Boys Will Be Boys

[Arthur Pendragon]

Today was a perfect day for training! And by training, Arthur meant doing what he did best: tormenting the hell out of his servants. Todays victim, or one of them at least, was Morris. He was probably the dumbest most oblivious servant Arthur had ever known. And he'd been through quite a lot of servants, having grown up in the palace and having people wait on him. Morris was the epitome of stupid. Which was why it was so very fun to use him as target practice, or have him exercise Arthur's dogs by using him as bait . . . or doing whatever else Arthur pleased with him. He was on the training field right now, wearing shoulder armor and wrist armor, but other than that was just dressed casually in a shirt, pants, boots, and a sword in his belt. He was holding a dagger in his hand, tossing it in the air and catching in an alternating pattern: from the blade, then the handle, blade, to handle. "You best start running," he informed Morris, as the few other servants watched with sympathy.

"Otherwise I may not wait for you to find a shield before I start practicing my aim." Meaning, he would stab him. Though he doubted Morris would understand the threatening implications behind his words. The servant was just that plain stupid. "Hang on a minute!" He argued as he staggered off to the side. Well, that was just completely unacceptable! He was talking back? To the Prince of Camelot?! He watched as Morris picked up the shield, and Arthur quickly threw the dagger right at his hand. The other servants nearby gasped as they watched the blade and how close it had come . . . but Arthur had hit exactly what he was aiming for: the sleeve of Morris' shirt so that it was caught onto the wooden shield. Seeing the pale complexion of the servant caused by the sudden rush of fear and panic was exactly what Arthur had been going for. Good. He was glad he was instilling fear into the imbecile.

Maybe now he would think twice before talking nonsense! "Hurry up. I haven't got all day," Arthur demanded as Morris was having trouble pulling the dagger out, thus, unable to free his sleeve. Arthur rolled his eyes and turned around, just in time to see someone else join them on the field. The most welcome of company. "Lord Aidan," he greeted. "Have you come to help us teach a lesson to the most undisciplined servants you have ever encountered?" He said, and not speaking with total sarcasm either. "They most certainly need a lesson or two." It was really his invitation to the noble to join in the fun and mockery of those of lower rank. And those who had no liberty to object. It was their job after all. Besides, Arthur tended to have much fun with Aidan as he was one of nobles who enjoyed tormenting the servants almost as much as Arthur did. The expression of the more the merrier could not be more true under these conditions.

_{Setting: The training ground
Time of Day: Morning
Timeline: Pre Season 1
Tag: Aidan d'Amory}

[Aidan d'Amory]

Normally Aidan d'Amory would spend as little time on the training ground as possible. It was yet another reminder of how he could never be a knight, or even learn how to defend himself in combat. He'd just been on a walk, or on a limp, when he'd noticed Prince Arthur had already found himself a servant to amuse himself with. Aidan was never one to miss an oppurtunity such as this, besides, what was the point in having servants if you couldn't have a little fun with them? Just as he approached Arthur had managed to pin his servant against a shield and even for someone as practiced as Arthur it was still an impressive feat. "I have indeed, sire." Aidan said cheerily and walked over to where all the weapons were being kept and picked up a small dagger, similar to the one Arthur had used. "Although it looks like you were going to have all the fun without me."

He'd never been one of those nobles who seemed obsessed with the idea that servants deserved respect too. They were paid and given fine lodgings, what more did they want? And anyway, Aidan was from a noble and influential Camelotian family, and Arthur was the prince. These servants should be grateful of their position and accept how they were treated. It was their lot in life after all. The servant was still stuck to the shield, Aidan would have pitied him if it wasn't quite so amusing.

Aidan was still holding the small dagger in his hand, tapping the flat side of the blade against the palm of his other hand. After a moment or two he gestured towards the still captive servant with the tip of the blade. "Do you mind?" He didn't actually wait for an answer, it was more out of politeness to ask rather than needing Arthur's permission. Besides, Arthur wasn't one to stop some fun at someone else's expense. He took aim and threw the weapon which landed with a dull thud in the shield. Unlike Arthur's it didn't cut the servant's shirt, but it was close enough to cause the man a fright. Aidan had always tried to improve his aim after his injury, it was the only thing he could really do now. It was certainly well-spent practice when it meant he could spend his time doing this.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur smiled when he saw Aidan proceed to pick up a small dagger, knowing that he was indeed going to join in all the fun. He truly enjoyed Aidan's company for this reason, and the more basic one that their personalities were similar in this sense. He was a good friend to the prince, even if he was unable to train as a knight. A true shame really. But never the less, he was far from weak or inadequate. "Although it looks like you were going to have all the fun without me." Arthur continued to smile upon hearing his words. "Nonsense," he argued. "It would not have been as much fun had you not arrived." Which was quite true. While Arthur rather enjoyed bullying others, the true fun lay in having someone to laugh at them with. And watching another torment them. Arthur of course liked to be admired for his ridicule of idiots like Morris . . . but the more that engaged in such mockery, the better.

And as he previously recognized, there was no one better than Aidan to do this. "Be my guest," Arthur stated as he motioned his hand forward to allow Aidan to do whatever he pleased to Morris. He knew he wouldn't kill him. Despite what he did, Arthur obviously did not condone the murdering of servants. If he thought there was any chance of missing his target, he would not throw the dagger. Clearly, Arthur's arrogance got the better of him. Arthur watched with intrigue as Aidan took aim and then threw the dagger with the utmost precision right near Morris's head. The look on his servant's face was enough to cause the prince to chuckle at the man's clear rush of fear. "Nicely done!" Arthur complimented, giving a manly pat on Aidan's shoulder. "I say, has your aim gotten better since the last time I've seen you throw?" Arthur asked a bit sarcastically, knowing that Aidan compensated for the training he was unable to properly undergo.

"Shall we make this a bit more exciting?" He offered with promise of entertainment . . . at his servant's expense. Arthur walked over to the table where there was an assortment of fruit as snacks for the men during break in training. He picked up an apple and tossed it in the air, catching it easily in his hand as he walked over to Morris. The man was still having trouble removing the dagger from the shield to free his sleeve. Effortlessly, Arthur pulled out the dagger, purposely doing it with enough force to send Morris to the ground. He then turned to face Aidan who was at a significant distance. "Now, let's see if you can slice this apple," he said smirking, as he then looked back at Morris, who was scrambling to his feet. "Stand straight," he commanded. Morris did as told . . . because well, no one dared to defy the prince!

When Morris was standing straight, Arthur put the apple on top of his head. Without having to look directly at Morris' face, he could see the way his eyes widen in horror and fear. His entire body slightly trembled with the panic that surged through him. "Don't move," he said, with playful warning. One wrong move, and it could cost him his life. When he felt the apple was not going to fall off his head, Arthur walked back toward Aidan. "The man looks as if he is going to faint," Arthur said between laughter. Now standing next to Aidan's side once more, he waited. "Any time you're ready. Try not to miss. I would hate to go through the tedious effort of finding another servant," he told him. Not that Morris was of any use as it was. Arthur was just teasing them both, in very different ways.

[Aidan d'Amory]

Aidan had always been glad of Arthur's friendship - he might be a noble but not everyone took the time to bother with him. Having said that, they had been friends since before Aidan's accident, Arthur had been one of the few people who still treated him like the same person. Contrary to popular belief, Arthur was actually a good person, well, to nobles and only when he wanted to, so alright, maybe he wasn't that good a person but he was Aidan's friend so that was the main thing. He doubted Morris was singing the prince's praises right now, not that that mattered much. He wasn't there to be enthusiastic about the prince's compassionate nature (or lack of it) he was there to not get stabbed by the two men. "Well quite," he said with a small laugh, that was another thing the two men had it common - they were never ones to shy away from compliments. Being a noble, Aidan was used to flattery, but there was also that part of him that still needed attention so he wasn't one to miss such an oppurtunity.

Aidan shot his friend a definite look at the comment about his aim. He might not be as skilled as Arthur but he was certainly better than most, he had to be. "Worried I'll show you up?" He asked with a smirk and raised eyebrows. Knowing Arthur, he'd definitely rise to the challenge, which was exactly what Aidan was hoping for. There was nothing like a little competition for scaring servants.

The young man watched curiously as Arthur picked up an apple, narrowing his eyes as he tried to work out exactly what the prince was getting at. Ah, of course. A smile found its way onto his lips. That certainly was more fun. "Five gold coins says I can." He replied, wondering just how interesting Arthur wanted to make this, of course he was willing to raise the amount, it was just a case of whether Arthur was in agreement or not.

While Arthur was messing around with Morris and the apple Aidan found himself another dagger and waited for his friend to finish. His aim might be good but even he doubted that he could get the dagger through the apple without having to go through Arthur's head too. Not that it would get through Arthur's head, it was far too big for that sort of thing.

He rolled his eyes at Arthur's comment, of course he wasn't going to miss! He didn't reply, instead he turned his concentration fully on Morris and the apple. A few moments later the dagger was in the air before splitting the apple clean in two. Aidan turned to Arthur with a rather smug look on his face, "It seems you're stuck with Morris." He picked up another fruit from the table, "Unless you miss yourself..."

[Arthur Pendragon]

"Worried I'll show you up?" This was why Arthur quite enjoyed spending time with Aidan. Because apart from him and the prince having similar interests, the noble had such an excellent sense of humor. And never failed to cause the prince to be amused. With this question, Arthur chuckled, an arrogant air surrounding him -- not that it ever left. "Your jokes have improved along with your aim it seems," Arthur said mockingly, taking his question as a complete joke rather than with any ounce of seriousness to it. They were hardly ever serious with one another after all. Where was the fun in that? No. It was far more entertaining to throw jokes and jibes back and forth to one another.

The only time something ever changed was when they both found a victim to gang up on. And . . . well, poor soul to whoever that was. "Five gold coins says I can." A wager! Brilliant! "I accept," Arthur agreed, not above gambling. "But if you lose, you will be appointed to the task of finding me a new manservant. Preferably one better than this idiot over here." Arthur made sure that even at this distance, Morris could hear his insult. Because . . . well, because Morris really was an idiot. Seeing Aidan prepare for the throw, Arthur watched with peaked interest as the blade cut through the air and sliced the apple perfectly in half. A few other knights who's attention had been captured by this, applauded along.

While Morris looked as if he was going to urinate in his pants. Arthur gave a smirk that was a strange mix between amusement, and sore defeat at having lost the wager. "Impressive show," he complimented, not above giving a man praise where it was due. Arthur watched him pick up the fruit, another challenge that the cocky prince easily accepted. How could he ever refuse a challenge after all? "Same wager then?" He asked, knowing if he got this, it would cancel out the previous bet. "Be a good lad and put an apple in Morris' mouth. Then I'll really show you good aim," Arthur said arrogantly, as he picked up a dagger in preparation.

[Aidan d'Amory]

Aidan rolled his eyes at Arthur’s comment, “Improved?” He laughed and shook his head, “You can’t improve on perfection.” It was only really around Arthur that Aidan was able to behave like this. With anyone else he was constantly questioning himself, conscious that he was probably doing something wrong and making a fool out of himself and having everyone making a laughing stock of him – not that he was paranoid about this – but with Arthur he could spend his time being himself and tormenting the odd servant. They probably deserved it and he had his issues to work through so the servants were just going to have to bear the brunt.

The young man was in no doubt that he would win the wager, this is what he was good at after all, and it wouldn’t do to embarrass himself in front of Arthur and the knights who happened to be there and yes, not actually harming Morris (or at least not seriously anyway) would probably be a good thing. As much as Aidan liked to tease him he didn’t wish the man any proper harm. “A task that I would perform superbly.” He reassured Arthur before adding, “If I miss.”

Hearing Arthur’s comment and the small applause from the other knights he gave a bow that was probably more exaggerated than it needed to be but he was going to enjoy this moment. When he was stood upright again he nodded at Arthur’s words, “Of course.” he replied before complying and walking over to Morris. The servant didn’t look particularly happy about the situation he had found himself in, but then Aidan didn’t particularly care. After putting the apple in the man’s mouth as he was told, Aidan ran a hand through Morris’ hair and grinned at him. “Cheer up, anyone would think you weren’t enjoying yourself.” With that he walked back over to Arthur to watch him take his throw. “All yours, sire.”