Trash Panda

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

For the rest of the ride to Sarton, Crow paid much closer attention to his surroundings than he had during the first half. Although nothing happened, and he still doubted that a mercenary would try to attack them while they were so close to the heart of the kingdom, he wanted to brush up on old habits that had become dusty since he had taken the title of viceroy. In the outer villages, he had been better about watching his own back no matter where he was, since there were people throughout the whole of Brerra who had wanted to see him dead or imprisoned again. If he had let his guard down the way he had been recently, he might not have escaped from some of said people who had tried to capture him themselves.

So, by the time they arrived outside the inn, he was mentally exhausted from keeping watch and physically exhausted, since it had been over two years since the last time he’d been on the back of a horse from dawn until dusk. He slid down from Baine’s back with a relieved sigh, his legs slightly sore from straddling the stallion’s back all day. There was still a long way to go until they reached the Younisian castle. He hoped his body would adjust to the strain of riding quickly, so he wouldn’t show up to the negotiation bowlegged.

“Thank the gods we finally reached supper,” he corrected Penelope with a smirk as Preston took his horse’s reins to bring him to the stables in the back. There were far too many of the beasts for him to handle alone, so Percival, the second lowest ranking among their group, collected Otto’s, Rayner’s, and Naida’s in addition to his stallion. He took two sets of reins in each hand as he and the attendant headed off to set all seven horses up for the night behind the inn.

“I’ll alert the innkeeper to our arrival,” Otto announced, turning to head inside the building.

Crow nodded wordlessly behind the baron’s back. Otto had earned some points with him for keeping Naida occupied during the remainder of their ride that day, but he still didn’t know what to think about the older man, so past prejudices kept him slightly cold. It was the same with Rayner, who seemed uncomfortable in the presence of the others now that his father was gone. It was difficult to tell if he was just shy or if he felt out of place because of the closeness that had already developed between Crow, Naida, and Penelope long before he’d been chosen to accompany them on the trip. Whatever the case, his awkwardness was tangible as he shifted his weight and continually glanced at the door to the inn, as if eagerly awaiting the baron’s return.

“I can’t wait to get some sleep,” Naida groaned, reaching her arms high over her head in a long stretch. “I didn’t know how tiring these long rides were going to be. It would be nice if there was a way for us to get to Younis without sitting on a horse all day.”

“It’s called a wagon,” Crow laughed. “And it’s how we traveled the first time we went to Younis.”

“That’s not fair,” his sister crossed her arms. “Why don’t we get have a wagon on this trip?”

“Because all of us know how to ride horses,” the viceroy shrugged. “The king said we’ll cover more distance if we don’t have such a heavy burden dragging us down.”

“I’d prefer a long, slow ride over this,” the princess protested.

“Too late to change it now,” Crow pointed out and then turned back to Penelope. “We should go inside to get a table. I’m not going to sleep on an empty stomach.”

Amnesia [Suki & Summer]

I got half done today at least xD Definitely not in any kind of order though.

Can't wait to keep this going! ^^

Amnesia [Suki & Summer]

The next morning, Cas was awoken by the jarring sound of his phone ringtone. He groaned and pulled his comforter over his head, internally debating whether he should answer the cursed device or throw it across the room. Having gone to bed so late in the night, he had been hoping to sleep in until closer to noon. However, judging by the soft light coming in through his bedside window, it was still sometime in the morning.

The phone rang again, and he hissed a curse under his breath, wondering who would be trying to reach him at this time of the day. Mustering what strength he had, the prince sat up on his mattress and leaned back on one palm as he tiredly rubbed his eyes. Whoever was on the other end of the phone was still pestering him with yet a third call, but he took his time waking up rather than answering it right away. If the caller was going to be so rude as to wake him up at—he glanced at the digital clock on the wall—nine thirty in the morning, then he was going to make them wait before he responded.

Just as the third ring was about to go to voicemail, he swiped the phone from the table and lifted it to his ear without bothering to check the caller ID. “This had better be important,” he growled into the receiver. Usually, he was far more patient with other people, but he’d never been a morning person. That paired with the exceeding late night he’d had taking calls from security had left him in a grumpy mood.

Oh my god, you’re alive, Miles’s voice transmitted through the other end of the line.

“Of course I’m alive,” Cas pinched the bridge of his nose, hoping for his friend’s sake that Miles didn’t wake him up just to state the obvious. “What are you going on about?”

What do you mean ‘what am I going on about’? It’s all over the news! Miles replied excitably. Every jumbo tron in the city is broadcasting that the palace was attacked by terrorists. The reporters said there still hasn’t been much info released yet, so I’ve been trying to get ahold of you to make sure you hadn’t died.

“I wasn’t there when it happened,” Cas yawned, sliding down from his bed in reluctant acceptance that he would have to get up for the day. “And before you ask, everyone else is fine too. I’m sure the reporters will tell you the same thing as soon as they have clearance to start releasing more details.”

That’s a relief, Miles sighed. There was a pause on his end before he added. So, um… do you think this has anything to do with the chick you found in the woods?

Caspian froze in the middle of unbuttoning the shirt he’d worn overnight. “What do you mean?”

Well… This is the first time rebels have gotten inside the palace, right? It just seems fishy that it happened right after—

“This has nothing to do with Iris,” the prince interrupted and then winced at the defensiveness in his own voice. Going on more placidly, he explained, “She was with me in the historic district when the terrorists broke in. There’s no way she could have been part of it, or I would know.”

The historic district? Cas could hear the amusement in his friend’s tone followed by a whistle. You didn’t waste any time did you?

“Shut up,” he said, though a blush blossomed on his cheeks. He was well aware that Miles knew that he’d used the historic district as a date spot before.

Did it work? The inevitable question came through the phone.

Cas bit his tongue and then exhaled, “…Maybe.”

Atta boy, Cas, Miles laughed.

“You’re incorrigible,” the prince rolled his eyes even though he knew the other high born couldn’t see him. Not wanting to discuss it any further when he still didn’t know exactly what was going on between him and Iris, he changed the topic. “Anyway, things are still tense around here, and I have more work to do. I should go.”

Okay, his friend accepted the excuse without question. I’ll let Jay know you’re not dead. Later, Cas!

“Later,” he hung up the phone and dragged a hand through his hair in a stressed manner. The mention of doing more work may have been his out of the conversation, but there might have been some truth to it if his father was still in poor condition. He needed to find out how the king was doing that morning and brace himself for the possibility that he would have to continue heading the ongoing investigation with the security team if Atlas couldn’t do it yet.

I need a coffee… he thought wearily, throwing on a pair of comfortable joggers and a plain t-shirt before he headed out of his room.

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

That would be fun ^^ I've also enjoyed developing the other kingdom's cultures a little more through Crow's lessons with Albin.

And Otto actually helped out with Naida xD

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Crow nodded in agreement when Penelope said that Otto didn’t seem pleased with them for wandering off together. He didn’t know the older man very well apart from the little he had heard during the king’s council meetings, but the baron definitely struck him as a rule-abiding type. When they had been debating how to approach the war, Otto had been a firm advocate for continuing forward with the old plan to enlist Gorm as an ally. He hadn’t been as fiery as Adam Fischbach, but his decision had never wavered once until his father had announced that they would parley with Younis. Now, on their way to the northern kingdom, he suspected that Otto would be just as determined to follow the plan that Albin had made to a T.

As he and the knight walked back to the others, Crow enjoyed the last few minutes they would have to themselves for what would likely be the rest of the day. When the group came into sight up ahead, he let go of Penelope’s hand to wrap his arm around her shoulders in a swift hug before stepping over to prepare his horse. During the break, Baine had been tied to a tree with the rest of the stallions, idly nosing at a few of the branches over his head until he noticed the viceroy approach. Restless and probably hungry too, he snorted and scuffed the ground with his hoof. All the grass below his head had been trimmed down to the root, devoured by the animal when he had grazed.

“I told you we wouldn’t be gone long,” Crow reminded his sister with a smirk as he untied the stallion from the tree.

“Well, it was long enough,” Naida huffed, propping her hands on her hips. “If I have to pay attention during the ride, I’d at least like to have someone to talk to when we have our breaks, and these three are no good for conversation.” She waved a hand at the taciturn knights.

At that, Otto turned toward her from atop his steed, “Why don’t you ride up front with me this time, my lady? We can review your survival knowledge until we arrive in Sarton.”

Crow glanced at him, surprised that the baron was offering his help, either inadvertent or intentionally.

Naida stared at Otto for a moment before she shrugged. “Alright. It’s better than doing nothing, I suppose.”

“Very good,” the baron nodded. “We can begin by reviewing which plants are edible in this part of the kingdom.”

While his sister finally mounted her horse, Crow did the same with his, relieved that she had a distraction for this half of the ride. Once everyone was ready to go, Otto signaled for them to depart. He and Naida took up the two positions in the front while Percival and Rayner followed silently at the rear. In the middle, Crow rode between Penelope and Preston, letting his gaze wander over the surrounding trees as he kept more alert for suspicious movement.

~Bonsoir~

Victoria’s bright smile coaxed a similar expression out of Vail as he sat down beside her, though his was characteristically more subdued. Although his bloodlust remained at the forefront of his mind, it was good to see her enchanting face again. His eyes swept over her features, from her blue irises to her high cheekbones to the shape of her soft, upturned lips. It had not been objectively long since the last time they had seen each other, but to be with her in person rather than in his occasional idle thoughts was something he had missed. He was also pleased to know that she was in good enough condition to sport a cheerful mood.

As she presented the injuries on her fair limbs, he nodded slowly. While he was supportive of her intent to better defend herself against the Wynters, part of him was mildly concerned that she would become too cocky and bite off more than she could chew when the rival vampires attacked. After they had first met, she had confronted him more than once with nothing more than a silver weapon that she didn’t know how to use. Her bravery was both inspiring and worrisome, since he knew it could also get her into trouble if she wasn’t careful.

“Yes, I saw her at the door when I was leaving,” he replied to her question, leaning forward to rest his forearms on his knees with his hands clasped loosely in front of him. As he spoke, his gaze tracked the motion of her glistening legs and the loll of her exposed neck in a wolfish fashion. The Crest heiress may not have had the ability to captivate him with pheromones, but her seductive body still hypnotized him like a snake to a charmer. Behind closed lips, he traced his tongue hungrily over the edge of his teeth.

“Hell will freeze over before my father changes his mind,” he confirmed her suspicion, reaching out to caress her tantalizing neckline with the backs of his fingers. The longer he stayed by her side, the harder it became to ignore his urge to make her his prey. He couldn’t help grooming her for the bite as his willpower began to slip.

At her following question, a wicked smile crossed his lips. “Of course I did, my lady,” he purred, sliding down from the edge of the chair to kneel beside the tub. With one hand, he brushed her hair aside so he could press a kiss to her cheek before he murmured in her ear, “Did you miss me?”

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Ooh, that would be cool! I'm excited for when we have more characters from the other kingdoms ^^

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Crow stared at Penelope in thinly veiled surprise when she said that she didn’t think he should tell the others about the mercenary in the inner kingdom. Her answer wasn’t what he had expected it to be. Usually, he was the one between the two of them who had a bad habit of keeping secrets and withholding information from others, and she was the one who would reprimand him for putting them at a disadvantage. When he’d asked her if he should tell the other knights about the possible threat, he had thought she would push him to do it.

However, as she explained that they probably wouldn’t believe him if he tried to fill them in, he averted his gaze with a grimace. Among the rest of the group, Preston was the only other person who knew about his recurring nightmares, and he doubted the attendant would tell anyone else after he’d asked him to keep quiet about the issue. Naida would probably trust him because they had grown close over the past month, but the other three were still wildcards—especially the Therouldes. He had never met Rayner before, and Otto struck him as the type to take the things he heard with a grain of salt. As a member of Albin’s council, he would likely be hesitant to believe that a mercenary had punctured the inner kingdom’s defense, because it would reflect poorly on their reigning monarch.

With the other guards’ opinions up in the air, he supposed the compromise that Penelope came up with was their best option. “It’s better than nothing,” he agreed with a halfhearted shrug. Although he’d never had any intention to bring up the mercenary to the others, it vexed him that his word still carried so little weight to at least half the other nobles in their party. It would have been much easier if he could simply tell them that they might be in danger and receive promises that they would all keep a lookout for anything unusual along the way. Instead, he and the knight were back to playing games to nudge the rest of their comrades in the right direction without really announcing what was going on.

Trailing his hands down the length of her arms, Crow located Penelope’s hand again and gave it a squeeze. “We should go back,” he said, glancing in the direction they had come from. “Otto sounded like he’ll be frustrated if we delay the trip much longer.”

Amnesia [Suki & Summer]

And partner number 6 posted while I was in class, so now I have all of them to reply to xD
I'll probably write in order of oldest to newest assuming my muse doesn't make me skip around to different RPs randomly.

Amnesia [Suki & Summer]

Yeah, I have 6 total, and it’s usually manageable because a couple people are monthly posters, but I got posts from almost all of them at once recently xD

I’ll probably get done with my reply for this one closer to the beginning because I already have it started. I just need to get the rest written up when my class is over!