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(Oh yes. And someone else will be the complete opposite xD) The cold wind nipped at Calliope's cheeks, making her skin gain a rosy hue. It didn't bother her, however, it only prompted her to urge the stallion faster. It was so refreshing and made her feel alive. For only a moment, she'd forgotten about the previous evening. She still hadn't had time to quite process that they were really going through with things, but she knew she'd know soon enough as the guard rode up to let her know her presence had been requested at the palace. With a sigh and the turn of her reigns, Calliope was headed back to the castle, her long curls whipping behind her in the wind. What could the possibly want now? More importantly, who wanted her? Both were questions that would be answered soon enough as the place she called home grew larger in size, indicating she was almost back. |
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Calen stirred as his mattress bowed under the weight of another person. He opened his eyes slowly, revealing the blurry shape of his sister. Her brown hair was let down, and she was already dressed for the day. He had no idea what time it was as Justine smiled at him with that annoying smile of hers. "What." He groaned, rolling over onto his other side. "You'd better get up before Father comes to get you. He told me that he needs to talk to you after lunch, which is in an hour." Calen sat up, rubbing his face. Justine snickered. "What now?" He asked groggily. She pointed at his head, "Your hair, it's uh..." She smothered another laugh, placing a hand over her mouth. Calen smirked, ruffling her own hair. "Hey!" She swatted at his hand as he got up, quickly dressing in a simple pair of pants and a tunic. "I'll be down in a few minutes." He said as he ran his fingers through his hair. Justine nodded and left, leaving Calen alone. |
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Calliope rode up to the stables, swinging off of her horse. Her feet hit with a soft thud and she handed the reins off to the guard who had fetched her. She gave the horse a firm pat before heading to the parlor room, where her father sat at a desk doing some sort of paper work. It was always her father who delivered the important news, so she was weary of what she might hear. The grey haired man looked up, his glasses setting on the tip of his nose. "Calliope, take a seat my child," he told her, gesturing to the sofa that was near by. She did as she was told, sitting with her hands folded in her lap. "Go on a break the news to me, father," she told him, making him chuckle lightly. "With the engagement being fresh, you and Calen are expected to begin spending more time around one another. This means frequent visits to court away from home." These were all things that Calliope had expected, but she knew a bigger bomb had to be looming overhead. "The visits will begin quite soon, as your engagement will be a short one," he explained, emphasizing on short. There it was. They expected the young ones to make their move into power sooner rather than later.
Calliope had opened her mouth to speak when a voice from the door caused her head to snap around. "That also means no more acting like a little heathen. You reek of horse. Have the servants draw you a bath and then get dressed. The day will be busy," her mother gave her a pointed look with her arms crossed. "Just because I have different interests from most women does not mean im a heathen, mother," Calliope spit back as she stood, crossing the room to do as she was told. Her mother only gave her a more threatening look that screamed that she walked a thin line and to be careful. Calliope left her parents without another word. Surely the day wouldn't be too bad. |
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Calen finished getting ready for the day, combing through his hair before he left. The servants were already scrambling too and from the kitchen, preparing the meal for the afternoon. He knew his father had wanted to see him after lunch, but he figured he might as well get the bad news out of the way sooner than later, so he could go on with his day and maybe it wouldn't be ruined by the said news. He found his father in his study, reading over various scrolls and sheets of paper, which littered the worn desk. Bookshelves were stacked to the ceiling, each completely filled with books. "Yes?" His father said, looking slight irritated from the interruption. "Justine said you wanted to see me?" "I told her after lunch." He had picked the wrong time to bother his father apparently. "You can just tell me now?" His father sighed, "Fine, sit." (I'll finish it in the next post) |
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Once she'd been made a bath, she sat in the warm water, contemplating her life. Why were they rushing the engagement anyways? Normally these things were drawn out for at least a year or more. Calliope scrubbed her body to perfection, knowing that if her mother suspected that she hadn't that she'd give her more grief. Once clean, she stepped out, drying her body before dressing in one of her dresses. She tied her hair up with a ribbon before going off to find out what her mother had planned for her to do the rest of the day. |
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Calen sat in one of the chairs seated in front of the desk as his father sat down whatever paper he had been looking at. His father just stared at him, as if he was telling him to say something. There was a familiar sinking feeling in his stomach. He was looking for an apology about his behavior the night before. His father never asked for apologies, he always expected them to be given to him without argument. Calen stared right back, not going to let him win this time. If anything, his father owed him a bigger apology for making his life decisions with consulting him first. His father finally sighed through his nose, giving up. "I didn't appreciate your behavior last night." He said, scolding him like a child. "And I didn't appreciate getting engaged without being asked." The words left his mouth before he could stop them. He was only digging himself a bigger grave. Anger sparked in his father's eyes as he folded his hands. "It is for the good of the kingdom, not for your enjoyment," his voice was oddly quiet, "so shut that selfish mouth of yours and listen." Calen did as his father told him, only because he quite liked his head being attached to his body. "This engagement is going to be a quick one," his father said, papers shuffling as he searched through them. "Calliope will be visiting in two days time. She will stay for a week, and then return to her home. I expect you to be on your best behavior." Calen only stared at him, making the decision to not respond. Two days. That wasn't nearly enough time to comphrend all of this. "You will show her the castle, and attend the ball that we are having in honor of your marriage." Calen felt like a bomb went off in his head. He was already making their engagement public? And he had to attend another damn ball. "Very well." Calen gritted out, trying to keep his cool. "Anything else you wish to inform me of?" His father leaned closer to him, "If I ever catch you acting as you did last night, you're going to really find put what it's like to not make your own decisions." His voice was barely a whisper. Calem took that as his que to leave, pushing the chair back with such a force it almost toppled over. He barely refrained from slamming the door behind him. |
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As Calliope had returned to her chambers, she found her mother there with some of the maids. They were packing up clothes and other items that she'd end up needing for a trip. "What are you doing?" She asked, speeding over to make them stop. They were sending her away? First they tell her the engagement will be rushed and now they plan on making her leave home? "Don't be dramatic, Calliope. You're going to visit the Selke's kingdom for a week. You've got two days to get your attitude under control and act accordingly," her mother berated, not stopping what she was doing. "Two days? Two days? That's ridiculous mother!" She opposed, not being able to understand why things had to happen so fast. Calliope's mother stopped, turning to face her daughter with a dangerous look. "Do not raise your voice at me, child," her mothers voice was laced with anger, which caused Calliope to shut up rather quick. Now I've done it. "You WILL act as though this is the best thing that has ever happened. Because for the kingdom, it is. I suggest that you do as you're told and quit objecting." Calliope bit her tongue, knowing that if she said anymore she'd be in grave trouble. "Can I at least ride along side the carriage?" She asked softly, praying that she was told yes. "Fine. But you are not to stray out of sight." Her mother sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. Calliope decided to take it as a win, nodding and helping pack. She at least wanted to have attire she'd enjoy wearing. Those two days were bound to fly and something told her the week she'd be away would drag out miserably. |
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Calen made his way outside to the stables. He knew he had to attend lunch and his classes, but that was the last thing on his mind. His father was already angry with him, one more little incident wouldn't hurt. He quicjly saddled up his horse, taking off towards the woods near the castle. He just needed to clear his head. Not only was his father making his decisions for him, but he obviously didn't have any plans on making the engagement last. He slowed his horse to a walk as he listened to the sounds of the forest, finally feeling some peace. (Sorry it's so short and rushed) |
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(You're good :)) Calliope left her room once her packing was finished, knowing now she had to go to her classes and find time for lunch somewhere between. What she dreaded more was having to return to her room and look at her luggage that sat in the corner. It would taunt her up until she left. She wondered if Calen already knew and how he'd took the news. Likely not well, since he dreaded the arrangement just as much.
Her first class was with a dance instructor who informed her that she'd be learning another dance. It was one that she and Calen would lead in during their engagement ball. They were to be the first couple on the floor for the first dance, which she absolutely dreaded. While she was a grand dancer, Calliope didn't like the thought of being stared at by everyone who attended the ball.
Thankfully, the dance wasn't very complicated, only consisting of twists and turns that were easy to catch onto. |
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Calen rode through the forest, watching the birds and squirrels. This was one of the few things that brought him peace, which is why he spent nearly every spare minute that he wasn't in his classes or training here. The peace only lasted for a few moments before the sound of hooves sounded behind him. Calen tipped his head back and let out a humorless laugh. Is it too much to ask to be left alone for ten minutes. Justine rode up beside him on her big bay gelding, her hair windblown. "What do you want Justine?" Calen droned, not looking over to his sister. "What's your deal lately?" She said, her voice accusatory, "Everytime I see you now you're in a pissy mood." "According to most people, I'm always in a pissy mood, get used to it." His words were blunt as he urged his horse into a gallop, hoping to discourage Justine from following him any further. Justine followed him anyway, positioning her horse in front of him. The horse had to skid to a stop to avoid running into Justine's horse. "Move." Calen growled, his anger rising. "This is about the engagement isn't it? I don't understand what you're so angry about, you knew it was going to happen sooner than later." "Do you want to know what I'm angry about, Justine? I'm angry that I didn't get to make a damned decision in any of this! I'm tired of being taken advantage of and used for someone else's personal gain! I'm tired of this whole damned kingdom. If I had a choice, I'd be gone before anyone would even realize, because that's how much our parents care!" His voice rose until he was yelling, and even the birds in the trees had gone silent. If Justine was feeling any emotion, she didn't show it as she turned her horse on a dime and sped off, leaving only a trail of dust in her wake. |
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Fall 
Day 
Heavy Rain
