at least I understood then the hunger I felt

FOR I AM A STRANGE NEW KIND OF INBETWEEN AREN’T I, NOT AT HOME WITH THE DEAD NOR WITH THE LIVING Manon Starfallen. Guard of the Day Court. Seer. Mother to Briar.

[forescghted]

highlordnikolai‌:

   Something in the air indeed, Nikolai thought to himself as he squinted against the breeze that bit at his eyes, his muscles aching. Night time and the starry sky was really all the High Lord needed to feel at peace. It was a reminder that all he had to do was just look up and it was home surrounding him no matter where he was or what was happening. He lost himself in his thoughts for a second before looking back at the brunette before him. “I do the exact same thing every time I cannot sleep well or have a lot on my mind. It brings me tranquility. What’s on your mind?”

What’s on your mind? It was a loaded question, especially for Manon, she had spoken to her High Lord about her visions. Though there was still much that she was unwilling to confide, Manon still surged with her attempts to pass it. If she did, it might help their chances but she had centuries of her dreams, of mixed feelings and trying to pretend to be something that she was not to contend with.

It was complicated.

“Answers,” Manon answered, “Trying to find them and believing that I never will,”

[forescghted]

ofthenightcourts‌:

One moment, things had been fine. Glasses had been raised and there seemed to be a genuine camaraderie among the Fae and Humans alike - and then the next his brother’s body was crumpling to the ground alongside the rest of the High Lords. Never had he felt the darkness in his veins answer so quickly - never had he been so willing to drain the magic at his core to Mist everyone in the room from existence. All that had stopped him was the sight of his brothers chest continuing to raise and fall with every breath - until he was once again on his feet. Understandably, sleep had evaded him after that.

Hours had been spent waiting for a reply from Velaris to ensure the city was safe, and later he had meticulously gone over strategy. It was only after others had trickled off to bed that he’d wandered the halls - ending upon a balcony because in truth, the open sky was calming. Stepping out onto the balcony, amethyst orbs took in the sight of another as a slight frown tugged at his mouth. “Shouldn’t you be asleep?” A hypocritical question really. 

Shouldn’t you be asleep?

Manon rolled her eyes, scribbling to the end of a sentence, a vague description, sometimes she drew in her journal - trying to make sense of whatever she had just dreamed. “Shouldn’t you?” She answered, looking up, pen in hand - trying to find wherever in the world that she’d been. 

“I think I’d find it strange if anyone slept soundly tonight,” Manon shrugged, “I doubt a lot of people will,” Hybern had answered the call as much as they had, Manon remembered all too well what had happened last time. Here they were trying to prevent it and here the Cauldron was, showing the terrible power it possessed.

[forescghted]

highlordnikolai‌:

   With the rest of the occupants Under the Mountain asleep, or at least attempting to sleep after the night’s events, Nikolai found himself slipping through his door without a creak and stepping into the shadows of the hallways. Darkness was a refuge to him where it was a fear to others. Sometimes he even thought he could see better in the dark than he did with light enveloping him. His bones felt tired and with every silent step against the stoned ground, a slight ache crept through him. The effects of the Cauldron lingered within his body and uncomfortable to sleep, the High Lord found himself restless to walk around despite his body screaming for rest they could not find. 

   He found himself backtracking when he passed a balcony with a single host against its railings, her shoulders hunched and head hung low over something before her. “I hope this spot is not taken.” Nikolai stalked to the balcony the stranger before him leaned against, laying his arms against the railing and staring up at the starry sky and snow coated mountains in the distance. “Can’t sleep either?”

She glanced up at the sound of someone approaching, Manon had thought with the hour that no one would be awake yet. It seemed as though she hadn’t foreseen that, one of many things apparently. 

The brunette closed her journal, glancing up at the man she recognised as one of the High Lords. 

“No,” Manon shook her head, tapping her fingers anxiously against the leather binding. Waking up from sleep always made her feel strange, as though she was somewhere between sleep and waking - as though she wasn’t really there. “There’s something in the air tonight,” She shrugged, “But I needed air and I needed to see the sky for a moment, I thought it might clear my head.”

[forescghted]

After the events of the feast, Manon had gone to bed, though it seemed that the use of the Cauldron only made her dreams more vivid. She had dreamt flashes of the Cauldron before and she’d barely dreamt of the wall falling before it had, though just barely. Manon had hardly understood what it all had meant, she still didn’t. 

She had pressed her dreams into silence and she heard whispers while still awake, it had taken her centuries to understand what she was. Yet, Manon was here and now she was trying to do something useful with the flashes she got. 

Her dreams had been vivid and still Manon could hardly make sense of them,  she’d woken up and gone wandering, clad still in her sleepwear and dressing gown, to one of the balconies where with her journal and pen in hand, she’d gone to write down what she’d dreamt.

Something, somewhere in here had to be an answer to Hybern. What though? Could she tell? Would she ever be able to?

[forescghted]

cauldcnmade‌:

“I understand rank. If there was no one to oversee the populace there is a strong chance chaos would ensue. But often there is little difference in the people who perform each role. They share similar emotions, hopes and dreams - even if some refuse to admit such a thing. And whether I continue to live another year, or another thousand -  I don’t think I will ever accept anyone being treated differently. Respect is earned, certainly, but a courtesy should be afforded to all.” It was going to be a learning curve - navigating the Courts as a whole rather then the little pieces she’d seen and experienced through the Night Court. “I formerly hail from Scythia. A small kingdom to the far east.”

“I’d agree with you there,” Manon said with a nod, “Some things I won’t ever say I’ll understand but,” She shrugged, that was one thing that Manon hoped that she might someday see going away. “I’ve heard a little of it,” Manon said in mention to Scythia, “Far enough away that this must be a big adjustment,”

[forescghted]

twilalight‌:

It was difficult to find familiar faces amongst the crowd. So when Manon and Briar appeared away from the crowd, Twila instinctively made her way over. A bright smile radiated off her face. Manon had often been assigned to be her guard. Her cousin insisted that she have someone watch her ever since the wall had come down. Twila liked Manon. She felt for her. Losing the man you love can rattle you to the core, but here they both were. Still standing. What’s more is that Manon had the little angel, too. Twila did not think she could have done it all. 

Twila reached out softly for the child. Briar latched onto the golden band on her arm. “Hello sweetling.’ She sang quietly, eyes full of warmth. “Nonsense, Manon. There is nothing to apologize for. She is merely reaching for things. That is good. It will lead her to an ambitious life.” Twila lightly tickled Briar’s nose. “But how could she not have an exceptional life?” Her eyes then traveled to the mother. “How do you feel about everyone being gathered in one place?“

A slightly friendlier look brought on by the familiarity of Twila came on her face. Briar reached back when Twila reached for her, also excited by the prospect of seeing someone she knew, making babbling noises. Manon chuckled, “More than exceptional, but I cannot be held accountable for my high impression of her. As her mother, I know that there is no one like her in the world and I revel in my biases,” She chuckled.

“It is...” Manon’s dark eyes glanced around, “Intense, is a word that I might use. More people than I’ve ever seen and all with their own agendas,” Even with her abilities, Manon wasn’t sure how this one was going to end up.

[forescghted]

cauldcnmade‌:

Cooing softly at the little darling, Lilith couldn’t help but wonder if children were in her future. She’d always anticipated having a large family once she settled down to marry, but from what she’d been told, children were far more rare for the fae. 

“Why would it matter what rank you hold?” She asked, eyebrows furrowing slightly. “Forgive me, I’m still attempting to wrap my head around the differences of each court. In my Kingdom, I knew plenty who were considered below my station and often times they were the far more enjoyable company. So I must say, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Manon Starfallen.”

“It matters to some,” Manon answered, hadn’t she dealt with enough people being the way they were over the years? Guards were guards, there to serve and protect, and Manon had more than one idiot who’d treated her as someone to hold their coat. “You live long enough, you see all sorts and those who treat rank as gospel,” She rolled her eyes, that unimpressed face easily brought on. “Which kingdom do you hail from?” Manon asked, the comments she made easily gave Manon the impression that Lilith was one of the newly made and that was intriguing to her. After all, she had never met any of them before.

[forescghted]

electricaddie‌:

   A beautiful name for a beautiful babe. “It’s lovely,” Adelaide replied and it was true. It felt like a lifetime ago that Adelaide herself had stayed up imagining baby names with her mate. Perhaps it was a lifetime ago, realistically speaking, if you had asked a human. “I do not blame you for not wanting to have anybody watch her but yourself. It is good you have family, too. Some do not have any. You’re a rather fortunate soul, don’t you think?” The overseer asked, suddenly staring at Manon like it was the first time. She was always conscious of the other lives with their own tragedies and love stories from other courts. Mother, even from those within hers who she walked by every day in the markets. How unfortunate her own life had such a pity draw of cards. 

   “My name is Adelaide and I’m from the Dawn Court. I’m sorry, I didn’t introduce myself and I’m just asking you all personal questions. The colors from your armor give away that you are Day, correct?”

Fortunate.

Was it a word that Manon would use to describe herself? Not particularly. Her life had not been ridden by tragedy, but of all the things that would describe herself - in a world where voices and dreams whispered the future to her that she’d tried her hardest to bury, where her husband was dead before he could meet their daughter. Truly, she was not the worst off of them all but misery was a comfortable companion.

“I am fortunate in some things yes,” Manon offered simply, not wishing to offer offence and knowing that she was trying to be on her best behaviour. “I am lucky to have them still,” 

Cauldron only knew what she would do if she did, if they were truly two alone creatures in this world.

An amused look came on her face as the woman introduced herself as Adelaide, “Well I won’t begrudge you your curiosity, it seems that everyone here has an interesting story to tell,” That was at least one way of putting it and she nodded, “Yes, you are correct I am a guard in the Day Court,”

[forescghted]

cauldcnmade‌:

Offering the babe up her hand to grab onto, Lilith watched the child with mild amusement. What she wouldn’t give for an hour of that innocent, carefree curiosity. “With so many people admiring her? Oh I can only imagine she’s having the time of her life.” She chuckled. 

Raising her gaze once more to offer the woman a warm smile, her head dipped into a nod of greeting. “It’s a pleasure to meet you - I’m Lilith Bloodwood. Currently a resident under the Mountain.” She’d spent years going by a title and now to only detail that she lived here seemed… uncomfortable. “Might I ask which court you hail from? I’m afraid I’m still having a bit of a hard time picking out who is from where..”

A smile curved onto her lips as Manon watched her daughter grab out with her chubby hands, gripping onto the hand that the other woman offered. Perhaps she ought to let Briar handle proceedings, she was a remarkable diplomat already.

The dark haired woman returned the polite nod, noting with interest the fact that Lilith came from Under the Mountain. That well...Manon could make enough assumptions as to why that was. “Manon Starfallen,” She returned, “And I would not think you would recognise me, I am of the Day Court but I’m not someone is of high ranking. I’m a guard there,”

[forescghted]

electricaddie‌:

    The sudden softness in the guard’s voice tugged at Adelaide’s core. What a blessing it must be to have a child on your own, the rarity of it a gift in itself. Times were trying, of course. But was it ever safe to bring a baby into this world? If it wasn’t an upcoming war, it would be court rivalries and bitter political differences. Mother, perhaps an ancient monster creating unnecessary havoc out of boredom. Tugging a stray hair behind her ear, Adelaide’s eyes dropped back onto the baby as the fae smiled widely at her while Manon spoke, cracking the ice inside and around Adelaide.

    “Very lucky indeed! What is her name?” She asked first until looking back at the mother. “A future we will have. Do you have anybody to look after her if things go south or you’re away on work?” Perhaps too blunt for and from a stranger but Adelaide had noted the sword at Manon’s hip and the attire she wore proudly; her presence alone oozed military. 

“Briar,” Manon said with a small smile, the bluntness of her next question had her arching an eyebrow in surprise but Manon had always been a straight talker so it wasn’t unwelcome. Just unexpected from a relative stranger. The topic of what would happen to Briar was a topic that Manon had thought much about, if Wren had taught her anything it was that nothing was sacred and that nothing was ever completely safe.

“I have made plans,” She said with a nod, “I have a mother and my husband has a sister. They have agreed to help me out but I’m not too keen on letting her out of my sight, she is so young after all,” That and if things did go south, Manon did not want anyone to say that she did not spend all the time she could with Briar. That her daughter would not be assured that her mother loved her, no matter where she was.

[forescghted]

electricaddie‌:

   Adelaide found herself alone for the first time in the evening, breathing in a gulp of air at last free and sick of having to parade around paying mind to humans and fae with a fake smile, her tone having become too sweet to come across polite anymore and it was noticeable. So she resulted in detaching herself to give herself a few moments rest to drop the facade she ran tired way too quickly. She was making her way across the feasting hall to the table with drinks when she felt a soft yank in her hair, pulling her back on her heels. Her irritation flared as she whirled around to face the cause of such an act until her dark eyes landed on this chubby baby peering up at her with wide eyes. Whatever annoyance Adelaide felt was melted away in seconds. 

    Her eyes bounced from the baby to the fae holding her. “ No, no, don’t apologize! She’s beautiful, “ Adelaide offered a small smile at the duo. Once upon a time, Adelaide would have wished for a baby clinging to her too but those days were long gone. “ I’m sure she’s all over the place with all this loud commotion. You’re very lucky. ”

The flash of annoyance that Manon thought she caught, however brief, almost caused her hackles to rise up. Overprotective parent as she was, anyone who couldn’t fall for Briar’s charms was clearly blind but the compliment had her softening quickly enough. Like the fool that she was.

“She is,” Manon admitted, the softness apparent in her voice as much as she might have tried to hide it. Some things just couldn’t be denied. “I think she’s never experienced anything like this and neither have I,” Manon observed wryly, glancing around the room. “I’m lucky to have her,” She conceded with a nod, “A reminder of the future that I am hopeful that all of this,” She waved a hand around, “Will help protect for her,”

[forescghted]

cauldcnmade‌:

Lilith was slowly growing familiar with the slight brush of bodies against her - the room crowded and people eager ( though typically ) polite when they jostled past her in pursuit of something else. At the gentle tugging at the fabric of her dress as she swept passed someone however, she couldn’t help but turn - eyes softening at the sight of the fae child. She’d meant plenty since her Making, but children seemed to be the only sort that really eased her heart or her mind. Still so innocent to the world - it was a familiarity that a human child might have held.

“She’s adorable.” Lilith responded with a small smile, eyes raising momentarily from the baby to the woman. “With so much going on, I truly cannot blame her for the curiosity, so no apology is needed.” Children were a blessing, regardless of if they were fae or human. “Does she have a name?”

The description of her daughter caused Manon to smile, “I won’t argue with you there,” She said, glancing down at her dark eyed daughter and resting a gentle hand on her downy head. The little one was easy at making her soften, a powerful feat for a fae with resting bitch face. “I think she’s having the time of her life,” Manon shook her head fondly, as Briar began to coo - still grabbing away with her chubby little fists.

“Her name is Briar,” Manon said, a small smile coming to her face as she recalled the conversation with Wren that had caused her to choose it. Children had seemed such an unlikely possibility for both of them at that point, still they’d entertained the game of naming children together. “And I, her lowly amuser, am Manon,”

[forescghted]

Manon wasn’t on duty tonight, so she’d been free to enjoy the festivities. She was still wary, it was difficult for her not to be so it was on the fringes that Manon lurked, ever watchful. Briar was with her, she’d been unwilling to let her daughter out of her sight in an unfamiliar place. With her baby in her arms and her sword at her hip, Manon felt...well at least slightly prepared for anything. 

She was gently running a hand down her daughter’s back, trying to soothe her back into sleep but the colors and the new surroundings had caught Briar’s attention. She had also recently worked out how to grab at things, both proved an...interesting combination. Briar reached out, chubby hands grabbing at something from a nearby person and Manon stepped back, giving her daughter her finger to hold instead.

“Apologies.” Manon said with a nod to the person, “She’s very grabby at the moment,”

[forescghted]

📋 + 7

- Manon is pretty tall, it generally makes her even more intimidating.

- Her favorite physical feature is her hair, it’s pretty thick but has a tendency to get tangled which irritates her.

- Her love languages are physical touch and acts of service

- For all her abilities as a seer, she will always forget to dress for the weather without fail.

- She hates the cold.

- Manon has a very lovely singing voice, only used for lullabies for Briar.

- She misses Wren terribly.

[forescghted]

☆ ♡ ☯

☆ - happy headcanon

If you asked her, without a doubt Manon would say that the happiest day of her life was the day that Briar was born and it’d be the truth. Briar gave her hope when she didn’t think that she had any left and Manon is not a crier, but she cried for a long time but out of happiness.

♡ - romantic headcanon

Manon is a romantic down to her bones, as much as she would definitely deny it. She and Wren used to bring each other flowers to surprise each other (terrifying guards of the Day Court y’all). Wren would keep his on his desk in their room, Manon pressed hers and now keeps them dried in her journals.

☯ - likes/dislikes headcanon

Manon is a picky eater, she rarely eats everything on her plate if someone else makes her food. She’ll pick at it with a look of mild distaste and honestly, it’s just easier to let her make her own food.

[forescghted]

☮ - friendship headcanon

Manon claims that she doesn’t do friends, she’s not soft enough for them. She actively declaws herself for the people that she loves though, friendship with her requires numerous prodding but she does have a heart underneath all the barbed wire. As much as she pretends not to.

[forescghted]

Ageratum

Are you friendly or wary of strangers?

“I’m not really the friendly type, Wren always said that I looked as though I might stab someone for saying good morning.”