Paradise Lost - A Semi-Advanced Roleplay discussion

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"Goodnight Alexander."

"Stop calling me that in public," he said smoothly, "Or I shall have you flogged."

As the King left the Megaron, taking all his impressive presence with him, Atilius brushed off the idle threat. He was far too valuable; no mage would ever pledge such allegiance to him now. And of course, Atilius was far too brilliant to be cast aside.

He began to put his bottle of potions into his leather satchel, and ran a hand through his golden locks, smiling warmly as a pair of blushing maids hurried past him. It had been a very busy day. It wasn't even about the execution, they happened at least once a week as it was, much to Mezentius' delight, but no, absolutely everyone was turning up with viruses and little colds. Easy fixes of course, but with so many of them, Atilius was on the verge of whining. It was no fun unless he was the one seeking the patients out.

He grabbed a cup of wine and took a mouthful, realising he hadn't had a drink all day. Alexander had been in a good mood, contrary to popular belief, but that always threw him off course. Unpredictable swine that was his best friend. In Atilius' eyes anyway - Alexander did not have friends.

Tugging at his hair Vincent sighed softly. It had been an overly tiring day. He'd witnessed more than one execution and he was growing annoyed. One man hadn't even committed so much as a crime. He'd simply stolen a loaf of bread. For his family, no doubt, and now his family was likely to be off on their own, he could only pray for their good fortune. While walking down the hall he kept his hand on the sword that was permanently attached to his side at all times. There were backstabbers and betrayers spread all throughout the castle.

After the execution had been preformed Vincent wished to stay back so that he could have a brief discussion with his sister, but the option didn't present itself as he was soon rushed off. His gaze flickered down the hallway when he saw the king. In an automatic gesture his shoulders straightened and he pasted a look of concentration on his face. When passing him he bowed respectively, only daring to roll his eyes once he was many yards away.

Soon enough he arrived at the Megaron. A few seconds passed as he stood by the entrance. If it was like any other night the king would undoubtedly have the vacant room filled with guest before the clock struck twelve. Right now it looked rather quant and charming, but he was sure when he'd later be pressed against the wall it wouldn't seem to be so... Nice. Cautiously he took a few steps in before caching the eye of the Mage. Vincent was unsure of his name, the few facts he knew were that the man was close with the king, and he was someone to avoid. That was all he needed to know.

Atilius sensed the man come in and glanced towards him, a smile playing on his lips. The people of Aureus were always stressed on the days of execution, and they were beginning to get more and more frequent, as Alexander got more and more paranoid. Atilius knew this was a knight, Vincent to be precise, and it was mainly due to the fact that Atilius made it his business to know everyone. His little birds were dotted everywhere. "Evening, knight," he greeted, "You look pale today, would you like a tonic?" He lifted a little vial of purple liquid in questioning.

It was amusing to Atilius. On the days that Mezentius looked happy, everyone else looked miserable. Personally, Atilius thought the sentence was brief, quick. Alexander had, in the past, given such minimalistic criminals to Mezentius to play with, which was, though he loved Mezentius, an even worse fate in his opinion. "There were children in the crowd today, I heard," mused Atilius, "Honestly, who would take a child there? Do you know how hard it is to brew nightmare potions?"

He was still sorting his many, many vials and bottles together, ready for delivery. And this was just within court alone - like he said before, so many illnesses. You'd think he was some sort of doctor. Not that delivering medicine was technically a part of his job description, but still.

Vincent was about ready to leave when the mage spoke up. Not known to be rude he couldn't help but to stay in places as he listened to the other man. It all seemed to go in one ear and out the other, until tonic was mentioned of course. "No, no thanks." He replied with a shake of his head. Drugs would do nothing to have any amount of death leave his warring mind. "Vodka. Now Vodka would be good." He murmured with a nod of his head.

Approaching the table he grabbed a bottle that contained clear liquid, he could only assume it was what he was after. Which he was uncertain of due to the fact he hadn't had any liquor in what felt like ages. In all reality it had only been a few months. Vincent had never been known for his drinking, but every now and again it did good to quell his nerves. Right now he just wanted to subdue his never ending stream of conscience.

Hearing about the children Vincent paused with the glass held up to his lips. "Yeah it's a shame." He kept a tight grip on his alcohol as he lowered it from his mouth. "Maybe they're just trying to synthesize them to it. Not much you can do for them on their guardians ways of parenting." There's also not much you can do about the king's loose restrictions as to who's let in. He thought to himself absentmindedly, not daring to voice his thoughts as he finally took a sip of the Vodka. It wasn't all that strong but he was sure it would eventually do the trick.

Atilius chuckled. "Desensitization," he mused, "Now that is a viable explanation, after all, it will probably be their mother next week knowing Alexander." He lifted another bottle of golden liquid and tossed it to him. "Whiskey," he said shortly, "It's a little stronger." The man looked as though he needed it. Atilius never pitied but he could easily tell when something was gnawing on someone's mind.

Atilius would have sorted this all out in the confines of his workshop, but he had been summoned by the king, and Alexander was not one to be kept waiting. Of all the things Atilius knew about him, that was one of utmost importance. Atilius liked his face, thought it beautiful, and it would not do if Alexander decided to mark it.

"I made that vodka for Alexander," said Atilius, "But he doesn't drink anything but water, the occasional cup of wine - he fears someone will poison him. The likelihood is very strong, I can see why he would fear it. I was tempted to do it myself and then give him the antidote afterwards, but I've learned to stop doing such rash things for my own amusement. No one else seems to find them funny at all."