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!
Mara usually did all her work by herself, but with her new job that was darn near impossible. There was far too much to do and not enough time in the day, even if she ate, slept, and got a privy in her office. So she had asked one of her favorite instructors for some good candidates to assist her. She figured she would take one for now and then after that consider another. This was a trial run, and if it didn't work then she would find another way to get all the work done. She had high hopes though, her and her husband had met in this man's class, and that had to bode well for whatever would come of this.
Striding to the man's office with a purpose, she had a two books and a couple of pages of questions she planned to have whoever her instructor had picked fill out. This wasn't going to just be an acceptance base on a recommendation, Mara planned to put them through some paces, and did hope it would go well. There was far too much to get to after the catastrophe at Allemeade Keep for just one person.
With a knock she entered and was confronted with two familiar faces. One she had expected, her instructor. The other, well it wasn't a good surprise. "Thanks for setting this up Pollonius, mind if we have the room for the afternoon?" The man would stride out, an afternoon packed with tutoring. So Mara's eyes settled on Gideon, sliding into the seat behind the desk, and gesturing for him to join her. "Well this is unexpected." And she usually prided herself on being prepared for just about anything.
Post by Gideon DeCarlo on Jun 19, 2022 21:07:21 GMT -5
Gideon had met with instructor Pollonius that morning, shared a coffee, gossiping over recent events, and finally they were sitting together in the office of the Advisor of Law waiting the arrival of the new recently appointed advisor. Much to his surprise Pollonius hadn't shared the fact that a) it was a woman and b) not just any woman but the wife of a long since deceased old friend.
It had actually stunned the DeCarlo into pure silence, which was rare and she should have took advantage of it because it was written across his face.
When he did find words he joined Mara, "Well let's just say I'm equally as surprised as you lady @mara, congratulations though," while he was thrilled she got such a position it wasn't a secret that Mara Saelim never liked Gideon when they were younger. That was old Gideon, this Gideon was the same old Gideon of course but old Gideon with a purpose in life.
It was good to know that Gideon was just as surprised as she was. Clearly their old instructor knew them well enough in that regard that a meeting might not have even happened without prior knowledge. Certainly on her end. Gideon, well, she didn't have many good opinions about him. Although she had heard he changed, they weren't in the same circuits these days.
"Thank you." Dipping her head in acknowledgement Mara was still getting used to the fact that it was truly her job. Advisor of Law. Someone had to bring some order to Loren though so why not her?
Putting her things on the desk she looked at Gideon with a relaxed expression. "So what are you up to these days Lord Decarlo, not more crazy parties that you used to try and drag Ronan to I hope?"
Last Edit: Jun 20, 2022 20:26:18 GMT -5 by Deleted
Post by Gideon DeCarlo on Jun 23, 2022 20:41:55 GMT -5
He sunk into a chair, throwing a leg over one of the arms practically making himself at home. While he had changed a bit Gideon carried that same swagger he had in his younger days, she'd see it and Gideon knew it would probably irk her but a tiger couldn't change it's stripes he had heard. But it could change if it was a meat eater or a grass muncher.
"Oh the party scene...isn't what it use to be, so it really isn't my thing," plus he had several tea parties a week with his children, those were parties enough, "I'm a family man now if you can believe it, feet on the ground but a scheming head in the clouds...."
Mara sighed and flicked her eyes to the feet unceremoniously flung over the chair arm. How he could act so arrogant was beyond her. And while sometimes that helped in law, there were times that it detracted. Certainly she could think of a couple of times she'd managed to help a client due to arrogance of others.
"A family man? I never thought I'd see the day." Folding her hands on the table between them Mara tilted her head to the side. "So if you aren't partying I assume you've been focusing on work? Where are you these days." She would give him a a real interview, it was only fair.
Post by Gideon DeCarlo on Jun 24, 2022 21:42:54 GMT -5
He absentmindedly played with his nails as he talked, "Well I'm still a student, so I haven't done much work bunch of observing and serving and studying but work," he made a 'meeeh' sound as he shrugged finally looking at her, "so I'm reaching the point that the professor thinks I should start shadowing someone, while I thought maybe a lawmaker I didn't expect the Advisor of Law, perhaps I've aimed to low? Maybe he sees something in me? The world's a mystery and I, Gideon, am riding it out."
It was odd to think that a man that had been in some of her classes was still a student. She had chosen a different path, learning while working, and it had opened up a world much earlier to her. It got her hands on things, and she could understand that need that Gideon was probably feeling. "Would you want the spot if I was to give it to you? Think you could keep up?" Mara wasn't so sure, although she hadn't done any research and thus was less prepared than usual. A shame in her book.
Post by Gideon DeCarlo on Jul 6, 2022 13:13:00 GMT -5
Gideon sat up proper now dusting something off the front of his jacket as he smiled at Mara, "Oh I'd take it without a second thought if you offered me the position, I mean you can only experience so much from text books and lectures," Gideon was a hands on learner anyways, "and honestly there is only way to find out if I'm up for the job, give me a chance cap it with a probation period so if I don't meet your standards you can let me go...zero hard feelings....you'll know it takes the world for me to hold a a grudge."
"Probation period? Oh I'll know well before that." Pushing the first part of the test scenarios she had come up with across the table she had a small smile on her face. It was unusual for her, but she was actually interested in how Gideon would do. He had been a bit wild, but clearly he had made it through his studies eventually.
Leaning back in her chair she shuffled her other papers. "That's just round one, we'll see what happens after that." Really it would be enough, a lot of the other stuff wasn't necessary. But it would be interesting to see Gideon's reaction.
The Parchment read: Barnabus and Mobius are two gifteds, and decide to go threaten a store clerk, to rob the place. While there Mobius gets jumpy and uses his gift of fire manipulation to start a fire. This accidentally sets a customer ablaze and half the store eventually. The owner now concerned for his life, takes the knife from under the counter and hurls it at Barnabus, who is killed almost instantly as the knife buries into his heart. Mobius flees the scene and is later seen by a pair of guards who have just come back from patrol outside the city and thus missed the news. Fearing capture Mobius flees with a ring of fire, leading to a few injuries and some property damage. The next day Mobius turns himself in.
Two Questions Asked: Q1: What are the chargeable offenses here? Q2: What might be considered as punishment for the crimes?
Post by Gideon DeCarlo on Jul 9, 2022 11:57:03 GMT -5
Gideon overlooked what Mara slide over to him, he gave it a few rereads and sat back in hjs chair lacing his fingers to ponder the questions at the end staring at Mara. It wasn't a creepy stare or a serious one so when he spoke it was confident, "The charges would be attempted robbery, arson, involuntary manslaughter, property damage and perhaps if we did deeper unregistered Gifted. Disturbing the peace maybe, if we were petty about it. As far as punishment,forgive me for thinking about money or labor but I wouldn't jump to hanging. Think of the mental damage this shopkeeper and others involved now carry, plus as harsh as it sounds Gifted tension among the Non-Gifted respectfully we'd have to see the boy collared. Servitude to Lorendale by manual labor, use it to fix what he's done pay for it essentially...."
Mara watched with interest. She was glad he didn't just start firing things out. He thought about it, that certainly wasn't the man she remembered, a very good sign. Someone who spoke before thinking had no place in law. And when he did decide to start she listened intently, hands steepled in front of her.
"Collar, good idea. What other charges might be brought in this situation?" The store owner had killed a man who had done nothing but walk into the store with his friend who threatened violence. Her eyebrow was raised. She wanted to make sure that he was able to look at the whole situation. Personally she wouldn't bring any charges but arguments could be made otherwise as he had killed someone who had done nothing to threaten his life.
Post by Gideon DeCarlo on Jul 10, 2022 16:24:21 GMT -5
"I don't think you mean about the shopkeeper?" Gideon cocked an eyebrow with clear surprise on his face, "Surely if two young men coming into your space and one of them setting the place a blaze, defending your space is a warranted action? Self defense?"
Nodding her head Mara looked at him. "No I wouldn't ever dream of charging him. But it still had to be considered. Everything has to be considered. You have to formulate that self-defense argument so that it doesn't catch you off guard when sentencing the gifted and he brings that up like a defense for his later actions." He thought of it, and in her mind that was another box checked.
Her eyes trained on Gideon she took a breath before asking her next question. This one wasn't written down, it wasn't planned, but she needed an answer all the same. "Would you be able to condone a collar for someone you were close to. A family member, good friend, whatever. Someone you know personally but turns out to be a danger to Loren. Would you be able to handle it?" Because the reason she needed an assistant was for that project specifically, and she needed to know he wouldn't waver.
Post by Gideon DeCarlo on Jul 10, 2022 21:21:24 GMT -5
Another thinking question, and he immediately thought of his family. The Gifted ones. Crossing his legs he rested his heavily ringed hands on the top knee when he answered he was looking her directly in the eye, "I could. Just as I would do to a Non-Gifted friend or potential gifted family member, justice is all that matters. I can check my feelings at the doors of the courtroom."
Mara nodded her head curtly. "Good." She herself was good at distancing herself from connections. And while one might thing it would be good to balance it out, the Advisor of Law was not of that opinion. This job required detachment, and if Gideon could pull it off she would appreciate the assistance. "I'll need you to fill these out within the week if you want to start next week with me." Pushing the general contracts across the table she then picked up the two books she had brought, standing and plopping them on the desk in front of him. "And refresh yourself on Nelonius's Law Theory and Malaria's History of Gifted Law."