Loyalty in Unity

[ImpossibleGirl]

June gritted her teeth as he shoved forwards, both hands holding her sword tightly as she held her own against him. Not this again..


But she was confident she could get out of this. She just needed to act quick.


Sliding her sword against his, June twisted to the side and grabbed grabbed his arm, shoving hard against him with a grunt of effort and pushing off the ground with her feet in an attempt to bring him to the ground. In the end, she ended up going down with him though, landing ontop of him wirh a small , femanine grunt.

 

[FloatingAroundSpace]

Barrin hit the ground with a thud and glared up at June. She wasn't at all heavy and truth be told, he had the feeling she would have done better if she had stayed on her feet. Barrin was much stronger and well-muscled than June, partially because he was taller and had been training most of his life alongside people larger and smaller than him.


The sword he had was pressed up against his chest, his right hand still clutching its hilt. With his left hand, he gripped her shoulder and tossed her over onto the ground, rolling with her to force her onto her back and rolled on top of her, so that one of his knees was braced on her abdomen and the other was by her side. He shoved his sword against her neck, the metal almost biting into her skin.


"Are you done yet?" he snarled, using his left hand to pin her sword hand to the ground and his right to press the blade closer.

 

[ImpossibleGirl]

June has realized her mistake just before they hit the ground, and she mentally groaned at how stupid she had been. She let her emotions and competitive nature get the best of her once again, and ended up being a little too enthusiastic with her shove, and they both went down with a small thud.


She tried to hurry and get off of him, moving to make a couple strikes at him to try and keep him busy since she was at a severe disadvantage now, however he was much faster. Before she knew it, she was on the ground with him on top, their postions flipped and his blade pressing into her neck. June glared up at him as he pinned her down, lifting her chin slightly as he pressed his sword closer to her, the sharp blade biting slightly into her skin. Not enough to draw blood, but enough so she could feel it.


For a moment, all she did was stare up at him, blue eyes flashing with anger as she gritted her teeth, gripping the hilt of her sword tightly.


But as stubborn and competitive she was, June also knew when she was outmatched. She was far from stupid, and it was obvious she had lost.


"Shut up." she growled through clenched teeth, letting go of her sword in a silent defeat. It was obvious it was difficult for her to do that though, as her eyes were practically blazing with anger, despite her unevened breath from their sparring match.


"I was using an unfamiliar weapon. So I was at a disadvantage." she argued, intensifying her glare. Vanguardian swords were a little different than Etaleths actually, thought not so much that it would hinder her fighting ability. She was just being unreasonably stubborn.


It was then that one of the guards from the barracks came outside to assumedly train, however upon seeing the two in such an indecent position, he paused in surprise. Clearing his throat quite loudly, he arched one questioning eyebrow at the two. "...What's going here?" he asked, confused at seeing the two in such a state. Had they been in a different position and the lady had been wearing armor, he might have not been so confused. But I digress.

 

[FloatingAroundSpace]

Barrin opened his mouth to snap something back at June, frustrated that she still didn't seem to have let it go when a knight spoke.


Shit.





He got to his feet as quickly as possible, sheathing his sword and picking up the one by June's hand. He would offer to help her up but he was sure he would be gelded as a consequence. "Just a training match," he said dully. "As you were soldier."


With that, he went inside, certain that his mother would hear of it soon.

 

[ImpossibleGirl]

Her glare was wiped right off her face once she heard the guards voice, and June paled noticeably. While June was stubborn and could be a bit oblivious at times, she was far from stupid, and she knew this didn't exactly look good.


Sitting up as quickly as she could when Barrin got off of her, June was quite tempted to snap at him when he just left her there on the ground. That insolent little...!


Managing to keep her mouth shut however, the blonde pursed her lips and stood up, brushing off as much dirt as she could. She was sure she'd had a couple bruises -- especially on her chest where he kicked her -- but nothing serious. She was just a little messy is all.


Letting out a small huff once she had adjusted her dress to the best of her abilities, June marched after Barrin, eyebrows furrowed in frustration. Giving the knight a small nod, June quickly passed him by as she entered the barracks.


The soldier merely watched the two of them with a curious gaze, before shaking his head as the short young woman passed him by, deciding to keep his mouth shut for now as he went about his business. He'd decide what to do with this information later on.


A few of the knights raised an eyebrow at her appearance, however June merely huffed and blew a strand of hair out of her eyes. One thing was for sure; she'd definitely need to freshen up before they returned to the palace.

 

[FloatingAroundSpace]

Barrin made his way back up to the armory, stashing the sword away before descending the steps again. There were some specks of dust on his armor and he was sure the back looked quite dusty from his delightful roll in the field.


He spotted June coming in and walked over to her, glancing about her own dirty appearance.


"Washroom is up that way," he said, pointing to the staircase opposite the armory.

 

[ImpossibleGirl]

Raising an eyebrow up at Barrin as he appeared in front of her once more, June narrowed her eyes at his comment, contemplating snaping at him simply because she was still very irritated with the fact that he had won their match.


Instead though, a small huff left her lips, and she merely glared up at him. "...Thanks.." she mumbled, before turning on her heel and making her way to the washroom. Of course, being June, she couldn't just say thank you and that be all. So she paused a few feet in front of him and turned back around, putting her hands on her hips. "Once I'm done, take me to the shops. It's my compensation for the unfair match." she said, before turning around and continuing to her destination, not even bothering to hear his reply.

 

[FloatingAroundSpace]

Barrin pinched the bridge of his nose in response to her request. This was going to be a long day and a long life if this was any indication.


A few knights glanced at him as he waited for June, his hands clasped behind his back in a symbol of ease while they puttered around. A few were mumbling about the new princess and he nearly brained himself on a wooden beam when he realized that news had spread that he and the princess had a slight... tussle in the dirt.


His mother would have him for dinner.

 

[ImpossibleGirl]

Passing by a few of the knights on her way to the washroom, June ignored the looks she got along the way, head held high and shoulders back despite her unruly appearance. And if anyone dared to say anything about it, -- which no one did -- she wouldn't afraid to geld them where they stood. Not with the sour mood she was currently in at the moment.


Reaching the washroom, June closed the door behind her and let out a small sigh, leaning back against the wood for just a moment. She finally had some time to herself, and she wasn't about to waste it.


Taking a moment to calm her breathing, June closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then let out slowly. This wasn't going at all like the way she had thought it would... But there was nothing she could do about it now. She just needed to focus on being true to herself and remeber why she was doing this. Remember that her family and her home were counting on her. As long as she did those two things, everything else would be alright. She refused to believe otherwise.


Finally opening her eyes, June pushed off the door and walked over to the sink. Looking in the mirror, June winced slightly at her appearance. Okay, even she had to admit she looked pretty bad.


Sighing softly, June pulled the ribbon from her hair and fluffed it a bit so it looked less tangled, then shook the dirt out of her hair and tied it all up with her thin blue ribbon. Washing her hands and rinsing off her face, June dried it with a cloth before looking at herself in the mirror once more. Okay, she at least looked presentable now. A little rough... but at least she didn't look like she rolled around in a mound of dirt.


Letting out a small sigh, June dusted off her dress once more before exiting the washroom, feeling a little bit more refreshed than before.


When she saw Barrin however, her sour mood started to come back and she felt a flare of irritation rise within her. Pushing it down, June let out a small sigh before stepping up to him.


"Ready?" she asked, arching her eyebrows expectantly up at him. She was completely oblivious to the talk within the barracks, however even if she had been aware of it, she probably wouldn't have cared much, nor would she have realized how it might look to others.

 

[FloatingAroundSpace]

Barrin peered down at her. "Do I have a say?" he asked before turning on his heel and leaving the barracks, this time waiting for June by the entrance so that they could walk alongside each other. He had no intent of grasping her hand or wrist in an effort to keep her by his side, no. That seemed like something that would get him slapped for.

 

[ImpossibleGirl]

Gritting her teeth together, June glared daggers into his back as she followed behind him. "Smart ass." she mumbled under her breath. Well excuse her for trying to be nice! Rest assured though, she won't make that mistake again...


"No, you really don't." she snapped back with an irritated growl once she reached his side, waiting for him to lead the way. It wasn't like she had any idea where to go after all.

 

[FloatingAroundSpace]

Barrin turned to glare at her out of the corner of his eye and made his way down the street. It was relatively empty, meaning the afternoon rush had been over. The sound of footsteps told him that someone was coming near them and he turned to see Nartai.


"You look dusty," his older brother commented, arching an eyebrow at Barrin who only frowned back. "Come along. Mother wants you two back at the castle as soon as possible."


Stifling a groan, Barrin turned to follow his brother back.

 

[ImpossibleGirl]

Despite how irritating Barrin was proving to be, June was still anxious to explore the kingdom. After all, this was her first time in Vanguard. She'd like to get to know it better, and see what it had to offer.


Unfortunately, her exploration of the land would have to wait, since one of Barrins brothers -- Nartai, she thought his name was -- came to get him. The corner of her mouth twitched slightly in amusement as Nartai commented on Barrins appearance, and she couldn't help but feel slightly pleased with herself, even if she herself probably looked a little worse for ware as well.


June nodded slightly as Nartai told them they were to return to the castle, and calmly followed after them. On the inside however, her heart was pounding and her head was reeling. Would the Queen be angry when she found out what happened? Did she already know? And if so, should she be worried?


... Na. June was sure it'd be fine. This happened to her almost everyday at Etaleth. Why should she go changing who she was, simply to please someone else? She'd just take it as it comes.


Plus, that sparring session had helped to release some of the nerves and pent up anger she had been feeling, so she was oddly more relaxed. Granted, she was still irritated, but it was better than before at least.

 

[FloatingAroundSpace]

The castle appeared soon enough and the three were let in. King Raleigh was present, glancing up as they entered. He was apparently looking after Galene, who looked slightly bored as she clutched a book with the words "HISTORY OF TIME" on the front. She had it open and was sitting on the steps while Raleigh towered over her, as if monitoring the young princess to ensure she was reading it.


Galene stuffed her nose back into the book when June and Barrin showed up and he swore she was hiding a grin. He narrowed his eyes at her briefly before following Nartai to the entrance of the dining hall, where a long rectangular table sat. This was the table used for special guests. Naomi would sit at one end and Raleigh on the other. When it was just the family around, they would sit at a round table and chat and talk while Casimir and Galene and sometimes Nataxie spun the turntable around like children to pick out their favorite foods.


"Perhaps you should change," Nartai said to Barrin, "lest mother give you a hard time about being presentable."


Barrin frowned at Nartai but obeyed, disappearing up the steps and into his room, where he took off his own armor and pulled on a plain white jerkin and plain pants.


He walked back down the steps to see his mother boring holes into his skull.

 

[ImpossibleGirl]

As they entered the castle, June's eyes flitted down to look at the floor, refusing to feel guilty for what had happened. I mean honestly, she had done worse before! And it wasn't like anyone had seriously gotten injured, right? So she really saw no harm in what happened. Her eyes flicked up to glance at the ones present before her, staring at Galene for a moment before following after the two brothers. Had she planned this? ...No, the girl seemed far too innocent for that.


...Or was she? ...Gah, June was so confused. How she wished her family was here to help her feel at ease. No doubt they would be laughing at her like they always did, with Jason mercilessly teasing her despite her fathers warnings. She would retaliate, and the two would have at it until their father had had enough of their "foolishness."


A small smile formed on her lips as she thought of her family, her heart aching as a second wave of homesickness hit her that day. Fortunately, Nartai's voice snapped her out of her thoughts before they could become too depressing, coming to a quick stop before she accidentally rammed into Barrins back. Taking a step back, June ducked her head at the older princes words, trying desperately to suppress a smirk, however it didn't work out too well.


"I think I'm going to freshen up as well. Excuse me." she said once Barrin disappeared up the steps, giving a small polite nod to Nartai, before disappearing up the steps as well to where Barrin said her room was. Shutting the door behind her, June let out a small sigh. Noticing her bags had been put up there for her, she opened one of them and pulled out a simple, forest green dress with a dark green trimming. Brushing out most of the tangles in her hair, June left it down this time simply because she didn't want to bother with it too much, setting her ribbon on the dresser in her room before making her way down the steps.


Now, where was that dining room Nartai had shown them before...

 

[FloatingAroundSpace]

"...Mother," Barrin managed.


"I see you're family back," Naomi managed coolly, peering around Barrin to note June coming down the steps. "We're having dinner. And you two are sitting next to each other."


Barrin did his best not to groan as he felt like Naomi had something else up her sleeve.

 

[ImpossibleGirl]

As June trotted down the steps, she stopped as she noted Queen Naomi and Barrin at the foot of the staircase, blinking down at them. Her heart dropped into the pit of her stomach as she heard the Queen's command and she stiffened, however nodded silently, stifling a groan of disapproval by pursing her lips. Ugh... why did she feel like this wasn't going to end too well.


Bounding down the rest of the steps, June came to a stop beside Barrin, however put some distance between them as well. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad... as long as Barrin didn't say or do anything to irritate her.


...What was she kidding. This was going to be a disaster.

 

[FloatingAroundSpace]

Barrin glanced at June briefly before following Naomi into the dining hall. Like the throne room, the dining hall for guests had the flag of Vanguard at the very back wall, behind where Naomi took a seat. The chairs were simpler, made of wood with soft red velvet as the cushions. The wood of the table was varnished and shone and plates with various foods were piled high.


There were soup bowls with steaming broth, plates of fresh vegetables that had been steamed or sauteed, there were pieces of shredded meat decorating intact pieces, and everything in between. The rest of the family filed in and the dull cooing of a baby told Barrin that Auria had managed to come in with both of the twins.


They were placed in high chairs next to their parents while Marelcine crawled into her father's lap and stayed there, reaching out and picking out a tomato to shove in her mouth.


Naomi pointed at a chair next to her for Barrin to sit in and he sank into it. Galene was made to sit on the other side and his younger sister quickly stuffed a potato into her mouth, a grin threatening to break out on her face.

 

[ImpossibleGirl]

June followed after Barrin and Naomi, filing into the dining room behind them. As soon as she entered the room, the delicious smell of food wafted through her nose and her stomach grumbled in reply. The food smelled so good.. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the feast set at the table, eyes widening slightly as she took in everything there was to offer. June had a rather large appetite, and could eat more than her own father could at times. The blonde had a high metabolism, that was for sure.


Eyes flicking over the rest of the family to find her spot, June quickly took a seat beside Barrin, eyeing the food and planning out what she was going to have first. Perhaps the vegetables... or maybe the soup... oo! No! She would have some meat covered in broth, and some vegetables on the side first. Oh man... she was so hungry..


Her eyes flicked up to Queen Naomi, irritation towards Barrin momentarily forgotten as she gave her a genuine smile. "Thank you for having me. It all looks amazing." she smiled, eyes darting down to glance at the plate of meat once more. She was tempted to just go and dive in, but she was a guest here and had no idea of their customs, nor did she want to be rude by starting to eat before anyone else. Usually in Etaleth, her father plated his food first before they were allowed to dive in, and the fight for the turkey legs would then ensue. So she decided to merely wait and follow everyone elses example, trying not to fidget in her anticipation to taste the delicious smelling meal.

 

[FloatingAroundSpace]

"You're very welcome," Naomi said, smiling something. "Please, help yourself."


Barrin was already loading his plate with food, dragging over a rib while Galene piled on the potatoes, grinning as she stole at least three baked ones from her other siblings. Marceline was attempting to crawl onto the table to eat some of the other food available and Auria and Nartai were attempting to feed the twins mashed up pumpkins.


There was talk and chatter all around the table as the family finally got together to discuss the happenings of that day, from political arrangements to the upkeep of the city.

 

[ImpossibleGirl]

June grinned as Naomi gave the okay for her to eat, and she immediately started piling her plate will all kinds of things, however started with a mound of sliced meat covered with broth. Then she went to the vegetables, grabbed two baked potatoes, and a spooned some stew onto her plate as well.


Immediately diving in once she piled her plate with food, June started on the meat and the broth, sighing softly through her nose as she chewed at the piece of duck. It was as good as it looked, if not better. Her irritation towards Barrin was momentarily forgotten as she munched happily at her food.


Glancing up, her eyes flicked over the rest of the family, smiling softly as she watched them all converse, especially as she noticed Galene start stealing food from others. It was amusing to watch, however she still guarded her food closely out of habit.


It reminded her of her own family, and the dinners they would have. Although they were much more... rambunctious most of the time. Glancing down at her food, June stayed mute for once as she got lost in her own thoughts, stabbing at some steamed cabbage before shoving the spoonful in her mouth.

 

[FloatingAroundSpace]

Naomi cleared her throat suddenly and Barrin looked over warily as the table quieted for a second. "So," the queen began, staring at Barrin and June, "I have heard you two went to the barracks."


Barrin remained silent though his eyes slid over to Galene who was by far the smallest and most mischievous. He wouldn't put it past her to watch the duel or get whispers of what happened from the maids while she avoided her studies, which would explain why Raleigh had decided that watching over her was a good idea.


"A few knights have brought up an interesting happenstance there," she continued mildly and Casmir looked like he was trying not to laugh.

 

[ImpossibleGirl]

The Queen's voice brought June out of her thoughts as she glanced up at her, however her comment made pale slightly and stop chewing for a moment, however she slowly swallowed her food as her eyes slid down to her plate. Glancing back up at the Queen, June nodded warily, unsure of where this was going.


Naomi made it clear a moment later though, and June's eyes slid to her plate once more. She wasn't sure how to go about this... Queen Naomi was sort of reminding her of her own mother at the moment, with how silent and calm she was. Her mother was always silent before her fuse broke, like the calm before a storm. However she wasn't familiar with Queen Naomi, so she had no idea what was going to happen.


June was half-tempted to just stay silent, however that wasn't exactly her style, and she also didn't want to seem rude as if she was ignoring the Queen. "...We had a small sparring match when we got there, yes. I wanted to see how Vanguardian swords differed from Etaleth's, and asked if Barrin would spar with me." she said slowly, choosing her words carefully as she looked down at her plate, suddenly feeling very nervous. This... was embarrassing to say the least.


And it was all Barrins fault. If he had just been less irritating and annoying, perhaps they could have avoided this.


June pursed her lips slightly at that thought, refraining from shooting him a glare.

 

[FloatingAroundSpace]

Barrin chewed slowly, not looking at June and instead staring at his plate. The silence rang in his ears and he could practically feel the laughter that Galene and Casimir were holding back. Glancing over at Nataxie, he saw that her face was red and her lips were pursued as if she was trying to restrain herself.


Galene gave up and nearly fell off her chair in a fit of giggles, finding her brother's obvious struggles with his fiance to be amusing.


"Well," Naomi said, shooting her youngest a glare to make her be quiet, "perhaps next time you can be responsible and both wear armor, no?"

 

[ImpossibleGirl]

The silence that hung in the air then made June's heart pound and her palms slightly sweaty, staring at her own plate as well. June wasn't usually intimidated by anyone else, however the Queen just managed to give off this aura of authority, and June was smart enough to know it was likely not a good idea to get on her bad side.


The fit of giggles that broke through the silence then made June's eyes snap up to Galene, exhaling harshly through her nose and glancing back down, her eyebrows furrowing as she glared down at her food. That little sneak. She had planned this, hadn't she?


Her eyes widened slightly as Naomi spoke once more, yet she nodded silently, quickly stuffing a piece of meat in her mouth in an attempt to keep herself quiet. How did she know about that too?!


...The swiftness in which she gained this knowledge scared her a bit, to be honest. And June was never scared.