Paradise Lost - A Semi-Advanced Roleplay discussion

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Devony watched as the massive wolf hound began galloping to the small farm. She smiled, it was a very beautiful place. The way the trees surrounded the crumbling stone walls. It reminded her of where her friend once lived. She swallowed the lump in her throat would she ever see them again? Would they recognize her?

Sighing she shook herself out of it, now was not the time for self pity when so many had so much less. Devony smiled at August when he turned around, "You know? I do not actually know your name when you definitely know mine. Do you mind telling me?" She asked softly and glanced at him out of the corner of her eyes as she began to walk along side him.

That was one of the things she always felt was important, it was important to learn the names of the fellows men and women. She knew ever servants name who looks after her and even befriended a few. It was her maid that helped her get out.

Nostalgia filled August as it often did and he was reminded, painfully, of an evening when he and Lizzie had played outside after dark. Their parents had been furious for all of five minutes after finding them, because Lizzie found the scolding hilarious. The smell of the farm was unlike anything else in the whole world.

"August," he replied softly, as Argus began to bark at the door. They were still a while off yet, but he could see as his aging father opened the door, candle in hand. He recognized the dog, and looked out, seeing them approaching. He said nothing, and turned around, going back inside, the door remaining open. That was how they worked these days; August wasn't one for warm welcomes and his father wasn't one for giving them.

His heart lurched as a smaller figure bounded out the door, a curtain of brown curls tumbling out after her.

"Daddy!"

Devony nodded, "Thank you." She whispered and watched as the door opened. She bit down on her lip and shivered as the small girl ran out of the house. Almost a blur, she flew past her and bounced straight into August's arms, letting him catch her.

Daddy. He was her father, she could link it together. Her heart squeezed a little at the sight, it was beautiful. Not wanting to get into the way when she hugged her father; she was obviously his number one fan. She chuckled lightly but took a step away from them, pulling her hood from where it covered her face. She didn't want to scare the innocent child.

She could understand why he'd want her to play with his daughter, it was such an honourable request. But one thought plagued her; Where was the mother?

Luna showered him with kisses and he offered up a warm smile for her. "How is my favourite little flower girl?"

"Daddy I'm not a flower girl," she giggled, "I'm a soldier!"

"A soldier?" he asked, feigning shock, "What books have you been reading this time?"

"Grandad told me stories from when he was a soldi-"

"All lies," he promised her, setting her down. She immediately grabbed onto his hand and he could finally look at her. She had grown again, her hair had gotten longer. She was wearing a little lilac dress that was covered in dirt, because she was not really a dress-wearing kind of child. He gestured to Devony.

"This is Devony," he told her, "She's a princess."

Luna gaped as she clasped her wide blue eyes on the woman in front of her. She had only ever read about princesses in fairy tales and now one was here before her.

"Did you rescue her, Daddy?" she asked innocently, "Is she going to be my new Mummy?"

His eyes hardened and he started towards the house. "Come on let's go inside."

Devony swallowed and smiled softly at the beautiful little girl, the dirt covered dress only reminding her of her own when she was that age. "Hello Luna." She spoke gently, her smile fading a little when she heard her questions.

Swallowing she glanced at August, her heart sinking slowly down into the bottom of her chest. What could you say to a question like that? Her hands curled a little and she followed after the two of them.

She watched the way they interacted on their way up to the house. It was so much different from her own family.

When they reached the house, he exchanged a few words with his father. Their relationship was not warm, but it was very strong, and he knew his father loved Luna very dearly. His mother was another story, fussing over him as usual. She tried to get Luna to go to bed, but the attempt was one of futility. She wasn't letting go of her father any time soon.

His parents didn't know how to react to having a Fallon princess in their home, but August understood their slight distress - it was very dangerous to be keeping her there for the night, yet they did not refuse. When Luna let go of August's hand, a sudden panic shot through him before disappearing almost as fast. She ran and took Devony's hand - she wanted to show her the bedroom.

Devony let her take her hand, her own wrapping around the small fingers in her palm. She glanced at August and then his parents, knowing what they were all thinking before she followed Luna.

"What are you showing me?" She asked and grinned happily down at her, her steps making the wooden floors freak unlike the soft padding of Luna's small feet. Devony glanced over the often bare walls and breathed in the cool air, she shivered, knowing it would only get colder.

She wouldn't let it bother her, she'd focus on playing with Luna and will just hope that no one will care about her enough to notice she isn't home.

Luna opened the door to her room giggling to reveal a fairy tale in a bedroom. With models and shelves and tables that looked like they were carved by the King's carpenter himself, and the paintings that were over almost every wall, it looked like it didn't belong in a house, but in a dream.

"Daddy made the things," she said excitedly, "And Mummy painted them. Would you like to see?"

She hurried over to a table by her bed and took out a picture. It was a painting, so realistic it was enough to make anyone's eyes widen. It was a painting of a woman, if you could even call her that - she was no more than 19 at best, with long red curls and a pair of bright blue eyes and a boyish smile. She was beautiful, but not stereotypically so.

"This is Mummy," she said, "She died when I was a baby so I have to stay with Nanna and Grandad until he gets better." She leaned in to whisper. "Don't tell anyone, but Daddy gets ill if he stays here too long."

Devony trembled a little, she sat down on the bed to the side and took the painting from her small hands. Gazing down at it she brushed her thumb over the wooden frame, "Your mummy was very beautiful." She said quietly and looked up at her, "Just like you." Devony smiled up at her.

She handed the painting back to her, not wanting to make herself cry at how this woman probably died.

Pulling off her cloak and set it down behind her, the soft fabric brushing her arm. Devony glanced up at the girl, "Of course I won't tell anyone." She whispered, "Now, what other paintings have you got to show me?" She asked with a bright smile, "I can't wait to see them."

Luna beamed and placed the picture of her mother back in the drawer. She pulled out another, it was Lizzie again, but this time she was holding a bundle of blankets that could only be a baby, cuddling it close to her, her eyes closed with bliss.

"This is Mummy and baby in Heaven," said Luna, "And look on the wall! That's your house! Aureus Palace!" She hurried over and grabbed a wooden doll off her shelf, running back and climbing up onto the bed with Devony. "You're very pretty - princesses are supposed to be pretty. Daddy says angels are better than princesses though. You should be an angel instead!"

Devony looked down at the picture, her thumb tracing the lines of their bodies, swallowing she glanced at Luna when she sat next to her. Grabbing her cloak she wrapped it around her shoulders.

Still clutching the image she moved closed and glanced at the doll before flicking her gaze to the omega won the palace on the wall. "That definitely is my house, I'll let you in on a secret, I like your one better." Devony grinned and placed the painting on the side. "Thank you sweetie, I'd like to be an Angel, but if I was an Angel I think you should be too." She said and tucked a strad of hair behind her ear, away from her face.

"I'm Daddy's angel," she said with pride, resting her head against Devony's side. "I like my house too, but yours is much bigger and wouldn't burn and-"

"Luna?"

Luna jumped up and grabbed the picture, throwing it in drawer quickly before jumping back on the bed in time for August to enter the room. Her grandad had given her strict instructions not to get them out in his presence. She smiled at him and yawned sleepily.

"Tired sleepyhead?" he inquired.

"No," she protested, but it was an obvious lie. She didn't need to be told, and climbed into bed behind Devony. It was a double bed, as the room had once been August's own when he had lived there. "Will you be here in the morning, Daddy?"

"Probably not, angel."

"You'll come sooner this time, right?"

"Right." Lies. He'd come in a few months perhaps.

"I love you, Daddy," she said snuggling into her pillow, "Night night princess."

"Love you too," he said quietly, kissing her on the head. She was asleep within seconds.

Devony left her with her cloak, she didn't need it right now, "Night." She whispered quietly and glanced up at August, unsure what to do or where to go.

She stood quietly in the middle of the room, looking at the paintings and carpentry work. Her fingers ran over the indents on the wood, her hands running over the smooth surface. She sighed and glanced back up at him.

Devony wanted to curl up like Luna and fall asleep, she wanted to be ignorant to the world and hold the same innocence she did. Rubbing her eyes and running her hands through her hair she dropped them by her sides.

"Thank you for playing with her," he said quietly, getting up, "She kept asking me to bring her home a prince. You're not a prince, but you're the closest I got." He opened the door, intending for her to follow so that they could speak without waking the little angel. Once they were outside, he closed Luna's door and spoke.

"We'll leave just before dawn tomorrow," he told her, "It will be easier for you to get back into the castle at that time. So sleep well tonight, we'll need our wits tomorrow."

Devony looked up at him for a second then slowly nodded, "Okay, thank you. Where am I meant to be sleeping?" She asked softly and swallowed, she really didn't want to leave little Luna, but she had too. Yet she couldn't help but hope that he'd come to visit her more often, she looked at him like he hung the moon. She'd try and persuade them tomorrow.

She tilted her head back a little to look at him easier, "I don't mind where." She added quickly, he didn't want him to say something snippy even when she wasn't thinking it, for she knew he would. Devony was of course a Fallon.

"In the spare room," he said, opening the door next to Luna's. Inside was simple, to say the least, but homely, and warm. There was a single bed in the corner with furs and a patchwork quilt over the top. It probably wasn't what she was used to, but she'd learn to rough it up for just this one night.

"I will knock on your door at dawn," he told her, "Make sure you're ready - we have to keep a tight schedule."

He opened Luna's door again, and nodded a goodnight to Devony before walking into his daughter's room and climbing into bed next to her. The girl snuggled into him and he allowed it, falling asleep promptly.

Devony closed the heavy wooden door and leaned against it. Today had been different, she'd become a pain in someone's world today, just there to annoy him. How did this all happen? Sighing she rubbed her forehead and walked over to the single bed, she pulled back the furs and blankets to create a little heat between them. Her hand ran over the soft material before she moved to the side.

She braided her hair and splashed her face the best she could, before getting into the bed. Her head hidden in the pillows and body covered by the heavy warm quilt. Devony fell asleep quickly, knowing she was safe for one night.

She slept peacefully, not dreaming of anything but a numb blissful darkness.

When he awoke he slid quietly out of bed, careful not to wake his daughter, and left the room. He knocked gently on Devony's door. "I'll be downstairs," he called.

Making his way downstairs he was unsurprised to find both of his parents already awake. They knew he liked to leave before dawn whenever he came to visit, and so got up just that little bit earlier to see him off. His mother had made him some food to take with him, and he took it gratefully. Food was much harder to come by in the city, where people couldn't cultivate their own meals. It was cold out, and he grabbed his brown woolen cloak and wrapped it around himself, putting the food into his satchel. The princess would be down soon.

Devony pulled on some clothes from the draw, a pair of trousers and a wollen shirt that fell to her knees. It was better than the dress that would just slow her down. She lay the dress on the bed, she'd let them keep the expensive clothing. She pulled on her leather boots and kept her hair in a broad.

Devony sighed and then tiptoe into Luna's bedroom, picking up the cloak that rested on the chair. She glanced at Luna with a soft smile before leaving th room and shutting the door gently, slowly she padded down stairs. She twisted her lips nervously.

August said nothing as she appeared, simply opening the front door and stepping out into the cool morning light. There was a soft breeze, but a light layer of ice frosted across the grass of the field. He let out a low whistle and Argus appeared, barking as he did, his muzzle dyed with the telltale signs of hunting.

"Come on boy," he said softly, looking towards the city again. As he looked up, he saw his daughter at the window, waving gently. She would not come down, she knew that she was not to.

Devony glanced at his parents, she gave a slight nod of her head, thanking them for being able to say yet quickly followed him out. Sighed she left the accusing eyes of the small house. Shivered a little from the cool air, she glanced over the frosty grass. Her cheeks and nose already turning a rosy red in the air.

She glanced up when August turned to look back at the house, Devony followed his gaze and waved at Luna when she appeared in the glazed window. Smiling at her she waved before she hurried after him.

"You should see her more often, it hurts her when you leave." She murmured quietly but didn't say anything more to him. It's how she felt, she knew she had no reason to judge him but the way she went on about her mother and father made her feel that he needed to spend more time with her. His daughter.

"I'll see her more when your brother is dead," said August, "And not a moment before. I have a job to do, I can't be distracted by a little girl. I can't expect you to understand that, but it's the way it is."

He veered off the road and began to weave through trees. "We're taking the Tiber today."

Devony sucked in a breath and followed him, "She isn't just a little girl, she is your little girl." She sighed but didn't say anything, instead she bit down on the side of her mouth. She released it when she began to feel blood, she did that too much but it couldn't be helped.

It just annoyed her that he'd waste precious moments of his daughters life on something else, even if it was important. She wished her own father was less of a ghostly figure that used to come and go when he pleased. He had a city to rule and a big family. She never saw him much but knew he loved her. She wished August saw more of Luna.

"A little girl who won't live past 20 if I don't succeed," said August angrily, "The nobles are hammering the farmers, trying to push them out - agriculture is too valuable to be privatized in their opinion. They will kill her if we don't kill them first." He heard Argus bark in the distance and assumed it was the signal that they'd reached the river.

"I can protect her the best I can August. I promise. I'll keep a look out at social events and court if they even mention your farm. I promise I'll keep her safe." Devony swore, being a princess gave her quite a bit of leeway, all she had to do was get on her brothers good side. "I can help you, if you'd let me." She said quietly and clasped her hands together, trying to warm them up.

"Princess," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice, "I know that you mean well, but I can never accept your help. I can never accept the help of your family. If I am to keep Luna safe, it will be by the people of this country, not the tyrants who sit in their marble palaces. I would owe you her life, never mind my own - and that is something I cannot allow." As Demi's second-in-command, the prospect of an alliance was unspeakable. It was not fair for one family of peasants to have priority over the other thousands of starving people in Aureus. August would never ask for that, and he would not want the princess to endanger herself trying to convince her temperamental brother of it either.

Devony swallowed, "I... I mean, when the resistance attacks us one day I know that you will win. I know you don't really like me, but do you know what will happen To everyone that believes in the people like me and my sister? We will be killed because of our blood, maybe something worse than that just because of who I am. I'd rather be remembered as someone who helped you and your cause, than someone who was killed because I am related to the tyrant, because that's what's going to happen. I can help, I just don't understand how you can make assumptions of me just because I'm the sister to the King. It's stupid, and I know of your pride and how you feel but I'm offering help." Devony sighed, it probably made no sense but she didn't mind, she said what she wanted to. She held her arms and her shoulders slumped, she couldn't stay there much longer. She'd end up fleeing.

"You will not be killed," he shot back, "You will be exiled. Don't lump us in the same league as your brother. We are monstrous for different reasons. And I make assumptions because you are his sister and that means one of two things. One, you love your brother dearly and could never really allow for him to be harmed, or two, you hate him and wish him dead. Wish your own flesh and blood dead. Do you see the inescapable cycle you're cursed to be in?" He shook his head in annoyance. "I sometimes wish the boundaries between good and evil were not so blurred by other factors. Everything would be easier if it was black and white."

Devony just stayed silent and shook her head in disbelief, he just didn't understand. Even if she was exiled she'd probably end up getting assassinated, "Yup, I'll be exiled out of the place I grew up in too. I chat hate my brother of love my brother because I'm seen as evil in doing both. I don't understand why I'm even bothering to help you, you don't want it and I'm going to get hurt anyway. Why are you bothering?" She asked, she was infuriated and distraught over everything. Even if she helped them restore the city to its glory days she wouldn't be aloud to see it. She wouldn't be aloud near it.

"Oh yes," he said bitterly, "I know it's not fair, but I'm not to blame here. It's just the way it is, it's reality. You want me to lie to you? The resistance would accept your help and then they'd exile you anyway. I don't know why you worry - by the time we're even close to ready, you'll have married someone and have moved far away. And I'm bothering because I don't want you to die. Contrary to your own beliefs, I don't actually like death, or killing people, excetera excetera. You'll be safe in your palace soon, princess, don't worry."

"Yeah... safe." She murmured and looked out into the forest, Devony ran a hand through her dark hair and then put them to her mouth. Trying to heat them up a little but to no success.

She sighed and looked at him, she wouldn't get married, it was the one thing she definitely would rebel against. She for one would be a terrible wife, another is that she wouldn't probably even know the guy, it was all about alliances.

"Son!"

August stopped in his tracks and turned to see his father on horseback, waiting a while away for him. He gestured for Devony to remain before approaching him. There he was handed a piece of paper, before his father departed again. He looked down at it expectantly and was unsurprised to see it was drawn with raw, untrained hands. His daughter certainly did not have her mother's aptitude for artwork.

He returned to Devony and held out the picture to her, depicting Devony and Luna, before continuing walking. "My daughter has drawn you a picture."

Devony held the piece of paper in her frozen hands, her eyes mists a little, "I love it." She whispered quietly and looked down at the picture, she clutched it too her chest and then followed August. She forgot almost completely what she was talking about.

The only thing she knew was that she was more determined to protect August and Luna. She carefully moved the picture into the pocket of her cloak. She would keep it safe at home. "Tell her I love it and that it's beautiful when you see her soon. Please." She spoke to August gently.

"I will tell her," he promised, "I'm sure she'll bring you up anyhow. She never stops talking that girl." He knew that all to well. The time before, he had taken her out hunting with him and unsurprisingly her loud mouth had chased everything away within a hundred mile radius. Yet she had still been gleeful for what he deemed to be a failure of a hunt. Argus had returned with a half chewed rabbit but that hardly counted.

"Did you eat before you left?"

Devony smiled fondly at him, "I remember in only the few minutes I spent with her." She laughed lightly and walked beside him quietly, following his lead through the woods. It was a fairly nice day, the grey haze still over the kingdom but the air was crisp and fresh.

She frowned a little, her fingers pinched at the fabric of her cloak for something to do, "No. But then again I'm not all that hungry." It had been a while since she'd last eaten anything, yet she didn't really feel any hunger. She'd been a little preoccupied with everything.

He passed her his satchel and continued to walk. "My mother put food in there, you should eat some. We're going the long way round - we might be a few hours yet." Argus padded back and began to walk with them for a little bit, growling softly every now and then when he spotted a rabbit in the trees.

"Thank you." Devony said quietly and took out a role from the bag. She nibbled it and passed back the satchel, she didn't want to eat all the food inside. "I'm sorry I'm taking up so much of your time and well, putting yourself in danger for me." She murmured, she was grateful towards, even more so knowing he had a daughter.

Her eyes strayed to the dog as he walked between August and herself, she just wanted to reach out and run her hand through his coat. Yet she refrained from doing so.

Argus began to move in a zig zag, ending at either side of August each time. August was quiet for a moment. "You're welcome," he mumbled, "I suppose; you're really not like your brother, I know that but... Well, it can't be helped. Things are the way they are, as it would happen." Tomorrow they would be enemies once more and the run in with the princess would be over. How strange it had all been.

"Can I admit that I'm scared to return home?" She whispered quietly and her hands fisted at her sides. The bread ripping and becoming squashed in her tight grip. Devony knew the King will have taken her disappearance as a sign of a traitor, and maybe she was. What would be their when she got back to the castle, she was terrified as to what that may be.

"Don't blame you," said August, "But your sister will protect you. It's not the same as when your parents died - the others aren't as weak anymore. Alexander knows that; he's clever." He saw the boat ahead and smiled. "You don't get seasick do you?"

Devony shook her head and sighed, her hands bound tightly together at the sight of the old boat. She took in a deep breath and walked with him quietly, too lost in her thoughts to engage in a conversation. Would her sister help her? She wasn't sure who to trust anymore.

"Good," he said, "The river nymphs sometimes tap on the boat, but don't be afraid, they'd never push us." He hoped anyway, it wasn't as though it hadn't happened before. Like sprites, they were mischievous at the best of times. It was clear Devony was still frightened, but it had not registered to him yet.

Devony's eyes widen a little when he mentioned river nymphs. Her lips parted slightly and teeth clamped down on the inside of her lip. There was nothing to scared of, he said it was safe, yet she couldn't help feeling uneasy. She had heard of river nymphs and their mischievous tendencies, but coming close to one felt different.

He's helped you so far, he wouldn't let you drown.

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