Forums » General Roleplay » A wild orphan appeared (1x1 with gloomy)

"But... You're still really young," she looked to him with a bit of worry, "And I thought smell was more important than even hearing to wolves... That aside, the village celebrated your 21st birthday not that long ago... You're only six years older than me."

"I know..." He frowned, "It's not the age that's done me in... It's that damned Highland Court and their insistence on drowning the castle in incense. It's an absolute nightmare. I can't even smell my own dinner without having to rub it all over my face... Heh. Not that I do, mind you."

Malus thought for a moment, "Only six years older than me, huh...? Why, that makes you fifteen! Hell, you're no older than my own wife." He seemed quite surprised.

This made her blush even more, but she didn't quite know why, "W-wow... That's interesting..." she said, unsure of how else to respond to the comment.

"Are you alright? You're as red as an apple."

It took her a few seconds to respond, "I-I'm fine, sire!"

He examined her expression, then chuckling lightly. "Ah, I see..." He chimed in amusement, before walking the path once more.

She let out the slightest whimper, feeling that he was ridiculing her with that statement. It wasn't like she hadn't been mocked or made fun of before, it happened almost every day, but it felt like there was more of an impact coming from the king.

Malus was so amused by her reaction, he could all but barely notice the small whimper she had suppressed. After all, this wasn't the first time one of his own people had acted in such a way, around him. Especially with the young maidens. This was almost typical behavior, but... something seemed different, with Natalia. He seemed to take more notice to it. Like it was... intriguing? Perhaps? Or maybe...? No. No, that was a ridiculous idea.

Thank the gods that his dark fur could conceal the slight blush he gave, at the thought of such ideas.

(Hope I'm not totally bombing this, by the way.. ^^')

(Not at all!!! You're great you really should get out there and try to RP with some others )

Natalia watched him silently, still worried that he had been mocking her and so she finally stopped, "You should probably just go..." she said quietly, "I get jealous pretty easily..." she lied. Natalia never got jealous. She had been "taught" to be humble with calloused hand and a switch, and even before that she was too mild mannered to really be jealous. Even still, it seemed her best bet to get away from the abusive hands and eyes of the city dwellers and possibly even the queen herself. She hadn't had any friends before and she doubted that someone as high up as the queen would bother hittin her herself. She'd probably have the guards do it or maybe king Malus.

"Just... go?" Malus looked at her in confusion, "But... then where would you go? Your village is in ruins, pillagers roam the mountains, it's not the least bit safe here, and you simply wish me to go...?"

"It makes no difference... I was never part of the village. I have no life..." she started backing away from him.

"W-wait!" He interjected, "How can you just say that, 'it makes no difference'...? The hell it does! Your life is just as important as mine! Do not tell me that it makes no difference! I can offer you a new lease on life; give you food, clothing, a roof over your head! I can make something of you! You can be someone! And to hell with what other people think!"

Malus snorted and looked her over, a look of both pity and frustration etched upon his face. If Natalia hadn't known any better, she'd have thought he was pouting. Why, the expression he gave was nothing short of a indignant child. Then he grabbed for her wrist, tightly at first, but then let his grip ease, "Look... Natalia... I can understand if you're made jealous easily, but you have to realize the gravity of what I am offering. Jealousy can be only a small price to pay. You... you're different, from the others. You've got a sense of pride about you that I don't see in many and, heh, and you're no kiss up. Not in a false sense, that is. I can tell you've had a rough life, and in a way, I can relate; but I am willing to offer you something more. Please. I can walk away right now, if that is what you truly wish... but perhaps fate has opened a door that you shouldn't look so far past."

"Why would you bother with me?!" Natalia protested. She wanted desperately to believe him but she was scared. "You are a king! You are the ruler of this country yet you would bother yourself with someone who not even the lepers respect? Someone who is thought so low of that they can't no one will even let me sleep with the cows?!" she looked down, "What do you care that I am not near you?" it had become painfully obvious now that jealousy was not the issue but fear, Not so much of him, but of everything, of every person who would hit her for no reason or simply say cruel things to her. That the king would not hold to his word, and she would rather be alone in the woods than on the streets of a city.

"Because... I-I..." The King was at a loss. For once, he did not know what to say to the young girl; he wanted to tell her that she had nothing to fear, that all of it would be for the better, but... what would that amount to when there was no reason behind it? No reason but the one he'd so desperately prefer to keep blind, so he simply stood there, mouth agape with no words to form and an ever so slight redness to his cheeks. What on earth was he supposed to do?

He finally brought his gaze down and solemnly turned to walk away, "I am sorry to have wasted your time, fair maiden..." He addressed in a voice quite regally as he cleared his throat, a tinge of sadness past it's formal tone.

"That's what I thought," she said with tears in her eyes and didn't stop him when he turned away. She had no right to say anything to the king anyways, so what did it matter? She looked at him for just a moment then sat down and pulled her knees to her chest. Why on Earth was she being so difficult? Why couldn't she just accept the help of a king? She didn't know why, no matter how hard she tried to come up with an answer. After a few seconds of sitting silently, she began to cry just loudly enough that it could be heard and she buried her face in her knees, her shoulders bouncing with the quiet cries.

Malus had only moved a few feet, before standing there as if afraid to continue forward. He caught the sounds of Natalia's muffled cries and instantly felt remorse for the whole situation. What was he thinking, forcing such a hefty proposition upon the girl!? She didn't deserve his pressuring, no matter who she was; it was obvious she was uncomfortable with everything in the first place and his actions surely didn't help.

He let out a sigh. There was no time for this. He still had a duty to attend to, but... God, he hadn't felt this flustered since... since...

It dawned on him just how insane he really was.

He could feel the stifling air around them. It was going to rain soon.

He looked back to Natalia, then walked over to her, kneeling so that he could be at eye level. He placed his hand gently upon her shoulder.

(I'm sorry if this is difficult for you to follow, dude. I tend to really push a character's development boundaries, even if they aren't my own... Again, sorry. ^^'"

(No!!! It's awesome! You make the RP interesting, and I feel like I'm making it repetitive. Bringing character development is a good thing. )

She didn't look up when she felt the hand on her shoulder. She knew it was him after all, since there really hadn't been too many footsteps.
"Just go..." she said quietly, "There's no reason to bring me along. Just leave me here and let me die..." those words felt terrible coming out of her mouth. The thought of dying terrified her more than anything, not death itself, but dying and she was asking for it now? She sighed mentally and asked herself why she was being so difficult still.

(You're not being repetitive! Heck, you're doing really awesomely. You're actually doing so well, you're evoking actual feeling out of me for the situation. )

Malus said nothing. Instead, he took his hand and raised her chin up so that she was looking right at him. He kept his gaze warm and voice soft as he returned the gaze at her. "I'm not leaving you here to die..." He touched noses with her, "Okay...?"

(Really? )

Her green eyes went wide at the gesture and she let out an embarrassed and wanting whimper, but that touch of the nose pushed all resistance away.
"O-okay..."

(Mmhmm! I love RPing with you!)

He smiled, then broke apart so that he could gently pick her up, carrying her as he began down the path once more. She may have objected to it, but he truly didn't mind. In a way, he was happy to do something kind for her.