Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jul 8, 2010 16:54:20 GMT -5
Vincent made no effort to hide his grin of utter excitement as he closed his hand around the small square box in his pocket, making sure it was still there. He opened his hand and pulled it out again, then carefully adjusted the fake breastplate and cape he was wearing over his shirt, and the prop sword that hung at his hip. Diana should be here any minute now...
He glanced over at Rudeth, who was dressed similarly, and his grin never wavered when he spoke. "How now, Prince Rudeth of Volkovia? Is there any sign of my beloved approaching?"
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Post by Rudeth Volkova on Jul 10, 2010 22:54:37 GMT -5
Rudeth grinned, flourishing his sword slightly before re-sheathing it. He had to admit, he had been rather excited when Professor Hawk had asked for his help. The fun of it aside -- and Rudeth took every opportunity available to dress up act foolish -- he'd been rather flattered that he'd been included in the professor's proposal, as elaborate as it was.
Rudeth had gone all-out on his costume -- or rather, Aritha had. Apparently it was rather simple to make realistic-looking chain mail out of wool. Over the faux chain mail, Rudeth wore a deep purple tabbard, into which was woven the towering form of a dragon. The same design was painted on the face of his shield, framed by fleurs-de-lis. A long purple cape swirled around his ankles. Rudeth was, admittedly, probably overdressed. And was definitely burning up.
"Nay, good Sir Vincent! Many fair maidens have I seen, but none so fair and so lovely as the Lady Diana." Rudeth grinned widely.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jul 11, 2010 21:05:37 GMT -5
Vincent chuckled, looking back at the door leading into the mess hall. "She will come, my prince. We must not lose heart."
Vincent was not dressed nearly as elaborately as Rudy -- his dark blue cape was unadorned, but his breastplate bore the design of a golden hawk with its wings spread wide. He pitied Rudy in his woollen faux-chainmail; he must have been melting. Hopefully this wouldn't take too long once Diana got here.
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Diana Hawk
Ireth
Ass't Principal; Head of Shapeshifters
You told I had the eyes of a wolf; search them and find the beauty of the beast.
Posts: 262
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Post by Diana Hawk on Jul 11, 2010 21:25:44 GMT -5
Diana poked her head into the mess hall, her heart beating a bit faster. The room was full of people. Oh, dear. How was she going to find the answer to her riddle?
She stepped into the room, and everyone in the mess hall began to applaud, parting like the Red Sea to let her further in. Intrigued, she hurried forward, toward the very middle of the room, where not one, but two men stood dressed up as knights in shining armor. One was Rudeth, as she had guessed, and the other was Vincent.
Well, this was definitely getting more and more interesting. Diana waved to the two of them as she approached, wondering what to expect now.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jul 11, 2010 22:04:56 GMT -5
Vincent's heart leapt into his throat when he heard the doors to the mess hall open, and the whole room burst into applause. The crowd parted quickly, and he soon soptted Diana coming eagerly toward them. Vincent couldn't help but smile fondly: she was wearing the dress he had given her this morning -- or rather, the dress Korlian had given her on his behalf.
He stepped forward and closed the gap between himself and Diana, as the crowd around them continued to cheer and clap. Beaming, he clasped her hands in his own and spoke to her, loudly enough for the others to hear and slowly enough so she could read his lips. The crowd quickly hushed to listen.
"Congratulations, Diana," he praised her. "Your quest is almost complete. There is one more task ahead of you now -- one that will change your life forever, should you choose to accept it. There are no more riddles for you... only a very important question."
He released her hands and stepped back, reaching into his pocket as he dropped to one knee in front of her. Pulling out the small, square box, he opened it and showed her its contents, looking up meaningfully into her eyes. He drew a soft, slow breath, ready to ask the question that would change their lives forever.
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Post by Rudeth Volkova on Jul 13, 2010 22:56:23 GMT -5
Rudeth closed his eyes for a moment, slipping into character with more ease than he'd ever slipped into any costume. He was Rudeth, Prince of the fair nation of Volkovia, a small and peaceful, yet prosperous land. His mother, the widowed Queen Rivienne, ruled the nation benevolently, but could only last so long. She was royal by marriage, but not by blood. And with the recent death of both her husband and Rudeth's twin brother in the plague, that left Rudeth as the only blood heir. But before he could inherit the throne, he had to prove himself worthy.
"Halt, Sir Vincent!" He raised the tip of his sword between the two lovers and leveled his eyes with the other knight, his gaze severe. "What right hast thou to wed this lady?"
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jul 13, 2010 23:12:30 GMT -5
Sir Vincent froze for a moment, then rose to his feet, his hand reaching for his own sword as he faced his challenger.
"Prince Rudeth! How darest thou challenge my right to wed! The Lady Diana is the fairest of Arcadia, and as a knight under the Queen of Albion I have the right to woo and wed the maiden of my choosing. She is chaste and noble of heart, and long have I contended for her honor and gone unchallenged. Yet now thou darest to impede me!"
He drew his sword, pointing it toward the prince. "Dost thou dare continue to sunder love from love? Or shall my sword now sunder flesh from bone?"
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Diana Hawk
Ireth
Ass't Principal; Head of Shapeshifters
You told I had the eyes of a wolf; search them and find the beauty of the beast.
Posts: 262
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Post by Diana Hawk on Jul 14, 2010 11:28:06 GMT -5
Diana's heart beat faster as she watched Vincent drop to one knee and pull out a small square box. She knew what he wanted to ask, and she knew what she would answer -- but before either of them could speak, Prince Rudeth drew his sword and set it between them. She lifted her eyes to his face, watching what he was saying. And now Sir Vincent was rising to challenge him; she watched him too, grinning at his description of her.
Ooh, this was getting even more fun by the second. She sensed a duel coming on. Still grinning, she signed to her knight in shining armor. If thou must fight, then fight with courage and honor, my lord, and thou shall win. Bear my colors well, good knight.[/color]
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Post by Rudeth Volkova on Jul 14, 2010 18:49:21 GMT -5
Rudeth raised his sword to the level of his eyes, his steely gaze never leaving Vincent. "Thou art a valiant knight, Sir Vincent, but age hast weakened thee, and thine blood is lowly. Dost thou truly protest to love a lady of such esteemed birth as the fair Lady Diana? Thou hast no right to wed such a lady, and as Prince of Volkovia, I do contest thy right to her hand."
He lowered his sword to point toward Vincent's chest. His voice was cool, calm. "And if thou dost not concede thy foolish claim, as Prince of Volkovia, I will claim thy life upon my blade."
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jul 14, 2010 19:14:45 GMT -5
Sir Vincent raised his own blade, deftly knocking the prince's sword aside. His voice was calm, masking the indignation he felt at being challenged. He kept a firm grasp on his sword, his eyes never leaving Prince Rudeth's face.
"Age has not weakened me, young prince. I am as hale as in my youth, though battle-scarred I may be. I will not gainsay my claim upon my beloved. If blood must be shed, let it be thine, for thinking me unworthy! If thou dost continue to contest me, let it be with the blade, and not thy prattling tongue."
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jul 14, 2010 19:27:18 GMT -5
Korlian, who had rather promptly hidden himself in the rafters once Diana had received his riddle, watched the fight building below him. He stuffed a fist into his mouth to stifle his chuckles. It wouldn't do to distract the combatants below, no. His snickering escaped in any case, but the sound seemed to mostly stay up near the ceiling with him.
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Post by Rudeth Volkova on Jul 15, 2010 16:05:35 GMT -5
And now came the fun part. It had taken Rudeth a week to get the choreography for the fight correct. There was something significantly harder about fake-fighting than real fighting; in an actual fight, his body seemed to move on its own. It took no thought, no effort to win -- the adrenaline alone carried him through. A staged fight was much more like dancing. And Rudeth had never been much of a dancer.
Still, there was always something more authentic about the actual performance. Maybe it was just because he was in character, or maybe that was adrenaline too.
The young prince struck out with the speed of a cobra, the metal stage swords clanging against one another from the blow.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jul 15, 2010 16:12:11 GMT -5
Vincent gleefully parried Rudy's first blow and struck out in return, fighting to stay in-character and keep from grinning. This was too much fun. Utensil-fencing with Rhythan couldn't hold a candle to it. Well... maybe that one little duel during his birthday party came close.
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Post by Rudeth Volkova on Jul 15, 2010 17:25:23 GMT -5
Rudeth parried the sword with his own, though the blade came quite close to grazing his cheek. A moment slower, and that could have been his head.
Rudeth gritted his teeth. He needed to get the offensive position -- or rather, he needed to look like he was trying. He ducked under the other knight's arm and stabbed for his chest.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jul 15, 2010 17:37:07 GMT -5
Vincent quickly knocked the prince's blow aside, stepping back a bit at the same time. That would have been a painful blow if it had landed. He deliberately left room for Rudeth to take the offensive position, letting him believe he had the upper hand. But Vincent was a cunning swordsman, and he had an ace up his sleeve.
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Post by Rudeth Volkova on Jul 16, 2010 22:48:54 GMT -5
Rudeth surged forward, assaulting the older knight with blow after blow, each one more fierce than the last, slowly backing him toward the wall. The prince was stronger than his opponent, and faster. There was no question as to who had the upper-hand.
Rudeth brought his sword down hard toward the older knight. The win was going to be easy.
Too easy. There was something wrong.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jul 16, 2010 22:54:54 GMT -5
Vincent let his mouth form a grin as he watched Rudeth prepare for a final blow. It was time to play his ace. He flung up his sword arm and parried the blow with such force that it nearly sent Rudeth's sword flying out of his hand -- certainly it threw off his balance -- and aimed his own sword at the prince's exposed throat with perfectly-calculated precision, stopping a hair's-breadth short of wounding him.
"How now, Prince Rudeth?" he asked, his grin widening in triumph. "Dost thou concede thy defeat? Or dost thou continue to protest my worth?"
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Post by Rudeth Volkova on Jul 16, 2010 23:07:26 GMT -5
Rudeth took the cue to release his sword, sending it skidding across the floor. The metal pressed against his throat. Rudeth swallowed, looking forward into the other man's eyes.
"I concede nothing but that thou art a worthy swordsman. If this day I must die, I pray thee, let me do so with honor. But I hold fast my claim: a knight of such inferior birth hath no right to marry a lady of such high standing."
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Post by Rivienne Volkova on Jul 16, 2010 23:25:35 GMT -5
Rivienne was in no way up to the caliber of acting expected from Vincent or her son -- she would consider herself lucky to keep a straight face -- but Rivienne had been more than happy to accept Vincent's request to help with his proposal, and it was hardly a difficult role for her to play.
She had enjoyed combing Smoke's costume room a bit too much, and in the end, had come out looking very much like the queen she was portraying. Her thin crown was braided into her golden hair, and the long train of her gown trailed the ground even more than was intended -- it was clearly made for someone much taller than the tiny woman.
"Halt!" Rivienne rose stiffly to her feet, her voice imperious. "You art in my court, and I will allow no bloodshed on this day." She glanced at her son. "Prince Rudeth, thou hath no relation to the Lady Diana. Were the birth of the noble Sir Vincent problematic, t'would be the place of her father to intercede, not thine."
Her gaze fell upon Vincent, and her voice softened. "Good Sir Vincent, as Queen of this realm, I ask thou to lower thy blade. I will not have thee sully thy engagement with blood."
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jul 16, 2010 23:34:42 GMT -5
Vincent looked up as Queen Rivienne came forward, and bowed his head respectfully once he heard her intercession for the life of her son. He stepped back a pace from the prince, lowering his sword and sheathing it.
"As thou wishest, Your Majesty, I will spare the life of thy son. I would not sully these glorious halls with royal blood."
He looked at the defeated prince, a smile on his face, and held out a hand in a peaceful gesture. "Thou art an excellent swordsman, Your Highness, and thou hast virtue and honor enough for ten men. Mayst thou live a long and good life, and rule thy nation justly and wisely when comes thy time to take up the crown."
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Post by Rudeth Volkova on Jul 17, 2010 15:13:30 GMT -5
Rudeth shook the other knight's hand stiffly. "Thy skill is unparalleled, Sir Vincent. At my mother's insistence, this union shall have the blessing of the royal house of Volkovia. Mayest thou endeavor to deserve so fine a lady."
Rudeth scooped the sword up with his foot and kicked it up, caiught it by the hilt, then sheathed it with a flourish.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jul 17, 2010 15:41:33 GMT -5
Vincent smiled and dipped his head in respect again. "Many thanks for thy family's blessing, good prince. I shall do all in my power to deserve the lady I love."
He turned away, slightly loosening his hold on the box he had clutched in his left hand all the while he had been fighting, and returned to stand before the beautiful Lady Diana. Again he knelt before her, showing her the ring he offered as a token of his love and faithfulness.
"Diana Elaine Harrows," he said, loudly enough for the room to hear and slowly enough for Diana to read his lips, "will you join your life with mine in marriage?"
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Diana Hawk
Ireth
Ass't Principal; Head of Shapeshifters
You told I had the eyes of a wolf; search them and find the beauty of the beast.
Posts: 262
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Post by Diana Hawk on Jul 17, 2010 15:49:04 GMT -5
Diana's eyes shone with tears of joy as she watched Vincent kneel before her a second time, holding up her engagement ring: a golden band set with a glittering diamond, flanked by two tiny sapphires. She quickly wiped her eyes, smiling as she watched Vincent's mouth, then signed eagerly in answer. Yes! A thousand times yes![/color]
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jul 17, 2010 15:52:24 GMT -5
Vincent laughed, carefully taking the ring out of its box and sliding it onto her hand. It fit perfectly, glittering and gleaming. He put the empty box back in his pocket and rose smoothly to his feet, wrapping his arms around Diana and holding her close as he spoke again.
"One 'yes' is enough for a lifetime," he smiled; then he dipped her low and kissed her passionately, to the delight of the crowd around them.
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Post by Smoke on Jul 17, 2010 15:55:12 GMT -5
Smoke clapped uproariously from his semi-hidden spot in the doorway to the kitchens. The lights dimmed slightly and focused on the happy couple, rose petals suddenly floating and dipping through the air.
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