tempest the storm

Gale Fairbank, Demifey and loyal to Unseelie Court

[galefairbank]

peridotfairburn‌:

She was moderately intrigued, her brow lightly wafting skyward at Gale’s comment. “Oh, is that so?” Her head tilted then, leftward, as she offered him a smile. disingenuine, but a smile nonetheless. “Aaaaaaand why exactly are you after the dynamic duo?”  Her tone was almost that of a sing-song style, light and airy. A tone that wouldn’t commonly be associated with Peridot, but she had been in a good mood that day. Though her mood didn’t correlate at all with Gale’s impending news or whatever it was. But for the plots that were forever unfolding within her mind, how she can perpetually fuck with people. Fuck with Gale. But for now, she’d bide her time and wait for the perfect opportunity. Nothing screamed more fun than feeding Gale false information on the rebellion. Never a lie, just a bunch of misdirection. She couldn’t wait. “Is it because we’re working too hard? Exceeding expectations?”

She was far too sugary sweet to be serious and Gale had to control himself not to roll his eyes. Whenever she got like this it was usually because she wanted something, not because she was in a delightful mood. Gale was almost too afraid to ask what had gotten her so pleasant for it was surely something he was better off not knowing about. “Dynamic duo? Is that what you’re calling yourselves these days?” Frost would knock his head in if he joked about such a title. “I’ve found it helps to have no expectations with you...that way you’re always a surprise.” 

[galefairbank]

forcstfire‌:

Forest had heard plenty about Gale over the past few months. There had been whispers about how he was Camellia’s true father, about his relationship with Queen Lacha, not to mention he’d been standing up at Lugnasad a few weeks prior holding the hands of another. Beyond the murmurings, though, he knew very little about the man. Just an Unseelie, someone Forest knew of but didn’t really know. 

“Yeah,” Forest nodded, though he wasn’t sure he liked being recognized from a wedding ceremony he hadn’t signed up for, it was a breath of fresh air considering most associated him with his Fidchell win. Being recognized from a wedding - that was far easier to swallow than being remembered for killing people. 

Thumbing the ring around his finger he could only provide a slight smile. “It’s…a little confusing, honestly.” He wondered how Gale felt about it, marrying Gorta. They seemed nice enough, but he didn’t remember Gale and Gorta ever spending time together. Not to mention, he didn’t look like the picture of happiness. But the wedding was probably easier to swallow for a man who had lived his entire life with the fey, comparatively. At least he had that advantage. 

The poor demifey looked about as bewildered as Gale himself felt. There was an unsteady feeling associated with the rings that seemed to weigh on both the mind and finger. His own ring burns almost like iron, feeling as though it may brand the very skin it cradles. Gale could acknowledge that it was far easier to pretend that it was something he wanted, something that would offer him a harbor in a place where no true fey loved him without conditions. Lacha had her crown to worry about, Camellia with her image, Malachite with his duties, Frost with her boundaries. There was no one who would desire him as he truly was without expectations or needs that trumped his own. Gorta was far too brash and loud for him to truly be sure how they could work but she was bound to be with him, for better or worse. The least he could do was offer her the pieces of himself that were hidden from the world that Lacha could not truly own. 

“You’re in a rather unique position for your situation. Can’t imagine the questions you have,” he said with a low chuckle. His fingers itched for a cigarette but he forced himself to tuck his coat in tighter to fight off the brush of wind. Marigold had always seemed somewhat genuine, as much as he could view the Seelie, but he bore her no ill will for her blood relations. Adare was a bastard and Gale felt only sympathy for the man tied to his daughter and forced to deal with him for the next couple decades. If they didn’t divorce. “Are you going to stay with her?” 

[galefairbank]

text @ dad (gale)

Camellia: He did? I would love to hear more about your family - my other grandparents - sometime. I am a bit old enough, yes, but I am still smaller than you.

Camellia: Then perhaps I should get to that. ;) Then you two can be happy.

Camellia: She does, but in a way I cannot place. What does 'tried everything' mean? Well, I have to hope that I get to marry someone I truly love when I get married. I hope, no matter what, that Gorta is treating you well.

Camellia: Just - if you do marriage-y, or couple-y things, as much as I care about you, I would prefer to not hear gory details. You are my dad, after all.

Gale: I forget I haven't told you much about them. I'll give you a journal I've had my mother write up for me.

Gale: ....I'm not going to get into details. I hope Lacha has given you every talk you need regarding the fey. But I too have always wanted to marry for love but it's just not meant for me. I'll have to see how it goes.

[malaicit]

Malachite & Gale : a moodboard.

@galefairbank

[galefairbank]

forcstfire‌:

When: August 18th, early morning Where: Pier 62 Who: OPEN

Forest hadn’t been down to the pier in at least a year, probably more. He used to like going out on the water with his friends back in high school, renting a few kayaks, packing a bag full of food, and sitting out on the water all afternoon. It didn’t feel quite the same anymore - though, granted, not much of New York felt quite the same anymore. Things used to be a lot less…complicated back then. 

He slowed down to a walk as he reached the edge of the water, using the neck of his shirt to wipe sweat from his face as music blared in his earbuds. He thumbed the rope band on his finger, a habit he’d picked up ever since it had been placed there, a constant reminder, as he continued along the pier, somewhat lost in thought.

Maybe it wasn’t…all bad?

Bumping shoulders with a passerby was the only thing that got his attention brought back to reality and he cleared his throat, pulling out an earbud and glancing back in the direction of the person he’d run into, “Hey – sorry.” 

Gale spent a majority of his time hidden away in the Rookery or traveling discretely to places he was needed. The Unseelie were a curious lot but their territory remained some of the most beautiful places he had ever seen, including that owned by the Seelie. The pier remained one of his favorite places to unwind and sort his thoughts out, the water offering an escape and an exploration all at once. Back when he was more free with his time and allowed to wander he would shift into his fish form and enjoy the warmth of the water and the absolute freedom it provided. 

He desired that very same feeling now as he walked down to the pier, hands shoved deep into his pockets as he aimlessly wandered. Few would find him here unless they sought him out but he just tucked up his collar to allow himself anonymity to walk freely. That was quickly shattered once he was bumped into and in an attempt to apologize he saw only the face of the Seelie who shared the same fate as him. Forest, he believed his name was? The poor bastard had looked just as pale as Gale had thought himself to be. 

“S’alright. It’s Forest, right? I remember you from the....ceremony.” A quick glance down at his finger revealed the shining ring that confirmed as much. His face was just as blank as the way it had been when their names had been called and it made him feel a rush of sympathy for him. “How’s married life for you?” 

[galefairbank]

text @ dad (gale)

Camellia: You are the only one allowed to call me kid. I think. Maybe others, too. But anyways, things can change. I think she really loves you. [deleted: Maybe if she was not Queen she would be more okay with it.]

Camellia: Well, she looks older than me. But that means nothing, since I look so young. I have no idea, but I think she is at least a bit older than me. But Gorta is not someone I have ever kept too much track of.

Gale: You're my daughter, better that than call you 'squirt'. My own father used to call me that but you're old enough that it might be weird.

Gale: She loves me and I love her but she's never going to put the crown in jeopardy. At least until you come into your own power and take the throne.

Gale: Doesn't she seem familiar? Not my type of crowd but I might try it out. I've tried just about everything.

[gortafairfield]

Nice Day For A

[galefairbank]

gortafairfield‌:

“Easy for me?” Gorta teased. “Whoever said I liked things easy? Do I look easy to you? —Don’t answer that, I guess I am, it’s our wedding night.” Her eyes were as grey as the sky when you’re standing on the edge of land, a lighthouse behind you, and a storm is about to blow through. Blustery. That’s what her eyes were. The lighthouse gave the spark of amusement as she spoke, a beacon illuminating her face. She had little and less memory of the fact that Gale was entwined with Lacha; were it to come up, Gorta wouldn’t understand why it was such a big deal at first. Polyamory was a thing, right? She could get down with it.

Gorta moved a hand through the hair Gale had just so carefully tousled. “I meant what I said, you wanna call this shit off tomorrow, I’ll go on my merry way. I got people to do, things to see, don’t feel bad on my account.” The tone of her voice was vaguely hollow. She did have things to do and people to see, didn’t she? She couldn’t quite remember what those were, but Gorta had the intense impulse to meet absolutely as many people as possible. A real socialite. A true extrovert. Gorta leaned forward and kissed the corner of Gale’s mouth, where he’d crooked it into a grimace. “How do you want to be married?” she added with a laugh.

Well. She’s nothing like he expected or even remembers her being. It’s hazy and foreign in a way that he isn’t sure he quite likes, having relied on his memory and thoughts for so long that it flexes like a muscle long honed. Something in her trickles in like the beginning of a river, soft and gentle, then it is suddenly overwhelming and washing over him in waves that leave him more drained than before. This emotional whiplash was bound to wrack chaos on his body and he couldn’t imagine the backlash that was going to ripple outwards in the shattered cracks of his relationships. Lacha had only just begun to trust him again and allow him into the frozen mound of her heart without the fear of vulnerability. 

Her hands were like ice, delicate and yet hard, the veins in her arm standing out to him in a way that had him curious. He’d been with both men and women before and gender hardly affected the fey in ways he traditionally considered to be important to mortals. Her reminding him of their wedding night had him swallowing thickly, unsure whether to be intrigued or wary. He’d only been with Lacha recently, Malachite having long been occupied by their problems to the point he remained distant, leaving him with little options. Were they expected to jump into bed? Gorta certainly seemed to think so. 

If he weren’t surprised then he was certainly more so when she pressed a quick, brutal kiss to his mouth. It was far too much unasked for affection that was spinning his mind into circles that he was unsure how to pull himself out of. Yet Lacha wasn’t his keeper, now was she? She’d denied him her hand, denied him his daughter, denied him a crown or title or anything that would tie them together. He was free to do exactly whatever it was he wished and here was a chance to throw caution to the wind and test her response. Gale allowed himself to give her an awkward smile that settled into something a bit more lax as he slipped an arm around her, surprising even himself. “I don’t know, I’ve never been married before. I might want to give it a shot...never had a chance to see what I might like. If you’re alright with that, of course. A chance to try.” 

[galefairbank]

text @ dad (gale)

Camellia: Thank you very much. My reign will be steady, do not worry. Or as steady as is possible.

Camellia: My mom could still marry you. It is not good to give up hope. Maybe she will realize how much she would prefer to be with you rather than you be with Gorta.

Camellia: [deleted: I just want my parents together. I just want our Court to stop being so obsessed with this. If anything, they ought to take it out on me and not on you.]

Gale: I love your enthusiasm, kid, but she's never going to have a Consort. She's always said as much.

Gale: Speaking of Gorta, do you remember what she used to do? I've tried asking but she's so slippery I can't remember if she's a new fey or older than you.

[galefairbank]

asterfairbank‌:

Hinging their future on him. It was something Aster thought of often, too often, obsessively, even. It was as if no one else could see the ticking clock that he often saw in himself. The one that gave him another hundred years, maybe a few more than that. It wasn’t enough if he was supposed to  be the future. Maybe they knew, though, were just pretending, to have some hope. Aster couldn’t pretend, but he wished he could. He took another swig of his beer, and shook his head. These thoughts, they weren’t anything that he could share with anyone. He just couldn’t. “Don’t. There’s plenty of shit to worry about, without my sanity in mind.

Gale only sighed at his utter indifference to his situation and struggled to come up with something. In many ways Gale was not the most charismatic fey or even the one who looked the best. It was harder to reel people in and open them up when they weren’t the ones approaching him. It was why he preferred staying in the back library and enjoying everything from the safety of his own private space. But Aster was genuine and Gale had watched him work hard enough that he deserved to have a little affirmation to boost his own confidence. “Not likely to forget about it. I care for all of the employees here and you’re forced to handle a lot, just like I did when I first started here. You can talk to me about anything you need to if it clears your mind. I know what it’s like.” 

[galefairbank]

text @ dad (gale)

Camellia: Well, our Court has now had two times when I could have thrown a fit over events, and I have not, so perhaps that shall show them I am not as much to be trifled with as they might believe. :)

Camellia: Who is to say you will not be married otherwise? It could still happen.

Gale: You've always been better than anyone could have ever imagined. I just want your reign to be as steady as it can be.

Gale: ....It's difficult to discuss, especially over the phone. I'm not likely to get married twice.

[galefairbank]

text @ dad (gale)

Camellia: What is? You being voted to marry Gorta? I suppose our Court is still hyper-fixated on you. They need something new.

Camellia: Are you allowed to request divorce, or does it have to be Gorta? Or does it have to be mutual? [there is a pause in sending, as she types and deletes and types the following sentence again:] Do you want to get divorced?

Gale: I just don't want it to effect you in any negative way. Anything that happens to me shouldn't reflect on you or your future reign.

Gale: I just have to ask. She has to be somewhat willing, obviously, to do her part in it but I suppose it can't hurt to see what it's like. Not like I'll be married otherwise.

[galefairbank]

text @ dad (gale)

Camellia: [deleted: Of /course/ I would be nice. When have I ever not been nice? It is, in fact, something our Court uses as a fault of mine.] Yes, I understand.

Camellia: Everything is a whole lot.

Gale: When isn't it? This whole thing is a load of shit.

Gale: (deleted) I need diplomatic immunity or your mother is going to cut my balls off

Gale: At least Mother's day is over? I'll find out if I'm getting divorced soon I guess

[galefairbank]

asterfairbank‌:

Aster really wished he was more upset about the whole thing than he really was - Instead, he just had an itching annoyed feeling. He liked to pretend sometimes that he didn’t want to impress people as much as he did, but it was mostly hard to even lie to himself. Especially people like Malachite, or even Gale. He hunched over his beer, sighing. “Well, I didn’t do it.” Even with Gale clearly not being angry, he felt defensive. “Handling it? I mean, does anyone really handle working with Malachite?”

There was a time and place to push the issue and he knew he’d have to hold off to get anything from him. It could’ve been something simple as he said but their problems were mounting and if anything was a hair out of place it would reflect poorly on him and being able to do his job. Luckily Aster was young enough and such an open book that he couldn’t help but feel sympathy for him. “Very true. He’s quite...excessive and eccentric at times but that’s just from centuries of living. If he ever gets to be too much and you need something, you’re more than welcome to ask. I get a bit worried for you, especially if we’re hinging our future on you.” 

[galefairbank]

text @ dad (gale)

Camellia: [makes a small face at her phone] I do not know what human rules are, not that they matter, but I guess I have a step-parent now.

Camellia: Unfortunately, I am unable to control my mother's feelings, but I will do my best to distract her. [deleted: I wish it had been you and her. Which is foolish and childish, but still true.]

Gale: I know it's a rather unfair situation but please try to be nice to her. She's stuck in it as much as I am and we have time to figure everything out.

Gale: How are you feeling about...everything?

[galefairbank]

text @ dad (gale)

Camellia: Does Gorta count as a step parent if you and my mom were never married? [deleted: I am none too fond of this.]

Camellia: I did not expect this to be the result of the voting.

Gale: Technically? I'm not too sure how it works. Still counts I think.

Gale: To be fair, neither did I. Please make sure your mother doesn't absolutely destroy her office?

[galefairbank]

thewinteress‌:

Frost strolled alongside him to his office, walking with ease and nonchalance. Sipping briefly on her own coffee, she leaned against his desk to watch him. At his grimace, she nodded in response. “Yes, I’d really like to keep you alive while I can, Gale.” She set the coffee down and hopped onto the desk fully, leaning back on her hands. “But that brings us to the real question of, when you become King of the Unseelie, can I have a room in the castle? For sleepovers and stuff.” Frost couldn’t help but swing her legs, grinning goodnaturedly at him. She couldn’t take away his memories of the Wood but she could distract him. And satiate her own curiosity. 

“How are you doing?”

Gale couldn’t help but roll his eyes at her words, flicking at her boots when she swung her legs in his direction. “Hilarious, Frost, you’re a real comedic relief,” he said deadpan. Truthfully he wasn’t sure it would ever become as such as Lacha had never given an indication that she wanted anyone on her side. She was more than capable of handling the Court in her own way, even if it meant ostracizing some fey to keep her grip on them. Trying to hide a smile and failing utterly, Gale set his coffee on the desk and tossed the files in his hand onto the side table, fully intending to dig through it later while he could. 

“But in this fantasy of yours I don’t think you’ll want a room too close for sleepovers. Camellia was created naturally after all.” It was strange talking about it so openly but it had been half a century since he could be open enough to speak his mind on it. “I’m...alright. Everything is just as chaotic as usual and I’m one finger short but I’ve been doing this so long it’s like breathing. What about you?”

[galefairbank]

unseeliequeenlacha‌:

Her fingers continue parsing through his hair, just grazing along his scalp. The smile he tips her way isn’t the one she so loves to find on his face. No, it’s thinner and less pure. But it is still him, and it is still a smile and she returns it, though just as wan. “Yes, it does,” she comments softly. It’s a truth she’s known for a long while, sacrifice for the Court. It just isn’t necessarily something she wants for him. But – he is with her and she is the Court. She only wishes it wasn’t the cause of his pain.

She frowns softly, shaking her head. “You didn’t ruin the evening.” It was messy, yes, and not exactly what she had planned, but clearly the conversation was something necessary. Something they both needed to discuss and clear the air on. True, they hadn’t come to any real solution, but Lacha is in favor of always saying what needs to be said – a pinnacle Unseelie, it seems. “My plan was merely this, mostly.” Again, she presses a quiet kiss to his lips. 

“If you’d like to go dancing, we still can.” It might be nice. To find a club or lounge, out of the way, loose themselves together in the dark and the music. Press close and press away all memories of the fight and soaking red wine. “Or, I’m perfectly happy to just stay here, with you.” With his head in her lap and her hand in his hair. Her plan, after all, was just an evening with him, time spent with him. Not pretending one way or the other, allowing herself to reach out and touch when she wanted, kiss when she wanted. 

Drawing her thumb along his cheekbone, the one unmarked, Lacha presses out a sigh. “I love you.” It’s a bit absent, the statement, but looking at him – still here, still with her, still trusting – she could hardly think of anything else.

Despite her soft words and reassure he is well aware that the fragility of their relationship and liaisons have been exposed with this fight. She has been honest, perhaps brutally so, and he has allowed it to continue this way for so long that he can’t be shocked by her response. The evidence of it all continues to pool around the base of her wall, stained red and ruined. 

What little relief he feels from speaking his mind is ruined with the knowledge that he will continue to bow his head and carry the weight of her wishes along with the pain of his own desires. Camellia will grow up without him present in the way he wishes to be most. She is merciful enough to allow him time with her at all yet he has always been greedy enough to crave more than what has been fed to him. 

Her agreement to do something that is rare for them, something so minuscule that it hardly seems worth celebrating, is more of a settling for the situation at hand than he thinks she realizes. It is an olive branch offered that he isn’t sure is too deserved in this situation but he’ll take it. “I love you as well,” he whispers, turning to kiss her thumb. They are both echoing empty words that truly have meaning but have been corroded by what they squabble uselessly over. Their love is all they have in a society where they are not allowed to. Or rather one that would accept it but she will not allow it to be. But such thoughts are only going to rile him up again so instead he eases up off the couch and takes her hand, helping her up as well. “Come on, let’s go dancing. I know a hole in the wall place few fey wander know of...it’s mostly mortals only.”