The Goat Prince

Valentin Halsburg 33. Crown Prince of Austria. Irrational and Stubborn. Ambitious and Compassionate. Closed War of Royals RPG blog.

[crownprincexvalentin]

CW: PTSD 

When the flare went off, Valentin automatically jerked. His glass of bourbon was dropped on the ground in front of him, shattering into pieces that he didn’t even hear. He cursed once before he heard the people panicking and people running around, bumping into him. But he just stood there, not even there anymore. Instead, he was in the Gardens again, standing over his betrothed's body as she died, and he started to reach for her. “Wake up...” he whispered, sinking down to his knees. Valentin could barely hear someone trying to get him to snap out of it, even when the tears were coming down his face. “Leave me alone!” he hissed at him, angry tears coming down his face. “She’s dying and I...I need to help her! NOONE TOUCHES HER BUT ME!”

[magdalenavari]

The flare had shocked Magdalena- the sudden disruption to the festivities and ensuing panic and confusion was a little too reminiscent of the night she’d been kidnapped. The anxiety that rose in her throat, hot and acidic, felt exactly the way it had then. In the chaos, she’d instinctively grabbed for the nearest person. “What’s happening? Are we okay?” 

[crownprincexvalentin]

He jerked the moment he heard the flare, the pop. Then the sudden disruption and the panic happened, but he just stood there, confused. He stood there for what felt like a long time before he felt someone grabbing him. “I..I don’t think we are,” he answered, his throat started to constrict. “Someone...we....we have...we have to go...go somewhere else...” he whispered, his throat starting to get dry. 

[cassandragalatass]

When the flare went up, Cassandra was confused but didn’t assume that anything was wrong. Perhaps they’d be having fireworks? She knew that fireworks were an excellent way to celebrate in warm weather, though it wasn’t quite dark enough yet for that. However, when everyone else around her started to panic, she got the idea that something was definitely wrong. Watching as those around her, some people she trusted, pulled weapons, made her realize what was going on. “No.” Her voice cracked as she spoke. “Not here, not again.”

[crownprincexvalentin]

Valentin was never good with fireworks and gunshots in particular. But when he saw the flare going up, he got confused-was it time for the fireworks? Then he can start leaving-if he hears the fireworks, he’ll start to panic. But then everyone stated to panic, which confused him even more...and then the weapons....Without thinking about it, he started to back away. He didn’t even notice that he nearly walked into Cassandra when he heard her voice. In his mind, he was back in Scotland again, and his hand started to reach for hers without even thinking about it. “I..go. Need to go,” his voice started to wobble as he tried to get his words together. “She’s...outside....waiting for me...” he turned to her, but it looked like he wasn’t even looking at her. “We...we need to go...somewhere...she’s outside, waiting for us...she promised that she’ll wait...”

[gcnegreer]

where: by the lake when: post flare who: open! 

It was almost strange how time seemed to fold in on itself at the first hint of unease. She was unprepared, naturally, and so Greer missed the first few hints that something was off. Later she’d pick them out - voices that sounded to sharp, the underlying tension creeping along the peripherals of the party. At the first flare she dropped her glass, it seemed to take an eternity to reach the grass and she was almost disappointed when it did not shatter - shouldn’t thing shatter in moments like this? She noticed the ripple throughout the guests, the murmurs and the unease - but it wasn’t until she looked up from where her glass had fallen and then down the barrel of a gun that the severity of the situation sank in. 

“Oh,” it was soft, surprised, and all that she could manage before her knees gave out and the world fell away. [ for a moment, in that infinite pocket world that existed when one was falling - she was back in her room in the castle in Scotland and rough hands were closing around her arms and gagging her screams and she was being dragged through the window she’d stupidly left open all over again, like she had been those years before.] 

The Scottish Princess hit the grass with a jolt, panic flooding her every cell as she opened her eyes to the figure standing above her.

[crownprincexvalentin]

When Valentin heard the bang, automatically he jolted. He stood there, frozen, hands shaking as the world disappeared for a moment, that one moment, where he was in Scotland again, in the McDougal’s garden, his betrothed on the ground, bleeding out. “No...” he whispered, ignoring the fact that everyone was running or knocking hard into his shoulders. 

Tierney’s face turning pale, him trying to stop the bleeding, telling her to stay awake...and that she’ll be okay...she’ll always be okay. He promised that she’ll be okay...then she told him not to worry...that she’ll be okay...then she died in his arms...

Once the shock was over, and he was back to the present, he looked around to see Greer on the ground, and he went to her. “Greer?” he called softy, trying to hold his tears back as he knelt down next to her. “It’s me, Val...” 

[crownprincexvalentin]

alystudor​:

.

Alys had just stepped outside her room, when she saw Val go running past her. However, watching him almost slip brought both horror and laughter to her face, “All the best reasons to go. And water gun fights? I haven’t participated in one of those in ages.” Valentine had reminded Alys of Alwyn in a lot of ways, and the thought made her smile. “If I can find a spare water gun somewhere around the castle, you’re on, my friend. My brother taught me everything I know, so you had better watch out Prince Valentine. For this is the day, Austria is being taken down by Wales.” She grinned. It felt nice being able to openly be herself around someone again as she had become closer to Val over the past several months.

“You haven’t?” Val asked, his mouth dropping a bit. ‘The come o-oh??” Valentin grinned, an eyebrow raised at Alys’s challenge. “Oh really? Well then, Wales, be prepared to be taken down by Austria, because nobody can beat me.” he challenged back with a huge smile. “Though we can start it now....by seeing who can get there first!” he called as he started to run down towards the lake with a laugh.

[crownprincexvalentin]

alystudor​:

.

“I’d imagine these don’t compare to a sail boat in any way, but they definitely make for a good workout.” She looked over to the boat he was getting ready to take out and the boats on the shore, “Although, I don’t know if I’d trust swimming too far out in this lake. It looks kind of murky in the middle.” Alys laughed. She enjoyed swimming, but she also enjoyed being able to see the bottom. Having fish and other random creatures nibble at her toes wasn’t something she was too terribly fond of. “Have you ever had a fish mistake a toe for a worm?”

He nodded, laughing along with her. Looking at the middle of the lake, he saw what Alys was talking about and sighed. Seeing the murkiness in the middle made him sad a bit before he heard her question. “Nope,” he answered, shaking his head. “I never had a fish mistake a toe for a worm before...have you?” Valentin asked curiously. “I haven’t fished in a long time, so I wouldn’t know, honestly.” 

[crownprincexvalentin]

charlottewalker​:

Charlotte followed right by the side of the crown prince, walking at the corridors always making sure that there wasn’t anyone following them. Luckily, it wasn’t, she pet the head of the goat as if she was trying to smooth it. ❝ Do you have treats on your pocket for her? ❞

“Of course I do,” he answered automatically-he was prepared for basically anything, including treats. Putting his hand in his pocket, he pulled out a carrot for her and fed it to Destiny, who nibbled on it while trying to keep her quiet. “It was all they had in the kitchen, and I did leave them a note saying that I’ll return it.”  Which will be a replacement as soon as he can find a way to replace it.

[crownprincexvalentin]

giodmarco​:

He tilted his head at the prince, squinting as the sun started to shine in his eyes, before he pulled out a few candy bars he had stuffed into his pockets earlier that day. He figured her would need something to keep his mind off of things and what better than candy, right? Holding them up, Gio looked toward the kayak before looking back at Val expectantly. “All yours, compagno. Just drop that pesky little thing and chow down.”

Valentin waited patiently for Gio as he pulled out the candy bars. A huge smile appeared on his face as he walked over to him, kayak abandoned. He took a candy bar and started to eat it, groaning as soon as the chocolate touched his tongue. “Oh sweet, sweet god thank you,” he said, the kayak completely forgetting the kayak all together. “I haven’t had any chocolate in weeks, and this just hits the spot.”

[handydandycasper]

Casper was surprised but delighted when the beach party was announced. Solveig had never mentioned in communications about having days where everyone common and royal alike simply mingled and enjoyed themselves. Although according to others it was something that happened semi-regularly. Either way he was looking forward to a day of relaxation.

As usual though he had acted without thinking and as he took a final dive in the game of beach volleyball he had been participating in, he conceded that he probably should’ve waited until after for his dip in the lake, as opposed to just before it. Looking down as the rest of the team congratulated each other he found that he was coated in a thick layer of sand, attempting to brush it from his legs and bare torso. Only the top layer moved though and he looked up to address the closest figure. “Guess it just means it’s time for another swim. Want to join?”

[crownprincexvalentin]

Valentin was in paradise the moment he stepped on the grounds of the lake. He looked around and grinned happily when he saw the lake. He wanted to do the boats first, but he wanted to look around and see what he can find first. Val walked around and stopped to watch the beach volleyball game. He did watch when Casper took that final dive, once the game was over, he looked at the water when he was asked if he wanted to take a swim. 

“You had me at swim,” Val told him with a chuckle. “I was going to head off there anyway and take a dip, before I start a water gun war.” 

[alystudor]

With word of a party down by the lake happening, Alys had been a bit apprehensive at first after everything that had happened with the avalanche, but after giving it some thought, the idea of getting out of the castle and being in the sun for longer than just a few minutes seemed to sit well in her mind. She had brood in her own sorrow for long enough, and the crown princess decided she had deserved a little happiness. Throwing on her swimsuit, a pair of shorts, and a jacket, Alys stepped out of her room, towel in tow just in time to see someone walking past her, “Are you going to the party at the lake?” She had hoped she would have a buddy to walk down to the lake with.

[crownprincexvalentin]

Even though he was sad that he couldn’t make no snow angels anymore in the snow, he was excited for the party on the lake. Valentin threw on some shorts, shirt and grabbed his water gun, because gosh darn it, he didn’t bring the thing for no reason, slipped his feet into sandals, and run towards the lake. He screeched to a stop and nearly falling on his arse when he heard Alys’ voice and went back to her. “I am, actually.” he answered proudly. “I’m going to have fun, relax...and maybe start a water gun fight.” 

[rebelwithacausesolveig]

Solveig’d been mostly keeping to the outskirts of the party. She’d found a nice chair in the sun and a glass of wine. With it finally warm enough to wear shorts and a crop top she was enjoying some time in the sun before shit was going to hit the fan. As someone slipped into the chair beside her she turned her head to see who’d joined her. The blonde was being careful to keep her mood light and unassuming to the many people in attendance. “At least the snow is finally gone and the sun is out. Thank Odin for that.” 

[crownprincexvalentin]

“I mean...you’re right, the snow is gone...” Val said with a shrug and a tiny pout. “But...but...but I kinda miss it, not gonna lie.” He explained. “...I didn’t get to make a snow angel this year, and thanks to the stupid avalanche, I didn’t get a chance to make one!” He pouted, crossing his arms over his chest before taking a sip of his whiskey. 

[leawxlf]

The debate on whether or not Lea wanted to go to the lake party at the castle was strong. The avalanche had already put her on edge with the chocolate shop nearly being another casualty on the wipeout list as she was just starting to get her life back together. But someone she didn’t want to see, who had just announced his engagement would be there, and the idea of bumping into him seemed to hurt more. Yet, being the town hermit, except when it came to chocolate, was getting old for someone as young as she was, and she deserved some fun too.

With a large box of chocolate in tow, just for those pesky people who were bound to bug her for the one thing she had become really good at, Lea made her way to the lake up on the hill hoping the night would be fun instead of disastrous. 

[crownprincexvalentin]

“Hey, need some help?” Valentin asked after he walked passed her, seeing her large box of chocolate. He had just got done taking a dip in the lake, and he was starting to get really hungry and was about go hunt down some food for him to eat. He also heard of a party going on, and he wanted to get something to drink as well. 

[fromdusk-toausra]

Ausra loved a good party, especially one next to water and that didn’t involve sewing herself into a ball gown. It had taken weeks, but the rebuild was finally completed and it seemed everyone in Khatanga had shown up to the lake to celebrate. Glass of chardonnay in hand she’d been talking to anyone and everyone she came across. They all seemed to be in such good spirits and with the promise of dinner with her sister to look forward to she didn’t see how the day could get any more perfect. Saddling up to someone new she took a sip of her glass before grinning at them. “Isn’t this just great? I’m always so impressed by how even the simplest of events that the palace hosts end up so wonderful. The first one I attended was a garden party like this, crazy to think it was already over a year ago. Not gonna lie though, all that time and I still get lost in this place,” she said with a laugh. 

[crownprincexvalentin]

Valentin had come to the party after a day of relaxing at the beach. After racing and relaxing, he came to enjoy himself when he saw Ausra coming over to him. “Yeah it is,” he said with a nod as he listened to her. “Oh god, don’t get me started on garden parties. Last time I’ve been to one, my Aunt Annika’s dog tried to bite me again. Thank god I had my goat with me, so I won’t have to deal with small dog bites.” He said with a little laugh. 

[crownprincexvalentin]

charlottewalker​:

Charlotte watched Destiny interacting with Val, making her chuckles at the feel of her licking her face, causing her giggling, because it was tickling her. ❝ Okay, lady! We’re having some fun. ❞ She gave a step aside. ❝ So, let’s go? ❞

Valentin grinned as he gently put the rope on her. “Okay, let’s go,” he said, taking the lead and making sure that they weren’t be followed. If they were, he’d stopped and threw some pebbles down for a bit of a distraction before finally sneaking up to his room, sometimes shushing Destiny each time she made a load bleat.

[crownprincexvalentin]

giodmarco​:

“It’s never a good day to be in the water.” Gio mumbled the words as he laid back in the sand, hard eyes glaring at the water all around them. He wouldn’t have been there if he didn’t have to be and his mood, for once, showed how unpleasant this all was for him. He looked up as Val presented his challenge and raised an eyebrow at the man. “I’d rather you not but I have a feeling I won’t be able to stop you. I’ll try anyway. I’ll give you chocolate if you drop that kayak right now.” The more royals in the water the more of a chance one of them would need a rescue which meant more of a chance for him to jump in after them.

“Ch...chocolate?” Valentin repeated slowly, turning his head to face Gio. Unlike most people, who could be persuaded by many things, Val’s greatest weakness was food and his goat-but mostly food. “You have chocolate?” he asked, dropping his kayak. “You better not be jokin’...I wanna see it before I return this kayak back.” 

[crownprincexvalentin]

charlottewalker​:

❝ Super! ❞ A white little lie never hurt anyone. She went following his steps behind, spying on the guards going to opposite direction, so they could be able to sneak in the stable. Charlie first passing in front of Valentine, apparently everything was ‘clear’ for them finish their mission. ❝ Okay, let me help her… ❞ She went to where was his goat, opening the gates of the stable, and waiting for the male guide his pet or do whatever he planned to do.

Destiny looked up from eating hay and neighed softly when she saw her, which made Val smile hugely. “Hey, baby girl,” he cooed as the goat walked out of the stable and up to him, licking his face. “Me and Charlotte is gonna take you with us,” he told her, turning to her. “And we’re gonna have fun, aren’t we?” he asked, watching the goat turn and try and lick Charlotte’s face as well.

[crownprincexvalentin]

alystudor​:

.

The weather was warm. The snow, for the most part, was gone, and the town was starting to rebuild life after the avalanche. Things felt good. They felt right. Her heart seemed to be in a bit of a better place after all that had happened, and now, here she stood at the edge of the lake dressed ready to enjoy some fun in the sun, “Those look fun.” She noticed Valentin getting ready to take off on a trip around the lake. She hadn’t dare asked if she could join, but would instead snag a boat of her own, “A great day for a trip around the lake.”

“It does,” Val nodded as he turned to her. “Though I wish I had my boat so I can sail around the lake, maybe around here for a bit before I bring it back in. Might even go fishing if I could.” he said with a shrug. But hey, he wasn’t the one complaining about it. “Oh yeah, it is. It was either that, or I swim around the lake for a bit.”