Emmeline wasn't sure what she had been expecting him to answer with but she could understand his explanation. “I see… Je suis désolé. However, I agree with your point. It's not right for a kingdom to neglect the next in line to lead them. Much less for a father to treat his son that way.” she nodded. It sounded to her like all three kingdoms needed to be taught a lesson. But the focus needed to be on Opariell and Rhysand’s father. Corona and Arendelle already could, or should have been able to relate to Rhysand’s struggle; with Corona having lost it's princess and the queen of Arendelle being able to control ice. But it was disappointing that neither of them tried to help Rhysand’s home. She hummed softly and ran her fingers over the thorny rose necklace she wore. “If I was stronger I could do that myself. Or if my Maman was here, she’d be able to cast something easily.” she murmured.
Rhysand's eyes followed the.movement of her hand and he let out a breathy laugh. "Your mother is the enchantress? As in the same lady who cursed the kingdom of King Adam and Belle? No wonder you seemed familiar." He smiled. "It seems we both have issues with royalty in high places. I'd like to bring down these places to teach a lesson in compassion. I'll be leaving the morning after tomorrow if you wanted to join me."
Emmeline’s eyes flashed gold, narrowing as she clenched a fist when he guessed her mother and named that brat of a king. Though she raised a wary brow at his smile. “Perhaps I am and I do have issues with him in particular. I have no quarrel with the lady as my mother intended the spell to be broken if it was possible for that beast to learn.” she explained with a small chuckle. “If she had wanted, that spell could have been made permanent the moment my mother cast it. But she was always a believer in amore.”
She glanced back up at him at his offer. “What are you proposing? That you would help me deal with “King Adam” and I would help you with your family?” she asked for clarification, though the idea did already appeal to her.
Rhys smiled, fingers still rubbing the necklace. "You said you mother is missing, perhaps they know where she is? I have been trained to gather information in…creative ways. I do have to go to their kingdom, my mother has a home there and I need to get some equipment from there. I could assist in getting you answers, in return you can help me bring down the Coronian monarchy, specifically the present King and Queen for ignoring the cries for help of their own sister." He said. As he spoke, Rhys clutched his necklace tighter and grit his teeth. They would pay for their betrayal.
Emmeline chuckled humorlessly. “I wouldn't be surprised at all if they were behind her disappearance.” she admitted, letting out a soft breath. It was surprising how easily she could relate to his anger… though a bit of a relief to find that she wasn't the only one who felt that way. She nodded slightly as she mirrored his smile. “Monsieur Rhysand, I believe we can work together to get justice for the wrongs done to us and our mothers. As it happens, I have a room here tonight so I can meet you downstairs in the morning and perhaps help you with your supplies.”
"I look forward to the morning Miss Emmeline." Rhys bowed lightly at the waist and opened his room door. "Pleasant dreams."
(Sure. Timeskip is fine. To the next day?)
(Yep, do you want to do it or should I?)
(either one is good with me. But if you want me to, it might take a while for me to get it up since I'm at work right now…)
(Ok, can you do it? O don't mind waiting)
(ok. Done with work anyway, so hopefully it shouldn't take too long.)
“Bonne nuit.” Emmeline nodded, with that smile still on her face as she walked out of his room and headed to hers. Though she wasn't really as tired as she would have been from a long day of work and casting a few spells, aside from a slight headache. She assumed it was the excitement of finally being able to do something to find her Maman… As well as the opportunity to follow in her mother's work: fixing broken kingdoms.
She wasn't sure when she had managed to fall asleep but she awoke fairly early, just as the rising sun laid a beam of light across her eyes. Not the most pleasant way to wake up but considering what was awaiting her, she wasn't bothered. She got out of bed, cast a quick simple spell to clean herself up and make sure she was presentable. Once that was done, she grabbed her basket and headed down to the tavern to meet Rhysand so they could plan for their adventure.
The bed was firmer that Rhysand expected but he was tired and fell asleep pretty quickly. Unsure how, but he woke up on the floor, sitting against his bed but not on it. Rhysand groaned and stood up, stretching and doing a few basic exercises to wake up even more. A knock on his door and a bar maid was there with a bowl of water and a woolen towel. He quickly washed his face and teeth, then grabbed all his stuff to go downstairs.
The smell of fresh baked bread and butter made his mouth water, he didn't have anything to eat since last night and it was simply too entrancing to resist. Like a moth to a flame, Rhysand sat at the bar and asked for the bread and butter along with the biggest cup of tea they offered. He saw Emmeline coming down the stairs and waved, clearing the seat beside him of his stuff take room for her.
Emmeline couldn't help but smile as she saw Rhys waving her over. “Good morning.” she said as she sat down beside him and placing a simple order for her own breakfast. “Did you sleep well?” she asked just to be polite, though she was still very eager to get started on their quest. But she knew enough about the virtue of patience and considered herself a decent enough actress.
"Well enough, though I'm not sure how I got onto the floor when I remember going to sleep on the bed." He half smiled. Rhys finished his breakfast and took out a paper and pencil from his bag. "I know we need food and water but what else? You look to be a healer so any herbs or whatever you need? We might as well get a tent, depending on how fast our horses are, we may have to camp out in the forest at times." Rhys scribbled a few things on the list while he spoke, making small notes here and there.
Emmeline chuckled a little at the unusual position he woke up in. “Well, the beds here aren't always the most comfortable but they serve their purpose. I doubt many would be able to tell the difference.” she teased. “Don’t underestimate me. I do know some healing but my skills are not limited to that. Most of what I need is back at my home. It shouldn't take long for me to gather it all.” she assured him with a confident smirk. “I have a wagon as well… and it doesn't necessarily need horses, depending on how fast you want to go.”
"I see i have befriended a seemingly simple girl. Who are you strange lady?" Rhys matched her teasing tone and licked his lip. "A magical wagon I see. I would still get a horse, easier to move on and you can fall asleep on one if you absolutely have to. Besides, even though Etoile was one of the horses from my kingdom that had been there since I was a child, she is far too slow." He sighed
Emmeline laughed a little. “The keyword there is “seemingly”. But that has been a very helpful guise to take these days.” she admitted softly. “Of course. There are times when a good horse is much more valuable and maneuverable.” she nodded in agreement. “As I said, Arron the stableman should be able to help you with trading your horse for a good fast steed. I may not know him very well but I can take you to him.”
"Of course, once you are finished with your breakfast, we can head out." He smiled. Rhys allowed his partner to finish his meal in silence as he took out a leather bound book from his bag and started thumbing through the pages. Occasionally, he would pause and write something down on the piece of paper right next to him.
Emmeline nodded slightly, half in agreement with those terms… but half in annoyance as well as it almost felt like he was giving her permission to eat. Just like a royal… She let out a soft slow breath to take her mind off that thought. Right now, they needed each other to achieve their goals so it was unlikely that he actually intended his words to sound that way.
In her excitement to plan, as well as getting lost in the conversation, she hadn't actually noticed when her meal had been served. Her mind was still making her own lists of things to bring as she ate. Though the book Rhysand was studying did catch her interest but she turned away from those thoughts. There would be time for those questions later.
It was pretty early in the morning, the sun was shining brightly but there were a lot more people walking around now than there were when he woke up. Rhys watched as more of the Inn's guests came down the stairs to the tavern and sat around the many wooden tables, yawning and conversing with others around. It was then that a small group of about 4 people came into the tavern with small instruments and sat in the corner, setting up. Rhysand watched them curiously, his kingdom had musicians one special occasions but he only ever saw them playing music. The musicians set everything up and started playing a soft melody that reminded Rhysand of a lady standing a field of tall grass, near the sea, as the wind tousled her hair and made her dress fly. He set down his book, covered with runes and drawings, and leaned back in the barstool, listening to them play.
Emmeline glanced up at the musicians for a moment as they tuned their instruments before playing. “I didn't know they started this early.” she commented softly, not wanting to interrupt them. She had seen musicians set up before so there wasn't much novelty in that but since she didn't come to this tavern often or this early… The music was soft, beautiful, easy to listen to but not too distracting. Perfect for an early morning crowd.
She glanced over at Rhysand again and raised a brow as she noticed the lettering in his book. “What kind of runes are those?” she couldn't help but ask.
"I'm not sure. This was my mother's journal. She taught me 2 of the languages used in this book but never taught me how to read runes. I asked Hades about ut the last time I saw him and all he did was grin and send me away with Aurilla. I'm hoping my mother's home in the kingdom of the Beast will hold answers, or at least a cipher." He sighed. Most of the runes had solid lines but there were some that had curves and squiggles. It threw him off a lot. Rhysand knew he couldn't ask his father about it, he wasn't supposed to have that book in the first place.
(Lowkey want to add another character that is a kid of a 'good guy' and make them evil too)
“Hades?” she asked in surprise but kept her voice low enough that it wouldn't carry. “What kind of business could you have with him?” Not many people she knew of would risk even associating themselves with the God of the Dead, and even more were too afraid to mention his name. Emmeline hummed a little and looked at the lettering a little closer. “I almost wonder if that's not Atlantean.” she suggested.
(That's cool. Who's the guy?)
