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@inherited-vanity

My fingers reached once more for the wooden dagger hidden within folds of fabric. No, I did not wish to use this gift granted by my captors, not unless necessary. But as I wordlessly passed through decrepit streets which must have recently faced some great and terrible tragedy, I nevertheless grew well-acquainted with the shape of its handle. 

Yet any means of protecting myself should prove futile if I cannot find where I am to sleep.

V-2. I listened for snippets of conversation, hungrily pulling oft-repeated words into my possession for future examination. “Sector,” “district” -- those are areas of the city, it seemed. And the Sectors were described by numbers, so I likely needed to find my way to the second Sector. Traversing from one to the other, however, eluded me still; I could not say which Sector I stood in as I pondered this conundrum. 

The sudden opening of a shop door near where I had paused startled me from my puzzling. A woman with a confident aura turned to find my eyes upon her, and I felt more acutely still the weight of the wooden weapon against my hip. It does not do to fall prey to paranoia, and yet I must confess that i felt very on-edge throughout this ordeal.

“My apologies! I’m afraid you happened upon me as I was lost in thought.” I dared not reveal that I knew nothing of this city, not when I also did not know whether this stranger might use my ignorance to her advantage. She had the bearing of one with some knowledge of the city, and perhaps she could be of use to me, but I would be sure to use caution in obtaining information. Fortunately, I had been well-trained.

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just a taste

@justicescales

Despite my worries spared for my companions, despite the pain which gripped my heart as I transformed from free D’Angeline into captive once more, when I heard whispers of a ball, a creature such as I could not refuse such an opportunity. All were welcome, and so I would show the mass of strangers how graceful, how beautiful, how elegant one can be. Though I have no place in this world, though I might be stolen once more from my home, this is one setting in which I might pretend to belong.  

And how kind of my captors to outfit me with a heavy purse! I knew, of course, that such a resource could not last; yet I also have learned well that a few coins towards appearances are not wasted indeed. So, while the oxblood fabric against my skin merely imitated silk, it nevertheless clung to my figure in such a way that I could not scowl at my appearance. I noted the way its shape highlighted my newly-finished marque; at the very least, before arriving in this place, I found that small sliver of freedom.

I forced my expression to defy my hesitant steps, and I entered a realm I must confess seemed enchanted. Thousands of lights reflected against satin ensembles and freshly-scrubbed skin. The hum of conversation and soft laughter provided a welcome melody as guests mingled with pastries grasped delicately between slender fingers. For the first time since arriving here, I smiled. 

Yet not all who entered the gate shared my expression. My gaze fell upon a small woman with skin the color of cool ash and, most shockingly, two cone-shaped horns atop her head. Despite her strange appearance, I also noted that she looked quite beautiful. Some of this city’s inhabitants bore odd, inhuman traits -- could it be that this world contained races unknown to my own land of origin? 

I felt my feet carry me to her corner at the edge of a platter of sandwiches; at the very least, I might learn valuable information from conversing with her.

“Have you yet sampled any of these?” I asked, gesturing towards the array of snacks and trying not to appear surprised at her appearance. “There are too many, I believe, for me to begin.” A simple way to begin a conversation, yes, but it would have to suffice. I studied her movements, waiting to glean whatever I could from her response.

[kushielsdart-blog]

[Starter call for Phedre no Delaunay! Please like this post for a brief opener. Citta members only, please, and I’ll be capping at three to ensure I don’t become overwhelmed. Thank you!]

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Books Characters aesthetic: 

↳ Phèdre no Delaunay (Kushiel series) 

“That which yields is not always weak.”

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Kushiel’s Legacy Characters ❧ Phèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève Lest anyone should suppose that I am a cuckoo’s child, got on the wrong side of the blanket by lusty peasant stock and sold into indenture in a shortfallen season, I may say that I am House-born and reared in the Night Court proper, for all the good it did me.

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