Thread: For the rest of your life. [Wreckles & Cal]

She winced as she felt the small body shudder underneath her administrations. The child was young, his body riddled with famine and disease. Calyce sighed from beneath the facemask covering her mouth and most of her nose. She often ventured outside Audelin to the nearby villages, accompanied by a dreadful number of guards and servants. Her father, the King, had continuously underestimated her strength and while her brother was given free reign, she was met with resistance and bureaucracy whenever she set out to help those who needed it. The guards kept curious children at bay, while the servants saw to it that her hands were thoroughly cleaned after every encounter, her face suffocatingly wrapped in the mask whenever she spoke to a villager. She handed the child a cup of warm herb infused water. It would eliminate most of the parasites in his body, but it would still leave him in a weakened state. She doubted hed make it through the day. The childs mother, obviously concerned, hovered over them like a hen protecting her eggs. Calyce raised herself to her feet, standing at her full height, which wasnt much to begin with. She had inherited her mothers stature, nearly always a head shorter than her peers. She raised her slender fingers to the face mask and pulled it down, taking in a deep breath. Her lips then curled into a reassuring smile as she looked at the mother, brushing a strand of dark red hair from her own face. It had come loose from its elaborate, thick braid, another tradition her mother insisted on partaking in whenever she ventured outside the Kingdom. She was a representative of her people, a princess, and she would bring shame upon her family should see look like anything else but royalty. It was already frowned upon that she partook in these humanitarian missions she assigned herself, but she had argued that it would reflect badly upon them if they just let people die like this, even though they did not reside within the Kingdom of Audelin. It was a technicality, she knew it, her parents knew it, and it was on that argument that she had been allowed to venture outside. Unfortunately, not without the servants, guards and royal regalia. The dress was intricate, the skirt ornately decorated in her Houses colours. The bodice was tight and form-fitting, showing a curvaceous body that she also inherited from her mother. Over the years, she had grown accustomed to it and embraced her sexuality. She had grown into a confident young woman, who could do without the bells and whistles of being a princess sometimes. Calyce handed the mother a basket of supplies. Food and fruits found only in the inner castle walls, herbs and spices to fight and defeat various illnesses. The village would be set for at least a few weeks, until she would make her rounds again. Just as she was about to speak, a trumpet sounded, followed by a cloud of dust as the horseman pulled up beside them. He was one of her fathers scouts and he began to speak instantly. Princess Calyce, your presence is required. She began to object, her bright green eyes narrowing instantly, but she was cut off yet again. Your father demands it. Right now. They locked eyes for a moment, but she knew it was better than to openly defy her fathers scouts. Additionally, she felt slight concern bubbling up in her chest. It must be important, for her father to pull her away like this. She complied. The journey was a quick one, and passed uneventfully. Before long, she stood before her parents in the grand, lush throne room. Her father expressed his contempt for her appearance by snapping his fingers. Instantly, two servants came up to clean the dirt from her face, straighten her hair and dress, and make sure she looked presentable. Calyce only flashed her father a sheepish smile by way of apologizing. She knew he meant well. A crowd started to gather, and she was introduced to two diplomats from a neighboring country she had no recollection of. Before she could speak, she was interrupted by the grand doors swinging open again. She raised her head silently in a greeting to him, a ghost of a smile playing around her lips again. She and Turyn werent close by any means. He was her elder, heir to the throne and involved with completely different matters than her. He rarely attended family dinners anymore, and when she did see him, they exchanged little words. Still, he was her brother, her family. Her attention was snapped back to the conversation when she heard her fathers booming voice. Calyce nearly winced when she heard the Kings disapproval about her brothers punctuality. What made her eyes widen with unveiled shock was the taunt and sneer that came afterwards and the promise of a mission. She was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. She never was asked on missions before, never considered to be a crucial part in it. This was Turyns forte! For a moment she felt giddy. Perhaps they finally meant for her to do great things as well. Surely this meant they trusted her? Her green eyes dragged themselves to her brother again, and as he caught her eyes, she took it as an invitation to run after him, her heels clicking on the marbled stones beneath her. He had already made his way out of the throne room when Calyce finally caught up to him, knowing fully well that she could not shout after him to stop. The consequences would be dire. Instead, she placed her hand on his shoulder, grudgingly admitting he was taller than her by a full head and that she actually had to reach for shoulder. Hey! her hand lingered for a moment until her brother would stop moving, and then it dropped again to rest on the curve of her hip. She smiled up at him and tilted her head slightly, stubborn strands of hair coming lose from the braid once more and brushing against her cheeks and jaw. So, a diplomatic mission? Are we to leave by vessel or carriage? It was clear shed never been allowed on a mission and she seemed excited enough about the prospect of spending a significant amount of time with her brother and venturing out into the world. She knew it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, her work in the neighboring villages was proof of that. Realistically, she knew she couldn't save everyone. She was idealistic, not stupid. But, she was convinced there was good in people and that everyone deserved a chance to be saved. Hence, this would be a perfect opportunity to save those who needed saving.