Eclipse pulled out of his thoughts after they got a bit too confusing. Refocusing on the conversation between his father and the other ruler he decided that was too boring after about five seconds. That decided, he turned his attention back to the enigma that was the Kevran Prince. He noted how the other was actually paying attention to the talks, and how his eyes followed the moving pieces on the tabe.
The talks continued until lunchtime, when both kings stood up and they made their farewells. Nikolas hauled himself up. His leg didn't hurt as badly now, since he had been sitting for a while, though he was still leaning on his cane a bit. He looked over at the Tesh prince, wondering why the other prince had been so silent during the whole thing. It didn't quite make sense to him. Nikolas himself had interrupted every time he saw a flaw or mistake, much to King Nightfang's annoyance.
Eclipse let out a sigh of relief as soon as things were over, he made his polite farewells, noting the other prince's questioning gaze. He averted his eyes as he left the tent, deliberately turning off into the crowd, wanting to avoid his father as he set off at a jog through the encampment. He knew it'd get him in even more trouble later, but he was feeling rebellious for once.
Nikolas followed his father out of the tent, and was met with the questioning gaze of one of his friends.
"Nik, are you alright?" asked Aron, one of Nik's best friends and royal guard. "You're limping."
"It was worse earlier. I'm fine now." Nikolas replied, giving Aron a quick smile. "Though I think these negotiations will last longer than I thought."
Eclipse wandered through camp on his own, managing to lose his guards as he wandered around in between soldiers, Tesh and Kevran alike. He hummed softly, wondering if it'd be actually worth it to leave the camp. But he decided against it as he ended up on the edge of camp, taking a deep breath of fresh air for once.
Aron and Nikolas walked through the camp together. "The monster's getting worse, Aron. I'm losing…losing the memories. I don't remember…" Nik let out a breath. "I can't remember what I did last night. I know that I…that I changed into the monster, but I don't remember anything else."
Aron frowned. "That's…not a good sign, Nik." he replied slowly. "We'll have to see how this goes. Is he getting strong enough to break the chains, do you think?"
Nik shook his head slowly. "I…I don't know."
(btw, the pinterest links aren't working?)
(Uhmm.. they should work just fine…uhmm…. Gimme a sec and I'll see if i can redo them after I post again.)
Eclipse started walking again, enjoying the peacefulness outside of the camp, enjoying the way he could almost be himself. He knew full well his father would be angry with him later, and probably make him do so much work he wouldn't get any sleep. But this was worth it. He needed this freedom. He sighed, his thoughts turning back to the Kevran Prince, the way those golden eyes studied everything. He shook his head, I shouldn't be thinking about him….. his people murdered my mother… No. That was father's doing. But they're still my enemies. he thought.
(I don't have a Pinterest account, so maybe that's why?)
Aron frowned. "Okay. Well…we'll use the chains tonight, and see what happens. You don't usually have two in two nights, but if he's getting stronger…" he trailed off. They both knew what would happen if Nik couldn't control the monster.
Nik nodded, and thought of the Tesh Prince. What would he do if he learned what was wrong with Nik? Did the young prince dislike Nik as much as the king of Tesh did? Nik pushed his thoughts aside, trying to focus.
https://pin.it/k2t3e6laieafkd
https://pin.it/ymrxtqzxsvex4n
https://pin.it/2makdw4nx5ewg3
(here are the links, they should work this time.)
(No, when I posted them originally I posted them directly from my account, and the board they're pinned to is private, which would be why.)
(yup they did! Thank you!)
(Ah alright, that makes sense)
Eclipse kept walking, feeling a growing need to just run free for awhile. But he knew that was too risky with his father around. Sure, his father was also a wolf shifter, but he suppressed it more than Eclipse did. He kept going, vaguely realizing that he sighed an awful lot. This thought made the vague semblance of a smile appear, if only for a split second.
(YAY! Glad they worked!)
Aron held out a hand. "Here. Let's play a game. I know you aren't up to sparring." he suggested.
Nik blinked, then nodded. "Sounds good. Checkers,or Chess, or cards?" he asked.
"Well…Lieze wants to play cards." Aron replied, his eyes studying Nik.
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright."
Eclipse kept walking around the camp, finding himself on the Kevran side ignoring absolutely everything. I he were to be attacked, it would be two things. His fault. And a way to blow off steam. It would also be another reason for his father to be mad at him, but that was besides the point. He calmly walked by, ignoring the stares and glares of the Kevran soldiers as he walked back towards the main pavilion again.
They set up the game, Lieze studying Nik carefully. "You look tired, Nikky." She said with a smirk.
Nik rolled his eyes, and played a card. "Yes, I am." He agreed with a sigh. "These negotiations are going to kill me." Especially if it's all like today was. I don't know if I can handle that. He sighed, running a hand through his hair as he pictured the Tesh Prince again. Dark hair, taller than Nikolas. Something…something wild in his eyes.
Eclipse tugged up his hood as he passed through the camp, brushing a lock of his signature silver and black hair back behind his ear as he kept walking. Passing by another group of soldiers he ignored their stares and turned off towards the mess area, the one place where the most fights happened. He hummed softly as he observed the area quietly, making sure to stay to the edges.
Nik, Aron, and Lieze were seated in a corner of the mess tent. The two guards were cross-legged on the ground, and Nik sat with a pillow beneath the injured leg, his cards held carefully in one hand. He dropped his cards theatrically, grinning. "And it's dash." He announced, still grinning.
Aron swore at him, and dropped his cards in disgust. "I keep forgetting you learned to play on the front lines, Nik." He said with a good-natured laugh.
Lieze wrinkled her nose in disappoinment, and chucked an acorn at Nik's head.
Eclipse looked around some more, his eyes suddenly landing on the Kevran prince and two others. He looked to be playing some kind of card game, and to be…. happy? Eclipse sighed, since when were royals allowed to have any fun without breaking the rules? He figured that was just him, and he hated it. Once again he was hit with a wave of envy for the other. Sure, he was a cripple. But he seemed to have more freedom than Eclipse ever would.
Nik caught the acorn with one hand. "Lieze!" He exclaimed in mock anger. "That's assault on your future king!"
"Yeah, well my future king can shove it up his ass." Lieze replied, giving him the finger and sticking her tongue out.
Nik raised an eyebrow. "No thank you." He replied with another laugh. He set the acorns aside, gathered up the cards, shuffled, and dealt again. He hadn't noticed Eclipse's presence, though Aron certainly had.
The male guard's gaze was trained on the Tesh Prince, and he shifted protectively towards Nik.
Eclipse noted the guard's movement, but made no reaction, simply watching from where he was. He noticed how the Kevran prince played off having something thrown at him, and how he was having fun. He let out another long sigh, his posture stiffening when he saw his own guard enter the tent. The leader of the pair that "guarded" him, caught his eyes, and immediately left, knowing better than to draw attention to him when he wanted to be on his own.
Aron was still watching Eclipse when Nik elbowed him. "Hello? Focus!" Nik said.
Aron blinked, and turned to Nik. "Yeah, okay. The Tesh prince is here." He replied, picking up his cards.
Nik stiffened a little, but didn't turn to look at Eclipse. He knew the polite thing to do would be to offer to let the other play, but…he looked at the way Lieze's expression had hardened at that, and at the way Aron was sitting, and knew that neither of them would be able to enjoy the game very well if he did say that Eclipse could join them.
Eclipse noted the way everyone's attitude changed when his presence was acknowledged, and he began making his way out of the tent, figuring he'd let them have their fun, knowing he'd never be welcome in their group. Or anyone's for that matter. Sure, most people would love to be friends with a royal, right? Wrong. His father's reputation around the castle back home had withered any chance of him having frineds long before he was born.
But it's polite, and it'll help with relations between the countries. Nik sighed. He turned, and stood a little clumsily, and limped over to Eclipse, leaving his cane on the ground. "Would you like to join us?" he asked, a little stiffly, but politely in any case. His expression was careful, and while he couldn't be described as friendly…he wasn't being unfriendly, either.
Eclipse turned, he had been just about to leave the tent when Nik approached him. He was stunned by this, and as such, unable to hide his confusion for a moment. "I.. I'f you'll have me" he said softly, wondering if this was a trap. He quickly went over all the scenarios, and decided it wasn't a trap as he turned to face the other prince head on, "I would appreciate the distraction from boredom." he finished quietly.
(Sorry, distracted)
(it's fine)
Nik nodded. "Come on, then." he replied. He led Eclipse back to the circle, still limping, and sat down again, putting the pillow beneath his wounded leg again. "So, your highness, these are two of my guards. Aron, and Lieze." Aron was tall and bulky, all muscle, with brown hair that flopped into his face and intelligent blue eyes. Lieze was slim, and about 5'6", with dark hair that hung down her back in a magnificent braid. Her dark eyes studied Eclipse warily, and she patted the dagger clipped into her sword belt. Nik caught the gesture, and his eyes narrowed. "Lieze, he is a guest. I know how much you hate the Tesh, but you don't get to touch him." Lieze scowled, but sighed, and dropped her hand from the dagger.