#casualscx 002

[surv1vor]

she wants to offer that, should they get lost, she will be happy to take the lead. but the mention of adventures with his sister in his youth has the womans head turning so she might look at him as they walked ( trusting that the hand upon her back would guide her around any obstacle that might fall within her path ). when was the last time she had ventured anywhere without purpose or a destination in mind? camila couldn't ever recall leaving the sanctuary of her court and not having a formal escort. it nearly brings a frown to tug at her lips ⸻ how sheltered of a life she's seemed to have lived. there are times where she will push the bounds allowed of her, but never anything that would truly test her fathers patience ( not as this little blooming dalliance might ).

"then we shall get lost and see were the fates wish to take us. it sounds like a rather grand adventure." the smile she throws him is bright but is quick to soften around the edges the further they walk. "would you tell me about them ⸻ these adventures you had with your sister in your youth? the places you went, things you did?"

it was rather interesting how she had managed to sneak beneath his skin and have him caring so deeply for her, after only knowing her for a short time. drystan was not the sort of man who wore his heart on his sleeve, but he was a man of loyalty. the kind that would defend the people he cared about and the places he cherished till his last dying breath. with her, the fae felt as if he could take on the entire world, and for a brief moment, the pair seemed untouchable.

his lips twitched into a smile, his fingers gently gliding against her back, and the warmth between them growing. he almost forgot all about his prior engagements that left him bruised and battered, until she mentioned him needing a break as well. "suppose i cannot argue with that." he hummed, giving in to her niceties. it wasn't often he did that, but the woman had a way of coaxing the best out of him. breathing out, he led them out of the tent like area, keeping himself close to her while making a swift exit away in the direction leading away from the tourney events. he knew his way around from the few visits to the dawn court, but even then, the man was eager to explore with her. "you'll have to bare with me if i get lost along the way. i'm not as familiar with your home as you." his voice was soft, his attention on the garden path before him, a slight squint forming and the sound of the ongoing affairs behind them began to fade as they ventured on. "though i will admit, when i was young, my sister and i always enjoyed our adventures best when we got lost." he shared, wanting to tell her more about who he was. his past, his feelings, his interests, anything.

[isolatednights]

calliope had already been less than thrilled at being sold married off to the highest bidder by her brother ( her anger only soothed after months of he and her twin assuring her that the man was good, and kind, and worthy ). the thought of such reassurances now makes her want to snort. clearly, whatever front the man had presented to her brother had been nothing but a facade because if the man were any of those things, he certainly would have led the charge to rescue her himself, rather than allow a singular man to hunt down her captors and return her safely ( and if she'd made her saviors life just a tad more difficult on the journey back to her husband-to-be due to her spite, well... that was beside the point ).

releasing a huff at the words, calliope can't help the scowl that paints across her face. "have i escaped my captors? you are simply marching me from one jailer onto the next. am i meant to be grateful for such a thing?"

status: open to femme muses

character: khol kadires. early thirties. knight.

connection: based off this! khol has saved your muse and they're currently on the journey back to her soon to be husband! i'm going for more mutual annoyance to lovers vibes!

"I did not realize rescuing a princess would involve so much... complaining." A heavy sigh left him as his eyes shifted back over his shoulder toward his newfound companion. The two were on horseback, attempting to make it to the North with next to nothing but the clothes on their backs ever since their escape. Khol was no stranger to less-than-ideal situations, but he was starting to realize that perhaps she was not. "And here I assumed escaping your captors would be the hardest part of all this."

[isolatednights]

"what i'm returning home to?" she wants to scoff. there is no love lost between her and the man she is meant to marry ⸻ their marriage purely political. calliope had been in the midst of working up the courage to request ( demand ) her brother find another way to solidify the alliance when she'd been taken. the knight had certainly saved her from a horrible sort of fate, but she'd honestly expected her own kingdom to come to her rescue not... this man.

"rather difficult to turn around and manage such a thing when the lot of them bled at your sword, no?" she murmurs beneath her breath. calliope has considered it ⸻ requesting the man let her go. reporting that her life was forfeit long before he arrived while she live out the rest of her days elsewhere. it would be nothing like the life she was familiar with but if any of her siblings were capable of living away from the life of luxury they had grown under, it was her. but abandoning such a thing might lead to her twin being offered to the king in her place ( and that was the only thing keeping her from making such a demand ). "you have my thanks for coming to my aide, but my return ought be to my own bed. to my subjects. not his." casing him a glance, she continues, "i am his betrothed, not his wife. surely you can allow such a thing, no?"

closed starter for @justsurv1vor continued from here!

he couldn't begin to imagine what it must've been like for her, but frankly, he hadn't brought himself to care much, to begin with. khol had always been a by the books, no-nonsense, knight. standing tall beside his king, even when he knew the things his king was doing were less than honorable. it was his duty and he was nothing if not dedicated to that. so it was no surprise he couldn't see past his own sense of purpose to care about how the girl had gotten where she was, nor her feelings about the whole ordeal.

"considering what you are returning home to, i think perhaps a bit of gratitude may not be too much to ask." his voice was rough, and stern. "but if you'd rather go back to them, and let them have their way with you, then please, feel free to go. i've no wish to stand between a woman and the life she's chosen." he waved his hand off. "i'll tell king you were killed before i even stepped foot into their camp. if you think you could survive, and live happily, of course. but something tells me parting ways with the comfort of a warm bed and a kingdom of adorning subjects wouldn't be your first choice."

[surv1vor]

two hundred years and camila had wanted something small ⸻ intimate with just family and close friends, yet her father had insisted that his younger child ( the apple of the dawn courts eye ) deserved more than small. she'd agreed ( reluctantly ) and, predictably, the entire affair's intent had morphed and twisted ( there might have been a grand speech honoring her, but her father intended it all to invite other courts and show off how well the dawn court flourished beneath his hold ).

she'd been seated within the stands ⸻ hardly paying a lick of attention until a familiar face had taken to the ring before her ( only then had she moved from her slouched positioning to watch the affair ). when the fight proved bloody and drystan left the field, camila had carefully slipped away to follow after the man. she'd been hovering in the door since ⸻ not wishing to invade, but worried over his state of being. "no one will notice my absence," she murmurs in response, "and to which rule do you refer? i've approached you ⸻ a knight who honorably fought in the celebration held in my name. it's only suitable i offer my congratulations and see to your well being."

stepping forward, fingers stretch out toward him and wiggle for the cloth. "sit and let me help you."

status: open to f / mutuals & non mutuals

character: drystan velaris ( knight / warrior )

plot: based off '𝚊𝚌𝚛𝚘𝚜𝚜 𝚌𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚜𝚎𝚜. ' from this post with drystan as muse b! and the two have already formed a connection. drystan fits in either hotd type settings or acotar settings. just let me know which!

setting: pulled from this post! but i changed it a tiny bit. drystan is a warrior who just took part in a castle tournament in which he was injured!

Bruised and battered, Drystan winced as he placed the damp rag back into the scalding hot basin of water. His shoulder throbbed, a deep ache that made his stomach churn and his vision go hazy. And yet, he could see the princess so clearly as he gazed up at her. A soft smile willing itself to push through, but he knew better. "I fear I am already bending far too many rules just by talking to you, princess." He murmured, trying to focus on mending his wounds rather than her. "You should return to the tourney stands. Lest your absence is noticed. I'll be fine, I promise."

[surv1vor]

it is only because she watches him so closely that camila is able to catch the slight wince he releases as he moves to stand ( her brow furrowing slightly as the fingers of her free hand flex at her side ). perhaps, were she better trained or had a greater well of power, she would have been able to take away his hurt entirely. it causes an inkling of guilt to form in her gut ( one that worsens when he comments on enduring worse ⸻ though that she attributes to pure worry over his well being more than anything else ).

releasing a sigh, the furrow of her brow lessens and she flashes him a pleased look. "i believe we both deserve a reprieve after the day we've had," she teases gently ⸻ moving in the direction of the door at the gentle guide of his fingers ( each step, however, is slow ; enjoying the warmth that leeches from his touch ). camila likes the way he phrases it ⸻ the word us causing a comforting sort of feeling to settle into her chest. dark hues turn to him with a smile, "as long as you are with me, i would very much like to see it all."

it was unlike him to make such bold efforts, especially with someone of her status. life for the young fae had taken a rather simple, average, sometimes dull, path. he was the second son of what some would consider a nobody. the only real perk of how things were now was that he served as a warrior, which granted him an honorable position, or so he had been told. though, now he seemed to focus more on it giving him the opportunity to get closer to her. even if he felt he had little offer.

unable to let go of her hand, drystan kept his hold gentle, the warmth of her touch enough to send his senses reeling. his thumb continued to move, a ghosting brush against her skin, and his gaze never seemed to leave her own. "i feel fine now, my lady." he protested, willing himself to rise from his seat, even if the smallest of winces still appeared. "i've endured worse. you've tended to me and now," he paused, his head dipping for a moment, a nervous twitch he'd been unable to rid himself of. "you deserve a reprieve." a smirk formed, and before he could overthink his next movement, he stepped back, allowing his fingers to graze the small of her back, guiding her toward the doorway. "let us see what the rest of the world has to offer."

[surv1vor]

they both seem to be a bit helpless around one another ⸻ masks shed and filters disregarded entirely ( emotions and words seeming to spill forth that much easier ). it's why, when his words present themselves, her smile is just as easy to bloom. something about his willingly to assist her to view her court as something other than what she has ⸻ it warms her. "if you are the one to show it to me, than i would like that very much."

eyes sparkle at his agreement ⸻ it is a plan that will likely never need to be put into use, but camila finds herself endlessly pleased by this little secret they share between them. "i would," she confirms softly. everything about the man before her intrigues her ( and perhaps that is why she watches him so carefully ⸻ why she's so acute aware of the brush of his lips against her knuckles and how she has to resist the desire to inch closer to him as her cheeks color ). "no, he is far too wrapped up in his own scheming to notice." a touch of a lie ⸻ the man would surely notice, but he would not make a fuss over finding his youngest child ( he might not even think to mention it until later, in passing ). "i would much rather spend my time with you. it will certainly be the brightest part of my day. so i must insist that once you feel well enough, we depart."

"i can do that." it was almost uncontrollable, the way the words rushed from his mouth without his approval. yet he'd spoken truthfully, and his smirk faded quickly after, giving way to a smile. "i'd gladly be the one to assist in showing you just how much your court is worth, my lady. but more importantly, you." the last bit come out as a murmur, the intensity in his gaze enough to light the fire within her once more.

the further he thought of her and the possibility of becoming betrothed caused his jaw to clench, his stomach to twist. somehow, the pain his shoulder becoming more bearable than what was erupting inside of him. even with the assurance, the obvious distaste she had for him, he couldn't help but feel a pang of conflict within. he had no right to, and yet, the thought of her being with another man was enough to make him feel sick.

"you can count on it." he finally spoke again, the grip tightening ever so slightly. he knew that words were sparse for him, though she somehow brought out something in him, the desire to speak. and yet, there were so many things left unsaid. he feared opening his mouth would only push her away, but he'd sworn to himself he'd try, even if his attempts failed him. "you would?" he couldn't help but question, the doubt evident within his tone. "you honor me. truly." though worry consumed him his senses, his chapped, plush lips ghosted against her knuckles, the warmth of her skin near his lips sending a shudder through him. "do you think your father would notice if i stole you away now?" his gaze lingered on her features, a faint flush blooming across his cheeks. "i'd hate for your day to continue on such a sour note, or rather, i'd hate for you to suffer in silence. not when i can take you somewhere better."

[surv1vor]

she would like to think him right ⸻ that they are more than mere tinkerers and healers ( but it is difficult when so many have said as much ; have overlooked her court in favor of physical strength ). "perhaps," she admits after a moment, dark hues dropping from his the moment his fingers envelop her own. something within her lights at the touch ( and lips begin to part ⸻ prepared to ask if he too can feel that little electric touch between them ), but instead a soft laugh escapes her. "perhaps i just need someone to help me see our worth."

at the mention of the autumn court lordling, camila's attention returns to the knight before her ⸻ the amusement evident in her eyes. "by the cauldron i should hope not. each time he opened his mouth he was trying to impress upon me his own self importance. if my father attempts to form a union between our courts, it certainly shall not be through me. i'd sooner try my hand at hiding amongst the humans." leaning forward slightly ⸻ as if to conspire something horrible, she flashes him a small smile, "surely you would help me hide, no?"

her digits warm slightly as the wound beneath them begins to mend itself. "we are alone ⸻ you needn't apologize for speaking your mind. it's far more refreshing than you realize." better than those that simpered around her simply because of who she was. "i have time." the words rush from her far too quickly ( a flush of embarrassment coming soon after ). "i would enjoy that. very much."

he should have know better than to attempt to argue with those above him, and though he wants to, as he opens his chapped lips nothing but a small chuckle leaves him. he enjoyed the way she was with him, her kindness, her wit, everything. even the arguments, or whatever they could call them, that they'd find themselves in. "perhaps, my lady," he murmured, watching her expression. "though perhaps you fail to see just how lethal those who tinker and heal can be, especially to the likes of me." he captures her hand with his own, the point of contact much more prominent now. drystan couldn't muster up an ounce of strength to stop himself from keeping her close. sure, the dawn court may have not wielded swords and shields like the night, or illyrian, but he'd seen the power that lay beneath her fingertips. specifically to his tortured heart.

"my scraps and bruises thank you either way." the pad of his thumb brushes against her palm before finally letting go, though the ghost of her touch remained, as did their close proximity. there was no stopping the slight pang of jealousy that then rose. a foreign emotion to the knight, as he'd hardly experienced such a thing. and yet, it was clear as day now. "is he... courting you? the autumn court prince, i mean. has your father..." his words faltered, his gaze lifting to search her features. the idea of her belonging to someone else caused a tightness in his chest, one he struggled to breathe around. but when his senses came rushing shortly after, he went white, shifting his view far from her.

"my apologies," he coughs, "i spoke out of turn. the wound is getting to me, i'm afraid." though as he watches her hand placement on the wound, he occupies his own, clenching and unclenching his fingers, trying to keep the pain from spreading. "i'm uh, sorry that your day didn't turn out the way you had hoped. is there... —can i do anything to make it better? if you have time, of course. i might know of a place you'd enjoy..."

[surv1vor]

she hums softly in acknowledgement to his words but doesn't offer further protest. the two of them could go in circles with their bickering ( their disagreement over his standing within the court and in her life ). things between them ( whatever this was ) were still achingly new, and with him injured, camila cared little to worsen any tension between them, so she settles for a simple, "as am i."

"and i have little more to offer than a title." a lie ⸻ she was a lady of the dawn court ( the high lords daughter ; and while she might lack the power that her father and brothers possessed in troves, it still strummed beneath her skin ). "we're a court of tinkerers and healers who would have been conquered long ago, were it not for the swords and shields such as yours."

barely a ghost of a touch across her skin and goosebumps rise in its wake ( and when hues meet mere moments later, a faint flush blossoms across her cheeks ). "perhaps not nearly big enough ⸻ i saw the hit you took to the shoulder and yet rather than heal you properly i busy myself over minor scraps and bruises." an excuse to prolong their interaction ( or perhaps an excuse to remain close ). the smile she offers is apologetic before she lowers the hand grasping the cloth and instead reaches the fingers of her free hand out to rest against his shoulder ( brow furrowing in concentration as she begins the slow process of weaving power from her and into stitching together whatever injury has sparked in result of his participation in the tournament ). "no ⸻ it was not that i did not enjoy them. everyone who participated for my honor or their own.... it's a show of bravery i appreciate. but i much rather would have preferred a quieter celebration. a meal amongst friends, a stroll through the city. instead most of my day was spent listening to autumns high lord try to weasel his way into my fathers good graces while his son kept trying to spark conversation with me."

a prominent lump forms in his throat, his skin ablaze from the heat of her touch. he is silent for a few moments, his mind trying to wrap around her words and make sense of them. "i'm only speaking truth." the words flow out in a whisper, the pain in his shoulder growing, his mind hazy as his heart hammered in his chest. the budding connection between the two was something drystan hadn't expected, but now that she had waltzed through his life, he couldn't picture parting with her.

the mere touch of her gentle graze was enough to silence him. combative statements swirling in his mind, desperate to be heard and yet, when he opened his mouth, not a single thing came out. he'd protest at first, but it seemed she could always get him to bend. "i've nothing to offer but a shield and sword. perhaps a few pretty words, if i try hard enough."

a sigh escapes him and he watches as she hovers above him. reaching up, the warrior's callused hand dances along her arm, the contact featherlight. his gaze lifts, catching her own and he offers a faint smile. "you, my lady, have far too big of a heart for your own good." he murmured, the words filled with such reverence. "did you at least enjoy the festivities, before i stole your attention away?"

[surv1vor]

something like discomfort squirms in her gut at his statement ( because at some point, he'd stopped being just a common knight to her ⸻ but saying such a thing aloud made it a reality ; and were they ready and willing to face such a thing? ). "i suppose i could always leave you here to lick your own wounds, should you so insist," even as the words escape her, camila is stepping forward to pluck the cloth from between his digits before he can change his mind. the expression she sports is triumphant ⸻ as if she's managed some great feat rather than taking from an injured man.

her approach is slower from there ( witnessing the wince and hiss enough to soften each movement ⸻ fingers raising to graze against his jaw and tilt slightly so she can begin the slow process of dabbing at any cuts and scraps he's received ). she's quiet in her task, debating how to broach the subject of her father when the man seems to take up space even when he isn't about.

"the tapestry is of my life ⸻ perhaps my father will be displeased and it will cause a ripple here and there, but ultimately only i am capable of determining what will appear upon it." carefully, she tilts his head, dark hues flickering to meet his, if only momentarily. "the dawn is only beautiful because it is led by shadowy darkness. do not think so lowly of yourself."

closed starter for @surv1vor continued from here!

there was no stopping the quiet chuckle that escaped his parted lips. he doubted her statement, knowing good and well that had it been him out in the stands, surely he would've noticed her absence. how could anyone not? still, the thought that she'd slipped away made him grin, a brow quirked. was he naive to think it was truly because of him?

"you flatter me too much, my lady. slipping out on your own celebration to tend to a common knight?" he couldn't resist the smile that formed, despite the throbbing pain in his shoulder that became much more prominent as he shifted in his seat. drystan hesitated for a moment longer, searching for the appropriate response to her question but perhaps he should've known better than to say no to the star of the dawn court. "you shouldn't soil your hands with a knight's blood but," he paused, admiration and curiosity both coating his features as he lifted the wet cloth within his calloused fingers.

"if it pleases you to assist, who am i to deny the aid of the brightest there is in the dawn court?" he kept his smile at bay, though enough for her to notice his gratitude. drystan wasn't a man of many words nor emotions, he didn't wear them so openly on his sleeve like many he knew. "your father—"

a wince and hiss of pain.

"—forgive me, it's just, i'd hate for him to be displeased with you. i am but a shadow in this grand tapestry of your life. yet here you are," he murmured, almost to himself, "making me believe, if only for a moment, that such rules don't matter." there wasn't exactly much in place that kept the pair from fraternizing with one another, though drystan knew there was a status quo to maintain and sadly, he did not fit into her world. high fae or not, he was still lesser than those of nobility.