Aperio Freed

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• Aries Ascendant   Acceptance

  "Incredibly foolish," I said. "For one thing, on our own conversations, you know what type of person I am," I began."And it remains the best thing I can imagine," he interjected. I stopped him by raising my hand, and continued,"I would never stay by your side, and especially not tethered to a throne, and the trappings of being a Fae Royal. I was never parented, so I could not care for a child in the way it would need love and affection. I would never leave Heru, and I can't promise that I would ever love you in some way similar to how I care for him." The realization of what I had said came over me like a slow wave crashing onto my head, and my throat became intensely sore."I guess I'm learning things tonight too," I concluded, hoarsely."Anyone can see at a glance that you love each other," Essi replied lightly. "I knew that from Lady Chrysalix's accounts alone. Perhaps I should care, but I do not. Not t

• Aries Ascendant   The Garden

  The portal encases me gently, and I can sense it's taking me out of the realm. I stutter-stepped my way through three realms before I see the end, brightly lit and inviting.I step out into sunshine, and the sweet scent of jasmine filling the air. Squinting my eyes as they adjust, I notice large roses bursting through the lush jasmine, filling the air with their fragrance. Above and all around, birds are circling and chirping, as vibrant as the flowers I find myself surrounded by.I'm clearly in a garden, of sorts, but one that is not kept in rigid order, allowing a more natural appearance with minimal intervention. I see a small footpath, heavily worn, and choose to follow it.The portal I stepped through had come from the prince, I was able to sense that much from the power behind it. I had debated on even entering, and thought that there was a very high probability of attacking him. I bit my lip. Maybe he

• Aries Ascendant   Dissent

  I'm not on guard of anything around me as I flee. Corridors come and pass, I speed past fountains and servants, through sculleries, past throne rooms and dance halls. I don't know where exactly I'm going, but I know it is away from here.Why am I freaked out? There's a few reasons that this entire situation was wrong, not the least of which Chrysalix knew what I had come from and yet came up with this stupid idea, and pursued it anyway! How could she? I felt betrayed.I sped up, tears beginning to blind my vision, and I lose even the rough idea I had of where I was. I just needed somewhere quiet and hidden where I could compose myself.A few minutes of searching later, I ended up curled in a spare room somewhere, hidden in the large wardrobe within. I wanted to open a portal and jump a hundred miles away, but it would be too easy to trace where I was with the Fae magic penetrating every square inch of the city.My thoug

• Aries Ascendant   A Proposal

  "You are really an aggressive suitor," I laughed. "I think I can take a bath alone right now, thank you very much. Unless you want me to have to stop bathing to stop Heru's onslaught. He's killed plenty of Regnum Fae, I'd have to be fast, and NOT covered in soap.""Fair enough," he replied. "And I did ask if you were interested, first. But I am a great deal more aggressive when there's not an alpha dragon around.""Ancient dragon," I corrected, automatically. "Ancient Grand, Ancient Great, Old Angry Fellow...all names for the tombstone above you later." I laughed. "I'm teasing, really. We already slightly argued about you.""That's...reassuring," he said slowly. "I suppose." He stretched, and regained his seat at the table. "Well, call for me if you need any help bathing.""Of course," I replied, with mock seriousness. "In the meantime, I would recommend you find Chrysalix to ge

• Aries Ascendant   Sparks

  "You smell like, in ascending order, soap, cherries, fish, vomit, fishes that ARE vomiting-" came Heru's voice, irritably loud close to my ear, "-and lastly, you smell like the Fairy Prince all over. I mean, everywhere. What the hell, Aries!"I sat sullenly at the little kitchen table, head in my hands, leaning forward with my eyes closed. Heru's making an especial clatter of pots and pans, under the pretense of cooking. With food in our vault, and servants at beck and call. Yeah, he's pissed.I guessed it was close to evening time, but underground it was damned hard to tell without the gardens nearby. My head pounded worse than I'd ever remembered. I'm sure that is also contributing to Heru's irritation, seeing as he could share some feelings, and even more pain. And, being as alcohol was a depressant, I already felt crappy about everything and wanted to just disappear from the castle. Hell, from our quest. L

• Aries Ascendant   Hollow Victory

  "Recovered?" I asked, then gagged when I moved. Oh, yeah, definitely. We must have been sparring much longer than I had thought, judging by the state of my nausea and headache.Essi looked even greener than I did, but green was in his default color palette so I didn't have anything to judge by."How far away, exactly, is this new room of mine?" I hiccupped, hoping it wasn't far."It is really quite far," he responded. "Not by my choice dear, I would much rather be by the gardens.""Oh that's going to be a challenge," I said, feeling my stomach reel. "And let me guess, stairs?""Stairs," he repeated hollowly."I think I'll sleep in the garden, I'm pretty used to it by now," I pointed out, covering my mouth with my hand. "Just have one of your girls bring a...bowl." I thought. "A bowl you never want to see again.""No that won't be necessary," he said. "I remember you didn't want to be hel