proelium

[proelium]

lyra  turns  at  the  sound,  sunlight  incarnate  even  in  the  half-light  of  a  corridor  deep  in  stone.  the  fine  silk  of  her  sleeves  shimmered  gold  as  she  turned,  eyes  widening  not  in  surprise  —  but  delight.  ‘  nya  ?  ’  the  name  left  her  lips  like  a  song  half  remembered.  then,  sharper,  brighter:  ‘  nya  !  ’  the  goblet  in  her  hand  was  swiftly  abandoned  to  a  passing  servant’s  tray,  and  alyra  crossed  the  space  with  a  dancer’s  ease,  arms  open  like  wings  unfurled.  she  did  not  hesitate.  never  had.  her  embrace  was  all  warm  perfume  and  the  soft  jingle  of  bracelets. she  lingered  there  a  heartbeat  longer  than  necessary  before  pulling  back,  her  hands  found  the  edge  of  nya’s  elbow,  fingers  brushing  it  with  delighted  reverence. a  beat,  and  her  expression  softened.  ‘  four  years.  maybe  more.  i  stopped  counting,  honestly.  ’  when  so  many  had  left  her  behind  for  their  own  adventures  that  she  lived  vicariously  through  the  letters  sent  back,  the  pit  in  her  stomach  that  she'd  been  missing  out  grown  too  large.  ironic,  now  that  all  she  wished  to  do  was  return  home  to  the  known.

@proelium || alyra velutus

SHE'D  FINALLY  FELT  HERSELF  AGAIN.  The  open  callouses  at  her  thighs  were  mended,  aches  which  kept  her  up  at  night  subsided,  and  she  was  wearing  a  dress;  an  actual  dress.  Her  hair  was  pulled  back  into  a  neat  long  braid,  her  ears  sported  a  set  of  golden  earrings  reminiscent  of  home.  And  for  the  first  time  in  months,  she'd  resembled  a  high-born  woman again. With  her  chamber  doors  open,  waiting  for  her  to  slip  out  and  join  the  others  in  the  grand  dining  hall,  she  spotted  a  figure  she'd  not  seen  in  years.  A  face  that  had  not  changed,  of  a  woman  she'd  never  forgotten.  "Alyra?"  her  name  almost  a  whisper  as  Nya  rushed  to  the  door.  Then  she  called  for  her  again,  louder,  and  a  smile  followed  fast  steps  taken  to  catch  up  with  the  other.  "Oh  you  --  why,  you  have  not  changed  at  all!"  it  felt  like  a  dream,  to  stand  before  her.  "I  --  well,  I  do  not  know  what  to  say.  How  long  as  it  been?  Three  years?  Four?"

[proelium]

slight  tilt  of  her  head,  the  softening  around  her  eyes,  made  it  clear  she'd  heard  every  word  — and  every  hesitation.  luck,  or  perhaps  the  gods,  had  been  on  her  side  to  suffer  minor  scrapes  and  bruises.  mere  inconveniences  compared  to  those  that  suffered  more  harshly  or  had  lost  their  lives  ;  reason  even  more  for  her  silent  contemplation  of  the  world  around  them.  where  others  had  endured  the  most,  she  need  not  raise  her  voice  above  theirs.  ‘  there  are  many  of  us.  ’  that  wished  to  flee  from  the  keep  and  out  of  the  king's  immediate  reach,  her  own  circumstances  of  betrothal  not  changing  her  perspective  of  longing  for  the  overgrown  stillness  of  dragonveil.  ‘  i  would  assume  that  soon,  we  need  not  remain  here.  they  have  found  who  was  the  culprit,  ’  she  began,  though  her  tone  wavered  in  her  skepticism,  ‘  and  there's  no  need  for  the  king  to  keep  us  here,  i  would  venture  to  hope.  ’

Although caution was paramount, Lyra's mention of leaving provoked a more base and instinctual response from the Malgrave lady. Nodding in near instant agreement, Senya sighed, "I would certainly count myself amongst that number. If I had not been injured during the-" she broke off a moment realizing it was perhaps too much to say, before reasoning she had already admitted more than was proper and continuing. "If I had not been injured during the attack, I would have been content to take my leave immediately." The raven-haired woman paused, trying to discern Lyra's reaction before exposing further vulnerability. "Although I am grateful to have survived, the fright of it all still sits with me." She murmured.

[proelium]

the  smile  upon  her  lips  didn't  reach  her  eyes  this  time —  arrow  returning  notched  into  place  on  her  bow  as  she  turns  her  attention  back  to  the  target.  the  condescension  she  had  found  intertwined  in  the  walls  of  belveil  keep  she  had  adapted  to  when  needed,  dropped  when  not.  on  the  training  grounds  where  steel  clanged  and  the  whizz  of  arrows,  the  thunk  of  many  weapons  hitting  its  targets  was  no  place  for  it  and  neither  was  she  in  such  a  mood  to  entertain  it.  ‘  i  didn't  mean  to  startle  you.  the  moment  got  ahead  of  me  as  i'm  not  used  to  people  approaching  from  behind  while  on  there  are  weapons  abundant.  ’  her  goal,  after  all,  had  been  to  stray  far  from  the  frivolities  of  conversation,  at  least  for  an  hour.

her  new  arrow  joined  the  first,  slicing  through  the  air  to  land  slightly  to  the  right  of  her  original,  just  shy  of  being  dead  center.  a  beat,  as  she  chewed  over  her  next  words  that  were  spoken  with  a  deliberate  slowness.  ‘  i've  little  need  to  turn  a  weapon  onto  anyone,  least  of  all,  those  i  don't  know.  ’  heard  of  the  witchhelm  women,  to  be  certain,  yet  her  interactions  with  them  far  and  few.  little  need  for  it,  as  her  journeys  to  amberhigh  hadn't  been  frequent  though  she  supposed  that  would  soon  change  if  her  betrothal  went  through  as  planned.  ‘  if  you  wish  to  speak  with  me  about  trade,  i  will  listen.  without  the  condescension  of  a  maid  older  than  your  years.  if  my  composure  remains  to  be  an  issue  for  you,  please  feel  free  to  seek  out  one  of  my  other  siblings.  i  suspect  they  will  entertain  you  should  you  approach  them  at  a  more  opportune  time.  ’

it  came  to  her  her  absolute  relief  that  she  did  not  let  out  a  girlish  yelp.  a  woman  of  her  station  had  a  reputation  to  uphold,  after  all.  yet  it  was  not  a  steely  resolve  or  the  rumoured  ice  water  that  ran  through  her  veins  that  allowed  her  to  keep  her  composure.  in  simple  truth,  her  pride  was  maintained  by  virtue  of  the  other  woman's  blistering  speed  of  motion.  as  galling  as  it  was  to  admit,  achlys  malgrave  was  simply  too  surprised  to  react  beyond  a  gentle,  delicate  lofting  of  her  brow.  her  lips  parting  slightly.  head  tilting  to  the  side  as  if  to  say  'and...?'  "i  suspect  you  are  not  the  first  to  wish  to  aim  a  weapon  in  my  direction,"  her  reply  was  deceptively  cool  and  collected.  purposefully  measured,  purposefully  controlled.  her  features  similarly  schooled  to  the  maintain  the  illusion  that  she  was  anything  but  rattled  by  the  prospect  of  an  untimely  demise.  as  if  any  demise  was  anything  but  untimely  for  a  woman  that  ran  her  life  according  to  her  own  immaculate  agenda.  and  at  the  hands  of  a  vithelian no  less?  how  terribly  gauche.  "though  you  are  perhaps  the  first  to  follow  through  upon  such  a  desire." she  folded  her  hands  behind  her  back,  fingers  laced  and  tight  to  avoid  any  semblance  of  a  tremor.  not  even  the  business  with  the  rogue  kenaras  had  threatened  to  unnerve  her  so.  her hands tightened until the pain verged upon the unmaking of her. equal parts grounding as it was self-inflicted punishment. fear was a   weakness  she  could  neither  afford  nor  abide. "i  had  hoped  to  speak  of  you  of  a  trading  opportunity,  but  i  see  you  are...  otherwise  occupied.  perhaps  we  will  speak  again  when  you  are  more  composed."

[proelium]

perhaps  a  danger,  or  simple  statement  of  fact.  if  the  king  and  his  council  expected  blind  devotion  then  they  remained  ignorant  to  the  fact  that  they  were  men.  fallible,  easily  swayed,  and  would  put  their  own  purposes  ahead  of  others  because  they  could.  the  eissen  line  may  have  made  mockery  of  enerin  before,  but  lyra  suspected  that  much  of  what  had  happened  may  have  been  able  to  been  explained  by  the  sereen  themselves.  chosen  for  the  exact  purpose,  though  her  lips  remained  pressed  firmly  together  as  her  gaze  drifted  over  the  rippling  water.  ‘  the  fractures  of  the  court  are  more  easily  seen  with  us  all  in  proximity.  if  the  king  doesn't  expect  questioning  as  to  what  has  happened  and  gone  wrong  since  we've  been  here,  he  has  an  unrealistic  expectation  born  of  selfishness.  ’  she  would  state  as  much  if  questioned,  and  if  the  pieces  were  to  fall  to  the  floor  then  they  would  lie  where  it  may.  ‘  i  understand  a  need  to  protect  yourself  and  family,  but  there  will  be  more  to  come.  it  won't  end  with  the  death  of  one.  ’

The real hesitation was that the king had proven he would not hesitate to throw the laicestre into the fire if he needed to. their loyalty could be set aflame with one wrong move, and the security they had once felt was no longer. "when you say gamble, it makes me thing this is all a gamble," she ponders, her eyes going far away, "wether we play it safe or not, we are gambling with what will happen, dangled by the sanity and weight of a crown." the others words had started a small but steady flame within herself. copper eyes widen at her statement, they shift to look around them, the court had more eyes and ears that could not be seen. then her features soften again, she admires that fire in her eyes, that strength she exuded. it reminded her of her own fire that had slowly extinguish with the years amongst the snow. "dangerous words at dangerous times, yet you sound wise beyond your age, my lady." she tips her head to her as a sign of respect.

[proelium]

alyra  blinked,  her  fingers  still  stained  faintly  with  resin  and  ink.  the  approach  had  startled  her,  but  the  offer  more  so.  she  gave  a  short  laugh,  not  unkind,  more  surprised  than  anything.  ‘  i've  no  experience  with  daggers,  ’  she  began,  brushing  a  lock  of  hair  behind  her  ear,  golden  bangles  clinking  softly.  ‘ i’m  better  with  archery  than  hand  to  hand,  unless  you  mean  to  have  a  few  rounds  of  competition  that  way.  ’  a  pause,  her  gaze  dropping  to  the  stranger’s  poised  stance,  then  lifting  again  with  something  close  to  fondness.  ‘  i  don’t  mind  a  bit  of  shared  silence.  you  train.  i’ll  observe.  maybe  offer  commentary  as  unsolicited  as  it  is  unqualified.  ’  a  soft,  chiming  laugh  as  she  stepped  back  with  an  elegant  sweep  of  her  arm.  ‘ besides,  there’s  a  certain  poetry  in  watching  someone  move  with  purpose.  consider  me  your  very  decorative,  very  unhelpful  sparring  partner. ’

the lady ryu had been itching for a change of scenery. she didn't mind being surrounded by all the people frolicking about in the aftermath of a very disturbing event , but she had been dying ( oh , what a poor choice of wording ! ) for a move on - for her habitual training at dawn & at dusk to jolt her senses awake. the training grounds were not ideal - for they have been surprisingly crawling over with men playing swords - but , something one just could not pick & choose.

it made her miss her home even more.

aera had half a mind to track her brother to pester him for a light sparring , when movement in her peripheral caught her attention. eyebrows arching up in pleasant surprise , the lady ryu watched another lady packing up a bow & arrows. choosing the sheathe her twin daggers , aera approached the other with a friendly smile on her face ( she rarely approached others on her own volition , though this seemed like it could be a start of - at least - a good sparring partnership.

" apologies for startling you. if I may be so bold , but you look like you could use a training partner ?" she asked , as her presumption would take her no further , hand resting upon the hilt of her dagger. " I mean , I could use a training partner if you'd be willing to indulge me. "

[proelium]

alyra  didn’t  laugh  —  not  at  the  jest,  and  not  in  the  way  she  normally  might’ve,  to  smooth  over  the  edges  of  discomfort  with  practiced  charm.  instead,  she  looked  down  at  her  untouched  plate,  then  up  to  cedric,  and  for  once,  she  didn’t  mask  the  quiet  wear  in  her  eyes.  ‘  it  is  unlike  you  to  want  cold  food,  cedric.  ’  she  tried,  but  it  lands  flat  and  she  knows  it. rises  to  her  feet  with  a  fluid  grace  that  belied  the  unsettled  current  beneath  her  skin,  hands  clasped  before  her  to  keep  them  from  trembling  harder. the  mention  of  fear  didn’t  make  her  flinch  —  it  settled  into  her  like  a  truth  she  already  knew,  spoken  aloud  with  more  kindness  than  most  would’ve  offered.  ‘ i  don’t  know  if  i  can  channel  it  the  way  you  do, ’  she  admitted,  her  voice  low,  almost  hesitant,  ‘ i  almost  feel  guilt  to  admit  it  when  it  seems  like  so  many  aren't  ...  bothered  by  what  has  happened.  i've  no  doubts  that  i  can  wade  through  with  you  and  others  of  our  friends,  i  believe  my  hurdle  is  when  that  changes. ’

"i suppose it would be untoward, to offer to finish your plate." it was but a jest -- potentially misplaced, in light of her fears unravelling for cedric to see. he was grateful that she had let him see what truly lurked beneath the mask she'd donned for court. hands withdrawn, but he had noted the tremor in them, heard the strain in each word spoken. the fairvale finished his drink, and placed it against wood, keen to leave the hall behind. "i've had my fill. come, there's a patch of the royal gardens i enjoy, largely out of sight." he did not enjoy much of anything about the royal palace, not when it had become a confine, a gilded cage with bars that would not bend. "i'm not without fear. i've simply... learned to control it. channel it, towards more productive things. you must not let it fester, lyra." fear that could arrest the mind and blind in battle, was deadly. as a warrior, he'd had no choice but to find ways to overcome it -- though that did not meant he lived without it. only fools did. he lowered his voice further, to speak again. "we can only try to navigate the labyrinth of shifting allegiances and covert intentions they've placed us in. i'm no politician -- but i know we are stronger, together."

[proelium]

the  garden’s  outer  terrace  had  been  long  abandoned  to  twilight,  moonlight  weaving  silver  across  stone  and  vine  alike.  alyra  stood  where  the  lanterns  faded,  wrapped  in  a  robe  far  too  fine  for  sleep,  balancing  a  tray  of  golden  fig  tarts  and  a  half-emptied  goblet  with  precarious  ease.  her  hair  was  pinned  like  sculpture,  though  a  few  curls  rebelled,  catching  the  starlight. the  last  time  they  saw  each  other,  dragonveil  mist  clung  to  their  cloaks  and  silence  hung  heavier  than  words  dared  to.  years   since   they'd   enjoyed   uninterrupted   time   together   as   naulyn   had   left   at   the   behest   of   those   that   needed   her,   jealousy   burning   in   her   then,   quiet   acknowledgment   now   that   perhaps   the   years   not   been   as   gratuitous  as   lyra   would've   expected. ‘  you  still  walk  quieter  than  the  wind,  sister,  ’  she  said,  not  turning,  but  her  voice  twitched  with  amusement.  ‘  i  was  beginning  to  think  you’d  forgotten  how  to  find  me  in  the  dark.  ’ open to @crvwncd

[proelium]

.¸¸.•`  [   NYCHAA NUTTANICHA   ,   DEMI WOMAN   ,   THEY + SHE   ]   the  almighty  has  blessed  us  once  more,   it   seems  KANNIKA STARLING has  come   to   ilthoria.   the   LIEGE OF STARFAX,   brings  with  them  such  glorious  fortune  and  they  are  known  for  being  INTROSPECTIVE but  also  DETACHED.  joy  will  spark  when  the  THIRTY ONE  year  old  comes  to  court.  what  songs  would  be  sung  in  their  name  ?  [  MOONLIGHT  +   KALI UCHIS   ]  for  in  the  decades  to  come  they  will  sing  of  :  hushed lavenders and starlight opal cuffs, hairpins carved from ivory the color of the moon, violet rings upon slim fingers and irises.  may  enerin  bless  your  soul,  welcome  to  ilthoria  child.

STATISTICS.

full   name  :   kannika starling

moniker   /   nickname  :   nika,

title  :   liege of house starfax, sereen

gender   /   pronouns  :   demi woman, she + they

age  :   twenty seven

sexual   orientation  :   pansexual

romantic   orientation  :   panromantic

religion  :   devout follower of atesia, marked by her

language  :   common tongue

affiliation  :   atesia first, starlings second, the kingdom last

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE.

face   claim  :   nychaa nuttanicha

height  :   5'9''

eye   color  :  dark brown

hair   color  :   naturally brown, wavy occasionally straight but almost always pulled away from their face

accent   &   speech   style  :    lilting, contains a musical tone

distinguishing   marks   /   characteristics  :   lavender eyes, frequently smells of plumeria and other flowers despite the region they hail from

FAMILY.

parents  :   names to be added.

siblings  :   achara.

significant   other(s)  :   none, at the moment but open for plotting

children  :   none.

PERSONALITY.

mbti   type  :    the advocate, infj

enneagram   type  :   4w5, the free spirit

temperament  :   sanguine.

TIDBITS.

you are the third child of house starling. your mother bore you beneath an eclipse sky, veiled in lavender fire. you came from a love that slipped between protocol and prayer, a traveling merchant some have whispered, a man with kind eyes is all your mother would say.

before your breath was your own, the deity atesia reached for you. you were born with warmth in your bones and sunlight singing beneath your skin. sereen, crafted with the traits that pleases atesia the most.

your main concern has always been to act in the best interests as her vessel : sunlight answers when you summon it. fire bows before you, sacred and soft. you draw moisture from stone and salt, letting dry roots drink.

yet gifts come with gravity. you were raised with rules older than court law : you are the eye, the voice, the hand. serve the fragments. stray, and the gift returns to her. you’ve felt that promise lingering behind your every miracle.

so you move carefully. you speak only when silence would betray the divine. you prefer your head to be lost in her clouds, in the depth of your devotions to her and her alone. the ongoings of court you feel untouched by, whether hubris or naivety is yet to be seen.

WANTED CONNECTIONS.

tbd, working on them

[proelium]

NYCHAA NUTTANICHA LOREAL PARIS

[proelium]

     —   ⁺  𝐍𝐘𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐀 𝐍𝐔𝐓𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐇𝐀  ,  1996 , AN ADDITIONAL [ #349 GIFS ] NEW TOTAL [ #560 GIFS ] VARIOUS  /  nychaa nuttanicha is thai, please cast accordingly and use appropriately. all of the gifs have been created from scratch by me. to access the gifs please click the source link. do not edit, claim as your own or add into your own hunts! time and effort were spent into making these gifs, a like or a reblog would be much appreciated!

[ ! ] content warning: flashing

[proelium]

the  arrow  had  found  no  harm,  but  still,  she  felt  the  weight  of  its  near  mistake  settle  in  her  chest.  ‘  too  fine  for  loose  arrows,  indeed,  ’  she  murmured,  flicking  a  glance  toward  robb  before  following  his  gaze  to  the  treetops.  the  canopy  stretched  far  overhead,  rustling  with  the  wind  —  so  similar  to  home,  yet  distant  all  the  same. she  adjusted  her  stance,  rolling  her  shoulders  back  as  if  shaking  off  some  unseen  thought.  ‘  perhaps  i  was  lost  in  it,  ’  she  admitted,  voice  carrying  the  hesitation  of  someone  unused  to  sharing  their  troubles.  ‘  too  many  whispers  lately,  too  much  uncertainty  about  what’s  to  come.  i  was  hoping  the  bow  would  clear  my  head.  ’  her  lips  curved  slightly,  though  there  was  little  mirth  in  the  expression.  ‘  clearly,  i  should  pay  better  attention.  ’ she  studied  him  then,  eyes  sharpening  with  quiet  curiosity.  ‘  and  you  ?  ’  she  asked,  tilting  her  head.  ‘  were  you  simply  admiring  the  day,  or  were  you  trying  to  outrun  your  own  thoughts  ?  ’

HE'D  ALWAYS  BEEN  MORE  SENTIMENTAL  THAN  HE'D  LET  ON.  As  much  as  he  enjoyed  being  close  to  his  sister  once  again;  Robb  was  missing  home.  And  whenever  he  found  himself  missing  the  fast  rivers  and  stubborn  vines,  miles  of  deep-green  forest  and  morning  rains,  Robb  ventured  out  for  a  walk. This  time,  lost  deep  in  thought  with  no  particular  sense  of  direction,  he'd  barely  noticed  the  arrow  aimed  right  at  him.  Hands  rushed  up  in  quick  defence,  then  lowered  at  the  others  gentle  apology.  "No  matter."  he  said,  dismissing  her  regret  casually  before  stepping  forward  to  offer  one  of  his  own.  "Apologies  for  startling  you,  my lady, I've  been  told  I've  a  quiet  step.  Seems  it  might  yet  be  the  death  of  me...someday."  polite  smile  lingered  at  his  lip,  and  he  looked  around  to  gather  in  his  exact  whereabouts.  "It's  a  fine  day.  Too  fine  for  loose  arrows,  I'd  say.  Something  on  your  mind?"

[proelium]

‘  florian,  ’  her  voice  is  gentle,  but  firm,  like  the  wind  that  carries  the  scent  of  fresh  rain.  ‘  i  have  never  measured  worth  by  the  burdens  one  carries,  nor  by  the  mistakes  that  haunt  them.  if  i  did,  i  would  not  have  been  able  to  see  my  own  reflection  without  doubt.  ’  she  lets  the  silence  stretch,  lets  him  breathe  in  what  she  has  said  before  continuing.  ‘  you  ask  if  i  would  look  at  you  the  same  at  the  end  of  all  this  —  but  i  have  seen  you  as  you  are,  not  just  as  others  expect  you  to  be.  i  don't  believe  the  end  will  make  a  stranger  of  you.  ’  her  fingers  brush  the  edge  of  his  sleeve,  a  fleeting  touch,  as  if  testing  whether  he  will  allow  her  closeness  or  pull  away.  ‘  you  carry  much,  florian.  but  you  are  not  meant  to  bear  it  alone.  ’  regardless  of  it  was  her  that  lent  listening  ear  or  the  friends  she  knew  he  had,  family  members  that  he  trusted  ;  he  wasn't  alone  in  it  all.

her  words  are  comforting  ,  soothing  in  a  way  he  didn't  know  he  needed  to  hear  .  he  was  a  travelled  man  by  the  age  of  twenty  -  seven  ,  yet  the  chains  around  his  neck  had  been  some  he'd  put  on  himself  .  she  gave  him  room  to  breathe  .  the  guilt  within  him  had  festered  like  a  plague  clinging  to  everything  living  ⸻  would  he  ever  escape  it  ?  the  burning  sensation  of  betrayal  of  those  weaker  and  more  feeble  ?  he  did  not  know  ,  but  in  this  moment  ,  perhaps  a  sliver  of  him  wished  to  believe  they  could  be  forgiven  ,  for  she  looked  at  him  which  such  kind  eyes  ,  he  was  curious  if  the  future  would  be  more  than  this  state  he  had  been  living  in  for  seven  years  .  there's  a  sigh  escaping  his  lips  and  eyes  avvert  from  beauty  .  "  the  decisions  i  make  ,  the  choices  i  have  to  accept  with  the  responsbillities  given  to  me  ,  they  are  so  heavy  to  bare  .  "  he  opens  up  ,  lets  the  stream  of  words  he  never  shares  with  anyone  come  forth  .  anyone  but  her  .  "  am  i  even  worthy  of  your  hand  ,  lyra  ,  with  these  actions  of  mine  ?  would  you  even  look  at  me  the  same  ,  at  the  end  of  all  this  ?  "

[proelium]

vesper  stops  mid-step,  exhaling  sharply  through  her  nose,  barely  resisting  the  urge  to  snap  at  him  for  the  simple  request.  he’s  not  wrong  —  she’s  pacing  like  a  caged  animal,  but  sitting  still  feels  impossible  when  every  breath  tastes  of  tension,  of  uncertainty,  of  the  weight  of  a  thousand  unspoken  threats  lurking  beneath  the  surface.  ‘  it  helps  me  think,  ’  she  says  instead,  though  the  words  ring  hollow.  she  looks  at  him  then,  at  the  calm  way  he  reads,  how  he  seems  unaffected  by  the  chaos  threading  through  the  palace  walls.  it  should  irritate  her  ;  his  ability  to  sit,  to  breathe,  to  exist  without  showing  the  same  restless  energy  clawing  at  his  ribs,  but  it  doesn't.  not  really.  he'd  always  been  hard  to  crack,  and  she  applauded  him  for  it  often.  ‘  they’re  making  their  move,  soon.  i  can  feel  it,  ’  she  mutters,  dragging  a  hand  through  her  hair  before  finally  sinking  down  beside  him.  the  movement  is  begrudging,  but  the  moment  she  stops  pacing,  tension  coils  in  her  spine,  leaving  her  jaw  tight.  fingers  being  to tap  idly  against  the  wood  beneath  them.  ‘  the  high  king  doesn’t  act  without  layers  of  deceit,  and  this  feels  too  carefully  orchestrated  to  be  coincidence.  ’

*       ◟    :   𝚂𝚃𝙰𝚃𝚄𝚂  …  CLOSED  :  for  vesper  helms,   @proelium

he had watched her go back and forth through their living space at least four times now from over the page of his novel, the constant motion able to make him dizzy in a way that their boats never had. the unrest in the palace was easy for rhenar to overlook. there was always something on the surface of the water or on the boats that didn't go according to plan, but it unnerved him to see vesper out of sorts. when she was the cause of most things gone wrong and he was often left to follow her at a slower pace. " can you sit down, please ? " he asked after the next trek by him and he patted the seat next to him. " you wearing a hole through the floor will not help. " nothing would as the high king and his council weren't to be trusted and were far from unbiased.

[proelium]

cassa exhales  slowly,  willing  the  warmth  at  the  nape  of  her  neck  to  cool.  the  way  he  always  looks  at  her  is  infuriating.  effortless,  teasing,  deliberate  without  feeling  forced.  he  plays  at  mischief,  but  there’s  intent  beneath  it,  something  sharp  and  knowing,  and  it  is  entirely  unfair  how  easily  he  wields  it.  she  tilts  her  head  just  slightly,  eyes  flickering  over  him  before  settling  on  the  balcony  beyond.  it should  warrant  some  kind  of  reprimand,  something  scathing  enough  to  remind  him  of  the  risk,  of  the  consequences.  and  yet,  when  he  closes  the  space  between  them,  her  breath  barely  hitches  —  barely. ‘ my  brother  wouldn't  just  have  your  head, ’  she  adds,  tone  edged  with  amusement,  though  not  quite  a  warning.  ‘ he  would  make  an  example  of  you. ’  she  doesn't  step  away  nor  retreat.  instead,  she  lets  a  quiet  smirk  tug  at  her  lips,  a  flicker  of  something  unreadable  behind  her  gaze.  ‘ but  then  again, ’  she  continues,  brushing  past  him,  fingers  barely  grazing  his  sleeve,  ‘ since  you  already  know  that,  there  must  be  something  of  great  importance  for  you  to  seek  me  out.  whatever  it  is  that  it  required  you  to  get  me  alone,  ’  cassa  begins  as  she  moves  past  him  onto  the  balcony  he'd  climbed  up,  voice  wafting  over  her  shoulder,  ‘ so  what  is  it  ? ’ 

The fact that she wasn't screaming at him, throwing something at him, or demanding him to turn around and leave the way he came, was a very good sign. jinhai can't help but smile, that infuriating pleased smile of his, his mischievous eyes following every move of her body, the silks of her attire giving glimpses of herself, he moves his eyes slowly to her face once more. "there is a limit?" he jests, "i am yet to reach it, i should perhaps try harder." he tries his best not to laugh too loudly, as he usually does, but a chuckle comes out all the same. "i have made certain that no one saw even a glimpse of my shadow, i would never do anything to damage your reputation," he says with sincerity. "besides your brother would have my head if he found out." his fingers find his neck in a dramatic gesture. "not the view of the balcony? no, the view of you? yes." he says taking another step closer to her. "i haven't been able to get you alone, this seemed like the only way."

[proelium]

cassa  didn't  lift  her  gaze  immediately.  she  sat  still,  hands  curled  around  the  delicate  stem  of  a  glass  that  had  long  since  lost  its  purpose.  the  liquid  remained  untouched  now,  its  presence  unnecessary — she  was  sober  enough  to  know  that  silence  would  carry  more  weight  tonight  than  any  fleeting  indulgence.  ‘ i  could  ask  you  the  same, ’  she  murmured,  voice  smooth,  unreadable.  her  brother,  anchor,  tether  to  something  beyond  obligation,  stood  before  her,  weighed  down  by  things  he  would  never  say  aloud.  the  years  had  carved  deep  lines  into  him  :  lines  of  duty,  of  sacrifice,  of  quiet  suffering  beneath  a  king  that  asked  too  much  and  gave  nothing  in  return.  she  sighs  softly,  finally  looking  at  him,  taking  in  the  exhaustion  that  clung  to  him  like  a  second  skin.  ‘ you  followed  orders  again, ’  she  said,  not  quite  an  accusation,  but  not  devoid  of  meaning  either.  ‘ now  you  sit  here  with  guilt  that  no  amount  of  wine  will  wash  away. ’ a  pause.  ‘ i  haven't  gone  to  bed  because  i  refuse  to  let  you  drown  in  it  alone. ’ 

closed      starter for : 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧   𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐰𝐢𝐜𝐤 & 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚   𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐰𝐢𝐜𝐤  location :     𝐭𝐡𝐞   𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐰𝐢𝐜𝐤   𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

after   too   many   glasses   of   wine   ,   the   master   of   whispers   had   found   his   way   back   home   .   the   wine   intoxicated   ,   but   it   did   not   remove   the   guilt   which   had   blossomed   in   his   chest   .   he'd   followed   the   kings   orders   ,   like   the   fox   on   a   leash   he   was   .   how   many   years   had   it   been   now   ?   seven   since   he   had   been   able   to   live   in   this   world   not   held   back   by   duty   and   responsbillities   pushed   upon   him   by   a   king   with   no   remorse   ?   as   he   enteres   the   living   room   ,   he   finds   his   sister   .   "   why   have   you   not   gone   to   bed   ?   "   he   did   not   know   if   she   was   here   because   she   wished   to   stay   as   a   family   after   tonight   ,   or   simply   because   she   pitied   him   .   he   loved   his   sister   ,   treasured   her   perhaps   more   than   anyone   .   however   ,   she   was   the   only   one   free   with   no   chains   to   a   collar   and   he   was   going   to   make   bloody   sure   it   stayed   that   way   .

@proelium

[proelium]

‘ it  is  no  surprise, ’  she  says  simply,  watching  mei  without  subtlety.  ‘ you  carry  a  name  that  people  do  not  forget.  no  amount  of  quiet  will  change  that. ’  she  tilts  her  head  slightly,  taking  in  the  way  mei  lingers  among  the  blooms,  almost  as  if  trying  to  disappear  into  them.  ‘ but  dwelling  on  what  others  see  will  not  undo  the  past, ’  cassa  continues.  ‘ nor  will  it  change  their  minds. ’  her  fingers  brush  absently  against  the  petals  of  a  nearby  flower,  a  fleeting  moment  of  thought  before  she  speaks  again. ‘ one  must  endure, ’  she  adds, ‘ whether  for  spite  or  survival,  i  cannot  say.  as  for  how  i  fare, ’  she  muses,  letting  a  small,  knowing  smile  ghost  across  her  lips,  ‘ i  suspect  that  answer  matters  far  less  than  yours. ’ she  does  not  offer  comfort.  she  does  not  attempt  to  soften  the  weight  between  them.  she  merely  states  the  truth,  nothing  more,  nothing  less.  it's  unfortunate  how  it's  now  left  up  to  the  remaining  haojings  as  to  how  they  will  create  their  path,  if  they  will.  or  roll  over  and  rot  in  the  aftermath  of  the  king's  decision.

Mei had seen the looks. some of pity, some who feel anger, and some who looked like they were still trying to figure out how to feel. She didn't blame them but she rather than be her curious overly talking self, she thought it best to avoid all. "as you wish my lady." she answered truthfully as she stayed with the flowers, like if she was one of them. "I doubt much can take away this burden, most see me. its either the mark they see or images of my father's head. I rather not have that be the image one first pops in their mind when we cross paths." the haojing says earnestly. "How do you fair, my lady?"

[proelium]

vesper  steps  forward,  boots  scuffing  against  the  worn  wood  of  the  dock  as  she  comes  to  stand  beside  him.  she  doesn’t  announce  herself  —  if  he  hadn't  heard  her,  he  was  already  a  lost  cause.  ‘  forced  ?  ’  she  muses,  her  voice  edged  with  amusement.  ‘  i  wasn’t  aware  anyone  held  a  blade  to  your  throat,  jihan.  ’ she  keeps  her  gaze  on  the  water  for  a  moment  longer,  watching  the  way  the  waves  pull  and  retreat,  restless  as  the  both  of  them  wanting  to  be  far  from  ardora. ‘  if  you’re  searching  for  an  excuse  to  abandon  your  post,  at  least  make  it  a  clever  one,  ’  she  begins,  shrugging.  ‘  something  noble,  tragic,  perhaps  even  scandalous.  '  lord  of  the  tide,  swept  away  by  duty  and  desires  '  —  it  has  a  poetic  ring  to  it  that  the  bards  could  sing  for  years  to  come.  ’

the private wharf of the royal grounds with vesper helms — @proelium

There's a deep breath from the lord of the tide as he stands there at the edge of the empty wharf as he gazes at the fleet of boars that are anchored in the distance. his fleet, he hadn't set foot in one of them since his arrival to the capital, mostly because he was scared he would not be able to fight the urge to sail away and not look back. he had responsibilities, and a certain lady to guard, before he could return to the sea for the very least for a long while. "it is a lovely day to be at sea, and yet we are forced to be anchored here, on this forsaken land." he says as he hears another behind him, he waits a bit longer before taking his eyes from the horizon and looking back to see who had joined him.