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!
It was a month after the first time she had met Scout Kane. She had of course called herself a different name, and so when the clothes were ready Oriana had sent a letter with a runner, addressed to both Lady Kane and Vivian Watts. It really didn't matter who showed up as long as they had coin. All the same, she wasn't entirely sure if the Lady Steward would show given the community meeting.
She got the order ready though, knowing she knew where to send the bill for all the fabric otherwise. She thought it had all turned out very well. A great wardrobe despite the odd taste. But she had seen the woman in pants so clearly is was a personality thing, and she could understand why she might not want to go to a family tailor.
She was in the middle of some inventory behind the desk, futsting around while she waited to see if Scout would show.
Ring of enchanted combat: ring that, when twisted around the finger three times, enhances one's combat abilities (the equivalent of ten additional combat points).
Post by Scout Kane on Jan 27, 2023 12:36:57 GMT -5
The month had flown by. A lot had happened. Baldovino's death. Meeting with Astor. Their marriage had been approved by the Kanes. Scout had been working a lot, and it didn't seem like things would be slowing down anytime soon. When she got the reminder to pick up her clothes, she felt a little stressed. Oriana had been at the community meeting and now surely knew her name wasn't Vivian Watts but Scout Kane. The letter also confirmed this. One of her servants had offered to pick up the clothes, but Scout had denied this offer. She would face the blonde seamstress herself. If she was to make a fuzz about the fake identity, she wanted to be able to dissolve the case herself.
The petite woman opened the door and walked into the store, looking around to see if she could catch a glimpse of Oriana. Merely a few second later, her eyes fell upon a figure behind the registry. "Ah, miss Oriana", she spoke, closing the distance between them and waiting in front of the register. "I've received your letter and I'm here to pick up my garments."
Oriana looked up when she heard a familiar voice, an easy smile on her face. Nothing that gave away the satisfaction that bubbled underneath the surface. It was surprising for sure, but she could roll with the punches. "It is lovely to see you lady... I don't know quite what to address you as." There was a sparkle in her eyes now showing the slight amusement with the whole situation.
Ring of enchanted combat: ring that, when twisted around the finger three times, enhances one's combat abilities (the equivalent of ten additional combat points).
An amused, slightly mischievous smile appeared on Scout's face. "Lady Kane will do just fine. By now you have figured out that's my real name anyway." For a moment the woman thought about elaborating on why she had chosen a fake name during their first encounter, but then she decided against it. There was no added benefit, and she truly didn't need to explain herself. She had her reasons, but none of those concerned Oriana. "I hope the pants didn't prove to be too much of an issue?" Oriana had mentioned that women's pants weren't something she was very familiar with.
Last Edit: Feb 1, 2023 3:01:08 GMT -5 by Scout Kane
So they were going with the stuffy titles now, so be it, Oriana could swivel and go with it. Really a shame, would have been quite funny to continue the charade, but getting down to business would make it go quicker anyways. And someone who liked to ride the political fence wasn't someone that the seamstress needed to get to know better anyways.
"No issue, I've got a place in the back for you to try them on and make sure they fit." One of the reasons most ladies chose to have it at their home, but Oriana thought she had put together a nice fitting area. It was many years in the making after all.
Ring of enchanted combat: ring that, when twisted around the finger three times, enhances one's combat abilities (the equivalent of ten additional combat points).
Scout wouldn't have minded the same casual banter that the two of them had had before Oriana figured out who she really was, but she also wasn't thinking too much about it either. She was just there for her clothes.
Scout nodded. "Sounds great. If you could show me the way?" she asked, a little hesitant. She didn't want to barge through the shop looking for the fitting rooms herself, let alone try and find the pants. Not because she needed to be served, but because she was respectful towards someone's business.
"Absolutely my Lady! I'm excited to see these on, and I don't think we'll have to do too many alterations like dresses require." Ushering with her hand, Oriana would bring Lady Kane through the store, slightly disappointed the store wasn't more busy. That would bring in a lot of clients.
Pulling out the various garments she held up a pair of pants and jacket. "Let's get started then Lady Kane."
Ring of enchanted combat: ring that, when twisted around the finger three times, enhances one's combat abilities (the equivalent of ten additional combat points).
If the clothes tickled her fancy, she would definitely be recommending Oriana's store to other nobles. Scout was a fair woman and gave credit where credit was due. She also wasn't someone who was known to look down on commoners, and she'd gladly help them achieve their goals. If they were achievable, of course.
With a smile on her face she followed the blonde through the store, eventually reaching the fitting room where Oriana presented her with the clothes she had made this last month. She took them from her and started to change.
Moments after, she stepped out of the fitting room wearing the pants and the jacket. She touched her legs a bit, feeling the fabric. "I quite like this, Oriana", she said, still looking down at the pants and the jacket. "What do you think, though? You're the one with the trained eye, after all."
Oriana grabbed pins, her notebook and measuring tape, and readied herself for the next hour or so. It was a process, and she just hoped that Lady Kane's measurements hadn't changed too much. Many ladies added a stone or two with the colder seasons, and that was just something you had to roll with. Bringing it up was disastrous at times.
So when the lady steward stepped out she was relieved that she had accurately guessed at the slight change in waist circumference. "I think this is going to be an easy afternoon for both of us. Step on up and I'll start." Gesturing towards a pedestal and closing the curtain so they would be alone.
"I hope you don't mind me saying, you are in incredible shape for a lady of court." It was admirable, and probably how she managed to keep off any future heims weight.
Ring of enchanted combat: ring that, when twisted around the finger three times, enhances one's combat abilities (the equivalent of ten additional combat points).
It did indeed seem like it was going to be an easy afternoon. She was glad the pants were already quite fitting. Scout did as she was told and stepped up on the platform so it would be easier for Oriana to put pins in the fabrics.
"Why thank you", she said, smiling lightly. "I still train and work out quite often. I am getting married though, so that might change." She winked at the woman. Whether she meant a baby or just gaining weight due to love and stuff like that, was up to Oriana to decide. It didn't matter much. "But I'm sure these will still fit then", she added, so steer away a bit from the baby idea.
Oriana smiled at Lady Kane prattled on about her happy life. She started with a measuring tape and wrapped it around the woman's waist, feeling the alignment of her hips for the perfect fit. And that's when her smile froze. There was something different. There were, extra bones where there shouldn't be.
The corners of her lips twitched upwards. Marriage, things changing, her coming to a different place than she normally did. Interesting. "Marriage? Sounds like a happy event for such tumultuous time?" The community meeting had left many things unanswered, and Oriana wasn't sure a wedding was what the kingdom needed. People doing their jobs would be better.
Ring of enchanted combat: ring that, when twisted around the finger three times, enhances one's combat abilities (the equivalent of ten additional combat points).
Scout didn't notice the change in Oriana's behaviour and instead babbled on about her live, sharing the happy news of the marriage with her. "I guess you're right, but troubling times shouldn't force us to put our lives on hold. There's always something on the horizon." She smiled lightly before looking down at Oriana. "Do not worry, miss Oriana, it won't distract me from continuing to do what I must do for our community."
”I have no doubt, you seem like a hard worker my lady.” But Oriana was roiling on the inside. She would smile and continue with the fitting, but her mind was elsewhere. Gannon had taught her there were many ways to use her gift, and the seamstress decided to take this opportunity. Practicing her gift on such fragile bones was a rarity.
So as she worked, she broke one bone at time, something the mother would not feel, and would surely take the whole fitting. All the while she would talk and work. ”Don’t suppose you’d consider me to make the wedding dress? Or are you planning to wear pants there as well?” This woman who sat all high and mighty didn’t deserve happiness, not in Oriana’s eyes clouded by envy and the anti-gifted hate that swirled everywhere these days. This woman had the power to change things and instead was getting married and surely thinking about the child brewing more than helping gifteds.
Crack, crack, only things she could feel and her smile was suddenly a real one. A slow process but well worth the result.
Ring of enchanted combat: ring that, when twisted around the finger three times, enhances one's combat abilities (the equivalent of ten additional combat points).
Post by Scout Kane on Feb 10, 2023 14:56:48 GMT -5
Unaware of what was happening inside her, Scout remained still so Oriana could finish her work. She smiled at the seamstress' words. "I'm terribly sorry, I would have loved to come to you for it, but my family has already arranged a meeting with their regular seamstress. You know how family is." She laughed. She had no idea if Oriana knew 'how family is', but hers could be pretty strict, especially since they didn't really approve of her marriage. They rightfully suspected there was something fishy about it.
"How have you been since the meeting, dear? I'm sorry if my answer wasn't satisfactory enough. I know it's hard to believe, but we're really trying our best to promote equality."
Crack, crack, crack, every bone broken felt like a victory. For her fellow gifteds, for those who received no aid when it was warranted. And also for the pure satisfaction of making sure this woman felt the pain of birthing a monster. What every gifted child was labeled as.
Lady Kane's words only inticed her to continue. Talking about family as if it was some burden and not something to hold on tight to. Sure, when Oriana was a teenager she might have had similar thoughts, but having them ripped away left her with little to no sympathy for "how family was". "Oh, can't say I quite understand my Lady, but no need to worry, I am sure traditions run deep." Like looking down on gifteds as if they were scum when they were always better.
"I'm sure you are, sometimes it can be hard to see on the streets. Things don't change quickly, and seeing people get hurt because of it isn't easy. People who can't afford guards or training to protect themselves." Oriana made sure to phrase it well, as despite her hatred for those who stood on the sideline, at least Lady Kane wasn't actively anti-gifted.
Crack, crack, crack.
Last Edit: Feb 11, 2023 23:35:19 GMT -5 by Deleted