I DONT KNOW HOW LONG [C]

[PANDORA RUE VERYN]

- - 9:37 AM

The sun shined through the windows of the castle as Pandora made her way down from her chambers toward the dining hall. She had requested the presense of Samael at breakfast to discuss anything that he had found out in the weeks that they had last seen each other. She could use all the information about her mentally unstable sister as she could possibly get. The country that her family had ruled over for hundreds of years was at stake, all because a spoiled brat didn't get her way. Pandora pursed her lips at the thought of her sister, her shoes barely making a sound as she glided down the stairs to the main level of the castle. She gave a soft smile to to a few of the servant girls that were doing a wonderful job of keeping the entrance hall polished and tidy. Quickly, she made a mental note to give them a few extra privilages when she found the time to speak with them.

Quickly, she made her way down a side corridor and into the dining hall. Normally, her meetings took place in the library but today, she felt it would be more comfortable speaking over a good breakfast. The scent of the food teased Dora's nostrils as her blue eyes locked onto the breakfast set out for the Queen and her guest. As usual, it was one fit for a queen. A large beef steak sat in the middle of both plates, with soft cheese, currants, nut bread, and blueberries surrounding the meat. In the golden goblets next to the plates was the finest wine that money could by. Tempted to get both the meal and questions started, Dora sat at the head of the table, folding her cloth napkin carefully in her lap to avoid getting anything on her expensive gown.

Her eyes scanned the delicious food that lay out in front of her and her stomach gave a soft rumble. She had gone to bed without supper last night as she hadn't felt all that wonderful. The stress was beginning to get to her and there were days that she didn't leave her tower. But with the wise words of Monty and the caring ones of Aleris, she pulled herself out of her slump and forced herself to be social again today. Without those two to keep her emotions and mind in tact, she wasn't sure what she would do in such a time. They were critical to her rule. Samael would be there at any moment and she'd have to have her head on straight. There was no room for fault as Queen and she wasn't about to make any crucial mistakes. And so she waited for her guest to arrive while staring down the meal that taunted her so.

xxoutfitxx

[ash]

these secrets are walls that keep us alone

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Samael eyed the mirror once again for the fourth time in the last six seconds. By now, he was, yet again, hacking off the hair on both sides of his head with a razor he had request earlier. A bowl of gel that would keep is hair intact stood patiently next to him, constantly being refilled as the boy fixed and shaped and twisted his hair more and more, using his magic to create an intricate design in his hair where he had cleanly shaved it it off. It looked like a crop circle they used to have before the war started- he saw them in pictures, but growing up in a ear of hatred and resentment, he himself had never seen it before- maybe one day, he might get to after all, maybe he won't. But as he stood in the mirror, wearing his best and clean outfit, he took a step back and eyed his reflection for a moment, a young, eager man looking back at him, a smirk playing on his lips, his eyes flashing with excitement and amusement, he had a long while to go, he wasn't in a hurry for life.

But right now? He was in a hurry to see the lovely Queen of the Light, who had asked for his presence, and all a pretty woman needs to do is ask and she shall receive. It's been somewhat of a busy week, Pathea needing him to see her, and now Pandora, then, continuing his lie, walking around somewhat sulking because supposedly he was vising his home and seeing his parent's grave for reasons that he wouldn't say. So far, no one suspected him of anything, and if they did, they never voiced it, be it in front of him, or to someone else who would confront him.The Queen's trust in him allowed him to be higher up in the ranks, his connections with her people seeped deep and rooted themselves into their regime- nothing passed him, and nothing goes on without him knowing one way or the other. He wasn't confident that he would maintain his stance for long, but he's pretty sure he's got most of them fooled- but there's always the few skeptics that never have the guts to voice their opinion out loud. If they did, he wouldn't have a problem permanently silencing them.

With the twist of his lips, he fixed his hair once more before exiting his dorms, a jump in his step as he walked to the dinning hall, casually and playfully declining people to accompany him for his safety. As usual the silence of the halls gave the place a more serene feeling- something he couldn't achieve in a place like the land of darkness; where the echo of screams could be heard, and the ever fading feeling of being shadowed by Death constantly lurked around every corner and crack. It was a pity that this place would, in the near future, be turned down into nothing once Panthea takes over. The gently lit hallways flickered, the sunlight danced on the floor, fighting with the shadows of the pillars as he forged ahead, looking around him in small wonder. It was hard not to enjoy this place, or where he was, the people who lived here were friendly and interesting- some were serious while others were playful, he didn't have to watch his back constantly- if only they weren't so ignorant of the commoners who lived just beneath their nose- where innocent people are being hurt and killed. People who only wanted to simply live.

Shaking his head, he stopped before the double doors. He needed to clear his mind, he needed to relax, emotions cannot be his destruction- he needed some self control.

Taking a breath, he pushed open the door, his eyes now sparkling with laughter and the playful, flirty smirk were now on his lips as the Queen sat by herself on the hall. He strode forward, his steps sure before he stopped and keeled a little ways off, one hand on his heart as he greeted her royalty, just like he had greeted her dear elder sister. He was always light and playful around her, believing that she needed to loosen the knot in her shoulders before she can do something properly- that was going to be the death of her, if not literally.

'Ah, I seem your Highness has gotten up bright and early today to request a meeting for poor of Samael. I'm horribly flattered that you think of my when you get out of bed this morning,' he mused to her. 'Well, a mister Samael Ash, at your royal presence,' he said, bowing his head in respect as he said those words. If someone was in the room, he should be whipped for his words to her- clearly he cannot touch her, and the thuoght of it was wrong- but he couldn't help himself, words completely escape him when he's having fun.

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[PANDORA RUE VERYN]

As the door to the dining hall opened, Pandora's eyes drifted from her plate to settle on Sam's familiar form as he entered the hall. Seeing the happy look up on his face sent Pandora's own into a familiar state with a broad smile forming. It was always pleasant having Samael around, especially in these dark times. The Queen found it hard to truly be happy when Thea was doing her best to make everything that their family had built fall apart. But the moment Sam entered and bowed in respect, Dora already felt better than before. His words [ which would have been questionable had there been any others in the room] caused a soft laugh to echo from her rosy lips and she shook her head modestly. "Please...Sit. I hope you enjoy the meal that the cooks have prepared for us," she greeted him warmly, motioning gracefully for him to take his seat as she was quite eager to get the informal meeting underway. There were many things that had been weighing on her mind, many things that she desperately wished to know and the young Queen was hoping Samael would have the answers she was seeking.

"You are well, yes? I haven't seen much of you these last few weeks and I do hope you'll forgive me for that," she began with a soft sigh as she reached for her expensive goblet and took a light sip of the sweet wine. "There's been too much on my mind to be as social as I once was," she continued. Taking one of the silver forks in her hand, she stabbed gently at a few of the blueberries that were scattered around her steak and popped them into her mouth, savoring the sweet taste. "How is my sister? Has she abused her powers and become a raisin yet? Or has she managed to hold out?" It pained Dora to know that her sister would never come back to her. They had never gotten along all that well but they were still blood. Thea was still Dora's eldest sister and she cared for her, even if she had lost her mind long ago. The thought of Thea wasting away into nothing more than skin, bones, and saggy wrinkles was not a pleasant one but Dora knew it would eventually happen if Thea kept her childish antics up. Thea was not a fit Queen of Light, the majority of the world could see that. If only she could accept it... Dora thought to herself as she looked down to her plate and took in a small bit of the nut bread.

"And what of Fabian? Is he still blinded by my sisters lewd behavior to see that they are on the wrong side of this war?" She questioned curiously. She had heard many things about the leader of the vampires, none of which were very good. From being arrogant to thinking with the wrong head, she had heard much about him from her numerous spies and friends around the world. The vampire alone were not the major problem in Dora's mind but when coupled with the vile and dark nature of her sister? It was a team that was proving to be problematic and Dora was doing her best to drive them out of her realm. So far, she was doing a wonderful job. There had been no attacks in her land for many times, as her troops were holding the border. But it was only time before Thea grew unhappy with her lack of influence in the Land of Light, only time before Dora would have to meet her sister head to head in a battle of wit, endurance, and above all else, Power.

xxoutfitxx

[ash]

these secrets are walls that keep us alone

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Rising in a fluid motion as he was address, Samael smiled as he looked at the Queen of Light and stepped forward to claim his seat by her side. Not surprisingly, she had ignored his inappropriate remark and invited him to sit instead, finding it to be a perfect excuse not to mention it. However, he was glad that it did draw a smile and a laugh on her face- a world ruled by long faces and shadowed gazes would be a horrible world to live in. And that was why he was there, to remind people that sometimes, no matter what is happening around them, they are still living- magic or mundane, immortal or mortal, young or old they are given something special- the fact that they are alive. But it was hard, it can't lie and say that he never had to stop, take in the actions that were being pulled around and feel worry about what would happen next- it happened to everyone, but the more he twisted his mind around it, the more frustrated he felt. By experience, for some it may be helpful, but for him it simply wasn't, his mind started to over think things and start to complicate a matter that didn't need to be mulled over for that long. But methods of relaxation differed, he hardly would think that Pandora's way of easing tensions would be chasing tail. To each of ones own, he supposed.

He gripped the back of the chair before pulling it back and taking a seat, laughter already finding its way to pour out of his lips as she mentioned the food. 'Freda must have made this, I assume?'

[/color] he murmured, picking up a fork and scooting the berries aside as he pretended to inspect it critically. He scoffed. 'Are you sure it's not poisoned? You know she's been out to get me from that one time I ventured into the kitchens, borrowed a few snacks here and there and had a picnic a few maids in the garden-'[/color] he stopped suddenly and gave her a mockingly sheepish look as if he had been caught in an act he shouldn't have done- 'Oh, for inspections- just making sure that they were doing their rounds thoroughly... if you know what I mean,' [/color]he said with an informative nod, picking up a knife anyways. He nodded. 'I am well,' he murmured thoughtfully with a smile before quirking a brow. 'I see, it seems that there's a lot of everyone's mind here lately. No need to apologize, as Queen it is to be expected that you are busy,' [/color]he said quietly, looking around the room before back at the plate again as the mood suddenly sobered slightly at the mention of her sister.

Keeping the light air about him, he shrugged, stabbing the piece of cut meat before popping it into his mouth. It took the time to think over what he planned to say before swallowing the food, followed by a drink from the flute before speaking. 'Admittedly, she looks well, the effects of dark magic has yet to show on her body.' It was true, Thea looked as lovely as ever, there were times that he had caught her with an ache here and there but it honestly could be anything. He snorted at the thought of the vampire king, never really liking the arrogant attitude. Well, he didn't like vampires in general. Creepers. 'Fabian is the same, just as the rumors say- one could see why they would side with the Queen of Darkness, since a land with no sunlight allowed them to roam wherever they want to,' [/color]he gave the glass flute a pointed look before picking it up and taking a short swallow. [/blockquote][/size][/justify][/blockquote]