Play Time

Transplanted Rigelian and her adventures in the Nexus world of RhyDin and
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Post by Azjah von Drachen Walde »

Snow was falling all around her, and she had been out in the cold weather for some time, so it was to warm up with a glass of scotch and a fire that Azjah pushed open the doors of the Inn. She found the closest table to the fireplace and slid out of her jacket, draping it over the back of the chair before sending a serving lad to retrieve a glass of Dalwhinnie for her. She settled onto the comfortable chair and closed her eyes with a sigh as she soaked up the warmth from both the scotch and the fire. She pulled both legs up beneath herself and leaned her head back to just listen and relax for a few minutes.

Out on the porch, Colonel Wil Savage flicked the last of the cigarette into the street before placing spread fingers upon the door to swing it open. He came inside into the warmth of the Inn with the collar of his black leather flight jacket pulled up. He had no fondness for snow and cold weather. His home planet, Schedar, was known for its moderate climate throughout the entire planet except for the extreme polar latitudes. He would always cringe whenever he was assigned to a planet with sub-freezing temperatures. Rhydin was far from being the worst he had to endure, and he was thankful for that, but it was still too cold for his comfort.

Wil stood in the doorway for a moment as the door closed behind him and surveyed the room for the woman who holds his heart. He found her in front of the fireplace, and that bad boy grin slid across his face.

Azjah felt the cold dance of snow laden wind as the door opened, and she burrowed lower into the chair and closer to the flames without turning around to see who’d come inside. The door had opened and closed several times, and each time she had been in the draft from the door, but it was worth it for the heat that radiated from the flames in between those brief moments.

Wil walked up behind her, “Are you going to hog all that heat for yourself?” Then he winked at her as her eyes flew open at his unexpected nearness. She had not known that Wil was in town just yet, but she was, as always, ecstatic to see him.

She grinned up at him before hopping off the chair, “Darlin’!” She wrapped both arms around his waist, “Not if I can sit on your lap, I’ll share.” She offered him the glass of scotch that she had held in her hands moments earlier. The possibility of curling up in Wil’s lap before a fire was simply too good to miss.

Wil took the scotch after giving Azjah a kiss, then sat down in her chair and removed his leather jacket to reveal a deep green, cable knit sweater beneath to ward off the cold winds of RhyDin. “I’d love to have you on my lap, baby.” He grinned and sat, taking Azjah by the hand to lead her down where he could hold her close for the time being.

She had leaned into him for that first kiss, and then settled lightly onto his lap, her fingers burrowing into the sweater as she curled one arm around his neck. “Now I can be warm on both sides.” She teased and winked at him. She had been cold since she had arrived; but with Wil’s presence, she no longer felt chilled, quite the contrary. Wil had a way of making Azjah overly warm with just a smile.

He chuckled at her, “Me too, babe.” Then he took the scotch and lifted it slightly in her direction, “Cheers.”

Azjah gave him a soft laugh, “Cheers, darlin’.” She gave him a glance filled with mischief, “I was thinking, since it’s such a lovely snowy night, we should do something wintery.” She knew Wil was not overly fond of cold and snow, but her mind was already thinking ahead. Nights such as this were meant for fun, and after a frolic in the snow, a nice fire and a snifter of fine brandy sounded like pure heaven to her. Well, as far as heaven went while remaining public she amended to herself.

Wil’s dark blue eyes met Azjah’s pale blue, “Like….” He shrugged a boneless shrug, “snow angels? Or hibernating?” He sipped the scotch and gave Azjah a knowing smile that spoke volumes if you knew how to read it. Wil’s idea of ‘enjoying’ the snow was a fire, a fine cognac, and a big window to look out of rather than actually being out in the cold, wet stuff.

Azjah flashed him a smile that was mischief in the making, “How about a snowball fight?” His smile elicited a merry laugh from her as somehow, someway, they both knew how this adventure would culminate. It was not that she expected to win any snowball fight with Wil, but the sheer joy of the game was what she was after.

“Ahhh, winter war games, huh?” An answering imp lit his deep blue gaze as he studied her almost solemnly. “Okay, but does the winner get a prize?” He was fighting that trademark grin by this time.

Azjah laid her head gently against his, putting them cheek to cheek as she gave the appearance of thinking about it, “hmmm, I think the winner should get to define the prize based on how many snowballs hit their marks, what do you think?” She was fighting a huge grin as she made her proposal to him curled up on his lap, and waiting for him to accept her invitation. She knew he was going to accept, his playful side was usually carefully hidden from others, but Azjah had seen it many times.

He lightly rubbed his cheek against hers, “Sounds good.” He finished the remainder of the scotch and shot her a grin, “Let’s go.” He leaned forward to wait for her to get off his lap.

Azjah kissed the corner of his mouth before getting off of his lap and reaching for her own jacket, “From the heat of the fire into the cold of the night,” and she winked at him. She fleetingly wondered just how good he was at throwing snowballs, but in moments, she would find out. They may be heading into the chill night air, but neither one would be cold, she was absolutely certain of that.

Wil’s voice was a richly accented, velvety baritone that was meant for only Azjah to hear, “And then into the heat of the bed?” Wil seldom let his words carry any kind of identifiable accent, but when it was just the two of them, it came out subtly now and then.

Azjah’s lips curved upward at that. When he spoke to her with that tone, she melted. There was no other way to put it. “Have I told you lately that I love the way you think?” She slid into the jacket, and pulled the deerskin gloves from her pocket and donned them as well before pulling the fur collar up closely around her neck and fastening it. The fur should keep the snow from running down her back, or worse.

Wil stood then and put his own leather jacket back on. “Hmmm, didn’t you say that just this morning?” He gave her that bad boy wink that suggested so much as he fastened the jacket up in preparation for heading into the snow once more.

Azjah felt herself color instantly as she thought back to the morning, “May I plead the Fifth?” All too clearly she remembered that morning, and her traitorous mind brought it flooding back with crystal clarity at that instant.

Wil was grinning widely now, “Yes, I think that’s only fair. C’mon, let’s see what you can do with those snowballs.” He motioned for her to precede him.

Azjah linked her arm in his and headed for the door, she slanted a look up at him as they neared the door, “The better question is what can you do with one?” She had absolutely no doubt he would be accurate, the question she had was could she be agile enough to evade his pending assault? Of course, losing was not such a bad proposition based on his requested prize.

Wil smirked but refrained from any comments about ‘balls’. “You’ll see, my dear. You’ll see.” He headed out the door with her as she gave Gem a wave and disappeared from the warmth and light of the Inn into the darkness of the RhyDinian night.
Azjah Telyria Danaan
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Post by Azjah von Drachen Walde »

They walked toward Battlefield Park, where Azjah was already laying out her plans for pelting Wil with as many snowballs as she could. She loved these kinds of quiet moments, the walk was not a long one, but it took them through New Haven before arriving at Battle Field Park. Most of the trees were devoid of leaves, and the new snowfall had clung to the branches, snow draping even the fine branches in a cloak of glistening white. It was just the right consistency to cling and stick together, and Azjah shot Wil a grin.

They passed through the gates of Battle Field Park, which to all appearances, was deserted and lay wrapped in its silent blanket of white. Azjah paused beneath a venerable oak tree and turned to face Wil, going up onto her toes, she placed a lingering kiss on his lips. “The park is the boundary of the Winter Battle. Leave the perimeter of the park and you forfeit the match. One of us must surrender, or maximum time limit 30 minutes.” She gave him a grin as she’d remained close enough to feel heat radiating off of him, “Do you accept the terms?”

Wil wrapped both arms around her as she gave him the ground rules, but that bad boy grin lurked throughout, quirking the corners of his lips upward. He accepted her rules and pulled her tightly against his body. “You know I how much I dislike the cold,” he said. “I’m just going to have to win this quickly.” He winked at her as she slipped free and she turned to run toward the center of the park, leaving her footprints in the snow.

In the darkness, she vanished behind several shrubs, leaving Wil to plot his own means of capturing the woman he loved.

Azjah ducked down behind the closest shrubs and peered through the naked branches, getting her bearings for the park before moving again. She could no longer see Wil as he had moved while she had, but she knew he would be stalking her, and that if she were not careful, this would be over before it even began. She should have worn darker colors she thought belatedly. The teal and fur jacket did not precisely blend into the winter surroundings very well. And Wil was dressed in that black leather jacket, which would be difficult to spot in the shadows.

Azjah moved on almost soundless feet from behind the shrubs to a clump of red dogwood, where she scooped up a hand full of snow and packed it into a decently sized ball, prepared to throw it at Wil on sight. She heard a soft rustle behind her, and spun around just in time to see Wil with several snowballs in his hands as the first one splooshed against her shoulder. She squeaked at the surprise, but then threw her own at him and darted in a low sprint away from her hiding place as another one of Wil’s snowballs collided with her leg.

She slid around a row of holly to shield her from Wil’s very accurate aim as she scooped up another handful of snow and moved along the protection afforded by the prickly hedge. With a look behind her to see if Wil had followed, she swerved away from the hedge and toward a towering old magnolia tree. The magnolia was perfect! The leaves are not shed in the winter, and the branches were low enough to afford her purchase up into the higher branches. She ducked beneath the lowest branches where the snow had not penetrated yet, and began to climb upward. She tried hard not to rustle the branches to give away her position as she climbed as close to the tree’s massive trunk as she could. After gaining a suitable vantage point, she sat stock still about 3 meters in the air, waiting for her quarry to come looking for her.

Wil came stealthily along the holly hedge and Azjah smiled to herself. It was her turn to land a pair of surprise snowballs in the center of that leather jacket. Once they splattered and sent cold remnants flying around him, Azjah scrambled down from the tree and darted for the sculpture gardens of the park, but she had not counted on Wil’s exceptional reflexes being as fast as they were. He landed another snowball at her fleeing form, and the splatter sent melting snow landing in her hair. She yelped in surprise, but kept running.

Her gloved hand reached for one of the corners of the first statue as she slid out of the line of fire, but not fast enough to avoid another snowball, and this time she could hear Wil’s feet crunching in the snow behind her. He was also much closer than she had planned for when she dropped out of the tree. Time was running out on her, and she knew if Wil caught her, it was all over. She wove in and around the statues, not daring to duck down for a handful of snow in the process, she had to put some distance between them. Azjah could not outrun Wil in a flat out race, but she might be able to evade him through nimbleness and evasion by virtue of being lighter than he was by 20 kg or so. The statues afforded her useful obstacles.

She ducked behind a large stone statue of a dragon, rampant to catch her breath. The sounds of Wil’s boots in the snow had vanished. Azjah took a couple of deep breaths as quietly as she could before grabbing a handful of snow and packing it into a snowball. She listened intently for several seconds before she thought she heard Wil, and then she moved to strike in the direction of the sound. As she rose to throw the snowball, she landed it in the center of Wil’s chest, but he had closed the distance and wrapped both arms solidly around her the moment she had released the snowball.

His face was lit with mischief as he looked down into her startled eyes, “Do you yield?” She was well and truly captured and pulled securely against the wall of his chest. There would be no more snowballs for her to throw now.

Azjah wanted to laugh as she had no objections to being caught in Wil’s arms, but she was faced with having to concede defeat at her own game, which was just not part of her plans. She smiled up at him innocently before abruptly wrapping one leg just behind Wil’s knee and dropping into a roll as she landed in the snow with Wil. “Do you yield my dear?” She asked him with a grin. Laughter bubbled forth from her as they were both now covered in snow and wrapped in one another’s arms.

Wil lowered his lips to hers and whispered, “I’d call it a tie.”
Azjah Telyria Danaan
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Post by Azjah von Drachen Walde »

Azjah headed down the stairs into the Annex. It had been a while since she’d been into the basement for dueling, and she thought it might be good exercise to end the day. She was soon followed by General Xenograg, who was dressed in charcoal gray, knee length topcoat with a yellow sash around the waist. Beneath that he wore gray trousers, and black boots with a wide, gilt sword belt that suspended a carved, wooden scabbard on his left hip. On his right hip was a reversed holster. Over all of that was a dark blue cloak. Azjah gave a nod to the General, “Good evening Xenograg.”

He paused, “Hello Azjah, good to see you.”

Bran arrived after that, followed shortly thereafter by Wyheree, who shimmered into view already on the caller’s couch. Azjah greeted Bran and then Wyheree as she found a table near the rings. She then flagged down Marcus and sent him for a glass of Dalwhinnie after sliding out of her jacket and draping it over the back of her chosen chair. Marcus returned quickly with the Dalwhinnie, and Azjah laid a platinum coin on the tray as she took a sip of the old scotch.

Ticallion Carter walked in, and Xenograg observed that the reinstated Warlord was definitely ‘back’ as he was dueling exceptionally well, and as far as Xenograg knew, he hadn’t been bested in a Swords ring since his return. Ticallion smiled a bit upon hearing Xenograg as he accepted a match with Bran.

Wyheree settled more comfortably on her couch and appeared to be quite pleased with the little crowd that was beginning to gather in the Annex. Then she looked at Xenograg, “I do not believe I have met him.”

Alais coalesced from a column of shimmering silver and gave Wyheree a nod of greeting before catching sight of Xenograg. At his greeting, she gave him a smile, “G’e’en aulde friend.” Then she headed toward the back of the Annex and settled on a sofa to watch. She then inquired after Amaltea and his daughter, Amanda.

Xenograg moved to join her, “You saw Amanda for yourself. Amaltea is fine, and enjoying the season.”

Alais nodded, “Yer daughter wilst make a fione scorceress.” Then she gave a soft whisper of her adopted Annaran and conjured a crystal snifter of Liquid Fire.

“She has a good head on her shoulders, always has,” Xeno said. “Do let me know if you have any suggestions regarding her training.”

Alais lifted a sable brow at him, “An’ a fione teacher, dinnae f’rget. Dinnae le’ ‘er play wi’ th’ darker aspects Xeno.” Alais’ words were softly spoken, but her meaning bore as much earnestness as she could muster. He told her that he didn’t plan on letting Amanda fool with the dark arts, and Alais studied him a moment, “dae, dinnae try.” She told him.

Xeno held her gaze, “My necromancy is rather different than yours. Even that, I will be careful with,” he told her.

Azjah slide a glance around the room as she heard Xenograg tell the sorceress that Ticallion was back in a major way, and that he did not recall having seen him lose since his return.

Alais slid her attention to the active ring, “This ist th’ first time Ah’ve seen ‘im duel in a verra long while.” About then Ticallion finished his match with Bran in a convincing win. Alais congratulated both men on a nice duel as did Xenograg. Ticallion nodded as his hand stroked his chin a moment, “Thanks, hopefully more people will start heading back this way as well.”

Alais nodded, “”t wouldst be verra welcome tae see more r’turn.”

Ticallion agreed with her as he grabbed a bottle of water that had been set down near him. Xenograg also concurred.

Azjah glanced at those present, “Well, I have a mind to duel if anyone would care to.”

Bran took her up on it immediately. And the pair settled on a match of swords. Wyheree gave them a ring and they entered for their match.

Alais looked at Xenograg as the second match began. He smirked as he deftly took Alais’ glass from her hand and took a small sip for himself. Alais gave him a surprised look, then waited for his reaction to the liquid. “Oooh, that is…..” He did not finish his sentence as he hands the glass back to Alais. She gave him a quicksilver smile, “Warm?” She supplied helpfully. “Quite” came Xenograg’s hoarse reply. Alais laughed softly, “Aye, ‘t hath ‘t’s name fer a reason.”

He smiled, “That would take some getting used to.” She chuckled and had to agree with him.

Bran narrowed his yellow eyes at Azjah and tried to fix his face with a look of tough determination as Azjah sent her saber in a low arc and collided with his spear.

The second round was one Imp would have been proud of as Bran and Azjah both thrust and hit. The duel continued through 11 exchanges, but in the end Azjah caught Bran in a sidestep when she cut high with the saber to claim the point and the win.

Alais leaned close to Xeno a moment, “She doth loo’ li’ one o’ yers.”
Azjah Telyria Danaan
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Post by Azjah von Drachen Walde »

Azjah left the ring and glanced at Ticallion, who had earlier expressed an interest in dueling. And when he saw her glance, asked if she would care to duel. She accepted and Wyheree prepared another ring for them. Erin Dunbridge had arrived and asked if anyone else cared for a duel. Azjah paused and glanced between Erin and Ticallion, “Perhaps you should duel Erin, I just left a ring.” Azjah did not want to deny Erin a duel since it was very hard to get duels for the time being.

Ticallion glanced at Erin, “Either way, whomever wants to duel.”

Azjah looked at Erin, “Would you like this match?” She did not, she had wanted a Fists match, and Ticallion was looking for a swords match, so Azjah stepped into Ring Twilight with him. Ticallion pulled the longsword free when he rose once more to his full height. Azjah unsheathed the saber and nodded, ‘Duel well.”

The match opened as both duelists cut high and steel rang against steel. In the second round, Ticallion sidestepped Azjah’s circular parry for the first advantage. From there, Azjah cut high and avoided the circular parry Ticallion intended.

They exchanged thrusts and cuts until the seventh round when both thrust and drew blood. Imp would have been very proud. Ticallion led 3-2 at that point. Azjah tied it up by slashing thorugh Ticallions circular parry in the 9th round which drew a predatory smile from Xenograg.

Alais lifted a brow and commented that it was too bad Gnort had not been there to see the slash be successful, which brought an agreeing nod from Wyheree, and a smile from Xenograg.

Azjah stepped away from Ticallion, “You are wearing me out Ticallion, this is the longest duel I have had in a long time. Their blades clashed once more in matching high cuts.

Ticallion smiled, “Least I could do is take ya the distance, it wouldn’t be fun for either of us any other way.” And then he thrust into Azjah’s circular parry.

Azjah came back with another high cut and took a 4.5 – 3 lead after 12 rounds. Ticallion was forced into a corner where he had to make a choice and he defended low and wide and ended up making the wrong choice. Azjah took a step way and reset.

Colonel William Samuel Savage slipped silently down into the Annex. His hands were in his pockets of the black leather flight jacket. A cigarette dangled from his lips, and he was not making a sound as he stood at the top of the stairs.

Alais offered Xenograg another sip of the Liquid Fire, which he declined, saying “that bit I had went right to my head.” He chuckled, “My palate is insufficiently refined.”

Wyheree glanced at the door as the breeze shifts, she smiled and waved at Wil, “Good evening!”

That brought Xenograg’s attention to Wil’s arrival, and subsequently Azjah paused from her match to glance at the new arrival. A smile lit her features when she saw who it was, but she couldn’t leave her ring to go wrap him in a hug.

Wil noted that Azjah was in the ring as he leaned back against the wall. He gave a nod and smile to Wyheree, “Good eve, Lady Wyheree.” He spotted Xenograg and gave him a nod of greeting as well. Then his attention slid to Azjah and he gave her that smile that was reserved for her alone.

Azjah had to refocus on Ticallion, and it seemed that both were ready for a breather as one sidestepped, and the other stop hit. A smile played across Ticallion’s face, “Only one of us can win now.”

Azjah flashed him a smile, “Do you concede?”

Ticallion chuckled, “Never! I love playing spoiler.”

Azjah reset and leveled her sabre at him, “Grand…. En guarde!”

Wil slowly strolled up toward the ring where he could get a better view of the match, and Azjah hazarded a quick glance at Wil before she focused once more on Ticallion, who had brought the long sword between them once more.

Azjah cut low and tripped up the sidestepping Ticallion to claim the point and the match. She sheathed the blade with a quick salute to Wyheree and Ticallion. When she turned toward Wil, he was all smiles from ear to ear as he had come just in time to see her secure the win. Wil applauded, telling them both, “Well dueled.”

Azjah thanked Ticallion for the match and slipped from the ring and made directly for Wil, “Well, that’s two wins tonight. I believe that makes me a Swordsman.”

Xenograg heard her, “A streak Azjah.”

Azjah smiled at Xenograg, “Perhaps, we shall see.” Then she glanced at Wil, “Have you two met?”

Wil smiled and there was no little admiration in his eyes as he said, “Very good my dear.” Then he glanced Xenograg’s direction, “Yes, we have met.”

Xeno nodded concurrence, “Hello Colonel Savage.”

Azjah slid an arm around Wil’s waist as he gave Xenograg a slight bow, “Lord Xeno, good to see you again.” As he straightened, his arm slid around Azjah and he placed a light kiss on her cheek. “Very good.”

Wyheree rose, “Good night everyone, and thank you all for coming this fine evening.” She then vanished and left the room to the four of them. Alais was next to depart, and Xenograg excused himself which left Azjah and Wil alone in the old Annex.

Wil said good night to Xenograg, and asked that he give his regards to Amaltea.

Azjah lifted a happy countenance to Wil, “This is a pleasant surprise.”

He gave a slight shrug, “I guess I just can’t keep away from you.”

She gave a quiet laugh, “I believe I am ready to head for home.”

Wil held out his arm for her, and after she reached for her jacket, she curled one arm around Wil’s, “This was a pleasant surprise all the way around,” she leaned close to him as they made their way up the stairs.

He looked at her and winked, “I love to surprise you.” He was glad he had made it in time for the end of the match, and as they headed up the stairs and into the nights, she flashed him a smile, “You succeed.” They walked to the Palazzo in companionable silence through the falling snow.
Azjah Telyria Danaan
Marchioness von Triberg
Baroness von Drachen Walde
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