preylike

[preylike]

          She released a lantern for her mother,  may she rest,  shortly after the sun had dipped beneath the horizon.  The timing of it lets her pretend that her mother received the message faster,  that the lantern aimed true to its destination while the rest float directionless in the night sky much later.  She cannot bring herself to move her two feet away from the display.  If she does,  then she will be wrapped up again in court politics and ploys between nobles that do not care for her or her people.  Coraline will allow herself this break,  this brief moment in time where she is not the ailing King's eyes an ears,  but just herself.

          A voice strung tightly with tension stronger than any bow pulls her out of this hopeful daydream.  Coraline's skirts sway at her ankles while she remains all too still,  chin tilting not in deference,  but acknowledgement.  She hopes privately that the people are selfish,  that they are more likely to pray for the good health of themselves and their own than they are for the King.     "     I am sure he feels the strength and admiration of those that have chosen to do so.     "     Evasion.  Don't ever conform to one way or another.  Only the Gods know what the Princess' thoughts are on the matter,  anyway.  Try as she might to have spied on them,  she always seemed to come out with nothing more than day plans.     

          "     Are you not pleased with His recovery,  Princess  ?  Miraculous,  as it was.     "     A distinct lack of awe in her voice as she states the word as if it were a fact she was force fed.     "     Have you released a lantern of your own  ?     "     She lowers her voice conspiratorially,  ducking her head as she says,     "     I am quite good at keeping secrets in case yours happens to not be for what they expect.     "

𝓬𝓵𝓸𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓻𝓽𝓮𝓻   ╱    with @preylike at the feast

the  lanterns  paint  the  sky  a  starry  one  and  rhosyn's  blue  eyes  seem  hypnotised  by  the  simple  grandeur  of  it.  they  have  their  released  their  own,  not  yet  ━━  not  until  they  have  figured  out  what  the  gods,  old  and  new,  have  planned  for  their  blood.  ocean  eyes  look  around  and  at  the  spotting  of  a  familiar  face,  their  jaw  tightens.  all  they  can  wonder  about  is  whether  or  not  their  brother's  employee  had  been  privy  to  his  games.  ❝  i  do  wonder  how  many  of  these  lanterns  were  released  for  my  brother's  health.  ❞  rhosyn  imagines  that  not  many,  even  if  they  don't  want  to  admit  it  to  themselves;  not  fully.  ❝  and  if  they  are  ever  the  fools  for  doing  so.  ❞

[preylike]

Open starter with Kajsa Erner, who is watching The Tournament.

          A long,  drawn out sigh escapes her as the sound of blade against blade echoes through the air.  Several thoughts pass her mind.  One:  that should be her in the pit,  hilt of her sword pinned through flesh.  Two:  they really do a disservice using unsharpened blades in these tournaments.  Where are the stakes  ?  The fight  ?  She wants to yell out to the knights as they dance around each other,  parrying without striking,  evading hits with the elegance of a performer and not a warrior.     "     I thought there would be more blood,     "     she laments,  unable to fight the downturn of her lips.

          "     Come.     "     Kajsa nods in a direction away from the crowd,  far away from the play fighting that seems to amuse those too far in their cups.     "     Let's find something else to entertain us.  Surely there must be something interesting in this damned castle.     "

[preylike]

wasn’t that kajsa erner walking the cobbled roads of coňstanja? it’s nice to see the lady of house erner out and about on such a fine day as this. i’ve heard from the court spies that they are notoriously callous, whilst also managing to be quite steadfast. the twenty-six year old is eager to explore bran keep. i heard that they themselves are divine ( corporal ). it’s funny, whenever i think of them, i think of the glint of moonlight off a blade dripping in gore, battle scars worn proudly, a garden with flowers wilting.

𝟶𝟶𝟷. 𝚂𝚃𝙰𝚃𝙸𝚂𝚃𝙸𝙲𝚂 …

⋯⋯⋯ GENERAL DETAILS.

FULL NAME: kajsa erner. NICKNAME(S): none. AGE: twenty-six. PLACE OF BIRTH: aradyan, valanya. CURRENT LOCATION: coňstanja, valanya. GENDER: demi woman. PRONOUNS: they/she. ORIENTATION: bisexual. OCCUPATION: soldier of the army of the divine. TITLE(S): lady of house erner. DIVINE?: yes, corporal.

⋯⋯⋯ PHYSICAL APPEARANCE, ETC.

HEIGHT: 5'4. TATTOOS: none. PIERCINGS: none. SCARS: many, including a relatively fresh large puckered scar on the stomach where she was stabbed through with a blade and nearly killed. another more faded scar from cheek bone to jaw. some miscellaneous burn scars from fighting beside inferns. CLOTHING STYLE: prefers battle fatigues or armor, but is willing to dress appropriately to events if requested. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: scar over face and is usually seen with a sword, even in casual situations.

⋯⋯⋯ HEALTH.

ALLERGIES: apples. SLEEPING HABITS: sleeps well generally, though has occasional nightmares. SOCIABILITY: 7/10. do notttt talk to him... or do!

⋯⋯⋯ PERSONALITY.

CHARACTER INSPIRATIONS: h.elene a.quilla (an e.mber in the a.shes), a.equa c.laudius (the w.ill of the m.any). TRAITS: callous, steadfast, pious, blunt, straightforward, loyal, aloof, skeptical, reckless. LIKES: big shiny swords, fancy bows and arrows, weaponry in general, being in control. DISLIKES: her parents (it's mutual. kind of). FEARS: lacking control/agency, sudden loud noises. HABITS: staring at people very obviously, standing at attention, picking at scabs. HOBBIES: making arrows, spending time caring after her weapons.

𝟶𝟶𝟸.   𝙱𝙸𝙾𝙶𝚁𝙰𝙿𝙷𝚈 / 𝙷𝙴𝙰𝙳𝙲𝙰𝙽𝙾𝙽𝚂   … 

tw: mentions of battle, injury, death

quick and messy tl;dw (too long; didn't write a lot) bc im sleepy pls forgive me

being the only child of a noble house that always has great expectations and where everything has always been pre-decided for you has only ever held kajsa back. her parents, protective over their heir, were unwilling to disclose that she was divine to keep her from conscription. she enrolled in the academy a year late due to this, but with her family striking a deal with their influence, the family was able to avoid punishment.

honestly absolutely loves her powers. enjoys her strength and speed and gets a rush out of it. has a habit of overextending herself and needing to take days or longer to recover from it.

continued being a soldier in the army of the divine even after her required six years.

has been forced into leave due to injury and overexertion. hates being forced to twiddle her thumbs and play the part of happy little noble and it's even worse when she has to deal with her parents on top of all that as they continue to disapprove of every action she takes.

makes problems. on purpose. including an engagement. womp womp

names her weapons.

favors a longsword and battle axe. is quite alright with a bow and arrow as well but considers that more of a hobby than a realistic weapon to use in battle.

most realistic weapon for her to use are technically daggers or a pair of shortswords, but consider: she likes big sword.

[preylike]

Open starter with Coraline Bucur, who is roaming through Old Town near White's Club on the third night of the Harvest Celebration.

          Even the most careful people are creatures of habit and Coraline is no exception.  Part of her needed a rest from the more robust celebrations at and around bran keep while another fraction wanted to walk the pebbled roads back in old town where she was raised.  She takes it upon herself to go on a undisclosed venture for information where the festivities would be less gaudy and the theatrics fabling the royal family unrestrained.

          She stops at a puppet show as it comes to completion,  lingering in the back where the shadows are monsters of their own and watches over the heads of children gathered around the puppeteer.  It toes the line of crude mockery,  poking fun at His Majesty and his family.  Most of the jokes can be written off as being for the enjoyment of the young ones,  but she knows better than to believe that.     "     Your thoughts   ?      "     She poses the question to the adult nearest,  offering no indication of appreciation or reprehension of the show herself.     "     That puppet of King Stefan is so true to his appearance that it looks preternatural.     "

[preylike]

          They have come to the celebration to prove that they are not a complete shut in.  And,  well,  of course they hold interest in any rumors that may circulate in such gatherings.  The King's health is of great concern to them.  No other reason.  

          The second night,  they spend at the lantern release,  the warm orange glow reflecting in their irises.  There is no awe on their expression,  no strengthened faith,  no love for such displays.  Still,  they are posed a question and left to decide how to answer:  tear down kind hearted beliefs or play along?     "     No.  Not yet.     "     A pause.  Zain can't make out the outline of the lantern she released in the night sky anymore.     "     I always seem to forget the stories for why this happens.  Surely it must be for more than just displaying faith to the Gods.     "

the lantern release, day two, at the edge of the river roudina — open

There were not many things the oldest daughter of house verkon truly care for when it came to the capital, the lantern release tradition every year to come was perhaps one of the very few. there was something almost ethereal in the view, how the lanterns flickered and reflected all around the faithful and hopeful. the good wishes of the people all being sent to a higher divinity, or at least the hope that someone would listen to one or any of them. the crone maiden holds her own lantern by her fingertips, the orange light reflecting off her fair skin and silver hues. she smiles as she senses another close enough to her, she lets go of the lantern and watches it float away with contentment. "have you release your own in good faith to the gods?" she asks without taking her gaze from the floating light.

[preylike]

          Her mouth shapes into a smile,  something gentle and entirely unremarkable.  There,  and then not.  It's easy to get lost in the commotion of the nightly feasts,  to disappear and reinvent oneself without being noticed by another.  It's a tactic she employs in much less chaotic spaces with an equal amount of skill.  Coraline's head turns to the familiar voice that addresses her,  curls bouncing over her shoulder as she departs from seemingly casual conversation with some noble whose name she has no reason to remember.  Her voice lowers conspicously,  unheard by all but the sharpest ears,  and she knows best just how sharp Anamaria is.     "     You should exhibit more caution in choosing your prey.  I was under the assumption I taught you better.  Know who you approach before speaking.  I have as much information as you.     "

open  to   everyone                 location  —  the  great  hall    (  1  /  4  )

                      ────   .   ݁₊   she  isn't  hungry,  but  it  isn't  food  which  anamaria  craves  anyway  as  she  slinks  into  the  grand  feast  hall  of  bran  castle.  her  dark  eyes  swallow  the  room  whole  before  taking  a  seat  amongst  a  small  crowd,  far  from  her  family  but  remaining  thickly  in  the  middle  of  the  commotion,  for  it  would  be  dire  to  miss  a  single  detail.  “there  are  so  many  rumours,"  she  sighs,  her  voice  a  soft  glow  in  the  candlelight,  smiling  to  the  cupbearer  who  fills  her  goblet  with  the  rich  wine  offered  by  the  newly  healed  king  stefan.  her  eyebrows  raise  to  them  sat  before  her,  long  lashes  fluttering  in  her  doe  eyed  innocence.  such  an  easy  facade  to  wear  for  one  as  dainty,  as  soft  spoken  as  she.  “i  don't  know  what  to  believe.”

[preylike]

          "     Is that what we are calling it these days  ?  Your mind wandering  ?     "     And maybe it's a touch harsh,  pressing purposefully on the way she carries herself in her lack of control.  Zain attempts a genuine smile and he knows without seeing himself that it doesn't come across as gentle or understanding.  pity.  He looks off to the demonstration,  squinting against the bursts of light and heat.     "     This is a performance — theater — not a proper display of skill.  Do not tell me you are jealous.     "

open   starter   for   :   devika   dragavei   &   open   (   accepting   4   replies   )  location   :   the   blessing   of   the   crops 

something  swirls  uncomfortably  within  the  dragavei  at  the  vision  of  the  solarui  demonstrating  their  powers  and  how  they  give  to  the  people  of  constanja.  clenched  fist  watches  and  eyes  fixated  upon  the  control  and  demeanor  they  all  hold  wonder  if  she  would  ever  be  able  to  perform  half  as  well  as  them.  however,  struck  with  jealousy  the  scholar  decides  to  take  her  leave.  however,  as  she  is  about  to  leave  the  field  she  bumps  into  another  onlooker  and  eyes  fall  down  quickly.  "  forgive  me,  my  mind  wandered  so  i  did  not  watch  where  i  stepped.  "

[preylike]

GRATIELA BRANCUSI as Noemi in 1883

[preylike]

i am forlorn and miserable. good night

[preylike]

wasn’t that coraline bucur walking the cobbled roads of coňstanja? it’s nice to see the personal spy to the king out and about on such a fine day as this. i’ve heard from the court spies that they are notoriously untrusting, whilst also managing to be quite discreet. the thirty-five year old is eager to explore bran keep. i heard that they themselves aren’t divine. it’s funny, whenever i think of them, i think of careful to say a word when every wall listens to every syllable,  footsteps as silent as shadow,  orders followed quickly and without dissent.

𝟶𝟶𝟷. 𝚂𝚃𝙰𝚃𝙸𝚂𝚃𝙸𝙲𝚂 …

⋯⋯⋯ GENERAL DETAILS.

FULL NAME: coraline bucur. NICKNAME(S): cora. AGE: thirty-five. PLACE OF BIRTH: coňstanja, valanya. CURRENT LOCATION: coňstanja, valanya. GENDER: genderfluid. PRONOUNS: she/they/he/any. ORIENTATION: bisexual. OCCUPATION: personal spy to the king. TITLE(S): none. DIVINE?: no.

⋯⋯⋯ PHYSICAL APPEARANCE, ETC.

HEIGHT: 5'7. PIERCINGS: both ear lobes. SCARS: many literally everywhere from various events. CLOTHING STYLE: dependent on what she's doing / where she's going. when she's working she's in neutral clothing that allows her to move quickly and quietly. otherwise, she's wearing more flowy and colorful clothing. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: tries sooo hard not to have any distinguishing characteristics, though her hair is quite distinctive.

⋯⋯⋯ HEALTH.

ALLERGIES: cats. SLEEPING HABITS: sleeps well when she needs to!. SOCIABILITY: 8/10. fake it til you make it babey!

⋯⋯⋯ PERSONALITY.

CHARACTER INSPIRATIONS: mmm tba. TRAITS: untrusting, discreet, good listener <3, optimistic, organized, principled, mannered, rule-following, concerned. LIKES: people pleasing unfortunately. DISLIKES: not meeting other people's standards. FEARS: abandonment. HABITS: forgetting to make noise intentionally when walking up to people, checking every room for exits, listening to every conversation. HOBBIES: painting.

𝟶𝟶𝟸.   𝙱𝙸𝙾𝙶𝚁𝙰𝙿𝙷𝚈 / 𝙷𝙴𝙰𝙳𝙲𝙰𝙽𝙾𝙽𝚂   … 

too long didn't feel like writing right now;

rough upbringing. youngest and only surviving sibling. father was killed in the king's army and mother fell sick shortly after. raised as a devout follower of the gods of old and still is quite religious. was a court spy for over ten years and was very very good at her job. able to disguise, infiltrate, and get information easily, just doesn't work that well with other people. was chosen as the king's personal spy recently (within the past few years) and is a little bit of a wreck over it due to the responsibility that comes with the role. trying to root out the origin of the rumors of strange rituals happening as the king's health declines. incessantly worried. would she give her life to protect the king? probably not. would she say she would? probably. in a situation where there is an attack she would first protect those that can't protect themselves (noninclusive of nobles, they have people for that).

note: her position as personal spy to the king is unknown to most. she poses as part of his guard in public.

[preylike]

wasn’t that zain idrisi walking the cobbled roads of coňstanja? it’s nice to see the scholar / liege of house idrisi  out and about on such a fine day as this. i’ve heard from the court spies that they are notoriously manipulative, whilst also managing to be quite pragmatic. the thirty-three year old is eager to explore bran keep. i heard that they themselves are divine ( salvator ). it’s funny, whenever i think of them, i think of the chill of the winter exacerbating an always present ache in the joints, fingers stained with ink from a night spent endlessly writing, the shifting smile before another's close-kept secret is spilled.

𝟶𝟶𝟷. 𝚂𝚃𝙰𝚃𝙸𝚂𝚃𝙸𝙲𝚂 …

⋯⋯⋯ GENERAL DETAILS.

FULL NAME: zain idrisi. NICKNAME(S): none. AGE: thirty-three. PLACE OF BIRTH: devya, valanya. CURRENT LOCATION: coňstanja, valanya. GENDER: agender. PRONOUNS: they/he. ORIENTATION: bisexual. OCCUPATION: scholar. TITLE(S): liege of house idrisi. DIVINE?: yes, salvator.

⋯⋯⋯ PHYSICAL APPEARANCE, ETC.

HEIGHT: 6'0. TATTOOS: none. PIERCINGS: both ear lobes. SCARS: many across his left leg, specifically around the joints. CLOTHING STYLE: professional, clean, sophisticated. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: leg brace over his left leg and occasionally glasses.

⋯⋯⋯ HEALTH.

ALLERGIES: none. SLEEPING HABITS: poor. this guy does not sleep if he doesn't have to, utterly and fully consumed in his research and studies. SOCIABILITY: 2/10. do notttt talk to him... or do!

⋯⋯⋯ PERSONALITY.

CHARACTER INSPIRATIONS: v.ictor f.rankenstein (f.rankenstein), v.iktor (a.rcane). TRAITS: self-serving, manipulative, deceitful, argumentative, pragmatic, imaginative, protective, purposeful. LIKES: books <3 reading <3 being owed favors <3 writing <3 tinkering <3. DISLIKES: himself lowkey... expectations from others (especially his parents), not meeting his own standards, feeling like he doesn't have agency over himself. FEARS: letting himself down. HABITS: finger tapping, clicking his tongue, running a hand through his hair. HOBBIES: literally nothing.

𝟶𝟶𝟸.   𝙱𝙸𝙾𝙶𝚁𝙰𝙿𝙷𝚈 / 𝙷𝙴𝙰𝙳𝙲𝙰𝙽𝙾𝙽𝚂   … 

tw: mentions of chronic illness / chronic pain / health issues

quick and messy bc im sleepy pls forgive me

big big big expectations from his parents and the people of devya. unfortunately he ranks #1 at letting people down (sometimes.... he's more like a solid third place really)

didn't do that well in physical training and he'd always had weaker health than his siblings. somehow zain was much better at the social aspect of interacting with those in devya which pleased his parents, though he hated all of it with great intensity

did end up displaying signs of being divine and attended the academy of mircea. did very well at the academic and gifted portion of his studies, not that well at everything else. during the course of his enrollment at mircea, his health worsened slightly, but not enough to deter him from continuing on to graduate and join the army of the divine

admittedly, he was disinterested in the fighting part. he showed aptitude in strategy and was a capable healer when the situation called for it.

zain quickly completed his six years in the army and went back to devya to spend time with his family. he holed himself up in research (vampyrs, disease, medicine in general. somehow always circling back to trying to heal himself. never worked. never stopped trying.)

about five years ago, zain returned to constanja as a scholar. he'll sometimes teach at the academy but mostly focuses on his research and other scholarly duties. rarely, if ever, uses his divine ability as it's never really helped himself.

will eagerly talk someone's ear off about his studies if they give him the chance. is receptive to other people's opinions on his research and interested in an academic back-and-forth.

more later when i have the strength

[preylike]

ASSAD ZAMAN as THE VAMPIRE ARMAND Interview with the Vampire

[preylike]

i'm bisexual because i'm attracted to both flesh and machinery

[preylike]

sibling relationships are so strange... like i love you. you will never understand me in a way that matters. we are the same person in drastically different ways. we are sewn together. we don't talk. we are attached at the hip. you wish i was never born. can i call you. let's eat together. i forgive you. etc

[preylike]

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) | Deleted Scene

[preylike]

Thinking about this poem I wrote two days ago.

[preylike]

Preylike     [               ]     And if you missed a day,  there was always the next,  and if you missed a year,  it didn't matter,  the hills weren't going anywhere,  the thyme and rosemary kept coming back,  the sun kept rising,  the bushes kept bearing fruit.

Zain Idrisi     [  Scholar and Liege of House Idrisi  ]     mus.   con.

Coraline Bucur     [  Personal Spy to the King  ]     mus.   con.

Kajsa Erner     [  Lady of House Erner  ]     mus.   con.