1. Have you ever called a person useless?
No, I don't see doing that.

2. What object in your room is really important to you?
In my room? A photo of me, Dad and Cody.

3. Are you good at hiding your feelings?
I'm not so bad with others, not with Dad or Cody, though.

Guess question 4 was eaten. Wonder if it tasted good?
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I <3 U 2...always and forever and ever.

x-posted to empireof_boukun

Daniel slowly took hold of the reins of Tabar that he had neglected since his marriage and Cody's death. Not fast enough for MacDonald's satisfaction in clearing up the mob elements that had began running their protection schemes in some of the popular clubs and restaurants in the resorts, so not waiting for Daniel's security to step in, the Security Chief did personally with a very small but capable team. It caused more friction between Tabar and Boukun, but as Tabar was a principality of the Emperor's domains, Daniel had little recourse.

So, he worked dealing with other business that had been slack, and also held a couple of meetings with his wife. The first had been especially cool and awkward with polite questions on how she was settling in and meaningless small talk. He ascertained that she was happy with her apartments and was enjoying discovering what Tabar had to offer. In return, Daniel apologized for his behaviour from their wedding night and after learning about Cody's death, although he didn't fully excuse it. She accepted it and told him she understood. In all, it was all very proper, but Danny was trying to do what Roma mentioned in her letter and extended an olive branch out, and Catryna seemed to cautiously take it. With nothing else really spoken about, the meeting concluded. The next one went better with Dan offering her ideas on how she could engage her role as Princess of Tabar, and he learned from her that she felt a natural connection with the land of her own world, so might she find some way of doing so here. He wasn't quite sure what, but even given all the resorts and vacation complexes over the moon, he felt sure she could find somewhere to work on something natural.

By the end of the meeting they were getting along, not like husband and wife or lovers would, or even as friends, but maybe it was a beginning of accepting her.

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x-posted to empireof_boukun

Living in a Fishbowl

It seemed the minute Danny stepped out of his suite, the news was spread on every news channel. He had gone to the memorial service and put on a very public face of unity with his father, but it only lasted that long. When Roma had left the palace to go into the city, he hadn't wasted time in returning to Tabar with as few words exchanged between him and his father as possible. Now, the same day he had received Roma's letter, he decided that it was time to come back out into the public eye. He would like to have said that one didn't have anything to do with the other as he had really not paid enough attention to Tabar affairs and business since before the wedding really, but he knew it did.

When Roma had visited him, she had, whether she knew it or not, hit a few home truths home to him. The largest being that if he did not work with Hsu then they were both jeopardizing the Empire, and there were still those ties of deeply ingrained loyalty that Danny couldn't risk that. Well, that's not quite what Roma had said, but working to keep the Empire strong was the most he could manage. Still loyal, but he had no compunction to forgive Hsu of his actions. And now her letter had made him feel guilty that he hadn't filled his role as her father, but he also understood, probably more than most would, the need to get away. So, he had actually called Hsu to check that she was safe and in good hands. It was enough, it had to be, despite the fact that his father had sent Cody away to her death, but Roma was different...was flesh and blood.

In fact, the only thing Dan didn't take under consideration from his daughter's verbal and written advice was to get a hair cut and shave. When he emerged, his beard was full and his hair untamed with its natural curls mostly hidden by a baseball cap.

Instead of heading straight to his office, he took the long route, walking through public areas accompanied by Pirne and Maxil and couple of extra security. It didn't take long for the media to get word, and soon, they were swarming around him. His security pressed them back to allow the Prince to pass as a barrage of questions were fired in his direction, about Cody, about Roma, about Catryna, and of course, about his feelings towards the Emperor.

They were heading through one of the main lobbies of Dan's main resort and where his offices were located in a private wig, and he ignored the press instead greeting the staff and tourists, forcing himself to smile and show that Tabar was business as usual. To those who didn't know him, he appeared his normal, charming self, showing the public none of the stress that he felt. When the press badgered him too much, he turned with only a brief flash of annoyance in his eyes and then smiled. "I have nothing to say at this time. I'm still in mourning for Ambassador Lane, and I've much to do here. When I'm ready, I'll be holding a press conference to address all your questions."

That just generated more questions until Maxil and the guards acted to break them up.

***

In his office, at last, Danny sprawled out on the couch with a heavy sigh. "Well, that didn't go as badly as I thought." Pirne stared at him, not sure if he was being sarcastic or not. "Okay, get all the department heads together and I'll meet with them to see what's been happening. Check if there's any VIPs visiting that I should see personally, but before all that, call Catryna down here if she's not busy." Not that he wanted to talk to her really, but he had thought about what Roma had said about being more fair to her.

Thanks Ash.

It's been a rough time, and I haven't exactly felt like meeting with anyone. I have to get out and seeing to business again, so at some point, I'll definitely give you a call.

Dan


OOC: Despite knowing that Ash has ulterior motives, I could help but go AWWWWWW! So sweet! *g*

G."Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional." - Hindu Proverb

Some days had past since the news of Cody's death broke, and in that time Danny had not left his apartments. He had rarely even left his bedroom. His closest friends stayed with him, spreading out throughout the entire suite. Maybe this had made Hsu feel some trace of guilt as Maxil had been permitted to return on a temporary basis anyway. His comm station was inundated with messages. Most were from people, acquaintances, politicians, and reporters either sending condolences or wanting to get an exclusive on the prince's reaction. To those Pirne replied with a polite but impersonal response thanking them for their concern.

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OOC: Backdated to yesterday

...Have a very Happy Birthday!

( OOC: Treat this as meta, or however you want *g* )

Before the reception ended, the royal command reached Dan. It was time for he and his bride to leave the festivities and make their way to their marriage bed. He wanted to refuse, but an argument of being disloyal to Cody wasn't going to carry any weight, as with Cody or not, he was much like his father and was rarely monogamous. Besides, Hsu wasn't going to let him forgo this most important of wedding traditions. And, just in case Dan attempted to neglect his duties, he had two of MacDonald's top men shadowing his every move. The usual lewd jokes and teasing were absent, and while there were a few shouts of congratulations, it was all rather subdued. Dan approached Catryna, much how he had done when he asked her to dance, but didn't take her hand. The guests formed a line for them to walk down and stop and talk briefly to some of them, and Dan was very brief indeed. At the end of the line stood close family friends like the Rocheforts, and he did exchange a few words with them, introducing Catryna. Then there was family. Dan hugged Roma tight. "Let's do something tomorrow, Angel. I need to get out and do something." Catryna was right behind him, but there was no indication that she would be included. At the very end was his father, and with his two shadows hovering nearby as well as his wife, Dan gave him one hostile look and just walked past him.

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PERSONALITY

How Sociable (Loner, Outgoing, etc): Danny is very sociable. He likes nothing more than going out and having fun with lots of friends. He'll make friends with just about anyone, although he can be initially cautious because of his history with the Watchers.
Friends: 30 Year Verse - Ben, who he met in college, 300 Year Verse - Pirne and also now Ash Oktar. He considers his closest, longest friend to be Cody, who he's known since he was found.
Pets: He considers Hsu's dogs as much his
Least Favourite Type of Person: Liars, disloyal people, fakes, and anyone associated with the Watchers
Parental Type (Protective, Uninvolved, Etc) He's only recently known he's a parent, and he's still adjusting to being a father to Roma, instead of a friend (and potential sex partner). At the moment, he seems to be more of a brother than father to her as he is rather self-absorbed.
Affinity With: Cody Jean Lane
Favourite People: Cody, Roma, Frances, Jocelyn, Cassandra, Ben, Van, Pirne....and Hsu
Least Favourite People: Watchers (and occasionally, Andy or Orestes)

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x-posted to empireof_boukun

Where you used to be, there is a hole in the world, which I find myself constantly walking around in the daytime, and falling in at night. I miss you like hell. ~Edna St. Vincent Millay

Hsu allowed Daniel to change into a suit to attend the reception, although Dan was sure it was not as formal as he would like. Tough, it was the best Hsu could hope for, and a stiff, formal shirt was not conducive to dancing -- not his style, anyway -- and his father had specifically told him that he was to dance. He was already waiting for him as Dan left his apartment. A security guard, one of Hsu's personal ones, had waited in the room with him as he changed, and now MacDonald was waiting alongside Hsu, like the good little soldier he was. He barely paid attention to the Security Chief as he reluctantly took position next to Hsu, but for a second, he wondered if he saw something approaching sympathy in his eyes. No, he must have been mistaken.

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Father,

I made a picture of you. I hope you like it.

http://artpad.art.com/?klmbum1bmh54

Love from
Daniel

"There's a fine line between participation and mockery." - Scott Adams

Four of them teleported into the palace that morning, Danny, Pirne, Maxil, and another bodyguard who, like Maxil, was sympathetic to the prince. MacDonald greeting them gruffly annoyed at Daniel's continued behaviour. Would the boy never learn not to goad his father? At least he finally accepted that there would be no way out of this marriage, and Andy didn't need to send an escort for him. "Your suit is ready in your quarters, and one for Pirne. I'm guessing he'll be your best man?" Dan nodded, hoping that the nerves he was feeling about this plan working would look like tension of the ordeal.

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I think that this was written for Dad.

If not, it should have been.

On how I'll be roleplaying for at least the summer.

http://simplyjaye.livejournal.com/145320.html

If you have any questions or comments, please comment on that post.

Thanks,
Jaye

x-posted to other muse journals.

Thank you. You know how much I love you, and I can't tell you how happy I am that you finally see what I've always seen. I can't wait to see you again.




And many thanks to the LJ fairy for the paid account and userpics. *hugs*

Ficlet: While we may not like it, for most of us school still plays an important part in our lives. Be they home schooled, self taught, in a public school, or a private one, there are bound to be experiences that will stay with them through adulthood let your child muse share one with us.

Daniel at 8

Daniel didn’t have to ask why he didn’t go to school like other children. He knew that it was just too unsafe. His father had lost him for many years and risked his life to come find and rescue him to put him in a situation that could make it easy for the Watchers or Guild to take him, or worse. So instead of school, Daniel had a private tutor. She had been thoroughly vetted by Cody, Andy, and finally Hsu as regards to her security background and her teaching credentials. Frau Linkmeyer had recently retired from teaching at one of Switzerland’s finest private schools, and she had enjoyed the prospect of teaching the young son of a wealthy banker.

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"Please. Don't speak to me."

Since walking out on the official welcome for his intended bride, Dan had maintained an unusually low profile. He stayed on Tabar as he had promised his father and not set foot on Boukun since their fight the day before Cody left. In fact, he had barely spoken to him since then, and not at all since Catryna arrived. There had been messages from the Emperor, of course. His behaviour at the welcome had not pleased His Imperial Majesty in the least, so all such communiques had been ignored as had the many from MacDonald as well. The only correspondence he did have was with Roma. At least once a day, he would send his daughter a brief message, although he would not make any mention of the marriage.

Other than the snowboarding, which had been nothing more than a snub towards his father's decision, effectively saying that he'd rather be doing anything than be a part of this sham of a marriage. In the days after, Dan had pretty much spent his time between his office and his private suite, even taking his meals there instead of going out to one of the many restaurants in Tabar's main resort which he would normally do. On one hand, he really wasn't in the mood to play the cheerful Governor and host that he had cultivated since being given Tabar to run. However, there was also a reason for doing so that was far more pointed. His silence, his non-appearance, would have the media wondering aloud why he not in public, stirring more rumours about his disagreement with the Emperor. Some, the more non-restricted media, were even pondering the reasons behind this apparent rift. While Dan was not prepared to confirm such rumours, he was also not taking measures to deny them either.

His refusal to respond to Hsu's and MacDonald's messages and the media's speculation prompted the arrival, via teleport, of MacDonald. The transporter in Dan's suite was still decommissioned from when he wrecked it during Cody's visit, but there was still the one at his office, just adjoined to where his assistant worked in the front office. The assistant jumped at the sight of the Emperor's Security Chief. "Mister MacDonald, sir. Prince Daniel isn't seeing visitors right now." Even as he said that, he knew it was useless, but he felt he had to make a stand for his boss.

MacDonald walked past him and into the office, leaving the assistant scrambling to pass a quick warning to Dan that trouble was on the way. Andy looked back as he overrode the code on the door lock, a sarcastic smile on his lips. "There's no need for that." The door opened, and he walked in. "Good morning, Daniel. A lot of work going on?"

Dan was sprawled on the couch with Pirne comfortably sitting between his legs. At seeing Andy, he had a flash of regret that both he and his friend were fully dressed, and had just been relaxing and talking. Looking at Pirne, he shrugged, "I know I should have disabled this transporter too." He did untangle his legs and sat up. "You've made a wasted trip, Andy. I've got nothing to say to him." Another door opened, and Maxil stepped in. He was one of Dan's favourite bodyguards, easy-going and discreet, and while trained by MacDonald, Dan knew he was not one to report back to the Security Chief as some others in his security did...and those he kept in more peripheral duties.

"You need to have that transporter repaired. You know it's a security breach."

Dan shrugged. "I have plenty of security here to handle any problem, and you know it. But to give you and him unlimited access to my private quarters is not acceptable." He let go a sigh as Andy sat down, clearly making himself at home and not showing any hurry to leave. "While you are here, I want Roma to come and visit for a few days."

"That will have to be okay'd by the Emperor." Both the brush off and making the point that the decision rested not only with his father, but on Daniel also. It wasn't lost on Dan.

"He agreed to let her visit when we wanted."

Andy didn't respond to that, knowing that that wasn't exactly what Hsu had told him, but it might be a good carrot to hang in front of his stubborn son. "Then you speak to your father about that. That's not why I'm here." He glanced at Pirne with a clear hint that he wanted the man to leave and when Daniel made no sign of taking it, he shrugged and carried on. "Your father wants a public apology for your behaviour and for you to come to Danikas for the wedding preparations."

Danny laughed and looked to his friend. "Pirne, it seems that Andy's now the Emperor's official messenger boy." He knew that comment would stick in MacDonald's craw. Then he turned serious. "One of the first things he taught me was never apologize unless you really, honestly mean it. You can tell him that I will apologize to him when he apologizes for starting this whole charade in the first place. As for going to Danikas, he knows my answer on that. Besides, he seems determined to plan it all anyway. Why does he need me?"

"For the public, Daniel. You know that. Show some family unity, at least for the press. Some loyalty and respect, Daniel, and that is the first thing your father taught you."

"If he doesn't think I'm still loyal, then he doesn't know me. As for respect, that goes both ways. Tell him that as well." Dan stood, unlike Hsu he couldn't keep his emotions from his face as well, and he was clearly close to losing patience and his temper. "Thank you, MacDonald. Now you can leave, I have nothing more to say to you. Or him until he sees how idiotic this is." When Andy made no move to leave, Dan shrugged one more time, and nodding to his bodyguard to follow, he, Pirne and Maxil left instead.

You Act Like You Are 17 Years Old

You are a teenager at heart. You don't quite feel like a grown up yet, but you don't feel like a kid. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. You're quite rebellious, and you don't like being told what to do. You like to do things your way. You have your own unique style, taste in music, and outlook on life.

This is too true to be funny.