Kyrisse

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

Adrian's thoughts were mostly on the duties he will be starting to assume. On top of the list was the inspection of each village and all the borders. He had once thought that the rumors that the people were clamoring and even praying for his younger brother to take the throne mere rumors. But he had taken a trip discreetly to a nearby village and had heard for himself what the people thought of him.

---

"So arrogant and full of himself. If he ascends the throne, he will starve all the lowly people like us. We are of no consequence to him. If you are not nobility, then you are trash. It is better to put the younger prince on the throne. He visits us and hears our thoughts and concerns. That's what being a king is. He would be a benevolent king and would lead the kingdom and the people into prosperity and peace," an old fisherman grumbled as he waited for the fish to bite.

"I agree. Adrian should not be allowed to sit on the throne. Even if it is his birthright. But is there any way to put Prince Adam on the throne? How do you convince a King to cast away his first born?" another fisherman contributed.

"Have him killed," a sullen looking man wearing a hood pulled low over his face suggested.

The first fisherman's eyes grew wide and he stared at the hooded man. "You can't go around saying that. If a royal guard hears you, you would be hanged for treason."

"Says the men who are discussing how the second Prince should be seated on the throne," the man had replied sarcastically.

---

Alessandra's voice broke into his train of thoughts. "No need for gratitude, Alessandra," it was the first time since she arrived that Adrian actually mentioned her name. "I am merely giving you a past time... something to do while I am away," he took a deep breath and sighed, half of his mind still bothered by the memory. He took a quick glance at her. "Of course, feel free to make use of your time however you see fit. I suppose spending time with my younger brother take precedence over everything else," he said, hinting that he knew of the growing fascination of the girl to Adam. He didn't seem to look bothered by it but he didn't look at all happy about it either.

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

The next few months passed like a blur. Adrian eventually got used to having Alessandra constantly follow him around. He learned how to tolerate her and even held some decent conversation with her now and then. His aloofness towards her had lessened but he was never as warm as his younger brother was. The closest he got to being warm was when he taught her how to ride a horse.

Adrian walked into the stables and looked at each of his horses. One of them bucked. "No... perhaps one of mother's horses. I don't want you getting thrown over by one of mine," he walked over to one of the milder horses. "It'll be a bother to bring you back battered and bruised," he added with a shake of his head. When he had finally chosen the best horse for Alessandra, he gestured grandly to it. "This is Snow Queen. While her name sounds quite haughty, she is the calmest. She is perfect for first time riders." He reached out and the pure white horse nuzzled his hand.

A few minutes later, Adrian was urging his horse, a handsome black stallion, and Alessandra's Snow Queen into a gallop. "Hold on the reigns and give it a quick but gentle tug. Yes. That's the way," he instructed. He watched as Snow Queen carried his handmaiden on her back easily for a few seconds before he caught up to her. A relaxed smile was on his face as the wind blew through his hair. It was a very different smile compared to the ones he wore in the castle and in front of the king, queen and even Adam.

Several more minutes later and they were by a small lake. Adrian had alighted and was letting his horse drink. He looked out into the calm water, the expression on his face thoughtful.

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

"Leave," Adrian commanded. He huffed as he watched Alessandra shield her eyes from him as she hurried out of the bathroom. He looked down at his body in the water. He thought he looked good enough. His body was well toned from his daily sword training and horseback riding. He chuckled amusedly as he remembered how her eyes had actually roamed his body before she turned away. Wait... Did she stay to catch me naked? his brow furrowed and he looked towards the door as if challenging it to open again. When it didn't, he shook his head, leaned back and closed his eyes.

Fiasco! at Magic Academy

Celestia Shade𝓢𝓱𝓪𝓭𝓮

'Celes𝓒𝓮𝓵𝓮𝓼'

16, Female

Appearance:
Despite almost always wearing black dresses, Celes' hair and eyes contrast greatly with her choice of clothes. Her hair is light golden brown, curly and tucked behind her ears or more commonly pinned in place by glittering dark jewelled hair clips. Her eyes are a pale shade of green. She rarely wears any make up.

Personality:
Celes is shy, to the point that she'd prefer to be ignored than to be noticed. Though she secretly wishes for the apple of her eye to notice her and have been time and again tempted to cast a spell or make a love potion for him. But being the hopeless romantic that she is, she never dabbled in it and preferred to have him notice her in the 'natural' way.

She effortlessly excels in most of her classes, particularly potions and spells, earning her the favor of her teachers. She could almost always be seen humming or daydreaming while she concocts her potions in class. Strangely enough, her potions always turn out perfect even though she appears not to be paying attention. 'A natural,' as her mentors would call her.

Biography:
Born to a family with roots in healing and potion making, it is not surprising that Celes would have a natural talent in the art. But her family was not as well to do as most of the families of the other students in the school. Celes had to help her parents raise enough money to be able to attend school. Upon stepping onto the school's courtyard, she vowed to earn the highest scores possible so that she can avail of the scholarship for the remaining years of her stay, therefore, removing the burden from her parents' shoulders. She also occasionally brew potions in exchange for money for her everyday use as her parents are unable to send her any allowances.

Relationships:
will add this later when everyone has posted their CS ^_^

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

Adrian stood up from the dining table, bid his younger brother a good night and made his way up to his room. Curiously enough, the topic about his arranged marriage and Alessandra's angry reaction to it occupied his mind. He truly believed what he had said--that he did not expect to marry for love. How could he? What royal did? His mother and father had been in an arranged marriage too. And while there was a somewhat relaxed camaraderie between the king and the king, he had always questioned the presence of real love between them.

Ever since he was little, he always knew he'd follow after the footsteps of his father. To be king, to marry whomever his parents deemed appropriate for him...and to rule. The knowledge weighed heavily on his shoulders.

Adam, on the other hand, was free to marry for love if he chose to. Love was something Adrian never thought of or easily dismissed. Perhaps love between brothers or love between him and his parents. But romantic love? It was a far fetched thought. And one he pushed out of his head immediately.

He pushed open the door to his room and walked in. He relished the silence and peace. He decided that he would read a little bit more after his bath and then turn in early. He made his way towards his bathroom and began removing his clothes. By the time he entered the bathroom, he was mostly naked. He removed his remaining clothing and draped them on a nearby chair. He turned towards the tub and was surprised to see Alessandra still standing there. Normally, the servants left his room right after drawing his bath and seeing her there was unexpected.

"You're still here," he said, standing un-embarrassedly naked in front of her for a few seconds before stepping into the bathtub and immersing himself in the warm water.

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

Adrian merely raised an eyebrow to what Alessandra said. Had his father been there, he would not have tolerated this kind of talk. But he found it a little amusing, if not completely annoying, for a lowly servant to dare to be angry at him to his face. And because of that, he let it slide. He turned back to his food and conversed a little more with Adam before he turned to his blonde handmaiden and for the first time since she arrived, gave her a clear cut order.

"Draw a bath for me," he said. "I shall be up in my room after I finish a drink with my brother. I'll be expecting the bath to be ready by then."

Crator Island.

Sorry for the shortness of my post. I can't really find anything to write about.

Crator Island.

Zarriia Ma'doc. Quil repeated the name in his head to remember. He would have said something else but an overwhelming feeling of someone... or something watching them made him stop. He looked around, his sharp, crimson eyes scouring the area for any sign of life or danger. Sand, the sea, the wreckages, the cliff... Nothing had changed. Nothing was there. Nothing moved.

What do you know of this island, Lady? I am sure you have far greater knowledge than both the Drow and I, he asked silently, hoping that the phoenix would have some sort of information that could help.

I have little knowledge about this island as it is not a place I would venture out to. My kind avoid it at all costs, came her reply.

"Another dead end," he mumbled to himself as he tried to shake off that uneasy feeling. He continued looking around, his right hand on the hilt of his sword, ready for combat if the situation called for it.

I would advise that you be wary. Your feeling is not without cause.

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

Adam looked up, alarmed at how Alessandra spoke too boldly in front of her brother. "Alessandra..." he started to warn her.

But Adrian didn't react the way his younger brother expected him to. He, instead, met his handmaiden's gaze and held it. "Unfortunately, my life is not a romantic story as I’m sure you are accustomed to reading in fairy tales. I do not spend my time gallivanting around looking for princesses to save and whisk away on my horse. My reality is to form connections advantageous to the betterment of this kingdom and its people. I would need to form alliances to avoid war or use it to fortify ourselves against war. If I were to turn my back on the responsibilities that I find resting on my shoulders and choose love, where would that leave Whitehaven?" he paused and looked thoughtful. "Perhaps if I were to fall in love with Bareahard's princess or Connelly's Duchess, then that would be good and well. But in the end, what real difference does it make? It doesn't assure me of love in return. Besides, I believe the princess and the duchess both have a worse attitude than I do.”

Adam almost blew out the food he was chewing at his older brother’s side comment. He dabbed a napkin to his mouth and nodded. He took a second to swallow before he spoke, choking back the laughter a bit.
”Yes, I would have to agree with that,” he said. ”I am not, however, saying that you are a horrible person,” he added, a twinkle of amusement evident in his eyes.

Adrian narrowed his eyes at him. ”Too late, you already said it," he bantered back. And then he turned back to Alessandra, a little of the condescending tone he always had creeping back into his voice as he continued speaking. ”If I were to fall in love with a commoner…Let me put it this way. If I were to fall in love with you, what benefit would my marriage to you give the kingdom? I believe the other kingdoms would not take it lightly that I chose a commoner to take for my wife than one of the nobility’s daughter. That, in itself, would be enough to incite war. I suppose I would need to abdicate the throne,” he turned to Adam as he said the last words carefully.

Adam waved his fork carelessly as he chewed, his eyes at the chunk of meat still on his plate. ”What? You’ll have me put on the throne?” he asked. ”I do not believe that is the road for me to follow.”

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

Adrian was lost in his thoughts as his fingers moved adeptly on the piano keys, the melody he produced both melancholy and sweet. A recent conversation he had with Adam played in his head.

---

"What do you mean?"

"Speak to them as you would speak to me," Adam said. "You are polite and well mannered when speaking to our subjects, I give you that. But there's that tone you use that puts them off. You know, that tone that says I'm a king and you are all below me."

"Speak to them as I speak to you? They are peasants. You are my brother," Adam retorted arrogantly.

"That's it. There. That tone. Exactly," Adam wagged a finger at the older prince. "You can't expect the people to bow to a king who thinks their lives are inconsequential as a bug's," he chuckled. "And bugs aren't even inconsequential at all. Each has its own purpose for being in this world," he shook his head. "I've even heard people in the villages speak about how I will be a better king."

Adrian frowned. "Then maybe you should be king," he stood up, annoyance evident in the way he paced the floor.

"You are our father's first born and rightful heir to the throne, Adam answered smoothly.

Adrian stopped and turned his hazel eyes to the younger prince. "I think the question here would be... Do you want the be king, brother?"

Adam stayed silent and merely shook his head before he turned back to the book he was reading.

---

He was so distracted that he didn't notice Alessandra walk in and only noticed her when she spoke. Whether it was because he was too distracted or he didn't recognize Alessandra in her new outfit was not evident. He looked towards her and smiled as the last note faded into silence. "Yes, thank you. I will be there shortly."

Adrian walked into the large dining hall a few minutes later. He raised an eyebrow when he found only Adam there. "Where are father and mother? I thought this is to be a family dinner?"

Adam looked up ang gave his brother an easy smile. "You have been too busy with your music that you just missed them. An important matter has come to their attention. He looked towards Alessandra who had entered the dining hall after the crown prince. "You look lovely, Alessandra," he praised.

It was only then that Adrian actually noticed his handmaiden. He turned towards her and openly studied her. There was nothing hostile about the way he looked at her and his eyes even hinted a bit of admiration at how she looked. He said nothing as he sat across Adam.

"I heard talks about an arranged marriage," Adam stated as the older prince sat down.

"Mine? I am not surprised. I do not expect to marry for love. My marriage would be for mutual gain and nothing else. A way to strengthen our kingdom and the kingdom of my future queen. I suspect father has already made arrangements with Bareahard...or perhaps Connelly," Adrian said as he began eating.