Wren sighed once more before picking her head up and grabbing a simple quarter length sleeved, slightly fitted, floor length dress, and her deep purple robe. She threw the items on her bed and walked over to her small bathroom to wash off. Wren turned on the water and cupped her hands underneath, then brought them to her face to wash some of the dirt and sweat off from the sparring session with Thaddeus and Michael. She took the ribbons out of her hair and untwisted the braids. She then grabbed one more partial handful of water and ran her fingers through her hair. "If Lady Lynna wants me to dress decent AND wear a robe, it must be something serious...*sigh* Her silence makes me more nervous than her yelling ever could." Wren shook her head lightly and fluffed her hair.
After a few more moments she walked out, went over to the small window, and opened it. Letting the slightly cool breeze enter the room, she took a deep breath in, enjoying the scent of the wet dirt from the storm that was going on earlier. The breeze fluttered the thin curtains around her torso, gently moving her hair in the process. She listened closely to the sound of the small animals that remained in the forest, the rustling of the tree's leaves, and the soft sounds of thunder in the distance. She then walked over to the bed, looked down at the black dress and purple robe and sighed once more before undressing, and re-dressing away from the view of the window. As she was making her way back to the bathroom to use the mirror, there was a knock on her door.
Wren was surprised and cautiously reached out with her spiritual ability to see who was knocking. "Come in Lady Lynne, I was just about to fix my hair." Lady Lynne opened the door and quickly shut it behind her, causing Wren to feel curious and peak her head out of the door. "Is everything alright Lady Lynne?" Wren walked out of the bathroom and looked to Lady Lynne who had her arms crossed and was frowning. Once Wren saw her stance, she rolled her eyes. "Wren, do not roll your eyes at me! You leave me no choice but to come and fetch you. Your left me and your guest waiting in your study. He is already not pleased by your tardiness. Please do something with that hair of yours and come to your study at once." Lady Lynne said loudly before turning to walk out the door. "I told you I was just about to fix my hair! Sheesh, you impatient woman," Wren huffed as she quickly went to the bathroom, put her hair up in a semi neat up-do with a long strand coming down from either side and parted her bangs as usual.
..."My apologies for having you waiting for such a long time Young Master, Madame Wren will be down shortly. Until she arrives, should I have Amber here fetch you some more tea?" Lady Lynne was doing her best to entertain the guest, but it was clear he was growing impatient. "Doesn't she have teleportation abilities? Shouldn't she just be able to, you know-*poof* out when-" "Making a mockery of my abilities is a rather inappropriate action for such a "talented" Young Master as yourself, wouldn't you say?" The man was facing the window, and Wren appeared just inside of the large doors as he was speaking. "Oh, Miss Amber, could you be a doll and pour our Priestess some tea?"
Amber had giggled slightly at Wren's comment but quickly snapped back to her job and presented Wren with a small, ornate, tea cup of some herbal tea. The man who was starring out the window was startled by Wren's sudden appearance. "Young Master Claude, why do you have such an astonished look on your face? Were you not just mentioning my abilities that I demonstrated?" Wren smirked as she took a small drink of tea, "Always so...feisty aren't you Wren." Claude looked at Wren with a mocking gaze, "While I'm aware you are a Young Master, you should address me with my formal title of Priestess, My Lady, or Madame, we are nowhere near close enough for you to use my name directly."
As Wren was speaking she made her way over to the chair in front of the small couch where Claude was sitting, and she gracefully sat down, waiting for his response. Claude's eyebrows furrowed slightly in annoyance. While Claude and Wren were exchanging words, Lady Lynne was standing over to the side, seething because of their behavior. "Amber, please excuse yourself. Attend to your other matters within the grounds. I will summon you if necessary." Amber nodded obediently and quietly left the room. "Priestess, I heard that you had quite a few horrible accidents lately, am I correct?" Wren sat silently and nodded, "Yes I have had a few injuries as of late, but nothing my body cannot handle. Why are you asking me this if you already heard word?" A cheeky smile slowly began to appear on Claude's face. "Well Milady Wren, I am asking because I have a proposition, or proposal, if you prefer that terminology." Wren was shocked and almost dropped her tea cup at the next words out of Claude's mouth.
-Elsewhere in the Temple-"I wonder why Madame Wren's hasn't come to see me lately? Has she been busy?" Aster said to Michael with a slightly worried look. "I am sure she has simply lost track of time Aster. Lady Lynne is most likely reprimanding her because she was sparring with Thaddeus and I, or she could be busy with her duties related to being our Priestess. It could be any number of things really." Both Michael and Aster were sitting on a small pier that went over the medium sized lake, enjoying the cool breeze of the night. Aster sighed, "I guess you're right Michael. I know Madame can take care of herself, and I know I am many years her junior, but I cannot help but worry about her. She has done so much for me, yet I feel practically useless," Aster hung his head low and pulled his knees into his chest. "Aster, keep in mind, if not for you Lady Wren, Miss Naya, and even myself may not have received the medical attention we needed in time. You are a v-" "Oh Aster...you are a very important member of this temple. Don't let one incident keep you down! Also, I'm sorry for interrupting you Michael." Wren suddenly said behind the two men, startling Aster to the point of almost falling in the water; Michael was slightly surprised but remained in his seated position.
"M-Madame, p-please don't sneak up on me like that, I almost fell into the lake. A-and I wish you hadn't heard my nonsense." Aster quickly stood up and bowed before Wren, "Aster, raise your head and look at me," Aster did as he was told and Wren put a hand on one of his shoulders, "You have improved greatly since our first meeting and I have no doubt you will only become stronger. Meet me in my study around lunch time tomorrow. We can catch up and spend some much needed time together then, okay?" She lightly patted his shoulder, and Aster nodded and smiled brightly, "And, I hate to ruin your chat, but I need to speak with Michael for a moment alone. Would you mind returning back to your quarters for the night? It is already close to midnight." "Of course Madame Wren, I will see you tomorrow!" Aster nodded and happily walked away; when he was out of sight, Wren let out a deep sigh and plopped down in a seated position on the pier.
"My Lady what is troubling you?" Michael asked as he scooted slightly closer to Wren, who was fidgeting and regretted dropping down so quickly in a long, slightly fitted, dress. "I know it's something that has occurred for years, but I just- why now? I have so much to do, so much to experience and explore with yo-" "My Lady, please fully explain what it is you are talking about. I do not understand what you are saying because of your fragmented sentences." Michael said while softly touching Wren's face so she would be facing him. She sighed deeply and looked at Michael with pleading eyes , "Some of the Elders from our neighboring clans want a stronger alliance and strong heirs for the next generation of Rulers. They want me to...well CLAUDE...they want me to marry Claude, but I don't..." Wren trailed off while Michael was stunned silent, the only sounds were the slight rustling of the tree leaves and occasional sounds of small bugs.
"I...I don't want to marry Claude...There's already...*sigh* Lady Lynne is rather insistent on the matter and so are Horacio and Abena. They already stated that they believe it's a good idea. Apparently they have also received positive word from Lord Hayden and Lady Julianna of the Western temple...I know I am of age, but I can't-" Wren's words were cut short by Michael, who put a hand up to her mouth to hush her words. The two of them sat so close that their legs were slightly touching, neither one daring to move. Wren noticed that Michael had a look of anger, sadness, and shock on his face; 'I can't loose you too.'