#DukeOfCaladan

[hearthofvesta-archived]

[ PIN ]:     sender pins the receiver to the ground and straddles them while training together. [Poe or Leto]

The moment the young Duke was on his back, he couldn’t help staring up at her. It had happened all so quickly and he wasn’t sure exactly where he had lost focus. Hawat already shaking his head at the display while Leto lied there in awe… “It seems you have bested me… Even if I was a little distracted…” He whispered the last part before running a hand through his dampened curls and panting just a little.

“You should think about joining my military. You would rise through the ranks like Duncan and even Gurney…” He spoke and knew that they would easily find a place for her amongst the others. She would be welcomed with no issue but would she even want to stay here.

[therapardalis]

[Five Senses Meme from @hearthofvesta​‘s Leto.]

[ 𝐑𝐄𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐄 ] ― sender and receiver see each other again after a period of being apart.

------------

She had missed him.

The journey to Kaitain had been no place for her. It was no place for Leto, either, if you listened to him, but there was no way he could dismiss the Emperor’s invitation. It made perfect sense that he’d taken Thufir with him rather than her; a simple assistant taken on such a prestigious trip? There would have been questions.

And the Mentat was far more experienced in such matters than she, less likely to mis-step. Or so she told herself over and over, so she barricaded her thoughts behind. Her fears. That surely once he was away from the Castle and away from her, he would forget about her.

Her throat had been squeezed in a vise ever since the ship had been seen approaching the landing pad, and she was tempted to not join the others in going to receive the Duke on his arrival home. Because what if he didn’t want to see her? What if distance and clearer air had changed his mind? What if she was imagining it all in the first place?

Wind whipped her hair as she stood behind Paul, beside Gurney, who gave her what might have been a sympathetic look. Watching the oh-so-familiar figure walk down the ramp and approach them, travel-stiffness in his gait and a tiredness in his eye. Thera swallowed, ignored the gnawing of doubt in her chest as she contrived a greeting smile.

“Welcome home.”

[hearthofvesta-archived]

The celebrations on Caladan were Leto’s favorite. It gave him more of a chance to meet with his people and hear their words. Learn about them. It was also a chance for Paul to do the same. See what set them apart from the others when it came to ruling. Other leaders didn't dare try to get to know their people. Leto had worked with the fisherman when he was a teenager because his father thought it made him understand where his food came from. There had been times the old Duke had made Leto go out and fish for his meal. Lessons were learned.

Now, he was behind clothes doors with her. Hands reaching to bring her closer to him, have her warmth right beside him despite how heavy his eyes were.

The sheets were always so inviting and he couldn't help but reach out to tuck a piece of her hair behind her ear. Smiling into their kiss as he pressed his forehead to hers. “I do what I can for Caladan, my people, and my family...” He whispered softly while his fingers ran up and down her hip.

Her words made his heart swell with love before he pulled her closer, squeezing her hip. Pressing his lips to hers once more and guiding them into a rather long, slow kiss. Pouring all the love and admiration into their kiss.

“I only want you to love me as deeply as this. There is no one else in this universe for me Jess. Only you...” The Duke whispered against her lips. Kissing her between each word that he could...

[ 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐊 ] ― sender and receiver fall into bed together on silk sheets (Leto and Jessica) @hearthofvesta

Caladan was quiet for now, though celebrations had rung out for hours and hours throughout their fine city and Jessica was glad to finally have a moment alone with her lover. Tiredness ached throughout her body, but was eased the moment that Leto’s tender grasp lowered her to their shared bed. 

 Luxuriating for a moment on the silk sheets, the concubine to the duke gave a soft chuckle as she pulled him near, capturing his lips and guiding him down onto the sheets beside her. ❝ You are a beloved leader, Leto. ❞ She whispered, moving to turn onto her side and kicking off her shoes over the end of the bed. Fingertips reached up to brush along his cheek, thumbs grazing the line of his beard and her eyes soft and adoring.

❝ But none of your peoples could ever love you as deeply as I do. ❞

[ariadne-inthesky]

Plotted starter for @dukeofcaladan

He slayed the dragon and saved the princess and they lived happily ever after. At least, that was what they said in holos. The prince and the princess lived happily ever after and were remembered as good and kind and fair and beloved in songs and tales. But holos were holos. Nothing more than the dreamy figments of creative minds, putting balm on the grim and dull reality of everydays. Ariadne was too old for holos, anyways. But old enough to be married. To finally be useful in the grand scheme of things. Not only useful, but all that while being at the other end of the Uncharted Territories, far away from where her existence was a stain. A mistake. An error. A shame. But soon, Ariadne will make amends. Clear, at least in part, the fault she bore by simply existing. Soon, Ariadne will be wed. She will be wed, finally and not only that, but wed above her ranks. Far above them. A great moment for the Greyhall family - Ariadne was still the firstborn of a firstborn, soon to become a Duchess. Was she joyful ? Was she excited ? Would you be, if you only learned of your betrothed’s name and rank in the ship taking you there, 18 hours after having been given the order to pack for your wedding ? Would you be if you knew you left your ancestral home for a planet you had never ever heard off, so far away that it was certain you would never see your mother again ? She felt the dip in her stomach announcing the final descent of the ship - or was it dread ? - eyes glued to the window. Watching the landscape sharpen, islands and mountains revealing themselves under the clouds. And the sea. So much sea around. She had never seen so much sea in all of her sheltered life - and she had to admit, it was rather beautiful. Islands. A continent. Villages and cities and trees and mountains and rocks and fields. The sea, again. A sprawling city with a magnificent castle at the top. And still the sea, omnipresent, with beaches, followed by plains and fields. A thud, finally and Ariadne blinked, snapping back into her usual emotionless stance. The ship had landed gracefully and passengers were busying themselves - at least the servants and guards were - for the dispatching of baggage and people. Especially people, under the cold, watchful eye of Grüser Greyhall, with Nahu, her mother, at his side. Silent. Affected. And Ariadne, in all that ? She waited. Impassible - every move and attitude being subject to Grüser’s harsh judgement - yet terrified. Her breath suddenly heavier in her chest. They had landed on Caladan. There was no turning back, now.

[krvla]

@dukeofcaladan​ / LETO

‘ . . . it won’t happen again , father. ’ His voice is quiet , gaze focused upon the ground. ‘ . . . I got a bit distracted , that is all. ’

[rcfekjwtaardby-moved]

@dukeofcaladan [x]

It was one of the hardest battles. There were a lot of wounded left. If it hadn't been for Dr. Yueh, Kix wouldn't have had time to help everyone. But the well-coordinated work of doctors helped save the lives of many soldiers. Kix loved his job. He became a doctor precisely because he wanted to save lives. But sometimes his patients gave him a hard time, forgetting to follow his recommendations or trying to heal themselves.

When Kix had a free moment, he went once more to make sure that he and Dr. Yueh had not missed anyone. Noticing the bloodied Duke Leto Atreides. Probably the duke decided to take care of his wound on his own.

"Your Grace, let me help you with this."

Kix suggested softly.

[galaeus]

plotted starter / @dukeofcaladan​ .

WARMTH. It’s what she’s inhaled most since she’s arrived to the sandy beaches of Caladan, drunk on the vastness of oceans not yet frozen over. The window overlooking the shore is almost too much to move away from -- though she forces a steady breath in when the one they call Duke arrives to meet her. The one she would serve, should they approve her willingness to fight as a refugee indebted to their kindness.

"Are they always like that?” No greeting, no bow. Just a question that slips the mind when the doors open. “The waves. They’re... calm.”

[therapardalis]

“Very well, thank you ... not surprisingly. Yourself?”

"And good morning to you, my Duke."

“Good morning, m’lady. How did you sleep?”

[informationbrcker]

name: Vesta.

nickname: Vest, Elmo, Psyduck...

age: the good ole age of 27.

currently reading: Odd Thomas, Crescent City, Dune Messiah, Dune: House Atreides, and some Star Wars books.

favorite color: Forest Green.

favorite flower: Alstroemeria

number of muses: 6 I think but I'm counting the multi muse as one.

their urls:  ofrebelroots, midnitemission, dukeofcaladan, ducchampilot, hearthofvesta, and here.

favorite muse of yours: Leto, Poe, Marc, and Eris. I can't pick.

favorite show: MK, Stranger Things, Criminal Minds, and whatever else can keep my could.

number of followers:  23

number of drafts atm: Not sure tbh.

number of starters:  starters? pfft. I'm too lame for that...

last movie you saw: Annihilation.

tagged by: @mxrkymark and @thxwxlf

Tagging: Anyone who wants to. I don't know anyone who is cool with me pestering them.

[ofrebelroots]

|| Hi, Vesta here. So, I’m gonna be absent for a few days on this blog and @dukeofcaladan, and @reclusiveceo.

There’s been a sudden passing in my family of someone who I was really close to and I am not handling it well. I will finish the remaining draft here and on the other accounts. I can’t promise that I’m going to be popping up and checking in.

Discord is gonna be where I will be if you want to check in and even then I’m not sure if I’ll be able to communicate a lot. This is something that has came out of the blue and I’m not entirely sure of my own feelings.

xoxox, be patient and I shall return.

Vesta.

[therapardalis]

[Dancing Meme from @hearthofvesta​‘s Leto.]

“I look dumb right now, don’t I?” ------------

“Honestly? You look ...” Very handsome, supplied the part of her mind that noticed these things at the worst possible moment, and was quickly pushed aside, “ ... like you have itching powder in that uniform and you want to scratch it off.” Or at least, that’s what Thera hoped was the reason for Leto hunching just a little in his formal attire, buttoned up to the neck with the Atreides Hawk symbols on the collar. The other possibility was that he was uncomfortable around her, specifically, and she really didn't want that to be so.

What she did want ... well, if she even actually knew it was likely a pipe dream, But she liked to think that they were at ease with each other, at the very least. Enough to get through the ball and the formal announcement of Rhombur and Ilesa’s betrothal, if nothing else.

"But if you were going to ask me to dance, we can both look dumb together?”

[hearthofvesta-archived]

'Domesticity' for Leto (hot drink optional 😁).

His hands carefully held the cup of tea while he closed his eyes for a moment. The words and numbers were starting to all become one and he wasn't sure how much he could keep reading. “I think I might call it an early day...” He whispered before leaning his head against hers. A little tired sigh leaving his lips before he reached up to take her hand in his. “What do you say? A nice walk or perhaps just going to lie in bed for a few hours...”

Nothing could be better than them taking the rest of the day and spending it together. It was rare that he took the day for himself... Most would be shocked not to see him hold court or be in his study.

“Sneak off to the fishing cabin...”

[hearthofvesta-archived]

[ SWORD ]:    sender invites the receiver to engage in sword fighting practice with them. [Leto]

It had been some time since Leto had trained. There were always other matters to attend to but he still was as sharp as ever. Or he felt that he was. Today was a rare opportunity for him to escape the study and made his way to where his Warmasters did their training and he watched from the sides. Everyone seeming straightening more as their Duke watched them.

Seeing Thera train was also, something that he couldn't help but notice. Her movements were fluid and remind him more of dance at times. Standing with his hands behind his back, he chuckled when she invited him to train with her. “Oh? You want me to join you?”

[therapardalis]

[Hurt/Comfort Meme from @hearthofvesta​’s Leto.]

“   Don’t  beat  yourself  up  over  this .   Be  kind  to  yourself ,   it’s  not  your  fault .   ” ------------

“Yes, I know ...” Thera sighed, arms folded across her front. Looking out the wide windows of the study, she could see the ‘offended’ party of the District Mayor and his sons, flouncing off back to their groundcar rather than take up the hospitality they’d been offered to stay. “Obviously his time was far more important than yours.”

That hadn’t been exactly the problem; it wasn’t so much that the group had been made to wait for their audience with the Duke, but that she was the one telling them so. A woman, of all people, standing firm and refusing to bend to their demands. The sound of car doors slamming carried up to them and she winced a little, eyes scrunched. “I know it’s not my fault, I just ... think I should have been able to fix it somehow.”

[therapardalis]

[ @hearthofvesta​ from here.]

-

“I do not believe it’s about any marriage proposals. He knows my stance on those. I believe it’s more about another planet…” Leto spoke. Fearing that he might have to leave his homeworld sooner than he could handle. Caladan was everything to him. Where he grew up. This was home and he didn’t want to leave. Even if he thought he could do what was best for another planet. It wasn’t up to him.

“I leave in two weeks. You are welcome to join me.” He offered her as he sat back in his seat and rested his hands on the table. Ignoring Shaddam was foolish. The Emperor was a jealous man and often feared when someone became too popular. When he was overlooked but he adored his dear cousin, Leto. “He would not enjoy me ignoring him too much…”

“To my knowledge, they are around Paul’s age, hopefully. They won’t even look at me. It’s more so Shaddam possibly wanting me to take on more responsibilities than I care for ... do not fret, m’lady.”

“Well, that’s some small relief!” Smiling as she spoke. Do not fret, he assured, and with a deep breath Thera would do her best to comply. She circled around the table toward him, rested her hip against it as her fingertips traced his ear. The words ‘another planet’ nipped at her, creased a hint of a frown on her brow. That was a weightier matter than any betrothal-of-convenience, even if she hadn’t only suggested that in jest.

She could also mention it was more difficult when Leto seemed to be fretting himself, but that would be no help to either of them. Instead, she canted her head and returned to what had raised her eyebrows when said.

“Join you?” Raised her eyebrows and caught her breath by being unexpected, “To Kaitain? Is ...” A hesitation, glancing down then back, “I mean ... yes, I would like that. But is it wise?” She would go with him in a heartbeat, and the very thought of setting foot on the Emperor’s world ... her parents would have absolute fits. But at the core she was still only a soldier, an ‘assistant’ and woefully inexperienced in such things.

A wry smile tugged as her fingers moved along his jaw, stroking gently under his beard. “You know I’m not very good at being a diplomat ...”

[hearthofvesta-archived]

“   I  never  really  cared  about  impressing  anyone  until  I  met  you .   ” [Leto]

The  Duke  stood  on  the  balcony  watching  the  sea  as  he  looked  at  her.  “Impress  me?”  He  asked  to  just  make  sure  that  he  heard  her  correctly.  Leto  didn’t  believe  himself  to  be  any  different  from  others.  Even  if  he  was  the  Duke.  Leto  did  everything  he  could  to  make  sure  that  no  one  ever  felt  that  they  needed  to  be  a  certain  way  around  him.  He  welcomed  all  how  they  were.

“I  am  merely  a  man.  A  man  who  happens  to  be  a  Duke,  but  still  just  a  man.”  Leto  chuckled  as  he  moved  to  stand  beside  her  and  placed  his  hand  on  the  small  of  her  back.  “You  are  an  incredible  woman,  Thera.  There  is  no  need  to  go  out  of  your  way  or  anything…”

The  waves  that  crashed  below  them  made  him  look  back  out  to  the  sea  and  he  let  out  a  sigh.  Never  had  he  wanted  to  make  her  feel  that  she  needed  to  be  in  a  certain  way.