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!
"Yeah, well, get it out of yer mind," he said of the rumor with a sigh, even if he could hardly get it out of his own.
If she was choosing not to tell Elliot because he would worry, then who had she told about whatever this was? Ikisina really astounded him sometimes. As hard as people around her tried to keep her safe, she always managed to find a way to keep putting herself in danger. "Well if you didn't tell Elliot because he'd be worried, I don't reckon I'm gonna like what I'm 'bout to hear," he said with a sigh, leaning back, his hands in his lap.
And no, he didn't. "Shit," he sighed, rubbing his face and looking at her. He said nothing for a few moments. All he could think of was that if he had met her soon he might have been able to keep her from being there. Not that him being with her now helped - she still got into plenty of trouble despite him. But the horrors that happened at Allemeade farm were hardly the kind anyone should need to see, much less a young woman. It made all the more sense now, though, that she'd been so dead set on going to the execution.
When he spoke, he was quiet. They were in a moving carriage, but that almost didn't feel like enough secrecy. "Ikisina, I know you wanna help people..." he began, but paused for a moment to take another breath. "But wasn't safety for gifteds the whole purpose of Allemeade farm? And look what happened to it? Groupin' a buncha people together like that...someone is gonna notice eventually, especially if any of 'em -- you included -- are registered. Nothin' in this damned place stays secret or safe for too long, you ought to know that as well as anyone."
Post by Ikisina Navarro on Dec 3, 2022 13:34:31 GMT -5
If they mat sooner, it woudln't of mattered as she wouldn't of told him, she couldn't of told him. She leaned back. "I know it dangerous, but at the moment in time, in the world we live in there isn't a lot of options. if Anti-gifted want to kill us we both know all to well they will still find you no matter if you are grouped together or spead apart. At least here it well hidden and out of sight." She kept in hush tones.
"I want to help not just myself but other gifted and this, keeping records, information is the one thing i am good at. Plus they not going to be all together in one house. I know i have a habit of being in dangerous situation, I didn't even want to be on that farm that day. I didn't ask to be the one getting beaten up."
She ran her fingers through her hair. "Do you think there a better option because they might be a war at this right and there going to people injured and we will need somewhere to treat them?"
His eyes wandered around the carriage while she spoke, occasionally falling back to her, but then quickly looking away again. That was the part of her that reminded him of his sister. Not just stubborn, or demanding, but kind. He wasn't sure he'd ever been a kind person. Even now it was hard to look at her because all she wanted to do was help people, and all he could think about was helping himself.
"You're askin' the wrong person, Sina," he finally said when she was done and he'd taken a deep breath. "'Cause you wanna know what I think the better option is?" He leaned forward, pointing a finger at her chest, close but not quite touching her. "You take care of yourself," he said, meeting her eyes for a moment, before drawing away against the carriage seat once more. "And you let them worry 'bout themselves. It ain't your responsibility to mother all the gifted people in Loren. Nor to give them a safe place to stay, or to treat them if they get attacked. You think I'm a Legionnaire because I care about people? 'Cause I wanna help keep people safe? I'm a Legionnaire because it's the only job I could find to match the only skills I've got, and I've gotta put food in my belly somehow."
He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated, making sections of it stick up in a way that might have been comical if it weren't for the tense conversation. "None of 'em care 'bout you or what you're doin' for 'em, Sina. They cover their own asses. That's how people are. Where's all the other gifted folk been while you've been gettin' attacked? You got a whole lot of 'em comin' 'round to ask you how you're doin', or if you need anything? Offer to walk ya home at night so you're safe? Oh, no, wait, you had to hire a sell-sword to do that." He wasn't trying to be mean, or hateful. It was just how he looked at the world. People took care of themselves first. Use or be used. You were either one or the other.
"I know nothin' I say is gonna stop you," he relented, leg bouncing anxiously. "What I don't know is why you're botherin' tellin' me all this knowin' I wasn't gonna like it. It's just another way you're gonna get hurt. Then what?"
Post by Ikisina Navarro on Dec 3, 2022 17:37:08 GMT -5
Sina looked at Dresden as he talked for a moment as she leaned back "I am telling you knowing you won't like it because you probably bring out a side of me that make me work harder. I know it's stupid." Sina noticed his leg bouching around there was a look of I want you to be safe and I care for you. "I guess you are right though that I've been focusing on other people needs and making sure they are alright that i always thought that i can't put myself first." She let a little laugh.
"I'll slow down. but I can see you are anxious and even though I want to help calm you down, i will only use my gift if you want me too?" She asked him
"It's not..." he shook his head. "It's not stupid, Ikisina, it's just dangerous." Her offer to use her gift to help him made him realize his leg was giving away his nerves, and he forced himself to stop. Using his strength for herself, that was one thing. But he hadn't liked it the time before, when she'd used her gift to take away some of his pain. Not because of some side effect, or the sensation, but because he'd wanted to keep it. The pain. But he couldn't exactly tell her that, could he?
"No, you don't need to do that for me," he said calmly, quietly. "I'm a big boy, I can calm myself." He laughed somewhat, and switched seats, moving to sit close beside her. He took her hand and wrapped his fingers with hers, and lifted her knuckles to his mouth to kiss them. "If you say you'll be careful, and you say you'll slow down, I can't rightfully ask any more of ya than that. If I had it my way, you'd prob'ly never leave the Baronet's manor, let's be honest." He sighed, looking over at her. "I'm beginnin' to think you're just a bit more stubborn than I bargained before. What in the sun, moon, and stars am I gonna do with you?"
Post by Ikisina Navarro on Dec 3, 2022 19:07:30 GMT -5
"I know." Her voice was merely a whisper only loud enough for him to hear. She know that they was inside of a carrage and Kolton and the driver up front was talking about stuff that she just learn not to ask about.
Sina give a soft smile. "You know the offer will always be there for you if you ever want it." It wasn't a I want to care for you because it was in her nature and she was just being kind. When he took her hand in his and kissed it and smiled softly. She let out a small laugh, "I don't think you are the only one who would like that." Sina if he allowed her lean into. "at least i am not boring." Her thumb softly rub against his.
"I know, and I appreciate it, I do," he answered, though he doubted he'd ever utilize her gift in such a way again. Her laugh made him smile again, but it was reactionary, hollow. He let her lean against him, and for a moment he was just quiet and took in the feeling of her next to him, the warmth and the comfort that she provided, while welcomed, was fleeting. Already she was readying herself to leave and all he could think was that he needed to do any and everything he could, short of pregnancy or marriage, to keep her from leaving.
Her joke about not being boring made him laugh, something equally as hollow as his smile had been though some amusement did show on his face. "That's true. You couldn't be borin' if you tried." He agreed. "Where's this place at, anyway? We've done passed the Baronet's manor, ain't we?" He said, glancing out the small square windows of the carriage. "Not much more than woods 'round, you sure you're not bringin' me out here in secret to let your little body guard off me?" A joke, though probably not a very good one, and not said with either much care or enthusiasm. This whole thing had exhausted him, and all he wanted right now was to know that Ikisina was tucked away safely in Elliot's manor so he could crawl into his own bed and get some sleep.
Post by Ikisina Navarro on Dec 4, 2022 6:21:29 GMT -5
Sina give a small smile a sad look on her eyes. "Even though i know you would love beating Kolton in a fight." She gives a half-joke. "I was going to show you the safe house I've been working on." Ikisina looked down a bit and ran her hand through her hair. The carrage pulls to a stop. "if you want I can show it to you, or we can go home. I do what you want to do." She said even though part of her want to show him it. Part of her doesn't want him to leave.
"Oh, there would be no fight," Dresden corrected Ikisina, not remotely joking even though his tone might have made it sound like he was. "It'd be over before he had the chance to land a blow, but I guess I shouldn't kill his confidence if he's supposed to be keepin' you safe."
It was clear that this meant a lot to Ikisina. Dresden didn't like any of it, but not because she shouldn't do it, or couldn't do it. He knew she was probably capable enough, and maybe she'd be okay. But if he were being honest with himself, none of that was really his main concern. "No, let's see it," he said, turning his body slightly to face her. "If it's that important to you, then I wanna see it. Besides, I'm here, so whats the worst that can happen?" He asked. This time, he moved his free hand up to her face, leaned in and kissed her just to the side of her mouth. Not quite on her lips, but at the corner of them, along her cheek. As he pulled away, he ran a hand through her hair and looked her face over as the carriage came to a stop. He sighed, letting go of her hand and moving toward the opening door.
Kolton was there, and he'd clearly intended to open the door for Ikisina, not Dresden, but Dresden climbed out first and shoo'd the man away. "You were outside the carriage for a reason, bub," Dresden said, his cocky grin returning as he turned to offer Ikisina his hand to help her out.
Post by Ikisina Navarro on Dec 6, 2022 8:38:20 GMT -5
Sina smiled softly as she looked at their hands and give a soft squeeze. "Kolton can be stronger then he acts. for some reason he sees you as a threat to me." She want to believe that it is all in Kolton's hand that Dresden isn't a treat to her. Like he been the one who try and get Sina to look out for herself more.
When Dresden placed his free hand on her face, she placed her free hand on top of his her smile grew a bit under the kiss to her cheek. "this is important to me. Nothing going to happen I promise." She want to say that he was important to her as well but left it at that. As they looked at each other for a bit. just taking his face in.
However as the couch stopped and Dresden stood up and get out to Kolton narrowing his eyes at Dresden. "You are so lucky Miss Sina here with you. Just watch your back.' he was soo annoyed.
She doesn't know what going on with him however, Sina takes Dresden hand to help her get out. "It not that far." She explained paying the driver. Waiting for them to drive on past. This was clearly Sina's element being around trees. Still holding Dresden's hands, "It's this way." She smiled as they started to make their way.
"I'm sure he's strong enough to fight off the average enemy, that usually bein' cowards willin' to beat up women," Dresden said, one side of his mouth quirking up a little as he looked down at her. "But I just like givin' 'em a hard time 'cause I think he's sweet on you." No, he just outright didn't care for the kid, but what could he do?
She promised nothing would happen, and she was right. Nothing would happen, but not because it meant anything to her. Only because Dresden was there to make sure it wouldn't. "I know, I believe you," he said, because he knew she believed it, at least.
Already tired of the empty threats, Dresden ignored Kolton as if he weren't there, keeping his attention to Ikisina instead, his back turned to the obnoxious little prick but as Ikisina took his hand, he made sure that Kolton could see their visibly laced fingers as the carriage pulled away and Ikisina began to lead him through the woods.
"Ya know, I was gonna give you the benefit of the doubt, Sina, but now that we're goin' into the woods I'm gettin' a little worried again," he laughed, though he could see that she seemed to feel more comfortable here. He'd never cared much for 'nature'. Just something else that could kill you. But he had to entertain her muses for the time being, and kept his complaints to himself. "Might should have kept the carriage waitin' for us, though."
Post by Ikisina Navarro on Dec 7, 2022 7:22:07 GMT -5
"true thankfully since this one been around, even though the barons still come visit the library on a regular basis. They have been no more attcks or attemps. I think they possible waiting till i get confident enough that they stopped so i drop Kolton then strike." Sina ran her hands through her hair she might be paranoid but she rather be paranoid then unsafe. "plus i think you right he is sweet on me." She laugh softly she had no interest in him.
Kolton muttered something when he noticed their hands intertwined making Sina lean into Dresden giving him a cheeky wink. She look at Dresden when he express that he is worried. "What you worried avout?" She asked in a curious manner, not in a 'there nothing to be scared of' way but in a way that she was generally interested.
Those damn barons. If he thought he could get away with it, he would have found a way to take care of them a long time ago. His relationship with Augustus was still much too new for him to start asking for favors, and he had to tread carefully not to draw too much attention to himself for the sake of that relationship. Luckily Augustus hadn't asked him anything about the rumors with Scout, but Dresden knew very well how the Prince felt about men that took advantage of women. Not that the situation was the same. Scout wasn't some lonely woman stashed out in the middle of nowhere to hide what was likely her son of royal blood and she had been the one to come on to Dresden. But when it came down to it, he was still the dirty commoner, and she was still the Noble lady. If the Prince had to take a side, it would be hers.
So that was out of the question. And until the barons made their way into Mordha on a night that he and Elliot could drum up something to blackmail them with, there was little else to be done. They deserved the swiftest form of judgement, a sword to the gut or a dagger across the throat. But the fault had to be unequivocally their own, or else some random commoner would be blamed for it.
"Good," he finally said, in response to her confirmation that Kolton had taken a liking to her. "Just means that he won't hesitate to lose his life for you. That's how it ought to be, anyway." He didn't worry about Ikisina falling for the kid. He didn't have it in him, Dresden could tell that much.
"Ahh, I was just jokin' again 'bout you bringin' me out here to kill me," he said, waving his free hand. "I'm not really worried. I mean, I got stuff to worry about, but not that specifically," he corrected with a smirk. "Not unless you've gotten real good at usin' your gift for evil all of a sudden, 'cause as we've established, that one," he jerked his thumb behind his back to point it to Kolton. "Couldn't get the job done if he tried. I'm real squirrely in a real fight, and I can take a beatin'. But you know that much."
Post by Ikisina Navarro on Dec 8, 2022 9:12:39 GMT -5
Sina still do not like the fact that Dresden and Elliot are in their way, 'sorting out the Barons.' Wishing so much that there was something she can do to deter them away before Elliot and Dresden can lay their hands on them. She know they are both capable, willing and fucking determind to do it. She wish that they didn't feel like they have to do it, or not hide what they was doing from her. However, she takes a deep breath and take it in. bitting her toung slightly.
Sina laughed softly. "Well, i hope that he doesn't die cause that will mean i have to find another gaurd." She smiled even though she doesn't want a gaurd herself, she wish she can just go out and about by herself without having a hawk following behind her everywhere she walk. Like even at work, he is there just watching.
Sina listened carefully as Dresden explained as they grow close to the building. Which could be seen poking out slightly in the distance. "Evil me? Mischievious, yes, Evil never. plus you do love getting beaten up, I haven't seen you beaten up in a while croved in bruises. Are you feeling alright?" She joked. Even though she hate seeing him hurt, like she want to run to him and heal him so much but there only so much she could do.
"Long as he keeps his wits about him, I'm sure he'll be just fine," Dresden assured her, and he was probably right. It wouldn't take much to scare off whoever the Barons sent Ikisina's way. Kolton really just had to stand there with a sword on his hip and look like he was willing to use it.
He heard the humor in her tone when she said it, but she didn't know how right she was. His little spar with Titus Huxley had been a while back now and the big bruise on his chest from it had healed by the time he sparred Tybalt Zane, who had gone considerably easier on him than he'd expected. He had a few small bruises here and there, sure, but nothing like he'd prefer. "Yeah, well, I've been complainin' that you don't look after yourself enough, so I figured I ought to lead by example," he lied. He was just waiting for Elliot to drum up someone for him to fight at Mordha. "But I promise, next fight I get in, I'll come show you proudly."
He saw the place peaking out from behind the trees as they approached, and slowly let go of her hand, flexing his fingers as if they'd already gotten stiff from the short walk. He wasn't exactly used to that kind of affection and the warmth that lingered from her hand made him uncomfortable. "That it?" He asked, pointing at the building that came into view.