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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Apr 20, 2019 15:59:17 GMT -8
In the couple of weeks that had gone by, Rose had cleaned up her little place after being granted a few supplies she'd requested in order to do so. The day after she'd been locked up, Blue had found the small, narrow window of her tower and would keep her company. She would quickly shoo him to go hide outside on the ledge when she heard the approach of footfall indicating the arrival of meals.
This time, however, she'd been distracted in her quiet, mostly one-way conversation with Blue as she was making her bed that she hadn't known her meal was here until the key turned in the lock. Rose tried not to panic as she settled herself on her bed, hiding Blue behind her. "Shh, please, Little One, keep quiet," she implored.
The door opened and as always, despite her situation as prisoner, Rose gave a kind smile and accepted the meal graciously. "Thank you, Diablo." However, unlike usual, she stayed in her spot rather than going to take the tray from him. Blue hopped closer to Rose's back, creating the smallest of rustling noises with the single flap of his wing. Rose shifted in her seat, trying to play off the sound as having come from her readjusting her position while concentrating hard on keeping her expression normal.
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Apr 21, 2019 20:17:12 GMT -8
Diablo - tempplay by Lady Lee-o - "Thank you, Diablo." Diablo could tell something was amiss, it was like he could sense it. Then the flap of a wing, so distinct, especially to another bird. He tilted his head to the side and made his way closer to the girl. "Who is behind you?" His demeanor was quite different, his stern features softened. He gave a whistle of hello and waited to see if the other would respond.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on May 4, 2019 20:15:01 GMT -8
To Rose's distress, Blue tweeted back as if in response. There was no hiding him now. No way out of this. Diablo now stood between her and the window so she couldn't attempt to run Blue to his freedom or hope that he'd try to fly out on his own.
In fact, to her further distress, rather than attempting escape, Blue came hopping around the side of her into view. She quickly but gently picked him up, keeping him shielded safely in her cupped hands as she held him close to her heart. "Please don't hurt him," she pleaded, her kind eyes glossy with threatening tears over the horrible thought that pain or worse would befall Blue because she'd selfishly allowed him to keep her company rather than imploring him to fly far away from here. She knew he most likely wouldn't have left her, but still she should have at least tried.
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Post by Lady Lee-o on May 5, 2019 16:41:32 GMT -8
Diablo - tempplay by Lady Lee-o - "Please don't hurt him," Diablo looked shocked that she would think he'd hurt the little friend. "I would never hurt him, I do not hurt innocents." Diablo moved a bit closer and tweeted back at the little bird, who instantly flew towards him and landed on his finger. "He is a friend." Diablo listened as the bird fluttered and twittered about. "Ah yes, I know. It's regrettable." Diablo sent the bird back to Aurora and smiled. "He wishes to stay and I do not see a problem with this. I will bring him a little something on my next visit."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jun 1, 2019 19:46:01 GMT -8
"I would never hurt him, I do not hurt innocents."
There was no way she could have known that but she felt guilty for her assumption all the same. "I apologize. I did not mean to offend."
"He is a friend." "Ah yes, I know. It's regrettable." "He wishes to stay and I do not see a problem with this. I will bring him a little something on my next visit."
Rose had been watching the exchange in fascination and perhaps a dash of envy. She'd always had a special bond and a sort of understanding with animals that went beyond normal, but not to the extent of carrying a conversation. Her features softened into a smile over his promised kind gesture on Blue's behalf. "Thank you," she said, pulling the tray at the foot of her bed closer to her. Rose took the piece of bread and crumbled some of it into her palm, holding it down toward Blue, patiently letting him eat to his heart's content before she would take care of her own hunger. "Would you mind asking him something?" she began, eyes downcast toward Blue as he pecked at the crumbs. "I want to be sure his wish to stay is not because he thinks he is beholden to me," Rose crumbled more bread into her hand and looked up at Diablo, "but because it's what he truly wants." She felt that no form of repayment was due for having repaired his wing and nursed him back to health but even if Blue had felt he owed her, he'd more than made up for it by now.
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Jun 8, 2019 20:52:58 GMT -8
Diablo - tempplay by Lady Lee-o - Diablo chatted with his fellow feather friend and smiled, "Hmmm, yes. It sounds very scary indeed. I will, yes." Diablo straightened up and smiled at Rose, "He is here because of many reasons. He is very grateful for all you have done for him and he considers you a friend. He wishes to continue his travels with you, wherever they may lead."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jun 9, 2019 15:30:43 GMT -8
Rose's worried expression melted away and joy took its place. She beamed at Diablo. "Thank you. I cannot express how much that means to me." Rose looked lovingly at Blue. "You have been the best of friends, Blue, and I am overjoyed that you'll be continuing to join me on my travels."
She crumbled more bread into her hand and seeing that Blue was starting to slow his eating, Rose took that as a cue that he was almost done. She finally reached for the plate to take something for herself, pausing halfway to her mouth to look at Diablo. "Would you like to join us?" she asked, holding out an offering of some of her precious rations.
Rose had always been overly considerate and kind, putting others before herself. It was her nature. A far cry from the man her birth father was, according to Maleficent's accounts of him. In her imprisonment, she'd pondered during the quiet hours what kind of person she might have turned out to be if raised by him. She couldn't wrap her mind around caring only for your own needs and rise of power, even if it meant stomping on the joy and hearts of others.
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Jul 7, 2019 16:34:24 GMT -8
Diablo - tempplay by Lady Lee-o - "Thank you. I cannot express how much that means to me." Diablo nodded his head, "You have been the best of friends, Blue, and I am overjoyed that you'll be continuing to join me on my travels." He was surprised at her sweetness and part of him wondered- would mistress really end her life? Use her as bait to draw the king in? No, he was certain she would not. Maleficent was keeping her distance and for good reason, the girl in front of him had some sort of power and Maleficent couldn't stand to be near her. "Would you like to join us?" He was brought out of his thoughts and gave the girl a smile. "I must not, the mistress is waiting for my return." Diablo walked over and placed his hand on her shoulder. "She will not harm you, I'm sure she will come to you soon. You won't be in here for much longer."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jul 27, 2019 21:28:55 GMT -8
When he placed his hand on her shoulder, Rose looked up at him, a small smile touching her lips over his reassurance. Perhaps it was the instilled feeling that people were generally good that made her think as such, but she believed Maleficent wouldn't harm her, even despite having been imprisoned by her. She'd briefly seen the pain Maleficent held and in a way, Rose understood and was forgiving of her current predicament.
Rose reached and momentarily squeezed his hand. "You are a kind man. Or raven?" Rose chuckled. She'd seen him be both but wasn't sure which was his true self. "No matter which, you are kind and that is all that matters. I thank you for providing me food and company and for momentarily bridging the language barrier between myself and Blue." Rose looked down to affectionately run the back of her fingers over Blue's feathers.
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Oct 7, 2019 7:01:22 GMT -8
Diablo - tempplay by Lady Lee-o - "You are a kind man. Or raven?" Diablo shuttered, he hated his human skin. The one that his mistress gave him, however, she couldn't have known. "No matter which, you are kind and that is all that matters. I thank you for providing me food and company and for momentarily bridging the language barrier between myself and Blue." Nodding, Diablo gave her one final bow before leaving the room, the door clicking and the barrier went back in place. *A week later* Perhaps she was a bit hasty in locking the girl up? Maleficent never considered herself nice- but this girl thought so otherwise. That young nieve girl was gone, the world was a dark place and this princess would learn that in time. The door to Aurora's room opened and Maleficent stood in the doorway, slowly making her way inside. "Walk with me." Her face was even, it showed no signs of malace or of kindness.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Oct 27, 2019 15:00:47 GMT -8
*A week later*
Rose wasn't sure how much time had passed. She patiently and quietly waited, enjoying the company of Blue and also Diablo whenever he showed. She was a model prisoner, if such a thing were actually a thing.
But Rose didn't consider herself a prisoner. She had come here of her own accord and had willingly walked through the doors. At first, she had felt betrayed and angry, but her solitude within these walls had given her time to play over the events that had led her here and the anger quickly faded. Her kind heart saw only that she'd said something to hurt or offend her host, deeply enough to have triggered such a response.
Blue sat upon her knee, the two playing their game of mimicking each other in song. Rose had just finished her vocal rendition of Blue's tweets and had begun her own for Blue to mimic when the sound of the door silenced her in mid-song.
Assuming it was their new friend, Rose smiled and began to speak. "Diablo, we've missed--" Blue suddenly flitted from Rose's knee out the window, sensing before Rose could see that their guest was not Diablo.
Rose's features turned serious as she got to her feet and folded her hands before her. There wasn't fear there, only respect and perhaps a hint of regret for how things had left off with them. She waited and watched quietly as Maleficent stepped inside.
"Walk with me."
With a firm nod, Rose complied. She kept her head bowed with eyes cast to the floor. Once they were beside each other in the hallway, Rose couldn't wait to relieve the burden on her chest with an apology. "I am deeply sorry if I've said anything to hurt or offend you," she said with soft sincerity.
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Nov 9, 2019 21:13:41 GMT -8
"I am deeply sorry if I've said anything to hurt or offend you," Maleficent didn't expect an apology and was caught off guard. She paused in her steps and looked at the girl beside her, "Save your apology, girl." She brought her back to the grand hall, food was prepared and laid out. "Sit." She would try this again, get to know the girl and try not to lose her temper. Diablo had convinced her to listen, learn, and asked her to try and take this young girl's advice.
"I loved once, I trusted once, and I once saw the good in people. However, in time I learned all about the greed of men. They get your trust, pretend to love, and take everything you hold dear."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Nov 17, 2019 15:12:06 GMT -8
"Save your apology, girl."
Rose opened her mouth but quickly shut it, stopping herself just in time from apologizing for apologizing.
"Sit."
Rose quickly obliged and having learned her lesson from last time, kept her mouth shut. She would do her best to listen and only speak when prompted to.
"I loved once, I trusted once, and I once saw the good in people. However, in time I learned all about the greed of men. They get your trust, pretend to love, and take everything you hold dear."
She took the small silence as a prompt to give some form of acknowledgement. Rose tilted her head, the last part of Maleficent's reveal sounding very familiar. "My entire life, my aunts had warned me of much the same thing."
Needless to say, the warnings apparently hadn't taken. She had sneaked off from home, had joined the company of thieves in the woods, taken passage with pirates, and now sat across from a woman who'd kept her locked up for weeks. Despite that fact, Rose did not resent her and looked at her with the innocence of an open and hopeful heart of a person who only wished to see happiness in everyone.
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Dec 1, 2019 21:05:37 GMT -8
"My entire life, my aunts had warned me of much the same thing."
"Yet, here you are." Maleficent could relate to the girl, she was once carefree as well. She did not think of the consequences and what the repercussions would hold. She gave her heart willingly and did not see the monster her lover had been. She might have the horns but his heart was black, his mind twisted, and now her love for him was gone.
"I will not lose my temper, you may ask three questions and I will answer them truthfully. In turn, I expect the same. Deal?" Diablo suggested this game, she did not favor it but would give it a try.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Dec 13, 2019 22:20:56 GMT -8
"Yet, here you are."
If not for the tension in the air and the fragile bridge between the two of them, Rose may have laughed.
"I will not lose my temper, you may ask three questions and I will answer them truthfully. In turn, I expect the same. Deal?"
"Deal," Rose said with a serious nod. The one question that had nagged at her since she'd first sat here and spoken with Maleficent was the one that stood out in her mind. She couldn't overcome her driving need to know the answer to it in order to ask something else, especially with what Maleficent had just revealed. It was a topic she'd tried to broach before but it had set her off. This new revelation that Maleficent had loved, trusted, and been betrayed shone some clarity and formed a possible reason in Rose's mind. But Rose had to be sure and now, she had Maleficent's promise that she could ask anything and that she would not lose her temper.
"You said before that I was to be your bait to lure my father. What did he do to you?" Rose gently asked.
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Jan 2, 2020 11:25:59 GMT -8
Maleficent could see the wheels working in the girl's head. She probably had a million questions and trying to decide on three was a lot to ask. "You said before that I was to be your bait to lure my father. What did he do to you?" She expected the girl would have questions about her father. She didn't expect the old subject to be brought back up so soon but she remained calm. She looked at the girl and felt compelled to regale the tale to her, it took her a moment before she was able to continue.
"The tale has been twisted over the years, I'm sure your father had much to do with that. But I will tell you the whole store but it will cost you the remaining questions." Maleficent was sure by the time she was done, she would feel much like sinking back into her solitude. She had already instructed Diablo to prepare a better room for the girl, something not so cold and dreadful. Maleficent stood and walked over to the large fireplace, setting it ablaze to heat the room up. The cold had always been a reminder but she didn't want her guest to freeze to the tea she prepared.
"It seems every tale starts with a beautiful princess but in this case, it starts with a young fairy. I grew up in a beautiful sanctuary full of magical creatures, the moors. Everyone was happy there and I had many friends, they all came to trust me as I protected them. No human ever set foot in the moors until a young boy ventured in. I became smitten with him and he eventually felt the same, we spent all our time together.” It hurt, going over the past but she promised. She could see the young face of the boy she fell in love with. He was so handsome, charming, and yes a bit silly but what child wasn’t?
The love she once felt, it filled her chest but she would not let it linger. She slammed her heart closed again, pushing the vision of young Stefan out of her mind, “I find human’s fear what they do not understand, which is why war came years before I was even born. That war came to an end in peace, where the creatures of the moors would stay in the forest. That no human would set foot in there without permission, that peace lasted for many years. I was born into peace, I knew nothing of the dangers of humans. I did not care to know, all I cared about was Stefan- we ignored the old ways and continued to see each other. However, Over the years his visits became less, as he had human duties. Someway he found himself in the castle, working there for the king.”
Maleficent returned to her seat and sipped her tea, never making eye contact. She continued to stare at the flames instead, they were hues of green and a tint of purple. Images dance on the flames before taking form around the room. Her magic worked to make silhouettes of the story she told, so the girl could truly understand.
“We had been the best of friends and we came to love each other.” Even the word love brought sick to her mouth, a pain in her heart. “At this time we were of age and we spent a short time together before he came back to wish me goodbye. He was leaving and unsure when he would return, he said: “I will always love you, Mal.”. To this day I no longer know if that was a lie or not. As I found he had left to join King Henry’s soldiers, I guess our love was a distraction?” She finally looked at the girl, Mal’s eyes were not as cold as they once were. Diablo returned to replenish the tea and sweets, he noticed they were almost depleted. “However, I would not realize this until much later. I was still in love with Stefan but soon war came back to the Moors. King Henry decided he wanted to take control of us, using us to gain power; His army set forth marching towards us. With the help of my friends from the moors and my wings, they were no match.” She was sure the girl noticed she had no wings, they were clearly not there- and that was the issue. “King Henry and his men retreated.”
“Things finally quieted down and that is when Stefan appeared. I was uncertain of his intentions after the war but he said he was there to warn me. King Henry was ready to try again and would very soon. I believed him, not knowing that King Henry was on his deathbed. I had no reason not to trust him, as I did not see him during the fight. I fell right back in love and we just spent the day together like old times. We shared everything we missed, I opened my heart and expressed how much I wish he could stay. He stayed-” She did not want to get into detail, but that night had been one of the only times she had ever been intimate with another. Stefan was the only man she had ever loved- she swore off manhandling since. “We shared honey wine and went to sleep, I was certain to wake in his arms.”
“But the next morning, I woke from a deep sleep and felt a terrible pain. A pain I had never felt before, my body had been mutilated. While I was unconscious, he took my wings: sawed them clean off. I did not know it was him, not until Diablo told me. He tried to stop him but Stefan was too strong and locked him in a cage.” Maleficent took another minute before standing up and loomed over the girl, the pain on her face was clear. “Stefan no longer had feelings for me but for his ambition. He had returned for my wings, to show King Henry he had slain me to gain his favor. King Henry, in turn, named him his successor and allowed him to marry his daughter- your mother.” she was compelled to show the girl where her wings once sat, but she was not ready to show her open wounds with another.
“I was left to my own thoughts, I shun the creatures I once called friends.” Diablo would fill in a few extra details later, explaining that many creatures of the moors saw how twisted she became. That the loss of her wings had changed her mind, broke her, something Maleficent herself would never admit to another. “I decided it was in the best interest of my people to take over as queen, to truly protect them. They had considered me a protector already, a ruler, so I made it official. I closed the moors, tight, no human would ever set foot inside again.”
Maleficent walked back to the fireplace, she felt cold again and leaned against the stones for warmth.
“The rest of the tale is mostly true, where your parents throw a lavish party. Invite all to attend, except those of the moors of course. Not as if anyone there would want to come, except those three fairy imps and a few others who stood to defy me. The tales say I was angry because I didn’t get an invitation. I did not care, either way, what I cared about was Stefan’s lies. I wanted to see your father grovel and at the time, I thought he truly cared about your mother, you, but now I can not be sure.” She turned back to Aurora and walked closer to her. “I do not know what your father plans for you but we will find out. I have hinted you are here, or on the way- which means your father will come.” Maleficent smiled, “and revenge will finally be mine. Do not worry, I will not be dangling you from a hook. Not unless I have no choice,” She had no intention of hurting the girl, Rose knew that- she hoped. “So, if you are to learn one lesson from me. Know this, humans have high ambitions and I find that those outweigh love. It blinds them to do terrible things and twists the mind. Trust should not be so easily given, you can not look at a person and know their intentions. Do not trust so openly princess, it will one day be your undoing.” Maleficent was emotionally drained and the images that danced around faded. Weak, she sat down in her chair, slumped slightly. Her heart felt the shadows of love, she swore she felt tears but they did not fall.
“I have one question for you. I want you to answer it truthfully and then I will retire. Do you truly see good in me?”
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jan 25, 2020 1:23:15 GMT -8
"The tale has been twisted over the years, I'm sure your father had much to do with that. But I will tell you the whole store but it will cost you the remaining questions."
Rose had no reason to doubt Maleficent spoke the truth. There had to be good reason why her "aunts" had decided to not return her to her father. It did not take her long to decide to pay the price of all her offered questions for this one answer.
She listened intently, becoming absorbed in the story, the vivid imagination built on a lifetime of feeling alone and trapped in a tiny place combined with the silhouettes formed by Maleficent's magic easily brought the story to life in her mind.
By the end of it, Rose was exhausted and overwhelmed by the emotions that had gone through her. She'd felt such anger for the man she now felt she'd been rightly kept away from. Appalled that love, the purest and truest of all things, had been grotesquely twisted into a weapon. Hurt and pain for that young fairy who'd had her wings so brutally severed, her innocence, joy, and trust ripping away with them. Embarrassed and mortified to know that she was the product of such a horrid being. Riled and ready to hasten off to right the wrongs done to the woman across from her. And now, it all compiled into a deep sorrow as she felt the beginnings of a crack in her own innocent view of the world and the inherent goodness she thought was within everyone.
“I have one question for you. I want you to answer it truthfully and then I will retire. Do you truly see good in me?”
Normally, Rose would have been quick to answer that question put to her by anyone with a quick and easy 'yes'. The new crack in her rose-colored glasses had her taking the time to really and truly look at the woman across from her. Despite her hurt and anger, despite the fact Rose was the product of that cruel man, Maleficent hadn't gone through with her threats or plans of revenge. Yet. Though she still had dangled it, it felt like a hollow threat. Considering the atrocities her father had afflicted upon her, that spoke volumes. And despite the way she'd treated Rose, despite her outwardly cold and hard demeanor, Rose still saw remnants of good; of that young fairy in that story.
A serious expression still in place, Rose gave a single, confident nod. "I do."
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Apr 2, 2020 19:08:07 GMT -8
"I do." It took some time for Rose to answer and that is how Maleficent knew it was genuine. She felt something she had not before, compassion, respect, and warmth. Her past plans would change and she no longer felt this girl deserved to be treated in such a harsh manner. She would no longer be a pawn in her revenge, for she was already a pawn in her father's.
"I have nothing to hide, you may roam this place and explore. The only thing I ask, do not leave this castle." It was not safe, she was not the only one looking for Rose- her father would be out there. Rumors had already spread of her location, part of the plan that Maleficent regretted. "Your father will be looking for you and I fear he might harm you. You are safe here," She stood slowly and Diablo appeared, "give her the tour," In code, it meant to keep her from trouble, "Good night, Aurora." She used her real name before taking her leave.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Apr 24, 2020 23:47:32 GMT -8
"I have nothing to hide, you may roam this place and explore. The only thing I ask, do not leave this castle."
She'd only just broken free from spending her entire life in confinement. Her kneejerk reaction was to protest. "But--" Maleficent interrupted, instilling common sense.
"Your father will be looking for you and I fear he might harm you. You are safe here,"
Rose's shoulders drooped. Maleficent was right. No matter how much she longed to make up for lost time by seeing and experience as much as she could as fast as she could with the mad enthusiasm of someone starved of life experiences, it was best she lay low until things calmed down again. Staying here would give her a far better chance of one day attempting to continue her journey. If she was caught by her father's men, his reputation aside, going out on your own to explore and experience wasn't in the cards for a princess.
Maleficent was doing her a great kindness by providing her sanctuary and protection here. She seemed to hold no fear of her father and seemed more than happy to defy any orders he may give her, should he dare to show up on her doorstep. Rose pulled herself from her slump and called upon the great patience borne from being raised by three extremely protective and paranoid women.
"give her the tour," "Good night, Aurora."
Rose found herself thrown by the foreign name Maleficent had called her. Something was familiar about it. 'Aurora'. She repeated the name in her head which helped her recall where she'd heard it before. That scary woman that had confronted them immediately upon leaving the area her aunts had proclaimed was safe. The one who'd seemed to have a personal vendetta against Mary. That woman had said the name while looking at her but she'd thought the woman had mistaken her for someone else. Apparently not. It must have been the name given her at birth.
Distracted by how she felt about this newest falsehood, Maleficent was gone before Rose could remember her manners and thank her. A tour. That was exciting. She'd never been inside a castle before. With her mind swimming with all the revelations that turned her life upside down and inside out, Rose welcomed the distraction. She got to her feet and smiled at Diablo.
"I would love a tour, if you wouldn't mind. I'd also be fine exploring on my own," she reassured. Most believed animals could be taken as pets to be owned or commanded, but not Rose. She believed all living things belonged only to themselves and that all had free will. So she gave Diablo the option to decide.
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Apr 26, 2020 8:25:50 GMT -8
Diablo - tempplay by Lady Lee-o - "I would love a tour, if you wouldn't mind. I'd also be fine exploring on my own," Diablo didn't mind giving her the tour, he just didn't know where to begin. "I'll happily escort you around, Miss, if you have any questions I can answer them." Diablo smiled and led her towards the door to the main corridor. "Lead the way, plenty of castle to cover."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on May 2, 2020 8:55:32 GMT -8
Rose paused beside him at the door to the main corridor, loosely clasping her hands in front of her. "Please, call me Rose," she said with a warm smile. "I'd like to think we've become friends?" she said, though by the inflection toward the end and the way she lightly twisted her clasped hands in her sweet, vulnerable way, it seemed she was unsure if Diablo felt the same.
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Post by Lady Lee-o on May 2, 2020 19:50:27 GMT -8
Diablo - tempplay by Lady Lee-o - "Please, call me Rose, I'd like to think we've become friends?" Diablo didn't have any human friends, he only had Maleficent and until recently he didn't know her true feelings. It was nice to have friends, especially someone like Rose. "Very well, Rose." He led her out into the main hall and gestured, "Pick a direction." He smiled.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on May 23, 2020 14:34:20 GMT -8
Rose had a feeling she was going to be a guest here for awhile. Most likely plenty of time to see every corner of the castle. But the place was enormous. She'd lose track of what parts she'd explored and which she hadn't, so Rose decided to simply take the tour in a tidy order, and so she paused before the first passageway.
"Let's see what's this direction," she said cheerily, finding a sudden joy in exploring this ancient dwelling. So much history and old places like this tended to have secrets. "Are there any hidden passageways or rooms?" Worried about getting him in trouble, she glanced at him with a grin of reassurance and understanding in case there were secrets Maleficent expected him to keep. "Any that you're allowed to tell me about?"
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Post by Lady Lee-o on May 24, 2020 19:21:52 GMT -8
Diablo - tempplay by Lady Lee-o - "Let's see what's this direction," Diablo kept close to Rose and just followed her, not saying much. "Are there any hidden passageways or rooms?" He was taken back by her question, of course the castle had a series of hidden rooms and passageways. He never expected her to ask such things, Mistress would not take kindly to her snooping there- right? Well, Mistress did say she had free roam. "Any that you're allowed to tell me about?" He smiled slightly and nodded his head. "A few, most leading to Mistresses room. I do have one I can show you, I safe place." Diablo wasn't sure what was to come but he wanted Rose to be safe. If Stefan came for her, she could hide there. He led her back towards her room, "If anything should happen and the castle gets dangerous you can take this path." He led her to the right of her room and down to the end of the hallway. A stone statue of a horned creature stared down at them, "You tap the third toe and then the second, quick succession." He showed her before closing it to let her try, "Now you."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jun 6, 2020 22:42:52 GMT -8
A safe place? She hadn't seen anyone but Maleficent and Diablo inhabiting the castle so why would she need a safe place? She was intrigued by the notion of a secret safe place, but also, with Maleficent's guidance, she was realize that her positive outlook sometimes filtered out harsh realities. So Rose held back on questioning and instead followed, trying to teach herself to think through the situation on her own. She always saw the pretty path but she needed to use caution and start taking notice of the dark paths that sometimes crossed over it.
"If anything should happen and the castle gets dangerous you can take this path."
It finally clicked. Maleficent's warning that her father would be looking for her rang in her head. She'd thought her proclamation that he might harm her, his own daughter, an exaggeration. But Diablo felt the need to take precautions against the castle becoming dangerous. If her father would go so far as to lay siege to a castle to get to her, then perhaps he was capable of harming his own daughter.
"You tap the third toe and then the second, quick succession." "Now you."
Rose pushed passed those thoughts to concentrate on the path they'd taken to get here and Diablo's instructions. She nodded solemnly and stepped forward, tapping the third toe then the second in quick succession. The secret door opened to the secret room on her first try. She entered the space, finding it small but not uncomfortably so. Small enough to avoid a look of disproportion to the rooms sharing each of its sides.
She turned to Diablo, a look of worry on her face as the fingers of her clasped hands fidgeted. "Am I putting you and Maleficent in harm's way by staying here?"
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Jun 7, 2020 20:18:56 GMT -8
Diablo - tempplay by Lady Lee-o - Diablo could sense something in Rose, a shift as she thought long and hard about what could transpire. "Am I putting you and Maleficent in harm's way by staying here?" Diablo stepped into the room and stayed silent for a moment. "Mistress does not need you to be in harm's way, she has many enemies. Your father is the top of that list and he will come, she will prepare accordingly." Diablo placed a hand on her shoulder, "do not fear, you will be safe here. Mistress will not let any harm come to you."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jul 4, 2020 14:01:34 GMT -8
Rose gave him a warm smile, touched at how sweet and caring he was. This was why she'd always loved animals. They did not complicate things with the enormous range of human emotions and worries. They did not possess the bad qualities her aunts always warned her about. Worrywarts that they were, it was always warnings about people. It was only a rare time when she brought home a particularly mangy animal she'd hoped to nurse back to health that they'd have a warning that regarded an animal. Animals had their fear for survival but once you gained their trust, they were warm and loving. The best of companions.
She placed a hand over his on her shoulder. "I am more concerned over your safety. And your mistress's. If my father is as determined to find me as your Mistress was, then he will soon learn the bounty is no more and will know I am here." Rose moved to sit in one of the chairs in the secret room, looking off in worried thought. "I could find passage to somewhere far from here. Live a simple life moving amongst simple folk. Blend into the crowd. A needle in a haystack."
Rose turned her worried attention to him, waiting for his input. She had no idea how much she would stand out. Her beauty alone drew attention but with her sweet, happy, caring, and refreshingly innocent demeanor added to the mix, she was a memorable rare gem. Only a short time out in the world and she'd already made a lasting impression on a merry band of thieves and more impressively, with a fairly well known pirate captain and his crew.
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Jul 4, 2020 20:16:06 GMT -8
Diablo - tempplay by Lady Lee-o - "I am more concerned over your safety. And your mistress's. If my father is as determined to find me as your Mistress was, then he will soon learn the bounty is no more and will know I am here." It was true, the mad king would know she was here. That had always been the original intent, to draw the king here and bring his kingdom to ruin. Yet, this girl was now in the crossfire and Diablo wondered if Maleficent would be true to her word? Would she keep the girl safe or serve her to the king? "I could find passage to somewhere far from here. Live a simple life moving amongst simple folk. Blend into the crowd. A needle in a haystack.""I do not know if that would be wise. Mistress can protect you but not from a distance."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Aug 2, 2020 11:48:25 GMT -8
Rose did not feel she deserved the protection of a woman so wronged by her father, especially when it came with such a risk. Though she tried to reassure that she could leave them in peace and look out for herself on her own, Diablo would not let go of Maleficent protection of her as a factor. Rose's shoulders relaxed in surrender and she smiled. "Well, I believe your mistress has a kind heart. She does not seem to like people to think so, so it'll be our secret."
With a warm grin, Rose headed out of the safe room. She pointed to the foot of the statue and repeated the lesson. "Third toe then second in quick succession. Shall we continue?" Rose was excited to continue exploring. She'd never been inside a castle before, let alone anything even a third of the size of this place. Secret rooms and secret passages were fascinating. She hoped for many more within this extravagant home.
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Aug 14, 2020 17:50:32 GMT -8
Diablo - tempplay by Lady Lee-o - "Well, I believe your mistress has a kind heart. She does not seem to like people to think so, so it'll be our secret." Diablo smiled, he was glad someone else saw her kindness other than him. When they exited, he watched her redo the sequence and nodded his approval. Diablo showed her all around the castle, every hiding spot and special place. The only place he didn't show her was the dungeon below, the secret room that Maleficent held all her magical items. He wasn't sure she would want Rose to see it but she did say everything. "I have one more place to show you, not sure if you'll be able to use anything inside but-" He led her down the stairs and led her right to a wall, pressing a stone on the side of the archway. The stone slid open and inside was a conjuring room, one that Maleficent had no used in a long time. Dark magicks were conjured here, things his mistress had not used for a long time.
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