currently recovering
from a hiatus.
Her silk hair had been twisted into a plait that rested upon her prominent collarbone and accentuated her neck, whilst her porcelain skin was powdered by a young girl with freckles sprinkled over her nose in order to erase her non-existent imperfections. Today, the queen would not be trapped in her usual silence, for a friend was travelling specifically to visit her. After some convincing, her husband allowed her the privacy of the tearoom for the afternoon in order to entertain her guest, whom shared her perseverance yet also her reserved nature. The times they had met previously had only cemented their likeliness with one another and this mutual demeanour was what birthed this unlikely partnership— perhaps even friendship.
The queen pursed her rouge lips as she stood by the window, the young maid bowing her head in her direction. “He should be here shortly.” Elisa was left with only her silence, her gaze capturing all the outside world had to offer. If the rumours were true, this land could possibly be devoured by flames and evil within the next few months. She was no stranger to evil, yet evil was a stranger to her. She repelled it’s menacing claws, yet could that really be enough to prevent her people from being captured by the demon’s clutches? Truthfully, her spirit was crying out for anything to pry her from her tedious life. The King only saw her beauty and nothing more, her brother spent his days away from the public eye for his swan wing was far too peculiar, and she kept her magics a secret from all but a few— she was almost set aflame once, who was to say it couldn’t happen again?
An escape from this life would be a dream, yet she had her people to serve and every inch of goodness within her being knew that abandoning them would be a sin. However, she was bound to this kingdom by an unhappy marriage— and that was a weak set of chains for a woman with such a bustling soul and lionheart.
A vase sat within the center of the table as she sat upon the lavish couch. The flora was dull if anything and hardly complimented the treats and tea laid out over the table. Doe-eyes scanning for any witnesses, the Queen curled an index and watched with great joy at the roses that spawned from inside of the glass; replacing the wilted flowers with their emerald stems and ruby red petals. It was then she heard the creak of wood and she leaned back into the sofa, retreating her hand. Elisa’s auburn eyes expectantly watched the doorway to the tearoom, awaiting the icy visage of the White Bear— her guest.
A 4 days travel or so was the only thing it took the White Bear to reach his destination. The Kingdom he was visiting had been a friendly nation to him and Ultima Thule for ages to show. The current Queen being no exception. The reserved yet warm nature of the Queen mixed with his own reservedness and bustling courage had formed a strange sort of coalition. Although Valemom had never been viewed in perhaps the most positive way by the country’s King he had not cared about it. Just due to the very fact of Queen Elisa being who she was.
“Sire we will arrive in a few minutes time.” He nodded his head to the rider trotting over to his side. The King almost wanted to huff. Had he been travelling alone he would have covered the distance in mere two days time. The speed his animalistic form held was beyond ordinary, and he quite enjoyed having that upper hand when needed. Alas, today was an official visit. Riders and banners on all side of him. As customs foretold he wore his uniform jacket and his hair was well groomed, all that expected of a true King. There was none who would ever think otherwise once they looked at his stance or saw his eyes. Those eyes that often stood in stark contrast to what his visage often made him seem to be, cold.
“Welcome your Highness.”
He offered a smile as his company and him had made it through the castle gates. “Much appreciated.” His voice was so fluid and kind it even managed to drag a smile to his greeters face. “Queen Elisa is awaiting you in the tea-room, so if you’d please.” The same aged man, gestured for the other to follow him into the castle. A lavish castle it was indeed, close to rivalling his own though he would always prefer his home. As the man stopped in front of a door, he waited two steps behind him as he called into the room before opening the door. “Your highness, King Valemon has arrived.”
The man then excused himself, leaving it only be Valemon who entered the room. Closing the door behind him he turned towards the female sitting on the sofa. “Queen Elisa.”, he begun while offered a small bow and one of his trademark smiles. “You are indeed a sight for sore eyes in these times.” Without further words he approached the middle of the room and stopping in front of the couch and held out his hand for her to place her’s into.
“Sire please..”
“Your royal Highness please listen to us.”
“King Valemon we must—”
Charged with incredible power he slammed his fist into the thick and large oak table, interrupting his advisors. “We must not such a thing!” He growled out over the assemble of people around the long table. Quickly he rose to his feet, placing both hands on the table. “Are we mere cowards whom will give in to any threat that is posed to us?”, he began and watched as his advisors began to avoid his look. “Are we not the royal kingdom of Ultima Thule, the country home to the six month nights?”
His questions were direct, demanding to be answered. King Valemon was not a man to be taken lightly. He had fend of attackers before and come out victorious each time, a King worthy of his crown. “..However sire—” one of them began with a meek voice. “Even Aslan has ordered every fable out of the Homelands, we must heed to his advice it is no—” Though by the harsh look of his King the advisor stopped mid-sentence and dropped his gaze again. “I am not abandoning my people.” Saying his final words he left the room, his step echoing against the marble walls of his castle.
But a King in such dire situations are seldom left alone for long, and after a few minutes one of his trusted subjects came running towards him. “Your Highness.”, he called from across the hall and bowed. “Your Highness we have prepared the carriage for the Queen and the Princesses.” Askeladden spoke with the outmost care, and watched as his King’s eyes grew sad at the thought. But for King Valemon, it was necessary to ensure him they would still be alive at the end of the war. “..Good work Askeladden, I’ll go right away.”
He left the blonde man behind and as the dark sky outside came to view in the windows he exited out to where the carriage stood. As on que his Queen came out followed shortly by his three little girls. “Far! Far!” Upon spotting him they ran to him all three and he squatted down to embrace them all three. Nothing was said as long as the hug lasted. “Father, are you not coming along?” the oldest of the three questioned. Solemnly he shook his head. “I fear not my precious. I need to stay here.” The three girls soundly voiced their objections, King Valemon allowing them to do so freely. However as their mother, the Queen, shushed them they stayed silent. He rose to his feet and watched as she spoke to them in that warm voice that she had always possessed. “Your father is not yours only my dearest girls. He’s the entire Kingdom’s father, and he must protect it just as he protects us by doing this.” Her voice was like velvet, soft and smooth and he couldn’t help the smile that stretched out on his face. The three girls silently agreed to their mothers words and turned towards the carriage with a sad look on their face.
It broke his heart, it really did. But were they to have a chance at surviving this they needed to be far away from this madness. “My dear.”, her voice made him turn towards her, again smiling as he moved closer. Without hesitating he wrapped his arms around her frail form, holding her close. With a whisper she posed the question she had refrained from asking in front of the girls. “Must it be like this? Can’t you follow us instead.” Silently he shook his head and pulled back to look at her face. And as tears welled up in her beautiful eyes he lifted hand to cup her cheek. “I’m sorry.” He muttered and pulled her closer to leave a soft kiss tinged with sadness on her lips. “Stay alive and I will find you, if I don’t live past this start over. I love you.” Nodding she held onto his hand as long as she could before letting go and walking into the carriage.
And that was the last thing he said to his wife, his Queen and mother of his children, and the last he would see of her and their children for decades to come.
We may have lost a battle, but the war is far from over.Despite our best efforts, the growing power of the Adversary has broken through our defenses. We have no choice but to evacuate all innocent Fables to planet Earth, including our own. There are portals set up in the edges of the Hidden Kingdom that will close at the will of its defenders. Those who have been selected shall defend the portals against the enemy forces while the rest will assist with helping Fables escape.
Those who have infiltrated the Adversary on our behalf, report back to base. Commanders, please prepare your forces—for I imagine that the most brutal battle draws near. We must protect those we can.
It is only inevitable that some battles be lost in a war as long as this, but do not forget that justice will always prevail. Be patient, my warriors.
All paras must begin before January 14, 2014. Rules are here.
Attention, all Fables must evacuate the Homelands.The Homelands have been deemed too dangerous in the face of the Adversary’s growing power; therefore, an evacuation for all Fables has been ordered. As soon as you are able, please make your way to the provided portals in The Hidden Kingdom. If you are in need of assistance, aid will be provided to you.
All Homeland residents will be transported to various destinations on planet Earth. Human and human-like creatures will be taken to Fabletown while all those who do not appear human will be taken to The Farm.
- As this is a flashback event, you must stick to your character’s histories. If your muse was in an alliance at the time that the Fables were being evacuated, roleplay as such.
- For you spies and/or informants… Check the other alliance’s blog for intel, hint hint. Bonus points if you make your submission look like an actual report.
- You must at least write a self-para or para with another person; we recommend using this time to really develop what happened to your character during the actual war.
- The tag for this event is #evt: the new world.
All paras must begin before January 14, 2014. Have fun!
