Welcome to Gaia! ::

[ Pshaw! We'll see about that... ]

The horse snorted, jolting its head as it rounded about, its rider eying Alister with a glare. He watched the confidence Alister seemed to have as he got on his horse, watching him for strategaic purposes before entering the ring. The audience roared, cheering on their local favorite. Asriel leaned in, also staring at Alister's opponent. He was captivating; not in an attractive sense but more like she had never seen someone of such character. A true...warrior. She she cleared her throat. He had a valiant twinkle about his eye as he patted his horse's neck, murmuring some form of good luck prayer before unsheathing his sword. He had everything to win; a prize and a name for himself. He was surely doing this out of pride. Asriel tilted her head, her gently curled hair tickling her cheeks as she did.
Alister...He looked different too. However, she could not read the expression on his face for he was much of a mystery to her. Yet she was able to find that confident look about him, as if he were determined to win without looking all too amused or cocky. She watched attentively, as the two readied themselves.
It grew silent, the two circuling each other before the unnamed man striked first, quickly aiming for Alister's mid section as he grit his teeth as he swung.

The man who was Alister's opponent was bewildered at first, his horse backing up before whipping its head around and whining. It kicked, making the position as rider most unsuitable. The man tried calming his horse down but failed to some excent, the horse freaking out. The man gave a grunt, patting the horse's neck for reassurance. So easily caught off guard... The man watched Alister, holding his sword tightly as he tried to calm his horse with the other. He managed to get to the outer ring, again circling Alister. The horse snuffed a lot, unused to the wound on its nose. But, by this time, it had calmed some, and the man charged at Alister again, this time more wary of Alister's blade. He aimed a little lower though, at Alister's side so that he may drop his sword, slashing once, no, twice there as he gave a mighty call.

The horse, like Alister predicted, bucked. The man cooed to his horse, ready to hit Alister again before his horse whinied and kicked, jolting the man forward and than backward as it whipped his head. The man had extreme difficulty in trying to stay on, stuggling. He lurched forward and then backwards before having to fall off. The crowds cheered. The man shook his head, running a hand through his hair before striding off. A small stable boy took the horse in, ready to care for its wounds. However, unlike the cheering crowds, Asriel showed no sign of pleasure in Alister's victory. Again, the scrawny man in the silly clothes from earlier scarmbled into the ring, besides Alister. "Well, well, well. It is no suprise our blessed prince Alister won!" He bellowed a loud laugh, making the crowd chuckle. "But, dear prince, how about we make this more interesting. How would our first prince, Marcus, like to join us? Would you care for a duel with him? For the title of champions of all champions?" Surely, the jestor was mocking him. For Alister to duel with his brother, it was purely the work of the king. However, it was a mere suggestion for Alister; he got to choose if he wanted to or not. But surely, the king had some motive in offering it. Even then, the king was watching from a highly guarded tent behind heavy curtians, out of sight from plain view. Ever watching. Ever watching.

[ Eh...You can go either way on this one. You choose if Alister wants to fight him. It's more like a test than anything. And if so, if you just want to make Marcus' and Alister's fight short and sweet, go ahead. You can also choose who wins because I have plots for both of them. ]

Asriel watched Alister's downfall, a tad suprised. She hadn't noticed the unseemingly pain he seemed to be going through and at this point, couldn't see much of anything. The speaker distracted her with some closing speech. The crowds thinned out. She turned her head, stretching over to see the dark purple tent of that of the king's to take a peak at at his reaction of Alister's loss. But the king was no where in sight, his guards having dissapeared as well. Asriel stood, bending over to try to and carefully spy the tent over before a shout from the other side of the arena caught her attention.

Alister, terribly wounded, was being tended to immediately, taken by two men with white aprons on, dragging Alister carefully into the white topped tent. Asriel saw Alister's brother still on his steed, but only saw the back of his head. She picked up her skirts and snuck out of her tent, the guards were coming to fetch her soon. No one seemed to be paying much attention to her, and she didn't mind in the slightest. She tottered down the hill, still having difficulty in walking as she rounded about and came to the white tent. She spied Marcus, catching his eye before walking up to him. For a moment, she seemed to stare at him gallantly on his horse, truly picture needed to be framed. She caught herself staring and bowed her head slightly. "Your grace," she murmured, unused to calling people with such formality, "Has Alister been...wounded severely?" She asked, almost nervously since she never really spoken to Marcus at all. It was like speaking to an angel. Asriel let her eyes cast down and then to the slit in the medical tent. She was not allowed to go into the tent where Alister was treated. "It is rather poor he lost," she murmured, almost whispered to herself as she stared at the tent.

Asriel softly touched Bloom's nose thoughtfully, gently to allow the horse to sniff her before snorted. Asriel's former unease with the animal seemed so miniscule then, completely forgotten in her own thoughts. She had found herself at the stable, having gotten lost on the way to the castle and couldn't find a way inside. Seemingly, she found the small stable and recognized the familiar animal. The horse was very soothing, as if it knew Asriel's turmoil. No, she wasn't particularly angry with Alister. It was just that...he always seemed to know the right words to get to her. He was able to point out her insecurities so easily. Like he could read her like a book. Asriel sighed, leaning her forehead against the horse. Several hours passed by like this where she stayed around Bloom to talk about the little things. It felt good speaking about how she felt about the last few days, of how she thought of the treaty and of Alister's family. She'd like to say Bloom was listening to her the entire time even though Bloom was munching on hay through her whole conversation.

The skies darkened above her, the wind signalling the welcome of the night. She bid farewell to the horse, feeling much better. Her earlier fear had passed, burrowed under thoughts of hunger. Eventually finding a way back inside, a maid touched her arm lightly, eyes casted away from the foreign princess. "His Majesty the King has...called you, madam, and sir Alister to dinner. If you would please mention this to sir Alister...He is currently in his chamber." The maid took a step back, bowing her head before shuffling away. Asriel watched her until she dissapeared behind a corner. She picked up her skirts, careful in her step, as she tried to register how to get back to the room. After much thought, she found herself in front of the familiar door and opened it, first searching the right side of the room to the desk before the other, toward the bed. Alister's bloody heap lay motionless. Asriel let the door close behind her before quietly walking to the side of the bed. He seemed to be unconscious and having bled on the sheets. He was injured and had nothing to show for it... Asriel knelt, picking up Alister's stained shirt that lay crumpled on the side of the bed, inspecting it before dropping it and leaned towards him. He didn't seem to be bleeding anymore, the wound having stopped. It wasn't all too severe, she supposed, but it looked painful and something to be wary of. To wake him from his slumber, Asriel dreaded such a thing but lightly touched his shoulder with her cold fingers. "Alister..." She called, whispering at first in a hesitant tone.

He looked so weak, so vulnerable in his sleep. With his wound, he was probably even more vulnerable. So much so that she could've even killed him then. Asriel lifted her eyes, taking a quick glance to her own pillow where the pocket knife lay hidden. She'd have to hide it in her trunk when the maids came to change the sheets. She looked back down again, at Alister. yes...If she could, Asriel surely would try to kill Alister. Of course, it'd lead to her death surely but...Was Asriel's life any meaning? She didn't think so. She shook her head. She shouldn't be thinking such thoughts. "Alister," she murmured again, tapping his shoulder.

Asriel flinched, straightening as she looked away, blushing. "You father called us to dinner..." She didn't want to look him in the eye. Not after how he treated her earlier today. She had no reason to blame him but she was stubborn and full of pride. "I'm unused to being called anywhere..." She murmured to herself, crossing her arms as she leaned on her leg. Her eyes briefly glimpsed at Alister's sleepy face. "And I'm not going alone...I..." She paused, stammering before blushing. "Forgot how to get to the dining room and I don't want to bother any of the maids by asking them." She forced out. "So get up," she said almost heartlessly, despit ehis wound. Truthfully, she didn't really want to bother Alister. She felt he could use a little more sleep. But Asriel didn't want to dissapoint Alister's father.

Asriel slowed when she had gotten to the dining room, holding her hands together. It was rather intimidating, being that the people at this very table were all noble, powerful people. She bowed her head, almost submissively. What was she to do?! She looked up then, seeing Marcus and his fiancee. But they were looking at her but of Alister. She looked towards Alister's mother as well, who looked at Alister in dissaproval. She looked so much more regal today. Her hair was pulled back in lovely pins, her clothes ebbed with golden thread. Marcus, who she ahd only met twice, was beautiful as ever, dressed in a uniform. His fiancee, if she had any right to say it, was probably the most beautiful. She was young and elegant looking, pale skin and lovely hair that was pulled up with flowers. Her dress was a blue, matching the quiet beauty she was. Asriel surely felt out of place. Especially so when her eyes laid upon the last person at the dark table.
His hair was dark but graying, his mouth straight and unforgiving. His structure was well form, his shoulders wide. His beard was also graying, short and thick on his chin. But his eyes were the most capturing; they had a piercing look about them, cold and cruel. Unlike the rest who looked at Alister, having heard of his failure earlier today, the man looked at Asriel, watching her face of uncomfort.

She felt it. Hate. Curiousity. Ridicule. Contempt. Hostility. She had to convince herself she was okay. She could get used to these kinds of looks. She had to...become strong. At the very least, for herself. And yet, as the man continued to stare at her, she officialy felt that she became the enemy's possession. Asriel looked down,a t her empty, shiny plate that reflected her image. A somber, different-looking face looked back at her, one she did not recognize. Her blue eyes were filled with discomfort and her face filled with a blank expression. Her hair fell loosely about her face, and by this time, was messy looking. She sat back into her chair, no longer finding satisfaction in what she saw. The man leaned back as well, preparing to speak.
"My son," he called, his voice deep and chilling. It suddenly seemed very eerie and quiet at the dinner table. "I have heard of your...failure today at the tournament and of the injury inflicted on you." He paused, but not out of hesitation but to allow Alister to let it sink in. His voice was cold, as were his eyes who stared straight at Alister. "I have reason to believe you've been slacking on your training. Running around in the woods. Playing with horses. Instead of all this...dilly dallying, you should be preparing to be a great benificiary for your elder brother, Marcus," he stated. The maids came in quietly, and the butlers began to place food in front of everyone, elegantly crafted for royal taste. Before the king looked away, he gave a slight shake of the head. "You are dissapointing." And then the king went about to take the first bite, Asriel looked down, feeling sort of bad for Alister. So this is what he meant? How difficult it must've been for Alister to live with such a man. Such a man was...Well, he was different than her grandfather. Yes, this man att he table was much quieter, but that was the very reason Asriel felt so scared of him. He was a silent, cruel person, she could tell, who probably wouldn't say anything directly. Asriel looked at her plate. She no longer had an appetite.