#Thread: Leopold

[radicalrascals]

@miidnighters for [ Call my muse by their full name! See how they react! ]

"Leopold Konrad Friedrich Grimm~" from Bella, in more of a 'i recognise you'/crooning kind of way - maybe they've run into each other somewhere in their past?

What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet. What is in a name, if not soul touching intimacy? Not who you are. Not what you did. But how people recognise you. Leopold had not been recognised in a long time. Just a shadow of his former self, a vigilante and hunter, hidden in the dark. His prey didn't need to know his name, his handful of allies accepted were happy with only crumbs of it.

But when he heard the familiar string of given names, like beads on a cord, he felt touched to the core and froze immediately. "Wer...?" Who? Who was talking? He looked up, slowly, as if any rushed movement would scare the other away like a wild animal. "Isabell?" Could this be true? After all these years? Decades even?

"You... it really is you. But... how? I thought I'd never see you again."

[radicalrascals]

Leopold stalked the shadowed street, his long, heavy coat trailing behind him, the night air thick with the scent of rain-soaked earth and decay. A sudden impact jolted him, and as he turned, his eyes locked onto a face that shattered his hardened composure.

There stood a man, the very image of his long-dead lover, with eyes that mirrored the depths of his memories. Time seemed to splinter, the past bleeding into the present as Leopold's gaze traced the familiar lines of the jaw, the beautiful brown eyes, the tousled hair he had once caressed. His weathered, scarred face twisted in a mix of agony and yearning, each detail flooding back -- how his lover's hand had felt in his, the warmth of his touch against his skin. A wave of sorrow and desperate hope crashed over him, his voice a raspy whisper:

"No… it cannot be. How...? It is you." The man's apology only deepened the vampire's despair, as he realised he was gazing at the ghost of his own haunted heart.

closed starter for @radicalrascals very loosely based on (x)

"Oh good lord, I am so sorry!" Tristan was hurrying by as he turned the corner and had bumped into someone, totally lost in his own thoughts. "Are you alright? I wasn't even looking." His hands were up apologetically, he didn't want the man thinking he was some drunk - it was quite late after all. He had spent the evening at the studio getting some work done in time for a gallery's deadline and was tired above all else.

[vievieveda]

busy | leo & veda

@leopold--dawson

Few times did Leo make an entrance into the local tavern and tonight was one of the reasons why.  The place looked out of control, it made the fae nervous to walk further inside.  However, he was hoping he may come across a man he ran into a few weeks prior. “Excuse me?”  Leo questioned, completely taken back by the woman’s words towards him. It took a moment for Leo to regain his composure and not lose his temper at how he was being talked to, but he managed to take in a breath and offer a soft smile.

“I did not realize a lady would use such language,” he commented.  Although his blue eyes were looking her up and down and perhaps he was playing loosely with the term ‘lady.’  Letting out a sigh, he nodded.  “A glass of wine shall suffice, do you think you are capable of providing the beverage?”

.

"I did not realize you were here looking for a lady," she shot back, lips quirking slightly in amusement. "We're quite in short supply. Though I hear the brothel around the corner has a few of those if you're keen."

The idea that anyone would even imply she was a lady was laughable to Veda; growing up largely under Duarte meant that she was constantly in the tavern, soaking up the foul language and questionable behavior of its regulars. Manners weren't a priority for her patron so much as educating the human and ensuring she could handle herself. it was one of the reasons she took no shit from her customers and didn't like advertising her weaknesses. Vee took advantage of others when necessary and refused to be taken advantage of in return.

"A sorry excuse for an owner I would be if I were incapable of pouring a simple cup of wine." It wasn't the first time someone had made what could be considered an unusual request for a tavern. But Vee did have a few bottles of Madeira stashed away for odd occurrence. She disappeared only for a moment to come back with a corked bottle, grabbing a wooden cup to serve the man before putting it before him at the counter. "And precisely what brings you to my establishment, Emissary Leopold Dawson?"

[kanaloasteele]

Hiding in Plain Sight

On a business matter for one of the royals, Leo strolled down the pavement of the city.  Usually, he remained in the royal court not wanting to wander too far given his position.  However, to retain his spot he needed news and to find valuable information to maintain his worthiness.  So, he decided to mingle with the commoners.

While he walked, something…actually someone caught his attention.  A large man with muscles missing a shirt.  The fae stood there for a moment completely mesmerized.  He had seen many muscular men, but none to that degree.  Curiosity struck him and he made his way over towards the stall and started to look down at the sharp objects.  As his blue eyes gazed up towards the large axes, he wondered if he could even lift it.

@leopold--dawson

Kanaloa caught sight of the man that was watching him but chose not to say anything at first.  Instead he busied himself with his craft, shuffling the bar deeper into the coals so it would heat up faster.  He was content to let the man watch him for now, keeping an eye on him while he worked.

When the steel began to glow Kanaloa ran his hand along the metal to gauge its temperature before pulling out the bar with his bare hand.  “You planning on buying something or are you just gonna oogle me?  Not a bard to be putting on a show.”

[sawyermarshall]

who: @eclvpses (leo)

where: phantom manor

Sawyer steps up behind him, a wide smile on her features as she takes him. It takes her back to when the two of them spent those few weeks together in Chicago, losing themselves and the haze. Sometimes, sometimes she wishes that one night never happened and that they were still back in that hotel room. Maybe, it was selfish to think like that especially because the haze was not good for either of them but everything was always so easy with Leo. She swears all he has to do is look at her and he knows exactly what she's feeling, thinking... She's never had to explain herself, never had to worry about him getting lost in the good parts of her because he took her as she was. "The Goblin King, huh?" She muses. "Remember that night when we watched the Labyrinth?"

[radicalrascals]

Leopold smiled at the stranger, hesitating. How deep could one's belief in the unexplainable run, if one's own existence was - in fact - unexplainable? He scoffed in want for words and turned his back, prepared to walk away. How deep was her belief in the paranatural? How genuine her offer? Would she flinch if she found out he belonged to the night? Not quite knowing why, the vampire turned back around and extended his hand. "Here?"

"that depends, how deep is your belief in the things that cannot be explained?" gillian grinned, still holding her hand out to take their own. "if you trust me, i am sure i could tell you something about yourself." it was a cute party trick, read the palms of a stranger and you end up holding their hand, even if only for a few minutes, it's enough to make a connection. @radicalrascals

[loosesodamarble]

Changes, Big and Small

Wrote some quick drabbles based on the prompt "New Look" from @thoughtfullyrainynightmare's Fire Vermillion Month.

Made sure these were quick, just about 300 words each. It was fun creating these blurbs! I hope you enjoy!

..........

Mereoleona's Change

Mereoleona stared at her reflection for a moment longer. She picked up a lock of her hair.

“You’re growing it out, I see!” her mother remarked with a grin. “What brought this on?”

“Lady Acier’s hair is long and she’s strong. So if I grow mine out… It can be a sign of my strength too!” Mereoleona’s reasoning was shallow and silly, but she’d only been nine at the time.

“It’s quite the look on you, like a mane of fire,” chuckled her father as he ruffled Mereo’s hair.

Mereoleona smiled at the memory. Of her childish logic. Of her parents’ unwavering support.

In the years since, her hair had only grown quite long. Partially because she was away from society so often and didn’t set aside time for a visit to a hairdresser. And also because she simply did like having long hair. There was some fun in imagining herself, with her hair billowing around her with her clothes in the midst of a fight.

However, in recent times, Mereoleona felt a need for a change.

With a deep breath, Mereoleona pulled her hair back, as if to tie it up.

But instead, she lit a fire in her palm. She exercised finer control than she usually did to singe her hair and cut loose her long, curling locks.

Goodbye, my mane of fire.

There was no sorrow for a loss in the thought. Nor a sense of pride in shedding a weight.

Cutting her hair was simply a change that she had wanted.

Mereoleona looked into the mirror once again. She looked different and yet still very much like herself.

In place of the fake fire she’d worn as her hair, Mereoleona swore to become a true flame that would burn all life away.

...

Fuegoleon's Change

There was a click as the lid of a box snapped into place.

“That should be the last of them,” Fuegoleon remarked with a sigh.

He watched as servants carried away the boxes that had been packed with most of the shirts Fuegoleon used to wear. The clothes would be put to good use. The seams would be cut and the fabric reworked into clothing for the children that Sister Theresa took care of.

It might’ve been poor practice to show such favoritism but Fuegoleon reasoned with himself that this would be a one-time thing. That his regular donations to orphanages around the country balanced it out.

Of course, some shirts and tunics had been kept. He had ensembles of formal wear as a prince rather than a captain. Other shirts were sentimental articles that were given as gifts to him.

But for the most part, Fuegoleon had emptied his closet and dresser of the clothes that no longer… matched his appearance.

Fuegoleon reached to touch his right shoulder but stopped right before he did.

He could’ve easily kept his old attire and tied the right sleeve of his shirts so they wouldn’t simply hang off his body. And his robe would cover his shoulder anyhow. But Fuegoleon had decided to order new clothes that would lack a right sleeve altogether.

Fuegoleon avoided any clothes that would require tying a part of it. He thought “if I tire and cannot maintain the spell to form the arm, I shouldn’t wear anything that would be difficult to put on or remove with only one hand.”

Quietly, Fuegoleon sat on his bed. He took deep breaths.

There was no going back to the way things were. He had been changed, for better or worse, and he would adapt.

He was starting small, with his clothes, and would work his way to bigger things from there.

...

Leopold's Change

For some reason, Leopold felt more fired up after his most recent training session than he did before. Perhaps it was the rush of showing his Mana Method spells to the Crimson Lion Kings. Or maybe he was excited to be back with his companions after so long in Heart Kingdom. Either way, Leopold was practically bouncing through the halls, on the way to shower off the sweat and grime from the sparring matches.

“Your flames have grown quite brilliant, Lord Leopold,” Forte remarked, while gesturing his arms out. “It’s truly incredible!”

“There was no doubt that you’d come back much stronger,” Randall patted Leopold on the shoulder as he said this.

“Aw, man. You guys don’t have to flatter me so much,” Leopold replied. “But thanks. I’m glad my work is showing.”

“There’s something else I’ve noticed,” Blaire, one of the women of the squad, said with a thoughtful look in her eyes. “Hold still for a moment, Leo.”

“Hm?” Despite his confused look, Leopold stopped walking.

“Now stand up straight. Best posture you can manage,” she instructed and Leopold followed suit. “Ben, you’re nice and tall. Back-to-back.”

Leopold and Ben stood with their backs to each other. After a moment of the Knights looking on curiously…

“Lord Leopold, you shot up!”

“Look at that growth!”

“You must’ve grown a whole ten centimeters!”

The Crimson Lion Kings laughed and clapped Leopold’s back.

“C’mon, it’s not such a big deal!” Leopold’s face heated up as his squadmates teasingly fawned over him.

But… It was nice.

To have his co-workers acknowledge his growth, in multiple ways, and celebrate it. It was a warm encouragement that kept him going, pushing him to strive even more to grow into a man that they could be proud of. That they might one day follow as their captain.

Leopold’s face broke out into a grin. He wasn’t his brother or sister. He would never become them. But he’d become a better Leopold whose flame would burn just as bright as theirs.

[isabelguzman]

who: @eclvpses (leo)

where: outside somewhere

Grabbing a couple of boxes, Isabel reaches out with her foot to push the door open. She slips through the little space and adjusts the boxes in her hand, at least she was doing something helpful. Her friend needs these boxes to get delivered to the flower shop down the street. She walks down the street, her eyes raising up to see Leo walking in her direction. "Fowler," she laughs. "Hey... It's been a minute."

[radicalrascals]

@brimfire-and-hellstone liked for a starter - Kriemhild & Leopold

"Bitte," the vampire pulled his hood back to allow Kriemhild a good enough view of him through the gap in the door. His face was weatherbeaten. Remarkably young and exceptionally old at the same time. Fresh scratches met ancient scars on a canvas mostly obscured by a raggedy beard and long hair falling in front of olive coloured eyes.

His gaze briefly wandered up the street eastward, the red of the morning sun was quickly creeping over the horizon. It made him shudder and pull the hood deep into his face again.

"Let me in, bitte," the vampire pleaded, "I will find a way to repay you. But please. Do not condemn me to burn in the light of the sun."

[radicalrascals]

Leopold closed the book and cradled it against his chest, hands fingers gripping it tightly to hide the tremble that had befallen him from the moment he set eyes on the very first lines. He knew she wasn't expecting anything in return, and there was nothing he could give to match this gesture, though there was no better time to gift her what he'd bought so many decades ago.

"I should have given it to you when I first had the chance." Alas, he did not. Leopold placed the book on his desk, caressing the cover with his hand, gently, to give a promise to read it in full later. Then he knelt down to open the chest beside the desk, hand rummaging through keepsakes of the olden days. His old Prussian police uniform, keys to places long lost to time, souvenirs from places all around the globe and then a little something wrapped cloth that he unearthed carefully.

"I went to Venice. You would have loved it. The carnival. The memento mori." he handed her the wrapped ceramic mask. It was beautifully, delicately hand painted in black and vermilion, with golden accents, with writing on the inside:

Per Isabell Nella morte e oltre Eternamente tuo Leopold

"I walked up to it and I saw you in it. I had to have it. Not for me. For you. It was always for you."

@radicalrascals | continued from h e r e

"I'm not giving you this expecting anything in return," Bella smiles gently, though it does turn nervous when she realises that he's opening it now and not when she's safely somewhere else and doesn't have to witness whatever reaction he might have. Although Leopold had accepted her back in his life easily, Bella would not have begrudged him anger at the idea that their separation had essentially been for nothing, and only caused both of them pain.

Not that she should have worried. Bella steps to him easily when he takes her hand - reaching out with her other to brush some of the tears from his face. "Ah, darling, I didn't mean to upset you," She murmurs, fingers cool on his cheeks. "I just wanted you to know I always thought of you. I'll never stop being sorry for keeping us apart for all those years, not for as long as I live." She brings their joined hands to her lips, pressing a gentle kiss to his knuckles.

"Of course, darling. I would not refuse you anything." Not anymore. Not that she needed gifts to stay by his side - he'd be hard-pressed to be rid of her now.

[elysiium]

& 𝐑𝐄.  AURALINE & LEOPOLD WAYNE / @violentdesires

COME WHAT MAY . it was a vow leopold and auraline made to each all those years ago — when she was just a simple girl and he her guardian . when the world was such a perfect place and all they had were each other . a vow never forgotten even as the seasons changed ( winter to spring , autumn to summer ) . as storm clouds gathered , a river wide separating them for a time . even then their love never died . it never would . not even with the end of time . and it did take time for them to get where they are now . by each other's side once again , everything revolving around each other as it was meant to be . yet even after all this time , she never knew that it could feel like this — like she's never seen the sky before . not until she watches her warlock climb those steps , each one closer to her , his eyes bright like the glowing moon . as he stands by her side in front of her court , taking her hand in his , making that same vow . come what may . not just for her , but to her people . to be their king . the king that they need . the king they deserve . her heart sings to him and she knows he can hear it : telling him that she is giving him everything . everything that she is — from that simple girl she use to be to the queen she is now . the tears in her golden eyes reflect back every single memory that took them to where they are now — the good and the bad , and all the good that has yet to come . and when their lips meet , the stars collide overhead ; she vanishes in his kiss , sealing their vow once again . come what may .

with crowns on both heads , they turn to the crowd , standing together . and auraline knows that the greatest thing she'll ever learn is this : to love and be loved in return . together , they are stronger . singing out their song . come what may . and their love , their vow , will strength her court . their court . the celebration that follows moves with such perfect grace — leopold spinning her in his arms , over and over again , the two dancing among their fae until she's dizzy with ' i love yous ' and come what mays and she's out of breathe . she pulls him away from the crowd , feet still dancing as she leads him out of the room and into another — an empty balcony away from prying eyes ( guards standing at the entrance , doors closed to give them privacy , a moment finally alone ) . her cheeks are flushed as she looks to her king , hand still in his . ❛ so how does it feel ? having all of this as yours ? ❜ she asks , free arm gesturing out to their land below them , trees and the hidden creatures in them spanning till where green meets the night sky .

[descended-from-legends]

And We’re Lost

@oflcgicalsway

Jemma gasps as she awakens from the mind prison. What on earth is going on? She looks around to find Enoch standing there, the other Chronicoms deactivated at his feet.

"Enoch." Fitz sits up from where he's laying next to her, looking around the room in shock.

"I have taken bold action. We must go." Enoch's matter of fact words barely register for the two as they finally embrace. After all this time, they're finally together. They traveled the stars to find each other, and now they'll never let go. Unstoppable together.

Enoch sets the Chronicom transporter device down on the floor and activates it. They need to go, before reinforcements arrive. He holds out his arms for the other two. "Embrace me."

They join him in the circle on the floor, holding onto him tightly as the device begins to send them somewhere else, anywhere else.

Jemma looks up at Fitz and smiles, her eyes lighting up for a moment. "Oh, I almost forgot. You're a grandfather."

Fitz' eyebrows scrunch in confusion and concern, looking between Enoch and Jemma for some sort of explanation. "What the bloody hell does that-" His question is cut off by the transporter finally sending them off to where it's programmed. When they rematerialize, none of them recognize their location. It almost looks like a ship of some kind. “-mean?!”

"Very Star Trek," Jemma muses as she lets go of the boys and moves along the hallway.

Fitz gives Enoch a look that would have him six feet under and buried. "Enoch, where the bloody hell did you send us?"

Enoch looks around the room. In all his years, he hasn't seen anything quite like where they are currently. "Apologies. It was my first attempt at using an Interplanetary Conveyance Disc. In theory, it should have returned us to its last location. Instead, it has sent us here. Wherever here is." He reaches out to feel for the computer in the walls, small little tendrils coming out of his fingers to find an access port in the hopes of gaining information.

Fitz throws his hands up in the air, and runs his hands through his hair. "Great. Thank you, Enoch. Now we're on the run from the Chronicoms, and we're lost! You are the absolute worst!" He grabs Enoch and pushes him a little, frustrated and angry beyond belief at the moment.

"We'll figure it out. We always do.” Jemma sighs and shakes her head. “Look on the bright side, I don't think this is a Confederacy ship."

She hears footsteps coming down the hallway and she grabs onto Fitz' hand. They don't have any weapons. There's nowhere to run. All she can do is hope that the people they've found are friendly and not trigger happy with strangers.

[oculiaperticlausi]

leo's place — @eclvpses

"I have a question for you," she asks, the two of them laying on the floor as the three children lay beside them passed out after crawling around for the last few hours. She looks up at the ceiling, chewing on her lower lip. "When you..." She clears her throat even though it's been over a year since the incident, it sometimes still haunts her to know how close she was to losing him, how months before that she was close to losing herself. "The incident," she says. "What did you see?"

[radicalrascals]

"I am not sure I make for good company," Leopold worried. His voice was low and thick with a peculiar accent he had been unable to shake in all these decades. Regardless, company sounded like a desirable thing at the moment, and tea - if not usually on his menu - was something he could at least digest. "Thank you. Can I help?"

starter for @radicalrascals

" Come sit." Noel gestures towards the seat." I can make us some tea and you can tell me what is on your mind. I would appreciate the company, being by myself does become lonely at times."

[poorbaker]

closed starter @entrelysinful​

          her  mind  was  tainted  ,  her  mind  remains  with  him,  despite  wishing  it  was  anywhere  else. she  knew  it  wont  work  ,  their  relationship  ended  based  on  stature,  and  to  begin  to  comprehend  a  world  with  him  in  it,  was  only  going  to  cause  her  further  heartache. she  ,  however  ,  could  not  deny  that  she  missed  him  ,  and  everything  that  made  him  so. she  was  infatuated  ,  memories  of  which  brought  her  significant  joy  encompasses  her  mind. in  this  moment,  she  could  not  be  stirred  ,  her  mind  is  deep  in  the  unquestionable,  things  she  should  not  be  feeling  or  thinking. she  only  wishes  he  was  here  ,  and  how  the  very  home  in  which  tainted  their  relationship  ,  she  continued  to  live  and  work  within,  she  despised  the  pendlebury  house,  and  what  memories  it  brought  along  with  it. she  only  wished  she  could  find  a  way  out  ,  but  fortune  was  not  in  her  favour. she  could  barely  make  ends  meet,  and  with  added  pressures  of  leaving,  finding  a  new  job  within  a  community  where  there  was  none  ,  she  could  not  bare  the  risk. ​  

          the  paper  remains  captured  in  her  grasp  ,  the  slightly  crumbled  exterior  changes  no  purpose  or  thoughtfulness  of  the  writing  within. the  person  who  wrote  them  seemed  to  understand  ,  though  ,  she  only  wished  she  knew  who  the  writer  was. for  weeks  now,  she  had  received  notes  ,  caring,  love  provoking  notes  ,  of  which  encased  some  money  for  her. she  was  unsure  who  would  wish  her  such  good  fortunes  ,  but  she  had  to  admit,  she  was  beginning  to  find  this  person  appealing. she  only  wishes  she  can  thank  them  properly  ,  but  she  had  held  back  on  replying  thus  far. she  was  fearful  ,  knowing  she  had  not  been  gifted  with  good  will  with  love. she  did  not  know  if  it  were  worth  sacrificing  her  heart  for  again.

          the  sound  of  footsteps  startled  her  mind,  the  thoughts  that  race  immediately  hid,  in  fear  of  judgement. the  darkness  made  it  difficult  to  decipher  who  interrupted  her. though,  as  the  figure  moved  closer  ,  it  became  easy  --  only  he  would  be  the  one  to  be  by  her  side.

          ❝ cannot  sleep? ❞  she  mused,  moving  to  the  counter  top  to  pour  a  hot  cup  of  coco  she  had  prepared  moments  ago  ,  sliding  it  across  the  counter  to  him. ❝ this  should  help  ,  i  cannot  sleep  either. ❞  she  avoided  his  gaze,  gnawing  down  on  her  bottom  lip  as  her  gaze  fixated  onto  her  own  steaming  cup.

[sawyermarshall]

who: @eclvpses

where: sawyer's place

Sawyer plops back onto her side of the bed, breathing out as she looks at the ceiling. "You have no idea how bad I needed that," she mutters. It's been three whole weeks since the text message. Sometimes it takes everything in her not to ask about him when she sends Leo a message to come over to release a little tension.

( Which has been more lately than usual. )

She almost misses with Leo breathes out his name. She doesn't look at him, an expression covers her features. "Don't do that," she keeps her eyes on the ceiling. "I don't want to talk about him."