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Post by Jasper Rost on Apr 3, 2023 16:44:32 GMT -5
Jasper knew his father found it very lonely at the top. People in their position couldn't afford becoming too attached to people, places, or things. It could compromise their work. A heavy crown and all that. And while to a degree the Prince could understand that it didn't mean he agreed with it. There were plenty of things he and his father didn't agree on. While he knew he would never have many friends he would like to keep a few people close.
The comment of whoring himself made Jasper nearly spit out his drink from laughter. He quickly covered his mouth to avoid spraying his company and choked down the drink as he trembled with quiet laughter. He cleared his throat after a moment and took a breath to compose himself again. The Prince was under no impression that Hunt might be interested in him. Or men in general for that matter. But he hadn't been trying to suggest as much. "Whoring would imply you get paid for your services." He said as he watched his eyes wander to a barmaid.
"I certainly hope your hands are better in bed than they are at catching arrows." He teased with a playful glimmer in his eyes.
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Exile
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Post by Hunt Valier on Apr 3, 2023 16:58:33 GMT -5
Hunt glanced back at the man when he choked in laughter. "Is that not...ah," he blushed and just as quickly pushed down the emotion, his stoic expression returning, though his brow furrow slightly in self-annoyance. "I see," he said softly at the brief explanation. He had been looking for the Imperial word that meant the other way around. That he paid a lot of women to have sex with them. Hunt had had a few experiences...but none in which he had gotten paid for anything. Nor had he himself ever paid for sex, though the later was probably painfully obvious.
He cut his gaze back to the Prince, eyes widening slightly at the vulgar and invasive suggestion. "That is obscene," he said, adding sharply, "And none of your business, Your Highness." If not for the fact the Prince was his superior in many ways, he would have gotten up then and there and excused himself. But that too would be bad manners.
That look in the Prince's eyes made him uncomfortable all over again. But for a different reason. It almost felt good to see him smile like that. To be playful and excited. Part of Hunt even liked that that playfulness was directed at him. He sighed and rubbed a hand over his face, grumbling to himself in frustrated Taknieri.
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Post by Jasper Rost on Apr 3, 2023 17:21:08 GMT -5
Watching as Hunt realized he probably hadn't used the word he intended. The blush was far cuter than it should have been. It wasn't exactly as if this was the first time Jasper had found a straight man attractive. But like most Taknieri he quickly put that mask back on. The Prince had gotten rather used to this kind of facade when he was traveling. Not that he was a fan of it. But it was still nice seeing that glimpse of real emotion.
Being told his words were obscene made Jasper cock his his brow. "So is suggesting that you might be selling your body." He teased with a playful grin on his lips. The comment on it it being none of his business made the Prince chuckle a bit. "I wasn't inquiring on it." He responded easily. Not unless the scout was offering a demonstration. But he wouldn't say that. That joke would certainly be more obscene at best.
"You're the one who brought up whoring, Captain." He teased before finishing off the rest of his ale.
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Exile
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Post by Hunt Valier on Apr 3, 2023 18:21:19 GMT -5
The captain sighed, but didn't bother correcting the man. They both knew that wasn't what he had meant. He got the feeling the Prince was trying to fluster him further. Certainly Hunt had been the one to put thought to speech when it came to the broader topic of sex, but the blonde was the one who had directed them here.
And you let him. The thought nagged him. He should have simply kept his mouth shut. Now he was sitting in a tavern alone with a foreign royal, talking about sex. the Prince handled it all so casually. He must do this often. Hunt wasn't familiar with any scandalous rumors of the man harassing poor young women, however. If it was men he was harassing, he knew from personal experience none of them would confess as much.
Hunt hadn't touched his drink besides the one swallow. Now he shifted his gaze away from the man again, watching the hallway beside them that lead to the rest of the tavern, preferring to leave this conversation topic behind.
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Post by Jasper Rost on Apr 3, 2023 20:45:37 GMT -5
Jasper had in fact been trying to avoid the topic of sex but Hunt had been the one to start it. But the Prince wasn't generally known for being foul mouthed or inappropriate. Least of all towards women. In fact most people knew him to be quite the young gentleman. When he'd been in his teens and early twenties he had been much more casually flirtatious. The topic of sex wasn't as private as he tried to keep it now.
Though he now only did that to not think about it as often. It only served to remind him how lonely he'd felt since he lost the only real relationship he'd ever had. As the Scout looked away again Jasper couldn't help but chuckle. So perhaps he'd pushed those buttons enough for one night. "So what's your favorite drink then?" He asked instead. It wasn't as if there was much further he was willing to go into that particular topic as it was. He wasn't interested in what the scout did with women he fancied.
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Post by Hunt Valier on Apr 3, 2023 21:40:37 GMT -5
Taknieri weren't quite so...open about sex as they were in Mathir. Though he imagined that wasn't the word any Manthirans would use either. Still, he preferred to play his cards close, especially here, especially with the Prince.
Hunt glanced at his mug as he asked about his favorite drink. To be honest, it was a good question. One Hunt didn't know. There was a lot of wine and sake in Taknier, but while he'd done plenty of shots in his life and plenty of wine, he wouldn't claim to have found a drink he would call his favorite. The ales and beers and ciders common here didn't particularly enjoy either. Mulled wine, perhaps. That was something they made quite nicely here. "Are you this chatty with all of your guards?" he asked instead of answering.
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Post by Jasper Rost on Apr 3, 2023 21:56:08 GMT -5
It seemed flustering Hunt had tugged at a bit of a nerve. Instead of answering his question he was shot back with another. Perhaps he should have gotten defensive. But he didn't see a point in it. In fact, he was just happy that the man was engaging in some kind of conversation with him. Grouchy or otherwise. So Jasper smiled. The same warm, even playful smile he'd had. His eyes never left the man across from him. "Are you my guard?" He asked in an easy and casual tone. Mostly to indicate that no, he didn't normally talk to his guards like this. But the Scout wasn't following him around all day everyday.
With a sigh he stretched his arms over his head then ran his fingers through his hair. "Actually, I've been having a lot more conversations with soldiers and guards as of late." He finally answered easily enough as one of the serving girls came to inquire if they needed anything else. Jasper ordered another drink for himself which she quickly ran to fetch. "I figured it's about time I start looking for a Warden for when I take the throne." Which ideally wouldn't be for quite some time. He didn't want to be King enough to wish ill on his own father.
"I rather admire my father's relationship with his Warden and I've been looking for that as well." A Warden was more than a line of protection. They were a confidant, a dear friend, a secret keeper. Someone the King could trust with more than just their life. But despite how close he would be with them it would also be someone willing and ready to lay down their life for their King. The girl returned with more ale and Jasper flashed her a charming smile with a warm, "Thank you." Before she walked off again.
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Post by Hunt Valier on Apr 3, 2023 22:19:31 GMT -5
Hunt dared to meet his eyes this time and didn't answer the question. It was clearly a rhetorical question, after all. Just because Hunt wanted to fall back on the safety such a term provided didn't make it true, he supposed. He had a negative desire to follow this man or anyone else around all day and night.
He grunted as the man continued, explaining that he had been making the rounds with a lot of soldiers. To be his Warden. "You're looking in the wrong places," Hunt said dryly. Harlan might have chosen a woman akin to the traditions of Taknieri and their gender equality, but why the Prince was looking at common soldiers, he couldn't begin to understand. It made more sense to forge an alliance with a noble family, notably of his house's blood, or perhaps his fiance's. Of course, the man seemed to be treating it like a quest for true romance. Both of which Hunt might have laughed at if he wasn't trying so hard to rein his emotions in.
He didn't for a moment believe the man was asking him. That would be absurd on more levels than the Prince understood. He might have been a bit dense about the flirtation, but this was different. This was political. Hunt desperately wanted to avoid politics. "Unfortunate you don't have a suitable sibling. I could train someone, if you like," he made both suggestions largely to turn the conversation away from anything more personal about himself.
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Post by Jasper Rost on Apr 3, 2023 22:41:10 GMT -5
"Am I? And where might you consider I look?" Jasper had talked to more than just common soldiers. He'd had enough noble families shoving their sons to him you'd think they were trying to get him laid. Which was a hilarious concept to think about in general. In all honesty he was casting his net out pretty wide. This wasn't just about politics this had to be someone he could trust. Not just someone that would make the masses happy. His father seemed to understand that pretty well. Considering he chose a woman for his Warden which had caused a pretty big stir.
If he was going to be comfortable spending most of his days with a person by his side. Trust them to know how to fight, to be able to lean on them, to trust they would make the right decisions in his place should he have to send them out somewhere he couldn't just pick someone because they were politically a safe bet. He could take some backlash for choosing someone that the masses didn't like. After all at the end of the day a Warden wasn't just any other soldier protecting the citizens.
But no, he wasn't trying to proposition Hunt to be his Warden. Not because he doubted that he would be good at the job or because he worried about there being a rumble over him choosing some exiled Taknieri. Simply because he didn't think that the Scout would feel comfortable in the position. He didn't think he'd honestly be willing to accept it. He did chuckle at the idea of his sisters becoming his Warden. "I wouldn't want to put that kind of pressure on a sibling anyway." To require one of his own sisters to lay down her life for him wasn't something he was willing to ask.
Though the idea of Hunt training someone did make him soften a bit. "I would like that." He said before taking another drink. "First I need to find someone I can trust though that doesn't just want the title for power."
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Post by Hunt Valier on Apr 3, 2023 23:38:07 GMT -5
Were Hunt required to choose a partner in life, not a lover, but a partner, he wouldn't go asking after strangers. Not that he had any friends or siblings besides Kaz who fit the role. Though he supposed the Prince was lacking there too and felt pressured by existing nobility, that it was simply a power grab to them. Of course they all understood that a Warden who outlived their King was a disgrace to the title. No one in their right mind made that commitment. Yet every king of Manthir had to differing success.
"Your legends are a bit unclear at times, but the first King and first Warden were siblings," he noted. Some even argued that Warden had been female, but there were conflicting stories. The ones that included incest were particularly shunned, but existed in the Taknieri libraries. Though he did struggle to see either of the Prince's sisters bearing that weight. Besides, they would serve better to form political bonds through marriage. "But you have other family. Cousins and such." Friends. But he didn't say it.
Hunt took a breath and pit together more words at once than he had in the man's presence. "Even should you prefer someone non-traditional, asking a commoner is a death sentence for both of you. That is a lifetime of education and political and cultural and historical knowledge they don't have that you would be asking them to take on." Maybe he was making too good of a point to avoid drawing attention to himself.
He nodded as the man considered his offer of training. Not that Hunt would make the claim that he could make just anyone a fighter. But he could certainly give them an edge. That, and part of him still felt...protective. Obligated.
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Post by Jasper Rost on Apr 4, 2023 0:18:47 GMT -5
"Even if I had a sibling that fit the role I couldn't trust myself to not step in to protect them." Jasper knew himself well enough. He was a protector. It's just who he was. Especially with his sisters. He was the big brother after all so they were his responsibility. Though his father wouldn't agree with that sentiment. But being who he was also made this a difficult decision for him. He understood that he had to let someone else put him before themselves.
It wasn't that he struggled with needing to rely on someone or needing someone who could fight. The struggle was taking that step back. To let someone else care for his safety. If things went south this would be someone he would have to let take that control. That he would be so close to someone and then not feel that need to care for them and protect them felt impossible. His father would say he cared too much.
The more he spoke though the more Jasper smiled. "Well you're starting to sound like my father's Warden." He teased with a soft grin. The woman was far too much like Harlan. Both so cold, impassive. Like a wall of ice. "And you would know a lot about Imperial law, history, traditions, and financial and social economics?" Though his tone was playful there was honest curiosity in his eyes.
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Post by Hunt Valier on Apr 4, 2023 6:50:45 GMT -5
Hunt nodded. As much as he didn't understand the sentiment personally, he did understand most people felt perhaps too strong of a bond with their kin. Most Taknieri felt a similar, albeit lesser sense for all of their people. Being raised and schooled communally forged a deeper connection, established that everyone was a brother and a sister. There might still be rigid lines in the sand when it came to adulthood and rank, but this was tempered by a tight connection. Like a large family.
The Prince was a different breed. He wasn't at all like his father, though Hunt couldn't really claim to know the King half as well as he knew the Prince, for what little today's conversation was worth. "I think your sister's would be greatful for your restraint," he mused. His father would probably prefer the blonde had more.
Having never met the current Warden, he couldn't confirm the comparison. But perhaps he was giving too much advice. He hadn't spoken at length about much else. He frowned and his mouth became a thin line again. Now why would he ask such a question? "I know a little," he clipped, tight lipped once again as the conversation turned back to himself. He didn't care to rise to the playful goading, even if part of him itched to answer.
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Post by Jasper Rost on Apr 4, 2023 9:31:10 GMT -5
In as many ways Jasper was similar to his father even he could admit they had vast more differences. But was that not a good thing? If each King were exactly the same the country would never experience growth. There would be nothing learned. Nothing gained. The Prince admired his father in a great many ways. Knew he cared about his family and his country. Even if he had different ways of showing it.
He watched the Scout suddenly put that wall back up as the question was turned on him. He always found it rather fascinating how Taknieri did their best to understand and learn about Manthir but were so private with more of their own culture. It was a good battle tactic really. Jasper was also rather keen on paying close attention to the opposition. Even if he didn't plan to strike right away. Still, he grinned a bit and took a long drink from his mug.
Hunt also seemed just less interested in talking about himself. Jasper had a feeling it had more to do with trying to purposely keep the Prince at arms length. It was funny really. How so many people wanted as close to him as they could get. But the one man the Prince was actively trying to get to know wanted nothing to do with him. "I still have time to find a Warden, I don't expect to take the throne anytime soon as it is."
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Post by Hunt Valier on Apr 4, 2023 12:44:22 GMT -5
Padt of it was tactics. Part of it was simply that they valued learning and put less emphasis on the individual than other countries. It was seen as disrespectful to call attention to oneself beyond their station. As a visiting soldier from the northern region and a commoner for all intents and purposes here in Manthir, his title of Captain afforded him very little.
Of course, much of his was his desire to remain a relatively unknown figure in the background. To ensure no one, especially the Prince, got a glimpse of something he didn't want them to. Eventually, the Prince would get bored of his latest past time that was harassing him, and Hunt could return to his mundane and dangerous life trudging through snow, avoid traps, chasing off raiders from a village, and arguing with his direct superiors. He didn't miss it, exactly, but it was better than the fighting rings.
"Long live the King," he murmured, the mantra soft and serious. Hunt had little love for Harlan, but he also realized his opinion didn't matter. Still, there was that ingrained respect again on the surface.
"In Taknier, nobles wear masks and veils. As a fashion statement, but also as a reminder that each has many different faces, some more and some less real. Your noble Houses do not wear any masks. But perhaps with your changing skin, you do not need the reminder," he said , glancing at the Prince.
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