Roleplays with Soda

exposing

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A

s he started to step out the door, Tom sighed, looking back at his parents.

They were all commoners, but his parents had been rather successful in their small bread and pastry business despite renting land and paying more tax than usual, so he was able to manage to get on the list of invites to go to the ball and vie for the prince's hand in marriage. He'd say he received the letter by mistake, given he was a commoner and a man, but his full name was there.

"Oh, my little Tommy! Off to see a prince!" His mother cooed for the hundredth time, making him sigh.

"Mom, stop calling me that!" He whined, and his father shook his head.

"hurry up and go before you're late." His father chided "You might be lucky enough to get his attention."

To that, Tom nods with a frown and got into the carriage. He didn't really like this idea.

For one, the only reason his parents are so happy for this is the man's status. If this Tord wasn't royalty, they'd have sent back an angry note lined with poison. Not because they're Homophobic, they're just really protective of him.

For two... He's never seen the prince's face. No one has. Not for 5 years, since... The Incident. Most believe it's because he's ashamed of himself, because he's the one who caused it. Tom has a sinking suspicion that it's worse.

Still, as he rode alone in the back of the carriage, he just listened to the galloping of the horses and occasional yell of the carriage driver outside.

He took the chance to collect his thoughts and mentally prepare himself for the environment he's about to enter. He'd been given a beautiful tux by his parents just for this, so he wasn't worried about appearance, but he'd never been around so many snooty rich people.

Eventually the carriage stopped, and Tom looked outside to see the grand castle steps- the large silvery staircase that led up to the castle door.

Many other men and women were walking up, a butler or maid in tow. None of them were commoners like him. Great.

Once he got in the door he noticed Tord on his throne, wearing an extra extravagant mask for the occasion. He was wearing clothes that didn't allow any skin to show, including a raised collar over his neck and gloves on his hands.

After a bit of Tom overhearing insults, watching rich men struggle not to throw a punch, and generally avoiding people and their vile tongues, the prince suddenly stood. Everyone went silent as he cleared his throat.

"I see all of the lovely men and women I invited made it." He spoke loudly, glancing around the room. Some of them glanced around as well.

"Now is time for me to begin thinning the crowd. First and foremost." He stated, and suddenly all the lights but the ones around him and his throne were covered. Tom noticed Tord grasping the chin of his mask and pressing a button that unclipped the back.

"A test. After all, this is important, and I can't hide this for much longer anyways..." He states, looking down. The prince was quiet for a moment, mentally preparing himself. Then, in a moment he looked up again and said "After all, could any of you bare to stay in a bed with this!?"

Then, the mask was removed. Everyone watched in horror as the scarred skin became visible. It had long since healed, but half of the skin on his face- his HEAD- was warped and irritated. Many already ran out the door. Others looked disturbed.

Surprisingly, there was more. He unbuttoned his coat, removing it to reveal his vest and that his arm suffered a worse affliction. It was replaced by a surrogate- a wooden puppet arm that appeared to be controlled by magic. Many more left out of fear of witchcraft, some screaming.

Tord sighed. "If you don't think you can handle seeing this every night, I suggest you leave. If you can, feel free to stay.

By now there was only Tom and a couple others in the crowd. Superficial assholes.