Hi all! It's me again. Through tumblr, I found a fellow KH RPer! We have discussed plot and characters through tumblr messaging, so there will be no need for that here, especially since this is strictly a 1x1 roleplay with a Royal AU.

 

We ask that you please refrain from posting in this RP, as it is strictly ours. But you are more than welcome to read through and take this journey with us!

 

Characters:

Jiinora: Sora, Naminé

Forever Love: Kairi, Roxas, Riku

 

Jiinora, would you like to start?

Naminé sighed wistfully, looking out the window as a cool breeze flowed in through the window, filling the Princesses's room with the scent of late spring. The flower box in the windowsill was in bloom, and the Lady in Waiting smiled at a ladybug as it rested on a bright yellow blossom.

"Would you like to go on a walk today, Your Highness? It's a beautiful day." She turned to the Princess, holding her hands in a prayer-like fashion. Her idea had an ulterior motive - she knew the sweet minstrel boy, Roxas, liked to practice in the gardens on sunny days, and today really was a lovely day. She'd heard his voice before drifting through the topiary a few weeks before, and had been curious of him ever since, trying to pluck up the courage to speak to him. 

 

There was something good about today, Sora thought. Maybe it was because it was the first sunny day in a week, and he didn't have to worry about keeping his training greaves free of mud. Maybe it was because his best friend had just become a Master and he was as proud as can be. Or maybe it was because he could now train under said best friend, and not the strict-yet-motherly Master Aqua. Any way, it was a great day, and Sora was more than happy to pull on his training gear and head to sparring practice. 

Kairi turned from the mirror of her vanity table, brushing a few strands of her burgundy hair from her face. "A walk? I haven't taken one in days..." she admitted softly, then biting her lip. Her duties as princess kept her from such relaxing activites, even one as simple as a walk through the gardens. As a little girl she picked flowers often, despite the royal gardeners protests. The idea certainly did pique her interest, and Namine was right--it was a gorgeous day. Perhaps she could spare just a few small minutes...

 

Riku made his way toward the training grounds in silence, nodding to other guards as he passed. He noticed their stiffer posture as he passed, and he knew it was due to his new status--Master. He passed his exam recently, which had taken years of training and hard work, but he succeeded. And now he had the opportunity to train his best friend, who had been his biggest supporter leading up to the exam. 

Sora, who had arrived to practice early, jumped to attention as Riku entered the training grounds, saluting for a moment before relaxing. 

"Hey, Riku! I'm gonna say it again - I am so proud of you! You've done so great the past few weeks!" He grinned with an aura that emanated like sunshine, walking up and clapping his hands onto his friend's shoulders. "Can't wait to be your trainee!" 

 

Naminé smiled sweetly, going into the Princesses's closet and returning with her shawl. "Here, in case it rains. Master Aqua would kill me if you caught a cold on my watch," She mumbled, wrapping it around Kairi's shoulders and pinning it with a pearl brooch. "The gardens are in full bloom, I'm sure it'd be lovely."

Riku shrugged off Sora's hands with a roll of his eyes. "How enthusiastic of you," he mumbled jokingly. He stepped past his friend. "This isn't going to be like our normal sparring matches, you realize that, right? Now that I'm in charge of you, I have to make sure you're strong enough to protect the king and the princess." Princess Kairi. She was beautiful, that much he had to admit. He had only spoken to her a few times within the last few months, since she was so busy with her princess duties, and Riku had been prepping for his Mark of Mastery. But he hadn't missed Sora's longing stares in her direction whenever she passed by.

 

Kairi giggled softly. "Aqua only wants me healthy for the banquets and parties and visits to the village," she explained. "If not, she sometimes has to report to His Majesty. He...is quite intimidating." Even she had to admit that, as princess. She rarely saw the king, but when she did, it was all business. He was strict in her prepping for her role as the future queen of the kingdom.

Sora smiled to himself at the thought of Kairi. He had certainly missed her since she had to step up and perform her royal duties as the next in line, but he knew they couldn't just play in the gardens like he, Riku, and Kairi had once done. They were adults now! He cleared his throat, nodding.

"Of course! You think I wasn't ready? We've always protected her from the smaller things. As the threats grow, so do I!" He grinned again, stretching his arms over his head and beginning to limber up. "Let's warm up!"

 

Naminé nodded and straightened, moving to open the door.

"You... aren't wrong. He is stern, but just. I hope he isn't pushing you too hard, though," She frowned as she held the door for Kairi. "I would be at a loss if you got ill." She may have been Kairi's Lady in Waiting, but she was also her oldest and best friend, and they were hardly ever apart. "Your Highness, have you seen the new bard around lately? He is... Interesting." She looked down at her feet, giving a smile smile to her slippers as she thought about him.

Riku smirked slightly at Sora's enthusiasm once more before he did as his friend suggested. He started to stretch, glancing over at his trainee. "Time to do some sprints, yeah?" he asked. They had to get their blood pumping, adrenaline for today's training session. Being a Keyblade wielder was no joke, especially when protecting royalty.

 

Kairi smiled faintly as she passed Naminé. "Oh...Roxas?" she asked, her tone light and teasing. "Interesting...hm. He is quite handsome, wouldn't you agree?" She glanced over her shoulder at her Lady in Waiting, a twinkle in her eye. She saw the way Naminé lit up whenever the young man played one of his instruments.

Sora smirked, bending over as if to touch his toes.

"Alright, if you say so... ReadysetGO!" He shouted, taking off in a full sprint across the training grounds, quite pleased with himself. If he wanted to win the race that didn't exist, he knew he needed a head start. He was quite short and needed an advantage.

 

"One could say that," She smiled, pulling a small notebook from a satchel on her hip as they walked down the corridor. Flipping it open, she looked at a page in which she had roughly sketched an image of a small lute, with geometric designs winding up the neck of the instrument.

"I thought I might find him a new instrument, to welcome him to the castle. He has come a long way to join the Court."

Riku released a small "hmph" at his friend's antics, but gave chase. Riku may have been stronger than Sora, but the trainee had speed on his side. "You're going down!" he hollered, his longer legs helping him to catch up a little.

 

Kairi walked beside Naminé and blinked at her art. "Aw, how sweet of you! I'm sure he would love it," she said. She did agree on how far Roxas had traveled, but his talents had been requested by the king himself. The young man's music must have been charming, and if his looks were anything to go by, so was he. No wonder Naminé favored him. And about time, too. Kairi had been waiting for someone around the castle to catch her eye.

(I had Wisdom Form in mind with this)

 

After nearing the opposite wall, Sora screeched to a halt, turning heel and sprinting in the direction he came from, trying to recall the trick that Master Aqua had taught him that he referred to as Air Surfing - just gliding right above the ground. With a pep in his step, he hopped up and surfed across the courtyard, planting his feet on the wall and sticking there. For a moment he stared, then laughed at his predicament. 

 

The Lady hugged her sketchbook to her chest, then placed it back in her satchel. "I hope he hasn't heard any poor rumors about me and my...hobbies." She looked out the windows and down at the garden wall. Some people of the Court found her magical practices unsavory, due to their uncommon nature, dealing with the psyche. 

Riku stopped in his tracks, looking over at Sora as he stayed on the wall. "...Not quite what I had in mind," he said, referring to training. Sora had abilities Riku didn't, but that was what made each Keyblade wielder special.

 

Kairi's smile softened. "Even if he has, it can't be that bad. I mean, you are my Lady in Waiting," she tried, speaking gently. Naminé's "abilities" were frowned upon by some of the Court, but Kairi found them intriguing. To wield magic, even that of the mind, was extraordinary. Much more interesting than a princess.

Edited November 9, 20177 yr by Forever Love

The young man laughed again, cautiously walking down the wall until he was planted firmly on the ground once again. 

"Alright, Teach - what're we gonna do today?" He continued to stretch, adjusting his arm bracers around his elbows.

 

"Speaking of which," Naminé closed her satchel and patted it. "There was a man whom I was supposed to meet later this evening. He came a decent way to make an appointment with me. He said he'd been plagued by headaches and nightmares and was looking to relieve the pain. I don't have anyone to escort me... Maybe I should ask Roxas?"

Riku smiled a little and jerked his head toward the center of the area, where combat took place. "This way," he said. They would jump right into it--sparring. Just like the old days.

 

Kairi nodded. "Absolutely," she agreed, excited about the idea. "I can ask one of the other ladies to escort me to my lessons today, after we meet Roxas in the garden of course." That was where they were heading anyway. Once Naminé had Roxas to take her to her appointment, Kairi would go on her own merry way.

"Alright!" With a flash of light, Sora's Kingdom Key appeared in his hand, which he spun around with ease. "Who knows, maybe if we train hard enough, I can have my own Mark of Mastery exam before the month is over!"

 

The Lady blushed, fiddling with the sleeve of her dress. "Oh... Of course!" She hurried forward, opening the door leading from the corridor to the garden. Sunlight flooded the corridor, and the scent of flowers lilted along the breeze, bringing a smile to her face. 

Riku chuckled softly, shaking his head as he too summoned his keyblade. "You and your optimism," he said with a smile. Sora always did look on the brighter side of things. "Maybe you'll get put on the King's Guard too....or maybe you would prefer the Princess's?" His smile curved into a smirk. 

 

Kairi closed her eyes as she stepped out into the sunshine, taking in the lovely smell of the flowers and the warmth of the sunlight. Lately it seemed like she had been cooped up in castle for her lessons, but she always did prefer to be outdoors. She opened her eyes to gaze at the gardens, noticing faint music in the distance. Was Roxas out here already?

Sora tried and failed to hide his embarrassment at Riku's jab, furrowing his brow. "Well... maybe I will! Only one way to find out, though!" He retaliated, running forward and raising his blade to prepare an attack.

 

 Naminé picked up the faint music notes as well, smiling to herself. "Kairi... I think he's over in the alcove by the starflowers. I've seen him there before." She leaned over, looking around the corner of a hedge in the direction of the music.

Riku's smirk fell when he saw Sora coming for him. Should've known, he thought. He should have known that Sora would want to prove himself immediately. He braced himself for the attack, ready to handle whatever this sparring match became.

 

Kairi lifted an eyebrow slightly and followed her Lady's lead. She peeked around the corner as well and saw a spiky head of blond hair. Roxas, she thought with a faint smile. She couldn't see his face, only the back of his head. He was perched on the edge of the fountain, strumming his guitar beautifully.

Sora struck his blade down on Riku's defense stance, the blades making solid contact. "C'mon Riku, I need to get better! I need to be able to protect my friends!" He jumped back, standing in a slightly open stance to encourage Riku to spar.

 

Gently, Naminé tread forward, lulled by Roxas' music. When she stood on the opposite side of the fountain, she cleared her throat loudly so he might hear her over the guitar and the waters of the fountain. "Roxas? Might I bother you for a moment?"

Riku smirked. He said that himself once, that he needed to protect his friends. Protect the things that mattered. He moved forward quickly, spinning around and swinging his blade at Sora full strength.

 

Roxas perked up at the voice--a voice so gentle and melodic that he mistook it for music itself. He turned slightly, keeping his hold on his guitar and spotting the gorgeous blonde nearby. "O-oh, Miss Namine!" he greeted, smiling. "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you..." Now that he was on castle grounds, he really did need to pay better attention to his surroundings. Especially since the Princess was with her! Roxas rose from his seat and placed an arm over his chest, bowing. "Your Highness!"

 

Kairi smiled faintly. "Roxas," she greeted with a nod. She'd never spoken with him face to face, but he was quite handsome up close.

As they clashed, Sora picked up the sound of nearby music changing to voices. "Wait wait wait... Riku, I think I hear the girls talking to someone!" He smirked, jumping away and vaulting up the nearby wall to peek over into the garden. "Come look!"

 

The Lady smiled, giving a small curtsy. "It's no problem. I, ah... Was hoping to ask you something. A request," She did her best not to shuffle, glancing back over her shoulder at Kairi. Hopefully she could help her as a wingman. 

Riku stared after Sora for a moment, confused. "Man, if you really want to get stronger then you have to focus!" he called, dismissing his Keyblade. He took a few quick steps forward and followed Sora's lead, perching himself on the wall as well. Sure enough, there stood Namine and Kairi, with the new musician who arrived recently. Roxas.

 

Roxas's eyebrows lifted in question at the words, and when he looked to Princess Kairi, the girl smiled. "You've been to town quite a bit since you first arrived, right Roxas?" she asked, stepping up to stand next to Namine. She looped her arm with her Lady's, patting it gently. "Namine has to run an errand and it's very dangerous for a Lady to travel alone. She's joined me frequently on my visits, and thugs could easily recognize her..." Basically, it wouldn't be safe for her to go on her own. Of course, a guard could always accompany her, but she didn't feel like mentioning that small bit. This was Namine's chance!

Sora watched the exchange, trying his hardest to tell what exactly they were talking about, but with the fountain, it difficult to hear exact words. "It's the new guy! I keep wanting to say hi but I get caught up every time. What d you think they're talking about, Riku?"

 

Naminé nodded as Kairi explained. "I'd need to leave just before sundown," She continued, which happened to be in a little over an hour. "I would... greatly appreciate your assistance." She bowed her head slightly. 

Riku tilted his head. "Hm...who knows? But if Kairi's involved, it's probably business," he assumed. Kairi didn't have much time for casual conversation these days. Her princess duties held highest importance. She hadn't even talked to Sora or Riku much lately, if only in passing.

 

Roxas smiled with a nod. "It'd be my pleasure," he replied softly. Escorting a Lady in Waiting to town, after he only just got here? And a beautiful Lady at that... He couldn't not do it.

Sora knew that practice was important. But practice could come tomorrow, and this conversation could end in seconds. He was a nosy young man, and felt no shame as he leaped off the wall and down into the garden, his Keyblade dematerializing into thin air as he crept closer behind a hedge to listen in. Plus, he could talk to Kairi after she finished.

 

Naminé beamed at the dirty blonde young man, curtsying again. "Thank you, Roxas! I'd be happy to meet you here at dusk, if that's alright with you." 

While Riku stared at Sora in disbelief for dismissing training, Roxas smiled a little more. "Sounds great, Miss Namine." He was actually...nervous, though. A pretty girl, and not just any pretty girl, but Namine... He saw her in passing since he'd been here, and talked to her only briefly, but...he got butterflies whenever she smiled at him. As girly as that sounded, he didn't really care. Something about her caught his interest, other than her outward appearance.

 

Kairi beamed at the exchange. "Wonderful! Thank you so much, Roxas. We appreciate your help," she said sweetly, nodding to him and receiving a nod in return. She was happy for Namine. She had been so nervous, but it went well!

Sora grinned to himself, realizing that Roxas had just scored some sort of date. Naminé nodded again with a sweet smile, taking Kairi's arm. "Thank you again, Roxas. I'll see you soon. We should get going, Kairi. You have your lesson to get to!" She tugged Kairi along, knowing full well that Kairi had finished her lessons for the day. She just needed an excuse to get out before she collapsed under her shyness. As they turned the corner, the Lady let out a great sigh of relief, clenching Kairi's hand.

 

Stepping out from behind the hedge, Sora clapped a hand on Roxas' shoulder. "Way to go, guy! You just scored an outing with Lady Naminé, huh?"