#Intrigue

[illustratus]

The Delivery of the Letter by Lucius Rossi

[365filmsbyauroranocte]

Conclave (Edward Berger, 2024)

[escapismsworld]

[licaonia]

♠️_Ciò che la mente di un uomo può creare,il carattere di un uomo può controllare.🖤🌹

©️Licaonia Lupe

[aventurineswife]

platonic aventurine meeting teen/younger reader whos also an avgin who somehow survived

The Last of Us

Summary: Aventurine, the last surviving member of the Avgins, encounters you, a person with strikingly familiar eyes, in a crowded city. The encounter stirs up memories of his past, leading him to wonder how someone else from his people could be alive. Despite his carefully controlled demeanor, he is intrigued by your survival and offers a gift as a gesture of connection. The encounter leaves both of you contemplating the nature of your shared history and future.

Tags: Aventurine x Reader, Avgin!Teen!Reader, Slow burn, Survival, Intrigue, Psychological tension.

Warnings: Potential for darker themes (survival, manipulation, past trauma), Subtle emotional manipulation, Complex relationship dynamics(?).

Aventurine leaned against the cool marble of the courtyard, the noise of the city behind him almost lost to his thoughts. His fingers, ringed with gold, drummed lightly on the surface of his watch, and his eyes scanned the crowd with practiced ease.

It wasn't supposed to happen.

He had survived it all—betrayal, the fall of his people, and the cruel hand of fate. He was the last of the Avgins, a survivor by sheer luck, and yet, there you were.

A teenager, no older than sixteen, with the same striking eyes that haunted his past. A gaze that mirrored his own.

Aventurine's heart, normally calm in the face of danger, stuttered for a moment. His eyes narrowed, scrutinizing you from across the street. You didn't notice him yet, and he made no move to call attention to himself. No, he needed to understand.

Why do you have those eyes?

His lips parted in a thoughtful smile, though it never reached his eyes. How could this be? He, who had thought himself the sole survivor of the Avgins, had now stumbled upon another. But if you were alive… how?

He pushed himself away from the marble wall and moved a few steps forward. His presence was commanding, yet deliberate. The closer he drew, the faster his pulse ran; a feeling of anticipation ran through his veins. He didn't know whether he was more intrigued or unsettled, but he had to know. Had to hear the story that could change everything for him.

"Hello, my friend," he said smoothly, his voice a mix of warmth and curiosity as he stepped into your line of sight. "It seems fate has brought us together."

You looked up, surprised at first, but something in his eyes made you pause. There was no fear behind that gaze; there was only calculation, the kind of look that belonged to someone who had seen the world's cruelty and yet still found a way to push it into being manipulated to their advantage.

His gaze softened slightly as he took another step closer, hands casually slipping into his pockets, but his eyes—those unnervingly captivating eyes—never left you.

“I must admit,” he continued, his voice steady but carrying an undertone of something deeper, “I didn’t expect to see another Avgin. Not after all these years.”

His words hung in the air, an invitation to speak, or remain silent.

You paused, and it was clear that a thousand thoughts had rushed through your mind. You shifted uncomfortably, but there was something about his presence, something almost magnetic, that kept you rooted in place.

"Aventurine," he added, as if that would somehow make you at ease. "You can call me that. It's not often that someone else comes along with a similar history."

There was no urgency in his tone, no need to pry. It was simply curiosity. But underneath that, there was something else—something you couldn’t quite place.

“I... I don’t know what to say.” You looked away for a moment, your fingers curling around the hem of your sleeve, nervously avoiding his gaze.

"Nothing," he said promptly, his mouth twisting upwards at the corners. "You don't have to say anything, not yet. I'm simply intrigued by your survival. You remind me of someone."

He softened his eyes with the barest trace of nostalgia, before he covered it with a practiced smile. "I won't lie—I'm fascinated. But it's not just about the past. It's about what happens next."

He caught your eyes for a short period; between you, there was some weird sense of understanding, that somehow, he was speaking to himself and not to you. The same loneliness that had driven you both to survive. No pity, though—but in a way, unspoken: You won't be lonely again.

And maybe that was the most shocking of all. A connection, however brief, formed out of sheer chance. And in that moment, the world seemed a little smaller, a little less cold.

Aventurine stepped back, raising his hand in a dramatic, almost theatrical gesture, before pulling out a small, velvet pouch from his coat. He held it out to you, his smile never wavering, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of something more serious.

"Take it," he said, his voice laced with sincerity. "Something small to remind you that you're not alone in this. Not anymore."

You stared at the pouch, weighing his gesture, before you took it, reluctantly. He beamed with pleasure at your hesitation—he knew you would.

"Consider it a gift," he continued, his voice softening. "And maybe... consider it the beginning of a partnership. You see, I believe we could help each other. The world is full of chaos, but perhaps there's a way to navigate it. Together."

He turned his back to you, his form looming against the backdrop of the city, and you couldn’t shake the feeling that he had already planned your next move.

“I’ll be around,” he called over his shoulder, that knowing smile still evident in his voice. “I’ll be waiting, my friend.”

But perhaps, just this once, you would gamble with him.

As you watched him walk away, a strange sense of camaraderie lingered in the air. You didn’t know what to make of him yet, but one thing was certain—Aventurine was right. Fate had brought you together, and now it seemed it would keep you entwined in his complex game, whether you liked it or not.

[deception-united]

What is intrigue? How can you use it in story telling?

Thanks for asking! Intrigue in storytelling is the art of captivating readers by introducing elements of mystery, suspense, or unanswered questions that pique their curiosity and compel them to keep reading. It creates curiosity and engages the reader, compelling them to delve deeper into the narrative and keeping them guessing. Here are some tips to incorporate this into your own writing.

Foreshadowing: Dropping subtle hints or clues about future events can a sense of anticipation and mystery, as well as making it fun for the reader upon looking back.

Unexpected plot twists: Surprise your audience by subverting their expectations. Introduce twists and turns that challenge their assumptions and keep them guessing about what will happen next.

Withholding information: Strategically withhold key pieces of information to create suspense and intrigue. By keeping readers in the dark about certain aspects of the story, you heighten their curiosity and desire to uncover the truth.

Sense of urgency: Establish a sense of urgency or impending danger to raise the stakes and intensify the intrigue, whether it's a ticking clock, a looming threat, or another pushing factor.

Gradual revelation: Pace the unraveling of the mystery or unanswered questions, gradually revealing clues and information to keep readers engaged. Each revelation should deepen the intrigue and prompt new questions, driving the narrative forward and maintaining momentum.

Character motivations & secrets: Explore the hidden motives, secrets, and conflicts within your characters to add layers of intrigue to the story. As readers uncover the complexities of the characters' personalities and relationships, they become more invested in their journey and the outcome of the story.

I do have separate posts that go more in depth about some of these points, so feel free to check those out for more tips. Happy writing ❤

Previous | Next

[digitalfossils]

[daz-zey]

Before there was Lee Jung Jae and Lee Byung Hun, there was Lee Jung Jae and Jung Woo Sung 😭 They were sort of like the blueprint, they were in a movie called city of the rising sun back in 1999. Since then, Lee Jung Jae and Jung Woo Sung became best of friends while also being shipped together all this time.

Been kind of in Lee Jung Jae's fandom since squid game came out in 2021. As everyone does, I checked out some of his earlier stuff and whatnot. It's just so interesting how this all played out.

[leiatalon]

The Eternal Library Progress Report:

Hello, dear friends of Minare! Life has been super busy, but I’ve managed to get a bit over 20k words written so far in the parallel chapter fives.

I’ve just uploaded an early access demo update for Patreon subscribers that includes this new material, which I’m thrilled to be able to share!

The story is really coming along now, and these two paths offer a chance to get to know Dorian better as well as Marienna and Sevitas (and Collin, of course). More time with Gemma and Angelina will be coming later in the chapter.

If you’re ready to dive in now and see what’s new with chapter five, head on over to Patreon and get in on the action! As usual, this update will be public in a month, so you can look forward to that if you’re not a Patreon member.

The next sections I’ll be working on will include opportunities for romance, intrigue, and contributing to the changes of the kingdom on one path and forming alliances (or making enemies) on the other.

Thanks for your interest in The Eternal Library! I hope you have a fabulous weekend! 💞🌿

[illustratus]

The Secret Marriage by Nicola Sanesi

[docileeffects]

[licaonia]

♠️_La mia anima è così intrecciata con la tua

che non so dire dove finisco io e dove inizi tu.

Ho sete di te come solo i peccatori hanno sete.🖤🌹

©️Licaonia Lupe

[aventurineswife]

REQS ARE OPEN AGAIN LET'S GOOOO 🥳🥳 So i wanted to ask if i could request Aventurine with a teen reader who's like Jinx from Arcane. I remember reading your Jinx story and it was literally so perfect!! It's totally fine if you dont want to write it since you've mentioned that you haven't watched it before, but i wanted to ask anyways 💕💕

Hope your exams went well and that you're doing alright!!

A Dangerous Game, A Perfect Opponent

Summary: Aventurine crosses paths with you whose chaotic and unpredictable nature. Both of you are drawn to danger and high-stakes games, you two form an uneasy and electric connection as you two engage in a battle of wit and will.

Tags: Aventurine x Reader, Teen!Reader, Strategic Manipulation, Jinx (from Arcane) based Reader, Unpredictability, Power Dynamics, Intrigue, Tension.

Warnings: Mild language, Potentially tense or dangerous interaction.

A/N: AHAHAHAHA, YEAH IT WAS ALRIGHT I SUPPOSE, AS LONG I PASS I'M GOOD😭🙏

The dim light of the casino’s grand hall reflected off the polished marble floors, casting long shadows across the sprawling room. People murmured in hushed tones as they made their way to the tables, their eyes scanning the crowd for potential opportunities or rivals. At the center of it all, leaning against a luxurious velvet chair, was Aventurine.

A striking figure in his dark green, gold-accented ensemble, he surveyed the scene with a calculated gaze, a subtle smile playing at the corners of his lips. His eyes, sharp and unsettling, shifted with every movement, every twitch of the crowd. But what truly caught his attention wasn’t the extravagant display or the high rollers at the tables—it was you.

You were perched on the edge of the bar, looking like you belonged in this world yet clearly untouched by its rules. A mess of hair, mismatched clothing, and a manic energy that was as chaotic as it was magnetic. Your eyes were wide, darting from one interaction to the next, like a kid in a candy store—but you weren't just excited. There was a madness, a dangerous unpredictability, in your every move. You were like a living firecracker, waiting to explode at any given moment.

Aventurine’s sharp gaze never wavered as he watched you. You were exactly the type of gamble he couldn’t resist.

"What's your game, then?" he murmured to himself, his smile curling into something more intrigued than amused. His voice was low, almost a whisper, yet there was an unmistakable edge to it—a blend of curiosity and calculation.

You caught his eyes almost immediately, a wicked grin spreading across your face. You’d been aware of him from the moment he entered the room—how could you not? The man practically oozed power and mystery. But more than that, he radiated a level of danger you couldn’t resist. You weren't just looking for trouble tonight—you wanted it, craved it. And something told you, this man would be the key.

Bounding toward him with a mischievous gleam in your eyes, you grabbed a nearby bottle of champagne and tipped it towards his face, hand poised as if you might spill it on him.

"Hey, tall, dark, and oh-so mysterious. You gonna let me play the game or what?" you asked, your voice electric with mischief.

Aventurine's grin widened slightly, the corners of his lips twitching. His posture remained perfectly composed, his face as calm as the ocean before a storm. "I don't know, little one. You seem... unpredictable," he said, his voice laced with a teasing yet assessing tone.

You couldn't help but laugh, the sound ringing out like a bell in the tension-filled air. "Unpredictable, huh? You're one to talk. You're practically drenched in mystery. Like some kind of walking gamble."

Aventurine chuckled softly, a sound that was both soothing and unnerving. He straightened up and leaned closer, his eyes narrowing with a mischievous glint. "A gamble, you say? You think you can outplay me? Because I must warn you, I don't lose often."

"Who says I'm playing to win?" You shot back, your grin widening as you leaned in. There was no fear in your eyes—just the wild gleam of someone who lived for chaos. "I like it better when the game's rigged."

For a moment, Aventurine remained silent, studying you with a careful eye. You were like a puzzle, but one that had no desire to be solved. He found that... fascinating. His gaze lingered on you for just a beat too long, as if weighing something deeper beneath your erratic behavior.

"You’ve got spunk," he murmured, his voice carrying a rare touch of admiration. "I can't say I'm not intrigued."

You tilted your head, leaning closer, your breath catching in the charged space between you. "So, what are you gonna do about it?"

Aventurine's grin remained, but there was something more dangerous in it now—a glint that promised no easy answers. His eyes flickered to your left hand, the one you were hiding behind your back. It wasn’t lost on him that you were still trying to keep something concealed, even if the rest of you was a burst of uncontrolled energy. He didn’t have to ask; he knew there was something more underneath. The game, it seemed, was already underway.

"I suppose..." he began, taking a step closer, his voice low and silky, "we’ll find out, won’t we?"

The tension between you both was palpable. He was the strategic mastermind who carefully calculated every move, and you were the unpredictable chaos he couldn’t help but chase. Neither of you knew who would win this dangerous dance, but both of you were eager to find out.

I ran out of ideas... Sorry 🧍‍♀️😔💔

[chasingrainbowsforever]

~ Brown and Gray ~

[gildedcageif]

Gilded Cage

Nothing but ashes remain of your home. Your loved ones have all been taken from you overnight, leaving you all alone in the world. 

Fight, flee, cry, scream, rage. Seek revenge, find forgiveness, fall in love, break hearts. Poison, lie and sleep your way to the top of the imperial harem.

The golden chains wear down heavy on your pretty little neck. And they will do so until you break them.

You were still a child when the Zephyran hounds razed hell on your homeland. Overnight, everything and everyone you knew and loved withered before your eyes, claimed by the flame and the ashes.

You were fortunate enough -or unfortunate, depending on how you see it- to survive that fateful night. Instead, heavy chains were placed around your wrists and you were sent away to whoever would pay to own you.

Some masters were kinder than others. But captivity tastes just as bitter regardless of how opulent your cage is. 

And this is the most opulent cage you will ever be locked in. The Jade Palace is where you being shipped off to this time. The capital of the grand Zephyran Empire. The very same that ripped your childhood apart.

You have been selected to join the imperial harem of Sultan Ahmad, an honor bestowed only upon the most beautiful and worthy of servants.

Regardless of how you feel regarding this great 'honor', you are every bit as powerless to fight against it as you were to defend your homeland when the Zephyrans came for you.

Don't despair yet, child of the Ancients. There are many opportunities in the Jade Palace for those who wish to seek them. 

You may find yourself pulling the strings and changing the course of history, whispering in the ears of royalty, marching bravely into battle, even escaping and claiming your own freedom once and for all, away from this mess that was inflicted upon you. If you play your cards right, you may even one day become the parent of the next Sultan.

Beware however. There are many who will stand in your path. The worst enemies are hidden not in the shadows but amongst our closest of friends.

Gilded Cage is rated 18+ for explicit language, explicit sexual themes, graphic descriptions of violence and depictions of slavery. 

FEATURES 

•Create your MC. Anything from what they look like to how they feel about their years of servitude and their arrival to the Jade Palace is for you to choose. Are you a conniving courtesan, set on claiming the crown for yourself? Do you merely wish for a life of peace after all these years of hardship? Do you have a single-minded focus on achieving your own freedom? If so, what are you willing to risk for it? 

•Define how others perceive you. You are no ordinary servant after all, you are a member of the Sultan's harem, and those around you are eager to watch your every move? The nobility, military and common folk will all form opinions based on what they hear of you, as will many important political figures like the Valide and the Grand Vizier. And of course it is better to be admired than mocked, ridiculed and despised...

•Engage in a world of intrigue and danger. The Zephyran Empire is deadly. The harem even more so. One wrong step and it will be off with your head, if the Sultan is feeling generous that day. Many plots and schemes are already in place by the time you arrive to the Palace. Some of which may or may not involve you. It is on you to uncover secrets, distinguish enemy from ally and keep yourself safe from the vipers of court. In these halls, few are truly innocent and you might be forced to get your own hands bloody.

•Climb the ranks of the imperial harem. How you achieve that is up to you! You may ally yourself to Valide Sultan, act as a mole for the Grand Vizier or even become a tutor for the young Prince! And of course, if you are willing to participate in some old fashioned seduction, the Sultan's bed -and his heart, if you are capable enough- is the road to unimaginable power and wealth, but also danger.

•Change the course of history. Raise the next Sultan, assassinate your enemies, encourage a military uprising, cause a shift in the religious establishment, become a general, an advisor, even a Haseki. If you are daring enough to bare the consequences of failure. Your actions will have farfetched consequences for the future of the Zephyran Empire and the wider world. So be wary. History has its eye on you.

Romantic Options

The Sultan of the Zephyran Empire: Ahmad

You have heard of him only in hushed whispers and screams of terror. He rules en empire stretching far across the east and west. He is the master of the hounds that raided and destroyed your home. He took everything from you and now he owns you. Still, your very survival depends on his whims.

Yet, when you come face to face with the Lion of the East, he seems less monstrous than you had expected...

The Grand Vizier: Selim

He has had an eye on you since you first entered the palace. And not for good reasons. He may very well be the second most powerful man in the empire-after the Sultan of course- and he seems to have decided you are a threat to his master.

Getting him on your side might just be the thing you need to propel yourself in the court. If you manage to do that anyway. Selim is known as a tough man to charm, but who knows what hides underneath.

The Valide Sultan: Nazli

The Sultan may rule the world, but have no doubt his mother rules the harem and she does so with an iron fist. She controls everything. Who does the chores, how much gold each maid is afforded, who gets to enter the Sultan's chambers. She has her finger on the pulse of the harem. She wants things a certain way and she will have things a certain way. This Queen Dowager is every bit as much of a lion as her son.

She is distant, but not unkind. Most importantly, she can raise you to the highest of highs or doom you to the dungeons in less than a glance. You will have to earn her respect before she accepts you into the inner circle.

The Favourite (?): Meryem

Meryem is the most beloved of the Sultan's concubines. Or rather she was. For unknown reason, it seems she has fallen out of his favour. Rumor is it has been a year since he asked for her.

Still, her position remains significant as the mother to the only son of the Sultan. Her son, Mustafa, in combination with the support she receives from the Grand Vizier has helped her hold onto her power.

But her position remains insecure while the Sultan's eyes wander. You could intergrate yourself amongst her closest companions. Or you could be the downfall she so fears.

The Artist: Emil De Angelis

Emil is a... controversial presence at court to say the least. He was raised from a starving artist to the next big sensation by the Sultan overnight. He has been involved in several projects ever since, whether that be art, poetry, singing or architecture. Known around court for his -perhaps a bit too daring- wit and charming smirk, it is hard not to notice him.

He is also the closest to a friendly face you have at court. Emil has handpicked you as his next side project of sorts. The new thing he will concern himself with to fill up his time. You will have his support in whatever you strive for.

Be warned though. Emil acts with ulterior motives as much as anyone else at court.

The Childhood Friend (shouldn't they be dead?): Helena

You thought you had lost them. They died in your arms. You held her body. You carried it. You buried it.

Now they are back. Somehow they have returned from beyond the grave.

The worst part?

They don't even remember you.

Asks: Open

Demo: https://href.li/?https://cookie-bun.itch.io/gilded-cage