1x1:::INK:::Mystic and Shells

[Shellpepper]

Sebastian

Sebastian grimaced when he heard a guard calling for him. When the bulked up guy in armor finally found him, he just looked at him with a tired expression.
"My prince," the guard said formally, "Please, his Majesty insists you return at once!"
Bash sighed and nodded. "Of course," he said. He urged Griff into a trot and then, once they entered the groomed outer rims of the trees, a canter. He rode straight to the entrance and let a servant take the horse to the stable. As much as he disliked doing things his father wanted him to do, he disliked making Magnus too pissed off as well. He followed the guard to the throne room and walked in with an apprehensive cast to his eyes, his mouth a thin line, his jaw clenched.
"My king," he said with a bow of his head. "You sent for me?"

Isolde

Sol shook her head at her sister's appearance. The younger girl (((I think... don't remember ages lol I'll check ^^))) was smoothed and put together, her soft blue dress straight and clean. Her hair was drawn back cleanly, the braid that hung over her shoulder smooth. She was put together, but that's not to say she didn't like to get dirty, too. She loved riding and hunting as well, but she felt too much responsibility all the time for that sort of thing- and the lack of caution her sister displayed distracted and irritated her sometimes. Maybe Sol just took things too seriously, but Serena's hunting of bandits just seemed like some kind of personal rebellion. She shook her head. Never mind, she knew she wasn't actually upset with Serena and that she was really just irritated because she was nervous any time Serena went out for this sort of... adventure. "They've been arguing all morning," she said quietly. "My lady's maid says mother's hand maid told her there's talk that we might be betrothed to the princes of Kar." She looked at Serena as she spoke, her eyes widening at the end in an expression that can be loosely translated as 'wth?!'
She turned her attention back to the door quickly as it opened and their father's voice invited them in.

Ike looked through the newly opened door and saw his daughters. His face softened a bit with a vague shadow of a smile beneath the tension he was feeling at the sight of his girls. He loved his daughters dearly. He knew Adair would be pursing her lips, her brow furrowed at Serena's appearance, but he loved that his girls had a wild side, even though each expressed hers in a different way. He hoped Serena had had a successful hunt, though he'd never acknowledge her trips because if he pretended he didn't know how she spent her rides, he didn't have to stop her from going on them. He also appreciated Isolde's different view on things like that, and admired the sense of responsibility she felt which prevented her from going out as often. Yes, they were both wonderful women... but they were grown now, and powerful tools he could use.
"Girls," he said. "Come in, sit down." He looked around the room, at the various servants, and waved them all out so he and Adair could speak to their daughters.

Arabella

With her bucket full of crisp, cool water, she returned to the tavern and was surprised to see a new patron this early. She saw him gesture to her and nodded, but didn't rush right over. She finished her task, putting the bucket down behind the counter, and then went to him. "Sorry to have kept you waiting," she said. "What can I do for you?" She looked him over, a little amused by his tired, sore look. "You look awfully worn out for this early in the day. Rough night?" She saw this pretty regularly what with the cat house next door. Jax sat at her feet, though he knew her boss didn't like him being in the tavern during business hours.

Cole

The docks were busy- like always- and just busting wide open with all the heavy travelers' pockets. He rubbed his hands together and smiled. "Step right up folks," he called out, his performer voice 'activated' and in full force. He ran a hand through his hair to get the shaggy blonde mess out of his eyes. His black glove with cut off fingers caught on some snarls, but he didn't really even notice. He wore only the gloves- he never took them off- and a pair of pants. His shoes, shirt, jacket, and other belongings were in a pile a very short distance behind him, against a fountain. "How about you, missy, I'll tell you your fortune," he said as he pointed to a wealthy looking young woman who blushed and giggled behind a fan she opened.
"Oh, yes please," she said, shy but excited.
"Rubbish," her escort grumbled.
"Ah, a non believer," Cole said, exaggeratedly saddened by the "blow" to his performance. "How about it, sir!" He pulled his worn old deck of cards from his pocket and shuffled them, flipping a few between his fingers and around his hands in a masterful show of dexterity. "If I can't guess the next card you pull, before you look at it, five times in a row, I'll sod off and leave this beautiful young goddess to wonder at her future like us mortals, eh? But if I can guess it-" his voice was loud, speaking directly to the man but drawing a crowd's attention as well, "-five times in a row, you let me enlighten the lady!" He turned to the girl and flicked an Ace of Hearts from his deck, holding it for her to take with a wink of a vivid green eye and a charming half smile. She blushed as she took it and giggled again.
"Alright, con man, I'll play your game," the escort said, his arms crossed. "But I want two cards each draw and Vanessa holds the deck."
Cole grinned. "Vanessa, what a name, folks!" He looked at Vanessa and shuffled his cards around. "What say you, Vanessa? Hold my deck so I can tell you your future?" He held out the cards at arms length for her to take. She reached out to take it and he gave it up, but took her wrist in his hand, stopping her from taking them close to her. "You'll need this back, though, I'd hate for the odds to be even slightly slanted against your man." He held up the ace from earlier and put it in the deck. She looked down at her empty gloved hand with wide eyes, having been holding that very card only a moment ago. A few people clapped and chuckled.

I don't actually know why I'm writing his whole performance lol Long story short is he gets it right, tells the girl some fortune, and then moves on to some new routine lol I love writing Cole sometimes *face palm*

[XxMystic]

(We can make Sol older if you want. She is more 'mature' than Serena haha I'll make serena younger or Sol older your choice)

~Airen/Mora/Throne room and King Magnus~
While Magnus and Airen waited for Sebastian, King Magnus continued to talk in quick whispers to his 'friends'. Airen couldn't here what they were saying, but whatever it was he assumed it was still about the arrangement with Kar. Airen turned his attention to the door as Bash walked in. He gave his brother a quick nod in greeting. Magnus walked back down to his sons, grinning at both of them. Well he's still in a good mood. Airen thought before Magnus began to speak. "Sebastian. Airen. I have been sending letters back and forth to Kar speaking about a new arrangment. It is with great joy I tell you both of the news together." He paused taking a sip of his wine. "Both Mora and Kar wish to join together as one land. You two will be wed to Kars princesses. I'm not sure when exactly but it will happen. This is a fantastic opportunity for our kingdom." He smiled but power and greed glistened behind those dark eyes. Airen glanced his brother, he wasn't theilled at all about this situation, but knee better than to argue. He already has his 'blood line' hanging by a thread so Airen had always been cautious about angering Magnus. Airen nodded his head, not speaking a word. Perhaps something would change. He had hoped so anyway.

~Serena/Kar/Throne room~
Serenad brow furrowed. She was about to ask what they were arguing about, but Sol had already answered for her. Serena stpod speechless for a few seconds, processing what her sister had just said. "What!? No.." she replied but chuckled afterwards. "They wouldn't do that to us. I mean come on everyone knows the stories of King Magnus. His sons will be no different. Ruthless greedy killers." Serena said. Although her outer expression was more relax she wanted to believe their parents wouldnt agree to such a thing. But her heart seemed to stop at the possibility. If it was anyone she would dread to meet it would be King Magnus and his 'family' The stories told about them, made her afraid. Serena looked at her sister in thought. 'Surely not." She mumbled worrisome. When their father called them in, Serena sat at the table, waiting on Sol to sit by her as she looked back and forth between them all.

~Nic/Tusk~
Nic let out a quick laugh. "You could say that." He said rubbing the back of his neck. "You know the usual guarding, rescuing poor saps in the middle of the night, with a gallant steed." He said amused, but of course that was lie...well it was just a more 'right way' cooler version of what really happend. "I just need something cool to drink...with a 'kick' to it of course and whatever food ya got. I'm not picky. But if you guys have ran into a horse running with no rider....I would take a bit of that horse meat." He said sarcastically with a small smirk.

~Alyssa/Tusk/Docks~
Alyssa saw a crowd forming around a blonde headed man, his voice booming all around. She had seen quite a few performers around the dock areas, some were con artists, others just wanted attention or get a quick buck. Alyssa shrugged her shoulders, might as well check it out. She though, lightley pushing her way through the crowd closer to the front.she watched as the obviously flirting man drew his deck and watched the girl who's name was apparently Vanessa blush over him. She couldn't help but to raise a brow, out of amusement. At least this guy seemed to be the real deal he preformed the trick well and quick. Well atleast it was a nice start of the day being entertained. However she couldn't help but wonder if this man was one of those that swiped money from the audience, when they were so distracted in the performance. (Lol yea I do the same things sometimes depending on what character haha)

[Shellpepper]

((Okay Hang on, I'll go see! I don't really wanna have Sol be older than... IDK, like 20? 19? She's still too tender in my brain to be quite that adult yet ya know? lol ))

Sebastian / Mora / Throne Room

Bash just blinked several times, his brain a few feet behind him. Great joy? Joining together? A fantastic opportunity indeed, but That would mean... He shook his head and looked at his father. "Does this mean your idea of war with them is over?" He maybe shouldn't have asked so bluntly, because he was pretty sure he wasn't supposed to know about that. It was sort of an accident that he did know, but he was very close with many of the servants. Especially one in particular, and she was not going to like this news, he was sure.

Isolde, Ike, and Adair / Kar / Throne Room

Isolde followed her sister, but only stood beside her. She was a little too anxious to sit down, much like her mother who she saw standing rigidly beside her throne beside their father.
"Girls," Adair said in greeting.
"There's not a lot of point in avoiding the inevitable," their father lead off with, "So I'm just going to tell you." He paused for just a moment, seeming like he was trying to build suspense but really he was just trying to compose himself. "You're engaged."
Isolde thought she might explode, why could he not just spit out this dreadful news and let it be done? "To whom, my king?" she said, her voice a little breathy. She was trying very hard not to panic.
"To princes, my dear," he said, trying to make himself sound as excited as possible. "You two are what's going to unify the kingdoms, bringing peace between Kar and Mora." He gestured to the table where they sat, the map of the kingdom that was carved into the smooth marble surface.
"Father, I-"
"This wedding will save hundreds of lives- thousands, maybe," he interrupted her.
Sol looked at Serena and then back to their parents. Her sense of responsibility was smothering her fear- terror, really- that she was being sent to marry a younger version of the king of Mora. There were servants in their castle right now who had fled Mora because of him. Servants. They maybe had seen their king once or twice a week. She couldn't imagine how badly he treated people who were forced to be closer to him ALL THE TIME. "If this is the best course for Kar," she said, "I will do what her king asks of me."

[XxMystic]

((That works great then! So sol 20 and and serena 19 work for you?))

~Airen/Magnus/Mora~

Airen glanced at his brother as he spoke his eyebrows raised slightly, well Bash was feeling brave today. Airen certainly didnt know about the 'war' threats, he wasn't suprised, but still it shocked him. Airen stood by Magnus looking at his father for any sign of violence. Magnus starred at Bash walking behind a table. "That is none of your concern." He said cooley but in a flash shoved everything off the table. Papers, platters, full glasses splattered everywhere. Any food that was on there was now being cleaned by Magnus two dogs. The guards and servents around jumped. Airen pursed his lips keeping whatever composure he could. Magnus bent down taking a grape in between his thumb and finger, rolling it around. His jaw clenched, but so far that looked like the only lash that would come out of him. Magnus began walking around. "It would seem as if someone has been lurking in my castles shadows eavesdropping in MY conversations. " he paused now standing directly in front of Bash. "If it is one of your dear servents, or friends, or even YOU. I will find out and will dispose of the issue." He said smashing the grape."Do I make myself clear? " Magnus wiped his hands on one of the servents attire, the rest of the servents quickly began cleaning the mess, purposely avoiding the question Bash had asked. " I will inform you both of any further plans. You two should be proud and honored to serve Kar this way" Was all he said turning his back to his two sons. Yes it would seem as if he had to be more careful when it came to any....future...plans. Airen turned around facing the door, placing a hand on Bashs shoulder. "It is not worth it today." He said hoping for the sake of Sebastian he would keep his cool. Magnus sat in his throne as if he were a spoiled child. His two dogs on either side. " Any other....questions or concerns?" Magnus asked of course he could usually care less about what his sons had to say. Unless it was something neither of them should know. Magnus now worried at how much Sebastian really knew, it could put a fork in the road so to speak. "No sir." Was all Airen replied.

~Serena/Kar~
Serena could feel herself grow pale, as she placed both hands on either side of her as if for stability to stand up. She looked at her mother almost in a pleading expression, then back at Sol, looking at her in shock at how she seemed to accept this 'fate.' "Why would you do something like this to us!? You have heard just as many stories as we have about the 'king' of Mora." Serena argued looking at her father. "You're putting us in harms way." She said in disbelief. Serena had always been a stubborn child, but this! She would not so easily agree. Even if she didn't have much of a choice she would find a way. Although her arguing was not very respectable or 'lady like' she couldn't help it as it burst out. "You must be joking. This is just some sort of jesters joke." She said shaking her head, feeling nauseous at the thought. It had to be joke. She thought to herself. Being wed off to a son of Mora made her very bones chill at the thought.

[Shellpepper]

((Perfect ))

Sebastian

Bash clenched his fists and grit his teeth. Normally he would have bowed out easilly but this time he was more angry than anything at his father's outburst and open threat. He looked down so he wouldn't glare at the king and make things worse than he already had. Knowing Magnus, he had probably just gotten somebody killed. "Yes, sir," he said, his voice a little too terse because he was speaking through his teeth.


Isolde

Sol looked at her sister and bit her lip. "Rena," she said softly, though she agreed that this was absolutely an abominable plan.
"Magnus's sons are not Magnus, Serena," Ike said sternly. "This is the best way to save our country from a long and brutal war." His temper and stubbornness were on the rise, though of course his anger paled in comparison to the king of Mora. "You're strong women, and can fend for yourselves. More importantly, you are both women! A woman cannot take the throne alone with neighbors like that."
"So, out of fear of our neighbors we marry them?" Sol couldn't help blurting out.
"Keep your enemies closer," Ike said, his voice chilled.

[XxMystic]

(Yay! Haha I get so excited seeing things posted lol the life of boredom right now))

~Airen/Magnus~
Before either of them could leave he held up his hand. "Oh and boys. I will be leaving the castle shortly to arrange such details at Kar. You two will stand in my place. I of course expect everything to be just how I leave it." He added signing off a few more papers here and there. Airen left the room looking behind him for Sebastian. He couldn't help but to smirk. "We are definitely celebrating when he leaves." Not for the news (well Airens views) but for the absence of Magnus.

~Serena~
Serena bit her tongue, Acknowledging her sister, though her stress seemed to decrease even if it was just a little. She looked at King Ike, knowing she had already stepped out of line, and just briefly nodded her head. "So be it." She said, her gaze set between their parents not wanting to look at either of them. 'Politics always ahead of family.' She thought. She was not going to easily forget this, and she surely was not going to make things easy.

[Shellpepper]

Haha right?! Ugh lol

Sebastian

Bash shook his head when his brother spoke, but tried to loosen up. "You throw a party," he said. "I'll smuggle my informants out of the castle." He was joking of course, it wasn't like anybody had been spying on the king. Just... Servants talk, and Bash was closer to that crowd than he was to the royals- despite his being biologically "pure" royalty, not the son of one of his fathers mistresses. He shook his head. "Want to go to the tower?" There was a place in one of the older towers where you could slip onto the roof under a gargoyle's pedistle.

[XxMystic]

((Sure enough the day I say that I get pulled into a nice opportunity to do some volunteer learning job at a groomer lol well better then boredom)

~Airen~
Airen chuckled. "Come on brother have some fun" he said with a smirk but that brought up a question which he would ask about the earlier discussion. The tower..that sounded good right now. "Yea let's go. Maybe we can both jump off just in time to 'wave' Magnus goodbye." Airen said sarcastically. The roof would be a good opportunity to breath and process all the new information. "I didn't know father was really being serious to cause war with Kar. How'd you know?"

~Magnus~
Magnus will....pop over to kar in a few replies I guess or whatever)

~Serena~
Serena left the throne room. She was going to rest for awhile but now she was wide awake. Pacing back and forth for a while before roaming the halls.
'I need to leave' thats what I need to do.' And with that she headed back to the stable, and explained everything to Jared. Her trusted and close friend. Jared of course didn't like the idea anymore than she did. "Man being royal sucks." Jared complained helping Serena saddle Stone back up. "Yea no kidding. I mean come on! They think I'll just take all of this in stride and fulfil 'my' duty." Serena paused shaking her head. "I dont know what to do. Obviously don't have much of a choice. But I'll make it hell for them." She continued. "If you go can I go? As you know your personal horse...uhh person.." jared asked chuckling. Serena rolled her eyes. "No. I'm sure Kar is way more strict you have a better chance here my friend." Serena said hopping on Stone. "Atleast I'll have my sister though." She added looking over to Jared. "I'm just going to go for a ride I'll be back later. " she said bbefore taking off towards the heavy woods


((Oh so just throwing this out there. What if the Tusk people want to actually make the Tusk an official kingdom? Since there is already rebellion and what not that can just be an idea or pop in to make trouble both for kar and mora and that can be used to 'pause' the whole engagement thing....ohh that just gave me an idea for Serena shes gonna be a big pain in the butt....anyway im just throwing thoughts out before I forget them lol))

[Shellpepper]

(The tusk thing could work if it weren't for the whole no real structure thing. Maybe that's what the Purists want? A nation of all pure humans so that's why they're taking over? But then even though they are evil the idea of unifying the tusks sparks for a lot of them or something? Idk haha
And yeah I had actually caught onto that already lol Are you counting on Bash to coax her into it? Cuz I'm seeing more of a reluctant, accidentally falling for you thing.
The older two will make like good, responsible heirs though right? Like, "even though this is awkward  , sure I'll go for a walk with you where we can make small talk until something... I don't know... Sparks" lol idk, the future will tell. But earlier the whole "one servant being particularly irked" thing was about the following haha ))

Bash rubbed a hand over the back of his neck and looked at his brother. For an absurd moment he wondered if he could trust Airen with the name of his source. He waited until they were outside, hundreds of feet above everything and everyone. "Taura told me," he said. Taura worked in the kitchen and as a waitress to the boys, but because of her pretty appearance and youth, she had been carefully kept away from Magnus by the older servants and by Bash. She grew up daughter to one of Magnus's personal seamstresses and had played with Bash since they were small. They had become very close over the years. "She heard from one of the doormen." He chewed on his inner cheek. "What was I thinking, anyway? I could have just gotten her killed," he said anxiously.

Sol watched her sister leave and ground her teeth. She wished Serena would talk to her. Even if she would just try to take some responsibility, Isolde thought Serena might feel able to be more open with her. But Serena wanted none of the responsibility parts of their life and all of the fun ones. Sol sighed audibly and changed her clothes quickly. She ran through a servants passage go the stables. "Jared, bring out Skoal for me, will you?" She said as she regained her composure and went to grab her tack.

[XxMystic]

((Im up to whatever I go with the flow but yea that sounds good cause serena would suck as an 'official heir' haha but right now shes PO so shes already got a rebellious streak and bash seems like it too.))

~Airen~
Airen nodded. "Ah." He commented. He had remembered Taura being one of Bashs closer friends. Airen himself stayed with his mother, he wasn't allowed to roam and play until Magnus had finally agreed not to 'hide' his 'mistake'. Airen shook his head protesting at his brothers thought. "Father has his head stuck somewhere else. He'll more than likley forget amongst all of his other threats." Airen said reassuringly. "And if for some reason she does become in harms way. I'll help you get her out." Airen said promising his brother, he's always got his back. "What do you think about this whole thing anyway? About apparently being engaged?"

~serena~
Serena pulled stopped at a near by clearing shooting arrows left and right at trees. It was practice but also letting her frustration out. Dhe mumbled to herself irritated. Jareds eyes widened just a fraction. Well he knew Sol would atleast comfort Serena but she may be mad at him later for telling her where serena is. "Yes princess. " he said formally giving a respectful quick bow as he quickly tacked up Skoal, leading him to Sol. "Here he is. Ugh serena went that way." He said pointing in the direction.