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the premise
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Set in a modern alternate world, there are three countries in the story: the idyllic kingdom of Gensval, the warmongering nation of Arthevic, and the coastal empire of Shena. The three were at war with each other for decades, until the recent past when Gensval pulled out of the conflict under King Seneca’s pacifism-driven rule. The countries are historically intolerant of one another, and war propaganda is heavily based on xenophobic rhetoric. Mixing between different nationalities is disallowed to an extreme and considered traitorous and unnatural. In all of the countries except the newly reforming Gensval, it is institutionalized as a capital offense, and anyone caught fraternizing with the enemy faces execution.
An uneasy peace has settled on Gensval since its withdrawal from the war, but the conflict still rages on between Arthevic and Shena. Seneca’s ultimate goal is lasting peace, so he continues to push for greater tolerance within and beyond his borders.
An uneasy peace has settled on Gensval since its withdrawal from the war, but the conflict still rages on between Arthevic and Shena. Seneca’s ultimate goal is lasting peace, so he continues to push for greater tolerance within and beyond his borders.
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the characters
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Seneca is the king of Gensval. Before he became king he served in the army for over a decade, primarily as a scout sniper. He is a controversial political figure due to his outspoken promotion of harmony between the warring countries. He has a lighthearted and eccentric personality, and is a resolute pacifist intent on achieving his dream of international peace. Seneca will stop at nothing until he gets there, willing to defy tradition and even a good part of his own kingdom content with the status quo.
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Kincaid was once an Arthevican soldier, but defected following the execution of his Gensvalian lover by his home country. Kincaid sought asylum in Gensval and eventually gained citizenship, dedicating himself to Seneca's cause. Kincaid has risen through the ranks to become a Captain of the Royal Guard, and is presently a well known fixture in the palace. He is Seneca’s best friend and functions as his head of security. His work concerns the safety of the king and the royal palace grounds, and during official events he is always part of the king’s entourage.
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the story so far
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wartime
Kincaid and Seneca first met on the battlefield as enemy soldiers, Kincaid twenty-three years old, Seneca four years his senior. They became trapped together in an abandoned Gensvalian fortress called Kavallå, perched on the bank of a river, which if captured would allow the superior navy of Shena to encroach much farther inland on the battlefield. Seneca had journeyed there against orders, fearful that it would become a target, and Kincaid had arrived to scout both the fortress and the Sheni approach. Isolated from their units and equally desperate, Kincaid and Seneca agreed to work together to prevent Kavallå from being overtaken by their mutual enemy, the Sheni, and to survive the defense of the fortress.
Seneca’s sharpshooting and Kincaid’s close combat abilities were highly compatible and they found no problems maneuvering around each other as they fended off the Sheni army. The two clicked very well in quieter moments; Seneca's friendly and patient nature meshed well with Kincaid's similar mellow personality. After days of watching each other's backs and treating each other's injuries, they began to form a camaraderie and opened up about their personal feelings regarding the war. Seneca presented Kincaid with a different, more cooperative and nonviolent point of view than the one he was taught in Arthevic- but Kincaid was unwilling to completely disparage his homeland's prideful rhetoric. They were successful in holding the fortress for almost three weeks until Gensvalian reinforcements arrived, both of them close to regarding the other as a friend. They parted on good terms, with Seneca giving Kincaid a parting invitation to look him up if the hostilities ever died down enough to allow their friendship.
Some time later, while evacuating civilians from the front lines, Kincaid met Hanne, a Gensvalian aid worker whom he fell in love with. His relationship with the Gensvalian slowly solidified Kincaid’s distaste for the war. Meanwhile, following the nation-shaking death of his cousin in an accident, Seneca unexpectedly became the only royal prince of his generation, and was recalled to the palace, now just second in line to succeed Gensval’s throne. Seneca’s grandfather, the reigning king, died shortly after, and Seneca became heir apparent after his uncle ascended to the throne.
Kincaid and Seneca first met on the battlefield as enemy soldiers, Kincaid twenty-three years old, Seneca four years his senior. They became trapped together in an abandoned Gensvalian fortress called Kavallå, perched on the bank of a river, which if captured would allow the superior navy of Shena to encroach much farther inland on the battlefield. Seneca had journeyed there against orders, fearful that it would become a target, and Kincaid had arrived to scout both the fortress and the Sheni approach. Isolated from their units and equally desperate, Kincaid and Seneca agreed to work together to prevent Kavallå from being overtaken by their mutual enemy, the Sheni, and to survive the defense of the fortress.
Seneca’s sharpshooting and Kincaid’s close combat abilities were highly compatible and they found no problems maneuvering around each other as they fended off the Sheni army. The two clicked very well in quieter moments; Seneca's friendly and patient nature meshed well with Kincaid's similar mellow personality. After days of watching each other's backs and treating each other's injuries, they began to form a camaraderie and opened up about their personal feelings regarding the war. Seneca presented Kincaid with a different, more cooperative and nonviolent point of view than the one he was taught in Arthevic- but Kincaid was unwilling to completely disparage his homeland's prideful rhetoric. They were successful in holding the fortress for almost three weeks until Gensvalian reinforcements arrived, both of them close to regarding the other as a friend. They parted on good terms, with Seneca giving Kincaid a parting invitation to look him up if the hostilities ever died down enough to allow their friendship.
Some time later, while evacuating civilians from the front lines, Kincaid met Hanne, a Gensvalian aid worker whom he fell in love with. His relationship with the Gensvalian slowly solidified Kincaid’s distaste for the war. Meanwhile, following the nation-shaking death of his cousin in an accident, Seneca unexpectedly became the only royal prince of his generation, and was recalled to the palace, now just second in line to succeed Gensval’s throne. Seneca’s grandfather, the reigning king, died shortly after, and Seneca became heir apparent after his uncle ascended to the throne.
reunion & early days
Hanne was captured and executed after their relationship with Kincaid was exposed to the Arthevican command. After being issued an ultimatum by his Overseer, Gloria, to either submit to being re-assimilated or be executed, Kincaid escaped Arthevican custody and fled from his homeland. He turned himself in at the Gensvalian border to seek an audience with Seneca, which he secured by bluffing that he was willing to provide Arthevican information, but only to the prince. With Seneca's help, Kincaid was granted political asylum in Gensval. The two of them frequently spent time with each other, and Seneca’s friendship helped Kincaid to endure the abuse of Gensvalians who were hostile and prejudiced toward his unheard-of immigrant status, and who blamed him for Hanne’s death.
In the early days of their friendship, Seneca and Kincaid were socially isolated by the traditionalist wartime regime that held power in Gensval, and constantly sought each other’s company, becoming mutual confidants thanks to their aligning beliefs. Although both of them were unpopular in the palace and their friendship was considered scandalous, Seneca was effectively Kin’s lifeline. He often came to Kincaid’s defense, and helped the Arthevican to transition into Gensvalian society, illustrating the local culture for Kincaid and teaching him to speak the Gensvalian language. They spent long days together in a secluded courtyard of the palace, playing football and shooting the breeze, and the prince spent quiet nights reading Gensvalian fairy tales to Kincaid, and listened to Kincaid's stories of Arthevic in turn. Kincaid’s deep gratitude for Seneca’s support transformed into love, and he privately resolved to help Seneca achieve his dreams of peace. Seneca, too, secretly developed feelings for Kincaid, but felt they were inappropriate in light of Kincaid's loss and their turbulent political situation, and resolved not to act on or ever disclose them.
Kincaid’s provisional citizenship allowed him to join the Royal Guard- with Seneca’s stubborn endorsement- and Kincaid made himself comfortable with the idea of watching over Seneca in an official capacity. Kincaid's ongoing persecution as a result of nationalistic prejudice redoubled Seneca's resolve to establish peace, and he swore an oath to Kincaid that in the future Gensval would become a safe place for him and an international force for good.
A year after Seneca's uncle had assumed the throne, his health began to fail, and he succumbed to illness in another year, leaving Seneca as rightful king of Gensval. Battling nerves the night before his coronation, Seneca sought out Kincaid; over the course of the night they expressed their mutual support and devotion and fell asleep talking, with Seneca now fully resolved to fight for the cause that his friend embodied. His first actions as leader of the country created an explosion of controversy and polarized public opinion: Gensval was to withdraw from the war and fortify its border against further attack; and to the protest of the xenophobic government, Kincaid was to gain full Gensvalian citizenship.
Hanne was captured and executed after their relationship with Kincaid was exposed to the Arthevican command. After being issued an ultimatum by his Overseer, Gloria, to either submit to being re-assimilated or be executed, Kincaid escaped Arthevican custody and fled from his homeland. He turned himself in at the Gensvalian border to seek an audience with Seneca, which he secured by bluffing that he was willing to provide Arthevican information, but only to the prince. With Seneca's help, Kincaid was granted political asylum in Gensval. The two of them frequently spent time with each other, and Seneca’s friendship helped Kincaid to endure the abuse of Gensvalians who were hostile and prejudiced toward his unheard-of immigrant status, and who blamed him for Hanne’s death.
In the early days of their friendship, Seneca and Kincaid were socially isolated by the traditionalist wartime regime that held power in Gensval, and constantly sought each other’s company, becoming mutual confidants thanks to their aligning beliefs. Although both of them were unpopular in the palace and their friendship was considered scandalous, Seneca was effectively Kin’s lifeline. He often came to Kincaid’s defense, and helped the Arthevican to transition into Gensvalian society, illustrating the local culture for Kincaid and teaching him to speak the Gensvalian language. They spent long days together in a secluded courtyard of the palace, playing football and shooting the breeze, and the prince spent quiet nights reading Gensvalian fairy tales to Kincaid, and listened to Kincaid's stories of Arthevic in turn. Kincaid’s deep gratitude for Seneca’s support transformed into love, and he privately resolved to help Seneca achieve his dreams of peace. Seneca, too, secretly developed feelings for Kincaid, but felt they were inappropriate in light of Kincaid's loss and their turbulent political situation, and resolved not to act on or ever disclose them.
Kincaid’s provisional citizenship allowed him to join the Royal Guard- with Seneca’s stubborn endorsement- and Kincaid made himself comfortable with the idea of watching over Seneca in an official capacity. Kincaid's ongoing persecution as a result of nationalistic prejudice redoubled Seneca's resolve to establish peace, and he swore an oath to Kincaid that in the future Gensval would become a safe place for him and an international force for good.
A year after Seneca's uncle had assumed the throne, his health began to fail, and he succumbed to illness in another year, leaving Seneca as rightful king of Gensval. Battling nerves the night before his coronation, Seneca sought out Kincaid; over the course of the night they expressed their mutual support and devotion and fell asleep talking, with Seneca now fully resolved to fight for the cause that his friend embodied. His first actions as leader of the country created an explosion of controversy and polarized public opinion: Gensval was to withdraw from the war and fortify its border against further attack; and to the protest of the xenophobic government, Kincaid was to gain full Gensvalian citizenship.
modern day
After half a decade of Seneca's rule, peace settled in Gensval, public biases softened, and Seneca and Kincaid carried on as inseparable best friends. Kincaid, now a Captain of the Royal Guard, loved Seneca deeply and considered him the most important person in his life, a sentiment that Seneca returned. Kincaid was content to remain the best of platonic friends, even if he did have romantic feelings for his king. For his part, Seneca was entirely unaware of Kincaid's true feelings for him and had long since decided to suppress his own. Even so, they often interacted in ways that were borderline romantic, with frequent casual touches and hugs, affectionate language, and an utter disregard for personal space. Despite their positions they were incredibly close and are typically found together even when they weren’t hard at work. Kincaid was Seneca’s partner in crime when the king wants to sneak out of the palace in a non-official capacity, and Seneca frequently encouraged Kincaid to ditch his responsibilities and join him in more fun activities - which Kincaid did with some protest.
One day, after a particularly gruesome bout of politics, Seneca convinced Kincaid to spirit him away on an afternoon drive to the mountains- as was their custom when Seneca needed a rare release from the stress of ruling. Kincaid advised that they should return to the palace after a few hours had passed, but Seneca interrupted him, imploring that for just one day they pretend to be regular people: Seneca and Kincaid, rather than a King and a Captain. Kincaid played along, and they spent the evening in a charade of having no greater responsibilities. As night fell and the fairytale evening drew to a close, Seneca- feeling momentarily freed from the circumstances that usually bound them- made an unexpected profession of his feelings for Kincaid. Although Seneca had expected the disclosure to be the closing bell on their escapism, Kincaid kissed him, and they mutually confessed their long-held feelings for one another. They returned to the palace the next morning in agreement that their new relationship must be kept a closely-guarded secret.
Now they maintain a covert romance, never touching or speaking in romantic ways on the palace grounds. They both wish to be together openly, but the political climate absolutely forbids it, and they are only able to show their feelings during rare stolen escapes to the mountains. Despite the stress, they get along as the closest of relationships would: both of them have blithe personalities and operate on the same wavelength; heated arguments between them are exceedingly rare. They have an easy confidence in one another, guard each other's secrets, hoard each other's embarrassing photos, and are fiercely protective, willing to sacrifice anything for each other's happiness. In leisurely moments they like to attend fairs, play football, and take naps out in sunny patches of grass. They both hate the cold and will steal each other's scarves, body heat, and pocket space. Kincaid has to resist Seneca's daily attempts to feed him fruit since he still prefers the meat-heavy diet of Arthevic. Seneca is forever determined to share the earthier way of Gensval with Kincaid- for example, Seneca loves nature and animals, a point of view Kincaid has yet to fully appreciate.
After half a decade of Seneca's rule, peace settled in Gensval, public biases softened, and Seneca and Kincaid carried on as inseparable best friends. Kincaid, now a Captain of the Royal Guard, loved Seneca deeply and considered him the most important person in his life, a sentiment that Seneca returned. Kincaid was content to remain the best of platonic friends, even if he did have romantic feelings for his king. For his part, Seneca was entirely unaware of Kincaid's true feelings for him and had long since decided to suppress his own. Even so, they often interacted in ways that were borderline romantic, with frequent casual touches and hugs, affectionate language, and an utter disregard for personal space. Despite their positions they were incredibly close and are typically found together even when they weren’t hard at work. Kincaid was Seneca’s partner in crime when the king wants to sneak out of the palace in a non-official capacity, and Seneca frequently encouraged Kincaid to ditch his responsibilities and join him in more fun activities - which Kincaid did with some protest.
One day, after a particularly gruesome bout of politics, Seneca convinced Kincaid to spirit him away on an afternoon drive to the mountains- as was their custom when Seneca needed a rare release from the stress of ruling. Kincaid advised that they should return to the palace after a few hours had passed, but Seneca interrupted him, imploring that for just one day they pretend to be regular people: Seneca and Kincaid, rather than a King and a Captain. Kincaid played along, and they spent the evening in a charade of having no greater responsibilities. As night fell and the fairytale evening drew to a close, Seneca- feeling momentarily freed from the circumstances that usually bound them- made an unexpected profession of his feelings for Kincaid. Although Seneca had expected the disclosure to be the closing bell on their escapism, Kincaid kissed him, and they mutually confessed their long-held feelings for one another. They returned to the palace the next morning in agreement that their new relationship must be kept a closely-guarded secret.
Now they maintain a covert romance, never touching or speaking in romantic ways on the palace grounds. They both wish to be together openly, but the political climate absolutely forbids it, and they are only able to show their feelings during rare stolen escapes to the mountains. Despite the stress, they get along as the closest of relationships would: both of them have blithe personalities and operate on the same wavelength; heated arguments between them are exceedingly rare. They have an easy confidence in one another, guard each other's secrets, hoard each other's embarrassing photos, and are fiercely protective, willing to sacrifice anything for each other's happiness. In leisurely moments they like to attend fairs, play football, and take naps out in sunny patches of grass. They both hate the cold and will steal each other's scarves, body heat, and pocket space. Kincaid has to resist Seneca's daily attempts to feed him fruit since he still prefers the meat-heavy diet of Arthevic. Seneca is forever determined to share the earthier way of Gensval with Kincaid- for example, Seneca loves nature and animals, a point of view Kincaid has yet to fully appreciate.