Astra's Story

There he was, standing in the moon light by her favorite spot in the garden, the fountain. How the light shone on him Astra had trouble seeing him from her window. Running out the door forgetting her robe her deep red night dress flowed behind her. Her hair cascaded down her back, and once reaching outside her hair shone like blood. The slight chill in the air caressed her skin as she ran down the stairs leading to the garden. Her soft foot steps carried herself to her spot out of habit. Stopping at the opening of the path she tried to look at him better. Slightly tilting her head Astra whispered, "Who are you?" A smile was her only response before he vanished.

Sitting up Astra gasped and looked towards her window. The sun shone through indicating a new day in Sonata has started. Sighing she proceeded to get out of bed and get ready for the day. After a shower and dressing her usual attire Astra whistled and Veldon flew down from his perch landing on her shoulder. Smiling to him she headed to the balcony for breakfast. Her mother was busy with affairs since her father has passed, so now shes mostly alone with her own devices. "Veldon I dreamed of him again, yet I never know who he is." Shaking her head Astra sat down and took a sip of her coffee then began to eat.

Soren was seated on his throne, his expression bored as usual, as he stared at nothing. The throne room was empty at the moment, bar the prince and his two pet hounds- Septhis and Mara. Loyally seated by his side, they did little to make him feel any less bored or lonely. Yes, in fact, the life of the chaotic king was a very lonely one. As his abyss lacked any real life, there was little to actually keep him company. Sure, there was his servants... but he wasn't sure he wished to call them suitable company. Most of them were as dead, bland and boring as the rest of his surroundings. Then there was his brother, whom he cared for, but had a tendency to drive him on nerves end. Several times, Soren had even been close to wanting to strangle the brat for simply being so... Zephyr.

With a sigh, the lord of chaos waved his hand, making a mirror magically appear out of thin air. He let it drop into his hands, a slight smile lighting up his features as he ran his fingers over the surface, watching it ripple like water, before flattening out once more and showing an image that was not his reflection. Recently (beginning a few months back), Soren had occupied himself with spying on the beautiful princess Astra. For some reason, the universal princess had sparked his interest... and he couldn't help but admire her from afar. Of course, he knew having her was almost a complete impossibility... and yet he still yearned for it. If there was one thing he loathed, it had to be the knowledge that there were things he could not get, despite how powerful he was. It angered him, aggravated him, made him want to crush something. More or less, the demonic king simply could not accept this fact.

Grimacing, he tossed the mirror back into the air and flicked his hand, making it vanish the same way it had appeared in the past. "Perhaps..." he mused to himself, "it would be time to pay my darling little princess a proper visit..." as he said so, the demon slowly began changing his form to appear more human- and less menacing. Even if he wouldn't be able to disguise himself to the queen or even the guards of the castle who would sense his powerful presence- it might work to fool the princess. Either way he looked looked friendlier this way, and would definitely have a more called for impact on her.

Besides, the thought of disrupting the peace of that loathsome castle and causing a little chaos brought a smile to his lips. It would be amusing enough... at least for a while. Chuckling softly, he patted his hellhounds heads briefly and have them affectionate orders of staying where they were until he came back, before teleporting to Sonata and the castle, aiming to appear right behind the unknowing princess...

After finishing her meal Astra headed to her private music room for some quiet time. Veldon was still perched on her shoulder as she walked. Her soft foot steps could barely be heard for her stride gave the impression she was gliding. Looking at the walls Astra admired the paintings adoring them, as she was gazing at one Veldon gave off a 'who' sound. Turning her head to look at her companion she raised an eye brow, " What is it Vel?" Seeing him look ahead of her Astra followed his gaze. Standing there was the new water warrior after their father, who was the former water warrior had passed. Smiling Astra gave a nod in his direction, "Hello Trevor, all is well I hope?"

Seeing her smile he couldn't help but return one as well, " Yes my lady, I was just going on a walk to enjoy the peace." He walked over to her, and gazed at the painting that caught her attention. It was a landscape of a waterfall that was hidden in the forest that surrounded the castle. "Lovely picture is it not?"

Returning her attention to the painting a soft sigh escaped her lips, "Yes it is, I've been there many times, and I must say that this painting doesn't do it justice. However it is still a wonderful piece of art." Taking a step back and around Trevor, Astra curtsied, "I must go now, it was nice seeing you Trevor." After saying her farewell Astra continued to the music room. Humming a soft tune Astra gently petted Veldon as the they reached her music room. Feeling him fly off and land wherever he wanted Astra went over to the piano. Sitting down she caressed the keys then began playing Moonlight Sonata. Feeling the music surround her Astra was lost in her own little world.

Soren paused as he appeared in the music room, the beautiful tune she was playing vibrantly filling the room with powerful emotions. It was different from anything he had ever heard before, and very beautiful indeed. Not wanting to disturb her while playing, the brunette shut his eyes and leaned against the pillar behind him, smiling in slightly as he listened to her play. In his mind images of places he had never seen before flashed by, causing a slight knot to form in his stomach. Fields of flowers, mountains, forests and beautiful oceans was something he could only ever have dreamt of- and it was a long time since he had done so last.

His childhood had been a very sad and colorless one, something he would rather just have forgotten long ago. This kind of emotional music reminded himself very much of his hurting self, and perhaps also what he had always wished for as a child. And yet, he could also relate to it somehow... as he often would lose himself in the music while playing his violin- in order to pass time.

And now I'm bored.

Letting his eyes flutter open, a slight smirk settled across his features. He lightly stepped over to Astra, a soft, melodic chuckle escaping his lips as he leaned over her shoulder and whispered into her ear.

"Buh..."

Astra was swaying to the music as she played. The soothing music helped her relax even though she felt another presence appear out of nowhere. She was almost finished playing when suddenly she heard next to her ear 'buh'. Startled she jerked her head in his direction to scold him, but her words became caught in her throat. His chestnut hair seemed as if he didn't try to style it, the eye she saw was golden color because of the lighting in the room. However charming he looked Astra could feel something off about him. Slightly tilting her head, Astra felt the urge to touch him to see if he was real, but fought against it.

"Who are you?" She leaned a little closer while her hand touched his cheek out of curiosity, "I feel like I've met you before but I can't remember where." Astra felt a jolt of his power when she touched him, and it took almost everything she had not to jerk away. Slowly Astra was realizing who she was alone with and suddenly stood up.

Taking a few steps back and kept her eyes on the King of Destruction, "I'm guessing you were hoping to fool me with your human like appearance?" Hurt crossed her face and her eyes swirled a dark brown for a moment to show she felt hurt. Returning to her natural emerald green Astra sighed, "Maybe if I was younger I could've been fooled but not now." Turning her back to him she whispered a few words the made a gesture with her hands. A barrier appeared around the room which caused Astra to relax. Turning her attention back to the king Astra smiled, "Would you like some tea or coffee?" She gestured over to a sitting area with a skyline so the sun shone in, "Even though it's against my better judgement I'd like to talk to you." Walking over to one of the chairs she waited for him to join her, "Also I'd like to see the real you."

"Who are you? I feel like I've met you before but I can't remember where."

A slight smirk crossed Soren's lips as she jumped slightly, seeming genuinely surprised at his appearance. His pranks in situations like these were rather childish, and yet he enjoyed them just as much as the rather...harmful ones. He was a playful trickster, after all, and did whatever gained him at least some level of amusement. Seeing the princess chocked was definitely one of them, and her slightly confused question even more so. He blinked as she carelessly placed her hand on his cheek, a slight frown crossing his features as she started looking somewhat uncomfortable. Had she already figured it out?

"I'm guessing you were hoping to fool me with your human like appearance?"

Soren pursed his lips in dismay at her words, not even having had the time to introduce himself as Victor. "How boring that you figured it out already... and I who so dearly had hoped for meeting you without the risking your opinion of me being biased... oh well, I suppose there is no changing it now, little dove..." he trailed off as he noticed how hurt she looked. "Oh honestly, princess... don't look so sad. I meant no harm by approaching you like this..." he mused, his tone of voice surprisingly chipper even for this situation.

"Maybe if I was younger I could've been fooled but not now."

He arched an eyebrow. "If I had approached you when you were younger, I would have looked like a pedophile," Soren stated pointedly, retaking his position of leaning against the wall.

"Would you like some tea or coffee? Even though it's against my better judgement I'd like to talk to you. Also I'd like to see the real you."

Soren considered her offer for a moment, slightly taken aback by the hospitality she was showing him despite...well...who he was. Tapping his chin, he pretended to think of his answer very carefully, despite long ago already having made up his mind. "I don't know, little dove... you could get into trouble for interacting with someone like me in more than a business like manner. Besides, I'm a very busy man... having to plan out the apocalypse at all," lies, "but if you insist..." with a few simple, and again light steps, he pulled out a chair for her, gesturing for her to take a seat, "ladies first, little dove..." he said with a smile. Then a shadow crossed his features for a moment.

"Why would you want to see that?" he pressed, a dark undertone in his voice, "I wouldn't like to violate the lovely princess eyes by showing her what is but an ugly side of myself... this form is as true as my demonic one."

Hearing his words as she sat down Astra sighed, "If I'm to talk to you I'd like to do so with no secrets or fake appearances." Smiling she gazed at him, "Thank you, even men accused of being evil have manners." Gesturing towards the tea and coffee pots Astra didn't break eye contact, "Coffee or tea? Also I placed a barrier on this room, no one will suspect a thing for awhile. Besides my mother is busy dealing with affairs and my warriors are else where."

Even though she felt the sun warming her skin, Astra couldn't shake the feeling she met him before. Even the markings on her back and arm began to tingle. It seems even the darkness hidden within me is responding to him. What does it mean? Would he know? Should I even ask? I shouldn't try to think about it right now but these markings wont stop tingling.

Shaking her head Astra focused back on Soren, "So don't worry about the others, only my opinion will matter here. I like to get to know someone before I judge."