|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 3:25 pm
  Tala had never seen so much food, there were plates everywhere and to have a choice was to be spoilt... He watched as the servants finally stopped bringing in plates, then glanced across at Jack who seemed to be waiting for him to make a move. Quietly, the man cleared his throat, nodding his head as though giving Tala the permission to start... The Prince looked back at the food, then his eyes drifted towards the fiery-haired Matron... There was something about her he didn't quite like, but then he returned his attention to the meal before him and raised his hand, his intention to pick up a slice of bacon and eat it. A sharp *thwack* on his hand left a reddish, spoon-shaped-mark in its place and Tala glared up at the woman, uttering a growl before moving to rise; Jack, sensing tension quickly rose with the boy, convincing him to return to his seat before locking eyes with the Matron. "Our...eating habits are a little different from what you might be used to lad..." Jack said eventually, waving off the Matron before taking up a knife and fork, "We use these to carve and pick up our meals..." Tala muttered something about knowing how to eat and their methods being 'stupid' and turned his head away, narrowing his eyes as he realised the Matron was still inside the room, watching him like a hawk... "With your permission, Sire, I would like you to watch me and perhaps emulate my methods?" he started to slice up his meal after serving himself a few slices of bacon with a set of tongs, then pushed it onto his fork and proceeded to bring the utensil up to his mouth before eating it. Tala watched the man, his stomach creating now... He could see food, just within his grasp, but already realised that to perform the task wrong would result in him ending up with another red welt on his hand...
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 5:34 pm
Villa sighed softly, glaring towards the woman, annoyed she hit Tala but tried to keep her tongue bitten so not to lash out at the woman.
A servant off to the side stood still, being one that had been there for a couple weeks. He tried to stand still and quiet but when saw he snickered a little as he hadn't expected the Prince to not know how to properly fill his plate and to eat. "has he been under a rock?" he muttered under his breath causing one of his friends by his side to snicker a little as well agreeing.
A third on the other side of the two shook his head not speaking nor looking at them, knowing the strict rules to not speak during meals and to stand ready if need to retrieve an empty plate or platter or to refill and empty glass if requested.
|
|
|
|
|
|
writing_in_waters_star Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 6:04 pm
Tala did as he was told, but could clearly hear the murmurings from the servants and this annoyed him... Keeping a wary eye on the Matron, he reached out for one of the two sets of knifes and forks, glancing across at Jack before flinching away as the woman brought her spoon down on the table just inches from his hand. Jack himself felt a little unnerved, "One should use the utensils from the outside in..." he drew the Prince's attention to the cutlery he'd picked up, "...It's common etiquette when at the Royal dinner table..."Tala uttered a growl before bringing his hand across to reach for the correct utensils... Once again he watched the Matron like a hawk, picking up the right knife and fork before making a start on the food Jack had placed on his plate. Things seemed to be going well for a while, he'd even managed to get through half of his meal without incident...that was until his fork slipped whilst trying to pry a piece of meat apart... The proceeding screech of metal scraping across expensive china set everyone's teeth on edge and seconds later, Tala felt the wooden spoon across the back of his head...That was it. Snapping to his feet, he lunged for the Matron, catching hold of the wooden spoon as it swung round in defence before he was grabbed by Jack who dragged him backwards and away from the woman... The spoon clattered to the ground and the Matron, although seemingly unperturbed by the incident took a step away, tutting before looking to Jack as though he should have acted sooner. "I...think that's enough...for now." Struggling against the male as he tried to strike out at the woman, Jack spun the Prince round and proceeded to lead him from the room, keeping a firm hand on the male's arm incase he decided to whip back and finish what he'd attempted to start. They headed back up the corridor and out towards the gardens... it would be quiet out there, being so early and would give the male chance to calm himself before they moved onto his next 'task' of the day...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 7:00 pm
Villa sighed, feeling today was going to be long. She finished sweeping up, heading off then to help with the laundry her next task. She sort of missed things now at the Ice Lands but was there for Tala and thinking of him helped her feel it was worth what she was doing since it was to help him and support him.
When Jack and Tala entered the gardens the gardener that had seen him before waved smiling to the Prince. "Good morning Prince." He said, using the large clippers to trim and neaten up the bushes, smiling softly, trying to be welcoming. He looked to Jack then smiling. "Good morning to you as well, Jack, how is everything going?" he asked.
|
|
|
|
|
|
writing_in_waters_star Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 4:33 am
"Haha, good morning to you Sir!" Jack beamed, getting a little closer to mutter that things could have been going a little more smoothly... "We just had a little incident involving Matron and her strict ways... I just figured we would take a little walk to gather ourselves before we set off to our next task..."Tala nodded a silent greeting to the man, then wandered past, his eyes drawn to a flower of the most delicate colour of blue, he stopped infront of it, tilting his head before extending a hand towards the bloom, "A blue rose," Jack looked towards the boy, "One of the rarest flowers found in the land," he looked back to the gardener, "However did you get a bloom from the Ice Lands to grow so well in our climate?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 11:05 am
"Oh trust me sir, it was not easy. It was quite hard. That flower was from the Queen back when her daughter was born. I had been keeping it in the freezer but I knew it would do better if I could keep it cool out here so well I water it with icy water. Then if it's going to be hot I'll put up a shade around it and keep ice near by it to keep it cool. It's a lot of work but it's so beautiful." The gardener said, smiling and saw Tala looking it over.
"It's a one of a kind. No other is in the world here and it'd take too much for me if we had more than one. Well it tried to branch out but it didn't go well though...if you look under the yellow roses bush you'll find another small blue rose just minus the icy look. Not sure how it's still alive but it is." He said nodding and smiled.
"Yea she can be pretty strict." He laughed smiling. "Would you like me to put the one under the yellow roses into a pot for you Prince? I can always come by and tend to it in your chambers if you would like." The gardener offered.
Inside Villa had begun cleaning windows and paused looking down into the gardens to see Tala and noticed the blue flower. Her eyes widened, wondering how they got what she thought that was. Staring shocked she couldn't believe it, seeing the rare blue flower from her home brought up emotions she worked to keep in check, unaware of her necklace giving a soft glow in her pocket, causing the one under the yellow roses to bloom more roses of icy blue, feeding it in a way and when her necklace stopped glowing in her pocket, it had not shown out to give away its location, would be six roses that had small particles of ice falling softly off the frosty petals.
This caused the gardener to yelp jumping, staring at the sight he just witnessed. "What the?! You gotta be kidding! I didn't know it could do that!" he exclaimed clearly shocked and amazed by this sight. The gardener then went, getting a small flower pot and used a trill to get up two of the icy blue roses with the soil and planted them into the pot, offering it to Tala. "Here you are my Prince. I'll come by every day once or twice a day to water them and make sure they are okay for you." He said smiling.
|
|
|
|
|
|
writing_in_waters_star Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 11:24 am
Tala drew back as the gardener gave a yelp, wincing as his finger caught the blade-like thorns, he didn't notice the thin line of blood that trickled from the wound however and turned back to face the man as he advanced with a pot. "There is a new maid..." Tala was certain now it must be Rosa, "I want you to give it to her." he had reached to touch the pot, finally spotting the blood as it dripped into the soil before withdrawing his hand completely and hiding the wound discretely behind his back. "I might take one for her highness if they sprout anywhere else." Jack smiled, "Now, onto business, you must meet your public." He didn't like Tala's reaction to this and cleared his throat, wondering if the Royals would mind if their son sat this one out... Jack would walk the male once around the gardens, then lead him inside, past the hall where they would hear the chattering public as they lined up to lay their problems and requests on the King and Queen. "We can watch from the upper hallway," he couldn't help but notice the male becoming a little twitchy at the thought of all those people, "I think Trogan has this covered today anyway."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 11:46 am
Villa smiled softly, watching and left quickly to finish her window washing before the Matron could yell at her or get suspicious, not wanting to blow her cover on day one of her being a maid.
One of the guards at the door keeping the people back and in order watched and allowed one person in to tell their problems or concerns or what they needed to the King and Queen. Beside the royal couple was a man dressed in richly made outfit with robes over it. He cleared his throat announcing the person to be allowed in as was protocol along with what the person did for a living.
A servant woman in the hallway watched and giggled blushing at seeing Tala, finding that he looked cute, smiling sweetly at him she watched smiling and swallowed approaching Tala when Jack and he would come to head up to the upper hallway. "Oh hello....your Princeliness." she giggled blushing more, smiling wide liking his appearance and finding him cute had formed a tiny crush on him. "How are you today?" she asked giggling again, her hands on her lap folded as she giggled and moved her body back and forth some with a small twist feeling like she had butterflies in her belly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
writing_in_waters_star Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 11:57 am
"Uhm...hello?" Tala glanced back at Jack for a suggestion as to how to deal with the female, but the man just shrugged before smiling back at the maid, "Good morning my dear," he nodded his greeting before standing close so the female wouldn't advance any further, "Working hard I hope?" he lifted his eyes to the door, hearing the King's announcer call up the next visitor. "If you don't mind, his Highness needs to oversee the meetings this morning." He extended a hand to give Tala the chance to move ahead of him, Tala took the gap, but glanced back over his shoulder and forced a smile at the maid so she didn't think he was being rude towards her, "I'll see you later I hope? my En-suite could use a scrub...started getting a little mildewy..." he chuckled as though he'd made a joke, then followed after the Prince as they reached the upper hallway.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 12:46 pm
The maid giggled then pouted when Jack wouldn't let her near Tala and didn't enjoy being told she had to work sighing. "Fine, I'll go scrub it, Sir Jack." She said walking off, looking back and giggled blushing and ran off when seeing Tala smile to her, giggling as she left.
Below them a woman was announced that approached the King and Queen, bowing her head. "Your Majesty, Your Highness, I would like to request aid for my home. I live towards the country side and bandits have been breaking in and stealing my harvest and it's making it hard to sell what is left and have money to pay the bills. Could I request aid to protect my home and crops?" She asked looking up to them both, hoping for help.
|
|
|
|
|
|
writing_in_waters_star Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 1:11 pm
Queen Lyssandra opened her mouth to speak, but Trogan let out a rough grunt, shaking his head. "With the Demon King threatening our lands, I cannot extend my army to protect just one farm." He saw the look on the woman's face, but had become hardened to such upset through his years of power... "It's unethical and will leave necessary flanks unguarded."Lyssandra narrowed her eyes as her husband's bluntness, but knew he was only protecting the kingdom... "I can only advise to seek out the assistance of our local mercenaries and hunters...I understand they do charge for their help, but we need to maintain a strong number just incase the Demon King launches an attack on our kingdom, I'm sorry I we can't be of more help, but for the good of our entire community, we have to look out for the many rather than the few..."The Queen looked quite saddened that she couldn't help, but Jack muttered to the Prince that although it didn't sound nice, they had to take the entire settlement into concern. "I can help." Without thinking, Tala vaulted the barrier above, landing nimbly infront of the villager before turning round, "I want to offer my services.""Talanask!" Queen Lyssandra was shocked by this, "Were you not listening?" It was clear she wanted to help, but she knew they could not, "You cannot help them, you have your own duties here in the castle.""I..." Tala turned to face Jack who had found his way through the crowd - choosing to run, rather than leap the barrier like the Prince had... "Your highness," he looked to Lyssandra, then to Tala, "Tala, please understand we cannot help everyone...it's not possible."Drawing one of his Sune Daggers, Tala traced his hand along the flat of the blade, glancing across its splendour before returning it to its sheath, "I have to start somewhere right?" he locked eyes with the man, then looked to the Royals, especially towards Trogan, "This is all very foreign to me, I cannot just become the son you want me to be, let me have this and I will try harder to change for you."The crowd was silent, Lyssandra held a hand up to her lips, glancing across at Trogan who had bowed his head and closed his eyes in thought. After what seemed like an age of silence, then King finally opened his eyes and nodded, "You share the same fire I used to." his eyebrows were still furrowed, "Take Jack with you and aid my subject, we will talk once you return."Tala looked towards the female who had requested aid, then back at his father before nodding and taking his leave of the room. "Leave your location with my advisor, My son will be stationed at your farm by nightfall."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 1:41 pm
She had felt ready to cry but when Tala came down and said as he did she smiled curtsying and smiling. "Oh thank you so much." She said smiling and stepped over to the adviser when waved over and gave him her address and how to get there before leaving with a guard that showed her out. She was so excited to have help and felt it would go well when she brought in the harvest that had built up in her gardens.
She completed harvesting before nightfall and once the night came she had hopes Tala and Jack could take care of the bandits stealing her food before she could sell it at market to make payments on what she had to and to afford repairs on her home and gardening tools.
|
|
|
|
|
|
writing_in_waters_star Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 1:52 pm
"I do hope you know what you're getting yourself into lad..." Jack had taken two horses which they now rode towards the farm, "The bandits around here aren't necessarily like ones you may have come across on your travels..."Tala didn't reply, his eyes were set on the horizon, scanning the darkness and getting a general idea of the lay of the land. He'd heard the man, but chose not to react, instead looking towards the farm before dismounting his horse and approaching the barn. Jack made his way to the house, informing the villager they had arrived and to keep her doors and windows locked tight - just to be safe. He then approached the barn, looking around for the male who had apparently disappeared completely. The sound of someone quietly clearing their throat drew the old warrior's attention up to the rafters there the Prince now sat. "Take guard where you will..." he rose to his feet and walked along the horizontal beam, "I'll be on the roof." With that, he disappeared out of sight. Breathing a sigh, Jack drew his sword and sat down on a nearby haybale. This was probably going to be a long night...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 4:03 pm
As the night went on slowly the moon rising higher and higher into the sky before there was slowly any movement as in the distance from the brush and trees came three forms shrouded in black clothing that fit well to avoid snags. The coming trio neared with silent steps. It was towards midnight when they showed, making way silently towards the barn.
One carefully opened the door and the three entered the dark building, not expecting anyone to be there. One moved their hand forming a dark void and began to fill her bag, having a female body or so her clothing showed so by the curves of her body. She once had one bag filled tossed it into the void, sending it to their campsite.
The other two also went to work filling up their bags as well making sure to not drop anything and to not leave much as they were targeting the best of the best of her crops.
|
|
|
|
|
|
writing_in_waters_star Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 4:19 pm
Jack had fallen asleep, it had been a long night and after the mornings events, he was rather drained. Tala on the other hand had spotted the shadows moving swiftly across the farmyard and waited until they had split up before singling out a target. Using the skills he'd learnt whilst hunting in Sune, Tala crept up nimbly behind the first of the two, landing a blow that would drop the figure to its knees before knocking him aside and out of sight into a nearby haystack... The second figure seemed to have circled back around to locate his associate and gave a yelp when Tala snapped round and lunged towards him. The yelp stirred Jack from his slumber and the old warrior leapt to his feet, sword at the ready. "Stop right there!" He raised the alarm, spotting the slender, feminine body before rushing forward to tackle her. Hearing the warrior's shout, Tala's target spun round, dodging the Prince's attack before luring Tala out towards his ally. Assuming his target was fleeing, Tala sheathed his daggers and gave pursuit...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
