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!
"You can work your way up eventually, but lets keep our expectations reasonable." Oriana had always known she was destined for great things, but while she waited for that, teaching a man how not to be an ass seemed fun. Especially since women often made for great distractions from work. A perfect way to get ahead of her greatest rival would surely be to make sure he was drawn into family life.
Nodding her head Oriana laughed. "We'll build up your tolerance, I'll try to throw you off your game as much as possible and soon enough you'll barely blush at an exposed ankle." That's where her red dresses could come into play, a touch on the shoulder, eventually he'd be ready for the ton.
"Manners and not overstepped your bounds. Asking for permission, asking her questions about what she likes. Women don't want to be told what they want to do, we just don't often get asked." Maybe she could open a school. It could be called, 'how to not be like lord Anslem Ellery ' because that had to be the best measure.
Post by Io Demeter on Jun 23, 2023 21:29:58 GMT -5
Io scratched the back of his head with a shrug at the reasonable expectation comment. He supposed he could not argue against that hit to his ego...he knew nothing of courting, and he was sure his uncertain stuttering was much less than attractive.
"I...well, yes I hope so," he pulled a bit at his collar, swallowing before going back to stitching. "I'd like to ah...go through the process of...having children without fainting."
The tailor nodded at her words, biting his lip. "That makes sense. So ask about and memorize her interests."
The advice was not too difficult to follow so far. Most was just basic consideration and respect...the implication was worrisome for how many men did not adhere to it. Perhaps the cocky confidence of his peers was not completely enviable. Though he still wished to improve beyond his current state of uncertainly and fear of making a mistake before a lady of his interest.
"Are there any alterations I should make in my presentation?" Io asked, cocking his head. "I know I do not live up to the muscled masculine form of the knights or active nobility..."
"The child-making process? Oh that would be strictly improper for me to teach you such things Io." Laughing, she grinned at the tailor, already starting the process of making sure the man wouldn't be as easily flappable. He was going to be fine, but she needed to put in some work first. Especially since he had almost passed out at the thought of her wearing something red, which while quite impressive if she said so herself, but not the worst she could do to the adorable man in front of her.
Nodding her head, she thought that Io would be a good at this if he listened to her advice as well as he listened to whatever woman he was interested in. He would do just fine, she was sure of it. The man didn't seem to have a mean bone in his body, despite how much he worried about being his father.
Oriana put her sewing down for a minute, and looked Io over. "Stand and spin for me." She needed all the angles to figure out what he needed. Clearly fashion wasn't the problem, but there could always be improvements.
"Oh! I certainly didn't mean..." Io blushed, but cut himself off as he noticed the woman's grin. She was joking. "Right."
He would need hours more training and desensitization before tackling that particular subject. Approaching and speaking to a woman was a much more appropriate goal at this juncture. Io had to be careful not to jump ahead of himself.
The tailor was a bit perplexed when he was asked to spin. He set down the bit of fabric he was working on, adjusting his prosthetic to lock straight, and stood. Turning was a bit of an awkward, halting maneuver with his disability. He managed to complete the spin, looking back to meet Oriana's eyes.
"Feedback?" he asked, genuinely curious to hear the seamstress's thoughts.
Oriana took in his awkward gate, the prosthetic wasn't something any woman should care about, certainly not if he chose correctly. But he could use a little more work in making his movements fluid, especially if he was going to dance, the thought popping into her head making her frown slightly. Another thing to work on, because any lady, and many commoners, would want their husband to at least be able to dance without stepping on their feet.
His figure was not something to worry about entirely, he was well dressed and that meant a lot to most women. "Jacket and waist-coat off." Tilting her head she stood and walked around Io, rather than making him perform the awkward spinning motion again. She also figured honesty was going to be best with him rather than curbing any criticisms.
"We'll need to work on your walking. Well more importantly, dancing. If you are going to sweep a woman off her feet figuratively it is best to be able to do so in the form of dance as well."
Post by Io Demeter on Jun 24, 2023 18:28:34 GMT -5
Io complied, shrugging off his jacket and unbuttoning his waistcoat, laying both on the work table. He felt a bit bare, typically never leaving the house in at least a vest. The tailor became very aware of just how airy the shirt was, skin tingling as he watched Oriana circle him with a critical eye.
"Should I take the shirt off too so we know entirely what we're dealing with?" Io tried the jest, mostly because it was something he thought Oriana might say.
He wasn't remarkably slim, nor honed or muscular by any stretch of the words. He walked to and from home, his shop, and the palace, along with a few errands, but tailoring was certainly not the physically tolling work of most other occupations. Taimi, despite her diminutive height, could easily best him in an arm wrestle or any other physical demands. Still, he did care about Oriana's opinion of him...not that it was representative of all women, but it would give him an idea. The cut of his hair, his beard, his figure...he wanted to know it all and make full use of this unique opportunity of personal training.
"Dancing?" Io scratched his chin, frowning in thought. He certainly hadn't considered that. "I've attended several balls at the palace, on stand by should any wardrobe malfunctions occur, but I have never partaken myself."
Cocking her head to the side, Oriana laughed lightly. "My my Io, you are learning already." Maybe he wasn't a lost cause after all, because that was a good one. Last time she'd had someone strip down in her back room it had not been strictly professional and had avoided such things since.
He looked decent, not exactly her usual type which had been two soldiers, past or present. But he put himself together well and clearly took advice well so getting a little muscle would be easy. Little bit of extra lifting would be easy enough, especially with so much fabric always around. Even she had better muscles than Io.
"Do you lift your own fabric bolts? Because you should, otherwise, I think you could charm anyone." There, that was enough of a downer to not completely boost his ego. "You have a good jaw-line, well put together, your eyes draw me in. You know how to match your clothes of course, most men can't do that. And definitely keep the facial hair." If she was going to spend more time around him, Io better keep that beard because she had a type and if he was going to oggle her on occasion she wanted to be able to do the same.
Sighing, Oriana nodded. "Well that will change when you are courting a woman." Stepping fully around Io so she was standing in front of him, she held out her hand. If the man didn't know a single dance the dress was going to have to wait. "Hand on my waist then."
Post by Io Demeter on Jun 25, 2023 22:08:42 GMT -5
Io grinned at her laugh, pleased to have hit the mark. "Ivory needles and courting. I must have a good teacher."
He paused at the comment about fabric bolts, thinking through the implications. After the loss of his leg, Io had allowed himself to slip into a much lower level of fitness and had become far too comfortable with it. It was beyond time to take back control of his life.
"I'll start," he agreed, running a hand down his arm, taking a mental note of the lack of definition. "I'll ask the guard for some of their training regimens as well."
"Thank you," the tailor blushed, looking down at her compliments, then back up as she mentioned facial hair. "I was very worried you would have me shave it...I've heard most of the guardsmen are required to keep a clean face and I worried it might bother a lady. But I've grown quite fond of it. I've tried to shape it a bit like the Prince's without it being a direct copy, through volume may be another year or so to achieve." Io paused to glance at a nearby mirror, running his hand along his chin with a nod. "All that to say, I'm happy it stays."
His throat dried up and eyes widened as she stopped in front of him with an offered hand and an order. She was going to teach him to dance now? It felt like he had just calmed himself down, but now his heart was back to racing. Still, he knew by now not to argue or protest. He took her hand, and with his other hand hovered to barely brush her waist. He was still standing rather far back, watching her with equal mix of allure and fear.
Io had read somewhere about the courting rituals of spiders. Of the much smaller, weaker male who could, at any moment, be eaten by his lady counterpart. Standing here now before Oriana, Io felt a new sympathetic kinship with the spider.
Tossing her hair over her shoulder, Oriana laughed. "Of course you do, I am the very best at everything I do." Best at her job, and now best at teaching a man how to not be a fool in love. She was really just a young entrepreneur, maybe she could open a business. Lonely hearts club, and Oriana made them better.
"Don't go crazy, just enough to gain some more meat on those bones." Despite loving bones, she didn't think seeing them on a man was necessarily attractive. Unless they were sticking out from your enemies neck. Then that was fun. But Io was decidedly, not someone whose neck needed breaking. Yet.
Still she had to stop her nose from wrinkling as the tailor mentioned the prince. She didn't know anything about the man that flew in from Arynn Frey, and she didn't like things she didn't know. Especially since he was part of the crown and thus doing nothing to prevent the future massacre of gifteds. "Don't try to look too much like him. Make it your own, it looks good." She was pretty sure she'd be repulsed at the sight and that was no good.
Looking at Io, she sighed at how he was acting like she might bite. In fairness, she had been known to, but he didn't know that and it was entirely unfair. "Women aren't made of glass. I won't break if you touch me Io." Her other hand rested on his chest, and she took a breath. "So men lead, so you'll have to adapt. So left foot forward, then right side step with your right first, then follow with your left. Then right back, left to where you started, and the right to follow. Got it?"
Post by Io Demeter on Jun 26, 2023 11:54:46 GMT -5
Io couldn't help but find Oriana's confidence alluring, especially as she had the skills to back her claims. Mostly. He would not allow her claim to go unchallenged.
"The very best? Perhaps in courting and velvets," he crossed his arms, cocking his head with a raised brow and smile. "But I assure you, Oriana, there are none who can work a silk gown as I."
Io nodded agreement at her note. He did not need to be as ridiculously muscled as some of the guardsmen, but a bit more toning and form would help him feel better about himself. He made a mental note to begin some physical activity each morning before starting work.
"Fair enough...and I'm glad to hear you think so." Just because Io rather idolized Prince Augustus did not mean he needed to imitate him. He simply should begin the process of getting a bit more comfortable in his own skin. Oriana certainly had wisdom beyond her years.
The warmth of her hand resting on his chest was novel, capturing his attention for a few moments. Finally, he took a deep breath in and exhale, darkness ringing his vision clearing a bit. He took a step closer to her, allowing his hand to rest more firmly on Oriana's hip.
"Left forward..." Io glanced between her gaze and their feet, moving slowly as he tried to work out the instructions. "Right side..."
That movement was a bit awkward, given Io's right leg prosthetic was stuck straight when standing. While not fluid, he managed to complete the instructions with slow, intentional steps. With another large breath, he tried again, and again, drilling the step into his mind until he built up a bit more rhythm and appropriate speed to maintain eye contact with Oriana. It was an interesting activity, and he actually found himself enjoying the patterned repetition of physical movement. Between the close physical proximity and the synchronization, Io understood why the dance would be a favored activity among those courting.
"That sounds like a challenge Io, or maybe I'll just have to commission a dress from you..." Tilting her head in consideration, Oriana always did her own work, but it couldn't hurt to get a little outside help. And besides she deserved a little compensation for all the advice she was giving the tailor.
Raising an eyebrow at Io, she couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Don't let it go to your head." He was going to be fighting an uphill battle, and getting a big head wasn't any good. There were enough men with double-sized egos, and one thing that the man in front of her had going for him was a level head. And protecting something rare sometimes meant insulting it, or him in this case.
As Io worked through the dance moves, Oriana hummed one of the songs she remembered from her childhood dance lessons. It would make the steps line up to the beat, hopefully making it easier for the new dancer. She also used her hands, pulling or pushing slightly to keep them moving together. Then once he stopped worrying as much it seemed as though he was getting the hang of things. Looking at Io as she hummed through the song, it was good to see the confidence in his actions.
"A natural. Well have to work on other dances, but this will be a good start, then add some twirls and other such things..." Smiling up at Io as she spoke, Oriana was extremely proud of herself. She was going to make sure the tailor swept someone of their feet in all the right ways.
Post by Io Demeter on Jun 26, 2023 16:53:16 GMT -5
"I'd certainly not disappoint, but I'd best get your measurements tonight if you are commissioning me," Io offered with a half shrug. "I've the most gorgeous white and sunset ombre in stock, and I imagine your schedule is just as busy as mine."
The tailor was an equal mix amused and abashed at her eyeroll, offering a meek dip of his head. He did not want to ruin her warming opinion of him...now it very much mattered what Oriana thought. A deep respect for the seamstress was blossoming fully, which the tailor paired with loyalty and took very seriously. Oriana was no longer the rival to beat, but an equal peer to sharpen his own skills against. And what skills she had taught him!
"I did not expect dancing to be fun," Io admitted, pausing as he glanced down at the smiling woman still in him arms. "Oriana...thank you. For all of this. I don't know how I can ever repay you, but...it means a lot to me." The man looked between her eyes and her lips, finally adding, "May I kiss you?"
This confident Io was who the seamstress had expected this whole time, especially after his first bravado. He had to have kept his position somehow, so it made sense, but it was nice to see he wasn’t all blush and fluster. That was adorable of course, but confidence was key, and clearly he was building. ”Oh well that sounds too perfect of a prospect to miss out on.” She hadn’t forgotten the project they were working on, but honestly she could work faster on her own. And this was far more entertaining than sitting and sewing with the tailor.
Oriana laughed lightly, not surprised for a second that the tailor hadn’t considered dancing. He just needed a good leading hand to show him that life didn’t just have to be work. Jokes, dancing, Io was well on his way to being a good suitor. She felt accomplished, although it seemed as though all she had needed to do was tell him to let it go a little. And it seemed as though he was truly learning to just go with the flow.
Picking up on where his eyes were flicking around, Oriana wasn’t surprised by the question that tumbled from his mouth. If Io kept this kindness and permission asking up he’d have every woman in town drooling over him, she was sure of it. There was something incredibly attractive about it, and she clearly had to teach him. ”You may.” She might as well get something fun out of this education.
Post by Io Demeter on Jun 27, 2023 15:15:30 GMT -5
Io smiled, pleased at the prospect of making Oriana a dress. It would be the best silk dress she would own, of that the tailor would make sure. It would compliment her stunning features so remarkably well that she would incorporate it into her everyday wear.
While his heart skipped at Oriana's agreement, it was almost like a switch was flipped in his mind. His nerves and thoughts were silenced as his hand wrapped around her waist to pull her in a bit closer. Io's other hand gently tilted up her chin, taking a few moments to peer into her eyes. He absorbed all of the woman's facial features, his gaze stroking over her delicate skin, rosy cheekbones, and finally resting on those perfect glossy lips.
Io's movements were slow but deliberate, tilting his head ever so slightly to the side as he leaned down. Her breath tickled his beard in the most sensational way, her alluring vanilla and citrus scent filling his nose. Io's lips parted slightly as they brushed against hers before pressing in for the kiss.
His eyes closed fully shut at the contact, reveling in the newness of the experience. It was as if a giant weight had been taken off his chest, and he could breath more fully. Io felt seen and connected, a remarkable peace filling his body as if transmitted by her lipstick. He and she had shared a bit of their life stories verbally, but somehow this physical act felt all the more fulfilling and genuine. In this moment, it was okay to just be with Oriana. To exist, to enjoy. He needn't think about work, his past, or his future...right now he just needed to feel.
Io's arm wrapped a bit further around her waist into a firm embrace, his other hand trailing from the base of her chin, across her jaw, to run itself through her thick, soft hair. While the tailor would love to stay within that first kiss for much longer, he did not wish to overstay his welcome, as it were. His departing kiss tugged gently on her bottom lip before parting, raising his head to look back into her eyes for her reaction.
Last Edit: Jun 29, 2023 13:44:59 GMT -5 by Io Demeter
Oriana wasn't sure if this was to be Io's first ever kiss, but she certainly wasn't going to release him into the world without testing him out. What if he told people she had given advice and he couldn't even hold a woman? No, she was going to make sure his education was complete. So rather than take any lead she let the tailor try out his moves, best way to gauge what she was working with.
He seemed more sure than he had been to even look at her earlier, a good sign as he leaned in. While his eyes closed, Oriana kept her open, watching. His arm pulled her in a little as he wrapped around her waist, her hand folding into his chest rather than pushing against him. Io had a soft touch, not that it was a bad thing, just not what she was used to. Fingers trailing rather than gripping, lips pushing against hers but not in a rough way.
As he pulled back she looked at him, trying to decide what to say. "I don't think you need any pointers there." Biting her lower lip, Oriana was sure he'd sweep someone off their feet. He was kind and gentle, and anyone would be lucky to have his attentions. "Are you sure this is your first rodeo Io?"