Calm Before The Storm

"Wow..." Karisi's mouth drops open as the four of you step outside onto a covered balcony. The open style pathway has a little section where you can sit down and watch over the western skies but with a roof over top it will protect you from any rain and lightning. With it being actually outside the castle though, the wind is starting to pick up and even bringing some of the rain falling from the sky sideways to let random mist spray your bodies when the wind gusts.

The four of you look off into the sky. The swirling clouds off in the distance continue their pace closer and closer to the Syndicate. Rain is slightly falling down already and the wind has picked up just briefly but nothing is too crazy for the time being. The constant rumbles echo from the west as it sounds like an army is marching your way but alas you know it's just the storm rumbling through.

"I've never seen one this far north before..." Lexie replies as her hands go towards to her hips and she looks off. "It's mid day too but look how dark it is out there. It's amazing!"

Zoe even seems to be perking up a little bit from the walking and fresh air she's received "Wow wow wow." she stares off into the distance as well.

"So, how often does a storm like that ever hit the Syndicate?" you question Lexie as she's been in Sicilian the longest.

"Not since I've been born." she mumbles out as her eyes continue their focus ahead "I've been in storms farther south here and there but never here in the Syndicate. Hell, I bet some of the civilian's who have never left Sicilian have maybe never seen a storm, let alone be in one." she continues to trail out "Hope they'll be okay."

"Crazy..." you grumble out "Wonder what's causing it all of a sudden. Crazy world we live in, eh?"

"My mother always told us when bad storms show up unexpectedly it's most likely a bad omen!" Zoe's body shivers slightly "I hope this doesn't mean something terrible is going to happen!" she looks between the three others.

"Hah!" Queen Karisi laughs "Just stories, Zoe. Storms like this come and go, dreams, gods or even omens don't matter to them, they are all just random occurrences."

"I-I don't know my Queen!" Zoe turns to her "Lexie just said! Never a storm in Sicilian since she's been here! Don't you think...what if it's a sign! Trying to tell us something!" her eyes are wide.

"Yeah, Karisi." you smile and connect with her eyes "Maybe it's a sign of something somebody did. The Gods were watching and they are showing their wraith now."

Karisi just stays silent but Lexie notices something between the two of you. She raises her eyebrow and looks back and forth at you both "You guys look like you want to go after each other" she laughs thinking nothing of it.

"H-He's just messing." Karisi tries to play it off as she licks her lips "The storm's got to him!"

"I don't know, Karisi. What if Zoe is right?" you step towards her and she involuntarily takes a step backwards to keep her distance from you "Maybe the Gods know people are hiding information and this is their way of letting them know."

"What's up with you two?" Lexie questions "You guys are both acting so tense" she laughs out. "I mean, do what you gotta do, I don't mind sharing." she gives a flirty grin to both of you.

"I-It's not that, Lexie." Karisi looks at her friend "Darien is just...is just playing around. He means nothing from it." she nods in your direction. "Right, Darien?"

You wink at Lexie "Yeah, just playing." before smiling back at Karisi.

Lexie once more stands there with her hands on her hips, her head cocked to the side as she can feel the tension in the air. "Have at it then!" she replies "Just don't be too long!"

"Lexie, we don't. I don't. That's not. Darien is just..." Karisi pauses, her head looking up and down your body "Ughh" she bites her tongue.

"Just having fun with our Queen..." you can't keep your eyes off her.

"Oh you two..." Lexie laughs out loud just assuming she knows what the two of you want to do. "Have at it!"

Karisi raises an eyebrow and gives the Sunrider a shrug "That's not...whatever! You guys all stay here...I'm going to..." she clears her throat "I'm going to get that potion for Zoe, to help her out and make her feel a bit better. I have a few of them in my room, I'll be back in a little bit."

"Oh okay, well I'll go with you!" you step forward with a smile on your face, clearly wanting some alone time with Karisi to ask her about her meeting she was having.

"No need, Darien. I've got it." she tries to keep you here.

"No no, I insist. I'll help you out." you step closer, "plus then we can catch up a bit. Ya know, about me riding south soon."

"Darien...I'm okay, I can handle it myself. You should stay here with Lexie and Zoe. Make sure they are okay."

"We're fine." Lexie interrupts "You two can go." she playfully bites her tongue before looking at you "As I said earlier, don't be too long" she gives a friendly wink.

"Yeah Karisi, I just wanna talk." you grin "Lexie and Zoe can stay here and watch the storm roll in, we'll return and then we can go grab some food."

Lexie sensually grins at you while shaking her head "Enjoy your...talk..."she just assumes you want to ravage the Queen but in reality you just want some answers.

Zoe on the other hand just gives four or five quick nods in succession as she's still amazed at the storm clouds.

"Come on Karisi. Let's go get that potion and have a little chat."

Karisi gulps down slightly as she knows you're about to pry into what you think you saw when you entered the throne room. "Fine. Let's go." she turns around and begins to walk back into the castle and you follow right by her side.

As Lexie and Zoe get out of range you immediately begin up "Well?" you ask her "Who were you meeting with right before we showed up?" you whisper out, keeping your voice somewhat low in case of unwanted ears.

She looks to her side away from you before glancing back at the ground "Nobody important to you. Don't worry about it."

"Karisi..." your voice goes a little more stern as the two of you turn into another hallway, making your way back towards the throne room to get back to Karisi's chambers.

"Trust me." she grumbles out "I won't lie to you, it's someone you don't need to worry about." she continues to be dodgy of your questions. You can barely make out her facial features since the hallway is quite dim.

"Oh, you mean another ally of mine? Just like Hawk was?" you almost snarl back at her in a low voice "Someone I shouldn't worry about, right?"

"That's not fair..." Karisi says "I apologized for that, but seriously, these people you don't worry about it. It's my own issues to deal with, not yours."

The two of you continue through the hallway, turning into the throne room as your stomps get more and more pronounced, hitting harder on the ground with each step. "So if it's nobody important, why don't you just tell me who it is? I mean, if it really doesn't matter to me, why keep it hidden?"

"Personal reasons, Darien. Just drop it." she seems to be getting more annoyed you keep pressing the issue. "It's something that..." she pauses briefly "Well, at the moment it doesn't involve you so please don't worry about it." she tries to change the subject "Let's just get this potion, get back to Lexie and Zoe and then go grab some food and enjoy the rest of the day together." she places her hand on her chamber door and pushes it open.

You follow her inside and slam the door shut behind you with a loud crash. "Okay, Karisi, now that we are alone, how about you tell me what the fuck is going on?" you let out the anger in your voice at your Queen.