Arranged Allegiances - 1x1 (Don't delete!)

[Cloudsong]

Seeing the smile on Ean's face was enlightening, and Giovanna mirrored it as he led her through the town square. Although the city bore many differences from Anima, she found herself realizing that very much was the same. There were still merchants, haggling over prices with customers, and people with bright faces as they showed off their goods to each other. It was a bright environment, and the smell of food made her good spirits seem to lift even higher. The most shocking aspect she found, however, was that the people of Mortifer didn't seem to be evil, as her father had made them out to be. They had the same olive-colored skin that Ean had, and the same colored hair. But not all of them wore scowls on their faces. Maybe they're not so bad, she found herself thinking as she followed Ean closely behind. He seemed to know his way around, at least.

When they reached the castle, she was slightly surprised by; although it was large and magnificent, it seemed almost to be a dungeon than anything else. The castle in Anima was made of white stone, and seemed to always to be glowing by the bright sun, while this one seemed almost black, from the shadows the mountains reflected upon it. It was definitely intimidating, but Giovanna forced the slight discomfort away, assuming it would be more welcoming inside.

She was right - well, sort of. The hallways were neat and very grandiose. They reminded her slightly of her own home. She followed Ean, looking at all of the doors he pointed out, though seeming a little confused as he mentioned his parents. Why had she only met one? The word had not yet spread to Anima that the king of Mortifer was on his death bed, and it had been a surprise to her when only the queen had shown up at the castle by the sea with her son. Of course, she had assumed that he was busy, but now she couldn't help but wonder if something was wrong. By the way Ean said it, it was almost as like he was dead, or like he had left...

Giovanna decided to ask, and as he led the way down the hallway, she cleared her throat. "Why have I not met your father?" Her tone was innocent - curious. It was apparent that she had no bad intentions with the question.

As he pointed out all of his sisters' rooms, the bright smile from before returned. "I'll keep that in mind," she laughed, as he mentioned the twins. It was obvious by the way he spoke of his siblings that he bore a deep affection - even for Annabell, whom he claimed was more arrogant than he was. I highly doubt that, she thought with a slight smirk. Meeting someone with a bigger head than Ean would certainly be a sight to see. She followed quickly as Ean led her off towards a more empty hallway, and she felt her heart ache at the sad tone Ean got when he mentioned Brentley. Although the cities were far apart, Anima had heard about the little prince who had died only a month old.

She wished she could say something to comfort Ean, but somehow Giovanna knew that nothing she could do or say would help heal the damage. Just like nothing will ever heal the wound Mateo's death left within me. Her sympathy was absolute, and without thinking it through, she put a hand on his arm, looking into his eyes; something he had been avoiding all morning, for some unknown reason to her. In Anima, it was traditional to make eye contact when saying laments for a loved one's death, or for when something tragic had happened. "I'm sorry about your brother," she said quietly, her bright blue eyes showing that her words came from the heart.

All too soon, she released his arm from her grasp, and looked over at the door that they had stopped by. Ean's room. Glancing over at him, she saw that he was debating whether or not to let her in. She raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to let me in?" she said finally, her tone slightly tinged with mischief, as she could see that a part of him didn't really want her inside.

[FoldєdPapєrHєarts]

Ean was slightly startled when he found that Giovanna had placed a hand on his arm, light as a feather. Hesitating for a fraction of a second, he raised his dropped gaze to her eyes. Those deep, bright blue eyes. He swallowed, listening to her consoling words about his brother. Of course she knew, everyone knew.

After his younger brother had died, it had seemed everyone had known about Ean's family's misfortune. Consoling words, pats on the back, comforting hugs, sympathetic murmurings directed towards them; after about a week of such things, Ean had realized something - for the first time in his entire life, he had wished he was no a part of the royal family. If he had been just any normal son of a villager, and he'd lost his younger brother, would anyone have given it two thoughts? No, not at all. It would have either been kept silent, or no one would have cared enough to say anything to the mourning family.

"As am I," was all Ean said before turning away. He appreciated her words, and knew she was sincere in them, but it was all the same in his mind - words would not bring him back, nothing would. He did his best not to dwell on the past, and what had happened, anyway, but it was hard when he had to pass that empty bedroom every day he left his room. He'd hoped his parents would move him to another room, for it was rather depressing to see it day after day, collecting dust, but alas, that day had never come.

When she asked about his room, he smiled ruefully before nodding and turning the doornob swiftly and silently. The door swung open and he made a teasingly grande gesture, allowing her to go in first. It was an average room, with walls that had been painted a pale, creamy tan-mixed-with-white color. The ceiling was white, and on the far wall of the room there was one large window that stretched almost the entire way across, for it was also a door that led out onto a small balcony, that seemed to have had it's railing's overgrown with some type of plant; possibly ivy. The walls were mostly blank, aside from a few group portraits of the royal family. Aside from the bed, there was a dresser and a wardrobe, along with another door that led off to the bathroom. Near the bed stood a rather tall bookshelf, and each shelf contained many battered copies of books - they had all clearly been read many times.

Ean turned to Giovanna with a small smile upon his face. "So very exciting, I know," he said sarcastically, laughing slightly. He rarely allowed others in his room, but he knew she had wanted to go in, so he'd figured where was the harm. After all, why should he care what he thought of it?

Then, he frowned. He'd put off answering her question, about his father. He would have assumed she would have heard of the King's condition, but perhaps his mother had been keeping it all hushed up from the other city. Ean wondered, then, if the people in Mortifer even knew- they must, though; after all, they must have noticed the King's absences as of late. Swallowing against the newly formed lump in his throat, he strode towards the window. It was still a wonderful view. "You haven't met my father because he's...ill, I suppose you could say. He...he was wounded in battle, shot. He isn't doing very well, and wouldn't have been able to make it through the journey." Ean was unsure if he should be telling her this, but somehow he felt he must; to actually say it, to say what was happening to him, it was a relief, almost. "He's here, I believe, still being tended to."

[Cloudsong]

Giovanna watched as he quickly turned away, after seeming a little stunned by their eye contact. She hesitated before entering the room, pushing it away. After all, it was going to take her a long time before she got over the death of her brother; the same could be said for Ean. The hurt obviously had not healed, even if it had been many years. Is it going to be like that for me too? a small voice said in her head. The thought was quite troubling, but she managed to put on a smile, and tried her hardest to not think of how she would never ever see Mateo again, and how Ean had suffered the same way.

She looked around at the large room, taking in every piece of furniture, and every wall. The bookshelf caught her attention, and she crossed the floor and examined the very battered copies. It was odd that a prince such as himself would keep such worn out books; after all, he had the money to buy new ones. But a part of her understood that he had kept them for a reason; money couldn't buy happiness, or memories. These books obviously meant a lot to Ean, or he would have thrown them out. I guess we have another thing in common, she thought brightly as she smiled slightly. They both seemed to like reading. "Impressive," she commented as she traced her finger along the spines of them. Her finger stopped on a rather thick copy, and her eyes lit up. "You read The Tempest too?"

Seeing the frown upon his face, Giovanna bit her lip, wondering if Ean was again remembering his lost brother. But when he opened his mouth and mentioned his father, she realized that he had returned to the question she had asked him previously. I thought he just hadn't wanted to answer... His father was ill? This took Giovanna by surprise, and she frowned, seeming quite upset by the news. "Is - will he get better, though?" The question was out of her mouth before she could stop it, and then she realized how stupid it was. Of course, Ean probably wouldn't know. She wished that she could meet him, but judging by the vagueness in Ean's answers, she didn't assume that he was doing well at all.

[FoldєdPapєrHєarts]

Ean had turned to watch her, studying her responses and reactions. Despite what he would like to say or admit, he did care about her opinions on some thing. He was curious to see what she thought about some of the things he did, wore, said or owned. But why did he care so much? He had no reason to, none at all actually. They both hated one another, that much was quite obvious, and despite the seeming truce that was stretching between them from last night, Ean did not believe that that was going to change any time soon, no matter what they had in common, or what events occured.

"The Tempest?" he repeated, a small smile flashing across his face for a short moment. "Yes, of course. My mother gave it to me for my fourteenth birthday." He tilted his head slightly; it appeared she enjoyed the sight of his many books. Many people, his friends mostly, had scoffed at the condition of them. He'd recieved most of them new, actually, and obviously he could get new copies if he wished. However, why get rid of a good thing; after all, they were still good, and readable. Just because they didn't look perfect and had been read many times and were therefore rather beat up, well that didn't mean they were no good anymore. "You like to read as well, I assume?" he asked, the small smile returning to his face.

At her question, Ean's expression became hard and the look in his eyes distant. When he spoke, his voice was flat, almost emotionless, perhaps a little icy if anything. "No; he is going to die. Probably very soon." The way he said it, it was obvious that he had learned to detatch himself from his emotions when speaking about this certain subject. He narrowed his eyes slightly, staring at the wall behind Giovanna, as if it had personally offended him.

[Cloudsong]

Giovanna's smile faltered slightly as Ean told her that his father would probably be dead soon. The news was somewhat shocking, and she averted her eyes to the ground, as if not wanting to see the hurt, or anger. Would he be angry that she had asked? Silently she swallowed, wondering exactly what she should say. It was so sad that he would be losing a parent, although he seemed to be coping with it not by sadness, but anger. This was somewhat surprising, mostly because any other person would show their pain through tears. Had Ean found a way to put a barrier up between his feelings? Perhaps that was why he was so hesitant to open up. I only just saw him smile for the first time... and the only other emotion I've seen in him is anger, or annoyance. She remembered how angry he had been when she had suggested that they speed up the marriage during their first dinner.

Was part of his unfriendliness towards her because he had to leave his father's side to go to the castle by the ocean? The thought pricked her like a thorn, and Giovanna glanced up to see that Ean had his eyes narrowed. If this was the case, then she didn't blame him for being rude. If my father was dying, and they were forcing me to go meet some prince... I would be angry too.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, silently sitting her fingers tracing the sleeves of her dress. She was unsure of what else she could say, really.

She felt quite guilty as she came to realize that Ean was being completely honest with her. He had told her that his father was dying, and she hadn't told him that her own brother had died only a week ago. Silently she pushed a strand of hair out of her eyes, and continued to look down at the floor. It only seemed right to tell him. "I lied to you yesterday," she said quietly. "My brother isn't alive... he died a week ago." For a moment she was silent, then she looked up, their gazes meeting. "He was poisoned."

[FoldєdPapєrHєarts]

"You're sorry? Yes, well, that doesn't really change the fact that he is going to die, now does it? I'm sorry too, and I'd say it a thousand and one times, if it were to bring him back to health." He turned away, his arms folded across his chest and underneath his arms, his fists were clenched. He was having a hard time swallowing again and he had to turn his gaze and put his mind on something distracting quickly. No use getting upset, especially in front of her. What would he look like then? He had an appearance to keep up, after all.

This had been the first time he'd openly expressed what had happened to anyone outside of his family. Obviously he should have said something to someone, anyone, but who? And how would they have reacted. As he thought about it, he realized she was probably the last person on earth that he would have thought he'd be confiding something such as this in. And yet, he had found himself telling her all of this, without a care or second thought.

When Giovanna began to speak, Ean turned his head slightly towards her, his expression still cold. He knew he'd been harsh with her, especially when she was only being sympathetic, but that was how he dealed with his emotions; through and with anger. That was what was easier for him, after all.

So, she had lied about something? Well, that was just lovely. As she continued to speak, however, his expression that had once been cold only moments before turned into disbelief and shock. Her brother had died...and only a week before then? He turned so he was completely facing her, and he watched her as she told him of how exactly her brother had died. Her head and eyes were tilted downward, pointing at the floor. Then, she looked up directly at him and all he could do was stand there, staring at her in shock. Ean opened his mouth, unable to speak, and closed it once more. Without a word, he strode across the room and placed a hand on her arm, as she had done to him earlier. "I...I honestly can say I am truly very, very sorry." He knew that he had just been harsh with her for saying something similar, but he couldn't help it - what else was he expected to say, when given information like that?

For some reason completely unknown to Ean, he longed to pull her into his arms and hold her. He could tell she was heartbroken inside, and that it took a lot for her to say that. "I- Giovanna, is there anything I can do?" He hated the twist in his stomach and heart at his words, but there was no taking them back.

[Cloudsong]

Giovanna looked up in surprise as Ean was crossing the floor, and as he put his hand on her arm, she blinked. Was this a joke? One minute, he had been angry and cold because of his father, and now he was pretending to be sorry? But when she looked into his eyes, all doubt that he was being truthful vanished. He seemed truly sorry, and she realized with a shock that he was the only one that actually seemed to mean it. Since his death, whenever someone of royal blood would apologize to her for Mateo's death, they seemed only to be saying it out of politeness. They really didn't give a damn. But Ean - the person she would least expect to even know how to feel sympathetic - seemed one hundred percent genuine. She smiled slightly, though it was a sad smile. But when he asked if he could do anything to help, she shook her head, once again averting her gaze. She could feel that she was on the brink of tears, but something within her was keeping them from spilling freely. Perhaps it was her pride?

"No," she said quietly. "Thank you for the offer, but there is nothing anyone can do." Her tone wasn't unfriendly, just slightly distant. Oh why did I tell him? I was trying to forget about it... She had come here today in hopes of having fun, and now it had just turned into a pity party. And although she was grateful for his sympathy, she didn't want to be pitied; just the same that he didn't want to be for his father's condition. They both understood that, at least.

She was silent for a long moment, then she cleared her throat, and seemed to compose herself. "Do... do you want to show me another place?" She felt almost desperate to get out into the open air again - to be distracted by the busy streets... Anything but to think about her sadness, and of Mateo.

[FoldєdPapєrHєarts]

"I understand," was all Ean could say for a few moments. For he did, and there was many meanings behind those words. He understood that there was nothing he could do, for there truly wasn't. One couldn't bring back the dead, although he wished with a passion that there was a way to do so. That would make many things so, so much easier. It also meant that he understood exactly what she was going through, in more ways than one, although that had been established already by the both of them.

Earlier in the day, Ean would never have imagined the scene before him taking place. Them slightly comforting one another? If he had been told he would actually be pitying her, and she him, earlier in the day, he would have laughed and shook his head at the very idea, for it was so ridiculous. However, there was nothing ridiculous about what was going on now. It was sad, really, that this was the only thing that would be bringing them together, and even then it would only work for a few minutes while they mourned to one another. Actually, he was still in shock that he had told her any of the information at all. He hoped that would not come back to haunt him.

Ean was still unsure where all of this was coming from, all of a sudden. He quickly took an awkward step away from her, ducking his head slightly. When she asked if he would like to show her some other part of the city, he understood that as well. They both needed a distraction, and he knew the perfect place.

"Yes, I do, actually," he said, smiling a small smile at her, which didn't quite reach his eyes, which were still rather distant and saddened. "Come, let me show you the market and town square; this is where most people go, the villagers mainly, but I always-er, well, used to always go down with my friends." He smiled a bit at some memory that only he could see. "We got into trouble quite a few times down there, let me tell you."

With that, he turned and went out of his room. He manuvered quickly throughout the house, and when they finally reached the outside, he took a moment to wait so that he and Giovanna were at the same pace and level. It would not take long at all to get to either of the places, for they were quite near one another, and they were not too far from the castle.

[Cloudsong]

Giovanna seemed to be glad to have something else to talk about, and her eyes brightened as he mentioned all of the trouble he had gotten into. Well, at least he was joking around; maybe he wouldn't hold a grudge for having told her about his father. But I told him about Mateo. The two seemed to even each other out. Silently she sighed. Going back to fighting was not exactly an ideal plan, and she found herself wanting to keep the peace more than ever.

As he mentioned having friends, she seemed slightly surprised, though did not comment. Ean had friends? This always had seemed unlikely - judging by how arrogant he was. After all, who would be worthy enough to hang out with him? It shocked her even more as he implied that they weren't of royal blood. So they were peasants - commoners? It seemed quite unlikely, but who was she to say otherwise? Back at home, she would usually hang out with people, too; even if they weren't of her same status. But the idea that Ean would willingly socialize with someone lower down than him was almost humorous. She refrained from laughing, though, and contented herself with giving him the benefit of the doubt. He seemed all right now, when he was being nice. Perhaps he was nicer to his friends.

"Can I meet them?" she asked as they reached the outside, and he paused to wait for her. It would be quite interesting to meet the people Ean liked to be with - would they be as bad tempered as he usually was?

[FoldєdPapєrHєarts]

"Meet them?" Ean repeated, clearly surprised at her question. He would never have imagined introducing his companions to Giovanna; after all, they would most likely scoff and make-fun, for they had all agreed that their parents' plan to marry them off to one another was foolish. That, as well as the fact that she was from Anima; they hated the people from that city almost as much as Ean did. Almost.

Ean ran through all of the scenerios of what could possibly happen throughout his head. They'd either attempt to be nice to her, make fun of her, make fun of him, or be cruel towards her. One option out of the four probably possibilities was good, the rest Ean knew Giovanna probably wouldn't be prepared for, or want to have happen to her. His friends were quite like him; they could be kind when they wanted to be, to certain individuals, very polite and proper citizens around those who mattered or important people, and to the rest, well, again, they were very like Ean - they would spit harsh and cruel words at the rest, making sure they knew their place. His friends were obviously not of his status, and were below him technically, but as villagers and commoners went, they were high up on the list. Their families held important jobs in Mortifer, such as doctors or those in law enforcement. Jobs such as those were paid well and very beneficial to the families in them, and set them higher in the cities than others. Which is exactly why Ean hung out with them; after all, what would it look like if he were to be seen with the sons and daughters of goat-breeders, or farmers?

He and his friends would often go around Mortifer, trying their hardest to cause trouble. They didn't get caught often, and whenever they did, they were never punished. Since they held such high positions in society, particularly Ean, and they all had certain connections, they could usually either weasel or lie or bribe their way out of things. After all, who would want to be the one who had gotten the Prince arrested? Some of the others most likely would still have gotten into trouble, but since they were always with him, Ean found he could usually persuade whoever was punishing them to let them go with a warning.
They always did different things, although they always made sure not to cross the line too much, or at least only put a toe across it ocassionally; they weren't criminals obviously, but they did quite enjoy having a bit of fun. They all simply wanted to escape from boredom.

Ean bit his bottom lip, shooting a sidelong glance at Giovanna. "Er, sure, I suppose you can meet them; but if you don't like my attitude, you probably won't like their's, either." He had figured he should tell her, and warn her of what was most likely to come.

It hadn't taken them long at all to get to the town square, which was right next to the market. Ean shifted his weight from foot to foot as he impatiently and slightly nervously searched for even one of his friends; they were always somewhere around here and most often were together. A small frown played around his lips as his eyes darted back and forth. "I might not be able to find any of them, just so you-"
"Ean! Is that you?!" Ean made a face when he heard the voice and turned to see who it was. Hopefully this would go slightly well, or at the very least not be a complete disaster...

(( Would you like to play the girl/friend, or..? c: ))