odelina sommer, the lady in waiting of aryndale We’re all b r o k e n and damaged, and we aren’t quite fixed yet. A lot of us have gone through hell, but you know what? we came back. we came back stronger. You know w h y ?? Because we are warriors, a n d warriors f i g h t.
“ there’s no need for such formalities, ” she insists. irina was hardly formal herself - unless she truly needed to be in the eyes of others. “ i can certainly believe it, ” she says with a smile. the journey from antegra wasn’t too difficult, though she did find herself missing the smell of the sea terribly. “ yes, i am well. far better now that the war is over. i feel as if war is all we’ve ever known. ”
“ and now i finally get to see these faces of friends i’ve been kept from for far too long. ”
‘ is it not time we look towards the future, better days and all.. or so i’m always told. ’ the war was a topic that couldn’t be avoided, it was the sole reason so many could be united today and though under less than ideal circumstances– it was time to think on a lighter note, if not now then when?
‘ too long or what feels like an eternity? distance truly makes for a push on time. – i do hope of the many faces you’ll see, you do remember mine at the very top. ’
A GENUINE SMILE rose to ekaterina’s lips. when she was younger, she always wanted to go to a warm place, especially the coast — to feel the sun pricking her skin, smell the saltness of the water. but with mother’s fragile health, she only knew the ocean through books. now that she was in a warmer place, she only knew how to complain. ekaterina wanted to be like her daughter again — to have that childhood joy, where everyhting was amazing if she had new places to discover. “ no, it is not, my lady. i’ve never been in a place where the sun shine so bright. ” ekaterina was grateful that she had found that tree. she was sure she would melt if she wandered a few minutes more in the open field. “ i do look like a grumpy old woman but i assure you i am not like this all the time. snow has been my only view since i was a child. some changes need time to get familiarize with them. ”
snow, now that would be a sight to find as a norm. she’d witnessed it’s beauty and it’s harsh realities, but when it came to aryndale-- it simply wasn’t a thing. the winters were made up of cool breezes, slight shivers and a lot less layers than most would use in their own lands. it was only due to her travels, the gift of her duty, that allowed for her to even experience such a thing and she couldn’t deny there was a slight fondness in the memories. but she enjoyed keeping it at that, simple memories. odelina truly couldn’t find herself living amongst the clouds of white, it was a nice thought but a thought alone. ‘ grumpy? never. a woman reacting just as one would to a new environment? yes, perfectly so. ’ she beamed towards her. ‘ perhaps it’s time to adjust wardrobes while you’re here, lighter fabrics for your time spent against the sun and surely enough you’ll find some sort of comfort or normalcy within this heat-- ah, i feel so rude.. non-stop chatter and yet i haven’t even introduced myself. odelina sommer of aryndale, at your service, it’s a pleasure to meet you.. ’ trailing off near the end, she awaited a response.
there were few faces that she recognized - but odelina was one of them. she was older now, they both were. a smile graced the girls lips as she approached her old friend, pulling her into a loving hug. “ my goodness ! look at you, ” she says, a chuckle slipping past her lips, “ how was your journey here ? it’s been far too long. ” @ofodelina
‘ irina? ’ was all that she could get out, before being embraced in the warmth of her dear friend. she’d prepared for so much during her time here, mentally noting what she thought was everything that could come from all of these events-- a reunion with her sweet natured companion, that was a thought that was misplaced and one she truly cursed herself for even allowing to pass her. ‘ ah, ah, wait-- i should present myself before the princess of antegra. royalty after all, hm? ’ arms slipping from the grasp of irina, she stepped back, gripping the sides of her dress lightly in order to allow easier movement. odelina let her body fall graciously into a curtsy, jovial laughter dripping from her lips as she lifted her head to gaze back at the other.
‘ it was long and tiring, can you believe such a thing? happening to me? ’ she continued to chuckle, adjusting herself back to stand before the other. ‘ less struggled with the boredom of travels than i thought, so i suppose my job was made a lot more easier than most. i hope yours wasn’t all too eventful, --how have you been? are you well? i feel as though i have so much to ask, but i don’t want to bombard you too much.. for now. ’
she turned towards the girl, hair dark and rich like the earth. “hmm i suppose you fancy yourself a poet of sorts?” she asked, not quite recognizing her. a lady, for sure, and not one she knew. though her mother had arranged for her to meet another lady she wished to be her “companion”, so to speak. she knew enough to know what that was aboutt: an attempt at hoping she’d fall in with the right type of lady and become all of the things she was not. especially as a political marriage seemed evermore advantageous these days. and her mother simply could not figure understand how so many suitors and betrothals had been broken or renigged. she’d evaded the initial meeting with the girl, of course. lady odelina–that was the name. it was a waste of both of their times.
“you know they say what you think of a painting says more about you than the picture itself,” annika said, now studying the girl as she did the painting. nevertheless, annika answered, “it reminds me of something falsified; the words we tell ourselves to sleep at night. the calm before the storm,” she said. “what’s more ominous than beauty?” she mused.
there was a humors chuckle that brushed her lips, finding the others choice of words to be truly entertaining. ‘ a poet or opinionated? some find themselves between blurred lines, when it comes to the two. ’ when it came down to her approach, odelina always made sure to adapt herself well with her subjects-- annika wasn’t like most, aiming to act pious or above the other was not something that’d work with her. the princess carried herself like that of a prince, bold, strong in nature.
intrigued by her words, head tilting back as she tried to grasp the bigger picture of the work itself, odelina smiled to herself. ‘ if that’s so, then tell me what eases you to sleep at night? what words do you tell yourself? these thoughts you hold, if what you say is true.. what do they tell about yourself and what you see? ’ the passing of words, shared thoughts, time wasted, these were ways to gain a sense of comfort. that was what she needed, for the other to feel comfortable with herself, feel at ease with her presence and allow her to step into her graces.
he was a man of simple desires - though desire wasn’t his only focus , it was just his biggest … distraction tactic . they were at grand castellum to talk of peace , ha ! peace ? after years of fighting and thousands of men lost , his father and brother included , he wasn’t sure a true peace could really be reached . some things could never be forgiven . but instead of thinking of treaties and peace now , he was more focused on the young maiden standing before him . arthur was ‘ this ’ close to getting … well , getting the woman , when he heard footsteps and saw the girl’s eyes widen before she ran off . “ wait – ! ” he called . arthur sighed , not looking at whomever the newcomer was as he slumped against the wall . “ there go my evening plans … ”
making her way through the corridors, taking in the views that presented themselves from grand castellum. a sigh of impatience escaped her, she’d found herself requested to leave the side of her lady and though under odd instructions she took this moment to allow herself a short tour. really as much as she could get, until being called upon once more. it wasn’t all quiet though, taking another turn down a hall, odelina’s attention was caught by two-- well one, if you could count the lady that scurried off in slight panic at her gaze.
‘ your plans weren’t all that secure, if it took one glance to halt them hm? ’ she made her way towards the gentleman, almost passing him before she looked back with a short questionable look. ‘ i’d say it’s best you take that as a message and perhaps find a more suitable plan for your day.. truly. ’
losing the guards constantly sent to follow her had become something of a hobby of hers. it was a test of her creativity at this point and she saw as nothing less than an art form. grand castellum was no different, especially considering she had even more security on her, her family leery about any assassination attempts as they were still unsure of who may have caused her father’s death. she had not been here long and was determined to familiarize herself with the place and the palace. she’d grown convinced that there may be a secret passageaway within the walls. it excited her to think of what ancient secrets and discoveries might be awaiting and her body was practically humming from excitement. she made her way through the grounds, pushing on walls, surveying corridors, and absorbing the architecture and coming to a halt at an immaculately detailed painting. she paused to look at it, hearing footsteps approach. art in large doses made her exhausted and bored but in small ones she liked thinking up the stories behind it and this one…this one was calling to her somehow. “what does this make you think of?” she wondered, head still turned towards the artwork.
’ this? ’ arms finding themselves crossed, while her attention grew towards the work. it was a lot on one canvas, every inch of the piece allowed for a different take from it. the interoperation was ultimately left to where you found your desire to stare, what called upon your gaze and what odelina found herself drawn to was the very corner. the colors were lighter, strokes seemed lazier but not in a way of effort but rather touch. ‘ it reminds me of a whisper.. something soft, in the midst of chaos. i’m more drawn to that edge over there.. it calls to me but like the thoughts that rattled in your mind, almost in a way where i’m attempting to ignore it, but i can’t quite lose it. -- what about you princess? ’
odelina had been in talks with the queen of iilyria, hearing her pleas about her daughter and wishes to aid in bettering her.. well un-lady-like lifestyle, she found herself agreeing to help. it was her duty, and one she found comfort in doing but this wasn’t a full time act but rather a favor. and with one favor came another, something she was assured by the queen herself and odelina was sure one day it’d be beneficial but for now it would be tucked away. after agreeing with the plans, she’d requested for the daughter to be brought forth and truly to her surprise the queen could only announce her absence-- she did warn, to the queens point, annika was promised to be a handful and judging by how long it had taken for odelina to find her-- that was a promise kept.
a dozen of fabric stripes held by the servants surrounded the queen, a rainbow of possibilities already materializing in her vision as the delicate fingers touched the pieces of cloth, taking her time as her heart contemplated each one. all the colours screaming in her direction, begging her to choose them as soon as she’d setlled on a different one. commissioning a new gown surely counted as a quest for only the bravest ones; luckily tareja was willing to joyfully undergo the process every other week. “ please, “ an absentminded word aimed at the passerby, the eyes not bothering to inspect who the sound of footsteps belonged to before a dazzling giggle followed. “ would you mind if i requested your help ? which one of them do you find suiting me the best ? “
‘ well let me begin now by saying, you’d suit them all. it’s not really on which simply looks best; you need to call onto the season, the mood, the occasion.. if you’re aiming to echo a message even. these cloths all say something-- the question truly is, what are you aiming to say? ’ walking slowly, making sure to take her time to gaze over each cloth, odelina allowed her fingers to lightly tap over each one. when it came down to choice, it wasn’t hard to see the other had quite a lot, meaning wealth was clearly on her side. the fact the odelina was asked to even give her opinion, let her know the other was aiming to really please the masses with her soon to be gown and obvious beauty that would go along with it.
her movement coming to a halt, fingers gently pinching the fabric she deemed suitable for the lady. odelina turned her head slightly, catching the other in her peripheral ‘ any fabric that holds kermes within its color range, already wins in my heart-- it’s quite hard and let’s be honest with ourselves expensive to find. colors don’t come out as strong without the strength in pigment itself and when it comes to scarlet cloths, there’s nothing you can’t say that doesn’t showcase a far more exciting side to yourself. the sun graces us longer during these nights, it calls for mystery but also a sense of comfort. scarlet is your match, darling. ’ as the last word left her lips, she released the cloth from her hold and turned her attention to the other. ‘ but that’s merely my take on it. ’
EKATERINA WASN’T ONE to complain. complain out lood, especilly if it was a trivial thing. but she couldn’t help to be bothered by the heat. iilyria was a cold country, especially bavaria. in her childhood in the dukedom of lorraine she was used to a little summer, at least. now, she used furs most of the time & snow was the view of her chamber’s windows. the duchess was happy to have a significative change; but she still felt warmer & warmer every passing day. she sighed, almost unavoidably, walking at a shady place on a tree. “ why the weather here seems to be only sunny ? ”
odelina had already begun her solo-quest, wondering the castle in an attempt to best gain a secure grasp at her new field. if she were to please her royal family, she needed to submerge herself in her new surroundings-- after all, the royals had more to deal with. entertaining the likes of many personalities, all for the chance at a ‘truce’ was going to be difficult. it was her job to best equip her people with as much knowledge and information on others, as well as their new surrounding.
finding herself strolling along the grasses of the courtyard, her eyes couldn’t help but focus upon the lady not far from her. the discomfort practically oozed out of the others pores, as she spoke and it only brought a slight amused grin to odelina’s lips. ‘ i must admit, coming from sweltering heat, it can become quite a boring atmosphere to be around. -- i take it this weather isn’t much of a norm for you. ’ her lips curved into a gentle smile, her words weren’t to be taken strongly.. slight sarcasm laced her tone and one she hoped would allow some sort of jovial mood to escape the other.
danielle campbell, twenty-five, aryndale, cisfemale. ––– i believe that is odelina sommer, the lady in waiting of aryndale. they are twenty-five years old and are known to be very prudent & imaginative, though they can also be very quixotic & temperamental. they remind me of the deafening silence that comes with heartbreak, a final flicker within darkened flames, and a scent of sweetness that engulfs one in nostalgia. ( cin, 23, est, her/she )
odelina sommer was born an only child to her parents, loved by both and growing in the true presence of love from them. she enjoyed a brief connection and memory with what she called her family, before their unexplained deaths ( something that she tends to not speak about but i’ll explain more when i create a full bio )
having woken up to an unusual silence within her home, odelina in her young state had been the one to find her parents in a deathly slumber. she was a child, at the time, so of course she assumed they simply needed a slight pushing and maybe nudge here and there. but of course, it didn’t take much longer for the realization to seep in
odelina was only eleven years old when she was moved into the royal families palace within aryndale. her father was a close companion of the previous king, and when he’d heard of his death the king took odelina into their home. she was promised a better future than what she would’ve gained as an orphan, and though that future entailed being trained as a ‘lady in waiting’, odelina was forever grateful for the kind act
best at what she does, there’s never a dull moment when she’s in charge. priding herself and her work in the aryndale lifestyle. she’s never disappointed with her hosting of events for the royal family, her taste in decor for each member and down to her sense of style for the family. if it’s not perfect, it’s not her signature
most ladies in waiting are selected for a queen or princess ( excellent connection for anyone apart of the royal family! ), but when it comes to odelina she’s called upon by many for her impeccable work
odelina has a talent at getting what she wants, though usually seen as soft spoken and jovial, this little woman knows how to chew your head off and if the royals are unhappy with you-- believe me she will make your life a living hell till she gets what she wants ( which usually is simply what the royals want )
loyal to a fault, odelina is never one to speak ill of the royal family. she’s practically indebted to them for her current life and that only drives her loyalty more
she’s well spoken and someone who can weasel her way into anything. being a secure vault of secrets for the royal family, she’s also known for gaining insight into the lives of others discreetly. call her a well trained right-hand man or a modern day spy-- whatever it may be, just know she’s always taking mental notes out of every conversation she has with those around her and more
odelina is overall: a people pleaser. the people she aims to please is usually and mainly the royal family. she’s a playful sort, always found smiling but never really showcasing much of herself to others. her work is her life and odelina has never really made much room for her own self-growth-- to be fair she wasn’t given time to do so and that’s exactly why she’s viewed as a the best
i would love to figure out plots and connections with people. whether it be friendship, enemies, etc! considering she is a lady in waiting, odelina has travelled alongside the royal family so there’s plenty of room for connections outside of aryndale itself. i’m open to ideas or brainstorming!! also wow forgot, my name is cin and hi skjdhfksjh
