freliaslance

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If Innes wasn't rejected, then...

Ah. The man ran away. Tana refrains from asking about such cowardice, knowing that it would not sit well with Innes for her to spout such harshness. But to run away from someone who has allowed the requested kiss? What foolhardy nonsense is that?

This time, Tana does cross her arms, brows knitted, lips pulled into a soft frown. Not just about this other man, though; about Innes as well. "Come now, brother, a noble marrying a commoner is not so taboo. I think you are making excuses for yourself to keep from feeling your heartache. I understand it all too well myself."

But she does not know why this man would run away like that. Nerves, perhaps? It does not make sense for him to hate Innes, at least not from where she is standing.

"That is wholly untrue. You are meant to develop them, and they will one day be returned. You needn't turn your heart away from the possibility because of this." And Ephraim. His luck does seem rather sour, but she will not back down. "Heartbreak is not the end. It simply feels that way. Please do not give up. Tell the Gods that they hold no sway over you! That we will fight them if we must."

Moments In Time (and boy talk)

Ethereal Ball 2025, Tanna & Innes

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She relents on her teasing, grateful that she did manage to get that small, albeit exhausted looking, smile out of him. She at least knows when to behave, how to read his mood well enough that she stops teasing before it crosses a line.

As he speaks, she listens intently. His rundown is brief, though since they are at a social event, she does not blame him for keeping it that way. If need be, they can reconvene later and discuss it further. If he wants to, of course, or if he tolerates her pestering (should she do it) enough to give in to her wanting to know.

As he mentions that they lived together, her lips part in a small, inaudible gasp. So this man's bed was the other one in the room, the one she had seen when she'd gone to see Innes because of her nightmare. Is it the mere proximity of each other that drew Innes's attraction to him? Oh goodness, probably not. Tana is the one who gets too close to people when they give her attention; it is her flaw, and one she doesn't think Innes shares.

(She doesn't know, though, another gap in her knowledge about her brother. It is alright, they are working on fixing this.)

"Did he reject you?" she asks, resisting the urge to cross her arms in growing frustration at this man. She will remain calm for Innes's sake. "What reason does he have for his behavior?"

Moments In Time (and boy talk)

Ethereal Ball 2025, Tanna & Innes

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Perhaps Tana didn't know what to expect after the ball. She and Karla had gone their separate ways and, well, that was that. They hadn't promised each other anything, no plans for a future meetup, nothing. In truth, she had hoped that Karla would find her, or not be so difficult to find. Tana had, during that night, told Karla that she'd one day like to pick up where they left off, but that had been a thought, wistfully spoken, unsure if there would be any follow through.

But Tana hasn't seen Karla at all. She's become a ghost withing the monastery, thought of but never seen, remembered but never found. Maybe it's time Tana stop thinking quite so hard about something that happened that, as Karla made clear, shouldn't have. Perhaps it's better than they not see one another again. Tana gets attached too quickly, she's learning this about herself. It is another thing about herself that she must keep tucked away.

Her steps are slow but steady, not meandering, just not wanting to get back to the town where she is staying. Not for a while. (She will be moving into the dorms soon now that repairs have been going so well. A new room to decorate and make her own.)

Yet whatever is keeping them apart falls away when Tana sees Karla up ahead, her steps unsure, her stance wobbly, looking as if she is going to fall over.

"Karla?" Panic washes over Tana, and she rushes forward to try and catch her. Thankfully Karla manages to sit rather than fall, but Tana still reaches out to hold her shoulders, to keep her grounded and steady in case whatever is happening causes her to tip over.

"Karla, what's happening? Look at me, Karla, I've got you."

I’ve Been Praying That I Don’t Leave What I Love Behind

Tana & Karla

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Tana looks up into his eyes as he presses a third finger inside of her, helping to ease her into what's to come. Gods, he's so gentle and sweet, taking care to see that she's malleable for him, curling his fingertips to arouse her further. Her mind is a haze, her cheeks flushed, lips parted as she breathes shallowly.

"I love your hands," she says quietly before a moan escapes her, filling the space between their mouths. There's so much about him she's coming to love outside of his friendship, his teasing, the comfort she feels with him. This is another side to him she gets to see, and it shows how caring and sweet he is in so many aspects.

She thinks she could come with just his hand, perhaps ease him into touching her clit as well, but that's not what they're doing now, so she forces herself to hold out longer, trying to relax her thighs a bit so the tension in her body doesn't bring her climax on too quickly. She nods. "Please, yes, I'm ready."

Sweet sensations coming over you

nsfw

[freliaslance]

Tana is patient while Joshua gets used to the feel of being on Achaeus. She knows it can be difficult to adjust to, but he's breathing in and out carefully, he's taking it slow. And she isn't about to take off before he's ready.

When he announces that he's good to, she still takes a moment, placing her hand over his arms clasped firmly around her. She loves the feel of him pressed so close, holding onto her as an anchor, a grounding point. She gives his arm a gentle squeeze, then picks up the reins again.

"Alright, we're going to go. It might be a little startling at first since you're not used to this, but I promise that Achaeus and I won't let anything happen to you." She wants to turn and kiss him again, an assurance, a promise. But she doesn't this time. She wants to focus and show him that he can trust her.

With a flick of the reins, Achaeus begins to trot faster, picking up speed and flapping his wings. It's so graceful to her, so natural, but she can feel Joshua tensing behind her. The saddle is fitted so that they can't slide off backwards, which makes rising into the air at least somewhat smoother, even if it doesn't assuage Joshua's nervousness.

"Let me know if you need to go back to the ground at all," she says over her shoulder. If they need to, she can even suggest that Achaeus walk there instead of fly. They'd arrive a bit late, but she wouldn't mind, not for him.

when did you last let your heart decide?

Joshua & Tana IV - Arriving at the Ethereal Ball

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Tana stays close to Innes so he need not raise his voice as he speaks to her. She understands the nature of needing to speak quietly of their troubles.

And speak he does, and though he is perhaps speaking a bit cryptically, it is not so much so that she cannot follow along. Part of her wonders if this is about Ephraim, if something had changed between them only to fall backwards again, but she does not know if she should bring him up at all.

"What happened, Innes? Is there another I need to threaten, because I would do it for you." Once again, she is only half teasing. In truth, she would do anything for him, even go after those who make him feel this way. However, it is just meant to make him smile, even if only slightly. "I am here for you."

Moments In Time (and boy talk)

Ethereal Ball 2025, Tanna & Innes

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Tana giggles at the sarcasm as she takes a seat. She can handle the gentle ribbing. In fact, part of her finds it refreshing that the lightheartedness can last for an entire evening with no problems or drama. At least, none that she's personally seen so far. Everything feels wonderful, and she is ready to revel in it.

"My bracelet is in dire need of my last charms, so thank you." She clips the charm to her bracelet and admires it for a moment before starting to settle into her dinner. It feels as though she hasn't eaten anything in ages, but she knows that's just the excitement and dancing that's burned off her breakfast and leaving her hungry now.

She takes a small, polite bite and covers her mouth with her perfectly manicured fingertips. "Busy, yes," she says with a nod after she's swallowed. "But in the best ways. I haven't been to a ball like this in forever. I have missed this sort of revelry."

Even since before the war in Magvel, tensions had been rising and large social events had been scarce. Her pretty dresses and accessories have been tucked away in her closet back home, gathering wrinkles and dust.

Her thoughts are derailed at the warning, though, and she stops her next bite in mid-air, lips parted slightly as she was about to take a bite. "The food isn't poisoned, is it?" she asks, half-joking. "Though I supposed there are worse ways to die than by delicious food."

Tana's evening has been rather busy, between dancing, pictures with her brother, getting washed inside...and yet, what a phenomenal evening it still is, even wet and surprised by the rain. She's as dry as she thinks she'll get until she can get out of her clothes, and that's alright for now. Now that's things have settled a bit, she's realized she's hungry and has made her way towards where a feast has been laid out for everyone.

Oh, it all looks so delicious, and she can't help the way she fills her plate with more than she might be able to fill herself with. As her mother used to say before she passed, "Your eyes are bigger than your stomach." But Tana can snack on it throughout the evening after her initial intake.

"Do you mind if I sit here?" she asks a woman who has a seat open next to her. "You can say no, it I have a seashell charm to add to your bracelet if you say yes." She giggles softly. "Alright, I would give it to you even if you said no."

By no means is the mage a picky eater, though by the time she goes through one or two of the fruits on display…she’s already felt like she’s had enough. Normally she would never turn down a banquet on display, but perhaps getting rained on extensively prior does a number to one’s appetite. As of now, Sonya settles for a simple glass of warm wine and leaves it at that, sitting alone to fully enjoy its warmth.

However, there are also some who believe in warmth via company. That must be the motto of who directs question at her in reference to the chair adjacent to what she’s chosen. The speaker is a pretty and young lady with a blue ponytail and stunning white dress that sinks to the floor. Although…that is not what catches Sonya’s eye regarding the person at first.

“Well, if you’re forcing it upon me…if I must,” Sonya lets out an exaggerated sigh, lightly grinning in case the young one didn’t catch her sarcasm. She shakes off one of her own turtle charms to complete the ball’s apparent custom of exchange. Afterwards, the woman scooches over and pats the nearby seat to imply permission.

Curiosity does kill the cat, as Sonya is unable to take her eyes off what’s caught her attention the most. “Busy day?” she presses, pointing a finger at the plate that nearly overflows. “I’d be careful eating all that up if I were you.”

[freliaslance]

Tana nods. Ephraim is right, and she's been through a war to fully prove what he says. She is not quite as strategic as others, so perhaps it would not go amiss to add strategy to her roster. She is still early here, so she has the chance to finish figuring out what she wants to do.

"Ah..." She purses her lips slightly. She didn't specifically come here to train; she came here to find Innes and ensure he is well. She's staying because, well, why not? She is here, so it couldn't hurt to spend some time training more. "Well...that isn't really an option. Even after the war, there were still battles being fought over towns and borders. Bandits rising up even more to take advantage of the devastation. It feels as though..."

She pauses, glances at Ephraim. They could have had a simple reunion, but here she is bringing up problems back home.

"I think battles will never go away, and I can never wash my hands of the fighting." I do not think peace can ever be a reality. She does not say that aloud, however, finding the thought to be a bit too bleak, even if she believes it.

a simple, honest purity

[freliaslance]

May Activity Check

Status: Passed!

Threads: Tracker here Asks: Tag

Activity points: +1, total 5

Ethereal ball charm bracelet: Finished! Glass lance added to inventory

New classes accessed: Dancer Classes mastered: N/A

[freliaslance]

[ MULLED WINE ] - Warm red wine spiced to perfection, ideal for staving off winter’s chill.

Berkut lets out a warm hum as he sips the wine. After the exhausting night he has had to deal with, it was just the thing to restore a bit of warmth back into him. Banishing the lingering thoughts in his mind, unwelcome memories trying to stir old doubts, he finishes off the glass before glancing around.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a woman, blue hair done up, a beautiful dress. Yet standing off to the side, a part of him is almost struck by a memory once again. Truly he does not know why, but after getting a quick refill, he grabs a second glass and approaches her.

"Pardon me." Approaching, he raises the extra cup in offering. "A pity the night turned out like this isn't it? You look like you could use a bit of warmth. Might I offer you a drink?"

A faint smile comes to his lips, as he gestures towards the bracelet, a matching one on his arm. "Perhaps I could offer one of these pearl charms as well, an enticement to accept."

Tana turns as she's addressed, smile in place, warm and welcoming and sweet to the man's approach. A pity the night turned out like this, isn't it? Ah, it's as if he's read her mind. He is most likely just talking about the rain, however, so she refrains from making any sort of comments other than polite conversation.

"I would love one," she says, accepting the drink from him and holding the stem between the fingertips of both hands. "And I would gladly accept your charm. In exchange-" She reaches one hand into the purse at her side and fishes out one of her seashell charms. "-you can have one of mine.

"Perhaps we could also enjoy our drinks together for the moment? You needn't spend the entire evening with me." She laughs softly, thinks back to the evening she has had, then shakes away the memories that come with allowing her mind to wander. "But some company for a few minutes would be nice, if you have the time."

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[ MAKEUP PARLOR ] - For those still intending to socialize even with the circumstances as they are, a group of kind and talented beauty specialists among the guest roster have chosen a room in the mansion to lend their services. Crushed pigments, rouge, blush, eyebrow pluckers, pore-blurring powder, mani-pedis, hair clippers, and more, they offer it all! Get dry, get your look redone, and go back to turning heads!

Mercedes groans as the hairpins fall out of her hair. Again. It's been years since she's worn a proper up-do, settling for a messy bun or side ponytail for practical purposes. She purses her lips in the mirror, holding the french braid in place as she scans the reflection for someone she might ask for help. Hopefully someone not overly busy, preferably a friendly looking face-- ah. Swiftly, Mercedes is on her feet, making her way over to a beautiful young woman with a kind smile.

"Excuse me? Sorry to trouble you. I'm Mercedes, your dress is stunning!" She takes a seat next to her, arm still aloft to keep her hair in place. For a moment, she marvels at the blooming array of flowers in the other woman's hair. "I see your hair matches perfectly too! You have such an eye for detail."

"I was uhm... I was hoping you could help me with something. Could you hold my hair in place whilst I try to fix it with pins? I've tried doing it myself but with little success," Mercedes chuckles dryly, smiling despite her frustration. Her eyes catch a tiny, seashell charm hanging from the bracelet around the lady's wrist. "Oh, would you care to trade charms too? I have an anchor, though that seashell is much cuter."

Oh, the evening has certainly not gone very well since they've all gotten rained in. She tries not to think too much about what's happened, only that she needs some space from everything to sort her thoughts out. Perhaps watching the fireworks, finding a corner to cry in, standing outside with her mouth open so she can drown in the ways turkeys do.

Alright, so she is being a bit dramatic there, but she has never felt this flustered before over anything, because so little before tonight has been so disastrous to her personal life.

And so she walked the halls of the manor rather idly, without direction, keeping her emotions under wraps until taking a seat within some sort of side room with vanity mirrors and a vast array of makeup. Her makeup had been protected during the initial downpour since she had ducked her head as she'd run inside, but she examines the fine powders and expensive glosses adorning the tables. Perhaps it would be fun to do her makeup again, allow her mind to focus on something else entirely.

Her hand hovers over some wipes nearby when she is approached by a lovely brunette woman holding her hair in place with one hand. "Oh goodness, thank you, Mercedes," she says with a light blush at the compliments, though her attention shifts to the hair being held firmly so it cannot escape her attempts to pin it down.

"My name is Tana. Yes, of course I will help you." As Mercedes sits, Tana carefully places her hand where the other woman's is, being sure to keep it firmly in place. "You have beautiful hair. It is such a pain when it won't do what we ask, isn't it?" She giggles lightly, grateful for the distraction. "If you don't mind, I would love to brush and style your hair. But only if it's alright with you."

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Tana hangs on her words, but is ultimately grateful that she wasnt awful. Karla deserves better than for her very first kiss to have been something atrocious to look back on. Even as Karla stops herself short, at least they are parting with the knowledge that Karla did not despise this entire encounter.

"Of course," she says softly, watching Karla gather up her things and move for the door. "I'm glad to have met you. May the rest of the ball go well for you."

-END-

Hey, Just So You Know, My Brother is in Love With The Guy You Kiss

[freliaslance]

Tana's gaze follows Karla's wrist as she raises it to look at the seashell charm that now adorns it. However, when it dangles between them, light glinting off the delicately carved metal, Tana focuses not on the shell but on Karla's eyes. She really is so beautiful and deserves more than what Tana can give right now.

If there was a chance for them to be anything at all. They may simply have kissed and touched, perhaps gone further, only for them to lose touch entirely after this.

"Oh goodness, was I your first kiss?" She raises her hands to her lips, flushing lightly. Joshua had been her first kiss, only in the last few weeks, and while she thinks she is good at it since Joshua keeps finding reasons to kiss her, she cannot be sure. "I hope it was not terrible."

Hey, Just So You Know, My Brother is in Love With The Guy You Kiss

[freliaslance]

As their hands part, Tana looks down at her palm, at the small anchor charm that lay there now. Somehow it feels appropriate, even as it feels so entirely off the mark. Karla had anchored Tana to reality, while also offering an escape, to spend a few minutes with her head in the clouds and her heart ballooned into joy. She fastens the charm to her bracelet, then retrieves one of her own. A seashell, delicate and small and lovely.

"Here," she says as she allows their fingertips to brush together while passing over the small shell. "You can think of..." She huffs a soft laugh. "I suppose I haven't given you much good to think of when looking at this, have I? Perhaps would tell me what might cross your mind when you see this little shell of mine?"

Hey, Just So You Know, My Brother is in Love With The Guy You Kiss

[freliaslance]

Tana is quiet now as Joshua speaks. There is so much weight to what he says, so much meaning. Before her, he had never been with a woman, and now he tells her that he had never stayed with anyone longer than a night before her.

She shrugs her way out of her dress and is left only in her underwear, something special she had decided to wear for Joshua. It feels a little bit pointless now after everything she's learned this evening. And yet a part of her selfishly wants him to ravage her anyway. Would that be terribly unfair? She's grateful he can't see her face, can't see the indecision in her eyes.

Earlier, Karla had said some very pointed things that has hit her hard now.

It's easy to mask her feelings right now. She's been good at it since she was young and learned that her father would grow irritated when she became too emotional. Her skill has only grown since Innes also started becoming annoyed at her emotions.

"It's a difficult change," she says, turning to face him again with her expression clear, a smile on her face. "You certainly don't need to answer to me, but being open with one who has your heart...that might be different altogether. I suppose I wouldn't really know."

The light that guides us through the worst of nights

Ethereal ball prompts, round 2 Tana & Joshua V

[freliaslance]

Innes would take care of her, Tana knows he would. But how much can she tell Innes before he sees red and begins demanding Tana let him at Joshua. Or before he potentially chastises Tana for having such an affair with Joshua. It could go either way.

But there's still something about what Karla says that pushes through Tana's denial. There is nothing to be had with Joshua, he does not love her the way she loves him, and that is...difficult to accept. The physicality is so wonderful, though, and Joshua does not lie when he tells her that she is beautiful and incredible. She would be able to tell, she thinks. A lie cannot be what she sees when he looks at her with such wonder...

She is weak. She does not want to believe that she should put an end to things with Joshua. He loves another, though. He loves Karla's brother. Were it not for Karla, she would never have known that, would have lived on blissfully until Joshua had decided to call it off, and it would have been fine. (It would have, she tells herself over and over, as if a mantra will make her believe.)

Or it would've been messier because she would have allowed herself to feel these feelings deeper, been far more difficult to untangle herself from. She presses her lips together.

"I need to think, Karla. I will speak with Joshua soon, but I just need some time to think. Will you forgive me for that?"

Hey, Just So You Know, My Brother is in Love With The Guy You Kiss

[freliaslance]

"A bit of drink can be as fun as it can be inhibiting. Part of me wishes I had a drink right now." A bit of inhibition could help her at least make the most of what's left of the evening, though she thinks she'll be retiring soon and little else. After her recent encounter, she is unsure just how much more excitement she can handle.

But alcohol will not solve her problems, and she thinks she should be clear-headed for what she thinks is to come. She has never had enough to drink to know if she will begin to ramble and spill truths meant to be kept close to heart, and tonight is not the night to find out. At least, not unless she wants things to become even more exhausting.

"I can get you some water, if you think it might help. There's some wonderful sparkling water not far from here."

i'm never going back, just wanna sleep it off for a while

(continued from here)