Drop Me in Books

"Books must be read as deliberately and reservedly as they were written."

[darkstmercy]

mika teagarden ❀ summer court ❀ scholar ❀ intro ruan carstairs ➜ day court ➜ master of coin ➜ intro

[darkstmercy]

rubbing his hand over his face, ruan groaned softly. at this point, he was exhausted. festivals and big celebrations weren't really his forte, or his cup of tea in the slightest. at this point, he just wanted a nap, but felt that it was his duty to keep an eye on all of the members of the day court as they celebrated. surely too much money couldn't be spent during this, right? but there were far too many booths for him to keep track of everyone. that was exactly how he found himself sitting by the fire, a tall glass of sparkling water in his hand. because ruan, didn't drink. how could you when you needed your focus on all of the money. hearing someone's footsteps close to him, he looked up at them. "please don't tell me that you've spent a ridiculous amount of money and you'd like me to calculate the total." ruan's voice grumbled softly. he was nice, really, but money was a sore subject at celebrations like this. "however, conversation and snacks would be rather welcome."

@ofcourtfablesarchive

[n1ghtsongs-deactivated20250913]

the spring lady glances up at being addressed, wide-eyed and in the midst of their own admiration of the daisy upon their finger. here in summer, it is true what they say about the blooms which do not wilt, and even this one, kept safe with promise, is no different. tyanna returns the bright smile with one radiating of her own, and she gives a little applause. "oh, i wouldn't deny you that. it's wonderful to be celebrating. but should we go with literal light? something in the yellow gems? or ... more metaphorical?" she taps her chin, then leans to the offered box to glance through the gemstones. it nearly takes her breath away; one thing to hear of the dragomir coffers, another to realise that the gems are sourced and real, not merely simple decoration. "well. some of these are ... huge. would it make us greedy to pick the largest ones?" the dowager zarathin may disagree, but tyanna never has been built like their mother in that regard.

[darkstmercy]

giggling, mika was glad that someone else was as excited about making beautiful necklaces and bracelets as she was. the other's excitement could very easily been seen to match her own, and it was intoxicating. she tended to feed off of others, matching her energy to theirs. "you made my day, you know? others haven't been so brightly excited about making jewelry with me." mika's dark eyes widened at the suggestion. the more and more that was said, the more and more she was filled with excitement. "oh, that's genius. yo have such a good eye!" mika wanted to bounce with excitement, but she worried what others might think, and if it was appropriate for someone of her position. "perhaps a combination of them." her eyes drifted down to the larger gems, picking up one of them, rubbing her thumb over it. "i don't see why not. it's late enough in the day that if someone else wanted them, they'd have taken them." mika wasn't a materialistic person, but she couldn't deny that the gems in front of them were absolutely beautiful.

[ethercvl-archive]

╰   ♡   in   years   past   kris   would   have   been   getting   into   some   sort   of   trouble   during   the   celebration.   between   messing   with   stations   or   making   a   scene   at   one   of   the   public   ceremonies.   doing   just   about   anything   to   anger   alina   in   his   own   anger   over   the   treatment   she   had   received   from   their   father,   his   lack   there   of.   however   this   year,   it   has   all   been   different.   apart   from   the   moment   that   lavinia   accused   him   of   having   a   lack   of   enthusiasm   he   had   actually   been   participating.   including   having   already   made   one   necklace   in   the   very   booth   they   were   at.   ❝   you   do   not   need   to   make   me   one,   this   is   not   the   first   nor   the   last   solstice   celebration   i   will   be   involved   in.   ❞   the   summer   lord   had   no   plans   of   leaving   the   summer   court,   even   if   his   relationship   with   his   family   was   rocky.   ❝   if   you   still   insist,   i   enjoy   the   moonstone.   ❞

[darkstmercy]

aiming her head up toward kris, mika offered him a smile, taking a moment to look at him, wondering how he was enjoying the solstice festival. she was personally enjoying it but she knew not everyone was. a necklace or a bracelet would provide a momentary lapse of peace, perhaps a way to remember what could be a peaceful day amongst any drama or stress. "is everything alright, my lord?" she asked, reaching for the moonstone, rubbing her thumb across over it, adoring the color. "moonstone will look lovely on you. i'd be absolutely honored. please, have a seat if you'd like," mika gestured toward the empty seat across from her as she gathered all of the materials to make lord kris a necklace.

[manonvalfaren]

TAKEN ABACK BY THE QUESTION, IT TOOK MANON A GOOD FEW SECONDS BEFORE SHE FOUND HERSELF ANSWERING. "I would say Aquamarine. I like the pale blue hue of it, it reminds me of ice caps. But, I also rather like flourite stones! The green ones and the lilacs, they also have that ice-y quality about them." she chatted. Did it show too much she was a Winter fae? Perhaps, but she found herself caring very little about it as the other fae offered to make a necklace.

color her interested.

"Oh, you can make jewelry? That is so wonderful! I'd be honored if you'd make me a necklace. Is it hard to make one? What materials do you use?" she found herself brimming with questions, interest piqued & excitement high.

[darkstmercy]

hearing the other's preferences of gems, mika took note, mentally saving each in her head as she looked through some of the gems laid out before them. She knew what aquamarine looked like, as it was s light blue, matching the combination of the sky an the sea, but she didn't spot any flourite immediately. "aquamarine is beautiful. i understand why you like it! we see stones around the beaches here that have a similar color, but they're not gems in the slightest." reaching for some yarn, a darker blue to match the other's choice of gems. mika gestured toward the seat across from her.

laughing, she shook her head. "you say that like i'm knowledgeable about it. all i know is what i saw in a children's book. but i can still show you if you'd like." mika grabbed the thick yarn and the pieces of metal wire. "i've been using this metal to hold the gems inside, you kind of wrap them around tightly, then weave the thread through and can make a design for the rest. i've been braiding them because it feels gentle against my neck."

[brckenrctual]

"i shall not assume that any truly have been. but i have witnessed hesitancy before from those who may be --- uncomfortable with this station." birthed from fear of the unknown, certainly. but that is a hunch without certainty, and vijaya cannot dwell too long on what it means for people to stay within that fear. she does what she can. what more could the mother ask of her?

her purple silks spill in loveliness as she finally sits. the rower pushes off from shore, and she finally takes in the fae opposite her. "i'm afraid i still haven't memorize all the faces that have come to live in summer for the time being. i am high priestess vijaya, of day. and you?"

[darkstmercy]

pouting softly, mika looked at her, sad to hear the hesitancy. uncertainty was a fear that was instilled in people whether or not they realized it. it could very quickly become something that would make everyone's lives more and more difficult. but the newly appointed scholar wasn't sure how to discuss that with anyone. "i understand the hesitancy, but there's never intention for anyone to be uncomfortable. in fact, all we want here is the opposite of that," mika's words slid from her mouth, full of those very emotions, uncertainty and fear. she didn't know what anyone else felt, but it still bothered her. fear was upsetting, in all sense of the word.

shaking her head, mika waved it off with a smile. "oh gosh, don't even worry about it. there's so many of us, i don't blame you. for years, i didn't have to learn names, and now, there's far too many." for the past forever, mika had spent all of her time in the library, but now, she was part of the inner circle, meaning she would be conversing with so many other fae. it was time to learn and practice. "that's a beautiful name. it's wonderful to meet you. i'm mika, scholar of summer."

[everleighsmithxoxo]

OPEN STARTER FOR EVERYONE

To say that she missed the Spring Court would be an understatement. Sure, the Summer Court was nice, but it wasn't home, no matter how hard she tried to make it. She had been hunched over a notebook working on latest collection of sketches when the chime above the door rang and she looked up. Standing up, she smiled at the person who had entered. "Hi, welcome." She greeted. "Is there anything I can help you with today? Are you just looking? Need something custom made?" @ofcourtfablesarchive

[darkstmercy]

despite spending most of his time coordinating and protecting the money of the day court, ruan had some money set aside for himself. it was all still well within budget and every once in a while, he felt he should indulge. today was one of those days. he'd been searching for a fabric that wouldn't stain so easily as occasionally, taking notes could be a little dangerous, considering people liked to distract him. not that he was blaming anyone in particular, but money was always a subject others wanted to discuss. and in that regard, he wanted to be protected from accidents. "custom. quick. stain proof," ruan explained, looking around at all the fabric. "not too expensive, preferably."

[slivertm]

“oh, allow me,” lavinia offers, hospitable as she can be. in one fluid motion, the summer high priestess plucks the dripping salt water from the other fae’s rings and robes, and back into the water from whence they came. oh, the folly of an underwater temple! unfortunately moving the entirety of the temple and its heritage was beyond her husband’s talents — although it was certainly was a task she would have sent the general on if it was possible.

“don’t want you getting sick before we’ve even lit the bonfire.” it was of utmost importance that everyone in attendance enjoyed themselves. she would make sure of it. lavinia takes a familiar tone to her acolytes - knowing when her voice grows stern, letting you know this is no suggestion: “i will, of course, see you at the feast?”

the shore outside of the temple of the deep, post-solstice ceremony.

open for @ofcourtfablesarchive.

[darkstmercy]

looking down at the salt water, mika wondered how she hadn't realized it earlier, but knowing her, she was in a daze, or thinking about a book she'd read recently. she watched as lavinia plucked it from her and laughed lightly. "thank you, lavinia! i honestly should've been paying more attention, but there's so much to catch up on in the archives," mika sighed softly, trying not to stress herself out too much. she wanted to prove to the summer court that they made a good decision. "i don't have time to get sick," she laughed, running her hand through her fiery red hair. "nor do i want to." nodding brightly, she bounced on her toes. despite knowing she needed to continue organizing the archives so that she could easily find everything for the future, mika knew that fun was in order as well. "i might have to think..." she started before laughing. "of course! you know i wouldn't miss a good feast. food is the best thing for the soul!"

[botryoidals]

Distracted  with  a  plate  in  hand,  Patime  was  wandering  around  the  walking  banquette.

“I  feel  like  I  want  to  do  everything  at  once,”  she  commented  after  a  sigh  to  whomever  she  was  closest  to.  Her  gaze  darted  from  one  plate  to  another,  openly  avoiding  anything  resembling  a  vegetable.  “I  still  don't  know  if  I'll  see  a  performance  next,  or  go  dancing.  As  for  the  latter,  I  don't  know  if  I'm  too  keen  on  the  idea  of  doing  it  alone.”   

⸻ open for @ofcourtfablesarchive

[darkstmercy]

raising his eyebrows, ruan looked out over at all of the activities that the summer court created for the celebration. the master of coin in him was curious how much all of this cost. all he wanted to do was spend his time analyzing each and every piece of equipment, vendor stall, and amount of food surrounding him. he knew that if the day court did something like this, he'd have overanalyzed every little thing. although now that it wasn't part of his job, ruan figured he should explore something. "that seems a bit impossible," he explained, looking at her and then out at all of the activities. "i don't dance, but i will watch a performance with you or perhaps try some food."

[darkstmercy]

‘ daniel henney, cis male, he/him, 45/450 , high fae ’ ― cauldron save you. it seems RUAN CARSTAIRS has been teleported to the summer court, the MASTER OF COIN from THE DAY COURT is said to be RESILIENT and is said to describe themselves with SLY LOOKS OF JUDGEMENT JOINED BY A SILENT SMIRK, TRAINING SESSIONS WITH HIS FAVORITE WOODEN STICKS TO KEEP HIMSELF IN SHAPE, TRICKS THAT ARE SLIGHT OF HAND TO ENTERTAIN THE YOUNG ONES, ORGANIZATION THAT RIVALS A LIBRARY'S SYSTEM and with all of this in mind their SUPERSTITIOUS nature always seems to get them into trouble. may the mother hold them as they navigate this unthinkable time.

~ ruan spent his entire life in the day court, building up his craft, fostering relationships, and learning the ins and outs of everything related to how to start a business. he befriended all the right people and by the time he was a teenager, he could negotiate a price down to anything he wanted. but it wasn’t because of his charm, it was because of his knowledge of the coin. ruan knew money backwards and forwards. he knew how to control it, how to get it, and how to manage it. his knowledge of it made him feel special. 

he took this skill and got himself jobs all over the court, eventually catching the eye of the late day court high ruler. ruan regaled them with his knowledge, and promised to take good care of their finances. and that he did. ruan is the master of coin and thrives on the title of master. he’s fully aware that he’s good with numbers, and how to manage it. very quickly, he found himself loving every single member of the day court, wanting nothing more than to protect every single one of them from harm. anything he could do in regard to keeping them safe around money, from money, and for money, he would. 

ruan is very resilient, promising to do everything to keep those he cares about safe. and his stubborn nature makes him a force to be reckoned with. he enjoys being around other fae, sure, but that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t find excessive questioning and unimportant conversation annoying. he’s one of those who enjoys conversation with meaning and purpose. 

[darkstmercy]

making something to memorialize a moment felt like a good way to celebrate her court. but not just that, but to celebrate all of the wonderful fae that she'd get a chance to know. whether or not they'd feel that way was up to them. but mika firmly believed everyone should get a chance to prove themselves. her stubborn nature could easily get her into trouble with this desire, but she didn't care. it was how she found herself making jewelry to celebrate the moment, a necklace that would honor the occasion. looking up, she flashed the fae in front of her a bright smile. "what's your favorite gem? i can make you a necklace, or even a bracelet to celebrate the occasion. it might be nice to remember this moment of calm amongst the storm."

@ofcourtfablesarchive

activity: beading & jewelry

[botryoidals]

Distracted  with  a  plate  in  hand,  Patime  was  wandering  around  the  walking  banquette.

“I  feel  like  I  want  to  do  everything  at  once,”  she  commented  after  a  sigh  to  whomever  she  was  closest  to.  Her  gaze  darted  from  one  plate  to  another,  openly  avoiding  anything  resembling  a  vegetable.  “I  still  don't  know  if  I'll  see  a  performance  next,  or  go  dancing.  As  for  the  latter,  I  don't  know  if  I'm  too  keen  on  the  idea  of  doing  it  alone.”   

⸻ open for @ofcourtfablesarchive

[darkstmercy]

chuckling softly, mika adored hearing the excitement about the festivities surrounding the two of them. "it can be overwhelming, but my advice is to just go with what you see first. and i'll absolutely dance with you. in fact, anything you'd like to do, we can do together." one of her favorite parts of festivals and celebrations like this was that it gave her a chance to interact with fae that she wouldn't normally interact with. there were so many wonderful personalities among all of the fae and it felt like an absolute honor having them here.

[everleighsmithxoxo]

OPEN STARTER FOR EVERYONE

To say that she missed the Spring Court would be an understatement. Sure, the Summer Court was nice, but it wasn't home, no matter how hard she tried to make it. She had been hunched over a notebook working on latest collection of sketches when the chime above the door rang and she looked up. Standing up, she smiled at the person who had entered. "Hi, welcome." She greeted. "Is there anything I can help you with today? Are you just looking? Need something custom made?" @ofcourtfablesarchive

[darkstmercy]

most of mika's time was spent tucked away in libraries, surrounded by books, and the clothes she wore reflected that. but it'd gotten to the point where they'd become so worn and unreliable that she was in desperate need of something. as she walked in, her eyes lit up with all of the beautiful items around. "oh hello! i was hoping to find some breathable items for cool and hot days. i also tend to find myself on the floor quite a bit, so it would need to be suitable for that," mika explained, laughing lightly.

[shvdwscng]

𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃 ⎯ @ethercvl ( gaeul ) , @slivertm , @liuyan , @ofcourtfablesarchive

her  elder  sister  leaves  no  stone  unturned  in  preparing  for  their  court's  sacred  solstice  celebration  -  of  course  this  was  no  surprise  for  the  high  lady.  the  two  sisters,  shared  in  their  need  and  drive  for  perfection,  and  gradually  were  learning  they  have  far  more  in  common  then  either  believed  or  would  ever  admit  to.  it  was  a  relief  to  have  one  thing  off  her  endless  plate  of  duties,  and  further  more,  lavinia  would  enjoy  planning  this  celebration  far  more  than  alina  would,  not  due  to  her  lack  of  enthusiasm  for  summer  solstice  but  of  other  thoughts  weighing  on  her  mind.  the  celebration  had  garnered  the  response  they  had  hoped,  the  tension  of  months  prior  slowly  breaking  as  most  of  her  guests  appeared  to  be  enjoying  themselves.  she  stands  not  too  far  from  where  cedrian's  children  were  playing,  her  gaze  never  straying  from  them  for  too  long.  they  were  entirely  safe  here,  not  only  were  their  father's  guard  watching  over  them,  but  her  own  as  well.  however,  it  was  the  sight  of  their  bright,  innocent  smiles  that  brought  her  a  strange  of  serenity  that  made  it  impossible  to  look  away.  perhaps  her  fears  were  for  naught  concerning  them,  the  longer  she's  near  them,  the  harder  it  would  be  to  be  away  from  them.  it  was  some  time  earlier,  little  zaela  and  nyssa  had  brought  her  a  crown  flower  and  the  high  lady  was  so  stunned  momentarily  at  the  gesture  it  took  her  a  moment  to  snap  out  of  it  and  accept  it,  only  for  the  little  girls  to  place  atop  alina's  head.  it  remained  there  until  a  breeze  almost  snatched  it  to  which  alina  removed  it  and  kept  it  safely  in  her  hands.  it  was  the  feeling  of  another  presence  joining  her  that  had  her  gaze  finally  shift  to  focus  on  her  companion;  still,  a  greater  portion  of  her  attention  remaining  on  the  children.  "the  blooms  of  summer  solstice  are  the  most  fragrant  as  they  are  long  lasting."  she  remarks,  "some  fashion  them  into  the  jewelry  pieces  as  such  until  the  next  solstice."  a  tradition she herself partakes in. she lifts one of the necklaces that hand on a jewelry stall near by.

near the crown flower station as well as a jewelry vendor !

[darkstmercy]

summer solstice was mika's favorite part of the year. it brought out each element of beauty that made her court special. it reminded her of why she missed it upon her travels. as the sun shone brightly int he sky, she was determined to experience every little moment of the celebration. the past few days were spent in despair, panic, and frustration of trying to catch up with work that'd been left behind in the previous scholar's wake. while she knew it wasn't intentional, she still wanted to ensure there were no mistakes or gaps in any of the records or notes. taking the time to admire the summer court and remember why she loved it was important. the scholar hadn't expected to run into the high lady. ever since acquiring the position, mika felt nervous about speaking to her, worrying that she might say something wrong and completely ruin any faith that the high lady had in her. but mika was good at what she did. she was knowledgeable and she knew that alina knew that too, but she still knew how much she had to live up to the previous role.

there was still much that she had to learn, much that she wanted to prove to her court, but in order to do so, mika's head needed to be clear, more clear than it ever had been before. using the celebration as a way to keep her thoughts in line, she wandered through the vendors in search of something that could make her smile. as she walked through, she spotted children playing and spotted alina nearby. her lips curled up into a smile, glad to see the high lady having some fun. "my lady! it's good to see you having a good time," the scholar explained before turning her head down to look at the jewelry she was looking at. "perhaps it's time for some new jewelry. i've been wearing the same pieces for years now. what do you think would work?"

[ethercvl-archive]

╰ ♡ open starter for @n1ghtsongs | @liuyan ( your choice ) | @ofcourtfablesarchive

╰   ♡   with   his   wife   as   the   one   truly   hosting   the   celebration,   noah   had   been   the   one   to   help   the   high   priestess   with   a   chunk   of   the   heavy   work.   while   it   was   technically   not   something   required   of   him   in   his   duties   as   the   general   of   the   summer   court,   it   was   a   willing   requirement   to   help   lavinia   with   whatever   it   was   that   she   had   needed   him   to   do.   though   he'd   finally   been   released   from   assisting   her   now   that   that   celebration   had   truly   begun.   his   first   moment   of   enjoying   the   day   was   to   visit   the   market.   eyes   searching   the   stalls   that   held   a   number   of   different   things   for   one   to   peruse.   but   it's   a   weapon's   stall   hat   catches   the   general's   attention.   stopping   to   admire   the   craftmanship   on   display.   fingers   trailing   over   the   blade   on   display   on   the   table.   ❝   what   do   you   reckon   the   blade   was   composed   of?   ❞

[darkstmercy]

glancing down at the blade, mika racked her brain, quickly parading through all of her knowledge of blades, metals, and anything could forge a blade out of. but in the heat of the moment, all memories of words dissipated. she felt empty. but she bent down, knowing that having an answer for the general would help rather than hinder. she had to prove to the rest of the inner circle that she deserved this job. "considering most blades are made of a refined metal, this ones a special glimmer to it, so i'd bet something a little more rare, perhaps found in the caves somewhere," mika explained. she looked up at the general with a smile on her face. "i wish i had a better explanation for you off the top of my head, general, but metals are not my forte."

[brckenrctual]

among the bustle of the VENDOR MARKET, a fae child stands still for ZACARÍAS as he paints her face. // @ofcourtfablesarchive

this certainly wasn't his plan when setting up his stall that morning. the paints were more for his own enjoyment. a way to pass time in the quieter moments of the festival. but he is not immune to a curious face, nor the gentle plead when it comes from a young fae.

concentration lines the furrow of his brows. with a last pink dot in the middle of her forehead, zacarías moves from side-to-side, evaluating the array of petals on the child. "alright, flower princess, you're done." the child smiles, reaching for the mirror, and when zacarías hands it to her, he eyes the fae behind her. "are you here for decoration too, or actually looking at my stock?"

[darkstmercy]

one of the most valuable things in the world was the love of art, whether it be words, physical art, or food, mika understood the joy of needing to create what grew inside of you. she enjoyed watching others create it, build it, and let it loose from within. when she stood off to the side, watching him paint on a little girl, she couldn't help the chuckle that left her lips. it was a moment of beauty. and she couldn't bear to interrupt it.

laughing lightly, she shrugged her shoulders, "i did come over here to look at your stock, as i've been wanting to decorate some of my book covers and furniture, but that was a pretty face design. perhaps a small sun, and then i really do want to see what all you've got!"

[brckenrctual]

after the brilliance of the opening ritual, the water remains calm as VIJAYA steps up next to the CANAL RIDES. // @ofcourtfablesarchive

satisfaction runs deep through vijaya. her idea sparked the ceremony, and how wonderful it turned out. already, she aches for the next day, when the blessing ceremony will ring strong. but it doesn't yet pain her to be away from the temple. the festivities will not cease until the last moment, and she may as well partake.

the next boat pulls before her, and she peers behind her shoulder. "if you don't mind sharing, i won't mind another passenger." an amused smirk plays across her lips. "that is, if you aren't too hesitant to join a high priestess."

[darkstmercy]

while she knew the summer court well, having grown up with its beauty for most of her life, a canal ride was a peaceful idea. sitting in one, she lifted her head, taking in the wind and sunshine resting upon her face. a moment drifting through the canal would ease the thoughts flustering through her mind, or potentially the worry that gathered within each moment of her breath. could she live up to the job laid out before her? she'd try her damndest.

the voice was kind, and mika smiled at her, "oh, of course! the more company, the better." as she continued, mika tilted her head, her blonde hair falling down past her shoulders. "have others been hesitant? i'd quite like it actually. i'd love to see what you think of the summer court!"