Author: Episcia, Posted: Fri Jan 6, 2017 11:02 AM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

“I didn’t tell you because it was a surprise.” She enjoyed the smile slipping from his face. She laughed when he said Kori was just as mouthy as she was. “You can get quite mouthy yourself Luc.” She slapped his back hard.

Kori scoffed a bit and blew a puff of hard air at Lucian. “People have become knights with much more on their plates. We talk to a lot of knights don’t we?” Kori put his head near Episcia who was now rubbing his scales contently.

“Oh we do, but it did take them years to get to where we are now. We need to become knights before we even think about those things my dear Kori. That’s our entire purpose of being right now.” When Lucian asked about his egg suddenly Episcia got quiet. “It is normally. Under normal circumstances, the only dragon eggs on the market are those who are orphaned. Dragon eggs need to hatch under the right conditions. I went to Itjivut and sat in the snow for days to get Kori to hatch. I was quite sick for a while after that but Kori grew fast. It might be due to the magic in this place.” She continued to pet his scales.

“I heard that his egg was part of a set at one point. It had been on mantles and used as décor for hundreds of years before I got my hands on it. I asked your mother about how I could hatch it and it wasn’t until I went to the ice lands and actually attempted to mother it that it did. Kori is a unique special ice dragon I think. We can take him out to stretch his wings some time when you are more awake. I’m sure you would love the way the wind fills when you are flying so high.”

She came up behind Lucian and ran her hands through his hair much like how the wind would. “It feels good.” She just wanted him to meet her only other friend. “Kori is a good companion. I just thought you would like him too. He is rough around the edges but a very good friend.” The dragon nipped at Episcia lightly and she hugged him in return. “Get some sleep. I’m sorry I woke you up.”

“I was more worried about why my little one hadn’t visited me.” Kori made Episcia blush.

“You are the little one. I mothered you.”

“Size wise… you are the little one, Little One.” He nipped at her clothing before going back into his stable. She locked the door and smiled at Lucian. “See?” She took him back to his room and fell onto the bed. “We can sleep now… we can ride the dragon tomorrow if you want?”

Author: Lucian Rose, Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2016 7:11 PM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

Lucian, through sleepy eyes could see that little by little Episcia was coming to from her depression spell. There was likely still more work to be done before she would be like her former self, if such a thing was possible anymore. But at least she was taking baby steps. “Yeah, sure. Next time I’ll give you a fair fight and tie one hand behind my back”, he spoke with a yawn before it was stifled by some soft laughs at her tickling. Sitting back up, he wasn’t really given a choice as to go see whoever she had in mind of seeing. Literally he was being dragged from his bed and room, all the while he was trying to figure out who she had in mind. “Sleep sounds good.” Another yawn slipped out as he kept up with her as they venture out of the temple. When they got to the room, he recognized it as a stable like area where his mother and others kept different animals, primary pets and mounts.

“You have a pet around here?” He was expecting something like a wolf or jungle cat; Episcia didn’t seem like the sort to keep a mere dog or cat. A small chuckle rumbled from him as they kept going until she got to the door. The smile fell from his face and his mouth fell open at the sight of the dragon. “You didn’t tell me this though…” Before now, he only knew of the existence of dragons from the tall tales his parents would tell him and Nerezza about, but to actually see one before his very eyes made him gulp hard. The feeling grew as he came out and exposed more of himself. “Uh…uh…hi there…” Lucian recovered enough just as he was being called a snack by her dragon and could easily see his temperament had came from her.

Lucian was trying to think of where in the world she had found such a creature, and more so how she was able to tame it. From what he had heard, doing so wasn’t the easiest thing in the world. “A bit mouthy, but considering his owner, I can’t be too surprised really”, he snickered, though he was sure that she would get him back somehow. Kori was by now picking on her by commenting on her newest friendship. It was a good thing that he had no idea of how they become friends in the first place. Now that was a story he would want to avoid.

“Yeah, like that’s going to happen”, he spoke with crossed arms against his chest. “Neither one of us has time for that, not if we are both becoming knights in the future.” He was amazed that such a creature would get so big in only a few years. “I thought obtaining dragon eggs like that were illegal. Especially if they wanted to avoid the wrath of mother dragons throughout the realm.” 

Author: Episcia, Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2016 10:35 PM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

He was always so knowledgeable when he spoke. Episcia’s eyes were glued to his lips as he spoke and she nodded as the words entered her head. “I suppose that is something I should look into doing. You are right Lucian.” Episcia cuddled into Lucian more and gave a sad smile. “I have to do things for myself.” 

There was a light smile on her face as she nodded. “Of course I want to be knighted. What was the purpose of pissing you off if I could be.” She gently tickled at his sides as she rested her head. “Can I have you meet someone? I have been very neglectful to him.” Climbing from the bed she pulled him with her. “Come on, I’ll let you sleep afterward.” She hadn’t been blind to how tired Lucian had been.

She pulled him around the temple until they reached what appeared to be a rather big room where large creatures were stored. There were a number of mythical beasts there but Episcia took him to a rather large stall near the back. “I told you I had a friend.” She opened the door and the dragon stuck his head out.

“Where on earth have you been? There was commotion that you were in trouble.” The dragon spoke as he nudged his head at Episcia. She smiled sadly as she held his large head in her hands the best she could. “Did you bring me a snack?” The dragon looked about. He was large and white much like her nickname. His scales were much like molded snow. 

“Kori,” she said with a laugh as she tried to keep his attention. “This is my friend Lucian.” The dragon lifted himself up and started to come out of the stall. He bent down and looked at Lucian as if examining him completely.

“He is rather skinny for a snack Episcia.” Epi rolled her eyes as she went and grabbed a whole cow from a cool compartment. She pulled it all the way over. “It’s not warm.” The dragon tilted his head.

“You are spoiled rotten. What have they been feeding you? You look like you’ve put on weight.” The dragon clearly made a face at the squire.

“Well forgive me for being indulgent.” 

Episcia made a face. “You’ve been telling the stablehands that someone has forgotten to feed you! Haven’t you? You ate every hour that you could. You are a glutton!” She winked at Lucian. “You should be ashamed of yourself Kori. What if you can’t fly now?”

Spreading his wings a bit Kori looked from one side to the other. “I can fly, it’s just a little extra weight.” He went back into his stall and laid back down. “Since when are you the social type.” The dragon put his head on the gate so he could stare at Lucian. “With the opposite sex no less.” Episcia blushed and looked at Lucian.

“It’s not like that,” she panicked for a moment.

“Sure, the next thing you know I’ll have little cretins pulling at my wings.” The dragon was pushing her buttons.

Choking down on what he was saying she panicked more. “Kori is only a few years old. I got his egg from a merchant in Parvpora. His attitude is something else… isn’t it?”

Author: Lucian Rose, Posted: Sat Dec 3, 2016 1:46 PM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

Lucian could have no idea of knowing how Episcia must have felt to learn all that about her father. He was naive and there was plenty of this world that he did not know about because of his upbringing, but he was aware of his inexperiences. Still, it just didn’t feel right; a parent was suppose to protect and nurture their child, not try to control them. Not to abuse them and see and speak to them with disdain because of an unfortunate circumstance. Perhaps he was crazy in that way of thinking and compared it with his own experiences; his mother wouldn’t hurt anyone unless they were to do harm to her or her family and his father even at his worse hadn’t harmed a single hair on his or Nerezza’s heads. Hell, the worse he had done was raise his voice to them when they were younger, and that was because they were venturing too far out from the house one day and towards the dangerous swamp. The only words she managed to muster out made him pull away a bit only to look at her. She had been right, both were equally at fault though he hadn’t wanted her punished for it while he practically got away with it. It hadn’t been the least bit fair in his eyes.

“I know, I know”, he spoke in agreement before nuzzling her head. For now it looked up like it was up to him to make sure that she was safe here, especially emotionally after the turmoil she was just thrown into.

For a solid week, he had been her guardian of sorts- forbidding most of his studies and even his swords training as he overwatched her. Episcia made this especially easy as she had kept around him even in his chambers. Nothing like their first meeting ever occurred, but such thoughts were nowhere on his mind as he would often share his bed with her. Nothing but innocent thoughts came to mind as day by day he would try and make sure that she was taken care of. Everyone there seemed to have been doing their part to make sure that she was okay, but it seemed like she depended on him the most. In a way, he couldn’t really be too surprised since they were probably closest with each other out of all the people here.

He had been drifting off to sleep, something he hadn’t been getting much of honestly when he heard her voice pipe up. Lazily, eyes of emerald managed to open just enough to peek towards her direction as she laid on him. It had been a rough time for Episcia, and after much time mourning the loss of the man she called father, he had hoped that she would find a way to overcome this. Slowly but surely he was positive that the proud girl would in time. “I’d probably try and move on with my life. If my father had been like yours, I would pray for him to find some sort of salvation in his shattered heart, but I’d have to look out for me first and utmost. Lucian laid his head on top of hers like he had been done over and over, forming a habit out of it as of recent. Despite the fight for sleep, he was very much awake now.

“Maybe one day he will and see the error of his ways, it is possible. But until then, I would pick up the pieces and carry on. You do not have to follow him anymore and fear him planning your future. That right only belongs to you, not him.” He let out a slight chuckle as he tried to lighten the situation, "And besides, I have to have someone to best in training, if you still want to be knighted that is."   

Author: Episcia, Posted: Thu Dec 1, 2016 8:23 PM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

It was something of a fairy tale really. How the villain all along was the person you had been closest to. Her world was slowly crumbling like that of dried cracked earth in the wind. Her dreams were slowly but steadily being met with fire in the back of her mind. How much could she handle? The reality was slowly killing her. Her only family was turning into a madman at the realization that he could not control his daughter’s life. What once had been seen as a darling effort to protect Episcia was slowly turning into a desperate attempt to keep her locked up. It was hard for the young girl to come to terms with something so vile. The temple was one where free spirit was so readily found and yet how had she been so blind? Was it because she trusted her father not to hurt her? This was maddening and as she curled up into Lucian’s arms her mind began to point out the hindsight of it all.

Sad eyes peeked up at Lucian and a mere whimper of a proud voice came forth, “It takes two.” Finally, after her silent stint, she was able to voice her opinion fully through the tears of emotion. It’s true that it took two for the action that she was so heavily under fire for. The Mother had taken it with grace, obviously, and her father? He had realized the gripping control he had groomed over the years was only a facade. Her mind raced as she pulled herself closer into the boy who was holding her so sternly, so protectively.

As the Mother walked away Espicia looked up at Lucian and nodded at him. She trusted him, for some reason the boy she just met was getting all of the trust that had poured out of the gaping wound her father had left. 

–

A week went past and rarely had Lucian left her by herself. She laid curled up in him on the bed. She spent time in his room the most. She hadn’t had the heart all this time to step into her own. She had been offering more changes of clothes than she had ever been used to. In her time of need, the temple had come together to help her. He was her biggest supporter and through her tears, he had always tried to make her feel better.

Her tired mind was suddenly wide awake. “Lucian, I think… maybe I am coming to terms with what my mind has been fighting.” She put her head into the nook that she had found between his shoulder and neck. She wasn’t sure what all she wanted from him but she knew that it comforted her being around him. “I’ll be able to come to terms with it at some point but my mind knows what my heart is fighting.” She had cried so much her eyes looked permanently bloodshot. “What would you do in my situation?” She could have sworn she asked that a dozen times but she needed to hear it.

Author: Lucian Rose, Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2016 4:38 PM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

Some part of him knew that she had did it with best intentions, but it didn’t make him any less annoyed with what had just happen in a few brief hours. Or at least that was what he had assumed since he couldn’t recall how long the two had been locked up here. Time had been loss once he and Episcia had indulged in one another. His mother explained her reasoning in a language that he had no way of knowing and yet it came across as though he had heard such all his life. All he could do was look at her and feel some remorse for her part in this. “I know that. I may had thought that something was fishy, but I know you had good intentions.” Part of that was thanks to Episcia telling him that he couldn’t simply rely on just himself or his father. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but swallow he must. Now he had to go see her before it was too late.

While he was pointed in the right direction as to where she was, Lucian hadn’t expected to find her underneath a giant leaf of one of the plants there. As he watched and waited for her to be more at ease with his presence, he too could overhear their parents. It looked like they were found out after all. He looked towards the direction of the yelling then back at Episcia. “Well, I suppose he found out then” He didn’t really know what to say, how to deal with a situation like this. He had never found himself in this before, and from the sounds of it neither did she but when she offered for him to come join her beneath the leaf, the rosenite went on ahead without second questioning it. “He shouldn’t. It is just as much my fault as it is yours, if not more. I’m the one that…:” His words trailed off a little but he managed to finish his thought as he glanced into her eyes. Then shied away. “I’m the one that kissed you. If he should be mad about your innocence lost, then it should be directed at me, not you.” It seemed to make perfect sense in his head, but it didn’t seem to draw much comfort. He felt her reeling onto him for comfort and being so close to her reminded him of what happened between them last time. His arms went around her loosely but firm enough to offer her support. “I hope not. It could have been either one of them though. Mother sounds just as upset as he does.”

He wanted to take her away from here, away from the brewing storm but his mother’s arrival assured them that the worse was over. Or was it?

Looking on with wide eyes, he stared at his mother and then back to Episcia who was bursting with tears towards the news. He figured it was for the best until her father could learn to be proper with her but she didn’t see it that way. That side of her father was all that she really knew of him. Liked it or not, he had to recognize that she would miss him regardless of how he treated her and he pitied her for that.

He couldn’t remove his grip on her, the elf was breaking down from the strong and independent young woman he had met to a lonely and sad one. His mother tried her best to calm her, but to no avail. Lucian brought her closer to him, deepening the hug as she cried. “You won’t be alone here.” He stroked her head and then turned to his mother and nodded. He had to look out for her now and make this all right. “You will not be alone, I promise you that.”

Author: Angela Rose, Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2016 10:30 AM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

To say that she was displeased with the fact her own son doubted her was an understatement. However, the old Angela had done a lot the new one could probably never undo. Bringing up her hand she stared at him. Her words were clear in his head as she began to speak something rather weird. It an odd language but yet it would serve its purpose. The translation went to the boy’s mind and the goddess seemed rather happy about it. ”In the living world of angels, their language is one that cannot be lied in. Did you know this? I promise, I did not intent for you to be anything other than friends. Whatever it is that your mother has done, I may only be pieces of her but I am not her. Mischievous I am, but never would I hurt you or do things to ultimately displease you. You have my word.” A heavily sigh left her lips. “I normally only speak that on the angel planes. A bit rusty but still it is a good language to know when someone thinks you are lying.”

Angela pet the boy’s head and smiled a bit more. He was unsure and perhaps in his youth that was a good thing. To be constantly confident could kill you in the very end. She kissed his forehead and shook her head. “Talk about anything. The sun. The moon. Clouds. Anything is better than silence.” She pet him very softly as he stepped away.

Angela moved along side of him and gave him directions to where the girl was hiding. The noises that followed were rather crass and rude as Hector began to try and get past the goddess. If she ever had an angry voice this was it.

–

Episcia was curled up on the ground under a giant calathea leaf. It was bigger than the small squire and when she was found out she pulled her legs in underneath it. She heard him coming before she heard his voice and it made her freeze as the words left his lips. Her eyes were the first thing to peak out at him from under the large leaf. She could hear the fighting between Angela and Hector. It made her flinch enough that she withdrew back into the leaf. “Okay is a relative term. It sounds like an all out war out there.”

She moved enough and pulled the leaf up so there was room for him. “Come hide with me.” It was enough of an invitation. “Father is so angry Lucian. I never thought he could or would be this displeased in me.” She thought she heard him yelling about temple maidens. Was that what he thought she wanted? To be like her mother?

She groaned a bit and pulled her legs up as she hid her face into her knees. “He is so stubborn.” It sounded like something was being thrown across the room. The smash made her visibly jump. “You don’t think he would throw something at the Mother do you?” How far would her father go? When Lucian was underneath the leaf with her, she hid practically on him now. She felt so alone with her father on a rampage. Though her tears were far to be seen, she had settled on trying to hide. 

Angela came in after a while and lifted the leaf up. “We had a sort of disagreement on how to raise the two of you together. You’ll be staying here for a while but I sent Hector on a soul search. He needs to not see you as property or your mother.” Episcia’s face was twisted in horror.

“You sent my only family away!” Now there were tears.

Angela had a deep stitched frown on her face. “I wasn’t about to let you be the one to be sent away. Before you judge you should know the whole story. He wanted you sent away to Parvpora to the branch out that way with Ash. Then in his rage he wanted your right as squire taken because he didn’t think you could handle it. Hector is a broken man Episcia. He was holding onto a thread and now I think I’ve snapped it.”

Episcia’s heart appeared to be in pieces as Angela lowered the leaf. “I’m sorry Episcia but it appeared one way or another this was happening.”

“I don’t want to be alone.” She had managed a blubber.

There was a pause as Angela began to walk away. “So don’t be. If I am a smart woman, and I do believe I am, I think there is a young man sitting next to you who also feels lonely. He might have family but he is rather detached and confused. So make the nice and be friends. Lonely hearts be damned.”

Episcia through her blood shot eyes looked over at Lucian, she had forgotten how she was curled up into him. “I don’t want to be alone.” Inside the stubborn and proud soul was a crying girl who was alone. 

Angela was displeased with the whole thing but she shot Lucian a mental note, ”I wasn’t trying to be cold. I am at a loss of words. Hector is normally such a calm man. To see him lose himself like that honestly worries me. I cannot have him around the younger children of the temple. Nor can I have Episcia leave with him when her mother made me promise to look out for her. Please make sure my promise does not get broken. I don’t think Episcia will listen to my reason right now.”

Author: Lucian Rose, Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2016 8:26 PM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

He didn’t even bother to respond to what she was saying; it didn’t take much for him to figure out that she was trying to pair them up. Though she seemed surprised by the ultimate outcome of this. All he could was pace about, shaking his head as he pondered what else had been set up. Hell, his father was going to have headaches with this one- the situation with Nerezza had been bad enough before he rectified the thing with her and Kaiser. What was he going to do once he learned of this? “For once I wished it was a Rosenite thing”, he sighed, “It would make things a lot simpler.”

To say that Lucian wasn’t pleased with his mother’s answer was an understatement. Episcia didn’t deserve whatever harsh punishment her father had coming for her. He would have went and explained all this himself to him if it came up. But…he had a feeling that wouldn’t do. It wasn’t his place to get involved in a family matter outside of his own, no matter how he felt about it. He ceased in his step still thinking about what was going to happen to her. It wasn’t something that he took comfort in, in fact he hated those thoughts running through his head more and more by the second. “I don’t think that after this we will be able to talk as we had. She seemed scared to do so right after this…” To tell the truth, Lucian was afraid as well about all this. He would have much rather deal with a blade at his throat than this predicament.

He didn’t completely blame her, as much as she played a role in setting this up. It seemed like she wanted this to be a platonic relationship and to have a friend. He suppose that those two had taken that ball and ran with it, so to speak. Lucian felt his mother’s embrace and allowed for it, his mind wasn’t in the same place as his body was at the moment. Only when she spoke of what he could do did he come back to the world. “And…what are we supposed to…talk about…” He looked at her with clouded eyes, unsure as to how to handle their situation, but eventually he stepped away from her. “Guess she couldn’t have gone too far from here, right?” Fortunately she would attempt to reason with Episcia’s father while he would hunt her down.

It was also fortunate that she knew exactly where the girl went; there was a grove that was favored by Melina that she seemed to take refuge at. Slowly he made his approach as soon as he spotted her. The rosenite was still unsure as to what to do or say. Why did life have to be so complicated? Scratching at the back of his head, Lucian drew nearer and stopped as soon as he was in arm’s length of her and he broke the silence soon enough. “Guess you were right…I can’t say that I hadn’t enjoyed it. I’m just confused about it all.” No doubt that she was feeling the same as he had.

“Are you okay?” 

Author: Angela Rose, Posted: Wed Nov 2, 2016 4:29 PM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

Angela chuckled a little bit at her wayward son and found herself kissing his forehead. “Believe it or not it’s a young person thing. Not a Rosenite thing,” she had an idea about what was going through his head. “Your father is going to have a field day with me because it is completely normal. I had chosen Episcia because she is like you. I could have predicted the outcome but I was too busy trying to get you two to even like each other a little bit. I didn’t think about the outcome and I should have. That is on me.”

The goddess found herself frowning. “I don’t know what he will do to her. It wouldn’t be the first time he’s punished her for something so little.” But it wasn’t little not to Episcia and Lucian and Angela had to remember that. The woman took time to sigh. “To me, this is normal. This is part of life as is accepting others into your life. It is honestly my fault but in a way I am glad you found someone who you can eventually talk to. Though I do think this will put a stick in the spoke.”

Angela put her arms around him and kissed his forehead again. This was like when he was a child, she had always been a loving mother or at least had tried to be even when she was busy. A smile came to her lips as she brushed his hair. “You have an odd predicament but what happened is something people of your age go through. You have troubles because of the cursed blood in your veins but that wasn’t what happened today. You were just being young as was she. If I were you, I would hunt her down after a time and talk to her. I shall talk to her father and make sure her punishment isn’t too harshly.”

Author: Lucian Rose, Posted: Wed Nov 2, 2016 3:10 PM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

Lucian didn’t know what the hell to make of any of this; he went from going psycho to essentially sleeping with a girl he barely knew and had wanted thrown out in not even half a day. He was a whirlwind of emotions; puzzled about why it happened, angry at just about everyone that had been present and had set this moment up and frustrated over why he couldn’t come to terms with this. Episcia wasn’t really helping the situation as she was just as torn as he was, not that he was paying much mind to her right now.

When she started to come to terms with it, he looked at her with a blank stare. A part of him had enjoyed what they just did, but he rationalized it to being a Rosenite and that only made things all the more difficult for him to handle. He paced back and forth still trying to piece together everything when his mother came bursting through the doors and he groaned mentally but continued to pace about. Episcia wasted little time in taking her leave, and he couldn’t blame her.

They barely liked each other after nearly killing the other and looked what happened. He came to an abrupt stop and just looked at his mother before shaking his head. “I don’t know, and I don’t understand any of it, mother. I…just need to clear my head or something.” He watched passed her and got a few steps in before scratching his head and stopping. “I really don’t get it. Confusion doesn’t even begin to describe it. And she seems just as troubled as I am about it.” He turned to face her with sad eyes. “She…won’t get into trouble, will she? I’m equally to blame for it…” Lucian wasn’t sure if her father would be told or if he’d figure it out, but he didn’t want her to be punished for something like this. He wasn’t even sure if she would or not, but it wouldn’t be right for her to bare it.

“I don’t get why I did it, or why she went along with it. It was like I couldn’t control myself or something, mother. I’ve…already been having troubles like that, but nothing like what I just went through.”, he sighed, referring to his outburst with her from earlier and prior to this day.   

Author: Episcia, Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2016 11:14 AM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

Episcia was in a storm of thoughts. It was much like the blizzards of the tundra and that made her more frustrated. She furrowed her brows at him and looked up at the ceiling as she snuggled into his cloak. There was no point in being shy around him now. He had seen everything there was to see.  She got up and slowly dressed as she thought. She neatened her buttons and took a long sigh. “No, I don’t…” She frowned lightly. “Never have I been at such a loss for words.” There was blush to her face now.

She had ridiculed him as being a shut in and now she had slept with him for really no reason at all. She had no control over her thoughts or body at that moment and it was frustrating that Lucian could do that to her. She gently scratched at her face as she tried to think about it. “I think…” She struggled the next words. “That it was something we both enjoyed.” That much was obvious as she blushed and looked away frustrated.

Angela opened the doors and stared at him. “This room stinks like sex.” The mother looked displeased but more with herself as she began to air out the room. “To be honest, I wasn’t expecting that.” She seemed frustrated by her own actions. “You kids get ou-” She couldn't even finish her sentence as Episcia bolted out of the room. 

A smile came to her lips as she went over to Lucian. “Caught Melina in the hallway panicking about seeing something when she was coming to give you both dinner. Aiyiyi child.” She brushed back Lucian’s hair. “Want to try and talk about it? You look confused.”

Author: Lucian Rose, Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2016 8:01 PM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

He was unsure of how all of this came to be; he hadn’t wanted Episcia’s presence around him to begin with. He had thought of her as someone that his mother wanted to babysit him or something, but little by little his wall of resistance was being knocked down. Perhaps she was the first to actually try and understand him, which was why he was opening up to her. They had pushed the other in what started in a friendly manner, but then things had escalated and before he knew it, he kissed her. Lucian felt her squirm out from underneath him and with a quick motion, he felt the hot, stinging pain across his cheek. He started at her with wide eyes, as if he was waking up from a dream and was able to apologize for his rudeness when she caught him by surprise by kissing him back.

Had it been because of his Rosenite heritage? Heaven knew that it likely drove the females of his kin to lust after men, but did it affect the male side as well? Either way he felt a fire burning deep within him and all he could see was Episcia, which which made him feel even hotter with each second he laid eyes on her, each second he was so close to her and each second their lips mingled together. His hands wrapped around her hips and pressed himself closer to her as they kissed and then the next thing he knew, their clothes were being tossed left and right. His motions weren’t as fluid as they could have been due to his inexperience, but his instincts were leading him through the next few moments they were in.

Lucian hadn’t known that Melina of all people had walked in on them, but it hadn’t been like he would have cared even if he had noticed. His total focus had been on Episcia instead from start to finish. By the end, he felt more tired any sort of training he had partaken in before. Laying down on the ground, he was accompanied by her warm body. Her scent filling his nose as masking his own body. Lucian’s head was cloudy though her words had reached him. When he begun to regain his senses, the young man sat up and looked at her. No longer seeing her as that annoying girl or that knight in training he got used to. No she was more than that now and he didn’t know what this was or why it happened. He stood up and started to get dress. “I…I…don’t know. None of this…” It didn’t make sense, none of this made any sense. Grabbing his cloak, he tossed it at her to cover up and scratched the back of his head. The lad was conflicted by what just happened, and what had been building up to it. “I don’t even know how to put it in words…do you?” He wanted to run away, to get away from her. He wanted to get as far away as possible, but his mother had them on lockdown, so what was the point in that?

Author: Episcia, Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2016 6:02 PM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

“Melina is a really good person!” She smiled at him and nodded. “If anyone can help your father out it is her. She has a lot of problems too but it looks like he is helping her too.” She wanted to help Lucian now but she wasn’t sure how. She hadn’t even wanted to in the beginning. To her he had been a shut-in but now what she did she think? Her mind was all over and she just knew he probably needed to loosen up.

Before she knew it they were having a playful little shoving match. When her back hit the wall she just stared at him. When he kissed her she was quick to struggle and slap his face. Though it did peak her curiosity just what he was trying to do. However, soon it was like she caught whatever was infecting him at the moment and she kissed him back.

Just like teenagers were known for they were sloppy and quick to ditch their clothes after a while. Episcia thought she heard the door open but she was way too preoccupied with Lucian.  At the door Melina stood there with a tray of food. She definitely didn’t think she would see Lucian’s naked backside. She almost dropped the tray as she turned around and left quickly. She was just as bad as the others in the temple as she went to go tell Raeguel what was going on.

When it came to Episcia and Lucian, it had been sloppy and quick but she was wrapped around him. She was blushing a bit trying to understand just what happened. “So… Want to talk about that or no?” She was rather confused about everything.

Author: Lucian Rose, Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2016 5:09 PM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

[Gmoding permission was granted]

Lucian didn’t like that word, it spoke more so that he avoided people because of some make believe arrogance that was usually supported by the word “sheltered” or that his mother kept him from exploring outside this realm. In reality, he chose not to concern himself with it- he had seen what could come from stirring clear from one’s path by his own father, even if his path was misguided in the past. It wasn’t a surprise that Episcia didn’t quite understand the pressure and position he was in, that he’d always been in since birth- no one really did and all he could do up to now was just smile and play the hand he was dealt. Perhaps that was what made him susceptible to the voice in his head, playing on his weaknesses and such.

He didn’t think of it before, but the concept of having more people other than mothers and fathers wasn’t completely a foreign thing to him. He had forgotten that some were raised by grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends and even kind strangers. Given his massive family, he hadn’t seen much of his extended kin too often nor did he have anyone outside his family. He suppose that he was starting to understand what his mother had been worried about, though he had seen in the past of how she would handle certain situations. “I’d imagine that Father hasn’t been this happy in a long time either. The company he kept in the past didn’t really help matters with him. Some were pretty moonstruck and worsened his being. Having Melina has helped the light build up in him even more.”

His attempts to try and trop here seemingly failed, not that he was looking to be successful in doing so. He hadn’t expected that she would drop her spear, but she equally surprised him with the push. Stumbling back, Lucian didn’t know what to make of it at first. His sword fell from his hand as well before he headed for her. “Oh yeah?” He pushed her back with equal force, making her stumble a little in place before she came at him and pushed again. The shoving match kept going, getting a bit more forceful by each side until he was eventually pushed back against the wall near them and he in turn grabbed hold of Episcia and shoved her against it. Something was stirring in him, but it hadn’t been anger. No, it was much more different than that, something he didn’t really have a grasp on before. But before he knew it, he moved in, closing off anyy personal space between them and pressed his lips against hers without warning.  

Author: Episcia, Posted: Tue Oct 4, 2016 10:18 PM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

Episcia stared at him for a moment. “I never thought you needed coddling but I never saw you outside of your room before now. I’ve heard stories of Nerezza so I thought you were like her. Strong but sheltered, that’s all.” She chuckled for a moment. “It’s not far from the truth since you shelter yourself.”

Nodding to his words she gave a sad smile. “It’s true that I didn’t learn a lot of thanks to my mother being gone but I was also raised by the knights and priestesses of the temple so I suppose that helped. It takes a village or so they say. I don’t know if I missed out on anything but I do know that your mother was there with advice when I needed it.”

Episcia chuckled a bit and shook her head. “You weren’t disrespectful, you just didn’t know. Melina and your father do seem really happy together. I rarely use to see Melina in a good mood all the time. I mean she would fake it but I guess the weight of her family’s curse would plague her sometimes. I’ve always known about it but I’ve only recently found out why she never leaves here. I always bring her something back from our trips to make her feel better.”

She chuckled softly. “I’m trying to make sure I don’t get cocky. If I get cocky I will surely loose and there will be nothing more I could learn until I become humble once more.” She held herself as he tapped her shoe and she gave him a smile. He went to make her fall over and she dropped her spear and playfully pushed him. “You are going to have to do better than that!”

Author: Lucian Rose, Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2016 6:45 PM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

“It’s more than just my mother. I aim to protect all that are a part of my family”, he corrected but then nodded at Episcia, “But you are right; my mother does have weaknesses, and I think the greatest of them is her children. That’s another reason why I want to be strong, so that she doesn’t have to worry as much. I don’t need coddling, despite what many people may think of me.” It wasn’t hard to imagine that people thought that he was a pampered prince that didn’t do anything, but he was so much more than that.

“It doesn’t matter how big one’s family is. Family is family, there’s all that is to it. You have a noble reason regardless, Episcia.” The apple was finished before long and he tossed the core aside like the others. “Well, you definitely aren’t like the other women here. From what I understand, the females in my race mature around our age and before long start having children and such. My older sister is one of the exceptions to that rule, along with a few others I am aware of.” He was in agreement with her on not wanting to start a family now, even with his sister’s engagement having been announced and one of his cousins recently having twin babies herself. Lucian was in no rush, plus he had goals that could be compromised if he did.    

“Maybe you will get lucky. For mother, well there was no choice really. She had to raise many of us without the fathers involved. Some were only around for a little bit before disappearing and others had perished. Nerezza and me were lucky that ours was not only still alive, but wanted to be involved, and Rohan has his father. I think there’s a reason why there’s typically two parents for a child, and they learn different things from each. Don’t get me wrong, my mother did right raising all of us, but there are some things that can only be gained from a father, just like other things can only be from a mother.” He ceased talking about, not sure how she would respond to it. After learning what happened to her mother…he felt guilty about it despite not having played a hand in her death.

“I apologize if I was disrespectful, I wasn’t trying to be, honestly.” Glancing at the charms, he reached out and felt one of them. “They are well made. Melina did an excellent job.” Speaking of which, Lucian sighed a little before relinquishing the charm. “Honestly I know that she is a good woman and she is good for my father to be involved with. He is much happier with her from what I’ve seen. I am glad for the two of them, even if he won’t be around as much. I doubt that he will be absent from our lives completely. He wasn’t the same person he was back in the past nor does he have to worry about his clan possibly hunting us for what we are.”

“I think you are selling yourself short- you seem to have people that care about you as well. The knights, for one thing. My mother and Melina surely do as well, and even your father, though he has his own way of showing it, I suppose.” He retrieved his sword and tapped at her feet with the blunt side. “Well, if you want to be a knight so badly, you are slacking off. Could have been practicing instead of lecturing.” A faint smirk came onto his face as he tried to trip her off with the sword. “Gotta keep yourself focused and balanced. If not, then you will surely be doomed.” Lucian went to try another attempt of throwing her off her game, this time determined to actually make her fall over.

Author: Episcia, Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2016 9:16 AM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

Episcia stopped what she was doing and stared at him. “You sound like your brothers and sisters. Wanting to protect a woman who can sneeze a city down. It’s noble because even your mother has weaknesses. I admire that.” She gave him a smile and gently patted his shoulder. “Why do I want to be a knight?”

She leaned on her spear and looked up to charms hanging off of it. “I guess for the same reason you do. I want to protect my family, what I have left. It’s not as big as yours is but your mother and the priestesses here helped raise me.”

She watched him eat the apple and took a sigh. “I guess, I just want to also be able to live in a world where I can raise a family as well. Some day. Not right now but maybe when I am older. I want to be able to have a safe place to raise them better than I have been raised. I don’t know if there will be a father but if anything your mother has shown there doesn’t need to be.” She frowned a bit.

“I missed out on having my mother so I am unsure if I should find someone to be with. My father was never really there to begin with so who knows. I was raised by the knights as well.” She brought her spear down and showed him the charms on it. “They were from my mother’s necklaces. Melina made it for me. She is a very nice and kind woman.” She wanted to help soothe Lucian even if he could be a jerk at times. “You are very lucky to have such caring people around you, Lucian. I can’t even begin to describe it. They would jump if you yelled it. Me? I took a dragon into combat to save my father and scolded for it. White Valkyrie my ass. That’s what they decided to name me, though.” She shrugged her shoulders.

“I’ll become a knight when your mother deems it fit. Ash wasn’t much older than we are when he got knighted and moved to train as a paladin. I know my time will come, I just have to keep up with the rest of them, no matter how many I have to bury to get there.” There was sadness in her eyes for a moment. “Sword, shield, spear, it doesn’t matter what the person fights with. Someone will always be stronger than that person. You just have to keep going.”  

Author: Lucian Rose, Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 1:53 PM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

He had considered speaking to one of his parents before, but for one reason or another Lucian had refrained. It had only happened on a few occasions throughout his whole life and typically he would pass them off as merely hearing things and kept it to himself. Today was the first time he had experience his mood, actions, everything changing for the worse. It was also the first time he had exposed it to anyone else. “I guess that I should”, he said noddingly. “The only voices I am sure that she faced was that of our father’s. They kept a constant mental link with one another so that he could be sure that we were safe, and should anything had happened, she would alert him the moment she thought something was wrong.” While both of them could communicate with him, Lucian had preferred to speak with him only if Nerezza couldn’t or if he needed him. His sister was typically the one that wanted to be closer to him, so she would be fascinated by the gruesome images she begged him to show her.

Lucian could see that her situation with her father held more layers than what was on the surface, so he ceased in commenting about it any further. There was no point if nothing was to change or occur from it. Perhaps one day her father would allowed himself some comfort in his mourning and accept that he had a daughter, a child that was his wife’s final gift to him. Perhaps he would allow himself to feel something other than remorse, guilt and anger. “Mother is wise, though sometimes she can go a bit overboard. She means well, I know though.”

He hadn’t planned on arguing about Ash, especially since he already knew all she was telling him. It annoyed him mildly but he brushed it aside for there was no point in getting riled up from that. He kept adjusting his stance accordingly, but was starting to lose focus in that and looked to Episcia with the corner of his lips descending into a frown. “I am not so shortsighted to make it my life goal towards besting him and leave it at that.” He was getting mad and he bit at the side of his mouth in trying to control himself. “Everyone has my best intentions at mind, but I never asked what I think. I am not merely trying to be a knight to surpass him. I want to best him to get stronger, my overall goal is to protect my family and the realm itself. My father is just a step towards that, and yes I know there are many steps towards my wish and I will do everything possible in my being to fulfill the promise I made Mother. She may not need it, but I want to protect her too. Her, Nerezza, my father, everyone I care about.” He broke his stance and started pacing about. He unclenched his jaw from the side of his mouth, leaving it a tad raw but unbloodied. “Why is it that you wish to be a knight? Is it your father? Or did you have a much larger goal as well? I do not wish for distracts and you seem to understand that as well, given what you’ve been saying earlier.” Conjuring another apple, his fangs crunched into its flesh and chewed at it for a while. “A knight’s task is never done. I will merely move onto my next focus.” 

Author: Episcia, Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 7:56 AM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

Episcia looked on for a moment and nodded. “I can see why he would lose it. When you lose a person you love the worst can become of you. I’ve seen it in my father a lot, he still won’t look other women in the eyes. He once told me it was like cheating on my mother’s existence. He can’t let her go and it makes him so bitter and cold.” There was a bit of sadness in her voice. “You are very lucky to have parents that love you. I was raised by the knights here for the most part, my father is just… he’s just there anymore.”

Making a face she nodded. “I often hear great evil is a thousand voices, maybe you should talk to your mother? Or even your father at that point. I don’t wish to see Lady Angela in pain if something were to happen to you.” In a round about way, she was saying she cared but she was overly stubborn. “I bet your sister has the same thing happen to her, have you spoke to her about it? I mean you are twins, a lot of things are the same about you two.” She had heard a bit about Nerezza.

Epi thought about his words for a moment and shook her head. “No, it does bother me that he is like this… Many people venture to have children and yet he does ignore me. I think my father struggles with something deeper. Maybe if he gets too close to me he will lose me too.” She only had tiny thoughts about it as she adjusted his stance. “I’ve had to listen to your mother speak a lot growing up.” She chuckled.

“A paladin may fight with both a shield and sword but Ash was trained with the knights first. He was also training to be a bard before that. Trust me. Even if it was like that, being prepared in all situations is a good thing.”
 
Episcia moved his feet more and sighed a bit. “And when you finally do Lucian what will you do with your life?” Her eyes lingered on his. “You will have nothing because you have everything. I think that’s what your mother is trying to tell you. It is fine to want to best your father but there comes a time when something like that shouldn’t consume you.” She wasn’t trying to lecture him and it showed on her face. “I tried all my life to try and get my father to acknowledge me in a way that wasn’t just him training a squire. I realize if I spent all that time trying to do that, I would miss out on a lot.”

A frown left her lips. “Even when I swooped into a crowded battle field and saved him.. all he did was scold me. I couldn’t let my father die because if he died I couldn’t ever get my goal. I realized he wasn’t going to change. Your father will get better with age like you will, so you will have to find someway of getting around it. You train using the techniques he teaches but what if you were to learn something he doesn’t know? Or at least doesn’t expect.”

She thought about her spear and nodded. “I’m still learning with the spear. I learned by sword first but it just didn’t feel as natural as this does.” She chuckled a bit as she gave a smile up at him. “I mean it, think about what it is you would do if you completed your task.”

Author: Lucian Rose, Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2016 7:52 PM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

Something, he didn’t know why, but something about her mentioning that of people being driven mad by the death of loved ones brought out a slight cold chuckle. “Oh, I know. I know that my parents can go on with their lives without one another. They are both old enough to know that nothing last forever and had adjusted according. But my father…he wasn’t the man he is now. Long ago, several centuries ago, he was driven mad. First by being turned, and then he…set fire to his home when they threw him out. But the worse of it was what he told me about. There was this woman that he gave his complete heart to, only to have it shattered by jealousy of another. He had been truly happy until that day happened. It drove him into the darkness and until recently he had been considered nothing more than a cruel monster of destruction, wanting to punish a world that drove him to the edge.” He suppose that he said this because he needed not a lesson in that department- Nemesis served as a constant reminder to him of what could happen when one was flung over the edge. “I do not know of Andrea personally, since her passing had been several lifetimes before I was even thought up of. But what I do know was that he couldn’t bring a finger of harm to either me or my sister Nerezza. Even when he found out about my mother being pregnant, he could have killed us or something but he just couldn’t. My mother often told us that when we were born that there was some remnants of happiness that appeared in him. Likely because he never thought that he could have children, seeing that he’s a vampire.”

Lucian grew quiet after a bit and listened to Episcia, all the while pondering if he should have said the next line. “I think…when I attacked you as I had…that was more so a glimpse of a reflection of the man my father used to be- Nemesis. I..don’t know. He told me that he used to hear voices in his head, taunting him and wanting him to do things…” Holding onto his head, he wondered why of all times had he been plagued with something so similar. “I’m already the spitting image of my father in his younger years, at least in looks. Never thought I would start to take in his mindthought as well.” Perhaps he needed to tell his parents of his worries, but for now he didn’t feel like speaking to either one of them in general. He wasn’t too sure why he was telling this to Episcia right now.

“It’s obvious that you love your father and respect him greatly. It still vexes me a little though. I have seen many come to my mother, asking for help to have children. It is a great gift, something that many would kill to have. I don’t know.” The situation was to complex for him to understand; many boys his age wouldn’t be concern with such things. Her father had to learn to deal with this one way or another, it wasn’t fair him, Episcia or her mother if this continued on. He fell quiet about his opinions on the matter and focused back onto practicing. He accepted her apology, though he did shoot her look of annoyance towards the end of it. He ceased his movements as he felt her foot kicking his own and turned to see her nearby. “…What?” Looking down to where his foot was repositioned to, she continued to adjust his stance. “Oye, you are starting to sound like my mother”, he sighed. Perhaps those words had reached her, and would in some way him as well. He did shoot her another look when it came to mentioning Ash. “You do realize that a paladin fights with shield and sword, right? A balance of offense and defense….there is a difference between what he and I acheive… “ He was a swordsman, able to efficiently use his speed where his defense lacked in. But he suppose that he would seek him out, when he wasn’t trying to charm women on his time off that was. Slowly he was growing a bit irritated with having everyone tell him that his father wasn’t the only person he could train with. “I am aware of that, as I had been when Mother said it over and over again. While I can learn from others, it is him that I want to best in.” Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to try and relax. “I’ll do what it is that I have always done, go with the flow and listen. But ultimately he is the obstacle that I want to prove myself to in defeating.” He was a stubborn and hardheaded person, but Lucian was also a focus and self driven at the same time. “If anything, I should show you how to better yourself in close range combat sometime. The way you hold your spear is more suited for distance, which is good, but you should adjust your grip accordingly. I noticed it during our fight…”

Author: Episcia, Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2016 8:23 AM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

Episcia stared at him for a moment and shook her head. “It’s better than what most of us with knight parents go through. Most of the knights I know lost a parent here or there, and the mortality side shows through the other. Often regret and hurt rampages and children are the ones who are damaged because of it. You are lucky, your parents don’t love each other so it won’t ever happen to you. Would they fight for each other? Yes, but the death of either or wouldn’t really effect them. When a mortal loses their spouse it can make them go insane and they do things they regularly wouldn’t.” She gave him the same talk one of the elder knights had given her after the first outburst from her father.

Laughing a bit she shook her head once more. “I know what you mean. I am constantly reminded that I do not have my mother’s body, from what the knights tell me. Nasty old men.” She was self conscious about herself but when she heard stories of her mother it made her feel good. Her mother had been a beautiful head priestess.

Epi sat there and drew her knee up so she could put her head on it. “Mother was suppose to be one of the most beautiful priestess they had here. She grew up learning everything from the others. Father grew up with the knights but he was  the same age as her. They grew up together and loved each other from the moment they knew how. It took a long time to conceive me without the help of Lady Angela… I guess that’s why Father dislikes it so much. If they hadn’t asked for help Mother would be alive. She was his everything. I can’t fault him for loving her like that.”

She got up and watched Lucian for a little bit. “Sorry, but I like the act of surprise when going after my target.” She gave him a smile as she came over and kicked his foot a bit. “Your stance is a little off because you are focusing hard on other things.” She was trying to help and she made sure he knew that. “I can help a little bit. Even us squires have things to learn from each other Lucian.” She used her spear’s soft edge to gently tap his foot over more. “We use two different stances but I’ve seen enough of your brother Ash’s fighting style that I might be able to help more. Ash is a paladin, you might want to seek him out at some point. You don’t just have to train with your father, learn from others as well. It’s what I do. Gods know I can’t rely on mine.”

Author: Lucian Rose, Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2016 5:31 PM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

He looked with a cocked brow at his mother for a brief moment; she had never spoken to him or Nerezza like that before, as far as he could recall. Then again, he wasn’t too bothered by it, still irked by the turn of events she was putting him through. If he had to go to the tallest building in the whole realm and scream so that everyone could hear to leave him be, he would done so without a wasted second. Though he never suspected that she was trying to set him up with a woman- he was still ticked off over having to deal with this situation.

Lucian merely sighed to show his frustrations over this and that he wouldn’t be practicing with Father as much as they been. Between his plans involving helping to preserve the realm and now Melina, he doubted that he would see much of him. It was pointless to argue with her, he would have to go along with this insane plan. Episcia didn’t seem to happy with him or this situation, but he didn’t care one way or another. This was especially why he wasn’t a people person, no matter what or how his parents would do to try and manipulate those facts. It wasn’t his fault that he picked up his father’s reluctance and trust issues. It was as if it was in the very blood he had gave him. His eyes shifted to the newcomer, having seen the figure in the past a couple of times. When it came out that he was her father, he could see some resemblance though the words he chose to speak with her with seemly unnecessarily cruel. Still, he refrained from speaking of it, it wasn’t his place to and he was still remotely angry with her to defend her. Had she not so rudely interrupted him from his focus and had attempted to approach him in a more friendly manner, then he wouldn’t have been so prone to anger and give into whatever it was he had. The last thing he wanted was to end up the way his father had- becoming someone like Nemesis. There was still some memory of him from his younger years, and other than the times he was gentle with him and Nerezza, none of them were pleasant. Lucian glanced at Episcia for a moment and sighed. This was really an awkward moment they were left in. “I am. I have no problems with either of them other than things like this”, he shrugged and spread out his arms to gesture this situation.

“Uh…yeah. I don’t normally see others around here that train to be around my age. Most of what I see are half naked priestesses around here. I train with my father, or used to anyway.” Getting back up to his feet, he took hold of his sword again and turned around to image him standing in front of him again. He was about to start practicing again when he heard her speak out and halted when the tale shifted to the death of her mother. He turned his head enough to see her with one eye and his shoulders fell limp, the sword pointing low to the ground. “I apologize for what happened to her. Surely it devastated your father as well. Still…he had no right to say such things. The way I figure, you were a birth from her to him and he needs to find some way of coping other than to take it out on you. It only tarnishes her memory by him continuing to do that.” He never understood how some people could treat their children like that- he had been conceived by one of the most wicked men from his home realm and yet he never lifted a finger against the twins, nor badmouth them. If anything, he did all in his power to defend and keep them safe. Saying his peace about the matter, Lucian turned back around and started with some simple stances and sword techniques for a bit to warm up. “Also, I would suggest that if you are going to spar with someone, don’t try and attack them without much warning. Even I know of proper etiquette.”

Author: Episcia, Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2016 8:31 PM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

Angela looked at Lucian with distinct anger. She had never looked at him like that before. “You’re wrong Lucian. You both are very wrong. When you look at each other and finally understand each other then you will understand why I picked her. Even if she was male she would be here. I’m not playing with fate this time, that is the truth. You two are very alike.”

Episcia frowned a bit and nodded. She couldn’t argue the surface they shared but beneath that what else? She knew nothing about the prince and she had never even seen him before. Angela leaned down and brushed Lucian’s hair. “You will surpass your father but if you keep chasing him right now, you’ll never get there. Knowledge and strengths must be given by all people not just one. You might find a weakness in your father by studying with someone else.”

The White Valkyrie watched the prince and scoffed at him as she began to get up. “Episcia, sit down now,” the large elven male came to Angela’s side and Episcia eeped and sat down. “I will not have you spoil everything your mother has given you. Don’t make me regret choosing you over her.” The words stung as Episcia thought  she felt tears come to her eyes. Angela had a look of disappointment towards her elder knight but let it go. It was not a squabble she wanted to be a part of.

“Hector, we’ll take our leave now. Leave this to the two of them. We can discuss Amelia upstairs.” The elder elf had a look of disappoint, most likely towards himself, but nodded to the goddess. “Make friends, Melina will be in to give you dinner.” 

Episcia held onto herself afterwards, her thoughts were clouded with hurt and judgment towards the prince. It was all his fault her father said that to her, still she couldn’t leave unless she talked. “Me too.” She answered softly as if still stuck on the words spoken to her. They left deep wounds. “Be glad you have both your parents at least.” She offered a sad smile but it was enough to talk as she sat cross legged. She looked at her arm and shook her head. “I’m fine, use to it. I spar with a lot of the older knights because there are no squires my age. I was told you are a year older than me.”

Looking even more distressed she outed herself. “Mom was the head priestess here… the one who trained Melina… Lady Angela left when she was pregnant with me and mom went into labor. There may be a ton of clerics in this place but apparently it can’t stop death. They couldn’t get me out and gave Father the choice, Mom made him promise her that he was going to take me instead. Sometimes he says mean things about it but he is really nice, sometimes he just has a hard time dealing with it.”

Author: Lucian Rose, Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2016 8:15 PM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

Lucian didn’t care who this girl was nor where she came from. She had disturbed very sensitive training for gods know what reason and he was overly pissed. But something else was going on inside him, he felt his blood raging and boiling while soft but audible whispers rang in his head. They counseled him and understood what he sought. She’s in the way, in the way of you defeating the traitor. It only made him grow more with wanting to punish her the further their little sparring went to the point where he struck and made her bleed. Playtime had been over long ago and it wasn’t until then that she grew serious and the fight finally grew interesting. There was something about the fight that made the voices echo more and more, as if they were getting satisfaction out of this. He could feel the sharp edge of her spear getting him at times where he was most careless with his actions, but the blood only excited him as he felt it rushing down his wounds. The fun unfortunately ended as he felt something overpowering him and the teen fell down.

Apparently his mother had sent for her to keep him company, something that shouldn’t have surprised him so. Lucian bite his tongue hard as she spoke to him, his temper peaked when it was mentioned that his father wasn’t going to be there as much as he was to oversee his training. He averted his gaze as he cursed fate for the sudden ruining of his plans. “She’s no different from anyone else here. Father was the only one I’m interested in.” The voices seemed to die down but still did their tone rang loud enough for him to understand. He had his heart set on surpassing him, and now he was forced to deal with someone that wasn’t in his father’s league?

Tasting the copper in his mouth, he released his tongue from his fangs and lowered his sword, pointing it to the ground. The scolding made his swordhand tighten a bit but he remained still in his spot. He could have cared less about any of this, it was much more of an inconvenience than anything for him. If father isn’t going to be around as much, then why would he care?, he thought to himself. He had minded his business and was doing just fine- he never asked for his mother to set him up with a play date.

“Then leave”, he said with a shrug before conjuring himself an apple with his free hand and bit down hard onto it. “We at least found something we can agree on.” His blood started to cool down and the voices left completely for the time being as he sat cross legged onto the ground and continued to eat. They were to remain here until they were on friendlier terms; of course he felt it was a ridiculous order seeing how he was usually either here or in his chambers.  

“Yes, mother.”   

Finishing the fruit, he tossed its core away from him and summoned another in its place. After some time of quietly eating, he finally looked up to Episcia without the coldness settled in them. “Lucian. Forced into things is what I’m used to by now.” He wasn’t exactly sure what had came over him before the fight had started, or the thoughts that proceeded afterwards. Certainly he was angered by her intrusion but he had never felt as violent as he had in the sparring. “I’m not thrilled about this either. I don’t see the reason in this at all- neither of us will get much stronger if we simply spar with one another exclusively.” Glancing at her now healed arm, he frowned a bit, “Got carried away a bit, sorry about that.”

Author: Episcia, Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2016 7:02 PM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

Episcia’s eyes were just as cold as his towards her. They parried and got into defensive and offensive stances. They read each other a little too well, they basically had the same amount of training. They were playing with each other, it was all too readable for outside audiences. Hector and Angela watched on and for a moment Angela thought about inviting Raeguel, but he was out with Melina. The goddess let out a deep sigh as she watched for a long time.

The playing continued until he managed to knick Episcia. The girl looked at her arm and a growl left her lips. It was at that time the playing stopped. They began to exchange death blows the more angry they got. Angela uncrossed her arms and sent Hector away.

Knocking them both down she made her way out onto the arena. She crossed her arms. “You, I didn’t send you out here to kill my son.”

Episcia opened her mouth to argue but Angela cut her off. 

“And you, appreciate I was able to find someone your age to spare with you.” Angela pointed at Lucian. “Your father is going to be out with Melina more often. That is going to leave you needing someone to spare with if you want to take this squire thing seriously. Now, is your arm alright Episcia?” Angela leaned down and healed the wound.

“I don’t want to be here. I don’t want to be friends with people my age. I have a goal in mind and I want to be a knight.” Her words were oddly mocking words Lucian had said many times.

Angela let out a sigh and looked at her son. “You two were obviously raised together without knowing it.” Shaking her head she stared at Episcia. “Introduce yourself proper. Your father was watching that fight and he was disappointed in the way you were acting. You’ll apologize after this to him. And you,” The goddess looked at Lucian, “Your father would be disappointed in how you acted just now. I’ll be telling him about it. You can’t attack everything like that, I’ve never seen you like that before. I understand Episcia interrupted you but please understand why I’m trying to make friends for the two of you.”

Episcia made a frown. “I don’t want friends and most certainly not with him.” She crossed her arms. 

Angela took a sigh and stared at them both. “You two will sit here and talk. I’ll not have animosity in my house. You can’t leave this room and if I have to I’ll tie you down.” Angela left them be and Episcia crossed her arms.

“My name is Episcia, I don’t much care for being forced into things. My father told me to come spare with you.” She turned her head and she sighed. “I don’t want to do either, I just want to spare with the older knights and get knighted. That’s it.”

Author: Lucian Rose, Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2016 6:14 PM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

Lucian knew about this so called “Sheltered Prince” nickname mumbo jumbo that was going around in his mother’s realm. He simply was focused on his objectives, it was not his fault that everyone else was busy seeking out instant gratification instead of living for the future. In many ways, he was like his father- reserved, quiet and no time for other people’s games. It probably drove his mother and siblings completely nuts, but he was who he was. Though it wasn’t to say that he was pleased by such kind words slung about him. But like Raeguel, he too his aggression out in the arena until his body felt too tired and heavy to continue on.

So what if he didn’t go around and make friends? He had no time for such things and even then they would have only take to him simply because he was royalty. It wasn’t anything new to him since he was little and started to recognize that he was being favored more so than his twin sister. One, it didn’t seem fair to him and from there Lucian started to shy away from the limelight, and two it lead to him being torn on who was legitimately concerned for him and who seemly saw him as a means to an end.

Today was no different for him as he practiced in the famed arena. His eyes were closed tight, relying on both his senses and memory as he practiced his sword technique. He imaged his father was in front of him, gorging him on to attack. Father usually starts in a defensive position, waiting for his opponent to fall for his trap. Then his left foot falls further back and he lowers himself a bit, he thought as the vivid image followed suit. Lucian circled around instead of striking immediately. He had done this a thousand times easy, knowing that his father would likely suspect him to do this since the younger swordsman knew not to fall for the taunting and soon shifted into an attacking stance. He’s on the offensive now, this is where he’s equally dangerous….Left! Lucian dodge the sword coming to him before leaping back and intercepted the coming blade with his own. They clashed a few times before he started to get more aggressive, being parried by his father with each swing. There’s gotta be some sort of weakness I’m not seeing..

Raeguel was faster, stronger and more experienced, but even he could make mistakes and he needed to see just one then he could focus on exploiting it. Couching down, he lounged at his imagery opponent, aiming for right side when he heard someone coming towards him and snapped back into reality with eyes open. Growling, he narrowly countered the coming spear and looked to see that it had been some girl that broke his concentration. “Dammit”, he swore beneath his breath as he held his free palm towards his face. He wasn’t sure who she was or where she came from but his current training all but went up into smoke now. Green eyes looked onto her as this White Valkyrie challenged him to spar with her. He said nothing at first but continued to look at her the way his father had looked at others before he changed his ways. It was the other side of the coin when people didn’t revel in him- they would fear that he would be like Nemesis was- distance, cold and unsettling. Without answering her, he lounged out, eyes shifted to the spear to see how she would bring it up. She had the advantage in a fight that revolved around distance, but if he was able to invade her space and turn this into a close combat fight, it would be more of a liability. But he wasn’t going to make so simple, not for this White Valkyrie. Instead he brought the sword up above him with the intention to drawing her out to either block or evade the obvious blow. He had to study and read her movements first before he decided on how to effectively dispatch of her.      

Author: Episcia, Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2016 9:22 PM, Post Subject: Sword & Spear [P/R]

She walked along side her father. He was so much more taller than she was. Her long blonde hair against her porcelain skin, no wonder they called her the White Valkyrie. She rode around on a white dragon in Elvish etched plate. Even now in her day wear, she seemed like snow. She wore a loose off shoulder white shirt and comfortable pants. Her boots kept her pant legs in as she held her spear.

“Episcia, I have a job for you that Lady Angela wants you to do,” her father spoke lightly as they walked.

“Yes father?” Episcia’s brown eyes looked up at him and he gave a smile at her. “I’ll do whatever the Goddess has in store for me… As is family tradition.” Her family, elves, had been in service to the goddess for a long time. Now was an important time since her domain had switched.

Her father was a tall elf with dark hair. He was tanned compared to his daughter. It served to remind him that his daughter looked like his late wife greatly. A spitting image almost. “She wants you to make company with her son Lucian.”

Episcia’s lips turned into a frown. “I have to go babysit the shut in?” Her words were harsh but she hadn’t ever seen Lucian. There were rumors that he just shut himself inside the study and if not there he was practicing with a sword.

“You are not babysitting. Do not speak ill of the prince Episcia. He wants what you want and that is why Lady Angela wishes for you to… make a friend. You spend far too much time with the knights and not with children your age.”

The halfling’s face frowned even more. “I don’t have time for such luxuries.”

“What a coincidence… That is his attitude. Go make friends. I will not take no for an answer, this is your first mission for Lady Angela do not fail it.”

The squire sighed a bit as she went around to find out where the young prince was. She was having a hard time even describing him because she had never seen him before. It was frustrating to say the least when finally it was his own sister that told her where he was. Why hadn’t she started with the sisters? They always talked big.

She made her way for the arena where many people practiced for generations. This was where Lucian was, he was practicing sword techniques. She gripped her spear and flew in like lightning as he caught her, barely, and parried her off.

“Practice with me,” her words were rough as she wasn’t sure how she was suppose to practice him. “They call me The White Valkyrie, I’m a squire. You are training to be a knight too aren’t you? So, spar with me.”