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do-not-burn · 2 years

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Humans in Space: Suggestive Sparring (4) - Reactions

Fighting can relieve or create sexual tension between the right people. Humans are known to be especially sexual and aggressive - likely for a reason.

“Fuck.”

I lifted my head away from Human-Erin’s ear so I might see her face. She wore an expression I had never seen before. She looked distressed and uncomfortable, but also perplexed and frustrated - all in equal measures. I was rather confused at how many textbook emotions a Human can show at once - the manual said the maximum was two and, honestly, that was one too many for my taste. Some Humans describe emotion with four or five others as if to say emotions create other emotions. Like colours or chemicals - which made sense when I remembered emotions are nothing but chemical reactions. That didn’t stand to explain why Human-Erin reacted the way she did, but I decided it was best to remove myself from her “personal bubble” because whatever set off this reaction in her was triggered by me. Yet, when I pushed off the door, she grabbed the collar of my shirt and pulled me to her face-level. Now she just looked frustrated.

“There’s no way you don’t know what you’re doing,” she whispered, looking me straight in my eyes. “You said yourself I’m not a threat.”

“What has that got to do with anything?” I lost context so suddenly. She turned the interrogation around on me in a second, her face just as dark as when I was against the door.

“You said I’m not a threat, yet here you are, cornering me because of a non-fatal wound. I’ve seen you walk away from scraps with your tail in your hands - so what does it matter that I bit you? Did I bruise your ego?” She changed the subject and directed it away from herself. Backtracking to “save face”. Humans like to “save face” - it’s just a Human phrase that means to maintain or recover pride. I knew well what it means to bruise one’s ego. It’s a common phrase throughout the galaxy - we just let the Humans think they created it.

“I will admit I was stunned, but my ego remains unharmed.”

“So, why do you care that I bit you? You bruised my abdomen and I didn’t hunt you down.”

Why did I care? The better question was: Why did I like it despite how much it hurt? Or was it because it hurt? And if I liked it because it hurt, why? Culturally, my people are known to have sadomasochistic tendencies. Should we sustain a lasting non-debilitating injury or scar, then we wear it with honour. It’s customary to compliment and even ask about those injuries and scars - no matter how small. But that didn’t explain why it felt good.

“Most warriors don’t bite in combat after their juvenile years. You’re not a juvenile, so it was unexpected.”

Her eyes narrowed at me and her eyebrows furrowed.

“Bullshit.”

“Pardon?”

“You’re not telling me the truth.” Well, I wasn’t lying. It is true that most Drakean-peoples don’t bite outside of their juvenile years. Some Drakean-peoples from planets on the outside of my home star system were said to bite during mating rituals, but Humans are not close to Drakean so there was no way she knew or meant that. My people had phased out that implement ages ago, but it occurred to me that there was a chance that it triggered a primal chemical response in me. So there was, indeed, a simple explanation. Still, it proved awkward to confess.

“Fine. The truth is that, long ago, it was used to be common for my people to bite each other before... before mating. I was just confused at you biting me because that’s not a Human custom in the manual.”

She paused again, eyes flicking between mine and the mark she left.

“What exactly did the bite mean in your culture?”

“Intentions.”

“I see. And you think that I-”

“Well, I didn’t. Originally. You didn’t bite me the right way.” Her eyebrow went up. She favoured her right eyebrow, it seemed.

“I didn’t... bite you... the... right way?”

“You took off a scale. Traditionally, you’d have to... um, you’d have to open your mouth wide and gently pierce the scales with your teeth, leaving an oblong ring from the front to the back of the shoulder. It’s a delicate process. You couldn’t perform it. Your mouth is too small, your teeth are the wrong shape and size.”

“Careful, I just might try it.”

“You’d fracture your jaw.”

“I doubt it.”

I huffed.

“Look at the size of my mouth.” I opened my mouth, not terribly wide, but it was more open than I’d ever need it to be to speak. Her hand fell from my shirt as I straightened myself up, only to lower myself again. “May I?” She nodded, even though I didn’t think she was listening.

My teeth tentatively grazed her skin and I opened my jaw just a bit more on feeling her tense. I lowered my mouth around the spot where her neck and shoulder met, closing it just enough to feel her skin tighten under my teeth through her shirt. She squeaked. I released her, immediately standing up at my full height with my mouth closed and my heart pounding.

She stared up at me with wide eyes. There were two emotions in her eyes, but I only recognised fear.

“I’m sorry. That was neither necessary nor appropriate.” I bowed my head in shame, truly unsure what came over me. “If you would like, I will tell you the rest of the truth as an apology.”

She said nothing. Her breath was shaky, but she nodded again, encouraging me to continue.

“Alright. The rest of the truth is this. It’s simple really. It’s actually immature, I think. It... actually doesn’t matter.” This time, it was my turn to look away, my hand over my heart.

“Look at me for a second.” I turned my sight on her, with the aid of her hand, holding it for more than a second - Humans were not very literal in their style of speaking. Her hand found my shirt collar once again, wrinkling it in her grip. She pulled me close and quick, forcing me to kneel. We were nearly face-to-face. Her heat radiated out to me, drawing me closer to her than I needed to be. I didn’t mind.

“Listen,” she spoke low and slow, “We’re both adults. It’s silly to dance around the obvious. Especially when you’ve reduced me to a blushing mess in my own damn doorway. So, save us the agony and tell. Me.” I could deduce what blushing was on my own - and, if I could, I would have been blushing too.

“You’re right. I don’t know why. It was... I just-”

“Cut the shit.”

“I liked it. A lot. And I really don’t know why. It felt good when you bit me and when you burned me. And... And I want to spar with you again because I liked how you looked at me when you were on top.” My heart was beating so fast and I didn’t want to stop talking. As if I would solve my dilemma by explaining it in excruciatingly embarrassing detail. “You’re so warm and I’ve only felt your touch a few times, but I-”

She silenced me. Perhaps I was getting too loud though I was certain my volume had not exceeded that of a whisper. Regardless the reason, something I said moved her to make me stop talking. Human-Erin pressed her lips to my mouth and held my head still with her hands. Her hands are small and it felt odd that so much heat could come from them.

Oh.

She was kissing me. I only realised it when she stopped. After a delay, those sparring feelings overcame me fully and my body responded before I could. My tail wrapped around her waist again, my fingers found her chin to bring her lips back to my mouth as gently as I could in my hurry to better appreciate how soft they are. I felt a tug on my shirt in her direction before I felt her burn the closing wound. I hissed... but she kept touching it, her hand covering as much of the side and back of my neck as she could, getting ever closer. My heart was pounding, but she couldn't feel it in my neck like I could hers. I wanted to wrap myself around her, to absorb her warmth. But she pushed away, leaving me breathless though her heat lingered.

"You said you wanted to spar again? Even though I kicked your ass last time?"

"Please." Desperately. "I won't take it easy on you." I want you to force me to the ground again.

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neoninky · 3 months

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TWST Fic: 'Her Devoted Shield': Prologue

Hello friends

It is TIME That's right friends I am beginning to write and post the third full story in my Sacred Crown Chronicles series, "Her Devoted Shield" aka the Diasomnia canon x oc story, featuring my OC Petra Revie and other OCs that will introduced in the prologue and throughout the story.

I will be posting each chapter here and on my AO3 page. If you are a new reader to my series, check out my Masterlist and start with the first story (if you haven't already) "Her Ivory Crown" or else very little in this story will make sense lol. So here we have the (extended) prologue. Likes, reblogs, and comments are always appreciated. I hope y'all enjoy!

Tagging ze peeps: @foxwitchaine @iscarlettappel @nuitthegoddess @1ndigowitch @wysteriadelights @victoria1676 @yunaemiya @ladyrosemoon @honeyuuyuu @honey-milk-depresso

-Prologue- Outcasts: The Prince and The Guardian

The sun gleamed off of the large, sacred bell as a soft song filled the space inside the bell tower. A freshly carved wooden figure was added to a table already full of other figures. Many trinkets inspired and collected from the City of Flowers surrounded the workspace. A satisfied smile spread across the artist's face as their collection grew. A soft gasp escaped their lips as quickly as they vanished within the shadows as soon as multiple footsteps were heard coming up the stairs.

"...The Bell of Salvation is this way."

Rollo Flamme entered the open space first, his eyes silently noted the new addition to the table but said nothing as a group of strangers followed behind him. The hidden figure watched the strange boys fill the small space with a pair of curious, bright eyes from their hiding spot and made mental notes about each one. They were an intriguing group for sure, but the tall horned fae stopped their breath in their throat. He paused at the cluttered table to observe the carvings, picking up the newest piece in his gloved hand with a grin.

"These little carvings...did you make these, Flamm?"

Rollo's brow creased at the little trinkets left out in the open but replied with a simple white lie, "I did not. Our students sometimes come up here for reprieve. Must have been one of them, I suppose."

He looked over his shoulder into the dark corners of the room with a stern look of disapproval. The hiding pair of curious eyes ignored the look as they roved quietly over the new faces. Seeing the amused look on Malleus' face as he gently placed the wooden figure back on the table caused a stir of butterflies in the artist's belly. They silently shifted among the rafters, watching Rollo and the newcomers talk amongst themselves. Their eyes drifted back to Malleus magnetically. His joy in seeing the gargoyles that also occupied their hideaway made them smile. They were glad that their friends were appreciated by the intriguing visitors. The boys in black uniforms were a diverse bunch: humans, mostly, ones that smelled of roses, of spices, another smelled of salt water and ink, and another possessed a head full of blue flames! Their eyes shifted back to the tall horned fae's two companions, one with hair of moonlight and the other of electricity. The group soon moved back downstairs but Rollo slowed his pace until he remained alone, again by the table and glaring into the shadows, "...You are being careless, Moselle."

A young woman, seemingly no older than her early twenties, stepped into the light, "They didn't see me, Rollo," she pouted her pink lips as she tucked a pale strand of lilac-colored hair behind her ear, "Who are they?"

"Students from the famous Night Raven College. They will be on our campus for the academic summit," he scowled as he brought the starry cloth to his nose, "it's is important that you stay hidden until they are gone...especially from Malleus Draconia."

The spark in Moselle's dark emerald eyes didn't go unnoticed, "The dragon fae? But why? He's like me..." Her fingers traced along the set of horns on her head. Unlike Malleus', hers curved down and back. Her curious, wondering expression enflamed Rollo's distaste for the draconian fae even further.

Bitterness burned in Rollo's gut as he snapped at her, "He is not. Put it out of your mind. He is a Draconian with terrible power. You are...different. And you must stay here, within your sanctuary. Do you want to end up like the others?"

Moselle shuddered at the memory of her parents, grandparents, and friends disappearing one by one as Fleur City grew over the years. While most fae were left alone in most cases, rare kinds like Moselle were prime targets for hunters. And now she was the only one left. "N-No I don't. I am sorry. I will be more careful." The human that had come to care for her over the years, softened, "Thank you, Moselle. You are a precious bastion to this campus and its students. When night falls, you can sneak down to the river again. But only then."

Affection had never been his strong suit but the woman smiled warmly nonetheless. She too was a dragon fae but not a Draconian. She wasn't even the same as other dragon fae from Briar Valley. No, her kind resided in the river for several generations until they were hunted and depleted anyway. Though her kind had become somewhat legendary for inspiring the gargoyles that were now famous in Fleur City. It was because of that she and the gargoyles in the bell tower got along so famously. Only the students of Noble Bell knew about her presence on their campus and she was revered as somewhat of a campus guardian for protecting the campus during the violent stormy seasons with her influence on water. Her existence was kept secret from anyone outside the campus for her safety nonetheless.

Rollo's stoicism returned in a heartbeat, "I will be going into the city with our guests. Remember: do not leave until it is dark and do not be seen, Moselle."

"Yes, Rollo," her soft voice followed him as his stern figure descended the stairwell. A wistful sigh escaped her as she sat on the edge of the large opening and looked down at all the people roaming the streets below like ants. " 'Do not be seen...' " she muttered in a deeper voice mimicking Rollo's, "What is he up to anyway? He seems extra stern lately."

She had known Rollo since he was a young boy. She was there when he lost his younger brother. Moselle was given her name by the brothers when they first met. It had been many, many years since she lost her family to poachers, but there was something about the city that kept her close by in its waterways and hidden in plain sight. She was glad she was there on that particular day...

It was raining hard and fast during autumn. The streets were starting to flood in some places causing panic in the city's people. Two young boys were trying to find their way back home to safety when the youngest slipped and was carried into the river's unforgiving waters. Rollo was petrified. He couldn't have been any older than nine years old and his brother barely seven.

The younger brother's screams could barely be heard over the storm as the young Rollo chased the river currents that stole his brother away with all his might. The tiny human caught the eye of the creature flowing with the water. The scaled titan gently caught the boy on the back of her long neck and lifted him out of the water. The other boy fell over in fear at the sudden appearance of this strange water creature, but the fear soon waned. The younger brother slid off of the creature's neck once she had carefully lowered it onto solid ground, always aware of the other boy and the surrounding buildings. Once the brothers were reunited, they found themselves under the protection of the creature's large wing as she swam alongside them until they reached the main street that led to their house. That's as far as she could go and she remained watchful until the young brothers were out of sight.

No one would believe them, naturally. Even though the storm was swiftly steered away from the city as if guided by magic. That or some other mysterious, unexplainable force. Even so, Rollo and his younger brother spent any spare moment searching for the creature in the river until one clear night, there she was. A beautiful young woman with porcelain skin and curved horns sitting on the banks, waiting for them. There she would stay until the next big storm that she would shield them and others from.

Moselle gave a defeated sigh as she recalled the one incident she could not protect Rollo and his kin from. She had seen his pain, his suffering, from the outside. She saw how he grew cold, more stone-like in his own right as time passed. Rollo had become stern and obsessed with something he kept hidden deep within. The fae looked down into the city just beyond the campus walls and pondered. The colors, the music, and the smells of delicacies flooded the streets, each spreading like wildflowers. Being cloistered away from it all left a massive ache in Moselle's chest. Rollo's words echoed in her restless mind over and over.

Do not leave. Do not be seen. Wait until nightfall...

Or perhaps? The most important part of the equation was that she wasn't seen, yes?

The students from Noble Bell and the visiting campuses were in the thick of festivities right as Moselle peeked out of the empty alleyway. Her whole being buzzed with excitement...until she realized how plain her clothes were in comparison to the rest of the people on the street. It couldn't be helped honestly. It's not like she got out that much! True yes but, the raggedy shawl she wore around her head in an attempt to cover her horns along with the faded dress made her stand out even more! Not to mention she was rather tall as well, being a dragon and all.

"Ugh this was a mistake," her frustrated mutters were interrupted by a sudden burst of fireworks coming from the center square. The entire crowd was enraptured with the display coming from various clusters of young mages. So much so that a nearby cart of masks and other accessories was left unattended. Moselle saw an opportunity and took it with a tiny bit of remorse.

"Sorryyy," she whispered to the distracted merchants as she quickly grabbed a few items before scurrying back to the empty alleyway. With a few makeshift adjustments, Moselle had herself a mask with flowers and ribbons in a crown-like fashion to make her horns look like they were part of a headdress. The final touch was a higher-quality cloak. At least that's what Moselle told herself it was. The reality was some leftover fabric from a ten not being used. It was a nice shade of deep purple and enough to cover most of her height so it would do.

"Much better," Moselle gave herself a nod of approval before scouting out the area. Moments after spotting Rollo speaking with a teacher from Night Raven, the fae tried to make her way in the opposite direction. She didn't make it far before a drunken, elated festival goer pulled her into a circle of other excited dancers. Any protests she gave were drowned out by the fireworks and cheers from the enthusiastic crowd. She wasn't sure if this feeling was excitement or fear. Moselle didn't have time to decide before the wild dance ended up pulling her straight into another circle of dancers.

The poor fae was twirled and passed from partner to partner until finally, her balance flew right out the window, landing her right into someone else's shocked arms and chest that she face-planted right into. Her head was spinning as a mumbled apology came tumbling out of her mouth.

"Oh?? Are you alright, Miss?"

The voice was calm and soothing even with the understandable tinge of surprise. The man's arms caught her instinctively, gently holding her without trespass. Two young men in matching attire were staring at her on either side of her savior. The silver-haired one had a look of concern while the electric green-haired one was somewhere between alarm and defensiveness. Moselle got her bearings right as recognition shocked her entirely making her stand straight up to almost eye level as her savior. The man's voice pulled her gaze into his and two pairs of wide, draconic eyes locked together. It was him. Malleus Draconia felt his entire body tense up. He clocked several things at once: this woman's beautiful slitted eyes, her sleek horns that she was trying to hide, the palpable aura of dragon fae magic radiating off of her, and the stirring buzz in his gut that intensified by having her so close.

"Hello..." Malleus' voice was soft and curious. Hers was in kind as she gave him a skittish greeting in return. "You're like me," the prince's pupils seemed to dilate slightly with happy surprise.

The pair were momentarily frozen in wonder by each other. Sebek's protest at the stranger's proximity to his lord was swiftly cut off by Silver's gloved hand smacking over his mouth. The older boy would talk with him later but for now, he didn't wish for Malleus' rare moment to be ruined. He had never seen Malleus so entranced by another like this before.

The austere tone Rollo took with her when Moselle voiced the same thought earlier pricked at the woman's thoughts. "I-I'm not," her shy eyes looked away momentarily, "n-not really."

Betrayal came in the form of her lilac dragon tail suddenly popping out from under her skirt and wagging nervously back and forth. The sight made Malleus chuckle in earnest, "But you are a dragon fae too it seems. Is your family from Briar Valley as well?"

Her confused look threw him off for a bit. Perhaps not? There were still some dragon fae in the world outside the Valley though Malleus had only heard about them from either Lilia or the Senate.

"No? I've never been to this Briar Valley-"

It wasn't until Moselle remembered that wasn't even supposed to be there did she finally took stock of her surroundings. Only one person in the wild crowd had noticed her and it was the last one Moselle ever wanted to be seen by in that situation. Frollo's face was dark with anger once he processed exactly who the woman was and whose arms she had fallen into. Moselle quickly pulled away from the draconian prince with a frightened look in her eyes.

"I-I-I'm so sorry! P-Please excuse me!" She was gone before Malleus or his companions could say another word. She ran from the square as far and as fast as she could amongst all the chaos the festival had brought. The fireworks boomed overhead as Silver called out to Malleus over the sound. Both rang dully in Malleus' ears as he stood stuck in place, his arms still outstretched from holding the unknown fae women moments before. For one cruel short moment, the prince had felt a warmth he never had before.

Between Moselle's disobeying him and the brief wistful look on Malleus' face, Rollo's blood began to boil under his re-composed poker face. Well, no matter, he thought to himself, I've already come so far...

Moselle watched the sunset from the bell tower. A myriad of feelings were running their course in her mind as she heard voices of the visiting students walking through the school's gates. She had not seen Rollo since she returned. He would be furious with her no doubt. Still...something wasn't right. He did mention going to the river at nightfall which was strange. Normally he was very strict about keeping her hidden away in the tower no matter what. So Moselle stayed put as the sun sank below the horizon. The night was still at first, eerily so.

"Where is he?" She still had not seen hide nor hair of Rollo since the festival. The breeze seemed to bring an omen with it as it broke the silent night with a burst of chaos and color.

"Run! RUN! Into the river!!"

The fading cries from the enchanted gargoyles that had warned Moselle of the aggressive blooms crawling all over the campus echoed in her head as they pushed her toward the open spaces that let her escape outside the bell tower. The dragon fae lept and slid down the metal rooftop, her eyes were clouded with panicked saltwater as she lept from one roof to the next, ever getting closer to the river. The city burned with the consuming light of the red pyres that spread, chasing its denizens into every corner like scurrying rats.

"What is happening?!" she sobbed before taking one final leap over the outer walls and dove straight into the water. Moselle knew the river like her own skin and was by the underground waterways in seconds. She surfaced only to quickly plunge herself back down when a loud thud kicked up a cloud of dust on the pathway above. Her eyes widened as she slowly poked her face out of the water to see a disgruntled group of boys in disarray. Despite their fancy attire, Moselle remembered them from the bell tower. They were arguing about something...

Crimson flowers...the flowers were draining the magic?! The boys seemed confused as to the motive but they made it clear who was responsible: Rollo. Moselle's blood ran cold. She didn't want to believe it, but...how could she not? Yes, knew exactly the hows and the whys. Rollo had always kept his cards close to his chest, but Moselle knew the truth.

"Brother, help me!!"

The fire was too much for them both and Moselle wasn't there. Not that time. By the time she knew, it was too late. Rollo hated her for it.

"Why weren't you there?! You could have stopped it!" Rollo screeched at the top of his lungs at the dragon. Even in her true form, her eyes were heartbroken. She let him scream, shout, cry, and even throw a rock or two at her before Moselle climbed out of the water and into her human form to embrace the distraught boy before her.

"I'm sorry...I'm so sorry. From now on, I will protect you."

How could she keep that promise now? Moselle started to lose hope when an explosion of power swept over her and the others. It came from Malleus Draconia. He was furious and carried it in every fiber of his being. It was impressive and terrifying all the same. Moselle could only stare at his back in mixed awe. The words that came from his mouth and the others were all on fire in their ways, and despite their differences, they reached one conclusion: the flowers and Rollo had to be stopped.

"We have to ring the bell."

Moselle felt a jolt of clarity: she would help protect Rollo, but this time from himself. She sank back into the water and transformed into her true self before jetting towards the bridge that connected the school to the city itself. She knew she was putting herself in danger by revealing herself to the city, but how could she stay hidden when so many other humans were in danger and unable to protect themselves?

The night boiled over with screams of terror and hands desperately tearing away at the magic-hungry blooms. The water dragon remained in her true form as she rose her long neck out of the water. The group of students trying to make their way into the city was blocked by a fiery barricade of living flowers. Moselle quickly blocked them further, gently pushing them back onto the bridge with one wing to shield them from what she was about to do. A powerful geyser of water burst out of her mouth and slammed into the flowers. The sheer force of the blast uprooted the majority of them and cleared the path for the stunned humans. Once they realized the giant beast was an alley and not a foe, cheers erupted from them as they raced forward along the open path.

Moselle continued to aid the city with her strength, getting as close as she could to the city's borders in an attempt to block the spread. She had no idea how much time had passed. Only that she had grown weak. Finally, sweet relief came with the familiar ring of a bell. The terror was over.

Her vision was blurry at best as Moselle stumbled into the courtyard in her human form. How long had it been since she exerted herself like this? The dragon could only wonder as the familiar voices of Noble Bell's students called out to her. A few of the boys surrounded her trying to hold her steady, concern and gratitude in their kind voices. Moselle couldn't register the weak voice coming out of her as her own just before gravity and darkness pulled her under.

Hours had passed and the night settled into much higher spirits than before. The school's lecture hall was filled to the brim with the recovered students along with a few locals invited to celebrate the joining of mages for both the summit and the city's rescue. Rollo stood before the crowd, giving all due credit to the students of NRC. The rest of the crowd would be none the wiser of the truth. Its secrets would stay hidden so long as Rollo's pride withheld them.

The audience applauded the heroic mages from Sage Island, catching the boys off guard, as Rollo took a deep breath. A great part of him hesitated to keep the promise he had made earlier in the bell tower, but...it was what she wanted.

Moselle awakened in her makeshift bed with a pounding head and loss of time and place. The dull excited thuds she recognized from her stone friends came from all around her along with a familiar frustrated tone.

"Do not crowd her so! Back up and be still!"

Rollo's furrowed brow as he scolded the excited gargoyles was a welcomed sight. Moselle smiled tiredly as she slowly sat up, "Y-You're alright..."

The boy's surprised expression gave her a glimpse of their first meeting before Rollo's poker face hid it away once more, "That's not important. Are you hurt?"

The two old friends filled in the gaps of the night's prior events. He felt remorse only in that she had gotten involved thus putting herself in danger. She, however, held no regrets in the matter. As an unspoken apology, Rollo offered her a gift that his students had prepared just for her ahead of time.

Moselle's eyes lit up at the large box's contents: a proper masquerade mask and gown. The human boy groaned as he relented, "They had this planned as soon as the ball was arranged. They asked me to present it to you, but...I withheld it in fear of...well..."

She understood, she always had. Even so, Rollo decided that perhaps it was time to loosen his tight hold.

"You've been seen. Many people know you exist now and they'll want to know more about you, especially if you go to the ball. Do you wish to be known like this?"

Moselle's eyes sparkled with excitement, nervousness, and most of all, readiness.

"I do."

The spotlights left the stunned NRC students and suddenly shifted onto another figure in the middle of the room. A masked woman with lilac hair, and horns, dressed in a fine ball gown that matched her emerald green eyes. She stood tall, holding her shakey hands folded together in front of her. Curious whispers erupted around her, some turning into excited speculation and recognition upon seeing the familiar horns on her head. Rollo let out a breath and spoke again.

"I must also thank this benevolent fae for lending her strength to this fair city not only during its most dire hours. Until now, she did so without praise or recognition but that never stopped her. Without her, we would be lost. Thank you, Mademoiselle Moselle."

She felt electric as the people surrounding her didn't hesitate to show her acceptance and appreciation following the lead of the Noble Bell students who already knew her well. Moselle pushed her nerves aside and gave the crowd a curtsy, something she had seen done during festival dances and practiced in the bell tower many, many times before. The ball continued in a swell of music and energy that washed any previous anxiety away. Across the room, Rollo had one final conversation with his enemy. The Draconia prince was smug at the very least which irked Rollo to no end. What's worse is how distracted the dragon fae suddenly became once he noticed Moselle on the dance floor.

"Who is she really, Flamme?"

The soft questioning look in Malleus Draconia's eyes as they gazed across the room to Moselle openly, freely danced to her heart's content turned the boy's stomach. He had made his peace in allowing Moselle her freedom, but whatever intention this draconian had in mind was unacceptable. Unstoppable? Unfortunately not, but that didn't mean Rollo had to like it by any means!

"She is the precious guardian of Noble Bell, if not the Fleur City itself. I assume she was born by the river just like the others before her many years ago," his tone was somber but ended in a warning, "She is very important to us, to me. Remember that, Malleus Draconia."

Rollo stepped away from the prince, silently releasing his dearest friend from his overbearing protection just as he had decided. It felt heavy, a bit sour. The only medicine for it was seeing how happy she was. That was enough for now.

Moselle had met and danced with quite a few of the mysterious NRC boys, including Malleus' two companions who both proved to be very good dancers. Silver was currently keeping her company when a certain prince decided to cut in.

"Silver. May I?"

Malleus already knew the answer but manners must be upheld, especially in the presence of a lady. Silver politely bowed out and left the two their privacy. The flurry of butterflies returned immediately as soon as they were back in each others' arms. The woman's eyes sparked with recognition.

"It's you!"

Moselle's enthusiasm overshadowed her nerves as the prince took her hand leading her into a waltz in time with the music. Both of them silently prayed for their tails to remain hidden lest they both found themselves betrayed out in the open.

"Your name is Moselle?" Saying her name was sweet honey on his tongue, "You never told me when we met earlier."

A wave of embarrassment flooded her expression, "Oh my goodness, I'm so s-sorry. I am Moselle. It's so nice to properly meet you again...Malleus?"

The briar fae's name sounded better than music on her lips, "A pleasure. I am Malleus Draconia, prince of Briar Valley."

Moselle stopped in time with the fading music with wide eyes, "You're a prince?!"

His expression deadpan matched her own before laughter rushed out of him before he could stop it. Malleus almost couldn't stop it. When was the last time he had laughed this much? The female fae in front of him glowed with embarrassment.

"Is it really strange that I didn't know?!" She was now even more hyper-aware of how little of the world she knew. She had been allowed to sit in on some classes at NBC to learn some things but her actual life experience was very slim. Malleus cleared his throat with an amused grin.

"Forgive me, it's alright. I just haven't met many who didn't know who I was as soon as they knew my name. Even less that weren't immediately running in fear."

Understandable, he was very intimidating but...

"But I'm not afraid of you. So...why would I run? I mean, I-I did run before but it wasn't because of you. I didn't want to leave. I just had to at the time..."

Malleus felt his heart thump and lighten at the immense innocence in her eyes and voice. There were other dragon fae remaining in his homeland, but none of them gave him the same feeling, the same acknowledgment or honesty that she did. The same loneliness from before began to crawl into Malleus' veins once again. It reminded him how short the night truly was. It dragged him back into reality and all the conditions that came with it. He began to feel a bit desperate as each dance they shared came and went, ushering the night to an end far too quickly.

"Can we meet again, Moselle? Or at the very least, keep in contact perhaps...?" The prince felt embarrassed by his nerves holding his breath captive. The sweet lady didn't keep him waiting too long, however.

"Of course! I would love to!"

Her answer, her genuine enthusiasm warmed him to the core. The two of them were enthralled by the possibility so much that they didn't even notice that the rest of the room kept dancing without them.

Rollo turned his back to the pair across the hall. It couldn't be helped any longer. He tried to ignore the memory of his brother's face, struck with wonder by magic, by her their dearest protector. Her fate was in her own hands now. He could only pray it would be kind to her in the long run.

Moselle had grown too fond of the school's campus to leave it entirely. Strolling through the city openly had become an everyday affair for the fae since the masquerade as was exchanging letters with the Draconian prince. She never had a cell phone and never desired to acquire one even though they were more convienant for a few reasons. Like her human friend, Moselle appreciated the near-lost art of written letters even if they did take longer to receive. Fortunately, Malleus agreed and wrote often. So much so that Moselle had a collection of letters, postcards, and even printed photographs he had sent her. The pair had wished to meet in person again - and told each other so in writing - but unfortunately, Malleus couldn't make the trip to see her for some reason he never explained. Moselle never questioned or guilted him for it. Instead, she would continue to write and sometimes send him small gifts, especially after learning about his birthday. It was something both fae greatly looked forward to day after day, week after week, month after month. And then one day....it stopped suddenly. Moselle had sent yet another letter and after? Silence.

"Perhaps he's busy."

"Maybe something happened and he never received it?"

Each time she made some excuse, her smile faded a bit. Rollo heard and met her concerns with vague assurance. Though she never accused him as such, he assured Moselle that he did not intervene in the two dragons' communication. He never hid the fact that he didn't approve of this budding friendship but her also didn't want the fae to feel that her trust in him had ever been betrayed.

Moselle tried sending another letter and another. Finally, she received her answer after weeks of no response: the last batch of letters she had written were returned, still sealed and unread. When asked if any explanation was given by the post, Rollo merely said this.

"They could not be delivered. That's all I was told," His expression gave nothing away.

Moselle grew fearful. Did something happen to Malleus? Was he alright? She stopped writing and began to wait to hear more. Anything at all. Rollo encouraged her to leave the bell tower and take her strolls through town during the day to keep her from fretting. He meant well, he truly did. Unfortunately, the truth couldn't be kept to whispers of gossip that rang throughout the Noble Bell campus. One sunny day, Moselle heard them as she was leaving the campus.

"...Night Raven College was completely shut down."

"All because of Malleus Draconia?"

These words were enough to freeze her in her tracks. She turned and saw the small group of students talking outside of a classroom. Their expression turned various shades of embarrassed or ashamed once they saw that Moselle overheard and was now looking at them, frozen in confusion. They had said too much.

"What did you say?" She approached them in earnest, "What has happened?"

The boys of NBC had always treated Moselle like a beloved older sister and they always made room for her whenever she did come down from the bell tower. The fact they were acting so reluctant to speak with her now made Moselle anxious. They fidgeted on sight, some even scurrying away before they could be further interrogated. The student council vice president soon appeared to usher the gaggle of students along to their respective classes. He stopped when he saw the concerned look on the fae's face.

"Moselle? Is something wrong?"

Why would they not answer her if it wasn't something terrible? Moselle's heart thumped in her chest as she directed her questions to the VP, "Did something happen to Night Raven College?"

The young man's expression fell, "Oh...well...I don't know everything but, there's word that the school was recently closed down completely because of a major overblot incident It happened about a month ago, I think. I believe the school is back to normal now but it sounded like quite the affair. It affected the entire island and the nearby Sacred Crown Hall's island as well."

The fae's throat tightened at the word 'overblot'. In her time on NBC, she had seen the word in different textbooks and heard it in lectures. It was never brought up in a good light either. The danger it posed to the affected mage and potentially those around them when in that state, all of it was discussed as if speaking of a disaster.

"Did it have anything to do with Malleus Draconia?"

Moselle was on the brink of tears. She felt scared and desperate to know if something had happened to her friend. She had her answer as soon as his name left her lips. Any students, even faculty, remaining in the halls seemed to tense up just from hearing it. The VP lowered his voice with a pitiful look in his eyes.

"Did President Flamme not tell you...?"

The night came and a downpour of heavy rain chased everyone on the streets toward their shelters. Rollo stared into the massive fireplace with a heavy scowl and a sigh deep with exhaustion and some regret.

"It was for her own good..."

He kept telling himself this over and over as the rain pelted the windows with fury. Rollo kept his word and never meddled in Moselle and Malleus' letters to and from each other. He never kept her from continuing to write to him, to grow closer to him. Never. What he did do hurt her still.

Rollo knew the truth about Malleus' overblot since it first happened and he kept it secret. Though he had no idea why Malleus had originally stopped writing, he did know that the dragon's massive overblot was the reason her letters were returned. He knew because the postman had told him everything. The island had been completely covered with monstrous thorns. No one could get in or out. No one knew the source at first but soon after word got out and one name slipped through the cracks: Malleus Draconia.

Rollo was bitterly vindicated. He knew something like this would happen if a mage as powerful as that dragon was free to do as he liked! Was he not right all along?! Normally, Rollo might have even felt some sort of peace knowing his hatred of the fae prince was justified. Normally, yes, but...when he saw Moselle growing more and more worried, more somber as the silence between the two fae grew, well, Rollo felt any but peace. So when Moselle had hunted him down earlier that day, demanding answers, he gave them without pretense. Of course, Moselle bit back, angry that he had kept her in the dark, and when asked why, he said...

"I kept my promise and didn't stand in your way as long as you were safe. Malleus Draconia has only proven me right. He is dangerous as I said before. Now you know I was speaking the truth."

Moselle bristled and began to sob, "He is not! He has a good, kind heart! Overblot happens when a mage is under immense stress, maybe something terrible happened a-and he couldn't help it! It was probably just an accident-"

Rollo scoffed and argued back, dismissing her claims, "An accident? Lesser mages cause accidents. This dark prince consumed an entire island by letting his outrageous power run wild! He put several lives aside from his own in danger! Had he not been stopped, the entire world could have been overrun! Would a good, kind person let such a thing happen? Did you know him as well as you think, Moselle? On a far lesser point, was it kind to suddenly cut ties with you without a word or reason?"

Moselle began to shrink in on herself, tears spilling down her crestfallen face. Rollo felt swayed by her clear heartache but refused to let her fall back into that devilish fae's undeserving hands. He gently approached and embraced her as he landed the final blow.

"In his wicked cruelty, he did you an immense favor. You should move on for your own sake, Moselle."

The howling wind shook the windows, making the rest of the room feel cold despite the roaring fire before Rollo. Up in the bell tower, Moselle was hiding away in her bed. The harder she sobbed the more the storm outside raged.

Across the vast oceans, the capital city of Briar Valley was experiencing an unseasonable bout of winter. In the dark of his room, Malleus Draconia sat in bitter silence by the window staring at nothing as the outcry from the senate echoed through his mind. He was alone and far away from his friends and companions back on Sage Island, no clear hope of seeing them again or having the chance to apologize for his actions. The snow fell hard and fast as his heart grew heavier. By now, all of Briar Valley no doubt heard the news of the decree:

"Due to the actions of Prince Malleus Draconia resulting in his expulsion from the esteemed Night Raven College, the Senate has come to the rightful conclusion that Prince Malleus, though the only rightful heir of Her Majesty's throne, shall not inherit the crown at this time. Until further notice, Briar Valley will continue under the graceful and just reign of Her Majesty, Malefica Draconia. May her reign continue to bless Briar Valley with eternal glory of the night."

-Prologue End-

------------------------------------------------------------ *starts a cliffhanger tally* Good news I'm working on chapter 1 as we speak. It'll be up later this week. In the meantime...yes, it's gonna be very intense story so strap in, folks lol. Don't worry there are happy soft moments too

#neoninky #twisted wonderland #sacred crown chronicles #ao3 writer #ao3 fanfic #twst oc x canon #diasomnia #malleus draconia #rollo flamme #twst oc: moselle #dragon fae #ANGST don't worry it does get better #dramasomnia #briar valley #fleur city #glorious masquerade event adjacent

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