Misplaced Lens Cap
art blog(derogatory)
Acquired Stardust
DEAR READER
One Nice Bug Per Day
dirt enthusiast
YOU ARE THE REASON
PUT YOUR BEARD IN MY MOUTH
i don't do bad sauce passes
izzy's playlists!
2025 on Tumblr: Trends That Defined the Year
Sade Olutola
Peter Solarz
tannertan36
oozey mess
PR's Tumblrdome
h
blake kathryn
noise dept.
No title available
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Germany
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Malaysia
seen from Indonesia
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Belarus
seen from Indonesia
seen from Poland
seen from Belgium
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Netherlands
seen from United Kingdom
@ofhopess
𝙼𝚄𝚂𝙴 𝙳𝙸𝚁𝙴𝙲𝚃𝙾𝚁𝚈
ambrose caadlowan, high lord of the dawn court, callum turner.
siri soyal, general of the night court armies, ayca aysin turan.
cylas acheson, lord of the spring court, josha stradowski.
rhani kupar, emissary to the summer court, sobhita dhulipala.
for @ofhopess
"is the sky... situation something we should be concerned about?" more like, is it something atlas should be concerned about — he knows his brother sort of has to be concerned about everything that goes on as the high lord, "that was a bit scary." atlas wasn't quick to fear or anger or pretty much any emotion besides excitement, but this seemed like a time where fear was appropriate. whatever's happening is very clearly out of the ordinary. "is there anything i can do? to help?"
there was a beast in each high lord, every fae knew that, or at least he thought they did and it was taking every part of him right now to not introduce the new high lords beast form to the rest of the citizens of prythian because what in the cauldron was that? letting his breathing settle for a moment he avoided looking at his brother for a moment, until he could do it was a level of neutrality on his face. "well i'm not unconcerned." he offered his expression tight as he spoke. "don't like that one bit...can you check on our sister, i haven't seen her and i want to find the other high rulers."
sunan looked down to their clothing and back up to their sister's emissary. "that was not a compliment, was it?" sunan asked the other, and not completely sure if he was offended or not at the words. did it not make his ass look good? a tragedy if it did not. in truth they were lucky sunan was even here, and dressed up. in truth he would have rather kept to himself in his rooms but he knew he needed to make an appearance, though did he? after being isolated for so long it was hard to know when and where he was needed and not needed.
"when have you ever known me to be harsh sunan, it certainly wasn't an insult." rhani mocked softly as she looked back at the male. really she wasn't sure that sunan was capable of looking bad in anything but it was fun to ruffle the feathers that were so readily available. "are you surviving being out here among the people?" she knew it was a rare occurance and not everyone was as capable as she was of just sliding herself into any situation that she happened to find herself in.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐀𝐘 was highly intent on making up for the last ball that was interrupted. he thrived on parties and soirees and especially so that lately their own court had not seen much of any either. not too long into the ball and dec had several ladies approach him for a dance, and really who was he to turn down dance partners? the atmosphere in the palace since the coronation certainly left much to be desired; he understood the gravity of the situation, and aided his high lord wherever he could, but he was a firm believer that remaining burden every moment of the day would not achieve anything. dec excused himself after several dances he became a bit parched, but it seemed another read his mind and before him stood lady rhani offering a glass to him. now running into his ced's ex-fiance was no less awkward ( perhaps more awkward for his brother ) but the lord was never less than a gentlemen, and frankly, he had felt bad about how things had ended between her and ced. he takes the glass with a smile, "lady rhani, thank you, it's as if you were reading my mind." he lifts the glass before taking a generous drink of it. his gaze returned to the summer's emissary, news which dec was quite impressed with and pleased for her. despite the engagement not panning out with his brother, lady rhani had done quite well for herself. "i'm inclined to agree, you don't need to convince me to have fun. i do believe you and i maybe be the very few who are enjoying themselves. i trust that you're having a pleasant night?"
whilst it would be easy for the emmisary to hold the younger lord to the same standards and distaste that she did for his brother, it would be entirely unfair and rhani was more than capable of being a rational fae around anyone that wasn't the high lord of a certain court. she could offer declan easy smiles and friendly conversation and mean the compliments she offered him without a trace of judgement. a marvel to her really but here they were. "as emissary i pride myself on being useful to more courts than my own." she joked with her fellow fae softly, raising her glass to her lips for just a moment as she took a drink, eyes bright behind her mask before she was back to being busy and observing the room around her as she often was. "i have been able to speak to many of my friends with us all in the same room and the wine has been generously offered alongside the celebrations of us, i think it would be rude to the traditions of the spring court if we did not enjoy ourselves would it not, at least that's what i'm telling myself, maybe we simply need to convince others of that too."
"i make an exception for our court, and i am not above admitting the right kind of wine can aid this commander as well." he wasn't opposed to all festivities, he only had an inclination to celebrate their own, and starfall was one of them. it was impossible for the commander to ever be entirely drunk, aside his high tolerance, he would never be out of his senses, he simply could not afford to, especially not around his comrades, whom he had the most complicated relationship with him, although entirely unbeknownst to them. losing himself in any sort of manner was not something kalore could ever do, even if he had wished to on rare occasions. he had still broken that rule he'd made for himself just days before this ball. there was a gleam of amusement in his gaze as it rested on the general, "hmm, i'm not certain how much black flowers would qualify as a spring attire. the spring court might have an opinion or two on it." kal can't help but remark, "as covered as you night ladies can manage." it was something he was so used with the women of their court, "i would say enjoy, but it's tolerable, and being outside certainly helps. are you?" he knew just how restless some of the night fae were becoming, himself included, this party, the very least would serve as a temporary distraction.
"well our court should consider themselves lucky then shouldn't they?" siri mocked easily as she rusteled her wings a little, settling into her spot. their court was lucky, exceptionally so and they were a well kept secret that siri would do anything to protect. she loved their home, adored it even and despite what the outside may think of them there wasn't anything she wasn't willing to do for it or her high lord. she longed for the time that she would be able to winnow home to her favorite roof top and enjoy the views of velaris that the capital could not compete with even if it tried. "flowers are flowers, not even spring can argue with that." no doubt they would try but siri would do as she always did and ignore them in favor of not getting herself banned from any courts. "do you see how much fabric i'm wearing right now kalore? i look practically virginal. its a sham."
𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 : @ofhopess / siri
siara had been locked away in her chambers, and not quite doing what she meant to. she’d been far more reserved than usual, something she was certain siri would pick up on. finding her friend was easy, women of the night court standing out amongst the flowers and stars like beacons. when she approaches the general, a sly whistle slips from her lips. “ beautiful, siri. ” compliments the spymaster.
she felt the others presence before she saw her, a warm smile appearing on her face that she was sure many among them were unused to seeing but she didn't care to hide her enjoyment at seeing her friend for the first time in days. "where have you been." she sighed with relief as she nudged at her shoulder, reserving the hug she was tempted to give her when there were no prying eyes around the night court pair. "i was beginning to think you'd found a way out and failed to tell us all."
Sera's good spirits almost make her welcoming of the high lord of dawn, of her older brother who once she followed around as his very own shadow, and although welcoming would not be a word she would use when it came to him her defenses were slightly lowered. the younger dawn offspring smiles, this times it meets her eyes as she does, fingers reaching to touch her own mask. "yes, i cannot understand either. although i suppose every season court has its own way of creating individuality between each solstice." personally, the masks, where a bit too much. "however, it seems some are actually enjoying the night, which is good with how things have gone so far." she sighs.
it warmed his chest, so see some of the warmth that his sister had once held for him return to her tone. he wasn't delusional, he knew there was something that would likely happen that would remind her what had happened, what choices he'd had to make but he would take the offerings of her company whilst he could enjoy them. "that they do, but they won't ever beat the celebrations we have in dawn." as high lord he had visited many courts in the interest of relations and been privy to several celebrations with them over the past century but they were never home to him. "its nice to see the people relax for sure, they needed it you could feel the tensions grow each day we have no new answer."
𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 : @ofhopess / ambrose
“ another party, another questionable evening. ” cedrian greets when he leans in next to ambrose. it was hard not to notice people, masks doing little to conceal their identities, especially when you spent any amount of time with another. the high lord of dawn was likely as easy to pick out as he, not that ced minded. the masks were a cute idea, but it did little to distract him from the fact that this was not his home.
"i'm surprised they allowed such a thing to happen, it almost feels like we're tempting the magic." and whilst he had agreed that their people needed something to take the edge away and ease the tension that grew each passing day they were trapped, the high lord could do little to ease the worry it caused at his core. eyeing the others attire he offered him a warm smile with a sip of his head. "spring formal suits you."
𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 : @ofhopess / ambrose
it’s easy to find her high lord, and desmera slips through the crowds gracefully until she finds herself at his side. des slips her arm through his, allowing her hand to barely brush his own in case he wished to say anything not to be overheard. “ our masks almost match, though i must say mine is far better. ” greets the commander to the high lord.
"one day you're going to learn to talk to me like i'm your high lord." ambrose sighed as he looked back at the female he saw far more as a friend than subject. he was her high lord, but it was her ability to treat him as anything but in the moments that mattered that meant he kept her by his side when it came to running his court. with their hands brushing he nodded as he kept his gaze forward. "no trouble tonight here at least, have you seen or heard anything?"
𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 : @ofhopess / cylas
everything about lux may scream confidence, the perfect mask crafted from her years being raised as a princess. except none knew that was her history, other than the lord of spring that caught her gaze far more often than he should. lux glances down when his gaze turns her way, but she knows she’s been caught and whether she chooses it or not, her heels click as she moves towards the lord who broke her heart, even if he doesn’t know it. too bad the masks only do so much to obscure a face, cylas’s was one she memorized far too well not to notice. “ lord cylas. ” she greets softly, a small curtsy out of respect, acting as if they were perfect strangers.
for every ability that he held, it seemed cylas was always going to fall short when it came to not finding the firey haired fae in any room he entered. over the years since he had left her behind he had hoped that some of the effects she had on him would ware off but even with time and a mask hiding most of her face, she had still drawn him in and he had found himself moving his feet till they came to a stop in front of her. "lady lux." he offered with a nod, questions already flowing through his mind that he no longer had a right to ask her. "are you enjoying the festivities?"
open starter: @ofcourtfablesarchive
divinya is admittedly a bit on edge today. their nerves are frayed and exposed, eyes wary despite their normally aptly trained neutrality. it had been quite a while since they'd faced an armory alone, in quiet reverance; longer still since they'd let off some bottled up steam. their senses have always been on high alert, but with their recent lack of sleep, it had increased tenfold. it's with that anxiety that they react on instinct when they notice someone following a bit too close down a mostly empty street. without turning, they place a hand on their hip, a stance that isn't so much threatening as it is a quiet warning. "if you intend to follow me, you'd do best to be a little more subtle."
a smirk fell across the males face as he looked back at the other. he wondered if they were aware of who they were calling out or if they simply didn't care. it was risky, with tensions so high at the moment and every single fae, regardless of status or power, trapped in one giant bubble. then again, maybe that had been the very reason for the others warning but cylas let it roll off of his shoulders with ease as he looked back at them. "i can assure you if i wanted to follow you, you wouldn't have known i was here." he shrugged, with no ego in his tone, it was simply fact. "i'm merely heading in the same direction as you are."
𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 of the ball came around once more, kalore had to suppress a groan half expecting a bothersome dress code to follow as the last one. to his surprise there was none, but due to the reason of the celebration, he supposed it was expected that most would show up in spring appropriate attire. well, everyone but the commander himself, who had opted for his signature color of black, but this time allowing for some silver embellishments on the coat itself. a brow arches at siri's remark on his attire to which kal smirks just a bit, "ah, general, when you have you known me to be the festive sort? i've entertained one ridiculous dress code, and it's not happening again." besides, it was not a celebration for the other courts, this was done solely in favor for the spring court, "i'll leave the festive attires to our fellow spring faes. while we're on the subject, i don't believe what you have on falls in the category of spring." there is a hint of amusement lining his gaze, but he's not surprised to see siri and siara in their attires simply because night court ladies seem to favor these types of gowns.
"oh i've seen it happen a time or two in the last hundred years, especially when you get into the right type of wine." and some of the festivities of velaris were unable to be ignored, it was different when they were in the safety of their own home. he was right though, even then she hadn't ever seen kalore truly lose himself like some of that others had, he did the best at keeping himself in order, even more so than timur. at the mention of her own dress, if it could be considered that, siri simply shrugged at her shoulders, wings fluttering at the gesture. "it is entirely festive, it's full of flowers is it now?" she asked as hands swept over the fabric. "i'm practically covered from head to toe." this was so much fabric, not her usual two drapes at all. "are you at least enjoying yourself?"
honestly ... she had no idea why she had complimented him. part of her chalked it up to having a little too much to drink, but the other half of her knew that perhaps since having one conversation with ambrose, that it somewhat put all the anger she had been carrying into perspective and instead of carrying such feelings, there was a possibility that closure would feel far better. still, she shrugged a bit. " i simply complimented your mask, do not think too much of it. "
he could feel the uncertainty rolling from her. he was sure that she had gotten control over it through her years of being a fae, but ambrose knew that there was part of him that was always going to know her, to be able to read her tells. spy master or not, he was a high lord and he had loved her too long. it was a relief that she wasn't glaring at him over anything. "humm." was all he offered as he turned to survey those enjoying the festivities around them. "are you enjoying yourself."
closed starter; spring masquerade ball — @ofhopess
The high lady of the night court had managed to hide away on a sit by the edge of the room, a platter of fruit across from her as she tried to keep the ill feeling at bay with something sweet and refreshing. the respite the mask offered her was something she would have to thank the queen for latter on, being in the heart of the party had always been something to expect from her, she hoped that remaining by the sidelines would not bring too many questions, at least with the mask many did not know who she was. sera focus as another sits at the table, she smiles with friendliness, "looking for some rest as well?"
he should have known that this is where he would have found the high lady of the night court hiding. ambrose had once wondered if he would see that the time away from dawn had changed her, but even if she held herself slightly different, ambrose could see that inherently, she was still the same fae that his sister had always been. whilst he hadn't spoken a word of it to anyone, there was an unusual drain on his magic that he could feel, not enough to really affect his abilities, but enough of him to be weary and he found himself more observant of their surroundings than he would have ever seen, but he flashed a smile at his sister none the less. "something like that, the masks are unnerving, mother knows why spring celebrate with them every year."
𝐒𝐇𝐄'𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍 at what point after she claimed the high seat when this need to be seen as someone to be feared, rather than admired took hold. it was not an inherit desire to be viewed as anything remotely close to her late father. he had been a monster, and alina while many things, was not that. perhaps the years of her being high lady had made her realize, being admired would not gain her much, it would not cement summer as a formidable court. it was not about her pride as much as it was for summer's safety. that above all, alina ever only wanted the greatest for their court. she had worked day and night to undo all of her father's misdeeds, to ensure that had occurred in her childhood, the events that led her to losing her mother would never occur again. as much as pride and arrogance the high lady claimed, she would never deny that her inner circle had made it possible, that she had been blessed with those she could trust with her eyes closed that summer thriving as it does now.
alina was not a woman of sentiments, they all were aware such words could not fall from her lips, but they also knew how valued and cared for they were by their high lady. when rhani appeared in the summer court, working her way to her position, alina had found much to admire of the elder woman. it had not taken rhani long to earn alina's attention nor her respect and then her trust, and as the high lady joined her emissary, she had caught the way the other's normally stoic hues soften at her presence. in some ways, that token of a gesture never failed to surprise her. her worries extend to her siblings, it also extended to this woman, felt the other's worries, even if she would never reveal it to alina. "it is a great blow to my pride, but I have not given up, one way or another, I will get all of us out of there." alina murmured, " it is as unsettling and frustrating, but brute force will not work on this...entity." her gaze remained on the woman, "this thing is ancient, and its something previous high rulers for some generations have not dealt with. do not worry that you nor our scholars are able to provide much, rhani, at the risk of sounding rather crude, I don't expect answers soon." this was not reflective of their abilities, after all it withstood the high rulers, so how would her inner circles know? "the mother queen, she might have the information in her hidden archives, but she's yet to offer that to our scholar."
"it isn't just on you, this…this magic whatever it is, it's terrifying." a sentiment she didn't mind sharing with her high lady. rhani wouldn't allow just anyone to know the level of terror that had fallen through her when they realised that they were all trapped, first in the throne room and now here, but really she would be more terrified of anyone that was unconcerned with being stuck. those were the kind that she had been keeping an eye out for. "frankly i'd have found a daemati and asked each of the high lords that had a hand in undoing our first entrapment to be submitting themselves for questioning." neither of them would and she knew that, they did not live in an ideal world that would make all of this easier. but the high fae could wish for just a moment. "i feel rather…redundant in my role that i can't provide anything of use to you." since the day alina had taken a chance on her, she had fought tirelessly to prove that she was worth the time and attention of a high ruler, that she was in fact, a good choice. "does that worry you, the mother queen keeping secrets from you all?"
𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇 𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐒, she was not any less prideful, although she would argue she still held most of it. so approaching another high ruler with a favor has been at the bottom of her list of things she wished to do. in the case of her siblings, there was not much the high lady of summer would not do for them, this was not about her pride, it was about her brother and his happiness. alina had well known of the other's low opinion of her, it has never bothered her, nor did she care to know his reasons were. all she wished was the use of his healers, and it would be temporary request, with any luck, in a short while they would be able to do what her healers could not for sunan's mother. that was easier said than done, oh, she had studied all the high rulers, including ambrose, that even with his amiable smile and willingness to listen to her request, she did not anticipate him agreeing so easily.
when he turned to look at her, no doubt attempting to sort out this odd request, alina did not move her gaze away, merely looking the other high ruler in the eyes. she did see his curiosity, naturally of course he would wish to know why she needed his healers specifically. seraphina was the strongest one, but alina did not wish to bring her old friend into this, she was a high lady as well, she could not leave her court again. his hesitation was as expected, nevermind the lack of friendship or trust their courts did not have with one another, giving up his best healers was not a measly task in these trying times, and had the roles been reversed alina would feel the same. "the better question would be, what does my court not possess? fertile lands that grow the ripest fruits and wines, treasures that one cannot find in other courts, in my personal opinion, and one of my treasured possessions - the finest bred stallions." alina paused, "you are a lot like me in that sense, the latter does not impress you, so the better question would be, what can i offer you for this temporary favor? they will not remain in my court for an extend period of time, perhaps a few months at best, if your healers are as skilled as prythian revers them to be, they should be able to solve my dilemma rather quickly."
"i would argue in these uncertain times, opportunities can present themselves in the oddest manners." the glamour magic summer faes carried was not the measly sort, it was not of guising objects with a pretty curtain. when utilized to it's full potential it was capable of extraordinary things - both good and terrifying. of course, alina herself as high ruler could tap into the most of it, but her court held high faes who had the ability conjure one's desires with it. "i am not certain what you know of the glamour magic that runs along the summer court, granted, i do not allow that sort of information to run free. not without...proper incentive."
there were several promises that ambrose had made himself when the had felt the magic follow from his father to himself. not allowing any of the other high leaders to make a fool of him was at the top of that list. it was one of the many lessons his father had ensured ambrose engraved in his brain. don't trust them, not even your friends, no matter their intentions. he had been taught that there was always a lie laced with the truth, especially when someone wanted something. with his daemati abilities, he had been able to mitigate most of that, but when it came to the other high lords, he didn't doubt for a second most of them had impeccable shields around their minds, to prevent him and people like him getting in. alina, would surely, have some of the strongest he was sure.
"i want none of your physical things." the dawn court was more than capable of providing for itself, they had trades where they needed, that wouldn't be enough to tempt him, not even if she were offering free access to her court, he simply didn't seen it. but given she was desperate enough to come to him in general, something he had no doubt wounded her pride given how similar they all were at their core, ambrose was inclined to, bargain. "but we can talk magic, secrets even, a favor to call in when i need it in return."
