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!
The silent almost killed her… to the point that if he hadn’t still played with the ends of her hair, she would’ve prayed to the goddess to pull her right from her body as fast as she could. His gaze was so intensely watching her, calculating she realized. Her cheeks coloring as she held his gaze longer and longer in silence. His first words almost made her recoil, but he kept up with the ends of her hair, twisting them between his finger tips. Giving her… hope.
And then there he was. Stumbling to ask if she was interested, if she wanted to do something. He always did, always seemed to turn to her after he voiced what he wanted to ensure it was also her wants. But he told her that maybe this could be more, that they might be able to explore what it could mean… and then she prepared for the blow. Evanthe’s name left him and she held her breath…
His only priority. Not his top priority. His only one. He released her on the next breath and she almost stumbled but held her own footing. Her brown eyes studying him as he laid it before her for the taking. The kiss hadn’t been bad… she could feel her heart leap and swore she heard his too. Even if it had been her first one. But with Evanthe, with their past… his past really… “I’ll think on it.” It wasn’t a no. Yet there was one thing she did want to decide on now, and she brought her hands up, thanking the bit of alcohol for the courage, and kissed him once more. Lingering on his lips longer than the first time, her hands cradling his face.
She had to think about it. He realized that all of this was a lot to process and though it stung that her answer wasn’t an immediate yes, he was mostly grateful that it wasn’t an immediate no. And then, if she did agree to try then he would know it was thought out and sincere rather than a spur of the moment decision.
He had definitely not expected her to kiss him again but as soon as her hands were on his face he couldn’t help but lean in to meet her. His hands automatically found her waist and he didn’t pull back from the kiss, savoring the lingering moment. Her lips were so soft and plump and sweet, he was half tempted to run his tongue along them just to see if she tasted like sugar.
“Veda…” he whispered her name longingly against her lips and placed a sweet little kiss on the tip of her nose before going back in for her lips if she’d let him.
It was easier to focus on now, not what her mind would be putting together in the days… weeks… to come. The now lingering question between them of whether they would try or they would forever be in the unknown. It was a heavy thought, which was why when he kissed her back… she threw herself into it.
He held her as if she was precious, sweetly. It was honestly such a contrast from the party just on the other side of the wall that she almost didn’t believe it to be real. She wasn’t sure if ‘it’ was the party or them, hidden in the shadows and kissing on the night of the Vers festival. Her name whispered made her smile, her lips twitching up against his before they were gone, a kiss to her nose, and back again.
A soft breathy hum left her, her arms wrapping around his neck and she leaned her soft body against his. Even for all the years of training now, she was softer than others. Always had been, and she believed, always would be. “You are my partner,” she whispered against his lips, “this doesn’t change that.” No, but other things may… things in the days and weeks and months… maybe even years to come. Her brow furrowed a moment, defiantly, and she added, “no matter what.” As if she refused any thing to come. Partners. Kissing partners perhaps… but partners.
The feel of her wrapped around him this way felt...right. He had assumed that maybe it would feel strange but it didn't. It wasn't as if she'd never been physically close to him before. They had done hand to hand combat, they had hugged. They were friends after all. But this was a different kind of physical contact and it felt more natural than he might have thought.
His arms wrapped around her and she leaned into him, holding her close. She was so soft. It was like running your hands through silk or feathers or across the cheek of a baby. He knew she was far from being weak but she had somehow still held onto her soft femininity in a way that most soldiers could not. It was an addicting feeling, he didn't want to stop touching her as his hands roamed her back and sides.
Her promise of their partnership not changing filled him with emotion, especially with the determination in her voice at the end. Their partnership was far more than an assigned job to them. He couldn't imagine his life without her at his side. They relied on each other in a way that was special even among other paired soldiers. "No matter what," he whispered back, voice full of promise and fervor.
He stopped roaming his hands over her and instead wrapped his arms more tightly around her, holding onto her as if physically promising that he wasn't going anywhere. It was an embrace filled with overwhelming emotion. Regardless of what happened between the two of them, he knew he already loved Veda. The question was what kind of love might grow between them in the future.
It seemed a promise was made then, maybe even something more than just a promise. But here they were… his arms wrapped around her. Steady, strong, and nothing else mattered while they were embracing as they were. Her face buried into his neck and she took a deep breath of him. Her nerves still causing her breath to shake with each exhale.
“Fred…” she nuzzled closer. “I’m glad you were my first kiss.” She murmured her confession, not bothering to lean back and look at him. Even as laughter came from the windows above them.