#valeriius

[cagcdlxve]

@valeriius ⋆˙⟡ Old Friends

Her curious stroll across the gardens gave her pause. She knew not what her purpose here was ( her visions had never done this before ... ) she saw none of her Mother ... none of her Sisters ... none was familiar to her.

And yet she felt something amiss. Empty... almost.

Her attention stayed upon the roses unfamiliar to her, little whisps of butterflies, unfamiliar, dancing on the wind as they fluttered about and vanished suddenly without further trace.

Distracted as she might be, footsteps could be heard nearby. Gaze cast upwards, there stood a figure she knew well.

"Oh! Prince Valerius!" She stood quickly from her position, wishing to grant him proper courtesy in curtsey.

"Pardon my surprise... but I am pleased to see a friendly face." She smiled warmly. It was a comfort to her that she was not so empty after all.

[chaoticclaybomber]

He's not sure if the people in charge of this place are intending to make use of hid abilities at some point or not; it would seem really dumb to seal them if they wanted him to do something but no one's given him any instructions other then a vaguely threatening 'don't ruin the architecture' that he's ignoring. He only assumes they might want him to do something because, well, he apparently has money and a place to stay. Money is recognizable as such and the key implies lodgings even if it's confusing.

Deidara is not at all sure what to make of the thin box that glows. It's just weird so he sticks it in a pocket of his clay pouch for later.

A little asking polite questions of the locals gets him a rundown of how the money works and which is worth what (courtesy of an older lady he sweet talks by being as wide eyed and confused as possible) and directions toward the housing district marked on his key. Along with a heartfelt hope he gets along with his roommate.

That might not be so bad. He's spent enough time living with the other Akatsuki members to get along with other people well enough. He can play nice. When he wants to.

After finding the villa that's apparently part his (which is way nicer then anywhere he's ever stayed in his entire life honestly) Deidara lets himself in and starts poking around.

"Damn, at least they gave us a nice place to live, un. Guess dying isn't so bad after all, yeah. It would be nice if they told us what we were here for right off the bat though, instead of making us wait to figure it out, un."

@valeriius

[unluckyuncle]

@valeriius // nighttime stroll

The quiet evening had Donald meandering the streets of this little district. It was so strange to him. So many homes and yet only a few lights. A part of him was still overwhelmed with the notion of being so far away from home... his family.

He searched for a place to find some peace and quiet, in his search he seemed to find someone else wandering around himself. A tall figure with black hair and a strange look, but hey, Donald wasn't about to be unfriendly for no reason.

[Heya stranga'.] He waved politely. [You new 'round here too?] He comments softly turning to give him his attention.

There was probably a reason they were both wandering around at this time, right? Didn't hurt to ask, 'specially since they seemed to live in the same area.

[bluestringpuppeteer]

It's when Legato has located the housing district that he spots his neighbor, a young man in all black and red, pale and dark and exuding a certain air of assured boredom. The attitude is familiar, it reminds him of Knives and of a certain angel he made friends with once upon a time. The nostalgia tugs at him and, instead of immediately retreating into his new home to investigate, he turns his steps toward the neighbor instead.

It might also have something to do with the amusement he feels in noting how they appear nearly yin and yang, the young man all dark hair, dark clothes, and pale skin while Legato's returned coat is pristine white, hair blue as the sky, and skin darkened from sun. The aesthetics alone amuse him enough to go a little out of his way in being polite.

"Greetings, neighbor. Another lost soul snatched up in these Guardians' nets I take it. Legato Bluesummers. I do hope this world will be more accommodating then the ones I've known." He dips his head politely, opting not to hold out his hand. He doesn't particularly feel like contact and this young man doesn't seem like the type to stoop to handshakes. The man is only a very little bit taller then himself, which is nice at least. Livio was the only one he was particularly comfortable with towering over him.

@valeriius

[mischiefmodig]

It was about time Loki made his way to this place. Arcanus Archives. Massive building ( nowhere near the scale of Asgards shelves ) full of information pertaining to this Aevum realm. He felt strangely at home in this place - he always preferred the company of books to the company of those around him. In truth, it had been much time since he had been able to simply study in peace.

After a brief discussion with the librarian of the establishment, Loki meandered his way to the second floor. His mission was to find information on this land, its peoples, and more importantly, its magic.

He was determined to find answers and restore what was rightfully his and his brothers. He figured it was in his best interest to understand the origins of this civilization. Certainly nothing new for the scholar. He was barely 400 years old when he had memorized the histories of the 9 realms.

Surely this venture would be nothing be peaceful.

He searched the titles among the shelves ( the young curious boy inside his mind was excited by the challenge, the unknown ) looking for a "History Of" specifically. He found a few books he figured he might start with, however, resting on a shelf nearby was one in particular that caught his fancy.

As he reached out to take it, he found he could not. Two pale hands lay upon the guided cover, both clothed in black, both unwilling to release.

Loki glanced at the person who had taken the object ( or rather, attempted to ) seeing a figure with blackened hair, red eyes ( bags underneath ), and clothed in ancient-styled clothes, not totally similar to his own. The man physically appeared to be older, but they seemed to stand off, eyes on the other. Unrelenting.

❝ Ah. I beg your pardon. ❞ Loki spoke first. ❝ But I'm afraid I require this book for my research. I must ask that you let go. ❞ His eyes cast upon it first.

@valeriius \ / I saw it first >:T

[magnusmodig]

╰┈➤  headcanon prompts / @valeriius / accepting !

[ 🎵 ] is there a specific song or songs you associate with your muse? why is that?

||. there are a couple! (my thor playlist is 11.5 hrs long...) but if i had to narrow it down to three, i'd choose his two themes from his first movie, and one non-OST track.

In Thor (2011) Thor has two themes. They're named as follows:

"Sons of Odin"

"Earth to Asgard"

Both songs perfectly encapsulate who Thor is as a person, a prince and a hero. Sons of Odin features strings (primarily cello and violin), with touches of brass and fierce percussion. The horns and percussion are pretty standard instrumentations for 'heroic' characters, but what I've always thought was absolutely incredible about Thor's two themes is that the trumpet and percussion beats, while prevalent and proud (as a prince of a space-viking society would be expected to be!), actually take second fiddle to the strings. Specifically the cello/violin duo. (I could go on for days about how the violin tends to uplift either the cello or the horns, similarly to how Loki fits into place at Thor's side and helps him keep stable for days but it's true. It's just as much Loki and the Asgardian Royal Family's theme as it is simply Thor's.)

"Earth to Asgard" is equally as noble, quiet and regal, starting with the absolutely iconic synth beat mixed in with mysterious violins, and those instruments leading into the warrior-esque drums that all build into the final melody shared between horns (thor's heroism) and strings (thor's heart). It's absolutely stunning, the work that Patrick Doyle did. He really makes Earth to Asgard really FEEL like a sovereign, cosmic alien is looking at earth and falling in love. It's the perfect love theme for Fosterson, and I adore it for that.

In short: both of his actual two themes encapsulate Thor's noble, strong personality absolutely PERFECTLY. There couldn't have been a better composer to create his themes. And Dark World's Thor, Son of Odin only elaborates on what was already there, so while that's an honorary mention, the first two definitely deserve the praise more.

Otherwise! I tend to relate Thor to the song on his sidebar. It's called "Zephyrus" by The Oh Hellos. There are a lot of songs by The Oh Hellos that catch my eye for Thor, but that one in particular captures his more poetic musings, the way he tends to compartmentalize his thoughts into metaphors and sentiments that seem almost tragically poetic.

The calm and homeliness of the banjo and the bass capture how soft he is. How king and selfless. Many of the lyrics have a wonderful, tentative optimism and hope that linger within it. It's beautiful. just like him!

Are we not threaded by the same weave of the wind? Terra firma and unparted sea? Whether by accident or fortune You and I, we are matter and it matters. I want to spin something out of nothing Lead to gold, spring to winter Story from moted sky The way they encourage one another To push high, touch the sunlight, against their tender leaves They'll be full grown before we know it And I breathe, so does she We are breathing.

[ ❌ ] is there something your muse struggles with that they might never overcome? what is it? why do they have so much trouble with it?

Oh I think there's PLENTY of things that Thor struggles with. His compounding grief over the many losses he's suffered, his slowly decaying trust in the good of the world and where he fits into it, his incredibly deep-woven insecurities concerning whether or not he's a good man who is worthy... He's got a lot of hang-ups just about Loki letting go from the Bifrost in Thor (2011) ...it came so out of left-field for him.

Ultimately, while there are plenty of ways those things all combine and feed into one another, the absolute biggest struggle Thor is troubled by is the notion that love does not have to be earned. it never did, and should never have been posed as such.

Whether that means "earning" the love of his parents, Odin and Frigga, earning their time, their patience, their pride.... Or earning the respect and loyalties of his people, his knights, his personal band of warriors as their comrade, their prince and their future king... Or earning Loki's love as his brother, or a place in the Avengers, or a place at Jane's side.

Thor has ALWAYS struggled with the notion that what he does is good enough. and by proxy: that THOR is good enough, as he is, with no strings attached, no walls up or performances to put on. That he is worth love, and can be loved even if he can give nothing to the people around him. When he's finally burnt out and spent, that he can still be held and that can be enough.

and so when he was told:

you are unworthy of these realms! you are unworthy of your title!

you are unworthy!

...of the loved ones you have betrayed.

....well let's just say that he took that incredibly personally.

[epilvgue]

❛  you look like you could use a hand with that.  ❜

first meeting || accepting || meme friday

「𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤 𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤!」 - Vash was lying face down on the ground, reaching and stretching to get the shining key which had skittered into a mess of brush and prickers. However, then he heard someone and craned his head around.

He sat back, rubbed the back of his head, and laughed. "Oh, that's very kind of you but I think I'll manage... I just lost my key 's all... dropped it an' ended up kickin' it under there..."

[magnusmodig]

𝐀𝐒 𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐆𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐐𝐔𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓 , this day was nothing short of sunny. a good day for a brisk walk in the colder weather , and HOPEFULLY to clear his mind of its fretting. even if the streets were a tad small for his bulk.

the humans here ( and he had decided that they were , indeed , humans ) were something of a nostalgic comfort. though not of his beloved realm ( nor , it seemed , even of the same dimension ) they were still as delightfully intriguing as ever. clever , inquisitive , and most here seemed to be kind as they could be to a stranger. ( in the very least , the aevum realm seemed to not want for peace. )

it was the shrill , piercing yap of a small dog's bark that pulled thor from his mortal musings. craning his head to peer down an open alley-street , he spotted a small dog lifted precariously into the arms of a child. the small creature hardly seemed FAMILIAR with the children , with ears pinned back against its head and fangs bared from its small ( but no less dangerous ) maw. despite the clear aggression it seemed the mortal children were just as thoughtless as their midgardian counterparts in turn.

thor was not surprised. ( though perhaps he was just a touch bemused. ) mortals would be as mortals would be.

❝ ho now! my young friends , surely you know that is no way to treat such a fine beast. ❞ he called forth , crossing his path with theirs in friendly form and fashion. the children - thor counted three - gaped at the giant of a man now stood before them. ( a quick scan above their heads , even as thor knelt to their eyeline , quickly noted that their guardians were further down the street and talking amongst themselves on a curbside step. ) ❝ you mustn't hold him by the scruff like that , good fellow. you're hurting him that way , you see? ❞ the boy looked down at the snarling dog. "oi , mister , we're only playing with it! how do you know it's hurt anyways?" ❝ look at how he snarls, ❞ with two fingers he mimicked fangs in a feint of snapping teeth, ❝ you've all gone and vexed the poor thing. i'd not want my small friend here to bite at you. ❞

Unhand me, or be prepared to face the consequences far graver than your feeble mind can comprehend! This is not a suggestion; it's a last courtesy before the tempest of your own making descends upon you! I will have your heads! Your very flesh will melt in the searing flames of your own inferno!

“Arf! Arf! Arf! Arf!”

His tiny body squirms and wriggles as Valerius tries to free himself from the grip of the little boy’s hand clutching the scruff of his neck. The frustration in his tiny barks matches the way his small paws futilely paw at the restraining hand. Amidst his pocket-sized struggle, the surrounding children find amusement in the spectacle, their laughter echoing around the tiny, disgruntled canine.

Damn these brats!

He had been merely on his way to Lilith the second he accidentally cut himself on the page of his book and triggered the transformation into his accursed puppy form. Had he known there were kids playing dim-witted street games on his usual route, he would have taken the longer path even if he’d wind up with rough paws and aching legs. It’d be much better than the demeaning handling these wretches brats have subjected him to.

@magnusmodig

[aevumisles]

Apping my original character, Valerius Renaud! My app can be found under /app. Thank you!

You feel stillness and motion pressing upon you from all sides. From this, you are stirred, and spurred by your awakening, you step from the long quiet.

You, VALERIUS, find yourself standing before the Temporal Tower, in a garden seemingly tucked away from the seasons of time. Still, people flock here beneath the borealis that lights the sky above, here to greet you. A Guardian approaches.

Hello…. Echo. Well don’t look so confused, everything is exactly as it was made to be in preparation for your arrival. I would know. Yada yada yada, we hope you enjoy your stay… don’t break anything.

You receive the following:

A House Key. Emblazoned upon it is: 207, Seaside Province.

A Standard Issue Phone. It lights up when it manifests in your hand.

A plush toy of a white puppy. The guardian seems smug, commenting that he looks forward to this... whatever that means,

— 🏵️ Creo

[bluestringpuppeteer]

"Oh, you are out here as well," Legato blinks and looks over the dark shadow of a man turned darker now with the deep shadow of the snow laden trees. "I wouldn't have expected to see one such as yourself in the woods." He shifts the woodcutting axe he'd been given for this trip, glancing around the small clearing they'd both stepped into. Nothing moved, it was utterly silent in a way that was distinctly unnerving for someone unused to the silence of winter.

"Have you seen any of the strange creatures that live out here yet? I have the distinct feeling of being stalked but nothing has seen fit to reveal itself yet..." Which was rather worrisome, considering he only had a woodcutting axe to defend himself with and that suddenly didn't seem to be the most trustworthy of weapons.

@valeriius

[magnusmodig]

bold what applies.       italicize what sometimes applies.      repost don’t reblog.

FLAWS.

moody | short-tempered | emotionally unstable | whiny | controlling | conceited | possessive | paranoid | liar | impatient | cowardly | bitter | selfish | power-hungry | greedy | lazy | judgmental | forgetful | impulsive | spiteful |stubborn | sadistic | petty | unlucky | absent-minded | abusive | addict | aggressive | childish | callous | clingy | delusional | cocky | competitive | corrupt | cynical | cruel | depressed | deranged | egotistical | envious | insecure | insensitive | lustful | delinquent | guilt complex | reclusive | reckless | nervous | oversensitive

STRENGTHS.

honest | trustworthy | thoughtful | caring | brave | patient | selfless | ambitious | tolerant | lucky | intelligent | confident | focused | humble | generous | merciful | observant | wise | clever | charming | cheerful | optimistic | decisive | adaptive | calm | protective | proud | diligent | considerate | compassionate | good sportsmanship | friendly | empathetic | passionate | reliable | resourceful | sensible | sincere | witty | funny

SKILLS & HOBBIES.

art | acting | astronomy | animals | archery | sports | bird watching | blacksmithing | boating | calligraphy | camping | candle making | casino gambling | ceramics | racing | chess | music | cooking | crochet | weaving | exercise | swordplay | fishing | hunting | gardening | ghost hunting | ice skating | magic | engineering | building | inventing | leather-working | martial arts | meditation | origami | parkour | people watching | swimming | puppetry | pyrotechnics | quilting | reading | collecting | shopping | socializing | storytelling | writing | traveling | exotic dancing | singing | whittling

tagged by : stole it !! tagging: @duel-king | @valeriius | @cagcdlxve | @epilvgue | @chaoticclaybomber | @fangsanddaggers

[epilvgue]

「𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤 𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤!」 - He blinked.

…A nuisance, huh? Well that sure wasn't something he'd heard in quite a while. Not since he had last been on the receiving end of a lecture from Meryl a few weeks earlier. Then he had been dragged to wherever this was. Now, sat back on his heels, he looked at this other man, his own hair and clothing a mess. But then he smiled, even as he was thrown an insult. "It shouldn't be too much, longer, honest. I jus' don' have a spare and I dunno that my roommate would let me in…"

He had met the man once so far and he could tell that the other… wasn't exactly fond of him. Although Vash was no stranger to that sort of reaction at all.

Vash just smiled and turned back to continue rooting through the underbrush for his house key. His coat continued to snag on the brambles and branches but he continued to stretch his arm, pressing his face as close to those brambles as he dared. Sure he had suffered far worse than a few scratches and scrapes but just shoving himself face-first into the thorns would still hurt. If he didn't have to get hurt, he didn't want to. Yet his fingers stretched and he peered into the dark bush. He could see the key but no matter how he angled his body, arm, or hand… his fingertips… just barely… touched!

Gloved fingertips brushed against the key, his uncovered index finger curling to try and hook it slightly with his fingernail.

He managed to get it!! He looked back at the man with the book in his hand. "Got it!"

Of course, he understood that the other man wouldn't care but he really did have his key back after nearly 15 minutes of struggling. Could he have just taken off his coat and retrieved it much easier? Yes. However nobody needed to be exposed to that sort of sight. So he struggled instead.

He sat back again, hand clenched tight around the key. "Sorry about all of that... I'll be going now." Slowly the man pushed himself up.

From here. @epilvgue

Valerius has been sitting by his lonesome in the night long enough to watch this stranger drop his key and foolishly kick it into the bush nearby. Over the span of ten minutes, the individual has been struggling to reclaim his misplaced possession— a struggle that apparently proves futile. Valerius had initially sought to immerse himself in the book he recently purchased, but the incessant grunts and the rather pitiable spectacle unfolding in his peripheral vision make it a challenge to concentrate on the literary reprieve.

And for some odd reason, the man before him still finds the energy to laugh at the circumstances he has put himself in. What's there to smile about?

"I wasn't offering; I'm merely voicing my observation." The prince points out, his words dripping with heavy monotony. "Just how much longer do you think you'll be a nuisance here?"

[cagcdlxve]

Without a second thought her head turns up, and her lavender eyes soon look up to his. Regal. Powerful. Red. The eyes of her superior, her leader, her friend. The delicate touch of his fingers - she trusted his hands. The sigh ( exasperated, tired ) panged in her heart. Guilty she felt of a crime, she knew not of what.

She didn't want to be a burden to him. She couldn't stand the thought of it. The trust she held for him was truly a great bond.

When he let go she kept her gaze upwards, though head tilted down once more. Despite their friendship, in roles, he was always above her - and she'd do well to stay within the role which she was within. Thus she would listen as such.

His question brought a smile to her face ( a cautious, timid smile ) but she was glad she had not angered him so much.

"Oh- Of course!" She clasps her hands together, excited to be able to change the course of their conversation ( prove she could be helpful, obedient ) "I would be honored. It is very little but perhaps I might make us some food. I may not be as skilled as those who work in your palace, but I would still try!"

She beckoned the prince to follow her ( wanting to reach her hand to grasp, knowing better than to intrude ) though his words troubled her just a little bit still... perhaps, it would be okay to have some clarity.

"Um... if you do not mind me asking, your Highness... what... do you believe yet bring us harm?"

Valerius had expected immediate compliance and as always, Lilith did not disappoint. The sadness that surrounds her like a dreary cloud doesn't escape his notice though, and it prompts him to ponder the extent of her connections in this unfamiliar realm. Valerius hadn't anticipated Lilith's seemingly quick adjustment to a world entirely foreign to them both. They might not be the sole inhabitants from their world here after all, which could mean potential dangers of trusting too readily in a realm where allies and adversaries may remain indistinguishable. 

Anyone could be easily scheming to pilfer their magic now and he’ll be damned if he allows that to happen just because of this young lady’s dim-witted decision to live in the clouds.

“What am I to do with you…” A weary sigh escapes him as he delicately pins the curve of Lilith’s chin between his fingers. His touch, like a gentle directive but still with a certain regality, tilts her head upward and aligns her gaze with his. The profound look of relief and fondness that brightened her soft features prior to his caution is nowhere to be seen now. Perhaps it’s far more prudent to keep her this way— with an edge of fear that encourages caution in her interactions. 

Then again, he may find it wiser to simply keep a vigilant watch over her moving forward instead.

“Now then,” Content with her compliance for now, he lets her go with a smile that’s almost a jarring contrast to his expressive disapproval not too long a moment ago. “why don’t you show me this humble abode of yours? I believe it’s in my best interest to be aware and ensure your safety in case peril finds its way to you.”

[cagcdlxve]

She felt guilty she couldn't be of more help. Long since had she discerned the lack of magic within her being ( unable to help a kind stranger, she was embarrassed, ashamed by her failure ) and had sought to make herself somehow useful.

Of course, there was no doubt in her mind that Valerius would find a way. She admired his tenacity, his ability to carry on despite the misgivings passed to him. She trusted his wisdom and his ability to succeed. Regardless, her own habits would not be quelled so quickly.

She was restless without duty to perform, a woman to attend to. She had so much freedom in this world that she hardly knew what she was doing with herself. Every day she came to search for gardeners to help them tend to the fields, and many kind locals had shown her how to quire food

( her reach beyond this central homeland had not quite made it out - one day she would find the courage to explore the fields and city buildings )

Still, Valerius was a welcome comfort to her. She smiled in full trust of his words. "Of course! This is most certainly true, and I pray as ever for our health and wellbeing." She bowed her solemnly before continuing his next inquiry.

"I've been gifted residency in the Eterna Village! I am of house 102. My neighbor is so lovely, OH!" she gasped. "And I received something called, a 'roommate' recently! He is very nice too. I've never made so many friends before! I even encountered someone who showed me what a cigarette was. It was... very interesting!" She laughed

"What of yourself? I assume you are a resident of the other neighborhood I have seen?"

Lilith shouldn’t trouble her pretty little head with the riddle of their purpose here. It's not as though she possesses the acumen to unravel such intrigues. Valerius, harboring his own reservations, deems it more prudent for his friend to dwell in blissful ignorance and reserve the mantle of inquisitive exploration for himself. He’s not one to appreciate the vulnerability of sincere concern ruining the harmony of her usual composure. It’s a disruption, akin to an off-key note in a symphony he'd grown accustomed to. 

Admittedly, finding their way back home may have proven to be more challenging than he imagined. He had wandered aimlessly in the past few days in an attempt to seek the purpose shrouding their presence, only to be met with the stark realization that this peculiar realm may hold them captive longer than they should be. Valerius is still confident though that he'll find the answers in due course. 

All it takes is an unwavering commitment— one he’s not a stranger to— to untold depths where shadows conceal as much as they reveal. The unfolding of this mystery may even demand sacrifices not unlike those he had made before in the pursuit of forbidden knowledge.

“Worry not, my friend. For now, we should appreciate that we remain unscathed, both in one piece. Where have you been staying for the time being?”

[cagcdlxve]

She smiles. Of course, he was the same prince she had always known. Over time, she had witnessed the transformation of the shy young boy to the proud gentleman Valerius had become. Somewhere in her heart, he would always be one of the first friends she ever made.

Everyone spoke of him as a curse, she couldn't bear the thought.

Beneath the shadowed, night sky hair was what she saw as tired and worn eyes. He always carried such an air of authority and grace. His rosy smile brought her comfort with every infrequent visit she made to the Osasis Domain.

"You are too kind Valerius!" She laughs, taking steps forward in swift silent motions. Hands clasped in hope at her chest.

"I'm relieved as well! Though I must admit..." her face softened, pondering, curious, concerned. Her hands seemed to stiffen as she considered her next thoughts.

"I have been attempting to discern how I have come of this place. Perhaps it was a result of Concordia's magic. But with you here as well, I am less certain." Her gaze returned to his. "I fear what this all means... or how we might return home."

She could not leave her home stranded without its vessel.

As the afternoon sun casts a warm glow upon the meticulously tended gardens and the sweet scent of flowers wafts through the air, Valerius feels an undeniable discomfort lying beneath the unyielding gaze of daylight. He has never been one to be out and about in the day, but it’s a necessary sacrifice he must make if he were to find a way out of this wretched world. Exploring the new realm has been fascinating, but still overall inconvenient. He would still much rather be in the shadows of his lab, in the cool embrace of nightfall.

He wanders on though, tracing the delicate blooms with idle fingertips. The vibrant hues of blossoms hold no appeal to him; they are mere decorations in a world he found himself reluctantly trapped in. That is, until a vision of elegance and grace appearing like a delicate flower herself— an exquisite bloom that effortlessly blends with the kaleidoscopic garden around her— blesses his attention.

Lilith greets him with a curtsy, her movements as fluid as the petals swaying in the gentle breeze. Valerius, though not one to openly express admiration, can’t help but take in the undeniable charm that glows from his childhood friend. Her eyes, the color of rosy dawn, holds a warmth that momentarily softens his brooding mood.

"Lady Lilith," he acknowledges with a nod, his voice carrying a tone that echoes both indifference and a reluctant appreciation. "you still look as enchanting as the blooms that surround you. It’s quite a bit of a relief to find you here, I must admit." What does fate have in store for the two of them exactly? To find someone from his own realm, someone who’s a necessity to his means, is too much of a coincidence for him to simply overlook. 

[cagcdlxve]

She was a touch caught off guard by his reply. Though perhaps she was not so surprised, he was always more the pragmatist than she - their conversations in the court often led to some disagreements, but oftentimes she was put in the place she was meant to be in ( the reminders were good, he was right )

But her smile faltered ever so slightly, her tongue bit between her teeth, and her gaze falling to the stones below her feet.

' Is it wise to be making friends in a world you know nothing about? '

She hadn't thought about it like that. From what she had gathered, most of everyone seemed to be of different worlds ( what a miracle it was that there were so many places out there, she wished to lay her eyes upon them all ) and for that, they had something in common. Stranded but in good company.

No one had hurt her either. Everyone had been more than kind to her and more than that, ever so helpful. She was distressed she was unable to be for the others ( useless without her magic. a waste of space ) but she knew that her upbringing shielded her from the knowledge of how to dwell among people. She craved it, but she could not have it.

Valerius was far more experienced with people. She remembered the ways he spoke to the nobles and wealthy who visited the banquets. The charm he carried, and how he would tell her who was to be avoided. She was not one to believe rumors, but his word was one that he trusted more than most, except for those of the church.

" I ... do not know. They have been very kind to me... I didn't-" she was cut off before she might proceed. Was it wise? Foolish girl, of course, it wasn't.

" I ... understand, Prince Valerius. " She paused, gaze still cast to the ground. " I thank you for your council and shall practice caution as we seek to return to our homes... " Elated as she was by her companion, she carried a soft sadness in her chest. She was rather fond of her new friends.

There's a certain admiration to be found in Lilith's unwavering loyalty to her faith, even if that devotion is aimed at a nonexistent deity. While the idea that her prayers could help protect them is overwhelmingly foolish, Valerius refrains from pointing it out. Blame those persistent nuns for filling her head with their nonsensical ideas. It's a tragic waste of her potential. He'd have no qualms enlightening her about the harsh realities outside the confines of her religion if her naivety can't be exploited for his future gain.

Instead, he offers a feigned smile, nodding in apparent approval of her seemingly impractical idea of praying for their well-being.

Eterna Village? That's unexplored territory for him. However, before he can delve further into the topic, Lilith's sudden gasp captures his attention, prompting a subtle jolt from the prince. His brows bump together in a displeased frown at her claim about having a roommate and forging bonds with strangers.

Has she been here long enough to make as many friends as she claims to have?

This cannot stand. He, an outsider with no familiarity in these lands, deems trust a currency too costly to squander. Yet Lilith, in her foolish simplicity, remains oblivious to the potential dangers. The fact that they're already influencing her in cancerous habits, particularly a cigarette, triggers a sense of disbelief in him. Seriously?

“Do you honestly think it’s wise of you to be making friends so fast in a world you know nothing about?” He disregards her question about his own residence, deeming it irrelevant to the conversation. “Exercise caution, Lady Lilith. Your ease in adapting to this realm exceeds what one might consider judicious.”