#( darios — supports. )

[radiantpaths]

Metal sparked as swords clashed and Darios heaved a deep sigh. "I yield." Sword sheathed and spirits dampened...it was difficult to find ways to undermine the strength of a man who one handed a sword that required two. It was something to overcome, eventually. "Say, have you been formally invited to the ethereal ball?" There wasn't much need for small talk but he was certain someone like this would at the very least have the offer extended. "It's a bit of a trip this year I heard but an evening at the beach should be a nice way to unwind."

Ike could have driven the point home - were he a complete asshole. He wasn't. Instead, he accepted the yield, and put his own blade away.

At the question, Ike nodded. "Yeah, I got an invite from someone for helping them out." Ike would have refused, but Rhys did want to go, and Ike couldn't tell him that he didn't want to go. He also couldn't tell Rhys that he didn't really like the beach that much.

Well, whatever. He'd try anything once.

"I even got an outfit for it," Ike said, as if Darios was familiar with Ike's dislike of fancier outfits. It wasn't for himself. Maybe he could have turned up in his regular stuff, but he'd look so scruffy beside Rhys.

"I don't understand why you would hold something like this at a beach, but I guess there's nowhere to hold it when half the town is still destroyed," Ike said. Then, he remembered that he forgot to ask, "are you gonna go?"

[reddragonprincess]

far from being sober, close to be a good dancer ; Minerva + Darios

continuing from here w/@grxstnnefealltoir

The confidence he put into his words certainly did a good impression on the red-haired woman, who slightly tugged her lips with a smile as he took her hands. “Sure, leave it to me” she simply replied as she started to move on the right, gently pulling the whole couple towards one direction and slowly after, towards another: it might be strange, but Minerva actually learnt how to dance when she was a child, especially those boring dances where you had to move slower than the music itself. Still, the soberness was far from coming back yet.

“Where have I seen you around?” she thought aloud, probably not realizing she was talking instead of thinking, “But you move quite good, really” she blurted, reddish eyes fixated on his visage, scanning his expression without an actual reason behind it. “You look cute” she kept on speaking freewheeling, the realization of it would probably come very late, “But I value more other capacities” she chuckled, slowly leading the way for a twirl.

[sybellion]

He sees Rowan before the young man catches sight of him. Light steps carry him over and a small pinch befalls his nape. "It's been some time, no?" he says as gently as one can. Perhaps it's rude, he should greet nicer considering he was a dead man walking, but it was Rowan. "The crown hasn't been too heavy a burden, has it?"

“Yowtch! Hey, what-” Rowan wasn’t too sure of what to expect from the pinch on his neck and who could’ve done it- not Lianna for sure, maybe a weird classmate at most.

Darios was not among those he ever considered getting to see standing there before him, alive. As if the sight of him stabbed through that rock and falling into an outrealm portal was just a horrible dream and that nothing actually happened- he was fine and well somewhere in Gristonne after Aytolis was saved.

But Rowan knew that wasn’t the case. He knew he saw Darios disappear with a mortal injury. “Darios…? It can’t be- you’re here? Is that really you?!” The young king did pinch himself on the arm- but he didn’t wake up under a tree shade. Placing gloved hands on his friend’s shoulders, basking in their warmth and physicality. This was real. 

It didn’t take long for his eyes to sting, filling with tears as Rowan tried his best to hold a quivering lip as it morphed into a smile. “It’s….it’s you! It’s really you!” There were no attempts to wipe tears off as they were out of joy and not sadness. “I can’t believe we have you back! I never stopped believing in you, Darios!”

[eruditesunrise]

039. a flower shop, filled with bouquets and a sweet aroma . (past au/flashback)

The shops of Aytolian streets left him with such envy. "Lianna," he began easily, his gaze focused on the shops wide array of displayed flowers. The open door carried with it a scent that left him closing his eyes to enjoy the sensation of calm it brought. "Have you thought of what flowers you'll have arranged for your wedding?" It was such a far off time, he imagined it was a pointless question that would be forgotten just as mindlessly as it had been asked to begin with. "You might need even considering an arrangement for a coronation if Rowan continues to seek out knighthood."

⠀      ❝  h─hold   on   now,   darios !   a   wedding ?!   that’s   still   a   far   off   stretch�� !   ❞

⠀      𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐀   𝐄𝐗𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐌𝐒,   almost   dropping   the   decorated   vase   she   was   inspecting   by   the   entrance.   being   a   princess   was   stressful   enough,   but   being   a   queen ?   absolutely   out   of   the   question.   her   confidence   in   being   𝐀𝐘𝐓𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐒’   𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐄𝐑   had   always   been   shaky   beyond   belief.   how   could   she   take   over   her   mother’s   spot   &.   be   the   perfect   head   of   their   country ?

⠀      ❝  besides,   rowan   would   be   more   suited   to   the   throne   than   i   would !   i   could   become   a   noble   scholar,   or   take   up   knighthood !   he’s   got   his   own   personal…   achievements   that’d   strike   someone   to   be   his   wife.  ❞

⠀      𝐇𝐎𝐖   𝐋𝐀𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄.   the   idea   of   naming   any   specific   qualities   that   𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐀𝐍   would   be   suited   for   a   lady   made   her   both   disgusted   &.   humored   to   imagine.   his   boisterous   &.   hot─headed   attitude   would   practically   make   girls   run   for   the   hills   if   they   got   the   chance !

⠀      ❝  if   i   were   the   type   of   person   to   plan   for   his   wedding,   then   i’d   think   it   would   look   great   with   sunflowers.   i   read   that   each   flower   symbolizes   something   meaningful !   these   flowers   in   particular   are   often   used   for   good   fortune,   happiness,   &.   warmth…   i   think   they   describe   him   perfectly.

⠀      although,   i   wouldn’t   mind   giving   him   any   flower   that   might   clean   the   air   around   him   if   he   doesn’t   stop   reeking   with   sweat   after   training !  ❞

⠀      𝐒𝐇𝐄   𝐉𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐒,   attempting   to   distract   her   beloved   tutor   from   pushing   the   question   further.   while   moving   to   the   freshly   clipped   blue   roses,   the   young   lady   raises   one   from   the   rack,   holding   it   up   next   to   𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐎𝐒’  figure   from   afar.

⠀      ❝  what   about   you,   darios ?   are   you   going   to   get   some   blue   roses   for   your   wedding   someday ?   you’d   look   nice   with   these !   ❞

[crevassier]

[ RELAX ] (tw alcohol)

"You look as though you've partied your heart out yet the night has barely begun." Though the outfit spoke one truth, this young man's eyes spoke another. Hidden behind glasses they may be, whatever he was going through refused to quiet itself. And so, the bottles of wine find their use, two flutes poured and one offered easily. "It gets worse before it gets better...but it will always get better." He could only wonder if it was some relationship or something that hadn't panned out...

[tw alcohol]

Okay, that was the second time just this night where his plan of not drawing attention at all backfired tremendously- and in this case it wasn’t even a matter of dress but apparently his own behavior. Which… did suck, because he wasn’t quite in the mindspace to put work in redoing all his layers of varnish. It took energy, it took time, things he didn’t exactly have now much less the willpower to motivate himself to do it. He thought he’d be able to at least come off as having fun in a slightly more subdued manner, but…

“Thanks for telling me I already look like crap when things barely started, I guess…” If this guy was already offering him wine at this point in the night, then he must be looking like absolute ass. Turning around to actually face the guy, he…didn’t recognize him at all, actually. “You’re one of the Knights of Seiros, right? I don’t think I’ve seen you around that much.”

He eyed the glass of wine. It was an easy fix- a trap he could let himself fall into. Sylvain never liked the feeling of his lucidity being taken from him regardless of the situation.

But at this point he couldn’t really care less- and so he took the glass and resisted downing it in one go, clinking it against his companion’s own as a show of gratitude. “Name’s Sylvain. And you?”

[fellsparks]

" how long have you been sick for? and don't lie. "

The knight's stance was abandoned as he still held training sword. There was an ebb and flow, a waning that could only really be attributed to such. "You should rest, or at the very least, slow your pace," he spoke setting the training weapon to the side.

To fall to one knee on the battlefield is unprecedented, but as Nel’s vision swims and she feels the strength leaving her limbs… she doesn’t have a choice. The tip of her lance is stuck into the ground as she uses it for support, swaying for a moment before sinking down, face reddened and sweat dripping heavily from her brow. Uncharacteristically messy bangs stick to her damp skin as she takes a moment to catch her breath, the clammy feeling washing over her nearly making her want to retch.

It doesn’t stop the prideful glare that’s sent in his direction, suddenly feeling as if she’s a child being chided for reckless behavior. Perhaps there’s a bit of truth to that- but she’d rather not acknowledge it.

“This is nothing,” Nel hisses through grit teeth, dark brows furrowed as she wills strength to come back to her limbs. “I have experienced far worse. I just…. I just need a moment.”

Had she grown soft, coming to a world vibrant and free? The grip on her lance had begun to slacken, and her frown deepened.

“You are to speak of this to no one. Understood?”

[grxstnnefealltoir]

There was just something about him, Sin supposes. Piercing eyes and a long string of unusual behavior, incidents connected to him via Monastery hearsay and pieces of regular status reports, even across the span of a single night. And it isn't as if Sin had believed every little thing that could be heard about a single man but...

Well, blame him for being curious. About how others live, about what can possess a man to act in the ways he does. His Lord tells him to care about these things, and he'll act against his own insular instincts to do it.

Though Darios is far from him, and Sin will admit he has no interest in truly approaching him, his eyes still remain trained, hawk-like, on any glances he can steal of him from his place in one of the Viscount's expansive sitting rooms — And how repulsively lavish the setting feels, even in comparison to the grandest of Sacaen gers! It makes him feel like a predator, an outsider.

Ah, well. He's become too used to the feeling to let it bother him anymore.

Prying eyes were nothing new, there was only so much a reprimand could heal of wounds so fresh as those he offered tonight. Still, he thinks there to be more interesting things to look at. Rain had already dried and scars once more shielded by cloth. There was a time in which he wouldn't have looked...but that man was dying tonight and he who'd take his place needed to know as much as he could. It is not dragon who looks upon him nor captain, simply...a man. A man who seems far too curious for his own good. Grey eyes meet vigilant ones and he hums. 'Is there something you'd like to know?' he mouths and wonders if he could even make it out at this distance.

[archiepiscopus]

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“While unknown, the reports I have received on that young man are at rather reassuring. His prowess in combat seems well polished, and he seems to be so far a good addition to the Knights of Seiros. I shall continue to monitor him from afar, in care he requires any assistance.”

“A strange, yet familiar aura surrounds him. Almost as if…”

[chryssaetos]

What guilty pleasure are you currently justifying to yourself?

interview the muse :: still accepting!

"I don't have to justify anything to myself."

There's a twist of resentment that slips through the cracks of Sin's voice, having to think on the question. What pleasure can there be for someone with his lot in life? Perhaps only a few years ago, when the flames of war hadn't destroyed everything he held dear, when he hadn't had the fate of his entire tribe thrust on his shoulders; with the promise that, some day, he must lead them into either prosperity or oblivion...

Well, maybe he would have answered differently. But he can't remember what that answer would have been, so Sin doesn't care.

"...What do you think you'll get out of me? Leave me alone."

[cupcakedieabetes]

When you're a villain but not evil, it just makes you a troublemaker.

Everything is all fine in Amity Park and it's all no thanks to the Justice League. Danny still felt a bit resentful about being one of the many to call for help to the JL, but was dismissed as a prankcaller. Even going as far as to blacklist him and some others who kept on trying to call for help.

In between talking to some of the ghosts in the realm and pondering about the JL, he just got a brilliant idea.

Why not be a villain? He didn't mean anything like killing or anything, but as long as you're on the other side of the law, anything goes, right? It could be as much as jaywalking or something, but no. This was something that was tame. HE WAS GOING TO BE PUBLIC MENACE NUMBER 1!

His plan was to disturb Batman, just as a petty move. For how long? Until he was bored.

Other than that, there was another goal. According to some of the ghosts he talked to, Joker was an attention seeker for Batman's affection, so what better way than to disturb Joker by disrupting Batman to pay attention to Dario the Plumber rather than the Joker?

Tucker was going to help with the technological aspects while Sam was looking for a target. None of them wants to do anything evil, but being public menaces? That's a dream come true for teenagers!

He flew over with his Sam and Tucker to support Gotham and was equipped with a small phone and an earphone to talk with them. On his chest, it was just a D—not DP anymore.

He held still as Sam drew a moustache with her eyeliner on his face.

"Done!" She said, capping her eyeliner before stepping back to look at her handiwork at his appearance. Dressed in a cap that had a D, a white shirt, with a black overall.

Yes, it is he! Dario, the Plumber!

[radiantpaths]

[ AROUND ]: sender keeps a protective arm around the receiver to help them walk without the risk of stumbling or collapsing.

"Truly," Darios gently held under Ike's arm. "Well illness eventually comes for all, a shame you came out despite that." It had been all too easy to knock him off his balance, that alone should've told him enough about Ike's health. When he had been able to leave the man on his back, he set aside his own feelings at the moment to pull him up. "Off to the infirmary with you."

caring for the sick ; accepting on all three blogs

Ike wasn't sick when he met up with Darios. He was fine, until his stomach turned out of nowhere. Before he knew it, he was on the floor. He didn't know if Darios had knocked him over, or if his body had given up on him.

"Lemme go," Ike muttered. He was hoisted up, glad they were were the same height at least. "I can walk." He couldn't. The world was spinning, and he swore Darios was carrying him on both sides. Ike just needed to sleep.

"I don't need the infirmary." His stomach lurched again. Ah, fuck. "Seriously, lemme go."

[grxstnnefealltoir]

A small sigh leaves though his nose. She still looked to have a bit of a fever if nothing else. "Ah- I hope it can live up to the taste of home," he says as he gives a small bow. The bowl exchanges hands and it is careful but quick how the back of bare hand meets her forehead. "Think nothing of it. Making your way all the way here is a lot, I know...I myself was quite out of sorts." His glove returns to his hand and he walks back to the end of the bed. "It may be a knight's duty as well, but as people, we can only do well when we assist one another." "In that vein, if you need something, please do ask." Caring for the sick wasn't easy work nor was it devoid of stress...but extending kindness and care where he could felt as if it healed his soul just a bit.

" i brought you some soup; let me heat some up for you? " He was still adjusting to the differences in the magic's circles but eventually gentle warmth emanated from above hand and the bowl was warm. "I believe it's chicken and noodles, quite easy to get down and delicious as well." The bowl was offered over to her by patient hands and kind eyes made a point to measure how strong she'd gotten since illness had began.

cough, cough...!

oh, bother. meg's gone and caught a cold.

she's normally quite good with illness---in that, of course, she never gets sick. she's too active for that! she's just too busy for that! so long as she eats well, sleeps well, and drinks enough water, the only things she'll ever run into are pleasant mornings and smooth, no-fuss days! and for the most part, it's been that way!

but moving to a brand-new place is always hard. not even two weeks after coming, she's down for the count...

she hasn't had much of an appetite for the past few days (though she still tries to eat whatever the healers bring her). it's all so bland and she just feels so gross. she misses her family.

one day, however, while she gathers energy to sit up in her bed, the most gorgeous man that she's ever seen on planet meg walks in, holding a bowl of soup. he's looking right at her. heavens, those eyes. they're so handsome. he has very handsome eyes and also face. his face is handsome and so is that soup he's holding. well, the soup is delicious, but it's his soup, so it's, like, handsome man-soup?

" i brought you some soup; let me heat some up for you? "

ohmygawds that mansoup is for her.

if meg's face was red before, it's a deep crimson now. as this mysterious soup-laden stranger comes bearing gifts, it takes all of her power not to start squealing and kicking her feet around all embarrassed-like. when was the last time a man had gone out of his way for her like that? marriage. marriage? is this grounds for marriage?

wait! she has to say something to thank him! he's gone and done all of this for her---she's got to be polite!

" u-um. " her voice is quiet and creaky, a mix of shyness, embarrassment, and ailment. " t-thank ya. i... i like chicken n' noodle soup... s' my favorite kind'a soup t'eat when, uh... when i'm... s-sick... " she's three seconds from turning into a soup void from which none shall return. " you're real sweet. i... i really 'preciate it...!"

[crevassier]

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"Looks like a pretty normal knight from afar, if anything even looks like the type that could blend around the Kingdom, but I don't know. He seems weird in a way I can't really explain."

"I don't want him near His Highness, Felix or Ingrid."

[grxstnnefealltoir]

[ ARCHANEA ]

Waltzing... a classic for a glittering ballroom.

Goldmary had the ability to excel at everything she did, though she couldn't say she was all too interested in dancing. Still, it was another skill she had to learn—particularly for Elusia's courts, and the courts of the other nations in Elyos.

As a representative of Elusia and Princess Hortensia (a representative of herself), Goldmary could never put on a shameful show.

But it's only natural she takes to the Archanean minuet like a duck to water, impressing her partners with ever-practiced grace.

Goldmary doesn't think too much about the next person she's passed to, apart from the brief observation that he was rather handsome. It's no surprise he sought out her company—she was criminally beautiful, and like was attracted to like, after all.

"Mm, I don't believe we've met before. I'm Goldmary, of the Golden Deer. Though my true profession is a knight of Elusia." Settling into the proper position, the woman smiles as she rests her hand on the man's shoulder. "Perhaps you're a knight, as well? You're certainly sturdy enough for it."

Billowing curls first catch his eyes and from there, he simply finds himself pulled. In the brief moments before they become once more guided and occupied with the dance at hand. His hand rests at the edge of her back in a hold some might say was too light but he was certain she'd understand the reason as to why. "Oh, we certainly haven't. A dear friend of mine finds herself in your care, I'm glad to know my worries are unfounded." Lianna had always been dedicated to her studies but, some things would always be harder than others to take hold of, a knight like this woman, he couldn't imagine letting her falter. He chuckled as his other hand grabbed hers and first steps were taken. "You've guessed me correctly...partially." He teased with a smirk. "For truly what is a prince but a knight to his people."

[radiantpaths]

Another day another loss- a clear cut one at that. Wooden sword thrown from hand and one wielded by Ike at his throat, as always. "A mercenaries sword work is hard to adjust to." His own was inadequate but unlearning certain practices was always going to be a challenge. "I have a mission I have to go on tomorrow morning." He spoke, hand listed up for hand he could count on to pull him up. "And you smell like a wet dog. We should probably get cleaned up."

Another day, another session of throwing Darios around like it's nothing.

Ike had to admire the tenacity, at least. It was hard not to respect the effort. This was all preamble, practice for that awful sword Darios wanted to use. At least, that's what Ike was guessing. He wasn't a mind reader.

As easily as he'd knocked him down, Ike hoisted him back up. Darios was ready for him; he knew the drill by now.

"I'm not surprised I smell like a wet dog, I've been playing with a puppy." He eyed pointedly at Darios. "Yeah, a bath sounds good right now."