golden chaos @erisvalerian - Tumblr Blog

"who they are...yes," she muttered, mind whirring. it was a good question. Were they from this—this frigoria? it was a reasonable assumption. and what if they weren't; what if they were something else entirely? either way, what did they want from her kingdom?

they offered eris a small smile. "...well, it's probably not so set in stone, right? choosing to spill these secrets at this time is an...interesting choice, but a choice nonetheless. perhaps they are...under new leadership and have decided not to keep secrets any longer." after thousands of years? hardly.

"i suppose only time will tell whose side they are on."

erisvalerian

YES, ONLY time will tell - it was heart warming to see that the princess did not immediately shift the blame to Frigoria. Perhaps speaking with her will be... beneficial for the inevitable reveal of the Frigoria citizens' identities.

no, it was not set in stone. nothing ever was.

"Perhaps it is as you say. Though, I'd reckon it wouldn't benefit them to spill all the secrets now. Why, I ask? Who knows. You are correct - only time will tell who & what they are. However, I am not inclined to believe they are from the new kingdom. I cannot really say why - perhaps it is only a hunch."

or perhaps it was because she's their empress.

"Do you have a hunch? Or an idea of what it might be?" Eris inquired.

#c: sabrina #{ interactions }

illicitembers-deactivated202504

The Empress' words stung. Two blades crossed, two sisters clashing with words as one would in a field of battle. Maeve does not move but inclines head in deep bow. "Apologies, your majesty. I speak out of turn." words hold bite, a wound for a wound though she'd been the first one to cast damnation upon the eldest Valerian. Were they ever truly close? It was but a dream now, overshadowed by the nightmares.

"Then what alliances do you wish to make? With Asteria? Sotera? I would not take you for someone so willing to barter alliances, sister. Do you believe them fools? Our curse is at it's end, do you think they will welcome us back with open arms?"

erisvalerian

ERIDA had hated being so official with her own sister - but, it couldn't be helped. Maeve had detested her for weeks now. Months. What had caused the rift between them? She couldn't say. She couldn't even remember.

what alliances?

She couldn't say. Not of marriage, that was for sure. Who would she marry, anyway? The king? Politically - impossible. The rumoured siblings? It could both be sisters, or two younger brothers - also politically iffy. Besides, who would ever agree to marry her, chaos incarnate? Her own siblings barely tolerated her.

"No, they won't. They'd be fools to. But, they - & we - also have a more pressing matter to argue about, the Hollows & their eater, whatever it is. They'd probably think it's one of us. I had wanted to..." a pause, then, "It doesn't matter anymore. It's up in flames, anyway. What have you been doing recently?"

it was the least she could ask.

#c: maeve #{ interactions }#{ baby sister }

scafuri

"are those not clues themselves? do they not beg the question in and of themselves: what are they? i mean, what are the hollows, really?" she shrugged. "there has to be a thread somewhere. so perhaps we simply aren't looking hard enough. maybe we don't really want the answers. it's entirely possible."

sometimes, patience was the only way through a problem. if sabrina had learned nothing else, they had learned that. they did, however, flinch slightly at the mention of a whole new kingdom. bitter memories of frigoria's announcement returned to her head, and she struggled to bite back a sarcastic laugh.

"are we sure you haven't answered one of your own questions?" she asked, sighing. "there's a new player within the game, and suddenly we hear of these hollow-folk? are we sure they aren't connected?" sabrina wrinkled their nose slightly. "i sincerely doubt this is a joke, at this point." a joke would have never gone this far.

erisvalerian

PERHAPS. She liked to pride herself on being intelligent, but perhaps... she had not thought this through well enough. Whatever they were, it was a novelty, even for the chaos empress of an empire that had, only recently, returned to centre stage. She had hated it - hated damnatio memoriae breaking.

"I suppose you are right, your highness. We ought to ask ourselves what are the hollows, or perhaps who are they."

they were not Frigorian.

"I cannot say for sure. I do not know. If it is the new kingdom... I wonder what their goal is? These Hollows, whoever they are, they are spilling secrets that have been hidden for centuries. Decades. I wonder if that makes them our friends or foes?" Erida sighed, turning her attention to Sotera's princess.

"What do you consider them to be? Friend or foe?"

#c: sabrina #{ interactions }

erisvalerian

SAFE. Perhaps they were. As far as Eris was concerned, they were safe, at least from Frigoria's dark touch. She nodded along to the lady's words, humming lightly as if to appear soothed.

"That is certainly a relief, yes. I do believe the strangest thing is behind us already." Qynna spoke again & Erida's lips pursed in thought. Just to frighten them? Perhaps. Fear was a powerful tool, indeed.

"I suppose we will know sooner or later. If it was a practical joke or something more sinister."

vindexance

qynna nodded in response, biting her lip. "i suppose we will." joke or not, she still had this sinking feeling that the horrors of that night would come back to bite them in the end. she could only hope that, for once, her intuition was wrong.

end.

location: asteria, the common chambers. time: early evening, after dinner. with: @ladycosmc.

SHE HAD wondered what the Asterians had to say about this new... festivity. Frigoria had been unknown & dead for five centuries, but the curse had been shattered & now everyone was in panic. & not just the two kingdoms, no.

even her empire had started to quake.

She had needed to act fast to quell any signs of unrest within Frigoria, & the best way to do that was to chat with the citizens of the Two, to see how much of their... collective knowledge had returned, & what had they known.

& if anyone had a slightest fucking clue at who the Hollows where.

So, now she had found herself extending an invitation to the lady of Asteria, under the guise of a lady from a merchant family of de Bryn of Asteria. She had hoped that particular enchantment still stood, & the five centuries old false lineage had remained intact - yet.

"Lady Cosme, welcome." Erida had greeted the lady of Asteria, inclining her head to her servants to fill their goblets & subtly retreat. "I hope you don't mind me inviting you for a drink. You seem the most composed out of the courtiers, & I do wish to pick your mind for ideas, if you'll indulge me."

#c: cosme #{ interactions }

scafuri

empty of real mystery? she cocked her head. "and what makes you say that? we certainly don't know who sent them. we don't know why. there's plenty of intrigue. unless you know something i don't?" sabrina raised an eyebrow, smiling slightly. "so then: what, for you, determines a mystery?"

at the latter, she nodded. "that is understandable. when masked, it can be near impossible to tell friend from foe." they knew personally, that would give them trust issues if it happened for too long. she shrugged.

erisvalerian

THAT was her point. Should one wish to make a compelling mystery, to out to make at least some information known to them - so they would all have fun in solving them. This? This had been a question, upon question, upon question, without a single tangible clue or answer in sight.

"Mysteries are defined by their information, are they not? usually, one would have at least one tangible clue to go by. Here, we have the... royal line of the Hollows, then we have a whole new kingdom returning to the stage, & on top of that, they throw a Hollow eater at our faces. Three questions of great importance & not a single clue in how to solve them. So, it is either a tasteless joke, or a deadly ploy."

either way, they were all in the dark.

"Indeed. Who is friend, who is foe, who are the Hollows & what to they want?" she retorted. but wondered if the princess had any ideas.

#c: sabrina #{ interactions }#the way I forgot mid reply this was the old event asdfgh but here ya go. adjusted to also fit the event002 narrative :sob:

pepperwall

𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑: @erisvalerian

𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Jinzhong compound, Asteria capital ( merchant's residence )

𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 & 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: January; sext to nones ( 1PM to 3PM )

erisvalerian

THE EMPRESS had been intrigued by the old nobility of the Two kingdoms. Most of them were still highly ranked & it had been... rather curious. The House Shih, even if they weren't as highly positioned as before the unfortunate familial occurrence, had proved to be useful. Having already chatted with the elder lady of their house, Renyi, Erida found herself wanting to have a little chat with the younger sister, the enchanting player.

it was good to have an enchanter by her side.

Waiting for a cue from Enzo, the general nodded to indicate the lady Bi had already been inside with her instrument. Eris nodded back at him & entered, gracing the young lady with a friendly smile.

let the game being.

"Apologises for making you wait, lady Bi. My lady's maid had insisted I match the dress with the drapes of the castle. I feel she is sometimes far too demanding." she sat down on a chair, & motioned with her hand.

"Please, do begin. One song will suffice for me to see your skill. We can have a drink once you've finished."

#c: jiao bi #{ interactions }

nightsxfalls

☆ﾟ*·ﾟTHE WORLD BAFFLED vikram most of the time, especially within the realm of his empire so long hidden from the world. he was constantly so focused on his own head that sometimes the other world didn't matter to him. the feelings radiating through his body were different, almost unnerving. his head felt fuzzy, confused, and just not normal. but vikram hadn't slept properly. the visions plagued him, ones that threatened to make him feel even worse.

he wanted to run, to hide, to sit in a pile of pastries and beer, and just let his head heal from what happened lately. the thorned king wasn't what he'd expected, in the slightest. he hadn't expected any of it and frankly, he didn't want to think about it, at least not until he got a proper night's sleep.

vikram wanted to sleep, he really did, but something wasn't letting him. was it the thorned king? was it the visions that threatened his life? he didn't know. instead, he found himself wandering through the halls, finding himself in the ballroom. he spotted erida, and a soft smile formed across his face. "sleep has evaded me for days. rest is but a dream these past nights. shaken is an understatement, my dear. we are but vessels to this madness, and even i can't deny the feeling of uncertainty."

erisvalerian

UNCERTAINTY. It had been a norm these past few weeks, since their departure form Sotera to the fete in Asteria. How long has it been this time? A month had passed with only minimal disturbance, but now...

now Frigoria was back in the realm.

The Hollows, whatever they were, had shattered the curse keeping them hidden from the rest of the kingdoms, from the Two & their schemes. How should she thread now, how to protect her empire & the people in it?

"Calling it uncertainty is putting it very light, my friend. I fear we have been thrown to the wolves. What I wish to know is more about these Hollows - their eater aside, how in the name of our gods have they managed to break damnatio?" Erida asked, a light frown marring her features.

She sighed, but offered her most trusted Voice, a softer smile.

"Madness is no stranger to me, Vikram. But, there is usually reason in every madness - this, however. This doesn't feel reasonable. It doesn't feel right, not in the least."

#c: vikram #{ interactions }#{ closest confidant }#i adjusted this to fit the event002 if you don't mind!

ofsteelsilv

'A smile?' He mused.

The smallest of comfort, whatever it was, had touched the empress. And Enzo smiled back even if hers had fallen.

Sit and wait, huh? Great minds think alike – luring out the offenders without arousing any suspicion. Otherwise, anything too obvious might cross prospective allies or stoke the flames of foes.

That meant another round of nightmares, another cursed invocation. More chaos weaving…

Like Erida, his smile went. Not like he could do anything about it, a sword never questioned their bleeding wielder.

“Affirmative.” Enzo exhaled, nodding. “If you've plans for me, no doubt I'll be at the barracks testing arrow penetrations – Genesis should be there tomorrow with the equipage.”

He hinted at a stashed compilation report of the masquerade, and one of their couriers, before parting ways.

【 𝑭𝒊𝒏: 𝑬𝑵𝒁𝑶 & 𝑬𝑹𝑰𝑺. 】

erisvalerian

---------- end interaction ----------

#c: enzo #{ interactions }#{ her general }#end interaction.

ofsteelsilv

Perhaps their horseman were horsemen and the horse horses. He didn't have specifics yet. Enzo had already made a silent admittance of his disturbance; their people gained nothing if they demonstrated fear.

“No news, Empris. Not in a while.” He met her gaze. “Vikram, Vivian, or the duke may offer better insight.”

He could already see the council debates unraveling. Some would argue it was rebellion, others claiming outside interference. Rebels with powerful backers, yeah, but this orchestration reeked of arrogance. The faction knew with just one command total annihilation was inevitable.

“Still too early to denounce them. Whoever orchestrated this wants the rebels implicated. Who else to blame?”

Theatrics. An attack on faith, not flesh.

“We both know this is a form of destabilization. The statement kind, not declaration.” His jaw tensed. “Just foxes baring fangs to hounds they think blind. Expect more – they want to fracture the faith of flock and pack.”

He looked away, voice soft like a blade polished off silk. "Doesn’t mean we stand idly, Erida. Say the word."

Because he was still her sword.

erisvalerian

WHO TO blame, indeed? Had she been anything like the previous rulers of the Valerian line, she would have bathed the kingdoms red in their blood. But, perhaps there had been wisdom in their bloodshed, in their cruelty. This charade of a masquerade would never stand under their rule - if they were watching over her now, how disappointed they must be, witnessing an empress of Frigoria doing nothing with delicious chaos that had all but been given to her, freely.

disappointed, indeed.

It was good to know her general's loyalties are true & Eris offers him a rare one of her honest smiles, before the expression fell, exchanged by another solemn look.

"We ought to sit & wait. Sit & wait, & weave our little chaos. Weave a bit or two of our own brand of nightmares. I suspect fouler winds ahead, & we ought to try & prevent it, or try & get ahead of it."

#c: enzo #{ interactions }#{ her general }#crying screaming sobbing over them

vindexance

she gave a small nod, offering the other lady a smile. "i'm sure the court of sotera is already looking into it; i am certain we are all safe." if nothing else, it was her duty as general to keep panic to a minimum. whether or not this was her kingdom, she still had an oath to uphold: keep as many from harm as she could. and that included limiting panic and potential stampedes or rumors.

"truly, i do believe it was just to scare people." though why, qynna had no idea.

erisvalerian

SAFE. Perhaps they were. As far as Eris was concerned, they were safe, at least from Frigoria's dark touch. She nodded along to the lady's words, humming lightly as if to appear soothed.

"That is certainly a relief, yes. I do believe the strangest thing is behind us already." Qynna spoke again & Erida's lips pursed in thought. Just to frighten them? Perhaps. Fear was a powerful tool, indeed.

"I suppose we will know sooner or later. If it was a practical joke or something more sinister."

#c: qynna #{ interactions }

scafuri

foolish or not, sabrina was glad of the break from the monotonous everyday life in the palace. "...i think that they were...fun while they lasted, at the very least." she gave a slight grin, eyes twinkling. "what, my lady—have you never enjoyed a good mystery?" additionally, if this would help get people's minds off of her upcoming marriage, then she was all for it.

"amused, appalled—often two sides of the same coin, i find." she shrugged, shifting her weight as they crossed their arms. "but no one can make that decision except you, i suppose. and, obviously, you would be well in your right to be appalled: it was startling."

erisvalerian

SHE WOULD make an interesting queen. If only she had been born older than her ruling sister, perhaps Eris would have had a fellow ruler after her own brand of chaos. It seemed like an idea to entertain, for sure.

"Oh, I love a good mystery, but they seem empty of real mystery. We should have at least gotten some clues." she chuckled, but shrugged at princess' words.

she was hardly appalled.

"I would rather say apprehensive, then appalled. But, I am not entirely fond of masquerades. Veiled faces are no good friends."

#c: sabrina #{ interactions }

princebonesy

No.

Not here.

If his assumptions about darkness wielders were correct, their discussion would get compromised. Coded speech was a riddler's field.

“Gladly. I believe the night flowers should be in bloom tonight – could you accompany me to the gardens?” He lowered his head to her ear. “Watch your steps… follow my lead,” he spoke in an even but low tone.

Whispers echoed in cavernous areas especially among stone structures without wood to stifle the ringing, a mistake he once made while hiding in the wilderness. And his sister knew his magic did not mask sounds.

As for a diversion, he'd have to mislead them should a chase ensue. By now, they would have located his quarters, but not his retinue's. Not HAVOC… she posed as a guard. Likely monitored — NARCISSUS then. The barracks should be near the gardens, but the targeted room was a few doors down from his.

Cefin walked away. His hand positioned to merge, holding out the free one for Eris to hold.

erisvalerian

HER BROTHER'S theatrics often amused her, but she had believed him when darkness & it's spies had been in question, so she had promptly quieted down. The night flowers? Ah. Datura. Interesting that this kingdom should have a tree of it. Wasn't the hallucinogenic plant native to Frigoria?

she couldn't say anymore. Rolling out at the antics, Erida still grasped her brother's hand following his lead to wherever he had figured it's be safe for them to talk. The garden - with the trees of Frigoria in bloom. How odd it had been to see them here, how... misplaced. But, they've all been misplaced in Soteria. In Asteria. Two kingdoms thriving together, while they were cursed to exist in the shadows, not even a whisper of them to be heard or felt across the world.

was that not cruel?

"Are we allowed to speak now, or am I to wait for a rainbow to cross the skies?" Eris asked, head tilting to the side, but her hand still in her brother's.

#c: cefin #{ interactions }#{ little brother }

princebonesy

Heavy limbs. Fatigue settled in his frame, but those can be mended through a warm-up – after proper rest. Cefin rolled back his shoulders, but such ease had fled him. What was he even expecting? A panacea? Not tonight.

Nearby was a lit torch, but shadows crept aplenty. Should he vacate his veil?

Footsteps tread. There. A figure emerged from their dark hall and phased into the light of his, resembling his eldest sister. Ah, no. That was her.

He blinked once, twice slowly, then his veil dissipated as he stepped forward, standing before her.

“Eris…” Had she been tracking him? Not unusual for her, but what did she need him for?

“It has,” he spoke softly, disregarding his weariness in place of a smile. “Of course, I am all ears. How are you faring?”

The inspection did not faze him, but his lack of progress did. His search for either jester's testimonies of trustworthiness was futile. Neither stealth nor his darkness benefited him — they covered tangible tracks well. Or an associate made the concealment. As for the intangible, his limits pertained to darkness. If the jesters somehow wielded one… then their methods were far beyond him in craft. Perhaps bespoke.

erisvalerian

HOW WAS she faring? As well as one could, given the situation at hand. Erida, while chaos wielder by nature, had not been as chaotic as they all thought - her sibling included, specially the youngest Valerian. Yes, she was prone to bits of... madness every now & then, but it was a price she had to pay for protecting her empire well.

contrary to popular belief, she doesn't want for damnatio to end.

Frigoria is not ready to return back to the stage, it is not ready for it's dark power to survive the foul scrutiny of the others. She had sent her... most trusted advisors & allies - one of which had been her brother - to gouge just how much more powerful the Two had become, just how much hidden hatred had festered in their hearts.

she ought to speak with Vivian.

"As well as I can fare in such trying times, little brother. But, I did not come here to seek you for information. Though, I would like to hear your thoughts about the Thorned King statue & it's... courtiers."

#c: cefin #{ interactions }#{ little brother }

scafuri

sabrina had found the entertainment from earlier that evening absolutely enthralling. clearly in the minority here, and having stepped out to hide it, she had found an eerie thrill in the excitement and disruption of the drudgery of high society. taking a deep breath of night air, she raised a hand to her face and removed her eye mask.

the other woman's words caught her off-guard, and she turned to her quickly, offering a smile. "...indeed; yes. i don't think i would be getting much rest this evening, either." but not for the same reasons as most. "tonight will be quite a long night for the majority of the kingdom, i'm afraid." she let out a breath. "quite a night."

erisvalerian

SHE HAD appeared absolutely thrilled by the tonight's event & it sparked something akin to curiosity in the empress' veins. How intriguing - that a member of the kingdoms ( & if her spies had been correct, the spare one of Sotera ) had been so unfazed, unbothered by the jesters. A foolish soul, or someone in on a secret? Whatever the reason, Erida had shifted herself accordingly - like the sands of chaos that seeped in an ancient artefact in her bedroom, now shrunk & hidden among her things in the Soteran quarters.

the princess had been interesting, indeed.

"Indeed. I am still unsure whether I am amused or appalled by them" Eris spoke, observing the other. "Have you been entertained by them?"

#c: sabrina #{ interactions }

vindexance

qynna nodded a little—thank all the gods that she had assumed correctly and that other people truly had been startled by the show. she had been starting to wonder if it was just her. the jesters seemed to have struck a chord somewhere deep inside her—a very unsettling one.

"what do i gather from it?" she laughed, somewhat tense, before giving a shrug. "i don't know, really. was there much to gather?" what had she gathered? mostly, that she needed to trust her gut a lot more. she had known something was off from the minute she had set foot in the ballroom that night, but she hadn't listened. served her right. next time, she would pay more attention. she wouldn't make that mistake again.

erisvalerian

NO, THERE truly wasn't much to gather from the performers. Vague threat here, & eerie smile there & down into the ashes they fell. If she did not know any better, she would've said they were sent by Frigoria - but, she did not commission them. Her siblings, as far as she knew, did not commission them, either.

was it an attempt at coup?

Unrest, back home? She couldn't say, didn't yet know. But, her general will look into it - to quell any rebellion, should her citizens dare think of it. "I suppose you are right, my lady. They were very vague & their threats had been more of the construct of our fear, than anything of true importance." she had hoped so.

the alternative was chaos incarnate.

#c: qynna #{ interactions }

ofsteelsilv

A fourth kingdom. Pft, logistically impossible unless they've a barrier themselves. Hell, that's classic destabilization, but a precursor to what? To whom? By who? They had the first act narrow biases ‘til the second delivered the punching blow – by instilling the notion of japes into everyone's mind. Law of parsimony and a bit of chaos went a looong way. He'd know.

Speaking of chaos herself, up ahead stood a pale blonde woman. Unassuming to the rest, but to his trained eyes she’s the very person who had defined his life.

Withheld his death.

‘Ditched the mask?’

He didn't want to be a pedant, like his superiors and those enforced conduct treatises moments after his accolade. Still, he quickly assessed her nonverbal cues. Shaken, but not in denial — got that merchant's identity backing her. Good.

He nodded in greeting.

Now’d be the time putting to use those etiquette lessons. Enzo sidled beside Eris, close enough to be heard without sullying her reputation.

"Fear benefits them. I know of several stable hands gauging the reactions of riders – see which startles first: the horse or its rider?"

Never expect more than one can handle. Better to distract them from their thoughts. Away from the cause.

erisvalerian

THE GENERAL had been right. Fear was a powerful tool, wielded by many in he past & the present... but to whom did this brand of fear belong to? Who did it benefit? Way too many strange questions for the pale haired empress to ask herself. Still, she had inclined her head in acknowledgement of her general, lips pursing together in thought.

"You have a point, but it worries me which horseman & whose horse it belongs to, that are turning to spook us instead." a damning thought had crossed her mind. "Do you have any news from our home? The council should see through any deceit, perhaps this could be a rebel fraction looking to destabilize us now that the prophecy is coming to it's end." damnatio memoriae was rigged to fall within months.

That is why she had now ventured to the kingdoms two, to see if... chaos could be instilled or prevented, if alliances or enemies would be made.

#c: enzo #{ interactions }#{ her general }

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

golden chaos