Just going to. . . Casually start topping every now and then.

Just. . . Casually topping

Hey all! I'm back! And by that, I mean I don't actually have anything written to post but I'm going to START writing things again lol. Taking a month of writing was really nice; it gave me time to mediate on the purpose of my story, what I wanted to say, and reevaluate my intentions in writing. I also just got a break in general

June! Yay! I can't wait to read more! (I see '3 days ago by Silver Crystal', by I don't see that comment... Am I just missing something?)

Hi guys! Just wanted to pop in and give you an update (no writing today, sorry T-T). BASICALLY, I finished the two weeks from heck (had two jobs, a summer camp, and a wedding going on. It was exhausting.) But now I'm getting into a regularish schedule so I can plan for writing. I've already started writing, hopefully I'll have a scene up by this weekend! 

Also I'm planning on doing camp nanowrimo in July so that will be fun! *cracks knuckles* gotta start practicing my writing speed now!

I'll ttyl!  

Here is me wrapping up the last scene i posted! I added the last lines of the previous writing because I changed it up a bit; thanks y'all! It's short and (bitter)sweet!

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“You are a good king and a good man, Lucius. That is all I ever hoped for for you and it still is all I hope for in my prayers. That Kalo Nima, Goodness and Truth and Beauty herself, would be revealed through you and in you for all of your days.”

Lucius scratched the back of his neck and chuckled. “Thanks, mother. I do hope I live up to those words.” 

“You do, son, Truly.”

Despite the encouraging nature of Deanna’s comment, her words triggered the thoughts he initially sought refuge from. Pressure grew quickly in his chest. His mother placed her hand on his arm and met his gaze, smiling reassuringly, but something about her gaze caused Lucius to flinch away. It felt like her dark brown eyes knew. She said nothing, allowing room for Lucius to voice his troubles. 

He swallowed thickly. “King Eno is being extremely accommodating.” Deanna only nodded, prompting him to continue. “I feel as if he is overcompensating to prove his good intentions. Which, to me, proves he has something to hide. I hope. . . I hope I am not simply postponing an inevitable war. King Gideon freed an oppressed people from suffering under a tyrant, and created a kingdom for them to flourish in. Both his son and grandson built upon that. The Maelfesta name, my name . . . it stands for peace. The power I possess comes from a people loyal to that name; what happens if I lead them into war?” He glanced over at his mother. Her eyebrows were furrowed with emotion as she leaned to catch his gaze. Lucius held her eyes for a moment.

    He laughed and stood abruptly. “I’m not really sure what came over me. I must truly be exhausted. I must go to bed; there is a lot to be done in the morrow.”

“Lucius-” Deanna reached to grab him as she stood, but Lucius danced out of her grasp. 

“Really, mother, I don’t know what came over me. I am a bit worried, but sleep will cure the majority of my fears.”

“Lucius, weren’t you the one just telling me that we should be there to help each other?” The tone of her voice caused him to hesitate, just long enough for her to grab his arm. 

He smiled and looked into her eyes. “You have been a help. I feel fully prepared to sleep.” And then, before she could reply, he pulled her into a hug. His lips brushed the top of her greying hair. “I love you.”

    He was gone in an instant, the rusted key in his hand, the door locked behind him, and his mother grinning on the other side. If the guards noticed how he practically fled back to his chambers, they didn’t mention it.

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More writing! Yay!

This scene just... kind of happened! And I actually really like it :3

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“You look like death.”

Lucius glanced up from his half-eaten plate of food with a wry smile. “You really know how to give a compliment, Jaque.” 

The soldier chuckled. “You learn a little something when you’ve been married 34 years.”

Jaque did have a point, all jokes aside. Lucius had been functioning on 3 hours of sleep during a whirlwind of a day. The King’s Court had been horribly early, and several other meetings left no time for rest. He was technically in Jaque’s office for another meeting, but here he was eating dinner instead. The warm food and the quiet atmosphere did not help Lucius’ predicament. The weight of exhaustion grew quickly, and he apparently looked as tired as he felt. “It has been a busy day. But this is the end of it.” 

“I won’t take too long, either.” Jaque took another bite of his food and began rifling through some of the papers on his desk. There were stacks of books, papers, pencils, and goblets that littered the scratched, wooden surface. Jaque had shoved half of the mess onto the floor to make room for their dinner. 

Oliver was in the room, too. He had been on duty all day, but took the opportunity of Jaque’s presence to eat his dinner. There was a messy cot against the wall that he sat upon, a plate of food resting on his lap. He chuckled as Jaque began to sift through the papers on the floor. “Apparently 34 years of marriage doesn’t teach a man to clean up after himself.” 

Jaque sat up in his chair and scowled at Oliver, though his eyes were bright. “I’ve seen your cot before, boy, and it’s been much worse than mine!”

“Really, Jaque, when was the last time you’ve been home?” Lucius leaned forward in his chair to try and read the older man’s expression. Jaque’s job was to protect the king, and that had never been harder than during the last month. 

The man laughed. The corners of his eyes crinkled as he smiled reassuringly at his king. “Don’t you worry yourself, your Majesty. Ever since the late Majesty Ignes, Kalo bless his soul, had my missus moved to the castle, she’s been much happier with me. She’s not so far, now.” He ran a hand over his grey beard. There were still streaks of brown that littered his hair, but Lucius was abruptly reminded of his age every time his helmet came off. 

He found himself wondering if Jaque would ever retire, but the thought almost made him laugh. Jaque would die before he quit. A man who almost lost his wife for the job was loyal to a fault. “Well, if your wife is content, then so am I. I can wash my hands of guilt for working you too hard.” 

“I will admit you’re a handful, but nothing I’m not prepared for. Only thing I couldn’t protect his Majesty Ignes from was nature itself.” 

Oliver, aware of Deanna’s suspicions of poison, quickly jumped to change the topic.“Have we enough men for security, Jaque?”

Lucius gave Oliver a nod of thanks. 

“The new recruits we added after the catastrophe that was your coronation,” Jaque shot Lucius an annoyed but playful look, “are just about ready according to Dunstan. Even with the extra help, everyone will be working extra shifts regardless.”

“Is there a reason we’re so short on staff?”

Jaque shook his head. “We’ve enough for normal situations, your majesty, but when you add the extreme precautions and doubled security to the extra events that will occur when King Eno arrives, we’re wading through a thick swamp.”

“That reminds me,” Lucius began to search for a blank piece of parchment to use, “of official business. The Queen and Master of Ceremonies are working together on the traditional festivities of a treaty signing. They insisted on an event for every night the company of Temellon is here.” He found a usable parchment and snatched a quill from the corner of the desk. He began to write a list.  “They’ll be tired when they first arrive, but they should have several hours to rest before the evening feast. A ‘peace feast’ in the Grand Dining hall. After that, just assume there is an event every night. Although I’ll document the specific details.”

He continued to scribble his notes while Jaque nodded thoughtfully. “I’m certainly not worried about your safety, your Majesty. I mean, it is my job to worry, but I’m not worried about a threat from King Eno. It would be far too suspicious if an attempt on your life was made during his stay at the castle.”

“But it’s best to be prepared,” Oliver added. 

“And we will certainly be.”

The planning session with his mother and the Master of Ceremonies had only been a few hours ago, so Lucius remembered most of what was decided upon. He wrote down the details of the events as well as the locations, and then handed the paper to Jaque. 

He worked to finish his dinner while Jaque looked over the list. The potatoes were just barely warm. 

“A hunting trip? Really?” Jaque peered over the paper at Lucius with his eyebrows raised. 

“If all goes well, it could be an opportunity to ensure good rapport between myself and King Eno.”

“You haven’t left the castle in a month.”

“It might not happen, but you should be aware of the possibility.”

Jaque nodded and made a note on the page. After a few more moments, he finished reading. “I’ll start working on it.” He set the paper down and reached for his plate of food with a sigh. “It’s getting late. Is this your last stop before retiring, your majesty?”

“I plan on picking up some literature from the library. I have some further research to do on the old treaty between us and Temellon. My court was a mess today, unfortunately.” Part of it could have been because Lucius had been a mess today, but he quickly pushed the unbidden thought from his mind. Although it took all morning to find direction, the Court did find direction. They had a plan for tomorrow. 

Lucius made a mental note to pick up some reading on the politics of Temellon, as well. The confusing alliance of the Thirteen Kings was certain to come up at some point, and he wanted to be fully aware of the mess that was Temellon before the end of the week. 

“Did you send out the invitations to the Dukes yet, your majesty?” Oliver asked. 

“No, we didn’t get to that today. They’ll be sent first thing in the morning.” 

“You could ask the Dukes to bring extra security, Jaque.”

Jaque ran a hand over his face. “Most already bring a small guard, but I plan to secure the whole castle with my own men. Less confusing that way.”

“They could come in handy for extra shifts.”

The man paused to think, this time. He shook his head after a few moments. “I’ll plan to use my men and my men only. But if we need extra soldiers, I’ll keep that in mind.”

“The request for extra security also gives the impression that we aren’t secure,” Lucius added.

Oliver nodded and leaned back against the wall, his arms crossed. 

“Is there anything else you needed, Jaque?” Lucius asked. 

“This is all for now, your majesty.” The men stood from their seats. Jaque bowed. “Thank you for your time, your majesty.”

Lucius nodded. “Thank you.” Oliver had already put his helmet back on his head and was standing by the door. He opened it, and then fell into step behind Lucius with the guard that had been hovering outside Jaque’s office. 

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Lemme know your thoughts, as always! Thank you for keeping with me! :D