Scarlet Loup

(High Casual) An Age Old Feud II

Still here! Actually started working on a post tonight.

(High Casual) An Age Old Feud II

I'll probably post for Maddox sometime this weekend as I continue to procrastinate!

(High Casual) An Age Old Feud II

King Alister Hardin

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Location - Kingdom of Abhainn
Interacting With - Queen Mira {@MissCapnCrunch}; Lord Aedan Merryn {@Pundii}

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How he hated this small talk. On the surface, it seemed harmless and dreadfully boring, but Alister couldn't help but feel on edge throughout the small, informal reception that seemed to occur once they had entered the palace. For a while, he was able to feel at least slightly at ease with Mira by his side, but they were slowly separated as she charmed her way into the circle of noble women. Whatever she spoke of was met with giggles and gasps from the assembled women.

Alister, on the other hand, was being grilled on national policy by these Abhainnians as well as on plans for the two nations once they had been joined by marriage. He could feel himself growing more irate as they questioned him, for they worded their questions as though Maddox would inherit both kingdoms, as though Julianna suddenly had a more valid claim to the throne than Jaxon himself.

He was grateful for a chance to escape the conversations and retire to his chambers to prepare himself for the feast. Al lurked about his chambers for most of the day after that, turning to the lute he had brought with him for something to do to ease the crippling boredom. As the sun finally set, his servants entered the chambers and laid out his outfit for him. Everything seemed to be a blur then as he dressed and joined the feast.

A voice behind him in the ballroom caused him to jump, and he whipped around to face Mira and her wily smirk. It took him a moment before he actually seemed to process her jest - the day's festivities had drained him already.

"I suppose we will have to make sure she does not find us then, my lady," he returned, playing along with the scenario as he wrapped his arms around her. She could tell he was drained, and she pressed a kiss into his hand with a gentle sort of passion, one that made him smile briefly back at her. "The fireworks are quite stunning - though not as stunning as you are I am certain." And now he gave a soft laugh, deep and sonorous, easily lost in the murmur around them. "It definitely wasn't as much of an affair as this is. Though I recall at least two cows being shot."

They made their way to the tables then where there were wines and some food for the nobles and royals to pick at. It was quit obvious that the feast itself was not to start until Maddox had arrived, but Alister hadn't a clue when that would be. For some time, he sat with Mira and drank the wine before them nervously. It was well made, and so Alister had consumed a bit too much by the time he became self aware of how much he had.

Head swimming, he patted his hand on Mira's hand and stood up from his chair. "I'll be back...I'm just going for some fresh air." It made him uneasy to have gotten this far into drinking. It had been years since he had gotten as drunk as he was now at something so public. And so he made his way out on to the balcony. The night air rushed to meet him, noticeable cooler than the air within the ballroom. For a moment, he simply let it wash over him, but then he noticed Aedan on the balcony as well, and he moved slightly towards the man - a comforting sight in this foreign land.

"Enjoying yourself?" he asked, looking over at the younger man.

(High Casual) An Age Old Feud II

I live! Finals are right around the corner for me which means this is the perfect time to procrastinate and work on my posts. I'll probably start working on Alister's as well while I'm on a roll.

(High Casual) An Age Old Feud II

King Maddox Auclair

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Location - Kingdom of Abhainn
Interacting With - Evangeline Farthing {@Filthy Mudblood}

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"It's my damn feast, and I'll arrive whenever I damn well please!" Maddox shouted as a servant pulled his undershirt over the king's head. A handmaiden preparing another piece of his clothing gave a quick jump of surprise as Maddox replied to a man who had let himself in. The man was far older than Maddox, and he had served for years as one of Frederick's advisers. It had been only natural then that the man appear on Maddox's own council - a council that all seemed to wish to play the role of father to the king himself.

The adviser erupted in a series of sputters as he struggled to find words with which to respond. "Your Majesty...I implore you...lest you offend King Alister and Queen Mirabelle or Lady Julianna herself." Maddox huffed, pulling away from the servant as he walked halfway across his chambers.

"And they are guests in my kingdom, and I'll be damned if I let them dictate my day." Each utterance of "damn" seemed to physically repulse the others in the room who knew that their previous king would have never conducted himself like this. "Damn it all." Maddox muttered once more, growing more irate as he realized he had run out of wine.

"Run back to the feast, if they ask, tell them I will be there shortly." The adviser gave a quick, albeit reluctant, nod and retreated from the room.

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When he finally did emerge from his rooms, Maddox certainly looked the part of the dashing young king. His doublet was a soft ivory color, and it had been embellished with thread that looked like spun gold. His boots, dark black with lacquer, had been polished to a shine, and he seemed to glow with his wealth.

Maddox's guards began to follow him down the hall as he proceeded to the ballroom. He probably could have arrived fashionably late if a figure hadn't barreled straight into him, almost knocking him down due to how suddenly it had all taken him by surprise. His guards bristled as the fire-haired girl ran into him, worried a foreigner had taken it upon themselves to end the treaty here.

He seized her upper arms tightly in his hands, forcing her at arms' length from his body, likely sharing the exact fears of his guards. But then he got a look at her as she spoke in a quick whirlwind, spouting out some story about wolves. Maddox couldn't help but smirk, and that smirk broke out into a laugh he could hardly control as he dropped his grip and smiled down at the woman.

"At ease," he commanded, mostly to his guards but also to the flustered woman. She was stunning, that much was true. Her hair had caught his gaze first, and it still held it. A shock of unruly hair atop an unruly young lady. He struggled to continue staving off his laughter.

"Perhaps I could, my lady - but directing you to your chambers would be quite difficult to do without first knowing who I am addressing, no?" He gave a quick chuff of laughter and turned back to his guards. "Leave us - she's hardly a threat to anybody." And so they did, albeit reluctantly. Perhaps they worried the woman was still as much of a threat as they had pegged her to be, that she would suddenly pull a dagger from her thigh and attack Maddox. Or, rather, they worried to leave their king along with the strange, endearing woman. Maddox had a reputation with woman, one they hoped he wouldn't act on especially on a night such as this one. When they had finally left earshot, Maddox turned to her once more.

"Now, your name?"

(High Casual) An Age Old Feud II

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all! I have been working on posts - I'm a little too drunk and sleepy to get around to finishing them, but I should get stuff up tomorrow.

(High Casual) An Age Old Feud II

Super excited! Probably won't have posts up tomorrow since I have a ton of work to do before I go on Thanksgiving break, but look for them either Monday or, best case scenario, Sunday night.

(High Casual) An Age Old Feud II

I can do a final post for Maddox tomorrow if you want? Otherwise, I'm good with a skip.

(High Casual) An Age Old Feud II

King Alister Hardin

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Location - Kingdom of Abhainn
Interacting With - Queen Mira {@MissCapnCrunch}; King Maddox {@Scarlet Loup}; Future Queen Julianna {@HushedWhispers}; Lady Amaranthea {@WolfLover}

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Alister had been vaguely restless for the majority of the day. Though he had finally ceased bouncing his leg, the past hour had been spent with him twisting and turning the rings he had adorned himself with. They were inlaid with expensive stones and gems, expected for a man of his sheer status in society.

He certainly could have spent the entire ride in silence, and he had fully intended to do so, but Mira took it upon herself to shatter the silence. She addressed the children, but he couldn't help but wonder if the question had been intended for him to overhear. It was no secret that he hated this arranged marriage. Not only had he heard some unsavory rumors of Abhainn's king, he simply couldn't help but feel a wave of guilt every time he saw his sister now. Though the treaty had technically been the doing of his father, he had been the one to carry it out, and he would see it through.

Alister's jaw clenched for a moment, but he softened as Mira rested her hand atop his. Slowly, he turned his hand over, entwining his fingers with hers. Alister looked up at his son, giving a soft chuff of laughter. "I am sure we all hope he treats her well," he commented softly, more to himself than anyone else, as he brushed his thumb along the back of his wife's hand.

The carriages rolled to a stop slowly, and they all began to stand and exit. The children left first, then he and Mira. She linked her arm with his, only accentuating the sheer difference in their heights. The four of them proceeded forward, following Julianna through the crowd. If he thought his own court was awful, the sheer volume of people now was horrific.

"She does," he agreed. Alister looked back at her and couldn't help but give a slight smile back at her. "I will try, my dear. For her sake and for yours."

Julianna rounded back, passing him. Alister offered her the same smile he had given Mira, forcing himself to look excited for her. "It's a big day, Julia." And then she was off, approaching her future husband. He looked up as the two young royals came face to face, greeting each other.

In the meantime, as Amaranthea approached, he gave a quick nod as memories of her came back to him. It had been ages since he had last seen her. "You look well, Lady Amaranthea. It is good to see you."

A voice beside him drew his attention back to Maddox who was busy already speaking to the royal couple. "We are certainly grateful for your hospitality," he replied, bowing slightly to Maddox, markedly more so than Maddox had to him. He couldn't help but flush slightly and feel the skin under his collar crawl as Maddox remarked on his days in battle. "You...flatter me. Though I can not say I have heard much of your prowess." The blush that crept up Maddox's face gave him slightly more pleasure than he had intended on.

(High Casual) An Age Old Feud II

King Maddox Auclair

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Location - Kingdom of Abhainn
Interacting With - Prince Lucian Auclair {@WolfLover}; Future Queen Julianna {[@Hushed Whispers]}; Lady Amaranthea {@WolfLover}; King Alister {@Scarlet Loup}; Queen Mira {@MissCapnCrunch}

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Maddox had hardly had a moment to himself since first waking that morning. It made sense, however, for today was a momentous day, and his court had to ensure everything went well. Peace between the two kingdoms was at stake here, and they'd be damned if their half-wit of a king soiled it.

He could have sworn his head had hardly hit the pillow the morning before when there was a sharp knock at the door. Maddox's eyes fluttered open, and he gave a soft curse as the shouting from the servant outside reached him through the door.

"One moment!" he shouted in reply, startling the woman in bed beside him. She grabbed at the sheets, covering her exposed self deftly.

"Shall I leave you, Your Highness?" she breathed, still speaking in the lilting tone that had caught his ear the night before - though he was certainly not a difficult man to convince when he had imbibed, and imbibed he had at the gathering he had thrown to celebrate a final night of singularity.

"That does seem wise, doesn't it, m'lady?" he asked, quirking an eyebrow as he nodded towards the door where his coterie awaited him. The girl blushed as she dressed, painfully aware of the walk she would have to take before Maddox's staff as they waited for the chance to begin preparations. But Maddox himself concerned himself little with such a thought and laid his head back down on the pillow before staring up once more at the ceiling high above him.

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That had been hours ago, but it seemed far longer than that. He stood now in the courtyard, watching as the carriages rolled to a stop. His skin prickled under his collar as he watched the first few nobles disembark. To his right stood his younger brother, Lucian, who leaned over slightly to question the King's nerves.

"Oh, I'm quite alright," he returned, smirking to himself. "Just preparing to give away my freedom for the good of the kingdom." Maddox gave a few quick taps of his foot as the royals left their carriages. The King and Queen caught his eye first - both dignified in their own way, led by their children.

But then there was Julianna in all of her glory. She seemed to glow in the Abhainnian sun, her golden locks catching the rays. She was stunning, and he couldn't help but give a slight smirk as she began to approach him. At least he might enjoy some part of this forced marriage. Maddox took a step towards her, nearly closing the gap between them.

"My lady, it is a pleasure to have you here in our kingdom," he greeted, giving a quick bow. Maddox reached for one of her hands and took it gently in his own. "You're certainly more beautiful than I could have imagined." He pressed a quick kiss into her knuckles and then let her hand go softly. He looked towards Alister and Mira now, inclining his head slightly as the royal couple approached.

"Your Majesties, it is an honor to welcome you and your family to my kingdom, and I hope you feel welcome throughout your time here." He looked back to Julianna once more and flashed a quick smile. "And yes, there will be a celebration to welcome you all. But first, I hope you and your party will make yourselves at home." Lady Amaranthea stepped forward from the crowd, greeting him with a bow. He nodded in return, inviting her to greet her new mistress.

Maddox, instead, turned to look at his Sliabhian counterpart - Alister. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Alister," he remarked, nodding once more at the older man. "I have heard tales of your prowess in battle."

He looked once more to Julianna, flashing a smile in her direction again and hoping she might catch his eye. Maddox was already quite aware of his effect on her - he could still see the tinge of a blush in her cheeks, could hear the breathiness in her voice as she addressed him. He might enjoy himself yet - for now, at least.