[valtolianheir]

laurentremes‌:

Honestly, Laurent’s chest swells with pride when his brother goes to celebrate him. He’s tried so hard, and for so long, just to be good, just to be recognized, that he enjoys it too much to play coy about it. It fills him with a renewed energy, and really works to revitalize him. They’d been in this bar for some time now, and after hearing Alistair go off on his tales he’d honestly started to fall asleep. “I tried to find you,” he admits. But he’d gotten sidetracked protecting their youngest brother, in getting their queen to safety. To have fought by Alistair’s side like they did in the war, he would give anything for that once more. “How many did you manage to get, brother?” he asks, the competitive streak re-emerging as it always did. “Yes I was about to beat you. As thoroughly injured as he was, that left shoulder being a massive problem for him during the tourney, he’d planned to continue to let it take the brunt of the impacts so he could afford himself a greater angle with his lance. Laurent reaches for his drink, finishing it in its entirety before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “No such thing would have occurred,” he quips back, standing now to look his brother in the eye. “I had that fight, that entire tourney in the bag. Even if I were to face uncle Asher, I would have won it all.”

Despite all of their teasing and friendly competitions Alistair truly loved Laurent. He was easily the brother he considered his closest friend and a confidante at times. "I apologize if I worried you any. After the manticores stormed into the arena I lost track of you, too." Alistair had been worried sick for a fleeting second. He knew Laurent would never allow himself to be killed by a measly beast. "I managed to get rid of two of them before the rest of the witchers showed up." Alistair explained, "They're tough bastards, I'll give them that. Now it's a matter of finding out who unleashed them upon the city. I don't believe it was a random chance that a herd of them were wandering around." It might have been the alcohol talking but Alistair had his suspicions. Alistair leaned back on the counter, enjoying the comfort of safety both of the princes had contributed toward. "We could have beaten Asher easily. He's getting soft in his old age." That was his competitive streak speaking. He respected his uncle and considered him an experienced warrior. Compared to himself and Laurent, however? He could hardly hold a candle.

[valtolianheir]

dawningblade‌:

Each raised mug was met with a smile, a wave, a salute for those he’d recognized out of uniform. Rather than face the bar, Gervasius sat with his back to the counter, elbows leaned back to rest on the wood with his forearms and hands relaxed and down. “Keeping appearances, showing that we’re ready should the worst come to pass.” It was almost too easy, slipping into the plates and buckles of a man at war. “Ale, then.” When it arrived almost suspiciously fast, Vas reached for and raised the mug – a toast of his own, which was met with ample enough response.

Satisfied, Vas spun on the stool to face his son more fully. The crown prince had his attention. “So– two manticores, was it?” The king looked up at Alistair, head back and to the side, his grin wide and almost knowing. “Any other conquests of the day?”

Alistair was an expert at keeping up appearances. He was beloved by his people and always managed to gather a crowd no matter where he went. As the crown prince, he thrived in their attention and reveled in it. "I'm going to believe that the worst has passed until proven otherwise." Alistair offered his drink to the bartender to have it filled immediately. He was already drinking from his flagon when his father started speaking to him. Alistair nodded, "Two of them. One I managed to take down with Sulvan and the other was a group effort. This man I've been courting helped me kill the creature, actually." He knew that only Aurora would have reservations about his choice in partner. His father, he hoped would be more eager to meet Gaetan.

[valtolianheir]

laurentremes‌:

“Only a few?” Laurent calls out, looking up at his brother. The second born prince knocks back what’s left of the ale he was drinking and smirks. “I took out three of them,” he comments whilst looking back to his now empty drink with disappointment. Of course, he’d had the help of one brother for the one, but only the one, and all he really did was take the beast’s eyes out of play. He still cut the thing apart. A victory in Laurent’s books. “I think all the ale in this bar wouldn’t be enough to make me forget hearing that story seven times tonight,” he mutters quietly to himself. A hand clapped on his brother’s shoulder, a smirk fired his way, interrupting what surely would have been the closing on a mediocre fuck for Alistair at best. “How about you tell them all how I was about to knock you from your horse in the tourney when the attack began? How your little brother was about to knock you flat on your back?”

Alistair regarded Laurent with a careful stare. It could have been easy to argue with his brother and insist that he was superior. Instead, he relented and merely clapped his brother on his shoulder, "For that, I am proud of you. If I had been there I would have loved to fight by your side." Alistair grinned, proud of Seren and Laurent for taking out a manticore without their older brother. He had been worried for his family but knew they would manage. He had no idea that they'd kill some of the creatures themselves. It made Alistair insanely proud to call them his younger brothers. While he was happy to give Laurent his victory over the manticores their jousting match was another story entirely. "Oh, you were about to beat me, aye?" Alistair grinned and set his flagon down, "You're lucky those beasts interrupted our match, brother. You would have been knocked on your ass in front of our adoring public. You should be thanking the manticores for saving you from enduring such a fate."

[valtolianheir]

dawningblade‌:

“You’d buy your father a drink?” Not that Gervasius had to suffer his eldest son’s bragging, since he’d only stepped in at the tail end, noting the conversations stopping and softening as he passed. “My pride, my joy – that you live after the events of the day, from the stories I’ve heard, perhaps it’s me that should be getting you the round.” Vas was as much king as he was soldier, polished as much as he was unrefined. Hands on his hips, armor swapped for more casual (but still well-kept) clothing, the difference in their heights was more apparent than ever. “What’ll it be?”

“It’s the least I can do for the King of Valtolia.” Alistair lifted his flagon to offer a toast to his father. This gesture was mimicked by the patrons of the bar who were coherent enough to do so. He brushed off the compliment with a wide grin, “It’ll take a lot more than a creature to put me down. I come from the finest stock.” Alistair boasted, having reached the bottom of his glass with a grunt. “What’re you in armor for? You should be relaxing, father. We all deserve a day of relaxation.” He gestured toward the empty barstool beside him. “Pick anything. I’ve got the tab covered for everybody in attendance.” 

[valtolianheir]

meteredbrilliance‌:

Any number of disasters could’ve befallen the tavern and Gaetan would’ve been none the wiser. Alistair’s presence, his kiss, was consuming his attention and focus.  He didn’t even realize his feet were off the ground until he realized he was parting his legs to wrap around the man’s own waist, but he had to catch himself when he was set back down. At the declaration, the architect nodded vigorously – but stopped once Alistair questioned him further.

“I came on my own – I know the crown prince of Argos meant to joust, but I hadn’t spent much time in the provided Argian grounds.” Perhaps it was a bit telling, that he was more willing to spend time with Valtolian commoners than the nobles and royalty of his own nation. “Has everyone been fleeing to the castle? It seems the most defensible position.”

Alistair didn’t question Gaetan further. He was far too glad to know that his lover was safe and sound to worry about anything else. Royal relations meant little with Gaetan wrapped around him in a loving embrace. “People fled to the castle in droves. I know my family is safe there. My mother would never forgive herself if anything happened to myself or my brothers.” Alistair placed the architect back down onto his feet before running a thumb lovingly over his cheek. “You’re more than welcome to stay at the castle until this passes over. I’d feel much better knowing you’re there.” 

[valtolianheir]

cadmus-pryor‌:

Cadmus had been battling a headache ever since the manticore attack had ended. There had still been many people who needed his assistance. By the time he was done, his headache had gotten even worse and he decided to go to a bar for a drink. “Yes, it is. Thank you. What have you been drinking? Considering the talking you have been doing, it must be strong.”

“Good question!” Alistair looked down at the flagon he had nearly finished before he gave a shrug. “I told them to give me the strongest stuff they had.” He looked up at Cadmus, wearing a crooked grin. “So far it hasn’t done anything but make my face warm.” Alistair didn’t want to get drunk to the point of passing out. He merely wanted a good time and to revel in his victories. “What’s your name, ser? I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure.” 

[valtolianheir]

“Too bad you weren’t there. I was quite the sight to behold if I must say.” Alistair sat on top of a tavern bar and had already drowned down a few flagons of ale.”With the help of my people and my witches I was able to put down a few manticores!” Alistair bragged to whoever was listening. While he might not have won the jousting tournament he was celebrating his own personal victory over the two manticores he had killed. “Do you want a drink, perhaps! It’s the least I could do for forcing you to listen to my gloating.”

[valtolianheir]

meteredbrilliance‌:

The scene Alistair was picturing might not have been exactly what was occurring. Despite her leg, the girl in the chair was throwing her hands up, feeling the thrill. The others, including Gaetan, were a bit more cautious. The engineer waited a few seconds, glancing between his prince and the beast, before charging forward and almost sacking Alistair to the floor. He blinked wildly, starting and stopping words as he kept leaning back and looking the man over, before jumping back and ripping the burning sleeve from Alistair’s arm and shoulder. After stomping on it a few times, he finally let himself breathe.

Chest and shoulders heaving, Gaetan’s breaths gradually slowed, and he looked back over at Alistair again. “Are you always so…so…” Eyes wide, Gaetan’s chest bounced as he threw his hands up. “Heroic?” After a few more seconds, he reached up to take the prince’s face in both hands and pull him down into a kiss, uncaring of the soot smearing over his bare torso. Lost in the magic of the moment, he nearly forgot there were more manticores outside, and that they all needed to run.

Alistair had been so caught up in the moment that he hadn’t realized he was on fire. It wasn’t until his lover rushed forward and tore off the sleeve of his expensive tunic. In his lovestruck and heroic daze, he couldn’t focus on anything other than Gaetan. “I never pass up an opportunity at being heroic." Which often led to more than a fair share of headaches for the royal family and their guards. Alistair grinned into the sudden kiss. He wrapped his arms around Gaetan and lifted the man off of the ground. It didn't dawn on him that they were kissing in the swell of chaos while manticores were still running around. Alistair kept on, sliding his tongue past Gaetan's lips and into his mouth where it danced playfully. It wasn't until one of the common folk cleared their throat and broke the nobles out of their public make-out session. "We shall do much more of that later. When we're both safe." Alistair took one of Gaetan's hands and kissed over the knuckle. "Do you know if the other nobles from Argia got to safety?" 

[flawlessgentlemen]

Ever since I’ve been a little kid I’ve always wanted superpowers, which is the coolest thing in the world.

[valtolianheir]

meteredbrilliance‌:

Fire! Of course! From the lips of his lover, no less. The two would share a glance, gazes meeting, until a solid claw would send the prince spiraling towards the door. It’s almost the exact kind of daze Gaetan needed, to best snap out of the fairy tale that’d become their afternoon. “Fire!” Gaetan repeated, whirling around to rally the uninjured patrons to action. “Rum! Grog! The stronger the better! Get the barrels out here!” Some thicker-set men ran to roll the alcohol from the stores. “Cloth. Bottles. Tear it into strips, fill the bottles, soak the cloth, shove it into the bottle, light the cloth, throw.”

Perhaps it was too many steps to give to them at once, by their stunned expressions. “You, cloth strips.” He pointed to the injured girl, pulling off his own apron and tunic to throw to her. It’s her leg, not her arms – he was banking on the focus to distract her from the pain. “You, bottles. Don’t need to be clean, just filled with the good stuff.” He then spun back around to see how the prince was doing against the beast. Bad idea. Eyes screwed shut, he turned again to focus on the task at hand. “I’ll pull nails from the chairs to get some spark–unless, innkeep! Tinderbox!” A barmaid pulled the box from under the counter. As Alistair fought, Gaetan worked as quickly as he could with the strips of his clothing and the high-quality alcohol.

Within a few moments, Gaetan stood with the first of the bottles in hand, the commoners in the back of the tavern working to fill and stuff more. With the weapon in his elbow, both hands worked the flint to get it to spark, catching on the fumes of the drink. “Duck, Alistair!”

And it flew.

Acting quickly Alistair ducked down just in time for a molotov cocktail to fly overhead. It exploded in a ball of flame which only seemed to irritate the creature. That was before a second, third and fourth bottle joined the fray. Spurred on by the bravery of his lover and his people Alistair used his shield to taunt the now flaming manticore. It was now lethargic and angry as Alistair knocked the broad side of his sword against his shield, leading it away and outside. If he had fought the creature inside he would have risked catching the tavern on fire and putting all those inside in danger. 

Alistair thought back to the tips and techniques he could use against a manticore moments prior. Using their weight against them was essential. With the creature on fire and struggling to move it only became that much easier for Alistair. Using all of his weight just as the creature charged for him he aimed between its eyes, planning on using their combined momentum to shove his blade directly into its brain. His sword connected with a sickening crunch. With a low rumble the flaming manticore went rigid before going slack and falling to the floor. Alistair, now covered in soot and with a sleeve of his shirt on fire stood victoriously over the beast. He glanced up at the tavern, certain that he would find Gaetan and the crowd there to cheer him on.

[valtolianheir]

oxthsworn‌:

It was, of course, unsurprising that the other man was taunting the damn beast. He wouldn’t be Alistair if he didn’t avoid actually learning anything that Sulvan taught him except his blade work. That didn’t, however, stop him feeling the vaguest hint of pride at the display that the other was putting on in fending off the beast whilst the civillians were making there escape. Pride, and absolute fear that the other was going to get himself killed. That was not the sort of thing that he needed on his concscience. He was already feeling it, weighing down somewhere in the back of his mind considering how many he’d seen dead. They were Witcher’s to prevent these things.

“Oh, like I could go and steal a thing like that. You’re the showman here, Alistair. I’m just efficient.” There’s a healthy amount of teasing in his tone with the prince, even as he brought his blade up in a quick slash as the beast took another swing with it’s paw. “Use their weight against them. As big as they are, they’re not the most graceful on the ground. Lumbering paws and huge tails make their balance less so.” A shift of his weight, spreading himself apart from Alistair again to draw the beasts attention. He may not have had a shield, but he knew tricks to help that. “Watch it when it lunges. Look for where you can sink your blade as it lands, use it’s weight to drive your blade, use your strength to keep stable as it ifnds it’s mark.”

He offers an example the next time the beast let’s loose a raw and strikes with it’s tail. Instead of parry, he takes his blade in both hands, weight shifting so that as the tail stabs, instead his blade cuts deep in to the stinger itself. The spray of… “Disgusting, but effective.” And deprived the beast of it’s worst weapon, no way to administer the toxin without it’s stinger.

Alistair paid close attention to every word that Sulvan spoke. He was a diligent student and learned best through example. This wasn't a class he was going to fail. "You make this look so easy." Sulvan had years of experience under his belt which made Alistair jealous. He had asked since he was a boy to accompany him on his hunts. Even if he understood his reasons for denying the prince it didn't make him long for that excitement any less. Now that he was battling alongside Sulvan he was afraid of stepping out of line or doing anything to embarrass himself. He had a reputation to uphold! "Nice hit, ser!" As expected Sulvan was handling the Manticore with practiced ease. While the beast was instructed with his temporary mentor Alistair took the moment to drive his blade into its neck. Without the stinger, he didn't have to worry about attacking it closely. With his new knowledge of Manticores he planned on accompany Sulvan or striking out on his own to reduce their numbers. He wouldn't allow them to harm any more of his people.

[valtolianheir]

rumor has it that you are getting your hole blasted open by a certain argian noble....

“Now is not the time to be discussing this! There are lives to be saved!” 

[valtolianheir]

meteredbrilliance‌:

for @valtolianheir

Such a simple barricade, tables and chairs jammed in at odd angles, couldn’t be expected to hold for long. The smell of blood would call the creatures past whatever wall they might raise. Gaetan was having a drink in one of the lower-looking taverns when a woman was carried inside, one leg shredded terribly. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as he realized what was wrong with her, saw the injury and processed what it could possibly mean.

Then came the screams.

He’d looked to each other patron, and they’d looked to him as well. Were his clothes too clean? Was the pendant too large? What gave him away, even in another nation? With his sleeves too short to push up, Gaetan just moved as steadily as he could to one of the tables, flipping it onto its side and moving it towards the doorway. The barrier was simple, all wood and nails, as even an education at the Mycenaea didn’t spin gold from straw. It wasn’t long before one of the beasts took to the scent, Gaetan backing the others in the tavern against the farthest wall, most of them behind his outstretched arms.

Alistair had been annoyed when the first of the manticores appeared. He didn't take lightly to anybody or anything stealing his thunder. While the crowd dispersed Alistair battled the creature atop his horse. He struck it swiftly with his lance, leading it away from the arena so his people could escape. There was also the matter of finding Gaetan. In the panic that followed the manticore appearing he failed to spot his lover. Alistair was certain that he was safe. He would search for him once he tired the creature out. It didn't take long for the manticore to strike his horse with his poisonous barb, sending both the prince and his steed to the ground. Alistair quickly hopped up and onto his feet, ignoring just how heavy his armor made him feel. He had battled in far worse conditions. Using his lance he was able to keep the manticore at bay long enough for the witchers to arrive and put the creature down. With one of those beasts out of the way, he started his quest to find Gaetan.

While he should have been worried for his family he was confident that they were safe. Their royal guard rallied to protect them at the slightest inkling of trouble. There was no doubt in his mind that every single member of his family was safe and sound. His architect on the other hand? He still wanted to be sure. Alistair wouldn't feel better until he was holding him in his arms. In passing, he happened by the same manticore that Gaetan was trying to keep out of the tavern. Alistair quickly borrowed the sword and shield from a fallen knight and charged into battle just as the creature broke through the barrier. Alistair was met by the terrified screams of those inside as he lobbed his shield at the creature, aiming at the back of its head. It connected with a sickly crunching nose before the beast reared its head at him. "Fear not, my people! For your crown prince has arrived!" Alistair beamed confidently at the cowering group of people before he narrowly avoided being swiped at by a large paw.

"If any of you have anything that can strike a fire use it! These beasts are susceptible to flame!" Alistair called out, gathering his shield from the floor so he could fend off a strike from the manticore's barbed tail. "Don't be shy now! I need all the help I could get." Alistair smirked over his shoulder and paused as he realized Gaetan was among the crowd. This momentary distraction caused the prince to be struck and sent flying by the manticore. Alistair was tossed into the makeshift barricade that Gaetan had assembled moments before and fell to the floor with a loud clattering of plate armor. "Quickly now, while I have it distracted." Alistair shakily got up and onto his feet, brandishing his sword as he awaited another attack. If he was given the opportunity he could cleave off its head with one powerful strike. He just had to wait for the chance to do so.

[oxthsworn]

@valtolianheir

      He’d bested three of the beasts, he knew a few more of them had been felled by his fellow Witcher’s. It was hard to keep track of just how many there were still lurking around. He could already feel it in his blood, the effects of using the signs too much. Uncorking another flask from his belt with his teeth, he took another swig from the bottle. Bitter still, but he should be able to keep going for now. Maybe pushing his limits, but there were still beasts to handle, and eh was one of the few equipped to handle them. 

     The sound of steel clashing against claw’s had him running, immediately chasing after the source of the noise and spotting a familiar figure fending the creature of. It was enough to trigger that instinct in him. Protective and wild all at once. His blade was in his hand, just in time to fend off a strike from the other’s stinger and push the beast back. “You’re doing rather well for yourself, Alistair. Mind if I cut in?”

[valtolianheir]

"C'mon now! I know you've got a brain the size of a pea but you can do better than that." Alistair knew better than to taunt a beast twice his size, but was that going to stop him? Of course not! With a sword and shield in hand he was fending off one of the poisonous creatures. Alistair was acting as a distraction and allowing nearby civilians to escape to safety while he battled the Manticore. He skillfully dodged an incoming swipe, pushing the claws aimed at him with his shield. "Woah! You almost had me there!" Alistair smirked defiantly at the beast before he bravely lunged forward, striking with the front of his shield so he could knock the creature back. Alistair steadied himself and aimed his sword at the beast, already poised to jump into action if necessary. It was then that Sulvan appeared.

Alistair had waited years for this moment. Since he was a boy he had admired the older man and finally had his chance to fight at his side. "Be my guest. Just don't steal my thunder." He winked at Sulvan just as the manticore aimed its barbed tail at the pair. Alistair knocked the poisonous appendage away from his would-be mentor. "Now how do we take one of these down? I recall you saying it's quite the difficult feat." Alistair's eyes remained fixed on the manticore while he waited for an answer. He couldn't let up. If he did he risked being poisoned or allowing a nearby civilian to get injured.

[awhitemoth]

[valtolianheir]

I didn't joust but anyway we could have a private match in your chambers? Xoxo

No can do, lad. I’ve got my eyes on a certain somebody. You’ll have to merely settle with adoring me from afar.

[valtolianheir]

YOU SUCK xoxoxoxo louis

JEALOUSY IS A DISEASE BROTHER, GET WELL SOON.