Bellandria

[organizationallyimpaired]

[boudoirduchaman]

[bellandria]

“A job, for a noblewoman? Bells, -we- are technically nobles, you don’t even need a job!” Tydo protested the contents of the letter addressed from a Lady Brianna Greythorne.  “Ty, darling. I’m bored to tears when you’re out on those ships. You know as well as I do that we aren’t meant for that stuffy sort of life. Not anymore. We know freedom and there’s nothing stopping me from doing something a bit more exciting than tending a store or turning into the likes of this Lady.” Her amused tone turned to a playfully mocking one.  Tydo had to relent. “Fine, but you better be careful.” Her tiny voice was scolding. “Always, baby sister, always.”

[shadowcatposts]

[tinyclicks]

Golden Hour Shimmer Spruce (maybe)

[witchscottage]

[delta-breezes]

Pumpkin Butter Cake w/Maple Bourbon Candied Pecans | The Kitchen McCabe

[tolrone]

Among the tales of sorrow and of ruin that come down to us from the darkness of those days there are yet some in which amid weeping there is joy and under the shadow of death light that endure. And of these histories most fair still in the ears of the Elves is the tale of Beren and Luthien 

[bellandria]

Bella stood in wait by the Calpheon stables while her horse enjoyed a fresh bag of apples and a warm wool blanket on the crisp fall morning. The animal and her were on a first name basis. The stallion being the only thing she kept in the split from her Valencian ex-lover. Now there was yet another Valencian in her life. The odds, right? So many similarities in physical appearance, yet personality wise they were worlds apart. Well, perhaps not worlds... Maybe she had a “type” as they called it. She brushed the hay left clinging to her large round behind, those curves had never been such a focus of her attention as they had lately. 

The thumping sounds of a horses trotting was heard approaching in the distance, breaking any silence that may have taken over the outer stables of the Calpheon capital. The familiar low, masculine voice of the warrior signaled the horse to stop, which it promptly obeyed, just in front of the stable. 

"Bellandria..." He swung his leg over his horse, landing on his feet with grace. A hand lowered to brush any dirt from his pristine pants before he began walking towards her, in slow confident strides. "... I believe I may know where our target is..." He paused once more, taking a brief moment to admire her tan riding pants and how well they hugged her curvy form. "... and by the sands, you look absolutely stunning. I take it that's for me?" His chin lifted as he flashed a light smirk her way, handsome as ever.

"Perhaps, or perhaps I assumed that we'd be riding today." She slipped him her own sly smirk and moved to meet him halfway, throwing her arms around his neck after their long time apart. "You know where he is?" Bella's tone dropped to a soft whisper. "That was fast." Her fingers toyed with his dark hair before rather brusquely moving out of it and to his neck while her blue eyes searched his lips and the growth of hair on his face that had gathered over the past few days since they had left her home. "You need a shave," she teased him before pressing her lips against his for a kiss.

He snickered lightly at her first comment as he made his way towards her, bringing his hands to rest lightly along the curvature of her waist as her arms lifted to wrap around his neck. A brief hesitation paused his words as he thought about the answer to her question - a certain uncertainty taking over his auburn gaze. "I met a servant - an old lady. I never got her name, but she told me that he might be in Valencia." A low sigh escaped him as the thought of his homeland came rushing back to him - and the years it has been since he was last there. His eyes immediately sought out her own, before lowering to rest on those full lips of hers that complimented his own so well. He leaned in to meet her, hungering for her taste as well, snickering lightly through the kiss at her comment regarding his facial hair. "Well, I think it looks good on me. I thought you might get sick of seeing my baby face all the time."

"I find nothing wrong with your face." She caressed his cheek softly, taking the opportunity to nip at his bottom lip playfully. "Scruff or otherwise." The elf kissed him once more and brought her mind back to the task at hand. "Valencia then, hm... What would he be doing way out there. I don't remember his family having any ties to the area." Her lips pursed with concern.

"I'm not too sure what would compel him to travel that far east, but it must be for a good reason, hm? It wouldn't be a bad idea to go out there ourselves and get the answer." His eyes lowered slightly, catching a glimpse of her large round behind that put those riding pants to the test... and the piece of hay that she missed along the cheek. His hand did the honors to brush it off, giving the cheek a slight ripple as he flicked off the hay. "Besides, I think we're due for a nice trip to ourselves, yes?" His eyes lifted to rest on her once more.

 "Absolutely." There was an underlying tension that lingered behind her smile, something that hinted that she was not absolutely thrilled with the idea of the trip. Her hold never left his neck, clinging to him a few more moments before she knew they would have to be off and bound for her home. "We should make it back to my house in plenty enough time to pack and rest up for our trip east. Was there anything you wanted to get while you are here? I wasn't even sure if you still had a place within these city walls."

"The only thing I wanted from this city is standing right here in front of me. I'm ready to leave if you are." He moved to her horse and extended his hand to her, offering to help her onto the saddle, if she were willing to take it. "I'll be right behind you... enjoying the view." 

She gave her horse a kiss on his muzzle. "I'll be back soon!" The elf knew it wouldn't be anytime soon, and she prayed her steed would be well-taken care if during the long journey through the sands in the mean time. Perhaps Tydo would make the journey and retrieve him for her while they were away. Her sister owed her for missing her birthday, anyway. His hand was taken and she very easily hopped up onto the saddle with him. "What are we going to do when we find him?" Bella whispered out loud her worries while hugging onto his form.

"That is up to you, Bellandria." He gave those reins a strong whip. "Hyah!" He called out, signaling the horse to dart forward on the road towards Heidel. One hand remained on the reins of his steed as the other came to rest on her hands that met on his stomach.

Bella clung to him for support as the horse jerked forward. She nodded in agreement, surely anyone with half a brain would know that. Even spoiled noble sons with no real world experience. Perhaps he would die on the way out there. No, that didn't please her, the thought was morbid and heartless and would leave her wondering for the rest of her life. "Are you sure there's nothing else that woman said that will give us a clue as to why he went that way?"

"I know it wasn't to look for you. From what that lady was telling me, it was pretty obvious as to where your whereabouts were, which worried me." He fell silent for a moment, attempting to bring back everything that woman had spoken of. "From what I could remember, I believe it was for information on something - but I could be wrong. I didn't have a lot of time to speak with her, so I was only able to get his location." He paused, lips straightening as he pondered his thoughts. "What worries me is that he may not even be there, anymore. I'd hate to make the trip for nothing."

 "Hey..." She squeezed him tightly.  "I've never been. So... that's a reason, right?" Her hug around him went loose and she buried her face against his back as she remembered promises that were long forgotten.

"Hmmm... I suppose so. The journey will be rough, but wait until you see my city. You will be taken by it's beauty, I guarantee it. A beauty that can only match your own." He gave a comforting laugh as they continued their ride to Heidel. He sent a quick spur into the side of the horse, signaling it to kick it up a gear and break into a full sprint.

[noperfectdayforbananafish]

[bellandria]

What dinner at Bella’s house looks like... (That meat on the bottom right is for Valeonn :D )

[sweatersscarvesandsweets]

[butteryplanet]

[bellandria]

Sunflowers and pumpkins. Fall is in the air already. She could tell the difference when taking a deep breath, that crisp bite to her nostrils that only this time of the year had. Leaves had begun falling from the trees, the soft patterings hit her sensitive elven ears like dry rain - when she was attuned that is.  Today, however, there was the actual wet drizzle and thunder interrupting her intense focus on filling another pot of vegetable stew for Tydo. She could only make soup appetizing for so long. Potato and leek, white beans in squash puree. Hopefully, the serum Aava had given her was giving her enough rest and freedom from her coughing fits to recover.  Then she could head back out to the forests and resume her search for the young Lord Varen. Perhaps the trip with her sister to the Kamasilve temple would uncover secrets that she could use. Communing with the trees and being one with nature had it’s appeal when the forest could tell you where your target was. Maybe she wouldn’t need Valeonn’s help after all.  Not that she minded the rough and quiet bounty hunter’s company. He had a presence about him that was comforting. Like the soup she was making for her younger charge. Unassuming, nothing flashy to look at, but the right amount of warmth when you needed it. Bella felt she was a poor judge of what made a man handsome anyway. Her girls continued to point out flaw after flaw in the man she once found more attractive than any other. She wasn’t going to think about him though.  No, she had better things to think about. Like whether or not Valeonn was successful with those bandits. Was he alright? Did her kit come in handy? Would Ty finally get better? She certainly hoped so. She was getting fucking tired of soup.

[delta-breezes]

[delta-breezes]

Peach Coconut Cream Tart | Broken Bread

[bellandria]

Bellandria simply stood and stared. The entirety of the Apothecary had been burned to the ground. Ash and acrid smoke were all that remained of everything she’d worked so hard to create. From her first sampling of soaps and balms shared with her sister alone to the frequent customers who visited on a regular basis and now knew her by name. The amount of devastation she felt was only eclipsed by how much anger flowed through her.  Outraged, she flew to blaming the guards for their lack of skill in protecting the shop. The next moments had her rummaging for anything salvageable amidst the rubble. Any clue. Any sign of the persons responsible. She at least knew how they managed it, given the oil lamp set so carelessly by the door. The door which, despite its marks of char and soot, showed no signs of being broken or forced into.  That was what scared her the most. It was either someone they knew or someone very good at picking locks. She hoped and prayed to Elion that it was the latter. She had to get a letter to Tamariss, and soon.

[corrusgreywolf]

“I first met her at the apothecary shop where she was working that day….I was traveling from Epheria to Heidel and made a short break near Calpheon, where I decided to mingle with the crowd. Felt the pain in my shoulder again from all to many nights of sword fighting, and it was raining heavily so I went to the shop for a medicine. I would have expected an odd old guy working there but there she was, Bella, smiling and quick-witted. Made me even pay too much for a potion. Wouldn’t be the last time for me to show up there.”

@bellandria

[bellandria]

In one day she had both met the first person to catch her eye since Zypheris had left her and her sister had appeared safe and sound in Heidel. Things were looking up. She secretly hoped he would come back to the shop, but at the same time, she didn’t like the idea of him needing any more of Miss Reid’s pain tonic. There was, of course, the off chance she would see him again in Heidel. Ideal, if you asked her. She would prefer to be able to sit down and get to know him better. At least Ty was home, she could rest easier now. Only one loose end to tie up, or shoot down.

[leselfov]

[bellandria]

She could feel his eyes, that look of promise and loathing as it had been on the last day Bella had seen the man. A man she had once been promised to. Lord Varren’s son and only heir would likely seek her out at any point now. Trips through the King’s forest usually calmed her, not today. She could only see that stare of his, imagining it aimed at her back. How desperately she had wanted him to look shocked as his father’s crimes were revealed. Unfortunately, she could not even understand the emotion in his gaze. She’d received her first sum of gold yesterday. A coffer loaded with bars demanded by the law as payment for the death of her parents, not to mention her torture and nearly dying at Lord Varren’s command. There was only one way she was going to get rid of her fear and her nightmares. She had to find him.

[dnailo]

The trial was over, and though it wasn’t what she would have done, Kali was at least happy that the “Puffed Tart” of a noble was going to learn just how friendly jailors and other prisoners could be. She was tempted to put a word into her uncle to see if there was anyway for him to help make Lord Varren’s stay as…”Festive as possible”. In fact she had plans to send a letter as soon as she could to that effect. 

As people milled out of the over decorated courtroom, she seemed to lead the way out into the clear air of the white square of Calpheon. Her nose wiggled slightly in the air as she sniffed, noting it was nothing like the fresh air of the sea, but what did she expect this far in. She had no love for Calpheon, a fact she didn’t hide, but she had used its charms to find a little bit of justice at least. 

As the crowds began to disperse, she looked back over her shoulder to find the formerly accused as her fellow Valkyrie, Donya, helped her move down the marble white stairs. 

Kali hid her displeasure with the city behind a smile and stepped towards them. “So, justice for you, Bell. Congrats on your freedom.” She leaned forward to give the elf a warm hug. “Promise me if you need anything you let me know ok? I never got to punch anything this whole time and that son of his looked like punching bag material.” she was joking, mostly, but Kali did add a smile and a wink to her words in hopes of making the elf smile as well. 

From there on, Kali had promised herself to keep an eye out for the girl, even if she had no idea. In her world, women were not objects to be used or discarded on a whim. In her eyes, House Varren was going to have it’s day under her boot. That was what you did with rats, you exterminated them.

@bellandria

[adonyasooc]

The elf dropped her eyes at the word freedom. “Yes! Freedom.” A forced smile formed over lips covered in a clear gloss. She looked at the beautiful women beside her. “Speaking of. Do you think we could go out? For drinks or something soon? It seems I’m free in more ways than three these days. No more watching over my shoulder. No little sister to tend to.” She couldn’t bring herself to be thankful for the other two freedoms so her explanation dropped off. No baby.

No Zypheris. Without missing a beat, the other redhead piped up. “Oh! For sure! In fact, if you’re feeling up for it, we can go tonight!” Donya had that smile that surely meant trouble would be started. “What about you two?” She looked at Shan and Kali expectantly. 

@dnailo

@shanleefan

[shanleefan-blog]

Time: This takes place about six months after the events of “Forsaken Honour” Shanlee’s POV Looking down at the beautiful dark-haired elven woman with the soulful brown eyes, I knew I could not refuse Donya’s simple request of a drink and friendship for Bella’s sake. I understood the girl’s pain and the chance at a fresh start. Kortan and Kali had granted me that. I could never repay either of them enough, but I can help others. This is what Bella represented for me, hope. Hope that I could make a difference. “Of course, Donya, Kali, Bella and myself have all earned it. Lead the way Bella.” @dnailo @adonyasooc