Sioggard - The Runaway Luna

It would have been fun. Even if tiring. Intent on brushing her long blond hair, Arabella smiled wistfully at her reflection in the mirror. It would have been so different if…but three years had already passed and the strange sense of apathy she'd been living with ever since, was starting to fade in her heart. Hope maybe or sadness. She didn't knew it, even though Arabella had often asked it herself. She didn’t really knew Isadore that much and despite being so similar, Arabella was still surprised by the melancholy that every time appeared in her mind when she found herself thinking about Sioggard's ex Luna. Holding in a sigh, Arabella finished brushing her hair which she then gathered in a low knot at the nape of her neck, wondering if she shouldn't cut them. As she heard the music coming from below, she found herself smiling with anticipation again. It would have been fun. And after the last long and boring months, that ceremony would lift her mood, preventing the anger that was simmering inside her, from emerging. A persistent knock on the door distracted her from her thoughts and Arabella turned away irritably but before she could answer, Celestia opened the door and walked in without much formality. “Aren't you ready yet?” her sister asked with a pronounced frown on her face, giving her an impatient look. “Please come forward.” replied sarcastically Arabella, returning Celestia's cold glare as she wondered why Celestia wasn't downstairs making eye contact at Rhys Seyimour. Though he hadn't looked at her in three years, her sister still pined for him, hopeful, deluding herself that one day Rhys would stop waiting in vain for Isadore and notice her. "I'm serious Arabella, you should really start worrying about your manners, people talk you know." scolded her sister, sighing. "Did you come up to lecture me?" answered Arabella indifferently, going back to studying her reflection in the mirror to give the finishing touches to her hairdo. “And why should I care about gossip? People talk all the time, with my placid blessing I may add..” "If your mother were still here.." Celestia began to protest but catching the icy gaze that Arabella gave her she fell silent and shook her head in exasperation. “Dad should stop indulging your tantrums.” She added rather harshly. “You are nineteen now and even if you don't…” “I don’t what?” repeated Arabella, daring her sister to continue. "You're still a princess." Celestia replied, her face flushed, but refusing to lower her gaze. “Sooner or later you will have to find an Alpha and become a Luna for him. You have responsibilities…” "Celestia.." Arabella interrupted dryly, giving her sister a meaningful look. "Shouldn't you be downstairs welcoming the guests?" reminded she her dryly, tired of that discussion which for the other was not at all new to her. With her twenty-one years old, Celestia was lately taking her role as her older sister seriously and never missed an opportunity to reproach her for her atrocious ways and behavior unworthy of her royal blood. Invading her personal space like she never had before. On the other hand, Arabella had unfortunately realized that lately everyone at the Black Moon had felt compelled to make some observations pertinent to her life. As if it concerned them in any way. Boredom had probably been fatal to her and she must have been too lenient lately. She had to fix it. Right away. "We should, both of us." replied stiffly Celestia. “Whether you like it or not, you are part of this family and you have precise responsibilities. You can't keep escaping your duties to chase Goddess knows what absurd ideals that lead you to…” "Celestia." Arabella interrupted her again, tired of that boring litany she knew by heart. "Get out!" she asked coldly pointing to the door with an unmistakable tone, leaving her sister with little choice. "I have to anyway." Replied Celestia irritated. "If you don't come down in twenty minutes, I'll send Logan to get you." Her sister threatened her though, before turning around and pompously walking out of her rooms. As if she cared, Arabella said to herself with a sigh, but then shook her head and pushed Celestia out of her thoughts, to focus back on herself. Finishing arranging her hair, Arabella then went to choose a dress for the evening, deliberately ignoring the three that her housekeeper had prepared for her, for the joyous occasion. She opted for one of the simpler ones in her closet, not wanting to waste time and still not wanting to impress anyone. The light blue tulle empire line gown with high waist and soft skirt snugged her gracefully and was comfortable and cool against the skin. Arabella chose a pair of matching sandals and then, finished getting ready, she went back to studying herself in the mirror with a critical eye. Celestia would obviously have objected because that dress was too simple and linear and everyone hoped that that evening she would attract the attention of some poor Alpha looking for a Luna with royal blood. Willing to put up with her rough ways, her rebellious character and her total lack of good manners. Her father hoped that her beauty were enough to gloss over her other shortcomings and that the blood coursing through her veins was enough incentive to approach her, even though Arabella had spurned all the Alphas, Betas, and noble warriors who had been introduced to her up to then. Smiling amused, Arabella sprinkled a drop of perfume on herself and after checking the time she finally decided to get off. Curiously wondering which other sacrificial victims her father and brothers had found for her. Arabella thought she had known all the young pretenders of the kingdom, still unmated and of some relevance and qualities which her father found indispensable in his future son-in-law. Though her father would be willing to turn a blind eye if need be, if she could find someone who might interest her. Considering her shortcomings, the rumors of her illegitimacy and since at nineteen Arabella hadn't yet shifted, causing her family no small amount of embarrassment. She was the only princess in the whole kingdom still wolf less despite having now reached the age to shift and meet a Mate. Which had made her extremely popular, much more than her sister that with Isadore's disappearance, was again considered the flagship of the whole kingdom, with her very noble origins and her fragile and delicate appearance. Alphas from all the Luna-seeking packs were constant guests at the Black Moon hoping to conquer Celestia’s favors. With some due exceptions. And Rhys Seyimour. Celestia, however, continued intrepid to reject her fervent admirers, madly in love with the only Alpha who was barely aware of her existence. And her father, instead of making her come to her senses, encouraged Celestia's obstinacy to become the future Luna of Sioggard. Because in just three years, Rhys had transformed his pack making it unassailable and so prosperous that it could even compete with the Black Moon, coming out the winner. Sioggard had regained his former glory and under the leadership of Rhys and Kellan, had become so powerful that no longer feared any enemy. The Black Moon instead was increasingly suffering from the lack of a precise direction. With Dragan about to officially take over the reins of the Black Crow, as Lavena's mate, his father had found himself having to choose between Logan and Gabriel to succeed him but neither of them lived up to his expectations. Having found his Mate in Natasha Brestwood, Gabriel was preparing to become Alpha of Almerix and did not seem willing to lead the Black Moon as well while Logan did not have the necessary qualities to lead the pack. He lacked authority, strength and acumen to the great disappointment of his father who therefore saw in Celestia a means of salvation for the Black Moon. In fact, his father hoped that Rhys Seyimour would notice her sister and that taking her as Luna he would unite the Black Moon and the Sioggard and rule them together. Even though the whole kingdom knew it would never happen. As far as she was concerned, it had been fun at first, watching Celestia humiliate herself knowing she wouldn't get anything but then realizing that her sister didn't wanted to give up even though she knew she didn't have a single chance, Arabella found herself pitying her. She couldn't understand that obsession that Celestia thought was love. It was degrading to see her sister pining so intensely, ready to sacrifice everything, for someone who never even gave her a kind look. And Rhys Seyimour on the other hand was starting to irritate her deeply. He should have been clearer about his feelings and explained to Celestia that it was useless to continue to prostrate at his feet in search of a chance. Arabella had never liked him before, she still didn't liked him now and the dislike was mutual but on the other hand hardly anyone liked her. As she didn’t liked anyone in turn. “You finally deigned yourself…” Unable to suppress a grimace of annoyance, Arabella gave Theor a cold look, thinking that He was the one she disliked the most of all. “Were you waiting for me Theor?” she asked, continuing to descend the stairs calmly, despite the coldness in his blue eyes. “Always ready to be an obedient puppy?” she added scornfully, looking him up and down, knowing she'd infuriate him. Arabella hoped to get rid of his annoying presence that way but Theor was used to her insults and did not even bothered to respond in kind. She had never been able to overcome his cursed imperturbability. "Your father is waiting for you." Theor only informed her coldly, waiting for her at the foot of the stairs. "To introduce me to some other unfortunate suitor no doubt." Snorted Arabella unimpressed. "I hope at least they are less silly than the last two" she sighed, hopeful, talking to herself. "I know the way thanks." she added irritably when noticing that Theor was preparing to lead her into the ballroom. “I said I know the way!” she repeated in frustration, stopping, because it was as if she hadn't even spoken. “Do you ever get tired of being a good soldier?” asked dryly, glaring at Theor with icy contempt. "Hurry up.” Countered he, once again perfectly unperturbed. “Don't touch me!” commanded him Arabella, raising her voice dramatically, oblivious to the consequences. She snuck away from the touch of his arm on her shoulder and marched furiously ahead of him, thinking that one day she would get rid of his harassing presence at her side. Before his damn indifference would drive her crazy.