ROLEPLAY HQ - be-careful-what-deals-you-make

Alea’s feet thumped up the steps as she headed toward her bedroom. Her grip on the railing tightened with each bound, hoping to pull the entirety of herself out of the exhaustion of the party. One of the benefits of a spring birthday is the weather finally warming. The hoodie she had lived in over the winter had been shed somewhere between dinner, and charades. (Probably) A light infectious giggle had waned as she exhaled and leaned on her bedroom door. The warm light from the kitchen is still begging for her return across the stairs. Alea takes a moment to simply breathe deep and let the day sink in. Her mother woke her with breakfast and flowers. Her step father arranged for the dinner and all her friends. The flood of people into her home only multiplied the excitement at the silly games. A tight pair of shorts complained of the truly gluttonous spread of all her favorite snacks. Her mother had always let her enjoy life in her own way, but even tonight she seemed distant as she shared Alea’s first glass of wine with her. Maybe thats why her cheeks were hot. It’s not like she drank a whole bottle… and she had plenty of food… Her soft palm felt her warm cheek and she scrunched her face at the idea. No, not impaired… just tired… and happy. One more large slow deep breath let her handle turn and the door swing into her cozy bedroom. Her desk was tidy, a small wooden work surface perched just next to a massive bookcase. Alea had many interests over her very average life. A collection of books mapping out various hobbies. Crafting, drawing, there were some smutty romances tucked away next to the “Solar Energy for Dummies” book. Her large windows faced the woods, something that used to bother her until they came to feel like peace when she sat below them on her bed. Everything had it’s place, and everything was in it. The pictures of her friends and her laughing and smiling… a few old photos of her father, before he passed…

5:11 PM

The only thing her tired feet cared about was the full sized bed that held far too many pillow shaped animals. One faded favorite owl front and center, worn from constant snuggles. “UH.” She was quick to close her gaping mouth at the grey eyes looking over her with interest. “The uh, party is downstairs dude.” Alea thumbed over her shoulder and dismissed him. This was her personal space. No one was supposed to be up here.

When Palan had made this deal, he had expected his bride to be presented to him in a more... dignified fashion. Instead, he was forced to wait in her room as she stumbled in half-asleep and clearly intoxicated. Now he was almost tempted to come back tomorrow when she might be more prepared for him. But sitting in front of her on her bed, he could taste the salivating flavors of her current joy. Drunk joy, but joy nonetheless. He was too hungry. He wasn't going to wait any longer. Palan's eyes narrowed when Alea directed him out of the room. “Do you not recognize me, Alea? I was promised that you would. You should know why I'm here.”

Nothing was quite as sobering as a stranger invading your personal space. (Never mind that it was one glass… well over an hour ago.) Her rounded cheeks of enjoyment fell a bit when the stranger did not move from her room. Should she recognize him? Curious green eyes examined him from top to bottom. There was a passing familiarity to something, but she had most definitely - not seen him before. “Vaguely familiar,” Alea admitted quietly, hoping not to be completely argumentative. “ But sorry, past that I’m a little lost. Can we go back down with everyone else?” Her weight shifted and she motioned to the open door again. Somewhere with witnesses… Then it would take the charge of nervousness from her fingertips taping one another. Alea shifted her weight again but there was an inquisitive head tilt, still trying to place the familiarity. Friend of a friend? So and so’s once removed blah blah blah? She was admittedly bad at remembering people outside her usual circle.

Palan stood and opened his arms to present himself. “Tell me, dear, what other fae would appear in your bedroom than the one who united your mother and your father? You must have heard of me!”

Other Fae? “Uh, there should be no Fae in my bedroom… regardless of if he helped my mom or not.” Alea spoke from her chest, hoping to draw the attention of her mother downstairs. Sure there was a nervousness in how her shoulder tensed hoping to back toward the door. He might not want to leave her room, but she didn't have to be alone with a stranger.

Palan frowned. “Surely your husband of all fae belongs in your bedroom. Did your mother never tell you our deal?” He bowed as he presented himself. “I am Palan. Before you were born, I helped your mother find your father in exchange for a bride. And you are my bride.”

Alea frowned more and more as he clued her into his view of the situation. A half manic chuckle suppressed quickly. “She was always a shit negotiator. But this?” She exhaled hard and shook her head no. There was no way her mother just… offered up a bride. “Don’t I have to agree to be a bride? I dont even agree to be a girlfriend.” Alea knife handed at him as he rose from his respectful bow.

“Agree?” Palan questioned. “The agreement has already been made, dear, a long time ago. You do not get a say in this now. Do you not know how this works?” He loosely gripped her outstretched hand and brought it close to his chest. “You do not need to be afraid, dear. Your mother knows me well enough to trust you with me. And I know about you and you know about me. There is nothing that should impede this, and so we shall go and say goodbye to your family, and then we shall be off.”

"Oh I most definitely get to have a say." she was cautious and her hand did not move easily as he lowered to offer quiet assurances and hold her hand to his chest. Alea's arm stretched as far away from her as it could as it met soft fabric and light breathing. "How about me? I can impede this!" she growled in confusion and retracted her hand slowly. .. Hoping it would be that simple. There was a drop in her tone as the stories of old raced through her head. A deal is a deal... Fae deals do not get broken. Her mother voice echoed through the many stories she had used to warn of the forest. The sound of stepps on the stairs hinted at her mother coming to check on the noise.

Palan snorted. “You could, but you would be silly and childish to do so. You're hardly the first arranged bride in the world, and believe me, I have seen far worse matches. So don't make a fuss, or I'll take you home this instance instead of allowing you to say goodbye and gather your things.”

"Im. Not. Leaving." she articulated carefully. Bright green eyes on fire with determination as she planted herself beside her shelf.

“My dear Alea,” Palan cooed. He put a hand on her shoulder, and the moment he made contact, the room around them disappeared, replaced by an entirely different one. They were inside a circular room with smooth wood walls. It was dimly lit by tiny wisps of light on the ceiling. Along the sides were tables and chairs that grew from the wood floor. There was no visible door or window to leave. In the center of the room was a literal flower bed with a sheet of wool thrown on top of it. “I wasn't asking.” (edited)

In a whirlwind of greenery and a heavy scent of pine, her bedroom dissipated from under her (well-planted) feet. Several steps from under his palm did nothing in the way of escape... Though the distance offered a small relief. There was a stark difference between being trapped... And being attacked. Quick glances for doors and windows left little in the way of running away. Her mouth opened a few times to speak... But what words would trump teleportation? She huffed a few times, taking in the well-grown cage. All the while flickers of anger and trepidation sprinkled into every glance back at him. Thankfully. Very Thankfully he seemed to allow her space and time to work through it. They had to be in the forest. The winding grain of living trees giving the smooth walls artful swirls. Even the lights above. Tree canopies are too far away to reach, and the warm sun sprinkles through green leaves. The soft dirt floor was cool under her bare feet, and very compact. If he approached... She would have to fight... But if he gave her time? Maybe she could come to terms better. Or at least think things through.

“I shall give you time to calm from your fit and explore your new home,” Palan explained. “Don't worry about air, our bedroom is better ventilated than it appears.” Palan pointed out the flower bed in the center. “You're tired, so why don't you take a few hours to sleep? The flowers' vines will grow and knit over you to serve as blankets and pillows. I promise it's more comfortable than it sounds. I have been working on the enchantments for that bed for hundreds of years.” Palan stepped closer and patted Alea's head with a nod. “If you wake up, gently knock on the walls a few times if you need a drink or food or to relieve yourself. I'll arrive to help you leave so you can attend to your needs.” And then he disappeared, leaving her alone. (edited)

9:18 AM

@Quinn Foxx

“If you wake up” Alea whispered and repeated a very worrisome detail. If? Not when? She wore a path along the wall, walking in circles and letting her fingertips drag across the hardwood. Why her? If he could go take anyone for his bride and drop them in the hole… why her? She changed directions and walked the other way. Loose blond hair continually shifted as she spun. Hundreds of years? What did he want with someone less than a quarter century old then? Surely they didn't have anything in common. Then the tears burned from tired eyes. Her mother just, willingly said sure, you can have my daughter? Even if she did trust this guy, and he did bring her parents together… A bride implied sex. Implied co-living and care and commitment to some stranger who patted her on her head and treated her like a child. The exhaustion of the day drew her attention to the flower bed. Vines woven in checkered patterns. Tiny flowers blooming along the foot and headboard. It was a feat. Magically grown or otherwise. The two trees at the head board offered strong pillars for the vining plants to support and strengthen themselves. But because Mr. Im your husband told her to lay down… she wasnt quite ready yet. No matter how much her body needed rest. Another lap around the room. What if he was lying? She wasn’t promised to him and he was just a plain old kidnapper? Fae can’t lie. They can be tricky with semantics. They can let you go astray from their intent… but they cannot lie. Her mother always paid her more attention during stories… looking back… they were warnings. She’d already promised Alea away…. This was just the only way she thought to prepare her. Alea huffed and shook her head at her mother. She was always hesitant to start trouble…. Telling your daughter you married her off…. Definition of trouble .

10:36 AM

Eventually.. Exhaustion won out over stubbornness and she curled up on the foot of the bed. Alea carefully climbed along the woven vines, testing their give and where laying might be comfortable. Her fingertips carefully traced the flowers creating the footboard of the bed… he wasn’t lying… it was far more comfortable than it looked. She shoved her hair out of her face. Her short pointed ears were easily hidden otherwise. Alea was short for an elf, and far more curvy than any of the tall lean elves her father knew. The only hint of her genetics sat unnoticed under her hair most times. She didn't think she inherited any other traits of the elves. She was not graceful… and her mother made sure she hadn’t spent time in the forest… Even if she did go near… It was far more fearful than enjoyable. Until today. Until the best sleep she’d ever had in a bed of vining flowers under a sun lit canopy of greenery. The tension her her curled up ball finally turned into a comfortable lazy stretch across the foot of the bed, and she would be heavily asleep until mid afternoon.

Palan returned about a quarter day later to check on his dear Alea and perhaps sleep himself. He instead found her out cold on their bed, perfectly comfortable under the blanket of leaves that had grown over her. He gently brushed his hand through her hair and smiled. He couldn't resist taking a sip of her blissful relaxation. It wasn't quite joy, but it was hopefully a good appetizer for what was to come. Palan busied himself setting up the gifts from Alea's mother. He slid Alea's stuffed owl under the covers and into her arms. He set the clothes in a wooden wardrobe that grew out of the wall. He laid the message bag full of books on one of the tables. Her toiletries he needed to teleport out to place on a counter in their bathroom. Finally, Palan laid a letter from her mother on the nearest nightstand to her along with a covered pitcher of sweat nectar. He had granted Alea the privacy of keeping the envelope sealed so that she can read the words by herself. Alea's mother had been far more helpful than Palan had dared to hope. He'd have to let her visit her daughter regularly, once he was sure that such a visit would help Alea rather than make her more homesick. But that was another day, and today he would have to worry about finding somewhere else to sleep, because he didn't have it in his heart to disturb his wife. He left her in peace until she woke up naturally.

11:03 AM

@Quinn Foxx

Alea may have stirred once or twice as he took the time to bring her belongings, but after her birthday party, her kidnapping, and finding out she was traded like cattle… sleep was a peaceful escape. The mid afternoon sun through the trees warmed her face and coaxed consciousness. She stretched under the leafy weight of warmth, and audibly grumbled as she rubbed her eyes and sat up. “Nope, not a nightmare.” She grumbled and twisted over the edge of the bed, before miscalculating and thumping onto the ground with a groan. Alea sighed at her own lack of balance and pushed herself up to her feet to look around. The wardrobe on the wall was new. So was the sidetable, what looked like juice, and a navy blue envelope with gold lettering. Her mothers signature stationery Alea had purchased for her birthday. The knot in her chest tightened and she snatched the letter up. If her mother was already writing… Palan was right. She scanned the words in swirls and ink. Promises of a good life, and asking forgiveness. Her head dipped reading lines of explanation and understanding. It was easy for her mother to be understanding… it wasn't her life she traded away. Aching hands let the letter fall to the floor. Those words ran hollow. Sure her mother probably meant them, but it did not excuse the ‘bride’s prison and the stranger intent on being her husband. Alea went to pour what looked like juice… only to find it more consistent with honey. She dipped the tip of her finger in the pitcher and reluctantly tasted it. Not honey, but super sweet. What an odd choice. Her bladder didnt care if she didnt want to see Palan. Nor did the need for water… and maybe a shower. She ran her tongue over her teeth and already missed her dental hygiene stuff from home. Afew light steps brought her to the wall, and the softest few knocks left her wondering if she looked as stupid as she felt.

The wall behind her groaned and stretched until it grew to be a door that swung open, revealing Palan. His hair was ruffled a bit, but he had a wide smile on his face and seemed to be in excellent cheer. “Good afternoon, my sleeping beauty,” he practically sang. He offered his hand to her. “I hope you're feeling better enough to explore our home.”

2:00 PM

@Quinn Foxx

Alea’s mood sours. his beauty. More like his prisoner. “I need the bathroom.” She cleared her throat and tried to remain neutral for the sake of getting her needs met quickly. Alea still kept her distance from him, but there was less aggression in her stance. If he wanted to hurt her, there would have already been an altercation. Kidnapping people ‘nicely’ still didn’t give him a lot of leeway. As far as exploring her new home? When she was alone, there was a weight lifted off her chest she didn’t equate to nature (yet) and exploring sounded promising. With him though? Guess there had to be a downside to everything.

Palan retracted his hand, his cheer noticeably dimmer. He beckoned Alea to follow him through what appeared to be a hallway formed from tall hedges with a leafy canopy. Now outside of the wooden bedroom, Alea could see that it was the interior of a giant, reddish tree. “My clearing is magic, hidden from the rest of the world and at my total control, so for hundreds of years, I felt safe enough to lie on my bed in the open. But I know how you mortals are, so I built this structure for us over the past two decades to make it more amiable to you. I expanded and then hallowed out the inside of my tree to serve as our bedroom, and grew the rest from there.” To the right of the bedroom, the hedge walls opened to create a doorway that Palan presented with one arm. “This is our bathroom.” Inside was a large alcove formed by three sheer cliffs, lit by an open sky above them. A flowing waterfall entered through a crack in the cliff on the left, forming a primitive shower that ran into a lazy stream. The stream became wider and waist deep as it joined up with another creek emerging from the front cliff, forming a bathing area. The flow continues to the right until it disappeared under the right cliff.

11:15 AM

@Quinn Foxx

Before she could turn to ask for privacy (and or a door) he seemed to politely give her time to take care of herself. Alea was quick and to the point. Rather than make an attempt to wash the fluffy maine of hair, she braided it back and out of the way. Unsure fingers worked wisps behind her pointed ears and she exhaled hard. Time to go negotiate for whatever this was. No more than a few steps back 'out' toward where they had entered, a patient Palan awaited her return. There were several ways she worried that might go, but however wrong and misguided he was in thinking she was his bride, he still afforded her some privacy and dignity. "Okay, so...." She Exhaled hard and dragged her toes around as she planted herself a decent conversational distance from him.

Palan took Alea's hand and seemed to sweep her up as he led her further down the hedge corridor. “Come along, Alea! We have a busy day. I have so much I want to show you. Like I said, this place was grown for you, my dear.” He reached another doorway and directed Alea to look inside. “This is our garden. I think it needs no further introduction.” The hedges opened up to reveal an open space where the sun poured into illuminate everything in a warm glow. A fountain bubbled up from the ground in the center of the garden, whose four streams flowed to cut the space into quarters. Towards the back were fruit trees of every type Alea that she knew (and many she didn't) growing equispaced from one another. This orchard transitioned into a more traditional vegetable garden, starting with vine plants and transitioning into grasses. Filling any gaps between the food bearing plants were colorful flowers of all shapes and sizes that leaned into the gravel walkways that meandered through the garden. As Alea took it all in, Palan made a dismissing motion towards the space. “Go on then, you're free to explore it at your leisure. You must be curious about what beauties I have hidden in it. I will merely watch you for now.”

11:40 AM

@Quinn Foxx