annie to sit up, but she kept the girl in her arms. She didn't want to let go. "You followed me here, didn't you?" she whispered as she picked a piece of grass out of Annie's hair. "You shouldn't have. You could have told me whatever you had to in the castle - where you wouldn't have to worry about tripping and getting yourself all dirty."

[Anactoria IV]

And just like that, everything was right with the world.

Oh the fall was embarrassing as hell and hurt a bit. That part she could have done without. But the part that came after? When Azhani rushed to her side, helped her up, and refused to let go? That parts was perfectly fine with Anactoria.

Her guards were less than pleased however, breaking cover to converge on the assassin who now had their charge in her arms. Some had even drawn weapons. Now that was ruining her otherwise perfect moment, and she was not about to have that.

Her brow furrowed as she tore her eyes away from Azhani to face her guards. "Is there a part of stand down with which you are not familiar?"

"Your highness," one of them began. "We cannot allow..."

"The one time I actually need you assistance, and you stand there dumbfounded, then draw steel on the one person who was quick enough to help. I have a mind to send you all back to Venus before me. Now. Stand. Down."

The guard exchanged loos, but sheathed their weapons and flee back.

Anactoria was still upset as she returned her attention on Azhani. But as soon as they made eye contact, her ire began to fade, to be replaced by the heady, blissful rush that always came over her when they were this close. She had to get this out now before she lost her nerve.

"I think I'm falling for you," she said, her voice quieter, though still loud enough to be heard in the small clearing. She raised one hand to cup Azhani cheek. "But... I have to be sure."

Now came the tricky part. "When we're alone... when were close... everything is more intense. You're beautiful. And powerful. And dangerous. So dangerous that we have to meet in secert when we do meet, and I wont lie to you that there is a degree of...excitement in all that.

"But I have to be sure. What if...." She took a deep breath. "What if its the danger and the secrecy and the thrill that I'm falling for? I would like to think that I am not so shallow. But I have never felt like this before, so how can I be certain? That night, I came withing a hummingbird's heartbeat of asking you to marry me. As you hold me now, the question again is on the tip of my tongue."

Anactoria let the hand fall away. Now came the big one. "Come back to Venus with me, Princess Fa'raazhin Azhani. No more hiding, no more secrecy. I want our courtship open and known. I want you to see me in my daily duties, duties you may have to share someday. I wish for my people to have a chance to see you as I do. A Pause, then a weak smile. "I'm asking you if you'll date me, Azhani," she added.

Sometimes the simplest words get right to heart of a matter.

[Fa'raazhin Azhani]

Azhani couldn't say she was surprised as Annie's guards rushed to her. It was about what she had expected, which was why she had tried so hard to keep from getting so close to Annie. But she couldn't help it. She was so...alluring. Every time she was close to her, she wanted to touch her. Kiss her. And she had never been a particularly prudent person. If it weren't for the guards and the eerie immortal nearby, she wasn't sure she'd have even tried to restrain herself.

Then again, she wasn't surprised that Annie had defended her either. This was the second time she had protected Azhani from someone trying to "protect" her. It still touched her. As odd as it was, she couldn't help but smile slightly at the edge in Annie's voice. After all, it wasn't directed at her. Azhani had never considered herself a very...vain person, but she did enjoy being "better" than the guards at that moment in time. Like dogs ordered by their master, they obeyed Annie's command and retreated. Azhani felt like that should have been a greater comfort than it was, but - while satisfying - the thought that Annie was still the only person who trusted her was a bit unsettling.

That thought evaporated the moment Annie spoke again. "I think I'm falling for you." Azhani swore her heart skipped a beat.

She was quiet and still as Annie spoke. She absorbed her words and...to be honest...they terrified her. For the first time in a very long time, Azhani was genuinely, truly afraid; and for the first time in her life, she was afraid of something that wasn't a mortal threat to her life. Could they really be open about their relationship? Gods, if Annie's maid and guards couldn't stand them being together, what would her father say? She wasn't a petty thief. It wasn't as if she'd simply been implicated in crimes she'd never actually committed. She was a murderer. She was an unabashed liar, thief, and assassin. Her reputation preceeded her in every way.

And Annie didn't care.

That was the only thing it took for Azhani to remember the time in the alley she'd tried to seduce Annie. She'd come so close, but she'd failed. She remembered how much she'd adored that strength and determination then, and now here she was again. Strong enough to stand in front of a squad of armed guards and admit her feelings for a criminal. Azhani remembered something about herself too. She wasn't good. She was selfish and impulsive. She took what she wanted without any thought of the consequences. Because it didn't matter. It didn't matter what the Emperor or anyone else thought or said or did. She wanted Annie. With every part of her, she wanted the beautiful princess in her arms. More importantly, there was a part of her that just wanted to rub it in the faces of all the naysayers.

"Yes," she said simply with a smile. Azhani cupped Anni's cheek and paused a moment before kissing the princess passionately. Tongue and all.