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Asa Pemberley. Lord of Highcrest. Apollo. "My name is sung in all melodies, in trills and echoes. It is written on the only star in the morning sky."

[anniepemberley-blog]

The silence filled the space between them, and she let it fill a bit longer. She watched Asa fidget as the guilt began to spread all over his body. She strode away from the man and the crowd, fully expecting her son to follow after her. She gave her guards a subtle command by her hand, and they fell back a few paces.

Annie reached her hand out for Asa to take. “I did,” she replied simply. She was tempted to chide him as she once did when he was a boy, but she refused to do it now. He was a man, and she had to begin treating him like one. He knew what he did wrong. There was no need to humiliate him in front of her men– his men. “As you are aware, you are betrothed to the Odells daughter, Serina.” She exhaled, chasing the irritation she had before. “I want you to meet the Odells. Do as you always do.”

[asapemberley]

The betrothal. Asa felt his body stiffen, though he automatically responded to his mother’s outstretched hand and placed it securely within the crook of his elbow. “You wish for me to meet them now?” He coughed, his throat somewhat dry, while his mind buzzed in a hundred different directions as he escorted his mother down the streets of the City. 

“Surely mother now is not the time.” He attempted to reason, though he still didn’t wish to voice his previous state of inebriation as an excuse - the thought of his mother witnessing all of that still had him shamefaced. “We should give it a day or two, perhaps. I’m certain Serina would like for some time to prepare as well.” 

[asapemberley]

lamentingheath:

The first thing he realized within hours of imprisonment was that he hated a world without light. He wasn’t meant to live in the darkness, without the sun or the heat or the smell of flowers.

Heath pulled his knees up to himself, too tired to stand up even when the dirt in the cell bothered him. There were steps outside and he didn’t bother to look up, until his name sounded in a familiar voice and he saw the flare of golden hair between the bars. He stood up in a rush, the instinct to run to him too strong – and then he remembered Leanne’s part in all this and frowned.

“What do you want?”

Asa couldn’t help but flinch at the coldness of Heath’s tone, but more than that...

...the shadows that outline the hollows of his face, the dirt that smeared, stained his skin, and the empty gaze that reminded him too much, too much of the time where he was forcibly dragged down from his golden pedestal, into a place where the suns rays could never reach. 

“I-” He swallowed, knowing his words wouldn’t help, but incapable of thinking what else to say ( but the truth. ) “-I needed to see you.”  

[asapemberley]

coeusxcoleman:

                “An amusing habit to have—for bystanders to witness.” Coleman didn’t doubt the other had upset many a good ( and not so good ) soul. After all, as Apollo, the once-god before Cole had portrayed an amazing ability to get particularly upset if things didn’t go his way. ( He, in particular, remembered the nymph, Daphne, who had to be turned into a tree to avoid Apollo’s unwanted affection ).

                Had Asa Pemberley not once been his grandchild, Coleman would have probably clicked his tongue in distaste. But, as it were, Coleman had a particular weakness for his family, and so he only pursed his lips a little. “That, or they want to not be held accountable for any actions they would never think to partake in, sober.” Things people considered but never dared doing, fearing the backlash. “I highly suggest you try drinking water, before you end up duly regretting whatever it was that made you drink tonight.”

The old Asa would have balked at the older man’s tone - and perhaps some juvenile part of him still did. The old Asa would have answered back with some spitting remark of his own. And yet with everything that had happened so far that night, the “new and improved” Asa thought getting off with a mere lecture was the best outcome he could possibly hope for. 

( the alternative ending up somewhere with no prior knowledge of what had occurred, most likely in a state of irreputable dishabille. )

“I’m duly chastised then, Lord Balor.” Asa spoke, somewhat amazed he was able to inject some humility into his tone. Maybe he wasn’t such a hopeless cause after all. “Water seems just the thing, though...” He glanced around the seedy establishment they were in, doubt causing his brow to furrow. “I highly suspect any they offer here might do me more harm than good.” 

[asapemberley]

haydenbattaglia:

Hayden made a thoroughly unimpressed face. “It isn’t an accusation if it’s true, you fool.” As Asa toppled against his chest - and he wanted to claim he wasn’t drunk? - Hayden grabbed him by the shoulders to hold him up. In his hands, his brother wasn’t too unlike a limp kitten. A very drunk limp kitten. Hayden had seen his ma try and drown her troubles in drink often enough to recognize it in another, and he did not much like the sight of it.

Especially if it meant Asa going all weird and flirty on him. Hayden was torn between reminding the idiot that they were brothers or pointing out that he was technically betrothed nowadays, and finally settled for a sarcastic: “Yeah, prison’s done wonders for my physique.” It was true that he’d begun packing on again some of the muscle he’d lost during his trip to the dungeons, but. Not the point. Hayden shook his head. “What the hell are you doing, Asa?”

Asa sobered upon hearing Hayden’s reply, using his brother’s arms to haul himself into a somewhat upright position. “I suppose finding myself wouldn’t be a satisfactory answer for you, hmm?” He tried for humour, but a trace of bitterness still laced his tone. 

“I know I’m being stupid, Hayden.” He added, his voice growing more and more defensive with each word. “But I’m old enough to deal with the repercussions of my actions, so you don’t have to hover over me all the time.” 

[asapemberley]

destructionofeva:

Eva’s amusement quickly returned, but after the information she has gathered about her family and their idiotic choice of allegiance, the young Chaos glared at the drunkard and lifted her chin in a regal manner.

“Unhand lord Pemberly this instant or I will have guards do so in your place – and it will be quite unpleasant for you.” She spoke in a low, yet demanding manner, simply taunting the man to dare and disobey her.

Well, she did have the commanding ( and incredibly intimidating ) air of an Argo about her, but unlike her siblings and parents at least there was some fire in her manner. “I’d listen to her if I were you, good sir.” Perhaps his wheezes weren’t as an effective an addition to Eva’s threat as he hoped, but it was too late to take it back. “No one ignores the word of an Argo without due recompense.”

[asapemberley]

cyra-langden:

“Assisting you, clearly.” Cyra replied in a quiet tone, as she stared hard at the person who happened to be attacking the blond ( though, Cyra figured Asa had it coming one way or another ) and tried her best to intimidate the life out of him. Wordlessly, the girl simply stared at the man, her hand resting upon a, now unconcealed, small dagger, and the drunkard swiftly hurried away.

“I did come here for a quiet night and a drink, but things never happen as we wish them to.” She quietly spoke, before clearing her throat again. “You are not hurt, are you?”

“It was more restraining than hurting, but then again I’m not in a clear enough mindset to judge my current state of wellbeing.” Asa tried for a humorous tone, but one look at her expression swiftly killed any attempt at mirth. 

“I’m sorry for ruining your night, Cy-I mean, Miss Langden.” The unfamiliar address felt odd, heavy on his tongue. “If you have no need for me-” He gave her a stiff bow. “-I’ll take my leave, then.” 

[asapemberley]

cyra-langden:

What Cyra really wanted was a nice and quiet place where she wouldn’t be obliged to talk to anyone or acknowledge anyone, to be more precise. Woods were her favorite spot to do so, and so she sat on the grass, unaware there was another person there, until he began shouting incoherently. The voice was too familiar, and Cyra was already on her feet ready to bolt away as fast as she could, but then she noticed he wasn’t actually screaming at her.

She really didn’t know why she did what she did, but it appeared as if her body moved to it’s own accord, towards the blond heir who was more than her demise and ruin.

“Lord Pemberly…” She hesitated for a moment, before she’s decided to put a hand on his shoulder. “Are… Are you alright?”

After somewhat of a struggle, Asa was able to successfully extract himself from the man’s hold - glaring somewhat ineffectively at him as he did so - and thankfully before the brute could make another move in response the presence of another person stalled his hand. 

Asa froze, feeling the light touch of someone on his shoulder, and though he knew logically he shouldn’t have been able to recognise that voice after all these years, he did.

“Cyra.” His throat worked as he spun towards her ( placing his back foolishly to his attacker. ) “What are you doing here?”  

[asapemberley]

destructionofeva:

Eva was amused by the outburst that unraveled before her eyes, but it wasn’t too long that the amusement turned into a frown, and frown turned into something – unlikely for the young Chaos. Call it a rush of the moment, or the alcohol in her vein, or the soft flicker of the human emotion, but Eva Argo felt something she hasn’t felt in over a decade – slight concern. With a soft sigh on her lips, the brunette got up from her seat in the tavern and made her way towards the distressed blond.

“Are you quite alright, my lord?” She asked, her voice low and gentle, soothing like cold breeze between the branches.

“Hmmm...let’s give that a moment’s thought then.” Asa was still able to wheeze out with his neck kept securely in the crook of the man’s elbow, taking in the woman in front of him in a brief glance. Lady Eva, of the House of Argo. 

“If you would be so kind as to tell this buffoon my identity Lady Argo, I’d be much obliged.” Though his tongue worked well even in drunkenness, all this rough-housing had done him at least one favour and cleared his mind somewhat, enough for his tone to reveal a touch of sarcasm. “If you’d please.”  

[asapemberley]

anniepemberley:

“Guards.” Her tone was even, and her head was high. It was like clockwork to see her son act out. It was time. She had mended troubles with her daughter, now it was Asa’s turn. “Do you not see the crest of House Pemberely on his chest?” She tsked her tone in disapproval, her eyes icy at the man who held Asa with a firm grip. “Your family will thank you when you release him to me. I will ensure your safety if you do so.”

Leanne did not speak to Asa, He knew what he did wrong. He didn’t need to be lectured like a boy. Not anymore.

“Mother.” Asa could read Leanne’s moods easily, and the look in her eyes as she turned her gaze to him was a sobering one - she would not tolerate his shenanigans any longer, that much was clear. 

Even as the guards released him - much to his silent relief, it was truly starting to hurt - Asa retained the scant distance between them, too shamefaced to look at Leanne fully. He pretended to be occupied with checking his throat for injuries, letting the silence drag on before he gave in to his instinctive need to fill it. 

“Did you need me for something, mother?”  

[asapemberley]

coeusxcoleman:

                The corner of the Balor lord’s lips curved upwards in sheer amusement. “I require no thanks, lord Pemberley. No sane man would allow such a thing to happen.” Or rather, no sane man would watch his grandson in another life get choked in this one and not lift a finger.

               Not all, in fact, ran their mouths with a substantial amount of alcohol in their systems ( case in point being Cole, himself, of course. He in fact tended to become quite affectionate, instead ), but Coleman nodded anyway. Artemis had always been more sensible. “And what occasion spurred your attempt to please the god of wine like this?”

“Well that’s a nice sentiment - usually I upset people each time I tend to imbibe a little too much beyond my capacity.” Asa spoke blithely, waving his hand in a gesture that encompassed all the souls he’s upset several times before. 

“Well, Lord Balor, if I’m being completely honest I haven’t foggiest idea why I decided to court the god of wine tonight-” He tilted his head in an action that was meant to show him attempting to summon up such memories. “-but then again, isn’t that why many choose to drown themselves in alcohol? To forget?” 

[asapemberley]

haydenbattaglia:

If Hayden rolled his eyes any harder, they would fall right out of his head. He punched Asa in the shoulder - lightly, though. His exasperation was already fading, to be replaced by concern. “Next time you think you’ve got too much money, just hand it to me instead of going to seedy taverns, alright?” A poncy noble going around in places like this, he was bound to get himself stabbed in the back sooner rather than later. 

Maybe he should be glad that Asa was grinning like a loon and as if he’d never spent a day in the dungeons. But when Hayden sniffed, he just frowned at his ridiculous little brother. “Bloody hell, you stink. Are you drunk?”

“Now, now, now-” Asa waggled his finger in his brother’s face. “-let’s not have that accusing tone.” He further reached out with the intention to poke Hayden’s chest, but in hindsight that probably wasn’t the best option as that small action sent him teetering into the older man’s - quite solid - chest. 

“Well someone’s been working out.” The blonde marveled, grinning up at Hayden stupidly, trying to focus his gaze on his brother’s face as the room spun around him. “Huh, did you get more handsome since the last time I saw you, or is that just the alcohol talking?”

[asapemberley]

For @lamentingheath

He felt his lungs closing up the deeper he went, the stone damp and rough beneath his fingertips. The flickering sconces, placed at strategic intervals, gave just enough light to illuminate his way, just enough to cast his face in a frightening mask of grooves and hollows.

‘Third cell, to the left.’ The guard told him a dismissive tone and instead of seeking out his mother, as logic dictated, Asa gave into impulse and flew to the dungeons without care or thought. 

That is, until the dark that pressed against his eyes and the cold that flowed through his veins from his own imprisonment reared like demons from his memory, and the only thing that kept him moving was the thought of him left alone with nothing to keep him company but the maddening echo of his own thoughts. 

“Heath.” Asa breathed his name in a whisper once he saw him, walking up to his cell and pressing his palms against the bars until they hurt.

“I’m here.” 

[asapemberley]

coeusxcoleman:

              “Release him.”

The order was given with a snap of his fingers, but his tone bordered indifference. Yet the guardsman knew that only a fool would ignore the order posed as a request and released his choking grip on the boy. Apollo.

“You are dismissed, soldier,” Cole said, but it appeared the guard had already figured that and retreated quickly.

             “Now how did the lord Pemberley get himself in such a situation, I do wonder…”

“Well, Lord Balor, first I have to thank you for the timely intervention.” Asa wheezed slightly while rubbing his sore throat, not at all an attempt to avoid the older man’s question - simply one that gave his foggy mind time to think of a suitable reply. 

“I guess I have a tendency to let my tongue get away from me when I’m a little too deep into my cups...but then again, don’t we all?” He tried for an airy tone, flashing his teeth in what he always considered was a perfected, boyish grin. 

[asapemberley]

haydenbattaglia:

“You might want to let go,” Hayden said. To emphasize his point, he pushed the edge of his knife a little harder against the hollow of the stranger’s back. The man’s muscles tensed and for a moment it seemed he was going to ignore the warning - until he nodded reluctantly. Hayden bared his teeth in a nearly feral smile. “C’mon now, off you go.” 

He sheathed the knife and watched the man scurry off before turning back to his brother. Gods, Asa must have pissed that man off badly, if he was willing to risk getting stabbed over it. “You,” Hayden said slowly, “are a fucking idiot. How’d you even get yourself in this mess?”

“Too much money and an unrepentant tendency to flirt with the barmaids?” Asa offered, his hand going to rub his throat ( he was sure there’d be a spectacular bruise later on ) and yet his expression remained bemused, as if he couldn’t quite believe he’d almost been choked within an inch of his life in a seedy, downtown pub.

“Or are you asking specifically about what I said to piss that man off? Because as of now, I have nary a clue.” He grinned stupidly at Hayden, uncaring that this was just further confirmation of his supposed idiocy.

[asapemberley]

It simply burst from his lips - a torrent of heated words that his throbbing, inebriated mind just couldn’t keep up with.

And only when his throat closed up ( not of his own volition, mind you ) and air refused to flood his lungs, did Asa realise that perhaps this would be the last time he’d be allowed to take things a touch too far. 

[asapemberley]

elinor-ptolemy :

Shame burned hot in her cheeks and she shuddered in his arms.  A pained sob escaped her and she pressed her hand to her chest as if against a mortal wound.  “No, no.”  She murmured frantically, her voice a broken sound as she kept her eyes tightly shut.  Revulsion was turning her stomach, embarrassment right alongside it; she was disgusted with herself, too ashamed to ever imagine speaking to her cousin again, after this.  It did not matter, the love and happy times they might have shared so long ago.  He saw her now for the miserable, broken creature she was, weak-minded and hysterical.  “I-I have sh-shamed myself enough, I m-must go.  Forgive me, Lord Pemberley, f-for my i-inexcusable behaviour, I…”  She pushed against his touch, seeking escape.

She tried to break herself from his hold, and instinctively Asa’s embrace tightened, shock overtaking him as he heard the sheer brokenness of her tone, as he saw the shame reflected in the depths of her eyes. “Do not write yourself off so quickly, Elinor.” He whispered softly, his gloved hand squeezing hers gently, trying to convey all the assurance he could with that little contact. “How can I say your actions are inexcusable if I haven’t heard them yet? Rest assured that I will listen to your troubles with a fair heart, cousin. And know, even then, that I will champion you no matter what you've done. We are family, after all.” 

[asapemberley]

ashlynnpemberley :

“Oh, my brother,” — my soul, Ashlynn corrected as she brushed his cheek, — “You are too sweet to me.” She could think of no better fit to walk her side in this Keep than him, the Pemberley twins who cared so much for each other, their mother, themselves. Yes, if anyone was to help her in this place, surely it would be him; with his catching smiles and willingness to match her stubbornness behind gentled words. Turning her head, she pressed a kiss upon his temple. “We will protect each other, as we have always vowed.”

Setting back at his side, Ashlynn hummed in pleasant enough agreement. “I hope he fares well. He, and Halle, and Darius, and Hayden — everyone, really, I suppose.” She played with the edge of his top, not desiring to press the issue any further. ( wasn’t it fair, for two who shared so much to reserve this one piece of themselves for them alone? ) Brushing back his golden-silk hair, Ashlynn settled into the music drifting from his talented touch with ease, finding a loss reminiscent of her hours in the forest. 

“You are only allowed to never grow old if I am, then.Age only complicates things, and I would happily remain in youth if it meant less worries.” She beamed with a lighthearted giggle, “Even if you lament the way age shows on our faces.” Ashlynn traced non-existent lines across his forehead and cheeks, then; as if marking the territory where his wisdom would show. Her brow pinched as a sudden thought occurred to her. “Have you had the pleasure of greeting our Lady Cousin Elinor?” 

Each one she mentioned was a soul important to their shared one, and yet with each name Asa felt his love for them like a weight on his chest. “That is all we can ask for nowadays.” He whispered softly, his fingers unconsciously picking on his mood and plucking out a softer, if sadder melody. 

Thankfully, it seemed neither Ashlynn was willing to delve into such serious matters, in line up with his own reservations ( ever attuned as they were to each other ), and Asa swore her light, trilling laughter could smooth any furrowed brow, soothe any aching wound. “They shall make an epic of us, I swear - such glorious, ever youthful twins.” His grin however was short-lived when Ashlynn posed her next question, a reflection of her own pinched expression. “Why do you ask, dear heart? Is there something amiss with our sweet cousin?”