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View Full Version : Princes Masquerade(Closed to Nkana)



Prince Vlad
05-24-06, 10:25 PM
Clouds filled the sky as far as the eye could see. Rain could be seen off in the distance, though it had not yet reached the town or the mansion that sat atop the hill. The skeleton of a wall could be seen around the mansion, but no one worked on it this early in the morning. With the rain coming towards the mansion, work would not resume for some time.

The mansion had been taken from the lord of the town and was being transformed into a fortress, a staging ground that would be used to take and control the surrounding lands. Whether peacefully or by force, the mansions new Lord would stop at nothing to regain the power he once held.

The sun had not yet risen but Vladmir Mirceas had been awake for many hours. He stood by a window staring out at the town and the courtyard both of which were empty except for a few gaurds on patrol. He turned from the window and stared at the room for a moment. This had been the mayors master suite. Plush red carpet covered the floor except in two spots and disappeared under the two massive maple doors that seperated the sitting room from the bedroom. Two marble fireplaces tall enough for a small man to walk into sat on either end of the room. They were more than enough to keep the room warm even on the coldest of nights, and here in the north it got real cold, yet no fire burned in them. The only two furnishings in the room were a monstrous four poster bed, covered with red satin sheets and four pillows, and an armoire made of maple. Vlad rarely used the armoire, since he had a walk in closet just down the hall where he kept most of his clothes, and of late he used the bed even less. He crossed the room and pushed the doors open.

The sitting room was covered with the same carpet except where the lone marble firplace sat on one side of the room. A fire burned there, obviously started by some maid. They never slept from what he could see, always bustling about on one errand or another at any hour, yet he barely paid them any mind. Two tables with four chairs apiece sat in the corners and one long bookcase filled a wall. The doors leading into the hall were maple as well, yet these were larger and carved with scenes of long forgotten battles.

Vlad thought about dressing before leaving the room, but he doubted anyone was awake. He left the room in just his pants, though when his foot fell on the cold stone in the hall he thought about at least putting on some shoes. Instead he shut the doors and hurried to the room down the hall. This had once been the lady of the mansions room. Now it belonged to the only person he loved, Nkana LaSair, a girl he had saved from villagers more than a year ago. Two gaurds stood at the doors. They came to attention as Vlad approached and saluted, pressing their left fist to their chest. Even in the dimly lit corridor, they could make out their Lord.

Vlad was 6'3" and 200 pounds of pure muscle. His most notable features were his long white hair, white eyes, and "tattoed" body. The black marks were script long forgotten by man that had been scorched onto his body when he fought a demon so long ago.

"Is she awake?"

"Not to my knowledge, my Lord, but her maid entered a little while ago."

Vlad nodded and pushed the doors to her sitting room open. The carpet here was white and as plush as his own. It was furnished almost exactly as his, though flowers added a softer touch to the room. No one was here, though a fire was blazing. Kelley, Nkanas personal maid, must have started it to take the chill from the room. The doors to the bedroom were closed but he could see the light from the fires flickering in her bedroom as well. Kelley cared more for Nkana than she did herself.

"Have the maids get breakfast ready for four and bring it here. Also have Gahreman come."

"Yes, M'Lord."

Gahreman was husband to Kelley and Vlads personal gaurd. Both had found him after he had lost his former state and followed him as if he were still their Prince.

Vlad took a book from the shelf and sat in a chair as far from the fireplace as he could. He thumbed through the pages without reading any of them.

N'Kana-LaSair
06-08-06, 01:44 PM
Kelley sat down on the corner of Nkana's bed, using the down time to brush her hair and relax. The beautiful servant had been up since early that morning, to both spend time with her beloved Gahreman and complete her morning duties without the breakfast rush to dodge.

She recalled the conversation she had with Nkana late last night. It was the first time she had gone in depth with her about her past, and the sisters she had such a close relationship with before they were torn apart. Most of the stories she was told were extremely violent, specifically the various ways they had been attacked, but the closeness the sisters felt afterward was something she envied.

Nkana slowly woke just as Kelley set her hairbrush down. The would-be princess sat herself up gently and looked up at her friend. Kelley smiled brightly, and put her hands on Nkana's shoulders.

"Morning!"

NKana blinked, then actually returned the smile.

"How are you feeling this morning...Nkana?" Kelly quickly corrected herself before calling her princess. She had learned by then that it only made her feel uncomfortable.

"I'm doing okay," NKana replied in her normally quiet voice. "Where is Vlad?"

"Men, never around when you want them, huh? I believe our Prince is still in his room, being a prince. As far as Gahreman goes, maybe sneaking a snack from the kitchen."

The LaSair paused, then the smile she had on her face faded. "How do you stay so strong all the time? You've been through so much lately. How can you keep making jokes?"

"Thats an easy one to answer. I was told this over and over as a child. If there is nothing but darkness around you, then you're smile will provide enough light. Or was it, your smile can light up the room in the midst of darkness. You know, it sounded a lot better when they said it, I just butchered it. The point is you have to actively make your own happiness. Whether or not the famed LaSair curse is true is not always the issue. It is what Ms. soon to be princess Nkana LaSair does with her life."

"I still want to find my sisters. If I could be near them again, it would mean the world to me."

"Then the Prince is putting you in a good position to find them again. Lets talk about something else, shall we? Like what you want for breakfast."

"I dont..."

"You deserve them just as much as anyone Nkana."

"But..."

"Your prince would be insulted if you start refusing it again."

"You are beginning to know me a little too well." Nkana swung her feet over to the side of the bed and got to her feet without any hesitation. She took Kelley's brush and started to brush her own hair. Her actions were still slow, but a certain look in her eyes told Kelley that she was beginning to look forward to each new day instead of fearing it.

Her grip on the hairbrush lessened and she accidently dropped it. The sound of the brush hitting the ground made her jump. She froze, staring at it intensely.

"Nkana," Kelley sounded worried. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Fine, I'm fine. Can I have something to eat, please?"

"Certaintly. I believe he's awake now. As far as I've been told breakfast should be here in a matter of minutes. Slip on your robe, that should be good enough, and I'll lead you over there. "I'm starving Nkana. Hurry it up so we can eat!" Instead of waiting for her Kelley headed out, forcing Nkana to put on her own robe and follow.

Prince Vlad
06-15-06, 11:45 PM
Vlad lowered the book and sat it in his lap as he heard the faint sound of voices from the bedroom. He could not make out what they were saying, but they were two different voices, Nkana was awake. The fire crackled on the other side of the room and footsteps could be heard on the marble tiles in the hall. Both served to drown out the voices which was fine with him since he did not want to spy on them, he was not sure they knew he was there. The footsteps got closer and he could tell there were many of them. Breakfast.

A knock came at the door and Vlad told them to enter. The servants entered the room with a table and chairs followed by the food and drink. The table was set in the middle of the room and the food set atop it. Fruits and vegetables made up the majority of the meal. Ham was sliced and set in the middle along with bacon, but those were the only meats this morning. Vlad inhaled the scents and enjoyed every bit of it. The wine was poured into two glasses then the pitcher sat on a table next to the main one. Vlad could smell the spices emmanating from the pitcher. A thin grin creased his lips.

The door on the opposite side of the room opened and Kelley came hurrying into the room. She was dressed in clothes that seemed to have no wrinkles as though she had just donned them, though he was sure she had been awake for some time. He did not know how women kept their appearance so neat, his clothes were already a bit wrinkled from just sitting in a chair. All thoughts of clothes disappeared as Nkana's petite frame entered the doorway. His grin turned into a full smile. She was wearing a robe and still tieing the belt as she came into the sitting room. Vlad let the book fall to the floor as he stood and croosed the room to meet her.

Her hair felt soft as he combed his fingers through it. He put one hand in the small of her back and pulled her to him. He kissed her head as the smell of her soap filled his nose. He escorted her to her seat and pulled it out as she sat. He then pulled a chair next to hers and sat. It was customary to sit opposite, but this morning he did not want her that far from him.

"I trust you slept well, my Princess?"

The room emptied out except for one small girl who stood in a corner. She had been chosen to stay and fill glasses or do any other task that might be needed. Vlad paid no attention to her. He had eyes for just one person.

N'Kana-LaSair
07-05-06, 08:02 PM
a/n: Sorry for the short post, will make the next one better.

Nkana, shy now that she was around Vlad, took her seat and watched Kelley leave the room. Her eyes then traveled to the serving girl standing in the corner. She had seen her around before, but the fact that she was just standing there puzzled her. Once realizing that she was staring at her and not her own companion, she corrected herself quickly and focused her attention on him.

"I'm sorry I'm late," Nkana whispered, not sure if she were late or not but wanting to be careful. "I won't do it again." The strong, rich smells from the food on the table did make her hungry, but decided to wait on him to make the first move in enjoying the meal.

The place where she usually kept her hands was folded neatly in her lap. Kelley told her before it was the most lady like thing to do, and it did seem humble to her, so it was beginning to come second nature. She concentrated on breathing in and out slowly, her attention on how easy it was to breathe this morning. It almost didn't seem right, part of her actually missed the pain and suffering that she was accustomed to. Nkana still feared the moment she forgot who she really was, would be the moment that Vlad, Kelley, and all of those she had come to care for would disappear forever.

The corner of her eye kept moving toward the serving girl in the corner. Her heart started pounding, and her calm breathing left her. She could feel a tightness in her chest, and she clutched her chest in a failed attempt to calm herself. She felt dizzy, and began to wonder whether her inner plea for the fate she rightly deserved would do her in at that very moment. Those familiar tears flooded her eyes. Breathing became more and more difficult. Her mind flashed back to when she was a child, when her breathing troubles were much more frequent. Her mind raced: What would her sister Vanity do to get her to breath again? Even bent over frightened, the would-be princess saw the serving girl slowly approach her.

Looking at her, this all happened when I looked at her. But why?