Lost at Sea [Open]

[Deleted]

[nospaces][googlefont=Roboto+Mono:300|Open+Sans:400,400i,700,700i|Playfair+Display:400i]

[attr=class,punkihope]

[attr=class,absolute-holder]

[attr=class,image-divider]

[attr=class,accentbg]

[attr=class,image]

[attr=class,lyric1]

[attr=class,accentborder accenttext]
I never was cut out to step and strut out.

[attr=class,lyric2]

[attr=class,accentborder accenttext]
Give me the simple life

[attr=class,overlay]

[attr=class,charname accenttext]

[attr=class,accentbg]

Let's give it our best shot

[attr=class,bulk]
Maude Lif strolled along the shore of the lake, gazing thoughtlessly into the waters reflection. It was a nice afternoon and with little to do, she'd made the trip out to the lake for the day. There were streams and creeks closer to her home in Hyrule field, but she found the larger bodies of water to be more pleasant to visit. When she found a nice spot on the beach, she sat for a moment and took a break from walking. She breathed in the crisp air and felt calm. And not long after the pause, she bounced back onto her feet and began undressing. She slipped on her shirt and undid her pants, revealing a cool blue bathing suit. Her long hair blew gently in the wind, giving her a chill. She'd invested in a swimsuit before she moved out to Hyrule. After being taught to swim from a certain overzealous zora, she'd actually become very fond of the activity. After a few trips, it became clear that she needed a more dedicated outfit than simply whatever clothing she didn't care for. Although, she did opt for a one-piece suit. She'd become more comfortable with her body over time, but she was also still a modest woman. Maude stepped gently into water, feeling a cold start to nib at her skin. The day wasn't quite warm enough for the temperature to be appreciated, but Maude had never really minded the cold anyways. Gradually, she slipped deeper until she was treading water. She submerged her head to fully accumulate and came up feeling refreshed. She did so like to be in the water. It was comfortable, cool, and freeing in a way she wouldn't quite describe. It was like some base instinct in back of her mind recognized it as a haven. That sounded silly, she thought. She probably just liked it because swimming was fun. To that end, Maude began her best stroke, moving further out into the lake. Not so far as to be concerning, but enough so that she felt distanced from the world. She floated, enjoying the weightlessness, the silence, the isolation. She felt at ease and she hoped the feeling would last. Although, it wouldn't be the first time she was caught off guard in the water.  

[attr=class,bottom-text]

tagged @tag

Note: 

[attr=class,punkihopecredit]
template by punki

[newclass=.punkihope .accentbg]background: #6C909A;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .accentborder, .punkihope .bulk i]border-color: #6C909A;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .accenttext, .punkihope .bulk b, .punkihope .bottom-text span a]color: #6C909A;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope]width: 500px; background: #fbfbfb; border: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.05); margin: auto;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .absolute-holder]width: 500px; height: 272px; position: absolute; overflow: hidden;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .image]position: absolute; width: 100%; top: 0; height: 180px; background: url('https://i.postimg.cc/0N5Sw-vPw/Maude-header-4.jpg
');[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .image .overlay]height: inherit; background: linear-gradient(to right,rgba(60,60,60,0.2),rgba(70,70,70,0.8));[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .lyric1, .punkihope .lyric2]position: absolute; right: 43px; bottom: 29px; padding-top: 4px; padding-left: 4px; height: 20px; background: #ffffff;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .lyric1 div, .punkihope .lyric2 div]border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; font-family: 'Roboto Mono'; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 300; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 2px; word-spacing: -4px; line-height: 12px; padding: 5px 7px; margin-right: -4px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .lyric1]bottom: 66px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .image-divider]position: absolute; width: 450px; height: 1px; top: 180px; padding: 15px 25px; background: #ffffff; border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.07);[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .image-divider div]height: inherit; opacity: 0.3;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .charname]position: absolute; bottom: 15px; left: 50px; font-family: 'Playfair Display'; font-style: italic; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 2px; line-height: 14px; text-transform: lowercase;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .charname div]display: inline-block; opacity: 0.5; width: 50px; height: 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 10px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bulk]margin-top: 272px; margin-left: 40px; width: 420px; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 11px; line-height: 18px; color: rgba(0,0,0,0.6); text-align: justify;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bulk i]border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bulk i b]font-weight: 400;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bottom-text]height: 50px; background: #3e3e3e; margin: -1px; margin-top: 40px; font-family: 'Open Sans'; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.5); font-size: 10px; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 50px; padding: 0 40px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bottom-text > span]float: right;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bottom-text a]font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihopecredit]width: 500px; margin: auto; text-align: center; font-family: 'Roboto Mono'; font-size: 10px; line-height: 25px; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; opacity: 0.5;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihopecredit a]font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;[/newclass]

[Nex]

▲

Shaking, blinking, madly in love.

These were feelings he had not dissipated whenever he saw the lake, even after all these years. This was the place he had met his first love and all the same lost it. Perhaps it was less so the love he lamented but the loss of a youth he could never regain. The Zora had spent much of his life avoiding this place because it had woke memories he had long thought buried. Black gloves sheathed over trembling hands as he netted his fingers together trying to still them. Still he needed a break and the rivers that cut through castle town were suspect, at best. The floating debris had made him unsettled. He walked from Castle Town towards Lake Hylia where he could still feel the touch of clean waters to his scales. He made the trip on foot, no need to tug his cart all over, besides it was a good way to excuse needing one member of the caravan to remain behind for a short while.

It was not as if he did not -- appreciate her company. He was not sure how to proceed with things. The Zora felt there was something he was failing to do, a step he was missing crucial in such relationships. But the thoughts seemed to drift to the back of his mind as he drew closer to the lake. The sweet smell of cattail weeds and fresh water hit his senses. Though he was often considered a Sea Zora by many Hylians, his River blood was called by the fresh waters to take a dive. Looking around the shark-toothed jelly would reach his arms behind his head and hurriedly shuffle off his cloak leaving him dressed down in his black, skin-tight body suit. At six feet and three the Zora was quite tall, but his form was lithe, if not lanky. As soon as his cloak was tossed aside he would too kick his boots off, the belt left on his hips so he was not left unarmed. He had to deal with being snuck upon by pirates and brigands in the past and even in water he was a touch remiss on being vulnerable.

He crouched at the bank's edge and looked around. His eyes scanned the horizon before hurriedly diving into its depths. His entrance left naught but a ripple as evidence as the aquatic creature shot to the bed of the lake with a single kick and lurch of his form. As soon as he touched bottom he would look up. There he could see the shadow of a person who had taken to treading water. Tilting his head the Zora blinked. He had thought, for a moment, he could fully relax and submerge himself, but here... men did still rule, didn't they? The Zora took a deep breathe in his gills and zipped through the waters. First to the west, than to the east, all the while watching the person above. His jaws would part, revealing his menacing set of teeth that looked more they belonged to a shark than a jelly-fish, but some forget that the title was merely that. Sinnie was a predator after all: a Zora born to the sea.

He ground his teeth for a moment before closing his jaws tight. "I suppose," He thought. "A lake has little more dangerous than snails." He pushed to the surface, though it was never an easy task as shifting between the sources of air caused his scarred gills to fumble he coughed a bit before his eyes would widen at the familiar face.

A sharp inhale caught in his lungs before he sank back down, a ripple and silent scream as he dove. He swallowed a mouthful of water to help push his gills into work faster. He sat just beneath the surface of the water, wide-eyed and floating within inches of the woman.

@ tag ● 654 ● There was a shark in the water and it was not him...

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Deleted]

Ah... Lake Hylia. The ever-pristine, gentle Lake Hylia. The last time Maedhra visited this part of her suzerain's kingdom was when she was but a wee lass, holding tight to her mother's skirt as she chatted with other ladies of the court basking in the gentle autumn sun. Her father The Duke was out hunting along with the King's entourage for a few days, and so Maedhra spent a few days following her mother and the other ladies' idyllic outings. While she could not remember them all, she did vividly remember the trip to Lake Hylia, with its ever beautiful sparkle that seemed like a thousand shining crystals.

It was also on this shore that she first met him. It would not be their last.

As her handsome white horse ambled along the Lake shore, The Duchess inhaled the fresh air and found herself at ease. After almost one-week of siege and almost a week or so loitering around the Castle Town in an attempt to secure an appointment with the Queen, a change of scenery was what the Duchess needed. Garbed in riding clothes with a red-and-gold lined cloak covering her, paired with sable-colored trousers and a pair of boots to match, it wasn't hard to see that this lady was part of nobility. Indeed, the wary villagers who passed her along the way bowed, which she graciously returned with a wave of her hand. Those who knew the face of The Red Demon even stopped in awe, although to them The Duchess also extended her hospitality.

But no matter how relaxed she was, Duchess Maedhra was always aware of her surroundings. After several minutes riding alone, she came to a rather secluded part of the lake, quite far from the bustling civilization. Her eagle eyes caught the image of someone stripping to take a dip in the lake -an activity the Duchess herself felt quite willing to join. But on the far side of the river, she caught the silhoutte of another. A Zora, it seemed, judging from their lanky gait on the ground and their smooth as silk entrance, nary a disturbance in the water surface.

Now, a Zora diving into a lake would not concern the Duchess too much. Although the fact the woman who was stripping before was now floating leisurely on the lake bothered her somehow.

Too leisurely....

And where was the Zora?

"Oi!" she shouted, perhaps unclear from the lake but it would be easy enough to see who that one riding a horse on the shore was calling out to. There was no other person around. "You! Careful! Something's underneath you!"

---

@maude Nex

Note: This thread's premise is basically begging to be stalked by Sinnie ~

[Deleted]

[nospaces][googlefont=Roboto+Mono:300|Open+Sans:400,400i,700,700i|Playfair+Display:400i]

[attr=class,punkihope]

[attr=class,absolute-holder]

[attr=class,image-divider]

[attr=class,accentbg]

[attr=class,image]

[attr=class,lyric1]

[attr=class,accentborder accenttext]
I never was cut out to step and strut out.

[attr=class,lyric2]

[attr=class,accentborder accenttext]
Give me the simple life

[attr=class,overlay]

[attr=class,charname accenttext]

[attr=class,accentbg]

Let's give it our best shot

[attr=class,bulk]
Maude watched the clouds float by, feeling as i she too were drifting in the sky. Occasionally, she paddled her arms to push herself in one direction or another. She was content to bob softly in the water for a water, but peaked up when she heard something sound close by her. She looked around and saw nothing but endless lake, without another soul in site. Even still, she could have sworn someone took a breath just by. She kept her eyes on the look out. The air suddenly felt a little staler than before. A grey cloud moved over the sun, shading the lake in an ominous shadow. The absence of light made it all the harder to see through the water, but she felt as if someone was watching her. Perhaps she shouldn't have come alone. Maude opted to move closer to the bank, using a simple breast stroke to keep her head above the water. She moved slowly, carefully, her heartbeat growing ever so slightly quicker with each motion. She hadn't realized just how far she'd gotten from the shore. It felt like she'd been swimming for a while yet made no progress. And just when her mind started to process what might become on her if she were attacked in such a disadvantageous position, someone called out to her from the land! She looked up, seeing the voice's origin. Upon understanding the warning given to her, she turned downward, looking frantically for whatever this danger could be and came face to face with a monster! It's gangling body stretched across the water. Grotesque inhuman facial features stared at her with glinting razor-sharp teeth. She screamed! Her body filled with adrenaline as she prepared to race for the safety of the shore before she caught the creature's eyes and-
[break][break]

"Nex!?" She paused her panicking to get a closer looked at her assailant. With an exasperated scoff she relaxed her body, realizing that she wasn't in danger of a sea monster attack; at least not the kind she was afraid of. She put a hand over her chest and muttered profanity under her breath, feeling embarrassed that the little fish had actually inflicted a scream from her. He really always had to find the most irritating way to introduce himself, whether that be lurking nearby or getting his webbed hands on her daughter. He exuded even less friendliness and trustworthiness than Maude did, but at least she didn't have a pension for terrifying the masses! Well, maybe she did but not like this. She was more direct with her terror. Goddesses, her heart
[break][break]

It occurred to Maude that the two of them weren't alone. She looked again to the woman on the land who was probably concerned. She raised a hand halfheartedly and called out, "It's ok! ...I know him." She state their acquaintanceship like she was reluctant to admit it and right now she kind of was. She turned back to the loch Hylia monster and folded her arms while treading water to chastise him, "Honestly, what is wrong with you?" 

[attr=class,bottom-text]

tagged Nex @maedhra

Note: I was fishing for a response  

[attr=class,punkihopecredit]
template by punki

[newclass=.punkihope .accentbg]background: #6C909A;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .accentborder, .punkihope .bulk i]border-color: #6C909A;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .accenttext, .punkihope .bulk b, .punkihope .bottom-text span a]color: #6C909A;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope]width: 500px; background: #fbfbfb; border: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.05); margin: auto;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .absolute-holder]width: 500px; height: 272px; position: absolute; overflow: hidden;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .image]position: absolute; width: 100%; top: 0; height: 180px; background: url('https://i.postimg.cc/0N5Sw-vPw/Maude-header-4.jpg
');[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .image .overlay]height: inherit; background: linear-gradient(to right,rgba(60,60,60,0.2),rgba(70,70,70,0.8));[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .lyric1, .punkihope .lyric2]position: absolute; right: 43px; bottom: 29px; padding-top: 4px; padding-left: 4px; height: 20px; background: #ffffff;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .lyric1 div, .punkihope .lyric2 div]border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; font-family: 'Roboto Mono'; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 300; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 2px; word-spacing: -4px; line-height: 12px; padding: 5px 7px; margin-right: -4px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .lyric1]bottom: 66px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .image-divider]position: absolute; width: 450px; height: 1px; top: 180px; padding: 15px 25px; background: #ffffff; border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.07);[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .image-divider div]height: inherit; opacity: 0.3;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .charname]position: absolute; bottom: 15px; left: 50px; font-family: 'Playfair Display'; font-style: italic; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 2px; line-height: 14px; text-transform: lowercase;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .charname div]display: inline-block; opacity: 0.5; width: 50px; height: 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 10px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bulk]margin-top: 272px; margin-left: 40px; width: 420px; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 11px; line-height: 18px; color: rgba(0,0,0,0.6); text-align: justify;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bulk i]border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bulk i b]font-weight: 400;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bottom-text]height: 50px; background: #3e3e3e; margin: -1px; margin-top: 40px; font-family: 'Open Sans'; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.5); font-size: 10px; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 50px; padding: 0 40px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bottom-text > span]float: right;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bottom-text a]font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihopecredit]width: 500px; margin: auto; text-align: center; font-family: 'Roboto Mono'; font-size: 10px; line-height: 25px; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; opacity: 0.5;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihopecredit a]font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;[/newclass]

[Nex]

▲

One could not hear underwater as one did above, but Zora could hear as well as they did below and above the surface. This meant that the Knight's shout was not lost on him, causing him to wince below the surface as she exposed his presence. Leave it to knights to stick their noses where it didn't belong. If he was hiding from a murderer she would have certainly exposed him to death. His eyes went wide once again when Maude began to violently splash. He shifted his weight so he pushed back and away from the reach of her limbs, lest find the other side of his face swollen and paralyzed.

Narrowing his eyes would shift and make a twisting motion so he could corkscrew back to the top of the lake. The shadow beneath the surface gave the illusion that some massive creature was about to break wave but when all was said and done naught but a blue muffin top became visible. He kept his mouth beneath the surface a moment. Rivulets of clean water rained down the edges of his hair and down into the lake once more. One eye was pinched close. It was his right one, marred with the tattoo of a foreign letter, Zora letter to be exact. The corner of his mouth curled up as he bubbled defiantly at the farmer, quickly swimming backwards to make distance between them.

Pushing to the bank he would reach out his long arms, gloved hands pressing into the grass as he lift himself up. The coughing fits began as he shifted between the sources of breathe. He quickly adjusted the collar of his bodysuit as to hide the scars that marred his gills, making sure eyes did not longer long on exposed flesh. The Zora stood squat on the edge of the water, gasping a bit for air. His face was red, likely from the coughing, but it was the booking emotions of being mere inches from a scantily dressed Maude. She almost touched him. He poured, though with his half expressing features he looked to be sneering at the waterbound maiden.

"I'm a Zora!" As if it would answer his creepily treading water.

And it should.

Though some mistook him for a Sea Zora he was most definitely fond of lake beds. Now for the issue of that damn, nosy knight… The man was difficult to discern. His body moved like a delinquent, but such overshadowed how he favored his left side, nor could nary see from his right. Around his hip was the only piece of equipment one could spy aside from the link, coral-carved bracelets on his wrists, and it was a belt that carried a blade's holster. The handle glimmered against the light and seemed to have a pink hue to it.

@maude @maedhra ● 471 ● He's a shark, you know, but not the kind that bites.

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Deleted]

To Maedhra's horror the lady in the lake started turning violently! Thinking the worst, she had already reached for the dagger on her hips and jumped down from her horse. Her clothes be damned! She could not let a fellow Hylian fell victim to a lake monster!

But just when she started towards the lake, the lady shouted back and waved her hand half-heartedly.

"It's Ok... I know him..."  she said in a tone that would convince no one. The Duchess' eyes narrowed.

"ARE YOU FRYING SURE?" She shouted back. But this time, there were ripples from the water.

And it was moving ashore!

Taking a step back, Maedhra readied herself for anything that might come. She might not be in the vicinity of her guards, but if anything thought they could take one The Red Demon easily, who had gripped a sword before she could walk, that thing would be sorely mistaken.

And sure enough, what emerged from the water was that Zora earlier. Maedhra could not be entirely sure, being so far when he entered water. But his gait and the way he stooped was exactly similar.

"I am a Zora! " he declared, as if that would answer his creepy stalking in the water.

The absurdity of it and the Zora's funny tone made The Duchess bursted into laughter. He was not a threat, that much was certain. Someone as sharp as The Duchess knew instinctively when to keep her guard up and when to let it down. She moved her hand from the hilt of her dagger, completely at ease.

"Well, that' s easy to see, pancake," She snickered. There was no malice or any condescending tone, honestly. It was just The Duchess quirk to always insert some kind of food reference. It helped a lot to mask her cursing habit. "The real question is, why the cherry did you stalk a Hylian woman when she was swimming? And from underwater, too."

She crossed her arms to hug her body, chuckling once more. "If you find her desirable, just say it directly to her you oat. Times are dangerous. You should express your love when you can. Pain of rejection will subside, but the regret of keeping secrets will linger forever~"

Ah there goes her words. She had to give it to her mother. No matter how she was trained as a warrior she could never hide the fact that she was a noble lady.

"I am Maedhra, by the way." She smiled, offering her hand in an amicable tone, "And yes I am a roasting Hylian, though I don't see the need to say it out loud."

Now Maedhra is not exactly a common name. Any one a bit versed in politics, or a merchant worth his salt, might have heard about Duchess Maedhra of Bion, the absolute ruler of that warlike duchy.

---

@maude Nex

Meet my character who likes to make fun of people

[Deleted]

[nospaces][googlefont=Roboto+Mono:300|Open+Sans:400,400i,700,700i|Playfair+Display:400i]

[attr=class,punkihope]

[attr=class,absolute-holder]

[attr=class,image-divider]

[attr=class,accentbg]

[attr=class,image]

[attr=class,lyric1]

[attr=class,accentborder accenttext]
I never was cut out to step and strut out.

[attr=class,lyric2]

[attr=class,accentborder accenttext]
Give me the simple life

[attr=class,overlay]

[attr=class,charname accenttext]

[attr=class,accentbg]

Let's give it our best shot

[attr=class,bulk]
Maude felt like she was being ignored. The least that bubbling maniac could do was apologize for startling her, but instead he'd scampered off like a coward. It's not like she was going to hurt him. At this point she'd become accustomed to Nex's creepiness. Having any kind of interaction with him meant putting aside a subtle, unceasing feeling of danger. She might feel rude for thinking so if he didn't seem to lean into it so much. She wondered if he was trying to make up for his lack of strength. Either way, she saw through his bluff. For all the time he'd spoken to her menacingly, he showed no sign of actual violence. Maude, on the other hand, lived up to her threats, which was why she wasn't allowed in certain bars anymore.
[break][break]

Maude swam out to join the other two, but didn't make it in time to hear Meadhra suggest that Nex confess his feelings for her, but had she been, she would have had to protest. Besides the obvious conflicts of her relationship status and Nex's ill-suited interest for her daughter, the thought of the two of them existing in any romantic context would be more than she could process. Thankfully, she was still freestyle stroking over to the shore. When she arrived, she sat on the bank with her legs still dipping into the water. It took her a minute to move her hair out of her face. She wasn't actually very used to it being this length. She'd never had it this long before. As she struggled to push her wet locks behind her shoulder, she continued to nag Nex. "Don't get mad at her just for pointing you out. It's no wonder we both mistook you for a shark of some kind." She turned to Maedhra, "Thank you, by the way. I doubt he was planning anything malicious, but I also don't like how this is becoming a recurrent problem"
[break][break]

Maude did have to wonder at this woman's speech patterns. She seemed awfully focused on food for some reason. If she was trying to censor her language, Maude wasn't sure that this was an endearing replacement. Maude didn't advocate for cursing in any context, despite partaking in the habit near constantly, but she might make an exception in this woman's case. Even still she had to be happy that she knew how to greet someone. "Oh look at that, she introduced herself and offered her hand to say hello, like a normal person does. How nice." Her deadpan made it unclear whether she was being sarcastic or not. Her words were obviously meant to be hurtful, but she simply said them too flatly to know for certain. "Now that I know that my new acquaintance Meaehra is here, I will also greet her. Hello, Maehdra. My name is Maude Lif. It's nice to meet you." Perhaps she was literally trying to teach Nex how to announce himself. Maude's social ineptness often left her needing explicit lessons on how to go about different interactions. From her perspective, it seemed entirely possible that Nex needed the same help. OR maybe she was just being an asshole. No one can truly know. 

[attr=class,bottom-text]

tagged Nex @maedhra

Note: 

[attr=class,punkihopecredit]
template by punki

[newclass=.punkihope .accentbg]background: #6C909A;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .accentborder, .punkihope .bulk i]border-color: #6C909A;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .accenttext, .punkihope .bulk b, .punkihope .bottom-text span a]color: #6C909A;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope]width: 500px; background: #fbfbfb; border: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.05); margin: auto;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .absolute-holder]width: 500px; height: 272px; position: absolute; overflow: hidden;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .image]position: absolute; width: 100%; top: 0; height: 180px; background: url('https://i.postimg.cc/0N5Sw-vPw/Maude-header-4.jpg
');[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .image .overlay]height: inherit; background: linear-gradient(to right,rgba(60,60,60,0.2),rgba(70,70,70,0.8));[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .lyric1, .punkihope .lyric2]position: absolute; right: 43px; bottom: 29px; padding-top: 4px; padding-left: 4px; height: 20px; background: #ffffff;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .lyric1 div, .punkihope .lyric2 div]border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; font-family: 'Roboto Mono'; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 300; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 2px; word-spacing: -4px; line-height: 12px; padding: 5px 7px; margin-right: -4px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .lyric1]bottom: 66px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .image-divider]position: absolute; width: 450px; height: 1px; top: 180px; padding: 15px 25px; background: #ffffff; border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.07);[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .image-divider div]height: inherit; opacity: 0.3;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .charname]position: absolute; bottom: 15px; left: 50px; font-family: 'Playfair Display'; font-style: italic; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 2px; line-height: 14px; text-transform: lowercase;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .charname div]display: inline-block; opacity: 0.5; width: 50px; height: 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 10px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bulk]margin-top: 272px; margin-left: 40px; width: 420px; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 11px; line-height: 18px; color: rgba(0,0,0,0.6); text-align: justify;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bulk i]border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bulk i b]font-weight: 400;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bottom-text]height: 50px; background: #3e3e3e; margin: -1px; margin-top: 40px; font-family: 'Open Sans'; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.5); font-size: 10px; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 50px; padding: 0 40px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bottom-text > span]float: right;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bottom-text a]font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihopecredit]width: 500px; margin: auto; text-align: center; font-family: 'Roboto Mono'; font-size: 10px; line-height: 25px; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; opacity: 0.5;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihopecredit a]font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;[/newclass]

[Nex]

▲

The Zora remained squat on the ground, which his arms hanging over his knees, just drip drying. His head slowly turned to the side as he listened to Maedhra go on about her pancakes, or something. Unfortunately, or fortunately, she was on his blind side he would be able to ignore the knight a moment while he collecting his barongs. He would slow his breathing as he tried to fight off anymore coughing fits. He clenched his jaw, trying to bite his tongue, but he has long since fallen from that habit, even if his tongue still retained some of those scars. Maude would like hear it on some measure. That twisting slur in his voice that sloshed against his natrually deep voice had seemed to completely vanish leaving his tenor occasionally touched by a lisp or stammer. His hand came up to brush at his hair, slicking it back.

What?

He pushed to stand, his left hand taking up his cloak and he did. He turned to face the knight, the black cloth being resituated over his form as he was still dripping wet. His brows would knit as he parted his jaws to speak, features twisting up in what looked like irritation, bit deep down he was plenty shocked. Who was this hag?! She wouldn't know love of it bit her in the ass! Of course the world was a dangerous and hurtful place that even the warmth of love can become so cold! He knew well how you only had once chance to get it right! His fists would clench tight as his arms shook at his sides. His curled lip twisted his face into a sneer as the mouthy maiden went on a journey with her thoughts. Him? In love with Maude? Hardly. The very thought caused him to turn his head to the side and spit at the ludicrous idea.

Besides if he admitted he loved her she would vanish…

He wasn't mad at the stranger for her assertion, but he held no such feelings for the barbarian of a woman! "What? As of." The annoyance of her ignorance was pushed back as Maude spoke up. The man's dark expression feel as he looked to the dark haired woman. He opened his mouth to dismiss the consideration, shrugging as he turned fully around, his back no longer on display. "It's hardly my fault you fall into such insidiously exposed situations." He mumbled, his right eye punching closed.

As Maedhra held out her hand in greeting he raised his arms to cross over his chest. He kept a fair distance between him and the women. Maude seemed to make a show of her oh-so-good manners, but it made no difference. It wasn't as if he could touch anyone. Just the thought of standing near them, his flesh meeting the flesh of another was almost enough to cause him to break out in boils. He shrugged. It made no difference of Maude shook her hand or not. He wasn't going to. Stubborn as he may have seemed he had a physical aversion to other people.

Merely touching them caused him an emotional pain that became physical.

"You may call me Nex." It did not sound like a Zora's name, nor did he provide a last name either.

There was something inherently dangerous about the Zora, though it was difficult to discern just what. He hardly seemed fit, nor was he magically inclined. Perhaps the danger lie in the fact he was full of contradictions? He seemed angry, but in truth he was distressed. He looked to despise their comments, but the accuracy of some of the duchess's words ached in a way he could not measure. Maude's attitude? While wholly bitter she was right and as much as he should act more warmly to new faces -- the idea of physical contact made him ill.

Though why was that?

"You'll have to pardon my lack of offering you my hand." He curtly added. "I'm wet, and I don't make a habit of swearing oaths." Which made sense. As a merchant a handshake was an oath of honor to complete a deal, something he rarely gave, but Maedhra couldn't possibly tell just by looking at him.

He seemed more wretch than anything else.

@maude @maedhra ● 715 ● A faceless diversion

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Deleted]

To his credit, the Zora did try to be menacing, as he stood up and gathered his bearings. Or at least that was what Maedhra thought. She did not know. It had been a long time since she truly felt fear. Or being threatened for that matter. Duchess of Bion was bred and raised in the battlefield of life and death. As to this Zora... Maedhra was confident she could turn her back towards him and sleep and still sensed his attack from miles away.

But that didn't mean she would not respect him all the same!

The Zora rebuked her assertion with a sharp "As if!" and even spat on the opposite direction. Maedhra raised her eyebrows.

"Well now, chowder. Don't get too worked up," She said, a little reprimanding. "If you hate her that much you can always state so~"

Then the lady arrived, taking some time to dry her long hair a little. She rebuked the Zora, like a mother would her son, which made Maedhra grinned in approval.

"Thank you, by the way. I doubt he was planning anything malicious, but I also don't like how this is becoming a recurrent problem." She said, to which The Duchess nodded. But the Zora's next quip raised an alarm.

"It's hardly my fault you fall into such insidiously exposed situations."

... Wouldn't Maedhra be forgiven to think that this Zora has been A Creepy Stalker and that this reputable lady's convenience had been compromised for far too many times?

But let's be civil, shall we? Starting with introductions.

Again, the lady, now she knew was called Maude Lif, seemed to gently teach the Zora the proper way to respond to introduction. Which the Zora followed, although he refused to shake her hand, which she understood. Long ago she remembered meeting a family of Zora who had transited in her Duchy. The young mother -a very beautiful Zora with long blue hair- was decidedly graceful, and would much prefer to bow rather than shaking hand.

"Nice to meet you, too, Maude Lif. And I understand, Nex," She smiled a little, "Though what frappe oath you talked about I don't have a single donut idea."

"But, ma'am if this man has been bothering your.... 'insidiously exposed situation'... 'in a recurrent way', you should firmly say no to his advances," She continued, suddenly her tone became sage-like, "Sometimes this kind of men needs very strong refusal before giving up. Or! Better yet find yourself a good man and tie the cherry knot! That should deter a boiling few of them, at least~" She ended, smiling jovially.

Her finger moved to point towards the Zora. "And you! Shouldn't you stop pestering a respectable lady who's clearly not interested in your potato face and find yourself a suitable match? Sometimes... you need to learn to let go, you know."

Oh look, the teenager Duchess inadvertently acted so high and mighty. Even Maude was a full head taller than her. But dried jerky if Maedhra didn't have the charisma!

---

@maude Nex

[Deleted]

[nospaces][googlefont=Roboto+Mono:300|Open+Sans:400,400i,700,700i|Playfair+Display:400i]

[attr=class,punkihope]

[attr=class,absolute-holder]

[attr=class,image-divider]

[attr=class,accentbg]

[attr=class,image]

[attr=class,lyric1]

[attr=class,accentborder accenttext]
I never was cut out to step and strut out.

[attr=class,lyric2]

[attr=class,accentborder accenttext]
Give me the simple life

[attr=class,overlay]

[attr=class,charname accenttext]

[attr=class,accentbg]

Let's give it our best shot

[attr=class,bulk]
Maude eyed Nex coldy as if daring him to continue blaming her for this mess. Insidiously exposed situations? Nex would consider taking a walk in the park to be an insidiously exposed situation. She knew Nex well enough to not wish to threaten him sincerely, but she was not a patient woman. The fact that she'd been this calm for this long was a testament to how forgiving she was trying to be. Maude's experience with Nex led her to believe that this was simply how Nex went about social situations. Whether he was genuinely trying to be friendly or just didn't recognize what he was doing wrong, she figured that he had simply been trying to say hello, more or less. At least, ignorance was how she was choosing to interpret his actions. She was no conversational savant either, so she didn't want to be too harsh on him. However, if she took the time to mull over how Nex had shadowing her, alone, when she was blatantly vulnerable, in a context that he considered to be exposing, then she might forget her kindness and rediscover her anger. He really ought not to test tolerance and continue to insult her, lest he be reminded why he was so scared of Maude in the first place
[break][break]

Maude smiled politely as Maedhra addressed her, but her expression quickly turned into confusion. At first, she wasn't quite sure what the woman was suggesting. Reject Nex's advances? Well she had hardly invited them to begin with, nor had she ever reacted well to them. He should be very aware of that she would prefer if he just invited her over for tea or something of the like. She hardly saw how declining to spend time casually with Nex would encourage him to develop some manners. And what on earth did getting married have to do with thi-oh. Oh wait. Oh no. No, no, no, no. Surely not?
[break][break]

Maude reacted to the implication with a look of disgust, but then paused to think it over. Like she'd said before, she interpreted Nex's strangeness as a character trait disguising good, or at least neutral intentions. But she didn't actually know that for certain. Maude didn't know much about anything people did for certain. Sure sometimes she could make an educated guess, but even then she was often wrong! Sometimes people would apart saying "see you later" and she knew that simply meant good bye without any intention of following up, but sometimes it didn't! Sometimes people said it and it did actually mean they wanted to see her later, not that she could ever tell. Honestly, how was she supposed to guess at people's meanings when the rules changed all the time! And that was just a common interaction. Nex's behavior was far from the established communication system she was vaguely used to. His action could mean anything for all she knew! She wanted to dismiss the idea that any part of these could be motivated by romantic interest of all goddess forsaken things, but it wasn't impossible. This woman surely seemed to think that was the case. Teenager or no, Maude was willing to believe anyone else's interpretation of a social situation before her own. She made the general assumption that everyone knew more about what was going on then her and it was a very justified assumption. It was like saying that most animals were faster than a turtle. She wasn't likely to be wrong. A stranger could tell her that handshakes were now considered offensive act and she's believe them. And look! Nex had just shyed away from a handshake like it was an intimate gesture when she had shaken his hand over business dealing multiple times in the past!
[break][break]

Her head swirled in sudden, horrible cognition. She stared at Nex with utter dumbfounded bafflement. Complicated math equations could almost be seen appearing around her as she looked on in deep thought, reconsidering her entire worldview. After a long pause, she finally spoke up in a mystified tone of voice, "Nex, you are aware that I'm engaged, aren't you??? She held up her left hand, displaying her engagement ring as proof. The exact familiarity Nex had with her fiance was questionable, but surely in all the time the zora had known her, he must have known that she'd been in a serious romantic relationship for a number of years now. She'd lived with her fiance even before the two of them moved out to Hyrule together. Wouldn't Farrah have mentioned Jon in some context? And speak of, this revelation if true certainly brought into question Nex and Farrah's exact relationship as well! The light it cast Nex in was hardly flattering. Maude would be overprotective of Farrah even to a respectable, good-willed suitor, but if Nex's intentions were even the least bit dishonest, he was in grave danger. She would come down upon him with a wrath that shook the very island to its core. His ass would be fried fillet disposed of in Lake Hylia in broad daylight without a hint of remorse or concealment. He'd best throw her off this train of thought before her mind took any more logical leaps to the peril of everyone around. 

[attr=class,bottom-text]

tagged Nex @maedhra

Note: It's hard to be a dumbass 

[attr=class,punkihopecredit]
template by punki

[newclass=.punkihope .accentbg]background: #6C909A;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .accentborder, .punkihope .bulk i]border-color: #6C909A;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .accenttext, .punkihope .bulk b, .punkihope .bottom-text span a]color: #6C909A;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope]width: 500px; background: #fbfbfb; border: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.05); margin: auto;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .absolute-holder]width: 500px; height: 272px; position: absolute; overflow: hidden;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .image]position: absolute; width: 100%; top: 0; height: 180px; background: url('https://i.postimg.cc/0N5Sw-vPw/Maude-header-4.jpg
');[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .image .overlay]height: inherit; background: linear-gradient(to right,rgba(60,60,60,0.2),rgba(70,70,70,0.8));[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .lyric1, .punkihope .lyric2]position: absolute; right: 43px; bottom: 29px; padding-top: 4px; padding-left: 4px; height: 20px; background: #ffffff;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .lyric1 div, .punkihope .lyric2 div]border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; font-family: 'Roboto Mono'; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 300; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 2px; word-spacing: -4px; line-height: 12px; padding: 5px 7px; margin-right: -4px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .lyric1]bottom: 66px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .image-divider]position: absolute; width: 450px; height: 1px; top: 180px; padding: 15px 25px; background: #ffffff; border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.07);[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .image-divider div]height: inherit; opacity: 0.3;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .charname]position: absolute; bottom: 15px; left: 50px; font-family: 'Playfair Display'; font-style: italic; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 2px; line-height: 14px; text-transform: lowercase;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .charname div]display: inline-block; opacity: 0.5; width: 50px; height: 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 10px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bulk]margin-top: 272px; margin-left: 40px; width: 420px; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 11px; line-height: 18px; color: rgba(0,0,0,0.6); text-align: justify;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bulk i]border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bulk i b]font-weight: 400;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bottom-text]height: 50px; background: #3e3e3e; margin: -1px; margin-top: 40px; font-family: 'Open Sans'; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.5); font-size: 10px; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 50px; padding: 0 40px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bottom-text > span]float: right;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bottom-text a]font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihopecredit]width: 500px; margin: auto; text-align: center; font-family: 'Roboto Mono'; font-size: 10px; line-height: 25px; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; opacity: 0.5;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihopecredit a]font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;[/newclass]

[Nex]

▲

The Zora had indeed shook Maude's hand a number of times. Business was business and the male took it quite seriously, but this damned maiden was starting to stress him out. She was asking questions he had no answers to and making assertions towards feelings he has yet to thread through himself. Love was fickle, foolish, fleeting and far off for a fish like him! And what was with this woman's vernacular? Every other phrase was cheery picked to involve food!

Gah! He was doing it now!

The Zora slowly pulled his gloved hands to his face. If he could he would openly weep, but he was not yet fully threaded to be able to advanced beyond his current state of despair. He exhaled and let his arms fall to the side. He cocked his head, that Zora pride peeking out just a little, at least until he slouched forward, once again hiding the fullness of his form, before raising his hands to animate the mental picture of the duress Maedhra was inflicting on his sensitive mind.

"You only shake hands if you are swearing an oath or making a promise. I'm a merchant. I don't shake hands at someone's behest." Nor did he give his real name out lest a witch steal it or a Faerie take fancy to it.

He was full of habitual superstitions that put a religious man to shame. Than there was Maude's declaration which caused him to do a double take. Wait, what? What was the haggard farmhand insinuating? Nex straightened up ever so slightly, his brows knitting before his jaws parted and face twisted up as if mathematical equations were thwarting his forward step. It finally hit him. Did these two think he was smitten with Maude?!

"I'm sorry, what?" He reeled back, putting a hand to his chest.

He took a step back from both madwomen, slipping a bit on the wet grass. He stumbled a bit before he threw both arms out, panic filling his chest. He wasn't even sure how to solve this social -- social insanity. Surely it was obvious?

It wasn't.

He was clear about his intentions.

He wasn't.

He gave her things, talked with her!

It wasn't enough.

Sure he's never told her.

She won't know.

He seemed to pale as he sunk down to the ground and pulled his head to his knees. Poor guy was having a moment. He hugged his knees to his chest and glared up at Maude best a one-eyed shark could. His face than softened a bit as he frowned, at least as well one could do with half his face working. He seemed to deflate as his exhale allowed him to further compact like a spooked hermit crab.

"…but I like Farrah…" Was he not clear with his intentions?

He thought he was. He disliked most others. They were too loud. They were wholly selfish and seemed terribly self-absorbed. Has he not been intentional with his endeavors? One could not really call him assertive or -- warm, so perhaps there was miscommunication, one he had no idea was being directed.

@maude @maedhra ● 520 ● Was I really miscommunicating something so clear?

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Deleted]

"You only shake hands if you are swearing an oath or making a promise. I'm a merchant. I don't shake hands at someone's behest."

At this The Duchess giggled, "Yes. Yes. I know. Fritters! You really make a big freezing fuss of this, don'tcha?"

Oh, but Maedhra really liked how her words had helped the lady finally realizing the truth! Yes, this world is too full of people who repress their own feelings in fear of hurting others' feelings and Maedhra would have none of that! She would tell a burdened prince to firmly say enough and enough and would encourage an unsure princess to boldly declare what she wanted! Sure, not everything can be achieved. But the first step is to be brave to say so!

And Maude deflated that Zora's burgeoning feeling with a swift deathstroke which made Maedhra beamed with pride. A statement that she was already engaged, and with a ring to prove it! Now, surely faced with that ironclad argument any self-respecting man, even a Zora, would understand that their amorous advances were ill-natured?

"She is already engaged, and you still sauteing stalk her?!" The pointy finger was now even more sharp towards Nex, almost like a judgmental spear, "I can't believe you, Nex. Or whomever your anchovies name is. But now it is clear. You. Have. To. Frying. Stop."

But... maybe they had been too harsh?

The Zora staggered, clearly not taking the news well. Maedhra's once straight finger bent unsurely as she watched the Zora being plunged into a dark despair. He shouted disbelief, before taking a step back and raised both of his arms in panic.

'Well, now..." She started, before Nex unexpectedly sunk into the grass and pulled his knees in a saddened state! Poor guy was having a moment even The Duchess was a bit worried now!

Well, to be honest she had never experienced heartbreak herself, although she had heard plenty of tales and stories about how hurtful it was. How painful and scary heartbreak was that it would drove some into eternal pit of torment of despair. She had always thought that it was all exaggeration. But this own experience of seeing how this Zora man was utterly ruined at the mere show that his object of affection had already belonged to someone else made Maedhra scared even on the notion of love.

Was it really that hard.

The Duchess arms went down, now defensively crossing her chest, "Ah, Maude... he doesn't seem to take your engagement very well...? Perhaps we-"

"But I like Farrah...."

Maedhra blinked.

Okay. Now this is really confusing. So this Zora had already liked someone else? What had he been doing, then? Why did he take the news of Maude's engagement so hard? Unless.... Unless he was quickly shifting his attention to someone else! Cupcake! This man had a really callous, fickle heart!

With a surprisingly tender movement The Duchess bent down on one knee (she was wearing her riding attire) and gently pat Nex on the back.

"Well isn't that puff-pastry good news? So you have this Farrah now. You can stop annoying Lady Maude here, you hear me? She already has a sweetheart. You should be happy for her too!"

And she even found it appropriate to gently hit the confused Zora in the chest, a la her sword instructor. Her honest face was full of teasing grin. "Come now, apple. Be a gentleman, at least? You are in the presence of two leavening ladies!"

---

@maude Nex
Nis really showed all the wrong signals here~

[Deleted]

[nospaces][googlefont=Roboto+Mono:300|Open+Sans:400,400i,700,700i|Playfair+Display:400i]

[attr=class,punkihope]

[attr=class,absolute-holder]

[attr=class,image-divider]

[attr=class,accentbg]

[attr=class,image]

[attr=class,lyric1]

[attr=class,accentborder accenttext]
Some like the high road. I like the low road.

[attr=class,lyric2]

[attr=class,accentborder accenttext]
Free from the grief and strife.

[attr=class,overlay]

[attr=class,charname accenttext]

[attr=class,accentbg]

Give me the simple life

[attr=class,bulk]
Maude breathed an audible sigh of relief. Maedhra and Nex really had her going there for a while. She was worried and kind of scared. But she was ever thankful that things hadn't turned out as crazy as she thought they might. She wasn't even insult that Nex recoiled in disgust. It was good, frankly. That was an idea that should repulse him. Maude was quite content with their current, awkward and strained relationship so long as it stayed platonic. She felt partially that this was Nex's fault for being odd. She felt also that he perhaps deserved the shaming for scaring her earlier. But she did additionally feel ever so slightly bad for putting Nex in this position. It was surely an uncomfortable place to be in and he looked distraught. On the other hand, it was nice as it was to hear that Nex did actually have feelings for Farrah and wasn't just taking advantage of her. Of course, Maude had every intention of continuing to meddle until the two had a defined relationship (or Farrah asked her not to). Good intentions only got you so far and she had to make sure her little girl was safe from strange fish that stalked even their friends. Still, she figured her fishy friend had been shamed enough so she relented to save him.
[break][break]

Maude stood up and put her hand on Maedhra's shoulder to stop her from touching Nex, figuring that he probably didn't like it. She wouldn't have either. "Maedhra, I think you may be misinterpreting the situation." She felt kind of silly for listening to this teenager's silly romanticizing. Not because she should have trusted her own intuition or because she had any idea what Nex's deal was. Just because the child seemed just a tad bit dramatic. She spoke flatly and explained, "Farrah is my daughter. She and Nex have been interested in one another for some time now, before I began my relationship possibly. Nex doesn't have any romantic interest in me. He's just an old friend with some odd character traits." Maude looked to Nex for confirmation. She didn't want to speak for him, but uh, he maybe needed the help
 

[attr=class,bottom-text]

tagged Nex @maedhra

Note: Pray, for thou savior is here 

[attr=class,punkihopecredit]
template by punki

[newclass=.punkihope .accentbg]background: #6C909A;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .accentborder, .punkihope .bulk i]border-color: #6C909A;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .accenttext, .punkihope .bulk b, .punkihope .bottom-text span a]color: #6C909A;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope]width: 500px; background: #fbfbfb; border: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.05); margin: auto;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .absolute-holder]width: 500px; height: 272px; position: absolute; overflow: hidden;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .image]position: absolute; width: 100%; top: 0; height: 180px; background: url('https://i.postimg.cc/HnvTMc8F/Maude-header-4.jpg
');[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .image .overlay]height: inherit; background: linear-gradient(to right,rgba(60,60,60,0.2),rgba(70,70,70,0.8));[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .lyric1, .punkihope .lyric2]position: absolute; right: 43px; bottom: 29px; padding-top: 4px; padding-left: 4px; height: 20px; background: #ffffff;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .lyric1 div, .punkihope .lyric2 div]border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; font-family: 'Roboto Mono'; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 300; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 2px; word-spacing: -4px; line-height: 12px; padding: 5px 7px; margin-right: -4px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .lyric1]bottom: 66px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .image-divider]position: absolute; width: 450px; height: 1px; top: 180px; padding: 15px 25px; background: #ffffff; border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.07);[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .image-divider div]height: inherit; opacity: 0.3;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .charname]position: absolute; bottom: 15px; left: 50px; font-family: 'Playfair Display'; font-style: italic; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 2px; line-height: 14px; text-transform: lowercase;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .charname div]display: inline-block; opacity: 0.5; width: 50px; height: 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 10px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bulk]margin-top: 272px; margin-left: 40px; width: 420px; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 11px; line-height: 18px; color: rgba(0,0,0,0.6); text-align: justify;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bulk i]border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bulk i b]font-weight: 400;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bottom-text]height: 50px; background: #3e3e3e; margin: -1px; margin-top: 40px; font-family: 'Open Sans'; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.5); font-size: 10px; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 50px; padding: 0 40px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bottom-text > span]float: right;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihope .bottom-text a]font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihopecredit]width: 500px; margin: auto; text-align: center; font-family: 'Roboto Mono'; font-size: 10px; line-height: 25px; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; opacity: 0.5;[/newclass]
[newclass=.punkihopecredit a]font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;[/newclass]

[Nex]

▲

"Stalk?" He seemed aghast at the very notion, his arms falling from his face as his arms slumped to the grass. "I need not stalk!" And he was damn proud of not being some sable eyed skulker.

Who is this sassy, lost child? The Zora never did like children. They were brutal creatures with no sense of discretion. If not for the fur that covered land pets he would be even more inclined towards them. Their sticky, shedding coats. Getting all over his everything! How dare she go mouthing off like she was some expert in romance. Though who knew. Books were advanced these days! The Zora was a wastrel, maybe, but he was no womanizer like his cousin. Manizer? The brute didn't much care what, or whom he ate. But Next was very selective on who he socialized with! He was becoming highly aggravated and his temper was starting to show as his passive pout was becoming an active sneer as he tried to resolve this matter with logic, but all this knight tossed about was madness!

He was so lost in his mournful thoughts of a poorly executed romance, yet flocked but considered fledgling, that he has lost sight of Maedhra whom walked in his blind spot. It was not until her hand was raised that his heart leapt into his chest, causing him to lurch forward. He thought quickly and acted faster, but being a bit long limbed the landbound eel stumbled and nearly found his face meeting upon grass.

He didn't want to be like his cousin! That man was a nuisance and, if Nex could declare: an enemy of the crown! The Zora pushed to his feet, the languishing grouper finding the strength to push against the gravity that seemed fixed to pin him, he torment of the mouthy maiden finding a thin thread of patience coiled and ready to snap. She seemed to take jest to his pain, unshed tears threatening the edges of his eyes as he pushed down every coarse thought to come to mind. This witless child could stand to be torn down by the fish's lashing words. His venomous tongue was tempered by a sarcastic wit dried by his perseverance against torturous maladies wrought upon by the ageless remorse of sheer stupidity.

"H-have you no sense?!" He wheezed softly, as if losing breath on land from a sea-cursed existence. It seems Nex has finally forsook his perchance for patience and popped!

"Petulant child, you've about as much regard for love as a bottled insect." He held up his hands, clenching them into fists. "Your small view of the world has you this so wound that ye've the common git to ascertain my actions based on what you see as opposed to what you know! I've already given you reason for my need to swim, yet you insist it is some homogeneous overview that I am hidden, therefore I must be a stalker. Hast ye've considered I was hiding from her?!" Which knowing Nex's track record with Maude this seemed the most apt explanation for an inside party.

Honestly this seemed valuable insight that should be taken into consideration later, but for now the Zora stepped back from the women as he spoke, quietly retreating. It was the anxiety really. Fight was never really Nex's specialty.

"As Maude has said I know her, with a vested interest in her ward. But I need to be a gentleman? You need to be a gentlewoman! You act like a barbarian and talk like a pastry chef!" In this last hurrah the Zora tumbled back right into the lake!

There was an awkward moment of silence. A few bubbles broke the water's surface before Nex's head reappeared, but it was only the top of his head down to his nose. Bubbles aggressively broke the water . It seems he needed to cool down and take himself a fair distance from the womenfolk. He struggled to understand them, truly he did.

Bubble!

Ugh he was tired. He had hoped the dip would restore his energy, but now he was thinking about all sorts of things he didn't want to think about.

@maude @maedhra ● 695 ● A fish back in water

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Deleted]

"Maedhra, I think you may be misinterpreting the situation."

"Huh?"

Maedhra looked up from her bending position, bewildered. She... did not understand. She could not understand. She thought she had sorted the entire thing? Or was there something she missed? Perhaps, fruitcake forbid, she had-

"Farrah is my daughter. She and Nex have been interested in one another for some time now, before I began my relationship possibly. Nex doesn't have any romantic interest in me. He's just an old friend with some odd character traits."

-grossly misinterpreted things.

Maedhra's eyes widened. She was almost too confused to really hear what the Zora mouthed. Which was fortunate, perhaps. In a more tense situation, and with a more irritable Duchess, heads would have rolled. Thankfully she had only managed to process that she was being called a "child". It did not help that the Zora's voice was far from clear. Almost like he was paralyzed in half his face.

It seemed that she had been thrust in a very strange situation indeed! Maedhra had heard of those...people who were somewhat... more relaxed in their view of... acceptable partners. Even including family members. But never in her life Maedhra thought that she would actually met one.

Crackers. She had really felt uncomfortable now.

She only managed to catch the last words of Nex. "Pastry chef? Hey how did you know-" but then the Zora had quickly dived back down into the lake, seemingly in a hurry.

"Oh, crackers." Maedhra's extended arm grabbed thin air and it fell limp to her side. "So long then, Grandpa!"

She then straightened herself and turned towards Maude.

"Well I... seem to have involved myself in something I shouldn't have... Haha..." An apologetic grin was on her face. Maedhra really wanted to leave right now. "I am glad you turned out to be okay, Maude. I don't know a ginger thing about you two but I'd look for less... shady friend, if I were you." She raised both of her shoulders, as if implying that, for better or worse, it was not her business anyway.

She would have a lot to think about on her ride back home this evening.

***Exit Maedhra***

---

@maude Nex