A moment after Sars' knock the door opened slightly to the face of a servant. At the sight of the two, the girl's eyes went wide, and Sevenna quickly grabbed the door, opening it wider as she made eye contact with the handmaiden, calming her and moving her aside. Sevenna led the way into the room, where they were met with the sight of the queen to be.
The princess was standing in the middle of the room, her extravagant coronation dress on but her hair still flowing down her back. Her face was frightened as the strangers entered, and she tried to back away, nearly stumbling over the hem of her gown. Sevenna did not control as she did the others, but tried to ease her sense of fear. They would need to gain her trust for real if this mission was going to go well.
"Princess Violet, you need not fear us. I am Sevenna Drestyl, and this is Sarsönil Eoiali. We have come to aid you."
"You can call me Sars," He interjected quickly but softly as he meandered into the room. His eyes dragged around the room rather than focusing on the princess, and he took a liking to examining a large mirror on the wall. "Apologies for the unexpected arrival, your highness," Sars tacked on before finally looking towards the princess. So young to be a queen, she couldn't be any older than twenty. Her innocence shined off her wide-eyed face as clear as a precious diamond resting upon a purple velvet pillow. "You see, it would be foolish to say that the position you are going to receive isn't coveted by many of your dear relatives," Sars stepped to the princess' dresser, his eyes caressing each little hair piece and jewelry bits laid out, "We have come to ensure your safety and success." Sars picked up a small gemstone pin before tossing the princess a lax smile, "After all, our presence here is enough to prove your guards are a bit… lacking."
The princess watched Sars as he spoke, clearly trying to form words but unable to think of a response in her shock. Sevenna gently closed the door behind her, moving nearer to the princess to examine her. At last, Princess Violet spoke. Her voice trembled, but grew steadier as she tried to take on an air of control.
"Who are you?"
"We were sent to secure your rule, your Highness," Sevenna replied, her eyes peering sharply out from her mask.
"Who…who sent you?"
"Who do you think?"
The princess swallowed. After a moment, she nodded slowly. "I've heard of strange things happening. I was always told they were stories, that the common folk didn't understand what they were seeing."
Sevenna smiled, but of course her smile wasn't visible. She was working her power subtly, toning down how unusual the princess found them. With a little persuasion, Sevenna could gain anyone's trust. Sars' job would be to make everything else happen according to plan.
Sars raised his eyebrows ever so slightly but didn't make comment. Sevenna was clearly good at what she did. He knew that she was a powerful woman, but there was a new light seeing her in action using her magic on Princess Violet. "Your coronation is drawing near. Might I ask if you have any family members who are less than joyous for you? And whether or not they told you if they will be in attendance?" Sars asked, his voice slow but almost careless as he spoke. It was as if they were talking about the weather, not a potential murder plot. Violence and death were two things that Sars had grown up being very acquainted with. It only made sense Fisi saw him fit for the jobs that he sent him on.
Violet paled. "I–my family would never–"
Sevenna rested a hand on Violet's shoulder. "Your answer to this question could mean the difference between life and death, your Highness," she said somberly.
Swallowing, the princess glanced down for a moment, before speaking again. "My…uncle, he…he thought he was going to inherit after my father, since it seemed my mother was barren. But I was born after all. Father told me…to be careful. My parents…they were found…dead, their throats slit, the assassin hasn't been found. Someone suggested that I was saved because, um, because I wasn't in my rooms that night." Violet bit her lip nervously. Sevenna narrowed her eyes.
"Sars, we will have to look into this. Fisi didn't tell us the identity of the assassin, like the dry toad he is. Is there anything else, your Highness?"
"I don't think any of my family will not be in attendance. It would be a great scorn to the new monarch. My cousins might cause trouble; I can never tell if they like me or not. But, my family…I never associated with them, really. I don't know anything else."
((Sorry about the delay in response, I've gotten a bit busy the past couple days))
Sars listened patiently to the princess' stutters and her worried voice. The uncle and the cousins would need to be sorted, but of course he would be keeping an eye on the rest of the family. It certainly would be easier to just slaughter them all- but no, Sars had self-control. A mass killing would not be the way to go. It would cause too much disruption to the monarchy. Besides, there was always the likelihood of a hired assassin.
Sars shook his head at himself before letting out a soft sigh. "Do you know where your uncle might be right now?" He asked the princess as he began to fold and unfold his hands behind his back.
(That's totally cool, hope you got everything done that you need to!)
"The coronation begins soon, the nobility may have already gathered," Violet answered.
Sevenna blinked, looking around at the laid out hair accessories and mentally slapping herself. The princess needed to finish her preparations. Sevenna looked back at the maid, who she had left sitting in the corner, and released her from any control. The handmaiden's face filled with fear, and Sevenna frowned. She had been too careless, leaving the servant forced to stay still. She had thought she'd moved past that since last time.
"We shall accompany you at the coronation, your Highness, to ensure your safety. For now, Sars, let us leave the princess to get ready." Sevenna wanted to looked the servant in the eye, dull her fear, but couldn't. She had already done more than she should have.
Being careful to steady his fidgety hands behind his back, Sars gave another lazy smile and then a nod. "Princess Violet, it was a pleasure to meet you. I want you to know that I truly intend to do whatever in my power to keep you safe," Sars said before his eyes drifted over to the servant, "I do apologize for the intrusion. I hope we didn't interrupt you too badly." He gave a small bow before his hand made its way to the doorknob and he exited the princess' chambers. There was work to be done, despite the itch creeping along the back of Sars' neck. He and Sevenna would need to plan out their actions and get a better scope of the world they were in.
Sevenna followed Sars out, trying to take a deep breath but inhibited by the mask. Cursed mask.
"What do you propose we do next?" Sevenna asked, looping her arm in Sars' and gently pulling him along down the hall. She was too unsettled to appreciate the beautifully decorated palace as they wandered in the direction of the main hall, and kept glancing around, distracted. "There is not much time left. Maybe, oh, an hour before we need to accompany the princess? I don't know if we should mingle with the nobles until they see we have the princess's favor. I…don't want to exert my power too forcefully, if I don't have to."
He knew it would be wiser to get eyes on their suspects, but those last words made him hesitate. Not necessarily because he wished for Sevenna's comfort -this was a job that nearly required discomfort- but that his curiosity wanted to be satisfied. He considered his own words for a minute before opening his mouth, "Your power… you can meddle with minds, no?" Yes, it would be more productive to further the mission's progress, but Sars had never met one who could influence minds. Given his predisposition, he didn't want to let the opportunity to pass him by. If Sevenna met his expectations, his hopes, that would change so many things in is life. So many incredible things.
Sevenna gaze Sars a sidelong glance. "I can exert my will on another, meld their will to mine, and so influence them. It works better on weaker minds, or those who are not expecting it." Sevenna paused, letting them walk in silence for a few moments. "I have been…reprimanded, in the past, for using my power too loosely. It seems that too much time under my influence can leave the victim confused, unable to return to their natural state of being. Human minds are much weaker than I once assumed."
So it wasn't what he expected. A fool's hope, really. Controlling minds of only those who were weak, though useful, could not help Sars. "Ah, I see," Sars said softly with an exhale, letting his legs choose their path to stroll down random hallways and corridors. "What are you, then, as a non-human?" Sars added, drawing up that easy, relaxed smile and gluing it to his face. Sars had worked with many other partners in missions, and he found it best to understand their shortcomings and strengths as soon as possible. He also found it best to keep his own cards close to him- especially if they found out his lineage.
Sevenna saw the flicker of his expression, her sharp eyes catching the moment before he put on a smile. What had he been hoping for? Sevenna instinctively checked the hall they were in, making sure no humans were in sight. She lifted her gloved hands to the back of her head, unstrapping her mask and pulling it off to reveal her long silver snout. She rubbed her face, grateful for the moment of relief from the stuffy mask.
"I am a dragon. My disguise allows me to take on more jobs, as most humans of any time will meet me with weapons, and our goal is to be discreet." Sighing, she put the mask back on, adjusting it to make sure it was straight.
Sars let out a hum of interest as she took off her mask. He'd never worked with a dragon before. Her scales looked like silver coins layered together, smooth and elegant. "That," Referring to the mask, "is indeed wise for discretion." Sars' home world didn't have dragons, despite the variety of peoples he'd come across in his childhood. Elves, orcs, aequains, hillions, dark scrapers, centaurs, leaflings… the list could go on. Sometimes Sars wished he could go back to all the people whose lives touched his; to apologize or plead or thank, he certainly didn't know. But now he was employed by Fisi, and Sars didn't know if he should call home his home anymore.
Sevenna gave a half-smile. The disguise was wise, of course. She needed it to be of any use to Fisi. But she missed being able to move her wings. If she continued like this for the next few years, she had been told she would lose the ability to fly.
"It is likely almost time for the coronation. We should return to the princess." Sevenna looked back the way they had come, realizing they had simply wandered, avoiding passages were other people were; she recalled the layout of the palace that Fisi had shown her to memorize. Moving at a brisk walk, she went in the direction she was mostly sure led to the main hall.
Sars hummed in response and stuck with the lady as they retraced their way back to the princess. Sars softened his footsteps, not using the full force of his abilities but enough in order to be subtle. It wasn't necessary, especially with Sevenna's abilities, but it was entertaining for him as they walked. It kept his mind off of the important things.
Once they reached the princess' door once again, he gave a soft knock with the back of his knuckles like before.
After a moment, the door opened to Princess Violet, her hair now swept up elegantly. Her expression was…well, she seemed apprehensive of Sars and Sevenna as they flanked her on the way to the main hall. Guards joined the procession, and tried to ward the two away; but with a glance from Violet and Sevenna they accepted the strangers.
The doors of the grand hall opened as the princess was announced. At the sight of the two odd strangers, a gasped murmur filled the room, and Sevenna did nothing to silence it. She simply glanced at Violet, who straightened her back and strode forward to accept her crown; Sevenna motioned to Sars to remain by the door with her. Sevenna could not take in the beautiful hall, the tall ceiling and the gorgeous windows. As always, she was fixated on keeping her demeanor calm.
Sars shot the guards a playful, if not flirtatious smile as they join their ranks. The uncomfortable silence throughout the little walk made all the little things seem even louder. The shuffle of the princess' feet against the ground, the jangling of jewelry and rings of keys, the dryness of Sars' throat. He was internally begging the guards to make a move against them. To rile up some trouble. He licked his lips and took a deep breath, letting those thoughts float away like a leaf in a stream. His time would come, eventually.
In the meantime, Sars distracted himself by the glamor and beauty of the coronation hall as they entered. Gold adorned the grand room like sand coating the fur of an Pillaxian ox. The architect was an artist, an inspired artist at that. However, he had to force his attention to the crowd instead. His eyes scanned the people, throwing a careless smile at whoever met his gaze, and took note of all he could. The stature of people, the emotions on people's faces, and weapons that could be seen. It wouldn't take much for him to find a reason to justify getting closer and taking action as needed.
(Promise I didn't forget about this, I've just been exhausted the past few days :)
As Violet accepted the crown, Sevenna watched the nobility and examined the faces of each. No particularly unusual reactions; Sevenna wasn't quite certain, but she thought she could pick out Violet's relatives, who stood closest to the queen. Violet turned to look on her subjects as they cheered her new title. Was it her imagination, or did the new queen's face fall slightly as she glanced in the direction of her family members? Who was missing? Sevenna strode forward to be the first to stand by the queen's side. She and Sars must cement themselves as having her favor in the eyes of the court. More murmurs and gasps as the strangers greeted the queen ahead of all others, with no shock on Violet's face.
((No need to apologize, notebook should not be your priority in life :) ))
Sars accompanied Sevenna and stood at the young queen's other side. "The crown suites you well, your highness," Sars murmured softly to Violet, "Even if it may be heavy in the days to come." He knew she would fall into corruption. Seeing someone fall into madness was something Sars was all too acquainted with, but it was just a job this time. A predetermined fate that Sars was tasked to help execute.
(Soooo sorry, I haven't logged into Notebook for like the past month cause I've been focusing on my homework. School is winding down now so I'm gonna try and pick this up again buddy, I promise; as you put it, Notebook isn't high on my priority list rn. I'll either respond to the rp later today or tomorrow.)
((No worries at all! And no apologies necessary! It is also completely okay if you need to just drop notebook altogether.))
(So, about what I said earlier, apparently that was a complete lie and you are right that I need to drop roleplaying until school ends. So, my friend, see you in June if you're still around. Thanks for being so understanding :)
