Can't Catch Me

mischief was welcomed in his new life as a prince. monarchs were not afforded a great deal of mirth, nor were they afforded a breath of informality. as a duke, he was respected, but no one tiptoed around him, the same could not be said now he was prince of aeternus. far too many people treated him as if he were fragile, as if he were a flower in the calloused hands of a barbarian- it was absolutely ridiculous. “ east side of the market it is. “ cyrus grinned, jerking his head in the opposite direction. “ follow me to my chamber, will you? i have to grab my coin and cloak. “ 

When the prince indicated the opposite, Yuhma grew confused for a moment then nodded. Ah, right, that stuff. The young noble was really just interested in getting the hell out of the castle as fast as possible. Nothing good came of sitting inside and just hanging around in meetings. Nodding, he fell into step beside the other. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen your bed,” he laughed, throwing his hands behind his head as they walked. “Gotta be a good one, yea? I mean, royals get the cool shit.”

“I have a feeling that women would rain during a sun shower, and men when its a literal rain storm on a cloudy day. I was told I was born during a sun shower of all things, so perhaps that is where I draw my logic.” For some reason, the kingdom believe that was the reason Lavali had been born a girl instead of boy. It had been a fluke from above. A melodic laugh escaped her. “I can only imagine if a sky harem is a minor wish, what an upgraded wish would be.” She teased. Course she’d much rather be a part of a sky harem, then having the king think she could be a part of his. The thought alone made her shiver.

“I couldn’t care what class the activity we do is considered a part of, I just need to distract myself for awhile.” Too many things were divided by class, and honestly it annoyed the Princess more than it probably should. The compliment had her blushing for a moment, before she grinned. “Thank you. Oh of course, who could ever compete with you?” She tried to put on a look of innocence, but she knew her playful gaze gave away her teasing. Lavali followed beside him, parts of the kingdom still foreign to her despite the ones she’d seen from meeting with Rissy. 

“Hm...I’ll take your word on that one. Sun showers are weird so I’ll give you that. Girls are cool, but weird. Probably a good thing. Guys can be hot but damn are we dense sometimes.” A straight up rainstorm was probably having a field say when some of the men he knew were born. “You were? Cool. Gotta ask my mother what was happening outside when she popped me out. Then again, she probably wasn’t paying that much attention.” Given that he had never, and would never, experience childbirth from any other perspective but his own first few minutes of life, he couldn’t say how painful it was. “Heaven harem. The highest version. Angels, fox girls, cat boys, the odd demon just to keep things interesting. That sort of stuff would definitely be a step up on a regular human harem.”

“Then I’ve got one place I’d like to go. It’s supposed to be pretty good.” He was hungry and that particular brothel served exceptionally good roast. Who would have thought? He grinned, striking a few poses for a moment before continuing onward. “So, what’s got you jumping over the wall to get out of the castle rather than just using the door?” He had a few guesses. The most likely reason was that she wasn’t supposed to leave. If asked about why he was with someone like that, he would just lie and say they had met when she was already walking along the wall. How was he to know that she wasn’t meant to be there?

Brandon ignored the other figuring his brush off would have been enough for most to find he was less than welcoming company. The strange company didn’t leave, he figured there was no point in trying to argue or cause a scene. That was what he was trying to avoid. The fewer eyes on him the better. Hiding in plain sight so to speak. “I just traveled a long way, that’s all.” It was the truth, not everything, but enough to hopefully pacify the stranger. He had decided he wasn’t as hungry as he had thought, pushing aside the bowl of stew and whatever game had been killed that morning making up the meat floating around. He picked up the drink and threw back the rest of the contents. “Are you from Khador?” He asked abruptly turning the conversation on the one sitting across from him.

Well, that was one thing they had in common: a long trip. That meant the other was likely not from around here, which would make the whole ‘hide in a corner’ thing more logical. His eyes flicked over to the abandoned stew and he pointed to it, mouthing ‘done?’ as he raised a brow. If the other wasn’t going to eat it, Yuhma was more than happy to let it not go to waste. “I’m a little like you,” he replied, still eyeing the stew. “Long trip. Don’t know your reason, but I wanted to see something I can’t find back home.” He wasn’t lying, but if the other man was going to be vague, so was he, just to be petty about it.

Brandon’s gaze looked over the other now sitting across from him. Out of habit, one hand had remained hidden under the table and had gone to the hilt of his sword ready to draw it out should things take a turn. He’d been true in his words, he hadn’t been looking for a fight. He’d been on the edge of tension like a lion ready to pounce on its prey and then his shoulders had visibly relaxed sensing from the words the other meant no harm. “Look, I’m sure you mean well, but it’s been a long few days and I’m really not in the mood for games or whatever.” His tone is dismissive and direct. He’s usually not that rude, raised on codes of knighthood and chivalry, and living by that every day. But suddenly all of that had been changed. He was in a new place with no real plan. “So if you don’t mind,” He gestured with his head to pretty much leave the seat across from him. “I’d like to finish my food and drink.”

Had he actually thought the man would play with him? Oh hell no. Was he going to stay and bother him? Yes. Unfortunately for the other, Yuhman liked grumpy people. And happy people. And sad people. He just liked people in general, but less like a humanitarian and more in line with a small child finding a bunch of ants to burn with a magnifying glass. “What’s been so long about the days? You look like you’re trying to hide from the whole place, so you could honestly just make some shit up.” he asked, shifting his game to twenty questions that were likely not going to be answered. The younger man was fully expected to either to lied to or told to leave again. However, that did nothing to deter him. “I don’t mind that you want me to go away, I’m just not going to do it.”

This interaction was already more of the enjoyable ones she’d had in awhile, the Princess’ inability to leave the castle most days limiting her more desired and enjoyable run ins. She supposed it as lucky she dropped down where she had, any other part of the wall and she most likely wouldn’t have met this man. “Well the day is still young, who knows what will happen?” Lavali joked with a smirk. The Princess couldn’t help it, already the stranger seemed to bring out her more playful side she hadn’t been able to use in awhile. “Perhaps one day you will get your sky harem, my मां (maan/mother) has always said anything is possible.” Of course a ‘sky harem’ was most likely not one of those things that would qualify.

“I must admit that right now, I could not care less if it’s high class or not. I just need to get away from the castle and the king for a bit.” Her mother’s voice rang in the back of her head that ‘a Princess should act like one’, but in Lavali’s situation she was sure that even her well respected mother would need to get out and do something, no matter what it was. The question caused her to smirk softly, pushing the hood back so the hem rested just behind her hair line. “Of course, its just a habit of mine I have yet to break.” The near humorous bow had the Princess letting out another soft laugh, tilting her head slightly. “Pleasure to meet you, Yuhma.”

“True, true. Do you think it’d rain girls when there’s actual rain or sun? Opposite might be for boys. Not sure. I’ll have to consult some charts and figures, their figures hopefully.” He blinked at the unfamiliar word. From context, he assumed it meant some sort of authority figure, probably a parents. Plus, it seemed to sound a bit like ‘mom’. “If anything is possible, then I’m upgrading my wish, not sure to what yet, but I’ll file my paperwork for that later.” Finally, he had found someone willing to play along! People inside the castle were too damn serious.

“Low class I can do. High class I can do.” Hm...now the real question was, what was he in the mood for? If his new companion was willing to go anywhere, that opened a while new world of possibilities. As she moved the hood back, he grinned. “Hey, not bad. Keep the face open, it’s a good look. Not as good as me, but really, who could be?” He grinned, amusing to himself at least. Standing properly again, he started toward the market, deciding to just pick when they got there.

Julien

He liked this - the carelessness of the boy, the willingness to go around without care. His thumb and forefinger held the boy’s chin deceptively gently.

He kissed him, rough and demanding, beard scratching the delicate skin of the younger. He nipped Yuhma’s lower lip as he pulled back.

“Do you have a name?” He asked with a sly grin.

He stared back at the king with curiosity and his own mischief in his eyes, tilting his chin up in the other man’s grip. It wasn’t often he got to experience something like this and he was damn sure it was unlikely to happen again.

As soon as the man’s lips were on him, Yuhma opened his mouth slightly, inviting the king’s tongue inside. He pushed back, deepening the kiss even as his lips pulled into the barest of grins.

Chenglei

“The full morning.” He scowled, no less annoyed by the man. He rolled his eyes, it remaining clear that the man didn’t give a damn about him or his food.

“If it gets scared and runs, it’s because there’s predators. It’s smart.” He drew his arrow back in the bowstring, aiming it in the man’s direction. “Unlike you.” A smirk and he let the arrow fly. It buried itself in tree bark directly next to the intruder’s head.

The other man had a point. A good prey animal knew to run at the slightest danger so it could continue living. As the arrow was raised, Yuhma knew he should be scared, should be like the deer and run, but he stood in place. His survival instinct had left him long ago. If he died, it wasn’t that important.

The cheer wasn’t at all the reaction Lavali was expecting from the man she’d landed next to…but she couldn’t keep her smile off her face when she heard him continue. Now why couldn’t this man be one of the many she tended to run into in the castle? She was positive he’d make things more interesting for her. “If that leap had gone a little more differently, I’m positive that that would’ve been what happened. Thankfully-at least for myself-I still landed with my dress on.” The Princess chuckled.

“Really? That’s wonderful, unfortunately I haven’t been able to get out a lot and I’m a bit lost when it comes to outside the walls.” Lavali smiled softly as she looked at the other. “So I could use a bit of guidance and direction.” The hood she’d decided to wear, just in case she got in sight of a castle guard. she pulled up over her head, but not enough where it completely concealed her face. “I’m Lavali by the way, and you are?” She decided to leave the Princess part out of it.

Not many people smiled at his remarks and that alone was enough to make Yuhma like her more. Something about her seemed familiar, but then again, there were plenty of people in the castle and he could hardly be bothered remembering all of them. Nah. “Thankful for you maybe,” he laughed, sticking his tongue out at her like a child. “What am I supposed to do? Guess I’ll just keep praying and maybe one day I’ll get that sky harem. Oh well.” His words were only half serious. If he wanted to, there were plenty of people in town to go have fun with. 

“Then you’ve found the right guide, just can’t promise that everywhere we go will be high class enough for a castle girl. You good with that?” If not, he had no issue leaving her right now and going off on his own. He leaned forward a little, tilting his head to try to see under the hood. “Do I get to see who I’m walking with?” Stepping back, he slid one foot behind the other, giving a mockery of a sweeping, low bow. “ Yuhma,” he replied, “I’d say ‘at your service’, but that’s a damn lie.” 

cyrus glanced down at the newly shined dagger in his hands, a parcel retrieved from the castle’s weapons master, deep brown eyes searching over the sharp glinting edge of the blade. satisfied, he slid it into the sheath at his hip, glancing over his shoulder at the sudden call. the voice was familiar, one he recognized almost over all others, if for its informality over anything else. a small smirk lifted the corner of his lips, hooking one foot behind the other to spin himself where he stood. “ i do believe my daily obligations around the castle have been sated, yes. ” he brought his arms up, crossing them over the expanse of his chest, a dark brow quirking over dark eyes. “ anywhere in particular tickle your fancy ? ”

A belief versus reality was always going to be a battle, but then again, who was really going to tell a prince anything? Lucky bastard. “Perfect!” he cheered. Going out alone was fine, but then he could just be dragged back. Wanting to hang out with Cyrus was definitely high on his list, but having the other there would make it much harder for him to end up in trouble. Win-win, really. His eyes flicked to the sheath on the man’s hip, a curious shine lighting them before he focused on the other’s question. “There’s a new place that just opened on the east side of the market. Was thinking about checking it out.” Yes, he was the (partially) silent owner of about half. However, coming in as a customer was a good way to see how it was running. “You game?” 

Chenglei

The hunter’s eyes narrowed as the other asked his question. Yes he needed that - of course he did. Why else would he be out here hunting.

“That was a full three days of meals if I skinned it well! Another few handfuls of coins if I found the right place for the skin and fur…” He scowled, crossed his arms, held the arrow and bow in one hand. The other was clenched in a fist.

“Why did you think your boredom entitled you to scare it off?” His voice was low, conscious of what other creatures would still be around, even if this guys wasn’t.

Three meals, coins. Well damn that this was useful. Who knew? Whatever. There were lots of other deer. “So how long did it take to track that one down?” he asked, leaning on a tree. Perhaps he should have been more afraid of an angry man with a weapon, but his survival instinct had hit an all time low years ago and showed no signs of coming back.

“To be fair to me, I wasn’t actually trying to scare it, more a weird by product of my foot plus sticks. If it gets scared by me, then it must be a coward.”

Julien

His eyes narrowed, smirk widening. He liked the boy’s eagerness, but would it translate well to experience? He did wonder…

“Going where?” He asked. “You didn’t think I was inviting you to a bed, did you?” A chuckle fell from his lips, dirty - filthy. It lit his eyes, made him look kind for a bare moment - mischeivous. “No, I think that place - my place - is for my personal whores. I’m sure out here is just fine.” On the balcony, over looking the kingdom. Some would even call it a powertrip - to be put on display like that.

Yuhma shrugged. Bed, hallway, garden, it could be anywhere. As for himself, he wasn’t exactly picky about where it happened. Seeing the dirty look in the king’s eyes was certainly not a deterrent. The young noble was curious and excited to see what the man was thinking. It wasn’t like Yuhma had to save himself for anyone.

Khador. Well, this was different. Yuhma tended to stay around places he was familiar with...more or less. Having adventures was part of the fun and one of the few perks of being third in line. No one cared if he lived or died and neither did he. Being in the rebel country was dangerous. Killing a noble would be a good pass-time for the rebels. Or maybe he would be a hostage? Whatever.

He continued through the small town, searching for something or someone to help him have some fun. His landed on someone cute and his focus was instantly on him. Walking over, he brushed his hands up the man’s chest from behind. “Well damn, nice muscles. You’re making me jealous.”

Walking through the castle as how he tended to spend his time, even when there was actually something going on. The place he should be right now was the brothel on the north side. It was a lovely place and he actually had people he should be talking to. Sighing to himself, he stepped into the hallway and decided to thoroughly ignore whatever his father was doing. Oh! Now there was an idea. A wide, mischievous grin spread over his face as his eyes landed on Cyrus. “Prince!” he called, waving toward the other man. “This place is boring as balls. Let’s go do something better. You free?”

Open Starter: Everly Wolfsbane

@aeternuscentral​

She needed a new knife, one that would preferably not chip. Everly wasn’t even sure how this one had done so, but there she was, walking out of the local blacksmith’s after requesting a new one be made. At least she still had several others in the castle.

Now she had time to herself for awhile, the Queen having sent her away for a few hours as she attended to something private. Truly those instances were one of the select times that she wasn’t with Rhavenna. Walking past the shops, she stopped at one selling flowers and smiled, turning to the person next to her. “Do you have a favorite by chance?”

This really was a terrible place for him to be and yet he really didn’t care. His survival instinct had disappeared long ago and now he just wanted to do whatever he wanted for as long as he could. However, he had also set himself with some work at home and that meant he needed to stay alive.

Stopping by a flower stand to look at the various plants was a way to kill time before his next meeting. Thankfully, the more illicit areas of the continent were much less concerned about all that loyalty nonsense. Blinking, he looked over at the person who had spoken. “You mean me?” he asked, “Hm...probably something that makes fruit. These’ll do that right?” Yuhma knew he was being complete ridiculous, but that was the fun of it.