WeepingLiberty

Of Blood and Magic

Joryldin Nailo and Dakota Brookes

_{Interacting with: Each other}

Dakota dragged Joryldin off into the crowd, nearly tearing the sleeve from his jacket with how quickly she started. He could tell that the photo wasn’t nearly a good enough indication of just how much energy she had. This was a girl full of vigor, in total defiance to the grim world around her. It gave him a bit of hope..

“Woah, slow down! You’re gonna bowl over half the party at this rate!” He laughed a little, amused by the mental image of Dakota plowing over vampire and mage alike.

“I think the snack table’s this way. Here,” Joryldin pulled ahead of her and began expertly weaving the two of them through the maze of bodies. Aside from the distracting scent of blood and indulgence, it was little different than navigating a busy city street.

Dakota slowed the pace as Joryldin shifted from unexpected passenger to line leader, shifting smoothly through the crowds as if it were the most natural thing in the world for him. Being from a more rural area, Dakota was used to open spaces… seemed they had a while to go yet before they had mastered the art of crowd maneuvering. Trailing behind their new partner, Dakota couldn’t help but smile softly while he wasn’t looking. Something about his mood had shifted, lightened somewhat since the initial moment they met.

If Dakota hadn’t known better, the expression he wore in the brief moment during their collision looked as if all he wanted to do was crawl into a corner and cry. Now, however, he was taking the lead on some adventure fueled by the greed of a rumbling stomach. A thought suddenly occurred to Dakota as they neared the snack table, the mage stopping dead in their tracks, gripping the sleeve they held onto tighter.

“Wait… You can’t eat regular food can you? I’d feel bad if it was just me eating, we should find you something too. They have to have something around here, right?”

The vampire’s tone turned somber at the question, a grim expression all he could muster with his response.

“Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.” Joryldin had his fill, but the miasma of debauchery still hung over his senses, and it called to him. A conflicted frown set itself in his features as his eyes returned to a melancholy grey. He didn’t dare overindulge, that would be just as bad as going hungry.

Dakota scowled in a way that only an older sibling could. Eyes squinting, the mage sidestepped around the vampire so that they were now standing face to face. Bending forward just enough so that he could not avoid the stern gaze Dakota was making, the youth shot a frustrated puff of air through their nose.

“I have two younger siblings. Devious little twins that learned to get away with everything. And do you know who they learned it from? Me. You can’t bullshit a bullshitter my friend. Now, are you gonna be honest or am I going to have to pull out my secret weapon?” It wasn’t really a weapon to speak of, but Dakota had to learn quickly how to keep the ankle biters at bay. Caring for the twins had led to the development of one of the most efficient knuckle sandwiches the world had ever known. While unconventional, and most likely socially unacceptable to use against a vampire… Dakota wasn’t really one to care.

“Hey, w-what’s this about? I told you, it’s fine.” In the brief moment their eyes aligned, Dakota was struck with an overwhelming wave of emotion. The entire weight of the struggle Joryldin had been experiencing during the night flowed between the two partners, yet Dakota found themselves unable to look away. Joryldin immediately realized what was happening, and clapped a hand over his eyes.

“Oh my god, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to-” He descended into unintelligible rambling, bashful pink light leaking out from the cracks between his fingers.

Dakota inhaled sharply as the eye contact was broken, almost as if they had spent the entire time holding their breath. There was something familiar about the oppressive aura that covered them both, something that spoke to a darker past. Shaking the fogginess from their head, Dakota stepped forward and laid a gentle hand on the top of Joryldin’s head.

“No, I’m sorry. I didn’t know… Why didn’t you say something, you’re miserable here. We don’t have to stay.”

“Yeah, but you were so excited… Who am I to drag you away from an awesome time?” Dakota couldn’t help but to laugh at his response, a proper deep gut laugh that left them bent over with cramps.

“I think we’re both a little too considerate for our own goods. We’re gonna get along just fine.” Righting their posture, Dakota swiped the tears from the corner of their eyes before flashing a mischievous grin.

“How about this, a happy medium? Do you want to see why I was so late?”

He didn’t like that smile on her face, it was the sort that meant trouble was on the horizon. It wasn’t as if he particularly minded a little rule breaking, after all, he was no saint himself. But since finding a home with someone so ridiculously kind, he had found himself making attempts to not be the cause of said trouble… Nevertheless, it seemed trouble always had a way of finding him wherever he went.

“Hmm… Alright, I’ll bite. What’s up?” After a moment or two, the accidental pun dawned on him, and Joryldin covered his face. “Did I seriously just say that?”

“There is absolutely no point in having pointy teeth if you aren’t allowed to make a dumb joke about it. Own that shit. Now, come on.” Looping their arm around his, Dakota snagged a small plate of unidentified snacks from the table before dragging Joryldin off to a less populated corner of the courtyard.

Looking around cautiously, Dakota placed their food aside carefully and pulled the small drone out of their jacket pocket. Holding it out between the two, Dakota inspected the machine to be sure the fall from earlier hadn’t damaged any of the important parts. Her partner patiently observed, not making a peep.

Finding everything to be intact, Dakota slipped the controls from their other pocket and flicked the switch to life, the small drone whirling to life in the palm of their hand. Gently tossing it upward, the drone dipped a foot before correcting itself, ready to be directed by the device in Dakota’s hands. Reaching into the smaller breast pocket of the jacket, Dakota produced the earpiece they had been wearing earlier, adjusting it to preference on the left ear.

“It’s got a little ways to go before its complete, still a few features I want to add but I think it’s turning out alright so far. I want to get it to the point where it doesn’t necessarily need direct supervision or manual direction. Hence the earpiece… So far it can only tell me where it is though, but I’ll get it eventually.”

“You made this yourself? That’s awesome!” Joryldin’s eyes shifted back to an excited gold, and he paced around the little floating machine, inspecting its construction.

“How’d you pull it off? I don’t think I recognize any of those parts.”

“You like? The main body was just your average helicopter toy I got for christmas when I was younger. I never liked how limited you were with those though. So I started taking apart older toys and dead cell phones to use their parts… This is version nuuuumbeeeer…. six! Yeah, this is the sixth version, and so far, my favorite. It’s a lot more responsive than the original and capable of flying farther from its remote, both height and distance. Eventually I’m going to install a camera and an auto pilot feature so I can mess with people from a safe distance.”

Joryldin stifled a laugh, pressing his knuckles up against his teeth to keep quiet.

“Oh geez, I see why you wanted to keep it a secret. You’re gonna drive people crazy with this thing, aren’t you?!”

“That’s the plan.” Dakota responded with a grin, laughing a bit as they set to powering the device down. Once the piece had been properly tucked away, Dakota turned back to Joryldin.

“So what now? Did you want to take a look around the grounds or something?”

Joryldin took a look at his watch, and his eyes slowly drifted to a muted crimson. With a sorrow filled sigh, he gave Dakota an apologetic look and said,

“The sun’s gonna be up in a little while, so I’ve got to go. I’ll meet you inside I guess.” The boy turned to make his way toward the dorms, not able to get very far before Dakota was at his side. Haphazardly stuffing food into their face, the mage walked silently beside the vampire as a silent protest to him wandering off on his own.

Of Blood and Magic

Dakota Brookes

_{Interacting with: Joryldin @Jade Blades}

“G-good to meet you too, Dakota! And here I was s-starting to think that you didn't show up!” Dakota flashed a sheepish grin, scratching at the back of their skull in an apologetic display.

“Yeah, I kind of got a little distracted so I ended up being a bit late. But hey, I’m here now, and that’s what counts.” The statement had a finality to it, a decisiveness that could only be decided by the person saying it. It spoke to a disregard to the opinion of those around them, caring little for whether they thought tardiness was some social sin or not. In the case of the young looking vampire standing less than a foot away, it seemed the arrival was a source of relief for the boy.

His eyes lit up despite the heaviness behind them, a smile contrasting the depressive cloud that clung to his aura. Dakota might not have known Joryldin’s full story, but such a reaction was enough to kick the older sibling mode into high gear. For as much care as they put into the twins back home, what was a little more for someone who needed it.

“We can get set up in our dorm and chat later. For now, what do you want to do first? The party’s still going strong.” Dakota was quick to pick up a few mannerisms right out of the gate. The way Joryldin spoke, the words he chose to use, were far from the overly sophisticated patterns Dakota had come to expect from vampire kind. A small feeling pulled at their gut, whispering a single thought in the back of their mind.

You used to be human… didn’t you?

The thought was pushed away as it was none of Dakota’s business, if Joryldin wanted to share then he would. If there came a time where the information became important, there was no force that could keep Dakota from learning what they needed to know… But now was not one of those times. Instead, the mage’s nose drifted higher into the air, sniffing in short incriments.

“I don’t know, but something smells delicious and I am starved. Suppose it wouldn’t be a good party without some decent food, let’s go find some.” Dakota’s excitement shifted once again, moving away from their partner to pull them back in the direction of the crowd. It was difficult to say what it was exactly that Dakota smelled, but it was enough to get their mouth watering like a Pavlovian dog.

Of Blood and Magic

Dakota Brookes

_{Interacting with: Joryldin @Jade Blades}

Standing off alone in the night’s crisp air was a young figure, neck craned up to stare at something in the inky darkness. The youth seemed out of place in their surroundings, goofing off outside despite being dressed to the nines. It was clear that this person was expected at an event of some sort, gauging from the suit they were wearing, but it didn’t seem like they were in any particular hurry. A dress jacket had been haphazardly draped over the back of a nearby bench, all but forgotten by its owner as they continued to focus on the sky.

Dakota’s eyes narrowed to a strained squint as they made a few adjustment with a device in their hands. At first glance it might have seemed like a run of the mill RC helicopter remote, but a closer inspection would have revealed tampering of the design. After a few moments of fiddling, a small green LED lit up near the top of the device, static buzzing in an earpiece that was placed on the left ear. A triumphant grin lit up Dakota’s face as specs were read off in an electronic voice in their ear, listing off height and geological location before tapering off into even tones.

“Seems like my range of motion has been increased, but the rest can’t quite keep up with the distance yet. I’ll have to see if I can fix that…” The words weren’t really meant for anyone, simply observations rattled off to the empty universe. It was a habit they had picked up after spending days on end around machine projects instead of people. Keeping eyes on the skies, Dakota locked onto a small drone buzzing around above the area. There were a few smaller lights on the device but they weren’t nearly bright enough for what Dakota needed, another note for modification made to the silent night.

Too preoccupied with the drone, Dakota failed to notice that the start time for the party had come and gone. There was just so much to do still; more tests to run, notes to be made… Dakota could feel the excited twitching of their fingertips, the sensation that drove them to tinker with their toys. Driving the drone back down with their left hand, Dakota extended their right arm out so the device had somewhere soft to land. A quick flick of the pinky shut the controller off, the small lights blinking out one by one as the drone came to a complete stop in the palm of their hand.

“Not too bad. Still a lot of adjustments to make, but I think we’re making good progress.”

“Well that’s good, but aren’t you forgetting about something deary?” Dakota spun around to face the voice, locking eyes on an amused looking elder woman. Eyes widening, Dakota flipped their right wrist around to face them, staring at the tiny lines ticking along the watchface.

“Oh crap!” Dakota blurted out, taking off down the street with electronics in hand. They made it a few yards away before halting and turning back, zipping by and snagging the suit jacket before running off once again; the elder woman watching all the while.

“I’m late, I’m late, I’m late…” The youth stuffed the electronics into whatever pockets they would fit into, slipping the jacket on as they ran toward the main event. By the time they made it to the guards, the lights had dimmed and a voice could be heard addressing the group of students. Red faced and very out of breath, Dakota wheezed their way through an introduction and ‘inspection’, pulling their hair back into a clip but keeping most of the front loose. Accepting an envelope from the dissatisfied looking guards, Dakota straightened their bowtie and shrugged off the jitters before setting a swift walking pace toward the festivities.

By the time Dakota arrived, the woman on display was already saying something about a growing society and the peace they had created. It didn’t seem like they had missed anything important just yet, allowing Dakota a moment to sit back and catch their breath. Looking around the darkened courtyard, it was almost as if their tardiness had gone completely unnoticed. Each and every person around them seemed entranced by the presenter. There was something familiar about the woman, something right on the tip of their tongue...

A hand slipped around Dakota’s mouth before they were able to blurt out the name of the princess, the sound muted by the cupped appendage. Standing behind the excitable youth was a tall figure dressed similarly to them, eyes locked on the princess as if what they were doing hadn’t taken a single shred of focus. Inhaling deeply through their nose, Dakota tapped the hand lightly to signal that they were now in control of themselves, the grip releasing their face before stepping away.

Dakota was still finding it difficult to sit still, ears tuning in to the rest of the welcome speech while their eyes roamed the crowds around them. Having grown up in a non-magical household, Dakota had never really been heavily exposed to vampires. Obviously they had known about them growing up, it was difficult not to, but regular humans and vampires had very little reason to interact per the treaty that protected them. On occasion, schools would bring in Mages as guest speakers to talk about the importance of various things… Dakota had never really paid much attention to what they were actually saying, mind always wandering off on random tangents.

Here, however, every other figure was a vampire… A real, sharp toothed, blood sucking vampire. The thought shot an instinctive shiver down the youth’s spine, though not so much out of fear as it was anticipation. One couldn’t help but to wonder at whether or not being fed from actually hurt. Interviews with paired mages were usually toned, skewed in the vampire’s favor. It was theorized that different people had different tolerances to the bite of a vampire, dependent on bonds and personal threshold for pain. Dakota wasn’t sure how much of the data had been meddled with, and personally couldn’t wait to gather information of their own.
Shaking their head to clear the jumbled thoughts away, the mage felt a subtle shift in energy coming from the long forgotten envelope in their hand. Upon receiving the paper, Dakota had tried to peel the seal from the paper but had been met with resistance beyond immediate comprehension. Now, however, it seemed as if the contents within were attempting to escape their confinements. The envelope had been torn open before the princess had taken her leave.

Inside was photograph and a letter containing several important details. The most important to Dakota was the address of where all of their belongings had been sent to. Going so long without certain tools had begun eating away at their patience, the anxiety building up within them over the short amount of time. Alongside the housing information was also a name, presumably belonging to the photograph that had been attached.

“Joryldin? What the hell kind of name is that?” Dakota mused aloud, stumbling through the name of the one that was to be their partner. The name interested them less than the picture however, something about the image capturing the attention of the mage. There was something about him that was rather cute, in a dark sullen sort of a way. His hair was the dark grey of impending storm clouds, his expression giving him the appearance of staring longingly at something far in the distance. It was an expression that tugged at a deep corner of the youth’s heart.

“Could have been worse I guess… Now, where is he? I need to go make sure my stuff all made it in one piece.” The ambient noise raised in volume now that the presentation was over, the voices of students returning to conversations they had been in the middle of previously mixing with those belonging to newfound partners. Already the pairs were forming leaving Dakota on their own near the back of the crowd. Glancing around the now enlightened space, Dakota caught sight of someone who looked slightly familiar.

It had only been a brief moment, but it had been a flash of grey just like the kid in the photograph. A long shot for sure, but it didn’t hurt to follow it just in case. The ever shifting crowd delayed the mage’s approach, throwing them off course several times in their attempt to track down the vampire they were charged with keeping alive. Using a small burst of stored up energy, Dakota made a final push to force their way through the crowd in what was hopefully the right direction. Unfortunately for Dakota, the coast had not been as clear as was previously assumed. Upon escaping the masses, Dakota ended up running head first into another body.

The impact sent Dakota reeling, the young mage tripping over their own feet in an attempt to balance. Managing to avoid a total wipeout, Dakota caught themselves on their hands and knees, just relieved they hadn’t fallen in a way that jeopardize the electronics in their pocket. After a moment, as if just remembering where they were, Dakota’s eyes snapped up to meet the person they had run into trying to escape.

“I am so sorry, I didn’t see you… Oh hey! You’re Joryldin aren’t you? I’m Dakota!” Scrambling to their feet, Dakota lunged in and wrapped their arms around the pale boy in an uninvited embrace.

“Nice to meet you at last. I was worried you had wandered off without me.”

Of Blood and Magic

Amaris Marivaldi

_{Interacting with: No one in particular}

The rhythmic clicking of heels filled the night air, echoing melodically off the stone walls shifting by. It wasn’t the sound of fragile dressiness but rather strength and confidence; a gait of purpose behind every audible step. Not so far behind trailed another two sets of subtle shuffling, a quick but muted sound as they followed the one that set their pace. A slow inhale of swelling air was released as an audible sigh as the young woman closed her eyes and spun around. The sudden motion caused the hem of the raven haired woman’s jackets to sway, bouncing gracefully around her ankles before settling back into place. Crystal violet eyes fell upon the two men that shadowed her every move, shifting calmly between the pair as they ceased moving as well.

“While I appreciate your… vigilance… your presence is not needed here.” The woman spoke calmly and respectfully, choosing each word with precision and care. She knew the men that escorted her were only doing their jobs, but she was no fledgling and quite capable of defending herself if the need arose. Considering the event she was attending, not to mention the types of people who would also be attending, there was little need for concern. The men exchanged glances between one another before turning back to their charge, the one bowing his head dutifully before speaking.

“Yes, m’lady. But we are here as instructed by his lordship Salazar-” The man fell silent as she raised her arm, holding her palm out to signify that she had heard enough.

“Don’t get me wrong, I am not ungrateful for your efforts. The two of you have done an amazing job in making sure my trip has occurred according to plan, but look around. We are at the heart of Noila territory. Everything here belongs to the royal family and I’m sure they thoroughly vet each person allowed to work and live around the academy.” Gesturing to the buildings around the small group, the woman smiled reassuringly at the men who shuffled with uncertainty under her gaze.

“This is no ordinary school orientation. Each and every person, mage or vampire, have been hand selected for attendance. The staff know exactly what sorts of people are going to be here, and I doubt they would allow their reputation to be sullied by an attack on their students. Besides, I hear the princess herself tends to make an appearance… There couldn’t be anywhere safer.” She stated confidently, glancing between the two men once again. They seemed slightly more at ease to the eye, but she could still sense their hesitance. Hiding a mischievous smile behind her eyes, the woman sighed again and held her arms up in a suspended shrug.

“That is unless you doubt the Royal’s ability to hire competent security for their events?”

“No! I-I mean, no… Of course we do not doubt the royal house. If you are certain you have no further need of us, m’lady, we will take our leave.” She felt a little bad for messing with her guards in such a manner but her words were not untrue. Noila Academy was ranked among the most fortified locations in all the country. The woman had to admit, though, that she had not spoken the full truth.

The biggest reason for sending the men off had more to do with appearances than anything else. While there were likely to be others from noble houses in attendance, there were likely to be more guests from lower classes. Noila was famous for the opportunities it granted, an illusion of perfect equality regardless of status. She didn’t want to come across as being above anyone else, especially not as a first impression to the person she was to be paired with for the entirety of the curriculum.

“It was a long trip and I’m sure you two are tired. Try to relax on your way home, and safe travels.” She bid the men a farewell before she turned back around and made her way to where the rest of the guests had gathered to.

~~~

Upon reaching the main entrance to the festivities, a sharply dressed woman halted her progress and asked for her invitation while her partner stared her down. Glancing back at the male she was quick to note the subtle shifting of his lips as he looked her over head to toe. If she had to guess, he was most likely using a spell of some sort in order to detect threatening weapons, or perhaps a lie detection magic. Turning her full attention back to the female security guard, the woman handed over her invitation without fuss.

“This is the orientation party for Noila Academy, correct? My name is Amaris Marivaldi, I will be attending this year.” She stated, her posture held high as was customary for her when attending official events. After a quick glance between each other, and a nod from the man standing off to the side, the guards ushered her through the gate toward the rest of the group. On her way by, Amaris was handed an envelope that seemed to be sealed using magic.

Inspecting the seal curiously, she could faintly make out the runes that bound it, laughing to herself with amusement as she tucked the note away. Even if she managed to open the envelope before the allotted time, Amaris doubted that she would find anything written inside. After all, it wouldn’t be a good show without a little over-the-top theatrics.

Amaris took a quick opportunity to look over her outfit, smoothing out any imperfections so as to make the best first impression possible. She had opted for an intentionally messy updo, relaxed hair pinned back to keep it up off her neck. Two free strands had been allowed to fall on either side of her face, curled ever so slightly to give it a bounce with every step. For her clothes, Amaris had been reluctant to go all out but knew that she had to at least put some effort into looking her part. She wore a plain white blouse underneath a dark red corset vest with tight, black leather pants, and heeled knee-high boots that laced up the front. For the most part, her ensemble was elegant in its simplicity, but what really tied it all together was her coat. It was a full length piece that hugged her figure until about her hips, where it flared out and draped like a skirt. Its sleeves were short and puffed to give the top more dimension and bore a stiff collar that stood on its own with little aid.

She slipped a pendant from her pocket and draped it around her neck, a thin silver chain attached to an oval crest bearing her family’s sigil. Corrections made, Amaris took a deep breath and assumed her posture before entering the scene. Expertly plucking a crystal wine glass from a passing tray, the young woman carried the viscous fluid more for show than her own benefit. She wasn’t one to partake in blood tasting unless necessary, but she had to admit that she’d been feeling rather drained following her journey. She sipped at it slowly, almost immediately feeling the revitalizing effects.

While she had yet to develop a particular craving to blood, Amaris did find herself wishing the glass contained something a little sweeter. Fruitier tones had a tendency to sit better with her, but the traces of coconut in her current drink was enough to placate her thirst. Slowly, but methodically, Amaris wandered the courtyard, milling about to watch and listen to those around her. On occasion she would insert herself into a conversation, introduce herself or show recognition for another. It was all apart of the political game that her kind played… a game no one played better than the nobles.

Between the mood set by the lights and the quality service, the Marivaldi child was no less than impressed. On the surface, everything appeared to be running smoothly and without fault. WIth so many moving parts, details were easy to overlook and forget, but everyone involved had worked their routine out to perfection. A truly impressive feat for a school event.

Movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention, eyes sliding across the space to settle on two men taking positions by the main fountain. She caught him speaking into a piece on his wrist, no doubt another security guard for the event. Until now, the guards had remained toward the outskirts, causing her to wonder what brought them in. Nothing had seemed particularly out of place…

Ah, I thought as much.

Amaris made her way in closer to the fountain, maintaining a respectful distance but ensuring a good view for what was to come. A few moments later the lights had been dimmed making a spotlight out of the natural moonlight. Stepping up before the crowd was a woman of mesmerizing beauty. Her poise, the grace the filled even the tiniest of motions… Everything about the woman standing before her screamed regal. Amaris had been very young when she had met Princess Ryner, but even now she was just as entranced as she had been as a child. There was just something about her that Amaris just couldn’t look away. Had she a beating heart, it would have skipped.

Maintaining her grip on her glass, Amaris pulled her right arm in closer to her chest while tucking the left one behind her back. It was a posture her father had taught her as a subtle way to salute those of higher standing than herself whilst keeping her position above those who were not as high as she.

She was a little sad to not be able to spend more time in the presence of the princess, but the feeling was quickly replaced by excitement as she fished the envelope back out. Amaris finished her glass and placed it on another passing tray with care so as not to tip the balance so that she could use the freed hand to slip the envelope open. There were no remnants of the magical seal left, having been completely lifted at the princess’ command, which made opening the piece easy. Unfolding the enclosed letter, Amaris gingerly took the photo of the girl that was to be her partner between her index finger and her thumb.

Even from a photograph, Amaris could tell her partner was a beauty. Golden hair and crystal blue eyes were a striking combination, a vast contrast to Amaris’ own black and violet.

“Minfillia.” She spoke softly, testing the name out on her tongue. It flowed naturally, a good sign in her mind. Amaris tucked the photo back into the envelope along with the address to their new home, turning her eyes to the crowd around her.

Reference Pictures

Hair:


Outfit Inspiration (Right hand one, general silhouette, not exact)

@Leslie Hall

Of Blood and Magic

Appearance

5’7” and only 165 lbs, Dakota maintains a slim but toned figure. Their light brown eyes are speckled with gold which give them the appearance of having sunlight trapped within the irises, and their hair is a silky shade of auburn that sits just below shoulder length.

While biologically a female, Dakota does not feel the term fits completely. Often times they will tie their hair back in a messy updo and will even go so far as to bind their chest if feeling particularly masculine on a given day. Primarily they will dress in male-traditional clothing, or purposely choose gender-ambiguous clothes… however, once in a very rare while, Dakota can be seen wearing a sundress (the only type they’ll wear).

Name: Dakota “Kota” Brookes

Age: 20

Gender: Gender-fluid (Masculine leaning; prefers gender neutral terms)

Element: Electricity

Personality:
Dakota has, what can only be considered, a loud personality. Just shy of complete fearlessness, there is very little that can stop them once their mind has been made up. Always excited to try something new, Kota does not mind messing up and views their mistakes as learning experiences rather than failures. First to jump in, Kota is definitely the ‘all or nothing’ kind of person.

This boundless energy has a habit of causing trouble, however. Often times, Dakota does not realize that they have reached a limit (their own or otherwise), and will continue to push. This will lead to physical exhaustion, injury, or even the provoking of others. With a spunky mouth to match, Dakota has seen their fair share of fist fights and squabbles.

Still, not one to back down from a challenge, Dakota doesn’t let things bother them for long. If something is broken they’ll try to fix it, and if that’s not possible, they’ll find it new purpose. Ever looking forward, Kota operates with one motto in mind: Life is an adventure; it’s time to start living.

Biography:
The eldest child of a non-magic couple, Dakota is ringleader to two younger siblings Skylar and Jacob. With an eight year difference between Dakota and the twins, Kota has taken it upon themselves to care for and educate on the art of mischief… much to their parents’ collective dismay.

Assigned female at birth, Dakota had been a tomboy from the start, always getting into trouble and coming home covered in dirt. While they had shown some interest in stitching and sewing, their primary interests had always aligned more with electronics and how they functioned. Dakota was known to take apart toy cars to see how they worked only to put them back together again. Eventually they began stitching together pieces from other toys in order to create something new which, more often than not, failed to work.

It wasn’t until Dakota hit high school that the self-discovery was made that they were gender-fluid, going through periods of swapping pronouns before settling on gender neutral terms. The two and a half year period was not without its struggles, but by the end of it all, Dakota came out stronger and just as confident as they had always been.

Just shortly after turning 18, Dakota was put through the mandatory Awakening Ritual, though coming from a family of non-mages… not much was expected at the time. Much to everyone’s surprise, especially Dakota’s, the ritual concluded that they did indeed have magical potential. While the mages performing the ritual were unable to accurately discern the elemental affinity from the color of the crystal, it was made clear that Dakota would be a mage.

After two years of preparations, Dakota is finally moving away to join the prestigious Noila Academy, leaving both her friends and family behind.

Sexual Orientation: Bisexual

Likes: Electronics, Music, Puzzles, Sweets

Dislikes: Bullies, Silence, Cold Environments, Anything Sour, Sitting Still

Habits:
If forced to sit still too long, Kota will begin tapping or making clicking noises.

Will drink hot chocolate (preferably Salted Caramel) during any weather.

Has been known to run off into tangents mid-sentence or forget what they were talking about.

Other: N/A

Of Blood and Magic

Vampire

Appearance

Standing at about 5’9” and weighing in about 170 lbs, Amaris is built on a rather slender frame. Her large, violet eyes and softened facial features are framed by pitch black locks that normally tumble down to her waist. When straightened her hair can even reach to the back of her thighs, however she doesn’t usually bother putting in the effort.

Her clothing preferences range from dresses with hi-low skirts to skinny jeans with crop tops… and on occasion you might find her wearing lensless frames for aesthetic purposes. However, when visiting other noble families she has been known to dress more conservatively in more dated apparel.

Name: Amaris “Ari” Marivaldi

Age: 95

Gender: Female

Personality:
Having been birthed into one of the noble families, Amaris learned from an early age to read situations and behave accordingly. Because of this, her personal and public personas can sometimes make it seem like she is two very different people.

When in the public eye she takes on a more studious visage, carrying herself with grace and her head held high. She can maintain a cool and collected appearance, speaking evenly and often times more formal than necessary. Having completely adored her father, she strives to represent the very best of the family name and is careful to avoid anything that would publicly shame her or her lineage.

Privately, however, Amaris is full of energy and life. Her innate curiosity can be so intense at times that it is often joked she could be the daughter of the new Lord Salazar and his wife. When excited she can speak a mile a minute and will often divulge onto tangents when speaking about something she holds passion for.

Despite the opposing personas, there are some things that never change about her. Amaris was raised with the ideal that vampires and mages were close to equals and thus should be treated with the care and respect that they deserved. While outwardly she is forced to acknowledge them only as servants, Amaris dreams of finding the kind of romance her mother and father spoke about behind closed doors. Her kindness, however, is not limited to those within her house or her species. Even the lowest of humans, by society’s standards, will find no ill will from the young vampire… that is unless provoked.

While Amaris prefers to avoid violence whenever possible, she is not above proving a point with physical action if pushed far enough. With such an abundance of kindness also comes an overprotectiveness of those she considers close, and for a Marivaldi... that is no long list.

Biography:
Amaris, or Ari for short, was born into one of the five noble vampire families known as the Marivaldi. Her father was the late Lord Ralmevik, whose ‘recent’ passing took many by surprise both outside and within, and her mother was a beautiful mage who died when Ari was still quite young.

Despite status, Lord Ralmevik had been careful to keep his daughter out of the spotlight and politics that came with being a noble. As she grew older she would learn and integrate, but as a child she was allowed the freedom of carelessness and imagination. Because of this, her love and interest for magical theory blossomed and grew. She showed particular interest in casting incantations and the languages of old that were used to study and manipulate spells. Seeing this, her father promoted her interests by teaching about the many world languages; some common and others long since forgotten by the general public.

She adored her father, following him around wherever he went and imitating many of his mannerisms. It was no secret how much she loved the man, nor how much his sudden passing hurt her. It took her near a decade to come to terms with the loss and to re-enter the public eye, though now labeled the adopted daughter of the new Lord Salazar. There were many rumors surrounding the demise of the late lord, many of which were brushed off due to the secretive nature of the Marivaldi family. Still, even those within were left without answers and tensions were high as Salazar took over the reign of the family.

For the first 20 years after her father’s passing, Amaris rejected Salazar and treated him as if he were an outsider despite his apparent loyalty to the family. She locked herself away in her father’s study for the first 10 years, pouring over old handwritten journals and letters. Once the initial shock and grief had passed, she returned to her daily routine and maintained appearances, but it was clear that there was a fair amount of distance between her and Salazar; a distance that would last for another decade at least.

Eventually Amaris began to accept Salazar and his family, including his wife Alyssa and their son Romero. While she was not of their immediate blood, they treated her as family and she did the same. It was never a connection as close as she had with her own father, but embracing them was the Marivaldi way… Amaris would not fail her father, even in his absence.

In more recent years, Amaris has made a push to attend Noila Academy, though her reasons she has kept to herself.

Sexual Orientation: Bi-Romantic Demi-sexual

Likes: Reading, Languages, Visual Arts, Swordplay

Dislikes: Cruelty, Warm Environments, Ignorance, Bugs!!

Habits:
When lost deep in thought, Ari will cease blinking for long periods of time, and will begin chewing on whatever is in her hand at the moment.

She likes to wear her fake glasses when she reads, and will hold most books open with just her left hand while twirling a pen or pencil in her right.

Will hang upside down if given the opportunity.

Other:

Theme Song

Amaris has a pet kingsnake named

Getsuga

Mage

Appearance

5’7” and only 165 lbs, Dakota maintains a slim but toned figure. Their light brown eyes are speckled with gold which give them the appearance of having sunlight trapped within the irises, and their hair is a silky shade of auburn that sits just below shoulder length.

While biologically a female, Dakota does not feel the term fits completely. Often times they will tie their hair back in a messy updo and will even go so far as to bind their chest if feeling particularly masculine on a given day. Primarily they will dress in male-traditional clothing, or purposely choose gender-ambiguous clothes… however, once in a very rare while, Dakota can be seen wearing a sundress (the only type they’ll wear).

Name: Dakota “Kota” Brookes

Age: 20

Gender: Gender-fluid (Masculine leaning; prefers gender neutral terms)

Element: Electricity

Personality:
Dakota has, what can only be considered, a loud personality. Just shy of complete fearlessness, there is very little that can stop them once their mind has been made up. Always excited to try something new, Kota does not mind messing up and views their mistakes as learning experiences rather than failures. First to jump in, Kota is definitely the ‘all or nothing’ kind of person.

This boundless energy has a habit of causing trouble, however. Often times, Dakota does not realize that they have reached a limit (their own or otherwise), and will continue to push. This will lead to physical exhaustion, injury, or even the provoking of others. With a spunky mouth to match, Dakota has seen their fair share of fist fights and squabbles.

Still, not one to back down from a challenge, Dakota doesn’t let things bother them for long. If something is broken they’ll try to fix it, and if that’s not possible, they’ll find it new purpose. Ever looking forward, Kota operates with one motto in mind: Life is an adventure; it’s time to start living.

Biography:
The eldest child of a non-magic couple, Dakota is ringleader to two younger siblings Skylar and Jacob. With an eight year difference between Dakota and the twins, Kota has taken it upon themselves to care for and educate on the art of mischief… much to their parents’ collective dismay.

Assigned female at birth, Dakota had been a tomboy from the start, always getting into trouble and coming home covered in dirt. While they had shown some interest in stitching and sewing, their primary interests had always aligned more with electronics and how they functioned. Dakota was known to take apart toy cars to see how they worked only to put them back together again. Eventually they began stitching together pieces from other toys in order to create something new which, more often than not, failed to work.

It wasn’t until Dakota hit high school that the self-discovery was made that they were gender-fluid, going through periods of swapping pronouns before settling on gender neutral terms. The two and a half year period was not without its struggles, but by the end of it all, Dakota came out stronger and just as confident as they had always been.

Just shortly after turning 18, Dakota was put through the mandatory Awakening Ritual, though coming from a family of non-mages… not much was expected at the time. Much to everyone’s surprise, especially Dakota’s, the ritual concluded that they did indeed have magical potential. While the mages performing the ritual were unable to accurately discern the elemental affinity from the color of the crystal, it was made clear that Dakota would be a mage.

After two years of preparations, Dakota is finally moving away to join the prestigious Noila Academy, leaving both her friends and family behind.

Sexual Orientation: Bisexual

Likes: Electronics, Music, Puzzles, Sweets

Dislikes: Bullies, Silence, Cold Environments, Anything Sour, Sitting Still

Habits:
If forced to sit still too long, Kota will begin tapping or making clicking noises.

Will drink hot chocolate (preferably Salted Caramel) during any weather.

Has been known to run off into tangents mid-sentence or forget what they were talking about.

Other:

Theme Song

Of Blood and Magic

Appearance

Standing at about 5’9” and weighing in about 170 lbs, Amaris is built on a rather slender frame. Her large, violet eyes and softened facial features are framed by pitch black locks that normally tumble down to her waist. When straightened her hair can even reach to the back of her thighs, however she doesn’t usually bother putting in the effort.

Her clothing preferences range from dresses with hi-low skirts to skinny jeans with crop tops… and on occasion you might find her wearing lensless frames for aesthetic purposes. However, when visiting other noble families she has been known to dress more conservatively in more dated apparel.

Name: Amaris “Ari” Marivaldi

Age: 95

Gender: Female

Personality:
Having been birthed into one of the noble families, Amaris learned from an early age to read situations and behave accordingly. Because of this, her personal and public personas can sometimes make it seem like she is two very different people.

When in the public eye she takes on a more studious visage, carrying herself with grace and her head held high. She can maintain a cool and collected appearance, speaking evenly and often times more formal than necessary. Having completely adored her father, she strives to represent the very best of the family name and is careful to avoid anything that would publicly shame her or her lineage.

Privately, however, Amaris is full of energy and life. Her innate curiosity can be so intense at times that it is often joked she could be the daughter of the new Lord Salazar and his wife. When excited she can speak a mile a minute and will often divulge onto tangents when speaking about something she holds passion for.

Despite the opposing personas, there are some things that never change about her. Amaris was raised with the ideal that vampires and mages were close to equals and thus should be treated with the care and respect that they deserved. While outwardly she is forced to acknowledge them only as servants, Amaris dreams of finding the kind of romance her mother and father spoke about behind closed doors. Her kindness, however, is not limited to those within her house or her species. Even the lowest of humans, by society’s standards, will find no ill will from the young vampire… that is unless provoked.

While Amaris prefers to avoid violence whenever possible, she is not above proving a point with physical action if pushed far enough. With such an abundance of kindness also comes an overprotectiveness of those she considers close, and for a Marivaldi... that is no long list.

Biography:
Amaris, or Ari for short, was born into one of the five noble vampire families known as the Marivaldi. Her father was the late Lord Ralmevik, whose ‘recent’ passing took many by surprise both outside and within, and her mother was a beautiful mage who died when Ari was still quite young.

Despite status, Lord Ralmevik had been careful to keep his daughter out of the spotlight and politics that came with being a noble. As she grew older she would learn and integrate, but as a child she was allowed the freedom of carelessness and imagination. Because of this, her love and interest for magical theory blossomed and grew. She showed particular interest in casting incantations and the languages of old that were used to study and manipulate spells. Seeing this, her father promoted her interests by teaching about the many world languages; some common and others long since forgotten by the general public.

She adored her father, following him around wherever he went and imitating many of his mannerisms. It was no secret how much she loved the man, nor how much his sudden passing hurt her. It took her near a decade to come to terms with the loss and to re-enter the public eye, though now labeled the adopted daughter of the new Lord Salazar. There were many rumors surrounding the demise of the late lord, many of which were brushed off due to the secretive nature of the Marivaldi family. Still, even those within were left without answers and tensions were high as Salazar took over the reign of the family.

For the first 20 years after her father’s passing, Amaris rejected Salazar and treated him as if he were an outsider despite his apparent loyalty to the family. She locked herself away in her father’s study for the first 10 years, pouring over old handwritten journals and letters. Once the initial shock and grief had passed, she returned to her daily routine and maintained appearances, but it was clear that there was a fair amount of distance between her and Salazar; a distance that would last for another decade at least.

Eventually Amaris began to accept Salazar and his family, including his wife Alyssa and their son Romero. While she was not of their immediate blood, they treated her as family and she did the same. It was never a connection as close as she had with her own father, but embracing them was the Marivaldi way… Amaris would not fail her father, even in his absence.

In more recent years, Amaris has made a push to attend Noila Academy, though her reasons she has kept to herself.

Sexual Orientation: Bi-Romantic Asexual

Likes: Reading, Languages, Visual Arts, Swordplay

Dislikes: Cruelty, Warm Environments, Ignorance, Bugs!!

Habits:
When lost deep in thought, Ari will cease blinking for long periods of time, and will begin chewing on whatever is in her hand at the moment.

She likes to wear her fake glasses when she reads, and will hold most books open with just her left hand while twirling a pen or pencil in her right.

Will hang upside down if given the opportunity.

Other: Amaris has a pet kingsnake named

Getsuga

Of Blood and Magic

Working on my vampire CS now... also thinking about a mage who has an affinity for electricity if that's alright.

Prized Bride (A New Beginning)

The Night of the King’s Death

GM Post - Ehkota

Fueled by his endless agitation, the young prince paced restlessly about his personal quarters. He had planned everything out down to the last detail, preparations made in advance all to lead up to this very night. Yet, despite all his efforts, his elder brother had beaten him to the climax and stolen what should have been an assured victory. Where had everything gone so wrong, what was it that he missed? Ehkota knew there had to be some kind of sign that his brother had been on to his plans, some indication that he had been planning a counter move… The more he thought about it, however, the more he came to realize that his greatest failure had been staring him in the face for months.

Gaelnesh had never been ignorant to his younger brother’s antics, he had simply played dumb and allowed Ehkota to do the hard work for him. With the groundwork set for him, it was child’s play to swoop in and take the crown… all without lifting a single finger. The man’s inaction should have raised more red flags with the young prince. A nasty snarl erupted from Ehkota’s throat, twisting about the space menacingly as he continued his feverish pacing.

A curt knock on the door pulled Ehkota from his spiraling thoughts. For a moment he wondered who would have the gall to call upon him at such a time, but a gruff voice reminded Ehkota of the guests he had abandoned. Pulling the pregnant Twen through the door, Ehkota’s guard peeked back out into the hallway before shutting the door firmly behind him.

“Oh right… I had almost forgotten. Any signs of that wayward bride?” He didn’t know much of the situation, having been too caught up in his own annoyances to care. From his understanding, at some point during his and Kagan’s interactions with Gaelnesh one of his guest’s brides had mysteriously disappeared. While it wasn’t exactly his own guard’s responsibility to keep tabs on anyone but Twen, Ehkota had still offered up the man as a tool to help track down the missing property before retiring away to his chambers to gather his thoughts.

The guard shook his head in response, having turned up no leads as to where the girl might have gone. He had found the situation more than a little suspicious, but with his current duties of keeping Twen safe he hadn’t been able to properly investigate.

“No one has seen her or the beast which makes me think that she might have been taken. I would look into it further but I am currently tethered to dead weight.” Ehkota waved his hand in the air dismissively at the pair, his own expression still somewhat stiff.

“You may leave Twen with me. I would much rather we not have to deal with an angry kinner, otherwise I would leave it my brother’s problem.” The guard hesitated a moment before bowing his head and exiting the room. Twen shifted nervously as piercing eyes fell upon her, the door shutting firmly somewhere behind her.

Beckoning with his hand, Ehkota summoned the girl who shuffled forward sheepishly.

“I’m sorry m’lord. I turned away for only a moment and she-” Cut off by a sudden impact, Twen was thrown to the ground with a yelp as Ehkota struck her with the back of his hand. The girl held a shaking hand up to the side of her face in shock, eyes trailing upward to her master as if to find an answer.

“You’re the reason I lost to him, aren’t you? After all I have done and provided for you, and you still went behind my back.”

“My lord, I swear I don-” With his fingers wrapped around her neck, Ehkota lifted the small girl into the air so that they were eye to eye. She struggled within his grasp, squirming as she tried to gasp for breath.

“What a pity, I was actually beginning to like you too. Now because of you I have to start all over. Sorry but I won’t be requiring your presence any longer, traitorous bitch.” He watched as a sense of realization reached Twen’s eyes, a brief moment of panic setting in before he snapped her neck.

Ehkota sunk into a nearby chair after tossing the woman’s corpse aside, a long exhale filling the newfound silence. With the way that everything had played out, and the apparent lack of guards breaking down his door, it seemed that his brother thought him incapable of any real harm for the time being. It was as if the entire thing had been his brother’s idea, and Ehkota had simply played along.

Father’s condition was the best shot I had at undermining Gaelnesh without confronting him directly. Guess I’ll just have to find another way to get back at him… everyone loves a good underdog.

While he had a few ideas of how to go about redeeming himself, the process would take a fair amount of planning and a great deal of time. Ehkota had more than a few supporters within the capital itself due to the rising discontent with political affairs. The country longed to return to its more brutal roots, if he could just tap into those ideals Ehkota might be able to insight a rebellion that would force his brother to abdicate the stolen throne.

Leaving the corpse of his bride behind, Ehkota took only what he needed before heading out. Slipping out a side exit before making his way into the darkened city.

The Following Days

GM Post - Gaelnesh

The dawn set fire to the sky, lighting the clouds in bright hues of red and orange. From the outside, it was beautiful… some might have even called it beautiful, however it was an omen for those who knew to read them. While the city still shook the grip of sleep away, the royal castle was bustling with unseen activity. Servants ran about sending messages to one another, tending to daily tasks as well as the many additional ones they had been assigned due to the occasion.

Word had spread quickly throughout the castle, many taking moments to honor the passing of their king. With no real protocol in place there was understandable confusion… The country had never needed any sort of burial process in the past outside of their normal customs, however it somehow felt wrong to subject a man of his stature to the same treatment as everyone else. Gaelnesh had spent the night making plans and barking orders, directing the staff in whatever ways were needed.

Hand written letters had been drafted and sealed, sent out first thing in the morning by royal messengers to any of the war lords still in the area. They would be allowed entry to the castle at some point in the future to discuss any immediate issues, however there were more important things to tend to. Due to the late king’s condition, Gaelnesh could not allow anyone from outside of a small group to witness the corpse. His burial would not be a public one, but a feast would be held in his honor for anyone who wished to attend.

Once Ehkota’s absence from the castle had been noted, the newly crowned king ordered the doors sealed and guarded. Ehkota was not one to give up so easily, and after suffering such humiliation it was difficult to say what his immediate reactions would be. Time was needed to study the new antics, something Gaelnesh had very little of for the time being. With a feast to plan and announcements to make, the next fews days were going to be hectic at best.

~~~

Gaelnesh allowed the news to circulate for a couple of days before he chose to address the people, informing them of the tragic passing of the late king. He spoke little of his own crowning, sticking to talks of the memorial feast and promises of the future. Considering the events that had occurred it would have been of little surprise to hear of rising conflicts, however the days following the king’s death seemed quiet in comparison. Somehow he had expected a quicker response from his brother, but he knew the planning that went into setting up an assassination had been months… if not years in the making. While his younger brother might have contingencies in place, it was rather unrealistic to expect any immediate retaliation.

The new king, having settled down into a chair for the first time in several days, began to doze off in his seat. Eyes growing heavy, Gaelnesh fought a losing battle to keep them open with each passing blink. Much to his surprise when he next slid his lids open, the lighting in the room was completely different and his daughter stood before him with her back to him. Sensing his movement, the young woman turned around with a concerned expression.

“You’re overdoing it father, you of all people should know better. I trust you were able to regather enough strength for this evening’s announcement?” She asked, approaching the chair to sit on her father’s lap with her arms around his shoulders in a light hug.

“Announcement?” The man was drawing a blank on what his daughter might be referring to. The preparations for the feast had already been made, an event that would take place the entirety of the next day… He had nothing else that needed to be said, at least nothing that came quickly to mind. Shaking her head as if she expected such an answer, Evienne allowed a short bout of laughter to fill the room.

“Don’t worry, everything for grandfather’s memorial is in place. You have seen to it yourself. I am speaking of the preparations for the impending holiday. By this time next week we will have needed to make the trek down south for the holy festival. You haven’t forgotten have you?” They both knew that he had. Gaelnesh had never really been one for fancy parties or festivals. The closest he came was usually the Choosing Ceremony as it was established and regulated per his father’s vision. Even the memorial service was out of the ordinary for the man, so it was of little surprise that a festival dedicated to the gods had slipped his mind.

Rubbing his fingers to his temples, Gaelnesh sighed. Evienned raised a brow but remained silent as he massaged the tension from his skin.

“Messengers have already been sent out to the lords that have already departed for their homes. They will be reminded of the event and the location of the shrine this year is dedicated to. If you would like, as I’m sure you have a great many things to do, I can handle this evening’s address in your stead.” While the king was quick to resist such an offer, his daughter’s persistence finally led to him giving in to her expectations.

He would be allowed to retire for the evening to get proper rest while Evienne handled some of the more minor responsibilities.

~~~

GM Post - Evienne

Evienne stood on a stage that still stood from the Reaping, surrounded by a decent amount of guards loyal to her father's authority. It was a strange sight to see something so inherently defensive from a capable warrior, but following the assault at the arena and the shift in political power… it didn’t hurt to take precautions for the time being. The princess hadn’t been a huge fan of the decision, but it was one of the conditions of allowing her to handle the address so she couldn’t deny the request.

Glancing down at the face around her, Evienne chose her expressions well. She could not seem too cheerful as it might be taken as disrespect, but it also would have been deemed weak if she seemed too solemn. Trying to find a good balance between the two, the woman stepped up to speak to the crowd.

“First off, I would like to officially thank you all for the time and energy spent making this year’s Reaping a success. We are looking forward to seeing what victories are to be earned in the coming year, what honors you bring to your names.” She paused a moment to survey the scene, adjusting her mannerisms accordingly.

“Due to the passing of my grandfather, and our king, we have had some unforeseen events scheduled to take place. That includes tomorrow’s feast. However, I would like to take this time to remind you of what time of year it is. In about one week’s time the annual festival of the gods will be taking place. This year’s festivities will be held at Drun’s southern shrine so please remember to bring your offerings with you.”

“May the gods bless your blades and acknowledge your strife.” Evienne bowed her head slightly to indicate the end of her ‘speech’. A small path was opened up for the woman by the guards that tagged along, Evienne quickly hopping down from her place in the spotlight. There was so much else to be done in preparation for the festival, after all, the royals were not exempt from such an important event no matter how inconvenient.

Day After the Feast

Despite being so close to the Reaping, the late king’s memorial felt nothing like the previous event. While the Reaping and Choosing Ceremonies were vibrant and hungry, the feast had a more diligent tone. It was a quiet fierceness that the elders wore best, hardened after the many centuries of combat. Generations of stories were shared telling the tales of warriors both current and fallen. Alcohol flowed freely from cask to cup, and from cup to belly. And one of the most noticeable differences in festivities would have been the lack of public dueling.

Petty squabbles and immature brawls had been kept to a minimum throughout the day, and most of the participants showed a sense of camaraderie as opposed to the rivalry they expressed during the Reaping. It was an interesting thing to witness such different sides of the culture so close together in time. Even if one did not agree with the policies or decisions of the late king… it was still clear in the behavior of the guests that he was still highly respected at the very least. It was almost heartwarming.

Important Notes

Really the only thing you absolutely need to note is that we are gearing up for the festival in the south! Next GM post will begin the actual festival so don’t dally in setting your characters out on their journey!

Prized Bride (A New Beginning)

GM Post - Gaelnesh

_{Interacting with Ehkota @Ellion and Kagan @ghastlyInc}

Gaelnesh sat at the head of the royal’s main dining hall, tapping his finger with a great deal of irritation. The daughter sitting beside him consumed her food in silence sensing that words spoken would only add to the man’s foul mood. With his two elder children seeing to the front lines the table was usually empty aside from the High Prince and Evienne with Ehkota making sporadic appearances. It wasn’t uncommon for the younger prince to skip out on family time, however there was something bothering the man about this particular absence.

Shifting her glance sideways, Evienne glanced around the room before choosing to speak up.

“Is there something bothering you father? It isn’t like you to be so… on edge.” She said, eyes flicking down to his tapping finger before returning to her own plate before her.

“Where is your uncle?” Gaelnesh barked out, eyes glued to the entrance used most often by his youngest sibling.

“He is supposed to be reporting back to me about those ridiculous rumors. How long could it possibly take him?” Evienne raised an eyebrow at this, remembering a snippet of a conversation she overheard between a couple of guards earlier in the day.

“If I’m not mistaken, uncle Ehkota has requested dinner in a private chamber this evening. You either pissed him off by giving him such a pointless job to do or he has guests.” Gaelnesh sighed, his posture relaxing some as he did so.

“So it’s come to this has it, brother?” He growled, though his words were directed to no one in particular, at least no one present. Another look of confusion swept over the princess’ features although this time, a small amount of concern was etched into the surface.

“Is everything alright? I can have the guards summon him or if you’d rather I-”

“No. It’s alright, I will handle this. You just see to your evening obligations while I have a word with your uncle. I’m not sure how long this will take so don’t wait up tonight.” The woman opened her mouth to speak however found nothing she could say as her father stood from the table.

Making his way from the dining hall Gaelnesh made his way down the corridors, guards standing to attention and servants bowing their heads respectfully along the way. None dared to stop the stop the man who walked with such purpose, the High Prince clearly having a destination in mind.

For as long as he knew his little brother, Gaelnesh was rarely surprised by the boy’s antics. It didn’t take Ehkota very long to come to the realization that outright confrontation was not a thing that favored him. After all, such confrontation was how the young prince lost his horns in the first place. Instead he turned to tricks and manipulation to achieve his goals, growing ever more troublesome the older he got.

Gaelnesh allowed Ehkota his space over the years, picking and choosing which of his schemes would be allowed to succeed and which ones would be shut down. It hadn’t been until recently that the younger prince’s antics had become more than just tedious to deal with, things were becoming increasingly more dangerous. If his assumptions about his younger brother were correct, Gaelnesh would find his brother consulting someone that could potentially upset the stability of the royal house. While it was something he knew would happen eventually, Gaelnesh still couldn’t help but to think that there was more he could have done to prevent such events from coming to fruition.

Eventually the eldest prince arrived before a distinct set of doors that remained closed at all times, shifting only to allow entrance to a particular set of people. Allowing himself into the room, Galenesh shut the doors behind him and waited for his eyes to adjust to the hazy darkness. After several moments, he was greeted by the sight of a handful of Gem servants kneeling before him.

The girls surrounding the bed would ignore him as they were instructed to do, their only obligations being to the king when ‘on-duty’.

“How are things?” The four girls bowing before the prince stirred as he addressed them, the front most girl stepping forward while the other three returned to their cots to rest. No words were spoken by the young Gem, instead she simply closed her dull eyes and shook her head from side to side.

No details would follow her silent response though it wasn’t as if Gaelnesh had been expecting any in the first place. Aside from the predictable deterioration of the king’s body, none of the girls were capable of proper speech any longer. Upon their entrance to his service each one of the girls by his side had their tongues cut from their mouths, sworn to secrecy and eternal bondage to the king.

“I thought as much. You may return to your cot now as well.” The girl bowed her head once more before shuffling over to the empty cot and laying down.

Surveying the room, Gaelnesh chose a corner of the room to retreat to while he awaited his brother’s inevitable arrival. It was unlikely he would be seen from his position allowing him to observe Ehkota without his knowledge prior to interrupting his plans. He wasn’t sure what exactly he was expecting to see or hear, but it was likely they would just be affirmations to the prince’s suspicions.

~~~

WIthin the walls of the king’s chamber time was non-existent, progression marked only by the breathy gasps and shifting stones from the bed. Gaelnesh had begun to wonder if he had overreacted or miscalculated his brother’s timeline, but eventually the younger prince showed his face.

It took the older man a moment to place the recognition he felt for the young man standing beside his brother, coming to remember him from the list of bride recipients. A kinner paid for the stellar work he had done easing an old warrior on to the after life. Gaelnesh had little doubts about what was happening now, a hidden smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Ehkota had all but sealed his fate.

Sitting back in silence, the prince watched as the Gems greeted the unsuspecting pair, unable to alert them to the trap closing in around them.

“May I formally introduce you to Drakka’s greatest warrior, conqueror, and leader… I present to you King Toran.” Even from his place in the shadows he could tell that the young prince had his eyes fixed on his father.

“Or what’s left of him. I don’t suppose you would argue that a little dignity is long overdue. Is it even really considered killing at this point?” Stepping forward, Gaelnesh revealed himself to the two newcomers by speaking up.

“Hello, brother.” Ehkota’s eyes immediately snapped up to meet his, fighting to keep his composure despite what was clearly an alarming set back.

“We missed you at dinner, thought I would come to see what was keeping you. Looks like you’ve been rather busy.” Gaelnesh’s voice was commanding in the darkened space, his words feigning ignorance while his tone revealed his understanding of the situation at hand.

“I do hope that Ehkota here hasn’t been giving you too much trouble. I know how… persuasive he can be. If my memory is correct, you’re the kinner from the ceremony. Not many of you guys take brides so I guess you’re rather memorable.” He said, this time addressing the young man standing beside the young prince.

“It’s a good thing my brother brought you when he did though, your presence here is most welcome.” Gaelnesh could sense his brother tensing at his words, no doubt mind reeling in an attempt to figure out what his brother had meant. Approaching the bedside, Gaelnesh slide a knife from a sheath tied to his belt.

“I am the High Prince Gaelnesh, first born to the first king Toran and contender to the throne. With an official witness from the kinner’s Order, I hereby exercise my right as eldest son to challenge the king for his position as Drakka’s ruler. For the glory of Drakka.” The prince spoke before plunging the blade deep into the exposed heart, shredding the weakened muscles as he did so.

The girls surrounding the bed collapsed in near unison, their battered and malnourished bodies succumbing to the exhaustion as their duties were relieved. By the end of the night it was more than likely several of the girls would have passed away, having spent years of their lives dedicated to sharing their lifeforce with a dying king. He wasn’t sure what he would do with the survivors, thinking he might keep them around or give them to his daughter but he had time to decide such matters. There were far more important things to tend to.

Removing the blade from the king’s chest, he watched as all signs of life left the man for good. What was left behind was a completely empty shell, though arguably it had been empty for quite some time. Knife in hand, Gaelnesh approached the pair and locked eyes with a cross looking Ehkota.

“Are there any present who challenge my claim?” He growled, a fire burning behind his brother’s eyes. Gaelnesh knew Ehkota would not act out against him, even if the opportunity was indeed legitimate. It wasn’t his style, and he had been trained far better than that.

After waiting in silence for several moments, Gaelnesh puffed air through his nose before turning his attention back toward Kagan.

“Whatever Ehkota has paid you is yours to keep, but your services are no longer required here. Oh, and Ehkota?” The prince said, turning his gaze over his shoulder to peer at his brother with an expression Ehkota would know all too well.

“It’s such a shame about your cute bride… She almost made it to full term this time.”

Summary

High Prince Gaelnesh is being an ass to his brother. Predicts the tricky moves and does one better. High Prince is no longer High Prince… High Prince is now kiiiiing!

Should have kept a better eye on your girl Ehkota.