#( ft. royce van doren. )

[aiylabaysal]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, L 🥳🎉🎊🎂

dearest friend! I hope you had the happiest birthday. in honor of you and all the fun things we’ve been cooking up together, here is a little gift featuring the not ship that took sail, one that I hope you love. thank you for being such a fun person to write with, and also a great friend to talk to 💛 and thank you for always being so sweet and kind, and for putting up with all my silly ideas, haha!

AIYLA ♥ ROYCE • JUL 13, 2024

[moonglowmagic]

Where: Peggy’s Diner

Who: @jroycethethird

Poppy put her fork down as she finished digging into her pancakes and looked up at Royce for a second. “So we going to talk about the fact you do have a heart and bod for me last night?” She asked, as she pulled up the list of witches on her phone to see who else had checked in. Which so far had been almost everyone, but a few stragglers she’d have to track down later. “Which I know you say you don’t want this job, but honestly Royce you are probably the best person for it.” Telling him softly as she put her phone face down on the table. “Also I’m the idiot who promised the Catalyst a favor.” It had been stupid, but there was no way she could have competed with the bids so she did what she could. Knowing that Linden of course wouldn’t bid for himself. “I just— Linden wasn’t going to so I…” Shaking her head as she put her hands over her face. “Are you sure you don’t want this job? I mean if you do just say the word and it’s yours. I’ll step out of the way.” At least maybe the ancestors wouldn’t be pissed off at her anymore all the time and telling her constantly how she was failing the coven. 

[moonglowmagic]

─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Dilan had the directions in her hands and began to flip through them until she realized they were in Swedish. Which while she was versed in a number of languages this wasn’t exactly one she’d ever bother learning. After a few seconds she tossed the instructions back to Royce, figuring since he was the man he could take charge and lead them to building this thing. While she wasn’t exactly thrilled to be paired up with him given the fact him and her supposed fae queen had cost her the win in capture the flag. “Do I look like I would be that well versed in this kinda thing?” She asked with an attitude not even bothering to look at him as she stood up. “Aren’t you the advisor or something so you should be good at leading us.” Turning to face him as she dug her heels into the ground. “Or do your talents stop at distractions?”

setting: during the paired activity

featuring: j. royce van doren iii & dilan selvi @moonglowmagic

As he stood there above packages of nails and hardware, wooden slats and legs and pieces that would (hopefully) come together to make an IKEA OLDERDALEN Nightstand, Royce began to ponder whether or not he had ever had to put anything together on his own in before. He supposed the closest he really ever came were the few times he took helm on restoring parts of his cars, or putting up new gallery displays at Art In Motion. But this — this was an entirely different story. And he was ashamed to admit that his gut instinct upon opening the instruction manual was to call a member of his staff. But before he’d even dialed their number, he remembered the whole point of everything. The person he was to rely on to help was not on his payroll — instead it was the pixie assigned to work with him during this paired bonding. Glancing at Dilan, Royce wordlessly offered the manual before picking through the packaged nuts, bolts, wooden dowels, and hardware for the nightstand hinges. At least, he thought that was what they are. “How well versed are you in putting these kinds of contraptions together?” He asked as he rolled up his shirt sleeves, gazing at the pieces with a quizzical brow. Wasn’t furniture supposed to already come put together? What was the point in furniture manufacturers if they didn’t finish the damn job?

[moonglowmagic]

With: @jroycethethird

Where: Art In Motion 

Poppy had already tried the front door twice so she’d resulted to breaking in the back door using her magic. Closing the door behind her as she made her way through the gallery. Finally locating Royce in an empty room and she walked up behind him quietly. “That piece is stunning.” Poppy complimented as she crossed her arms and stood next to him. “Did you just get it?” She asked curiously, turning her attention towards him. “Also you look better than when I last saw you.” She attempted to joke, but knew it fell flat. “On a serious note how are you feeling?” She softly asked. “Unless you don’t want to talk about that and would prefer to know what’s happened since you’ve been gone?”

[moonglowmagic]

Who: @jroycethethird

Where: Coven Headquarters

"Magic is out." Poppy told him flatly as she walked into his office and hopped up on the edge of his desk. Getting comfortable as she crossed one leg over the other, she looked over at him with her blue eyes before she finally smiled. "You know it's kinda nice that you can't read my every thought for once." Giving a laugh for a moment, she picked up a pen off his desk and started to write in the notepad in front of her. "So who do we think did dark magic?"

[moonglowmagic]

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Watching as he pushed the pancake around with his fork and didn’t eat it cause her to frown. “Do you want something else? We can go somewhere else or we can get you something you’ll actually eat.” She tried to offer in the hopes it wouldn’t just be her eating this morning, that he’d actually eat too. “Was it really? Because the smarter investment would have been to buy us both a seat so we could have got out together. Not just one of us.” She pointed out as she leaned back against the booth seat. “Have you met me?” She asked with a soft laugh. “Property damage is also kinda my MO.” She reminded him, it was clearly easy to forget that she’d almost burnt down the inn on New Years.

At his words she looked down and couldn’t bring herself to say out loud the fact that he wasn’t a resurrected and was whole. While she was now a witch who had to rely on the coven for even her magic. That he was together and calm, everything that she wasn’t and wished she could be. “Royce you’re just the better fit. You’re rational and logical. I’m all emotions and impulsive.” She explained softly as she reached over and took the napkin from the container and started to fuss with it. 

Ripping it into tiny pieces as she made a little mountain at his reaction and she knew that she had fucked up. She didn’t want to repeat herself especially not to him, she was half scared that he would yell at her. Instead she just began to rip apart the paper more quickly, adding to her already growing pile. “I don’t have money like you Royce. I couldn’t just buy my way out of it.” She countered back harshly. “Okay? And I’ll decline her. I mean she didn’t hold up her end of the deal anyways. So what she gives me payback and kills me? I can live with that.” She honestly could. Especially since it would help stop the feeling of pain she was constantly in, reaching up and rubbing her chest where she’d been impaled, but despite everything there wasn’t even a mark to remember it by. Just a phantom scar and phantom ghosts of Kyle and Alyssa hanging around to remind her that she was doing everything wrong. “I wasn’t going to let my brother die. That’s not how I work Royce. It’s all of us or nothing. I’m his literal twin. Can you even imagine the pain I would feel if I lost him?” It would be unimaginable, much like she was sure Linden went through when he lost her. “It was a blanket offer.” Sinking into her seat lower as she finished ripping up the napkin and went to grab another. 

When he asked the million dollar question Poppy stayed silent for a long time. “I use to.” She admitted softly, tucking her hair behind her ear. “I loved being the supreme and the fact that they chose me. But they have stopped talking to me other than to bitch about how I’m wrong and they made a mistake and I shouldn’t have came back.” She explained, looking down at her hands and she pulled at her rings nervously. She’d been trying to talk about this for months but never knew exactly how to bring it up. “I should have died Royce. I did die.” Figuring the urge to put her hand back to her chest. “I think when I came back that something inside broke.” Continuing on with her voice barely above a whisper, she didn’t want this to be public knowledge that she felt this way. Feeling tears well up in her eyes as she fought them off and she went to climb out of the booth. “I shouldn’t be even discussing this. I’m sorry. I just thought you knew.” She had always just assumed he was tuned into her thoughts like a radio, much like Linden. “I should go. I shouldn’t be burdening you with this. I’m so sorry Royce.” With that she got up and took off out the diner door.

He pressed his fork against the thick pancake, watching with a grimace as the maple syrup oozed out of it. Half fascinated, half grossed out, Royce couldn’t remember a time he had sat in a diner and had pancakes. Sure, he’d sat at a diner for burgers and fries a couple times when he wanted to “seem like one of the people,” but he mostly only ever dined in a place with Michelin stars, or ate the food of the impressive cooks he shelled out hard cash to employ. Had they ever served him a stack of flapjacks drowning in maple syrup? Any deep reflection on American diner breakfast was lost as a voice cut through his thoughts, Royce pausing mid prod of his fork to glance across the table at Poppy Reed with a cocked brow. Carefully sawing out a small piece of pancake with the side of his fork, he speared the piece but made no moves to eat it as he replied rather flippantly. “That’s not having a heart, that’s making a smart investment. If the Catalyst actually played by the rules of her own game, you’d have been set free and likely found a way to get everyone out. One that I hope wouldn’t cause property damage.” Honestly, that hole was ridiculous.

He contemplated the bite of pancake again but lowered his fork as his shoulders slumped. “Why do you think that?” He replied to her question with one of his own. Something seemed a bit off about the Supreme since last summer, but Royce was never one to prod. He didn’t like others meddling in his life, so he tried not to in theirs. Even if he could literally read their minds, he had learned to stay out of where he wasn’t welcome unless he was invited or felt it necessary. He hadn’t been reading Poppy’s mind diligently, he wondered if that should change. She had a tendency to bring this topic up a couple times recently.

He dropped his fork with a clank. “You did what?” He ran his hands through his hair, ruffling it up just a tad before smoothing his dark locks. “Poppy, what could possess you to think offering a favor to the town’s mortal enemy was a bright idea? What if she tries to make you do something really heinous?” Of course, her brother, why were these families so desperate to be martyrs for each other? “If Lindor Truffles didn’t want to save himself, that’s on him, but that offer…” A few dollars meant nothing, not in comparison to owing their biggest threat a favor. He pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming on. “Was there anything specific you offered, or is that entirely at the former sheriff’s whim?” He groaned at her offer, having said enough times he didn’t want to be the Supreme, leaning back into the booth’s chair as his mind swirled with the potentials of what an evil mastermind could request of the leader of the coven instead. If only he could offer himself up instead of Poppy, he was for all intents and purposes the more disposable of the two. Another advisor could easily be acquired, choosing a new Supreme when he would refuse it was another game.

“Do you want the job?” He asked her seriously, picking up the cup of coffee he haphazardly ordered and taking an experimental sip. It was okay, not gutter water like he presumed, but he still set it aside. “The ancestors chose you, Poppy, that’s how this whole bit in the coven works. They chose you, and we are supposed to believe that’s the right choice. I have decided since day one that this is the right choice, but do you think it was? Do you even want to be Supreme? Because that’s twice since sitting down you’ve tried to offer it to me.” He was quiet before softening. “Why do you lack the confidence in yourself, if this is what you were meant to be?”

[moonglowmagic]

─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

“You act like this is my first time breaking and entering.” Giving a laugh at his words. She’d became a master of getting in and out of places, especially places Alyssa didn’t want her to be. “Your precious door is fine.” She promised, putting up both her hands to show she hadn’t broke a thing. “Why did you wait all this time to display it?” She questioned. “It is very spring though and a nice addition to all the art already here.” Letting her eye scan the room as she took in the various different pieces that were hanging close to them for a brief moment until he spoke again. At his words she just shrugged and avoided putting her hands to her chest where she’d been impaled. Sure the wound might have healed physically, but nothing else had really. She was still haunted by Kyle and Alyssa, still woke up with nightmares, and found herself wondering constantly if she’d came back wrong. Shoving her hands in her back pockets as she shifted her weight from one foot to another. “Wounds heal. Doesn’t mean there’s not scars.” Finally saying aloud for both of them to hear. At his okay she narrowed her eyes, but didn’t question any further. Figuring if he didn’t want to talk then she wouldn’t push him, she’d tried that with Meena before and it’d went poorly every time. “I get that, but if you need someone to talk to ever. I’m here.” Offering up even though she figured he’d never actually take her up on it considering it was Royce after all. “Want some help hanging stuff up while I go over everything?” She asked as she watched him go to hang another painting. “I’m pretty good at nailing stuff against a wall.” She joked playfully. “Well I punished Jasmine and she’s currently wearing the cuffs.” It had practically killed her to punish Jasmine for bringing her back when it’d been a group decision. Especially after it’d been almost a year since the incident had even happened. “Which she’ll also be leaving the coven.” She informed him sadly, she knew it was their fail safe at this point so Jasmine wouldn’t be stripped of magic in case something happened to one of them. “Briar currently hates me for our decision with Rohan so that’s fun. Linden and Jamie are back in town. Bexley is scared of my dad. Which go figure half the town is, but she was out here having me think we had another problem on our hands.” She rambled on continuously about the coven. “Sure you want to come back to this mess?” She asked with a laugh. “I mean I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to leave me and take off running for the hills.” 

He didn’t need to look up when she got closer, people’s minds always gave them away before their mouths did. And the security app on his phone alerted him to what happened. Honestly, why were people using the gallery’s back door however they pleased? Carefully putting up a new piece, Royce stood back with his hands tucked into the pockets of his trousers, appraising it with his head tilted. “I hope you’re prepared to compensate for any damage to that door,” he called out before she entered, eyes still on the painting as she complimented it. “No, I picked it up at an auction in Vienna about… 8 or so months ago. I figured it was good to put some nature themed work out for spring.” He huffed in slight amusement, a small outward puff of air, before his eyes flickered to meet hers. “I suppose that’s the funny thing about healing, one’s condition does improve over time,” he quipped. Royce pulled out a hand from his pocket, his fore finger and thumb curled in the universal sign for “O.K.” before replying, “Très bien,” in a perfect French accent. “You know I’m not the sentimental type, so you might as well get to the business parts of the conversation,” he said with a dismissive wave of his hand, moving to grab another painting to place onto the wall space adjacent to the one he just put up. They were small, beautiful landscape pieces, depicting faraway corners of the European countryside in gorgeous colors. Perfect for spring, for renewal and hope. He thought that would be the theme of their next big gallery event, his mind ticking through creative ways to implement illusions and magic from various workers to amp up the showcase and space.

[moonglowmagic]

─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

At his sarcasm she held up her middle finger to him to let him know she was less than amused with it. Watching as he played on his phone for the moment, she looked around his office boredly looking at the pictures on his walls. When he finally spoke again though she gave a laugh. “Personally I love it, because for once my thoughts are my own and they can be of whatever I like. No having to monitor and sensor my every words and thought. It’s a beautiful thing.” She pointed out with a smile still on her face. “Sure there’s not.” Rolling her eyes at his words. “Pretty sure it was inflicted.” She summered out as she started to write down those who had been infected by her fathers late Christmas present to his children. “Well the only person with a real past is—“ She started to say when she felt her phone vibrate. Reaching back to her pocket and she pulled out the what she considered to be too large of a phone. Ignoring his question for a moment, she just stared at the words on the screen. “No, it wasn’t one of my siblings.” She finally choked out, before putting the phone down next to her on his desk. “Mystery is over I guess.” Closing up her book as she tapped on the screen and let him read the text from Rohan. 

“Kinda sad we didn’t get to play Scooby gang there, Fred.” She teased after a moment to break the air of silence that had fallen over her for once. “Guess since we know who it is now we have to talk about it.” She barely wanted to discuss what next steps would be especially with this being Rohan’s second offense with black magic. Hopping down off his desk and she looked over at him. “Want to get out of here for a bit and go get a coffee or something?” 

“Oh you don’t say,” it was said in a flippant, sarcastic way, Royce glancing over the rim of his glasses in a barely there greeting for the Supreme as she entered the office. He was tapping away at his phone, sending out rushed, but professional, messages postponing business meetings and the like until further notice. That call to Osaka would have to wait until his Omnilingual abilities came back — he so loathed using an interpreter. Dropping his phone haphazardly on the desk — because if even the smallest crack marred the screen he’d just buy another, naturally — Royce laced his fingers over his resplendent and expensive suit and cocked his head as he appraised Poppy. “Personally I’m having an absolute ball without it,” the dripping sarcasm again, “There’s absolutely no wonderful use to being able to read minds. Good riddance.” His nose wrinkled, Royce could be so moody and this sudden loss of magic was a reason to be a little persnickety in his book. “He leaned so far back that his legs stretched out past the desk, suit becoming a little crumpled though he didn’t seem to care, as he thought about her question. “Best place to start is whoever was afflicted, inflicted, whatever the term was, back on New Years — taste the dark magic once, you could grow a deep rooted desire for more. Alternatively, anyone with a past that could include, at the very least, exposure to it… Any outliers, or misfits in the coven, anyone who seems on the fringe or suspicious in any way…” Royce waved his hand about as he spoke. Was he being a bit general because he forgot half the names of coven members? Possibly, but he figured this could narrow the list. “I take it no Reed-slash-St. Claire is responsible? To the best of your knowledge, I mean.” It wasn’t accusatory in any way, just an observation to narrow things down.