What's Done in the Dark, Comes to Light

Role-Play Name: What's Done in the Dark, Comes to the Light Date Started: January 8th, 500XR Date Completed: Ongoing Previous Role-Play: N/A Users Involved: User:Shen Yi, User:Berserkchart486, User:BQD Setting: Clover Kingdom Characters Involved: Magic Knights: Marco,Lea Kira,Tiana Kira, Other: Alexander Kira

A week had passed since the Magic Knights. Probably one of the most drama filled examinations in centuries due to the revelations and controversies of the royal household. One of the biggest secrets of the Royal Realm, not only came to light, but also managed to obtain results which surpassed full-blooded royals. Also, this secret went from a lowly church boy to the rightful heir of Clover Kingdom's most royal branch house. And to make matters worst, in a years time, there would be a competition for that right between the murder machine trained for this position and himself. The cherry on top? This intense rivalry between siblings had been broadcasted across Clover Kingdom. He wanted nothing more than to return to the church and spread the news. Plus, some fatherly advice which didn't consist of dodge or protect his neck would help.

The past week's been the most hectic for Marco. Between adjusting to his life as a Magic Knight and now a royal, he's spent a majority of his days jumping from meeting to meeting. Lesson to lesson. Clothing. Verbiage. Manners. No longer could Marco play in the dirt with the children. He was to remained groomed at all times unless coming from battle. All the etiquette during dinner took the taste away from the exquisite food which covered his table. He couldn't live among his fellow Magic Knight's either. In order to catch up with sixteen years of lost time, Marco had to live among House Kira and only spend the required time at the Silver Eagle base. To make matters worst...no one in the massive palace spoke to him. They did what they did to please the next head of their house...but Marco could feel the fake love in their voice. He felt their resentment. Their condescending tones often caused Marco to hesitate to ask questions. Despite surrounded by family, this had been the most lonely Marco has even been in his life.

During exploring, Marco found himself in Lea's room. It seemed like the perfect time capsule of a happy family...with a tint of the psychotic nature of the sword maiden. Magic tools which displayed images of a happy family. Weapons decorated the wall, a larger version next to two smaller weapons. He wanted to go inside but decided against it. She needed no more reasons to resent him. Instead, Marco found himself heading towards his new training quarters. He walked to the center of the makeshift arena and utilized his mana to activate the golems. It was the only place where he felt safe since he knew the attacks were coming. As magic tools floated around the room and fired concentrated blast of mana, he was able to truly test the limits of his robe.

When he didn't dodge, he would let the blast pierce through his body and heal in order to get used to the regenerative rates. Different amount of magic streamed into the robe altered how the healing process worked. He also focused upon reinforcing his body with magic...The tips from the royal instructor coming in handy. He dashed through a rain of magic blast, dancing across the small battlefield. He needed to become stronger. He only had a year.

Warm Breakfast

Since her induction into the Black Bull, it had been the first time Lea had returned to the Kira manor where she grew up and had promised to return during the weekends when she had free time. It was a request made by her father, perhaps because he had realized the amount of information randomly pushed onto them. Though, Lea didn’t particularly care about any secrets he had. All people had secrets. In fact, she was trained to discern said secrets from people, especially those who may be threats to the prosperity of Clover. If anything, it was her fault that she was deceived for so long.

There was no doubt that the Kira family was angry at her for choosing the Black Bull squad. However, Lea knew potential for disapproval existed when she made that choice. For a while, she even regretted it. Maybe, just maybe, if she had chosen Golden Dawn, she could be here with her family, still training, and still be the heir to the Crownsguard. But, this past week within the Black Bull had taught her something different. Korag was a man who lived so different from the rest of the captains. He was someone who fought so desperately for what he wanted, and for what he believed in. She had never such tenacity aside from Arissa Wu. It made her wonder how many people like that really existed out there.

Even though Guthrie had told Lea that she would battle with Marco, there was some deep thought that lingered in her mind. What if Marco was the one who was truly destined to succeed their father? What if he was the one worthy of being the King’s shield? While Korag’s offer of pursuing one’s own fate appealed to Lea, or at the very least sparked some curiosity within her, she worried more about her self-worth. It was she who almost killed a Cloverian Citizen. It was she who forced the king from his throne to correct her mistake. What was to say she wouldn’t do that again, or again? The King was not worthy of someone who makes mistakes in his presence. He wasn’t worthy of someone who lost.

Lea walked down the hallway; her body clad in an armor befitting a warrior of the Black Bull. Her weapons rested upon her back, strapped onto her shoulders and her hips, which includes crossbows and arrows, and of course, her blade. The metal armor shook and clang as she strolled towards the one room that she knew her father would be.

The kitchen was always where she, Tiana and Alexander would have their daily meetings about their progress, their current mental states, etc., It was the only place in the entire manor where they were truly allowed to be alone. As Lea approached, she opened the door, revealing Alexander at the round table. There was food placed in two other seats, and the steam that emanated from the crisp bacon indicated to Lea that it was freshly arrived.

“My apologies for my tardiness, father,” Lea begun, bowing respectfully as she stepped into the room. “I was on a mission last night and I didn’t finish until this morning. I had to report to the headquarters, and then make my journey here. I understand that this does not excuse my behavior, but I felt that you were owed a proper explanation.”

"No..no don't apologize. I'm proud of you. You're doing your best and excelling even there." Alexander said with a slight smile. "Thank you for seeing me, princess." He always spoke with a certain softness to Lea. for no matter how hard the world wanted her, Alexander wanted his little girl to remain true to herself when among those who loved and cherished her. Alexander himself was also kept busy. The constant rumors and arguments with the other members of the Crownsguard...the group was in shambles. To think that just a week ago they were all drinking and celebrating Lea's acceptance into Golden Dawn. And now...Alexander sighed.

And worst of all, he sat front and center and watched as another of his child's life was turned upside down. From the day that Marco first arrived, Alexander felt the warmness and sensitivity of the woman who owned his heart. It pained him to see Marco have to endure the harsh whispers and rumors which circulated back to him. The boy couldn't even enjoy his dinner. Maybe it would've been best for him to have remained with the church, Alexander found himself wondering. But something in him melted when he awoke to see Marco training for endless hours.

They were his children. No matter how broken the family. How much damage he caused...the three of them were of his soul...the four of them. But he would address the fourth one later. Now, he wanted to apologize to the two he'd known longest. "Listen, I just wanted to check in on you two and make sure everything is okay. Even have our traditional Sunday breakfast and meditative sessions. It's been quite lonely without you guys here." Alexander said wish a slight chuckle.

Lea nodded as she sat down at the table, and removed her weapons from her back. "I am doing well. Captain Korag is quite more endearing than I would have imagined. Do you remember Colby Monterey? He stayed here with us quite a while after the grimoire acceptance ceremony."

The sound of Lea's armor clanging with every step resonated in Tiana's ears followed by her voice, yet Tiana did not react. She stared at her plate with empty, soulless eyes without even touching her food. Since last week's eventful Magic Knight Exam, Tiana had felt useless, in every possible sense of the word. After the revelation, Tiana had barely remained in contact with her family, as she settled into Blue Rose. Her mind was still racing, and she had several questions to ask her father, but for now, she would think on how to formulate these.

It was only when Lea sat next to her and Alexander that Tiana momentarily came back to reality. "H-hey, Lea!" she said, a tinge of fake excitement in her voice, as she forced a smile.