icarus-james-blog

[icarus-james-blog]

wandering-wills:

Will kept his eyes fixed on the man across from him, not smiling but not glaring, either.  He was merely curious, trying to figure out who the stranger was and what, exactly, he was doing.  The cover story was flimsy at best.  He tested it a small bit.  It wasn’t like he’d paid for the drink anyway, so he didn’t care, but the chance to mess with someone was too good to pass up.  “Not at all.  I’m building my resistance to a few liquid poisons, but be my guest.” 

Ic froze. Anything not yet swallowed was spit back into into the cup, pink tongue poking out past his lips. “Y’know,” he pushed the glass back over and gave it a loving pat. “I’m not actually that thirsty, though it’s very nice of you to offer.” Fuck- what the fuck kind of freak.. “Anyways, I’m James,” he offered a hand over politely, only somewhat lying about his name- last names counted, right? 

[icarus-james-blog]

sweetmemoriesoflavender:

Lil laughed as Icarus asked the bartender for shots and gave a nod as she realized he recognized her from a few hours before. Her body was going to need a serious detoxing tomorrow. She leaned her hip against the bar, turning herself towards Ic and moved his hand up to the middle of her back. As the shots were poured in front of them, she grinned and slid two of them closer, one for each of them. “Of course. Do you have suggestions? Or do we need to get creative here?” 

He side eyed her when his hand was moved but didn’t argue, instead removing his hand altogether. The night was young and so were they. He tapped his shot glass with his pointer finger, watching a little drop roll down the side. “Two truths and a lie?” he suggested, pronouncing it as ‘troofs’. He would absolutely dominate her in this game, he was sure of it, and he turned and leaned against the railing to listen should she choose to go first. 

Night of No Worries

[icarus-james-blog]

justafteryourjules:

She ignored his repetition, since the phrase had been so ingrained in her during the king’s reign that it hardly fazed her. She was far more interested in hearing him explain himself. It only made her laugh more.

“Oh, please,” she challenged as she leaned across the table to get a better look at the necklace. “That’s not the kind of shit you pick to buy food, unless you’re planning on a feast for you and the neighborhood. You deserve an asskicking for that shitty lie.”

“I have friends to feed too, y’know!” he retorted defensively, as if she knew anything about him. He was a great liar! Who the heck was she, to see straight through him? “There’s nothing wrong with saving a few scraps for later days.” If by scraps, he meant money. “How much you reckon I get for it then, if you’re so knowledgeable?” 

[icarus-james-blog]

sweetmemoriesoflavender:

“That’s a good point,” she nodded in agreement. Though she was quick to raise her brow as she noticed him studying her. She reached out and attempted to push him back a step or two with a push in the chest. Still, her cheeks grew hot as he smirked. Letting out a nervous laugh to ease the silliness, she found her center. “Great,” she grinned in triumph, genuinely excited to have plans and to be helping Icarus learn how to read. Persistence was key, and free food was a great motivator. 

“Agreed! The wine all tastes the same now – and not in a good way. Time to switch it up.” Lil couldn’t help but to smile as she took his hand. There was something comforting about how rough his hand was. She imagined humor aside, he was a hard worker and could find happiness in the labor. Despite not knowing exactly what kind of traveling merchant he was. 

Icarus was barely swayed by her push, though he acted hurt by it nonetheless. He might be the baby on the ship, but he was built like a fortress, and he knew it. Years living for survival alone would do that to you. Hand now in his, he wormed his way through the lively crowd towards the bar, taking the last drink or two of his wine down in big gulps, to which he tried not to make a face. “Four shots of whatever’s on hand, sir!” he cheered as they came close enough, and he set his glass on the counter top while tugging his friend closer by a not-so-subtle hand on her lower back. “Should we play a game of some sort?” 

Night of No Worries

[icarus-james-blog]

wandering-wills:

Will kept his eyes fixed on the man across from him, not smiling but not glaring, either.  He was merely curious, trying to figure out who the stranger was and what, exactly, he was doing.  The cover story was flimsy at best.  He tested it a small bit.  It wasn’t like he’d paid for the drink anyway, so he didn’t care, but the chance to mess with someone was too good to pass up.  “Not at all.  I’m building my resistance to a few liquid poisons, but be my guest.” 

Icarus abruptly stops mid-sip, and promptly reverses his actions, instead letting the liquid fall back into the cup. Fuck. “Right.” Was his tongue tingling, or was he psyching himself out? “And I will let you do that from a safe distance of a table over,” he decided, pushing the cup back towards him. This was fine. No big deal. There were, like.. cures in case of poisoning and stuff, and as long as he got away with his small heists, he’d be fine. “Why bother getting resistant? Think someone’s after you?” 

[icarus-james-blog]

maxchase:

“Icarus, please, I know what I’m doin’.” He had no idea what he was doing. He kept telling himself that the closer they were to danger, the farther they were to harm, even though he hadn’t the slightest clue what danger it was they were oh-so-close to. What he did know, was that they couldn’t have possibly gone back to Farren. Not at these times. Not empty-handed. They were stuck. There was nothing else to it. A feigned frustered sigh left him as he heard the boy’s next question, leaning back in his seat and glancing at the others. “We’re waitin’ for an opening, that’s all. Be patient. There’s nowhere else to go now other than Wonderland.”

“I ‘ave been patient,” he muttered- they all had, and Icarus had yet to see much progress. It’s silent a moment, and Icarus had a feeling Max was just as blank as he was. He wasn’t sure if that was comforting or not. A little off beat, Icarus took a seat on an open chair near his captain, sighing and giving him a long look. “I’m just so bored here.” Chin meets palm, elbow to knee- his tantrum wasn’t quite over. With a chuckle, he continued, “I even miss scrubbing. I just need something to do.” Now he leaned back in the chair, slouching down like Max was. Call him greedy for worrying about how he spent his time during their great grand mission, but by his logic, anything his captain ordered was for the good of the cause, right? 

[icarus-james-blog]

sweetmemoriesoflavender:

Lil rose her brow. She didn’t realize that everyone here was putting on a different mask today. Deeply, she wanted to believe that this was an extension of herself, a better self. Oh fuck. She was almost as bad as the stuffy shirts she complains about to mother and friends - if she had any. But, she laughed, “yeah, that doesn’t matter as much as how quickly you’re drinking.” She took a small sip of her own drink and felt herself grow into a better mood. Alcohol couldn’t always be the answer, but tonight was a special occasion. She cocked her head to one side, resting her hand on her hip. “You honestly think that I have a book stashed on me?” Her shoulders drooped and her free hand went up to cup her cheek, giving a slight dramatic expression, “the horror. I have never dealt with a drunk before in my entire life!” She’d soon cocoon him in some ivy before having to babysit him all night. “But alright. No more book talk– if you’ll to meet with me for lunch next week– consider one lesson?” In her eyes, everyone deserved at least the opportunity to learn how to read. She wasn’t the greatest teacher, but she would try, and she was positive that she’d get him to learn a thing or two.

Icarus shrugged and gave her a look as though he were scandalized. “It’s free.” Like, hello. “Listen, you’re very-. Um.” Blue eyes scanned over her dress, and as much he hated to admit it, it took a lot to keep from biting his lip. “You could be hiding something dangerous in there,” he finally smirked- hopefully it was the wine talking. Icarus pretended to mull her offer over a moment, the rim of his glass resting on his lip. ”Fine. If you’re paying,” he winked-- lord, maybe the wine was getting to him.  “C’mon, Lil, I want something ‘eavier than this, and then I want to dance!” A callused hand is extended her way with a boyish grin, and he was already taking a step to the bar.” 

Night of No Worries

[icarus-james-blog]

[x]

[icarus-james-blog]

sweetmemoriesoflavender

Liliana slowly walked towards him, planning to meet him almost half way but out of the way of drunk dancers. Maybe she was reading too much into the situation, but Icarus seemed too light hearted and bubbly. But she pushed the thought aside and focused on not losing her drink on the person to accidentally bump into her. She down the last of her drink and placed it on the nearest table, not wanting to stain her new dress in case she decided to try and return it – or resell it. 

Her eye twitched at the nickname, not use to new people calling her by it, but she let it slid. “Shouldn’t it be the other way, around?” she rose her brow playfully. “But I’m glad you made it.” She eyed the drink in his hand and laughed at the sight of his stained smirk. "How many ahead of me are you? Three? Five?” She turned her attention for a quick moment to grab a glass of white wine from a servant’s tray before looking back to him. “Cheers? To…learning weird scriptures and funny lines on a piece of paper?”

“Hush, I’m living a high profile life tonight, I need to make the most of it.” Which, apparently, meant mocking lower class friends. Sure was fun though! He huffed a little laugh and shot her a look before taking another sip of his drink, “Maybe two or three, but I can hold my alcohol, I’m a--” Oh- hell, he almost said pirate. “--heavyweight.” Only a little pause. Should be okay. It had been a brave move to give her his real name when they’d met at the market all those days ago, but there were still some things he ought to keep to himself for a while. Icarus groaned as she tried to cheers him, though he still clanked glasses with her and took a swig rather than a sip. “God, don’t make me do homework now,” he whined. “I swear, you pull a book out, and I’ll get so piss drunk I can’t stand.” He shot her another warning look and lifted his drink to his lips once again, only to pause and point a finger previously wrapped around his glass at her, “and I’ll tell everyone you’re my babysitter so you’ll have to deal with me.” 

Night of No Worries

[icarus-james-blog]

sweetmemoriesoflavender

Liliana didn’t expect so much of Wonderland to attend the coronation. She glanced around, catching quick reads of the faces around her as she walked towards the arrangements; needing a drink already after only twenty minutes in the belly of the beast. She took a deep breath as she walked passed a tall floral arrangement, letting herself smile and reach out and pluck a small bloom before tucking it between two fingers. If she could focus on the moment, on enjoying her free night away from work, then maybe she would then learn how to better relax throughout the week. That was a good short term goal. 

She let out a sigh as she reached the champagne end of the beverage table. After a long sip her tension started to release from her bare shoulders. Why didn’t she do this more often? Her eyes scanned the room again, hoping to maybe find a friendly face among the otherwise strange crowd. A smirk tugged on her lips as she found someone she definitely didn’t expect to see tonight. He looked well though. Liliana rose her glass towards him from across the large room and smiled as their eyes found one another. Maybe tonight wouldn’t be so bad after all.

It was a lot easier to get inside than he thought it would be-- maybe he should dress up like this more often. Seemed to work in his favor. Icarus didn’t particularly care for the reason of the party- pirates had no kings, no rulers. Well, they had Max, but he was an elected official. Really, Icarus was only there for two things: free alcohol, and Dr Fancy Pants. He only guessed that she would be here tonight- she had said she worked in the palace after all- so if she wasn’t, hey: fall back on reason number one and leave happy. 

The stars must have been watching out for him, as they always did, because just as Icarus was giving up on his plight and touching his second glass of wine to his lips, he saw her. Maybe it was because she was next to all those flowers, but she looked... really nice. Really really nice. Then again, everyone looked nice, it was a coronation, but still. He stood and made his way over to her, glass in hand, coy smirk on tinted red lips. “Lil!” He didn’t care if he was loud- this was a party, wasn’t it? “They let just anyone into these things, do they? Fancy seeing you here,” he teased and looked her over. 

Night of No Worries

[icarus-james-blog]

sweetmemoriesoflavender:

She nodded when asked about her work. They weren’t the best conditions but it was a job. And she was able to stay close to her mom, a servant in the palace. Lil smirked, “you’re not really missing much.” Who cares? That got her to spill a small laugh. “I will – once I have more money saved up. Ideally I move on from being an apprentice within the next year, but who knows.” The sprite sat up with a smile, “because I’m doing this rare thing called being nice, I guess.” She tucked some of her hair behind her ear and thumbed through the worn book towards the beginning. “Ah!” she laughed. “Here he is. He’s a slow ager but I guessed that he was in his mid-forties. Woke up one morning with a head cold and by dusk developed a spot in the middle of his forehead. He was a member of the court, if I’m remembering correctly. Covered in ‘em by the time he rang for us.” She shook her head, looking up from the book to him, brow furrowing, “but nothing worked. They were itchy - apparently - and caused him to sweat. Lost sleep…but not his appetite. So weird. And the very first case. And the only case. We still don’t know how he came in contact with the host.”

“Rare? You look so.. sweet though!” He wasn’t even being flirty- she just looked like the goody, nice type. He’s entirely distracted and completely absorbed in her story after that though- he’d never heard of such a disease before, and he honestly wasn’t sure if he was sad or not by the fact. Purple spots- was kind of funny, and could be worse! “Didn’t die then?” he clarified, his eyes scanning over the page as if any of it would make sense to him. Icarus peeked over the top of the notebook, and-- “Shit-” he exhaled to himself, and ducked his head further under the notebook. There he was, Mr. Very Bad Man, doing a scan for him, he assumed. “Don’t look back, keep chatting,” he instructed calmly and quietly- almost home free. 

[icarus-james-blog]

justafteryourjules:

Julieta had been trying to enjoy her lunch she’d bought after selling some old vases and shit she’d snatched out of someone’s house near the Forest. It became a little easier to enjoy when some attractive stranger placed himself across from her and rambled on about his need for assistance. For the longest time while he spoke, her expression remained immobile, even when he had borrowed her drink, but once he’d said please, she couldn’t help but laugh.

She had to put down her sandwich while she laughed, shaking her head at his ridiculous request. “Oh Crimson… I’ll play along if you tell me what stupid thing you got caught doing.”

“Crimson?” he echoed, intelligently. Icarus shook his head to clear his thoughts then-- play along with the lie he set up, or tell the truth? Who would be the liar, whichever way he went? He licked his bottom lip and pulled it through his teeth-- well. Blast it. “Okay I think someone saw me nick their shit. I was just hungry,” he pulled the necklace from his pocket, the worn gold glinting yellow in the afternoon sun. He had plenty of money in the coin purses he’d stolen, and more good stuffed in his jacket, but one piece of evidence and a perfect sad lilt in his voice should be more than enough to convince the general listener. “I wanted to trade it for food.” 

[icarus-james-blog]

sweetmemoriesoflavender:

Her ego inflated at the thought of graduating to hold a doctor title. Of course she could do it. It was a matter of how long it would take for her to gain the field time and study to gain a good reputation. “I…” she trailed off. Her attention turned down to her blueberry treat. She took a bite and slouched back into her seat, tapping her crossed leg against a beam of the table. “Well, when I’m reading and learning about a case, I do actually care. I’d be a shit doctor if I didn’t. Most of the people I end up talking to tho are,” she laughed as she continued, “stuffy asshats. Who really don’t give a damn about others. I wish I was employed to study the outbreak that wrecked the Woodland. But no.”

“There was this pretty cool case of a man growing purple spots. Want to see the notes?”

He’s a little taken back by her sudden sailor mouth-- despite technically being a sailor himself, he didn’t often curse too broadly. Still, it kinda made her.. sort of Betty. “Y’work in the Palace or some’fin? I’m not really-- I’m a traveling merchant, so I’m not too familiar with all.. that.” He gestured off to the right, as though that would showcase ‘all that’. “Who cares about what you’re ‘employed’ for? That sounds like proper studies, why not do it in your free time?” His situation was almost completely forgotten, as she was completely more interesting. Icarus’ eyes widened at the thought of purple spots-- “Is he still purple? Did he die? Yes, absolutely tell me all about it, why would you bother asking?” he chuckled, pushing the notebook over. 

[icarus-james-blog]

sweetmemoriesoflavender:

Lil chuckled, not really believing his sweet act. She was already committed to the cause however. And this was far more entertaining than following her boss around in the palace, listening to posh and stuffy people talk about luxuries. “Alright,” she nodded, even though her eyes continued to scan for someone that may be having a bad day suddenly. “Hu-” Snapping out of it, she reached out to grab the book but pulled back and picked up her fork from her pie. “It’s my field research. Along with potion recommendations. I’m studying to become a physician.” She flipped through a few pages to encourage him to read her notes and turned the book to face him better. “Only been at it since the Summer but it would be interesting to find cures for stuff everyone believes is incurable.” 

She was suddenly spouting a lot of relatively big words that had little to no meaning to Icarus, but still he nodded along like he would remember and let his eyes follow her fork. After that, he tried not to be so obvious, and instead scanned a few pages of her note book. He didn’t care so much for the writings or numbers or charts, but the doodles were fun. At least what looked like it. He couldn’t really tell. She didn’t need to know that though. “So, Madame Doctor,” he smirked, flipping to another page, “what are you curing first? Is it really only ‘interesting’ for you, or do you genuinely care about the people you study?” 

[icarus-james-blog]

sweetmemoriesoflavender:

The nymph brow quirked as she gave the stranger a smirk, though internally her heart flipped and skipped a beat at the sudden change of her once calm day out of the palace. As Liliana listened to him speak, uneasiness stirred in her gut. What exactly was she helping him escape? As she started to stand up and walk away, she haulted and slowly lowered herself back down. Glancing around, she gave him a nod. “Yeah,” she agreed before letting out a slightly irritated sigh. Her eyes shifted around the bustling crowd moving behind the man. Lil lowered her voice to a near whisper and kept a blank expression as she spoke, “what does the guy look like?” The sooner the alleged ‘bad’ man left, the sooner she could go back to her notes. And blueberry buckle.

Icarus faltered, his gaze turning out to the bustling crowd. “Heeeee uhhhh... Tall? Yeah, brunette. Think he had a red scarf on. I was just so.. worried, I ran before I could get a good look at him.” If Icarus had mastered anything, it was looking like an upset puppy when he needed to.  “You don’t have to whisper. Just keep talking, you’re doin’ great.” Really, another fifteen minutes of this, and he was sure to walk chalk free. Intending to get her talking, Icarus reached forward to turn her notebook to the side and take a peek at.. scribbles, of something. “Wha’sis then? Contemporary art?” 

[icarus-james-blog]

maxchase:

With all the damn drama going around Wonderland, Max was ready to simply lean back in his seat and enjoy the show. Maybe even take advantage of the chaos of this whole ‘new king’ rumor and slip into the palace, just to take a look around for later. A coronation without an actual crown. How entertaining would that be? After all, he couldn’t get accounted for it. He answered to no one. Pirates had no kings there, or anywhere else. And still, those thoughts would have to be casted to the side as he simply didn’t have an escape plan. How could he? He was in the middle of the land, and a journey of days and days that would take him to the shores. Even then, this new conflict with the mer-folk had made it quite hard to get on sea again. 

He’d missed Her. The Old Rorke had been in the hands of some of the crew at the shores of Artemisia for quite a while now. He knew the boys weren’t satisfied with their fates as of now. And alas, he could do less and less to keep them quiet. When the apple suddenly landed in his lap and heard the familiar voice of the youngest of his crew, he already knew where it was going. Brows raised in a familiar amused way as he took the apple and put it onto the table next to him, leaning forward in his seat. “Right. As the crew’s ain’t used to eating rotten fruit on deck in the middle of a journey. Icarus, please. Watch your tone there.” It was his usual, nurturing yet demanding tone that he’d used on the boy… possibly ever since he’d met him. “It’s an unfortunate situation. We can’t leave yet.” 

Not so deep down, he knew that would be the answer. But what were they waiting for? Clearly, this place had a lot of drama going on-- Icarus didn’t understand much of it, of course, but it was nearly impossible not to feel the panic in the air. “I heard they lookin’ for sea criminals. Granted, I got kind of distracted after that, but I’m pretty sure we fit in that category, and I’d rather be doing that out on the sea than in a.. dungeon, or headless, or whatever kind of judicial system they run around here.” He was sure it wasn’t pretty, whatever it was. He lowered his voice next, “Cap. C’mon, what on earth are we waiting for?” 

[icarus-james-blog]

efflorescentglow:

A laugh escaped past her lips, amusement settling on her facial features. It wasn’t often that she found someone who could let their mouth run the way she could. Perhaps she should’ve worried, but Enya never worried. One of her blessings, or flaws, depending on who you asked. “Very very or very very very? Two isn’t very scary on the scale, three is getting there.” Her dark eyes fell to the glass of water he had stolen from her while listening to his added pleas. She was counting to see how long he could go without breathing, how many words he could get out before he was in need of air. “Usually I demand pretty please, but alright— what’s in it for me, Chatty?”

Oh. Goodness, he should have taken another look before he sat down. It was important, when trying to blend in, to pick people who didn’t stand out– or, y’know, make you do a double take. Or stutter. Or anything else embarrassing Icarus now had a very real possibility of doing. “I’ll stick with very very, but we’re getting close to very very really,” he clarified. Another sip is stolen, and he tried not to choke on it as he released a light chuckle- who was she calling Chatty? This was important! A pause is taken while Icarus looks her over, and in a moment of bravery (some of his lies were rather suave, he would admit), he leaned back and offered. “Wait with me til it’s safe and I’ll buy you a real drink after.”