#aria stafford

[lizzysrps]

The Long Forgotten Realm + Text Posts

[forgottencassandra]

Rainy Days | Cassandra & Aria

"Goodness, I wonder if this rain shall ever stop!"

"It mocks me," Cassandra lamented with a heavy sigh, as though this was the greatest trouble she had ever had to overcome. She might have well told you that it was, for it certainly felt that way in this particular moment.

Today was the first day that her father had finally allowed her some freedom from the castle. Under a heavy band of guards and the supervision of her mother, she had been permitted to leave the castle. It was a small social gathering hosted by the (rather dull) wife of one of her father's councilmen. She, at least, had had the foresight to invite some more interesting people to liven things up (including Lord Calleary).

Most of all, Cassandra had simply been dying for a change of scenery and any excuse to wear one of her new gowns.

But the storm that raged outside her window, had cancelled the entire affair after it was deemed that the storm may be too dangerous to do any sort of traveling in, and all of Cassandra's hopes for the day had vanished.

Cassandra did not catch that Genevieve (who had been her nursemaid since infancy and continued to look after her, even now) rolled her eyes at the princess's dramatics.

"And now there's nothing to be done about it." Cassandra added, leaving the window.

"You are a innovative woman, Your Imperial Highness," Evie replied, "I am certain you shall not allow for the weather to determine your mood."

It wasn't until that moment that Cassandra realized that, perhaps, Evie was correct in this: the loosening of her father's protections must certainly mean that she would be, at least, free to roam more of the castle than she had been, previously. She had not seen Aria Stafford since the riots and suddenly found herself desperate for her company.

It took her a good deal of time to find where, exactly, Aria Stafford was. Apparently she no longer was staying in her old rooms and the new ones happened to be on the otherside of the castle.

"Did you find this all as absolutely tedious as I did?" Cassandra asked, as soon as she strode through the doors. "There is only so many hours one can devote to reading and sewing before one develops a headache." Cassandra had never had much patience for either of those activities (unless the book happened to be a romantic novel) and her imagination would always take hold and hold her captive to her own distractions.

"I thought I might go mad. I am so sorry that I have not come to see you before. Father insisted that we stay in our chambers and no amount of pleading or flirting with the guards would do any good, at all, so I suppose he must have been truly serious about it." She found that she had to restrain herself from rolling her eyes. Cassandra felt that her father must have been a bit over-dramatic over the entire thing.

"Oh! But I did finish the book you lent me!" She had brought it back with her, now, and put it into Aria's hands. "I was nearly lost for words through most of it. Each tale was more beautifully written than the last. Although I confess that my favorite was the second tale -- the one which ended when the two lovers choose to be drowned together by the sea, rather than to return to land where they would have been so tragically torn apart? And -- " Cassandra finally took a breath and had the chance to examine her surroundings.

It wasn't until this moment that she noticed that she was cold and she quickly noted that this room not only lacked the luxurious comforts that the Staffords' old quarters were missing, but also, it seemed the basic ones, too.

There wasn't even a decent fire in the fireplace.

"Goodness -- what on earth are you doing here?" Cassandra asked, as though Aria had had any choice in the matter. "It's much too drafty and cold. This won't do at all."

[forgottenalaric]

ooc | Alaric & Aria

Alaric's feelings towards the Stafford girls is .... complicated!

Tbh, it has also shifted in the years since the conquest. At first, I think he thought that Eilia was kinda stupid not to just marry his brother?? It's not everyday that Roderick extends such an offer (despite how many wives he has lmao) and she's lucky to still have her life!! Not to mention, things in Astaira will likely be better with Roderick in charge.

But the longer he's been in Astaira, he realizes just what a good queen she'd been to them and he started to question everything he thought about how capable she'd been as a queen/how good of a ruler his brother really is??? Plus, he's gotten to know them a little better and he sees just how much they care about Astaira and how, even know, their people are still top of mind!

As far as how Alaric acts around them ... I feel like he's always been polite, but definitely v formal, a little gruff, and there was def an irritation that he tried (and failed) to hide. However, he has definitely softened towards them in the recent months and I think that he's shown this a little more with Aria (since he's developed some romantic feelings towards Eilia that he doesn't know what to do with!!) And like, I feel like he's started to let her get away with some things that he wouldn't have before?? Like even if it is just having a longer walk out in the courtyard or whatever?

But he'd be weird about it like if she asked, he'd be like "no, you know my orders! and if you think I'm going to bend the rules for you, you're wrong!" *proceeds to let her stay outside longer anyway, but doesn't acknowledge this at all*

[forgottenfinnegan]

ooc | Finn & Aria

Finn loves flirting with pretty girls and I feel like he definitely would (at least try) to flirt with Aria? Like she's gorgeous and a princess and definitely has a snarky snide which he loves! Idk how she would have taken it, but it would have all been in good fun, on his part, and he wouldn't have meant any offense/anything serious by it but yeah!

I feel like things have probably shifted a little bit now, though, and that sort of behavior seems less appropriate (even to finn haha) unless they developed a sort of friendship/banter which would have survived the 2+ years between the conquest and now

[forgottenedmund]

You Have Been Warned | Edmund & Aria

"If my mother is inviting you to tea, you'd watch best watch out."

Edmund have overheard his mother this morning send her lady out with the invitation. He knew, too, that she was not to be the only guest, but he thought he'd let her discover that upon arrival. He knew that his mother was planning this particular gathering for no other reason than to stir up trouble for Arthur by inviting his two romantic rivals to come see her.

And while Edmund was often on board with any plan that involved a headache for his brother, this particular plot did not sit entirely well with hem. He knew that Arthur would not be the only one who would be uncomfortable with this arrangement. Edmund didn't like the idea that Aria and Eithne would be caught in the crossfire.

Not exactly enough to try to dissuade Aria completely from going but ... he hoped she knew that she ought to be on her guard.

"I'm sure you have heard the rumors and, allow me to inform you, that they are all true. Including, of course, the one where she turns herself into a bat in the middle of the night and stalks people about the halls. Or is it a cat? I can never keep up with what people are saying, when they think no on is listening."

While he was teasing, of course, he knew that he had led her to a dangerous topic of conversation. He might make such comments in jest, but she could not follow him in it without risking someone hearing it. Roderick had cut out the tongues of those who had fueled the rumors of Amira Varmont to be a witch.

"She might not be a witch, my mother," He said to steer the conversation away, "but she is exceptionally perceptive. You will want to guard your secrets well while in her company."

[forgottenbrigit]

Meetings in the Dark | Brigit & Aria

The tables had been piled high with food. There had been delicacies from all over the world -- most of the dishes Brigit had never seen before. And, almost if by magic, they never seemed to to dwindle - even as the guests refilled their plates two and three times over. She had never seen so much food in one place in her entire life, and it surprised her all the more to find that a selection of fruit and bread and cheeses had been left in their rooms that evening: as though any of them could have eaten another bite.

Brigit could not remember the last time she had laid down upon a soft feather bed, while having a full belly and a roaring fire to keep her warm. She had been sure that she would fall asleep straightaway, but although her body was tired and comfortable, her mind was restless.

The palace was crawling with Varmont soldiers and she feared for the guardians who were meant to protect this place. She had not seen them since her arrival and it left her wondering: Were there any of them left here at all? Was there even anyone brave enough to leave them an offering upon the hearth? And could they access it, even if they had wanted to?

When the room had grown quiet -- the only sounds were of her sister's soft breathes and the crackling of the fire, Brigit got up from her bed. She took as much of the food as she could easily carry and bundled it up in a cloth. Draping a blanket round her own shoulders, she lit a candle and decided to brave the dark halls of the palace.

Brigit planned to say she had gotten lost, if any guards spotted her wandering about (surely they would easily believe that -- she was, after all, nothing but a silly girl!), but she was determined to make it to the great hall. It had been the one place she had ever seen the guardians who lived here: even though that was years ago now.

Her memory served her well, even in the dark, and she managed to find her way with only one wrong turn.

The great hall was cold and dark: the great fires and torches that had illuminated and warmed it during the festivities had long been extinguished. For a moment, everything was still and then she saw a shadow move in the darkness.

Someone else was here.

Brigit had come too far now, to loose her nerve, and holding the candle higher she moved forward until the shadows fell away and she recognized the familiar face.

"Your Highness." They may have been alone in the middle of the night, but Brigit was determined to still show the Staffords the respect they deserved. Whatever Roderick Varmont had declared that evening, was nothing to her.

Brigit's eyes fell upon the hearth where Aria had already left an offering of her own. "You haven't forgotten them," Brigit managed. Whether Aria was here because she was deeply religious -- or deeply defiant given the Varmont determination to wipe their religion and traditions from existence -- Brigit could not tell, but she was overwhelmed to see her there.

It gave her hope.

[forgottenpercy]

ooc | Percy & Aria

So Percy fancies himself in love with Aria #facepalm

I feel like he's always kind of had a crush on her since he started working at the castle b/c he thought she was pretty and kind and 1 time she stopped and asked him name and then remembered what it was ljsadfljadf

But once she started to become friends w/ Aoife, I can see where they might have started to actually know each other better? And that's when Percy was truly lost because he found out that she is also clever and generous and loves her people!!!

He knows that nothing would ever, ever happen between them in a million years so he's never said anything he means to be NEVER say anything, but all he can hope to do is to help her in any way possible, especially now w/ all that is going on!

I don't think he has told her that he's a member of the resistance yet, b/c he knows he has to be super careful when he does, but I think that he will soon and he will let her know that they are trying to help her and her sister in whatever way they can!!!

In the meantime, he's just trying to be her friend and sends her whatever news he can about what's going on in astaira/how people are doing whenever he can!

[forgottenciara]

ooc | Ciara & Aria

so ciara is a cousin to roderick varmont/his kiddos. she's also managed to infiltrate the astairian resistance and while that started so she could spy on them for the varmonts, she's also secretly now kind of a double agent and playing both sides, b/c between getting to actually know the peeps in the resistance/aria & her sister both -- she's not sure which side she wants to be on?! (it's complicated, but for now she just doesn't want anyone getting hurt!)

anyway! ciara does genuinely like the stafford girls and idk what they think of her, but she's probably made some effort to befriend them. she's also developed an interest in astaira in general/their culture and religion, etc. since ciara's mom was also astairian and I think she likes talking to them about it.

I don't know if it has happened yet, but I can also see where, at some point, she may be getting a message to the staffords from the resistance, if only to let them know that there are people still fighting for them, etc.

[forgottencassimir]

ooc | Cassimir & Aria

I can see where Valentina, before the takeover, would have tried to get Cassimir to marry Eilionora and I think he would have been more willing to try to marry her, than Guin, because now Sonya has so much royal options, Cassimir believes that should leave him free to marry Eithne, while making his mom happy (it wouldn't).

And if that is the case, than Cassimir would have done a lot of sucking up to Aria, back in the day, while ~subtly~ trying to get information out of her about her sister that might helping with the courting process, but he's also smart enough to know that Aria & her sister are very close and after living with loving sisters for so long, he knows that getting on their good side always helps when one is pursuing a lady.

Even if he mom wasn't pushing an Eilionora/Cassimir union, however, Cassimir still would have sucked up to her tbh because she is his literal princess and it can only help to be in their good graces!!

Ofc, he honestly has no chance getting on her good side, since I'm sure she's heard a lot about him from the Malconaires not to trust anything he says!! Even if I'm sure Aoife is as kind as one can be when describing Cassimir, I doubt the others have been so kind ;D

But I do think Cassimir has certainly changed his tune towards her, now, and really doesn't care what happens to her or her sister -- Varmont is in charge now and there isn't anyone on earth who could oppose him, so Cassimir has definitely switched sides.

[forgottensebastian]

ooc | Sebastian & Aria

I feel like Sebastian would genuinely like Aria, but he's also just super embarrassed by this entire situation and would like to Formally Apologize for his entire family and their treatment of the Stafford girls and, while he would never say this out loud to her, he honestly doesn't think they should have invaded Astaira at all?? Like it was a very prosperous country and, so far, they've only brought ruin and disarray to this once united nation and he doesn't think it's going to get any better!

What Sebastian will try to do, is make Aria's stay as comfortable as possible, if he can find a way to do so? idk that Aria would trust him at all, but yeah his heart is in the right place!

[forgottencassandra]

ooc | Cassandra & Aria

I'm really sorry, but Cassandra literally thinks about herself 24/7 and the fact that she's living in Aria's house really doesn't cross her mind b/c she's so excited to be in this cool, new place and like when she does talk to Aria, she's probably acting like everything is fine (because for Cass it is fine #facepalm) and talking to Aria like it is only a matter of time b/f her sister marries her dad and then they will be family and it will be awesome!

like cassandra is honestly probably excited that 1 day aria will be her aunt and meanwhile aria is like "no thanks we would all rather literally die than join your dysfunctional family"

[thelongforgottenrealm]

RIAN STAFFORD. STEWARD OF LORCAN / RICHARD ARMITAGE

♛ Age: 35 ♛ Relationships: Garbhan Stafford (brother), Eilionora Stafford (rival/cousin), Aria Stafford, Siobhan Stafford (cousins), Guinevere Varmont (target), Aine Lorcan (target/charge), Eabha Calleary, Cormac Calleary, Finn Calleary, Fiona Calleary, Laoise Lorcan, Aisling Lorcan, Caoimhe Lorcan (charges), Padraig Lorcan (rival/enemy)

rian's father was domnhall's older brother and, as the eldest, he always assumed that he would one day be king

when he lost the trials, he took his family, left astaira and did not return until it was for his brother's funeral

rian and his brother, garbhan, were both raised with the intention that one of them would be king following domnhall and not one of his daughters

the brunt of this pressure was placed upon rian who dedicated his life to learning everything he could to one day take his rightful place

however, he could only learn so much from his father and never gained the love or the respect of the people -- so when it was time for rian and his brothers to face the trials, they both lost to their cousin eilionora

again fleeing from astaira in their disgrace, rian's father brought his sons back to the varmont occupied country they had once fled to

rian's father was enraged and disappointed in his sons, who had both failed him -- their relationship never recovered and he went to his grave never having forgiven them

after this, rian was out for revenge against astaira and he aided roderick in his campaign -- lending any and all information that he knew he could pass along

in return, roderick has placed him in charge of lorcan

it is far from the throne of astaira, but rian is pleased to be lord of one of the most impressive estates in all of astaira

does know the lore that there is a secret stronghold beneath the castle but has not been able to find it and the lorcan girls swear they know nothing about it (he's unconvinced)

determined that lord lorcan will NEVER return and take this from him

has designs to convince his wife, aine, to marry him so he might keep control of it even after her son comes of age

he also hopes that his loyalty to roderick will one day earn him the stewardship of astaira when roderick inevitably moves on to another land

but this is not rian's only plan -- while he is less hopeful of its success, he also has designs on roderick's eldest, who may one day become empress of half the known world ...

TAKEN BY KATE AA.

[forgottenalaric]

Sunlight | Alaric & Eilionora

It had been days since the riots, but still the palace had been on lockdown. Guards were posted at nearly every door and even Alaric himself had taken some shifts at their posts to ensure that no one was overtired when assuming the responsibility of guarding those within.

As for the Staffords, between the riots and the announcement his brother had made regarding the manner of their birth, they had both been moved to smaller quarters "temporarily" for "their own protection", but it seemed to Alaric that they had been placed there to be both out of sight and out of mind.

They had been kept there nearly since the ball and had not been allowed to leave. While Alaric had noticed that Arthur had managed to take Aria for a walk this afternoon, the same courtesy had not been extended to Eilionora who had been summoned by his brother. Whatever Roderick's plan, Alaric did not think that declaring the Eilionora to be baseborn would further his cause either in endearing him to the Astairan peoples or in convincing Eilionora to be his wife.

He did not think that whatever he said to her today, would change Eilionora's mind.

When the former queen had been returned to her quarters, Alaric suddenly found himself at her door. There was a part of him that wondered if there had been a formal engagement arranged, after all, and, if it were true, he wanted it to be known to him immediately.

Perhaps if he knew that she was truly lost to him forever, then perhaps he could learn to forget her.

He stormed in, without so much of a courtesy of a knock -- eager to see if there was any change that had come over her, as though he might have been able to tell with only a look. But her face was unreadable to him, aside from the same sadness he saw written upon it everyday.

Sunlight streamed through the tiny window, reflecting upon her hair and lightening up her eyes. He realized then, how she must be craving it -- a desire for the fresh air; for the sun to warm her skin. The day was particularly beautiful out -- the sun melting away the last snow from the storm that had, days ago, rendered the palace impossible to leave.

It was in this moment that he realized that he had not yet spoken. "Come. You aren't to be here," He announced gruffly, "The Queen wishes to use these rooms to receive her guests and she would not appreciate your presence."

Alaric knew that this wasn't the room Queen Marian had requested to use, but it was the one at the other end of the hall, so he would be able to disguise this as a simple mistake.

"I shall give you a moment to dress warmly. You shall wait in the courtyard until she is finished."

[forgottenedmund]

ooc | Edmund & Aria

I feel like Edmund's dad has been conquering/taking over countries so often, that living in someone else's castle while the family are in prison/under house arrest there is just normal everyday life for Edmund, and I'm not sure he feels too much sympathy for Aria's situation (at least to start). This happens so often that he's pretty much numb to it -- honestly, if anything he probably feels like Aria and her sister should feel grateful that his dad has kept them alive since they are both threats to his crown #facepalm

I do think Edmund would like Aria more than her sister (he's not looking for another stepmom, thanks) and she would be the one he would try to go to to ask about the castle, itself, and see if she will tell him where any secret passages are/what's the best books in the library/where are the cool tucked away places, etc ... which is probably not what Aria cares to share with him, but he'll probably try to ask anyway!

[rp-comments]

Kate AA | The Long Forgotten Realm (Malconaire - Varmont)

LAST UPDATED: 12/15/24 @ 7:04PM EST

Rose Malconaire

Brigit

Percy

Aria

Kale

Aoife

Eithne

Aine

Valentina Malconaire

Aria

Edmund

Cassimir

Brigit

Cassandra

Marian

Aoife

Eithne

Kale

Percy

Eilionora Stafford

Ciara

Sebastian

Cassimir

Aine

Cassandra

Eithne

Alaric

Aria

Edmund

Brigit

Marian

Rian Stafford

Kale

Percy

Brigit

Alaric

Sebastian

Aria

Marian

Amira Varmont

Cassimir

Ciara

Alaric

Sebastian

Brigit

Cassandra

Aira x Eithne

Marian

Arthur Varmont

Percy

Cassandra

Ciara

Brigit

Cassimir

Marian

Eithne

Alaric

Edmund

Aria

Roderick Varmont

Brigit

Edmund

Eithne

Alaric

Cassandra

[forgottenbrigit]

ooc | Brigit & Aria

I feel like these two would honestly be BFFs if they knew that they both had the ~second sight~. Brigit would be soooo incredibly relieved to know that 1) there's more like her; 2) she's not crazy; 3) there's someone else around to help keep up the strength of the guardians!!

As it is, I'm sure that she does like Aria -- the fact that she's bffs with Aoife is a stellar recommendation (Aoife doesn't take to just anybody!!), but also she's their princess (the rightful princess!!) and she has brigit's loyalty/respect for that, too, and she's completely on her side w/ this whole nonsense (Varmonts get out of Astaira!!!)

IDK what Aria would think of Brigit, but Brige would always be friendly & respectful, but would also feel kinda of constrictive and unsure of how to act around Aria, just because she is a princess, and Brigit just naturally isn't someone who feels super comfortable in a formal setting (even if they met in a more relaxed situation than say, a ball) and would probably be uncharacteristically quiet just because she's sure she will do or say the wrong thing and accidentally offend her haha