Aphrodite Palace- Aphrodite,weine,Amethest

[Momo]

The great Aphrodite palace was a grand building, stones such as marble were cut into pillars, wall and floors. The marbles were a variety of color, orginating from many diffrent places. Scupltuers and paitings were abound in everyroom inside and out of the palace walls, even Mosacis found their way into the palce. It was a long known fact that the great ruiling family had a love for Art which seemned to be passed down the family line. It was a long thought myth that the familys ancesestors possibly were resposible for personally seeing that as much great painting and drawings were brought by them to Second Earth. If there were any proof of this notion, it was kept out of the records or lost. The great Captial as muchn as it was known for tourism was a great city of artists and their patrons. Art was found everywhere. Equal if not greater with the old city of florence of First earth.

Amongst the great and pleasing aesthetics of the Greek Architecture, the sudden Arrival of a vehicle pulling up towards the front entrance was a bit of an eye soar, compared to the beauty of the structure before it. It slowed, rolling to a stop before a man stepping up to the car reaching to open the door. Virgil stepped out first before extending his hand for another. Freya took his hand and stepped out of the car, she hide her face with her fan as a sudden assault of flashing cameras bombarded them both. Virgil Gave his sister a reassuring smile and took her free arm in his before making way for the entrance.
“Such excitement for a party Brother, it’s not as if there is never one at least once a year. I much rather be sitting in my studio working, then mingling amongst the crowd here.”
Virgil Laughed and grinned at her complaint. “It’s just for a few Hours Sister. Besides you lock yourself away in the studio everyday. Being here will allow you to perhaps gain more clients, and we’ll be able to see Sophia.” Freya Shot her brother a smirk. “The only reason I agree to attend. If they wish me to paint for them then they can come to my studio themselves. I refuse to go looking for them.” Virgil Grinned again and turned his head forwards as Freya lowered the fan. Incidentally prompting another flood of flashing lights and a sudden reporter, running up to them before they could head into the palace.

“Lady Chastain, may I please have a word with you and your brother?”

Virgil shook his head leading Freya through the entrance and briefly replied over his shoulder. “Not This evening I’m Afraid, If you’ll excuse me.” The two were then gone, slipping inside the security of the palace walls, leaving as very disappointed reporter outside to hound others arriving.

“Thank you Virgil.” She squeezed her Brother’s arm gently with a soft smile as they headed down the marble hall. As they continued down the hall they began to hear voices in numbers. It grew louder as they came further until they entered into a large room. There before them a sea of color and white painted faces spread through the hall.

[Momo]

Virgil and Freya slowly weaved through the crowded room, looking around the shoulders of other finely dressed guests. Five minutes into their search they froze as a sudden bell chimed, echoing through the assembly room. At the third chime all fell silent as a hologram appeared at the center of the room. All now turned to the 3 demesional projector that was now lowered into the center of the room, as it’s volume was turned up. A reporter standing nearby a horrible mess of flames devouring what appeared to be once a building; shortly coming into focus. Freya and Virgil moved in closer to listen.

“Laoen Officials claim, freedom power rebels are responsible for this mornings Bombing of the capital building of Lao, Aanshent, in Virdia. Leaving two dead and forty-seven injured, the degree of injuries has not yet been officially determined. Rumor has it the attackers have been in hiding for three months within the city.”

Freya lifted her fan to her parted lips as she gasped in shock at the projection, feeling her brother’s arm tighten around hers. She glanced at her brother catching a concerned frown, before he felt her gaze on him and quickly forced a not so convincing smile from him. They both quickly turned their attention back to the projection hearing the reporter suddenly continuing.

“Official say they have uncovered the terrorists identities, but the possibility remains that they could be fake. Those responsible have been said to have already fled the city. Officials say that information will for the time being, remain withheld from the public.”

“Freya, Virgil!”


Both brother and sister spun around quickly startled at the sound of their names, to see a familiar and welcome face. Sophia had managed to find them in the sea of people. Freya and Virgil smiled and gave Sophia a kiss on her powdered cheek.
“Sophia, there you are, we had been searching the room for you until that news announcement.”

“Terrible news I’m afraid. Those power rebels are getting braver with their campaign. Ganleine has been following up on information, keeping in touch with other Blue Alliance and Gurei, offering what help he may. He remains troubled though…Oh, I’m so glad you both could make it though. It’s been a month since I’ve been able to see you both. Is Mother and Father well I hope?” Sophia threaded both her arms in each of theirs as she walked them through the crowded space.

“They are in very good health, but were unable to attend, they were needed for business back in Weine. They send their Love.” Virgil answerd, giving Sophia a kiss on the cheek for their parents.

“Perfectly understandable, I know they cannot always come when I wish it, they have their duties to attend to as do I.”

Freya smiled at Sophia, squeezing her arm in hers, laughing softly. “You are indeed angelic Sophia, I dare think maybe Virgil and I might have a small shred of it, if you have not been blessed with all of it.” Freya could see that she had made her sister blush, even with the powder white face. It was an ability she learned as a painter. Many years of figure drawing developed the skill to read the human structure. She learned to see anatomy as it appeared to her instead of what she knew to be there.

“Where is his majesty, I tough he be in arm with you Sophia.” Virgil teased Sophia.

“He is speaking with a foreign Diplomat at the moment, but he asked me to go ahead and find you both while he attended to that. He’s very pleased you both could attend.

[Momo]

As the three siblings made their way throught the crowded ballroom, Sophia stoped and let go of her siblings arms. Freya then saw a familiar face through the crowded room, and then watched as Sophia slid her her arms lightly throught her husband's pulling him fromthe crowd. He smiled at her.
"Love, Guess whome I've found, they just arrived." Sophia drew him from the crowd to Virgil and herself. He smiled and kissed Freya on the cheek and and firmly took hold of virgil hand shaking it.
"I am pleased to see you both could make it, how are your parents?"

"They send their love, but unfournatly buisness in Weine deters them from being able to attend" Freya found herself very fond of her brother in-Law. He was a well dressed man with good taste, and uncommen Intellegence, yet he was far from pompus, she found she respected him. Just as his ancestors before him, he held a great love for fine art. She was very found of their discussions, she could discuss the subject with him without it being lost on him.
"Freya I have a request to make of you dear sister if you'd hear it." Ganleine took Freya's arm in his and led her to a less crowded place within the ballroom. Virgil in arm with Sophia following in-step.
"I'll gladly hear it out, what sort of proposal are you speaking?" Ganleine escordted her to a seat, where she then carefully took a seat with him. Virgil and Sophia joined them shortly.
"I wish to ask you id you would be willing to paint my portrait. I have yet to have one made. I'd be honored if youd would paint one for me."

"I'd be pleased to do so." She smiled gently as he softly kissed her hand, pleased in her answer. Sophia and virgil smiled.

"That is very good of you Sister. Ganleine had testde out the idea on me a week ago. I though it was a wonderful Idea." Sophia turned to a waiter for a moment. "Hazel, would you bring us tea please."

"Then it's decided, we will have to make arangements later this evening. to dicuss how we want to preprae it." Ganleine sat back in his seat now very pleased.

[Momo]

Hazel carefully weaved his way through the crowded ballroom, tray in hand balanced perfectly. Finally making his way to the small gathering of gentlemen and ladies sitting about in a semi-circle.
Freya pressed her back firmly to the intricately needlepoint cushion of the sofa on which they sat. She examined the fine crafting of the needlepoint work. The design was an elegant one. The center focused on a grapevine motif border by a soft sub-borders of leaf like spirals and waves. The carved mahogany wood curved in soft wave-like motions into 8 legs resting on the floor…

“Ganleine Have you been able to examine that new shipment of Pigment I sent a sample of?” Virgil’s question broke her attention away from the sofa and reminded her of her desire to see what his majesty thought. Due to her busy time in her atelier she had requested that her brother send a sample of the newly shipped pigment she had ordered. She thought she had found a high quality pigment, but she would feel better if the Royal Science Academy of Amethest (RSAA) had examined the pigment first before she invested in some.

“Indeed I have, and they sent me a report on their findings. Freya you chose a quality pigment. Though I must say, you have a highly trained eye, why have the testing done?”
Freya smiled some nodding lightly. “I thought as much. However I still like to have the chemical work done just in case, it escapes my eye. I rather know my sources to be trust worthy, Then to take the chance of Having a work destroyed by false pigment.”

Hazel carefully poured their tea before bowing out and leaving them to talk in privacy again. Freya took her cup from her sisters offering hands and carefully sipped at the hot liquid testing it.
“Poor Pigments are subject to loose their colors or even change due to exposure to either other chemicals or simple exposure to extreme changes in atmosphere or as our so called ancestors knew. Pollution…”
“Little worry for that sister, Humanity has moved beyond those ways, as you well know.” Sophia lowered the tea cup from her lips for a moment. “Yet…we still can’t seem to put useless violence and warring behind us. Such a pity.”
Virgil sat further back into his chair comfortably. “We manage as a species to over come our differences for a short time I may add, to relocate as so it was said. And then it’s right back into the violence.”
“Perhaps we will in time, for now we must take it one step at a time, but as you all have seen not long ago, we are certainly; barely, hanging on by a thread. There are those who wish to destroy it.”
It was at that last passing of words the beautiful voice of string instrumentals came to life. All fell silent in respect for the notes, few by few couples drifted to the floor in arms.

[Lifrasthir]

"We're bombing the Aphrodite Palace? Are you insane Aelic?" Kearn hit the back of Aelic's head. "Yeow, cut it out Kearn. Yes we are bombing the Aphrodite Palace. Why does this surprise you?" Aelic responded, rubbing the back of his head. "Oh I don't know, Aelic. Perhaps it's 'cause there will be more security than Shin there." Kearn said, leaning back in the seat of the small car, trying not to hit Trenna with his elbows. He, Trenna, and Cerstin were crammed into the back. Aelic and Naline were in the two front seats, Naline driving.

"Ah, look. We're here now." Naline sighed out, glad to change the subject, somewhat. All Aelic could do after getting out of the car was gap at the magnificent building before him. It was beautiful. Nothing like the buildings in Shin. Even the building in Buline, Koral where Aelic fought the Rebels.

Shaking his head, Aelic looked to Naline and Cerstin. "You know what to do." he said. Naline nodded her head. "As do you." she responded. She and Cerstin walked off to Aelic's right. Taking their cue, Trenna and Kearn walked to the left. Aelic continued to walk toward the large entrance doors.

The inside of Aphrodite Palace was simply beautiful. Aelic had never seen so many decorations in one room before. He would have forgotten about blowing it all up if he had not heard footsteps come from one of the branches of hallways that lead out to other parts of the palace. Aelic quickly ran down a different hallway. He silently made his way down the large, brightly lit hallway. Paintings and sculptures lined the walls. Doors and other hallways branched off connecting the hallway that Aelic traveled to other parts of Aphrodite Palace.

The hallway ended in three sets of medium-sized double doors. The one of the doors in the middle stood ajar and Aelic could see that the room behind the doors was a large dining room. A servant came out of the dining room. He closed the door and walked off. Aelic assumed that this meant that no one else was in there. Carefully, he approached the doors, opened one of them, and peered into the darkness. No one was in there.

A large table occupied most of the room but there was a space for musicians near the side opposite of Aelic. Paintings of breath-taking landscapes hung on the wall. An elegant chandelier hung just below a ceiling that was painted like ocean waves kissing rocky cliffs.

Getting on his hands and knees, Aelic crawled underneath the table. He crawled towards the leg and pulled out the bomb from a puch at his waist. He placed it at the base of the table's leg. Aelic set the timer on the bomb for seven minutes. Hopefully seven minutes was enough time for everyone to get out of the palace.

Aelic pushed the button that began the countdown. He scrambled out from underneath the table and to the door. He ran out only to run back into the dining room when the door to his right opened and a servant walked out.

"Is someone in here?" the servant asked. Aelic's heart beat quickened as he sought to hid himself better in the shadows. The servant's head turned left and right to make sure no one was in there. Aelic held his breath as the servant's head turned his way. Satisfied that no one was in there, the servant left, closing the door behind him. Aelic waited a few seconds, making sure that the servant didn't come back.

Aelic quickly down to check the time on the bomb. Five minutes, fifty-six seconds. Aelic bolted out of the dining room, though making sure to close the door behind him. He ran as fast as he could.
Aelic could see the foyer to the palace. Only a small stretch left before he cleared the building....Just a little more to go...

BOOM!