light in {PafP} the dark

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    JUMP AT YOUR OWN RISK


    Muse A was chosen from a young age to become the Dragon Knight, a knight trained to fight the most powerful beast and to be revered and celebrated throughout the kingdom. Conversely Muse B was chosen to become the Shadow, the most powerful and influential assassin in the court, in service only to the king and queen. During a brief skirmish of borders that fell dangerously close to the castle the two were relocated to a small mansion for one summer where they met for the first time. There they fell in love but were to young to understand the feeling, after that summer they were once again separated and continued their training in solitude.


    Now five years after their first meeting the both approach their coming of age (as they share a birthdate) and the royal family is excited to parade them about to every kingdom of the land. After an eventful training session where the prince came to watch and challenged him to a duel the next day Muse A goes to his tree to relax. There he finds Muse B asleep in the branches, equally exhausted from his own training. When the two realize each others titles and recognize them from a summer gone by they start to rekindle their relationship. But matters of the court, training, and special duties do their bet to keep them apart. It doesn't help that they aren't supposed to see each other ever unless strictly necessary. Light and dark aren't supposed to mix, but they are certainly know how to fall in love. Brief moments stolen at night, dawn, dusk, every minute they can spare they are together, they talk, adventure and watch sunset after sunset, yet happiness only lasts so long.





    william sterling


    ;; goes by sterling only
    ;; 17 years old
    ;; trained in most types of weapon and hand to hand combat
    ;; well liked in the court
    ;; open, friendly, not easily overwhelmed, enjoys other peoples presence
    ;; bloodthirsty, loves a challenge
    ;; favors sword and shield, two-handed or spear

    ☠ xavier carlisle.


    ☠ 17 years old.


    ☠ male.


    ☠ stands at 5'9 and is shorter and smaller than most. it helps with his speed and stealth.


    ☠ trained in things like stealth and swift killing.


    ☠ knows how to use bows, throwing blades and daggers. prefers daggers.


    ☠ reserved and quiet. doesn't speak much. strong mentally and physically.

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    The clash of metal was soothing to very little, to Sterling it was a sirens call. And like such beautiful songs it ended to fast, a clash, a grunt, another knight defeated. The knight had been forced to his knees and laughed as he was once again defeated by a man four years his youth, Sterling offered a hand for help but it was brushed away without ill intention. The man retreated to the friendly insults of his friends, Sterling wiped his brow and found he was drenched in sweat. He lazily unclipped his shoulder armor as well, leaving him with only his shirt and brown pants. The other knights got the hint and began to scatter, their chance to test their mettle against the Dragon Knight would be a different time.


    Sterling would have returned to his room except that he could see the crown prince beckoning from the side of the training field. He walked over, favoring his sore leg. "What can I do for you, Your Highness?" He asked giving a curt bow, the man smiled at him and waved away the formality.


    "I'll have to spar you another day it seems, I hope that you'll alert me next time, tomorrow perhaps?" Sterling could offer only a bored smile to the crown prince, "Of course I will Your Highness." The crown prince nodded and retreated back to the castle, leaving Sterl to be exhausted both mentally and physically. He decided it would be best if he retreated for the rest of the day, to the only place he could dub his own. It wasn't far from the castle grounds and his heavy steps had worn a light path that coupled with his knowledge made the tree easy to find. As he wandered he started to see an abnormality in the branches, HE approached cautiously hand going to the hilt of his sword.


    As the tree grew larger he noticed the features of the sleeping figure, it was a person. He couldn't see their face as they slept high above but he carefully cleared his throat in hopes to garner their attention. When that didn't work he gave the trunk a hard knock and called out. "who might you be?"

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    Xavier awoke early that morning, as always. He began training right away, using real people but fake blades. He felt best when he got to train on real people, it gave him a feel of something more real. It excited him, though blood was never spilled. Using real people allowed him to train his speed, stealth and noise control to the max. He didn't just work on those, he favored his combat training he also did.


    There are times where an assassin might be forced to do close combat, so of course, he was trained in that area as well. he knew how to use a sword without a shield, something more dangerous than what your typical knight would normally experience. He knew when and where to strike, and how to dodge efficiently. He was well rounded in all aspects, as he had to be. He was the perfect assassin, he was the Shadow.


    Of course, waking up and training hard right away would make anyone tired. He began before dawn and would stop mid-morning. He was then allowed to eat something and do anything he needed to do until he began training more, or he would study things like geography, languages and how to read and write. He enjoyed learning different languages, it helped him figure out what foreigners were saying, and he could tell the higher ups if they had any bad plans. He worked behind the scenes and is a secret to most. He often will wear disguises around the castle, no one knowing his real identity.


    Today, he decided to grab a bite to eat before making his way a bit away from the castle grounds. He made his way to a large tree before swiftly climbing up it and laying in the branches. He gave a small yawn and closed his eyes, drifting into sleep. It wasn't longer after that a loud voice awoke him. He opened his eyes, peering down at the figure below him. He gave a small sigh before sitting up and looking down at the man at the base of the trunk.


    [color=#D3D3D3]"Who am I? Well, I am me. Is that what you wanted to know as you rudely awakened me?"

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    Sterling smiled at the mans unusual answer, "surely your not just yourself, no name or title befitting to you?" He questioned the man with a jovial lit, reaching up and grabbing the lowest branch before hauling himself up. Now with a clearer view of the other man he leaned against the trunk of the tree, tilting his head up to see the man clearly. It was odd that upon seeing the other's face he felt a spark of familiarity. He hid his confusion and instead continued to climb. When he had reached a branch almost the same height as the other's he sat on it carefully, not a fan of heights or cautious balance.


    He studied the man from head to toe, noting that, while muscled, he was lithe instead of built like most common knights. He seemed to different to be a servant, to confident a lesser noble, and not confident enough to be a higher noble. And if he had been any who had stayed at the court before Sterling would have known them.


    He spent most of his time training, either with his trainers or the other knights, but at times the king would have home attend court functions. His friendship with the crown prince meant that getting single name wrong would be disgraceful for the both so he spent many evenings studying the social graces of the court. He maintained a clean character image and participated in court at a surface level only, choosing to completely ignore the other side.


    Plus he had someone he trusted running that end... he jerked his head up again and looked at the other's eyes, staring for longer then would be comfortable. It was impossible, he assured himself, completely impossible.

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    Xavier gave a small hum in response to the other, laying back in his spot. He closed his eyes again, looking unamused. he felt the other climb higher into the tree, knowing he was getting closer to him. In a swift movement, he drew a concealed dagger from his boot, opening one eye to peek at him. He tilted the blade, allowing the bright sun to shine off of it and into the eye of the stranger.


    "And for whom am I giving my name or title too, hmm? A little knight boy?" He said, a smirk growing on his face. He would never give his real name away, as he was just a shadow that lurked around. It was rare for anyone besides the king and council to see him not in disguise. He was his real self to this man, and it unnerved him a bit. He never really was Xavier Carlisle, not since he was young. He shed his true self for the lives of many others, to continue his secrecy and to hide among everyone else.


    "You may call me..." His sentence drifted off as his grasped for a name. He gazed around for something until his eyes spotted a small and thorny bush on the edge of the forest line. He stabbed his blade into part of the tree branch he was on before turning his face to the other and offering a smile. [color=#D3D3D3]"Briar. Call me Briar. And what might your identity be, little knight?"

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    "I'm hardly little, not compared to you at least," he shot back. The dagger caught his eye, he had confidence that he could take the man down in hand-to-hand if they were on the ground, in a tree he was at a disadvantage. "You'd be telling you title to a grand knight, very skilled highly respected, other might jump to at the chance for him to know there names." He spoke with a faked arrogance, joking, and waited as the man answered the original question, eyes darting past him for a moment and then back.


    He gave an unimpressed look when the man stabbed the tree, "the poor thing couldn't even fight back, Brair." He let the word roll of his tongue, unfamiliar to him as a name. "I am William Sterling." He didn't identify himself as the Dragon Knight, most new him as Sterling, it was a common first name, few knew him as William. So if he introduced himself with both names many figured he wasn't the Dragon Knight, others did still though. It was a good way to test someone position in a court.


    He looked at the sky, he could see it was nearing dinner time in the castle. He found himself attracted to the others presence, it felt strangely comfortable. He steadied himself on the branch, "how did you manage to fall asleep up here? I couldn't." He moved a little closer to the trunk and leaned against it. "It is a nice place though, peaceful..." He trailed off, his tree certainly was the best.

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    Xavier chuckled, removing the blade from the tree, He gave it a small spin in his hand before putting it back into its position in his boot. He wasn't impressed by the other's presentation, his fake was seeping through his speech like water through paper. He tilted his head, pretending to be interested. He pursed his lips, narrowing his eyes as he watched the other.


    "Oh, so bold you are, little Dragon Knight." He said, a smirk growing on his face. He was already well aware of who the stranger, who wasn't much of a stranger, was. Xavier never forgot a face, and would definitely remember this person. It took him a bit to remember, but he soon remembered as the other spoke to him more. He could never forget that sweet voice, which was more deep and smooth than he remembered it to be in the past. He liked it more than he used to, he had to admit it to himself.


    "I am one with the land, more so than you are, sir William Sterling. Your training allowed you to know how to control your strength and use brute force. I am just as lethal, yet I come when it is not expected. A secret to all. I am swift and sneaky like a snake," He continued, snatching a small and thin branch from the tree. [color=#D3D3D3] "But as quick and deadly as a lethal poison." He snapped the small branch in his hand, turning his gaze back to the other.[color=#D3D3D3] "I am but a shadow in this world. Do you understand now, little knight?"

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    Sterling listened as the other continued on with his riddle, it slowly started to make sense to him and by the time the other man had finished he was eager to call out to him. "Shadow? Then if I remember correctly your names isn't Brair but Xavier. Tell me it is so?" He asked and moved slightly closer memories of the past playing into his mind.


    They had met a long time ago and trained beside each other when another army threatened the border. They had been friends, close to more then friends but to young to truly be more. He hadn't forgotten the other but the five years of separation had allowed them both to change and develop, Xavier wasn't as he remembered, as surely he wasn't either. "Do you remember that time as well?" He couldn't help but ask, hoping he hadn't made a fool of himself because the Shadow new who he was by passing not by his memories of that wonderful summer.

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    Xavier watched the other inch closer as he finally revealed the secret that slid from his tongue. He was secretly a bit surprised the other had remembered him, as he has changed quite a bit. He was glad the other had remembered. He had been without anyone to be close to in a long time, and he felt nice to have it again. He knew they'd still be training, as well as doing their duties, but they'd at least be able to sneak out every once in a while to see each other. Xavier tilted his head down, a smile growing on his face.


    "I'm surprised you remember it. I am not Xavier to anyone anymore... No one but you." He replied, returning his gaze to the other. They were close now, he could feel his clothed arm brush against the skin of the other.


    "Of course I remember. How could I forget the happiest time in my life?" He said with a small snort. He wasn't lying, the time he spent with Sterling was the best of all his time. Everything now is draining, he was a pawn. He was jealous of Sterling, really. Everyone knew of him and his skill, they all wanted to be him. Xavier was a secret, and no one wanted to take his place. Xavier took a brave move, moving his head to rest on top of the other's shoulder. [color=#D3D3D3] "You're lucky, you know. You're strong, handsome, admired... Everyone loves you and aspires to be you." He spoke quietly, biting his bottom lip.[color=#D3D3D3] "I do wish to be you so, my little knight."

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    He felt silly that the simplest touch made him feel butterflies. Like a maiden on her first visit to court he was giddy to see the man again, no matter how foolish it felt to be. He leaned into the other touch. "You might not be well known Xaiver but you are certainly more handsome and perfect then me. Although I am pretty great aren't I?" He joked. "All this time and I never thought I would see you again. This feels like a dream. A very unexpected dream that I forgot I needed so badly."


    He took his chance and cupped the man face. Hesitantly he leaned in for a kiss but just before their lips touched. Clang! An alarm bell sounded from the castle. Sterling yelped in fright and half fell from his place in the tree. He grabbed for the branch and caught both a small branch and Xavier's arm. He took a shaky breath before he burst out laughing. He used his grip on the others arm to steady himself and get back up on the branch. The alarm bell was still ringing in the distance and Sterling knew he would need to return to the castle soon. The Shadow would have to as well he figured. "I wonder what that is about?"


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    Xavier hummed a bit as he listened to the other. He could tell the other liked him as much as Xavier liked the other. He felt jittery and excited, something he wasn't quite used to. He felt the other lean into his touch, which caused him to smile a bit wider. He quietly slid his hand over the others, giving it a small squeeze.


    "Yeah, you're pretty great. Perfect, almost." The smaller male said, turning his gaze back to the other. The way Sterling spoke about him made him feel warm and safe. This was something he hadn't felt since that summer many years ago. He wanted it to stay like this forever, he didn't want to lose him again. As Sterling cupped his face, Xavier closed his eyes and waited for the contact he desired. The loud clang caused him to quickly open his eyes. He quickly grabbed onto Sterling's arm as he slipped off the branch they were on so he wouldn't fall off completely. He gave a small laugh as he helped him back up to his place next to him.


    "Something important, I'd assume. We should get back, they're probably looking for us." Xavier replied as he stared back at the castle in the distance. He then gave the other a small peck on his lips before stepping back on the branch a bit. [color=#D3D3D3] "Meet me here at midnight. Don't disappoint me, Dragon Knight." He said with a wink before leaping off the tree and taking off into the forest. Xavier knew a fast shortcut to the castle, and he wasn't supposed to walk the normal ways anyways.


    ooc;; you're fine! and i like that idea! maybe one of them could actually be kidnapped and the other has to save them as well??

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    Sterling frowned as the other left and followed helplessly as the other climbed down the tree. Xavier was so agile and Sterling was still a little nervous from his half fall. He was only halfway down when the other was vanishing from sight deeper into the woods. He sighed, "I'm probably foolish to say I never want to wash my lips again," he spoke to his tree, "midnight huh? I'm not sure I can even wait the long." The tree told him he was definitely being foolish and he laughed aloud. Soon he had clambered down the rest of the way down the tree and made his way to the castle.


    The castle was still astir when he arrived and he was immediately pulled aside by his fellow knights and directed towards his knight captain from there directed to a private room. The alarms stopped ringing and the he could hear knights rushing about calming the servants. A man he din't recognize beckoned him forward and handed him a letter, he whispered into Sterling's ear as he left, "a servant was killed in warning. This is serious."


    He quickly opened the letter, brushing away the blank seal and reading the thin light writing. 'This is a warning for the Knight and the Shadow, we will no longer accept you and your false prophecies. We will come on day, on which we shall leave you in suspense, and we will take one of you. We will thrust you in front of the masses and spill your blood in proof that you are human and you die as human. You will have found the warning, do not doubt us, this is a plan generations in the making.'


    Sterling tossed the letter aside and angrily he started to draw his sword, he put it away, he drew it again and lay his thumb on the blade. He was worried for Xavier but the letter said they would return another day. He wondered if the other had received a similar letter. He wanted to go and see him but knew it wasn't aloud, instead he picked up the letter off the ground and marched his way to the council, this would need to be discussed. He glanced at the sun in the sky and made a short prayer for it to have a quick descent. Midnight would never come soon enough.


    //That sounds good too, who would it be though? Maybe Xavier cause Sterling could probably storm in and beat up everyone and be that white knight but I don't care if it's Sterling who gets taken, it would totally damage his pride if he has to be saved haha

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    [color=#ffffff]Xavier quickly made his way through the woods, every stick or branch out of place embedded in the map on his brain. He knew the woods top to bottom like the back of his hand from training. He knew every place in the kingdom, and at least 3 ways to get to each. He had to know this to be able to get in and out of places quick, especially if he was in trouble. He had many secret camps outside of the kingdom if he needed to escape.


    Xavier slid into the castle through a secret doorway, making sure he wasn't seen by anyone. This lead directly to the large room he had been staying in for the past few years that was full of different outfits and his different disguises, as well as his bed and such. Xavier quickly disrobed before putting on a simple attire he used to get in his position as Arthur the servant boy. He wore a wig and a hat to make sure he looked much different than his normal self and rubbed a bit of dirt on himself for extra protection. The only people who knew of his different characters he plays as were the high council and the king.


    He quietly slid out of the room and made his way down the hall, waiting for someone to come to him to speak about whatever was going on. He entered the servant's quarters and immediately noticed many knights trying to calm down many of the servants. He assumed something had happened to the servants, and stayed at the edge of the room. The same man who spoke to Sterling then came to Xavier, repeating his words and handing him a letter. Xavier quickly opened the letter and read it, showing no emotion on his face.


    So, it seemed someone was after him and Sterling. He was a bit shocked, as no one but the high council and the king even knew about the two. Who spoke of the royal secrets? There was a traitor among them, and Xavier became nervous. He gave a small sign before folding the letter up and placing it in his back pocket. The raven haired boy assumed Sterling had gotten the same message and was probably not very happy. There would most likely be a meeting between the high council and he would be called, he might be able to see Sterling earlier. He pushed those thoughts away for now as he decided to stay put here until then. Xavier then made his way to a group of servants and began to help comfort them as he quietly wished for midnight to come sooner.


    ooc;; i think xavier would probably be the one kidnapped. sterling would probably be harder to grab since he is always out in the open, but someone snatching xavier wouldn't be noticed immediately since he's basically a secret.