writtenwillow

[writtenwillow]

So I decided to do the whole new blog thing. It’s not ready yet still setting it all up but feel free to follow https://willowswriting.tumblr.com/

[writtenwillow]

I feel so blah with this blog atm. Sorry friends I’m trying to regain my muse. Debating on starting a new blog/revamping this one completely or possibly switching over to discord where it seems to be easier to plot/ship. Decisions decisions. Jump into my inbox if you have any suggestions?

[writtenwillow]

I plan on giving my blog a little face lift tonight once I’m off work so feel free to like this or send me a meme for a starter. Specify muses or I’ll choose what my little heart desires (I am not dropping any threads at this time but am always down to have more than one thread going with my partners!)

[writtenwillow]

A smirk spread across the males lips at her little outburst. Very predictable if he did say so himself "Fine fine what about two drinks?" He questioned "Really you'd be doing us all a favor." he shrugged, as if the whole party had come to the same coconscious that the women needed to majorly chill out. Despite Elodie's show Louis was all to aware of the effect that he had on the women. Not that he could blame her really. There were few that could resist him even if they did actually hate his guts they still ended up in his bed nine times out of ten.

"you act like everything you do is so innocent and doesn't mean anything but it's bullshit so don't act all nicey nice with me now." she was firm in her expression of frowning and her arms tightly folded over her chest. "oh you think a drink is going to make up for it, absolutely not. do me a favour and go.. anywhere else.." despite the fact it was clear in her words and her facial cues that she was irritated by him, there was something about their encounters that she secretly enjoyed. not that she would ever openly admit it, but the fire he lit under her created so much tension between the two of them.

[writtenwillow]

Harper felt little relief in the mans words. He claimed that her men had gone unharmed but she couldn't trust him. Not when this man had intercepted her carriage in the middle of the night. Admittedly she had no idea who he was. She was completely unaware that her capture was none other than the man who she was supposed to marries brother. In her defense she wouldn't know the mans face herself if he stood before her. There was a part of her that might relate to the men if she knew. Perhaps a small piece of her wishing that her brother would have done something of similar stature after finding out that she'd be whisked away to some far away foreign land to give herself to some strange man in name of their family... only he hadn't and now here she was.

She scuffed softly when the stranger encouraged her to eat "You first." She spoke, pushing the tray away from her and back towards him. Admittedly she was quite famished but she wasn't about to dive in blindly to something that her kidnapper offered. Who knew what he might have laced the meal with in false nicety. Some might have uttered the word naïve when speaking of Harper but no one had ever uttered the words stupid. "And you're supposed to be the one to offer me that lens?" The women spoke with a soft scuff to her voice. Perhaps this was worse than she had first perceived and her capture wasn't dangerous but in fact delusional.

She listened as the man continued to talk. She wouldn't admit it out loud but his words struck something within her. Perhaps it was the fact that she hadn't wanted to marry some stranger for her namesake in the first place. There had always been a small part of her that demanded better of herself. A part that given the chance might actually flourish into something beautiful if her father didn't snuff it out first. "And what enlightened destination exactly do you think that I'm headed for?" She questioned "What is it that you get out of holding me captive here?" She questioned.

replying to @writtenwillow from here

♠️

setting the tray down before her, asher stepped back, allowing her space to assess the situation. leaning against the doorframe with an ease that contradicted the tension of the situation, couldn't help but let a wry smile flicker across his face at harper's fiery response. her spirit, unbroken even in the face of uncertainty, intrigued him more than he cared to admit. "i assure you, if it were money or power i was after, i would've chosen a far less complicated target. and as for exoneration..." he chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "let's just say i'm not in need of any." his eyes, keen with an intelligence that spoke of deep, unspoken thoughts, fixed upon her. "you're right to wonder about the motives behind this... unconventional welcome," asher continued, his tone candid, stripped of any pretense. "but before we dive into the whys and hows, know that your escorts were unharmed. it wasn't my intention to cause needless suffering."

he gestured towards the tray of food that had he had brought in, still untouched by his guest. "please, eat something. regardless of the circumstances, i have no intention of neglecting your well-being." his tone carried an implicit reassurance, a subtle hint that harper's capture might not be the misfortune she perceived it to be. asher recognized the complexity of harper's position within her family and the broader world they inhabited. he understood the burdens that came with her name, the expectations, and the isolation. "consider, just for a moment," asher continued, his voice laced with a persuasive calmness, "that being taken away from the path laid out for you by others might offer you a different perspective. An opportunity to see your life and your choices through a lens not clouded by your family's ambitions or the heavy weight of tradition."

moving to pour a glass of water from the pitcher, asher offered it to her with a gesture that bridged the gap between captor and captive, if only slightly. "i won't pretend that i've done you a favor by bringing you here against your will," he admitted, meeting her gaze directly. "but i will say that sometimes, it's the unexpected detours that lead us to the most enlightening of destinations."

[writtenwillow]

There was a small part of her brain that was nagging at her. Telling her that what they were doing simply was not a good idea. That once this moment passed they would either both regret the actions that the adrenaline had provoked, or worse yet only one of them would. However those worries and thoughts were soon to disappear the moment the man pulled her into his lap, causing her to straddle him. The lapping water and distant city seemed to fade away, the only thing she was able to hear was the constant thrum of her heart against her ribcage. She swore if she took a moment to listen she could hear Mason's as well. She allowed her hand to rest against the mans cheek as he depended the kiss, taking control of the movements and the way her body rested against his. For someone who was constantly on guard on her day to day life it was exhilarating to relinquish some of that control.

Seleste let out a small moan the moment the mans hands came in contact with her jeaned ass. His hands cupping the roundness as if his hands had been sculpted specifically to match her own shape. She could feel that he was starting to harden beneath the fabric of his own jeans. With each movement his hands made against her butt he moved her body to rub against him. She broke away from their heated kiss, just long enough to pull her shirt over her head, leaving her only in her brassiere. She was quick to reattach their lips together however before Mason was able to get a proper look at her. The women had grown self conscious throughout her marriage to her ex-husband. That paired with the large scar that ran over her torso had her wanting to keep Mason's eyes off of her. She shivered lightly in his grasp, bare back now pressed against the steering wheel as she ground down against the male softly.

The car was a tight space and the way that they were currently pressed together made the space seem infinitely smaller. She couldn't help but swoon slightly at the pure confidence that seemed to drip off of Mason in the moment, there was no doubt that the man wanted this as much as she did. She found her fingers gliding underneath the mans shirt, fingers making contact with bare skin, fantastically fit skin, she couldn't help but note even with her mind swimming with want. There was no doubt about it she wanted to feel that skin against her own and fast.

♦️

right there, parked by the docks with the night wrapping around them like a cozy blanket, mason was doing something he hadn't planned on. the usual buzz of victory from the race was still humming in his veins, but now there was this new, electric current zipping through him, all thanks to seleste and that bold move of hers. mason's not the type to talk a whole lot, especially not about feelings and all that mushy stuff. but actions? yeah, he's all about showing rather than telling. pulling up to the docks, it was like he was saying 'let's take a minute, away from it all'. it was his way of dealing with the kiss — not ignoring it, but diving into whatever this was headfirst. when seleste leaned in again, eyes all locked on his, it was clear she was throwing caution to the wind. and mason? he was right there with her, caught up in the rush of the moment. kissing her back, it was like he was answering all those unspoken questions hanging between them. no words needed; this was mason's style — straightforward, no games, just raw honesty in the form of a kiss.

in his typical man-of-few-words way, mason was showing seleste that he was in for whatever came next. no backing down, no second-guessing. just the two of them, figuring out this new vibe between them, under the stars and beside the gentle sway of the dock waters. it was a moment of pure, unscripted connection, a leap into something that felt like it could be kind of amazing. mason had played his cards just right, a silent bet made with himself when they headed to the race, a calculated risk that the adrenaline and the raw energy of the moment would tilt the scales in his favor. he knew the kind of electric buzz that came with a win, the way it could break down walls and push people past their usual limits. in a way, bringing seleste to the race was his way of setting the stage, creating an environment ripe with excitement and possibility.

in that electrified silence by the docks, mason's actions shifted from the cautious to the decidedly bold. his hands, those same ones that had expertly navigated the twists and turns of the race, now found a new purpose. they moved to seleste's waist with a confidence that spoke volumes, guided by the magnetic pull between them, gripping rather roughly. "come here!" with his lips busy to devour and his tongue busy to taste the warmth of her mouth, he pulled her on top of him, his intentions clear and his movements deliberate. when seleste moved to straddle him, the world outside their immediate bubble seemed to fade even further away. the sounds of the water and the distant city became mere backdrops to the intense focus on each other. mason's heart raced, but not from the remnants of the race's adrenaline. this was different; it was more personal, more visceral. his hands found her ass, pulling her butt cheeks apart and bringing them back together as he kneaded hungrily, causing her core to rub against his crotch.

[writtenwillow]

Louis chuckled softly at the other males reaction to the catcalls coming from the bystanders. Personally he didn't mind at all, in fact there was a small part of him that wanted to pull Tanner into yet another kiss, just to show whoever was watching that he was the only one lucky enough to bring the hockey player home at night. However her refrained not wanting to push Tanner to far out of his comfort zone "I could eat." He grinned, hand on the trunk before slamming it shut once the blonde had gotten his things situated inside. He opened the door for the male, with a slightly obnoxious little bow and a smirk on his face before closing the door and walking around to the drivers side "What are you feeling?" He questioned "It's on me, in loo of that amazing clutch." He grinned, giving Tanner a little wink. He had seen Tanner play before but there was something so special about actually getting to witness the sport in person and not through a screen.

Tanner was absolutely buzzing as his teammates poured off the bench and surrounded him, everyone congratulating him on his game-winning goal. "You kept us in it, Mash!" he yelled to his roommate as he skated up to give the goalie a tight hug. Hockey was always a team effort, but it felt good to be the one to end things. Now all he wanted was to find Louis and celebrate. He'd spotted his boyfriend in the crowd earlier, somewhat surprised that he'd actually showed. It meant a lot, though, and as he finally caught sight of him in the parking garage he couldn't help but grin as he saw what he was wearing. "Thanks," Tanner said, not even thinking as he allowed Louis to lean in and kiss him. It was only when he heard the whistles and catcalls that he remembered they were in public, and his cheeks were pink as he pulled away. "Come on, let's get out of here." He tried not to think about who could be watching as he dumped his bag into the trunk. "You wanna go get some food?"

[writtenwillow]

Camilla couldn't help but smile lightly at Xavier's reply "Were you a Chuckie Cheese birthday party type of kid?" She questioned "You're sorta starting to give me those vibes." She teased. Admittedly she couldn't remember a majority of her own parties growing up but she knew that the majority of them were never carefully coordinated with a bunch of games and activities. It was mostly just whatever kids that showed up, mostly cousins, running ramped in the back yard until it was time to blow out her candles.

"Except the team-building was always with work colleagues and do you ever really trust them?" Xavier asked and then pouted, "Ouch, that was a bit rude," he teased, "There are plenty of party games that don't involve being blindfolded for the record."

[writtenwillow]

The Kings were a family that had earned their name in every corner of the globe. A family that ruled mostly on fear and was more than happy to crush any challengers underneath their boots. Harper King had never held the same ideals as her family however. She preferred to help those in need instead of force them to help her. She long dreamed of a future where people helped one another, not one where the rich remained powerful simply because they didn't allow anyone else to rise up. When her father had first approached her about this arranged marriage she agreed. She agreed because she had hoped that perhaps this family would have some sort of morals compared to her own family. It wasn't like she truly had a choice in the matter however. Her twin brother was the true heir to the family fortune, she was the throwaway child, something that she had been sure to be reminded of on countless occasions. She could either nod her head like a good little girl and agree to a marriage that would benefit their family or grow to regret it.

What Harper hadn't anticipated however was that in the middle of her descend to this family's lands her carriage would be overtaken. She was thrusted into a room unfamiliar to her. The furnishings hinted at the fact that her capture must be well off to a degree which caused her to wonder what exactly was the reason for such a risky move? Perhaps she should have been worried about her own safety but instead her mind wondered to the men that had been escorting her, what had come of them? There were a few of them that she had known since childhood, who had become more family to her than her own blood.

Harper's head lifted the moment the door squeaked open, eyes landing on a strangers face. She disregarded the mans words, instead firing her own words back "I'm not sure what it is you want." She spoke up from her sitting position "If it's money, power, exoneration... you might as well kill me now, get it over with." She spoke. Her father wasn't the type of man to fold at another's mercy, he'd sooner watch her die and commend her for her sacrifice.

open to: f connection: a historical au where asher kidnaps y/m in order to prevent his younger brother from getting married, at his younger brother's request

♠️

in the dim light of dawn, the vast expanse of the cross lands lay shrouded in mist, a sprawling domain ruled by the iron fist of lord jonathan cross. it was a land rich in history and blood, where power and family lineage dictated one's destiny. yet, within the heart of this ancient family, a daring plot was unfolding, masterminded by the cross brothers, asher and tommy. their father had long sought to strengthen the family's power through strategic marriages, and the latest was to be tommy's union with her, a match more political than passionate, designed to ally the cross family with another powerful dynasty. however, asher and tommy shared a bond stronger than most, forged in the fires of a rigid upbringing and the cold shadows of their father's ambition. they both knew that tommy's marriage to the lady would be nothing more than a gilded cage, a union that would bring power and stability to the cross family but at the cost of tommy's happiness. it was a price neither brother was willing to pay.

thus, under the cover of night, they set their plan in motion. asher, ever the strategist, had meticulously planned the kidnapping, ensuring that every detail was accounted for. with a small band of trusted men, he intercepted the lady's carriage before it could reach the castle. the operation was swift, leaving no trace behind, and before the sun had risen, she was safely hidden away in an undisclosed location, known only to asher. as the heavy door to the secluded room creaked open, asher stepped into the dimly lit chamber, his presence commanding yet oddly reassuring in the tense atmosphere. the room, though comfortably furnished to ease the discomfort of its occupant, bore the unmistakable air of captivity.

always mindful of the impressions he made, asher approached with a calm demeanor, holding a tray laden with food and a pitcher of water. his eyes, reflecting a gentleness incongruent with his reputation as a schemer, met her guarded gaze. "m'lady," asher began, his voice smooth and devoid of any malice, "i apologize for the abruptness of your...arrival. please, eat. you must be famished."

[writtenwillow]

"Writing? Was it a love poem for me?" She questioned. The grin on her lips hinting at the fact that she was obviously only joking. If Austin was willing to put aside whatever he was doing than she wouldn't mind staying. "If you aren't terribly busy I say that we order some takeout and watch a movie... preferably in the comfort of your bed." She hummed, perhaps with a few less articles of clothing. She set her bag down on the couch, unbuttoning her jacket. She had basically jumped down the mans throat the moment he answered the door so she hadn't really taken a moment to get comfortable because she wasn't sure if the result of their conversation would have her sticking around or walking away from whatever this was.

❝ I figured you might. ❞ Austin had with a slight grin on his lips as his hands held onto her waist, holding her body as he looked to the red head. He didn't want to share her with anyone really. He didn't want to share her with friends or any other person. He wanted her all to himself and his greedy ways. Having her pull back from his arms, he raised up a brow as his eyes scanned down from her eyes to her lips as she spoke. ❝ I was in the middle of writing but I can put that aside right now. ❞

[writtenwillow]

Lucian nodded "Isn't a bad thing to get a handle on what you want before going for it. Sure beats getting halfway through a degree only to figure out that it isn't what you want." He shrugged. He wasn't going to push the fact that she mentioned being used to figuring things out on her own. It was something that Lucian had grown accustomed to himself. He could tell that the women wanted to take the heat off of herself a little so he offered up a piece of information about himself instead " I was going to major in engineering." he spoke. "Couldn't pay for the degree on my own though so my buddy talked me into joining the military. By the time I got out my interests had changed... luckily I've always been good with my hands though." He chuckled wiggling his fingers.

Raising her shoulders up she pressed her lips together. ❝ I haven't fully figured that part out yet. I thought about Journalism or being a Veterinarian but that required a lot of money so server it is until I figure things out. ❞ She stated as she knew she would never make enough it felt like. She didn't mind sharing this with Lucian, he seemed like a stand up guy from the conversation she was having with him already and how could a man who stood up for you be a bad guy. ❝ I'll figure it out. I always do. But enough on me though. ❞

[writtenwillow]

Muse⇥ Louis Piquet, 21-28, He/Him, Bisexual, Underground Fighter/Dealer. Connection ⇥ Boyfriend (man that feels weird) Plot ⇥ Based off of this post. You sent 💋(to give muse a kiss) for Tanner and Louis. Open To ⇥ Closed starter for @musicallyiinclined.

Louis couldn't help the smile that spread across his face as he stood up along with the other fans in the stands, cheering out as Tanner managed to hit the puck smack dab in the middle of the goal. The two teams had been tied, participating in a shoot off for the last several moments before the blonde had managed to smack the puck smack into the net. Louis made his way through the crowd once things died down a little, figuring that the hockey player would want to have a few minutes of celebration with his team, in all honesty the fighter wasn't even sure if Tanner had spotted him in the crowd or not, he hadn't informed him that he was coming even though the man had left him a ticket to attend. Louis smiled when Tanner spotted him making his way towards him, wearing the mans jersey like they had joked about all that time ago. "You were fucking fantastic." He grinned. Once the two were in distance of each other Louis reached out, cupping the hockey players cheek before kissing him. Perhaps he should have asked before doing something so bold in front of a crowd but he hadn't.

[writtenwillow]

Seleste threw her head back the moment Ryker's lips connected with her collar bone. She closed her eyes as a small needy tone left her throat. Being with the man was always thrilling and intense. She shifted in his lap, moving so that she could properly move herself up and down his length. One hand gripped the back of Ryker's neck as she sped up the thrusts, biting against her lip so hard that she might actually pierce the skin there. "Tell me again." She spoke lowly. One of her favorite things about being with Ryder was the way he constantly praised her. Her self esteem had definitely taken a hit throughout her marriage and Ryker was constantly making her feel good about herself.

It didn't really matter where they hooked up to Ryker but to him it only mattered about the hook up. It was hot, sexy and everything that he wanted. A little sloppy but that didn't matter when the sex was as good as Seleste. She was so good that it was addicting. ❝ And I'll say it every time because you are incredibly sexy. ❞ He groaned against her skin. With their clothes only pushed aside and bunches up his hands gripped onto her her waist tightly, but not enough to hurt her, just enough to get a good hold on her when she was finally lowered onto his member, feeling her walls around him. His lips moved down to connect with her collarbone as he rocked her hips up and down on top of him.

[writtenwillow]

Louis chuckled softly with a nod. He really wasn't the type to be all cheesy and romantic so he was glad that Tanner wasn't expecting much of a change now that they had put a title on it. He turned the mans head with his fingers lightly pressed the hockey players chin before kissing him. He shifted so that he was hovering above him now, pushing Tanner back into the pillows "Now where were we?" He questioned, moving his lips down the other mans body.

𝙴𝙽𝙳

"Thank you.." Tanner allowed himself to be held, surprised that Louis had initiated it in the first place. Tender moments like these were still somewhat rare, though they'd been happening more and more frequently as of late. He chose to interpret it as a sign that the fighter truly did care about him, and wasn't just saying it to ensure that they would keep sleeping together. Louis' question made him laugh, shoving the other man playfully as he rolled his eyes. "Oh shut up," he told him, shaking his head. "Things don't have to change, Lou. Not really." Other than him trying to be faithful, obviously. "I like what we have now. I don't need all that cheesy stuff." Louis wasn't really the type, and since Tanner had never been in a relationship before he figured he wasn't either.

[writtenwillow]

She smiled when Danny called her smart. She could tell that he was aware that the nightlight wasn't for her and was instead for her son. It wasn't that Camilla purposefully didn't talk about her son. She just kept the information that she told people to a minimum. Speaking about her son usually led to questions about his father which was something Camilla would be more than happy to forget about all together. The only good thing that man had ever done in his entire life was make her a mom and than skip town. Camilla nodded at the mans answer. She knew first hand the type of creeps that lurked out in the shadows in todays society. Being a bartender, and on the occasion that she needed to make a few extra bucks for rent a dancer, she had had her fair share of creeps approach her. Being a single mother only amplified that which was a main reason that she had long ago given up on any hope of a romantic life. "Thank you by the way." She spoke "For doing this." she nodded. She knew that she didn't have to thank him. Danny was a good guy guy in that way but she still wanted him to know that she appreciated it.

Danny had a feeling the nightlight wasn't actually for Camilla, but he nodded seriously as if he believed her. "Smart woman." He knew about her son, of course--he'd come up in conversation before--though he didn't know too many details about him. Just that he was young (the fact that he needed a nightlight was further proof of that). Camilla's comment earned her a laugh, his grin remaining in place as he answered. "I guess you're right. It's only fair that I take a turn, too." He wasn't sure if her question was meant in a teasing way, but Danny's expression sobered as he answered. "The way the world is today, there's honestly no telling. Things I don't even want to think about, probably." That's why he was more than happy to walk her home, to make sure she made it safely.

[writtenwillow]

Louis let out a small chuckle, a sad one at that but he nodded. "You have my word that I will." He spoke, moving to engulf the other man into his arms again. He kissed the side of his head before closing his eyes for a moment, just holding the other male. It was a weird feeling. Being both happy that the man didn't want anyone else but also feeling a sense of guilt when Tanner admitted that that confession made him feel stupid. The last thing that Louis ever wanted to do was make the man feel stupid for trusting him or worse yet loving him. "Does this mean that I have to start sending you good morning texts and planning out real dates?" He questioned with a raised eye brow, a more solid chuckle erupting from the mans chest when he noted the hockey players half eyeroll.

Tanner's mind and heart went back and forth, each trying to convince him of what he should do. His mind was telling him that Louis wasn't worth the possibility of heartbreak, especially if he couldn't guarantee that he could be faithful, while his heart insisted that whatever Louis could offer was good enough as long as it meant they could be together. It truly felt like a no-win situation, and he chewed nervously at the inside of his lower lip as he tried to decide what he would do. Finally he turned back to the other man, eyes searching his face for some kind of answer that he already knew wasn't there. "I don't want anyone else, Louis. Maybe that makes me stupid, but.. Fine. We can give this a shot, but if you cheat--" Tanner trailed off, tempted to give an ultimatum but not brave enough to actually say the words. "Just try not to fuck every stranger you meet? I know that's tough for you, but I'd appreciate it if you could at least try."

[writtenwillow]

She was unsure what exactly Mason had in mind. He could have another race that he was due to be at any moment. The fact that he hadn't really addressed the kiss that she had stolen still hung in the space between the two, was he going to address that or simply pretend that it didn't happen? Save her the embarrassment of her own impulsive decision. However then the two were pulling up to the docks, her eyes scanned over the dancing waves of the water, breathing in the sound and smell, despite the windows still being closed.

This was the last place that Seleste had expected to be tonight. Parked beside the docks with none other than Mason Parker. Something about it made her feel like a teenager again. Sneaking off where no one could find her with a boy, well man this time, she had no business messing around with. However that didn't stop the women from accepting his invitation. She leaned closer again, eyes flicking from his irises to his awaiting lips. She knew that they was a risk in this. Mason could be simply setting her up for a large array of embarrassment later on. Unsure if it was deeply buried feelings resurfacing or simply the adrenaline from the race that the two had just participated in she found herself carrying less and less as eyes fluttered shut and she found her lips pressing against his, right where she had forced herself to pull away moments ago.

Seleste had no intentions of pulling away this time. She wasn't sure what he intentions were exactly but she was willing to wait and see what it was that Mason wanted. He had already given her the best adrenaline rush of her life, perhaps she wouldn't mind following that up with another never before charted adventure.

♦️

in the wake of the race's adrenaline-pumping finish, mason found himself caught in a whirlwind of emotions. seleste's spontaneous action, the unexpected press of her lips against his, sent shockwaves through his system, rendering him momentarily speechless. her quick apology, tinted with a blush that spoke volumes of her mixed emotions, only added to the complexity of the moment. mason, ever the one to seize an opportunity, recognized the significance of what had just transpired. it was a bold step out of their comfort zones. the intensity of the race had stripped away their guards, leaving them raw and more open to their true feelings.

recovering quickly, mason flashed a grin that carried both assurance and an unspoken promise. "hold that thought," the decision to find a more secluded spot was spontaneous but felt entirely right. it wasn't just about escaping the prying eyes or the aftermath of their victory; it was about finding a moment of peace, a slice of time where they could explore this new dynamic without the world intruding. with a skilled turn of the wheel, mason navigated the dock area with a familiarity born of countless nights spent roaming there. the docks, with their secluded spots and the quiet hum of the city in the background, offered the perfect backdrop for what he hoped would be a continuation of their unexpected moment of intimacy.

as the car rolled to a stop in a more secluded spot by the docks, the anticipation hung between them. with the gentle lapping of water against the shore and the distant sounds of the city, an almost surreal setting was created. mason turned to seleste, his gaze intense, inviting her to continue what had been so abruptly paused.