[tea in the gardens] (ayra join in)

[Cadenza]

Thayet slid through a wooden door, slightly hidden with thick vines blooming in pinks and reds. Clad in a soft blue dress, the young woman moved easily through the stone paths in the gardens toward the center. Her dark hair was swept up on top of her head, blue-green eyes twinkling in a rosy-cheeked face.

Hidden within a thick spread over of flowers and plants, the center of the garden was a beautiful spot, the scents of the spring blooms wafting through the air. There was a table, with chairs surrounding it, and tall trees over head, casting shadows over the white painted metal. Tea had been layed out, and already Sirus sat on one of the chairs, looking tired, but just as emotionless as ever. He was wearing a clean white shirt and clean brown britches, with his brown cloak - freshly washed, around his shoulders. He wore the hood down, hanging on his back, so that his head was visible. He wore long dark hair - streaked with a couple thin lines of silver, pulled back and held with a leather strip, and his dark eyes were surrounded by hollow cheek bones. His skin was slightly more pale than normal, but otherwise, he was in perfect health. His leg still wore the bandage, though there was only a tiny stripe of crimson on the pure white cloth.

Thayet smiled kindly at Sirus, who was sorely shocked that the queen treated him with such dignity - despite his embarrassing past. She sat down across from Sirus, simple blue gown elegantly fanning out around her legs as she did so. She felt contentment spread through every part of her body as she sat in the middle of the gardens - and felt very glad to have Sirus and David together in her Queen dome. As her thoughts drifted to David, she was reminded of how he had always served for her and her people. He had always been loyal.

Almost as if conjured by her thoughts, David peeked out from behind a tall cherry tree - in full blossom, and then strode purposefully toward the table. He rubbed his slightly red nose uncomfortably, and sneezed once before sitting.
"damn allergies" he murmured, and the other two of the party nodded understandably.

David was dressed very similarly to his brother, though his clothing was a darker shade of brown, nearing closer to black. He looked much like sirus - though his features were softened a bit, and his overall appearance slightly more open - not at all closed like his brother Sirus. When David looked over at his elder brother, he felt only affection for him. He thought nothing of his brothers past - only that his brother was here now, and not on the side of the darkness.

The three sat wordlessly, waiting for the fourth of the guests to arrive - Ayra. Sirus knew her from travel - and was pleased that she would be joining them for tea, even if he wouldn't admit it to anyone. Thayet had just met the girl, but had immediately liked her, and had been the one to invite her to the tea that evening. David had not but seen the girl, and so thought little of her, but was kind, and very willing to meet her.

[Sirona]

Ayra walked into the garden amazed by all the colours all seemed majestic. The green dress flowed around her ankels her hair neatly placed on the top of her head. She looked quite pretty though she never would admit it to any one. She found the spot where the others where waiting. The first she saw was Sirus, then she noticed the Queen then who she thought was Sirus's brother. She had only seen him breifly but not in a good state she was being dragged away. Her green eyes scanned over the surrounding. It seemed that she was the last to arrive. "Hello" she said briefly as she stepted out of the garden of leaves vines and flowers.

[Cadenza]

The Queen's smile broadened when the girl arrived - pleased even more to see that she had worn the gown the queen had given to her. She motioned to a the seat on the right, between her and Sirus - across from David.
"have a seat dear" she said, demure pleasant and cheerful, as it normally was.

After saying so, the Queen waited for Ayra to be sat (sorry if that was a bid of power-playing) and began to pour the tea. She hardly paid attention as the brown liquid flowed from the spout of the pale blue china tea-pot. The motion had become automatic over the years of drinking tea in the eveneings. She offered to everyone milk, sugar and cream, and motioned to the bisquits in the center of the table.

The sun was shining brightly, though their spot in the garden was not too hot - just a pleasant warm. The trea's broad branches hanging overhead caused speckles to cover the small patio, and spreading over the table and the beings sitting at it. The weather seemed to reflect the light, cheery mood of the day, being warm and bright. Thayet sighlently thanked the god of weather for granting them such a fine day.

[Sirona]

Ayra took the cup plain. She took a biscut from the center of the table and smiled at Sirus then David. "Thank you" Ayra said as she took a small sip from the cup. She attempted to keep a straight face but it was hard She had never had tea before and she wasn't expecting it to be that strong. She took a bite of her biscut quickly ridding herself from the taste. She smiled politely trying not to be rude.

[Cadenza]

All three of the other guests noticed Ayra's surprise when she took a sip of the tea - no doubt strong without any milk or sugar. Each, however, reacted differently. David politley said nothing and looked the other way, pretending to follow the movments of a small black starling as it flew from branch to branch above their heads. Sirus snorted, but then covered his laughter with a cough when he saw Thayet's cold gaze fixed on him.

Thayet herself quietly lifted the small pitcher of milk, and poured a dob into the dark brown liquid, causing it to become a lighter shade.
"I suggest you take milk and sugar with it dear. The taste is quite more managable then."
with that, she gave Sirus a smart kick in the shin from under the table, and turned to David, ignoring Sirus as he winced.
"David. I don't beleive you've properly met our guest Ayra."
As the Queen spoke, David looked over at the pretty young girl in the green dress and shook his head.
"no - when I saw her, she was being blamed for the burning of the villiage. I'm guessing, from the fact that she's having tea with us, that she is no longer found guilty of such a crime"
Thayet shook her head. "no. Ayra was telling the truth the whole while." Thayet smiled kindly over at the younger girl.
"tell me Ayra, where do you come from? you obviousley didn't originate from Kaytale background"
The Queen waited politley for an answer, not caring wether or not she aquired one. She was just looking for topics to strike up conversation.

[Sirona]

Ayra smiled kindly when the milk was put into her cup. She took another sip she liked it much better now. "I come from a forested village not far away from Kaytale but far enough for one not to know about it" Ayra said polietly. She was speaking the truth what once was her village only belonged to people that had started it including her great grandfather. Not many moved from there when they where still alive they all felt safe with the king. Who was the first to die. Ayra's thoughts stayed only on the village not about what happened to it. Then she rencountered the words that where said before. She only realised it now but her sister Raylin was alive. bitch Ayra thought to herself. Ayra's thought was true to all exctenet. AS her sister had said she was about to die and she was leaving her child in Ayra's care. She had been careing for her though it was hard work for Ayra as she was always gone traveling trying to suport a baby was hard work even when you could suport it. Ayra hated her sister now as she was very much alive alive enough to live and nearly burn down a city as prosperous as Kaytale. Wha a fol she will now become my enemy I will now search for her though I could never kill her I would bring her back and give her to the Queen Ayra thought. Similar thoughts coursed through the girls head. Some more violent then her normal thoughts. She couldn't belive that her sister had lied. Ayra knew she would have to go back and pick up her sisters child and place her in some ones care that she trusted. My bay the Queen of Kaytale may be some one else but she would have to, to keep the child alive. Ayra's thoughts then slowly drifted back to the three that where at the table infront of her.

[Cadenza]

The queen nodded, smiling, then took another sip of her tea. So, this Ayra was from the forests, no doubt a loyal elf than. This did not worry Thayet in the least, as Kaytale had always had a small alliance with the elves, and they had never quarreled.
She watched silently as the girls face changed breifly. She appeared to be deep in thought. The other three at the table were thinking thoughts along the same line, and each focussed on drinking their tea in silence.
"the weather has looked quite promising latley."
Thayet commented, striking up small talk. She wasn't one to remaine in uncomfortable silence for long, and all these people were her guests.
David nodded, and swallowed his mouthfull of hot tea before replying. He caught her drift - she didn't want the conversation to come to a dead stop.
"yes, very promosing for the farmers. They've got in a good crop this year."
As Thayet and David continued on about the farming side of Kaytale, Sirus watched with an amused expression, and leaned back in his chair. He didn't add anything to the conversation, and seemed contented to simply watch and wait. Wait for what? nothing really. Just wait. He was good at that.

[Sirona]

Ayra silently sipped her tea then heard Thayet talk then she heard David join in. She had nothing to add so she didn't say anything. SHe didn't know about the farming of Kaytale. So she listened quietly. She nodded at times but other then that she kept quite. She glanced over at Sirus momentarily. It was the first time she had seen him without his hood. She saw that where his eye was suposed to be wasn't there. Her face showed disgust and confusion. But it quickly changed back. She then concentrated on the conversation yet again.

[Cadenza]

Sirus could feel Ayra's acusing stare afix on his milky white eye. He flinched slightly, but his attention remained focussed on Thayet and David. He could remember, with hatred for the past, the fight between him at his brother. He could remember the claw plunging into his dark eye, and the hot blood pooring down his face. He remembered no pain. Perhaps there was pain that came later, but he had no rememborance of it.
Selfconciousley he reached up and touched his left eye breifly, then allowed his large hand to fall back down to rest on the white metal of the table. He could feel the heat absorbed through the dark brown fabric of his cloak, but took no notice. The discomfort of the heat hadn't dawned on him yet, and so he was contented.

It wasn't long before the tea was over, the cups drained, the biscuits becoming scarce on the platter where only a few lucky survivors remained. The tea was cleared by a cheerful looking maid, who whisked everything away towards the kitchen in a bat of an eye. Thayet rose, as did the other two men, who bowed their heads slightly before pushing in their chairs and stepping back. David was quick to leave, as he had buisness in the library to attend to. Sirus, still favouring his leg, was slightly slower to move off, deciding in his head wether to go back to his chambers, or not. The choice was made for him when the Queen asked if he and the girl - Ayra - if they wished to accompany her to the stables, as she wished to visit her mare. Sirus was fast to agree in his mind, though his body didn't move for a while, before giving a slight, slow nod. His face remained as unchanged as a block of stone, his ridgid body unmoving.

[Sirona]

Ayra looked up at the maid as she took the cups away. She then paid attention to the fleeing David. She went to stand up but fell quickly into her chair. She wasn't hurt just surprised. She once again got up then listened to the Queens words. "Yes I will come" Ayra said then she looked to sirus for his awnser. He nodded aswell.

[Cadenza]

clearly pleased, though not surprised, with the answers from her new found freinds, Thayet flashed a brilliant smile, then turned around and dissapeared into the gardens, swallowed up by a purfume of flowers.
Sirus, flashed Ayra an odd look, then he shrugged and swept away after the Queen of Kaytale. He felt odd in amungst all the flowers, and odd chasing after an excited Queen, followed by the girl who had stabbed him in the leg. At the mention of his leg, it seemed to begin throbbing again, and so cursing, Sirus clutched a large hand to the wound, and gritted his teeth before carrying onward.

Up ahead, not far enough to be completley hidden from veiw, Thayet made her way to the stables. She was feeling perfectly happy on this warm summer day. She felt that everything was perfect. the blue gown that clung to her slender form was beginning to itch slightly with the humidity of the day, and her hair was slightly frizzy. She shrugged, aired out her dress by pulling at it with her thumb and for finger, and then ran her hands over her black hair. Feeling better, she increased her fast clip to an even faster one, though never broke from walk to run.

Sirus managed to keep up, even with his bad leg, and did it without complaining. He was thinking, with amusement, about this whole situation. His mind still dweled on the bad leg, and the reason for it, but thoughts were edging closer to those of the Queen herself. She was an odd woman. pretty, young, and energetic. She definatly wasn't Sirus' type, however. they were completley opposite. like a kangaroo and a fish. Sirus thought, with amusment, that Thayet would be the kangaroo, joyfully leaping through life, and him, the fish. Silent, and brooding in his pond of water.

Thayet was - ecentric. a bit. but she was a fair ruler, and good at what she did. She was slightly mysteriouse, and had a loving sense of humour that no one could not adore. Her confidence was extreemly well developed, and the air of the ruler of a Queendom surrounded her like a glow that spread from within. Sirus decided that she was a good Queen for Kaytale. He ended the stream of thought there, and increased his speed as the Queen did, brow lowering slightly with the effort that walking required.

[Sirona]

Ayra followed quickly behind Sirus and the Queen. Ayra was quite surprised how her life was changing. It changed quickly from happy to mad then to confused, anger and yet again happiness. She was happy yet again as she was following the Queen and Sirus to see horses. She once loved the animals but then was baned from ridding them. As her father said it was animal cruelty. She sped up untill she was in stride with Sirus. "She seems excited" Ayra said quietly to Sirus.

[Cadenza]

ooc: I'm just gonna go post in the stables if thats okay. I've no more muse for this thread.