<div class="floatleft">(http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j480/Erion2451/lily_collins_hot.png)</div><strong>Character:</strong>Ellya Hellatius<br/><strong>Location:</strong>Proving Grounds, Princess' Box<br/><strong>Time:</strong>Day 1, Noon<br/><strong>Tagging:</strong>Avelyn, Cedric, open<br/><br/>A soft yet genuine smile touched Ellya's delicate features as her half-sister joined her and an equally gentle laugh echoed from her lips.<strong>"I believe that same gossip would likely have me float like a feather to the ground after such a leap, as well, dear sister,"</strong>she jested before turning slightly more serious.<strong>"I'm glad you are here.  The people should see us standing united in support of the Emperor on this day.  With luck they will see it as an omen for a prosperous future for themselves and the empire."</strong><br/><br/>Ellya's smile didn't falter as she returned the gracious nod to Avelyn.  Ellya held no resentment toward her half-sister.  Not anymore.  Once, when she was much younger she had desired little else than Avelyn's affection much less her attention, but Ellya had been a child when Avelyn was blooming into a woman.  Ellya had been in pigtails when Avelyn had the duties and responsibilities of her station pressed upon her.  It had taken maturity and experience for Ellya to realize Avelyn's indifference was to be expected.  Ellya doubted that she would have been able to do much differently than Avelyn had had their positions been switched.  No, there was nothing but respect and affection in Ellya's heart for Avelyn.  Things may've been different if she had been closer to Avelyn's age or, perhaps, if they had shared the same mother.  Though the world would truly be different if ifs and maybes had been, at least, that's what Ellya's governess had always claimed.<br/><br/><strong>"I hope the day is finding you in good spirits, Avelyn.  Did you happen to see any of our siblings arriving?"</strong>She asked before listening curious to Avelyn's reply.<br/><br/>A moment later, Ellya sipped her own wine and felt guilty for not being quick enough to offer some to her sister before Avelyn had dispatched her lady.  She had always found the peculiarities of her family taxing.  She'd been given her own household since before she could walk.  Her father had been as much a figment of her imagination and story from a children's tale as he was flesh and bone.  She'd been raised, like all of her sisters, by a governess, her maids, and her tutors.  She had seen her father upon holidays, feasts, special events, and whenever he fancied to lay eyes upon her, which was never as often as she had desired.  In turn she was to entertain him, by reciting a poem she had recently memorized, performing a melody flawlessly, or dancing gracefully.  Failure on her part resulted in the dismissal of a beloved caregiver or simply the knowledge that she had disappointed her father the Emperor.  It was little wonder that some of her sisters were more stranger than relative.  While others, like Avelyn, the circumstances of life had simply kept them apart.  Jacquelyn was the only sibling Ellya felt truly close to and even then the impish princess made Ellya wonder, at times, how genuine that relationship was.<br/><br/>A courier, dressed in pale olive livery, drew Ellya out of her contemplation.  She'd done her best to ignore the second match.  Even her untrained eye had dismissed the combatants as men without skill.  She lost complete interest when the crowd began to laugh and jeer the pair and she'd continued to devote her attention to anywhere but the center of the ring when the sound clanking pots and pans echoed through the stadium.<br/><br/>She glanced at Avelyn, gathered her half-sister's attention, and then indicated the courier before beckoning him forward with a simple wave of her hand.  The man did little to hide his nerves though his voice did not waver when he read the letter to the pair of princesses.<br/><br/><em>Forgive my boldness however I found myself wondering if Your Royal Highnesses have ever witnessed a battle before, and understand the mechanics that go into such a thing. If you were interested I might explain how to measure a man and see true skill beyond muscle or armor. If such a proposition interests you, send the courier back to me and I would be honored to introduce myself properly. If not I sincerely apologize for bothering you, and hope to meet you properly soon.<br/><br/>Sincerely<br/>Cedric Valda Duke of Galdoa</em><br/><br/>Ellya held up a single finger to hold the man where he was before she turned to Avelyn with a questioning look.<br/><br/><strong>"What is your desire, sister?  Shall we allow the Duke of Galdoa to join us?"</strong>