#timesonata

[silverymusings]

All things considered, the reception was warmer than what he usually got.

With a passive shift he followed after the sorceress, keeping to the space between her and her creatures as they moved through another set of doors. The next room was lit by moonlight and candle, window panes and shadow painting a mercurial kaleidoscope of color across her back.

It made her look as unreal as the entire situation felt.

Still he followed, though, eventually taking the first steps down a plunging staircase. Down, down they went - his eye lingering occasionally on some detail or another of the castle - before she finally stopped, lingering outside one of the hold's many doorways.

He couldn't distinguish it from any of the others. Judging by her words, though-

"Alright," he acknowledged.

Then, hesitating a moment before the door....

"Thanks."

He didn't linger past that. Already he was through the door, pulling his attention from the sorceress - as well as his apprehensive thoughts - and focusing instead on the room in front of him.

...A bathing room.

He took a breath, leaning back against the door.

.............

None of it settled. He exhaled wearily, pushing off and padding quietly across the floor, gaze lingering around the dim corners of the room.

Much like the previous, the only light came from flickering candles and a large, stained glass window, situated within the back wall. They must be high up, for he could see nothing but distant land through the panes, rolling out of view under the glow of the moon.

The rest of the room matched the castle, too. A broad, decorated bathtub lurked near the window, clawed feet feeling like some sort of homage to the sorceress' pets. Gargantua must have done their job, for a swirl of steam rose from its depths, stained glass reflecting upon still water. Next to the tub, a stack of towels waited atop a metallic stand. Near that, several bottles of what he could only presume to be soap.

.....Well. After all this, he might as well use it.

Glancing to the side, he shrugged his coat from his shoulders. The scarf went next - folded carefully atop his coat - before he went for his boots. After removing his belts he set them nearby, weapons making a metallic clink as they made contact with the stand. Gloves, socks. The air of the castle felt cold against his skin as he removed his shirt, though, thankfully, nothing like the bite of outside.

Or like the telltale signs of his former 'friends'.

Once he'd pulled off the rest, setting aside his eyepatch at the very end, he stuck a finger into the water to test.

Hot. Not too hot, though.

He stared for a moment. Then, giving one last test of the water, he stepped into the tub, sinking down into the water up to his neck.

.......

It had been. So long....since he'd had a hot bath. His last bath at all had only been yesterday, but it, like all the rest the past few years, had been in the grip of icy river water. He couldn't help but simply sit there - taking in the soothing warmth and letting it ease the ache in his muscles. Even the sting of his wounds faded to the background, nothing but a dull throb against the water.

...........

Right. He should start washing.

Reluctantly, he turned, eying the soaps he'd spied earlier before reaching out to take one. Popping off the top, it smelled like -

Mint and wood?

The sorceress had possessed a similar scent.

Not that it mattered - he wasn't about to pass up the chance for some real soap, regardless of who it smelled like. After making sure it was, in fact, soap, he went about lathering it on, scrubbing away at the grime that had managed to build up over the past day.

His brief stint in the grass definitely hadn't helped any.

As he washed, his stare flickered across the room again. He couldn't help but focus on the candles, in particular.

...How did she keep them all lit? Surely she didn't walk around with a lighter, replacing each one once they melted away. Perhaps...another sorceress skill?

He doused himself, clearing the notion away along with the suds.

Shampoo was a luxury he'd lacked even longer than soap, and he'd not pass on that, either. Whatever Ultimecia might have planned for him, at least he'd sparkle for the occasion.

Perhaps she aimed to use him for some sort of ritual sacrifice. Or a mad experiment? He let out a quiet, dry snort at the thought, cupping water and letting it fall over his head in order to rinse the bubbles from his hair.

Maybe she really did just want him to be her knight.

He frowned, watching past droplets of water as his reflection danced along the water's surface. It looked broken - scattered by the subtle waves.

A knight.

Without ceremony, he rose from the water. A swing of one leg brought him over the edge of the tub before he stepped out fully, reaching for one of the towels in order to start drying himself off.

╼ ༺ :||        Nearly every beast formed their own opinion of him rather quickly. Some not entirely in favor of another stealing their master's newfound attention, and they made it well known. The behemoth Catoblepas gave a snort with a sharp shake of it's mane before making a jump onto a balcony way down below.

The dragons departed soon after, each flying their separate ways.

Trauma remained fixated in their place, while Sphinxaur, Krysta, and Red Giant followed behind the new knight.

Ultimecia led them inside the main candlelit structure of the castle which looked ripped from the fairy tales of a story book villainess. Darkly beautiful with elegant trimmings of gold here and there, and less so where it would only peek through beneath dust and cobwebs less traveled. Stained glass allowed colored fragments of moonlight to dance upon scarlet carpet.

The Sorceress' claws found purchase upon the wooden railing of a banister, the lightest trailing as she followed a descending curve about a spiral staircase. In such descent, there was a passing glance from their corner of her eye towards her new knight.

Soon thereafter, she stop at a door.

"Take your time. I shall return with fresh klothes before I take my leave."

[xkuja]

NY Sketches

Ultimecia for @rcsetorn/@timesonata

[silverymusings]

@timesonata hugging the blue boy

[tailoringtay]

@rcsetorn liked that post yesterday for an art thing~ (still accepting)

[psychobind]

@timesonata sent: *wings gently twitch uncomfortably*

"...Have I interrupted your silence? Apologies." Apologies for interrupting her silence, but not for suddenly appearing in this imposing woman's wonderful castle out of nowhere. "Pay me no mind."

[vxmpirehunterd]

❝ the man who kills his own blood is cursed forever in the sights of gods and men. ❞

asoiaf: clash of kings starters

"I would argue that I was cursed since the day I was born. My very existence granted me scorn."

This was not the first time he had been criticized for the near indiscriminate killing of his kin. Ever since D had made it his personal mission to destroy all that his father his built and the monsters that subjugated the world... his kind cursed his name.

Kinslayer! They all spat.

Traitor! They all cried.

The words of a former foe, now dead echoed in his mind.  'Dhampir Hunter! Your mother was human, but your father was a vampire and you're betraying his ancient blood. You side with humans against us. Our people are facing extinction, and you are contributing to their demise. You stalk and kill your own ancestors, dhampir. You should be ashamed! Your human self is your weaker self! Humans are nothing more than livestock, we prey on them as they prey on beasts! This is the rule of nature!'

The final words of Carmilla before the hunter shoved his sword through her ancient heart. In fact, this stranger before him reminded the hybrid of that very same woman. Her sultry voice laced with venom and haughtiness. She reeked of magic most foul.

"And who are you to cast judgment onto me?"

[magitekelite]

✦ @timesonata :    “He treats me like a wicked stepmother in a fairy story no matter what I say.”  ( labyrinth - sentence starters . )

❝ a wicked stepmother in a fairy story ... ❞

unfamiliar is she to the 𝐔𝐒𝐔𝐀𝐋 𝐅𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐂𝐊 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒 etched in pen and paper beyond what few stories she found for her children , but it sounds like ❛ wicked stepmothers ❜ were bad and were treated just as such .  terra did not know much of 𝙶𝚄𝙽𝙱𝙻𝙰𝙳𝙴-𝚆𝙸𝙴𝙻𝙳𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝚆𝙰𝚁𝚁𝙸𝙾𝚁 or the 𝙲𝙸𝚁𝙲𝚄𝙼𝚂𝚃𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴𝚂 𝙾𝙵 𝙷𝙸𝚂 𝚆𝙾𝚁𝙻𝙳 and so she knew even less of his 𝙲𝙾𝙽𝙵𝙻𝙸𝙲𝚃 𝚆𝙸𝚃𝙷 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚂𝙾𝚁𝙲𝙴𝚁𝙴𝚂𝚂 .  squall could be dour , certainly , of which she has tried to chip at bit by bit ... ... but beyond battles necessitated per their summoned sides and her allegiance to gods of discord and destruction , ultimecia had done 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐎 𝐖𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 .  yes , the sorceress did not lift a hand when terra was under the madcap’s thrall in cycles past , but it was not as if a numbed mind could hope for any form of mercy .  and if the girl born of magic was not given the opportunity to escape the chains that bound her and be blessed by the light , would she not , too , have remained 𝐀 𝐏𝐀𝐖𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 ?  it is with these thoughts that an olive branch is made .

❝ what if i talked to him for you ?  would that help ? ❞

[falsestalwart]

* @timesonata :    As she walks pass him, the ends of her blackened wing brush against him. (Though there's no way he could possibly feel that through armor, right?)

feathers could no more penetrate through armour just as 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐇𝐎𝐏𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐏𝐈𝐄𝐑𝐂𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐌 , though the futile action itself was not lost upon the stalwart .  the sorceress had her ways , ever within close proximity and velvet engagement , lulling both temporal ally and intended enemy alike into a false sense of security , 𝚃𝚁𝙰𝙿𝙿𝙸𝙽𝙶𝚂 and 𝙳𝙴𝙼𝙸𝚂𝙴 all her 𝙴𝚇𝚀𝚄𝙸𝚂𝙸𝚃𝙴 design ... ...

pride , however , is garland’s vice , his bane , the reason for his prolonged existence .  he will not comfort her with assurances or bend the knee in service .  he would not allow himself to be 𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐍𝐘𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍 𝐇𝐈𝐌𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐅 .

[grievehart]

i'm fascinated by what happened in your fourteen minutes of absence.

random lines of dialogue prompts: [ accepting ] | @timesonata

any moment spent not under the sorceresses' seemingly unending gaze is a blessing. squall keeps a stoic expression; a guarded stance, palm on the hilt of a blade he doesn't really believe she would allow him the chance to draw.

"more than happy to keep you in the dark."

[reveromantique]

[TOUCH]

scar meme

She's the one who put it there in the first place, and she touches it like she cares.

Seifer sucks in a breath, as sharp as her nails, as her hand grazes across the thin fabric of his shirt, over the angry blackened wounds beneath it. Five, scrawled across his back, looking more like they were burned into his flesh than torn.

"Don't--" he starts, but there's something there, something in his throat that swallows a protest he might have had, tightening around his throat like a noose.

Don't touch me, he wants to tell her, and can't, can't say anything at all.

Instead, he takes a step forward, defiant in the contact, away from her, away from her touch, and puts his back to the wall and the monster in his face.

"What do you want?" and he intends the words to come out a blunt demand, not like he's eager for her approval, seeking her command-- but he hadn't really been given a choice at all to come to her side, to be her knight.

Why the hell would he have one now?

[falsestalwart]

grimaces back but how could one tell with that helmet

Smiles at @falsestalwart

[xkuja]

🟥 one muse makes a deal or contract with the other ⬜ coworkers who hate each other <3

|| RELATIONSHIP TYPES ||

🟥 one muse makes a deal or contract with the other

⬜ coworkers who hate each other

Oh I do like a bit of contractual obligation~~~.

Kuja doesn't. He likes to find loopholes, and he will look for them. Its a shame really, if he'd just even pretend to suck up to the time witch it may turn out well for him.

But his pride has been wounded and it will take fixing before he can muster himself to actually try to convince her he's seriously trying to join her and her schemes again.

But that doesnt mean he's above striking a deal.

[silverymusings]

Bath themed drawpile session with @timesonata / @royaldeceit / @rcsetorn / @painsrequiem / @tarantellx owo

[ofmoonlily]

what type of flower are you ?

Your Result: Daffodils

You make me think of: gentle, steady hands tucking a lock of hair behind someone's ear / early springtime mornings; a chilly breeze and pale sunlight trickling through the green leaves swaying overhead, the hair of tall trees / the first kiss of hope after a gloomy winter / sunny smiles / white lace / cheerful music playing in the distance, reaching your ears just slightly / honey dripping slowly from a teaspoon, golden in color and thick in texture / picnic blankets & straw baskets overflowing with fresh fruits and crusty bread and jars of jam / a kindness that radiates / custard / the smell of thyme & rosemary & vanilla

Tagged by: @bymargrace //thanks gurl! <3

Tagging: @starvingtongue (Paine!) @corrupt-dreamer @candlexxofxxlife (Zenos!) @tsurugixbuster @rcsetorn / @timesonata @dawnblxde @gaeaheal

[rcsetorn]

private . selective . general beatrix of final fantasy ix . ordered by era . she/her . 30+ . funky snail . mobile access below . see interest tracker RULES || ABOUT || VERSES HEADCANONS || MEMES INTEREST TRACKER || WISHLIST || BLOG ART COMMISSIONS

other blogs seymour guado . final fantasy x -> @painsrequiem sorceress ultimecia . final fantasy viii -> @timesonata emperor mateus . final fantasy ii -> @godsrondo vaati . legend of zelda -> @windmcge bokhohn . romancing saga 2 -> @tarantellx daneil. wandering OC -> @royaldeceit

[tarantellx]

MOBILE RULES

🤹 I will always read your rules before I follow. The same curtesy is appreciated. I do try to pay attention to what should be tagged, but if I should fail in some aspect, give me a poke and I'll correct the error.

🤹 I typically write multi para responses. Occasionally a single sentence may be appropriate, but otherwise I will try to match length with my mutuals.

🤹 I am OC friendly. But please have a place where I can read up on your muse. Friendly reminder that I am learning of a new character and it helps me know how our muses can be thrown together.

🤹 Consistently posting many things at once can become a little overwhelming after a time. It can affect who I follow/unfollow. This is purely for my own comfort.

🤹 Please do not reblog any of my headcanons.

🤹 We are adults here with responsibilities outside rp, and as such, there are times where we can be snails together. This does not diminish my desire and interest writing with my mutuals. Though I may be excited for replies, I'm pretty chill and patient. Take your time~

🤹 I do rp on discord. At times it's easier for me writing there than here, especially when I'm not home. This is naturally a good place to chat and plot, as well. If we're mutuals and you're interested, shoot me a message.

🤹 Please be respectful. I don't request it to be tagged because I don't see it as a writing point as far as rp goes, but note that abortion/miscarriage is a very sensitive subject due to personal experience.

🤹 Real world politics is something I don't want to see on the dash. I just want to have fun with friends. If it cannot be avoided, please tag it.

🤹 I am willing to write dark topics. Although there are elements that are most certainly real, this is fiction. I will appropriately tag/hide things appropriately with '_____ cw' for those that do not wish to see.

🤹 Now if there is something you specifically don't want me to see, tag it "era don't look"

Yes, hi. I'm Era. I've also got blogs on:

@rcsetorn General Beatrix - FFIX

@timesonata Ultimecia - FFVIII

@painsrequiem Seymour - FFX

@godsrondo Emperor - FFII

@windmcge Vaati - Legend of Zelda

@royaldeceit Daneil - OC

(wow that's a lot of blogs...)