{ORP} The Embers of Aurelius Manor

This is where the Kingdom of Fenia's main Inn is.

Moderator: Community Team

User avatar
Arilynn
Posts: 22
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2018 11:53 pm
Location: Aurelius Manor outside of Imperius, Fenia

{ORP} The Embers of Aurelius Manor

Post by Arilynn »

Image



ocated deep within the heart of sprawling forests sat a castle. A home of stone and steep roofs, the estate was surrounded by big hills, small mountains, sharp incline of trees. The castle, known as Aurelius Manor or Aurelius Castle, was positioned on the boarder of the Duchies of Northfenshire and Imperius, within the Barony of Southfield. It was a strip of land forgotten, once given as a gift of nobility to the Aurelius House by a monarch of no name.

Years and years ago, the castle held much life. The Aurelius family were skilled warriors, serving the Crown and Fenia as knights and guards. As the family dwindled through early deaths and bad luck, the prominent family fell quiet. Life by way of sword proved to be detrimental to their survival. The final nail in the coffin would be the exile of Lucy Aurelius, the ultimately death of her brother, and no successors to take up the mantle of family head. Darkness settled over the castle and the family scattered to the wind. It would be a stroke of irony that the one to bring the family back to life would be the very daughter Lucy Aurelius was exiled for.

Vacant for a few years, the castle crumbled. Cobwebs and dust covered the golden lion sigil. Rain poured through the roof, holes withered the floorboards. The wildlife explored the empty halls and rooms, making the place their home in lieu of the homeowners' deaths. Furniture, books, curtains, even clothes - they all remained as if the nobles had simply gone on a trip and planned to return. The illness had been swift to kill Darina and Edmund and with both their sons out of touch, there were little arrangements to be made.

It was this dreary scene that the next generation was handed. Fate would bring cousins together. The sons of Darina and Edmund, named Lucius and Marcus, had come home from war afar. The daughter and son of Lucy, named Arilynn-Eireann and Peter, were reaching adulthood and dared to investigate the family that had forsaken their mother. In time, Edmund and Lucy's brother returned, Maki Aurelius. The twins, Ehlana and Finwe, caught wind of the events and made their way to the gathering family in the heart of Fenia. For a while, times were good.

But then, one by one, the bad luck plagued the returned. Peter was murdered, dying in his sister’s arms. Maki remembered why he had left before and fled from his past once again. Finwe died in mysterious circumstances, likely related to his political career. Ehlana returned to her parents after her twin brother died. Auron perished at sea, body never recovered. Mae, who had married Marcus, fell ill and met the same fate as his parents. Lucius left to wander, feeling aimless and empty. Marcus was with him for a while, but after a few years, he returned. He was unhinged, flirting with insanity, before he vanished after the chaos he created.

Eleven years later and only one Aurelius remained at Aurelius Manor. Or rather, one branch of the family tree. It was Arilynn who worked hard to repair the castle. In time, the holes up and down were fixed. The spiders were chastised. The wildlife went home. The castle had smoke coming from its chimneys and laughter in its halls. There was no "handed down" shiny title. It took much work to restore the Aurelius name and its home.

Arilynn spent much time advising King Project LVI, served as mayor and mentor, and was an eager participant in society. It was not until the family really dwindled that she found herself spending less time in public. There were, of course, other factors into her withdrawal. Chaotic bandits, a psycho warlock, and five babies were enough to keep her indoors. She had company though.

Once again, Lucy Isabel Aurelius lived under the roof she grew up. While Marcus was gone, his illegitimate daughter, Aurora Lee Taylor, remained as Arilynn's ward. There was Arilynn's husband, William Braeden, who was the best partner she could have hoped for. Through the thick and thin, blood and smiles, he never wavered. And then, of course, were their children: Máire, Farryn, Áedèn, Suri Mae, and Kalei. Even in the ground beyond the courtyard were buried their lost children, Hana-Rose and Poppy, marked with rose bushes and poppy flowers that bloomed ever summer.

Despite the recluse position of Aurelius Manor, it still held life. Embers laid there, just waiting to be prodded to bring the fire back to life.
Last edited by Arilynn on Wed Jul 06, 2022 10:41 am, edited 1 time in total.
Arilynn-Eireann Caitriona Lucia Aurelius-Braeden
Also known as Seasnán, back with six tails
Image
Wife to William Braeden | Aurelius Matriarch | Profile | Shape-Shifter Extraordinaire
Baroness of Southfield
Foxeon
Posts: 61
Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2021 6:29 am

Re: {ORP} The Embers of Aurelius Manor

Post by Foxeon »

Having an opposing affinity to water, a spark to kindle the embers didn't reside within Foxeon. Despite this, he was deep in the woods in northern Imperius and, not being acquainted with the map, it could be that he crossed the border between duchies and was ignorant thereof. His course was meandering, following the seams of the land rather than climbing over the folds. Those places through which water ran or had run were his road and guide. If he took hours unto a day to go a single mile he did not show concern.

Had he carried an axe he could have been thought to be a wayward lumberjack, but he lacked any apparent weapon. Had he fellows he might have been considered a bandit, but he had no visible companions. Except for his deliberate choice of terrain he might have been mistaken as a lost traveler.

Near dusk he halted, lifting his head from introspection to stare at that which didn't belong in the forest. The spires of a castle roof cut different shapes from the sunset colors of the sky than did even the tallest trees in the forest. Whether he slept on the land belonging to that castle or not, he slept at the foot of a nearby tree.

Come morning he resumed his course after breaking his fast. With the cover of the trees he couldn't discern if the castle was closer or further, but there was a note of wariness in his stride which had not been there yesterday.
Seeker of things... including cheesecakes?
User avatar
Arilynn
Posts: 22
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2018 11:53 pm
Location: Aurelius Manor outside of Imperius, Fenia

Re: {ORP} The Embers of Aurelius Manor

Post by Arilynn »

The sun rose over the forest like it did every morning. Fog clung to the landscape, clouds sunken from their heavenly home to hinder sight from the occupants below. The sun’s rays created a haze and the serene birdsong bounced eerily off the cliff-faces. On mornings such as this, the isolation of the castle was nothing short of a children’s tale.

The birdsong was the first noise to penetrate the stone walls, but it was not until the sound of children did Arilynn finally stir. She mumbled incoherently into the pillow, which got an equally incoherent response from William. The conversation of grumbles and inaudible words was clear to the two of them: who was going to get up first to make breakfast. They went back and forth into actual words came to be, where Will conceded and Arilynn pulled the quilt closer.

As her husband crawled out of bed, a shiver ran down her spine. It was not a shiver from the cold autumn air slipping past the defense of blankets. It was a shiver that originated beneath the skin of her human form, from sources way beyond the bedroom walls.

Now, she was awake and instantly alert. She sat up, hearing the bedroom door close, but paying no heed. It was like an itch, one in that awkward space on the back that you just couldn’t scratch. Her nose twitched. Someone was near their home.

The Kitsune slipped out of the bed and got dressed. She was not in a rush, but equally she was efficient. It did not take her long to pull on a heavy green dress, with a woven leather belt around her waist. She put on stockings and leather boots that were worn from the steep terrain around the manor. Her wavy locks were brushed, but hung free because she enjoyed the feel of wind in her hair. Her only jewelry was her wedding band and the Aurelius crest that hung from her neck. The golden lion symbolized much to her and as matriarch, it was rare she was without it.

She left the bedroom and made her way down the hall. She was halfway down the stairs when a flurry of hair and laughter darted past her. As wild as she was, her children proved to be even wilder. She theorized it was the Kitsune in them mingling with their father’s nature of being a warlock. Either way, with four at thirteen years old and their baby at twelve, they were tormentors in the morning hours. The only one missing was their ward, but Aurora slept in. She was fifteen now, growing into a lovely young woman. It was a wonder she was Marcus’s daughter.

When Ari reached the kitchen, she was nearly hit once again, but this time by a stray pancake. As it hit the wall beside the archway, her eyes met her husband’s. He sheepishly went about pouring more batter into the skillet, from which she knew he had made an attempted flip moments before. Some things never changed. He loved to entertain and their children loved watching his clumsiness.

She went around to plant a kiss upon each head, saving William for last to give him a more proper kiss. “I am going to patrol the grounds a bit, then I’ll come eat.”

There was a gleam in her emerald eyes that he recognized. Eleven years of marriage meant many silent conversations. The words were not amiss to the children though. They all immediately clamored to join as well, to which she shook her head sternly. “Nope, you five are staying here. We can go on a walk later, but breakfast first.”

She gave Will another kiss before leaving the kitchen. As the noise of breakfast ongoings faded into the background, she found herself outside soon after. She embraced the fresh, crisp air and inhaled slowly. Autumn made her feel alive.

Ari began walking, letting the tingles guide her way. Kitsune were known to be guardians and were very protective over what was theirs. Her protective nature was tenfold when it came to her family, forged through hardships and pain. The territory of the Aurelius Manor was hers and she was in tune with the surrounding life and energy. She had spent countless years in and out of the spiritual realm of her father. Aki may be (presumably) dead, but after lots of hard work, she found a place amongst her father’s kin and people. They trained her, took her in when he had abandoned her, and she grew. She went from a forsaken halfling to a threatening power of six tails. All of it driven by the one simple thing: protecting her family.

Feeling close to a foreign energy, her skin rippled. In just a single stride, she went from woman to fox. Covered in red and white fur, she hopped over a fallen log and trotted closer to the rustling she heard. Her intent was to follow the stranger; observe who it was, what they were doing, and evaluate for potential threats. Cautious and curious, she peered through the brush to find a man and his horse. He looked human, but he smelled off. She decided to keep a distance, moving as quietly as her little paws would allow, through the terrain she was familiar with.
Arilynn-Eireann Caitriona Lucia Aurelius-Braeden
Also known as Seasnán, back with six tails
Image
Wife to William Braeden | Aurelius Matriarch | Profile | Shape-Shifter Extraordinaire
Baroness of Southfield
Foxeon
Posts: 61
Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2021 6:29 am

Re: {ORP} The Embers of Aurelius Manor

Post by Foxeon »

Foxeon's activity appeared innocent except for the fact that his path traced a route largely unseen from the castle such as that as an invading force would take in order to obtain the advantage of surprise. That and his path wound in slow increments downward, following the land's natural watershed. Time and again he paused to turn in place as he looked about himself. The last time he did it, he shrugged to himself and proceeded with less wariness. For about an hour he continued on his way until he came upon a natural spring seeping from some rocks. He sat at the edge of the shallow pool it had created and bent forward. Though it was not hot, he splashed his face several times with the water until it dripped down onto his shirt and left the edges of his hair wet.

"No. I haven't found it yet." While he seemed to be speaking to himself, he canted his head to look into the pool.

Tilting his head back, he looked at the sky through the ever-shifting canopy overhead. His mousy blond hair, a chaotic tumble from days of sleeping in the wild, brushed against his nape. "It would help if it rained, but it's not looking as if the sky will cooperate." Dispassionate, he lowered his gaze back to the pool though the kelpie did not show itself. "We will find it first."

He whispered, "I must."

A question promoted him to look in the vague direction of the castle he had seen yesterday. "If it's there? I'll figure out a way to charm my way in."
Seeker of things... including cheesecakes?
User avatar
Arilynn
Posts: 22
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2018 11:53 pm
Location: Aurelius Manor outside of Imperius, Fenia

Re: {ORP} The Embers of Aurelius Manor

Post by Arilynn »

For a while, it was uninteresting. If it weren’t for the fact they were slowly making their way in the general direction to her home, she may have stopped following. He could still prove to just be a lost wanderer, who fell off the beaten path. Or he could be a threat, who had yet to initiate a plan of attack. It was rare for this nook of land to attract travelers. They were far from the roads that passed through, yet he seemed to be following a path all on his own. His occasional pause stilled her feet, whiskers twitching as she silently observed.

He seemed to be by himself, which meant one of a few things: 1) he was not here with the intent to harm, 2) he did not know what could be in store should be try to rob or attack the castle, 3) he was much more powerful than he seemed. Perhaps it was all three.

As they came upon the bubbling spring, he stopped like the local wildlife often did. When he perched himself at the edge, she slid beneath the low hanging branches of a nearby bush. She lowered herself onto the ground, resting atop the dry leaves on her belly, but with her legs position in such a way that she could sprung forward. Suppressing a yawn, she placed her head on her white paws. Eyes, still emerald, flicked over his features while he freshened up.

The moment was now dull. Her wild spirit had only grown wilder in age, as she grew into her Kitsune genes. She was less a prankster than others she knew, but she was mischievous when she was bored. She was growing bored. The tip of her tail shook, quivering in response to the ideas fleeting across her mind. An unsuspecting victim could always be entertaining to play with.

Her silent musing was interrupted by a voice. His voice. Head cocked, she listened to what sounded like a one-sided conversation. Had he gone mad and was talking to his only companion, a horse? Was the horse magical? She sniffed the air, but decided that didn’t seem right. Besides, he was not looking at the horse… He was staring at the water.

She knew for a fact that as of a few days ago, no magical beings resided in the little pond. It was visited by many, average and special, but nothing but a few tadpoles and a handful of fish resided beneath its surface. Surely, neither of those creatures would be having a seemingly intelligent conversation.

Maybe he was crazy.

Or maybe, as he dared to glance off in the direction of her home, she had threat on her hands.

The forest around them rustled with a breeze, treetops swaying high above. She came up with an interesting approach and as the forest stilled once more, she emerged from the bush. At a glance, she did appear as an ordinary fox. The giveaway to something lurking beneath the fur were her bright green eyes. She could change them, but she rarely did. It required more effort than she cared to give, especially since she enjoyed the vibrancy of her eyes. She sat down, tail wrapping around her and draping over her front paws.

“You won’t be able to get into the castle.” She offered, speaking in common tongue in her “normal” voice. She used an otherworldly trill on the syllables, creating a slight echo as if she was not entirely present. Her head tilted, whisker twitching. “It’s guarded by a crazy warlock. And a troll on Sundays, but it’s not Sunday.”

She paused, taking a leisurely step forward to stretch. Again, she yawned and dug her claws into the dirt, before returning to the sitting position.

“The warlock invites him over for tea and biscuits.”
Arilynn-Eireann Caitriona Lucia Aurelius-Braeden
Also known as Seasnán, back with six tails
Image
Wife to William Braeden | Aurelius Matriarch | Profile | Shape-Shifter Extraordinaire
Baroness of Southfield
Foxeon
Posts: 61
Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2021 6:29 am

Re: {ORP} The Embers of Aurelius Manor

Post by Foxeon »

When the unnatural breeze stirred, a ripple formed in the pool, but it moved at odds to the wind. For the barest moment a silky curve of a black muzzle emerged from the water, but Foxeon shifted his head to the side, half negation, and it sank back into the water. The pool became under the command of the wind once more.

Seated, he didn't rise as the voice addressed him, but he did turn his head to watch the unusual fox. The only hint of his alarm came from the way the water moved on his face. Visible runnels flowed upwards to gather at the outer corner of his eyes as if he were about to cry. Either a trick of the light at that particular moment or something else his eyes changed to a brighter hue of blue, landing upon the color of a sky overcast by the thinnest of clouds.

Hearing that the castle was guarded by a warlock seemed not to perturb him, but for the odd activity of the water on his face, his expression remained dim, neither threatened nor threatening. With slow blinking he stared at the fox for several moments, before he said, "Are you the guardian spirit of this land?" The deliberate cadence in his voice marked him as a foreigner, not that he had difficulty speaking common, rather that he was too formal to be a local.

Impassive except for blinking, he watched as the fox crept towards him while addressing him, blatant in her displays of boredom. As she approached his faux-tears quavered, but did not fall. His hair and shirt were no longer dampened by the water with which he'd splashed himself. "Invitations are not extended to humans?" Calm yet taunt as a lake in the moment before a storm wind strikes it, Foxeon met the fox's eyes. "I desire no conflict with you or your master. I seek only something necessary to me and will leave your territory once I've found it."
Seeker of things... including cheesecakes?
User avatar
Arilynn
Posts: 22
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2018 11:53 pm
Location: Aurelius Manor outside of Imperius, Fenia

Re: {ORP} The Embers of Aurelius Manor

Post by Arilynn »

The creature before her was intriguing. Now closer than she had yet to be, she disliked the damp smell coming from him. The fires within her wished to liven things up as his very scent stirred up something she was unfamiliar with. Yet, she smothered the urge out. It felt clear enough that they were opposites in a world of elements. If it were not for her wariness, she would have left him to his own devices.

Her eyes brightened as he regarded her, asking if she were the guardian of the land. She fancied herself as that, but the question stoked her ego. It was that same ego that disliked the following statement regarding a master. If she were in her human form, her smile would have faltered and been replaced with a scowl. Instead, the tip of her tail twitched.

“I am the guardian of this forest. I make sure travelers stay on the road and haven’t come to wreak havoc. I have no master but myself. I simply ensure the warlock does not set fire to the land with his wild experiments.”

Arilynn paused, cocking her head.

“He does not welcome anyone into his home, but perhaps what you are searching for is not in the castle.

The terrain is sharp and trees are thick - plenty of places for something to be hidden out here in the open. What are you looking for? Maybe I’ve seen it.

Would it fit under a rock? There are some good rocks to hide things beneath. Or if it’s bigger, there is that troll cave. I could sneak us in there.”


The offer at the end brought a mischievous gleam to her eyes. A troll cave - that would be interesting! She was not sure what the man was looking for or if it would be around. If it were something that could be potentially within her possession at the castle, that was one thing. If it was not though, maybe she would have an interesting day.
Arilynn-Eireann Caitriona Lucia Aurelius-Braeden
Also known as Seasnán, back with six tails
Image
Wife to William Braeden | Aurelius Matriarch | Profile | Shape-Shifter Extraordinaire
Baroness of Southfield
Foxeon
Posts: 61
Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2021 6:29 am

Re: {ORP} The Embers of Aurelius Manor

Post by Foxeon »

Goodness, displeasing a guardian spirit of the land he was searching, what rotten luck. More than that, he'd wandered into the territory of a fire warlock. The lake calm in him went from before storm to frozen, tense and prepared. Still, his faux-tears remained quivering. Even those stilled, however, when she asked for what he searched.

He could or would not answer for instead he replied, "It isn't just laying about for anyone to snatch, therefore I doubt you've seen it." With distrust as platitable as frost, he glanced sideways to the pool of water with which he'd been communing before looking at the fox again. "This cave troll. Is it in the habit of collecting that which doesn't belong to it? Stealing them? I would have a look, if so."
Seeker of things... including cheesecakes?
User avatar
Arilynn
Posts: 22
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2018 11:53 pm
Location: Aurelius Manor outside of Imperius, Fenia

Re: {ORP} The Embers of Aurelius Manor

Post by Arilynn »

"You could be surprised by the things I've seen."

Or collected. There was an appeal to some shiny things that she could not resist but take into her possession. If his mysterious item was intriguing enough, perhaps it had ended up in her attic. Until she knew for sure, it appeared they had a cave troll to visit.

"The cave troll collects all matter of oddities. Sometimes, I sneak in and rummage through his collection to, uh, verify he didn't take anything of mine." Her Kitsune spirit rose through her words before she could squash them. She pushed past the admission by standing up, single tail slowly waving to and fro. "We are actually not terribly far from the cave. Given the time, he may be napping, soooo follow me!"

Her chirped words were excited. Remaining in the fox form, Arilynn eagerly spurred forward. She moved in a trot that would be easy to keep up with in a quick pace. Her chatter was left behind at the pool, focusing on the noises of the forest. There was, in fact, a cave troll who lived on the outskirts of her territory. It was false that William, the "crazy warlock", had him over on Sundays. Generally, the troll kept away from them after a bad skirmish between the beast and herself. She made it clear he was not welcomed near her home, while she respectfully stayed away from his. Most of the time, at least.

The trees above became incredibly thick, blocking out the sun. It was only when she could hear the trickle of a small waterfall that she slowed to a stop. She sat down, cocking her head up at him. "His name is Steve. You should know that in case we wake him up.

Now! Follow me. I hope you don't mind getting wet."
It was a rhetorical comment. The water that had clung to his face, the damp scent - she imagined the water was already beckoning. She stood back up when he was ready and lured led him out of the dense trees. They approached the small river wide stream and walked along the side up to the rocks. Water spilled down from above, creating a curtain to hide a small entry point hidden amongst the rock. She was petite and small in her human form and could easily slip through without shapeshifting. Arilynn glanced up at him. He should fit, she figured, if he went sideways... Maybe crouched a little. She decided to go first, springing behind the waterfall and into the stony entrance. Beads of water collected upon her fur, but once she was on the other side, they began to sizzle away. Engulfed in darkness, the Kitsune spun around to make sure he could fit.
Arilynn-Eireann Caitriona Lucia Aurelius-Braeden
Also known as Seasnán, back with six tails
Image
Wife to William Braeden | Aurelius Matriarch | Profile | Shape-Shifter Extraordinaire
Baroness of Southfield
Foxeon
Posts: 61
Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2021 6:29 am

Re: {ORP} The Embers of Aurelius Manor

Post by Foxeon »

With a frown as deep and heavy as drawing water from a well Foxeon said, "If you saw it and took possession of it we would become enemies, so I hope that if it was taken the troll did it." That said, he nodded and set to follow her. Between one blink and the next the faux tears beside his eyes puffed away into steam which was caught by the breeze and dissipated.

He lengthened his stride, departing from his leisurely, wandering pace of before in order to keep up with her. "Steve?" He asked of the trolls name, no doubt wondering what self-respecting troll took up such an innocuous name. "Why does it matter for niceties at that point?"

Did he mind getting wet? He didn't answer other than a look as flat as a puddle. "Seems that you'd be the one to mind it." He followed along the stream and watched her head towards the waterfall. He stepped into the waterfall after her and it parted for him like a curtain, only letting him where it splashed from landing around. Studying the opening he asked, "This troll. Is it a midget?" Though not overly large for a human male, he wasn't small either. The opening proved a bit of a slow time for him to get through, but with care he got by without too many scraps and without getting stuck.
Seeker of things... including cheesecakes?
Post Reply