#realm.event2

ALLIES OF THE VITELLOS:

Before participating, please ensure you have read the event.

The hour for judgement has arrived. While at dinner, the lords and ladies of the Vitello family were surprised by the sudden appearance of the free folk. A few knights protect them, but they are of no match for the impending army, and King Holden asks them to lay down their arms in the remaining hope that peace can still be discussed with the free folk. Instead of killing the family, the wildlings take them to the throne room. What do the knights think of the uncertainty that lies before them? What do the lords and ladies believe will become of them all? Gathered together with others that had been present in the Keep, they remain in the throne room to await their fates. Under the threat of death, it is now that the rest of the world learns who they really are.

“We rise up  And we fall down Only to rise again.”

PARA RESPONSE: her boys

Prisca’s seat on the opposite end of the table from her husband did not surprise her; she got to play the doting, proud wife in public. The new Master of Coin had a wife who was beautiful, charming, and intelligent–but now that Oberon had returned, she had been relegated back to her role as wife, as Lady Deyes. Nevermind the fact that she had spent the last seven years running everything for her husband. She chatted amiably with the lords that surrounded her until they tired of talking to the wife. She glanced, every so often, at her husband, watching him talk to the King as she droned on about her weaving and her new dresses. One of the ladies had just asked about little Titus when the doors flew open.

In marched the wildlings, weapons drawn, blood smeared across their faces. One of the ladies screamed as Prisca clutched her knife before dropping it; she had no where to hide it discreetly. One by one, they were forced out of their chairs and into the throne room, her eyes seeking Oberon through the throng. He’d been lost somewhere in the chaos; her heart seized at the realization, at the familiar feeling of being left alone. She didn’t know these people like he did, and her mind quickly flooded with everything he’d told her about them. Would it be enough to see her through this madness?

Minutes felt like hours until the crowd finally thinned and she spotted her husband. She walked to him calmly before sinking her nails into his arm, clinging to him for dear life. Her eyes darted around the room, her heart beating rapidly in her chest. Her son. She had her husband, now where was her son?

The doors flew open again and more people were pushed in the room. “What will they do with Titus?” she whispered, still gripping her husband’s arm.

A shock of blonde hair pushed through the doors and Prisca’s heart seized in relief and fear. The touching moment was not lost on her, even through the fear. Crouching down beside her boys, she folded an arm around Titus’ back.

“Everything will be alright, precious,” she whispered in his ear, kissing the side of his head. “Mama promises.”

Before participating, please ensure you have read the event.

The hour for everything to change has arrived. The free folk have spilled into the city, but they don’t make for the houses to burn or for the civilians to capture. Their eyes are on the Keep, and it is soon that the citizens of Westedell discover why: the lords and ladies have been taken hostage within. ( The entire Keep has been taken hostage, with no signs of salvation in sight. ) The wisest thing for the civilians to do would be to stay out of sight, but we know that not all will do such a thing. What is it they think as they see the home of their King taken over by those who want justice against the Vitellos? What is it they plan to do: allow it to happen, fight back, or something else altogether? Remember that the free folk will leave most civilians alone, but if any come forward to fight — the warriors will fight to kill. In a time of upheaval and danger for the civilians, it is now that the rest of the world learns who they really are.

“i feel like god; alone.” 

PARA RESPONSE: everybody wants to be a cat

Something was happening — Cason was halfway convinced it was something important and halfway convinced it did not concern him in the least. He had heard of the wildlings prowling around the walls, but what were wildlings except men who hadn’t bathed in years? He remained fairly confident that he could slip past them, if need be. ( Although with the great and meaty Lord Thaddeus Thornton funding him as jester, why would he ever need to go anywhere? ) He rolled over in his bed, pulling the scratchy blanket atop his head to keep out the sounds of yelling that were so prominent in the city.

“Can’t I sleep in peace?” he hissed, throwing his shirt at the door. When even that didn’t work to silence the people outside, he stumbled to his feet ( promptly ignoring how the room spun around him ) and threw it open to scream unto the heavens. “Can’t I sleep in peace?!” 

Several of the wildlings rushed past him, eyes set on the looming Keep. Fear left a stench in the air stronger than sewage, and only a few individuals bothered to look his way at all. Clearly, they had never experienced his presence, otherwise they wouldn’t have been able to keep their eyes off him — but for once in his life, he was grateful to go unnoticed. 

“Oh,” he answered flatly to no one in particular. 

ALLIES OF THE VITELLOS:

Before participating, please ensure you have read the event.

The hour for judgement has arrived. While at dinner, the lords and ladies of the Vitello family were surprised by the sudden appearance of the free folk. A few knights protect them, but they are of no match for the impending army, and King Holden asks them to lay down their arms in the remaining hope that peace can still be discussed with the free folk. Instead of killing the family, the wildlings take them to the throne room. What do the knights think of the uncertainty that lies before them? What do the lords and ladies believe will become of them all? Gathered together with others that had been present in the Keep, they remain in the throne room to await their fates. Under the threat of death, it is now that the rest of the world learns who they really are.

“We rise up  And we fall down Only to rise again.”

PARA RESPONSE: once upon a dream

Alycia was a Queen — if not in title, then in memory. So many had tried to strip the meaning from her, to crush her to a fine dust, but she was a diamond now and nothing could crush her further. It was almost expected when the savages came for them, breaking through barriers to hunt down those who had wronged them, and she did not weep as they took her family to the throne room. The Vitellos were living SINS, and every damn one of them carried blood on their hands. Why hadn’t she known it would end like this — with Holden giving in and their knights giving them up with ease? ( You’re prettiest when you’re weeping, Aphrodite Alycia. This is the fate you decided when you married him. ) It was a fate that had been written for them the whole time. 

Two truths and a lie:  TRUTH:          “My children are innocent,” were the first words from her mouth, and she shielded her daughters behind her. I will kill you all if you touch them. It seemed to be her fate to live this nightmare again and again — that every time a smile graced her lips with the promise of peace, the world like to remind her what cruelty it possessed. “They’re frightened.”  TRUTH:      “They’ll find us guilty,” were the next from her mouth, whispered to Antony beside her. There was no shake to them, but neither was there acceptance. She was reminded only how vengeful a thing love was, and she could not hate them for that. She hated them only for the way her children shook at the sight of the wildlings, and she hated Zion Vitello most of all for beginning this fight and dying before he could finish it. “We are guilty, of more than even they know.”  LIE:       “I promise we’ll be safe, my sweetlings” were the softest words she spoke, meant only for her precious daughters. She brushed their tears away in the confines of the throne room, and she imagined a thousand ways to kill those who would threaten them. LOVE AND WAR ARE NOT SO DIFFERENT, AFTER ALL. “I promise.” 

With a deep breath, she looked around the throne room. This was not the end; she would not allow it. This was not the end; surely, surely, they would found a way out once again. This was not the end; they had survived so much, and surely, they could evade punishment for their sins for a little while longer. This was not the end; she was a Queen, and Queens did not die like this — forgotten, vilified, disgraced. NO, NOT TODAY. 

Before participating, please ensure you have read the event.

The hour for the alliance to reveal itself has arrived. The free folk are creeping into the Keep, and the only armies to assist the Vitellos are the Pemberleys. While the members of this scheming group may be scattered, they know what must be done; they recognize that while it is the free folk who are the spark, they are the flame that comes from it. What are they thinking as the moment for their reveal ticks forward? As lords and ladies are being gathered in the throne room to await judgement, what is it they want to happen? For all the speeches and words these individuals cling to, it is now that the rest of the world learns who they really are.

“the throat after the scream, bloody, ripped raw— i know, i know, i’ve been there. i’ve called it home.”

PARA RESPONSE:

Both mercenaries and Highcrest’s own soldiers had marched towards Westedell with subdued fury. There were no drums or war cries. They marched in silence through rain or shine. A swift raven with a message from Lady Pemberley signaled their march forward after restless days that seemed to stretch on for weeks.

She had feigned a deathly cough, one that she dared not spread to the other kind lords and ladies at the dinner. She remained in her chambers as she watched the sun slowly set, as she repeated the steps of the coup in her head. She knew the plan would not go exactly as planned, but she still found comfort in repeating the plan to herself as she paced from her bed to her fireplace and around the sitting area. “Your children are safe. Your children are safe. They will be safe,” she muttered to herself.

Leanne knew she was rudely ignoring the priestess because of her worries, but she couldn’t bring herself to sit across from Mina and sip a cup of tea. The strawberry tart glistened on her plate, untouched. She periodically heard the quiet sipping of tea from her friend, and she wondered how Mina could remain unfazed. Plans as risky as these had a higher chance of failing than succeeding, and it could not fail. Not this time.

Then, she heard it. The frantic cries and the rushing of feet. It was a strange comparison to the civilized knock at her door moments later. “Lady Pemberley, we will escort you to the throne room.” It was the sound of a familiar man’s voice, Ser Basuin. Her entrusted advisor and leader of her army.  Leanne nodded to the servant nearest to the door, and it was opened. “M’lady, you are quite the sight for sore eyes.” She gave a chuckle as her handmaiden picked up the trail of her emerald dress (click for dress pic). She walked as regally as she was taught in her earlier years. Her hair glistened with pearls that were braided into her chestnut brown hair, but no other jewelry adorned her but a pair of long silver earrings and her family ring.

“Have you located Hayden?” she inquired coolly as she walked out of the door. Her servants remained in her chambers for their safety, and the soldiers immediately surrounded Leanne and Mina for protection as they strode through the corridors together. “No, but once he is located, we will keep our distance as per your request.” She nodded. “Thank you, Ser Basuin. A million thank you’s would not suffice for giving me your loyalty so unconditionally.” He shook his head modestly.

Leanne and Mina arrived at the door of the throne room, just as the others arrived. She only had to share a glance with each of them to feel the triumph over the vermin– who had constantly planned her and her children’s demise. She would show that an unmarried woman with her bastard children could achieve more with wit, beauty, and lies than an entitled and foolish son of the royal king and queen. This was her victory after many agonizing years, and she would relish in it as long as she could.

The doors opened, as more soldiers of House Pemberley flanked the ALLIANCE. She wore an amicable smile on her lips as she entered. She would watch the flame of hope light and be suffocated moments later. She would be both their savior and worst nightmare before dawn.

“Fear the unsuspected,

for they have kept their secrets from the eyes of many.

Deceit is in their nature.

Their smiles full of poison.

Their thoughts full of your peril.”

Before participating, please ensure you have read the event.

The hour for the alliance to reveal itself has arrived. The free folk are creeping into the Keep, and the only armies to assist the Vitellos are the Pemberleys. While the members of this scheming group may be scattered, they know what must be done; they recognize that while it is the free folk who are the spark, they are the flame that comes from it. What are they thinking as the moment for their reveal ticks forward? As lords and ladies are being gathered in the throne room to await judgement, what is it they want to happen? For all the speeches and words these individuals cling to, it is now that the rest of the world learns who they really are.

“the throat after the scream, bloody, ripped raw— i know, i know, i’ve been there. i’ve called it home.”

PARA RESPONSE: structured vengeance

It was too sweet for her taste. She preferred a more citric flavor, but this time Leanne had chosen the pastries and it was too late to object. They had been silent for a moment, yet it was far from awkward. It was, in fact, quite reassuring. Mina sipped of her tea to wash away the sweetness, before smiling softly at the other woman, just in case Leanne glanced at her.

The priestess observed Lady Pemberley pacing with a mind full of worries. The taller woman, however, couldn’t ease the smirk pulling her lips. The strident noise of sudden chaos sounded far from them, and so close at the same time. These were the moments she enjoyed the most, when others had come up with plans and she had the freedom of improvising, of letting herself go, and drag everyone else with her. It was sweet too, but this, she liked. 

Mina stood up when the doors opened and silently witnessed the required politeness and social conventions, admiring the respect paid to her friend. She then strolled behind Leanne, with her hands grabbing her own arms, hugging herself, just as if she tried to contain her eagerness, though she was sure she wouldn’t be able to hide  it for much longer. 

They all lined up as they should have done it from the start, and Medusa smiled as she waited for the doors to open, for the show was just about to begin. 

Before participating, please ensure you have read the event.

The hour for the alliance to reveal itself has arrived. The free folk are creeping into the Keep, and the only armies to assist the Vitellos are the Pemberleys. While the members of this scheming group may be scattered, they know what must be done; they recognize that while it is the free folk who are the spark, they are the flame that comes from it. What are they thinking as the moment for their reveal ticks forward? As lords and ladies are being gathered in the throne room to await judgement, what is it they want to happen? For all the speeches and words these individuals cling to, it is now that the rest of the world learns who they really are.

“the throat after the scream, bloody, ripped raw— i know, i know, i’ve been there. i’ve called it home.”

PARA RESPONSE: you're never fully dressed without a smile

         One grape. Two grapes. Three grapes. Four–                    One stupidly ‘brave’ lord down, and the Vitellos to go. 

Typhon popped another into his mouth as he watched a distant knight fall, laughing in delight when another donned in the Vitello colors was ran through with a spear. A mockery of a smile twisted his lips, bright against the sun as he watched the chaos unfold down below. The wildlings didn’t disappoint. The damn savages made a fantastic show, hacking their way through the crowds, and bitterly he thought of how he’d have the unfortunate circumstance of missing their slaughter. Still, grimly satisfied, he chuckled in DELIGHT, turning from the window to sweep up a goblet full of his finest wine, downing it in a breath before carelessly tossing it to the carpets. 

“You hear that, GIRL?” He shouted, pure of joy — bursting at the seams with an unnatural gleam in his eye — whirling to face the lone servant tucked beside the pitcher’s table. “You see what’s happening outside those very walls? What the Vitellos have brought upon this city? See the rage in their eyes and their thrist for blood? They’d have you—me!—all of us! and who shall be to blame but none other than that DAMNED royal family themselves?” He grinned, wicked. “They will be cursed for centuries..”

She hesitated, unsure as fear showed itself, but he was already off, cackling as he flung the door open and stormed into the hallway. The dark grin remained, unsettling in the torchlight yet he wouldn’t dare let it waver. Fueled by the drums, the screams, the rage, THE HORROR, Typhon felt every inch a Titan. Felt every bit the monster he was born to be.

It awoke deep in his bones.

Oh, how he wished he had the power to open the gates of hell and drag Zeus’s hide back to this world, force the fool to his knees and turn his eyes upon the sight.

But he couldn’t. So, Typhon would watch, PROUD with his blessed, knowing smirk as Zeus’s legacy — his families, supposed beloveds, and kingdom —- was stripped of everything that gave them power. As they were tossed, weak and desperate and ALONE to the ground. Ripped of their pride, of everything that could even offer comfort in this world. The histories wouldn’t remember the Vitellos as the Great House or rulers. No, they would be remembered as the HALFWITS who invited serpents into their homes.

Outside the doors to the throne room, his allies waited and he strode towards them with strong, sure steps. Iapetus clasped his shoulder, and emotion choked deep in his throat at the look in his brother’s eyes. Iapetus succeeded. His brother, and Medusa, Leanne, the others who Knew, uniting together to usurp a bloodline that possessed no damned right to rule. At long last, their moment arrived, and Typhon fell into step behind his brother, Medusa, and Leanne. He was ready — more than ready to see this finally through and done.

Typhon would watch them fall by his brothers’ and sisters’ side, with all the heavens and hells witnessing their glory and TRIUMPH. And he would do so with glee.

Before participating, please ensure you have read the event.

The hour for everything to change has arrived. The free folk have spilled into the city, but they don’t make for the houses to burn or for the civilians to capture. Their eyes are on the Keep, and it is soon that the citizens of Westedell discover why: the lords and ladies have been taken hostage within. ( The entire Keep has been taken hostage, with no signs of salvation in sight. ) The wisest thing for the civilians to do would be to stay out of sight, but we know that not all will do such a thing. What is it they think as they see the home of their King taken over by those who want justice against the Vitellos? What is it they plan to do: allow it to happen, fight back, or something else altogether? Remember that the free folk will leave most civilians alone, but if any come forward to fight — the warriors will fight to kill. In a time of upheaval and danger for the civilians, it is now that the rest of the world learns who they really are.

“i feel like god; alone.” 

PARA RESPONSE: Curiouser and curiouser

The city was for the most part in hiding and while Penelope recognised that she’d be better off inside, she never had been able to subdue her curiosity enough to ignore it. Despite knowing how little it had gotten her in life, and that what it had brought her was nothing she had liked, there was always an inability to say no to it. So she slipped out of the safety of her home and out onto the streets, eyes widening at what she saw there and the sheer number of people coming though the gates.

The Free Folk they called them. And she envied them that title and all it brought with it. If they were truly free then they had the very thing she coveted most. Penelope doubted if she’d ever be able to feel such a way again. She was a slave to her curiosity, a prisoner of her distrust and a servant to her bitterness. Her memories that still returned to her at night, through dreams despite her shoving them elsewhere, made it almost impossible to move past what had happened. 

The thought of what her life would have been like if she had been born one of them instead crept up on her and as always she was curious about the possibilities that she would have had. But inevitably this curiousity only lead to more disappointment at the way her own life had turned out. 

What was life when you let no one close to you?

So here she was, watching the city get invaded and realising that there wasn’t really a soul who would miss her should something happen. How long would it take for anyone to realise that she was no longer there? Would she be mourned? None of the answers seemed to be positive. Despite the city being full of people there was no one. 

She was alone.

 By her own design, of course but that didn’t lift the weight on her chest. It didn’t make her feel any better as she stood taking it all in, her curiousity once more triuphing over everything. Thoughts of her solitude were pushed to one side as the inquisitive parts of her miind went into overdrive as to what the wildlings were going to do next and why they were here. But they only thing she could do was watch and see and she knew that was what she’d be doing. 

Before participating, please ensure you have read the event.

The hour for judgement has arrived. While at dinner, the lords and ladies of the Vitello family were surprised by the sudden appearance of the free folk. A few knights protect them, but they are of no match for the impending army, and King Holden asks them to lay down their arms in the remaining hope that peace can still be discussed with the free folk. Instead of killing the family, the wildlings take them to the throne room. What do the knights think of the uncertainty that lies before them? What do the lords and ladies believe will become of them all? Gathered together with others that had been present in the Keep, they remain in the throne room to await their fates. Under the threat of death, it is now that the rest of the world learns who they really are.

“We rise up  And we fall down Only to rise again.”

PARA RESPONSE: the sound of chants of rebellion

He smirked to himself when his first impulse almost forced him to grab the food with his hand, instead of using the proper utensil. Oberon glanced quickly at the King, merely out of habit, then back to the Lord near him, who was telling some diverting story about some incident at the market place. His attention weakened when he caught sight of his wife from afar, who seemed to be enjoying herself. Her golden, perfect smile made him grin, before returning his gaze to the funny Lord. He tightened the grip of his fork, as a sudden cold breeze that apparently no one else felt, froze the back of his neck. The Master of Coin automatically lifted his gaze to look at Prisca once again, yet the loud noise of the door opening so brusquely, stole his attention completely. 

At the sight of the Free Folk, Oberon slid a fork into his sleeve, just if needed in case of extreme emergency, as the King gave his knights the wise order of not attacking them. He stood up as everyone else did, and tried to reach for Holden, yet the mass of Lords and Ladies in panic made him loose sight of him and Prisca. He looked around once more, now paying attention at the faces of the invaders, as he uselessly looked for the Hand of the King.  

If the Free Folk wanted the Keep dead, they’d already be dead. What he didn’t quite understand, was what did they truly want. Oberon quickly glanced at the leader of the wildlings as he spoke, and measured him, and through him, his people. As the King of the Free Folk asked for Westedell’s King, he didn’t dare to look at Holden and risk to give his identity away, and instead looking at Prisca as she walked closer. She spoke, and he vaguely listened. “He’s a child,” he answered, still distracted. “The worst that could happen is that if they found him, they’ll take him with them, but they won’t hurt him.” 

Out of the corner of his eye, Oberon caught sight of the grey dress of his son’s caretaker, and he wished, he hoped Titus was somewhere else. Anywhere else was better than here, with the risk of witnessing a massacre or whatever it was they were planning. Sadly, the boy was there. Deyes saw him as he released the caretaker’s hand to run towards his parents, and Oberon crouched to hold him tight, maybe for a last time.