@Moon Wolf, of course you can join! Glad to see more participants 🙂

^Tarava^

Again, there was just the slightest of pauses after Tarava spoke. What an awkward conversation this is, Tarava thought. If she could only invite Arietis out to the gardens, where they could talk more at their ease! But the last thing she wanted was for Arietis to completely stop trusting her and think she was a spy.

"A wonderful woman, indeed," Arietis said, her voice still soft enough to not be heard by anyone else. A wonderful cause? "I haven't been purchasing from her very long myself. My – my father
bought some of his garments from her, though I didn't. But after he -" Arietis stopped abruptly, and Tarava felt an odd understanding. After all, her own parents had died too, and she still missed them sharply sometimes, in spite of everything. "Ah, well, I thought that she could benefit from another customer," Arietis hurried on. "Do you
know if it's true that she doesn't get as many customers as she used
to?"

It was easier now to communicate what they meant. Bless Ms. Astaret for coming up in this conversation! In fact, besides being just a useful way through which to talk about the Resistance, she in a way embodied everything the Resistance was – loyal, proud Kyngdomers who refused to give in to Catastrophe.

"Unfortunately, the number of customers she receives had been declining lately," Tarava replied. "Many people don't know about or don't value the perfection of her dresses – of her work. But I think that more Nobyls are beginning to be dissatisfied with their dressmakers and turning to her instead; I know that's what happened with me." Less people have been joining the Resistance, but some young Nobyls are starting to realize just what Catastrophe's doing, and they're loyal enough to turn to the Resistance instead.

Tarava paused, then suddenly decided to risk everything on one stroke. "There's the most amusing gossip going around," she said, reverting completely (to all appearances) to a laughing, merry, normal Nobyl. "Concerning – dressmakers and things like that, actually. But – in this place – I mean to say, I heard Laraia pur Zaraon was going to be here, and for her to hear us on these things, as they concern her rather intimately – Would you like to come out to the gardens? Not," she added, more softly, "that I mind if you don't wish to." With all these Nobyls here, we can't really discuss the Resistance at ease, but I want to talk to you about it.

*Kalisse*

"Ah, Estrelle pur Kays, is it?" Kalisse said, a little nervously. She hadn't meant to come across someone of the Nobyls, much less someone…who could possibly be very distant blood from her. She had never wanted to be in the middle of this Catastrophe chaos, but there was no choice, if she wanted to somehow bring a little peace to Kyngdom.

"Yes," Estrelle said, her voice quite like a typical Nobyl's, which Kalisse always thought of as snooty and conceited. "What brings you near my estate?"

"I was…wandering, that's all. Just…looking for information." Kalisse regretted it a little, but what else could she say? She was terrible at lying, so she always at least added a little bit of truth into her words.

"Information about what?" Estrelle's blue-green eyes flashed a little, as if she was hiding a secret and didn't want it to be revealed.

"Just what's happening recently," Kalisse said, keeping it cool. If only Celestia was here! Then she would know perfectly how to get her way out of this mess. Unfortunately, she was in the Forest of Morrows, looking for more information. But honestly, I'm pretty sure she's just finding an excuse to be away from the danger of Catatrophe, Kalisse thought.

"Hm, Catastrophe and everything, you mean?" Estrelle asked. The Nobyl's eyes were rather calculating and cold as she awaited for Kalisse's answer.

"Yes, especially the…" Kalisse trailed off, wondering if she should say Resistance. If she said it, wouldn't Estrelle immediately capture her since the Kays were most likely for Catastrophe? But then again, she reasoned. She could think I was against it as well. "Resistance," she said finally.

Estrelle laughed a little, even though Kalisse couldn't figure out what was funny. It was probably a Nobyl thing to laugh about everything and put on a fake smile all the time. "The Resistance," Estrelle repeated, her voice light and melodious. "The Resistance. Are you someone who knows quite a lot about this?"

"Uh, no, not really," Kalisse said nervously. She was starting to feel uncomfortable, and by now, she knew it wouldn't be long before she faced an untimely death at the hands of Catastrophe.

"An outsider," Estrelle murmured. But this time, her voice seemed more serious. "Are you…for it, perhaps?"

How will I answer this now?, Kalisse thought. If I say no, my voice will definitely shake and give it away. And if I say yes…who knows what she will do to me? So Kalisse answered, "I'm not quite sure yet."

"Well, why don't we take a little walk together, if it pleases you," the Nobyl said. 

Kalisse's first instinct was to say "Absolutely not!", but the more she thought about it, the more she felt that it would be useful. After all, if the Nobyl didn't suspect anything, perhaps she would give away some important information about Catastrophe. "Alright, then," Kalisse said.

Estrelle smiled, a small smile that was neither warm nor cold. She started walking a little eastward, so Kalisse followed. It was a long time of silence, until Estrelle finally broke it and said, "What are your opinions on Catastrophe?"

"Catastrophe? Well, he…isn't quite a good ruler," Kalisse said finally, unable to tell another lie. I blew it, didn't I?, she thought. I could never tell lies for long. Guess I'm dead now.

But instead, the Nobyl said quietly, "Seems we're on a similar mindset here."

"You…" Kalisse lowered her voice into a soft whisper. "Are you part of the Resistance?"

Estrelle gave the slightest movement of her head, a tiny nod. And that was all Kalisse needed to know that she could be trusted.

Kalisse had never before thought that she could trust a Nobyl. But times seem to be changing wildly lately. And having a Nobyl part of the Resistance as a friend…it would be quite useful in gaining more information. 

And the next thing she knew, she was already making plans with Estrelle in her estate about how to go into the latest Nobyl party for more information.  

-Arietis-

Tarava responded a bit more quickly this time, much to Arietis's relief; she didn't have time to worry over whether or not Tarava understood what she was trying to say.

"Unfortunately, the number of customers she receives had been declining
lately. Many people don't know about or don't value
the perfection of her dresses – of her work," Tarava said. Her voice softened ever so slightly as she added, "But I think that more
Nobyls are beginning to be dissatisfied with their dressmakers and
turning to her instead; I know that's what happened with me."

Of course, Arietis thought, decyphering the message. If Tarava and I have already begun to work with the Resistance, against Catastrophe, then who else could be out there? The very thought of other Nobyls working with the Resistance made Arietis giddy. Because there had to be more. She was sure of it.

Arietis began to think of how she could word the question Do you know of other Nobyls who have joined the Resistance?, but before she had a chance to speak, Tarava continued, 

"There's the most amusing gossip going around. Concerning – dressmakers and things like that, actually. But – in this
place – I mean to say, I heard Laraia pur Zaraon was going to be here,
and for her to hear us on these things, as they concern her rather
intimately – Would you like to come out to the gardens? Not that I mind if you don't wish to." 

It took only a moment for Arietis to figure out what the message meant, but she took a few seconds longer to decide whether or not to take up Tarava's request. At first glance she looked perfectly at ease, but Arietis could see wariness in her eyes. Of course, it was completely plausible that she was afraid of being caught as a Resistance by the other Nobyls. But then again, Tarava might not be at all who she said she is, and she could be luring Arietis right into a trap.

Well, there's only one way to find out, Arietis thought resignedly, once again fidgeting with the emerald ring encircling her finger. "Of course. Lead the way," agreed Arietis. "By the way," she added in a tone barely above a whisper, "Are you aware of any other Nobyls who have turned to her for their dresses?" Do you know of any other Nobyls who have joined the Resistance?

^Tarava^

There was a short silence, and Tarava held her breath. If Arietis suspected her of a trap and refused to go with her, their whole conversation would be wasted. She glanced searchingly at the Nobyl girl, but there wasn't a flicker of expression in her eyes to tell Tarava what she was thinking.

After a moment, Arietis started fiddling with the ring on her finger again; probably it was some sort of nervous habit of hers. She gave a quick – slightly nervous – smile. "Of course. Lead the way," she said.

A wave of relief swept over Tarava, and with a smile and a nod she started walking through the masses of Nobyl lords and ladies; but she did take care to go slowly, as if she and Arietis were just walking as they talked. So much could depend on how a thing appeared. Arietis was walking next to her.

"By the way," Arietis said, very softly, "are you aware of any other Nobyls who have turned to her for their dresses?"

Tarava shrugged. "There are a few I know of," she said. Then, also lowering her voice, she added, "We can talk – in a moment."

As they came to the glass double doors leading to the garden, Tarava paused for just the slightest second, her gaze sweeping out across the crowd of people. Rulkan was nowhere to be seen; her other "friends" were probably also at the other side of the room, and no one was particularly paying attention to her and Arietis. Pulling open one of the doors, Tarava skimmed out into the cold winter night – somewhat a shock after the heated interior of the palace. She had been to the palace one or two times before and remembered the layout of the gardens. Still warning Arietis not to say anything, she led the way to the edge of a half-frozen pond, surrounded by lawns that were drifts of soft snow now, where no one could creep up on them and listen without their knowing.

Then she turned to Arietis. "Yes, I know of some Nobyls who have joined – the Resistance," she said, still softly. "And others who might; they're restless and discontented with their lives. Phaedron pur al-Mari and his family were chased off their land – by this very Lord Helion, in fact; I believe the al-Maris have joined the Resistance. There's Terven and Arva pur Arthi, a brother and sister who have also actively joined the Resistance. There are Nobyls – like me – who are pretending to support Catastrophe and are really helping Kyngdom. And have you ever heard of Aakash pur Keteque?"

She had again the sensation that she really shouldn't be saying all this. Even if Arietis was loyal to the Resistance, Tarava really knew nothing about her, and what if she put them both in danger accidentally? Certainly she had seemed sharp enough; but how could Tarava be sure? "And tell me of your own link to the Resistance," Tarava added cautiously. She glanced at Arietis. "If you will. We need to trust each other."

`Estrelle`

I wonder if I made a huge mistake about this person, Estrelle wondered, not for the first time. Estrelle had secretly been a part of the Resistance, but managed to maintain her status as someone who supports Catastrophe. Of course, there were probably a number of Nobyls similar to her, but there was no use risking it and asking around. Yet when Estrelle came across Kalisse, most likely a non-Nobyl based on her clothing, she decided to take this chance and try to have a sort of companion to confide with about the Resistance. It would be helpful in the long run, but if Kalisse was secretly a supporter of Catastrophe, Estrelle was doomed. But either way, she had to go with it now.

"So, I have a plan on how we can gain informatioin," Estrelle said. "Lord Helion's ball is going on currently, but I'm certain we can make a sort of late grand enterance." 

"Of course," Kalisse replied. "But surely you can tell I'm not a Nobyl! Or familiar to their speech," she added after a moment.

"You can just follow my lead," Estrelle said. "Haven't you observed other Nobyls talking to each other before?" 

"Certainly I have," Kalisse said. She paused. "So I laugh a lot, say sugar coated words, and gossip?"

"Pretty much," Estrelle admitted. "It's probably not what you're familiar with, but if I'm to be honest, even I, being born a Nobyl, feel like this speech is unfamiliar still. But if you can mask it, you can do…whatever. Just be careful that you don't reveal anything, and be alert about secret messages Nobyls often convey in their speech."

"…Alright," Kalisse said. "But what if I encounter another Nobyl part of the Resistance?"

"Then you may excuse yourself and tell me about it, and we can come back to that. Just stay with me." Estrelle looked at Kalisse to make sure she understood, but as she did so, she noticed that the so-called 'outsider' seemed…almost familiar. Like she was someone who had distant Nobyl blood. In fact, it almost seemed like she was related to the pur Kays.

"Out of the blue," Estrelle said. "Are you by any chance related to a Nobyl family?"  

"Oh!" Kalisse exclaimed, sounding startled. "Um, not that I really know of."

But her moment of hesitation led Estrelle to know that her suspicion was correct. "You are related to the pur Kays, aren't you?"

For a second, she thought Kalisse was going to lie again. But instead, she sighed and admitted, "Yes, I am. But very distantly."

"Interseting," Estrelle murmured. "Anyways, we better put our plan into action. I hope you remember everything, as we're heading to Lord Helion's ball." 

@CelineBurning Bright, your charrie is cool! Is Fau apart of the dragon guardians? They fit the bill! 

~Aurelius~

Of course. Aurelius stared at his sandwich. Of course he was assigned to the last known sighting of his sister. His stomach was turning somersaults. Of all the places he could've been assigned to, it was Morrows. 

"Are you going to just sulk around?"

Aurelius didn't look up at his friend, Seth. Seth shook his head.

"Come on, dude! You need to face your fears. Your darn sister probably won't even recognize you, and plus, Nik is watching the house she's been hanging around so it'll be an in-and-out job."

He had a point. Aurelius hadn't seen Aurelia in several years. Maybe she had forgotten about him. He looked back at his sandwich. His stomach gurgled and Seth munched on his salad. He was crazy to be worrying about it this much. Nik, a green dragon on the side of B.I.G., was helping out by being around the village of Morrows and sending info back to HQ. And Nik just so happened to find a blond girl who went by the name Aurelia who had, recently been under suspicious watch, creating special types of equipment. He sighed and took a bite. Just an in-and-out job. I wonder where Aurelia is now?

Suddenly, a large rotund man came in and scanned the lunch room. His eyes lit up when he saw Aurelius.

"Oop, here comes Josh." Seth chuckled. Aurelius just took another bite of sandwich.

"There you are Aurelius! I've been looking for you!" Josh exclaimed loudly. "There's been a change of plans. You are to leave now on your mission."

Aurelius widened his eyes, turned, and threw-up his few bites of lunch on the floor. He took gasps of breath while Seth came over and helped him. Josh had a stricken look on his face and backed away slowly.

"I can see you're not feeling to well… We'll adjust the orders and send someone else out." He smiled breifly and turned to leave.

"Wait."

Aurelius stood up and looked Josh in the eye. "I'm going on that mission."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~Aurelia~

"Do you know what, I see the green dragon you were talking about earlier outside!" Aurelia looked over at Shiri. "Do you think it's mean?" 

"I would say so, that dragon has red eyes. You can never trust a stranger, much less a red-eyed creature." Shiri clicked her tongue. "Those creatures are enchanted and evil."

Aurelia sipped her tea nervously and looked out the window from time to time during the idle chatter between Genivieve and Shiri. That green dragon was pacing the grass just a meter or two away from the house. She replayed what Shiri had said. She watched it walk closer to the house and finally fly up above the house in a fast flap of it's wings. She stood up and walked over to the door.

"I'm going to go for a short walk outside. I'll be right back." She said and headed out.

Oh, and I put part of Aurelia's story here just so you can get a taste of what's happening in the Woodland RP. 🙂 and shoot, I forgot which RP I was on and wrote to CelineBurning Bright. Oops!

Aahhh I'm so sorry for taking this long to respond!!

(I also changed Arietis's backstory a little because some things didn't seem right anymore but it was kept mostly the same) 

-Arietis-

Tarava led Arietis to the edge of a frozen pond, its surface glassy, reflecting the starlight and the warm glow from the palace's wide glass windows. Snow had begun to fall lightly around them, and Arietis really regretted her off-the-shoulder gown. She was used to frigid Northwest Kyngdom winters back home, though; she'd live.

Arietis listened intently as Tarava named a handful of other Nobyls who'd taken an interest in the Resistance. "And have you ever heard of Aakash pur Keteque?" she asked.

"I have," Arietis said softly, though she didn't elaborate. She didn't know much more about him than what others surely knew; despite his family being allied with Catastrophe, he'd supported the Resistance, and he had attended the Winter Masquerade, just as her father had. Despite her limited knowledge of him, Arietis had to admit that she looked up to him. 

"And tell me of your own link to the Resistance, if you will," Tarava said. "We need to trust each other." 

Arietis took a deep breath, steeling herself. "I – of course," she said haltingly. "My father – was a Resistance sympathizer, though he was not actually a member of the Resistance. He was – he was afraid to join them and risk losing his high rank and comfortable way of life. Not that I wish to speak ill of him," she added hastily. "He wanted to give me the best life he could – and he didn't wish to put me in any danger, you'll understand."

She was quiet for a moment, staring at the snow drifting lazily down, remembering the man she had called her father. He was detached and always so serious, but he had a gentle heart. He did love her, in the only way he knew how. Perhaps when his wife died, he swore to protect Arietis, the only thing he had left of her, no matter the costs. 

"He was captured at the Winter Masquerade," she continued. "When he managed to escape and return to our Estate, he – he was not…quite the same. He was paranoid, and fired all the Estate staff, even those who had been kind and taken care of me while he was away. He was afraid someone was a spy for Catastrophe, you see." She sighed, fidgeting with the ring on her finger. It was a gift from her father. "My father – he spent most of his time in his study, researching a way to bring Catastrophe down. If he did find a way, he never told me. I took care of him, I listened to his mad ravings as he became more and more ill – though I'm sure most of what he said was nonsense." Arietis shook her head softly. "Afterwards, I took care of the Estate and his inheritance. It wasn't easy, of course, for a girl not even thirteen, but somehow I managed. I learned all I could of the activity of the Resistance, and Catastrophe, and the Nobyls."

Arietis glanced around, even though she knew she and Tarava were the only ones outside in the cold. She lowered her voice anyway. "I hoped to infiltrate the Nobyls closest to Catastrophe, to establish myself as one of his supporters. In that way, I thought I might have better chance of destroying him."

Arietis was silent for a moment. She hadn't shared this much about her past to anyone before. It felt – like a relief.

But although there was no feeling in her gut telling her she couldn't trust Tarava, she was well aware that she had only met the other Nobyl earlier this evening. So she asked, “And if I may ask, what is your own link to the Resistance?”

Don't worry about taking a while 🙂 I don't mind waiting.

^Tarava^

"I – of course," Arietis said slowly. "My father – was a Resistance sympatizer, though he was not actually a member of the Resistance. He was – he was afraid to join them and risk losing his high rank and comfortable way of life. Not that I wish to speak ill of him. He wanted to give me the best life he could – and he didn't wish to put me in any danger, you'll understand."

She paused again, and Tarava caught a fleeting look of sadness in her eyes. But after a moment Arietis continued, speaking softly of how her father had been captured, and how when he returned his only mission in life had been to seek the destruction of Catastrophe; of how Arietis had cared for him, and of how he had died. "I learned all I could of the activity of the Resistance, and Castastrophe, and the Nobyls," she said, glancing at the snowy garden. "I hoped to infiltrate the Nobyls closest to Catastrophe, to establish myself as one of his supporters. In that way, I thought I might have better chance of destroying him."

Tarava was struck suddenly by how similar parts of Arietis' story were to hers. Somehow, in the midst of Arietis' explanation, rememberance had come to her of her own parents, her own childhood, her own struggles to recover after her parents' death and still manage the estate.

"And if I may ask, what is your own link to the Resistance?" Arietis asked quietly.

Yes; it was only fair that they should both be able to trust each other. "Simple enough, I suppose," Tarava said, and then stopped. Simple? The years spent searching for the Resistance, trying to convince its leaders that she wasn't a spy, trying to help them? It wasn't really simple. "The pur Lamours have always been very supportive of Castastrophe," she began, "especially since Lilly and Karune – you've probably heard all about that. My own parents -" She hesitated. "They were high-ranking Nobyls who accepted Catastrophe without questioning him. They never saw what was really going on; for the most part they just went to balls and parties, and, well, it's true that my father was very close to Catastrophe. He truly didn't see what Catastrophe was doing. And as the years went on – especially after I was born, I think – they stayed more on their own estate, raising me and leading their own peaceful lives." She paused and took a deep breath. "They both died when I was fifteen, of a disease. I was left to look after their estate, as you were. I started going out again about a year after they died, and then I realized… what Catastrophe was really like. I started making movements to find the Resistance, and eventually, mostly through a friend of mine who isn't a Nobyl, I managed it. Since then I've been pretending to be the most loyal supporter of Catastrophe there ever was, and really telling the Resistance whatever I can find out. That's all my story, more or less."

She glanced at Arietis, noticing suddenly that the girl was still wearing nothing but her thin white dress. Tarava had snatched up her cloak as she went out, but she hadn't put it on yet; her own dress was much warmer, silky and edged with swan's down. She hesitated, then held out the cloak to Arietis. "Please, take it," she said softly. Again, so much more underlying a simple gesture: she was holding out her background, her secrets, everything that underlay her life, and asking Arietis to be her friend.

-Kalisse-

Kalisse waited until Estrelle entered the ball before she followed. She had no idea how to act, so all she could do was follow Estrelle's lead.

"Estrelle! You've finally made it to Lord Helion's ball!" a Nobyl exclaimed. It was a young woman looked quite similar to Estrelle, except slightly older, and with longer hair.

"It seems I have," Estrelle said shortly, as if she did not enjoy speaking to this certain Nobyl. "I like to make a late entrance sometimes."

"Of course you do," the Nobyl said, though there was a hint of scorn in her voice. "Ah, who's this?" She gestured towards Kalisse.

"Oh, nothing to worry yourself over, Erielle," Estrelle said smoothly. "Just a distant cousin I met recently."

"A distant cousin?" Erielle said in a surprised tone. "I never knew we had one! And why didn't you tell me earlier? I am your sister, after all."

So Erielle is Estrelle's older sister, Kalisse thought. Estrelle doesn't seem to like her. 

"And we each have our own matters, do we not? I am quite certain you also have a few…affairs, shall I say, that you would rather keep classified about," Estrelle said. 

Erielle finally seemed to give up. "Alright, I see. I do have my own matters, and I must attend to them now. Don't go…ruining our family reputation with her, okay?"

"Certainly," Estrelle said with a tight smile. She waved her away, before turning back to Kalisse. "It would be better if you stay away from…my sister. But that's just a suggestion. You can do whatever." 

"If it's alright, I'd rather stay with you, just in case I…reveal something by accident," Kalisse replied.

"Do whatever," Estrelle repeated, before disappearing into the crowd of Nobyls, leading Kalisse scrambling to catch up to her.