Estranged might be the closest word to describe Xander's relationship with his sister, although it was not quite right. He cared greatly for her, he just had not seen her in a long time or been able to show it back then. In truth he had himself and his parents to thank for that, he blocked everyone out after they lost Zara and then his parents sent Velaine away. Still, they were soon to be reunited and he paced in front of the door in anticipation for her arrival. He rubbed his somewhat sweaty palms against his trousers, his footing surprisingly unsteady.
He felt nervous for some reason, his stomach churning at the idea of seeing her again. Then again perhaps there was something else he worried about. The wedding was the next trial but Xander was only excited and happy for that, it must have been his sister and one thing in particular he worried about was her ambition. He had seen it in her as they grew up, for all she tried to hide it from the world he had known it. Possibly because he had done the same himself. Ambition was good but it had its downsides too, especially if she had sour feelings towards him.
Still, he would greet her with kindness and the benefit of the doubt. She was his blood after all, a wolf of the same pack. Finally he heard the carriage pulling up outside the front of the house and so he opened the door to greet her. He had opted to not have the servants accompany him for this meeting, he would rather do it alone.
He allowed a soft and warm smile to grace his face as he raised his hand in greeting. "Velaine." He stepped down the front steps to meet her at her carriage and offer her his hand for assistance up the stairs. "It is so wonderful to see you again, my sister." He nodded to her politely, his hand extended for her to take, unsure what was an acceptable gesture of greeting for her now.
"If you would come with me." He looked her over briefly, his hand remaining out before him. She had grown since they were last together and she was beautiful, something he had perhaps not noticed in his youth. The fact she had not been married to a handsome young noble yet was baffling. She could likely choose from any of the available men of high standings and yet perhaps, like he had, she wanted to keep her options open and herself undistracted.
Last edited by Xander Andaris on Mon Jul 31, 2017 11:10 pm, edited 2 times in total. word count: 436
Even as she boarded off the ship and climbed into her carriage, Velaine Krome still wondered if her decision to come home had been a good one. She had been sure, so sure when she left Ne’haer, but as the giant walls of Andaris grew closer and closer, the young woman felt her resolve wavering. The question echoed again and again, bouncing inside her mind. Her worry was of little use, of course, when she was already heading into the heart of Rynmere.
She could already hear it, her father’s rough voice calling out for his Titania. The young woman had never liked that name – which was why the lady had insisted everyone else call her Velaine instead. Not that her parents gave a damn. It had been arcs she had last seen them, though she doubted that they changed much.
Little Chrome seemed to notice her discomfort and whined sadly, climbing onto her lap. But even as her hand stroked the canine, Velaine could not shake away the slight nausea growing from the pit of her stomach.
Velaine had left her safe haven behind, to return to this pit of vipers. And she was more vulnerable than ever. She had heard of the magic ban in Rynmere and it had been one of the strong reasons for her not to come back. Velaine was no registered mage, no one even really knew that she had delved into the arts of ether. Her magic would become a double-edged sword – she had no doubt about that.
Then, there was trouble of putting on the mask she had long since forgotten. Velaine would be out of practice on all the frivolities and formalities. She had to go back and play the oblivious girl, interested in nothing else but having a good time.
Before she knew it, the carriage was already stopping and the door swung open to reveal what must be her future sister-in-law’s home. Carefully, she placed Chrome on the ground and climbed down. The small dog followed swiftly, of course, always eager to tail its mistress.
Velaine wasn’t sure what she expected, but the sight was a little bit surprising. Xander stood tall in front of her, with no servants waiting to welcome her into the stranger’s home. For some reason, he must have wanted to greet her alone. It was… a relief, actually. Despite her best efforts, her older brother had seen through her acts. There was little need for her to pretend in front of him, at least.
The young woman took a moment to observe at her brother and then to the hand he was offering her. Xander looked as striking as always, if not a bit unsure what to do. They had never been close and separation had made things worse. Velaine would like to think of herself as someone who was not petty, but she could not deny the old bitterness surfacing at the sight of him. Still, she took his hand and let her guide into building. She should at least try to be amicable. “It is good to see you too, Xander.”
As they entered, Velaine made a show of taking everything in. She was slightly disappointed not to be home, to be honest. “Are mother and father here? Shouldn’t they be greeting me as well?” Not that she was eager to meet them, but it was good to be prepared.
Unable to help herself, the younger Krome leaned to her brother, speaking low enough that only he could hear. “I never would have imagined you marrying. Much less an Andaris...” It was probably something she should bring up when they were in a more private room, but honestly she had been itching to say it ever since she read her letters. Velaine couldn’t claim to know her brother extremely well, but she did know a thing or two. And Xander marrying wasn’t the image she could quite fit in her mind.
"Not yet, I offered for them to stay tonight but you know how they are, they will arrive tomorrow morning and likely late no doubt." Xander clearly disliked his parents, not that this would be anything new to Velaine. They both had not gotten on well with their parents and both knew how especially foolish his father was. "I suppose I should be happy you have come, at least one member of my family seems to deem my wedding of importance." He shrugged slightly then as she took in the house he squatted down and offered the young pup a hand to sniff. He liked the young wolf like dog, it reminded him of what he and his family were and always would be.
He stood again and smiled casually, still trying to gauge exactly how to act around his sister. "This is a fine pet, reminds me of home, what is it called?" Small talk was not his strong suit but it was polite and they were not in privacy yet. So when she leaned closer and spoke the words he had expected many who knew him well to think he allowed a half smile to sneak across his features. "To be honest neither did I at first, however, you cannot predict love." He decided it was important he made it clear that his marriage was about love, nothing else.
He continued into the house a little, heading for the stairs. "The servants will collect your belongings, we shall catch up now." He inclined his head for her to follow him up the stairs, he was taking her to one of the multitude of reception rooms scattered around the large home. The walk was short though, not taking longer than a bit to get there. Once inside Xander closed the door behind them and leaned against it for a brief moment. "I suppose it is pointless to act around you?" He knew she had been thinking the same thing, the acting was tiring after all.
"Would I be wrong to assume our parents called you back from the West to take my place,? You are to be first in line now, after all." He looked at her and stepped away from the door, moving over to an arm chair and leaning against the back of it. "Are you excited? I do not envy you being back with those fools but you are to inherit a great deal of power." He knew she cared for power, hungered after it even. He had previously pursued the same power it was he assumed she wanted but now he was after something much larger but not because he wanted the power. Xander had never wanted to rule purely for power but instead to do what was right and bring true justice and fair leadership to those who could not protect themselves.
He moved around in front of his arm chair and took a seat, he was curious whether she had forgiven him for their childhood but he could not bring himself to ask. Even after his release with Celeste it was still hard to discuss Zara. "Please do sit, make yourself comfortable." He himself sat forward in his chair, leaning on his knees as he was eager to learn about how his sister had changed. At that point he almost couldn't look much less like his father, the lazy man would always sit back, disinterested and bored. Xander was much different from that slovenly monster. "I am sure there is much you wish to tell me about your travels in the West?"
“Good to know they haven’t changed the slightest,” replied the young woman. It was a relief, sort of, seeing that someone loathed their parents as much as her. Despite her differences with Xander, this at least they shared. It always had been. “If I were you, I would have considered their absence a blessing.”
She smirked at her brother’s question. “His name is Chrome. Uninspired, I know.” The small canine had never been too fond of strangers, yet he approached Xander’s outstretched hand and even nudged it with his nose. Perhaps the smart creature can smell the same blood running through their veins.
Her eyebrow immediately shot up at the mention of love, the young woman not bothering to hide the skepticism from her face. Velaine expected her brother to be joking, but his firm voice and steady look told her otherwise. For now, she reined in her questions, knowing this was definitely not the place to question the sincerity of her brother’s love to his future wife. She just let him lead to whatever room that had been prepared for her.
As soon as Xander closed the door behind him, Velaine saw the slight shift in his manners. His words made her smile. Sometimes it was easy to forget that he was playing a role just like she was. It was funny, isn’t it? Two siblings who were not at all close, yet they knew each other’s mask.
Velaine nodded as settled down onto a chair across her brother, picking up Chrome to rest on her lap. “I suppose I should thank you for that, brother. I am quite surprised actually, when the letter came. I thought you along with our dear parents had forgotten that I existed.” The thought had occurred to her many times across the arcs she had spent on the other side of the world. She had never voiced it to anyone before and her tone came out sharper than she intended to, her eyes warily searching for Xander’s reaction. Velaine was used to being overlooked – had used it as her weapon, in fact – but it still stung. “Actually, I still can’t quite decide. I’ll be lying if I say I did not want the inheritance, but I can only imagine the cost that came with it.”
Instead of lying down, Chrome leaped down from his perch and scurried over to her brother, probably still curious about him. Turning her attention back to Xander, the younger Krome shrugged. “Not yet, unfortunately. I still have to suffer our parents’ foolishness for too long. First in-line for a barony is nothing of worth yet. Especially for someone like me, the lady who just returned home.”
“I am sure there is much you wish to tell me about your travels in the West?”
“Nothing interesting, unfortunately,” Velaine replied mildly, the lie rolling smoothly on her tongue. The most interesting part was the one thing she could not tell him. “Our parents probably think I am goofing off, but I learned quite a lot. More than I did here, anyway. I liked it there, to be honest.”
It was her turn to lean forward if her brother was finished asking her. “Things seem infinitely more interesting in Rynmere while I was gone. What were you up to while I was gone? I mean, it must be much more interesting than my days of studying considering that you even found a woman to marry and become a Baron of Andaris.”
He found her words amusing both about his parents and the small pup. "It is a good name, I am sure he will serve you well, make sure you train him though." He stood and his words took a slightly more sombre tone. "It is not unheard of for dogs to turn on and attack their owners." Not that she would know but this was yet another comment upon their father, the sadistic pig. Still, Xander forced a smile and lead the way from the entrance hall to the reception room.
As she began to speak of the letter she had received she sounded offended, perhaps even angered or hurt. He moved himself round and sat, paying close attention to her words, her tone and her body language. This meeting would be important for the future of their relationship he was sure. "I never forgot about you sister, we are family, blood. I do not forget the loyalty and care I owe my blood." This was true, she might not have been heavy on his mind but he had not forgotten. Distance had made her less of a worry to him and less of a big point in his mind. Yet, she was still important and now so more than ever. "Indeed, there is a cost of being in power. To be in power in Krome even more so, the Duchy is struggling and its power wavering." He paused for a moment as he looked at what could be a future Baroness and wondered what she would be like.
"I did what I could in the time I had to try and save Krome, now it falls to you. The rest of our family lacks the ambition and sense, you could be the one to restore Krome at the top of seven." He knew she likely new this but perhaps hearing that he seemingly thought she could might help her. Although, it could of course come across patronisingly depending on the mood of the listener. "Perhaps it might be some time but the kingdom is a dangerous place, I would not place my bets on it." They were the words of a man who knew something but he quickly glossed over it with the new topic of her travels as he allowed the dog to again sniff and nudge his hand as it hung before him.
He looked into her eyes from his chair and raised his eyebrow unsure whether she was being truthful, could her travels really have been that dull. "I am sorry you had to be dragged away, you didn't leave anyone special behind did you?" Xander inquired after something else that was important, he wished to understand his sister's current emotional state and also political capabilities. She could always marry as well, bring a new big name into the Krome pack.
The conversation drifted now back to him and he did not fight against it, it was natural and he did not need to hide much from her. "Well, not too much really, politics and what not." He rubbed his hands together and paused, looking at the mark he had been granted by Ethelynda. "While our parents were wasting money and support I was doing everything I could to find new allies. I was protecting out people as best I could and searching for ways to bring justice to Krome. I did my best when I could." Xander stood then and walked over to a tray on which there was a jug of water and two glasses, he did not often consume alcohol any more.
"Drink?" He offered as he poured them both out anyway so she was more than able to take one. "Naturally the wedding was at first arranged, one of our parents attempts to haphazardly further their power but it ultimately backfired." Xander returned to his seat and took a gulp of the water, his nerves from early about meeting her had subsided now. "I fell in love with Celeste. Not on purpose of course but it happened and now here I am marrying and actually happy about it." His face showed he had not expected it any more than her.
Despite his reassurances, Velaine was not entirely convinced. She believed that her brother was a good man, but she also believed that he cared more about his goals more than anything else. Xander had always been passionate about his visions of Krome. Still, she replied somberly, “That’s a good to hear, I suppose.
Velaine sighed. “We’re suffering, aren’t we? Because of the rebellion?” It was essential that she knew how their family was faring if she was to do any good at all. She had been so detached from home so long that she had no idea what state they were in. Though, she doubted they were in a good place. “As much as I’d love to take over, you know our father. If it was up to him, he would have me auctioned to the highest bidder as soon as he can.”
“That’s quite a morbid thing to say, Xander, even for you.” Despite her words, if her brother paid enough attention, he would easily that she had the exact line of thought. The kingdom was full of dangerous games and she couldn’t even understand how her foolish parents had made it this far. One day, they would run out luck. Of that she was sure. She could only hope that if they went down, they didn’t drag her along with them.
The young woman did not miss the skeptical raise of Xander’s eyebrow when she gave such a vague reply, but said nothing as she held his gaze, daring him to ask her. Fortunately, he moved on to a topic that she had an answer too.
“If you mean a lover or a partner,” Velaine started as she let her gaze wander to the windows. She supposed there was no real harm on giving her brother this bit of truth. “I suppose I did. His name is Elrik. He’s smart, cocky, and far too kind than I deserve.” She could see him standing at the docks, watching as her ship drifted away, not leaving even until she had lost sight of him. “He was livid when I told him I have to return on my own, but that’s better for everyone, isn’t it? I have no doubt the moment when I said I’ll return, mother had started making a list of possible suitors. She’ll parade me around soon enough.”
Elrik… The young woman had thought of him quite a lot on her journey home. It had been difficult, at first. Velaine had not realized how much she had gotten used to the man’s constant presence, his never-ending teasing. She was sure that she did not love him, yet the loss of her closest friend certainly stung. “It is nothing to worry about. I made my choice.”
The female Krome could not help smiling as her brother told her how he had tried to save Krome. It seemed Xander had not changed much as well. “My brother, ever the hero. Always trying to save the family,” Velaine mused sardonically. She could not help noticing some sort of marking on her brother’s hand, but refrained from asking for now. “Are things really that bad?”
Velaine pressed her lips as she regarded her brother again. It was impossible not to notice the sincerity in his voice and the certain glimmer in his eyes. Xander was truly in love, it seemed. “Lucky you. Not a lot of people could claim to truly love their spouse in our world, if at all really.” She doubted she would be as fortunate. For now, all she could do was stall her parents from making a betrothal that she did not want.
After she reached for a glass and leaned back into her chair, Velaine finally asked something that had been bugging her ever since she heard about it. “Mother said someone tried to murder father. I mean, all things considered I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Is it true? Or is mother simply being dramatic as always?”
"We are suffering, the money has all but dissipated and the leadership are useless and failing to do anything about it." Xander bowed his head as even though he had lost his chances in Krome he was still passionate about his home Duchy. "The main line is broken, Vanessa dead Marcus a disgraced rebel and Vaughn is off doing who knows what around Andaris. Krome is weakened but it is not lost, it can still be salvaged with the right leadership." His hair had fallen over his eyes and he looked up at her from below it, clearly he was implying her. His estranged sister was the one he wished to see in charge of Krome.
Her comment about their father was most correct, he likely would do that if he had the choice but Xander was about to become a powerful man and would make sure that did not happen. "Indeed, he would, if he could." Xander sat up again and forced a more pleasant appearance to come over him. "Don't worry about our father, I can handle him." Xander smiled softly and folded his arms for a moment.
To hear of the fact she had a lover was a surprise to the older brother, although it made some sense. She had always been more, how to put it, normal than him. So the more he thought about it the more it would make sense for her to find a partner in a natural way. "I apologise for you having to leave him behind, the lives of nobility can be more painful than most believe." She understood that of course, all who had lived the life they were supposed too did.
She questioned the state of Krome yet again, clearly she had been gone for a long time. She really did not know what a mess the place had become thanks to a foolish endeavour from the first in line and the failing leadership. "Krome needs better, it deserves better and if people like our parents are to continue being in charge it won't get it. Like you said earlier it was a morbid thing to say but the world is morbid, I have seen the darkness that shrouds it and some might call me self righteous for believing that I can bring in the light."
Any leader had to believe that about themselves though if not they would not try to being about a change for the better. The topic changing and with it Xander's political demeanour fizzling out to a more soft and warm one at the mention of Celeste. "I am very lucky and I am definitely happy to have found love when most in my world don't." He looked at the puppy on the floor and bravely moved to lift him up onto his lap. "The future of my line will be secured through this marriage and I could not be happier that it is with Celeste that I will continue our lineage. Still, someone needs to continue our family line under the name of Krome."
He looked at her knowing it was likely she would hate him for suggesting it. "I would suggest you search for someone who you want and can take your name before our parents try to force you down a different path." Xander stroked the pup and scratched behind its ear, the fur soft under his fingers.
Xander's face struggled to hide its contempt towards his father and the fact he knew more than he would let on. "It is no exaggeration he almost died, luckily for him he still stands today. Unfortunate for others though of course, it seemed that the near death experience has only made him worse. It didn't make him see the errors of his ways." Xander shrugged nonchalantly in an attempt to mask what was clearly something much different.
“We lost our money?” Velaine asked with a raised eyebrow. They used to be one of the wealthiest. It seemed like their house had chosen the wrong side for the rebellion. “That’s just marvelous, isn’t it? Mother seemed to have failed mentioning that. You might need to brief me on what has happened for these past few arcs if I am to salvage this piss poor condition of ours.”
The young woman smoothed her face down into a neutral expression as she truly processed what Xander’s words meant. Vanessa, Marcus, Vaughn… They were all out of the picture. As if it was an afterthought, she added, “This means our mother is first in line for the duchy, isn’t it?” Which also means, there was a good chance they she could inherit the title of duchess one day. The mere thought of it was making her heart race.
No, she should not get ahead of herself. Velaine would need a firm grasp on their true situation, if she was going to anywhere.
“But you’re not bringing the light for our people, for Krome. You’re leaving. You’ll become an Andaris.” There was no real judgment in her tone. Of all people, Velaine was probably the only one who could not care less for the decision he made. Especially when that decision did carve a way open for her.
The young woman leaned back against her seat and settled her eyes on her brother. He loved Krome, enough that she might consider it as his obsession. He had always wanted to take over the leadership from their parents, yet now he would leave that all? “You’ll have to put Andaris first and foremost. You know that. But you’re willing to do that anyway. Some might say that you’re just a hopeless romantic, willing to sacrifice your name for love. But that doesn’t sound quite right, doesn’t it? There must be something more you can gain by becoming an Andaris.”
Despite arcs away from Rynmere, her lessons about the noble families were not difficult to recall – even though she often acted like she paid little attention.
Velaine smiled mildly at Xander’s suggestion, glancing at the canine that rested on his lap. She knew this better than anyone, having prepared herself running through the possibilities. Would it better for her to find a meek husband? Someone she could control? Or someone stronger, smarter to solidify whatever power she might gain? “There is no one I want. I barely remember these people. I will think of something.”
At Xander’s admittance that someone did attempt to rid of their father, Velaine did not bother masking her surprise. “I doubt he’s taking it well.” It was quite interesting. Jersey had never been a just ruler and the people of her barony bore no love for him, but for someone to actually try to murder him… “Did they find who did it? You’ll need to tell me everything.”
"Turns out that losing in open rebellion against the crown is not the most profitable of ventures." Xander sighed and slouched a little, the first time since Velaine arrived that he would seem to be disappointed or exhausted by it all. He sat up straight again quickly though. "I will tell you all I can but right now it is not the time." He forced a smile although it still pained him to leave his home Duchy in such a mess.
Xander seemed to wobble on whether what she was saying was write or not and so he spoke to make sure she did not begin to get too confident on her first trial back. "Well, technically Vaughn is still first in line, however, practically I doubt his ascension will ever take place." The family of Krome had grown weak and the primary line was disgraced and in disarray, distant from where it should be. "Still it is important you prepare for either eventuality." It was obvious but she had been gone some time, maybe she needed reminding exactly just how unstable nobility could be.
He looked down for a brief moment, letting just a touch of shame come to his features. "I love Krome still and although I will be an Andaris by name and role my blood is still thick with that of the wolf." Xander looked into his sister's eyes sternly, clear passion in his own blue hues. "That would be why I leave it in your hands, little sister. Krome will be yours and I hope you can bring too our homeland what I did not have chance too." He took a sip of his water and cleared his throat a little as he forced a warm brotherly smile, he had never been good at being a sibling but he tried his best. "Bring glory back to our pack Velaine, make out people strong again and reveal to Rynmere the true might of Krome." He expressed belief with the hope she would take it and run, find some sort of inspiration in his trust for her, after so many years of separation he needed to end their estrangement.
Perhaps surprisingly he did not comment much on her observation of his marriage but one thing. "I love Celeste but there are other things this name can do for me, maybe I can change much more than I had once imagined from here but only time will tell there." It was not obvious what he meant like this but it would give Velaine plenty to think about until their next similar conversation.
They don't know who did it and I don't know either, they failed and that's all I know. Whatever happened it is just a shame the assassin was not more effective." Xander's response was unconvincing to say the least and almost all too revealing that he thought his father deserved nothing better than death. He knew his sister held no love for the man either but whether she too wished him dead or not was unknown to the older wolf. "Such a morbid topic, quite unpleasant for our first meeting in arcs." Xander smoothly moved off of the subject.
"I really wish I could stay and talk for longer but I must be going, I have some things to attend too for tomorrow." He stood and finished his water, leaving the glass on the small table. "You must excuse me, a servant will show you to your room, I am sure you wish to rest." Xander moved and opened the door, a servant was outside waiting, smiling and curtseying to Xander politely. "Please lead Lady Krome to her room, fetch her anything she needs if you would." Xander glanced back and smiled at his sister, offering a slight nod before leaving out into the hallway towards the entrance hall again.
Velaine simply nodded at her brother’s remark about Vaughn. If the line of succession was passed down to her family… The young woman wondered if she should rearrange her plans to adjust to this information. No doubt her parents would have something in mind to grab at the power. As much as it was thrilling, this also made things a bit more worrisome. Her father had been awful enough as a baron, she could not imagine him ascending into dukedom and having rule over the entire Krome family.
She was itching to demand more explanation from Xander, but held herself back. Velaine would relent this time, after all she did not want their first meeting to finish on a bad note, not when she still needed so much more from him. She even managed to nod at her brother’s remark about being glory to Krome. “Of course, Xander. I’ll try my best.” This wasn’t a lie. If her family was indeed in such a state, she would need to make sure that they regained their old power.
“I love Celeste but there are other things this name can do for me, maybe I can change much more than I had once imagined from here but only time will tell there.”
The young woman raised an arched eyebrow Xander’s claims. It wasn’t entirely surprising. She could clearly see that he was indeed in love with this Celeste, but something else had also spurred him to throw his family name away to become an Andaris.
Keeping her eyes on her brother as he spoke, Velaine could not help but notice the way he dropped the topic about their father’s murder somewhat swiftly. It was not because that she could hear Xander’s clear disappointment that the murder wasn’t carried out – they both hated Jersey’s guts and it was no new information. There was something else. He must know something else. The young woman was even tempted to reach into her ether and seek Xander’s tangle of emotions, but unfortunately her brother was already standing up.
Even though the abrupt dismissal stung and pricked her annoyance, Velaine let a smile form on her lips and nodded amiably. “Of course, brother. I am sure you’re busy for tomorrow. We shall talk again soon.”
