@✪ Astrid Berges Frisbey ♟ Hearing the reply filled with hints of amusement, Byulyi gave a small smile. "Glad to know that, milady," she replied to the friendly claim. Looking at the pile of numerous scrolls, papers and books, she could see the drawings and a few foreign looking writings on that. Even though common language was used often in the daily lives of the people working for the royalties and the royalties themselves, writings were a whole different matter.
Possessing enough knowledge to go by with reading certain foreign words, the female guards could only sigh as she wondered to herself again that this was for her and her beloved subordinates. Often looked with disdain and extremely underestimated added on with the belief of dying at the war was a great honor, herbs became a thing for the medical folks and not a thing one should put their mind on to. Fortunately, this said soldier had no intention on dying anytime soon, nor her troops. So, no choice but to ran to scrolls and books in common writings for guidance.
"Thank you, Your Grace," she expressed and quickly as she turned around to the leaving mistress, added, "Have you no need for any of this anymore? Perhaps we could share the table as I wouldn't want to hinder your works here, madam." While waiting for the comeback of her questions, she started to unlatched the lance on her back and carefully put it aside, not too near but just enough for immediate action if needed. Lance was her favored weapon but cautiousness and well preparations were two of the most basic knowledge in times of war, therefore it came to no surprise of other weapons hidden in various parts of her armor, that should have been visible to the observant ones.
@♆ Moon Byulyi ♜ It was very interesting spotting the sharp edges dot the guard's face (literally) her skin tightening visibly and her eyes possibly darkening from the punch of a question thrown into her. But yet, a moments pause later, the sharpness dissipated back into soft cheeks and slim lips, cooled eyes and rested shoulders. Either the woman before Astrid was a incredible actress, or she was wearing her inner thoughts on her body for Astrid's sake to believe her desire.
No question, the blonde answered in quite a wise and unbiased manner- which was a bit of a set back for the concubine as she didn't expect such intelligence and clarity in two sentences from the beautiful soilder's lips. It made the auburn haired maiden quirk a smile, letting her chin fall down in surrender to her tough facade for a moment as if to relax herself. Running a hand through her curly mane in a very unlady-like fashion as to get it away from her face and off her neck by twisting it up behind her, only to release and let it slowly uncoil as it choose. 'Still, I could make the executive decision and kick the guard from the space.' But it would be of little use. The female was aware she could come back when Astrid was not present, next to the fact the lady was tired and in no need of more stress (or to guard a library) when there were other things to prepare for in her alone time.
Her green eyes darted to the blonde guard as in the silence, she bowed and introduced herself. Purposefully, the concubine could tell, the woman had made the greeting a little less forced in formalities, taking note to Astrid's dislike of the format she alluded to at the beginning of their conflictive conversation. 'Atlantis has a very grand guard on to guide them in war and peace.' her mistress thought softly. Moon Byulyi, as she stated was her address, must have studied well. The concubine shook her head with a warm chuckle. "There was no test, only my words." she claimed more gently now, taking a curtsy herself and gestured to the books on the table. "The pile should fill the majority of your desires for herbology," and on that note, the low concubine moved past the dashing Lancer to take her own matters elsewhere.
@✪ Astrid Berges Frisbey ♟ Hearing the questions thrown her way, the Lancer's face hardened a little as even though she was not the most loyal from the perspective of political and belief, she was a soldier and a soldier's job was to serve their master's order. For her, the simple duty was to be done but with a little bit of exception, and that's her sense of morale with an addition of instinct. Other than that, a given order must be taken action upon, no question asked. With that in mind, Moon Byulyi easily softened or, more like, normalized her feature, as an answer came out of her lips, "As of now, I'm not required to prepare for such possible consequences." After a second or two, she added, "And I hope so in the long run, milady."
And as one of the citizen experienced in hunger as one of the cost of war, also as one of the once frontliners in the war, the hope was nothing but the truth for her. The Lancer looked around the magnificent grand library and how fitting the name was. It was a truly grand library. As her eyes darted around the line of bookcases with priceless written treasures and surely the strong concubine standing before her, she muttered to herself, "I truly hope so." After all, war takes many victims and most of the times, the victims were taken or sacrificed too early, even before a certain flower managed to bloom and spread her beauty and strength, sometimes even before the sprout of talent has managed to show herself to the world.
As silence came upon the library once more for a short amount of time, Moon Byulyi couldn't help but remember that an introduction hasn't been made and as the lesser one as of ranks, she should give one immediately. A short one, considering she nor the mistress like the formal pleasantries. She gives a 45 degree bow with her right hand folded across her chest as the right fist met the left , making a clink sound as the armors met, "Moon Byulyi, as of now, on duty as the Royal Guard for the Kingdom of Atlantis." She went on to her standing stance as she asked lightheartedly, "Do I past the test, milady?"
@♆ Moon Byulyi ♜ Astrid's stern lip curvled up into a smirking-smile, as she couldn't help but release a short chuckle, shaking her head slightly as she looked down to her books. This solider had a sharp ear that matched a curvy tongue, no doubt a decent mind to follow on her tread as she threw back out a stubble yet clearly understood agreement that she was fully aware there was no trouble to be caused, and that the library was open to her charge, but most importantly...that she was not to harm the lady across from her. Again, subtle flattery, as Astrid may be a mistress but she was of little worth to the King and the court. Of course, the guard would not dare claim something outspokenly...as she could assume with Astrid's show of dominance that even in her questionable position, she could easily have hidden power...and maybe that's exactly what the lady had.
"Well, I'm sure your head would mean a great deal; and since you are so aware of it you must be equally prepared for the consequences you will face if your Kingdom threatens my King's, yes?" she could pray that the strangers smart were of peace were true-held- as if people didn't stand on such a solid foundation as the truth, then the sinking sands beneath them will have them trembling and fallen in seconds.
The brunette was not much for threats, so to have them toxically rolling past her tulip lips it made her lose her appetite for tea and research immediately. The lady stood and placed her pile of books onto the coffee table toward the middle of the sitting area, with the exception of the three journals she had been writing and documenting herself, which she stacked and held in one arm she she straightened herself before the blonde, Atlantis guard, waiting for a poignant response to her second question.
@✪ Astrid Berges Frisbey ♟ Biting, was the exact word that could describe the said noble lady's question toward her. It was not a surprise as she came in her full capacity as a military personnel of the opposing Kingdom. Moon Byulyi mused at the intimidating tone thrown her way with excitement, after all, it's not an everyday occurrence for her to encounter a female noble that can bite back, other than her queen and princesses. Meek and obedient were the standard required upon the ladies, noble or not, in her homeland, though not all. As she was the only female royal guards required to be on duty on every visit to the kingdom, and considering this was not the first time she had a chance to visit the said library, a knowledge of the library being open for nobles, officials, specific permitted peasants and military personnel from any ranks (including those from other kingdoms brought in by a duty to protect), the female soldier knew the question was a test.
It seemed that the other party's not too pleased with formalities, and she concludes that the one standing before her was the infamous beloved concubine of the King. Facing her then, the Lancer was pleasantly surprised with the strong and uphold attitude, so very different from the rumor circulating amongst the nobles that she overheard. Lifting her gaze to meet the eyes of the said mistress, she proceed to say, "the stars that showed me the teachings of 'one will not be attacked if one is wise enough not to do so', my lady. If I have the intention to do so, I would not only be a fool but maddeningly fool as even though I can only do so much damage, the damage will cover the entire library and all of it's occupants which surely would cost me, my head."
Knowing full well that she was threading on thin line by saying that, thankfully this one female soldier was known to act upon instinct and her instinct deemed the answer was the right answer. If not, then she would lose her head. Well, if they could catch her. Worst case scenario would be her being a pirate or a vigilante or a wanderer (the path she had taken before, in between the short happy childhood period and the moment military took her in).
@♆ Moon Byulyi ♜ Formalities were always a bit too much for the mistress- especially when they were directed toward her. It was like a mask people wore out of courtesy in the name of respect, and yet it only made the peasant more distrustful. It couldn't be helped, though, as the weaponized woman standing a distance away from her had little idea of the dressed lady's intentions, and nor Astrid her's. Of course, the lady-in-waiting was aware that there was a meeting set for the month between the two neighboring countries of Alantis and Tradian...but she didn't believe it would occur today, this evening. 'Doojoon gave me no warning...' He was normally more communicative of these things... but he did have a wife to consider, so internally the green-eyed girl gave her nod of forgiveness to him.
She listened and watched with a steeled stare, trying to read the guard's body language as she took on the primal lead of verbal conversing. Astrid didn't enjoy flattery of any sort, but she did heavily admire the woman's lance on her back- the confidence and ease she carried, as great if not greater than a man. 'Strong woman.' The prospect of being taught better comabt skills by a female flooded her mind, and clearly the guard before her was a perfect candidate...but also was clearly strange and preoccupied with guarding the royals of her kingdom. Which meant Astrid needed to be smart with her words and secrets.
Clearing , the brunette closed her books and moved her stern eyes away from the guard, letting her hand fall away from her hidden knife and began creating a pile in her lap of the research she had entailed. "You're formalities are great, sir," there was little telling the pronouns Atlantis followed by in empowering their soldier's, so Astrid's eyes darted up to analyze the female's body language to the chosen phrase, "but though your duty here serves you as well as your appearance can give, forgive my prompting- what stars in the sky made you believe you are welcome to roam freely on your enemies property?" Astrid's jaw clenched as she waited for an answer, seeing if her intimidation could gain the information she needed from the guard on her truthful intentions and purpose of entering the library- let alone the Tradian kingdom. Was this blonde a rule-follower? Was she sent specifically for some fragment of information? Libraries were quite a bore to most soldiers...there was no action here to be had. But action would certainly occur as soon as the stranger gave way to her secret.
@✪ Astrid Berges Frisbey ♟ The brunette was fairly young. Beautiful to say the least as the formalities was given. Moon Byulyi was not used to formal greetings being given to her by a noble and with calculating mind, she assumed that the lady before her was a noble for not too far long. Either a mistress or a young noble that's a little bit behind on ethics and etiquette lessons. Replying with a bow, politely she said, "Evening, my lady. I apologize for disrupting your time but please rest assured as I just happened to be here to glance upon books regarding herbals and medicines as I've heard that this library is the most vast and magnificent on the said matter."
From the corner of her eye, she can see the lady's hand reaching to her hip, Moon Byulyi will bet her entire fortune that some kind of small portable weapon was hidden underneath the beautiful garment, and with a smile she thought to herself, "What a joy to see a woman finally making use of her own ability to defend oneself". Then she stood while respectfully avoiding eye contact and proceed to say, "Pardon me, my lady, to give you a peaceful mind, allow me to take off my lance and put it on your side as I've come with no other intention than what I've conveyed before." And it was true as she was here not to take harmful actions against anybody, including the noble before her and the surrounding folks.
@♆ Moon Byulyi ♜ There wasn't much left to right, just as there wasn't much left to read (at least with the brain space Astrid had left) so it was far to easy to get distracted and daydream and notice when strangers and maids came through and walked around book shelves. Watching a woman dust and check on the books (a servant, who attended to Astrid's request for tea very dutifully) the brunette concubine watched with grief and slight sympathy before trying to finish the pieces of her herb comparison charts. That servant could easily have been Astrid, and Astrid her. Class systems were too much sometimes...
With her mind left and right and everywhere else but her project, the movement that came through the entrance of the library instantly caught the mistresses attention, and she looked up to find a shockingly handsome...woman. A lance on her back, bountiful blonde hair cascading down her shoulders and brushing over the Atlantis symbol etched into her silver armor. The forienger was shockingly attractive, as she was very unexpected, catching the mistress off guard. She closed her books and gave a formal nod/half bow in her seat to greet the stranger, though her left hand when to her hip where she carefully felt for her dagger, in case the guest was here for trouble.
@✪ Astrid Berges Frisbey ♟ Though the cursed Kingdom of Atlantis and Kingdom of the Land, Tradian, are not in the best of term (some may even called them enemies), a diplomatic visit and meetings were still a political responsibilities of the nobles and ruler of each kingdom. Travelling nobles meant royal guards. On this specific occasion, a lancer was chosen to be amongst them and she was certainly not pleased with it. The only good thing she could find from the boring but tedious duty was the short free time she got when her shift's done and other guards finally took her place. Thankfully, even though she's not familiar with the noble she was tasked to guard, a larger amount of guards were brought, meaning shorter shifts and longer breaks. Wearing her usual royal light armor of steel, decorated with dark blue cape draped just over her heels and her loyal lance latched on her back, Moon Byulyi found her way to the castle library. Her only functional right eye fell immediately on a brunette sitting in a seeming daze not far from the library entrance just a moment before the brunette had finally gaze upon her too.
@♆ Moon Byulyi ♜ The brunette mistress sat alone in the grand castle library of Tradian; vast and beauteous it held more books and journals than what was copied in the public village library. So much treasure and tales and mystery's... yet Astrid took regrettably very little time to do research and take onto account her own form of studies. Pacitence was a virtue she numerously attempted to posses... thankfully, she had had an adventure for the morning that had kept her occupied long enough so that when it came to researching and adding more information to her self studies, she was more than ready. Dressed in a very simple white and lilac dress, her hair was washed and curled naturally over her bare shoulders, face clean of the dirt caked from the wild ride hours before, exposing the confident flower of a woman Astrid had become in her time.
Sipping on a cup of tea and taking more notes on the last herb she had collected, she grew fatigued internally, and was expectant for the King to return and call for dinner. But, until then, she had to be patient and work and think...
