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 Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:54 pm
Pulling open the Inn's door, the fire prince was affronted with a rather unusual and amusing site. A grown man bickering with 2 knights over some safety issue? He had to be... perhaps 10 years Ruehl's senior. Maybe more. It was most curious because Ruehl had been able to roam relatively free in the festival. I mean, the royal had a sense of protection stationed around the city keeping a watchful eye upon him in general, but as far having each step dogged by a guard.. having the degree of magic he possessed and a brother who watched his back with a similar level, he was at least able to enjoy himself with some privacy.
It was then that he recognized the man.
"Red?"
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Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:54 pm
"Shay..." he murmured slowly, testing the name out on his tongue, head cocked slightly to one side. "Doesn't really suit you," he decided after several moments of (sleepy) thoughtful silence. "If you take out the 'a' that leaves you with 'Shy' which really isn't something I'd tack you down as," he murmured with a small shrug.
The pale nodded slowly, deciding not to ask just why Haar had been talking to himself. For all people said it made a person crazy, it was a rather normal thing to do... Like people saying, 'alright!' when they did something good or 'godammit' when something went bad. They weren't talking to anyone in particular, just themselves. But to be... introducing yourself. Likely, Haar had been thinking about talking to someone else, but instead of keeping the words silent, he had chosen to make them audible. At least, that was the only plausible explanation Alti could see that didn't delve into matters of the commander's sanity.
He nodded again, once more raising his pale hand to cover his mouth for another yawn. "Yeah... I'm gonna sleep, though, I think... he'll send me a message or something when he can come.... Father explained it to me -- that he's nearly always being watched to guard against his meeting any Storms family... particularly me. So he'll come when he can. You're a commander, you should know how tight-assed your military can be about security...." he mumbled sleepily, his words punctuated with another yawn. He didn't mean anything bad towards the other's kingdom -- it was his as well, after all -- it was simply how Alti talked. And it really was true -- the Kingdom of Fire took military issues much more seriously and firm than the other kingdoms. After all, they weren't known as the military kingdom for nothing.
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Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 8:01 pm
One of the guards had been in the middle of stollidly repeating the words of Red's father when Ruehl's words cut through his own. At the sight of the prince, the two guards dropped immidiately to a low bow, each on one knee. Red was slightly slower in his reaction, having to turn first in order to identify who was adressing him. As he caught sight of the teen, however, he too sunk into a bow, though he did not descend upon one knee as the knights did.
"Your highness," he replied, his voice low and gentle, having settled quickly after the increasingly heated debate with the guards. "How are you enjoying the festival? It seems to be proceeding very nicely," he said, straightening up after several long moments. His usual, calm small had settled upon his features, which were not unmarred by the emotion previously shown. The prince's sudden appearance had surprised him, of course, but he had recovered quite quickly. If nothing else, Red was quite good at keeping a calm, pleasing front.
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Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 5:10 am
Haar shrugged a bit, a motion that expressed he really didn't care what people thought of his name, he'd heard it all before when people finally came to know his first name. He never introduced himself as Commander Shay Haar, that was how they announced his promotion at the ceremony Haar remembered with a grimace. No one, save for his sister, called him anything but Haar. It was common in the military to either call someone by their full name if there were those with the same last name or just to call them by their last so he had been hearing his last name used for more than several years. He didn't mind, his first name wasn't the strongest sounding of names.
Turning onto his side, the twenty-year old remained silent as he heard Alti test out the sound. Hiding a smile against his pillow at the next comment, Haar held back a laugh at the reasoning. "You're not supposed to dissect it," he murmured, eying the boy carefully. "But it really doesn't matter I guess, you can call me what you want," he added before breathing out a lengthy sigh.
"I'm surprised I haven't been demoted yet, I never actually informed any of the generals why I've been absent for so long and if they find out I've been gallivanting around with you the entire time I don't think they'll be too happy," he explained as he sat up, leaning his head against the wall, "I'll keep an eye out for a signal," he added, figuring that the boy needed to rest more than he did.
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Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:20 pm
Inclining his head naturally, he waved a hand and stepped forward to beckon his subject in a familiar way. "Please, may we set aside formalities? I do believe I would enjoy a lower profile for now," he replied with as much grace as he could muster. Indeed... Ruehl wished very much to turn invisible following his escapade that afternoon to find the Commander.
Keeping a genial tone, he continued, "Oh, yes. The Light Princes have out-done themselves planning this year. It's terrific. Are you enjoying yourself as well? Is there anything my family could do to make your stay more enjoyable?" Forcing himself to not be nosy, he kept his gaze on the noble rather than letting it flicker curiously to the guards behind him.
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Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 8:03 pm
Red inclined his head at the other's request, only just barely stopping himself in time from saying "as you wish," for that would go strictly against the prince's wishes. It was habbit, though, by now to treat other royals -- particularly those so purely blooded as the main royal line -- with the deepest of respects.
"Yes, I quite agree," he replied with his kind, peaceful smile. It was a nice one, too -- and a sort not often found in the Kingdom of Fire. In fact, Red didn't much seem like the stereotypical image of a Fire native -- he was neither overly excitable nor quick tempered; he had a level head and almost always looked at peace, no matter his circumstances. "The festivities here have been very enjoyable -- particularly some of the performances. Did you catch the act of Light glass dancer -- well, I'm not quite sure if that is indeed what it is called, but it certainly looks like it might be -- the one where she danced through something like... a bubble or molten glass or something of the like? I certainly must learn more about that...." he said in a pleasant, conversational tone.
Then, at the other's words, he shifted slightly, his bright golden gaze for a moment darting from the prince's face and to the guards, who looked quite unhappy at the prince's offer. "As a matter of fact, it would be lovely if you could ask these two men here to enjoy themselves in the festivities for the remainder of our stay here, as their presence with me is quite unneeded. After all, I haven't any assasins on my back and am quite capable of defending myself, should the need arise -- which, I assure you, it won't," he said, a bit of a smile flitting onto his lips. It wasn't the best way to get rid of them, for they would certainly tell his parents, but it was the quickest and he truly wished to see his son (though all this running from his guards made him feel rather a bit younger than he was -- so young as to be too young to bear children).
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Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 3:39 pm
Alti nodded slowly and murmured a small 'thank you' as he collapsed upon the bed, kicking his shoes off once he was there. He yawned once more and then, his tone lazy and his eyes closed, he said, "Maybe you should... tell them that you were... infiltrating the enemy camp... or maybe that you were trying to find a connection between the Ice attack and the Storms Kingdom, since we're allied.... Or maybe you could just say the truth... which is thatyou were too injured to do any good, anyway....." He had snuggled under the blankets by now, laying on his stomach, head turned to the side, though his voice was still slightly muffled by his pillow.
After a couple of minutes, he spoke again. "You can sleep, though, if you want.... I have a feeling that any sort of signal from the Fire Kingdom isn't liable to be too subtle......" he murmured, his voice steadily dwindling down to a nearly inaudible mumble.
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Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 4:28 pm
[[Well, uh, I'll just have Haar sit here and talk to himself some more or something... ^w^;; Oh my emo!puppy...]]
Haar hummed a bit in response, thinking over the possibilities. If he told the truth then he wouldn't have to deal with covering anything up or lying further, and he had been, after all, in a very unconscious state for half the time he stayed with Allora and Alti at their house. Spreading out against the bed, Haar pressed his head against the pillow, willing himself to stay awake. If he fell asleep now he had a vague feeling he wouldn't be waking up anytime soon. Looking up at the wood-paneled ceiling, the soldier splayed his hands across his stomach as he started to count the notches and wood grain lines, waiting for the boy's breathing to slow and even out. Losing count around 268 or so, the young man glanced over at Alti. He hadn't moved in the past five minutes and unless he had had previous military training then he highly doubted he could keep such a calm facade to his breath for so long unless he truly was asleep...
He would take his chances. Besides, it was a common habit to talk to oneself to organize their thoughts on an array of topics. Haar usually did it when he was listing thing he had to do in the day or if he was going to be having a conversation with someone. "Well, it's nice to meet you," he started slowly, frowning a bit to himself. "I'm Comman-" He stopped, his vision narrowing as he peered harshly up at nothing in particular, "My name is..." He hoped if indeed he met Alti's father that the teen would do the introductions. "I..." He closed his eyes before continuing, "I met him at an ball held by the Ice kingdom, surprisingly enough," he murmured, recalling just how he had met the teen across the room. "I wouldn't want to embarrass him but I did have to bring him back to the Fire nation due to a misjudgment of teleportation magic," he chuckled a bit to himself, remembering that Alti had been a little...tipsy. "And I, for some reason or another, have been traveling with him ever since~" He figured that was good enough if Red asked anything about how his son had come to know the fire nation's commander.
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Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:14 am
The fire prince denied having seen the Light Glass Dancer display, but admitted it seemed to be a significant loss to his experience.
At Red's request, Ruehl had to surpress a chuckle. "No, no.. it doesn't appear you are being attacked." He turned to the two guards and supremely suggested, "Gentleman, you are so devoted to your posts, but truly... we are not in a state of national peril. Please go enjoy yourselves... on your own. If it is... absolutely necessary for him to be accompanied, I'll do it myself. Are we agreed?"
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Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 6:41 pm
The guards shifted slightly uncomfortably in their positions on the floor, eyes shifting towards one another. However, with no hesitation, they both replied, "Yes, your majesty..." They seemed rather uneasy about such a decision, but they had no choice but to obey the prince's request, and besides which, they were each secretly itching to go explore the festival. Red glanced in the prince's direction, an unexpectedly warm smile growing prominent on his lips as he murmured, "Thank you," and bent his head in a small bow of grattitude, though it was small enough to remain in line with the prince's wish against formality, as well as still paying a proper respect.
"You two may leave... I except that there are many performances still going on -- and you wouldn't want to miss them, would you?" he said gently. The two nodded slowly, still looking rather uncomfortable, before slowly standing, bowing low once more to the prince and uttering their thanks before they took leave.
Red's eyes followed the pair for several moments before the bright orange hues returned to the prince's own. "Again, many thanks, Ruehl...." he said, his voice soft. "It really does grow tiresome to be followed around when one is simply trying to enjoy a festival...." he murmured. Truth be told, though, he was much too mild-mannered to object to an escort for anything so small as that -- it would have to be readily important to him if he fought so hard to be on his own. "If there is ever anything you need of me, please let me know -- a small thing, I know, for I am always at your disposal, but it is what I can offer."
((I feel that Red is a bit like a grown-up Shin... sort of... I don't know how he turned out that way.... D: ))
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Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 4:53 pm
[[-procrastinating- gonk ]]
"And I met his mother--" Haar's expression quickly drew into a frustrated pout, a look that easily found itself on his features when he was alone. Allora wasn't really Alti's mother, well...she was, but she sure as heck wasn't Alti's real father's ...wife, or whatever. Scratching at his head, the young soldier sighed as he stared up at his feet kicked up at the end of the bed. He'd just let his introduction slide over the part where he stayed at the storms native's house. There really was no point in telling the boy's father that, really... If he would even meet said boy's father anyway. He had to remind himself of that. It's not as if Alti had really invited him, it was just a 'if you're in the area, you can if you want' sort of thing, right?
Red eyes scanned the slowly darkening horizon as Haar slid from his bed to tip toe towards the window. The light kingdom was finally dimming, night falling. Glancing over at an already lit candle, wax dripping down onto the side-table it was perched on, Haar turned his crimson gaze back towards the outside. Closing the shutters with a determined look, the soldier mused to himself that no creepy perverts would be looking in if he had anything to say about it. Even though they were up several floors with the window open, a candle, and the rest of the town darkening by the second one would easily be able to look in if they so wished.
Haar let his eyes wander a bit, flickering over the sleeping form of Alti before halting at the door. He better get back to bed or he might miss that damn sign...
[[Aaaand that had no point whatsoever.]]
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Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:44 am
[[Sorrrry, I've been crazybusy. I'll post for malachai really soon I just have to go to claaaaass~]]
Ruehl let out a brief chuckle and nodded. "I understand, sir. Privacy is nice every once in a while, isn't it?"
Privacy. Something that seemed to ebb away from him the closer he got to the throne. The fire prince was coming to value the idea of it more every day.
"You're very welcome, Red. I'll definitely think on your offer, and thank you. Have a good night," he bid the noble before inclining his head and turning to walk up the stairs.
'I wonder where 'Chai is....'
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Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 5:08 pm
The older male nodded in response, replying in kind to his Prince, watching as the other made his ascent. Once the prince was out of sight, the man sighed, a real smile spreading slowly across his lips, his eyes softening. He raised a hand and ran it slowly through his ebony locks before, suddenly, his expression becoming rather more energetic, he made a quick exit from the inn and hurried to the place he knew his son to be waiting. He... he couldn't wait to see Alti again -- he wanted so bad to see him, even if just for a little while. The clock was ticking, after all, and the festival might be his only chance to see Alti before his parents died.
And so he hurried, reaching the inn quickly. He hastened up the steps towards the room Alti had mentioned before he stopped there, pausing a scant moment to catch his breath, before he raised on lightly tanned and slightly scarred hand to knock several times on the wood.
((And Alti's in a dead sleep. 8D;; ))
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Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 5:35 pm
[[lol, Red's going to be all like, 'who are you and what have you done with my son, you ***** blinked several times at the knock. He hadn't really been expecting Alti's father to come all the way up from the ground level. He'd been looking for a fire message, a symbol born in fire that could move about as long as it was in a certain distance of the user... Granted, the ones that wouldn't actually burn things took more energy and the soldier assumed it would've just been easier to find Alti in his room.
Glancing at the sleeping teen, Haar winced. He didn't really want to wake him up... Even if he did it might take longer than usual since he had been so very tired and he really needed to open the door and let the boy's father know he had knocked on the correct door.
Running a hand through dark brown hair, the young commander opened the wooden door, it creaked a bit in response but otherwise it was fairly quiet compared to the hustle and bustle of the tavern downstairs. Rubbing at the scar along his face in nervous habit, Haar attempted to grin, "You're...Alti's father, I assume?" He asked, not really needing an answer. The middle-aged man's eyes looked identical to Alti's and that enough was a dead give-away. "He's over here," he explained, allowing the other room to walk through the doorway.
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Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 5:45 pm
True, Red was quite... surprised that the one who opened the door was not Alti himself, but another -- someone who looked very.... familiar, although he couldn't quite place why. Red wasn't generally involved in millitary issues -- after all, he was a noble, not a soldier. He nodded in response to the other's question and then said, "Yes... yes I am. My name is Red Kross." He was possitively beaming -- an unusually bright expression filling his features as he crossed into the room.
"And you're the friend he ran off to meet, are you not? I didn't catch a name, but from the way Alti was acting, you must have been under rather difficult circumstances. You seem fine now, though I do not know what the trouble might have been," he said. Red's voice was slow... calming. And kind. It was very... uncharicteristic for a Fire native. Then again, it was extremely odd for a Fire native, and a royal at that, to have married into the Storms Kingdom.
His eyes followed the direction indicated by the shaggy, brown-haired man, his eyes softening as they laid sight upon his son. He looked so... sweet like that. It almost hurt to see it -- knowing that time spent asleep was time that he could not spend conversing with the only family he truly cared for, and yet he could not bring himself to wake the boy. It was clear, however, by the soft clarity of his expression that he did, truly, feel a very strong love for his son.
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