Josephine Rowan Ashbane

[agilneanrose]

Titans save me.

Lady Ashbane brought me a box.  A box she gave to me and I opened it in front of the entire tavern. And I mean, in front of everyone - Brass Key. Strangers. My own people. My Knights. Burrich. 

The box was filled with little wrapped squares and my first thought was medical supplies since we are hurting for a stable healer. 

No, no that was not what it was. It was a box full of contrums. A tool, she explained, used to make sure that I did not get pregnant when having relations with Burrich. Something that has not happened! I had just described my interest in the man and that we kissed.

Then I get the box. I got boxed. Burrich must have known what they were, he took it from my hand and closed up the box quickly right before Lady Ashbane went into the explanation of how the contrums were used. In detail. Titans save me.

@burrichgreer

@darkmotherjosie

[darkmotherjosie]

And she'll do it again.

[darkmotherjosie]

"And then she has signed the letter stating that she wishes you, along with her father missing Lord Ashbane." The house woman folded the parchment in half over her own fingers, and she looked towards her Lady by the window. Snow continued to fall in the estate they were held up in. How long had they been here? Weeks? Months? "Burn it." Josephine's confident voice spoke. She hadn't even turned around to regard the other woman. How intimidating her short silhouette could be. When it was masked in nothing but shadow, and had the ability to make it feel as though a storm was brewing in that very room. "My...Lady?" The house woman spoke as she slowly rose from the chair. That, brought Josephine to turn. All wild violet eyes with no whites to be seen in the slightest. Soul magic was a terrible mess, that always reaped its price.

"Did you not hear me? I said, burn it." That command came out more like a snarl than she had originally intended for it too. Oh well. It was out in the open now, and Josie already began to feel her temper rising by the moment. Light help this woman if she were to argue- "But...my lady..." The house woman began, with a weak-willed gesturing of the note. "They are your friends. People you've shared many a celebration with. I don't understand." Never before had Josephine wished to hit a woman more than she did right now. "I will not repeat myself again. I am, tired." Her eyes flared up in their brilliance. Like shadow flames trapped within small glass balls. The fire within the hearth grew in size. Crackling angrily with the magic it could feel from the dark sorceress's fingertips. "Do you not understand? Truly?" Josie went on to ask. "Many moons I have tried. Many groups I have tried to bring to the surface. I've attempted to breathe oxygen into many things, and for what?" She shook her head, continuing on, "Each one failed behind the next. I am tired of playing nice. I am tired of pretending I am someone to just be forgotten about. Written to at the earliest convenience. No...no..." The woman shook her head and stalked back to the window. "Either burn it, or I will." The house woman did little than nod her head and scurry out of the room. Making sure the door was closed enough to keep the heat in. Later the next day, Rosemarri would get a return letter. Written in a script that certainly was not Josephine's. Yet held enough flowing fluttery happy words that the one writing it hoped they wouldn't notice. Note: 'I miss you all too! Write back with a time and day you'd like to meet up in Dalaran, and I'll see what I can do! This week, as is written in the early hours of the 14th, is awfully busy for us. Perhaps sometime after? Love you all, miss you all, give the kids kisses on the head for me.! - Lady Ashbane.' They needed to get their Lady out of the Light damned house... @agilneanrose

[agilneanrose]

Dear Josie,

Before anything else I want to convey my sincere apologies in regard to the lack of communication from me. Please know my silence does not equate in any way to a lack of or diminishing amount of love and devotion that I have for you and your family; my silence merely tattles a lack of enough hours in the day.

Westfall has held, though it has been abused and left none the better for what has happened to it. I suspect it was never meant to be bettered, just survive that battering. Between the men you sent to aid Southwatch and the men from my cousin, together our people held against the traitor Lord who welcomed Defias to his lands and attacked our shared border. We were able to aid Sentinel Hill when the rebels focused on it - though the win was bloody and I think the lands will forever be haunted by the lives lost that day. Command Grayson also sent aid for a short time, it was appreciated and we were able to keep Defias off of our lands thanks to the combined effort.

Our towns are still empty for the most part, no one trusts the cease fire with Defias rebels nor is the war over and so our people remain squeezed in Southwatch, tents cities in our courtyard and patrols to aid the farmers that are attempting to work the land they have been protecting.

My children are well, irritated that they have been banished to Dalaran but between their father’s visits and my own, they are safe and that is all that matters. Oh, you should hear my eldest’s temper - Haven does not have her father’s easy temperament, I swear I have seen his temper only once in our time married, beginning to end. Nor does she mirror mine but leans towards her grandfather’s way of handling situations and the fighting at our border has held her interest. If she had her way, the traitor lord would be landless and begging by the week’s end. Save me.

We have attended the Grand Alliance meetings and answered the House of Nobles call to meet as needed. Though each time we go, it is almost frightening what happens - between assassination attempts to calls for my father’s head when he tried to help the council understand funding issues – I have to admit it scares me to settle myself in that room each month. There is much to share, honestly, mostly fears and a lack of understanding on why things have happened the way they have – but it would cloud this letter and make it all rubbish. Lathan has returned home, perhaps you will see him in the city now and again. He and Yelena get along wonderfully and that is all I could hope for. Yelena trains with my man, Jakk, in hopes to help her become better suited for a life here. My father is well, tired and stressed but he is well. I do believe he would find Lord Ashbane a welcome sight for sore eyes, should there ever be time. The Ashbane council and friendship has always been honest and true - priceless.

I? I crave a night of nothingness, should you wish to meet in Dalaran. I would like nothing more than to hug your children and talk of everything and nothing at the same time. I would love to know what you have been doing and what your plans are… with everything.

All of my adoration,

Rosemarri @darkmotherjosie @theoldlord

[darkmotherjosie]

Nothing...anything?

There Josephine stood by the window. Over looking Obculto. The lights from the spanning houses and shops illuminating her view. While she watched the snow slowly trickle down from the clouds above their heads. A bundle of Anastasia held snug and warm within her arms. Bouncing the babe in that slow way a mother naturally finds herself doing. A knock at the door brought her attention over her shoulder. Hoping that it was simply her husband coming to bed. Or perhaps someone bringing Theo along. Unfortunately for the woman, it was one of her own charges that popped their head through the slit of the open door. Josephine didn't wait for them to speak first. "Anything?" The maid shook her head. "Nothing from Rosemarri?" Another shake of her head. Josephine's voice got quiet, "Nythallas...? Zyriann...?" Yet another head shake. Josie did not humor the conversation much past that point. What does a mother do when all she cares for are too busy with their own lives? What does a friend do when she knows that nothing could be done for the pain caused. What does she do when she realizes that she could simply disappear tomorrow, and no one would notice a thing. Other than her husband, children, and citizens. Even that felt hallow. What does a dark sorceress do...when the darkness had finally swallowed them up?

[darkmotherjosie]

[darkmotherjosie]

Yuletide Carol

Lists...lists...and even more lists.

In time Josephine would find her hand growing tired from writing so many 'Thank You' cards to family, friends, and orders alike. Yet that time was not now. Korvock had made it a point to make her comfortable now that they had completed the hours-long journey up to Obculto. Where they would be staying for the foreseeable future. There were more hands willing to help here. More filled with women who knew what they were doing. The last thing the lot of them needed was another child episode in a bathtub.

Regardless, there they were. Beneath many thick blankets. A nearby fire roaring its protest to the burning of the wood beneath it. While Korvock held a book within his hand. His other? Wrapped around his wife. Moving his palm along the front of her abdomen. Up and down, in slow absentminded movements. As though not even entirely sure what he was doing, himself.

Josephine was curled in his lap. Head against his chest with her own book settled between her hands. They read equally thrilling stories. Full of fantasy and imagination. It was tradition for them, around this time of year, to read this entire series together. Trading off books when the other had finished. With Josephine always starting it out.

Tomorrow, their son would awake. Greeted by what was Yule and the winter holiday of its Solstice for the first time in his young life. He will be allowed to rip open both his and his sister's presents this go around. Eating wrapping paper and drooling on all the boxes. Perhaps even excitedly squealing out words about this thing or the next.

Once gifts had been opened and breakfast had. The family with the normal population of the house following along would head down to the city square. Where festivities after festivities would follow one after the next. Exhausting near everyone until the sun had long since set over the towering mountain peaks. Obculto was full of a mixed breed of people. Dwarves, humans, some kul tirans, even. All with their own amount of jolly. All intent on getting their Lord absolutely hammered.

Which they would easily achieve. Leaving Josephine to both carry their sleeping toddler and her stumbling husband back home. To tuck back into bed with an equally warm fire. Where her voice reading to him would encourage the larger man to sleep, and there, like right now. She'd find the peace that came from a heart full of love and a room full of warmth.

Happy Holiday's everyone. Even if they suck for the most of us. The best we can do is defy that feeling of dread, and cower within our creativity until the sun shines again.

[darkmotherjosie]

'Evelynn, every self-respecting fancy Lady needs a dress of this specific make and design. Even if the colors of each gown change with it's wearer, I felt as though whites and soft greens worked the best for your complexion and general style. Not to mention the sleeves are sheer lace. It's gorgeous, and I am a bit jealous I cannot pull it off.'

- Lady Ashbane and Family

@theborderlandcoalition

[darkmotherjosie]

'For your tea needs, Lucius. Thank you for coming to the festivities. Along with bringing us a gift and everything.'

@theborderlandcoalition

[darkmotherjosie]

And then a gift for Gale. Do not think the Ashbane's had forgotten about the dense little muffin he was. Was it possibly strange or creepy? Having bones rotating over a child's bed? For some, maybe. But clearly Josephine had thought it both looked near and made sense. Especially considering the bones themselves had engraved protection runes into them. With what looked like ash rubbed in.

@eldrylva

[darkmotherjosie]

Twin Raven's

These gifts did not come with a card. Nor did they come with explanation. There was nothing about their weight. Or how the chipper eyes of the birds seemed to follow whoever went about walking about the figurines. It was rather apparent WHO had given Synna and Astrid these gifts. There was really only one witch that was as obsessed with ravens and their lore that the sisters knew.

Even the one in flight, when held, brought a sensation of grounding. As though the holder was temporarily transported to the very place that they felt the most at home. The metal work itself was almost warm to the touch. Even if that didn't make any sense at all.

@eldrylva

[darkmotherjosie]

Bag of Snacks.

Place your hand within the bag once a day! To produce a random snack of the bags choosing. With both the tasty value and the quantity up to the enchant itself.

'Petra! I hope you like it! May the tides of luck and fate work in your favor. Snacks are important you seem to appreciate them more than any person I personally know at this current time. Treat the bag well. Please don't put anything into it.'

- Lady Ashbane, Lord Ashbane, and family.

@theborderlandcoalition

[darkmotherjosie]

Book of Secret Keeping.

This book is about the size of one's palm. With the pages entirely blank. Only the owner of this gift shall know the very secrets it contains.

Those on the outside of it's desired purpose? It resembles only and entirely blank notebook. With not even a single line on the parchment itself.

'Thank you so much for all the things you brought for me, my husband, and the kids! I hope to put some of the bath things to use once we all get home. The winter seasons are torture on the skin. You're a good lass though. I wish for you to remember that. A good lass, even if you are trouble. Merry Winter's Veil.'

- Lady Ashbane, Lord Ashbane, and family.

@theborderlandcoalition

[darkmotherjosie]

Ring of Lost Shadow.

A ring of modest gold. With a single glittering stone in the center. Rumored to shape itself to any figure size. Either small, large, or in between.

Placing this ring on ones finger will have two things happen. One? Their shadow? Disappears. Second? An illumination of a soft layer of light appears around their person entirely. Giving them a nice comforting glow. Even in the worst of times.

'Happy Winter's Veil Rosemarri! Thank you so much for everything you did at the party. We truly couldn't have done it all without you. I simply mourn that I didn't go about getting you more gifts. Perhaps you can forgive, and take our company and friendship as payment enough.'

- Lady Ashbane, Lord Ashbane, and family.

@theborderlandcoalition

[darkmotherjosie]

Shield of Raging Thunder

While this very shield is in play. The one holding, and those hiding behind it, are practically immune to both lightning and thunder spells, attacks, etc.

Rumored to have been made by the Vrykul themselves, the shield might even begin to speak to it's wielder. In Titan-Speak. Or in a language long since forgotten by time.

'Before you ask Adamar, no. I didn't make it. Yet you might find me in possession of rather strange and curious artifacts. I've lived a long time and seen a lot of things. I simply hope you give this shield the use it deserves. Merry Winter's Veil darling.'

- Lady Ashbane, Lord Ashbane, and family

@theborderlandcoalition

[darkmotherjosie]

Great sword of the Sun

A two handed great sword made of titan steel, gold, and black metal stain. Most of the gold pigments used simply for decoration. Not within the blade itself.

The sword seemed to respond completely to only it's one true master. Seeming to weigh like virtually nothing when swung. Yet packs the punch of weapons three times it's size and make. A weapon forged and enchanted for war.

'Merry Winter's Veil my friend. I hope you get many uses out of this weapon proper. Just please do not use it anywhere in a sparring situation. You might kill someone.'

- Lady Ashbane, Lord Ashbane, and family.

@theoldlord

[darkmotherjosie]

Winters Veil and ALL the Gifts

Josephine was fretting around her room within the manor of Obculto long after she had returned from Stormwind. Fretting over wrapping paper, bow colors, the gifts nestled within their respective boxes. The list of those she needed to give to this year was large and imposing. Yet how soundly her husband slept within their bed. Not more than a foot away from where she paced.

Oh, to be a Lord without a care in the world.

(PREPARE! For many Winter's Veil gifts and posts are to be distributed in the next coming days!)

[agilneanrose]

A large stuffed Alpaca! Rosemarri's baby gift to Josie It starts with a letter A!