Isolde Morley | F | 28 | Guard to Princess Niamh | Mentions: Zoe, Niamh (ind).

Isolde was in the guard barracks, polishing the dust that invariably tarnished her boots whenever she went outside, when suddenly the sound of horns forced their way into her consciousness. “Thalyssa’s Abyss!” she swore, dropping the cloth she was holding and frantically shoving her feet back into the half-cleaned shoes. Somehow she had lost track of time, and the horns meant that the first of the suitors’ carriages had been sighted moving towards the palace. Isolde hoped that Niamh hadn’t gotten too far from her quarters unescorted, as the more time she spent looking for the princess, the likelier it was that something would happen where having a bodyguard around would be a good idea. She made her way towards Niamh’s quarters, deciding along the way to take a shortcut through the kitchens.

When Isolde opened the door to the palace’s main kitchen, she was immediately engulfed in a blast of heat and sound. People were everywhere, shouting and cooking and cleaning dishes. She did her best to stay out of the way, but the aisles were narrow and Isolde wasn’t a slender woman. People collided with her more than once, the effect for them like hitting a brick wall while the stout knight was unaffected. A few minutes and many awkward apologies later, Isolde made it to the door that she hoped was closest to the servants’ hallway that led to Niamh’s quarters. However, as she opened the door she accidentally struck someone standing just on the other side of it.

“Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry!” Isolde apologized immediately. She immediately recognized the other woman as Zoe, one of Niamh’s maidservants. Zoe looked somewhat worse for wear, with a dazed expression and the beginnings of a bruise on her forehead. Isolde took a closer look at the maidservant as she helped brush her off, noticing the bright spots of blood dotting Zoe’s hands. “By the Sailor and the Saint, what happened to you Zoe? You look like Oliver after he tries to spar while drunk.” Isolde quickly grabbed the spare handkerchief she always kept tied around her sword, luckily it was still clean. She dabbed gingerly at Zoe’s hand, relieved to see that it wasn’t anything serious.

“Anyway, I think you’ll be alright. You should definitely see a physician before the end of the day though about that bruise on your head. It could be a concussion.” As a guard, Isolde was no stranger to injuries, and her protective nature meant that she liked learning how to heal wounds as well as cause them, even if she was far more talented at the latter than the former. Thinking about protection sent alarm bells ringing in Isolde’s brain. Niamh! She’s still possibly alone, well alone except for Cassia hopefully. Hmm, I wonder what Cassia is wearing for the prince’s birthday today. She always looks so lovely in dark reds or bright yellows. Ooooh, or light blues with silver jewel- Isolde vigorously shook her head before she could become too distracted by thinking about Cassia. Focus! she mentally scolded herself. Isolde returned her attention to Zoe, giving her a sheepish smile before asking “Say, before you go back to whatever you were doing a’fore I knocked into you, would you happen to know where Princess Niamh is?”

Kristopher Vermillion | M | 22 | Suitor / Prince of Laetis | M: Vesper, Kyro, Nickolas[NPC guard], Niamh [ind.] Cordelia [ind.]

" Niamh will be so happy to see you here! I also hear that your brother would be joining us as well? I'm glad you both are here. Now, what's this you got here?"

Kris was pleased to be reunited with his friend again, and even more so when Vesper seemed interested in his gift. “Lovely to hear! I look forward to seeing her again as well, and yes, my dear brother Kyro should be behind me on the ship. And this is your gift.” He spoke, once the owl had been revealed, Vesper had almost immediately lifted a hand to cover his mouth, in what Kris perceived to be excitement. The prince almost sighed in relief, satisfied with his friend's reaction. “She’s a female, and a particularly strong one I may add,” Kris added, raising his eyebrows and giving a nod of his head, “This girl nearly knocked one of my servants off of their feet when we called it back after a hunt. She left little puncture holes in the glove he was wearing as well,”

During one of the latest training sessions with Vesper’s owl, they had nearly lost the creature, until the servant he was training the owl with called the bird back, and in doing so she had come flying in at such a speed that when the owl landed on the servant's glove it sent him stumbling backward. Kris had been planning this gift over the last couple of months, it was safe to say nearly a year, and now the creature was in Vesper's possession. He nodded to his friend as Vesper moved to make an announcement. “Hello, and welcome to Aibruiva esteemed guests…….So I am saying that you all may go ahead and select a carriage to ride in - and the drivers have been instructed to take you to the castle right away and there are also two guards with the rider for extra protection."

Once he had returned Kristopher quickly motioned for Nickolas to also hand over a wooden crate to a nearby maid. “Yes, she was fed shortly before this, but I have brought any remaining supplies for your owl, and yes, including some food for her as well,” he added, it seemed as if right after he had spoken, Vesper's attention to drawn to something else, or rather someone else.

The prince smirked when he saw his brother Kyro approaching. “Morning Kyro!” he said with a nod as his brother greeted him with a pat on the back, he gave a lighthearted eye roll as Kyro gave him a playful dig in the ribs as he spoke. Kristopher had let out a snicker, subtly covering his mouth when Vesper’s guard asked him if he was alright. Ahh, Kris liked his friend's guard already. Right before Kryo had finally pulled out his gift, golden cuffs, another valuable from their kingdom. “It was good to see you, Vesper, I hope we can catch up more during my stay here,” With a nod of his head he left Vesper and Kyro to finish their conversation.

Making his way toward his selected carriage, Kristopher made sure to keep an eye out for any of the other suitors or familiar faces. Finding none, since a good amount of the suitors were already on their way to the castle, the Princes climbed into his own carriage and awaited his own arrival.

Irfam Oryam Ellery | 19 | He/They | 5’8” | Suitor/Wrales Noble | Mentions; Aibruvian Royals(Ind), Other Suitors(Ind), Vesper(Ind/Dir), Ezra(Ind/Dir), Darwin(Ind/Dir).

Brunch Outfit; https://postimg.cc/gallery/RBY7yqQ

--

Irfam woke up to the sound of knocking at his door, soft but firm. Again, a bit more insistent. As it rang for a third time, Irfam groaned and pushed himself up slowly, his voice hoarse from multiple reasons, some he was more willing to admit to than others. “‘M up.”

--

Another knock, even more insistent than the last, were they hearing things again? Cold air brushed against their scarred lower face and they tried not to gag, sitting upright immediately. Eyes searching and one hand grabbing for their mask and the other pulling the collar of their shirt up as a temporary solution. Their hand searching for the mask ended up feeling the cold leather of it against their fingers. Immediately, they grasped it within their fingers and brought it over, letting the shirt fall back down, they quickly maneuvered the mask in its place. A practice done by muscle memory just as much as it was done with a conscious effort.

--

As soon as it was in place and secured, he let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. The knocking was still echoing, but at this point he was fairly certain that he was just imagining it. So he forced the noise to the back of his mind, instead focusing on where he was. Because he was in a bed, not in his lab. Though, given how tired he still felt he was starting to suspect he’d passed out and only gotten surface level sleep- The kind of sleep that still left you restless and exhausted after waking up. The most unenjoyable type of sleep, other than nightmares, or when he woke up but couldn’t move, or when he woke up from a nightmare and couldn’t move…

--

Okay, so, maybe the restless sleep wasn’t the worst- But it was still rather up there, especially given that most people didn’t deal with the frozen state that they did… Just another odd thing about them. Which was fine. Either way, what about that other question? Where were they? They were supposed to know that, weren’t they? So, they looked around and tried to recall just where they were, standing and walking around the room. A bit shaky, similar to the feeling they got in carriages… But it was also obviously different. A bit like… Standing on water..?

--

He paused in the middle of his room. He was in the boat to Aibruvia! How did he manage to forget that? He huffed, a slightly difficult thing to accomplish given the mask, but one he knew how to do with ease. Remembering where he was and what he was on the way to caused him to realize that the boat didn’t seem to be actively moving. Which meant the boat was already docked! How long had it been docked for? How long had he been out for?

--

With that in mind, they quickly changed their clothing and tried to pat down their hair enough to pass as if they had at least tried to brush it. When it came to which clothes they chose, the prickling and uncomfortable feeling of their appearance had them choosing whatever hid the most of it. They considered a scarf but given that it was spring and slowly getting warmer and warmer out? They decided against it, they already came off as crazy anyways, no need to make it even more obvious. They did wear one of their pairs of goggles over their eyes already, a blue hue going over the world. The goggles hid their eyes and some more of their face, which was always good. And the shirt they’d chosen hid plenty of their neck anyways. Grabbing their cane(plus telescope) for just in case one of their legs decided to go out on them(they weren’t immune to losing control over movement at times, they’d rather be safe about that), they went with just putting their hat on top of it. For now, they didn’t use the cane to walk, just carried it with them.

--

As soon as his gloves were on to hide his (absolutely vile-) hands, he made sure his mask was perfectly in place to hide his (downright atrocious, appalling, horrid-) lower face, and made sure that everything else wasn’t in risk of moving too much, of showing too much- Irfam left the room he had been in.

--

Making their way down the hall and up to the deck proved to be easier than they had honestly been expecting it to be. They’d only gotten lost once on their way, which was always a good thing. Even if the fact that they got lost at all, oftentimes multiple times and with plenty of backtracking and forgetting, was a bit of a sting at their pride. Though, given how low they assumed it was at this point, they didn’t really notice the sting as much nowadays. They had plenty else to get concerned over anyways.

--

Like the fact that he just remembered something that was most definitely important. And on the deck of the boat, he just stood there, placing the cane on the wooden floor and leaning on it a bit as he processed. It was spring, he was in Aibruvia, it was the Day of Hearts, and he was staying with the royal family… And while all of those things when separate weren't all too important, when put together? They all meant one thing- Vortex! Prince Vortex, more specifically. Someone he hadn’t seen since- Since…since…

--

Well. Since about four years ago. Since before their face had been completely and utterly (injured, mangled, disfigured-) changed… Their gloved hand gripped the cane tightly, leaning on it and practically relying on it alone to hold them upright. Would Vortex even recognize them? They supposed it was possible, their goggles were still the same, they’d been known to have a whole case of different ones, the blue ones by far being the favored ones. But would Vortex… Would Vortex cut them out as soon as he saw them? They had left first, and with their appearance (their hideous, gruesome, grotesque appearance-) they certainly wouldn’t blame him…

--

Irfam stood there for a moment, feeling extremely confident that he shouldn’t have come. On one hand, he was looking forward to seeing Vortex- The Prince hadn’t been there at the last annual science competition in Wrales, after all. But… On the other hand… Irfam was Irfam and that had never been good but was even worse now. He supposed it was too late though, as he felt a hand land on his shoulder. He looked back, and saw no one. He could still feel the hand there, but given that he could also still hear the insistent knocking in the back of his head, he ignored it and looked back at the stairs to the dock. He doubted he was ready to face the storm, but ah well, when had he ever cared about that before? Let the rain come and he will still make plans outside. So, with a slightly labored breath through the mask, he made his way down and onto the dock.

--

Thinking about it, they’d also had their cane long enough for Vortex to recognize that too if he tried… Irfam was practically wishing he didn’t though, because as soon as they were on the wooden docks, cane in gloved hands, they saw the Prince they had once known and been close to. Wearing a white and red dress, gold jewelry, red and gold heels, roses in his hair, a pink and blue flower crown, and even from here Irfam could see the red wing at his eyes for make up- A total sweet sight, especially when compared to themself. Which didn’t seem fair. To Vortex. Nobody should be compared to them, after all. Anyone would win under that circumstance.

--

Either way, he really didn’t want to talk to Vesper, talk to Vesper and ruin his birthday- A day that was supposed to be happy and celebrated and enjoyable. Regardless though, facing the storm was what he did, so he found himself walking in his old friend’s direction anyways. He even managed to speed up his walking a bit as he went, especially after noting that the only two nearby his once friend was, who Irfam guessed at least, a help and a guard. By the time Irfam reached him, his eyes were crinkled in a smile, as if all the fears had been forgotten. Maybe it had been, it wouldn’t be the first time.

--

“Vortex! It’s been way too long, my dearest scientific comrade! Four years, right? Way too long. By the way, where were you last year? You never miss an event! Did something happen, do I need to blow someone or something up? I will, you know for a fact I will.” They gave a laugh, they weren’t even sure if it was genuine or not, and their gloved hands gestured just as much as they always did as they spoke(which meant constantly gesturing around). Their voice was still hoarse, and squeaky, and high-pitched as always, and just terrible to their ears but they just hoped that Vortex didn’t mind. The zipper was closed on the mask, they only ever opened it to eat or drink(an increasingly rare occurrence that they didn’t bother noticing), so their voice was slightly muffled too. They assumed their volume alone would deal with that though. They’d always been on the louder side.

--

Irfam looked over at the guard and help, deciding that maybe his behavior was just a bit strange to them(okay, a lot eccentric but that’s just how he was), especially since he hadn’t introduced himself. “Ah, right uh, Vortex- Prince Vesper, here, already knows me. I’m Irfam- Lord Irfam, is that what you say? Lord Irfam Ellery of Wrales. Yeah. Nice to meet both of you!” He looked back at his old friend, eyes crinkled underneath the goggles in a smile. “And it’s definitely great to see you again, Vortex!”

Zoe was about to open the door she had just managed to tiptoe towards without gaining the attention of The King Edward and his guard, Oliver. Scarily so that the king's guard didn't notice someone sneaking past. When she tried to open the kitchen door, it flung towards her and she was hit in the face again. "Hmph" she said she with quite a lot of indignity and annoyance but just as she about to snap at the person who had flung the door open and tell them they shouldn't fling doors open like that and especially with so much force. Then she recognized it was the guard she had been looking for , Isolde. She thanked her luck, not for the bruises and cuts she had endured but because she had finally found Isolde. Where on earth had she been?

/:

"Isolde, you seem to have survived the kitchens and looking prettier and cuter than me maybe I should of checked the guard room first by the longer route" She rubbed her forehead and winced she had a ugly bruise all across her forehead now. Makeup would have to be the answer, she didn't like using it but it was only temporary. Hearing Isolde's shout , she added " The battering of the kitchen is what this is"'she grumbled "I was trying to look for you, Princess Niamh sent me , she is in the gardens with Cassie,I'll see how I am about the physician but I probably won't need to , I have taken far worse bashings" She looked away and then at the guard's feet . She didn't want to talk about it but she also didn't want to have to go to the physicians now after all she had done to try and be in time for the suitors' arrivals.
//

She didn't even complain or say out wasn't needed as Isolde dabbed at the cuts at her hands with a clean handkerchief like a concerned parent. She smiled and then in a lighter tone , she Half mumbled and half whispered "I would love to see Oliver do that". She tried to remember where she put the makeup that she owned, she only owned the basics and It was a 20th birthday present so it had been used many times over the six years. Zoe thought he happily back to when she received it, it was the time when she traveled back for the first time to cost her parents and luckily her Dad, Samuel was there. They had a great day, in the morning they presented her with gifts, the most expensive probably being the souvenirs and spices from her Dad's explorations and also the makeup they both brought together. She couldn't wait to use it again, it made her feel worth something more and sometimes it even changed how people treated her. She wasn't sure if Princess Niamh would approve but she hoped she did as no way she would go with a ugly bruise on her forehead to see the suitors. This day was hopefully going to get better

Pluto looked out as the carriage lurched forwards until it calmed into a gentle trot. He closed his eyes as he felt the breeze in his face and clip clopping of the trotting horses. He loved horses, he adored Shetlands and Fallabellas but he also loved big horses like Clydesdales, Shires and Frisian. Frisians just looked so regal, he didn't doubt many of those majestic horses were in this royal stables.

//

He had let his mind drift snd he opened his eyes and took snd long drink from his flask. He panicked as he realized it was gone. All gone. Panic felt like a crushing elephant on his face and chest, he turned to his manservant as "Where's All The Rum gone?" He said, his voice dangerously quavering. He didn't like having nothing to drink especially whiskey and rum. They are nice drinks, he didn't want to not have a barrel or two of each for a vacation and party. He looked both the boys in the eyes , last time they were so friendly but now Pluto's eyes had gone a stone cold gold color . Pluto spoke again, still with his voice quavering "Dint tell me you didn't pack the drinks?" he said in a growling tone . With a whisper to the driver, one of the boys jumped out as the carriage stopped and got his refill flask and pressed it into his hands. He stopped quivering and said solemnly "sowwy" he sipped his flask which was large than his usual one.

//

He watched like a fascinated child as the scenery rolled past so quickly like a sped up movie, he sat in the same spot at sipped his rum. As he heard the horses slow to a walk, he peered to see if they had arrived and thank goodness that they had arrived as his legs were getting numb. He yawned as the carrige stopped and he got our first with his guard,Sanjo and helped the two little man servants down. The manservants refused help with Pluto's bags although Pluto carried with backpack still. The presents rattled around, why had he just got a present for the crowned princess and the birthday boy.
//

He gently took them out and inspected them for any damage or anything but everything was good. He had brought a wooden sword with dragon carvings on it for Princess Phoebe, for Phoebe's twin, Sybil he had a whole book series about animals. He had also found a little 10 week old black ragamuffin kitten who don't worry was in a little willow cage snuggled up by the blankets and toys he had in the little cage. Lastly of all, Mion's gift was snuggled up beside the little black raggamuffin and was a little 9 week old Burmese kitten , it's coat was sleek and beautiful and it's color was a coal black matching the ragamuffin kitten. He didn't know if the king would like a gift or not but he decided he would bring one just in case he had the courage to speak to King Edward and gives him the gift. The gift was a sword he brought, beautifully polished silver and steel double edge ambidextrous sword. He has a leather grip and is quite balanced and is quite easy to use. It was probably one off the most expensive things he brought as he nearly went broke. He hopes the king likes it but if not be can always use it , right?

//

( Edit XD)He sighed happily and then panicked . Where was Princess Niamh's gift . He looked everywhere until he found it it was a small wooden box with different coffee blends in each of the six sections and a book about astrology and the stars. He smiled and cracked his knuckles. He told everyone to relax and then he looked around . Should he go in or just wait out here. He thought wondering by and pondering. He couldnt see his sister, Neptune or was he just not seeing her。He sighed and slotted the book snd the box in the backpack he carried. Cain, one of the manservants carried the kittens in between him and Neilthe other manservant。 Pluto now hope that no one saw the frantic and scary panic he had。

"Sorry Sir, would you like me to do anything by to help you get ready for arrival of the suitors?" He asked calmly and slowly, he didn't want Mion to get angry at him. He had seen Mion le we the palace for ages and he didn't know if it was his place to hint at greeting snd say hello to the arriving suitors. Jasper personally would love to do that but alas as he wasn't part of the Aibruvia Royal Family，it wouldn't be deemed acceptable at all . After all he was one of the royal's ma servants
//

He looked towards the other manservant then Mion and smiled at Mion. He then returned his gaze to the floor. Mion could use a companion of some sort, human maybe but animal might be a possibly . He could go around finding a cat or a dog snd then giving it to Mion despite it one of Jadper's desires to make Mion happier. He seemed so sad and angry after his mothers' passing and he winced as he thought and tried to remember the last Queen's face but he couldn't . Just couldn't remember her face anymore and then he felt bad at not remembering what her face looked like. He nearly let out a grumble of frustration as he desperately racked his brain for anything that would remind him of her and what she looked like. Obviously he wouldn't tell Mion this but she couldn't really remember much about the late Queen and what she looked like.

Second Rank Aibruvian Princess Niamh Tara Windsor|19|F|5'10|M:Asahi,suitors(ind), cassia

Enjoying the flustered look on the guards face enough now she stopped her teasing and greeted him in turn. "I am as well as one can be with all the intense preparations going on today. I trust you are doing well. Your brother Akira is coming home is he not?" She remembered the manservant kin to Asahi had been in the service of the Laetis kingdom for sometime now. Their sparing rounds had probably been where she learned the info. Listening intently as Asahi responded, head tilted slightly to keep the sun from being directly in her eyes. In the sun her storm grey eyes gave a more molten silver appearance, and just like blue eyes were more delicate to the rays of light streaming down on them.

Gently removing her linked arm from Cassias to adjust the Black velvet box perched on her own slender hip. Her movement let her glance away for a moment and she could see a handful of carriages rolling up to the gates. As if on que a fan fair of instruments began announcing the arrival of some of the suitors. They would have to make haste to the Royal hall. The suitors would be taking a restful reprieve when they arrived however she still wanted to help make sure that everything was running smoothly. Niamh turned back to the conversation "And so the day begins".

They all talked for a few more moments before Niamh excused them. "I will have to spar with you soon I'm sure all this pent up energy from the events will need worked out. But we must keep moving and I understand you must get back to your own duties." she was indeed filled with energy some excitement some anxiety. She just hoped her brothers birthday celebration tonight went smoothly. At least there would be dancing. She could loose herself in the rhythm of a well choreographed dance. Snapping out of her mind she took her leave of the Garden with Lady Cassia. Heading down towards the great hall. Zoe had probably found Isolde by now and the guard was most likely waiting for them.