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Bani listened as the guard told her Lapis was there to see her. She nodded at the guard and smiled. "Let him in!" He must have brought his ignorant son back for her to marry! She went to her throne and sat down on it's plush cushion.
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Lapis entered, his footsteps echoing in the vast throne room. A smirk waltzed over his lips. He was classic. If this girl knew a thing or two, she'd be in awe of what he was and what he offered. He defined what you should be and should attempt to mimic. Even the guards watched him from their post. Not for their concern of what he could do to the girl...but what he could do to them. He was intimidating in so many ways...
He stopped before her and nodded to her. "Princess," he began. |
Bani stared at Lapis with her red eyes as he spoke. She didn't hide her glance over his form from head to toe. Nor did she hide the smirk that came from seeing how gorgeous he was. It was apparent where Sapphire got his good looks from. He started talking which drove her attention up to his lips. Such full lips.....Her mind wandered while she stared which caused her head to tilt to the side. Obvious to everyone that she was in her own imagination.
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Lapis smirked some as he spoke with a calm demeanor to his royal audience.
"I heard you had announced plans to marry my son. I was impressed to know that he caught your eye, princess. Flattered. I imagined good things for him, but this was unbelievable. It's unfortunate, however, that he's a rascal. I have been single for quite some time, and I know what he is missing. I do miss the company of someone to spend time with. Working together to build the most powerful empire..." The guards, entranced by his manly allure, glanced over from him to the throne once they heard a clatter. The girl had tilted so much from her ogling that she had fallen to the floor. A few of them, lacking any shame or fear of a reprimand, slapped each other, buckled over, and laughed. She amused them so much! The man stopped his speech and walked over to her. Kneeling, he reached a hand out to caress her cheek. Slowly it glided along her jawbone. A thumb brushed over her lips. Her next action was spontaneous - definitely not what he had expected or was used to. She flicked out her tongue, leaving a streak of warm saliva upon his thumb. Blinking, he froze, unsure for once what to do. Mouths of the guards opened. They were aghast. Would his skin burn from her acid? This girl...she was...unreal. |
Lapis was an exceedingly brilliant man. He thought things out very thoroughly. If he followed his natural instinct he would slap the insolent girl for daring to make his person unsanitary. If he grimanced and wiped his hand he would insult her and she would surely reject his offer. If he smirked and acted out of character, she would be impressed and sway easily to his person.
Lapis chose the path he wanted to take, no matter how it pained him. The guards and onlookers nearly vomited in their mouths when Lapis Li smirked and suckled the thumb she licked. "So sweet." Bani hadn't expected such a reaction either. OF course it was only natural he would be so interested in her. BUT she had to be sure! That's why she licked his thumb! Sapphire and any other suitor would have and did double over screaming of rabies when she performed such a feit. Lapis ENJOYED her affection. The young naive princess took Lapis' hand and smiled. "You have a week to woo me into marriage. I'm not going to let my guard down so easily as I did with your son. Apples don't fall far from the banana monkey do they?" Quite honestly LApis had no idea what that statement meant. He merely shook his head, neither a nod yes or a no. Bani smirked slightly and stood up. "Guard, show Lapis to his room right next to mine!" With that she let the guards escort him to the lush chambers. |
Lapis smirked. Success. He had already done what Sapphire had achieved by just looking at the girl. Of course she would be skeptical and suspicious thanks to his idiot of a son. Marriage did not frighten him though. Power illuminated his motivations and desires. By fearing this little princess, Sapphire was saying she was better than him. Stronger. What a joke! A mere little child? He could chuckle at the thought had the guard not been staring at him constantly since the moment he followed him...
Loyalty was very important. He would work on them. The guards were baffled by him. This was a man with a strong gut. He had already earned their curiosity. Lapis had a seat on the bed and immediately began plotting. "A week, eh?" He needed but a day! Perhaps less. To challenge himself, he would attempt to get her begging for his hand the next time she saw him. Smirking arrogantly, he removed his shirt. Moving to the ground, he began his exercises. Certainly she would appreciate his glistening godly form... (took a long time because I couldn't stop vomiting :D) |
Bani waited at the table while Lapis was again escorted. She looked over at him when he entered the room. Good golly! He was hot! She smiled. WHAT LUCK! So much better than stinky pants Sapphire. He didn't appreciate her, this REAL MAN did.
Lapis went to her side when he walked up to the table. He took her hand in his and gave a kiss to the top of it. "Good morning princess." He could tell by her smile and flushed cheeks that she was falling for him, hard. This was so easy. "My beautiful Princess, we should make short work of breakfast so we can spend all morning with one another." "I would like that, but we're not going to rush eating. My Citrine is the best cook and I like to savor everything he makes." Lapis nearly frowned. Fine let the little girl eat her breakfast. He went to his place at the table and sat down. Citrine came into the dinning hall with the plates for Bani and Lapis. He set Lapis' down on the table first and then Bani's. Bani laid her hand on Citrine's arm a moment. "Wait right here. I want to taste it first!" She picked her fork up and tasted the food. Citrine watched her, he loved the reactions from people when they tasted something he made. Bani Mmm'd and smiled at Citrine. "It's perfectly godly! I love it Citrine! You're so amazing. You definately know the way to my heart." She giggled at him. Citrine smiled and nodded at her. "I'm glad you enjoy it, Princess. Anything for you." The guards around couldn't understand what made Citrine so happy when Bani enjoyed his food. "Chocolate later?" "Tons." Bani clapped her hands and excused him back to the kitchen. |
Lapis frowned. His intense violet eyes had narrowed as he watched Princess Bani interact with the cook. Citrine, eh? he thought. Apparently, he had competition. He could easily beat his son. Looks. Class. Character. Manliness...Sapphire had nothing compared to him. But this fellow...a servant...was winning her over with his supposedly succulent dishes. It didn't help that he had good looks too.
This girl was far too easy to sway. He would need to deal with this fellow the first moment he parted from the princess. Once Citrine exited the dining hall, Lapis regained his composure and smirked at the princess, reaching over to touch her hand. "These delicate hands should do no labor. Allow me to feed you." |
Bani giggled at Lapis. No one liked to touch her THIS MUCH! She was beginning to buy that he was actually sincere in his adulation of her. "SURE!" She did hate the act of lifting her arm to bring food to her mouth. She parted her lips and opened her mouth.
Lapis took bits of food on the fork and fed it to the princess. Thinks, in his opinion, that should be done for him. The minute he had secured this kingdom as his own, this was definately going to stop. The Princess Mm'd and smiled at Sapphire. "I have a busy day ahead of me. " "What are you doing?" "I have to make sure the villiage nearby is following my commands to make it all pink, and then my pet rabbit ran away from me." AGAIN! What is the point of using power to paint a villiage pink? This kingdom needed, begged for his attention. "Terrble, I'm sure he'll come back to you. How could he not? I'd love to be your pet." He smirked. Lapis Li had various smirks for every occassion. His favorite happened to be the smirk he gave a victim before a brutal execution. But his smirks didn't end there. There was the smirk he had across his lips for when he was planning, there was the smirk he gave when something went his way, there was the smirk he used to give his wife when she would walk close enough on purpose for a pat to her backside, but this smirk. This smirk he gave the young princess was the one that stopped people dead in their tracks. It made blood boil with passion, and it made women (Including some men) strip of their clothing and be ready for his desires. Bani stared at him. The only sound she could mutter was, "Hi......." |
Lapis smirked. "I would be honored to meet you on another level, Princess." His hand slowly felt over her jaw as his lips descended to meet hers. Her eyes widened. He hadn't even met her lips, and she was already hyperventilating. With her hot breath panting against him, he had to gather the courage to continue. To persevere.
...he could do it. He was Lapis Li. He....could...do it. Lips met, moving slowly and gently before deepening. That was how he did everything in life. While he would have loved to seize everything with immediate force, he knew the best strategy was a sly one. He had to gain trust. Get the victim to want it. Desire it. Not be able to live without it. He manipulated the growing passion at the moment with his years of experience. Moving away some he looked for her reaction. |
Bani's eyes remained closed for moments after their lips parted. She turned slightly towards the guards behind her. "I think it's safe to say that we're going to have a wedding. You can start preparing everything. Tell Citrine to use the same food list as Sapphire and I were going to use." She turned towards Lapis and kissed him again without another word.
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He knew it. He was brilliant. Of course she wouldn't turn him down. He was Lapis Li. Extraordinary in all of the senses...He should have not underestimated the power of his prowess. He should have just kissed her the moment he met her. But still, this act asserted how amazing he truly was.
*** Jade watched the servants with interest as he stayed entangled in Kaze's arms. "She's marrying...someone else?" "Isn't that the same guy?" "She was going to marry Sapphire, the knight you met with." "Isn't...that the same guy?" "No...this one is Lapis." He listened further. "His father." "EW?" "I hope she's doing this on her own free will..." "I hope he's doing it himself. Maybe he's drugged. Who would consent to marrying her?" Kaze shuddered at the thought. *** Hielo noticed the shift in duties for the guards. Instead of going after the fugitives, they were now focusing their energies toward... "...a wedding?" he murmured. |
Hielo took TK's hand and used this opportunity for them to escape. "Quickly." He started for the exit that was in plain view.
~~ Conejo watched Aires sit in his trance like state. He was trying to figure out where they should go next in an attempt to help Sapphire. "I don't buy that he can do this. He's just been sitting like that for a half hour." "If you'd stop talking, maybe he could be productive. Go gather berries or something." Sapphire motioned him towards the forrest where berry bushes were in plain sight. Conejo nodded and headed over to them. Conejo had picked some and come back and Aires was still in his trance. "Worthless, that's what he is." Conejo flicked a berry at Aires' head who in turn blinked and looked at Conejo. "Annoying." Sapphire held a hand up to Conejo to stop him from commenting. "What did you see?" "Your dad's going to marry the princess." |
Sapphire stared, somewhat speechless. After awhile, his surprised expression melted away. This was his father they were talking about. He knew him well. This was quite like him to go through any extent to further himself. Groaning, he rubbed his temples.
Conejo watched him. "This means you're off the hook." The knight rubbed a berry before eating it slowly. "I don't like this..." "Calling her Mommy?" "No...what he's up to. It can't be good." Conejo blinked. "Wait, he's doing it willingly?" Aires and Conejo nearly choked when they received a short nod. |
Aires stood from his sitting position. "If his intentions are evil, then we should help the princess."
Conejo turned his head towards Aires and stared. "Help the evil witch?" "No matter what she's done, people dont' deserve to be mixed up in plots. She must like the guy if she's marrying him." Sapphire mused over the situation. Should they help her? Should he let his father do what he wanted. "You don't know my father. He's a force to be reckoned with." "Maybe he would be interested in having a magician help him? I could get in there and take the princess." "Remember she tried to throw you in the dungeon." Conejo crossed his arms. "Then a little rabbit could get in there and lead her out." "NO! NO Way! I finally got out of there!" Sapphire knew if his father gained control of that kingdom it would be disasterous for many. His father shouldn't have that kind of power. HE, SAPPHIRE, SHOULD. "Alright, let's go help her. I'll devise a plan." |
It didn't take long before TK was tired. She kept glancing back to see if they were being pursued....but nothing. No one. No shouts. No guards. No pounds of hooves. Nothing...
Dropping forward onto her knees, Hielo dragged her some before stopping, realizing she had collapsed behind him. His clutch tightened. "Are you okay?" Pants in return. Knowing how risky this was to dawdle, he scooped her up upon his back and rushed onward to the town. It was in sight! Freedom! Hopefully Fuego was well! *** Lapis allowed the tailors to measure and fit him. More material, they would mumble. How on earth did people grow to be so tall? they murmured under their breath. The man ignored them, knowing the bitterness was due to admiration and envy. In the other room, the princess was busy clutching her bed post as the corset was tightened. She demanded it! Despite the maids telling her to just fit into a dress closer to her size, she demanded it! No corset, then off with their heads - in a cute way, of course. What she meant by that in her fruity babbles was beyond them. |
Aires, Conejo, and Sapphire walked the long path back to the castle and villiage they had fled from. Conejo hopped from one brick square to the next. Aires raised a brow, Where did the brat get all his energy from? It must be natural for him to be so jumpy since he's practically part rabbit.
Conejo looked over the hill they were nearing. "OO! We're almost there." Aires was thankful, the robes he wore to cover his face and body were so thick. The hot sun made him almost take them off. Sapphire stoped once the castle was in sight. "Alright, let's review our plan of action. Aires I need you to disguise me so I can get into the castle. I will take you with me and offer you as a wedding present to the crown princess and future king. Conejo will go into the castle with us, he'll have no problem since he lives here. You'll follow Conejo to the princess and get her out of the castle any way you can. I'll meet up with you after I try and figure out what my father is really planning." This was all such a lavish plan just to stop a wedding, but HE wanted to take over the kingdom. It would be much harder if his father had control of it already. Aires looked at sapphire, such a pity to hide such a beautiful face. He waved his hand with the correct chant to turn Lapis into a hideous older man. IF he had made him someone beautiful, then everyone would be flaunting over him. Conejo let out a loud EW! Sapphire frowned. "Couldn't have picked something a little less old?" "If I hadn't you'd be in the dungeon. You should thank me." Aires smiled. Conejo shook his head slowly. "Gross." He focused on turning himself back into a bunny rabbit. Aires couldn't help but watch. It was definately interesting to watch Conejo make the transformation to a rabbit. An animal lover's fantasy. NOT HIS TASTE. He glanced over at Sapphire. THAT was the man he was after. Though not in this form. It was truly repulsive. Sapphire and Aires followed Conejo down the path towards the castle gates. The guards heard their response to the question, "What business do you have here?" Knowing their selfish little princess loved gifts they were immediately allowed to pass. A guard alerted the princess that she already had a wedding present. Bani clapped her hands. Her wedding dress was on and her pink hair fashioned in curls that drapped over her shoulders. "How exciting!" She nearly headed out of her room to go tell Lapis they had a present, but she remembered that it was bad luck for him to see her before the wedding. She smiled and told her maid to let the present be brought to her. Sapphire, Aires, and Conejo headed inside the room as they were escorted to her. Sapphire and Aires bowed before her. "EW!" She pointed at Sapphire and gimanced. "SO ugly!" She was almost inclined to reject the gift because of the hideous gift bringer, but her selfish spirit wouldn't allow her to turn down a present! "What is it you've brought your darling princess Bani?" "A magician." Sapphire stepped aside and motioned to Aires who produced a series of fancy exploding balls of pink. BAni clapped her hands. "WHEE! Wow! SO talented!" Aires smirked some. He liked being commended for his talents. "Thank you, princess." "Are you pleased, your majesty?" Sapphire questioned bowing yet again. "YES! Very! Thank you so much, ugly!" Sapphire twitched, trying to keep his composure. "IF that's all...." "You may leave! Thank you again. You'll have to help yourself to my Citrine's kitchen snacks since you've pleased the princess so well." "Your kindness is too much." He stayed in the bowed position as he headed out of the room. "Aw such a nice ugly person." She giggled and continued to watch Aires create shiny magic. Conejo bounded into the room and headed towards where she sat on the edge of her bed. "Pinkerton!" Bani opened her arms for him. Conejo jumped into her arms and nuzzled her neck. Bani blinked. Not the usual scratches? Not the usual grimances and squirms away from her? This wasn't her Pinkerton! Obviously there was trickery here! Quickly Bani dropped Conejo and rushed towards the door adjoining her room to Lapis'. "HELP ME!" She ran towards him and latched onto his waist. "Someone's trying to kill me!" Lapis instinctively held her in one of his arms. "What?" "Someone's trying to kill me." She kept her head burried in his chest and pointed back towards her room. Conejo bounced towards them. Perking his ears back to seem as innocent as possible. Lapis' brow raised at the sight of the rabbit. "This rabbit? This rabbit is trying to kill you?" Lapis glanced at the guard in the room who rolled his eyes. "Another attempt on your life, your majesty? Like the evil ugly people that nearly got in your room last time?" "THEY were jealous of my beauty. But someone is trying to kill me for real. This bunny is not my bunny." Lapis gave her reassuring rubs on her back, they weren't married yet. He would have to be sure to not upset her no matter how outlandish a killer rabbit seemed. Especially the one who nudged against him, and seemed to..."Smile"? "My Princess, please return to your room. The guards will keep you safe. I will take care of the rabbit. It's bad luck for me to see you before the wedding." Bani gasped some. "Oh no! I didn't mean for you to!" "Don't worry, I haven't seen a thing." Of course he had seen her when she rushed towards him before. Marrying her wouldn't be so terrible since she wasn't terrible to look at. "I'm scared though. What if something happens and I'm taken away from you?" "I wouldn't allow that to happen." He continued holding her until her arms released from his waist. "Go back to your room and keep preparing for our wedding. I'll take care of everything. I promise." Bani smiled. "You're so perfect!" Lapis knew this! "Love you!" She moved back towards her room with the guards Lapis motioned to follow her to reassure her nothing was going to happen. Lapis leaned down and picked Conejo up by the skin of the back of his neck before he could follow. "As for you." A guard came over and took the rabbit. "This is definately hers, sir." "If it bothers her again, just add rabbit stew to the wedding dinner menu." "Yes sir." He bowed before leaving the room where Lapis continued to get ready. Aires had heard the entire thing. He had left the room while Bani was in Lapis's. He stayed by the door until he saw Conejo being taken by the guard. He followed behind until the guard set him down and petted Conejo on the head telling him to be a good boy. The guard left to stand guard outside Lapis' door. Aires walked over to Conejo and picked him up. "We have to find Sapphire and think of a new plan." The two headed to find him in the large castle. |
Being irresponsible was not like Jade. But there was something about Kaze that made him forget all the troubles in the world. All of his obligations. All of his past...until he sighted a young child following one of the servants around. The little boy clutched at his mother's skirts, sucking away at a couple of digits and hiding his face in her clothes when people approached.
Jade's interlocking fingers, once impossible to break, immediately released Kaze's. The dark haired youth looked concerned over the sudden change in mood. "What is it?" "My brother...I forgot about Jasper." "Who?" "Jasper...he's...about his age." Long fingers dove into the mass of brown hair. What had he done? At least he had seen Topaz around, harassing people and eating things. He was fine. But Jasper. He hadn't seen him since he was whisked away upon the stallion... "Kaze, I have to find him..." |
Kaze looked around a moment. He seriously didn't remember anyone around Jade named Jasper. He didn't even remember Topaz was Jade's little brother.
"Where was the last place you saw him?" Jade thought for a moment. He couldn't even recall the last time he had seen him! What a terrible brother he was! "I don't know." Jade's eyes filled with water. How could he let this happen. The instant Kaze saw tears swell in Jade's eyes he embraced him and made a promise he would be sure to carry out. "We'll find him. If he's not in the castle we can leave it. I wont rest a day until he's back with you." Jade nodded against Kaze. The two set off in search of Jasper, walking through the castle asking whoever they saw if they had seen the little boy. |
Conejo's nose twitched. He had gotten a great view of Lapis. Absolutely clear where Sapphire had gotten his good looks! ...in his previous form. The one now looked as if he was an inbred reject of all the ugly people in the world.
Lapis, in the meantime, was satisfied with his wedding attire. The tailors would work and he could stretch his legs by exploring the vicinity. Citrine was also of interest. He was a threat as long as the princess expressed interest in him. The man had two options. He could sabatoge the young man. Perhaps destroy one of his meals so she would somehow think he was out to kill her. It was sneaky and somewhat - in his mind - a pansy method of approaching his problem. Or he could handle him personally. Killing people brought no guilt to his soul. This was a dirty option, but one that could be forgotten once the blood was washed away. The problem with this would be her mourning for the chef. Perhaps she would be so wrapped up in losing him. She was a strange beast indeed and he wouldn't put it past her! As much as he favored the latter for being physical and direct...he opted for the former. His long legs took him to the kitchen to observe his opponent. |
Hielo was thankful the villiage they were in was so crowded. He walked to the nearest Bar still holding TK in his arms.
The young girl didn't complain even if she was capable of continuing on her own. Fuego sat with Morgan towards the back of the smoke filled room. Patrons came up to the table and commented on being glad Fuego was back and out of the jail. Morgan crossed his arms. "One of many." He muttered to himself. No wonder Fuego had been so aloof about their kiss. He got many kisses often. |
Morgan continued to pout. It wasn't fair...If he walked away right now, Fuego would forget him. Forever. Because he wasn't of any importance. One of the bar patrons drew him from his thoughts by directly hitting on him. No beating around the bush. He found him or her very attractive.
Still feeling quite burned, Morgan smirked and bantered a flirt back. Fuego perked up. |
Morgan flipped his hair over his shoulder and smiled at the the patron fighting for his affection.
Fuego tried to jostle the customer away by starting a conversation with Morgan. Morgan ignored and continued listening to the words the man gave him. Desperate times...."We're dating. Could you excuse yourself?" Fuego motioned the man to go away. |
"We're what?"
Fuego ignored him, far more preoccupied with ridding the patron immediately. He was one track minded and it was blatantly obvious at the moment. Morgan toyed with the ends of his hair, wondering if this bout of jealousy was due to the patron's interest in him, or the lack of interest in Fuego. Wanting to test him further, Morgan clutched the man's arm. "What's your name, stranger?" |
Fuego nearly scoffed at the man's name. Such a weak name, nothing that commanded passion like his own. Fuego took Morgan's free arm and tugged it slightly. "Morgan, we're going."
"Excuse me. Last time I checked you wern't the boss of me." "Yea leave us alone." The patron started guiding Morgan away. Fuego kept hold of Morgan's arm. "Morgan. We have things to do." Morgan merely smirked slightly at Fuego and continued away with the man. Fuego sat back down in his chair. Talking to himself he figured that Morgan was loose and just went with anyone that paid him any attention. He had tried to respect Morgan before because he thought he was truly classy, but now he realized Morgan just kissed anyone that came around. Fuego stirred the drink in his hand and made a vow to forget Morgan. Yet, his eyes constantly wavered over to the patron and Morgan. The way Morgan tossed his head and giggled at the comments the patron made. The way his long slender fingers felt through his luxurious hair. It was torture to Fuego to watch him give such attention to someone else. "Frank", what kind of a name was that. How could anyone be interested in someone named...FRANK. There was no sensuality in the name at all. He was surprised that someone named Frank even had the courage to come over to someone like Morgan. Now he, a FUEGO would definately go over and be able to seduce Morgan. He had already, hadn't he? Someone named Fuego wouldn't sit there like a loser while the most attractive man he'd ever seen in his lifetime talked to a Frank. Fuego rose from his seat and went over glass in hand. When he arrived at the couple, violet eyes and brown eyes looked at him. Frank raised a brow. "What? The lady doesn't want to speak to you." Fuego tossed the contents of his glass in Frank's face and decked him across the jaw. "First of all, Morgan is a boy. Secondly, I'm not going to sit around while you put your dirty hands all over the-" He paused and lifted his gaze from Frank's fallen figure to Morgan's face. "-the most beautiful person in the entire kingdom." |
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