sworn-in-blood

[sworn-in-blood]

Dukes and clubs disappeared in the quiet of the writer's apartment, and everything was as right as it ever should be. Cass was with the man she truly loved, who wanted to give her everything despite having next to nothing, château sacrificed for a simple place even if just for the night.

He allowed her to pull him closer, a smile on his expression as he met her gaze. He was a hopeless romantic with only one person to give all he had, but he never wanted to change that for the world.

Ownership could never compare to the way the heart itself loved, and the Duke would never understand. Matías didn't even think he'd ever truly loved in his life if he thought that was the way to Cass' heart — it proved he didn't understand.

"Then we'll both be ridiculous."

@constellationcursed from here

[sworn-in-blood]

Nerves laced with excitement danced along the marrow of his bones, eyes a spell that drew him closer and closer as he waited for her answer. Hands grabbed at his lapels and just as his mind had been pulled in, so was his jacket and his own body in tow. He held her arms in response, that glimmer in his eye forever glistening and sparkling like the dew on a sunny winter's morning.

"I shall!"

Directed to the bed, Matías sat carefully as though not to crumple her well made sheets, sitting only a few inches from the woman he so adored.

"I shall."

The young sailor had caught not a glimpse of the books that surrounded her, for the nightingale's face held more splendour than the finest binding of a book, contained more lines of poetry than even the great authors of old could claim — he had need not read fiction when the very subject of his dreams sat in front of him, imploring him to kiss her.

And kiss her he did.

Soft and slow, like he would be torn from her right after, hands caressing the side of her face as hers lingered on the lapels of his jacket. Oh, how he would never forget how her soft lips tasted, how they felt against his own, roses clashing against the salt-worn spray of the sea.

"We fly tonight."

With the way Cassiopeia was always sequestered away in her room, she doubted she’d ever have chances for romance. She’d read plenty of plays and books full of stories like this, but that would never be something that belonged to her. Even in her nicest white dress, she still felt… awkward. Gentlemen didn’t go near her, let alone occupy her room. Cassiopeia stepped towards Matías regardless.

“Oh, sir,” she repeated. Cassiopeia nodded enthusiastically, the bow in her hair struggling to maintain ground as she did so. Her pearl earrings gleamed under the light, and she pulled Matías in by the lapels. “Kiss me.”

The young girl had learned quite quickly she enjoyed being kissed an awful lot — and especially by Matías. Cassiopeia searched his brown eyes for the same contentment and thrill she experienced now. Her well-worn collection of Shakespeare plays rested on the small table next to them, opened to a scene from Romeo and Juliet. With her free hand, Cassiopeia guided Matías so he was sitting on her bed with her.

“Kiss me!”

[sworn-in-blood]

Matías didn't particularly hang around this part of town, but with Cassiopeia only a few streets over, this was a good place to get his bearings. Light nerves danced upon him, but it was only for he didn't know the woman here.

This place seemed awfully empty otherwise, and it was likely only for the fact that prices weren't what they used to be, and it was a little out of the way for a storefront. His cap was taken off his head, eyes glanced to the dishevelled woman on the corner to who he had provided a little something for.

He had no need for pie, as he'd already found his own food elsewhere, and empty stores didn't always bode well for quality. Still, there were a lot of things better than a sailor's ration, and it was a chance to get out of the light rain.

"Ah, miss." he began, meeting her gaze as she blocked the entrance into the shop. "I'm only waiting for someone. I won't stay long."

@catalinacisneros from here

[sworn-in-blood]

It had been only minutes since Matías had purchased the little bird singing in the steel bars, from that wandering vendor. He recalled inquiring about the nightingales, blinded for them to call notes even in the bright light of the day, and thinking it cruel, had instead purchased the lark for the woman who he felt so strongly for.

The sailor smiled, offering the bird a little closer. She sung so beautifully, it was only right that she gained a little company of her own in the form of the creature her voice embodied, his hand brushed against hers when she reached out. His touch was gentle even if his palms were calloused, years of work on the sea a record upon his skin.

"For you, miss."

@constellationcursed from here

[sworn-in-blood]

This was the kind of romance he could only dare to read about, to dream, and yet here it was. His hand intertwined with another's, a kiss pressed to hers, and a lingering gaze on both soft lips and soulful eyes. Nothing would stand in between them, not a judge, not a policeman, not even the ships on which he sailed, or the very streets of London.

Matías would devote all that he was to the woman before him, they would marry — oh, they would marry — they would fly by the weekend, and everything would be theirs. He didn't have all to offer her, but he had himself, he had the sea, and he had the wonders of the world.

"Oh, miss." His smile never left his lips, responding in kind as her forehead rested against his own. She smelled of roses and the flowers themselves, and flighty as she was, he would commit the sound of her voice to memory to listen back on when times were hard, for it was so wonderfully beautiful.

"You're sure?"

“Matías,” Cassiopeia echoed, looking to him for confirmation. “I’ll marry Matías on Sunday!”

His name was spoken reverently, and it wasn’t surprising considering her religious upbringing. She smiled brightly at him, and she looked at their intertwined hands. Cassiopeia assumed no one would ever want to hold her hands, what with how red and raw they were from years of self-directed cruelty, but here he was. Matías had no issue kissing her and saying kind things — she didn’t know if she deserved that, but she accepted it regardless.

“Oh, sir.” Though Cassiopeia wasn’t visibly blushing, it was clear she was both excited and flustered. She leaned her forehead against Matías’ — what a wonderful name, one she’d continue to say time and time again. She could barely contain her peals of laughter, and she looked to their intertwined hands a second time. “Kiss me!”

[sworn-in-blood]

Shellshocked was a light word for what either of them had been. Matías had seen much during his time sailing, but nothing quite compared to the visceral, gruesome scenes they'd witnessed as one, nothing could quite rid the hot, metallic scent of blood and the gore-strewn floor that made up the bakehouse. His hand found itself in her hair, her cap sitting next to them, carding through it every so often.

The sailor barely registered the bumps and shudders of the coach as it continued, eyes fixed on the wall ahead of them and his lover's face, tongue resting on the top of his mouth whilst he considered it all. Trust was a currency more valuable than pounds and shillings, and he wondered how much of a fool he had to have been.

"She was my friend." Voice cracked and shattered underneath the enunciation, quiet as his fingers found comforting repetition in her hair, untangling the matted locks with a gentle touch. "We'll leave. We are leaving. Come, we'll marry Sunday, just like we promised, here comes France, or Spain, or anywhere you'd like."

@constellationcursed from here

[sworn-in-blood]

〘  cassiopeia clay 〙  ⸻ @constellationcursed

➥  it doesn't matter that i still don't know your name.

Oh, the joy that filtered into his heart, wonderful, hopeful, every bright and good thing. Matías held her hand with such care, raising her hand — lips pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles, lowering it as he looked into her eyes. She radiated the sun — no, more than even that, she was the sun itself, the beautiful nightingale that he would never cage nor blind.

He could never take his gaze off her own, nor his smile from his expression, she drew him in quicker than the salt-tinged air of the sea, she was just as wondrous as the moon's light on midnight waves. He was no poet, but the list of her likeness came to him strong and came to him fast. He could write a thousand ballads to sing of her, she deserved all and she deserved more, and the caged songbird desired the freedom of the skies.

"Matías."

[sworn-in-blood]

SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET MUSICAL STARTERS: PT. III

we all deserve to die.

i will have vengeance.

i will have salvation.

welcome to the grave.

now don't be shy.

and my ___ lies in ashes!

i'm alive at last, and i'm full of joy!

the work waits!

later, when it's dark, we'll take them to some secret place and bury them.

what are we going to do about them?

seems a downright shame.

seems an awful waste.

without you all these years i'll never know.

for what's the sound of the world out there?

these are desperate times, and desperate measures are called for.

everybody goes down where we fear.

business couldn't be better.

i still have reason to rejoice, the way ahead is clear.

it's always morning in my head.

smell that air, city on fire!

i'll think of you until the day i die.

you know what i'd like to do, if the business stays as good?

by the sea, that's the life i covet.

anything you say.

but a seaside wedding could be devised.

nothing's gonna harm you, not while i'm around.

demons'll charm you with a smile.

what is this foolishness?

show me something i can overcome.

i would never hide a thing from you.

it's the end of the world!

that's what you promised.

there's no safety for you in the street.

favor me with your glance.

soon we'll sail the world and see its wonders.

have all the demons of hell come to torment me?

you knew they lived!

would you have wanted to know that was all that was left?

i'd be twice the wife she was!

there's little point in dwelling on the past.

[sworn-in-blood]

SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET MUSICAL STARTERS: PT. II

favor me with your glance.

promise not to retreat to the darkness.

i was half convinced i'd waken.

do they think walls can hide you?

may i have your attention please?

you need never again have a worry or care.

you are about to see something that rose from the dead.

don't distress yourself.

hush. think it through.

always brooding away on your wrongs.

half the fun is to plan the plan.

they mean to marry me.

what shall i do? i'd rather die.

i have a plan. kiss me.

i think i heard a noise.

i'll die of grief.

what can we do with time so brief?

if you'd only listen.

i know i'd be with you one day, even not knowing who you were.

i fear you'd never come, that you'd be called away.

favor me with your hand.

we best not wait.

it's the only thing my mother gave me.

it doesn't matter that i still don't know your name.

that's what i'll do, no matter what.

i had them and then they busted in!

their throat was there beneath my had.

their throat was there and he'll never come again.

hush, love, hush.

you told me to wait and now they'll never come again.

[sworn-in-blood]

SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET MUSICAL STARTERS: PT. I

who never thereafter were heard of again.

they trod a path that few have trod.

and what if none of their souls were saved?

freely flow the blood of those who moralize

quick and quiet and clean they were.

he wouldn't want us to give it away.

i have sailed the world, beheld its wonders.

there's no place like ___.

i feel home again.

you are young, life has been kind to you.

it is here we go our separate ways.

hey, don't i know you?

off with you, off i say!

there's no need to fear the likes of them.

there's nothing but to wait.

that was so many years go.

now leave me, i beg of you.

there's somewhere i must go, something i must find out.

you gave me such a fright, i thought you was a ghost.

what's your rush, what's your hurry?

i haven't seen a customer for weeks.

you'd think i had the plague from the way the people keep avoiding me.

heaven knows i try.

no denying times are hard.

no-one would have mercy on them.

you've been locked out of sight all these years.

i've come home to find you waiting.

always had a fondness for you, i did.

you can move in here.

soon you'll know splendors you never have dreamed.

they never forgot and they never forgave.

how is it you sing?

outside the sky waits, beckoning.

how can you remain, staring at the rain?

whence comes this melody, constantly flowing?

is it rejoicing or merely halloing?

are you discussing, or fussing, or simply dreaming?

are you crowing, or are you screaming?

have you decided it's safer in cages, singing when you're told?

my cage has many rooms, damask and dark.

nothing there sings.

teach me to sing.

if i cannot fly, let me sing.

[sworn-in-blood]

[sworn-in-blood]

Matías Allen hadn't the courage to fire upon the jailor. Cassiopeia did, however, and he wouldn't get the sound of the shot out of his head. He remembered when he'd made such a bold claim earlier, said he would kill a dozen to reunite, and he couldn't even kill the one. Still, his lover had more determination than he, had shot him and gained both their freedom, and now here they were, on the run.

He just needed to get to the shop, hand in hand with the woman he loved. Valentine said she'd have helped, keep them both safe until the time came, and he could only hope but to trust her now. The sailor stopped when she spoke, keeping one hand intertwined with hers, the other resting on her shoulder.

She left his, stepping back as if recoiling from herself, quick and sudden like she had in her room. Matías said he had a plan then, he still did, he swore it would come to fruition and they would be free of all those who tried to harm either of them. His hand reached out for her again, wanting to comfort her with all he had.

"Somewhere safe, somewhere a friend of mine promised she'd hide us. They won't take you again, Cassiopeia, I swear it, on everything I have. I won't let them, I promise you. I swear it."

@constellationcursed from here

[sworn-in-blood]

Cassiopeia reminded the young sailor of a bird, flighty and never able to calm herself for want of anything. Wouldn't he be the same way, if it was him in her position, forced to marry someone he didn't intend to? His hold was gentle, concern alighting through his gaze and onto every part of the other — comfort was far from here and the usual words wouldn't do anything in the midst of fear.

He's quick to come to her again, taking her hand as she implores him, he must leave, he must, he must — and he becomes that steadying anchor instead, something to calm her from digging herself a deeper and deeper grave by the second. The sailor will not allow her to destroy herself with the fear of his death or her own marriage, they had this night and he would not dare to abandon her.

No command came, this was not him telling her to which she could not decide for herself, but all the genuine kindness of a man who sincerely believed that this melancholic woman deserved all and more, who should be tasting the salt of the seaside and not the salt of her own tears, who should be speaking to him of wonders and not fear exceeding anything and everything.

"Shh, hey. There's no gate." Matías held her carefully, his other hand moving to her shoulder, then to the side of her face for only a few seconds. Oh, how he wanted to embrace her, but he would not overstep. "Listen to me, listen, Cassiopeia — I have a plan. Kiss me."

@constellationcursed from here

[sworn-in-blood]

she's not supposed to be here. she rarely is, and yet she still manages to slip in between doors and walls like a breath of wind whistling across the outside air. the money's already exchanged hands, set to be wired within the week, should everything work the way it was supposed to. the hustle and bustle of the people surrounding conceal her from prying eyes, to those not a part of the world she involved herself in and the ones that were — she was not a careless woman by any sense of the word.

there's a car waiting at the end of the street. dropped off by a friend, and unassuming enough for her to make her leave. this isn't her typical style of wear, but this would make hiding easier on this particular night — after all, blazers and well-tailored coats seemed to draw more attention than it was worth. careful steps bring her outside, into alcoves of shadow settling in dusty alleyways.

suspicious, sure, but something told her this situation was off. subsequently, she shifts, changes direction, she doesn't directly head for the vehicle but goes the long way. jess should know enough about this part of town to devise that pathway, and she's only drawn out of her thoughts by steps to the side — no, ahead — a hand settles near her jacket, able to slide a deft hand into the inner pocket and withdraw weapon if need be.

there's a figure looming just in front of her now, blocking the path with a carefully considered question. she raises a single eyebrow slightly with a shrug of her shoulders — plainclothed, civilian, she can't be sure — portraying to him that of someone just on their way. she answers with an accent too strong to miss.

“ I don't want to be late. ”

@sworn-in-blood walks across his vision like a shadow — all dark, downcast with eyes drawn to the floor and hood draped over head. her frame is small but her presence stretches to every surface, drawn out as far as the light shines in the dim afternoon. how he recognizes her, he doesn't know, isn't sure among the numerous details that catch flame in his brain. case after case piled between layers of soot and ash. somewhere in the rubble of his mind, he sees her face and knows that he has acknowledged it somewhere before. a person of interest, a dealer. that classification rolls against the many different actions he could take in the moment. does he stop her ?? that would surely make her run. was he in a good enough position to chase ?? he looks left and right, noticing the way unfamiliar faces curl against every facet of the room. he doesn't know which ones were hers, if any. or perhaps she was a loner, like him. he doesn't know.

eventually, the contemplation draws a wedge under his skin, peeling off that layer of indecision with the threat of consequence for inaction. anything was better than nothing. he watches her walk toward the door and follows only after she has already left. then, makes to move ahead. she keeps to the edges of the street and barely casts a figure in the creeping darkness, but before she can slip completely into obscurity, he somehow finds a path that crosses directly in front of hers.

“ in a hurry ?? ”

[sworn-in-blood]

KRISTEN STEWART as ME/DEJA LOVE ME (2024) dir. Andrew & Sam Zuchero

[sworn-in-blood]

[sworn-in-blood]

Whats crazy is im literally about to do my best and be kind