Succession: Heir to the Empire

(Break Time)

"Carlisle is the winner of this challenge," the old Steward announced in satisfaction, "Now go forth and feel free to relax and use your time however you wish. Remember that your authority is great as an Heir."

Nebi nodded, not really caring. He knew that this challenge was rigged. He was disturbed, however, by the throne's effects on the Heirs. He decided he needed to find C.C. He had more than one question for her.

Kegan/Carlisle

"Well this was certainly an enlightening challenge." Kegan said his thoughts aloud after everyone had been dismissed. The Half-Elf was surprisingly disappointed with most of the Heirs. Tsuba and Caesar he expected to be cruel, but Epiphany and Carlisle had been surprisingly like the Emperors of old with their decision making. "Maul, Nebi, and I seem to be the only ones who were able to resist being cruel." He mentally noted. "Not that meant much when it was my turn." Kegan thought bitterly as he remembered how Baruti had overruled him.

"So, it looks like we have the rest of the day to ourselves now. I don't think I'll have to train today, either." Kegan informed Rein as he decided to take his mind off of the other Heirs for now.


Carlisle slowly rose from his sweet, looking down at his hand as though he just realized that he was bleeding. The Doctor breathed deeply in frustration with himself as he stood up and began to walk away from the others.

Rein

"That's great! So, what do you want to do?" Rein asked, turning to Kegan.

Caesar

Caesar walked over to Carlisle and patted the young doctor on the back. "Congradulations, Carls! You don't mind if I call you that, do you? Hm, I never really thought you had it in you, but you've certainly proved me wrong! There's hope for you yet, boy. Perhaps you aren't the snivelling coward and weakling I thought you were." he said with a smile.

Kegan/Brighe

"I would advise that you two don't leave the Castle grounds this time, it could be dangerous." Brighe stated to the Kegan and Rein before walking away.

"Yes thank you, Auntie." Kegan said sarcastically, obviously embarrassed as he turned to look at Rein. "Well I thought that maybe we could go up to the astronomy tower tonight? I hear Mars will be aligning with the Aries constellation and that's sure to be a great sight. But of course we'd have to wait til it's dark for that, so I thought that maybe we could get away from here and go out onto the grounds."
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Carlisle

"Umm yes, thank you I suppose. But I'm not proud of what I did back there. I lost complete control, something that even you were strong enough not to do." Carlisle replied, a great deal of bitter self-loathing coming from what he said.

Rein

"That sounds great! I'd love to!" Rein said, her eyes lighting up in excitment.

"Only if I am allowed to supervise, of course. With your permission, Heir Kegan." Syrien said, stroding over to the duo.

"Syrien!" Rein cried out, blushing with both embarrassment and some anger. Syrien showed no reaction to her objection, though did raise an eyebrow.

"It is a natural action, Rein. Any parent would do so if they were concerned over their child's safety. Especially when that child has the possibility of being alone with another child of the opposite sex. No offense meant, of course, Heir Kegan." Syrien explained calmly. Rein gave a huff and turned away from her, trying to hide her deepening blush.

Caesar

"Ah, fret not, my friend. I've lost control myself, at different times. But you'll learn to control it, eventually." Caesar said.

Kegan

Kegan bit his lip as Syrien looked down at him. While the Half-Elf would prefer to spend some time alone with Rein, he knew that he couldn't stop Syrien from following them, and thus the boy decided he might as well keep some favor with the older Elf. "Of course you can come with us, sounds great."
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Clara

As the Heirs all went their separate ways, Tsuba quickly arrived at Tsuba's side and greeted the young woman. "Well that was good. You obviously impressed the Steward with your actions."
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Carlisle

"Oh yes, well that's very comforting." Carlisle replied, trying to sound sincere but really just feeling even more scared. "But how does one control something that is pure selfishness and evil? I think it be better to simply try and destroy those urges."

Syrien and Rein

"Do not worry, Heir Kegan. It will be as if I am not there in the first place." Syrien assured. Rein continued to pout and refused to look at her guardian. A light smile came to the Elf's face and he gently ruffled Rein's hair.

"Come now, Rein, I'm simply acting in your best interacts. I have no doubt Heir Kegan is a complete gentleman. I trust he will not lay a hand on you anywhere inappropriate. I am, however, worried about you being the one to potentially....seduce him."

"Syrien!" Rein gave another horrified shriek. Her calming emotions came back full force as a new blush developed across her face. Syrien showed no response to her shriek again, though his lips curled to a smirk for just a second.

"I am merely stating my beliefs, Rein."

Caesar

"Oh no, that would never do! It is simply the nature of most humanoids to act out their emotions, their feelings, their desires. However, with the proper practice, you can control your urges and feelings." Caesar said.
Tsuba

"Thank you, my dear Clara. I have no doubt that I'll have convinced Baruti that I am the only proper candidate for the title of 'Emperor." Tsuba said confidentally.

Carlisle

"Oh well yes that would be fine if I was just repressing feelings that come along every now and then. But really it's almost like I'm fighting a separate person or entity inside myself. It's not pleasant and I don't think I can live with it." Carlisle admitted to Caesar as he continued to walk with the Humage.

Carlisle was beginning to grow light-headed, as he was unfortunately still bleeding from his hand, but he had forgotten about that a while ago after he had started talking with Caesar.

"I suppose....I suppose you would recognize the feeling though, right?" Carlisle asked, as he had an epiphany.
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Kegan

"Wonderful." Kegan said before quietly drifting to the backround of the conversation as Syrien and Rein began to fight with each other.


"Well then should we be going?" Kegan cut into the conversation quickly after Syrien had finished making his claims.
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Clara

"Well you are the only one who is both pure in mind and in blood as well. He certainly cannot ignore that fact."

Tsuba

"Indeed. Baruti would be a fool not to choose me. He definitely won't pick Caesar, and all the others are weak, and went to reform the Empire for the 'good of the people'. Makes me sick to my stomach, just thinking about Nebi or Kegan becoming Emperor." Tsuba said.

Caesar

"Bingo! Give the doctor a prize for his utter brillance!" Caesar sarcastically declared. "Yes, I do still have those other annoying personalities to contend with. Though these days they aren't much of a problem..."

Syrien, Rein

"Y-yes." Rein stuttered, her face still as red as a tomatoe. She turned away from her adoptive father again and grab Kegan by the arm, dragging him away so they could leave. She didn't want to hear anything more embarrassing from him...

Syrien simply gave a low chuckle as Rein dragged her 'friend' away. Sometimes, he thought, while illogical, it was rather amusing to mess with his child.

Kegan

"Great, now I can be paranoid that could be Syrien watching us for the entire date." Kegan said jokingly as he quickly followed Rein down the hall. "But seriously, I'm sure he'll be considerate."
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Carlisle
"Well umm....how do you manage them?" Carlisle asked quietly, feeling stupid after Caesar had mocked him.
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Clara

"Which reminds me. What do you inted to do with your competitors once you're empress, Tsuba?"

Rein

"Y-Yeah, right. Though still, sometimes I just can't stand him!" Rein fumed, still trying to get over her earlier embarrassment. Sometimes, she just wanted to smack Syrien for all the embarrassing things he did or ended up saying.

"I know he means well and all, but he doesn't have to embarrass me like that!"

Caesar

"I'm afraid that is a...secret I cannot yet share." Caesar said, briefly closing his eyes.

Tsuba

"Maul is useful tool, and would obey me when I become Empress. Caesar is too dangerous of a loose cannon to simply let go, but I can give him a rank in the army. I can tell he truly doesn't care about being Emperor, and he would be able to keep our armed forces on its toes. As for the others...some will be enslaved, but I will personally execute Nebi." Tsuba answered with a vicious smile.

Carlisle

"Oh. Well umm sorry then." Carlisle said slowly, his brow furrowed in confusion before he simply stopped walking. "Look, it's not like I don't appreciate this and all, but I think I'm just gonna study. Oh and get my arm bandaged up as well, I suppose." Carlisle added as he motioned at his still bleeding arm.
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Kegan

"But he means well." Kegan pointed out. "Besides, you're very cute when you get all flustered." The Half-Elf admitted, his cheeks turning red.
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Clara

"Yes, he would probably try and start a revolution against you. And there's no denying that he has the charisma that would be necessary to rile people up." Clara agreed.

Caesar

"Very well. Good luck with your coming future, Carls. You'll need it. I hope you don't come to disappoint me, after proving yourself. Who knows? Perhaps one you'll end up...just...like...me. Without the multiple personalities, of course, but you get the idea." Caesar said. The Humage walked away from the other Heir, and started heading in the direction he believed Susanna to be in.

Rein

"O-Oh? R-really? Well, thanks." Rein stuttered, her face becoming even redder (if possible). She quickly thought of something to change the subject.

"So, ah, what should we do now?"

Tsuba

"Agreed. I might execute the elf-boy as well, if he proves to be troblesome. The Amazon girl is an outcast among her people now, so she'll be no problem. Carisle is too much of a weakling to ever stand against me. He'll make a useful slave, alongside the Amazon. Perhaps I could even make him Caesar's personal servant. I'd love to see how long he'd last there." Tsuba mused. The grin on her face soon faded, though, once certain thoughts came to her mind.

"I do hope, though, that Baruti puts an end to this challenge soon. It's gone on long enough, and it's more than clear the others are not capable of being Emperor. I am the only true candidate here. But..."

When she remembered what was soon to come, Tsuba's smile returned.

"If all goes according to plan, none of that will matter. Soon, everything will fall into place. And then..." Tsuba trailed off purposely. The smile on her face grew wider and more malicious.

"And then, the Gaborian Empire will be mine."

Nebi frowned as he searched for C.C., wondering where the girl could have gotten to. He really needed to ask her about a few things, about the nature of the Throne and what happened between her and Susanna. He had asked around and had been directed into the general area of the palace her quarters were. For some reason, none really know exactly where she stayed.

"Okay, C.C. I need to talk to you," he muttered to himself.

C.C.

"Yes?" C.C. asked, suddenly appearing behind Nebi.

Nebi blinked before turning around and stepping back. He scowled.

"I hate it when you do that, you know," he told her before getting serious, "I have some questions for you. I want to know what's going on between you and Susanna and why the Throne tried to make me its puppet!"

Kegan

"Well...like I said earlier, I figured that we could go out onto the grounds and just hang out. It's a beautiful day outside." Kegan said as he smiled at Rein, amused at how red her face had gotten.
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Clara

"So you have been scheming after all then?" Clara asked her eyebrows raised in curiosity as she listened to Tsuba's rant.
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Carlisle


"Yes well....thank you. Lovely conversation, that was." Carlisle replied before quickly walking away.

C.C.

"The later question, I cannot answer. I simply have no idea what you're talking about. As for what happened between Susanna and I...well, it's complicated." C.C. answered.

Tsuba

"Of course. One must have their back-up plans, after all. Even if Baruti doesn't choose me as Empress, or if he doesn't make his decision within a certain timeframe, then I will act. I trust I will have the support of you, and most of the other nobles, yes? Of course I will. You and the noble families would be foolish not to support me. Right, Grand Duchess Clara?" Tsuba asked. She knew the promised position Clara may have under her reign would have the affect she wanted on the Noble.

Rein

"Ah, sure. That sounds great." Rein answered, refusing to meet Kegan's gaze. Her face continued to contain its red color, much to her embarrassment and anger.

Caesar

"Are you in there, Susanna?" Caesar asked, lightly knocking on the door to her room.

"Well, I'm willing to listen. I have all day, after all. That's what Baruti said, right?" he asked C.C. with a frown, "And I think I need to know about your problem. You're my friend and I want to help. Besides, I'll probably get caught in the middle of it if Caesar becomes involved, which is what he does."

Clara

Clara stopped for a second as she scanned Tsuba's face. While she couldn't be absolutely sure whether or not her "Friend" was telling the truth or not, Clara knew she had no other option but to agree with her at this point in time. Besides, it's not like Clara couldn't deal with multiple options at once.

"But of course, Tsuba. I must do what is right for Gaboria and that would be helping you."
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Susanna

Susanna quickly opened the door and pulled Caesar inside, acting almost paranoid as she quickly shut the door behind him. "I'm sorry I couldn't stay there to watch you finish the challenge, Caesar. But C.C. , and Nebi, were both on me."
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Kegan

Kegan stopped in place for a second and grabbed Rein's hand, pulling her back close to him. "Hey, it wouldn't hurt you to relax a bit. I really like you, and you're Father teasing you and following us is not going to change that." The Heir stated before he quickly kissed Rein.

"k?" He asked in a whisper as he slowly pulled away.
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Carlisle

"Oh curses." Carlisle muttered as he tried to stitch the wound in his arm up. The boy had lost quite a bit blood, more then he would have expected at least, and he was beginning to feel very light headed.

Rein

"R-R-R-R-Right." Rein stuttered. Her face was bright red now, and it looked like the girl would faint at any moment. She lightly touched the place where Kegan had kissed her.

"So, ah, to the courtyard, right?" Rein managed to say, trying to calm her whirling emotions.

Caesar

"Ah, I see. I completely understand. C.C.'s probably trying to make you a pawn of her's again, and Nebi will do whatever she asks. A dangerous combination, if he were to become Emperor. Tell me, how are you today?" Caesar asked.

Tsuba

"Glad to hear that, 'friend'. Do you have any other plans for the day?" Tsuba asked.

C.C.

"Very well. Take a sit, because you're in for a long tale." C.C. said, conjuring up a chair. She then proceeded to tell Nebi what had conspired between her, Susanna, and Caesar.

((Yes, I am lazy. Too busy right now to right an entire explanation.))

(OOC: LOL. I'm the same way.)

"Why don't you tell her what's happened?" Nebi asked, exasperated. He sat on the chair, contemplating what she's said, "I'm sure she'd understand."

Kegan

"Right." Kegan agreed as he gripped onto Rein's hand again and continued to walk down the hall with her, a light skip in his step now.
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Susanna

Susanna nodded in agreement with Caesar's statement before she rubbed the back of her neck. "I'm a bit stiff and sore from yesterday's workout, but other then that I am fine." She replied before giving Caesar a false smile to try and reassure him.
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Clara

"Well I was actually going to go to go to the masseuse to get a massage. I've had a horrible kink in my neck you see and I just thought a nice massage would be the ticket. Would you like to come with me?"

C.C.

"I would, but right now it's too dangerous. I'm afraid that Caesar might do something terrible to Susanna if I told her, and he may have put a spell on her that would do something equally dangerous should I tell her." C.C. said with a sigh.

Caesar

"Come now, Susanna. I know you better than that. You don't have to lie to me. I can tell when your smiles are genuine, and when they're not. Are you sure you're ok?" Caesar asked with concern.

Tsuba

"Of course. I'd love to, Clara. Lead the way." Tsuba said.

Rein

"T-Thanks. I needed that." Rein whispered after a moment. She gave him a swift peck on the cheek before walking with him. A bright idea then came to her.

"You know, I think I know a better place to go."

Susanna

"I guess I'm just not over her death yet, Caesar. It's hard, having to cope with the fact that Katie's gone. And Nebi's certainly not helping, along with the fact that we both know your time would be better spent prepareing for the next challenge instead of trying to help me." Susanna stated as she turned around and gripped onto Caesar's hand and tried to reassure the Humage.
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Kegan

Kegan's cheeks turned a light shade of pink as he grinned slyly. "Oh really? And that place would be....?" The Half-Elf asked with amusement as he looked at Rein.
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Clara

"Of course." Clara replied before she turned to walk down the hall.