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Kat

Thanks! It definitely took a little while XD

But I'm headed to bed now. Got a solid RP response out... and now it's bedtime XDD
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Froggington x EdlingJuly 26, 2024 11:40 PM


Edling

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Please don't post unless your name is in the title :)
Froggington x EdlingJuly 26, 2024 11:41 PM


Edling

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~Haley Ritter-Kline~

“Define ‘immoral’.”

Full Name:

Sir Haley Ilay Ritter-Kline

Nickname(s):

Hale (Seldomly used, most often as an insincere endearment by family)

Ilay {Same pronunciation as ‘Eli’} (Often used as a substitute to his first name, and something he uses as a common formality)

Sir Ritter/Ritt (The most common way of referring to Haley)

Sir Kline/Kline (When referencing his noble familial ties)

Psycho (A label he’s acutely aware of earned by his ruthless reputation)

Haley (His first name is rarely used to address him directly or indirectly, only those legitimately close to him tend to use it, and one can consider themself an object of his intrigue if he introduces himself directly as ‘Haley’)


Gender:

Male

Age:

26

Birthday:

October 29th

Sexuality:

Dictated by impulsive desire and lust

Zodiac:

Scorpio

Personality Type:

ENTP

Enneagram:

8w7

Birthplace:

The Duchy of Veloria

“Vincere aut mori, it’s more than a saying or a source of inspiration, dear. It’s a lifestyle.”

Appearance:

The energy associated with Haley’s mere presence is a testament to the man behind the suffocating, dominating aura he carries. An imposing figure, looming over most with his towering mesomorphic build of 6’3, Haley is rarely without keeping his head high to overlook everyone beneath him. There is an undeniable vision of discipline, athleticism, and grace that is synonymous with his toned physique. Being a man who effortlessly displays proper posture and smothering confidence, there is a complex and misleading delicacy to his lithe stature. With little contemplation, it’s more than evident that he is an individual capable of feats of great endurance and power. Possessing strikingly fair skin, akin to a porcelain tone, the skin he does show is smooth - albeit not entirely flawless with the presence of various scarring - and hints toward his fierce dedication to self-hygiene and personal maintenance. While Haley is otherwise shameless with himself and his body, he religiously wears a pair of black gloves to conceal his hands, claiming it’s a preference to avoid literal blood and filth from accumulating on them.

An eye-catching centerpiece to his person belongs to both his hair, and eyes. In the shade of a dull platinum blond, it holds more of a shimmering silver tint in brighter environments or at the right angle when exposed to direct light. While only long enough to acquaint itself with the nape of his neck, Haley’s hair is both wispy and lacks traditional style, but the untamed manner in which it grows itself manages to create an illusion of a purposefully wild look. A sharp contrast to the color scheme of his hair though, a potent amber dominates the glow of his hooded eyes. Accompanied by flecks of darker browns and gold, there is an undeniable gleam of predation emitted from his calculated gazes and intense stares. Framing these tiger-like eyes are long, pointed lashes that are as fair in color as his collection of hair.

As per the structure of the young man’s visage, it is considerably well-defined and claims the facial shape of a diamond. Most prominent is his sharp, angular chin that is offset in terms of the harshness of his features by high cheekbones which offer a faux presence of softness and delicacy. There is much that is entirely unassuming about the young man’s nose though, being nothing more than ordinary with its straight bridge and having a subtle point to it. Haley’s lips though have the power to wield much of what dictates how he should be read in any moment of engagement with others. While thin and characteristically lighter in pigment, Haley’s lips are most commonly held in a straight, thoughtful line if only to support the analytical staple of his persona. While smiles tend to be a more uncommon sight, from smirks to grins of mockery, there is a strange illusion of being a bit younger than he actually is that manages to grip his features when he does choose to smile.

In terms of voice, the sound itself is of a lower pitch, though not heavy or gruff in any form. It carries a ring of command, and even maturity that is far beyond his years and is generally delivered in a smooth and - dare be said - more soft-spoken manner, albeit with an undeniable undertone of colder intimidation. The tone itself is steadfastly assertive and unwavering, doing well to demonstrate how self-assured Haley is as well as not-so-subtle hints of condescension and superiority. When speaking, Haley’s manner of speech is effortlessly measured and deliberate, with each word he chooses to speak carefully chosen to deliver the most efficient impact. Despite the confidence he carries, there tend to be ripples of volatility and tension in his undertones that create a chilling sense of edge that could make what he may say or do next entirely, and scarily unpredictable. Most notably, Haley often speaks in a concerningly calm and indifferent manner when unsettling or sensitive topics are brought to him, and tends to alter the intensity of his speech’s delivery if he believes his sense of control or superiority is being challenged.

“Nobody with a scrap of intelligence ever plays fair.”

Personality:

Psychopathic: This is a contested staple of everything Haley is known to be, considering it is one of the most associated terms that comes to mind in regards to his person. Undeniably, he harbors little to no empathy or remorse both in general and following the effects of his own actions. While it is a considerably cold and cruel manner of operating, Haley would argue that being unapologetic about committing necessary acts regardless of the outcome and damages that may follow does not make him an inhuman psychopath.

Ruthless: Haley is an unyielding man in all aspects of his life, though most especially in his professional ventures. When it comes to achieving his goals, Haley is willing to make tough decisions and drastic measures with little consideration of morality or emotions if it means obtaining success.

Debating: Gifted in argumentation and debate, Haley excels in demonstrating his sharp intellect, wit, and expert grasp of logic to dominate both conversations and arguments alike. He thoroughly enjoys verbal sparring, especially with other individuals capable of keeping pace with his own intellect. More so than that though, he does find pleasure in establishing his superiority through debate.

Apathetic: Emotions are something that rarely - if ever - sway Haley if he takes the time to consider them at all. He has a tendency to come off as both indifferent and detached, and while that’s not a baseless observation, he simply sees less value in catering to emotion when logic is often the more pragmatic approach. This isn’t to say he doesn’t consider them when necessary, or for the select few whose feelings he may be more mindful of, but typically Haley only sees the value of emotions if they serve him and his interests better.

Calculated: Nearly every action, word, and breath Haley takes is carefully planned and executed with near-absolute precision. He’s naturally aligned to analyzing both situations and people alike thoroughly, preferring to distinguish the risks and benefits of whatever he may involve himself with, and keeping a variety of contingency plans in place in his back pocket. While he prefers to be several steps ahead of everyone around him, Haley also finds value and thrill to some degree of spontaneity and acting on impulse if need be to create an unpredictable illusion of his operations.

Obsessive: When Haley becomes fixated on goals, a vision, or even a person, he has the potential to become engrossed in a full-fledged obsession to an unhealthy degree. While having an obsessive drive serves his ambitions well, when it comes to personal matters and relations, it becomes a dangerous and relentless pursuit.

Honest: Despite the darker parts of himself, Haley treasures both honesty and integrity within both himself and others. He prefers to not deceive or manipulate with direct lies unless dire, but he does use his honesty strategically if it means disarming others and maneuvering through difficult situations without compromising his sense of integrity.

Controlling: Having a strong desire to control almost all aspects of his own life, surroundings, and those around him, he doesn’t necessarily come on too strong with this quality. Instead of micromanaging and being direct about his need for control, he is more subtle when it comes to manipulating people and circumstances to his advantage.

Vindictive: With such a strong opinion on honesty, needless to say, betrayal of Haley’s trust is a damning thing. There is a concerningly slim level of boundaries he wouldn’t cross in order to enact vengeance. He has a very long and capable memory when it comes to perceived injustice and slights as well, and even finds some enjoyment in planning and executing various schemes in order to get even.

Dark-humored: Haley has an undeniably sharp wit, but his penchant for both insensitive and macabre humor can often leave others deeply unsettled. His objects of humor can indifferently tread over taboo subjects, and make light of highly serious or sensitive matters, which only goes to reflect his more morbid fascination and alignment to the darker things in life.

Charismatic: Despite it all, Haley’s impressive well-spoken nature and ability to be a calm and persuading presence often gives him a strangely magnetic charm. He has the ability to be at least neutrally agreeable if a situation calls for it, and even tends to act far more tame in most engagements than his reputation would otherwise reflect.

“Bare your teeth at me, I dare you, I’ll rip them out one by one.”

Strengths:

Stamina: Haley is an individual who is capable of operating at maximum for an extended period of time, being very acutely aware of his boundaries and limitations both physically and mentally

Vigorous: Being a well-bodies young man who can utilize strength as an asset, he is also a very naturally self-disciplined person who prioritizes health and sustaining energy

Quick Thinker: Intelligence alone is only a strength if one can properly utilize it, and Haley certainly can with both speed and efficiency. His rapid intellect makes him quick on his feet when it comes to analyzing everything around him, and compelling him to make well-informed decisions in a very short period of time. This also plays a hand in his quick-witted responses and the ability to adapt on a dime if need be.

Quick Reflexes: While not inhuman, Haley does possess the knack to react to external stimuli quicker than most. It serves him well in day-to-day life, as well as in any fight the male may find himself in.

Combat (specifically hand-to-hand, with daggers, and a small variety of swords): Having been introduced to training for the life of a knight at the age of seven, easily Haley has spent a very long time perfecting the art of combat. Having had access to the best of training through familial ties, Haley honed in on the mastery of daggers, rapiers, and falchion swords.

Weaknesses:

Speed: While Haley couldn't be regarded as the slowest snail in the field by any margin, he is also not the quickest man on a battlefield. While his reflexes are swift, this does not translate to being able to be as fast as other men have the potential to be.

Insensitive: Formalities and rehearsed behavior aside, Haley has no genuine care for most people's grievances and otherwise problems. He is not above making comments or wielding others' sensitivities and insecurities against them.

Argumentative: Shouting matches are something Haley has never, and will never participate in. Rather, he asserts his dominance in argument and confrontation by remaining calm and delivering a calculated and cold debate. He may not always initiate verbal spars, but he finds a sense of thrill in being the one to finish them.

Hedonistic: Haley lives in the pursuit of personal pleasure. Focused on his own sense of happiness and otherwise fulfillment, he doesn't understand why other people are not willing to view this lifestyle as one of the most natural ways for a human being to live, and furthermore embracing it.

Deceptive: It goes without saying that Haley is a man who excels in deception, and has an effortless manner of wielding such a thing.

“Unhinged? I prefer bold with a twist.”

Family:

Porter Kline ~ Uncle ~ Alive

Porter is an older, sophisticated gentleman - charming and silver-tongued. Most of how Haley learned how to conduct himself professionally was thanks to his uncle, who had practically raised Haley since taking him in at seven years old to be his page, and furthermore, to study knighthood under him.

Byron Kline ~ Cousin ~ Alive

Three years older than Haley, Byron has always felt threatened by his younger cousin’s existence since he was taken in and trained by his father. In many things, Haley respectfully excels at far more than Byron could dream of, although that has not evaporated his sense of pride and desire to kick his younger cousin down into his place. While Byron himself is a man of fair intellect and ability, there is no question as to who is superior between him and Haley, which has only encouraged Byron to use his own various authorities to keep Haley directly beneath him.

Anders Ritter-Kline ~ Elder Brother ~ Alive

The Duke of Veloria, and six years older than Haley. Anders and Haley certainly have a brotherly bond, although it is not unknown that they tend to clash - with Anders maintaining the intellectual prowess the Kline family is known for, and Haley weaponizing intellect and channeling it into being a man of action.

Joselyn Kline ~ Mother ~ Deceased

Having passed away when Haley was twenty due to illness, the Velorian Duchy was passed to Anders as the firstborn. Joselyn Kline was a Duchess well-known for both grace and intellect, a respected woman in authority and nurturer of Veloria’s famous golden crops and thriving vineyards. Haley’s relationship with his mother was not strained, although they had a more casual relationship versus a familial bond.

Laszlo Ritter ~ Father ~ Alive

Following the death of Joselyn, Laszlo returned to his own generational manor to the east of the kingdom. Having been a Count that wed into the Kline family, he had been offered to remain permanent residence in the duchy, though refused. Laszlo was a man of brains over bronze, and someone Haley never quite saw eye-to-eye with.


Edited at July 27, 2024 06:25 PM by Edling
Froggington x EdlingJuly 27, 2024 12:00 AM


Sir Froggington

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«« ◊ «« Xiomara Yvette Valentine »» ◊ »»

««♦»»

Age

22 years

««♦»»

Gender

Female

««♦»»

Rank

Princess

«« ◊ »»

"You are mistaken."

Personality

Xiomara has grown sullen as her darling older sister and younger sisters have always gotten the attention for being pretty and charming. Maybe, she should have come out of her corner more often during social events. Maybe, she should have tried being actually nice or acknowledging that other people existed first, but she preferred to sulk in the corner or amuse herself with a book or drawing in her notebook. She is resentful that her parents leave her to do her thing. Her mother has carefully groomed her sisters to get married and be helpful managers and ears for their husbands.

Frankly, thus far, Xiomara has found the human race to be tiring and vexing. She would prefer not to deal with them and has not found anyone she particularly wants to spend time around. She hates being disturbed during designated alone time, which is basically all of the time, and it is no wonder her parents finally began to leave her alone. Especially, because she is resentful of authority, especially her parents. (She particularly does not like the idea of an arranged marriage. She knows that her father would marry her off to someone who would increase his own influence, wealth, and power.) If anyone can't tell already and it needs to be stated in express words, Xiomara is very selfish and thinks a lot of herself. She is very dedicated and disciplined for her needs but there are very few people she would lift a finger for and mainly because they would compel her or helping them would help her such as them owing her a favor in the future.

She does try to feign humbleness to some extent. At least she's not telling everyone that she is really tough or really smart, but she does go around bulling people over while she demonstrates her accomplishments. (She had one servant stand still with an apple on her head, while she tried to shoot it off with her bow and arrow. Luckily, her brother (Gilbert) saw it and intervened.) She has been known to gossip about what she observes in the court showing off her observation and interpretation skills, which led to her father finally paying attention to her at dinner, which she decided she didn't like. She stopped gossiping after that because of the unwanted attention.

She has not grown out of correcting people when they are imprecise or their information is wrong even when she was not a part of the conversation. She is not a wishy washy person, and acts when she is certain that it is the right thing to do. She also has earned her reputation for being smart and educated (albeit astonishingly annoying) because of her constant reading and correcting others and always being right. She has been called a know-it-all more than once.

She has had training in ettiquette of course, and as she grew older she started to pay attention on how people interacted and charmed each other. She does not like being nice and would prefer to say or do what comes to mind, but she does know how to be nice enough to get what she wants. She is not the most patient person, but she can keep it under control long enough to finish a goal.

She is secretive and does not trust others easily. She does not talk about her feelings and she rather avoids sentimental attachments. Several older matronly women have been known to ask if there was something wrong with her because she didn't gossip and giggle about the more eligible handsome bachelor lords at parties. She gives out the least information she can and does not continue to answer a question further than the necessary answer unless she is trying to appear amiable.

She is capable of geeking out about mathematics, admiring a well made outfit, debating the best way to feed an army, and even discuss the most effecient way to hang someone. (Interviewing their executioner was quite an enlightening experience. Apparently, he keeps a logbook of the measurements of the criminals he executes and has it down to a science.) She is a person of various useful interests, which she choses by what would be useful and what she is capable of learning to the point of competency.

"I'm reading. Stop talking to me when I'm clearly busy."

«« ◊ »»

"Fine. I will look up and say hello. Maybe I'll even smile. Does that make you happy?"

Appearance

Xiomara grew up used to sitting in the corner with a face full of acne at important social events. She had trouble controlling her acne and it left scars on her cheeks and forehead that looked pockmarked. Her skin was pale and made acne and scars stand out. They have faded some as she's grown older and she can normally easily hide it with her hair. She often had a book or a notebook near her, and she gave up on socializing after being told repeatedly that she needed to do something to be pretty or that it would take too much effort to make her look nice. She did note that it was important to store information about others because it gives leverage and power over them from her own very political parents.

She was a plain child and for her not tall height was stringy and lanky in build without any discernable figure. She still views herself as unattractive and plain, but growing up further has given her some noticeable curves although she still has a long thin build. Her posture had been terrible and it was obvious that she was trying to make herself small and unnoticeable. However, with a lot of her sitting studying, drawing, and reading activities, she has found that she needs to sit up straight and not crane her neck downwards for too long or she will start cramping. With the training of her governness and tutors, she has started to be more confident and more intentional with her body language, and she has become more relaxed and able to stand up straight with good posture without having to think about it. She is not clumsy and can walk with grace. She likes to practice sneaking around the castle whether in broad daylight or at night. However, because she is allowed to be anywhere in the castle she rarely gets odd looks so its hard for her to be able to tell how successful she is.

She has an oval face shape and the profile of her face curves outward slightly. Her face cheeks have thinned from childhood and lost their baby fat. She has a sprinkling of freckles across her nose and cheeks. She has a wide mouth but thin lips. Her eyes are slightly set into her face and are clearly green. Her nose is thin and slightly prominent. She has dimples in the corners of her mouth when she smiles. Her lips are full but her mouth is not very wide. She has waist-length dark auburn hair, which she used to hide behind. She still has fair skin and it scars and burns easily. She has short slender fingers and her hands have large palms in proportion.

"I will stand in the shade."

«« ◊ »»

Strengths:

Court Skills - After seven years of her governess training her, she has become very observant and much more subtle. She has become better at discerning what information is important and what gossip and tidbits are accurate. She has very good hearing and reasonably keen eyesight. (She wouldn't need glasses if she were modern.) Due to her parents, life at court, and her governess, she has learned how to control her body language, acting/manipulation for real-life scenarios

Practical - She does very few things for pleasure and does most things for a purpose. She tries to learn things that will be relevant and useful. She is quite educated and with her position has access to the finest education women receive.

Disciplined - Her constant search for useful information has led her to be dedicated even for some physical activity so that she can try some things that require a modicum of strength.

Weaknesses:

Unable to physically protect herself - She has not been trained to fight, and if she were to ask her father if she could be trained to fight it would raise eyebrows. It is common for noble women to do archery, so she has settled for that. She's no Robin Hood, but she doesn't miss the bales anymore.

Lacking purpose and affection - Her parents have been busy with other things. She never got on particularly well with any of her siblings (her own fault, though she would never admit it or see it). She wants to be of use or important to an organization, cause, or number one in a person's life.

Pride - She is arrogant and is used to being right and thinks she knows best. She has a hard time submitting to authority or letting someone else's error pass by without a remark.

Selfishness - it makes her hard to work with and goes along with pride. She doesn't care to work with anyone else unless it clearly benefits her. She normally has no desire to be kind.

"I know I could do more. Just give me a chance!"

««♦»»

Affiliations:

Lucius Helmar Valentine - father 53 years

He is a political genious and has managed to grow his wealth and influence through his children, treaties, and trade.

Jocasta Grace Valentine - mother 49 years

She is deferential to her husband's schemes and has tried to pass down and teach the skills of herself and Lucius to their children.

Siblings in Birth order

Alexander Valentine - brother 32 years

Gilbert Reginald- brother - 30 years

Elizabeth Keir Oswald- married sister 27 years

Seraphina Evangeline - sister 25 years married within the last year

Astaroth Reed - brother 24 years

~Xiomara Yvette Valentine~ 22 years

Damien Teival - brother 18 years

««♦»»

Other:


Edited at July 31, 2024 11:05 PM by Sir Froggington
Froggington x EdlingAugust 1, 2024 07:00 PM


Edling

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It had not been so exhausting on Haley to make the short journey to the royal castle within Vicar, considering the status that routinely compelled him to remain within the vicinity of the capitol. Of course, he had claimed the manor house that had been sparingly utilized by his uncle which was located in the capital, west of the castle. The talks that had revolved around arranged marriage were ones Haley was familiar with - his mother had her own ideals when he was young, though those never came to fruition. His uncle had desired to strengthen their own duchy’s power hold by suggesting a marriage between Haley and the eldest daughter of another Duke, but for reasons only known to Haley, that attractive idea sank as well.

Then there was the organization of Vanguards, as they call themselves, which was a collectively growing rebellion growing beneath the nose of the kingdom's primary authorities. It had been a joke, Haley thought, when they approached him. For some time, he played along. There was actually little care or allegiance Haley had for those people. Whether they succeeded or failed in their mission of overthrowing the current monarchs and their family was last on Haley’s mind when it came to important matters. Until he made a joke about how easy it would be to be arranged to a princess of the kingdom and do the hard work of slaughtering the family for them. The Vanguards had confused Haley’s morbid humor and dry sarcasm as a real proposal, and one thing trickled into another, and ultimately through various suggestions and manipulations, and for the duchy’s gain, his uncle had formally proposed the marriage to the royal family. Perhaps the most curious thing to Haley was the acceptance by the royal family.

Rather quickly Haley had found the ambitions of the Vanguards to feed his own desire for control. Not that he necessarily wanted the responsibility that came with higher status, if he were to successfully seize it through calculated murder anyway, but he wanted to see what he was truly capable of pulling off. This was a challenge that thrilled him by all measures. It was dangerous and outwardly foolish, and while Haley was not a man to act thoughtlessly, he had put a lot of careful thought going into not only the illusion of marriage but also what he would be accomplishing with it.

Approaching the gatehouse doors atop his flossy black-coated steed, Haley spared a look up at the summer sky void of any clouds littering its pristine blue display. Arriving at the castle in the early afternoon had been a conscious effort on Haley’s part, in order to at least get the initial formalities with the royals, including his arranged bride, out of the way before the expected theatrical festivities drew in too many other guests. Haley was to be the distinguished guest regardless, but he desired a more or less tame reception of his initial arrival.

Being granted passage through the gatehouse, Haley and his steed began a slower gait into the vast stretch of the courtyard toward the head of the castle itself. To an outsider, Haley supposed it was a place that embodied strength in its durable architecture that has stood the test of time and difficulty, as well as unparalleled opulence with its marble pillars and spires. Beneath the sight of the castle and filling the courtyard itself seemed to be a mosaic of colors with various individuals that served the castle in their best garbs and a light presence of knights belonging to his order. It felt strange to Haley to be without his own armor, trading his typical attire for finer clothing befit of a noble for today's occasion, and bearing the blue and gold colors of his house as well as their sigil of the sun on his back.

The reception was neatly orchestrated, and once halfway through the courtyard, Haley was approached by a few unimportant figures who attempted to aid in the dismount of his steed before guiding it toward the stables. In all of his time as a knight who primarily lived in the capital, this is perhaps the most he’s ever actually given himself a moment to survey the outside of the castle discreetly yet attentively. As he began closing the stride between himself and the head of the courtyard where he was to be properly received by the royals themselves, Haley found himself feeling genuinely happy. This will be the thrill of a lifetime after all, attached to only the minor inconvenience of a marriage.

Stopping an appropriate distance from the King himself, Haley offered a simple bow and lowering of his head in a show of respect for the authority before him as he was announced before correcting his posture. “It’s a privilege beyond measure to stand before you, Your Majesty. Even greater an honor to have your daughter’s hand in marriage.” Speaking with something close to humility, Haley’s gaze briefly strayed toward the rest of the family before settling back on the king with a thin smile.

Froggington x EdlingAugust 4, 2024 11:40 PM


Sir Froggington

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She could hear banners flapping slightly in the breeze. The sky was very blue on this summer day, and the sun had no barriers to shine down upon Xiomara, the princess of Rhen. Xiomara stood with proper posture and a neutral facial expression. Her mother had permitted her to relax from a joyous facial expression as she had Xiomara wait for her betrothed to arrive. Her mother had let her be the awkward intellectual in the corner for most of her life, giving up on creating her into a useful political pawn or able to take care of herself in the dog eat dog world that her parents had raised her. But now her mother paid attention to her. As the man who was expected to arrive would become Xiomara’s lord husband, she was expected to show him additional honor, particularly excitement and warmth at his arrival. Her mother was relieved that her daughter was finally showing signs of political prowess such as the basic ability of being able to control her facial expression from pleasant to neutral. Further expression control took more finesse, and her mother didn’t expect Xiomara to pick it all up in one day or perhaps ever since they were getting rid of her quite conveniently.

This man was merely a knight and not very important and it irked her that he had the audacity to try to make a connection to the king. He was not worthy to take the hand of a daughter of the king, and yet here he was taking her hand in marriage. Xiomara had spent days quietly stewing certain that anything she said would be used against her. She did not try to deceive herself the way her maids fluttered that perhaps it was true love that he was infatuated with the unwanted maiden princess. She was still a princess and her position alone would always make her a person of interest. She wished he had waited until the ball that was being held in the evening to celebrate her engagement. Perhaps she would have been able to avoid him in the chaos of a party. However, perhaps her mother had encouraged him to come earlier because she knew that Xiomara was very good at disappearing at parties. At the very least the party would have ensured that they would not have to spend all of their time together. She reminded herself she could excuse herself early so she had time to primp before.

Xiomara was wearing a gown that was quite long and created a tripping hazard if she moved with haste, but it more than covered her ankles ensuring that she would not disgrace her family by improperly flashing her ankles. Her sleeves draped down, wide with extra fabric which made them heavy for her arms to manoeuvre in, but there was plenty of space up her sleeve to hide objects or even a small creature if she so desired. The useless extra fabric at the sleeves was a demonstration of wealth and leisure. She had no need to wear a dress that was practical, because she had servants who could do it for her. She could afford the extra useless fabric to make long flowing sleeves, at least her parents could. She wore a heavy velvet dress colored black with little gold flower embroidery visible in the sleeves and where there was a slit for the overdress to show. The overdress was a rich blue to contrast with her skin tone, hair, and eyes. The belt was lavishly embroidered with flowers and the background was gold. Xiomara’s hair was plaited into a braided crown around her head, neatly put into place.

She heard the castle guards letting the intruder onto the castle grounds. She was surprised to see that he was riding a horse instead of avoiding the worst of travel dirt in a carriage. Of course, he was just barely one step up from a peasant. He couldn't have the decency to ride in a carriage. She knew her parents had been torn about greeting Haley Ritter Kline in person. Generally, they preferred that a subject, even a titlted greet them while they were sitting comfortably enthroned inside and have some of their less important children greet the visitor. It seemed they were so eager to get rid of Xiomara that they were willing to make an exception.

Her mother elbowed Xiomara viciously reminding her what was expected of her. Immediately, the princess pulled up an excited expression that satisfied her mother. She waited patiently for Sir Haley to look her way while he greeted her father. Only a family member recognized her father's discontent at a mere slight bow from the young upstart. Xiomara thought it served him right since they were trying to marry her off to him. The queen didn't say anything but nodded her head imperiously letting her husband speak. Her father nodded politely accepting Haley's deference. "Do you recognize my offspring? Prince Astaroth and Prince Damien are the only ones who live with me all of the time still." The rest were married and lived with their spouses elsewhere. "And of course the princess Xiomara."

Demurely, Xiomara looked up through her lashes and curtsied. "We are so pleased to get to celebrate the upcoming nuptials," her voice was soft and properly feminine and submissive. "Thank you for being so prompt with your arrival. We are so glad to let you settle before the celebration tonight." Xiomara almost blanched and stopped faking right then and there. When had she been able to be this polite before? "Would you like to see your room or take a tour of the castle? I would be delighted to show you around. Perhaps a stroll in the garden or would you like to know the history of the castle?" she let inane words fall from her mouth. She even remembered to not look toward her mother for approval. "How was your travels?" Perhaps she was being too forward, but her mother thought that a knight wouldn't mind as much and would preferred to be warmly welcomed. They would soon see if her mother gambled correctly. She rather expected him to have an inflated sense of self-importance.

Froggington x EdlingAugust 12, 2024 12:28 AM


Edling

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There was something acutely mechanical within the mannerisms of the royals as Haley observed. Not that he could ridicule the facets that must have been second to breathing for individuals of their status if not every other higher-born man or woman. Initially, Haley had offered a nod of his own in acknowledgment of the King’s reference to his present kin. The most important figures in the kingdom were on display to his person and he could not defer from ruminating on the ways in which he would be eliminating each of them. There were still other royals waltzing about the kingdom elsewhere, but it wouldn’t be such a feat to do away with the strays when the time came. “Of course, I’m privileged to be in the presence of both Prince Asteroth and Prince Damien,” the knight replied, offering a gesture of courtesy to the other men before settling his gaze on Xiomara, “a pleasure, princess.”

Greetings aside that were far from being of bated breath, Xiomara curtsied in her statement of a gown with what appeared to Haley to be more of a calculated effort than one of strict grace. Perhaps if he had been any less cynical, the princess’ address and attempt to be so accommodating would have been perceived as transparent. The performance of eagerness to give him a tour of the castle and all else, he doubted, was spurred from any margin of genuine interest. He certainly did not come under the guise a princess promised to his hand would be swooning and fawning for a knight. At the very least, whatever lessons she had taken in etiquette had not been a waste. “I’m equally eager, Your Highness,” he addressed Xiomara with a similar strain of well-mannered response, “I would be more than happy to accept all of which you’ve offered to do if time allows.”

Sincerely, Haley hoped to at least condense the layout of both his own place of temporary residence and most of the castle to memory. While he cared little for gardens or history lessons, he wasn’t as foolish as to disregard the potential to obtain any relevant information to his own ambitions. The further inquiry about his travels seemed more of a way to fill the air, but Haley was unbearably aware of the necessity of this formal small talk. “The journey was smooth and uneventful, a true blessing,” following his response to the princess, Haley proceeded with a formal manner of dismissal from the presence of the King and Queen before further looking toward Xiomara with feigned eagerness to begin their tour.

Following the formal departure from the King and Queen, Haley could not help but feel a semblance of relief. The initial formalities had been endured, and he was now free to explore, albeit under the princess's watchful eye. As they walked through the opulent corridors, their footsteps echoed against the castle floors. The castle's grandeur was undeniable even for those surrounded by a life of luxury outside of it. A place of noble envy, even. Haley took in the details with a practiced eye, noting the lavish decorations and the intricate design of the architecture. It was more to consider than the woman beside him, who wasn’t necessarily unseemly in appearance or current demeanor, though she was an entity he would gauge carefully throughout the remainder of the day and beyond. Xiomara could be an asset unaware of her value to him, but she could also be problematic to his mission. In either scenario, Haley was prepared to play the cards dealt.

The princess led him through various rooms, each more elaborate than the last. Her explanations about the castle’s history and its various features were taken in with half an ear, his mind focused on cataloging the layout and considering any strategic advantages it might offer. There was enough to consider already about orchestrating the murder of the highest authorities, but the castle was the first portion of potential advantage. Following that would be memorizing the general system of order when it came to the schedules of both the servants and the royals alike. It was hopeful to think his wife-to-be could be of any use there, but gentle probing couldn’t hurt. “Are there any particular locations within or outside of the castle you find particularly enjoyable? Aside from personal quarters, of course.” The knight inquired, leaning toward grasping where the princess might enjoy spending a considerable portion of her own time. It was a superficial effort at polite conversation, though beneath that layer was a purpose truly only intended for Haley’s knowledge.


Edited at August 12, 2024 12:29 AM by Edling
Froggington x EdlingOctober 18, 2024 10:12 PM


Sir Froggington

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Xiomara observed her husband to be trying to see the whole picture of who he was and how she should react. The angry barrage of thoughts and feelings that were causing her to lose focus of the moment were welling up inside of her. She managed to keep to the stilted expected behavior of noble etiquette, which helped disguise her unease. She realized that while she normally just accepted etiquette and didn’t question it, it gave her something to use to demonstrate how normal she was doing.

Xiomara was barely able to keep the smile on her lips. Great. More time with the human moron. Of course he had to accept all that she was pressured to offer. Men. They just took and took without any consideration. Admittedly, it would’ve been rude for him to say no to everything she had mentioned, but she thought it was overkill to not be selective about the time he was planning to spend with her. On second thought, he mentioned if they had time. Perhaps he would find a reasonable polite excuse so that he didn’t have to go on a tour of the castle. However, she had met many knights who were obnoxiously curious about where the royal family lived. They did not live in places so grand, so they wanted an up close picture so they could envy without need for imagination.

Xiomara managed another delighted smile at his thankfulness for an uneventful journey. If it was something exciting like bandits, he would have mentioned it. If something unpleasant occurred such as a stomach illness or food poisoning she would hope that even a knight would know to keep that information to himself. She gave Astaroth a pointed look before she announced. “My brother Astaroth dearly wanted to get to know you and accompany us on this tour.” For the nobility that could be code for this is our chaperon for propriety's sake or perhaps you are not trusted or I do not want to spend time alone with you. She would have glared at Damien as well enforcing his presence, but she knew Damien was young enough that he would call her out and then leave. She could see ill hidden annoyance at being forced to accompany her from Astaroth, but he was polite and well-trained enough not to argue in front of the guest. He would find a time to chastise her later.

She let her husband to be choose which direction he found more interesting, only telling him what each door could lead to when they came to it. She was skilled at talking about nothing of importance, especially when she was given a topic such as the castle. She was surprised how much she had to say about the castle. She had heard stewards and other more important servant level employees take guests on tours of the castle, so she had not realized how much she had absorbed over the years. When he asked about her favorite spot, she had to stop and think. It wasn’t something she considered. She just lived her life in the space she was given as it was convenient for her. Even more importantly, she wouldn’t want her unwanted fiancé to get in her way by showing up in places that she preferred to frequent. “My brothers can tell you about how much I love being outdoors with the horses. I love being outdoors in the fresh air and natural lighting, and the horses give me the companionship which I so desire.”

She considered saying something coquettish and try to flirt with him, but eventually thought better of it. There was only so much lying she thought would be wise at once otherwise he might get wise. She started walking towards the stable. While it was a place she visited, it wasn’t her favorite place. She would be trying to keep him far far away from the library, her favorite hiding place. The stables were too improper for her and she couldn’t go riding on her own and it was not a good idea to read a book while riding, so she did not find it the most useful. “Tell me about your home and where you are from. What do you like to do? What spaces in your home are your favorite?” She showed him around the royal stables and introduced them to all of the horses. She was glad that she knew them all by face and name without the plaques so that it was convincing that this was her favorite place. There were only a few where she knew their routines and how they were cared for, but everyone has favorites. “What do you think about horseback riding? Have you ever broken a horse? That seems like such a fascinating and interesting activity.” The stable smelled rather musty and full of horse. She started to move toward the gardens which would be a more pleasant place to talk. She also did not like the dimness of the stables as they could not afford to accidentally start a fire if a torch or lamp fell, shattered, and caused a fire. “Do you care for your own horse? Do you have a groomsman? The bond between horse and rider is so much stronger if you feed the horse yourself. I’ve heard that my parents want the garden beautiful and useful. They don’t approve of just growing pretty flowers. They need to have a medicinal or flavoring attribute. Some would say we just need to display our ability to be extravagant. What do you think should be done in a garden?”


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