Lava Alckon

Neo Genesis: Chronicles of Eberron

Corin Talmor

Character Art

Title: The Gem Knight
Race: Human (Cyran)
Class: Paladin — Gem Knight Archetype
Interaction: Bastion @Oso
Location: Port Verge, The Mercy
Attire:
Think rough-n-tough artisan. Cotton shirt rolled up to the forearms, with a wool artisan coat to cover his torso when he does his craftwork. Brown leather pants with reinforced knee-support, and a practical belt full of pouches and clasps for his various tools..
Gold Balance: 33
Injuries: Cracked arm, embedded crystalline shard near sternum
Equipment:

Inventory

⋆ Oathlight — Reforged longsword of Talmorite alloy
⋆ Luminar — Shield of Light and Memory
⋆ Necklace of Vowstones (Citrine, Amethyst, Diamond)⋆ Scale-mail infused with gem-stones, offering an iridescent kaleidoscope of color
⋆ Travelling Clothes — simply garb meant to wear out of combat
⋆ Artisan’s Clothes — good for working in the forges or workshops
⋆ Travelling Cloak — Cloudy blue cloak used to mask his figure
⋆ Maintenance toolbelt & travel satchel

At this point, the insults were just water off a duck’s back. A younger Corin might snap at the prospect of his friends being referred to as idiots. But they still asked for these idiots' help. So that makes them even sadder than their perception of the crew. Not that they’d be insightful enough to pick up on that irony.

Then came Trin. While the others fussed over his health, Corin’s eyes merely gazed at the faint blue mark poorly hidden beneath the rags. That pulsing light was curious to say the least. Was this the friend who “knew” about the artifact? Maybe that brand glows brighter in proximity to it. That would explain the Prince’s certainty over them being able to locate it.

The man’s head snapped to the disgusted cries of Val, who just dumped a bucket of questionable grossness onto her feet. The girl seemed young…far too young. What is it with this group and fostering children? At least this one came with an adoptive guardian. At least, that’s what Corin assumed the dark elf was.

Introductions were in order, but he had little mood to do so in front of the three Lame-kateers over here. So he turned his focus to the incredibly sad vessel that was so graciously donated to them. Something that looked like it was held together by hopes and dreams—The Mercy.

”I suppose this is our friend meant to show us the artifact. And that…vessel…will be our method of transport.” He said plainly.

”Is there any other important information you all have to show us? Or is this where we part ways and get out of each other’s hair for the foreseeable future?” Corin’s flat tone masked the smug nature of his question. “When are you guys going to leave us alone already?” was bouncing around in his mind.

Neo Genesis: Chronicles of Eberron

Phia & Corin

---

Phia had stopped so suddenly in the middle of the market that anyone behind her nearly walked into her. Her amber eyes widened as she spread her arms wide, trying to block as much of the path as she could from those coming and going.

“Move,” she demanded, stepping forward. “Move from the path. All of you. Now, please.”

A few people turned at once, startled by the urgency in her voice. Someone cursed under their breath, and another reached for the knife at their belt. But Phia did not yet explain.

She instead hurried ahead, waving people aside. “Do not stand there. She is coming through.”

Only then did the cause of the alarm become clear.

A mother duck waddled out from between two market stalls, her long line of fluffy ducklings waddling after her.

“Is she serious?” someone muttered.

A drunk man near the fish stall scoffed. “Oi, what gives you the right to start a hold up, lass? …You’re not even from here, are ye?”

Phia’s eyes stayed fixed on the tiny ducklings wobbling across the stones. “Because her babies are very small.”

The mother duck quacked as she passed his boot.

The heavy thud of plate-mail washed over the now hushed crowd as the seasoned war veteran made his way towards the center of the commotion. Of course it’s you. He thought to himself. Nearing the make-shift duck crossing, Corin gave the ornery drunken man a firm pat. A gentle warning, but a warning none the less.

He observed the sight before him, the cute waddling line of ducks passing by as their mother gave a resounding quack, assuredly thinking she owned the market square in no small thanks to Phia’s intervention. ”Well hello again, Phia. It would seem you are up to no small task, as per usual. Protecting the little ones from harm?” He gave the small ducks a wave as they marched about on their journey. As weird as it would seem, he appreciated that facet about her. It gave him a reason to treat her like an ally rather than someone to be wary about.

Phia beamed immediately at the sound of Corin’s voice. She hurried up to him without hesitation, her steps eager. “Hello friend Corin.” She greeted him softly and warmly as she planted her feet into his personal space. “They needed my help.” She explained simply.

Corin looked past her and pointed at the row of ducks wandering off. ”Do they...still need your help?” He wondered how long the little ones would last without their guiding light. But that guiding light was now standing inches away from him. He did not move, nor seem perturbed by it, he just treated it as the way things were. ”Or must a mother eventually let her little ones run off on their own?”

Phia looked over at the ducks as they made their way downhill toward a small pond. “The ducks have found their destination. They do not need our help.” She informed Corin. She watched, waiting for them to arrive at the water, then she clasped her hands together and smiled as she watched each of them lower into the pond.


Her attention returned squarely on Corin, and she asked, “And did you find what you needed at the shops?”

Corin, reaching into his bag, showed her the fruits of his labor. A whopping assortment of metal, bolts, rivets, and a various assorted pile of bits and bobs that would make little sense to her.

A glimmer of intrigue filled Phia’s eyes as she got on her tiptoes to examine the items as they gleamed in the sunlight. “Ooo.”

”Just some arts and crafts for a possible workaround for our fancy little gizmos.” He discreetly motioned to his collarbone, where the peak of his gem would be poking out. Phia’s gaze locked on the gem, and her brows lifted with understanding before he moved his tunic back up to hide it.

“You all had some lovely ideas, so I wanted to try and see if I could bring one of them to life.” Corin tied up the bag and tossed it back over his shoulder. “What exactly have you been up to aside from being a herald of nature’s finest critters?”

“I took a bath, and I helped Tommy take a bath too… Wanna smell?” Phia offered a lock of her hair toward him with a pleasant smile.

Corin looked a little shocked at first, but took the lock and leaned down to give it a quick whiff. ”Oh!” The scent was rather pleasing, like fresh daisies. ”You certainly did clean up well. You smell lovely, Phia!” Corin took a moment to smell the back of his own hand, as if wondering if he too already began to stink, but he didn’t seem to smell.

Phia also leaned in to smell his hand, albeit uninvited. She nodded approvingly.

”Well it would seem the both of us are free for the last little stretch of time before we head to this perilous island. What exactly do you propose we do with our free time?”

“I propose we go look for pretty seashells.” Phia suggested. She looked into the distance toward the ocean, her hair dancing in the breeze behind her. “The water smells nice. The beach is a long walk from my home… Do you live near the water, Corin?”

He took paces with her towards the beach, the quest for seashells now on their mind. ”The water does smell nice. The sea can be…quite salty to the back of your throat but it carries a nice aroma.” Making their way towards the edge of the docks, and slowly traversing over some dirt paths, Corin had taken the time to admire more of the scenery during this small jaunt of theirs. This was actually a rather serene place if you didn’t account for the literal pirate’s den just a few dozen feet behind them.

”My hometown was rather landlocked. You would need to make a long trip to see the water. My family managed it once, my wife-” He stopped. How long had it been since he talked about her? Days? Weeks? Months? He almost pushed the topic out of every conversation subconsciously, not wanting to re-open old wounds. Corin hardly knew why it had suddenly slipped out, but he certainly found it shocking - like a sudden wall stopped him from moving forward.

He shook his head and continued as if nothing had happened. ”My family managed the trip once, we saved up all of our money. Our daughter loved it.” He suddenly spoke softly, as if the very mention of them would shatter their memory.

Phia’s smile faded a little when his voice changed. She tilted her head dramatically, watching him closely. “You are sad.” Her brows knit together with sudden understanding as she assumed, “Because the flying beast fell before you could travel to them? ” She skipped a little ahead of him, turning to walk backwards so they spoke.

If only that were the half of it.

”No no, Phia. They were gone long before the flying beast fell.” He carried the words so casually, not even trying to correct the proper use of the term “ship”. ”They were taken from me during the Mourning. I am not sure how you may refer to it – but that giant flash of magic that happened back some years ago that wiped out the nation of Cyre? I was away on a mission…they did not make it.” As they approached the beachfront, he felt his footsteps get heavier. Not on purpose. But like a physical weight was pushing onto him.

”I do not mean to bring your spirits down. It just suddenly hit me that it’s been almost…what? 5 years already? Hard to believe it, when it feels like it was yesterday.” Corin looked up, seeing the graceful druid walking backwards with the determination to listen to him speak. He couldn’t help but crack a half smile.

Phia’s steps slowed, and her feet came to a stop in the sand as she stared at Corin. Then her eyes grew glassy with tears. “Oh.”

She looked down for a moment, as if searching the sand for the right words. Then, suddenly and without much warning, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him more tightly than one should do to a stranger. Phia hugged him like she meant to hold the broken pieces of him together by force if she had to.

“I am sorry, Corin,” she murmured against his shirt. “I was taught the dead do not leave the path. We only stop seeing their feet beside ours.” Her voice trembled, but she kept speaking. “They walk in step with us. In the wind. In the trees. In the bones under the earth. In the stars when they are watching us…”

At last, she loosened her arms enough to look up at him. “I lost my first family, too. But… I do not remember them.” Her brows knit together. “Sometimes I wish I could… I think there is a hole in my heart where they remain anyway.”

She gave him a small, sad smile. “But then I found new family. Menzai. The Oruna. Maybe others now.” Her hand pressed gently over her chest. “They did not fill the hole.”

Phia sniffled, then reached for his hand with both of hers. “But it made it smaller.” She smiled up at him. “So… if you do not have family beside you now, I will be your family… Maybe I can make your hole smaller.”

The sudden embrace certainly caught him by surprise. Corin lifted his arms, unsure of what to do with them as she chose to snuggle up to him. Then she buried her face into his shirt, and something snapped in his chest. ”Phia…” The words touched his heart. She was right, in a way his family was never truly gone, but there were still those he could yet be with. A second family to make the void less of a void, and more of a soft yearning.

”You do me a great honor by offering me such things.” It was when she loosened her arms that he finally returned the hug, looking down at her with a much less somber face. ”Allow me to offer you the same. If there is anything you should need, I will make your hole smaller as well, then.” He wondered if it was a blessing or a curse that she did not remember her first family – but either way she still knew. She still carried that pain. Here he was wallowing when she was still this beacon of sunshine despite it all. He could learn a thing or two from Phia.

”Or at least. I will try.” He took his hands and held the sides of her cheeks, an oddly intimate gesture that he often did back home when his wife or daughter needed someone to comfort them. His thumbs brushed against her ears while the two shared that soft moment. ”How fortunate I was to stumble upon this funny little group of adventurers. I think such fortune deserves commemoration in the form of seashells. Or do you wish to try and crush my ribs a little more?” He said half-jokingly. Between getting his ribs crushed against a tree limb and crushed between her arms–there was a clear winner here.

Phia’s lips curled into a pleased little smile as she leaned into his hands without hesitation, nuzzling against his palms as if this was a normal reaction. “Do not worry,” she said with complete seriousness. “If I wanted to crush your ribs, you would know.”

Then her eyes brightened again. “But it is seashell time now.” And just like that, she slipped away and crouched down into the sand, fingers already combing eagerly through it.

Corin felt a brief pause at that mild threat, but coming from her it was more so a declaration rather than sharing intent to actually crush his ribs. ”I suppose the same goes for me – let us not crush ribs and instead find some shells. Do you have any particular ones you like?” He took his place a few feet to her side, sifting through the sand and taking his time to find a few particular ones that looked pretty in the sunlight.

“I like the pretty and shiny ones.” Phia informed him as she selected a light blue one. It glimmered under the sunlight before him as she held it up toward his eyes.

Spending a few minutes, Corin had not much to show initially. A few peach colored shells, a single black colored shell, and a few ones with bumps and holes in it. Corin frowned at the initial findings, making his way towards Phia and presenting his smaller findings. ”Not much here yet. I imagine you’re looking for something far more sparkly.”

Phia was already sitting cross-legged in the sand by the time he returned. Around her sat an intimidating mountain of seashells she'd gathered in his absence. She looked up at Corin, studied the shells in his hands for a long moment, then her face lit up.

“These are good.” She reached out to accept them and specifically pocketed the ones he had found in her pouch.“I can make you trinkets to adorn your shiny armor.” Her eyes drifted over the gemstones set into his equipment with obvious fascination. “I like looking at the shiny gems you wear.”

She unearthed a rather large rock caked with dirt from the sand with both hands and proudly set it next to her seashells. “I collect shiny things too.” Phia gestured to some of the little charms and jewels hanging from parts of her clothing. “Back home I have a whole cave full of them.”

Corin took the time to look between his spoils and hers. Clearly she had a knack for this. Still, she saw value in them and that’s what mattered. His fingers tapped against the shiny gems adorning his necklace, the faint magic within them humming to life as he tapped the amethyst, citrine, and diamond. ”These ones are extra special. They represent the things I’ve lost, and what I vowed in order to stop them from being lost again.” He took a moment and lifted one of her charms that she showed off, nodding in approval.

Phia’s eyes widened as the gems hummed, her attention locking onto them with wonder.

”A whole cave, huh? I think that’s rather impressive. I only have these few. But it sounds like you’ll be giving me some more. I don’t mind in the slightest, but I’d personally rather wear them like you do. On my regular clothes. So people other than those I fight can see them.” Looking through the seashells, he scanned over them with his eyes, not daring to disturb her precarious setup. ”What do you think best suits me? I feel so out of water here. Your fashion sense is a lot better than mine!” Corin chuckled before knocking against his platemail with a resounding few clunky knocks.

She sifted through the shells, then held up a pale, large one with soft purple streaks. “This one. It feels like you.” She smiled proudly.

Corin nodded at her pick, finding it rather suitable to his usual style. ”You have a good eye. What do you think? Necklace? Wristlet? I think it would make a nice ring but that might take too much time…” Corin thought about how it might look, and asked her an honest question. ”Perhaps a wristlet would be nice?”

“A wristlet is good,” Phia decided after a pause. “Then when you swing your sword, it will remember you are not only made for fighting.”

Those words froze him again. Corin looked at her, such an innocent creature in the world, even if she had those random spouts of profound capability. She seemed so…well founded. Twice had she spoken such revealing words about him and twice she had caught him off guard–a feat not many can hold.

_{”Yeah. Not only made for fighting.”}

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Drake

Time: Evening of Ignis 10
Location: Danrose Castle
Mentions: Thea @Tae and Ariella @SilverSpring

---

”Until tonight then, my love.

The words still stuck with him, even as the dance had long since ended. Drake found his way to the bar, well after a few others had made their trips, and ordered himself a classic – bourbon on the rocks. This wasn’t a drink to simply drown out the night until his planned “meeting” with his love, but he needed something to calm his nerves down after the firestorm that just took place.

He never wanted the moment to end.

Not just for the sake of holding her just a little longer, but so he wouldn’t be pained with the thoughts of his own anxieties clawing their way up to ruin the moment. It could be called performance anxiety in its own twisted form of the word. But he simply felt himself grow…nervous. He wanted that night to be special – to the both of them. And a little liquid courage never did him any harm before. So long as it wasn’t spiked or drugged or poisoned or…Okay Drake, enough. He took a sobering breath before taking a sip of his drink.

She loves you. And she won’t look at you any other way than the way she just did now. Your scars won’t scare her. Your lack of … experience won’t set her off. You are the one she chose to be with. Out of anyone else in the entire country. YOU. So calm yourself and enjoy the night, so you can enjoy the night.

A full mental feud raged on within him. As he furrowed his brows, took another sip, and thought for a moment, he felt his beating heart settle, if only to rattle once more at the vision that filled his mind’s eye.

Her. In all her majesty. In all of her beauty. In all of her elegance, charm, seduction, banter, comfort, and so much more that Drake could go on. But for now, he looked up and found himself snapping into the now. He could tell her as much later. In the present, there was a brother and sister to keep tabs on.

And just as luck would have it, the slight commotion of two ladies bumping into one another led him right to her. Following the huff of the woman who hiked her skirt up and dashed off, Drake began walking towards the now disoriented Ariella. He could see the signs already, eyes glazing over as they glanced around the room. Sadly she would not find Nikolai, but a concerned older brother leaning down to look at her with furrowed brows that usually came with soft chastising. Strangely enough, however, Drake only smiled and offered a gentle question.

”Had a few too many, sister?”

His tone was surprisingly gentle. ”Come. Let us take you somewhere you can rest a little. Then we can get you back to whomever or whatever made you look like you just walked out of a dream.” He offered Ariella his arm and began walking the two towards a nearby seating area.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Farim

Location: Danrose Castle
Time: 10th of Ignis
Interactions: Munir @Infinite Cosmos, Aslam @AuthenticTomb, and Anastasia/Charlotte @princess



An equal look of concern had washed over Farim’s face seeing his innocent sister being sent into literal tears. But Munir, ever the expert on dealing with one in emotional woes, was quick to dash out his worries. So he gave his cousin a warm smile and an appreciative wave of his hand. ”Here is to hoping you can mend whatever cruel fates have turned her night sour.”

Then he turned to Aslam. ”I know our time has been short, but I will take this as a sign that we must finally go have some of that fun Munir was talking about. Knowing you, I imagine it will not be difficult to fill your arms with the presence of a fine lady.” Farim paused, depositing his now empty glass onto a passing waiters’ plate. ”Until next time, Aslam. Tell me if you find your way in someone else’s bed, no?” A sly chuckle would end their conversation before he smoothly turned on his feet and began to move around the ballroom.

He noticed quite a lot of things.

Pairs upon pairs of dancers, enjoying the music, swaying with the ones they have or already have loved or admired. He could not help himself but sigh wistfully at the sight. Farim turned a few wary gazes over his shoulder, still seeking out that awful man that was his father. He truly hoped to not see him much if at all tonight, but he prepared himself just in case.

He took a few moments to notice a few individuals in particular. Firstly was his recent friend Charlotte, who seemed to be…out of sorts. Farim had noticed the commotion with the King, but with muted details – and now she was with a man he had only seen perhaps once or twice before. Cassius Damien. Whatever had transpired, it was over. Now Cassius had begun the art of damage control and frankly, even from a bystander’s view...the man was clearly winning. So all he would offer was a kind wave as he passed the pair, likely not even being noticed amidst that emotional storm. He would have to ask her later, but not while she was already in a moment with Cassius. She clearly had eyes for the man.

Moving further along, his eyes spotted Lady Ariella dancing with … another man? He had not met this one before, but there was still that same look between them. Not quite unrequited love…yet. But there was a certain bloom taking place there. So he did wish to interrupt with the knowledge of his presence. But her dancing with him would only mean one thing…Anastasia was here somewhere. Farim’s eyes lit up, and he began to quicken his steps. A few more quick glances around, a few hurried side steps to avoid fully clashing into someone. They likely would look at him sideways for his hustle, but he did not mind it at all.

He just wanted to see her. Was it dramatic? Certainly. Was he being zealous in finding her the second she was available? Oh absolutely. But did he care? Only if she said something.

Gods he missed her. How was it possible to be so…obsessed with someone? He always heard his father talk obsessively about such people…but that only gave him his own personal brand of ick. Stop thinking about him, Farim… He grumbled mentally.

”Oh! Me please!”

The words snapped him out of that momentary mental lock. Farim turned on a dime and looked towards the source of the words. And she looked…radiant. He knew himself foolish for missing her after a mere, what? Hour at most? But still, it made the reunion that much sweeter.

The man took a slow breath and walked to her with the grace and gait of a professional. Not wishing to startle her or nearby company. He reached a hand to take the champagne glass next to hers, and wrapped his arm around her in a show of affection. Farim’s hand found its favorite place against her hip before he finally spoke to her.

”I have missed you, my dear diamond.”

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Farim

Location: Danrose Castle
Time: 10th of Ignis
Interactions: Munir @Infinite Cosmos, Amira @Chrys, and
Aslam @AuthenticTomb



Farim listened to his cousin speak, taking momentary sips of his drink as he retailed the journey of fallen expectations. ”Stings can come in many forms – disappointment being one of them.” He said before Munir complained about him becoming too insufferable. He did, however, catch the way he had looked at another woman far off. That was twice now he had caught glimpses at her. It wasn’t Farim’s place to say, but he started to get an idea that this might very well be his next muse–but he chose to not to bring attention to it.

”It was merely a question, cousin. Not a cigar. Do not breathe it in so deep!” His final teasing remark before finishing off his drink, and feeling a slight rush to his head. A commotion broke out around where the King had been, and he looked to see Duke Vikena tossing a fist before another man caught it. Farim believed it to be Count Calbert Damien, a man he had only spoken to in brief passing moments. But his eyes told an entire story of malcontent in store for the Duke he had quickly rushed away.

Then, shortly after, the shuffle of feet scraping against the ballroom marble had caught Farim’s perception. Amira had practically run off in a huff, seeming like she was in a half-tilt panic. ”Munir, call me crazy but I think us just sitting here talking is still some of the most fun half this ball is having right now...what on earth is in the air tonight?” He placed his empty drink before he noticed that one couple that had been talked about in the papers–Lord Edwards and Lady Smithwood was it? They were simply having the time of their lives. Farim could see the love on their faces, and it was a rather wholesome sensation. He had been looked at with eyes like that, and it filled his heart a little thinking about it.

Turning to the two of them, Farim spoke up. ”Well what exactly would constitute your idea of fun then? We have many options, most of which involve more talking. We could see if Amira is well, we could ask Aslam about his exploits since the man has barely had the chance to share before you suggested some antics.” He gave a smirk, not truly meaning anything by the statement, but also making sure to share the familial hazing so Munir would not feel targeted. ”Or perhaps we just go over and introduce ourselves to that brunette who you keep staring at?” Farim’s smile was playfully wicked.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Drake & Thea

”Lady Thea. Would you make the happiest man here by giving me your first dance, and all the ones after?”

Drake looked at her earnestly, like someone who had been gone all day finally coming home to a warm hearth. A warmth that would spread through him and remind him that despite all that happened beyond this moment — it would all be okay if she was there with him.

Thea spun round, nearly sending her wine glass flying, but caught it just in time before tossing it onto some poor servant’s tray, and didn’t even care if it spilled. Her cheeks went hot, all pink and obvious, the second her mismatched eyes landed on him. The whole bloody ballroom, all the gossip and doom about the execution, just faded out. It was only him now. Her heart started up that wild, ridiculous thumping, the kind that made her want to laugh and scream at the same time, and of course, it was all his fault.

She grinned, all soft and stupid, none of her usual bite left. She couldn’t help it. She stepped right up to him, close enough to smell whatever expensive cologne he’d splashed on tonight, her fingers shaking as she slid her hand up his arm. Their outfits matched perfectly, something they certainly planned, and this in itself made her heart skip a beat. It marked her as his and vice versa, and she could hardly believe this was her real life.

"Oh, Drake..." she breathed, her voice dropping into a tender, velvety whisper meant entirely for his ears. She looked up at him through her lashes, her heart so full it almost ached, though she couldn't resist a tiny, affectionate spark of mischief. "You know, it is incredibly unfair of you to walk up and look at me like that. I completely forgot what I was saying to my friends, and my heart is beating so loud I’m worried the orchestra might hear it."

She leaned a fraction closer, her pale-blonde waves brushing against his shoulder as she let herself melt into his warmth, completely and utterly under his spell. "However, you can have the first dance, and the last one, and every single one in between. Truthfully... I’d let you keep me on the dance floor until my feet fall off, just so I don't have to let go of your hand." She bit her lip, her cheeks deepening in color at her own honesty, before she gave his arm a gentle, teasing squeeze. "Has your night been eventful so far?"

Drake had hardly considered the present company. He looked briefly over Thea’s shoulder to see a group of smiling women, all giggling like schoolgirls before breaking away to their own conversation. He would apologize, but words lost him as Drake found his gaze wandering back to her. The look Thea gave him unraveled the man in all the right ways. Her soft touch against his arm prompted a wave of goosebumps to rise.

”Now now. If I’m bringing you off your feet, it wouldn’t be here.” He whispered, playfully teasing her back with honeyed words and an implication that would send others into a gossip frenzy.

Her body was pulled in as Drake wrapped his arm around her. His hand tilted her chin up to him, with his thumb resting just below her lip. It was like he knew just how infuriatingly unfair he was being with every movement. Every stroke of his hand against the lace of her dress and her fair skin was filled with both love and a growing sensation of need.

How could someone be right with the woman he loved and still need more of her? Still crave every passing moment like his chest might turn in on itself and send his heart into a blaze. Oh right, she just asked about his night. Drake blinked, keeping his thumb pressed right there as he calmly answered her.

”About as eventful as it could be. There was a commotion between the King and the Vikenas, a performance from a young lad by the name of Kazoo the Skip Meister. And I have successfully paired my brother up with a charming young lady from Varian.” Drake squeezed her hip with the hand that wrapped around her. ”And do forgive my familiarity and closeness. Can you tell how much I’ve pined for you since we last talked? I think we should acknowledge how unfair that is.” He said with a grin.

The heat of his thumb resting just below her lip sent a warm shiver down her spine, pooling somewhere deep and hot at her core. Her mind immediately took his teasing comment about 'bringing her off her feet' and ran wild with it, creating vivid and scandalous images that had nothing to do with dancing. She practically melted into his side, her skin tingling everywhere his hand pressed against the lace of her gown.

Her cheeks flared a brilliant crimson, and she suddenly found it hard to remember how to breathe, let alone speak. His touch completely unraveled her, sending her thoughts spiraling into wicked territory. "K-Kazoo the... wait, what?" she stumbled. Her usual sharp wit vanished as she blinked up at him, her mismatched eyes wide and dazed. "You... you paired your brother up with a—" She cut herself off, her eyes darting down to his lips as his thumb brushed her skin. The grip on her hip made her brain short-circuit.

Losing the battle against her rising desire, she leaned into his embrace, tightening her fingers on his jacket. "You are awful," she gasped, breathless laughter escaping her. "An absolute menace, Lord Drake. You pine for me? You're the one holding me like... like you want to eat me alive right here in front of the entire court, and frankly, I—"

She stopped abruptly, her face turning even redder (if that was even possible) as she realized what she was about to admit out loud. She cleared her throat and swallowed hard, trying and failing to appear stern. "I mean... if you keep talking to me like that and squeezing me like that, we aren't even going to make it to the dance floor. I'll drag you into the nearest empty corridor myself, rules be damned."

She bit her lip, mortified by her own lack of filter but matching his smirk with a fierce, hungry challenge of her own. "So... are we actually going to dance, or are you just going to stand here and test my limits?”

”Perhaps I wear my intentions too brazenly on my sleeve, my dear lady.” His voice was rather suave and sultry for the occasion. Maybe he had started to adopt her more playful personality for himself? Or was it just the air about her that made him act like a lovestruck fool? ”Now now, I did promise you a dance. That might require a different time and place.” He gave her a wink, and slid his hand from her back and underneath one of the hands that clutched his jacket. In one smooth movement, he guided her to his side however she saw fit.

”The music is swelling and our hearts seem to be as well, Thea.” Drake felt lighter than air, the only noise that broke through his perception being the orchestra that painstakingly played for the benefit of the nobility around them. Drake’ hand still held onto hers tenderly while he took his place in front of her, another hand reaching out to grasp her side. ”A ballroom waltz sounds like a traditional way to start the evening but if you desire other moves…Please, be my guest and show me how a Smithwood likes her dances.”

He leaned in close and offered another sensual taunt of verbal word play. ”If you still feel so strongly about showing me that dark corridor after this, then might I suggest an early evening? Or are you as bold as to suggest otherwise?” The idea was, frankly, insane to say the least. Drake felt his nerves stand on end, his bravado-tinged charm likely a hair’s width away from cracking. But he looked into those gorgeous heterochromic eyes that looked up to him with such passion and breathed a soft exhale. ”No matter which choice is made I know I’ll be spoiled just to have a few more moments by your side.”

Thea let out a shaky little breath, helpless as a kitten, as he dragged her toward the music. Her hand was swallowed up in his—tiny, sure, but safe as sin. He had the nerve to turn all smooth and roguish on her, and it was doing wicked things to her nerves. But as they took their place on the floor and his hand found her waist again, that old reckless spark flared up, dragging her back from the edge of turning into a puddle at his feet.

She leaned into his hand, her eyes flashing with an intoxicating mix of genuine adoration and pure, unadulterated mischief.

"Oh, so now you're worried about traditional waltzes, my love?" she murmured, her voice a low, smoky tease that barely carried over the swelling strings of the orchestra. She moved with him effortlessly, letting the rhythm take them, but she didn't dare break eye contact. "And here I thought you were the one trying to corrupt me tonight. As for how a Smithwood likes to dance..."

She slid in closer, close enough to make the old bats at court choke on their pearls. Her body nearly pressed to his, like they were about to start a tango instead of a waltz. She let her gaze linger on his mouth—long enough to make it obvious—then snapped her eyes back up, daring him to keep up. "We like to get exactly what we want. So keep dancing for now, m'lord, but don't think for a second I've forgotten about that corridor. In fact, if you play your cards right... you might just get to spend the entire night by my side, if that's what your heart truly desires."

The way she spoke to him was another layer of music to his ears, louder than the strings being plucked and strung behind them both. Those two words sang the loudest — “my love” — then she had the audacity to go staring at his lips and making all kinds of promises that made him weak in the knees and light in his chest.

“The only thing I’m ‘worried’ about is how long before my goading truly takes hold and I reap what I have sown. Worry being a facetious term.” He playfully retorted, following the grace of her moves with his own. The pair truly made it seem like they were moving as one. Each step, each slide, every twirl she did as he held her arm up high. The synergy between them was palpable.

“Us Edwards are a purposeful family. Every move we make is very much planned…” Moving from the end of an underarm twirl, Drake brazenly wrapped an arm around her lower back and knelt down to gradually lower her. His hand still held hers just as softly as before, but a firm grip reassured her that she was in good hands. “…and calculated.” He rose back up with her and resumed their traditional waltz as if they didn’t just make a show of themselves.

“Every word I say. Every step I take. It’s all been to spend a night by your side — so if we’re playing the hand we’re dealt, then I must have a four of a kind.” The man’s eyelids lowered as he looked down at her, the quintessence of his romantic and selfish desires. It was his turn to stare longingly at her lips — wanting to close the distance between hers and his so damned badly. Consequences be damned. If she paid close attention, she would see the slight droop in his jaw and the quiver that told her he was very much becoming undone by charm. However, he was right where he wanted to be.

The dip nearly knocked the air out of her, a sharp little gasp slipping out before the orchestra swallowed it whole. For a few wild seconds, dangling over the marble with his arm clamped tight at her back, she wasn't a Lady of Stravy, wasn't some haunted little wretch running from her own bloody shadow. She was just his, and damn if that didn't feel dangerous.

He hauled her back up into the waltz, and her heart was thumping so hard she half-expected it to punch right through her ribs and smack him in the face. She caught the shift in him straight away: jaw slackening, lips twitching, that perfect little mask of his about to crack. Gods, she wanted to see him snap. It was delicious.

A slow, wicked grin curled up her mouth, and this time she let her cheeks burn red as sin. Let him see it. She wasn't hiding a damn thing tonight.

"A four of a kind?" She murmured, voice dropping to that low, smoky purr she knew drove him mad. She leaned in, close enough that her hair brushed his shoulder, close enough to taste the tension between them. Her chin tipped up, mismatched eyes fixed on his mouth, teasing them both with how close she was. "Lucky for you, I don't bluff when the stakes are this high. But if you keep staring at my mouth like that, you're going to make a right mess of your precious Edwards calculation in front of this crowded ballroom." She knew he could feel her breath on his lips as she was that close. She wanted to see him break. She wanted to see what he'd do when she pushed him right to the edge.

There was certainly a crack in the professional face of Drake Edwards. Every poke, every stare, every honey-laced word slipping into his ear. He saw each and every one of her tricks, and while he appreciated the affirmation, he knew that her game was to get him to crumble over her. Damned was she good. Why did her eyes have to be so….beautiful. Drake failed to even find a proper word to describe the way he felt when he looked at her. He just felt so happy to be right there, having someone like her fawning so strongly for him.

That passion, that heat in his chest building with every turn of their feet. It was everything Drake wanted from a courtship to be honest. To be lost so deeply in passion that you forget the room and everything else around you both in it. For that, he cracked a warm smile at her.

”I shall keep my composure, Lady Smithwood.” He calmly said as the two spun around one another on the dance floor. ”But if you keep talking like that, and looking at me with those hungry eyes. I’m not sure even the most reasonable man in the capital would be able to stop himself from acting on his base desires.” As they reached the corner of the dance floor, the song nearing its end with a dramatic fade, Drake looked to Thea with a few slow breaths – both from their intense dance and the intense emotions running rampant between the two.

”But I think it’s high-time we were both honest with ourselves, Lady Thea. I can act the brave charming gentleman all I like but you…as you so aptly put it…make a right mess out of me. In all the right ways.” His voice was hushed, only for her ears. Both hands reached for her sides as the man slowly blinked at her. ”So are we dancing, or are we finding somewhere else to continue our evening?”

A breathless, soft chuckle escaped her lips as the last notes of the orchestra faded into the high-arched ceilings of the ballroom. Her hand slid up from his shoulder, her fingers lightly trailing along his jawline as she soaked in the raw, unscripted honesty in his voice. To hear the perfect, calculated Duke-in-training admit—so quietly, so completely—that she made a right mess of him was a victory far sweeter than any game of wits she'd ever played.

The heat pooling deep in her chest didn't lessen, but as she looked at his slow, steady breaths and the genuine warmth in his eyes, a wave of that newfound, tender sweetness completely washed over her. She didn't feel the desperate urge to run and hide in a dark corner anymore; she just wanted to stretch this perfect moment out for as long as the night would allow.

With a slow, adoring smile that brought a fresh, gentle blush to her cheeks, Thea closed the remaining inches between them as she captured his lips with hers. It wasn’t a kiss filled with desperate need, it was a kiss filled with pure love and devotion to the man in front of her.

She let her lips brush his skin as she shook her head against him, a soft, smoky laugh vibrating in her throat."The night is still far too young, and as much as I want to completely steal you away from this stuffy court... I can be patient. If we're going to retire for the evening, I want it to be somewhere entirely private, somewhere wonderfully romantic—not a rushed, dusty alcove." She murmured, her voice laced with a newfound, gentle patience as she pulled back just enough to look into his eyes.

She gave his hands a warm, reassuring squeeze, her eyes shining with absolute devotion. "Let's enjoy the party a little longer. Show me off, dance with me again, and let everyone see exactly how a mess looks on you. I'm not going anywhere."

He could see the victory in her eyes, the way she laid out a Royal Flush to beat out his Four of a Kind in this imaginary game of poker. But it was a game he didn’t mind losing. No…for her it was his own special victory to see the glimmer of joy in her eyes. Their kiss was like something from a fairy tale. His lips tenderly brushed into hers, leaning into her with grace yet still wanting more, but he knew better than to indulge such wants here.

”Indeed. There is yet much to see. But know this. When the night has reached its finish. I want nothing more than to have you and only you. I want nothing more than to give you me and only me.” He pulled her close into an embrace that told its own story. One of want, one of desire and need, and of home. That no matter where in the world he was, nowhere felt more welcoming than in her arms. ”I love you, Thea Smithwood.”

Thea’s heart skipped a beat as she stared up at him, but she looked up at him with all the affection in the world. ”And I love you, Drake Edwards. From now and until the end of time.”

He took her hands, and the two made their way back to the center of the ballroom. For just those few moments, they were the center of the universe to each other. Eyes locked on no one but each other, and hearts full of nothing but adoration and thoughts for their beloved. The music played, their movements were in sync, like two forces of nature meant to collide and become one in a dazzling show. The only sad part about the dance was the fact that it had to end, and so the two finished at the edge of the ballroom, each taking in quick breaths stolen by their love for one another.

”Until tonight, then, my love.”

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Farim

Location: Danrose Castle
Time: 10th of Ignis
Interactions: Munir @Infinite Cosmos, Nora @HylianRose, Amira @Chrys, Aslam @AuthenticTomb, and Duke Vikena @FunnyGuy



His cousins were delightful company to say the least. He took the drink matching his preferred color and took a sip. The fruity aroma hit first, followed by the smooth fall of the liquid that consisted of cranberries and vodka. The mixture was so pure, so perfect – it’s sweetness made Farim smile a bit more than he wanted to at the moment. But he took one look at Munir eyeing up the Varian nobility and knew that there was something….unspoken there.

”So…it seems as though you have found something here. But I do not think it is what you are wanting.” Farim stood straight, now turning a full eye as the one brown haired girl was conversing with Amira. Munir had the look of someone registering a certain event in the back of his mind. Farim found it amusing at the very least and did his own registering of his registering – how ironic.

That’s when the commotion broke out towards the King. It seemed that Duke Vikena, ever the people person. ”I suppose I should say the capital hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows…” He had liked Sorian for what it was worth. At the outset it seemed like there was lots to enjoy, and the people were friendly enough. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized there was definitely….a lot wrong with this place. At the very least things were turning out to be very bad.

Magic users being hunted. Queens being burned. The holy scripture of the gods being tantamount to ultimate authority. And a King who can barely hold onto his authority without having it be stated forthright a thousand times over. But as quickly as the debacle arrived it was dissolved. The quintet of people now being ushered off – likely before some more important guests made their way into the gala.

”Care to share your story, cousin? Or does it still sting to think about her?” He spoke plainly, but gently to the man, not wanting to make him relive something that would ruin his night further.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Drake

Time: Evening of Ignis 10
Location: Danrose Castle
Mentions: Nolan @Remram, Marina/King Edin @princess, Olivia @Potter, Ariella [@tpartywithzombi], Ambrose/Cassius @Oso, Stratya [@Citrus Arms], Mina/Thea @Tae and Lucian @HylianRose

---

Drake took on the interesting role of merely being an observer from the second he coaxed Nolan into that particular group. Yet he still stood guard, ready to pull him from the depths of depravity should his actions result in some form of degradation of his night. Because that’s what big brothers do. However as fate would have it, no such misfortune would befall the man. Marina’s antics were admirable. She was certainly a strong force that compelled all to follow, not merely for her sake but theirs.

Nolan better learn quickly.

The first pair to go were Sir Ambrose and Stratya. Drake nodded at the Captain as they passed. You’ve earned a good dance He would say if not for their rapid departure and his lack of reflexes. Then came Marina and Nolan, one far more chaotic than the other. For every heaven there must be the earth to ground it, for every yin … its yang. Opposites always did attract in the most fascinating of ways.

Drake had half a mind to parlay with Sir Lucian–the man definitely seemed as though he had a lot on his mind. Once the crowd thinned, there were only three. Mina, the sweetheart she was, sought to include Drake for that fleeting moment of questioning his stoic nature at a time like this.

”Honestly I find her quite endearing. And one must practice good poise when faced with the unexpected. I’m sure Lucian is well aware as well. Sleepovers and garter snatching is only par for the course I would surmise when someone like her is involved.” His words carried no ill-will, but more so a tacit understanding. He too had a fairly chaotic and whimsical woman for a sister–a fate he wouldn’t trade the world for.

Despite his contribution, Drake could see the events unfolding before him. He was, to put it frankly, a background voice in an otherwise solitary duet. Not in a cruel way, as if they disliked him, but this was their story. So once Lucian had shifted from the look of a man lost in his own thoughts to a man lost in the world standing in front of him. He offered a polite bow and left the two to their long awaited dance.

And then came the shouting. The looks you read about in crime novels just before the killing blow is dealt. The fiery passion indistinguishable from hatred boiling from the quartet across the room. All of which were friends he cared for deeply. The young lord had every mind to walk across the room and join them, but would this folly do more harm than good?

What realistically could he change right then and there? The King will likely scold them, at worst stripping away the Vikena title. But what if they became another example? What if they became like Alibeth?

No.

That wouldn’t happen. Cassius alone could wage war with the country if it meant keeping her safe. Olivia would send the entire castle up in a pyre before anything came of her beloved friend. And Lorenzo? That duke was the wildest card of them all. There’s no telling what he was capable of. And not least of all, Charlotte herself held the unseen strength that rivaled leaders and quieted weaker men. They would be fine in the face of a man full of scandal, uncertainty, and thinly veiled authority.

His place was somewhere else entirely for the time being. Drake still kept a silent prayer for them at the back of his mind. A prayer that the King in all his hubris and outward power-hungry foolhardiness that he of all people would exercise restraint.If not, then this would be his last chance to do something like this before things truly went up in flames.

So Drake chose to stride across the ballroom, through ladies and lords alike. His route was planned, like a force was drawing him there all this time. He clacked his boots against the glistening floor with two final steps as he walked right up to her.

”Lady Thea. Would you make the happiest man here by giving me your first dance, and all the ones after?”

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Farim

Location: Danrose Castle
Time: 10th of Ignis
Interactions: Hafiz @princess, Aslam @AuthenticTomb, Askel @remram, Ranya @Tae and Munir @Infinite Cosmos



There were so many casual threats thrown this poor man’s way. But he seemed to handle them in stride. Farim figured a strong man would be the one to find Ranya. But he wasn’t so sure it would’ve been here all of all places.

”It would seem the winds take us apart so soon after our meeting. We shall rejoice when you both return. And Ranya~.” Farim playfully sung to his cousin before adding. ”I expect all the wonderful details next time~!” But with that the lovestruck pair went off.

Looking at them, he found the pair quite adorable. So much so that it reminded him of himself and Annie, and then a slight pit formed in his chest. He looked around as if to spot her in the crowd, but she was nowhere to be seen. Likely still off with Lady Ariella. Even if he said it was fine for her to go there was still a small piece of him that always missed her when she wasn’t around.

Looking to his two cousins he smirked and reached for a passing butler’s plate full of various fruity cocktails.



”You both pick but if you really like me you should leave the purple one for me.”

Once they made their choices he kindly asked another manservant to take care of the empty tray. Holding his drink, Farim took a gentle sip and nodded approvingly.

”So that was quite the development, huh? Your sister has been in town a few days and bam! New man in her life. I know the feeling. Except with the obvious that I found a woman and not a man.” Farim knew Munir would have that joke wound up and ready to spring, so he shot it down quickly.

”How have you two been getting along? Glad to see you out and parousing the uhm…not so local ladies.” He had seen him across the room with a rather wonderful looking woman whose name he did not know.

”And Aslam. Has the capital lived to your expectations? I find it rather cheerful here. Lots of greenery and fun things to try. They hold carnivals here! You should go to one sometime.” He spoke with excitement thinking about the faire he had gone to not too soon after his initial arrival.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Farim

Location: Danrose Castle
Time: 10th of Ignis
Interactions: Hafiz @princess, Aslam @AuthenticTomb, Askel @Remram, and Munir [@InfiniteCosmos]



As the presence of Anastasia, Fareed, and Magnus seemed to disappear before him, Farim had stood there with a bit of a puzzled expression. He had every intention to simply spend the night at the Princess’ side but did not plan for if a friend had needed her like Lady Ari just did. A rather large oversight on his part. But it would seem that the night would not leave him wanting for interesting events. Not too far off he could recognize the slithering gliding form of his father trying to stir trouble as he always did.

Like a bully reminding everyone that he does indeed run this street. Or a parent who reminds you of the roof they so painstakingly put over your head – conveniently neglecting it was for their sake just as much as yours. Hafiz’s persistence could be commendable if it were not so damn sad and pedantic. Still, what the man had announced before his shadowy departure was something for Farim to raise his brow to.

Oh she will not like that one bit. Farim thought.

He had half a mind to start a quarrel with his father, for once more stepping outside social norms while still claiming to be the social savant that he is. Such quips, however, would likely be perceived as “below him”. So Farim only offered his neutral gaze as he eyed his father’s movements from across the room, beginning to make his own paces once he was clear of the “Hafiz Zone”.

”Ah and as the stormy clouds part, the radiant sun must bless the masses with warmth and benevolence~!” Farim said sarcastically. ”It would seem my father is doing what he does best, and is making waves wherever he walks. Ever the monument to that man.” Yeah. A monument to everything wrong with his bloodline, but he dare not say it aloud. He was sure Hafiz would even take his light banter as something to “note for later” – perhaps he would write an entire report on how Farim has once again betrayed his people. He smirked at the thought, but turned his attention to his cousins and this newfound redhead between them.

”Hello everyone. Shehzade Farim here to bring a little spark in your evenings. I take it this wonderful fellow is the man of the hour that my father just so …. eloquently doted over?” Farim smiled, reaching a hand out in an honest form of greeting.
His hands moved after the shake to softly embrace his cousins in each arm. ”Cousin Munir! Cousin Aslam! I am so happy to be seeing you all. We must talk of recent events! Much has happened! But I am ahead of myself.” Farim gently coughed.

”Sorry for the theatrics of my loving father. He has that effect on people.”