Melo

𝑫𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 {A God RP}

Lugh of the long arm

L U G H, M A S T E R O F S K I L L S
L U G H, M A S T E R O F S K I L L S

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx HUMAN 𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗔𝗦 Logan Healy 𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 28 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗥 Job hopper & inventor	𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝑮𝑶𝑶𝑫 Determined Honest good-natured 𝑩𝑨𝑫 Aloof prideful Overconfident 𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 Above all is the desire to be free once again. Although he does not mind being confined in a mortal shell, the colossus restricts his movements and options, and as such his ambitions. Think of how much more you could do if you just weren’t shackled to this hunk of rock? Even if he could not return to godhood, he would at least want that much. 𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦 Given his original death through drowing. He has a very strong dislike of water. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx	xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx DEITY 𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗬 Lugh 𝗗𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗡 God of rulership, justice and master of all arts. 𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗢𝗡 Celtic

𝗠𝗬𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗚𝗬

In irish mythology, Lugh Lámhfhada of the Tuatha Dé Danann was born as the son of the Tuatha Cian and the Fomorian Ethniu. He served in Tara, the royal hall of king Nuada of the Tuatha, as the Chief Ollam and master of all skills. He lead the Tuatha in the war against the Fomorians and slew his grandfather, king Balor of the Fomorians. After this, he became king of the Tuatha until his death forty years later. However, even from Tír na nÓg he appeared many times in the mortal world. During one such appearance he would sire his son, the hero Cú Chulainn.

The celts as a people were incredibly varied and diverse, with many local gods. However, Lugh was a god popular enough amongst the celtic people to transcend these cultural and linguistical barriers. Lugh is how he was known to the Irish, whereas he was more commonly known as Lugus in Gaul or Lieu in Wales. Throughout the years, Lugh has been associated with many different domains. He is renowned as both a saviour and a trickster. He is primarily associated with oaths, and by extension justice and rulership. He is associated with skill and mastery in all disciplines.
He is portrayed as a youthful warrior, wielding the spear of Assal and a sling-stone and accompanied by his hound, Failinis. He has also been connected with light or the sun. In other folklore he is also associated with thunderstorms, which were described as battles between him and Balor, which lead to speculation of Lugh being a storm god.

𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬

Lugh can still remember how forcefully he was ripped from Tír na nÓg, the land of everlasting youth. And just so, all that remains of his time in the paradise of the afterlife are sweet memories. His promised land was a promise no more. He wandered the streets of Istanbul, confused and enraged and fuelled by a desire for justice. He could not even imagine the kind of heresy that would dare to tear him from his family and friends, who had not all been deified quite to a similar extent. But no amount of cursing and contempt would bring him back home.

Yet even a god, chained or no, is immune to the passage of time to their thoughts and convictions. Given to other choice, he learned to adapt to the new normal. And as the first decades passed, he began to find that, perhaps, not so much had changed after all. Of course, he was a god no longer. But he was still immortal and ever youthful. And although he was not on a verdant island paradise with friends and family, Earth had a few qualities that the paradise he knew lacked woefully: change and ambition. Although Tír na nÓg represented eternal merrymaking and beauty, it was always utterly stagnant, and there was truly nothing but leisure. And that is where Lugh saw his chance…

Because whether his hands were mortal or divine, he was still a master of all the arts. And every one of those skills he could practice once again. And in a dynamic world as the mortal realm these arts were never static. New instruments, tools and occupations were invented always, and Lugh would remain a master of all (except for the sorcerous arts, those were unfortunately well beyond him now). Throughout the millennia he would perform any occupation imaginable under many aliases: chef, musician, architect, royal advisor, writer, poet, craftsman, soldier, medic, programmer, judge, CEO, technician and many more arts he would happily practice. Because there was always another context, another scenario or application to experience, and always a way to improve. Sometimes he would even invent new tools or applications to progress a field beyond its current limits, and amass a great fortune while doing it.

And those experienced would not stop with skills. For as the time passed so did the world change. And with that came the marvel of living. The many types of leisurely activities and the great amount of people to meet. He could be whatever he wanted to be, do whatever he desired and find love however many times it occurred. Naturally, not did the world always change for the better. But nothing was stopping him from helping mortals again, even now as a mortal himself. He did not need to be a god to provide blessings. The only freedom he lacked was that of movement. To be restrained by the colossus as a prisoner was the focus of his enmity, and to be forced to move with it by some inane mortal’s whim.

Alas, such whims still continue to string him along. And in seattle he lives no differently. He drifts from job to job, staying as long as it interests him. In th era of the internet, he is for hire as a man who will do “whatever needs doing”. Lugh is always just a single call or e-mail away from whatever job you need him to do with great expertise. The price for his services varies every time, and is only rarely monetary. Most often he requires an oath or a favour in return, that may come into effect at a much later date. With Lugh, you may never know. But he always comes to collect with a smile when it finally suits him.

𝑫𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 {A God RP}

Reserving Lugh :D

When Royalty Collides

The last week had been something of a special event in its own right for Erik Bel Auster. The news of a tabloid having picked up on the latest developments between the future heirs of the new united kingdom that was in the works was cause for a rather phenomenal amount of disarray. Not only did it invoke the ire of both royal families. It was of monumental effect on the public opinion of this plan altogether. After all, who could place their trust in the stability of this union if the two most prominent figureheads were already fighting like children? Indeed, this was not simply a matter of bad looks for the royals in question, this was now a matter of national stability and safety.

King Leopold Bel Auster was not going to watch helplessly. He and King James of Arcenia had worked too hard over the past decades to set this plan in motion. And they were so close.

And as such the king of Austerund had been making a few calls. What started with a discussion with king James quickly resulted in a call with king Robert of Aciras. The good ties between the two nations was once again put to a strong display as the talks were short and effective. Not only would the Austerian intelligence agencies, which were present amongst Erik’s attendants, aid in the investigation into the supposed leaks of information to the Merenia daily. Robert had quickly arranged that many other more reputable news sources reported much more favourably on the matter. Indeed, most sources banished rumours to the realm of fiction!

Finally, Leopold had called his oldest son to let him know his great disappointment. Oh, how the king had expected much more grace from his heir, especially towards his future wife and queen! How did he ever expect to see relations improve if they kept acting in such manner towards each other? And then he had to list each and every person this had brought great inconvenience to. And then the good king made him promise to be more cordial towards her.

Erik’s only solace was that Arabelle probably wasn’t having a better time with her family. And by thinking that, he had already broken the promise in spirit. But perhaps he could just ignore her for the rest of these months? All it took was to shut his damn mouth. Perhaps Arabelle would be kind enough to return the favour.

The rest of the week was filled with more joyous events, at least. While his brothers had to attend to their educational responsibilities. He had no such obligations anymore. Instead he spent his time in the Aciran royal library for most of the time. But there were several occasions where he could find company in conversation with Austerian allies. He even managed to arrange a few games of chess! And finally, his two oversized cats were due a great deal of love and attention that he happily obliged to give them.

Saturday came and with it came Erik’s good mood. He had always been rather fond of amusement parks and the like. A fair like this was bound to be entertaining. Austerian fairs often did include a lot of regional foods in their repertoire as well. From oversized pretzels to sausages to hearty crêpes. He wondered what an Aciran fair looked like. How did it differ from the ones he knew? Much more than amusement, it was a good opportunity to acquaint himself with an allied nation’s culture further.

Erik styled himself most suitably to the hot Aciran weather, if he was allowed to say so himself. His outfit would certainly not disappoint any tabloid when it came to style, and would allow him to survive the heat he was rather unaccustomed to. It would not do to sweat profusely, indeed. He finished the outfit with his newest pair of designer sunglasses and an exquisite silver watch that cost more than the cars waiting for them outside.

Erik, for a short second, considered joining Arabelle in her SUV. But quickly he changed his mind. He had thought he might try to amicably resolve the tensions between the two, even if the compromise was to not cross each other’s paths any more for these coming months. But he thought the better of it. Surely the prissy princess would not hold any interest in discussing their differences, so he was not even going to try!

Instead, sought out Han. Certainly she could appreciate his company? At least so he hoped. With some luck, she would even behave during their short ride! But Erik held little confidence in that thought. Certainly some of princess Han’s trademark comments would pass her lips sometime during the ride. Nevertheless, he relished the chance to spend some quality time with a good friend. And Han could provide just that.

When Royalty Collides

Erik tried to imagine a calm lake in his mind. A scene of serenity to bring peace back to his mind. However, the lake evaporated, and its vapours seemed to leave his ears like steam. How dared that woman talk to him like that! She was insufferable, she was. And how dare she insult his amazing suit like that! Damn her and her entire family.

He considered himself lucky he only had to deal with her and her harebrained sister. He could see Catherine from the corner of his eye. Apparently she, and whoever the woman was that kept her company, had forgotten they were at a royal event and not a common house party. How refreshing it was, to see that she was as ill-behaved as rumours went. A familial trait, Erik was sure.

”Jolly good show, brother.” Sindri smirked at Erik. And with that, Erik already regretted approaching him. That said, Erik wasn’t fool enough to think he would avoid his sibling’s mockery. But could he not, just this once? No, that wasn’t Sindri. He was someone who could go from sweet to insufferable in the blink of an eye. Erik reckoned it was retribution for putting him in that suit, though it really did suit him. Sindri despised the formality of it all. However, currently it seemed Erik and his betrothed were simply fuel for his boundless love for comedy. His face definitely wasn’t as regret-stricken as it had been on their flight here.
Sindri was a reasonably tall man, barely seeing eye-to-eye with Erik himself. Sindri was broader than Erik, however. His usually messy shoulder length brown hair had been neatly groomed for the occasion. He had a handsome face blessed with an impressive jawline .

Sometimes, just sometimes, Erik had the urge to strangle him. ”Oh for the love of… Please, SIndri, don’t.” Gods, why was his smirk so aggravating. Erik presumed it was time to schedule in far more formal events for him. See who was smiling then! ”Where did you leave Arvid?”

Arvid was the younger twin of the duo that made up Erik’s younger brothers. A much more serious lad than his brother, but no less prone to mischief. Erik felt his wits quiver in his absence. He had left one attendant, Reinhild, to watch over the two. And she was standing right behind Sindri. He feared what trouble Arvid would get himself into alone. Despite being only four years younger than the crown prince, it often felt as if the twins had never really left childhood.

Arvid sniffed smugly. ”Chill, he’s with Radcliffe”

And frankly, Erik did feel relief with that. Radcliffe was a retired general and now Erik’s teacher for military matters. Erik had gotten to know him while he was serving himself, and the man was a drill sergeant that would make the actual drill sergeants shudder. Yes, perfect company for Arvid. With any luck, the man would impart some common sense into him.

Erik sighed in relief. ”Good… yes, good.” God, he was still so on edge. Curse that Almore woman! ”What about you? Is the reception to your liking?”
Knowing his younger brother, he would find the whole thing dull. But his answer positively didn’t quite meet expectations. ”It’s… well I guess it’s alright. Food’s good and I’ve chatted up some nice folk.” The way he phrased it almost sounded like a question, an uncertainty. As if he wasn’t sure whether he was supposed to enjoy it. Perhaps Erik was seeing his younger brother finally mature a little? Now wasn’t that a sight. ”I’ve been keeping an eye out for… well… anyone. You know, I guess I might try to make mom happy.”

One of the primary reasons his brothers had been allowed to go along with him was so that they might make their impression on the royal scene. Not being first in line had given them the God-given luck to not be betrothed yet, and their mother thought that perhaps it was time for them to go out and look beyond the horizon of the Austerian borders. Erik had been given the ‘great honor’ of assisting them.
Their mother didn’t seem as pressed to arrange marriages for them. Erik wasn’t sure whether this was due to lack of necessity, or because of the train wreck that was his own engagement. Certainly, Erik did envy their freedom.

”Shouldn’t be hard to do better than you, at least.” Erik took back the thought about him maturing. The insufferable little fucker. Erik sneered at him, then composed himself.

Erik didn’t really have any good options in mind for his brother. Out of his mind he could only list a few princesses who weren’t betrothed already. Raven and Han both were betrothed already, although he found the choice of men questionable for different reasons. Though that would not be an opinion to share openly. Erik knew Catherine was available , though he didn’t wish that fate upon Sindri. Or maybe she wasn’t, but Erik did not care to believe what the tabloids apparently spouted. He only heard such things second-hand anyway.
Well, Marcela was single, but it didn't take a genius to know that was a very, very bad idea.
Lastly he could think of Gen. That was about the only good option he could think of. Maybe it was worth bringing up to Phillip sometime, as a talk amongst brothers? Finally, maybe he could have a chat with Raven. He imagined she knew every guest at least somewhat? She might know other candidates. It was certainly worth a shot.

”I’ll see what I can do to help.” Erik said tiredly. He required some distraction to keep him from the bad thoughts. If his mind stuck with Arabelle for any longer he might be inclined to punch a wall. And he had a feeling the Aciran castle’s walls weren’t going to spare his hand.

”No need to rush it… No seriously.” Sindri said, his voice glazed in unease. He shifted his feet uncomfortably. A funny sight for a big guy like him. However, Erik thought it was quite a good idea to shift the attention of the people to another Austerian’s love life. Arabelle might’ve gotten a lucky break with her sister being in the picture right now, but Erik wasn’t quite that lucky.

Erik smiled at him. ”No, leave it to me.” He took a sip from his wine glass and disappeared back into the crowd.

When Royalty Collides

Finally the Austerian delegation’s eyes fell upon their destination. The towers of the castle peaked over the horizon in proud defiance of the sun behind it. Their mood, tired and travel-weary, was swiftly replaced by a sense of relief. No less could that be seen from the expression of Erik Bel Auster, duke of Turland, protector and master of the river Auster and heir apparent to the throne of the kingdom of Austerund. The dozen hours of air travel had left him weary, for he never slept well in the skies. And Erik refused to step out of this car groggily as a result from a short nap. As such, the king-to-be was forced to attend the first day of Vivian’s celebrations in a state of slightly diminished mental aptitude. However, that was something the world would not know.

Celebrations did nary to elicit excitement from Erik. What enjoyment was there in the presence of so many that all sorts of personal intimacy went lost? But that was only the ball. Indeed, surely there would be enough opportunity for joyous conversation with two people, in the confines of four simple walls. And there was far more to enjoy than personality at events such as these.

Naturally, everyone always had a hidden agenda. Such was the simple truth of politics. It was the world that he lived in, a world in which he would stay a player until the day he died. Naturally, the wedding was important and all. But how could he ignore the splendour that was the great Aciran castle? A true marvel of an age long past languishing in the shadow of the Aciran metropoles that surrounded it. Oh, every moment that Erik could relish its architecture was a moment spent truly living. The renovations the building had undergone throughout the years did little to diminish the enjoyment of the building’s splendid history, for at least it meant he could reside inside of its walls in welcome comfort.

But there was more than enough time to enjoy the antiquity. In the here and now, Erik had to prepare for the spotlight. Erik’s suit, a striking midnight blue coat and trousers, accompanied by a black bow tie, was only proper for an event of this magnitude for it was designed exclusively for him by Hansi Türsten, the most well-renowned Austerian tailor to grace the Savile Row. His younger brothers, Sindri and Arvid, wore matching, but distinctive, suits to make the three of them look like a true set. That was what Erik had demanded of them if they wanted to come with him. Their fashion sense was so boorish even a caveman would cringe. And Erik would not let his younger brothers make him look bad in the eyes of the international society, for shame! There were many other style icons, amicable as they may be, destined to be present at this event. Alejandro sprung to Erik’s mind immediately. He couldn’t let him catch all the eyes, could he? He had a reputation to uphold.

Their vehicle stopped in front of the grandiose entriance of the Aciran palace as silently as it had driven throughout the Aciran mainland. With Austerund’s top-of-the-line electrical cars, gas and diesel would soon be a thing of the past. Here it was a set piece to impress the other nations with his nation’s grandeur. Erik showed it off out of pride. Pride for the nation he would lead in mere years from now, the circumstances around his ascension notwithstanding. Had she not been so eager to procrastinate, the throne would already have been his. Erik could not really complain. His father, praise be to his name for all time, was truly a great king, albeit a very strict father. And Erik could enjoy the freedom of his current station a little longer. Being king left little time for more entertaining matters.

The doors on both sides were opened by their prime attendants. On his side it was Radke Rasmussen. Erik had never met anyone that didn’t have to look up at Radke, so giant was he. He still remembered the one time he had been foolish enough to challenge the man to arm wrestle,. He had sworn his arm was about to snap in two. The man had been in his family’s service for more than a decade. On the side of his brothers was stocky Reinhild, who was never far behind Sindri or Arvid on any occasion. Two other attendants were already unloading the car of all its baggage and wedding gifts and leashing Tiki and Coco. The matured Servals clamoured in their playfulness, but were relatively docile as far as this type of wild animal was concerned. They had been a gift by an allied African kingdom, young kittens at the time, nearly a decade ago.

The Austeran attendants would do all the heavy lifting and animal handling, leaving the Aciran attendant the single duty to guide the way to their quarters. Austeran customs considered it an affront to let a hosting nation take care of such matters when they were already providing accommodations!

Radke and Reinhild accompanied the princes on the walk towards the entrance of their residence for the next two months. Two. Months. Certainly Aciras was showing off with celebrations of this incredible duration. He only wondered how Raven pulled it off. Event management wasn’t something Erik would ever do himself. But if the event was going to be anywhere as fabulous as Raven’s dress choice, then the party’s success was guaranteed. The moment she came in sight, he could only nod approvingly.

And then it was time for formalities. Erik curtsied with a slight nod. His bow was slight, especially compared to is brothers. Of course, that was all according to the etiquette of a crown prince. ”His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen, Her Royal Highness, Princess of Aciras” God, he hated addressing Raven as anything besides just Raven. It felt off being so formal to a friend. ”I, Crown prince Erik Bel Auster of Austerund, express my gratitude in the name of the Austerian delegation for accepting us in your presence today. May the sun touch your kingdom eternally.” He spoke as was custom for ages long before Austerund even existed. Soon the sun would touch that kingdom again. Notably, the woman of the hour was not present at the entrance herself. Perhaps she was in the hall itself? Greeting the bride-to-be was of great prudency, almost as important as addressing the rulers themselves in his eyes.

Once the Aciran royalty finished formally addressing Erik and his brothers in similar fashion, only then were they released from their curtsies and were they allowed entry into the castle. Such was only proper. Erik took great care to not miss a beat all the way to the end. He would not allow himself the embarrassment in front of the Aciran court. What good would his suit do him if he might as well be wearing a clown’s costume? Every little thing had been forcefully pressed into the princes’ skull from a tender age.

Walking inside, even the entrance hall would reveal the incredibly intricate detail Raven and her team had put into every facet of this event. It was a feat that the Bel Auster siblings could only admire. Silently Erik was looking forward to the celebrations, and what they had in store for them. As long as it didn’t involve crowds all too often.

Palm Beach Royals: Class Reunion

Alexander Shields woke up with a start from his phone’s alarm ululating throughout his room. There was little doubt in his mind that his neighbour would’ve heard his wake-up call just as well. He just had to hope Allison hadn’t been sleeping. (sorry)
Alex felt so rejuvenated. He couldn’t even recall the last time he had the luxury of a common nap. If there was one thing children liked to devour more than sweets, it was daddy’s free time. There was never a minute without Rosie after he picked her up from day care, until he tucked her into bed. Usually around this time he would be cooking- no wait, it was Friday. On Fridays he usually got her some take-away. Rosie had a particular taste for Chinese food. He wondered what his parents were going to feed her in his absence. Knowing them, they’d spoil her rotten.

As if on cue, his stomach rumbled. Considering there was a party starting in barely two hours, it was prudent to apply old student wisdom: No drinking on an empty stomach. With a sigh he got up from his bed and he ordered room service. Today was a day for fish. Yes, tuna should be fine. Alex couldn’t even remember the last time he had eaten tuna that didn’t come from a can. The fresh pepper-crusted tuna steak, with a modest side salad, he received barely 30 minutes later delivered spectacularly, however.

The following hour was filled with frantic preparation. Luckily the dress code matched quite well with what the single dad wore to work every day anyway. His closet was filled with neat button-up shirts and jeans. Dress shoes weren’t part of his usual repertoire, but those had been easily bought. Nobody would have to know how he had spent an hour at home picking which tie to bring, only to realise that ties weren’t exactly part of a smart casual outfit. Oh well. Tonight he settled on a stark white button-up shirt with jeans and brown leather dress shoes.

There was only one more preparation to do before he was ready to leave. He reached for his cellphone and dialled his parents’ home number. The phone rung many a times, making Alex wonder if maybe they had taken Rosie out for dinner. But his wonders were cut short quickly. ”Hi daddy!” Number recognition was a wonderful invention, wasn’t it?

Alex’s mouth formed into a small smile when he heard her voice, accompanied by a flicker of joy in his chest. It had only been a few hours, but already he longed to see his little girl again. ”Rosie, sweetheart. Are you enjoying yourself with grandma and grandpa?”

”Yes, dad.” She answered simply. ”Grandma told me so! She says she’ll take me to Taco Bell tomorrow!” She exclaimed happily. One compliment could make Rosie’s entire week, he knew. Her mother had been like that as well.

”Taco bell? Daddy is jealous already!” He laughed. ”Daddy is proud of you. Don’t forget your bedtime, you hear?” Alex had been quite strict with Rosie’s bedtime, and he had requested his parents send her to bed at the same times. He didn’t quite feel like arguing with his child about bedtimes just yet. Selfishly, he enjoyed the peace he had when she slept. Luckily for him, Rosie told him what he wanted to hear. Their call then ended with a sweet goodnight kiss.

Then he got dressed, he got his hair in check and put on his best cologne. And so he was ready.

---

Alexander entered the poolside bar area nonchalantly. He appreciated the fantastically lit area for a second from the entrance. Indeed, he would have to compliment whoever had designed this particular décor. The warm light drew him in invitingly, like a warm embrace. The salsa music guided him along, getting his mood up. He looked around the area, scanning the familiar faces. He wasn’t looking for anyone in particular. Alexander Shields had no ulterior motives in attending this reunion. None in particular, anyway. His aim was to simply have a few good days with old friends.

Then he saw Willow, and was reminded that maybe he had one objective in coming here. Yes, they had to talk at least once during this reunion. If there was one thing Alex had regretted from his high school days, it was that their friendship had evaporated so suddenly before their high school days were over. He wondered if she had resented him, and whether or not she still did. After ten years, that had certainly changed, right?

And then there were a few others already present. It was remarkable how many people he still recognized despite the many years. He still easily recognized Allison and Jace. Naturally, he still recognized Brent. It hadn’t been that long since they had last spoke. Then there was one person he had to scan for a longer time before finally putting a name to the face, sitting with Willow. Was that really Tara? He honestly wasn’t sure. But he decided to move on before he was staring too long trying to ascertain that assumption.

There was only one place where Alex could naturally go from here. And as such he took a seat with Jace and Brent. ”Gentlemen!” He started as he sat down. ”You’ve both made it, great! Let’s hope the rest of the guys join us soon.” He smiled. Certainly the king’s men would have a lot to catch up on. But before that, he remembered he had forgotten something important. ”Actually, I’m going to get a drink. Can I get you two something from the bar?”

When Royalty Collides

Erik Bel Auster

Name

Erik Nikolai Bel Auster

Title

Crown prince

Age

23

Gender

Male

Sexuality

Heterosexual

Appearance

• Hair: Brown | Wavy | Well-kept with a lot of gel
• Eyes: light brown
• Height: 1.9 meters
• Body Type: Slim, toned
• Clothing Style: Formal | In public, Erik usually appears in incredibly expensive suits or formal military uniforms. In private, however, he does switch to the more casual sweaters and jeans.
• Scars, Tattoos and/or Piercings: Nothing of note

Personality

Stoic Erik Bel Auster has always been known as the most intelligent of the royal brothers, though not as the most sociable or amicable. He is known as observant and incredibly disciplined. Though he is not unkind and usually well-meaning, he tends to appear slightly apathetic and distant. People perceive him as someone who will be a good king, but not the royal who will get the most love from the people. Nevertheless, Erik is passionate about the things he cares about, and that includes his kingdom.

He is proud of his kingdom, to the point of patriotism, but also just a very proud person. Nothing shows his nature more than his vanity. Erik does not appear in public unless he looks his absolute best. His stylish outfits are the talk of the tabloids on regular occasion. Finally, he is quite easy to irritate. Some topics in particular can invoke a strong ire. Perhaps his betrothed would know exactly what…

Likes // Dislikes

✓ Archeology
✓ Exercise
✓ Historical weapons and armour
✓ Using such weapons (not the real ones, modern recreations)
✓ Animals
✓ Good manners
✓ Card and board games (chess in particular)
✓ The Northern Lights
✓ Theatre
✓ Learning
✓ Traveling

✗ The Kingdom of Arcenia
✗ Dishonesty
✗ Whining
✗ Lack of discipline
✗ Slapstick comedy
✗ Arcenian royalty
✗ Techno
✗ Insects
✗ Heavy rain
✗ Did we mention Arcenia?

Biography

Great king Leopold Bel Auster of the grand nation of Austerund, protector of the Austerian people and patriarch of the true Bel Auster family, was a ruler both benevolent and stern. Under his rule the people continued to prosper, but his will was unbendable iron. Leopold’s parenting was very much like his rulership. He truly knew the best thing for his children, but the children didn’t get much of a say in the matter. Especially when it came to crown prince Erik, who would become the great leader that Leopold desired.

Erik’s childhood consisted out of learning first and foremost. But luckily that was something Erik excelled at. Erik quickly established himself as the scholarly of the three princes. He took great interest in gathering as much knowledge as he could. Primary amongst this was the history of his world and, of course, his own country. It should come as little surprise that Erik was brought up as a patriot. Erik also developed a great interest in chess, something he does competitively to this day.

But Leopold’s iron parenting didn’t stop there. His father was sure to map out most of Erik’s life. At the tender age of eight he was told he was going to meet his future wife. The result of two kings finding the best solution to prevent the onset of a new war a mere two years back. His first meeting with his betrothed, a mere six at the time, was not exactly the most friendly. Neither were any of the very few meetings that followed, really.

Nevertheless, the more Erik aged, the clearer the importance of this marriage to the future of his country became. Erik was around fourteen when he finally stopped arguing with his father about it. Not that his father ever had any intention of letting him escape it. Erik simply took it with silent acceptance from then on. To be royalty meant to sacrifice one’s person for his people. That was what he had been taught. He locked it away into the deepest parts of his mind. The marriage was just a thing that had to happen. He would not let it rule him.

Erik primarily indulged himself in his education afterwards. His fascination with history continued to develop and flourish. So much so that he decided to go for a degree in history after he finished his mandatory military enlistment (Erik doesn’t talk about it much, but it did help his discipline).
Later he also decided to pursue a degree in chemistry at the same time. He developed a particular love for ancient languages and archeology. He is still active in the field, joining archaeological expeditions to dig sites around the world, but primarily in Austerund itself. He is specialized in the many chemical methods that exist to learn more about the artifacts his team finds.

A prince isn’t very lacking in either time or money. And so, Erik Bel Auster just spends his time doing the things he enjoys for the sake of enjoyment. He pursues his intellectual passions with fervor. He keeps himself busy for the sake of being busy, it often seems like (and probably because it makes him look good to the people, and Erik likes looking good). His marriage may come one day, when the princess finally stops postponing it, but he has chosen to not let it concern him. Erik loves his country, and would marry the devil for it. One immature princess was a small price to pay, in that regard.

Betrothed

Arabelle Rosalyn Mae Almore, the prissy princess of Arcenia

Other
Francisco Lachowski // b8c5c3

• Erik has built up a personal collection of historical artifacts. Of special note is his armoury containing an immense variety of both historical and modern weapons, armour and uniforms
• Erik owns two lovely servals’, Tiki and Coco
• Erik is well-known for his work with organisations that aim to preserve culture and history
• Actively practices HEMA, he is especially capable with swords
• Has a double degree in history and chemistry
• He loves traveling, and actively joins his father on diplomatic trips to other countries. Unfortunately, he usually learns more about leadership than about the country itself on such trips.
• Erik’s chess Elo is currently around 2700

The kingdom of Austerund

The under-appreciated gem of the north

Kingdom Name

Austerund

King and Queen

Leopold Bel Auster
Vigga Bel Auster

Kingdom Colors

Yellow, blue and white

What The Kingdom Is Known For

• Austerans are known as a very hospitable and cosy people. There is a strong focus on community, family and belonging. This permeates into society as a whole: parties, gatherings and festivities all involve a lot of cosiness, drinking, singing, traditional music and dancing.
• Austerund is known for its literature and storytelling, both classical and modern. Of special note: A great amount of folk tales can trace their origins to the region of Austerund.
• Austerund is very rich in both the performing and fine arts, but these are not that popular across borders. However, there are always a few exceptions that manage to become successful on a global scale. The same holds true for fashion.
• Because of their long-standing conflict with Arcenia, their military is significant
• Austerund is world leader in terms of social security. The government provides extensive funding for health care, education, science and arts amongst others. To great effects
• With its favourable position as a coastal trading hub, it allows for a very strong market in both services and transport of goods. Because the nation is also flourishing in the sciences, they can also effectively manufacture goods for export.
• Bountiful nature. However, the further north you go, the more you are met with harsh tundra climates.
• Austerund's most recent scientific exploits primarily involve climate change. The country has made great strides in turning the country more climate-friendly. As a result, the country is almost independent of fossil fuels. They can do with what they produce themselves. The country is working on making this technology available for other countries for purchase.

Recent // Relevant Kingdom History

Austerund is the northern half of the old kingdom of Crevona, which was divided in a civil war two-hundred years ago. The civil war came about by internal struggle within the royal family Bel Auster regarding succession.

This struggle came about when the king died. His sole daughter and appointed heir was far less popular with the people than the next-in-line; The first son of the king’s sister. The conflict ended with the daughter holding onto the southern half of the country, with the throne and the capital. This became Arcenia. The side family managed to wrestle control of the northern half of Crevona. This region contained the second largest city and the Bel Auster’s ancestrial home: Austerund. This became the namesake of the new country and its capital.

After the civil war, the new nation searched to establish itself. It found this identity in tradition. It held on to the past, as to establish their claim at being “the true Crevona”. Not a popular sentiment with their Arcenian counterparts, you could say. But in an effectively 300-year long cold war, their objections are not truly considered by Austerians.

Throughout the 1800’s the nation started to establish itself as a prime location for trade, with massive expansions to the harbours of the capital Austerund under the rule of King Nikolai II. This was the foundation of what is a very wealthy nation today. With a strong economy and expansive social security system, its people are consistently amongst the happiest in the world.

Other

• The primary religion of the country is Christianity
• The Austeran currency is called crowns
• Austerund boasts the world’s longest national anthem. Too bad it also sounds like garbage.
• It is not a country known for its cuisine, but everyone knows their sausages and meatballs.
• Austerund > Arcenia, it is a fact

Erik’s Relations

⚜ Respects ~*~ ☯ Neutral ~*~ ☮ Friends ~*~ ♫ Best Friends ~*~ § Tense ~*~ ♥ Crush ~*~ ⚤ Significant Other ~*~ ☠ Enemies
________________________________________
________________________________________

☠⚤ Arabelle Almore of Arcenia ⚤☠
"Being king means making sacrifices for your people.
Even if it means throwing yourself into the infernal maw of hell…"
Alas, no person is more influential on Erik’s life than Arabelle Almore. The prissy princess of Arcenia. The woman has effectively destroyed any chance Erik ever had for a fruitful love life. They were betrothed before they had even met.

There hasn’t been a single meeting that hasn’t ended in arguing or fighting. Arabelle brings out the absolute worst in Erik. Recenrly he has taken to ignoring her presence as much as he can, to maintain his composure. Honestly, the best thing she has ever done for him is postpone this sham of a wedding for as long as humanly possible.
________________________________________

☮ Quincy Seara-Lloyd of Mbrëmje ☮
"Opposites attract, or so they say"
Quincy and Erik are vast friends, despite how incredibly different they are. The two hang out on regular occasion. As the brains of the duo, he tries to shield Quincy from some of the worst choices he makes. That said, Quincy does help Erik to be more outgoing and have fun.
________________________________________

☯ Alejandro Aguila de Agustin of Castilya ☯
"Our styles differ greatly, but great style is undeniable."
If there is one thing that Erik and Alejandro have in common, it’s their incredible vanity. And on occasions where the two met, fashion and style was certainly the conversation topic. Erik sees Alejandro as a friendly acquaintance that he’ll gladly chat with at any occasion.
________________________________________

☮ Raven Aster Willow of Aciras ☮
"I can’t dislike someone who knows the value of knowledge… and swords"
Raven and Erik got along quite easily ever since their first meeting. The two have quite a lot in common both in personality and interests. Erik can never get enough of the Acrian royal library.
________________________________________

☮ Han Thuy Nguyen of Tuyen Phu ☮
"She is a nice person below that cold exterior, truly!"
Han is a little difficult to get along with, but the two of them became good friends as a result of their kingdoms’ trade alliance. Erik has gone to Tuyen Phu numerous times, for causes both diplomatically and academically. He never fails to visit Han when he does.
________________________________________

☮ Asher Blake Alcott of Notia ☮
"He's a nice person to play games with."
Notia and Austerund are strongly allied through their research agreements, ensuring their mutual scientific prosperity and supremacy. Erik has a great deal of respect for the kingdom of Notia as a result. His friendship with Asher, however, bloomed more over games of poker than any academic pursuits. That said, Erik did help Asher with chemistry when he needed it.
________________________________________

⚜ Marcela Alejandra Castillo of Aragonia ⚜
"Quincy’s got it good."
Erik primarily knows Marcela through Quincy. The two get along, but don’t have much in common. They are primarily just friendly acquaintances.
________________________________________

⚜ Beatrice Mei König of Königreich der Welten ⚜
"A respectable princess from a respectable nation"
Ever since the betrothal, Königreich has reopened negotiations with both Arcenia and Austerund. Erik has had the pleasure of meeting Beatrice there, and he respects her a great deal. They’re friendly acquaintances.
________________________________________

☯ Christian Henri Nassau of Luxembourg ☯
"He seems like a nice person. But I don't think we have much in common"
They met on diplomatic occasions, but everything remained formal. There's no real friendship between the two, but Erik wouldn't say no to a conversation with him.
________________________________________

§ Leonor Sofia Acosta Bourbon of Nevarrea §
"I don’t like her. But she’s pretty, I guess."
Just like Neverrea and Arcenia, Leonor and Arabelle get along much better than Leonor and Erik. Leonor has made that plenty clear with the looks she has given to Erik. Erik tends to avoid her as a result. She looks good, though.
________________________________________

☯ Christopher Apollonis Kalymnos of Hellenica ☯
"Just wait until he sees Austerund."
Another friend of Arabelle’s. Though this one seems more amicable. As a fellow lover of travel, Erik wouldn’t mind showing him more of Austerund one day (and how it is superior to Arcenia).
________________________________________

⚜ Zhao Raiden of Xi'n ⚜
"His country has problems, but he seems up to the task to solve them"
Erik is rather critical to how most of Xi’n treats the poorer side of the population. But he respects the crown prince and how he seems to care about all of his country;s people.
________________________________________

☯ Cassandra O'Brein of Dal Riata ☯
"I think I’ve heard of her. Not someone who catches my interest."
________________________________________

☯ Imani Kore of Massylii ☯
"I think I saw her on the news? Never really met her."
________________________________________

♫ Genevieve Marie Anders of Maris ♫
"Finding someone who understands my definition of a good time is a rare thing indeed. I’m glad we’re friends."
Relations with Maris have been stable ever since the times of Crevona, and the countries have powerful trade relations. Erik met Genevieve and Phillip originally met on a diplomatic visit, where they visited a ballet performance. Genevieve and Erik hit it off particularly well through their somewhat matching introverted personalities. She often made a good conversation partner, both in text and over person. Austerian folk tales, and their history, make particularly enjoyable topics. They have also played chess and several other board and card games on regular occasion.
________________________________________

☮ Philip Anders of Maris ☮
"A good fellow, and a better brother."
Although Erik is closer with Genevieve than he is with Phillip, the two are still quite amicable. In particular, Erik enjoys the conversation they have about the many places they have seen. He also entertains Erik in an occasional game of chess.
________________________________________

§ Maeryn Ozzette Raske of Dredalan §
"Yeah, no, I don’t think we’d get along."
________________________________________

§ Morrhys Aleksander Raske of Dredalan §
"Perhaps it’s best if I avoid Dredalan altogether."
________________________________________

⚜ Fareeha Isis Amari of Mamlakat Asslahra ⚜
"Good to see some military discipline."
________________________________________

☠ Catherine Almore ☠
"As if dealing with Arabelle wasn't bad enough."
Double the Almore daughters, double the hassle. That's just science. Catherine largely receives the same treatment as her sister.
________________________________________

☠ Quentin Houston of the Tessian Sovereignity ☠
"We do not deal with slavers"
As a result of the Tessian employ of indentured servants. All negotiations with Tessia have been halted indefinitely. Tessia is considered an enemy of Austerund and their officials will be arrested on sight if they were to ever set foot in Austerund. Erik very much agrees and considers them a disgusting people. Royalty included.
________________________________________

When Royalty Collides

Erik Bel Auster

Name

Erik Nikolai Bel Auster

Title

Crown prince

Age

23

Gender

Male

Sexuality

Heterosexual

Appearance

• Hair: Brown | Wavy | Well-kept with a lot of gel
• Eyes: light brown
• Height: 1.9 meters
• Body Type: Slim, toned
• Clothing Style: Formal | In public, Erik usually appears in incredibly expensive suits or formal military uniforms. In private, however, he does switch to the more casual sweaters and jeans.
• Scars, Tattoos and/or Piercings: Nothing of note

Personality

Stoic Erik Bel Auster has always been known as the most intelligent of the royal brothers, though not as the most sociable or amicable. He is known as observant and incredibly disciplined. Though he is not unkind and usually well-meaning, he tends to appear slightly apathetic and distant. People perceive him as someone who will be a good king, but not the royal who will get the most love from the people. Nevertheless, Erik is passionate about the things he cares about, and that includes his kingdom.

He is proud of his kingdom, to the point of patriotism, but also just a very proud person. Nothing shows his nature more than his vanity. Erik does not appear in public unless he looks his absolute best. His stylish outfits are the talk of the tabloids on regular occasion. Finally, he is quite easy to irritate. Some topics in particular can invoke a strong ire. Perhaps his betrothed would know exactly what…

Likes // Dislikes

✓ Archeology
✓ Exercise
✓ Historical weapons and armour
✓ Using such weapons (not the real ones)
✓ Animals
✓ Good manners
✓ Card and board games (chess in particular)
✓ The Northern Lights
✓ Theatre
✓ Learning
✓ Traveling

✗ The Kingdom of Arcenia
✗ Dishonesty
✗ Whining
✗ Lack of discipline
✗ Slapstick comedy
✗ Arcenian royalty
✗ Techno
✗ Insects
✗ Heavy rain
✗ Did we mention Arcenia?

Biography

Great king Leopold Bel Auster of the grand nation of Austerund, protector of the Austerian people and patriarch of the true Bel Auster family, was a ruler both benevolent and stern. Under his rule the people continued to prosper, but his will was unbendable iron. Leopold’s parenting was very much like his rulership. He truly knew the best thing for his children, but the children didn’t get much of a say in the matter. Especially when it came to crown prince Erik, who would become the great leader that Leopold desired.

Erik’s childhood consisted out of learning first and foremost. But luckily that was something Erik excelled at. Erik quickly established himself as the scholarly of the three princes. He took great interest in gathering as much knowledge as he could. Primary amongst this was the history of his world and, of course, his own country. It should come as little surprise that Erik was brought up as a patriot. Erik also developed a great interest in chess, something he does competitively to this day.

But Leopold’s iron parenting didn’t stop there. His father was sure to map out most of Erik’s life. At the tender age of eight he was told he was going to meet his future wife. The result of two kings finding the best solution to prevent the onset of a new war a mere two years back. His first meeting with his betrothed, a mere six at the time, was not exactly the most friendly. Neither were any of the very few meetings that followed, really.

Nevertheless, the more Erik aged, the clearer the importance of this marriage to the future of his country became. Erik was around fourteen when he finally stopped arguing with his father about it. Not that his father ever had any intention of letting him escape it. Erik simply took it with silent acceptance from then on. To be royalty meant to sacrifice one’s person for his people. That was what he had been taught. He locked it away into the deepest parts of his mind. The marriage was just a thing that had to happen. He would not let it rule him.

Erik primarily indulged himself in his education afterwards. His fascination with history continued to develop and flourish. So much so that he decided to go for a degree in history after he finished his mandatory military enlistment (Erik doesn’t talk about it much, but it did help his discipline).
Later he also decided to pursue a degree in chemistry at the same time. He developed a particular love for ancient languages and archeology. He is still active in the field, joining archaeological expeditions to dig sites around the world, but primarily in Austerund itself. He is specialized in the many chemical methods that exist to learn more about the artifacts his team finds.

A prince isn’t very lacking in either time or money. And so, Erik Bel Auster just spends his time doing the things he enjoys for the sake of enjoyment. He pursues his intellectual passions with fervor. He keeps himself busy for the sake of being busy, it often seems like (and probably because it makes him look good to the people, and Erik likes looking good). His marriage may come one day, when the princess finally stops postponing it, but he has chosen to not let it concern him. Erik loves his country, and would marry the devil for it. One immature princess was a small price to pay, in that regard.

Betrothed

Arabelle Rosalyn Mae Almore, the prissy princess of Arcenia

Other
Francisco Lachowski // b8c5c3

• Erik has built up a personal collection of historical artifacts. Of special note is his armoury containing an immense variety of both historical and modern weapons, armour and uniforms
• Erik owns two lovely servals’, Tiki and Coco
• Erik is well-known for his work with organisations that aim to preserve culture and history
• Actively practices HEMA, he is especially capable with swords
• Has a double degree in history and chemistry
• He loves traveling, and actively joins his father on diplomatic trips to other countries. Unfortunately, he usually learns more about leadership than about the country itself on such trips.
• Erik’s chess Elo is currently around 2700

The kingdom of Austerund

The under-appreciated gem of the north

Kingdom Name

Austerund

King and Queen

Leopold Bel Auster
Vigga Bel Auster

Kingdom Colors

Yellow, blue and white

What The Kingdom Is Known For

• Austerans are known as a very hospitable and cosy people. There is a strong focus on community, family and belonging. This permeates into society as a whole: parties, gatherings and festivities all involve a lot of cosiness, drinking, singing, traditional music and dancing.
• Austerund is known for its literature and storytelling, both classical and modern. Of special note: A great amount of folk tales can trace their origins to the region of Austerund.
• Austerund is very rich in both the performing and fine arts, but these are not that popular across borders. However, there are always a few exceptions that manage to become successful on a global scale. The same holds true for fashion.
• Because of their long-standing conflict with Arcenia, their military is significant
• Austerund is world leader in terms of social security. The government provides extensive funding for health care, education, science and arts amongst others. To great effects
• With its favourable position as a coastal trading hub, it allows for a very strong market in both services and transport of goods. Because the nation is also flourishing in the sciences, they can also effectively manufacture goods for export.
• Bountiful nature. However, the further north you go, the more you are met with harsh tundra climates.

Recent // Relevant Kingdom History

Austerund is the northern half of the old kingdom of Crevona, which was divided in a civil war two-hundred years ago. The civil war came about by internal struggle within the royal family Bel Auster regarding succession.

This struggle came about when the king died. His sole daughter and appointed heir was far less popular with the people than the next-in-line; The first son of the king’s sister. The conflict ended with the daughter holding onto the southern half of the country, with the throne and the capital. This became Arcenia. The side family managed to wrestle control of the northern half of Crevona. This region contained the second largest city and the Bel Auster’s ancestrial home: Austerund. This became the namesake of the new country and its capital.

After the civil war, the new nation searched to establish itself. It found this identity in tradition. It held on to the past, as to establish their claim at being “the true Crevona”. Not a popular sentiment with their Arcenian counterparts, you could say. But in an effectively 300-year long cold war, their objections are not truly considered by Austerians.

Throughout the 1800’s the nation started to establish itself as a prime location for trade, with massive expansions to the harbours of the capital Austerund under the rule of King Nikolai II. This was the foundation of what is a very wealthy nation today. With a strong economy and expansive social security system, its people are consistently amongst the happiest in the world.

Other

• The primary religion of the country is Christianity
• The Austeran currency is called crowns
• Austerund boasts the world’s longest national anthem. Too bad it also sounds like garbage.
• It is not a country known for its cuisine, but everyone knows their sausages and meatballs.
• Austerund > Arcenia, it is a fact

Palm Beach Royals: Class Reunion

There was something unique about the air in florida, as pervaded with airplane exhaustion as it was. Alexander couldn’t tell you what it was, but it felt like home. A nostalgic aura might be the most accurate description he could give you. But he couldn’t tell you how something that felt so homely, so integral to your very existence, still felt to foreign. When was the last time he had been here? His wedding. The last time he had been in Florida, she had still been alive. It had been Everly’s hand in his at that time instead of Rosie’s. The two of them trotted along at a merry pace, the speed of which very much gave away his little girl’s excitement about exploring a new place.

His daughter happily consumed the ice cream he had bought her, a welcome treat against the imposing sun of the early summer. She was so incredibly excited for him to fulfil everything he had promised her. They would visit the beaches, seaworld and even a few days to Walt Disney world. Of course, he’d also take her on a trip to the Kennedy space center. He wasn’t going to let an opportunity go to waste where he could show of his and her late mother’s greatest passion. Not to mention, it was the place where they had first met…

For a short while his mind trailed off. For a few seconds he felt the bliss of early teen love once again. Then he could feel himself being plummeted into the dark depths of loss. The bitter feeling of inevitability that he had felt when… No, not here. He had to pull himself together. Rosie couldn’t see her father’s despair. She was too young for the hard reality of this world. The girl somewhat understood the concept of death, in minor detail. But she had no idea of the immense pain it brought. How could she? And Alex was not about to pull her out of the bliss wonderland that one called ignorant childhood. The wonderland in which santa claus and the easter bunny existed as well. So he had to be strong. Everly counted on him to give their daughter the life she deserved, after all.

If only she could see how well she was growing up.

Yes, he had all sorts of trips planned with his daughter while they were in Florida. Two weeks of workless joy. But the first three days of that she would get to spend with her grandparents. Alex’s parents hadn’t seen the girl in well over a year now, and the same was true for Everly’s. He was lucky that they were able to come to D.C. the last few years. His busy work schedule hadn’t allowed much space (ha, astrology pun) to venture out. But he very much needed a way to blow off the work stress. The time had finally come.

His parental home was only one hour drive away from the airport. ”Hi, grandma” He told his mother as the door flung open. He looked at her appreciatively. It was strange how much more she had started to look like a granny after Rosie was born. As if the birth of grandchildren drained the age from grandparents’ bodies. But at the same time, Lydia Shields was still his lovely mother. A person he had grown to respect far more over the years, now that the hardships of parenthood were so much clearer to him. With a small pat on the back, Rosie was encouraged to give grannie Lydia a big hug, and they were invited in.

A very similar ritual repeated with grandpa, who was inside on his chair watching the baseball game. It was as if he hadn’t moved in the five years since Alex had last left him there (of course, he had visited, so this was obviously not true). A big hug for grandpa as well, and then they settled down for a nice cup of tea. Except for Rosie; she preferred the sweet taste of lemonade to the bitter tea. Roughly one hour later, he gave his princess a big hug of his own. The child nodded sweetly to his instructions: Be a good girl, be nice to your grandparents, eat your vegetables, brush your teeth and say hi to grandpa Joseph and grandma Miranda. Every instruction was met with a slightly more sarcastic yes. Ah, she was just like her mother.

She was going to be hell as a teenager, Alex already knew it. He pressed one more kiss against her forehead and left his daughter for a cosy three days with the grans.

The one hour drive towards Florida keys felt much more relaxed afterwards. He loved his daughter to death, but he could not deny the sweet relief that came with being able to have some time to himself for a bit. Between work and parenthood, that only amounted to maybe one hour every day on any normal day. It was so extremely draining that he couldn’t even start to explain it to others. And he didn’t want to explain it. What if they thought of him as a bad parent afterwards? He truly loved his daughter. But some days of rest were exactly what he needed. Even if he was still somewhat sceptical of the company he would find himself in over the next days. Still, a luxury resort was a luxury resort.

That was the main reason why he was going to this reunion, really. Alex couldn’t give too much of a damn about the reunion itself. He needed rest. He needed a distraction from his life, the grind he was in daily. Of course, there were people he did want to see again. He hadn’t seen most of his high school friends in some time. He still had contacts with a number of the dudes, and he still gamed with Grace on occasion. However, Alex didn’t have much of an attachment to the days. The most important person of those days was gone, after all. But still, it couldn’t hurt to reconnect. He didn’t have a clean break with everyone in high school. Willow came to mind especially. Maybe they could talk it out? He regretted how their friendship had gone to waste.

Florida keys was a place of beauty. He never really liked Amanda, but he could appreciate her choice of décor. The resort she picked matched exactly what he had pictured in his mind. It was strange, now that the moment was finally there, he was feeling strangely nostalgic to see those people again. It was like his “not giving a damn” switch got turned to “cautious curiosity”. He had to be wary to not grow excited. Surely setting his expectations too high would only lead to pathetic disappointment. He towed his luggage into the lobby.

The neat interior of the lobby sharply contrasted that of his home, which was cleaned far too infrequently. He forcefully prevented himself from making a mental note of all the stuff he still had to do at home. Relaxation was the name of the game for the next two weeks. He increased his pace to the reception. Alexander presented his most polite smile as he was confronted by the receptionist’s own. ”I’m checking in for the King’s academy reunion. The name is Shields.” And that was that. He forced himself to resign to three days of distraction. Three days of peace, should his former classmates allow him. He thanked the receptionist as he was told his room number and was handed the keys. Surely he could sneak in a short, well-deserved nap before he had to prepare himself.