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!
Tara had been spending time with her sister, Malthice, it was always the same too. They spent lunches together, usually with the girls like today, while the girls did studies after eating they all tended to Malthice with conversations. After all Malthice proved to be the best listener regardless if she retained anything or much less understood but it was the principal.
Today Tara had been combing Malthice's hair as the woman stared out the window (as always), she hummed a tune of a song repressed a long time ago in memory. She had rediscovered some of the haunting yet beautiful music of Nevermere, it had lead to unlocking her love of dancing and sometimes singing however today she just hummed.
The girls sat at a table with half eaten meals and books open on different pages. Lyra's notes were full of detail and little drawings of various things (roots, sprigs of different plants, or small summonings she thought were cute. Vekka's was totally opposite it was sloppy and what she had jotted down didn't cover half the page, she was more hands on and by hands on she liked them to be bawled into fists or holding swords. And little P'ol had drew and painted a picture of her family as stick figures, her doodle of Vekka was most comical as she had her more aggressive sister eating a whole rabbit with a angry victorious smile on her face.
When the knock at the door cut through the humming from Tara and the sister chit chatting they all tensed. All eyes went to the door..
Last Edit: Aug 3, 2022 15:17:43 GMT -5 by Odina Ellis
Post by Ophelia Rainecourt on Aug 5, 2022 11:59:06 GMT -5
Ophelia hadn’t been at the castle for long but was already falling into a familiar routine. She’d gone to see Cassian, then her mother (and Kennet in the process), before falling into an exhausted sleep. Today, she rose to start it all over again.
The morning had been filled with miscellanea; trivial teas and walks in the hall where she smiled and told glistening stories of Arynn Frey. Whatever people wanted to hear, dressed with gloss to obscure the truth. It used to be so easy, but now it exhausted her in a way that was frightening.
But something was wrong.
Ophelia couldn’t stop her fingers from trembling. She found her thoughts wandering in the middle of her sentences. She started more easily, concealing her jumps with the tensing of muscles in her neck. Nobody wanted a frightened princess. They wanted one to bring them comfort; to make them feel at home.
So, hands shaking and full of a desperate need to be alone, Ophelia went to the place she knew she could be undisturbed and useful. She went to her mother.
Ophelia was halfway down the hall when she heard the sounds of chatter coming from Malthace’s room. She picked up her pace, her guards matching her speed. The closer she got, the faster she went, until she arrived at the door.
The guard stationed there raised her eyebrows and knocked as Ophelia started to close in. When it became clear Ophelia was not going to wait for any sort of response, the guard opened the door and started to speak, “Princ—”
Ophelia waved the guard aside, who immediately complied. At this point the door was open, Ophelia standing in the doorway with her eyes narrowed. She looked at those gathered with shaking hands, gaze darting from one to another with increasing confusion. It was then her eyes landed on the woman with the comb in her hand. Ophelia’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. Yes, Ophelia may be the darling of the family, the meek, gentle woman that Nevermere adored, but she was still a Rainecourt: a princess by blood and authority. In a tone reflective of her station, she demanded of the woman:
Post by Odina Ellis on Aug 5, 2022 12:33:29 GMT -5
When the door swung open and the woman entered demanding answers Tara's girls instinctively went to their Mothers side while P'ol hide behind her peeking at the new guest. She was strikingly beautiful and those hazel eyes were alluring, Tara dropped the comb but didn't retreat away from her sister. She remained silent for the longest time before she found her voice which was small and timid, it hadn't been announced who she truly was yet and this face...a face so much like her sister's that it ripped at Tara's heart....she hadn't seen.
"Y.. you look so much like her," she spoke just above a whisper as she tried to steady her own shaking hands and nerves, "My name is...Tara...Tara Ellis and these are my daughter's...."
Post by Ophelia Rainecourt on Aug 14, 2022 17:44:23 GMT -5
Tara Ellis.
Ophelia was completely still, looking at the woman before her with incredulous confusion. How could it be? At first she wanted to deny it, but the likeness in her face was unmistakable. After the confusion came anger: why hadn’t she been told that an Ellis had returned to Nevermere? Was she so irrelevant to the Rainecourt family that they didn’t think to notify her? And then last, chilling the heat of her frustration, was powerful jealousy that tasted like acid on her tongue.
“You,” Is all she could manage at first. “You’ve returned.” Ophelia gathered herself, glancing at the children before her hazel eyes flickered by to the woman who claimed to be Tara.
“Where have you been? How did you get here?” She glanced at her mother then, itching to step between her and Tara with a urgency that surprised her.
Post by Odina Ellis on Aug 15, 2022 19:40:12 GMT -5
Tara couldn't help but rub her hands vigorously, nervous like never before not even when she met Cassian or Kennet calling her out for who she really was. She herself withdrew away from Malthice afraid the woman before her, her niece she fully assumed, would do something of ill will toward her to the girls. Had they not warned her of her?
"I...I was banished to Cambria," Tara had found her voice finally as she pulled her girls back, Vekka stayed right in the front of course her between what she loved and didn't know. The girls watched with their own wild curiosity, each one more concerned about this chance encounter.
"I was just eight or nine years old, they took me in and raised me up until your brother opened the mountains and saved Cambria," she would skip the plot for revenge that had fed her growing up, "I've always known who I am and that opening gave me my way back home. Over the last five years I've lived in Nevermere, it was lady Kennet's Sight that revealed who I am...truly..."
Vekka spoke, "We aren't a threat to you... we've been waiting to finally meet you Princess....or cousin...not sure which you prefer," Vekka didn't know why but she felt the need to want to connect with the Princess, "I'm Vekka...and this is," Lyra stepped out and curtsied elegantly, "Lyra," it was evident P'ol was still shy, "This one is P'ol. We were just spending time with... your Mother.."
Post by Ophelia Rainecourt on Aug 18, 2022 18:27:19 GMT -5
At first, Ophelia just stared. The fragile disposition that had driven her back to Nevermere in the first place started to show. Her hands trembled and her wan features looked strained. But by the time the youngest was introduced, the Rainecourt had gathered herself again. For she was just that: a Rainecourt. A princess twice over and the future queen of Arynn Frey. Her family name was enough to hold her steady as she looked at the woman in front of her with confusion but also curiosity.
“So at last your journey has brought you home.” Ophelia smiled graciously, feet shifting nervously on the stones. She nodded to the children before moving for her mother. She moved slowly, stopping behind Malthace and smoothing her hair with a dainty hand.
“I’m sure mother is glad to have you back,” She said eventually, looking to Tara, still smiling with the grace years of schooling had instilled in her, “And I hope my brother has been agreeable, at least.”
Post by Odina Ellis on Aug 20, 2022 21:14:40 GMT -5
Tara relaxed when it seemed Ophelia had, she also couldn't get over or process how much her neice looked like an exact copy of her sister. Still her eyes fell to look at Malthice, "The King has been very hospitable, we have it set for the next open court that I will officially announce my return," and other things that right now Tara didn't want to fully discuss because, "I wish I knew she was," then her eyes rose back to her sister's little twin, Tara's neice, "More so I wish she could get a look at you and see she got what I remember she always wanted...children...beautiful children."
Tara moved between Vekka and Lyra, she wanted to hug the woman standing before her but still yet she didn't.
"I've asked about you...I was very eager to meet you."
Post by Ophelia Rainecourt on Aug 23, 2022 19:02:29 GMT -5
Announcing her return. No doubt Cassian had all sorts of plans formulated, ones that she was not privy to but would inquire after now. Ophelia had half a mind to march to his door right now and demand answers, but frustration was a luxury for common people. For a princess, such emotions were an indulgence, for they had no advantage or utility.
But Tara’s next words challenged that principle.
No doubt she’d see the sorrow that flashed across Ophelia’s eyes: the loss of the mother not quite dead enough to mourn, yet not alive enough to love. Ophelia bit the inside of her cheek as she looked at her mother, a pit opening up in her stomach. By the time Tara spoke again, she’d regained her composure, assuming a gentle, gracious smile once more.
“I’m honored,” She answered, dipping her head, “Certainly we have much lost time to make up for. But home is always home, no matter how long one has been separated from it.” Ophelia looked at the children, her smile brightening.
Post by Odina Ellis on Sept 10, 2022 19:21:30 GMT -5
P'ol, still clearly shy, hide behind Tara peaking just slightly. Vekka shrugged crossing her arms, "It has a pretty decent military," she shrugged indicating a children's book, "I like the picture books too," the particular one she was reading was about a princess, a wardrobe, and a lion.
Lyra was bright eyed and almost teaming with tears of pure joy, she stepped forward and gave a proper lady like curtsey. The smile on her face was clear star stricken wonder, "A real Princess..you are so beautiful," was all she could say before she attempted to wrap her arms around Ophilea in a tight hug, "my cousin is a princess! Ahh," she stepped back smile still as bright and as big as before, "Can I like follow you everywhere! We can do anything you want!"
Post by Ophelia Rainecourt on Sept 23, 2022 3:43:31 GMT -5
Ophelia laughed—a tinkling, musical sound that hadn’t been heard for what seemed a lifetime. Though surprised, she wrapped her arms around the young girl, squeezing a little before releasing her. She’d always been better at affection than Cassian or Kennet—or at least, projecting the appearance of it.
“Not everywhere, no,” Ophelia said with a charitable smile, “But perhaps we can find some time to be together. I’m quite fond of walking, and there’s more than a few sweet shops in Nevermere that I’m sure you’d be eager to visit. That is…” Ophelia looked to Odina then, “If you’re allowed out of the castle.”
It was a reasonable question. There were, after all, uncharted waters.
Post by Odina Ellis on Sept 30, 2022 19:06:50 GMT -5
Lyra answered for her Mother with that solid enthusiasm, "We have guards who escort us, we can totally go out," she paused and looked at her Mother, "Sorry..."
"It's fine," she laughed lightly returning her eyes back to her neice, "She's very bubbly, I think she fits in here quiet well."
Vekka spoke up with a bit of a attitude in her voice, "I got training, can I be excused?" she bowed her head to Ophelia, "it was nice to meet you we don't want to impose on your time with Aunt Malthice," Tara nodded, "Really we don't...I'm sure being in,""Arynn Frey," Tara patted both her girls on the shoulders, "Yes, Arynn Frey, leaves you with little time here."
Post by Ophelia Rainecourt on Oct 12, 2022 14:54:56 GMT -5
The mention of Arynn Frey had Ophelia stiffen. Twisted vines of longing and guilt and grief wound themselves around her heart and squeezed. She missed Akagi so much it hurt, yet at the same time couldn’t bear to face him. She missed her children like anything, but at the same time, the thought of seeing them again, of bearing that responsibility, made her sick.
“Yes, well,” Ophelia said with a strained smile, “It has been some time since I’ve been home, so I don’t plan on leaving too soon.”
Post by Odina Ellis on Oct 12, 2022 16:05:03 GMT -5
"Perfect!" Lyra blurted, oblivious to the strained smile but Vekka and Tara saw it, "Well then let us say we are happy to have you here, your brother is usually busy so having some company day to day will be nice," Tara confirmed with her niece, "I look forward to getting to know you Ophelia."
Post by Ophelia Rainecourt on Oct 18, 2022 19:15:28 GMT -5
“And I, you.” Ophelia softened as she looked up at Odina. How strange it was. It was like seeing an alternative vision of her mother—what she might have been had she not been sapped of vitality by childbirth. The thought was enough to make Ophelia glance at the mirror, to see her own reflection and how her cheeks had started to grow sallow.
“I should leave you,” Ophelia said rather suddenly, dipping her head politely to Odina, “I…” She stopped, unsure of how to finish the sentence. She found herself looking back to her mother, gaze distant. “I’m sure she’s glad to have you home.”
Ophelia reached out and gave Odina’s arm a squeeze before turning to leave the room.
Post by Odina Ellis on Nov 6, 2022 10:52:58 GMT -5
"I will be available to see you at any time niece," Tara graciously and with every fiber she could muster to relay that she meant it, she wanted new relationships with her niece and nephew, Cassian had shown her that their was more to everything than cold revenge. Tara meant to capitalize on that lesson with both of them until she returned to Cambria.
Tara had seen Ophelia stare into the mirror and the sudden realization and how it cemented the feeling startled the lost Princess. Worry set to her features as she went back to tending her silent and broken sister.