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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2017 20:50:39 GMT -5
Alice gave Colt a small smile as she patted his nose, and stroked his neck. He was very muscular, but not so much so he looked like one of those cart pulling horses. Colt was beautiful nonetheless, and he was quite soft, not exactly what she expected. Her own horse was a bay too. It would have been nice if she could have taken her horse with her before she left, but at the time, it didn't seem like a good idea to ask.
Alice stopped petting Colt's neck and merely kept her hand still. She moved over to get a better look at Damien. Alice nodded eagerly, any information she could learn, the better. Damien was always so secretive and it only compelled her to learn more about him. And she didn't like it. "I promise."
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Post by π¨π°ππ₯π¦π― π΄πΆπ― on Jan 28, 2017 21:10:00 GMT -5
Damien sighed and nodded, not pausing in his work even as he started to explain. "First thing's first. The entire south of Mercia is run not by the King but by a group of people who call themselves 'The Council'. They're basically a glorified crime-guild. The King doesn't broadcast it, especially not north for fear of invasion. The Council run everything. They decide everything, but most famously they decide what you'll do with your life when you turn five. That's what I mean when I say that the decision was made for me. A group of old men decided, on my fifth birthday, that I would become an assassin. So an assassin I became."
He went on to explain how the Council employed these criminals to extend their rule, a kind of silent warfare. He made sure to let her know that they also gave people completely normal jobs, there were carpenters and fishermen and gardeners. But there were also assassins, bandits, spies.
"They run people's lives. But being a criminal there is a status thing, too. It means you were good enough to work closely with the Council. They consider it an honour to be made an assassin or a spy or a thief. Most of them enjoy it, to some extent." He'd stopped working now and taken to petting Colt, leaning on him slightly. He nodded to Alice, inviting her to ask any follow-up questions, mostly so that he could get them out of the way.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2017 21:29:53 GMT -5
Alice didn't take her eyes off of Damien as he spoke, trying to take in ever word. She didn't even realize that her hand dropped from Colt's neck as she listened. Her eyes were calculating everything she heard, and Alice tried to make sense or fill in the gaps they Damien didn't. It was still difficult though. When you didn't know what someone went through or had seen, it wasn't easy to understand it.
She looked down at the ground and then back at Damien as she figured out how to word what questions she wanted to ask. "So you've been training since you were five years old? How old are you now?" Alice's brows furrowed in thought. Damien didn't seem too much older than Alice in appearance wise, he acted like he was a decade older though.
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Post by π¨π°ππ₯π¦π― π΄πΆπ― on Jan 28, 2017 21:39:20 GMT -5
Damien paused, considering if this broke her promise. But he supposed it wasn't a secret, and something she might be able to guess her way to with contextual clues anyway. "Twenty-one," he replied, tone entirely level.
He played with the ends of Colt's mane absentmindedly, wishing once again that he had something to punch to take his mind off of the conversation at hand. Really, it wasn't even that personal, but it made his skin crawl with discomfort nonetheless.
"How old would you have guessed," he asked, forcing some lightness into his tone, both because he was curious and because it meant a change of topic, even if it was only temporary.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2017 21:46:39 GMT -5
Alice gave a small smile and then slowly it grew into a laugh as she thought about his question. She started to pet Colt again, feeling more comfortable now for the more lighthearted change in subject. "Old." Alice told Damien like she truly thought so save for chuckling.
"No not old." Alice rolled her eyes, "I don't know...you threw me for a loop. You looked around my age but then you act a lot older." She lowered her voice, but made sure Damien could hear. "Then again, I act like I'm ten so..." she trailed off. "If you wanted an exact age I would say around...25 was what I thought."
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Post by π¨π°ππ₯π¦π― π΄πΆπ― on Jan 28, 2017 21:54:35 GMT -5
Damien chuckled at that, relieved she was taking the subject change well. "So, old?" he clarified with a teasing grin. "You, then? Eighteen, nineteen?" he guessed, hoping he hadn't gone way too high, or, worse, way too low, though the latter seemed unlikely. She'd said he was older, but close to her age, and if she were any younger he'd be surprised, so it was a calculated guess, but a guess all the same.
He wondered if he was supposed to know how old she was, given that he'd been stalking her for a little over a week (as much as you could stalk a woman locked in her room, that was). He also wondered if she even realised that he had been following her every move for that long, and how she'd react to finding out. Not that he was looking to try her and see.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2017 22:10:47 GMT -5
Alice had to smile when Damien gave a small laugh. She enjoyed seeing him happy, even if it was in the slightest. She prefered that side of him over his serious one any day. Alice gave a small shrug, if he considered 25 to be old, then yes old. Her brother was 24 though, so she didn't think 25 was at all elderly or middle aged.
Alice narrowed her eyes in a playful manner and raised an eyebrow. "Close. But no." She was actually 17, turning 18 in a month. Alice was determined to count down the days though, maybe by that time Damien will be more comfortable around her and get something as a present. Although, she doubted it. Who knew where either of them would be in a month from now.
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Post by π¨π°ππ₯π¦π― π΄πΆπ― on Jan 28, 2017 22:27:58 GMT -5
"Seventeen," Damien said, this time as a statement. If she were twenty, she would be to close for him to be considered older enough for it to have to be mentioned. "I should have known that, since I, you know, was going to kill you." This, too, was said in a mostly lighthearted tone, and certainly not one bearing any ill will.
He gave Colt a final pat, then straightened up. "Did you want to stay here? I've done all I need to for the day, ad I wouldn't mind staying for a bit. Everything is calmer here." Being around animals was always relaxing, especially ones he knew well. He was in no danger from them, and he posed no threat to them, either. It made for a nice break.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2017 22:43:07 GMT -5
Alice nodded and debated whether or not to tell Damien when her birthday was. In the end, she decided against it. She might tell him the day of or a couple days before hand. "Yes, I would have assumed you knew considering those circumstances. I'm quite glad though now that you changed your mind." She made sure to keep the tone light, since it didn't matter anymore that Damien was going to kill her. He obviously wasn't going to do that anymore. If he was planning on it, Damien easily could have done so already.
Alice stopped petting Colt's when Damien did, assuming it was time for them to go. But then she was taken by surprise when he asked if she wanted to stay here with him. "Sure. There's not a whole lot for me to do in the room anyway." Alice shrugged before turning an empty bucket upside down and using it as a seat. "I'm glad you aren't as serious as I thought you were at first. You're not that bad actually."
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Post by π¨π°ππ₯π¦π― π΄πΆπ― on Jan 28, 2017 22:57:34 GMT -5
"Contrary to popular belief," Damien said, quoting what he'd said earlier that same day. "I possess a sense of humour." He leaned back against Colt who, after a moment of adjustment, bore his weight easily and without complaint. It was easier to laugh now that he wasn't scared for his life. The moment he felt threatened, he knew he'd retract back into his moody bubble, so he did what he could to maximise this time.
"So, I just told you something about where I come from. Your turn. Tell me something I don't know about you, or your kingdom if that's easier." It didn't have to be something as big as explaining her entire nations politics, but he thought it fair both that she got to talk about herself and that he got to hear it, seeing as she'd been the one asking questions up until this point.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2017 23:07:50 GMT -5
{I'm going to have to respond in the morning cuz I'm tired. Unless you're good with a really sloppy reply lol}
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Post by π¨π°ππ₯π¦π― π΄πΆπ― on Jan 28, 2017 23:13:56 GMT -5
[ I'm perfectly alright with a sloppy reply, but don't worry about not responding if you're tired. if you'd rather wait, I say do that. ]
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2017 23:16:50 GMT -5
{Okay thanks because it's like 23:00 over here, and I'm like half awake right now haha. If I can type a reply I'll do it, but if I poof randomly, you'll know what happened}
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Post by π¨π°ππ₯π¦π― π΄πΆπ― on Jan 28, 2017 23:23:28 GMT -5
[ no problem! I know what it's like when it's late, because I'm six hours ahead of EST I'm usually the one who has to excuse myself because it's getting late. ]
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2017 23:37:58 GMT -5
"What do you not know about me though? Because I'm assuming someone had to give information to you about me - or you obtained it some other way - and I don't want to just repeat something you already know." Alice pointed out. This definitely wasn't your typical conversation. Or at least your typical conversation between people Alice knew.
"That would make me boring, and I want to make sure I stay far from it." She explained. Alice didn't know what Damien really thought of her now, but she wanted to be sure that she was interesting enough for him. Why she cared, Alice didn't really know herself, it was just an almost automatic response.
{Ugh that was horrible but whatever. I'm going to bed now lol}
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Post by π¨π°ππ₯π¦π― π΄πΆπ― on Jan 28, 2017 23:46:20 GMT -5
[ sleep well! ]
Damien considered this for a moment. "I think you overestimate how much I know," he said. "They only tell me what I need to know to kill you. The rest is up to me, and I don't like getting to know the people I kill. I know your name and I know your schedule. I know your family and your castle. But that's about it. I only learn the minimum, anything else would be exhausting."
That was something that helped. The victim could never be human. They couldn't be a person in his eyes, they had to be a stranger. Otherwise, he'd end up with a situation like this one on his hands, and clearly, this was the first time he'd landed himself in one.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2017 8:19:59 GMT -5
{Good morning}
"I overestimate and exaggerate on a lot of things. You'll get used to it." Alice smirked. But she had yet to answer Damien's question, so it would be best if she did so. "As for things I think you should know about me..." she trailed off, trying to get her thoughts in order so Alice knew what to say. "I tend to get distracted really easily, so whether that's a good thing or not, that depends on the situation. That would probably be good for you so you can keep me busy." She rolled her eyes but smiled so Damien knew she wasn't serious.
"For that reason though, I don't enjoy reading. It's too much for me to focus on, especially when I did my studies with my tutors. I guess you could say I have a short attention span." Alice didn't hate doing her lessons or reading, but she did find them boring. Especially when there was something more interesting she could be doing.
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Post by π¨π°ππ₯π¦π― π΄πΆπ― on Jan 29, 2017 8:42:26 GMT -5
[ morning! ddi you sleep well? ]
Damien rolled his eyes at the mention of studying, but he nodded. He'd never had that problem himself, finding learning to be boring or even heavy. He'd always loved the time he spent with his tutors, learning new languages and memorising the geography of ten Kingdoms. It was different from the math and science others were taught, and further still from the literature he knew spies studied, but it was fascinating nonetheless.
"I've noticed," he said, not unkindly. "What do you enjoy, then?" he asked, glancing at her for a moment before returning his focus to Colt's flank and the single white spot just behind his shoulder which he was currently busying himself by tracing. "Music, dancing, there must be something."
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2017 8:55:29 GMT -5
{Not very good, my ear was bugging me and it was hard to sleep}
"Hold on, I'm getting there." She giggled. "I do love caring for animals. There are always those little rodent hunting dogs and cats around the palace to keep mice in check. They are quite adorable." Alice paused for a moment and then continued, "Horseback riding is always fun too, and I do enjoy painting. I may not be a professional, but I like to explore different techniques." Alice prefered to paint animals the best, but plants came second best. She was quite decent for someone who didn't have a tutor for art. Her parents didn't think of it as very useful for young lady.
"I'm not sure how possible it would be for me to do those things now, but I'll try and get creative." Alice wasn't entirely sure if she was talking to herself or Damien, or both. But she shrugged it off, it wasn't something to be very concerned with right now.
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Post by π¨π°ππ₯π¦π― π΄πΆπ― on Jan 29, 2017 9:13:20 GMT -5
[ sorry to hear it! ]
Damien smiled sadly and nodded. He'd never had to give up a hobby for his job, simply because he'd never had one to begin with. When he'd gotten to the age where most people figured out something they thought would be fun, he'd started training six to eight hours a day. There hadn't been time or energy for interests separate from that. The things he'd grown up learning to enjoy were useful at best and lethal at worst.
"I'm sure you'll figure out a way to do things you enjoy," he said. "Travelling is the hardest part of this job, but I stop in towns for a few weeks at a time, so there'll be time for hobbies." For her, at least. He made no time for such things, but it didn't bother him. He wasn't sure what he'd do, even if he did have the time. "Unless you want to follow me around while I stalk some people," he added, quirking a teasing eyebrow.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2017 9:37:29 GMT -5
{It's fine, I just hope the pain goes away soon}
Alice was slightly surprised when Damien was trying to assure her. It was nice to hear him do so though. Even if he didn't care. "I'm good thank you. Do you find stalking others to be a hobby?" She laughed as she asked. Alice knew - hoped - that it wasn't something he just did for fun, and was merely part of his job. Not that Alice liked what Damien did for a living either.
"I don't think I would be very good at it either. I'm not exactly...stealthy." She was tying to find a better word for it, one that sounded slightly more educated, but Alice didn't feel like focusing on her lessons again.
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Post by π¨π°ππ₯π¦π― π΄πΆπ― on Jan 29, 2017 10:04:09 GMT -5
"Oh, yes, there's nothing more entertaining that watching people shop." Damien rolled his eyes. As if it was anything other than a necessity. "I don't enjoy it. Not only is it incredibly boring, but it feels wrong to watch people that way. You'd be surprised, though, at how unstealthy you can be without being noticed. You don't need to sneak around, really, at least not all the time."
In a way, it was almost easier on his to kill. As someone who valued privacy so strongly, watching people without their knowledge made him feel uneasy and incredibly guilty. But death took everyone eventually, so hurrying the process along a little didn't phase him. Not anymore, at least, not as long as he took the time and effort to distance himself.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2017 10:58:08 GMT -5
"I don't think I could possibly be bored watching people, I would feel too...weird to think about how boring it was." Alice ran her hand up and down Colt's front leg as she spoke, he really did seem to enjoy the attention. He was like a dog in some ways, which she found adorable.
"Damien, have you ever thought about getting a dog? I know it's a random question but Colt just reminds me of one." She smiled up at Colt, but wasn't sure if he was even paying attention. He seemed to be in a trance from all of the petting he was receiving.
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Post by π¨π°ππ₯π¦π― π΄πΆπ― on Jan 29, 2017 11:23:21 GMT -5
Damien smiled at the idea, but it fell a moment later as he realised it was an impossibility. "I did want to get one when I was younger," he said. "But I move around too much. It'd spend days on end just chasing after a galloping horse, and then a week or two more or less fending for itself. I couldn't do that to an animal I'm supposed to be looking after."
When he'd first left home, barely a teenager, he'd wanted to get a dog so badly. Save for the weapons master his father had forced him to bring, he'd been alone for the first time in his life, and he had no idea what he was supposed to do with himself. Getting a dog would have put an end to the loneliness he'd not learned to deal with yet. But when he pitched it to the man there to make sure he was still learning and nothing else, the idea had been shot down in moments. For a while, it'd been a secret dream of his, but not anymore. He'd left the need of companionship behind long ago.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2017 11:44:45 GMT -5
Alice nodded slowly in understanding, "I can see why it wouldn't be a good idea. Does your job get lonely?" She could imagine that it would, but Damien said he had friends so perhaps it was not as bad as she assumed it is. To be friends with someone, one would have to speak to them. Which would involve their company. But how often did that happen?
Alice hated being alone, and when she lived at the castle, she often was. She didn't want to talk with most of the people there, as they all seemed to want to lecture her. But at the same time, Alice had wanted company. She often resorted to the dogs and cats at the castle, whom she would enable to sleep in her room as well. Although they couldn't talk, perhaps that was the beauty of it. They couldn't tell her what she was doing wrong.
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Post by π¨π°ππ₯π¦π― π΄πΆπ― on Jan 29, 2017 11:56:52 GMT -5
Damien shrugged. "It used to. Not so much anymore. I figured out ways to keep myself occupied and ways to keep friends despite seeing them only every other year." It did get lonely, was the problem. He didn't notice it much, but after just a short time spent with Alice, and even seeing Helen again, he got the same feeling he did whenever he met up with any of his friends. It was like isolation was the default, so much so that he didn't notice it anymore, but when it changed, he realised that he'd been alone after all.
All that being said, it didn't bother him. So maybe he wasn't lonely, but simply alone. And maybe that was okay. He'd chosen it, after all. "What about you? Is life as a princess ever lonely?"
( meh, short post, sorry. )
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2017 13:30:08 GMT -5
Alice let out a small sigh, "Depends on the princess I suppose. I was...lonely yes. I didn't have many friends while I was there, and my maid was too old for me to relate to and not have a conversation about," she ceased to pet Colt for a moment to use her fingers to make air quotes, "'life choices'." Alice began to stroke Colt again, but slower this time. She gave a ghost of a smile, "I guess you could say that I made better friends with the animals."
She's probably spoken more to Damien in the short time she has known him, than the entire time she had known her other maid. It was nice to talk to someone who you knew was around your age, and would actually respond. Other royals from neighboring countries had children about Alice's age, but they never spoke to her. Alice didn't really know why, but thought it would be better that way.
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Post by π¨π°ππ₯π¦π― π΄πΆπ― on Jan 29, 2017 13:58:47 GMT -5
Damien nodded. That made sense, he supposed. He'd done the same thing with Colt back when he was actually a colt. Animals were so much easier to make space for than humans, so much easier to relate to. He ran his hand down Colt's muzzle, earning him a quiet snort. "Yeah, I'm like that too," he said.
He didn't say anything else, content with letting the conversation fade into nothing. If Alice wished to continue, he wouldn't stop her, but he felt he'd said enough, at least for the moment. "We really should get moving, I think. Let Colt get some rest away from us." No doubt the horse was enjoying the attention a little too much, but Damien needed him ready to go in the morning, so they couldn't keep him awake longer than this. They had to let the horse sleep while he could.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2017 14:14:00 GMT -5
Alice content actually that Damien and her could relate on some level. It made her want to possibly get closer to him, to one day consider him a friend, and hopefully Damien could consider her a friend as well. She didn't think it would happen any time soon, but was praying it would happen at some point. Damien was interesting, she has to admit, and his company was enjoyable to some extent.
She let the silence drag on for a little while, and her head quickly turned to face Damien when he spoke. Alice stood up hesitantly, as she found petting Colt to be very relaxing, but she halted the movemen and headed out of the stables with Damien. She was walking a little ways behind him, but almost beside him, finding herself to have grown slightly more comfortable around him.
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Post by π¨π°ππ₯π¦π― π΄πΆπ― on Jan 29, 2017 14:38:59 GMT -5
"If you have something you want to do before we leave, let me know now," Damien said. "The sun will be setting soon and we leave at the break of dawn, so this is your one and only chance to get things done," he moved towards the inn nonetheless, wanting to put what he had of his earnings (enough in total to pay him through two years of ample comfort - killing princesses earned you good money) somewhere he knew they'd stay safe. Carrying it around didn't feel right.
At least people didn't expect him to haul it all around himself. The majority of his money was delivered to Yurriom, where the council took a cut before leaving the rest in his home. He estimated that the council took about a quarter of his earnings, plus the fee they took from people looking to hire him, but he'd never bothered to actually do the maths. It didn't matter, anyway.
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