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!
"So cooking isn't really considered woman's work? I always just assumed it was because my mother really likes cooking and got possessive when me and dad came in. She considered the kitchen hers."
Tor volunteered. It was strange actually talking to someone in depth about his family but Rhedara's open, friendly nature just made it a given that conversations were a two way street. He watched her expressive face as she talked and he thought it was a strange question she just asked.
"Well, when my mother found out our misadventure, she told me to pack up. I've been eating only at the mess hall since just before the ball." He nodded in whole-hearted agreement.
"It's not the best food I've ever had, but it keeps me alive. I mean, I do sleep at the barracks so it just makes sense to eat there too."
He was sitting there and just said what he was thinking... since she was prompting him.
"I was only thinking that now maybe we'd see eye to eye on things." Torsten tried an attempt at a joke. How it would be taken was anybody's guess.
Post by Rhedara Shannon on May 28, 2023 9:34:21 GMT -5
“Well at home it might be women’s work—especially if she’s the one home most of the time,” she said, waving a hand, “But it doesn’t mean a man can’t learn to feed himself. You never know when it will be useful.”
Tor told her about what had happened with is mother. She’d kicked him out then expected him to see to the sale of the house? She nearly voiced it, but they’d only just stopped arguing…with the potion over the heat, she didn’t want anything like that to start again until it was finished. Before she’d been kicked out, she’d eaten in the mess hall if only that she wouldn’t be eating alone most of the time. The food was often over boiled, bland, and often dry depending on what was served. She’d never acquired a taste for it.
“That stuff is vile, Tor,” she made a face, “Now you’re making me want to feed you,” and idea sprang in her head, “Or even better, I can teach you how to make something simple. You’re going to get your own place sooner or later, right?”
Another short joke. If they weren’t friends, she’d be tempted to curse him somehow. But they were friends, so she didn’t entertain the thought. Instead, she looked at him stoically, then started to move around him so she’d be in a better position once it was time to put magic in the concoction. If she “accidentally” stepped on his foot or kicked his shin on her way, well, she’d smile and be very apologetic, “It’s such a tight space in here…”
Torsten nodded heartily in agreement and almost smiled. Instead a single dimple peeked out on his right cheek as he replied,
"It's more than vile--it's down right nasty. But it's all I have and it's keeping me alive Rhedara."
The other parts of her comments had him frowning and shaking his head no as he thought about it more. Sure he could learn to cook which might help in a future with no handy mess hall nearby. But get his own place? Why?
"I guess learning to cook might help for some distant unforeseen future, but I don't see any reason to get my own place. I figure if the Army's not providing it for me, then it's not a necessity. I don't mind sleeping at the barracks so there's not really a reason to needlessly waste money on a place of my own when they already give me a bed and their version of food." Tor shrugged. His existence was very minimalistic and excess wasn't in his personality.
For some reason Red started stumbling around and started tapping at his foot and shin while staring pointedly at him. He was confused until she explained the space problem. She was just being nice instead of telling the big dumb mountain to move because he was taking up all the space.
"I'm sorry." Tor apologized, trying to shift his leg politely out of her way. There really wasn't anything he could do about being large and sitting down was the best solution he could think of to make himself smaller.
"I can't help but take up a lot of space."
Last Edit: May 30, 2023 14:34:29 GMT -5 by Deleted
Post by Rhedara Shannon on May 30, 2023 19:21:15 GMT -5
“Keeps you alive and it’s free,” she said, “Guess it makes the taste worth it.”
“Don’t you want a private place of your own, Tor?” Free housing was one thing, but what kind of life would someone have if they only lived in the barracks? She opened her mouth to ask him about what he’d do if he met a girl and he didn’t have a home to show for it, but shut her mouth as the thought occurred to her. Well that was something that Bette would say…her mother for that matter. She’d taken Tate to task a lot over that, not that her brother had stayed on in the military.
She’d tried to punish him by stomping on his foot and kicking his shin, but the sweet oaf thought that he was just in the way. That was it, she couldn’t hold back the urge to puff her cheeks out like she used to with her brother when he’d been particularly vexing. He wasn’t even being funny. He really thought she had trouble moving around him.
“You’re fine, Tor,” she said before looking into the cauldron. It was almost ready for magic.
"A place of my own?" he echoed, his brown eyes puzzled. "I don't really see a reason for one Rhedara. I'm a soldier, I sleep in the barracks and follow orders. If I were the partying type, that would make sense. But I've only been on one date, a disastrous one, in my whole entire life...." Then somewhere, somehow two whole brain cells rubbed together as he looked at his friend with new eyes.
"And people who keep a place for themselves are looking to hook up planning to spend some together time..."
Tor watched her but didn't say anything more about it. She'd mentioned the 'love bites' early and they'd already had a disagreement. As usual, Tor's social skills were never on point. Rhedara had really seemed to be struggling getting around his foot so when she dropped it, he was confused as clueless as ever.
"Why do I feel like I keep missing something here?"
Post by Rhedara Shannon on Jun 1, 2023 14:28:46 GMT -5
“Who’s this girl you went on this disastrous date with?” She asked, “Do I need to beat her up for you?” She was half joking, but she flexed the muscles on one arm and patted it, “I may be out, but I can still throw a punch.”
He trailed off on his reasons for not wanting a house, most notably he trailed off on the mention of settling down with someone and then stared at her. What was he thinking about?
“A coin for your thoughts?”
At least he knew he was missing something, “I was trying to step on your foot on purpose, Tor,” she put a smile in her voice, “But I’m too light to have done anything. Do you know how lucky you are to be as big as you are?”
Tor turned crimson and looked down while answering.
" Sliva. She was very forward with me and I didn't want to go that fast, especially on a first date. It got awkward when she started kissing my knuckles. I tried to be subtle about not wanting to going too fast but it was weird being pawed at."
He looked down awkwardly and was thoroughly embarrassed.
"I'm not from a touchy feely family so even being hugged is unusual for me. I think it's because I'm just odd."
This amount of introspection and conversation was a very new thing for him and Torsten leaned back in the chair a little, not sure what to say. She was like having a sister back in his life and he didn't want to offend her. After the very uncomfortable memory resurfaced, his comfort level around girls was in the negatives. One kiss had led to a whole lot of unasked for touching that he never consented to and he didn't want to judge Rhedara. Tor had no idea what a 'normal' relationship was so he second-guessed his own limited knowledge. He blurted out his reply,
"Who are you courting to want your own place?"
He listened to her speak, knowing that she had marks on her neck so Rhedara was going to have someone's name ready to answer that.
"Lucky?" To risk a concussion every single time he walked through a door, entered a new room, or just stood up? To spend three times as much on food, clothes and equipment because everything was just too small and not nearly enough to be the basics for him? To accidentally hurt people if he didn't stay vigilant all the time was lucky?! Or the fact that big and dumb were always put together and they even made the word oaf just for guys like him. Yea. So lucky. Again, Torsten gave her his patented stare, not unleashing the avalanche of thoughts to that.
Post by Rhedara Shannon on Jun 3, 2023 16:10:39 GMT -5
“Oh!” she looked up from the cauldron and made a face, “That IS bad,” she said with feeling, “No means no, man or woman. I’m sorry that happened to you,” she’d give his arm a sympathetic pat if he’d let her, “If it makes you feel better, she spooned me in the middle of archery practice,” the other girl seemed embarrassed about it when she’d told her to stop though. Still, she didn’t like the thought of someone making the guy who had become her closest friend—her friend that was like a brother to her no less—uncomfortable. Maybe she’d have to think of a good, subtle curse, “Want me to punch her for you?”
“I don’t think you’re odd, Tor,” she started, “Everyone has their comfort level. If excessive touching is uncomfortable, then that’s okay,” she shrugged, “Touchy-feely people need to learn to respect boundaries.”
Tor was silent for so long, thinking about something she couldn’t fathom, that the quested that he’d blurted threw her off for only a moment. She’d not expected him to say anything. Thinking about the man she was seeing unknowingly brought a smile to her face.
“He’s Lieutenant @raff,” she raised an eyebrow at him, “And before you ask, we didn’t start seeing each other until after I got discharged,” Tor didn’t need to know that she’d lost her maidenhood to him before she’d been dismissed. It’d just upset him and he really didn’t need to know, “So there was never any issues with breaking the chain of command.”
“Yeah lucky,” she crossed her arms, “You can walk through a crowd and see over people’s heads. I get a nice view of their backs, and I bet you can go into rougher areas of Skia and have less of a chance to be set upon. You’re imposing,” she smiled, “It’s hard to be taken seriously being cute as a button, you know.”
"She came on to you too?!" He shook his head at the situation. "If I'd done to her what she's done to both of us, I'd be punished for treating an unmarried woman in public that way." Torsten said in amazement. "What? No!" a dimple peeked out as he almost smiled at the idea. It was nice to have a sister figure that wanted to stand by him though. He nodded to her comment as she stirred the cauldron. Then she dropped the Terach cannon ball.
"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?! HIM?!" Tor stood up suddenly and cracked his head so hard on the ceiling that he reeled back a couple steps clutching his head. "Yea it's great being tall! To risk a concussion every single time I walk through a door, enter a new room, or just stand up? To spend three times as much on food, clothes and equipment because everything was just too small and not nearly enough to be the basics for me? To accidentally hurt people if I didn't stay vigilant all the time is lucky?! Or the fact that big and dumb were always put together and they even made the word oaf just for guys like me?"
Torsten bent forward clutching his head and trying to take it all in. "That jerk Terach who actually thinks Abbott is great and wants to be like him with discipline? That guy? The one who hangs out and gets drunk with Winters?! Goddess dammit Rhedara."
He didn't normally swear or yell but the throbbing in his skull was one last thing too much like the straw that broke the camel's back-or head. Tor did the thing he'd only done twice in his life. Once when his sister was taken to Bedlam. The second time was why Raff scorned him. Torsten put both hands over his face and just cried.
Post by Rhedara Shannon on Jun 6, 2023 21:09:01 GMT -5
“It seemed that way,” she said, shrugging, “But we’re both girls, so I might be mistaken,” she smiled at his vehemence against her punching Zarha for him, a little laugh escaping her mouth.
It was about time to put magic in the brew. She searched for the words to chant from her memory, already starting to reach into that ocean of magic, ready to feel that intoxicating rush of power. It was like jumping into the ocean on a hot day. Refreshing, tempting. All that power right there to mold however she wished.
Then Tor was yelling at her again, and her concentration broke—thankfully before she’d started the enchantment.
He was so upset, she took a step back—more from shock at the outburst than any fear she may have felt. He was so much bigger than her, and he was yelling as he towered over her. He might have intimidated her more if he didn’t thump his head when he’d stood up…maybe a helmet was in order after all…
She let him rant…or rather, she couldn’t find a place to interrupt him as he said what he wanted to say. Then Tor was crying, and Rhedara didn’t know what to do. She wasn’t used to seeing other people cry, especially men that were the size of bears.
She let him cry for a second as she tried to figure out what to do about this situation. He was hurting, and he was her friend. There was no way she was just going to let him cry. But what to do? Was he the type of person that preferred everyone just ignore the tears until they passed? She’d just have to take a chance.
Slowly, she reached her hand out and try to touch his shoulder and move her hand in a slow, soothing, circular motion. She leaned her hip on the table next to him. A hug seemed appropriate, but he’d just finished telling her that he didn’t care for those, so she just kept rubbing his shoulder as he wept.
“Tor?” She’d say after a moment, keeping her voice soft and low, “Can I get you anything?” Hot tea would be good, but maybe some of her landlady’s special brew would be better.
"Sorry." he mumbled quietly. "If I get too mad, I could hurt someone and I don't want to do that. Getting pushed from every direction to obey isn't easy to deal with all day and all night, from all sides. You can go unnoticed in a crowd or even a small group because you're short. I have to stand out like a giant target that everyone sees me at all times, watching and putting me on the spot. If I act less than perfect, which is highly visible--down comes the hammer. Especially with Lieutenants like your sweetheart, Terach."
He wiped away the tears quickly and pulled himself together with an effort. Bearing the burden was something he must continue to do with no outlet. Tor's behavior had put her on the spot and his feelings weren't her problem.
Post by Rhedara Shannon on Jun 16, 2023 20:42:42 GMT -5
Rhedara could understand why he was stressed, but at least he still had a job! It probably wasn’t the best time to point it out. He was in the middle of a break down. Still, she wasn’t entirely sympathetic…of course, she didn’t appreciate his tone when speaking of her lover, so Tor may have shoved an arrow in his own foot there.
“Do you have anything to do when you’re off duty, Tor?” She said after he’d pulled himself together, “Any hobbies? Any way to unwind?” She gestured toward her cauldron, “I make potions to unwind,” she also liked to indulge in a nice, hot bath when she could, but she didn’t need to put that image in Tor’s head.
Speaking of potions.
She whipped her head to the cauldron and the contents within. She snatched up the stirring spoon and stuck it in, “Doesn’t look ruined…” nothing smelled burned. It was only boiling, “It might have been ruined if I had started to put magic in it when you startled me, but I hadn’t started the spell yet,” she looked over her shoulder to smile at Tor reassuringly before turning back to the cauldron.
She reached into that pool of magic and felt it envelope her. She again searched for the correct words to chant over the potion before she began, hovering her hand over the cauldron as she did so. When she finished the chant, she reached for an empty vial and labeled the potion into it, and stuck a cork in at the top.
"I thought making potions was how you made money, not a hobby?" he asked her, wondering how else she would be making a living now. It was more than a little awkward talking about the army considering her dishonorable discharge. And the mere idea of her with that.. that.. jerk was infuriating! She deserved a nice guy that would treat her well, not some shaggy mean heartless demon.
"Hobbies? No. It's just work, train, eat, sleep and repeat." Tor shrugged. He wasn't a natural joiner and creativity wasn't fostered in the army for large men, but being used as s work horse, now that was a hundred percent of his life. This conversation alone was a very big deal as people simply avoided him unless their company was mandatory like patrols.
Rhedara used her magic and Torsten watched avidly as her words changed the color and look of the potion. It must be amazing to do something that took thinking instead of just back breaking labor.
"Thank you. I appreciate all the work you did." Tor said, taking the potion from her carefully.
Post by Rhedara Shannon on Jun 20, 2023 8:48:42 GMT -5
“It doesn’t make that much money,” said leaned a hip against the table and watched him, “There’s so many other more established witches that do the same thing, people would rather take their chances with them, you know?”
Well, his activities really explained everything to her. It was like talking to Zarha who also didn’t have any hobbies outside of work-related things. She could only hope that he would at least be more receptive to her advice than the other one, “Well that’s your problem, Tor. You don’t do anything fun or relaxing to unwind. No wonder you’re stressed out,” she smiled, “Even an hour of reading would do you good,” assuming he could read, “Or a walk along the beach. Just something to help you relax.”
When he thanked her for the work she put in the potion, she smiled as she shook her head, “You did most of the work,” she gestured at the mortar and pestle, “But you’re welcome.”
The message was sinking in that Tor was not supposed to ask her about how she was making money or what she was doing with her life. Which seemed normal as he didn't talk to people often unless strictly necessary. Tor nodded to her question and it was for the best that he wasn't aware of a comparison with someone or it would have shredded their already strained new relationship.
That's your problem? What an odd phrase. Tor didn't have any hobbies because as she'd just proven, his own spontaneous imitative just caused more problems and awkwardness. He was unsure how to respond to Rhedara's hobbies assertion and Tor was still embarrassed that he'd made a fool of himself in front of her.
He opened his mouth to protest that only magic could make a potion, but stopped. When he'd responded to the surprising reveal of her new lover, and didn't talk about what she did do for work now, he wasn't going to push her by asking. She gave a polite smile but Tor knew he'd overstayed his welcome.
"That's very nice of you." Tor finally answered, edging toward the door.
Last Edit: Jun 24, 2023 11:16:11 GMT -5 by Deleted