Prince Colton

He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

[crashandbreak]

On a fair night || Dora & Colton

[the-stranger-olympadora-deactiv]

Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as they approached the entrance, but at the sound of his laughter her nerves calmed and her smile returned. He seemed to have that effect on her. How fantastic it was to be around someone who left her unable to be unhappy. She laughed in return when he spoke, trying not to picture the prince of Strongholm getting his feet trampled by her. 

"You would stand in stoic silence and endure the agony of being my partner." She said grinning. 

"Then perhaps we will both look like proper fools on the dance floor, although I highly doubt it. Surely I’m not the first girl you’ve swept off her feet. And even if we do seem like fools, at least I know I will be a happy fool."

She wondered for a moment what everyone would think when they walked in. What would they say of the prince walking into the celebration with the Abrahamson ward. If they only knew he was walking in with a princess, if they only knew he was walking with his future bride, if they only knew he was walking in with the future queen. If he only knew… 

No, it didn’t matter. This was her life, and what mattered was her kingdom, her people, and her happiness, and tonight she was going to be happy. SHe was going to spend a wonderful evening with a wonderful man in a wonderful place. She smiled.

"Yes, we shall."   

[crashandbreak]

"An agony I would cherish more than any other moment I will have to face throughout this winter evening." He said, smiling upon her words which he found most amusing. A laugh slipped past his lips before he lifted her hand, raising it to his lips so that he could press a kiss upon it. 

"Have I swept you off of your feet then, Dora?" He asked teasingly before he slowly nodded his head. "Than we shall both be happy fools." 

And upon that he raised his hand in the air, waiting for hers as he asked her to enter the ballroom, to which she eventually answered yes to. So they were announced to the entire court and her guests. Departing from her with a kiss upon her hand so that he could join other ball members; talking here and there, drinking some ale and have a merry gathering, yet eventually his eyes fell upon Olympadora once more, standing on the side of the room and he simply couldn't resist.

Walking up to her, he stepped by her side, overlooking the ballroom with what seemed to be a somewhat pleased expression. "Are you amusing yourself, Dora?" he asked her, turning his head to watch her expression as he spoke, smiling when he motioned to the floor where many couples were dancing already. 

"Would you say yay or nay if I asked you for a dance?"

[demelzaabrahamson]

You'd have thought people would have gotten tired by now

[demelzaabrahamson]

Even you? Now that is a miracle indeed. Is it because some beautiful woman has swept you off your feet?

[crashandbreak]

Maybe so. What would you do to find out, hmm?

[demelzaabrahamson]

You'd have thought people would have gotten tired by now

But still the ballroom is full to the brim. It’s quite amusing.

[crashandbreak]

You kidding me. Even I started liking this all. 

[crashandbreak]

On a fair night || Dora & Colton

[the-stranger-olympadora-deactiv]

Her footsteps echoed as she continued to walk along him. She felt as if she was walking inside of a book, like in all those stories she loved to read. Hand in hand with an amazing man, walking towards a castle. Of course, Olympadora had always had a preference for less traditional tales, so it was only suiting that she should be in such an untraditional position, and engagement. 

Still, she was enjoying herself immensely and she smiled when he spoke, her grin only widening when he winked. It was a welcome change, to be able to behave so openly, freely. She chucked lightheartedly at his words. 

He stopped to look at her, and her eyes danced around the corner of his lips as he smiled. His voice was genuine and she wanted to throw her arms around him laughing. Of course, she didn’t do that, so instead, she bit her lips lightly, as if trying to conceal her joy. 

"I would love to; it would be my honor and pleasure. Although I do warn you, I’ve never been to a ball like this before, so my dancing may be… less than satisfactory." 

[crashandbreak]

He laughed at her words, keeping a smile on his lips which was actually quite unusual. He mostly only smiled and relaxed around his family, or better said around those he trusted. Guess he slowly seemed to warm up to Olympadora as well. It might have taken a while but now he had. 

"Don't worry. If you step upon my toes I won't flinch or twitch, that I promise you." 

He chuckled amused before shaking his head once more. "Though I do not believe that your dancing may be 'less than satisfactory'. After all my dancing might perhaps be worse than yours. I am a man after all am I not?"

Not that he was saying that no man could dance. He was taught the etiquette of a ball by his male tutor which included dancing. Though he may never really have danced with a partner, he was certain he could pull that off. 

"Well then now. Shall we enter?"

[kelsey-fairclough]

And here I thought the days of the prince would be far more exciting than those of the rest of us.

[crashandbreak]

That's where you're wrong milady. If you'd like to switch one day do tell me . 

[demelzaabrahamson]

Hey! That’s not true, you know it isn’t. And don’t act innocent - we both know you keep your stuffed animals with you in your chambers, you just hide them during the day so no one shall see them.

That’s true. We’d make the whole realm quiver in shame. But, at least we’d have fun in the process.

[crashandbreak]

Oh no! You found out my secret! He fakes a terrified gasp. widening his yes until he'd join her in her laughter. 

Father would die of embarrassment and our ancestors will turn around in their graves, oh dear. 

[hammer-of-holck-deactivated2014]

Did--was there someone there a moment ago?

[hammer-of-holck-deactivated2014]

 I’m up to nothing. If I must prove it, then yes, I will drink. Maybe it will … take the edge off. Something.

[crashandbreak]

Something.. Well it's not to me to doubt the truth in your voice. I hope whatever it is, it gets settled. How about I fetch you one of the best ales we have? 

[aclashofcaps]

[crashandbreak]

On a fair night || Dora & Colton

[the-stranger-olympadora-deactiv]

Olympadora wanted to forget. She wanted to forget who she was and let Colton lift the wight off her shoulders. She wanted to forget her country and her people, although that was something she would never do, and simply do something because she damn well wanted to do it. She wanted to forget being engaged.

But she couldn’t. Every moment that passed, wonderful as it was felt like a lie, and she could feel the truth sitting like a bird on the tip of her tongue waiting to take flight. At the same time, her chest clenched at the thought of him knowing. Would he think differently of her? Maybe he wouldn’t want to be around her because he saw her as simply an obligation. Why did things have to be so complicated? On one hand she could truly be herself with colton, but on the other she wasn’t truly being herself, not entirely, because as long as that secret existed it would be a wall between them.

His words snapped her thoughts to the present. To hell with everything. She was going o have a wonderful evening with one of he most wonderful people she’d ever met. Everything else could cease to exist, at least for a little while.

"Yes, but that would only be because the lady herself likes the person she is with." She said playfully back, blushing again when he placed his own hand over her arm, her smile widening. How fantastic everything felt. Just the two of them, surrounded by the bustling colors and music of the ball. Life seemed to race past them, while they both stood suspended  simply enjoying each second. 

"Well, so far I am very much enjoying the conversation, so I’m afraid I’ll be taking you up on that offer. ANd be careful of placing your fate in my hands, I might just steal you away. Or perhaps I’ll drag you onto the dance floor if the music is right and spend the rest of the evening trying not step on your feet." She laughed. 

[crashandbreak]

The moment he spoke it was more than obvious that he had interrupted her from her thoughts and curiosity was the first thing that instantly occurred to him. What was she thinking about? Was it about something he had said or something he had done? About what she would be doing at the feast tonight?  He could drive himself mad if he kept on wondering at this rate so instead he would focus on what she said, arching his eyebrows a little as a smile crept upon his lips. 

"The person surrounding the lady feels very lucky and blessed to know that." He smiled, winking once at her before he placed his hand upon her arm. A soft laughter slipped past his lips when she spoke once more, shaking his head amused. "Oh dear, what did I brought myself into." 

He mustered another laughter before looking down at her again. "I would very much like to dance with you tonight, Dora."  he said, stopping in front of the doors, turning towards her so he could face her whilst a smile slowly crept upon his lips once more. 

"Would you do me the honour of having the first dance with you tonight, Dora?" He asked her cautiously, hoping in the most sincerest and desperate way that she wouldn't decline his proposal. 

"I would be very honoured if you would grant me this."

[kelsey-fairclough]

Well, hello there. Are you hoping that the night will be more exciting than the day was as much as I am?

[crashandbreak]

Fair assumption. The day went by rather slowly if you ask me. I hope the night brings for some excitement. 

[hammer-of-holck-deactivated2014]

Did--was there someone there a moment ago?

[hammer-of-holck-deactivated2014]

I’ve hardly had enough of anything to be anywhere near drunk. If I didn’t want to keep my wits tonight, though, I might have.

[crashandbreak]

Hmm... Why would you need your wits on a merry feast like this one? One might think you're up to something.

[demelzaabrahamson]

Ah yes, she would not want any competition with her matchmaking, that’s for sure!

I could smite you too, Colt! Although, I may be a little less scary than father.

Oh yes, we’d do the Abrahamsons proud. Stomping around as if we were deranged.

[crashandbreak]

Are you kidding me ? I see the doll you still have in your room, you can't get more adorable than you are now. 

Oh my, oh my, they'd instantly demand for a new family upon the throne. Such a disaster. 

[hammer-of-holck-deactivated2014]

Did--was there someone there a moment ago?

[hammer-of-holck-deactivated2014]

Tch. I would be at fault if I were startled.

[crashandbreak]

That or you'd be drunk, give or take. Which I wouldn't blame you, seen the circumstances. 

[demelzaabrahamson]

Ah - so does that mean I’m not allowed to begin matchmaking? Or would that make me too much like mother for you to bear?

Oh, being cocky, I see. I may just have to take that back.

Oh, really? You better not, or else I’d have to accidentally on purpose step on your foot right back!

[crashandbreak]

I would actually think it would be mother you need to worry about. She might get jealous of people intervening with her ideas and plans. 

Maybe you should nevertheless. Prince or not, I can be bold if I want to. At least to you that is. Father would smite me as it were. 

I'm sure we'd be quite the entertaining couple then. he laughs. 

[ladydannermand-deactivated20131]

Oh, look at you!

[ladydannermand-deactivated20131]

Oh, aye. Like the sea meeting the shore. 

I heard that turn of phrase in a play, here in Strongholm. I rather like it.

[crashandbreak]

Like the sea meeting the shore? Why that is a phrase I never heard before. 

Ah, a play, that might explain it. I've never seen one in my life. 

[crashandbreak]

So the feast has started

[the-stranger-olympadora-deactiv]

I’m not so sure about slaping anyone. And I can’t possibly imagine why it would be someone’s duty to smell other people’s drinks. How strange things are here.

[crashandbreak]

Well surely if someone is so paranoid an they think their cup might be poisoned, they might just have someone to do that for them. However I don't think my father would be that crazy. And if he were I'd probably be his taster. Rather me than a complete stranger with rotten teeth, right?

[crashandbreak]

On a fair night || Dora & Colton

[the-stranger-olympadora-deactiv]

Olympadora shushed her fluttering heart as they neared the festivities. There was just something about Colton. Not that he was the prince  or even her future husband. There was simply a kindness in his eyes, and a vigor to his words that made her unable to be anything but happy around him. How was it that after so little time, and knowing so little, she could feel so at home with someone? 

Home, which she found herself longing for ever so often, with her friend and family. Yet somehow when she was with hims eh couldn’t picture herself anywhere else, or with anyone else. Oh how she wanted to peer into that peculiar head of his. She wanted to know everything about him, and she wanted him to know her. 

How peculiar it was, that strange feeling of comfort. As if she didn’t have to worry about her manners, or what was expected and demanded of her. She could be wild and free without feeling afraid or judged. She wrapped her arm a bit tighter around his, hoping he wouldn’t notice, or maybe that he would and he simply wouldn’t mind. 

"Well, if that were the case, I’m sure the lady wouldn’t mind at all." She continued to smile, how could she not? 

"And that depends if the conversation is enticing, or if the music is inviting. And of course, they both also depend on the company. Talk or dance; neither can be enjoyed unless the company is good."

[crashandbreak]

If Colton had known for as long as Olympadora had, perhaps he would have been more free around her, more daring, bolder. But he knew of nothing, and one would say it might make someone less aware of manners when they liked someone like he did with Dora, but he was the complete opposite. He was even more aware of it. For what would she say? She was a typical lady, taught her manners and ladyship. Ironically enough, Colton knew she was meant to marry someone with high status. A lord of a strong household, though the idea of her marrying a prince never occurred to him, not even now. But she was still so young, how could he even think of her being married to someone? But then again, Demelza was engaged herself already as well. 

"Wouldn't she? My, my. How bold. I start to like this lady, if I hadn't already." He teased, noticing the way she held on tighter to his arm, yet instead of pulling away or doing anything negatively, he would instead place his other hand atop of hers, padding it softly twice to make it look like a simple gesture before he let it rest atop of it. 

Truth be told he liked the quiet around them. Or rather, the music was playing in the distance but there was no one to bother them. To tell them to walk even straighter or to stop talking their 'immature' talk and joking. She was a delight to be with and her smile even seemed to light up the hallway they walked in. 

"What a perfect answer. I do hope you find some good conversation then. And if you don't, you can always come and save me from wherever or by whomever I am being held up with. Or actually, you can do that even if you are having a good conversation or not. My fate lies within your hands, Dora."