r e f l e c t i o n s (rubin/open)

[Cora James]

Sighing, Cora sat on a windowsill, leaning against it and watching the rain fall onto the window and the castle grounds. Maybe it was just her, but the world seemed to be so much smaller than before. When she first came here, every chance she got she would go and explore, but now... it was all just to escape. Four younger siblings at home, an older brother who was trying to marry someone richer than he, and a thief of a brother. All she wanted to do was be an archer, Zander knew that, but no, she was a lady in waiting, for the biggest priss of them all, she thought. It was unknown to the princess, of course, of Cora's feelings towards her, and she intended to keep it that way.

Hearing someone behind her, she said, "If your here to tell me the princess needs me, please tell her I'm busy," if it was another servant, they'd probably understand. Not a lot of people liked the princess due to her snooty attitude. So it wasn't hard for her to get another servant to lie for her so that she could at least get some time to think. She'd be sending food home soon, along with a letter for Zander, asking about his whereabouts, what he had stolen, etc. Hopefully he wouldn't end up in jail. But then again she could visit him if he was in the dungeon. As long as he stayed away from the hangman's noose, Cora would be fine. It seemed her and Zander were the only ones who worked hard enough for the two.

[Knox Brandon Blackwood]

Knox sat, staring out of his window. His father was in rare form today; there was a large number of people catching an unknown disease in the village. The King wanted the source found, and wanted it found now. Those that got in the King’s way faced his wrath and Knox had been one of those people this morning. His father had even yelled at his mother, something that rarely ever happened because the Queen never said much of anything to cross her husband. The young Prince had been unfortunate to take the brunt of his father’s temper this morning. Apparently, it was his fault that the source of the disease had not been found.

The boy was not a scientist, nor was he expected to be. Certainly, he understood the basics of science, but not its intricacies. He was doing his best, he and his knights were going door to door, trying to find the source but they had turned up nothing. How could he be blamed for it? Moreover, how could his father give him such a tongue lashing in front of the other knights of the Court? His blue eyes focused out the window as his rage at his father burned in his gut.

He rubbed a hand over his face as if he could simply wipe away the thoughts that were plaguing his mind. Knox didn’t want to think on it anymore but it constantly nagged at his conscience. He didn’t know what to do anymore; there was nothing else he could do anymore. There had to be something he was missing, something he hadn’t thought of. But what was it? There had to be something he could do to help his people. They were his people after all, one day he would be their King . He looked out the window and saw the rain, perhaps it would wash away some of the disease and cleanse the kingdom though he doubted it.

Still, he could not sit idly by any longer. Suddenly, he pushed himself up and turned sharply. Rubin, come along, we’re going to the Court Physician. I want to see if he has discovered anything new. Knox said and strode out of the room, not bothering to wait for his manservant. His strides were quick as he walked briskly out of his chambers and into the hall. People stood out of the Prince’s way as he practically marched through the halls. It seemed nothing would stop him, that was until he saw one of his sister’s ladies sitting at one of the windows, looking out at the rain.

Knox stopped abruptly and smiled and then changed his course and walked over to the girl. Today she was unarmed or as unarmed as a woman could be. She had no physical weapons about her person, but Knox suspected that she had that spirit and that barbed tongue she had had at their first meeting. Good afternoon m’lady. I wish that there was a better view for you to look at today. Unfortunately, I’ve found that the weather is one of many things in my kingdom that I cannot control, just as I cannot get you to accept gifts. Are you any more amiable to the idea of gifts today, or have I disturbed your muses enough to have angered you enough to refuse me out of spite? he asked after rising to stand at his full height.









Well, lookie here. I made this pretty little post for CORA and RUBIN

It has 573[/color] many words. Template made by HeatherLynsey?! of Caution 2.0. Steal it and I'll bite your fingers off (:

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[Rubin Morgen]

Rubin was minding his business, situated in a corner, polishing something of the princes' as usual, relieved he had scrubbed the floor yesterday so he wouldn't have to do it until tomorrow at the latest. He glanced at his master from time to time, seeing him staring out the window, obviously troubled and annoyed by something. He wasn't about to ask what. It wasn't any of his business and it wasn't his job to comfort the prince or show him all kinds of friendship. It was his job to keep quiet, speak only when spoken to and do whatever the older boy asked. He sighed, turning his gaze away, focusing on the task at hand and listening to the rain pounding outside. It seemed to cast a quiet gloom over the whole castle.

The plague hadn't been a huge deal before but it seemed to be growing and more and more people were talking about it. It was in Avalon now. Rubin frowned, his thoughts going to his Mother, alone in Cornwall, where the illness had first been reported. He didn't want to think that she could be suffering right now, while he was a kingdom away. He couldn't even bear the thought. She was the only family he had, the only person in his life that had loved him devoutly. If he lost her... He shook his head, focusing on the making the silver goblet in his hand shine.

He looked up when Knox stood up abruptly and turned to him, calling him along. He rose quickly, setting the goblet down on the table as well as the polish and rag, finding his lord out of the room already. He sighed and hurried to catch up with him, walking behind him, faithfully following as he was requested, keeping his head lowered respectfully. He almost collided right into the prince's back when he stopped so suddenly, but caught himself, stepping back only to see why the prince had stopped. Cora. He sighed, feeling nothing but weariness that the prince was approaching her again. Rubin always got this tight feeling in his chest when it happened, although he wasn't sure what it was. Fear? Jealousy? Anger? Protectiveness? Worry? He just didn't like it. It made him uneasy, how the prince treated her. He wasn't supposed to take such interest in a servant. Although maybe that was saving Cora quite a few punishments she could have easily received. Either way, the attraction didn't make him feel any more comfortable, and he knew Cora didn't very much favor it either.

He raised his head slightly, to take a gander between them. The prince was smiling, charmingly. His gaze stopped on the servant girl and he saw something different there. Loneliness, sadness, yearning maybe, but he didn't know for what. He caught Cora's eye briefly, his blue eyes gazing steadily, before he gave her the tiniest hint of a smile, hoping whatever it was she might feel better. He knew how it felt, to be away from your family, even if his was much smaller than hers, trapped in a castle doing whatever you were told whenever you were told. He knew she had much more grander adventures planned out, fantasies that she hoped for, and the life of a servant didn't always measure up. He lowered his head again, glancing at the prince.

[Cora James]

Cora couldn't help but inwardly groan. Of course, it just had to be the prince. Knox, it seemed, didn't care that she was a Lady in Waiting, what with the way he treated her. It made her feel... on edge. She didn't like it at all. It was like someone was planning against her. Her eyes looked over at Rubin, and it calmed her somewhat to know that he was there. Looking back at the prince, she answered, "I rather like the rain, and no matter how many gifts you try to give me, I'll always decline."

Key word here was try. You could try, but you weren't going to win, half the time. She wondered if she could start working for the other Princess, Princess Rachel. She sure as anything was nicer than the other princess. Cora turned her attention back to Rubin and the Prince, not wanting to be caught off guard. "Anyway," she added before the prince could reply to what she said earlier, "I was actually planning on going outside, in the rain. It's far more peaceful out there, then in here, the castle. I was actually about to go find Rubin to escort me around the castle."

Ok, yes, that was an utter lie, but hey, she had lied before. Except, that was to cover for Zander. You had to cover for family, after all. Her loyalty was to family first, then friends, then her king. It was one of those strange things with her. If you threatened the family, you threatened her. No if no and no but. You just didn't mess with her, her family, and Rubin. In truth, if Cora trusted anyone in this castle, it would probably be Rubin. They just had a bit of a weird friendship. One moment they would be fighting, the next, saving eachother.

[Knox Brandon Blackwood]

Knox heard the steps of his manservant running to catch up with him as he paced down the hall. Sometimes the boy wasn’t as quick as the prince would have liked, but Rubin always did his job and did it well, without compliant. They weren’t friends; Knox had never really tried to be and it wasn’t as though Rubin could exactly attempt to make the Prince his friend s it was therefore Knox’s fault that they weren’t very close. Still, Knox preferred it. He knew that his manservant didn’t always approve of what he did, but the boy kept his opinion to himself, he could always be trusted to keep his mouth shut. Rubin was never outspoken against the prince, unlike the girl that stood before the young royal now.

Cora, she was so different from the other ladies at court. She had a fire within her and while she had a complete lack of prosperity, it was refreshing at times, though more often than not it irritated him. Cora was not the most beautiful woman at court but her spirit had his attention. She was a challenge to him. The girl was full of resistance, but also loyalty. Knox doubted that she would ever be as loyal to him as she was her family and that bothered him. When he was King, he needed the people to be loyal to the crown for if all people were only loyal to their families, chaos would ensue.

Not only was she a challenge to him, but she was also a puzzle, a way for him to learn about his people, and how to earn their respect and loyalty. Cora has already said she had no loyalty to him and he was the future King. It wasn’t only because he found her attractive that he had kept her and her brother from the stalks; he had doubted that it would do any good and only serve to make them despise him more. That wasn’t the approach to use and clearly charm wasn’t working either. But why do you decline m’lady? Is it simply a matter of the gift or is it the giver. Do you only refuse gifts from me for some offense that I have committed against you or would you refuse if either of my sisters or if Rubin, my manservant were to give you them as well?” he asked, drawing closer to her.

He found it curious that she enjoyed the rain; Knox was not looking forward to riding out in it. The only advantage that he could see in riding in the rain would be that fewer people out and in his way, they would all be in their homes, making it easier to speak with them all. He sighed, distracted for a moment by the thought of the work he had yet to do and he heard the end of her statement about asking if Rubin could take her about the castle. Knox had the feeling that it was an utter lie but at the moment he didn’t care; his earlier distraction by seeing Cora had vanished and the back of his mind was buzzing with the work yet to be done. One girl wasn’t worth delaying even the possibility of finding the source of this plague.

Placing his charming smile back in place Knox sent Cora a grin. Rubin, you are free to take the Lady out. I’d rather see that she is free to move safely about the castle and grounds than have you follow me from house to house. I’d offer up myself to escort you m’lady but I have the feeling you would refuse and unfortunately I have other business to attend to today. Knox said and bowed to Cora. Rubin, please see to it that the Lady Cora is in safety wherever she goes today and you are free to go for the evening when she dismisses you. Knox said and turned on his heel and walked a few paces back toward the hall that would take him to the stables before turning back. But stay out of trouble, I don’t want to have to throw you two in the stocks when I return. Knox said and marched away.

Perhaps if he simply left her alone she would grow to respect him. It was certainly a different approach. Knox needed to learn how to get the respect and loyalty of his people. Cora was different from most people he knew; she was fascinating because her opinions were not so much rare but she expressed them so freely. She did not like him and rather than attempt to lie to him and mislead him, she was honest with him.










Well, lookie here. I made this pretty little post for CORA and RUBIN

It has 786[/color] many words. Template made by HeatherLynsey?! of Caution 2.0. Steal it and I'll bite your fingers off (:

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[Rubin Morgen]

Rubin kept his eyes on the floor, somewhat listening, somewhat deep in his own thoughts that weren't really about anything special in particular. He faded in and out, but nothing much was going on in his head. He wasn't amused or entertained by Knox trying to get Cora to like him and her always refusing him. It was like a cycle that was doomed to repeat over and over. He sighed softly and then stared at the polish on his fingers. He dropped them and then shifted on his feet, standing up a little straighter and rested his hands clasped behind his back, a servant stance he supposed. He heard his name and looked up and then dropped his gaze again when he heard it was nothing important really. Why would he give gifts to Cora? That was a funny thought. He shook his head lightly, ridding of the idea.

His head snapped up a little, his eyes widening when Knox said he was free to take Cora about. Surely the prince knew it was an utter lie. If they were together more than five minutes a row was bound to start. So he was allowed to take Cora out into the dingy gray rain. Was he supposed to be delighted? Or was this a chore? He wasn't so sure what was going on anymore. He was too busy being trying to decide if he should be happy, mad, scared, or what. Knox continued to address what he was supposed to do and he shook his head faintly, trying to catch his eye and show that he really didn't want to do this and he'd rather go with Knox but he watched the prince walk away hopelessly, hearing him say something about not getting in trouble and then slowly turned his gaze to Cora with a less than enthused expression. With Cora there was always trouble. He sighed and then looked at her imploringly as if to ask why she was bringing him into this.

[Cora James]

Looking at Rubin, she gave him an, 'Oh you know I couldn't keep myself entertained without bringing you into this' look. But of course, it seemed Knox didn't like the rain much, and Rubin didn't want to be alone with her, so she called out to Knox, "Your Majesty! You left before I could finish my request! Since of course, it would look highly odd for a prince without his servant, I think it would only be fair to let you join us on this outing, no? But of course, I'd completely understand if you wished to not join us..."

Cora left the last part hanging. After all, if the prince did find her amusing, then he would join them. Besides, it probably would be the only way Rubin would feel comfortable. He did seem to have a thing about her and him getting in a row. Not her fault he started it. Well, she wanted to be his friend, she just didn't know how. She was only used to these things: Eat. Sleep. Take care of family. Survive. Repeat. There was no such thing as friend making, until now, why did it have to be now?

Well, Rubin had been the one she had been able to get a good row against, but he was just so... different. It was strange, talking to a boy who didn't even enjoy fighting. That to Cora was a bit off, but it certainly was nice. Her younger brothers loved to go to jousting events and the like, but Rubin, on the otherhand, was entirely different. That's why she wasn't sure whether to trust him, or to not trust him. Looking from Rubin to Knox, she tried to make sure that it was believable that what she said was true.

[Knox Brandon Blackwood]

Knox sighed at the sound of her voice and turned back once more. He kept quiet as the lady spoke and though he was fully intent on listening to her and speaking with her earlier, now he remembered all that he needed to do that day. The source of the disease needed to be found and Knox knew no other way but to knock on every door, interview every citizen. Avalon did not have the resources of Camelot, the seeming Utopia which was left untouched by disease. People were suffering, his people were suffering and Knox needed to do something about it.

He was likely to be perceived as shallow and selfish, but he did care about his people and he did want to be a good king one day. Knox knew that he couldn’t let them suffer while he flirted with a foolish girl that despised him. As interesting as Cora was to Knox, he knew that he had more pressing matters at the moment. After the lecture his father had given him that morning, Knox was more aware than ever of the consequences of his frivolity. As much as he would have liked to continue to spar with her verbally, to learn more about her, the young prince knew he had a greater task at hand.

Still, it seemed his manservant didn’t want to escort Cora about the grounds. Cora may not have been pretty enough for him to entirely neglect his duties after being scolded by his father but she was very pretty. Certainly pretty enough that had Knox been his manservant, he would have jumped at the opportunity to spend the day with her and free of his other duties. Why would Rubin choose to follow the prince around instead? While Knox appreciated the loyalty, he didn’t quite understand it. But after a moment’s thought he was grateful for it and a small smile crossed his lips. Perhaps he had done something right and earned the loyalty of his servant. He hoped that was the case.

And it would look odder still for me to neglect my duties for an entire afternoon to escort around a lady in waiting to my sister, which of them do you now serve by the way? If Rubin does not wish to escort you and feels his time would be better spent helping me find the source of the disease in my kingdom, I will not force him to escort you. If you still wish an escort, I will have one summoned to see that you find your way safely through the grounds and castle. Unfortunately, as I mentioned, the fact that I believed you would refuse my offer was not my only cause for not making one to escort you to begin with. I’m afraid that I have little time to escort you madam, I only had the time to offer my respects to a beautiful lady. Knox said calmly.

He then turned to his servant who had either just shown great loyalty or simply a dismissal of Cora. Knox wasn’t sure which, but he chose to believe the former as it somewhat lightened his spirit for the day. Rubin, you must do as you please. If you wish to accompany me as I interview the townsfolk, you are quite welcome. If you wish to stay with Cora and escort her about the castle safely, you may also do that. I will have plenty of men with me, so you need not worry about me, you must do as you please in this instance. Knox finished and waited for a reply.











Well, lookie here. I made this pretty little post for CORA and RUBIN

It has 602[/color] many words. Template made by HeatherLynsey?! of Caution 2.0. Steal it and I'll bite your fingers off (:

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