GranoxFirewind

Glass Shoes [GranoxFirewind/LalaKitty]

Hiss... It just interrupts the feel of the RP for me I guess, when I start seeing symbols in place of words.

Countryside Adventure (GranoxFirewind & Light The Dark)

He thought for a moment, before simply answering. "What's easier for me isn't necessarily better for you." Those were the only words he offered as he watched her. He was more than happy enough to give her privacy, never moving from the chair that he'd claimed when she went to change, he just refused to allow her to fully leave. He held no doubts that she would breakdown again. That was something he didn't want to see from her, and he wasn't sure why. Maybe it was the way she'd seemed so... Hopeless, earlier. He didn't want to see it again.

"I'm going to stay here and make sure you're alright, and consequences be damned. I'm more than capable of hiding myself if the situation requires it." He was adamant. Alexander wasn't moving from the seat, instead leaning his head against the wall, allowing himself to fully relax into the chair.

Glass Shoes [GranoxFirewind/LalaKitty]

Question. Why do you always use & instead of and?

Glass Shoes [GranoxFirewind/LalaKitty]

Marken hit the ground hard, pain flaring out from his stomach. She'd called him out on his bluff, and he'd been hurt for it. However, he wasn't dead. He wasn't dead, and he intended to make use of it. He paid little mind to her words, instead thinking of how he'd have revenge. She'd lied to him, insulted his pride, assaulted him physically... She would pay. As she ran off, Marken pulled himself to his feet, though he knew that she'd be out of his reach. He did pursue, however, intending on seeing her accomplices. He watched the slipper fall off, and smiled.

He let her go from there, watching her getaway disappear as he picked up the slipper. Tucking it away in a deep pocket for now, Marken approached the crowd, smiling loudly. If there was something he could do, it was fake an appearance. "My honored guests, this has been a wonderful ball, and I hope you've all enjoyed yourselves." A collective roar of approval rang out to his words, and Markens smile widened. He did enjoy some perks of his position. "However, I'm afraid I must retire for now, it's late and I'm a busy man. The rest of you, do enjoy yourself." The crowd quieted down as Marken departed, the noise of the ball soon becoming non-existent to him.

His destination wasn't far, it was already within the palace and close to the main room, thankfully enough for him. He reached an unremarkable door at the end of a hallway, the guard presence nearby increased nearly twofold. However, given his position, they didn't so much as say a word as he strode by, anger painted on his face. One knock on the door, before a voice rang out. "What?"

"It's Marken, let me in, I've got a job for you." The sound of something moving sounded out from behind the door, before a lock undid itself and the door opened up. Standing before Marken was a large man, though the way he held himself gave off an aura of experience. He was dressed in a full suit of leather armor, a goatee adorning his face. Without a word, Marken strode into the room, nodding as the door closed behind him. "I need you to track down a girl. She can't be more than 18." The man raised his eyebrows, though Marken cut him off before he could speak, describing the girl in detail.

"So you want me to track down this girl, despite the fact I have nothing to go off?" Marken simply smiled, and held out the slipper.

"She'll be in the area, given her actions. I want her captured, and brought back. Unharmed, if you can manage. To make sure you know whom the girl is, slip that onto her foot, if it fits... You've almost certainly got your mark. Payment is double your usual rate. I want nothing said of this to my father." The man opened his mouth to speak, before closing it and nodding. The money was certainly good, and he wasn't going to argue with the prince over something so trivial. The girl would be easy enough to find. With that, he walked outside to begin his hunt.

Rate the Signature Above You

8/10 simple, and I like the color.

Glass Shoes [GranoxFirewind/LalaKitty]

When he was slammed against the shelves, a look of fear passed over his face. It was clear that he was inexperienced in any form of combat, the way he tried to flinch away from the blade against his neck proving it. He did as she asked, however, and stayed still, listening to her speak. However, he was also growing silently furious. The entire time she spoke, he was thinking of a way out of this. But he wanted more than that. He wanted revenge.

"No, there isn't a need for a scene. You must think I'm an idiot, to confront a potential spy without acquiring help. That door is the only way out of this study, kill me and you'll walk into the waiting arms of several guards, who will be quite eager to repay the favor I'm sure." His words were cold now, lacking any of the earlier friendliness they held earlier.

Of course, he hadn't done anything of the sword, but Marken was certain she didn't know that. "So, you're going to give me that weapon, if you want to leave this alive." He held out a hand, being much more bold, now that he was sure that his ploy had worked. Though, in the event she called his bluff, Marken had no other plan. he would be forced to improvise, if he survived of course.

Glass Shoes [GranoxFirewind/LalaKitty]

"Cinderella? That's a lovely name." Marken complimented her, taking a long sip of his wine. He was pleased that she had finally opened up to him, atleast enough to tell him a name. She seemed to be trying to enjoy herself, however, drinking her glass of wine. Her next action, however, made Marken frown. She hadn't had enough wine to have reached that point of intoxication, and alcohol didn't hit someone that hard, that fast. Then, of course, the lack of slurring. Marken was a man who enjoyed his wine, and enjoying his wine meant knowing the side effects. They simply didn't match up.

Pulling a servant girl over by the sleeve, Marken would lean up next to her ear. "Is there a girl who fits this description in the ladies room?" He would give her the description of what Ellanor was wearing, and also pass along a small handful of silver coins. It was likely more than the girl made in a month, and her eyes lit up with the greed he knew they would. It ensured speed, and sure enough, she came back in less than a minute, telling him the bad news. "I see... Take the rest of the night off, I'm sure your new funds can cover whatever expenses you may lose from this ball." The girl nodded eagerly, running off to wherever she stayed. Marken didn't deal with the details of servant housing, nor did he necessarily care. There were more important things going on right now.

Taking his leave, he rounded the same corner Ellanor had, before realizing what had happened. She hadn't been here for the ball... Marken gritted his teeth at that thought, climbing the stairs. This Cinderella wouldn't find an easy punishment, if he found her. However... Other things called his attention, however, when he noticed his father, and his father caught notice of him. He didn't seem to care that he was away from his guests, assuming that he was simply taking a break from the swarm of adoration that came from the room. It wasn't hard to notice such boot kissing, not to a man who had experienced it for far longer. Glenn instead pulled Marken into the study, speaking as they went.

"So, tell me. Have you found a suitable bride among the nobles?" Of course he hadn't. That girl was to be the one he was going to ask... Wait... Marken smiled to himself, a thought suddenly crossing his mind.

His voice radiated calm decision, conviction in his tone. Glenn found it strange for his son to speak in such a way, but didn't question the tone when it brought good news to the man. "I have, actually. A girl by the name of Cinderella. She's the only one among the nobles who doesn't seem to be interested in my position, rather than myself." Marken knew the truth of it however, she wasn't interested by either. She was interested in something else within this house. However, now that he knew her game, there would be changes to it. Rules would be bent, and broken.

Glenn nodded, glad that his son had actually managed to do as he asked. "In that case, I'll let you return to your party then. Try to enjoy yourself." Glenn left the study then, his purpose for coming this far away from his quarters already accomplished. Marken, however, stayed put. He decided to think for a moment. Where would a spy go? There were few rooms of interest in the palace itself, most of it intended to house people on some level. Assassination was out of the question, the girl had many opportunities to kill him that she didn't take. Wait... A smile crossed his lips. "Cinderella, are you in here?" It was clear his father was gone now, Marken being the only one in the room. The study was one of the few places a spy would go, and considering his fathers approach, she would have been caught going out any further. It was logical enough, to say the least.

Glass Shoes [GranoxFirewind/LalaKitty]

Alright. I'm enjoying it right now, despite hardly having started.

Glass Shoes [GranoxFirewind/LalaKitty]

Marken hadn't been pleased at the beginning, when he was first told of the ball. Of course, a party in itself was fun to attend, the finest foods provided for the royal family, not to mention the vintage wines. However, the purpose of the ball was the thing that ruined it for him. The damn war that his father had drug them into required strong leaders for their army. The man, Glenn by name, refused to have his son not take part in the affairs of the kingdom either, and taking into account his sons distaste for combat, a choice was offered. Secure the support of the lesser houses by proving that they were not far below the royal family, or join the army and lead by example, on the front lines where such bravery would inspire the troops to victory... The choice had been made in minutes, and Marken never regretted it.

As usual, the ladies of the various noble houses, the unmarried ones anyway, lined themselves up before him, desperate to be the one he picked above the rest. 'Such fawns, incapable of finding someone themselves, requiring the whimsical hand of a lord to whisk them away.' His thoughts drifted away, however, when he noticed one of the few who seemed to be less than interested in him. That alone intrigued him, though her looks helped secure his interest, and soon enough, he had her on the dance floor. There were many noble families, he wasn't quite sure which one this girl was from, however, he was quickly deciding that she would be the one he'd pick, above the rest. He had no use for a wife who was only interested in the power and wealth that came from association with a prince, no, he needed someone better than that.

Marken chuckled at Ellanors words, shaking his head slightly. "Oh? I don't believe you quite realize the purpose of this ball. My guests are the least of my worries right now. They'll understand." As the song ended, the dance over, Marken took Ellanors hand and led them to a table, servants immediately on top of him to please. Atleast they weren't slaves, grovelling in the hopes that it would keep away a beating. Such disgusting practices made him wonder what the shape of the kingdom would be in when he eventually took over. There would certainly be changes, though he wasn't sure how the populace would react to them. "Two glasses of wine, make sure it's from the Piory vineyards, they have the sweetest grapes." A servant nodded, skillfully pouring two glasses half full of the sweet, and expensive, liquid.

"So, may I know your name then. You already know my own, I find myself at a disadvantage." He'd never met a girl quite so... Stubborn, and he liked it. For once, he wasn't dealing with someone kissing the very ground he walked on. His tone was rather sweet, though it held a tone of satisfaction about it, the pride from his lineage seeming to always be present in his dialect. Taking a sip of his wine, Marken encouraged Ellanor to take a drink as well with a raise of his hand. It simply wasn't a party if his guests weren't enjoying themselves, and he believed wine to be part of such enjoyment.

Countryside Adventure (GranoxFirewind & Light The Dark)

Alexander listened to her, but said nothing, instead following her into the room. He'd been in it a few times, when he had to fetch her for some reason or another. "Seeing your current state, I don't think it'd be wise to leave you here alone." His voice was still soft, as he found a chair and sat down in it. "I don't mean to insult you, but clearly something is wrong, that much was made obvious when I left you last time. So, I'm going to sit here and make sure it doesn't happen again." His voice held no hostility, no accusation, however given her reactions before, it was likely that she wouldn't read the tone in his voice. She seemed to ignore it, which only made his job even harder, when she was making him out to be a villain in her own mind, though given the circumstances, perhaps she wasn't far off.

"No, however. I will not be locking you in here. I will simply be accompanying you. You're free to go wherever, barring the garden." He leaned back into the chair, shifting into a more comfortable position to wait whatever wrath she would likely throw at him, given her reactions thus far. His face was calm, before he closed his eyes, putting himself into a position that he could hold for a few hours easily.