[IC] The gladiator and the princess

[Xion Demente]

Robert froze when he felt lauralye's fingers on his back, before he put his gloves fully on the dresser. He shook his head, "no not anymore if you asked me that a year back I would have told you they did but they don't." He didn't mind her touching his back, he let out a sigh.

It was good to be free once more, not someone else's propterty. He had some bad experiances, and he had nightmares about one, he preferred long sleeves shirts. That was because one of his owners, he carved there name into his arm, he didn't want to turn around afraid of what she might say about it. It was simple, 'property of Hanister Alister' carved into his shoulder.

[tsubasa]

Lauralye traced a few of the scars with her fingers as he spoke. It was strange, standing here with him not wearing shirt. It was very unladylike, she supposed she didn't really have to be much of a lady anymore. Of course, old habits die hard and she decided that she wouldn't take off her coat or gloves, as it would be highly unacceptable of her. She rested her forehead on his back, right between where his wings were. Her gloved hand continued to trace the scars, "I wish I had known you sooner... Maybe I could have stopped this..."

She decided then that if she ever got the chance to rise to her own throne, that she would try and abolish slavery. It wasn't right for people to own people. She, herself, had basically been owned by her father her entire life... Now, she was property of David, even when she was running from him. She rubbed her finger, where the ring had once sat and sighed, removing her head from Robert's back and moving instead to the couch to sit.

[Xion Demente]

Robert sighed, "it's alright princess it was not your fault." He really didn't care about the rugged writing that Hanister had done with a knife anymore he wasn't property anymore. He turned around, the writing was clear on his shoulder, but he didn't care anymore. "My grandfather had always said that here everyone here if free to choose what they are and that since I am his daughters son that he would want me to take the throne I don't know if I am a guy to lead a country or not."

[tsubasa]

Lauralye tried not to look disheartened when he mentioned that he was to take the throne of this country. Whether or not she was a refuge now, she had to take the throne back from David. He did not deserve it and she couldn't trust him to take proper care for her Kingdom... She would run and try to stop the war but ultimately, she would need to reclaim her throne. She could not do that and be in love with a man who was to take his own. She shook her head, she could not be love with him... Thus she wasn't in love with him, simple as that. She looked at him, her eyes flickering to the writing on his shoulder for only a moment before looking away, "I think you would be a well loved King..."

[Xion Demente]

Robert shrugged to that, "I'm not a man for politics if I don't want the throne then I don't want it grandfather would understand that. He would giving it to one of his nephews then I've just been........through to much......and pain to take the throne fully without having my mind throw different things at me." He walked over to the couch and sat by her, "but if you want me to take the throne I'll do it I guess though I'll need someone by my side through the thick and thin."

[tsubasa]

Lauralye looked at him when he sat down, telling her if he took the throne he would need someone to stand next to him, be with him through it all. She started to shake her head, "I can't be that person... Not with my own throne to take..."

She took his hand in her's and held it for a moment, "No matter how much I want to be that person..." She met his eyes, "I love you.... I do... I would give up so much for you... I have.... But... I need to take my throne back... Give my people the ruler they deserve, not my father and surely not David...."

[Xion Demente]

Robert nodded to that, "then I guess I've made my choice then I'm going back with you.......grandfather can give the throne to one of his nephews.......I'm stayin by your side and your going to need the help with getting the throne back from david and your father.......your people deserve the you as the ruler."

He sighed, "right now though......we need to get help.......I can probably get some men to help us with that if you need me to.....we can't do this on our own princess believe me we can't." He got up and grabbed his shirt from the dresser, slipping it back on along with his fingetless gloves.

[tsubasa]

Lauralye looked at him, a little amazed, when he told her head would be coming with her. She didn't know why but she had somewhat expected him to choose the throne. It wasn't like Robert but that is what she knew of people. They wanted power. That was why people tried killing her... She smiled at him as he got his shirt and pulled it back on. She nodded, "I want to learn to use my magic... Properly and not black out. It will help... The demons wanted me for a reason.. I need to figure it out..."

[Xion Demente]

Robert thought for a moment, his brows creased in thought. Then a smile spread across his face, "then I will get my uncle to help you then he knows magic and knows how to control it it'll be a few weeks before we can leave fully with you learning how to and all."

[tsubasa]

Lauralye smiled, "He does?" She looked down at her hands, she still didn't understand that power that was in her. Not to mention, she didn't even know half of what she did when Hecate possessed her. All she knew was what she did when Lucian squeezed her wrist. She pulled her eyes away from her hands and nodded, "That sounds perfect," She hesitated, "Do you... Think he'd have time now?"

[Xion Demente]

Robert nodded, "he has some time to himself yes if you want me to take you to him I can. Since he has taught me how to make the smoke bombs I usually make when I have the time he's a great uncle if you ask me." He grabbed his jacket, putting it back on his old family crest on the back threaded in blue.

[tsubasa]

Lauralye nodded, fingering again at the necklace around her neck, "I... I would like that."

She didn't know what to think. This was all a bit strange. Magic and goddesses and demons waging a war. She stuffed her hands into her pockets and followed Robert to go find his grandfather. She wondered if she got her magic from her mother. Her father surely showed no magic abilities... Or maybe it was just something she had, like a mutation. She reached out and grabbed one of Robert's hand. Ultimately, it was all a little frightening.

[Xion Demente]

Robert lead her to his uncle studies, "nick?" He heard some fumbling then saw his uncle standing there. "I heard rumors you were back." Robert shrugged, "I got a favor to ask would you teach lauralye here to control her magic?" Nicks eyes widened before he nodded, "I will."

[tsubasa]

Lauralye smiled at the man and nodded his head to him as he seemed to be... well she wasn't sure if he was excited or not to be working with her but his eyes widened. She held out her hands and looked at him, "I... I don't know anything about it... I didn't know I even had magic until... Lucian squeezed my wrist and then Hecate possessed me... or something...."

She scratched her head, "I don't even know how to do it myself."

[Xion Demente]

Nick nodded to that, his brows creased at Hecate and he looked to Robert for a moment before it went back to lauralye. "I'll teach you anything for my nephew." Robert just shrugged, a sigh escaping his lips. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

(You want to time skip a few weeks)

[tsubasa]

Lauralye looked up at Robert when he squeezed her hand. She smiled at him and released his hand walking to his uncle, "Okay.... I'm willing to learn anything you'll teach me."

((Take us away))

[Xion Demente]

(Time skip three weeks)

Robert was in the barracks, his hand clutching his sword tightly. As he faced another person that knew magic, he rather be able to fight. A fireball launched at him, his instincts took over he dropped to his knees. Before his wings got him to his feet. He ran forward, ice was now heading his way. His wings got him into the air as he flew forward.

He kicked the sorcerer in the chest, he stumbled slightly. Michael grinned launching both at his best friend. Robert dodged the ice with his wings, before he retracted his wings. Dropping like a stone, he hit the ground holding up his hand for a break.

[tsubasa]

Lauralye sat on the fence as Robert brawls. She was tossing a fire ball between her hands. She hadn't mastered her gift but now she knew how to conjure, control, and use it at least. She put the fire out when Robert held up his hand for a break. She hopped off the fence and looked at the sorcerer, "I want to try something..."

The sorcerer looked at her, "Yes?"

"Can you launch a fire ball at me," She asked with a smile. Although the sorcerer was confused, he did so for her. She smiled and as it got closer, took a deep breath. She held her hands out and willed the fire to stop. Robert's uncle had told her for her to contain Hecate within herself, she must be a very strong sorcerer. If she honed her gift, she could be one of the strongest. Which, she assumed, is why Lucian wanted her on their side. She managed to keep the fire at bay before she concentrated on the magical link between the fire and the other sorcerer, then, she broke it. She seized control of the fire and shot it back at the man before extinguishing it before it could do harm. She grinned and looked at her hands. She was progressing far faster than she expected to.

[Xion Demente]

Robert was leaning against the fence, watching lauralye. She had progressed he heard what his uncle had to say. She was learning far faster than any other students he had taught. His sword was sheathed on his hip, though he used to go for hours on end without stopping but being in slavery had taken a really big toll on his fighting.

His arms were crossed over his chest, "nicely done princess." The name just sort of stuck it was a nickname really. He was leaning against the fence, he grabbed the cup of water drinking from it, then dumping the rest on his head. He shook it to where his hair was only slightly wet. He unsheathed his sword twirling it, he was ready for the next round.

Robert knew he had a few more days to go, before he was ready to go into a real fight. His wings came out once more, as he made his way to the middle of the field. He called another sorcerer up, and he began fighting him.

[tsubasa]

Lauralye smiled when he complimented her, "You aren't half bad yourself."

She moved back to the fence when he was done his break and hopped up on it. She sat there and played with her magic, figuring out all that she could and couldn't do with it. When Robert finished his battle, she walked over to him. She took his hand, "Take a break," She told him with a grin, "I want to walk through the gardens with you... Your Uncle was saying it is lovely at this time of the day."

She started to pull him out of the practice pen and she smiled, hoping he'd come willingly.