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 the day after the party, and Aldrich had a horrible headache. It wasn't even alcohol related. Not that he ever got a headache after a night of drinking. He could handle quite some alcohol, without getting a hangover. But this headache was related to the amount of shouting and mayhem that had happened at Othello's house. It was becoming increasingly clear that parties just didn't work in a kingdom such as Nevermere. After he had left Zarha and Elletta behind with Othello, he had went home. The home he normally didn't really like had never been more inviting and welcoming. His bed felt wonderful, and after a last glass of whiskey, he had went to bed.
The headache was there as soon as he woke up, but got progressively worse over the span of the morning. Especially when he remembered that Regan had ditched him again. He wasn't sure why it bothered him so much. There were no real romantic feelings there, just some a lot of attraction. Still, it hurt that she was nice, kind and even flirty in private, but whenever they were in public, and there were other people around, she didn't pay him any attention. He had taken the time to go over to her to ask her if she was alright, and she had pretty much ignored him to go look for Captain Woodwick.
Even before he and Regan slept together, there were rumours about her and the Captain. He had brushed them off, but perhaps they were more true than he had thought. And that did bother him. Especially after the ball. Woodwick and he had both apologised for their behaviour, but would Regan make it difficult for them to work together? Who knew. Woodwick would be going to Cambria soon anyway.
By the time he had reached his office, the headache had reached its peak. He slouched in his chair and had asked an assistant to get him tea, which he normally never drank. He'd try to avoid talking to people today by staying in here, away from loud voices.
Post by Regan Lassiter on May 21, 2023 13:12:26 GMT -5
Aldrich would be unsuccessful in his efforts to avoid people—or at least, one person in particular. It wasn’t by choice that Regan made her way to his office. The position she found herself in was uncomfortable and would have been happily avoided. With the full moon passed, she had more clarity regarding her actions and who stood to be affected by them. Warren, Cassian, and even Aldrich, should the rumors continue to spread. So, she’d tried to put him as far out of her mind as she could, but now, needing his help, Regan couldn’t avoid it. Now, the memory of the equipment shed came creeping back in as she moved through the halls. Heat rose to her cheeks as she thought about his self-assured smirk, the strength of his hands, and the biting tightness of his belt around her neck.
Regan stopped before his door and took a deep breath before rapping on it firmly.
Post by Aldrich Abbott on May 22, 2023 8:34:21 GMT -5
Saying "come in" when someone knocked on the door was becoming an automatic response by now, as well as looking up from the paperwork he was doing to see who would come through the door (I'm sure there's something about Pavlov and his dogs in there). So, that's what he did when Regan knocked on the door.
We won't call it quits. We'll call it the start.
Last Edit: May 22, 2023 8:35:32 GMT -5 by Aldrich Abbott
Post by Regan Lassiter on May 22, 2023 20:13:52 GMT -5
Regan did.
She came inside and with crisp immediacy, shut the door behind her. When she turned back to Aldrich, Regan just stared dumbly for a moment before she managed to scrape up a handful of words from the bottom of her brain.
Post by Aldrich Abbott on May 23, 2023 9:26:13 GMT -5
His brow furrowed when he realised it was Regan who had walked into his office. He put the quill back in the ink jar and leaned back in his chair, causing it to creak. But not only the chair made a sound, he did as well. He let out something between a sigh and a groan when she spoke.
"Thanks, Regan", he said. "Is that what you came here to say?" He wasn't annoyed, but he also wasn't planning on amusing Regan. He didn't feel like he had anything to say to her at the time.
Post by Regan Lassiter on May 25, 2023 19:48:53 GMT -5
Regan felt a twinge of… disappointment? What was it? She didn’t know what or why, but Aldrich’s manner toward her had changed. Maybe he was just hungover. Or whatever it was that had him looking ragged.
“No, not all,” Regan said, stepping further into the office and helping herself to a seat, “I, uh, need your help. With something.”
Absently, her eyes flickered over Aldrich before they returned to where they were supposed to be.
Post by Aldrich Abbott on May 26, 2023 10:22:52 GMT -5
Of course. Aldrich looked at the papers on his desk again. "Are you sure Captain Woodwick isn't more fit to help you?" he asked, purposefully not making eye contact to act like it was just a normal thing to ask, although it was clear that there was a hidden message behind the question. He had offered his help during the party, but he hadn't been good enough then. So what did she need now?
We won't call it quits. We'll call it the start.
Last Edit: May 26, 2023 10:23:36 GMT -5 by Aldrich Abbott
Post by Regan Lassiter on May 26, 2023 13:53:47 GMT -5
Regan could be a fool, but she wasn’t an idiot. She heard the meaningful edge in Aldrich’s voice and was, admittedly, surprised by it. The name ‘Woodwick’ made her tense and her eyes narrowed on Aldrich.
“And what’s that supposed to mean?”
Her tone was defensive, just short of threatening.
Post by Aldrich Abbott on May 26, 2023 15:14:37 GMT -5
He met her gaze again. He didn't really know what to say, because he still didn't know why it bothered him that she only ever seemed to talk to him when they were alone.
His mouth was a straight line. "What do you want, Regan?" he asked. It was meant in regards to what she had said when she entered the room, but it was also meant as a general question. What did she want? Was he a quick and easy fuck, but not worthy of being associated with her in public? It wasn't like she asked or expected anything from her.
Post by Regan Lassiter on May 26, 2023 16:52:36 GMT -5
Regan prickled with irritation. Aldirch’s apparent rejection was one that stung more than she’d admit to. But it wasn’t hurt but anger that reddened her cheeks and glittered in her eyes.
“For you to cut out whatever the fuck this is.” She crossed her arms, rather like a pouting child, eyes still narrowed in a challenge on Aldrich, “If you've got something to say, say it.”
Post by Aldrich Abbott on May 27, 2023 5:55:39 GMT -5
Aldrich wished he would have just continued to 'suffer' in silence, but now it was too late. He just had to be passive aggressive about how he felt about his recent interactions with Regan, and now they had to talk about it. He wasn't sure if talking about it made him appear mature, or more like a jealous little boy.
"I don't appreciate how you treat me", he eventually said. "You were obviously emotional during that... whatever Othello's definition of a party is, and I tried to ask you if you're alright. But whenever other people are around, you go running to Captain Woodwick." His eyes narrowed. "If you regret what we did in the equipment shed, just say that. I don't have time to force a friendship out of you."
Post by Regan Lassiter on May 27, 2023 12:38:56 GMT -5
Regan was surprised at Aldrich’s frank honesty. She raised her eyebrows, bristling annoyance starting to fade, guilt taking its place. Regan hadn’t even considered that anything she could do would impact Aldrich’s feelings. He seemed aloof, confident, untouchable. That’s part of why Regan had been drawn to him in the first place. There was both allure and safety in that.
Warren’s name had her face turning even redder. She shifted in her chair, “I don’t go running to Captain Woodwick,” Regan protested childishly, “I just…he knows how to, uh, deal with me. Which isn't something I thought you'd be interested in.”
Post by Aldrich Abbott on May 28, 2023 5:55:29 GMT -5
Aldrich snickered for a moment when she said she didn't go running for Warren every chance she got. "I think I dealt with you pretty well myself", he said with a straight face. A belt and a little holding of the wrists went a long way apparently when it came to Regan's wolfy side.
He wanted to be her friend, but he refused to be pathetic. He would run after her to ask her to be friends. He was way too old for that. If she wanted it this way, she would get it. He'd turn the switch and go back to being nothing more than a colleague. He'd behave professionally. No friendship or feelings there.
Post by Regan Lassiter on May 29, 2023 7:51:06 GMT -5
Aldrich wasn’t wrong. It was a different approach than Warren’s, but it had been effective—and exactly what she’d asked for. Regan’s cheeks turned scarlet just thinking of it before she blinked to clear the vision. She cleared her throat, trying to slow her beating heart.
“Listen,” Regan started softly, “I don’t regret anything. I don’t. And I’m not tryna cut you out or ignore you either—really. But, uh, things are different now. I’m not tryna hurt anyone, and Warren…” Warren what? Regan wasn’t quite sure how to finish that sentence.
Post by Aldrich Abbott on May 30, 2023 8:41:53 GMT -5
"What's changed?" he asked, genuinely wondering where Regan's 180 had come from. He knew he hadn't done anything wrong, and he didn't think Warren had said something about him to her. They had apologized to each other about their behaviour during the ball, and had put it behind them. So he looked at her with a puzzled look on his face.