The Bemused Soliloquy: Farewell

[Lady Lucca Solaris of Ulster]

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Though I do not expect any replies to this, I am setting up the last thread for Lucca and breaking them into chunks so not to flood a single post. Enjoy.

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A wandering leaf would but flutter to its demise in a moment's notice, if it were not for all such trivialities of a bouyant wind to prolong the life. Such a wind, it seemed, would have lifted beneath the very folds her life, prolonging the inevitable drift into utter demise. But it had been a pleasant few months within the walls of Ulster, and even moreso pleasant in its woodlands. Moving into the dimming light of the day, her eyes cast back upon the encapsulated trees, longing brimming the very edge of her sight.

Who had she been kidding?

Footfalls echoed into the stirrings of memory, betraying her cool resolve into that of vague retreat. She drifted between rooms, between buildings, past faces and names, oblivious to it all. The decision seemed to strike finality within her with each passing moment. Only a few things remained, that was all. Letters to be sent, resignations of various trivialities.. even the Council would have to be forewarned of her depature, no matter how inane the idea seemed to be. Above all, however, it seemed only one real person mattered in the game of bureaucracy.

It couldnt be helped. She would understand, of course.

Nodding her head once to a familiar face, the deal had been sealed. Her belongings would be donated around the kingdom, for she really had no use of the trincets, only that which she could hold within her hand. Gathering what she could into a travelling sachel, she gazed upon her quarters one last time before closing the doorway to her previous life. The key would have to be left with the Inn Maiden, but such was not a problem. There was no intent to return. Only nostalgia kept haste from her depature. Nostalgia, and a weak sense of guilt.

A passing through the common streets of her route seemed to do little in damning the well of waters, memories sweeping through her as a tide would a desolate ship. How many months had it been since she last visited this Library? Or that garden? Stopping but a brief moment, her eyes fluttered around the entranceway to a house, though its exterior seemed something from a distant dream. Nocturnal lights lit throughout the scenery of her mind, illuminating a rather peculiar setting admist bandages and healing scents. Within a bed there beheld a most intriguing creature, to whom she no doubt held the same sort of awe. They exchanged but a few simple words, though it seemed enough to leave such imprints upon her mind. Where he had went, she knew little of. A glimmer, stolen a few months prior, nothing more. Moving away slowly, she breathed the name below her brow and lowered the cowl of her cloak.

Likewise, would her heart expect the mind to toy in such ways. It had been ordained since the inception of her primary thought, dictating a life of longitude in memory, but desolation in its usefulness. Picking her way about carts and various set-ups, her walk would bring her towards the final destination. All the while, she could but only entertain the memories.

And how, they would come.

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[Noah]

(I might make some assumptions on Ulster's landscape and whatnot, though I'll try not to, but if I do, I apologize for it and hope no one gets annoyed over it)


This woman, this Lucca, whom once held such a high rank in this kingdom of Ulster, would now seem to have reduced herself to the status of a lowly peasant. It was with no doubt that part of her heart would always belong to this kingdom and it was with even less doubt that she would probably take some time to do some sight seeing before leaving. How long would she spend waxing nostalgia? An hour? A day? A week? .....maybe even longer. That was up to her, or rather her heart and subconsious, to decide. On her way though though, she would no doubt pass through the depths of a forest that she would probably find very familar....and its scenery too bringing back a specific memory. It was within the confines of these trees and branches, these bushes and leafs, that this woman, this Lucca, had a fateful meeting with an outsider. A strange foreign being that called himself Noah.
It was back then, so many months ago, back when Noah was still just a Hellspawn, that he and Lucca crossed paths with one another. And though they've met one another a total of perhaps three or less occations, each one no doubt left a lasting impression on the other's soul. It was here in which their first meeting took place. It was here that Noah bestowed upon her his intimate knowledge of the workings of things. It was here that Lucca would probably find herself drawn to, either coming across it on her way out or taking a side trip to go and visit it one last time. And it was here that this very same being, Noah, awaited her should she choose to visit it one last time. High up and concealed visually by the tree branches, he made no attempt to hide his energy, his very presence. He's given Lucca the ability to sense another's presence a while back in the past. She would no doubt be able to sense him. The question was though, would she pay him a little visit on her way out?

[Lady Lucca Solaris of Ulster]

To the members of the Ulsterian Council,

I, Lady Lucca Solaris of Ulster, do hereby proclaim an interim venture beyond the borders of the Ulsterian Kingdom for an extended period of absense unmeasured at this time. In like regard, I shall be stepping down from the position of First Chair and henceforth relinquishing all such positions thereto.

Regards and most assured well-wishes for the future of the Kingdom,

Lady Lucca Solaris

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Slipping the delicate parchment amidst its envelope, she placed the lettermail upon the credenza of the office and moved her way out, hoping beyond reason such a letter would suffice for all her intentions. The Queen had been away on her own path of mourning, no doubt, and all other members surely were not as reachable as she. A sigh, no more, exalted from her lips before the matter was set to rest. A solemn goodbye was given to her station, and no more was she a Lady.

Hands drifted to lift the edges of her dress and cloak, habitual practice precedenting a behavior to remain in the slightest bit neat and free of earthly stains. Her mind continued to card-catalogue all the endeavors she had enacted within her times of living, but all seemed for naught in each passing breath, nothing more of importance reaching her mind. Sir Farris, the wolfen debacle of her consort seemed to edge upon her mind. But she had long given him her placated good-bye - or at least she had hoped she did - and so, that too had been laid to rest.

What else was there to drink upon, before the glass could be sufficiently proclaimed parched and emptied?

It was within a moment none too far from such a thought that the first twitch in the fabric of her memory did rouse interest in her mind. The sense tugged upon her memory, tugged upon the thoughts of fore-front until a spot betwixt the very back and near middle did come into light, revealing a crux in her heart she had subconsciously shifted aside.

//No, I have not forgotten you... not quiet yet...//

As if the course had always been proclaimed within her walking shoes, the trajectory path of her workings meandered into a forested floor, its scenery coming into distance within an hour or three's walk from her previous location. With an office and Kingdom aside from her dealings, all that seemed to have remained was the pinnacle of her life here in Ulster - aside from her dealings both within a mental plane and physical. All that now seemed to reside before departure of this life could be complete was the residual demise of her slumber, into the waking world of a realm filled with questions deserving answer. All that remained was the one thing that set her apart, and gave her rise to her new sort of death. And rebirth.

"So you haven’t forgotten about me, have you, Noah?"

[Noah]

Even one that relied only upon the 5 human senses knew that a woman was headed this way. Indeed, one could hear the foot steps. Either she was unaware or merely had no intention of making herself stealthy. And sure enough, within visual view, walked in the woman in question. He was obviously fully aware of her presence and she was obviously fully aware of his. Did she come here by chance though? Perhaps returning here to wax nostalgic with the scenery? Or did she indeed know that Noah would be there? And what of Noah? Did he merely find himself here by fateful coincedence or did he know Lucca was leaving Ulster, venturing out into the outside on her own? Regardless, Lucca would be greated by the old tell tale signs of Noah. His huge dark red raggy cape dangled in a saddened form from the branch he sat perched upon. And within the darkness of the shadows covering him, his glowing greens eyes stared back at her.
And then she addressed him. Before he gave an answer, he began to move his form down the tree. Silently and eleganly. His cape masking his movements and making him appear all the more ghostly. Within the four seconds time it took him to crawl along the tree bark and reach the ground, his form underwent a visual change. Certain patches of darkness and tree limbs masked the stages of it though, but it would be clear to this woman, this Lucca, that he was changing into another form. Then finally less than six feet away from the ground, he lep off the tree and unto the ground. It was a form that Lucca would know of, but had never really laid eyes on before. It was how Noah appeared when he was still human. Why would he manifest this way though? He considered manifesting as anything else other than a Hellspawn to be cheating and lying. He wanted others to see him for what he truely was.
It was with no suprise that after seemingly breaking his curse, mixing his necroplasmic energies with those of something else, that his entire being, his very essence, under went a change. He no longer saw it as cheating to manifest himself as something more appealing to look at now, since he'd under gone such a drastic change. Indeed, Lucca could probably already sense the change in his being from the gift he'd given her. And then there was of course the obvious visual change. Dreadfully handsome to some, while grotesque and strange to look at for others. Such comments he receaved while still human. His skin was realitively pale and his hair was long and dark red, almost black, and went perfectly with his dark clothing. He wore almost solid pitch black outfit, completely with black armor and a black cape. And then of course his hat had to be black too. (Think Vampire Hunter D)
Then there were his eyes, much more human in appearence even with the green irises, the only thing different in his appearnce now as he looked when he was a mere human. Back then his irises were brown. He still stood a good six feet tall though, six foot five inches with his hat on. After so long, the two of them now stood face to face, less than ten feet away from one another. And then he addressed her, his voice no doubt still very familar to her. Soothing and intellectual, with a hint of an english accent and an underlying coldness. "If I had been a bandit, then it would come as no suprise if I were able to take away your belongings.....and your chastity if you still had it. Foolish girl, had you even brought any sort of weapons with you? Outside the bounderies of this safe kingdom you will find the outside world alot more unforgiving." He paused only briefly to let his words sink in before continuing. "Or are you merely asking to be mugged?" Taking a few steps towards Lucca's 3 o'clock, his voice took on a less scolding tone.
"I would gladly offer you sanctuary in Zalion. Or offer to be your guide and protector on your journies, but....part of me tells me that you'll refuse such offers." And what part had he been referring to? His own inner doubts about the situation, or perhaps the part of her that Lucca had left within Noah? Or perhaps he was wrong to guess that she might refuse his offers. It was after Noah had spoken of her refusing his offers that the vines and trees began to close together around them, forming a fifty foot by fifty foot dome-like structure over the two of them. Lucca appeared to be trapped, but then Noah spoke again. "However, I will not allow you to leave....without first equiping you with the proper knowledge and techniques to handle the outside world." He came to a dead stop, standing directly to her right side, assuming she had not turned to face him while he was walking, fell silent waiting for her to answer him.

[Lady Lucca Solaris of Ulster]

Perhaps surprise would have brimmed the very lips of her expression, had she been a lost little lamb within a wolf's den. But scarcely had she allowed such surprise attacks to remain within her life, since the day she had come across the beast to the beauty's discontent. Merely coming to a rest within the forest's clearing, she allowed the sensory perceptions to take hold of her corporeal skills, tentacles of thought reaching outward to find the beloved creature. It was within those very moments that he seemed to greet upon her wakening, as if to reply to the beck and call of the extended hand. Or had he merely found himself obliged to reveal himself, now that she had found her place at last within the nostalgic dreamscape?

Darkened orbs of azure light fixated unto his form, curiosity peaking behind the sightless eyes of her mind, memories spilling over each other to provide context to the sudden climactic moment. The air beheld a difference that seemed rich and thick of dissension, but she left such notions to the wind as her mind focused more upon the creature whom dared draw near to her. The transformation, though before her very eyes, distracted her somewhat from the initial purpose, losing all conditional remorse into a vat of inconsequential disillusionment. The reasoning behind the change seemed clouded, at best, with the contours of her heart's passion, but such irrationality could not lend credit to the ratio decidendi - her judgment could not be based solely upon this moment.

"If I had been a bandit, then it would come as no surprise if I were able to take away your belongings.....and your chastity if you still had it. Foolish girl, had you even brought any sort of weapons with you? Outside the boundaries of this safe kingdom you will find the outside world a lot more unforgiving." Motionless, she remained, allowing the other to pursue her point in measured grace.

"Or are you merely asking to be mugged? I would gladly offer you sanctuary in Zalion. Or offer to be your guide and protector on your journeys, but....part of me tells me that you'll refuse such offers."

"You had always been so wise with your words, Noah..." smirking low beneath the cowl of her garments, she fixated her eyes upon the forest floor, watching all the world rise into a garish prison all around her. The words thereafter seemed a stern current of nothingness to her ears as the eyes regarded something of a game before her. Taking the chance to move from her spot, distance seemed the only friend to her plight, placing itself betwixt the two strangest of beings.

"And what makes you think I will want such knowledge... or even need it? Perhaps I am but a foolish girl, Noah, but you are well aware, as am I, that one does not make it thus far in life, without knowing a few tricks to maintain the comfort of air within the chest and warmth to the bosom..." Turning back her eyes upon him, she stepped in quietly, yet without the slightest breath of alarm in her step, merely placing her hand upon his chest whilst the eyes locked onto his.

"Or have you already forgotten?"

[Noah]

"Spunky" would've been the term and less cultured and more vulgar being would've labeled the woman's behavior. If she admired, respected and even loved Noah as much as it seems, she had a funny way of showing it. Any other person would've interpurated her placing her hand on his chest as flirting, but not him. He simply reached up to grasp her wrist with the intention of taking her hand off her chest. Indeed, most would find it quite a daring thing to do to simply walk up and touch him like that, if not anything short of an out right death wish. Indeed, many of would be foes have met their end just by coming into less contact with him. Though she touched his clothing, he reached up with the intention of removing her with a bare hand. Assuming she would not jerk away, she would feel something she's not felt from Noah, bare flesh. Yes, a bare human hand, not the clawed killer one of a Hellspawn. But even that simple touch of his naked hand was inhuman. Though soft, smooth and unthreatening as a human hand, it was still cold to the touch.
"No, I have not forgotten." He said, finally responding to her question. "And I do not believe in much the statement you make of you being merely a foolish girl.....we both know you're not.....at least I do anyways." And then he turned his back to her, the plant life still forming a dome around the two of them. Thus he proceeded to walk forward a few paces and fairly slowly at that. Taking his time with each stride, as though quietly waxing nostalgic with some sort of inner monologue. "I do intend to accompany you on your journies, Lucca..." He paused briefly during his sentence. He'd not said her name outloud in quite some time. Then again, for a being as old as he, should such a minor measurement of time as a few months hold any meaning? And what of Lucca? The knowledge he'd passed on to her. Was it perhaps the part of Noah that he'd left inside her during that split second they became the same as one being? Was it that that was persuading her to leave?
Noah himself had been very nomadic at one point. Taking only a small amount of time to rest in one location before moving on to another. Casting himself before the winds and mercy of fate. As such, was it the impression that Noah left inside of Lucca that now made her see fit to leave Ulster? Or maybe...something more. Something more personal and sacred than that. Regardless of what it was, he figured it would be far from it for him to pry into her personal business. "...but I will not patronize you by holding your hand like a child through your possible future travels. And that is why I insist that I teach you how to fend for yourself." He said as he came to a hault and turned around to face her, approx. twenty feet infront of her. Within the shadow that he now stood, and the one casted by the rim of his own hat, his eyes gave off the familar green haze. It was with that that he moved his cape out of the way and let it hang down along side his back, fully revealing his front side.
He spread his legs apart in a V formation while bending his elbows so that his hands were now out infront of him at an angle, his left shoulder facing this woman, this Lucca. "My patience is no doubt alot more long lasting than yours. If you want out of this leafy prison alot sooner, I suggest you approach me and proceed to swing as many physical blows at me as you possibly can.....I think the moment has arrived to stop wasting time with idle chit chat any longer. Consider the skills and knowledge in this lesson to be another "gift" I bestow unto you......now.....let's begin." His limbs seemed to loosen up a bit as he prepared himself for any sort of on coming attack his would be trainie might throw at him.