Exactly What It Looks Like (dustin)

[Sterling Lloyd Blue]

Where was that little bug? Sterling slipped into the stable, running fingers down the backs of horses, one of them being is how, as he searched around. Obviously there was nothing better to be doing if he was wasting his time by seeking out that little boy. People questioned why he bothered with the stable boy. Didn't Sterling hate him anyways? Obviously. He verbally abused that kid and threw things at him. He hated him with a passion. It was exactly what it looked like.

"Little Stable Boy, show yourself to your prince. I am in need of you," Sterling called out, pushing open each horse's stall to look in for whether or not the boy was in there. It should be against the law to be somewhere without Sterling knowing. If he ever gained the title of king, he would consider making it a law that only Dustin had to tell him everywhere he was going. He hated not knowing where that child was. He hated the feeling he got when he wasn't here.

[Dustin]

The prince was calling -- the boy was glad he couldn't hear. There was no noise that infuriated the child more then the sound of that boy's face. So much older, so much more mature, so much more annoying. No, Dustin was not lingering in the stables, at the very moment. He had been out near the animals, checking up on them, tossing out a bit of food. Lately one of the sheep got sick, and the boy found himself worrying..

He was better now of course, but that didn't stop Dustin from fussing. Certainly for his favorite -- wiggles --. That said lamb, with all his curly wool and black eyes. It's thin legs kicked a bit, but was relaxed and cuddled in Dustin's arms. The boy was grinning was he walked into the stable, his face lightly nosing the gently wool, softly cooing to the tiny animal. "Shh Wiggles.. I just wanna get you a nice warm blankey.." He was grinning, up till he looked up. Then he froze, staring at that beast in his place..and sighed, hugging the lamb close. '..you"

[Sterling Lloyd Blue]

Noticing the boy, Sterling froze and narrowed his eyes. There he was. Stupid boy always hiding from him. He strode right over to him, hands crossed over his chest before taking his stand a good two meters away from the boy and the... little lamb. His eyes widen and took in all of the cute that was there in front of him. What was this? Where did he get this lamb? This is a bit of nonsense. Something shouldn't look like this. That stupid boy with that adorable lamb. It clashed in ways that made Ster look away. It was too much.

Sterling tapped his fingers against his arm as he gave an annoyed hum. "You. I needed to talk to you," he stated simply as he raised his hand to brush bangs away from his eyes. He moved closer to the boy, closing the distance and dropping down on one knee so he could reach out and softly pet the curly wooly hair of the lamb. "I am going to need my horse tomorrow. You are expected to brush it, clean it and get it ready for my leave tomorrow. I want it done on time."

[Dustin]

As the other walked over, Dustin's eyes never left him one. There was a certain glare, a certain distaste in his gaze. This was his place, Sterling didn't belong here. Those fine threads over his body, that bold voice, those stupid, arrogant eyes. He stood out against the dampening image of the stable, he looked horrible compared to the boy -- with his worn clothes and slightly dirty face from a morning of full work.

As the other moved to touch the lamb, Dustin held his breath, staring, watching. Hss eyes narrowed, a forced 'of course', but gave a light coo to the animal, to calm him. He didn't wish for the tiny animal to become distressed, and yet.. wiggles was so calm. Tsk, even the lamb liked the prince. What was so great about him?! " I always do Princey, I have a reputation to up hold thank you.. "

[Sterling Lloyd Blue]

With a deep sigh, Sterling sat himself on the ground. The idea of sitting on dirt and filth didn't phase him. A good prince shouldn't mind getting dirty, especially if they're about to go out to lead an army. Though Sterling was never the best at doing just that. With his temper, he made the wrong decisions and a lot of lives had been lost in the past because of him. All the princesses in the world could worry about keeping clean and making their clothes look nice. But Sterling would happily trash the nice clothing he had made for him if it was for a bit of fun.

"You have a reputation? Really? And what would that be? That you're the innocent stable boy who all the animals adore?" Sterling asked with a roll of his eyes. But that sounded a bit right in his ears. Stupid speaking the truth. But he seemed to move even closer to the boy, trying to slip his arms around the lamb and attempting to tug it out of the boy's grasp. "Give up the animal. Sometimes others enjoy seeing them."

[Dustin]

Watching the other silently.. Dustin merely narrowed his eyes. There was a weak huff at the other's words, turning his eyes away. He couldn't care what the other the said. His reputation was indeed real, for his job, not his name. The reputation that came with his name was nothing he wanted to talk about.. something ruined and tarnished by his family. No, the reputation he had from his job is something he clung to tight. "Of course I damn well do!.. I have been workin' here for years, twat-head! I got a good name.. for taking care of these animals. I always make sure your horse is top notch.."

He took a breath as he felt the hands move around the lamb and the boy gave out a gasp and hugged it close. he quickly shook his head, nuzzling his face against the small animals wool. "Stop it! Wiggles is sick.. you can't just be taking him out and about, moron!" Holding him closer, gently, so vastly different then the ice he showed Sterling. Brushing past the man, he moved over to the blankets, wrapping it carefully around the baby. His voice was gently, a soft cooing, soft pets, so much like a mother to a child. Not best trait for a boy.

[Sterling Lloyd Blue]

Top notch? Was that supposed to mean that Ster's horse was in better condition than all the others? Well, it was true that the horse was always cleaned and well-groomed. It even seemed in better health than some of the other horses he saw the knights have. Was there even a flaw about his horse that could be caused by this stable boy? There had to be something. "Top notch? Yea, right. My horse is no better than all the others. If anything, it's worse. It seems your definition of top notch is everyone else's meaning of crappy," Sterling snapped at the other with a quick roll of his eyes. All a lie. But he wasn't about to compliment this boy's skills.

Sterling yanked his arms back and, growling, narrowed his eyes at the boy. "Oh, come on, you little git. You think I don't know how to look after a sick animal. I would know what I'm doing," Sterling explained with a look in his eyes that showed he was clearly annoyed. He wanted to get that animal out of the boy's arms. Dustin didn't deserve to hold it. Or maybe the lamb didn't deserve to be held by Dustin? He still jumped up to his feet and stomped over to the boy, his hands near being on his hips as he shook his head. "If he's so sick, why can you hold him and not me?"

[Dustin]

Only a roll of his eyes came from the reply. He was such a loser. Dustin already knew that Sterling horse was the best -- he always did the best with him. That foul was born into good health, and since he started the boy had raised him as the star of the stable. There was never anything wrong with that horse. Not that he spoiled him.. Dustin made sure to treat all the horses equal -- he however worked Sterling's a bit more. Took him riding more often, tried to make him stronger.. Since he knew Sterling was pathetic on a battle field, at least his horse could be a proper beast.

Turning away slightly, he cradled the animal close and shook his head. "Stop it! If you get angry, you will scare him.. animals can sense your feelings ya' know.." As his words trail off, he moved to kneel in an empty stable. He softly laid the lamb down, a light smile as the animal's head perking as he grins and pecks it's little head before slowly standing and crossing his arms, staring at Sterling. ".. Despite that comment.. I am still going to keep making your horse the best.. I like my reputation.. I bet it's better then yours, mr prince"

[Sterling Lloyd Blue]

Sterling inhaled sharply and relaxed his body, standing taller. He knew the boy was right. Being angry wouldn't help the poor animal, it would only make everything worse. But he was always angry. Half the time, he enjoyed being angry especially if it were toward Dusty. It just made coming up with insults and snapping at people far easier. "Tch. Fine. If you would stop angering me, we wouldn't be having such a problem in the first place. But I doubt you could stop. Being annoying seems to come naturally to you without doing anything," Sterling started to say as he slipped his arms to cross over his chest.

Almost awkwardly, the prince ran fingers through his hair, keeping his softer gaze fixed on the boy. Unfortunately, having the best horse wasn't going to fix Sterling's problems. He could fight and he was good in battle. Giving commands was his problem. He always chose the wrong ones. Having the best horse wasn't going to fix it. Nothing was going to. He would continue being the worst war leader in the kingdom. "I am the prince. There is no better reputation to have than that, stable boy," he pointed out as he turned his gaze away with lips pursed.

[Dustin]

"Whatever -- making you mad is the only thing I am good at.." A soft hum fell from the boy's lips.. and his eyes flickered away for a moment. He stared at the lamb, before gently closing the stall door. He wanted the little one to rest and not get anxious from too many people around. Instead the boy dusted his hands off and stepped towards the other.. silently staring at him for a moment.. and sighing.

"Oh really now? From what I seen with your anger.. I bet you a a right moron on the battle field!" He snipped the words.. before paling. He coughed at the last bit of his words before taking a few steps to the side, suddenly turning his back to the other. It was a.. horrible moment when one realized they just fucked up. So he took a breath and tightly gripped his shirt, suddenly.. finding the harsh on the pillar very interesting..

[Sterling Lloyd Blue]

That comment wasn't about to piss Sterling off any less. He pursed his lips and tapped his fingers quickly against the side of his arm, trying to calm himself before he did anything stupid that he would definitely regret. Like kill the boy. Who would groom his horse so well with Dustin dead? "I guess your right. Everything else you do is hardly adequate. I guess that's what happens when a person isn't burn into royalty. They become near useless," Sterling suggested with a deep almost disappointed sounding sigh.

There was a flinch from the prince at those words. His fingers clenched around the fabric of his tunic. "How could you know this? You have never been to the battlefield. You have not attempted fighting for this kingdom. It isn't easy," Sterling hissed at the boy as he moved to drop himself to the ground beside a stack of the horse hay. He laid back against it and crossed his arms behind his head as a pillow, eyes shut. "I can fight. That's what matters. There is no one who could match me in battle."

[Dustin]

As the other stayed where he was, and even relaxed, so did Dustin. He was terrified that the man would snap.. but it seemed he was lucky today. However, that didn't mean he was going to be less stupid, oh no. Instead he narrowed his eyes.. and sighed. "I would never want to be royalty. I like having my own freedom. Unlike you, I can do whatever I want, when ever I want. Hell.. Nothing I do can make people think worse of me.. but you have to be perfect! Or else your people will come to hate you.."

That was a lie, a horrible lie. Everyone thought the worst o the stable boy, espically those around the castle. Dirty looks, harsh words, harsher actions towards himself from others. Yet, he was still never going to quit, it didn't matter how horribly he was bullied. As he glanced at the other.. the child gently bit his lip. "I hear things, around the court.. and I know your anger well, stupid. You lose control.. Just being able to hold a sword, doesn't make you a damn knight! .. I know you lost battles.." He whispered the last bit.. frowning. he hated war, he hated it so much. It .. hurt, having to set up the horses, prepare them to be sent into a living hell, with men -- no, children, on their backs, pretending to know what they were doing. "I know I can at least make a good plan.. and think before I act.... sometimes." Most o the time -- sorta. Dustin frowned at his words.. the prince probably noticed his impulsive ways. Shit.

[Sterling Lloyd Blue]

Sterling wanted to laugh at the boy's words. Peasants like this were hardly free. They had rules to follow and, if they broke them, they would be thrown into the dungeon. Maybe even punished with murder. Or worse? Banished from the kingdom. Then they would have to run off the enemy territories and beg to be let in. But everyone knew that the rival kingdoms were hardly as nice as this one. At least, Sterling liked to believe it was nice. "No one wants a king who is all perfect and nice and flawless. They want to see someone who knows how to have fun. Not someone who obeys every single rule they made," Sterling started to explain with a deep sigh. What fun would there be with a king who did everything right?

Within seconds, Sterling was grabbing the closest thing he could get his hand on, which was only a rock rather than his own sword. He chucked it hard at the boy, growling. "You don't know anything. You haven't been under the pressure of a battle. You wouldn't a few seconds out there especially if you were leading it. It isn't that easy," he yelled at the boy, hands dropping to grip at his breeches tightly. "Try knowing that a couple hundred- thousand- lives are in your hands and then go out there and try to figure out just what the perfect move will be to get everyone out alive."

[Dustin]

A small winch escaped the child, and he moved from the rocks way.. but there was still a bit of cower in his eyes. The voice was loud, strong, terrifying. Dustin glared, snapping. "Don' ya' yell in here. It's bad enough the poor horses gotta hear the screams in battle.. let them have some peace at home!" The words were not loud, but very sharp. He turned his back now, moving to one of the horse stalls, fiddling with the oat sack that was hanging there.

"A real knight knows how to keep his head! Thinks ahead.." These words were whispered, gripping the stable door lightly, hoping the other couldn't see. He hated yelling, so much. The child grew up around it, each and every day, taunts, screams, yells. They became the poison to his happiness, something he is sure he would never have return. Now, it was not like he didn't expect yelling from Sterling -- it was from this man that the most torment came from. But, from this man, it was more scary. If he made the prince mad, the little freedom he got from the squires and knights would be ruined. And yet never ocne did he think to leave this job, it was too perfect. Besides, he needed the money for a little friend..

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[Sterling Lloyd Blue]

Sterling went entirely silent. He didn't speak a word. There was no growl, sigh are sounds of annoyance. There wasn't even the slightest sound of any movement. The prince just went entirely still. His silence lasted quite a few seconds before he shifted where he sat on the ground and ran fingers through his hair. When he spoke again, it was barely even a whisper. "Why do you care for the horses more than people? They have life easier than we do already... so why worry about them when it's harder for us?" Sterling asked, his gaze fixed on a couple of rocks by his feet.

"I'm the prince. It wasn't like I had a huge choice in whether I was becoming a real knight or not. It's something I had to do, no matter how many times I said no," Sterling whispered, leaning himself back against some hay as he crossed his arms over his chest while picking at a loose thread on his tunic. He didn't even bother looking up at the other again. "I am a man of the royal family. It would be dishonorable for the kingdom if one of the princes didn't become a knight. So maybe I'm not a real knight... because maybe I never wanted to be one."