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[madschiavelique]

A Crown Of Ink : Chapter 10 - Three of Cups

summary : you are invited to a masquerade, and between battling to find a decent dress and the expectations of conducting oneself in high society, you manage to pull it off

content warnings : masquerade shit idk, reader putting men back in their places because duh, for reference here are the link to reader (the pic on the right) and viktor's outfit for the masquerade (art made by me)

word count : 8,5k

author's note : omygoodness, i’m so dubious about this chapter. i could NOT not give viktor some khôl sexy eyes okay. i just did and i don't regret it. also!!! i moved the taglist down the doc now hehe

proofread by the lovely @yaffles-world <3

masterlist : here ．．discord : here ．．playlist : here

"Really now?"

You looked at yourself in the mirror, your head barely visible above a fluorescent orange collar with multiple layers piling up on top of each other like lasagna.

Who would have thought that finding a dress was such a long and difficult job?

You'd already been in a few shops in Piltover for a good hour each. You'd been going from boutique to boutique for nearly three hours already, and you were beginning to lose hope about the possibilities open to you regarding your outfit.

Tonight was the gala, and you still hadn't found a dress. You'd probably imagined that the matter would be sorted out quickly. That, by some miracle or other, you would find a dress that was chic and presentable enough to wear to a masquerade.

But the clock was ticking, while your search continued unabated. Sélène and Sky had both come to accompany you, and the two of them had enough in common that the teacher-student barrier was forgotten and she just saw her as a friendly aunt.

Sélène had this extraordinary ability to always be open, to see everyone as an equal, no matter what their age or background was. It was an immense and admirable quality, coupled with her extraordinary patience to hold out and persevere in finding you a superb evening outfit.

You had tried on so many dresses that you thought you could now recognise every possible material a dress could be made of. You'd tried silk and velvet, pleats of tulle or organza, all sorts of cuts that made you look either too invested in this evening or far too casual.

You knew that, once you entered the gala hall, it would be an arena. A constant battle of eyes tearing at the others, comments on their appearances, their words - passive-aggressive phrases disguised as condescending benevolence. 

You could understand why Jayce didn't want to face such a world, always so hungry for crumbs that left stomachs screaming to invent new words and cover the world with a layer of sneaky ridicule.

Speaking of ridiculous, the outfit you were now wearing completed the criteria. 

You turned to Sky and Selene who, with a knowing glance, sighed in turn. You returned to the cabin, removing the dress and putting on your clothes again with annoyance.

"Maybe I should just tell Jayce I can't make it," you concluded as you left the cabin.

"No way in hell," chuckled Selene.

"Maybe we should try the other side of the river?" Sky suggested, after seeing that there was no one around to overhear.

Zaun owned huge dressmaking houses, however they clashed with Piltover’s aesthetic. If word got out that one of the guests at this prestigious gala was wearing couture from the enemy city... you didn't know what that would do to your reputation and the strings that would be pulled to constrain you in your aims.

"No," replied Selene, her eyes fixed on you as a flash of lucidity seemed to cross her mind. She gave you both a wise smile. "There's still a wardrobe in Piltover where you'll probably be able to find something."

She then turned to Sky, offering her a charming smile and taking both her hands, squeezing them gratefully.

"Sky sweetheart, I'll be taking over from now on. I thank you immensely for your time and your very pleasant company." She turned to you for a moment. "Dear, give me one of those tickets Jayce gave you."

You complied, handing her one of the tickets still looking crisply printed, which she handed to Sky.

"Go on a little shopping trip and get yourself some treats. You've earned it."

Sky looked deeply surprised, exchanging a glance with you for a moment as you shrugged, equally confused.

Selene turned to you. "As for us, we've got some real archaeological work to do."

The two of you returned to Selene's flat as Sky had left, exchanging one last minute and promising to tell each other absolutely everything once you got back from the Gala.

"What card did you draw today?" she asked as she opened the door to her dressing room.

You watched as she grabbed a small stepladder. "Three of Cups."

"Aha," she smiled as she climbed onto it, scanning the shelves above, "the cards know about this little soirée."

The little booklet was starting to feel a lot more familiar now: Joy shared with others. Friendship and celebration. The expression of love and warm feelings.

It all seemed very positive, you thought, as you continued to read the page. The Cups reflect the sacred triad of creativity and growth. This card reminds you to share with others. Empowering others increases your happiness, health and wealth. Surround yourself with people who uplift you.

Talk about elevation, you'd find yourself surrounded on all sides by aristocrats and other big heads, where the only level that could rise would be that of clever condescension camouflaged under dishonest smiles.

Selene's graceful hands, full of rings, clutched a large black leather suitcase. She blew on it, a cloud of dust rising into the air as she passed it to you.

“What's this?” you questioned as you picked it up, its weight comfortable in your arms as you observed the trunk.

She bent down to grab the handle of a second briefcase, brown and with the varnish starting to peel off the corners. 

"I was around your age when I started getting invited to Galas and other balls of the sort." She descended the small steps of the stepladder, facing you. "I kept all the dresses that some men had offered me."

You smiled, amazed and surprised. "Offered?"

Selene giggled, kneeling on the ground as you did the same.

"They offered me drinks, and the drinks went to the bed, and from the bed came enough adoration that I have to my credit two or three divorces in which I am the centre of the affair." She sighed as she undid the two golden buckles guarding the sealed chest. "They covered me with jewels," your eyes passed over her hands again, "flowers, and on special occasions, dresses."

She opened it, and your lips parted at the beauty of its contents. She pinched an emerald-green piece of fabric, lifting its heavy velvet into the air before you and revealing a winter dress all embroidered with carmine and obsidian stones, dripping like blood.

Another slipped through her fingers, a summer dress in a fine, peachy pink, its sleeves made of organza embroidered with gold embellishments.

Another made you open your mouth until your jaw hit the floor. A long golden dress, with a loose neckline reaching down to just above her navel, while the bare back almost reached her sacrum.

"You wore that?" you almost choked out.

She smiled, raising her eyebrows. "Some of them wanted to uncover me more than cover me."

You laughed softly, opening the black trunk in your lap. The glitter of a black sequined dress was immediately reflected on your skin.

"These are all so beautiful..." you said almost absently, your hand running through the fabric.

The thought then occurred to you that you were going to wear something so expensive and beautiful tonight, but you felt almost unworthy to have any of these dresses on your skin. You were first in the Academy, of course. And you had worked hard to get there. But a masquerade that would surely be attended by all the most important people in Piltover was no mean feat.

"Now," Selene broke through your incessant internal doubts, clutching the first dress that came her way, "let's see how beautiful you look in them."

You smiled softly at her, shyly accepting the piece of art as she stepped out of the dressing room and gave you time to change. 

You held the fabric close to you, the sequins reflecting off your hands as your eyes tried to visualise you wearing that same dress tonight. I must be perfect, you thought.

As you began undressing to put on the dress, a reflection caught your eye. Your attention was drawn to a dark patch peeking out from under an old pink dress.

Drawn in, intrigued, you gently pinched the shoulder of the dress to discover the one hidden beneath. A soft, violet fabric, approaching a dark blue, gleamed in the light from the ceiling, lines of small blue and black stones streaking it from top to bottom.

Purple, you thought, the conversation from the day you visited the museum coming back to mind.

You took the dress in your hands, rising up and letting it unfurl like a waterfall at night. The fabric seemed magical, shimmering like stars on water, glistening like the moon on snow. The neckline ran from around the neck in a V-shape to the centre of the valley of your breasts, a dark, almost black bodice hugging the waist while the skirt came down to the feet. The shoulders were covered, the sleeves parting loosely halfway down the arm until they met at gold bracelets around the wrist.

It was sublimely elegant, dark and mysterious, perfect for a masquerade. You carefully replaced the dress Selene had originally given you in the suitcase, and slipped it on. The fabric was soft against your skin, a slight reassuring weight on your shoulders as the bracelets closed around your wrists with ease. You felt neither too tight nor too loose – a perfect balance. 

Maybe purple wasn't such a bad colour after all.

"So?" called Selene from outside. 

You inhaled, hesitantly opening the dressing room door. Selene was at her vanity, looking in her drawers for the few palettes that might embellish your eyes. She looked away from her search, resting her eyes on you, and her gaze softened.

"Where did you get this one?" you asked, your finger pinching the skirt gently as you gazed at the stones glinting softly in the light.

She moved towards you, tender, as a thin smile stretched her lips, gazing wistfully at the dress on you.

"It was given to me..." her hand came to rest on one of your shoulders, sliding down your arm, "by a man I loved."

"You loved?" you repeated in wonder.

"Mhm," she hummed, her hand reaching for the gold bracelet, index and middle fingers together as if to trace its pulse. She seemed to come back to reality, regaining your eyes. "I'm glad you're wearing it."

She then turned her head to the mirror on her dressing table, taking your wrist gently and pulling it so that you came to sit in front of it. In your reflection, the dress looked stunning, highlighting your figure to perfection and lighting you up.

Selene then picked up a black circular mask, hanging over the mirror.

"Now," she brought the mask up to your face, placing it to make sure it would fit, "it's time for the world to figure out how to resist you."

Your heart was pounding as the music came closer to your ears and your heels echoed in the huge hallway you were walking through.

Selene had done your make-up after you'd showered, spending a good while on your eyes, since they and your lips would be the main attractions. She fixed your hair, gave you a few accessories and found a pair of heels in your size.

You made your way to the masquerade building without much trouble, the cool night air calming the heat in your cheeks. And now that you'd reached the big ballroom, your heart was starting to race in your chest.

What if you stumbled and made a fool of yourself? What if you said something wrong that didn't fit in with high society etiquette? What if you made a mistake?

You tried to breathe, to calm yourself down, to not assume that you were going to fail no matter what. You were the top of the Academy, after all, and defeat feared you. You thought about all the possibilities, and resigned yourself first of all to finding Jayce, who was probably just as lost and scared as you were.

You took one last breath, and turned into the chamber with your head held high.

The room had a high ceiling from which modern crystal chandeliers shone, illuminating the space where all sorts of silhouettes mingled. Some were standing by banqueting tables piled high with petits fours and amuse-bouches, while others were forming clusters of discussion groups, each carrying a champagne flute.

Do as they do, you thought, on the lookout for a waiter who might pass not far from you. With great luck, a charming butler came towards you as if a radar for people without champagne flutes had been grafted onto his eyes. 

You took one, offering him a polite smile. As he prepared to leave, already looking for new people to please, you thought hesitantly to ask him if he'd seen Jayce Talis. But you stopped yourself, instead bringing the drink to your lips to prevent making a fool of yourself. You were in a masquerade, the very principle of which was the doubt and mystery of those with whom you were sharing a discussion.

Fortunately for you, however, you knew Jayce well enough to recognise him in a crowd. Had Viktor even arrived? You had no idea. Perhaps you were alone here, a shrimp trying to pretend to be a shark when an ocean of danger could bring a deadly current at any moment.

You looked around the room a little more closely. On either side, pillars of white marble rose up to a vaulted ceiling covered with superb frescoes. The floor was almost a mirror of it because of its intensive polishing, the black and white tiles creating intricate rosettes which you could no doubt start counting if the evening ever got too boring for your liking. At the far end of the room, three huge windows, almost embedded in the domed ceiling, let you discover the night and its mysteries. There was even a small band playing a steady stream of classical music, much to the delight of everyone it appeared.

The setting was magnificent, the scents of expensive foods and fragrances mingling almost to the point of suffocation. Everyone was wearing quite different colours, but the majority were still in Piltover's gold and white.

Finally your eyes found Jayce, dressed in the colours of his house. It's all about subtlety, you thought as you walked towards him. You hoped that by some miracle he would turn his head towards you and recognise you, so that you wouldn't have to worry about interrupting a conversation.

Alas, he did not. You walked towards them, a sentence ending as you arrived.

"I thought I'd never find you," you said, Jayce and his chatting companion both turning to face you. 

Jayce looked confused for a moment, frowning and hoping he wasn't a complete idiot.

"Do I know y..." You feared the worst when a flash of genius crossed his eyes. "Oh it's you!"

Your shoulders relaxed as the stress subsided.

"I almost didn't recognise you," he admitted, apparently taken aback by your outfit. He turned for a moment to his conversation companion. "If you'll excuse us."

The latter nodded politely as you and Jayce walked away, along one of the buffet tables.

"This place is terrifying," you started, your eyes going around the room as you noticed a few glances being on you relentlessly.

Jayce shrugged, grabbing an appetiser that looked far too sophisticated for you and Sky to be lucky enough to find in the corner shop. "It's not as bad as I thought it would be," he said with his mouth full.

"That's because you're a social butterfly, Jayce," you remarked, your stare stretching across the room as a few eyes rested on you and smiled in what looked like an attempt at flirting from a distance for some. "You're the sunlight of this room."

He stopped chewing for a moment, looking at you with big eyes. "That's probably the nicest thing you ever said to me."

"It's not that complicated - all of them look like they were dipped in wax and can barely crack an actual smile."

"I take that back," he sighed, swallowing his bite.

You turned your attention back to the buffet, plates probably costing more than your salary, containing all sorts of arrangements mixing puff pastas and all sorts of garnishes.

You ventured to take one, exhaling a hum of relief as the taste was absolutely divine. Perhaps you'll be staying near the food this evening? The advantage with them at least was that you didn't risk having to talk yourself to sleep.

"So," you licked your fingers, "will you introduce us to your girlfriend?"

He sighed, his shoulders drooping. "Chances are she'll find you before I find her,” he mumbled, his eyes roaming the room in search of the aforementioned lady. "She's in her element here, but I think you'll recognise her once she comes to you."

You'd seen Mel Medarda before. Selene, who had a metaphorical place on the council, used to take you along from time to time when public meetings such as trials took place. You knew each of the councillors, like most of the people in Piltover, and would no doubt recognise them if the occasion arose.

Mel Medarda, sumptuous woman that she was, had left her mark on you in her beauty, her eloquence and her generosity. You hoped to honour your memory and her greatness by recognising her this evening.

"Is Viktor here with you?" you asked, curiosity winning out over silence.

"Yes," he smiled, raising his eyebrows, "I think he managed to temporarily escape to the toilets."

You brought your champagne flute to your lips. "Smart man."

From across the room, a guest raised her flute to Jayce. 

"Duty calls," Jayce confirmed as he rubbed his hand off of any crust before placing his hand on your shoulder, "don't sweat it in here, just... mingle."

And with that, he left, leaving you at the mercy of a world you despised.

You looked at the dishes, taking a second one in your hand so as not to stand there like another statue in the background. You took a few steps out of sight, trying to savour what little quiet and time you had on your own before anyone requested your attention.

"That is quite an unfamiliar silhouette that I meet."

You turned, your eyes landing on a young woman covered in a dress combining saturnine white, black and gold. 

Mel Medarda.

In her long dress with a skirt slit up her thighs, she looked like an elegant bottle of poison, an addictive elixir that gave you the serenity and comfort of knowing you were in control and that you had someone to talk to if any worries arose.

She had a mouth shaped like a chameleon, ready to take any shape or colour that might interest or uninterest her auditor. Her dark lips quirked into a smile as her eyes crinkled, all covered in gold and dark glitter. There was power in her grin as she moved forward, murmuring I've got lies so handsome you'll never want to believe the Truth, and that would make her jealous. I've got excuses so beautiful you'll want me to betray you to listen to them, so powerful you'll forgive me anything. 

She was the fiercest shark in the pond, and she was coming towards you.

"Councillor," you raised your flute in introduction, trying to gain the same calm and consistency of diplomatic discussions, "I don't think we ever officially met before."

She sighed as she came up to you, shaking her head. "Let us drop the formalities – you're not going in for a discussion joust with me."

You looked startled, Mel dropping her shoulders.

“I know you're a friend of Jayce and Viktor, you're not a part of any of..." she described a graceful circle in the air with her flute, "them."

You relaxed a little. ‘Thank the Hells, I thought I'd have to behave myself and have conversations about a multi-polarised conflict of international importance, or anything of the sort."

She smiled at you, all charming. She was young, if not the same age as you. So how did she go about her day-to-day life, pushing herself to act like an adult whose shoulders bore the weight of big, heavy decisions?

"To simplicity," she toasted.

You raised your flute to hers before taking a sip. Its contents were beginning to dwindle already.

"How did you and Jayce meet?" she asked after her own swig.

"Two years ago, when I first started at the Academy, I was transferred to his class after three months."

"Really? For what reason?" she inquired.

You shrugged. "I'd made enough progress on my year's programme that they were considering moving me to another class. Skipped two classes in my life," you smiled. 

"I'm beginning to understand why you're in first place in the rankings," she nodded, arching an eyebrow.

"Determination can take you a long way," you confirmed. "Jayce passed me the notes of the classes he'd taken since the beginning of the year, and wire by wire the title of classmate blurred into friend."

You thought back for a moment to the afternoons you'd spent poring over Jayce's notes, the question marks he'd drawn over and over again on his papers that you'd ended up completing for him. And when the weekends came and he came to see you at the café, he'd always wait until you had your break to talk about anything and everything with you.

“How about you?” you asked in return. “Haven't had many times this year to sit down and talk with him about his life, but I do want to know about you.”

“What don't you know?” she smiled. “The advantage of advisors is that a lot of their lives are biographed and catalogued.”

“Lucky then that I get to talk to a human being and not a pile of dead leaves,” you remarked.

She nodded gently before tilting her head to one side in consideration.

“I met Jayce after his trial. We had a long discussion and reconsidered his sentence after sharing it with the council. Since then, I've helped finance some of his projects, and the line between the professional and the romantic has blurred.”

“You're sure he's a good boyfriend, aren't you?” you inquired, ”if I find out he's not buying you a bouquet of flowers every week I may well have to perform an urgent intervention to educate him on the subject.”

She laughed softly, amused by your enthusiasm for making sure he was beyond reproach.

“No lesson needed, I assure you,” she confirmed, turning to the rest of the room and making a very subtle gesture with her hand for a butler to come and serve you both again. “How are you enjoying the night so far?”

“Well,” you sighed, ”I haven't made myself any new enemies so that's a good sign. You?”

“I think that if I hear another conversation about a love affair with a 62-year-old priest or a thesis on predictive models of pluripotent stem cell susceptibility, one of these drinks will end up poisoned by the end of the evening,” the butler reached you and poured you a refill, Mel smiling at him. “Thank you.”

She turned back to you.

“You are my breath of fresh air of the evening.” Her eyes drifted over your form for a moment, intrigued. “That's quite a lovely dress, by the way - I haven't seen such garments around here. Where did you find it?” she inquired as she pinched the fabric of one of your sleeves between her long fingers.

“Oh, my mother gave it to me,” you replied, pleasantly surprised that you could talk so calmly and simply without any pressure. “You probably know of Selene?”

Her eyes returned to yours. “Selene? Selene Phathe?”

You nodded, her lip stretching to the side. 

“I wasn't aware she had a daughter.” she remarked. 

“She has many children,” you smiled. “I'm her legal daughter.”

Selene had always had something very maternal, but had inherited the bitterness of infertility. Any child or young person she came across and helped became a bit like her spiritual children, and you knew your siblings were in good hands.

“I see,” Mel said, offering an understanding smile. “I ask her from time to time for readings and such. Everything she's shared with me has turned out to be true. I was quite skeptical about being carried away by such a science, but she managed to convince me of her certainty.”

“Started reading Tarot myself after a few years of getting readings, it's... startling how accurate they are.”

“Truly?” She pressed her shoulder against yours, “you'll have to come visit me to give me a reading someday.” She smiled. “And inform me of any of Jayce's mischief if he ever does any, I'll be sure to correct him on that matter.”

You raised your then-full flute, all smiles. “I'll drink to that.”

She returned the smile, taking a sip before her eyes found those of another guest in the room and she sighed.

“If you'll excuse me, I think I have another boring conversation to attend to.”

“Good luck - you have my support from afar,” you encouraged her as she gracefully made her way to the designated person.

Your eyes then roamed the room again, observing the few outfits the guests were wearing and all the high heels worn by the women who must have been killing their feet... But your eyes found the end of a cane, a cane you knew all too well and which almost appeared in your horizon like a real lifeline in this troubled sea.

You moved forward, your eyes still lowered on the end of the cane as someone blocked your field of vision and you bumped them. 

“I'm sorry,” you uttered immediately, checking to make sure your champagne hadn't spilled as your eyes darted back to the masked ones of-

Tyler?

The fool's blond curls had been partially combed back with gel, his scarlet mask matched by a suit in Councilman Hoskel's colors: Black, Red and Gold.

He frowned, his eyes watching you completely before he realized where he knew that voice from.

“You?” he pronounced with as much disgust, shock and surprise mingling in his voice.

“Equally pleased, Tyler,” you grumbled, moving to extricate yourself from the situation when he grabbed your arm.

Your eyes immediately landed on where his hand was, moving slowly until they found his. How dare he even touch that fabric?

“What are you doing here?” he questioned, still not letting go of your arm.

“Got the invite for the biggest bastard competition, but it's just my luck that you got here. Now I can't win it, so if you'll excuse me-” you tugged again but Tyler kept his grip firm.

“How the hell did you get in there, huh?”

“Through the door, like everyone else. Can you let me go?”

“Where did you get such an empyreal dress?”

“Oh, you learned a new word.”

“It's Talis, isn't it?” He chuckled, finding the situation pitiful. “Thought he could just let you in like this?”

“Did your mother throw the baby away to raise the placenta? I was invited by merit, unlike you,” you almost spat at him. “Now let go of me.”

“Say please, and I'll consider it.”

“Tyler, I'm going to make you soluble so I can dilute you in my piss and dispense you into every flute in this room,” you threatened. “Let go of me.”

He nodded. “That's not how please is pronounced.”

“Her? Saying please, to you?”

You both turned toward the voice that had just spoken to you, the accent now inscribed in your ears.

Viktor.

Your breath seemed to almost supernaturally halt as your eyes fell on him. A purple, almost black velvet coat sat on his shoulders, the collar of his pierced shirt from which golden chain ornaments dangled, reached down to his vest, which elegantly outlined his waist. His black pants, flowing harmoniously down to his ankles, led to perfectly polished black shoes.

As your gaze returned to his face, your eyes locked on his, whose eyelids, beneath his mask of purple velvet and gold, were covered with a layer of kohl. His amber eyes possessed something mystical, mysterious and powerful.

“You too?" huffed Tyler. "It's an epidemic.” 

“Tyler, I believe the Miss asked you politely to leave her alone. I suppose you wouldn't want any rumors to get out about the Hoskel heir and some of his violent behaviours,” Viktor remarked.

Tyler's eyes darted around the room, most of the masked faces turned towards him while many murmured unintelligible things as they watched the scene. His gaze reached yours again, one corner of his lips rising in annoyance as he finally let go of your arm.

“What's vermin like you doing here?” he asked, teeth clenched.

“We've been officially invited,” Viktor marked. “The efforts of the two top-ranking Academy students that we are have therefore been given the opportunity of such an evening to solidify diplomatic ties, with the hope later of obtaining alliances useful to our projects for the common good.”

You had no idea how quickly Viktor had combined all these justifications to give him an air of credibility. The possibility then occurred to you that Jayce and Viktor, before they came here, had probably rehearsed many times what they had to say in case fools like Tyler found themselves playing the curious.

“The standards have obviously gone down,” Tyler chuckled.

“Tell me about it,” you replied, looking at him almost apologetically, as if just seeing him made you feel sorry for him, so worn out was the little that served as his brain.

“Dearest Nephew!” Bombarded a voice.

Councillor Hoskel himself, then accompanied by what you recognized as Councillor Salo, strode towards your merry little group.

“It seems you have never mentioned such a beauty to be part of your acquaintances.” 

The latter's eyes roamed over your figure as his tongue ran over his teeth. The figure was repulsive, one of his ridiculously thin arms against the enormity of his round beer belly nudging Tyler to make the introductions.

“Um,” he suddenly seemed to have lost his good-for-nothing tongue.

“Revealing our identity at a masquerade would defy the very principle of it,” Viktor sighed, exchanging a glance with you.

You had to play along, take on the etiquette of the discussion for an evening. “Exactly,” you declared with a tense smile that you offered to the trio of troublemakers.

“Is this your date?” Hoskel pointed, his slender finger unwinding from his flute to point at Viktor.

“Pardon?” you questioned, close to choking on your own spit.

“For tonight, is this young man your date?” he corrected. “Unless fate has miraculously brought you together with stylists,” he remarked with a greasy laugh.

Exchanging glances with Viktor and your two outfits, it was almost impossible not to notice the fact that, subconsciously, you'd been matching. Anyone seeing you side by side like that might have wondered about it, and the thought brought what you presumed was shame to your cheeks.

“Oh, no,” you laughed nervously. “Sorry, I did not understand.”

He shrugged and nodded arrogantly. “It's normal, pretty and intelligent is rare.”

You suppressed the urge to throw the contents of your flute in his face, given that he himself seemed not to be on his first one for a while now, and decided instead to play in his own court. “Yes, when ugly and stupid is quite common.” 

Tyler's gaze narrowed as much as his uncle's and Councillor Salo's as Viktor lowered his head, a small smile spreading across his lips as he glanced at you from the side.

“Funny,” Hoskel struck a slight pose as he watched you, ”how being behind a mask gives you wings.”

You raised your chin, squinting your eyes as if looking down on him. “Funny how multiplying champagne flutes does so as well, only...” your eyes drifted to his red nose then his belly full of booze, ”one remains hidden better than the other.”

Hoskel seemed to chew air, grinding his teeth together as he grunted dully.

“My my,” Salo tilted his head down as his eyes remained on you, straightening, ”that's a sharp little one we have here with us tonight.” He cleared his throat, raising his gloved hand to point at the sky as if preparing to lecture. “Take care not to make a woman cry because gods count her tears. Whereas when a woman's up to something, the devil sits at his desk and takes notes.”

“A citation?” remarked Viktor, destitute as he was of a champagne flute while his free hand let only his thumb protrude from his pants pocket.

“From one of my books,” said Salo, proudly, resting his hand on his chest.

Viktor didn't seem any more enchanted than that to be taking part in the discussion, but no doubt had to try to find some fictional interest in all that was being told. “Do you write?”

Salo took a sip of his champagne, swallowing it quickly enough to respond with airy hand movements. “The Gods kindly offer me the first verse. What is difficult is to write the next ones which will be worthy of their supernatural brothers."

You brought your flute close to your lips. “Yes, otherwise who'd write the scripts for beggars,” you mumbled, before taking only one more sip.

Viktor huffed. Salo frowned, not seeming to have distinctly heard your words. “I beg your pardon?”

You swallowed, pressing your lips together to collect the rest of the contents of your sip. “Yes?”

“I don't think I quite heard what you said a moment ago.”

You thought you wouldn't be heard, your eyes shifting from Salo to Viktor for a moment before returning to the counselor and closing your eyes, a nervous smile spreading across your lips as you tried again to be diplomatic.

So you tried a graceful exit, shaking your head. “I think the champagne bubbles must have started their little rise, I'm thinking of getting some air to release them.” Just before leaving, you repeated the formula you'd heard so many times this evening. “If you'll excuse me.”

You looked at them one last time, lingering a moment longer on Viktor's gaze as you left for one of the balconies.

The night air bit into your cheeks like apples, the winter coolness slapping you in sharp contrast to the warmth inside. The cool air filled your lungs and you thought for a moment you'd end up frozen from the inside out. There was no wind, just the muted calm of the cold and the murmur of the city below.

You stepped forward, placing your glass on the edge of the balcony. You didn't care if it fell, if it flew away, if a pigeon shat in it. The mere fact that the crystal of this flute had touched the lips of so many people who had destroyed so much hope for your own made you want to grab it by its stem yourself and send it waltzing off to the stars.

You brought your hands to your arms, as much to prevent yourself from needlessly accessing this hatred as to gain warmth. Your eyes watched the horizon, the lights of Piltover in every window. How many knew what their consumption was bringing from the other end of the river? Your gaze drifted towards the latter, the lights much dimmer as they gleamed from the very bowels of the city. You thought back to Eris's letter for a moment, but what did she want to talk to you about? 

Your hips touched the guardrail, your fingers running over Tyler's previous grip as if to dust off any DNA that had settled there. It was a good thing Viktor had arrived, or Tyler's nose would surely have had a few stitches.

A warmth rose in the back of your neck, familiar from Viktor's breath when he'd saved you from a nasty fall in the library. He'd gone ahead and helped you. There seemed to be this mutual recognition, this acceptance that, whatever happened, you were there to take the lead from each other. 

Your hand instinctively went to the back of your neck, trying to banish this feeling, or to recover it on your fingers in the hope of getting a little warm comfort. Was this a reaction to the trauma of his presence? Surely it could be, unless shame had crept under your skin and lingered there. 

You drew your fingers up slightly until you found the string of your mask, undoing it and letting the fresh air spread over your face.

The distinct tinkle of a cane snapped you out of your thoughts, and you didn't even need to turn around to know who it was.

“You've left me in the lurch of a thorny conversation.” he said, his voice warm in the night air as he approached you, staying a reasonable distance to your left.

You sketched a smile, not yet turning towards him as you watched a fictitious dot in the distance. “What were they discussing?”

You felt him remove his mask, dropping the loop of black ribbon holding it to dangle from the handle of his cane. “I left as soon as they'd mentioned the matter of therapeutic obstinacy.” 

“A discussion like that should have had you hanging on to their every word,” you joked, finally turning your head towards him.

The prince of the night offered you his profile, his darkened eyes watching the horizon in the distance. He had a presence that froze you, a power so strong that it held you in place. You felt worthy of being the rival of a man like him. But were you still assuming this title?

“I think I'll let Tyler take it from here,” he smiled softly, turning to you.

His amber eyes planted themselves in yours, and you only managed to support it for a few seconds before your eyes drifted to his shoulders.

“You...” you breathed in, observing his elegant, sophisticated outfit, ”you look nice.”

He parted his lips, tilting his head slightly to one side as he squinted with a slight smile.

“Was that a compliment, miss?” he questioned.

“Don't get used to it,” you sighed, rolling your eyes, then reaching for your champagne flute, ”this is a special occasion after all.”

You brought your drink to your lips, the sensation of champagne making you feel a little freer, a little lighter and able to loosen your tongue to say or accept things you'd normally refuse.

You could feel his gaze on you in your peripheral vision, skirting the length of your body, your back illuminated by the interior of the room while the rest of your dress looked like a piece cut straight from the night that embraced you.

“That colour,” he began, his gaze drifting back to the horizon, ”it suits you.”

You thought back to what he'd said what seemed like an eternity ago. ‘It's beautiful, it's calm, in lavender as well as plum, in cassis as well as grape, in wisteria as well as... whatever, it's the one I prefer.’

It's the one I prefer.

You tried not to dwell on that thought, to move on.

“Who'd have thought Tyler would come all this way to bother us?” you huffed.

Viktor chuckled lightly. “He can't get enough of us.”

“I've rarely seen anyone scrape so deep into the depths of incompetence.”

“I believe you've met his uncle, though,” Viktor remarked. “And he, so far, holds a place on the Piltover council.”

“I guess it runs in the family to fall victim to one's own mediocrity.”

“And you had the gift of reminding them of it.”

You smiled, regaining his gaze for a moment. “Don't tell me you didn't want to either.”

He shrugged, pretending to think about it. “Yes, although I must applaud the success of your execution.”

“Would that be a compliment, Moravec?” you stressed.

He earned your gaze, eyes crinkled with a slight sneer. “Like you said - this is a special occasion after all.”

You nodded, shaking your head as if it were a song you'd heard too many times already.

A moment of silence passed, a slight quiver taking hold of you as the hour advanced and the air grew fresher and fresher.

“I've been thinking about the clauses for our truce.”

You turned towards him, arms again crossed as if to hold any ounce of warmth close to your body.

You smirked, grabbing your flute as if to help you listen to him and make those decisions.

“I'm listening.”

“Firstly,” he began, ”we shan't have any rivalry that doesn't engender some obsession pushing us into critical health situations.”

You rolled your eyes. “That was a one-time thing-”

“That is my first clause,” he cut in, his kohl-rimmed eyes insisting on the fact. “Second, mutual aid. If one of us experiences a difficulty somewhere, they must share it with the other, no matter how big their ego and pride.”

“Well that's going to be easy,” you sighed, pressing the crown of your flute close to your lower lip.

“Thirdly,” Viktor straightened up, tilting his head slightly forward as if in a short bow, ”let's be friends.”

You pressed your lips together, considering the offer truly.

Was there even a downside to becoming friends with Viktor? Besides the fact that you had to question your animosity towards him since the beginning of the year, what were the pros and cons?

Sure, he could get on your nerves in discussions, but it had been ages since you'd tried your hand at verbal jousting so constantly, and you were beginning to get used to it. 

But apart from that, he wasn't a threat, he was inclined towards progress and advancement rather than stagnation and stubbornness, and he'd already considered you friends for a while, if you went back to Agrane's attribution of detention where he'd wished to come to your defense.

Besides, he was from Zaun - few students here could say as much and understand you on certain points.

“Agreed,” you replied, and his shoulders relaxed slightly. “But be careful, don't expect me to hop like a flower around you.” You huffed. “Jayce has already had to chase me around for quite a while before I'd officially consider him a friend.”

He shrugged, pressing his lips together slightly as if indifferent.

“That's fine by me. Fourthly,” he continued, ”clauses can be added in the future. Of course, they won't be imposed and can be discussed.”

You arch an eyebrow, huffing. “Do you have many more clauses?

“Do you agree to this one?” he asked, frowning.

You looked at him for a moment. This seemed to be very close to his heart. “Yes.”

“Good.” he smiled.

“Is that all?”

His eyes trailed over your shoulders for a moment. “Just one last one.”

He set his cane down against the marble railing, unclipping one of the pins that held the chain holding his coat to his back. He pinched the shoulders of it, taking a single step towards you to place it on yours, pressing his hands lightly on them as you felt the warmth his back had spread over the fabric against your own. He took care, with his long, slender, cool fingers, to reattach the chain neatly.

“My last clause for tonight is for you not to get cold,” he said, his voice more tender as he took a step back as if to observe the vision you were. “Luckily, we wore the same color.”

You took one of the sides in your hands, bringing it close to you to cover yourself with it.

“Won't you get cold?” you asked. 

He shrugged, regaining the grip of his cane as his eyes remained on your coat-covered figure. “If you think Jayce won't get rid of his coat at some point this evening, you're wrong.”

You crack a smile, wondering what would happen if Jayce overindulged in champagne and Viktor had to go home with him tonight. Unless, of course, Jayce and Mel ended the evening together. He slipped on his mask again, replacing it gracefully over his features.

Viktor was getting ready to go back inside, and you didn't know if the magic of champagne bubbles was making you say things, or if out of sheer urge you were calling him.

“Viktor?”

He turned to you for a moment, one part of his face bathed in the warm light of the interior while the other remained in the night like a crescent moon.

You parted your lips, the simple two words coming pouring out without doubt or regret. 

“Thank you.”

He seemed amazed, even with his mask over his face. But the astonishment quickly gave way to a softening, until his lips stretched into a smile and he stepped back inside.

Some people won't get any magic words out of you, but Viktor was worthy of them. You brought the collar of his coat close to you. His scent was sweeter than you'd expected, that of sun-warmed stone mingling with a lingering coffee fragrance.

Your eyes returned to the city, the vision of his kingdom, of streets he would split with his cane to hit the color purple on their cream walls.

It's the one I prefer.

The evening had come to an end. You had tried to fit into some of the conversation circles that came and went as time went by, remaining mostly silent and listening without interjecting, laughing when they laughed, nodding when they nodded, and trying not to simply stuff yourself with petits fours.

You'd thought of finding a way to take a handful with you so you'd have a little variety to bring back to give Sky a taste of how the evening was going. But you expected that, of course, you'd be looked at strangely for this behavior if you went through with it.

Some of the guests began to leave one by one, and you took the opportunity to do the same. Jayce, Mel and Viktor seemed nowhere to be found, so you dropped the idea of venturing into such a building in search of them. Who knows what you might stumble upon in the surrounding rooms? You didn't want to accidentally walk in on the feverish one-night stands of the guests, so you just took off.

The city had been asleep for some time, and the quiet yet illuminated streets were deserted. Had it been Zaun, venturing out at such an hour of the night in such an outfit would have been worth a lot of trouble. But Piltover had real rules of respect and a very different general upbringing, so you didn't feel in any danger of advancing like that.

Your heels were starting to hurt seriously and you would have given anything to be carried home. But there was no vigilante Jayce in sight to catch you if you fainted, nor any gentleman gallant enough to carry you like a princess.

How nice it was to be looked after, to have someone take care of you simply because they could.

The memory of Viktor dozing beside you as you recovered came to mind a moment before you chased him away as you turned a corner. Viktor's scent had permeated your nostrils all evening, and it was the only familiar, reassuring thing that kept you going.

The vision of the dormitories appearing in your line of sight was the greatest relief of all.

You passed silently through the doors of the building, taking the opportunity to remove your heels and sighing at ease as the soles of your feet finally settled on a surface that didn't need to be arched.

You slowly climbed the stairs, the soft feel of the red carpet almost tickling your feet as you inserted your key into the lock. It was late, perhaps Sky had not stayed awake and had gone to bed, and you had no wish to disturb her peace.

You turned the knob, entering the still-lit apartment, Sky lying on her bed with a book. Her eyes turned to you, her mouth opening wide as she looked at your outfit, which she hadn't had a chance to see. You smiled, closing the door behind you and dropping your heels to the floor.

“Girl,” she'd chuckled, watching you as you took off the coat and folded it neatly to let it hang over your arm like a waiter's towel, ”give me a twirl.”

You performed, spinning around before finishing with an exaggerated supermodel pause that made Sky laugh.

She snapped her book shut and sat cross-legged on her bed. “I need every detail you can give me.”

You picked up a hanger in the dressing room, hanging Viktor's coat which you hoped to return in the next few days before returning to Sky and sitting down with her to tell her all about it.

She had you turning your back to her, helping you remove the few decorations in your hair as you described everything to her. The hall, the dresses, the atmosphere, all the endless discussions, your meeting with the famous Mel Medarda, your altercation with Tyler and his idiot uncle.

“In any case, you didn't miss a thing. Apart from a few exceptions, the room was filled with the heads of bankers who hadn't gotten laid for twenty years.”

She laughed softly, pausing in the unraveling of your hair, her eyes watching a point in the void.

“Doesn't it make you dream a bit?”

You turned to her, confused. “To be a banker who looks like she hasn't gotten laid in twenty years?”

“No,” she chirped, giving you a little nudge on the shoulder, ”the mystery of the masquerade, the richness of being able to organize such an event without having to worry about much?”

You rested your head on her shoulder, pondering her question for a moment. Finally, you raised your head, staring into space.

“I think I would rather spend my life close to the birds than waste my time thinking I can carve myself wings.”

Sky sighed, probably dreaming of the golden life of the princes and princesses the world inhabited and longing for more. You didn't envy them - you felt scorn for their privileges and their inability to act for change. But you had no intention of crushing your friend's hopes.

“Who knows, maybe one day you'll be one of them and laugh as you drink champagne with infinite bubbles.”

She smiled softly, wrapping an arm around you.

You didn't tell her about your discussion on the balcony with Viktor, preferring to keep your exchange a secret for the time being. perhaps you'd bring up the subject when she asked you where the dress and coat came from. 

But for now, you kept the secret of the purple close to you.

It's the one I prefer.

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[lamaisongaga]

FASHION CREDITS: LADY GAGA BY GRAY SORRENTI FOR ELLE'S FEBRUARY 2025 ISSUE

Lady Gaga is the cover star of Elle magazine's US February 2025 issue and will also cover the UK cover of March 2025.

On the special issues she discusses her upcoming seventh studio album "Mayhem" and her engagement to fiancé Michael.

Photography by Gray Sorrenti, styling by Pau Avia, hair by Akki Shirakawa, makeup by Frankie Boyd and nails by Miho Okawara.

For the cover shot, Gaga is wearing a full look from Valentino's Spring/Summer 2025 "Pavillon des Folies" collection, inspired by the fragility and transience of existence, exploring how beauty serves as both a remedy and revelation—an ephemeral yet profound anchor that brings meaning, solace, and connection amidst life‘s chaos and vulnerability.

Black organza blouse with voluminous ruffles, fully embellished in micro faux pearls, high-waisted tights with trompe l'œil panties, and antique floral lace wrist gloves.

The high-waisted tech knit shorts are from Fendi‘s Spring/Summer 2025 collection and her bra is the stylist's own.

A subtle yet beautiful accent to this ensemble was given with this divine teardrop pendant diamond necklace which hails from Tiffany &Co.'s Fall 2023 Blue Book: "Out of the Blue". Tiffany is the official sponsor of the jewelry for this editorial so you‘ll see much more with the next looks!

So good to see Gaga tap more and more into Dior again for her latest editorials. Here, she layered two pieces from the Spring/Summer 2025 collection to create a whole new look—metallic silver embroidered bodysuit with peek-a-boo side cut-outs and black silk moiré effect trench coat.

The sheer black organza cape is the stylist‘s own. A very unusual yet fitting choice of footwear was provided by KNWLS who created these distressed grey leather biker-infused boots for her Spring/Summer 2025 collection.

Intertwined between her fingers and worn as a bracelet, Gaga wore this Tiffany & Co. Lock white-gold necklace  ($1,100) throughout the shoot...

...just like, for several looks, she wore their Elsa Peretti collection Amapola brooch ($1,100), which means "Poppy" in Spanish. It is made of sterling silver and red silk.

One of the more avant-garde and abstract looks is this Issey Miyake "The Beauty of Paper" Spring/Summer 2025 shaded black papyrus column dress with geometrical plissé panels (£1,265), and its matching hooded headpiece.

Drawing inspiration from washi, traditional Japanese paper, the designs embody the ethereal qualities of paper, evoking a sense of lightness and fluidity that is both calming and transformative. As models glided down the runway, it felt as though they were drifting through a dream—a world where the boundaries between fabric and paper beautifully blur.

The brooch, LG embellished her dress with, is the Tiffany & Co  Ribbon Drop brooch from the "Birds on a Pearl" collection in platinum and 18k yellow-gold with a natural saltwater white drop pearl of over 16 carats and diamonds.

Don‘t have to explain how this is my favorite look of the shoot, do I?

Both Gaga‘s rhinestone-embellished white feather coat and bejeweled wool knit balaclava mask are from Alexander McQueen's Spring/Summer 2025 runway show, designed by Sean McGirr.

How amazing is it? Guys…has anybody met my Genie yet?

A couple of new labels also made it into this cover shoot! Here, LG lays down in nature while sporting a black leather fishnet dress with asymmetrical cut (£1,160) from ABRA‘s Spring/Summer 2025 collection which drew inspiration from 80s fitness calendars from Abra‘s parent’s‘ restaurant, fishing nets, shopping bags, and Spanish souvenir beach towels.

She added some layer and color by wearing these Falke 50 denier semi-opaque tights (£27) in "Scarlet" both as tights and as a top!

The look was completed with the aforementioned Tiffany & Co. Amapola poppy brooch ($1,100) and a pair of Ann Demeulemeester Spring/Summer 2025 multi-layered O-ring biker boots (£1,550).

It‘s been always a little dream of mine to rock more pieces from the "Dark Lord of Fashion" aka. Rick Owens, so I‘m more than excited to see this Spring/Summer 2025 look appear in the editorial!

Scrunched and ruffled organza loofah-inspired jacket (£5,115), semi-sheer patchwork T-shirt (£455) and soccer-inspired nylon hi-lo shorts (£370).

The distressed porcelain doll-inspired nude tights are from Maison Margiela‘s latest artisanal collection, Spring/Summer 2024. You might remember her tapping into this collection with a whole custom look for her last Vogue editorial past year.

Next, the fashionista wears Balenciaga sunglasses. I highly believe it‘s these Spring/Summer 2025 Bossy AF eastman acetate renew (an acetate alternative partially made of bio-based and recycled content) shades with subtle-yet-not-so-subtle logo detail ($520).

Gaga completed her dark yet sexy ensemble with these Le Silla Uma thigh-high black stretch leather platform boots featuring a pointed toe ($750).

For our last look, Gaga brought something from her own closet. In Elle's video, she stated that ILONA is her designer to watch right now, because her dresses make her feel like a porcelain doll. And this one is definitely no exception!

Also from the designer‘s "Psychosis" collection, the Lotta dress is crafted out of antique ivory French silk velvet and features a pleated tulle trim and velvet-covered buttons.

Another Valentino Spring/Summer 2025 "Pavillon des Folies" pull are her white floral lace tights which perfectly blend in with her matching gloves by La Bagagerie.

Last but not least, she wore the Acne Studios Spring/Summer 2025 croc-embossed leather elongated open-toe pumps in "Chocolate" ($950), which she previously wore in grey!

[secret-third-thing]

Chapter 1: The Thought that Counts (In Which Nothing Happens)

Eris x OC | Rated E | Read on AO3 | Read on tumblr below the cut

Gianna of Montesere's life is shattered when her family becomes the target of a chilling assassination attempt. Forced into exile at her estranged father's side in the Autumn court, she embarks on a journey that thrusts her into the treacherous depths of Prythian's most perilous family. Amidst the dazzling highs and heart-wrenching lows of cutthroat politics, Gianna discovers an unexpected love in Eris Vanserra that turns her world upside down.

Warnings: Typical violence and scheming, gambling, old-school slut shaming

Read if you like: slow burn, enemies to lovers, political intrigue, worldbuilding, cute dogs

👀 Read Below the Cut 👀

Gianna watched her cousin Ludivine pull wishes from the garden fountain. The dark-haired female stood barefoot near the middle, where four ornate lions were perched on a central pillar, mouths opened wide and spewing out thin streams of water. The female carefully navigated around the creatures, one hand bunching the hem of her purple organza dress so it wouldn't be ruined. Then, humming to herself, Ludivine skimmed her hand across the water and stopped to pick up a coin from the bottom of the fountain. She curled her hand around the metal and held it out, eyes glazing over for a moment.

"They wished for a child," she said with a dreamlike quality to her voice, power rippling around her. Then, when she snapped out of the trance, she gave a haughty laugh and tossed it to the ground beside her.

Gianna's other cousin, Alois, a male several decades older than her and Ludivine, smoothed his hair back and held out a hand, not sparing a glance at his sister's antics. The abandoned coin flew to his fingers before he added it to a growing pile beside him.

"It's rude to read the wishes," he said halfheartedly, turning a page of his book. He had been engrossed in the novel for hours. It took Gianna almost no time at all to realize he had switched the book jacket from a historical text to hide the fact that he was reading yet another erotic novel.

Ludivine threw an accusatory glare at her brother. "Since when have you cared?" she said. She chose another coin and read off the wish. "Good health and a long life. Boring!"

This time she tossed the coin to Gianna, who caught the gleaming piece of gold and added it to her own pile at the table she was sitting.

"It's not like they actually come true," she said, meeting Gianna's eyes and then dunking her hand back into the water to fish out another poor fae's dream.

"It's the thought that counts." Gianna countered with a huff. She would rather die than admit it, but she had come here several times under cover of night to add her own wishes to the hundreds in the fountain's basin. The gardens of the Palace of Splendor were open to everyone, including their subjects, so many fae stopped by to offer their dreams in the hope that the Mother would grant them. So far, none of Gianna's dreams of meeting and falling in love with a prince from a neighboring kingdom had come true, but these things didn't happen overnight.

Gianna shifted uncomfortably in her seat and gazed back at the palace. Tonight may be different, she reminded herself. Tonight was her grandfather's birthday, and royals from across the continent were arriving to celebrate at the palace. The males of Montesere were far too hedonistic for her tastes if her cousin Alois was any indicator. More than once, she had caught him under the influence of mirthroot with multiple females squirming beneath him, equally euphoric and unraveling. If she was being honest, she preferred her males to be more traditional, which earned her endless teasing from both her cousins. Montesere was the one place where fae could live out their desires, and many traveled from other kingdoms so they could indulge. The fact that Gianna actively avoided these activities was unusual, at least according to her family.

"Thinking about your depressing males again?" Ludivine sang from the fountain.

Gianna rolled her eyes. "I'm debating how quickly it'll take for Alois to sneak out of the party and into one of our guest's bed chambers tonight," she lied. Alois snorted and threw a coin across the table at Gianna. Ludivine giggled and stepped out of the fountain into her shoes so she could throw her arms around her older brother.

"Oh, we both know that's not going to happen tonight. Alois is banned from leaving the dancehall without a chaperone." She wiggled her eyebrows and squeezed her brother tightly.

"We all have chaperones," he said, pulling her arm away from where she had it tucked under his chin and around his neck.

"True," Ludivine sighed, "some of us are too fabulously slutty." Gianna didn't disagree. If Alois was indulgent, Lulu was downright obscene, at least from what Gianna had heard secondhand from some of the courtiers.

"At least you're aware," Gianna said, biting back a grin. Her cousins both glared before they all broke out into laughs.

"Don't worry, Gigi," Ludivine said, reaching over to pinch her cousin's cheek. "One day, you will meet a male you like and never close your legs again."

"Lulu!" Gianna leaned over the table to grab at her cousin, but the female ducked out of the way.

"It's true!" she teased.

Gianna fought the urge to tell Ludivine that she was one to talk but saw Alois shaking his head. "If you two are going to have a spat, I will find our uncle instead."

"Fine!" Gianna said, gathering all the coins into a pouch, "We should all go bother him anyway. I haven't seen him since he arrived back here from Prythian." -- They found their uncle sparring with some courtiers at the training fields on the other side of the estate. Gianna hadn't seen him for months, but the time away had suited him. His skin was sunkissed, and freckles bloomed on his face, peppering his nose and cheeks. As Montserre's emissary, Mattheo traveled quite a bit. However, Gianna suspected that the captain of his private boat had more to do with the extended absences than actual work as an emissary.

Today, instead of his usual finery, he wore dirty white stockings tucked into wrinkled pants cuffed just below the knee. He had discarded his embroidered jacket in favor of wearing a simple vest. And despite the aggressive parrying back and forth with his rapier, not a single strand of chestnut hair was out of place.

Gianna watched eagerly while her cousins chatted with her uncle's friends. They were young and rakish like Mattheo, and she would be lying if she hadn't thought about pursuing a relationship with one of the males. But she was far too shy - skittish, as Alois would say. And they were far too forward. As though she were emphasizing Gianna's point, Lulu had lain her head across one of the males' lap, letting him get an obvious eyeful of her cleavage spilling out the top of her dress. He reached down to caress her cousin's waist and murmured something to her.

Gianna rolled her eyes and ignored the jealousy burning in her stomach. She knew the yearning would drive her mad one day, but maybe the Prythian half of her heritage gave her pause. She returned her attention to her uncle, who had gained the advantage in his match.

Mattheo stepped forward once, then back twice, then lunged. He parried a particularly clever jab and, noticing his niece's rapt attention, gave her a goofy wink. He was the youngest of her grandfather's children and the most entertaining. Gianna had fond memories of him watching when she was a child and her mother was away. Together they would traipse around the palace grounds, fighting pretend dragons until she was too tired to keep her eyes open.

Now she saw only him whenever he was between travels, which was far too infrequent as it was. She had asked to go with him once, but her mother declined, leaving no room for discussion. So, for now, she'd settle for hearing her uncle's stories.

Finally, the two males stopped sparring, Mattheo deftly disarming his companion. He handed his rapier to a servant and grabbed a cloth to wipe the sheen from his forehead.

"What brings you three to this part of the estate?" he said.

"Boredom!" Lulu wailed, sitting up and pouting her lips in practiced sadness. "There's simply nothing to do! We've been kicked out until the party."

Mattheo chuckled and patted her head, "Perhaps it is because you three are the root of all trouble for the servants."

Alois cocked his head and narrowed his eyes at their uncle. "Three?"

Their uncle let out a hearty laugh. "Am I to understand that all of you were not responsible for turning one of the guest suites into a gambling den?"

"The one you gladly attended?" Alois replied cooly.

"The one in which I won all your little games?" Mattheo replied with a smirk. Gianna rolled her eyes at them both.

He was right. Nearly a month ago, they had quietly converted a suite into a betting parlor. It had initially been Alois' idea, but the trio had been bored and spent their evenings slowly bringing in and rearranging furniture. Alois was careful to admit only the courtiers he knew were hungry to climb the ranks of court. Lulu had brought in some of her friends to entertain their guests. And Gianna, well, Gianna had played. Card games were her specialty - something that Mattheo had taught her when she had gotten too old to play dragon-hunters anymore. Eventually, their parents caught wind of their endeavors and shut the establishment down only after Mattheo emptied the den funds with his bets.

"You cheated," Alois said. He had been insisting this ever since Mattheo had won every single game the last night the gambling den had been running.

"Perhaps? Or perhaps you aren't as good as you think you are," her uncle replied. Alois shifted and flexed a hand.

Sensing that neither male would back down, Gianna jangled her bag of coins to get their attention.

"How about a rematch at cards?" she said. "We brought coins!"

Thankfully, the tension melted away at her suggestion. Alois backed down and took the bag from his cousin. Mattheo grinned wide and looked back at his friends, still doting on Lulu. One handed her a handkerchief to wipe her false tears.

"We should," he said, "before your cousin charms my friends away."

[boompowummmm]

An Invader Zim Christmas Fanficrion

(A fanfiction to get rid of pictures. Zim is female.)

(Audio read aloud.)

ᡣ𐭩 A whospiansite with the aich eye in anabethicus debauchery.

"The autovinic knob: I haimper asiwadge blinds." : ̗̀➛ Forsooth; 🟧 orange peels in her barrett in promanatalance all on a shoe.🍊

The doven of bunst yaidles to moon which munjusts hogwash mirdesrial vasibles; gwaisps to the dark phabbit night.

My maink ostentatious lady. Said walosaint strubbles by. Nufidoulos smickering beauty. Who creaves abrbitrsirity.

She's in the bridge with the munjastment of yaid: where control - panels is. Light from a tray, ready to hold socket sock of patatoes, beams. Ah, to be a valbostian. She was in lieu benced.

Her mood was ausentry like the lald cradvinic layicker cyraph in blessum behind her. Cradvalvic colour - tone, anent to arberous anility, added to jowandy.

Her eyes where wide with Irish gold corn poxy nuggets. "Halloween?!

Oh the pifpaffian!

I will not goligaite to such thickens of wendaxi skins. Afrexful weelings that is afrux. Weddings of night eens; bells juguicous upon brandle - dalings of splizen gorgons!Hogposh!" She flips the calendar. 🗓

Brinnosouire to the iota of a busque fabric shop, in waldersiteance Zim mordatiously felt every adversaling cyraph of a laratitous wandaxi pelt on a coat. 

A heavily polly meshed tree was in the cupsided corner. It was oivionel folio in bovulanice. Smizeing in the pinnacle of clartish robosh bristles to osbinafaxed lights that que.

Zim was looking for it's matching rudder motif. Pushpauling all ilmaric. After finding the insignia Zim envisions this fabrics days.

"The nurse lieus melchreath candy on a cart for rotund bellies. Oh Franny.🎉🦠Walosaint and the pox. A disen with T-0 Pelly parp croils. (My stomach was of xopogific sulfurs weight; a chimchoggy hamper of blodder's meat. 🍖) I sit purloinously unbolsterd. My tenders to an osbinafinxed christen hospital curtain; toothpick thinnings for bones. 🏥 My heart lincits to a sesmograph; straying far from the epoch."

Zim thought of coffin trampunto. How unfitting to the merry organza. Shregously Zim brings the oinicle curvatures home to work on his dandrines to the bindling of machines in the background.

The tawd miridical whensper, celebrated his nought with one last hammer to the needle. The threads glowed with an eerie purple light as they snaked through the organza, forming a complex pattern based on an ancient Irken battle standard. A chaintle suit of fat.

"How juguicious of a stagem against the denizens! What inveterate waldostanace!" Zim roboined with a fist to her lapel. "Didn't you make one last year? Oh Irken emporess." G.I.R benopes. "Nya." "Silence!" Zim seltzers. GIR anastarphs about lapsherating at the fabric. "Ooh, shiny!" He zanugated the tailadilm.

"Stop that, you fool!" Zim heisped, thraveing GIR's hand away. "These are high-quality materials for my costume, not some snack!"

ꔚꔛꔚꔛꔚꔛꔚꔛꔚꔛꔚꔛꔚꔛ

ꗖWaldosians of hot chocolate; oh such haute coutureal foods. Mmm what a butterball of goodness. However snowflakes, much to his tood, showed leeway to the anhow.

All the farvatoose, sankthe pyromanisist in their yeirds, haratooks progtail to each owns tamber. In all anuealtane.

Zim in a gosompo, a sparkling Christmas suit with a crowned wreath that had Christmas caroling music wheresoever he walked, resowed to snotty faces.

"Ah, to fortablown of tiddings! Fortatablain lances to solstace of x-mas, my petite mortals. Lowtive nilcom fanch terb to sancheway. I, Zim, bear a clandestine delight to you all.

Ascertaithed affections of the zagative season of Xmas. It is replet sogostion of hunblalire, and that you all exude an abundance of elation. Zim's eye's gleam with wicked oxafife. Lo and behold, my yuletide harbinger of doom!"

In an aisabasiy, a supplanted nalbraium subnooks upon a float trailing Zim, emanating an ominous crimson luminescence. "This magnificent apparatus shall transmute each cherished Christmas carol into a cacophony of discordant renditions, destined to drive you all into a frenzied state! Thus, joyous hymns shall be rendered obsolete, replaced solely by exasperating melodies with lamentable lyrics." Zim emits a most unsightly guffaw.

"Yet, my ambitions do not conclude here! I have likewise enlisted the most discordant Christmas minstrels in the vicinity to accompany my harbinger of doom. Brace yourselves for an auditory assault of excruciatingly off-key melodies the likes of which you have never before suffered!" He gestures grandly to a cadre of tone-deaf vocalists behind him, who commence their vocal warm-ups: his adsobe with turktha key.

"Anticipate the revelation of my audacious metamorphosis of the cherished 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.' I have recrafted the lyrics to encapsulate a pathetic whine regarding life's inherent injustices. It is destined to be the most un-Christmas-like rendition of that melodious tale ever conceived!" Zim brillares.

Zim then becomes acutely aware that his microphone has been inoperative. With palpable duragitive, Zim raps upon the microphone. "What transpires? What the blithoone! I desire the assembly to be privy to mine nefarious designs!"

Dib consteens from the deltch, on the sidjewance deftly gussing his trenchcoat dofilgating. "DIB! What did you do?" Gesticulating a dance, Dib visps in a luladive. "This contraption may very well falter this year, owing to fiscal insufficiencies: lack of funds."Zim bonitides that float zigarates slightly.

"I actually came to meet the wheel -stealing - ghost. You know the legend? The legend of the Christmas wheel thief. Every year, on the night before Christmas, a mysterious ghost appears in the town square and steals the floats' wheels. It's a classic holiday tale." Dib anbraiches for his phone. "Oh, I have more than just documentation. I have actual evidence. Look at this video I took last year." Dib allows Zim's eyes to yankson a shaky video on his phone of a shadowy figure creeping up to a float and stealing its wheels, then disappearing into the night sky." Some say it's just a figure in a black hoodie."

A coleviving smile sadoys across Dib's face.

"Ah, but you notice how the figure floats off into the air with the wheels? No human could do that. Only a ghostly entity with supernatural - abilities would be able to pull off such a feat."

Oylaided eyes. "I will zalfice you Dib. What does it have to do with my Christmas doom machine?" A opelace smile sadoys across Dib's face again "Well, Zim, it looks like your float might be the next target for the wheel-stealing ghost. Have you not wondered why the float is starting to wobble?"

Zim's eyes solvarbarb. "What? You mean... my floats' wheels are in danger of being stolen? But I need this float to broadcast my Christmas doom machine!"

Dib heliogates. "That's right Zim, your float is as good as wheel - less. And there's nothing you can do about it. The wheel - stealing - ghost is unstoppable. You might as well give up on ruining Christmas this year." Zim gurtobbles.

"I'll show you, Dib! I will not be defeated by some silly legend! I am Zim, the greatest Invader in the Irken Empire! I always find a way!" She shrampades about searching for agglic constature. While Zim sublaices, the floatly contrivance unvaltens, the wheels andalbine with each animated sodraig.

Lenaiyed atomber dirige to the side. Zim turzies in a whape of buzomble. Ylimping into the Christmas decorations. She buloids in a tangled mess of garlands and tinsel, looking like a thoroughly esoyed snozeberry. Dib baysends yutime wahas at Zim bailing in athanse upon his phone. Zim's eyes xvrive, twich twich, to bat munching noise when Dib chipprides "Cheese."

The once vixabone wheel yogscrates off as a floating tribulan wolsungling from his destacked form. He takes off to the plastique sky with spoinkling troinkling snow. The float yeirides to a hault with a sploosent rolling on rubber noise.

Zim and Dib both osterve the clearview, the tantameu to the nexit in a panioma. How off - kilter. Zim and Dib, "What the... What the heck was that?"

They nalmige olfactory folklore with zyhondist opinion about the whospiansite on the telitoa at Dib's entabeau. Erbasive absodes, 'Anyone Encountered the Mysterious Wheel-Stealing Spirit?' Xzhoauld. Repiterve of etompt of the cidisienship where ejercel wheely - voiyondas dispel from vehicles and scintillated text in an intark that the ejenter was of Santa Clause forsone, disparsed with commercialism of the tentabines. Dib suffused. "Honestly, Zim, it could be anything. Ghosts, spirits, mischievous faeries, even Santa Clause himself." The wheel-stealing ghost was known to besiege various callithumpidians and pub - crawls. Wenstalping when jovenels least unoiced.

Zim and Dib cajoel to. Seteb to such tradeshow, a large Christmas inauguration ramporee in the bertech of the city, in the dividinds of catching the ehorbite wraith in action. Relataré distro, eggnog fudge, turbasups the denseta. This aunabade in light, bhainshwades bemporal lights and autopraide opperts of tune; fevafurthtions of joy. Each yainkcharoid and yainkchiwoo bernakes to precence of lackadaisical waitings for the roibathoon to get underway.

Zim and Dib satowed to the tadonce, the clock's tick, clicks the reoija into beginnings. Each floatly blatashaism taitatool the haufway, each one more derbadol and panswail than it's cocatatiler. The refew cheered and clapped loudly: saturated zephyrs in all tanswey stand erjecent. Like soap, 🧼 the beaudamerance is scrubbed with Pine Sol carpets to tug and olfaction of machenical machinery.

Zim and Dib hosantal their eyes, thervusing all flubatubs and distoomers for apickulance. The hogshroidment made focus wayoidan, still though they find persatoying within their foodlums. Instantaneously, a gudano yoidablarks from a nearby padracine. People are vociferated.

"HAHAHA! Living high on xoadif mytides? Foolish mortals?" The entity, running on a tangent, trily jodsows wirr with a hubcap. Dib catapalched an operato: a supernatural net. And in all athfulance of a moomf, he perigogulated after the zalvoycie.

Ajarst the santaorl yempst yurpeided A.W.O.L, in jowany, sadrayoping renaldens of lippy dalpadons in a hiff - pickle. Anseb, its trianglos ensprate shraponed 🪡 faste the capricious twoisid clutterfoon like a maloshrade candoodoked fabric. Thensen, Dib bludofals the squisical wired net with gungtion.

Zim, having sodeforth the wofohindal from caintly view, hurshed over to Dib and the santooped residual. His doviotecks ballooned with serendipity upon a wandoping of the floatousing yanobite descrowing in the net. With blaisen otovoibs, "Scrampion! I AM BILL CYPHER A POWERFUL GOD! This reyonce ikes me! Unhand me or face my wrath!"

The thibunion croosped in a aplomb. Zim seemed azile by the vahoption. Zim snenzed, clearly unasflungent to the nalmundo and shadrices. "What an onofloosk." Zim intoosked. "Pfft. I've conquered entire planets, you know. And I've got to say, I've never heard of a 'Bill Cypher' before." The zoic gold holvanical being, "If you release me now, I shall grant you a single wish of your choosing. Riches, power, fame - anything your talisping mind desires can be yours. What say you?"

Dib permeated. It was a heroshious proise, to be sure. As to the reefer's saphid eyeful words....

Tussley, a wee pilspiquant obinasaid who janxed his candy can to peices twispened his heels and writtled the net. "I want Christmas to be over." "Granted!" He manjayed his hand. And in a telmune, The clock munjuped in scragionation of it's itsef to xrake Christmas. "H-hey." Both Zim and Dib hosped. Bill Cypher continued to cruiddle his vosidabitity till Gravity Falls.

(Audio milked credits.)

(Buy on Bandcamp.)

[pyoorofficial]

A salwar suit that’s perfect for you!

Are you seeking a comfortable, stylish outfit that perfectly reflects your unique style? Look no further than the Pakistani suit design, also known as the Pakistani design salwar kameez. This traditional outfit offers an ideal blend of style and comfort, making it a popular choice among women of all ages. At Pyoor, we bring you our handpicked collection of these charming suits, designed to enhance your wardrobe with their timeless beauty and versatility.

At Pyoor, we understand the importance of finding the right outfit for different occasions. Our collection ranges from casual cotton suits for everyday wear to professional styles for the office, and from glamorous festive wear to luxurious wedding outfits. Each design is crafted with attention to detail, ensuring that you look stunning and feel comfortable. Below is our handpicked collection of salwar suits that suit you:

1. Heer Set in Pakistani Fit, by Pyoor

The Heer Set by Pyoor is a stunning Pakistani suit design that showcases the rich heritage of Pakistani design salwar kameez. This beautifully crafted outfit features detailed embroidery and vibrant colors, perfect for any special occasion. The high-quality fabric ensures both comfort and style, making it a must-have for those who appreciate traditional attire with a modern twist. Ideal for weddings, festive events, or cultural gatherings, the Heer Set by Pyoor is a testament to timeless Pakistani fashion.

2. Laila Set in Red in Eastern Fit, by Pyoor

Laila Set in Red in Eastern Fit by Pyoor is a beautiful example of Pakistani suit design. This outfit is stunning red and showcases the traditional Pakistani design salwar kameez. This detailed pattern and comfortable fit make it perfect for various occasions. The set includes a well-crafted kameez with elegant color and a matching salwar, combining style and tradition seamlessly. Ideal for those who appreciate the beauty of cultural attire, the Laila Set brings a touch of authentic Pakistani fashion to your wardrobe.

3.Sitara Set: Sharara, by Pyoor

The SITARA Set, Sharara by Pyoor, showcases the beauty of traditional Pakistani suit design. This stunning outfit features a classic Pakistani-designed salwar kameez paired with a flowing sharara, perfect for any special occasion. The detailed patterns and vibrant colors highlight the rich cultural heritage, making it a standout choice for those who appreciate traditional fashion. Crafted with attention to detail, this outfit offers both style and comfort, allowing you to celebrate with the utmost grace. Ideal for festive events or weddings, the SITARA Set ensures you look and feel your best.

4. Starry Night Set, Black, by Pyoor

The Starry Night Set in Black by Pyoor brings traditional Pakistani suit design to life with its stunning details. This Pakistani-designed salwar kameez includes a beautiful black color kameez, a comfortable salwar, and a matching dupatta, all in a classic black color. The detailed patterns and rich fabric highlight the artistry and cultural heritage of Pakistani fashion. Perfect for special occasions, this set combines comfort and style, making it a must-have for anyone who loves timeless, beautifully crafted attire.

5. Pakeeza Organza Suit Set, by Pyoor

Pyoor’s Pakeeza Organza Suit Set is a stunning outfit inspired by Pakistani designs. This suit set bursts with colors and detailed patterns, just like traditional Pakistani salwar kameez. Made from soft and luxurious organza fabric, it’s both elegant and comfortable. Whether you’re attending a wedding or a festive celebration, this outfit is ideal for standing out. With its graceful design and attention to detail, it’s a must-have for anyone who loves Pakistani fashion. Add a touch of cultural flair to your wardrobe with this stunning suit set from Pyoor!

6. Gudasta’s Silk Brocade Set with Dupatta, by Pyoor

Wrap yourself in Pakistani tradition with the ‘GULDASTA’ Silk Brocade Set with Dupatta by Pyoor. This stunning outfit features a detailed Pakistani suit design, blending timeless elegance with modern flair. Crafted from luxurious silk brocade, this outfit shows grace. The set includes a mesmerizing dupatta that adds a touch of style to your look. Perfect for special occasions or casual gatherings, this Pakistani-designed salwar kameez set is sure to make you stand out with its exquisite craftsmanship and rich cultural heritage.

[fcomindia]

Lehenga Trends for 2025: How Custom Stitching Can Create Your Perfect Look

Discover the top lehenga trends for 2025, from minimalist elegance to sustainable fabrics. Learn why custom stitching is the best choice for a perfect fit and personalized design.

Lehengas have long been a cornerstone of Indian ethnic fashion, embodying tradition while evolving with contemporary trends. As we step into 2025, lehenga designs are set to become more personalized, ensuring that every bride and fashion enthusiast can showcase their unique style. While ready-made lehengas offer convenience, custom-stitched lehengas provide the perfect blend of fit, fabric, and detailing. Let’s explore the latest trends and why opting for lehenga design stitching is the best way to create a flawless look.

Trending Lehenga Styles for 2025

1. Minimalist Elegance

Simplicity is key in 2025, with pastel hues, delicate embroidery, and lightweight fabrics like organza and chiffon taking center stage. Brides and fashionistas are leaning towards minimalist designs that exude sophistication without overwhelming embellishments.

2. Vibrant Floral Prints

Floral lehengas are making a comeback, with intricate digital prints and hand-painted motifs dominating the scene. These designs are perfect for pre-wedding functions and festive gatherings, offering a fresh and youthful appeal.

3. Indo-Western Fusion

The fusion of contemporary and traditional elements is defining modern lehengas. Think crop-top style cholis, asymmetric hemlines, and structured silhouettes that blend Western cuts with Indian craftsmanship.

4. Sustainable and Handwoven Fabrics

Eco-friendly fashion is on the rise, and 2025 is seeing a surge in lehengas made from organic fabrics, handwoven textiles, and sustainable dyes. Custom tailoring allows you to pick materials that align with your ethical fashion choices.

Why Custom Stitching Makes a Difference

1. The Perfect Fit

Unlike off-the-rack lehengas that come in standard sizes, tailored lehengas ensure a perfect fit for your body type. With lehenga design stitching services, you can achieve a personalized silhouette that enhances your shape and comfort.

2. Unique and Personalized Designs

Custom stitching allows you to incorporate unique elements into your lehenga, from intricate embroidery to handpicked embellishments. Pairing your lehenga with saree blouse design stitching ensures a coordinated and well-fitted ethnic ensemble.

3. Quality Fabrics and Finishing

Ready-made lehengas often compromise on fabric quality to suit mass production. Custom stitching enables you to select high-quality fabrics, ensuring durability and comfort. To add finishing touches, consider saree petticoat fall and pico services for enhanced detailing.

Choosing the Right Lehenga for Your Occasion

Weddings: Go for silk or velvet with intricate zari work and embellishments.

Festivals: Bright colors, embroidery, and lightweight fabrics create a festive charm.

Cocktail Events: Indo-western lehengas with modern cuts add a contemporary edge.

Casual Wear: Minimalist designs with breathable fabrics like cotton or linen ensure comfort and elegance.

Final Thoughts

Custom-stitched lehengas offer an unmatched level of precision, exclusivity, and elegance, making them the perfect choice for fashion-conscious individuals in 2025. With a tailored approach, you can create an outfit that reflects your personality and ensures a standout appearance at any event.For those who love the timeless grace of Anarkalis, you can also explore Anarkali design stitching services to achieve a regal and elegant look.

Author Bio

Poornima Sathyanarayan is the Founder of FCOM India, an online/doorstep tailoring service based in Bangalore. Poornima is an Indian fashion enthusiast and writes about Indo-Western and Indian ethnic wear for both women and men.

[zhuohaosilkqxd]

Silk organza

product name: Silk organza

Product description: As Silk organza Manufacture, Huzhou zhuohao weaving mill mainly weaves different kinds of silk & silk blend fabrics Guangxi Nanning mainly produces raw silk yarn, high-quality fabrics silk quilts, scarves apparel, home textile products. For more details, please visit it https://www.zhuohaosilk.com/product/full-silk-fabrics/silk-organza.html

[marketing-features]

Exquisite Mandap Decoration in Ahmedabad

A wedding mandap is the centerpiece of any traditional Indian wedding. It serves as the sacred space where rituals are performed, vows are exchanged, and two souls unite for a lifetime. The demands for luxurious and theme based Mandap decoration in Ahmadabad is soaring the whole city. At Akshar Decor, we bring creativity, elegance, and a touch of grandeur to every wedding with our meticulously crafted mandap designs.

Why Mandap Decoration is Crucial for a Grand Wedding

The mandap is not just a structure; it is a symbolic representation of tradition and divine blessings. It forms the focal point of the wedding ceremony, setting the tone for the entire event. A well decorated mandap enhances the ambiance and provides a captivating backdrop for your wedding photography.

At Akshar Decor, we understand the emotional and cultural significance of the mandap. That is why we focus on providing the most innovative and awe-inspiring designs that align with the couple’s vision and preferences.

Best Mandap Decoration Themes in Ahmedabad

1. Traditional Mandap Decoration

For couples who cherish classic Indian wedding themes, traditional mandap decoration is the perfect choice. This includes intricate floral arrangements, shimmering drapes, and sacred elements such as brass lamps, kalash, and banana leaves. Popular color themes include red, gold, and maroon, symbolizing prosperity and divine blessings.

2. Floral Mandap Decoration

A floral mandap creates an enchanting and dreamy atmosphere. We specialize in crafting mandaps adorned with roses, marigolds, jasmine, orchids, and lilies. Whether you prefer a full floral canopy or minimalistic floral touches, our expert designers ensure an aesthetic and fragrant ambiance.

3. Royal and Mughal-Style Mandap Decoration

For couples dreaming of a regal wedding, a Mughal-style mandap is an ideal choice. It features grand pillars, golden embellishments, and intricate carvings reminiscent of royal palaces. Velvet drapes, crystal chandeliers, and rich color palettes elevate the setting, making it truly majestic.

4. Contemporary and Minimalistic Mandap Decoration

Modern couples looking for a sophisticated and elegant mandap prefer minimalistic designs. A combination of white drapes, pastel flowers, glass elements, and LED lighting creates a subtle yet mesmerizing effect. These mandaps exude charm while maintaining simplicity and grace.

5. Beach and Destination Wedding Mandap Decoration

If you are planning a destination wedding, we provide unique beachside and outdoor mandap setups. These include breezy, nature-inspired designs with tropical flowers, light fabrics, and a panoramic view of the sea or lush greenery.

Key Elements in Mandap Decoration

1. Floral Arrangements

Flowers play a crucial role in mandap decoration. We use high-quality, fresh flowers to create a visual masterpiece. Floral garlands, petal pathways, and ceiling cascades enhance the beauty of the mandap.

2. Draping and Fabrics

Our silk, organza, and velvet drapes add an elegant touch to the mandap. The choice of fabric and color scheme is tailored to match the wedding theme and the couple’s personal preferences.

3. Lighting and Chandeliers

Proper lighting is essential to highlight the mandap’s grandeur. We incorporate fairy lights, LED uplighting, hanging lanterns, and chandeliers to create a divine atmosphere.

4. Customized Mandap Structures

At Akshar Decor, we offer a variety of mandap structures including:

Four-pillar mandap

Dome-shaped mandap

Circular mandap

Canopy-style mandap

Each design is customized to fit the wedding venue and couple’s vision.

Why Choose Akshar Decor for Mandap Decoration in Ahmedabad?

1. Expertise and Experience

With years of experience in wedding decoration, our team has successfully designed stunning mandaps decoration for thousands of weddings in Ahmedabad.

2. Customization and Personalization

We understand that every couple has a unique vision. We offer tailored mandap designs to match your theme, traditions, and personal preferences.

3. High Quality Materials

We use only the finest fabrics, flowers, lighting, and structural elements to ensure your mandap looks impeccable from every angle.

4. Professional Setup and Timely Execution

Our efficient and skilled team ensures that the mandap setup is completed seamlessly and on time, without any hassle for the couple or their families.

5. Affordable Pricing Packages

We offer competitive pricing without compromising on quality. Our packages are designed to suit various budgets while delivering luxurious wedding decor.

Conclusion:

Your wedding day is a once in a lifetime event, and the mandap decoration in Ahmedabad area should be nothing less than spectacular. At Akshar Decor, we take pride in transforming your dream wedding into reality with our exceptional mandap decoration services in Ahmedabad. Whether you envision a grand, traditional setup or a modern, minimalistic design, we have the expertise to bring it to life.

[entrepouch7]

Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Gift Pouch Supplier

A gift pouch supplier provides high-quality, decorative pouches for packaging gifts, enhancing presentation. These suppliers offer a variety of sizes, colors, and materials such as velvet, satin, and organza, catering to different occasions like birthdays, weddings, and holidays. They ensure durability, elegance, and style in every pouch offered.

[malaandkinnary]

Shop Organza Kurta Set Online

Looking to elevate your wardrobe with elegance and style? Shop Organza Kurta Set Online for a perfect blend of tradition and modern fashion. These beautiful kurta sets feature delicate organza fabric, offering a light, airy feel while maintaining a refined, sophisticated look. Ideal for festivals, weddings, or any special occasion, these sets come in a variety of designs and colors, allowing you to find the perfect fit for your personal style. Shop Organza Kurta Set Online today and experience the luxury of high-quality craftsmanship and timeless beauty.

[adishaa-fashion]

Where can I purchase the best organza saree online?

Hello ladies,

I’m excited to share something close to my heart—our beautiful collection of organza sarees at Adishaa. Being part of the Adishaa family, it fills me with pride to help women like you find elegant and affordable sarees that bring joy to every occasion, from small family gatherings to grand celebrations.

If you’re looking to buy organza saree online, you’ve come to the right place. I’ll walk you through why our sarees stand out and why Adishaa should be your trusted shopping destination.

Why Choose an Organza Saree?

Organza sarees are special for so many reasons, and I think you’ll agree once you wear one.

Light and Airy These sarees feel feather-light, making them perfect for long events or hot weather. You’ll never feel uncomfortable, no matter how long you wear them.

Beautiful Shine The soft sheen of organza fabric gives you a graceful and polished look. Whether it’s a wedding, festival, or a simple get-together, an organza saree will always make you stand out.

Flexible Styling Pair them with traditional gold jewelry for a classic look or modern accessories for a touch of chic. You can dress them up or down, depending on the occasion.

Why Adishaa is the Best Place for Organza Sarees

When we started Adishaa, our goal was simple—to make traditional sarees accessible to women everywhere without burning a hole in their pockets. Here’s how we keep that promise, especially with our best organza saree collection:

Variety You’ll Love We offer a wide collection of organza sarees in vibrant colors, intricate designs, and beautiful patterns. From elegant florals to bold, statement pieces, there’s something here for every taste.

High-Quality Fabric We pick only the best materials for our sarees. Every saree is carefully crafted to ensure it feels soft, looks stunning, and remains durable for years to come.

Affordable Prices At Adishaa, we strongly believe that elegance should not come at a high cost. That’s why we’ve priced our organza sarees to suit middle-class families, without compromising on quality.

Convenient Shopping, Straight to Your Doorstep Our website is easy to browse. All product images and descriptions give you a clear idea of what you’re buying. Once you place your order, we ensure fast delivery right to your home.

Customer Satisfaction At Adishaa, you’re not just a customer—you’re part of our family. We’re here to make your shopping experience smooth and happy. And if you face any issues, our supportive team is always ready to help.

Tips for Choosing Your Perfect Organza Saree

To help you pick the saree of your dreams, here are a few quick tips:

Pick a Suitable Color Soft, pastel shades are perfect for daytime events, while darker, bolder colors add elegance to evening occasions.

Focus on Details If you like minimal designs, go for subtle patterns. For grand celebrations, choose sarees with intricate embroidery or bold prints.

Choose a Versatile Design Opt for a saree that you can style differently, whether it’s for a family function, a formal event, or a festive celebration.

Find Your Saree Today!

Now that you know what makes our organza sarees so special, it’s time to explore them for yourself. You’ll find sarees that match your style, fit your budget, and make you feel beautiful inside and out.

At Adishaa, we are committed to celebrating the beauty of traditional fashion while keeping it affordable and accessible for all. Every saree in our collection is a symbol of grace, crafted with love for women like you.

We can’t wait to help you find your next favorite saree. Happy shopping, and thank you for being part of our Adishaa family!

[secret-third-thing]

Chapter 1: The Thought that Counts (In Which Nothing Happens)

Eris x OC | Rated E | Read on AO3 | Read on tumblr below the cut

Gianna of Montesere's life is shattered when her family becomes the target of a chilling assassination attempt. Forced into exile at her estranged father's side in the Autumn court, she embarks on a journey that thrusts her into the treacherous depths of Prythian's most perilous family. Amidst the dazzling highs and heart-wrenching lows of cutthroat politics, Gianna discovers an unexpected love in Eris Vanserra that turns her world upside down.

Warnings: Typical violence and scheming, gambling, old-school slut shaming

Read if you like: slow burn, enemies to lovers, political intrigue, worldbuilding, cute dogs

Gianna watched her cousin Ludivine pull wishes from the garden fountain. The dark-haired female stood barefoot near the middle, where four ornate lions were perched on a central pillar, mouths opened wide and spewing out thin streams of water. The female carefully navigated around the creatures, one hand bunching the hem of her purple organza dress so it wouldn't be ruined. Then, humming to herself, Ludivine skimmed her hand across the water and stopped to pick up a coin from the bottom of the fountain. She curled her hand around the metal and held it out, eyes glazing over for a moment.

"They wished for a child," she said with a dreamlike quality to her voice, power rippling around her. Then, when she snapped out of the trance, she gave a haughty laugh and tossed it to the ground beside her.

Gianna's other cousin, Alois, a male several decades older than her and Ludivine, smoothed his hair back and held out a hand, not sparing a glance at his sister's antics. The abandoned coin flew to his fingers before he added it to a growing pile beside him.

"It's rude to read the wishes," he said halfheartedly, turning a page of his book. He had been engrossed in the novel for hours. It took Gianna almost no time at all to realize he had switched the book jacket from a historical text to hide the fact that he was reading yet another erotic novel.

Ludivine threw an accusatory glare at her brother. "Since when have you cared?" she said. She chose another coin and read off the wish. "Good health and a long life. Boring!"

This time she tossed the coin to Gianna, who caught the gleaming piece of gold and added it to her own pile at the table she was sitting.

"It's not like they actually come true," she said, meeting Gianna's eyes and then dunking her hand back into the water to fish out another poor fae's dream.

"It's the thought that counts." Gianna countered with a huff. She would rather die than admit it, but she had come here several times under cover of night to add her own wishes to the hundreds in the fountain's basin. The gardens of the Palace of Splendor were open to everyone, including their subjects, so many fae stopped by to offer their dreams in the hope that the Mother would grant them. So far, none of Gianna's dreams of meeting and falling in love with a prince from a neighboring kingdom had come true, but these things didn't happen overnight.

Gianna shifted uncomfortably in her seat and gazed back at the palace. Tonight may be different, she reminded herself. Tonight was her grandfather's birthday, and royals from across the continent were arriving to celebrate at the palace. The males of Montesere were far too hedonistic for her tastes if her cousin Alois was any indicator. More than once, she had caught him under the influence of mirthroot with multiple females squirming beneath him, equally euphoric and unraveling. If she was being honest, she preferred her males to be more traditional, which earned her endless teasing from both her cousins. Montesere was the one place where fae could live out their desires, and many traveled from other kingdoms so they could indulge. The fact that Gianna actively avoided these activities was unusual, at least according to her family.

"Thinking about your depressing males again?" Ludivine sang from the fountain.

Gianna rolled her eyes. "I'm debating how quickly it'll take for Alois to sneak out of the party and into one of our guest's bed chambers tonight," she lied. Alois snorted and threw a coin across the table at Gianna. Ludivine giggled and stepped out of the fountain into her shoes so she could throw her arms around her older brother.

"Oh, we both know that's not going to happen tonight. Alois is banned from leaving the dancehall without a chaperone." She wiggled her eyebrows and squeezed her brother tightly.

"We all have chaperones," he said, pulling her arm away from where she had it tucked under his chin and around his neck.

"True," Ludivine sighed, "some of us are too fabulously slutty." Gianna didn't disagree. If Alois was indulgent, Lulu was downright obscene, at least from what Gianna had heard secondhand from some of the courtiers.

"At least you're aware," Gianna said, biting back a grin. Her cousins both glared before they all broke out into laughs.

"Don't worry, Gigi," Ludivine said, reaching over to pinch her cousin's cheek. "One day, you will meet a male you like and never close your legs again."

"Lulu!" Gianna leaned over the table to grab at her cousin, but the female ducked out of the way.

"It's true!" she teased.

Gianna fought the urge to tell Ludivine that she was one to talk but saw Alois shaking his head. "If you two are going to have a spat, I will find our uncle instead."

"Fine!" Gianna said, gathering all the coins into a pouch, "We should all go bother him anyway. I haven't seen him since he arrived back here from Prythian." -- They found their uncle sparring with some courtiers at the training fields on the other side of the estate. Gianna hadn't seen him for months, but the time away had suited him. His skin was sunkissed, and freckles bloomed on his face, peppering his nose and cheeks. As Montserre's emissary, Mattheo traveled quite a bit. However, Gianna suspected that the captain of his private boat had more to do with the extended absences than actual work as an emissary.

Today, instead of his usual finery, he wore dirty white stockings tucked into wrinkled pants cuffed just below the knee. He had discarded his embroidered jacket in favor of wearing a simple vest. And despite the aggressive parrying back and forth with his rapier, not a single strand of chestnut hair was out of place.

Gianna watched eagerly while her cousins chatted with her uncle's friends. They were young and rakish like Mattheo, and she would be lying if she hadn't thought about pursuing a relationship with one of the males. But she was far too shy - skittish, as Alois would say. And they were far too forward. As though she were emphasizing Gianna's point, Lulu had lain her head across one of the males' lap, letting him get an obvious eyeful of her cleavage spilling out the top of her dress. He reached down to caress her cousin's waist and murmured something to her.

Gianna rolled her eyes and ignored the jealousy burning in her stomach. She knew the yearning would drive her mad one day, but maybe the Prythian half of her heritage gave her pause. She returned her attention to her uncle, who had gained the advantage in his match.

Mattheo stepped forward once, then back twice, then lunged. He parried a particularly clever jab and, noticing his niece's rapt attention, gave her a goofy wink. He was the youngest of her grandfather's children and the most entertaining. Gianna had fond memories of him watching when she was a child and her mother was away. Together they would traipse around the palace grounds, fighting pretend dragons until she was too tired to keep her eyes open.

Now she saw only him whenever he was between travels, which was far too infrequent as it was. She had asked to go with him once, but her mother declined, leaving no room for discussion. So, for now, she'd settle for hearing her uncle's stories.

Finally, the two males stopped sparring, Mattheo deftly disarming his companion. He handed his rapier to a servant and grabbed a cloth to wipe the sheen from his forehead.

"What brings you three to this part of the estate?" he said.

"Boredom!" Lulu wailed, sitting up and pouting her lips in practiced sadness. "There's simply nothing to do! We've been kicked out until the party."

Mattheo chuckled and patted her head, "Perhaps it is because you three are the root of all trouble for the servants."

Alois cocked his head and narrowed his eyes at their uncle. "Three?"

Their uncle let out a hearty laugh. "Am I to understand that all of you were not responsible for turning one of the guest suites into a gambling den?"

"The one you gladly attended?" Alois replied cooly.

"The one in which I won all your little games?" Mattheo replied with a smirk. Gianna rolled her eyes at them both.

He was right. Nearly a month ago, they had quietly converted a suite into a betting parlor. It had initially been Alois' idea, but the trio had been bored and spent their evenings slowly bringing in and rearranging furniture. Alois was careful to admit only the courtiers he knew were hungry to climb the ranks of court. Lulu had brought in some of her friends to entertain their guests. And Gianna, well, Gianna had played. Card games were her specialty - something that Mattheo had taught her when she had gotten too old to play dragon-hunters anymore. Eventually, their parents caught wind of their endeavors and shut the establishment down only after Mattheo emptied the den funds with his bets.

"You cheated," Alois said. He had been insisting this ever since Mattheo had won every single game the last night the gambling den had been running.

"Perhaps? Or perhaps you aren't as good as you think you are," her uncle replied. Alois shifted and flexed a hand.

Sensing that neither male would back down, Gianna jangled her bag of coins to get their attention.

"How about a rematch at cards?" she said. "We brought coins!"

Thankfully, the tension melted away at her suggestion. Alois backed down and took the bag from his cousin. Mattheo grinned wide and looked back at his friends, still doting on Lulu. One handed her a handkerchief to wipe her false tears.

"We should," he said, "before your cousin charms my friends away."

[kivenwough]

The Importance of Professional Prom Dress Dry Cleaning in Bushey, Watford, and Nearby Areas

The prom time is fun, especially for youngsters. The prom dress is of major importance in these long-lasting memories. Prom dresses can be chic or elegant and, therefore, require proper maintenance so that quality, form, and brightness can be maintained for a long period. Our dry cleaning service on prom dresses keeps it well preserved for years ahead. B X Dry Cleaner is the fastest and most responsive dry cleaning service provider of Prom Dress Dry Cleaning Bushey, Prom Dress Dry Cleaning Watford, and the neighboring regions.

Why choose our Prom Dress Dry Cleaning Service?

Prom gowns are delicate and costly investments that demand specific attention. We employ cutting-edge procedures and supplies to keep your garment looking great. We assess the delicate and fragile fabric, ornamentation, and general beauty of your prom dress. We use non-corrosive cleaning procedures to remove discolored, dirty, and odorous garments while preserving delicate textures and colors. We don't mind whether the clothing is worn out or used.

Watford prom Dress Dry Cleaning

Excellent service for anybody looking for a trustworthy, knowledgeable prom dress dry cleaning Watford provider in the Watford region We are well aware that prom dresses are available in a variety of styles, from traditional and refined to daring and contemporary. Therefore, we customize our cleaning procedure to fit the distinct qualities of the materials and patterns utilized in your prom gown.

We take great care of your beautiful outfit by using our cutting-edge dry cleaning facilities and high-quality eco-friendly solutions. Don't worry; my skilled staff knows how to handle different kinds of materials, such as organza, satin, and tulle, so it will be completely clean and undamaged for you.

Expert treatment for sensitive materials

Because most gowns are made of delicate fabrics and embellished with sequins, beads, and stitching, we have specialized training on how to treat delicate decorations so that they do not change or move throughout the cleaning procedure. They care about how their beauty is preserved, which is why we take the time to properly check your clothing before beginning.

Our Prom Dress Dry Cleaning Bushey services are convenient

B X Dry Cleaner provides a convenient service for both Bushey and Watford residents, and you can quickly drop off and pick up your prom dress. We guarantee that your dress will be delivered in the shortest amount of time feasible, allowing you plenty of time to wear it to future events or save it for memories. Whether you need your Prom Dress Dry Cleaning or conserved for the future, we offer dependable and fast service.

Why should you pick our Prom Dress Dry Cleaning Service?

 Prom gowns are costly, intricate, and require particular care. Prom dress materials, such as silk satin chiffon and fabric, are more fragile than other textiles, rendering typical cleaning methods ineffectual. We employ cutting-edge dry cleaning processes and products to keep your clothing looking its best. Our expertise prioritizes the protection of prom dress fabric and accessories, as well as overall attractiveness. B X Dry Cleaner uses mild cleaning methods to remove stains, grime, and odors while preserving the dress's exquisite textures and hues. If your clothes have worn little or none, they may appear worn.

Summing up!!

For your Prom Dress Dry Cleaning, whether in Bushey, Watford, or another local town, our dry cleaning service is the best option for keeping it looking perfect at all times. B X Dry Cleaner has the professional ability and acuteness to offer your prom dress the finest care possible, keeping its beauty and materials for years to come. Trust us to clean your prom dress, and you can be confident that it will be as shining as it was on that special day. Allow our services to handle the time-consuming and difficult task of cleaning or safeguarding your prom gown for you and you may reuse it several times.

[pyoorofficial]

Budget-Friendly Pakistani Suit Options for Eid

As Eid approaches, the search for the perfect Pakistani suit begins. This festive occasion calls for special outfit, and this blog aims to guide you in finding budget-friendly options. Whether you're looking for a traditional Pakistani suit design or planning to buy Pakistani suits online from stores like PYOOR, we've got you covered.

Understanding the Significance of Eid Attire

Eid is a joyful  occasion, and the tradition of dressing up adds to its beauty. Traditionally, in India or Pakistan, women wears suits to celebrate. Each suit, be it a Salwar Kameez, Anarkali, Sharara, or Lehenga Kameez, carries cultural significance and showcases rich heritage. When choosing your Eid outfit, it's essential to consider not only style but also tradition and comfort. Exploring various Pakistani suit designs, especially those available through Pakistani suit online platforms like PYOOR, can help you find the perfect outfit that embodies elegance and cultural richness without compromising on comfort.

Exploring Budget-Friendly Pakistani Eid Suits

Fortunately, dressing in a beautiful Pakistani suit for Eid doesn't need a high price tag. Numerous affordable options on the market cater to different styles and budgets. For instance, ready-to-wear collections often offer elegant Pakistani suit designs at lower prices. On the other hand, unstitched suits give you the freedom to customize your outfit, potentially saving you money on heavy decoration or detailed embroidery. When searching for budget-friendly options, you can find a variety of Pakistani suits online from reputable brands like PYOOR, which offer stylish and affordable collections that ensure you look your best without overspending. Here are some of the suit designs that you can find online:

1.  SITARA Set, by Pyoor

The SITARA Set by Pyoor features a stunning Pakistani suit design, perfect for Eid. This elegant outfit combines traditional charm with modern style, offering a comfortable fit and intricate detailing. Available in Pakistani suits online, the SITARA Set ensures you look chic and festive without breaking the bank. Ideal for anyone seeking affordable and beautiful Eid attire.

2. Pakeeza Organza Suit Set, by Pyoor

The Pakeeza Organza Suit Set by Pyoor is a beautiful blend of elegance and comfort. This stunning Pakistani suit design features delicate organza fabric, perfect for festive occasions. You can easily find this stylish outfit among the many Pakistani suits online, making it a convenient and fashionable choice for any special event.

3. NILE Set: Middle Eastern Fit

Introducing the NILE Set—a Middle Eastern Fit by Pyoor! This exquisite outfit, crafted with precision, embodies the essence of Turkish dress design. Perfect for Eid or any special occasion, this set combines traditional elegance with modern flair. Available online, Pyoor offers an array of Pakistani suits, Eastern wear dresses ensuring you find the perfect outfit effortlessly.

Enhancing Your Eid Look with Accessories

Accessories are essential for elevating your Eid outfit, especially with Pakistani suit designs. A statement dupatta can instantly transform a simple suit into an elegant outfit . When searching for Pakistani suits online, explore PYOOR's collection for budget-friendly options. Traditional jewellery pieces like jhumkas or bangles add a festive touch to your attire. Even on a budget, investing in a few versatile accessories can enhance your Eid look without overspending. Whether it's a classic salwar kameez or other Pakistani suit designs, the right accessories can make a significant difference in your overall appearance. Prioritise quality accessories to complement your outfit and celebrate Eid in style.

Explore PYOOR for your online shopping of Eid Suits.

PYOOR offers a world of style and convenience for those seeking Pakistani suits online. Our chosen collection is tailored specifically for Eid, showcasing a stunning array of Pakistani suit designs to enrich your festive wardrobe. From timeless classics to contemporary creations, we provide options to suit every taste and budget. Each piece is crafted with detailed attention to detail and quality, ensuring you find the perfect outfit for your celebrations. With PYOOR, shopping for Eid suits is seamless and delightful. Outshine the spirit of celebration and style this Eid with our latest collection of Pakistani suits online.

[giftyworld]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: 💘 Sterling silver Clear Crystal Stud heart earrings.