the ardent hearth midst life & death won't end my journey morrowless; (CLOSED)

[ex_cashcow493]

WHO; Arturia Pendragon, Arthur Pendragon, Kyosuke Nanbu, & Taryn's party.
WHAT; Taryn calls out the leader of Britain to meet up with her.
WHEN; Late afternoon on February 17th. After this exchange.
WHERE; Britain's border.
WARNINGS; None yet.

Arturia Pendragon never ran late. It was something in which she could place pride within. Even when it came to battles that were to unfold, it was the King of Britain who stood valiantly to lead the charge and never was it a moment too late. Her blows were precise, perfectly timed, and every kill was efficient as a result. More importantly, her youthful appearance served as a reminder that time simply stood still before her.

So when she showed up late, there was disappointment in a heart too heavy for her to bear. Between the news she received from their third companion and the impending decisions to make with this meeting, she's conflicted with many emotions. As they ride, she keeps her eyes on the look out for any sort of trap, as well as any advantageous spots just in case combat should arise..

Comments

OOC;

[ex_cashcow493]

Posting order..? We should probably designate one!

OOC;

[get_off_my_lawn]

Claiming first to set the scene. The rest as you wish^^

OOC;

[ex_cashcow493]

It was suggested in Plurk:

Good posting order is probably Taryn's party, Arturia, Arthur and Kyosuke

So I guess we'll go with that if there's no objections.

[get_off_my_lawn]

The first thing the Britain party will note as they neared the meeting location was the quiet. If they'd been expecting a group to be waiting, either they were mistaken or they were extremely well at concealing their presence. The second thing they would note would be the scent of cooking meat delicious enough to make the road wary salivate in anticipation and the smoke indicating a campfire from the clearing the meeting was designated to be at.

In the clearing, they will find no horses, no beasts of burden or any means of transport. What they do find is a camp fire with a large shank of meat being cooked upon it by Taryn. Seven feet tall and grey furred, a large ancient-looking crystalline hammer rests across her back along with an equally large two-handed sword as she leans over the campfire with a knife in hand, checking how well the meat had been cooked. A pan of root vegetables was also on the fire, sizzling away, and several sturdy stumps were placed about the fire to serve as seating, one with a large container that looked like it would contain liquid of some sort and three hand-carved wooden cups were set next to it.

As for the source of the meat, a keen eye would spot the carcass of a large deer hanging properly from a tree far enough away from the campfire to be inconspicuous. Whereas Taryn feels no need to cater to royalty's 'delicate' senses, a field-dressed carcass has no place right at important talks with humans.

The wolf was aware that the meeting time had passed, but the Britain queen and her man was traveling by land and unexpected things happened. She would wait for them to either show or to receive a message on her destiny crystal if Arturia was going to be unable to make it.

And if not, there would be greater matters to attend to - either the insult given to her by Britain's ruler or a search to find who's blood to draw for interrupting such a meeting by assaulting the Pendragon's party.

Thankfully, the sound of horses were easily heard by her ears and she looked up in their direction. Her eyes took in what she saw, making metal notes, before her gaze focused on the queen.

...she looked very small to the werewolf's eyes.

[ex_cashcow493]

Even if the person before her was intimidating in appearance, Arturia shows no fear as she pulls a foot free from the stirrup, moving to dismount from her steed. Landing on the ground, even the horse seems to accentuate just how petite she is, leaving it a wonder as to how she carries the silver armor on her form.

"I must ask your forgiveness for our delay." In a calm tone, but soft enough to not be boastful of her usual pride. "We ran into another who must be present for these matters."

Lifting her head over her shoulder, her gaze may give away an inkling of affection as she stares towards him.

"Please introduce yourself."

[fater]

An errant life prepares one for many things, but a political meeting of sorts? Arhur's interest on such things doesn't go beyond the one time his guardian made a comment about the mental frailty of certain politicians, and that was when he was just a kid. So this whole meeting...he certainly feels like he is both interrupting and not meeting the expectatives. Nervousness is not something he has felt in a long time.

Arthur locks eyes with her twin as he cleanly dismounts, and his inner troubles settle down a notch. Even in this kind of setting he maintains a cool and serious exterior, so there is no external show that might betray him or Arturia's trust. Still, it's nice to know her sister is there for him. Standing next to her -but perhaps slightly behind; she's the Queen after all- he uses a whole second to remember the fact he now possesses a family name.

"I am Arthur Pendragon, a pleasure to meet you."

His eyes move past the werewolf, which he had had more than enough time to analyze as they became visible and stopped, realizing the sort of meeting Taryn was planning; it certainly makes him feel more at ease to know they would sooner or later sit around the fire, unless this was reserved for their interlocutor and whoever else might be hiding -not that he could tell, but Taryn didn't seem to be one to act carelessly-, in which case he should probably forget about his sense of smell for a while.

"It's an interesting story, but as it has little to do with the current meeting I suggest we leave the details for later." Hopefully he had done it right.

Sorry I'm late!

[kyosukenanbu]

Kyosuke dismounted along with Arturia, but he said nothing. His eyes were sharp as he took in the wolf's appearance and demeanor, while keeping close to his queen. He was tense and ready for action, if necessary.

[get_off_my_lawn]

"Delays are to be expected when one is traveling across land. Anyone who believes otherwise has never had to walk from one place to another, content in their city and not in the wilds about us. Forgiveness is unnecessary as you committed no offense," Taryn replied, setting the knife down before dipping her hands into a basin of water and then drying them. It was a somewhat odd mannerism for a 'beastman', but Taryn doubted any of the three here had any extensive knowledge of the culture enough to pick up how human she can sometimes act.

Any further thought regarding the Britains' late arrival were dismissed as the 'straggler' (as Arturia had referenced in their initial agreement over this meeting) spoke up.

Arthur Pendragon. Arturia Pendragon. Were they playing games with her? No, no... The resemblance between the queen and this man was uncanny. Same straw-colored hair, clear green eyes and general shape of the face. The werewolf's tail flicked once as she moved out from behind the fire.

"I'm Taryn Shadow-Walker, Rhya of Luna's Call. Of the beastmen and Lerrian. The pleasure is mine, Arthur." She had thought about referring to him as 'prince' as that's what male siblings to the crown would be called, but he didn't identify himself as such and didn't carry himself as royalty - not as Arturia did, in her own way.

Her eyes shifted to the queen after giving the third man in the group a nod of greeting. "I was unaware that you had a brother, but as he said, that's a story for later, yes? I do look forward to hearing of it. But we have more pressing matters to see to."

She gestured to the fire and the sitting logs. "Come. Sit at my fire and we will talk. I've prepared a small meal as I'm sure you're a bit weary from travel and such things are better discussed with food in the belly."

[ex_cashcow493]

Even though her words were kind, Arturia can't help but feel as though she did commit a criminal act. Tardiness was unfitting of her and even though there were interesting circumstances that kept her from arriving on time, it was still one she felt she could have prevented.

She'll pause to give her brother an awkward smile, the woman still not quite used to the idea of having a sibling around. There's comfort to be found with her general here, but family as well? It's a new feeling and one she intends to explore fully.

"Thank you for your hospitality." With a nod, she'll move towards one of the logs to seat herself.

[fater]

He was no prince? Yet? Or something. Arthur liked the greeting just the way it was anyway. And he had no idea of what carrying oneself with royalty meant, but at least he had a good stance, if he could say so himself.

Arthur had no idea of what it meant to have a sister, but he was also going to make sure to learn more about her. And probably do what brothers are supposed to do...whatever it was. Maybe he had to hug her? His common sense told him it was the worst time to try that though, so he returned the smile with the same awkwardness, although it was warm and reassuring.

Figuring there was little else for him to add, Arthur just followed her sister, taking sit next to her.

[kyosukenanbu]

Kyosuke seated himself near the royal siblings on the log as well, stiffly but not impolitely. His eyes still sharp, Taryn might notice a flicker of understanding as she washed her hands - very little escaped Kyosuke's notice although he said nothing.

[get_off_my_lawn]

Walking over to the stump with the jug on it, Taryn poured water into the three glasses, then fished a fourth one out of a pack hanging nearby. She'd only been expecting two, not three, but she had been prepared for additional guests.

"Water," she said as she poured the forth glass. "Help yourself as you like." This would leave whatever glass they wished for the wolf. She wasn't expecting there to be any of that silly suspicion many have of drinks or food being poisoned, but in case there was, that was the most she was going to accommodate the paranoia.

"Those of us from Luna's Call believe very much that the first share of the kill goes to the highest in station. It keeps the strong strong," she explained as she portioned the roasted root vegetables onto plates and then picked the knife up. The venison had rested long enough, so she looked it over and cut the choicest piece of it off and added it to one plate. "But it's more of a symbolic gesture than anything practiced any longer."

Then she took it over to Arturia. "Though we are on the border of our lands, and my predecessor would've argued it, you are still the highest in station at this fire. Take and eat."

[ex_cashcow493]

Yet. As soon as that thought clicks in her mind (a surprisingly quick one to realize) there's a sudden softness regarding the situation. She has a brother. It was one too good to be true, but there was no evidence denying him of it. So her rule, her leadership, her country.. all of it was his birthright. While she's certain Britain would not hand over her crown to a male heir that's been "disowned", he still deserved the right to rise to power should something happen to her.

In fact.. now she can be on the battlefield more. Without the guilt of her own life and leaving Britain behind without a successor, she could focus on what was important: defending the love she had grown to love.

Yes, this was all too good for someone like her.

Maybe her general knew that as well. Britain was at an advantage now - a ruler that can do battle and a heir to the throne that was raised as a commoner. Both were beneficial to the kingdom. While her mind is on the future of Britain, she can't neglect the current situation.

Reaching out to take a glass, Arturia loses herself in her thoughts as she sips at the water. There was too much at stake these days and with her latest bout of illness, she hasn't been quite on top. So much that she's taken by surprise when she's offered the first serving.

"Thank you." The Luna's Call. She'll absorb as much information regarding them as she can, taking the plate with her now empty hands. While she would prefer to wait for the others, she feels it might be taken as an insult, so she takes a bite. Because it would be blatantly OOC for Arturia to ignore food before her.

[fater]

To think their first heated discussion was already brewing before Arthur had even played with the idea of being given more power than he already had. It would surely take his sister little to no time to realize he was as unfit to deal with the political side of the country as her anybody untrained for it, but even worse; to actually let her go and risk her life when he obviously could do it for her? Unthinkable. He was the one not with the crown, after all; he was the one that could risk himself if anything happened.

But those would be words to be exchanged much, much later.

For now, he's going to accept the drink and food and try not to be much of an obstacle to whatever they have to discuss. It was his intention to wait for everyone to be ready to eat, but seeing his sister eat with such content prompts him to do so as well. You can really tell how related two people are by looking at them tear through their food.