Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Observing Trifles on 20-01-2010, 11:46:56</h2>
		<dl id="posts">
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>20-01-2010, 11:46:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Only two months ago, His Majesty, the King and the youngest of his three sons had perished at sea. Well-loved by his people, the kingdom still mourned him, all while waiting for their new king to take the throne. The customary mourning period in the kingdom of Laeos was three months; in one more month, four short weeks, one of the two remaining princes would ascend to take the crown. Ordinarily, that task would have immediately fallen to the eldest of the king's three sons, but given that he had failed to officially name the eldest as a successor, there now existed a problem. A very big problem.<br><br>One of the princes had to die.<br><br>Tradition dictated that in the rare occurrence a king had more than one child and did not name one as his successor, the heir would be decided based upon the willingness of one prince (or princess) to take the lives of his siblings by means of a red velvet rope locked away in the castle's holdings. It was a brutal tradition, but rarely did it ever present itself as an option. Wise as the late King Jules had been, he had also been quite indecisive, and for his shortcomings, his two eldest sons would pay the price.<br><br>So far, it was King Jules' second son, Prince Calyx, that paid the most dearly for his late father's mistake. Bold, intelligent, and knowledgeable in the field of politics, Calyx had long desired to take over the throne upon his father's passing. Ever since his childhood, he had dreamed of wearing the king's robes, but upon reaching adolescence, he realized how futile that dream really was. His elder brother, the first-born son of King Jules, was by far more well-liked than Calyx himself. Strong, agile, and deadly with a sword, he was everything that Calyx - a mage and an introvert - was not and as such, he was more likely to ascend to the kingship.<br><br>Queen Astrid was making sure of that.<br><br>The queen had long known of her second son's longing for the world of politics; however, she saw him as a threat. Calyx was, while fairly young in the eyes of the court (only twenty-two), bright and well-learned in the ways of politics, which meant that she could not control him if he became king. Her firstborn was a different story, as he was less interested in the throne and more easily manipulated. Long had she tried to bring her husband around to see that their eldest son was the best choice as his successor, but she had failed and now, she had to pick up the slack.<br><br>Iron dust hindered a mage's ability to wield magic. Beginning exactly four weeks after her husband's death and continuing over the course of four more, she had slipped small doses of iron dust into his food. Bit by bit, the doses of poison had stripped Calyx of his magical capabilities until finally, the prince was unable to perform even the slightest of tasks. Now, two months after the passing of his father and his younger brother, Calyx was not only unable to wield magic, but he was also gravely ill. The iron dust had woven into his system to such a degree that he suffered constant migraines, endless muscle pain, and physical weakness. Growing frustrated, Calyx lashed out quite frequently, which frightened the servants and rendered him utterly alone.<br><br>Queen Astrid used those fits of anger to her advantage and in no time at all, she had the entire household convinced that Prince Calyx had gone mad with grief and was a danger to himself and to others. Under that pretense, during a cold, lonely winter night, the castle guards pulled Calyx from his bed and by the time he regained his bearings, he was underground in the ghastly castle dungeons, shackled to the floor like a common criminal with barely enough room to stretch his aching muscles.<br><br>So convinced that his elder brother had resigned him to this contemptible fate to secure the throne, Calyx quickly fell into despair. He had thought that he shared a bond with his brother, he had thought they were so close... What was more, he had also convinced himself that it was his brother who had put him here. There was no other explanation. Soon, his brother would come for his life. Calyx just knew it.<br><br>Tired, starving, sick, and miserable, Calyx curled up in the thin, dirty bedding provided for him by the dungeon master. No longer was he the proud, elegant creature he had been a month ago. Dirt rendered his once-lustrous raven mane greasy and filthy, his pale skin stained with grime and minute traces of blood from his minor cuts and scrapes, and his blue eyes, once gleaming, were dull and listless. He had spent the past two weeks rotting away in his cell and with each passing day, he lost a little more of his self-respect and his dignity. At the very least, he mused bitterly, his brother could have done him the courtesy of ending his suffering...<br><br>With one of her handmaidens trailing close behind bearing the red rope on a black satin pillow, the tall, buxom blond queen sought out her eldest son in his chamber.<br><br>"Calyx has lost his mind to his grief, my son," she told him, feigning sympathy. "Two weeks is too long to prolong his suffering." She beckoned her handmaiden over; the girl promptly stepped forward, kneeling before Calyx to present him with the rope.<br><br>"You must end it," the queen pressed as she laid a hand to her eldest son's shoulder. "For your brother's own good, you must end it."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>30-01-2010, 00:00:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Nightmares had plagued his sleep for the first month after the kingdom had learned of the king's death at sea. His Majesty had been beloved by everyone and would be sorely missed, the most by Rykar, his eldest son who still mourned for his father's death even though two full months had passed. Darius had perished as well but for some reason Rykar wasn't as upset as he probably should have been regarding his youngest brother. He had never really been close to Darius. Not like he was with Calyx. Unfortunately, since the king had not officially named a successor, the kingdom had resorted to the old tradition of picking an heir through barbaric means. Rykar would have given up the throne to Calyx if he had a choice but Queen Astrid and the others would not allow it, they were determined to go through the Red Velvet Rope process. Therefore, Rykar resigned himself to being killed because there was no way in hell he could kill Calyx. Not because he wasn't skilled enough but because he was in love with his brother.<br><br>He could still recall the moment he had fallen for him. It was the time the king had told Calyx he needed to get some physical combat skills and sent him out to train with their arms-master. Calyx hadn't been able to do much of anything and had been ridiculed by the older seasoned man. He had dragged Calyx off to do some one-on-one private training out in the training field and for an entire year Calyx had trained under his watchful eye. Bit by bit Calyx had started to improve and finally began showing signs of being average in the class. But it was painfully obvious Calyx would never be a good fighter in this particular way. That was also when Calyx had started to turn towards the magical path which made Rykar feel nervous around him. It was when Calyx had started to focus more on magic than on fighting that Rykar had been forced to split from his brother because he felt uneasy when it came to magic. That had been ten years ago. During that time Rykar had managed to keep his feelings for Calyx hidden from everyone.<br><br>Everyone in the castle, including his brothers, only one person had figured it all out. His father. The late king. Perhaps that was why King Jules had hesitated upon naming his successor officially. Maybe he had known Rykar did not have any interest in taking over the throne but Calyx had a desire to. If that had been true, it was possible the king might have been trying to persuade Rykar to accept the responsibility and had simply run out of time. Whatever the case, the fact remained that Rykar was in love with Calyx and didn't have it in him to kill his brother. Everyone knew Rykar feared all things magical, he was known to have said magic was unnatural and he believed fighters should not rely on magic but on their own physical skills in combat which they had complete control over. If magic got out of hand a person could end up destroying an entire town, village, city or country depending on how powerful the spell happened to be. If a fighter got out of hand they could only kill as many people who surrounded him.<br><br>There was no way they could wipe out hundreds of people in one blow. It was safer. Yet despite all this, Rykar still kept a careful eye on Calyx to make sure no one messed with his brother. So when he heard reports of Calyx lashing out at people he grew worried and concerned. However, he kept his distance from Calyx since he was certain his brother would eventually try and kill him and he didn't want to court death. Rykar liked living but he knew eventually his time would run out and he would need to either kill his brother or let his brother kill him and that was not a choice at all. There was no way he would raise a hand towards Calyx. He couldn't do it. So as time passed, Rykar locked himself in his room and wouldn't come out except for bathroom breaks and food. The only things he did in his room were mourn for his late father, lament the tradition which pitted him and Calyx against each other, think about the future and what he could do and play the piano. Playing the piano and making beautiful music was the only thing that let him relax.<br><br>It also helped clear his mind. If he hadn't had that he probably would have gone crazy a long time ago, just like Calyx. Rykar looked up from his soft cushioned bed as a knock sounded on the door and it was pushed open by his mother who entered with her handmaiden. He saw the red velvet rope upon the black satin pillow and turned his head away, closing his eyes. "I do not want to see that rope, mother. I cannot take my brother's life. I have told you this time and time again. Leave me to my suffering..." Rykar said softly as a sigh escaped his lips, wondering how long it would take until his mother realized she could not persuade him to take the throne in such a way. His crystal blue eyes shot open when the queen told him Calyx had lost his mind due to grief and his brow furrowed. "His condition has gotten worse?" Rykar inquired, a stray strand of long white hair falling into his face as he turned his head to look over at his mother, concern in his eyes for such an update did not sound good to him at all.<br><br>He had not always had white hair, in fact when his father had been alive and before he had fallen in love with Calyx it had been a soft brown color, a combination of his father's dark hair and his mother's blond hair. Due to the stress of keeping his love a secret from everyone, to try and please the kingdom and its affiliations and at the same time attempt to increase his fighting strength, his hair had turned from its natural soft brown to a pure snowy white. He had passed it off as stress having to deal with politics and the problems the kingdom had been facing at the time and it had seemed to work fairly well. No one had brought up the matter again after his explanation so he assumed it was a closed matter. Rykar shook his head when the queen told him to take the red velvet rope from its cushion and do his duty as the heir to the throne. He didn't want to do this, he had told her he wouldn't. But if Calyx was suffering...shouldn't he do the humane thing and end his life before he suffered a heart attack or caused harm to himself or others?<br><br>"Let me talk to him first. See how bad he is. If I think he should be put out of his misery I will do the deed myself. But only if I think he is a lost cause. You will abide by my decision, yes?" He asked his mother and let his blue eyes linger on the queen for a moment and then stood up to sweep the red velvet rope off the cushion, stuffing it haphazardly into his pocket as he walked out of the room and opened the door to his room, closing it behind him with a soft click. Rykar made his way down to the dungeons where Calyx was said to be found and descended the stairs one by one, hands stuffed into his pockets. Seeing a form lying in the first cell he came across, Rykar almost passed by it. The man inside seemed barely living and he didn't recognize Calyx at all but as he was about to pass by the cell he froze and his eyes widened. "Calyx?" He exclaimed, returning to the cell as he peered through the bars, eyes narrowing as he tried to make out the man's features. Surely this couldn't be his brother?! This wasn't Calyx.<br><br>It couldn't be. His brother was proud and strong, not lifeless like this. "What happened to you? Get a grip on yourself. If you don't shape up you'll be here forever." Rykar murmured, his crystal blue eyes showing the concern he felt for Calyx. Something was seriously wrong and he wanted to know what.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>30-01-2010, 17:52:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She didn't show any outward signs of it, but Queen Astrid was very pleased indeed with Rykar's response. True, he had stated that he would only end Calyx's life if he was, as Rykar had said, a lost cause, but in the queen's mind, he was. Whether or not Calyx was still showing symptoms of madness, he was still very ill - another few weeks of poison and he would surely die. With any luck, Rykar would see that and the matter would close. If not...<br><br>Well, the queen didn't believe it would come to that. She watched with sharp eyes as her eldest son took his leave with the rope, a calm veneer masking a victorious grin.<br><br>Queen Astrid already believed that she had won.<br><br>-----<br><br>Calyx had lost count of the days he had spent in confinement. But then, it wasn't as though he had a means to actually count in the first place. The dungeons were too far down to allow for a window and he was generally too delirious with pain and dizziness to gauge the days by the amount of meals brought into his cell.<br><br>So far gone was Calyx's perception that he failed to notice Rykar standing outside of his cell for a good long while. The functioning part of his brain told him that his brother was there, just out of reach, but the rest of him lagged so far behind that he couldn't comprehend it. Then, finally, the same blue eyes that he shared with Rykar flickered up, hindered by darkness and severe unrest.<br><br>First, he felt relief.<br><br>Then, he felt anger.<br><br>Rykar had put him here, he knew it.<br><br>"Have... you come to taunt me, brother?" he muttered, his tone icy and thoroughly fatigued. He thought to stand and approach the bars, but two things held him back: the exhaustion that wracked his bones and the shackles that bound him to the stone floor. There he stayed, tangled in old sheets barely suitable for barn scrap and now used to house a prince.<br><br>With his head lulling sidelong, Calyx closed his eyes, unable to look at Rykar directly. "You have it... don't you? The rope... I know you do..." Calyx's mindset was simple. His elder brother had poisoned him to the point of weakness and had finally come to kill him in his deteriorated state. Much as the thought angered him, he couldn't bear living as he was any longer. Anything, even death, was better than this.<br><br>"Hurry," he muttered then, coughing, his head caught in a spin. "Get it over with."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>11-02-2010, 23:55:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It was obvious something was wrong with Calyx and he felt a sense of nausea sweep over him at the sight of his brother like this. He didn't want Calyx to suffer and yet he hadn't been able to make himself kill the male either which in turn made him waver in uncertainty. If the Queen was right and Calyx had fallen into an incurable madness, the least Rykar wanted to do was confess his forbidden love for his brother before he took his life. That is if he was even capable of committing such an act.<br><br>The young man's words sent a pain through his chest and he came closer to the cell, grasping the bars as he leaned forward, seeking to look into Calyx's eyes once more. He wanted to see sanity return to his brother, the man he loved and had for years on end now without fail.<br><br>"Why would I do something like that to someone I have come to love in a way I should not have? Were my words and actions lost on you? Did you truly not see how I felt about you all these years? Was I that good an actor?" Rykar exclaimed, his voice breaking a bit as tears filled his eyes.<br><br>He wanted Calyx to know about his love and if that was not enough to break him out of his madness, he didn't know if he could go through with what everyone expected. Could he really strangle Calyx with the red velvet rope? Rykar had told the Queen he would do so but he wasn't entirely sure if he could keep that promise.<br><br>"Calyx. Please don't lose yourself to grief, I'm still here. You can go on with me. Don't waste away here." He pleaded with his brother, wanting him to become healthy and sane once more. The shackles were a bit much and he wondered what exactly Calyx had done to make the guards go to such lengths as to keep him locked up in this manner.<br><br>Had he become violent? But really how could the castle treat a prince this way? This was how they treated criminals, not royalty!<br><br>Rykar paled a bit when his brother asked about the rope and he nodded, not wanting to lie to Calyx but shook his head wildly when his brother told him to hurry and kill him. "No! I cannot kill you, don't you understand? I love you!" He exclaimed, a few tears escaping his eyes and he bit his lip once the confession had escaped him and strands of white hair fell into his eyes, shielding his face from view as he stared at the ground. Would Calyx be disgusted with him? Loving your own brother...it wasn't accepted.<br><br>The tradition of choosing an heir was barbaric and Rykar wondered who had invented it and why they had allowed it to continue for so long. Why had his father not chosen Calyx earlier? Had there been a reason? Or was it simply bad luck? Whatever the cause they had to deal with it now and find a way to conclude matters.<br><br>His grip on the bars tightened and he couldn't look at his brother as more white strands fell over his face, covering it from view. Rykar hadn't thought it would be that difficult to confess but it seemed as though it was worse once having confessed since it meant he had to reap the consequences of finding out how Calyx felt.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>14-02-2010, 09:04:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				For a moment there, Calyx supposed that he truly had gone mad as a result of the frequent poisonings he received, because for the briefest of moments, he could have sworn that he heard his brother - his only remaining sibling - professing love for him. Perhaps he meant brotherly love, but no... the look on his face, the tone of his voice did not correspond with a brother's grief but that of a man coping with unrequited love. At this realization, Calyx's eyes went wide and although he could not find it in him to budge, his listless expression easily betrayed his shock.<br><br>How could he have overlooked Rykar's feelings for him all these years? Indeed, his elder brother truly was a fantastic actor... To have shielded something of that caliber for so long, one would have to be spectacularly well-trained in hiding one's emotions. Calyx was good at that too, but clearly, not as good as Rykar.<br><br>Rykar was better at everything. Everyone loved him, everyone wanted him as their king. Truth be told, Calyx was endlessly jealous in that respect. To find out that that same man, the king-to-be, harbored such emotion for him made Calyx's stomach do a backflip. It was wrong, he knew it was wrong... They were siblings. It was just so wrong.<br><br>But that wasn't his main concern at the moment. His main concern was that rope, the one that he knew Rykar had on him somewhere.<br><br>Slowly, Calyx began pushing up on his shaky arms, his limbs weak from malnourishment and lingering poison. He fell on his first attempt, but on his second, he managed to sit upright. His chains, however, made it impossible to move very far from the wall, tightened so that whenever the door to his cell was open, he could not reach it, nor the person or people who came inside.<br><br>Directing his dull eyes to his brother, Calyx dropped back against the dirty dungeon wall, his bones aching from the utter strain. "Then why put me here?" he ventured, his tone quiet but holding firm. "If you loved me as you claim, I would not be rotting away in what is soon to be your dungeon. This was your intention, was it not? To weaken me before you came for my life? You had no need, brother, you are far stronger than I..."<br><br>Calyx began to cough; a side effect of the enormous stress he was under. He covered his mouth with his sleeve, but his clothing was dusty and caused him to hack even harder. It hurt to breathe, let alone cough like this. The poison had worked so far into his system that only a serious dose of detox would cure him. Any more of this and he would surely waste away to nothing.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>03-03-2010, 18:02:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype;" class="bbc_font"><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size">He dared to look up and see the expression on his brother's face, perhaps Calyx shared his feelings? But when he saw the obvious shock on Calyx's face he regretted it and his pale blue eyes flickered away from his younger brother. "You hate me." He murmured, not needing Calyx to inform him of that particular fact. Why had he thought things might be different, that perhaps Calyx might confess that he felt the same way? It was a pipedream. Something which would never come true, no matter how much he wished for it. Calyx wasn't like that, Rykar knew this and yet he had dared to hope otherwise. Calyx's reaction was the one he had expected.<br><br>But hoped he wouldn't see. The sight of his brother's body wasting away into nothing pained him and Rykar watched as Calyx attempted to sit up. Why had he let himself get like this? Why had he not fought against his mental instability? How had Rykar not seen this? Could it be he had been too upset over their father's death that he hadn't even picked up on Calyx's pain? It was something he felt rather guilty about. Most would not unlock the cell door but he knew his brother and was sure Calyx would not hurt him. Not until he had made his point anyway. Calyx was always good at taking control of things and Rykar admired that about him.<br><br>He could remember when they had been sent on a mission to guide some important travelers back to their home country. Along the way they had run into some bandits and Rykar had frozen when it became apparent they were going to have to kill the bandits. Calyx had taken control and started killing them, knocking Rykar out of the way when a bandit had come after him in his frozen state. After that, Rykar had broken out of his paralyzed state and began to copy his brother's actions. The mission had been a success. He unlocked the cell door and made his way over to where Calyx rested, steeling himself for what was to come next.<br><br>Rykar had already planned it out in his mind and he hoped it would work, that Calyx would cooperate with him. It was the only way to get rid of this pain he felt. His brow furrowed when Calyx spoke, accusing him of putting him in this dungeon. Why would his brother think something like that? Had he completely lost his mind? Calyx knew him and Rykar would never do something as underhanded as that. If he had really wanted to fight him, he would have done so honorably. He would have come at him with his sword and Calyx would have come at him with his magic and they would have a fair fight. Or at least as fair as one could expect.<br><br>Magic usually ended up winning over physical strength since it had the advantage. The only time weapons usually won was when they were imbued with a magical strength or quality but Rykar feared all kinds of magic and would not even consider using anything, especially on his sword. "What are you talking about? I wasn't the one who put you here. Mother said you lost your mind to grief and that she had put you here as a last resort. To stop you from attacking the staff." Rykar explained, wondering if Calyx's mind was even further gone than he had originally anticipated. Perhaps it wasn't such a good idea to carry through with his plan.<br><br>Especially not if the fate of the kingdom rested upon his mentally unstable brother but despite this, he still had faith in Calyx. Best carry on before he had second thoughts. Rykar unlocked the cuffs around his brother's wrists and ankles and then withdrew the red velvet rope from his pocket, producing it before Calyx and then held it up to the other male. "Please put me out of my misery, brother. I cannot take your life and one of us must do this or else the entire kingdom will fall." Rykar said as he knelt down before Calyx, waiting for the younger male to take the rope from his hands and wrap it around his throat, strangling him and thus ending his life.</span></span>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>13-03-2010, 06:56:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I don't hate you."<br><br>How could he possibly hate his elder brother? Calyx was angry, yes - and oh, was he angry - but hating Rykar was completely out of the question. He adored his brother in his own way and always had; even this enormous betrayal was not enough to dissuade him from that.<br><br>Yet, why did Rykar even care? He had put him in this position! It was because of him that Calyx was rotting away in a dungeon, waiting to die a horrendously painful death. So really, why did Rykar care whether or not he hated him? None of this made sense to Calyx anymore. Maybe they were all right about him. Maybe he really had gone mad.<br><br>He must have been mad, for soon, he saw Rykar entering his cell, and rather than strangle him as he might have, he began to unlock his binds. Stunned, Calyx fell silent and still, his dull blue eyes blinking up at his brother in disbelief as Rykar asked for death. Yes, he must have been mad. He must have been, for why else would Rykar go through all this trouble locking him away only to trudge down to the bowels of the castle and request to be killed?<br><br>This made no sense at all...<br><br>"Rykar..."<br><br>Coughing still, Calyx tried to sit upright, his body trembling with weakness and his heart quite heavy. He had to kill Rykar, didn't he? One of them had to die for the throne. That was how the system worked. But how could he...? Especially considering how fishy his situation was currently, Calyx knew that killing his brother was out of the question. More so than it had been before.<br><br>He needed answers first.<br><br>"I cannot kill you," he mumbled, fidgeting uncomfortably in his dirty clothing and rubbing at a sore wrist with the opposing hand. "You are my brother. I care for you too deeply. But..." He looked away, out of his cell and up the stony spiral staircase.<br><br>"If you did not put me here... then why...? Why am I here, Rykar...?" He looked to his brother once more, delirium taking over and rendering him utterly frantic. "Why? I've been left here to die, you hear me?!" Calyx cringed into himself, suddenly feeling violently ill thanks to his outburst. "I can't... can't even think anymore... Rykar... Why did they put me here?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>23-03-2010, 01:32:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype;" class="bbc_font"><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size">He thought he was dreaming, why else would his brother tell him he didn't hate him? Rykar slowly looked up, strands of white hair parting to reveal his face and pale blue eyes. No, it was real. But why? Could it be Calyx actually returned his feelings but had been in shock earlier? Of course not. He might not <em>hate</em> him but he wouldn't <em>love</em> him either, or else he would have said something regarding that. Rykar sighed to himself but took comfort in the fact that Calyx hadn't disowned him.<br><br>Incest was not something looked upon as acceptable and Rykar knew this and yet he couldn't help himself. He loved Calyx and he couldn't get rid of his feelings. When Calyx told him he couldn't kill him, Rykar lowered his head again, staring at the dirty cell floor where his brother was being kept. "They are waiting for a decision to be made. One of us must die soon or else they will force us to do it against our will. It is tradition and we cannot go against it. It is set in stone."<br><br>"You know this just as well as I do." Rykar reminded Calyx and bit his bottom lip, wanting this part to be over with as soon as possible. "For the good of the country, you must kill me and take your place on the throne." He told his little brother and his brow furrowed when Calyx looked up the stony spiral staircase and spoke of his confusion. "I told you, mother put you here because she was concerned about you attacking the rest of the staff." Rykar said again, hoping he would hear him.<br><br>Perhaps he hadn't heard him the first time. When Calyx lost his calm briefly, although a lesser man might have flinched, cringed or backed away from Calyx, the white haired male did none of these things. He remained calm and reached out to put his hand on Calyx's shoulder, surging upward a bit to wrap his arms around his brother, holding him in a tight embrace as his head rested on Calyx's other shoulder. "I've come to save you, Calyx. Tell me, what can I do to help you?"<br><br>Rykar asked as he held his brother close, wanting more than anything to kiss him but he didn't want to ruin this moment. What if Calyx reacted violently? He didn't think he could bear rejection of that sort, not right now anyway. All he could do was try and make things easier for Calyx.</span></span>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>02-04-2010, 13:04:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Calyx kept expecting Rykar to pull away from him. It would have made more sense. Everyone else was terrified of him; the butlers, the scullery maids, the cooks. Everyone. Even the guards were unnerved by him these days, albeit they did their best not to lose face, particularly in front of the royal family. But the truth was that everyone believed Calyx to be utterly mad - all but his mother. And as it turned out, she was the one who had thrown him into this hellhole. What a loving gesture from such a loving mother...<br><br>Turning his gaze back up to Rykar, who despite everything had taken to embracing him, Calyx couldn't help wondering why he still stood by him. Did he genuinely love him, then? At least enough to refrain from abandoning him as everyone else had? It was plausible, he supposed... Yes... Maybe Rykar truly did love him. The thought was so foreign to Calyx that the reality of it had yet to settle in. Still, he did know of a way that Rykar could help him.<br><br>"If you want to help," Calyx murmured, his voice hoarse from the weeks of neglect, "then please... please get me out of here." He clutched at Rykar's sleeves, pulling himself impossibly closer, desperate for the warmth of another person. It occurred to him that Rykar might misconstrue this, that he might take this to mean that he felt love for him as well - but that didn't matter yet. Calyx was freezing; he needed to be close to him, just for his body heat. That was all.<br><br>"You're the favorite, Rykar," he whispered, closing his eyes to rest. He was just so tired... "People won't say anything if their future king makes an executive decision to free a prisoner, regardless of the circumstances... Please... Please, just take me to my room," he begged. "I can't stand another day of this hell, Rykar..."<br><br>No one would stop Rykar if he chose to comply with Calyx's wishes, but he would certainly raise a few eyebrows. Especially considering the fact that one of them was overdue to kill the other, the very idea of the both of them cooperating to find an alternative was so foreign that it was almost insane. But Calyx didn't care. Rykar didn't seem intent on killing him and he was certainly not intent on killing Rykar. They could work it out. But to do that, Calyx needed his brother to nurse him back to health.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>20-04-2010, 16:16:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype;" class="bbc_font"><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size">Despite himself, he enjoyed being here with his brother. It was wrong of him to feel that way but at the moment, all Rykar wanted to do was cling to Calyx for as long as he could. The warmth of the other male reassured him that Calyx was still alive and at least somewhat healthy. If he'd been sick he would have felt hot or cold, not warm like he did right now. There was a scent that clung to Calyx of dirt and unwashed body odor but at the same time, Rykar could faintly smell cinnamon and spice beneath the layers. It was what Calyx had always smelled like to him and he would know since he'd taken to snatching every opportunity to subtly smell his brother.<br><br>At least in the past...and apparently he'd been successful in his attempts. No one had noticed his actions. He heard Calyx speak in a voice that pained him, his brother needed water and nourishment or he might really die even if he did manage to save him from the neglect he'd suffered in the dungeons. Rykar couldn't let that happen, not while he was still alive. When Calyx clutched his sleeves, pulling him closer, his heart began to pound impossibly fast and he forgot to breathe. But then a frown came to his face as he came into contact with Calyx's skin. He was freezing! How could he have made such a mistake earlier? Calyx had seemed warm, not cold!<br><br>But if this was true, and it seemed as though it was, he couldn't deny the coldness that seeped in through his clothing, then he had to get Calyx out of here as quickly as possible and warm him up as best he could. The queen would not allow it since she had been the one to put him here and the servants might report to her or other officials, so Rykar was going to have to do this himself. He knew it wouldn't be long before word got out, keeping a secret this big was impossible but if he could simply get to his room before the queen or anyone else found out he might be able to put his brother on the road to recovery. Something he <em>had</em> to do.<br><br>Even if Calyx was taken back to the dungeons later, at least he wouldn't be in danger of dying and that was all that mattered to him. If he had time, Rykar was sure he would be able to convince the others that Calyx was not mad, after he'd gotten the story from his brother. But first he needed to make sure Calyx would be able to survive. "Let's get you out of here." He murmured, not telling Calyx there was a very good chance he'd be seeing the dungeons sometime soon. There wasn't a point to saying something as negative as that, after all maybe the queen would understand if Rykar explained it to her. Right now, he simply wanted to get his brother out.<br><br>"I can't take you to your room. Mother already gave it to her favorite lady-in-waiting. But I'll take you to my room. She can't enter there without my permission and even if she did I have a lock on my side to keep her out for a bit." He said, his lips twitching into a wry smile. "You need a warm bath to take the cold away." Rykar picked up his brother and carried him out of the cell in his arms as he made his way up the spiraling staircase and out into the main portion of the castle. He avoided the main hallways and took the back ones as he made his way up to his room and fortunately no one saw them, or at least he didn't think they had.<br><br>Rykar opened the door to his room and closed it with his leg behind him as he made his way to the bathroom and started to run a warm bath for Calyx. Once it was done he helped his younger brother undress and tried not to think about Calyx's naked body although it was hard for him to do so. This was important though and he concentrated on the importance rather than the sexual content. Once he'd helped Calyx into the bath, he sat on the toilet as he waited to make sure the other wouldn't pass out and drown in the tub. Perhaps he should stay in the room until Calyx was done. That would be the most logical thing to do right now.<br><br>It wasn't as though he needed to be elsewhere. "Does it feel good?" He inquired as he gazed at his brother, forcing his gaze to remain above water.</span></span>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>28-04-2010, 00:16:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				While Calyx was visibly relieved that Rykar was going to take him away from the dungeons, he was nonetheless perturbed at the thought that their mother had already given away his bedroom. Why had she done that...? Did she think so little of her second son that she gave his room away to her <em>servant</em>? Such a thing was unheard of - and somewhat suspicious, but Calyx had yet to pick up on that. He was too sick, too tired, and too overwhelmed with his ordeal... Rykar was right. He needed a bath. And then he needed to sleep.<br><br>Calyx all but blacked out when his older brother picked him up, rendered dead weight in Rykar's arms all the way up the stairs, through the back hallways, and into his luxurious bedroom. He didn't budge, barely even breathed. The second prince was not as close to death as he looked, but he was certainly getting there, and it showed in the languid way he helped Rykar to undress him, and the way he slumped the moment his skin touched the warm bathwater.<br><br>"Mn..." It did feel good. The clean water on his dirty skin was heavenly, but Calyx was far too tired to tell Rykar so. The weeks spent in the dungeon had long since begun to show on his face, in the color of his skin, and even in the hue of his eyes. The psychological damage had yet to manifest, mostly because he had mentally checked out quite a while ago, but there was no denying that it <em>would</em> manifest. It was only a matter of time.<br><br>But again, he was just too tired to bother.<br><br>Tiredly murmuring Rykar's name, Calyx opened his eyes, the dull irises half-lidded and seeking out his older brother in a thick haze. Now that he had finally left the dungeons, he had quite a bit of adjusting to do - namely to the light. There were no windows in the lowermost level of the palace. Despite his fatigue, Calyx managed to smile a little at Rykar before he dropped his head back to the porcelain wall of the bathtub, sighing with what seemed to be content.<br><br>"Thank you."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>07-06-2010, 17:25:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				”You’re the favorite, Rykar. People won’t say anything if their future king makes an executive decision to free a prisoner, regardless of the circumstances.” He thought about those words and wondered if such a thing would really work. Would they accept it if he freed Calyx from the dungeons officially? Or was such a thing too much to ask for? No, if he really was their future ruler he should be able to make decisions on his own regardless of whether it was liked by others.<br><br>In truth, the queen had given the room to her lady-in-waiting but only in a temporary sense. She would be using it to house guests who came to stay at the castle as well as storage for some of her trinkets. Obviously it wouldn’t be given fully to her servant because what servant would need such a large room? Rykar’s pale blue eyes strayed to the surface of the water and he felt a blush heating his cheeks immediately as he wrenched himself away from the sight. No, he couldn’t stare at his own brother’s body.<br><br>Calyx really didn’t look good even though the hot waters were helping him. Rykar was very worried about his brother’s health and bit his bottom lip as he watched Calyx relax in the waters. It might be dangerous to leave the other here without supervision. What if the young man accidentally drowned? His heart skipped a beat when he heard Calyx call out his name softly as though he wanted him by his side.<br><br>Rykar moved forward, almost in a trance and before he could stop himself he leaned towards his brother and let his lips press gently against Calyx’s. It was a brief kiss but definitely a kiss. A few moments later he realized what he was doing and pulled away instantly afterward, his cheeks coloring a bright red as his heart rate sped up. “I-I’m sorry!” He exclaimed, shaking his head and then dashed for the door, quickly escaping before Calyx had time to yell at him.<br><br>The white haired male didn’t go too far though because he was still worried about Calyx’s safety. If his brother needed him, he would still be able to hear his cry for help if such a thing occurred. But he couldn’t face him again so soon after doing such an embarrassing thing. What would Calyx think of him now? He shouldn’t have done something like that and yet he couldn’t help but think back on the kiss he had stolen from his brother. It had felt so nice… almost as though it was meant to be. He should face Calyx again, his brother probably needed him but he couldn’t make himself go back.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>10-06-2010, 11:38:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				So exhausted from his ordeal, Calyx was barely even conscious. It was a wonder that he hadn't blacked out, slipped beneath the water, and drowned. Chances were that he might have, had Rykar not been there to keep his attention. The past few weeks had been hell and Rykar offered him a refreshing change of pace. Despite what he had admitted to him down in the dungeon... Calyx wasn't nearly strong enough to wrap his head around any of that. About the idea that Rykar was in love with him. It just hadn't registered yet.<br><br>Ah, but it certainly began to register when Rykar leaned in to kiss him.<br><br>It had been only a peck, a mere brush of his brother's lips to his own, but Calyx felt it nonetheless. Moreover, he sensed the sentiment behind it and, for a moment, he knew not how to react. He wasn't sure if he was supposed to be disgusted, intrigued or... he didn't know what. Besides that, Calyx was too tired to pull away, whether or not he may have wanted to (and he wasn't sure of what he wanted just yet). All he knew was that Rykar's feelings for him were not feelings that one brother was supposed to have for another. So it was really no surprise to him that when Rykar pulled away, he tried to leave. That wouldn't do at all.<br><br>"Rykar," Calyx called weakly, his voice straining with effort. "Rykar... Wait..." Swallowing back, Calyx's dull eyes peered out the doorway, seeking the retreating form of his older brother. He didn't want him to go. More than that, Rykar simply couldn't leave him alone as he was, even if things were a little uncomfortable. Oh, and they were. Things between them were strange, very strange indeed, and Calyx wasn't sure what to make of it yet. He needed a good rest before he contemplated all that... incest business.<br><br>"Please, don't think you have to leave because of that," he stressed, sinking a bit deeper into the water and closing his eyes, far too tired to keep them open. "It's... It's alright, really..." Again, if he was supposed to react any differently, he simply didn't have the mind to at that moment. Whether or not he would gain the mind to was up for debate, unfortunately for Rykar.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>10-06-2010, 23:42:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He heard the sound of his brother calling his name but he couldn't stop. No, he was too mortified to halt even if Calyx wasn't going to yell at him. Once he had placed the door between him and Calyx he was able to calm down a bit though and slid down the wood as he tried to catch his breath. He could hear perfectly and bit his lip when his brother told him he didn't have to leave the room because of what he had done. What did that mean? Could he possibly be accepting Rykar's love for him?<br><br>It was almost too much to hope for. He pushed the door open slightly and crawled inside, shutting it behind him as he sat there against the door, forcing himself not to run away again. Calyx was being mature about this all and Rykar knew he had to give it his best shot too. It wasn't every day he confessed a love he shouldn't feel for his brother. They had to talk about it. But he was finding it difficult to breathe. "I love you." Rykar said in a low voice, almost inaudible as he stared at the floor.<br><br>His long white hair cascaded over his shoulders and into his face as he bit his bottom lip once more. "Do you-Do you love me?" He inquired, knowing he shouldn't be asking this of Calyx, not when his brother was in such a state but he couldn't help himself. If Calyx responded that he did, Rykar would do anything for him, even if it was destroying the kingdom, as long as it meant they would be together forever. His love knew no bounds but that was something no one but Rykar himself knew.<br><br>Now that he had confessed it seemed he was determined to see it through unless Calyx cast him aside. "What can I do to make you feel better?" He asked, waiting to see if Calyx knew how to cure himself from whatever madness he was suffering from or had been. Rykar wanted to do all he could to help his brother out. It was around this time that he heard a knock on the door but he ignored it, knowing it couldn't be anything helpful. It was most likely the queen or a servant and he didn't care to see either.<br><br>The only thing that was important was Calyx and he would devote everything he was to helping nurse him back to health, no matter what anyone said.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>19-06-2010, 10:18:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It seemed for a time that Rykar was set on leaving. Calyx couldn't blame him. All of a sudden, with Rykar's love for him on the table, things were... different. Not bad, but different. Things weren't quite awkward yet, but they were certainly nearing a slightly uncomfortable stage, and quite honestly, Calyx wasn't sure how to handle it. How did one handle it when one's own brother confessed such a thing? Romantic love between brothers was... not normal. Yet, that wasn't what bothered Calyx the most. What bothered him was that he had never known and now that he did, he had no idea how to react.<br><br>An unfamiliar sensation of helplessness swept over the younger prince then as Rykar asked if he loved him in return. Of course he loved him - but as a brother. He had never seen him in a romantic light before, never even gave it a single thought. Calyx almost felt bad for not reciprocating his brother's feelings exactly, even though it wasn't really his fault. He felt even worse knowing that he couldn't say yes. Lying to Rykar wouldn't help, wouldn't solve anything, wouldn't make things easier to handle. So he said nothing, hoping that Rykar would understand.<br><br>Looking briefly to the door when he heard a knock at Rykar's chamber, Calyx waited a beat to see if he would answer it. For a moment, he panicked; what if someone came in and saw him there? The queen would throw him back into the dungeon for sure... No. That was irrational. She couldn't throw him back into the dungeon if Rykar said no. She wanted Rykar to be king so badly, she would have to let him make those decisions. Knowing that, however, did not still Calyx's racing heartbeat.<br><br>At last contemplating Rykar's second inquiry, Calyx looked away, tired, dipping his head back into the water to wet his dirty hair. He felt disgusting - he could only imagine the filthy tinge that the bathwater had taken after washing through his long mane. Running a hand lazily through the slightly coarse strands, Calyx looked to his brother once more. "You can bring me some food," he replied. "I'm starving. After they imprisoned me, they didn't give me much, and what they did give me tasted horrible..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>23-06-2010, 00:29:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center">(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v376/nemaatkd/headerpost.png)<br><br>Perhaps he shouldn't have hid his feelings for Calyx all these years, maybe he should have given him subtle hints. But then what if an awkwardness developed between them? He hadn't wanted that. When Calyx didn't respond to his question he wasn't surprised and didn't hold it against him, after all it was an important answer to give. Not to mention the fact that Calyx probably hadn't expected something like this to be revealed to him. Rykar saw the youngest prince's eyes flicker to the door when the knock was heard.<br><br>He wondered what was going through his brother's mind right now. Him or the unknown person on the other side of the door. Probably the latter even though he would have liked it to be the former. He sighed to himself and stood staring down at Calyx for a moment. "What do you want to eat?" Rykar asked as he took note of the dirty bathwater and wondered if he should have helped the other shower instead. "I need to get the door but when I get back I'll change the bathwater for you and order some food."<br><br>The oldest prince told his brother and opened the door to the bathroom, closing it behind him as he made his way over to the front door of his chambers. He pulled the door open and looked outside to see a servant standing there looking somewhat petrified. "Yes? What is it?" Rykar asked as he looked down at the boy and the servant informed him that the queen wanted to know if he had taken Calyx out of the dungeon and if so why he had done such a thing. The white haired male's brow furrowed, he had many questions.<br><br>For his mother, mainly regarding Calyx's imprisonment and the fact that she had not come here herself was suspicious. "Why did she not come herself?" He questioned the servant, wanting to know what was going on with the queen.<br><br>(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v376/nemaatkd/headerpost.png)</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>26-06-2010, 12:07:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Asked what he wanted to eat, Calyx took a moment, drifting quiet as he contemplated the matter. He knew what he wanted to eat - anything and everything he could get his hands on. As long as it was at least semi-edible, he wasn't going to complain. The real question was what he <em>could</em> eat. He still felt terribly sick to his stomach in general, ready to pitch a fit of nausea any second, and he wasn't sure what he could keep down. The thought of eating his fill only to vomit a minute or two later didn't much appeal to him. Not at all.<br><br>"Something light," he said at last, dropping the back of his head to the rim of the bathtub and parting his lips in a soft sigh. "Soup, maybe... And a plate of fruit. That should be okay." At least, he hoped so. Because if he didn't get some food into his stomach, food that didn't taste like sawdust (which was basically all he got in the dungeon), he knew that he would pass out and likely never wake up from it. That wouldn't do...<br><br>Due to his fatigue, Calyx barely noticed as Rykar stepped out of the room, blissfully ignorant and in his own little world again. He was tired, so very tired... A little sleep wouldn't kill him, he decided, and with that, he closed his eyes to rest, his hands firmly gripping the walls of the tub, just to make sure that he didn't slip beneath the surface of the water and drown.<br><br>Meanwhile, the servant standing outside the door began recanting the source of the queen's irritation. She knew that someone had taken Calyx from his cell; the guards had informed her shortly after Rykar had absconded with him. The question was why. She wasn't happy. Her excuse was that Calyx was a danger to himself and to others, and therefore not fit to leave the safety of his cell. The servant was by no means happy to repeat any of that to Rykar, but he had no choice.<br><br>"Her Majesty has other matters to attend to," said the servant, worried that Rykar would grow angry with him. "She is greatly disturbed that someone took Prince Calyx from his cell... She also said that Your Highness was the only one authorized to make such a call..." Clearing his throat and willing away the unease, he continued, "As I said, Her Majesty is busy, but she would like to speak with you tomorrow morning, Your Highness."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>28-06-2010, 01:13:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center">(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v376/nemaatkd/headerpost.png)<br><br>Rykar thought about what food could be considered light. Toast and applesauce came to mind and he nodded when Calyx spoke of soup and fruit. Well it seemed as though they were on the same page when it came to comestibles. He regarded the servant that was standing outside the door and crossed his arms against his chest as the boy recanted the queen's irritation to him. "Calyx is my brother. I will do whatever I want with him. I do not think he is insane nor a danger to others, at least not any longer."<br><br>"He did not even <em>try</em> to attack me when I came down, if he was mad he would have done so." The eldest prince paused for a moment before he continued. "And there is something very strange about my mother's story. I wish to speak with her on the matter of why she imprisoned Calyx in the first place, so it is good that she is of the same mind. I will see her tomorrow morning in her chambers." Rykar said as he let his pale blue eyes alight on the boy who stood in front of him.<br><br>He was certain the servant would take his response back to the queen and relay it word for word since he seemed to be so good at imitating his mother. With that he closed the door in the boy's face and rang the dangling bell next to the door as he waited for another servant to come. When another boy appeared, he told him to bring a plate full of fruit, a medium sized bowl of chicken soup with two cups and spoons, toast, a pitcher of ice water and some applesauce. He thought he might have a bit of soup too.<br><br>He went back inside to the bathroom where he had left Calyx and saw his brother with his eyes closed, his hands firmly gripping the walls of the tub in order to prevent himself from drowning. It was that sigh which relieved him. He roused Calyx by shaking his shoulder firmly. "Stand up for a moment, brother." Rykar said and drained the tub of the nasty dirty water that had come off Calyx's skin. Once the tub was drained he turned on the shower portion and let the warm waters cascade over Calyx as he smiled at his brother.<br><br>"I thought a shower would be better for you. You can wash off that dirt and feel refreshed. Once you're done, I'll help you over to my bed and you can rest on that until you feel better." He informed the other and heard a knock on the door again. "That's probably the food. I'll be back." Rykar told him and headed off to open the door and take the tray on wheels from the servant, closing the door behind him again as he locked it behind him. He wheeled the cart over to the large table and placed the food onto it.<br><br>Then, he returned to the bathroom to see if Calyx needed his help. "You still alive in there?" Rykar called out as he entered the bathroom once more.<br><br>(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v376/nemaatkd/headerpost.png)</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>28-06-2010, 10:35:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As Rykar spoke, the servant boy grew more and more nervous. It wasn't so much Calyx that he was afraid of, but the queen and how she would react when he returned to her with this news. Oh, he just knew she wouldn't be happy... Thankfully, she wasn't in the habit of killing messengers, but still, he was no less happy to be the one tasked with informing her that Rykar had indeed been the one to remove Calyx from his cell. Sadly, there was nothing he could do about it. Instead, he merely committed Rykar's words to memory, bowed politely, and quickly excused himself, retreating to the queen's chambers to relay this information.<br><br>Calyx, meanwhile, was all but asleep in the bathtub when Rykar returned. He grumbled incoherently when his older brother shook him awake, clearly displeased, but he complied nonetheless and moved to stand, setting aside the modesty that dictated he shouldn't allow himself to be naked in front of Rykar. The man who had just professed an undying love for him. He was too tired to think about such things... All he could think about was standing beneath the shower, allowing the dirt and grime to wash away from his skin and hair. He did feel better after that, enough that he was able to hold himself up a little longer and properly wash his mane and scrub himself down with a fragrant soap bar, while Rykar stepped away to retrieve their food.<br><br>By the time Rykar returned, Calyx had finished with his shower. He had stepped out, albeit very carefully as not to trip in the midst of his fatigue, found a towel, and wrapped it around his waist. His long raven hair came down his toned chest in thin spirals, clinging to his freshly washed - if horribly pale - skin. He felt worlds better and he was eternally grateful to Rykar for it.<br><br>"Yes," he replied, smiling tiredly at his brother. "Thank you. I really do appreciate your helping me like this..." With what energy he had, Calyx stepped out of the bathroom, meandered into his brother's bed chambers, and practically collapsed into a sitting position upon a chair at the large table where Rykar had wheeled in the food cart. Lifting one of the silver lids, Calyx took a plate of fruit for himself and promptly went to work on it, so starved for untainted food that he didn't give a thought to his upset stomach and took down what he could.<br><br>"Forgive my manners," he mumbled between bites. "Or lack thereof..." He swallowed, cleared his throat. "I haven't eaten in quite a while..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>05-07-2010, 18:58:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center">(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v376/nemaatkd/headerpost.png)<br><br>He was glad when Calyx finally emerged from the bathroom, looking a bit better. Rykar couldn't help but let his eyes linger on his brother's exposed body, yes the towel was wrapped around his waist so he couldn't see what made the other a man but the skin that was visible made his breath quicken. Trying to control himself, he wrenched his eyes away as he concentrated on a spot on the table. Rykar didn't want Calyx to feel awkward if he kept staring at him so much and he bit his lip.<br><br>The eldest prince decided to distract himself by eating some of the food he'd brought in to quench his younger brother's hunger. He was somewhat hungry anyway. Dipping the ladle into the bowl of soup he transferred some into a cup and then poured himself some ice water. No words were spoken but they were not necessary, at least not at the moment. He sighed, wondering once more whether he should have confessed to Calyx. Wouldn't things have been easier if he hadn't?<br><br>But then, how would he have gotten Calyx to open up to him down in the dungeons if he hadn't? Rykar felt as though his mind was breaking into pieces and he was trying to put them back together again but didn't know where all the pieces fit into place. Sipping some of the hot soup and drinking some of the water eased his mind a bit as he tried not to think too much about these sort of things. God that long raven hair... he just wanted to reach out and let it trail through his fingers as he gazed over at the other male.<br><br>Fuck, no he couldn't be thinking things like this! He would go nuts if he kept staring at Calyx and Calyx would probably end up wanting to stay as far away from him as possible. "You look like a vampire right now. Hope you're not gonna come over here and drink my blood." Rykar said, trying to make a joke about Calyx's pale skin. Yes, that was better, now he had something else to think about other than wanting to touch his brother. He smiled and shook his head when Calyx thanked him for helping him out.<br><br>"You're my brother, don't worry about it." The young man returned and ran a hand through his soft, silky white hair and debated whether he should change the color. His white hair seemed to symbolize his mourning and depression over losing their father and worrying himself almost sick over unrequited love from Calyx. The fact that their middle brother had also perished didn't seem to matter too much. He hadn't really been that well liked anyway but Rykar did feel a certain regret.<br><br>Since it was always a tragedy when a life was lost. No matter whose life it might be. Rykar watched as Calyx fell to the food, eating like a starved man and was glad that his brother was enjoying himself and showing signs of life once more. "I'm glad you find the food to your liking. Hopefully you can keep it down or else we'll be in the bathroom for a time." He half joked, because he didn't think Calyx would have the strength to hold himself up while he puked, so Rykar would have to hold him but he didn't mind helping him out.<br><br>No, he found great happiness in doing anything with Calyx, he always had but of course Calyx had probably thought it was simply brotherly love Rykar had been showing. "I'm going to have a talk with Mother tomorrow morning, do you have anything you want me to ask her?" Rykar inquired as he glanced over at Calyx.<br><br>(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v376/nemaatkd/headerpost.png)</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>07-07-2010, 10:18:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				If Rykar was sizing him up, eying him in all his vulnerability - his half-naked frame, his dripping wet hair - Calyx remained blissfully unaware of it. Either he wasn't interested and simply didn't want to know, or he had chosen to ignore it in light of his extreme fatigue. He was exhausted, exhausted enough that he wasn't even sure how he had managed to retain consciousness. A decent meal likely had something to do with that. But other than that, Calyx had no real investment in thinking about very much, let alone how Rykar felt about him...<br><br>Although, he hadn't chosen to ignore it. Quite the contrary. Much as he didn't want to think about it and analyze the situation for death, he couldn't help wondering. Calyx wondered how long Rykar had felt that way about him, what had started it, and what it meant for them now. But more than that, Calyx wondered if he had any intention of following up on it, if he would end up bringing it up to his brother again. It wasn't something either of them could brush under the rug, after all. Rykar had professed love to him. That had to mean something.<br><br>But what?<br><br>"I hope not," Calyx replied with a chuckle. "My standards for food aren't really too high, but the quality of what they take down to the dungeon is worse than shit." Now that he had had a first hand experience with the atrocities of life in the dungeon, he was seriously considering putting forth a motion in court to improve it a little bit. Although he wasn't sure how far he would get with it. He had lost practically all of his credibility in the royal household, which led them to another topic - their mother.<br><br>Calyx grimaced at the thought of her and gave pause, his eyes traveling to the wall near the door. The very thought of her made his blood boil. He didn't yet understand what part she had to play in his incarceration, but he knew enough that he was furious with her. What kind of woman threw her own child in a prison cell to rot? It said enough about her parenting skills without even touching her position as a queen.<br><br>"I have a few choice words for her," he muttered bitterly, placing his elbows to the table, leaning forward, and sighing. He was too tired to be angry. "Everyone says I went mad, but I don't... I don't feel like I did." Straight from the mouth of a madman, he mused grimly. "Do I seem mad to you, Rykar...?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>03-08-2010, 16:51:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Yes, Calyx needed some nourishing food and some well deserved rest in a nice warm bed. Then, he should be on the road to recovery. That was what Rykar thought.<br><br>He couldn't believe that his own brother had been treated so poorly in the dungeons.<br><br>Who would do that? Rykar knew the Queen wasn't the best of mothers but still... he didn't think she was cruel enough to make Calyx suffer like this. But if it wasn't her, then who was it? There was no one who rivaled her power except him and Rykar certainly hadn't given the order. Yes, there were many things he needed to talk about.<br><br>When he met the Queen the following morning.<br><br>And he was not looking forward to the meeting because he sensed it would end in tears and rage.<br><br>Not on his part but on hers. Upsetting the Queen was never a good thing to do, even if he was her son. But then... she had to deal with it because who else would take the throne? It had to be either Calyx or Rykar. There were no other sons left. Rykar was eager to see his brother be his usual cheerful self once more. He had missed it.<br><br>"I apologize for the treatment you suffered in the dungeon. I had no idea you were being maltreated. Or I would have stepped in to intervene." Rykar said as he laid a hand on Calyx's shoulder. He let out a sigh as he leaned over and kissed his brother's head affectionately and hoped he wasn't making Cal uncomfortable.<br><br>After all, he had recently confessed he loved Calyx and not in a brotherly way.<br><br>He wouldn't be surprised if the other male shied away from him from now on. But he hoped he didn't. Part of him regretted telling him but the other part felt relieved. Now he didn't have to continue to hide the deep feelings he had for Calyx and could simply show him. That is unless it creeped Calyx out too much. He winced at the thought.<br><br>Why couldn't his brother just accept it? Why couldn't the man return his feelings? Then, everything would be alright.<br><br>Rykar bit his lip as he tried not to let it bother him too much.<br><br>When Calyx said he had a few choice words for their mother, he nodded. His brow furrowed when his brother spoke of being mad and not feeling mad at all.<br><br>The older Prince shook his head. "You do not seem mad to me now, my dear brother. But back in the past you did seem that way. You were throwing things at servants and attacking everyone in your way." Rykar paused and then thought back to the time. "But... you never really showed any true intent to harm others."<br><br>"It was more like you were lashing out at people in your way. You didn't actually seek them out." Rykar said, frowning as he tried to piece together what had happened.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>11-08-2010, 13:18:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rykar's apologies were well-appreciated, but not altogether necessary. After all, he hadn't been the one to throw Calyx in the dungeon and the younger of the two brothers knew very well that, if he had, it would have been for a very good reason. They had been at least somewhat close growing up - and apparently were much closer right then - which offered Calyx a bit of much-needed comfort. He didn't have anyone else anymore. The rest of the palace thought he was insane. Rykar didn't...<br><br>At least, he didn't anymore. It came as a bit of a shock to Calyx, hearing his older brother's analysis of his behavior. Had he really gotten so angry that he had resorted to violence? Even if he hadn't hurt anybody, it was very odd to hear. Furthermore, it was very out of character for him. Calyx was a mild-mannered individual, softly spoken - if very opinionated - and it took a lot to make him so much as raise his voice. So why then had he lashed out at the servants the way Rykar claimed? Something wasn't right.<br><br>"Even so," Calyx sighed. "I can't help but wonder if I belonged in that dungeon." No. No, he didn't belong in there. He knew he wasn't crazy. Now, he would simply have to prove it. How he planned on doing that, he wasn't yet sure, but... well, he was hoping for a stroke of genius sometime in the near future. Maybe after a good night's sleep, things would make sense. He only hoped that when Rykar went to see their mother the following day, she wouldn't overrule his decision to remove him from the dungeon. Calyx wasn't sure that he could survive another length of time in chains.<br><br>"Never mind," he said after a time, trying to smile. "I shouldn't linger on it now. I'm just happy you came to get me. I could always rely on you, Rykar."<br><br>Maybe a little too much. Now that he knew about Rykar's feelings for him, Calyx was worried about leading him on. He wasn't sure what he felt in return, if anything, but he worried that by relying so heavily on Rykar now that he was so weak, he would give him the wrong impression. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt his feelings, but how to make sure of that when he wasn't sure what he felt himself?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>08-09-2010, 02:14:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				How could Calyx say such things about himself? Rykar frowned. Why was his brother being so hard on himself? It didn't make sense why Calyx thought he might belong there.<br><br>Calyx was a prince and the only one left who truly wanted the throne.<br><br>Rykar had no interest in it and yet his mother continuously pushed him towards it. Why didn't she want Calyx to be on the throne? He would be perfect as the next king. "No! You did <em>not</em> belong there. Even if you were behaving erratically, mother should have given you a chance. There were other ways she could have handled things." He told his brother, truth in his words. Calyx could have been locked up in his room until his behavior was examined and analyzed. Not thrown into a dungeon. That was for commoners and staff.<br><br>Not for those of the royal bloodline. Rykar would be asking his mother exactly that particular question tomorrow morning. And he wouldn't accept efforts to throw him off.<br><br>The queen was hiding something he could tell. But what it was he wasn't sure.<br><br>All he knew was that he would be getting answers tomorrow. There were too many suspicious things about Calyx's imprisonment in the dungeon. Regardless of what his mother said tomorrow, Rykar wouldn't allow Calyx to return to the dungeons. He would threaten to kill himself if she insisted. Because with him gone, she would have no choice but to appoint Calyx as the next king. Something that he suspected she was against for some reason. He was brought back to the present when Calyx spoke to him.<br><br>Rykar smiled at the words. "I would never abandon you, brother." He murmured, his eyes softening a bit as he looked over at Calyx with an affectionate look in his eyes.<br><br>His brother was probably tired by now. "Why don't we get some sleep?"<br><br>The prince suggested as he looked over at Calyx. They both could probably use some. Calyx because of the stress and strain he'd endured down in the dungeons and Rykar because of his confession. He smiled and leaned across the table to place his hand upon that of his brother's. It was a slight touch but a touch nonetheless. Rykar didn't want to scare his brother off and yet he didn't want to put distance between them either. Hopefully this small touch wouldn't bother him too much.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>14-09-2010, 06:43:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				After hearing so many people call him crazy, Calyx had had no choice but to believe them. At least partially. He felt alright, felt sane - but then again, didn't most insane people feel perfectly normal? Calyx just wasn't sure anymore. His own mother had thought him crazy... that had to count for something, didn't it? After all, people's mothers didn't just turn on them for no reason. Now <em>that</em> was crazy.<br><br>Still, it was a thought...<br><br>If nothing else, he decided with some content, Rykar didn't think he was insane. Even if the rest of the world thought him mad, he had his brother to fall back on. Rykar knew the truth. That counted for quite a bit more in Calyx's mind, even if Rykar was slightly biased. So what? It meant that Calyx wasn't alone. And that he would never be alone.<br><br>The very thought of turning in for the night made Calyx all the more sleepy. Now that he had eaten his fill, he was quite tired. The stress of the last few weeks had finally begun to crash upon him and he was more than ready to call it a night. Finally.<br><br>"That sounds good," Calyx responded, smiling some, weakly squeezing Rykar's hand in his before moving away and forcing himself up onto his feet. He felt quite weak; like his legs were not his own. A side effect of the exhaustion, he decided, since sleep was a luxury down in the dungeons. Gods, but he was glad to be out of that terrible place...<br><br>"I hope you don't mind my taking up space in your bed tonight, brother," Calyx noted, albeit tentatively, since he was sure - now more than ever - that Rykar could possibly misinterpret the situation. Calyx wasn't looking to bed his sibling, although after Rykar's confession, sharing a bed with him might indicate it. He hoped not.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>29-09-2010, 20:15:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				There was that smile he hadn't seen in ages. Rykar knew everything would be alright again from now on. If Calyx kept smiling the world would brighten up once more.<br><br>He stood as well when Calyx had and came over to offer him a shoulder to lean on.<br><br>"Don't force yourself too much. You've only just gotten out of the dungeons." Rykar reminded him and looked over at his brother when Calyx spoke of sharing his bed. He knew Calyx wasn't talking about sex, not from the way he had reacted earlier. This was simply straightforward. Rest. "Don't worry about it. If you're more comfortable sleeping alone, I'll take the couch in the main room." Rykar offered, not wanting things to be strained between him and Calyx. Yes, he wanted to lie down with him in bed.<br><br>Even if they didn't have any intimate touches between them. But if that made Calyx nervous, he wouldn't do it. Rykar had hidden his feelings from everyone for years.<br><br>What was one more day? They needed to talk about this but that could wait until later.<br><br>Calyx had been through a lot and Rykar didn't want to put him through more on top of that. "Let's sleep." He said in a soft voice and helped his brother to the bedroom where his bed awaited them. The only thing that remained in question was whether Rykar would be sleeping with Calyx or not. He eased Calyx onto the bed and helped put the sheets over him. "So what would you prefer, brother?" He asked, waiting for the prince to respond to him. Calyx's answer would also show how much he trusted Rykar.<br><br>Regardless of Calyx's answer, Rykar would still love him unconditionally. But he did hope Calyx would choose quickly because they should get some sleep.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>30-09-2010, 08:00:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rykar was right. He had only just left his imprisonment and he had a lot of recovering to do before he was up to optimum health again. Ifhe pushed himself too hard, he was prone to relapsing. Rykar had gone to all this trouble to take care of him; Calyx didn't have the heart to strain himself and ruin his efforts, even if he had wanted to. He couldn't have asked for a better brother...<br><br>Save for the whole "I'm in love with you" business. Calyx still wasn't sure how he felt about that.<br><br>While he headed into Rykar's bedroom - with Rykar at his side to assist him - Calyx contemplated his offer. Either he could take his brother's bed and force him out onto the couch... or they could share. The bed was more than big enough for the both of them, but did he really want to be in that intimate of a setting with him...? He knew that Rykar wouldn't try anything that Calyx deemed inappropriate, but still... The thought made him a little nervous.<br><br>But no. This was his brother. This was the man who had protected him, rescued him from his prison, and nursed him in his weakest hour. He couldn't just force him out of his own bed. That would have been cruel. Too cruel for Calyx to even consider.<br><br>Sinking down to sit upon the plush mattress, and then sliding beneath the covers with Rykar's help, Calyx smiled up at his brother and gave his hand a gentle tug. "This is your bed," he said. "I couldn't kick you out of it even if I wanted to. And I don't. Please." He gestured to the vacant side of the bed as a gesture for Rykar to join him. "I trust you."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>05-10-2010, 01:16:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He smiled when Calyx told him he didn't mind sleeping together in the same bed. Rykar knew it was <em>not</em> an invitation to have sex with his brother, he wasn't stupid.<br><br>It was obvious to him that Calyx was still a bit nervous about his confession of love.<br><br>Perhaps with time he would accept it and they could try and nourish the relationship. Hopefully. Rykar seriously doubted he would be able to simply give up his love for Calyx, it wasn't something he had any control over. Or else he would have killed the feeling a long time ago. Loving your brother in a sexual way was not something that was considered normal. Love as a brother was one thing, love as a lover was a completely different thing. For now, he could bide his time and wait for their relationship to change slowly.<br><br>He knew it wasn't going to happen overnight. Maybe he would try and sneak a kiss in at random times. But definitely not soon, Calyx wouldn't be able to take it.<br><br>It was funny now that he thought about the tradition to elect a new king when one hadn't been named.<br><br>Could he really be better off dead? If there was no chance of Calyx returning his affections, wouldn't death be a better alternative than suffering silently alive, knowing his brother would never love him in the way he wanted? Rykar shook the thought aside, wondering why he had even thought of such a dark idea. It wasn't like him... or was it? He sighed to himself, wanting to simply focus on what was happening right now. Thinking about the future could come later. First he had Calyx and then the Queen to take care of.<br><br>Oddly enough, sleep came quickly for him and he woke to the sound of a rooster crowing. Morning rays of light shone through the curtains and he yawned, stretching.<br><br>Slipping out of bed he pulled the curtains back a bit and let the soft light filter in through the windows.<br><br>Glancing over at the bed he let his eyes linger on Calyx for a moment and then headed for the closet. Choosing a lovely silky material, he dressed himself and left a note for his brother near the bedside, telling him he was going to meet their mother. Then, he left the room and headed for his mother's chambers for their morning meeting as he had told the servant yesterday. There was much he wanted to talk to her about and she would be giving him some answers whether she wanted to or not. That much was certain.<br><br>Rykar knocked on the door to her chambers and waited to be admitted. Once he was he opened the door and closed it behind him, taking a deep breath.<br><br>"Mother. Why did you try to starve my brother in the dungeons? He's your son." He looked her in the eye.<br><br>Could there be something she wasn't telling him? "You say that he went mad and I saw the evidence with my own eyes but when I went down there he wasn't like that at all. Even if he was mad before, he isn't now. I can vouch for that." Rykar told her and wondered what the Queen had to say for herself. It was one thing to imprison a prince that had gone mad but quite another to mistreat and starve him. And quite another to keep him imprisoned when the madness had left him. Had she not gone to visit him?<br><br>To check up on his condition? He would have thought she had paid him many visits to see if her beloved son had recovered or not. But something was a bit off.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>20-10-2010, 06:29:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Fortunately, it didn't seem as though Rykar had misinterpreted his intentions. Then again, Rykar was a very practical man and Calyx didn't expect him to start leaping to conclusions. Still, the matter of this love his brother held for him was a lot to take in... Calyx wasn't sure that he would ever get used to that cloud hanging over his head, But was it a cloud, really? The sensation of holding another's heart was something to be enjoyed, something to cherish.<br><br>But Calyx didn't know what to do with it. How did one handle the knowledge that a sibling was in love with him? How was he supposed to cherish that affection when said affection was... unnatural? Calyx didn't want to give Rykar false hope, but... he didn't want to lose his brother, either. Now that their youngest sibling was dead along with their father, and with a mother whose affections had never truly shone through for any of her children, Rykar was all he had left.<br><br>If he lost him, too, Calyx knew ethat he truly would go mad.<br><br>And so, with Rykar laying beside him, Calyx began to nod off, lulled into his first peaceful night's sleep in weeks by the sound of the evening breeze skirting past the open window. He slept right through the morning, ignorant of the morning sun bathing the room in its warm light, stirring only slightly when he heard the chamber door closing behind Rykar's retreating form. He was so tired, so visibly worn, that not even the sounds of the castle residents in motion just outside the door could bother him.<br><br>*<br><br>Queen Astrid, meanwhile, was wide awake - and quite irritated. She had learned the previous night that Rykar had set Calyx free of his cell, which meant that her plans to see to Calyx's demise were... postponed at best, and impossible at worst. Rykar had stuck his nose in where it didn't belong and now, she was going to have to deal with a completely sane and suspicious Calyx. Much as Astrid wanted to chastise Rykar for his insolence, she couldn't.<br><br>Unfortunately for the queen, the kingdom operated under a fairly misogynistic set of rules; in the absence of a king, a prince ranked higher than his queen. As such, she knew that she couldn't go against Rykar's will, and besides, it was in her best interest to keep him placated. Rykar did not possess the political mind that his brother did and as such, he was the perfect figurehead for the throne. The less he knew, the easier it would be for Astrid to rule from behind him.<br><br>But what Rykar didn't know wouldn't hurt him.<br><br>Astrid received her son in her private chamber with a tray of morning tea. Much to her chagrin, Rykar got right to the point. The queen waited until her lady-in-waiting had poured tea into two cups, after which she readily dismissed the girl and, once they were alone, turned her attention back to her first-born.<br><br>"He must have put on his best behavior for you," Astrid reasoned, picking up the teacup nearest her and delicately sipping from it. "I saw your brother all of two days ago and he was barking mad. For the life of me, I cannot understand what spell he has you under." Clearly, she was not happy about the fact that Calyx had been set loose upon the castle. "Madness does not simply leave a man, my son," she told him, almost remorsefully. "It lays in wait."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>14-11-2010, 18:49:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rykar had never possessed a political mind largely because he wasn't interested in politics. He was more interested in weaponry and the art of swordsmanship instead.<br><br>Things a knight would be expected to know and have skills in, not a future king. But then, Rykar had never wanted to be king.<br><br>Not in this lifetime at any rate. He wanted Calyx to take over the kingdom, so he might be able to serve as his brother's knight. For he was fairly certain that if he helped get Calyx into his position on the throne either Rykar would be dead or he would get his wish. It was simple to understand, at least for him it was. But of course there were many people who were totally against his ideals. Now he was in his mother's chambers speaking with her about the delicate matter of Calyx's imprisonment.<br><br>Hopefully she would be able to shed some light onto the dilemma. Rykar raised a brow when the Queen responded to his words. Yes, they made sense he supposed.<br><br>But he hadn't seen evidence of that at all. To a normal brother, he was sure their mother would know her own son best.<br><br>Yet, since Rykar had been obsessed with Calyx for a number of years now... his attention to everything about Calyx was far greater than the Queen's could ever have been. That is unless she was in love with her own son which was quite far fetched. Then again, his situation was just as far fetched and he sighed to himself, not wanting to think about that. It made matters even more likely that Calyx would never return his affections. He picked up the cup of tea before him and sipped it slowly.<br><br>The heat took his mind off those matters for an instant as he blew on it lightly to cool it down a bit. Then, he sipped more of the burning hot liquid, enjoying it.<br><br>He chose his next words carefully, not wanting to make it appear as if he cared any more for his brother than was normal.<br><br>"Perhaps you didn't give him a chance to prove he wasn't mad. If I had been mad and recovered in the dungeons and you came to see me, I would have reacted like a madman too. The dungeons are a horrible place to be trapped in and I would want to get out as fast as possible." Rykar told her and tilted his head to the side as he regarded his mother. "Would you not give me a chance to prove I had become sane? Would you condemn me because I had been mad once?" He inquired, gazing at the woman.<br><br>Rykar sighed and rubbed his forehead. "All I know is that Calyx was never mad up until a few months ago. And I am certain he is sane now." He concluded and waited.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>15-11-2010, 10:16:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rykar wasn't going to let this go. Damn it. Astrid had hoped that by assuring Rykar that Calyx had gone off the deep end, he would simply accept that her decision had been for what she believed to be the greater good. Unfortunately, it didn't look like there was going to be any convincing him. Rykar was not politically savvy, but he was bright enough to smell a rat. This wasn't looking good. How long would it be until he uncovered the truth?<br><br>Breathing out evenly, Astrid smiled, a touch of sadness in it (feigned sadness, but sadness nonetheless). "You think I wanted to lock away my child?" she asked. "You think I would have wanted to do the same to you, should you have exhibited the same symptoms?" She let out a well-manicured hand, gently touching the cheek of her eldest son. "Rykar, darling... I did what I thought was best for Calyx. He was not well. I feared for his safety as well as for yours."<br><br>Then, after a pause, she leaned back in her chair and pursed her lips. "As it is, I will lose one of you to our traditions," she murmured with feigned regret. "The period of mourning for your father is almost over. Whether or not Calyx is mad, I will lose one of my sons before this month is over... So please, Rykar, do not think ill of me for my actions. I only want what is best for both of you. You must believe that."<br><br>Astrid had hoped to sway things in her favor by poisoning Calyx. She had hoped that Rykar would have had no choice but to murder his brother, but sadly, Calyx had opened his mouth and now, her plans were ruined. She would have to come up with something fast, because if the brothers ever found out that she had conspired against them, it would give them reason to dispatch her and change the laws as they liked so that Calyx could take the throne instead of Rykar.<br><br>And that was something she could not allow.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>16-11-2010, 00:58:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				For some reason, he didn't suspect that the queen had any ill intentions towards them. She was their mother, after all and wouldn't do something as terrible as that.<br><br>Rykar couldn't even consider it. Yes, he was suspicious that she might have been wanting to take advantage of Calyx's madness.<br><br>But he never thought she might have been the one to <em>create</em> it in the first place. And he probably never would. He knew that she was trying to push him into killing his brother so that he could take over the throne; but that was because of the tradition and not due to her own desires. Rykar sighed at Astrid's words. "Of course not, mother. I simply think you wanted to use this opportunity to put me on the throne." He said truthfully, his pale blue eyes fixing on his mother for a few moments.<br><br>That was indeed what he thought and it didn't hurt to let her know it. "Even though you know I have no interest in the politics of the kingdom." He added.<br><br>"Don't you think someone like me would bring more harm than good if I were put in charge?" Rykar asked, raising a brow.<br><br>Astrid wasn't stupid, perhaps she had more faith in him than he did? But he still didn't want to be king and yet the tradition demanded that one of them had to live and one had to die. That sent off a lightbulb in his head. "What if we were to change the tradition but only slightly? What if we were to fight and the winner chose not to kill their opponent but let them live and serve them as punishment? Wouldn't that work?" He asked, waiting for his mother to give her opinion on the matter.<br><br>It made perfect sense to him. And it also gave him an out to get out of being king and also to gain what he truly wanted. To be a knight and to serve the kingdom.<br><br>"If we attempt to change - even if it is only a little bit - you will not have to go through the suffering of losing both your sons."<br><br>Rykar said with a warm smile and came over to his mother, wrapping his arms around her slim waist. "I know you've suffered quite a loss with everything that has happened to our family so far." He murmured as he kissed Astrid's hair, running his hands down her back in a reassuring way. "Everything will be fine if we only seek to alter the tradition somewhat. Trust me." Rykar murmured, waiting for his mother to speak. He wouldn't do it without her approval since she would be affected too.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>19-11-2010, 10:59:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Astrid was counting on Rykar's love for her to blind him. She was, after all, their mother, and most children had no doubt in their minds that their mothers would never do anything to harm them. Truthfully, Astrid had been no different. She hadn't exactly been the motherly type (nannies had raised her three sons), but she had never thought to harm them in any way. There simply was no need to do so.<br><br>But then her husband had died, and since he had not named Rykar the heir to the throne the way she had pressed for, the game had changed. It was the dead king's fault. If he had simply named Rykar heir to the throne, all of this unpleasantness could have been avoided and sadly, since he hadn't, Calyx was going to pay the price. Astrid loved her second-born, but she loved power more, and she would only attain that power now if he was dead and Rykar took over.<br><br>"You are the oldest," she reasoned. "And the most loved. Calyx is not as well-loved among our people the way you are, Rykar." Astrid tried to smile. "A king must be respected and loved by his people - your brother is neither. His affinity for magic..." She shook her head. "It has made him an unfavorable option. He cannot be put on the throne..."<br><br>But Rykar seemed intent on having the tradition changed. And as she hugged her son in turn, her brow furrowed. This was going to be difficult. How could she convince Rykar that it was in everyone's best interest for him to do away with his brother? With Calyx out of the dungeon, growing stronger and more lucid by the day, it was going to be more difficult. If either of them caught wise...<br><br>"... I will speak to our advisers," she said upon pulling away, smiling hopefully at her eldest and gently touching his face. "I will see what can be done to change our laws." She had no intention of doing so, but if it eased Rykar's mind, she would pretend. It would only be for a little while. When a month had passed, Calyx would die, and Rykar would take over as king.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>21-11-2010, 01:24:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				His mother's words were true. Rykar knew that the kingdom and its people didn't like Calyx as much as they did him. But how was he to deal with that responsibility?<br><br>A king was supposed to have the kingdom's best interests at heart. He needed to care about politics and who was in control.<br><br>Rykar had nothing to motivate him in order to be like that. He just wasn't into that sort of thing like Calyx and his mother were. But at the same time he <em>did</em> care about his subjects and yet there was nothing he could do about it. Perhaps... if Calyx tried not to use his magic... until he was appointed king... maybe that would work. Because once his brother took the throne he could change the laws and make it possible for him to use magic in order to protect them from dangerous situations.<br><br>He sighed to himself, thinking about the future in such a way was draining to him. This was more something Calyx would excel at and he made a face at the thought.<br><br>Yes, Calyx was much better suited to take the throne. Rykar would probably go nuts the first day he had the title.<br><br>"Alright." He said, feeling happier when Astrid told him she would look into the matter and see about changing the laws somewhat. Rykar wasn't sure if the others would listen to her since she was a woman but it was worth a shot. "I will be tending to Calyx if you need me in the future. In a day come and see how he is getting along, I will show you that he is no longer mad as he once was." He said with a smile, wanting his family to reconnect again. The way they had used to back when the former king was alive.<br><br>And with that he took his leave from the Queen's chambers as he made his way back towards his own room where he had left Calyx. Hopefully his brother would be awake.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>24-11-2010, 09:44:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				While Rykar was in visiting with their mother, Calyx was busy catching up on lost sleep. In the dungeons, he had had all the time in the world to rest, but he had been too miserable. Too sick. And now, finally, he was in a warm, comfortable bed, surrounded by the luxury to which he was accustomed and finally allowed to get the sleep that he so desperately needed. It would be a while before he was fully functioning again, but he had gotten himself off to a good start thanks to Rykar.<br><br>It was only when his brother reentered his chambers that Calyx stirred from his slumber. Grumbling incoherently as the light poured in from the open window, he ducked his head underneath the covers and groaned in protest at being jarred back into consciousness. He was still very tired and incredibly drained; it would take him a while longer to even entertain the notion of getting out of bed. It was just so comfortable here... He felt like he didn't want to ever leave.<br><br>"Rykar," he murmured, peeking out from beneath the covers and blinking at his brother. Rykar was already dressed for the day; clearly, he hadn't just woken up. "Where were you?" His mind was lagging a bit more than it should have, otherwise he might have already come to the conclusion that he was visiting with their mother. The iron dust had yet to work its way out of his system, so his train of thought wasn't nearly as coherent as it might have ordinarily been.<br><br>That would take some time. And a lot more sleep.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>06-12-2010, 21:48:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rykar smiled as he heard his name being called. It seemed as if Calyx was up. He walked over to his younger brother and sat down on the edge of the bed. "I'm here."<br><br>Stretching out his hand he laid it on Calyx's forehead for a brief moment. It didn't seem as if his brother had a temperature which was good.<br><br>"You seem fine this morning. That's a good thing. Let's get some food into you." Rykar suggested and reached over to ring the bell at the head of the bed. The bell would summon a servant who would take their order and bring back the nutrients both of them needed. "I visited mother and she's going to talk to the others to see if they can alter the law slightly. If it works, there's a possibility both of us can live." He said with a smile and tucked a strand of white hair behind his left ear.<br><br>He didn't bring up the matter of his confession. Calyx wouldn't be ready to deal with that now, Rykar suspected. There was no need to push the matter either.<br><br>If his brother didn't love him in the same way there was nothing he could do about it. People were different and he had to accept that.<br><br>Rykar would rather suffer in silence than risk developing an awkwardness between the two of them. "She still thinks you're mad but I told her to come see for herself tomorrow. I'll dress you up properly and show her that there's nothing to be worried about." He said with a nod and yawned, not really tired but due to all the stress, it was getting to him. Rykar knew he had issues to deal with outside of his chambers but he was feeling somewhat tired. Nothing wrong with resting for a few moments.<br><br>"Once you're feeling better, we should get some exercise. That's the best way to get you better quickly as long as we don't overdue it." Rykar commented lazily.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>11-12-2010, 09:48:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The thought of food was definitely a good one, Calyx noted to himself, smiling when Rykar stepped away to call for their breakfast. He was starving. He had eaten well the night before thanks to his brother, but he was still gaining back a great deal of lost energy and as such, he needed all the food he could get over the next week or so. Two or three weeks, and he would be back to full health - just in time for the mourning period to end and for one of them to die.<br><br>But as Rykar told him, there was a possibility that both of them could live. Apparently, his talk with their mother had gone well. Calyx's spirits lifted a little and he nodded as he pulled himself up into a sitting position, struggling near the end but eventually making it up straight. "That... would be wonderful." That was an understatement. "I'm glad your talk went so well. I'll be glad to talk to her myself, hopefully we can get all this straightened out by the end of our mourning period."<br><br>Because if they didn't...<br><br>Smiling, Calyx reached out to touch his brother's arm, genuinely grateful for all he had done so far. "Exercise... Could we start small?" he asked. "My legs... They still feel very weak." The iron dust had done more than take away his magical abilities - he could barely muster up any real strength in his limbs. But he supposed he couldn't stay in bed all day. He had to get up sometime.<br><br>"Maybe just a walk," he said then. "We can go out to the gardens. I'd love to go outside." After so long in a prison cell, he missed the outdoors. He wanted to see the grass, the flowers, the trees, the sky... He wanted to breathe in the fresh air and get back to his life.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>14-12-2010, 16:35:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rykar ate some of the prepared food as well. He smiled to himself, humming as he chewed. Everything was turning out great today with Calyx and their mother.<br><br>Perhaps the rest of the staff would come around to their way of thinking as well. He could only hope for the best to happen.<br><br>But he had faith in the Queen. She would do her best because their lives were on the line and she had only just expressed her distress about losing another child to him. Surely she wouldn't fail in her path to alter the laws in some way, even if it was a long-shot. Rykar nodded when Calyx spoke of straightening everything out before the end of the mourning period. He didn't want to fight Calyx, it was too painful for him. Indeed, if they fought fairly he would probably intentionally lose.<br><br>Not because he had no respect for his brother, mother or the kingdom. But because it would hurt him if he killed the man he loved. It might damage him irreparably.<br><br>He felt a shiver run down his spine when Calyx reached out to touch him. At long last it seemed Calyx was reaching out to him.<br><br>The thought made him extremely happy and he smiled at his younger brother. "Sure. That's what I had in mind anyway." He murmured and stretched out a hand to Calyx in case he needed some help to get up. "We don't want to go too fast at first anyway because we just ate." Rykar said with a twitch of his lips as he stood, moving over to the door. Outside the door, one of the slaves of the household lingered around the corner, watching Calyx and Rykar. There was a reason why he was there.<br><br>In the past he had seen the Queen put iron dust into Calyx's food. But he had been too scared to do anything about it. There wasn't much he could do after all.<br><br>He was a slave, not a servant and as such his worth mattered not. The teen could be whipped without anyone thinking twice about it.<br><br>There didn't even need to be a reason for it. No one would come to his aid as they might a servant. So it was dangerous for him to interfere with anything or anyone unless he was ordered to. Therefore, he had done nothing but file away the information in his mind for later possible use. But now... now that Calyx had been freed from the dungeons and Rykar was taking care of him, surely no one would suspect... if he helped out a bit. Randolf bit his lip as he considered the consequences.<br><br>It would be bad if he was caught but was it worth it? If he left things the way they were now, Calyx would recover in a few weeks time. He didn't have to do anything.<br><br>Yet, if he helped secretly, the Queen would probably think it was Rykar's doing if Calyx recovered quicker than he might normally.<br><br>Of course there was a slight chance he could get caught in the process but he decided it was a chance he was willing to take. He wanted Calyx to live because he had always admired him from afar. The way the man could manipulate magic was downright amazing to Randolf, every time Calyx was around it made his body tingle. It was almost as if his body was dying to play with the magic as well. He chalked it up to simple desire to continue watching the young prince, it was a logical conclusion to draw, right?<br><br>Randolf decided to go through with it and headed for the storage shelves. He was intent on finding one ingredient in particular that he knew was shelved there.<br><br>What he was looking for was the antidote to consuming iron dust. At the moment no one was around but he knew that wouldn't last.<br><br>Sooner or later someone would come into the place and then he would either have to come up with an excuse or grab the item and run. Although the latter was much too risky because word of that might come back to the Queen and then he would be in great trouble. Back in the bedroom, Rykar continued to wait for Calyx, knowing his body was a bit weak so his reactions might not be as fast as normal. No, they probably weren't but he was patient, if he could help his brother it would be enough.<br><br>"I'm glad I found you before Thanksgiving. Now you'll get to enjoy a proper feast with everyone instead of in the dungeons." Rykar said with a smile on his face.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>16-12-2010, 10:58:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				After having a bit of breakfast, Calyx felt well enough to pull himself out of bed. He still had quite a bit of recovery to do, but thanks to Rykar, he was well on his way. Already, he felt like his head was clearing; the detox was going much better than he had anticipated. Only one day out of the dungeons and he felt like life would be normal again in no time - or so he hoped.<br><br>He couldn't have known the truth.<br><br>Calyx took Rykar's hand in his as he got to his feet, just in case his legs wobbled as they had the night before - and they did again. But fortunately, it wasn't nearly as bad as before. His motor functions had begun to heal already and in no time, he would be as active as he had been before. That wasn't saying much, of course; Rykar had always been the more active one between them. But at the very least, he would be able to walk about freely and not worry about collapsing.<br><br>Taking a cloak from the rack near the door (his fever had broken, but his body temperature was still a bit out of whack), Calyx headed out of the bedroom, keeping close by his brother as they made their way through the corridor and downstairs en route to the gardens. "Yes... I am, too." He smiled, stealing a grateful sidelong glance at his sibling. "And I have you to thank for it. I owe you everything, Rykar."<br><br>On their way, they passed a number of servants, each of whom backed away, wary of the younger brother. Their revulsion made Calyx frown and he sighed, perturbed but understanding the reasons why. "Although a life outside the cells won't be much of a life if the entire household is terrified of me. And our people as well." His brows furrowed. And then the politician in him kicked in, offering him a solution to his problem.<br><br>"Thanksgiving would present a perfect opportunity for me to reestablish a rapport with everyone, don't you think?" he asked, hopeful. "It's just around the corner. I should be completely well by then. I could make a toast, perhaps. Something to prove to everyone that my mental state is still intact."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>17-12-2010, 21:06:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rykar was glad that Calyx's motor functions were beginning to work. He had no idea what had inspired the madness to take place but he was happy it had left.<br><br>That was that mattered, right? He couldn't help but thrill at Calyx's touch and wondered if things would ever change between them.<br><br>He wanted to become more intimate but was afraid to bring it up again. It seemed as if Calyx had only just gotten over the shock and uncomfortableness of Rykar's confession of love. Yes, Rykar had told himself that he wouldn't talk about it until his brother was ready but he couldn't help but think about it. His love wasn't something he could just turn on and off like a switch. If it had been he would have never turned it back on, to avoid the heartache that followed. Brothers weren't meant to love eachother.<br><br>Not in a sexual sense. There was a word for that. Incest. But how the hell was he supposed to continue to live when the man who had stolen his heart was his brother? <br><br>Rykar would have disregarded the fact that the love of his life was related by blood. It wasn't as if they would be making babies together.<br><br>They were both men. The main issue with incest was that it led to producing warped offspring, so what was the big deal if it was between two men? Rykar wanted to explain his reasoning to Calyx but at the same time was reluctant to do so. What if Calyx didn't feel the same way? Was it that Calyx didn't love him in return or that he didn't think he <em>could</em> love him because he was his brother? There was a big difference and yet Rykar couldn't bring himself to ask the all important question. Not right now.<br><br>It was too soon. Rykar smiled as Calyx offered him one of his own beautiful smiles. God, he could have leaned over and kissed him right then and there...if he only dared.<br><br>But that would break all trust between them. He couldn't afford to do that, not when he was trying his hardest to behave around Calyx.<br><br>He sighed as Calyx spoke of the household staff. "You can't blame them. Once it's been proven that you are of sane mind I'm sure they will warm up to you again. But it will take time." Rykar reassured his brother and glanced at the servants who were eying Calyx fearfully. "I'll talk to them too." He murmured and glanced back over at Calyx when the prince spoke of giving a speech at Thanksgiving to prove his sanity. "That seems like a great idea to me. I'll talk to Mother and have it arranged."<br><br>Rykar led the way out of the manor and helped Calyx into the gardens that surrounded the castle itself. "Once you feel better we can go for a nice horseback ride."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>18-12-2010, 09:17:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Truthfully, Calyx simply didn't want to acknowledge what Rykar had told him. He wasn't ready to accept it. Thinking about what his brother had confessed... that he loved him... It was one hell of a hard pill to swallow and Calyx was barely together enough to converse with anyone at all, let alone broach such a delicate subject. But was ignoring it any better? Was that going to help matters at all?<br><br>The more Calyx thought about it, the more he had to admit that no, ignoring the problem was not going to make it go away. And it wasn't going to make the problem more bearable. In fact, ignoring it only made matters worse because every time he tried to dismiss it, he remembered that eventually, someone would have to say something about it. And to do it later would only hurt worse.<br><br>And so, when at last they stepped outside into the gardens, Calyx virtually ignored Rykar's mention of the horses and instead summoned up the courage to bring up the matter of Rykar's unnatural affections for him.<br><br>"You said... that you loved me." There. There it was. Those five words had cost him quite a bit of energy and, hesitantly, Calyx lifted his head to meet Rykar's gaze. No one could hear them outside; they were finally in a place where they could speak freely without concern for those in the palace. And not a moment too soon. Calyx felt like he had to say something, despite not wanting to, or he would burst.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>19-12-2010, 23:16:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Not what he had expected. A breeze blew strands of his unnatural white hair into his eyes. Rykar wanted to look away but found he was unable to accomplish that.<br><br>Why was Calyx bringing up the matter now? He would have thought his brother would wait until things had settled down between them.<br><br>Or at least until he had recovered a bit more. No, Rykar didn't want to confess his feelings now, what if it was too much for Calyx and he collapsed again? It would only give Mother an excuse to claim he was mad and send him back to the dungeons. It was the logical thing to do since only Rykar had seen Calyx sane. For Calyx's sake he couldn't talk about his love and yet he was fairly certain his brother would pursue the matter until he got a satisfactory answer. So Rykar did the only thing he <em>could</em> do.<br><br>He lied. "Mm. I didn't quite mean for it to come out like that." Rykar said scratching his head with a sheepish grin on his face. "I meant the word 'love' as in brotherly love."<br><br>If he made Calyx believe that the whole issue had been a big misunderstanding perhaps things would be better that way, for various reasons.<br><br>There wouldn't be so much stress on Calyx and his brother would feel more at ease with him again. Even though Calyx tried to hide it, Rykar could sense that the younger prince was a bit uncomfortable around him now. "I know you already knew how I felt since we're brothers. But I needed to let you know that my love for you was stronger than any other sibling love." He said, realizing after he'd spoken that it sounded quite lame and didn't quite make sense but the words had left his lips anyway.<br><br>He couldn't very well take them back or else he might look as if he were fishing for an excuse. Which was what he <em>was</em> doing but that was beside the point.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>23-12-2010, 08:42:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rykar tried to talk his way out of it, claiming to have meant the word "love" in a brotherly context, but Calyx wasn't having any of it. He knew what he had heard, he remembered Rykar's confession very vividly, and he hadn't been talking about loving him as a brother. He had meant it as something more... He had indicated caring for him as one would care for a lover. It wasn't normal by any means, wasn't natural... It was wrong. But Calyx had to address it nonetheless, before he went crazy.<br><br>Finally, Rykar admitted the truth. Calyx's heart skipped a beat. Licking at his dry lips, Calyx looked away, remaining silent for a time until they approached the fountains, whereupon he took a seat on one of the stone benches. There, beneath the running water, no one could hear them speaking, which helped considering the context of their conversation. The last thing Calyx wanted was for this to get out. If anyone knew about how Rykar felt about him...<br><br>"How long have you felt that way...?" he asked, although he knew it was a tough question to answer. "How long have you loved me in such a fashion...?"<br><br>But somehow, Calyx knew the answer. Rykar had felt that way for all of their adult lives and likely through most of their childhood and adolescence as well. Somehow... he just knew. It was like he could feel Rykar's emotions, he had felt them all his life, but he had only identified them as love the night prior when Rykar had rescued him from the dungeons.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>24-12-2010, 02:33:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I'm sorry, I can't help it..." He murmured, feeling as if his heart was going to break. If he hadn't had these feelings for his brother, things would be easier on Calyx.<br><br>He was only adding to Calyx's stress and not helping him at all. It hurt to think of such things. Rykar stood, facing away from the fountains.<br><br>It was better not to look at Calyx. Rykar knew he would only want him more if he looked at the prince's face. Maybe he should simply disappear from the kingdom entirely. That is, until his brother was crowned as the new king of the country. If he disappeared the kingdom would have no choice but to choose Calyx as their king or they would go without one which was unacceptable. And it would give Rykar time to gather his feelings together. But he couldn't stand not being able to see the one he loved.<br><br>Rykar felt ashamed when Calyx asked how long he had felt this way. "From the moment you were given a sword." He murmured softly, knowing Calyx would understand.<br><br>When Calyx had first picked up a sword, Rykar had been instructed to teach him about weaponry. It had been back when they were teens.<br><br>Of course his love for Calyx had only begun back then. Over the years it had grown into something more mature and deep than he could have possibly imagined. And over the years it had taken its toll on his health, resulting in his dark hair turning a pure white. Rykar had never told anyone the true reason behind his hair color but he assumed Calyx would draw the conclusion now that he knew his feelings towards him. Even if he didn't, his hair color wasn't a big deal to him. Not compared to other things.<br><br>"I will try not to mention it again in the future. I know it makes you uncomfortable to hear me profess my love." Rykar added, wanting Calyx to feel at ease around him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>28-12-2010, 08:43:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Honestly, Calyx actually felt bad for Rykar. He couldn't help wondering what he had done to cause such a strong swell of emotions in his older brother, but when Rykar stated that he had felt that way since the day he had picked up a sword, something clicked. Of course. Calyx had been very young back then, barely a teenager, and Rykar had been instructed to teach him all that he knew. He could have had a proper trainer, but his mother hadn't seen much promise in him and decided that it would have been a waste of time. And with the king's permission, she had instructed Rykar to be his trainer.<br><br>Calyx remembered spending hours out in the fields with his brother - a teenager like himself - trying desperately to get a handle on swordplay and failing miserably. He had never been much good with physical combat and Rykar knew that, too. As such, they had gone easy on the training after a while and focused on just being together. On spending time walking through the trees, talking, and bonding. Ever since then, they had been fairly close - but apparently, Rykar had felt more than just fraternal affection for him all that time. It had been so much more.<br><br>And Calyx felt like a fool for not having been able to see it. Somehow, he felt as though he had known forever, but he hadn't been able to put a label on it until just then. And now that he knew... he couldn't ignore it.<br><br>"I can't ask you to ignore it for my sake," Calyx told him, sympathetically reaching out to clasp his hand. Being out in the sunlight and fresh air had given him a renewed sense of vigor and he wasn't going to let it go to waste. He had some strength back and he was going to use it. "It's not right, asking you to hide it just so I can feel better." He offered a small smile, trying desperately to rid them both of the tension.<br><br>"I may not be able to understand... why you feel the way you feel," the younger prince added, "but in a way... I feel very honored to know that you feel this way for me."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>04-01-2011, 03:22:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rykar looked back over his shoulder at his brother. The touch of Calyx's hand had sent shivers through him and he tried to control himself and not give in to temptation.<br><br>If he did, he had no doubt his brother would hate him. But it was so hard not to turn around and crush Calyx against his muscular body.<br><br>Kissing him was something he had always longed to do but he couldn't take advantage of the other male like that. It wouldn't be right, especially since Calyx was still in recovery mode. So he bit his bottom lip and attempted to deal with the flood of emotions that were currently rushing through him. Taking a deep breath, glad he was still facing away from Calyx, Rykar let his eyes flicker off to the side momentarily. Yes, he could restrain himself from acting on his impulses but not for long.<br><br>Calyx's words and his touch were slowly getting to him. If the conversation continued he would eventually lose control. But he couldn't help adding to the fray.<br><br>"What's so wrong about loving your brother in that way?" Rykar asked softly, wondering if Calyx would recoil from him because of this.<br><br>He hoped he wouldn't but one never knew how another person might react. They could make an educated guess but they couldn't know for sure. Not really. Rykar dared not turn around because if he did, he might decide it wasn't worth it to hold himself back and do what he really shouldn't do. No, it was better if he didn't look Calyx in the eye. "In the past, families did it all the time to preserve their bloodline. In fact, royal families only allowed their children to marry eachother." It was true.<br><br>So what had changed from then to now? Why had loving your brother and wanting to be with him forever become forbidden and taboo to the world? It made no sense.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>18-01-2011, 09:22:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rykar presented a fairly decent point. What was so wrong about being in love with your brother? It wasn't as though anything bad would come of it... Way back when, royals would marry within their families to keep their bloodlines pure. Of course, as time passed, they learned about things like birth defects and such, so such couplings were discouraged. But two men... It wasn't like they could have children that could possibly suffer, right?<br><br>So what was the harm?<br><br>Calyx just wasn't sure that he could accept it. This was his brother, the man he had grown up with. They were very close, but they were still related by blood and he wasn't sure if he could handle the idea of being in a relationship with him. But at the same time, he felt that magnetic pull. The draw between them that told him it was okay, that it might not have been acceptable but that it wasn't at all the most terrible thing in the world.<br><br>But accepting it was more than he could handle at that point. He was still quite sick, weakened from his ordeal, and his mind just couldn't wrap around anything that substantial yet. He entertained the thought that maybe, after some time had passed and the idea had sunk in, he could handle it. Maybe. But that was a pretty big maybe.<br><br>"... Give me some time," he murmured, reaching up to touch Rykar's face, imploring him to understand. "I'll never turn my back on you, Rykar, not even for this. But it's a lot to take in... I only ask that you give me some time to figure out how I feel. Can you do that for me?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>24-01-2011, 16:58:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He looked down when Calyx reached up to touch his face. The softness was almost too much to handle and he had to restrain himself from doing something he would regret.<br><br>A gentle smile came to his face although it was tinged with sadness as he nodded. "Of course." He murmured, assuming Calyx had only said it for his benefit.<br><br>Rykar knew Calyx would probably never return his affections. But he had never harbored many hopes in that department. So waiting for his brother to think it over made no difference. The result would be the same anyway. The prince looked out across the courtyard they were in and a cool breeze blew his long white hair over his shoulders. "So how do you feel? Is the fresh air helping you anyway?" He asked, wanting to know whether Calyx felt better or worse coming out like this. If it was the latter they should return.<br><br>But if it was the former, he would continue to take his brother around the castle grounds. Perhaps they could even venture outside the walls but maybe they should wait.<br><br>For when Calyx was fully better. Rykar didn't want to press his brother too much and he wasn't entirely sure he could carry Calyx on his back to the castle.<br><br>He needed to take care of some affairs of state later on today. But he decided not to do it right now but push it off for later on. After all, his brother was more important than the kingdom itself. He had proved that when he had wanted Calyx to kill him with the velvet rope earlier. Maybe after lunch he would do the work and then have the rest of the afternoon and evening to spend with Calyx. Rykar wasn't sure what his brother was up for doing but he knew he wanted to help him as much as he could.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>26-01-2011, 08:42:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Despite having his reservations about accepting his brother's affections, Calyx couldn't help wondering, on the other hand, if it was really so terrible. They had always been close. They had always confided in one another, took comfort in each other, and shared every important event in their lives. Even their other sibling, who had died at sea with their father, had not shared in their closeness. It was something between Calyx and Rykar exclusively.<br><br>So maybe, Calyx thought, there was something to this. His only concern was what would happen if anyone found out. The future king, whichever of them wound up chosen, was expected to marry and sire a child. Obviously, that could not happen if the two of them were in a relationship. Or at least a monogamous relationship... That would present a problem. But wait. It wasn't like it mattered or anything, because they were not a couple and would never be a couple. This was all hypothetical. Right?<br><br>Shaking off the thought, Calyx sighed and dropped his arm, folding his hands in his lap and looking out at the courtyard. "Yes. it is. I appreciate you helping me out here." He smiled pleasantly, but the conflicting emotions showed on his face despite his best efforts. "Maybe we could... walk a little more?" he ventured tentatively, looking down at his lap with a small frown. "i don't want to go inside just yet..." Something about their home oppressed him now. He couldn't help feeling like the dungeons were only a short distance away and that he would be thrown back inside if he did something wrong.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>01-02-2011, 22:59:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He hadn't really considered marriage. Rykar hadn't thought that far ahead. All he was concerned about was whether Calyx returned his feelings. He was simpleminded.<br><br>A cool breeze blew through the area and the prince let out a soft sigh of contentment. He was with Calyx and that was all that mattered to him right now.<br><br>Rykar looked over at his brother when Calyx spoke. "We're brothers. No thanks is necessary." He murmured and leaned over to kiss Calyx's forehead. The white haired male inclined his head as the younger prince asked if they could walk a bit more. "Of course. Whatever makes you feel better." He told him, not minding in the least extending their walk. It was all to make Calyx feel better after all. "So how do you feel? Any side effects?" He asked, wanting to make sure Calyx wasn't just putting on a brave face for him.<br><br>He wanted his brother to recover completely. Not just a little or mostly, completely. After all, he would need to prove to the kingdom that he wasn't insane any longer.<br><br>It was important that he do so if he wanted to run this place in the future. Rykar glanced over at Calyx, letting his sapphire eyes linger on the other male.<br><br>Despite his words, he was worried about Calyx and although he was certain the other prince wasn't crazy anymore, he wasn't sure if other people would see him that way. In fact, some might even try and entice him to show something they could claim to be madness in an attempt to not put him on the throne. He didn't want that to happen and yet he wasn't sure what he could do to support Calyx. "Can I do anything for you that will put your mind at ease?" Rykar inquired, wanting to help him out.<br><br>Life as a prince in this kingdom was difficult, especially when they were to be fighting for the throne as tradition demanded. However, the queen was trying to overturn that.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>09-02-2011, 09:28:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As they began to walk together, with Calyx remaining close by so that he could lean on Rykar if he needed it, the younger prince began to feel worlds better. He was still feeling a little sick, which hindered him a little on their walk, but overall, he felt like he was on the road to recovery. Whatever had happened to him, it seemed to be fading. Slowly but surely.<br><br>"I'm just a little tired," he replied, raking a hand back through his long hair and wrapping his arms around himself for the warmth as they circled the garden. "Whatever happened to me seems to be going away. I can't explain it. Maybe it was because I finally got some decent food into my stomach." He had been practically starved down in the dungeon and all that they had given him had proved unsatisfying.<br><br>"You must be growing weary of me." Calyx laughed, casting his eyes down toward the gravel beneath his feet. "I am weak and not myself. You were always the stronger one, but I never had to rely on you this much..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Red Velvet [BrilliantDays/Saku]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saku</strong> on <strong>14-02-2011, 12:55:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rykar nodded when Calyx told him he was tired. "Let's take a quick rest. I don't want you to end up fatigued." He guided Calyx to one of the many benches littered around.<br><br>He took a seat a moment later as well. A smile came to his lips when Calyx told him he was beginning to feel better. That was what he had wanted to hear.<br><br>"Are you cold?" The eldest prince asked, not wanting his brother to get a chill so soon after having regained his sanity. Before Calyx could respond, Rykar shrugged out of his coat and placed it over Calyx's shoulders. "Can't have you catching a cold." He murmured, wondering if it was such a good idea to spend too much time outside at once. Perhaps they should go back and return later once he had warmed himself up a bit. He chuckled at the words his brother had said about him growing weary of him.<br><br>It had been a long time since he had been able to laugh. There had been too much sorrow in the past few years for him. First, the deaths of his father and youngest brother.<br><br>Then, Calyx's apparent madness and his mother trying to push him into accepting the throne. He understood her reasoning but couldn't accept the position.<br><br>Rykar had never wanted power or responsibility as great as what a king would be in control of, not like his brother did. Calyx really was the more suitable heir and the white haired prince was going to do everything in his power to make sure it became a reality. "Let us retire to my room and I will order us some hot chocolate and pastries to feast on. If you want to come out later, we can do so again but I don't want to tire you out all at once." He told Calyx with a smile and reached out to massage his shoulder.
			</dd>
		</dl>
		<div id="footer" class="smalltext">
			
			<span class="smalltext" style="display: inline; visibility: visible; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?action=credits" title="Simple Machines Forum" target="_blank" class="new_win">SMF 2.0.19</a> |
 <a href="https://www.simplemachines.org/about/smf/license.php" title="License" target="_blank" class="new_win">SMF © 2021</a>, <a href="https://www.simplemachines.org" title="Simple Machines" target="_blank" class="new_win">Simple Machines</a>
			</span>
		</div>