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a-blue-secret · 4 years ago

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CHAPTER IV

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Chapter III | Chapter IV | Chapter V

GENRES: royal au; fantasy au; magic au; friends-to-enemies-to-lovers; king!beomgyu, vizier!taehyun

PAIRING: taegyu

WARNINGS: none

WORD COUNT: 3.2k+

AN: I did a little fencing when I was younger, so this is based on my very limited experience. I had fun writing this part- there's not as much angst!

SUMMARY: Best friends turned enemies, Kang Taehyun has managed to trick Choi Beomgyu into his service, and to rule for a year and a day, until his youngest brother would be old enough to take the throne. Choi Beomgyu has no intention of being obedient however, and tries to thwart Taehyun’s orders at every turn. With a growing amount of distrust and lies within the court, will Taehyun manage to keep the kingdom of Gojongja from falling apart?

So how good are you at fencing, Yeonjun?” Beomgyu asked, picking up his foil. He’d already finished getting dressed, and was waiting for Yeonjun to be ready too.

“Me? Oh, I am by no means a master,” Yeonjun said as a servant tightened his gloves. “But I am rather good, if I do say so myself. How about you, Your Greatness?”

“Well, I am a master myself. Be prepared to lose in the sorest ways possible,” Beomgyu grinned. Yeonjun smiled back, picking up his own mask and foil. “Ready?”

Yeonjun nodded, and stepped aside. “After you, Your Greatness.”

.・゜-: ✧ :-　　

“En guarde.”

They raised their foils towards each other.

“Pret.”

Beomgyu was rather surprised to see Yeonjun’s stance looking so firm. No one he’d sparred with had looked that comfortable in a fencing stance before.

“Aller.”

Beomgyu advanced almost immediately, thrusting his foil out towards Yeonjun’s side. The elder back-stepped quickly, staying just out of reach. They exchanged hits, moving backwards and forwards as they alternatively defended and attacked. Finally, Beomgyu managed to strike Yeonjun on his back, using the flexibility of the foil to curve it round to touch Yeonjun. They parted, panting.

"Break?" Beomgyu offered. Yeonjun nodded, already taking off his face guard.

As a servant handed them a towel each, they walked over to a table with drinks on them.

"Wow, you're pretty good," Yeonjun marveled, gulping down the water. "No one I've met has ever been able to perform that so well before."

"Thanks," Beomgyu said, patting the towel along his hairline. "It takes ages to master as well. I'm not surprised there are few people you know who can execute it."

"How did you learn it?"

"My father," Beomgyu explained. "He was a general slash Lord. He taught me how to fence, how to do bareback horse riding, how to sword fight, and so much other stuff."

Yeonjun nodded. "Wow. Your father sounds so cool."

Beomgyu smiled. "He was. Anyway, how did you learn fencing?"

"In court. I was born a noble, so it's kind of a given that I had to know how to do it, so I was taught by fencing masters."

"Cool. Here in Gojongja, I believe we have a swordsmanship school where the kids can learn sword fighting and fencing. It's kind of like a summer camp thing I think? I heard we had it anyway."

"I heard that you do."

Beomgyu set down his glass, and placed his mask on top of his head. "Ready to go again?"

Yeonjun grinned. "Get ready to be beaten by me."

Beomgyu laughed, taking his foil from a servant as they walked back. "Oh, you wish."

.・゜-: ✧ :-　　

"It almost looked like you were using a whip! How did you do that?"

Beomgyu and Yeonjun finished fencing (with Yeonjun not even managing to touch Beomgyu once), and Beomgyu suggested they go do archery. They were currently walking through the castle to find the door which led to the outdoor fields.

Beomgyu laughed. "You're not going to let go of that, are you?"

"No, I'm not! I've never seen someone do that before!"

Beomgyu let out a chuckle, tapping the side of his nose. "It's a secret."

"...It was luck, wasn't it?"

"What are you talking about?? It was a tactic which I 100% meant to use, and how dare you think otherwise!"

"Yeah it was. Don't deny."

".... Okay fine, maybe it was, but it was still cool, right?"

Yeonjun looked at Beomgyu, and they both burst out laughing. Their light-hearted banter reminded Beomgyu of how it used to be between him and Taehyun. With Taehyun always saying a sarcastic comment, or seeing through Beomgyu's bravado, and then all it took was one shared glance and they'd start laughing. The thought made Beomgyu a little sad, and then angry. He pushed thoughts of Taehyun aside. He shouldn't be thinking about the younger. Right now, it was about bonding with Yeonjun, and becoming friends.

"So," Beomgyu said. "You have any experience in archery?"

"Oh, loads," Yeonjun said. "I'm a bit of a Robin Hood myself."

"Ah," Beomgyu sighed regretfully. "I'm not the best archer in the field, so it seems like in this sport you'll have the upper hand."

"Hey, don't doubt yourself," Yeonjun said. "You never know! You might beat me again."

"No, but archery seriously isn't my strong suit," Beomgyu said. "I remember in one of my archery classes, we were meant to hit the board which was like three metres away, and I managed to get the arrow caught in the tree. Behind us."

Yeonjun laughed. "But this was when you were little, right? Surely much has changed since then."

"It was five years ago."

"See? Five years! Not that bad, eh?"

"I was twenty."

"Ah." It was obvious Yeonjun was at a bit of a loss as to what to say to that. Beomgyu laughed, nudging Yeonjun.

"I'm joking! I was five. This wasn't five years ago, don't worry. I've improved since then, I'm sure. I think. I hope."

.・゜-: ✧ :-　　

Beomgyu stared at Yeonjun's target. The elder had managed to get two in the bullseye, and three in the red ring. He was watching intently as Yeonjun shot his last arrow.

Thwip!

It landed right in the center of the yellow bullseye, and Beomgyu clapped.

“Whoo! Well done!”

Yeonjun grinned, and playfully bowed. “Well, I did say I was a master at archery.” He sighed a little regretfully, walking up to the target to tug at the arrows. “It’s annoying I didn’t get these three in the bullseye too.”

“You're good, though. Like, really good."

"Thanks. How did you- oh," Yeonjun laughed, seeing Beomgyu's target. Beomgyu had managed to hit everywhere apart from the centre. "Hey, at least you hit one into the red ring, right?"

"That one I shot with my eyes closed."

"Even better!"

Beomgyu laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck. "I was aiming for the target's leg."

"You what?!"

“Yeah. That was my last arrow, and I thought, ah, whatever, let’s just aim for the leg stand, and then it just flew straight to the red ring.”

Yeonjun shook his head in wonder. “Wow. I guess archery really isn’t your area of expertise, huh?”

“Standing archery isn’t, but I can do it pretty well on horseback," Beomgyu said conversationally, going to take his arrows out of his own target.

“Woah,” Yeonjun said. “I can sort of do it, but isn’t it harder when you’re moving?”

“I dunno,” Beomgyu shrugged. “I find it easier because the momentum adds to the power of the arrow, and I was pretty much brought up on horseback.” He mimed going up and down as if on a horse, and brought an imaginary bow up to eye level and mimed shooting into the air. “Yeah, I find it easier on horseback.”

“That’s so weird! Most people are the other way round, because you have to take your hands off the horse, and your legs are like the only thing securing you. You must have really strong thighs then.”

“Yeah,” Beomgyu laughed. “I do. But my butt’s been hurting like hell recently every time I’ve gotten on a horse, so I’ve been taking a break from horse riding.”

“Well, you still up for a little horse riding session?”

“Hell yeah! I miss Toto.”

“Toto?”

“He’s my horse! Well, I say mine, but really he’s one with nature.” Beomgyu began talking animatedly to Yeonjun about Toto as they walked to the stables. “Oh, and just a fair word of warning: some of our horses are very, um, unique.”

“Unique, huh?” Yeonjun laughed. “We have unique horses back home. One of them has three legs.”

“Three legs? They’re not a race horse, are they?”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I said yes, would you?”

“No way! You make the three-legged horse run a race?”

“No, but Nellie is really, really good. Seriously! She’s won three times out of the five races she’s competed in.”

“Three-legged horse wins the race, hmm?” Beomgyu mused. "Well, our horses are even more unique than that."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. You'll see."

.・゜-: ✧ :-　　

“I�� When you said they were unique, I didn’t think you meant like this.” Yeonjun was staring at a horse in a dumbfounded state. The horse nickered, tossing its orange mane. Yeonjun started a little, stepping away. His wide eyes were fixed on her orange, beak-like muzzle. “How do you even breed these types of horses?”

“Easy. They breed among themselves. No, we don’t cross-breed the different animals,” Beomgyu laughed at Yeonjun’s shocked stare. “Starburst, for example, the horse you’re looking at. She’s just like that. We think a curse, but we’re not sure. Orion over there, though, is a type of elemental horse we found in the woods. He's among the last of his kind, and we're breeding them until they flourish again.” Beomgyu patted Orion's watery muzzle. "We're going to protect you, aren't we? As for Starburst, we're trying to make sure she stays okay while under a curse."

“How old is she?” Yeonjun asked, still standing a good deal away from Starburst.

“I don’t know. I think Taehyun said she’s been around even before he was born.”

“Woah.” Yeonjun raised his eyebrows. “He’s around the same age as you, isn’t he? And Starburst looks so young.”

“Yeah, Kang’s a year younger than me. I dunno, she might be immortal.”

“Can I…?” Yeonjun gestured to the horse.

“Oh yeah, yeah,” Beomgyu said. “Despite her appearance, she doesn’t bite. Well, she doesn’t bite much. Stroke her nose. She likes that.”

“How do you know so much about them?” Yeonjun asked, gingerly reaching out to Starburst. “About court and stuff.”

“Kang and I used to be best friends. He told me so much about everything. Also, I’ve been doing my own asking around. I like horses.” Beomgyu walked up to a greenish horse with a feather-like mane standing in the corner. “Hello, hello. Yes, I’m back now. Did you miss me?” The horse whinnied, tossing its mane before nuzzling its nose into Beomgyu’s shoulder. The boy laughed, stroking the horse. “Alright, alright, I get it. I missed you too, Toto. Are you ready for a ride?” He turned to Yeonjun. “You picked a horse yet?” he asked.

Yeonjun was still staring in surprise at the unusual horses. “I knew you had pegasi,” he said. “Those take part in your wars and parades. I knew about the unicorns, ‘cause we have them too. But everything else?” He turned around, face a mixture of shock and awe. “I didn’t even know half of them existed.”

“Benefits of our long history of preserving wildlife and our abundance of wild forests, I guess,” Beomgyu said, taking out a brush. “Anyway, do you want me to choose you a horse? Tell me what you want and I’ll pick for you.”

“No, no it’s okay,” Yeonjun said slowly. “I’ll go with Starburst.”

Beomgyu nodded. “Good choice. Seems like she likes you as well. Oh! Yeonjun, meet Toto. They said he’s a breed of Amazona Equus. Apparently he’s a parrot-horse? I’ve never seen him sprout wings though, so yeah.”

“Well, uh, nice to meet you, Toto. My name is Lord Yeonjun.” Yeonjun bowed to the horse. Toto regarded Yeonjun for a few moments, before inclining his head in a bow of his own. Yeonjun smiled at Beomgyu in disbelief. “Did he just bow back at me?”

“Yep,” Beomgyu smiled. “It means he trusts you.” Yeonjun gave a smile.

"Okay, so let's go brush and tack the horses. Meet back in front of the stables?" Yeonjun asked. Beomgyu nodded.

"See you then!"

.・゜-: ✧ :-　　

"Whoo!" Beomgyu yelled. "Race you to the oak tree!"

"Hey!" Yeonjun called. "That's not fair! You're in front of me!"

"Come and catch up then, slowpoke!" Beomgyu laughed over his shoulder, galloping full speed towards the tree. He yelled out again, the yell turning into an overjoyed laugh at the end. His face was split into a wide grin. God, he'd missed this. The stinging wind whipping against his cheeks, the feeling of the powerful horse beneath his legs, the exhilaration he felt from riding. He'd missed it.

He glanced over his shoulder back at Yeonjun, who was riding behind on Starburst. He grinned. Leaning forward, he patted Toto’s neck.

“You ready? Wanna do the trick?”

Toto flicked his ears, letting out a neigh as they continued to canter towards the tree. Beomgyu laughed. “Okay bud. Get ready, ‘kay? I’m trusting you!”

Gingerly, Beomgyu released Toto’s reins. Toto seemed undeterred, continuing to go forward at a steady pace. Now was the hard part. Gritting his teeth, Beomgyu brought his knees up, closer to the saddle, before slowly easing them up further until he was crouching on Toto’s back. He looked back at Yeonjun.

“Wanna see something cool?” he yelled. Then, he stood up on Toto’s back fully, raising his arms up and letting out a loud whoop. Yeonjun cried out, either in terror or amazement, Beomgyu wasn’t sure. He couldn’t hear much over the whistling of the wind and the happiness in his heart.

“Whoo!” He tilted his head back, closing his eyes. But he immediately shot them open again, seeing that they were close to the tree. He jumped back down into the saddle again, laughing. “Was that fun? God, I haven’t done that in ages.” Toto flicked his ears again, and Beomgyu grinned, riding faster.

When they we're a short distance away from the tree, Beomgyu pulled at the reins, slowing Toto down to a walk. Yeonjun came thundering up beside him a few moments later, grinning and panting hard.

“Oh my god! You actually did that?”

Beomgyu laughed. “Oh, it’s nothing special.”

“Special? You stood on a horse’s back! And at that speed too!”

Beomgyu shrugged. “I find it easier at higher speeds.”

"Wow!" Yeonjun laughed. "I don't think I've ever galloped that hard before."

"Better get used to it," Beomgyu grinned. "Here in Gojongja, we ride hard and fast."

"Evidently," Yeonjun said, still out of breath. "Why don't we, uh, go for a little walk?"

"Okay," Beomgyu laughed. "Follow me. There's a cool lake around here somewhere I think."

Beomgyu and Yeonjun rode side by side, in amiable silence.

"So, tell me Yeonjun," Beomgyu said. "What was your life like in Aruyeonan court?"

"My life? My life was, well, almost ordinary for an Aruyeo noble. I live in a big house, have a large inheritance, have matters within court. I suppose what makes me different, however, is the fact that I always have matters within court. Her Supreme Highness is fond of a few select nobles, and those are the ones which she sees all the time."

"I assume you're one of them?"

"Yes. While you here in Gojongja have meetings with lots of Lords and generals, we narrow it down to five people plus the Queen."

"Ah yes, your Queen does not have a vizier, does she?"

"Queen Erajin does not, no."

"Hmm. Ah, we're near. See that shiny, round thing in the distance? That's the lake. We nicknamed it 'the Shield', because in just the right angle it looks like it's a huge, silver shield."

"Who's 'we'?"

"Oh, Kang and I. We used to come here," Beomgyu muttered. "But anyway! Here we are. You up for another race there?"

"You bet," Yeonjun grinned, already galloping off.

.・゜-: ✧ :-　　

They reached the lake and dismounted, letting the horses drink and rest for a little. The two of them wandered a little aimlessly around the lake.

You know," Beomgyu said, "I have experience within the Aruyeo court as well. You probably don't remember, but about two or three years ago I came to stay in your court."

"Oh really?" Yeonjun raised his eyebrows. "Hm, no, I don't think I remember."

"You guys were really welcoming," Beomgyu remembered. "Especially this one Lord. I can't remember his name exactly -I think it was foreign?- but he was adopted by the Jinju Choi clan. Kai? I think that's his name? Wait- Yukai? No, no, I remember. Hueningkai. He was really kind."

Yeonjun tripped over a pebble. "Sorry, didn't see the rock. Hueningkai, huh? Hmm… I know a lot of the nobles in my court, but I can't remember seeing a Hueningkai…"

"I dunno. He was really nice. I remember him because he was adopted by this clan, so he wasn't even native to Aruyeo court. And yet, he was welcomed so readily. You could see it, because everyone greeted him so normally. It was obvious he wasn't a pure Jinju Choi, and yet they didn't treat him any differently. It was nice."

Yeonjun nodded slowly. "We in Aruyeo pride ourselves on making no one feel excluded. It's one of the things we are adamant about."

"You guys sure do a good job of it then." Beomgyu laughed slightly. "I must confess, there were times I felt more at home within Aruyeo than I'd ever felt inside Gojongja." Yeonjun gave a small, proud smile.

They stood there, silently. Beomgyu was staring down into the lake, but Yeonjun was looking out back into the direction of the palace. He squinted.

"Hang on… is that Kang Taehyun?"

"Hm?" Beomgyu turned around, following Yeonjun's line of sight. "Oh. Yeah it is."

"And is he riding that horse… bareback?"

"Yeah." Beomgyu turned away, walking up to Toto before mounting the horse. "He's coming to lecture us about staying out. Must be almost supper."

"That's so cool though. He's riding bareback!"

"Eh, he's gonna lose his cool in a minute if we don't get going."

They both began making their way back to the palace, and Taehyun, seeing that they were coming towards him, halted his horse to wait for them.

"Do you know how long you were gone for?" Taehyun glared when Beomgyu was within hearing distance.

"No, and I don't care," Beomgyu retorted. "And did you seriously have to come riding bareback?"

"What, you have a problem with it?" Taehyun scoffed, turning the horse around back to the direction of the palace, Beomgyu a couple of places behind. "You shouldn't have a problem with it. It's better for the horses to have no saddle on them anyway."

"Uh huh."

"You're just mad that I'm right," Taehyun said. "Anyway, would Lord Yeonjun care to join us for dinner? It seems a little mean to get him to eat on his own."

"Since when did you care about seeming mean?" Beomgyu scoffed. Taehyun glared at him.

"Shut up. That's rude."

"Hey, don't tell the King to shut up. That's rude."

"Anyway," Taehyun said. "Would you like to eat with us? You spent the whole day with His Greatness, so perhaps it's only fit you eat with us as well."

Yeonjun inclined his head. "I'd be much obliged." He gave a slight grin. "I've been having meals in my room these last few days, so a change of scenery will be nice."

"Well let's hope there is any food suitable enough to eat," Taehyun said, glaring at Beomgyu. "It's an hour past supper time. An hour!"

"Stop nagging, geez! You sound like a mum. Ow! What the heck?”

Taehyun hit Beomgyu around the back of his head, causing the elder to glare at him.

“I’m the King! You can’t just go round hitting me on the head! What were you doing??”

“Simply trying to knock some sense into you,” Taehyun said calmly. “But then I realised you didn’t have any in the first place.”

Beomgyu rolled his eyes, before slowing down his horse so that he was in step with Yeonjun. “See? Kang has literally no respect for me whatsoever.”

“I can hear you,” Taehyun called. “And hurry up, or you’re not getting any food at all.”

#taegyu #txt taegyu #beomgyu #taehyun #txt beomgyu #txt fanfic #txt taehyun #txt fluff #court of lies #txt #tomorrow by together #tomorrow x together

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imaginaryelle · 4 years ago

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Thanks to @morphia-writes for beta help, and to @miyuki4s for all the brainstorming help that went into this chapter!

An excerpt:

There are some things Lan Wangji cannot doubt: Wei Ying’s love for his sister, and her children. His affection for Jiang Wanyin, and the Wens. His dedication to ensuring that Lan Wangji himself does not succumb to the curse he carries.

Every evening, he creates a fresh talisman to replaces the one on Lan Wangji’s arm. He brews one of three different medicinal teas from Wen Qing, in sequence, and serves it, sometimes drinking a portion or two himself. He invites Lan Wangji to play Rest as a duet for the suppressed, resentful souls they carry, and then other, less spiritually charged music, and asks after his core, after their evening meditations.

Every morning, Lan Wangji takes longer than he needs to to comb his hair, and tie it up, and dress. Wei Ying looks younger in the diffused dawnlight inside the tent. Softer, sprawled carelessly under blankets with his sleep robe twisted out of place to reveal the hollow of his elbow and the line of his collar bones.

It’s an indulgence Lan Wangji shouldn’t permit himself. A few moments, watching Wei Ying breathe and concentrating on the steady warmth of the soulbond under his own skin.

Read on tumblr under the cut!

It takes more than one day for a sect leader to prepare for the sort of journey they’re planning. Not because of the journey itself, Wei Ying is quick to point out, but because of all the things he has to make sure are done beforehand.

“Wen Qing is locking me in my study today,” he says over breakfast on the first day, “but Sizhui, Xiuying and Weixin are meeting with a tailor for new clothes and you should go.”

As he has been wearing borrowed or stolen clothes for several days now, Lan Wangji cannot bring himself to protest. He has no desire to wear extra infirmary underlayers while traveling, and the plain black outer layer Wen Qionglin had brought to his door was clearly intended to fit as many people as possible. Commissioning something new, or at least something altered to fit properly, is only reasonable.

Wei Ying insists that he’s already paid for the service, which Lan Wangji can only thank him for; he has no funds of his own, or reputation to call on.

“Get something you like,” Wei Ying tells him, even as Wen Qing looms over his shoulder. “Anything you want is fine.”

Lan Wangji assumes this event will take place within Yiling-Wei’s walls, as was generally the case in Cloud Recesses, but instead he finds himself following Wen Sizhui, Zhou Xiuying and Liu Weixin through a town that looks much more prosperous than the Yiling he visited thirteen years ago, and is almost certainly louder and more crowded than he remembers.

That impression may be influenced by his company. Certainly he had felt there were entirely too many people in the street when he was surrounded by onlookers with a toddler clutching at his leg, but if anything their small group draws even more attention now.

Everyone seems to know Wen Sizhui. There are street hawkers and shop owners who greet him by name, and press freshly steamed baozi and sticks of hawthorn candy into his hands, and it is clear from their comments that the townspeople of Yiling are close to their Sect in a way that is certainly not true of Cloud Recesses and Caiyi, or Jinlingtai and Lanling. One merchant is so insistent on thanking them for some past service that all four of them end up holding packages of lotus root, despite the fact that Lan Wangji can have had nothing to do with solving the woman’s problems.

The pattern continues inside the tailor’s shop—the young Wei cultivators are being fitted with new black outer yi and trousers designed to the Jiang Clan’s specifications for the upcoming archery tournament, but they are all clearly well-known to the staff. And Lan Wangji has come with the Sect Leader’s express instructions. And also the offer of his purse.

“Wei-zongzhu said you might prefer these,” one of the tailor’s assistants says, his hands full of fine-woven cream and blue fabrics, “but we do have other colors, of course.”

None of the fabrics on display are the shining, pure white of Gusu-Lan, but there is sun-bleached silk and cloud-white cotton and pale wool woven thinner than paper. It doesn’t seem to matter what he says, or how he responds: he is fussed over, and measured, and prodded. Silk and wool and brocade are draped over his shoulders and held up to his face for comparisons of shade and texture, and he leaves the shop—it is much later in the afternoon than he expected—with the black robe he arrived in newly altered and a sash of summerweight wool dyed the blue of a pale spring morning tied around his waist. Travel clothes, he is assured, will be delivered in the next few days.

He could not bring himself to commission a forehead ribbon, in any color; he is already quite certain these new robes will exceed any budget or social standing Liang Feihong could expect to claim. Wei Ying seems unconcerned.

“It’s a gift,” he insists after dinner. “Besides, you’re still a cultivator, and you’re traveling with a sect leader. It’d be weird if you looked like a fisherman.”

Lan Wangji is certain there are several measures of difference between the dress of a fisherman, a rogue cultivator, and the fabrics that were held before his face today.

“Look at this map with me,” Wei Ying says, the topic apparently closed. “I’m trying to figure out which roads are least likely to be blocked by mudslides. Wen Qing says if I get on a boat during the spring rains she’ll kill me now to save herself the trouble of burying me later.”

Lan Wangji may not have any formal responsibilities at Yiling-Wei, but Wen Qing makes it clear that she expects marked improvement in his spiritual power before he leaves her area of influence. He is given a list of meditation exercises and a schedule of daily training sessions for sword and unarmed work with her apprentices on hand to monitor his condition.

This is not a hardship. He had already planned to dedicate most of his time to this task, and the Wei cultivators have a unique style—not quite Yunmeng-Jiang, but not Qishan-Wen either. Wei Ying, of course, is the most practiced in it, and his version does not even involve a sword; Suibian is distinctly absent from their training sessions, but this does not seem to affect Wei Ying’s efficacy. Twice Lan Wangji is not fast enough to avoid the touch of a talisman to his shoulder, or his core.

He takes no actual damage from them—Wei Ying is careful in his craft, and these were written specifically for this purpose, but the failure drives him to train harder, even against other sparring opponents, until whatever apprentice is observing him steps in and orders a rest.

He spends this enforced downtime reading theory texts from Wen Qing’s library or at his guqin, picking out simple practice scores and more complex Lan melodies in the hope of re-training both his fingers and his core in the delicate language required for performing Inquiry. He works outside, in the scattered gardens, whenever the weather allows. A few hours spent alone in his shuttered room during a sudden storm proves detrimental to his focus, no matter how many handstands he does, or what other meditation techniques he tries. It is better to be out in the open air, where he can breathe more easily.

“Lan Zhan!” On the afternoon of the third day Wei Ying leans around the mulberry tree on the other side of a plot dedicated largely to cooking herbs. He looks around as if he thinks they’re being watched, and then all but runs over to crouch next to Lan Wangji. “I want to show you something,” he whispers. He tugs on Lan Wangji’s sleeve. “Come on, quick!”

“Something” turns out to be the paddock, where a 2-day-old foal is taking in the outside world for the first time under his mother’s watchful eyes. Wei Ying drapes himself over the fence and watches them both with a rapt expression Lan Wangji has never seen him wear before. Zhou Xiuying is also in attendance, alongside her wife—Feng Xinyi—who he learns is the one of the Wei Sect’s grooms.

“Xiaoying and Heitu are just one pasture over, if you wanted to meet them,” she says, which is how Lan Wangji learns that Wei Ying intends to travel by mule.

“Do you know how hard it is to feed a horse?” he says as they walk through tall grass flushed green with the rains. “Have you ever tried to train a horse for night hunting? In a Yunmeng summer? The heat is terrible for them. I think the only reason Jiang Cheng still has horses is his grandmother sent a whole caravan of grooms and breeding stock from Meishan when the war ended.” He produces two apples from his sleeve and holds one out to the nearest mule and the other to Lan Wangji. “Mules are better,” he says, his tone flippant as he pets Xiaoying’s long nose. “And almost as impressive.”

Xiaoying and Heitu are undeniably beautiful animals; good conformation, clearly healthy, and their dark bay coats shine red in the sunlight. And Lan Wangji knows that he will not be able to travel by sword for some time yet. Not alone. He cannot expect Wei Ying to transport them both, and walking will be too slow. Riding makes sense.

“Little Shadow?” he asks, of Wei Ying’s mount. “And … Black Rabbit?” They are hardly the sorts of names he is accustomed to hearing for a cultivator’s steed. There is little sense of speed, or power, or even luck in these names. Wei Ying shrugs.

“Xiaoying used to lie in the grass and pretend to be dead. Sizhui tripped over her all the time, and then she’d follow him for hours. And Heitu likes to jump, she hopped all over the place as a filly--ah! Lan Zhan!” He grins, gleeful, mischief in his face. “Do you remember the rabbits I gave you, all those years ago? And now I can give you another one! A bigger one!” Wei Ying laughs, just as he had laughed in Cloud Recesses, depositing two rabbits on the floor of the library, some sort of gift and joke and torment all in one, Lan Wangji had been sure.

Lan Wangji hadn’t known what to do then, with the boy who refused to leave him alone, who insisted on teasing him at every opportunity. Now, he stares at Wei Ying’s hands, at long sleeves pulled back to reveal his wrists, at his lips, and he knows what he wants to do.

He steps closer to Heitu, offers her his hands in a bowl instead of reaching out beyond her.

“I remember,” he says. It’s possible that his brother allowed his pets to stay, after his death.

Unlikely. But possible.

Heitu snuffles at his hands, all warm breath and soft nose in a way that is, in some small semblance, reminiscent of the soft warmth of his rabbits. She bears nothing like their fragility, but she takes the apple he offers delicately, and he keeps his fingers well clear of her teeth. Wei Ying strokes Xiaoying’s face and talks sweetly at her until she takes his sleeve in her mouth, at which point he switches over to annoyed admonishments. Lan Wangji has just stepped nearer to help him when Wen Qionglin appears at Wei Ying’s shoulder.

“Qing-jie wants to know if you finished that letter to Ouyang-zongzhu yet,” he says.

Wei Ying jerks, and there’s a sound of tearing cloth. He sighs.

“Feng-shimei told you to stop keeping food in your sleeves,” Wen Qionglin notes, even as he distracts Xiaoying with a hand on her neck. She drops Wei Ying’s sleeve and nudges her nose into Wen Qionglin’s chest. Both animals seem accustomed to his presence.

“I took it out as soon as we got here,” Wei Ying grumbles. “I wouldn’t have torn anything if I wasn’t surprised.” He sticks his fingers through the tear in his sleeve and wiggles them. The look on his face can only be described as a pout.

“I can fix it for you—” Wen Qionglin actually looks worried. Wei Ying just sighs and flaps his sleeve.

“I’ll fix it,” he says. “Why should you fix it? It’s fine.” He frowns at Xiaoying for a moment, then leans into Lan Wangji’s shoulder.

“I really can’t recommend becoming a sect leader,” he says, low-voiced, as if this will affect Wen Qionglin’s hearing. “The number of letters you have to respond to is too much work. I don’t think Ouyang-zongzhu even reads them, he just sends some new complaint every few weeks, as if I can control the weather, or the river, or how sleepy his cultivators get when they’re on tower duty.”

Lan Wangji has never heard his brother or his uncle make similar complaints, but they are Lans; they would not say such a thing even if it were true.

“Did you not choose the position?” he asks.

Wei Ying’s face scrunches up with displeasure. He shakes his head, though whether it is denial or dismissal is impossible to determine.

“I better get back to it,” he says instead of answering the question. “Before Wen Qing tells the kitchens to put radish in my food again.”

He sighs, and waves aside Lan Wangji’s bow. “I’ll see you both at dinner,” he says, and Wen Qionglin nods. Lan Wangji watches Wei Ying walk back up the hill towards the main compound until Heitu seems to take offense to his distraction and knocks her head against his shoulder, huffing at him.

“Does Liang-gongzi know how to ride?” Wen Qionglin asks. It’s a fair question: Lan Wangji does not actually know if Liang Feihong was trained in riding. He prevaricates. What is true for him is just as likely to be true for Liang Feihong as not.

“It has been a long time.”

“Would you like to practice?” Wen Qionglin asks, and Lan Wangji agrees without hesitation. Practice, and especially practice in caring for his mount without servants to help, can only improve the upcoming journey.

Wen Qionglin shows him to the tack room, and he manages to brush and saddle Heitu with a minimum of fuss. The main difference between outfitting a horse and a mule, he finds, is that Heitu’s tack includes two belly cinches, there is an extra strap that goes under her tail to stop the saddle moving too far forward, and he has to be especially gentle with her long ears while placing the bridle. Xiaoying is the more mischievous of the pair, Wen Qionglin tells him, and has to be watched carefully so she doesn’t puff out her stomach and make the cinches too loose.

Riding is initially awkward, but after a few slow circuits of the paddock he finds his seat and is able to push Heitu faster without losing his balance too badly. She takes direction well, has a steady, comfortable gait, and doesn’t startle as easily as some horses he’s ridden. He will almost certainly be sore later, especially without a dependable supply of spiritual power to speed healing, but the wind in his face and the simple pleasures of riding are more than worth that discomfort. He turns back toward the stables when they have both worked up a light sweat and sees Feng Xinyi speaking with Wen Qionglin. She smiles as he approaches, but doesn’t stay.

“I should get back to the little one,” she says. “But I’m glad to know Heitu will have a rider who knows what he’s doing.”

Wen Qionglin leads Heitu to a water trough and pets her cheek until Feng Xinyi is out of earshot.

“Wei-zongzhu trusts you,” he says. As if this is a fact.

Lan Wangji stares back at him. Wen Qionglin does not breathe, and he does not blink. He stands perfectly, unnaturally still, and waits. Apparently some response is required.

He settles on, “I trust him, also.”

Wen Qionglin watches him for a moment longer, and then nods. Then he says, “If he truly needs help, I will know. No matter where he is. And I am very fast.”

Oh.

This is probably intended as a threat.

Lan Wangji slides off Heitu’s back, so that they are eye to eye.

“I mean him no harm,” he says. In his current state of spiritual power it’s almost reassuring to know that someone else is concerned for Wei Ying's welfare. It should not be at all surprising, but he finds he is often surprised by Wen Qionglin, who has continued to move and talk and physically reside with his family for over a decade when everything Lan Wangji has been taught says he should not even exist.

Those same teachings would object to his own new existence as well; they are, both of them, supposed to be long dead.

“I will not let him come to harm,” he says, “if I can help it.”

He worries for a moment that this will be too revealing, but Wen Qionglin does not question him further. Perhaps he doesn’t need to. They are both well aware of the loyalty Wei Ying can inspire, under the right circumstances.

“I will show you where to find the saddle bags and travel rations,” Wen Qionglin decides, and he doesn’t speak of anything but Xiaoying and Heitu’s care and habits for the rest of the afternoon.

The evening before their planned departure, Wen Qing summons Lan Wangji once more to her study. Wei Ying arrives partway through her examination of his meridians and, surprisingly, sits quietly beside her desk until she’s finished. When she nods he joins them both behind the privacy screen and produces two cloth-wrapped packages—in one, two coiled lengths of red silk string, and in the other a pale jade carving of an endless panchang knot.

“Our hope is to give your spiritual power a new path through your meridians,” Wen Qing tells him as she inspects the strings. “One that minimizes the curse’s influence.” She blocks the meridians at his shoulder with her needles, and then ties one string to his arm, above the curse mark, and the other below it, each secured with a cloverleaf knot and sealed with a touch of spiritual power.

Wei Ying leans in close and presses two fingers to the talisman over the curse mark, but doesn’t touch either the silk or the jade. He keeps his silence. Lan Wangji watches his face and cannot read his thoughts.

“Just making sure this doesn’t interrupt us,” he says when he sees Lan Wangji watching. He holds up a second talisman in his other hand. “Wouldn’t want to have to start over in the middle.”

It’s a reasonable precaution: Tying the new charm is a long process, a progression of knots that covers most of his forearm. The jade panchang knot is tied in just above the curse mark, and another panchang knot of red silk tied below the wound. Wen Qing and Wei Ying both study it closely, and then she removes her needles and takes his wrist again, walking him through a slow meditation, cycling spiritual power through his body.

The flow of power is smoother, though it does perhaps take a little more time than he expects.

Wei Ying removes his fingers with a nod and a sigh. Wen Qing smiles, satisfied.

“The talisman will still need to be reapplied regularly,” she says, “but these charms together should be enough to minimize the curse’s effect on your meridians, so your core can begin to heal.”

It has already begun. He can feel the difference.

“Thank you.” The words seem inadequate, but he has little else to offer. Even this, she waves aside.

“I’m sure you don’t need my guidance for the proper exercises, but I do have many more theory texts, if you wish to read them.”

“We can bring some along,” Wei Ying promises. “Most of the best ones, we have more than one copy.”

Lan Wangji thinks of the library—of the many books that bear the same hand. Some copied by Wen Qing. Some by Wei Ying. Others in a clear, steady hand he doesn’t recognize. Of the single bound copy of the Lan Clan rules he’d found next to a copy of the Wen principles, and the books that he doubts his brother knows exist, copies of texts that were available to guest disciples studying at Cloud Recesses.

He wonders if his brother knew, when he was rebuilding the Library Pavilion, just how exact Wei Ying’s memory can be.

“Thank you,” he says again.

“Get some sleep,” Wen Qing says. “Both of you.” She stares hard at Wei Ying. “I’m not going to be the one dragging you out of your rooms in the morning. It’s no matter to me if you miss traveling during the coolest part of the day.”

Traveling with Wei Ying, and only with Wei Ying, is different from traveling alone, or with other Lan disciples, and different again from his memories of travel during the Sunshot Campaign. Then, Wei Ying had shifted through moods like ripples in water, sometimes predictable but more often not. A laugh like a clash of swords, a glare that pierced like needles. More than once Lan Wangji had found him alone but for the poor company the dead might provide, brooding under a shadow that seemed to cling to him even on the clearest of days. And then he would turn and ask if Lan Wangji knew this or that song, or if he wanted to spar, or if he’d eaten because surely it must be time for the next meal by now, and Lan Wangji would push aside his concern until hours later, when Wei Ying was just as likely to pull a prank as get in a fight with an ally. A fight with Lan Wangji himself, more often than not.

But that was the war. Decades ago, now, for everyone but Lan Wangji himself.

Now, Wei Ying laughs with more humor, and the cant of his eyes is merely sly rather than cutting. He grumbles through his breakfast and morning tea. He bickers with Xiaoying while saddling her and slouches through the morning hours until some unknown precondition is met, and then he begins talking aloud about whatever is on his mind at the moment: the weather, which continues to be wet, with cool mornings and steamy afternoons, or theories on their two investigations, or tales of past night hunts, which quickly shift into stories of Wen Sizhui, or Jiang Wanyin and Jin Rulan, and from there to the other members of Yiling-Wei, and Yunmeng-Jiang, and Lanling-Jin. Once, when they stop and take shelter under a half-repaired watchtower to wait out a storm, Wei Ying says, “Ah, Lan Zhan, do you remember that week we had rain every day, in Gusu?” and he speaks of Lan Xichen, and the Lan Sect, and what little he knows of its current status.

Cloud Recesses has been rebuilt, reportedly exactly as it was before the Wens attacked. Lan Qiren still teaches, and Lan Wangji feels a swell of relief to know his uncle still breathes. The Sect still hosts a year-long seminar for young disciples of any sect, every few years. Wen Sizhui, Liu Weixin and Zhou Xiuying have attended it, and returned with reports of young Lan cultivators who Wen Sizhui described as friendly, Liu Weixin called unbearably rigid, and Zhou Xiuying pronounced worthy sparring opponents. Lan Xichen has, unsurprisingly, built a widely-spoken reputation for even-mindedness that Lan Wangji knows he himself could never hope to match.

There is no bitterness to any of Wei Ying’s tales. No mention of hardship or enmity, over a span of more than a decade that Lan Wangji knows cannot have been easy, especially near its start. But then, Lan Wangji has long known that Wei Ying lies more easily than he tells the truth, omits more than he ever says openly. Even when he was living among the Mass Graves, quite obviously short on food, the only hardship Wei Ying would admit to was a lack of visitors, and news.

Still, there are some things he cannot doubt: Wei Ying’s love for his sister, and her children. His affection for Jiang Wanyin, and the Wens. His dedication to ensuring that Lan Wangji himself does not succumb to the curse he carries.

It’s an indulgence Lan Wangji shouldn’t permit himself. A few moments, watching Wei Ying breathe and concentrating on the steady warmth of the soulbond under his own skin.

He turns away. Steps outside. Rekindles the fire for breakfast.

During the long afternoon of the fourth day, after they have shared a quick lunch beside a clear-flowing stream and are letting Xiaoying and Heitu forage their own meal, Wei Ying draws out Chenqing and plays songs that seem to be purely for personal entertainment; there is no spiritual power behind them at all. Some, Lan Wangji recognizes as common to drinking houses and inns. Others he doesn’t recognize at all. He is considering unwrapping the guqin when Wei Ying’s somewhat random little melodies turn suddenly familiar.

Not just familiar.

Every note is etched into Lan Wangji’s soul.

Wei Ying catches him staring. He’s not certain what expression his own face is making, but Wei Ying looks suddenly defensive. His hands drop to his lap, wrapping around Chenqing as if Lan Wangji will try to tear the flute away from him.

“What?”

“You remember.” Lan Wangji shouldn’t be surprised—Wei Ying has remembered enough of his brief time at Cloud Recesses to reproduce the Lan Sect’s rules and three different treatises, and that’s only what Lan Wangji found. But it had been only once, in the Xuanwu’s cave. That song has only ever had an audience of one.

Wei Ying frowns at him.

“What ...” his eyebrows rise high on his forehead, his mouth forming a perfect circle. “Lan Zhan.” He leans forward, suddenly eager. “Lan Zhan, you know this song?”

Of course he knows it. How could he not?

“Lan Zhan,” Wei Ying continues. “No one knows this song. How do you know it? Is it a Lan Clan song? What’s its name?”

Words stick in Lan Wangji’s throat. Wei Ying doesn’t remember. Not really. He looks away. At the play of light on water. The swirl of shadowy fish, underneath.

“Lan Zhan,” Wei Ying says again, moving closer. “I can never remember where I heard it, and no one ever recognizes it. How do you know it?”

No one ever recognizes it, he says. Which means Wei Ying has been playing it. For other people. For thirteen years. And he doesn’t know.

Lan Wangji swallows back his foolish hopes. The words he might have said.

“I wrote it,” he admits, to the low rush of the spring and the whisper of reeds in the light breeze.

“What?”

When he risks a glance back, Wei Ying is staring. He looks utterly shocked.

“What do you mean, you wrote it?”

Lan Wangji does not want to have this conversation. Not now. Not if Wei Ying doesn’t remember something so important.

At least, it had been important to Lan Wangji.

“We should keep moving,” he says, and stands. Heitu is drinking from the stream, but she only flicks her ears when he touches her shoulder, and doesn’t offer any more protest than a shift of her weight as he unties her hobble and mounts.

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Ying is frowning at him.

“We are wasting daylight,” Lan Wangji tells him. It’s true enough. This break is no shorter than any other.

Wei Ying grumbles. Retrieves his things.

“What’s its name?” he asks as he settles on Xiaoying.

I have already told you. Lan Wangji locks the words behind his teeth. Wei Ying does not speak of the soul bond, never broaches the topic of their battle with the Xuanwu or anything else from their lives that occurred after he left Cloud Recesses months before any other disciple, does not remember this, despite Lan Wangji telling him, despite his clear memory of the music itself and his perfect recall of texts long burnt to ashes.

“Think about it.” He says instead, and urges Heitu into a quicker pace, too fast for easy conversation.

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Ying calls after him, but Lan Wangji does not look back.

When Wei Ying catches up he speaks of other things, and does not mention the song again.

Notes:

For the curious, Xiaoying and Heitu are named as references to famous horses from Romance of the Three Kingdoms. 絶影 (sometimes translated as "Suppressing Shadow" or "Shadow Runner") was one of the horses of Cao Cao, head of the state of Wei. He famously kept running despite taking three arrows, and thus saved his rider from enemies. 赤兔 (Red Hare) was described as "the best of horses" and within the tale people considered him to be too good for his original master. After that master died he was given to a new, more virtuous hero (Guan Yu, sometimes described as an ideal incarnation of loyalty and righteousness), who he was extremely loyal to.

(on to part 11)

#wangxian #mo dao zu shi #lan wangji #wei wuxian #mdzs #mdzs fic #wangxian fic #role reversal soulmate au #turnabout verse #alex writes #the yearning goes on #as ever

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nvvermore · 4 years ago

Note

Amie: Cinderella//Mulan // Vesper: Pinocchio//Tarzan

✨ Disney Prompts ✨

Amaryllis:

Cinderella - Did your muse experience any childhood traumas? Did they overcome them?

Pretty much their entire childhood was traumatic (they even had an evil stepmother and was treated as a servant before their talent had been discovered.) Most of them were things that happened slowly, and Amaryllis isn’t really affected by them until after running away. I have it planned they overcome a lot of the scars from then in due time, but not without difficulty

Mulan - Is your muse secure in their gender identity? Have they ever experienced sexism or transphobia?

They are pretty secure in their gender and everything that comes with it. There was never any significant point where they realized they were trans, it was just another thing they decided to shed when running away. Amaryllis doesn’t particularly care how the general public addresses them, and sometimes it works better in their favor for some rando to see them one way. But for family and friends they do want they/them to be used, and anything else explicitly gendered is likely fine, but it’s good to ask about calling them that before you do (like far far in the future after the two get all their shit sorted out, Amaryllis is fine with Vesper calling them his “baby sister” again.) And because I’d like to imagine a Vesuvia without bigotry, I’d say besides anything that might have gone on in Venterre they haven’t expected much transphobia. When known, their gender has always been respected and treated no different than a cis or binary person.

Vesper:

Pinocchio - How honest is your muse? What is their moral stance on white lies?

Vesper doesn’t try to make much of an effort at actually being honest until he leaves home. And he tries, but quite often falls short of his goal. He has no problem with white lies, and with him they easily snowball into a much bigger problem. For the most part, they are in good faith or just from not being great at improvisation. A great example is lying to your amnesiac sibling and their caretaker for two or so years about the type of relationship he had with them. It started with Vesper simply wanting to talk, and ended with him deciding it was probably okay that they didn’t remember.

Tarzan - How did the place your muse grew up in affect them?

Vesper liked to believe he was fine before Amaryllis came along, but that wasn’t true either. Being the eldest daughter and child came with a lot of pressure to preform at the standard the family wanted. And Vesper did an outstanding job in that with things like horse riding, archery, fencing, and other shows of athletics, but not without developing a need to always do better and better. And one day when no one cared anymore, it was rightfully devastating. And his mother used that vulnerability to manipulate him into further hating Amaryllis, resulting in his breaking point.

#ahh all these prompts are really good #thank u!!!!#prompt asks #amie lore #vesper lore

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markleesthighs · 5 years ago

Text

Mea Bella | Chapter 1

Pairings: Reader x Jaehyun, Reader x ??? Genre: NCT royalty!au, angst, fluff, subtle flirting Warnings: flashbacks, forbidden love Words: 2.9K

Chapter 1 - Run with Me

You knew Jaehyun since you were a young child since your mother worked as a maid for the castle when you were young. Your father had died in battle, which left your mother to work for the royal family. You remember that day. You were about five years old when a carriage came to pick up you and your mother. You had packed a small suitcase and held a bunny stuffed animal your father gave you. You entered the carriage hesitantly and sat looking impatiently out the window.

You stopped in front of a castle bigger than you could see, it was so big you almost fell back looking up at it. You held your mother’s hand while entering the castle past the terrifying guards and bowed to the king and queen when you entered. You hid behind your mother’s legs, being shy about meeting new people. Your mother introduced you, and you poked your head out from behind the fabric of her dress and hugged your bunny tight. Your eyes met another pair of eyes who appeared to be around the same age as you.

“This is my son Jaehyun.” the queen had said.

He was also hiding behind his mother, peering out to look at you. He waved, and you shyly waved back and continued to hide behind your mother. Another maid led you to the maid’s quarters, and your mother unpacked your things. You were too young to start work, so the queen allowed you to wander and explore the castle. You heard music coming from a room and decided to follow it.

There was a light coming from the room of soft piano keys being pressed to play a melody. You peeked and saw Jaehyun playing the piano and swaying to the music. Jaehyun noticed you, and you immediately shut the door. Jaehyun ran and opened the door to see you bowing and looking at the floor, apologizing. Jaehyun smiled and grabbed your hand and helped you up on the seat to listen to him play. You were amazed at his skill and enjoyed him playing music for you. When he finished, he looked at you and smiled

“I loved that Jaehyun, you are very talented.”

“Thank you, y/n.”

From that moment on, you played with Jaehyun often, and his mother allowed you to follow him to be his little assistant. He taught you manners and how to become a good maid, however, Jaehyun didn’t see you as another maid but as a friend. He let you join him in archery, horseback riding, and you memorized his daily schedule. One day, Jaehyun took you to the library, where he would study and read. You looked at the amazing array of books, but you never learned how to read. You’ve always wanted to learn but never had the chance. Jaehyun caught you glancing at The Great Gatsby and told you to take it out if you wanted.

“You know, you can take that back to your room if you want.”

“I wish, but I don’t know how to read.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, with my dad away I had to help my mom a lot, I didn’t even go to school.”

“Hmm, maybe I can teach you.”

“Actually? How do you even learn to read?”

“I’ll read this book to you, and you can follow along to my voice.”

Jaehyun read for about fifteen minutes before your eyes started to get droopy, and you felt very sleepy. You felt your head fall on Jaehyun’s shoulder and started to sleep. Jaehyun noticed, closed the book, and carried you on his back to your room. He laid you down and tucked you in saying:

“Goodnight, my daisy.”

Leaving the book at your bedside, so you know who bought you back to your room. About an hour later, you were awakened by the sound of a bell, which you assumed was the dinner bell. You sleepily walk to the kitchen rubbing your eyes, grabbing the water pitcher. You walked out and started pouring water glasses for the family. You got to Jaehyun and smiled and walked passed standing only if they needed their water to be filled.

“Bring in Mrs. y/l/n, please.”

“Yes, ma’am,” said the butler.

After the butler went into the kitchen, he came back out with your mother.

“Yes, my queen?”

“I have a request for you.”

“What is it, my queen?”

“My son seems very fond of your daughter, and I would like to allow her to be his personal maid and friend, serving for this castle. I wish to appoint her has my son’s official maid.”

“I accept my queen.”

From that moment on, you were to stay with Jaehyun, get him ready in the morning, and following him through his schedules now with royal approval. Little did you know that as you both grew up, you grew feelings for Jaehyun, and you knew him better than anyone. Your new room was placed next to Jaehyun’s room, for him and for you. He would be able to ask things from you, and you would be able to serve him with ease.

~Modern Day~

You woke up in your bed, hearing the birds chirping and the sun beaming through your window. You were now sixteen, and you still work in the castle along with your mother. You stretched your arms up yawning as you walked to your closet full of the same black and white dress you wear every day. You grabbed one off a hanger, changed out of your nightgown, and into your outfit to serve Jaehyun breakfast and get him dressed. (yes, you still dress an 18-year old). You made your bed and left your room to pick up his breakfast on a. cart from the kitchen elevator.

You quietly knocked on his door and wheeled in his breakfast and tea. You opened the blinds of his room and prepared his tea with two sugars, just the way he liked it. Jaehyun groaned at the light and kept his face in his pillows. You walked over and removed his blanket, telling him to get up. He eventually got up and sipped his tea while you found appropriate clothes to wear for the day. Once Jaehyun finished eating and drinking, you helped him get dressed. You turned around as he put on his pants, and he attempted to put on the rest of his clothes.

“Hey, y/n?”

“Yes, Jae?”

Jaehyun never liked it in the beginning when you called him “prince,” so he told you to call him “Jaehyun” or “Jae,” but you would only call him “prince” in public or in front of his parents.

“Can you help me with my shirt, I can never get the strings right.”

You turned and saw Jaehyun with a bare, pale chest. You took the ends of the strings and delicately laced them in his shirt. You tried to not stare, but you couldn’t help but think:

“Since when did he have abs?”

Last time you saw Jaehyun’s stomach was when you were children playing your stomaches like drums. You finished his laces and didn’t realize how close his face was to yours. Your lips only lightly brushed against his, and you turned away blushing while Jaehyun laughed at your reaction. As you turned, he held your waist and rested his head on your shoulder.

“y/nnnnn, why did you have to wake me up? I’m so tireddd.”

“You are a busy man Jae, you have a lot of things to do as an 18-year old, you’re going to take over the kingdom soon. You also have to prepare for the midnight gala, we’ve been attending it since we were kids.”

He removed his arms and his head and put on the rest of his clothes. You both walked down for Jaehyun to start his schedule. First, he had fencing. You didn’t know how to fence but always watched Jaehyun win every time. Afterward, Jaehyun took a bath while you washed his hair and got him dressed again. He had music and etiquette class while you sat and tried to follow along. Then towards the end of the day at sunset, he had horseback-riding lessons, which you were required to be on a horse.

“C’mon y/n!”

“No, Jae we have to get back ins-“

“Just ONE race, unless…”

“What?”

“You’re chicken.”

“WHAT.”

You raced Jaehyun through the vineyard and eventually found a flower field outside the perimeter of the castle. Jaehyun got off his horse and offered you a hand to help you off the horse. You stepped off, and Jaehyun ran off saying

“The race isn't over y/n!”

“Omg…”

You bolted after him, and he stopped, and you fell on top of Jaehyun. You apologized and went to get up, but Jaehyun stopped you.

“No, stay like this, I like it.”

From Jaehyun’s point of view, he saw your hair blow in the wind while hundreds of small flowers fell into your hair. With the sunset in the back, it was a beautiful sight to see. He pushed your hair behind your ear and held your cheek. You two just gazed at each other and felt yourselves getting closer and closer until you suddenly snapped out of it.

“Shoot, you have to get back home before it gets dark.”

“Alright, princess, since you want to go back so badly..”

“Shut up.”

You both rode off back to the castle and made it just in time. You opened the doors to see Jaehyun's family awaiting his arrival at the dinner table. You shyly left go to the kitchen to get the water pitcher while Jaehyun sat down at the table. You were overhearing the conversation Jaehyun had with his mother.

“Jaehyun, you are eighteen..”

“Mother, I am not having this conversation again.”

“You are to be married to one to the prospects me and your father have selected, and that’s final. It’s tradition Jaehyun, your father did it, your grandfather did it, your great-grandfather did it, your-“

“I GET IT.”

You looked at Jaehyun as he felt frustrated, you would be lying to yourself if you didn’t admit that you felt terrible. A little part of you also felt hurt, you knew this day was coming, but you wished that in the realm of possibility, that Jaehyun would be allowed to date you. You both felt a connection, and it had only grown from there. But you both had just been flirty with each other in the meantime. Jaehyun looked at you feeling guilty, that one day he’d have to be married to someone he didn’t love. You smiled at him at reassurance, and you left to go into the kitchen. After dinner, you helped Jaehyun to another bath and got him prepared for bed. You had some conversation while putting on his clothes, Jaehyun seemed tense and felt that he needed to vent a little.

“Can you believe this?”

“Believe what?”

“My stupid mother, making me marry someone I don’t even know.”

“It’s your family tradition.”

“How can you say that?”

“…”

“Fine, how would you feel about marrying some snobby rich man, who maybe didn’t even love you.”

“If it made my mother happy, I would.”

“Well, your mother and my mother are different, at least your mom isn’t a pushover.”

“You’ve known this had to happen sometime after you turned eighteen. This shouldn’t have been a shock to you, Jae.”

“Yeah, but all of these girls are spoiled, and I don’t even know if they will like me.”

“You are a very kind-hearted, caring, considerate, and loving guy. If she doesn’t love you, it’s her loss.”

“Thank you, y/n.”

“Do you know when you’ll meet them?”

“The midnight ball.”

“O-oh…are we…not going to match this year?”

“NO, we are going to match, that’s OUR tradition, and that will not be broken until I get married.”

You chuckled, “alright,, my stubborn prince, it’s late, and you have a big day tomorrow.”

“What am I even doing?”

“Planning for the midnight ball, outfit fittings, food tasting, and french practice.”

“Ughhhh, why can’t I just stay in bed.”

“You’re a prince. Its what you do, goodnight Jae.”

“Goodnight, y/n.”

You blew out his nightstand candle and tucked him into bed. You walked into your room and began to change into your nightgown. You tucked yourself into bed and couldn’t fall asleep. The underlying idea kept popping into your head of Jaehyun, getting married to someone else. You both loved each other, and you wouldn’t bear to see him get married to another woman. You tossed and turned but couldn’t sleep. You walked out of your room quietly and went downstairs to have a warm glass of milk. But when you entered the kitchen, you also found Jaehyun making himself some warm milk.

“Can’t sleep?

“Y-yeah.”

“Here, I’ll make more.”

You sat as you watched Jaehyun heat up more warm milk for himself using the fireplace. You both drank in silence.

“What’s on your mind?”

“I don’t know…just thinking about getting married still worries me, what about you.”

“I just feel a little sad that you are getting married, we are growing up.”

Then there was silence again

“Jae?”

“Did you ever like someone who you wished you could get married to? Or did you ever like someone?”

“…yeah”

“O-oh”

“She is beautiful on the inside, and outside, I feel like I could trust my life with her.” “Does she make you happy?”

“Very happy.”

“Who is sh-“

As you were about to continue, Jaehyun’s lips were a centimeter away from yours, and your eyes connected with his deep brown irises. You were red and felt that you could faint. Jaehyun grabbed your cheek and leaned in to kiss you on your lips. His lips felt soft and warm against yours, and he pulled away to see you shyly fall into his chest. You laughed a little, and Jaehyun couldn’t help but smile. However, your eyes started to become glossy, realizing what you had just done. You let the prince kiss you! A maid! Not even meant to be seen touching him! You immediately pulled away from Jaehyun.

“Jae…”

“What is it, my daisy?”

“This is wrong…we shouldn’t be doing this…”

“You don’t f-feel t-t-the same w-way?”

“No! I do feel the same way it's just-“

“Just what?”

“You’re a prince Jae, I’m just a maid, even if we did love each other, there is no way we could ever truly be able to love.”

Your eyes started to form tears and fell down your face. But your face was blank, and tears were just falling, with no sobbing or choking up.

“Oh, y/n...”

Jaehyun embraced you and rubbed your back while you held Jaehyun crying into his shoulders.

“We can keep this a secret, yeah?”

“…”

“It’s okay if you want us to stay friends. It's your decision, my love.”

“What do we do if someone finds out? Or what will we ever get to do together? I’m just- so confused, frustrated, and scared, Jae.”

“I promise I will protect you from anything until I stop loving you, and I will never do anything that will hurt you in any way. I swear on my heart.”

“…alright…we can flirt in secret…and date…I guess…”

“YE-“

“BUT nothing beyond that I don’t want you to get carried away,” You said as you winked

Jaehyun blushed and then kissed you on the cheek

“You’re such a cheeky little one, aren’t you?”

You laughed as you fell into his chest, hugging him. You both eventually walked back to your respected rooms and fell asleep in bliss and happiness.

The next morning you woke up and got ready and walked into Jaehyun’s room to wake him up. As you were about to remove his covers, he grabbed your wrist and pulled you on top of him.

“mmh…sleep with me…”

“You were always a sleepy head Jae.”

You played with his hair as you laid on his chest, and he kissed your forehead as you blushed. You eventually convinced Jaehyun to get up and dragged him out of bed. Jaehyun got dressed, while you were putting his pajamas in the laundry basket to wash. While you bent over, Jaehyun whistled at you, which made you slap him in the arm playfully.

“What? y/n, I’m not wrong.”

“You are so gross Jae, why did I have to fall in love with a dork like you.”

“Hey! But I’m a cute dork, YOUR cute dork.”

You laughed as you kissed his cheek

“Okay, now its time for you to go plan for the midnight ball.”

“But what’s the point in going if you aren’t going to be there,” he said pouting

Jaehyun kissed your hand before walking out to attend his duties

“Till I see you again, Mea Bella, te amo.”

You were always flustered when Jaehyun spoke to you in Latin, finding it to be charming and impressive. You sighed in bliss as you skipped to go do the laundry happier than anyone in the castle.

Follow me for updates and to follow the series! also, dm me your thoughts I would love to know 🥺

~ n ✧*:･ﾟ

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the-citrus-scale · 5 years ago

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Royally Ever After: Princes and Princesses and Romance, Oh My!

This past Christmas, we dedicated ourselves to watching every dorky romantic holiday movie we could find. Right now, we feel like that’s what the world needs, especially fandom. Some good ole fashioned dorky movies that make us laugh, swoon, and maybe even tear up at the happily ever after. Everything is up in the air, but fandom is used to getting through the rough patches. This one is just... particularly rough, even for us. And what better way to escape for a few hours than to remember the good times that we had during Christmas, even if it feels like it was 2 million years ago.

To start, let’s talk about tropes. Tropes are bread and butter of romance, and we don’t fault them for that. We love fanfic, so by default, we love tropes. One that showed up most often in these movies was the royal romance. It’s one of the old genre standbys, after all. It usually involves a royal falling in love with what we’ll call a normal, or a normal finding out that they’re a secret royal. Generally, there are some inheritance hijinks to get past, but ultimately true love prevails and everyone lives royally ever after. But why is this type of storyline so popular, so much so that we literally watch it over and over again, even though we already know what’s going to happen at the end?

Personally, we think that part of the allure of the royal romance is that everyone has imagined being a prince or princess at some point. While these stories always reveal that it’s not nearly as glamorous as it seems, the fantasy is still fun. Princes and princesses get to do things that most of us don’t during our lives. They get to wear fancy suits and gowns to balls, learn how to fence and do archery, and have access to their own stables so they can ride horses whenever they want. They also live in castles, which sounds really awesome as long as you’re not the one doing the cleaning. They have servants who wait on them hand and foot and give them everything they want. And they’re important. People who’ve never even met them care about everything they do and want to give them attention. For those of us who are of limited means and don’t get to do too many fun activities (especially now!) or go to fancy parties, that kind of life can sound pretty amazing, although it obviously has its drawbacks.

Because that’s one of the other things that we think is so appealing about these narratives. It lets us peek behind the royal curtain and see that they are real people who have problems too. They have a lot of responsibility put on their shoulders from a very young age. They have to constantly be aware of what they’re doing and how they’re acting because they’re always in the public eye, and their families keep secrets from them that they don’t want the public to know. They might even be forced to marry someone they don’t really love, which is also often a cornerstone of these types of stories. In extreme cases, others might be trying to discredit them or even kill them so that they can take the throne instead. While it certainly sounds more exciting than struggling to pay bills and being stuck inside, it’s a lot, and it’s understandable that someone who’s never experienced anything else might want to leave all the royal drama behind, or at least find a partner who can support them through all of it.

In stories where characters find out that they’re a royal, it can be even more overwhelming. Imagine not being able to afford new shoes one day, and then suddenly being told that you’re taking over a country without any of the upbringing or training that most royals are used to. Yikes! Still, we enjoy this part of the fantasy because we like to imagine how we would handle it if the same thing happened to us. As mean as it sounds, it’s fun to watch characters struggle through this kind of story because we usually have a feeling that we would do the exact same thing. The collision of two very different worlds prompts characters to learn new things about themselves and think about what really matters, especially as they’re finding love along the way. Sudden royals usually encounter a few throne diggers during their story, and it’s up to them to sort out who’s really on their side and who really has feelings for them, making their transition even more complicated.

Ultimately, of course, what we love most about these stories is the inevitable happily ever after. You can make characters go through pretty much anything as long as everyone understands that a happy ending is coming. And romances in general, but especially royal romances, end happily. The villains are vanquished, the royal chooses whether or not to accept their burdens or give them to someone else, and they choose a partner who will best support their choices. After that, you can go the Christmas Prince route (one of our favorite series of our Christmas binge) and have more stories about royal weddings and royal babies, but at that point the trope changes a bit because the characters are already together. Not that that’s stopping us from watching. The point is that we love these stories because they’re about overcoming a large amount of adversity and ending up happy in a situation we find very glamorous and romantic.

So the next time you’re looking for a fun, romantic movie to lift your spirits (and who isn’t right now?!), consider taking in the royal experience.

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andidrewrose · 5 years ago

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And I drew roses

Andrew Rose

Information

Name : Andrew Cole

Surname : Courtenay Rose

Nickname : Andy, Drew

Title : Earl of Carlisle

Age : 20 years old, coming for his 21st

Nationality: British

Sexual orientation : Bisexual

Activities : Painting, drawing, fencing, horse riding, reading, learning

House : Napoleon

Major : Psychology

Year : 3rd

Story

Andrew was born in England, to a white wealthy earl father and a black British-Caribbean mother.

He has an older sister who is studying politics at Oxford, and a little brother who is still in high school.

He grew up in their family mansion located in a town in the countryside. Until he was height.

He accidentally killed his father in the woods during an archery practice when he was eight years old.

Their neighbours accused his mother for the crime, became very racists towards what was left of this family, forcing the Courtenays to move from town. They ended up in a town called Whitney.

When his father died, they lost most of the family’s incomes and everyone tried to suck money out of them in every way they could. Their status went from very wealthy to high middle class.

His father’s mother didn’t really want to help the daughter-in-law she never liked, but she loved her grandchildren and offered to pay for their education if she could see them regularly.

When going to their grandma’s, which was a whole floor of the castle she ran, Andrew used to take fencing lessons and do some horse riding, along with going to parties. With his grandmother could have a taste of the aristocracy life he missed when he killed his father.

He was desperate to quit England for any other country. With the advice of his mother and grandmother he chose Astor Academy to learn psychology. (full story at the end)

Facts

Due to the big trauma he endured as a child, Andrew has been struggling with mental health his whole life.

He draws and paints since the accident. He also started doing graffiti when he was a teenager. This is one of his way of coping.

His grandmother sells his paintings to her friends and to some amateurs by exposing them in her castle.

One of his recurrent pattern in his paintings are red dots, a vivid image from the accident.

One unhealthy way was drugs, when he was in high school. He finally realized it wasn’t what he needed when coming to Astor Academy.

His real drug is danger, despair, and the adrenaline that comes with it. He realized he only felt alive when he was facing his death.

Psychology is his major because he has a history with psychologist and psychiatrists and he feel like he needs to help other children like him. He wants to specialize in Child Psychology.

He has a british accent.

He took his mother’s name when enlisting for Astor, as a way to let this tragedy and a part of himself behind him.

No one knows that he killed his father. And doesn’t want to tell anybody.

Character

Most of the time, Andrew is pretty chill. He likes to hang out with people, without being too outgoing.

In a group, he won’t be the most talkative one, but he will never miss an opportunity to make a sarcastic comment. As youngsters say, he is “fluent in sarcasm”.

He likes to tease his friends, making them laugh and laughing with them.

He will gladly play along with someone’s prank or act.

He makes sure to always compliment his friends when they do something that needs complimenting, for their work, their outfit, their ideas, their good actions...

He’s not easy to anger, but he can be easily annoyed.

He is very good-mannered and polite. His “posh” vibes are always fighting with his “hooligan” vibes.

He doesn’t want anyone to know he has a title and that he comes from aristocracy. He tells everyone he’s from an average rich family.

When it comes to him, his feelings and his past, he’s very secretive. Which can make him look like he’s being mysterious.

If he is going through a depressed phase, he can be very moody.

If you get him on a topic that he has strong opinions or that he is passionate about, he would gladly talk hours about it.

He takes his studies seriously, and even if he likes to go out, you will often see him in the library or his room studying.

/tw : sh\ Though he doesn’t harm himself anymore, he is drawn to self-harming situations, aka dangerous ones. He will seek a way to make himself pay for what he did.

Interpretation of the character based on the information given on the skeletons (one paragraph):

Made-up confidence. Perfect appearance. Wit and sarcasm. His smile can charm but, no matter how good he is at controlling everything about himself, attempting to reach for the boy he was, his eyes don’t fool anyone. Truth is, Andrew has never really been well since the incident. He has rarely felt alive at all. Seeking comfort in everything he could, alcohol, drugs, sex... Anything that may cover the void. But all of this didn’t do it for him. Numbing himself away from reality never really was the solution, even if he was convinced it was, for a moment back in high school. But the emptiness was still there. No, he realized this was not his cure. In order to feel alive, he had to feel like he was pushing himself to the edge of death. Waking his brain the fuck up. Tricking it into thinking he was going to die, so he could have access to this primitive part of his brain, survival mode, that made him feel so alive. Challenge. Danger. Fear. Adrenaline. Desperate hope. However, one who doesn’t really know him couldn’t guess this side of him. He seems so charming and sweet...

His only healthy way of copying mechanism is art. Painting. Graffiti tags. Leaving a permanent mark. One that cannot be erased so easily. Greater than oneself. At the end, the final result is the history of every line you made. Either if you meant to trace it or not.

History (give your chosen character a brief background):

It wasn’t supposed to be like this. His life. It wasn’t supposed to go like this.

He was — is — the son of an English earl. Growing up in a respectable family, in the mansion in this lovely english town, with his sister and brother, his parents, the grandparents and cousins never too far away. It should have been a pretty, happy, privileged life.

Living far from the stress and pollution of the city, in a rich town where you grow up with the same people and create unbreakable bonds that will last forever after you all part ways and when you meet, five, ten years later, the friendship and camaraderie never faded away, and you talk about the good old days and how simple were things before. Getting every luxury you would have feel like wanting to have, affording every trip, every piece of clothing, every jewelry, every unnecessary whim. Getting the best education of the country, with special individual teachers, piano, violin, french, german, horse riding, boxing, fencing lessons. Getting into Eton. Not having to bother to acknowledge the price of anything. Having the possibility to do everything you fucking want because money and status can repay for everything, because money can buy everything, and everyone. Meeting the elite of the nation in splendorous parties and gatherings. Being beautiful, handsome and resplendent. Envied. Desired. Feeling powerful and invincible.

But none of this happened to Andrew. Not to his sister, or his brother. All because of him. He is responsible for so many of his family’s problems. And it has always been a burden he had to carry alone. And a fucking big one.

His father died when he was eight. Colin Courtenay was a British noble and business man. He came from a rich family and intended to make his family even richer. He had ambition. He was well respected amongst his peers. He was at the head of a big fortune and when he unexpectedly died, the mess that came as the aftermath was a nightmare.

Colin’s wife, Andrew’s mother, Sarah Courtenay, was already devastated enough by her loss, but she had to bear the accusations that were made against her. This was a little town, and gossip and rumors are the pillars of its life. People knew that Sarah did not came from a family as rich as her husband’s, quite the contrary even, and family’s friends and others would have heard that the couple wasn’t the happiest at the moment. But this was more than gossip, this was real accusations. People in town would accuse her of commanding the murder of her husband. She hired someone to kill her husband in the woods so she would inherit his fortune and title for her son, Andrew. They would spit it at her, along some racist slur directed at her and her children, especially Andrew. From one day to the other, the all town was revealing its true nature. People they considered as friends were turning against them. The harassment wouldn’t stop. They couldn’t live here anymore. They had to get away. All because of him. The thing is, Andrew was responsible for his father’s death.

They first went to some land that was his father’s. But they had to move from there quickly too when the news got to the villagers’ hears. Colin’s mother was also trying to legally take back all her son’s land and wealth, she never trusted her daughter-in-law. She tried to keep the children with her too, but Sarah would never let go of them.

So they quickly moved into a house in Whitney. Sarah, who graduated from college with a science degree, had to find a job, something she hadn’t done since she married Colin. Colin’s investors and associates were stealing money where they could. They threatened her to frame her for her husband’s murder if she tried to take legal actions against them.

Sarah spent years and years fighting for her and her children’s well-being. She was a single mother that came from a poor family from Saint-Vincent, and her husband wasn’t here anymore to protect her, all the rich vultures were trying to have a piece of this meal.

Andrew had to watch her mother’s life, all of their lives, go to ruins. Because of one thing he did.

Her mother and grand parents fed him lies. It’s not your fault honey, it’s not your fault. Maybe they meant it. Or they were better liars than his siblings. The way his sister looked at him was speaking for itself. She saw everything.

Their father’s mother would eventually help them. Only because she still loved her grandchildren and demanded to see them when she pleased. She would in exchange pay their education and teach them how to run her castle and the domain once she will be gone. Even in his grandmother Andrew could feel resentment towards his person.

The boy just wanted to run away from all this.

He tried building himself a new life in Whitney, new friends, girlfriends, boyfriends. But growing up messed up, biracial and bisexual in a group of uneducated boys, he quickly came to conclusion that nothing will ever be normal again, especially not him.

He sought for a way out. And when he found it, he took it. That’s how he ended up studying psychology in America.

The topic of the change of his last name has been brought many time by him to his mother, so people wouldn’t link them to the drama. She considered it more than once, but never went through. She wanted to claim their belonging to this family and her husband’s memory. However, Andrew made his own decision and took his mother’s name when coming to America. A fresh start.

#astorooc #the despondent #andrew rose #bio

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jagellicn · 5 years ago

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✧ ━━ the courts of switzerland present ADELAIDE JAGIELLON of POLAND, the PRINCESS of MASOVIA. the TWENTY-EIGHT year old had been LOYAL and INTELLIGENT before the break of war but have now become CYNICAL and SPITEFUL. SHE is often remembered by their likeness to ADELAIDE KANE and THE COLD WINTER AIR, EMERALD GREEN SILKS WITH SILVER SHEEN & THE DARKNESS OF THE MOONLIT NIGHT. the rumor mills of europe claim that her allegiance lies with POLAND / HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE and that she is for PEACE.

Brief History of the Jagiellon Sister

1. Innocence - Adelaide had been a happy child, dotted on by her late father as all princesses were adored by their fathers. Her eldest brother, the once heir had been something of a toy of hers, as she loved running after him, asking for a sword fight or to teach her how to ride. But, it wasn't the late brother who taught her how to ride a horse, but Sigismund. As a princess, she was never allowed to learn how to fight, fencing or archery, despite her numerous pleas and well placed tears and feigned tantrums. She'd given up on reasoning with her father and brothers, and coaxed one of the lower ranked squires to teach her instead. As a child and in her early years, she was happy and optimistic, a stark difference from the woman she is now - the metaphorical ghosts of her father and her eldest brother still haunt her, and it turned her bitter towards everything - including her surviving brother, the king. 2. Maiden - Since the death of her father and brother, Addie had turned for the worse. A spark of spitefulness ignited her soul, and she had started to see what a joke her family's court was. Her brother with his deviant ways failed to surprise her, his brother's wife had been a mother figure of sorts, and her niece ( close in age ) something of a friend. Adelaide had chosen to isolate herself from everyone else, but as of late even her family no longer satisfied her need for comfort. She knows of the rumours about her, and in the darkness of her room she smiles with bitterness of an old crone. Let them think she's rotten, let them think she's not fit for marriage - there's no love for her, nor left in her after the deaths of her father and brother, and given how miserable Sigi's wife looks, she knows there's no true love or any other nonsensical term forged to keep women idle and stupid. In her eyes, love is nothing but a make-believe word which ensnares either partner to the whims and desires of the other. No, she doesn't believe in love and she doesn't want it - or so she convinces herself. 3. Darkness - Adelaide isn't promiscuous and is, in fact, still virgo intacta. She's stolen a few kisses here and there, but never going further than that and never somewhere where she could be seen. The men that everyone talks about have never been one of them, and she laughs at the notion that men and women can't be friends - men are honest, they aren't gossipy hags and they aren't prone to jealous fits over the luxurious fabric or the colour of her dress - they do not backstab. After crafting herself such a wild reputation; drinking, laughing openly and loudly, chatting and, lord forbid, walking with polite men, Addie had honestly believed that she was safe from the atrocity that is an advantageous marriage. But, she was wrong. The news of her engagement to a Trastamara prince hit her harder than an earthquake and she fell deeper into her state of undiluted bitterness and spite. She'd loved Sigismund, really. He was her brother and her king, but this... it was unforgivable. She wants to have the engagement broken, perhaps coax the prince into thinking she's the worst choice for a bride, but to do that, she's yet to meet him.

#bgintro #( caged light turns to darkness )#part one

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kristallioness · 5 years ago

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2016 | 2017 | 2018

*quietly sneaks back in*... Happy New THIS Year, my dear followers! In Estonia, we have this saying that if you wish someone a 'happy new year' after Three Kings' Day (the 6th of January), you gotta have a bottle of alcohol with you and give them a drink. *lol*

Anyways, I would like to apologize for the sudden disappearance that happened prior to Christmas. I was just busy travelling back home for the holidays, unpacking and putting away my stuff, watching some great, traditional movies or shows on TV, and most importantly, working on those 2 latest masterpieces that I posted (which barely got 30 notes each.. *sigh*).

But as you can (and probably will) see, the year of the yellow earth pig (i.e. my dad's year) was a rollercoaster of emotions and accomplishments, or lacking thereof.

My creative side seems to have suffered the most due to lack of leisure time. I only managed to finish 3 full digital drawings and left behind several sketches or unfinished WIPs (2 of which are revealed here under the months of June and November for the first time, I intend to finish the Korrasami one btw). At least I got to start 2020 with a completed drawing on the very 1st day, ha-ha! Perhaps that's a good omen for this year?

If so, then I hope I'll find the time to finish the rest of the 2019 Inktober prompts, since I only did 4/31 this past October (even though I'd thought of ideas for all of them). I brought all the necessary drawing utensils and sheets of paper with me, so whenever I'm in the mood, I'll try to sketch another one.

*calculates for the nth time*.. I wrote 18,110 words worth of fanfiction, plus 820 words for the UYLD prompts (making the total 18,930). Technically, you can count another 8k+ in there, since it comes from that unfinished story (of Aang taking care of a flu-ridden Katara, as illustrated by the September sketch), which I haven't finished within the last 4 months or so. Plus, I barely wrote 1/5 of the amount compared to 2018.. *hides in shame*

Then again, I was an excellent pupil for picking up an actual book and reading through 150+ pages (which means I have ~300 pages to go). I'm talking about the new Kyoshi novel that came out. As I once said, I haven't voluntarily read a book in years make that 2 years ago (most of the reading I've done in my life is either Tom & Jerry comics, now the Avatar comic trilogies and art books as well as fanfiction online, or compulsory reading during school). But this novel is freaking fantastic superb!

Not only that, I bought all the new comic trilogies and managed to read them through. Damn, did they give me feels.. especially "Ruins of the Empire" (ngl I squeed so hard when I saw the Korrasami farewell kiss on the 1st page of the 2nd part). I can't wait to read the 3rd part this year!

However, I failed to rewatch Avatar last year, and I haven't seen Korra since.. 2016, I believe? Wow, that's 4 whole years.. But I intend to fix that mistake starting from 2020. Hopefully I'm in the mood to start my rewatch this weekend tonight. *fingers crossed*

But as I said, I had much less time to focus on my hobbies since 2019 was the year for finally moving on with my life (sort of, I'm still working on it). I still remember how down I'd been feeling for a while and how valid those emotions really were. The first quarter of the year (+ like a month or two) was a continuous descent into desperation and feelings of utter failure, which already started around the 2nd half of 2018 and only continued to deepen around that time.

Everything began to change when I was first chosen to be part of a 2-month summer internship in an IT company, and I had to start building a new nest in a new location in Tallinn this May. And now, I feel like I've hit the jackpot by getting a permanent job in another IT company this October.

I got the opportunity to work in two different fields, in two different teams within a year. I met some awesome colleagues (a lot of whom are foreigners) and got the chance to really put my English skills to the test.

Thanks to the new job, I also had to go to a free health check, which went really-really well. Despite my nervousness in the beginning, I feel much more relaxed about my physical (and mental) health, cause the results showed that everything's okay (something I'd been worried about since March 2017).

Speaking of health or staying healthy, there were a few sports events that I went to, too. Our team held the first winter team event (it was the first one for me, at least) by going to do archery in a range on the outskirts of the capital.

I watched the football match between 2 teams of our local league at my hometown together with my dad on his birthday. Our home team won the match and came in 4th place overall in the league this year, which is their best result so far (I'm really proud!). And merely days before I started work, I visited the Tallinn International Horse Show for the first time (also with my dad). I last got to watch horses jump over fences or dance to their musical programs ~ 10 years ago, and I loved it!

Event-wise 2019 was pretty full of them. As has become tradition, I went to the Defence Forces parade on our 101st Independence Day (which seemed rather bleak compared to the centennial, even more so since we didn't have ANY snow at the time).

What will hopefully become new traditions, I visited the television tower on the Restoration of Independence Day (where Uku Suviste gave a free concert in the evening), and went to the Veteran's Rock concert (to honour our war veterans) on our Freedom Square on the 23rd of April (since I'm residing in the capital now, I should be able to go again this year).

To continue with the centennial celebrations (yes, some things are STILL turning 100), I saw and explored inside the armoured train no. 7 called "Wabadus" ("Freedom") in the Baltic Station. This armoured train was one of the keys that led our country to victory during the War of Independence from 1918-1920.

There was an even bigger (150th) anniversary to celebrate in the beginning of July, when I attended our Song and Dance Festival. This was a really important, if not the biggest event of the year. I intend to make a longer post about my experience, cause it's something that you foreigners need to see for yourself. I can't simply describe or put it into words, I have to show you some videos and photos.

But while we're on the topic of concerts, I should mention that I went to 2 more at the beginning of June - Bon Jovi and Sting - as well as 2 that were part of Christmas tours in December - Elina Nechayeva and Rolf Roosalu.

Besides that, I went to 6 different festivals, half of which I'd been to several times before, such as the Türi Flower Fair, Jäneda Farm Days (where I went on my first helicopter ride for my 25th birthday present) and the Christmas market in the Old Town of Tallinn.

The other half is comprised of festivals that I'd been considering going to for a while, or which took place for the first time. The latter applies to the Black Food Festival, whereas the "Valgus Kõnnib" ("Wandering Lights") and the duck rally, both of which took place in Kadriorg, fall under the first category.

The duck rally is a charity event held in the beginning of June. Regular people can buy at least one (or several) rubber bath duckies for different prices, which will then be dumped into a tiny stream that'll carry them towards the finish line. This event has grown more popular each year, and the money the Estonian Association of Parents of Children with Cancer (sorry, long name in English!) collects is donated to the Cancer Treatment Fund.

*wipes forehead*.. Phew! I'm surprised, that's a whole lotta positivity for 2019. I think there's one more important, but seriously negative topic I haven't covered yet, but I feel should be mentioned and explained.

When it comes to politics, 2019 was a complete disaster for us. EKRE (Eesti Konservatiivne Rahvaerakond in Estonian, or Estonia's Conservative People's Party in English) i.e. our populist/nazi/pro-Trump party is in the government as of April 2019, thanks to 100,000+ idiots (out of our population of 1.3 million) who voted for them and gave them 19/101 seats in the Parliament.

No, I am NOT going to apologize for calling them a nazi party, because their main leaders have repeatedly supported ideology that's common to nazis (they use aggressive rhetoric, blame the media for making them look bad, downgrade women, minorities, are racist, anti-semitic etc...). And I will not apologize in front of the people who voted for them, because "thanks" to this, EKRE has dragged our country's reputation straight through a mud puddle (not to mention the scandals that have accompanied 5 of their ministers, 3 of who have THANKFULLY stepped down from their positions) and.. *swears like the British*.. it's BLOODY EMBARRASSING.

I am done being nice, I have at least some kind of prejudice about anyone who supports them or their ideals. And I will certainly not let Estonia end up like America. So that is why I participated in two protest events against EKRE and our current government (because the 2 other parties, who were willing to form the coalition with them, are spineless jellyfish that simply seek to hold onto their current positions of power). I'm willing to take bets as to when our government falls (the sooner the better).

*shakes off the frustration*.. Brrr! So besides that, I guess the only downside to 2019 was my spare time falling back in the list of priorities (which shows in the empty square of July).

2020 is gonna be the year of the white metal rat. I can only hope (and take action so) that it'll be just as eventful, and much more creative than 2019. Thank you all for following me (or lurking anonymously) for so long, especially to the bloggers who've offered me support through better or worse! *raises a glass* Here's to 2020!.. *sip*

#personal #shards of Kristal

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svnofachilles · 5 years ago

Text

— UPDATED INTRO.

(eventually will have a bio page done for him but in the mean time have this very long intro post ! )

max irons, thirty-one, aryndale, male ––– i believe that is ALEXANDER julius FREY, the KING of ARYNDALE. they are THIRTY-ONE years old and are known to be very +PASSIONATE & +JUST, though they can also be very -DOGMATIC & -AMBITIOUS. he reminds me of a collection of hunting trophies; all predators, the sharp smell of early winter in the dawn air, the calm before a gruesome battle, a bear sigil, being brave even when you feel afraid, a heavy fur cloak, blood seeping into snow and earth. ( chai, 22, gmt-8, she/her )

inspired by: king arthur (merlin, camelot and other shows/books/movies), achilles (greek myth), prince andrei (war & peace)

T R I V I A

𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦: xander (goes exclusively by this, hates being called alexander or alex)

𝘢𝘨𝘦: 31

𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘭𝘦: king

𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: heteroflexible

𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴: married

𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺: aryndale

𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦: aryndale

P E R S O N A

𝘻𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘤 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯: leo sun aries moon scorpio rising

𝘮𝘣𝘵𝘪: estj

𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴: passionate, just, charismatic, honorable, open-minded, flirtatious

𝘯𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴: venegful, gluttonous, arrogant, dogmatic, ambitious, capricious

𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘴: horses/horseback riding, swords, combat/military, bitter red wine, savory foods, his kids, pretty women, hunting, archery, meat, gold, power, sunrises, waking up early, summer time, painting/sculpting, fencing, jousting, sports/athletics, being in charge, nature, animals, fur cloaks, being praised

𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘴: being questioned, being told what to do, the cold, iilyria, political meetings, religion, women drama, beer, spears/lances, the ocean, boat rides, diplomacy, studying, rooms with no windows, roses, sweet things, coffee, mushrooms, card games

P H Y S I C A L

𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴: dark hazel, thick eyelashes

𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳: light brown, naturally curly

𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵: 6 ft 3 inches

𝘸𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵: 205 pounds

𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵: bonfire smoke, evergreen trees, iron, and horses

C O N N E C T I O N S

𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴: marcus frey (called marcus the magnificent by the people) (predecessor, deceased), tbd frey

𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴: titus frey (older brother, FORMER CROWN PRINCE, deceased) corrine frey (younger sister), catelyn frey (younger sister), tbd frey, tbd frey

𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦: isabel frey

𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴: genevieve brewer

𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯: elijah frey (son, legitimate, CROWN PRINCE, 6), gaia frey (daughter, legitimate, 3)

𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘦𝘴: tbd ryback (king of iilyria)

𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴: tbd.

𝘯𝘦𝘶𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭: roland boucher (king of gondour)

𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴: tbd.

𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴: tbd.

𝘦𝘹𝘦𝘴: tbd.

H E A D C A N O N S

is a total extra brat?? and goes by xander bc he was named after his grandfather, (so technically he is king alexander II) and wanted to be more distinguished from him than just being “junior” or “the second”, so he opted to start going by xander in his early teens. basically wants to be mr. different™ and unique.

often referred to as “the bear king” or “the wild king” for his fiercesome reputation in battle and affinity/talented reputation for hunting

the second born son and child of the frey family, he was the first spare prince to be born in the family. the son directly after the heir, the beloved crown prince. xander was always bitter about this fact, and always secretly believed he would make a better king than his elder brother. his father had xander trained and educated alongside his older brother, training them both as his heirs though naming titus his official heir. the other princes weren’t trained or educated the same way, treated as regular princes. xander spent most of his childhood playing second fiddle to his older brother- it didn’t help either that they were so close in age (two years apart). xander was constantly treated as the replacement, the back up. his elder brother titus was loved by the people and the obvious favorite of their parents.

alexander is still secretly wracked with guilt over his brothers death, he spent years secretly wishing he could be the crown prince, wishing his older brother didn’t exist— so he feels partly to blame no matter how irrational that is. another reason for his guilt is that he wasn’t there with his father and brother during the invasion, unable to save them. he feels like if he had been there things might’ve been different. the day of the invasion he had been left behind at the castle, while his father and brother went to the border to check on a strange message from one of the generals stationed there.

has the most military achievements and prowess of all his siblings. before becoming the king he had had plans of becoming a general and pursing a military career. he excels the most in physical matters, athletics, combat, military strategies etc. his weaknesses lies in academics/diplomacy/politics (outside of strategy and philosophy). so a bit of a himbo lol.

becoming king has begun to change him, his ambitions have been growing as well as his sense of entitlement and arrogance. he’s also started to become increasingly promiscuous— when he was younger he was never a casanova (but not a prude in anyway either). but lately the longer he’s been king the more tempted he’s become to have his cake and eat it too. why not explore all the perks of being king?

due to his father and brother dying defending aryndale from the iilyrian attempted invasion years ago, the arynite king hates iilyria and has no plans for peace. he wants justice and revenge, and has secret goals of invading and conquering iilyria for himself.

he loves his county and people deeply, and would do anything for them. he hopes his reign will be a golden era for his people, he wants to expand aryndales power, make them richer and stronger. he also wants to improve education and social/economical issues within his country. desperately wants to do the best he can for his country— and wants to be remembered fondly by history.

met his wife isabel when they were kids, grew up together— she was even his first kiss. no one was surprised when he asked her to marry him at age 21, and no one was surprised when she said yes. it’s safe to say she is his first love, though in recent years the strain of being king, the war, and his recent subtle personality changes and infidelity have started to cause conflicts between them.

definitely can be a bit of a bully or shit starter at times, though my bb really does mean well at the end of the day— he just has a really bad way of showing it most of the time.

in regards to sexuality, for the most part he is straight— but he has some gay tendencies he doesn’t want to see or admit to. definitely closeted and/or confused. he has a strong preference for women and for the most part ignores the occasional rare homosexual attractions he feels.

loves his children dearly and wants more!! a lot more lol! having a lot of siblings of his own, he wants a large family for his own kids. he currently has two children by his wife isabel frey, the queen, a six year old son named elijah and a three year old daughter named gaia.

as for his mistress, genevieve, he met her within the last 9-12 months and was immediately taken by her. currently she isn’t his official royal mistress (yet), but everyone knows about their affair (unofficially, so everyone gossips behind closed doors about it at the moment).

in true leo fashion he’s kind of !! dramatic ? passionate ! and has a temper ! he also has a taste for luxury and extravagance, especially lately. also very flirtatious and cocky, flirts a lot without meaning it in recent years— increasingly so. enjoys teasing and getting a rise out of others as well! but also being king now, he is very careful about hiding his emotions, vulnerabilities, and weaknesses now. feigning an air of haughty indifference most of the time.

#imperialrpintro #intro #updated

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redrose-arrow · 6 years ago

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if you're still doing prompts, please: will visits the retired tug while they're at old bob's and maddie is curious. if that's okay! you run a great blog, mate.

Sure that’s okay! Sorry it’s late though. And thanks :)

>>>———->

Although all Rangers had general knowledge on the care of their horses, first Crowley, and now Gilan, required that all Rangers visited Bob at least once a year for a routine checkup. Usually the results came out completely positive, but there had been a few occasions where a disease or injury had been discovered early on, which was potentially significant.

Will and Maddie unsaddled their horses, slid a rope halter over their heads and handed them to Young Bob. They watched them walk away.

“And now?” Maddie asked, looking up to her mentor. Will shrugged. “Whatever you want. Bob will be with Tug and Bumper for a while and I’ve learned it’s best to let them.” His apprentice frowned when he didn’t proposed they continued with her training as regular.

“What are you going to do?” Will smiled. “I’m going to visit an old friend.”

>>>———->

Maddie was growing bored. It had been hours since she’d given Bumper to Young Bob and she was running out of things to do. First, she’d cleaned her saddle, checking all leather pieces to make sure there were no damages. She had then set off into the forest, where, for the last few hours, she had practiced her archery and her knife throwing. She had even climbed into trees with all her attire to train her skills from another angle. After that, she had decided to draw maps from Castle Redmont and its surroundings from memory. She threw down the coal in boredom. After five raw maps, she was pretty certain of its total accuracy.

Maddie sighed in frustration and decided to return to the riding field. Maybe she would find Will there, or Bob with the horses.

When she walked outside, she was once again surprised to see Will riding bareback on an old grey horse, moving at a gentle canter around the field adjoining the saddling paddock. She vaguely remembered that the first time they’d been at Bob’s Will had also been riding the grey. She leaned on the fence, watching the pair. The old horse was the first to notice her and he neighed a greeting. Will looked up and waved, nudging his horse towards where she was standing. Maddie waited until they were within earshot.

“So this is your “old friend” you were going to visit,” she said, offering the grey her hand, palm up. Will nodded.

“Yep. He was my -”

“First horse,” she said, as the horse sniffed at her hand, “Yeah, I remember. Bellopheron, wasn’t it?” Bellopheron neighed softly and nudged her hand. She figured she was right and patted him on the nose.

“You know, I was just thinking…” “You’re an apprentice, you’re not ready to think,” Will remarked grinning. Maddie rolled her eyes, frustrated with herself to fall for it - again. However, she continued her sentence as though her mentor hadn’t interrupted her.

“When you told me that story about you and Tug racing in the desert, you said it was Tug. But my parents and you went to Arrida when you were still an apprentice. I did the maths, you couldn’t have had Tug then. I’m confused.” Will dismounted the grey and patted him on the neck.

“I said that because I didn’t want to complicate the story. But I wasn’t lying, it was Tug. And the horse that’s with Bumper and Bob right now, is also Tug.”

“I don’t get it,” Maddie said. Wil smiled.

“When I started my apprenticeship with Halt, I, like you, was assigned a Ranger horse. His name was Tug and he looked just the Tug I have now. We were together for years until, during the hunt on a wolf, Tug was attacked by the wolf. His leg was ripped open and I got him to Bob as soon as I could. By the time I did, however, it was already too late. The bite was deep and it was unlikely to recover fully. Especially since Tug and I had been together for about 15 years then and despite his remarkable health, he was growing old.” He raised his hand to stop the following question from leaving Maddie’s mouth.

“We decided that it was time for a new horse.” He grimaced, “Or actually, Bob and Crowley did. I didn’t agree, until I met my new horse. He was just like Tug, sharing the same mother and all.

“You see, our horses don’t last much longer than 10, 15 years. After that, no matter how much they want to help us, they start to grow too old. Bob always tries to breed direct brothers and sisters, so that we don’t have to get accustomed to a completely strange horse. Even name and code word align.”

“I see,” Maddie said slowly. She looked at Bellopheron. The hairs around his nose were white, but his build was almost identical to the Tug she knew.

“So this the Tug you raced the Bedullin with?”

“The one and only.”

She watched as Will fed his old friend an apple, when a thought struck her.

“So does that mean that one day, I’ll have to exchange Bumper too?” she asked with a small voice. She didn’t want to think about being forced to say goodbye to her barrel-bellied horse. Will laid a hand on her shoulder and smiled.

“One day. But it won’t soon. After all, Bumper’s in excellent health, isn’t he, Bob?”

Maddie spun around around to see Young Bob walking towards them, a horse on each side.

“It’s like he never left a day under my care, Ranger Will,” Bob replied brightly. He handed the rope back to Maddie and Bumper nudged her side.

I’m not going anywhere.

Maddie smiled and took the apple Will offered her. She fed it to her horse.

“I won’t let you,” she whispered.

#it's exam weeks and i'm writing fanfiction #makes sense #these have been in my inbox forever i'm so so sorry #i love this prompt tho thank you sm #will treaty #maddie #madelyn altman #bumper #tug I #tug II #young bob #!!!#ranger's apprentice #rangers apprentice #redrose writing

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space-unicorn-dot · 6 years ago

Photo

Time to bring this back! What better way to do a little bit of exploring on a new oc than a few quick questions to outline the basics? (And by quick, I mean things that I’m going to think way too hard about, of course.)

BASICS

full name: enok johan strand

gender: male

sexuality: lol idk yet >.> i’ll get back to you on the whole relationship front later

pronouns: he, him, his

OTHER

family: hans and anita strand, parents.

birthplace: northern jorvik, thinking everdale atm

job: retired jorvik ranger turned barfly (practically full-time) and mounted archery instructor... sometimes. Would probably rather you left him alone to fix the broken fence post or barn door.

phobias: he’ll rarely ride out alone if he can avoid it, especially for a longer trail. a little claustrophobic, though he’ll try to bitch at you before he’ll come near admitting it. will nitpick you about trail safety and checking your gear. bitterly hates letting people down, even if you wouldn’t know it at the first glance... or five.

guilty pleasures: while perhaps not a fan of mistfall’s scenic trails, they do make a good drink. and, as hard as he’ll play about it, he still has a soft spot for mounted archery. wouldn’t actually mind spending half the day walking through the museum.

hobbies: nursing his bad habits and maybe low-key trying to drown them, mounted archery, small improvement projects? he’s the kinda guy that finds something broken or in need of a little touch-up at home and does it himself, if he can, before he’ll try to call in any sort of help for it.

MORALS

alignment: neutral

sins: lust / greed / envy / gluttony / pride / wrath / sloth

virtues: charity / chastity / diligence / humility / justice / kindness / patience

THIS OR THAT

introvert / extrovert / in-between

organized / disorganized

close-minded / open-minded

calm / anxious / restless

disagreeable / agreeable / in between

cautious / reckless

patient / impatient

outspoken / reserved / in between

leader / follower / flexible

empathetic / unempathetic / it depends

optimist / pessimist / realist

traditional / modern

hard-working / lazy

BACKGROUND

Enok has himself convinced that he’s generally about as friendly as a thorn bush and likes to keep it that way, and convince everyone else in the room of it, too. Previously a faithful and reliable member of the Jorvik Rangers, a search-and-rescue gone horribly wrong flipped his life over, and he quickly resigned shortly after. While it happened well over five years ago, in response, Enok developed a short temper and shut himself off from most things and people.

A few durable types remained in contact with him from his Ranger service, but he undoubtedly made it one hell of a time. Someone who had once had a passion for guiding trails and mounted archery suddenly had a hell of a lot of difficulty getting invested in what was more or less his life’s work. What he did for the next few years was more out of necessity than it was an interest in the work.

With the opening of the South Hoof Rescue Ranch, a couple of his connections managed to concoct a plan to get him involved and going, suggesting originally that the ranch could really use some help getting up and running, and, somehow, it turned into them ganging up on him to stay for his own reasons.

Hugh paired him with the lithe Scout, a former competition Akhal-Teke gelding that had been retired a few years prior and sold to the Rescue Ranch as a companion horse to help ease the nerves of some of the Ranch’s patients - horse and human alike.

Where Enok is more likely to give off a prickly impression and act a hardass, Scout is calm and keeps showing up no matter how many times Enok has tried to brush him off. He’ll even follow him around the Ranch of his own accord if he’s working and, finally, Enok has started to begrudgingly accept that the gelding isn’t going anywhere.

And maybe slipping him a few more treats here or there. Not that he’d admit it over his dead body.

Oh, and tails of pink lights and magic and other worlds? Yeah, sure. Whatever. And he’s supposedly the one that spends too much time with a bottle and a cigarette.

That’ll take a lot of convincing to change.

#sso #star stable online #look i love him #he think he's an asshole but really #no #he just has a hard time accepting shit now #and he's a stubborn shit about it #so here he is #out there bein a hardass #oc: enok strand

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liv-andletdie · 7 years ago

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4, 13, 49, 53, 60 For all them Cub Kids

Thanks for the questions (I know you said in a different message to ignore 49 and 53 but they’re really fun questions so I’m doing them oops)

Alexei

4) Does anyone have a crush on your character? Is your character aware of this?A lot of people get crushes on Alexei, especially when he reaches his 20th year. He’s an alright looking kid but he’s just got one of those faces that doesn’t get “handsome” till he matures. And then there’s definitely some giggles from a few of the ladies at court when he enters a room, but he’s not really aware of them. Zelda will sometimes joke that he’s got lots of admirers, he just brushes her off mostly.

13) What would your character die for? His family. Without a doubt. He doesn’t have to think twice about it, if his family is in danger he’ll want to be on the front line risking everything to make sure they are safe. (He’s particularly protective over Julius and Nutty) 49) How does your character stand politically? He’s not really political until he starts to work in the army and he starts talking to his fellow soldiers. He then realizes that there’s a lot that not’s perfect in Hyrule (and honestly what country is perfect?) but he starts campaigning for better pay for some of the soldiers, more leave time for those who’s families don’t live in Castle Town, Maternal and Paternal leave for soldiers who are starting a family, that kind of stuff. 53) What clubs would your character join? If he went to my school growing up he’d have been that one kid who was great at sports and who all the teachers liked, so any club he’d join would reflect that. We didn’t have a fencing club at my school but that’s something that he would find interesting I feel.

60) If you could title your character’s life, what would you title it? You know I’m not great with titles (”Paint me like one of your Zora girls” is the best example of that) But I’m guessing… if it were a novel or a play it might be.. Idk “The wolf and the sword” relating to his relationship with his father and his talent with the blade.

Rest of the cubs under the cut

Augustine

4) Does anyone have a crush on your character? Is your character aware of this? It’s actually another OC Pierre, Shad and Ashei’s son, grew up really close with Tina and Alexei (he’s the closest in age to both of them, only being a year younger than Alexei and an year older than Augustine) He’s not sure but at some point, probably around the time he reached 17, he started seeing Augustine as more than a friend and then everything got quite awkward because didn’t want to proclaim his feelings for her and end up getting rejected and ruining their friendship. So for the longest time he just sat and had a crush on her in silence. Did Augustine know? No. He hid his feelings that well, and she’s that blind to people being attracted to her, that she just thought he was coming down with a chest cold or something.

13) What would your character die for? She’s the same as Alexei. She would die for her family. Except while Alexei is protective of Julius and Nutty, She is very protective of him. Her big brother. 49) How does your character stand politically? She’s trained to take the throne so she’s been taught to be impartial and to work only with the facts presented to her (obviously a lot of facts never reach royal ears, despite how long they are, and no action is taken) She’s like her mother in the way that everything she does is for Hyrule. Zelda takes the stand that she was placed on the throne to protect her people, and if they are unhappy then it’s her fault and if they want her gone they are within their rights to do so. It’s a privilege not a right. And she’s passed that philosophy onto Augustine.53) What clubs would your character join? ALL OF THE DANCE CLUBS! Mostly things like Ballet and Ballroom dance (waltz in particular) but she wouldn’t be averse to joining the tap club. Heck she might even join Zumba if she was in my school.

60) If you could title your character’s life, what would you title it? Now this one was actually easy! “Silver slippers, silver tongue” as it represents her political powers and her love of dance

Marta

4) Does anyone have a crush on your character? Is your character aware of this? Marta is actually the most “beautiful” of the cubs (not that she believes it) so when she reaches marrying age they find that she gets a lot of suitors asking for her hand despite maybe only having met her at a few parties. She’s aware of people’s “affections” towards her but only because they don’t tend to hide them. She’s not a big fan of big romantic gestures from men, and for the longest time she fully believes that she just doesn’t like romantic gestures… until one of the ladies gives her a rose and she just about dies on the spot.

13) What would your character die for? Family again but aside from that her animals. She counts them as part of the family (she’s the only cub that Epona will let touch her for an extended period of time, putting her in a very unique club that only has Link and Ilia as members) When she raises her first colt at 10 with her father she realized that this was “where the Goddesses have put me, this is my job” 49) How does your character stand politically? Augustine looks after the people of Hyrule, Marta looks after the animals. She’s a huge advocate for animal rights and is very VERY outspoken about it. She works hard to make sure that all animals are looked after and are cared for properly. But don’t get the wrong idea, she’s not like PETA, she doesn’t spread dumb rumors like “Sheep die from being sheared” “People milk cows till they bleed” “They tear babies away from their mothers to sell them” You’ve got to remember that her father was a Goatherd for the first half of his life, she’s seen how ranches work first hand and the care that the animals are given. She just wants to do more to help.53) What clubs would your character join? Is there such thing as a gardening club? Well if there was she would be the president of that club! They have a little herb garden in Ordon and it’s always her favourite place to be when they visit family down there.

60) If you could title your character’s life, what would you title it? Marta in the middle I’m kidding. This one is tricky one hm… “Roses and Violets” as Roses are her favourite flowers and I’ll let you research Violets.

Julius

4) Does anyone have a crush on your character? Is your character aware of this? It takes a while for him to really grow into his features, he looks more like Zelda so people tend to say he’s very “beautiful” and that’s attractive to some and not as important to others. He is quite unconcerned if people find him attractive or not, sometimes he receives the odd “love letter” from a member of court but he never really ruminates on them for long. He’s got more important things to worry over in his eyes.

13) What would your character die for? Marta. Out of everyone in the family he’s closest to her. Don’t get me wrong he loves his family with all his heart, but she’s the one he would die for. She raised his horse, she takes him out shooting, she reads to him when he’s having weak days, she teaches him how to sew. They also the closest in age, being just over a year apart. 49) How does your character stand politically? He’s very much like Augustine in the idea that his main concern should be Hyrule as a whole, however he is very passionate about healthcare and what could be done to improve it. He’s talked to Alexei a lot about creating a program that entitles the soldiers and their families to free healthcare, and he’s even broached the topic with Augustine. He feels that he’s lucky to get the support he has from Royal doctors and medics, but he wishes that the people would be able to get the same level of care as he does. 53) What clubs would your character join? Archery and riding. It’s his favourite things to do because a lot of the time they don’t require anyone else. He needs help getting into his saddle some days but once he’s up there he’s free. And that freedom and independence is something that he really cherishes

60) If you could title your character’s life, what would you title it? “One step at a time” It’s his personal mantra to himself everyday, to keep going to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Natalya (Nutty)

4) Does anyone have a crush on your character? Is your character aware of this? She’s quite similar to Julius in that she feels like there’s more important things in her life than finding romance. She’s had a few people develop “crushes” on her in the way that you develop a crush on a celebrity.

13) What would your character die for? Her parents. As the youngest she’s not under the same kind of pressure as Augustine or Alexei so she tends to notice a little more. She see’s the kind of work that Zelda and Link do and how they struggle with the difficult decisions that they have to make. It’s not easy running a country, it’s not easy running an Army, and it’s not easy trying to do both of those things with 5 children. You can’t solve every problem and Natalya see’s how that weighs on her mothers heart. She’d do anything for her and Link. 49) How does your character stand politically? She’s the most apolitical of the bunch. Obviously if there is an issue she can see she’ll want to do something to help, but it’s not on the forefront of her mind. Her biggest concern is trying to make sure her older siblings and her parents don’t die of stress! 53) What clubs would your character join? Music clubs. Music is her main passion in life, having started learning different instruments from a very young age. She prides herself on being able to write and play songs and it’s one of the ways she bonds with Augustine. To her it’s more than just making pretty sounds, it’s a way to help the ones she loves relax and feel happy. She wrote a lullaby for Link and will play it to him sometimes when he’s had a very, very, long day.

60) If you could title your character’s life, what would you title it? “The Little Songbird” for a lot of obvious reasons but the main one being that it’s one of Link’s nicknames for her.

#tp zelink #TP Zelink cubs #i love these babies so much

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zdusk · 7 years ago

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Zelda’s Circus AU Form!

@rebecawolfforest @ssocircus

Basics

Name: Zelda Dusknight

Nickname, if any: “Z”

Age: 20

Gender: Female

Birthday: July 8th

Place of birth: Unknown due to her adoption

Religion: N/A (unless believing in Aideen counts??? Aideenism??? pfft)

Pets: A black German Shepherd called Atlas; a black and tan German Shepherd called Thor, and a black Friesian horse called Phantom

Sexuality: Heterosexual

Partner: Justin Moorland

Family: Two adoptive fathers; Ryan and Noah

Appearance (Please try to be specific as this is a comic and I will have to draw your character a lot. If you want to do a face claim that’s alright too)

Height: 5’5

Weight: 127 lbs

Bodytype: Hourglass figure

Eye color: Red, with a certain sparkle to them

Hair color: Black

Hairstyle: Parted to the left, straight, reaches to her upper back

Skin colour: Pale

Prominent features (Scars, freckles, moles): N/A

Any health problems: N/A

How do they dress: Typically dresses in a red leather jacket paired with black skinny jeans and long, black boots - in the winter, she wears a dark brown trench coat

Accessories: Usually carries gloves on her person

NOTE: If you need a visual representation of Zelda, let me know!

Behavior

Wealth: Well off

Any addictions: N/A

Morning mood: Usually grouchy, depending on what’s to happen in the day to come

Usual workday on the circus (Do they help in the stables, clean up after performances, practice etc): Will do practically anything she’s instructed to do; she likes to make sure things run smoothly.

Skills/Talents: Surprisingly good at mounted archery, plays the guitar, extremely flexible, pyromancy

Thing they’re bad at: She’s really not good at cooking at all - she can’t do a lot of domestic things like sewing, either

Hobbies: Horseback riding, pyromancy, she likes to sing too (as long as no one’s around!), ice skating

Past: She doesn’t know who her real parents are, but she doesn’t let that get her down - she had a perfectly good childhood with her fathers, and started getting into pyromancy at the age of 11. Fire fascinated her, and when she learned there was a way for her to manipulate that, she was all over it. She still doesn’t know why exactly she seems to be able to conjure fire.

What do they want in the future: She doesn’t really have any ideas for the future; she just plans to let destiny take its course.

Any special goals: See above ^^

Close friends: Izabella Snowbell, Jack Wolfwatcher, Astrid Starwright, Esmeralda Shadowlord, Ali Archdotter etc.

Enemies/Rivals: She doesn’t have any real enemies or rivals - unless someone does something wrong by her or her friends.

Greatest strength: Her ability to lead in times of trouble

Greatest flaw: She’s too nice, and sometimes that backfires on her - she can also have a firey temper

Favorite

Food: Strawberry Shortcake

Drink: Lemonade

Color: Purple

Book: N/A

Film: Howl’s Moving Castle

Music/Song: She doesn’t really have a favourite; she’s fine with anything - as long as it isn’t country

TV: N/A

Sport: Archery or Fencing - she finds herself adept at using weapons

Motto/Quote: N/A

Act

What is their act: She’s a Pyromancer - She’s able to manipulate fire

Do they use any animals? If so, what kinds: N/A

Do they usually succeed: Yes

Are they good at it: Yes - 9 years of practice pays off!

Why do they do it: Fire has always fascinated her and she feels a pull towards it

Do they do it with someone else: Not usually, but if another Pyromancer shows up - or someone with similar abilities, she wouldn’t mind sharing the stage

How do they dress during their performance:

What kind of music plays during their performance: She doesn’t mind, just as long as it has a good beat to it!

Personality: Zelda is warm towards anyone, and will welcome people with open arms. She's extremely supportive and proud of everyone in the circus, too. Should you do something wrong by her or by her friends, however, she will be a lot colder towards you - but she'll still hear you out should you want to explain yourself to her.

#sso circus au #ssocircus #zelda dusknight #au form #long post

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markleesthighs · 5 years ago

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Mea Bellis

Pairings: Reader x Jaehyun, Reader x ???

Genre: NCT royalty!au, angst, fluff, subtle flirting

Warnings: flashbacks, forbidden love

Words: n/a

Chapter 1 - Run with Me (Preview)

You stopped infront of a castle bigger than you could see, it was so big you almost fell back looking up at it. You held your mother’s hand while entering the castle past the terrifying guards and bowed to the king and queen when you entered. You hid behind your mother’s legs, being shy about meeting new people. Your mother introduced you and you poked your head out from behind the fabric of her dress and hugged your bunny tight. Your eyes met another pair of eyes who appeared to be around the same age as you.

“This is my son Jaehyun.” the queen had said.

He was also hiding behind his mother peering out to look at you. He waved and you shyly waved back and continued to hide behind your mother. Another maid led you to the maid’s quarters and your mother unpacked your things. You were too young to start work so the queen allowed you to wander and explore the castle. You heard music coming from a room and decided to follow it.

There was a light coming from the room of soft piano keys being pressed to play a melody. You peeked and saw Jaehyun playing the piano and swaying to the music. Jaehyun noticed you and you immediately shut the door. Jaehyun ran and opened the door to see you bowing and looking at the floor apologizing. Jaehyun smiled and grabbed your hand and helped you up on the seat to listen to him play. You were amazed at his skill and enjoyed him playing music for you. When he finished he looked at you and smiled

“I loved that Jaehyun, you are very talented.”

“Thank you, y/n”

From that moment on you played with Jaehyun often and his mother allowed you to follow him to be his little assistant. He taught you manners and how to become a good maid, however, Jaehyun didn’t see you as another maid but as a friend. He let you join him in archery, horseback riding, and you memorized his daily schedule. One day, Jaehyun took you to the library, where he would study and read. You looked at the amazing array of books, but you never learned how to read. You’ve always wanted to learn but never had the chance. Jaehyun caught you glancing at The Great Gatsby and told you to take it out if you wanted.

“You know, you can take that back to your room if you want.”

“I wish, but I don’t know how to read”

“Really?”

“Yeah, with my dad away I had to help my mom a lot, I didn’t even go to school”

“Hmm, maybe I can teach you.”

“Actually? How do you even learn to read?”

“I’ll read this book to you and you can follow along to my voice.”

Jaehyun read for about fifteen minutes before your eyes started to get droopy and you felt very sleepy. You felt your head fall on Jaehyun’s shoulder and started to sleep. Jaehyun noticed, closed the book, and carried you on his back to your room. He laid you down and tucked you in saying:

“goodnight my daisy”

Leaving the book at your bedside so you know who bought you back to your room. About an hour later, you were awakened by the sound of a bell, which you assumed was the dinner bell. You sleepily walk to the kitchen rubbing your eyes, grabbing the water pitcher. You walked out and started pouring water glasses for the family. You got to Jaehyun and smiled and walked passed standing only if they needed their water to be filled.

“Bring in Mrs. y/l/n please.”

“Yes ma’am,” said the butler.

After the butler went into the kitchen he came back out with your mother.

“Yes, my queen?”

“I have a request for you.”

“What is it, my queen?”

“My son seems very fond of your daughter, and I would like to allow her to be his personal maid and friend, serving for this castle. I wish to appoint her has my son’s official maid.”

“I accept my queen.”

From that moment on you were to stay with Jaehyun, get him ready in the morning and following him through his schedules now with royal approval. Little did you know that as you both grew up, you grew feelings for Jaehyun and you knew him better than anyone. Your new room was placed next to Jaehyun’s room, for him and for you. He would be able to ask things from you and you would be able to serve him with ease.

~Modern Day~

You woke up in your bed hearing the birds chirping and the sun beaming through your window. You were now sixteen, and you still work in the castle along with your mother. You stretched your arms up yawning as you walked to your closet full of the same black and white dress you wear every day. You grabbed one off a hanger, changed out of your nightgown and into your outfit to serve Jaehyun breakfast and get him dressed. (yes, you still dress an 18-year old). You made your bed and left your room to pick up his breakfast on a. cart from the kitchen elevator.

You quietly knocked on his door and wheeled in his breakfast and tea. You opened the blinds of his room and prepared his tea, with two sugars, just the way he liked it. Jaehyun groaned at the light and kept his face in his pillows. You walked over and removed his blanket telling him to get up. He eventually got up and sipped his tea while you found appropriate clothes to wear for the day. Once Jaehyun finished eating and drinking, you helped him get dressed. You turned around as he put on his pants and he attempted to put on the rest of his clothes.

“hey, y/n?”

“Yes, Jae?”

Jaehyun never liked it in the beginning when you called him “prince” so he told you to call him “Jaehyun” or “Jae” but you would only call him “prince” in public or in front of his parents.

“Can you help me with my shirt, I can never get the strings right.”

You turned and saw Jaehyun with a bare, pale, chest. You took the ends of the strings and delicately laced them in his shirt. You tried to not stare, but you couldn’t help but think:

“since when did he have abs?”

Last time you saw Jaehyun’s stomach was when you were children playing your stomaches like drums. You finished his laces and didn’t realize how close his face was to yours. Your lips only lightly brushed against his and you turned away blushing while Jaehyun laughed at your reaction. As you turned he held your waist and rested his head on your shoulder.

“y/nnnnn why did you have to wake me up I'm so tireddd.”

“C’mon y/n!”

“No, Jae we have to get back ins-“

“Just ONE race, unless…”

“what?”

“you’re chicken”

“WHAT”

follow me for updates and to follow the series! also dm me your thoughts i would love to know 🥺

~ n ✧*:･ﾟ

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