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 Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2024 12:50 pm
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Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2024 5:44 pm
Deidameia 1 The Oban man in front of Deidameia pushed his way through the crowd of people, clearing a space for her to pass through easily, glaring at anyone who dared come too close to his charge. It always made her want to sigh, even if she, at the same time, understood his care for her person. Nor could she hardly hide her intentions for the day, like she normally would have done to avoid having her bodyguard following her around awkwardly. Not today, with the bag she was protectively covering with a hand swinging against her side. There wasn't anything valuable in it, at least not to most people. To her and those she planned to give the contents to, they were some of the most important things in the world.
As soon as the crowds thinned out, Aldhard slowed down to walk by her side, adding his body as a shield for her bag. "Is your mother doing well today?"
"A little," the girl answered without looking up at him, her eyes instead on their destination approaching slowly at the end of the street. "She managed to sit up this morning for a half hour."
The man made a small sound in his throat of recognition. As the doors to the orphanage grew closer, he moved forward to open the door for her, smiling his small smile down at her. "Every bit of progress is good. I hope to see her walking, again."
Deidameia merely nodded her head, not trusting her voice to answer. She didn't like the subject of her mother's poor health, though she appreciated the concern. She stepped inside, the gust of air from the closing door causing the loose strands of her hair to brush against her face.
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Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2024 9:26 pm
Calix rubbed the back of his neck as he looked at the large building in front of him. It was an awkward feeling doing events for his family like this, but he had volunteered to take Alinta's spot since she was doing a training event with the Oban army this week. She was much better with children though and Calix could only grit his teeth as he prepared to march forward. His guards were around the streets, casually strolling along in normal attire or leaning against corners to keep an eye on those passing through while trying to avoid notice themselves. Even Calix had dressed in more casual attire to look more discreet, his plain clothing different from the usual silks he had to wear at more formal events. He had asked it to be that way since he didn't want to cause a scene, but at the same time realized going into such a place still required protection no matter how much he wanted to deny it. At least it wasn't like his childhood where he couldn't even breathe without a guard nearby. The very thought brought a frown to Calix's lips, the young nobleman shaking his head as he moved towards the front door of the orphanage and entered.
"Ah! Another volunteer today for the children." One of the matrons greeted Calix, her smile bright as she looked over him. Not as many knew about his identity today and he hoped to keep it that way, but when he heard the words another volunteer the young nobleman frowned and looked over to only blink in surprise.
"You?" He asked, almost feeling incredulous at the chances. What in On'os name was she doing here out of all places and times? Still, Calix could only shake his head and keep a small smile on his face as he looked back towards the matron. "I mean I'm here to help." Even though he wanted to keep taking peeks back towards the other volunteer, Calix pressed forward as the matron prepared to give them a small tour of the place.
[Calix 1]
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Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2024 5:39 pm
Deidameia 2 Deidameia stood blinking not far from the door, hardly taking in anyone else around her except for the woman who had greeted her. She had equally not expected to see anyone else here save for herself. Though it wasn't uncommon to find other volunteers, she hadn't come here with any hints of there being someone else. She stood straightening her hair and the veil hanging off the bun in the back before her ears were met with a single word that snapped her head in the direction of the speaker. What smile had been lingering on her lips vanished, to be replaced by raised eyebrows and widened eyes. Only for a second until those, too, vanished, to be replaced by a proud tilt of her chin in the direction of Calix. A name she could hardly be allowed to forget.
Aldhard, stationing himself to stand beside the door to await his mistress, caught the quick interaction between the two teenagers. He looked away with a small smile on his face while nodding his head at a staff member nearby.
Forcing a small smile on her face, the young woman dipped her head in greeting, hoping her expression didn't convey too much of her true emotion.
"I don't believe I've had the pleasure of seeing you here before. It is always nice to see others taking an interest in the children." To the matron, she smiled a little wider and added, "I am prepared to follow," before moving forward to do just that.
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Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2025 9:39 pm
If only Alinta realized what she had truly gotten him into. Calix could barely contain the flurry of thoughts that were spiraling as he nodded towards Lady Damaris. He still felt conflicted about their initial meeting and the awful turn that their pleasant evening had taken with the unexpected reveal, but it was hard for Calix to understand anyone’s intentions in this society. Was she going to be trying to act as if they were friends because of their exchange simply because she knew what background he held or was she actually intrigued by him as a person? If she would even care, considering the cold shoulder he had given her the remainder of that night where he had just retreated like some coward who did not want to deal with the crowd’s curiosity. And then to just address her like that with you? He was the epitome of elegance and wisdom today, it appeared. All he could do was simply nod towards Lady Damaris as he allowed the matron to begin her tour, the older Oban woman showing them past the initial foyer into the hallway where there was a small library and a classroom for the children. “Over there is the dining hall and up those stairs are the sleeping quarters where the children have a few rooms to split amongst themselves. I could show you their quarters as well, if you’d like.” Calix was somewhat attentive even though his gaze kept slipping over towards Deidameia, the young nobleman staring and then looking quickly away once he realized.
“Ah, yes. It seems comfortable enough from what I’ve seen and I know that my aunt has toured before so it’s not necessary. However, are there any urgent necessities?” Calix inquired of the matron as they walked through the kitchen, the space big enough to prepare multiple meals and giving him a chance to walk more towards the side to give him plenty of space from his unexpected companion. They had probably cleaned even more than usual since his arrival had been announced just a day prior, Calix’s presence gathering more concerns than if his aunt had visited. Even the back hallway with the matron's study and personal quarters seemed to have the door slightly ajar to prove that it was pristine and not hiding anything from the Cyrillus family's heir. Something that was fair enough considering his own grandmother had helped fund the orphanage since she believed in helping out others as much as possible, just as she had with the healing center in Sulburi.
“I had discussed a few things with Lady Alinta, but I can always draft a list for your convenience.” The matron spoke with a small smile before gesturing towards the arched doors that led into a back courtyard, the area carefully surrounded by a fence and an outer storage building. The gardens grew some necessities and colorful plants that could grow in the desert heat and gave the children a place to play with a small fountain and stone benches beneath some spindly trees to offer some respite from the blistering sun. “I could use a pair of extra eyes on the children while I gather the documents. Milady can present her gifts to the children as well, if that is acceptable to you both. Is that an alright request, sir-?” The matron looked towards Calix with her head tilted, curious to see how the previously reclusive lord would react.
“Calix is fine and I do not mind helping while you prepare the documents.” Calix replied even though every fiber of his being wanted to run away. Surely though it wouldn’t be an impossible task to just stand in the gardens for a moment with children, right? He swallowed against the thought as he turned towards the lady in question and waited on her answer. So she actually had brought things for the children? It was just a pure coincidence once more? Could he truly believe that? And if not then the bigger question was who was leaking his schedule to Lady Damaris like this?
[Calix 2]
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Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2025 6:31 pm
Deidemeia 3 Contrary to what Calix was thinking, Deidemeia did neither of those things. She merely addressed him as a stranger she'd just met for the first time, than proceeded to ignore him, looking away to smile at the matron before her eyes roamed around the room like she hadn't been here before. Which was hardly true. She'd been here many times. So many, she even knew each child by name. But it was all she could do to stop herself from saying something she'd probably regret later.
So when they started moving further into the orphanage, the young woman continued to keep her mouth shut against the many things she would have loved to say. With her eyes staring straight ahead and her chin lifted a little higher than was normal, she listened to their conversation with only half-interest. Which seemed to go unnoticed, as the matron spoke mostly to the lord in the room. Not that Deidemeia minded. It gave her time to think and calm her nerves. That was until her eyes strayed a little too far to his side of the hallway. So far away. She wasn't going to bite, no matter how much she'd love to. Was he that bothered by her lower status? Could he really be that arrogant? She'd heard him laugh at her jokes in the garden. What had that been, than? Was he just different behind the backs of everyone else who would judge him so quickly? That wasn't very commendable.
After a few seconds, the noble found herself glaring at him and quickly turned her gaze away. She watched the matron talk, but out of the corner of her eye she could catch movement against the other wall. What was he doing, now? Surely not watching her. Was he making sure she kept her distance or did he so badly want to say something else rude to her that he couldn't help the movement of his head? It went on so long she almost did turn her head to purposely direct a glare at him when they reached their destination, breaking her concentration away from him. Children. She was here for the children, not to play noble politics with Lord Cyrillus, of all people.
She heaved a sigh and stepped forward, eager to find a new distraction. "Of course. It has been a while since I was here last. I've missed them." She couldn't resist putting emphasis on the words, her chin raising itself a little bit higher, her eyes refusing to acknowledge the other presence in the room. With a simple nod to the older woman, Deidemeia entered into the garden as a kind smile spread across her face at the sight of all the activity. Children chased each other around the garden. Some had scratched a game into the stones to play. One was hiding under a bench, a book open in their lap. Yes. Just the right amount of chaos to help her ignore her unfortunate partner.
Before she had a chance to open her mouth, a little boy darted out from nowhere to wrap his arms around her thighs, the highest point he could reach. "Meimei!" he yelled, drawing the attention of a pack of more who joined them. "I lost a tooth yesterday!"
"Oh, did you?" the one now named Meimei answered, bending down so she could look at him better. She ruffled his hair affectionately. "You're getting so big, now, Sakis. Soon you'll reach my waist." Her eyes flicked over them, landing on a little girl with dark red hair. The girl was standing away from the others as if shy. Deidemeia stood up long enough to walk over, squatting back down. "Hello, Fotini. How is your knee?"
"Is better, miss..." the child answered quietly.
"Good. Do you remember what you asked me last time?" The girl looked confused for a moment, than her face slowly lite up as memory dawned on it. She nodded her head, showing much more emotion than she had before. Standing back up, continuing to ignore the other noble. she reached around to her bag, pulling it forward. Flipping open the flap, she worked her hand through the contents until she found what she was after. A small doll came out, a smooth looking animal in a shape few Obans were likely to see unless they traveled. She presented it to the child, feeling the familiar joy spreading across her chest whenever one of her carefully crafted toys made someone happy.
That joy was short-lived when she heard a voice behind her ask, "Who're you?" Right. She wasn't alone today. How would he handle the children?
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Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2025 9:33 pm
Hoshi Lockhart the coding made this all weird so I tried to fix it
What was her ploy? Calix couldn't help wondering when he realized that Deidemeia was simply ignoring him. If she had planned upon arriving at the same time he did then it would make more sense for her to openly approach him more, no? Or was she simply trying to gauge his interest by making him approach first? Calix frowned at the thought. It wasn't as if he could just walk back into a dark garden to enjoy a pleasant conversation together while being ignorant of who she was nor she of him. Now that his identity was out in the open along with her own it was obvious that there were lines he had to draw…at least if he wanted to avoid any gossip. Though even Calix had to question things. Was he misleading her if he was simply being courteous and if so, why did it bother him this much now? Such a thing had not crossed his mind once he had warmed up to her that night. Yet at the party once they had walked their separate ways it was hard not to hear whispered conversations about the lady wanting to find a suitor to elevate her status and how someone from the Cyrillus family would be a perfect advantage to many. The very realization had turned his blood cold and made him feel like a fool for opening up at such an event in the first place. What had he even been thinking? The affair was mostly a ruse for many to make connections so that they could offer their children to eligible partners. And now he couldn't even try to ignore that it had ever happened, not when the lady in question was present in the same room as him once more.
Calix nearly flinched at her words. So she had been here before. It still didn't completely alleviate his concerns, especially if one knew that his family was helping to sponsor the space. It could be a long standing ploy to make that connection through this but once again he found himself torn. It was hard to believe that of the lady who had spoken so candidly with him that night. But the rumors also kept ringing in head, including those about her family and the greedy expression of others once he walked past them that night. Though unlike others it seemed that she held no concern for his presence as she walked out into the gardens to greet the children. And while it should have relieved him to avoid attention like he usually preferred there was part of him that actually did feel slighted by the reaction.
Meimei? There was a nickname for her and she had even brought them a doll? The sight softened something within him, Calix finding himself slowly shifting towards Lady Damaris again. It would have almost been endearing to watch the children greeting Lady Damaris if Calix didn't feel so awkward once the children noticed him. If the matron had only asked him to stay with her instead of doing this! Still, he had a responsibility to play his role as heir and to maintain things here. What sort of leader would he be if he was overwhelmed by children like this? One who much prefers books, that’s the sort. Calix could only plaster a small smile on his face as he raised a hand in greeting. "A visitor. It's nice to meet you all. You can call me Calix." He began formally before trying to lighten things up a bit. How could he demand that they address him by his title? They were just children and no one else was present so he was fine with this. "It sounds like a lot is going on. Is there anything that I..." Here he looked over at the Lady Damaris and quietly praying to On'os that she wouldn't smite him for this. "That we can help out with this afternoon? I would like to get to know more about all of you and this place."
"Maybe." One of the other children had come out, a boy with golden eyes and pale blue speckles across his tanned skin to show his mixed heritage that was similar to Calix's own. "We were gonna play a game soon. Want to join?"
"What is it?" A game shouldn't be too much of a risk, right? Maybe something to do with the dolls or a game of toss perhaps? But to his horror some of the children simply grinned towards him, a couple of giggles even escaping the more mischievous ones.
"Know about truth or dare? We can play that one!"
Oh gods...
[Calix 3]
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Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2025 4:46 pm
Sabra Knight Ah, my bad. I moved it.Also forgive me for passing it back, I am not good at truth/dare. Been thinking about this one for a while.
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