a private writers blog affiliated with nocturniafm . the blog is 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 , 𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘥 and a 𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚊𝚌𝚎 written by aleera . she + her , cet . please do not interact with this blog if you are not a part of the writers group nocturniafm .
ruling lord kaelen garramoth ⸻ biography ; pinterest .
lady chantara thanachalerm ⸻ biography ; pinterest .
lord arun tripathi ⸻ biography ; pinterest .
lady ophelia verathorm ⸻ biography ; pinterest .
lord lathander tethalune ⸻ biography ; pinterest .
open starter for : kali almara & open [ accepting 0 / 3 ]
location : elaris keep , courtyard
time : at kali's arrival
leaving crowreach was horrible . silver tongued serpent preferred her own city of damnation any day and standing in the courtyard of elaris keep a sigh escaped her lips . she knew the importance of being here , she understood the value of it and how much her pressence would keep her uncle grounded , even when he pretended he didn't miss home . they were home bodies , preferring the city of laughter , dancing and carnage lust above anything else . however , the world was moving , an almara was dead and she had dealings with those who still wished to climb the steps to the throne .
" bring my belongings to the almara quarters . " hushed words to the servant taking her belongings before her dusk brown orbs fell upon the keep . she'd been here before , she didn't like it then and she suspected she wouldn't now either .
closed starter: @celcstine
location: a balcony in elaris keep
"Oi!" the small, pale sylph-like spirit beckons from its perch, standing high atop the stone balcony, the moon a halo behind his skull, the milky white of his gown rustling against a playful breeze as he hurries to wave Lathander over with those dainty fingers, tiptoeing closer to the center, and bending himself awkwardly to peek at him through the doorway. "You—where do you think you're going?" he's all saccharine as he calls, despite all, heavy-lidded and too relaxed for a proper scolding. "I'll take your apology in cursive," he informs. "I like... long loops and hearts dotting the i's..." a pause, and as he leans, his lips to stretch mischievously. "But I suppose if you insist I will consider letting you suck me off."
A sharp exhale flares his nostrils, just briefly so; the winter of his hair tossed over her shoulder, mouth pursed disapprovingly; he offers him all the orchestrated affectations expected of him, and then allows himself to soften a little. If Baeksa were truly bothered, after all, he would have made it known. He's missed him. Won't admit to it, of course. Instead, he holds out his arms with the strained tolerance of a half-tamed animal, his face turned away as though he could not stand it. "Come now... let's hug let's make up."
emerals look up to see the chae atop his little high peak , looking down upon him . in truth , he felt bad for how he'd treated him , then again the chae seemed to take no damage and when his own little remark was tossed at him , a grin appeared upon heir's lips . so he held no grudges , he wasn't fueled with hatred for him bruising his little neck or lifting him off his legs . he felt grateful to that .
his laps of judgement back in vallarion had been a minor set back . a way to distance himself to everyone else when he had believed he would never climb back into society. thankfully , the council had proven useful for once and given his household something to their name after it all had burned to ashes . instead of replying , the tethalune took long strides so he could reach the chae and instead of letting him wrap his arms around him , his palm touched his cheek in a caressing manner . " want me to suck you off right here ? " he grinned and had no trouble testing how far the chae would let him go . after all , he looked beautiful on his knees as well .
" Then it seems a shame to leave it empty. " Hue of voice deep and low, tinted with the sweetness he only reserves for her. He takes a few steps, shoulders broad, and as he dips towards her, the fabric that dons the breadth of his frame moves as if underwater, gentle and flowing, his soft lips coming to peck on her temple before he kisses the corner of her lips. " Heliophra’s heat suits you. " Pallid eyes fall on her jade like skin, smooth and warm to the touch, bare for his viewing. He does not let his eyes linger for too long, does not let her dissolve under the caress of his gaze. Instead, he comes to settle beside her, like a stone finding its place, with his chest turned towards her in a quiet alignment. " Have you settled, my love? "
By now, large hands had found a soft velvet cloth, wrapped around a bracelet made of gold and birthstones. A dragon, fierce and snarling, who would curve around the delicate bone of her wrist like a sleeping legend, reminding her of the strength she already posessed. He hands it to her, and speaks gentle and smooth. " I had this made the moment our betrothal was decided. Not out of duty or because tradition demands it. " Each scale etched with careful devotion, rubies and sapphires carved from the deepest of the Drakathar mountains. " I did not want to place some heirloom in your hands and call it a gift. I wanted to give you something that began with you, something that has been made with you in mind from the first blaze of the fire. " He hopes the bracelet would stir against her skin, the scales moving like runes coming alive. " For you have my strength already, and my hands as well. And whatever else I can spare. " His long legs are drawn in measured ease as his hand finds its rest in the hollow between leg and hip. For once, his spine is unrestrained unlike the regimental pose he so often keeps.
shoulders relax as beloved enters the library . his caressing words warming her blooming chest and the love she feels towards the heir of house malaric keeps growing . how much can it grow ? it terrifies her , because what if he disappears ? what if he leaves her as well ? horrible thoughts evaporate as peck upon forhead and the corner of her lips is recieved . as he leans out , her lips follow slightly , chasing the need for him to shower her in love further . citrine hues glow , as if found new purpose with him . " as much as i can with this heat . " silken words slip between loved lips .
warmth envelopes her further as she is presented with a gift . she never asked for anything , never felt the need to . vaelor was all she had asked for , all her bleeding heart had craved as it kept on breaking . he was mending it without knowing so and in that , she didn't need anything else . yet , her heart swells and lips curl into a smile of love . " why , you do such things which make me feel unworthy of your love . " she murmurs but it is said with love , with devotion . putting it on the gold is heavy . yet it reminds her of her duty , of her task to be worthy to stand beside him . the vassal ruling lord to be and perhaps even crownwearer . citrine hues fill with small amounts of dread at the thought and slender fingertips seek calloused hands . " the crown - " she murmurs and laces her fingers with his , making him sit next to her . " i do not believe you want it ? " it's a question , but one she believes she knows the answer to . he's too good . too valiant . " im scared it'll take you away from me . " she murmurs and clutches his hand with her fragile ones , moving herself a little more so her shoulder touches his .
—(••÷ [ SOBHITA DHULIPALA , FEMALE , SHE / HER ] in the darkness you arrive , it seems KALI ALMARA has emerged from malriths embrace. the LADY OF CROWREACH, brings with them such passion in their wake and they are known for being HEADSTRONG but also ENIGMATIC . the bloodmoon shines when the THIRTY - THREE year old joins the war. what songs would be sung in their name ? [ AVARSTHENDING ENEDH HERODEN + ARATH ] for in the decades to come they will speak of : a womans movements to rythms of folkmusic , the wrath of grief upon a womans chest & the need for retribution upon forgotten souls . may your journey bring fruit , welcome to nocturnia forgotten one. [ aleera . she / her . 32 . cet . sa , animal abuse & age gaps ] ÷••)—
name: kali almara . nicknames: none . date of birth: october fifth, nineteen ninety two . age: thirty - three . birthplace: heliophra . orientation: bisexual .
𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲
a bustling city filled with crooks , thieves and free people is what you are born into . a world which none understand unless you've seen it with your own hues . your heritage is unknown to you and the lack of need for it is something you have always prided yourself upon . your blood is that of unknown origin , of lowly creatures lurking in the shadows ⸻ but your up bringing screams louder than anything . house almara is where you first learn to walk , to talk and to be whoever you wish to be . you are a silent little girl , smiling with doe hazel hues upon all which approach your adoptive parents . you learn to read and write , to understand the world of crowreach and you love it . the city which never sleeps , the city guarded by the bloodline which has accepted you as their own . so the world spins and your youth is spent becoming a serpentine of good . you have no evil bone in your body , or so you believe , until you are old enough to realize the world is not black and white , it's gray and in hues no one can fully understand .
your first thirty years of life is spent in crowreach , underneath the wing of a beloved uncle who cherrishes your point of view , who sees the tactician and woman underneath so filled with opinions yet never voice them unless asked . the almara's guard you with their life , love you unconditionally and you love them . however , the world of nocturnia has never been kind , neither to noble nor peasant . the news of estevania's passing makes you fall into grief . the world has suddenly gotten too dark and it seems nothing can pull you out of the clutches of grief . so you cry , you weep , you morn the loss of a loved one until someone approaches , someone comes into your life wishing for secret words and whispered kisses .
an opportunity arises and you stand prepared , for while you've been good all your life , you crave redemption , retribution and vengeance for what has been lost . a council which has never meant anything to you stole your family away and you are not willing to loose anymore . so with the mind of a tactician , the tongue of a serpentine and the looks of a lady in need , you sharpen your blade to cleave within darkness .
closed starter for lord lathander tethalune; garden of elaris keep — @celcstine
Elaris keep buzzed with renewed life after a month of separation. nobles reunited with friends, lovers, rivals. laughter drifted through open halls alongside music and conversation, all of it blending into the sort of noise he found increasingly difficult to tolerate. therefore instead, he had disappeared. the gardens of heliophra stretched beyond the keep in quiet elegance as valkan occupied a secluded stone bench tucked beneath an archway of flowering vines, one arm draped across the backrest, the other loosely holding a glass he had long since stopped drinking from. from where he sat he could hear faint music carried on the wind. the past month had done little to improve his disposition. if anything, solitude had only given old thoughts more room to grow. his jaw tightened faintly before easing again. annoying. he had spent entirely too much time thinking about conversations he would have preferred to forget. eventually the sound of approaching footsteps disturbed the stillness. valkan did not immediately look up. “if you've come to drag me back inside,” he said at last, voice even as his gaze remained fixed somewhere beyond the garden paths, “i should warn you i've become remarkably committed to disappointing people lately.” only then did he lift his eyes. and found himself looking at lathander.
a rush of adrenaline had been growing in his chest since he'd last seen his beloved heir . he'd felt heartache caused by none other than himself , he'd felt lost and depraved of valkan's touch so long he wondered if he would succumb to nothing as soon as he'd catch his hues . anticipation , angst , he was in truth terrified to see him once more . terrified and thrilled all at once at gazing upon the man who made his heart ache . he'd headed for his quarters as soon as he'd been brave enough to go , only to be told the heir of thurin keep had left his chambers to explore their newfound location .
the humid air made his thin linen shirt cling to his torso . his nerves getting the better of him as the temperature wasn't the only thing making him sweat . he searched for far too long , halfway giving up until he saw the onyx curls and tall frame seated , contemplating something . did he still love him ? did he hate him ? had he truly destroyed them back in celembron ? he hesitated as he stood there , wondering if he should approach . yes , he'd come this far , yes he wanted to see him , touch him , to gaze upon him up close . if he'd let him . his words surprised him and his own emerald orbs widened with the words . he didn't disappoint anyone , he was the one who did that , the one who laid their love bare and tried to destroy it with knife and blade .
" not as good as i've become . " he murmured as he walked further into his comfort . his scent hit him like a wall , clinging to him , making him feel relieved already even when their conversation had barely begun . " you look well . " oh how a fumble for words he was producing in his pressence now that he was here . apologize you fool , ask for forgiveness , crawl upon your knees and ask if he still loves your foolish mind . " have you been well ? "
it had become almost a ritual of sorts. upon arriving in a new place, a new estate, she would seek out the library. the most optimal time was upon arriving, but given how long it took to get settled and rest after such a journey, that was not always possible. but tonight it was, and so seren set out for the library to exist in a space she felt most comfortable.
upon approaching she saw the light under the door shining from within, an indication that she was on the only one that sought out it's comforting walls. opening the door, seren was thankful she was not asked to seek solace elsewhere. "hello lady thanachalerm," seren softly greeted, walking in to begin to allow her gaze to sweep over the books. she did not speak for a moment, but soon the quiet felt like an intrusion, so she said, "i saw your intended has put his name in the running for crownwearer. such an ambitious goal," one she was certain would never interest her. but lord malaric, from what she observed, seemed to be a man of deep thought and action.
the woman which entered she recognized as the tenelith daughter . without a doubt more accustomed to libraries , scrolls and books than herself , but after vallarion she had figured that knowledge could give advice she might need in the future . citrine hues followed the other and she smiled as she mentioned her name , before awkwardly letting her orbs returning to the page she'd been staring at for the last hour or so . when the question about vaelor was given , it caught her very much off guard . had she ever thought vaelor would do something like that ? in truth , they hadn't spoken about it together and no matter how shocked she'd been in the beginning , she understood his reasoning , she after all understood him .
" i do not think it stems from ambition . " she murmured underneath her breath , gentle and slender fingers covering the page of her book with her hand . she looked at the tenelith then , the smallest hint of a smile upon her lips . " vaelor is virtuous , kind and a man who wishes for the world to be good - " he did . he wanted to give her the freedom of the world , the freedom to be who she wanted to be , to explore the world with the eyes she chose and not what had been placed upon her . he had no hope for her evolution , she wanted to create that herself , to be worthy the man brave enough to step up for a crown he did not even want . " he is not ambitious , he is good . " she replied and without knowing , she was smiling with love and devotion , to a man who deserved whatever he wished for , in her mind .
closed starter for : kaelen garramoth & marya morvaen
location : abandoned garden outside elaris keep's gates
time : close to sunrise , second day . [ @rotfire ] .
all life had evaporated from ruling lord of sheer castle . the man was a shell of himself , tormented by the lack of braxigar air and it's poison . he'd escaped his shackled confinements only to stand in an empty abandoend garden , looking over the dead plants stolen by the sun . it felt a little closer to home , closer to everything which had happened before he'd embarked upon this journey without his wife and with the knowledge of a betrayal by his son . he stood there , watching the death before him , letting his mind curl inwards on itself . his appearance anything but normal . he'd never let himself fall before , never let a hair out of place or stubble grow . yet , he was competely empty and void of usual remarks and demeanor .
the rustling from someone approaching made empty onyx hues turn . he simply gazed at marya for way longer than he would . no smile , no sneer , no remark or greeting . his arms hang loose against his sides until his head tilted back . " and the daughter appears . " he murmurs without emotion , with lack of everything . the fight within so strong he can barely muster anything . the world needed to burn , or so help the unknown ⸻ he'd sacrifice them all to get back what he lost .
location : main hall of elaris keep ⏲ the forgotten world
from : chae haneul , liege of greenspire
to : ophelia verathorm , lady of moonlake [ @celcstine ]
arriving at heliophra is a busy affair, with many people beginning to mingle once they arrive, whispering from one ear to another, catching up on what has happened, and a very few boisterous laughs. it seems that what little laughter and glee left of velkynar dims as news of the dead reaches their ears, turning excitement into fear and apprehension. as many settle within their rooms, haneul returns to the hall, waiting for a particular royal to finish packing and come to the main hall. once dark eyes find what they have been looking for, perhaps luckily so, they seek time until she is free to speak.
after not too long, when there is a gap between the greetings and conversations, they walk through the crowd, to stand next to her. "lady verathorm." a low voice begins, and as they are not away from prying ears, they speak quietly. "i believe congratulations are in order." the slightest tilt of their mouth into a smile, they clear their throat. eyes looking around, they find the environment much too crowded to speak freely. "would you happen to have a quick moment to chat in private?"
the wheel kept spinning . it never truly stopped and no matter how annoyed she was at being gathered with the rest of nobility once again , she felt pride in her chest . once more , her name was amongst others , once more she would compete with her brother for a crown . the other names meant so little to her , she felt no need to even acknowledge them . say , perhaps besides the lady velwyrn , their last meeting had been pleasant or as pleasant as one can be in her company . with her hand holding a goblet of wine , she let her index finger swirl the edges of it . serpentine hues looked over the masses as she stood more or less alone , yet listening in on boring and pathetic conversation .
a known smell came into her nostrils however and as the liege of greenspire stood next to her , the twitch of a smile formed . " did you think my liege , i would not put myself back in this situation ? " neither looked at one another , but at his question of privacy she gave a gentle nod . with usual steps she glided along the main hall , stepping out onto one of the many balconies . the air in heliophra was so different form morkhul , yet it held a pleasant warmth to it . better than vallarion that was for sure . turning to face them , she placed her goblet upon the railing , then her arms on each of her sides , leaning against the railing . " now , what have i done to deserve your company liege chae ? " tilt of her head and for once , a pleasant companion before her .
"we both ache for the place we once called home, i suspect," sloane murmured, standing beside him and letting her light eyes take in the view before them. while she had grown up in vallarion, had lived there now, she had felt that heliophra was her true home. it was the place she fell in love, and raised a child. it had memories far happier then anything she had ever felt in vallarion. "at least vallarion is a warmer climate then drakathar. i can convince myself i am in heliophra if i desperately need to, but i imagine leaving a place such as this for a snowy and mountainous region can leave the soul yearning for what it knows. and cannot allow it to be easily fooled." sloane looked at the tripathi and let herself wonder, "how often do you get to return? or is it only when lady kaelvorn is summoned?" at least she had the option to return, when there were not travel restrictions in place, that is.
a frown was created between his brows . he'd never known the lady caldrithen to live in heliophra , then again his youth had been swords , sweat and duty . he'd rarely left the sanctum , venturing outside it's borders had not been part of his world and he never had felt the need to either . he had his siblings , his words and scripts to follow to be part of the household which stood close to the realm and it's crownwearers . " i did not know you lived in heliophra for a time lady caldrithen . " his voice is somewhat stunned , then again he had never lacked in showing his emotions when caught off guard . a sigh escapes his lips and carnelian hues look in the direction of the sanctum . " i haven't been here since lord kaelvorn purchased my oath for his daughter , i do not venture home unless lady kaelvorn deems it the right place to go and it might surprise you , but the drakatharian prefer their cold mountains . " he said with a hint of amusement in his lips . he missed the sanctum , perhaps more than he wished to say , then again he knew the world now was bigger and broader than he ever believed and he would not be without his experiences of love , sorrow and loss .
Her cheeks were beginning to hurt from smiling so much. But as more and more faces flooded through Elaris Keep, and the accompanying city, Leyla had found herself stopping to greet as many as possible. Her home was the setting for the next gathering, the space where the velkynar had chosen to congregate for a pending announcement from the council. As a member of House Altinsoy, she wanted to ensure she was playing her part perfectly. She would be as gregarious and as poised as she was always expected to be, a good hostess in the eyes of her family and all those who gathered there. But it was exhausting, smiling and greeting so often, falling into small talk and pleasantries. Social events came with strict social codes, even when the event was just stumbling upon another noble in the bustling marketplace. Even the courtyard was another stage for another play, but she felt her body relax at the sight of a familiar face. House Tripathi was another great noble family of the hollow, and she had once been very close to its youngest member. Her smile warmed at the thought that the broken thread between her and Diay had been mending. It made it less awkward as she approached one of the other’s brothers. “ So it would seem, ” she matched the kindness of his tone and allowed her smile to sit more natural, crinkling her eyes with a genuine warmth. “ Though, I suspect it is with a different admiration we look upon it. Does it feel good, to be back in Heliophra, my lord? ” His duty had been in Drakathar, a place so different from here it felt like it belonged within fairy tale and not reality. Harsh and cold mountains, snow capped stone jutting through the sky, and the screeches of beast that could fell any velkynar in a heart beat. It must have been so different from their shared homeland.
carnelian orbs fell upon the youngest altinsoy .the young woman had grown since he'd last seen her and considering he knew how diya and her had been close before he left , it was nice to see a somewhat familiar face , especially someone from his original home as well . his shoulder leaned back and his demeanor was less tense than usual . the air itself made him feel better and perhaps it was a welcoming warm breeze .
honesty had been the downfall of many , but he prided himself on being as true as he could to both task and person . " i do not quite know . " he mused and let his orbs fly over the scenery before them once more , before landing on a young woman who had without a doubt changed since last they met . " once warmth and sand was everything i knew , now ? i know so much more and wonder if i did not leave this place , would i be who i am ? " a smile laces over his lips and even with truth in his words , he feels no burden in expressing them . " how have you been lady altinsoy ? last time we spoke was so many moons ago , i hope you and diya still keep in touch ? "
closed starter for : kaelen garramoth & nuray altinsoy
location : secluded tower in elaris keep .
time : a day after everyone arrived . [ @prophcsy ] .
an emptiness had taken root within the ruling lord . one which was circled by demons and beasts , wishing to be let loose . everything had changed within a few moments . every goal , every want and desire ⸻ evaporrated into the depths of despair . the tower of elaris keep had been his only demand upon arrival , for no matter who you are , the council will not let you avoid a gathering , not even when the one you love most dies in your arms . onyx hues look upon pale hands . in his mind they are covered in crimson still , so deep it's almost purple . his hands encase his face , wanting to be closer to someone he could no longer reach , someone gone from this world into the unknown .
the room he's in is void of living . he's been sitting there since arrival , uncertain if he can be close to others without blood being drawn . the madness of home cascaded like a river around him , enveloping him into who he was , to be become . his world lacked all light . from betrayal of his own flesh to the death of his beloved . her name echoes still in his mind like a never ending anthem . lost in his own headspace the door to the tower creaks . only a selected few were allowed to pass the guard stationed at the bottom of the tower and it's door . withering ruling lord doesn't turn to greet , doesn't say anything ⸻ for what words can be used , when your soul is being torn into shreds ? between the need for more madness and a room covered in crimson by those who stole your whole world ?
open starter for ásta malaric — ( 0/5 )
location: a heliophran garden, dimly moonlit
time: a cool portion of the night
Adept fingers looped in string, the other edge pulled taut—already thread through as if fine needle, a sailor’s knot used for kinder ends. Ásta restrings the lyre with the same affinity one commonly spares for walking, and with the same speed and fraughtness as one scared and running. The first one had snapped at the sharp chord of the news, and the many there-after on the rocky road to Heliophra, past the cobblestone, into the melting snow. In a rare moment of wisdom, they had shoved several spares into their traveling chest alongside a second amber bridge, just in case.
This garden was meant to be secluded, as secluded as it could be when Heliophra had found itself with what Ásta could only assume was their people, thrice-fold. Music tended to calm their nerves, and had won them enough coin on their travels to afford more than a mat of hay (well, when such was available), yet oft-times it felt as if all a jest, as if this was just a respite, mercifully granted to this stumbling fool. But Ásta would grab it, hang onto it gratefully, and sing when asked. And when unasked, would do so privately, regaining breath while losing it to song. And so when finally in position, they start to play. Clumsy at first, but tuning away the dissonance with each stumble, until soon it smooths as if velvet-cloth, sweet as custard.
A rustle, unknown if the tame winds or someone’s uneven steps. Their ears are too sharp from changes of the whistles of winds and of strings. The melody stops in its tracks as their head whips around. “Is—” Onyx eyes refocus, in worry and fright. “Who goes there?”
the sound of a lyre is heard in one of the many oasis gardens of the elaris keep . citrine hue's find themselves eager to find it's creator and with gentle and easy steps , the thanachalerm daughter carries herself to the oasis . it's astonishing how the heliophrians are able to live in the desert , yet build their homes in places where greenery has found sanctuary . perhaps the place is created or maybe it was here before the keep ? the secrets of old lay burried deep within their world and perhaps they will never come to light . silken clothing sway in the wind as she approaches and when she finds the creator of the beautiful sounds , her shoulders sinks back into comfort . she did not know when asta had returned from their travels , all she knew was that they were upon draegor when she and vaelor returned from vallarion . " it's me , asta . " careful words , whispered to let the music still sway her , like a serpent wanting to move to it's tune . " i can leave if you'd like , i just really wanted to know who made such beautiful tunes at such difficult times . "
location : tethalune chambers ⏲ the forgotten world
from : orion tethalune , liege of kal'thera coven
to : lathander tethalune , lord of kal'thera coven [ @celcstine ]
the welcoming at elaris keep is as well organized as it comes, preparations clearly having been made for some time to accept houses from all five hollows. orion tries to ignore the bone-deep exhaustion and greets their hosts properly with a hint of warmth that's hard to muster, and makes their way to the tethalune chambers. some of their bags are already in their rooms, and the urge to just lie down on the bed is difficult to fight. they walk through the main room and lounge over one of the large sofas, a hand going up to pinch the bridge of their nose. there is a lot to do, and so much that's unclear.
the sounds of footsteps reach their ears, and it doesn't take a detective to know who it is without needing to look up. when the eldest tethalune walks into the room, orion looks up. a second of silence passes between them before they speak, words carefully chosen at first. "it seems chaos has struck already, hasn't it?" news of the dead coming as soon as they arrived, another royal murdered, with no answers about the perpetrators. it's jarring, although there is a bitterness inside orion that comes from grief of their lost home, that it's yesterday's news already. "garramoth's were next on the list. after us, i suppose." their facade begins to crack; in a way that it tends to falter around their brother, something raw and uncomfortable between them. "i would say please be careful, but i assume you won't listen?"
biting into the green apple , the tethalune heir noticed his youngest sibling sneak away into their chambers . he wondered why orion always seemed so up tight , as if they would be anywhere else in the world but where everything happened . emerald hues fell upon them as he stood in the door way , eyeing his younger sibling who seemed annoyed at the slightest of things . " i wouldn't say they were upon any list ? horror befalls us all . " he states in a matter of factly tone , ignoring the worry which seemed like ivy vines clinging to them . " to be quite frank - " he says with a chuckle escaping him as he walks closer to where orion is laying upon the bed . " i'd rather we are yesterdays news than todays gossip , i prefer finding the gossip than being it . " he muses with a wicked grin upon his lips . perhaps he was a masochist , perhaps he was too greedy and selfish to realize that there was a world outside his periphery . " we have a home , orion ⸻ somewhere to go back to , isn't that enough ? loosen a little up . "
open starter for : chantara thanachalerm & open [ accepting 3 / 3 ]
location : library for elaris keep
time : in the middle of the night , second day
slender finger flip through pages of a book about herbs and growths in heliophra . in truth , she wasn't paying attention to the book at all , her mind was filled with swirling confusion and worry . her beloved had applied for the crown , her closest friends had betrayed her for made up tales and she missed her family more than anything . leaving asharok had been difficult , watching lenore lie straight to her face even worse . life had suddenly began to take turns she had never believed they would . yet , she found herself seeing reason . she would grow stronger , pride herself upon her purity and polish it into diamond , make herself unmoving .
the door the library creaked and citrine hues lifted . " there's only me in here , there's space for two . " she murmured without noticing who it was , her absent orbs placed back upon the book before her , while her mind was somewhere else completely .
open starter for : arun tripathi & open [ accepting 2 / 3 ]
location : elaris keep , courtyard
time : a day after arrival
the warm wind whip at his tanned cheeks . the smell of former home soothing something within the tripathi son . standing upon the defences of elaris keep , he gazes over the desert covered land . it felt weird being back in heliophra after all this time , to be back where all his roots are , where he first cried as a babe and first time he held a sword . his fingertips glide along the sandstone defences , letting his carnelian hues soak in the surroundings . did he miss being here ? did he want to be here instead of snow covered peaks and mountains in drakathar ? his mind is clouded by it all , uncertainty lacing within his mind . the rustle of approach comes close and the knight of nocturnia turns to see he is no longer alone . " seems i'm not the only one wishing to look upon the sands of heliophra . " gentle and soothing , like his very being his voice echoes .
lukesh nodded and ran his hands over his face. lathander was right, he thought. everyone had their own things to deal with but for a moment, the heir believed he didn't even deserve that. he had to be strong for his family, for the other families who have lost something. the stress of being the heir to the vynetwist citadel was never ending and with his inability to speak to his closest friends, the stress had expanded.
the touch on his cheek is welcomed, for a moment, lukesh closed his eyes and let his mind slip out of the anxiety and grief he had been experiencing for days. just for a moment, lathander might be right. this might not br his mystery to solve, at least for now. his family was still alive, so he would drink to that.
he nodded then smiled at lathander before he patted him on the shoulder. "yes, i can celebrate that." he chuckled. "i can only stay for a drink, of course. i am needed to attend to my mother and sister later but if i am late, they will probably assume the worst of me anyways." he told the other with a shrug.
" why such a bore . " he sigh as he at least got the tenelith heir to go with him . two heir's to each of their vallarian house , yet so different in every aspect of the word . perhaps the tenelith was more suited for their spot ? perhaps he was everything but and still lacking . he didn't mind that really , his family was safe and even if their home had burnt to a crisp , he would rather see sera alive and orion angry .
" take a bottle then , if you are so prude to have only one drink . a bottle is still one drink . " he muses and walks with the other towards one of the taverns in celembron . it had been some while since he'd felt alive , since he hadn't been the ghost of himself . he did hold regrets upon his actions , he did find himself searching for forgiveness from some he couldn't reach ⸻ but what use is forgiveness in the lack of pressence ?
" now , if you do not walk out of that tavern unable to walk , i will not let you go home lord tenelith - i believe you should listen to me, a heir , just like yourself , just a more handsome and wicked one . " he mused with a grin upon his lips , ready to drown himself in wine but this time , for being alive , for having a home to his household and coven . life wasn't so terrible after all and whatever might come , he would survive it , especially since he was able to watch his home burn to nothing and still smile .
