Like a Rose in the Rain [Lucrezia]

[Nymphetamine]

Nymphetamine

She was quiet at first, observant, a listener. She sat back and took in his words, all the while holding a polite smile on her delicately featured face. His years discussing intricate treaties and terms of alliances had made him rather well versed in the meaning behind body language. Her Smile was welcoming, but she had no real joy in his company. Why would she, they were strangers, polite was expected, acceptable, appropriate. She was intent and he appreciated her giving him due consideration. As far as first meetings go, this one was off to a good start. But then the blood bay mentioned Chamber and her face fell, it was momentary, and she tried to hold her face in such a way, but the forced nature was obvious to him.

Her mouth seemed tight, and her eyes were not welcoming, or at least that was how it was perceived by his eye. While he was right most of the time, he was far from perfect, but he swore she seemed just slightly tenser than a moment before. She mentioned not expecting to hear of Chamber again… and he wondered why that was so. The Reckoning wasn’t all that long ago. The history of the old lands wouldn’t just vanish. She continued after a pause, she was mulling something over in her mind and Nymph (ever the gentleman) gave her that moment. Though what she said next was shocking to him. She didn’t know the name Kildare, maybe he was biased as he knew Kildare well and the once king had been such a large part of his life. His features broke into a small smile, that built to a laugh, or more so a chuckle. How could someone who was leading a relatively new land not know it’s history? Not know Kildare and his part in Tephra (even if it was second hand through Malis). He choked back his chortle and cleared his throat. ”I’m sorry, I forget not everyone knew Kildare… Yes, Kildare took over Chamber after the great Chamber-Gates war. Straia handed him the throne when she was forced to step down as part of the peace treaty. Kildare worked to change the direction of Chamber, from a land focused on evil and power to on focused on loyalty, stability, and integrity. He altered the alliances, to that of the Valley and Tundra. That alliance was so strong it held after the Reckoning…. but you know that part already, I assume. Anyway, the Chamber that existed the night before the reckoning was not the same as the one Straia left behind. Kildare was a just king, up until the Reckoning stole his memories” He didn’t hide his dislike of the Chamber under the vision of Straia. But he held the utmost respect for the Chamber he had worked to build, and for Kildare.

His history with Chamber was complicated and messy but it had all worked out for the best in the end, and he wouldn’t trade it now that he knows the turnout. Chamber had given him plenty friends, purpose, and the closest thing to love he’s ever known. He watched her process the information, checking for signs what was behind her calm eyes. She asked what he did as the head diplomat for Chamber, she had reverted back to the main reason they had gathered. He smiled and nodded, willing to keep on track, where she seemed more comfortable. ”I traveled to our allies and helped keep our ties strong. I passed along information as needed. Checked on those we were neutral with to see if anything had changed to cause them to sour on us, trained younger diplomats, Oh, and I did my share of spying on our enemies. I recruited for Chamber, aided in steals, and if called upon I fought in a number of battles under the Banner of Chamber or our allies. You know, normal leader duties.” He rolled his shoulders in a shrug of sorts, He didn’t feel like being a braggart, so he stated his tasks simply, but he was good at his job, he had been the only diplomat of chamber for a number of years, so he had been extremely busy, and still he performed his tasks to the highest of standards.

His mind worked around the pieces of information he had picked up from their short conversation. The way she cooled at the mention of chamber and knew nothing of its final history, the way that she had no knowledge of one of the more notable leaders from before the Reckoning… her coy curiosity about the status of chamber and his tasks while there. She had her own history with chamber in some way. He could call her out, but the risk outweighed the reward at this point. He wasn’t about to risk getting his foot in the door, for the missing piece he didn’t know. But he would press for how this unknown history would affect him from now. ”Is there a concern relating to my pre-reckoning roots? I would be surprised given Tephra’s origins.” Nymphetamine took careful attention to his tone, it was innocent and curious, he was sure to make sure it wouldn’t be taken as an accusation or an accost to her leadership or person. Lucrezia was his leader, and no matter what was in the past he wanted to see Tephra thrive, equally as much as she. The blood bay had extremely strong ties to this land. He had helped gather the pieced of those who were among the allianced, he had taken his loved ones here once they had gained this land from the mountain. He had discussed the best way to organize their new home… It was his home by design and by spirit. He would always want what was best for this place.

Like a thorn to the Holy Ones