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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jul 9, 2016 18:22:26 GMT -8
The Old Mill Tavern A secluded tavern in the woods of Prince Phillip's kingdom frequented by travelers. Owned and run by a man named Willard and his wife, Ida, who is usually in the kitchens.
Events occurring 2 years before Dark Curse
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jul 9, 2016 20:24:00 GMT -8
2 years before Dark Curse
Rose was exhausted. Her stomach growled, reminding her that she was also starving. She'd traveled a very long time on foot, encountering nary a person nor building since she'd left her previous tenancy just as dawn was beginning to break. The sun was nearly setting and she'd gone through almost her entire meager supply of food. Rose began to worry.
She'd been fairly lucky in her travels, finding means of transportation for longer travels and friendly if sometimes a bit unsavory places where she took lodging for a few days in exchange for the skills of her cooking and especially baking, for cleaning or assisting with serving patrons, and after being overheard singing, learned she could also earn her keep by providing the entertainment of song. She loved to sing and it came with such ease that it hardly seemed fair as an exchange for lodging and food so she insisted on helping with at least the cooking as well. Seeing the joy she brought to others with song made it even more enjoyable and she especially loved when she could get everyone to join in. The collective voices and smiles of a roomful of people joined in song warmed her lonely heart.
Blue had faithfully followed her throughout her travels. He'd been her only steady companion these years and source of entertainment. He helped her to pass the time with song on the long walks, she mimicking his musical tweets with voice and she'd sing him a few notes to tweet back in return. He was always fluttering overhead, sometimes alerting her with tweets of something he scouted ahead. He did so now as he came flying back, settling on a branch in her path. She smiled and listened. Hearing rushing water, Rose felt a bit of relief that she'd at least be able to refill her water. She cleared the trees and found herself facing the back of a beautiful old mill. It was a fairly large building so she was feeling confident that she'd found her next lodging for however long she felt like staying before moving on once again.
She was taking a risk, traveling the neighboring kingdom of her father's but curiosity had been slowly wearing at her caution. She put down her satchel and knelt at the riverbank and as she filled her water container, wondered what she'd learn of the neighboring king from the owners or patrons.
She capped her water and stood, doing her best to brush off the dust and dirt of her long travel. She picked up her satchel and walked along the riverbank toward the building. As she rounded to the front, Blue settled himself in a tree nearby, hopping about on a branch until he found the spot that would be his home until they moved on again. Rose grinned up at her faithful little friend and continued on, her smile fading when she caught sight of her reflection in one of the windows. She frowned at her vagabond appearance. Her expression turning to concentration as she tucked the strands of hair that had escaped her braid behind her ears and used her sleeve to wipe at a patch of dirt above her brow. Satisfied, she smiled and continued on to the door.
It hadn't really crossed her mind that it had been a window rather than a mirror. Patrons were usually distracted and absorbed in their own circle of conversations, only sometimes giving a curious glance when a door opened. She was not self conscious nor was she vain so it wouldn't have bothered her if she had been spotted. Her only goal was to appear presentable to the owner when she bartered for a room.
Pausing once more at the door, she straightened her skirts, pulled the satchel more securely onto her shoulder, and gave one more tuck of stray strands behind her ear.
Rose pulled the door open and stepped into the large tavern. She quickly took in the room, grinning to herself at the sound of voices and laughter echoing back from the lofty ceilings, at all the pictures on the walls, and the colors of the sun beginning to set shining through the windows. The smells of food wafted her direction. She put a hand over her growling stomach and closed her eyes, taking a deep, satisfying breath.
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Post by Storyteller on Jul 10, 2016 20:54:38 GMT -8
The sound of merriment and frivolity bounced off the stone walls of the Old Mill, creating a cacophony of sound. Typically, this was a sound Phillip most liked as he loved to be in the center of such social interactions. Thrived on it. There was a time when merriment and frivolity were as much a part of him as breathing or sustenance. When the absence of it left him as irritable and restless as an empty stomach, gasping for air as if he were drowning in his own mundane, monotonous existence.
But today it was noise. A most grating noise that barely let the young prince hear his own thoughts. And what dour thoughts they were. After almost three years full of swashbuckling heroics, adventuring and freedom from his title, he was less than six days time from the shackles which had held him for twenty-three years. The prince paused, his head tilted with a thoughtful, rougish expression. Shackles that held me for twenty-three years...why that's quite poetic. I'll have to remember that one. Content with his own turn of phrase, he returned the scowl to his face and lifted his mug of god-awful ale to his lips.
It was not that he didn't wish to return home. After his extremely thorough examination of his kingdom, he found himself looking forward to the prospect of becoming its ruler. Despite the capable and kind rule of his parents, there was still so much to be done to ensure that his people were able lead happy, fruitful lives. He had been horrified to see the living conditions of some of the poorest of the land. The people with whom his parents had lost touch. He was eager to begin.
No, it was the one thing that he had not accomplished over his journey that now haunted him. It was the reason that he had hired one night at this tavern, only to find himself still there over a fortnight later. Dawdling, his mother would say. His father; delaying the inevitable. But Prince Phillip could not abide the loveless marriage that awaited him and so he found the more appealing option to drink himself into hazy false contentment.
It was absurd. With someone of his charm, wit and devilish good looks, three years was plenty of time to find the one woman whom his heart could love as much as she, him. Or so he had thought. He had not been absent of romance in those three years, fine women all. All desperately in love with him, of course. Yet none who gave him the feeling he craved most. The sound of his fist hitting the table in frustration was drowned out by a particularly obnoxious spike in the grating noise.
Fully in control again, he sighed. He could not hide in this tavern much longer. Mother and Father would most definitely be suspicious when he returned home two weeks late and he had only so many excuses. Believable ones, anyway.
Throwing back the remains of the swill in his mug, Phillip knew it was time. He was licked and had to resign himself to his dismal fate. Before he stood though, one more look to freedom. His blue eyes, slightly unfocused at first, gazed out the window beside him into the freedom of the forest. But it was not the forest that greeted his tired eyes....
The most magnificent creature he had ever seen stood there, peering through the glass. So captivated was Phillip that he did not wink back at her or give her his patented roguish grin. Not through the glass, he realized, At it. She brushed a few stray pieces of her beautiful golden hair behind her ear and rubbed at her forehead, as if using the glass as a mirror. And then she was gone. I need to know her name.
Phillip rose from his seat so quickly that he knocked the stool to the ground. Willard shot him a look from behind the wooden bar but he didn't heed it as he rushed to the door of the tavern. I need to meet her.
Before he reached it, she was in the doorway, her eyes closed with a wistful expression. Phillip stopped in his tracks, unabashedly staring, unable to move. This wasn't like him at all. And it hit him at once. An uncharacteristic, almost giddy smile stretched his lips.
This could be her.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jul 10, 2016 21:47:45 GMT -8
It would still be awhile before she was able to eat. First, she had to barter. With a sigh, she opened her eyes, finding them drawn to a pair of beautiful, impossibly blue ones staring in her direction. His eyes alone could set hearts to fluttering, but it was his genuine smile that made her heart flip flop. The combination must have been devastating to any female he set them upon and she looked now behind her to see the woman lucky enough to be greeted every day with that combination.
But there was no one behind her. Nobody near enough to be within the same line of vision. Realization that it was her he'd bestowed his smile upon, she turned to stare right back. His smile though, that look, it was almost one of familiarity and though they were strangers, it felt... oddly right and even stranger, familiar. She couldn't help smiling back.
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Post by Storyteller on Jul 10, 2016 22:31:07 GMT -8
He was almost disappointed to see the wistful expression vanish upon the opening of her eyes but it was largely forgotten as they met his for the first time. If he were the type, he just might have swooned- in a manly fashion, of course. For in her sapphire eyes lay a gentleness that he'd never before beheld in another human being. A gentleness that was currently aimed at him.
And then the connection was broken as she turned to look behind her.
For what? Or...whom? Phillip felt a peculiar urge rise up at the thought. Could this be....jealousy? He raised his eyebrows at the unfamiliar sensation. It was almost pleasant, this desire to throughly thrash whatever man who'd dared to have swept his true love off her feet before he'd had the chance to. But, most fortunately for him, no beau appeared behind her and once again those gentle eyes fastened onto his, accompanied by a tender smile. They held there for what seemed both an eternity and no time at all. Then Phillip, still holding the gaze, closed the space between them.
For the first time, he seemed to be at a loss for words. Somewhat desperately, or as desperate as a dashing prince could be, he grasped for something to say. Something witty and smart. Charming. Befitting for the first sentence to the woman who could be his future bride.
"You missed a spot. Of dirt. Just about here." Before he could stop himself or consider the forwardness of his actions, his fingers reached down to wipe the offending spot from her flawless cheek.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jul 10, 2016 23:13:44 GMT -8
She held her breath as he closed the distance and they both simply continued to look at each other. The silence was not awkward in the least. He seemed to be just as content as herself to continue on as they were.
"You missed a spot. Of dirt. Just about here."
Rather than pulling away from his touch, she found herself leaning into it. This was so very strange. Was this real? Or was this a dream? A burst of raucous laughter brought her back to reality and slowly, begrudgingly, she realized the impropriety of their actions. Rose gently removed his hand from her cheek, holding it a little longer than necessary. "Thank you, sir." She was finding it hard to think clearly with him standing so close. Her aunts would be horrified. No, not aunts. Fairies posing as such. Sobered by those thoughts, she took a step back, putting the proper amount of space between them. "Do you know where I could find the owner of this establishment?"
If anyone had been close enough to observe this exchange, they would surely have been baffled by the backward order of events that transpired between them and most especially the fact that they were meeting for the first time.
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Post by Storyteller on Sept 3, 2016 21:36:09 GMT -8
"Thank you, sir."
This mysterious beauty pulled away, leaving Phillip with such a feeling of loss that his beating heart was nearly cleft in half. Needing to remedy this situation quickly, he immediately went to reach for her again- propriety be damned- when the damsel suddenly became all business.
"Do you know where I could find the owner of this establishment?"
He nearly balked. But...they had made a connection! He had felt it so strongly- he was so sure she must have too. Where was the swooning and unwavering declarations of love? True love's kiss? Phillip furrowed his brow. Perhaps she was playing hard to get? Yes, that must be it.
Ah, one of his favorite games. One he knew well. If that was how his lady fair wanted to play it, who was he to deny her? The smile on his face grew into a cocky grin as he decided he would indeed play along. "I do," he replied, amusement in his tone. And there he stopped, giving her absolutely no useful information except for his patented princely smirk.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Sept 3, 2016 23:59:07 GMT -8
His smile had changed just before he spoke again. This one still made her heart pitter patter but it did not send it racing as his genuine smile had. At the expense of endless embarrassments, Rose had learned a lot in her travels but she was still far from worldly.
She waited but he offered nothing more. Rose wasn't quite sure what to make of him. Was he toying with her as a means of flirtation or was he withholding information with the expectation of being compensated for it? The latter seemed more unlikely as she could simply ask another patron but of the two, it would be far less embarrassing if she were wrong.
"I have nothing to offer in exchange for information."
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Post by Storyteller on Nov 18, 2016 21:05:14 GMT -8
"I have nothing to offer in exchange for information."
Well, this was a peculiar method of flirtation. Phillip's brow furrowed ever so slightly at her plaintive denial of material possessions. What good were material possessions to he, a crowned prince? She could be a princess from a neighboring kingdom and still not have anything of material that would be of any interest to him. Though, by her dress, he doubted that she was.
No, material possession was not what he sought and from that moment they'd shared...she couldn't possibly think it so? It must still have been a part of the game. Perhaps she'd not played so regularly as he and thus did not fully understand?
"Don't you?" His princely smirk remained firmly planted on his lips, easily held from years of practice. He reached to grasp her hand, his eyes looking deeply into hers. "I would settle for a name. So that I may know what to call the most magnificent beauty my eyes have ever beheld."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Nov 19, 2016 19:34:00 GMT -8
"I would settle for a name. So that I may know what to call the most magnificent beauty my eyes have ever beheld."
Rose nearly found herself lost in a sea of blue once again but his words stopped her from falling in. He was indeed playing a flirtatious game with her. She was used to men approaching her with an opening line regarding her outward appearance but her first encounter with this man had been different. If not for that spark of something genuine when their eyes had first met or the way he'd removed the smudge of dirt from her cheek with a tender caress, she would have given a polite 'thank you' and started walking away without hesitation.
For the first time, she actually found herself tempted to play along with this flirtatious game which was precisely what broke her hesitation.
Rose gave a brief smile out of politeness for the compliment. "I am merely a stranger passing through," she said, removing her hand once again from his, "so you need not worry yourself with what to call me. Now if you will please excuse me." She gave the slightest of curtsies to soften the rudeness of her rejection and abrupt dismissal.
Rose brushed passed him and started in the direction of the bar where she was sure she'd find the owner. She gave a glance toward the door as she passed it, a fleeting thought that it might be smarter to take her chances in the unfamiliar forest of this unfamiliar place than to be tempted to play along with his game. It wasn't the sport of it that drew her, though she was sure it would immensely enjoyable, but the thought that she might be able to glimpse that smile once again. Not the playful one he'd been bestowing upon her now, but that first one. The one that had held a deep, genuine warmth and had made her envision a lifetime of happiness and joy.
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Post by Storyteller on Mar 12, 2017 7:32:28 GMT -8
"I am merely a stranger passing through," "so you need not worry yourself with what to call me. Now if you will please excuse me."
Phillip stared blankly towards the door as the maiden walked away from him with nothing more than a brusque dismissal. It cut him to his very soul. Could it be that she honestly did not feel what he had felt? Could she honestly have no more interest in him than she would a lowly ant beneath her boot?
No, no it was impossible. He was Prince Phillip, soon to be crowned monarch of this kingdom. He was charming and dashing and terribly handsome. If this had been a true dismissal, it would have been the first. That led him to believe that she must be better at this charade than he had initially given her credit for. And it was this thought- and perhaps that god awful ale reaching his head- that spurred him forward, turning in one quick sweeping motion to place himself once more before her, effectively blocking her path.
"Oh dear lady, what you do not recognize is that I shall surely go mad deciphering the title of this dazzling creature I find before me. For such beauty and grace, when kept mysterious, will lead a man to believe that you are only a wondrous, cruel concoction of his imagination. A glorious and merciless dream as to see you yet not know you." He closed the gap between them, coming what others could deem uncomfortably close to a person they'd barely been acquainted with. But societal protocol be damned- he was certain that his soul and hers shared more depth and history than someone he'd known for his entire life. "I shall trade you, a name for a name. I am called Phillip."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Mar 12, 2017 12:55:43 GMT -8
She felt a sadness at walking away from him but it was short lived. He caught her off guard as she'd only just begun dwelling on what strangely had felt like the biggest regret of her circumstances but also because most others did not further their efforts after being turned down once; twice at most.
"Oh dear lady, what you do not recognize is that I shall surely go mad deciphering the title of this dazzling creature I find before me. For such beauty and grace, when kept mysterious, will lead a man to believe that you are only a wondrous, cruel concoction of his imagination. A glorious and merciless dream as to see you yet not know you."
My, but he was tenacious. Adorably so. His overly dramatic prose made her giggle, which ended on a soft sigh as he stepped far too close again.
"I shall trade you, a name for a name. I am called Phillip."
She smiled contentedly up into his eyes, taking a couple of moments to register what he'd said. She gathered her wits about her. "It is lovely to meet you, Phillip." She reached out and hesitantly placed her hands on his biceps, slowly turning with him as she spoke. "My name is Rose. As soon as I have secured myself a place to sleep for the night, I promise we can talk more."
Their positions had effectively switched as she finished talking. Rose grudgingly let go and took the few remaining steps to the bar, smiling back at him once more. 'Oh dear, I'm in trouble,' she thought to herself. But she felt overjoyed by it. She'd never felt like this before. The man behind the bar looked at her expectantly and she realized she was grinning like a fool.
She composed herself. "Good evening, sir," she began with a friendly smile. "I would like to obtain a room for the night and a warm meal. I can--"
He noticed she hadn't made any move toward retrieving a coin purse. "No charity cases," he quickly interrupted.
"I assure you, I am not a charity case. I am perfectly capable of earning--"
"Coin only," he interjected.
"Now hol' on there," a man sitting at the bar, deep in his cups said to the bartender before returning to staring at her. "Earn how?" he leered, attempting to add a wiggle of his eyebrows.
Oblivious to the meaning behind his odd expression and jerkily shifting eyebrows, Rose was thankful for the drunk man gaining her the chance to explain. "I can cook, I can clean," a slight pause in confusion as the drunk man looked disappointed, "I can provide entertainment--"
The drunk man perked up again. "What kin'a entertainment?"
"I can sing," she said, her confidence faltering when the drunk man looked disappointed again.
"That ain't the kind of establishment we run here," the bartender said, giving a pointed look at the drunk man for his lewd suggestion and then to her for her attempt to barter. "No coin, no room, no meal. You'll have to look elsewhere."
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Post by Storyteller on May 13, 2017 19:59:44 GMT -8
"It is lovely to meet you, Phillip." "My name is Rose. As soon as I have secured myself a place to sleep for the night, I promise we can talk more."
The only thing lovelier than hearing his name fall from those perfect lips was hearing her own for the first time.
Rose.
The name quite suited her. Simple, yet elegant. Gentle, yet strong. It conjured images of gorgeous buds that could grow in both the wild of the forest edge and the most orderly palace garden. The prince could not help the somewhat goofy grin that spread across his face at the name. Rose. Rose! He could hear it forever and never tire.
Unfortunately the prince was so enthralled by putting a name to the loveliest of faces that he did not notice the young woman's escape until he was inexplicably facing a completely different direction and she was standing beside the bar. He moved forward but kept his distance. As her name suggested, there was a strength he sensed within her and she apparently wanted to do this on her own, which seemed to make her all the more attractive to him.
His blood boiled as the old lech sitting at the bar leered at Rose. How dare he treat her like a common bar wench? He closed the distance to the counter, not so subtly knocking the crude libertine from his stool. It was less than the prince wanted to do to him but Rose did not seem the type to appreciate fisticuffs.
"No coin, no room, no meal. You'll have to look elsewhere."
"Indeed that is not the type of establishment you run here. Though it appears to be one where ladies are treated discourteously nonetheless. Nor is it run with much kindness. Honestly, I expected better of you, Willard." Phillip's tone was of authentic disappointment. Swiftly he reached into the money bag at his hip and removed a handful of coins, depositing them onto the smooth wood of the countertop. "This is enough coin to pay for the lady's stay along with the next three travelers who make the unfortunate mistake of stumbling in here with payment that does not meet your standards."
Willard reached for the pile but Phillip's hand closed over it before he could reach. He fixed the barkeep with a steely look. "I assure you, if word reaches me that these funds were not used for the appropriate purpose you will have no inn to rent rooms out of. And I am a man of my word." Willard grunted, a noise that Phillip took as agreement, and gruffly addressed Rose, "Yer room's upstairs, third door on the left." At Phillip's look, he quickly added in a faux happy tone, "And if ye need anything, jest ask. Milady."
While Willard busied himself putting away the money, Phillip turned to Rose. "I am sorry about him. And about him." Phillip gestured to the drunk who had fallen asleep where he'd landed on the floor. "Apparently not all men have learned to treat others respectfully."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on May 24, 2017 21:05:52 GMT -8
Rose's attention was split between the owner telling her to look elsewhere and the drunk man falling from his stool... with Phillip's assistance. His action brought the sudden realization of what the drunken man's meaning had been behind his questioning. She felt a blush of pink heat her cheeks in slight embarrassment. Even still, with a concerned expression, she attempted to look passed Phillip to make sure the poor man was okay but was unable to see him unless she were to step away from the bar, which she was not ready to yet. Phillip served as quite an effective shield. She found his protective gesture heart warming as well as irksome. Rose was perfectly capable of taking care of herself.
It suddenly registered that Phillip was already in the process of slaying a second dragon on her behalf and it was the irksome feeling that began to overshadow the heart warming. By no means was it Phillip's fault that Rose's agitation grew as the two men worked out her fate while she silently stood by. He had no way of knowing that practically all aspects of her life had been dictated for her since birth. Even after these short few years on her own and making her own decisions, any attempt by anyone to put control over her life, even in the slightest, incensed her.
"Yer room's upstairs, third door on the left." "And if ye need anything, jest ask. Milady."
"I am sorry about him. And about him." "Apparently not all men have learned to treat others respectfully."
Phillip shifted slightly, allowing her a view of the drunk contentedly snoring away on the ground. She gave the drunk only a cursory glance before rounding on Phillip. "I thank you for your assistance, but it was not required. I am not a charity case," she repeated once again, her voice calm yet stern, "nor am I a damsel in distress."
The only part of Phillip's help Rose took advantage of was whatever authority he seemed to hold over the inn keeper. She turned to Willard, addressing his last statement now with the same stern tone. "I have only one request; that the coin intended for my stay also be put toward future travelers. I will earn my keep," she said, her chin raising a notch in defiance of his 'coin only' rule, "starting tomorrow morning, bright and early." She gave a single nod to emphasize end of discussion. "Good evening, gentlemen."
Head still held high, Rose headed for her room. Her gaze straight ahead only faltered for the slightest second when she passed a table of people that had just been delivered their warm meal.
Hunger fueled Rose's annoyance. She'd taken the stairs in angry strides. Rose dropped her satchel on the bed and began to pace angrily as if in an attempt to wear the annoyance off. "Darn him," she mumbled to herself. It was his fault she hadn't thought to ask for a meal as part of the bargain. She slumped into the chair at the table that also served as a vanity and the image of him flooded her mind. 'Darn him and his noble intentions. Darn his pretty words... his charming smile... his hypnotizing eyes...' Rose's derailing train of thought was righted as she caught sight of a woman with a dreamy look staring back at her in the mirror. She groaned as she crossed her arms on the desk and dropped her head onto them. "I'm in trouble," she mumbled aloud this time, confirming her earlier suspicion.
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Post by Storyteller on Oct 3, 2017 21:23:40 GMT -8
His heart pounded in his chest after Rose laid her terms and turned heel, looking quite like a defiant goddess as she marched up the flight of stairs.
She'd chastised him. In his entire life no one, not even his parents, had quite mastered that trick. But Phillip had not felt the need to sling back a witty comeback. He had not even the urge to bite back a scathing remark. Dare he say it, the entire exchange had set him afire with yearning to know her better. The spark of command turned her from a gorgeous girl to a resplendent beauty whose radiance rivaled that of the sun.
In this breathtaking moment right after she'd stormed away, the young prince heard the barkeep snicker under his breath. "You are in trouble with that one, son." It was then that Phillip realized that he was still standing in the middle of the tavern, mouth agape and quite the center of the room's attention. He was about to throw back at the man, who had quite irritated him as of late, but the prince knew that he was right. He was indeed in trouble. Of the best kind. So instead Phillip bounded over the bar, scarcely taking a moment to pause upon his landing. "She's had a long journey, she must be hungry! Willard, I am buying your kitchen for the day, good sir. Anything the lady wants, she shall have!" He quickly stopped, remembering the exchange that had led to these thoughts. Willard was a bit of a rat. He would not let the young lady work for her keep. But Phillip, on the other hand, had a brilliant idea.
Loaded down with bread, cheese, a few mince pies and a jug of ale- better than the swill he'd subjected himself to earlier- the prince soon found himself standing upstairs before the third door on the left. With no free hand to properly knock, the young man used the heel of his boot to gently rap against the wood.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Oct 3, 2017 22:37:14 GMT -8
There was an odd sort of knocking at the door. Rose lifting her head from her arms to glance toward the bottom portion where the sound seemed to have come from.
Curiosity outweighed caution, a bad habit she really did try to curb but hadn't quite managed to quell. Cracking the door open, she looked toward the source of the knock and followed it up to the very face that was still hovering in her thoughts.
Her mind was attempting to string together the words to inquire the reason for his being at her door when a movement finally gained enough of her attention to pull her eyes from his. She looked toward the teetering jug and pulled the door fully open in order to grab hold of it before it could topple.
Taking stock of all the other items on the small tray, it was a wonder the jug hadn't been lost during the trip up the stairs.
She started to smile but then remembered that she was upset with him. The smart thing to do would be to turn him away but her stomach protested at the thought. As did her heart. Sighing in defeat, she said, "You are a tenacious one, aren't you?"
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Post by Storyteller on Mar 10, 2018 19:37:46 GMT -8
"You are a tenacious one, aren't you?"
"I'm so pleased you've noticed." Philip replied, allowing himself a rather boyish grin. It was impossible not to upon seeing the flurry of emotions, not all unpleasant, flitter across her delicate features before settling on the one she had left him with downstairs. He would have raised his arms in surrender had they not been full. "I thought you might be hungry after your journey. May I?" At her acquiescence, Philip confidently strode into the room, depositing his peace offering onto a small table by the window.
"I thought you should be aware- this feast does not come for free." He turned to face her with a mock stern expression. "As you are far too capable to be mistaken for a damsel in distress. So, if old Willard will not budge- which he won't- I have a proposition for you." He paused for a moment, waiting for approval from the enigmatic Aphrodite before continuing.
He paced over to a chair, setting down upon it with practiced grace. "I will provide the coin the old man demands and you shall earn your keep to me." Quickly realizing that misconceptions could be taken, he hastily added, "Nothing untoward, of course. But I do enjoy a good song and find myself longing for meaningful conversation. There are so few in this establishment with the means to provide it." His expression was now sincere but much more tempered than he felt inwardly, as his heart thundered in his chest. He did not know what he would do should she decline and that was not a position the young prince was accustomed to.
"What say you? Do we have an accord?"
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Mar 11, 2018 12:06:59 GMT -8
"I'm so pleased you've noticed." "I thought you might be hungry after your journey. May I?"
Indeed, she was famished. Rose stepped back, pulling the door fully open for him to enter.
"I thought you should be aware- this feast does not come for free." "As you are far too capable to be mistaken for a damsel in distress. So, if old Willard will not budge- which he won't- I have a proposition for you."
Hugging the jug, her eyebrows raised in curious amusement for him to continue. It wavered though when he took it upon himself to settle into a chair and make himself at home.
"I will provide the coin the old man demands and you shall earn your keep to me."
Rose definitely looked baffled and slightly taken aback at this. What tasks could she possible do for another traveler in an establishment not his own? There would most certainly not be enough to cover the expenses.
"Nothing untoward, of course. But I do enjoy a good song and find myself longing for meaningful conversation. There are so few in this establishment with the means to provide it." "What say you? Do we have an accord?"
Rose's features softened as her heart went out to him. She understood the longing for meaningful conversation for it was something she longed for as well. Leaving the door open, which was the proper thing to do, Rose walked to the table, setting down the jug, then sat across from him.
"Conversation is meant to be shared freely," she began, reaching out both with her heart and with a hand placed over his. "Otherwise, it would not be meaningful. Song, however, has helped me to repay kindness and expenses, but only in part. It is not nearly enough to cover the cost of food and shelter."
Rose looked down to see that somehow, without realizing it, her hand had settled into his. The sight of her hand entwined with his, the warmth of his hand enveloping hers, it felt so right, like the lost piece of a puzzle finally finding its home, that she'd momentarily forgotten where she was and what she was saying.
Rose slowly pulled her hand back and she regained her train of thought. "We have a partial accord," she said, smiling in hopes that they could come to an agreement that would appease the both of them. "Conversation, we shall share, but at no cost. As for song, I shall share it with you and the other patrons as a form of repayment through entertainment. And don't you worry about Willard. I've won over more stubborn than he. Once he sees how happily his patrons' spirits are lifted with good food and song, he'll come around," she said with her own confident tenacity.
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Jun 12, 2018 19:53:07 GMT -8
Temp-played by Lee-o
"Conversation is meant to be shared freely, Otherwise, it would not be meaningful. Song, however, has helped me to repay kindness and expenses, but only in part. It is not nearly enough to cover the cost of food and shelter." Her hand again found his and it was welcomed. This beautiful lady caused his heart to beat fast but her hand once again pulled away. "Conversation, we shall share, but at no cost."
Philip was glad that she was willing to have conversations with him. He had feared he may have come off a bit too strong but she was willing to give him a chance.
"As for song, I shall share it with you and the other patrons as a form of repayment through entertainment. And don't you worry about Willard. I've won over more stubborn than he. Once he sees how happily his patrons' spirits are lifted with good food and song, he'll come around," Philip found himself chuckling.
"Forgive me, the laughter was not meant to offend. I merely pictured Willard in good spirits and a smile on his weathered face... allow me," Philip did not serve others but he felt inclined to poured them both some of the fine ale. "I believe we are in full agreement," When Ale was poured he sat back down with a boyish grin.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jun 16, 2018 20:09:02 GMT -8
Phillip laughed. It caused her to pause, not because it made his features all the more handsome, but because she wasn't sure if it meant he doubted her ability to win Willard over.
"Forgive me, the laughter was not meant to offend. I merely pictured Willard in good spirits and a smile on his weathered face... allow me,"
Relaxing back into a smile, she held her cup in place as he filled it.
"I believe we are in full agreement,"
"I believe we are..." she paused, settling into the casual feeling of calling him by his first name. "Phillip." Rose raised her cup with a salute before taking a drink then began to stave her hunger, automatically saving a bit of bread for Blue.
***** THE NEXT DAY *****
Rose had been up and working in the kitchens by dawn. Unlike Willard, Ida, his wife, had a pleasant disposition and was glad for the extra set of hands in the kitchen. She'd taken to Rose immediately and had assured that she'd talk sense into her husband, but as with Phillip, Rose insisted that she let her hard work and dedication speak for itself. Ida simply smiled, liking the girl all the more. Of course that didn't mean Ida wouldn't simply wait until Rose wasn't around and do just as she'd said she would.
Ida was also grateful for the cooking knowledge she was picking up from Rose. It was amazing what a little of the right seasoning could do for a dish. The patrons were happy and complimenting, earning the tavern more coin for orders of seconds or to try some of the baked goods that weren't usually on the menu. Those were a particular specialty of Rose's.
The luncheon crowd had dwindled and Ida insisted Rose take a good, long break to have her own meal and to relax and get some fresh air before the supper crowd started to show. It sounded like a wonderful idea but Rose half heartedly said she would be fine with a quick bite and to continue working. Ida insisted and Rose relented, saying she'd love to go for a walk in the forest. Ida packed a basket with enough food for two while Rose was distracted with gathering scraps to feed not only Blue but other possible forest friends she may happen upon.
Everything ready, Ida walked behind Rose, shooing her from the kitchen. Ida looked around the main room, easily spotting the handsome Phillip whose eyes were already on them. Grinning at that, she waved him over and handed him over the basket.
"Our sweet Rose here would like to go for a walk in the forest. Would you be a dear and accompany her so that I know she will be safe?"
There was a twinkle in Ida's eyes as she secretly winked at Phillip while the blindsided Rose blushed and nervously bumbled. "Oh, he doesn't have to. You don't have to," she said, looking from Ida then quickly to Phillip before shyly setting her gaze downcast. "But you are welcome to join me if you'd like," she finally finished, glancing up at him through her eyelashes.
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Jun 28, 2018 11:30:12 GMT -8
TEMP-PLAYED BY LEE-O
"I believe we are... Phillip." He smiled genuinely and lifted his own glass.
"Rose." After they shared the meal and drink, he excused himself to allow her the rest she most certainly needed. "I will see you in the morning, sleep well." He gave her a little bow before heading to his own room for the night. Rose was such an innocent soul, sweet, kind, and Philip never knew a woman quite like her- not even his own mother. He was smitten with her and felt things he had never felt with anyone else, especially in such a short time.
Philip was up early the next morning, going on a hunt with some of his trusted men. He spotted a large buck about a couple hours in, his meat would feed the tavern for a week. He spent the better part of the morning tracking him and by early afternoon the hunt was a success. He returned to the tavern and entered the kitchen, he bid Ida good morning, "I have brought a gift for your fine establishment, Lady Ida." He kissed her cheek and led her outside to the buck on the back of his horse.
"You have been too kind to us, Philip, what a wonderful gift for our customers." Ida smiled and pinched his cheeks.
"I'm only responding to the kindness you have shown me." About an hour later, Philip was sitting at the bar and chatting with Willard about the morning's hunt when Ida waved him over. "Excuse me, Willard," He grinned and headed over to Ida and Rose. "Ladies..."
"Our sweet Rose here would like to go for a walk in the forest. Would you be a dear and accompany her so that I know she will be safe?" Philip perked up, normally he would decline after spending a better part of the day- but no way would he turn down time with Rose.
"Oh, he doesn't have to. You don't have to, but you are welcome to join me if you'd like," Philip held the basket with a smile and offered his arm for Rose.
"I would be my pleasure to join your stroll, shall we?"
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jul 1, 2018 12:11:27 GMT -8
Too lost in the wonder of how it felt just to see him smiling at her, Rose simply smiled up at him in response and took his arm. Forgetting for a moment that there was anybody else in the world besides the two of them, it wasn't until they were halfway to the door that Rose remembered her manners and looked back to Ida, mouthing a 'Thank you.'
As they stepped to the outside, Rose turned her face toward the sunlight and took in a deep breath of the fresh air. Phillip was gallantly allowing her to lead them in the direction she chose, which was straight for the thick of the forest. "I do so love forests. I've been looking forward to exploring this one and getting to know its inhabitants."
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Jul 2, 2018 19:32:29 GMT -8
The way the sunlight hit her face, it caused him to pause. She was so beautiful and he felt like some kind of young boy in her presence. He allowed himself to be led through the woods, saying nothing at first. They were heading into a thick part of the forest and he was unsure how she would fair. "I do so love forests. I've been looking forward to exploring this one and getting to know its inhabitants."
"What do you expect to find out here?" He was curious to know what kind of inhabitants she wanted to meet?
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jul 13, 2018 22:06:14 GMT -8
Rose knew Blue was following them along their easy paced stroll through the forest. She was attuned to creatures of the forest, particularly the tweets and movement habits of the travel companion who'd remained by her side since before she'd left home. If not for the stranger, Blue would have perched on her shoulder or she'd have held out her hand for him to settle on. Rose knew Blue needed time to observe and warm up to the stranger from a safe distance.
"Oh, the usual; deer, rabbits, squirrels. Those seem to be native to all kingdoms." Rose spoke with a familiar fondness of creatures. "I like to explore and see if I can find rarer animals or types that are native to wherever I happen to be." Rose thought fondly back to her time with Maleficent and the magnificent pet of hers. "I'd love to see another unicorn. Ida mentioned this kingdom is a safe haven for them as the King has made the hunting of their dwindling numbers illegal."
Rose knew next to nothing about this kingdom or its royalty but that simple piece of information had earned her respect and admiration.
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Jul 14, 2018 18:02:56 GMT -8
TEMP-PLAY BY LEE-O
"Oh, the usual; deer, rabbits, squirrels. Those seem to be native to all kingdoms." That took him by surprise, "I like to explore and see if I can find rarer animals or types that are native to wherever I happen to be. I'd love to see another unicorn. Ida mentioned this kingdom is a safe haven for them as the King has made the hunting of their dwindling numbers illegal."
"Wise king," Philip didn't always respect his father's laws but this one he did. He asked his father to make the law, he had come across a wounded unicorn in his travels and helped it. From then on he felt it was his duty to protect magical creatures and hunt only what was necessary. "I hope we meet one during our walk, I have only come across one before." He admitted.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jul 14, 2018 20:49:28 GMT -8
Rose smiled up at him over hearing that. "As have I!" she said, excited about sharing the unique experience. "I was fortunate to have been in the company of one for some time." She stopped just short of mentioning that it had been the pet of a woman whose home she'd boarded in. A unicorn as a pet did not seem like a usual occurrence and she was unsure how aware people were of Maleficent and what would certainly be an unusual tidbit linked to her. Rose felt Maleficent had an unfair reputation. Funny coming from someone who'd once had a price on her head by said person.
Blue's indignant tweeting at being left out had been overlooked longer than he liked and so he'd switched to tweeting a tune, expecting her to sing it back to him. She could swear that she was picking up on an air of annoyance by his third round. Rose chuckled and came to a stop. "Alright, Blue, I hear you," she said, holding her hand out sideways. Blue came swooping down from the trees, giving them a closer observation by circling them once before perching on her finger. "Phillip, this is Blue." Rose smiled fondly at the little bird, while the little bird twitched his head from one side to the other, observing the man who'd occupied so much of Rose's attention.
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Jul 14, 2018 21:13:06 GMT -8
[Temp-play by Lee-o]
"As have I! I was fortunate to have been in the company of one for some time." For some time? Where on earth did this beautiful woman come from, he wanted to know more about her- so much more.
"Well, you are just full of surprises," Philip didn't pay much attention to the tweeting, birds were a common occurrence and he tuned them out- until Rose spoke.
"Alright, Blue, I hear you, Phillip, this is Blue." Philip watched the bird swoop in, so, she talked to animals- adorable.
"Nice to meet you, Blue," The bird was adorable and seemed very protective of Rose, like everyone else that came in contact with her. "Where did you meet him?"
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jul 15, 2018 13:58:59 GMT -8
Rose smiled adoringly at Phillip for his having acknowledged Blue with the same respect as meeting a person. That was important in her eyes. To her, animals and humans were on the same level of importance.
"I'd found him in the forest. Poor little thing had been injured. I tended to him while his wing mended and when it came time to release him, he wouldn't leave my side." Rose stroked the back of two fingers down Blue's breast feathers. "I've known him since before I left home. He's accompanied me throughout my travels for..." Rose looked thoughtful as she dug her free hand into her pocket and retrieved some seeds, "goodness, three years now, I think."
Seeing Rose's palm open to reveal seeds, Blue happily tweeted with a hop then flitted to her other hand and perched on her fingers, pecking away at the seeds. Another smile spread across Rose's face, Blue's simple joy bringing her joy. She looked up at Phillip, happy amusement on her face. "Have you any animal companions?" she asked, preferring that term to 'pets'.
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Jul 16, 2018 7:18:53 GMT -8
[Temp-play by Lee-o]
"I'd found him in the forest. Poor little thing had been injured. I tended to him while his wing mended and when it came time to release him, he wouldn't leave my side. I've known him since before I left home. He's accompanied me throughout my travels for... goodness, three years now, I think." Was this a common thing for Rose? Did she just go about life and commune with all the animals of the forest? He smiled and watched as Blue happily ate the seed from her hand.
"I must say, both Blue and I are lucky to have stumbled upon you."
"Have you any animal companions?" Growing up as the prince, Philip had many during his childhood. His life had been full of animal companions as she put it.
"A few, mostly dogs and my mother's cat named Dutchess. Currently, I have my horse, he is my very good friend- I named him Samson "
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jul 31, 2018 21:18:25 GMT -8
Rose watched him as he spoke, seeing the care and sincerity with which he spoke of Samson. This version of Phillip, his true self, the one he'd been when they'd first exchanged words was more devastating to her heart than the roguish charmer persona he'd taken on a bit after their initial exchange. She had no doubt most other women would have swooned when he was the latter but it was his true self that made the warmth within her heart grow.
"I would love to meet him. That is, if he has accompanied you on your travels here."
Her hand emptied of seeds, Blue had flitted back to her shoulder furthest away from Phillip and returned to cautiously eying the stranger. Wanting to set Blue at ease and a sudden urge that he bond with Phillip had an idea forming in her head. Rose came around to stand in front of Phillip and took the basket from his arm, placing it on the ground. "Here, hold out your hand," she said, taking his hand in hers and turning it palm up. Rose retrieved more seeds from her pocket and placed them into his open palm. She kept her other hand beneath Phillips and closed the distance to further encourage Blue. Blue perked up, eying the seeds now more than the stranger. "It's okay, Blue. Come on," she softly encouraged.
Seeing how comfortable Rose was in the company of this stranger along with the enticement of the seeds, Blue flitted to the wrist of her hand beneath Phillip's. After a last quick study of the man, Blue tested the situation with a couple of quick hops and pecks before settling at ease on Phillip's hand. The sight brought a warm smile to her face and Rose looked up at Phillip to comment on the situation but when her eyes met his, she was captured in a daze and words escaped her.
Last night's notion soon after meeting him of quickly moving on from here before she became too emotionally entangled were a distant thought. A combined mere few hours in his company and it was too late. The warnings of the outcome in her mind due to her unfortunate lot in life were drowned out by the singing of her heart. As she stood here, so close, lost in the blue of his eyes, everything outside of this moment ceased to exist.
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