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<blockquote data-quote="Emperor Valerian" data-source="post: 1557084" data-attributes="member: 15043"><p><strong>A New Home</strong></p><p></p><p>“Should I tickle mommy?” Valaron leaned towards Luke and giggled quietly. The Emperor flashed a look of mischief of his own, and gave an entirely un-Imperial, immature snicker of his own.</p><p></p><p>“Yes,” Luke whispered to his son. The young boy’s blue eyes flashed with delight, highlighting the flecks of red within their irises. He crept closer and closer, until Siabrey’s hand suddenly clamped down on his head of red hair.</p><p></p><p>“No,” she gave a smile, “no tickling mommy while she is blindfolded.” Unerringly, the Empress’ head swiveled in Luke’s direction. “You father put you up to it, didn’t he?”</p><p></p><p>“No I didn’t!” Luke immediately cast his eyes outside the carriage window. If he’d known how to whistle, an innocent tune would have filled the air. Siabrey merely gave him a rather playful scowl. At least, a scowl in the direction she thought he was.</p><p></p><p>“Be thankful I’m blindfolded,” her head settled back into its resting position, “otherwise I’d teach you a lesson. Why am I blindfolded anyway? What’s so secret?” she started reaching upward, to a chorus of cries from Luke, Vintressa and Valaron as the carriage rocked.</p><p></p><p>“Ah! Ah ah ah!” Luke reached over and quickly brought down his wife’s hands, gently holding them. “Its a surprise! You’ve only got a few more minutes!” A rough grumble came from the rather simply clad Empress... her disdain for elaborate robes and finery continued to this day. Outside her simple tunic and overcoat, she stretched her wings. As Empress, thankfully, every piece of clothing could now accommodate her, ‘unique physiology.’</p><p></p><p>There were some points being Empress was horrid, she had to admit. The endless politicking, vying for alliances, placating nobles, looking on in abject horror at some of the abuses the nobility inflicted on the common people. She had Luke had put a stop to as much of it as possible, but sadly, some fools had to be tolerated due to other delicate politics. To Siabrey’s disdain, sometimes minor abusers had to be kept, even supported, to take down major offenders. Then again, Siabrey usually didn’t become involved unless Luke asked her... which usually meant several, “heads needed cracking,” as Luke would say using the common tongue Shaun had been teaching him.</p><p></p><p>Many times she feared for Luke’s safety. When the explosion had damaged the carriage she and Valaron had been riding in, Siabrey had no doubt the trap was intended for the carriage ahead of her carrying Luke. The job also kept him away from her more than she wanted... their moments together in private were preciously few. She was thankful that while he was strained and tired, the office of Emperor had not changed him. When he could be with her and the kids, he was still loving, cheerful... and an incorrigible prankster.</p><p></p><p>Sometimes she feared for her children as well. She’d seen the children of other nobles, and all too often, many of them were spoiled, arrogant, and cold. She’d desperately tried to keep her children from the limelight, and tried to raise them to be decent, loving, and kind, as well as commanding, noble, and wise. As she rocked in the carriage, she smiled slightly. Valaron’s teasing showed she’d succeeded... he was normal, instead of distantly arrogant like many ten year old scions of princes and dukes.</p><p></p><p>And that made her frown a little. She’d already received a formal letter from the Duke of Chalcedon, requesting Valaron be betrothed to his daughter... which she’d absolutely refused. She would not hold Val to any noblewoman... he would love who he loved, that was what Siabrey wanted... as did Luke. There would be no betrothal for him... unless he requested one. And Siabrey, as any parent, crossed her fingers that such an even would not happen for a long time...</p><p></p><p>And that brought up the few good points of being Empress. She and Luke, while they couldn’t right <em>every</em> wrong, could right many that otherwise wouldn’t have been dealt with. Her children grew up with the best education; Val had private tutors from the most learned academies, while Siabrey wanted to talk to Elenya about the possibility of Vintressa and Raven rooming together at the Imperial Mages’ School. </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>“IS THAT THE SUMMER HOUSE, DADDY!?” Siabrey heard Vintressa’s voice shriek. She guessed Luke must have nodded, as there was another shriek a few seconds later... the same high pitched noise from Vintressa. She also heard shushing... Valaron likely, and a few seconds later she heard the young princess mutter a soft, “sorry.”</p><p></p><p>The rocking of the carriage stopped a few minutes later, and Siabrey felt wind dance across her face as the doors were opened. She heard quick scrambling, and knew the children had already piled out. She felt the carriage rock again as Luke slid out.</p><p></p><p>“Anyone going to help me?” she asked. She heard Luke’s distinct deep chuckle, and felt hands gently cup her face.</p><p></p><p>“Promise me you won’t smack me when you see it, ‘k?” she heard his voice ask. That promptly made her brain begin questioning. <em>Why would I smack him? A prank? Oh no... he must have pranked me... we’ll be headed to the real home shortly... I bet its a hovel... or a cave...</em> Before she could think any more about it, light suddenly assaulted her eyes, and she had to blink.</p><p></p><p>She felt his hand slide around her, and shielding her eyes, she clambered out of the stately carriage. Straight ahead she saw flat steppe, and instinctively she turned around... and gasped.</p><p></p><p>To her front was a stately manor. It was surrounded by a moderate sized wall, some 15 feet high, made of local brown and gray granite. The gate to the place seemed to be made of steel, a gilt “S” and “C” intertwined on each door. Through the bars of the gate, she could see a massive palatial house, three stories and perhaps 40 rooms, also made from the local brownish granite. Inside, gardens and trees bloomed, in direct contrast with the parched steppe to the outside.</p><p></p><p>“LUKE!” Siabrey stammered out a few seconds later, leaping at him and giving him a massive bear hug. <em>You really didn’t...</em> “I... I don’t know whether to hug you or smack you! Why? It’s too big!” she protested as he guided her up towards the gate. She spun around worriedly, “Who will keep this place clean? Its so big...”</p><p></p><p>Luke gave a laugh at the final question, and pointed towards the front door to the palace, where twenty people, clad in the clothes of servants, had arranged themselves to greet their guests. “They’ll clean it,” he grinned, before leaning over and giving her a kiss, “You’re welcome.”</p><p></p><p>Siabrey flitted her eyes towards the children, and saw that their guards had already opened the gates so the prince and princess could dart inside. Seeing they were also, she kissed him back deeply, before looking deep into his eyes. “I think we need to try to make another heir tonight in this place,” she smiled. Her smile grew larger when the same look of shocked joy entered Luke’s face... despite ten years of marriage, she still had that effect on him.</p><p></p><p>“W...Well,” he stammered out, pushing thoughts out of his head, “that might have to wait a bit, since I postdated those letters you sent... everyone should be arriving today!” he grinned. As he ducked another playful swing from her, he shouted again, “You’re welcome!”</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>“Raven! Rose! Shawn! Slow up!” Shaun Dice called after his own three children. Fortunately, (unfortunately for Shaun) his three children had picked up on how to be excellent horsemen, and were busy racing each other across the steppes. Their whining had caused Shaun to yield, letting them ride the family thoroughbreds... something he now realized was a mistake.</p><p></p><p>“Shaun! Let them play!” Elenya grasped his arm quietly, her own eyes playful. “They’ll come back... see?” she laughed as the three spun their horses around and charged back. Shaun looked at his wife, and smiled... she was lucky, no wrinkles had even started to form on her face as her green eyes danced happily in front of him. </p><p></p><p>Shaun wasn’t so lucky, and some think wrinkles has formed near his mouth. Elenya said it was from him grinning so much after <u>bad</u> puns. She didn’t say anything about the ones she found funny however. Shaun also had a few individual gray hairs that he found annoying. Right now they numbered only 3... but he knew that they would soon call allies, something that touched his slight vanity, even though Elenya claimed they made him look ‘distinguished.’ She’d never answered his question that day whether ‘distinguished’ and ‘dashing’ were synonyms.</p><p></p><p>Then, to Shaun’s utter amazement and horror, his son then leaned over, almost horizontal off of his saddle, and snatched something from his sister’s travel bag, before rising back into his saddle... almost flipping back. Rose shrieked in anger, and the chase was on again, the two charging towards Shaun and Elenya...</p><p></p><p>Until Shaun caught a hold of his son’s reins.</p><p></p><p>“Shawn?! What was that?” the older Dice growled. The younger Shawn held in his hand triumphantly some trinket belonging to Rose that Shaun didn’t recognize.</p><p></p><p>“See dad? I <em>told</em> you I can...”</p><p></p><p>“That was <em>reckless!</em>” Shaun growled, before castigating his son fully on the dangers of “tom-foolery” while on horseback. The younger Shawn had already taken to showing off when riding, something Shaun wanted to put an end to. It wasn’t the first such lecture for any of the Dice children, and when they’re father wasn’t looking, Rose and Raven rolled their green eyes.</p><p></p><p>“Dad? Can we go? Its just over that hill?” Raven pointed ahead. Shaun looked up from his lecture to his son, and nearly snapped at her... before he sighed, reluctantly. All three of his children were ten; young enough that they still needed direct guidance, but just old enough that streaks of independence were starting to pump through their veins. With Shawn’s inheritance of his father’s looks, and Rose and Raven’s exactly looks like Elenya, the elder Dice feared for the rapidly approaching time when both young ‘gentlemen’ and young ‘ladies’ would begin hanging around the inn for more than food.</p><p></p><p>“Fine,” Shaun let his son go with a sharp look, and cantered his own horse up the hill. </p><p></p><p>Riding themselves brought back memories to Shaun and Elenya, and allowed the trip to become a family excusrsion. It had allowed them to camp in some of the old camp grounds, and retell to the little ones the story of the deeds of a decade prior.</p><p></p><p>As Shaun and Elenya crested the top ridge, Shaun held his breath. He’d seen both Luke and Siabrey, as well as Grumki, Tess and Pell, and their children in the ten years... but this would be the first time that <em>all</em> of them were together, under one roof.</p><p></p><p><em>Oh the stories we’ll tell!</em> Shaun grinned as his kids galloped ahead again towards hte manor. </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>“This, is the formal dining room,” Luke grinned like a child as he showed his wife, children, and the Dices around the manor. “I helped draw the plans for this room myself,” he added imperiously.</p><p></p><p>“With crayons, or did you finger-paint?” Shaun quipped, causing everyone save Luke to laugh. When Luke’s face got slightly red from embarassment, Shaun laid a hand on the Imperial shoulder, “Oh, don’t worry Luke! You’ll get to redesign it after Siabrey breaks everything!”</p><p></p><p>“Hey!”</p><p></p><p>“Anyways,” Luke reasserted control, “And this-“ he started, before a servant rushed in, and whispered something in his ear. A grin spread across Luke’s face. “Follow me! Tess and Pell have showed up!”</p><p></p><p>When the double doors at the main entrance to the palace were opened, they revealed a bard, slightly tapping her toe in waiting, a chuckling elf by her side.</p><p></p><p>“Excellent service to the door, Luke,” Tess said dryly. “Its been... five minutes?” She arched an eyebrow.</p><p></p><p>“Luke was showing us the home... he was trying to point out what parts of it this amateur architect designed,” Siabrey grinned.</p><p></p><p>“Ah... pride. Slows up even the quickest of us,” Pell quipped before gesturing outside. Rather quickly, three small children flew into the room... literally... on their feathered wings. “Children... say hello to Auntie Siabrey, Uncle Lucius...”</p><p></p><p>The little children, each seeming to glow with some kind of light from inside, bowed politely... even the two year old. While the older two said their names (To Tess’ and Pell’s pride), the youngest ran towards Elenya, yelling, “Aunnie Elenya, I wanna see magics!”</p><p></p><p>The shopkeep laughed, and guiding Elayanaun by the hand, led her, Rose, Raven and an incredibly interested Valaron to the ‘formal dining room’ for parlor tricks... as well as a few practical lessons. It was known that Tess’ youngest daughter, as well as Vintressa and Val, had magical talent. The wizard had a few suspicions about Rose and Raven, but she wasn’t sure just yet.</p><p></p><p>“How are you, Pell?” Siabrey greeted the solar, now in half elf form. He gave her a hug, and she felt energy spilling from his own body into her... celestial power almost.</p><p></p><p>“Good, and I don’t miss your constant teasing,” Pell grinned. “What say you now?”</p><p></p><p>“The same thing I said when Tess told me the news six years ago... about damn time!” Siabrey laughed. Her attention was momentarily distracted, when Tess walked up behind her.</p><p></p><p>“Siabrey,” Tess was quickly tapping her friend on the shoulder, “I think you have some trouble.”</p><p></p><p>“Hm?”</p><p></p><p>“Look,” Tess spun her around, “Shaun’s got Luke alone again. He’s probably teaching him more of those words.” </p><p></p><p>“Oh no,” Siabrey shook her head. After everything had calmed down, Luke had taken to learning from Shaun by letters the art of ‘street talk.’ Despite his now respectable status, Shaun Dice still could converse in the underground as much as any common thief. Siabrey had warned Luke to not learn it, but Luke had reasoned that knowing how more of his subjects talked would relate him more to them and their daily lives. And perhaps alert him when he traveled in disguise about things happening in his realm. Siabrey suspected he did it merely to annoy her.</p><p></p><p>Quietly, the fighter slid up behind Luke, and listened, as Shaun continued.</p><p></p><p>“-No no no!” the rogue corrected Luke as she listened. “That wasn’t right at all. Now,” he slid up beside Luke... neither had noticed Siabrey listening, “if you <em>really</em> want to get Siabrey... riled up,” he winked, “all you’ve got to do is check out her assets and say, ‘Yowza!’”</p><p></p><p>“Yowza?” Luke repeated, his brow furrowed. </p><p></p><p>“No, with more emphasis. YOWZA!” Shaun added some massive gestures to his statement, eyes bulging wide. One of the gestures tended to indicate the size of said assets in question.</p><p></p><p>“AHEM!” Siabrey cleared her throat loudly, before walking up next to Luke. “Shaun, what poison are you putting in poor Luke’s head now?” She crossed her arms, and gave him a stare-down, the same many a small boy would receive for misbehaving.</p><p></p><p>“Oh nothing,” Shaun was unfazed by a look he was quite familiar with said look by now, “just some street-speak. Go ahead Luke! Show her!”</p><p></p><p>“Now? But if she gets... you know...” Luke stammered slightly, “I... um... would prefer to say it later when there’s <em>time</em> for-“</p><p></p><p>“Say what?” Siabrey pressed, her eyes now staring hard at Luke. Her husband gave a look of confusion towards Shaun, who motioned for him to go ahead. Luke shrugged, stared at the proper place, and said, rather guardedly:</p><p></p><p>“Yowza?” Luke weakly gestured at the appropriate part of his wife. By his voice and gestures, he was still confused, and his proper noble’s accent, only enhanced from long days in the throne room, ruined his attempt at sounding ‘urban.’</p><p></p><p>“No Luke, its YOWZA!” Shaun said loudly and with somatic effect again. Before Luke could reply, Siabrey already had turned him to face her.</p><p></p><p>“Luke... remember the rules on when and where to practice that? Not in-“</p><p></p><p>“-in front of the children, or in court, I know,” Luke rolled his eyes. In reality, he only practiced in front of her, and Siabrey had to work hard not to laugh every time he spoke that way. He was merely curious and trying to learn, and the combination of his soft, noble accent with the harsh words of the dialect was far more hilarious than threatening.</p><p></p><p>“Good. Now, as for the sentiments you expressed,” Siabrey gave him a gentle kiss, “they are very much appreciated.” She backed away, still smiling, before he could get any other plans in action with her. “Wait till later,” she whispered, “we’ve got guests now, remember?” she grinned.</p><p></p><p>“I know,” he grumbled, his disappointment soon followed by a sharp crack against the front door. Servants rushed to the foyer to check on the noise, and found a massive pair of half orcs, with a smaller, human sized half orc in front.</p><p></p><p>“Grumki has arrived!” the largest of the half orcs roared, his tusks bared in a grin, “and the Strength of Kord requires food!”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Emperor Valerian, post: 1557084, member: 15043"] [b]A New Home[/b] “Should I tickle mommy?” Valaron leaned towards Luke and giggled quietly. The Emperor flashed a look of mischief of his own, and gave an entirely un-Imperial, immature snicker of his own. “Yes,” Luke whispered to his son. The young boy’s blue eyes flashed with delight, highlighting the flecks of red within their irises. He crept closer and closer, until Siabrey’s hand suddenly clamped down on his head of red hair. “No,” she gave a smile, “no tickling mommy while she is blindfolded.” Unerringly, the Empress’ head swiveled in Luke’s direction. “You father put you up to it, didn’t he?” “No I didn’t!” Luke immediately cast his eyes outside the carriage window. If he’d known how to whistle, an innocent tune would have filled the air. Siabrey merely gave him a rather playful scowl. At least, a scowl in the direction she thought he was. “Be thankful I’m blindfolded,” her head settled back into its resting position, “otherwise I’d teach you a lesson. Why am I blindfolded anyway? What’s so secret?” she started reaching upward, to a chorus of cries from Luke, Vintressa and Valaron as the carriage rocked. “Ah! Ah ah ah!” Luke reached over and quickly brought down his wife’s hands, gently holding them. “Its a surprise! You’ve only got a few more minutes!” A rough grumble came from the rather simply clad Empress... her disdain for elaborate robes and finery continued to this day. Outside her simple tunic and overcoat, she stretched her wings. As Empress, thankfully, every piece of clothing could now accommodate her, ‘unique physiology.’ There were some points being Empress was horrid, she had to admit. The endless politicking, vying for alliances, placating nobles, looking on in abject horror at some of the abuses the nobility inflicted on the common people. She had Luke had put a stop to as much of it as possible, but sadly, some fools had to be tolerated due to other delicate politics. To Siabrey’s disdain, sometimes minor abusers had to be kept, even supported, to take down major offenders. Then again, Siabrey usually didn’t become involved unless Luke asked her... which usually meant several, “heads needed cracking,” as Luke would say using the common tongue Shaun had been teaching him. Many times she feared for Luke’s safety. When the explosion had damaged the carriage she and Valaron had been riding in, Siabrey had no doubt the trap was intended for the carriage ahead of her carrying Luke. The job also kept him away from her more than she wanted... their moments together in private were preciously few. She was thankful that while he was strained and tired, the office of Emperor had not changed him. When he could be with her and the kids, he was still loving, cheerful... and an incorrigible prankster. Sometimes she feared for her children as well. She’d seen the children of other nobles, and all too often, many of them were spoiled, arrogant, and cold. She’d desperately tried to keep her children from the limelight, and tried to raise them to be decent, loving, and kind, as well as commanding, noble, and wise. As she rocked in the carriage, she smiled slightly. Valaron’s teasing showed she’d succeeded... he was normal, instead of distantly arrogant like many ten year old scions of princes and dukes. And that made her frown a little. She’d already received a formal letter from the Duke of Chalcedon, requesting Valaron be betrothed to his daughter... which she’d absolutely refused. She would not hold Val to any noblewoman... he would love who he loved, that was what Siabrey wanted... as did Luke. There would be no betrothal for him... unless he requested one. And Siabrey, as any parent, crossed her fingers that such an even would not happen for a long time... And that brought up the few good points of being Empress. She and Luke, while they couldn’t right [i]every[/i] wrong, could right many that otherwise wouldn’t have been dealt with. Her children grew up with the best education; Val had private tutors from the most learned academies, while Siabrey wanted to talk to Elenya about the possibility of Vintressa and Raven rooming together at the Imperial Mages’ School. “IS THAT THE SUMMER HOUSE, DADDY!?” Siabrey heard Vintressa’s voice shriek. She guessed Luke must have nodded, as there was another shriek a few seconds later... the same high pitched noise from Vintressa. She also heard shushing... Valaron likely, and a few seconds later she heard the young princess mutter a soft, “sorry.” The rocking of the carriage stopped a few minutes later, and Siabrey felt wind dance across her face as the doors were opened. She heard quick scrambling, and knew the children had already piled out. She felt the carriage rock again as Luke slid out. “Anyone going to help me?” she asked. She heard Luke’s distinct deep chuckle, and felt hands gently cup her face. “Promise me you won’t smack me when you see it, ‘k?” she heard his voice ask. That promptly made her brain begin questioning. [i]Why would I smack him? A prank? Oh no... he must have pranked me... we’ll be headed to the real home shortly... I bet its a hovel... or a cave...[/i] Before she could think any more about it, light suddenly assaulted her eyes, and she had to blink. She felt his hand slide around her, and shielding her eyes, she clambered out of the stately carriage. Straight ahead she saw flat steppe, and instinctively she turned around... and gasped. To her front was a stately manor. It was surrounded by a moderate sized wall, some 15 feet high, made of local brown and gray granite. The gate to the place seemed to be made of steel, a gilt “S” and “C” intertwined on each door. Through the bars of the gate, she could see a massive palatial house, three stories and perhaps 40 rooms, also made from the local brownish granite. Inside, gardens and trees bloomed, in direct contrast with the parched steppe to the outside. “LUKE!” Siabrey stammered out a few seconds later, leaping at him and giving him a massive bear hug. [i]You really didn’t...[/i] “I... I don’t know whether to hug you or smack you! Why? It’s too big!” she protested as he guided her up towards the gate. She spun around worriedly, “Who will keep this place clean? Its so big...” Luke gave a laugh at the final question, and pointed towards the front door to the palace, where twenty people, clad in the clothes of servants, had arranged themselves to greet their guests. “They’ll clean it,” he grinned, before leaning over and giving her a kiss, “You’re welcome.” Siabrey flitted her eyes towards the children, and saw that their guards had already opened the gates so the prince and princess could dart inside. Seeing they were also, she kissed him back deeply, before looking deep into his eyes. “I think we need to try to make another heir tonight in this place,” she smiled. Her smile grew larger when the same look of shocked joy entered Luke’s face... despite ten years of marriage, she still had that effect on him. “W...Well,” he stammered out, pushing thoughts out of his head, “that might have to wait a bit, since I postdated those letters you sent... everyone should be arriving today!” he grinned. As he ducked another playful swing from her, he shouted again, “You’re welcome!” “Raven! Rose! Shawn! Slow up!” Shaun Dice called after his own three children. Fortunately, (unfortunately for Shaun) his three children had picked up on how to be excellent horsemen, and were busy racing each other across the steppes. Their whining had caused Shaun to yield, letting them ride the family thoroughbreds... something he now realized was a mistake. “Shaun! Let them play!” Elenya grasped his arm quietly, her own eyes playful. “They’ll come back... see?” she laughed as the three spun their horses around and charged back. Shaun looked at his wife, and smiled... she was lucky, no wrinkles had even started to form on her face as her green eyes danced happily in front of him. Shaun wasn’t so lucky, and some think wrinkles has formed near his mouth. Elenya said it was from him grinning so much after [u]bad[/u] puns. She didn’t say anything about the ones she found funny however. Shaun also had a few individual gray hairs that he found annoying. Right now they numbered only 3... but he knew that they would soon call allies, something that touched his slight vanity, even though Elenya claimed they made him look ‘distinguished.’ She’d never answered his question that day whether ‘distinguished’ and ‘dashing’ were synonyms. Then, to Shaun’s utter amazement and horror, his son then leaned over, almost horizontal off of his saddle, and snatched something from his sister’s travel bag, before rising back into his saddle... almost flipping back. Rose shrieked in anger, and the chase was on again, the two charging towards Shaun and Elenya... Until Shaun caught a hold of his son’s reins. “Shawn?! What was that?” the older Dice growled. The younger Shawn held in his hand triumphantly some trinket belonging to Rose that Shaun didn’t recognize. “See dad? I [i]told[/i] you I can...” “That was [i]reckless![/i]” Shaun growled, before castigating his son fully on the dangers of “tom-foolery” while on horseback. The younger Shawn had already taken to showing off when riding, something Shaun wanted to put an end to. It wasn’t the first such lecture for any of the Dice children, and when they’re father wasn’t looking, Rose and Raven rolled their green eyes. “Dad? Can we go? Its just over that hill?” Raven pointed ahead. Shaun looked up from his lecture to his son, and nearly snapped at her... before he sighed, reluctantly. All three of his children were ten; young enough that they still needed direct guidance, but just old enough that streaks of independence were starting to pump through their veins. With Shawn’s inheritance of his father’s looks, and Rose and Raven’s exactly looks like Elenya, the elder Dice feared for the rapidly approaching time when both young ‘gentlemen’ and young ‘ladies’ would begin hanging around the inn for more than food. “Fine,” Shaun let his son go with a sharp look, and cantered his own horse up the hill. Riding themselves brought back memories to Shaun and Elenya, and allowed the trip to become a family excusrsion. It had allowed them to camp in some of the old camp grounds, and retell to the little ones the story of the deeds of a decade prior. As Shaun and Elenya crested the top ridge, Shaun held his breath. He’d seen both Luke and Siabrey, as well as Grumki, Tess and Pell, and their children in the ten years... but this would be the first time that [i]all[/i] of them were together, under one roof. [i]Oh the stories we’ll tell![/i] Shaun grinned as his kids galloped ahead again towards hte manor. “This, is the formal dining room,” Luke grinned like a child as he showed his wife, children, and the Dices around the manor. “I helped draw the plans for this room myself,” he added imperiously. “With crayons, or did you finger-paint?” Shaun quipped, causing everyone save Luke to laugh. When Luke’s face got slightly red from embarassment, Shaun laid a hand on the Imperial shoulder, “Oh, don’t worry Luke! You’ll get to redesign it after Siabrey breaks everything!” “Hey!” “Anyways,” Luke reasserted control, “And this-“ he started, before a servant rushed in, and whispered something in his ear. A grin spread across Luke’s face. “Follow me! Tess and Pell have showed up!” When the double doors at the main entrance to the palace were opened, they revealed a bard, slightly tapping her toe in waiting, a chuckling elf by her side. “Excellent service to the door, Luke,” Tess said dryly. “Its been... five minutes?” She arched an eyebrow. “Luke was showing us the home... he was trying to point out what parts of it this amateur architect designed,” Siabrey grinned. “Ah... pride. Slows up even the quickest of us,” Pell quipped before gesturing outside. Rather quickly, three small children flew into the room... literally... on their feathered wings. “Children... say hello to Auntie Siabrey, Uncle Lucius...” The little children, each seeming to glow with some kind of light from inside, bowed politely... even the two year old. While the older two said their names (To Tess’ and Pell’s pride), the youngest ran towards Elenya, yelling, “Aunnie Elenya, I wanna see magics!” The shopkeep laughed, and guiding Elayanaun by the hand, led her, Rose, Raven and an incredibly interested Valaron to the ‘formal dining room’ for parlor tricks... as well as a few practical lessons. It was known that Tess’ youngest daughter, as well as Vintressa and Val, had magical talent. The wizard had a few suspicions about Rose and Raven, but she wasn’t sure just yet. “How are you, Pell?” Siabrey greeted the solar, now in half elf form. He gave her a hug, and she felt energy spilling from his own body into her... celestial power almost. “Good, and I don’t miss your constant teasing,” Pell grinned. “What say you now?” “The same thing I said when Tess told me the news six years ago... about damn time!” Siabrey laughed. Her attention was momentarily distracted, when Tess walked up behind her. “Siabrey,” Tess was quickly tapping her friend on the shoulder, “I think you have some trouble.” “Hm?” “Look,” Tess spun her around, “Shaun’s got Luke alone again. He’s probably teaching him more of those words.” “Oh no,” Siabrey shook her head. After everything had calmed down, Luke had taken to learning from Shaun by letters the art of ‘street talk.’ Despite his now respectable status, Shaun Dice still could converse in the underground as much as any common thief. Siabrey had warned Luke to not learn it, but Luke had reasoned that knowing how more of his subjects talked would relate him more to them and their daily lives. And perhaps alert him when he traveled in disguise about things happening in his realm. Siabrey suspected he did it merely to annoy her. Quietly, the fighter slid up behind Luke, and listened, as Shaun continued. “-No no no!” the rogue corrected Luke as she listened. “That wasn’t right at all. Now,” he slid up beside Luke... neither had noticed Siabrey listening, “if you [i]really[/i] want to get Siabrey... riled up,” he winked, “all you’ve got to do is check out her assets and say, ‘Yowza!’” “Yowza?” Luke repeated, his brow furrowed. “No, with more emphasis. YOWZA!” Shaun added some massive gestures to his statement, eyes bulging wide. One of the gestures tended to indicate the size of said assets in question. “AHEM!” Siabrey cleared her throat loudly, before walking up next to Luke. “Shaun, what poison are you putting in poor Luke’s head now?” She crossed her arms, and gave him a stare-down, the same many a small boy would receive for misbehaving. “Oh nothing,” Shaun was unfazed by a look he was quite familiar with said look by now, “just some street-speak. Go ahead Luke! Show her!” “Now? But if she gets... you know...” Luke stammered slightly, “I... um... would prefer to say it later when there’s [i]time[/i] for-“ “Say what?” Siabrey pressed, her eyes now staring hard at Luke. Her husband gave a look of confusion towards Shaun, who motioned for him to go ahead. Luke shrugged, stared at the proper place, and said, rather guardedly: “Yowza?” Luke weakly gestured at the appropriate part of his wife. By his voice and gestures, he was still confused, and his proper noble’s accent, only enhanced from long days in the throne room, ruined his attempt at sounding ‘urban.’ “No Luke, its YOWZA!” Shaun said loudly and with somatic effect again. Before Luke could reply, Siabrey already had turned him to face her. “Luke... remember the rules on when and where to practice that? Not in-“ “-in front of the children, or in court, I know,” Luke rolled his eyes. In reality, he only practiced in front of her, and Siabrey had to work hard not to laugh every time he spoke that way. He was merely curious and trying to learn, and the combination of his soft, noble accent with the harsh words of the dialect was far more hilarious than threatening. “Good. Now, as for the sentiments you expressed,” Siabrey gave him a gentle kiss, “they are very much appreciated.” She backed away, still smiling, before he could get any other plans in action with her. “Wait till later,” she whispered, “we’ve got guests now, remember?” she grinned. “I know,” he grumbled, his disappointment soon followed by a sharp crack against the front door. Servants rushed to the foyer to check on the noise, and found a massive pair of half orcs, with a smaller, human sized half orc in front. “Grumki has arrived!” the largest of the half orcs roared, his tusks bared in a grin, “and the Strength of Kord requires food!” [/QUOTE]
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