Trash Panda

Amnesia [Suki & Summer]

“No, that’s exactly what it is,” Cas chuckled when Iris spoke about driving. He enjoyed having the chance to decide how he spent his own time. Being able to go wherever he pleased without adhering to anyone else’s schedule was a good feeling. It was why he took every opportunity to get out of the mansion that he could get. When he was with his father or other members of the royal court, he pretty much belonged to them. Sometimes, he felt more like a figurehead than a person. As the next heir to the throne, he technically had more power than everyone but the current king, but he had to be mindful of the consequences of every action he took. When he was with his friends or among the other high borns in the capital, he could do what he wanted with only the paparazzis to worry about.

At her following question, he shrugged. “Sort of. Most people know how, but since cars have an auto-pilot option, they don’t often practice the skill. I’m definitely in the minority when it comes to volunteering to get behind the wheel.” It was the reason why he had bonded with Jay, he remembered. His friend was equally as fond of driving, especially when he could operate a luxury model like the ones the Maydestones owned. The two of them had had quite a few late nights joyriding and drag racing around the edge of the city when everyone else was off the roads.

“Always,” he glanced at Iris with a grin and rolled down the windows, turning up the volume on the stereo so it was still audible over the rush of the wind that flooded into the car. It had been a bit of a test when he’d asked her how she preferred to take the drive to the historic district. Most high borns were safety-conscious and might have been nervous to accept his proposition to knowingly disobey the traffic laws, but she wasn’t like most people. He was thrilled to find out that she might have been an adrenaline junkie like he was.

Since they were having fun, Cas took a longer route to get to their destination than he’d originally planned. Blasting music and speeding with the windows open with a friend was a nice change of pace after sitting through a boring lesson that morning. By the time they got to the old district, he was in a great mood. He dragged his fingers through his unkempt hair while putting the car in park, attempting to straighten it out a bit after the wind had ravaged it. His dark locks were cut short, so it didn’t take long to fix the damage.

He climbed out of the vehicle first and trotted around to the passenger side to help Iris with her crutches and offer a hand if she needed any assistance getting up from her low seat. “So, does this place ring any bells?” he asked hopefully, looking at the park he had chosen for their first stop. The scenic area was quaint, with a few trees and bright green grass. He’d always thought it was like a hidden jewel in the capital, a small piece of nature tucked away between all the surrounding skyscrapers and other elaborate, manmade works of architecture.

All around the park, across the streets that bordered it, were rows small shops with antiques and products made by old-time artisans. The little district as arranged in a rectangular shape, so visitors could walk through it in a loop and end up back where they started when they were done exploring.

“My mom used to bring me here about once a week when I was a kid,” he recalled fondly. “They have a lot of cool, old stuff to look at. If you want to, we could walk the circuit and stop at any of the shops that catch your eye.”

Amnesia [Suki & Summer]

Sorry it's taking me so long to write back! I was planning to get posts done yesterday, but we ended up decorating the house for Christmas instead. I've got a lot to do for school and the holidays, so I may not be able to post until next weekend if I get too busy

~Bonsoir~

Group projects are the worst! Good luck! And don't worry about it. I just got back from visiting family for Thanksgiving, but now I have so much else to do for my school projects and an early Christmas party we're throwing for our friends tomorrow that I don't think I'll be able to write until Tuesday at the very earliest ^^; And depending on how my hospital project goes, it could take me until the weekend to have time again. Take as long as you need!

~Bonsoir~

Vail nodded in understanding when Victoria answered his question. He had guessed that the pill didn’t taste good based on its acrid smell. He was also glad that he didn’t have to take anything like it, both because of the apparent unpleasantness of medicine and because taking it was a sign of sickness. While he couldn’t imagine what it felt like to be ill, it didn’t look like something he was missing out on. He reached for her hand again, this time to hold as she swallowed the pill, appreciative of his species’ superior biology.

At her following question, he remained silent for a long moment, considering how to respond. Since he had met her, his perspective about many things had changed. It wasn’t that long ago that he would have agreed with his father about everything they were quarreling about now. Additionally, the thought of becoming the next head of the clan wasn’t any less daunting to him today than it had been before. The responsibilities the title brought were a heavy burden to bear. He didn’t envy Peter in the slightest for all the duties he’d had to take up since Reginald’s death over a century ago.

“If you had asked me that even a few weeks ago, I think I would,” he admitted, idly tracing his thumb over the back of her hand. “It isn’t something we try to understand. Humans are supposed to be our prey, not our lovers. If I hadn’t broken that rule, myself, I wouldn’t have even humored the possibility.” He paused, studying her face as he reflected again on how far his paradigm had shifted since their night together at The Shire. “But now, I don’t know. I’d like to think that I would at least hear him out.”

The faint sound of footsteps in the hallway caught Vail’s attention, and he turned to the door just before his father stepped inside. The older Hygrace met his gaze with narrowed eyes. “I’m beginning to think you enjoy testing my patience, Vail.”

“I know you disapprove, father, but I’ve made up my mind,” the heir asserted, remaining planted beside Victoria on the bed. He didn’t bother arguing the point any further, since he knew there was nothing he could say to convince Peter that he wasn’t making a mistake. If he was honest, he wasn’t entirely certain that he wasn’t making a mistake either. Taking Lady Crest as a lover could still lead to his death. The only difference was that he no longer cared how their involvement changed his fate. He had meant every word when he’d told her that he wanted to be with her.

“Our traditions are what have kept us alive,” his father growled, folding his arms over his chest. “If you’re willing to abandon them so quickly for a girl you barely know, I can always send her away, so you can get your priorities in order.”

“Actually, I don’t think you can,” Vail rebutted thoughtfully. “She’s in no condition to be moved, and the Saints know she’s with us. They saw me carry her through the front door. If you cast her out now and she dies in the cold, they’ll blame you for her death. She has to stay here until she recovers.”

Peter pursed his lips, pondering the situation for a moment before he asked in a low voice, “Even if I allowed this to continue, where do you think it’s going to go?”

The Hygrace heir looked away from him, perplexed by the question. Truthfully, he had no answer. He was considering turning her into a vampire, but he didn’t know if the ritual could still be done or if she would even agree to go through with it. There were too many unknowns for him to confidently say that he knew what the future had in store for them if he stayed with her.

Peter noticed his hesitation and tilted his chin up, believing that he was finally getting through to his son. “And you,” he turned to the Crest heiress. “If you really cared about Vail, then you would stop taking advantage of his fascination with your blood. I know he was the one who caused those bite marks on your neck. I’m not sure what you think you’re going to gain from keeping him on your hook, but if you don’t stop, you’re going to be the death of him. Then you’ll have made enemies with the rest of the Hygraces, and we don’t take vengeance lightly.”

Cirque du Sombre [Siaya Dragalorn & Summer]

Even though Lune tried to be subtle, Rayth could tell that she was just as nervous around him as she had been when she’d first bolted away. Her eyes were shifty, and she watched him with the same caution as an animal of prey would study its predator. It wasn’t the first time he’d been regarded as if he would go on a killing spree without warning, but her lingering wariness puzzled him. He would have thought that after she’d talked to Frieda, she would have realized she didn’t have anything to be scared of. Why else would she have come back if she hadn’t been convinced?
When she hesitated at his question, he folded his arms over his bare chest in subconscious defensiveness, wondering if she still thought his intentions were malicious. He wasn’t trying to isolate her. The offer to get away from the back yard had been for both of their benefits, since the incense always messed with his head, and now that he knew she was human, he was sure she was feeling it too. It just seemed like the smarter choice to go inside the big top, where they could talk clearheadedly without getting drunk on the multicolored haze.
If she did think he was plotting to drain her blood, she was bolder than he’d expected. He felt himself relax when she agreed to go with him and took a step forward to walk to the tent. However, before he could take a second, he felt a whispery, feminine voice tickle his ear: “Don’t tell the girl about the rest of the troupe yet. Frieda’s orders.”
He glanced over his shoulder to see who had spoken, but he couldn’t see anyone there. If he hadn’t been able to catch the familiar scent of faerie or feel the shiver of moving air near his jaw, he might have thought he’d imagined the quiet words, but he was sure it had been one of the ringmistress’s underlings. Her warning cleared up some of his confusion too. Frieda must have implied that he was the only non-human member of the circus if she didn’t want him to tell her that the others were supernatural creatures as well.
Lune’s lowered voice drew Rayth’s attention back to the present moment. It sounded like the ringmistress had told her about more than just his vampire lineage. He wasn’t particularly secretive about being a halfling, but it felt a little strange to discuss the subject with someone who had learned about what he was through a third party. Most of the time, if it came up, he would tell them himself. She didn’t seem perturbed though. If anything, it almost looked like the thought was funny to her.
“It’s a big world,” he shrugged, latching eagerly onto her lighthearted approach to the subject. Although he didn’t believe he was the most unique member of Cirque du Sombre by any means, he kept the objection to himself for the sake of honoring Frieda’s request.
Trotting a couple paces ahead, he pulled back the curtain entrance of the big top for Lune to enter first. It wasn’t much, but he hoped that small, kind gestures would help her to see that he wasn’t just a bloodthirsty monster like she’d thought. The tactic had worked on other humans he’d interacted with in the past, so it was worth a shot.
“It’s not that surprising though, is it?” he went on, casting her an amused smile as they stepped into the tent. “I mean, have you ever seen a Latino vampire before?” He made his way to the closest bench and sat down in another attempt to demonstrate that he wasn’t a threat, ever mindful of the effects his actions could have on her while she was still warming up to him.
He made no effort to convince her to sit with him and instead leaned back languidly with his elbows propped on the raised bench behind him. “As for my decision to join the circus, it was a practicality,” he explained. “No one else expects it any more than you did, so it makes for a good cover. It’s safe; and that’s why anyone does it, right?”

Amnesia [Suki & Summer]

Oof, sounds like it! Glad you're doing better.

Don't worry about it! I've been really busy this past week, and I'm going out of town again tomorrow through Saturday or Sunday for Thanksgiving. I'm trying to catch up on posts today, but I've got quite a few along with some homework that I also need to get done before the weekend, so we'll see what happens ^^; I'm bringing my laptop to my parents' house while we stay with them though, so if I have time to write, I'll try to get a little more done there!

Amnesia [Suki & Summer]

“Not so much lately,” Caspian shrugged in answer to Iris’s question, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand. “I’m usually too busy during the day. That’s why I go out late.” Between his mandated studies and the responsibilities he often had to take over for his father, he rarely had time to himself when the sun was out. The past two days he’d spent with her had been some of the most relaxed he’d had in at least two weeks. However, he hadn’t given up on enjoying life just yet. The capital night life was where he rebelled against his encroaching fate. Even if it meant not getting a full night of sleep, he was determined to get out of his family’s manor whenever he heard about parties and other late night events that sounded fun.

Thinking about it now, he wondered how much longer the calm would last before the storm. It wouldn’t have been surprising to find out that he had to make an appearance somewhere or read something about the state of the nation tomorrow. That was yet another reason why he hoped Iris got her memory back soon. He couldn’t keep her entertained forever, especially when he usually didn’t have this much free time. As much as he would have liked to keep going about every day as carefree as they had been, his father needed him to pick up some of the jobs that came with being the heir to the crown.

Walking down the hallway that led to the Maydestone family’s enormous garage, Cas glanced at her. “I also just prefer to drive myself,” he chuckled amusedly. “I’ll take any chance I can get to sit behind the wheel instead of in the backseat.” Since the capital was so heavily fortified, he could often travel without bodyguards or chauffeurs, but occasionally, he had to endure the inconvenience of additional security. His father never went anywhere without multiple trained guards. Knowing he would one day have to step into the king’s shoes, he took advantage of every personal freedom he had left before it was swiped out by the requirements that came with being the next monarch.

When they reached the garage, the prince led Iris over to his car and helped her fit her crutches into the backseat. Enjoying the opportunity to be a gentleman, he also opened the door for her to sit in the passenger side before he circled around to get in the driver’s seat. As he started the ignition, his dark eyes flicked to the gauges on the dashboard. It looked like one of the family servants had charged the electric vehicle’s battery since he’d brought it back yesterday.

“Alright,” he grinned, turning on the stereo and setting up a song he liked. “Let’s get out of here.” Navigating his way out of the building, he drove the car out to the private road that led to the gate. “What do you think? Windows up or down?” he asked, turning briefly to Iris with a mischievous expression. “We’ll be taking the highway, so we can go pretty fast. The police know my plate number. They won’t pull us over.”

Cirque du Sombre [Siaya Dragalorn & Summer]

That's great! Mine was a lot of fun ^^ We went to Universal in Florida over Halloween! They had a haunted house thing going on, which we didn't do, so the lines for the rides in the rest of the park were really short! We made it our mission to do every high-speed roller coaster, haha. I loved it.

Also with winter break coming up, I should have more time in general in about 2-3 weeks!

Cirque du Sombre [Siaya Dragalorn & Summer]

That's okay! Did you have a good vacation? ^^ I'm going out of town to a wedding today, so I may not write much until Sunday or Monday

Amnesia [Suki & Summer]

If I do, I don't remember them xD Did you have one?

Thanks! I'm worlds better today ^^ And oh no! How did that happen?

--

EDIT: Sorry, that took a little longer than I wanted it to. I had a weird bought of writer's block yesterday for all my RPs, so I got nothing done ^^; Finished it now though! Hope you like it.