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Post by Janobii on Jul 15, 2016 10:26:08 GMT -6
Twisted Hearts: Prologue
Two families, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life; Whole misadventured piteous overthrows Do with their death bury their parents' strife.
Verona, the epitome of the empire of Life. Everyone knows it, many live in it, and all envy its beauty. The people of this world, collectively known as the mages, live in tribes of all sorts. They are spread all across the world, far and wide, but Verona is the only place that can boast hosting every type of mage. From fire to storms to disease to light, they all exist within the bustling city of Verona.
This story, with fair Verona as its scene, tells the tale of two lovers from opposing tribes, both alike in dignity. Surely you have heard this story before, in another form, for each universe has its own version of events in which the tale takes place. Thus, the likelihood of your hearing this exact story before is quite unlikely. So get comfy, fetch your blankets and your pillows, and prepare for the story of Romulus and Giulietta.
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Post by Janobii on Jul 18, 2016 1:44:46 GMT -6
Twisted Hearts- Chapter 1
Tonight was a special night, a night unlike any other. Tonight was the night of the summer solstice. Every year, Giulietta's parents threw a ball for the whole of Verona and any travelers to attend. It was, of course, a masquerade ball, as those were their favorite type of balls. But tonight was not like any other solstice ball they had held before. It couldn't be, for tonight Giulietta was old enough to find a husband. It was not a foregone conclusion, of course, but Giulietta could dream.
For nights on end before this one, Giulietta had imagined the moment they would meet. He would be pressed in a dashing crimson suit, not black because he needed to stand out. His hair would be black though, silky and smooth, slicked back to keep out of his face. He would be wearing a simple mask, no sparkles, no designs, just a simple mask that announced his brown eyes. He would have a dashing smile to compliment his face and be an exceptional dancer, better than anyone else Giulietta had met that night. When it came time for them to dance, it was simple. Giulietta would be presented for her special dance and he would be the first bold patron to step forward for her hand. They would dance to a celestial song fit for romance and end right as the clock struck midnight. Then this mystery man would sweep her away and they would remove each others' masks, instantly falling in love. Her life would be changed forever from that point onward.
Giulietta sighed dreamily as she lay back on her lush bed. She smiled to herself as she snapped back to reality. This had been probably the thousandth time this week Giulietta had gone through the rehearsed daydream. The odds of it happening were extremely slim, but still she continually found herself wishing it to be true.
"Miss Life?" a voice called through her bedroom door. Giulietta recognized the voice of her servant immediately jumped from her bed. She slid over to the door, her stockings making the several foot journey much more fun, then opened the door.
On the other side stood a stocky girl, a little older than Giulietta herself. She had sapphire blue eyes and soft black curls that framed her face like a picture. Her skin was dark, like the earth after a nice rain, and her laugh sounded like rippling water. Her name was Brook Aquarius. Brook was Giulietta's closest friend, the two spending almost all their time together. Brook had once been a servant for the Water Caravans, but the Life Kingdom had bought her, and many others, years ago. Brook had been assigned as Giulietta's personal servant, and the two had stuck like glue ever since.
"Brook! Oh I'm so glad you're here." Giulietta backed up to allow Brook into the room and Brook shut the door behind her.
"Are you still nervous about tonight, madam?" Brook asked quietly, setting down the tray she was carrying. The tray held an assortment of preparation items for the night's events, everything from hair accessories to nail colorings.
"Oh very much so, Brook. I'm supposed to start searching for a husband tonight and what if I don't find him?"
"Then you continue looking, madam. No shame in that. Most people do not find their soulmate on their first date."
"But then what if I do find him?" Giulietta posed. Brook always seemed to have the answers to her questions. Giulietta had to wonder if part of Brook's water mage abilities was a calming aura, for as long as Giulietta could remember, Brook's mere presence was able to relieve some of the princess's stress.
"Then grab onto him and never let go," Brook answered as she picked up a hairbrush. She sat Giulietta down and began to move the brush through Giulietta's smooth blonde hair. "Finding the man for you is a one time event, so if you find him, you must make sure not to lose him, madam. Otherwise, you may never see him again. But either way, I trust you will know what to do in any situation you come across. You are a wonderfully smart girl, and with wits like yours, you will never be stumped by anything that the world can throw at you." Brook's words brought a smile to Giulietta's face. She sighed with relief as Brook continued to pull the brush through her hair.
"You're right, Brook. I shouldn't be so worried. Thank you. You always know just what to say." Brook only nodded in reply at Giulietta's words as she put down the brush.
As quickly as it rose that morning, the sun began to sink in the sky. By the time night had crept up upon them, Brook had prepared Giulietta for the ball like never before.
Giulietta took a spin in front of the mirror, trying to grasp a glance at every angle of herself. She was adorned in a strapless golden dress that sculpted her upper body then flayed out from her waist. It had a slightly puffy shape to it past her waist, but nothing too large, for that look had never benefited Giulietta. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a high ponytail of sorts, with some of its waves pinned to the top of her head while the rest fell back to her shoulders like a waterfall of light that annunciated her facial features. As Giulietta spins, her golden two-inch heels help her keep balance in front of the mirror. They, too, are golden, like her dress, but are kept short to both minimize the discomfort Giulietta often speaks of when in heels, as well as the chance of her stumbling. Despite being a princess, Giulietta had never quite mastered the art of the heel. Nevertheless, given her ordinary height of 5'6, it didn't seem quite necessary for them anyway. As Brook watched Giulietta from behind, admiring her work, she noted that the princess seemed to glow like never before. If someone did not jump to have Giulietta as their wife tonight, then surely no one ever would.
Both women looked up in attention as the loud clock rang out over the city. Its bark echoed against buildings, streets, signs, and more. Bong, bong, bong, bong, bong, bong, bong, bong! As the eighth strike hit followed by silence, everyone in the city held their breath. The long time residents of Verona were the first to resume their paces, some quicker than others. The ones who had been there are shorter length of time varied in their responses, generally either taking a moment to remember the events of that night or having to inquire someone nearby as to why the clock tower suddenly spoke.
It was startling to hear the clock tower for those who had never heard it before. And while you might think it would be impossible for the residents who lived there less than a year to have not heard the clock tower before, that's where your error lies. For Verona's clock tower was special, a gift from the Council of Time. It had been set long ago to ring only on certain days and times, and the rumor was only a member of the Council of Time could alter the clock's preset chimes. So while it would be unlikely that a new resident of Verona had never heard the tower before, it would never be impossible, for the clock only rang a few times a year, and this was the only time of the year when it rang twice within a few hours duration. First it would ring precisely at eight in the latter part of the day, the signal for the solstice ball to begin. Then, exactly four hours later, at midnight, it would ring again, giving the excuse to many attendees to leave the ball at that time. Whether the ball was chosen to occur on this date because of that or the presets were changed to accommodate these demands, no one is quite sure. But nevertheless, the clock tower had spoken, the ball on the summer solstice was about to begin.
And all the while, as the golden princess had the finishing touches placed on her by her servant of the seas, a young man clad in a blood red suit sat across the city. He watched from his perch, with those who would assist him tonight, as the sun sank below the skyline, creating a golden halo around their destination.
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Post by Janobii on Jul 20, 2016 10:26:58 GMT -6
Twisted Hearts- Chapter 2
It was a simple assignment, nothing too unusual for this line of work. Yet, Romulus couldn't help but feel a little nervous. Despite having killed off dukes, peasants, and everything in between, with a success record like no other, Romulus had never handled a mission such as this. And what was this mission that sent shivers down the Prince of the Death Tribe's spine? Simple, kill the only female heir of the Life Kingdom. Oh, and failure wasn't an option since this seemed to be the only opening they'd ever get at the reclusive princess. It was the highest stakes that had ever been set for Romulus, so one couldn't blame him for feeling the slightest bit nervous.
Romulus shook his head and adjusted his mask ever so slightly, trying to maximize his field of vision. That was one thing he did not like about this field of play. His senses were going to be very limited, and while that wasn't something he couldn't handle, having to deal with it on such a one and done mission was not going to be doing Romulus any favors. That didn't matter though, since a mission was a mission, no matter the parameters.
Romulus's even pace did not break as he began to ascend the steps to the ball's venue. He flashed a silver invitation at the guard at the door. It was forged, of course, but the guards would never know that simple fact. So Romulus entered the ball like any other guest, without a single suspicion on his for the malice of the event he was to commit tonight. His backup would arrive staggered throughout the evening. Two members, Ben and Mercury, were already floating somewhere around the ball, but Romulus could not see them currently. Romulus anticipated they would be easy to spot, given the bright colors they had chosen to wear, but that would have to be tested later in the evening. Right now, Romulus would have to blend in with every other patron in the ball. So, he did what was considered regular action at these sorts of events. First stop, the beverage table. Romulus swept up a small glass of wine then began to speak with the other patrons. The key to this sort of mission was to let the patrons pick your cover identity for you, let them think who they think you are, and don't tell them any different. It can get complicated if too many different people think you're multiple people or if they meet the actual person they think you are. Thankfully, with a masquerade ball, there probably would not be much identify exchange.
Romulus took a sip of his wine as he began to engage in some fascinating conversations about the latest trends of Verona's upper class. That was sarcasm in case it wasn't clear, as Romulus found this excruciatingly boring. Not that he'd let that on, but anything of elite affairs was usually shallow and uninteresting. Other than the little bits of actually interesting gossip one could pick up here and there, it was usually better not to listen to their latest news if you had the choice. Sadly, Romulus did not have that option. So he plastered a smile on his face and floated from place to place acting as attentive as he could. And thus, by the end of the hour, Romulus was now Count Augustus Fate, leader of the Council of Time.
"Count Augustus!" Romulus turned his attention away from his current conversation briefly to locate the man who had called his name. He locked eyes with a man in an orange suit holding a glass of red wine. A smile perked at Romulus's lips. He turned to his company and winked at the nearest girl.
"Excuse me, ladies, but it seems an old acquaintance of mine has located me. I should really go catch up with him, if you don't mind." A few whines of protest and goodbyes later, Romulus was on his way across the ballroom to the man in the orange suit.
"Count Augustus Fate, huh? I think that's your best disguise yet," the man commented quietly once Romulus was close enough to hear.
"I have to say, these elites are truly flattering. Though it sounds like I cut a break, with the Count being sick and all. And who might you be this fine night?"
"Duke Hugo Tempest, pleasure to meet you again." Romulus had to suppress a snort at that. Mercury, for some odd reason or another, had always appeared much older and more sophisticated than he actually was. In reality, the man that stood next to Romulus right now was Mercury Animalia, Romulus's best friend and partner of many years. Mercury descended from the Animal Tribe, a long time ally of the Death Tribe. The Animal Tribe had always been a tribe of thieves, so it only seemed natural to pair with a tribe of assassins. Mercury was almost as skilled a killer as Romulus, but given Romulus's powers, he had a unique advantage over his best friend.
"Quite. Have you seen our other friend tonight?" Romulus asked, scanning the ballroom for a red suit like his, but failing to see one.
"Yes, Lord Angeles Ignus is floating around. I've seen him once or twice so far. You know how it is with him though, very popular with the ladies." Romulus rolled his eyes internally. The other main man for this mission was his cousin, Benjamin Death, or Ben for short. Ben was well known as the Casanova for missions since ladies found him irresistible. The fact that he was currently preoccupied was of no surprise to Romulus. Romulus took a sip of his wine then glanced at Mercury.
"Has the princess arrived yet?" Mercury raised an eyebrow at Romulus and gestures towards the edge of the room, opposite of the entrance.
"She was here before anyone else. She was greeting everyone as they came in for a little bit before being whisked away for a dance. I have to say I am surprised you did not notice her sooner, given she is currently dressed brighter than the sun." Romulus immediately understood what Mercury meant when he spotted the princess. Princess Giulietta was dressed in all gold tonight. It was a flattering color on her, fitting for her last night of life. It would be a shame to ruin such a nice outfit with the touch of death. Oh well, Romulus has ruined worse.
"I've been otherwise preoccupied with blending in," Romulus replied, somewhat annoyed with himself for not noticing Giulietta sooner.
"Ah, don't get so down on yourself. Just take of the job like you always do. I recommend using the kiss of death, just to get a little action out of her before you have to kill her." Romulus shook his head as Mercury grinned at him. The man was such a sleaze.
"You know, some of us aren't interested in getting the girls as eagerly as you. Even Ben thinks your pace is a bit too much."
"Now that's not a fair comparison and you know it. Ben may be Casanova but I actually have to work to get my girls."
"I imagine so. If I was a girl I wouldn't want to get within a mile of you unless it had immediate benefits. Do you have to pay each one? Because it would explain where all your money goes each month."
Before Mercury could come up with any sort of comeback, none of which would have been sufficient to counter such a burn to his pride, another man in a scarlet suit joined the two. He said something to the entourage of girls that had followed him and they all slowly slinked away. The man straightened his mask then smiled at Mercury and Romulus.
"Good evening, gentlemen. What might the topic of choice be this fine night?"
"Nice of you to join us, Lord Ignus. I was just playing a little game of wound the Duke's pride. Care to join me?"
"Oh splendid. My favorite game! What's the insult category tonight?"
"The lady's man." Before Ben could reply, Mercury huffed really loudly and glared between the two, his naturally green eyes turning to a yellow feline shape.
"Just shut up, you two. Don't we have a mission to be focusing on anyway." Ben and Romulus exchanged a look. They could take a hint.
"Fine, fine. Jeez, Duke, learn to relax a little, won't you? It's not like you don't ever return the favor to us constantly," Romulus replied. He finished up his wine and placed the glass on a nearby table. The music changed to a popular swing dance song. "Well it seems now is the time to dance. Good to see both of you are in attendance, now if you'll excuse me." Romulus returned to the dancing part of the room and was quickly swept up in the storm of swing dancers.
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