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[closed]
Who: Rue and Prince Siegfried
When: February 6th
Where: Starting off at the Plaza
What: Rue has arrived and is found by her prince
Status: Closed
[ Her first thought is that she must have fallen off the swan carriage. That's the only logical explanation to why she's now on solid ground--and soaked to the bone. What had been a large princess dress full of volume is now thin and watered down, plastered to her skin as she steps out of the fountain with her crown crooked upon her head. Holding the skirts of her dress, Rue's eyes scan the sky. Surely her prince would notice her absence and come back for her.
... But she doesn't see any sign of the carriage flying through the sky. Instead she's met with a much more peculiar sight--water. And lots of it.
Rue's expression falls as her mouth opens. It only takes a few moments of mindless gaping before she catches herself, and hardens her face into something more stern and determined. And she sets off, uncaring of how ridiculous she must have appeared. To where? She doesn't know. But she won't idly sit by.
If her prince is unable to find her, then she will be the one to return to him instead. ]
When: February 6th
Where: Starting off at the Plaza
What: Rue has arrived and is found by her prince
Status: Closed
[ Her first thought is that she must have fallen off the swan carriage. That's the only logical explanation to why she's now on solid ground--and soaked to the bone. What had been a large princess dress full of volume is now thin and watered down, plastered to her skin as she steps out of the fountain with her crown crooked upon her head. Holding the skirts of her dress, Rue's eyes scan the sky. Surely her prince would notice her absence and come back for her.
... But she doesn't see any sign of the carriage flying through the sky. Instead she's met with a much more peculiar sight--water. And lots of it.
Rue's expression falls as her mouth opens. It only takes a few moments of mindless gaping before she catches herself, and hardens her face into something more stern and determined. And she sets off, uncaring of how ridiculous she must have appeared. To where? She doesn't know. But she won't idly sit by.
If her prince is unable to find her, then she will be the one to return to him instead. ]
no subject
The endless battle he brought to its end, the unforgettable sacrifices of others that made it possible, surely that should have earned peace. But if that isn't to be enough, he will fight onward – the question is only how. He won't accept this supposed entrapment, not when he has someone waiting for him.
All cruelties done to him still pale in comparison to what she has endured... He thinks of Rue often, as he paces the city these days. He prays that she has reached his kingdom, at least, for he trusts his people to take care of her. Still, though it may be selfish, he wants more than that. To be by her side, to offer her some relief, if she will only grant him a little more time. She will endure this, too, there is no doubt; but it isn't fair for them to come so far, only to be separated.
Yet fate is a funny thing sometimes, perhaps more so when no hand guides it.
He enters the plaza, after another day of searching for some more helpful answer, and briefly examines the crowd. No faces are truly familiar to him, and even the architecture has such a foreign feel. It only makes him miss the white marble and elegant stonework of his palace.
But something bright does catch his eyes, a striking figure in white and gold, with damp, dark hair spilling onto her shoulders. She is hurrying away, and he runs, then, darting through the crowd with a dancer's agility. His breath is occupied in his throat, refusing to give him voice, so he catches her hand. His grip is still gentle when he pulls her to face him, but he makes no attempt at hiding his own shock.]
no subject
A hand grabbing to hers is the last thing she expects, and it immediately draws Rue to alarm. Hand clenching, she gives it a jerk and whips her head around to face the stranger. Whoever dared grab her in such a way will regret it. ]
Let go of--!
[ And then he's there.
Rue immediately ceases, her fingers dropping from its previous fist. For a bare moment she even wonders if the image before her is real. As if she could summon him through the sheer desire of his presence.
The stern and angry looking princess from moments before abruptly drops, replaced with one of equal shock to his. ]
Prince...
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At last, he exhales, and everything comes out in one breath, to start.]
I'm sorry, Rue, I did not meant to startle you.
[He composes himself, but continues quickly.]
I do not know whether this is better or worse...
[Frustration flashes across his face, but he delicately takes her hand again.]
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But his next words do catch her attention. Enough for her brow to crease for a bare moment--but she decides to address it after she has a chance of fully showing Siegfried her relief. ]
Prince.
[ She sighs with her eyes closed, eagerly holding his hand and stepping forward to embrace him--her head presses below his shoulder and her free hand lightly grips his arm.
But then her eyes open and she frowns, still keeping herself to him. ]
Tell me what has happened. What is better or worse?
[ There are a million questions running through her head, but Rue holds back to keeping it to just a those. For the moment. ]
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In fact, as it sinks in that she is here, he becomes more relaxed, and he doesn't try to fight it. He hadn't realized quite how pent up he has been.]
I have not been here long, but I missed you greatly, my princess...
[He answers her solemnly, however.]
All that I know... This city is called Vatheon, and through some means unbeknownst to all those trapped here - and there are many - it draws people from many worlds together, and seeks to keep us.
[He meets her eyes, with steel in his own.]
And now you are trapped with me. I wish for neither of us to remain for long...
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She doesn't draw back from Siegfried, but her eyebrows crease forward all the same. When she does move, it's only to look up at him, as she does not leave his embrace.
She can say she missed him too, briefly, but with the way he words it... ]
How do you know all of this? I was with you in the carriage just a few minutes ago.
[ Her fingers tense. ]
... But you say it is not by accident we are here.
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What? I have been here for several days... The carriage must have landed long ago. Something has truly gone wrong...
[That goes without saying, really, but he looks more markedly more worried now, uncertain about what might have caused this particular phenomenon. He shakes his head quickly.]
Truthfully, I have not learned much, but it seems that many people have experience here. I have no doubt there is a reason for these... these kidnappings - [No, it's not quite that, but how else should he describe it!] - for all of this, but it has yet to be uncovered. It seems that we are allowed a great deal of freedom here for the time being, but only within this city.
[He briefly regards her with a grave, then he pulls her closer again, a protective impulse.]
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[ Even though Rue is so comforted by Siegfried's presence, she's now starting to feel the same uncertainty she had before finding him. This is all a lot to take in, especially so soon after she thought they've finally found peace.
...But surely she wasn't soaking in the water for days on end. And she can't help but feel a surge of frustration--not with her prince, but with their situation. Nothing is making sense, and who dared take them away just when they were finally happy? ]
This is ridiculous...
[ She allows him to draw her closer, in fact desires it as she returns the embrace. If there are real reasons for their confinement, she neither knows nor really cares. No reason stands a chance of swaying her thoughts. All Rue wants is to know how to return to the carriage and continue their way to his kingdom.
There's a bitter sound in her throat. ]
This isn't freedom. None of this... it can hardly be called freedom.
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No. No, it cannot... Forgive the error of my words, won't you...?
[He takes a moment to quietly press his face into her hair. When he speaks next, he has his absolute conviction back, even in his soft tone. Seeing her disgust upsets him, in turn, but it only gives him more reason to act.
They've both suffered enough, haven't they? He is not wrong to call this place cruel.]
I swear to you, I will do everything in my power to bring us home. We will not be denied freedom much longer. You will not, and I will see to it.
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Of course.
[ She knows he of all people would never consider this to be true freedom.
If there are pedestrians glancing over to the couple embracing in the middle of the plaza with one soaked to the bone, Rue doesn't notice nor care. Instead she only closes her eyes. ]
And you will. You always will.
[ Ever since she was little, he was always her savior. ]
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However, he does belatedly realize that, with the state of her dress, she mustn't be comfortable. This brings out a quiet sort of dismay in him, precisely that of a gentleman who has neglected formality.]
Indeed... for now, allow me to see to your comfort for what time we spend here... You are my princess now, wherever we are. No force can change that.
[Not even Drosselmeyer himself, he reflects, nothing at all. Just as his rightful place is to be a prince, hers is certainly to be a princess. He muses.]
I have found a place to stay at an inn, but with you, I believe that better accommodations shall be required.
[He draws back a step, keeping hold of her hand, smiling so she can see it, but with just the faintest hint of sheepishness.]
Before any of that, however, would you like some dry clothes?
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This really isn't something temporary, is it?
But she nods, much more appreciative of his confident words than she can even say. Siegfried rescued her from the belly of the Raven. After that, it feels as though any obstacle can be overcome with him.
So with the mention of clothes Rue glances down, pinching the cloth of her skirt and lifting it up.
... She hopes it's not ruined. She's already quite taken to it. ]
... I suppose. It wouldn't do to grow ill on top of everything else.
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[He inclines his head, and beckons in the direction of the market with a single, flowing gesture, making use of his entire arm.]
We will find something for you without trouble. They seem to want us to settle here easily.
[His smile fades, then, giving light to quiet anger in his eyes. It feels very much that someone is trying to bribe them, if not only lull them into this place, and that someone would try to deceive either of them like this marks his pride.]
Too much so. We should not suffer beyond need, but I think it wise not to take too much, either.
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When Siegfried motions toward the marketplace Rue didn't take notice of before, she immediately takes his other arm in a hold very reminiscent of the way she used to walk with him. ]
Agreed.
[ She frowns at the thought of settling here. This isn't her prince's kingdom, and the idea of being held in a city against their wills is... well, eerily familiar.
But if anything, she's relieved to still have him by her side. ]
You seem to know much about this place already... but if you haven't left already, I suppose asking about a way out would be too much to hope for.
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He changes that familiarity when he lifts his other arm across his body, pressing his hand over one of hers tightly.]
I would have already taken you away from here if I knew that. I am sorry.
[It's all he can say, right now, and his shame is apparent in the twist of his mouth and the worried glance he gives Rue.
It would have been worse if he allowed himself to feel helpless, but no matter what anyone said, he would find the elusive path out of here. In truth, it may be a painful situation, but it strikes him as almost suspiciously simple. He hesitates before speaking.]
I must confess... What I know, I have been told. I told you there are others here, and they help.
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Apologizing when it wasn't even his fault... there's no doubt he's truly the noble prince from the books. But it's not the subject at hand. ]
I see...
Then I'd like to know what you've learned from this place so far, my prince. I'd rather not stay in the dark.
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[He allows her to guide them as they walk, informing her of his findings, and those of others, in an ever more solemn voice. None of it is truly good, even their freedom is false in this place.
He has only her, and though he loathes to have her trapped, as well, he cannot help but be grateful for her presence.
When they reach the store, he naturally holds the door open for her and offers a small bow.]
If nothing else... You may find something to suit you here, for now.
[He gives her a long look, and then a much warmer smile at last.]
After all, there is little that wouldn't suit you, I believe.
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If anything, she can share the same sentiment. If she has to be held against her will... she would wish for her prince to be by her side.
Despite their predicament, Rue can't hold back the small smile in response to Siegfried's, especially with the comment he adds to it. Her own tone is fond. ]
It seems you've also gained the means of flattery, since you've become restored.
[ Not that she objects to it! Quite the opposite.
Though she's very ready to get out of her dripping clothes, and steps inside the shop to begin her search. ]
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Flattery? I would never.
[His hands clasp together against the small of his back, stopping the slight fluttering of his cape.]
I have gained nothing that I did not have before, but it seems that I had lost my appreciation of beauty. Ah, but how empty life is without that... You cannot see what should be treasured.
[He pauses, his breath held for a moment without his knowing it, and leans forward to kiss her cheek swiftly.
That is how one does it, isn't it? Love, that is.]
Things such as that.
[He isn't ignorant of all the times she commanded such acts from him, but it was such a dull thing. This, then, is what it feels like, tender and delightful.
Now his heart won't stop pounding, though. He pulls back, and immediately turns away to survey the shop.
...Oh, look there, the dresses! Yes. He catches her eye again, rather shyly, and nods in that direction.]
...Whatever catches your fancy, my princess.
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But with those words and the chaste kiss to her cheek, the guard just effortlessly melts.
Countless times she told him to say sweet words that carried no life and kiss her with lips that didn't feel. The transition to now is prominent, leaving her a bit pink.
This pure, delicate love... she is really allowed to receive it?
It leaves her still for a moment, unable to come up with a proper response. ]
Y... yes...
[ Of course, her prince did gain something he did not have before, which was the blood she had tainted his heart with. But it was a correction she does not wish to make, not right now. This moment can do without such a reminder.
Once they find the dresses, Rue looks over them, lightly touching the fabric. What color should she choose?
... Nothing black. ]
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It might be selfish, but he loves knowing how much he means to her in his own way. He wishes so much to make her happy, and knowing that he can, even now, brings him joy in turn.
He stands back patiently as she searches, but a dress further down the rack catches his eye.]
Oh, Rue, what about this?
[He points out a dark blue sleeve, pulling the dress slightly forward for her to see.]
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Another one has caught her eye, and she turns to pull it out from the rest of the rack. She smiles softly. ]
I believe this one would be more suitable, for today.
[ Easy enough to move in, but also refined.
It's only then when a problem occurs to her, and the smile falters as she glances to Siegfried. ]
... But I don't have -- [ Her brows furrow. ] Will we be able to pay?
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Very good. I look forward to seeing you in it.
[He blinks, startled by her question, then smiles apologetically.]
You needn't worry about that... We will not be charged for things that are deemed necessities here.
[He closes his eyes, sighing.]
In truth, we have already paid more than their price, have we not?
[But they've had more than enough of such talk. He nods to her.]
Anyhow, try it on, if you wish.
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... I never would have thought a captor would be so accommodating. But if they mean to appeal to us, it won't work.
[ But she nods, and finds one of the dressing rooms to change.
Just as he's explained to her, Rue does find the marking on her skin as she disrobes. It fills her with an indignation--how dare someone try to mark her--like livestock! It serves to remind her that she should be arriving at the kingdom with her prince right now. Not... here.
But she dresses herself, immediately favoring the warmth and dryness. Carrying her princess dress draped over her arm, Rue steps out from behind the curtain and catches Siegfried's eye. She still has the crown on her head, her hair now only a bit damp. ]
Yes, I suppose this will do for now.