#taledevent 001

[thrcughthewccds]

where: merrick's bed chambers at stefan's palace | when: utp | whom: @checkcmate Merrick

Jules shuffles their deck with practiced ease. Even in another realm, when their king calls on them for his assistance, they will always come.

"You seem anxious. Your Majesty," they say, cutting the deck then placing it on the table in front of them. "Do you need my other skills? My herbs can help you rest."

They place their hand on the deck then fans it out perfectly, ready to be picked. The king is no stranger to this process: holding his question in his mind, pick three cards, allow Jules to place them and read what they say.

[thrcughthewccds]

where: stefan's palace | when: during the ball | whom: open to all

Flynn can't really help himself from at least keeping up his thieving skills. He always returns what he steals before the end of the night and without being noticed. These balls can just get so tedious, which he never thought he'd think.

He slips a bejeweled bracelet from a lady's wrist, charming her with a smile and then walks away. He only gets a few steps away when he feels a hand on his shoulder.

Fuck.

[thrcughthewccds]

where: bed chambers at stefan's palace | when: daytime | whom: @talebytale Naveen

Titus enters the chambers he's been set up in after spending the morning in the kitchens, getting to know the many servants and helping with their morning duties. He's tugging off his flour covered shirt when he notices a shoe haphazardly kicked aside under a plush couch in the entry space of his rooms.

"Naveen?" he calls, dropping his shirt and rushing into the bedroom. "You made it!"

He launches himself into his partner's arms, holding him tight in the embrace. He still smells like the spices from their kitchen and the hibiscus flowers of their little balcony garden. He smells like home.

[thrcughthewccds]

where: stefan's palace | when: during a ball | whom: @timedandtaled Rüya

Yukine is surprised by how many of the Moon's Guardians have made their presence known at the celebrations. Though in watching how Rüya seems to watch over and almost hover over the once-cursed prince, some details make more sense.

Finally, the Dream Guardian is separated from the prince and his family, and Yukine slips in to capture his attention.

"Seems you're quite beloved here, Rüya," he says with an icy smile. "You must tell me what you did to earn the royal family's affection like this.

[thrcughthewccds]

where: gardens of stefan's palace | when: sunset | whom: @onceuponers Carmine

Rory strolls through the magnificent gardens of the palace, taking in flora and fauna he's never seen before and in a wide array of colors. And the smells. This is one positive he finds in his condition, the minute details he's able to pick out with his heightened senses, especially smells. Rose, honeysuckle, moss, and so much more. It almost makes him wonderfully light-headed.

He turns a corner hedge and pauses when he sees a tall, imposing man in red among the garden arrangements.

"Oh, sorry," he says, dipping into a bow on instinct. Most of the people he's met here are some form of royalty, so he's found it best to bow as soon as possible. "I was just enjoying the gardens before tonight's festivities. I hope I'm not intruding."

[thrcughthewccds]

where: the kitchens of stefan's palace | when: morning | whom: @beautyawoken

Titus leads Prince Aurore through the halls of the palace. He'd finally managed to find the kitchens and had insisted he show his new princely friend the joy of baking something for yourself.

Holding Ari's hand, they turn a corner and pass under an arch leading to the massive bustling kitchen.

"Here we go," he says, looking at Ari with a grin. "Let's test your skills, shall we?"

They head to a small area Titus had set up earlier. The servants had been hesitant having both princes in there while they worked, but all it took was Titus making them all his famous gumbo to convince them.

[thrcughthewccds]

where: stefan's palace | when: during the ball | whom: @rubyslipped

Yukine is weaving through crowds in the ballroom. He's finding that despite all the entertainment available, he's rather bored. He could definitely throw a better celebration himself.

But he's here, satiating his curiosity.

Suddenly, he's stopped in his tracks as a large dog runs up to him and props itself up on it hindlegs. Its front paws are now resting against his chest. With the warm climate, Yukine had chosen a loose shirt that he could leave open and let his chest catch the breeze, so the paws now on his skin is a strange sensation.

[thrcughthewccds]

where: stefan's palace | when: day time | whom: open to all

Titus wanders the halls of Stefan's palace, taking it all in. Sure, Naveen's family has a palace and it's beautiful and intimate. This though, this was Titus' entire town in one place. Easy to get lost in, somehow not very many empty spaces.

He's so caught up in his admiration that he walks right into a hard body.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," he says, turning to the unfortunate soul. "I wasn't watching where I was going."

[thrcughthewccds]

where: the road to stefan's palace | when: day time | whom: open to all

Rory walks along the path, humming some random tune he doesn't know where he got from.

There are many reasons he shouldn't be on this path: he doesn't have an official invitation, he doesn't have anything appropriate to wear, this isn't technically his kingdom, he hasn't done anything of note to warrant him attending, his grandfather needs him back at the farm, the full moon is only a few days away.

He fingers the hem of his cloak, and all of those reasons melt away. His reason for going surpasses them all.

He continues on the path and then freezes when he hears a branch snap. He can tell with his hearing that it's close.

He turns around, pulling his hood down to see better.

"Who’s there?" he calls out.