Coming here hadn’t really been something Ulric wanted, at least, not entirely. Oh, sure, he wanted to; for all his straight-faced patrols and unyielding loyalty toward Delumine and assuring her defenses were at their peak, the Warden enjoyed having fun, and knew how to have a good time if given the opportunity.
Opportunity wasn’t what had brought him here, but rather a demand spoken by Somnus himself. They had bickered in a way that most would do with their best friend, though this had been fueled by considerable worry from Ulric about the safety of their home during their absence. What another fire were to somehow start and destroy what remained of their forests, their food and other resources? What if they were attacked and overthrown, someone were harmed or worse, what if someone needed him?
In the end, however, he had given in and begrudgingly promised to accompany Somnus and the others. At least this way he could keep an eye on them as they traveled south to Denocte.
The masquerade had tempted him, but such a fanciful event wasn’t in his taste, particularly without anyone at his side for it. The maze had piqued his interest, but Somnus had a family to spend time with and the last time he saw Florentine, she’d gone tumbling down a mountain out of sight – the memory still made him sick to his stomach and made him want to crawl into a hole with his guilt, but to go without either of them would feel wrong after their first adventure together.
Meandering through the city after Somnus had pressured him into a bit of exploration, the cacophonous sound of talking, cheering and instruments managed to draw him in, and as he drew ever closer, his senses were overridden. His nose was assaulted by spice and sweet sugar wafting on the breeze, but it wasn’t enough to chase him away. Entering into what was a bustling marketplace, Ulric had to watch his step so as not to be swept away by the sea of moving bodies. Keeping his wings folded and pressed tightly against his sides, doing his best to ignore the agitating sensation of anyone who brushed against his left, the Warden carefully made his way through them until an opening presented itself to him.
Breaking free, he exhaled the breath he’d been unaware of holding, grateful for reprieve. Before him were rows upon rows of vendors, some appearing more popular than others. A contemplative look carved its way into the ebony hood of the Warden, and with far more interest than before he inched closer to browse, first an image of an alabaster and scarlet woman and then an idea beginning to materialize in his head.
ooc - Guys look he's not in Delumine :DDDD Anyone welcome!!!
HE WHO DRINKS FROM THE DEEP WATER
MAY HE KNOW THE DEPTHS OF THE WELL
image by ray-gunz
HISTORY HAS ITS EYES ON YOU ➳ allcontact is permitted and encouraged
Somnus had taken Regis beneath his wing and stolen off deeper into the festivities after Eulalie had assured him that she would be fine for awhile on her own. It gave her a chance to pause and admire a few things she had overlooked on their travels between events, caught up in the excitement.
The sunshine woman stood among the crowd, shoulder to shoulder with strangers that smelled like smoke and spice and sand, watching as a group of entertainers performed. SHe felt more than heard the music among the din of the gathered equine, cheering and shouting as they were. But the drum beat traveled through the cobblestone street and threaded up her legs and matched her thudding heart.
Someone shoved against someone else and Eulalie overstepped to keep her balance. In the midst of being jostled, her eyes landed on a familiar face just beyond the crowd. Excusing herself, weaving between bodies and around stalls and tens she eventually made it to Ulric's side. She studied the look on is face as she greeted him, "There you are Ulric! I was beginning to wonder if we'd ever see you again or if we'd lost you to Denocte's intrigues."
A smile lifted the corner of her lips, the dark brown of her eyes twinkling in the firelight. The Warden hadn't wanted to come, she knew, but he seemed very interested in the wares the markets were offering. Eulalie thought that maybe he had a special someone in mind so she asked, "Would you like a shopping partner? What are you looking for?"
So lost as he was in his browsing, Ulric didn’t expect to hear his name, let alone in Eulalie’s voice. Jerking his head up with a start, he craned his neck to regard her, a forbearing smile smoothing out across his lips. “This place is rather intriguing, huh?” He agreed, motioning towards the passing hoard of visitors from near and far. It was daunting to look at, knowing he’d have to wade back out into the crowd to explore more of the festival or to try and return to the citadel. “I prefer the peace and quiet of Delumine, though, if I’m being honest.” Maybe not all the time, but all of this was nearly overwhelming.
Eyes of gold fell and returned to the medley of goods set out on display before them, and the roan’s smile slowly faded as he pursed his lips thoughtfully. They had all kinds of things; shiny trinkets, souvenirs specifically crafted for the event itself, decorative baubles and so much more. Briefly Ulric wondered if he shouldn’t just shrug it all off and continue down the line of vendors, seeing what else caught his eye or go find something that interested Eulalie. He seriously considered doing just that, but at the last moment he relented, heaving breath as he lowered his head a little. “You know I never mind your company, Eulalie,” he reassured, “And… perhaps you could lend me a bit of expertise.”
He was fully aware that the woman of sunshine was unlike any other. She had been through much; she was wizened beyond her years, impressive with her insight and advice. Ulric knew that despite it all she wasn’t beyond a little bit of teasing, but he also knew that he shouldn’t be nervous of seeking her help in this tiny, probably stupid task that he’d come to regret.
“I was looking for something to surprise somebody with,” he began after a moment, holding her bister gaze for as long as he was able before glancing back to the merchandise. When he spoke next, it was in a hushed tone that was atypical of the Warden, and if he were capable of it, he’d be blushing. “A-… a lady, that I met. I wanted to find something nice for her.”
@Eulalie
HE WHO DRINKS FROM THE DEEP WATER
MAY HE KNOW THE DEPTHS OF THE WELL
image by ray-gunz
HISTORY HAS ITS EYES ON YOU ➳ allcontact is permitted and encouraged
Eulalie couldn’t help the playful smirk on her lips when Ulric noticeably startled at her interruption of his perusing. Whether he’d been invested in his browsing or simply not expecting company, it was clear that she had caught him off guard. He relaxed quickly upon seeing her and she watched him while he spoke, a smile still playing at the corners of her mouth. “So, I shouldn’t plan any recurring huge events in Delumine then?” There was a mirthful sparkle to her dark eyes as the torchlight played off them. Then she sighed wistfully and smiled bigger, “It’s all so lovely, I’m can’t decide where to look first. But you’re right, it doesn’t quite compare to our home.” Though she imagined those of Denocte would feel the same way about the other courts as well.
The sunshine woman watched as Ulric’s eyes fell back to the table before them. The thoughtful, concentrated expression on his face told her much more than any spoken words ever would. Then he sighed and she wondered what dialogue he’d been carrying with himself before finally coming to a decision. Eulalie listened with patience as Ulric spoke, smiling with warmth and encouragement. She was always happy to help him, but this seemed different than any task she had given him a hand with before. It wasn’t long before she figured out why.
A lady? The smile on her face only grew at the revelation. Ulric was sweet on someone? This was news to her, but truthfully a welcome one. The Warden was a dear friend of both hers and Somnus’, and she knew that he had a big heart and a great amount of devotion that any would be lucky to be on the receiving end of. Normally she might have poked fun at him for the nervous way his voice hushed as he mentioned this mysterious woman, but clearly she meant something important. “What is she like? Not all girls like the same things, but if I know more about her I could help you better find something that would suit her.”
Before the words had even left his mouth completely, Ulric was steeling himself, preparing for a soft chuckle, an incredulous look or a passing statement of disbelief. None came, however, and when Ulric found the courage to pry his eyes from the table he’d been focusing on without really looking at it, he was pleased to find such a look of patience settled across the other soldier’s face. His shoulders relaxed, losing some of their rigidness as he exhaled a gentle breath of relief.
When it came to what this secret woman was like, Ulric looked positively stumped. In his mind he could see her clearly, all alabaster and striking aureate with vermillion eyes capable of piercing the devil’s own soul. Just the thought of her made his heart beat a little faster in the cavity of his chest, and were he capable, the Warden’s cheeks would certainly be flushed the slightest shade of red.
“She has a certain… fiery quality about her, if you will,” he attempted to explain after a thoughtful moment had passed. “From the short time I’ve known her, she’s a lot like me – willing to do whatever it takes to see those that matter to her are safe. The way she looks at me, though…” Here, Ulric trailed off with a passive chuckle, shaking his head at how dumb he probably sounded. “I’m not sure I can describe it. It’s like a weird game of cat and mouse between us that I’m more than willing to oblige to.”
Another pause, another moment of hesitation as the roan’s golden gaze fell away to the shop’s various wares. “And… she’s gorgeous.”
@Eulalie Sorry for the wait!! He doesn't know what he's doing
HE WHO DRINKS FROM THE DEEP WATER
MAY HE KNOW THE DEPTHS OF THE WELL
image by ray-gunz
HISTORY HAS ITS EYES ON YOU ➳ allcontact is permitted and encouraged
Eulalie allowed Ulric to explain his mystery lady to her in silence, her earth brown eyes browsing the table of wares before him as he did so. Every now and then her gaze flicked over his face, and with each word that left his mouth her smile only grew. Oh, it was quite clear to her now, from the chuckle and shake of his head to the pauses punctuated by his inability to hold her eyes for long. She remembered the feeling herself, but she too had seen it in the faces of others many times before.
“My, you are quite taken with her Ulric,” the ivory and gold woman said, and she couldn’t help the playful sparkle in her eyes as she did so. She had never seen him act like this before, and it was as curious as it was entertaining. His last admission pulled a light laugh from her as she focused once more on the table, “Well, I am certain we will be able to find something here that will suit her.” Eulalie, having turned away from the stand in front of her looked out over the markets with laser focus in her eyes.
She was on a mission to snag Ulric a girl, something which she took very seriously.
When the shining reflection of firelight caught her eye, Eulalie gave Ulric a nudge and started to walk away, “Come on! We’ve got a whole market of possibilities in front of us.” And as she drew closer, she realized that what had gotten her attention was a table full of beautiful and intricate pieces of jewelry. Necklaces, bangles, earrings, anything you could imagine, all of shining metal and brightly sparkling gems. They were all quite exotic looking, not too dainty but lovely and bold. “Perhaps… something red?” Eulalie suggested, moving past the cooler toned stones.
For all the hell they could give to each other, Ulric knew that he could trust Eulalie. Sure, the subject of the matter and the reality that he was quite smitten made him uncomfortable when speaking so freely, but he had no reason to be. Not around her, who would neither judge him nor even go so far as to press for pertinent information about just whose finger he was quickly wrapping around. “Yeah,” he roan responded with a shuddering exhale, “I… I guess I am. But, she keeps me in line, and that’s something I need, I guess.”
With a nudge from Eulalie, the pair were soon moving, abandoning one stand for another. The crowd had yet to thin out, but they deftly made their way past the brunt of the festival-goers without incident. Trailing just behind Eulalie as they encroached on a new stand, Ulric felt the briefest of uncertainties as he took it all in – glittering jewels and fine metals shining like tiny beacons beneath the wavering firelight, causing the stand to look more like a treasure cove than anything else. It was the kind of place that Ulric would’ve overlooked for the simple fact that it all seemed too gaudy for his own personal taste.
Stepping closer to get a better look, Ulric quietly toiled over each piece, gently picking one after another up and inspecting each piece with scrutiny. “I think red would be the best choice for her,” Ulric agreed to Eulalie’s suggestion, albeit with wavering confidence. Some of them made him wonder if he was jumping the gun on wanting to get the Terrastellan Warden anything quite as nice and luxurious as these trinkets – he probably didn’t know her well enough to pick something she’d really love and appreciate, and even if he did manage to do that, would he make whatever was shared between them awkward afterward? Less meaningful? Oh, what a quandary he suddenly found himself in.
Ulric’s doubt surmounted tenfold with seemingly ever second that ticked by. He felt like he’d been standing in the same spot for an hour already when in reality it had only been a couple of minutes. Once or twice he opened his mouth to speak, but the words that he should probably just forget it until another time never spilled out. It was frustrating, particularly so for a man of his station – until finally, finally something caught his eye. There it was, as though the Gods themselves had placed it there just for him to find.
“… What do you think of this?” Like something precious he plucked it from its resting place, a long hair stick dressed in dazzling silver. Along the body was a simple, spiraling motif, but at the end was the figure of a phoenix, accented by brilliant rubies. It screamed ‘Israfel’ to him, but… was it too much? With a deep breath and features taut, Ulric exhaled, trying his best to expel the doubts which plagued him. He shouldn’t be nervous over something so simple as this. “… I think I’ll get it for her. You, ah… You put it in hair, right?” He asked with a quick glance toward Eulalie, just to be on the safe side.
In time, the purchase was made and the merchant’s night was surely made afterward. Ulric tucked the pin safely away as though it were something precious, and in a way, it was. Turning his head to regard Eulalie, the roan bumped gently against his fellow soldier’s side in a friendly manner. “Thank you for your help, Eulalie. I don’t think I would’ve gotten anything at all had you not stumbled across my plight.” He chuckled softly, but the statement was no less true. Then, he gestured around them, a soft smile playing across his lips. “I’m sure you’d like to get back to that troublemaker and your son now, though. Would you like an escort along the way?”
@Eulalie <33
HE WHO DRINKS FROM THE DEEP WATER
MAY HE KNOW THE DEPTHS OF THE WELL
image by ray-gunz
HISTORY HAS ITS EYES ON YOU ➳ allcontact is permitted and encouraged
Eulalie stood patiently there at Ulric's side as he perused the goods resting on the table before them. The sparkling gems reminded her of the one resting against her chest, bright and aquamarine, paired with the three golden rings. She wasn't much for finery, not after being forced to don it in Solterra to appease her master.
But these necklaces, well, they were the first thing she'd ever gotten for herself after arriving in Delumine. Their significance was worth more than any perversion her past might have had on jewels and other splendor for her. They were a sign of her freedom. And so, the meaning given to whatever Ulric chose to give the girl who had caught his eye would be more than the object itself.
She watched him as he seemed to grow more and more lost, and just when Eulalie was debating stepping in and suggesting a few things she saw the change in his expression. Ulric plucked the piece from the table and her warm brown eyes explored it. Bright silver designs with a swooping phoenix at the end, embedded with fiery rubies. She smiled.
"I think it's wonderful, and a phoenix seems to suit her quite well from the way you've described her," she said in encouragement. The hair pin was beautiful but understated, not as vocal as a necklace or bracelet or tiara, or anything so easily seen. When he asked after its purpose she couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips, light and jesting.
"Yes, as a decorative piece in buns and braids and the like," she said with a smile. And then with his purchase made, the pair turned away from the table and back toward the crowd. "I'm always happy to lend a hand for whatever you need, Ulric. But," she paused, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes when she looked at him, "You're going to tell me who she is, one of these days."
"That sounds about right," Eulalie laughed again at Ulric's words, picturing exactly what sort of trouble Somnus and Regis had found themselves while she'd left them alone. "I wouldn't mind your company on the way back." The ivory maiden led the way out of the markets and toward the rest of Denocte beyond, feeling rather satisfied with their little shopping trip.
