#dante002

[thephoebeyates]

Phoebe had a golden rule she had broken immediately once she met Foster: don’t jump into something undefined. But she let the chef consume her fully. She considered the two of them one of the fortunate couples who could walk away from a ‘friends with benefits’ type situation mostly unscathed, forming a real relationship in the process, and she had just wished she was there when Dante and Linc started. Not to put a stop to it necessarily, but to help them through it so the rough patches weren’t the emotional equivalent to the destruction left behind by a hurricane.

“I get it.” She said softly, not wanting to push Dante into saying more than he felt comfortable with. When he asked what she meant about Linc’s own family life, her head dropped, staring intensely at her cocktail glass. “Dante…I can’t.” At the end of the day, as much as she loved the musician next to her, she considered Linc family. If he hadn’t told Dante, it was for a good reason. “I can’t, you know that. Linc needs to be the one to tell you, it’s not my place.” The sound of the festival around them brought back to where they were, and she felt bad that their time together had been tainted by such a serious topic.

“C’mere,” She held her arms out, offering Dante a hug. “It’s all gonna be okay, yeah? You and Linc, and…everything else. I, uh, I need to go find Foster. But I’m always here, if you wanna talk.”

Dante listened quietly as she spoke. The noise all around them nothing but silent at this point it seemed, when his focus was otherwise involved. It was much more difficult than just an arrangement for him and Linc. Their lives had intertwined as if destined by whatever force governed the world. Their existence even. “That’s the difficult part, I think.” He said, turning to glance her way before letting his eyes wonder once more, “Lincoln and I just were. That’s not to say we didn’t know what we were doing because obviously - just that-” Dante shrugged unsure of how to continue without so much as professing his love for the other man out onto their unsuspecting and mutual friend. It wasn’t something that he ever felt the need to address - feeling as though Lincoln should just know their bond was unlike any other - but for reasons unknown to him he took a pause. There was a lot of confusion when it came to ‘more than’ friends for Dante. He never felt that pull to be with just one person for the rest of his life, or to find comfort in the arms of just one. Truthfully, he couldn't think of a single thing about him for anyone to love when his own parents didn't. So he settled for the masses and the single sighted love that was his music. Nothing and no one he could truly disappoint, yet even as he held back he couldn't seem to do anything but hurt and disappoint those he loved. First Sawyer, and now Lincoln - when would it end? “What do you mean?” Dante asked and paused in his step, eyebrows furrowing with confusion. With everything going on with them and his grandmother’s passing, Dante had no idea what was going on in Lincoln’s home. He’d like to believe that despite their conflict, Linc would confide in him if need be. The thought that he’d been adding more to his friend’s plate left a sour taste in his mouth. “Phoebe?” he asked, once more.

[baashirdayne]

On the contrary. Baashir thought him an idiot. Something he despised about children that were old enough to speak is they often spoke without much of a need to speak and he would have found distracting. He listened to the King of the Reach, brow furrowed as he listened and agreed with much of what he had to say. It was a great fault of Mors Martell to cut ties with the Reach over the Riverlands. They should have been working with the Riverlands and the market he heard so much about. The Reach could feed them, give them grain. There was never going to be enough of their efforts to feed to them all. At least not for them to see the benefits of it for their people. Their smallfolk mattered. And while it could sound threatening, the matter was clear.

Without ships they had no place in these discussions of sea battles. Their loss would be trade and the King made it clear they would reap the benefits. He needed it in writing. They needed something to present to the council and then he would return and work with him on ensuring they were on the same page. And it would be a feeling he was far more secure openly discussing if Dante Uller wasn't to goddamn eager to appeal to the King of the Reach.

"Let me say that we are glad to know that your markets are revived post Dance. From what I understand it was hard on most of Westeros and even the Reach suffered in some places." Baashir was careful as he spoke, having spent years perfecting his speech so it didn't sound as halting as it did in his youth. "And it's clear you wish to present us with fair terms."

"We are not who makes this final decision. I will take the time to explain this to you." And once more, the Sword of the morning was careful, he was a warm man nor was he trying to be aggressive, he believed a flat, monotonous disposition allowed people to know he was considering their offers while also letting them know he had room to consider options. "We like to discuss such grand decisions within our council chambers, as I'm sure you do in the Reach though I hate to assume these things. And once we finish I return to you with our response. Of course, there's one small request, we must have this offer in writing."

Words were wind.

♠

so this was the first and second minister of dorne; the sword of the morning, a title that was to be earned rather than inherited. he had been forced to listen to omer florent speak on the sword of the morning multiple times over the years, and for some uncanny reason, cedric could entirely see why omer held a fascination with the man. he was as much of a cunt as omer was at the age of eighteen, having recently come of age. and the other, an uller; all had heard of the ullers of hellholt. the way they apparently killed one another to secure their position as ruling lord, as though being a kinslayer was not the worst thing a human could be according to the beloved gods of humans.

it was said clearly, in scripture; and yet, the ullers had somehow acquired a new amount of power. suspicious, to cedric; the last time he had been involved in dorne, the ullers were not present at court. and now, they held two positions of power. cedric looked upon the first minister, who seemed to serve as the hand of the princess; probably in more ways than one, considering cedric was wholly aware of a certain incident hat had taken place within the bathhouse. still, his face gave no sign of his thoughts; it were obvious both men were incredibly proud. and his words, would be met with insult: regardless of how he phrased it.

there was much bad blood between their realms, both ancient and new. still, he remained silent as the first minister turned to the second, and told him there was no need for him to be present - only to add that this was an opportunity for him to learn. he would have laughed, if he had not spent years in such situations. there was nothing in his face, only mirth in his orbs as he looked at the situation unfold. "we have a conflict of interest that could result in further animosity, and not just merely the borders." his words were obvious, pointed; some would argue he should not have sat with the dornishmen alone. that there should have been another present from his court, as witness. there would be no need for such a thing.

"the summer isles have found themselves in an unfortunate position, in which there shall be consequences ordered by my very own hand." the last thing cedric needed to do was mention mathis rowan; that would be enough to stifle an irritation within the first minister. "considering military action by land makes no sense, the intention is to target them at sea. target their vessels, and their coffers." he paused, simply looking between the men. "i understand that much of their vessels are head toward your incomplete ports, and are full with trade you paid for."

there was an unfortunate pragmatic bluntness to cedric. not in the way that appeared within the other men, but in the way a snake wrapped up his words in lace. it was still poison nonetheless. "that trade will end up within arbor or blackbar vessels, and their ships at the bottom of the summer sea with our chosen approach." he spoke of bloodshed and violence as though it were an equation. a marriage choice. "the reach is more bountiful than the summer isles; it is advantageous for you to pull back your trade considering the time is drawing nearer."

there was a pause as he looked upon the men. if they did not agree, he would order reach ships into dornish waters to sink the summer islander vessels anyway. there was nothing they could do on a grander scale. they need not dock anywhere. that was suggested enough implicitly, in the pause and in the voice. "multiple trade hubs are open to replace any of your losses, and not only match it, but double it. oldtown, the arbor, the market towns of ashford and tumbleton which thrive again following the dance."

[flipsidexlavinia]

Tears were already forming as Lavinia tried to make sense of what was happening. But everything Dante said just made her more and more nervous. “What but that...” she trailed off, climbing further onto the bed and bringing her knees up to wrap herself around them. “No....no she’s not like that,” Lavinia said, rocking. A look of shock and terror hit Lavinia’s face like a brick and she turned only her head towards Dante. “We didn’t....I mean...like nothing happened...right?”

flipsidexlavinia‌:

“You don’t even know me,” she fought back slightly, annnoyed that her tricks weren’t working and he wasn’t bending. “For the love of God, I don’t even know your name yet, you don’t have to be so mean,” she huffed, pulling her knees up and wrapping her arms around them. She wanted to fight, she wanted to yell, but she just didn’t have it in her. She sighed harshly, suddenly overcome with a feeling of exhaustion and put her head down on her knees and closed her eyes.

Fade to Black

Lavinia’s head came up from her knees, blinking wildly as she looked around. It was clearly a cabin, but it didn’t look like hers. That’s when she saw Dante and immediately dropped her feet to the floor. “Dante? Umm..how…how’d I get here?” She asked slightly concerned because when she missed chunks of time like this, it was often for a bad reason. “You’re…you’re okay right? I didn’t…i didn’t hurt you? Please tell me I didn’t hurt you.”

Dante’s mouth lay half-open as he watched her transform. He’d never seen anything like that before; one moment she was wiggling her hips and licking her lips, and then all that seduction just… melted away. The feet that settled on the floor were Lavinia’s, not whoever else had been speaking through her.

He felt unsettled by the whole experience - but then, that must be nothing compared to how she felt, actually living through it. Pushing aside his own discomfort for her sake, he sat down next to her with a sigh. “I’m fine, you didn’t hurt me. You were trying to…seduce me. Acting all minxy and weird. I saw you on the beach and you were like, dripping ice water all over yourself and writhing about. You pretty much threw yourself at me. I brought you to my cabin because I figured you probably wouldn’t want everyone to see you like that.” He gestured towards her outfit, hoping he hadn’t spoken out of turn. It was a delicate issue, but he didn’t want to downplay how utterly bizarre it had been and have her brush it off as nothing.

[themadisynhuang]

M: damn dante what have i done to deserve the royal treatment M: apart from being my fantabulous self ofc 😇 M: btw this isnt a complaint this is every text i want to receive for the end of time ever!

D: 🤣🤣🤣 D: Nice, be ready for me bright and early D: Maybe we can squeeze in another round of ass kissing 😉 D: But no, limo will arrive by 10 in case you'd like to drive around and share a couple mimosas

[thephoebeyates]

Phoebe couldn’t help the grimace as Dante confessed his casual approach to his reunion with Linc. Whilst she wasn’t there for any of it: the initial hooking up, the breaking up, the seeing each other again, and all she had was Lincoln’s side of the story, she knew it had been bad enough that maybe Dante’s attitude had maybe came across as thoughtlessly cruel to her childhood best friend.

“I…” She fell short of answering, unknowing if he was asking a rhetorical question or not, before clearing her throat, following up with another sip of the cocktail in her hand. The ice was quickly melting in the plastic cup, condensation running down the sides, and she wiped the remnants from her free hand on the back of her rainbow-striped pants. “I don’t think you were. Supposed to.” She supplied unhelpfully, worrying her bottom lip for a moment. “Dante, these sort of…arrangements. They require a lot of communication, and, if you guys never really discussed shit, it’s easy to see how wires got crossed. Iunno, I think he was just wanting you to…acknowledge what you had been.” 

She didn’t know if Dante knew the extent of why Linc came home, but everyone’s families were so intertwined with each other that there was a chance he did, she knew he’d be able to sympathize, to get to some understanding of where Linc’s head was at. “Also, it might have not been strictly you, y’know? Like, he has a lot going on at home right now…” Vague enough she could brush it off if he knew, but that he could also pick up on the implication if he did.

"You know what the holy say," Dante spoke between laughter, "Faith is always the last thing to go." There weren't very many people he would turn down when it comes to sex. Not that he put much thought into it, Dante fucked whatever, whomever, and whenever he wanted. The list of available potentials never truly being a problem. While people used drugs and alcohol to release stress and deal with life, he chose to relieve himself instead. Sex was his therapy. Who needed anything else? He chewed his bottom lip for a moment as he thought through Phoebe's question. Lincoln was one of his oldest friends. The two had been through just about every part of life together. Shared so much with one another that the other man felt like an extension of himself. There was no denying Dante was sorry for hurting Lincoln, but he also didn't know how to approach the situation without Lincoln shutting down on him. "I may have approached him a bit more casually then I should have." he said, making a face already knowing that was probably not the way to go about it. Dante couldn't stand awkward situations, and while he may seem like a dick in his approach at least he was trying. Did that not mean anything? "What happened was such a big misunderstanding on both our parts." he explained, "I thought maybe we would just ease into it. Talk it out, but - I don't know." Their involvement with one another had been going on for eons. How was Dante supposed to notice a difference when their dreams were literally coming together before their very eyes? Shows after shows, their music on the radio, and more attention than they've ever had before. Dante hadn't focused on anything else. Lincoln never said... "How was I supposed to know?"

[thephoebeyates]

At his offer, she scoffed, nudging him playfully. “Not if you were the last man on earth.” Technically, Seb was the one who held that moniker, but the list of people she wouldn’t sleep with was short but sweet. Anyone older than thirty-five, anyone younger than twenty-five. The people she grew up with, specifically Seb and Linc. Exes of friends, friends of exes. That weird kid who sat next to her in Biology in sophomore year who always smelt like ham. Dante was firmly on that list somewhere.

She took another sip, giving the singer the time he needed to talk through the complicated mess of him and Linc, if he wanted to at all. Phoebe would never push it, was probably not the best middle-man to discuss the situation with. Though, she could put her biases aside for a second, if her advice was warranted enough to be sought out.

“You did.” Phoebe murmured in response, not shocked by what the confession was, but the fact Dante was acknowledging it to her. She wasn’t going to sugarcoat things, wasn’t going to hide the fact that he did a shitty thing and there were now consequences he had to face. But she also knew Lincoln wouldn’t want her to divulge how shattered he was when everything exploded. “But you’re sorry…right? When you saw him? Or did you act…” Did you act like Dante Kidd, superstar extraordinaire? It went unsaid, but he’d understand. 

“I’d be more than happy to help if that list ever extends.” He declared only slightly joking but joking nonetheless, smirk still in place. “He’s quite the looker.” Dante could admit that even despite the odd history between the two. "Funny." he said, scrunching his nose in her direction and shook his head. Linc was such a complicated subject to address. Dante hadn’t been able to fully process what happened either since he quickly moved on to the next tour. He figured the two would find the time to speak at a later date. They knew how important their careers were. How dedicating his entire time to music had been all Dante truly cared for in life. Everything else took a backseat and Linc’s turn had simply approached. "Yeah. I mean, sort of." Dante gave a shrug, glancing back at the crowd. "Pretty much hi, and bye." The other man didn't seem to want anything to do with Dante, as polite and cordial as their last conversation had been. "Things have just been a little... tense - I guess - you could say, between us." There was a part of him that wanted to share more with Phoebe. Perhaps trying to get an inch of insight as to what Lincoln may be feeling seeing as he wouldn't just speak with Dante himself, but also because she knew them both. Phoebe was closer to Linc then to him, but unlike the rest of their mutual friends she didn't seem to hold the same energy with him that Sebastian and even Isabel did. He didn't feel judged over a misunderstanding. "I hurt him." he confessed quietly, his gaze focused on the people around them.

[thephoebeyates]

"Big, heteronormative plans," Phoebe was quick to correct, smirking around the rim of the glass. "Have you seen my boyfriend today? The after party is a private affair, guest list of two." Glancing around the crowd of people mulling across the festival grounds to see if she could spot Foster, she soon gave up, full attention on Dante as soon as he mentioned the band, especially Linc.

"I think there's nothing better than a homecoming performance," Phoebe mused, deciding to stay neutral, play it safe. "Gotta remind us all we have some talent hailing from this town." She teased emphasising the joke with a nudge to his shoulder. "Have you talked to him?" Phoebe knew the answer; had Linc feverishly texting her not long after the former bandmates bumped into each other, spending a night full of face-masks, rom-coms and avoiding Misty's claws. But still, she was interested to see Dante's take on everything, see where his own head was at.

“Big plans, you say?” Dante smirked and wiggled his brows at her suggestively, “You got that pride spirit coursing through your veins? Where’s the after party?” It’s been a while since Dante celebrated anything in Blue Harbor. The last couple of years he’s made the decision to take his grandparents elsewhere during the holidays so they could get a break from the little town. Not that they minded being at home, but Dante thought they would appreciate a change of scenery. “I’m super excited!” He declared, the grin on his face backing up his sentiment, “It’s been so long since I’ve performed out here. Or home really. Not since the band was together, you know.” While Dante had loved every single moment spent performing, recording, and writing with the band, now he felt more free to dominate the stage as he saw fit. He did miss turning to Lincoln halfway through a performance to catch the other man staring back at him. The way their eyes danced and their faces lit up. “Linc is up there, I seen.” Dante commented, trapping another sip of his cocktail, “I didn’t know - I mean I should have expected it - but I didn’t know he was helping out with the sets. That’s - cool. Fun.”

[themadisynhuang]

M: i was planning to i have so many nice outfits and nowhere to wear them to 🙄 M: and like...charity obvs! M: oh dante baby i always like it when ur kissing my ass 😘 it'd be such a honor to be ur date 💗

Dante 📱 BadBMadi

D: Are you going to this luncheon thing? D: I wasn't planning on it, but then realized it's probably best if I did D: And then who best to think of for a date to something like this than your precious and gorgeous self? D: Liked my ass kissing there in the end? @themadisynhuang

[thephoebeyates]

Phoebe hadn't meant to fully separate herself from the main gang, but everything was getting confusing and hard to follow. CJ had disappeared from sight hours ago, which meant that whilst tensions between him and Foster were nonexistant, Seb was in a mood, only worsened when Lainey showed up and his dealer wasn't answering, and then Linc...well, if he was choosing not to sulk backstage, there'd be some semblance of control, and poor Foster would have someone who actually liked him to talk to.

Foster, who was still trapped at the stall from The Labyrinth, being admired at in his outfit. If Phoebe wasn't so willing to show him off, perhaps the little jealousy bug would have reared its ugly head.

So, she found Dante in the crowd, clinging to a face she was familiar with at least. "The names don't make sense to me at all. But yeah. very slow sips. I have big plans tonight that being blackout drunk will ruin, unfortunately." Despite that, she took a sip. "How're you feeling?"

Open Starter: Pride Event

Nerves weren't something that Dante ever felt when it came to performing. The stage was like his second home. Inviting and oh-so encouraging. Anything he did was a form on art up there. Once his fingers graced his guitar and his gaze fell upon the crowd an entire different Dante emerged. While he originally planned on ending his music career when his grandma passed, Dante was plagues by the thoughts of her scolding him from beyond the grave. His pawpaw was more than eager to remind him of that constantly, which he greatly appreciated, but there was no way Dante was leaving the state any time soon. Performing at home though? That brought back so many good memories from his start. From practicing around with the band, to performing their very first show together. Dante remembered just how excited they had all been that first night. "Where should we go first?" Dante asked, handing them a drink and sipping his own, "I have no clue what it is, by the way. One of the plenty cocktails from The Labyrinth today. Drunken Barney? - I think was the name. Super tasty though, so slow sips. You know how they tend to creep up."

[baashirdayne]

The vulture that sat before them wasn't to be trusted. It was Mors Martell who ended the alliance like a fool. And now they were here with this king of roses who insulted him by having Dante Uller there. Dante Uller was his deputy. Little more than a page or steward and this king called on him to join them? No. It would not do and as the man next to him spoke he turned his head and watched him for a moment then looked back at the King and nodded his head briefly as if to ask him to wait a moment before he looked toward the King of the Reach once more. This boy beside him acted like a child as he smiled for no reason at all. Did he think the king of Reach would take his cock out for him to suck? Was the man a sword swallower? Perhaps. He carried himself like one. He looked like one. And he would pull the man into a meeting and teel him to carry himself like a lord who sits upon council and keep his queer smiles to himself.

"Yes." Baashir Dayne was not impressed with royals from other regions. He trusted none of them and trusted this one even less than the others. This one had a reputation for being a snake, a king of thorns and thorns pricked the fingers of many. There was two insults in this room and the biggest insult was named Dante Uller. The Uller who did not kill his way to head of house but served as his uncles lapdog. A family of pathetic kin slayers that would spend their next lives crawling on their bellies and drying up in the Dornish sun. If the Gods were gracious enough to grant a house like the Ullers with rebirth in Dorne. The lot of them were rotten.

"Before we begin, your grace, I wish to provide you with some clarity on our future meetings. As First Minister, my position is akin to what you all call the Hand. If we need someone to take notes I will bring my page or a steward. The second minister has no need here. But, we've all sat down and it's a good chance," and he turned to Dante when he said this, "for you to learn."

Then he turned his attention back to the King. He would see where his feelings about the other insult would land as the conversation continued. "Let us being, your grace. I am curious as to what brings us together this day." And perhaps it was a chance at returning to form with a trade system fucked up by Mors Martell. There was one thing he could say for Dante, so far, he was not Mors Martell a man who spent his days wearing khol and drawing water gardens. Fucking septas and letting vultures raid their lands.

Mors was no more. And the vultures would starve should they seek to feast on Dorne. Including that one.

who: @baashirdayne / @dante-uller when and where: before the venture to kings landing, some of the reach faction travelled to dorne. what: cedric speaks with the first and second minister of dorne, regarding a conflict of interest. the summer isles risks a regional conflict.

the summer air within dorne was heated, hazy; such was the aftermath of the death of the prince of house martell, the man who he had disagreed with a multitude of times. the man whose sister had once remained perfectly atop of him; such was the haze that was the intricate history between the reach and dorne. enemies, and yet it had been the reach who had first formally allied with dorne when they had opened themselves up upon the world stage; and that had all but dissolved, when cedric decided that he would need riverland troops to fight on his side of the uprooting of the roses.

the rhoynish would not perish for any andal. still, in the years that had passed since the breaking down of their initial alliance, it came to his attention that dorne had allied itself closer to the summer isles and the lyseni. the former were more his concern than the latter: and the beginnings stages of their plan had begun with the privateering that had been commissioned. altan ryams had made it his mission to cause distant rumours of the reach's prowess at sea to reach docks, their aggressive nature; a contrast to their apparent chivalrous nature. and now, cedric tyrell intended to damage their pockets closer to home: for there remained arbor ships closer to starfall and dornish waters.

the trade of the summer isles would not reach dornish shores, if he had his way; when he had his way. meaning dorne would be unable to send their trade to the summer isles, nor would the summer isles receive payment from dorne for their usual trade. for it would be at the bottom of the summer sea, or upon the decks of redwyne vessels. they would add the blackbars to the number should they need to. "my lords, thank you for agreeing to meet with me."

first minister, second minister. the system was foolish and unclear to the eyes of cedric tyrell, but it were not like he asked. he did not need the clarification, and so he looked between both the dornish lords. he could not pick up on if there were any tension between the two.

"may the gods establish a strength within your princess, and may her reign be prosperous." a three year old. the vultures would circle. cedric was one of them. it was the day following the arrival of highgarden's faction to dorne, and he noted the way in which the unpopular lady of oldtown had seemingly found herself easily in the presence of the princess regent. and then he stopped talking, considering he was not one to load discussion or information upon the others.

this was their land. and whilst he would do what he planned either way, he intended on at least attempting to get dorne to pull back from summer islander trade.

lest the reach enter dornish waters unauthorised, and sink trade. it would kickstart a greater region conflict, but when was there not? his gaze looked for the wyl and the yronwood, known for their aggressive stance on the march borders. the dornish had wiped out half of the peakes for cedric, before he could even get to them.