Good luck with school! And don't worry if it takes a while to write Elmira's POV :)

^Tarava^

"I don't think it will be that difficult in the end, but we'll have to be careful," Tarava said, nudging her chair a little closer to the fire. "What I'm thinking is basically: we go to the party in the Roses, normally, and wait for the party to start." She lowered her voice instinctively; like that, she was sure that no one could hear her, at least as sure as she ever was of anything. "Once it has, no one will notice if we go out to the gardens. Our friend from yesterday can be waiting outside the garden wall with her - other friends. I was remembering, and I'm sure there are some unguarded doors in the garden wall, since the lord trusts to the fact that they can only be opened from the inside. Really, he shows astonishing lack of foresight... There are only one or two, and they're at the very end of the gardens and not really noticeable, but I think we can find them and unlock them. Then our friends can enter the gardens, and we can rejoin the party before they attack."

She paused, glancing into the fire. She really was not sure if any of this would work, but these days, that was how her life was. When she'd joined the Resistance, she hadn't been sure if it had been the best course of action; now, she was never sure if she would or already had been discovered by Catastrophe, or if she could really keep up the fragile lie of supporting him, or how far she could trust most of the people around her. But sometimes you had to close your eyes and do your best and trust - especially trust yourself - and maybe it would come out all right.

"There's one other thing I haven't really worked out," she added. "What's our role in this whole thing? Do we just let our friends do everything, and stay with the other Nobyls? Or do we help them out in some way that doesn't betray us as members of the Resistance?"

Sorry again for the wait. Also, would it be okay if I have my new charrie Everline Sorrel (pro-Catastrophe) be part of the Catastrophe side? I understand if not.

~Kalisse~

"It's special," Rulkan said sincerely. "I'm not surprised they're famous." He paused, wondering if his next question might sound too personal. "Does their music remind you of anything? Or seem familiar?" 

Kalisse paused for a moment, before musing, "It does. It brings back some nostalgic memories. What about you?"

@ Moon Wolf: Everline Sorrel would be fine with me! (It's a nice name, by the way.)

---

//George Seoras//

George put up the "For Hire" sign with a few tacks, hammering it into wooden door, not caring if it left holes in the wood. For, it wouldn't be his problem.
He was planning to go away--and to do it with the two young Resistance ladies. He wanted to see if someone would be able to take over the cafe, both while he was gone, and once he returned, because he was planning on getting a proper job with the Resistance. If he couldn't find someone to take over, then, well...he shook his head. He wasn't going to dwell on that, because he would.
George served five patrons that morning, all people whom he thought worked on the street. He cleaned their dishes after they left and sat on his stool, wondering if someone would come in. At lunch, a gaggle of young people came in, all ordering food (croissants, hot buttered toast, cornmeal mush, baked beans) which left quite a bit of residue on plates. He was quite busy cleaning their plates, busy enough that he didn't notice that one of them stayed a bit longer, muttering "see you" to their friends. 
"Hello," said the person timidly, coming to the counter.
"Hi?" said George. "We don't have public restrooms. Sorry." 
"No, no, I'm wondering about the hiring notice?" the person asked George.
"Oh. Well, when would you be able to work?"
"In the afternoons. In the mornings I'm kept busy." 
"Excellent, then." At least the cafe would be taken care of in the afternoons--a shame, as most traffic was in the mornings, but better that than nothing. And another person might be attracted by the sign, too. "Can I see you at noon tomorrow for an interview and paperwork?"
"Absolutely." The person waved and headed out of the shop.
At least that was taken care of.

---------

{Elmira pur Nairen}

"Do we just let our friends do everything, and stay with the other
Nobyls? Or do we help them out in some way that doesn't betray us as
members of the Resistance?"
This was Tarava, asking a question which Elmira hadn't thought of before, but which she was immediately thankful that someone had. Elmira scooted her own chair a little closer to the fire as well, staring into the flames. 
"I..." Elmira didn't know what to say; she'd made one of her least favorite mistakes, which was opening her mouth before she'd thought of how she'd use it. "I mean..." Elmira pressed her lips together and looked again at the fire. It sparked a little as she did. 
"I think we should do as much as we can, without seeming suspicious," said Elmira. A thousand questions pulsed in her head: How much? What does suspicious look like? And how much can we really do at all? Is there any hope for this?
"I don't know how much that is," said Tarava.
Elmira startled.
"Did I just ask a bunch of questions?" she asked. She also hated to say things that she didn't mean to.
"No, relax," Tarava told her. "But I agree with that, I think we should just not do anything that we wouldn't expect to see. Unless we're sure we're not being watched." 
"I agree," said Elmira. She thought of something which she had once read, a long time ago: For better or worse, you really are never alone.

@Moon Wolf, it would be great if Everline could be with Catastrophe! Also, maybe we should be more or less wrapping up the conversation between Rulkan and Kalisse, so that they can be free for the party at Lord Helion's? It's been so much fun to RP their conversation, though :)

|Rulkan|

"It does," Kalisse said, apparently not at all affronted at the question. "It brings back some nostalgic memories. What about you?"

Rulkan smiled, looking out at the crowd of Nobyls and the talented, mystical Pipers among them. "Memories of the past, and maybe some memories of the present too," he said. "If that's possible. I think that's where their power must lie - in making us see the world in a new way, but in a way that we were capable of all along." He paused, looking back at her. "By the way, will you be at the party Lord Helion is hosting? I hear it's the event of the season."

^Tarava^

Elmira proposed keeping their part in the takeover secret at all costs, and Tarava agreed. But surely there was something they could do, something that no one would notice in the chaos, some way to help the attackers. "And after the attack?" she asked softly. "It's one thing to not destroy any chances we have of being seen as loyal to Catastrophe, but most of the Nobyls will either fight or - most probably, since it's a party and they won't be prepared - flee. As soon as the attack begins. So do we leave with them, which is what we'd be expected to do as defenseless, unprotected Nobyl girls? Our friends will surely be able to carry through with everything on their own, but I'd hate to not be there..." She was starting to scheme, her mind flashing through all the possibilities. "Perhaps we could say that we didn't see a friend among all the people leaving, and wanted to make sure she was all right, and so stayed behind for a little to look for her. Perhaps we could even say we were concerned about Lord Helion's wife, who's a rather close acquaintance of mine. There must be some way to do it." She leaned forward, willing the heat of the fire to conquer the chilliness of the snow outside, hoping that the flame of the Resistance could win this battle against Catastrophe's cold reign.

Despite what Elmira says, I think that Joseph resists her efforts and gets to the party anyway. Also, if the time for Tarava and Elmira's departure is wrong, then it can be changed.

{Elmira pur Nairen}

Elmira leaned back in her chair. "I'd say that's a good idea," she said. "Definitely. I'd hate...for us...to abandon someone in their hour of need." She wondered suddenly if she sounded impersonal, or too uppity--like she didn't mind if people perished, because she didn't know them. As that was the opposite of the truth, she quickly said, "I mean...I don't want anyone to die, but I think we can better serve the Resistance if we still seem to be supporitng Catastrophe. But we'll do as much as we can."
"Definitely," Tarava agreed.
"I may also..." Elmira was wondering out loud, which wasn't something she loved to do, but it was helpful. "If my grandfather is trying to attend the party, and we find out where he is, I could do something like lock the door of his room from the outside."
"That'd be a good idea," said Tarava. "We can ask if...the tailors who are making the rose-colored dresses...can procure something for that. If Joseph knows Lord--" she stopped herself from saying his name, although Elmira thought it very unlikely that they were being eavesdropped on--"then he might be staying at his house."
"Will we?" Elmira asked. "And Joseph does know Lord."
"I think quite a few people will, as he has an extremely expansive guest wing. If we arrive the day of the unveiling of the rose-colored dresses, which is of course an evening function, then we will have a bit of time to perhaps communicate with others, though very secretly, and walk around and look at things," said Tarava.
"Things?" Elmira wondered.
"Exits, in case the dresses should catch on fire," said Tarava in a low voice. "Or something else should happen."
"Ah." Elmira knew that the likelihood of a fire was very low, but them needing to know where the exits were was absolutely necessary. "Yes, I think that is a good idea. How long does it take to get there?"
"Around a day and a night if we go by the most direct route," said Tarava. "Which we will, so we can leave the morning of the day after tomorrow and use a carriage that can be slept in. Now. I feel as though we've made as certain as possible the cut of the rose-colored dresses. I wouldn't mind having a bit of solitude and relaxation, before we visit the tailors. Would you?" 
"I wouldn't mind at all," said Elmira, who thought that perhaps she'd go somewhere and play her whistle--at any rate, she should enjoy relaxing and being alone, as that was something that she would not have in the days ahead.

Thanks :) @amethyst, sounds good! 

~Kalisse~

Rulkan smiled, glancing around. "Memories of the past, and maybe some memories of the present too," he said. "If that's possible. I think that's where their power must lie - in making us see the world in a new way, but in a way that we were capable of all along." He paused, looking back at Kalisse. "By the way, will you be at the party Lord Helion is hosting? I hear it's the event of the season."

Kalisse thought for a moment, before remembering what Estrelle had said about it. Something to do with Lord Helion...Either way, it must've been important, right? So she replied, smiling, "Of course. I assume you will too?" 

]Joseph pur Nairen[

Joseph's journey through Kyngdom continued, rather uneventfully. He bought several more books in a town called Cornelia, and went to a chamber music performance in another town, called Plumeville. In Plumeville, while Joseph and Mr. Faroe were having lunch in a restaurant called the Feather Cafe, a stranger suddenly came up to their table. 
"Hello?" asked Joseph. 
"Hello and good day, Sir Joseph pur Nairen. I have a message for you from the esteemed and great general, Lord Helion, if you'd like it?" the stranger said, withdrawing a parchment scroll from his bag.
"Thank you," said Joseph, who cut the wax seal with his knife and read the scroll, which said: 

Dear Joseph,
I am quite looking forward to seeing you at the party. I have one of the nicer suites at the Rosewood reserved for you, and I wonder if you would perhaps like to perform a piece of music during the event?
Fondly, Lord Helion

"What shall I tell him, sir?" asked the messenger. 
"Certainly, and that I can't wait to be there," said Joseph. The messenger then left, and Joseph returned to his meal. 

Ack so sorry that I took forever (again :/) I haven't had time to write something properly. However, here I am at last~

^Tarava^

Once she was alone, Tarava headed out towards the street. There was too much to do in preparation for the attack anyway, and she wanted to be a tourist for once, to take advantage of being a Nobyl in a beautiful city. She could drop in and see Kalam again, and she could do some serious shopping for dresses - she wanted something properly stunning for some of the upcoming balls.

Half an hour later, she was holding a dress of shimmering ocean blue against her when someone said, "Lady Tarava? Greetings!"

She whirled around. Oh, palaces. It was Laraia pur Zaraon, exquisite, witty, mindless Laraia pur Zaraon. "Laraia!" she exclaimed. "You're the last person I expected to see." Which was the truth - stick to the truth whenever you can, even in lies, yes, that was the rule. "How in Kyngdom did you know it was me?"

"I saw you come in, so I followed you, and then I got sidetracked looking at some dresses." Laraia laughed, the sound cool and rippling, a fountain capturing all the surrounding sunlight. "Rulkan had told me you were going to be here. I'm just stopping by on my way to Lord Helion's - you know I have family in the surrounding area, and of course I wanted to see you, Tarava. How have you been?"

"I've been well, Laraia. Much better since you sprang up on me. You're going to the Rosewood, then? You wouldn't stay the night?"

"I don't really know yet, to be honest. These dresses - Tarava, you should buy that one, it's perfect for you. Anyway, these dresses alone are enough to convince me to stay. But I think I'll be going straight on."

Thank goodness. "Your company will be missed," Tarava said, which was technically a formality but didn't really count as one because she added a smile to it. "Unfortunately I can't go with you - I ordered a few dresses to be made for me, and they're still in the making. I'll see you at the Rosewood, though, naturally."

"Yes, we'll have to find time to talk there." Laraia looked at her for one instant, a look that Tarava wasn't expecting. It was deeper, somehow, questioning, a look that might not have been intended for her to see. Then the laughter in her eyes was back, completely obliterating the previous very un-Laraia-like instant. "I'd better be going, then," she said. "But we have to meet up again. I'm staying at the Peacock Fountain - come and see me before I leave."

|Rulkan|

"Of course," Kalisse said after a second, smiling. "I assume you will too?"

"Yes, most likely," Rulkan replied. Another Rosewood party, another evening with Lord Helion. He'd have to go down to the palace in a few days. "I hope to see you there." He glanced around, noticing that it was getting late. "I would love to keep talking, but unfortunately I think our conversation will have to continue at Lord Helion's party... if you'll excuse me, I'd better be leaving you."

~Kalisse~

"Yes, most likely," Rulkan responded. "I hope to see you there." He glanced around, and Kalisse followed his gaze, noticing that the party was starting to wrap up. "I would love to keep talking, but unfortunately I think our conversation will have to continue at Lord Helion's party... if you'll excuse me, I'd better be leaving you."

"It was nice to talk to you," Kalisse said (not necessarily knowing if that was a Nobyl-like thing to say). She watched as Rulkan left, before turning to help Estrelle with cleaning the party. 

{Elmira pur Nairen}

Elmira took her whistle and set out. After a bit, she found what she was looking for: a shop that sold maps and other navigational aids. Elmira bought a small bronze compass and a roll of turquoise string with a little blade attached, which the salesperson explained was for marking a route. She then wandered down the road and into a copse in the forest, where she proceeded to play music until she grew hungry, at which point she went back to the hotel and ate lunch in the dining room. Tarava was not back yet; however, according to Elmira's pocket watch, it was only just noon. She then went back to her room to read. 

I hadn't planned on Laraia, but, well, looks like she's here to stay >:)

|Rulkan|

"It was nice to talk to you," Kalisse returned, and Rulkan couldn't keep back a half-smile as he headed off; he loved the way there was almost no formality to her farewell, loved having found someone who wasn't always imprisoned by stiff Nobyl etiquette.

But there would be enough time to think about that later. Next stop: the Rosewood, and, he was somehow sure, drama...

^Tarava^

Tarava dropped in at Kalam's lodgings, and then wandered around a bit more, the vibrancy of the city sinking into her. She had lunch at a small restaurant-style thing and considered the problem of the Rosewood, but somehow she couldn't stop thinking of Laraia instead. In the end she turned back towards her residence; it would be time to be heading to Mer again soon anyway.

Someone from Catastrophe's army - a messenger, maybe, or a soldier, some guard from a Nobyl palace? - clattered by on horseback, and she sighed. Kyngdom was in turmoil, maybe even in ruin, however glittering and seductive it seemed from the outside. She couldn't help wishing now and then that she had been born in some time before Catastrophe ever came to the throne, when she could have lived a normal life and been a normal person. But there wasn't much use in wishing that - it would never happen. She went up the steps of the residence and found Elmira in her room, curled up with a book.

"I'm back," Tarava said with a smile. "No grandfathers appearing out of the sky?"

"None," Elmira replied.

"Good. I imagine we should be heading for Mer soon, if you're ready. It would be better to arrive early - there are other people to see aside from Kirenne." She hesitated, thinking of Kalam. "And a friend of mine will meet us there - I hope you don't mind."

``Laraia pur Zaraon``

Beautiful, deceptive, vibrant Tarava pur Lamour. I don't trust her with one millimeter of my being, and there's a reason for that. When I first met her, of course I considered her a typical pur Lamour, conceited and pointless. No one could have helped it. It was impossible to doubt her. But every once in a while, I've caught flashes of a different Tarava, a warmer, more brilliant Tarava. Not a pur Lamour at all, no matter who her parents were.

Maybe I'm not the only one with secrets.

{Elmira pur Nairen}

"And a friend of mine will meet us there - I hope you don't mind," said Tarava, standing in the doorway of the adjoining space.
"I don't," said Elmira quickly. Did she? No, she didn't.
"And I'd rather walk today," said Tarava, "as it's not too far,  and perhaps it would cause suspicion if we were to hire another carriage."
Elmira didn't mind walking; it was a fairly nice day, though cold. "I don't mind," she said.
"Shall we set out?" Tarava asked.
"Yes," said Elmira. She opened one of the drawers and pulled out her scarf and her roll of turquoise string just in case, then followed Tarava out her room door, tucking the string in her pocket and tying the scarf around her neck as she did so.
They set off along the streets of Ertim, towards the road to Mer. Elmira kept looking over her shoulder, wondering if her grandfather could be there, following them, but if he was (which she didn't think so) then he wasn't around. Perhaps he'd left early for the Rosewood; however, she thought, it was better to be safe than to be sorry.

//

hi, I'm new here and don't really know what to do with myself! I made my character and would like to join this rp somehow.. can someone help me out please?

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