Under the Moon {celvi}

[Chase Cantwell]

The moonlight washed over the land in a milky brilliance, lighting the path taken while yielding enough darkness for secrecy. The air was mild in comparison to those past, signifying the entrance of spring to the sleeping lands of Lamora. A soft, sweet smelling, breeze danced through the dark hair of a lone rider who picked his way carefully toward the banks of the great Ryum. His face was masked in an expression marked for a calm nature, significantly differing from the way his heart pounded nervously against its confinements of his chest. Chase ran a worried gaze about his surroundings as he neared a thick of brush perfect for masking the large frame of his beloved horse from unwanted eyes, should some be wandering about at this crazed hour of the night.

Stopping behind the brush, he slid softly from his saddle, taking care to land quietly on his feet and to avoid making any noises louder than absolutely necessary. He looped his reins over a sturdy looking branch then turned to face his trusted four legged friend who stared back at him with an undeniably expression of sheer disgust for having to be woken at such an hour to be ridden out. A mildly amused smile started in the corners of Chase’s lips as he reached a clammy hand out to ruffle the bay gelding’s forelock. “I’m sorry old friend” he murmured quietly, offering a final pat on the horse’s muscled shoulder before walking a few short strides away to scan night for the cause of his nerves.

The memories of that ill fated night were so fresh in his mind, he could still smell the sweetness of Celvi and taste the bitter hate for the Queen’s actions. He, given to the Princess, and his beloved engaged off to the cocky Grand Duke sealed the fact they could never be together in the ways their hearts desired. They were forced into meeting in secrecy and out of the way of spying eyes which was proving more difficult they likeable for Chase. It always seemed to him that he was constantly off delivering this and that for one reason or another and his time at the castle was always limited. And in that limited time he had a rarer chance of seeing Celvi, who was constantly under watch, tore his brittle heart to shreds.

When they had come to an agreement to meet, the safety of the Goddess’s moon seemed the best route to take. There they could be free from society’s limitations and out of sight from prying eyes and simply be themselves and enjoy their forbidden love in peace of the night.

Chase paced another few strides away from his horse then back again. His nerves and worries were tormenting him with ideas of her not being able to sneak out or the Mar’volian thugs catching her again. ‘Maybe I should ride back’ he thought, brows furrowing with worry as he continued on pacing, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword with urgency to calm his uneasiness. ‘What if something terrible happened? What it she fell?’ He paced back to his horse and readied himself to mount before shaking his head with disgust in himself. Nothing had happened, everything was fine and he should just wait….

{ooc: Hope this works }

[Celvi Gray]

I must be out of my mind… my mind… my mind… completely insane… insane… insane… the words echoed in Celvi’s head, forming a snychronised rhythm with Artano’s hooves drumming across the dark-and-white specked floor of the plains outside of Lamora city and towards the river bank. Only once she was free of the restraining walls, she had urged her horse into a gallop, as if she was fleeing from something. And somehow she was. She was fleeing reality, she was fleeing reason, and she was fleeing her own sanity, when you thought about it. Being out here at night, where only Runnori’s face shown down you in guidance, was one of the most dangerous things to do in these wild lands. And was Runnori even guiding her path any longer? Celvi honestly couldn’t tell.

Treachery, lies, going against rules – these were things Runnori hid her face from in disgust, and yet Celvi was guilty of them all. That she was out here tonight proved enough of that, but it was moreso proven even by the fact of who she intended to meet. Chase… her secret love. In the eyes of the world, they could never be together, and they never would be – but hidden from those eyes, Celvi and Chase had agreed on trying. They were going against every written or unwritten rule, and they were fully aware of it. This night out, this ride, was a test. If one of them didn’t appear, they would resign to the cruel fate designed for them by their surroundings, making him subject to Princess Christabel and her betrothed to the Grand Duke Redwood. They would say goodbye to their secret love and try to move on with their lives. Reason should tell Celvi to do just that. And yet she was out here.

But what if he wasn’t? What if his feelings for her had been fleeting and short-lived as a snowflake on skin? What if he was content now with his new fate and was just leading her on? So much could happen out here, and so much already HAD happened out here. Since her betrothal to the Grand Duke her value as leverage had risen immensly, Celvi realized with a lurch of fear. In broad daylight, these thoughts never had occurred to her, thinking it impossible the Mar’volians would go after the wrong person twice. But what if she wasn’t the wrong one anymore? Her fiancée was the right hand of her Majesty Queen Tiana, he was a key figure in all military operations, despite his youth. If someone wanted leverage against him, Celvi now would be the perfect choice. Even if Celvi knew it was by no means sure the Grand Duke wouldn’t just take that opportunity to be rid of her. Runnori knew she wouldn’t blame him!

Celvi narrowed her eyes as she made out familiar shapes in front of her. This, this must be the place! It seemed deserted on first glance, but Celvi dismounted nevertheless, leading Artano closer to a few brushes. Was she here first? Or would she stay alone after all? “Chase?” she whispered, careful not to make any loud sound since the water might carry it far. “Chase!”

[Chase Cantwell]

Chase turned his face up toward the moon and closed his eyes, trying to calm himself with the silvery warmth of Runnori’s gaze. ‘Please goddess, I ask for your blessing once more’ he prayed silently, turning his face away from the sky and toward the subtle sound of approaching hoof beats. His heart leapt into his throat with a slurry of thoughts, ‘was it Celvi? Or someone else.. Should he stay silent or make himself known to the approaching being?’ He stepped closer toward his mount who raised his head into greetings to the coming horse and rider. “Easy Cerno” he whispered, placing both a hand over the horse’s nostrils, trying to advert the equine’s attention toward staying silent and not sounding their presence.

The sound of the approaching rider slowed and died down as they halted a stone’s throw from where Chase stood, masked by the clumping of brush. He chewed nervously at the inner layers of his cheek, fighting down nerves of uneasiness, as he tried to peer through the branches and gain a clear glimpse at who stood in the near. His heart resumed beating at the soft calling of his name by a voice so heavenly he nearly cried out with joy. He stepped from the thicket, an expression of sheer relief and joy plastered over his face. There she stood, basked in the moonlight with a beauty immortal. There she stood, a mark of how pure their love was. And how they would always be together, even if it be for the brief hours blessed by the night.

“Celvi” he called out softly, the joy clearly sounding in his voice. He strode purposely toward her, all feelings of doubt and worry washing form his frame with each step that closed the distance between them. “Fancy meeting you here m’lady” he teased with a mischievous grin that masked how utterly overjoyed he was at seeing her there. There in the moonlight, he was reminded of that fated night in the garden and how he was the most blessed being in all of Lamora. “Goddess how I’ve missed you” he murmured softly reaching out to embrace her in his arms.

[Celvi Gray]

The moments she spent waiting for a possible reply, alone in the darkness and fearing the worst, felt like an eternity for Celvi, even though it could only be split seconds that passed. A thousand thoughts were racing through her mind in those split seconds, horror scenarios of what could be happening to her. She could have been walking into another trap, Chase could not come and she would have to face the harsh reality, that she was stuck with a life without love and happiness for all eternity. In the end, it was the fate of many women, but somehow Celvi could not bring herself to resign to that fate. And then the worst thought so far entered her mind: What if someone had found out about her secret meeting? What if that someone had told her fiancé about it, and he was the one now waiting for her, getting the ultimate proof of how his future wife was betraying him?

Celvi was sure she would not be able to bear the shame that would no doubt follow her detection. So why was she even risking it? She WAS out of her mind, there was no doubt of it. But what her and Chase had just seemed so much stronger than any feeling of guilt or shame. It surpassed all feelings she ever had had, and she had to admit that yes, she would defy her family, her father and everyone for one more kiss from Chase’s lips. That was how far gone she was.
“Celvi” – there it was, the voice she had been yearning and fearing to hear. Now there was no doubt of it that their secret love would continue. The dices had been thrown in all finality. A huge load was lifted from and put on her shoulders at the same time, making her feel like the ground suddenly wavered under her feet. Chase was here, now there was the point of no return.

Despite the situation, she could feel a bright smile spreading over her face at his teasing words. That was her Chase, the man she had irrevocably fallen in love with: always able to make her smile. Around her, he donned the polite courtier mask and was more like himself, and she was too. Only with him she could be Fey, the wild and untamed part of Lady Celvi Gray.
“Look who’s hiding like a thug between the underbrush”, she teased back, extending her hands towards him. Oh how she yearned to be in his arms again! As if he had read her thoughts, she felt herself being pulled in a tight embrace, and Celvi willingly let it happen, inhaling Chase’s beloved scent. This was where she wanted to stay for the rest of her life… but it could only be in secrecy.

“And I you!” she sighed against his chest. “I was so afraid you might have reconsidered… forgive me for doubting you!”

[Chase Cantwell]

All worry and doubt was washed from his mind as she offered teasing words in return to his. “Ah, yes I was just practicing incase someone should happen to discover us” he laughed with a slight shrug, trying to lighten such a dark topic that was in a twisted way, very possible. His heart melted as he wrapped his arms around her slender frame, embracing his dire need to once again hold her in his arms, knowing for at least now they could be together. Under the moonlight, nothing held them to the court’s standards and allowed them to choose their actions free of limitations.

His lips tenderly placed a kiss on the top of her forehead as he wrapped his arms tighter around her as she spoke of asking for forgiveness. He released his embrace and cupped her chin within his hands, “You have all the right to doubt me, for a brief moment I doubted myself” he murmured softly, his expression solemn as he released her chin from his hands. Truth be told in his words as he had, in preparation for his night bound journey, debated the right of the situation. He pondered the consequences of not showing up and ending their relationship and any future heartbreak. But his heart had sung true to going out to meet her, knowing if he didn’t he would regret it for the rest of his days. He, simply put, would have died from a broken heart caused by not hearing her divine voice or witnessing her witty mind at work: all things he loved dearly about her.

“But my heart would not let me stray from my promise of our meeting, so here I stand at your mercy” he spoke quietly, turning his gaze downward in slight embarrassment of his own infidelity toward her then returning it to meet hers.

[Celvi Gray]

Practicing being a thug? Celvi smiled at that comment, not able to imagine Chase being anything near that sort. He was such a gentle being behind his courtier mask, and she loved him like that with all her heart. She had loved him even before she had been able to see this side of him, at that unexpected meeting in the marketplace, where he had only wanted to be a piper, easing the people’s worries about the troubled times they were living in. But then, her love had even grown and now she was too far gone to ever consider letting go of him. This shouldn’t have happened and if anyone ever found out,it would be the end of them both. But there were things, she had found out, that were even stronger than a sense of duty. Maybe her fiancé of all people would never understand that, and possibly Aunt Dagmara not either… but for Celvi that was a fact.
“Have you been in such situations already, in your work as a messenger?” she asked curiously. She was bringing it up again, their status difference, but with full intention. She wanted to show him she would not close her eyes and negate who he was, but that she didn’t care. Being a messenger was part of his life, and she wanted to acknowledge it.

Sighing softly as she felt his lips brushing her forehead, Celvi knew that even though some other women might feel offended now, she knew she never could. In fact, she even felt glad he had been doubting it as well, that meant he knew what they would get themselves into. Celvi herself had tossed the consequences to and fro in her head for night after night, but her conclusion had always been the same: There was nothing she would not risk for Chase, for this feeling of having found the place where she wanted to be, where she could be herself.
Hesitantly, slowly, she reached up with her hand, tugging a strand of his hair behind his ear so she could have a full view on his face. He shouldn’t hide from her, there was nothing he needed to be afraid of.
“Not at my mercy”, she corrected him softly, meeting his gaze with a fond smile. “I’d rather like you at my side. You think that is an acceptable punishment. Chase Cantwell?”

She had no idea what this evening, this night, this secret meeting would bring, and the sheer thought of it made her heart flutter in her chest. Now they were both sure this was what they wanted, until they maybe one day could risk to openly show how they felt, what would they do? She knew only one thing, she wanted to savour the time with him, and maybe, possibly, be granted this intoxicating feeling of her lips on his again. “What shall we do?” she whispered to him. “This is all so new for me… I just know I want to be with you for as long as I can.” After all, who needed sleep when you could be granted this?!

[Chase Cantwell]

Her question caught him off guard for a brief moment as his brain rushed through a million thoughts at once. Why was she asking this? Was she uncertain if they were happened upon by villains that he would not be able to protect them? ‘Cool it Chase’ a small voice whispered in the back of his mind, ‘don’t over process simple words.’
A warm smile spread softly over his lips as his head dipped into a nod. He exhaled slowly, letting the slow release of air by him a moments time to formulate a response that wouldn’t strike fear but mend an unanswered question. Her curiosity brought a warmth over his heart, solidifying the notion that she was very different from other noble Ladies. She had wit and brains enough to put aside social differences without a batting an eye.

“I have had a few…. Eh, shall we call them inconvenient run ins with road bandits. Nothing horrific obviously seeing as I am standing here today, and in once piece” he chuckled softly. His experiences had been minor in that fact he lived to tell the tale but in the same breath were violent enough he has learned well if you spy a bandit before he you, Run as hard as you can in the opposite direction.

His eyes wandered slowly over her moon kissed face as she spoke again with words so sweet in his ears he wanted melt. His skin sparked where her fingers brushed against his ear, sending a shiver down his spine. He still struggled to fathom the idea he ad really caught the heart of such an amazing being. How could he have been so blessed to have been in the right moment at the right time: allowing him the simple joy of exchanging such crucial first words with her in the market that long passed day. He often imaged where he would be now if he hadn’t chased after her that day. Not nearly as happy or have ever fully developed a sense of this is where he truly belonged. She and the enchanting personality planted him firmly on the ground and tied him down to the earth and away from the world of wish and worry that he had previously inhabited.
“Well, I’ll have to think about it a moment” he teased lifting his gaze skyward and screwing his face into a overly dramatic thinking expression. He pretended to be wrought with indecisiveness for a brief moment before dropping his gaze back to meet hers. His lips turned upward as he nodded in agreement. “I believe that’ll do just fine” he mused with a soft laugh, “Just don’t expect me to carry your bags where ever life may lead us”. He would follow her any direction she chose, just to be at her side: a place he valued more than mortal life. She was his everything; his will to live and breathe, his want to move forward and away from a life dictated by social formalities, his love of his life.

His humorous grin slipped away from his lips as he took on a more serious expression. “I love you Celvi Gray” he murmured softly, dipping in to steal a kiss at the end of her question. “Run” he whispered quietly releasing his hold on her and stepping back slightly. His arms raised in gesture to their surroundings. “W e could run from here, from Lamora, from everyone. We could stowaway on a boat to Zallia and live our lives free from this secrecy! Who’s to stop us when we’ve made it this far?” His words trailed off quietly into the air as he dipped his head in embarrassment of his sudden outburst. He could feel a brush of heat as it rose across his cheeks. “I’m sorry, I…I don’t know what possessed me” he murmured running a hand through his hair and turning an apologetic gaze back toward his beloved.

It was such an unfathomable option, he questioned his own sanity upon bringing it up. But on the other hand could it be possible?

[Celvi Gray]

What Chase told her, about his unpleasant run-ins with bandits and other dangerous folk, transferred Celvi back into a time, when she still had thought her feelings being unreciprocated. When she still had viewed this as an infatuation she hopefully would overcome one day. Then, back in those days, her heart had always gone out to and with him, whenever he had to embark on one of his risky journeys, carrying a message for the Queen and bringing news from the battlefield. She hadn’t found peace in both heart and mind until she had either witnessed him coming back herself – what a fortunate incident it was that the Princess’ main parlour where the ladies-in-waiting spent had a window out into the courtyard! – or she had heard rumors about him or seen him from afar the following days. Now these times were over, but that made her fear for him only increase. He still was the Queen’s messanger, even though he now belonged to Christabel first and foremost, and both of these women could decide to send him anywhere, where horrifying things could wait for him.

“I am glad you still are in one piece”, she confirmed softly, a smile playing around her lips as she reached out to touch hist chest, as if to assure herself he was really unhurt for now. “And I shall pray to Runnori every day she will bring you back to me safely.” This, she knew, she would never wholeheartedly say to her fiancé, even though he might go off into battle very soon. Of course she would wish him well, but it didn’t feel like the world would come to an end should he not return to her – and that was exactly how it felt every time she had to fear for Chase’s safety. This, she realized, was the ultimate difference between love and a sense of duty. So she could only hope that her Chase would always return, and she had long since resigned into counting hours or even days until she could finally be with him again, even though it could not be. She would have to go through great lengths to keep their love a secret, but she was willing to endure any hassle that might come from it. This was more important than anything had ever been in her life – except maybe keeping her family name stainless.

Chase apparently found it funny to tease her a little, and Celvi couldn’t help but laugh, even though she still gave him a reprimanding slap on the arm as he made a show of really having to think on this being a suitable punishment. And what was that about carrying her bags?! Did he really think her such a dainty flower that she could not carry her own load? She had been in the hands of Mar’volian mercenaries and faced their ruthless king, telling into his face his goons had grabbed the wrong girl and she had only been pretending to save the princess from being captured. “It would be very gentleman-like of you to do so”, she pointed out, adopting that blasé voice she often heard some of the ladies-in-waiting use when they thought they were speaking to someone below them. “But then, I think we agreed on me not being a lady when you are around, so I wouldn’t expect any gentleman behavior from you, Chase Cantwell. After all, a lady would not do this…” she said stepping closer so their bodies were all but touching and she lifted herself on her tiptoes so she was eye in eye with him. “Nothing of this…”

It still could take her by surprise when he stole those brief kisses and they still could make her world stop turning for a second. After all, they had only just started on this and it was yet hard to believe that he wanted her, that he would WANT to kiss her like he had for the first time in the Queen’s secret garden. “And I love you”, she responded, before leaning in to his kiss, feeling her heart flutter in her throat, but not like an encaged bird, more like a finally freed bird that made itself ready to soar. The sweetness of his lips were so intoxicating she hardly processed his words at first. But when she did, she felt a cold fist reaching for her still fluttering heart, squeezing it tight. Oh, to run! To leave all this behind, start somewhere new! And Zallia! That lovely island that wasn’t involved in this stupid war! It was too good to be true… but it could not be!
“Oh Chase…”, she whispered, her voice breaking at his name. “If it was only about us… if it was only me and you, I would run away with you right now. I love you, and I want to be with you forever… but I cannot drag my family down with me. I just… I was raised like this. It already tears me apart I have to betray them, but if I ran… my family’s name would be forever stained.”

[Chase Cantwell]

His lips turned upwards softly at the edges as she reminded him of how he had promised not to treat her as a lady when they had their private moments. Of course he had remember, but it was all to easy to throw mockery in the face of formality and tease here and there about the blasted boundaries that kept them apart in society’s eyes. As Celvi stepped closer, past the boundaries of polite and into that of something bold and shared only by those who had given away their hearts to one another. His heart fluttered up as he met her gaze, once again drawn into their beauty.

He was once told eyes were the windows to the soul and if you looked close enough, you could spy the nature of the person within their depths. You could behold how they were beyond the false mask they put on when entering society and what truly they were made of. When he gazed into her’s, he found himself embraced in the kind heartedness of Celvi and how she never meant harm. He loved how calm they could be then fiery with challenge in the next breath. She was bold when need be and opinionated as they come and she had her fae moments that caused some strife. But those where all things that attracted him to her beyond the shallow crush of gorgeous good looks. She was exotic from the girls from his social class, from any social class at that but she could hold her air and put on the mask society demanded.
She was his world, his lover, his reason to breathe. She was his everything.

The stolen kiss was still sweet on his lips as he pulled back and began his crazed speech of running off together. As soon the words left his mouth he was hit with a stone fist of factual matter. It was ridiculous to even ponder that thought of running away together; the odds were just not in their favor and probably would never be, despite the kind gestures from the Goddess in allowing them these simple moments together. He dipped his head and swallowed slowly, knowing her sense of duty was all to strong and he couldn’t hate her for that, only love her that much more.

“I know” he murmured stepping closer toward her once again, “it’s a beautiful thought to air on the wind but in the same I am tied to my duties as are you.” He reached tenderly out to brush a lock of hair form her face then to tilt her chin upwards. “I could never leave her Majesty after all she has done for me. This job, the pay I send home to help my family, the chance of ever being able lay eyes on you.” He smiled softly, releasing her chin from his hand, silently cursing himself for bringing up the topic and causing her distress.

‘This would be all so different if I were of noble blood’ he cursed to himself, his brows furrowing slightly in distaste of his background. His glaze flicked up toward the stars as he fought down the sudden twinge of anger his the pit of his stomach. It would be completely different he were of noble blood. They wouldn’t have to sneak around like criminals in the dark of night just to be together. They could stroll through the gardens in daylight, in front of everyone and not a soul would debate whether it was right or not. If he were of better breeding he could have perhaps snatched Celvi away before the Queen paired her off with her nephew.
But if he were of noble lineage, would he still be the same? Or just as pampas and cocky as the noblemen he delivered messages to with his only aim in life to bed as many women as possible not caring who they were. Would he have ever looked the way of Celvi or chased after some brainless blonde with no common sense?

Sighing inwardly he studied her face once more, searching for something to talk about that wouldn’t tread on fragile topics. “Have you heard from your father lately, is all well with him’ he asked softly with a muted smile.