Ollie
18
Single
Soldier/Knight in training
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Post by Aiden de Sardet on Jan 8, 2021 18:21:29 GMT -5
Aiden was back in his bed, eventually. If there was one thing he hated about winter it was having having to clean himself off with ice cold water. Still, he woke up the next morning, groggy and grumpy as always.
Their parents had given Aiden chores through out the house just to give him something to do. That morning he with his dogs, fed them as well as the horses, and cut and stacked firewood. By the time he was finished with his chores he did feel better. Though that didn't seem to stop his energy from leaving him restless. He knew he'd have to wait for night to come however.
The day went by fairly uneventful. As his family started going to bed Aiden waited quietly in his room. Listening for the footsteps to stop and the familiar sound of his fathers snoring. Once he was sure everythingvwas clear the youngest de Sardet made his way to his brothers room. He'd said he wanted to join him after all.
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Orion
20
Single
Army Corporal
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Post by Raize de Sardet on Jan 8, 2021 20:12:36 GMT -5
De Sardet spent most of the day attending their mother. She wanted to know everything aboit the town house. What flowers they had in the gardens, when they last got new furniture, how he and Raina were getting on. But mostly she liked to tell him about this or that eligible noblewoman.
He tuned most of it out.
When he was able to get a word in he attenpted to suggest yet again how good it would be for Aiden to be out to the world and meet people. He leaned on the idea of his brother getting engaged, though never directly. He wouldn't want his little brother harassed like he was.
It being so cold, he retired to his rooms early with a steaming cup of cider. When Aiden presented himself, de Sardet was perched on the edge of an armchair, a blanket wrapped around him, studying a chessboard set to some game. He wasn't playing himself, not physically. Simply going over moves and patterns in his head and wprking them out on the board, like solving a logic problem, but for fun.
"They make you do chores?" He asked without looking up, using the black bishop to take the rook.
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Ollie
18
Single
Soldier/Knight in training
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Post by Aiden de Sardet on Jan 9, 2021 0:03:31 GMT -5
Aiden had never been great at chess. Not that he was bad but it did haveca tendency to leave him bored and confused. Still, the question made him chuckle and shrug his shoulders. "I like spending time with the horses and mother said she got tired of hearing me count the amount of tiles on the floor." Really he liked spending time with animals in general. Any excuse to get out of the house.
With a nervous bite of his lip Aiden remembered a question he wanted to ask. "Speaking of mother, I heard you talking with her today. Did she...say anything about me leaving?" As much as he doubted he also really hoped. All he wanted was the same opportunity his siblings got. A chance to leave home, work, really become a man.
As he looked out of his brothers bedroom window Aiden felt that familiar pull. A shiver ran through his entire body before he turned his eyes back to his brother. "You should dress warmly."
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Orion
20
Single
Army Corporal
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Post by Raize de Sardet on Jan 9, 2021 0:35:49 GMT -5
The man was aware his brother found chess 'boring,' which was a foreign concept to him. Chess was more than just a game, and it was far from a boring one. It was intense. Dramatic. Sometimes ridiculously ingenious. It was far more exciting than most other games he had played and most of his life. He imagined only war strategy might be more exciting, but that was much slower and less defined and people were not very good pawns. A chessboard didn't lie to you and it certainly didn't shirk it's duty or break the rules.
De Sardet had never been made to do chores. It spoke a lot to the wits end his parents were likely at with Aiden. The thought of Lady de Sardet forcing her child to work when they had servants for such things made no sense at all. Not that de Sardet was against a bit of manual labor. He did like simple things of that nature. But it was still odd. Hearing that Aiden liked to do it didn't surprise him.
"Nothing for certain. I think she's wearing down though." That was half the battle. The other half was ensuing Aiden wouldn't be a safety risk to their family. Luckily, as much as their parents were hard on them all, they did trust the twins. De Sardet hadn't had a chance to make a deal with his father yet, but he planned to approach him tomorrow.
All the while as they spoke, he worked through the set, most of his concentration on the board. He blinked at the notion of warm clothes, confused for a moment and looking up at his brother. He noted where he was looking and seemed surprised to realize how later it was already. "Ah. Yes." He glanced at the board thoughtfully and then shrugged to himself and stood with a stretch. He moved to his wardrobe and pulled on a warmer blue jacket and then collected a heavy cloak from a stand by the door. Much better than last night. He moved to the window, swirling the cloak over his shoulders and securing it. "What are we hunting tonight?" He asked curiously, not even sure Aiden knew just yet, though his anticipation was clear.
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Ollie
18
Single
Soldier/Knight in training
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Post by Aiden de Sardet on Jan 10, 2021 15:48:23 GMT -5
Convincing their mother would probably be easier than their father. Though Aiden knew he couldn't say anything to either of them unless they asked. If he tried to convince them himself again they'd turn him down flat. Thinking he was just trying to leave to cause trouble. When his brother suddenly spoke next to him he blinked in surprise as if pulled from some small trance.
The question made him chuckle. "Anything that moves in my path." He stated simply. Aiden rarely went out looking for specific things to hunt for. Though there was one servant who knew about his nightly routine and would sometimes ask him to bring home specific things. Going into the woods with someone else was a bit nerve racking. He'd been doing this alone for so long it would be strange suddenly having his brother with him. Still, he kind of liked it.
Once Raize was ready his younger brother left out from the balcony hitting the ground with a soft thump. Under the moon he could feel the familiar tingle ripple through his body. His eyes scanned the lining of the trees to see if there were any dangers as he waited for his brother.
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Orion
20
Single
Army Corporal
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Post by Raize de Sardet on Jan 10, 2021 16:39:02 GMT -5
For the eldest son, at least, he felt a bit more alienated by their mother. Certainly Aiden earned the most of her harsh love ('ire' was almost appropriate, but she certainly loved her children and that was sometimes apparent to them) but Viscountess de Sardet really only had a soft spot for their sister. Suffice to say, de Sardet likely had a better chance being rational with his father than with his mother.
"Apex predator," he mused and then nodded in agreement. The term was fitting. Watching Aiden gracefully, but not silently (he was a dog, not a cat, after all) abscond from the balcony made him smile. He couldn't help it. It was ridiculously rebellious of them, sneaking out in the night. But also, they were grown men, and the idea that they were both afraid of their parents finding out was actually funny. Not that he laughed, but he thought about it. De Sardet lowered himself from the railing and dropped the last handful of feet with a matching thump. He tugged his cloak up higher around his chin and looked to his brother. He was in charge, after all. "Lead the way."
He didn't expect to keep up with Aiden, not by a long shot. Even if he had been actively good at cardio, his brother's magic gave him a boost. But considering there was a good amount of moonlight, he was certain he could tail him well enough with his tracking skills if Aiden did manage to pull further ahead.
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Ollie
18
Single
Soldier/Knight in training
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Post by Aiden de Sardet on Jan 13, 2021 3:09:32 GMT -5
Aiden imagined how silly it would seem for two grown men to be sneaking out of their housecat night. Though it had become normal to him now. There had been a few times the Lord and Lady of the house had caught their youngest sneaking out late at night. They hadn't been thevleast bit happy. It was part of the reason he had gotten so confident at jumping from windows and balconies. Less chance of them noticing than him walking out the front door.
As they made their way towards the edge of the forest Aiden took to walking instead of bolting off right away. Standing at the tee line however he sniffed the air curiously. Eyes scanning the dark for predators and prey alike. When he didn't sense any danger Aiden turned to his brother with a sharp toothed grin. "Don't get lost." He teased as he removed his shirt and took off. Letting the fabric hang from a branch.
Apex predator was a good term for what he was. Aiden moved quickly and nearly silently through the forest. Only the sound of snow and the occasional twig crunching under his feet. For the moment. There were luckily tracks for Raize to follow so he wasn't totally separated from the younger de Sardet. Though it wouldn't matter if their weren't. He knew his brothers scent and with how full the moon was it was much easier to smell him.
When his eyes finally caught a target Aiden slowed. Moving much more silently and gracefully than he did during the day. The deer munched peacefully at some exposed grass as the youngest de Sardet prepared to attack. His muscles tensed as he waited ever so patiently for the right moment. As soon as that moment arrived he leapt from his hiding spot and tackled the deer to the ground.
It kicked and yelled in fear trying to get away but Aiden already had his teeth clamped around its windpipe. With a sharp snapping sound the deer slowed to a stop. Leaving him with a few scrapes from the kicks.
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Orion
20
Single
Army Corporal
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Post by Raize de Sardet on Jan 13, 2021 3:32:46 GMT -5
He rolled his eyes. Don't get lost? Was that supposed to be funny? Sure, it was dark and sure he hadn't spent the last months running around the acres of land that was his family home but it was his family home. While he might lose track of Aiden, he wasn't about to get lost. He was good at directions
He wanted his brother attentively. The way he moved was less like a slightly awkward young man and more like a wolf, a sprt of heavy grace about him. If de Sardet had to guess, he could smell and see and hear like one too. All things he was tempted to ask but he decided for his first ride along he would simply observe. Plenty of time to ask questions when the hunt was over. He was a patient man.
When Aiden finally did move, he had his work cut out for him. He couldn't move as fast or as quietly as his brother so he opted for quiet, catching up again as Aiden shifted closer to the deer. It was a surprising target. A much high step up from the rabbit.
He settled into watching the takedown from a distance, fascinated. Was that really his brother? No nornal human could do those things. Or would even entertain them. De Sardet liked venison as well as the next guy, but sinking his jaws into the jugular of one...the thought was primal and powerful but the act...not something he could see himself trying. And here Aiden wasn't just trying, he was succeeding. He was sort of jealous.
As the deer kicked its last, the older de Sardet broke cover and moved closer. He kept a bit of distance, not wanting to startle Aiden, though likely he couldn't if his brother really could smell that well. "That was intense. Nicely done, Aiden!" While his word choice was perhaps lacking in enthusiasm, his tone was full tilt. So too was the grin on his face.
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Ollie
18
Single
Soldier/Knight in training
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Post by Aiden de Sardet on Jan 13, 2021 3:47:20 GMT -5
Aiden wasn't entirely human at night. Sure nothing outwardly changed about him but there was something that took over him at night. The closer it was to the full moon the harder it was to ignore. A deer certainly wasn't a common target for him. They were larger, heavier, and stronger than most prey. Louder as well. He also didn't like explaining possible injuries to his family.
There wasn't much thought into hunting though. It just happened. His body already knew what to do, his mind didn't need to contribute. Aiden panted heavily as small droplets of blood fell from his chin and onto the snow. Hearing his brothers voice seemed to snap him from some blood crazed daze as he blinked almost confused up at the man.
Once calmer though he gave his brother a bright goofy smile. Almost the same Aiden he was during the day. There was only one other person who complimented him on his hunting and that was the servant who requested meat from him on his excursions. He wiped some of the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand as he stood up. "Thanks." He figured Raize would have questions. He grabbed the deer and dragged it to the base of one of the larger trees around them before covering it in leaves. As a way of hiding his work until he came back to it.
"You're not too cold are you?"
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Orion
20
Single
Army Corporal
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Post by Raize de Sardet on Jan 13, 2021 4:16:17 GMT -5
His breath steamed arou d him as he grinned at his brother. There was certainly something...odd about him there for a moment. Like the Aiden he knew was a passenger behind those eyes, just for a moment. But it in the darkness it was hard to see anyway so he hardly bothered.
At the comment to his temperature he frowned, confused. "The fuck is that about? Leave off, little brother," he grunted. While he knew Aiden was simply concerned and did have reason to be cautious, de Sardet got enough of it from their mother. And from Pandora. And Raina. Just once he wanted his stupid poor health not to be brought up. He wasn't even coughing or anything!
He pushed past the motherly comment. "So you're like...a wolf?" That seemed obvious but that was sort of the older brother's thing, stating the obvious. "You hunt off of...killer instinct?" That was what he was trying to get at. The senses and the reason he seemed...compelled to kill a deer. It did save someone time hunting or shopping for dinner tomorrow so it was certainly useful. "Stronger too," he mused. Pretty sure nost men couldn't snap a neck with just their jaws and a shake of their head.
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Ollie
18
Single
Soldier/Knight in training
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Post by Aiden de Sardet on Jan 13, 2021 4:31:14 GMT -5
The response to his worry made the goofy smile quickly drop to a snarl. More of a predatory look to his features than he'd had just a second ago. It wasn't that he was trying to mother Raize it was just honestly hard for him to tell the temperature. Certainly he could see his breath puff from his lips but that meant little to him.
Given that Aiden ran warmer than most everyone he met there had been plenty of times as children he'd had to snuggle close to his brother for Raize to have some warmth. Still, he shook his head with a huff to calm himself before folding his arms over his chest. The questions made him tilt his head slightly. "Yes, I'm like a wolf." He answered plainly.
"I think the moon controls my power. The fuller it is the stronger and faster I am but the harder it is for to ignore certain things." Like blood lust. His eyes wandered back to the deer thinking of how to explain things a little better.
"I don't think when I hunt. Things just...happen. My body knows what to do."
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Orion
20
Single
Army Corporal
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Post by Raize de Sardet on Jan 13, 2021 19:02:35 GMT -5
He blinked at the snarl and the look on Aiden's face. Now he really didn't know what that had been about. "Yes, it is cold," he stated with a shrug. That was why he had a cloak. He wasn't warm, certainly, but since they had been moving quickly he was fine. Comfortable with using his brother as a blanket though he was, he didn't need or want that right now.
"The moon?" He asked, looking up at the bright silvery disk. Well, wolves did have an affinity for the moon. So did he, come to think of it. And Aiden had always been more of a handful at night when they were younger. "What sort of things?" He asked at the vague sentence.
De Sardet nodded. There had been a sort of...primal nature to his brother's movements. He hardly considered Aiden a mindless beast even after what he had seen but there was some strange power there. He wondered if his brother had ever gotten lost in that.
"So...we taking that back? Or do you have to mark some territory first?"
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Ollie
18
Single
Soldier/Knight in training
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Post by Aiden de Sardet on Jan 13, 2021 22:42:27 GMT -5
Normally Aiden wouldn't have taken the previous comment so hard. Especially not from Raize. Though with the adrenaline of hunting running through him still it made him more aggressive. His question though made him run his fingers through his hair as he thought.
"Like chasing after things, running, hunting, biting, sex." He shrugged his shoulders before pausing and darting his eyes to a squirrel that jumped from a branch above them to a different tree. "Lots of different things. They're a little easier to control during the day." There was also the issue of Aiden getting sick every new moon without fail. He'd become weak, lethargic, even run a fever. The only thing he'd been able to pinpoint it on was the drain it took on his power.
"On full moons it's the worst. It's hard to control myself." While he'd gotten better at it there were still full moon nights he'd black out completely and wake up in the morning not knowing where he was or how he'd gotten there. When he was a child it had gotten so bad their father would lock him away in a small room to keep Aiden from harming himself or anyone else. "Coming out here helps. I get used to the feelings and can adjust to them better."
When asked of they were going to take the deer home he shook his head. "Not yet." There was in fact some territory he needed to mark. Some tree points in the forest around their land. Aiden bit his own hand to draw blood before wiping it along four specific trees. Once he was done he wandered back to the smell of the deer. Now also with a rabbit he'd managed to catch. "Lets head home. Louis is probably waiting for his order." He stated with a chuckle.
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Orion
20
Single
Army Corporal
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Post by Raize de Sardet on Jan 13, 2021 23:29:06 GMT -5
He smiled in the darkness as Aiden listed off his urges. "Pretty sure that last one is normal for de Sardets," he commented with an amused snort. The older brother obviously wasn't aware of all of his little brothers conquests in that field, but he was...familiar.
It was almost a relief to know that Aiden understood his powers so well. Certainly there was more, and putting things into practice were different than theory, but he knew what helped, what didn't and seemed to understand it was a process. "Well, you seem mostly in control," he encouraged. "Getting used to how it affects you is good. Remind me, if I do convince our parents, that we should probably leave the city on the full moons." He'd rather not have to lock his brother up if he could help it. He was a free spirit and de Sardet very much believed, unlike his mother, that the best way to learn control was to learn the extent of what one could do. It was impossible to control the unknown.
He followed his brother closer this time as he marked territory. He was actually more surprised to see Aiden harming himself rather than to just pee on the tree. His raised eyebrow was lost in the darkness, but he shrugged. "That's it?" he asked as they moved back toward the deer. "No howling at the moon or running with the wind?" He wasn't joking. Not that he was accusing either, it was a sincere and honest question. They had a whole estate to explore and had only burned an hour. Yes, it was cold, but he had been prepared to stay out longer.
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Ollie
18
Single
Soldier/Knight in training
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Post by Aiden de Sardet on Jan 13, 2021 23:47:19 GMT -5
I the middle of winter Aiden wasn't exactly in the mood to expose a very sensitive area to the cold. Not to mention blood lasted longer as a marking than urine and it worked better in moments he didn't need to pee. It wasn't as if a little bite hurt him after all. The comment on the howling though made him laugh.
"You know wolves don't really howl at the moon the way everyone thinks they do right?" Though he left out the times he'd heard wolves howl in the distance and joined in without realizing what he was doing. Still, he eyed his brother with a playfully wicked grin. "We can wrestle." It wasn't as if it would be the first time the two of them wrestled in the snow. Though it would be the first time Raize took him on with as strong as he currently was.
His chest rumbled with a playful growl which sounded much more animalistic than his normal growl.
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