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!
Regan made her way down to the docks, sticking to the sides of the road and making no eye contact with anyone. If she didn’t they’d see the burning amber in her eyes. Her animal instincts remained close to the surface, taking only one wrong move to send them springing forward. But it was the hound, not the wolf, that she felt. How she wished it was the other.
As she stepped beyond the buildings toward the dock, a blast of cool evening air rolled over the sea and tossed her hair back. It was calming—numbing, more like. Either way, it felt good. Regan leaned up against one of the dock pillars, a place where she could be seen and feel the wind on her face.
Post by Octavius Wulfbrand on Sept 20, 2022 14:11:07 GMT -5
Octavius had dressed quickly and jogged to the docks, rendering his new set of clothing smelling slightly of perspiration, but he didn’t care. He had missed it upon first seeing it, but left to his thoughts as he changed out of his soiled clothes he had realized that Regan was in a state. What kind of state, exactly? Well he was hurrying back to her to figure that out.
When he caught sight of Regan he slowed. She was a wounded soul if he ever did see one. He gave himself a moment to drink in the angst of it all. When he drew nearer she’d find kindness in his eyes and an easy smile.
“Let me guess.” He started, gentle humor thickening his tone. “They stopped serving dumplings to the military units in Lorendale?”
Post by Regan Lassiter on Sept 20, 2022 14:11:25 GMT -5
Waiting for Octavius, Regan had started to muse on her own failure. What if this was how she went? Killed by the bite, relegated to nothing but a footnote in Nevermere’s military history—if that. A disappointment, more likely, something shameful that was to be briefly mourned but mostly forgotten. Regan wondered if she’d be missed. Probably not, she thought, trapped in the prison of her own self-loathing. It was probably better that way. Probably—
Octavius’s voice cut through to shake her back to reality. Regan grumbled at his tease, rubbing her eyes as if waking from an unsatisfactory nap.
“Some things even a dumpling can’t fix,” Regan muttered, managing a half-hearted smile.
Post by Octavius Wulfbrand on Sept 20, 2022 14:12:17 GMT -5
Octavius closed the distance between them, his smile growing at her response. When she stopped rubbing her eyes he would adopt a seriously expression, eyes wide, mouth open, too melodramatic to be legitimate.
"The dumpling gods will not look kindly upon those who undermine their authority." He dropped the jest, mostly anyway, and looked her over. She wasn't looking better. His brow furrowed in concern.
Post by Regan Lassiter on Sept 20, 2022 14:12:31 GMT -5
Regan chuckled, shaking her head. The dumpling gods had failed to protect her thus far, and since the advent of the hellhound, goddess knows she’d been eating more than her fair share.
“I don’t even know where to begin with that one,” Regan sighed shaking her head, “As you could probably tell, I’ve been a little…intense.”
Post by Octavius Wulfbrand on Sept 20, 2022 14:14:26 GMT -5
Octavius liked to see her loosening up a little, but it didn't quite shake his concern. He was sure she'd encountered horrors in Lorendale, if the kingdom was as chaotic as he'd heard rumor of. But that wasn't quite it.
"No, I mean..." He drew closer to her, if she didn't shy away, and he'd raise the back of his hand to her forehead. "You don't feel so hot. And you look like hell."
Post by Regan Lassiter on Sept 20, 2022 14:17:38 GMT -5
Regan stifled her flinch as Octavius reached for her. His hand felt cool against her forehead, which she was now realizing was slick with sweat.
“Yeah, well,” Regan countered with a strained smirk, “We all can’t have your dashing good looks.” For a moment, she hesitated, softening, debating on an explanation. Something true.
Post by Octavius Wulfbrand on Sept 21, 2022 14:22:23 GMT -5
Octavius retracted his hand and frowned at her, smiling despite his brows. She thought he was attractive? He'd been an awkward looking kid until just years ago. Apparently Cambria had done a wonder on him, she wasn't the first woman to mention his looks. In fact, hearing it again now, he was momentarily distracted from her state and was dwelling on his instead. If he was an attractive man this would have implications for him concerning marriage, wouldn't it? Now that was a thought...
"Wha--ater? Yes. Definitely." He checked back in and looked to the sea. Its waves were gentle, beckoning a safe dip. Octavius whipped off his shirt. It was rather standard for a man to swim in underwear. He glanced at Regan, curious to see if she'd equipped herself accordingly.
Post by Regan Lassiter on Sept 26, 2022 14:48:39 GMT -5
Werewolf form or no, Regan had always been an insatiable creature. Even if she didn’t act on the impulse—which, she hadn’t exactly been perfect in that department—it was always there. Like a kid with a sweet tooth that couldn’t help but eye the candy in the shop window. It took Regan a moment to realize she was staring at the bare-torsoed Octavius. Once she did, she quickly averted her eyes, looking down at her boots as she shucked them off her feet.
Regan slipped her tunic over her head. The undershirt beneath would hide her wound and keep her decent. Maybe the salt water would do it good, she thought. Cleanse it, or something. Regan unbuckled her trousers and kicked them aside, similarly stripped down to her undergarments. Regan wasn’t here to impress anybody, nor did she think she would.
After standing there for a moment, looking at the dark waves, Regan looked at Octavius with a lopsided grin.
“Race ya.” She’d take off down the dock, charging toward the water.
Post by Octavius Wulfbrand on Sept 29, 2022 22:04:40 GMT -5
Octavius was something of a gentleman. He averted his gaze and gave her privacy as she undressed. There was something sensual about watching a woman take off her clothes, wasn't there? It hardly mattered what she was wearing after she was disrobed. Okay, it totally mattered, but...
His eyes flashed to her form as she took off. Was it ever not jarring to see a girl so scantily clad? No, no it wasn't. But whatever tendency towards sexual thoughts that were not uncommon for men (and women) were easily snuffed at the memory of Grant's face as he inadvertently expressed his deep care and desire for the woman before him. Octavius, unlike some, could remain platonic. He'd do so happily for the sake of a friend.
"Oh no you don't!" He hollered as he worked his long legs and pumped his arms, hotly pursuing her. If she didn't cheat with her half shift then it was very likely that he'd overtake her and hit the end of the dock first. Regardless of who won, he'd cross his hands, point them overhead, and plunge into the waves.
Post by Regan Lassiter on Oct 13, 2022 11:28:59 GMT -5
She did cheat. The beast was so close to the surface, so unbearably tempting that it rose unbidden. Her eyes flashed before she reached the end of the dock, her supernatural speed launching her off the edge and headfirst into the blackness. The cold water swallowed her whole, all light disappearing as she plunged into its depths. The ocean salt stung in her wound. The pain, coupled with the cold and sense-numbing quiet dark, bought her a moment’s peace. She lingered in the black. Regan herself sink until her lungs burned for air. Only then she she reemerge, breaking the surface gasping for air. She’d look for Octavius, eyes glowing faintly for a moment before growing dark once more.
Post by Octavius Wulfbrand on Oct 14, 2022 14:13:10 GMT -5
Octavius was shocked when the woman passed him and entered the water first. The shock heightened as he broke through the cold of the waves. Unlike Regan, he immediately surface, never one to play with the darker things in life. His eyes swung, searching.
“A wolf and a fish, huh?” Octavius asked aloud, hoping the sound of his voice would beckon her forward. After another few seconds that felt like minutes he started to panic. He had no idea how well she could swim, and he started to assume the worst.
“Regan?” Alarmed at first, but then with panic, “Regan?!” Just about then her head popped up and she took her petition for air. Octavius’ heartbeat was in his ears, racing with fear.
“Dammit, Lass. Don’t do that.” His grin wavered a little as he swam towards her.
Post by Regan Lassiter on Oct 26, 2022 20:19:31 GMT -5
Regan grinned, chuckling at Octavius as he swam for her. She looked up at the stars, barely peeking through the veil of clouds that blanketed the night sky. With the chilling water sinking down to her bones, the night was both bleak and peaceful.
Post by Octavius Wulfbrand on Dec 8, 2022 11:38:32 GMT -5
Octavius got close enough to be close without being too close. Not for a moment did he forget that this was Grant’s girl. Grant’s girl and his friend. Even if the moonlight on her face was oddly romantic. Even if Octavius yearned for something more with a woman in his life.
He stopped looking at her and turned his gaze to towards the sky.
“Yep. Not in these specific waters, but night swimming is a pastime.” He grinned as he said it, entertained by his own description. “You?”
Post by Regan Lassiter on Dec 8, 2022 11:38:47 GMT -5
The wound in her side still stung, but it felt good. Cleansing. It helped stabilize the volatility that had plagued her since the bite. Regan still smiled up at the heavens, a different creature than the one that had attacked Octavius in the hall. Without looking away from the stars, she shook her head.
“No, not really,” Regan mused, “Didn’t really go swimming as a kid. And once I learned, started soldier-ing…I don’t know there was always something else that needed doing. But,” She chuckled, “I guess I should start.”