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Corinna Auclair

"She is free in her wildness, she is a wanderess, a drop of free water."

0 · 560 views · located in Tiberia

a character in “Of Glory”, as played by Scarlet Loup

Description

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"She is free in her wildness, she is a wanderess, a drop of free water."
~Roman Payne




The Basics




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|| Full Name||
Corinna Isolde Auclair

|| Nicknames ||
Her entire family calls her Cora, and those who do not know her as well may call her Cori

|| Gender ||
Female

|| Age ||
Twenty-seven

|| Rank/Title:
Lady, Sister to King Cyprian Auclair

|| Sexual Orientation ||
Bisexual

|| Kingdom/Alliance ||
Seabel




What's on the Outside




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|| Hair Color ||
Deep, russet-like ginger

|| Eye Color ||
Deep brown that is nearly black

|| Height ||
Five feet, nine inches

|| Weight ||
One hundred, forty pounds

|| Scars ||
Corinna has no noticeable scars, but that would, of course, be expected of a young lady of her standing. If one looks close enough, they may spot some small scars on her hands from sewing needles or from playing as a child.

|| Description ||
Cora has always been and likely always will be an excellent example of female beauty. It seems to run in the Auclair family, actually. She is above average height for a woman, but she enjoys it and often attempts to accent it in any way she can. Her hair often captures light and reflects it to emphasize the reddish hue. Her eyes are dark, a trait more uncommon among the Auclair family, but she makes up for it in her wardrobe. She carries herself proudly and regally like a bird showing itself off in an elaborate display. As such, she dresses in bright colors and flashy fabrics. Her ears have been pierced only as is proper for a woman of her title, and she dresses these piercings with elaborate jewels and metals. Cora often wears a smirk upon her lips, but it is more endearing than teasing or taunting. She always seems to carry about an air of inquiry and looks to be questioning everything and anything all at once.




What's on the Inside




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{Bold, Obsessive, Insecure, Motherly}

There was a time when Corinna Auclair believed in happy endings and princes that whisked a girl off to a castle. She believed in love for years, and maybe she still does, but she refuses to let that side of her show anymore. Cora returned from the Estermont estate as a changed girl, one who trusts very little and always seems to be compensating for something. She's horribly insecure, and oh how she wishes she wasn't. But she can't quite shake the feeling that she has let her family down in her life choices, and they seem to haunt her on a daily basis.

She hides behind a bold, crass persona who simply isn't afraid to speak out and speak loudly. As she sees it, no man will want her now, and so she has no one to impress any longer. Corinna has fiery, Auclair blood in her veins, and she is certainly one to step up to a fight or, perhaps, even begin one. She feels it's necessary to stand up for herself since she's not sure who else will now. Certainly, she has her mother and her brothers, but she doubts sometimes that they truly do care for her.

Cora focuses intensely on many things at once, to the point where she often overwhelms herself. In fact, sometimes she'll simply work herself up into a fit of tears without uttering a single word. She obsesses over simple ideas or words, and she may focus on a single statement for a week. It has certainly made her the intelligent woman she is now, but it has also made her as insecure and obsessive as she also is.

Despite it all, however, the one thing that truly brings Cora the same sort of bliss and joy that she experienced as a child is her son, Calisto. She coddles him and seems to watch his every move, as though she is worried Christoph will take the boy from her. She couldn't bear such a thing, of course. Cora has a habit of mothering anyone from other children to her own peers. She enjoys giving advice, but she dislikes taking it from others and often cries when given constructive criticism. She tries not to, of course, but tears come far too easily to her still. They probably will come to her quite easily for the rest of her life as well.


|| Hobbies ||
She hardly enjoys most hobbies anymore, but she still reads avidly when she finds herself with nothing to do. Otherwise, she may sew and weave, but these activities bring Cora little joy. She also rides occasionally, but she never seems content with it.

|| Habits ||
Cora bites at her nails almost constantly, and if she is not doing that, she picks at her nails or kneads her hands. In general, she likes to keep her hands busy, and if her son is around, she often does this by toying with his hair. She makes eye contact almost constantly as if trying to prove she isn't afraid of a scenario.

|| Oddities ||
She has developed a sort of anxiety over the past six years. Corinna often finds herself just between states of bliss and mental fatigue. As such, she can often be found with an expression that makes her seem as though she is about to sob.

|| Likes/Loves ||
  • Calisto, her son
  • Horses
  • Attention
  • Books
  • Confrontation
|| Dislikes/Hates ||
  • The Quiet
  • Christoph Estermont
  • Rain
  • Shouting
  • Senseless Death




What's Done Is Done




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Biography
|| Place Of Origin ||
Falor


|| History ||
Corinna's birth did not occur for years after Cyprian was born. Her parents had intended to give her older brother time to grow up in their care so that when they finally did have their second child, they could dote upon it. That's how life was for the first year. Cora was the apple of her parents' eyes. She was a darling young girl, and she was loved by all. And then her younger brother arrived far earlier than Persephone Auclair had hoped.

The middle child is, notoriously, the difficult child. Nestled between her brothers, Corinna unfortunately received little attention from either parent. Cyprian was tutored in the ways of maintaining the family fortune, and Capheus caused enough trouble himself that their mother often had to follow the young boy lest he harm himself. And so Cora was placed in the care of women who taught her how to sew and read and tend to her husband's household.

Truly, she enjoyed these lessons, but her real passion was in riding with her brothers. For a few years, she dreamed of being a knight, but those dreams were all too quickly snatched from her by her mother. Not that Persephone meant it in a mean manner, but she insisted that the young girl get her head out of the clouds and face reality. It shattered Cora's heart, but she followed along nonetheless, watching her mother, learning the ways of a noble woman until her boyish tendencies were almost entirely forgotten. But she did not forget her rebellious streak.

She met Christoph Estermont when she was fourteen and he was thirty-four. By then, his hair had already begun to gray, but she was smitten with the silver-tongued man almost instantly. He was smooth, charming, and she wanted to be his. Her parents forbade it, of course, for they knew he already had two children, one of eleven and the other of four. Their mothers had been forgotten, and they knew Cora would be as well. Their warnings did little to dissuade the girl. She waited, and she grew to love him over time.

Eventually, when she had turned eighteen, she left home to be with him. It was here she met his children, Loras and Loria. It was Loria she grew closer to, however. They forged a bond, the two of them, and it is one that persists to this day. She'd refuse to admit it now, but those years with Christoph were some of the best she had ever had. She bore him a son soon after her twenty-third birthday. He insisted she entrust the boy to him, and Cora refused vehemently. She fought him, told him she wanted to marry him now, solidify their love for each other and for their son. He didn't, of course, and so he removed her from his household and sent her on her way to the Auclair estate, Calisto held tightly in her arms.

When she arrived, she broke down, and her mother, having little choice, could only cry with her daughter as she brought the young woman and the baby in. For four years she lived with her mother and father, regaining whatever mental strength she had lost. And then her world fell apart once more. Her elder brother fled Falor, taking refuge in the newly-formed Seabel. Before word could reach his family for them to join him, their father was murdered at the hands of loyalists.

Knowing nothing was left for them in Falor, the Auclair family fled after Cyprian and Juliana to Seabel. It has, of course, been a difficult two years. Adjustment for all of the family hasn't come easily, and it most certainly hasn't come easily to Cora who has searched for stability for the past six years. She has found just a shred of it in her son, and so she holds him close and keeps him safe in an obsessive manner. She refuses to lose him too. She has lost far too much already.


|| Happiest Memory ||
The birth of her son, Calisto


|| Saddest Memory ||
The death of her father, Hektor Auclair, as well as being kicked out of Christoph's home following Calisto's birth




|| Face Claim ||
Sophie Turner

So begins...

Corinna Auclair's Story

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Christoph Estermont Character Portrait: Corinna Auclair
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She thrived on these events. She lived, she breathed, she was the crowd and the people and all of it - all at once. When Corinna Auclair arrived at the stands, she was later than anyone else. Just minutes before the first riders entered the field, she climbed the few steps that took her past the assembled nobles and to her seat. It was a brilliant maneuver on her part, for all eyes turned to her for a moment, watching the young woman glide past while her son, Calisto, trailed after.

Cora's hair had been done up elegantly for the day, keeping it off of her neck in the heat of the day. The dress that clung to her frame was a thin, silk-like material dyed the faintest hue of lilac. When she moved, the sun caught the faint patterns that had been expertly added to the dress. The whole thing must have cost a fortune - but she was an Auclair. Her family may have lost titles in Falor when they fled to join Cyprian, but in Seabel, they'd been raised higher than Hektor Auclair could have imagined.

As she passed, she reached down for Calisto's hand, nodding to a few nobles and taking note especially of the royals. In general, they'd been placed by kingdom with Seabel in the center, Ostwall on the left, and Falor on the right. At the top sat the kings and queens and their children, and from there, the rest of the group filled in. It was here that she found her mother and sat slowly, letting her dress billow out before inviting Calisto to scramble into her lap. One hand crossed over his lap to keep him from sneaking off while the other toyed gently with his hair, twirling a strand of his messy mane of hair around her index finger.

"What a shame I did not see you at the ball last night, my Lady."

Corinna felt her stomach churn, and her fingers caught in her son's hair, causing him to protest lightly and push her hand away. Perhaps her mother heard his voice as well, for she placed a hand on Cora's wrist, willing the young woman to think before she spoke. A soft inhale and exhale, then Cora turned over her shoulder to come face to face with the father of her child.



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"I did not feel well enough to attend, my Lord." Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly, her jaw setting as she steeled herself. It had been four years, and yet she was not ready. She never would be. Cora had every intention to show her face the night before, but oh, how her plans had fallen apart when she realized he would be attending - with a new mistress, nonetheless.

"A pity," Christoph remarked. "It has been some time since I have seen you, my dear." Corinna turned away now, but in her preoccupation with Christoph, Cal had scrambled up and now peered over her shoulder at Christoph. "A handsome young boy you have." The Count couldn't help but grin to himself as he leaned forward ever so slightly. "Your mother's hair, your father's face, and...such vibrant eyes."

She wanted to turn and scream at him, dare him to tell them where his light blue eyes had come from. They were the same eyes she had fallen in love with years ago, and they taunted her each time her son looked up at her. And so she did turn around.

"I would much rather you leave me and my family in peace," she shot back, meeting his gaze more boldly than she'd imagined she could. Her heart beat against her ribs, giving her a sort of rush that only egged her on. "I believe you've overstepped yourself."

He merely laughed, and she only frowned further, clenching her hand in her lap. "And you as well, child," he countered, toying now with a ring on his middle finger."I would think twice before speaking to a man of my title in such a tone." It was her turn to smile back at him, flashing a sweet, close-mouthed grin.

"Your title means nothing more than mine, my Lord." For a moment, the two laughed with each other, but it was a twisted, cruel laugh. Nothing like the ones they had shared those years ago in the dead of the night. They had been happy then, the two of them. But there was nothing loving or playful in their respective tones now. She hated him, and he meant only to toy with her as a cat might with its prey.

"It means far more than you could ever imagine...my Lady."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Juliana Auclair Character Portrait: Mary Hardin Character Portrait: Capheus Auclair Character Portrait: Cyprian Auclair Character Portrait: Christoph Estermont Character Portrait: Corinna Auclair
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Mary woke up with a smile as she rolled over in the bed she was in to grab Christoph but he wasn't there. She sat up with gasp then ran her fingers through her hair. Her eyes looked around as she really hoped to herself that she was indeed in Christoph's room but saw his clothing in a nearby chair. She let out a small sigh of relief as she climbed out of bed and saw an outfit laid out for her already. She smiled warmly after she had gotten herself ready for the day. She had completely forgotten about the jousting event that was happening right about now and since she wasn't a big fan of large crowds, she decided to just take a walk along the gardens.

She loved the gardens and not because of the moment her and Christoph had the previous night but the colors were just so majestic to her. During her walk, she noticed a few people that were tending to the garden. She smiled gracefully towards them while she continued her little stroll. Mary touched one of the flowers with her hand as it sent a sudden chill down her spine. She smiled towards it and caressed it again, remembering the story Christoph told her about it. She dropped her hand back by her side as she turned heel and exited out of the gardens now, making her way over towards the jousting field.

When she arrived, she looked at the crowd from afar and heard the roaring from them. Jousting tournaments were really competitive and not her style but she did love horses so she walked over towards the stables and admired them. "Such lovely beasts, aren't they?" A stable boy crept behind her and spoke. She turned towards him and responded. "They're not beasts. They're lovely creatures called horses." Mary commented towards the stable boy as he let out a chuckle. "Right you are. Forgive me, my lady." Mary shrugged her shoulders at the stable boy as she admired a few more before she dismissed herself.

She wandered through the crowd and spotted her lover, Christoph though he was talking to someone, a female with a kid in her lap. She didn't want to intervene if the conversation was important so instead, she just offered him a wave of her hand then sat down. She'd wait for him to finish up and come to join her, hopefully.


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Juliana didn't really want to continue talking about Loras as she waved her hand off at Capheus though she did answer his last question. "I am sure he is." Her response was vague, of course as she eyed him, thinking about his previous questions and statements. She grew silent for a moment as she watched the tournament take place right before her eyes. She had to really take his words in and give the correct responses towards him. She trusted Capheus with her own life as a soft smile came among her lips and she stared at him again.

When he mentioned that she had a weakness for his face, Juliana raised her hand up and caressed it gently as she chuckled while placing her hand back in her lap. "Oh, what does Cyprian know? His head use to be filled with hot air, as well. I believe it still is, sometimes." She laughed while she waved her hand again then shook her head at her own comment. Juliana looked at Capheus while her hand met her chest.

"Oh, you remember what happened last year. The cheater that unfortunately got away. I was looking for him this year but nothing." Her eyes peered out before her as if she was to catch the cheater from last year, she was going to have his head. Juliana laughed at Capheus earlier when he said that he wanted to sleep through the festivities as she looked towards him. "Are my festivities boring to you, Capheus? You know, since you'd rather lay down and sleep then be here." She muttered the question towards him as her eyes scanned the area.

She waited for him to answer as she looked around and wondered what was keeping Giselle. Juliana shrugged her shoulders as she didn't want her little angel to witness such an event anyway. She let the soft breeze blow through her as she adjusted herself in her seat, trying to get a little bit comfortable. Juliana let out a sigh while taking in the air as she smiled to herself. She honestly enjoyed talking with Capheus every chance they got but was still bummed about his earlier comments. She tried not to let it bother her but until he answered her question about her festivities.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Juliana Auclair Character Portrait: Capheus Auclair Character Portrait: Christoph Estermont Character Portrait: Corinna Auclair
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Capheus chuckled at her words, shrugging when she stated that his brother probably had a lot of hot air too. Maybe it was just something that ran in their family, honestly. They were all kind of proud and heavy--personality wise, not weight wise. He still had a deep adoration for his older brother, perhaps a hero worship, if you will. He loved him half to death, and wanted nothing but for him to be happy. Of course, that led to a bit of internal angst, but so far, he was still intact. ā€œHeā€™s not nearly as bad as he was as a teenager. I may have teased him about floating away sometimes.ā€ He laughed. His brother, despite still being relatively young, had changed from the young warrior that Capheus had known. They were still close, and he was grateful for that, but sometimes, it felt like Cy had taken the whole world onto his shoulders. Maybe that was why he supported Ellie and him--she made him look light.

Capheus nodded sagely at her next words, biting the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing too hard. There was something about their present interaction and the crowds screaming around them that made him want to laugh, to beam and possibly to stand up and roar a little. He wished that Asten were there, so that he could spin him around. ā€œI remember now. Is he the one that stole all the tiny chocolates at the ball too?ā€ Capheus loved chocolate. He had a personal vendetta against whoever had taken the entire tray the previous year. He hummed in response, nodding at her remark about searching for him. ā€œWisely, madam, he probably decided to skip out or risk the wrath of a great many wronged people.ā€ He mused.

That instinctual urge to laugh couldnā€™t be fought down at her next words, and mirthful sounds soon bubbled from his mouth. ā€œJuliana, my dear sister in law, I am always sleepy.ā€ He admonished. ā€œIā€™m even worse than my Tom, who is always sleeping.ā€ He loved his dog absolutely to death. ā€œI believe I slept through an earthquake at one point.ā€ He had been relatively young, and everyone had been running in circles, generally panicking and trying to steady things that were threatening to teeter over. He, on the other hand, had been in his pajamas, stuffed bear at his side as he stayed passed out in his bed.

He had given his mother a heart attack because she couldnā€™t find him. Ah, good times.

Speaking of her, he met his motherā€™s gaze as she looked up towards where he sat, offering a smile that she returned. Heā€™d have to go talk to her and Cora soon, he thought. And possibly deck Christoph... He watched as that stupid man sat down next to his sister, and it was the first sign of hostility that he had shown all day; his fist clenched, and he reached up to rest his head on his chin, almost burning a hole in the back of Christophā€™s head. Then, he looked away before he could realize, directing his focus back to his sister in law. ā€œThese are certainly not boring.ā€ He promised. ā€œThis is quite the place to be, in all reality.ā€ He added with a crooked grin, that became more genuine when he realized how well it rhymed.

ā€œIn any case,ā€ He went on, and his expression lit up at this memory. ā€œDidnā€™t you contact some of those people from the islands?ā€ He inquired. He had heard rumor that they were coming to visit, and he was terribly excited to meet new people. Perhaps Ostwall knew them best, judging by the youngest princessā€™ dress, but it would be a wonderful thing to expand relations.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Loria Estermont Character Portrait: Capheus Auclair Character Portrait: Christoph Estermont Character Portrait: Corinna Auclair
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Though Christoph had finally ceased speaking to her, Corinna couldn't shake the churning in her gut. She knew he sat directly behind her, and it sent a sort of shiver through her spine. It wasn't the same kind she'd felt as a girl when she would sneak off from a party, steal a kiss in a candlelit hall. No, this was one of revulsion, a breed of terror she hadn't felt before now.

"Stop it!" protested Calisto, pulling out of her grip again. He pulled a knot in his curly hair through her fingers, causing him to whimper before she placed a kiss on the top of his head.

"I'm so sorry, little one," she breathed, kissing him once more for good measure before she allowed him to wriggle off of her lap and on to the seat between her and her mother. The bench behind her creaked, and Cora couldn't help but look over her shoulder as Christoph left, excusing himself with a quick remark and a nod of the head. And now she could relax. She looked about the crowds, taking in the sights and the sounds eagerly. Cora's gaze swept over the royals, each of the kingdoms.

She offered a smile to her brother, hoping he'd notice despite his conversation with their Queen, their sister-in-law. Perhaps she would speak later with Juliana, but now her gaze trailed over the Falorian royalty, and she couldn't help but gasp as she saw Loria Estermont. Cora's hand leapt upward to cover her mouth, cutting off the sound of excitement as a smile spread across her face. She buzzed with excitement but forced herself to remain under control as Ris escorted Lucas down to the jousting field.

How long had it been since she'd seen the girl? Four years ago she had left Christoph, and in those four years, she had locked herself away from his entire family. Cora had been twenty-three; Ris, only thirteen. As Loria returned to her seat now, Cora stood and scampered up the few steps to the royal seats, holding up the front of her dress to avoid tripping over it.

"My dearest Loria!" she cried out, throwing her arms around Ris and holding her tightly. Eventually, she managed to pull away, and when she did, she could only beam back at Loria. She practically gushed as she spoke. "I've missed you so, so much."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Mary Hardin Character Portrait: Loras Estermont Character Portrait: Christoph Estermont Character Portrait: Corinna Auclair
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After his offhand remark, Christoph had fallen into a period of silence to watch Ronan and Cyprian joust. He gave a short cheer as Ronan fell to the ground, securing the bet he'd placed. It hadn't been a risky bet, for after the night before, very few would have dared to place a coin on Ronan. Still, he hadn't lost money, and that was what mattered to him in that moment.

He opened his mouth once more, daring to speak to Corinna again, but he cut himself off as Mary made her way to the stands and waved at him. "Do excuse me, my ladies," he said, standing as Loras and Wulf took to the field. Christoph edged his way out of the row of seats he'd placed himself in and made his way to his lover.

"How are you this morning?" he asked as he took a seat beside her. Christoph placed a hand on her thigh and pressed a kiss to her cheek before looking back at her. "I trust you slept well. It didn't seem right to wake you." He turned forward again, watching as his son hurtled down the field at Wulf. He didn't catch what went wrong, but suddenly his son had fallen to the ground, and Christoph stood instinctively, waiting for his son to sit up and then stand up.

Once he had, Christoph let himself exhale and settle back into his seat. He certainly was a cold man - his own children could attest to that - but he still cared for them, loved them as dearly as a father ought to. And so it might have been a bit of a surprise to see Christoph, a man of such little self-expression, react so to the joust. But his moment of concern was easily overlooked, just as they had been for years. Each lesson, each scraped knee, each bedtime story - he had littered his children's lives with small signs of affection, but they weren't much, and he knew that.

He placed a hand over one of Mary's, bringing himself back into the present.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Lucas Brigham Character Portrait: Loria Estermont Character Portrait: Mary Hardin Character Portrait: Chryseis Wulfston Character Portrait: Ulfric Bjornson Character Portrait: Loras Estermont
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Ris briefly wondered why, on all of Tibera, her life had to be this difficult. First her brother, now her fiancee--and the latter against someone far older than he. As she returned and took her seat, she also took Wulf and Lorasā€™ hands, unwilling to be alone or feel alone in that moment. She was still halfway giddy from Lucasā€™ words--but that also led to increased worry. Goodness, what even was peace? Certainly not something that she knew. Across the field, her gaze caught upon a familiar figure. Dark hair, spindly figure, a shape to his eyes that she shared. Christoph Estermont, her father. At least he had looked worried during Lorasā€™ joust, she reflected. She had an...interesting relationship with her father. Briefly, she wondered if he would come over to talk to her anytime soon. Of course, though, soon enough, he dedicated his attention to his most recent fancy.
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Ris felt endeared towards Mary, if only because she wished to protect the woman she saw as far more innocent than she. Christoph had snapped up and discarded many a woman in his lifetime--and Ris wondered, briefly, why he had not done the same to her. Was it because she knew what she was doing? She was certainly no pretty face, to be swept up and then left in the same breath. Perhaps he knew that if he were to abandon her, she would not take it so lightly. It felt as if heā€™d already abandoned Loras, though. For a moment, she wished that their father was stronger, that he would be able to come and help Loras to find peace in his unsteady state. But she knew that he was not and could not, and she would happily take her brotherā€™s troubles upon herself. Sheā€™d seen how the king of Ostwall looked at him--and even now, he was coming to talk to him. She hid the soft smile that appeared by dipping her head down in greeting to Ulfric, squeezing Lorasā€™ hand and then letting go.

And then, out of the blue, she heard her own name--her full name--thrown into the air by a voice that she knew, and had not heard in years. For a moment, she felt almost thirteen again, never full of laughter but full of love nonetheless. She was on her feet in a moment, gasping Coraā€™s name and beaming as if the sun had decided to take up residence behind her pale skin. She laughed, wrapping her arms tight around the older woman, the two of them swaying back and forth a little as they tried to keep their balance. ā€œCora, Cora, I missed you,ā€ She whispered, amazed to see her again. Her smile was still firmly in place, and her eyes were alight. She couldnā€™t help the laughter that bubbled up once more, and she rested her hands on her shoulders. ā€œI missed you more!ā€ She teased. ā€œMy goodness, how are you?ā€




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Loras, meanwhile, had found that he had a sudden inability to look away from the king of Ostwall. He knew he was searching out comfort, he knew he was acting absurd... Hell. He knew that this man likely looked down on any sort of conduct that didnā€™t have to do with a woman and a man and their overdramatic romance. For a moment, he wanted to roll his eyes at the giggles and the skirts, dainty hands holding calloused ones, smooth on rough and idealized beyond compare. There was no room for variation or true love amid the frantic search for a companion of any sort, and even then, they were often in the habit of leaving such companion or being torn between two companions, neither of whom could reconcile to the other. How many of the same story had been drawn out, over and over again?

He pulled himself from his thoughts as, out of the blue, the object of his previous attention rose and started towards him. Surprise was definite--had Ulfric made it to the flowers the night before, he wondered. He hadnā€™t... Heā€™d been inside of his own head too much. He would apologize to him, just in case, he resolved. He shifted a little to make room for the king, reaching up to push a lock of his own dark hair out of his eyes, offering up a familiar, crooked smile. He shook his head at his first words. ā€œNot interrupting at all.ā€ He promised, glancing towards his sister and smiling as she leapt from her seat to embrace an old friend. And then his plans were foiled entirely, because Ulfric was apologizing instead. He looked genuinely surprised, a little caught off guard.

Imageā€œItā€™s alright.ā€ He promised softly, reaching over to squeeze his shoulder in a friendly gesture, letting his fingers linger for a moment longer than necessary. ā€œDonā€™t worry about it.ā€ He encouraged with a little smile, soon returning his hands to his own lap, knotting his fingers together in a habit that he shared with his sister. He glanced away, and then looked back to Ulfric, meeting his gaze. ā€œThank you.ā€ He murmured, unable to keep from smiling at his words. He thought heā€™d done well? Heā€™d been making a show, more than anything else... But he couldnā€™t help but feel proud. For a moment, beneath the seats and out of view, he reached out, smoothing his fingers out of the fist. ā€œIā€™m happy to listen to you.ā€ He teased a little. ā€œDonā€™t stop.ā€

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Loria Estermont Character Portrait: Mary Hardin Character Portrait: Loras Estermont Character Portrait: Christoph Estermont Character Portrait: Corinna Auclair
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Mary looked at Christoph with curious eyes as he finally came over and sat beside her. She smiled when she felt his lips press against her cheek and his hand rested upon her thigh. "I am well, Christoph." She muttered towards him and nodded her head towards him. "Oh, you know how I sleep after making love with you. Peaceful and like a Queen." She snickered towards him, slapping his upper arm playfully.

When she saw that his son was about to joust, she watched the bout between the two captains and gasped for when Christoph stood up. Such a father like instinct for him to do so. Mary wasn't really scared that he had a cold expression upon his face as she probably knew the affectionate male beneath that cold face more than anyone.

"I hope he's alright." Mary stated as she rubbed his hand with her free one. She let out a sigh as she looked in direction of the female he was speaking to beforehand. Knowing Mary, she didn't want to ask the wrong question and upset him, after all, she was only his Mistress and nothing else. Well, not that she know of. Mary sat there with a smile as she looked back towards Christoph. "So, are you enjoying the jousting tournament, love?" She'd ask just as the next joust that was seemingly taking place was King against King.
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Even though she really hated these events, Mary was on the edge of her seat with anticipation, rooting for Cyprian since he was cutest out of the respective Kings.

He laughed with her as she remarked on their escapades from the night before. Mary's bold manners never failed to surprise him. It was one of the things about her he'd come to enjoy. Christoph's previous mistresses were spirited behind closed doors, but they had often adopted a shy demeanor when in public. With Mary, he was more open, less concerned about watching his tongue.

"I'm sure he's alright," he said simply, a bit too quickly as he gave her lower hand a gentle squeeze. Christoph looked back at her, but her gaze was elsewhere, and he followed it to watch as Corinna embraced his daughter. She didn't bring anything up, however, and he wasn't prepared to broach the topic either.

"As much as I can." His gaze followed the two kings before he looked back on Mary. "Unlike our dear Cyprian, the Estermont family has never been...athletically inclined. We are bankers and merchants...thinkers not fighters." He smiled to himself, giving a short sort of laugh. "I jousted years ago. Dueled as well. I'd much rather watch them impale each other now - no sense in dying for short-lived glory."

Mary knew that Christoph had saw her gaze so she quickly shifted it back towards him as he had answered her question about him enjoying the jousts. She continued to look at him as he talked and loved hearing about him talk about his family and himself. She let a soft smile show before him as she nodded her head towards him. "I don't find that hard to believe that you use to joust and duel." She commented then raised her hand up towards his upper arm and gave that body region a light squeeze. "As you certainly have the muscles from it."

She remarked with a blush that filled her cheeks now. She watched a few more jousts along with Christoph. Mary saw that the next joust that was bound to take place was Lucas and Cyprian. She didn't really know how to feel about that as she was rooting for Cyprian, of course.

"This should be interesting, huh?" She muttered towards Christoph as before the joust began, she couldn't help but let out a sigh as her eyes fluttered over towards him again. "Christoph..." She spoke his name delicately, which was most likely cause him to turn towards her. "I hate to ask but who was that you were talking to just a few moments ago." She knew that it was silly to ask him such a question but curse her curious mind for wondering.

As Mary asked that question, she bit her bottom lip out of nerves as she didn't want to make him mad. She didn't like making him mad, to be honest. Mary jumped suddenly with a soft gasp after hearing the clang of a lance connecting to armor. She eyed Christoph then back at the joust as she hoped to herself that he was going to be completely honest with her. Not that he hasn't been honest with her before.

He gave a soft laugh at her remark, placing a hand gently over the one she had placed on his upper arm. "You flatter me, my love," he said softly, looking to Mary now. As she began to blush, he smiled, watching for a moment more before he looked back to the tournament.

Mary had recently dropped her hand by her side, giggling at Christoph's words about her flattering him. She couldn't even hide her blush for the second time as she just continued on to giggle towards him.

"I imagine it will be," he commented, focusing on Cyprian and Lucas hurtling down the pitch at each other. If Mary had spoken a second sooner or later, he might have missed it, for it was softly said, easy to lose in the cheering and shouting of the spectators. But he heard her, and he turned to her with a soft "hm?"

A frown crossed his lips as she spoke, and he toyed with a ring on one of his fingers, looking back out at the jousting field. Christoph knew the question would come up, and so he certainly wasn't angry, but he had hoped he would have time to think of his response. But, hell, what did he have to hide?
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"Corinna Auclair," he answered simply, looking back at her. "A past lover. She mothered the youngest of my children. I hadn't spoken to her in years before today." Christoph looked for just a moment to Cora before looking at Mary once more. His answers were curt not because he wished to avoid the topic but because he simply didn't have much to say on it. He couldn't stand to be spurned by anyone, let alone a past lover. "It is unimportant, my love. She means nothing to me."

Mary eyed his expressions when she had asked him that question. She let a soft sigh go through her parted lips as she turned back to see another joust about to take place. She eyed the competitors and saw that it was King versus King, from separate areas, of course. Mary's eyes diverted back towards Christoph when said a name. Hearing that she mothered his the youngest of his children, it didn't really bother her. Though, she did gleam when he stated that she meant nothing to her.

"Awe. She's really pretty and so is the child." Mary smiled while she took a small glance towards Corinna now then turned back and continued to watch the tournament, leaning a bit closer to Christoph now as she would jump every now and then at the clang of a lance meeting armor.

"I wonder whose responsible for the King versus King bout." She softly muttered but didn't really expect a response as she knew that Christoph probably wouldn't know. Her eyes stared back at Corinna then towards the end of the bout as Cyprian basically lost in his own territory. She'd thought the Queen, Juliana, would be mad but her facial features didn't show that expression.

With the shrug of her shoulders, she squeezed Christoph's hand and looked ahead while asking her next question. "What are you doing after the tournament? I'm obviously not doing anything but whatever you do, I'll be more than happy to tag along, if you wish." She asked him and waited for a response.

He heard her sigh, but he couldn't quite tell, in that moment, if it were a sigh of disappointment or of acceptance or some other thought all together. And so he ignored it, assuming that it was inconsequential either way. Christoph noticed her gaze flick back to him and then towards the other woman, and he followed her gaze, watching for a moment as Ris and Cora embraced.

"Yes, she is," he said simply, perhaps more to himself than to her. He felt Mary press into him as metal struck metal, and he placed an arm loosely about her, resting his hand atop hers in an affectionate yet socially appropriate manner. He was licentious, he wouldn't deny that, but Christoph Estermont had a reputation to maintain, an air to give off. Soon he'd be far closer to the throne than most men could even dream of.

"Someone with a poor sense of judgement," he remarked. "Or an obnoxious taste in theatrics." He attempted to sound disinterested, but in reality, he kept an eye on Lucas, praying the boy knew what he was doing. It'd be a shame if something bad happened to an heirless king. But he dismounted Cyprian, to Christoph's surprise, and returned to the stands in one piece.

Christoph looked back at his lover as she squeezed his hand and asked her question. "I hadn't given much thought to it quite yet," he replied at first, which was, perhaps, peculiar for a man who always seemed to have a plan. Or, rather, he had had a plan until just minutes ago when he'd changed the plan. "I do believe I have some catching up to do with my son." His thumb gently stroked the top of her hand as he leaned down to kiss her cheek. He hovered just inches away from her once he'd pulled away. "Afterwards, I am all yours, my dear."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Loria Estermont Character Portrait: Juliana Auclair Character Portrait: Ulfric Bjornson Character Portrait: Capheus Auclair Character Portrait: Loras Estermont Character Portrait: Cyprian Auclair
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The old king felt something stir at him as Loras offered a crooked grin. He matched it quickly with one of his own - something genuine and happy that reached his eyes and caused them to bunch up slightly, showing his age for a moment. It was a smile Ulfric hadn't shown in a while, and it felt good to show it, to feel it.
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The look of surprise that crossed the younger man's face only evoked a quick, soft laugh from Ulfric who looked away for a moment. But then Loras reached out and grabbed his shoulder, a friendly gesture that he himself had used on many an occasion, and yet it felt...different. His head snapped back, and he found himself making eye contact once more as Loras pulled his hand away. He wished to cry out "don't stop". He wanted to savor this feeling of togetherness, a sort of camaraderie that he hadn't had in ages ... but he couldn't. Not here, at least.

"You're quite welcome," he replied, inclining his head slightly to Loras. "Would be proud to see a man like you represent Ostwall instead, but a man's kingdom is his, I suppose." He paused for a moment. "Except ... when it isn't I suppose." For a moment, Ulfric flushed, pursing his lips. He hadn't meant to speak so rashly, without taking the whole scenario into consideration. Sometimes he still thought Falor was one - but a third seat for the new Queen was not easy to miss.

Oh, but then he grabbed Ulfric's hand, and the King let him, allowed him to spread his weathered fingers out so that they were splayed, palm up to the sky. And the smile returned to his face, and he could feel emotion rising in him once more as he thought of a thousand things to say. But nothing came to fruition - oh, he had never been good with words. There were so many people, and he couldn't open himself up here, to this man.

"I should...be on my way," he sputtered, concerned he'd make a fool of himself far too quickly. "If you..." He began to speak but trailed off, furrowing his brow as he thought of how best to proceed before standing quickly, clasping one of Loras's hands in his own. "If you should find yourself in need of company, my room is open to you." Ulfric stepped back, reluctantly letting Loras's hand go. "I do hope I see you...Loras."





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Cora found that, hard as she tried, she couldn't release her hold on Loria. She wanted to grip the young woman tightly, never let her go, lest she lose her once again. She had believed Christoph's home was all she had ever wanted, but as much as she had loved him, it was Loria's hair she had braided and brushed, Loria who she had chased about, shared gossip with as young girls often did. And it had been Loria who had comforted Corinna when everything seemed to go to hell.
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When she had pulled away, she gave Ris's hands a squeeze - both to express affection and to steady herself. How magical it was to see that same smile grace Loria's features. Nostalgia churned within her, and she couldn't help but look down for a moment, blinking back a wave of emotion.

"I am well" she replied, struggling to find words and then resorting to a word that hardly described her situation. She was awful and wonderful all at once - her interactions with both father and daughter left her with a whirlwind of emotion that she couldn't possibly put into words. "And you? Engaged to marry King Lucas, I hear?" She squeezed Loria's hands once more. "You will have to tell me about all of the arrangements - and ... I do hope to attend your wedding myself." How grand it would be, she imagined. She pictured it, and she frowned for a moment as she began to picture the wedding she had imagined for herself all of those years ago.

Calisto brought her back into reality as he complained of the heat. "Do forgive me." Cora slowly, reluctantly, dropped Ris's hands. "I am certain we will speak again before the celebrations have ended, however." As a final thought, she reached forward and embraced the woman again, leaving a gentle kiss on her cheek as was custom among women of their class. And then she gave a quick curtsy - perhaps mock, perhaps genuine - and made her way back to her place in the stands, amongst the nobles, not royalty.





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Something clenched in his gut as Juliana's laugh rang out, reaching his ears as he returned to the seat beside her, a slightly less impressive chair, one made for a monarch's spouse. It was a sort of nostalgia, a regret, perhaps. How long had it been since she'd laughed like that for him? She had, once upon a time. She had giggled and whispered to him once, but where had that gone?

"Thank you, my love," he replied, kissing her cheek in return. And now his gaze turned to his younger brother, a smile twitching at the corners of his mouth. "Your kindness humbles me, dear brother." And he winked quickly, conveying he'd meant only to jest in his sarcasm. But Capheus knew that. "I've not a desire to get back out there any time soon... but will you be entertaining us next with you abilities?"
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Stunning, she'd called him. Oh, how he wished she'd meant that, but he couldn't lie to himself. And yet, he took her hand readily, squeezing it gently before he met her gaze.

"I'll cheer only if you win," he jested, gesturing for a goblet of wine - something to take off the edge. "Can't risk tarnishing the name any further." Of course, he didn't expect his brother would actually joust. He was too busy thinking of the fact that Ellie's scarf remained tied to his wrist, tucked beneath his doublet. But then a horse cantered down the field and stopped before the stands as the rider called out. His voice was accented in a way Cyprian couldn't place, and so he realized quite quickly that these were the islanders Juliana had spoken of earlier, in passing.

He wanted to tell his brother to stop, offer to take on this opponent instead, but Capheus had left, and Cyprian remained beside Juliana. Still holding her hand, he nursed the goblet of wine as his brother donned armor and rode out on to the packed dirt of the field.

Cyprian gave a soft huff of disdain as he watched the islander trot about in circles. "Too cocky for his own good, I imagine," he commented, running his thumb over Juliana's knuckles subconsciously. He had hoped to cheer for his brother, but it did not seem appropriate in this silence, and so he watched with bated breath as the two men hurtled at each other.

It was over almost as quickly as it had begun, and Cyprian's hand tightened around his goblet as Capheus fell. It continued to tighten, and his knuckles whitened as the rider approached the stands once more, eyeing the royal couple - or, rather, Juliana.

His jaw clenched, and Cyprian gave Juliana's hand a squeeze again. This one was just a bit less gentle than he had previously intended. "The pleasure is all my wife's and mine," he called back, forcing a harsh smile onto his face. It was hardly subtle to a man of any intelligence. Cyprian gave a brief incline of the head but nothing more than that. "We welcome you with open arms to Seabel."