The Prince's Curse [private]

[Vilhelmina]

a private onexone rp between Vilhelmina and mimi-luna

[mimi-luna]

Ϯhe Ҟingdom

The Kingdom of Zayar is prosperous, it's in prime location where traders from all over the world bring many goods. Gold from Africa, precious silk from China, or spices from India, you name it, they will have it somewhere in bulk. It is certain that everyone has a roast chicken at least once a week. However because of the wealth, the king has many enemies. No one strikes fear in the kings heart, except for his youngest son. Prince Falk, the seventh born son, but one of his few children to survive the birth. His habits are unusual, maddening even. However the scandal, if he was sent away would be unforgivable. So the king keeps a close eye on his child, praying his worse fears do not come true. Where he is the only heir to the throne, and he shall bring his kingdom to ruin.

On this day,

April 20th,

Temperature: 10 degrees Celsius.

Downpour, followed by wind gusts about 15-20 km per hour.

[Vilhelmina]

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Setting the mood for malice

Theme playlist of Prince Falk

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[mimi-luna]

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Setting the mood for mystery

Theme Playlist of Cassie Jacoby
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[Vilhelmina]

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reserved

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[mimi-luna]

OOC

[Vilhelmina]

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There were some who would refer to Prince Falk as mad. He found this equal parts amusing and irrational. Amusing, because a part of him rejoiced in having made such a powerful impression; irrational because of course, it was entirely untrue. Madness is defined by a lack of reason and perception of reality. Prince Falk didn't have a problem with either of them - he liked to think of it as having a slightly different perspective on things. Of course, he didn't expect just anyone to understand - and whenever there was something people didn't understand, there would be fear. People could be so eager to label that which they were afraid of, though sense seemed to have little to do with the selection of epithets.

That being said, the Prince did not go to any great lenghts to prove them wrong. Quite the opposite, in fact. As the youngest child of the King, Prince Falk had spent the first years of his life living entirely in the shadow of his two older brothers. Everyone - down to the simplest nursery maid - had appeared to pay less attention to him in comparison. The constant feeling of always being one step lower on the ladder, always slightly less important, had eventually grown beyond the pont of frustration. Young has he had been, Prince Falk had decided that enough was enough. He'd show them - and so he had. One morning the castle had awoken to a shriek of horror when one of the nursery maids - a particularly stern woman who seemed to take pride in never showing a smile on her face - had found the carcass of a dead crow piled up beside her pillow as she opened her eyes. It didn't take them long to find the culprit - indeed, the Prince hade come forth himself to confess to his actions, barely able to contain the laughter bubbling up within him. What the punishment had been, he could no longer remember - but whatever it was it had made no lasting impression on the boy. He never revealed to anyone how he'd gotten his hands on a dead crow in the first place, but some would swear that to this day most smaller birds still shunned the very presence of the Prince.

Over the years Prince Falk cultured his self-made position in the court with the utmost dedication. He delighted in causing havoc. Mostly smaller things, of course - he still needed to be able to live in the midst of it - though his princely status had protected him on several occasions already when he otherwise would have had to face rather unpleasant retributions. He wasn't necessarily above the law, but he was certainly soaring about in the upper regions. Lately, however, the Prince was getting uneasy. Ever so often, his series of small endavors didn't quite cut it when it came to satisfying his urge for chaos. Sometimes, the situation simply called for something bigger than that - and he believed he had just the thing on his mind. It was going to be one of his bigger schemes - if not the most significant one so far - but he couldn't carry it out alone. He needed to enlist someone with a rather... particular skillset.

Never failing to do his research, Prince Falk had learned that such a person could indeed be found in the the vicinity of the city. He had decided, on this rather rainy and omnious day, to seek out the location where his sources had claimed he would be able to find what, or rather who, he was searching for. Shaking his regular tail of bodyguards - bestowed upon him by his beloved father the King with equal intentions of protecting the Prince from the world and protecting the world from the Prince - he had escaped the city at what would have been the break of dawn, had the sun decided to grace the day with its presence. He had been riding the entire day since, only stopping to rest when absolutely necessary - he was not one to linger. It was near dusk now, and as it would appear, he had arrived at his destination.

Jumping down from his horse in one single fluid motion, the Prince tied it to a nearby tree before he approached the door of the building in front of him, and knocked. A crow in the tree behind cawed loudly, with a tinge of something almost resembling fear, before it flew off.




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[mimi-luna]

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★Cassie Jacoby-The Witch

It was a miserable day out, and it meant that for today. Only the most faithful or the most urgent of her customers would dare come to her cottage. For the road to her cottage was quite a journey in itself. If one was to come from the city, they would enter a forest that was down a road leading towards the first town beyond the capital. At a fork in the road, just a few feet in. They would have to go right, which is the less traveled of the two roads. Go straight until at the sight of a cottage. Which was a sad collection of wood and brick, it seemed only magic could have been what held it up.

Inside was a bit more homely, than it actually looked. Even with all of the herbs and little dead things hanging from the ceiling. There was a fireplace with a cauldron that was always boiling something. Today, it was dinner, which was a dandelion soup. Despite the kingdom being efficient in feeding everyone. Her occupation as a 'herbalist' did not give her a whole lot. Respect seemed to a higher priced though.

For when she was a child, it was common that other children would throw rocks at her. Called her names, and more than once she was spat on, or had excrement tossed on her. Just because she was a daughter of a witch. Soon enough her magic got them to stop, but the stares always lingered and she couldn't help but stare back.

Now at dusk, it was getting darker and it seemed unlikely she would be seeing anyone. She was in midst of lighting a couple of candles so she could see where she was going. When there was a knock on the door, a customer at this time of day? It was clear that they were more of the desperate kind, her favorite. For those that came in the day, usually were asking for potions that cured this or that. At night it was common to be asked for things like actual spells, some for love or a curse. Usually little things like ruin the cake or make their horse sick. Which then they would come back and want her to fix it, always at a certain cost though.

Moving her hair from her face, she opened the door. Much to her surprise it was Prince Falk. The richest man she had enter her home before him, was a baron who wanted a potion to improve his libido. Which she did and that was how she got herself an actual bed to sleep on, in fact it was his dead wives bed. "Come in your majesty" she said opening the door a bit wider, to let him in. She lead him inside, walked over to the table and drew out the more comfortable chair for him to sit. Then she took the opposite one that was right across from him. He had the seat close to the fire, while she had the seat that kept her in the shadows. As soon as she was comfortable she spoke. "Now what do I owe the pleasure of your company, milord?"

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[Vilhelmina]

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He did not need to wait long before the door in front of him started to open. Prince Falk utterly abhored having to wait, but he was not as much thankful for the fact that he did not have to do it, in this case, as he had come expect not to. It was another perk of instilling a certain fear in the people around him - there were few who would be willing to risk to annoy him when the matter could easily be avoided. He did not usually threaten anyone with what he could possibly do if he were to be annoyed, specifically. He didn't need to, most people didn't really care to find out.

Prince Falk noted that his appearance at this particular doorstep appeared to be somewhat of a surprise. Well, that was to be expected. He imagined that people of any dignity would usually send their servants out on errands to places such as this - it was a more remote location than he'd care to venture to anymore than occasionally, if he could help it. Another, and perhaps more important, reason was the nature of the visits - most would not want to be associated with anything which could come out of it. Not openly, anyway. But the nature of the Prince's visit was one that could not be entrusted to anyone else, and so he had gone himself. Really, if you wanted to get something done right, that was the only way to do it. People in general could not be trusted.

Therefore it was with a certain air of well weighed suspicion that the Prince entered the cottage. After all, if most people could not be trusted, should this not apply twofold for a witch? Had it not been for the fact that he could not carry out the plan he had in mind on his own, he would not have come. The situation was risky, at best, so he needed to tread carefully around the issue, to assess the situation before he put his cards on this table. More importantly, he needed to assess this witch.

She was younger than he'd expected - though to be fair he'd based his preconceptions regarding the witch's age mostly on nursery fairy tales, in which few pieces of information are ever very reliable - though she did have a rather mysterious look about her which lended itself well to her image. Though his sources regarding her location had been more reliable than nursery rhymes, they had however failed to mention that in addition to giving off a rather witchy vibe, this woman was attractive. Untamed, sure, but then again she probably spent more time with dead animals than with people.

Her greeting was on the more formal side, but it pleased him. Still, as much as he needed to trust this woman, he also needed for her to trust him. It was probably best to let the air of formality be toned down if only ever so slightly. "Really, there's no need for such pleasantries." He rewarded her politeness with a knowing smile which was probably closer to a smirk. "And technically I'm not 'His Majesty' yet, though I do appreciate your sense of... vision."

Making his way through the room Prince Falk happened to walk into one of the less than living decorations hanging from the ceiling - the head of a small animal, it would seem. Pausing to inspect the piece, he chuckled to himself before he stopped its dangling from side to side with his hand. "Charming."

Not taking the seat immediately, the Prince instead took an ever so slight detour around what would have been the most immediate way to get there, as if to properly mark his presence in the room, if possible wanting to own the very air that he touched. Finally arriving at the chair, he walked behind it, letting his fingers stroke slowly across the back rest before he pulled it out and sat down.

Leaning forward, he rested his right elbow on the table, raising his hand in front of him. The road had been cold, after all, and he felt the need to wake his fingers back up, looking at them as he twitched and turned his hand. "I've been told you offer certain... services." It was a question worded more like a statement, but a question nonetheless.




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[mimi-luna]

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★Cassie Jacoby-The Witch

He entered with a certain air that only those who were use to things there way would enter. She was quick to slam the door when the last of his cape came in. Before she placed the bolt over it and locked it. For a noble guest such as this, privacy was called for. No one would come out in this weather, and most likely those who did not know the forest would find themselves meant with some wolves or the old trees. Still some may find their way, especially if they are a particular captain of the guard who knew well of this forest, not as much as she did but enough to know.

"Thank you sir" She answered back when she was told that there was no need for such flattery. Though what he said next had her wonder what on earth he had meant about her 'sense of...vision'

Turning to look at him, she observed at how charmed he was with her home. Particularly at the head of a wild cat that was hanging to dry. Before she would remove the inner organs and grind the skull into a powder. Due to her age, she usually found herself wary of men who came to her cottage. Not that she could not fight back, but sometimes you just never know what it is they want. Her own sixth sense was tingling, that he was holding back something, most likely it was rage.

She went to her chair and stood as he circled around, charging up the atmosphere with his ambition. She let out a small sigh, as she decided to stop waiting on her guest. As he seek for this to be informal. She decided to be to informal as well. Slouching back in her chair, may show that she was uneducated in the formal ways. However this was her home and she could do as she pleased.

Smirking now when she was told of offering certain services, she was quick to speak. "Indeed I do, what is it our prince seeks today, to come this far?" It was a question but she spoke it in a manner, as if it were an enticing statement.

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[Vilhelmina]

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If the interior decoration hadn't been a good enough clue that he had indeed reached the right place, surely the woman's demeanor was. She appeared confident enough to not be intimidated by him - not that he had done anything to be particularly intimidated of, yet, but that didn't mean he didn't carry his own reputation with him - which must mean that she was either capable enough to fend for herself, or that she didn't consider him to be at all threatening. One might consider him slightly arrogant, but Prince Falk found that highly unlikely. As she didn't appear to be particularly physically imposing, however, he assumed that her means of self-protection must lie in other, less apparent fields. He'd expect no less from a witch, particularly if she was to live up to the task which he was about to bestow upon her. Not just quite yet, though. He still needed to figure her out - put her to a test, so to speak.

But before he was about to do that, he wanted to know more about her. If he was about to entrust this woman, this witch, with information of the kind which he was about to, well... If she ever were to betray him, it could be devastating. Despite his flair for the dramatic, Prince Falk did not munch fancy the idea of beying betrayed himself. Best to leave that up to others - it was much more compelling that way.

Leaning forward a little, Prince Falk put his right hand down and instead lifted his left, resting his chin against the back of his fingers before he spoke again. His voice carried a dark, smooth undertone, like the touch of black velvet with a tinge of the night itself. "It wouldn't do to rush into things, now would it?" Looking up to meet the witch's gaze, he gave off another smirk and spoke in a tone mirroring the one she had used. "After all, we barely know each other." The Prince let out a soft laugh, hardly more than a snicker really.

Then he paused for a moment, as if to let his own words sink in. He found that sometimes silence spoke volumes on its own, and the best way to get someone to talk could very well be to not say anything at all. At the same time, his time was precious to him, and he wasn't going to wait forever. Raising his eyebrows, he shot an inquisitive look over at the woman in front of him. "Well? I do believe you owe me an introduction." To be fair, he hadn't introduced himself either, but the thought had honestly not occurred to him. After all, he didn't usually need to.




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[mimi-luna]

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★Cassie Jacoby-The Witch

Indeed if the interior decoration didn't scream of what her occupation was, nothing else would. For there were some old relics that may have been here long before the gods decided to retire and put a single god in charge. He seem to be looking at them all oddly, she was sure that he was biding his time. Before the two of them got to business, she wondered if she should play his game.

She stayed in her position, folding up her arms as he said to not rush things. Indeed why not? If he wished to stay the night, he may. It was going to be under the stairs though and if he wanted dinner, nothing but the best of her dandelion soup.

Leaning forward as he let out a snicker, as he spoke about how they did not know each other. Wearing a smile similar to his own and let out a small giggle."Indeed not, and why would we? A man of such power like you and a common girl, like myself. This meeting is something only spoken of, in nursery rhythms." Her voice was smooth, and with an undertone of sarcasm. As her hand gestured back and forth between the two of them.

The two of them sat in silence for what felt like forever. When it may have been only a minute but the tension was so thick that you could have cut it with a knife. Then maybe served it with cheese and pickles. When he had asked for an introduction in order, she took a hand to the chest and made it look like she was hurt. "Oh I'm so sorry, I didn't know that no one has told you my name" Her pitch was higher and there was the undertone of sarcasm. "Well I'll be happy to oblige" Seeing this as a chance to see how gullible he was. She mumbled a word and all of the light from the fire and candle light went out, leaving the cottage pitch black.

Then there was a bustle of smoke and only one candle burned, the one that was between the two of them. Showing her face, she spoke. "Some call me the Witch of Harken, who has lived for hundreds of years. Who is claimed that her youth and beauty is stolen from the children she steals when she sees one crease on her face." She swooshed her hand and that candle went out. She let out a snicker. Then the light returned to all of the places that were once before, even in the fireplace. "But you know better than that and if seek my name, it's Cassie"

Seeing him for the most part look rather unchanged. She leaned back into her chair and spoke. "Now what can I do for you my prince?"

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[Vilhelmina]

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Despite the subtle sarcasm embedded in the witch's voice, Prince Falk noted the reference to his own power - and liked it. After all, how could he not? Even when it was mentioned half in jest, it was a nice touch - a little over the top, perhaps, but then again the Prince was all about things way above the limits. In reponse, however, he simply smiled and rolled his eyes a little. "You flatter me, witch." With a more playful colour of his voice and a raised eyebrow expression to go with it, he continued. "Though I believe in the nursery rhymes witches don't usually have such soft tongue - and the men seeing them are often of more power before than after their encounter." Prince Falk was rather aiming for the opposite outcome of this one - he'd never much cared for nursery rhymes anyway.

If there was one thing Falk truly appreciated, however, it was theatrics. When the lights went out, a delightful shiver went down his spine. After the heavy silence mere moments before the timing was perfect, the sudden darkness going hand in hand with the tension still lingering in the air. On the proverbial edge of his seat, the Prince took in every gesture, every word leaving the woman's lips, and relished in them. It was almost too good to be true - the way she played with light and darkness, references to unspeakable acts, the ridiculous claims of age, everything. It was over almost too soon, and when it was, Prince Falk at first did not say anything. Then, gradually, as the light from the fireplace once again lit up his face, a smile widened across his features. Within seconds, the smile grew into roaring laughter. Prince Falk was not usually one to be at the mercy of his own emotions, but this time he couldn't help it. Stopping the laughter was almost impossible - it took him more than a minute to collect himself, and by that point he was cracking up to the point of having tears in his eyes. Finally managing to take a few deep breaths and dry the tears from his cheeks, he spoke, unable to conceal the utter amusement in his voice. "That was fantastic." After taking in a last particularly profound inspiration, he exhaled and in doing so finally managed to come back to a calmer place - though the entertainment was still apparent in his eyes. "Please tell me someone has actually fallen for it." Were that not the case, he was near prepared to go outside and collect someone who would, right this instant, just to get to see the look on their face. He imagined it'd be nothing short of wonderful.

The pleasant dramatic twist did wonders for Prince Falk's mood - if he'd been hesitant about the situation - or Cassie - before, the feeling had all but vanished. This was exactly the kind of scene - and cast - that the Prince rejoiced in. This was his territory. In another fluid motion, he rose from his chair again, slowly walking over towards the other end of the table, this time stroking his fingers along the shallow ridges of its surface. "My dear..." The dark velvety tones were back in his voice now, as he stopped just behind her. Leaning over her shoulder, close enough to add a dramatic touch but not close enough that he intended for her to feel uncomfortable. "Cassie." He took special care to utter her name with an emphasis, intended to highlight her significance in the context. "How would you fancy to bewitch a mind and ensnare a few senses?"



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[mimi-luna]

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★Cassie Jacoby-The Witch

It seemed the Prince did not mind her sarcasm or maybe he just didn't hear the words between the words. As he spoke at how flattered he was with her words.She wore a look of less than ideal amusement. It seemed to be almost a direct insult to her power. She was going to show him, that was certain.

After her little show and tell, with a little smoke. She found that he was not unchanged from that experience, far from it. She found him laughing at it. It was clear he was not gullible, but he could have behaved a little bit better. Then again though, maybe if he was laughing, it was a good thing. Maybe he would finally abandon the secrecy and tell her why he was here on a night like this. When he gave her a compliment about how good it was. She did not know if she should be flattered or not, but she had heard of his reputation. Where how nothing in a jester's act could make him even crack. Yet she had him with this big smile and howling in laughter, he was certainly bewitched. When asked if anyone had fallen for that she was quick to speak again. "Mostly country bumpkins who have been raised by the bible and it's belt"

Soon that little glimpse of actual human emotion was gone and he was back to his smooth, velvety ways. As he rose to his feet, she wondered if he was going to go now. Which would be a relief but that was humble wishful thinking. As he came around behind her and she looked up at him as he loomed over her like a hunter and it's prey. Indeed it was uncomfortable, if he seek that, he had achieved it.

When asked of her, she did her best to not linger on the thought. "How much would you be willing to pay for it?" It was a bit philosophical, but it was not the point of it. She wanted to know how desperate he was, for she had no problem bewitching minds or ensnaring senses. However she was not in on the plan yet, or how much it might possibly cost her too if anyone found out about it.

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