re[v/s]olution

nikolai eveningstar - high lord of the night court ･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ I am going to face death with a face as terrible as my own

[highlordnikolai]

forescghted‌:

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.”

   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?”

[highlordnikolai]

springbcrn‌:

“Show is an interesting term for it,” Camille said, her head was still thudding and echoing, slamming like a flood of elephants were rampaging. Camille had interjected only a little with her thoughts once the High Lords had begun talking, she’d wanted to stand back, after all her interactions before this with the Cauldron’s power…had been minimal. Still she’d seen a flash of it before her eyelids and now it seemed imprinted there forever.

“I think we deserve a drink after all that though,” She murmured wryly. 

   Smiling at the comment hanging between them, Nikolai shot Camille a warm yet tired smile as he looked over his shoulder at her coming up behind him. It felt good that if he were to sit and talk to anyone following the events of the Cauldron, it would be with somebody that felt exactly how he did inside. Coming up short behind the door that led into his chambers, Nikolai pushed it wide open before looking back at the blonde with a dip of his head and a dramatic wave of his arching arm to invite her in. “Lucky for us, I have a plethora of wines in my room just waiting to be poured.” 

[highlordnikolai]

astrxluna‌:

To say she was on edge after the day’s events was an understatement. She was under strict orders, of course, to look after Era and Nikolai, a job that came easily when she already cared so much for her High Lord and his sister. Her hand had instantly shot to the blades at her hip and she’d spun around, using her wings to block any view the other courts would have Nikolai’s form on the ground while Draco and Era tried to awake him. Nevertheless, she seemed to startle a few people with the look in her eyes but how could anyone, fae or not be surprised by her actions? He was her High Lord, her friend above all and something had happened to him. 

After being assured that he was fine and they watched as Nikolai excused himself from the room Asteria offered to follow after if even just act as a guard of sorts. Slipping into the room behind the dark-haired male she nodded silently. “That’s a rather calm way of putting it. How are you feeling, Nik? Honestly.”

   Nikolai felt his shoulders drop instantly at the sound of Asteria’s voice. He was fully prepared to spin around and play the part those who did not know him expected of him, the part of High Lord that regardless of what happened, he was a reminder of hope and faith to his court and those of any other court in the face of adversity. To put on that confident smile he always carried with a high head and the easy air of fortitude that dripped off him. In this moment, however, Nikolai was too bone tired and wished for nothing other to be in his home in Velaris. 

    “I’m feeling as if you took me into the sky above the clouds and then dropped me flat onto the ground,” Nikolai rolled his neck around, rubbing at the back of it with his hands as the muscles practically screamed internally. “but I will be fine. How are you? I felt rather touched in your reaction considering I thought you hated me.” He offered her a smile that didn’t quite meet his eyes. There was still so much unsaid between the pair Nikolai often rode her anger against him as a joke to get under her skin but considering what just happened, it did not seem like the time to prod and poke.

[indaymusic]

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Arsonist’s Lullabye | Hozier

Don’t you ever tame your demons Always keep them on a leash

[sassyarcherboy]

for science 

[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?

[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?”

[highlordnikolai]

ancientblooded‌:

Sol had watched it all unfold with a slight curling at the corner of his lips. The panic that had immediately befallen them all was both amusing and disconcerting. Hybern had acted as he once might have - swiftly and without remorse ( before the opposition was capable of finding their footing ) but now that Sol lacked such advantage… it made him slightly weary.

Hands shoved deep into his pockets, the ancient approached the High Lord with an arched brow. “I think it has become abundantly clear how ill prepared you all are to take on something older then myself.” Hybern was wielding its power like a child might play with a toy - and that was dangerous. “Tell me, High Lord of Night, what would you give to protect your people?”

    The voice that echoed off the walls made the hair on the back of Nikolai’s neck almost raise in response but rather clench his hidden fists tighter. It had been decades since Nikolai had heard the ancient’s voice, half a century since Vesper and the High Lords lost their power and in turn, granting Sol of his freedom. Nikolai had not been there to wish him good riddance so the surprise he was even here rang several alarms in his head. There was never a sort of bad blood between the two but the eerie gleam that glittered in the man’s eyes whenever Sol regarded Era was enough to have Nikolai be more than cautious... Especially around one with such dangerous power coursing through his veins. 

     “I would give my life to protect my people, my family. Whether it be my body tortured to death or my own power draining itself of power to defend them.” Nikolai turned on his heel to face him. If the exhaustion in his tone sounded anything like it did in his head as he spoke the words, he feared he was more weary than he thought. “I thought the matters of the humans and fae were too trivial and insignificant for you. I can’t say I’m not surprised to see you’re here, Sol.”

[highlordnikolai]

     The events of the chaos Hybern triggered flashed before Nikolai’s eyes with an aching headache followed with a sickness in the pit of his stomach. He was conscious one second, raising a toast with his fellow High Lords to their courts, then unconscious the next second dropping to the floor like a sack of potatoes. The image that flashed before he slipped into the darkness was tainted behind his eyelids: the Cauldron. He awoke soon later with his siblings hovering above him, Asteria at his side along with the members of his court. It was true what the Made were proclaiming; Hybern had attacked. 

    After talking it out with the rest of the High Lords what the connection to the Cauldron could mean and what to do next, Nikolai detached himself from the group and strode over to his rooms for a second of silence of the aftermath, lingering in the refuge of the shadows. He felt weary and exhausted, imagining how he must look. It was the footsteps echoing behind him that stirred him out of his thoughts. Without looking over his shoulder, Nikolai shoved his slightly trembling fists into the pockets of his jacket. “Quite the show, wasn’t it?”

[midsommars-deactivated20201109]

[eraunderneath]

[ @ofthenightcourts | @highlordnikolai ]

[highlordnikolai]

springbcrn‌:

She understood the question or at least, what it was meant to ask. Camille had wondered more than once if she was too green for such an important meeting at the start of her reign as High Lady, if she trusted too much if she was too soft. Many thoughts swirled around in her head. “There are a lot of tragedies at the moment,” Camille answered, soberly and more cautiously than she had with her easy laughter. “Our court still remains in mourning and I am keeping up with my father’s reports to hopefully lessen any further tragedy. Neither of us have noted any member of my court missing though,”

   “That is good news.” and it was most definitely true. With the wall down and Hybern seeming to be advancing in the shadows, one could never be too sure. His court did not have any missing reports either, for Velaris was practically impenetrable and his people in the Hewn City were more than capable of defending themselves. It still stung to hear the reports of the unfortunate news happening in the other courts. Cauldron knew what else went amiss that wasn’t reported. “If you need any help with how to manage the ways of a High Lady, I am more than happy to assist you if need be.” Nikolai smiled politely. As fun as he was having causing mischief and meeting new and old friends, creating alliances was the most important thing to come out of this meeting and he wouldn’t let the opportunity pass him.

[highlordnikolai]

cauldcnmade‌:

Lilith had spent most of her time thinking about what might happen when she finally confronted her family or her people. But since others had begun filtering Under the Mountain, she’d had to really start thinking about what else her future might entail. She tried not to think too far ahead - tried not to be too hopeful - but for now, she wanted to try and focus on surviving. She’d grown content in her rooms Under the Mountain - it was by no means home, but a familiarity she’d grown comfortable with. 

“I’ve never even spoken to Lord Silas prior to this evening, let alone seen him.” Perhaps she would need to confront the man about it - clear the air in order to keep things running smoothly. “I’m afraid I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting any of the other High Lords. Seems they aren’t nearly as interested in me as many have led me to believe… Admittedly I can’t complain. I have an inkling of a feeling that my relationship with them will be nothing as mine is with you… and while I have no issue playing politics, I’m sure you understand when I say the occasional break is a lovely relief.” 

Lips quirked into a small smile as she waved a hand in the direction of the throne he found himself perched upon. “It suits you.”

    “I am more than positive every High Lord here are indeed interested in coming face to face with a Made, especially one who is actually a pleasure to talk to unlike December, if you don’t mind me saying.” Nikolai gave her a pointed look along with the words, his eyebrows shooting up and casting his exasperated gaze else. “You flatter me. It really is such an exhausting job to be the most sweet and charming High Lord of our time,” He teased. “Please do take every advantage of their attention occupied elsewhere before they begin to corner you and negotiate terms with you.”

    His eyes flickered over to her waving hand and then to the armrest and the chair he sat upon. He could almost see his father standing behind her and lecturing him to sit straighter, to draw his legs in, pick his head up from his fist and raise his chin higher. It was a blessing they were the only two people in the room currently and he was able to find a refuge of peace. “Thank you.” Nikolai replied as he found himself sitting straighter in the throne anyways. “Have your visits to the Courts given you a decision as to where to go after this ordeal?”

[highlordnikolai]

ofthenightcourts‌:

Draco was certain that almost everyone seemed to stop for a brief moment ( even the pair brawling before them ) when he’d dared to act so brashly. Jaw clenching as he stepped back - at least until his back hit a pillar and he was trapped. The last thing he needed was to draw further attention to the Night Court - to allow anyone to believe they lacked stability. Reigning in his emotion with a heavy breath, his gaze flickered up to meet his brothers. “Oh cry me a river.” He muttered in response, eyes rolling skyward. “I’m sure we have someone in our arsenal who can wave a hand and fix your damned satin.” 

“I introduced myself as your kin. You and Era will be the first I properly introduce her to. There is no question in that.” In the end, that would end up being the ultimate trial. A mate could mean absolutely everything to a man - but if she disliked his family? He would draw a line and walk away. “Now I think I’m in need of a drink… or ten to prevent me from throttling anyone else.”

    Nikolai grinned at the response from his brother and just like that, it was like absolutely nothing happened between the brothers. The eldest brother could not even remember the last time they fought so bad it caused an actual rift between the pair. Draco was the only person who existed in this world that was able to get in an all out brawl with the High Lord and did not end up in shattered pieces across the floor. In the back of his head, the unspoken tension that lingered between him and Era resurfaced but he pocketed it away for a more suitable time. Right now, it was Draco’s moment. “A drink could do us both a favor.” sidestepping to stand beside his brother, Nikolai reached his arm across his brother’s neck and began to lead them to the tables assorted with different sorts of liquor and wine. “How is she?”

[highlordnikolai]

ofthenightcourts‌:

His head dipped int a short, singular nod of confirmation. Draco wasn’t oblivious to the irony of it all. In fact, it seemed entirely unlucky. Forcing a woman born in the sun to bind herself to a child of night. It would undoubtedly leave one of them miserable - yet it didn’t stop some small part of him from telling him how very worth it that small piece of misery might be. Returning his brothers embrace with a grunt he muttered, “If you call me a fucking shining star I’m sure she’ll want nothing to do with me. Let’s try to avoid scaring her off with your idiotic personality until she’s fully aware what she’s stepping into.” 

All it took was a simple comment for him to snap. Between one blink and the next, his hand had shot out and grabbed a fistful of the mans shirt - a growl ripping from the back of his throat. As soon as the desire for harm was there, it was gone. A prickle of horror crept up his spine as he released his grasp on his brother, his head giving a firm shake. “Fuck.” He would never hear the end of it from either of his siblings. For a man prided in his control, this was going to be a test he likely failed. “I’m not sure there is a balcony high enough in this damned mountain to kill me with the fall, and I’m not sure I could endure teasing for that as well.” 

    “Mum’s the word. I promise.” Nikolai dipped his chin. To poke a bit of fun here and there was their balance, it supposed. Nikolai wouldn’t let his brother live in his favored constant state of brooding no matter how much Draco enjoyed it. Just as Draco would keep Nikolai in check despite how much the latter would love to let himself loose on the world, magic and all. But in a second they were no longer brothers. No longer pensive Draco and arrogant Nikolai but rather Defender of Velaris and High Lord. 

   It registered as it happened. A fistful of his shirt, the force of him brought closer before Draco, the low growl that echoed in his ears, the air of sheer power that vibrated off of the two in that flash of the moment. Nikolai didn’t so much as react but watch his brother carefully. He had known how much the affects of a mate could have on somebody. His father was a perfect example. A second later, he was rocking on his heels back to his respective space meters away, looking down at his the spot of his shirt where it was not wrinkled from the clutches of his fist. “This is satin, Draco. Get a grip.” The oldest brother muttered under his breath rather seriously but offered in exchange for the tension that rippled off Draco, attempting to ease both the moment and his kin. “Will you introduce me to her later? Or have you not told her you, too, are related to a High Lord?”

[highlordnikolai]

cauldcnmade‌:

“Nik… I used to have a very clear path for my future. I knew what to expect of it and when. The Cauldron changed things and to be frank, I’m not sure what help anyone else would offer me. A place to live? A new path to take? Heavens, I just want to ensure I live through this conflict against Hybern and no one can guarantee me that. My abilities and my choices will remain my own. I have no intention of allowing anyone the chance to manipulate me.” Crinkling her nose, her expression softened slightly. “Though I am more then happy to have you tell me otherwise should it appear I’m being blindsided.” 

The expression slowly slid from her - morphing into one of confusion. “I don’t think I understand.” Lilith had heard whisperings about the conflict that had transpired between the two Lords - an explosive show of power that had come and gone fairly quickly - and knowing the history between the pair it made sense. But why her? There were plenty of others who had been Made lingering about the Feast ( many far more useful or powerful then herself ). “I didn’t unknowingly do something to offend him, did I?”

   At the spill of questions rushing out of her, one in particular hooked onto his interest. A place to live? Nikolai never offered for her to live within the Night Court if she chose to. He wanted to learn who she was and what her interests were first. His court had a reputation they had to fool Prythia into thinking or else it would be their own doom. He made it a very serious task of his to become familiar with the residents who lived within his home, both in Velaris and Hewn City. He welcomed any who sought refuge into his Court but not without learning what made them them and if it came to the conclusion he had to use his daemati abilities, so be it. With the rumors running around regarding Hybern and spies weeding themselves into the Courts, Nikolai would never not run the risk without caution. 

    “I’m sure Silas lives in a state of constant offense,” Nikolai replied. “No, I’m not sure you did unless you mentioned something you haven’t told me. There isn’t much to understand, Lily dear, for I am trying to understand it- him, myself. But I’ll come to you if anything seems amiss. Have you met the rest of the High Lords?”

[highlordnikolai]

ofthenightcourts‌:

Even as Nikolai moved to stand in front of him, his gaze flickered back toward the rest of the room - honing in on the woman once more. “Twila Apollon. Cousin to the High Lord of Day.” Fingers clenched into fists at his side, and with a rather forced huff of air, his attention returned to his brother ( satisfied that at least for now, she would be safe without his watchful gaze tracking her movements ). “Something shifted in me when she looked at me.” It was the easiest way to explain it - as if some piece of his soul had been missing and found. “If I didn’t walk away, I would have put the Night Court into a rather uncomfortable position. We have enough to worry about and there are things that are more important right now then my mate or myself.” Even as he said it, some baser part of himself screamed that it wasn’t true. 

“We aren’t going anywhere.” He reasoned - though it was more with himself then with his brother. “I’ll have plenty of time to speak with her and gain her favor. Things - I’ll grow used to this feeling. Everyone says you do. It just.. takes time.”

    “Cousin to the The High Lord of Day?” Their High Lord Nikolai was familiar with in passing but his cousin? A stranger. What a twisted stroke of fate - mates from the Night and the Day. If she was anything like the mass majority of the court’s residents back when he would visit in his younger years with his and for Vesper, the irony was almost painful. To see the anguish in his brother’s eyes removed the ease with the tension he had just exchanged for. “I know you feel very well like you are about to explode if I stand in your line of vision for a second longer but I am happy for you, brother. Your timing is rather unlucky but... Do you want to go over and make you sound like a shining star?” He grinned, bringing in Draco for a tight hug before detaching themselves and squeezing his bicep. 

    He craned his neck around to follow the line of sight Draco had his eyes locked on to see a pretty brunette smiling blissfully at the crowd. “I take it back. You are very lucky after all.” He joked, knowing the comment would get under his already agitated brother’s skin. “Oh, if you were ever tired of Era or I teasing you enough as it is, you might as well jump off the balcony before we start.”

[highlordnikolai]

cauldcnmade‌:

Chocolate orbs tracked him as he moved toward the throne her fingers had spent a majority of their conversation dancing across. It suited him, she realized, and even sitting as he was - lacking the formality that might typically be required for him to perch in the ornate throne - he looked like he belonged there. Unable to stop her lips from quirking up slightly at his quip, her own response was nearly instant, “If you wished to spend time with me Nik, all you had to do was ask.” 

“I may be unfamiliar with the customs of the fae, but I grew up around politics. I know quite well what some will do to try and turn you against those you consider closest to you.” She’d witnessed that betrayal first hand from her brother, and yet she still continued to place her faith in other people. “I would like to think I have a strong heart. I have no intentions of abandoning our friendship because something someone says might not settle well with me. I’ll always speak with you first.” It only seemed the right thing to do. Stopping before him, and clasping her hands behind her back, Lilith couldn’t help but arch a brow in his direction. “He asked me about the cauldron and its waters. And before you get worked up about it, I handled it just fine. Now are you going to tell me why you’re acting as if you know something I don’t?” 

     He knew he was a speaking to a princess, former or not. Of course she was taught from birth about court warfare and politics from the second she was able to walk, just as him. Like two threads cut from the same cloth even in different countries. “I hope you keep that in mind in a place like this. I know you have a strong heart but it is good to keep it protected. I know I have been kind with you but there are some who could see your abilities as an extra chess piece on their board, some who can offer their help when it is really just manipulation.”

   Hazel eyes stared into her dark brown and contemplated if he was seeing what Silas saw. The High Lord looked triggered enough to burn the whole Mountain down at Nikolai crossing his path from Lilith earlier in the day. There was always tension between the two High Lords but the cool rage glittering in Silas’s eyes when Nikolai stopped him at will, he knew there had to be more to it. “I saw him earlier making his way towards you and I cut in between for a simple hello and he looked... Ticked off, to be sweet.” Nikolai offered her a tight smile. 

[highlordnikolai]

eraunderneath‌:

Like a silent night, Nikolai appeared. It was an instantaneously comforting presence. Without a second thought, Era reached out and took his hand gratefully. Her brothers had always been her rocks. They kept her steady against all storms. At least they tried. There was an intimidation when witnessing any high lord, but there was something unique in seeing the children of night. Especially when they were together as a unified entity. Era’s ferocity alone could knock you off your feet, but Nikolai’s charm would bury you. It was a whiplash between them. The two disappeared into the crowd swiftly, and she couldn’t help but smile. 

“Is this not my best behavior? I thought scaring people is the reason you wanted me here, Nikki.” She asked without taking her eyes from the backs of the retreating figures. “They’ve all heard of what happens in my Hewn City. Era Eveningstar is a wicked queen. Now I must prove the rumors true. Intimidation can be our ally. Besides, they started it. I was merely standing here observing when they decided to gawk.” Something in her hurt to know that the world saw her as a monster, but she knew that it was worth the facade to keep the people of her court, to keep her family safe. It was a role she could play. “Has anyone tried attempted to sway your opinion tonight?”

     Nikolai held onto her hands, returning a reassuring squeeze back as he allowed his shoulders to drop ever so slightly in the presence of his sister. Simply being around his siblings made him feel back home and not stuck beneath a mountain with snakes in the mix. It was a love he could not afford to show, however, so out in the open in this crowd. Those within the Night Court knew how unbreakable the children of the night were when it came to one another but those from the others? Simply showing a flash of affection in front of the wrong watchful eyes could be a grave mistake Nikolai could not afford to risk. 

    “Partly, yes. I also did want you here to keep you safe beside me, too. With Draco and I here, I did not want to think of you in the Hewn City without us able to winnow whenever we could and be at your side.” He tracked where her eyes were glued and watched the retreating figures scurry off, unable to recognize their faces. He made a mental note of the suspicious fae to have Asteria sniff it out. “If only they knew how wicked you were to your poor brothers,” he teased. “Not quite yet but I suppose one might be half a fool to check a High Lord. The prince of Macedon appears to be quite the challenge I hear and I spoke to a Made who seems to have no interest in allying herself with anybody. Anything interesting on your end?”