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Full Sail [Closed] - Printable Version

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RE: Full Sail [Closed] - saronym - 10-18-2016

Owen blinked slowly his expression diffusing into a neutral mask in response to her unapologetic animation which he found to be perilously charming. Eyes rolled upwards as he meditated on her proposal to entertain him on his travels in the isles for the sole reason to make her squirm. “I suppose I could use your expert guidance.” He conceded with a sly look when grey eyes met green again.

His head bobbed in agreement that they would trade off in the task of treating each other as a guest in their native countries. A friendship had blossomed. Somehow, Owen had crossed into sovereign waters without timely announcement and without permission and shortly found himself making future plans to adventure with the queen of the country whose maritime laws he’d violated. This day was certainly something to write home about.

“I can agree to this. My mother would seriously die to host a queen. It would be our pleasure to have you.”

Orange-red hues of the setting sun illuminated her face and threatened to obliterate the wandering sailor. The look in her eyes and smooth fingers on his hands were prizes enough for Owen though he let her reward him for his company with wrapped candies. When she took her hands away Owen closed his fingers over the sweets and gave her a graceful bow. “You humble me with your charity, Your Majesty. I am but a starving sailor with nothing to offer you but my dashing looks and good company.” His gaze was anything but modest when he rose to his full height again.

He unwrapped a candy and popped it pointedly into his mouth as to gloat over having successfully invited himself to the castle. "I'm not sure how I didn't end up at the bottom of the harbor, or in shackles, and somehow earned an invite to the castle." He shrugged and unwrapped another candy holding it between thumb and forefinger poised before her mouth asking to be let in. A reward for not sinking him or jailing him.

Stashing the other candies into his pocket, Owen stuck his elbow out for her once again to see if she would take it this time. He wouldn’t be so easily discouraged by her earlier rejection.

“Shall we then, Lady Julianna?”

RE: Full Sail [Closed] - megs - 10-18-2016

Julianna seemed to fidget as she awaited his answer. Shifting on her feet in a way that made her anklets jingle; onyx shards swayed above her brows. His neutral expression seemed to indicate that she had been too forward. She tilted her head as his eyes rolled upwards, somewhat worried that he might decline her offer. The way the dimming sunlight reflected in his eyes and the vocalization of his agreement had her all smiles from that point.

She was still giddy at the prospect of visiting Eskra. Nothing had ever been stopping her before, but something about his invitation heightened her desire to see the faraway island.

The way he looked at her as he rose from his made her chest feel tight, inexplicably. Her ears pushed forward to stand at attention as she mostly stared back at him wordlessly. He was doing a very good job of changing the queen to pieces. She huffed, to draw attention away from her silence and to re-apply the collected air she had been attempting. “It was your dashing looks and your good company that have spared you imprisonment,” she deadpanned, before she acquiesced to his whims with the presented candy. She opened her mouth to accept the treat he offered. The buttery caramel flavor quickly coated her tongue. “Consider yourself lucky that I was swayed by both.”

This time she was more than happy to accept the offered arm. She moved closer linking her arm through his, so he could escort her proper. The feel of him beneath her hands was nothing like she had imagined (and she had spent quite some time imagining it). The warmth of him she had anticipated, but the solidity of him was a surprise. She hoped the colors of the setting sun would help to mask the flush of her face.

One ear threatened to fall lopsided at the sound of her name from his lips. The confines of her crown kept the appendage in check. She snuck a glance at him from beneath her fringe of lashes. “You can call me Julianna,” she offered. “Or Jules. I think we are quite past the ‘lady’s and ‘your majesty’s.” There was nothing to confirm this statement other than her saying so. She did not prefer the titles, anyway.

She led him back through the cobblestone streets of the anchorage, almost completely illuminated by street and shop lights as the sun was on the verge of disappearing beneath the horizon. The scent of strawberries was noticeable as they approached the castle gates, the looming palace itself could been seen as spires rising above the pine trees. The source of the smell was immediately identifiable as they entered the courtyard which was encased in bushes brimming with the fruit.

“So,” she said and somehow that singular vowel suggested he prepare for teasing. “Have you decided which floor you would like a room on? As the first guest at Leighton Castle in years, I think it's appropriate you have your pick of them.”

RE: Full Sail [Closed] - saronym - 10-18-2016

For some reason in the course of a few short hours, Owen had learned how to get under the queen’s skin. Unflappable on the docks and refusing his arm had changed to fidgeting and hanging on his every word. Owen liked the seemingly devastating effect he was having and was curious to see how far he could push it. He wanted to keep holding her in that place where she seemed to need him for something. She, for some reason, hadn’t noticed yet that she had a similar effect on him. Though, to be fair, he simply had a better poker face than she.

“I suppose we’re both lucky I exist then.” He joked as she took his arm. He brought her hand close against his side tucking it firmly between his forearm and ribcage. Stepping in time with her, he matched her gait ensuring he didn't take strides too long. They strolled easily together as dusk set in.

Owen gazed down at his companion, that same devilish smile as ever on his lips. “Sure Julianna.” He said testing her name out again sans the formalities. “But it’s still Fleet Commander Hart to you.” He arched his eyebrow playfully indicating his intention to keep her in that reactionary state which emphasized his sway over her. The give and take of his flirting like the ebb and flow of the tides. Just when he got her to rescind the formality he insisted otherwise daring her to defy him. And he hoped she did.

The smell of fruit wafted to Owen as they approached the castle. Though he had been eating all afternoon and into the evening that didn’t stop him from gently guiding Julianna over to one of the bushes. Without letting go of her, he bent to help himself to a strawberry. Pulling the green leaves from the fruit, he considered her proposition much as he had before with an impassive stare. “I don’t know.” He bit into the ripe fruit juice leaking out onto his lips. “Which floor do you occupy?” He asked licking his lips of the strawberry’s syrup that lingered on his mouth.

He gave no indication of whether he would follow up with a request to share her floor. He finished off the rest of the fruit while he awaited her answer. Owen bent to pick another berry, holding it before her lips, just as he had the candy.

Apparently he couldn’t resist reiterating the metaphor of having her eating out of his hand.

RE: Full Sail [Closed] - megs - 10-19-2016

Julianna responded with an impish smile of her own. “What was that?” she asked with an air of ingenuity, blinking green eyes up at him in innocence. “Call you Owen? I’m honored, thank you Owen.” she said, proving at times she was capable of doing whatever she wanted. She liked his name, as much as she was finding she liked other things about him. The idea of flouting his denial of the privilege made it that much more entertaining for her. Still attached to his arm she was led towards the overgrowth of strawberries. They grew somewhat wild and recklessly, she would have to suggest some blueberries be planted as a hedge to keep them in check.

Once again his mouth, now tinged pink from the fruit, was the focus of her attention. Her gaze eventually dropped to the fruit, poised in front of her mouth. She was beginning to notice the implication behind his continued offerings. “My rooms are on the second floor,” she replied, leaning forward to take the strawberry from him with her teeth. Lips brushed the tips of his fingers as she retrieved the fruit. She used her free hand to steady the over-sized berry as she took a bite.

Across the courtyard someone had been watching them with an amused sort of interest. Alexavier, Julianna’s father had heard her approach and entered the courtyard to greet her. He had taken pause upon noticing she had company. She never had company, especially not male company. A naval uniform he hadn’t seen in years, and a man he didn’t recognize, Alex was left to figure this was the CAF Commander he’d been hearing about from Lanzo all morning. In the form of very heated complaints. Scratching his beard, he continued to watch the scene play out, trying to decide the best time to play responsible father and make his presence known.

The strawberry seemed like a good cue. Yes, that definitely seemed like it was closer than he wanted his daughter to be to a near perfect stranger. “Julianna,” he called, before stepping off the veranda and into the open plaza.

Ears twitched and Jules looked over her shoulder to see her father approaching. She smiled, but didn’t pull away from Owen, the remains of her berry prize still in hand. “Hi dad,” she said, cheerfully before finishing off the fruit. Tail swayed lazily behind her head.

Alex stopped near them and pointedly looked at Owen. “I suppose this is the lofty Fleet Commander I have been hearing about today?”

RE: Full Sail [Closed] - saronym - 10-19-2016

Cupping his hand around his ear, Owen leaned towards Julianna when she said his first name. “I’m sorry. What did you say now?” He asked playfully just find out if he would get to hear the melody of his name in her voice again. He refused to let go of her arm, not that she tried to take it away, wanting to keep her tucked against him for as long as she would allow. She felt delicate, but certainly not fragile, and he liked the brushing of her dress against the pant of his uniform. The tinkling of jewelry about her ankles trilled in time with her steps.

“The second floor sounds nice.” He mused as full lips brushed against his fingers in a way that felt too much like a caress. He almost offered his fingers to her to see if she would lick the juices from them. Tipsy, but not drunk, Owen was able to use his better judgment and cleaned his own fingers licking the tips of his index and middle and thumb one by one.

Owen would have fed her another strawberry just to watch her lips graze over his fingertips again. That feeding this woman a strawberry was too sensual an act for strangers was lost on Owen who was quickly becoming caught up in lustful excitement. She chewed on the fruit and he couldn’t stop thinking that if he kissed her just then she would taste like strawberries. If he kissed her neck she might taste like sea salt. Never mind that he was practicing celibacy to temper his pattern of becoming suddenly enamored and ultimately left disappointed. Never mind that practicing celibacy didn’t mean he still wouldn’t fall in love too easily.

He nearly startled as if plunged into cold water at the sound of another man’s voice. He hadn't gotten so far as to invite himself to her second floor bedroom which would have been forthcoming had the encounter gone uninterrupted. Clearing his throat and shoving down his desire, Owen forced a grin and closed the gap bringing Julianna with him to the man who’d addressed them.

“My reputation precedes me. I’m not sure whether to be flattered or afraid for my safety.” He was laughing and scratching at the back of his neck in good spirits again as he hadn’t been instigating anything improper a few moments prior. The cocky navy man could quickly be distracted when reminded of his own feats.

Finally, Owen released Julianna’s arm to eagerly thrust out his hand in greeting to her father. “Covenant of Allied Forces Fleet Commander Owen Hart, pleasure to meet you sir.”

RE: Full Sail [Closed] - megs - 10-19-2016

He leaned closer. Close enough for her to brush her lips across his cheek if she dared. She wondered as to how that near imperceptible growth of stubble would feel on her lips. And if she so dared to move closer still, she could press her mouth to his neck, and she wondered to the feel of his pulse against her tongue. Instead she dropped her voice to but a murmur, as if she were sharing a secret that only he were privy to. “I think I will be calling you Owen from now on," she reiterated, finalizing her decision.

Julianna cocked her head at him as she nibbled slowly at the fruit. Dark hair fell across freckled shoulders with the movement to pool against her chest. “The second floor is nice,” she emphasized. She attempted to keep her eyes on his face, but ultimately failed. Green orbs flicked back and forth between his eyes and the fingers he licked clean. “High enough to see the sun rise over the tops of the trees, but low enough to stay cool during the day. I would recommend it if I were asked.” It certainly had nothing to do with her rooms being on the second floor.

Certainly not.

Alexavier smiled to Julianna as he spoke. It was a teasing grin that she recognized, making comment to what he had witnessed without speaking of it. She also knew it meant they would be talking later. His gaze cast across the hold that the commander still had upon his daughter’s arm. “You can be flattered for now,” Alex suggested. Only a few inches taller than Owen, but she somehow managed to look intimidating in a black shirt and jeans. Both the blonde of his hair, left loose and the blonde of his full beard were streaked with gray. “But if you run into Admiral Weatherfare again, fear might be a better call.”

The foreign captain had only made anchor for a day and somehow Alex had been too late intervene on his daughter’s behalf. She was the queen, after all, and they would have met eventually. He also knew the parts of her that were not a queen would be susceptible to whatever charms this sailor would lay on her. Had already laid on her.

“Alexavier Maxillion,” he replied, taking the offered hand in shake that was strong but not overbearing. He had no titles that he cared to share. ‘Former’ and ‘retired’ did not have the same ring to them as Fleet Commander.

“Owen is from Eskra,” Jules perked up from where she was stationed between them. She was either excited to share the information or felt the need to facilitate conversation or felt the need to interrupt whatever embarrassing thing her father could have come up with on his own.

Alexavier looked surprised. “Is that so? How are you enjoying the Verdian Isles? Pretty different from home, I’d expect.”

RE: Full Sail [Closed] - saronym - 10-20-2016

When his first finger went to his mouth Owen noticed where Julianna’s eyes went. Apparently she liked the way he licked his fingers. So he repeated with the other two not bashful in the slightest at the suggestion in his display. “Well those do sound like good reasons to stay on the second floor. I think it’s settled then. You’ll want to keep me close no doubt,” he paused letting the comment sink in. “What with all these frisky island women after me.” His face was stone but he winked at her. No more than a subtle closing of one eye, a quick movement that was over as soon as it happened. Almost as if it hadn’t happened at all.

The hidden meaning in the look shared between father and daughter went unperceived by Owen who only saw a smiling parent and his child. An unrestrained laugh escaped the gregarious sailor at the mention of the salty Weatherfare. With no self-consciousness, Owen let the noise reverberate in his chest. “Who Lanzo? What’s he going to do throw a book of maritime law at me? I think I’ll survive. To be honest with you I’m more worried about when a capricious queen may bore of me.”

He gripped Alex’s hand firmly but without any of the masculine contest that too often characterized handshakes between men. Owen had no need to try to intimidate the father of the queen. Besides, Owen found Alexavier to be quite agreeable.

Grey eyes grazed over Julianna’s face as she guided the conversation with a charming enthusiasm that pulled a natural smile from Owen’s face.

“Yes it is very different from home,” He admitted turning back to Alex, “as you would know. Julianna tells me you are from Eskra too. I like it here very much though. More than I expected.” There was a question of whether he liked the Isles for their own sake or specifically because if a certain woman who had captured his attention.

“Julianna has convinced me to stay awhile. Though she’s already been so charitable with me, she’s offered to show me the sights.” Owen spoke frankly of their plans feeling no need to hide anything from her seemingly amiable father. There was no consideration of whether this might embarrass Julianna who had been caught very close to a handsome sailor in a strawberry patch at dusk. He wasn’t intentionally neglecting to be considerate of Julianna’s feelings. The disclosure was made because there was simply no adverse motivations on untoward intentions in their arrangements from his perspective despite their previous display.

Just fast friends with future adventures. Or so he was trying to maintain, lest his attachment problems come into play.

RE: Full Sail [Closed] - megs - 10-20-2016

Julianna chimed pretty laughter at the suggestion she keep him close. She was amused both because he was voicing an idea that had already crossed her mind, and because he was still so unabashedly arrogant. “You don’t seem like you would mind,” she murmured. In a brief rush of courage she lifted a hand and put her index finger beneath his chin. She was not at all prepared for the sight of a charming man winking at her, but he wasn’t the only one capable of suggestion. Emboldened, the tip of her finger traced the line of his jaw towards his ear. The path stopped just as his jaw curved upwards and she pulled away. “Perhaps, I should let them have you.” She was blushing furiously despite her tone, and she could only hope it was hidden in the dim lighting.

None of the words were a denial about his joining her on the second floor and it truly was a marvelous thing that Alexavier had intervened when he had.

Julianna gasped in mock offense. The sound rose up from the space between the two men, nearly lost in their towering heights. “I’m not capricious,” she argued, without addressing the comment about the admiral. Her father was laughing, but that was certainly at the comment about the admiral. “Perhaps, it is you who will bore of me,” she argued, ears twitching in the space of her crown. “What with all the frisky island women after you.” She enjoyed the opportunity to use his words against him.

Alex took note of the easy curl of Owen’s smile as the other man gazed down at Julianna. There was no hope left for the Commander. No hope of escaping whatever affection had been garnered for the queen in their short time together. Alexavier knew the subtle charms of Darkwillow women all too well.

He cocked a brow, scrubbing at his beard again. “They have their delights certainly,” his vague response also led to wonder which part of the islands were delightful. Though each of the four islands had their own merits, there was no denying they were better in the presence of company.

As a father he appreciated Owen’s honestly, and the need to reassure him that his intentions were honorable. But he was also aware that his daughter was an adult, and of how easily good intentions fell away in the presence of a pretty face. Regardless, the Commander had earned his respect, for now.

“Did she?” he mused at the talk of their future plans, Julianna’s ear had pinned back in preparation for more teasing. Perked up again at the sound of a genuine question. “Where will you take him first?”

“Dakannore,” she replied, tail lifting to sway above her head. “Or Macrilan. I’ve not decided. Court willing of course,” she added the last with a gratuitous roll of her eyes.

“When is the court ever willing?”

“I get lucky sometimes.”

Alex grinned. “Not so much when their is a foreign naval commander ashore.”

Though Julianna would have preferred to spend the next day with him, the prospect was unlikely. The High Court would no doubt call an assembly to discuss all the boring and official pretense behind Owen’s visit. They would whisper of war and threats and foreign invaders and she would have to talk them all off ledges. The court was full of finicky old Lynxes that jumped at every shadow and she found them fear-mongering and boring.

Julianna folded her arms across her chest, and found that she was disappointed to longer be linked with the Commander’s arm. She only huffed in response to Alex’s comment which caused him to chuckle. “Well, regardless of when I hope you both enjoy the sights.” Feeling like he had accomplished his goal (which was scaring the young commander into keeping his hands to himself, even if only for a moment), he placed a hand on the back of Jules’ hair, just below her crown. He smiled down at his daughter, and nodded curtly to the commander, before he left the two of them to their own devices once more.

As handsy as those devices had been.

“So,” Julianna lilted, briefly rocking on her heels. “Shall we find you a room?”

RE: Full Sail [Closed] - saronym - 10-20-2016

Owen remained still when she touched him, staring down at her with a stony expression that wasn’t cold so much as determined not to crack. There was something verdant in her gaze and he felt he was watching her affection for him bloom in real time. “Evidently you wouldn’t either.” Her finger along his jaw and the pinkish tinge on her cheeks were more than enough evidence to prove his theory. But how could she be so stingy with her touch? Just one finger left him with a gnawing desire for more.

“As if I would let them have me so easily?” He scoffed and rolled his eyes as if offended he could be won over so effortlessly. As if he hadn’t been won already. Perhaps he was in denial. “I’m a prize they have to earn.”

Owen remained mostly quiet in the banter between father and daughter. Grinning devilishly at Julianna when she employed his remark about the frisky island women as if she weren’t implicating herself in that at all. He would have pushed the suggestiveness of it, if not for the company of her father.

“I’ll speak with them.” He interjected as if he had anything to offer to the court. “I’ll employ my charm on the court for you. If they are in more of a Lanzo-kind-of-way then I’m sure I can annoy them until they let up. It’ll be fun to rile up some grumpy bureaucrats.”

Owen wished Alex a goodnight with a conviction in his voice as if to assure the man he would be on his best behavior. He had sobered up some and the brief encounter had cleared his head of most of the most urgent libidinous inclinations.

He held out his arm again, not necessarily for her to take, but indicating that she should lead on. Feeling he had given too much in their previous flirting, he denied himself any further physical contact in penance. It was safer that way.

“After you.”

RE: Full Sail [Closed] - megs - 10-21-2016

Julianna waved at hand at him, attempting to diffuse his adamance. “Do not volunteer yourself for such a task so quickly,” she advised. Even if she did attempt to subject him to the lull of court, they’d hear nothing from him. Not a lynx, not of the Isles, he’d not be able to get a word out around their bemoaning his entire presence. “May you enjoy your freedom and eat gelato on the beach for me, while I attempt to convince them that you’re not here to desecrate our lands and steal our children or whatever wild assumptions they will manage to come up with overnight.” She was smiling. It was meant to be a joke, even though it was wildly close to the truth.

She moved forward at the sweep of his arm, the tinny clash of metal signaling her movements. There was much more movement inside of the castle than there had been in the courtyard. Julianna pushed open the double doors and stepped into the grand foyer of the castle. Day servants moved here and there to complete the last of their duties before the night servants took over. Leighton Castle seemed to function with the efficiency of a hotel, though it rarely ever saw guests.

Which was exactly why a few servants looked upon the entrance of the queen and her companion as they entered. Some even stopped to stare, or exchange glances with other members of the staff. They would save their whispers for another time, away from the queen’s listening ear. As she led Owen to the stairs, one of the stewards stopped to ask her something in Verdian. Julianna smiled, shook her head and said, “no, I will take care of it.” The servant seemed at a loss, but nodded anyway and departed.

“You’ll find the service amiable to help you, since you are our guest,” she informed the commander as she mounted the stairs. “They will be able to get you anything you find yourself needing or wanting, in a reasonable respect. Breakfast is ready at eight, you’ll find the dining room back on the first floor. Through the double doors to the left of the statue with the ridiculous hat.” He would later find that these instructions were very specific.

At the landing of the second floor she continued walking until she came upon a door. There was key inserted into the knob, ornate and adorned with a hanging tag in the shape of a blue flower. She seemed to already have a room in mind for him. Unlocking the door she pushed it open and stepped inside. “Here we are,” she announced, crossing the room to the large sliding doors that made up the exterior wall. They opened to lead to a balcony large enough to house furniture. By the time the stars were beginning to make their appearance. The large room very much resembled a hotel suite. A king-sized canopy bed dressed in deep blue and gold was pushed up against one wall. There was a full-sized desk, along with an armoire and several end tables all in the same deep cherry wood. There was an attached bathroom with a shower and a bathtub and associate amenities, as well as a walk-in closet.

“What do you think?” she asked, stopping in front of the sliding doors and looking up towards the constellations peaking through scattered clouds.

RE: Full Sail [Closed] - saronym - 10-21-2016

Owen followed Julianna as she led the way to the castle with his hands folded behind his back. He was keeping them away - far away - from her for the time being. He merely ‘hmed’ in his throat, a noise of dissatisfaction and speculation, as she described the cantankerous court and issued her cautions. Evidently not being much for heeding warnings, Owen planned to crash the court meeting. He would come to her rescue if he could figure out where it was being held. Perhaps the right amount of money to grease the right palm would get him access to the information.

Though from a wealthy family, Owen had never been around servants before. He observed them bustling with some curiosity, even taking the occasion to make eye contact with those who examined him. Ears pricked at the language he didn’t understand and the young commander was left concluding the matter was once again about him. One of these days he would have to learn a few words on the sly to catch her talking about him.

Mostly silent as she led him through the royal residence, Owen was busy with the visual stimuli. “I think they will find me an easy guest to accommodate.” He mused distractedly staring at the ornamental ceiling. “I don’t require much to be comfortable. I won’t disturb their regular duties too much, if at all.” His eyes returned to her face, having taken in enough of the castle for the time being. He seemed to feel the need to reassure her that he wouldn’t be a burdensome guest to her or the operations at the castle.

Her ‘queenness’ had been an abstract concept to him before. Solidified only by the crown that circled her head. Now inside the castle, a witness to the deference of her servants and her obvious prosperity, Owen sensed suddenly that their friendship was lopsided. A precipitous doubt took hold. The fun they had in the marketplace had gone to his head. It was evident from him at that moment that he didn’t have much to offer this queen but a diversion from the boring day-to-day. Surely she would quickly tire of entertaining him when his novelty wore off.

The room she led him into was as finely furnished as what he’d already seen. Left hesitating near the door as he watched her traverse the room, Owen combed his fingers through his hair before joining her at the balcony doors. “It’s lovely.” He said with a quiet earnestness.

Her eyes were on the stars, his eyes were on the constellations of freckles that peppered her shoulders. The moonlight illuminated her hair turning black strands to silver. Though he had been determined to avoid touching her, Owen found himself sweeping the hair away from her shoulder and the side of her face nearest to him. He leaned in as if to kiss her. In the middle of the action, his mind screamed Mayday, Mayday and changed the trajectory of his mouth. His lips landed on her face instead. A warm brushing of his mouth against the apple of her cheek..

“Thank you for your hospitality.” He said quickly righting himself as if the intention of the kiss all along had been innocent gratitude for her welcoming reception of him that day.

RE: Full Sail [Closed] - megs - 10-21-2016

Something in his tone when he complimented the room caused her to turn to face him, because a part of her would like to think he was talking about something else. The movement was just enough at the waist to watch him as he approached the window. She smiled softly at him, before turning her attention back to the night sky. She was very aware of him standing next to her. A moment ticked by as a silence fell between them. It was the kind of silence that one could take comfort in; there was no expectation to it.

Owen’s hand against her hair drew her attention once more, the simple action set her heart to a frantic pace. She tilted her face towards him, curiously, and she was very sure that he might kiss her. And she was very sure that she wanted him to kiss her. In their short time together she had spent more of it than she was willing to admit entertaining the idea of her mouth on his. Instead, his lips met her cheek, and she released a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding in a soft sigh. Her expression of wide-eyed surprise was quickly replaced by a smile. It appeared she had been wrong after all. “You’re welcome. It was my pleasure, truly.” She allowed her eyes to take in the view of the window once more, even though she had the same perfectly good view from her own room.

“Good night, Owen," she said softly, moving away from him and the window. As usual, jewelry signaled her departure, and she shut to door quietly behind her when she left the room.

Even alone in her own room at the end of the corridor her heart continued to pound. She leaned heavy against her door and kept thinking of the feel of his hand against her hair. She was blushing again, and had all but run away from him before he could see. Pushing away from the door she removed her crown, lazily putting it on the dresser instead of with the others, before she fell face first into her bed. She would go about her nightly routine, later, after she stopped giggling girlishly into her pillow.

The next day, and unfortunately two days more, Julianna had scarce any time to spend with the commander. The High Court had demanded her attention, just as she had expected. As well as many other things thereafter. She would see Owen at breakfast, and then again in the evening for dinner. It was much the same as it had been their first meeting, pleasant conversation with veiled (and sometimes not-so-veiled) flirting. Her attachment to him continued to grow as the days passed.

At the end of the week, when it seemed everyone had once against tired of the queen’s regard, she reclaimed the commander for herself. Julianna dressed for the day in a long, gauzy dress of pale blue, that was ruched in such a way that left her hips and shoulders exposed. The bottom of it was already a bit wet from walking along the beach. Her bare feet were coated in purple sand, and she wore no crown. Hair fell recklessly across her back and shoulders, disturbed somewhat by the breeze.

Somehow they had come to the conclusion that they should build a sandcastle. Julianna sat in the sand, sorting through tiny auger shells that would be used in the decoration of their construction. She watched Owen, focused on the task of building the castle, from behind dark sunglasses, more than she picked out shells. “So,” she started, singling out a broken piece of shell to cast aside. “I read the missive from the CAF," she paused, one ear falling lopsided. "I find that there’s no benefit to permitting the Covenant to pass through sovereign waters. I’ll have to decline.”

RE: Full Sail [Closed] - saronym - 10-22-2016

His claims to being a low maintenance guest were not untruthful. Aside from allowing the servants to wait upon him at meals, Owen did not utilize their services at all. His bed was always made for him and his clothes always ended up cleaned but these were not services he specifically requested. The most Owen asked of the wait staff was what were their favorite parts of beach, favorite vendors in the market, and things of that nature.

On the first morning, Owen had accosted a servant to teach him how to say ‘good morning’ in their language so he could impress the queen with his initiative to learn. At meals, he continued to try to impress her with turns of phrase and greetings he’d picked up. Though he had concluded he had nothing to offer the queen, he found himself almost involuntarily continuing to try to charm her.

Although feeling as if he were on vacation, Owen assumed a routine while he stayed at Leighton Castle. He woke early enough to engage himself with military PT exercises-- running, situps, pullups, pushups, etc.-- in the morning which he performed an open green area of the gardens. His running course varied everyday. He ran from the castle and jogged through the streets in a meandering path and sometimes found himself at the beach unexpectedly. He spent the large portions of the days addressing some of his critical duties as the Naval Fleet Commander by satellite phone. Otherwise his leisure time was divided between writing letters and buying trinkets for the children in his family, hiking and exploring in the undeveloped portions of the island, and on the beach.

Owen sat with his back to the ocean, one leg crossed and tucked beneath him, the other extending out in front of him. While Julianna sorted seashells, he had tasked himself with building a slightly raised foundation of packed sand for the castle they would build. It would get destroyed when the tide came in. But for a few minutes as the waters rose, it would look like a castle on top and island before a wave took it.

Owen dusted purple-sanded hands on his red swimming trunks and snorted. “A predictable response.”He knew it would sound unkind. Owen hadn't broached the subject of maritime access previously knowing that he would have to strong-arm her into accepting the C.A.F.’s terms. After becoming somewhat close to her, he had begun to worry she would resent him for it. She had brought it up so he had to resume a strong position in opposition to her which started with tearing down her decision making.

In truth he would much rather have simply walked her down the beach with his hand on her skin at the opening of her dress at her side feeling the wet brushing of her dress against his legs. There were a million other things he would rather have talked about with her. But they had unpleasant business first. He hoped their friendship would survive it.

He rose and pulled the white v-neck t-shirt he’d been wearing over his head and tossed it to where they had their things in safe distance from the waves. After exposing his chest and back to the sun, Owen sprayed himself with a healthy coating of sunscreen before he moved back into his position of foundation building.

“Don’t be so foolish as to think you don’t need powerful friends. The C.A.F. has much to offer even you seeing as to how they might be the most powerful military force at the moment.” Indeed what the C.A.F. had on the world was their near impenetrable air defenses - which had something to do with the geography of the countries they occupied as much as it did the sheer size of their force and their hellbent stance on pursuit of technological advances. The C.A.F. did not have the single strongest navy, or the single strongest air force, or the single strongest ground force. They didn't bother with specializing finding that putting too many assets in one branch left the others lacking. So it was their resources taken together which made them a formidable force with a lot of weight to throw around in political posturing.

Owen stopped his own activity and stared at her through his dark Ray-Bans. He lifted the shades then pushing them on top of his head so they could make eye contact in arguing politics as they built a sandcastle. Perhaps the shared cooperative activity would help keep some of the heat out of their negotiations. He planted his hand on his thigh with his elbow out and muscles tensed with the position. An aggressive open posture to match his words.

RE: Full Sail [Closed] - megs - 10-22-2016

Julianna looked somewhat taken aback when he snorted at her. It was difficult to tell entirely with the sunglasses, but the way her head tilted just so, and the way her ears swiveled to stand straight upon the top of her head was a good indication. She opened her mouth as if she would reply, but she quickly realized anything she said would have been too hasty, so it snapped closed again. She watched as he went about the business of removing his shirt and applying sunscreen, both appreciating the show and formulating a reasonable response.

“I’m not denying their stance as a powerful militant force,” she said, eyes tracking him as he returned to his position beside her. She knew of the power that the C.A.F could demand, and she was aware of the message it would send to other nations if she were to take up an alliance with them. She was not, at present, positive that such a message was the one she wanted to send. The Veridian Isles had not seen conflict for over two-hundred years. Their generosity and the threat of their own forces had been enough to keep any malicious intent off of their shores.

She politely removed her own sunglasses, slowly pulling them from her face and folding them carefully in her lap. Her tail tapped lightly against the sand. “It’s not simply a matter of what the organization has to offer. It’s also a matter of appearances. The presence of C.A.F branded ships in my waters would be a disturbance. Nearly thirty-five percent of income on Macrilan and Dakannore are a direct result of tourism. The C.A.F doesn’t have the best reputation. They make people nervous, and they’ve been at the helm of some of the most serious disputes for the last seventy-five years. It could scare away visitors.”

At some point her fingers has stopped sifting through shells, and she stared back at him. Her posture was not so aggressive, but she sat a little straighter and she was not as expressive as she usually was when talking to him. “The Veridian Isles needs resources, not soldiers.” The statement wasn’t necessarily true, at the moment the Isles wanted for nothing, but it served to get her point across. “We’ve not been part of an altercation for two centuries.”

RE: Full Sail [Closed] - saronym - 10-22-2016

Owen’s jaw set together as he listened in silence to the queen’s position. Statuesque, Owen didn’t move throughout her entire explanation save for a flexing at the corners of his jaw as he worked his teeth together.

He didn’t answer right away but stared her down for a moment as if to give her a chance to change her mind. “Well,” he started as his free hand gestured a suggestion of surrender. It was a ruse, he wasn’t backing down. “I’ll pass along the queen’s message that our ships are unsightly. Perhaps we can change the paint for you.” The mockery again served the purpose of minimizing the queen’s arguments as silly.

“This negotiation isn’t so much about tourism,” Owen said as if to correct her even though her concerns for the industry were not unfounded in the slightest.

Owen paused then, letting the foreshadowing of the forthcoming threat linger in silence, and returned to his task of packing sand for the castle’s foundation. He felt guilty for his tone towards her, but Owen had a genuine reason to be concerned for military aggression coming to the Isles. The Covenant had strong intelligence that would bolster his side of argument if he needed to use it.

“It’s really more about Laine’s oil reserves, which I’m sure you are also interested in safeguarding.” He lifted his eyes to hers again. His lips pressed together for a moment before he continued. “The Covenant is at the forefront of many conflicts in the world because there are things worth taking.” His hand struck the packed sand squarely a couple of times to ensure the sand compressed down.

A hint of threat. Would the C.A.F. bring war to the Isles after 200 years?

“And things worth preventing others from taking.”

There was the suggested offer if she would take it. Let the C.A.F. through in exchange for protection against some unnamed future foe.

"Basically you can stave off a war by allowing us passage. The tourist economy will take a hit in the short term, but, no doubt will bounce right back when armed conflict doesn't erupt over resources in Laine. Which it won't. If we're here."