Chartha

[Amariette Willowbane]

Amariette: ~It had taken a day or so for Amariette to fully recover, the scars she inflicted upon herself superficial and easily healed. Amazingly, Maggie Carter had found a place for her to rest peacefully, several workers questioning her continuously on the girl's condition. Unfortunately for Amariette, many had witnessed her reading of Theoren and the madness that ensued, a few if not all a bit wary of approaching her as easily as they had before. This weighed heavily on the village girl's heart and she refused to see anyone but Daniel and Maggie when they came to check on her during her quaratine, always greeting them with as bright an attitude as she could.~<c>
Amariette: ~Per her mother's request, she had conveyed to Daniel the importance of a visit to her father in Chartha, imposing upon him the necessity of seeing Brigham as soon as she was physically able. There was a noticeable change in her entire demeanor, a strange sense of peace and purpose rooted within everything she said and did, her eyes continuously sparkling no matter how bleak the situation could be perceived as. Considering what she had endured in the past few days, it was a wonder that the girl hadn't completely lost control of her sanity, more than a few whispers being passed when she finally ventured out of her room to join the others, bright and cheerful as always.~<c>
Amariette: ~Taking time to gather a few things for their journey en route to Emain Macha for the Samhain celebration, she was more than appreciative to Maggie for all the woman's help. She had been a steady source of support and understanding the likes in which Amariette had not been exposed to for quite a long time, herheart continuously warmed by the woman's kind and considerate words. Though it pained her that she had to leave so soon, she was nonetheless thankful to be on her way home, even if it was for only a day or two to reassure her father that his child was still alive and well.~<c>
Amariette: ~Now the pair was traveling through the wilderness towards her village, Chartha about a half days ride from Invernis to the north where the growing mountains hide the small and peaceful valley community from many a pair of prying eyes. Their carriage bounced along rather gently, the path worn down by years and years of traversing wheels and hooves. Letting her eyes linger on the view from the carriage window, she wondered what her mother's strange message had truly meant, a growing feeling of fear rising in the pit of her stomach. No doubt Brigham would tell her the truth about everything now, at least, she hoped he would.~<c>
Amariette: ~It would not be easy to get any information from the old man, but she was comforted with the fact that Daniel would be there to cushion the visit should it prove to be more difficult than she first thought.~

Daniel Carter: -The carriage ride was more pleasent for him than she knew. Sitting with his arm around her he had been silent the bulk of the trip staring out the opposite window with his fingers over his lips, his chin in his palm off in that quiet contemplation he so often found himself adrift in. No doubt his mind was on the book he had tucked in the overnight satchel that was now on the opposite seat of the carriage from them both, all of his notes and all of his personal effects as well. One could almost see gears turning in his mind, mulling over something now deeply lodged in his consciousness. He had dressed for the occassion, taking a painstakingly long time to bathe, take a razor to the stubble that had been plaguing his face for quite some time now, and pick(C)-
Daniel Carter: -out a set of clothes that did not make him look like he had just crawled out of an ancient tomb. They were the clothes he used back in the days when he still taught at the Academy which lay on the main road two thirds of the way to Emain Macha from his sleepy little town of Invernis. A pressed, dark colored shirt and black pressed pants, a large wool overcoat and a matching wool scarf. The cane actually accentuated the ensemble making him, for once, look very distinguished. He wore the attire well, and it was obvious that he was doing so for the sake of impressing Brigham. Her father's rejection had weighed on his mind heavily for a while now. Perhaps he was too poor, too idealistic, too bloody useless for her. After all, he had no marketable skills.(C)-
Daniel Carter: - Most often times workers in the land looked down on scholars with some disdain. And, worse yet... what if Brigham deemed him too old? There was, for the ages they were at now, quite a gap between them, though Daniel rarely ever thought of it as such. It was something to consider, and so he had practiced meeting the man in his head over and over during the ride hoping to the Gods that he didn't screw this up. Brigham might be a little more protective and a little less understanding than Maggie was when it came to his child. It was only after she squeezed his hand that he chanced to snap out of his intellectual stupor and look over at her. He smiled and squeezed her hand back, letting his gaze linger on her for a few moments. "Amariette..."(C)-
Daniel Carter: - He said after a few moments of quiet pondering, "You said... when you woke up... that you knew why Theoren is doing all of this..." It was more of an inquiry than it was a statement of fact. He looked down at her from beneath his glasses and studied her. She knew she did not have to tell him, but it would help, in his view, for him to know these kinds of things.

[Amariette Willowbane]

Amariette: ~"Yes Daniel....I do. When I made contact with Theoren, I initially felt something inside him. It was vicious and it made my blood boil, the intensity of its rage feeling like fire in my veins. It scanned me Daniel. It literally pushed itself into my body and searched my mind with this calculating demonic intent. I was powerless to stop it, but lucky for me, it apparently didn't believe I was much of a threat and vanished back inside of him. I thought that was the worst of it, but as soon as I redoubled my efforts and forced the weakest points of his mind open, my whole world changed. Oh god Daniel....it was heartbreaking." She raised a hand to press against her cheek as she fought the sudden wave of tears that built and pooled in her eyes.~<c>
Amariette: ~Taking a moment to regain her nerve, she swallowed the sobs that were beginning to choke her throat and returned her gaze to him, her eyes moist but little else. "He's an angel Daniel....a Fallen. I don't understand why he's here, but it looks to me like it has something to do with the parasite that is living inside him. I saw it Daniel, I saw it's angry eyes and hooked beak. Vicious, wicked claws and all. It attacked him, I don't know why or even where it came from, but I saw it happen. Oh god, I felt it happen. He was free Daniel, Theoren was returning home to his Lord and Master, returning to the awaiting arms of God, but Heaven would not accept him. They barred him from their gates Daniel!"~<c>
Amariette: ~"He was trying so desperately to reach them but something blocked his way, a barrier, some type of a divine shield. The beast, the parasite, I think it's some type of dark phoenix, a creature of myth, at least I thought it was. It ripped him open Daniel, it tore into him like some horrible disease and he bled, he cried and he bled. The panic, oh God, the panic that seized him was horrible. He couldn't get it off! Even with all the fight he was putting up, it forced its way into his body and began to spread through him like a virus. An incurable, premanent virus. His beautiflu wings, his beautiful white wings withered, the feathers fell off and he fell, fell into this consuming darkness that would make up all of his lives for as long as the creature willed."~<c>
Amariette: ~"The last thing I felt, the last emotion I felt to my very core, was despair. He's desperate Daniel, and so help me, I don't know how we can help him." Tightening her grip on his hand, she buried her face in his arm and tried to steady her shaking, her entire body taken by a fit of trembling that refused to let up. The images flashed anew in her mind, the pain, the sorrow, the hopelessness that was Theoren Roullier.~

Daniel Carter: -He couldn't believe his ears. It was hard to believe at all what she was saying, that Theoren Roullier, that slick smiling, murdering, thieving, son of a bitch was one of the Lord's chosen. He wanted to protest and tell her she had seen wrong, that he was a murderer, and a liar. How could an angel commit the horrible atrocities that Theoren did with such ease and indifference? But he listened. A fallen angel was one of the most dangerous things in the world, he would think. A being with intimate knowledge of God, knowing the light of heaven and then to be denied would be so desperate and so bitter that he could not imagine the destruction that he might be capable of. Theoren could well be one of the most dangerous creatures in all of Ulster(C)-
Daniel Carter: -And a Phoenix! No wonder he could not be killed, he would just keep coming back over and over and over through all of eternity. "I wonder..." He said as he looked out the window again at the countryside rolling by them, "How many times do you think he has died and been turned away from Heaven's gate?" He pondered silently for a moment's time. "I should think..." he started hesitantly, thinking through his words one by one, "That even for a creature like him it might push him to the brink of sanity itself." He said quietly, taking in everything she said and trying to analyze it as best he could through a mortal's eyes. There was a long silence as the carriage rolled over a now cobbledstoned path as they entered the village of Chartha(C)-
Daniel Carter: -and then, "And these stones... what does he plan to use them for? For redemption, or for revenge?" he stopped to let that sink in before turning his head back to her with a look of quiet worry. "Perhaps we should not be helping him, Amariette... we know hardly a thing about him. What if... he simple made you think you saw what you did?" he shook his head, trying to ignore such possibilities. The carriage rolled up to a small blacksmith's shop and even from inside he could hear the sounds of tools clanging and billows blowing. He swallowed the small lump that had already started to grow in his throat. When the carriage door opened he picked up his leather sack and helped Amariette down after him. He smoothed the creases from his pants and (C)-
Daniel Carter: -tried to straighten his scarf, fix his hair in the mirrored window of the carriage, nervous as a lost kitten on a cold day. What if his appearance was too high and mighty? What if Brigham was offended or thought he was trying to come off holier than thou? What if ... what if what if, Daniel, it was too late to change now, wasn't it?(F)-

[Amariette Willowbane]

Amariette: ~Allowing him to help her out of the carriage, Amariette's mind was working over the things he had said, her own face mirroring her obvious discouragement. However now was not the time for that, as the clanging stopped and the large wooden door of the blacksmith shop opened. Apparently, the sight of the carriage had drawn the attention of the owner of the shop, the man himself, Brigham Sovrine. Amariette looked nothing like him, save the same intense green eyes that could capture someone and hypnotize them for good or ill. Standing at a towering six foot four, sweat covered his bare and muscular arms and his eyes squinted in the new sunshine, rather accustomed to the darkness of his place of work.~<c>
Amariette: ~Sandy blonde hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail, more than a few strands of gray giving away his obvious maturity and his lips were pressed into a thin line. He wore a faded pair of dark gray breeches and thick black boots, his chest bare and covered in the normal amount of hair for a man of hard labor and country birth. Brigham's face was hard, worn, and wrinkles had only began to show in the smallest of detail, his jaw set and his entire attitude rather stand offish. Gruffly, he threw a large hammer over his shoulder and set his hand on his hip, his voice low and almost foreboding, "What can I do fer ya sir, you seem to be an awful long way from home." It was enough to make any man bolt instinctively, fleeing for the hills to never be seen again.~<c>
Amariette: ~Yet as he went to speak again, a bit annoyed at Daniel's silence, his squinting eyes centered on Amariette, the orbs widening in obvious surprise. "Mari? Is that you?" The village girl did look a great deal different from last her father had seen her, and it showed in the way he tilted his head, his face softening considerably which was more than a bit unnerving. Amariette had borrowed some of Maggie's old clothes, her body more than fitting the outfits she had chosen to pack away for her trip back to Emain Macha, boots and accesories to match. Today, she wore a green dress that tied halter style and knotted at the back of her neck, the material falling about her body but leaving her back completely bare down to the last vertebrae of her lower spine.~<c>
Amariette: ~It was elegant and very unlike anything her father had ever seen, well, save for long ago on the body of his wife Brianne. The hem ruffled in a pattern just over the tops of her boots and intricate gold embroidery weaved up along the contours and curves of her figure, her hips and bust hugged but still comfortable. Bare shoulders and arms tingled with goosbumps as a cool breeze flowed over her skin, the color a faint, but healthy pink, just like her lips. Lastly, her ringlet red curls were pinned all the way up, off of her neck in the style of the Lords and Ladies of Ulster, a trick she had learned only just recently from the two little girls whom worked at the Golden Apple Inn.~<c>
Amariette: ~The thick sweeping tresses hung down to frame her face from the crown of her head, gilded silver pins gleaming in the light and her eyes catching with the same marveling sparkle. Smiling brightly, she released Daniel's arm and flew across the stones to him, her arms wrapping about his neck as she giggled delightfully and pressed her cheek to his, practically leaping into his embrace. A strong arm made its way about her and he held her to him tenderly, his eyes closing and an obvious look of relief easily diplayed. "I almost didn't recognize ya girl. What have those high born Ulsterians done to ya?"~<c>
Amariette: ~She was set back to the ground and waved a dismissive hand in retort to him, her gaze turning to settle on Daniel as she beckoned him forward and took his hand to tug him the rest of the steps toward the large man. "Papa, this is Dr. Daniel Carter, he's the archeologist that I wrote you about. He's come to meet you. Daniel, meet my father, Brigham Sovrine."~

Daniel Carter: -Judging from Amariette's size and stature Daniel had been expecting a man much more his own size and truly, the sight of this monsterous male who looked nothing like the daughter that had captured Daniel's heart was more than enough to throw Daniel way off course. For a moment all he could do was stare, dumbfounded in his nice clothes, his glasses, and a bag full of books agape at the little red haired girl clinging as only a daughter could to the bare chested wall of meat that stood glowering at him from across the cobblestone walkway. He opened his mouth to speak but then shut it, having nothing to say in return to Brigham's question. An awful long way from home... if only he knew! Invernis was a small town, but it was supported mostly by(C)-
Daniel Carter: -The academia. People were normally born into an inheritance and got some form of education from the schools in the area. Many of the village men Daniel knew had gotten educated in the city. Some had small farms but most of their economy was not built on labor, but a mercantile class who sold the goods that people like Brigham made. To be thrown into a world where he was, for lack of better words, functionally useless was something very unnerving and way out of Daniel's comfort zone. He shifted uncomfortably during the father-daughter exchange and cleared his throat a few times, the cold still bothering him as his body recovered from the wounds Theoren had given him the week prior. His head snapped up as Amariette gently took his hand(C)-
Daniel Carter: -and started pulling him towards Brigham with an excited smile. He hesitated, if only because he was afraid that she was forgetting how non-mobile he was. He gripped his cane nervously and took a few limping steps forwards towards the giant of a man. He couldn't show fear, no, he had to stay composed... he wasn't that scary after all, was he? He only looked like he could crush Daniel's head like it was a grapefruit! He held out a hand to the larger man, looking up to meet those blazing emerald eyes with his own soft and studious blue's. "Hello Mr. Sovrine, it's a pleasure to finally meet you in person. Amari- er, Ms. Willowbane talks very highly of you, Sir."(F)-

[Amariette Willowbane]

Amariette: ~Brigham gave the little man a once over and raised a brow, thinking it rather comical that his daughter had brought to him a bookworm instead of a solid knight of Ulster, or at least some workhorse who could live up to plowing the fields along side him during the spring plant. Taking the young lad's hand just the same, he shook it politely without applying too much pressure, likely the man's hand would crumble like day old bread. "Daniel, a pleasure. I hafta thank ya for bringing Mari back in one piece. I was afraid somethin terrible had happened to my little girl." Rolling her eyes at his words, Amariette wrapped her arms about his left forearm and hugged herself against it, her smile so full of life and happiness that it would soften the heart of most any man.~<c>
Amariette: ~As their things were unloaded from the carriage by the driver, Brigham let his gaze survey the small party, his mind working as to how he should precede with the two of them. Shrugging, he peered down to Amariette and smiled faintly, his lips placing a kiss against her forehead in an uncanny display of open affection. "Tell ya what we're gonna do, Mari, take ya doctor friend here around to the cottage and get something warming on the fire. I'll finish up in here and meet the both of ya in a few minutes alright?" Nodding her head, Amariette swept Daniel's hand into her own and began to tug him along again, this time, slowing her pace so that he might follow without much difficulty or pain.~<c>
Amariette: ~Noticing his worriesome gaze that lingered on their belongings, she gave his hand a squeez and reasured him not to worry about them. The loud slamming of the wooden door sounded as Brigham returned into his shop to cool the kilns and cease work for the day, rather interested in speaking with this man whom his daughter had produced. In truth, Brigham didn't much care for scholars, or 'school learned folk', he knew them to be snobby and hesitant to ever get their hands dirty. Not only that, but it would surprise a great deal of them to know that he wasn't as thick as first perceived, in fact, not only could Brigham read and write, but he also was quite a mathematical genius. Well, at least for a country born man.~<c>
Amariette: ~Basic mathematics was important in his line of work, and he had never been cheated out of more than he had coming. In the meantime, Amariette had ushered Daniel around the side of the shop where a small white gate was opened into a rather large garden, the entire front yard filled with all manner of wild flowers and herbs. It was actually very beautiful to see and the colors had not even faded with the coming change of season, which in all honesty, was naturally impossible. Beyond that, rose her home, a simple but large cottage that stretched far into the woods that surrounded the area, the porch lined with rockers and even more potted plants. Lying lazily atop the wooden extension was the biggest hound one would ever see, his great paws curled beneath his gleaming head.~<c>
Amariette: ~At their approach, the beast raised his neck and his old eyes gazed out toward Amariette, his long pink tongue hanging from his slobbering maw as he panted rather contently. "Kramar!" She called as she waved to him and he got up quickly, his tail wagging back and forth in obvious excitement at the sight of her. Kramar was an old breed of hunter hound that used to be famous for going on long expeditions with the mountain men into the surrounding hillside in search of cliff cats, the biggest species of feral that still roamed those parts. However, Kramar hadn't been prowling in the mountains for years and Brigham had lost his taste for the hunt long after Brianne passed away.~<c>
Amariette: ~Trotting down the steps, she bounded toward her, all two hundred pounds of muscles and black fur that still moved as quick as lightning if not faster. She drew in front of Daniel to brace him for the impact, praying the dog didn't topple the both of them.~

Daniel Carter: -He nodded and swallowed another lump in his throat, grateful that the oversized man did not crush his hand with his grip. He followed Amariette most willingly around to the little house around the side of the shop. It was a quaint place, small and sturdy. That was one thing that Chartha and Invernis had in common. Daniel had felt most uncomfortable in the sprawling expanse of Emain Macha's castlegrounds, almost as though that much home was a hinderance on him. He preferred his own little quiet study and personal library to anything that the city had to offer. Through the gate he limped, from the time he had stepped out of the carriage immediately embarrassed by his inability to walk without an aide. It must have shown on his face well.(C)-
Daniel Carter: -He wasn't very good or very used to hiding his emotions, though the most popular one seemed to be 'contemplative.' "I... don't think your father thinks much of me, Amari..." he said with a slight shiver. A hand rested on her bare shoulder a moment. He remembered that dress... his mother used to wear it when he was younger and his father was still alive. "You might catch your death of cold honey... you want my coat?" He asked with a small squeeze of the muscle. When the big black dog came bounding down the steps his face lit up. He loved animals. Even as she tried to block him to keep him safe he was already crouching down, holding the shaft of the cane for support and petting the slobbering mass that had come bounding up to him(C)-
Daniel Carter: -happy to see any newcomers into the house. He laughed and let the dog lick his face a few times before pushing Kramar away and standing up, wobbling as he did so. "You have a beautiful house here Mari... I can hardly see why you left it..." He said, ducking in through the door as she led him into the house, surveying the surroundings. It was simple and plain. He liked that. Still, he could not help but remember the look on Brigham's face when he had first seen Daniel. He thought that Daniel was a snooty academic, he could feel it. So, he would have to go through some kind of trial to prove himself? He had to do that with Evelyn's parents. Her father had been obsessed with the idea of his little girl marrying a Knight. For all Daniel knew(C)-
Daniel Carter: -that could have probably happened by now. He sighed and put his hands in the pockets of his coat and stood pondering what he would have to do in order to win over Amariette's only, protective, parent. His look of dismay was probably evident.(F)-

[Amariette Willowbane]

Amariette: ~Hearing him use her nickname made her beam with pride, even more so than the compliment about her home, Kramar trotting in behind them before she could close the door. Taking his coat and scarf from him, she hung them on the appropriate hooks on the wall by the door, her steps surprisingly light and smooth as the dog circled her, barking and making a fuss. Seeing him into a large living room, she sat him down in the softest chair and moved to the large pot that hung over the small fire in the hearth. Lifting the lid, she smiled at the scent of fresh tea and went about building the flames to warm up the pot so that he could enjoy some, hopefully it would ease his nerves which she could see were more than rigid.~<c>
Amariette: ~"Don't worry about my father's opinion of you Daniel. First impressions are always bad with him no matter who you are, he's become a veritable hermit that man and it shows even more so now that I've returned. Look at this place! It's a mess! Kramar, you were supposed to help Papa keep the place looking at least halfways decent!" The dog whined and tilted his head questioningly, making her giggle and crouch down to rub behind his ears until his tail wagged anew. Rising up again, she drifted about the room and readjusted the throw pillows and various rugs, her natural habit as the cleaner of the house more than obvious now. In fact, she had almost forgot about him entirely until she noticed she was dusting near his shoes, an embarassed flush filling her cheeks.~<c>
Amariette: ~"I'm sorry, I suppose I'm a little nervous myself." Suddenly the door opened and the thundering steps gave way to the image of Brigham, his face scrubbed clean of the soot and his upper body now clothed in a seemingly new gray wool sweater. "Mmm, something smells good. Is that ya special tea Mari? I've been craving some of that forever!" Laughing heartily, he strode across the room and collapsed into his large arm chair, Kramar rushing over to curl at his feet and nuzzle the man's leg some. "Are you being shy Kramar?" The big man asked as he chuckled some and gave the dog a few good rubs atop the head. Amariette fetched the pot and began to pour the steaming liquid into cups, replacing the kettle over the heat so that the contents didn't get cold.~<c>
Amariette: ~"Honestly Papa, I had hoped that you'd keep the place up while I was gone." She nagged as she handed out the cups and slipped into the couch to curl her legs beneath her, "Even if we don't have many guests, it's important that we keep the pests outside!" Brigham took a few big gulps of the tea and smiled charmingly toward his sweet daughter, it's obvious that he was still as roguishly handsome as he had always been, especially with a clean and shaven face. "I thought I was keepin it up, after all, it was Kramar who didn't want to wear the apron I got fer him." The man chuckled heartily again and set his cup on the table that spread out for all of them to use, "So, Daniel, may I call ya Daniel? Where are ya from and what brings ya all the way out here to see me?"~<c>
Amariette: ~There was genuine interest in the man's green eyes and they even seem to twinkle with hidden mirth, the life in his gaze only growing with the presence of his daughter so near again. In fact, he seemed the most hospitable Amariette had ever seen him be.~

Daniel Carter: -Daniel sat down, grateful to be off his leg which had actually started to give him a bit of pain what with the chill in the air. Maggie had insisted on splinting it and he had insisted that she not do so and in the end it was that stubborn and stern look in her only son's blue eyes that made her smile and relent and remember that he was now nearly twenty nine and perfectly capable of taking good care of himself. He smiled, happy to simply watch her busy herself in her most natural of places to be in. She was a wonderful girl, and her beauty, so he had seen, went far deeper than just her skin and features, though he had to admit those were quite stunning as well. He gladly accepted the tea from her with a most grateful and adoring smile but that soon(C)-
Daniel Carter: -faded and he sat up a little straighter, tried to be a little more proper, and generally became a small ball of nerves when he heard Brigham enter the house. The large, charismatic man was throwing him way off balance, for Daniel was a very introverted and shy kind of person and entirely unused to such outgoing men as Brigham was. His father had never been anything like Brigham, though Maggie, in her own way, had. At first Daniel hesitated on the questions, like a deer caught in headlights his own eyes fixed on Brigham's and for a second and a half he stared. Then his reflexes snapped back to life and he sat up straight, set his tea down and pushed his glasses back up onto the bridge of his nose. "Oh.. well I'm from Invernis, actually, just a little(C)-
Daniel Carter: -southeast of here I believe... " He cleared his throat and looked at Amariette and then forced a weak smile. "And I'm here, actually, at your daughter's request for ... companionship on her trip to see you." He stumbled over a few of the words. It was not as if he could cordially come out and say he had fallen madly in love with Brigham's only child and was here because they were running away from an insane lunatic who was hell bent on dragging them half way across the globe to find some rock that may or may not exist. What a terrible first impression that would have made. He cleared his throat again, "And of course, to ask you... that is if you had the free time and no orders already in place, if you could possibly craft a few tools for me... "(C)-
Daniel Carter: -He leaned a little farther forwards to try to explain further, "I will, sometime within the next few months, be traveling out to the Aon desert on the mainland for an expedition, I was wondering if perhaps you had any knowledge of crafting tools for caving, as I no longer have any of my own. Ms. Willowbane tells me that you're an excellent craftsman." he said, picking up his teacup only to distract his hands so that they did not begin to shake.(F)-

[Amariette Willowbane]

Amariette: ~"Hmm, well I do have a great deal of experience in craftin all manner of things, be they swords or tools to be used on the fields within the village. I'll just need a list of the things ya need made and they will be my first priority. Ya see, with the change of seasons comin, there aren't too many people looking fer weapons now, I actually have a great deal of free time. No doubt this is why the house is so...cluttered." He winked teasingly to Amariette and eased back in his chair, his hands clasping behind his head and his boots sliding outwards along the floor some. So the lad was from Invernis? Perhaps he wasn't such a lost cause after all, but there was something here that wasn't being said.~<c>
Amariette: ~An underlying emotion he could more than feel which caused him to go on the defensive rather quickly. Keeping his face passive and bright, he looked toward Kramar as the dog rose to bound to the door and paw at it desperately, his whines more than audible to everyone's ears. "Looks like someone wants to go fer a walk about the village. I meant to take him myself today, but it slipped my mind. Mari, would ya take him out fer awhile? I think he'd be more than grateful to spend some quality time with ya. Don't ya worry about Daniel here, we're just gonna have some heart to heart among men. I'll be gentle with him, I promise. Now you be off, before Kramar throes a fit." ~<c>
Amariette: ~Reluctantly, Amariette rose from her place and drew across the floor, her gaze centering a bit concerned on Daniel before she vanished out of the room and to the door. "Alright, alright boy, I'm coming!" She answered to a few loud barks from the hound. Fetching a shawl that was sprawled over a wicker basket nearest the door, she opened the door for Kramar to go bounding out, soon following behind him. As the door closed firmly, Brigham rose from his chair and moved toward the window to watch his daughter go down the cobblestone lane, a sigh parting his lips. "She's somethin special ain't she Daniel?" He looked over at the younger man, his eyes darkened and somewhat predatorial as though his rage and been incited by something Daniel had said.~<c>
Amariette: ~Of course, this wasn't the case at all, but Brigham hated beating around the bush. He wanted facts. And he wanted them now. Returning to his chair, clouds shielded thesun from the room and it suddenly became a bit dark, only the light of the fire illuminating his face as well as Daniel's. "Now then son, I'm gonna make this easy fer ya alright? Amariette is precious. Even more so than ya know. In fact, ya don't even know the half of it. She's alot like her mother, a LOT. And I lost that woman a long time ago, I won't let my daughter be lost fer the same reason." Leaning forward, the man rested his arms on his knees and met Daniel's studious blue eyes squarely, the grave way in which he spoke more tha unnerving no doubt.~<c>
Amariette: ~"We'll go about this conversation in a rather easy way. Ya tell me all the things ya chose to leave out, and I KNOW there are things, and I will share with ya the true nature of the situation. Amariette's true nature, likely, you'll want to get outta here and never come back." Sitting back, Brigham brought his left boot atop his right knee and waited rather patiently, the look in his eyes waring Daniel not to faulter a second longer than he had to.~

Daniel Carter: -Oh no... don't leave me here with him! Was the pleading look on his face as he watched Amariette reluctantly go along the lane with the dog. Immediately his eyes latched onto Brigham's form as it lumbered across the room to the window. Overprotective, Amariette had called him. She hadn't told Daniel that he was bigger than a work horse and had a penchant for pounding the hell out of the guys she brought home for show and tell! He swallowed another cup of tea rather quickly and winced as it burned the back of his mouth. He opened his eyes to see Brigham staring him down, but he didn't look away. No, he didn't dare do that. He met the man's gaze head on, for it was all he could do not to lose any more respect in this man's eyes(C)-
Daniel Carter: -He might be considered weak by some, but that was only because he spent time with his books. For the right reasons he was as strong of will as any man alive and strong of mind. It was the feats of strength that he could not quite pull off as well, nor had he ever been keen with a sword, only a pen. "Alright, Sir, you're right." He said, beginning slowly as per the norm for him, picking his words as hesitantly and choicely as he possibly could. "I have... significant feelings for your daughter. And I should hope, vice versa." he wet his lips and looked to the fire a moment, somehow finding it easier to say what he needed to without having to look at those scrutinizing eyes any longer. "We met one afternoon in the city a few months ago. I was on commission(C)-
Daniel Carter: -by the Queen to unearth a set of ruins nearby my home town, she was running errands for you. I collided with her in the town square, we talked, and I asked to see her again..." his eyes darted to Brigham for a moment, half expecting the man to send a fist into his face, but was almost relieved to see that he hadn't moved. "We met on and off while I was staying at the castle, and she expressed an interest in my work, so I invited her to come along on the dig since it did not seem to be dangerous at the time. At first she declined, and then the next day found me and told me she wanted to come along, so naturally I obliged and took her with me. Later that week while inside a hollowed out portion of the temple an associate and myself were caught(C)-
Daniel Carter: -in a cave in which resulted in the injuries to my leg, which we hope are not permenant. Amariette stayed with me and has been staying with me since the incident." His eyes shifted back to Brigham again, this time taking on some kind of renwed vigilance, a sternness to them he maybe oughtn't have. "But I swear to you, on my word as a gentleman, that I did not lay an inappropriate hand on your daughter, or let god strike me down now." He lifted his chin slightly as if putting some kind of subconscious potency to his oath. "And I do not intend to." A pause then, while he gathered his thoughts once more. "And yes, I do have an agenda of my own that Amariette is not aware of, but it seems that you have something you want me to know,(C)-
Daniel Carter: -and so I'll wait until you've spoken to ask my favor of you." He said, settling back into his usual, passive self and leaning back on the chair trying his best to keep his personal space just that.(F)-

[Amariette Willowbane]

Amariette: ~The kid had nerve, especially when it came to protecting his honor in the face of forming a more than palpable relationship with his daughter. Brigham was pleased. He respected that. It still didn't change the fact that Daniel knew so little of the situation. "Look son, I don't want to be so hard on ya, but I have to be. Amariette isn't like other women, neither was her mother. Ya see, Brianne, my wife, was not actually born human. True, she gave birth to Amariette just like all other human women, but she was special, Daniel. As crazy as ya think I may be, I assure you I am no liar. She was a unicorn."~<c>
Amariette: ~"A friend to Merlin, no doubt ya've heard of him before. The story goes that she was desperate to have a human child and Merlin took pity on her and made her human so that she could see her wish granted. They were close before this, but became even closer after her transformation. I am sure ya've heard of the sorceress Vivian who inevitably stole Merlin's powers and left him to die in a tower. Well, at the time, she could not even begin to get close enough to the wizard to seduce him into her power because of Brianne. This filled Vivian with such a rage that she decided to hunt Brianne down and kill her before Merlin's favor was lost to her forever. During this time I met Brianne and we fell instantly in love and within a year, I made her my wife."~<c>
Amariette: ~"A few years later, Amariette was born, but Vivian had not forgotten her oath and even now, Brianne continued to visit with Merlin on a weekly basis. When Amariette turned five, the sorceress finally caught up with us while I was away on a hunting trip in the mountains. She burned our home to the ground, but Brianne had anticipated the attack and sent Amariette away earlier in the day to play with a neighbor's children. Of course the obvious question is, how could Brianne, a immortal being that she was, die at the hands of a sorceress? It took me years to find out, and when I did, it broke my heart more than losing her ever would be. Vivian had put a containment spell on the house as it burned, denying my wife an escape and forcing her to succumb to the flames."~<c>
Amariette: ~"Her human avatar perished, but because she was a creature of magic, she reverted back to her original state and fled into the night. According to unicorn lore, once the creature has been discovered by man, she must migrate to the lands of her kind, the White Lands, far beyond the reach of people, never to be seen again by the eyes of mortals. Much like your tales of elves and the like. So in fact, Brianne still lives to this day. But she is unable to return. Now, because Amariette was born of such a creature, she too has the ability to transform into the essence of her kind. Amariette can become a unicorn. I have kept her closed off from the world because I wish to prevent the transformation from occuring, it can trigger at any time."~<c>
Amariette: ~"Once she is discovered, there is no doubt in my mind that she will be hunted down. She, in turn, will be forced to migrate to the White Lands, and I will lose her just as I lost Brianne. Please, try to understand Daniel, Merlin paid the price with his life for giving aid to these creatures. Now, ya've fallen in love with one and risk meeting the same fate. I cannot allow ya to take her away again. As of right now, Amariette knows none of this and I want ya to keep it that way. SHE MUST NEVER KNOW. Since I felt I had no choice but to tell ya the truth, ya must swear to keep her secret until the end of ya very days."~

Daniel Carter: -It was a lot to digest, and for many minutes Daniel did not respond. He stared into the fire, thecogs in his mind whirring ever as steady as they had before, processing this information as slowly as he needed to in order to fully understand it. It must have seemed like hours before he spoke once more. His face was solemn and nearly emotionless, blue eyes as analytical as they always had been. Ever the scientist, Daniel was striving to come to some kind of logical solution to a most illogical problem. "Mr. Sovrine, I am an achaeologist and a professor. I spend most of my time in my small home in Invernis pouring over a stack of record logs or writing a journal, perhaps preparing a lecture or critiquing other people's doctoral thesises. I am not a soldier(C)-
Daniel Carter: -and I am not a laborer. I'm a scientist. And if you had told me all of this a month ago, I would tell you that you were downright delusional. But I have seen things these past three weeks that have nigh near shattered my world's foundation to the point where I believe every word you just said to me." There, the preface was finished. He took a deep breath and met Brigham's stare again with more resolve than ever before. "I also lost someone I loved, though not due to any tragic accident. I lost her because I was an idiot. One does not get to be living alone with a library of old books when nearly thirty if they have not done something incredibly stupid in their lives. There was a time when I took risks because it was my job. I was young, (C)-
Daniel Carter: -and probably a far cry less wise than I am now. But that does not mean I will no longer take risks for things I think are worth it. I love your daughter and that means everything that comes with her, danger, uncertainties, and everything." A pause as he chewed on his next set of words. "I will keep your secret. But I should think your daughter deserves to know the truth about herself. It is her body and it is her curse and I disagree that she should be denied the knowledge of her own history. But that is not my decision to make. That being said, I do not know your custom here for the favor I am about to ask you, or if I even need to ask it. But I know my own father, god rest his soul, would have my neck if I did not ask you this." He drew in(C)-
Daniel Carter: -a deep breath and held it for a minute. He could stop. He could walk away. He could leave himself, his work, and his home out of danger and turn his back on everything he had here in his hands. But to what end? What would be life without the happiness he had found? Would it be worth throwing away everything on the chance that it might be taken from him later? Was it really better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all? Was Amariette worth all of the pain he could potentially go through for her? The answer, to Daniel, was overwhelmingly yes. "Mr. Sovrine, I would like permission to ask your daughter to marry me."(F)-

[Amariette Willowbane]

Amareitte:~This Daniel was proving to be more foolish than he thought. Hadn't the boy listened to a single word he had said? Apparently not. Brigham sighed deeply and rose from his chair to glide toward the fire that roared in the hearth, his hand outstretched to grip the edge of the shelf that rested above. Letting his eyes center on the flames, he had decided that being nice had outlived its usefullness and now he was thoroughly tired of entertaining this archeological suitor. "It seems to me that ya've taken me fer quite the damnable fool Dr. Carter. I tried to explain things to ya without allowing my emotions to get the best of me. However, it's clear to me now that not only are ya amazingly hard-headed, but ya're a ignorant fool, albeit a strong-willed fool. So I'm gonna put this in terms ya can understand.~<c>
Amariette:~Amariette is staying here with me, whether she wants to or not. Ya're free to return to Invernis, or wherever the hell ya came from, but ya're never to trouble us again. Do I make myself clear?" Turning toward the younger man, the humanoid giant crossed his arms over his barrel of a chest and peered down with terrible eyes, the fire roaring to life anew behind him as another log split in two from the intense heat. It was easy to understand why Brigham Sovrine was so adamant about his daughter remaining where she would be safe, after all, he had lost the love of his life already and would have lost all will to continue should he lose his only child to the same fate.~<c>
Amariette:~ Raising a brow as the door opened and Amariette jogged back in briskly, Kramar was not a step behind her, flying into the room to greet his Master and paw his leg. Looking down to the beast with an expressionless gaze, the hound whined audibly and slunk away with his tale between his legs, choosing to find solace behind Daniel's chair. "Papa, I ran into Mrs. Grisham and she wants to send a batch of cookies for us later on, the whole village seems to know about our new guest. Heh, rumors have already begun to spread about who he is. Little Gregory even ran up to me and asked if I had brought a wizard with glass eyes to tell our future!" She walked into the room with the brightest smile on her face, a soft peal of laughter escaping her lips and hiding the sound of her winded lungs.~<c>
Amariette:~Coming to a stop as she instinctly felt the solmen atmosphere of the room, she tilted her head and shifted a gaze to her father and then to Daniel, a sudden frown and concerned look mirrored in her eyes. "Daniel? Papa? What did you two talk about?" Brigham raised his eyes to her for a moment, unsure as to how to answer her without giving her suspicion that would no doubt be brought up later over dinner, "Oh! Nothin, just the specifics of Daniel's tools and what terrain he plans to use them on. Don't worry so much Mari, I'm not the brute ya think I am." "Oh Papa, I don't think you're a brute at all! Besides...I..."She let her eyes fall on Daniel again, the lack of color in his skin giving her cause for sudden alarm.~<c>
Amariette:~Flying to him, she slipped to her knees and took his head in her hands, lifting his gaze to meet her own so that she may better survey the look of him. "Are you alright Daniel? Was there something in the tea that didn't agree with you?" Reaching up, she traced the line of his face and smiled warmly, Brigham watching this from afar with a heavy heart, a sigh breaking his lips and causing her to turn and rise, "Come here Mari, let me have a look at you." Tilting her head curiously, she did as she was told only to be surprised by the sudden embrace he bestowed upon her, his arms sweeping his daughter up and crushing her gently enough against him.~<c>
Amariette:~Resting his cheek against her head, he let his eyes close and seemed to be in visible pain, maybe even grief at the warmth he felt radiating from her. God, she even smelled like Brianne. "Dr. Carter, I have seen all I need to see and I will say only this," he released Amariette and kept an arm about her shoulders, "Ya have my complete confidence and I pray that I am not disappointed. Ya seem to be a man who will honor his word with ya're life, because of that. I give ya my leave to do as ya will. Honor, trust, and respect those most precious to ya and I will give ya no more strife."~

[Dr. Daniel Carter]

Daniel had been called a great many things in his time, most of them well deserved, but at this point, ignorant fool was not one he would place on that list. He stood, shakily, still gripping the cane for support but never the less he stood to face Brigham. Perhaps facing Theoren now twice had given him an extra push of confidence he did not otherwise use. Clearly they were not seeing eye to eye. In his household, James Carter would have never dared given Maggie Carter such an ultimatium, not because he lived in fear of Maggie's strong will, but simply out of human respect.

"Mr. Sovrine, I must protest. Regardless of how much you love you're daughter it's not fair to dictate how she lives out her life. She may be safe here but it isn't the life that she wants to lead. You can't just keep her locked in your house like she's a possession." He said, his voice still calm and even toned, though his eyes showed the emotion welling in him at the very thought of constricting Amariette or controling her in any way, finding it rather ... inhuman. But he bit his tongue when the sound of Amariette coming into the house reached his ears. He bit his lip but sat down in submission. If this is what Brigham was going to do, there was little he could do to fight it now. And the look the man had shot him nearly drained his face. He was being bold, but only because he did not want to lose Amariette any more than Brigham did. That did not mean he wanted to incur the man's wrath.

His eyes stayed fixed in defiance on Brigham, even when Amariette flew to him across the room. He was not only hurt and insulted by how he had been treated, but about to stand up and leave. If he could make no battle stand, there was no point in keeping the wound open. Even as she asked him what was wrong he did not take his eyes off of her father. "It wasn't the tea." He said flatly.

He finally tore his glare from Brigham when he beckoned his daughter over. The old man's face did not look so frightening in the firelight now... it looked... wistful, and scared. And then, the words that hit his ears were almost surreal, and in context of the previous conversation Daniel felt the urge to pinch himself and make sure that he was not hallucinating. He again grapped the cane and got to his feet, furrowing his brow at the words he was hearing. A look to the very confused Amariette and then back to the huge mammoth of a man infront of him... "Thank you Sir..." He said in soft disbelief. He reached out and took Brigham's hand in as tight a grip as he could muster, "Thank you Sir. I promise that I will not disappoint you..." A smile, broad, happy, had spread so wide over his face that Amariette may have never seen him so joyful before.

[Amariette Willowbane]

Amariette: ~What on earth was going on? “All this over tools?” Amariette tilted her head in the other direction as the suddenly cheerful Daniel shook her father’s hand as though he had been given an entire kingdom from the man to call his own. Wishing to be part of the celebration as well, Kramar rose from his hiding place and pushed his way into the midst of the small group, his tail wagging happily again and his pink tongue hanging from his maw. It was rather comical to see and Amariette placed a hand over her lips to giggle child-like, her father releasing her shoulders to move back into his chair where he collapsed wearily. “Mari, go ahead and take Daniel to fetch those cookies from Mrs. Grisham, I think he would enjoy a tour of the village. Besides, we might as well milk our neighbors for all they’re worth, winter will be coming and when the first snow falls, hospitality all but disappears. I’ll get dinner started and try to have everything ready by the time ya two return.” <c>
Amariette: ~Clasping his hands together in obvious withdrawn thought, he once again rested his boot over his opposite knee, his brow furrowed and a more than sorrowful look on his face. Amariette knew this expression and all she could do was nod in response to her father’s wishes, gripping Daniel’s hand and leading him out of the room. Fetching his coat and scarf, she helped him into them and then wrapped her warm, green shawl about her shoulders and arms, leading him out the door, where it closed firmly behind them. This time, Kramar drew across the room and rested his great head on the leg of his Master, his big brown eyes peering up towards Brigham and a soft whimper echoing from his throat. “What are ya so upset over ya coward, ya didn’t just offer up the single most important thing in yer life.I hope he keeps her safe. It was Brianne ya know, she told me to trust him. God I hope she was right.” <c>
Amariette:~Holding his hand gently, Amariette lead Daniel along the main cobblestone path, the evening chill in the air no longer causing her to shiver. Chartha was a rather beautiful place in fall, the exact opposite from what you would read about in those old wives tales written by authors like Washington Irving. There would be no rampaging headless demon here, only smiling faces and the smell of apple pie wafting through the air from more than one windowsill. The trees boldly displayed their reds and golds, oranges and browns, the colors all but becoming one with the harvest landscape of the small community. Little children swept by them, giggling and red faced, their steps clumsy but swift in their pursuit of one another. The town drunk was sitting in the alcove of a quaint little tavern and inn, singing some made up song of a maiden’s courting of her favorite fairy tale love.~<c>
Amariette: ~Women were sweeping off their porches and the men were gathered in groups, casting carefree glances toward the strolling couple, a few even raising their hands in greeting to the all too familiar Willowbane face. Buildings and houses rose up against the backdrop in small numbers, white picket fences surrounding marvelously kept gardens and front lawns, ‘boo men’ and pumpkins the all too popular seasonal decorations. “I’m not going to ask what all that was about Daniel, but I hope he wasn’t to rough with you. Brigham is an old man whose only fate is to get older. You must excuse him; he’s tried to close off his emotions since my mother died. Today though, there was something different about him. Do you think he’s upset with me?” Her gaze lifted to his as she slipped her arm intimately into his and continued along at an easy pace, her other hand clutching the material of her shawl together and her crimson curls swaying against her pink cheeks.~