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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He takes one of her hands and studies her. "Well," he says after a moment. "I assume my son has done the appropriate thing and proposed?" He leans closer. "Are you ready to become a princess?" He asks softly.

Kevin sighs. "There hasn't been time," he explains. "There was my injury then your missive. There will be time enough to settle that now that I am home."

"Hmm." The King looks at Angela. "And what do you think?"

... Oh god, what did she say. She didn't want to lie but frankly she barely knew Kevin. She's rather not hitch herself to him just because he was the Prince.

It might be telling she hesitates to begin with. "Perhaps we should find out if we're really True Halves and go from there." That's diplomatic enough, yeah?

"Hmm." The King's eyes narrow, but he says nothing to her. "Well, we shall see you settled. My son will see to your comfort."

"Yes father." Kevin says, contritely. He bows and holds out a hand for Angela. "Come I will see you settled." He says, softly. The court is watching the tableau, wanting to see what the King shall do.

Angela is more than happy to take Kevin's hand now. The King is intimidating for sure and she'd rather not be under his scrutiny for too long until everything gets settled.

Once a bit away from him she sighs out heavily. "What a day." What a mess. What is the King going to do when he finds out they aren't True Halves after all?

"It's not over yet." Kevin mutters, taking her through the halls of the castle. People get out of their way, bowing.

"Your highness!" Is merrily called down the hallway and Kevin smiles a little. "When did you arrive?"

"About an hour ago." Kevin admits. "Healer Angela, may I present Lord Alex Summers, the poor bastard married to Josh."

"Them's fighting words." Alex mock growls, but it sounds like an old joke between the two. "M'lady, it is an honor to meet you." He says, bowing over her hand.

Angel smiles brightly. "It's very nice to meet you, Lord Summers. Your husband has said a lot of nice things about you."

What a nice pitstop on the merry ride of being pulled around the castle!

"Ah, so Josh has been telling stories again," Alex teases. "And please, call me Alex." He says, grinning. "And beware my elder brother." He winks at her.

Kevin snorts. Lord Scott is... a terror, while his wife is pregnant. It's well known not to cross him currently.

"Have you been told?" Alex asks, seriously, looking at Kevin.

"I know Lord Xavier left, but nothing more." He admits, with a shrug. "And frankly, the King is at least pretending to be in a decent mood."

Alex nods. "We'll grab a beer later and I'll fill you in." He turns that megawatt smile on Angela that's made many a maiden swoon. "It was nice meeting you."

It certainly is charming and like any other lady she does smile back. Swooning is a bit out of the question -- she's not the sort to swoon for married men, thank you. Is that too goody two-shoes? Maybe.

"Nice meeting you too."

Then she blows out a breath as he leaves. There are a lot of people in this court!

Kevin notices the smile, but says nothing about it. Every woman smiles at Alex, some thinking they can convince him to leave Josh (no), join him and Josh (possible) or some combination thereof. But a lot of people don't realize Kevin sees a lot more than he lets on, because he's so quiet and doesn't let on that he sees.

Things become more quiet the further from the main throneroom they get. Kevin is quiet, until they come upon a door. "Here, this will be your room. It has a bath in there for you." He says, opening the door to what he affectionately calls the sea room. It's blues and greens everywhere. With a white, or even a red thrown in here and there. He doesn't particularly like it. but it has several advantages. "If you have need of me, I'm right through that door." He says, pointing to one near the massive bed. "If you'll excuse me, I'd like to get out of my armor."

Crap, he forgot. "If you need one of the maids, just tug the rope here near the door, one of them will be in immediately." He clears his throat, awkwardly. "Would you like me to fetch you for dinner?"

Angela's eyes skip to the door when he mentions it. It seems odd that their rooms are connected but it's something that won't fully settle on her until she wakes up in the night and realizes they're expected to be married at some point. For now she nods gently, adding in before he goes, "If you want further healing just let me know, alright?"

They might have bickered but she wouldn't begrudge him healing, particularly not if she was one of the few who could heal him.

Once he clears his throat she pauses, having tossed her bag onto what was presumably her bed now. Then she gives him a soft smile -- how thoughtful. "If you don't mind."

the smile is pretty. That thought hits him as he watches her move around the room. She belongs in the sea room. He's not sure why he thinks that, but he doesn't argue with the thought.

"I don't mind at all." He says, shutting the door behind him. He heads to his room, where Josh is waiting for him. "don't say it." He growls, trying to get his armor off.

"True Halves?!" Josh hisses, at him, batting his hands out of the way. Josh has been removing his armor for years, just because he can touch Kevin. "You just announce this random girl we found that can heal you is your True Half?! Are you insane? Stupid? How about sadistic?" Josh manages to help him out of the armor, and Kevin flops back on the bed. "What the hell are you going to do? Or have you thought that through? And what's going to happen to her? She doesn't deserve this, Kev." Josh hasn't raised his voice, for fear she can hear.

"I.. don't have an answer for any of that. An' I know I should, but I don't, alright? Now leave me alone." He orders, flatly.

Josh storms out of the room, leaving Kevin and Mimsy alone.

At dinner time, Kevin knocks gently on Angela's door. "Angela? Are you ready?"

She's got to admit the room isn't a bad palette of colors all together. The reds are used sparingly and for the large part it's blues, greens and whites for the most part. If Kevin had called it the sea room out loud then she's probably agree with it.

By the time Kevin comes back around dinner she's taken the time to get cleaned up. It's wonders what a nice bath will do for one's mood. Ther servants are more than obliging and Angela ends up helping them bring out the bath and all. She's got her hair tamed into a high ponytail again and has dug out one of her better dresses from her bag. She's in chipper spirits again at least!

"Mm, let's go!"

He offers his arm, so they can walk together, to dinner. "The King and I are having dinner together, but Jubes and the others would like you to join them." He says. "If you'd like to?" He says, softly.

Mimsy trots along next to him, obviously well trained.

"Did the staff see to your needs?" He's not in charge - that falls to Lady Emma. But he wants to be sure she's being treated well, just in case something should go amiss.

Angela doesn't hesitate in nodding to both questions. "The staff were very friendly! I'd be happy to eat with everyone else of course. It's nice to eat with company after all."

By now she's used to eating with her grandmother and grandfather after all. She actively dislikes eating alone.

He smiles. "The staff are wonderful, aren't they?" He says, proud of them. "If you need anything, Lady Emma will see to anything you need."

He stopped, right before they went into another hall. He looks at her. "I'd prefer if you didn't go out to the town alone. Josh, Alex, Jubes, and any of the group would be more than happy to go out with you." He's asking, not telling. Just he's obviously worried. He's declared her his True Half and with that comes a bit trouble now and again.

Angela's brow furrows up. She looks fit to say something but then visibly pauses. He's not demanding it at least and it comes out much more like he's wanting to advice her versus order her to do something. She gives a momentary nod as she gives his arm a comforting squeeze before she turns him loose.

"I'll keep that in mind then. I'll try not to be too much of a bother though."

"No one will think you a bother." He says softly, turning to look at her. She's not bad looking, and he could certainly do worse than her for a True Half.

"Come," He opens the door next to them to loud boisterous laughter.

"Kevin!" Comes the call from several at the table. It's his traveling companions with a few that she's already met added in. "And the Lady Angela." Alex says, scooting down to give her room next to him. "Come! Join us. Kevin has to go be Prince, but no reason you should be shut in like that."

"Where's Soo?" Kevin asks. While she won't remove her veils for most in the castle, here she's got four of the five men she's comfortable with.

"Date!" Jubes pipes up. "One Lord or another took her out somewhere." She dangles a goblet from her fingers, obviously a little drunk. "Angela, come join us."

Kevin smiles a little, when Jubes gets into a soft argument with Lord Victor over her drink. "Go on. They'll see you back to your rooms. I need to attend my father." He bends over her hand. "Enjoy your evening."

Angela nods before she flits into the room itself. She ends up plopped down beside Alex, brows popped up at hearing about Soo's date.

"Does she go on many dates like that?"

"Nope." Jubes says, popping her lips. Her and her father have apparently stopped arguing about her drinking, if her getting another glass is anything to go by. "But Dad and Daddy," she waves to Lord Victor and Sir Logan, "have decided as they are responsible for her it's time for her to start thinking about it."

"You or her, kid." Victor puts in, amused.

"And we don't hate anyone that much." She points out, shrugging.

"How're you finding the castle?" Josh asks, from across the table.

Angela looks mystified a moment as she considers.

"Well ... my room is nice?"

That's about all she's seen of the place after all.

Josh chuckles. "Well I promise to take you around tomorrow." He says, poking at his food. "We'll get you a better perspective than a 'nice' room."

Lord Alex nudges him. "Is there anything you need?" He asks, of Angela. "We can take you out into the city tomorrow, if so?" He offers, gently. He ignores the soft conversation at the other end of the table between Jubes and her father.

Anything she needs, hm? Angela thinks a moment, mentally counting out what money she does have with her.

"I suppose more clothing. I did bring some things with me but if I'm suppose to stay here a while..."

Is she supposed to be here for a while? She'd gotten that impression when they were leaving her grandparents.

Josh grins. Alex rolls his eyes and nudges his husband with a foot. "Josh, try not to go overboard." He says. Then, Alex turns to Angela. "do not let him walk all over you." He cautions, eyeing his husband.

Josh attempts to look innocent. "The woman says she needs clothing, I -"

Alex facepalms. "If you need to stab him, that's fine." But he's teasing. "He has this thing about dressing people." Alex shakes his head. "You'll have a full wardrobe if you're not careful."

Josh waves his drink. "A few things appropriate for Court, that's all." But there's a maniacal gleam in his eye.

Perhaps Angela should be a whole lot more fearful here but she actually looks intrigued, hands against the table and leaning forward, all that.

"Oh! No, no, that's really handy! I mean I'm an absolute dullard at clothes, you know?"

She gestures over her form with both hands. "I've just sort of always wore whatever got thrown at me!"

No seriously, her grandmother was the one who gave her clothing. Sure Angela could hem it up and all but she'd run around barefoot of in comfortable shoes that looks terrible with her outfit. She was a gremlin who happened to have a nice face.

Jubes at the other end of the table laughs, having been watching. "Stuff it Alex, you're stuck."

"Why did I marry him again?" Alex mutters into his food.

"Be-mmph." A roll is stuffed into Josh's mouth by Sir Logan.

"Not at the table." Logan grumbles. "Sparkplug, you're goin' with 'em."

"But, I -" Then she sighs at a look from her Dad. "Yes, Dad." She looks at Josh. "Where are we going?"

"Well, if M'lady approves, I have just the clothier's shop to take her to. We'll get you outfitted with comfortable everything for court!" Josh says enthusiastically. "And for riding, of course, and walking, and working, since I can't see you not helping in the healing garden at least sometimes." He grins. "Is there anything else you'd like to do while you're here? We have an entire city and castle at your disposal!"

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A King AU... again

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