Winter Land- Lady/Moon

he smiled a little. "well it won't work, i have a guilt complex." he teased with a small chuckle. "Family of heart is always better." he admitted with a smile. "i don't much like my family either, save for Alexis." he admitted calmly. "in fact, you could even call us enemies. my family and i." he admitted before he smirked at her. "of course you don't. your in denial." he teased leading the way to Johnathon who smiled at them. "Alexei. you may go now. i will escort her back to her rooms once she's finished." "Yes Keeper." Alexei stated softly, serious for once as he bowed, not to Phedre, but to Johnathon, before walking off. "this is very important Lady Winter." Johnathon admitted softly. "the Winter Stone was created by the petals of the Winter roses." he explained. "it connects you, to the roses, the roses connect you to the land, and the land connects you to the Goddess." he explained. "it envelops all things, and right now it is sleeping, waiting for you. all you have to do is touch it, and push your powers into it. it will do the rest... admittedly, i don't know what will happen, but from records, it says that you will feel the love of the Goddess." he admitted as he led the way to a blank wall before he touched his hand to it. the wall melted away, revealing a massive crystal structure, with a large ball of ice so deep it was almost transparent. the only way you could see it was there, was the way the light bounced off of it.

Phedre frowned watching alexei go, looking nervous. It wasn’t that she didn’t like Johnathon, or trusted him, it was just alexei was the first friend she’d had in this new life, and she didn’t want to be away from him. Smiling at Johnathon she focused on the man, a small smile on her lips as she listened to him, looking amazed.”Oh…that’s amazing…alexis was just telling me about the winter roses.”She said looking pleased before biting her lip. “okay…just touch it?”She said looking up at the stone, looking nervous. Not wanting to hurt it, but also not able to resist wanting to touch it either. Reaching up a hand she sighed softly, closing her eyes as she reached out with her powers, closing her eyes as she shifted, leaning her close, resting her cheek against the ice as she became even more in touch with the ice and winter surrounding her. for the first time in her life, feeling utterly loved. she didn't know what else was happening, or if anything was happening at all, but being loved was enough for her at the momet,

Johnathon smiled. "Ah, Alexis. she is a dear isn't she? she loves the old tales." he admitted. "yes, all you have to do is touch it, it will awaken for you." he promised softly, watching her. "you won't be able to break it. one Snow Princess actually took it and flung it against the wall and it didn't even chip." he assured her. he watched her touch the small globe of ice and he shuddered as magic rose up and wrapped around them both. as Keeper, it recognized him, and thanked him for his service. the magic wrapped tightly around her, and for a moment she could feel everything, see everything. from the roses, still dormant in their buds, to the people meandering about. she touched everyone, she touched everything, from the deer in the stables, to the people fighting a gruesome battle, to the calm lilies in a secluded glade and everything paused, feeling at peace, and even the fighting stopped. and then the magic stopped and she pulled back into herself and the orb glowed a soft blueish white light and Johnathon smiled as the magic wrapped around Phedra, almost as if hugging her, and a soft sensation filled her, like someone had welcomed her home. "that was wonderful. you are now connected to everything. from this Orb, you can see any part of your kingdom, or any person. in theory anyway. give it a try, think about Alexei." as soon as she did, an image appeared in the stone, and there was Alexei talking to Alexis in Phedre's room, they seamed to be discussing fabric colors. "as long as you know the name, face, or description of someone you want to watch or a place you want to see, the Orb can show you. though i don't know if it will cross the sea." and being that the Winter Lands was basically a very, very large island, she'd probobly only be able to see things in the winter lands.

Phedre smiled softly, peacefully as she felt the magic clinging toher, feeling at home for the first time since she arrived. Blinking up in startlement at johnathon’s words, she startled to herself before nodding a little, eyes widening as she realized that she could find anyone. “I think it will only be able in the winter lands. For only here, do I hold sway.”she said sounding thoughtful, hands absently stroking the orb before setting it down and stepping back. Looking up at him she twitched her fingers, feeling the urge to run out, to take care of her people, to stop them from fighting. Feeling so connected to the earth that the pain it was in, hurt her.

he smiled a little and nodded. "yes that seams quite likely." he admitted, setting a hand on her shoulder. "you must temper your reaction. the connection is very strong right now. the pain of the people is strong in you, but there is nothing that you can do now." he admitted to her. "not actively anyway. your presence is in the land, and in the people now, the fighting will ease. they won't know why they feel so peaceful right now, but you are helping calm their destructive urges." he promised her. "come now, let us get you back to Alexei, and we can go over your education ideals." he explained. "we need to know what areas you need the most assistance in." he admitted with a small smile as he gently led the way out of the room. "you can come in here anytime you want now, the wall will let you in." he promised. "i will not be allowed inside of the room again, unless there is a problem." he admitted simply. "the power of the Winter Orb is for you and only you."

Phedre shuddered at the touch, swallowing hard.”I-I will try. It is so strong.”she muttered shivering, trying to calm herself before looking up at him. Nodding at his words she let out a shuddering breath.”Yes…I am sure Alexei will be worried. He seemed unsure what would happen when I touched the stone.”She said smiling a little before following him out of the room, letting him lead her. And even though she was no longer in the room, there was a low level hum of awareness at the back of her mind, connected to her land even if she was not close. Smiling a little at his words, she smiled pleased. “Good.”She muttered, before blushing.”I mean…I didn’t mean for that to sound rude…but it was…peaceful. I would like a place of my own.”she said heading for the room where she knew alexei was.

he nodded. "i know it is. but you are helping your people more by staying hidden for now." he explained. "if you are killed by an assassin, how can you help your people then?" he asked simply. "all of us where uncertain about the stone. but i was privileged to information that Alexei is not." he admitted with a smile. "that being said, you can probobly trust Alexei with the knowledge of what happened, but do not tell anyone else. the Stone is one of the few reasons why our people have not yet fallen." he admitted. "if one of the Rebels, or the Soldiers got their hands on it, the Winter Lands would probobly be destroyed." he admitted softly before smiling at her. "it is addictive." he admitted. "i have watched over the stone for fifty years. as is my duty and my joy. i have only been 'connected' to it twice. once when you where born, and once a week ago when i was able to discover your location." he admitted. "The Winter Lands recognized you at birth, but until very recently, it was not able to actively locate you." he admitted. "the feelings i got from it are ones i will hold close to my heart for the rest of my life." he admitted with a smile. "but while i was connected to the magic, you connected to he Goddess herself. a man like myself? the Goddess might very well have driven me insane." he admitted.

"it is a dangerous power that only one can safely access. the Snow Princess, who was blessed by the Winter roses and magic itself." he admitted simply as he followed her. "you will notice as well, if you get lost, Magic will show you the way to where you need to go." he admitted with a smile. "the land itself will lend you aid." he admitted as they stepped into her room where Alexei was contemplating two bits of fabric. "i don't know... i think Royal Blue is too dark... it might be a nice Accent but it won't look right." Alexei commented and Alexis nodded. "i think you might be right... how about this Red instead? it would be a very nice accent... don't you think?" "yes, the Red will compliment her skin tone i think. i still can't beleive you managed to... oh! Phedre welcome back, how did it go?" he looked worried.

Phedre sighed softly, “That is true. I cannot help them if I am not alive.”She said thoughtfully before nodding.”I wont tell anyone else.”She said but looking pleased at being able to talk to alexei before frowning a little. “I wont let them get it. It is mine.”She said though looking a little worried at the idea of being addict, but the woman wasn’t worried overly, because for the first time she was loved, and she felt that connect, and wasn’t willing to let it go yet. “Ahhh, I see. Yes. That would be something desvatating to someone not prepared for it.”She said thinking it over.

Watching the twins for a moment she smiled slightly, looking amused that they were discussing her dress and such. It was a odd thought to consider, that she had someone making her clothes now. Giving Alexei a peaceful smile she stepped into the room, moving to sit down on one of the chairs.”It went well…”She said blushing a little,”It was…beyond words.”She muttered before waving at the fabrics,”You can’t believe what, alexei?”She asked curious

he chuckled a little. "you don't have to worry about becoming addicted. your genetically 'immune' tot he power." he admitted simply. "if anyone else was to use it, eventually they'd waste away because the would refuse to leave it." he admitted simply. "you don't have to worry about it, in fact you'll eventually build up a resistance to it. i know you want to run back and connect to it again." he admitted with a smile. "eventually your dependency will fade." he promised. "it still frightens me that Alexei knows almost as much about clothes as Alexis does." he muttered with a small grimace. "never take him shopping. ever." he warned. Alexis smiled happily at her as Alexei relaxed at the peaceful look on Phedre's face. "i'm glad it went well." he admitted with a smile before he looked at the Fabric. "i can't beleive she managed to fix you up almost an entire wardrobe in an hour." "i didn't. i just got the closest fits." she stated simply. "i DO own a clothing store Alex. it was easy to find clothes that matched Phedre. all i have to do is tuck them in here and loosen them there and they'll be perfect. but the Dress has to be made from scratch. so i'm more focused on that. i can get it done in time, but it's going to be a bit of a challenge." she admitted rubbing her hands together eagerly. "i do so love a challenge... Phedre, would you try these on?" she asked, indicating a pile of pants and shirts. "there's a pile of... underthings, in the bathroom for you to try as well." she admitted simply. "anything that you don't like, just leave in a pile and i'll take them back. anything you do like that doesn't fit properly, put in another pile and i'll adjust them." she promised. "and don't look at the designs for your dress either! i want it to be a surprise!"

“Well good. It was nice to be that close.”She muttered looking pleased at the idea she didn’t have to worry about getting addicted. But even if she knew her dependency would fade, she still liked being connected to it. Laughing softly at his words she nodded.”Okay. No shopping with alexei.”She snorted looking amused as she listened to the twins. “Good. Clothes are good.”She said looking amused as she moved away from them heading towards the bathroom to try things on, not bothering to try and look at the dress. Looking amused as she came out in awhile, two different piles of clothes set aside, and looking at alexei and alexis.”I like most of them, only a few didn’t fit.”

Johnathon smiled a little as he watched her. she was so... alive, it was an amazing sight to see, the magic thrumming inside of her. he took his leave while Phedre tried on clothes and Alexei got bored and settled into a chair with a book while Alexis worked on sewing some things together, muttering to herself as she examined the cuts of the cloth and the way they fit together very intently. "alright, i'll take the ones that didn't fit back to my room then." she decided with a smile. "Johnathon told Alexei to give you your first History lesson." she admitted as she went into the bathroom, gathered up the ones that didn't fit, and carted them off to her own room so she could work in peace. Alexei chuckled as he sat up and made his way over to the massive book, and opened it to nearly the end. "we're going to start with the Fall of the last Snow Princess." he explained simply as he sat down on the bed and began the story.

the last Snow Princess had been a sweet girl, innocent and young. she had only been twelve when the attacks started. the Vikings had come to Winterland. the snow Princess, a little girl named Sophie, never made it tot he Winter Stone, which could have saved the people, and the royals from disaster. the Royal Guards had mistakenly doomed them all when they pulled all the royals into a safe room. the Vikings tore apart everything, the people, the buildings, and before the week was out, they where inside the castle. the Winterlands had not been a place of fighting, so no one knew how to fight back, not even the guards. the Vikings poured into the room, and slaughtered all of the royal line, only a few Lords survived, and the Snow Princess. the vikings didn't want to kill such a sweet young thing, who would grow into a very beautiful woman, so they took the Snow Princess with her, intending to make her a slave. here Alexei stopped. "until recently, we didn't know how the story ended." he explained, blinking at her. "we never heard from her again, we had simply assumed she died, or was turned into a slave." he admitted. but Magic was strong in Phedre too, and it showed Phedre the rest.

the little girl was a happy one, even in the midst of doing chores and being hurt, and the Vikings had been amazed at little Sophie's strength. they soon fell in love with her, as if she was they're own child, and they raised her as if she was their own. she took the name Winter for herself, and married a Viking man who she loved, and had beautiful boys. through the long line of the Winter Family, only three little girls where born, but none had the 'Gift' within them. until Phedre was born.

(Sorry!Sorry, just got home from the worlds worst ungodly long day. XD)

Phedre smiled, wrinkling her nose a little.”I’ve never been great at history.”She said looking amused settling into the bed, curling her legs up under her as she watched him, closing her eyes as she listened to the story. Biting her lip as she frowned a little.”That’s sad….I wish they would have known… at least she would have known that her land survived…”She muttered thinking about it, closing her eyes as she listened to the magic telling her, a small smile curling her lips. “Good. She was happy.”She muttered smiling peacefully as she looked up at alexei, before sighging softly.”I wish my parents could have known this. Known there was a reason I was different.”She muttered staring at the blankets.

lol that's ok. i just stole a pair of underpants in a Quest in Fable III. ^^)

he smiled a little. "i'll do my best not to make it too boring." he promised calmly as he told her the story, he had a good story voice. no matter how boring the actual story was, he didn't seam to matter in the least, he somehow managed to make it exciting and thrilling. "...she was?" Alexei asked, his eyes lighting up. "i'm glad. you'll have to write in here what happened to her at some point." he admitted with a smile. "it would make a lot of people happy to know for sure." he admitted as he bit his lip. "i could always write them a letter, and invite them here for however long they, or you want?" he offered, his head tilted. "don't forget, you are the Snow Princess, anyone you want to bring here, by all means go ahead and tell me or Johnathon and we'll see to it that they get here." he promised, a sly smirk curling his lips. "even the unwilling ones that you just want to gloat at."

(…you know, that’s not the most disturbing sentence I’ve heard today. ><’)

Phedre nodded as she blinked slowly. “I will. I shall tell her story.”She muttered looking pleased at the idea before frowning at him a little.”…you could. Tell them I got here okay.”She said staring at the blanket for a long time, her heart hurting, before shaking her head.”…no. I don’t want them here…no… I don’t think so. They would ruin it.”She said sadly. She had spent her childhood wanting to be loved, and the fact that she was giving up…that she had accepted her parents would not…was ripping her heart apart.

XDD seriously!? now that is bad.)

he smiled and nodded. before looking worried about her as he gently set a hand on hers. "i'm sorry Phedre." he muttered softly, wishing he could take away her pain and wishing he could make her feel better and wishing that.... well it didn't really matter, because he couldn't do such things. "...i have an idea." he admitted with a smile. "come with me." he ordered, taking her hand and dragging her to her feet and leading her down the many staircases and out into the gardens and over to the stables where horses, reindeer, and a single large white tailed buck where all milling about. "wait just a moment." he ordered softly. "it will come out in just a second..." he whispered, leaving her in the middle of the paddock before he slowly backed away, and the further away he got, the closer... something, came. what it was she couldn't see yet, but she could feel it. it's mighty magic wrapping around hers, a comforting, loving presence that was almost as soothing as the Winter Stone's. and then there it was, a glowing white creature that looked like anything she had ever seen, but it was so easy to tell what it was. it looked like a little baby deer, only bigger than she herself was. ever so graceful, with a single perfect horn growing out of it's forehead. a Unicorn. it stopped right in front of her, nickered softly and gently lipped at her palm, as if looking for a treat, and no doubt to her surprise, there where sugar cubes in her hand, slipped there by Alexei when she wasn't paying attention.

(it is. It really is XD)

Phedre shrugged a little, before looking startled as he said he had a idea.”What?What is it?”She said looking bemused as she let him drag her about, looking around her a little wide eyed. Before frowning at him.”What do you mean?There’s more?”she said turning to look at him before going back to look around her, before sighing, her eyes closing as the magic pressed against her, before blinking in startlement as she saw the unicorn, gasping as she looked at the creature. Laughing in delight and surprise as she saw that she was holding sugar cubes, raising her hand to let him eat it, hesitantly raising a hand as the horse ate, gently stroking his forehead.”Oh, you’re a pretty boy aren’t you, a pretty pretty boy.”she muttered. Focusing on the horse in front of her, and forgetting about anything else

Alexei smiled a little as he watched her waiting. he knew she'd forget all about being sad in just a moment. the Unicorn was very, very particular who was allowed to be near it, but the Snow Princess was always allowed near, because the Snow Princess was made the same way as the Unicorn was, according to legend. Alexei wasn't sure how much he believed it, but he knew that the Winter Roses, the Winter Stone, the Snow Princess and the Unicorn where all connected by very deep magic. the Unicorn snuffled and nuzzled her as it ate the sugar cubes and then laid down right then and there, perfectly content to let her fawn all over it. by the time Alexei came back over to her, night had fallen. "Phedre. we need to go inside now." he warned from a distance, the Unicorn snorting as it stood up, laid it's snout on her forehead, and walked away, leaving Phedre to Alexei who was smiling. "do you feel better now?" he asked with a smile. "i hope so, the Unicorn was, according tot he old stories, made just for you." he admitted with a smile. "this one appeared out of nowhere the day you where born... well, the day Johnathon claims you where born anyway."

Phedre indeed had lost herself in fawning over the horse, sitting down next to it as she rested the horses head in her lap, running her fingers through its mane before looking up at alexei. Pouting a little,”Do we have to?”She muttered smiling as the horse kissed her,but pouting anyways that she had to leave him. Nodding a little as she stood, starting to shiver, feeling cold now that she wasn’t focusing on the horse, moving to go inside.”Good, cause I don’t want to share him with anyone.”She said smiling before tilting her head.”Do I have to do anything to get ready for the festival alexei?”

he chuckled a little at her pouting and he nodded. "it's dusk, nighttime will be soon and you've been out here for a long time, you'll catch a cold." he warned. "and i doubt he'll let anyone but the children touch him now that you've made contact with him." Alexei admitted with a smile. "we'll come back anytime you want to." he promised calmly. "and no, not this year anyway. normally you would lead the Parade, riding on your Unicorn... but as we're keeping a low profile, all you have to do is enjoy the festival." he promised with a smile. "we'll worry about your involvement in the festivals later, alright?" he promised her. "for now, the only thing that is expected of you, is getting comfortable here." he promised her. "and whatever else Johnathon can talk you into." he tucked her in, making sure the blankets where nice and warm and the following days where filled with the same. history lessons, lesson's in how to 'manipulate' her image. which included how to walk when she wanted to impress someone, how to speak when giving a certain kind of tongue lashing, the many kinds of bows, and the kinds of silverware to use. Alexis worked eagerly and finally the day of the Festival was there and Alexis was beaming as she presented the dress to Phedre. "well, what do you think? i have two others if you don't like this one!"

(this is the Dress!)

Phedre looked pleased, though she knew that she should want to be part of the parade, she also just wanted a chance to be normal again, wanted to be part of the crowd, and be normal before things go public. “okay, that sounds good.”She said pleased with the idea. Smiling as she was tucked in.

When she saw alexis she raised her eyebrows, eyes widening as she looked at the dress.”Oh…oh alexis, its beautiful.”She said running her hands over the fabric.

Alexis beamed happily at Phedre's response to the dress. "i'm so glad you liked it! i wanted to make sure it accented you JUST right!" she admitted. "you look SO pretty in white!" she admitted happily as she shooed the woman into the bathroom to get dressed while she and Alexei did the same. when Phedre came out, Alexis was wearing a beautiful blue dress, with a shawl. Alexei only had his pants on, his chest bare and firm as he yanked his Zipper up. his pants looked painted on almost, though they still left room for movement, it was pretty clear they couldn't get any tighter. "Alexis? where did you throw my shirt?" he demanded, looking confused around his little mattress. he was sure he'd just had it. Ali was smirking a little to herself, well aware that Phedre could see the shirt she was holding behind her back, as well as the jacket. a 'prank' on her brother no doubt, though it did give Phedre some very nice eye candy.

Phedre smiled as she dressed, the pale blond looking all the more wintery in the white and red dress, as if the red was roses on snow, or blood spilled on snow…which frightened phedre a little to think about. Smiling as she stepped out she paused as she walked out, looking at a loss for words as she saw alexei before looking at ali. “N-no, we haven’t seen it.”Phedre said turning to look at alexei, blushing ever so slightly.

Alexei scowled a little as he looked around. "i just had the damn thing!" he complained, bending over and peeking under Phedre's bed, wondering if maybe it had been moved or something. "what the hell?" Alexis was struggling not to start giggling wildly and she glanced at Phedre, winking at her playfully as she lifted the shirt up. "i found it!" she chirped. "Great! thanks Ali!" Alexei stated happily, not realizing that he was being made fun of as he pulled on his black dress shirt with gold trim and pulling the jacket on over top of it. "there! shall we go th..." here he paused and stared wide eyed at Phedre and Alexis snickered. "Phedre! you're amazing beauty has broken my brother! for shame!" she teased with another giggle. "i'm not broken!"

Phedre bit her lip as alexei looked under her bed, smiling a little. “Good.We should be going then.”She said trying to not sigh in disappointment as she watched the twins for a moment before flushing as she looked at ali.”I did not. He’s fine.”She said stuttering a little before turning to leave, gathering her skirts in one hand so she wouldn’t fall over them.”We better be going then. Where do we go first?”She said looking curious

Alexis smirked a little and nodded. "there are tons of things! the Parade happens at Noon, until then there are games to play, prizes to win, street shows to look at and Contests to enjoy!" Alexis admitted happily. "it's your typical festival! we can do almost anything. there's some really good food too! oh we HAVE to get her some roasted cinnamon apples, and some Snow ice-cream, oh and..." "don't mind her, this is her favorite festival." Alexei admitted with a smile. "we'll get breakfast first, and then we'll troll the games and contests at your pleasure." he promised. "at noon there is a massive parade, and then the Ceremony. it's basically a large play showing the story of how Winter Lands was created, and then we watch the flowers bloom." he admitted with a smile. "it's really pretty." he admitted. "afterwords, we can do more games and stuff... whatever you want really."