The Unicorn Lord

[She draws in a deep breath.]

This bandit king should be taken on, I agree. But the Labelles shouldn’t offer their assistance to the Allards.

I’ll admit, I’m a bit confused to begin with. There are assassinations amongst the nobility constantly, and now that it was not another noble who did the killing, they want him dead. Not to diminish the terror of his actions, but there is no shortage of terror within gilded walls, either. Why fight the banditry of Skyrim when there’s enough strife between families to begin with? It may unite you for a time, but at what cost?

Are you suggesting that I should handle him on my own?

He wants the Labelles to help eliminate…? [Her eyes widen, gaze pearly as usual.]

I’m not entirely sure you want my opinion on this, Florian.

I do. That's why I asked.

It is a shame… I take it she was young. Poor thing. [Her brows knit.] What has this got to do with the letter? Was it only this news, then?

Alrek Allard sent a letter asking in Labelle assistance in finishing the job Susette started. I assume he wants this bandit king dead. And I couldn't agree more.

I wanted your opinion on the matter.

I’ve heard vague, occasional whispers from the servants, mainly that a young woman was killed. A knightess, or someone of the sort. What a tragedy. But that’s all I know.

That's the long and short of it. Susette Voclain, a knight. She was trying to... Eradicate someone. It was foolish of her. Very brave, and very selfless. But foolish. I'm sorry she had to learn that the hard way. It's a shame.

How kind of you. Go on.

I'll summarize, rather.

Have you heard about what befell house Voclain?

A letter arrives for Florian Labelle, a wax seal with a dragon printed over it secures the paper together. It reads: "Florian Labelle, we might not see eye to eye, but I think you can agree the recent turn of events would be rather unhealthy for us both. Come meet with me as soon as you are able. I'd like for us to discuss a matter that concerns the future of both our families, there might be good news for you yet. - Lord Alrek of House Allard."

He wrinkles his nose the moment he sees the dragon seal, stamped into the wax. Still, he breaks the seal and shakes the letter out to read, elbows propped on his desk, the moon at his back. His eyes are burning. He ought to go to bed, soon. He promised Eponis he’d join her an hour ago.

He reads the letter over several times, before he gives it a fold and stashes it in a drawer. He’d be a fool not to meet with the Allard. Promptly, he begins a reply:

"Alrek Allard,I suspect you are alluding to the unfortunate end which befell Susette Voclain. I was sorry to hear of her passing. The Bandit must be dealt with. You could have simply asked for my aid without all the pomp and circumstance.I will meet you to discuss the matter.-Florian Labelle”

Sealed with purple wax and stamped with the Labelle unicorn, he sends the letter on, and, at last, dims his lamps and heads to bed.

She doesn’t know much about how her mare, aptly named Flax, looks, aside from the fact that her mane is wavy from braids and her coat is very soft. She’s gentle, and obedient. With a nod Eponis feels about the saddle, and properly pulls herself up. Her gown is rearranged accordingly. “I’ll ride off without you if you don’t hurry.”

"She's not going to go anywhere by herself," Florian calmly replies. "She doesn't like to go off on her own." He sees that she's situated, and then quickly pulls himself onto Sugarcane . He takes the white stallion's reins from the grooms, settles himself, and gets the horse gathered beneath him. With a twitch of his hands, he turns the animal off and toward the road leading out.

"This way. We should have some time in the woods before sundown."

She stands and takes his hand, shaking her head, “Mmm. I may have to mark you in at a later date. I’m so busy, you see, what with my new scarf venture…” Of course, Eponis says it in jest, taking more than his hand now, wrapping her arms at the crook of his own.

"I'm not used to being low priority. It'll be a nice change. This way." He leads her out and to the stables. Her horse, a flaxen mare, has already been readied for her. Nearby, Sugarcane dances at the end of his leads, held in place by two grooms at his head. Florian guides her to the side of her horse.

"Here's your stirrup. You can pull yourself up, yes?"

"You could have behaved as if I’d caught you off guard — ‘oh no, I had nothing planned! I’m sorry!’ — and then it would have really been a surprise." Eponis grins, setting her supplies aside, "I would love to join you for a ride, Florian.”

"I thought you might say yes." He smiles, though he knows she can't see it. He hopes she can hear it, at least, and he touches her shoulder. "Here's my hand. I already have the horses ready. I hope that's not too presumptuous of me."

She is happier. Duly, she smiles, and gives a timid laugh, “Who says the dragons of Skyrim have to weather this cold alone?” She reaches out with her foot to touch the end of the scarf, which has indeed hit the floor.

"… Are you going to spend Heart’s Day with me? In some special way?"

"I was hoping to surprise you," He admits. "I see that's no longer an option. But yes." He clears his throat. "I had some things planned. Would you like to join me for a ride?"

Although not heart’s day, not yet, Eponis is already concerned about how well it may go. She’s been stressed for some time; would he even have a moment to spare, to spend with her? Or would he remember how special the day was? She’s had lovers before, yes, she’s no stranger to the day, but it’s the first time she’s felt so strongly about spending it with someone. As she knits — a scarf that’s become far too long, thanks to her distraction — she worries to herself.

"Are you making a scarf for a dragon, Eponis?" Florian's voice is warm, but tired. It was an early morning; He's been taking his meetings earlier, much to the protestations of his council. But the earlier time means more time in his afternoons and evenings to spend with Eponis, and though he's exhausted, it's worth it. She seems happier.

"It's getting quite long. Is something bothering you?"

I’m not just flattering you. I would be even warmer if you wrapped your arms around me, breathed a little against my neck… [His hair is so soft. She admires it with touch, humming contentedly.]

I’ve been in good health, of course.

He does hold her, and he shuts his eyes. "I didn't mean your health, precisely. I mean t you. Do you enjoy it here? Despite everything?"

Mmmhm, yes, now that you’re here. [She rests against him, brings a hand up to his face. She feels just how stressed he is. Handsome, still, but very stressed.]

I can do that, at least. Or I could at least bring you a blanket, in the case that you're trying to flatter me. [He rests his head back against the wall, but he doesn't trust himself to shut his eyes.] ...Apart from being neglected, have you been alright?

Come sit with me, then. [She motions him from his general direction back to where she sat before, on the chaise near the window, which did have a rather nice view — one that she felt, rather than saw. It was a crisp breeze that would have her appreciate his warm company.]

[He does rise to join her, and sits on the chaise. Now that he's opened his day, he feels.. Tired. Like he could sleep for days. And he likely could, as well, but he won't allow himself that luxury. He promised her time, and Florian keeps his promises.] The breeze is nice. You'll be warm enough?

Hmmmm… [She taps her chin in thought, wondering what they could do. Their relationship is still ‘on the low down’ so she figures that an outing together is off-limits.] We could have something nice to eat. And we could sit together. And then we could see what happens.

It's a bit too early for lunch. I'll let the cooks know, they can prepare something for us. [He sighs, and slumps down further into his chair.] Sitting, however, sounds good.

You aren’t in this alone, Florian. I’ll do what little I can to support you, even if it doesn’t account for much….

I don't want to involve you unless I have to. Daggerfall politics are notorious for being fatal. [He moves his hand from his forehead.] But I said I was going to leave this for the day, and I mean that.

What do you want to do?