#cordbound

[fortunefeather]

The day was just ending and Age'ian was starting to pack up his tent. He'd spent the weekend in some town he didn't ask the name of, telling fortunes in the market. But now, it was time to move on. He tapped his staff against the base of the enchanted tent, the whole thing folding and collapsing in on itself until it formed a cube no bigger than a ring box. His raven familiar swooped it up for him, and he pocketed the item before starting to walk, humming to himself as his hooves clicked the paved street.

"To see the sky, and all the land together again. See the way the earth can stay below. Who do we think we are? Everything plays a part. There are some things we are never meant to know."

He had long come to terms with that very idea, but some nights when it was just him and his thoughts, he dwelled on that. The smallness of himself, despite all he had learned and lived through. Did it plague him? Depended on the day.

He was unaware of any kind of audience he might have as he walked, though Era on his shoulder did keep an eye out, in case anyone decided to disturb her caster's moment of thought.

{ @cordbound }

[driofaire]

At the edge of it all, this journey felt like a fruitless one. Mindflayers, cultists, armies. They were not in charge of an army themselves, though, they had accumulated the most unlikely of allies over these few days, all people who would never have survived where he had come from. "You have not eaten yet, paladin," he said. It was quiet, almost as if he had his hands cupped around a secret he could not share. "You should, before it cools and that hound sticks his face into the pot." // @cordbound.

[sporefound]

MERCY :  for both muses to come across an injured animal. || @cordbound

on the ground is a robin, flapping & flitting a lame wing. her heart aches for the poor thing. it's red feathers were matted with gore... without intervention, it would die by sunset. the world may be rotten, but it was not this creature's fault. it was small & helpless in all of it.

mercy was not something that came naturally to amanita. it was a valuable tool, in theory... but in practice? he experience was limited. it was easier to provide it in small doses, baby steps towards a change she couldn't entirely visualize on her own. she is too gentle when she scoops the poor creature into her hands, trying to soothe with a gentle voice. 

" shhh, shh sweet thing. " there is magic woven into her words. magic she usually saves for the battlefield, a healing word to mend the flesh. open flesh closes, bones shift carefully back into place. were it a larger creature, it may have taken more. it would have been harder to spare. but less was plenty for this poor creature. she strokes the bird's beak with a soft hand, attention fixed entirely on her patient. it coos at her, echoing her comforting tone. 

for a moment, she forgets she is not alone. she forgets that there is anyone in the world outside of the bird & herself. the tension in her features melts away as she places a sweet kiss to the top of the bird's head, speaking in a language only it knows, " you'll come home with me - just for the night. just in case. " 

she keeps the creature in her hands as she turns to face her companion. ever-present tension returns to her features. she throws up a wall of logic to defend herself, sure that this would be seen as a moment of weakness that the other could file away. a large part of her knows better, but she can't help but feel some sort of defensive - how often were they at odds? how valuable would it be to know a wounded animal could tear her guard down, even for a moment. she wrinkles her nose in frustration. it comes from a place within, but she directs it at him. 

" never speak of this. not to me, not to anyone. " it sounds like a threat that she waves around like a stick, " i'll find out if you do. "

[deathbind]

( the dark nest // accepting ) LAWRENCE HIGHFIELD [ @cordbound ] WROTE: ❝They're wondering what you're doing. To tell the truth, so am I.❞

MEKETI LOTUS DID NOT GROW here. They were brilliant flowers, more blue even than the waters they inhabited. In Meketi, they were mhad apcioy, cradle of stars, for it was said their golden stamen were sleeping stars not yet old enough to adorn the heavens. A myth made more believable by the best tended of these growing as large as a man's head. They were the life to balance death, and often thrived where there was a great confluence of spirits. Thus they had found their way into many a ritual.

He would pay a pretty penny for the petal of one now — or at least some decent incense. He needed answers that mortal lips could not supply, but there were not many spirits here. Either that or they were shy. He'd had to get creative in attracting a few. He'd spent the better part of the day gathering the most fragrant flowers and polishing the few bowls they had with them. They glinted now in the falling sun. He'd nestled them among the flowers, most filled with his share of the sweet wine. The remainder burned with teal flame that gave neither heat nor crackle. It only sang softly.

At the heart of this sat the simple brass cup dangling always from his belt. This he kept empty for now. It was not yet time. Instead, he sat to the side carefully carving a humanoid figurine from wood. Not traditional materials but one learned to make due.

He turned the figurine toward Lawrence as first answer to his question. ❝Shabti. One who will answer.❞ He pointed off to the horizon. ❝When the sun is set halfway, I'll invite the spirits to share a drink with me. If any accept that invitation and answer my questions honestly, they'll have this as thanks.❞ He did not stipulate the answers had to be useful, of course, only honest. Best to be reasonable in such circumstances.

[wolfvirago-m]

🎁 !!

spotify wrapped has arrived. send me a number from 1-100 for a starter based on that song, or a lyric from it, or send a 🎁 for me to shuffle. [accepting]

49: Who Is She? - I Monster

Oh, who is she? A misty memory A haunting face Is she a lost embrace?

Her dreams had always been strange, even as a child. There was a woman in them, most times. A strange face that she couldn't make out-- one that was almost like her mother's, almost like her own. It would blend and hide with rays of sunlight that burned bright through her vision, obscuring the truth.

If she tried hard, Robin could view more. But that always came at the cost of her eyesight when waking up-- eyeballs aching terribly and head thudding as she tried to clear the burning sensation from her retinas.

Even now, that woman haunts her, gleaming and whispering warnings that she could not understand.

Robin rubbed her temples, sighing out. As much as she wanted to answer her traveling companion's concerned questions, she could not. Not when the pain was so great this time.

@cordbound

[stilettobitearch]

🥀 🎧+ 3 and 6! @cordbound 🎧

3. a song that represents my muse's darkest moment

blood - mcr there are a lot of moments in cece's life that can be categorised as her darkest moment, its actually a little bit of an issue, so i'm gonna go with "this period of time in her life", which here is fully the time she became the head of the temple of bhaal, up until daddy dearest required a blood price she refused to pay (her brother). 

6. a song that represents my muse's world view

two evils - bastille. the lyrics of this song have a few interpretations, but for this, we have to ride with the concept of the speaker contemplating two aspects of himself, which is the starting block for cece's external view of the world: it starts with her own self-doubt and self-worth, and how little she trusts herself. this then reflects onto the rest of the world: we're not so different you and i, bringing her back to both the distrust she has in herself seen in everything she sees, but similarly, the times she acknowledges who she ultimately chooses to be as much as she has been, she can see good in the world, too. 

[fortunefeather]

Parting is such sweet sorrow, @cordbound

Age never liked saying goodbye. He had met so many wonderful people in his long life, and he always dreaded the moment when they had to part ways. And Lawrence... something about him was special. Even in just their short walk together, the tiefling had felt it. A warmth...

But as the pair came to their crossroads, Age'ian prepared to steel himself and go their separate ways. Ships passing in the night. But then, the paladin leaned in and placed a kiss upon Age's stardusted cheek. The long pointed ears of the tiefling gave a soft flutter, his eyes widening as he felt his face get warm. Though a blush was hard to see on such dark skin. However, the tender moment was interrupted as a vision passed through Age'ian, causing him to teeter slightly.

A rocky path. A steep cliff side. Stones loose from rain. A misplaced step of a horse's hoof. And a great and terrible tumble.

"Wait--!" he says with a gasp, gripping Lawrence tightly, "Please wait..."

[ceruleanscarred]

"Did this one happen in a battle, or is there a different story behind it?" { @cordbound }

{ Scar Survey Prompts: Always Accepting! }

She glances to the Y shaped scar on her right bicep, recalling with a smile the fight that caused it.

"This was from one of my more interesting fights. It was against one of the few types of Undead that can be found in my home. Their name in draconic translates to 'A Horse With No Name' and they prowl the dunes looking for lost travelers to drain the life from. I'd mistaken it's rider for someone in need of help, but when I approached, the rider had long become a husk. The horse can actually take control of their drained riders, and the scar is from a crossbow bolt that it fired at me before I managed to chase it off."

[maestrojax]

“You need to rest.”

My muse is sick, and won’t admit it. // @cordbound

The drow shook his head, the feather on his great hat moving with him. "I can't rest yet. I have to finish this." He was busy with some paperwork and really he would do anything to avoid resting. He didn't like the weakness that came with it all.

[sporefound]

✿ !

FRIENDSHIP.     childhood friends  /  work buddies or coworkers  /  family friends  /  friends with benefits  /  smoking buddies  /  adventure buddies  /  fake friends  /  recently friends  /  party buddies  /  friendship of need  /  dying friendship  /  circumstantial friendship  /  partners in crime  /  old friendship  /  [ your muse ] is the good influence  /  [ your muse ] is the bad influence  /  [ my muse ] is the good influence  /  [ my muse ] is the bad influence  /  opposites attract  /  ride or die  /  frenemies  /  roommates or flatmates  /  penpals  /  exes to friends  /  enemies to friends  /  other

i feel like there is sooooo much to play with here. i definitely think it would take amanita a hot Second to warm up to lawrence's approach to life. she would probably pick up on his sensitivity & then pick on him because of it. she was raised to target spot that shit & though she's long separated from that life, old habits die hard. this being said, i think his perseverance despite the pain of Feeling & Existence would wear away at her prickly first impression. i think she's definitely wary of holy people in any regard because of her past as former cleric, but i think lawrence's perspective would widen her view in a way she might not have otherwise considered. she soaks up new information like a sponge & lawrence has Much of it. so long story short: i think they could be friends, with time, but it might not be easy for amanita at first.

ROMANCE.     childhood sweethearts  /  [ your muse is mines ] childhood crush  /  [ my muse is yours ] childhood crush  /  exes  /  exes to lovers  /  forbidden lovers  /  highschool sweethearts  /  secret relationship  /  opposites attract  /  long distance  /  unrequited [ from your muses side ]  /  unrequited [ from my muses side ]  /  unrequited [ from both sides ]  /  skinny love  /  friends to lovers  /  enemies to lovers  /  spurious relationship  /  power couple  /  newly entered  /  soulmates [ metaphorical ]  /  soulmates  [ literal ]  /  awkward  /  turning toxic  /  toxic love  /  cheating [ on your muse ]  /  cheating [ with your muse ]  /  other 

FAMILIAL.     siblings [ half ]  /  siblings [ step ]  /  [ my muse ] is an older sibling figure to your younger sibling figure  /  [ my muse ] is a younger sibling figure to your older sibling figure muse  /  [ my muse ] is a parental figure to yours  /  [ my muse ] is a child figure to your muse  /  guardian figure  /  legal guardian  /  adoptive child  /  foster child  /  [ your muse ] is taken under mines wing  /  [ my muse ] is taken under yours wing  /  other

i think if they did develop a familial bond, it would come from nita growing & harboring respect for the relentlessness in which lawrence stands by his ideals. i think she might try to take him under her wing at first but realize that's not going to work & learn very slowly that is not how this is going to work. i think it would be closer to a found family sort of thing. i think there could definitely be something to play with in a parallel between nita's initial impression of lawrence & lawrence's father's impression of him. but instead of keeping on trying to tear him down, there could be like that respect of growth & fondness of person if that makes sense?? i guess it could be like the vibe of step-siblings that realize fighting isn't going to make their situation any better & slowly realizing they can work it out. if that makes sense?

ANTAGONISTIC.     dangerous to each other  /  dangerous to others  /  unpredictable  /  rivals  /  petty  /  developing into sexual or romantic tension  /  based off family matters  /  based of off circumstance  /  based of professional matters  /  based off misunderstanding or lies  /  conflict of ideology  /  betrayal  /  hero - villain dynamic  /  enemies  /  fight club  /  friends turned enemies  /  lovers turned enemies  /  exes turned enemies  /  other 

so while there is a lot of room for a story of growth & shared understanding, there is also a lot of room for conflict. amanita & lawrence are opposites in a lot of ways & that could lead to some serious conflict. nita would constantly try to Justify the amount of compassion lawrence has for a world she see's as cruel / ask him to justify it & if she's not convinced she would be super petty about how wrong she thinks he is. i could see her pride bouncing off of his stubborness & it causing some problem. i also think his hero complex would be something nita picks at constantly. so while they could be friends, it would also be super easy to go in a less friendly route because of how drastically different they view the world & their places in it. nita see's the world as constantly ready to rot & lawrence seems to be someone who wants to keep that from happening.

[f4rgd]

@cordbound : “ I’m sorry. I know it hurts. ”

Gods was he trying to keep a straight face, but somewhere in between gritted teeth and tightly shut eyes he'd given himself away and something between a hiss and a grunt had left him. He was tough, he'd dealt with many an injury - all too familiar with patching himself up over and over again, but the cut on his bicep was particularly deep and he was unable to bite his tongue.

" Only a little. " He looked to Lawrence and forced a smile. Perhaps more than a little but he wouldn't say it out loud. If not for using what was left of his own energy he would have healed himself and saved them both the effort. " It just.. stings is all. " Keeping his arm still he flexed his fingertips and relaxed back against the wall, body perched on the seat beside the others. " You did not need to patch me up, but I appreciate it. It is very kind, a kindness I am not used to admittedly. "

[endawna]

happy birthday orion!!!!!

thank you!!

[adorajpg]

cont . from here / @cordbound

the slight pucker of elijah’s lips tightens into a straight line as lawrence speaks. there’s a part of him that wants to doubt, to believe that he only apologizes to humor elijah as many others have. still, as they briefly bask in the silence, elijah realizes there is something genuine in lawrence’s words. 

instead, a slight wave of embarrassment washes over elijah, reddening cheeks soon giving him away as his gaze lowers to frown at the ground. he is defensive all to quick at times, assuming people mean the worst with the words they aim his way.

but elijah wants to believe the best of lawrence, having been given little to think otherwise to begin with. so he gives a slight nod of his head, a soft “thank you…” murmured before elijah looks up with a smile once more. "I'm sorry for the interruption. I'm listening, I promise."

[sanctos]

@cordbound from here !

eyes  still  turned  to  the  fire  ,    wil  cannot  help  the  little  smile  that  makes  its  way  to  their  face.   the  last  time  they  adventured  like  this  ,   they  had  wilted  like  a  dying  flower  plucked  from  the  ground  ,   and  their  friends  had  scarcely  even  noticed  until  they  went  away.   of  course  ,   they  were  all  wilted  in  their  own  way  ,   but  wil  remembers  how  every  day  felt  like  screaming  ,   how  quiet  they  grew  ,   quieter  than  usual.   and  now  here  they  are  again  ,   out  in  the  world  ,   only  this  time———their  companion  sees  them  ,   worries  just  as  much  as  they  do  for  him.   that  in  itself  is  enough  to  keep  them  here.

they  reach  over  ,   hovering  awkwardly  for  a second  ,   considering  their  movements  before  resting  their  hand  on  laurie's  shoulder  ,   a  friendly  squeeze.          ❛❛  my  heart  aches  ,   but  i  am  alright.   ———i  dread  to  leave  home  on  business  trips  ,   or  even  to  visit  friends.   its  inevitable.  ❜❜            pulling  their  knees up  ,   huddling  closer  to  the  fire  ,   they  scoot  an  inch  closer  to  their  friend  as  well  ,   chin  rested  on  their  knees  almost  contently.   they  tilt  their  head  now  to  look  at  him.

❛❛  we're  out  here  to  help  ,   which  makes  it  better.   i  am  so  attached  to  my  home  ,   but  what  if  the  people  of  this  village  lose  their  homes  ?   i  wouldn't  feel  any  better  having  left  them  to  it.  ❜❜          a  little  sigh  ,   a  little  smile.          ❛❛  i  appreciate  your  concern  ,   though  ,   i'm  glad  to  know  we  can  speak  of  it.   i  tend  to  wither  ,   when  i  bottle  it  all  up.   ❜❜

[stilettobitearch]

𝗗𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗠𝗦 𝗚𝗨𝗜𝗗𝗘.

tagged: @shdwtouch tagging: @moonprayed (fel, and anyone you feel like on saintsrepose!), @elliscousland (plus anyone else you feel up to!), @delightfalse, @p-aladin, @cordbound

-- BOLD all that applies || italics what applies on occasion

001.ㅤ 𝗘𝗬𝗘𝗦.

avoids eye contact when nervous, maintains eye contact when nervous. avoids eye contact due to being neurodivergent, enjoys eye contact as a means to read and convey emotion. looks down when emotional, looks up when emotional. cries openly, wipes tears quickly, suppresses tears. wandering gaze when lost in thought, holds gaze while thinking. seeks out eye contact for reassurance, seeks out eye contact to gauge enthusiasm during conversations, eyes move constantly during conversation. expressive eyes, emotions only evident through eyes, uses eye contact to intimidate. looks up while thinking, looks down while thinking.

002.ㅤ 𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗦.

clasps behind back, rests in lap, fidgets with clothes. twiddles thumbs, chews at nails/skin, pushes back cuticles, draws patterns on table/counter surfaces. animated gestures while speaking, only gestures to emphasize, utilizes sign language, speaks only through sign. callouses, scars, smooth, wrinkled, worn, soft, delicate, boney, slender, thick, veiny. touches others while speaking, reaches out while laughing, reaches out to comfort others, reaches out to seek comfort. places face in hands when exasperated, places face in hands when exhausted, places palms over eyes to hide when overwhelmed, rests chin in hands. taps fingers when impatient, taps fingers when nervous, taps fingers while thinking. scratches scalp, strokes chin, rubs back of head, toys with objects around them, runs fingers over surfaces while walking by.

003.ㅤ 𝗠𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛.

chews lip, chews at inside of cheek, licks lips, bites tongue, chews on straws. resting frown, resting smile, neutral resting expression, resting pout. grinds teeth, flexes jaw. covers mouth when laughing, covers mouth when shocked, covers mouth when concerned, hands to lips while thinking, covers mouth when chewing, chews with mouth closed, chews with mouth open. smirks, grins, subtle smile, wide smiles, sad smiles, intimidating smiles, menacing grins. openly smiles, tries to suppress smiles, bares teeth when angry, lips quiver when emotional. stutters, speaks quickly, speaks slowly, good pronunciation, poor pronunciation, moderate pronunciation. purses lips, sucks in lips, holds mouth open when shocked or confused.

004.ㅤ 𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗦.

bounces leg when nervous. draws knees to chest when sitting, draws knees to chest as a means of comfort, sits on knees, sits with legs crisscrossed, sits with legs spread open in chairs, crosses legs when sitting in chairs, sits with one leg folded under the other. places feet on furniture, never places feet on furniture, sits on counters, sits on desks, sits on tables, sits on edge of seat, sits hunched over with forearms on knees, arches one knee up, sits on the arm of chairs/couches, feet on dashboard, swings legs back and forth when sitting somewhere elevated. wiggles toes when nervous, wiggles toes as a general tick. shuffles feet, kicks foot into ground, stomps feet. loud footsteps, quiet footsteps, silent footsteps.

005.ㅤ 𝗛𝗔𝗜𝗥.

runs fingers through hair, tugs at hair, picks at scalp, chews on hair, twists locks of hair while thinking or nervous, smooths out locks of hair while thinking or nervous. prefers hair out of face, prefers long hair, prefers short hair. wears hair back, keeps hair down, smooths back hair. plays with other’s hair while talking, plays with own hair while talking, strokes hair to comfort others, likes having hair stroked for their own comfort, braids others’ hair while talking, braids own hair while talking. flips hair out of face, pushes hair out of face, leaves hair alone even when falling into face.

[savageshadows]

cordbound asked: "What's the story behind this scar? It looks like it has a tale to tell."

lawrence had pointed to a rather small blotch on the back of right hand. it was healed well enough with the blackish flesh but there were thin six lines drawn across - discolored and faded to purple. be'lakor drew a thumb over them, memories she had boxed up and put away coming forth. it was a warmth that spread from her chest, eyes softening and to her lips near a smile.

"my son," she explained, "he was learning how to wildshape. we started with the smaller animals but he was so adamant on learning to fly. i could never get that boy to stay on the ground."

"and behind my back he was talking to the birds. they were helping him. they meant well of course. i wasn't mad. but he... oh he wanted to be the biggest and best flyer. so he tried to turn into a raven. he wasn't ready for that." her thumb pressed harder into the skin, as if trying to rub away the scars - to forget.

the druid's voice tightened with pain, "he jumped from a cave side and tried to fly himself down. i had to rush through the entire grove, down the mountain to catch him before he crashed. these are from his little talons as i finally grabbed him. it was one of those slowed down, freeze frame type of things." her ears fell down, depression weighing,

"despite all of it, he was ready to try again within an hour. he was never afraid. he was so strong."

was.

he was.

be'lakor dropped her hands and arms, blanking her face and pushing to a stand, "time for bed."