Thread: Blood of the Fae (Alvis & Xana)

Etarlm nodded as she spoke, acknowledging what she was saying. it made sense in a way. The more mystique a Sidhe could maintain, the mroe a person might assume they might possess more strength or power than they truly did. Her mother had been a skilled player oof hte game in her time, but had made the mistake of reaching beyond her grasp. In Sidhe politics, timing mattered as much as intent, and her attempt to secure a larger power base had come right before the time of exile. Her fall had been inevitiable from there. He still maintained some fond memories of her though. Should you ever wish to know of her time within the courts, do let me know. She was not unknown to me during that time. He offered. It was a simple thing, but offering her knowledge was a useful option. It might weaken the Queen's position, and strength his own with no appreciable loss to him. And there were lessons in her mothers life that might prove useful. His mind turned to the words she offered about their impending marriage. He knew such a thing would have some level of change to him, or at least it would under normal circumstances. Oaths were a sacred and powerful thing to his people, something that wove itself into his very being, what mortals might call a soul, though he knew his kind possessed nothing of that ephermal stuff. But he was bound, his being suppressed. Would such an oath still have effect on him? He was curious now. At the thought of knowing her...he noted her gaze, the implications in such a thing. He let his gaze linger on his own hand a moment. Herclosed his fingers slowly, one at a time, his hand to a fist, though neever moving his thumb. He opened it in the same speed and order, there being something unnatrual about the way he moved, the motions too smooth, too measured, a degree of inhumanity to it all. His head moved to meet her gaze after a moment, at first holding her eyes with a casual, almost laze expression to his gaze. He let the silence stretch a moment before he had another thought enter his mind. His gaze shifted, his posture, everythign about him moved from lazy, indulgent, affable to something altogether more aggressive. The feline split of his pupils shifted from something wide enough to almost look like a human with dilated pupils to something narrow, neatly slicing hte golden iris' in two. It was a measuring, almost predatory gaze, something that was hunting, seeking. He was about to answer when there was the apearance of servants, bearing trays of food, one for each person. They were served quickly, and departed without a word, much to Etarlm's delight. Fewer mortals was an advantage to him these days. The pheasant looked reasonably fresh, his statement had likely takent he planned meal from some other noble withint he castle, and that though made him smile a little. His gaze hadn't left Moira's, but he shifted back to a more relaxed stance, lifting a fork, and plying off a sliver of meat from the bird. Letting out his breath, he pushed all of the power that he could muster into himself, adn took the bite. The food itself was without consequence. What he sought was the sum of experience from hte bird. Pheasant was important. It was intelligent enough to undestand simple things. Like fear. The breadth of feelings washed over him, the peace adn contentment of it's life, finding food, nesting, living, the terror that came from onrushing hounds, flushing it from cover, flapping frantically, the terror of seeing large creatures nearby, Etarlm recognizing hte hunters from the feeling, the lance of burning pain as a bolt from a crossbow bolt, blunt tipped, but it crushed the ribs of hte bird. Death came next, ending hte sensations. Etarlm opened his eyes, unaware that he had closed them. He smiled at Moira. I would know more of the mind of my...bride to be. He allowed, picking his words carefully. The mind is a curious thing to me. Much of you I can tell by sight, but your intentions, what advantages you might seek...this is more curious. You carry a weight on your mind, such is shown in your posture, a weight more than my presence, or what we are to become. I can only infer that such has to do with your kingdom. And should you wish my involvement in affairs to be less than direct, so be it, I am certain I can find ways to while away time. His smile broadened. But you should know that I am not adverse to lending some aid. I did not become COnsort to the Queen of Air and Darkenss by simple chance. I spent more than a thousand years maneuvering myself into such a role, and such was not my first venture. My experience could be a...resource to you. So then tell me, betrothed, what advantage will you seek in this union? He asked her, leaning forward slightly as he spoke, cocking his head in curiosity. He drew in hiw power again, adn focused it into his hearing, enhancing it all he could. He could faintly hear the sound of her heartbeat. He woudl miss no nuance of her voice.