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Neutral
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"I understand but if your father truly admires my work, he will have to learn to work with me," He stated but his voice wavered slightly. The confidence he had before had faded and he was nervous about the ripple-effect of giving a decision not in the book. Prince Avery moved to let his father know, his shoulder barely brushing against his. The smell of horses drifted by him mixed with the prince's cologne. He truly did like the smell of horses. It did remind him of home even if the idea of home wasn't perfect toward him. He had confidence that with or without the king's work at the other castle he would be fine. After all, he had been scraping by without working for the castle before. He still had other clients than the king. The king would have to learn to respect him and his duty to his other clients. He couldn't just drop everything and leave. Aspen decided to head back to the art museum, not sure which rooms he had permission to be in. The last thing he needed was the king catching wind he was somewhere where he didn't need to be. Besides the art museum would be a place to think without the crowd of castle stuff and guards. It was also a room that made him feel most comfortable. |
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Darkseeker
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Avery hurried through the halls, stopping in his usual bedroom. He walked to the bureau, and pulled out suit after suit, laying them out on his bed, and scanning them with a critical eye. He was very picky with his suits, and none of them looked right that day. He sighed a long, dramatic sigh, and picked randomly, sliding the suits into travel bags, and leaving them for him to deal with later. He also packed his fencing clothes, dress shirts, and some other small items. Then, he went in search of Aspen again, realizing he'd never given the guy his father's answer. He wandered through the many corridors, wishing the throbbing in his head would just go away. He made a fist, and leaned against the wall, pushing his knuckles against the smooth skin of his forehead. The slight pain distracted from the greater pain that lingered at the back of his skull, and he rubbed a hand down his face.
He assumed Aspen would be back in the Art Wing, and slowly walked there, taking his time looking at the paianotings that he'd seen a million times before, not wanting to make it there. But then he was, and he awkwardly stepped through the door. "Dad...isn't very happy." He muttered, not wanting to say what he had to say. "He's revoking the offer, and his offer to take some time off and come to the Island with us. He's going to have you stay here under someone else's supervision, and work on the South Wing." |
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Neutral
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Aspen ended up laying on top of the piano and just staring toward the ceiling. He didn't know how the king was going to respond to his answer but he knew he did the right thing. He needed more time to think and that was the only way he was going to get it. If the king truly admired his work then he would cooperate and learn a little patience with other people. Even royalty couldn't get everything they wanted. He heard footsteps and sighed. Moment of truth. He only made an effort to sit up once the prince began to mutter. Muttering wasn't a good sign. "He's revoking the offer, and his offer to take some time off and come to the Island with us. He's going to have you stay here under someone else's supervision, and work on the South Wing." Aspen slipped off of the piano at those words. He looked a little hurt for a moment before his facial expression cleared. A moment of acceptance was taken. "Very well," He responded. A part of him felt a little hurt but to be honest, he knew that he wouldnt have been happy with a longterm stay in the castle. He felt uncomfortable and more aware of his social status in places like this,"Like I said before, I am a carpenter that values my clients to work with me. My motto does not change for royalty." |
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Darkseeker
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Avery couldn't help rolling his eyes as he left the room. Some people just thought they were so high and mighty for treating all their customers the same. He walked around, not really sure what to do.
He was bored and lonely. Robbie and his father were in a meeting with some diplomats, and he was almost positive Robbie had Zara with him. He almost wished he'd gone to the meeting. It might have been amusing. He wandered the halls, and found himself in the music room. He slowly walked over, and picked up his violin. It was a beautiful instrument, with the smooth, traditional brown color, varnished to beauty. The only reason he knew how to play was his father. Every year, on New Year's Day, Avery and Robbie were desperately called to their father's office, and were told to pick a new skill to cultivate. Avery had picked the violin when he was 11, and had honed his skills ever since. He ran his fingers over the neck of the instrument, considering his memories. Why couldn't his father go tell Aspen that himself? Now it was likely Avery had lost a...well, whatever Aspen had been to him.
He settled the violin under his chin, and one more thought struck him. He and Robbie were twisted, broken messes under their perfect exteriors. His stance faltered, but only for a moment. He and his brother hid behind cool, bored exteriors, and that's how they would have to go on. He slipped the bow across the instrument, and began to play. Years of work had made his playing exceptional, the notes clear, rich, deep, and smooth. They resonated beautifully, and he let a mournful melody slide gracefully from the bow. He finished the piece, and pulled the violin away from him, smashing it on the ground.
Then he dropped to his knees, and sobbed into his arms, wishing he wasn't so alone. |
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Neutral
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Aspen saw the eye roll and narrowed his eyes. Wasn't the prince the one that wanted to be treated like an equal? Why was he rolling his eyes. Aspen gave a little of a dramatic sigh and deliberately turned his back to the prince. He hated feeling extra reminded of his social class but he hated rude people more. Just because Prince Avery has the perfect bloodline and the perfect family, it didn't give him the right to be rude. He heard the prince's heavy footsteps retreat through the hall and once he was gone, Aspen eyed the paintings again. He couldn't help but feel like he just lost something important to him by saying no In his mind, he knew it was the right choice but in his heart he felt something different.Like something was wrong. After a few minutes, he left the room to search for the prince. Mostly to apologize for how he behaved toward the eye roll Well, he told himself that but reality is, he was worried about the prince. He had a feeling something was wrong. The prince was pretty easy to find. He figured that everybody would need a thinking room that they connected to. For him, it was the art room. So for the prince, he had to like the music room. He made sure to keep out of eye of the staff and especially the guards. He was alone and he was sure they wouldn't be happy to catch him alone. He was highly certain he wasn't on the king's saint list and that he wouldn't get away with it if he had been caught. He found the room by following his memory and a sound of a violin playing. He had just reached the room whenever the beautiful playing was ended by a chaos of crashing noises. He ran into the room to find the prince crying around broken pieces of a violin. "Hey, hey," He knelt beside the prince, his voice betraying his concern. Without giving it much thought, he wrapped his arms around the slightly older man,"Whatever is wrong, it's going to be okay." |
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Darkseeker
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Avery roughly wiped his eyes. "No, it's not, it's never going to be fine." He took a deep, shuddering breath that seemed to rip from his throat, and leaned slighly against Aspen. Memories flashed through his mind, of his childhood. He always had to be the perfect child. For a prince, there are no bad days, no tears, especially not in public. If he wasn't picture perfect, he couldn't go. Avery stared blankly at the floor, remembering long evenings at parties he really didn't want to attend. It had become slightly more bearable when Robbie was born, but still. Avery had been expected to teach him the unspoken rules of ettiquette, and keep him out of mischief. As he'd gotten older, he'd only gotten more and more expectations. Avery was now expected to help with speeches, socializing with the guests, and whatever else his parents needed. It didn't matter what he wanted. One of his least favorite memories came to the front of his mind. He was probably about 15, and he'd had the flu. His mother had made him put on a suit, and take pills or whatever he needed, just to go to some banquet. He'd been miserable the whole time, and just wanted to lay down. But instead, he'd been talking with lords and ladies, and dancing with young women, and making a speech. By the end of the party, he had been so sick that he passed out in the car on the way home. But...no one ever asked, because princes don't get sick. Avery yanked himself back to reality, and realized he should probably be embarassed. He had his face in Aspen's shoulders, and was still sobbing, but he couldn't bring himself to feel embarassed. This was a true part of his life. |
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Neutral
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This time the prince didn't pull back from him. Instead, he leaned into Aspen and rested his head on his shoulder. He could feel the man's tears on his bare skin where his undershirt tank top did not cover. He didn't know what to do or why the prince was upset. Surely, it had nothing to do with his behavior earlier. "Shhhh, take deep breaths," He kept his voice soft and steady. One of his hands ended up brushing through his hair, his fingers soft and gentle. The other one kept the prince close to him. He didn't know what was wrong but he would be there for when he was ready to tell him. He didn't know if he was doing a good job or not. Never before had he ever seen somebody so upset. His heart ached for Avery and whatever was troubling him. It had to be serious. He just sat there, running his hand through his hair. He was careful not to mess it up though, knowing how important appearance was to him. "Would you like to talk about it? I've heard that I can be a real great listener?" He asked after a few moments. He didn't know how to help Prince Avery or how best to comfort him because he wasn't quite sure what exactly caused the shift in emotions. He hoped to God that it wasn't him or his decision about the job opportunity. |
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Darkseeker
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Avery sniffed and sat back on his heels. "It's nothing, really. I don't have problems." The last part was said in a bitter tone, and he ran a hand through his hair, messing up his perfectly gelled hair. "It's just the pressure of Royal life," he said, the only explanation he was willing to give. "I would tell you more, but I can't. My mother would have a fit if it made it's way to the press. Technically I shouldn't have even told you anything about the...mirror incident."
He shuddered, not wanting to think about the clear glass, reflecting everything he didn't want to see. "I'm sorry you had to see this." He didn't know why he felt the need to apologize, he just did. Probably because no one saw him cry. It just wasn't allowed. "I'll talk to my father about the job, and the Island. Maybe I can convince him to reconsider. At least you could come and see it. I spent a good deal of my childhood there." Avery straightened, but his headache came back with full force, and he leaned against the wall, closing his eyes. He knew he was probably pale, but didn't want to check in the mirror for obvious reasons. "Is there anything else I can do for you?' |
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Neutral
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When Prince Avery sat back, so did Aspen. He also let go of the prince by that action, not wanting to get caught in another awkward moment with him. He listened as the prince briefly explained and also gave a nod of understanding when he was told he couldn't tell him more. Royalty had secrets and private matters, he respected that. "Don't worry anything about mirrors or me telling the media. My lips are sealed and also I hate people that expose others' secrets," He studied Prince Avery's expression to make sure that he was alright. Stress was difficult to manage in general, he couldn't imagine the stress that foretold in royalty. They were after all responsible for everyone in their kingdom. "No need to apologize or get yourself in trouble with your father over decisions I make," He stood up, his eyes on the prince again. He still didn't seem completely okay. His skin was pale, his hair ruined, and eyes just a tad puffy. "Is there anything else I can do for you?" He looked away to hide a blush that crept up on the corners of his cheeks. He had been studying the prince for way too long. It was partially because he was worried but also because he didn't truly believe that everything was completely fine. "Yes, actually. Take some time for yourself. Do something fun and relaxing. It helps with stress," He looked around the room again with a soft smile. Music must help relax him,"And I wouldn't mind hearing you play violin sometime granted that not all performances end up with a smashed one." |
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Darkseeker
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Avery winced, and glanced down at the splintered wood, the contrast of the outside and inside almost mesmerizing. It felt like cruel irony there, and he left his thoughts.
"I really shouldn't have broken it. It was expensive, and my favorite." He picked up one of the shards of wood, looking at the pale inside, and the smooth dark outside. It had been his first violin, and he deeply regretted breaking it.
"I don't think it's fixable." The sadness was evident in his voice, but he pushed it away, and stepped around the pieces towards another violin. He picked the other one up, and ran the bow across it, listening with a critical ear, carefully twisting it's knobs to tune it. Once he was satisfied, he played one of his favorite songs, Pachabel's Canon in D. The familiar tune soared out of the violin, and he let a smile grace his handsome features. Once the last quavering note silenced, he set it down. "I don't really have time for myself. That's part of who I am. I am probably the worst person on the planet." He turned to the door. "I'll find you later? If that's alright?" He immediately knew a light blush was dusting his cheeks. "To tell you what my father says," he quickly clarified. "I'll look for you in the art room, or the South Wing. There's another room full of art if you move the paortrait of Robbie and I in the hallway in the South Wing. If you get bored you could go there." Avery pulled out a bottle of Tylenol, and took a few, hoping his damn headache would just go away. |
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Spring 
Day Weather: 
