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Travels
Jan 16, 2009 11:30:21 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Jan 16, 2009 11:30:21 GMT -5
Ladorak wandered over, glad that she had come prepared. He had only brought a few things himself, not factoring in the probability of eating on this island. "I think a sandwich for now would be nice. If you have bread I can make my own...." He offered, his paw wandering over to her basket and poking around a bit, seeing what sort of goodies she had brought.
"Yeah.....I've got cheese with me, so that will make for a nice addition. I don't know about you, but cheese is probably one of my favorite foods, despite being a meat eater." he said, giving her a shrug and a quick grin. "You have any.....hmm, salami would probably be best I think." he stated, looking from her to the basket.
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Travels
Jan 21, 2009 17:10:44 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Jan 21, 2009 17:10:44 GMT -5
((Time jumped a bit to after the pinic))
Darkness had crept over the island now, bringing with it a sense of perhaps gloom, but Ladorak was aglow inside. He wasn't really "worried' about what the island had to offer after sundown, there was nothing threatening about this place per se, not anymore. So long as they stayed within the palace ruins he was sure they'd be fine.
Carnavon was waiting for them, his eyes lighting up in an odd way upon seeing them. "Heheh, welcome back. Hope you had a fun time." he stated, polite and not making any sort of insinuations that they had skipped out on him and made themselves a little late. "If it pleases you, I'd like to discuss our voyage now." he stated simply, walking over to them.
Ladorak nodded. "Right....well actually it'll consist of whenever we're ready to leave. I'm going back to Galdea..."
"Which is ideal." Carnavon interjected.
"Right....but I plan on staying here a few days." the stoat finished.
"Fine with me, take your time." He said. "I normally stick around here, but not inside the actual building remnants. They're all yours if you want." the weasel said, beginning to slink back in to the shadows.
"You gonna be OK?" Ladorak called after him.
"Oh I'm going to be fine." was the reply. It was clear that this Carnavon fellow wasn't worried about the darkness, and well, Ladorak guessed that maybe it wasn't such an issue with the weasel. Still.....it could be dangerous, but Ladorak planned on taking Jayd somewhere safe for the night.
"Jayd." he turned to her. "What do you think of him? Oh and...would you perhaps like to see the room where I slept most of my life? It's in a tower that's still standing, and we'd be safe from any remnant corsair survivors on the ground in there." he offered, smiling down at her, his golden spectacles glinting a bit in the moon's light.
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Travels
Jan 22, 2009 9:30:47 GMT -5
Post by jaydjasmyn on Jan 22, 2009 9:30:47 GMT -5
Jayd's brows furrowed as Ladorak listened to what the weasel had to say. He was very candid in his speech and yet the femme sensed that there was something that he was hiding. Soon though, the male was gone and that was just fine by Jayd. She wasn't looking forward to actually traveling with him, no not at all. Visibly she relaxed as soon as he was out of sight. He seemed to slither back into the shadows, which seemed to be a fitting place for him to be. The weasel fit right in with the darkness.
Ladorak then asked her what she thought of the male weasel. Of course Jayd wasn't one to hold back when asked a question. Tightly she squeezed his paw and then moved into him closer. "I don't trust him Ladorak and yes I'd love to see where you slept." She tried her best to shake off the feeling that the weasel gave to her and concentrate on the male that her heart was taken by.
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Travels
Jan 22, 2009 11:52:55 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Jan 22, 2009 11:52:55 GMT -5
"Well....far be it from me to turn away a beast in need I guess...." Ladorak sighed, still turning over the strange weasel in his mind. "At any rate, let's get inside, away from any dangers out there." He took hold of her paw again and led her on a winding path through the ruins and towards a part of the palace that was indeed still standing. It was a tower and central block, quite possibly the remains of a keep, but it looked strong and fortified and against the outside world.
Entering inside, most of the roof had been knocked off, but that was only the foyer. Polished stone for the floor led back in to the hall where another staircase lay, and in front of that staircase, knocked on to the floor of a shattered dais, a throne lay, robbed of it's gems and twisted in to an unnatural shape. "That was Ublaz's throne. No longer is it a symbol of his greatness. It lies as just a dusty old relic now." the stoat said, and there may have even been a very small amount of regret in his voice as he spoke to the female.
He led her up the stairway now, getting higher and higher in the fortification as it wound around a central pillar in spiral fashion. Various rooms could be seen off the corridor, ghostly still and silent in the night, but at the very top was a heavy oaken door that blocked further access. "Hope this isn't locked." with a grunt, Ladorak threw his shoulder in to it and forced the door up an inch or two, but that was enough, and he was able to push it the rest of the way open.
"Here we go...come on....this way." he said, giving her a helping paw in case she needed as he climbed up and in to a darkened and rather elaborate bedchamber. There was a king size bed with imperial drapery in crimson coloration that hung down from a canopy, moth eaten and pocked with holes now, but one could still see it had been a grand sight in old times. Faded and decaying tapestries hung from the walls, and a large window looking out over the rest of the island. Ladorak swung the trapdoor shut so that they wouldn't be disturbed, but he highly doubted that any creature had been up here in awhile. It was sort of a secret that only Ladorak and Ublaz had known about, being Ublaz's personal bed chamber after all.
That stoat wandered over to the window, taking in the stunning view of the night sky that sparkled with a thousand stars and were complemented by the blinking lights of the mining ships down at the harbor. It was all so...surreal to him now. On the sill of the window was a velvet settee, also crimson in color, and Ladorak ran a claw over it, knowing that this had served as his bed for most of his life. "Jayd.....can I talk to you about something?" he asked, not turning around to face her just yet, keeping his eyes out the window at the glittering gems in the night sky.
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Travels
Jan 23, 2009 10:21:38 GMT -5
Post by jaydjasmyn on Jan 23, 2009 10:21:38 GMT -5
The femme allowed him, Ladorak, to lead her any place that he wished to go. He knew this place better then anyone and so certainly he would know the safest place for them to spend the night. Yes, Jayd trusted him. It was as if she knew him all of her life. The connection was immediate between them, even if Ladorak resisted letting her in. Now though it would be different or so this was what Jayd felt.
Finally they were in the room. Lad drifted over toward the window. For a few moments the stoat-tess allowed him to gain his thoughts and to bask in the state of being here again. Many things must be flooding through his mind right now. Jayd wondered if he knew that he would be bombarded with so many thoughts and emotions. What happened between them to must weigh on his mind.
Ladorak eventually spoke. He wished to talk with her. Jayd smiled and then sauntered gracefully over to him, taking his paw in her own. She cupped his with both of hers and then smiled up at him tenderly. Eventually though her eyes just had to look out at the view and she allowed them to do so, giving Ladorak even more time to think about what he wanted to say to her. "Of course Ladorak. You can talk to me about anything." Softly she rubbed the top of his paw assuringly.
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Travels
Jan 23, 2009 12:04:19 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Jan 23, 2009 12:04:19 GMT -5
Ladorak was tense inside, his stomach turned in to a nervous knot despite her efforts to reassure him. He felt as if he were being twisted and pulled in two directions he both desired and wanted, but that he couldn't possibly share. He would just have to let her know....let her know that if she wanted to get further involved with him, she'd have to accept certain things.
Looking down at her, he tried to smile, but it came out wrong, it was forced, and he knew it. "Jayd......I definitely understand you wanting to get closer to me these next few months or so. Believe me....I feel the same way. But there is something you should know about me. As a naval beast.....I love the sea. I've been practically raised on it, and I'm not sure I could ever leave it behind. My job....is to fight for my country whenever war breaks out. Right now Galdea is at peace....but that could change. In fact....I'm sort of hoping it does. I have to make a living after all....and I really thrive while at sea." He stopped to clear his throat softly.
"So if you do wish to pursue a relationship with me....you'll have to also accept that when I'm called to do my duty, I could be gone for months at a time depending on the assignment, maybe even a year, though that seldom happens unless I'm assigned to a foreign station. I figured it would be convenient for you since you'd have the house to yourself and I'd be away but.....well I feel different about you now obviously. Do you think.....well is that something you'll be able to accept once that does arise? I can't say when I'll be called to duty next, but before we think about taking this further, I just wanted you to be aware of that."
He ran his thumb over her own paw now as well, feeling slightly better that he had gotten that out. There was no way.....no way he could give up the sea. That was something you just couldn't take away from the ermine. He wanted to let her know, so that she could carefully consider this. It had driven a wedge between him and his old wife.....and so he didn't want that developing between the two of them this time around. Better to commit or not commit now before he left.
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Travels
Jan 23, 2009 13:11:22 GMT -5
Post by jaydjasmyn on Jan 23, 2009 13:11:22 GMT -5
By the expression on Jayd's face Ladorak would be able to tell that she was taken back by what he was saying. She knew that she would want to be with Ladorak even if he had to stay out at sea for months at a time, heck she'd be willing to go with him if he didn't mind. And if he did mind? Well Jayd would probably sneak on board anyway.
Jayd looked up at him and smiled sweetly. "If we would have to be away from each other because of your work that's fine by me. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Being apart would only make us appreciate what we have when we are together." The femme brought his paw up to her lips and kissed it before moving in to grant him with a deep hug.
After they parted the stoat-tess again looked up at him. "And besides I could come along with you from time to time. You'd need to help me tweak my fighting skills and I've been on a ship for most of my life and so I'd be handy there." Jayd surprised him by standing upon paw-tip and kissing his cheek tenderly. "It's okay Laddy. I understand your concern but I know that if we work together everything will work out in the end. So yes... I do want to pursue a relationship with you as long as you wish to pursue one with me. Do you?" A few times her eyes blinked, awaiting an answer from him while her heart was skipping beats.
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Travels
Jan 27, 2009 13:10:56 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Jan 27, 2009 13:10:56 GMT -5
((OOC: Time jumped again))
Ladorak exited the tower, his boots crunching along the ground as he headed down the path to the waterfront. He had to know...he just HAD to know. What was going on back in the Imperium? What had happened with Minister Freemont? What had happened with Minister Ullyanov? What was going on? He had to find out...he had to know.
The calcium lights and bonfires burned brightly, casting the stoat in to an eerie glow as the flames danced and played off his form as he moved in and out of a series of crates and boxes, all valuable minerals awaiting shipment back to the motherland....wherever that was. Ladorak forgot where Empiret Magenta Mining was headquartered.
Walking on to the docks where various masts and ships floated and bobbed around him, he made his way over to a lemming who was busy going through a checklist. "Excuse...sorry to bother you, hi. I'm the one who owns that yacht that pulled up earlier today......once again sorry to bother you, but I was wondering about a few things."
"Yes?" the lemming asked him in a bit of a nasally voice. "What can I assist you with."
"Yes....I was wondering if you had any newspapers coming out of the Vulpine Imperium? You know.....foreign news?" Ladorak shoved his paws in to his jerkin pockets, trying to appear casual.
"The Imperium? Well we do trade with them.....we probably would have some copies of news bulletins....hold on sir...one moment please." the lemming trotted up the gangplank of the nearest boat, and Ladorak was left by himself. His thoughts turn to Jayd. How was she faring? She'd be safe but.....oh the poor thing, left alone in that room. "Here sir!"
The lemming was waving a paper in front of his snout. "It's about a month or so old now."
"Oh...thank you." Ladorak nodded, taking the paper and moving over to a light so that he could see what the print said. No.....NO! Minister Nuori Freemont was.....was.....but that was too horrible to even think about! She was.....
He nearly collapsed then and there, his legs weak, his knees shaking, in fact his whole body was shaking. He went pale, blanching under his white fur. This.....this couldn't have happened! That.....the ludicrousness had accelerated to where beasts had lost their lives! Blast it, BLAST IT! His knuckles were tightly clutching the newspaper, and he let it fall where it lay, the lemming saying something to him but Ladorak unable to hear the words.....
And soon he was running, running at breakneck speed back down the path to the palace. He nearly fell several times, but he forced himself to keep going. He felt like he was going to explode at any moment. He was fleeing from what he'd read, fleeing from that pounding, breaking sensation within his chest. He had to get away....he could stay here.
Tearing up the flight of stairs, he finally slowed, breathing heavily as he pushed the trapdoor up and re-entered the room he'd left Jayd in. He looked as if he'd seen a ghost, and the distress was clear on his face as he stood there, taking a moment to gather his bearings. He was leaning back heavily in to the wall of the room, the cold stones offering no solace to the raging whirl of emotions he felt within his chest.
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Travels
Jan 29, 2009 12:47:28 GMT -5
Post by jaydjasmyn on Jan 29, 2009 12:47:28 GMT -5
Jayd tried to sleep while Ladorak was gone but she just couldn't. The femme ended up getting dressed and staring out the window the entire time, being sure to stay out of sight, just in case anyone was watching. This didn't help much. Jayd still felt like someone was forever gazing upon her with prying eyes. She shuddered with such thoughts.
When would he be back? Tightly she wrapped her arms around herself, just below her chest. It was so cold in here that she just couldn't stand it. She wished that Ladorak was here to cuddle with.
Her wish was soon granted. Ladorak came into the room banging rather loudly, his face as white as a sheet and his chest heaving. Jayd rushed to his side in order to offer some assistance. "Laddy? What's wrong? You look as though you've seen a ghost!" The fem wished to not bombard him with questions and so she simply ran a tender paw across his shoulder until he would calm down.
Jayd cocked her head in order to gain a better look at him. He certainly looked a sight for sore eyes. By the was that he was breathing she would assume that he had been running. He looked drawn and very out of sorts.
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Travels
Jan 29, 2009 18:57:16 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Jan 29, 2009 18:57:16 GMT -5
It took a minute for the ermine to realize that Jayd was rubbing his shoulder and had asked him a question. Where was he again? What had he been....oh yes! It all hit him in the face, at once, and the gravity nearly crushed him. He looked down at her, trying to find the words.
"Jayd......my boss.....my old employer....the Minister of War......in the Imperium....she's dead....she's been murdered....well...not murdered but I'd consider it as much....killed by another Minister in that bloody contest over the thrown!" he nearly spat out the words as they left his mouth. "She's dead....a few months ago actually and that means...that means that her kit.....Caden.....he's gotta be on his own now. The ONE thing she never wanted to have happen....blast it, BLAST IT!!" he struck his thighs with clenched fists, snarling at the thought and the stupidity of it all. It shouldn't have happened! Those fools, those IDIOTS! What had they done?!
Ironically enough, Ladorak would have been next in line to succeed her had he stayed, but as it was, the city was probably in the paws of the Ullyanovs at this point. His eyes were misting up, but he refused to cry. No! He didn't cry! At least...not over stuff like this. "It shouldn't have happened..." he hissed, his teeth bared as he stared down at the ground, his body having bent over a bit after he'd struck his thighs. "I shouldn't let it bother me...I don't even know why I did at first. I mean I moved to Galdea to get away from all that. I mean it, I moved to forget."
He looked over at her. "I'm sorry I interrupted tonight for that. I guess....I guess kits are sort of my weakness....even troubled ones like Caden." he shook his head. "It's funny because....I used to be involved in an orphanage, before it burned down at least. I guess that's another thing I haven't told you. Yeah I garden, and read, and go hunting, but I also.....have this affinity for kits, especially kits who need help in getting better lives. Sorry...I didn't mean to ramble off like that. I ruined your night for something....pfft, like that." he rolled his eyes, and straightened back up, looking down at her now, searching her for reactions.
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