clearlynoko

Andromeda Adiler leaned over the paper as her mother showed her the missive. A frown grew on her face. Her father in law and her sister mentioned. "I'm going to show this to Sylvii." She mumbled. "I don't understand---he didn't go back, did he? I thought he was done." Her hands came to her face, a quiet groan leaving her. Her Bard Apprentice chittered, hiding in her skirts to get away from the stress. "Ugh, Elijah, why do you do this to yourself?" @Little_Kitty48

Andromeda received the letter on her daily mail check. She'd hopped her way to the inconvenient aviary of Wynlomere, hoping for nothing or good news. Her short lived dreams were shattered by that purple wax seal. She can't recall how she ended up in her house, her recently born Apprentice in her lap feeling just as despondent as she was. She can't recall how long she sat there, not quite in tears, not quite happy. Shock, numbness, whatever it was. She couldn't care to put a name to it all right now. Her daze was broken by her mother, poor Luthien, who walked in full of cheer. "Check your mail," Andromeda spoke to her quietly. She wished she didn't. Maybe she should have let Luthien be happy a little longer. In Medea's home, they sat on the plush violet carpet, in front of a box. Her mother clutched a rabbit coin, Andromeda by her side fighting her own tears. She stayed completely silent, opposing the wails of her mother. Closing her eyes, she tried to stay strong. She was good at that, staying strong for other people. She was good at that.

Aurelith's daughter in law sneers at the missive, pocketing it for later. Perhaps she should have been less of a bystander about the alleged mistreatment of Lorandil's poor girl. "Maylii, come look at this nonsense," she calls to her wife. @Little_Kitty48

A certain elven woman mourns such a disheartening idea...

Andromeda Adiler hummed to herself as she helped her mother cook for an upcoming wedding. Her magic burst around her in vibrant gold fireworks, red smoke stirring a spoon around a pot for her. Meanwhile, she was occupied with cutting up some vegetables. She thought of her first and only student. Her best friend. A man she would hold any secret for. Stars, a man she had lied to her own mother's face for. She never did get to teach him any spells. Andromeda thought of that lightning, how it made him tremble and grow pale. A smile touched her lips at the memory. He ran headfirst into wild animals, Darkspawn, and violent men, but had to be convinced that housemagic wouldn't explode him. Maybe in the Seven Skies, he would be able to learn. The elf would never truly know.

There many bitter, untrue thoughts Andromeda Adiler wanted to take back. Who cares if she dies? She'd thought it a few times when she deliberated over her own immaturity. For her to stay angry at Morwen for years, to ignore her presence- years Andromeda knew she would never get back. She thought she had time with Morwen. She had always thought she had time. Andromeda thought she had time when she saw Morwen less and less in favor of the friends she felt less terrified of. It was never Morwen that scared her of course, but it was the bold face of Humanity she had feared as a child. She should have never taken that out on her first friend. She thought she had time after the argument. So what if Andromeda held a grudge for maybe five or ten years? Morwen had two hundred of them. It was Morwen who cut those words into her heart, and it should be Morwen who apologizes! She'd wrongly assumed Morwen had good graces with her family. Andromeda sat in her apartment, a half eaten bowl of stew discarded. She stared down into a booklet of names, an invite list to her wedding. Many names had been scratched out with vitriol as the war settled, as people chose sides. It was a sour feeling that she had no name to scratch out for Morwen. Another regret to her list. She rose her knees to her chest and took a deep breath in. The news had come hours ago, but it didn't feel real. Surely she could go to the bar and see Morwen there nursing a drink, and the two would look at each other and not say a word. Surely she would see flashes of Morwen’s silver gaze as they defended their home against the raids. The elven woman stood, and went to the bar. Ignoring the few patrons that milled about, Andromeda ducked behind the bar counter. She didn't know what Morwen's favorite was, nor did she drink herself, so she selected a random one. She took a rag and wrapped up a raw chicken in it, then made way to the small sandy beach area in Cerulia itself. They had no body to burn. It wasn't a good idea to burn alcohol and chicken in the middle of the square anyway. With nothing to mourn, Andromeda made her own. She dug out a small chunk of sand and placed the chicken and alcohol in. Then she covered it up, found a piece of driftwood, and jammed it into the sand above it. "Do not despise Idunia for their actions, as I have, for they are ignorant of what they do." That was a tall order, but Andromeda would try to give a dead woman's final wish some amount of effort.

Volume Two Eventful Events! Excitement Brews Within the Grand Kingdom of Urguan! With great pride, Cerulia will be hosting the Second Grand Auction of Urguan! Come to the amphitheater in the basement of the tavern on (Sunday, December 14th at 1PM EST). Attached is the official missive from the Grand Kingdom of Urguan, so please check that before you reach out. Those interested in selling may contact Barundin Jewelbeard (Cpt_Noobman) or Gusiam Jusmia (PrinceJose270). The GRAND KING OF URGUAN ULFAR gave the Cerulite amphitheater a visit the other day, likely for the auction, and was given an astounding performance by our beloved Bardmaster Solaris Maiheiuh. So astounding, in fact, that he and his College, known as the College of the Four Arts, or Vailu Valmiran, have been invited to play at a future feast! The date is currently unknown, but the performance will no doubt be even greater than what the Grand King had enjoyed. Stay tuned! The Lubba Press will continue to bring updates on the happenings of this performance. Geese Flock, Have They Come to Stay? It has been observed by the local population that geese have invaded the city for a great while, and continue to do so to this day. They have a Goose Mother, whose true identity was requested to stay secret. The Mother has been seen helping in Cerulite affairs and is quite pleasant to be around, save for her judgemental hat. Does Cerulia have a native goose population now? Only time will tell. An artist’s rendition of Mother Goose. LANDZKAR, Incredible as Usual LANDZKAR makes another wonderful performance within the Imperial crossroads, playing absolute bangers despite its location. They are also releasing a new volume of Ruby’s Musins soon! Keep an eye out for their missives for more concert dates and band related updates. Color Eating Man Strikes! A mage named Arthur stole Lenore’s hippo’s color—thankfully the hippo made a speedy recovery. And Lenore’s hair is back to orange. Whispers have been heard wanting it to go back to rainbow. Obligatory Advertisements: As usual, the Cerulite military is also actively looking for new recruits! Benefits are: tax cuts, free gear and training, free limb replacements, and Mika’s approval. Contact Alaydia Vacare if interested. Wish to have your news featured? There is now a Lubba Press Box by the noticeboard! Write your news, sign the paper, and place it within the Lubba Press Box. If it is page-worthy, I, Lady Lantern, will send a letter of reply. That is all that the second volume of the Lubba Press has to offer today. Enjoy the rest of your day, dear readers, and stay tuned for the next volume! Sincerely Authored, Lady Lantern Trust me with your news!

Volume One A Performance to Remember! On the eleventh of the Sun’s Smile, year 262 of the Second Age, the beloved band LANDSKAR debuted their new album. My personal favorite was Eye of the Darkspawn. Currently, merchandise of extremely high quality is being sold within the bottom of Cerulia’s tavern, courtesy of the Bardmaster Solaris Maiheiuh. Make sure to get some before it runs out! That will not be the only stage presence though. Soon, a dress competition between the men of Cerulia will be held, where you can behold your favorite men in gorgeous dress wear. The date is unknown, but the Lubba Press will be the first to notify the people. Alas, all the men-lovers of Cerulia will have to stay with their imaginations. Earlier, there was also the first Cerulite culture lesson held by Luthien de Viola within the library, and will likely not be the last. See the noticeboard by the bank for upcoming events, news, and important details. The Cerulite military is also actively looking for new recruits! Benefits are: tax cuts, free gear and training, free limb replacements, and Mika’s approval. The news of the day comes to an end, and so is the first volume of the Lubba Press. Enjoy the rest of your day, dear readers, and stay tuned for the next volume. Sincerely Authored, Lady Lantern Trust me with your news!

Andromeda Adiler had no knowledge of who the Warlock she chased until the sand dragged her armored form down was. Which was ironic, as mere days before she had been asking Onyx Flavius of Shahan's whereabouts. All she'd received was a cast down gaze, and never found out why. "Stop chasing me!" The Warlock screeched at her in terror. It had thrilled her. For once, she was the one to make a creature of darkness afraid. "Stop being a demon!" She had responded. She never had a clue that he tried.

Andromeda Adiler gazed upon the golden ring and its amber gemstone on her left ring finger as her hands entwined in silver hair. She sat within the Cerulian clinic's surgery room, braiding her father's hair, attempting to calm her storm now that she had seen the man alive. She had no clue what the future held for her, but she knew one thing only: her purpose, her forever, was now Sylvia.

Andromeda Adiler approves this message!

She remembered the day she realized Ragin's Flame was flickering. When he looked at her with eyes that suggested she was a fresh face, that he had forgotten who she was. After, her mother told her of the human condition, of truly how sick one could get in their elder years, where they can't even remember the ones they love most. She never once tried to get him to remember. What was the point of making an old man suffer more? "Ragin has gone to the Great Halls," Xavier told her in passing. Her initial thoughts had been oh, finally. They all saw it coming, there was no reason to grieve over a man who had been dying for ten years. She watched as Xavier etched the name Raginolf into the stone walls of the Flamekeeper's Keep, a memory forever kept. She could hear the man complaining already. They were making such a fuss over him! Months later, she sat on the bench of the Flamekeeper's Hill, staring into unblessed flames. Letting her mind wander, she thought of that old man for the first time since the news. She let herself wonder how he was faring in the Great Halls. Was he lonely? Was he fighting? Was he finally resting? "We will see him again," Xavier had said, but that was not any time soon, hopefully. That would not be until centuries down the line, should their Flames keep burning strong. What of those who do not have the Blessing? They will never greet him in the Seven Skies. He died a Templar, a small tragedy in its own right. And, oh, how she idolized such, for if anyone deserved the Blessing, it was Raginolf. A deep and heavy weight draped itself over her shoulders, restricting her breathing and causing tears to stream down her cheeks. How cruel! A fate she wanted for herself to be one she cried over. The words dug in deep, only now settling and making a home in Andromeda's fresh heart: Raginolf was dead.

Andromeda Adiler peers at the missive with a frown on her face. Being quite intoxicated from drinking a mystery substance like the idiot she was, there was little in the concerning note she could read. However, the word IMP stood out to her, and she growled at it like the missive had feelings.