WELCOME

[Prince Drean]

It had been a cold day, it would be an even colder night, but the fire roaring merrily in the grate chased all worries and cares of that nature far from Dreans dark and often twisted mind. The book he had been reading lay on his stomach, for the moment forgotton. It had come from beyond the wall, purchased from a nasty looking fence in Wall. It was by a human called Macheaveli, and as the words poured from the page Drean found himself identifying with the words more and more.

He lifted the book turning his attntion back to the captivating words that was calling to him, 'All with me meet, that I can fashion fit' he read muttering the words to the semi darkness and gave a small smile, it was so him. He smiled, and flecked his booted feet on top of the plush sofa that adorned the center of the vast lounging room.

He was engrossed in the words, until he heard the door open behind him, the weary creaking of the old oak caught his attention. He didn't look up from the book but his ears pricked up, trying to identify the person from the footsteps. 'Leave the drink on the side table' he said eventually tiring of his guess the footsteps game and making the intuititive leap to servant.

[Princess Magdalena]

"Leave the drink on the side table'

Maggy smiled to herself as her eldest brother fell into her little trap, and not for the first time and really, not even for the second time this week! The young woman was full of energy, as usual, and lately it seemed that there simply wasn't enough around the castle to keep her entertained. She wanted more, although more of what, she couldn't quite pinpoint. She had everything at her beckon call, tutors and jesters, ladies-in-waiting and horses should she wish to go riding. It was all hers, and yet... she felt lacking.

"Only if you bake the buscuits and make them sweet," she said and rounded the luxurious sofa so that she was now in Drean's sight. "Cook has plenty of honey, so you shouldn't be want for it." Pale-blue eyes took note of the expensive boots propped so callously upon the velvet of the sofa and she looked from his feet to his face and lifted a carefully-arched brow as if to silently reprimand him, much as they both knew their mother would do, if she were here. It was a teasing gesture, just as was the folding of her arms under her chest, but the glow that suddenly brightened proved the happiness she felt at finally having company.

[Prince Drean]

Drean heard his little sisters voice from the door, and snapped he book closed with a crooked smile and a roll of his head, of course it was her, sneaking around the palace, when she had nothing better to do, terrorizing him with the energy she seemed to constantly exude. He laid the book on the small table near his head while she rounded the couch.

Only if you bake the biscuits and make them sweet. Cook has plenty of honey, so you shouldn't be want for it and he bit his lip for making another sarcastic remark as would have been his usual response to such a statement from anyone else. But he knew that such a statement to Maggie would only dissolve into a series of traded jibes that would possibly go on for hours, not something the eldest sibling of the Stormhold Family should really be indulging in.

Instead when she sat down her reproving look worked on him, again as it always did. With a resigned sigh he took his feet down, the leather creaking as they moved onto the floor. The blood flow returning to his feet as he moved from his semi recumbent position.


Well well sister dear, out breaking hearts today were we? he said alluding to the suitors that were constantly trying to worm their way into her affections. He hated to admit it sometimes but he was a little protective of the girl.

[Princess Magdalena]

"Well well sister dear, out breaking hearts today were we?"

Honestly, if it weren't for the fact that the eldest Stormhold child and the youngest actually favored one another in the sharp, almost delicate features of their faces, one would truly wonder at the fact they were blood related. Maggy was ever the optimist whilst her dashing brother... erm, well, wasn't. Taking her very sweet time, the young princess gathered the yards of fine, emerald fabric in her skirts and sat daintily upon the heavy, mahogany wood of the table in front of the sofa. Honestly, hadn't she just silently scolded Drean for sitting improperly upon the palace furniture? Well, one careful look into her eyes would prove mischief quite evident.

"Not today, brother-dear," she stated cooly, "I'm waiting for my prince to find me here, I'm done with looking. He will find me, when the time is right." Well that wasn't totally true, the fact of the matter was that Magdalena didn't know she was ready for true love.. so far as she was concerned, she wanted nothing more than to learn about migick. Men were just distractions, but then, this was the attitude of a young woman who was sick of men... having seven older brothers was tedious, she just didn't realize it yet. Still, egging one of her siblings, especially Drean, was fun, "But tell me, Drean, isn't it about time you took a bride?"

[Prince Drean]

Drean gave a slight chuckle, he couldn't help it, his sister as overly mischievous what could he but expect. His sisters glib response soon brought him to silence But tell me, Drean, isn't it about time you took a bride? her words spoken in that innocent tone of hers had more power than his fathers angry tone.

A large hand made it to his brow, and rubbed the bridge of his nose between his eyes. the topic of a wife had come up a lot recently. He knew he could not go on forever without taking a wife, but most of the ridiculous women he came across in the palace were not exactly suited to him. Too quiet, too fawning or too stupid, he needed someone who would challenge him, it would take a lot to break his cynical crust so he didn't really hold out much hope for finding a woman that met his exacting standards.

After a moment of silence that hung heavy in the air as he sought for an answer, he turned his head from the roaring flames of the mighty hearth to his little blond sibling, 'I feel the universe too vast for me to find someone who could put up with me for any length of time.' he forced a half smile.

He was a little obtuse in his family, the odd one out so to speak, he didn't have the easy ways of the others, and it had left him cold and with a cruel streak. He knew what he would have to do to secure his future, and was willing to do whatever it took.