The peace that formerly reigned in Terra Nova has eroded, now little more than a memory. War ravages the continent. Disputes divide kingdoms; ideals divide families. The quest for power consumes absolutely and indiscriminately. None are immune to its allure.
Who will rise and who will fall? Only time—and ambition—will tell.
UPDATES
05.26.2023
2 month character creation hold for all existing members begins 6/5/2023. Ended 8/5/2023.
10.29.2023
Change in how times flows. Was 4 IC seasons, now only 2 IC seasons per 1 OOC year.
5 whole years of Heir Apparent goodness! When I started the site, I knew I was hunkering down for the long haul, but I never could have predicted the numerous twists and turns this roleplay site has seen. Hundreds of plots, characters, and members have come and gone, all leaving marks on the site. I am so very thankful for those who have invested. Because you keep coming back, keep getting on, and keep writing, Heir Apparent has the legacy it does today. Three cheers to us!
Post by Octavius Wulfbrand on Sept 19, 2022 13:36:50 GMT -5
Octavius smiled when she laughed, flooded with relief that she wasn’t going to hold it against him. He wouldn’t have blamed her if she had.
Falling back into step, recovering on multiple levels, Octavius reached out a fist to gently tap her arm, an affectionate punch.
“Not easier for me.” He said it with a healthy dose of reluctance, because why should what was easier for him be something Regan and Kat concerned themselves with?
“I mean, if you’re willing, I could be there to mediate…” he looked towards her, hesitant but hopeful.
Post by Regan Lassiter on Sept 19, 2022 13:37:16 GMT -5
"Tryna get me to make friends, eh?" Regan chuckled, "You and Grant should team up." As soon as the words left her mouth she regretted them - not that Octavius would see that was the case. At present, Regan just wanted to pretend that Grant didn't exist. So, she deflected, heading for:
"I mean...if you want. Yeah. Sure. Why not?" Regan shrugged, not lying but believing that such a thing wasn't likely to happen. She said yes, but she couldn't imagine that Kat would. Not in a million years.
Post by Octavius Wulfbrand on Sept 19, 2022 13:37:22 GMT -5
Octavius counted it a victory. One step in the right direction. If Regan was willing then all he had to do was get Kat on board.
“Not making friends.” He corrected with a wide, earnest smile. “Reconciling with an old friend.” As he understood it, both women had considered the other a friend before…before. If they’d been friends once then surely they could be again.
“Thanks.” Because it was as much for himself as it was for them, and there was no denying that.
Post by Regan Lassiter on Sept 19, 2022 13:37:42 GMT -5
“Old friend? I don’t know if—“ Regan spluttered, getting midway through her thought before deciding to let it go. “Whatever you say.” Let him think whatever he wanted. Regan wasn’t invested in her relationship with Kat, so why should she care what Octavius thought about it?
“Listen,” Regan started cautiously, “You, uh, didn’t happen to catch up with Grant…did you?”
Post by Regan Lassiter on Sept 19, 2022 13:38:13 GMT -5
"Oh."
Regan didn't really know where to go next. Octavius's look had her heart skip a beat with dread. She wanted to hold his feet to the fire but knew any hasty line of inquiry would land her in a heap of embarrassment and trouble. So, she settled on vague:
"Did he say anything? About the whole...de-partnering situation?"
Post by Octavius Wulfbrand on Sept 19, 2022 13:38:20 GMT -5
Octavius actually wanted to plunge in but he didn't want to hurt her feelings or say something that would make her mad at him, because even if she was really mad at Grant she could still possibly take it out on him and that would suck.
"Yeah, we talked about it." They had to be reaching the end of this staircase by now.
Post by Regan Lassiter on Sept 19, 2022 13:38:38 GMT -5
Regan squirmed, looking at Octavius with a stern gaze. What is it everyone seemed to know that she didn’t? If Grant was disowning her, she’d rather know now and get through the emotional mess than stand around wondering.
Post by Octavius Wulfbrand on Sept 19, 2022 13:38:47 GMT -5
"And..." Octavius started, eyes still at their corners. Just then he decided to belay this little charade they were at. If she would have it out, then he would too. He stopped his walking and reached for her arm, intending to gently guide her to turn to face him.
"Look, just say what you want to say. What are you fishing for?"
Post by Regan Lassiter on Sept 19, 2022 13:39:06 GMT -5
Her footsteps halted as Octavius took her by the arm. She met his eyes, color starting to rise to her face before she looked away.
"I, uh," Regan looked back at him, brow furrowed. "I know he's pissed, okay? And if it's about this whole position change, I can deal with that. But," Regan's cheeks darkened, "If it's something else. If it's about me being too -- if it's because I --" She was beet red now, spluttering, "Because I went too far. If I scared him off. I just -- need to know." Her eyes were brimming with tears as she swallowed them back.
" Because I can't lose him." It was a weak, whimpering admission. Muttered, but deeply felt.
Post by Octavius Wulfbrand on Sept 19, 2022 13:39:15 GMT -5
Octavius didn't have the first clue about what he had just stepped into. He wasn't able to finish the unfinished sentences she started, and he had a feeling there was a lot more between Grant and Regan than his buddy had let on. Granted, he'd known something was a little fishy with him, but you didn't just show up after four years and demand answers.
He let a silence fall between them following her words, but then his mouth broke into a grin and he shook his head.
"I swear," he chuckled breathily, "the two of you have something deep and intense and mutual going on and neither of you have the courage to voice it."
Post by Regan Lassiter on Sept 19, 2022 13:39:31 GMT -5
Regan let out a long breath, as if she’d been holding it for days. Weeks, even.
“Goddesses…” She muttered, running a hand over her face. Regan expected to feel better having her doubts put to rest. But somehow this only made things more complicated. She started thinking out loud, something that for better or worse Octavius was about to be witness to.
“I know how this ends,” Regan started, running a hand through her hair, looking at the floor, “Grant marries some noble lady and has to move on from, uh, whatever this is. And I don’t want to hold him back. That would be really fucking selfish and I’m not trying to—” She shook her head, looking up at Octavius for understanding. “It’s just hard.”
Post by Octavius Wulfbrand on Sept 19, 2022 13:39:39 GMT -5
Octavius knew a thing or two about being a part of something he could never see through. Of course, his was world different (literally), and what impeded Regan and Grant was not cultural or alliance differences, but simply status.
"You know what I say?" Octavius asked her before leaning his face towards her to vehemently whisper, "Fuck status. Commoner. Nobility. All of it is shit in the end, isn't it? A dead man is a dead man is a dead man. If Grant chooses to cling to the ways of his fathers simply because it is expected of him rather than to chase and grab what is right before him, then he's the idiot and you are spared a life of idiocy." Spoken like a commoner, but there it was.
Post by Regan Lassiter on Sept 19, 2022 13:40:02 GMT -5
It was easy for Octavius to say. But Regan wanted to believe him, and even if later that belief would fade, for now the idea was a balm for an aching heart. A reluctant smile pulled at her lips as he talked. The tension in her shoulders relaxed and the blustering, muscled soldier suddenly seemed very small.
“You really think so?” It was a childish, naive response, but right now she was feeling vulnerable and needed someone to make things okay.
Post by Octavius Wulfbrand on Sept 19, 2022 13:40:16 GMT -5
Octavius was that person. He was the friend that made things okay, when he could be. He was also relieved to see her chilling, to watch the growing hysteria fade away. He wouldn't have her crying on his shoulder. Not today, folks.
"I do." He returned sincerely, and he did. "I mean, he isn't the king. Tell me you love the king and I might just laugh in your face. But Grant? There's a hundred more odd looking noblemen like him. So what's it to the courts if that one marries a common girl?" He raised a finger into the air. "His uncle did it and he wasn't disowned."