#umitvar

[thenxghtwemxt]

@umitvar | Dante and Araminta, The Medici Chambers The Night of the Criminal List Revelation

She does not forget from whence she came. The Medici name meant nothing, until Araminta made it into something. With such wealth and power, she had that rare power to break the status quo. But even the most self-aware of enterprising women fly too close to the sun. The evidence is in the dossier; the Cuvellier's, Apolline Le Francois... Associates whose resistance was backed by the Medici coiffers. Now under lock and key, with all the motivation to sing like a bird in exchange for their fealty. Araminta could scarcely keep her dinner down, and chose instead to forego the balance of the evening's socializing for a goblet of wine out in the balcony of her chambers.

"Bianca, I cannot talk right now -" Araminta begins to say, at the sounds of footsteps on approach. Julian would certainly remain in the midst of others, holding appearances to keep from raising suspicion on Araminta's suddenly queasy stomach. So if not her sister, then who else...

"Dante." Her voice is equal parts longing and wistfulness. A color of surprise in her eyes. Since their last argument, she'd barely seen him. News of his kerfuffle at the taverna learned only through Julian and the gossips. But she's kept a fair distance, to keep from tugging at the seams. "This is not good." She says, turning to the one thing they will always share - this business.

[bourgeoning]

she  falls  back  into  the  rhythm  with  ease  ;  contrasting  chaos  with  calm  ,  for  others'  benefit  .  in  spite  of  a  continuously  pounding  heart  ,  and  fear  gnawing  at  her  stomach  .  nails  rapping  against  the  table  ,  isra  replays  the  bedlam  in  the  grand  jury  hall  ,  hoping  to  achieve  any  sort  of  understanding  of  the  tangled  mess  left  in  its  wake  .  but  the  memory  ebbs  into  the  background  when  she  hears  approaching  footsteps  .  reflexively  ,  she  sits  up  ,  offering  a  warm  smile  to  @classiqals  @flcralhaze  @umitvar  @verenduss  @monarhrh    @whispcrings  , "  how  can  i  help  ?  don't  be  shy  now  .  "  almost  a  joke  ,  or  ,  rather  ,  an  attempt  at  bringing  levity  .

[sapphirenoble]

° • — CLOSED starter for anette ( @umitvar ) ° • — norway's chambers, midnight

sneaking back into norway's chambers seemed to be of second nature to isadora now — she quietly shut the large door behind her, wincing as it made a click. no one would be surprised that she was out until the late hours of the night, that seemed to be the normal for her; but it didn't mean she wanted anyone to know.

the princess turned around, only to find her elder sister there on the couch. a heafy sigh of defeat came from the younger princess, and she gestured outward with her arms. " i'm fine, storesøster. " isadora knew anette shouldered a lot of the flack she received for disappearing all the time, and especially now? with so much danger and uncertainty around? the younger princess could only imagine the lectures. imagine, since she was never there for them.

" what was your excuse for me this time? that i fell ill? or perhaps i was simply too upset by recent events to socialize, " isadora faked dramatics, throwing a hand on her forehead as she laughed softly.

[thenxghtwemxt]

He does not recognize his bated breath, his itchy fingers. Waiting, perhaps, for Daiyu's approval and words of well wishes. With his parentals gone, Daiyu is the last figurehead that Angelo can turn his chin up to. It is a humbling feeling, one that he does not skirt away from. "Actually, it was she who proposed." He admits, hesitantly at first. Long-established machismo making it almost embarrassing to admit. However, it speaks to Arshiya's favor, so he carries on. "Fret not, I was a gentleman-" Angelo scoffs. "I got down properly on one knee soon after." Eyebrows piqued at the mention of children, he cannot help but speak to their mutual joining of families. "How is the young, newly betrothed couple?" Angelo pries, a lifted brow. Tian Feng hardly breathes a word to him these days. Why not find out from the soon-to-be bride's mother? "All that, and more. She's determined to take back her birth right. And so am I." A looming glance - war, once again, was on China's horizon.

the grin remains on her usually impassive face, an expression her loved ones know to read as fond. regardless of how daiyu might not agree to every single action taken by angelo, he is always regarded as one of her family, no matter the lack of a blood bond between them. "i believe you will. how long has this been in the making? when did you propose?" she cannot help but ask, wondering if it was a decision made in the last few months, or angelo has been considering it for far longer than that. and while she has not met her yet, daiyu is looking forward to doing so. wonders whether she will be a figure to ground his ideas, or match them with her own fire, is something only fate will tell. "oh yes, we have to arrange one. it has been so long since the last dinner we had together. i'll ask the children as well." and at that comment, she cannot help but laugh, shaking her head. "i can imagine. does she know what she got herself into?"

[succiducus]

when: post drop w/ @umitvar & @flcralhaze (not a group thread/muse of your choosing)

where: turkish apartments, sitting room.

gathered were the courtiers of turkey amidst furniture and sculptures being addressed by their sultan in the aftermath of the pre-tribunal. rostam grew tired as the days went on; with every passing moment, he was consumed by worry that someone would come for ariyan soon enough. although he had tried to push the thought away, time spent with his spouse during their time in brazil made it stick to his insides like glue; he couldn't lose them. rostam speaks to his worries, to his anger and disappointment but the loud creak of a door and familiar face break his chastise, turning to face the person who had interrupted their meeting. with a wave of his hand, they disperse and the entirety of his focus falls to them. "what is it?" the sultan's irritation is clear in his voice yet his hands come up in apology; anger seemed to be the most prevalent among many emotions.

[flcralhaze]

closed starter ›› cedric leclerc , @monarhrh. any muse , @umitvar where: anywhere in the palace.

a rare  moment  to  himself  was  taken after only a momentary pause, double checking that he wasn't needed anywhere, and now timur sat on a bench, sharpening his sword. guard wasn't lowered. his ears remained attuned to his surroundings as footsteps passed him by, none drawing anymore of his attention until a pair stopped nearby. shoulders instinctively tensed. slowly, he looked up.   ❝ can i help you with something? ❞

[classiqals]

status -> closed starter for @umitvar {lia}

setting -> the soldiers taverna

it had become almost an unspoken rule of haspira's to excuse herself whenever she caught sight of madagascar guards; avoiding her husband, the entire royal family, if she could. tensions only rose between the nations, making getting close to any of those of importance trickier with every passing day. in all her frustration and stinging (surprisingly cold) rejection feeling fresh yet on her heels, haspira finished her drink in a long gulp. her eyes had fallen upon one of her highest priority targets of wrath, for the moment.

scandalous prince with a family now wrapped in so so much strife. haspira knew the whispers of their enemies; and she motioned with two fingers to the barkeep, before making her move. footsteps quiet by intention, always preferring to hold the element of surprise to her own favor, haspira spoke with as much of a purr in her tone as a wildcat approaching prey. " i hear congratulations are soon to be in order, prince liantsoa. " haspira does her best to materialize by the bartop, warmth in her smile && a teasing tone almost sounding genuine. she gives a nod to the bareep, indicating to place the second wine glass in front of the prince. " so you are the lucky chosen one in line to next marry my husband. " she holds up her glass. " a toast to the happy couple? no, i really mean it. "

[opulentsarina]

@umitvar | Antonina and Yura | Russian Estate Rooms

"....And this is rhodiola. It will help with the fatigue," Antonina held up a vial with dried yellow flowers, darkened with age. For the past ten minutes, Yura had been her attentive (and captive) audience, listening to her rattle off the various herbal remedies she'd packed with her brother in mind. "And don't say you aren't ever fatigued. It's impossible in this heat. And around these vipers."

She sighs and presses the back of her hand against Yura's forehead - reflexively checking for fever - before sitting down heavily across from them. Between them sat a fine table with tea and pastries, and Antonina busies herself by smearing jam on a sweet bun. She tries to swallow down her anxiety. To think this was supposed to be her premiere into international society, a chance to show her skills were vital for the health of the realm. Instead, Antonina has never quite felt this much danger.

"I should have brought antidotes," she says, gaze drifting out the window.

[tormxntum]

Who: Daeng & Cailean @umitvar

When: During the Betrothal Celebration for the Emperor of China

A spectacular celebration of yet another union was well underway in the Grand Hall, or perhaps it was the last hurrah before another senseless war would be declared. Either way, Cailean knew no one would notice if they slipped away from the festivities. The guests would all be too busy focusing on the newly engaged couple and what the engagement meant for the rest of the world to notice what a Scottish commander was up to. It was the perfect night to do some digging. Threading through the guests, Cailean noticed that everyone they ran into was either too inebriated or preoccupied to pay them any mind; perfect. As a roaring laugh broke through the crowd, Cailean slipped through a door into the hallway leading to the study.

The study was dark, lit only by a single candle on the floor in the middle of the room. In its glowing light, Cailean opened letter after letter. Nothing of any interest. “Damn…” they muttered under their breath, throwing the last letter back on the floor. As if on cue, the soft creak of the door told them that not only had this been for naught, but they had been caught. Cailean reached for the knife carefully tucked in their kilt, but when they saw who had entered the room, their heart eased its hammering. They knew they would be able to talk their way out of this. “Daeng, I’m glad ye’re here.” Cailean glanced up at their friend from their spot on the floor, their lips set in a thin line. “I know this looks bad, but… We cannae let another reckonin’ happen, not again, not under our watch.” They ran their fingers through their hair, causing a stray lock to defy them and stand up in the air. “I’m sorry… I just— I didnae work hard enough to stop it from happenin’ last year, but now I will make damn sure no one has anythin’ planned against us. Even if it means rifling through borin’ old letters.”

[verenduss]

WHEN/WHERE: madagascar common area, post-tribunal

WHO: rafael & noi charoensuk ( @umitvar )

the king's line of sight falls to them, a stinging pain tugs at underlying concern, pushing him forward despite his inner protests. there were many times that the caring, nurturing side of his personality won to the side he thought a king should have; this was one of them. he cared for the people of madagascar's high court as closely as he would those of his own family, their faces were ingrained on his heart, and his soul would speak to such a sentiment when given opportunity. "are you well?" rafael prods as he rests in a chair opposite the other. "given what has transpired since we left the shores of our home land, i would not think less of you if you weren't. in fact, i would consider it normal."

[gloriousncss]

@umitvar ( maria & felix ) location: upper deck of the naglar time: evening

"Brother!" Maria announced with much gusto, a gift granted to her from the bottom of the bottle gripped tightly in her hand, feet leisurely raised as she sat back in the most lavish chair a ship had ever provided her. If she had to relinquish the gloriously dingy ships that belonged to outlaws, bandits, and thieves, at least she could be as lazy as she wanted. "Please, don't let your favorite sister enjoy the amenities of this fine vessel alone," she raised her eyebrows, her hand on the neck of the bottle rocking it back and forth like a ship on the waves, "Despite the proximity of a ship, or lack thereof, it is always the perfect conduit for trouble."

[thenxghtwemxt]

@umitvar | Dante and Araminta, The Bar At The Top Deck of NRP Sagres

"You are drinking too much." A statement of fact, laced with concern but edged with accusation. It is no secret that the past few years have taken their toll on the once-young couple, turned authorities of Florence. Especially with her marriage to Julian, whose presence grows more rooted in Villa Medici with every passing day. But Araminta has known and loved Dante for most of her life, and she occupies the seat across from him without hesitation. "It is only for the duration of our voyage, mi amor. The De Alcantara's grounds will allow for less scrutiny with our... sleeping arrangements." Namely, an allowance for the evenings when she is in Dante's chambers instead of Julian's. "He is my husband." She reminds Dante softly. "He will always be part of our lives."

[dcccivcr]

@umitvar

Xinyuan has never been a friend of sea travel. He boarded a ship for the first time years ago when he left his homeland, and fortunately did not need to do it again for a long while. This is his fifth time, and the spy is having a hard time keeping himself together. The fresh air helps with the dizziness, but the clearer his mind is, the more it is free to wander to other unpleasant matters.

The bodyguard turns around, startled, as he hears footsteps behind him, closer than they should be. He would have noticed them earlier, had his thoughts not been somewhere else. "Commander," he greets the other with a bow.

[ncrrctcr]

@umitvar

"I love you , I'm glad we're friends"

[balteren]

closed starter with: andromeda and daiyu (@umitvar) location: the underground map gallery time: evening

The Map Gallery was dark, and a bit eerie, but it was blissfully quiet inside. Andromeda had gone out in search of her sister, but when she descended the stairs into the gallery, she was instantly side-tracked. The maps were beautiful, and so intricate, well preserved for their age, and just generally fascinating. She let her eyes drag along the landscape, following rivers and mountain ranges, noting the names of the cities and towns marked on the papers. She had yet to fully understand the military aspects of maps like these, but that didn’t stop her from trying to decode the different strategic maneuvers outlined in front of her. Just before Daiyu entered, she’d turned her attention to the star chart on the ceiling above her. “Viceroy, what a joy to see you.” There was an pleasant look on her face as she turned back to the chart. “I think I’ve found myself!” She began to point, but faltered. “Oh! No, that’s not it.” She’d been trying to learn the constellations, but had yet to be any good at it. It was a bit embarrassing to share a name with a constellation, but not be able to locate it in the skies. “Are you familiar with the stars? They’re all just dots of light to me.” 

[flcralhaze]

closed starter ›› yura stasov , @umitvar where: anywhere in the palace.

warmth had  had  little  place  in  the stasov home; russian winters existed within the halls no matter how strong the fire burned in the hearth or if spring was awakening outside. nikolai knew the expectation that he continue walking, duty was a constant call, one that he'd been raised to put before all else, including the self, but steps slowed until he was standing beside his youngest sibling.  ❝ how are you faring, yura? ❞   nik's expression was unmoved but voice drifted closer to a gentle snowfall than a frigid blizzard.