[IC] The Lost Princess (Durachka and HylianRose)

[HylianRose]

Julius


He walked through the halls of the castle, trying to make sure he had everything he needed before setting off in search of this nameless princess. He sighed slowly.

You'd think Father would know the name of this princess...

He shook his head and walked on, headed for his room. He had most everything packed up. The horse had packs of rations and his clothes. All he had left was his money pouch and his gear. He walked into his room, opening the large door with ease. His room was pretty ordinary for a Prince's room. He'd never asked for much. He liked it simple, too much going on and he felt like his head would explode. Kind of like his sister's room. His mother had Stella's room so decorated, you'd think it were an art hall. Once again, he shook his head and grabbed his money pouch and pulled on his sword, shield and armor, ready to head out. He'd been told he was to take a young upcoming knight with him, which suited him fine. He walked down to his horse just in time to see the lad come in with his.

"Good day, sir! I'm Julius. You are?" He asked.

"Good Day, sir. Cedric, sir." The boy replied. Julius smiled. The boy looked rather feminine for knight but then... who was Julius to judge? The boy might make a fine knight one day.

"Alright, we'll we're all ready to head out. Our first stop is in a small town very nearby." Julius explained, already mounting his horse. Cedric struggled to get on to his but managed all the same.

"Ready." Cedric replied, smiling at the prince and they were off.

Thank God... He didn't see through me...

[Durachka]

Genevieve

---

The morning is a beautiful one I observe out my window. Hopefully I'll be able to enjoy it outdoors instead of cooped up inside waiting on rude drunks. I sit up in my bed finally after procrastinating for a good 20 minutes. With a sigh I'm out of bed and slipping on my only outfit. I glance at the mirror and frown at my reflection. Thankfully tonight is an off night for me. I can make a quick run to the forest and swim in the stream. Maybe then I'll smell a little more pleasant than I do at the present moment.

I head downstairs and tell my boss that I am present and ready for duty. I then get to work serving the guests breakfast. I put on a fake smile towards these people, even though a quarter of them flirted with me the night before in a drunken stupor. They probably only hold affection for me because I bring them their booze. It is then that I see Andy sitting alone in a corner reading his books.

He somehow always finds a way to be here during the morning for breakfast just so he can say hi. He has a good heart and I love him for that. The boss is always teasing that one day I'll become his bride. Not only does he not hold such feelings for me, but I don't think that I feel that way for him. I've never felt what real love is. Maybe he is what is best for me, but like I said it is not possible. He couldn't possibly love me in that way. Its like we are brother and sister.

I sit down next to him and grin, "How is your morning so far?"

"Decent." he says with a sigh, "Can't seem to get this book finished though. Its intriguing...just not attention holding. If you understand my meaning."

"Of course I do! Are you up for a swim today after my shift?" I ask and he grins like a silly little boy. He loves to go swimming with me. Its fun mainly because I can manipulate the weeds to pull him under.

After getting yelled at for sitting around on the job I get back to work. It seems like it is going to be a slow day and I'm thankful for that.

[HylianRose]

They rode for a few hours, stopping every now and then for the horses to eat and to grab a bite for themselves, both not really saying much. Whenever Julius tried to start up a conversation with Cedric, all he'd get would be a muffled response.

So much for him...

Julius didn't mind though, if the guy wanted to keep to himself, that was fine with him.

It wasn't long before they caught sight of the nearest town, Arenthal. Julius smiled as they approached, he'd always liked this little town and there was a reason it was first on his list. They had the most beautiful flowers in all of the land, not to mention the best stew! He chuckled at his own thoughts, procuring a curious glance from Cedric.

"Ah, sorry. Just ahm... laughing at myself." Julius told them boy, laughing a bit awkwardly. He watched as the boy nodded nonchalantly, turning to look away. Julius blinked, confused. Why was he so silent? "Look, if we're going to be traveling together, you're going to have to speak up." Julius commanded, tired of the silence. "I'll go crazy if it's just me and my thoughts." He continued, putting on a smile for the boy.

"Oh... Sorry. I'm just... thinking. That's all." Cedric replied. Julius sighed, shaking his head at the boy. He looked a bit young to be knight anyway. Maybe it was just growing pains.

Julius stretched after getting off his horse. He handed the reins off to the stable boy, smiling at him courteously. "Thank you. I'll pay when we leave, if that is okay." He told him and turned without receiving a response. Cedric followed suit, handing his reins off and smiling apologetically.

"He's not always like that..." Cedric told the man, feeling his insides churn a bit. Why was her brother acting so rudely? Was he always like this with others?

Julius walked out to the center of the town and looked around, looking for the inn. "This inn has the best stew I've ever eaten, Cedric. You'll love it!" He boasted, smiling widely back at the boy.

"B-But, sir... Aren't we supposed to be looking for her?" Cedric replied, raising a brow. It didn't matter to her whether they found the girl or not, but she was curious as to what her brother was doing.

"A little sight seeing isn't bad! Besides, we might happen across her this way, you never know!" Julius replied, already walking in the direction of the inn. Cedric sighed.

"You don't even know what she looks like..." Cedric mumbled, following behind like a good puppy. When Cedric walked in, he found Julius already seated at a table, looking at the menu. "I thought you already knew what you wanted..." Cedric mumbled as he sat down across from Julius.

"Yes, but it seems a bit rude to not even look, you know?" Julius replied. Cedric blinked, raising a brow.

My brother is a dimwit... Why have I never noticed?

[Durachka]

Andrew

---

After visiting with my good friend I return to my work at the stables next to the Inn. I begin to muck a few stalls until I hear some horses coming up at the front. I greet them with a hello and a warm smile, but all I get in return is fake courtesy. I am about to tell the man that he has to pay up front otherwise I won't be able to keep the horse in the stables, but he simply walks away. I am unsure of what to do because it is against regulations set forth by my boss.

I end up just putting the horse in a stall. The man seemed important. As long as he pays it shouldn't be a problem.

---

Genevieve

---

The customers just keep piling in this afternoon and I'm afraid that I won't be able to sneak away into the woods today. I was really looking forward to practicing again. I couldn't very well do it in town. If someone saw I'd likely get charged for witchcraft. I walk up to the latest customers and smile sweetly at them, "Good afternoon, travelers. Would you like me to get you something to drink?" I notice how they are dressed. Why would a pair of knights be going through town? They seemed to be a part of the guard from the castle. What are they doing all the way out in this small town? I figure asking such questions, even in my head, is a bit odd. So I just keep my smile on my face and hope that I don't make a fool of myself.

[HylianRose]

Julius smiled up at their waitress, his browns eyes smiling up at her expectantly. She was very pretty and her eyes drew him in.

"Ah, yes. I'll have a water and so will my companion." He told her, finally snapping back into reality. He turned to look at Cedric, to talk to him. Cedric, meanwhile, was trying to hide his angry red face.

How can he look at her like that? I mean... He's never looked at anyone like that before, has he?

Cedric sighed and sent Julius an awkwardly placed smile.

"You alright? I hope you don't mind water. We don't need to be drinking and you don't look like you could handle much anyway." Julius said, chuckling loudly. He meant what he said to. Cedric was far too small to drink much of anything and Julius needed the boy alert. He'd probably make a lecture out of this. "You see, if you get drunk, you're senses go down, yeah? So, what if some assassin comes into our room late at night and your too drunk to realize much less fight your way out." He explained, his expression growing a bit more serious. Cedric blinked, watching him. She'd never seen her brother like this. He was always friendly and kind. She'd never seen him so... serious.

"I... I understand." Cedric told Julius, turning to look at the other people in the inn. "Aren't we going to get a room?" Cedric asked, curious. She didn't much feel like sleeping on the ground, so she had to hope her brother was smart enough to bring money for rooms.

"Nope! I have a tent and two bedrolls for us." He exclaimed, winking at Cedric. "We need to save money, yanno? Besides, why pay for something when something else is free!" He continued, chuckling. Cedric tried his best not to show Julius his disgust.

Well, this will be interesting...

Cedric sighed and shook his head, smiling at Julius. "If you say so, sir." He said, his voice much too small for a young boy. Julius sent him a glance but didn't make anything of it. He was smart, but maybe not the brightest of the bunch.

[Durachka]

Genevieve smiles and walks back to the bar to get some water. She returns with the two glasses in hand and sets them before the two customers. "Let me know when you are ready to order." She says with her fake smile still plastered on her face. Hopefully they don't notice it because she has been practicing for years. When someone practices something enough its easy to make it look real or effortless. She turns and takes the order of another table before walking back into the kitchen.

"Eve!" Exclaims the cook with a smile on his face, "Long time no see."

She dawns a genuine smile, "Hey George. Sorry, I've been busy out front. How are the kids?"

"They are doing just fine." He beams, "What do I have to make?" She gives him the order ticket and walks back out into the dining room. The room is beginning to thin out luckily. Lunch is almost over for most of the citizens from town. They begrudgingly make their way to their shops and work places. Although bad news for them it is good news for Eve. She will be able to take her day off.

[HylianRose]

Julius ordered for the both of them, that same soup and they ate in silence. Julius to engrossed by his soup to say much of anything and Cedric too engrossed in his own thoughts to care. When they were done, Julius left a few coins more than he needed to for the meal and then they were off to the stables to get the supplies fro their horses. Julius walked up to the stable boy who was standing by one of the horses.

"I think this should cover it for the time we'll be here. Now, I'd for you to bring us the supplies we left on our horses backs." Julius told him, holding out quite a few coins out to the man. Cedric simply watched, sighing deeply as he looked in another direction. He watched a small girl run around, chasing after a boy who held something in his hands. He blinked and then walked over, snatching the boy up as he came by.

"Don't steal from girls. You never know what might come of it." He told the boy, grabbing the hat from him. He set the boy down and handed the hat off to the girl, smiling at her. She looked up at him, wide eyed and rosy cheeked.

"T-Thank you, mister." She mumbled, blushing wildly. Cedric chuckled finding it cute as he watched the girl run away.

[Durachka]

As soon as everyone clears out of the Inn after lunch rush Genevieve is told she can go. She grins and rushes outside towards the stables to find Andy so that they can go to the lake and swim. I walk into the stables, "Andy! I'm on break! What shall we do today?" She yells as she walks over to where he usually is. As she rounds the corner she bumps into somebody. It just happens to be the man she had just served lunch to, "oh, I'm sorry."

Meanwhile Andy just shakes his head at his best friend, "I'm sorry. My friend over here can be a little loud."

"Can not!" She says, still beaming even though she is blushing slightly.

Andy sighs and attends to the business that the man had asked him to do. He pulls the supplies off of the horses and then brings them back to the men. "Once again, I'm sorry for my friend and thank you for your business." He smiles politely at the man and then pulls Eve off to the side. "Seriously? You chose then to be loud and obnoxious."

"Oh get over it. I'm in an amazing mood. I'm sure it'll be okay. Are you on break yet? I want to go swim in the creek." She smiles. Not wanting anything to ruin her good mood.