A Day of Play (Private; Invite Only)

[Erenthril Mael'tharias]

The 18th of Immanis
Winter of Era I of the Celestine Mandate
Paradigm Shift: The Eclipse of the Sun

“Do you think she’ll like those cherry pastries?”

It was an idle question, but inquiring nonetheless, even as he tugged at his collar and adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves. Elantria and Eren were standing within the midst of his kitchen just outside of the city, nestled along a luscious green bank and winding dirt rode that led up towards the lovely estate. A twisting path snaked its way through the eleven some-odd gardens that surrounded the countryside manor, ending at a landing of white marble, tall pillars thrust upwards and supporting the balcony above. Two large red oak doors beckoned the soon-to-be expected visitors in warmly, one propped open with a large bronze vase, a leafy green fern harbored inside. A gentle breeze wafted through the house.

Eren was wearing a loose fitting white shirt, buttoned accordingly up the chest, the cuffs of the sleeves rolled back comfortably to his forearms. His collar was bothering him, a little more stiff than he’d prefer, granted how smooth the article of clothing hung to his skin, but he shrugged it off and glanced over himself. A black leather belt with a silver buckle latched his dark matching set of pants to his waist, complimented even further by midnight-hue boots, skirting the length of his knees and adorned in an embroidered silver buckle. At one point in time, Erenthril Mael’tharias would have been zealously protective over such boots; they were the illustration of how far he’d come since Paxia. But now…

He glanced shyly towards Elan.

They were bustling about the kitchen, neatly arraying everything that would be taken out for lunch. A picnic had been called into order, as well as a fun playful day along the banks of the River Lylles, just south of Mystique. Careful consideration had been taken when Eren had asked Elantria to invite her sister, Shawntay, to accompany them as well – they had met so briefly during the ball, Eren was curious to get to know her better, and with a small flicker of hope, Elantria as well. He grinned coyly as he packed some apples into the small wicker basket, followed quickly by the bread and cheese. “Are we missing anything, Elan?” he asked, glancing over at her with that sparkling look in his eyes, still holding those cherry pastries in one hand. He idly wondered when Shawntay would arrive.

They would be here any minute!

[Shawntay]

Shawn needed this day as much as anybody. Indeed she was excited to be meeting Eren, her sister's flame, again, but this time there would be more time to get to know each other, and the privacy would afford them the freedom that they would need to express themselves more fully. Shawntay was a ‘people watcher’. Sometimes she liked to just lean back and watch people. She learned much about people even when she wasn’t directly conversing and interacting with them. Maybe this was one thing that she learned to do when she was still a slave. Many nights and days she would just sit and watch the other slaves. Her heart went out to them and words became irrelevant, mute and meaningless. No conversation was needed to know what a person was feeling or silently enduring.

But tonight would be different. Shawn could talk as much as she wanted and she was whole-heartedly looking forward to that. Tightly she hugged Will’s arm as they walked together. Of course the female wasn’t sure of where she was going but Will sure did. And so blindly she followed. It was clear that she trusted the male that she walked arm and arm with. In fact she trusted him with her very life, her very soul and her very existence. He’s saved her and protected her more times then one person deserved, though he would beg to differ. Indeed she was in love with him, her face beamed with such an expression and the redheaded female didn’t care who noticed it. As a matter of fact she was proud of the fact that they were so deeply in love.

The closer they got the more nervous Shawn became though. The realization that she had been so long apart from Elantria was now just hitting her. What would she say to her? It was like they had to get to know each other all over again. Their past had been greedily stolen from them. All of the time that they would have together was killed and then stomped upon until it no longer was able to drawl a breath. Oh sure they had that bond at one time. Shawn’s nightly dreams continually reminded her of the times that she shared with her little sister. But would they be able to build on that common bond? Could they be as close as they once were?

In the pit of her stomach Shawn could feel her emotions churning. All at once she stopped upon the driveway, the house looming in a short distance, so that she could gain control over her breathing. She’d have to rely heavily upon Will for this one.

[Elantria Lasseatra]

Elantria smiled and nodded her head in response to the question. In truth she wasn’t sure if Shawn would like the pastries, the redhead was painfully aware that there was very little she knew of her sister other than the restored memories of when they were young. But Eren seemed a little flustered and she of course didn’t want to add to that.

Stopping what she was doing for a moment, Elantria regarded the Syl’rosyan Elf with a thoughtful look on her face. She had come to care for him deeply over the past few cycles, finding him in her thoughts more often that would have been considered normal for just friends. No, Elantria felt it was safe to say they were something more than just friends but what then, where they? There had been the shared kisses, moments of intimacy in between her elementalism lessons but nothing had really been spoken on the matter. However, this brightening was not for such thoughts. Her sister would be arriving soon and they had a pleasant outing planned for a picnic, despite it being winter they weather was relatively mild.

Coming out of her reverie the redhead grinned, she was hiding her nerves well so far but how long would that last? Moving across the kitchen to help Eren with the last of the preparations, her long lilac dress twirling around her, Elantria thought for a moment. ”Hmm...Yes I think we have everything now? Did you get the napki..” Just as the last words left her mouth the redhead happened to glance out of the window and see Shawntay and Will walking up the path.

”They’re here!” Calmness now evaporated Elantria descended into a furious flurry of checking her appearance was right and making sure all was ready for them before flying to the door and flinging it open in her excitement. ”Shawn! You made it!” Reaching out to give her sister a warm hug Elantria grinned with nervous anticipation for the brightenings events.