Thistle and Weeds (private for Olive and Karma)

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    The night had been spent in a blur of beautiful room as Valorie's restless legs paced around the room, occasionally glancing at the dark indigo sky as the moon slowly descended and made way for the coming morning sun. She hadn't gotten any sleep, but she was far from tired, her mind still whirring with information and plans. Having retired to her room the previous night, after a rather tense dinner with the King and Council, she had sat down to process ll she had seen, which wasn't what she had really expected upon her arrival there. Years and years she had prepared for this assignment, learning every bit of history, politics, etiquette so she would always be 5 steps ahead of the royals, yet... The king had baffled her. She had known he was no where fit for rule, but his actions, the way that woman had been put away, all for nothing important... It only served to solidify her resolve. The Royal family needed to be removed from their reign of unfit power and order restored to a country who so badly needed it.


    Sighing, the young woman ran her fingers through her hair, glancing up and out of the window, smiling slightly as she saw the sun beginning to peak over the land, painting it gold, and, just for a moment, Valorie could almost imagine that all was well, her kingdom flourishing, children and adults alike happy and full, none left for wanting. Yet, as the sun rose, it unveiled the truth, as a scene of dry and desolate landscape met her wistful gaze, and a sigh escaped her breast. She had a job to do, and the sooner it was done, the better off everyone would be.


    Slowly she stood from the perch she had taken on the arm of an overstuffed couch of sorts and started unlacing the front of her billowy nightgown, her mind a million miles away, trying to figure out how she was to get close to William without raising alarm, at first he hadn't seemed like that hard of a shell to crack, but she had learned never to underestimate her opponents. This was to be a chess game of lethal proportions and she had not missed the glint of intelligence in the prince's eyes. No, he didn't know about the battle he had stepped into, but he was going to be a formidable adversary. Little did the prince know that Valorie could play chess like an old master.


    At the sound of the soft voice, she started, ocean eyes flying wide, and then shook her head. "Oh, yes." She returned the call, her voice a mirror of the servant girl's, as femininity was less assuming, and she didn't want any one thinking she held secrets. "Do come in."

    [size=36pt][shadow=white,left][glow=white,2,300] .Őℓιvє.[/glow][/shadow][/size]
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    I have nothing to write atm

    Cassy slowly pushed open the rather large and heavy door at the sound of Jade's voice. Cassy was pale and rather petite. She weighed no more then 100 pounds, her form was thin but not sickly. Just..small. Her eyes were as blue as the sky and her hair was a natural golden blonde. Her lips were almost a perfect heart shape except for her bottom lip being a bit too big. Her nose was small and pointy. Her hands almost shook as she entered the room and almost silently shut the door behind her. Giving a kind smile and a slight bow to Jade. Her hair was braided and then pinned up into a bun. The back of her head looking like a rose bud. Little folds tied into it. Bits of golden hair fell into her face giving her the look of innocence. "Good Morning Lady Jade." She walked over to the closet and opened it. Pulling a few towels from it. "Bath?" She asked with an even kinder smile. Her fathers words speaking into her head. "Kill them with kindness. You will never get in trouble as long as you are kind." She spoke those words to herself 24/7 refusing to get punished for something so silly as being rude or unwelcoming.


    Cassy finally pushed herself out of her own mind, snapping her day dream. She didn't want to miss anything Jade said. She didn't want to screw up in any way. She finally looked at Jade. Scanning her up and down. The Lady was beautiful but not in a stunning way. In a warm and friendly way. Like a older sister or a best friend would be. Graceful, a rare beauty. Her strawberry red hair was a subtle and nice change. Everything about her was soothing except for her eyes. They were as dark and stormy as the sea. Her eyes being the only thing that made you not want to get to close. the eyes of a predator it seemed. Someone with a cold or sad past. Cassy's mind wen't wild once again, thinking about the women's past and history. Imagining what life she had lead. Cassy daydreamed a lot. It was the only way for her to stay sane in this place. Her imagination was all she really had that was all and only hers.

    OOC Since there's no one to interact with yet, I'm just going to have my characters start arguing for fun *giggles*


    IC Since only a fair few of the councilmen were present and Lady Jade was yet to arrive, the meal was not yet served, however, the servants brought out simple refreshments for Will and the council, the servants marching out in a robotic line and placing goblets and pitchers in front of each guest, all filled to the brim with various milks and juices. There were also pots and mugs filled with steaming coffee and various herbal, green, and black teas from all corners of the kingdom.
    It was an excess of drinks that couldn't even be consumed by the entire village in one sitting, never mind a prince, a lady and sixteen advisers. However, due to the presence of the council and the lady in the castle, the servants had made too much just for show, on orders of the King. This was unknown by Will, for at that moment, much to the surprise of everyone in the room, the King burst into the dining hall and walked, quite calmly to his seat. The five or six people seated there leapt to their feet as was the requirement when someone of the royal family entered the room. The king sat down, but everyone else kept standing, until he looked at them quizically and said, "Well those seats aren't going to drag you down." The people in the room chuckled warily before sinking into their seats. The King was in the seat to Will's left, at the head of the table, and so Will turned and greeted his father.
    "Good to see you out this morning, father." Someone kill me now. Will had no clue how ironic his side-thought truly was.
    "Good morning, Will." Nero said with a tiny smile as he waved a servant over to pour him a glass of black tea with a good serving of honey stirred in. The King's tone was pleasant, almost fond, and it was all Will could do to keep from letting his eyebrows shoot up in suspicion. He took up a light conversation with Nero, telling him carefully about the progress of the battleschool cadets and speaking of the condition of the stables. He stayed away from talk about the state of the kingdom, the councilmen, or his father's behavior. Surprisingly, the King sat there and listened, nodding every so often and making a general comment here and there. The rest of the councilmen trickled in during this time, each were quite surprised over the King's presence, but stood until he bid them sit.
    Ronald was the last councilman to enter the room as he had left before the King had arrived and then returned to the dining room for the meal. He nearly squawked like a parrot when he spotted the King, but quickly regained his composure... almost. He looked flustered as he smoothed out his clothes and hair, shaking ever so slightly as he addressed the King.
    "Y-your Majesty." He stuttered, bowing so swiftly and so low that he nearly toppled over.
    "Councilman Ronald Baker." The King nodded to him. "Welcome, and please sit." Ronald staggered to his chair, and nearly missed the seat if the servant hadn't moved the chair just in time to catch him. Will smirked at the councilman. Not so high and mighty now, was he.
    "I do believe your hair is sticking up today, Ronald." Will mimicked the tone Ronald had used with him earlier that morning.
    "I do apologize for my unruliness, Sire." He was addressing Will, and he couldn't believe it. He laughed in his head, only letting a twitch of his lips give away his amusement. This was all too good. Ronald turned to the King. "And for my lack of punctuality. It is most unprofessional of me. I promise to be more immaculate in the future."
    The King shot him a look, the first sign of provocation that entire morning, and Ronald fell silent, staring at his napkin.
    "Let us await the arrival of Lady Jade, and then the meal will be served." The King announced. The servants stepped back against the wall, and the air grew in deafening silence. No one spoke, as each person was thinking the same thing: when would the King crack this time...? And who would be unfortunate enough to be in his way?

    (Thank you missy, I tried posting a reply yesterday but the site went weird on me and didn't go through for some reason xP but I'll get the post rewritten)

    [size=36pt][shadow=white,left][glow=white,2,300] .Őℓιvє.[/glow][/shadow][/size]
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    OOC grrr you got my hopes up, Karma :P

    Valorie turned away from the window, which showed the sun quickly rising into the sky, an unneeded reminder that time was passing her by as she stood here and spoke to the woman before her. She kindly shook her head at the proposal of a bath, she had taken one last night, and she had never been one for morning bathing any how. It was a waste of daylight. “Oh, no, there’s no need. Besides, I’m already late for breaking my fast as it is. I’m fairly certain I’m keeping very important men waiting down there.” She let out a soft laugh as was dictated by her role, but she felt no humor in her words. Ocean eyes studied the servant girl before her, from her dreamy doe like eyes to her softly curling fingers which she kept in front of her as she awaited her cue to help the “lady”. ‘If only you knew…’ Valorie thought, and then shook it off, pressing two fingers to her temple, feigning light-headedness. “The sooner I am able to eat the better!” She exclaimed, another smile gracing her face.
    She looked around the room slowly and made a small noise of confusion as she didn’t see any of her usual woolen clothing. After a split second she remembered why this was so. ‘All of your clothes were burned dim-wit. You’ll have to do with gowns.’ She reminded herself, briefly recalling sitting in front of the fireplace last night, watching as the flames ate away at the trousers and drab shirt she had started out the journey with. She couldn’t be caught with clothing such as that, it would raise suspicion.
    She looked at the maidservant, a small blush creeping across her cheeks. “Could you perhaps pick out a gown for me today? And then go down to the dining room to apologize for my tardiness? I’d hate to keep them waiting…” The frown that appeared was well rehearsed and she hoped that the beauty would do as she asked and not insist on helping her dress. She couldn’t have that, no not at all. ‘That’s just what I need, someone in the castle knowing the Lady Jade wears two blades against her thighs!’

    After several minutes of waiting in silence, Will turned to his father.
    "Excuse me, sir?" He asked formally. Nero turned his head slightly with a pleasant expression and raised his eyebrows inquisitively.
    "Go on, son." Will tried his best not to laugh at his father's term of endearment. If Nero was acting nice, either hell was about to come, or the world was ending. Nero had occasionally gone through periods of normalcy in the past, but they were short-lived, and ended in a relapse twice as bad as before.
    "Perhaps the lady isn't feeling well to have traveled so far." He said in a reasonable tone, projecting it out to the councilmen so they'd understand. "It would be rude for us to let her flounder around in her room if she isn't feeling well or is tired. I was wondering if I might go check on her myself, just to let her know that we care." Nero waved a hand at him.
    "Oh, do what you want." He said in an uncaring tone. "I wouldn't have much concern if I were you, but if you wish to check in on her, I won't stop you." Will nodded, pushing back his chair and whispering something to Charles before nodding to the others and striding out of the room.
    He took the back stairs to get to the tower in which Lady Jade's quarters were situated, passing several wary servants on the way. Each one of them curtsied to him, but none spoke to say anything more than, 'Your Highness'.
    When he reached Lady Jade's quarters, he adjusted the collar of his light blue shirt before knocking firmly on the door twice.

    Cassy was about to speak when she heard the knock from behind her. With a kind smile she sat down the towels back into the closet. Closed it then walked over to the door. Glancing at Lady Jade. "Are you suitable for guests?" She asked, not wanting to just open the door if Jade wasn't ready to see anyone. After all Cassy was just a slave girl. If she made one bad mistake it could be her job or even her life. Neither of which did she wish to lose. She didn't want to keep whoever was outside the door waiting so with a awkward and gentle smile. She turned the door nob. "I will see who it is M'lady and you tell them if they are welcome in." She then opened the door just small enough for her to poke her slender head through. She nearly squeaked as she saw the prince himself on the other side of the door. Then bowed immediately. "My Lord, the Lady Jade is not presentable yet." She then glanced over her shoulder to look at Jade. "It is The Prince Sir William." She informed her. Not exactly sure what to do in this awkward situation.

    Ooc: I'm so sorry it's short! D:


    Her head snapped up as she heard the Prince's name and snuck a look in the mirror, making sure her hair still laid flat upon her head and no indecency was shown. Well, this should be interesting. What time was it? Eight o clock? She might be a little late for breakfast, but it didn't make sense for the prince to be visiting her for a simple case of tardiness.Valorie glanced around the room briefly, almost as if to make sure nothing suspicious was lying around, although she was far too careful for that. The room looked no less than that of a woman of her disguised station. When she considered all well, she nodded to the maidservant, telling her silently that Will was allowed to enter.

    Will sighed lightly as he waited for a response from behind the closed door. When the door finally swung open to admit him, he pasted on a polite smile and nodded to Cassy as he stepped past her. Giving the lady a small bow, he motioned vaguely at the room. “I wanted to check up on you and make sure you are feeling well after your travels and that your room is to your liking.” The room was one that the palace often used for guests of high rank. It was made up of several connecting rooms, including the current sitting room, in order to give the guest space. With a fireplace in each room, the suite was sure to stay warm, even if it got cold outside during the night. Will wondered if the room was overwhelming to her, as it was in one of the most ornately decorated parts of the palace, but since she was from noble background, he was sure this was all out-dated fashion to her. “I see you've been introduced to Cassy.” He gave the shy maidservant a tiny wink. “Her father's my butler, Charles. You're sure to be in good hands.”

    Cassy actually blushed at the comment and smiled at William before glancing at the ground. "You are too kind.." She then ran her hand down the front of her dress to smooth out any wrinkles. "Excuse me but I am to go get the lady her clothes." She then bowed to them both. Lifting her skirts slightly as she did so. "I will return shortly My lady. Your Majesty." She tilted her head at the Prince, showing respect before smiling innocently and then disappearing from the room. Shutting the door behind her. Then hurrying off to where she could get the Lady Jade's gowns.