A large muscular man by the name of Rapdori Valarien watched silently, his beady silver eyes poking from a hairless head, as James Conrad sauntered away from Lady Mara's place of stay with a certain level of class in his step despite a sour look on his face.
"Ahoy!" Rapdori waved, a friendly smile breaking from his face as he remembered Conrad's afinity and love of boats.
James heard it and was suprised yet happy. He turned around and gave a small smile "Hello there Rapdori, how goes it?" James said trying not to seem annoyed or tired to the big man.
"Oh just alright!" Rapdori's voice almost sounded goofy as he jumped into the conversation, "Gowa just schooled my ass in a game of chesserwhatsitcalled, then I noticed you, and your wine, and you."
"Why the glum look, buddy?" Rapdori shook his head, breaking the corruption in his linear thought.
"It's just the election and all has everyone butts knotted up and I'm trying to make sense of it all. But at least I have you here to keep me excited and support me." James said as he walked toward the big fella. Who he considered a friend not only because he was dull-witted but also a true brute and seemed loyal enough.
"HEH! Yeah," Rapdori chuckled, "knotted butts are the worse. Do you want me to straighten Mara out real quick?"
The large man took a few confident steps towards the door, "I'll give her a talkin' too, waoh boy I will!"
James let out a laugh "Nah big guy it's alright. She's mostly drunk though that's not to say she isn't drunk at least half the time. So what have you been up too? Excited to see your cousins and all the festivies will all the big nobles coming in?" James asked
"I like the colors of the banners fine, but court life was never for me. I just hang out at the city garrison all day really," Rapdori answered honestly, "I'm not the quickest talker no how anyway. I am however, the strongest."
A twinkle sparked in Rapdori's eye as he flexed one of his mammoth arms, his viens popping over a boastful bicep.
James smiled "You are the strongest at least here. Perhaps you can show your skills off when other higher lords come to town or when your Cousin Prince Jakinius comes who's supposed to be just as strong." James said as he began walking down the halls motioning for Rapdori to follow him.
Rapdori followed faithfully, spewing spit as he "pffffffffftt"ed.
"Jakinius is not as strong, quick, thoughtful, a leader, skilled, yes... but my arms are at least double his," Rapdori pointed to his chest, his goofy voice deepening into one fueled by testosterone, "I could squash a Cragmore Goat in my pecs, little man."
"Er, sorry," Rapdori suddenly changed moods, "got a little carried away there."
"It's fine, just because the cragmore's are my lords doesn't mean I like them exactly. I do however like you big guy. You're the easiest man to talk to and so straight you could be shot like an arrow. Your family is rather large though unlike mine which does sometimes make me sad but then I look at your family's histroy and feel glad I'm not from such a big and rich family such as yours. Wouldn't you agree?" James said as they kept walking eventually reaching outside.
Rapdori scratched his head for a moment, "well, I don't know. I'm not you, James."
"No you aren't, though I'd rather be you. All strong and tough and well liked. Unlike me." James said to Rapdori who may be dull but had the honesty like that of a child.
"Eating a lot of meat helps," Rapdori answered, "at first it makes your farts smell terrible, but eventually your stomach stops being a wimp and it goes right to your muscle."
"I have a lot of salted meats back at my estate just outside the walls actually," Rapdori offered.
James laughed at Rapdori "I'll remember to eat a lot of meats. You actually have an estate though. I assumed you lived within the city or with the guards as you always seem to be showing off your muscles and talents to them." James chuckled.
"I am a Valarien, distant, but a Valarien. I own a small farming estate, fit with cows and pigs, and chickens, and little mice, and potatoes, and carrots, and-"
Rapdori started counting off his fingers, "and hoes, and shovels, and sheep sometimes when the local farmers run out of pasture for the winter, and pig
lets -- different than pigs -- and birds, and red birds, and a barn, a few barns, and a bunch of other things. My brother Googus does all the fancy administering, but I do most of the heavy stuff with the lower class who work it."
"My, you have a lot of animals on this farm and you seem to have fun at it at least from the way you're explaining it. I'm sure I'm somewhat like your brother as I manage multiple farms as well as other businesses within the city. Yet, if I'm being honest I wish to be like your cousin Allianna, a landed noble who hold influence and power. While she may not be as respected as her siblings she's definantely the most wise." James said looking to the sky as the sun was setting.
"She's a nice lady for sure." Rapdori quickly agreed, nodding vigoriously, "so what are you doing with your night?"
"I suppose sleep as all men must. I have been busy and will be the remainder till a new Emperor or Empress is voted on. Why what do you plan to do tonight?" James asked.
"I'm going to watch the chickens, did you want to watch them with me?" Rapdori answered innocently.
"Oh how I wished I could but I need to wake up early tomorrow to meet with more Magistates, the laws of the kingdom don't stop just because an Emperor's heart does." James chuckled "Perhaps when the election is over and I have more free time as the chickens at your estate seem fun."
"Oh," Rapdori seemed disappointed, "Maybe next time then, well, I better be off though... I don't want to miss anything..I CAN COME BY TOMORROW!"
"I can't wait, maybe I can see you in a fight tomorrow havn't seen you fight in awhile." James chuckled as the fella walked away. James smiled then began walking around the market.
Helios,
Unlucky0013,
Lord Zee,
DracoLunaris,
Frettzo,
Vec,
Eviledd1984,
Kalmar,
ButtsnBalls,
Monkeypants