We could get somebody else, but we want someone like you.

[witchoftheshdows]

she nods a bit, looking ahead as if lost in complete thought and absentmindedly holding onto his arm a bit more like an anchor. "exactly. it helps keep us under their thumb a little more if we can't foresee anything else...unfortunately without these abilities...i'm left...feeling useless. like that's one less way I can be of assistance in everything. I don't like it."at his next words iliana's brows furrow just a bit, searching his face gently as she listens, lightly squeezing his arm once for comfort. "...if there's nothing against it I can always join you if you'd like? maybe it would make it less daunting? or I am always willing to listen to you vent about it all later once you come back with a mug of tea and a pillow with your name on it?"

"o-oh...oh. really?" she makes a small face at that, joining him with a soft giggle. "...well, you do know that is...one of the easier and so i've heard, more enjoyable ways to relieve stress...improve sleep..even heart health...you can always mention you are looking out for your own well being the next time she happens to catch you...?" a small amused smile curves her lips at the thought before bursting into another small fit of chuckles. "h-he punched mirror? why was that?...does he need his hand to be looked at?"

[dorianeldrich]

Dorian shook his head quickly, his hand resting on top of hers on his arm, thumb rubbing circles over it. "You are far from useless, love. I am useless. You? You can do so much more, help so much more than I can. Or want." He could not think of a more helpful, competent fae than Lia, even without her powers. Dorian knew she could achieve anything she'd put her mind into and she still had her witch powers at least. Far more than he had. "I'll take that offer. I'd love for you to join me. I will spare you of the romantic escapades, though." And he was being generous with the term, most of them weren't even that.

He lets out a genuine, hearty laugh at her comment, turning his head to kiss his temple as they continue to walk around. "If that's the case, I'll live forever." Dorian jokes, because they are, in fact immortal beings after all but all the sex sure helps. It's one of his favourite activities after all. "If Catalina catches me in bed with a Lord of Spring or Day I think she'll have my head. With good reason too." He knew he was discreet and would never tell a soul his court's secrets but she didn't know that and the High Lady didn't seem the kind ruler that would pardon him so he had to be careful. "Believe it or not, I tended to his wound. I've picked up a thing or two from you." Dorian grinned at her proudly. "There's family drama with the Vanderbilt siblings, he's frustrated." The Lord of Day was in Dorian's mind lately even though he knew he probably wasn't in his.

[lightbcrn]

Apollo let himself be pulled onto the settee, his body moving without permission. He sat heavily, feeling the warmth of the fire on his back, the softness of the cushions beneath him, and the gentle pressure of Dorian's fingers still wrapped around his hand. He didn't pull away when Dorian kissed his knuckles. The gesture was so tender, so careful, that it made his chest ache in a way he refused to name. He stared at their joined hands. The contrast was jarring: the violence of the shattered mirror, the raw wounds on his knuckles, and this. This tenderness and patience.

"I punched a mirror," he said, his voice quiet and rough. "Because I'm angry and useless. It's all I ever am as of late." He paused, his throat tight. He could feel the warmth of Dorian's palms against his skin, could smell the faint scent of him. It made him want to lean into it, to let himself be held.

"Talia gave Jamie the commander position," he continued. "The one I've been fighting for my entire life. Jamie, who left and trained with Illyrians and came back like they were entitled to everything I'd worked for." He laughed bitterly, but there was no humor in it. "I've spent centuries bleeding for that position and she just handed it to Jamie. Like I'd never tried. Like I'd never mattered." He couldn't look up. Couldn't meet Dorian's eyes.

"And on top of that, my visions are useless. I've been having them for weeks. Fragments. Impressions. Nothing solid enough to hold onto. I saw something before the Asteri revealed themselves. Rot, decay... something spreading through the trees. But I couldn't make sense of it. I never can. I can't decipher my own visions. I can't even protect my own court. Some seer I turned out to be. Some weapon. Some soldier."

[dorianeldrich]

If there was one thing Dorian knew about Apollo was that he was not useless. He was even too useful perhaps, to his own detriment. He had seen Apollo sweat and bleed for his court, his family and he knew how important that position was to him. There weren't words good enough that could fix this. Dorian didn't know what to say to help him but of course, of course he tried.

He kept holding Apollo's hurt hand with one of his own, his other coming up to cup his face. "But you do matter, commander or not." Dorian said softly. It wasn't the first time he said that to Apollo, it wasn't going to be the last either. "You have every right to be angry about it, Apollo. It's not fair. Life rarely is." When Dorian was a child, he grew up around army men. He was even meant to become one of them, like his father and all the men in his family who went into battle and came back. His mother though, she protected him, stayed with him and kept him home, never fought a soul but she died before all of those men. Life wasn't fair and Dorian knew that well.

At the mention of his seer powers, Dorian sat up a little straighter, concerned. He cursed not having his own powers once again because he could have helped. "Hey..." He shook his head, his hand moving up into Apollo's hair, bringing him a little closer. "Visions aren't always clear images and they take time to understand, it's not on you. It's not a power that's tangible and easy to handle, it's tricky. And none of us have been in the most clear head space for a couple of months now to make it easier." His words felt empty, like nothing he could say could fix Apollo's afflictions right now but Dorian was here, at least. "I know you think your worth is tied to your abilities and how useful you are but it's not. Don't you feel— lighter? Free?"

[opvlites]

she’d batted her eyes and convinced the bartender to give her a couple drinks free, and now she has her head resting on a hand, glancing around, a little bored. nothing new has happened, no one interesting had appeared, and she has no plans. she was here for the show, more than anything else, though she’s not opposed to gaining a few… alliances while she’s here. since she has to be here… she continues to chat to the bartender about nothing significant, lamenting she can’t show him her shop on the continent, because he’d love it if he survived it. but her attention turns when she spots someone else enter, and she sits up properly, a bright smile on her face as @dorianeldrich walks in.  she tilts her head slightly, as he gets closer. “evenin’, love. care to join me?” she asks, grinning.

[dorianeldrich]

Every other night, Dorian made his way to the town's tavern for a drink and eavesdrop on other faes. It was so much fun to be around so many different fae from all the other courts that he was thrilled to be in Starlight right now. Sure the circumstances might be dire and there was still that hollowness in his chest now that his powers were off, but he still made the most of his time in this new, undiscovered court.

His eye scanned the room a little, trying to spot anyone he knew as he made his way to the bar but instead, someone invited him to join them. Dorian turned his gaze at her; long blond hair and a big grin that he quickly returned. "I'd love to, actually." The Emissary pulled a bar stool so he could take a seat next to her and waved at the bartender to ask for a drink. "Dorian Eldrich, emissary of Autumn." He offered his palm so she'd give him her hand that he could gently and quickly kiss before letting go.

[witchoftheshdows]

iliana felt...off since having lost her abilities as a daemati. it felt so empty and quiet in a way she wasn't used to. the lord of starlight made it sound unbearable, but to the witch, they prided themselves in the empathy it gave them, helped them grow and understand the fae around them...and then it was suddenly taken away...and lia didn't know who they were without it. the way dorian was affected made her heart ache, holding him through all the pain and the emptiness it left him with, hating that she didn't have the power to lessen it or take it all away from him any more, and that feeling of helplessness was really what sealed it for her, made it more real.

she could only silently nuzzle her chin deeper into his shoulder at his reassurance, gripping onto the material at his arm in the process. she couldn't help it, having dotted on him and clung even more than usual since. she loved him deeply, and witnessing the sight of him like that was something she couldn't shake, even after it had been a month. and there was nothing she could do...at least not in the way that counted for her. as he moved in closer, eyes closed and all, lia squeezed his hand in her own, a small smile turning her lips as she watched his theatrics, lightly scrunching her nose up to play along a bit, even if he couldn't see it himself. "...I suppose that might've been the point, then. take away our abilities...as a ways to equalize us in a way? make it harder for us to understand what's happening." she suddenly remembers what she had kept in her bag after having had a day with one of the ladies of winter, quickly digging in to pull out a little googly eye to lightly stick onto dory's forehead. "we'll find a way to get them back. but in the meantime, you are still the most magical to me."

[dorianeldrich]

That was exactly what he meant when he thought she was far more clever than him. He wasn't even thinking about the ulterior motives for them not having powers, just lamenting the loss but she had a different, far more intelligent perspective. Dorian hummed and nodded, agreeing with her point. "I hadn't even thought of that but it makes a lot of sense. Taking away the power of those of us who can see into the future levels the field if these other creatures don't have these abilities." He sighed, shaking his head slowly while they kept walking around. "Catalina wants me around more. She wants me to find things out for her."

His High Lady was working hard at the palace, meeting with everyone she could and trying to sort this out and he respected that but him? Oh he wanted nothing to do with all of this. "She's sent her second out to find me more than once and even though I take the opportunity to go see— well whoever I run into first of the rotation." Dorian chuckled to himself. That was no way of talking about the fae he was currently in bed with but it was the most subtle way he found to say it without being crass. "Did I tell you Apollo punched a mirror? He's so dramatic." He wanted to roll his eyes but instead a small smile curled on his lips before he shook his head and cleared his throat.

[lightbcrn]

Apollo stood frozen as Dorian's hands worked around his, the handkerchief wrapping tightly around his split knuckles. The pressure was steady, grounding, and he hated how much he didn't want to pull away. He could feel the warmth of Dorian's fingers against his skin, could smell the faint scent of him... something clean and familiar. It made his chest ache in a way he refused to name.

He didn't say anything at first. Just stared at the handkerchief, now stained with his own blood, and let out a slow and shaky breath. The firelight from the hearth caught the edges of the fabric, turning the red darker. He could feel his pulse in his injured hand, a dull throb that matched the rhythm of his heartbeat.

"You're not going to leave, are you?" His voice was flat, but there was no fight in it. Just exhaustion. "Of course you ignored me. Why wouldn't you." He laughed softly, because there was nothing else to say. He pulled his hand back gently and looked at the handkerchief wrapped around his knuckles. The fabric was already soaked through in places. His jaw tightened.

"I didn't get into a fight. I punched a mirror." He paused, gaze fixed on the now red-stained cloth. "Does that count?" He finally looked at Dorian and his expression flickered. His golden eyes were tired, and there was a vulnerability in them that he usually kept buried beneath layers of arrogance and charm. "Why do you keep doing this?" The words came out quieter than he intended, almost a whisper. "I don't understand you."

[dorianeldrich]

Apollo kept asking him the same questions, over and over and Dorian kept dodging them. He knew the answer already. Of course he was ignoring him and of course he wasn't going to leave, he was bleeding for fucks sake. And on top of that he seemed upset. Something happened to him. Something big. Not a lot fo things had the power to get Apollo like this. It was probably a family matter. Dorian knew he was going to have to work to take it out of him but he had all the time in the world. And now he was with a Lord and guest, no one could throw him out.

He grabbed Apollo's hand with both of his and started walking backwards towards a settee just behind them. "A mirror? But you have such a pretty face. Was it one of those enchanted ones that distorts your image? Because that was very fair and I'm gad you won that fight." Dorian joked lightly and had Apollo sit with him. He didn't let go of his hand, in fact he took both of his hands in his, looking at the bloody one and the other. He kissed his knuckles with reverence. With the kindness of someone that just cared so much.

"Why do you keep asking me that?" His tone was equally quiet, just above a whisper. "You already know why but if you like my voice so much I'll keep telling you." Dorian looked into those golden tired eyes that wanted to keep Apollo tucked away and hidden and unknown but not tonight. They weren't fighting it tonight. "Do you want to, perhaps instead tell me what happened?"

[ladyofthefirstlight]

"good morning." it felt nice, having a real smile that fully met callum's eyes as he stands next to zaina, fingers locked with her's as they met dorian together, and blushes a little at the comment from the autumn fae, lightly scratching at the back of his neck while lightly squeezing zaina's hand. it was kind of surreal, having known her for so long now, and in the middle of all the chaos this all just...happened. they were taking small steps of course, there was still more important things at stake but he was still giddy all the same, but their meeting wasn't about an update on their relationship. it was to follow through with finding answers, what Callum had been itching to do since they were all winnowed to starlight, and now it felt more important than ever after the new threat had called out the forgotten court, maybe there was something to be found out about that? whatever there was to be shared the keeper of secrets was ready, grateful that the two were here to join so he didn't have to get too in his head about the last time he had entered a temple.

"now, I never discriminate when it comes to sweets." he makes a pointed yet playful face, sure he would be more than grateful with whatever the other had brought along with him. "honestly i'm just glad we're all able to do this now. I spoke with the keeper of secrets, he very much keeps to himself but he didn't mind us having a look through the archives and the libraries and I offered him the same were he to ever make his way to dawn." he starts moving forward. "my goal was to get to an understanding their history a little more, how they happened to survive on their own for so long...anything that may point as to why they could've been targeted by the asteri would be helpful as well, if we find anything..."

@flreclouds @dorianeldrich

[opvlites]

zaina eyes the box of pastries, maybe a bit too eagerly, appreciating that dorian was already ahead of that and therefore they don’t have to wait in line or something. she grins, “i’m sure it’s a lovely selection, then.” her smile is genuine, no signs of strain on it, with the anticipation for their day. between getting to be with callum and getting to have a day that is almost out of their imagined vacation — she wouldn’t mind a vacation where they do invite friends along for parts either — and getting to know one of his friends better, she’s genuinely happy. even though they’re looking for answers to a problem that seems to only get worse whenever they seem to get any new information on it.  she squeezes cal’s hand in response, a blush slipping across her own face as well at dorian’s comment, biting her lip a little. it still feels unreal. and she’s glad they’re moving slow, even if she’d like it to not be influenced by everything going on. she didn’t want to rush things. but she pulls herself from the thoughts, knowing there’s more important things to focus on even though she wants to have the time to just coast along on the excitement and newness. she lets callum lead them, nodding when he says he offered starlight’s keeper of secrets to look through their own archives and libraries should he ever visit. “even just any information at all on the asteri could be useful, since we know next to nothing.” she says. “it is curious how they’ve survived, when so many of us do rely on our trade agreements with other courts… i wonder how much reliance they’ve had on hybern, or if they’ve been mostly self-sufficient.” she muses, head tilting.

@dorianeldrich @secretsofthedwn

[dorianeldrich]

As they all start walking together towards the temple, a place Dorian hasn't visited in a while in this or any court, he hums at his friends words. As far as he knows, and according to all the fae in his life that have lied to him, Hybern were their only allies and the only ones who knew they existed. "Hybern definitely kept their secret no matter what. But it's not like they never came to the land. We just didn't know where they were from." His tone a little bitter because one of his former partners was, in fact not just from Starlight but a Lord.

He is definitely not offering the same courtesy to the Keeper of Secrets from Starlight as the Dawn fae are. His High Lady would probably have his head if he did without consulting the inner circle. "Hm, that's kind of you. I do hope he doesn't expect the same from kindness from me. I can offer him a cinnamon bun if he likes and that's about it." Or perhaps even something more fun. "I do have to admit I'm excited about snooping around their archives. I found some old books when we were all stuck in Winter that looked like no one had touched them in centuries. Maybe I'll have the same luck here."

@flreclouds @secretsofthedwn

[dorianeldrich]

starter: closed! for @witchoftheshdows

where: the village

The second their powers were all gone, Dorian felt it deep to his bones. It brought him to his knees in that moment as he gasped for air and tried to hold onto Iliana without knowing she was going through it too. Hands to his chest, the visions he usually kept in check were no longer there and instead of feeling like a relief, it felt like pure terror. He trembled in the moment and cried. It was hard to explain, the hollowness, the void in his chest. Like something so fundamentally him was lost. The closest he ever got to feel like this was when he lost his mother but this felt even worse.

To no one's surprise, Iliana was much stronger than him and even though her powers were gone too, she still had her magic, her witchcraft and she was far more clever than he will ever be, no matter how many books he devours.

"I'm fine my love, I promise. It's been a month." He tried to reassure her, her arm wrapped around his as they walked around the village. "It still feels— odd. Like I'm trying to listen. Really listen." He lent in closer to her, eyes closed, head tilted to the side, his free hand on top o hers and he tried to focus but— "nothing. I could not foresee this tragedy for some reason." Dorian was referring to yet another ominous voice that once again clarified... absolutely nothing.

[ngalitzine]

NICHOLAS GALITZINE as MANFRED — 100 NIGHTS OF HERO (2025) dir. Julia Jackman

[opvlites]

she’s excited to get to see the temple, even if she’s still sad that it’s under these circumstances. and worried that something will happen to their court, their friends, family, everyone else. and worried about losing their powers, even if she still can fight without magic. but not being able to access her magic, her daemati abilities, she’s so anxious over it. she just keeps telling herself they’ll figure it out. she laces her fingers through callum’s as they walk towards the spot they’d planned to meet dorian, a slight bounce to her step in her clear excitement for the day, despite her anxiety. but she shakes herself from the thought before they turn the corner and she tries to act mostly normal as dorian comes into view, and she smiles brightly at the autumn faerie. “good morning!” she hums, “i admittedly was distracted and forgot if you told me where the bakery we were going to before the library was,” she admits as she looks up at cal.

@dorianeldrich @secretsofthedwn

[dorianeldrich]

"Morning, my darlings!" And as if on cue, Dorian is lifting up by his finger a box tied up with a string. He grins. The emissary had been walking around the village most of the morning, killing some time. The vibe at the inn was not it. Even if he didn't have his seer powers, Dorian was still a little sensitive to other fae's energies and whatever was coming off from the other residents wasn't sitting well. He couldn't blame them, they were truly going through trying, terrifying times but Dorian wasn't one to just sit around scared and do nothing. He was far to pretty to just sit and rot.

"Hope you don't mind, I picked a bit of everything I like." His time in the Starlight village wasn't wasted on the fae. For the past month, he had found his favourite shops and made friends with the vendors by batting his pretty lashes and flirting his way through discounts and freebies. "I see you two lovebirds have decided to come out in the open with your love." Dorian points between the two of them and their joint hands, then sighs dramatically. "Ah, must be nice." But he recovers swiftly, a smile quickly growing over his lips as he joins their side. "Lead the way!"

@flreclouds @secretsofthedwn

[ruhlare]

[witchoftheshdows]

"okay, yes...avoiding death I think is good." she laughs softly, letting him reposition them on the bed and scooting just a bit to be more comfortable as she looks back up at him. lia starts to silently rub soothing circles over his shoulders as she listens to him speak, silently so grateful that they were able to just be them again. to know that despite everything else that was happening around them the witch knew that they were at least okay. better than okay, even. "...well. I can't really say that I blame you with everything we have happening right now...but i want to take every precaution I can while we still can, it's important to me, so...when you're ready for a refresher let me know."

hearing him bring up the grumpy man the daemati personally found not worthy of him lia perks up some, ready to listen in to whatever he had to share. they were so glad they could have moments like these again, even in the middle of the blights, and at his question their eyes soften and the witch places a hand over his own gently. "together or not it still matters. and that's very valid, I think... he is from hybern. and i'm sorry you had two of us who couldn't be completely honest with you. it must have been confusing. are you still trying to keep your distance after that vision you had?" she asked gently, eyes empathetic, knowing how much the other man seemed to matter to him. all iliana wanted for dorian was his happiness.

[dorianeldrich]

Dorian gave her a small smile, brushing her curls back and away from her face. "You are too good to me, you know that?" She really was and he was so happy to have her in his life and keep her and even if their known world was going to shit, they were together right here, right now and screw the other fae. No boy was going to ruin this borrowed moment they could steal away among the chaos.

Well, at least he wasn't completely gullible apparently and even though they kept that secret from him, he wasn't technically lied to. Still, he wasn't sure how much he should trust Luc and perhaps this should make things easier to stay away. It should but— As Iliana asks, Dorian looks away for a moment, blushing. He should. He should stay away. "Not exactly." He rolled over on his front and buried his head on the pillow, groaning into it for a moment in frustration with the situation, with himself. Dorian was embarrassed to admit this but he rolled back and with a pout, he confessed. "He wanted to have sex, I agreed to it even though he lied. This is what I am, I suppose." He couldn't say no to Luc. It was easier to stay away when they were an ocean apart but here in the same court, it was proving harder. Dorian was weak.

[lightbcrn]

Apollo didn't register the figure in the room at first. He was too focused on the blood dripping from his knuckles, the string of the cuts, the way his hand throbbed in time with his heartbeat. He had punched a mirror in the corridor. A large, ornate thing that now hung in shattered fragments, and the glass had sliced across his knuckles like teeth. The firelight from the gallery's hearth caught the wetness on his skin, made it gleam. He heard the soft gasp, the startled apology, and then his name.

His blood ran cold, and then hot. Of all the rooms in this impossible palace, of all the people who could have been here, it had to be Dorian. The one person who kept showing up, no matter how many times Apollo pushed him away. The one person whose presence made his chest ache in a way he refused to name. Apollo froze mid-step, his boots heavy on the stone floor. He could feel the cool draft from the corridor against his sweat-damp skin. His golden hair was plastered to his forehead, and a stray stand tickled his cheek, but he didn't bother to push it away.

He didn't look up. He couldn't. His chest was still heaving, his breath coming in ragged bursts, and he could feel Dorian's gaze on him. Warm, concerned, patient. It made his stomach clench. He curled his injured hand into a loose fist and pressed it against his thick. The pressure was grounding, almost soothing, but the sting only sharpened.

"I'm fine." His voice was quieter now, almost gentle. "I'm always fine. So please don't follow me. I don't need an audience."

[dorianeldrich]

Dorian froze where he was as he took in the sight in front of him. Not only it was Apollo but he was bleeding from his hand. He didn't even hear the Lord of Day's refusal, Dorian closed the gap between them and took a better look at him in the room dimly lit by the stars of this court. They were bright enough to be able to see but not enough that he could from afar and he wanted to know what had happened to his— whatever Apollo was to him.

After a closer look, Dorian saw the state Apollo was in. Rumpled, heaving, like he had just gone through hell. "Did you get into a fight?" He asked, ignoring Apollo's plead to leave him. He frowned as he grabbed his wrist to give a closer look, thumb rubbing over the skin near the wound, catching some blood in his digit. Dorian wasn't a healer, he didn't know the first thing about it but he had been friends with Lia enough to be able to do something.

His free hand went into the inside pocket of his jacket and he pulled out a handkerchief from it. Dorian wrapped it around Apollo's split knuckles tightly so they would stop bleeding, wishing he had some alcohol with him too but this would have to do. "I thought you were a guard who was coming to throw me into a dungeon for snooping so I'm please it was you." He changed the subject as he worked on wrapping the other's hand carefully and trying not to hurt him more than he was. He didn't press on Apollo to tell him what happened, who or what he hit, just helped. "Why don't you come take a seat? We should stop meeting like this, you know? I'm going to think you're looking for me in empty and abandoned rooms."

[liegeofthebloom]

ravi's enthusiasm peaks as the man tilts his neck back to give him more access, nipping here and there as dorian speaks, barely really listening because in his mind, the two of them had a lot of making up to do, plus having a guard or whoever else seek the man out was only part of the fun when they got to sneak around like this, he always ended up a flustered and red, it was adorable. "eh, someone else handles the pay stuff, don't worry your pretty little head about him, yeah? I just wanna hear about us, and how waiting for you was like...so fucking hard for me...in more ways than one...and now it's all your fault." he pouts mockingly, guiding the man's hand towards where he meant. "question is what are you gonna do about it now that we're here?"

[dorianeldrich]

Dorian relaxes and tilts his head to the other side so Ravi can kiss the other side of his neck, just enjoying the attention. This is exactly what he needs to relax. Some mindless, fun sex with someone who won't ask him too many questions and especially someone who hasn't lied to him. A good benefit to his body and mind. "You are right about one thing at least. I am too pretty to worry about anything." Dorian chuckles but it's stolen right out of his lips as Ravi guides his hand where he wants him to feel male fae and weak so he gasps softly, a need slowly growing and taking over his boy. "Is that all for me darling? You shouldn't have." He teases, biting his bottom lip with his head thrown back. His hand adds a little more pressure but not nearly enough. "I'll do whatever you want as long as you ask nicely." He moves his head back up to find Ravi's lips to finally connect them into a deep warm kiss.

[sirencfaeris]

WHILE THE COURT OF STARLIGHT WAS UNACCUSTOMED TO PLAYING HOST, THEY WERE ALL TOLD THE HORROR STORIES OF DEMANDING HIGH LIEGES OF THE OTHER COURTS. However, she did not find lady Catalina to be extremely demanding - there had been much worse examples of lords being absolutely nightmarish. The one that was supposed to be the High Lord of Starlight was one of those - he was whining over pretty much everything, throwing tantrums when things did not go his way.

then again, his younger sister was just proclaimed high lady when it happened so...

"That is wise, Dorian Eldritch. You will learn the most about a court through the common citizenry. Commonfolk seldom lie - they have nothing to gain from it. Of course, they could strive to portray the court worse out of mischief, but never better. Our people are honest and hardworking, so I am certain you will find some affection for them." she spoke, finally at ease for being able to speak the truth.

"You are kind of heart and that is something to be cherished in these trying times." Casseia added, but then a smile bloomed upon her lips. "I'm pleased to see you like it so far. We can finish our drink and then I can take you touring. What would you like to see first? The market, the docs...?"

[dorianeldrich]

"It's more about not being in the middle of drama than wisdom, my lady." Dorian chuckled. And perhaps it was also about not running into all the fae he was sleeping with all at once under the palace's roof but he was not going to say that to this stranger. "And it's easier out here. Not so many eyes on you. I can't thrive in the tension inside a palace. It was dreadful in Winter where everyone was so miserable." At least out here, Dorian could avoid it a little and have some fun. He was sensitive, his power made him that way. He was too open to see. And even if his friend tried to teach him how to protect himself, he would still absorbe more than he could take.

He looked inside his drink with a smile and took another sip so it'd be done faster. "Anything you'd like to show me first because eventually, I'd love to see everything. Do you have any bookstores here?" If he couldn't see the library inside the palace yet, perhaps he could start there and see the kind of books they'd have in this court. He could tell Cal about them as well.

[courtlights]

☆ﾟ*·ﾟBEING FROM HYBERN, Luc was forced to hold a lot of secrets, forced by not only his High Ruler, but by Starlight too. He struggled with who he could and couldn't trust. His entire life, he'd been keeping secrets from everyone, not because he wanted to, but because that was just the rules, and how it worked. As he stood in this room with Dorian, his hands all over him, feeling every inch of her body, he worried what Dorian would think. And to Luc, that meant a lot. The Spymaster didn't worry about what many people thought of him. It wasn't part of who he was, but Dorian felt safe, comforting, and special to him. He just didn't know about going about it.

The kiss was soft, gentle, and yet full of passion. It was obvious that both of them wanted the other. Luc could feel it in the way Dorian's lips corrected with his. A soft chuckle slipped through the kiss, moving his hands up to fiddle with his clothes. "Mmmm, and you're very determined to accuse me of murder simply because I grew up being told to keep secrets," Luc whispered back. As he began unbuttoning his buttons, he deepened the kiss. "I have a proposition for you, if you're game."

[dorianeldrich]

He chuckled, looking down at Luc's fingers on his clothes, breaking the kiss while he worked on them. "I wasn't accusing you of murder, darling. Just deceit." While Luc undid his clothes, Dorian lent in to kiss his forehead, his temple, his cheek. Because knowing that Luc had been lying to him all this time wasn't stopping any of this apparently. What was he expecting of a Spymaster after all. It was a little on the nose, title and all.

While Dorian finally removed his garments and they fell to the floor, he looked up with a quirked brow, questioning. "A proposition? I think we need a High Priestess for that." He joked but the idea just made his heart clench a little. "I'm such a good sport, always game for anything." Dorian nodded, ready for whatever Luc had in mind. It was probably no different than what he had in mind as well.

[experienceandobservation]

Nicholas Galitzine | VMAN | June 2026 | 📷 Luigi & Iango

[witchoftheshdows]

iliana just sits there on their spot of the bed, waiting, to see what he decides to do with all the information they've given him, still fiddling a bit with their fingers, and mentally preparing themselves if he actually did need some time, but once he gently tugs the witch back down, they let out a shaky breath, immediately curling into him. face guiding up to meet his lia's soften, nodding instantly as she hugs him with no intentions of leaving this spot. she didn't blame him for feeling left in the dark when she couldn't tell him the whole truth, but she wasn't going to let that be an issue anymore, he meant too much for that. she looks up at him once more at his next words, brows furrowing slightly as she takes both his hands into her own. "that is very kind and selfless of you. but I won't let that happen. as long as i'm standing, I will protect you. i'm not letting anything happen to you, and if you sacrificed yourself, that is not a world I would want to keep living in if you were gone. my heart would have nowhere else to go...you've been practicing the mind shielding i've taught you, right? to keep you safe from others like me who may not have the best intentions?"

[dorianeldrich]

"Believe me, I don't plan on going anywhere. Let's avoid death all together." Dorian chuckled softy and rolled them both to the side so they could look at each other while they talked but they were still hugging. A little bit of that tightness he had been carrying around ever since they got there loosening up so he took a deep breath and let it go slowly. "I'm— no, I'm afraid I haven't been." Honestly, Dorian wasn't the best at self preservation. Otherwise he'd have a better track record of relationships instead of a string of people that used them as they pleased.

He sighed watching over Lia's face, relieved that he still got to have this. His entire world would have turned upside down if she would have lied to him, if things had gone sideways. But no, Lia was still his witchy angel that he loved so much. "So Luc lied to me as well. Do you know if he's really from Hybern? I shouldn't care anyway. It's not like we're— together. Not really." Before this whole cures happened, Dorian had kept his distance from the fae to protect him after Dorian had a vision and he wanted to pretend that he was over it. That it wasn't worth risking Luc's life but— he was far from over him.