Post by Aleksander Byrne on Mar 23, 2020 7:19:10 GMT
Alek knew if he ever voiced that the cozy little cottage was not his home he knew some friends or loved ones would tell him that it is, but his home was where his heart lies, and his heart was with his daughter and the royal family and the kingdom they ruled. Yes, he loved that comfortable little niche he had carved out of the world with Meredith, but that was their home, not his. There would always be a strangeness, like any child who left their parents to live life on their own returning to their parents home, yes it was the same, but something changed and you knew on some level it was not your home anymore. His home had died with her.
If he looked for a place he might call home he would find it in the love he had for the Queen and her siblings, with Frey and the guard, sometimes even with the nobles he had grown to enjoy the company of, it was one reason he was able to work as methodically as he did, to leave his daughter for them. Perhaps he had no true home any longer... but this was close enough. Alek grew tense as he helped her onto the saddle, touches light, wary. The strength he had so recently attained still hadn't quite fit into place; he underestimated the changes, or more so chose to deny them. Charlotte was light as a feather, he knew if he used more force he could easily cast her high in the air. "At least if I kept you ahn a shelf, i'd keep track where you were," he sent back dryly, lips curved back in a faint smirk. "Ahh, isn't dat an idea...." he mused, feigning thoughtfulness, as if suddenly considerate of her suggestion.
The youth was a fairly good rider, he'd grant her that much. How these domesticated beasts liked Charlotte was not lost to Alek. He knew his princess, with her wide angelic eyes, could easily sway people into thinking she held nothing but benevolent intentions. Memories came swimming back to him, to the days when Alek would leave the barracks to tend to the horses and find her, as a young girl, waiting among the horses. It almost made him feel a pang of loss, for undoubtedly things would only keep transitioning her into something harder and more aristocratic as the years went on. But now wasn't the time for him to open the can of worms that was his guaranteed eternity.
Circumstances aside, he did enjoy with Charlotte and her presence within his sights promised him relief. It was when he could not see her that he feared the most. If something were to happen to this girl... He didn't think his heart could bear it. "If fesh cannaht ride 'ahrses, den pray tell why do seahahrses exest?" Alek countered with a stern expression, though his eyes were thoroughly amused as he mounted King's Ransom and guided the stallion closer to her stead. Beneath the sleek sweat on the horse's back, there was an underlying... sweetness. He gripped the reins tighter, a grimace as he tried not to focus on the way his throat felt dry suddenly. I'll need something to drink before bed, he thought wearily. It was still too soon for Saoirse to share quarters with him (as he insisted), so while it wouldn't pose a danger to her, he knew if he avoided it too long he'd wind up quite literally at the night shift's throats.
"Playin matchmaker now, are you?" he commented with a snort, fairly entertained at the notion of horses on a date. Should he have hay served to them as well? Lay out a blanket and make a day out of it? "You'll 'ave to wait a cooehple moons to even try, she's naht due oehntil med spring I dink." Alek frowns, head tilting. It was a habit by this point, yet he had kept up a track of the mares cycles. Second nature, of course, after growing up with his father who had insisted he learn on their trade when he was a wee little tyke. It was easier now, he noted wearily. A unsettling reality in this attraction to blood came with the burden of scenting freshly shed blood so damned easily. There wouldn't be any women in the kingdom able to conceal their cycles from him, however much he wished he could forgo this unwanted knowledge.
Alek made a slight face as he nudged the stallion into a trot, keeping at the same pace as Charlotte's horse. Normally a guard and a princess may not linger at the same pace, but there were exceptions for the Queensguard. If he wished to walk alongside Sophia, even, it were permitted. Though he debate on whether or not to lay back and keep watch over their rears, his senses had grown so acute he believed he'd detect any living thing that neared. "Dahn't feed 'is ego," he sighed, shaking his head. King's Ransom was a fierce, prideful asshole, worse even, when there were mares around with his tail swishing behind him likened to that of a peacock preening its feathers. He rolled his eyes in exasperation at the flourish of the creature's movements.
Charlotte's words rang out... and he had to actually fight a grin from tugging its way across his face. "It pleases me to 'ear you dink so kendly o' me," he says absently, shoulders tense as kept a cautious eye about their surroundings. "I'll try naht to, Yooehr 'ighness," he sent back with a pleased expression, gaze fond as he stared straight ahead, though he peeked at her in his peripheral. There was something... off about the air. He wrinkled his nose, looking vaguely revolted. A thick and cloying scent was on the edge of his awareness, and it was only growing with each passing moment.
It would be best if I investigate, but... His eyes flit to Charlotte. Would that put her at risk?
Conflicted, Alek went quiet even as the scent grew stronger the further they carried on the trail. Perhaps he might get a peek of whatever it were from the path.
If he looked for a place he might call home he would find it in the love he had for the Queen and her siblings, with Frey and the guard, sometimes even with the nobles he had grown to enjoy the company of, it was one reason he was able to work as methodically as he did, to leave his daughter for them. Perhaps he had no true home any longer... but this was close enough. Alek grew tense as he helped her onto the saddle, touches light, wary. The strength he had so recently attained still hadn't quite fit into place; he underestimated the changes, or more so chose to deny them. Charlotte was light as a feather, he knew if he used more force he could easily cast her high in the air. "At least if I kept you ahn a shelf, i'd keep track where you were," he sent back dryly, lips curved back in a faint smirk. "Ahh, isn't dat an idea...." he mused, feigning thoughtfulness, as if suddenly considerate of her suggestion.
The youth was a fairly good rider, he'd grant her that much. How these domesticated beasts liked Charlotte was not lost to Alek. He knew his princess, with her wide angelic eyes, could easily sway people into thinking she held nothing but benevolent intentions. Memories came swimming back to him, to the days when Alek would leave the barracks to tend to the horses and find her, as a young girl, waiting among the horses. It almost made him feel a pang of loss, for undoubtedly things would only keep transitioning her into something harder and more aristocratic as the years went on. But now wasn't the time for him to open the can of worms that was his guaranteed eternity.
Circumstances aside, he did enjoy with Charlotte and her presence within his sights promised him relief. It was when he could not see her that he feared the most. If something were to happen to this girl... He didn't think his heart could bear it. "If fesh cannaht ride 'ahrses, den pray tell why do seahahrses exest?" Alek countered with a stern expression, though his eyes were thoroughly amused as he mounted King's Ransom and guided the stallion closer to her stead. Beneath the sleek sweat on the horse's back, there was an underlying... sweetness. He gripped the reins tighter, a grimace as he tried not to focus on the way his throat felt dry suddenly. I'll need something to drink before bed, he thought wearily. It was still too soon for Saoirse to share quarters with him (as he insisted), so while it wouldn't pose a danger to her, he knew if he avoided it too long he'd wind up quite literally at the night shift's throats.
"Playin matchmaker now, are you?" he commented with a snort, fairly entertained at the notion of horses on a date. Should he have hay served to them as well? Lay out a blanket and make a day out of it? "You'll 'ave to wait a cooehple moons to even try, she's naht due oehntil med spring I dink." Alek frowns, head tilting. It was a habit by this point, yet he had kept up a track of the mares cycles. Second nature, of course, after growing up with his father who had insisted he learn on their trade when he was a wee little tyke. It was easier now, he noted wearily. A unsettling reality in this attraction to blood came with the burden of scenting freshly shed blood so damned easily. There wouldn't be any women in the kingdom able to conceal their cycles from him, however much he wished he could forgo this unwanted knowledge.
Alek made a slight face as he nudged the stallion into a trot, keeping at the same pace as Charlotte's horse. Normally a guard and a princess may not linger at the same pace, but there were exceptions for the Queensguard. If he wished to walk alongside Sophia, even, it were permitted. Though he debate on whether or not to lay back and keep watch over their rears, his senses had grown so acute he believed he'd detect any living thing that neared. "Dahn't feed 'is ego," he sighed, shaking his head. King's Ransom was a fierce, prideful asshole, worse even, when there were mares around with his tail swishing behind him likened to that of a peacock preening its feathers. He rolled his eyes in exasperation at the flourish of the creature's movements.
Charlotte's words rang out... and he had to actually fight a grin from tugging its way across his face. "It pleases me to 'ear you dink so kendly o' me," he says absently, shoulders tense as kept a cautious eye about their surroundings. "I'll try naht to, Yooehr 'ighness," he sent back with a pleased expression, gaze fond as he stared straight ahead, though he peeked at her in his peripheral. There was something... off about the air. He wrinkled his nose, looking vaguely revolted. A thick and cloying scent was on the edge of his awareness, and it was only growing with each passing moment.
It would be best if I investigate, but... His eyes flit to Charlotte. Would that put her at risk?
Conflicted, Alek went quiet even as the scent grew stronger the further they carried on the trail. Perhaps he might get a peek of whatever it were from the path.