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Neutral
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It wasn't soon after the prince left that he got a text message on his phone. For once in his life he was relieved that he had a flip phone. The old phones tend to last a week without charging. He opened his phone and saw a text about where the prince would be if he needed him. He sent a quick response before deciding on getting some of the work done in the south wing. He always could make good decisions and think well with busy hands. He decided to start ripping up the old carpet. There were a few tools that he kept on his person such as a carpenter knife and pencil. However, all of the other tools were resting safely in his toolbox at home. He wasn't sure when he would leave the castle or get his truck back. He supposed he could always walk home but he still had work here to do. He wasn't getting paid to sit around in art museums. So he started ripping the carpet out. It was a task that anybody with a little bit of anger could enjoy. It personally was one of his favorites when he was angry but one of the least enjoyable when he wasn't. He did have a lot of emotions going through his head but anger wasn't one of them. So in a sense, it seemed rather messy and annoying. But it was task that he could let his mind wonder on. A task perfect for decision making. Once he got the old carpet pulled, he rolled the pieces out and set them outside of the wing. He would ask Prince Avery where to put them later. He started pulling out staples on the floors, figuring he had lots of time before the prince would be back to ask his decision. |
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Darkseeker
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Once Avery's fitting was done, and his stylist had picked a couple options for new suits for him, they all parted ways. The stylist went back to his studio, Robbie went in search of his mother and the jeweler, and Avery decided to go down to the stables.
He liked horses. Some people weren't a fan of them, since they're bigger than some animals, and have heavy hooves. But Avery loved them, and always had. He walked into the stables, taking a deep breath. The air smelled sweet, a mix of hay and horse, and he smiled, chatting with some of the stablehands, and pausing to pat a horse here or there. He realized he ought to tell Aspen that everyone had scattered before he went looking for them, and sent another quick text. The gist of it was that the fittings were done, and if he needed anything, just call or text, because no one was in the same spot anymore. Avery stopped at his own horse, a light Palamino mare, with soft, honey coloured eyes. He brushed a hand over her nose, letting himself be happy and calm. The mare stuck her nose over the stall door, and he ran a hand down his neck. He slipped through the door, and leaned against her, running a comb through her mane. Since they would be leaving soon, he wanted to give her lots of attention before she would be alone for a while. |
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Neutral
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Aspen felt his phone go off but ignored it, wanting to work instead. He knew it was most likely the prince and he wasn't ready to give his decision quite yet. So he continued to pull staples out of the wing floor until he got every one. He found a broom resting right next to the wing and a few other supplies. The castle staff must have gotten them out for him which he rather appreciated. He didn't want to be roaming the castle in search for one and get caught by the guards. He might have gotten away with it on his first day but no doubt that his presence wouldn't go without being noticed this time. He swept up all the staples and threw them in the trash All that was left was cardboard like wood which was the foundation of . He made another walk on the floor to make sure all the stables were all gone. He would hate for somebody to get a staple in their foot. Once finished, he texted the prince. It was time to make a decision. |
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Darkseeker
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Avery had left his phone up at the palace, and had no idea if he was getting any texts. Instead he was walking around the stables, enjoying the fresh air and horses who were only too glad to let him pet them. He finally started back up to the palace with Lorenz, and went in search of his brother, so he could see if their mother had given him anymore details on the trip. He was very excited to go, and was really hoping to go soon. Finally he found his brother, and realized that he ought to check in with Aspen, so he headed towards the South Wing. |
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Neutral
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The prince didn't answer immediately but that was okay. Anything to buy more time was probably best. It give him more time to think things through. Perhaps it really was best to follow his own way of doing things instead of trying his best to change himself to better fit the expectations of royalty. After all, Prince Avery and him seemed to get along best when both of their guards were down. He found himself back in the one art room, looking at the painting that the prince said he liked. He could get how the prince liked it, the artwork just screamed something that was relatable to him. He heard footsteps approaching from the south wing and slipped outside of the room. It was just the prince's. Prince Avery seemed to walk lighter than the castle staff and way lighter than Robbie. "Please be careful, the flooring is uneven," He told the prince, walking up to him and giving a small bow. He had gotten quite a bit done and now he was ready to start painting. As soon as he had gotten paint that is. During his work, he had shedded the suit jack and dressshirt. He was now in a white undershirt tank top that he had found with the set. It seemed to hug this waist and was just a tad bit see-through. "You smell like horse," He commented. At this point he was just finding things to say to distract the prince from asking him about his decision. Well to delay it just a tad bit longer. |
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Darkseeker
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Avery raised an eyebrow. "That's all you have to say?"
He couldn't help the remark. Usually he kept his cool, no matter what peoples said, but the comment felt like the least necessary thing to be said.
"I'm sorry. That's was rude of me." He mostly meant the apology too, but part of it also was an apology that he knew he had to say.
"Anyways. Is there anything you need? I'm afraid I haven't looked at my phone recently, so I'm sorry if you sent any texts. I have no idea where I left it."
That was also a lie. He knew exactly where his phone was, but he felt like sharing that was also unnecessary. He scanned the art room, still a bit peeved.
"I truly do like the other room better. Would you like to see it? We could talk while we go there." |
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Neutral
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Now what came out of the prince's mouth wasn't what he expected to hear. Aspen looked a bit stunned at his attitude but quickly recovered from it. He was starting to get used to the royalty doing something to surprise, stun, or shock him. Since he was getting used to it, it was easier to recover and move on. "It's okay," He responded. He wanted to tell him that he said that just to by more time. Well he truly didn't need any more time. He knew what to say but he knew that he wasn't going to like his answer. And the king wasn't going to either. "I sent you a text earlier but it wasn't anything important," He partially lied. It just said something about the progress he had made in the south wing and that he had made his decision. The prince would see it once he found his phone. "I truly do like the other room better. Would you like to see it? We could talk while we go there." "Of course," He responded, a bit curious about the other room and also what the prince wanted to talk about. It was most likely the decision but with the prince not knowing what his last text said, it could be something else,"Is everything okay, Your Highness?" |
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Darkseeker
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Avery kept a neutral face. "Of course. Everything is always fine." He turned from the art room, and started the other way, only waiting a split second for Aspen to catch up. Avery walked with his back straight, and his hands folded behind him, feeling like he was slipping back into his press-worthy self, and he didn't know why. Aspen had been nothing but kind, and although they'd had altercations, they'd always resolved them quickly.
Avery cleared his throat, picking up Zara as she walked past.
"I really hate to rush you. I know this is a huge decision. But I do need an answer for my father. If you don't want to, he'll have to find someone else, and he would rather have them be ready soon. Do...you have an answer? For you don't, it's fine, but we'll need one by tonight." Avery felt like the words were ugly coming out of his mouth, but as always, his voice and gave was calm and measured. At that moment, they walked into the music room. There were multiple pianos, but Avery went for the violins on the other side of the room. He ran his hands over the smooth wood of the instrument, feeling the peace that it always brought. He didn't want to pick it up though, because Zara was around his neck, and he couldn't play properly with her there. Plus, he wanted to give Aspen his full attention in case the man had an answer, and was ready to share it. |
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Neutral
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The prince's attitude had changed toward him rather quickly. Hours ago, they were doing just fine. Now they weren't. He wasn't sure what was wrong with that. He knew right away that the prince was masking himself like Aspen was just another cameraman trying to get his good side. A part of him wanted to confront him but the other part knew it was best to keep his mouth shut. "May I?" He asked, reaching a hand toward his brother's cat. He didn't know why he was asking permission to pet the cat. Maybe it was because the prince's masking scared him just a little or made him feel like somewhere down the line he messed up. Once Prince Avery answered him, he stroked the little kitten underneath her chin. He was extra careful to make sure he didn't touch the prince in any way. "I really hate to rush you. I know this is a huge decision. But I do need an answer for my father. If you don't want to, he'll have to find someone else, and he would rather have them be ready soon. Do...you have an answer? For you don't, it's fine, but we'll need one by tonight." Maybe it was the stress the king was putting on his son for an answer. He wasn't for sure. He let the prince walk into the other room before leaning against the doorway. He felt uncomfortable being in the same room as this version of the prince. He wasn't sure why. "You're not going to like it," He partially said this to himself However, the room seemed to echo his words even if they had been originally quiet enough for only the best of ears to hear. He took a deep breath for a confidence boost, looking around the room for a moment before his gaze landed back on the prince who was standing by the violin's. "I would like to observe the location and the castle before I make any long-term commitment to the job," His voice rang with more confidence and authority than he ever thought he could imagine having The room seemed to carry the echo of that tone of voice and he hoped that this side of the prince would not take offense,"But I am interested in the position if I see that my expertise is a fit for the work in the castle." Prince Avery's words from before seemed to ring in his ears. He was playing a dangerous game and not just by the tone of his voice. The king was the highest ruler of the kingdom and probably didn't hear an answer that didn't promise him anything. Hell, the king probably wasn't used to hearing no when he offered a position before or a give me time to think answer. Aspen was pulling a risky move but it was the first one that he felt was the right one to make. |
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Darkseeker
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Avery bit his lip, uncomfortably shifting from foot to foot, trying to phrase the words that were already on the top of his tongue. "I will inform my father of your answer," he said, trying to sound completely like he knew what he was doing, and he paused, then cleared his throat. "I don't know if the offer will still be open after the answer you've given. My father is not necessarily a patient man, and he wants the palace work begun soon. Since your answer isn't definite, he might revoke the offer." Avery finished in a quiet voice. He was glad the kitten was still round his shoulders. He was tired, and the whole day was falling to bits around him. He didn't know where he stood with Aspen, and he hated being unsure. Avery stepped around Aspen, who was in the doorway," barely brushing him.
"I'll make the call now," he said, softly, hurrying to the next room over. He pulled out his phone and called his father, carefully explaining Aspen's answer, trying to keep the king calm, and keep his headache at bay.
He hung up, and leaned against the wall, slowly sliding down it, so he was staring at his knees. Zara mewed softly, and rubbed her head against his cheek, and he gave her a sad smile, giving her a soft pet on the head. She seemed satisfied, and started purring. Avery stood, dusted himself off, and went to start packing for the Island. |
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Fall 
Day Weather: 
