#(closedthread)

[courtiings]

@dutyvsdesire

Ram hated lots of aspects about being king, but chief among them were these stupid balls. Inane gatherings of very little substance, wherein he —and his lovely queen— were expected to show their faces to the Metian elite. The pomp and circumstance of it all sickened him. Sure, peace could be a lovely thing, but did he need to travel all the way here to celebrate it?

(Assuming it even lasted to begin with...)

But if these events had any merit to them, they served as opportunities for himself and his spouse to find potential new sexual partners. So, not nothing.

"I would ask if you've had your eyes on the prowl for men of interest," Ram begins, speaking to his low, usual growl in Amrit's ear as they moved together on the dance floor, his hands firmly —not but quite possessively— settled at the his spouse's hips. As much as it annoyed him to perform these little gestures when he would much, much rather be the one they were performed on, people expected a king to lavish over his queen. They all had roles to play.

"—but I know you well enough to figure that is a useless question. Your hunger for cock is only matched by my own..."

[warrmonger]

@defactoking

he'd feel nerves were the beat of his heart not a slow rhythm - his blood, oddly still. no sweat to be seen across the brow of a young man, somewhat confident.

his stride takes him through the building - sees him navigating corridors and working his way up steps and then even more steps. in a suit, he feels almost uncomfortable. unnatural. so used to a soldier's uniform he'd become that to wear such attire has him itchy; his fingers toy with his collar as he moves, adjusts his tie several times over. by the time he's reached the top floor, his appearance could almost be described as dishevelled.

the black suit he dons is one of his father's old ones; a red, satin tie stitching together the whole ensemble. the stubble on his chin, never shaved but hardly ever growing - his hair, an uncut mullet pulled back behind his ears. he snatches a breath before knocking on the door - dares himself not to flee. tells himself that without the other, no matter his opinion on him, heidegger - himself - would be nought.

"m-mr president-" it's a shocking thing to hear his own voice, the growl of a man who'd not needed to speak in so long. would this job require him to talk? he hopes not; still, upon opening the door and seeing the blonde before him - with eyes, diverted and voice low, all he can do is speak. "heidegger - magnar." he stretches out a palm, this meeting so different than their last. this meeting; one not taken place within the padded walls of an asylum. would shinra remember it as clearly as heidegger? slashed wrists and wet eyes? gods, he hopes not.

"i'm here...to assist you-" was the blonde always so intimidating? a short man with light hair and brighter eyes? how can one so angelic in appearance - seem so...dangerous? "with anything you may need."

[warrmonger]

heidegger watches the boy's worry with a stern expression; studies the concern should his mother be made aware of his antics. understands the anxiety that olivier carries. after all - his mother had proven herself one not to be trifled with. a fine woman for the emperor, heidegger had thought, a fine woman in general. ( not that he'd ever speak such treason ! )

"very well-" he nods in response to the order, a small smile curling its way around his lip. perhaps the boy is showing some potential to be the emperor's next best. another dion in the making -! ( though this one hopefully without the dragoon's weaknesses ).

"why watch them train when you could do so yourself?" the knight's expression turns playful, a dangerous game to teach the boy how to fight. and though sylvestre may not be over-the-moon with such a plot, it'd do olivier good in the long-run, surely! "come-" he rises from the floor, holds a palm out for the lad to take "we will get you a wooden sword and i will teach you the basics-"

so long's olivier sustains no bruises, they should be just about fine!

"after all - the future emperor would do well to know his way around a fight."

Distracted he had been, as he seemed to usually be whenever other people that weren't his parents spoke. Even the muffled voice is promptly ignored for the first seconds. It was only when he actually heard his name and saw the man kneel that his eyes brightened -- he knew this one!

"I just..." Though the man had been so considerate and gentle towards him, the boy seems to panic the moment he is asked if his mother knows of his little endeavor. He shakes his head and places a finger over his mouth before lowering his hand back to his chest. He whispers his secrets, trusting the right hand man just as much as his father did.

"I did not tell Mother, and you cannot tell her, either!" He demands, though it is more a plea than anything. So, leans a little closer, glancing from one side to the other. "I'm really bored... I just wanted to see what the knights were doing... I finished studying bells ago. You can take me to watch your men train, can't you?"

[courtiings]

@bloodofmetia [ for augustus ]

Rayne proved to be one very, very productive mommy at the gala in Valtolia all those moons ago. They had faith in Florian to find himself a suitable suitor, truly, but their finances were dwindling fast. Rayne knew they needed to step in and assist their darling son with the matter. If they had any hope of maintaining their expensive lifestyle.

Why did you have to die, my love...

Admittedly, aiming for the stars with a crown prince did not seem wise, but you do miss 100% of the shots you don't take. Rayne made a concerted effort to meet every single one and float the opportunity of a convenient marriage to them.

Best case scenario? Rayne finds their son a rich husband.

Worst case scenario? Rayne gets dicked down to oblivion and sent home with a rejection on their offer.

Augustus was the first to bite, so Rayne found their way to Medes to discuss business in person... and in private. This sitting room flanked by guards was not ideal, but still better than nothing.

"Your palace is lovely, Prince, truly," Rayne says ravishingly, reaching out to place a friendly, maternal hand on the young man's lap. "And I am honored that you even took the time to entertain an old bat such as myself... which brings us to the matter at hand. Are you... spoken for? Betrothed? Because if not, my son Florian is such a catch, and I believe you would get along famously..."

[warrmonger]

@chosenbythecrystal | liked for a starter.

the king sits still in his throne, observes the ruby red of his wine before he presses it to lips - its taste, as bitter as he when eyes catch sight of the prince. a scoundrel - an ungrateful little bastard. the wine heidegger indulges in is more his blood than this boy; all the prince is, is a hindrance.

"hmph-" he sneers, breathes into the goblet - finishes off the booze "and to what do i owe this pleasure?" his words drip with the venomous edge of sarcasm, disgust never far from his frown. he eyes prince noctis as one of their status eyes a common man. were heidegger in absolute control, did the people not love their prince - noctis would have gotten the boot many years before.

( around the time that this king had become king - regis long ousted by the deadly hand of traitor - a traitor who now warms his throne ).

"bored of toying with your loyal pets-?" those three boys always following him around, sworn to protect ( to care ) for the lad. ha - ! what heidegger would do to separate them...perhaps he ought to.

[skylersindie]

Alone. Solo. Seul.

Cesar Marquet worked alone. He always had and should have continued that way. Except...not for this mission. Cesar did not understand why he was required to have another agent assist him-he didn’t get it. Everyone in their Undercover Agency knew, loved, and even preferred that Cesar always worked alone because of the amazing work he always did. Results and....having pleasure along the way. That’s what Cesar would always do; he would continue to do this also even if he had to work with another agent.

But again, he didn’t understand what about this mission couldn’t be done with just him. Yes, the man understood that if the owners of the pieces of artwork that needed to be retrieved, witnessed a happy couple during their encounters, things would seem less suspicious. The different sets of missions would all appear suspicious anyway because it did require both him and his “partner” to work a way around either stealing the artwork back or purchasing it with other favors those people required. Stealing things back or working out deals to do so were things Cesar was very well used to and enjoyed doing it. But alone. Alone.

Sighing, the man placed his winning smile on his lips as he made his way to their privet jet that was provided to both him and his partner to use during their travels. Pieces of information would be given to them along the way and only the basics of what they needed to know was provided to them this morning. The man only hoped the agency hadn’t sent him a new member of the Undercover on this mission. If she is new, even better Cesar! Easier to get rid of her then. At these thoughts, Cesar actually smiled wide now climbing up the steps of the plane; he would make this work-he had to. Once on the plane, Cesar finally lifted his eyes to meet the woman who would be his “wife” for the next few months.

“Hello love, I’m Cesar. Though, for the next few months, you can call me honey or Mr. Darlington.” He added with a smirk. ( @aprilwritcs​ )

[lostincon-blog]

@amongtheseaweed

“Hey, do you think you could hold these for me a second?” Conrad asks, as he hears footsteps come behind him. He’s unable to clearly see who it is, as he has a large bouquet of flowers directly in front of his face.

[courtiings]

@poweir

With all on his mind, especially after the events that transpired in Valtolia, to say Alphaeus felt plagued would have been an understatement. Worrying about his future in terms of marriage was one thing, saying nothing of now also having to be afraid for his mortality...

He wanted to talk with his mother. He always knew what to say in times like these. Even more so than Aurelius did. Such was a queen's lot in life — being fiercely eloquent and sensitive in ways their husbands needn't.

Finding Sorian in his bedchambers, where he —what else— primped and preened himself in front of a vanity, Alfi knocked gently, hovering at the door.

"Mother," Alfi begins, "can you tell me the story of how you met father again? I know you are likely bored of it by now, but... I want to hear it. Since I am to be married soon enough myself, and..."

"I am afraid I will be miserable with whichever man I am arranged to be with. I want to know I will be alright, as you were..."

[warrmonger]

@defiant-ex-soldiers liked for a starter ( for mateo )

before they'd known it - the thick of the night sky had become the thick of trees; their dwindling squad now down only to a few. heidegger and his entourage - those hand-picked to escort the general from one place to another. when the fog had taken their vehicles and they'd had to muster along on foot - heidegger had thought it the worst luck -

but now?

lost in the woods; nought but critters and the dark to keep them company - their luck seems only to dwindle.

he'd hoped, with a bit of perseverance, that they'd pass through the forest and be home in no time but alas; this is no ordinary forest. instead, they hear it before they see it - the rev of an old timey engine, the wail of a train's horn. noise to proceed the thick black of smoke that emerges from the tress; and then - before them - as if conjured by magic, a train. and though one would be clever not to approach - there's something about the mystery that would draw in each man. heidegger, himself, not excluded from its allure.

slow steps take him toward the train's nearest door - its shutter gliding open, fluid - the train itself so large and imposing, yet, strangely gentle.

the general turns eyes to mateo & the others; keeps his brows furrowed, despite the glaze of temptation that holds his expression a prisoner - he's quick to turn back to the train.

"i imagine-" his voice is strangely soft "this will take us home."

and perhaps - perhaps it will.

[lostincon-blog]

@sonofmagic

Conrad wasn’t so much scared of the Labyrinth, as he disliked being under ground. He wouldn’t openly admit his large fear of being anywhere below the surface though. He just knew he had to get through this to get to one of the temples down here. He was walking, hands in his pockets, when he spotted someone familiar. “Alabaster?” He called, seeing if it really was him. He hadn’t seen Alabaster since before The Recall. While he wouldn’t call them close friends, they did often share a table at his local coffee shop. He never would have guessed the other boy was a demigod.

[warrmonger]

he lowers himself; spares a knee for the floor as he squints eyes at the lad. 'that's one way to put it' - hmmm, coy words for a potential ancient. the being's humble tone has heidegger certain that this creature could just be the real deal.

he'd not let him get away this time - no chance - !

of course, one can't help the stunned silence that befalls him when the mage reveals he's no clue who heidegger is. how - how could he forget? a man like heidegger is not one so easily forgotten! and with that thought, brows are furrowed and his jaw is clenched. he huffs his nostrils, eyes darting away before the thought of shinra's need for an ancient forces him to once more be kind.

a smile perks the corners of his lips - hardly a happy one but instead the twist of a frown. he huffs air from his nostrils like a dragon teasing a flame.

"o-of course we've met! it is i, heidegger-!" he beams, words almost a growl, his hand on his chest. "we...we met back in alexandria." his tone quickly turns dejected, an ache of embarrassment "you-" and then a lie "you said you'd be accompanying me to the shinra headquarters. you are - after all-" heidegger leans in, presses his eyes into beads, embarrassment no longer a red on his cheeks "an ancient."

For a moment, Vivi felt his heart stop. Had Brahne's forces found them out? Were the others safe? Was Dagger safe? He was ready to make a break for it before noticing that, despite how scary and authoritative the person who called out to him looked and sounded, the silly doll in his hands betrayed that this was someone here for pleasure and not business.

⋱🌠⋰  ❝ Ah, uh, that's one way to put it. ❞

Not much of a choice but to travel when you're on the run from the entirety of Alexandria for incurring the wrath of Queen Brahne herself for kind of accidentally on purpose kidnapping the princess. But...now he was a bit confused. The way this person spoke implied he had met him before. As far as the little mage knew the authorities still had not managed to get wanted posters or anything like it out there yet.

Then...how...

⋱🌠⋰  ❝ I-I'm sorry if this is a bit rude but...I don't think we've met? ❞

[askferbfletcherfanstuff-blog]

Boys with Wings AU (closed)

Ferb looked up at the large, white wings attached to his back. "This isn't the weirdest thing I've ever done. What about you?" He looked up at the teens wings. ask-depressed-phineas

[warrmonger]

@shadowborders liked for a starter. ( for reeve )

"you-" he turns; eyes adorned with the raw red of no sleep - their heavy bags, black. tiredness, a burden that the general's been carrying with him since junon. he'd been shouldering it all; the science department, SOLDIER and the military - one thing after another neath the heal of rufus shinra. but now -

now the man was gone. another victim to weapon. nought more in his way than the woman at his side ( a woman, who, for now - he'd work with ). of course, when reeve had listened to the small cricket ( or was it a cat? ) on his shoulder and decided to go against heidegger & scarlet - he'd been met with the law. thrown into a cell while they dealt with AVALANCHE.

for now; heidegger finds himself gloating ( or is he simply, angry? ). the general can't stop the burn of bile that hisses off of lips. anger, the flare of white across tensed knuckles. he's exhausted - stressed. two days behind on his heart meds and furious beyond reason. at reeve for his betrayal? at rufus, for all he's done? AVALANCHE or sephiroth or even himself?

truth be told - he's not even sure anymore. he's simply angry.

"all this time-" his words are spoken through clenched teeth, nostrils flared and face reddened with rage "you were working with them. the enemy!" the man he'd called a colleague; the man he'd perhaps not trusted but shit, almost liked. "you - you fucking coward!"

[warrmonger]

he's stunned for a second - a man usually so confidence, unsure of what to say. he watches her movement, feels the cold on his cheek - wishes for the briefest moment to feel her fingers on his lips. her skin on his kiss; he'd always liked the look of her. always given her an eye when she'd faced the other way ( though, perhaps she'd caught on ).

outwardly, he'd stood his ground - acted as if uncaring in the face of it - acted irked that she'd ever choose hojo over anyone else ( over him! ).

for now, he responds to touch with parted lips, a breath escaping him when she grips his hand and guides it toward her throat. the look in her eyes, the words on her lips - all a tease. knowing her connection to hojo, in a strange sort of way...only has his blood pumping harder. something so animalistic about taking the other man's woman. of course, he'd not let his thoughts run away from him. not yet, anyway.

"should you willingly betray him-" he keeps his hand beside her throat, hovers fingers atop skin, leans forth so's to speak against her ear. his words, though a low growl, something of a whisper "surely you'd need to be punished." a purr, excitement on the edge of his voice - his fingers lightly grazing her neck, his lips close enough to her cheek to kiss it ( should she want it ). "but then...perhaps that's precisely want you want." ( or even, need ).

Cont From: HERE

She did enjoy playing games, the power she mentally held over people. She could truly get into a persons head. As far as they wanted to run there was always a hidden curiosity, a spot in their mind she would ever occupy.

She notes the look in his eyes and slowly moves the finger from her cheek, letting it hover in the air between them before she slowly places it to his own. Her eyes trace the movements of her finger as she drags it down towards his beard for this brief moment of captivation.

"What would the Professor say..." She whispers. "Knowing that you are playing with something that belongs to him..." Her sharp gaze meets his own as her fingers drag his hand towards her throat. "Does it make you....want to hurt me?" Her pupils dilate at the thought.

@cwarscars

[tragicquartet]

Thread with LovelyFerdinand: Cardiac Arrest

Lewis awoke from his rest without a word, but throughout the twisted mansion, all his many servants, underlings, and fellow spirits quivered. The Master was awake, and they knew why, they always knew why. 

An intruder. 

Lewis slid out of his coffin, letting out a low, angry sigh as he floated upwards, the dark, unlit halls of the mansion greeting him as he locked onto the intruder's aura, feeling, even from here how...different it was. This was no human, no spirit he knew of...but, whoever it was, they were not welcome. This was HIS sanctuary, HIS home, born of his will, of his very soul. No one was to enter or leave without his blessing. 

The vengeful spirit entered the room the intruder had wandered into, the darkness of the room suddenly lighting with magenta flame as the candles on the wall mounts suddenly lit, the ghost's voice, commanding, threatening as addressed the strange figure: 

"Get out, NOW. You're not welcome here, intruder. Leave now and I won't snap your neck...stick around, and, well...let's just say I'm not afraid of getting my hands a little dirty." 

[lostincon-blog]

“Hey, Maxine is it? I think they accidentally gave me your order. I was right behind you, this is coffee, and I ordered tea.” He says, going over to the girl where she stands, most likely waiting for the coffee that he has in his hands.

@xmcxine