Malice

⌘Exit, Pursued By A Bear⌘ {//OPEN}

Reorganised my main post to act a master for all the plots I've ever advertised on this site.

I'll probably change my mind soon and cut a load of stuff out again.

Psh.

Don't Fear the Reaper (shy and Malice)

@shylarah I'm sorry to hear that! My own MH is one of the reasons I've been sporadic recently, so I can empathise. I hope things improve for you soon, and feel free to reach out if you need an ear or to rant. <3

(Also apologies that my response went on a bit longer than I anticipated!)

Don't Fear the Reaper (shy and Malice)

The fates were displeased in a way that 死̵̪͕̯̊̂̈́̇̚͝神̵̺͖͈̦̝̳̈̆͌͛́̋̅͘ could never have foreseen. Their behaviour had been unprecedented and unwarranted.
Thus, 死̵̪͕̯̊̂̈́̇̚͝神̵̺͖͈̦̝̳̈̆͌͛́̋̅͘ came to find themselves in a peculiar predicament, part punishment, part example. Part adventure. 死̵̪͕̯̊̂̈́̇̚͝神̵̺͖͈̦̝̳̈̆͌͛́̋̅͘ found themselves surrounded by darkness and silence, neither of which they were unaccustomed to, but also surrounded by a frigid cold. That was a new sensation, as, indeed, was feeling much at all.

死̵̪͕̯̊̂̈́̇̚͝神̵̺͖͈̦̝̳̈̆͌͛́̋̅͘ wriggled fingers and toes experimentally, a smile quirking at the corner of their lips. They had never had fingers nor toes to wiggle before. 死̵̪͕̯̊̂̈́̇̚͝神̵̺͖͈̦̝̳̈̆͌͛́̋̅͘ shifted, moving to a sitting position, only the find their head connecting with something hard and decidedly solid.

死̵̪͕̯̊̂̈́̇̚͝神̵̺͖͈̦̝̳̈̆͌͛́̋̅͘ let out a cry of surprise. Pain was new. As was not being able to pass freely through solid matter at will.

There was the sound of grating metal and light flooded 死̵̪͕̯̊̂̈́̇̚͝神̵̺͖͈̦̝̳̈̆͌͛́̋̅͘’'s vision, revealing they were stored in a tight little metal box. 死̵̪͕̯̊̂̈́̇̚͝神̵̺͖͈̦̝̳̈̆͌͛́̋̅͘ angled their head so that could see the source of the illumination, coming face to face with a rather startled hospital porter.

死̵̪͕̯̊̂̈́̇̚͝神̵̺͖͈̦̝̳̈̆͌͛́̋̅͘ found themselves scrambling out of a mortuary fridge, their very essence captured and pooled into a human body, recently deceased. The porter seemed extremely perturbed, particularly upon noticing the rather large, rather raw looking gash, neatly sewn up, that sidled down the chest of 死̵̪͕̯̊̂̈́̇̚͝神̵̺͖͈̦̝̳̈̆͌͛́̋̅͘ ‘s new frame. Yet, despite everything that might indicate the contrary, this body was well and truly alive.

And oddly perky for someone who found themselves, only moments before, in a mortuary fridge.

And so, 死̵̪͕̯̊̂̈́̇̚͝神̵̺͖͈̦̝̳̈̆͌͛́̋̅͘ was rather hastily discharged, after papers were signed, clothes were claimed, and various staff begged to not be sued and for the whole incident to be forgotten with haste. Out of the hospital, out onto the streets, out into the world of humans.
死̵̪͕̯̊̂̈́̇̚͝神̵̺͖͈̦̝̳̈̆͌͛́̋̅͘ was staring down at what were now their hands while they walked. Experimentally they opened and closed fists, feeling the ripple of muscle and tendons beneath the skin. Each fingernail painted in chipped black polish.

Naturally, as tends to happen when one is not paying attention to where they are going, there was a bang, a sharp stab of pain and suddenly 死̵̪͕̯̊̂̈́̇̚͝神̵̺͖͈̦̝̳̈̆͌͛́̋̅͘ was on the floor staring somewhat dizzily up at the lamp post they had just walked head first in to.

Pain was going to take some getting used to, as was this irritating inability to defy the laws of physics. 死̵̪͕̯̊̂̈́̇̚͝神̵̺͖͈̦̝̳̈̆͌͛́̋̅͘ found it incredibly limiting. Added to these new sensibilities, 死̵̪͕̯̊̂̈́̇̚͝神̵̺͖͈̦̝̳̈̆͌͛́̋̅͘ became aware of the fact that they were being noticed. People looked up, some on the other side of the street laughed.

It was not distressing, just something 死̵̪͕̯̊̂̈́̇̚͝神̵̺͖͈̦̝̳̈̆͌͛́̋̅͘ was wholly inexperienced with; normally they were able to pass through the world without being seen or sensed by any but a single, dying soul.

死̵̪͕̯̊̂̈́̇̚͝神̵̺͖͈̦̝̳̈̆͌͛́̋̅͘ pulled themselves to their feet and, in doing so, noticed their reflection in a nearby window. Head cocked, they stepped closer; 死̵̪͕̯̊̂̈́̇̚͝神̵̺͖͈̦̝̳̈̆͌͛́̋̅͘ had always wondered what they looked like to others, but before it had been intangible and fluid. Now? Now they had a human face and a human body and everything was going to stay that way until…

Well, until whenever it ceased to be.

死̵̪͕̯̊̂̈́̇̚͝神̵̺͖͈̦̝̳̈̆͌͛́̋̅͘’'s body was slender with very little sign of fat or muscle, giving no visual indicator as to gender. Their face was hollow, gaunt, as one might expect from someone recently deceased (and even more recently reanimated), with two rings in the lip, one in the nose and bar in an eyebrow. Their hair was and unruly that fell just above the shoulders, with its darkness only enhancing the ashy tones of the skin. Their eyes were a vibrant green, a little unsettlingly so, and glittered with an unnatural power; a subtle shimmer of the inhuman energy that resided behind them.

There was also a thin trickle of scarlet seeping from one nostril. A result of the head on collision with the fiendish beast that was the lamp post.

死̵̪͕̯̊̂̈́̇̚͝神̵̺͖͈̦̝̳̈̆͌͛́̋̅͘ raised their hand to wipe away the blood and became aware that there was movement beyond their own reflection, coming from inside. They blinked once, twice. Sure enough, through pure serendipity, was Lee in what appeared to be a dance studio.

Without a moment’s hesitation to actually sit and think through their actions, 死̵̪͕̯̊̂̈́̇̚͝神̵̺͖͈̦̝̳̈̆͌͛́̋̅͘ banged at the window, a manic grin on their face, trying to grab the attention of the woman who should have died.

Don't Fear the Reaper (shy and Malice)

For the record, this is next on my list of responses, if you're still interested. <3

⌘Exit, Pursued By A Bear⌘ {//OPEN}

Ba-bump.

⌘Exit, Pursued By A Bear⌘ {//OPEN}

Bump?

...

Bump.

⌘Exit, Pursued By A Bear⌘ {//OPEN}

Should I bump this?

Probably not given that I have replies I need to write.

But whatever, here we are.

A Royal's New War - EntertainMe & Malice

Lyra’s fingers were both soft and warm; her touch was gentle as she fixed the bracelet around August’s wrist and the prince found himself smiling. The delicate metal was cool against his skin and the weight of it was reassuring and comfortable. Surprisingly, the fit was perfect; it was as if it had been crafted specifically for him. Perhaps the fates had intervened when Lyra had crafted the item; perhaps the world somehow knew what its inhabitants could not.

The princess stepped back then, baring her nape. August moved his hands in front of her so that he could drape the delicate chain of the timepiece about her neck. Drawing his hands back, August fiddled with the clasp, fingers brushing against Lyra’s exposed skin, before securing the necklace in place. August’s fingers hesitated at Lyra’s neck, as if he had something to say but thought better of it; he pulled away, his good hand feeling cold at the sudden absence of Lyra’s warmth.

“Aye the house, our home,” August began, the words feeling peculiar in his mouth, speaking of the life they were to share from here on, “will be full of surprises for us both, no doubt.” He eyed the electric lights, of Angevin design, that framed the front door and wondered just what else lay within. Things that would confuse him, things that would seem so common place and yet confuse her. Lyra’s response to the car, and August’s to her magic, was only a small indication of the things to come when living in such a juxtaposing home.

“Our first adventure, hmm?” August said with a grin, pulling a finely wrought set of keys from his coat pocket. He offered the princess his arm, the one made of flesh and bone, “come, let us explore and see what our Kingdoms have put together for us.”

The Doors of Janus [ Malice / Vox ]

Aeris listened quietly and as intently as she could muster. It was not that Lokkir’s words bored her, but she was both physically and emotionally exhausted by the day. Aeris had never particularly been one for politics, enduring only as much as was necessary for her position, and she had little desire to engage in such talks now when all she wanted to do was curl up under the sheets and sleep until the sun was high.

However, Aeris understood the importance of what Lokkir was telling her and that, in this matter, time was of the essence. Unfortunately, some things needed to be spoken about, right here, right now. It was just one more duty that befell being heir apparent.

Aeris shifted her position on the bed. The air in the room was crisp and she could feel the prickle of a chill on her skin, gooseflesh and hairs standing on end. It was a kind of comforting, however, and Aeris made no move to pull the sheets around her to block out the cool.

As Lokkir spoke, Aeris could not help but notice how his gaze flickered to her prosthetic. She felt indignity bubble in her chest, unbidden. Aeris felt no shame in her loss of limbs, of the scars that criss-crossed across her body, but the way in which Lokkir looked at her arm, or rather, in the way in which he tried not to look at it, suggested it made him uncomfortable, that he felt it was something she ought to be ashamed of. Aeris bit the inside of her cheek, quelling the feeling inside; it was hypocritical of her to feel ire at Lokkir when her outburst at his body had been so much more aggressive.

“There are certainly enemies in the Qaeltine Kingdom; those who oppose Hudvalr and those who oppose the Volinix family for their supposed weakness in agreeing to peace rather than outright destruction,” the princess sighed wearily. Although the war was over, there were still many battles to be fought, those with words and politics than swords and flame. At least out on the field, Aeris knew she was competent; she knew how to secure a victory, whatever the cost in blood. Here, in the shadows of the courts, Aeris felt far more vulnerable and out of her depth than she ever had during even the grimmest of sieges.

“At some point, when my brain is more willing to process new information, you will have to list the members of the Hudvalr court who I need to be cautious of, and I shall do the same for you of those in Qaeltine. Although, fortunately for us both, my immediate family are all in agreement with entering peace, and with this union,” she paused then, a slight smile quirking at the corner of lips as she thought of Aerin, “at least diplomatically, if not personally.” Aerin wanted peace for the kingdoms as much as his twin and, begrudgingly, accepted her fate in this marriage; Aerin just wanted Aeris to be happy and, however unlikely, to have been able to marry for love.

Aerin was lucky; although his wife had been chosen for him, arranged for reasons much as Lokkir had for Aeris, the pair had grown exceptionally close. Their relationship was peaceful, caring and, somehow, they had managed to find a devotion for one another. In these circles, however, Aerin’s marriage was the exception and far from the rule.

As Lokkir continued to speak of the future heir, of their future child, Aeris could not help but become contemplative. Subconsciously, she ran her fingers across her stomach, feeling the gelid edges of metal against her skin. Aeris had never given much serious thought to motherhood, although she had always known that, being heir, it was going to be an inevitability. Yet, it was not something she could honestly say she was looking forward too, less so now given the covertness that would shroud her pregnancy.

Then Lokkir made another offer, one that was clearly distressing and uncomfortable on his behalf. Aeris swallowed, unable to meet her husband’s eye. Regretfully, the first thought that had come to her mind was that yes, let someone else do it. It was unfair though, and she knew it. Pregnancy would be traumatic for them both, but more so no doubt for Lokkir. There was a certain irony, too, that the very thing she had accused Lokkir of using to mock Qaeltine, his biological sex, was the ame thing that gave her the option of avoiding motherhood.

Lokkir was right, however; it should be a last resort. Had Lokkir been biologically male, as Aeris and everyone had been led to believe, then there would be no alternative to Aeris carrying his child. It made no difference, then, if the child she carried was not technically his; her role in continuing both bloodlines was to remain the same.

“I must confess that I did not spend much time admiring the Hudvalri men today; I was otherwise preoccupied,” she said with a wry grin, “besides, it would be despicable form for me to be making eyes at other men during my own wedding.” She laughed then, in part at the absurdity of the entire situation, at how she had known this morning that her life would be changed by the end of the day, but had never envisioned it would be changed like this, dancing with mysteries and state secrets. “I assume that the Hudvalri, much like the Qaeltine courtiers, will be staying for the festivities in the coming days? I shall endeavour to…” Aeris hesitated, trying to find the find words, but fell short of anything both polite and appropriate. She shrugged, gesturing with her hands in discomfiture, “to fuck about. Wildly and with great fervour, in the name of Qaeltine and Hudvalr.” Aeris gave a short, exasperated laugh, placing one hand to her face and rubbing at her eyes; she was trying to make light of a situation she still did not fully comprehend. This entire day felt much like a dream and that tomorrow morning she would wake up once more in a sodden trench, screams echoing through the air blood splattering the ground.

Truthfully, Aeris could not say which reality she hoped to wake up to.

After a reprise, gathering her thoughts, Aeris continued,

“As for you carrying our child,” the words felt foreign on her tongue, discussing starting a family with a man she had met only hours before, “it is… Not something I would wish to burden you with. However, should it come to that, I can guarantee that both of my brothers would honour your discretion.” Aerin did not trust the Hudvalri as far as he could throw them, but he did trust his sister; if she asked him for this favour, he would do it and never speak a word. Xeriph, conversely, was always a man of his word and knew the importance of protecting secrets, regardless of whether they were Qaeltine, Hudvalri, royalty or commoner. There were things that Xeriph knew that even threats of death would not convince him to let them slip from his lips. “My mother… Not so much. She would react much the same way as I did, although in a far greater magnitude.” Aeris looked away then, ashamed of her earlier response, drawing her knees up to her chest, wrapping her good arm about them, “I am sorry for that.”

Although Aeris had been antagonistic, Kelis would have acted with far more hostility. While she might not use the knowledge to outright engineer a second war, she would certainly use it to renegotiate the peace treaty so that Qaeltine was favoured in the outcome. Kelis was ruthless in the courts and had no qualms in using Hudvalri secrets against them. Of course, if her blackmail failed, then it would place the two kingdoms in an extremely volatile situation once more.

No, it was best if Kelis never caught wind of this.

“Aerin… He would be the more willing of my two brothers to aid us, if necessary. The only issue is that he would not wish to lay with anyone other than his wife; I cannot fault him for that, their marriage is harmonious, and I would never wish to risk damaging that for him. However, there are… Ways around that. Qaeltine medicine has developed ways in which to artificially create pregnancy, of sorts. They would be able to take his seed and plant it within you, without the pair of you ever needing physical contact let alone physical intimacy.” Aeris frowned in thought, adding, “although Xeriph bears a greater resemblance to me; he might be the better choice if we wanted to avoid accusations of a bastard child.”

Aeris cleared her throat then, patting the sheets next to her.

“No matter, Lokkir. I will do what I can and, if I cannot, we shall discuss the alternatives if and when they arise. For now, sit. It would be nice to get to know you, my husband, rather than simply the Prince of Hudvalr.” Aeris glanced down at her prosthetic, running organic fingers across the join of flesh and metal, “I, ah… I noticed this makes you uncomfortable. I can remove it for the time being, if you would prefer.”

Don't Fear the Reaper (shy and Malice)

Hah, I just have this image of them doing a double take at a window, banging on it and waving madly all 'heyhey, remember me? Oh wait...'