Bows, Apples, & Roses

~ 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙾𝚗𝚎 ~

Ariaellis Sage leaned against the railing of the large sailing ship, La Esmeralda, and watched the island of glistening lights come into view.

The Meridian Empire's capital city, Valenda, was sparkling almost brighter then the many stars in the deep blue night sky. It's tall, pointed towers and huge, old, archways surrounding the gigantic castle shimmered as if they were dusted with gold, although they might've actually been real gold.

Magic seemed to have settled in the walls of the grandeur building. The city of the Fates, it had once been called. It certainly glowed like one.

Aria caught her reflection in the thick, brassy railing, and seeing her own light glow she quickly looked away.

The ship would be docking at this magnificent city soon and Arias new life would begin. She'd lost count of how many places she'd lived, personas she'd played, and people she'd met, but as exhausting as that could be she needed it to be safe.

The commotion of the ships crew brought her attentions towards preparing to disembark and she wandered back to the small cabin she had stayed in for the past few days. The accommodations weren't horrible (considering she snuck onto the ship) and being able to blend in easily had become a useful skill. The whispers she heard told her that she had snuck onto the ship of the famous Caraval performers of Legend himself. She had heard many spectacular story's of Legend and his magic from everywhere she went, but refused to believe he could do any real magic and not be a Fate. But she had to admit that these performers seemed more then ordinary. Still, she was only happy for the free ride and bed to get where she needed to be and leave what had happened in the place she was behind. Aria shivered at the memory before pushing it to the furthest corner of her mind.

The crew started shouting to get off the boat because they had docked so she gathered her things and stepped out onto the large deck. It was crowded with people and excitement; A familiar sight.

Aria was slightly struggling holding her bags, they were heavier from the last trip, and it was getting annoying when a young man around her age appeared beside her. He was very tall with wavy brown hair and freckles danced across his sharp nose like stars. He was handsome, In a cute, boyish way. He was also wearing a guard uniform she hoped was from the grand palace, the stone walls seemed to glow even brighter now that they had docked.

Perhaps i could get some help...

Not only because her bags were annoying to carry but she also needed a place to stay and charming this man could maybe secure her a place in the palace.

So she leaned sideways just enough to look as if she was struggling with her bags and it caused her to teeter off balance, bumping into him.

"Oh! Pardon me." Aria said, appearing surprised when he quickly helped steady her, his hands resting on the deep green satin of her back and shoulder.

A small smile perched on her peach lips.

"Would you like some assistance?" He asks with a slight accent, his voice lilting up at the end of his question. She nodded, her dazzling green eyes holding his attention "I would appreciate it greatly." and allowed him to take the bags from her black lace gloved hands. He grinned greedily, happy to assist the charming women.

They began walking down the plank when suddenly someone rushed between them, pushing him to the side and about to fall in the cold and dark unforgiving ocean. Aria blinked and she saw the familiar deep red, imaginary ribbon attached to the man's center. Her finger winds around the long string of the black bow tightened at the waist of her corset and after a tug to it the red ribbon tightened, making the man upright again and saved from the churning waters.