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 Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 8:52 pm
With the road block cleared and nothing stopping him from heading home, Alaric hopped on his horse and galloped at full speed toward his home. Surely the boy would be awaiting him like a good little whelp.** Meme Pear **
Hearing Akito speak once more, Meme sprang into action. "Miss Helena we should help." he said as he moved to Akito's side, pinning one of his hands to the blanket. "I hope Rufus does the same thing to Alaric that was done to Akito." he said softly, trying not to let Akito hear him.
}{ Kuro Suji }{
Kuro watched the others come to help Akito and finished with the ointment a few minutes later. "There, now just stay still....if you need anything to eat let us know." he said softly as he put the tin aside. "
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Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 3:30 pm
~~~ Rufus Arthur Rayne ~~~
 The second Rufus rounded the corner to his home, he handed the reins to a stable boy, yelling, "Hold onto them, find another coachman and make sure they're ready to leave via the carrige the instant Cook arrives. Martha will be leaving, and the instant she's gone - at the fastest speed possible - everyone is to abandon their posts. I want no-one anywhere near the King when he arrives!"
His commands set, he raced inside, repeating his orders on the way to the kitchen. He explained the situation to Cook, turned off the oven for her and ushered her out the door. "Of course I'll eat - the instant I know you're safely away. Tell anyone you meet - without stopping - to clear out of the castle."
He followed her to the front door, gently rushing her all the way. They told every servant they came across to leave and watched as the castle emptied on their way. Cook was bundled into a carriage and it set off.
Rufus stood in the now-empty stables, waiting.
Twenty.
Prince.
Next In Line.
Soon-To-Be Wed.
Trapped. Helena helped Meme pin Akito down, but it was only a minute or so until Akito fell asleep.
Once he was snoring, she released him and looked to Kuro. "How likely is it that Alaric will come here?" she murmured.
Half an hour later Cook and the other coachman arrived at the cottage. The coachman hid the carriage and then went home, whilst Cook met with the coachman - John - who'd originally brought Kuro to the cottage.
They went inside and called out. "Let us in, please."
Akito nodded to Kuro, smiled at Meme, then felt himself slip away into sleep again now he was warmer.
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Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 4:33 pm
With his horse galloping a fast as it could, Alaric arrived much sooner than he would normally. He rode straight toward the stables and tethered his own horse, noticing his son standing and waiting for him. Alaric approached him and scoffed. "What do you want, boy?" he asked snidely as he brushed past his son and headed inside. "Tell Cook to make me something special, it's been a long ride and I don't come home so often."** Meme Pear **
Meme wasn't sure what to say to the Princess' question. Once he saw Akito sleep once more he released the boy's wrist, though the sight of all of the wounds were enough to make him shake. Meme crawled over to the other side of the cellar and pressed his back against the wall. He felt so helpless right now, he just wished he could do something to help. Meme heard voices from beyond the cellar and remembered what Rufus said. He quickly moved do the stairs and pressed the same button Kuro did to allow the rest of the servants inside. It seemed like everyone would fit, though it wouldn't be entirely comfortable.
}{ Kuro Suji }{
Kuro watched as Akito slipped away again and fell asleep. He breathed a sigh of relief and watched the boy sleep for a few moments before he sat comfortably. "I'm glad he's sleeping." he said softly, shushing the servants as they came into the cellar and making a personal headcount. "Good...I don't think anyone is missing except Rufus. That's how it should be for now." he said softly as he remembered the Princess' question. "Alaric will come looking here if he suspects foul play."
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Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 4:48 pm
~~~ Rufus Arthur Rayne ~~~
"There's no-one inside, so if you want food you'll have to make it yourself." Rufus stated, voice cool as he watched his father and followed him inside. He didn't know what he was going to do, but Alaric's behaviour couldn't be ignored.
"It has come to my attention that I am not to wed after all." he murmured, knowing it would attract the King's immediate attention.
Twenty.
Prince.
Next In Line.
Soon-To-Be Wed.
Trapped. Helena nodded to Cook and started pouring tea into various mugs and bowls, making sure it wouldn't all be used in one sitting. She handed them out, making sure no-one would knock it over.
Cook saw that the basket wasn't really open and bustled over. "Right, everyone is going to eat something. Leave the boy asleep, but everyone else will eat - I know you all skipped breakfast!" She ordered, voice gentle yet authoritative. "It will help not to have rumbling bellies. Princess Helena, if you would pour everyone some tea? I shall dish out the food."
She didn't allow anyone to protest, simply handing food over and expecting them to eat it.
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Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 5:06 pm
Alaric stopped in his tracks when he heard his son mention he wasn't going to wed. He stared at Rufus for a few moments and then couldn't help but to chuckle. "Yes you will." He stated matter of factly. "I know you never liked the idea of marrying someone you didn't know but I've seen your fiance and....well lets just say you won't have any trouble getting her pregnant." he said with a little smirk, heading up the stairs to his office. "Seriously son, get Kuro and Akito in here. I need to speak with them. You know Kuro has turned into such a handsome man....he was cuter when he first came here though." he said softly, finding the little side table in the hallway with a few bottles of liquor and a couple glasses.
** Meme Pear **
Meme took the food he was given but he couldn't possibly eat right now. He was too worried about what was going to happen with Akito and Rufus. Meme forced himself to eat at least a couple of bites but he couldn't possibly stomach the rest.
}{ Kuro Suji }{
Kuro accepted the food he was given, but only ate half of it. With the added individuals he wasn't sure if there would be enough food for Akito when he woke, or if he even could stomach any solid food. "Thank you Cook." he was grateful that at least one person was worrying about everyone's health instead of the situation.
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Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 5:17 pm
~~~ Rufus Arthur Rayne ~~~
"Actually, I think I'll have the devil of a time getting anybody pregnant, but that's beside the point." He replied, moving to his father's side and picking up the spare glass. "You won't be seeing either of them. I fired the pair of them."
Rufus twirled the glass in his hands, not looking at Alaric. "Fired. Gone."
Twenty.
Prince.
Next In Line.
Soon-To-Be Wed.
Trapped. Helena watched as everyone, even the coachman, ate sparingly. She felt sick herself, yet she was practical: no-one could fight on an empty stomach. She went to Kuro's side, taking her food with her and keeping her voice low so Meme wouldn't hear her as he listened to Cook.
"What are Rufus' fighting abilities?"
Cook went to Meme's side and placed a maternal arm around him. "Don't worry. All will be well - why don't you drink your tea, and we'll talk over in this corner, hmm? I can tell you all about Master Rufus - such a scamp, from the earliest age!" As she spoke, she steered him into the aforementioned corner, away from Akito, and sat down beside him.
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Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 5:30 pm
Alaric turned once again to look at his son. "W-wait a minute.....you fired two of the finest servants I could find for you?" he asked, feeling the vein in his temple throb a little. "What the hell did they do, did they steal something? Because the last time I checked I was the King around here. I decide who is hired, I decide who is fired, and I decide who is beheaded!" he said in a raised voice, smacking the glass out of his son's hand and hearing it shatter against the floor. "You are not King yet. So you don't get to fire anyone, you little s**t!"** Meme Pear **
Meme sat and smiled a little when he saw Cook come near him. She wasn't his mother but maybe a bit of a maternal spirit was what he needed. "I just...don't know what to do. My friend is hurt and Rufus won't even let me help him."
}{ Kuro Suji }{
Kuro looked at the Princess and gave a soft sigh as he pressed his back against the wall for support. "His father has beaten him his whole life. He's used to pain and because of the beatings he learned how to defend himself. He's actually beaten me a few times when we were sparring. I learned what I know from the captain of our guard and taught him a little here and there....The rest of what he learned to beat me were all his own moves."
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Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 5:58 pm
~~~ Rufus Arthur Rayne ~~~
Rufus smirked slowly, hiding behind it as usual: he was shaking inside, but damned if he'd show that. "Kuro's replacement is not going to be a fan of you when he has to mop up that glass." He commented, folding his arms and leaning back against the wall.
"Besides, what could I do but fire them, when they came home with such grevious tales?"
Twenty.
Prince.
Next In Line.
Soon-To-Be Wed.
Trapped. "Right. So what is his plan? It sounded like all he wanted was to get us out." Helena didn't know Rufus, but she respected what he was trying to do to keep his people safe.
"Ah. But Rufus knows how to handle his father, and remember no-one knows you're married to Rufus, so we don't know how Alaric will react. If anyone Rufus cares about is present, they could get hurt. He sent everyone - every single last person - home when I left. He didn't want anyone caught in the cross-fire."
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Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 6:11 pm
Alaric chuckled once more. "Liars....of course. What kinds of tales were they spewing?" he asked curiously, using the second glass to pour himself a drink, taking a long sip of the liquid that gave his throat a pleasant burn.** Meme Pear **
Meme sighed and nodded. "I suppose you're right." he said softly, remaining silent for some time. "So you said....you had stories about Rufus?" he asked curiously, as he tried to take his mind off of his feeling helpless. Besides it might be fun to hear some stories about Rufus, after all he was married to the man.
}{ Kuro Suji }{
Kuro shrugged. "I don't know what his plan is. But one thing was for certain, Alaric would do everything in his power to destroy anything or anyone he can find. Rufus wanted us out to keep us safe. If anyone can diffuse Alaric it would be Rufus." he said softly, placing his hand on her's. "Have faith, it may not always look like it but he does have a plan."
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Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 6:23 pm
~~~ Rufus Arthur Rayne ~~~
"Oh just the usual: rapine and near-murder. But don't worry, I believe every word. Still, couldn't keep them on to warn everyone else, or your favourite sport would be ruined."
Twenty.
Prince.
Next In Line.
Soon-To-Be Wed.
Trapped. Helena sighed and nodded. "Alright."
She kept the thought that Rufus hadn't appeared to have a plan to herself.
Cook chuckled. "Oh yes. He definitely was a scamp. One day he climbed a tree, carrying his puppy all the way up. I don't know how he balanced it, the puppy squirming and barking, Rufus stroking it to quiet it. But once he got to the top of the tree, he couldn't climb down: the puppy had escaped into the branches! Well he was in a pickle, with nothing to hold onto. It took three ladders and four footmen to get him down. He refused to come without the puppy you see, and we couldn't risk him falling."
She shook her head. "Three hours later, calm as you please, he strolls into my kitchen and declares they're all starving! They told me all about it as I gave them biscuits, a rare treat for footmen!"
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Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 6:44 pm
Alaric stopped drinking after that sip upon hearing the words that came out of his own son's mouth. "So...they think I hurt them hmm?" he asked calmly. "If I find them I'll kill them with my bare hands." he growled, setting his glass back onto the table before he charged at Rufus and pinned him to the wall by the neck. "You're so pathetic to believe servants. Who cares what they say about anyone, if I pay for a tea pot I'm going to use that tea pot however I please. What makes servants any different?" he seethed, growing so angry he could just snap his son in half.** Meme Pear **
Meme couldn't help but laugh a little. "He must have been really skilled to have climbed a tall tree with something in his arms." he said happily, glad that he had asked for some stories about Rufus. "When I was little I used to visit this farm up the street from our house. I loved watching all of the animals but my favorite were the piglets. They're cute when they're babies but not so much when they grow big and fat." he said with a small laugh. "I used to roll in the mud with the piglets. My mom used to get so mad at me." Meme smiled at the memory, missing his family deeply.
}{ Kuro Suji }{
Kuro nodded and covered Akito's body once he saw the ointment on the wounds had dried. "I am terribly sorry about all of this stress My Lady. I didn't intend for this to happen. But I do thank you for your help." He hoped the Princess wouldn't think ill of Rufus' family simply because Alaric was a homicidal loon.
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Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 7:07 pm
~~~ Rufus Arthur Rayne ~~~
Rufus didn't duck. Instead, he smirked and lifted his knee slightly, making it seem as though he was trying to get loose. But once his knee was in position, he jammed it up hard before bringing his foot - for once he was wearing heeled shoes - down on his father's foot. Next the heel of his hand made contact with his father's nose.
It might not get the old b*****d to release him, but at least he might have incapacitated him for a moment or two.
Twenty.
Prince.
Next In Line.
Soon-To-Be Wed.
Trapped. "Other than Alaric, I'm almost sad not to be joining the household." She smiled. "Almost"
"Ohhh, Master Meme, that's nothing. Master Rufus used to positively jump into the stables, roll in the hay - and everything else in there - and then creep past the stable boys in order to get to his horse. He never minded the smell, so long as he got to ride. It was usually whenever he wanted to escape his lessons. When he finally got home..." But here she trailed off, not wanting to tell the end of such stories: defiance met with a beating.
"Well, he stank and was a complete mess. Not at all Princely." Cook hoped he didn't pick up on the pause.
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Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 7:26 pm
Alaric cried in pain at the knee to his groin and let go of his son's neck, though he was able to stand at least until Rufus jammed his hand against his nose and practically forced the cartilage into his brain, causing Alaric to roar in pain and hit the ground in a bloody mess. "You've not learned your place...." he growled. "How dare you believe I would do such a thing to those pathetic worms." After a few minutes Alaric stood up. "Let me guess...you're not marrying the b***h I picked out for you because you have someone else you've been whoring with." Alaric moved the cartilage in his nose back in place, seeing as Rufus broke it. "So where is she!?" He yelled as he back handed his son across his cheek. "Where is this slut you've got on the side?"** Meme Pear **
Meme laughed softly, noticing the pause but choosing not to linger on the meaning behind it. "I wonder if he had a tree house like I did? I found this old tree house in the forest nearby, I played in it a lot but someone tore it down for some reason."
}{ Kuro Suji }{
Kuro nodded. "We're not entirely happy and we are family. Alaric has been a terrible person ever since Rufus' mother died. It's almost as if Alaric blames Rufus for her passing. Well....that's what I heard from the servants. I came to this family much later." he said softly. "I hope for your sake, your family is better than ours. Why don't you tell me about that guard...what was his name again?"
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Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 7:38 pm
~~~ Rufus Arthur Rayne ~~~
Rufus sneered up at his father, unconcerned by the blow to his cheek. "Ohh no, 'father', I don't have anyone. You made it perfectly clear that no-one should want to enter into this family with a father-in-law like you." He leant close. "You're the reason you won't get a precious heir to continue the family line." He shoved Alaric in the chest, pushing him away as hard as possible.
Twenty.
Prince.
Next In Line.
Soon-To-Be Wed.
Trapped. Helena blushed brightly. "Troy. He used to practice in the courtyard, hidden from the outside world. But not from me. I used to stand watch him for hours... unless someone came along." She had a dreamy expression as she turned to Kuro. "You have seen him, haven't you? Those muscles... I was fascinated."
Cook blinked at him. "Fate has a strange way of conducting matters, it seems. Rufus had a tree house, until Alaric had it pulled down. Poor boy came home in tears, his sanctuary gone. But he always had my kitchens. Alaric is overfond of his food, so he rarely messed with me."
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Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 7:56 pm
Alaric staggered a little when he was shoved. "You have balls, son...I'll give you that." he said with a soft sigh as he brushed his hair back. "You'd think after all the beatings...you would have learned by now!" Alaric delivered a powerful punch to Rufus' stomach and shoved him against the wall hard. "You've always been tough to break but this will be the death of you." he growled as he moved forward to bring his knee to Rufus' stomach when a metal shield smacked him in the face. "That is enough Your Highness." Came a stern and angry voice which belonged to the captain of Alaric's guard, along with practically the whole army behind him, each with their swords pointed at the King. "I've sat by while my men told me stories of your abusive behaviors toward this poor boy. I'm not going to stand by while you kill your own son." Looking toward the young man, he gave a sympathetic sigh. "Are you alright, Sire?"** Meme Pear **
Meme gave a soft sigh. Sometimes parents really knew how to ruin things. "What would happen if Alaric wasn't alive? Would Rufus become King so easily? I'm assuming he's the only heir to his line, right? I think he would make a pretty good King." he said softly.
}{ Kuro Suji }{
Kuro would have given a little laugh or two but he didn't want to seem like he was making fun of her. "Is that all that attracted you to him? Didn't you ever get to visit him in person?"
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