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| − | '''Roleplay from Sorsha McDowell''':
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| − | Her smile slowly slipped as she looked ahead to the Ducal Palace, focusing.
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| − | It sat atop a high cliff, and when she looked around, she could see the entire body of water that surrounded the island as far as the eye could see. If she could magically turn into a bird she would fly away and not have to face this moment. But she wasn’t a bird, and she wasn’t a coward, more importantly she couldn’t live the rest of her life not knowing.
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| − | She lightly lifted the skirt of her gown to avoid the dirt on the path and felt a shiver course through her body. It wasn’t from the air, it was a warm beautiful day and she mentally scolded herself. She had to stop anticipating the worse, learn to relax and let things unfold in their own time.
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| − | She arrived at the door to the estate, only then realizing that once this discussion was over she would have to leave on foot. She looked down the long path with a sinking feeling. “Hmph,” everything happens for a reason, she reminded herself.
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| − | “Please inform Duke Mathias, that Sorsha McDowell has arrived as requested,” she said the words, unable to avoid the pain in her stomach remembering his last words to her. He probably did not realize how extremely painful they had been for her to hear.
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| − | She was led inside, and without noticing, had started gripping her gown until her knuckles had turned white. She felt the beating of her heart in her ears and tried to calm herself. She closed her eyes and mentally began to count.
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| − | '''Roleplay from Mathias Ridder:'''
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| − | While in the middle of holding court Mathias’ close friend and servant,Duad rushes up towards him. "My Lord, Dame Sorsha has arrived at your request she awaits you in the lobby." To which Mathias replied, "Show her into the hall I shall deal with this woman once I have finished holding court.”
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| − | As Mathias watched Duad run off he continued with the last few people for the day. About 10 minutes would pass before Duad reappeared with Sorsha entail. Then motioning with his hand he dismissed the rest of men and woman crowding around seeking an answer to their complaints, grievances, and other matters telling them to merely show up tomorrow morning.
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| − | Looking into the distance he then saw her, it was indeed Sorsha the woman he once loved, the woman who had left him for dead when the Mad Queen struck against him. He said then that he would never forgive those who had betrayed him that day, but he still felt something for this woman.
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| − | Still sitting in the Ducal throne he stared at Sorsha with anger in his eyes as she approached.
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| − | '''Roleplay from Sorsha McDowell:'''
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| − | She had waited, time only allowing her nerves to get worse. By the time she was led into the large room they were a bit frayed and the look she received from Mathias did not help.
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| − | She lifted her chin proudly and stared ahead. Like usual he wore his scale mail. A black and red surcoat, that was new. His brown hair was kept short as usual, and the beard gave him a bit of a wild look. Cold blue steely eyes looked down at her from his seat and she swallowed. It was he who had requested her. Therefore she kept her peace, waiting for the explosion she could see behind his eyes.
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| − | '''Roleplay from Mathias Ridder:'''
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| − | A moment of silence was spent between the two as Mathias eyes stared into Sorsha's. It was only then that he remembered something for so long ago a parcel that he had carried with him for so long. It was then he broke out into a maniacal laughter that brought fear to everyone in the hall including Sorsha. He then stood up and motioned for Sorsha to follow him. To which she did, and with a grin that must have stretched from ear to ear they walked towards a giant window that overlooked the courtyard below. It was only once they had arrived at the window did he speak.
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| − | "Sorsha, it both makes me glad and angry to see your face again. Though if one was to ask me a day ago I would have had you thrown in prison. But today I understand that I can never do that to you. I remember that I could never hold a grudge against you." And yet again he broke out in laughter before continuing, "Sorsha this day has been long coming indeed." To which Mathias then reached into his armour and pulled out a small parcel the contents of which had been long forgotten. Opening it and reaching in he then pulled out a bracelet that was covered in jewels from top to bottom. "Sorsha, this bracelet was worn by my mother, and it is all I have left of her. For you see it was given to her by my father when he asked her to marry him, and now I wish to give it to you. Will you accept it, and in doing so join my family?"
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| − | '''Roleplay from Sorsha McDowell:'''
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| − | Following him, many thoughts had whirled around her head, but never in her wildest dreams had she anticipated this. His words made her nostrils flare and she looked down to the beautiful bracelet and her face blanched at its significance. At his last words, shivers ran along her arms, all the way up to her neck and her eyes narrowed. “Is this an evil jest on your part?” she asked dangerously. Her shyness evaporated so quickly having been replaced with anger. “I do not understand you Mathias,” she dropped formalities without giving it a second though.
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| − | “First you tell me you don’t care what may have happened to me, that it no longer mattered after accusing me of betraying you at the first opportunity, and now so shortly after telling me you would have locked me away, you propose this?” Was he testing her? Worse was he playing with her emotions, out of spite for what had happened to him and she was the unlucky recipient?
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| − | She had expected outright anger, but this confused her no end. “And if I accept Mathias, the words you have spoken in anger, you will then tell me they are not true? And I should believe you because you expect me to be blinded by kind words? I am sorry Milord, but like you… I do not forget so easily.”
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| − | '''Roleplay from Mathias Ridder:'''
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| − | At Sorsha's words Mathias broke out yet again into laughter. Then raising his hand high into the air Sorsha then flinched thinking physical abuse to follow only to have his arm land on her shoulder. Then staring deep into her eyes he said, "Sorsha this is why I have always loved you, you’re blunt, distrusting, and care little for formalities. You think this to be some sick joke only because you know me so well. Only I would do something so cruel as that; for I am mad after all. Well let me tell you something, to prove that I am serious about this I shall make myself truly vulnerable." At which Mathias removed his surcoat followed by chest plate, and be succeeded by his other pieces of armour. All the while still talking, "You know me, think of one time when I have gone anywhere without my armour, this is about as symbolic as I can get. I am no romantic, but what I do know is this you and my friend Duad here are the only ones to ever see me with my armour now.
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| − | After all was removed the only clothing that remained were his trousers and tunic. "Now then milady, will you accept?"
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| − | '''Roleplay from Sorsha McDowell:'''
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| − | When he raised his hand, she had been so close to retaliating thinking the worse but then calmed somewhat. Her delicate brows then furrowed with confusion as he began to remove his armor, almost expecting him to keep going and then he stopped. Then she stole a quick glance at his armor on the floor and back to his vulnerable disposition.
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| − | “So now, you expect me to forget your near insults and accusations and be lulled by a show of trust? I am sorry Mathias,” she shook her head, “you seem to be very preoccupied by the things you want and need, how about what I needed? When you left, you never gave one thought to me, did you? To leave me to the Queen’s madness, and to what led me to the impossible desperate actions I was forced to take. But I don’t truly put the entire blame on you, for how could you have known that I loved you as well,” her blue eyes were almost completely violet with burning anger. “I won’t deny my feelings for you now, but you can’t expect me to walk into your arms without repercussion. There is much more between us now than a simple confusion. You have deeply hurt me…” she said her voice almost giving out with the emotion she was trying to keep at bay but it was impossible as the next words came out. “I heard it from you! You betrayed yourself when you admitted you couldn’t care less what occurred to me!” she shouted out painfully and turned away. Trying to hide the mixed emotions in her eyes, for all of her anger, she loved him still. Only then realizing that in her state of mind, she had admitted it out loud for the first time.
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| − | '''Roleplay from Mathias Ridder:'''
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| − | "HA! You admit it then." he quickly said. "and yet you speak of betrayal? Heh, seems we are both angry at each for what happened during my exodus. We both feel wronged, and yet neither of us are truly acting on what we desired to do. You desire to tell me off, and I desired to imprison you yet we can do neither. Why is this? You know why, search your feeling you know them to be true. Even if you don't accept today one day you shall. You are to be mine. No other shall have you." Then grabbing her by the shoulder he turned Sorsha back towards him and stared deep into her eyes, "and you know it."
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| − | '''Roleplay from Sorsha McDowell:'''
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| − | His strong hands gripped her shoulders firmly and she was drawn by the zealous possession he expressed and that she could see reflected in his cerulean orbs. “Yes Mathias, I admit it, I love you,” she breathed harshly and pulled away before he could get any closer and she forgot her anger. “But you will have to show me that I am more to you than a mere possession. Before any of this occurred I would have run to you simply because you asked for my presence, but now… I won’t come simply because you beckon me to. I used to think love was enough, but you have proven to me that it obviously isn’t. You want me! When then prove it! And you will have to do more than a simple removal of your armor and a beautiful bracelet. It’s not that easy.”
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| − | She backed up further, her chest rising with the panic within at what she was doing.
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| − | '''Roleplay from Mathias Ridder:'''
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| − | "Heh, you say you would not have come to me if I had beckoned you to? Well then why are you here might I ask? Did I not send you a letter asking you to come to my court. Yes, I was harsh in the letter but did you not come of your own free will? But still what would you have me do to prove that you should be mine?"
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| − | '''Roleplay from Sorsha McDowell:'''
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| − | She shook her head at his attempt to entrapment. “I came to prove to you that I am no impostor. I believe I have accomplished what I set out to do. Do you still want my head Milord?” she sneered sarcastically.
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| − | Before he could even answer her, she tilted her head sadly, “is this how I should expect my life to be with you if I accept so quickly? To have a threat covered soon after by softness? I need to know there is more waiting for me. I want passion, I want to feel desire, I need to know I am more to you than a woman you can show off at court. You speak of your feelings for me…” she faltered unable to continue and her gaze wandered. What more did she really want from him other than what he had already admitted? Then she lifted her chin and stared into his eyes. She approached him slowly and stood but an inch from him. “Show me what your love is, I have yet to feel it,” she finally admitted and waited.
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| − | '''Roleplay from Mathias Ridder:'''
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| − | Mathias thinking her to be challenging him, grabbed her, brought her even closer, and said, "I love you" then he proceeded to kiss her.
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| − | '''Roleplay from Sorsha McDowell:'''
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| − | His lips pressed against hers passionately. At first she was caught off guard, and then as his kiss deepened she relaxed. She returned his kiss fully, forgetting herself and her anger for a moment to simply enjoy the sensation.
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| − | It was a few moments and he pulled away as did she. The violet in her eyes had receded and she looked up at him through long lashes, his blue eyes now reflecting something she had seldom seen in her life, which made her heart beat faster.
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| − | The air filled with a heavy silence, she slowly passed her fingers over her bottom lip and gave him a lopsided grin. “Well now…” she whispered, “I’d say that’s a start.”
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| − | '''Roleplay from Mathias Ridder:'''
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| − | "Again milady, I ask what it is that I must do. Tell what it is and I shall travel to the ends of the world to achieve it."
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| − | '''Roleplay from Sorsha McDowell:'''
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| − | The impression of his lips still burned hers and she passed the bottom one through her teeth, diverting herself away from the thought of kissing him again. If he had not been watching, she would have fanned herself to allow a bit of cool air, but instead she closed her hand into a fist.
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| − | Her shoulders dropped a bit, and she looked out to the courtyard and the scenery beyond. “Like I said Mathias, you hurt me deeply,” she sighed and looked back up at him. “I’m not oblivious, I know I have hurt you as well and I am sorry you felt betrayed by me. I had little choice. I can not take it back, what is done, is done and I know it is the same for you. But I have taken measures for you to begin trusting me. You have shaken my confidence in my love for you. I won’t allow doubt to fill my heart. I refuse to live like that.”
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| − | She reached out and took his hands, closing it over the bracelet. “What I want from you is not of material value, I want <i>you</i>,” she breathed softly, “heart, body and soul. I don’t ever want to question your feelings for me. I want to wake up every morning with confidence in our love. I have not said yes… but neither have I said no. As to what you need to do Mathias, I can not tell you that. You need to show me yourself.”
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| − | '''Roleplay from Mathias Ridder:'''
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| − | Mathias stood there dumbfounded not knowing what to do. Sorsha did not turn him down yet at the same time she did not accept either. She wanted him to prove his love for her somehow, but how was he to do this? All he could manage to do was stare at his hand that held the bracelet.
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| − | '''Roleplay from Sorsha McDowell:'''
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| − | He looked completely heartbroken, and she felt immense sadness that she wasn’t able to give him what he wanted and he did not know what to do to give her what she wanted.
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| − | Her hand lingered over his, and the other lifted his chin. She longingly stared into his blue eyes. Then rising on the tip of her toes, she brushed her soft lips against his at first and he leaned in. The kiss deepened and she closed her eyes, the moment bittersweet.
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| − | She leaned further to his ear with a whisper, “it is already within you, just show me.” Then moving back, she gave him one last chaste kiss, “I love you,” she breathed into his mouth and moved back. Her steps were light and she turned. The more she walked the faster her steps became, matching her heartbeat until she was finally out of the palace.
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| − | When she got there, she looked out to the horizon, knowing this was just the beginning of her journey with Mathias. But she wanted to make that journey she just hoped he wanted it just as badly. That’s all she wanted from him. If she were to wed him, it would be Sorsha and Mathias together because they could not bear to be without another. Not because it was on a whim. She wiped the moistness in her eyes and took a deep breath. Now it was up to him.
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| − | She began walking back towards the port, hoping to catch the next ship to Port Raviel, and cry herself to sleep.
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