ardentscul

[ardentscul]

— THE SORCERESS FELT LIKE A LINGUIST WITHOUT their tongue , a soldier without their blade ; emptied of her magic and depleted of what she had spent weeks - months - honing into a well-tuned , useful craft . her bones felt like their innards had been scraped out with a spoon , muscles stripped of critical fibers , spirit sucked through a vacuum that had been nestled beneath sun-kissed flesh . her feet pounded like mallets atop the stretched skin of a war drum , heart pulsing in syncopation , winded and gasping as she pushed herself forward . further , further . the earth gave another harrowing quake , her footfall staggering as balance teetered on a taught , narrow wire . it were as if a meteorite had made its way into the belly of the underdark ; a pluming cloud of debris and upturned soil spraying upwards into what looked to be a manmade vortex , only for the princess to notice the crouched figure of a drow , her drow , sat at the whirlwind of dust's eye .

" HUNT !! " she cried again , his name distorted as air moved harshly through her windpipe , the underdark blurring into an array of violet and splotchy azure . valdis blinked through the fog of adrenaline , of depletion , as the antonyms fought wildly behind her bulging gaze . in moments , hunt was upon her , the hiss of his blade as it was withdrawn from its sheath and hurtling towards one of the horrors gullets gnarling her pointed ears . valdis pressed to him , with knobby knees and ill-supplied lungs , as trembling fingers attempted to find purchase in the metal of his chest plate - grazing down its front , less than nimble on her feet as he used himself as a shield .

hunt's sudden movement , followed by the sound of sharp agony that came pushed through his clenched teeth complimented by bone screeching against metal , made valdis's watery gaze screw shut as she burrowed herself into his protective hold . then , she blinked her stare open , noticing handsome features contorted in discomfort , , , and she found herself reaching to nurse his anguish . magic had abandoned her , and any effort to aid would be futile . yet , all she could do was some how hope just the faintest touch would soften the sharp , jagged contours of his clenched jaw and wrinkled brows . only , she was shoved away . faulty feet betrayed her as she staggered , hands flying out to her sides to steady herself as her sights set upon one of the beasts aiming to strike him . she stepped backwards , panting , patting at her thighs in hopes of one of the —

DAGGERS , she still had her daggers . with an amateur's precision , nothing but sheer desperation guided glinting metal tips . valdis grunted as she yanked the untouched weaponry from her cloak and hurled scanty spears at one of the monstrosities . the first blade found a home in the nearest horror's eye , an injury that made it rear its head back and squawk in horrific misery . the second lodged itself in its partner's throat , not dead center , but enough to have it lashing - distracted as it flailed a hooked claw at its own gullet and turned backwards . pleased , and not wishing to disobey hunt any further ( despite the fact leaving him on his own was nauseating enough to make her choke on rising bile ) , valdis turned and ran up the winding , skeletal bridge . the further she got from the tree , the more she felt the weight of her talents returning , the well of magic within gurgling like a running brook as embers of flame and mists of conjury began to nestle themselves back into the marrow of her bones .

" the tree - it , , , it makes magic useless . we can't get close - we , , , we need to get him out of there . now . " valdis panted as she approached the cleric's side . shadowheart's resolve was concentrated solely on attempting to aid the drow , a bead of perspiration falling from her furrowed brows and onto her lashes , lips curled as if she intended to address the princess but thought better of it . instead , shadowheart cried out another incantation that landed short - just missing the beast that was now aiming to strike the paladin once more . " shadowheart , " valdis pleaded . the cleric ignored her , trying her incantation again . failing again . " SHADOWHEART , listen to me , , , " valdis had half the sense to reach out and grab the woman in order to steal her attentions , but she resisted . each plea landed upon deaf ears as the raven-haired woman paid her little regard . determined to send the paladin to an early grave , it seemed .

sinking her heels into the earth , valdis sucked her lower lip between her teeth , cutting her focus on the creature currently looming over her knight as if it were a god amongst men . heaving up the little puddle of arcana that had returned , valdis swayed on her feet as she hurled her palms forward .

" TORMENTUM !! " she cried , dread scraping at her throat , urgency wielding her tongue . five bolts of scarlet light flew out from her puffed chest and ruby-stained palms ( the stoney carpet having cut into them during her desperate scramble ) , , , three landed on the beast tormenting the sole paladin , sending the beast wailing as it crumpled to the ground . the other three whizzed through the moisture-slick air and pierced the bellies of its companions , not eliminating them , but hopefully giving the drow a leg up on whatever move he made next . one of the beasts she had struck was particularly displeased with her spell , at the slaughter of its kind , and charged at hunt from his blind side ; clicking its beak , alabaster scythes raised above its head .

" HUNT !! " valdis cried . " TO YOUR LEFT !! "

— THE THWIP OF AN arrow whisked over his head , followed by another — astarion notching their poison-dipped shafts into his bowstring faster than hunt's feet could be willed . a shame that the vampire's efforts were for naught . so high atop the cliff , his shots dove down the hollow to merely nick the creature's like shallow cuts of a dulled razor , lacking the necessary vigor needed to pierce their thick , leathery husks . even shadowheart's efforts — the steady pound of her footsteps growing distant , faltering behind hunt's mad dash — were rendered useless . her voice carried no weight , incantations and holy prayers becoming lost the hellish choir . a hurtling ball of condensed fire . a divine streak of gold . her spells would spark , only to fizzle curiously before finding their target.

the paladin wasted none of his precious time on fickle magic or desperate calls to cold-hearted gods . whatever light once burned in his heart had long been extinguished , the holy bonds he had taken consumed by selfishly dark ambition . oathbreaker to every vow . . . all but ONE.

the knight's monicker , carried on a sharp , piercing , blood-curling scream , ripped through his ears . rattled taut nerves . a roar , frantic and strained , scraped at the muscles of his throat while he forced his body to work faster , reach them faster , save her faster . sand piled at the floor of an hourglass with each footfall , and every monstrous screech . their hungry chatter consumed the atmosphere . it sprang off the underdark's craggy walls with the sharp ring of cymbals . not even the roar of blood rushing through pointed ears could deafen their symphonic squalls . and when hunt's eyes dared stray from his trepidatious path , a bawl of his own melted into the polluted air.

a curse ripped past the cage of bared teeth as he watched in helpless dismay as valdis fell to the floor , submitted to the swings of a reaper's bony scythe — barely escaping its brutality. reckless instinct took over . the clack of chafing armor ceased as his legs went momentarily still . exhausted lungs heaved in a ravenous breath , his chest swelling and shoulders tightening . then , heedlessly , he leapt over the side of the ridge . it was nearly a three-story jump , one that shot flame through the soles of his feet up the thick of shaking legs . his knees buckled and spine wailed . for a moment , the drow , crouched on the stony cavern's floor , nearly crumpled . a cold hand wrapped around his lungs and squeezed with the might of a frost giant whilst electric shocks sizzled at fried nerve endings . but through his blurring , dazed vision , he could make out the snow-haired woman's silhouette scrambling forward . clawing toward him with a small army of death nipping at her heels .

adrenaline met resolution , fueling a false sense of invincibility through the monolithic fighter . in one swift motion , he pushed himself upright and shot forward . for a brief minute , time moved differently . simultaneously fast and slow . in a daring move , hunt flexed his left arm back over his shoulder before volleying the silver length of his lance at the closest horror . its blade sunk into sick flesh , splitting a fatal gash in its neck , and a grossly thick substance spurted out , painting the thing's body in blackish ooze . a scree was all it could manage before tripping over its own talons and hitting the ground — grotesque , guttural whines dripping from a harrowed beak as the light faltered from beady , black eyes . hunt did not relish in the small victory , nor did he even show the barest acknowledgment . instead , a huge , steel gauntlet swept out and curled around the neck of valdis's vestments . he yanked her forward , pulling the half-elf's small frame into his much larger one . a groan of relief broke from beneath the curl of a grimace as the tense muscles of hunt's arm wrapped around her and pressed the powerless princess against his rattling , armor plated chest . " foolish girl . "

hunt was given little time to bask in the victorious pleasance of her shadow melting beneath his . the monsters descended on them in milliseconds . he twisted , curling his body around valdis and turning away as they crashed into him . a hook scraped against the metal of his armor , scratching the exposed back of his neck . he hissed at the sudden pain . the hook horror raised its crooked appendage to strike again while the shadow of another closed in on them . " run to shadowheart ! RUN !! " hunt shoved valdis away , throwing out the arm that had just entangled her . his elbow connected with its beak . then , he whipped around , following the stun with a heavy punch . from the corner of his peripheral , a few yards away , his lance sparkled , still jutting from the fallen beast's body . he started towards it , only to hesitate . running for the weapon would leave valdis open to attack . . . an impossible risk he would not wager . hunt growled , biting down on his lower lip until blood began to bubble . metal boots scraped rock as he shifted his footing , barely dodging the sharp blade of a second enemy , turning to strike the same beast again .

[ardentscul]

— THE FOLIAGE ORNAMENTING WINDING BRANCHES was unlike anything valids had ever seen . a mist seemed to hang in the air surrounding the peculiar tree , but it wasn't like that of the water-lodged fog that would hang low on the surface , , , it was thicker , pulsing , like each droplet that lilted on the windless air was a living , breathing thing . hypnotized , valdis pressed forward , eyes reflecting the luminance of paper white leaves and the bulbous , cobalt blue flora that looked as if they were made of stained glass . lost in her hypnosis , valids was blind to the peering vultures that loomed above ; heedless to their sewn stares that were fixed on her outstretched hand . only then did she become acutely aware of a strange sensation buzzing in her finger tips . the way it spread like ink through her veins and burned through muscle .

before valdis could really make sense of the sudden exhaustion that wrapped her bones in barbed wire , a harrowing screech was sounding from above — a noise so loud , so thunderous , it shook the foundation of where she stood . every fiber of her being tightened with alert , a hand flying over her shoulder , cramped fingers reaching for the body of her staff — stiff . why was she so STIFF ??

a gong had been struck , commencing a champion's battle for honor she hadn't known she enlisted in . valdis's chin flew up , eyes wide and face void of color , lips parting to scream but the sound being swallowed by the grim reaper's orchestra . it was a wretched song , one that scraped the pits of pointed ears . beaks clicked in cruel greeting , their large , taloned feet stampeding upon the sunless earth . a mutter of incantation came quickly , desperately , beneath her breath . the very one she had used to stubbornly evade hunt's pointed tongue , only to be rendered useless as the well in which her magic was kept seemed to have been emptied . barren and bone dry . " et albi , " she tried , frenzied and impetuous , latin a tongue that now felt most unfamiliar in her mouth as she stumbled back , staff clutched with two sets of blanched knuckles as she held it in front of her . over and over again , a quivering prayer ; she attempted to will the mist to swallow her — take her to safety , to hunt . panic enveloped each syllable as her lips moved in all the wrong ways . each attempt a critical failure .

the drow's voice came crashing into her skull at the same moment a boned claw came swiping at her abdomen . ' VALDIS , RUN !! ' valids , instead , naturally fell back , refilling lungs with a desperate gasp to replenish the air that had been forced out as her spine met soil and stone . eyes of moss and sea lifted , finding the horned beak of a hideous monstrosity that loomed over her like a stone monument . it growled , the sound placed so deeply in its chest it came out a rumbled purr , scraping its toed foot against the ground to kick her only means of protection back towards the wide trunk of the tree she had been transfixed on only moments prior.

" HUNT — " the princess cried out , kicking boots into now upturned , stoney soil as she scraped her palms back behind her ; hoisting her fallen frame away from the hooked horror that's shadow draped over her like a veil . " m-my MAGIC — it doesn't , , , — " a curved talon then came swinging down at her . words were interrupted with a fearful scream , one that echoed so sharply off the moistened cavern walls it came back to ring in her skull . alabaster bone just narrowly missed the pointed tip of her ear as she rolled onto her stomach , the world blurring . sinking all of her strength into her hands , her quickly curling toes , valdis pushed herself up and onto blundering feet . the princess hurled her weight forward . towards safety , towards magic , towards her knight . her heart pounded mercilessly in her temples , the only song that sang louder than her pulse the cacophony of guttural clicking sounding from the bellies of the beasts that now chased her ; a deadly game of cat an mouse .

— THE SOFT GLOW , EMANATING from alabaster branches & illuminating the shadowy hollow in which it was rooted , reflected in chromatic irises . hunt's skin began to prickle . leery , no thing so beautiful , almost celestial in its existence within this tartarus , could exist without suspicion . the drop's edge crumbled at the touch of his steel-toed boot , & falling pebbles echoed into the deep basin's mouth . " arcane . " the word was consumed by gravel , hunt's voice held in the back of his throat & rolling against a thick adam's apple .

years of honing his instincts — having them ruthlessly beaten in to him — culminated , pinching at his spine & stringing through the tense muscles concealed under metal-plated armor . his gaze traced through the tree's enchanted arms . poured over the sussur blooms . skimmed darkened corners , a mile beneath his perch . " we are — " leaving . the paladin's command was cut short .

from the corner of his peripheral , the remaining mist of a shimmering , azure plume curled like a cruel smile , smoking in the empty space where valdis had just stood . his pupils shrunk to the fine points of a dart & gut tightened . dread & urgency pitched him forward until the monolith of a man was practically hanging over the cliff's edge , desperately search for any glimpse of his runaway princess . instinctively , broad gauntlets found the shaft of his weapon , clutching it tightly — a small comfort . then , finally , as hunt's shoulders began to shake & knuckles paled , she appeared to him , staring back with an empty look of satisfaction before turning in favor of the enchanted wood.

hunt did not allow himself the short moment of relief . instead , he pushed through their party & towards the downward , spiraling bridge of fossilized stone , cursing the bullheaded woman in a thousand ways beneath his breath . nostrils flaring , vision red , he almost missed the sudden shift — a distinct drop in temperature , the dank moisture which clung to the air growing chill , & a shrill whistle ricocheting off of the cavern's walls . the harrowing sound was amplified by the round hollow where the sussur tree lived , surely echoing on for miles . it was a sound of profound dread . a call of death . without hesitation , the knight's weapon was unsheathed from its fastenings on his back . sharp ears perked , & dark , murderous eyes roamed . yards away , nestled atop one of the towering tree's many blooming branches , a monster sat . a hooked horror . vulture-like in stature , its distorted skeleton almost looked to be worn atop its wrinkled , leathery skin . it stood on two taloned feet , with razor-sharp hooks where hands should have been . scythes of thick bone , come to pluck out their hearts & scoop their innards.

hunt's blood ran cold . quickly , creeping from the shadows , he counted four . they descended upon the tree . . . their shadows melting over valdis's . his heart stopped beating entirely . she was too far . he wouldn't reach her in time . the man knew of these creatures , & fear coursed through him — not for himself , though , but for her . " PRINCESS ! " the bellow of desperation was lost within a symphonatic clang of screams , the horrors' grating calls consuming all sound . wind , too , sang mockingly in his ear as he raced down the cliff's edge as fast as long , armored legs would carry him . gracelessly , the drow stumbled , struggling to balance his gaze between the perilous path & his princess . an unfamiliar anguish clung to gritted fangs . " VALDIS , RUN !! "

[ardentscul]

featuring dimia spindle       set at a river not far from king rowan's palace

— THE WATER GURGLING IN THE STREAM was the only sound landing upon ingrid's ears save for the high-pitched ringing and the thrumming of her blood as she scooped and sipped from cupped palms . desperate , eager gulps ; river water dribbling down her chin , mist burning her eyes , lungs quivering as she gave no room for breath between swallows . the taste of stale wine was singed upon her tongue , the bite of the chalice still sharp , so much so it felt like it were embedding its sting into her gums and teeth . never had her father used it on her before , never had she had to force bile up her throat to give the illusion of being indisposed by his velvet card's will . an inquest brought upon by a suspicion of oddity on behalf of the king ( who was less than enticed by the idea of wedding his son to her ) . they could have just pulled up her sleeves , stripped her of her skirts , and easily they would have known . her father , ever wise , opted for a narrative he could control . a power he could wield ; a reminder to both her , and the king , the authority he held .

ingrid coughed , palms dropping to the lip of the bank as she hunched her spine and screwed shut her eyes . then , a gasp for air , greedy lungs expanding and pressing upon corset-confined rips . it was less so the physical ailments of her torment that plagued her , given the magic that surged through ink-stained veins , but more so the emotional effects . coupled with the rejection she was still grappling , the visions of the spindle girl that waltzed in her mind , clouds of raven black and scarlet red that had fogged her vision ; ingrid wished now — more than ever — physical pain lasted . it'd be easier to focus on a broken limb than it was a broken spirit .

sitting back on her knees , skirts dirtied from the damp , rich soil and babbling river water. ingrid dragged the back of her hand across her lips , swelled and puckered , before tearing a strip of fabric of her lavender hem to remove the running paint from her face . grey freckles and sunken eyes were met by the caress of a determined moon beam that pushed through the thick hung fog , and ingrid reached up to yank the pin out of her hair , a spool of pale yellow thread unspooling from her scalp to run down her back . she sighed in relief , still gasping for air like a fish that had abandoned its watery abode , though the breaths had gradually began to slow .

until they sharpened upon hearing the snap of a twig behind her . stiffening , a fawn in the foliage , ingrid yanked down the hems of sleeves that had crept up to her elbows , whipping her head around to see who had approached her . if they were friend or foe — even though ingrid were an unspoken enemy to all .

to see dimia spindle , standing there , that ever illustrious rouge on her paper white face , swirled atop the apples of high placed cheekbones — it gave her heart pause . bitterness filled her mouth like acid , and not from the chalice's might but her own , fisting the rag she had cleansed her face with as she tightened the hinge of her jaw ; the joint seeming to squeak as if it were rusted and unoiled .

" miss spindle , " she greeted , coldly , turning away once more as she leaned forward to press the fabric into the stream , allowing the frosty nip of its water to temporarily hold her focus as it seeped into the stained , powder purple cotton . a curtain of blonde swung over her shoulder , veiling her face as she tucked her chin to her sternum , keeping eyes and lips out of sight .

" you're quite far from the festivities . " then , tacking on with little grace or politeness. a judgement , a cruel jab ; " — and that man you were dancing with . "

@seraphilim

[ardentscul]

— THE AIR OF THE UNDERDARK FELT THICK ; tangible , as if valdis could reach out her hand and weave it between her fingers . its temperature shifted , but not by the means of nature's will ; but hunt's . his breath was sticky , clinging to her skin , making a fire as hot as the nine hells burn in her stomach and flare in her porcelain cheeks . embers flickered at her finger tips , small sparks that crackled and begged to burst . . . willing them down , valdis's breath came as a hum , buzzing in her throat like a swarm of insects . the pressure of his thumb made her tilt her head to the opposing side , hearing the whimpering of vessels beneath his touch all too eager to break — wishing to bruise . valdis swallowed , half tempted to humor the comment with a response. . . however , hunt's following words smothered her unspoken ones .

her gaze cut sharply to the drow's face upon the intrusive inquiry that made the flutter of her pulse grow hard and steady ; a war drum in which her jaw ticked in rhythm . tongue suddenly forked , valids returned the distance between them upon the removal of his hold , pinching her lids as she narrowed them into slits . the flames stretching from her fingertips moved to her throat , her own touch grazing the calling card left by the spawn . blue and moss found the vampire once more , only to notice his attentions had instead been stolen by her drow . when hunt spoke again , his jeering sticky sweet with mockery , the princess clamped her fingers around her neck , digging nails into her flesh with the temptation to tear it from bone and muscle herself . then , pushing an almost lethal smile upon her lips ; " envy does not become you , my knight . "

upon his following words , however , valdis began to feel a suffocating impatience begin to fester behind her lips — a stubborn child who had been caught without a rebuttal . waving him off , she took enough steps to cross behind him — steering towards the descending bridge of stone and winding branches that lead toward the peculiar foliage . valdis flourished her hands at her sides , muttering " et alibi " beneath her breath , before a swell of pale blue magic blooming from her palms pulsed around her and then swallowed her whole . valdis momentarily vanished , turned to mist , until she reappeared thirty feet south .

glancing up and over her shoulder at the group still upon the cliffside , valdis made it a point to find hunt's distant gaze , almost in challenge . the blonde then turned her gaze back to the tree that broke through shadow and stone to stretch its aura-infused branches up towards the where the surface now lie above them . knotting her brows , valdis tilted her head at the tree ; " how odd , " she murmured beneath her breath .

— TWO EYES , BLOOD & IVORY , watched the woman with an intensity that bordered on obsessive ; unwilling , almost , to blink in its devoted fixation . by this , point he had the soft curves & sharp edges of her delicate silhouette etched into the deep crevices of his mind , memorized . her shadow haunted the underside of lids whenever he dared close them . it was the man's duty to watch , after all . he was enslaved under the crown , prisoner to its princess . in more ways than the one .

hunt's lips pressed together , the tips ever so slightly curling downward when her gaze barely brushed his . those motley eyes cast on the dampened mud , the false-sky . . . even the other members of their merry band were gifted the grace of her full attention . but , it was when valdis rolled that beautiful head back toward their followers , did hunt catch a glimpse of perfectly paired punctures decorating her neck . they glistened like red rubies atop marble skin , and his thumb could not help but roll over the adornments . then , without thought , the paladin pressed down . as if hoping to leave a matching bruise of his own .

" a task that comes easy to you , it seems . playing . " lowering his tone to a hushed growl , he leaned in . the veins in his neck quivered from the tension of a tightened jaw , teeth bared & lips curled . misting breath brushed over the angles of her pointed ear , hot as the fire burning his blood . " when you play with the spawn , princess , does he ever feed your needs . . . or simply upon you ? " eyes glossing over , hunt pulled his possessive hold on her away , instead , placing that same twitching palm comfortably atop the hilt of his sword — lest he give in to that nagging voice and snap her neck .

every instinct , every muscle , urged him to turn back . to feast upon her as the vampire had — claim her as his . to pluck those pesky fangs out of the spawn's mouth & pierce them through his pupils . to make astarion wear the same shade of scarlet he stole from valdis under the safeguard of night .

lost in gruesome visions of dark desire , hunt hardly noticed the faint glow that bounced off of wet jags of stone that hung from the underdark's ceiling . it was not until he crested the top of the hill did his steady stride come to an abrupt halt . at the bottom of the cliff atop which he stood , a celestial light emanated from within the deep basin below . it was like the moon had been scooped from the sky to be placed within this wretched underworld — hidden in a deep hole , and embedded into the wooden marrow of a gnarled , giant tree line with blooming pale blossoms & paper white leaves.

" what a lovely place to make camp , " he began , his tone taking on a more mocking purr . " so the princess may play with her pet . "

[ardentscul]

A FLICKER OF CONFUSION molded the contours of ingrid's face as dimia drew back , mourning the sudden loss of the other's perfume and warmth , unintentionally tightening the grasp she now held on the other's skirt-encased thigh . lips parted to make room for the breath she drew in , feeling its chill against her teeth , head tilting to the side as oceanic pools tried desperately to read dimia's expression ; to make sense of why she had drawn back. had the game proven itself too much ?? the idea tickled her , though only for a moment , as bewilderment made quick strides to replace the humor she found in the other's fluster .

ingrid didn't have to ponder on dimia's momentary departure for much longer , the scarlet-clad woman leaning back in and etching hieroglyphics along the exposed terrain of milk-toned skin. a soft hum of contemplation , attempting to disguise the foreign heat beginning to coil in her abdomen ; " you're the one who came up with the game , you decide how we play. . . " ingrid teased , her words slippery on the tip of a faulting tongue , one that got caught in the side of her cheek as a shuddered breath worked its way past her parted lips once the woman's investigative nail had hooked into the hem of her bodice .

" a new game , " ingrid exclaimed . it wasn't as much an answer as it was an observation , her mind bewitched and clouded with a tangible fog . she worked enough oxygen into her lungs to fuel the remainder of her response , having needed a moment to find words , before she was tasting the wine on dimia's breath — tasting dimia's lips . eyes snapped open , light brows knotting , the hand atop the other's lap tensing as the knobs of her spine creaked from the tension that had now been placed upon them .

the hesitation only bled through for a moment , the ice that had blanketed her melting away as ingrid impulsively leaned forward to meet the other's embrace . fire flared in her chest , nails embedding themselves in muscle , spine arching where dimia's fingers knotted themselves in the cords of her corset . ruby flared in her cheeks , so deep it matched the other's house color , canines raking along dimia's lower lip as if the petal were a plush fruit she could bite into .

but dimia was then drawing back , leaving ingrid starved , lashes lifting from her cheeks — having fluttered shut without her even noticing . the scandal made her pulse soar , adrenaline thrumming through veins ; " g-game , " ingrid stammered , voice lost to her staggered breath , stomach in knots as she flexed the fingers that had sank like talons into the other's skirts . " game. . . game , right — uh , trees , i don't know. . . " to make an adair at a loss for words was a lost art , one the other seemed to have mastered in a mere hour . blinking like a doe struck by the mist itself , ingrid parted her swelled lips , before pressing them back together .

suddenly burdened by shyness , she tore her eyes away . she swallowed , tasting the honey of dimia's tongue atop her own ; " what does this. . . this new game entail ?? " more wine , she hoped .

— DIMIA HAD NOT EXPECTED her stomach to flutter the way it did at the mere sound of her name dripping from the soft , delicate curve of ingrid’s lip , nor the way her heart beat as their chests brushed over one another tauntingly — a whisper from embracing . her notions had been anything but serious , a mere jest to play into their game , but now , her name floating through the breeze off the steam of ingrid’s delicious breath , she could hardly bring herself to pull away . her lips remained barely parted and tickling the round apples of a reddened cheek . something in her itched to move , though not to pull away but to explore the expanse of smooth , unknown skin . cheek , temple , jaw , neck . to see if her lips were as soft as they looked and sweet as they sounded .

the wine in her stomach sloshed when she pulled back suddenly . her chest was heaving , practically gasping despite hardly moving at all — still comfortably seated atop the plush carpet of green . as her hands found their way between the thin blades of grass , steadying herself as her mind spun ( the wine gradually becoming heavier in her stomach and head , among other things ), ingrid’s led their’s to the wrinkles of a scarlet skirt . dimia could feel the imprint of the woman’s fingers atop her thigh , and she wondered how the tender squeeze would feel without those pesky layers of satin and gossamer which separated skin from skin . if the adair was to simply dip her hands beneath the many layers of fluff and . . .

dimia’s body shuddered , her bottom lip finding its way between two rows of perfect teeth .

“ not very , “ she admitted after a time , breath struggling to find its way back into her tight lungs .

teeth were replaced by a tongue as it swiped over her bottom lip . the youngest spindle had been taught better than this . poise , elegance , expectation . but now , nestled beneath the shade of a tree , perched atop her knees with another noblewoman’s waist wrapped comfortably around her slender arms , dimia was sure they made quite the sight . what a scandal they’d create should unwelcome eyes search them out — an idea that only spurred her more .

“ but it doesn’t seem as though i have to . “

dimia hesitated , a wave of nausea rolling over her before leaning in , letting ingrid’s scent intoxicate her . anxiety mixed with anticipation as one of the woman’s arms unwound from the others waist , drawing up her arm and over her shoulder . a teasing nail traced over her clavicle , up her neck , back down to the center of her chest , right above the swell of rising and falling breasts . “ unless that’s part of the game we’re playing . truth , dare , tag . “ she dug the sharp point of her nail into the center of the woman’s chest . “ is that it ? are you going to run away now ? or shall we play a new game , instead . i’ve played it a few times before with the ash boy . . . and since you claim to be a boy , too , you should pick it up with ease . “

no sooner had the last syllable leapt from her tongue did dimia draw close , her stomach cramping and mind dizzy from fighting the better judgment that screamed behind the veil of drunkenness and lust . her face was millimeters from ingrid’s , and finger dragging further down her chest , toying at the lace decorating her bust . then , after some pause , dimia’s lips ghosted over the other’s — teasing them both . her tongue darted out , swiping over ingrid’s bottom lip , pushing past them and forcing the petals to part before fully pressing her own harder into her . their kiss deepened , greedy for more as her tongue raked over ingrid’s lips and teeth before tangling with her own . the nails of her other hand dug into the laces of the blonde’s dress , digging beneath them . tangling in them .

when she finally broke away , she was practically gasping for air . her cheeks were as red as her skirts , and lips swollen from want .

“ so , pretty boy , which game would you prefer ? “

[ardentscul]

— WHEN THE RAVEN HAIRED WOMAN followed up ingrid's comment on the rules , a glint of mirth shone in her eyes . then ; theatrics. . . naturally . " you ?? not following the rules ?? " ingrid gasped , bringing the hand not entwined with the earth to her chest , grasping at her bust as she feigned the most horrific expression. " by the trees , i don't believe it. . . !! and i thought disobedience was a trait reserved for the adair family . for shame , dimia spindle , for SHAME . . . " her name tasted rich on her tongue , thick like sticky syrup , and ingrid rolled the appendage along the backs of her teeth as if she could imprint the flavor there . savor it . her grin widened , expression growing near wild with amusement , though that dagger was once more twisted when dimia began answering her question , the other's coy speech making her own melodramatics pale in comparison .

" when it's your turn , you're more than welcome to ask me the same , " ingrid sing-songed , leaning into the hand on the grass , feeling the soft earth molding to the shapes of her fingers the further she pressed into it . dimia , like a reflective image , moved closer almost simultaneously — making the sweet scented air bristling past suddenly infest her lungs . in a deep gulp of breath through flaring nostrils , a bull spotting a red flag ( though in this situation , the red was a specific shade of scarlet ) , lungs filled to their capacity . the organs pressed against her ribs , puffing them out , breasts lifting almost to her chin with how expanded her torso suddenly felt . dimia's scent was thick on the air on , clouding ingrid's senses . nails became embedded in the soil , the earth no doubt crawling beneath painted nails , and the teeth that had been rolling along her lip clamped down — puckering the flesh around them .

space became a concept as opposed to a reality , dimia closing in like a predator who had successfully tricked and cornered their unaware prey . ingrid felt the panic bloom , the uncertainty envelop her ribs , but the wine made her flush . yes , the WINE — the wine made her flush . the wine made her skin burn amber hot , flames licking the underside of her skin . " dimia , " her name was a sigh , an attempt to interrupt her toying but sounding instead almost as if she were reciting a prayer . spine arched in response to the other's grazing palms , nose twitching as it felt the foreign warmth of someone else's , skin prickling with goose pimples as her heart leapt up into her throat . " you'd chase. . . " ingrid echoed , her own softness foreign , hand so deeply curled into the soil she could feel the strain of the blades roots against her fingers .

reality blurred , the ruby inebriant making her vision speckle , lids fluttering as they suddenly felt weighted by more than just the pitiful swipes of mascara she had attempted to apply earlier . the hand occupied by her skirts moved to dimia's instead , opting to wrinkle blood red instead of lavender , feeling the muscle of her thigh beneath where her touch now laid . a smile twitched on ingrid's lips , face lifting enough to further feel the satin of dimia's petals against her rouged face , shifting then until her mouth found the curve of the other's ear . " i know it isn't my turn to ask. . . " ingrid's voice came again , a lilt on the breeze , swirling like her stomach and warm like her cheeks . a low , sulty purr . almost ; " — how FAST can you run , dimia ?? "

— “ AND YOU DRINK AFTER telling a truth , so it seems neither of us are very good at following the rules . “ , she countered , rolling eyes of burnt charcoal as the other clucked at her . manicured nails found their way into her curls , toying with them mindlessly as she followed the pucker of ingrid’s wet lips , reading the words before hearing them . she could smell them , too . the bitter scent of wine rolling off the blonde’s tongue and perfuming the air . their faces were so close , half a foot apart , she could practically taste it .

she glanced between ingrid’s obedient lips , spilling the contents of her mind , and bright , cerulean eyes . the answer was one she had expected ; still , dimia couldn’t help but be disappointed that there was not more to tell . the daughter of erik spindle , she was bred to be a naturally suspicious creature . and while she believed ingrid’s open honesty , she couldn’t help but wonder what else the woman’s calculating father could be hiding .

ripped from thought , her brows drew together , trying to catch the question before it disappeared on the spring breeze . a scoff echoed in its wake . “ shouldn’t i be asking you that , pretty boy ? “ still , a finger came to her chin , tapping contemplatively . “ well , i suppose , “ she finally said , turning to face ingrid once more . the faint remains of a rouge still painted the adair woman’s cheeks , sparking embers in charcoal eyes . she slowly closed the gap between them , fiddling fingers leaving her own locks to knot around a piece that framed ingrid’s flushed face . it could round , tightening on the strand , then tugged until their noses brushed . “ if i was a man , i’d do what all men do . simply chase whatever pretty thing is right in front of me . “ her other hand lifted from the ground , winding around ingrid’s waist and caressing the dressing strings that laced her spine . she rubbed her sharp nose over the other woman’s round one , gliding their faces closer as she brushed pink lips over a burning cheek . “ and chase and chase until she had no choice but to fall into my arms . “

[ardentscul]

— THE SPUR OF HER HEART WAS UNEXPECTED , the other's touch falling between welcomed and unwelcomed , a territory of waters ingrid spent little time wading in . touch — intimacy — was a threat to exposure ; a paper cut enough to call to her her magic , send ink through her veins to any wound just in time to stitch it up before it so much as beaded scarlet . her breath hitched , a hot flush crawling up her neck , the ear her cooled touch grazed beginning to ring. . . ingrid was already preparing her tongue to blame it on the wine , a sheepish laugh leaving her lips . she offered no apology for her greed , nor an explanation , moving her hands to her lap as she fiddled with a torn thread that spiraled from one of the tampered seems of her skirts . always fiddling , never still . . . dimia worsened that tick of hers , the woman's gentle and lingering touches making her stir .

curiosity was peaked at the woman's answer , her brows furrowed and concentrated . whilst she wasn't bright by the means of literature or science , ingrid learned enough from her brothers ( all twelve of them ) to know how to read people . learned enough from her father to understand fine print . the emphasis on another person , the drawl between spoken thought , the words she murmured against the carafe's rim. . . ingrid's head tilted , canines nipping at the corner of her lip in contemplation , before humming a satisfaction at her response , mildly satisfied . " you said this game was about telling the truth. half truths don't count , " she said pointedly , cobalts twinkling like two reflective pools — the matter-of-fact tone followed be a condescending clicking of her tongue.

then , a deep sigh , a hand falling to the patch of grass between them , twisting the blades between manicured fingers . " everyone knows what card my family has , " ingrid replied with a wrinkled nose . " a chalice . my father boasts we have another , and if we do , i know little of it . "

gaze flickered back up , blurring slightly from her growing intoxication , new and old wine dancing a waltz in her gut . a playful question was landed upon , steering away from societies politics ; " if you were a man , who in blunder would you court ?? "

— INGRID WAS DOWNING THE the dry wine before dimia could stop her . a scowl carved into her pale , practiced features , lips twisting as the precious liquid disappeared down the woman’s elongated throat & dribbled over her chin . “ you’re playing wrong ! greedy . “

another bark perched on her tongue , chastising the woman for the small mistake , but she let the petty comment fall back down her throat — allowing ingrid’s voice to take up the thin space they shared . as she spoke , dimia’s eyes followed the long trail of yellow that spilled over a lavender shoulder , shielding her round face . lifting one palm off the ground , she extended her pointer to brush the thick lock away , tucking it neatly behind ingrid’s ear . her touch lingered there for a moment — in the soft pool of golden thread , an inch from the rosy rounds of warm cheeks . however , as the question filled the air , dimia’s hand fell away ; instinctively , slender digits feathered over her breast , where her own providence card was concealed . though , technically , it was not hers . the card was a bartering chip . her dowry . it belonged to her future betrothed , and she was simply its keeper until that time came . should she live long enough to see that day .

“ i’ve never , “ she began , her voice running a pace faster than normal . carefully , though , she paused , picking around the best way to answer without revealing too much . providence cards were most powerful when they were in secret , so she had learned from her father . the adair had no reason to know that an iron gate was within arms reach , unless it was to pass the knowledge off to one of her eligible brothers . “ i’ve never used a providence card on another person . i’ve hardly seen many in person . “ then , her hold wrapped around the pitcher’s stem . lifting it to her lips , she murmured over the rim , “ a half-truth . “ dimia took a long drink . the wine was bitter and earthy , hitting her taste buds with a pang . still , she obediently swallowed ( much more polite in execution than the other ) before carefully setting it back between them .

“ what providence cards does YOUR family have ? “

[ardentscul]

— INGRID FELT AS IF she had just taken a poison slicked dagger and stuck it in her gut , feeling its blade as it pierced through organs , twisting the hilt to entangle her intestines like spun noodles ( an act she had tried upon learning of her magic , a feeling she knew well ) . regret seeped into her cheeks , staining them , and she scooped up the flagon with ungraceful hands and took a greed-struck helping . so much so that a dribble spilt over pursed lips , cascading down the curve of her chin , lacking all the grace and well-rehearsed manners of the woman beside her . coming up for air , the adair gasped , catching the ruby bead with her thumb before pushing it back up its path and atop her tongue . lips wrapped around the pad , sucking for a moment , before withdrawing it to gift a sound of amusement - a laugh , this time , though it was curt and short .

" odd is a word for it , though my father prefers diabolical . embarrassment . disloyal . " a wave of her hand , a roll of her eyes . ingrid's head bowed , a canopy of gold swooping from behind her ear to hang like a sheer curtain in front of her face , shielding dimia's watchful eyes from the flicker of unease that she knew to be present in the wrinkles of her face .

lifting her gaze , her meager mask resembled , nothing picturesque , but close enough where she hoped her discomfort of talking about herself wasn't detectable - she met dimia's eyes . they were closer now , two mirrored pools of charred ash , gleaming expectantly . ingrid sipped on the shared air between them , twisting her lips in contemplation , before leaning in just a smidgen herself ; a simple question , but effective . . . one that would tell ingrid ALL she needed to know about someone .

" . . . have you ever used a providence card on someone ?? "

— A LAUGH OF SURPRISE caught in her throat when ingrid impatiently took a swig of wine , its dark , glossy rouge coating her lips deliciously . dimia’s eyes scrunched , dragging away from the woman’s cat-curled lips to her sparkling gaze , the spindle’s expression unreadable under the mixed mask of mischief , curiosity , and criticism — which only deepened with every word that passed the blonde’s wine-stained lips .

“ so , “ it was more of a hum than a word . “ you aren’t a rebel , you’re merely a daughter scorned . “ dimia noted , her head tilting to the side , perfect ringlets of midnight pooling in the crook of her neck . with the watchful , black-eyed gaze of a bird , she searched the woman’s delicate face & small mountain of words for some mistruth . for any tell that could give dimia reason to demand she dive back into the flagon for another swig . finally , though , she replied , “ such an odd creature . “

dimia did not expand . it should have been clear , she thought . after all , despite the earnest conviction held within each word ingrid had spoken , she could not find any reason great enough to so openly scorn her life . . . and the luxuries that came with it . it made dimia’s skin prickle to think that she may one day have to curtsy to a queen unfit & unwilling to sit the throne . she ( or , more likely , nya ) would wear the crown with far more grace . alas , their father had severed his tie to the king upon stepping down as captain to the destrier’s , snapping the twins’ chances in two .

“ well ? “ her palms pressed down into the grassy floor , leaning closer . her chest hovered above the pitcher , breaching the invisible wall of separation that lay between them . “ aren’t you going to ask me something ? or shall i continue digging ? “

[ardentscul]

— AT THE NOBLE WOMAN'S THEATRICS , ingrid trilled her lips , cerulean eyes rolling before casting a cruel glare down to the pinching heels in her own grasp . the winding hedges made the quest to find a nest of seclusion a challenge , blindly following the other's lead , a furrow to her brow . once they happened upon a glade , a curious glance flashed in the other's direction though she was only met with the back of her head , raven coils spooling down dimia's spine in extravagant , rich ribbons . teeth nipped at her lower lip , amusement in her gaze as the other dropped to the earth , smile blooming as manicured brows lifted in observation of the other removing the aforementioned heels she'd just promised to rot in a dungeon for .

with wicked intrigue , ingrid sauntered over to where dimia sat and dropped her weight down to the bed of grass beside the puddle of scarlet , greedy hands scooping up the pitcher to take an improper swig from its outward turned lip . setting it back down , just in time for dimia's feather-tipped fingers to go searching for its rim , ingrid dragged the back of her hand across her ruby-stained petals . " a game. . . " she echoed . oh , how she loved games .

though when the rules of the game came to fruition , she hesitated , dragging the tip of her juice-soaked tongue along the back of her teeth . it sounded much like the game her father did for a living , wielding the power of forced truths , though she knew for certain there was no card in play here . . . so , as long as she somehow , miraculously , mastered her incapability of shielding her expressions ; she should be fine should any inquiry require a fib .

the question made her laugh , a sound that existed somewhere between a hiccup and a snort , fingers beginning to rip unceremoniously at her pinned bun until the braid unwound from the bun it had been fastened in . fingers combed through the strands , freeing them from their entrapment , a sigh of contemplation sounding as she drew her inner cheek between teeth . " i don't consider it rebellion , " she fessed after a moment's thought , lifting her nails to rake against her scalp , lids fluttering at the relief of the strain that had been plaguing her tender head.

" i am the middle child amongst thirteen , and much to your disbelief , i am my father's only daughter . i wish my life to be of more value than that of a bartering chip for my father's place in the king's regard . i've got twelve brothers , six elder than myself , all capable of wedding. . . it makes little sense to me what power would come with my betrothal that my father does not already wield . besides , i find the prince to be a rather insufferable man . i'd rather be lost to the mist than became an accessory for his arm . "

( that and he would no doubt discover her infection and have her executed , though in comparison to being his bride , that seemed like a mercy . )

continued from HERE. ( @ardentscul )

— DIMIA WONDERED HOW IT looked : she , with an untouched pitcher of rich wine cradled in her arms , sauntering side-by-side with the black sheep of ladyship . the adair girl’s outlandish free will had been a circulating topic of gossip for some years — particularly from the serpentine tongue of dimia’s own prude of a mother — and yet , the golden locked girl continued to feed the chittering old birds .

shoeless in the gardens , traipsing by the tall hedges of the lavish labyrinth , the spindle ( a fine example of the proper poise & etiquette expected of women of their ranking ) crinkled her nose at ingrid and turned away . “ you will not , “ she argued . “ just because you’re incapable does not mean you can damn the rest of us . if you want to skip through the streets barefoot like a pauper , be my guest . but i’ll rot in the dungeons by decree of that stupid law before joining your majesty . “

dimia , once again in the lead , despite being dragged a large distance by the other , weaved through the garden walls with a false sense of purpose . though confidence was weighted in each step , the maiden had no idea to where it was she was headed . eventually , though , after a matter of minutes , now deep within the hedge maze , she gestured toward a comfortable glade tucked behind a small tree . and , despite her bitter argument , as she nestled into the grass and rested the pitcher atop the ground , she too was removing her shoes and bunching up her skirts .

patting the prickly ground , gesturing for ingrid to join her , dimia’s icy features softened a fraction . “ peace , quiet . . . wine. the perfect mix for a fun little game . nya & i play a good one . “ her pointer circled around the rim of the flagon , eyes fluttering between its dark contents and ingrid’s blue stare . “ we take turns asking questions . you either answer — truthfully — or drink . so humor me : why is it that you rebel ? life has been kinder to you than most ; you could’ve been born a peasant , or plagued by sickness and consumed by the mist. “ momentarily , dimia’s eyes unfocused , her thoughts drawn to her own half-sister . veins of black . eyes that flashed gold . ostracized from spindle house , sequestered to dark solitude . “ instead , you run around in expensive dresses , moaning about the horrors of a well-off life . “

[ardentscul]

— A DAMPNESS CLUNG to the air of the underdark , one that seeped beneath her armor and infested her skin , each inhale feeling wet as her lungs seemed to grow slick with condensation. elven eyes possessed a slight glow , like a moon veiled by rolling clouds , to better her sight in the dankness of their surroundings ; gaze unblinking as she scanned the terrain , fingers splayed and flexing at her sides.

it was a fighting effort to keep her focus on the venture at hand and not on the drow beside her , an invisible thread tethering her to her knight , heightened senses well attuned to every twitch of his lips and click of his teeth as he guided their party lower , and lower , and lower.

when hunt's speech came , an almost drunken slur to syllables that now seemed to sit more round in his mouth , valdis didn't flicker a glance in his direction — instead , allowing a feather of a smile to grace her lips. " a common occurrence , it seems. . . monsters wishing to devour me , " a coy playfulness to her words , a purposeful step closer to him . hunt's possessive touch coming to cup her neck made her spine elongate , eyes only now breeching her peripheral to cast him a sideways glance , a quirk lifting one of her brows .

" as you wish , " an obedient coo , though a taunt was interwoven in her speech , the princess paying little acknowledgement for the severity their situation required . then , casting a backwards glance over her shoulder to the other members of their party , specifically the fanged man who's scarlet stare bore where her knight touched her , valids lowered her voice — a purr on the unmoving air between them . " — i vow to play nice if you will . "

with valdis ,

set in the underdark .

— THE ECHO OF DARKNESS was endless , yet , within its malignant void , hunt found an odd comfort . after all , the underdark was a place he had once called home . he still did , in a sense , despite being stripped from its lightless cavern in the early days of adolescence — sold to the surface and indentured under a ruler he had no love for ; and now , as the nostalgia washed over him in the form of dank moisture in the air , ominous howling in the distance , and the prickling sense that unknown horrors lurked in the dark , the drow could not help but smile . a toothy smile , flashing every pointed teeth in his cruel maw . the only expression of unadulterated , joyous pleasure he had shown since the nautaloid crash .

“ careful , princess , “ he purred , a noticeable change to his usually strict ( and arguably demeaning ) tone . “ a single misstep here , and not even i can save you . the underdark is unforgiving , so stay close — a little , bright-eyed thing . . . the monsters will eat you alive . “ the last string of words were dragged purposefully through bared teeth , a dark glint reflecting in deep red eyes . after all , it was but the night before that hunt had indulged upon a feast of his own . laid claim to his owner’s pretty mutt ; stolen , too , from the spawn whom he now eyed with calculated disdain .

the metal joints of his gauntlet wrapped around the back of valdis’s neck , cupping the tip of her spine possessively . protectively . a commanding hold that yielded to nothing but his sole will and wants . “ you will behave , or you will die . and what a shame that would be . “

@ardentscul

[ardentscul]

— SCOWLING AT HER OWN CLUMSINESS , ingrid bunched her skirts with her now free hands and hoisted them up just enough to narrow her eyes directly at the toes of the shoes that pinched her heels and burned her soles . stupid , uncomfortable , encumbersome heels . she need not mention her reason for a quick exit had all to do with no doubt the attention she had drawn with her actions , lest her father was occupied groveling at king rowan's feet , twirling his velvet card between calloused fingers .

" it's these bloody shoes !! " ingrid whined , face crumbled in irritance . dimia's voice was then as lost as those in the mist , a far echo in ingrid's ears , as she further ailed her reputation by kicking off the damned things . royal purple went skidding across the floor , and in one swift motion , ingrid was scooping them off the ground and racing forth on bare feet ; feeling rowan directly beneath her .

precisely where it should be .

" shut it , spindle , " ingrid huffed , surname hissed as if it were a slur , finally catching up to the scarlet-swaddled woman . the straps of her shoes were fisted in one hand as she clutched the front of her dress with the other . dwarfed now by her lack of shoe , ingrid lifted her chin to gaze at the other's profile , a relieved and lopsided smile now ornamenting her features ; the flush returned to her cheeks . " i could never stand these things . i dance with two left feet as it is . by the trees , if i ever do find myself upon the dais - i'll ban them . "

— IT ALL HAPPENED TOO quickly . ingrid's candid dismissal of her blatant mockery . arms interlocked and hips fused , red & purple fabric momentarily sewn together . diving through a sea of busy bodies , swimming upstream toward an unknown destination . dimia , who'd thought herself the leading lady of whatever game they were playing , suddenly felt lost . confused . irritated .

" ingrid-- !! " , was all she could manage . the name hissed between her teeth , but she did little to fight back as the woman dragged them across the way . her tongue curled , ready to snap another disgruntled whine , but ingrid's arm was tugging on hers , the woman's weight readjusting as she took hold of a large pitcher which sloshed with liquid gold . raven eyes sparkled , a look of pleasure finally painting her pinched features .

now intrigued , her steps were much more eager than before . " in quite a hurry , aren't we ? " she matched ingrid's pace , no longer dragging her heels . moving in tandem , she tilted her head a fraction , peering down her nose at the woman . " wherever could you be stealing me away to . . . and with a flagon of wine , at that . you aren't trying to wrap me into your trouble , mi-- " her sing-songy words were cut short as ingrid's misstep shattered their matching rhythm . as the other nursed their twisted ankle , dimia was trying to balance herself from teetering to the floor .

" trees , ingrid ! you'll spill it all ! " , the woman warned , cupping a hand around the pitcher's curve to keep the contents from spilling out . " klutz . you're ruining our fun before it can even begin . " she took the wine from ingrid before the other had a chance to argue , turning on her own heel & continuing out through the gate . a cape of black curls bounced over her shoulders as she called back , " don't take too long remembering how to walk in those heels . i can't promise i won't drink it all without you , my beautiful boy . "

[ardentscul]

— THOUGH SHE KNEW IT TO BE ALL PLAY , the consistent reminder of her situation was stirring nausea in her stomach , and ingrid could feel the color of her cheeks paling the longer the bit went on . her bicep pulsed , the weighted grasp of her father's now distant , commanding fingers still imprinted into lilac-wrapped flesh . blood burned through the conduits of veins it surged through , vision clouding as her gaze furthered itself from the present . it were a miracle the ink hadn't spread to her pupils , or filled the fine lines of her face , and ingrid had to swallow down bile as she folded her arms around herself and tightened her jaw . the hinge squeaked objectively , tongue wagging with an eager need to keep prying and playing , tapping against the back of her top row of clenched teeth impatintly .

a present for the prince she was , indeed .

ingrid , too absorbed in her own ailments , didn't notice the shift in the other's demeanor as her own hand feathered her neckline , half forgetting the physical taunt almost entirely in favor for the wallowing she was doing in her mind . " my brothers will be of little interest to you , " she cut , wielding words with little regard , relieved to have steered the subject away from the prince . . . until the damned topic was refocused , zeroed in on , the word princess enough to make her visibly green as she swallowed .

" nevermind my woes , " the blonde dismissed , words trailing as she final spotted what she had been yearning for moments prior to being caught between twin branches ; skirts and patience and tolerance having been tested whilst sobriety made it a challenge to withdraw without leaving a notable mark ( or a further spoilt taste in her company's mouth than she assumed already lingered there ) . " — i've spotted something far more to my liking than princes or talk of my brothers. "

without thought , she hooked her arm through dimia's , practically yanking the scarlet-clad woman to her side , pushing her weight forward to deepen their involvement in the celebrations instead of clinging to the outskirts like wallflowers . " pardon me !! " she called out to the servant wielding a carafe of ruby-red wine , a poisonously sweet smile on her face . " miss adair. . . miss spindle , " they greeted , perplexity clear in their expression at the sight of the two ( though they attempted to save face by offering a smile ; strained and awkward as it was ) . ingrid didn't exchange any further pleasantries , reaching forward her empty hand to pluck the pitcher from his glinting silver tray , some of the liquid sloshing over the edge and sprinkling the rowan wood floor beneath .

she could feel the daggers of her father's stare already , paying the prickling of her own skin no mind as she offered a half curtsey to the bewilderd servant followed by a chirped " thank you !! " before steering herself and dimia off and through the crowd . her sights were set on the open doors that lead to the garden's outside, but with how desperate her pace was — her ankle rolled , a curse of ' trees ' hissed beneath her breath , followed by a disgruntled ; " damned shoes . "

— THE FAINT GHOST OF a smirk , mischievous in nature , flickered for just a moment before her face returned to its statuesque serenity . " oh ? well , i shall leave the mystery of your . . . proclivities for the prince to unravel . who am i to spoil his highness's present before he's a chance to play with it . " , dimia mused . her comment was hushed , though . despite the devilish bite that clung to the sharp edge of her canines , the spindle had no strong feelings toward the throne — nor the inclination to find an enemy in it . such conversation , however , could be particularly scandalous if heard by unwelcome ears to then be spread by the poisonous gossips at court .

" and while the prince toys with you . . . i'll play my hand at the fools . you do make them sound quite lovely — your brothers . besides , i like my men foolish ; it's how all men should be . they are sooo much easier that way . " onyx eyes pulled away from ingrid and wandered the nearby crowd , lingering on the stray silhouettes of purple thread & golden locks . " you will introduce me to one of the infamous adair boys , won't you ? a real boy , not a pretend one . pretty as the pretender is , i've been tasked to find a husband . not a playmate . "

as the silky words spiraled off her lips , dimia's breath hitched ever so slightly . instinctively , she pulled back at the sudden intrusion of ingrid's teasing touch . the spoiled girl that she was , dimia loved to take but not to give . her hand suddenly itched to dig the card out of her bustier — where ingrid's own fingers traced dangerously close — and triple-tap its magic into her veins . to wash away the cold with its gift of serenity . a bartering chip for a future suitor had become the woman's own undoing . a vice she valued over her own self .

" this is blunder , dear ingrid . all things come with a price . marriage . magic . the only difference being that some are easier to pay than others . what price comes with a crown ? perhaps i am the fool , for i can't think of one . care to share your royal woes , pretty princess ? "

[ardentscul]

— A CURT HUM sounded behind pursed lips as dimia's words curled like a serpent around ingrid's quickly warming throat , forcing the scarlet hue that bloomed there to invade the rounds of her cheeks as she fell victim to her own fatal flaw . far more flustered by the spindle girl's words than ingrid had anticipated , throat buzzing with an itch to reply , the golden-haired maiden offered an unpolished laugh . " yes , i am wildly simple , miss spindle . unbelievably so . though in truth , i must warn you , that whilst i am plenty easy to amuse . . . " ceruleans fluttered back to meet charcoal , an almost challenging sheen illuminating cobalt pools as a smile teeming on wicked dared tug at her lips ; " — i am much harder to please . "

stepping closer , almost daringly so , ingrid lifted her chin and attempted to add a few inches to her otherwise plain and average height . she took in dimia's dark lashes and manicured brows , her near colorless complexion . she was pretty , that was for certain , but it was the devious glint in her gaze that truly caught the adair girl's attention . " is that all us boys are to you ?? mere play things ?? " her words then drew themselves out , a spool of thread unwinding , as if she were savoring each syllable , eyes twinkling ; " — i'll have you know that i am not nearly anything like my brothers . i'd never handle a woman's heart so foolishly . "

it was her turn to poke and prod now , an invasive finger feathering the neckline of the other's dress , not failing to notice the way dimia's breasts swelled over the hem with each breath — nor the way her jewelry rose and fell with milkmaid skin on the filling and emptying of lungs , either . an apple red flush brightened in ingrid's features at dimia's taunt , and she scowled at the moniker , wrinkling her freckle-dusted nose even further once dimia continued her mockery . the wine in her stomach turned , almost curdling , and she winced as if the poke to her nose had been made by that of a swords tip as opposed to the pad of a strikingly cold finger .

i could toss myself off a spire , but i'd remain just as i am . . . ingrid's inner thoughts lamented , making her outwardly frown . ivory fingers moved away from the other's dress and located the hem of her own sleeve , the action instinctive , tugging the fabric down as if the ink in her veins had been called upon and now burnt amber hot . " well , you're welcome to offer yourself up in my place , lest you fear the king's rejection , " ingrid's reply came , shrouded in ice in a way she herself hadn't even anticipated . softening her features , the warmth that had just plagued them melting into her speech , ingrid lowered her voice to a venomous purr ; " a power that comes alongside an association with the rowan name comes with a price . " then , standing straight once more , threading her fingers in front of her to interlock her hands , she shrugged her shoulders , gaze returning to the overly occupied dance floor ; " — as does all things , and i am not particularly interested in paying it . not that i have much choice in the matter . "

— " YOU FIND MY COMPANY 'stimulating' ? and all i had to do was call you a pretty thing . " dimia spoke with a ( almost sinister ) softness compared to her twin . where one strung syllables so quickly not even a breath could sneak its way between words , the other let her voice drip like sticky , sweet , slow honey . " pretty yet simple . my favorite kind of boy to play with . "

dimia's explorative touch continued its feathery trail across the purple , crushed petal skirt . it lingered over wrinkles , lightly smoothed any bunchings . through thick , dark lashes , her even darker eyes followed their own journey in tracing ingrid's soft , plump , girlish features . though , dimia saw through the delicate sheen . a rugged wear was etched into the wrinkles beside her bright blue eyes and the laugh-lines around puckered , downturned lips . the dress was a fine costume , but ingrid was no good at playing the part tied to it — that much was certain .

withdrawing her hands at ingrid's silent , albeit forceful , request , she folded them politely atop the flowing satin of her own skirts — a deep crimson , for spindle house . the blood-like hue was the only color that clung to the woman . her skin was white as snow & hair blacker than night . not even a blush kissed her pale cheeks , nor her unsmiling lips . both surprising , considering the impish verve that vibrated off her tongue with every word that seeped into their shared air .

" i'm what they call a . . . 'hand's on' learner . twas not my intention to offend her majesty . or is it too soon for such formalities ? you sound like you'd rather toss yourself from the highest spire . i , for one , would adore queendom . what's pushing out a few babies in exchange for everything i desire , my every whim , " despite ingrid's warning slap still rose-red upon the back of her hand , dimia reached out and poked the tip of her round nose before quickly hiding her hands behind her back . " at my very fingertips . "

[ardentscul]

— IT WAS LIKE listening to a foreign language , the twins bickering . though , it was a kind of babble accompanied by enough theatrical expressions that would allow one to make out what kind of pleasantries , or lack thereof , were being exchanged without having to understand a lick of their speech . petal lips quirked , corners curling up as a crater dimpled itself upon the crux of her cheek . a liquidated laugh seeped through her nostrils , elongated and drawn ; almost a sigh of amusement . twin speak was a language she was a frequent observer of , two sets of her brothers coming in both a fraternal and paternal pair , yet her kin's prattle wasn't nearly as entertaining as this .

at the compliment , ingrid scooped up the left and right sides of her skirts and dramatically curtseyed , dropping chin to her sternum , though there was no sincerity or sign of respect behind the gesture at all . no , it was all play. all for mocking display . " why THANK YOU , m'lady . . . "

once the other twin had dismissed herself , ingrid's eyes returned to the one who remained ; dimia , she had now learned ( she was always poor at telling the two apart , not that deciphering one from the other mattered much to her until now ) . her gaze was lucid as it aimlessly wandered over the details of her face , her curiosity piqued . there was a different curl to this twin's lips , a curve to her pillows that caught ingrid's attention , lashes fluttering as she took in the contours of the other's expression ; her own attentive , investigative .

" easily , " ingrid mused in reply , head now turning to the other side ; a curious animal sizing up another , determining whether they were friend or foe. " i hold little admiration for the prince , i assure you , you're far more . . . " her tongue clicked against her teeth , searching for the most accurate descriptor ; " - stimulating , in comparison . "

for a woman who was encouraged to be calculated , reputation carved solely by the hands of a controlling father , ingrid's eyes were quite unguarded . she wore her emotions on her face as one wore clothes on skin ; displayed , easy to interpret . it was one of her many flaws , her father would constantly remind her , and ingrid could recally always hearing the desire for a maiden cursed beneath his breath whenever her expression found itself contorted too easily with emotion . ingrid would often find herself expressing a silent relief that her father wielded a chalice and not a maiden , for she knew down to her bones the man would use it on her . . . than bury it twelve feet deep .

as the other's hands invaded her personal space , the woman was pulled from her thoughts and suddenly stiffened . her spine went rigid like hardened stone , a sharp inhale being drawn up through flaring nostrils .

" do you require your hands to see ?? " ingrid chided , a bite to her inquiry , though her feet made no effort to move herself backwards and away from dimia's inspecting fingers . the insults rolled off her back like water down glass , though a chill crept up from her ankles , curling around her knees , surging up into her stomach before blooming in her chest . she shivered , a flush crawling up her neck as she narrowed her eyes .

" the dais is amusement enough as it is without my assistance , " she rebuked , a hard scoff leaving her lips as a hand came up to swat dimia's away , flesh burning where skin met skin . folding her arms , hiding her now burning hand out of view , she huffed . ingrid quickly turned her face towards the swarm of multicolored fabrics that swayed about the hall before mumbling , beneath her breath ; " there's not a providence card in all of blunder that intrigues me enough that i'd willingly find myself in their court just to be in possession of it . "

— WAYWARD THREADS OF PURPLE unspooled around the adair woman , her brothers weaving in & out of the crowd like a fluttering petals of a lilac bouquet ; they were a notorious bunch ( rumors both good & bad ) , most notably for how unattainable the bachelor's made themselves . nya had spent half a summer pining for the attention of one of the middle brothers , though the effort would prove to be fruitless . even dimia , who was much better at playing coy than her other half , had been dismissed by an older adair boy , much to her embarrassment .

ingrid was lucky . the only girl of the litter , the runt in their den of wild mutts , she did not ( despite dimia's crude comment ) look much like a boy at all . in fact , the young woman possessed an unusual yet striking loveliness . granted , the state in which she held herself was in need of some work . . . but dimia was an ever-curious creature . she was drawn to the unusual , and loved a pet-project .

nya's eyes flew open and mouth fell agape , stricken by ingrid's bluntness . dimia , however , had to stifle a laugh — a subtle sparkle in her dark eyes , and slight curve to the tip of her rouged lips . " and what a pretty boy you are . the prettiest i've ever seen , in fact . " she remarked , eliciting a scoff from her sister .

" that's poor taste , don't you think ? to start such a rumor . the king would be mortified ! what a senseless notion to entertain . "

dimia was unfazed by the melodrama that oozed off nya's lips . her sister had always had a touch more . . . spirit . she was quicker to smile , to chatter , to charm — dimia , oftentimes , her shadow rather than sister . " you would know , wouldn't you , nya . you have kissed just about every boy in blunder . "

with cheeks red as apples , nya yanked her arm out of dimia's & shot her twin an acidic look . she dared glance her shrunken gaze back to ingrid , too , before retorting : " only the cute ones . jealous ? " pointing her chin upward , nya fisted her skirts & spun away on her heel , but not before calling one last comment over her shoulder . " this one is all yours . "

her sister melted into the crowd , the deep red of her garments lost within the sea of flowing color . dimia frowned for a moment — stricken with a feeling of emptiness without her other half beside her — but pushed the sensation deep within the pit of her stomach , turning her attention back to the adair girl .

" lucky me , " she sing-songed , voice chipper despite the blankness of her features . " however will i compete with a prince , though ? "

without invitation , dimia stepped closer . curious fingers twirled into the stray blonde locks that framed the woman's face , down the satin sleeve of her fine gown , over the thick fabric of her rumpled , mishandled skirt . a chiding tsk clicked on her tongue . " oh , ingrid . a boy , indeed . you haven't the etiquette of a lady , much less that of a royal . in this state , you'll make a better harlequin than queen — turning the throne's dais into a stage for a grand comedy . "

[ardentscul]

— " MISS ADAIR . . . HOW lovely it is to see you , " the king had praised upon seeing her , a calloused hand scooping her far daintier one before pressing a chapped-lipped kiss upon her rouged knuckles ( still warm from the contact they had made with her brother's shoulder in the garden just moments prior ) . the wine in her stomach soured , pressing up her esophagus , and it took all of the woman's strength to keep the discomfort from meeting her expression ; an effort that proved most futile as she felt her peppered nose wrinkle only for the act to be quickly followed by the disgruntled tug of her skirt from her father beside her .

" likewise - " she pushed the words out , an awkward and uncomfortable laugh betraying her composure . another stern yank of lilac fabric had her clearing her throat , bowing her head as she horrendously curtseyed . " your highness , " she tacked on , thankful her chin was to her sternum as a scowl curled her lips .

the walk away from the dais had been filled with hissed , stern correction from her father , ingrid's expression bored as ceruleans rolled impatiently at his theatrics. " father , please , " she begged , tone slathered in disquietude . his hand moved to her bicep now , tugging roughly on his only daughter's arm to force her to face him , a hardened copper gaze finding marbled blues as he lowered his face to hers .

" you will NOT make a fool of me , or this family , in front of the king , ingrid . " his words were seeped in venom , in threat , and her face momentarily paled as she widened her eyes . pink lips parted to protest , tongue pointed and ready to strike , but she swallowed down her opposition and ripped her stare away - focusing on a far corner of the room . at her silence , he continued ; " you will act like a lady . like the woman i raised you to be . the woman i promised to him . do you understand me ?? "

canines found the flesh of her inner cheek , biting down , lashes fluttering as a blur fogged her vision from her eyes remaining unblinking .

a tighter squeeze. " i said do you understand me ?? "

" yes , father , i understand. " her voice came , quiet though strained from the sheer will it took her to force the compliance out.

upon release , ingrid emptied her lungs in a sigh , eyes beginning to search in desperation for another carafe of wine to help herself to , her flagon long since stolen by her idiot brothers and her thirst for comfort damn near insatiable .

however , she had only made it a steps worth before her path was being intercepted by a familiar set of faces ; two sides of the same coin , walking reflections . their words cut as deep as a papercut , nothing more than a mere skim at an already fleeting pride , jaw clicking as she clamped it tight to flash them a smile . polite , but barely so .

" observant as ever , you spindles , " ingrid mused , though it came out more of a hiss as she refused to part her pearly teeth to speak , words whisked between the clenched rows . her need for fermented fruit seemed to multiply in their presence , given how she visibly winced at the mention of her betrothal . the people of blunder talked , that she knew , but the news had hardly been hours old as she herself had only discovered it that morning - thanks to the loose lips of her kin .

finding one of the twin's gazes , still unbeknownst to her as to which was which ( both pretty , neither notably bright from what she knew of them ) her smile teetered ; splintering almost into painful territory as the apples of her cheeks strained from the forced expression .

" so the secret is out , then , " ingrid brightened , hands coming forward to clasp together in front of her , pressing wrists deep into her layers of skirts as she cocked her head to the side . she confirmed nothing of the betrothal , but instead , ceruleans glinted with mirth , the gleam in her eyes teeming on wild ; " i'm a boy . who shall you pigeons yap to about that first , i wonder. . . ?? certainly not the king or either of the princes lest they be so desperate for an audience they happen to summon you . "

with ingrid adair , set at rowan castle during equinox .

— THE SILK END OF a raven lock tickled dimia's lips , the strand coiled tightly around her fingers and dusting the sharp features of her face . a small comfort . eyes , black as her hair , were trained upon the brittle , yellowing pages of a book , the camaraderie & excitement of equinox carrying on around her . courtiers gossiped whilst the men played at one another's pride , but she could not help but feel somewhat numb to the intoxicating effects of the grand event . after all , nothing compared to sweet , drowning serenity — a vice she had become slave to . not today , though . the iron gate was as much a secret as it had been a gift ; her mother had been strict in her instruction that it stay confined within the walls of their chamber . . . but what mother didn't know would not hurt her .

before her thumb could even brush the delicate curve of her bustier , fingering the velvet edge of the concealed providence card , nya's hands were curling around her sharp shoulders like talons upon prey . dimia jumped , then promptly shot her sister a lethal glare . the two were a mirror image ; identical twins , alike in every way but one .

" there ! do you see her ?! " nya's finger wagged frantically across the gardens .

the crowd was thick , and pulsed with a life of its own . every noble within the mist was in attendance . " . . . who ? "

nya whistled with impatience , her pointed finger still raised . " the girl , of course . the one mother spoke of — rumored to be 'contracting' her way into royalty . look ! THERE ! "

finally , dimia's languid stare matched her sister's . a sparkle of curiosity began to twinkle within onyx irises as a wash of yellow passed over them . she sat up , her book laid beside her — forgotten .

" an adair ? how odd . "

" odd indeed ! just LOOK at her : hair like straw , dress amuck , a graceless gait . ugh , how utterly unfair ! if only father had something of value . i would make a perfect princess . . . or you , of course . " nya clumsily tacked on the last bit , the sincerity of her words lost to the wind . dimia hardly noticed . her attention was entirely captured by golden waves & lilac satin .

her twin's empty chatter continued , threading in one ear & out the other with little response . it was not until a sharp nail dug into her cheek did dimia drag her gaze back to her living reflection .

" we should introduce ourselves . " when nya's eyebrows flew upward , leveling the other with an incredulous look , dimia continued . " in the unlikely event the king is desperate enough to let her take his name , it's better to be a friend that whispers in her ear rather than a stranger that does so behind her back . "

" but i don't want to be her friend , " the other whined .

dimia hooked an arm through her sister's , dragging nya up & across the garden despite her dragging feet . " it's play-pretend , nya . a little fun . "

the closer they drew , the clearer a picture she could paint of the unfamiliar woman . at a glance , she looked as lovely as the other ladies that glided through court . a trained eye , however , would note the unkept strands of hair peeking out of her bun , the subtle wrinkles hiding in her skirt , the scowl hidden behind an otherwise stoic face . arm in arm , dimia pulled them close — til the matching pair were but a step behind her .

" i thought the adair's were all boys . " beautiful & delicate as they were , the twins had never been known for their tactful graces . nya may have had an infamously quick-tongue , but it was dimia who possessed the bluntness of a hammer .

" they are all boys . " nya retorted , her gaze lost in the crowd and attention stolen by something — anything — else .

dimia's head tilted , her brow arched & eyes sparkling peculiarly ( some mix of curiosity & cruelty ) . " is that true ? are you a boy ? how unfortunate for your betro-- rumored betrothed . "

@ardentscul