Martin
It had been a good long while since Roesia had met up with Astalios. Their endeavors together were always something the ranger found herself thoroughly enjoying. In fact, it was something she thought about daily. When she and the prince would hunt together again, when she could give him bow lessons or discuss the affairs of the kingdom they both found themselves in. Her friendship with the prince only allowed Roesia to forget the worries of her past, the thought of it coming back to haunt her. Instead of dwelling on yesterday, Roesia could now look to the future a bit more focused than before, and for today that meant another hunting trip with Prince Astalios. Arriving at the capital only a day after her interactions with the strange creature named Sevi back in the Greenheart, the huntress had sold what she had collected over the past week of hunting before heading toward the castle.

Never in a hundred years did Roesia think she'd find herself *Wanting* To be in a city as big as the capital of Alynthi. In her youth, the wood elf regularly attended noble parties, dressed and primped to perfection. Now, Roesia approached a castle no less dressed in a hunter's get up with a cloak atop her head, feeling just as confident. In her pouch sat a stag of iron, a symbol of Prince Astalios. It was something she knew would grab any guard or knight's attention, and something that would directly grant her the presence of the prince himself. Besides, he'd likely know immediately who it was wishing for his company. Approaching the guardsmen at the gates to the castle, Roesia dipped her head out of respect and greeting before presenting the stag statue. A guard took it from her, inspected it, then called for a messenger to fetch the prince. Now, all the huntress needed to do was wait.
.

Finding a spot to lean against the railing along the path leading back down into the city, Roesia played with the amulet around her neck idly. It didn't summon Hera, her familiar, but it was more just a motion Roesia could do while collecting her thoughts. Was this *Normal?* A person as plain and insignificant as she regularly hanging out with the likes of a prince and future king? Maybe it was something she needed to think on more seriously. What would the ramifications of these actions be? Nothing negative could come to mind immediately, save for the blatently obvious one; her parents. Word would likely spread of a white haired dame 'catching the eye' of the prince. Word of the prince regularly leaving his duties to hang amongst the likes of a strange hooded woman with unmistakable white-blonde hair...

Before she could let that thought eat away at her anymore, another popped into her head; Roesia's Lycanthropy. What would happen if the prince witnessed her transform? If they were in enough danger or her emotions grew too rampant, the wolf would take over whether she wanted it to or not. What if she lost control? Of course, Roesia had pretty much gained control over her affliction, the last time she had lost complete control being years and years ago. Nevertheless, the fear and potential was real. Should she tell him...? A look of pure uncertainty and fear was plastered across Roesia's face, but it would likely disappear when and if Astalios arrived.
Eula
*Astalios had barely returned to the capital from his journey to Lazaroth. Catching a Wayshrine from Findara had much shortened the journey, but the encounter had left him somewhat encouraged to take part in an activity of relaxation within short order - perhaps more sparring, of course, but he was considering taking another hunting party with him when he received a message from the guards of the city, passed along into the castle and the rooms of Prince Astalios himself. As per his standing orders, those who bore the silver stag were to be accommodated in their requests to send messages, provided their stags were genuine - they were enchanted by Astalios's own hand to react with coins given to the Guard captains in order to verify them, much like a lock and key system.

In any case, when one of them was activated, generally speaking, his day much improved, and this day was no exception - the message, as he read it from his quarters, was from Roesia, and that in itself was a pleasant surprise. In short order, he had rearranged his armor into a more appropriate, lighter format, meant for the forests and composed of fewer plates than the usual battlefield wear, though its enchantments still remained, and the reactive flexibility of the breastplate was very much intact. He chose to forego his helmet, and instead brought proper leather boots and breeches, decent hunting gear, and of course, his horse, Tempest.

His dagger remained on his belt as he formed the remainder of the metal that had been his full armor into a javelin-like spike and secured it to the saddlebags. It was time, of course, to go hunting. Two rangers, in this case, would be overkill, and he took advantage of his time to head out on his own, mounting his destrier and casually riding him down to the gates of the city, to find the woman that had sent him the message.*

_ _
*Prince Astalios himself was a rather sturdily built man in dull gray half-plate armor that didn't make much sound as he moved. It was surprisingly fluid as it encased him in steel protection. He wore a simple crown upon his head made of pure gold, a circlet unbroken, and on his right hand, there was a signet ring of the same pure gold that depicted a warrior with one sword raised above his head, the other in his hand.

His eyes and hair were brown, and his ears were slightly pointed, owing to his heritage as a half-elf. His jaw and nose were strong and masculine, and his expression was at the very least amused when he sighted Roesia, though quickly, he picked out some sort of confusion or trouble on her face, and his expression quickly shifted into the same, his eyes darting around for some sort of concealed weapons or setup as he felt for the metal around him. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary, though that would change if assassination attempts were clearly planned... And it was best to be prepared. 

He stopped a few feet from her, still atop Tempest, and raised a hand in greeting.* "Miss Vuldrey, excellent to see you. I received your message in the castle. Are you well?"
Martin
Hearing the familiar voice of her royal companion, Roesia's demeanor shifted almost immediately into a happy one. Smiling brightly and with a genuine look of happiness on her face, Roesia turned and offered a bow to the prince as he approached. "Good afternoon, your highness. I am well, yes, I was simply wondering if you'd care to join me on a hunting trip yet again. A huntress's job never seems to be done, hm?" Raising her brow a bit, Roesia scanned over the prince. He looked as dashing and in order as any other time she had seen him. She immediately took note of the lack of entourage following after the prince. Perhaps this was an answer to her request in itself. Forgetting her manners, Roesia quickly added on, "Have the days been treating you well, your highness?"

Truth be told, it had been quite some time since the two had last met. Many things around the world had gone on, things Roesia chose to remain oblivious to. When visiting the capital or other cities, she cared not for the gossip of the world she'd pick up in passing. The market was riddled with men and women alike who simply couldn't stop talking of politics and the kingdom, but it fell on deaf ears. Roesia did not wish to hear of the world. She felt safe in her forest, amongst the beasts she both hunted and respected. Nevertheless, she found herself back in civilization to request the company of the very man at the center of much of the gossip. Resting her hand against the railing she had previously been leaning against, Roesia's eyes soon found Astalios's as she read them quietly.

The prince looked tired but not from stress. His eyes were filled with a constant alertness and determination, something Roesia admired deeply. Astalios was a man of respect and one she did in fact respect greatly. As she had stated once before to him, her opinion remained the same; Prince Astalios would make a fantastic king.
Eula
*The quick transition from fear and uncertainty to pleasant happiness was welcomed - though it did seem to be a bit too quick for his liking. Suspicion lingered around the fringes of his consciousness, and he resolved to keep an eye out for any unexpected twists and turns to the excursion. She seemed to be in good health, as always. That scarred over eye was in the same place. Nothing seemed to be an illusion.

So he proceeded as normal.*

"I am glad to hear it, Miss Vuldrey, and as I was by happenstance looking to go on a hunting trip after returning from a voyage of my own, I would also enjoy such a hunting trip." *He knew bringing his dagger was a good idea, and the spear was always useful in case they met another Richard in the Greenheart, or stumbled past those who wished the prince harm. Not many people in the realm, he thought, disliked him, but foreign spies were always a danger. Especially considering the tense nature of politics at the moment.*

"The days have been treating me well enough, I suppose. Diplomatic action tires me, but it is a necessary component of life for me, which I dare not neglect." *He dismounted from Tempest with a swing of the leg and a soft thud as his leather boots met the cobblestone of the city, taking the reins instead as he deigned to walk and talk with her, as opposed to speaking down like an arrogant god from on high.*

"How have you fared these last few weeks? Is the forest still lively?" *He asked, eager to move away from the topic of politics and into the everyday matter of hunting.*