forum All Roses Have Thorns // One-On-One // CLOSED

Started December 19, 2019 by Deleted user

tune

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Angelique looked up and smiled brightly. "Queen Aeryn," she slipped into a gentle curtsy. "You are looking exceptionally lovely tonight." She stated it politely, but she was definitely not saying this just out of politeness.

"Why thank you," Aeryn smiled, fighting a blush. "I wholeheartedly return the compliment." She pulled a rose out of her pocket. Its petals began at a medium shade of purple, then darkened to black. Its thorns were black. "I wish to give you a gift. This is the Black Thorned Rose. It grows only in Seralia. It is poisonous to anyone without Seralian blood, even its petals. The thorns are irremovable." She covered it in a layer of frost, frost that allowed it to keep its appearance but stopping it from people touched directly. "I hope this might be able to bring peace to our kingdoms, if only in certain areas."

Angelique stared in slight confusion. "I'm… not sure I understand. A flower that has the potential to destroy my kingdom is going to bring peace? I - obviously, I want peace more than anyone, but - so sorry, I'm likely not understanding correctly," she stopped herself. "I tend to do that. It's a lovely gesture."

"With the layer of ice, it can't hurt you." Aeryn smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, perhaps I should have explained that. By giving you our most dangerous flower in a safe way, maybe it will mean something?" She started to panic, but tried not to show it. "I apologise. This might not be as good an idea as I initially thought."

Angelique laughed gently and shook her head. "No, that's quite clever, really. I've never been good at interpreting symbols, I do apologise. Hopefully this can become a small symbol for the peace that we're working to bring."

"Yes, hopefully," Aeryn smiled, handing Angelique the flower. "Can I interest you in anything? Perhaps a dance with one of our kingdom's knights? Seat on the throne and oversee the ball? Stroll through the gardens?"

Angelique twirled the flower in her hands and quickly looked around the ballroom before answering. "Dancing with knights is… not my strong suit," she said carefully. "A stroll could be nice," she smiled, looking back at Aeryn.

Aeryn gave a little laugh. "I'm not much of a dancer myself," She smiled. "I can lead the way to the gardens if you would like. It's not a very long walk to get there."

Angelique nodded gratefully. "That would be most appreciated," she laughed lightly. "I tend to get myself lost."

Aeryn smiled, then began to walk towards the garden. "It's just this way." To be honest, she wanted to get into the garden as well. She spent much of her childhood in it, spending time with her mother and brother.

Angelique followed slightly behind, glancing around anxiously. "Your castle is really lovely," she commented brightly.
(Typing the word "castle" makes me feel more fake than anything else)

(I know it feels wierd. I keep typing out countries instead of kingdoms and having to change it. Also Merry Christmas (since it's currently Christmas Day for me))

"Thank you. It's been around for a few centuries, I believe before the war broke out. I'm sure yours is quite beautiful as well. I have a question though. What have you been told about the reason the war started? I never really believed my pare ts as to why, having a feeling that the story was twisted."

"Ah, I don't remember much. My parents didn't really tell me much before they, ah, became unable to tell me anything. I remember everyone blaming it on Selaria, but my family liked to blame Selaria for everything, so I've never really believed it," she explained thoughtfully.

"Yeah, my parents blamed Traedia. My brother Gaius was sort of on the fence, but he believed our parents too much. I think that was his downfall. He always thought that Seralia was in the right, no matter how wrong we were. As much as I hate to admit, I don't think he would have been a good King. Maybe it was for the best that he perished against Kedenia."

(I didn't even see the merry Christmas ackk, MERRY CHRISTMAS!)
Angelique nodded in understanding. "I'm so sorry for your loss," she said genuinely, "I understand the feeling. My brother was never interested in the war; he would've made an awful king," she laughed lightly. Not than at Angelique felt any more qualified than he was.

"We have something in common then," Aeryn said with a tight lipped smile. "I never thought I would be able to make a great queen. The idea of being of queen never crossed my mind, not with Gaius being the immediate heir. Then he died, and Mother died of a broken heart. Gaius was her favourite. She never truly cared for me, I don't think. But I'm the only one left, so I had to take the throne."

Angelique nodded. She'd been in a similar situation. "That must have been difficult for you," she said sympathetically. All the talk of families was starting to make her panic about her sisters again, but she brushed it off, staring at the ground until she could collect herself.

"Oh!" Aeryn exclaimed, suddenly remembering something. "Can I show you something? It's here, in the garden." She had an excited look on her face, but didn't want to give anything truly away.

Angelique smiled brightly. "Of course," she answered. The excitement from Aeryn's face bleed through onto Angelique's, though she tried not to show it.

Aeryn smiled. She took Angelique's hand and began to lead her towards a section of the garden. On the way, she grabbed a large square pillow from one of the benches littering the garden. When the pair reached their destination, she placed it down for Angelique to sit on. She then frosted herself her own one, sitting down.

Angelique laughed lightly and sat down. "What are we doing?" She asked, very curious. She looked around as if to get a clue.

Aeryn smiled, then leaned forward. They were in front of a hedge, one with a small hole at the bottom. If one was small enough to look at it straight on, they would see that the hole was lined with mud.
Aeryn placed her finger at the entrance of the hole, a snowflake resting on it. A small animal began to inch forward, licking at the snowflake.
"It's a salamander. He was my brother's. Actually, the three of them were." The salamander crawled into her palm, burning slightly. "Dart! What did we say about friendly fire?"

(The other two will come out soon, probably in my next reply)

Angelique placed a hand over her mouth in shock. "That is the single cutest thing I have ever seen in my entire life," she gasped.

Aeryn created a small pile of snow, and two more salamanders came out to play in it. One was the same size as Dart, and the other was about half the size.
Dart jumped off her hand into the pile, and the other one of his size climbed into her hand. "This is Onix. She's always been my favourite. And that smaller one is their son, Fuego. When he was young, Gaius somehow managed to bless Dart and Onix with his fire, and then that transferred to Fuego when he was born."