howlingplayground | A King AU... again

A King AU... again

It figures. It just figures. The one time he goes out without Josh, Kevin gets stabbed through the side. They're relatively sure that nothing important was damaged, but the knights can't touch him. One's already lost a glove to Kevin's power, and who knows when they'll be able to get to Josh.

"Your Highness, we need to keep moving -" Sir Julian says, scowling as they come upon a village.

"We keep moving and he's going to bleed to death," the heavily helmeted Lady Sooraya points out. "Perhaps this village has a healer?" She suggests, looking around.

Julian snorts. "Healer or not, how are they -"

Kevin falls off his horse, stopping all talking. One of the other knights, smaller than the other two jumps down. "I'm alright." He tries to reassure.

"Julian!" The knight on the ground snaps. "Ride ahead into the village. See if they have someone." He nods and knees his horse heading toward the village. "Sooraya, get over to that house and see if they have a cart. Buy it if you have to." She snaps out orders, her metal gloves holding Kevin still. "Stay still, Your Highness. We'll get you somewhere safe."

He swallows and nods. He knows his side is bleeding again. He knows that he's been losing blood pretty steadily since they had been attacked by the small troupe of bandits. He closes his eyes, only to have his shoulder shaken. "Don't you dare pass out on me." She snaps at him.

"Not trying to." He whispers, as he fights to keep his eyes open. "J, ride for Josh. Soo and Julian got me."

"Not yet. I'm going to get you to a healer first." She says, stubbornly. "Besides, the King will have our heads if we let you die. I like my head." She looks up as someone approaches. "Stand and explain yourself." She says, getting to her feet and resting a hand on her sword.

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It's easy to say Angela takes an instant liking to Josh. She doesn't hate anyone to be sure and probably never will but she can tell he may be the one she goes to most often if she has trouble. The fact that he takes about being the one to pursue his husband only seems to delight her more.

"Oooh that sounds like a real love story begging to be told. You'll have to tell me all about it!"

Here she wiggles her fingers a little as she laughs. "It's a little cliche maybe but I really love romances. Sometimes it's hard to get your hands on books out here but that's what my grandmother collected mostly." Yes dear old grandma was something of a trashy romance reader. Angela would never own up to it but one way she brought in money was writing -- others would have to weasel her pen name out of her one day.

That said she adds with a pleased hum, "I've dabbled in herbalism too. My healing is so scattershot on who it does and doesn't work on that herbalism really helps make up the difference. At least if the healer in town needs help."

"Well, we can certainly teach you quite a bit more of herbalism. The Court herbalists will take on another student." Josh says, confidently. He ignores Kevin's snort. "As for a love story, well.... I will have to tell it to you, over a good glass of wine. With my husband there to correct me, of course."

"And others to correct him," Julian puts in. Making Jubes and Soo snicker.

"Ah yes, just so." Josh admits, grinning. "As for romances -"

"You're giving me a headache, Josh." Kevin snaps. He doesn't turn to look, but Lightning snorts and prances a little before being brought back into line by Kevin expertly.

"Well, it's a good thing we're almost to the encampment." Josh says lightly. Though, there is a slight worry crease of his brows as he watches the Prince. "Angela and I shall ride ahead and prepare a headache tonic for you." He wheels Buttercup around the group and pushes her a little faster.

Once they're far enough away that Kevin can't hear them, he sighs. "You'll have to forgive him. There are... there are things happening within the royal household, that you're about to be embroiled in, and for that I apologize."

Angela is happy to laugh along with the little jokes she only halfway gets. It feels good to have a group to laugh along with that like to be honest.

Kevin snapping does make her wince a bit but by the time they've skirted the group and it's just her and Josh she glances back at Josh himself with a light if somewhat sad smile.

"It's alright. I don't know any of your lives after all and when someone snaps like that they usually have a reason." Her smile grows some then, "Besides my grandfather likes to grumble too. It's just his nature though."

She doesn't know if this is just Kevin's nature but if he really can't touch anyone but three -- now four -- select people? She can imagine how aggravating it must be.

Josh shakes his head, as they come into view of the encampment. It's ten more men, only one of which is a knight, who looks up when he comes in. The man, short, but with broad shoulders comes over and frowns. "Where's the rest?" He growls. "And who's the girl?" Still, the infamous Sir Logan offers to help her down.

Once on the ground, Josh pushes his hood back. "Angela, this is Sir Logan. The others are on their way. Kevin's... in a mood."

Logan nods, handing Buttercup off to one of the men. "We'll handle it. Darlin'." He nods his head to Angela, before leaving them alone.

"Come," Josh says, gently. "As for Kevin, his father is being... unreasonable." He says, leading her through the camp, toward one of the larger tents. "We all agree that the Kingdom must have an heir beyond Kevin, but he wants the poor guy to marry someone that, well, none of us like, and while she can touch Kevin, he's no desire to touch her." He shrugs. "Lady Cessily is too needy and far too clingy."

Another grouchy person! Angela blinks down at Sir Logan a moment before he offers to help her down, then just calls her darlin' and off he goes. For all the gruff he didn't act like a bad person so she decides to put him firmly in the "okay" category for the moment.

She's easily led along as she listens, frowning a little as Josh goes on. The story really does get more complicated, doesn't it. "I guess going from no touch at all to far too much is ... uh, far too much."

Once inside the tent Angela is happy to peek around. She's nosy but not so much so she'll go through anyone's things.

"And I guess you can't really just look around for someone he might wants to touch, can you. That would be giving away far too much information."

Logan's not grouchy so much as... well, no he's grouchy. Josh has no explanation for Logan at all. Except he's Lady Jubes' father (one of them) and has been around forever.

The tent he leads her to is the one that Jubes and Sooraya share. They're the only women on this little excursion.

"That's exactly it. She paws at him, and he dislikes it. She's also very public with it. So, when we return in two days, you'll more than likely have to run the gamut with her." Josh says, putting her bag down.

"I cannot tell you everything, save that Kevin is a very private person. He -" He stops because Mimsy runs in, grabs his sleeve and starts pulling. "Come, he wants to talk to us."

Kevin has arrived and is talking to Jubes and Soo - the latter of which has not removed her helmet. There are rumors that she's horrifically scarred and can't remove her helmet. He dismisses them and then collapses to sit on his camp bed. He looks up and scowls, his eyes narrowing. He hadn't wanted to talk to her, just Josh. "I've seen to finding a mount for you." He almost growls. "That should hurry things along. We leave at dawn for Westchester Castle."

Angela chews at her lower lip a moment. Run the gamut with her indeed! She'd have to impress first and foremost that she has zero intention of butting into anything she has going -- or think she has going -- with the prince. The man can barely tolerate her though so she doubts it'll be hard to prove to the Lady how little he wants to do with her.

Like right now in fact. She comes simply because Josh said so and has ever intention of lingering near the tent entrance but once Kevin speaks of finding a mount for her she brightens immediately.

"Oh! Thank you!"

She hadn't expected that clearly. Her own mount! That seems to immediately turn any sort of down mood she might have had.

"Shall I leave the two of you alone to talk then?"

"Yes -" Kevin says.

"Your Highness." Josh scolds. He's about the only one who can get away with it. "Angela, Jubes and Soo should be outside waiting for you. Why don't you go join them?"

When she steps outside, Jubes is talking to Logan. "Dad, it's..." She glances at Angela. "There you are!" She says brightly. "We should leave." She says, glancing at the tent behind Angela. She knows what's going to happen.

Frankly Angela is quite happy to leave. No offense to the prince of course, she understands his temperament and all but it must be better to leave him until he cools down. Or decides he doesn't hate the sight of her face anyhow. One of those will happen eventually she imagines.

For now she greets the trio with a bright smile. "I believe I'm staying in the tent with you two? If you don't mind! That's just what Josh said."

Goodness knew she'd slept out under the stars before. They could throw her a blanket and she'd be fine curling up wherever.

Jubes links arms with Angela. "You are." She says, smiling. "And my apologies for -"

"WHAT THE EVERLOVING FUCK WERE YOU THINKING?!" Kevin bellows in a voice that can be heard across battlefields.

Josh's response is quiet, and unable to be heard.

Jubes sighs. "Come on. Let's get you some dinner and then we'll talk." She says, leading the way to the food.

Angela is nearly rocked forward from the force of that yelling. She clutches at her chest for a moment, more surprised than anything, then considers doubling back to teach Kevin that you don't yell at people who have your best interests at heart.

No. No, you can't do that, Angela. You can't kick this off by literally beating up the prince.

"Dinner sounds wonderful," she says as she tightens her hold a little on Jube's arm.

Jubes sighs and takes her over to the fire, dishing out three bowls, and handing Angela hers. "Come, we'll join Soo for dinner in our tent." She says, heading back. She ignores the yelling coming out of the Prince's tent, and just heads back to hers. "Soo?" She calls.

"You can come in only if you brought dinner." Soo calls.

Jubes laughs and walks in. Inside is a dark-skinned woman with dark eyes and her hair hidden beneath a black kerchief. "Welcome, Angela. I am sorry our Prince is being such -"

"An ass." Jubilee says helpfully, taking off her armor. "Dad will stop it before it comes to blows." She hopes.

Angela is polite enough to wait until she's in the tent to tuck into her bowl. Finding a seat she huffs out a gentle breath at the apology.

"Oh I don't mind. I do feel for Josh though, even if he's used to it. He can be mean with me all he wants."

Because she doesn't care much about how she's treated, it's how the people around her are treated that matters. She can defend herself after all.

"Oh don't feel for Josh." The two of them say together, as Jubes helps Soo out of her armor. Jubes giggles. "Josh and Kevin used to date." She explains. "They dated, what? Two? Three years?" Jubes asks Soo. "You were around more than I was."

"The longest two years of my life." Soo shakes her head, rolling her shoulders as her armor is taken off. She settles on her camp bed, next to Jubes and digs in. "Kevin's father made them stop dating, and Josh was falling in love with someone else. They parted on great terms, and are still best friends." Soo explains. "If anyone can get Kevin's head out of his ass, it's Josh."

Ah that made a lot more sense then. It still didn't sit right with Angela but if Josh was used to it then she supposed she didn't have a place to say anything. At least not at present that was for sure.

"Mm, hopefully I haven't made too much trouble for any of you then." She prods around her stew some more as she notes, "Not that I'm glad but I've never been a very good healer. Most people I'm lucky to heal scratches and scrapes. When I worked with the local healer in town we did better together but alone? No way. I was just impressed it went so well this time."

Her magic hadn't cropped up until she was went through puberty of course and she could heal herself very well but anyone else? It was a struggle.

Josh is more than used to it. He knows his place in Kevin's life, and is content with it.

Jubes shakes her head. "No trouble at all." She says, after she swallows a bite. "Honestly, you were in the right place at the right time. We appreciate that." She says, gently. "Like we said, Kevin's being an ass, and will be apologizing, once whatever's wrong with him is taken care of."

"We know what's wrong with him," Soo points out. There's a knock on the tent post. "Come in Julian!" She calls, not reaching for her veils. Then, she turns back to Angela as Julian comes in, carrying his own dinner. "Kevin is being asked to marry. The problem, of course, is his power. He doesn't want to accidentally hurt anyone. But King Erik is... fervent in his desire that his son marry." She sighs.

"The other problem is Lady Cessily." Julian points out around a mouthful. "She's hell bent on marrying the Prince." He shrugs. "She's... if she's going to be our Queen? I quit."

Angela doesn't even bother disguising how intrigued she is about this. She sits forward in her chair, sitting criss-cross up in the chair with the bowl settled between her legs.

"Josh mentioned her being a little clingy and touchy. Is she very forward then? I mean ... being "hell bent" sure sounds like it ..."

Surely she must be a little more than just touchy feely if everyone has such a problem with her.

Oh, and they are so willing to spill the tea.

"Lady Cessily's skin is metallic. Kevin can touch her. She makes it a point of fawning all over him and touching where she isn't welcome." Soo says.

Jubes pours water for the four of them, handing Angela a glass. "Look, when Lady Cessily first came to court, Prince Kevin was kind to her. She didn't look like other people, and was lonely because she thought others would hate her." She explains. "He invited her out to his shop a few times." She shakes her head. "Then, he started dating Josh. She was okay with that, for whatever reason. Even when she caught the pair sleeping together, she didn't throw a fit."

"I didn't know she caught them." Julian put in. "But it makes sense, she was always going into his shop invited or not."

"I think everyone caught them." Soo says dryly. "But then the Summerses appeared. And Josh fell hard for the younger son. That's his husband, now. So when Cessily found out they weren't together anymore, she redoubled her efforts. Kevin's polite, but can be too polite sometimes, believe it or not."

Jubes picks up the story. "Anyway, since he and Josh were no longer together, she started angling for the Princess spot." She sits down, finishing her stew. "No one likes the idea, not even King Erik, but if all is said and done? Kevin has to have an heir."

Angela seems to give her whole attention to the story, to the point where she almost takes the water without noticing she has. By the time she gets back to her stew it's gone cold but she doesn't seem to care a bit about that.

"Sounds like it's a problem for both of them then," she finally says around the spoon in her mouth as she considers all of that spilled tea. Pulling the spoon from her mouth she continues, "I mean ... I can't blame her for going for that spot. I wouldn't but there's got to be some security in knowing you'll be well taken care of. Annoying someone isn't quite the way to win their heart though."

She perks her brows up now. "Do you think she likes him? Maybe that's why she's trying so hard." Of course in the game of court and politics she assumed love didn't factor into the marriages as often as it did in books. One didn't just trip into their True Half who happened to be royalty on a regular basis.

"See; Kevin could completely ruin Cessily, but he won't, because he's too nice." Jubes says, putting her bowl to the side. "And if you're going to win his heart, backing off when he says leave him be is one way to do it."

"He's half in love with Lady LeBeau," Julian puts in.

"Most of the men of the court are half in love with Lady LeBeau." Soo says, rolling her eyes dramatically. "Besides, Lord LeBeau is her True Half."

Julian shrugs. "She's always treated him with respect and treats him like a younger brother sometimes." He points out. "Plus, he can touch her."

"As for Lady Cessily," Jubes puts in, getting back on the subject. "If she likes him, she's going about it all wrong." She pats Angela's arm. "Don't worry. We will get you settled with the court."

"You know, eventually, you're going to have to marry, Jubes." Julian says with a wicked grin. "What about that guy from Pomary? He likes you."

She throws her pillow at Julian.

Now and then there are a few names she recognizes. Lord and Lady LeBeau are certainly two of them. Being a True Half couple they're pretty popular and she's seen more than one piece of paparazzi fanart other the two of them.

Her smile turns gentle as Jube pats her arm. She wasn't afraid of the court so much as she was wrapping her mind around the intricacies of it. Maybe talking to the Lady Cessily would help? Angela was always one to push conversation and mutual understanding over pretty much everything else when it came to problems after all. She's like to get to know the woman before she formed an opinion on her ... maybe even help her with her erstwhile lovelife? If she truly felt anything for the prince anyhow.

She huffs out a laugh at Julian, her brows perking up some. "You could say the same for you too, you know." She's just being playful as she notes, "The upside to being a commoner I guess is that we can end up marrying or not. No grand names to uphold anyhow~."

"Nope!" Julian leans back on his hands. "I may have a knight's title now, but my family is merchant class." He grins. "Not a noble amongst the bunch. And I have an older brother. I'm footloose and fancy free."

Jubes snorts. "He's a cad is what he means." She stretches out on her bed. "Always flirting with everyone."

"Nothing wrong with a good flirt, is there, Soo?" He winks at the other Lady.

She snorts, stretching out on her own bed. "I wouldn't know." She says primly. "My marriage will be arranged, when and if the King sees fit. Advantage of being a hostage of the court." She grins.

Once she's polished off the rest of her food Angela is happy to have a good laugh at the light teasing back and forth. Usually it's just her and her grandparents unless she goes into town. There she's friends with absolutely everyone; she's a good listener, good at keeping secrets and empathetically gives advice. It's not often she gets to sit with big groups and enjoy herself though.

She leans back where she sits. "I guess arranged marriages would take a lot of the guesswork out of finding someone. One of the town elders set me up a few times but ... mm, it never quite worked out. I'm too much of a romantic."

"Oh, do tell." Soo says, leaning up on her elbow. "We rarely get to hear about people outside of the court, please share."

Julian wrinkles her nose. "Nope. I think that's time for me to leave." Julian gets up. "Sir Logan said -" He stops when someone knocks on the tent post again.

"Dawn is saddle up." Logan calls in. "Josh and Kevin ain't yellin' no more."

Jubes and Soo groan, flopping back on their beds. "Julian's on first watch!" Jubes calls back to her father.

"Yeah yeah." Julian agrees. "I'll take first, but Jubes has third." He grins at her dirty look. "See you guys later."

"I hate third and he knows it." Jubes grumbles.

Angela huffs out a laugh at Jubes grumbles. "I tend to get up pretty early if you'd like company."

That said she's almost thankful for the chance not to get into those failed arrangements. In one the man was too old and the second the man was too much of a braggart. She was sure the local "matchmaker" (i.e. an older woman with too much free time) meant well but she really missed the mark both times.

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