#Lightbearer! Caramele

[m0thisonfire]

Lightbearer Caramele has me in a chokehold.

Just Vedan cornering or hunting this meek circus ringmaster he thinks will be easy prey, only to find the sassiest small town country boy blacksmith he's ever met throwing a mean right hook.

Lightbearer Caramele is a firm believer that fights are rated E for Everybody once he or someone else is seriously insulted or disrespected. Vedan, a Count, and a vampire Graveborn no less, is no exception.

[a-driftamongopenstars]

hi Drift! from the Reassurance prompts, how about a little coffee shop date for the guardian and Crow? :3

“ you wanna get out of here? i know a great coffee shop a few blocks away. “

aah thank you, Viper, that is just the kind of prompt I need 🥺 here is a silly overly sweet little something, also secretly featuring my titan NoName-11 who runs a coffee shop :D also on ao3

"You wanna get out of here? I know a great coffee shop a few blocks away," the Guardian says, looking up at Crow with a small hopeful smile.

Crow simply cannot say no to this tempting offer. His fingers already feel cold, and so does the tip of his nose. Just thinking about a hot cup of a delicious drink makes him feel happier and more content.

The first snow has touched the Last City, falling as a fine powder on the streets, on the grass and the rooftops. Not enough to call it winter yet, but just a taste of it, and a promise. And with it comes the colder temperature, something that even the Guardians are not quite resilient to when inside their City.

They find the said small coffee shop a few blocks away, as promised, and huddle up at the corner table. A Ghost in an elegant golden shell, with a little apron thrown around, brings over a tray with their drinks, swirly flowers drawn in the foam of the mug tops and cinnamon sprinkled on top.

"This is too good," Crow says dreamily, his lips coated slightly with a cappuccino foam. The Guardian reaches out to touch the corner of his mouth with their thumb, wiping some off and making Crow laugh as he kisses their thumb and touches their hand. "I'm never getting up."

"Until they run out of cappuccinos to serve?"

"Woe will be me," Crow coos, drinking more of his brew.

If there is anything magical about a coffee shop, it is the way it is able to stop the time. All that goes on is the soft snowfall and the trickle of other customers, Lightbearers and lightless citizens alike. Every now and then a Ghost drops by to collect something for their bonded Guardian.

But Crow's attention is most entirely on the Guardian. They talk at him, about everything and nothing. The latest mission, their last Crucible match, a trick they pulled when patrolling the system. Crow's body and mind is entirely at rest as he breathes in the pleasant caramel, cinnamon and coffee aroma of this little haven.

Crow thinks if the world had more of these places and the time to visit them, it would be a beautiful world indeed.

When the Guardian leans in to kiss him, soft lips, just a little sticky from the sweet drink, Crow leans in happily, savouring the moment - and their lips. The kiss they share is brief, almost shy and Crow feels the happy heat in his cheeks as the Guardian pulls away.

"How about a dessert?" they announce, looking towards the chalkboard menu for the choice.

"Haven't you just had one?" Crow blurts out, instinctively touching his lower lip that still pleasantly thrums with the kiss shared.

The Guardian laughs and caresses Crow's hand on the table.

"I have a sweet tooth. More might be needed."

And who is Crow to say no to another tempting offer of the day.

[mirillel]

Tagged by @matrose 💐 Thank you for providing procrastination material❣️🫶🏻

Favorite time of the year: not to sound basic but autumn 🍂 So many pretty colours around! I also love seeing the changes everything goes through during this time :) Though I also like spring and winter! Not a big summer fan as I don't do well with high temperatures :(

Comfort food: surprisingly hard to answer? I don't think it's a specific dish for me but other people's cooking. I really appreciate it when family/friends cook for me and take lots of comfort in the fact that they would do so for me 💕

Favorite drinks: juice lover!!! Especially cherry-banana 😌 When it comes to coffee I'm the person who likes very sweet caramel etc. flavored things 🙃 With alcohol it's basically both of these: juice bases as well as things like liquor 43 in milk!

Do you collect anything?: material objects bring me joy :))) Books! I really like owning physical copies! Also antique jewellery 💕 Though I don't have super much because money :( Bought some taxidermy butterflies this summer and found one at a secondhand shop last week!

Current song on repeat: Happy Together by The Turtles! Don't know if that's embarrassing because I'm not up to date with music trends. Heard it on The Umbrella Academy which my bestie made me watch with her ✌🏻

Favorite fic: currently on-going Lightbearer by @elennalore ❣️ (I'm so behind on commenting, I'm so sorry!!! 😭) One shot I recently enjoyed was Concealed Art by @skyeventide

Favorite video game: don't play a lot but when I do it's Pokémon! Favorites are probaby diamond/pearl and black/white :)

Tagging @ramyun-person @sigaldry-of-thu @elennalore @softlypause if you guys feel like it 🫶🏻

[sea-side-scribbles]

Fanfiction: Sympathy For A Downer

Link:https://archiveofourown.org/works/22737214/chapters/64485670

Chapter 32

Arthur opened his eyes again and felt like his dearest wish had become true. Next to him, peacefully sleeping, lied Nick Lightbearer. Arthur watched him in awe, fighting the urge to ruffle his fluffy caramel hair or cuddle him awake. He didn't want to wake him up yet. There was something else he wanted to do. Trusting that the rockstar was a long sleeper, he left the bed, stepped over the cushions that were lying all around the room and went into the kitchen. Breakfast in bed with his lover, something he had been longing for since forever.

It was a remnant of the past, from another life Nick didn't know. Arthur remembered how he and Sally had slept in that treehouse, back then when they had been fourteen and happy. How he had sneaked into the house early in the morning to make them breakfast that they would eat at sunrise. Sally had been a long sleeper too, but the smell of coffee always woke her up. It had been their little world. Arthur could've been sad about it, but somehow the good feelings had remained. The excitement about getting up early. It was little things like these Arthur had missed the most. He'd give all this to Nick, show him how much he loved him.

Minutes later he was ready and going back to his bedroom where Nick lied the same way he had left him. The sight made Arthur smile. He petted Nick's back and gently kissed his cheek. Nick immediately stirred. When he opened his eyes, Arthur admired their bright green color. "Good morning, my love," he whispered. Nick blinked, looking confused. "What time is it?" He quickly sat up. Arthur moved over, so that his lover could see what he had prepared. "Time for breakfast." Now Nick lit up.

He gladly accepted a mug of steaming hot coffee. "It's the real one. I found it at the shop," Arthur explained. "I couldn't live without it," his lover sighed. Then he moved closer to Arthur and leaned against him. Closing his eyes with the mug in his hands, he looked like he was about to fall asleep again. Arthur softly nudged him. "Nickie," he whispered. "Is my rockstar tired?" Nick began to smile and gave him a mild look. Finally he drank his coffee. "I'm buggered," he whispered. "But happy." Arthur lied an arm around him and gave him another kiss on the cheek.

"You're so cute, Arthur...", Nick muttered. Arthur rested his head on his lover's shoulder. "I'm glad you're still here..." Nick had been about to leave him again at night, but Arthur had begged and pleaded until his lover had given up. Nick had no regrets. He answered with kissing Arthur's forehead.

Nick could've been nervous. Soon, his record would appear on the market and perhaps he'd be famous and loved again, but now he was way too tired to worry about anything. He had two free days to look forward to and all he would do with them was showing his love to Morrie and Arthur. Yes, that sounded alright. He drank more coffee.

"Aren't you hungry?", he heard Arthur ask and looked up again. His lover had taken a piece of pastry from the tray and held it up. It smelled delicious. Nick opened his mouth and Arthur promptly fed him. It tasted even better than it smelled. Nick made a noise that sounded like he was purring. It made Arthur take another piece and offering it to his hungry star. Nick accepted it again. Now Arthur took pleasure in feeding him. "Are you planning to cram me?", Nick chuckled after a while. "Eat up, my boy, so you'll grow big and strong." "I want to be as big and strong as you." "So you'll have to eat a lot." They both giggled.

Nick then crawled to the tray and clenched a piece of pastry between his teeth. Crawling back to Arthur, he held it out to him. Arthur carefully took it with his own teeth and Nick let go. Chewing on it, it reminded Arthur of that wonderful taste Nick's lips had, so instead of eating more, he tried them again. Nick put down the mug and gladly gave all his attention to Arthur. They gently kissed and cuddled. It was obvious they were both tired. After lying in bed for another while, Nick gave him one last tender kiss and whispered: "Thank you."

"When will you come back?", Arthur asked while Nick left the bed. "Wait for me in the tunnel." "I'll miss you," his lover sighed. "I'll miss you too." Nick blew him a kiss. "Do you know the hatch in the Clayton Center? I'll tell Davy to let you through."

Arthur rolled over on the bed, resting his head on his hands. "His mannequins look just like you. I could steal one." Nick laughed. "Is the original not enough?" "You're always away." Nick locked gazes with him. "It'll get better. As soon as my record is out." "Then hurry up!" "You're insatable, my King." He walked over to kiss Arthur again, enjoying how much the other man needed him.

Nick was still thinking about Arthur when he entered the Clayton Center to use the hatch himself. It was the only one he had also used in the past. Davy found him walking through the shop. "Darling, are you looking for me?" Nick stopped and smiled. "Hi...uhm...Is the hatch still there?" "Oh, this is just like the old days! Sure, it's still there. You know the way." "Good to know that some things simply stay the same."

They eyed each other for a moment, then Davy asked: "You've been up to something, haven't you?" "Not that I remember," Nick said innocently. "There's just one thing, uh...if you see Arthur Hastings again, please let him pass through the hatch, okay?" Davy grinned knowingly. "Still the old heartbreaker..." Before Nick could protest, he added: "Don't worry, I'm as silent as a grave, you know me." "Thank you." Davy waved him off. "You're welcome. After all, what's an unbridled love affair for?"

Nick was speechless. He only chuckled and stammered something. "You sure you want to leave already, hot stuff?", the designer purred and came closer. Nick cleared his throat. "Yes,...I...I'm in a relationship now and I'm quite serious about it...." Davy stopped. "I'm sorry that...I have to tell it to you this way," Nick said meekly, staring at the floor. "We never really broke up. I just vanished. It's not that I didn't like it with you." The designer put a hand on his shoulder and said in a soft voice: "Don't beat yourself up, my dear. Remember what we said, no pressure, no rules. We had a good time, that's what counts." "You're not upset?" Davy sighed. "I can't say I won't miss it. Or that I'll be sorry if you come back one day." "Oh, dear...", Nick shook his head. "And people call me the naughty one."

The other man smiled. "By the way, there's something I wanted to show you, if you have another minute." "No problem", Nick assured. "What is it?" "It's in my office." The designer instantly went for it and Nick had problems following him. "It just an idea I had some days ago...Don't be shy to tell me if it's too much...", he chattered while Nick had no clue what he was talking about. In the office however he found a suit that made him gasp.

Dark cloth with a slight tone of violet, silver pinstripes, tight fitting style and a fedora with the sharpest edges he had ever seen. "Do you think Virgil would wear it?", Davy asked doubtfully. "You can't do this to me!", Nick blurted out instead of an answer. Davy looked at him. "You still have a crush on your manager?" Nick wiped his forehead. "I'm trying to repress it!" "My poor thing. I'm sorry." Nick sighed. "I'm taking it. He'll love it." "You're certain?" "Sure, it's just his color...and this style...it's incredible." Davy smiled brightly.

Back in the shop the designer said: "Now that we equipped Virgil, what's with you? I can't believe you're still wearing that suit from last season. Is there nothing you like, apart from me of course?" Nick wasn't surprised that Davy brought this up. "It seems to be still in style, if I read your chart right." "Yellow", Davy promptly said. "You could bring it off. You'll look splendid in it, trust me!" He led Nick to a collection of yellow clothes. Nick gave it a curious look. He hadn't planned a shopping tour but now he thought about it. He could do Davy a favour.

He put on everything and the pile of boxes with all the things he purchased grew bigger. He couldn't wait to be seen in them. Davy was excited too. Lastly, Nick had an idea. He eyed a dark blue suit with white pinstripes while the designer glanced over his shoulder. "Dearie, that's not your size." "It's not for me." "Oh, I see... Yes, it'll look good on him." Nick didn't answer. He only  kept the box and stacked Virgil's on it. "I'll take this," he stated "Be a treasure and send the rest to my house, as always."

Davy patted his shoulder. "It's good to have you back, Nickie. I've been worried about you." "Bad weeds grow tall," Nick said waving him off. "And Davy?" He paused. "Yes, Nickie?" He gave him a peck on the cheek. "Thanks again." Davy held up a finger. "Don't burn your lips, bad boy," he said playfully. "There's someone waiting for you at home." "I know what I'm doing," Nick protested. Davy just gave him a warm smile. "Good luck."

Finally, Nick went home. Constable Hunt saw him approaching, being loaded with boxes. "May I help you, Mr. Lightbearer, Sir?" "It's okay, Hunt. Just open the door."

"Guys, I'm home," he said into the empty looking house. "Hello? Where is everyone?"

Morrie arrived shortly after. He leaned over the boxes to kiss Nick. "What were you doing?", he asked eyeing his lover's loot. "Uh...Davy talked me into a shopping tour. Have you seen Virgil?" "He's buried in some papers. You might not disturb him now." "It won't take long. I'll be back soon, my Morrie."

Virgil's door was ajar, so Nick squeezed through. "Virgil?," he said quietly, "I have something for you." The other man looked up from his pile of papers and to his loaded rockstar. "Is it my birthday already?" "It's from Davy...It's amazing... Just try it on... You'll look great in it." Nick stuttered a bit, imagining the other man in these fancy rags. Virgil accepted the box. "Thank you. I'll look at it later," he said gesturing towards the papers. "Don't overdo it, okay?" Nick winked. "Don't worry, I can take a lot." "You sure can...Okay then...I'm here if you need me." "So am I. Enjoy your freetime, Nickie." "Oh, I will." With the other box he went back to Morrie.

"See, back already," he said when he found his lover. "I have something for you too." He handed him the box. "A present?" Morrie was stirred. "It's nothing, really...I just thought it'll look good on you." Morrie opened the box and eyed the fancy suit inside. "Norbert," he gasped, "It's...it's stunning. Are you sure this is for me?" Nick nodded and leaned over to him. "Can't wait to see you in it," he purred into Morrie's ear. Morrie turned his head and wrapped his arms around Nick. They kissed extensively.

"Didn't you get anything for yourself?", he asked when they paused. "Yes, but I couldn't carry all that. He'll send it to me," Nick chuckled. "That's more like you." "Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" "It means I'm eager to see you in it, too." They kissed again.

Soon, they lied in Nick's bed and enjoyed their quality time. Morrie liked how his lover looked at him. As if he was the only man in the world. But he couldn't fight the feeling that something was odd. Something that would've been an obvious sign in the past. Something he wouldn't have brought up because it didn't help anyway. Instead he would've ignored it and hoped it would get better again. But he had learned the hard way that it didn't get any better. And now it was supposed to be different. Norbert had promised.

"Norrie?", he whispered, watching how his lover lit up when he said the name. He had protested at first but it was obvious that he liked it. "You've been away a whole night with this reporter again." His lover's expression changed. "Morrie, we didn't..." He paused. "I just stayed overnight in the Parade because I was too tired to walk back. And then I went shopping." Morrie nodded, but there was more.

"Mr. Hackney was quite excited to see you again." Nick sighed. "Okay, before you say more: yes, we've had an affair long ago." He gulped. Confessions were hard. "We weren't in love but...you know how it is...It started after we broke up. I didn't betray you with him. Davy didn't know if I was still interested or not." He paused again. "Today I told him it's over."

Morrie was silent. Then he started to stroke Nick's shoulder. "Thank you," he whispered, "I'm proud of you. I know how hard it is for you to overcome yourself." Nick turned his head, giving Morrie a pitiful look. Suddenly Morrie realized something. "You always think you have to give yourself to others. But you don't belong to them. Whatever they say, first of all you belong to yourself." He hoped that his words got through to his lover, who never seemed to learn.

Nick looked deeply into Morrie's eyes, wishing it was so easy. But if they started to scream for him again, if their entire wellbeing would depend on him again, could he deny them their idol? "And to you...", he only answered. "If you want," Morrie added. Nick began to kiss his cheeks, his forehead, his eyelids. He wanted it.

[m0thisonfire]

Graveborn footsoldier: Behold! The town goth has left his house!

Vedan: Bring me the country-music loving farm boy.

Lightbearer!Caramele, tied up and struggling as he's dragged: No! NO! Y'all let me go! I don't wanna-!

[m0thisonfire]

Problem

Lightbearer Caramele Dark Au with Vedan and Rule #34 by Fish In a Birdcage

How long can sassy small town country boy last against horny aristocrat vampire keeping him captive

oh no???

[m0thisonfire]

I would love to hear more about Caramele! What are his likes and dislikes? What's his backstory? [I am giving you permission to infodump. Go wild.]

AH OKIE OKIE- GONNA WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN WHILE I STILL HAVE MOTIVATION

I’m going to put his likes and dislikes at the end of this wall of text, and there is a lot, a lot to get down. Just think of one of those walls of texts that have the pinned up photos, on top of me still learning all the Graveborn lore. So it’s gonna be fanon and my stuff mixed with canon.

Also I started answering this and then went to check something on the lore site, and everything got deleted, so I am still suffering over that-

But to begin:

Caramele was born in a small out of the way country town simply called ‘Stone’ somewhere in the Lightbearer empire, named after the huge stone statue of an unnamed hero that watches over the village. There isn’t anything really remarkable or noteworthy about Stone except for the Blacksmith shop and the widowed Baron who lives there with his son. The only ‘remarkable’ things would be the barrows that are scattered around the town and territory, and the ancient magic that the land seemed to be ‘blessed’ or infused with.

A few of the townfolk can channel a little of the magic to grow crops and flowers, and heal their sick and injured to a very small degree. Nothing that can be used in battle or war, so isn’t really considered powerful magic outside of usefulness.

The Barrows, on the other hand, nobody goes near those unless it’s to pay respect to the dead. Stone would have been built around the time of the First Hypogean War, before Annih went AWOL and created the Hypogeans, so the gravesites belong to powerful mages and soldiers from long, long ago. And in the folklore that was passed down from generations, the barrows would have been protected by ‘Barrow Wraiths’, monsters/protectors of the crypts, created to hunt down grave-robbers and desecraters that would threaten the dead and items within. Not strictly ‘Graveborn’, but certainly not living either.

One such barrow would be nearby the shop in the woods.

Caramele’s family is very keep to themselves for many reasons, but his mom Winnifred, and himself, were always the social butterflies of the family, the ones to often go to the town and pick up orders for his dad. He enjoyed his community, despite the occasional odd look he would get from outsiders due to his albinism, but the locals were more than accepting of the Smiths’ son. Rubin Smith is much more introverted than his wife and children, a big and imposing man of few words and fewer friends, but takes pride in his work and family. Caramele also has two older siblings that spend most of their time hunting and foraging, twins named Addison and Aven. Almost everyone in the family knows how to work the forge, and even then Winnifred helped around the shop keeping it clean and organized. The twins hunted, their mother ran the house and gathered orders, and Caramele helped his father in the forge.

When Caramele would be around ten, disaster would strike.

Remember the Baron’s son I mentioned? Well, turns out, he is a not good person. A very unstable not good person. As in, the kind of unstable not good person you would never trust with Divine magic or sharp objects, which, unfortunately, Leon le Menteur had access to both. In abundance, enough so that when he grew up he went into the Heresy Inquisition in the Lightbearer Temple. Which, in itself, is a bad idea. On top of the fact he is one sadistic guy who would target anyone ‘different’. Different like Caramele.

Leon would be twelve at the time, Caramele ten, and a vicious plot would be unfolding in the Baron’s manor that no one even knew of. Under the cover of being a guest at the noble’s party, a stranger (Vedan) would be paying two grave-robbers to infiltrate the Barrow near the blacksmith’s shop, looking for a powerful spellbook he would use later on (Isabella’s book).

Long story short, the grave-robbers infiltrate the crypt and successfully grab the book, return it to the stranger, end up getting poisoned via wine to erase witnesses, and unintentionally woke up one of the Barrow Wraiths through their desecration and thievery.

The stranger would escape into the night never to return to Stone, yet there would be one life he would indirectly change forever.

While the thieves were stealing the book, Leon would have trapped Caramele in the woods nearby as an ill gotten joke before returning to the Baron’s party. And as the night got late and his family got worried, Winnifred would have gone out by herself to find him.

She found Caramele and helped him. The Barrow Wraith found both of them before they could escape.

When Caramele did eventually reach home after his mother sacrificed herself distracting the Barrow Wraith, his outlook on life would be changed drastically. He would be more reserved, friendly, yes. But he would be wary, even outright hostile to most nobles well into early adulthood, especially Leon. Nevermind the Barrows, he would live the rest of his life terrified of the dark and dead.

His family fell into silent suffering despite the seemingly indifferent yet sad demeanors. Rubin became more reclusive, barely speaking outside of his home unless it was for orders or favors for his neighbors. The twins were still lighthearted and goofy, but they would be adverse to speaking about their mother. Caramele, now spending most of his time in the forge to distract himself and becoming quite antisocial, would immediately change the subject with a pointed tone, growing as quiet as his father.

How did the boy every become a Circus Ringmaster, you may ask?

Thank his siblings for that. Noticing their little brother growing more reclusive as he aged, on his fifteenth birthday they begged their father for tickets to take him to a circus. They had hoped something new and exciting would help their brother out of his depression, and Ruben surprisingly agreed. At first, Caramele was less than enthusiastic when they arrived to the huge circus tent.

And then, once they sat down among the crowd, the show began. And for the first time in five years, Caramele would feel Wonder. Whimsy. Curiosity and genuine excitement. And he smiled, for the first time in years.

And he knew exactly what he wanted to do for the rest of his life.

After the show, he searched for the Ringmaster and begged, pleaded to be mentored so he could join the circus too.

The Ringmaster at the time was planning to retire soon anyway, and was more than delighted to mentor the teen to take his place as the new leader. Since the circus traveled often and Caramele was stuck in Stone for the moment, the Ringmaster devised a way to mentor him from afar, writing down spells, tricks, and physical exercises for the boy to practice while the circus was traveling. Every year, around Caramele’s birthday, the troupe would return, and for the two weeks they were near the town, the teen was scored and directed in his abilities.

To Rubin’s relief and pride, his son began branching out, becoming more open and social like he had been before. Caramele spent more time outside the forge practicing his magic and honing his skills. The magic in the land helped him, having grown up on the blessed territory allowed Caramele to wield his magic easily, and eventually it began growing in strength the more he practiced. He trained, and he trained hard, impressing his mentor and the troupe with his dedication and growing passion. He even began performing the tricks and magic for other children and adults in the village, growing more certain in his path with every joyful smile and laugh he received.

The light he could see in others was slowly chasing away the darkness he had seen before, the darkness inside of him.

Alas, I can’t let this man be happy for long, so of course Leon does something drastic again.

At this point, Leon is well beyond obsessed with his childhood (crush) target, and once again corners Caramele in the woods. It would be a week before Caramele’s twentieth birthday, before his debut on the stage and before he took over the circus. Leon, who would be soon sent out to Ranhorn to officially be integrated into the Heresy Inquisition, was less than happy with the idea of Caramele being anywhere the Baron couldn’t keep track of him. So he threatened, pleaded, bargained, offered anything to keep Caramele in Stone until Leon could return for him.

Of course, Caramele refuses. Leon takes offense. A scuffle breaks out, and one right hook later from Caramele, Leon snaps and attacks him. Fortunately, Aven and Addison find them before more damage can be done and chases Leon off. But a shock of Divine magic rendered the nerves in Caramele’s hands shot and painful to move.

The circus arrives early, and the Ringmaster is devastated when he discovers Caramele’s condition. Not as devastated as Caramele though, fearful of being stuck in Stone forever, surrounded by Barrows and the Baron. The Ringmaster is fearful himself, and decides to take Caramele into the troupe early to attempt to help him.

The ceremony to give Caramele leadership goes on as planned, though the Ringmaster revealed there was something he had been keeping from the man until the time was right.

A book of magic in the older man’s possession that was bound to every ringmaster that took an oath to protect it, a book that held magic both damning and approved of. Runes that bent the world to the user’s will, conjuration, alteration, and destructive spells alike. On top of healing spells and illusions that would aid in keeping the circus safe.

The book would be bound to Caramele, and in turn Caramele would be both protected and the protector of his troupe, and the innocent he performed for.

Curious and intrigued, Caramele took the oath binding him to the book's magic. When he was finally given his uniform, already enchanted and imbued with runes from the Ringmaster, he could tell he was given a responsibility larger than he previously assumed. Slipping on his showman’s gloves, enchanted at the last moment due to the newest development, his nerves were soothed and even assisted, little to no pain plaguing him. A relief for his performances.

Ruben, the twins, and the newly retired Ringmaster were present for Caramele’s first performance a week later. Leon was as well, though he left in a fit of rage before the show was over. It was a success, and despite the mysterious book now in his possession, Caramele had never felt more at peace watching the happiness he brought others.

One would assume this is a happy ending. Despite it all, he got to find happiness again. Afterwards, he travels with his troupe all over Esperia, performing for folk and factions of all kind and bringing light and joy where he could.

He kept his circus in top shape, taking in the outcasts and those who had nowhere else to go. As a blacksmith, he could keep the equipment and important fastenings repaired and stable. He was used to wounds and injuries from his time in the forge and his siblings’ hunts, so he could easily stitch and fix minor wounds from accidents. He tested everything himself before shows to ensure top performance and safety for his group, and took genuine joy in training and practice with them. His dedication was admirable, his passion, undeniable. It was everything he ever wanted.

It did not last long. Tragedy number three struck, and struck hard after five years on the road.

It was a day he decided to train by himself in the woods. He wasn’t far from the tent, his troupe stationed near the house of Raine. The estate was a ways off, but Caramele had heard tales of their family. At twenty-five and traveling for years, he mellowed out towards folks and aristocrats, and even hoped that the Raines would attend.

When he heard rustling nearby, he would assume it was an animal of some sort, and be unbothered. When he heard the sound of a young girl groan in pain, he would stop what he was doing and rush to the sound.

It’s here he would first meet Silvina, near death but clinging to life. He would be filled with concern and worry for her, and would approach to help her up, return to the tent, and attempt to heal her. He would not have been able to account for the necromancer that had tracked her…

Caramele’s cause of death was a stab through the back, piercing his heart from behind and being left to bleed out by the necromancer’s surprise attack. Neither he or Silvina would be found by the troupe, and he would be assumed missing for many years to come.

Yet his resurrection causes… intrigue for many Graveborn once they discover his existence.

The necromancer did not resurrect him, no. Only Silvina. And yet, somehow, Caramele was slowly turned into a similar being as her by some unknown force. Not Quaedam, though Caramele would still be under his ‘guidance’.

When he awoke, he was met with the sight of the full moon above him. The next sight was Silvina standing over the body of the necromancer, and a dagger pointed at the newly resurrected Ringmaster. With a little convincing and a gentle hand, he manages to coax Silvina into a calm so he can figure out his situation.

A Graveborn. He was less than thrilled with that, considering his fear of the dead, but oh well. His forced optimism took the second chance as a second chance.

Afraid of returning to his troupe and overwhelmed with his situation and recent resurrection, he offered to travel with Silvina to help her get home safely. Silvina reluctantly allows him to tag along, and eventually, Caramele stands before Vedan’s castle.

On Isabella’s insistence and Silvina’s recounting, Vedan begrudgingly lets him stay with them until he gets his bearings. Of course, they eventually get used to the Ringmaster’s presence, and ‘until he gets his bearings’ turns into ‘You can’t leave, actually. Ever. The girls like you too much, so I won’t let you’.

At first, Caramele and Vedan clash. Hard. Vedan reminds Caramele too much of Leon, and Vedan doesn’t care. Because this guy is a blacksmith turned circus man. Why would someone like Vedan care about what he thinks?

… Until the day came when Vedan realized he somehow began co-parenting with Caramele. Until Caramele realizes that Vedan, in his own way, is completely different from the noble that tormented him growing up.

As time passes and Caramele gets used to being a Graveborn, Vedan integrates him into the ranks and brings him to Bantus.

And that’s usually where Caramele can be found when Vedan and the girls travel there. The man can either be found in the Count’s castle, or somewhere in Thoran’s castle, rarely anywhere else.

While most Graveborn fight and are used to break enemy ranks, Caramele is one of the more ‘essential type’ Graveborn. Not a mindless drone, yet not a fighter either. He usually works in the castle forges repairing everything and anything he can in his free time, or spends most of his time helping other Graveborn. Works in the infirmary with Niru, helps Silas with his experiments, runs papers for different officers, strategizes with Grezhul over battle plans, works in the library keeping records of different things… stays by Vedan’s side as a sort of ‘second opinion’ in the Bloody Priesthood, though he himself isn’t part of it.

His optimism eventually fades into cynical optimistic nihilism, still smiling, yet indulging in much darker humor and becoming more tolerant of the actions of Graveborn around him. Day in, day out, day in, day out… it wears on one's brain, and Caramele goes from initially horrified by those around him, to indifferent and sickeningly amused. He lives to serve, and still uses his passion to perform for his faction and bring a glimmer of joy into the ranks as best he can, though he is often sassy, sarcastic, and very stubborn on his morals and certain matters.

He gets along with the other factions, and is quite peaceful despite his demeanor. There are many things that make him unique as a Graveborn, such as him being able to remember his life as a Lightbearer and being able to walk around in the sun, dubbing him a ‘daywalker’. There are many theories about this from the medical and scientific Graveborn, from his abilities and memory, to the kind of Graveborn he and the girls are, to the fact he seemed to be one of the pactless Graveborn.

The working theory is that the oath Caramele took to bind the book to himself somehow keeps him from Quaedam’s influence and allows him to retain his humanity, though he can interact with the avatar of death just fine. A theory Shemira helped formulate was that he could walk around during the day because of the runes in his uniform. No one wants to test that theory in case Caramele does burst into flames without his unform.

Another working theory is the magic Vedan used in the ritual to turn himself into a Graveborn may have affected Isabella, Silvina, and Caramele’s Graveborn forms. The book, from the barrow in Stone, influenced Isabella’s undead form somehow. Silvina as a Lightbearer being in close contact with her sister at all times seems to have influenced her undead form as well. Caramele is not enthusiastic about this theory, because that would mean even as a child, he would have probably been cursed to this form because of the Barrow Wraith he had been in contact with.

Another reason he does not like that theory is because why the fuck was Vedan in Stone? When, where, why, and what does that mean if Vedan has a book from the gravesite Caramele knows the Barrow Wraith that killed his mother was from? Does Caramele even want to know?

He does not, he finds, because thinking on this actually tempts him to be aggressive and quite murderous. It does not help with his bottled up temper either-

For the current day and age during Afk Arena’s current events, Caramele is more temperamental, yet still subservient, beginning to actually pick fights and itch to fight the Hypogeans. He only takes orders from Vedan, Thoran or Theowyn, Grezhul, or Quaedam himself. Even then it’s begrudgingly and with an unbelievable side of sass.

As a technical Barrow Wraith, Caramele’s prone and main instinct underneath his humanity is to serve and protect his ‘barrow’. Isabella protects her book and sister, Silvina protects her sister and Vedan, Caramele takes it upon himself to protect the Arcanists Union and their home. As a Support Tank, this comes naturally to him, and the growing urge to defend as the Hypogeans grow near leaves him viotile towards intruders and enemies.

——

Likes:

Candies. As a Graveborn, Caramele insists on hard candies to keep himself focused or to zone out while fixating on something. It doesn’t matter to him he can’t really taste it, it’s sweet enough and that’s okay with him.

Coffee. Quaedam save this man, Caramele cannot get through the night without three to five cups of coffee, at least.

Sleep. He sleeps during the day, sleeps during the night. He is dead set on this schedule because it’s what he’s used to. Hence why he needs ungodly amounts of coffee if he’s forced to function at night. But sleep is, to him, temporary death, an escape.

Performing. He still loves making people smile, be it Graveborn, living factions, or Isabella, Silvina, or Daimon. His passion is still what makes him… him.

Smithing. It eases him, reminds him of home and his family. He’s damn good at it too, and takes pride in his work.

——

Dislikes:

A majority of the Graveborn. This man may be all smiles and pleasantries, but he despises the fact most of the Graveborn willingly turned themselves, and/or turned others against their will. He has exceptions, and hears out everyone’s stories. But for the most part, he’s suspicious of everybody.

His height being pointed out. Look, Caramele is only 5’3. He hates being called short. The one time Torne pointed it out, he never did again because Caramele stole his kneecaps and hid them in one of the kitchen cabinets. No one risked calling him short after that.

The dark. Caramele hates the dark. Hates the shadows, hates the things in the shadows, is terrified of the Barrow Wraith from Stone finding him again. At night, he sleeps with a candle.

Mirrors. Caramele. Cannot Stand. Mirrors. He misses how he was before, despite his albinism setting him apart from most people. He can’t stand seeing himself as a Graveborn, an undead, with ashen skin and glowing green eyes, and horns and a tail, so similar from the monster that killed his mom yet so different… he avoids mirrors whenever he can.

Eating humaniods. Caramele will not touch or eat anything considered humaniod or part of a faction. In his opinion, dead is dead, and goes out of his way to avoid eating people, choosing to eat animals instead. He does not trust a plate of meat given to him by anyone in his faction, and will not eat it.

[m0thisonfire]

9 for the drabble ask game with Vedan/Caramele!

Ask game: X

A heist during a festival is not Caramele's idea of fun. Stuck with Vedan, he decides to show the Count some real fun during their mingling with the commoners.

AN: yes I listened to Kingdom Dance from Tangled writing this, why?

When Grezhul made the announcement he was sending out a chosen squad of Graveborn to retrieve a relic from a temple in a village, Caramele didn't know what he was expecting. Nothing really. He didn't care at that moment because he immediately assumed he wasn't going to be part of the group.

Wrong.

He had been chosen all right. A group of five, with three Graveborn he didn't particularly mind and one he was still on uncertain terms with.

Ferael. Kelthur. Ludovic. Relatively sane and reasonable Graveborn. Good. He didn't interact with Ludovic much because of the noble status he had, that was a given, but he enjoyed his time with Ferael and Kelthur. Kelthur only because Caramele didn't find out his story until much later knowing him.

But then there was Vedan.

Ho boy, he and Vedan...

Now that was a recipe for disaster waiting to happen for more reasons than one. Especially with Isabella and Silvina absent. Vedan's temperament and Caramele's stubbornness...

Unstoppable force, meet unmovable object.

The only upside. When their carriages arrived in the village they were to rob blind, they saw the festival decorations and merriment in the main square.

Caramele had immediately perked up hearing the music and seeing the lights, as did Ferael, both recognizing the signs of a village holiday.

Kelthur and Ludovic were... Mildly interested, though Kelthur was the first to return his attention to the written instructions they had, going over it again to make sure there weren't any flaws or possible missteps.

Fair enough. The plan was simple on paper. Two would stay outside on the outskirts of the temple and village to ensure there were lookouts, three went in to infiltrate the temple and steal the relic. Ludovic and Vedan were there to ensure the soldiers would turn blind eyes if ordered, and Ferael and Kelthur were there to stay out of sight for the most part and sneak the relic back to the carriage in the nearby brush. Caramele was there as a last resort. A distraction. Or at least damage control if anything did go wrong.

A sacrifice. Hooray.

It had been... About half an hour now. He and Vedan patrolled the square around the temple keeping an eye on the merriments. It surprised Caramele no one looked twice at the pair. Considering the fact the factions began interacting more since the Hypogeans returned, it made a bit of sense seeing the Wilders, Maulers, and Lightbearers all interacting with a rouge Graveborn spotted here and there with their own groups. So he relaxed a little bit, deciding to wander a little and enjoy the scenery, pretending he wasn't on a mission.

Until Vedan began complaining-

"Ugh. This is absolutely abysmal." He muttered loud enough that Caramele heard.

The ringmaster turned and gave Vedan a confused look, raising an eyebrow as he asked, "Excuse me?"

Vedan fixed the small band in the main area of the square with a glare, frowning as they played a quick paced song that the villagers danced to.

"Look at them. No decorum or elegance."

Caramele felt his annoyance flare, and he rolled his eyes on instinct as he began rubbing at his nose. Fair enough, the class shock between nobles and commoners had taken Caramele by surprise too. The first time he had to attend one of Cecia's parties, he had thought he was going to lose it from how slow everything was. People were too restrained. Too judgmental on how everything and everyone looked and sounded and behaved-

It had sent Caramele's nerves spiking, and he had to retreat to the balconies more than once to escape the suffocating atmosphere.

But this was a festival. The point was to have fun, to engage with others despite differences and loose inhibitions. His own town had more than a few with the neighboring villages, and he remembered the sense of freedom and adrenaline it would give him during the dances...

...

That gave him an idea.

Vedan glanced over seeing how quiet Caramele got, and immediately grew suspicious seeing the mischievous look on the shorter Graveborn's face.

The Count shifted slightly, asking as he narrowed his eyes, "... What are you plotting? You are far too quiet."

"Am I? Sorry." Caramele replied in a tone that was not sorry sounding at all. He grinned, glancing at the square as he recalled, "I was just remembering what it was like in my town, the festivals. The lights, the dancing... There was one girl that I danced with every year. Her name was Remy."

He could see Vedan tensing up out of the corner of his eye, the vampire growing quite still as he began pouting with narrowed eyes at him.

"... Remy."

"Yeah," Caramele nodded as the song ended and shifted to another, some of the dancers dispersing with friends while others took their places, and a few partners remaining for another dance, "She was a sweet girl. I wonder how she's doing-"

"I imagine it's not very easy." Vedan hissed, interrupting Caramele as he stalked to his side, closing the distance with a scowl, "How do you do it? It doesn't look like there's any sense or rhythm to it."

Caramele huffed as he turned his attention to the vampire, asking, "I assure you, there is. It's not waltzing, but it's still fun."

"Fun..." Vedan sneered. Then he glanced down at Caramele, looking conflicted for a moment before he glared at the square again, where sure enough, he was watching the groups dance and laugh as the music swelled once more.

The ringmaster smirked, looking more pleased by the second as his tail twitched. He knew when Vedan was intrigued by something. And the count was notorious for being curious about things he technically shouldn't be curious about...

The music suddenly slowed, and Caramele looked over to see new musicians joining the original band. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw the more classical instruments, horns and actual violins, flutes. One even had a harp...

With the lutes, drums and tambourines, and simple fiddles, it would have been an interesting mix. A mix of ballroom decorum with the festival ditties. Now this was interesting, watching them get together and begin testing the instruments in a new song.

It started slow, and the villagers shifted with the mood, all of them beginning slow dancing, a more relaxed waltz that would definitely not hold up in a more refined setting.

Vedan looked more appreciative of it, and Caramele took the moment to step closer with a hum and a knowing smile. The count glared down at him without any real heat, asking, "What?"

Caramele gestured towards the square, asking like it was obvious, "Would you like a dance?"

For a moment, Vedan glanced around. They weren't really in the square, but they were close enough it would count.

He huffed for a moment, but relented with a growl, "Fine. But only one. And we don't say a word to anyone."

"Deal." Caramele agreed with a grin, taking Vedan's hand before he could protest and pulling him to the outskirts of the square.

Of course Vedan took the lead first, guiding Caramele's hands to the proper placements before beginning the dance. It was a slow pace, but it worked with the rhythm. And Caramele managed to keep his footing, so that was a godsend he remembered the dance steps...

Then he heard the music swell again, a shift in the music picking up the pace as one of the more refined violins surpisingly took the lead. Vedan looked over surprised, and the square's mood shifted with it.

The townsfolk around them that weren't dancing began clapping along, setting a new rhythm as the dancing sped up, and Caramele felt that familiar pull in his chest as he watched.

Excitement, freedom-

The lead shifted, and Vedan found himself shifting from a waltz to Caramele's quicker pace. An impromptu waltz that wasn't too different from before, but with bigger steps and quicker spins matching the others'.

They locked eyes, and now it was Vedan keeping up as Caramele grinned and laughed, covering more ground as they danced.

It was a feeling like no other, with the instruments flowing flawlessly into each other to create a quickening bridge that left Vedan reeling with surprising energy.

The sounds he was familiar with mixing with the ones Caramele had no doubt grown up with-

Was this how it always felt? This sort of dancing?

He didn't know, but he was surprised to find a smile of his own spreading over his face as he kept up.

But then it all stopped, the final crescendo bursting to an end as he and Caramele stopped on the final beat.

Cheering erupted from the square as others stopped as well, the delight tangible in the air as townfolk clapped and whooped.

Vedan and Caramele were still locked in a standstill, staring at each other still clinging to each other. That was different from a waltz. And not like the usual square dancing the ringmaster was used to.

But it was still...

Right somehow.

Vedan was the first to clear his throat and look away, and Caramele quickly took the hint and let go, stepping away as he rubbed the back of his neck. They didn't say anything for a moment, both staring elsewhere where as they calmed from the sudden rush of energy they both experienced.

Finally, the count muttered with a hint of reluctance, "... Alright. That wasn't... Horrible."

That made Caramele chuckle, looking quite pleased as he finally looked up at Vedan, "I'm glad. I haven't danced like that since..."

Raising an eyebrow, Vedan asked with a faint sneer, "Remy?"

"Since I died..." Caramele corrected, still smiling as he looked back over the crowd. Then he sighed, closing his eyes and looking at peace as he softly said, "Thank you. I needed that."

It was the most at peace Vedan had seen him in a long while. And the count's expression softened as he reached over and gently took his hand, responding quietly, "You're welcome, I suppose."

The moment was interrupted when a commotion began erupting from the temple, only audible to the Graveborn considering they were closer.

They both whirled towards the building, noticing Kelthur and Ferael sneaking out of the window with something in hand and Ludovic in tow, shouting growing louder from inside as soldiers no doubt began scouring the area.

"Oh no..." Caramele groaned.

Vedan's lip curled as he began pulling Caramele along towards the direction of the carriages, "That's our cue to go before things get bad."

Indeed it was.

At least the night wasn't a total waste. As they all regrouped and retreated, Caramele summed the night up to a surprisingly pleasant success.

The mission was a success, and he got to feel the rush dancing with a partner again. He almost felt alive again.

... And by the smile that would be present on Vedan's face from time to time as they traveled told him that he felt it too.