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!
Yana had been gone for the better part of a year, Ladale, a larger town further south nearest the Kane estate had been her home for most of her time away. She loved it, all the open air and it was ever so green even in the harshest of seasons. However as much as she loved it Ladale wasn't home and most of her family was closer to Loren or Birkhall, she missed them plus she had her duties to fulfill which was about one percent of the reason to return home. The rest of it was order's that more Kane Troops were needed back in Loren.
Yana had had to agree with her Mother and Father a long time ago that if she wanted a military career that Yana had to marry by the age of twenty three, which at the time felt like forever. That changed when she recently turned twenty that's when her parents began to call her home, Yana was honorable to her word and she would find a man to marry but she technically had three more years!
So here she was tying her horse Graydust to a post staring at the establishment where she was to meet a matchmaker her parents were offering, they were still giving Yana the choice of who her future husband was at least for now. Yana felt that would change the closer she got to twenty three and they'd take the choice from her. With Graydust tethered she tucked her sheathed katana to Graydusts saddle before one last adjustment of her outfit and pulling her heavy cloak tighter over her she approached the door lightly wrapping knuckles to the wooden door.
Last Edit: Jul 3, 2024 16:28:35 GMT -5 by Yana Zak
Post by Winifred Whistlebottom on Jul 5, 2024 11:59:00 GMT -5
The door would be answered by Winnie’s maid, Prudence. She appeared to be heading toward middle age, with her brown hair piled on top of her head, “Are ya Lady Zak?” Despite the woman’s petite frame, the voice that came out hinted that the woman at one point did a lot of yelling, “Lady Whistlebottom will be expectin ya. She’ll be in ‘er sittin room. Iffin you follow me, my lady,” Prudence would hold the door open long enough for Lady Zak to enter before leading her down the short hallway. She would stop at a door and knock before opening, “Lady Yana Zak is ‘ere for ya, my lady.”
When Lady Zak entered, she would see Lady Whistbottom rising from her chair. She was in a cozy dress with a thick, knitted shawl draped over her shoulders. Two white kittens snoozing in front of a roaring hearth fire, “You must be Lady Zak. Do sit down,” the old woman would gesture to a chair the was across from hers, “Is there anything I can do to make you comfortable? Prudence will be back with some tea things, but perhaps a blanket to keep away the cold?”
Yana nodded her reply to the maids question enough to let the woman know she was before entering the home, Yana shucked her cloak leaving it upon a hook. It was pristine and simple, clearly someone rather elderly lived within. Yana was good with the older people of society they offered wisdom and grace two things younger people thought they had in abundance but really was vigorous youth and willful ignorance.
As Lady Whistlebottom rose Yana entered the space giving a generous deep bow, "I am my lady, please," she'd gently take the older woman's arm and help her return to her seat. Her earthy brown eyes seemed to light up more than her seemed to appear to show, she loved cats, so before she took the offered seat she stooped down to gently pet the cats making a 'psp-psp' noise.
Yana loved the way her surprise touch made both of them 'meow' lowly and stretch.
Reluctant to stop Yana tore herself away from the cats to sink softly in her seat, tucking her her long garments under her lady like crossed legs. Despite being a solider Yana was petite but lean a factor hidden under her layers of clothing.
"Tea and cookies sound almost to good to pass? If that's available," Yana for a quiet person often mistaken for brooding had a bright warm face which didn't betray to much her maturity, her young eyes helped relay her youth, "But please no fuss Prudance, tea will be just as fine," and as Yana was warm enough she declined the throw.
"My parents suggested I seek your services," Yana got to the point and she sounded nervous, "A matchmaker they say? I'm curious as how the process works, so please forgive any perhaps over used questions of inquiry. I have three years," a small bit of nervous laughter escaped her as her hands in her lap nervously rubbed one another but not excessively of course, "I won't claim to be picky but...I don't want to settle."
Post by Winifred Whistlebottom on Jul 5, 2024 22:42:28 GMT -5
Oh Lady Zak was off to a good start with the old woman. Winifred would smile gratefully when the younger woman helped her sit down. As Yana was playing with the kittens, Winifred would settle herself in her chair by throwing one of those blankets over her lap, “Are you sure you do not require a blanket? It does get so cold in Heims.”
She laughed at the kitten’s reaction to Yana. One of the kittens—the boy—got over his surprise fairly quickly and would pounce on the girl’s hand, rolling on his back and batting at her fingers with his tiny cat paws, “Oh Ozzy!” She laughed, “he is quite the scamp isn’t he?” Out of Winnie’s view, the girl cat, Penny, started to climb up Yana’s garment.
Prudence nodded at the two nobles and left to prepare the requested refreshments, hustling out of the room as quietly as she could.
Winnie was just about to start speaking when Lady Zak dove right into it. Winnie listened, pulling out her notebook in case she needed to write something down, but she’d been informed of the girl’s situation more or less, “Three years,” she said, “My, I daresay that will be plenty of time to find someone that you fancy. And I agree that you should not settle,” she smoothed her hand over the blanket, “I find that young people who settle often find themselves quite unhappy. I am a firm believer in making love matches when I am able to, Lady Zak, so I do believe that you and I are of one mind in that aspect, do you agree?” She would wait for her to respond before continuing, “How the process usually works is that today we will get to know each other, I will take note of the things you are interested in and what sort of a man that you would want in your life. Then I will review all the eligible men on my list,” she tapped her notebook, “and I’ll present a few names to you, tell you about them, and you’ll decide if you’re interested in meeting them. I should tell you that you are under no obligation to court or marry these men, and they are not obligated to court or marry you. If you don’t like any of them, we will start anew.”
Prudence returned with a platter with a pot of hot tea, two tea cups, sugar, milk, and a plate of chocolate chip cookies that were still steamy from the oven. She would set them down on the table and wait for instructions, “Thank you Prudence, that will be all for now,” said the old woman, and the maid would leave once more. Winifred would pour the hot tea into the two cups, “How do you like your tea, Lady Zak?”
Yana sat quietly listening to her questions and concerns being relayed from the kind elderly woman. That quiet reflection was of mild relief as Winifred confirmed settling wasn't a healthy choice and that they had a splendid amount of time to actually pick a husband, she could have almost danced! Yet she didn't, it wouldn't be proper. Yana nodded when asked questions, she did agree they were of one mind.
"Two sugars please," she responded picking up one of the cats enjoying the soft purring. She looked at Winifred, "What would you like to know about me?" Yana suddenly using the question to ponder what she knew even about herself that was worth knowing? She was a Zak which meant she came from a rich and old family, Yana came with a higher station and the luxuries of life. Yana was an honorable woman and her virtue was still in tact and true, she served her Lady Marshal and her kingdom daily.
"And do...marriages of love exist Lady Winifred?" genius curiosity.
Post by Winifred Whistlebottom on Jul 9, 2024 9:38:41 GMT -5
Winifred would prepare the tea how Lady Zak wanted and would place two cookies on a small saucer for her, “I only wish to know a few basic things about you. Let’s see,” she opened her notebook to a fresh page and dipped her quail, “Tell me my lady, what sort of a man are you looking for? What are some activities that bring you joy?”
At the question of a love match existing, Winifred’s mouth turned up in a wide smile and a dreamy twinkle sparkled in her eyes, “Oh yes!” She sighed, “My late husband swept me off my feet! I had quite a few offers for my hand from what some would call very advantageous matches,” she shook her head, her smile still in place and her eyes focused on some past event, “But my Bertrand wooed me right into his arms!” She placed a hand on her cheek as though she were still that sweet young thing so long ago, “There was and never will be any other for me. My parents were also a love match, and thankfully they did not stand in our way,” their engagement had been so short…but they couldn’t bare to not be together longer than they had to. Her eyes finally focused on the young woman who sat before her, “And you see, I knew after that what my calling was. Everyone deserves to be married to someone they love.”
Yana took the time to listen to the older woman, gave her time to think about what she was asked about herself. All of it sounded sweet yet to good to be true, perhaps once in life someone got to marry for love but...should she hold to hope?
Winifred was sweet and clearly had lived a lifetime, Yana cut her eyes away at the finality of it all staring into her tea. Her late husband.
She picked up a cookie and bit into it, "I'm sorry about your Bertrand," and Yana meant it covering her mouth with the back of her hand, "Sorry," she apologized and swallowed washing the rest down with a sip of tea. Sitting everything down she picked at her nails, mind still blank with what she was looking for or what she wanted, "I would like a husband who is, um, well like me occupation wise...I serve the Kane Troops and of course the Crown," she lacked faith in Iliana if she was going to be honest but it wasn't her place to say or do anything about it, "Someone who isn't in a rush...to you know, make children. I will one day but I still believe twenty to twenty three is to young," as she talked more about it all of it was just spilling out, "An older gentleman," she blushed and once again looked away, "But as for me? I...I. um like to ride horses and being a soldier, apple pie, and cats."
Looking back at Winifred she shrugged, "That's about it my lady."
Post by Winifred Whistlebottom on Aug 5, 2024 21:48:08 GMT -5
At Lady Zak’s condolences, Winnie would give her an almost wistful smile, “Thank you, My Lady. It has been some years since he died, but it seems like yesterday that I was conversing with him,” she shook her head, “It is probably my old age…”
Winifred took note of the girl’s rough mannerisms. She expected someone of the Zak family to be more polished than what she was seeing…although Winifred couldn’t find it in herself to fault her too much. It was almost endearing to the old woman even as she saw how others might not. The old woman made a note of it so she didn’t match the girl with someone who would be unpleasant or terribly put out by manners that were not perfectly polished. As for what the girl wanted, Winnie took particular care to note down what she wanted.
“Twenty-three is indeed quite young,” and it seemed younger and younger with each year that passed. Age and experience shaped one’s perception in interesting ways, “Although I daresay an older gentleman might be keen on producing children quite quickly—especially if he does not yet have any heirs,” she took a moment to sip her tea, “How much older of a man do you have in mind? Ten years? Twenty?”
Yet younger men seemed like rabbits to Yana, bang bang bang and produce almost a child every time, that was what Yana wanted to avoid. Older men may want a child but with Yana they would have someone younger with more time, she had learned a few tricks from older women about how to avoid the deed so she had that too.
"Ten to fifteen years older maybe? Twenty max, " she replied.
Post by Winifred Whistlebottom on Aug 17, 2024 9:46:45 GMT -5
She heard the girl’s age range, and she tapped her pen against her notebook, thinking of all the single people that she knew of, “That is quite the range, but very doable,” she took time to sip at her tea, “Is there any wiggle room on the age gap? Or do you prefer to be very strict about it?” Winnifred didn’t care one way or the other on the matter. It was important to know so she knew who to strike off the potential matches list for Lady Zak.
Yana truly appreciated the elder woman's dedication and detailing of this strange new process, a soldier of love if she had to compare the older woman's profession to her own. It still left a stomach full of butterflies and anxiety inside of Yana, she'd still have trust the process and that lady Whistlebottom would respect taking her time.
"Of course, wiggle room is fine, but um," she cleared her throat as the topic she was about to bring up was definitely one to be treated carefully, "I have one more request and I hope you won't be offended or angered, no Gifted men..."