Evgeny Pryor

     the  other  spoke  and  ezra  kept  his  full  attention  on  him.    he  shook  his  head.   he  wasn’t  from  this  kingdom.   but  he  thought  about  the  chances  he  might  be  here  because  of  his  prince.   “  i’m  from  valtolia,  ”   he  said.   “  gentleman  in  waiting  for  prince  arthur.  ” 

“So did you come with your prince or is this your vacation?” When he was younger, he had often been in the company of a gentleman in waiting, at least until he was sent away. When he returned, he was no longer in need of such people nor did he want them around. 

“I don’t expect anyone to fear me. Respect me, sure, but not fear. When people fear you they tend to band together and overthrow you,” Zion said with a sigh. “A husband who fears me would band with his family and seek a way for him to get out of the marriage, it wouldn’t end well, potentially. I know that in this day and age marriage comes first and love comes second but I would really like to have an idea that I will eventually love the person I am forced to marry.” He furrowed his brows. “I stated that fact to further assert how my parents view sleeping around. I have brothers who are virgins because my parents want us to be. I’m not exactly the ideal son, is what I was getting at.”

“Fear is, as I said, a byproduct. Those who cultivate it aren’t doing themselves any favors. If fear comes from what you would do anyway, then there isn’t an issue. Maintaining a balance is important. People fear kings and yet love them as well.” He smiled, laughing softly. “Perhaps, or fear breaks them and they stay loyal to you forever. That outcome depends on the level of terror and the personality of the individual. If you want to love them and be loved in return, that would be your decision.” He couldn’t imagine himself settling down with someone in a loving relationship. Such a thing just wasn’t in the cards for him. “There’s nothing they can do now about your sexual habits. You have two options: either continue to sleep around or stop. Neither will bring your virginity back so it comes down to which ones makes your more content.” Sighing softly, he twisted a blade of grass around his fingers. “I can relate to not being the ideal son. It is a strange life.” 

Aurelios understand that Medes was still a place that many people held reservations over. He was working to abolish those feelings but it was something that would take time and patience. The storm had hurt a lot of people but Medes was rebuilt now thanks to the help from the other kingdoms. He was still inviting those that was particularly helpful. He knew that as a Queen few would turn him down and he hoped that returning would help to ease any negative feelings towards his home. One of those that he sent out for was Evgeny Pryor, a surgeon and Duke of Bergia. The man assisted with the ill during the storm and afterwards. He was finishing getting dressed when his messenger came to him to tell him that the other had arrived in the castle and he went to meet him. He found him looking at the window when he approached him. “Thanks you for coming back. I’m sure that Medes is not the most desirable place to be at the moment but it means a lot to me. Would you like a tour?”

His attention was drawn to the window again as one knight fell. If he was meant to be on duty now, he would likely need to deal with that wound. He hoped he wasn’t. Turning back toward the queen, he nodded. A tour would be something to do before...whatever was going to happen. “Thank you,” he replied, stepping closer to the other, “that would be lovely. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the opportunity to fully explore either this castle or the country.” His travels mainly consisted of Bergia and, on occasion Valtolia. However, he preferred to stay in his home country. Travel involved more tolerance of stupid people than he cared to deal with. “How have your people been doing?” he asked. His question was meant as a follow up on his patients but also as a general determinant of how the country was doing. After a storm as severe as theirs had been, rebuilding to former glory would take months, perhaps years. 

Lale watched the brown haired noble for a long moment before he stood and pulled away from him. “A ride then.” He said, purposely not answering his question as he didn’t want to explain his position at home or that’d remind him that he was without Carrington and would always be.

Evgeny could easily tell that Lale was avoiding his question, something that vaguely annoyed him. If he was answering questions, then then it only made sense that the other would as well. He began walking toward the stables, keeping one eye on the noble. “What brought about the idea of a ride?”

“Why would you want someone to fear you?” Zion asked with his eyebrows raised. “I would want to trust the person I am married to and yeah, I’m not an untrusting person so if I’m in love with someone I would trust them,” he said. He was not growing to care for the way this strange person saw the world. It was like he must have been beaten or something to see only the bad. “I don’t know, I’m not super into the idea of settling down. I’m kind of a playboy. My parents aren’t too thrilled that I go around fucking who I want. I have older brothers who are still virgins.”

“It’s not a matter of wanting; it’s simply a byproduct at times.” People ended up avoiding him because of what he enjoyed. He didn’t set out to instill fear, although it sometimes helped him get what he needed. Fear was easier to manage than trust. Trust could be broken all to easily. “Love and marriage have very little overlap. That is neither bad nor good and I see that others can have both perfectly easily.” He raised an eyebrow at the other. “Why not marry someone who would allow you to continue sleeping with whoever you want? There should be at least one suitor who would be okay with that. What difference does it make if your brothers are virgins?”

     “      it  seems  like  it,  yes,  ”   ezra  kept  his  eyes  on  the  man.    he  truly  was  familiar,  but  the  young  gentleman  in waiting  didn’t  ponder  on  the  thought,  as  he  would  start  getting  a  headache  after.    he  took  another  sip  of  the  water  before  he  heard  the  cheers  that  were  coming  outside.    “   why  aren’t  you  out  there  enjoying  the  festivities ??  you  decided  it’s  more  entertaining  to  be  around  a  young  gentleman  in  waiting ??  ”   he  chuckled.

His head tilted slightly toward the sound. While he would have enjoyed scouting the crowd for new people to entertain him, he had a perfectly good one in front of him. “I’ve gotten what I wanted out of the festivities,” he replied, “you don’t seem to be from around here. Where did you come from?”

Open to Metia

Advisor of Sollia, once hermit of the tower for reasons known to only a few, the figure stood in a dark cloak that hooded his head. Eyes wondered the land he had occupied almost ten years ago and made him curious. There was no staff he held on to, nor was there an object made obvious as he walked the streets to the castle. A bit standoffish, but he removed the hood to reveal long locks tied back into a braid and a pair of bright blue eyes that hopefully proved inviting. The only thing in his hand was a note with the mark of the mages.

he felt saddened by the word. Lover. More like monster. That’s what he felt after the whole thing. He felt like a monster after what happened to the servant boy. When he mentioned first date, his brows furrowed together and he looked over to the neatly made bed. Swallowing thickly, he walked over to the bed before he sat down. Staring at the ground before he looked back up at the other. “Do I want to know what your idea is of a first date?”

“I would say a man like you will always have power because you have a skill involving life, so yes, I do believe that power comes with the control of life.” Lale frowned slightly before he leaned back in his seat. “Perhaps that’s why you’re not searching for power but have this air of power around you. You know you’ll always been needed.” He said, his eyes moving to the other’s hands before placed his hands upon his thighs. “…I want to go for a ride. Too busy to join me?”

“How kind,” he chuckled softly. His desire for his current career had nothing to do with gaining power. Instead, he wanted a way to continue to live how he wanted without constant questions. “And what about you? You claimed that you have too much power and yet still haven’t explained what you meant.” Shaking his head, he stood. “My appointments are done for the day. A ride sounds lovely.” 

his lips pursed inwardly before he looked to the ground. “I just can’t leave my prince.” He protested before he looked back at him. “I can’t just marry off when I just entered the court. This is my home and if I marry you… i’ll have to go to your kingdom. Even as your plaything.” He shook his head at his question. “No. I have no other suitor’s… and I am no longer that boy’s…

was marriage now payment. He didn’t expect this was how he married. A long sigh came from as he looked away. “Test my limits? I have a feeling I might end up dead after this…” grabbing the male’s hand, he hurried them to the opposite of the manor, pushing him into his bed chambers. “Are you actually serious about this? I have to protest on a courtship from you.” Even though he was getting older and older. Usually, nobleman of their status married at the age of 18.

to say he didn’t like the lips on his neck, the teeth biting into flesh—- would be a complete lie. It had his knees weakened and he almost fell over. But when the other came out with his identity, it had the lord pause. He had to be lying right? Then again—— who would lie about something like that. A small scoff came from Alon, one of disbelief. “So you are the King of Bergia’s brother…. yet you want to court a lower nobleman like myself? It’s like courting a servant….”

he was silent for a long moment before a soft gasp came from him at the hands on his ass, the way his fingers dug in hard had him shivering. “D-Don’t… n-not in front of him….” he begged in a whisper, crystal hues darting back to the servant. It was clear the scene upset the boy by his expression changing quickly. He couldnt tell him. Not after what happened when it was revealed that the two were lovers. Lord Cale had his closed traditions. And a Lord and Servant lovers, it caused the tongue to be removed of the boy. To prevent anymore harm, Alon had called everything off and distanced himself from the boy. A quick bow and the boy ran off. Alon’s head leaned back against the door of his father’s chambers. “He was my lover… before my father cut is tongue out.” Harshly, he pushed the Evgeny away from him and adjusted his clothing. “It’s Lord Alon.”

He grinned, satisfied with the small rise he had gotten out of Alon. “He’s a servant,” the surgeon continued, “and he’s not the one you should be focused on.” Upsetting the servant only made him want to push Alon further and so he did, leaning down to place his lips on the man’s neck. His teeth slid out as he bit down lightly at the skin. His purpose was to rile the servant boy, not cause pain. That could come later. He planned to rip the young lord apart.

the brush of his hand had his heart stopping for a moment before he swallowed thickly. Get yourself together, Alon. This man was a monster in every sense. His eyes narrowed slightly at his words. Of court? He didn’t think surgeons counted in the court. Perhaps in Bergia they did. He didn’t know much of Bergia except of the royal family; all because of his father. He swallowed thickly at the duke’s words. His eyes closed before a shaken exhale left him. He had to remind himself to stay strong until this man left and went back home. He shouldn’t be long—- right? There were people that needed him for medicial purposes in Bergia. He heard footsteps and he looked over, staring at a young servant boy. The boy had longing in his eyes as he looked at Alon. “We shouldn’t be like this in public…” the noble whispered to the Duke, trying to avoid contact with the young servant.

Perhaps it would be best to tell the other man who he was. He didn’t attend court often. There was no reason for his brother to want him there considering his past actions. Only when there was medical knowledge needed was he called and even then, one of the mages could do the same job without possibly frightening any important guests. “You never told me your name,” he stated, although he would have been perfectly content to name his plaything himself.

“My father is an extreme man…” he mumbled. “Not those of court…. and my father would refuse me married off someone not of court.” It was the whole reason his father made a way for Alon to wiggle into the position of a gentleman-in-waiting; hopeful that he might marry into the royal family. Alon had no expectations. At the mention of his back, he stood tall still. He’d been lashed as a child but healed so he wouldn’t scar. His back was almost numb to pain. Or so he liked to believe. “You wish to continue to torment me?” He spoke softly, so his father could not over hear their conversation. “I thought you had already received your paymemt….”

“Well aren’t you lucky then,” he laughed, brushing his hand over Alon’s in a gesture that, if it were anyone else, may have been romantic. “I am of court, just not of this one.” He really didn’t care if the man’s father wanted him to stay in the country. For now, he was having fun. Perhaps he would stay in Valtolia a bit longer than he had planned.

More often than not, Evgeny found himself bored. His appointments for the day were done and, while none of them had been particularly interesting or noteworthy, they were better than nothing. A few notes and a new formulation did nothing to help distract him either and, frustrated, he left his office in search of something to do. There was only so much he could get away with within the castle and venturing out was not what he wanted to do at the moment. Instead, he sought out someone who might provide him with at least some entertainment.

His brother’s mages were almost always good for at least a conversation. For the most part, he was indifferent toward both of them, their actions of little concern to him as long as they stayed out of his fun. He could easily patch up his own playthings once he finished.

Standing outside of Dmitri’s door, he debated knocking but finally chose not to, instead simply pushing his way inside. His eyes scanned the room before finally landing on the mage. “Busy?” he asked, not that it would make a difference to him. Whether the man had things to do or not, he would stay.

Austin lifted the magnifiers from his eyes, looking at the man before him. “Yes. Quite. Medesians seem to have quite a few family heirlooms they are quite fond of.” He said, looking up at the clock and looking taken aback at what time it was. “Oh wow. Talk about getting pulled into your work.” He said, standing up and going over to an ice chest in the corner and pulling out a leather sack. He moved to another table, which didn’t have his work on it, and pulled out a lunch. He looked to the other man and gestured to an extra chair. “I could use some company if you’re interested.

People had the most ridiculous priorities. There was no reason for heirlooms to be important when homes were destroyed. Then again, what people did with their time was of no consequence to him as long as they didn’t get in his way. They could be morons if they wanted. With a nod, he seated himself across from the younger man. “Thank you,” he replied, still working through his light snack. Perhaps later he would obtain a full meal, but this was enough for now. Glancing around, he could see projects in various states of completion, ideas forming in his mind about better uses for the materials. Hm... “What is the most interesting piece you have worked on since arriving?”