cadrik baltierra

Oh, Roman wanted to hit Cadrik in the face so badly. Gritting his teeth, he nodded stiffly. “Alright, fine. What favor do you want?” With his arms crossed tightly against his chest, Roman waited impatiently to find out what Rik had in mind. “Don’t even try that ‘to be determined later’ thing on me! I want to know what I’m getting myself into before I agree.”

“Oh, really? Do you have some sort of passion project, then? Hobbies that you invest your time in?” Rik was not an easy person to read. Jasper laid on the charm, his smile never faltering even though he felt like smacking the young prince. Maria had been much more forthcoming. “Your sister seems to care very much about the poor in your country. I simply imagined that you’d have some sort of passion too - something yo want to help with or change.”

Maria ( competitive as always ) did her best, but with his headstart, she just enjoyed the feeling of the wind on her face. “How is it that you always seem to beat me in a race, hm?”

rik grinned breathlessly. “one of the few areas i consistently succeed,” he said. he had always been athletic, but never had the drive to become any great soldier or knight. “perhaps you bring out the best in me.”

“Question your habits? Oh, no, I apologize if that’s what it seems like I’m doing. I’m simply curious. I’d like to get to know your family. After all, I may very soon be the King of Oscana, and having a positive relationship with the neighboring country is important.” Jasper’s mind briefly flitted to the various naval strategies he had drawn out, stowed carefully away in his desk drawer, to be used in case the two countries went to war. “I understand that. I’ve seen Sylvia struggle in many ways as a princess. I imagine it’s much the same for you, even if you aren’t set to take your country’s throne. Do tell me, are there any specific responsibilities you’ve been given?”

rik made a sound that could’ve been agreement, but really he was just mulling over the idea of a positive relationship between their two countries. seemed increasingly impossbile these days. he was still suspicious of this almost nonchalant inquiry—it was just his nature. how to say that no one trusted him to handle much of anything without implicating vast weaknesses? there was no good way. “i prefer to let my siblings do the hard work.”

“Then please, do not let my presence stop you,” she spoke. Because I’m not leaving went unsaid. “There’s no reason why we can’t both be alone together. That too was my goal when I left for a ride, after all.”

She turned her head to him and analized his expression. She knew he didn’t appreciate having her there, but she wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of her leaving. “Tell me, how have you liked Oscana? Have you been trated well?”

rik crossed his arms and stared out at the view, making a point not to look at the princess. fine, then. he would just pretend she wasn’t there. how hard could it be?

but then she asked him questions. “must we talk?” rik interrupted. “i find meaningless pleasantries rather tiresome.”

“For the love of the gods, Cadrik. You’re a prince. You should simply want to help one of your subjects!” Roman ground his teeth, finding it increasingly difficult not to punch Rik in the face. “I know you don’t have anything better to do. So suck it up and help me look.”

rik rolled eyes, but inside he was bristling at roman’s comment. he was not cut out to be a prince and certainly not cut out to help people. what good was he? “you know, perhaps i’ll just go rummage around your quarters for other things to steal, instead. unless you’ll promise me at least a favor.”

Maria laughed as he started down the hill. “In your dreams!” It was moments like these that it was easy to forget who they were - that they could just be Maria and Rik, siblings racing each other. She took off after him, laughing again when she made it to the bottom. 

rik focused on the running—the only time he really got competitive was when no on was around, and he could just be himself with maria. and he beat her, of course. the head start helped. “haha!” he cheered after slowing down. “i win.”

“Well, at least I’m happy,” she huffed, which was not quite true, but he did not need to know that, and really, neither did she.  “Just because you feel the need to wander around and mope all the time does not mean there is anything wrong with a light and joyful approach to life.”

“good for you,” rik said, voice dripping with sarcasm. it was a foolish way to go through life, if you asked him. “the happier you are, the more all the terrors of the world will affect you. so good luck keeping that outlook for long.”

“Even from your parents?” My, my, it did seem that the younger Ryhule royalty had issues with their parents. Jasper stored the possible information away to use later, just as he would undoubtedly try to use it against Maria too. Clasping his hands behind his back, Jas took on the pace of a leisurely stroll, casually making sure that their walk time would be extended. “I do understand. I don’t really correspond with my parents. To be fair, my father is dead.” That much was true - or at least, Jasper thought it was true. His real mother had never talked much about his father, but when she did, her words suggested that he wouldn’t stay on this earth much longer. “Sometimes it’s best to strike out on your own. Although, I’m sure that’s more difficult for a prince.”

every time he asked another question, rik became more sure he was somehow giving up ryhulian secrets to the queen’s lover. what a story that would make at home. his parents would kill him. 

“then it isn’t your place to question my habits, is it?” rik asked, prickly. at least his parents were alive and they still had time to reconcile... though rik doubted they’d ever understand him. “everything is more difficult for a prince.”

“Thank the gods that you aren’t the crown prince, then. What a miserable place Ryhule would be if you were left in charge.” Rolling his eyes, Roman looked around as if trying to plan his escape. “Are you going to help me look for my knife, or are you going to wait around until someone else for you to insult comes along?”

“i like to think everywhere is a miserable place with me around,” rik retorted easily. he was used to being told he was bringing down the mood... it didn’t get to him anymore. “that depends. what’s in it for me?”

Maria hated not knowing what was happening, and she knew her brother had been ready to go home nearly as soon as they’d left. “Hey.” A mischievous look formed on her face. “I’ll race you to the bottom of the hill.”

“Soon, I hope.” Maria took a deep breath and sighed. As much as she had picked out the beauty in Oscana, she was missing the familiar. This place was seeming to bring out the worst in her ( or maybe it was the situation they were in ) and she wanted to go back. “I wish things could go back to normal.”

soon. that was all people said nowadays. soon they’ll have a treaty. soon there’ll be war. soon they’ll go home. rik was beginning to feel it wasn’t good enough. “i do, too,” he admitted, though maria likely already knew how he felt. she usually did.

Rosamund narrowed her eyes just slightly.  How annoying of him.  “People like me?  What does that mean?  People who are actually pleasant?”  After all, between the two of them, she was quite sure she was the only one with a reputation for being lovely and charming.

That blunt honesty was so endearing- though that might have been his undying love for his little one talking- “I’d have to agree with both of those sentiments,” he sighed “I’ve missed you terribly, I feel like none of my points hold any weight in court without you glaring at the nobility. Teasing aside, although it may be difficult just knowing that perhaps you and Maria can live in a world without war keeps me fighting.” He smiles, “I do it for you, and that will never change.”

“Oh, you’re not offending me. I understand that it isn’t easy to be in this place, especially right now. I’m sure your brother, and your country’s ambassadors, appreciate your support, though.” It was a lie. It didn’t seem like this man was capable of offering true support, or a good opinion, but Jas didn’t say that. As they started down the trail, he glanced over his shoulder, waiting to see guards appear. “But I’m sure we’ll come to an agreement. Have you corresponded much with your parents since arriving here?”

rik made some noise that could’ve been agreement or disdain—they both knew jasper was just being polite. rik could’ve done without that particular pleasantry. archon might have appreciated his being here, but he wasn’t sure it was actually of any use. “my brother has, i’m sure. i prefer to keep to myself.”