#Tajorinen

[bishopofblack]

"Be silent, and be still." It’s a pity Tajorinen had not been the Knight some centuries ago, when Irastenys had rather more patience for this sort of thing. But he doesn’t want to play games. Not anymore. He stretches out his hand, catching Tajorinen’s chin in his fingers, feeling the muscle in his jaw flexing. He’s a good match for Ashtoryan. Yet another waste of a beautiful face. "You must be feeling terribly pleased with yourself, to have gotten under my skin, hm? To counsel me, for fear that I might be bereft a second time, for fear of a murderer in our court?" Irastenys traces along the taut muscles of the other man’s neck. "But you see, Tajorinen… There are a few things you don’t know about me. Sit down. Stay still." Irastenys watches as the Knight’s body obeys, and his mind rebels. He must be screaming inside. And this is just a little taste. Sitting there beside him, Irastenys lays his head on Tajorinen’s shoulder, in some mockery of fondness. The poor man is bristling from head to toe. "Relax. I won’t hurt you. And if you’re thinking that next time, you’ll strike before I can speak, well… There won’t be a next time, either."

- The Bishop of Black

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[alexanderflowerbird]

Simonery is very busy in the library it seems like lol. Can't catch a break, between the bestie and the boyfriend huh? Also style and costume consistency who- I don't know her, never have lmao

[theskeletonprior]

Don’t Let Them See You Cry by Manchester Orchestra (for the song meme 💖)

This is Simonery vibes. Like, end of the night, stressed to the nines, listening to Tajorinen purring away, deep, deep, deep in the feelings he pretends that he doesn't have. Particularly this bit:

And I tried to write in style But the words just come And I write them as soon as I see them And I'll trust that you write them too And I trust that you love me too

[alexanderflowerbird]

Slides u some gay art in a flirty flirty gay fashion

[alexanderflowerbird]

Happy STS! If someone was looking for your characters, how would they describe them to people? What features would they most pick out to distinguish them from a crowd?

Femi: Have you seen... Red hair big boobies? Long red hair, and HUGE bongalahongaroos? Argos: They've got scales, like-- rainbow snake scales. And an under cut, all lavender everything? Setsulin: They wouldn't have to ask where Setsulin is, she's so easily visible and loud lol Kalmin: Same thing honestly, he's so loud, you could find him in an instant as soon as he starts talking or laughing lol Aquestros: Have you seen a person with a moon-mask climbing any furniture around here? Tajorinen: Have you seen hmm... he's tall and handsome and has a dorito bod, dark hair, cat eyes? Probably sporting a cape, the absolute fucking nerd. Bazaya-Addi: You seen a guy around here with white hair? He's got a pony tail that is some how a huge fucking ringlet. Like just one, big, thick ass ringlet. It makes no sense, it's like he's an anime character.

[alexanderflowerbird]

So many TBOB pairings lol

[bishopofblack]

[ID: Digital art of Tajorinen and Ashtoryan. Tajorinen is a tall man with very long dark hair and golden eyes. He is muscular, and his bare arms are covered in large, jagged scars. His long fingernails are pointed and black. Ashtoryan is a pale man with very long white hair, and lavender eyes which look dark in this lighting. Like Tajorinen, he is bare-chested. Ashtoryan has golden scales visible along the back of his neck, on his forehead, his wrist, and dappled on his cheek. Tajorinen is looking down into Ashtoryan’s face intently while Ashtoryan smiles up at him. Ashtoryan grips gently at Tajorinen’s forearm. Tajorinen cups Ashtoryan’s face in his hand, his thumb resting on Ashtoryan’s jawline. /End ID]

The late night hours are by and large Ashtoryan’s domain. Much as he is beset with early morning training sessions, the simple fact of the matter is the barrier surrounding the kingdoms is best observed at night, and in conjunction with the stars above. And so this often means that the Second to the Rook of Black would slink wearily back towards his quarters after an early-morning thrashing at Isbellor’s skillful and unmerciful hands, having yet to see the inside of his bedchamber. He is slinking on this particularly bright morning, after a particularly enthusiastic lesson on Isbellor’s part, although by his own reckoning, hobbling might be the better word for what he is doing. And this means a further delay, because he knows better than to crawl into bed without first soaking in the baths. Much as this means he very well might one day fall asleep and drown in the baths. This early in the morning, the odds are fairly reasonable that he might well get the baths to himself, which would be pleasant, because he could be pitiful and unobserved. His scales are preparing to shed, which is truly the stuff of nightmares, but the humidity of the baths will help. He just won’t be able to whine about it if there’s anyone around to hear him.

- Meanwhile #10

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[bishopofblack]

Tajorinen knows Simonery is here in the library. He is sure he saw the other man, a glimpse at least, of his entirely black attire and dark, braided hair, but now that he’s in the library himself he can also smell Simonery in a way that gives him a trail to follow. Tajorinen knows exactly why Simonery makes this something of a game between them, why he really must protest about spending time together. He doesn’t mind—his past love, his first love, was also fickle in a way he found captivating. That love follows him still as a spirit and so far has no qualms with him giving chase after the elusive spy master, so he’s in pursuit, listening for footsteps, following his nose through the aisles. He has books to collect, which is as good an excuse as any if they need an excuse, but he can see to that after he finds his ever fleeing romantic interest. He spots Femi, the medical Pawn who has taken to being good friends with his Second and meets her eyes as she makes to pass him. She grins, bows her head as is polite, and then points further into the library. He smiles, she smiles, it’s lovely to have an ally.

- Meanwhile #8

These side-stories are available to our Bishop and Royal tier patrons. Visit us on patreon for more!

[alexanderflowerbird]

Happy storyteller Saturday (glad we’re bringing this back)! Your characters go to the county fair! What do they eat? What rides do they go on? Who gets so into petting goats they forget to even look at rides? Who wins a questionable number of clearly rigged games? Who gets their face painted? Who overhauls their entire aesthetic based on booths of scarves and accessories? Who finds something hyperspecific to learn about while the others tap their feet impatiently? Etc.

(that last one is based on me going to the county fair and becoming so engrossed in a local history lecture at the museum exhibit I did not even go check out the rides)

Oooh thank you for including me! <3 Hahah this is a very fun idea. So obvi I should go with the TBOB cast, because that includes the most variation of people lol. I'll tag my husband so they can answer with their half of the cast lol @theskeletonprior As far as eating goes? Femi would try everything; and go in twice for fried goods like funnel cakes and pastries. Setsulin would get absolutely wasted on local meads and beer and craft wine. Argos would not be seen without a turkey leg-- who knows how many they've eaten, they just always have one lol. Tajorinen would also pretty enthusiastically eat, and if there are any foods that seem 'adventurous'? He'll be the first to give them a go, no matter how unusual they seem to anyone else. Setsulin would go on all of the scary rides- if there are roller coasters or rides that drop you from the sky or things that go upside down? She's going on those, and dragging anyone within arm's reach with her. Unfortunately for her, her arch-nemesis/brother in law would be the most enthusiastic about thrill chasing with her. Scythaline would probably accompany Femi on rides that are fun but less thrilling, like spinning tea cups and Ferris wheels. Aquestros would also be a fan of scary rides, and in the spirit of halloween if there was anything akin to a haunted house, scary tent or corn maze? They'd be all about that life. Argos would want to experience everything but at the sight of little goats, or horses, or pigs, or any creature they can pet they would be very, very excited and spend some time among them. They'd also be the sort to get into the historic elements of the county fair. Femi would be interested in the history too, and would likely have many questions about how things are documented; she would find that sort of thing fascinating, especially when much of her culture is an oral tradition. Kalmin would definitely get his face painted- just unabashedly has a monarch butterfly mask all day long. Argos would likely be into the face painting too, though it'd have to be on their brow and high on their cheek bones because of their scales. Aquestros would win many games, very much cheating some how at all of them, and would give all of their prizes to Femi. Scythaline would play the games and suspiciously win many of them simply based on skill lol-- he may be a himbo but he's too well trained to be tricked by a rigged shooting or hoop game.

Femi would definitely be shopping, anywhere she can shop she does, so she'd be going home with new earrings and shawls and a dress or two. Setsulin might peruse, but she can be particular- there'd have to be something pretty outstanding for sale for her to buy. Kalmin would absolutely play the game where you end up winning a gold fish or a turtle, and he would play until he won at least two of them. Dreigas would find much of this utterly insufferable, but if he found something he liked, whether it be a ride, an exhibit, or even a particular little goat or mini horse, it would take some serious effort to pry him from it. He does not dance, he does not like loud sounds, he hates most people, so this is his idea of a nightmare, but he's been forced to come along by me, his creator lmao, so I could see him finding a particularly quiet and demure little lamb that he just puts on his lap in the corner of the animal pin and no one can get him to move or release it lmao

[bishopofblack]

[ID: Digital art of Femi and Irastenys. Femi is a trans woman with green eyes, medium tan skin and rich red hair that flows in long, thick waves. She has dots of red henna on her forehead and on the back of her hand, in the middle. Her lips are painted red, and a red streak runs down the centre of her chin. There’s another marking under her eye, a line that runs down from the middle of her eye and terminates in a hollow circle. She’s wearing a red dress with an opening revealing her cleavage. Irastenys is a trans man with medium-light tawny skin and long dark hair. His eyes are closed and he is dressed in black. Femi holds Irastenys in one arm as he reaches up, her cheek resting on his forehead. There are tears in her eyes. /End ID]

Chapter Three | Femi

Oh sweet mothers of gods, the Second to the Knight of White is going to die. The way Syl throws the man into the ground comes with sickening sounds that Femi knows instantly go far beyond what is appropriate for a recreational bout, and the Black Knight vaulting himself over the fencing to the stands also tells everyone that this must stop, now. Tajorinen is racing across the field to intervene, and Femi, without thinking of the fact that either of these warriors could kill her quite easily, hurries to intervene as well. It is worse, when she hears Scythaline choke out a yield, but Syl does not withdraw. Not this. If Syl kills the man it's all over. Femi gets to Syl before Tajorinen does, grasping at one of their arms. "A yield has been called, my Second Knight! You must withdraw!" she insists even though her heart is pounding in her ears. Syl doesn’t even look at Femi, shrugging her away with what seems to be barely an effort for them, but with enough force to take her off her feet. They make a brisk, determined march to their helmet, picking it up from where it’s fallen before they start back towards Scythaline, heedless of the yield and Femi’s entreaties to withdraw. Syl snarls, sharp teeth bared, as they close in on what has so suddenly become their prey.

Continue reading for free on Patreon! New chapters every Tuesday at 3pm, EST. <3

[bishopofblack]

[ID: Digital art of Femi and Irastenys. Femi is a trans woman with  green eyes, medium tan skin and rich red hair that flows in long, thick  waves. She has dots of red henna on her forehead and on the back of her  hand, in the middle. Her lips are painted red, and a red streak runs  down the centre of her chin. There’s another marking under her eye, a  line that runs down from the middle of her eye and terminates in a  hollow circle. She’s wearing a red dress with an opening revealing her  cleavage. Irastenys is a trans man with medium-light tawny skin and long dark  hair. His eyes are closed and he is dressed in black. Femi holds  Irastenys in one arm as he reaches up, her cheek resting on his  forehead. There are tears in her eyes. /End ID]

Chapter Four | Irastenys

Before the fight is even over, Irastenys can anticipate how the aftermath will play out. He has known the Kings and Queens of both kingdoms for most of their lives, watched them play together as children, halfway oblivious to what they would become. He has done all he can to remind them of their rivalry, and now, needs no longer to do it. Sometimes he thinks there is no one the Queen of White despises more than Kalmin, likely because she still clings to the belief that he has stolen away her sister. Or perhaps by now, because old habits die hard. She is outraged, or playing at it, and already making demands by the time Irastenys joins them in a tent reserved for discussions like this one. "You will remove that Second from your court, Kalmin. I don't give a fuck how valuable they are, you clearly have no control over their behavior." The Queen of White seethes, infuriated over the fact that despite her anger Kalmin is smiling. Irastenys knows perfectly well that that grin Kalmin is wearing is a threat. Tajorinen attempts to intervene on his Second's behalf. An expected move, but a tedious one. The man never knows when to keep his teeth together, too concerned with regality, with princeliness to be anything more than a disappointment. "No harm was done after the yield, my lady, please reconsider—I shall see to it that they are thoroughly reprimanded—" Setsulin’s crimson gaze on the Knight cuts off his attempt with a condescension that is palpable, and Irastenys very nearly wants to thank her for sparing them. There is nothing more useless than this kind of posturing, and particularly when it occurs outside of one’s rank. "I am not speaking to you, Knight. You were near to having to fight your own Second off, it was obvious to everyone—you should be fucking embarrassed, and in that embarrassment you ought to know to shut your mouth in my presence." Tajorinen immediately balks, but Kalmin claps a hand on his shoulder. A kingly gesture, to allow their Knight to save face, and one that Kalmin is too often required to make.

Continue reading for free on Patreon! New chapters every Tuesday at 3pm, EST. <3

[alexanderflowerbird]

Hi! 20 in hugs and 35 in kisses for whoever you’d like 😊

20. cuddling Oh, of my characters Tajorinen is a star cuddler. For all of Simonery's fuss about falling in love and being seen to like anyone, when he does give into his interest in Tajorinen that tiny, frightened man gets CUDDLED. Tajorinen is jaguarfolk and when particularly pleased will purr up a storm, let alone being super warm and muscular. He curls around Simonery, purrs right into his neck and shoulder and snuggles him right up every chance he gets. It's not very often, mind-- but when it happens? It's the best.

35.wake-up kisses Femi has learned that if she's going to kiss Irastenys to wake him up, she's gotta be quick about it and pull away just in time-- that man wakes up with a start no matter what, no matter how peaceful or gentle or how long he's slept, so if she kisses him and lingers at it, she's going to get headbutt. Irastenys will be terribly sorry for it, of course, it's always on accident, but Femi is fearless, so even with that risk she'll kiss him and take her chances.

[alexanderflowerbird]

Yo dawg I heard u like personal space. Too bad so sad *PURRPURRPURRPURRPURR*

Tajorinen just all up in Simonery’s grill lmao. Simonery likes it tho, and hates that he likes it. Simonery could just get with this big, purring beefcake of a man, no one would judge him, but alas lmao

[alexanderflowerbird]

Hey again! 6, 15, and 18 for the OC WIP ask game? 😊

Hello hello! Oh god, idk which OC ask game this is referring to cuz I've reblogged so many in the time since you asked this. I am A FOOL. But I'll pick one and make it interesting of course <3-- OH WAIT I THINK I FOUND IT lol.

6.Have any of your OCs had name changes? If so, why? LMAOOOOO Okay, so, Scythaline was originally called Scythilis. I bet you can guess why that shit HAD TO GO and it is still embarrassing and hilarious to me that I did not realize that this name I'd chosen, which I'd been so focused on getting a like... 'Scythe' related name? Sounds very much like a certain STI lmao. Needless to say when I did realize, I had to change it- but I'm happy with the chance, Scythaline's name is dope.

15. Who is your oldest OC in terms of when you created them? Oh man... There's a lot of OCs that I don't use anymore that are utterly ANCIENT, like... made when I was 10 ancient, but the oldest one I still have in use for my work is Alluna-- She's a bad ass, she got more and more bad ass the longer I wrote her because at first she had sort of a helpless damsel who is secretly a wise, gentle lady vibe and more than that she has always had this magical element where she is so terribly poisonous that even touching her will kill a person. It's very cool, and long ago when we were first starting the The Bishop of Black with an almost entirely different cast of characters, we'd begun with her and another character, a Rook who Harrow wrote who was so in love with her he created an antidote for her poison. The war was about to get back on, and she and the Rook had met to discuss terms they knew they'd never agree with each other on, and as a like... last chance to do this sort of thing, he confessed his feelings to her. It was... SO GAY. 10/10- we have similar ships in TBOB but they're spoilery so I will not discuss them lol, but Alluna was one of the main characters in our first time playing AND our second time playing. She was scrapped for the third time and final time because we really wanted some fresh folks to play in this realm with, but I have no regrets cuz now the Queen of White is Setsulin and she's also a bad ass babe.

18.Do any of your ocs have any scars? A couple of them do actually! So, Dreigas has a lot of scars- you wouldn't think so when his whole aesthetic is like 'The Pristine Kingom of White' but in fashion terms, but it's kinda fitting in that way that you get rid of his sari and his long sleeves and you'll find LOADS of scars from before he was medically modified. The magic used to crystalize his bones bleached the hell out of his skin, but it didn't take away all of the damage that had been done from his youth, both after working in mines as a young child and being raised by a mentor that thought a good beating would solidify any lesson for Dreigas. Dreigas wasn't ever a rebellious child, but he wasn't always the right the first time every time person he became as an adult, so he's got lots of scars from when he was young.

Tajorinen has several scars because he's a close contact fighter- being a jaguar folk means he's kinda gotta leap in there and start bitin and scratchin, and that lends itself to getting torn up every now and then. His most prominent scar is a starburst shaped scar on his pectoral where at some point, he was shot clean through by magic that should have killed him. It didn't. For reasons. No spoilers lol. But the scar remains even if the effects of the magic were nullified and he lived through the encounter.

Setsulin has scarification that is cultural, it's on her left hip and down the outside of her thigh and it's not an uncommon thing for scarification to be done where she's from. Erato has a bunch of scars too (Erato is Harrow's character and Setsulin's older sister) but hers are on her face and neck and across her shoulders, so you see those more often than you get to see Setsulin's. She'd definitely show off more skin than she does if she wasn't the Queen of White, but there's an expectation of modesty and fully-dressed-ness to the position that requires her to cover a lot of her skin up and even veil her face. She's gotten around this by being intensely fashionable lol, all of her skin is covered, but the clothes are tight fitting and show off her shape- rather than wearing a classical veil, she tends to wear huge, dramatic hats with fringe or veils attached to the rim. She only allows herself to be caged by tradition because being as rowdy as she wants to be would look back on Cynevor-- it's bad enough as it is that they ran away and eloped when Cynevor was supposed to marry someone else lol.

[bishopofblack]

This is Tajorinen. He comes from a family that has magically fused their bloodline with the attributes of a mountain jaguar. He has feline senses and reflexes. And he purrs.

[bishopofblack]

Simonery Evening is having a heart-attack. He is having ten heart-attacks. Ten entire heart-attacks, and he has only himself to blame. Himself, and the purring, handsome menace that is the Knight of Black. He’d never hear the end of it from Femi if she knew where he was right now. Of course, she’d owe him for the distraction, but it would also require enduring the abject mortification of having told her that he’d let himself be lured into Tajorinen’s bed. They’ve been… chaste, for the moment, which suits Simonery. There’s something about the thought of taking off his shirt in front of a man who ripples when he walks that makes his stomach roll up into a tight little ball. So for a moment, he lies there on the bed, with his head nestled in the crook of Tajorinen’s powerful arm. Then he rolls, touching the tip of his finger to the Knight’s lips, because otherwise he knows the man will surely kiss him again. And he’s rather good at that. Better to nip that—and everything else—in the bud right now, before it’s too late. Well. Even more too late.

- Meanwhile #3

These side-stories are available to our Bishop and Royal tier patrons. Visit us on patreon for more!