675-10-02 - Two Princes
Two Princes | |||||||
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Summary: Jerrick and Zephan have a spar - with weapons and with words. | |||||||
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Its early morning and while most of the castle sleeps Jerrick is alone in the room of arms, practing his sword play. He slashes the sword through the air with an easy which only comes from years of handling such a deadly weapon. He is dressed in a white lose shirt and a pair of leather pants.
A fashion that seems to be quite popular in his family. Sporting a lose shirt of black color, along with breeches in grey is Zephan. Maybe aware the black brings his blonde hair more to the attention. Or maybe his other shirts have been stained with wine, and this is the only tidy one left. The prince strolls casually in to the practice room and lets his slightly bored gaze drift over the interior - until it comes to rest on his twin, and his lips curl into a smirk.
"Practicing, eh?" The question is tossed into the room, as Prince Zephan settles himself to lean casually against the wall.
Jerrick gives a soft sighs as his brother's voice grates on his nerves. "Yes, brother I was. If you would kindly allow me to do so I shall do it in peace." Jerrick says, trying to keep his voice bland and not let any of the irritation he feels at Zephan's presence leek through. "Isn't there some maid's skirts you need to raise?"
Jerrick's irritation seems to amuse Prince Zephan immensely. He does not seem inclined to leave his brother alone at all. On the contrary. "Oh. Maid's skirts. Yes. I'll do that later, I suppose," he grins. "But for now... I'd like to see what you're made of, dear brother." He pushes himself from the wall he had been leaning against and strolls casually over, studying Jerrick attentively. "Or does that make you feel nervous? You're the quiet and thoughtful one. I am the wild one. Remember?" A glare is shot Jerrick's way, while Zephan's tone remains cold and detached.
Jerrick scuffs at that challenge and nods his head. "If you wish brother, but know I won't hold back." He says, calmly facing his brother and sizing him up.
Zephan chuckles, as his blue eyes shift to the steel in Jerrick's hand. "You mean to challenge me? Indeed? I was merely asking to watch you hit at air for a few moments longer..." His amusement is a cold, calculating one. "Live steel then? Practice blades? What would you prefer?" A pause, before he adds: "Bare hands, even?" Rolling his eyes a bit.
Jerrick gives him a cool look and whafts the sword around a little more. "Steele unless you are afraid I'll hurt you, dearest brother." Jerrick says, his smile feral. "Or maybe I can give you another scar for the wenches to swoon over?"
"Oh sure, if that is your wish," Zephan replies, not looking very impressed with his brother's words. His hand moves to the pommel of his saber, and he draws it with one swift gesture. "Question is if you want to put up with a scar. As there are no wenches to swoon over you?"
Jerrick snorts softly. "I perfer real women, Zephan, ones with class and manners." He retrots, flexing his blade and watching his brothers feet and eyes. Waiting to see if he dares to make the first move. Jerrick for his part is relaxed, no giving away anything at this point.
<FS3> Opposed Roll -- Zephan=Blades Vs Jerrick=Defense < Zephan: Great Success Jerrick: Good Success < Net Result: Zephan wins - Solid Victory
"Real women? Honestly, have you had a woman yet, brother? Really?", Zephan quips back, moving suddenly forward as he attacks his brother - and manages to breach his defenses and hit his side with the flat side of the blade!
Jerrick eyes widen for just a second at the agressive attack, he's late bring up his sword, failing to block the first attack. "I've had a few women brother, ones you can only dream about." He says with a knowing smile. "In fact mother is sorting out a very, very good marriage for me now."
<FS3> Opposed Roll -- Jerrick=Blades Vs Zephan=Defense < Jerrick: Good Success Zephan: Good Success < Net Result: Zephan wins - Marginal Victory
Zephan tsks at Jerrick's confession. "That means you have been no better than me actually? Poor mother. Then there's only Nathan left to keep her proud, eh?" The next attacj of the twin is spotted, and his saber comes up just in time to parry the blow. "Not bad. But not particularly good either," the wild prince comments with a haughty chuckle. Before he swings his saber again and aims for Jerricks left upper arm.
<FS3> Opposed Roll -- Zephan=Blades Vs Jerrick=Defense < Zephan: Great Success Jerrick: Success < Net Result: Zephan wins - Solid Victory
Jerrick gives a hiss of anger when the blade touches his arm, it doesn't injury him but it does hurt like you wouldn't believe. "Don't be an ass Zephan, you could make her proud if you weren't....Well you." He says, going to attack or at least try, he's going to be eatting his words for sure if he doesn't get a hit or two in.
<FS3> Opposed Roll -- Jerrick=Blades Vs Zephan=Defense < Jerrick: Good Success Zephan: Success < Net Result: Jerrick wins - Marginal Victory
"Proud?", Zephan snorts back. "She'd never admit that." And there, maybe the topic of his mother manages to distract him, or maybe it is that Jerrick finally has found his form, when his attack manages to hit home, causing some damage to the black shirt and a minor scratch to his shoulder. A low curse is muttered, and a glare shot Jerrick's way. When Zephan attacks his brother once again, swinging the saber, but then changing his tactics at teh last minute, as his foot comes up and he aims to kick Jerrick against the knee to bring him down.
<FS3> Opposed Roll -- Zephan=Unarmed Vs Jerrick=Defense < Zephan: Great Success Jerrick: Success < Net Result: Zephan wins - Solid Victory
Jerrick doesn't respond for a few moments, he finally sees the opening he's been waiting for and rams his swords hilt into his brothers side. "No, you are right she will never be proud of you. All she can hope for is that you won't get yourself killed before old age takes you." doesn't try and block he knows his brother has him beat, he just wanted to get a last jab in before he went down. The knee collapes from under him and Jerrick goes down. "I yield brother, have your victory."
<FS3> Opposed Roll -- Jerrick=Unarmed Vs Zephan=Unarmed < Jerrick: Good Success Zephan: Good Success < Net Result: DRAW
When his brother aims to ram the hilt of the sword into Zephan's side, the wilder Onimus prince's saber comes up in the intention to deflect the blow. But while Jerrick's attempt does not really hit home, the weapon manages to hit the hilt of the saber at an imopportune angle and one of the gems breaks loose and drops to the ground with a light klinking sound. "Wrong, indeed, brother. All she can hope for is for me to get killed, before I get too old," Zephan clarifies with cold anger in his gaze as he looks down at Jerrick. A light shrug of his shoulders coming in reaction to the yielding. "Of course. Maybe next time, brother."
Jerrick shakes his head sadly. "It doesn't have to be that way, Zephan." He tells him, his voice soft. "She doesn't hate you, she just wishes you would tame your ways. You are a prince and her Son. Have some respect and act like it, instead of shaming her."
"What?" Zephan steps back from Jerrick, not offering him a hand, but refraining from more violence as well. "SHE does not hate me? Well, she better should! Because I DO hate her. And all of you in fact." His voice has barely raised above the usual conversational but so significantly cold tone. "I am no longer her pawn. If I ever was." A low mirthless chuckle there, as he turns to leave, sheathing his saber in a casual gesture.
Jerrick sighs and slowly gets to his feet. "You are a fool, brother." He tells him watching him leave. "Oh, and stay away frim Nimoria."
Inclined as he had been to leave right there, the mention of that name has Zephan pause on the doorstep. Turning his head to shoot his twin a glance over his shoulder, he will offer him the darkest of smirks. "I might," he replies. "But... can she stay away from me?" A low chuckle follows his words, as he leaves the practice room.
Jerrick lets a brief hint of anger play across his face. "You will, if she is to be my wife!" Jerrick says, his voice dangerously low.
Again, the steps pause for a moment. And Zephan returns for a brief moment peeking through the doorway.
"Is that so?"
His gaze flickering in an incredulous stare towards his brother. Meeting the dangerous tone of Jerrick's voice with an equally low cold and amused one. "Is that already settled?"
Jerrick shakes his head slowly. "Not yet, but it will be if I have my way. We shall have a pure child, whom will be Queen one day."
"So. You're meaning to tell me to stay away from the woman, because you want her to be your wife? She's a Royal High Oni.", Zephan replies with a shrug as if that fact alone would suffice to make such a match impossible. "I am sure mother would not approve..."
Jerrick grins, ferally. "Mother is considering it and I hope will decide in my favor. Such a beauty as my wife." He shakes his head. "I wood never need another women again."
Oh, Zephan can display a very feral grin as well. Like he does now, stepping a bit closer, and back into the room. "Have you spoken with Nimoria about this?", he inquires, the softness of his tone a stark contrast to the expression of his face.
Jerrick nods his head slowly. "Do you think me a fool." He tells him. "I have spoken to everyone whom will need to know of my plans. I have brains, and use them unlike you dear brother. Who kills yours with alcohol."
"Oh. Very well then," Zephan remarks with a shrug, a pointed lightness there in his tone. "How odd that she would urge me the other day to speak with mother. To ask for her hand? And yes, Nimoria did that. And... aren't you to be betrothed to some Princess of Two Rivers?"
Jerrick looks confused for a moment. "Nimoria, asked you to speak to mother about marrying her as well. What is she up too?"
"I haven't spoken with mother yet, and probably won't anyway. As I will not marry anyone, ever" Zephan admits with a low mirthless chuckle. "So don't worry, Jerrick. Take her as your wife! You certainly have my blessing." His face twists into a smirk. "But if I should find her lurking in my bed, I will certainly not kick her out of it."
Jerrick shakes his head. "Well, how will she know she has the best unless she's allowed to sample something bad." He tells him with a smirk. "Have her all you like, brother. I will do the same of your wife once you get one. Mother will make you marry, I can promise you that."
Zephan's brows furrow when he hears Jerrick's reply. "Those words coming out of your mouth, brother? And here I thought you were the pure one. I suppose I was wrong. Forgive me if I take your advice then, and 'have her all I like'. And then she will be the one that is disappointed on your wedding night."
Jerrick laughs softly. "Perhaps I won't have her know, it seems she pines after you. Perhaps I should let you have her, and be married and miserable. But at least you will have a beautiful bride."