open starter for : 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 ( accepting 10 replies )
the smoke still rises from the ruins of mircea, wounded emerge still as the academy is vast and great. if this is an act of destruction performed by the betrovian kingdom he has not been informed. the mere idea of him not knowing is acceptable, his father would not risk to expose their plans if need be. however, there is no trace of marking it as their doing and therefore it isn't. who would put the school ablaze but them ? who else hated the divine and their teachings ? the zamfir pretender walks with hand covering lips as he tries to mvoe rubble away. " mind helping me remove this ? we still need to check for survivors. "
The sight of the fallen academy etched itself in Valerian's memory. Years spent honing his skills and forging himself into Alina's blade were destroyed, and all he could do was wander aimlessly around the area and hope he could be of help to those survivors who were unable to slip out before tragedy fell. His gaze lifted at ROHAN ZAMFIR'S request, a slight nod slipping through before he came to the guard's side. "I'll take this side, and you take the other side. We should lift on three, to make sure we're in sync." He paused for a second, his voice quieting as he asked, "Have you found any more survivors?"
Though days were spent groveling to nobles and pouring over books in an attempt to find the key to more power, Armand's nights were spent in a less confined space. He gravitated towards the Drunk Impaler Tavern for two reasons: the cheap ale and the entertaining chaos that always ensued.
Tonight, however, seemed to lack the usual entertainment he sought after. News of the fire spread quickly throughout the land, and most were either mourning those impacted or trying to discover who went after such a historical landmark. Armand himself that endured questioning glances all night, but most were too engrossed in their grief to speak to him.
When a lost soul finally did approach Armand's table, the infern tensed up. His eyes stayed focused on the ale as he spat out, "I didn't burn down Mircea, if that's what you're wondering." He finally glanced up at the stranger as he added, "Would've done that a long time ago, if that were me."
open to : everyone . location : bran castle corridors , late at night .
──── . ݁₊ strange, he is acting so strange. with each meeting of the king's small council, alina finds her eyes trailing after her father in wonderment, fearful as they take in every strange action, each stutter leaving his lips following days of his being so steady, so sure of himself. ever since the fire, he's different — his eyes are shifty, and he appears so incredibly paranoid all of a sudden. strange, very strange. it occupies alina as she studies late into the night in the archives, reading up on the histories, the folklore of the vampyr which still plagues her mind deep into the evening, shadows crawling the walls and making her feel unsteady. head shaking, she leaves the archives and makes her way back to the main wing of the castle alone, her mind burning though her eyes feel weighted with exhaustion. she knows there's no chance of slumber this night.
her eyes focus upon a figure up ahead, and she frowns as she approaches. “it's quite late,” her voice is soft, tired. “what has you wandering the castle at this hour? does the aftermath of the fire hold you captive from sleeping as it does i?”
Throughout the chaos of the fire, there was one shadow that continued to go unnoticed. Inessa Dragova floated through the castle with ease, like a ghost haunting the corridor of its demise. She couldn't will herself to care much about the loss of the school --- not when she was never gifted the opportunity to attend it in the first place. The one thing that did disturb her was the fact that they were to take in the displaced students. It's likely that an unruly infern caused the fire in the first place, and now they find themselves in the Dragova's halls? The thought kept the girl from falling asleep and willing the whole event away.
A slight scowl formed on her lips as she recognized her sister's voice, but it disappeared before the girl could spot it. Instead, her eyes softened up as she turned her attention to her older sister. "Yes, it's quite alarming. To think something so tragic could happen so close to us." She hummed, letting herself fall in step with her sister. "First the loss of my beloved betrothed, then father's health, and now this? It's almost too much to bear."
the pretenders hues turned to what seemed a soul untouched by the dark. he watched as her smile seemed so innocent, her stance care-free as if there were not treacherous beasts within the shadows of the night. " every year. " he replied with a rather curious tone. he had to admit their features were new to his mind and even if he thought he knew everyone ⸻ he could not place this one.
" i'm sorry if i am being to forward, but could i ask your name ? i have a tendency of knowing who everyone is-" there's a chuckle leaving his lips. a fake one of course, but who asks such questions without an explanation ? " i'm rohan zamfir, personal guard to lord nikolaj vlada, it should justify why i am so curious about who you might be. "
A light blush fell on Emine's cheeks at the man's response to her question. Truthfully, she thought she would be able to blend in better with the familiar faces at court, but her inexperience was evident from a single glance. Still, she knew she did nothing wrong. She was simply a new employee who hadn't figured out the traditions of the kingdom quite yet. Despite that knowledge, a nervousness wrapped itself around her chest as she listened to the man's explanation.
"My name is Emine Demirci." She said softly, offering the man a slight curtsy as she continued, "I'm a court healer." She felt like more of an explanation was needed, so she added on, "Clearly new to the job, but happy to be able to witness traditions like this and help heal people like yourself."
Open starter with Kajsa Erner, who is watching The Tournament.
A long, drawn out sigh escapes her as the sound of blade against blade echoes through the air. Several thoughts pass her mind. One: that should be her in the pit, hilt of her sword pinned through flesh. Two: they really do a disservice using unsharpened blades in these tournaments. Where are the stakes ? The fight ? She wants to yell out to the knights as they dance around each other, parrying without striking, evading hits with the elegance of a performer and not a warrior. " I thought there would be more blood, " she laments, unable to fight the downturn of her lips.
" Come. " Kajsa nods in a direction away from the crowd, far away from the play fighting that seems to amuse those too far in their cups. " Let's find something else to entertain us. Surely there must be something interesting in this damned castle. "
Though Armand was supposed to be on his best behavior while in Valanya, that didn't stop him from seeking out violence and danger whenever he could. He thought the tournament would help satisfy the bloodlust that vibrated through his veins, but it only disappointed him. What was the point of a tournament when the knights were too scared to hit one another? Where was the violence--- the fanfare?
A voice echoed his thoughts, and his gaze lifted to settle on KAJSA ERNER. A smirk formed at her words, head tilting towards the show as he responded, "These knights look like they'd pass out at the sight of a paper cut, let alone a severed limb or deep wound." He paused before adding, "A shame, really. That would've made this tournament way more entertaining."
Armand was slightly surprised that the girl wasn't running away from the disowned noble, but he was intrigued enough to go along with her plans. "Finally someone with good taste. Good, I was getting bored of the lanterns and street performers." He motioned ahead of himself, "Lead the way."
open starter for : rohan agarwal zamfir & open ( accepting 4 replies )
location: the lantern release
like rising stars the lanterns float through the air of the capital of valanya. a sight given to it's people. so raven haired trickster stands amongst unknown weak and feeble beings of a country betraying their own gods. how many times had he not watched the divine perform their miracles and disasters ? they were an abomination created from darkness, forbidden, horrid and yet. " they are beautiful to look at. " he murmurs to himself, eyes reflecting the fire of the lanterns before turning to companion. " do you not think so ? "
Having grown up with no one other than her mother to keep her company, Emine was rather innocent when it came to the outside world. She knew going to Valanya was going to be an adventure, but she never dreamed of all the sights she'd see. The Lantern Festival was a good example of that, with their gentle flames lighting up the night sky. Emine could stare at the sight forever, but her gaze shifted when she heard the man next to her speak.
"It's beautiful. I've never seen anything like it before." A light smile traced her lips at the occasion, but there was a slight hesitance too. What if she woke up and realized this was nothing more than a dream? She was scared of losing such a precious memory so soon, but she had to remind herself that it was better to experience it once than not at all. "Do they do this often?"
cha eunwoo . cis man . he/him . wasn’t that armand ryu walking the cobbled roads of coňstanja? it’s nice to see a disowned lord of house ryu and scholar out and about on such a fine day as this. i’ve heard from the court spies that they are notoriously sadistic, whilst also managing to be intelligent. the twenty seven year old is eager to explore bran keep. i heard that they themselves are divine (infern). it’s funny, whenever i think of them, i think of are monsters born or made? maybe both, washes littering your every step, dreams of a world on fire— for who doesn’t want to watch it all go down in flames? ( alyx . she/her . 26 . est )
FILE.
full name: armand ryu
age: twenty seven
gender / pronouns: cis man, he/him
orientation: bisexual
occupation: scholar & disgraced noble
family: lord ryu (father, alive), lady ryu (mother, alive), open siblings
faceclaim: cha eunwoo
inspiration: cardan greenbriar (cruel prince), the corinthian (sandman), the man in black (westworld)
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BIOGRAPHY.
Bullying tw
You were born much like your divine ability--- a fiery ball of light ready to command attention in the world. The youngest of many, you were spoiled from the moment you took your first breath. You were never taught the meaning of no, never learned humility or patience, for there was no need for such things in your life. All you cared about was securing your place in the history books, and when your divine ability flared up, you knew it was your chance to do so.
Your initial days in the army were everything you expected. You excelled in your studies and training, but it had gotten to the point where you grew bored in your station. Your squad patrolled the same area, never once seeing a famed vampyr or anything that may raise alarms, and you were fed up with the mundane routine you found yourself in. You wanted to be world-renowned, a household name worthy of praise, and yet you were nothing more than another nameless soldier in the army.
An anger coursed through your body at the thought of your wasted potential, and it manifested itself as a flame. You had lashed out with your divine energy, sending your flame flying outward from your body. Your anger was replaced by confusion at the sound of a scream, but you soon realized what you had done when you came back to your squad's camp and found one of the corporal's holding their burnt arm.
The vision of your squadmate injured should've stirred empathy and regret, but instead, you felt a sense of power rush through you. You had the ability to bring beings to their knees, and even though no vampyrs were around to endure your flames, that didn't mean you should waste your talents. You began to use your squadmates as target practice whenever you grew bored---- injuring them just enough to satisfy your curiosity before sending them to get healed. Your actions soon reached the higher-ups, and a decision was made: you were kicked out of the army and sent back to your home, never to see a battlefield again.
Your actions had embarrassed your family, but you didn't care. You finally felt true power at your fingertips, learned what it was like to hold life and death in the palm of your hand, and you didn't want to give that up. You turned your attention to books in the hopes that they would hold the key to more power, but no matter how many hours you spent in your family's library, you always came up short.
The realization that the answers you sought were elsewhere led you to decide to head to the capitol. You painted yourself as a scholar trying to get back in your family's good graces, a reformed noble trying to better your ways, but truthfully, you just saw a way to extend your abilities far beyond their current limits. You wanted to burn the world down and start anew, and this kingdom would be the perfect place to start.
WANTED CONNECTIONS.
Ryu siblings!! Give me a sibling who still tries to see the good in Armand (even though there isn't any), or a sibling who told him he was disowned from the family and doesn't trust his intentions
Old squadmates --- either ones he used for target practice, or healers who helped patch up his victims
Fellow scholars, especially if one is a rival who is seeking the same answers as him
Either a current betrothed or one that was called off when he got disowned
hannah dodd . cis woman . she/her . wasn’t that inessa dragova walking the cobbled roads of coňstanja? it’s nice to see a princess of valanya out and about on such a fine day as this. i’ve heard from the court spies that they are notoriously manipulative, whilst also managing to be unsuspecting. the twenty eight year old is eager to explore bran keep. i heard that they themselves are not divine. it’s funny, whenever i think of them, i think of a girl who is both maiden and death, lamb face that hides the wolf underneath, ones not raised on love are raised to destroy it ( alyx . she/her . 26 . est )
FILE.
full name: inessa dragova
age: twenty eight
gender / pronouns: cis woman, she/her
orientation: bisexual
occupation: princess of valanya
family: king stefan iii (father, alive), queen miricea (mother, deceased), vlad dragova (brother, alive), alina dragova (sister, alive), eleanora dragova (sister, alive), rhys dragova (uncle, alive)
Your birth didn’t mark a national celebration. No, it was a quiet, painful affair. Your mother had endured a grueling pregnancy, and when the time came, you stubbornly refused to leave her side. The struggle nearly claimed her life, and perhaps it was that very event that divided you from your father. He saw you as a bad omen—a child born to bring ruin. But is a child born to that fate, or is it shaped by the world around them? Perhaps, in your case, it’s a mix of all three.
You were never meant to be the heir or even the spare. No, you were the shadow, the forgotten one. That weight sat heavily on your chest, like a brand marking you as "insignificant" in the eyes of the kingdom. Still, you danced around it, hiding envy behind doe eyes and a warm smile. You charmed diplomats, and courted nobles, but none of it would ever compare to the accomplishments of your family. You were forever the cursed child—fated to this position, and there was nothing you could do to escape it. So perhaps, it was time to embrace it.
You’d known about your betrothal since childhood, a simple agreement made on behalf of two naïve children. As you ran through the halls of the castle, pretending you weren’t promised to another, your betrothed did the same. It wasn’t until months ago that you learned the marriage date had been set—and you would soon be sent away to a life you never asked for. Anger surged through you, realizing that your father saw you as little more than a bargaining chip, something to be shipped off rather than spoken to.
You couldn’t let his plans unfold. So you made a plan of your own: murder your betrothed before the vows were read, and return to your room, victorious. The question remained—who would do the deed?
The answer came in the form of a secret lover. You manipulated them into poisoning your betrothed over weeks, and on the day of the wedding, you stood in “shock” as your betrothed collapsed and died. Some offered comfort for your loss, while others whispered about your involvement behind your back. But the only thing that truly mattered was the message you sent to your family: I’m not going anywhere.
Now, you wander the halls once more, just as you did before the wedding was thrust upon you. But the pitying looks from others are different now. You’re a grieving widow, they say. A tragic figure, only a month out of mourning. But inside, you’re already plotting your next move. The rush of watching your plan unfold—taking out that pawn—was exhilarating. Who's to say what you’ll destroy next to secure your place in a world that’s always seen you as nothing more than a shadow?
WANTED CONNECTIONS.
Her secret lover!! Especially if they're now battling guilt for their role in poisoning Inessa's fiance
A member of her betrothed's family who suspects Inessa was involved with the murder
Someone who learned that Inessa is no longer set to be married and is trying to secure a betrothal/alliance with her
Someone who knows that Inessa was behind the murder and is trying to use the information as leverage
“She was horrid and enchanting, with that tenth-rate kind of charm you can’t help being tempted by, which people then feel ashamed of being tempted by, and which I shamelessly, in everyone’s earshot–I declare myself tempted by.”
"I didn't know too much about the "Flowers in the Attic" universe, so I had a lot to catch up on. Once I booked the part, we had four incredible scripts that I could get my teeth stuck into, but I also watched the movie. I read "Flowers in the Attic" and I read "Garden of Shadows" and from there, the research began into the time period and specifically where we were in the States in the time period and certain things that Corrine was going to go through. I wanted to understand from a historical point of view."
— HANNAH DODD
ayca aysin turan . demi woman . she/they . wasn’t that emine demirci (stefin) walking the cobbled roads of coňstanja? it’s nice to see a healer and long lost daughter of the house of stefin out and about on such a fine day as this. i’ve heard from the court spies that they are notoriously naive, whilst also managing to be kindhearted. the thirty year old is eager to explore bran keep. i heard that they themselves are not divine. it’s funny, whenever i think of them, i think of are you alive or just a memory?, a bird escaping her cage, the desire to truly find out what or who is home ( alyx . she/her . 26 . est )
inspiration: rapunzel (tangled), anastasia romanov (anastasia), krista lenz (attack on titan)
Pinterest
BIOGRAPHY.
Kidnapping TW, gaslighting tw
You believed your story began like this: a young child got adopted by a kindhearted woman after the death of her parents. The child was raised in a secluded village near the edge of Targa Lune, with only her mother to keep her company. The mother claimed it was because she was protecting the child---- that she didn't want her to endure more trauma than she had already experienced. The child went along with the concept, trusting the mother more than anything. After all, what mother would lie to her own child?
Your story actually began differently than you were taught. You were born the youngest child of the Stefin family, a noble house based in Targa Lune. You were doted on since birth--- a beloved jewel meant to complete your family. You had everything you could've wanted: adoring parents, a family friend turned betrothed, a sibling who swore to protect you from any harm, the approval of your house's citizens, but your life changed when you were only 5 years old.
One of your family's maids had been obsessed with you since you arrived. She viewed you as her own and cradled you in her arms as if your parents weren't in the next room. She had foolishly believed you were meant to be her daughter, not the Stefins, and that mindset led her to sneak you away one winter evening. The event had been blocked in your mind, partly because of your age and partly from the horror of the truth, but one thing was certain: The Stefins woke up the next morning and were heartbroken, believing their beloved daughter to have slipped out of bed and perished in the winter air.
You were raised with only your "mother" to keep you company. She was always overprotective of you, even going as far as to discourage you from wandering into town without her presence. You never questioned why your mother acted that way--- you just chalked it up to love and the fear of losing you. For years, it was the two of you in a rundown house and a makeshift garden. You were content with that life at first, had convinced yourself that you didn't need anything but your mother and your home, but as the years went on, loneliness and curiosity began to set in.
You begged your mother for a chance to get out of your rundown house and explore the outside world, but she always refused. She'd just give you more tasks and push the request off for another time, but eventually, you grew tired of the response. Your chance at negotiating came when the garden began withering away and money grew sparse. You convinced her to let you get a job as a local healer to make some extra cash, and after some reluctance, she agreed. You just simply failed to specify where "local" was until you were already in Valanya.
Now, you waver between guilt and excitement as you explore your new life in Valanya. You think often of your mother and how disappointed she must've been with your action, but you had to leave the house eventually. At least now, you can help keep the royal family and the kingdom's residents safe and healthy.
WANTED CONNECTIONS.
Her long-lost family!! I'm going to put the sibling up as a WC but would LOVE an older sibling who never truly believed that Emine died all those years ago and has been looking for her ever since
Also going to be a WC, but I'd love her former betrothed. I'm thinking family/childhood friends who were betrothed since they were in the womb but obviously got separated when Emine was taken away. The yearning,,, being haunted by someone who is "unknowingly" still alive,,, you know you want it.
A healer mentor who is showing Emine the ropes and has taken her under their wings
A rival healer who doesn't like that there's a new girl taking away their clients
there is little to do but watch on in horror, alina stumbling slightly as her stomach lurches and the smell of blood fills the air. her hands twitch, for there is power in the tips of her fingers, the power to help. but she swallows it, ignoring the ache in her palms, the fire licking at her insides as she watches on in horror, instead. that poor girl torn apart, screams filling the ballroom she had grown up in as those around her clutch their necks, staunching what they can of the blood pouring from them. “what was…” her voice trembles as she recalls a voice in her head, one which was not her own. “did you hear him, too?”
The blood, the screams, it all took Valerian back to his time in the army. He could remember the way his squadron got torn apart by the very beings that haunted the halls, and all he could do was stand there frozen. Even now, his body froze in place as he watched the scene unfold. The only thing able to pull him out of his grief was Alina's voice. His head lifted up at her trembling words, and a sense of conviction came over him. He already stood by and let the vampyrs take his loved ones away once--- he couldn't let it happen again.
"Alina, we need to go now." He tried to keep his voice calm and steady, but it was hard to do when the old memories continued to plague his senses. He placed himself in front of her body, hand reaching back to squeeze hers as he added, "Make your way towards the door, and I'll cover you. You will not suffer on my watch."
a freshly trimmed beard and curls pulled back into a snug ponytail almost had luca blending in with the others--almost feeling like he belonged. still, the overly high, too tight collar was given a few firm tugs before all hell broke loose. the blacksmith could only watch in horror as the scene played out, confusion and worry taking over. with panic filling the room and people rushing in every direction to flee, luca stood bewildered. until he felt the weight of another falling against his large frame. instinct took over and calloused hands were quick to catch the other in their fall. “easy--i have you,” he muttered, guiding the other to their feet. “are you hurt? did she--?” bite. he couldn't get the words out in that moment. accepting what he had seen was not to be done just yet.
Though Calista had spent years learning how to hone her solarui abilities in the army, she hadn't expected to use them since her departure. Even during her time as a soldier, she preferred to think of herself as the last line of defense (with the hopes of her fellow soldiers never needing her to truly handle any fights). No, her light was a trick of the hand--- something that helped cast a warm halo over the devoted. It wasn't meant to kill--- it was meant to guide others out of the darkness and into the adoration of her spotlight.
And perhaps that distinction is why she chose to flee rather than fight the beings. She told herself that she was of more use to the grieving bodies who were experiencing this trauma, rather than those choosing to fight the vampyrs themselves. Of course, her desire to run away stalled the moment she slipped into an unconscious guest. Her body braced for the impact, but it froze halfway through as arms wrapped around her. She blinked, looking up at her savior as she was placed back onto the ground. "No, I'm fine, but I can't say the same for this person." She bent over the guest, hands seeking out a pulse or breath-- anything that would reveal that she was alive. After a pause, she spoke, "I think I feel a pulse. Can you help me lift her? Otherwise, she's just going to get trampled."
their hand strikes out and offers the heat of the sun, a glowing beam erupting in a desperate plea to find the shadow which has done this. all of this. danya shudders under the sound of screams in the darkness, the wet gulp of something hidden within the shadows, and they stumble forward in an effort to cast eyes on this unholy thing. this it, this other. the candles flicker back to life and she lets out a shaking gasp at the sight before her, directs the sunbeam at the thing and watches as it scurries from the body it had been hovering over. when it is done, danya is shaky, looking to the person closest to them. “are you okay?” they ask, voice wavering. “have you been bitten?”
At first, Armand thought the event was nothing more than theatrics. He knew nobility liked to show off, and he expected that no expenses would be spared for the royal wedding, but the evening felt a bit over the top. But once the man's voice echoed throughout the room, he realized it wasn't a distasteful party trick. No, vampyrs had followed him off the battlefield and made their way into the kingdom.
A part of him felt excited at the revelation. After being kicked out of the army, he had grown bored from the lack of violence. This was his chance to have a plaything once more, but before he could wield his flames, a flash of sunlight draped over him, and whatever being was near him disappeared. A scowl adorned his lips at the girl who ruined his fun, "You took away my toy." He took a step closer to the girl, letting small flames form in his hand as he continued, "Perhaps I should burn you instead. It's only fair, is it not?"
janainaart
andulkaphoto
tangentwithtanner
snowghoul
titsay
