[color=lightgray][center][img]https://i.ibb.co/LzPFLZx6/regreger.png[/img] [img]https://i.ibb.co/gLHgSycL/Copy-of-Gold-Icons-Template-1.png[/img][/center] [color=D2691E]Time:[/color] Ignis 3 Evening [color=ef82a5]Location:[/color] Farim’s guest room → Anastasia’s balcony [hr] [center][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otzXtiodkEE[/youtube][/center] [hr] Farim had spent the past couple days in mostly solitude, save the occasional stroll through the town market which always seemed to draw several pairs of eyes. Work from back home had kept a majority of his attention, and some…”personal projects” of his demanded the rest. He now stood over his desk, a colorful drink in a clear glass adorned with a single cherry in his hand. Farim casually stepped around his desk as if to take a breather from a long day of penmanship. His fingers stopped at the top of a letter sealed with a silver wax stamp shaped like a rose. Farim grinned. He must have missed this amongst the countless correspondence from back home. A quick flick of his finger and the seal popped open. He examined the parchment and ink, deeming that there was no foul play, and began to read it. The entire ledger was of course, code, and none but Farim and this unknown third party knew its language. A grin slid along his face as he placed the letter into the nearby fire, its flame eagerly engulfing the parchment until it was complete ash. [color=D2691E]”Sounds like I have earned some…how you say… me time~.”[/color] Farim practically sang the words as he elegantly glided across his office floor. Thara was seated on a stand built to his precise specifications. She noticed her master’s joyful mood and took a gentle dive towards him—landing on his shoulder. [color=D2691E]”Exciting, is it not? So many powerful little armies and mercenaries. It feels like a game of chess!”[/color] Farim paused, taking a sip of his cocktail before placing it onto a nearby table. [color=D2691E]”But tonight let us focus on more important things…”[/color] He trailed off, looking at his falcon with an enthusiastic grin. [color=D2691E]”Let us pay a visit to my little diamond in the rough~.”[/color] Thara ruffled her feathers in agreement, and two scurried off to secure a change of clothes, and plan for the night ahead. [hr] At the Danrose Castle, Farim found it somewhat troublesome navigating the grounds. He was, after all, a well known noble, even if he was covering most of his skin and face. But luckily most of the guards were focused on the [i]ground floor[/i] entrances. Farim’s aim was much higher. Thara was already far above, recalling her previous visits to Anastasia’s room, and finally securing a landing spot. She planted herself on the railing of the balcony leading to the princesses bedroom and calmly flapped her wings several times, signalling Farim down below. Farim stood below his falcon companion, completely geared up head to toe in desert climbing gear. He took the time to darken his linens with some soot and dirt, and hoped for the best. The brown cowl stretched well over his head, and a face mask covered most of his features. Farim’s ankles and wrists were bound with tape and gauze to prevent any dangling clothes from getting caught on anything. On his back, a burlap rucksack just big enough for some nicer clothes. If he was going to see his darling princess, the least he could do is be well dressed. But first, he began climbing the walls of the castle. Brick by brick, he found every possible crevice to squeeze his fingers and toes into. Any spot that seemed impossible to make work, a little alchemy magic helped him shape just enough space for the prince to keep climbing. It was tasking, but after a grueling half hour, he made it to the balcony floor. Farim pulled himself over the railing with a dull thud, convinced he had successfully made the journey. His eyes were closed as he heaved shallow gasps of air. Farim could immediately see his diamond strewn on her bed even from his spot. However, she wasn’t asleep. She rose up on her palms, eyes narrowing as if she’d sensed him before she’d seen him. Then recognition bloomed across her face, despite the mask he wore. Anastasia would recognize that man’s form anywhere. In the next breath she was on her feet, hurrying to the glass, flinging the doors wide with a big smile. Anastasia then launched herself at him full force. [color=ef82a5] “Farim!”[/color] She pressed her cheek to his and squeezed him tight enough to steal what little air he had left after the climb. [color=ef82a5] “Oh my cutie. I’ve been missing you [i]so[/i] much!”[/color] The strength of her hug left Farim breathless in both senses of the word. He had felt less constricted in the midst of fighting against skilled combatants than here – but it was a welcome feeling, because it meant he was right where he wanted to be. With what little breath he could save, he spoke to her. [color=D2691E]”Annie, my dear. It has been too long. How…fare…you….?”[/color] The last words softly slipped as he resigned against pushing anymore out of his lungs, and simply wrapped his arms around her to meet her embrace with equal passion. After one more squeeze for good measure, she eased her grip and brushed a lock of hair from his eyes with a smile. But it didn’t hold. The moment his question landed, the smile thinned. [color=ef82a5]“I… I fare…”[/color] The word snagged. Anastasia’s shoulders sank, the effort of pretending suddenly too heavy to carry. Her fingers curled in the back of his shirt. Farim’s hands seemed to mirror hers, clutching her firmly as he sensed something sad welling to the surface. [color=ef82a5]“Not great,”[/color] she admitted, voice softer than she meant it to be. [color=ef82a5]“I can’t stop seeing her down in the dungeon. The chains, the way she looked at me like she was trying to be brave so I wouldn’t… so I wouldn’t cry.”[/color] Her breath hitched, and she swallowed hard, blinking fast like she could force the tears back where they belonged. [color=ef82a5]“I feel guilty for leaving her there, and I feel useless for not being able to do anything. And every time I try to think about that stupid trial, my stomach just turns.”[/color] Her gaze dropped, jaw trembling with the anger she kept trying to pack into the back of her mind. [color=ef82a5]“And Wulfric—”[/color] she exhaled, her voice shaky, [color=ef82a5]“I know he thinks he’s trying to act for the greater good of the kingdom, or whatever he tells himself,”[/color] She shook her head once. [color=ef82a5]“But he never talked to Auguste or I about how we’d feel about any of this. It feels like he chose whatever motive he has over us… And I don’t know how to forgive that.”[/color] She then threw her hands in the air with grief and quickly let them fall as if she hadn’t the strength to keep them there. [color=ef82a5]“And now my baby brother has been missing since the banquet.”[/color] It was Farim’s turn for a soul-crushing hug. His arms wrapped tightly around her back, then moved his hand to cup the back of her head. [color=D2691E]”There there…I am so sorry I did not come visit sooner…”[/color] The man’s voice was low and somber. His mind raced with answers, responses, calculations, thoughts. A missing brother, a mother facing a death sentence, and a brother who seemingly turned his back on the rest of his family. Farim’s teeth clenched. Seeing her like this began to break him too, he wished he had all the answers, the power to snap it all away. To make it just a bad dream—but this was real. [color=D2691E]”You have every right to worry about them. It is your beautifully kind soul that guides you to.”[/color] Farim paused, letting her lift her face so they could look each other in the eyes. [color=D2691E]”We can always look for answers together, if you would want. I have resources…power beyond the crown that I would happily expend to bring you some closure. But right now…”[/color] He moved his hand to stroke his thumb against the corner of her eye. His other cupped her cheek against his palm. [color=D2691E]”Just for right now…Let us take care of that frightened girl I see beyond those dew-struck eyes. Break apart. Shatter. Melt into a puddle of sadness if you must. I am right here to bring you back. Like the anchor to a ship during a storm. Please, my love.”[/color] Her lip quivered. Then her emotions snapped in the other direction. It wasn’t rage nor hysteria. It was a hard, stubborn refusal. She dragged in a shaky breath then her eyes lifted to his decisively. [color=ef82a5]“Farim… I’m tired.”[/color] She whispered and shook her head as if shaking the tears away from her eyes, [color=ef82a5]“ I’m so tired of crying.”[/color] Before he could answer, she gently yanked his mask down. Then she grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him to her until his lips met hers. It wasn’t a sweet kiss nor was it polite. It was a desperate hunger, as if she needed to feel real for just one moment. Her fingers slid up to his hair, clinging and kissed him harder as if she stopped, she might fall back into grief again. Annie let herself get lost in his taste, his warmth, and just [i]him[/i]. Only once she truly needed to breathe did she break away. With her forehead still pressed to his, her amber eyes met his. [color=ef82a5]“Just… stay,”[/color] she breathed, barely louder than the night air through the balcony doors. [color=ef82a5]“Please.”[/color] The sensation of her lips against his brought a surge of emotions to the forefront of his mind. There was no Caessonia, no Alidasht, no Eromora. Just her. And gods was it amazing. He felt like a man who had gone days without water that just dunked himself into an oasis. He drowned in the sensation that was her. Farim’s hands held tightly to her, not even thinking of letting her go. In his mind…no, in his heart, Farim felt a shift. This was the point of no return. He was ready to give his life for this woman. All of his soul, heart, mind, and body were channeled into this one singular kiss. His very being reached out, as if to say “I will never leave.” Then they broke apart, and a split second of sadness followed by a crashing wave of affection filled him. The man’s sky blue eyes met with hers, a shaking breath escaping his throat. [color=D2691E]”I would not even dream of it.”[/color] He stopped mid conversation to plant a second, firm kiss onto her lips, barely able to keep himself from her for more than those few moments. [color=D2691E]”If you are tired of crying, then do not. I will be your happiness. I will bring joy where there is sorrow. Gain where there is loss. Light amidst darkness. Even when the entire world breaks apart around you…”[/color] He stopped, kissing her again, feeding that rapidly growing addiction. [color=D2691E]”I will be right here. Hand in hand with you. Daring this world to make my Anastasia shed one more tear.”[/color] [hr][/color]