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Michel the shade Vice Captain
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 Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 10:34 pm
Lorne looked to Madison, still smiling, "Oh no, its not that I didn't like my family." He shrugged, "I never knew mt father. And my mom ditched me when I was 4. So I did whatever I had to, in order to survive. And, I even gave up my family name. If I don't have a family, I don't need the name, ya know?"
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Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 10:53 pm
Loa smiled fondly at the boy, straightening. "You're welcome. Thank you for coming to my rescue." Loa raised her eyes to Benjamin, nodding a bit at his dilemma. "It's alright. Most of the guards at the moment defer to me since I was involved in their training," Loa had no idea how odd the statement must appear, between her apparel, her wings, or her demure appearance. "And therefore assume that, in His highness' case, a weapon that I allow drawn near the prince is one that is not a risk." She bowed slightly, and uncharacteristicly, introduced herself. "I am Loa Yoko, head bodyguard to the crown prince." she never could quite say his name. "And also trainer of many of the bodyguards- and regular guards- employed in this castle." She straightened. "Though I have my doubts you will ever require one, if you desire a bodyguard while you reside in the palace, you need only tell me of your worries and I shall find a suitable one." Her lips were lifted in a polite curve that wasn't quite a smile, and she seemed to have retreated behind the wall of formality and propriety that often guarded her emotions and wild spirit. She was a bird, after all, and though she might not see her cage, some deep part of her felt it.
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Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 11:01 am
Madison waited for a moment for her power to kick it, thinking that he was trying to get her to say he was lying, but nothing ca,e. Realization kicked in. "I'm...I'm so sorry. I didn't know..." He didn't seem bothered by it, which shocked Madison even more. She wondered if they would mail the letter, or want her to give it to a doctor in the facility. These people who didn't even really know her were going with her to a possibly deadly mission to help a prince that, as far as she knew, no one knew personally...this was indeed an odd day. Maybe one that was meant to be. A day destined to happen. 'When will we be departing?"
"You're welcome." Kyle Alexander nodded, blushing as he looked away. Benjamin took notice, smiling, "Nice to meet ya. Any friend of Kyle Alexander is a friend of mine. Not every day you get to see him looking so happy." he nodded, going around to stand by Rose, "And I appreciate the offer, but I'm too much like a guard like myself." He stuck by Rose, seeming a bit more protective of her than the others for no feasible reason. Rose nodded, looking at Benjamin s sword, now in the Prince's possession. "Wow, Benjamin. It's beautiful. Is this the one you've been working on so long?" "Yup, that there is my pride and joy. It took months to make it just right, and I used all my allowance, but I think it was well worth the effort." he nodded, trying to clear the soot off his face with his sleeve, which led to even more soot." "You could have gone home to change, Benjamin." Melody sighed, smiling all the same. "But I was just so excited to show my workmanship...I mean, It's pretty good." he grinned.
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Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 11:32 am
Oralee blinked at Lorne, thinking of her own scattered childhood. At least she had had Nye, and then Nyer, even if Nyer did stain her hands with spilled blood. That was how he kept you fed, remember, and how it is you have the money you so freely use. Don't turn into a snob now. At Madisons question, Oralee glanced over at Alexandre and Slaine. "Well? I would like to leave with the greatest haste, but you two are the ones demanding I embark with company? When do you believe we should depart?"
Slaine quickly redirected his gaze to Alexandre, unsure. "I can't recall exactly, since I've never been, but... it takes a weeks fast travel to get to Exortensis from here, does it not?" he then glanced back at Oralee, wondering if she would know better, before glancing back at Alexandre. "What do you believe?"
Loa bowed slightly, unsure how else to greet the rather rough-and-tumble new noble. He certainly seemed like he belonged in a smithy, and not just because of his less-than-extravagent ways. From his joy, he appeared to truely enjoy his time there. At the sight of his less-than-successful attempt to clean his face, Loa pulled a hankie out from her sleeve- and odd thing for a woman, and a bodyguard, to have, but she did nonetheless. Extending it towards him with one hand, Loa grew curious and gently took the sword from her prince, examining it with a fighters eye. "Indeed it is. I can't spot any obvious flaws, or even subtle ones. It looks like it could hold up against a blow from any of the blades forged here at the castle." Loa wasn't flattering him, she was simply stating observations. "The sword isn't the work of a master, but it is very good nonetheless." She stated honestly. "I would feel proud to fight with a blade such as this." Loa blushed ever so slightly at her actions. She bowed slightly, returning the blade to the prince. "I apologise, I should not have been so forward." They're easy going nature had made Loa forget these were her betters, these were nobility.
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Michel the shade Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 12:05 pm
Alexandre nodded, "I agree. The earlier we leave the better. Do you know how long the Prince has until the attack?" He said, looking to Oralee, "And how will we deliver the letter to girls parents? Delivering it ourselves would take a long time, and bring too many questions. But, we should try to leave before nightfall."
Lorne shrugged to Madison, "Eh, its no big deal. Can't miss who you didn't know, right? No dad, barely knew my mom. And a thief doesn't need a family."
Riordan nodded, "I heard that you were only an apprentice. But this is easilt the work of a journeyman. You will make a fine smith one day." He said, still holding out the blade for him to take.
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Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 2:36 pm
Madison bit her lip to think. She had a feeling it would be her decision. "Well, my mom works here...so she maybe the other nurse can give it to her...I think they are pretty good friends." she suggested.
Benjamin gratefully took the hankerchief, cleaning some of the soot off. "Yeah, but it took far too long. My master can make one of that grade in half the time that I did, maybe less. I need to get faster before I can become a journeyman. I appreciate the kind remarks though." he grinned, "And it's funny that you say that, miss. I was hoping to take it as a sort of present to offer to the prince for my tardiness. I was going to let my dad have it, but I felt like it would be better used here...if you want it, that is." Rose knew that Benjamin had worked on it for their father, and their mom talked him into this idea. He had just replied with the idea that he could always make another.
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Michel the shade Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 3:19 pm
Riordan politely shook his head. "If it was made for your father, then by all means, give it to him." The Prince then smiled, "I may ask for a custom made sword at a later date though." Any weapon for the royal family was made exclusively by the castles blacksmith. But Riordan liked the boys attitude. If he brought the Prince into the shop for a custom made sword, the boy would certainly be well liked by his master. "And I look forward to the day when you become a master smith in your own right."
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Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 3:35 pm
Slaine blinked a bit, and glanced at the young girl. "Your mom works here, and we never got to meet you?" He thought of both his nurses, trying to figure out which one had this girl as a daughter. "Huh. And here I thought a clinic with only four workers, including the doctors, would be more close-knit." He smiled at her, and extended a hand. "I'm Dr. Slaine Cael." He glanced around them, before noticing Oralee was stepping to the door. "Oral- Nye?" Slaine glanced down, suddenly hoping the girl never messed up their introductions, when Oralee gave a false name.
To Oralee, though, it wasn't a false name. The name was as much hers as Oralee was. With any luck, the curse would see it that way as well. She glanced out hte door at the hustle and bustle of people, and tried to imagine how many of them would have their lives or loved ones ripped away by war. Turning back towards the girl, Oralee gently took the letter and walked off in search of the other nurse, well aware where she was and that it was out of earshot.
Loa inwardly smiled at her Prince's tact, declining the gift intended for another without causing offense. It was not an easy task. She glanced up just in time to see the king striding back over, and briefly wondered if he was going to scold her about the incident. Instead, however, he seemed to be moving towards Benjamin.
Kennard smiled at the soot-covered newcomer. "Ah," He inclined his head. "I presume you are the Benjamin I heard mentioned? I was informed of your tenacious decision to complete your apprenticeship as a blacksmith. I'm impressed. Many would use their new status as an excuse to get out of such work." As if it weren't obvious by the crown, Kennard added. "I am King Kennard, and it is very nice to meet you."
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Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 3:51 pm
"My master is the best their is. I hear that he used to make weapons for the king. The word on the street is he retired so he could make everyone in the entire kingdom happy." Benjamin beamed proudly, "He's made swords that cat cut through a diamond, and can't be broken even by elven blades! He's the most amazing man alive, and some people say that he's been able to see the beginning of the country, and gave the first royal story to your ancestors." Rose shook her head...there goes the fantasies again. The blacksmith was an elderly man, but worked like a guy at his twenties, so people tended to make all kinds of stories about him. He only spoke about his wears, so it was impossible to know what true and what was not. When the king came in, Benjamin made a deep bow, "Thank you, your Majesty. I brought a sample to show my work, if you would not mind coming to look for yourself." Tony and Melody smiled, knowing their son's passion was far deeper than any title could bring him away from.
Madison took his hand with a small smile, "My mom is the lady who won't stop talking. She's confident, and everyone likes her...I look more like my father, so I can't really blame you for not seeing her in me...she's prettier than I am. " she mumbled, looking away.
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Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 4:18 pm
Lorne sighed as Madison described her mother. "Yo, Maddie," He said raising an eyebrow, "Does she have a name? Cause that would be an easier way of getting her the letter." He said, as his tail twitched back and forth. He was getting antsy, and he wanted to leave.
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Michel the shade Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 4:36 pm
Madison nodded, "Oh...sorry...her name is Clarissa." Madison noddied, "Clarissa Williams."
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Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 11:58 pm
Slaine tilted his head at Madison, and shook his head. "I don't see much of your mother in you, no, but you are no less pretty than her." He smiled, being completely sincere. "You both are very beautiful in your own ways, even if you have yet to completely grown into yours. And I never would have supposed that was your mother. She doesn't speak of her home life much." It was true, of course. Slaine knew better than to lie to her.
Kennard smiled softly at the boy- no, man. He was so bright and enthusiastic, it would be easy to mistake him for younger than he was. "I thank you, but I'm afraid my eyes don't have much ability at judging blades any longer. My brother, ah, he can always tell when a blade isn't made just so. He's away, though, and has been many months."
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Michel the shade Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 4:40 pm
Riordan heard his father speak of the blade and stepped forth, "Father, I may not have the trained eye of my uncle, but I can tell you that this is a very fine blade. Excellent balance and workmanship that I would expect from a journeyman."
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Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 4:52 pm
Kennard gave a nod. "In this, I do believe I shall trust you. It's not like you didn't spend much of your childhood at the knee of your uncles." He turned towards Tony. "Never had any a care for me or the things I was doing." His eyes were bright with happy memories- most of them before Riordan had found Loa, sadly enough. Kennard had tried to respect the girl, and on many levels he did, but... He just couldn't stand how close Riordan had been to her. "It was always, 'Papa, can I go fishing with Uncle? Papa, can I watch Uncle at the forge? And then, it wasn't asking at all, and I had to find my son, covered in soot or pond water and grinning from ear to ear." He gave a chuckle- no doubt unaware that the stories he was telling were most likely not the kind the prince wished the newcomers to hear. "Hold onto those memories," He said with a glance at Kyle Alexander and Alicea. "Because they fade so quickly, as I'm sure you know." His gaze flickered over Rose and Benjamin. "That's something that's true no matter what your class." As his mind went to his other, much younger son, Kennard felt a slow slide of sadness. That child wouldn't run with the wind and trot alongside his uncles' knees, like his older brother had. It was too risky, he was too frail.
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Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 5:45 pm
"Well, thank you." Madison replied with a blush, shocked at being called pretty. "And I would have guessed. My mom tends to put her heart into everything she does, so it wouldn't surprise me to think that she feels work and home are seperate lives." Madison smiled at this, thinking about her mother. Anyone who could see it would know that the two were close, "My dad says it's funny, because my mom and I are so different." The look again, "And then there's my brother." her eyes lost the loving light they shard when she spoke of her parents, and she seemed to look upset, "He just says I must have been switched at birth with a troll, and how he hopes to find his real sister some day...he never forgave me for making our family move away...not that I blame him..." She looked down, tears at the corner of her eyes. She shook her head, "I'm sorry. Here I am talking way too much when we are in a hurry to save the prince. Is there anything else we need to do here?"
"Oh trust me, your majesty. I know exactly where you're coming from. It seems like only yesterday that I was able to hold Benjamin in one hand, and now he's an apprentice, working. Soon he'll have a family of his own. If you want to talk about messes, you should have seen Rose when SHE was little." "MOM!" Rose reacted quickly, knowing the story that was about to come. Far more embarrassing than being covered in lake, it spoke of when she was three or four. He was running around the town, and saw a farm. Somehow or other, the story ended in her being stuck in a pile of cow poop. It was a horrible tale that her dad LOVED to use with boys her age around. Thankfully, Melody came to the rescue. "She was dirty quite often. But dear, His Majesty probably has his hands ful running a country and all." Rose smiled...Melody was great at know just what to say, and Tony backed off with a shrug that meant maybe next time. Kyle Alexander tilted his head, listening patiently. He somehow knew that speaking of his flight to the king was probably not the best idea. Little Alicea came up to the king, looking up at him. She seemed to have a questioned posed to him. Being a stubborn little girl, she finally decided to ask it, "Mr. King, sir. Are Loa and Prince Riordan gonna get married? Cuz they love each other!" Silence followed as all her family's eyes rested on the tiniest girl. Only one day, and their nobility would be revoked for sure. The little one had no idea how serious her accusation was. Rose and her mother stepped up, wanting to fix this problem quickly, Rose quickly made a nervous laugh, "Ah, little girls. I remember wanting every boy and girl I saw together get married. It must be nice to be so innocent, huh, your majesty?" Melody kneeled down to Alicea with a gental smile, knowing this part would be hard, "Alicea, sweety. The prince and Loa are only friends. Loa protects the prince-" "Cuz she love him!" "No, sweet heart. Because that's her job." "Nu-uh! She love Riordan and Riordan love her and they should be able to get married!" "Alicea, sweet heart. I know this is hard for you to understand, but they can't get married even if they wanted to. Ther are only friends. Nothing more." "No, no, NO! They love eachother, just like the princesses and princes in my stories. They want to be together forever! I know it." Before either older girl could react, the tiny girl pointed a finger at the king, "Your the king. You can let them get married. Everyone has to listen to the king, right." Tears were going down the little girl's eyes now. She was determined. The thought of two people who loved eachother and couldn't get married tore her world apart. "Then tell peoples. Tell evy body that they-can-get-married." the tiny girl was bawling now, and Melody picked her up, shushing the crying child. They were doomed. Tony walked up with a sigh, "I am truely sorry, your majesty." he bowed, "I don't know what got into her...We will try to help her understand."
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