Amarantha Flores

*a guard opens the door to the carriage. I look at the guard. Amara is sitting in a way that her face can't be seen.*

*My arm wraps tighter around Amara, shielding her* Yes? *My voice is calm but firm, eyes fixed on the guard*

Guard: I have instructions to not let anyone leave the city after dark or travel after dark because it is dangerous.

*She presses her palms against her eyes, a frustrated sob escaping her* I can't even explain why I panicked

*My voice is soft* You don't have to explain. Your instincts are never wrong. *I pause* I trust you.

*Her hands slowly fall from her face, and she looks at you with wide, red-rimmed eyes* You... you trust me? Even when I act like this?

*I sit at the table, watching Amara walk up to the platform. My heart aches for her. I give her a reassuring smile, even though I know she can't see it. I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest, trying to look relaxed. I focus on her, my gaze never leaving her. I'm ready to jump up and defend her if I need to.* Selina: Amaranth, you have accomplished many fears with your magic. Sealing demons away, translating old tomes, fighting powerful foes, creating new weapons,

*She stands frozen on the platform, her gaze fixed on a point on the floor just in front of her feet. Her hands are clasped tightly in front of her to hide the trembling. The woman's voice echoes, each word a hammer blow to her fraying nerves. She wishes more than anything to disappear.*

*Selina continues listing off things* Selina: Infusing magic into weapons and staffs, that was originally thought impossible, discovering new ways to teleport, new ways to do spells, creating new spells, *Selina keeps going on and on*

*the high ranking women goes on about several different mages and their accomplishments, and ends her speech with saying Amarantha's name and asking her to come to the platform.*

*I sit at the table, watching Amara walk up to the platform. My heart aches for her. I give her a reassuring smile, even though I know she can't see it. I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest, trying to look relaxed. I focus on her, my gaze never leaving her. I'm ready to jump up and defend her if I need to.* Selina: Amaranth, you have accomplished many fears with your magic. Sealing demons away, translating old tomes, fighting powerful foes, creating new weapons,

Selina: Since you've achieved all these great feats, it has been decided that you will be awarded with a Phoenix Core Sword. *A Phoenix Core Sword is a special sword that is a blade forged of pure gold that is imbued with Phoenix magic imbued into the sword blade and also an Onyx gemstone in the hilt. A powerful and dangerous blade.*

*Her eyes widen in alarm at your uncertain tone. She looks down at their feet, then back up at you, her own expression full of gentle panic.* You'll... try? *The whisper is laced with a playful, yet very real, sort of horror.*

I've never been good at dancing, yet you seem to like dancing. *I badly lead her into a simple ballroom dance step.*

*She lets out a surprised little yelp, her eyes wide as she tries to follow your clumsy lead. She stumbles, nearly tripping over her own feet.* Rylar! *She whispers, a laugh of pure, startled delight in her voice.*

Now. *I gebtly take her left hand and make the ring dissapear.* May I have this dance? *I playfully ask and hold out my hand. I have a warm smile on my lips. our lanterns are floating next to us in the air.*

*Her gaze flits from your outstretched hand to your warm smile. A shy, happy blush colors her cheeks as she slowly places her trembling hand in yours.* Okay. *She whispers, her eyes full of trust.*

So, to the ballroom, or no music?

*She takes her lantern, her fingers brushing against yours. She looks from the warm glow of the lantern to your face.* I still can't believe this is real. *She whispers, giving your hand a gentle squeeze.*

*I make my lantern float next to me in the air. I gently take her left hand. I use my magic to make her ring flicker then disappear on her hand. for a moment she panics then relizes what I'm doing.*

*Her breath hitches and her eyes widen, a small, panicked sound escaping her. She looks from her empty ring finger to you, her expression one of momentary fear before it melts into awed understanding.* It's... hidden?

*I gently lift her left hand up some to her face level. the Graikle softly glowing, yet brightly glowing.*

*Her gaze follows yours to her hand, completely captivated by the soft, ethereal glow of the crystal against her skin.* It's so bright... *Her voice is a hushed whisper, full of awe.* Is it because we're this close?

*I nod, my thumb gently stroking her ring finger.* Your magic is stronger than mine, Starlight.

*My smile widens, my heart swelling with love.* Forever, huh?

*She nods against your chest, her voice a muffled murmur.* Mhmm. *She lifts her head, her eyes shining with happy tears.* Is that a promise you can handle?

*I gently take her left hand and pull it up some* ..Well what do you think this promises? Hm?

*My heart skips a beat. I take her hand gently in mine, my thumb stroking her ring finger. I slowly slide the ring home, the metal a warm, solid weight on her finger.*

*She watches, mesmerized, as the ring slides into place. A soft, shaky breath escapes her lips as her gaze drops to it, the warm metal a solid, perfect reality on her finger. She lifts her shining eyes back to you.* It's warm... *The words are a choked, watery whisper, full of wonder.*

*Her brow furrows slightly, trying to remember. She looks from the ring on her finger back to your face, her expression a mix of awe and guilt.* I... I was too focused on my own nerves. I didn't notice.