And Atlas, arms trembling and shoulders shaking,

thinks: what haven’t I given already? — In the end sacrifice means nothing

[aureliusbrighild-blog]

magnus-blackhart:Magnus was in this place for one reason only and he is pleased to a degree when he sees Aurelius soon enough, he sees someone bumping into Aurelius and he hears the man curse and ask for another drink, to the young king this seems like a different reality, because the man that he was looking at right now was not even remotely close to the man he knew. “Aurelius.” He says softly but firmly “What are you doing?”

The other person walks away, it is fine either way; it saves Aurelius from buying them a drink, it saves him from conversation he figures. But as soon as they leave he’s hearing an all too familiar voice, he winces at it, not because it’s awful to hear but because he’s instantly embarrassed. His eyes gaze up to Magnus, he fumbles for words, slightly slurred words no doubt. “I-I.” He looks down, trying to think, his mind is a bit hazy though, that would only make this harder. “I’m drinking Your Majesty.” He admits plainly, his tone soft, his breath heavy and he bites at his lower lip. “Someone else was tending to things for the rest of the night, so...so I c-could.” He rarely ever takes time for himself, so he thought it fine, it wasn’t as if others didn’t do it all the same and more often at that. Magnus shouldn’t have to be seen in a place like this though, Aurelius feels as though in this brief moment parental and wants to usher them both out; he doesn’t. Instead he still sits there rather dumbfounded. “I-I needed a break, pl-please forgive me.” He doesn’t know why he’s asking for forgiveness it isn’t a crime, still it feels like it, feels like he’s caught being foolish somehow; if only because it was Magnus seeing him like this. He doesn't elbrate on just why he needed a break however, doesn't want to burden the young male; he thinks if asked though in the drunk state he's in he couldn't hold back however.

[aureliusbrighild-blog]

Aurelius wonders if he’s worth much if he can’t even be there for his mother, wonders if it makes him less of a man, less of a person like his father had told him all those years ago. Maybe his old man had been right, maybe he wasn’t worth a damn. All of this time he’d just been lying to himself to try to be any different, to try and feel any different. Disappointment was nothing new, that feeling of depression and grief in the pits of his stomach wasn’t either, still he was feeling it all the same; it didn’t waver unlike him right now as he down more ale into his system. The man can’t recall a time he’s ever drank like this, can’t recall a time when he’s had more than one little taste of the damned stuff out of politeness. It burns at his throat at first, but eventually it stops burning and he just feels numb, psychically but surely not mentally. Who said alcohol made you feel better anyway, more lies; he’ll keep telling himself those too. He’d went to put his drink back down but it misses it’s mark when someone bumps into him, cascading to the floor. Aurelius doesn’t have it in him to get angry even now, even when he’s feeling right plastered and not his usual self. Although he might of cleaned it up any other time, instead he wants to say fuck it, let someone else do the work for a change, let someone else pick up the pieces; so he shrugs instead. Staring at the aftermath on the floor before looking to the culprit. “Fuck it, I’ll get another, you want one too?” Curse words sound so foreign on his tongue, it’s rude and it’s brash and he sounds just like his father but he doesn’t care right now.

[jaimiestarling]

there was a portrait in the hallway of the inn: a woman with two dogs that didn’t look much like dogs at all, whose eyes seemed to follow jaimie as he walked to and from his rented room. today he glanced from one end of the hallway to the other before taking a step toward it and, quickly as he could, pulling it off the wall and sliding it behind a dresser. it was just of the perfect size to be hidden by the furniture. he could always just put it back when he went home to kradaeca again. satisfied by a job well done, he turned, and saw a person at the top of the stairs. he smiled at them, and wondered if they’d seen. “hello.”

[aureliusbrighild-blog]

Aurelius needed a drink, perhaps two, maybe three drinks to kill the edge off, kill one off earn another he figures. At the very least it was better than being sad, at least he could be drinking and sad, hence his being here. He’d been looking for someplace to wash up though, splash some water on his face for a moment, as much as he wanted to stay buzzed because it was easier that way, he’d also remembered he didn’t normally like the feeling. He figures in the end he ought to sober himself up somewhat, this wasn’t a good look for the otherwise tame and meek man; coming out ( no less buzzed ) he’d happened upon a rather strange sight however. His eyes narrow, partially so the room stops moving. “Hello.” He replies back, it’s someplace between being flat and nothing at all. “Was..was there something wrong with that painting?” The lap dog speaks rather bluntly, there’s no malice in his voice though, more of a drunken curiosity. To be fair Aurelius had thought it a strange piece of art work himself but at any rate...he offers a smile back, it is out of habit, perhaps on any other day he’d actually mean it. Today is not such a day.

[sebastianhoward]

Snowmane’s neigh made the princess chuckle. The horse could recognize her distant approach before she even set foot inside the stables, and he was smart enough to realize that her arrival meant that it was time for a ride. He truly was a beautiful creature, as white as freshly fallen snow. A true white horse, fit for a beautiful princess. That was what her father had told her when he gifted the horse on her sixteenth name day. She had just lost her first horse, Rhadyeon, and the small white pony proved to be a great distraction. Eleanor had watched him grow with pride, the kind a mother would feel towards her child. She loved him just as much. Walking towards her companion, she ran her hands through his soft mane, smiling as Snowmane responded by dropping his head. The perking of his ears alerted her to the arrival of someone else to the stables, and she turned around to see who it was. “Are you joining me for a ride?” The princess asked, her soft hands still caressing her beloved horse in reassurance.

[aureliusbrighild-blog]

Aurelius needed to get away, to take a break from it all as life with it’s ups and it’s downs had become too much as per usual with him. With the death of his mother now looming over his head like a dark cloud, he finds himself wrought with feelings and emotions he doesn’t care to describe because none of them are good. He wants to run to Theodore, perhaps Magnus or Sybil; doesn’t want to bother any of them however. Magnus had enough on his plate and he was a king now after all. Sybil he’d only just seen after sometime and so he didn’t want to bring the mood down there either and as for Theodore, well surely the healer had far better things than to listen to him be distraught once more. So to the stables he’d left; part of him wanted to lock himself away in his accommodations, it was easier that way; perhaps he’d starve to death, he thinks. He doesn’t lock himself away though, as much as he wants to, as much as he felt he needed to, partially because he thinks if he did he’d never come out.  No, he leaves to the stables to find a grasp back onto reality, animals were always calming, right? He didn’t own a horse but perhaps just being near them might be nice, he doesn’t think he can do people at any rate, people asked questions and questions didn’t bode well for trying to forget your mother was dead someplace you couldn’t even get to. “I’m afraid not Your Highness.” His tone is devoid of very much, unlike their previous talk. He hadn’t expected to find her here at any rate, really and truly he hadn’t wanted to find anyone else here. “I...I just needed a break...thought this would be as good of a place as any...” Speech drawled out, no stuttering he isn’t nervous; he isn’t....anything.

[aureliusbrighild-blog]

(a) death in the family | selfpara

Aurelius hadn’t ever really gotten letters, he thinks it was rare indeed when he did even from his closest of friends. He thinks there isn’t much of a reason for him to get one now, isn’t anyone to rightfully send him one beyond his mother back home...only she had been sick when he had to leave her; and oh how it pained him to do so, how it almost shattered his heart to leave the women so frail alone ( although he had payed someone to check on her now and again of course ). She couldn’t make the journey here that much had been obvious to him and his duty didn’t just stop being his duty because she was ill.

How he would wish it did though, how he wished it did.

There is nothing that can prepare a person for the news that there mother is dead, there is no amount of seats that one can sit in to hold them through the unwavering grief. There is only pain, only tears until there is a numb eventual feeling. Aurelius wants that feeling to come, wants to feel nothing at all when he reads over the letter in his hands, instead he shatters; he breaks. He always thought he would bend before he broke, like Iron; something strong because his kindness had never been a weakness. But he is a soft man, a man who had loved the women very much, she was all he had after all when his father would berate him, the only thing stopping the tyrant from being worse. He’s always thought of her as his protector in a way, even now she still protected him as evident by the night before he’d left to Bearoria; when she’d held him in her arms after his only real fit of rage. Aurelius doesn’t drop the letter, it stays in his hands as his fists ball up and his body crashes to the floor in a heap. This is what death is for the living, it isn’t quiet; it’s loud and it shakes the foundations of every muscle in your body. When Aurelius falls his body reflexes to catch himself against a night stand, it doesn’t work only merely exasperating the problem as things clang and clatter to the floor along with him. The man breaks into a sob, he wants to curl up, he wants to just die he thinks.  His mother was dead, that’s what the letter said anyway; that she had died in the middle of the night in her sleep assumingly. All he could focus on was a selfish fact though that he wouldn’t ever see her again, would he make it to even see her be buried now? Without him there surely a proper funeral wouldn’t be arranged... She should be buried in Norden he thinks, someplace nice, someplace with her family and not his father. Aurelius chokes, this is all too much and he can’t breath oh gods he can’t breath. What is he going to do now? This wasn’t supposed to happen he was supposed to be home when she died, where he could be by her side and oh god he doesn’t think he can do this anymore. He tries and tries so hard but this world is all just too much for him, he no longer wants to feel like Atlas with the weight of the world on his shoulders, they feel no longer cracked but completely in pieces now, the shards of bone dig into his core and out of his skin.  His mother was dead but Aurelius wishes it was him.           So much for the gods smiling down upon him...

[roleplaymemesforyou]

Send me📝 and my muse will reveal their thoughts about your muse.

Their first impression:

Their current impression:

What they like the most about your muse:

What they dislike the most about your muse:

What your muse is for them ( Friend, lover, rival ecc.):

A general opinion of their relationship:

If applicable, something they wish to reveal:

[aureliusbrighild-blog]

teddybent:

“It will be alright Aur…He–He’s in a place that had created a better environment for everyone to flourish and lived a full life. You should have no guilt on your head.” He said softly, have coming out to just barely graze the other’s chin in an affectionate manner. Pulling the soft fingers away, he nodded at the mention of change. “Change is brewing, but it is still yet to be seen if it is change for the better, or worse. Only the Kings may know.” He replied. “Plagues of the mind are some of the worst. Not even my medicine may fix it with so much ease as talking may.” He said. The other’s curl of words surrounded teddy with a light sigh. “I would love to talk to you about anything, and everything…everything your heart wishes…” He mumbled, his filter letting such romantic words pass through although his brain may regret it later. The stuttering of the other caught teddy’s heart a flutter, knowing it must have been so hard for the elder to say to someone so young and of the same sex.  Teddy bit his lip and let his eyes search the other’s cherry lips for what to say next. “They may be hard, but I believe that we may overcome it all…things feel so much easier near you…”

Guilt was all Aurelius ever had, perhaps if only because his father had pushed it onto him. Guilt had always festered in his heart, in his mind. He wishes it was just that easy, to simply not feel the guilt inside him eating away. Truthfully he knows he’s done nothing wrong, he knows he is a good man because he fights so hard to be, to be good in a world full of men like his father hadn’t ever been easy and yet he preserved. Theodore touches him, touches his face, brushes soft fingertips against his skin like his body is a canvas.  Perhaps it had always been such, only before this moment it had been a canvas soaked in the bad memories of his past, a canvas soaked in bruises and a grief unspoken. “Thank you Theodore, truly.” The healer put his mind at ease more than he could have ever known, it is a blessing Aurelius must believe, salvation in an otherwise hard time. He almost finds himself wanting to whimper the moment the younger man pulls the contact away, he doesn’t of course but the feeling is there all the same. “I hope the change is good, I fear I can’t take many more days of bad news.” He chuckles although the lap dog hardly finds it funny. “I th-think my heart w-wishes just to b-b-be near yours...” This was all so much, honestly forget the bad news and change, Aurelius didn’t know if he could take anything good either, his hearts never beat this fast in his life, he is flustered beyond belief. When Theodore tells him that things feel so much easier it is in that moment Aurelius finally allows himself to lean down and place a most delicate of kisses upon the others lips. It is long, he knows not what he’s doing but nevertheless he presses softly into the kiss, softly into the healers lips. Breaking away eventually only to breath and fumble for more words. “I-I, hope th-th-that was alright, things jus-just, f-f-feel easier with you too.”

[aureliusbrighild-blog]

( elliott’s character’s ) + ( cinnamon roll trope meme )

[aureliusbrighild-blog]

dukejamesofnorden:

“I suppose the Yeties are like stories of the giant spiders here, actually the yeties may be even more of an enigma, people said they have seen things, sometimes people will see footprints that aren’t human or animal on the snow, livestock goes missing and they can’t blame the wolves, but at the same time many do just believe they are just myths.” He shrugs i believe in them more than believing the gods live on top of the mountains.

Strange, Aurelius will surely have to ponder on what he believes no doubt, if anything at all. He wants to believe in such things if that was worth anything. “Seems odd at the very least, although in those mountains all too believable that things like that might lurk among the snow.” He wonders if people ever go missing, that had to be a scary notion and one all too true he’s sure. Now that gods that had always been more up to debate for him, he prayed to them more now though than he ever had before, he thinks it’s more or less because of the off chance that they might be listening, that they might exist. “Surely they don’t live on mountains, perhaps the sky? That’s what people seem to think right?” It’s a bit of a joke really, as obvious with the little smile playing on the corner of his lips, truly he shouldn’t joke about such though, so he stops while he’s ahead lest he get struck down.

[thequotejournals]

I will stay gentle no matter what I endure, I am so much more.

Tyler Knott Gregson (via thequotejournals)

[aureliusbrighild-blog]

eleanorwinnell:

Being all together, in one place, could indeed bring about peace. The prospect of not dealing with wars and losses was one that Eleanor longed for since she was just a little girl. Was it so difficult for people to get along, to be nice to one another, and to help each other out instead of backstabbing their ‘friends’? “You are right. I am sure that the negotiations between the kings and the queen will be aimed towards achieving a state of peace and prosperity. Listening to your people’s wishes is often overlooked, but I keep reminding Nathaniel about it. The people have a lot of power, even if we fail to acknowledge that, and they way they use it depends on those in charge and they way they treat the people.” “Thank you for your wishes, I will pass them onto him.” She knew some people thought her brother weak for showing compassion, but she refused to believe that being nice to people made one weak. “A king who loves his people is loved back. And when people do something for their king not just out of duty but because they truly want to, then they will give it their all. They would have a purpose, and men with a purpose are difficult to stop.” It was nice to see his bright smile slowly returning to his face. Maybe something she said lifted his spirits. Whatever it was, she found joy in trying to make the man happy. “We could try to convince people to think like us. We would not be able to convert everyone, but even convincing one person that violence is not the answer would be a victory for people like us.”

“Ah! what a good thing that is to hear, King Magnus isn’t his father so I’m sure the kings and queen can all find some way to amend past wrongs and be for their people. I think if Nathaniel is anything like you at any rate Your Highness, it sounds as though we will all be okay in the end.” He would pray for as much anyway, compassion doesn’t make one weak; it was something his own father couldn’t grasp and neither could Octavius in the end, he wished if only for the late kings self that he could have. Clearly the other kings and queen had been doing something right before everything that happened with Ironhaven if they’d all been getting seemingly along. Perhaps it was because back then they had common enemies, he thinks perhaps they might as well now, he’s just not sure he’ll like the answer in the end. He will pray on that as well, that it is the pirates and not Ironhaven that is the common goal to end. Men with a purpose were indeed difficult to stop though, she was right about that, right about a lot really and he was thankful for the conversation being how it was. “That may just be the kind of men needed here soon, what with Kradaca being how it is now.” Aurelius pales slightly, it was a sad thought but admittedly he didn’t really know anyone from there, nor was he. “I wouldn’t put it past those savage pirates to extend their reach elsewhere unfortunately.” A grimace accompanies his face with these words but he shakes it off and looks back at her with his smile still. “I like that sentiment very much at any rate!”

[aureliusbrighild-blog]

dukejamesofnorden:

“Thank you for that.” And truly James did thought of himself as better than most, even if it may not be true. “I guess in hard times people want to give opinions and seek the better way but sometimes you just have to let the people that know what they are doing, do their job.”

Aurelius smiles when the man thanks him, it’s never something he needs but it’s always nice to hear. “In Ironhaven I doubt that would have been alright, they are lucky the Norden people are much kinder in that sense.” He shakes his head, in Ironhaven many things wouldn’t fly, some people just didn’t realize how good they had it. He raises a brow, a silly question now on the tip of his tongue, he had to ask there is an ever slight curiousty in him. "May I ask you something though?, and forgive me if it's silly I just could never get a straight answer back in Norden." He pauses for the slightest of seconds. "I am very much curious if the stories of things like...Yetis are true or a childish notion, it seems outlandish but if true your people are much stronger than even handleing the winter suggests."

[aureliusbrighild-blog]

sybeaumont:

sybil didn’t remember much from ironhaven. a few memories her mother would repeatedly tell her and a few of which she remembered herself of lost friends and lost chances. mostly she remembered her brother raising her more than her parents ever did and feeling very happy at getting to call him brother and occasionally the teasing, father. it was better than her own parents, after —- after when she hadn’t presented her gift and they had moved to bearoria — that was when they were around more. but by that time she had come to rely more on romeo than on anyone else. well other than the night sky. in the night sky she took comfort, pointing out stars — again with romeo because it was a family trade she knew she would love to continue. being a navigator was something she still dreamed of, when it wasn’t the dead coming for her and grasping her, asking and demanding favors of her. imagine that, a princess who was able to navigate herself through the forest and the ocean and the mountains using just the stars she had firmly imprinted into her mind. she knew the stars above her long before they left ironhaven. but ironhaven and the many friends she had left behind hadn’t came to mind in a long time. of course she thought of her native home. thought of how her many old friends were or how she hoped magnus was doing okay or how she sometimes missed the weather and the smell of kingdom. she remember particularly a boy who was older than her, far closer to her brothers age but someone she still considered her friend. and as she turns to face the voice that seems excited and surprised to see her, sybil knows who it’s gonna be before she even completes the task. she squeals, almost like shes nine or ten again and before she truly processes just how inappropriate this could be she is climbing down a step of two of the ladder before throwing herself at aurelius knowing somehow she will be caught, a giddy childlike smile gracing her face. “aurelius! oh how tall you have gotten,” she basically coos, remembering the gangly boy from her youth. “and handsome! just like all the village gossips said you would be!”

He would always catch her, in an instant as if it is second nature, a reflex when in her presence. He has told hold himself back from swinging her around as though they’d both been young again. Sybil had been younger than himself and he thought of her like the younger sister he’d never had, or perhaps she was more like the older sibling despite her age, she had always taken up for him hadn’t she. On the occasions others (including his father) might berate him. He’d always wanted to be the protector and yet he was nothing more than an gangly mess of shaken up bones who’d needed someone else. Nothing has changed expect perhaps he’d grown into his looks, the younger girl affirms this and he blushes greatly, his cheeks flushing crimson. "I have finally grown into myself I believe.” He sheepishly scratches at the back of his head, his nose scrunching up from a little childish smile that starts to play on his lips. It takes everything in him not to stutter, he barely manages at first but it comes back, he wants to believe that he’s changed all these years but old habits die hard he supposed.  “An-n-nd you Sybil, you are as l-lo-lovely as ever!” Oh it had been so long since he’d last seen her and his eyes almost don’t believe him, or perhaps that was just his mind; he’d missed her of course, thought often about her but time was a funny thing and so was memory. Eventually these thoughts would be pushed aside for others and she would be distant in the back of his mind once more. Auerlius finally remembers to place her back down, looking downwards at her still smiling softly and sheepishly. “I’ve m-missed you! Please do tell me-e how you’ve been!”

[shieldedsmart]

If they had a kid meme

[inboxideas]

Name:

Gender:

General appearance:

Personality:

Special talents:

Who they like better:

Who they take after more:

Personal headcanon:

Face Claim:

[aureliusbrighild-blog]

dukejamesofnorden:

“My thoughts exactly, and then they got so offended when i pointed that to them, acting as if they were just trying to help but still having that stance that they knew better, it was hard for me to remain civil to tell you the truth.” Luckily he hadn’t seen the man after that incident. “Is a sad thing isn’t it?”

Aurelius briefly looks appalled for the duke before him, he wonders if the man who spoke of such things would have said such if they’d know they’d been talking to someone such as him; sadly on reflection they probably still would have, what with people lacking basic manners. “You are a better man than most, your anger would have been justified honestly but I’m sure the man wasn’t worth it all the same.” He states with a nod. “It is, especially when it seems as though all people want to do is question everything anyone says.”

[aureliusbrighild-blog]

N E K H B E T | he isn't used to not being clad in a cloak to be fair, he feels /almost exposed/ in a way. it is odd to mix and mingle at this sort of thing, he preferred to stick to the shadows; but it was never bad to garner connections, so he rightfully couldn't complain. still the thought of sanda mel much less a ball made him want to roll his eyes, he doesn't of course because kael wouldn't but the thought is there all the same. idly he finds himself observing everyone pooling into the ball room before he even tries to interject himself into any groups or conversations. A U R E L I U S | the invite did say one /needed/ a date did they not, to think he doesn't have one...unless one counted the healer perhaps but in the company of others this was simply not viable. still he is here and he is at least ever the happy (if a bit nervous) sort to be around his friends and fellow countrymen. this ball gives him hope that all will be well after everything, he tries to shake off any foreboding feelings otherwise as he enters, looking around to see if he spots anyone he knows. to be honest though when had he ever really converse at these events, he quite felt like a ghost that haunted them more than anything else, he is fine with this though never the less. K H A I L E E | Khai looked only slightly less put together than she usually did for these events. She hadn't had the money to have a new dress commissioned for the ball like she normally would have, so she wore an old one. She also no longer had servants to help with getting her ready, so instead of some elaborate up-do she'd left her hair down. But if anything had survived the invasion and the fire, it was her need for a good glass of wine before the night's festivities could begin. As she was making her way over to get herself some, she brushed shoulders with someone, and upon looking up and realizing who it was she couldn't help but smile a bit. "N--" Remembering his new cover identity, Khai cleared her throat and started over. "Kael. I wasn't expecting to see you here tonight. Do you not have a date?" N A T H A N I E L | his own event, one he figured would be best as the holiday approached and yet he wished to be elsewhere. wasn't that how recent events would go in his position? after being bedridden for so long he'd been granted permission to roam the halls and attend his own festivities. with his cane in one hand, the one that had been gifted to him long ago by a certain ironhaven knight, he gently stepped into his ballroom. he nodded to those who gave him a glance, forcing himself to keep a smile on his face. nathaniel was sure he still appeared quite fragile and bruised but he needed everyone in the kingdom to understand he would not let it kill him. M A G N U S | He really didn't want to go to a ball even less a Sanda mel one, last year he would have found some girl to bring and surely sneak away before the end to go to his room but now he was the king and he couldn't do that, not that he had any desire to do that anyway, but he should go and seem to enjoy it for at least a few hours V I O L A | it is becoming, as the weeks pass and the days slip by, quite harder for the queen to balance upon her feet. but the months have been hard for them all---not least of all for their family, she thinks, fingers tightening around nathaniel’s own---& now is not the time to cower in their rooms, covers pulled up to hide her head. sanda mel is a time for JOY, a time to show all the world that their family has stayed strong. an arm looped through her husband ( to support him, as much as herself ) & her head held high, viola smiles serenely as they walk inside the ballroom. “it looks lovely, does it not?” C L E O | Cleo couldn't believe a whole year had passed already, last year they were in the middle of the war against the pirates and now here they were, everything seemed to finally be able to go right, and everything looked lovely as well L U C R E Z I A  | the moment the night's festivities were announced, there was no doubt in the girl's mind that she would attend. sanda mel was one of her favorite holidays and she wanted to enjoy her time in the bearorian kingdom. she had always dreamed a charming man would sweep her off her feet one sanda mel but as she grew, she had become more accustom to how silly her dreams were. dressed in a beautiful teal with her hair in light curls, lucrezia made her way into the room. A V E R Y | he didn’t see her at first – he was, once again, in it for the free food and not necessarily the company, or so he told himself – but then a casual sweep of the room revealed her, and he stopped to stare for a minute. he had to admit it. she looked damn good. and just the person he wanted to talk to, too. he walked over, offering her a pastry he’d grabbed off a platter. “you’re here.” N E K H B E T | the vulture doesn't see anything wrong with khai, she is as pretty as a picture still and ever effervescent looking in the way she holds herself. had anyone else brushed shoulders into him and he might of found himself slightly annoyed, yet it is her and can't help but offer her a cheeky smile in return when she speaks to him. "I wasn't expecting to be here my lady, yet how could I miss such an event to mingle with the likes of you." He cooed, as if he'd only came there for her, it isn't a complete lie, he had thought she might be here and while he never would hate to see her it hadn't been his complete intentions truthfully. "i don't believe i do, unless someone snares me away that i don't know of." it was entirely possible, he'd probably slept with enough people he figures. N A T H A N I E L | he held onto his wife tightly, the overwhelming feeling of danger filling his chest. big rooms had always made him a bit nervous but his suspicion had grown. as much as he knew he shouldn't have been worried, to have so many ironhaven men in the same room as him bothered him. how many of them had been the ones to bruise and beat him weeks ago? doing his best to pay no mind to the past, nathaniel turned to his wife and smiled. " yes, it does. " a simple response, feeling ease in her company. " if you believe this is lovely, wait until i show you my gifts. " it would be hard to beat the year before, yes, though it hadn't stopped him from trying. K H A I L E E | She rolled her eyes at his cooing, swatting him gently in the arm. But even in the midst of their usual playful banter, she couldn't help the anxiety that clogged her throat. She'd slipped a letter under Matt's door earlier that day and hadn't seen him since, and she couldn't help but be a tad antsy as she awaited his reaction. But Nekhbet of all people could help distract her a bit till he showed up, so she nodded toward the wine and responded, "I'll snare you away, even if it's only for a little while. Come, take a drink with me." L U C R E Z I A | " oh, avery! " she gasped, skipping forward and taking his gift with a bright smile. " sanda mel is my favorite holiday, i wouldn't miss this for the world! if it is a shock for either of us to be here, it is you. " lucrezia takes a bite into the pastry, jam covering her lips. she swallows and clears her throat before defending her words, not wanting for him to take them incorrectly. " oh, but i am glad you're here! a pleasant surprise. " A V E R Y | once upon a time he might have jerked his hand out of her grasp immediately. resistance, however, was something he’d come to know as futile, and not at all necessary, either. “i wasn’t going to stay,” he said, almost defensively. he had the feeling that now he would be. staying, that was. “but you’re fucking right. i’m not here for the holiday side of things, that’s for fucking certain.” P A N D O R A | Before passing through the doors, Pandora smooths down the front of her dress. The dark green hue compliments her skin tone nicely, but the simplicity of the number makes her wants to snub her nose at it. Truly, it's a fine dress that suits her well enough, but it's simply not her taste. Still, despite her unhappiness with her outfit, as she scans the room carefully, she is please to see King Magnus already present. With practiced grace, Pandora nearly glides over to where he stands and offers him a curtsy. " Good evening, your majesty. " N E K H B E T | of course he would get that reaction from her and he quite enjoyed it, he snorts in amusement when she swats at him. something still did seem off though, she hadn't told him and he hadn't yet asked; as usual he was happy to offer her a life distraction at least. his thoughts go back to the notion of a date though, briefly picturing a perfect world where perhaps he could have formally invited hadrian with him. he is happy to be equally distracted from that thought with the presence of khai. he offers an arm to her, nodding his head softly. "Oh it would be a pleasure," He replies back his eyes adverting towards the wine as they head that way. "Now tell me, do you have a date or are all the men in Zenan too cowardly to extend an offer." K H A I L E E | She loops her arm through his, the action as familiar as breathing. It was a routine they'd been following for years now. Her heels clicked as she walked across the stone floors, the sound drifting up into the air and getting swallowed by the chatter and noise surrounding them. "I usually attend these things with Lord Matthias, but..." A quick glance around the room. "I haven't yet seen him." Khai snorted then and added, "And of course, I always have to turn a few unwanted suitors down each year." As they came upon the table with the wine, Khailee released his arm and moved to fill two glasses. Handing one to him, she turned her amused gaze back on his and added, "Oh, and I do believe I haven't said it yet: Happy Sanda Mel." L U C R E Z I A | her face falls slightly at his confession and the nurse struggles to keep somewhat of a smile on her face, not wanting her reaction to be too obvious. of course she would want him to stay, but did /he/ want to? her hand gripped his and her fingers interlocked with his, wondering for a moment if he was disgusted by her actions. " you don't have to be here if you don't want to be. " she reminded him, almost a bit hurt. lucrezia knew how he was and yet, for some reason, she thought he would want to stay. for her, out of all things. how ridiculous was that? maybe it was the holiday or her feelings high on love, but the way she looked at avery in that moment was different from how she usually did. " one of my patients gave me flowers today, maybe i could find him if you'd like to leave. " M A G N U S | Magnus smiled faintly at the girl, "Hello Pandora." He said and really by the tone of his voice it would seem that he was actually having a good time, and maybe he wasn't having a bad night, everything looked great and it was nice that things were returning to a normalcy,but things would never feel the same to him "Are you having fun?" V I O L A | there is a TENSION in his grip, a sort of anxiety in his gaze that makes her press closer, & her fingers squeeze his own. it’s alright, she wishes she could tell him, nothing will happen. if only she could believe it herself. she had /trusted/ octavius. or---she had tried to. who else could there be, lurking in the shadows for a chance to strike. she settles---as she must, for a reassuring smile, lips brushing across his cheek. “you spoil me,” she says, instead, opting for the easier conversation. “you did not need to get me anything, nate. you’ve already given me so much. ---i do have a gift for you, as well.” A V E R Y | she seemed a bit disappointed, and he frowned. "don’t mind stay now. just didn’t much fancy it without–” he nearly said he wouldn’t have fancied staying if lou hadn’t been there. “there’s no good food left. all we’ve got’s conversation. and i don’t know if you knew this, but i don’t want to fucking talk to anyone here ‘cept you. so there’s that.” he’d sort of said it anyway, he supposed, by why not? it was the truth. there was nothing more to it. “not the same patient that got crushed by a horse, surely.” N E K H B E T | it wasn't often that he'd so /willingly/ allowed somehow else to be as close as he had with her, yet khai had seeped into his cracks for so long that they'd had their routines; their second nature habits for one another like now. it is a familiar comfort that this offers him, one he won't admit to or complain about. "what a shame for him," he comments, adding "and a gain for me, at any rate perhaps he will show up." nekhbet gives a gesture of his hand before taking the offered wine once they get to it. "of course, i can't imagine you coming to an event like this with anyone less than wanted. honestly it reminds me of the events we used to attend together." he could hardly forget the nights they'd annoy her husband, it had been amusing for a time. "only now we lack, what was his name again?" he acts as if he can't recall her late husbands name, a jest they had done before. "ah it doesn't matter now." there's a slight laugh and before he knows it the holiday is being brought up. he takes a long sip of the wine, surely he needs it upon the reminder what this ball was about. "happy sanda mel to you as well, although you may be the only person i perhaps mean that towards." another snort this time it's indifferent, he'd mean it to the bard too he thinks, he just tends to hate anything pertain to the idea of love. A N Y A | anya wasn't quite in the mood to celebrate but figured she didn't have anything else to do with her time. she's wearing a simple gown, the black fabric contrasting with her porcelain skin. perhaps, this was a funeral after all ?? she takes a seat at a nearby table and eyes the wine closely before deciding on grabbing some bread. her fingers began picking apart the bread, leaving the crumbs scattered around her. N A T H A N I E L | the king leans into her, his forehead pressed against hers. there is much he has to thank her for and though all the gifts in zenan will not make up for any of it, he of course must spoil her any way he can. " you deserve the best, " he assures, giving her a genuine smile. " ah, you got me something and thought i would not return the favor? " nathaniel leans back and his smile grows into a chuckle, shaking his head. P A N D O R A | She gives a shake of her head as a smile plays at the corner of her lips, " I think it might be too early to decide if I am enjoying myself. " Her eyes wonder for the briefest of seconds to those in the center of the room, socializing, dancing. How nice it would be to freely indulge in this night. " Did you receive anything of note for Sanda Mel ?? " She asks lightly, wondering what his thoughts were of the rabbit foot. L U C R E Z I A  | just as her expression had faltered, there was suddenly a bashful grin back onto her lips. her cheeks had turned a bright red and she couldn't help but gently squeeze his hand. " then you will talk to only me. " she returned, nodding her head. " oh, no, absolutely not. he's a bearorian native and he's very kind, he even asked to escort me to the event tonight. " her heart sped up, wondering if she should admit she only said no because of avery. still, she remained quiet, eyes scanning the room to take in the atmosphere. E M E L I N E | she's been greeting the people of dracborough ( and who else wanted to greet the queen ) but as she finally got a moment to herself, emeline walks out onto the balcony, admiring the sun that began to set. her arms lean against the railing, a chalice of wine in her hand. there was a pit of loneliness in her heart but how could that be solved ?? she feels the faint heat on her skin as she takes another sip of her drink. H E N R Y | knew good and well he was late. but the previous night had been a hard one, with the wolf taking its sweet time, and even staying an hour after the first glow of daybreak. still, henry wouldn't allow his lateness to hinder him from going to the ball - or the bags under his eyes and the limp in his step, from when he'd woken with a deep gash in his thigh. the first thing he did when he entered the ballroom was look for nate, but upon seeing him... busy, henry quickly turned his attention elsewhere to prevent himself from becoming jealous or angry. looking immediately for cleo, he went to her as quickly as he could with the small limp, and smiled warmly at his daughter. "cleo," he greeted, leaning down to affectionately kiss her forehead. "happy sanda mel." C L E O l Cleo smiled widely at her father, she knew that he was probably tired from last night, after all some nights were harder than others at least on her experience and she could see that he was tired "Happy sanda mel... Did you like your present?" She asked smiling "Have you spent any time with your person today?" she asked in a faintly teasing tone so anyone asking would think she was talking about the queen of norden B R Y N | bryn's cheeks were fiery with anger and embarrassment. he'd all but forced himself to come to the ball, if only to keep up appearances now that he was a duke, but he wasn't happy with being there. he'd schmoozed the minimal amount, and downed maybe a few too many goblets of wine. the words of the letters he'd read in lotte's handwriting, praising and doting on silas, were swimming through his mind. knowing he would have to speak with her again at some point (even though their previous conversation on the matter hadn't gone well), the tipsy duke made his way over to charlotte, interrupting any conversation she was having. but before he could speak, his eyes traveled over the immaculately dressed and gorgeous form of his former betrothed. his anger drained slightly, and bryn closed his mouth and looked up to her face. "lady charlotte," he said, his voice a bit husky. he took a few steps towards her - maybe a little too close to be a friendly stance - and tried not to smile... he /was/ supposed to be angry, right? "you look... look... well, you look ravishing." A V E R Y | avery couldn’t help but feel a bit pleased that lou had turned the bearorian down. and a little resentment towards the man, whoever he was. he told himself it was merely out of concern for lou’s sanity. avery couldn’t think of anything worse than being handed flowers and asked to go to parties. then again, he was pretty damn sure lou didn’t feel the same way. “fine with me. let me know if you ever want me to scare him the fuck off.” K H A I L E E | She smiled again at his flattery but found her mind wandering back to Matt once more. He usually beat her to these events and would find her in the crowd somewhere when she finally walked in, but she hadn't seen him yet and the thought of his not attending because of something she'd said in her letter was almost unbearable. Khai bit her lip for a moment thinking about it but, remembering how observant Nekhbet had always been, forced herself out of the involuntary action and tried to refocus on their conversation. She smiled again as he pretended to forget her old husband's name, remembering all the fun they used to have toying with him when they were younger. "Ah, yes, such a tragedy he couldn't be here tonight. I truly don't know how I've managed to go on without him all this time." Khai raised an eyebrow at his final words. "I'd better be." She took a sip of the wine and after a moment of contemplation found herself saying, "I was going to slip a note into your chambers but I feared someone else finding it first. I didn't want to risk exposing you in any way." Her words were low and quiet, only loud enough for him to hear. "But what I was going to say in that note is that I'm very happy I've had you around all these years." It was a singular moment of affection, one she knew he needed from time to time even if he wouldn't admit it to either of them. N A T H A N I E L | as he breaks away from his wife, he stumbles around the room, nodding his head in the direction of his guests. there are few people he wants to speak to and while one of them is preoccupied, another is standing on his balcony. he makes his way outside, joining queen emeline and he's suddenly disappointed to not be holding a drink. " happy sanda mel, your grace. " he greets, steadying his balance by holding onto the edge of the stone siding. C H A R L O T T E | Charlotte had always loved any type of balls, though her enjoyment of them had dwindled with all the things that had happened recently, but this one felt like old times, well almost, back then she would be around Niamh, Pollux and Silas talking about how silly some people looked. She had arrived with Silas but she moved away as fast as she could. She was now talking to a friend of her mother when they were interrupted by Bryn, and a wide smile formed on her face, she had wanted to see him all day. "Thank you, your grace. You look very handsome yourself.." H E N R Y | Henry smiled easily, the tension left in his shoulders from the day melting away in the presence of Cleo - as it always did. His smile only widened when she mentioned his gift, and he moved the robe from his side to show her the dagger, sheathed on his belt. "Gods, yes. It must be the most beautiful blade I've ever seen - and I've seen quite a few... and maybe a bit too closely." He moved his head enough to show her the now old scar on his cheek, courtesy of the pirates. He chuckled, though, and continued. "Thank you, darling. It means the world to me." His smile faded when she spoke of his person, and while he tried not to steal a glance at Nate, he shook his head. "Not as of yet," he said. "The queen is a very busy woman." M A G N U S | I "Ah well usually this parties are quite fun...is the first time coming to one?" He wasn't surprised since she wasn't nobility and it was only recently that it seemed everyone was invited no matter the rank. "I liked the present by the way thank you...you liked yours?" L U C R E Z I A | she giggled at his offer and while she would never agree to such terms, to have avery offer such a thing warmed her heart. maybe he did it out of jealousy or kindness, or maybe it was an excuse to punch another man in the face. either way, she decided it was best not to think too much into it. then, suddenly, she questioned if turning down the bearorian was a mistake. whenever she was nervous, lucrezia had a habit of rambling and letting her thoughts get the best of her. unfortunately, her nerves were as high as the clouds. " avery, " she began, tilting her head, speaking quickly. " would you have cared if i agreed to his date? " C L E O I Her smile only grew when he said he liked his present "I send it to have it made almost a month ago" She sighed and her smiled faltered when she saw the scar on his face, her father getting kidnapped and hurt by those pirates had been easily the worst moment of her life, she would take getting poisoned again before something like that ever happening again. "Well yes, but I am sure that she is very excited to spend time with you, it is Sanda Mel after all." P A N D O R A | finds herself nodding at his words. " Yes, " she says. " Any advice for a newcomer ?? " Her smile grows wide. For some reason, the comment makes Pandora feel exceptionally pleased with herself. " The flowers were from you ?? Yes, they were lovely. Thank you. " E M E L I N E | she hears a clink on the floor along with labored breathing before she turns her head to greet the stranger. as it turns out, it was no stranger; instead, a dear friend. "aye, i suppose it's meant to be happy ?" perhaps she shouldn't have had a glass of wine before the ball as well. "happy sanda mel, nathaniel. you look brilliant. 'ave you seen henry ?" she was being a bit too loose with her words but there were scattered people on the balcony, especially when the king and queen began talking, many seemed to leave out of courtesy.   N E K H B E T | perhaps she had been thinking of whoever this lord matthias was, he could hardly blame her to be honest; he'd thought of hadrian himself. still she could have merely had a great number of things on her mind, given whatever happened back in her homeland. he wanted to pull the answers out of her still, like pulling strings from a frayed shirt or rather moans from her lips as he had done in the past. there might have been a time when he was more disgusted at himself for feeling fond of her, wanting to help her even; now is not that time, not anymore. "easily i'm sure." he chuckles, he would have killed the man sooner to be fair for her, if it wouldn't have cause problems for his work relationship with her father. "why you're still the only one who knows my name even, who else would i wish such things on this day. " his voice is also a hushed whisper, although this ball is so loud he doubts anyone would hear that anyway, not that it matters without context. "well i thank you, also should i be offended that you think i have people in my chambers?" it's an obvious joke, mostly because she knew as well as he did just how he was. still he grows quite for a moment at her admission, his face slightly flushing crimson for only a second. "i'm," he pauses another sip of his wine being swallowed down. real admissions had always been hard to him, it was easier to hide them is jests. "i'm happy as well, after everything in ironhaven if i hadn't found you, i think my world would have been rather bleak." M A G N U S I "Dancing and drinking seem to be the best things to do do have fun, and there is a lot to drink or so I've heard." Surely she would find someone wanting to dance with her easily, she was very pretty and tonight she looked great "Ah yes, i suppose i should have signed it." B R Y N | Upon hearing her voice, Bryn no longer saw or heard anyone else in the ballroom. There was just them, and even though he had been angry, he couldn't find a reason to continually be mad at someone he loved so much. Lost in the moment and overcome with wine and forgiveness, Bryn all but ignored her compliment. Instead, he took her by the waist and pulled Charlotte against him and pressed his lips down on hers without a thought. N A T H A N I E L | " it is. " he assured, nodding, letting out a breath. " i look terrible, but i do appreciate you trying. i have seen him with his daughter and yet, i have not spoken to him. the less i can be seen with this cane, in my state, the better. " he referred to the balcony, looking out over his kingdom for a moment. " i am sure you've received hundreds of gifts from men, women, and citizens alike. " C H A R L O T T E | She was taken by surprise, of all things she didn't expect him to just take her and kiss her, not that she was complaining but they were surrounded by people. But the moment his lips met hers she forgot about the world around them and she kissed him back her arms around his neck L E V I | he was fashionably late he thinks, although that might have ever been the /only/ thing fashionable about him; not that he looked bad he just really thought he looked better out of such formal clothing, his hair was still messy as ever however and his expression someplace between happiness and trepidation. he'd spotted many familiar faces as well as many not so familiar ones, he didn't know where to start either; they all seemed rather busy either way. A V E R Y | what kind of a question was that? avery felt caught. it seemed lou knew him: he couldn’t imagine the question being that much of a coincidence. trouble was it was difficult to come up with a satisfying answer. no was too final, and definitely a lie. yes carried implications. he wasn’t sure he liked all the implications. there were some, though, that again almost rang true.   “sure. what of it?” P O L L U X | Unlike his usual behavior, Pollux had been minding his own business. On a day like Sanda Mel -- a day of happiness and love -- he found it was always best to allow the world to work as it would. However, as he spoke to an old duke about his land investments, Pollux found his gaze wandering. Almost immediately, he saw Brynjolf and Charlotte together. His interest was piqued. With Silas nowhere to be seen, Pollux knew he had to do something. Giving a hasty goodbye to the duke, Pollux quickly stepped to the center of the ballroom, wanting to put a stop to whatever it seemed was about to happen. Unfortunately, he was paces away when the two of them kissed. Affronted, Pollux put grabbed for Charlotte’s arm to pull the two of them apart. " What the hell are you doing ?? " He demanded, shocked. B R Y N | The kiss was warm and comfortable, and it felt natural; and it was not soon to be forgotten -- by more people then just them. It was only a moment before Charlotte was pulled from Bryn's arms, and he immediately met the gaze of Pollux. Oh, Gods. "Kissing the woman I love," he hissed lowly, taking a step closer to Pollux and attempting to take Lotte's arm from the Prince's grip. "I'll thank you to let go of her, aye?" P A N D O R A | " I'll have to find the refreshments table then. I doubt I'll be doing very much dancing. All the good partners seem to be taken. " Taken, or standing off to the side. " It might've helped. The gesture was kind. In truth, I had not expected to receive anything. Do you send flowers to everyone in your kingdom ?? " L U C R E Z I A | the woman gave a slight shrug, her mind spinning. had she overstepped? should she have left things unspoken? what if she was about to make a fool of herself? " you are saying that if i was to come here tonight with another man, you would care... as in, not want me to be with another man. " she stated, tilting her head and ignoring eye contact as she rambled on. " if you would not have wanted me to attend tonight with /another/ man, then, perhaps... you would want me to attend with you? which, i suppose i did, as we are here, together? yet, not /together/, but we are talking together. i... " lucrezia closed her eyes and let out a sigh, trying to make sense of the scrambled thoughts in her mind. " is it too late to ask you if you would attend the event with me? as in, a sanda mel date? i understand that these events are not a favorite of yours and i do not know if you even consider me a friend, yet my offer still stands. " her cheeks are red as she awkwardly stares at the floor, waiting for a response of any sort. C H A R L O T T E | Charlotte was returned by reality abruptly for a moment she wanted to snap at whomever pulled her away from Bryn, but she intimidatingly remember where she was, not to mention the one grabbing her arm was Pollux and she just knew...this was bad "Pollux...I..." E M E L I N E | "nonsense, nathaniel." a roll of her eyes follows her statement. her hand grasps his, squeezing it tightly. "you may as well be the most handsome man here. viola," her voice drops to a whisper. "and henry are both lucky to have you." at his next assumption, she lets out a boisterous laugh, thank gods for their lack of an audience. "you couldn't have been more wrong." but her head whips around to the commotion going on inside and instantly sees pollux' face. "what is happening ?" she leaves her chalice on the railing before entering the ballroom to where pollux stood. "what is going on here ?" A N Y A | her bread suddenly seems less interesting but still keeps it in her hand as her attention is caught by the tense conversation happening in the middle of the ballroom. there's a certain prince that she spots-- along with silas' soon-to-be wife. with furrowed brows and the bread, she joins them, grabbing the prince's arm gently. "charlotte ? where's-- where's silas?" L E V I | In one fell swoop he spots his friend in what seems to be a sudden heated exchange, he also spots his queen and a few other people he fails to recognize. of course levi approaches the scene, concerned at the louder voices and the crowd gathering. "i could say the same thing," he chimes in with emeline, eyeing the scene. P O L L U X | His eyes narrow as Bryn's words cut over Charlotte's. His grip tightens around her arm. He doesn't want to hurt her, it's more of an involuntary action. " No one was talking to you, you -- " His words cut off as he hears Emeline's voice and her feels someone touching his arm. " Charlotte, " he says sharply, his gaze refocusing, " you are engaged to Silas. " E M E L I N E | despite being ignored-- or perhaps unseen due to pollux' blatant anger-- she understands the situation all too clearly now. and her gaze goes directly to bryn. making her way over to him, her hand comes up to give him a blow behind his head before she can stop it. "brynjolf !" N A T H A N I E L | he lets out a calmed sigh, a feeling of safety and warmth as his friend squeezes his hand. she has always been one of the most important people in his life and he owes her many thanks for the everlasting support she has always showed him. " i am much more lucky myself... i don't know what i'd do without either of them. " he responds, a small smile unable to be hidden. " then by the gods, they have no idea of what beauty they are missing. " to know emeline is still an unmarried woman is shocking to him, yet he knows her kingdom will always come before a man. at the distraction of something happening, nathaniel grips his cane and makes his way back inside, slowly but surely. he is in no position to handle such a situation. " is there something the matter here? " B R Y N | Bryn was seething, and his breath was heavy with anger and wine. He waited for Pollux's insult, but when it didn't come, a smirk formed on his lips. "Just say it, you coward," he spat, taking yet another step towards the prince and making to grab his arm. Just as his hand wrapped around Pollux's arm, however, he feels a smack on the back of his head. His head turns and he meets the gaze of Em, and his cheeks darken immediately. "Your majesty," he said, turning again to notice Nate joining the gathering crowd. He looks back to Pollux, and with great effort, he lets go of his arm and waits for his punishment. C H A R L O T T E | Charlotte's face was growing red, and as more people surrounded them she was even having trouble breathing, she loved Bryn and she wished she could be with him openly but she was still engaged and everyone that knew her was here. "Pollux...your majesties.." P O L L U X | He releases her arm as Nate speaks. Pollux curses under his breath. " Nothing, " he mumbles, sounding like a child who knows he's about to get lectured. He finds himself slowly backing away from the pair, almost hiding behind Anya's skirts. L E V I | just what the hell was going on, levi felt so out of the loop, he was usually so perceptive but this time it took him longer to put two and two together, and when he did...perhaps because he thought the best of bryn; either way he still did. "perhaps there is a better time ta' settle things-" he implores his friend to listen, he'd back him up but...the matter stood there were kings and queens getting involved and this didn't bode well. S I L A S | He had went outside for a moment to talk to his father, when he returned he frowned when he saw a group of people that were obviously having a problem, his frowned deepened when he saw who were there, he approached his best friend and Charlotte "What is going on" Hie finally saw Bryn and he now had an idea still he wanted to know "Charlotte, darling. May you tell me what is going on?" A N Y A | suddenly, there is a king and a queen in front of her. her eyes are widened with shock and she wants to hide the bread-weapon before she can be thrown in the dungeon for the potential harm she was going to cause. she feels the prince shift behind her and she feels all the more exposed. but her gaze softens as silas joins them and her frown deepens. "silas, my lord--" she greets but what is there to say ? how do you tell someone their fiancee is cheating ?? B R Y N | The voice of a friend calmed Bryn only a little. His gaze traveled to Levi, and his words rung true - he would only get thrown in the dungeons for harming the prince. He nodded and gave Levi a look that said 'perhaps you're right,' but just as he began to back up, he saw Silas enter the room. Suddenly, all rational thought was gone, and he rushed over to him with a heavy step. "Let us settle this," he said, his voice quiet but heavy with bitterness and anger. "Once and for all." S I L A S | Silas stared at Charlotte for a moment before looking at Bryn again as he came closer, he knew best as to try and fight someone when the king and a queen were next to them "Settle what? " He looked at Pollux "Would you tell me what is happening and why does he wants to fight?" P O L L U X | " Because, " he said, stepping forward just a tad, " this asshole was kissing your fiancée. " Gods above, he regretted giving Brynjolf the benefit of the doubt. He couldn't believe he almost allowed him at his wedding. E M E L I N E | her arms crossed over her chest in confusion and agitation but her eyes eventually drift to levi who also seemed interested in the commotion. but she doesn't let her gaze dwindle on him for too long, no, because bryn decides to take a threatening step towards a duke she's never seen before. perhaps, the fiance of the woman before them ? "bryn, you need to calm down." she gives levi a look along with a nod to hold the duke back, hoping he understood what she was implying. C H A R L O T T E | "please..." She said weakly the last thing she wanted was to Bryn to get in trouble by trying o fight Pollux and Silas and they were surrounded and people were watching and she knew word of this would get to her parents N A T H A N I E L | in all the nonsense, as his brother talked, it dawned on him that he had no matter in the situation. he would be a hypocrite to say anything about what brynjolf had done. yet, it was public knowledge now and it was something he could not tolerate to escalate anymore. " brynjolf, stop this immediately! " he hissed, slamming his cane onto the ground. A V E R Y | lou startled him out of keeping an even expression; by the time she’d finished speaking he was looking rather shell-shocked. that she was staring at the floor seemed like something of a blessing. it wasn’t as if he’d had no part in the direction the conversation had gone in. the thing was– “the fuck, lou,” he said. it was instantly regretted. “i hadn’t thought about it,” he confessed. “or any shite like that.” he frowned, and tried out an answer: “yeah. i would.” it felt right. “don’t know what a fucking date is supposed to be like. that’s on you.” B R Y N | Fists clenched and jaw grinding his teeth together, Bryn was all but panting with emotion. He's eerily close to throwing a punch when Em's words reach his ears, and she whips his head to look at her. "Your majesty," he said, his voice transforming to a calm tone, though it shook with anger. He nearly said something else, but the sound of Nate's cane slamming onto the stone sent a chill down his spine - he'd never seen the king so angry. He looked back at Charlotte for a moment, his eyes widening slightly in guilt. He shouldn't have started this mess. A N Y A | suddenly, this was all the more overwhelming to witness. the duke was in silas' face and perhaps anya should've thought about her actions before following through. but with a clenched fist full of bread, she gives a blow to the man, coming to silas' defense. L E V I | levi takes a step closer, trailing after his friend, placing a /firm/ hand on his shoulder. "there are other ways ta' handle this, i'll will help you if i can mate, but this has ta' stop, come on mate why don't we take a walk..." he doesn't want to see something happen to bryn, doesn't want his anger to get the better of him. S I L A S | Silas had to take a very deep breath not to lose control and his temper right then and there, he suspected there was something going on, he wasn't stupid but that he kissed Charlotte in front of everyone, that was too much. he blinked when he saw Anya hit Bryn, with a lot of bread in her hand, it was nice to know she was on his side. "I...think this is not the time for this...Charlotte, I think we should go out and talk." He is practically giving an other he looks at Pollux "will you come with us? " He asked as he grabbed Charlotte’s arm

P O L L U X | As Anya threw the bread at Bryn, he found his jaw falling open. The smile wasn't lost on his face, however. She was a force to be reckoned with. Despite the humor of the situation, Pollux kept his eyes on Silas. He was worried for his best friend. At the look from Silas, he grimaced. " If you'd like me to, " Pollux said. He wasn't entirely sure why he was needed, but if Silas needed him, he would go. B R Y N | Bryn was at the point of dizziness from both the wine and constant swiveling. This time, the duke turned to see a woman who had just... hit him with bread? "What in the gods' name ??" He stared at her, flabbergasted and becoming more and more angry. "Who the hell are you?" He asked, before he could stop himself. Then he felt a firm hand on his back, and turned yet again to see Levi. He looked at him skeptically, but upon glancing around at the crowd, he nodded in agreement. When Silas grabbed Lotte's arm, though, he grabbed Silas's. "If you so much as hurt a hair on her head, you will live to regret it - I swear to the gods above us." He let go, hoping he grabbed him hard enough to bruise. With one more glance at Charlotte, he smiled slightly at her and looked back to Levi. E M E L I N E | gods how had this happened ?? but as the tension begins to fade, her eyes catch sight of the woman between this all. her anger dissipates but she sends a deathly glare to the woman for her unladylike actions. of all days, she chose the day of love to cheat ? surely, there was no hope left in the world. but as levi grabs bryn, she gives a nod his way to show her thanks before her interest lacks and she is back off to the balcony to retrieve her wine and continue on with the lonely night. C H A R L O T T E | Charlotte seemed to have lost the ability to talk but as Bryn grabbed Silas she knew that she had to say something before a fight did broke out "Please...just stop." She looked at Nate "I'm sorry your majesty this is my fault." She looked at Anya, Pollux and Bryn's friend before sighing "Fine let's go" At least the distance would make them stop fighting L E V I | he looks towards emeline momentarily, as if to assure her he had the situation under control, he didn't but he was trying. the closer he got to bryn the more he realizes that he'd probably been drinking, nothing ever good from women and alcohol; it was like water and oil and he knew the feeling all too well. bryn yells at him but levi takes it all in stride, he knows it's not bryn, knows he doesn't mean it. he offers a smile in return it's soft and concerned, this is no time for laughter like usual.   "he won't hurt her," levi assures, he doesn't know the situation but he glares daggers at silas all the same. "tha' i am sure o', why don't ya' come with me, alright? fresh air might do ya' some good, ya' can think about this all when there's less people." less assholes he wants to add as he idly looks to silas. L U C R E Z I A | her lips began to tremble and she blinked back tears as the nurse waited for avery's response. she was absolutely terrified. what if she had ruined everything? at his cursing she sucked in a deep breath and glanced up at him with a pout. " i'm sorry. " she apologized quickly, her face bright red. through the whole scene they'd been holding hands and as he spoke, she immediately pulled both of her hands behind her back. it was as if she'd been scolded for doing something she shouldn't have been doing. in truth, she wasn't sure what she was doing. " i... i don't know either. i just, you know, it's sanda mel and... i like you, avery. " her words are quiet and she presses her lips together, nerves at an all time high. K H A I L E E | She had to resist the urge to roll her eyes again at his joke, but in the end she settled for an amused shake of her head. As she took another sip of wine, she noticed the red tint in his skin. She knew this outright affection was as strange to him as it was to her, but still, she couldn’t help but poke fun at him: “Why, Nekhbet, I do believe I’ve made you blush.” As she spoke, she butted her hip into his softly, a hint of laughter on her lips. “Of course it would’ve been bleak. I’m a breath of fresh air, darling.” Khai’s mind went back for a moment, back to a past that was so long ago that it felt like it was another life entirely: nights spent at Kradaecan balls, Nekhbet at her side, her family surrounding her and her husband’s face turning red as they teased and tested him. It all used to be so much simpler, and she’d taken it all for granted. What was worse was that she still hadn’t even told this man whom she trusted so much what had happened to her. She opened her mouth to speak, but just as the words fluttered up into her throat, they got trapped. Her lips shut, reopened as she tried again, and then shut once more. She hadn’t said any of it aloud before and wasn’t sure she’d be able to now. N A T H A N I E L | he lets out a groan, jaw clenched as his gaze goes back and forth between those in the crowd. can not one night be off limits to the dramatics? the king hears charlotte's apology and yet says nothing, disappointed with the way his citizens have acted. he wants to speak to his brother but instead watches him go with charlotte and silas. " you have all had your entertainment for the night, go back to enjoying your sanda mel. " he announced to those that looked on. with an exhausted sigh, he lifted his hand to rub his beard. B R Y N | Bryn's breathing had not swallowed nor slowed. But he followed Levi all the same, glaring at Silas for as long as he could before the three disappeared on the balcony. "Levi," Bryn whispered, walking away from the scene with his friend. "I must hear what they say. I have to know." His eyes widened in question, as if to say 'will you help me?' S I L A S | Silas needed Pollux to be there because he knew if his friend wasn't there he would really lose it and that wasn't a good idea. once they were out side he took a deep breath "So, you decided to put out a show in front of everyone we know, on Sanda mel. How could you Charlotte, if Pollux hadn't stopped it I would have returned to see you kissing him? I get you're infatuated with him but I am your future husband and I would think that after so many years together I would deserve some respect." He took a breath A V E R Y | “well, shit, lou. i like you too.” when she had her hands entangled with his he rarely payed it any mind, but when she pulled them away her absence was always felt. tonight was hardly an exception. he reached out and took them back. “it’s–” if someone had told him, the night before, that all this would happen if he showed his face at the sanda mel celebration, he would have called them bloody mad. “fuck it,” he said, and kissed her. P O L L U X | He leaned against the wall, awkwardly bearing witness to this conversation. He agreed with all of Silas' points. The way Charlotte had acted tonight was horrifyingly disrespectful. H A D R I A N | Hadrian was sure that he’d never stop hating himself for how long it took him to finally convince himself to come to the ball. He was /nervous/... he didn’t get nervous. That wasn’t normal. And he usually quite enjoyed the holiday itself - it had never meant much to him, personally, but he was admittedly always interested in other people’s love lives. But the very reason he thought he might be so strangely nervous was also the reason why he /had/ to go. So he arrived, horribly late but he was /there/ (and he hadn’t missed the opportunity to dress up, of course). He didn’t care much for mingling just yet; he wasted no time locating his /friend/... who seemed to have a friend of his own nearby. “Well. Fancy meeting you here,” he said as he came up behind the pair. L E V I | he hadn't expected bryn to ask such a thing from him, he didn't have the heart to tell him now, he did however had the sense to in some form; in the end he decides on a compromise. "listen mate, i'll go listen, ya' don't need ta' be in tha' middle o' that right now, i'll tell you what i hear when things have calmed down tomorrow, tha' sound fair?" he eyes him, he thought bryn might go listen if he didn't stop him; thinking it was better for someone not drinking to handle the situation; gods only know what might happen if bryn heard something he didn't like. C H A R L O T T E | "I did not planned this okay...and honestly is not like I am happy anything of that happened, you think I wanted to create a scene where even the king was there?" Finally she was able to talk. "You know that things changed and you know I have feelings for him and things will be much better if we just stop this. I know that by now the only reason you want to marry me is because you don't want someone else to have what you think is yours because let's be honest Silas we don't love each other anymore...maybe we never did, and I really don't want to marry you. We would just be terribly unhappy." A N Y A | after silas and pollux left, anya suddenly felt silly for intervening. the group dispersed and she was alone once more, on sanda mel. her thoughts drift to lucien and wonder what he's doing ?? had he gotten her gift ?? but as her thoughts take over, her eyes catch a pair of lips that she didn't think would be together, kissing. a large squeal erupts but she doesn't want to ruin their moment. at least someone was having a happy sanda mel. she takes a bite out of her bread, chewing it angrily and with frustration. B R Y N | bryn's fogged mind mulled over levi's offer for a moment. while he wanted to hear what was said himself, he trusted levi to tell him the truth. then again... if he waited to hear it, he might not be able to act as soon as he'd like. but, bryn concluded, if it was something that needed to be acted upon, he would have time to plan. and so bryn nodded, his lips pressing together in cooling anger. "aye," he said, nodding. "you're not wrong." he pulled a smirk onto his lips for a moment, patting levi's shoulder sloppily and making a head motion towards the balcony. "listen close and remember well, aye?” L U C R E Z I A | her blushing was accompanied by a small smile, one she attempted to hide as she bowed her head. for someone who had expected her words to reap awful consequences, the situation had turned out quite nicely. at least avery didn't hate her. she glanced up at him, about to speak, when his lips were quickly pressed against hers. her heart jumped in her chest and her stomach was filled with butterflies. it was something she never felt before and it was incredible. she pulled back, for a moment, to look at him with shock. though, to assure him she was thankful of his actions she took her hands away from his once more, only to cup them against his cheeks and pull him back into another kiss. P Y R O S | His brother-in-law was an idiot, that much was obvious. Starting a fight on Sanda Mel was a stupid ass choice. However, he figured there was enough of a crowd and found himself sitting away, close the the refreshments so he could healthily munch away. He is surprised to see Anya coming out from the dispersing crowd. " What happened there ?? " Pyros asks in amusement as he moves to sit closer to her. S I L A S | He couldn't stop his anger anymore and he went and grabbed her by her arms, he didn't care right now if he hurt her. "Things changed because you wanted them to change, because you can't move on from a stupid mistake that you don't want to remember you were part of it too, as was Pollux and Niamh and still it seems all your issues are directed at me. And now you want to be with that fucking stable boy because it reminds you of how things were when you were young and innocent and dumb." He was yelling at her. "You don't love him Charlotte you'll get bored of him soon enough but we we have been together for years now, and maybe if you stopped acting like you are a saint you would see that too." He laughed "Never? For fucks sake Charlotte, is that what you tell yourself so you feel better about what you have been doing?" N E K H B E T | she hadn't made him blush, nope he wouldn't admit it even if she had, even if he believed her; part of him does. "somehow i don't think that would be the one thing you've ever said to me, to make me blush." he has to stop himself from practically waggling his eyebrows suggestively, instead he gets a very cheeky sort of look; plasters it on his face like a mask. he refuses to blush again, absolutely refuses (as if he can control it). he'd almost forgotten how nice it was to spend time with the women, oh how he'd missed it and the little hip butt doesn't go unnoticed with him. "that you are my dear, that you are." he agrees with her, when doesn't he usually though. she seemed as though she wanted to say something, had he managed to get her to speak of what happened back home? tugged at her memories with ones they once shared, she shuts her lips though as soon as the all too familiar bard arrives. it an instant nekhbet has to compose himself from grinning almost stupidly, the things this man does to him rivals many. he opts for a still devilish smile all the same. "hadrian, i'm glad you decided to come, i was hoping to see you." he's especially glad to see him all dressed up and looking as /delicious/ as ever. it takes him a moment, before he realizes that introductions are probably in order. "hadrian, this is lady fell, khai this is hadrian." he hadn't thought about khai not knowing that hadrian knew of him. A N Y A | anya's eyes widen at the presence of pyros before trying to calm her composure. he knew of the baby, what was she scared of ?? "a cheating whore, i suppose ??" it's not as if she had anything against the woman, other than the fact that she /did/ just cheat on her fiance in front of everyone. "i hit someone with bread," she mumbled, taking another piece to nibble on it. "again." she was relentless, especially with bread. "i received your gift. thank you, pyros." her hand reached out to give his a squeeze along with a smile. P O L L U X | He realizes now, as Silas' voice raises, that his role was meant to be the adjudicator of the fight. " Silas !! " Pollux shouts as he grabs Charlotte. His anger is warranted, but the abuse is not. " That's enough, " he says sternly, a hand on his best friend's shoulder. The words also sting Pollux, a little bit, but he knows the reaction is wrong. P Y R O S | He gives a low whistle. " Was the Charlotte ?? I always thought they deserved each other -- Silas and Charlotte, I mean. They both seems so... shallow. " That was, ignoring the fact that Pyros himself lacked any depth. He gives a loud snort. " Again ?? Who do I need to punch this time ?? " At the mention of his gift, Pyros grins. " I'm glad. I made it myself. The painting is nice. I like it a great deal. " K H A I L E E | Khai knew he picked up on her hesitation and knew she'd probably have to answer for it later, but she was forced to wipe her face clean of all anxiety when another man came up. She recognized him, and as Nekhbet introduced them officially, she pursed her lips. Khai held a hand out in greeting as she said, "I do believe we've met before, but it's a pleasure seeing you again." And then, just to the side of Hadrian's face, she spotted Matt in the distance and her heart leaped into her throat. She swallowed hard and tried to collect herself as she glanced back up at the two men before her and dismissed herself. "I believe my date has just arrived, so if you gentlemen will excuse me." She bowed gracefully and then stepped away from them, her feet carrying her in Matthias's direction. But halfway there, she stopped suddenly, unable to move further. Had he read her letter? What did he think of her now? Would he even want her if she wasn't a Lady anymore? A million troubled thoughts swirled around in her brain as she stood there, motionless, eyes glued to the only man that had ever made her truly feel anything. C H A R L O T T E | she stares at Silas and she can feel her eyes beginning to sting as the tears begin to form. "It wasn't just that... though you know that the one that started all that was you." She takes a deep breath as he keeps talking. “ And is not just that, feelings can change..." Didn't Pollux love Niamh more than anything in his life and now he loved Sybill... though of course Niamh was dead.. "Okay fine maybe we did but can you honestly say we do now?" B R Y N | He was smirking at Levi still when he saw it, in the corner of his eye. All smiles gone, he screamed out before he could stop himself, "SILAS!" With no thought or control, he pushed through the crowd and grabbed Silas by the shoulder, spinning the duke away from Charlotte. He warned him; if he hurt her, he would regret it. Bryn stepped back and balled his fist, putting all of his weight and muscle into a punch that hit Silas square in the jaw. POLLUX | As Bryn comes bursting through, Pollux' jaw drops. Fucking. Drops. What the ever loving shit is happening. C H A R L O T T E | "Bryn!" She screams as she sees him running towards them "Pollux...do something.." L E V I | he'd merely wanted to have a nice evening, he didn't regret helping bryn for a second of course but this was not his idea on how the evening would go. "if anything is ta' happen i'll step in, /i promise./" he assures his friend, but before he can say anything else bryn is already spotting something that sets him off. dear god this wasn't going to end well. levi turns on his heels, spinning around after his friend, catching the tail end of pollux stopping silas from grabbing charlottte. so that's what set him off, greattttt.  S I L A S | He was taken by surprise so after he was hit he truly didn't know what was happening but soon enough he recovers himself and takes out his sword "What the fuck are you doing." A V E R Y | he didn’t know what to do with her expression. he told himself he didn’t care what she did. if she wanted to refuse him, he was alright with that – they could go right back to being friends. but though he would accept it, he didn’t /want/ it. he wanted to kiss her again. when lou took care of that for him, he smiled against her lips. yes, he hadn’t been expecting any of it. he’d been expecting nothing. which was why this was a thousand better than his expectations. "good thing you said no to that bearorian." A N Y A | "i like silas," she answers, coming to his defense softly. he was acting incredibly normal despite the information he knew about her. but her smile grows as pyros threatens to come to her defense once again. he was being awfully sweet and it made her heart ache. pyros was here-- on sanda mel and yet, lucien was nowhere to be found. "you.. made it yourself ?" her heart grows. "i'm sure the baby will like it." anya's smile never fades and she nods happily. "i spent some time on it." P O L L U X | He supposes that he should also pull out his sword. Then again, he has children to consider. You know, Vi and Nate's children. Anya's future child. With a sigh, he also draws his sword. L E V I | "woah, woah, woah now." he sputters out, trying to get between bryn and silas once the latter brandishes a sword, he doesn't yet pull out his own blade, this had all gone too far and he didn't want to see a drunken bryn get caught in the scuffle. HELL of a punch though, he'd have to commend him for it later. C H A R L O T T E | "Gods stop fighting all of you" She screams at them "And put away all of your swords what are you doing. Do you want the king to come here again? and find everyone trying to kill each other?" M A T T H I A S | it is ODD, for once, to find himself at a ball without his clara toddling at his heels. he does not mind her company---far from it, in fact--- but he cannot deny he is glad for a few hours of /adult/ conversation. "---yes, i agree, the queen is quite...” the men about him turn to empty small talk as they walk; after a moment, matthias tunes them out, letting his gaze sweep to their surroundings instead. a handful of candles give the room a cheerful glow that warns away the encroaching night, and he smiles to hear laughter in the air. and then---OH. the lord bites his lip, lost behind his eyes—then his gaze focuses like the strike of lightning and he breathes, “khailee.” his mind is spinning. a letter still sits upon his desk, the parchment worn from worry and streaks of ink left to stain his palm. be careful with my heart, she had asked of him. how could he be anything but? the lady fell has not made this decision lightly, and neither will he; and yet, as he meets her gaze with his own, there is no uncertainty in his heart, no uneasiness to give him pause. he SMILES, face relaxed and open in the gold glow of dying sunlight, and his hand reaches for her. “my---my khailee,” he says, dipping into a bow, lips brushing across her palm, “i---my apologies for being late.” P Y R O S | A smile pulls up the corner of his lips. " That's the first time I've ever heard that. " Then, his eyes narrow. " The baby ?? What baby ?? I made the sweater for Ghost. " B R Y N | bryn was close to pulling his own sword, though he had never done so in a fight before. but the voice of levi slowed his hand, and the furthering words of charlotte stilled it altogether. he backed up a step, and then two, and then three... and soon, he was next to levi, and he gave him an 'oh shit' look that screamed that they should leave. S I L A S | He glanced at Charlotte and Pollux and it was just because of their presence and Charlotte's words that he puts out his sword. "Charlotte...I think is time we leave for the night." They had arrived together after all "Pollux...thank you." L E V I | "bryn you head out i'll be there in a minute," he pauses, eyeing him motioning with a slight nod towards the exit. he steps forward towards silas once he lowers his sword, "i don't know n' i don't care what's going, but if ya' ever, n' i mean ever lay a hand on him." he motions his head once more. "ain't nobody gonna stop me, n' i ain't bryn mate, these fancy clothes ain't me, this sword...this sword is me." he's perhaps never been more serious in his life, glowering at the man before he moves to walk back toward bryn. K H A I L E E | Khai remains frozen as he approaches, worry clear in her eyes. It was so strange, to feel so anxious and out of control all the time, to no longer be the collected, confident woman she once was. But she knew that Matt was the last person in that room that would think any less of her for it. It felt like the weight of the world lifted off her chest as his face broke into a smile, little warm beams of light reflecting off of his skin and making him more captivating than ever. 'My Khailee.' She'd never heard anything more comforting in her life. A small smile of her own graced her lips as he kissed the soft skin on her hand, and instead of releasing him afterward, she stepped closer and held on, fingers curling gently around his as she faced him. "Nevermind that. I'm just glad you could make it." There was a fight breaking out at the opposite end of the room, but Khai barely even noticed the commotion. Her mind was only on one thing: "Did you... Did you read my letter?" L U C R E Z I A | at his words she giggled, biting her bottom lip as she blushed once more. " good thing. " she agreed, giving him a nod. her hands fell back to her sides, one reaching forward to intertwine with avery's. as much as she wanted to question things and get answers, she figured she had done enough blabbering on for the night. lucrezia wanted to stop on a good note. " oh, by the way, did you get my gift? i hope you liked it. " P O L L U X | Following Silas' lead, he also puts away his sword. " It's nothing, my friend. " Still, he throws a weary glance at Charlotte. He doesn't want to see his friend bother with her still. She had once been as close to him as Silas, but she had been making so many stupid choices because of Brynjolf, he was tired of her. B R Y N | bryn was all too quick to take levi up on his offer. nodding at him gratefully, he stole one more apologetic glance at charlotte that lingered for a moment before he turned and left the ballroom, ignoring the countless pairs of eyes on his back. A N Y A | so he didn't know ? anya is flustered that she managed to out her secret and takes the bread. "i--i have to go," she says quickly, attempting to leave the ball as urgently as she can. A V E R Y | “i did.” he supposes he should have gotten her something. then again, he hadn’t been aware they were going to kiss. or really that she would be there – should have seen that one coming, though. he reckoned he could make it up to her in little ways, if things continued the way they’d begun that night. “we can share the wine.” C H A R L O T T E | Charlotte stared at Silas and pollux the people that not that long ago meant the most to her, and it seemed all that happened that night and honestly even before this night she just started to cry, she knew she loved bryn but she guessed he hand't really thought of the consequences and just wished all would be fine, She wiped her eyes quickly though and faintly nodded, she really just wanted to go to her home. M A T T H I A S | “ah---yes.” a pause, he pauses for breath as if he means to continue, but his gaze is drawn again to the smile upon her face, the worry in his eyes, and instead he sighs. carefully, he reaches out to cover her hand with his, reassurance and tenderness and something deeper, something /nameless/ that belongs only to the two of them.  the letter she speaks of is his pocket even now, re-folded along its crisp creases, the words read and read till he is sure he will see them in his sleep. ---they do not matter. they might have, years ago, when his REPUTATION was still foremost on his mind. there are far more important things in the world. clara’s laughter in the morning, the kitten chasing a ball of yarn. khailee, here, a mere few feet in front of him, her heart and soul bared. “i simply---why did you not tell me, when your parents... i could have helped you, khai. i would have, you must now that. i would never---i could never leave you behind.” L U C R E Z I A | "i'm glad." she's too high on adrenaline, on happiness to say much. her head is spinning and her heart is pounding, something she hopes isn't loud enough for avery to hear. "i would love that." she returned, swinging their arms happily by their sides. with a giggle, she glanced back at him. "have your feelings about sanda mel changed?" K H A I L E E | The more he spoke, the more she felt the walls she'd put up around her heart after this tragedy begin to break down. She hadn't let anyone in on it yet and the only time she'd given herself to process things and grieve over her lost family was when she was alone at night -- and half the time, she was too drunk on those nights to be able to feel at all. Her pain had been lurking deep down ever since the attack on her family's estate, and she hadn't dealt with most of it still. So now, as she was faced with the understanding and compassion in Matt's gaze and voice, those emotions were beginning to break free. "Matt..." Khai could feel that familiar shame creeping back in and lowered her gaze. "I'm nothing now. I have nothing. And that isn't anyone's problem but my own. I didn't want to burden you with it and-- and--" A deep breath, eyes still on the floor. "And I didn't know if you would even still want me if everything that had made me a noblewoman was stripped from me. A man like you can't be seen with someone without a title." H A D R I A N | He remembered briefly meeting the woman before, and recalled finding her pleasant to be around and interesting, so he greeted her with a genuine smile and a nod. "Good to see you." He didn't know whether to be relieved or anxious when she left so soon after he'd gotten there. He didn't have to put in the effort to fake a casual attitude towards Kael now that they were alone, but there also was no buffer, no excuse not to talk directly to him. /Gods/, when the /fuck/ had he become that person? He always spoke his mind, usually to a fault, without even the slightest hesitation. It had gotten him into trouble more times than he could count, in fact. /Why/ was this so different? "I, uh..." He scratched his head, visibly cringing at his own awkwardness. "Thank you. For the gift. It's a bit unusual... Not something most people would think of when picking out gifts for me, but I suppose you are unique. I wasn't... expecting anything at all from you, so..." He sighed, finally smiling at the other man. "It's beautiful, but it's wasted on me. I don't know how to use it." N E K H B E T | "i've known her longer than i've known anyone really." he comments, "you don't have to worry about any acts around her, at least concerning me- /she knows/." he doesn't elaborate on what she knew because it being a public place but still. "i used to work for her father, years back." another comment he adds with a shrug. he has to admit though hadrian seemed so, what's the word hesitant? nekhbet wonders if he's done something wrong or said something wrong. he doesn't think he has, should he not have given him a gift on this day? he knew that sanda mel was a bunch of bull shit after all... "i don't think i've ever given any sort of gifts for the occasion before, your expectations would have been usually right." there he'd admitted in one way or another that hadrian was different, he couldn't quite explain why..why had he been? what made him so special, the answer was more like what didn't?! "like i said in the note i can show you sometime...but if you really don't want it then trash it i suppose, or sell it." his heart almost pangs slightly at the thought, eyes advert away briefly but they come back to hadrian's smile and all is well again. "nothing beautiful is wasted on you. /nothing/." nekhbet's voice is low, it's quiet, almost like a prayer set in a hushed whisper. A V E R Y | he grins at her. “fuck nah. it’s not sanda mel. this is all /your/ fault, lou.” though just for the night, his feelings for the holiday have changed. it doesn’t seem likely that the night would have reached the same result if traditions were different. M A T T H I A S | she says his name and he watches her lips shape the word, lingering on the curves and points of each letter. his heart is pounding in his chest. the room is heavy with sorrow and something deeper that he cannot quite breathe through it. instead, he feathers fingertips up her neck, over her jaw, letting them slide into her hair; she calls herself a burden and his heart twists. “khailee---how could you ever burden me? i---i WANT to care for you, to be there to give you aid when you need it. it is not a burden. i just cannot bear to see you hurt,” he says, and his voice is gentle. “look at me." it takes both hands on her shoulders, gentle but steady, and he leans to peer into her face, forcing her to meet his eyes. “of course i want you. that was never in question.” K H A I L E E | She found her eyes fluttering shut as his fingertips traced gently over her skin and into her hair. His touch was warm, and she could feel the heat in his fingertips sinking into her skin, drifting down into her ribcage, and wrapping around her heart. Khai's eyes opened again and reluctantly moved back up to his at his lighthearted command. She could feel them stinging ever so slightly, but she blinked quickly to try to rid them of their pesky tears. "I know, I.... I know. I've just never /needed/ anyone's aid before, and I hate the feeling." Khailee reached a hand up and rested it gently against the side of his neck. She was in heels, so their height difference wasn't as drastic as it usually was, making it easy enough for her to lean in and nuzzle against him, just under his jaw. "Thank you. For everything."

M A T T H I A S |

he does not miss the fluttering of her eyes, and neither does he miss the swift blink she gives, as if at dust—or at tears. uncaring of the people about them---the fight still, a mere few paces away, he pulls her close, cheek brushing against hers.

“everything will alright, khailee. i do not know if i can do much, but i will do my best to see you in safety and comfort. i promise you.”

his hand glides through her hair, in easy, familiar reassurance, and his lips brushes her head.

“there is nothing to thank.”

K H A I L E E | To think she had nearly run from him when she'd first developed feelings for him. Her emotions had terrified her so much that she'd almost idiotically given up one of the best people she'd ever known. Her free hand wrapped around him, fingers twisting around the fabric of his clothing tightly, as he was the only source of stability in her life anymore and she never wanted him to let go of her. But every moment must come to an end, and after this one passed she pulled back.

Khai sniffled once, but with a deep breath and a slight shake of her head, the tears dried up and her face returned to its usual expression, her emotions expertly concealed for the time being.

"Now, My Lord, I do believe you owe me a dance." There was a warmth in her voice that was surprising even to her own ears. It was one that came out only rarely. She realized in that moment that she trusted Matthias as much as she trusted Nekhbet and Nicolette, who had both been in her life for so much longer, than the man standing before her had.

H A D R I A N | "Oh. I see." Hadrian had been curious how he'd known her, but he hadn't thought to ask. He was a little /more/ curious now that he'd said that he'd known her long. "She's pretty," he commented with a grin, and he left it at that. He would have been happy to keep the conversation on her for awhile; the fluttery feeling in his stomach when the topic shifted back to him was absolutely /ridiculous/, and terribly distracting. It made it even harder for him to say what he wanted to say.

"No! No, no, no,"he clarifies almost frantically, resting a reassuring hand on the other man's arm for a brief moment. "I would never. I love nice things, you know that,"he adds with a grin. "The greatest archer in all the world probably doesn't possess as fine a bow, and I've never so much as held one. But I would absolutely love for you to show me. I'll teach you to play the lute, in exchange."

It's a humorous thought, but then, he is certain the thought of him using any sort of weapon was probably humorous to most. He almost can't /believe/ the next words out of Kael's mouth, and the long, silent stare he gives him makes that much obvious. "I..." /Need a drink/, is what he wants to say. Why had he thought it a good idea to come here sober?

"I hope that that's true. You have a certain sort of beauty to you, yourself. I would hope that I'm worthy of that."

N E K H B E T | "that she is, /fiery too/ don't let her fool you." nekhbet couldn't really recall a more stubborn women either when it came down to it, had been on the the qualities about her that he'd always liked though. the assassin takes a long sip of his wine, finishing it off. he'd been more apt to actually drink his alcohol recently, he wonders if that was more hadrian's doing than his own. perhaps he hadn't been the only one wearing off on the other, nekhbet doesn't mind though; the alcohol was always a good way to ease himself from thinking too much...usually. only now he wasn't drunk by any means, he wishes he was. then hadrian is speaking again and it's /practically frantic/, that was...different, amusing even to see such a reaction; hadrian when he wasn't drinking seemed to be more easily flustered. nekhbet could get used to that he thinks, it's better than himself getting flustered. "i do," he nods, hadrian liked nice things and nekhbet liked him is was that simple, or was it- "if he did you know i could just off him so you would." he jests, laughing a bit, he keeps his words back down mostly because although it was intended as a jest, it's really less of one than he intended. "the lute?" eyebrow raise curiously. he'd never held any instruments, he thinks he has about as much talent as hadrian believed he did with the bow, still the thought of the bard teaching him how to use his fingers and blow on anything amuses him more than it probably should.

"it's settled then, we'll make a day of it sometime." he wants to crack a joke, tease the other but there is nothing to be said beyond a long gaze back to hadrian's. nekhbet licks at his lips, he wants to leave but not alone, he wants to get away from the crowd now because it's starting to feel like it should be just them. "i lie about a lot of things..." he admits, shrugging as if it is nothing. "but i'm not lying about that..." it was true and all the while when hadrian tells him he's got a beauty about him he can't stop his face from flushing fast enough, can't cover up his cheeks like some young smitten child.

so he gives a defiant look towards the side instead. he'd been told many things in his lifetime, but they always sounded the most sincere coming from the bard. “ thank you," is all nekhbet can mumble out for a moment, adding; "you are worthy of a lot, in fact can a get you a drink." anything to look away and stop his stupid face from feeling warm.

gods the vulture at a dammed sanda mel ball all flustered, who would have thought.

[aureliusbrighild-blog]

Aurelius had never had never had someone to really give gifts to, beyond perhaps his mother. He recalls giving the occasional gifts to his handful of friends in his youth but that had also been about it. He’d wanted to give his princes gifts on occasion, though he’d never gotten the nerve to do such, besides what could he get royalty that they didn’t already have? Yet he could get Theodore something, this he is sure of. Honestly, he’s sure he could get the healer anything and the young man would cherish it all the same, he’d been rather sweet like that. @teddybent​

The thing was, he didn’t know where to start with something, what to get someone who by all means was simply happy just making others happy. Theodore was the type of person to fret over others, much like Aurelius before even thinking of himself; they had that very much in common. They had a lot in common, Aurelius thinks, despite the age gap. He thinks that’s more telling of himself than it is Theodore, he tries not to think of it though, mostly because he’d helped take care of his youngest prince who had been barely younger than the healer and he’d always been rather parental towards both princes really. So it was rather an odd feeling to well have feelings for Theodore, he can’t deny that he does of course and he doesn’t really try.  Gods what a mess this all was, dangerous even to love another man, he should be more concerned with that rather than the age difference. Aurelius thinks it worth the risk though, thinks that the softness of the others lips and the tenderness in his touch was enough to make him see that. He’d finally found something though, among a pile of books, it seemed to be rather thick and sturdy and he’s more curious why it’s such an odd looking book more than anything; he only realizes how perfect this ‘book’ is though once he spots the latches on the side and opens it up. On further investigation it’s an apothecary case, just his luck! Well to be fair his luck had almost always been awful, today though, today his luck had been so grand! He can’t help but think about how it reminded him of Theodore in a way, he thinks that the healer (despite his kind nature) is the sturdiest kind of man, you have to be, he thinks; to be kind in a world so bleak. He has so much to offer and holds it all inside him, of course everything he holds inside of him is just the will to help others. Aurelius really respected him, more than that he cherished him just as he was sure the other would this gift.