Post by Aric Demarais on Jan 2, 2020 19:41:10 GMT -5
[ARIC]
He awoke sometime before Alexandria did, unsure of the exact time only knowing that it was now dark out. Carefully and groggily he moved and slipped off of the bed, blinking the exhaustion of his eyes. Aric had rested, thankfully, and it appeared as though Alexandria also managed to, however, his body felt so stiff and his muscles ached. Not wishing to disturb her, praying she would rest a bit more, he left her chambers and moved down the hall. His mind already knew where he wanted to go. The guards outside his brother's room allowed him entry. He nearly scoffed at the ornately decorated room that was acting as Edward's cell. But he had been kept under constant watch and unable to share chambers with his wife and sons. Not until the Aralorens could figure out what to do with him.
[EDWARD]
He had left the banquet to try and go make sure his family was safe. But he'd gotten lost as he tried finding his way. He didn't have any of his guards with him, so he couldn't remember on his own how to get back. But before he could get to his wife and kids, he was captured by Aralore guards and thrown into his chambers, alone, and unable to leave and no one allowed in. He was being blamed for the attack, just because the men who came in were dressed as his guards. He had denied the accusations but no one was listening to him. The night had gone by, as did the next day. When the evening came again, his door finally opened and there his brother was.
"Aric... you need to get me out of here... They think the attack was my fault..." He forgot that Aric had accused him, too, at one point during the attack.
[ARIC]
He didn't move, didn't trust himself to, listening to the door close behind him. Instantly, his brother was already begging for his help and it took every ounce of his being not to lose his temper. So he remained there by the door, his jaw clenching. "Oh, do I?" he questioned sarcastically. He even laughed to drive it home. "Tell me, brother...after all you said at dinner..." Now he approached him slowly, his hands clenching at his sides and his voice finally rose. "How is anyone supposed to believe you?!"
[EDWARD]
He was a bit taken back by his brother's reaction. Confused even. And he tried to remember what he said. He laughed and shook his head, "About me taking over Aralore? How is that enough to accuse me?" He placed his hands on his hips. "When will that sorry excuse of a queen come to talk with me, so I can get out of here?"
[ARIC]
Edward stepped over the line instantly, and Aric quickly closed the gap between them, shoving him back forcefully. "She isn't here because she nearly died after your men almost killed her!" He had to stop himself from laying a hand on him again, his own brother. "After this all, you have no authority here, no matter what you may think now."
[EDWARD]
He stumbled backward from the shove, but quickly caught himself, turning back to face his brother. His voice raised a bit more, "Those were not my men! You saw them, they did not obey my command. I told them to step down...to stop. They were attacking me, too, Aric!" He shook his head and waved Aric off. "Of course I do. This kingdom needs my money... and I do love your idea of me owning Aralore... The look on the queen's face when you just offered it up like that," Edward snapped his fingers. "I'm sure she'll not forgive you for that one..."
[ARIC]
"Doesn't mean anything, Edward. You are known for your ploys. It's not going to work this time." He wasn't saying it, but Aric was still having a hard time believing it to be true. Those men were not Tresterian- he would know. Still, his brother had blatantly wondered what would happen if the queen died. Then, he smirked, but even that was darkly sarcastic. "She has forgiven me," he said simply. Leaning in a little, his voice dropped dangerously. "And you have no power while every person outside that door wants you dead...and I'm the only one stopping them from doing so. Your priorities need to change, brother, because you will not even own Tresteria if they find you guilty."
[EDWARD]
"My priorities need to change to what?" He glared at Aric. "And I won't be found guilty because I didn't do anything!" He growled, annoyed. "You best make sure I stay alive." He shook his head. "Oh, and she has forgiven you? Why? Did you lie to her again? Tell her you'd talk to me... Try to change my mind? Just like you did when you came crawling back to Tresteria, begging me to forget about forcing your marriage?" He laughed. "Tell me, brother, why the change in heart?"
[ARIC]
"Really?" he asked. It was his turn to wear the dark grin. "And what friends do you have here, Edward? Who will stand up for you? Because, right now, everything is stacked against you...and I can choose to turn my back." Was he serious? The frightful thing was, Aric wasn't really sure. His anger at his brother was outweighing everything else, maybe even blinding him. Ignoring every other word that spilled from Edward's mouth, he shook his head in disgust. "After everything, after the queen was put in danger...even while you're locked up here, you think you're in charge. Maybe you need a few more days of this to get off your pedestal and realize what's at stake." He thought he was done and he would leave, but he wasn't. "She saved your fucking life, brother! She could have ended all of this by letting you die...but she didn't. Doesn't mean that outcome can't be changed, either. You'd be wise to realize that." If people got angry enough, even Aric couldn't stop a mob of angry civilians from charging into this room.
[EDWARD]
He laughed loudly, the sound echoing through the room. "She did NOT save my life." He would deny that until he was blue in the face. A woman, saving his life? No. "What are you talking about? Perhaps we were not in the same room? She was..." He hesitated, maybe making it obvious that he was trying to think something up. "...Helping her brother...Or whoever the fuck he is... I am able to protect myself." He glared at Aric and shook his head. "And you would dare turn your back on your own brother, would you?" He pointed a finger at Aric and laughed again. "Just try it... See how badly I could make your life after that... You care for this queen, don't you?" His tone was threatening then, as he brought up Alexandria. He seemingly was not worried about the chance of losing his life, because, in his mind, he didn't do anything wrong. How could anyone prove these accusations?
[ARIC]
Edward was just unbelievable. As he denied how the queen saved his life, something Aric had seen with his own eyes, it was making him less willing to help him in any way. Was that too cruel to think about his own flesh and blood? Edward was not the kindest man or easiest to even deal with...but he was still his brother.
Yet, he still wants to take control of Aralore and may have possibly planned the queen's assassination. Perhaps he wasn't being cruel enough.
And you would dare turn your back on your own brother, would you? "You've turned your back on me, on Cassandra, on your own wife. How are you even surprised?" Aric approached slowly again, his hands clenching into fists at his sides once more, trying to keep himself calm. "I'm taking my life back. I'll pray the queen spares yours. Again." He wasn't even sure why he bothered to come in here. Aric knew what Edward would do- deny everything, hold himself high when he was the one currently trapped. Waving his hand in annoyed dismissal, he turned to leave the room before he did anything drastic. Clearly his emotions were still running hot.
[EDWARD]
Edward was too proud to ever admit that someone had saved his life. That he was wrong about something. So instead, he'd twist things around any way he could to avoid the blame. "I never turned my back on any of you! I've done nothing but help you! And you're taking your life back? What life, brother? You've become nothing but an empty shell since your wife's passing... Let me guess.. you've developed feelings for this queen...and she's given you a new purpose?" He laughed. "If that's the case, you should be thanking me for giving you that chance..."
[ARIC]
Edward helping was an understatement. And him denying everything and claiming that he has done nothing but good almost had Aric laughing at him. But he kept moving to that door, getting so far as to open it before his brother's continuous words finally brought him to a stop in the doorway. "Perhaps that is one thing I can thank you for," he said, but his tone became sarcastic. "But we'll see how much further your conniving plan goes when everyone in this castle wants your head on a pike. Have a good night, brother." He shut the door and instructed the guards to keep it locked and guarded no matter the cost. It was not his call to make any sort of choice than this. Alexandria would have to handle it once she was well enough.
[EDWARD]
He yelled out to Aric as the door shut, demanding he return and that he was not done with him. But when there was no answer, he banged on the door, yelling continuously for them to let him out.
He awoke sometime before Alexandria did, unsure of the exact time only knowing that it was now dark out. Carefully and groggily he moved and slipped off of the bed, blinking the exhaustion of his eyes. Aric had rested, thankfully, and it appeared as though Alexandria also managed to, however, his body felt so stiff and his muscles ached. Not wishing to disturb her, praying she would rest a bit more, he left her chambers and moved down the hall. His mind already knew where he wanted to go. The guards outside his brother's room allowed him entry. He nearly scoffed at the ornately decorated room that was acting as Edward's cell. But he had been kept under constant watch and unable to share chambers with his wife and sons. Not until the Aralorens could figure out what to do with him.
[EDWARD]
He had left the banquet to try and go make sure his family was safe. But he'd gotten lost as he tried finding his way. He didn't have any of his guards with him, so he couldn't remember on his own how to get back. But before he could get to his wife and kids, he was captured by Aralore guards and thrown into his chambers, alone, and unable to leave and no one allowed in. He was being blamed for the attack, just because the men who came in were dressed as his guards. He had denied the accusations but no one was listening to him. The night had gone by, as did the next day. When the evening came again, his door finally opened and there his brother was.
"Aric... you need to get me out of here... They think the attack was my fault..." He forgot that Aric had accused him, too, at one point during the attack.
[ARIC]
He didn't move, didn't trust himself to, listening to the door close behind him. Instantly, his brother was already begging for his help and it took every ounce of his being not to lose his temper. So he remained there by the door, his jaw clenching. "Oh, do I?" he questioned sarcastically. He even laughed to drive it home. "Tell me, brother...after all you said at dinner..." Now he approached him slowly, his hands clenching at his sides and his voice finally rose. "How is anyone supposed to believe you?!"
[EDWARD]
He was a bit taken back by his brother's reaction. Confused even. And he tried to remember what he said. He laughed and shook his head, "About me taking over Aralore? How is that enough to accuse me?" He placed his hands on his hips. "When will that sorry excuse of a queen come to talk with me, so I can get out of here?"
[ARIC]
Edward stepped over the line instantly, and Aric quickly closed the gap between them, shoving him back forcefully. "She isn't here because she nearly died after your men almost killed her!" He had to stop himself from laying a hand on him again, his own brother. "After this all, you have no authority here, no matter what you may think now."
[EDWARD]
He stumbled backward from the shove, but quickly caught himself, turning back to face his brother. His voice raised a bit more, "Those were not my men! You saw them, they did not obey my command. I told them to step down...to stop. They were attacking me, too, Aric!" He shook his head and waved Aric off. "Of course I do. This kingdom needs my money... and I do love your idea of me owning Aralore... The look on the queen's face when you just offered it up like that," Edward snapped his fingers. "I'm sure she'll not forgive you for that one..."
[ARIC]
"Doesn't mean anything, Edward. You are known for your ploys. It's not going to work this time." He wasn't saying it, but Aric was still having a hard time believing it to be true. Those men were not Tresterian- he would know. Still, his brother had blatantly wondered what would happen if the queen died. Then, he smirked, but even that was darkly sarcastic. "She has forgiven me," he said simply. Leaning in a little, his voice dropped dangerously. "And you have no power while every person outside that door wants you dead...and I'm the only one stopping them from doing so. Your priorities need to change, brother, because you will not even own Tresteria if they find you guilty."
[EDWARD]
"My priorities need to change to what?" He glared at Aric. "And I won't be found guilty because I didn't do anything!" He growled, annoyed. "You best make sure I stay alive." He shook his head. "Oh, and she has forgiven you? Why? Did you lie to her again? Tell her you'd talk to me... Try to change my mind? Just like you did when you came crawling back to Tresteria, begging me to forget about forcing your marriage?" He laughed. "Tell me, brother, why the change in heart?"
[ARIC]
"Really?" he asked. It was his turn to wear the dark grin. "And what friends do you have here, Edward? Who will stand up for you? Because, right now, everything is stacked against you...and I can choose to turn my back." Was he serious? The frightful thing was, Aric wasn't really sure. His anger at his brother was outweighing everything else, maybe even blinding him. Ignoring every other word that spilled from Edward's mouth, he shook his head in disgust. "After everything, after the queen was put in danger...even while you're locked up here, you think you're in charge. Maybe you need a few more days of this to get off your pedestal and realize what's at stake." He thought he was done and he would leave, but he wasn't. "She saved your fucking life, brother! She could have ended all of this by letting you die...but she didn't. Doesn't mean that outcome can't be changed, either. You'd be wise to realize that." If people got angry enough, even Aric couldn't stop a mob of angry civilians from charging into this room.
[EDWARD]
He laughed loudly, the sound echoing through the room. "She did NOT save my life." He would deny that until he was blue in the face. A woman, saving his life? No. "What are you talking about? Perhaps we were not in the same room? She was..." He hesitated, maybe making it obvious that he was trying to think something up. "...Helping her brother...Or whoever the fuck he is... I am able to protect myself." He glared at Aric and shook his head. "And you would dare turn your back on your own brother, would you?" He pointed a finger at Aric and laughed again. "Just try it... See how badly I could make your life after that... You care for this queen, don't you?" His tone was threatening then, as he brought up Alexandria. He seemingly was not worried about the chance of losing his life, because, in his mind, he didn't do anything wrong. How could anyone prove these accusations?
[ARIC]
Edward was just unbelievable. As he denied how the queen saved his life, something Aric had seen with his own eyes, it was making him less willing to help him in any way. Was that too cruel to think about his own flesh and blood? Edward was not the kindest man or easiest to even deal with...but he was still his brother.
Yet, he still wants to take control of Aralore and may have possibly planned the queen's assassination. Perhaps he wasn't being cruel enough.
And you would dare turn your back on your own brother, would you? "You've turned your back on me, on Cassandra, on your own wife. How are you even surprised?" Aric approached slowly again, his hands clenching into fists at his sides once more, trying to keep himself calm. "I'm taking my life back. I'll pray the queen spares yours. Again." He wasn't even sure why he bothered to come in here. Aric knew what Edward would do- deny everything, hold himself high when he was the one currently trapped. Waving his hand in annoyed dismissal, he turned to leave the room before he did anything drastic. Clearly his emotions were still running hot.
[EDWARD]
Edward was too proud to ever admit that someone had saved his life. That he was wrong about something. So instead, he'd twist things around any way he could to avoid the blame. "I never turned my back on any of you! I've done nothing but help you! And you're taking your life back? What life, brother? You've become nothing but an empty shell since your wife's passing... Let me guess.. you've developed feelings for this queen...and she's given you a new purpose?" He laughed. "If that's the case, you should be thanking me for giving you that chance..."
[ARIC]
Edward helping was an understatement. And him denying everything and claiming that he has done nothing but good almost had Aric laughing at him. But he kept moving to that door, getting so far as to open it before his brother's continuous words finally brought him to a stop in the doorway. "Perhaps that is one thing I can thank you for," he said, but his tone became sarcastic. "But we'll see how much further your conniving plan goes when everyone in this castle wants your head on a pike. Have a good night, brother." He shut the door and instructed the guards to keep it locked and guarded no matter the cost. It was not his call to make any sort of choice than this. Alexandria would have to handle it once she was well enough.
[EDWARD]
He yelled out to Aric as the door shut, demanding he return and that he was not done with him. But when there was no answer, he banged on the door, yelling continuously for them to let him out.
