When the music stops | 2.7 morning | Athena, Jaeryth

[Athena]

It had not taken long at all. Quickly making her way to where she knew him to be, the sound of hooves pounding on the dirt as she and three others sought him to carry out the order of The Shade. Today, she wore armor. Today, after all, she was a soldier, not an assassin. Blood still dribbled down her metal greaves, signs of her participation in the siege of the castle she wore atop her breast plate and armor in general. Her sword was clean… She was always sure to wipe it after spilling blood to prevent it from rusting.

“Hold,” she said, pulling her horse to a stop and dismounting in the same movement. Her brothers hung back as she approached. After being granted access to Jaeryth, she approached and with a polite bow of her head she said, “My Lord Costayne. My lord cousin, Lord Shadowmere, wishes me to inform you that the castle has been taken and is now yours.”

[Jaeryth Costayne]

Jaeryth looked up as the girl entered. He and his men were going over the plans of the castle again, reassessing as the western wall had held up far better than anticipated. His armor was coated in dust and caked here and there with mud that had little to do with water. Taking a city was never an easy feat, even with the gates themselves wide open. The Renate castle was itself a fortress, left over from days when its owners were most likely better men.

Jaeryth's eyes widened in surprise at the news but then he grinned, a wolfish flash of white teeth in his dirt-smudged face. Still, a born courtier, he bowed respectfully to her. Armor or not, she was a lady of noble birth now. "Truly a divine messenger, my lady of Shadowmere. Are you always this beautiful or is it just the glow of your message illuminating the tent?" He turned to his captains with a wild grin.

"Take what you want, boys. The city's yours. Keep your men in line though- we need it looking presentable when the Renates sail their rum-soaked arses into port."

He smiled again at the Shadowmere girl. "It is traditional in my homeland to reward messengers who bring these sorts of tidings. Name your reward, lady, and anything in my power may be yours."

[Athena]

Athena looked him over. Well, he was certainly more than worthy. It did not take her much more consideration to determine that yes, she was willing to play this game with him. Her eyes seemed to light up with excitement, her lips curving into a gamine like grin. “I assure you, my lord, that I am now hardly suited to face anybody as a lady. Your words are far too kind for somebody in my lackluster state of dress. I promise I look much more pleasing to the eye when I’m dressed the part.”

She stood still as his men left, not at all bothered by their quick leaving. Instead, her eyes stayed locked on Jaeryth, her hands leaving the hilt of her blade to rest at her sides.

“It is reward enough, my lord, to fight for your cause. I am honored to aid you in achieving your vision. In fact, it should be I who asks you if there is anything I can do that would please you. Though, far be it from me to stand in the way of tradition. So, to answer your question, I will be pleased with whatever pleases you.”

[Jaeryth Costayne]

"If you looked much more pleasing to the eye, my lady of Shadowmere, you'd dazzle the senses past all hope of logic." Jaeryth stepped closer to her. Now was not the time for such things but... sunset wasn't all that far away. Victory was theirs. What better way to celebrate than to trade compliments and perhaps a bit more with a beautiful woman?

"Ah, but would what pleases me also please your lord cousin?" Jaeryth asked sagely. He shook his head with a trace of regret. "It would please me well enough to see a smile on such a beautiful face, and to wreathe it in gems that would have some chance at matching those wicked eyes... for it would be in poor taste of me to do anything to anger Lord Lazarus this day..."

[Athena]

“It pleases me enough, Lord Costayne that you have such a deep respect for my lord cousin, for my respect and loyalty to him is unmatched. If nothing else, know that your consideration of him has made me smile.”

She was about to turn and leave, but she stopped and looked into his eyes. “Would you mind humoring me, my lord? What exactly would please you?”

[Jaeryth Costayne]

"A kiss from the same lips that gave such sweet news. The fairies have had their wings clipped at last: there remains only their lord, and we know what sort of a challenge that will be." Forward, but why not? Jaeryth grinned. He didn't move toward her again, though. "What better way to seal a victory than with a kiss?"

[Athena]

She blushed. Not one who normally did such a thing, she could not help but be moved by his sweet words. Oh, but how fun would it be to pretend that he’d only spoken such things to her. Maybe there was no harm in making believe. After all, she’d had so few encounters worth mention and fun was not in the forecast. Not as the youngest Shadowmere maiden. “Just a kiss?” she asked, her eyes lighting up, her smile causing her dimples to show. “I once heard that if a person were to say they did not believe a fairy, somewhere a fairy would drop dead. Well… perhaps if we all said it, we would be able to kill the fairy lord before he even reaches shore.” It was Athena who moved closer to him, her hands clasped behind her back. “I don’t believe in fairies, my lord. But I do believe that a kiss when innocent is not something my lord cousin would take offense to. But on the off chance that it might… let us just be safe… and not tell him?”

[Jaeryth Costayne]

Jaeryth's violet eyes lit with amusement and appreciation. "I would willingly share such a secret with you, my lady." He leaned in closer to her, and brushed his lips against hers lightly, only a faint tease before bestowing a lingering kiss. He didn't take her into her arms or press forward, abiding by the terms. She was enough to tempt a statue, but he'd never found amusement in pushing a lady's limits.

[Athena]

His eyes were… mesmerizing. The color of the lady of shadow, so strange and yet so intriguing. She returned his kiss, wishing for more, but not pressing her new province lord. If he wanted something more passionate, he was certainly more than welcome to take what he wished for. When the kiss was ended, she sighed and looked away with a feigned expression of sadness. “Oh dear. That is going to be torture, you know. Like showing a child a box of chocolates and then telling her she can only have the smallest piece and no more.” She looked back at him and then said, “My Lord Costayne, has anybody ever told you that you have hypnotizing eyes?”

[Jaeryth Costayne]

Jaeryth's smile turned wry as she mentioned his eyes. "If I had hypnotizing eyes, my lady, they'd have convinced you to kiss me again." He tilted his head thoughtfully, his expression appreciative. "When the rest of this war is done, I hope you do not let your cousin keep you to himself in Faeta. I might actually call that a true crime."

[Athena]

She laughed in a low tone, quiet but still audible. “Perhaps they have… Perhaps I am working my way up to it,” she said, raising her hands to his shoulders. Her lips moved to his and brushed against them as she said, “My cousin lets me do as I please so long as I remember my duty to the Shadow. So it would seem we have averted a crime in the making. And as thanks to my hero, I shall grant you one more kiss.” She pressed her lips firmly to his, lingering a bit longer than his had, and then she stepped back, her eyes looking at him teasingly. “Is there anything you wish for me to say to my lord cousin upon my return?”