Trying not to think about the stress of losing her powers, Juliana needed some kind of distraction. She just wasn't sure what that was and wound up just wandering through the new court, looking for some kind of adventure. When she noticed a familiar head of red hair, she couldn't help but laugh at the memories she had of her. Every time Florencia was in Dawn, Juliana found herself keeping an eye on her, curious what ridiculous activities the other would get up to. Sneaking up behind her, Juliana flicked her hair. "Been normal in this court so far?"
Very few fae actually intrigued Saylee. But Seren was one of them. The fascination with bones, and the completely strange and odd demeanor about all of it. She had originally heard of her from the Hybern Spymaster, whom she'd had interactions with the last time they visited the Winter Court. And now, she was fascinated. She wanted to know more about why she was fascinated with such things. It wasn't in a bad way or to discontinue the thought, but more of a why and tell me more. Saylee always wanted more ways to freak other fae out, to give her more of a reason to intimidate other fae. After inquiring about her location, Saylee walked right up to her, no hesitation and stated, "I hear you're interested in bones. Tell me more."
Juliana hadn't seen Jamie since they'd left the Dawn Court to return home to Day. Most of their training had been from both them and Elian and it was those moments that she'd cherished forever. They'd made her stronger, smarter, and feel more safe. With all of the shifting between courts and magic being stolen, Juliana had been so busy worried about her High Lady. She could barely think straight. And there was only one person that somehow managed to distract her with training. It has always helped. Finally spotting their short hair, a smile reached her face. "Jamie, do you have some time? I remember training in Dawn had always eased my head. I was hoping we could do a little sparring or something? It might help me talk to the High Lady with a more level head."
Her height often intimidated others and she knew it. She was tall and liked to loom over the others. That was her intention when speaking with the Dawn High Lady, Zaina. But with everything she'd heard, Saylee knew this wasn't going to be an easy discussion in the slightest. With Winter being one of the few courts to actively and outwardly not trust Starlight, she knew backlash would appear. It was one of the difficulties she was facing as a ruler right now. But she had every right to think that.
There were plenty of fae in her past that had made her want others to earn her trust. So why couldn't this court do that? So far, they'd shown nothing that said they wanted to be let in. They'd hidden themselves away for centuries. When she'd sent word for Zaina to meet her in one of few tea rooms in the court, she fhadn't expected it to be so beautiful. The idea of that annoyed her. But she tried not to let it show.
As the other fae walked in, Saylee looked up at her, giving her a slight nod, keeping her expressions as still as possible. "I had some tea and pastries brought for us. At least you can be full while you're likely berating me for my opinions of this court."
ARTEMIS WAS A DISTRUSTFUL FAE. It was a trait shared with her High Lady. The fact that their lodgings and life was dependent on a foreign court, a new court, did not sit well with her. It did not sit well with the majority of Winter court's fae - first, they were being side-eyed over the occurrences in their home court and now that the situation had shifted, so did the blame. While she wasn't inclined to think Starlight was behind this, nor was she inclined to think they were in the know of any of it. She understood their... grievances and their secrets, but it did not make her trust them.
trust was earned and they've shown none of the worthiness.
It was a relief to learn that her High Lady felt the same - that at the council she agreed with the court of Summer and their Liege's decision to stand alone. But, it opened more questions - uncomfortable ones. Now that the magic was nullified, her shadows fell silent.
dead silent.
"It makes me antsy. This silence. I'm not accustomed to it and it's not natural. None of this." Artemis sighed, offering a drink to Saylée. "What do you think we should do next? Without our magic, we're sitting ducks."
While Saylee liked to show how assertive she was, and how much she knew she had a handle on her court and the situations in front of them, she was still worried. Standing against a court that everyone else wanted to give a chance was a risky decision. But how could she trust fae who hadn't given her any reason to? Before being dropped into their court, there'd been no mention of them, or any legend to back up their court even existing. It put a sour taste in her mouth.
Being tucked away in a safe location eased some of the tension, allowing her to speak to her spymaster without any interruption. Sitting in a chair that had no right being that comfortable, Saylee took the drink from Artemis. "None of this is natural, Artemis. We were shunned, ridiculed, and looked down upon for what happened in our court. I have done nothing to deserve this treatment and I do not appreciate it in the slightest bit. So if any fae want to be frustrated with me for not trusting this court, they may. I will not take it." Saylee was frustrated to say the least.
"Do we have any witches without our court that we can trust? Or cauldron-made fae? We need to rally around them at this point and use them to our benefit. This is how we get our trust regained, with all of Prythian." If she had to fight a little bit to show that she deserved respect, she would.
☆ﾟ*·ﾟVIKRAM'S TEA WAS hitting the spot and calming him down significantly. Without it, he wasn't sure how much conversation he could take. But this was his own fault for actually going out in public and actually sitting where someone could talk to him. Lifting his head, he looked up at her, his face completely still. He should've known this would be the answer. And her, Saylee Págos, he would expect she'd respond like this. Vikram knew her. He'd studied her, found out as much information as he possibly could. As an archivist, Vikram had to know all of the answers. "I've never seen stars like this before. What do you want me to think?" He asked, raising one eyebrow. "So what if I did? It's helping."
Watching the archivist, Saylee kept her eyebrows raised. From what she knew of him, he was rather stoic, composed, and serious. But this star conversation was a whole new level of weird for her. For a moment, she stared at him, wondering if he really had spiked his tea. But if he did, now she wanted some as well. Sitting down, without even asking permission, she leaned over and looked at his tea. "They are the Starlight court for a reason, Vikram." Saylee said his name with a bit of inflection, simply to mess with him. "About tha tea. Did you really spike it? If so, it'd only be kind of you to share."
Juliana wasn't too fond of the idea of being thrown into an adventure that she hadn't asked for in the slightest. However, her explorative nature got the better of her. And she found herself trying to map out a plan of the entire palace in her head. If there was anything that she could do for her high lady, it was to make sure that she was safe, no matter what. Keeping parchment folded in her pocket, she kept pulling it out to draw, while learning what made this court invisible to everyone else. It was baffling to her. How had they kept themselves so hidden? Knocking on her high lady's door, Juliana rocked back and forth on her feet. "Milady, I wanted to check on you. I've been mapping out this court, just in case, but I wanted to know if there was anything else you need from me!"
☆ﾟ*·ﾟSCRUNCHING UP HIS nose, Vikram wasn't even remotely pleased about being dropped into another new court. He still wasn't back home yet, and now, he missed his home even more. His books were waiting for him, and he still couldn't get back to them. This new court was far different than any he'd other visited before, not that he'd left his own court too often. All of the stars staring down at him was a little frustrating. He preferred to be inside, away from the elements, not stared at by the skies. And yet, he couldn't stop looking up at them, and he didn't know why. Vikram sat under a covered patio, looking up at the sky with a cup of tea, something he'd never heard of before. "Do you think the stars once had thoughts or that they're judging us right now?"
Saylee wasn't too fond of the idea of being dropped into another court. After being trapped in her own by other fae, she was now somewhere completely unfamiliar. It frustrated her to no end. She built her entire life on the fact that she was fully aware of everything around her. Not to mention the control of knowing just how everything would happen because she was in charge. But now, here they were in not only another court, but an unfamiliar one. It was making her fidgety, uneasy, and just the smallest bit nauseous. Back home, being outside had helped, so now, it was the only choice Saylee had. As she tried to find the closest exit to her location, she saw someone sitting there with a cup of tea. Once she got closer, she recognized him, but couldn't tell you his name. At his question, she raised her eyebrows. "Really? That's what you're thinking about right now. Did you spike your tea or something?"
( AIMEE CARRERO, 35 / 350, juliana vega, female, she/her ) Underneath the sparkling sky, did you see AIMEE CARRERO being tipped by the Cauldron? No, that’s just JULIANA VEGA, who is the 2ND IN COMMAND from DAWN. CURIOUS and BRAVE but if you catch them on a dark night, they can be ARROGANT and PERFCTIONIST. But if you really get to know them, you’ll know that they vibe with TRAINING SESSIONS ALL AROUND THE COURT AT ODD HOURS WITH NO CARE IN THE WORLD, GAZING OVER THE SKY IN THE MORNING TO PROCESS INFORMATION FILLED NOTEBOOKS, A PERFECTIONIST AND ARROGANT NATURE THAT CAN GET HER INTO TROUBLE.
Juliana is the kind of girl that fights for what she wants and fights for how she gets there. She has a strong desire to make everything perfect. She knows she's good at what she does, and she's incredibly pretentious about it. Juliana can fight, and is proud of her skills. Being on the smaller side, many people underestimate her, but when she actually fights, she's powerful and quick. And she's nerdy about it, nerdy about everything she sets her eyes on. Knowledge is power and she will do anything to get it. Deep down, she's incredibly kind and protective of those around her.
She was born to a single mother who left her when she was young. Juliana has pretty much been on her own for as long as she can remember. People close to her have become her family and she's very thankful for them.
when the high lady of winter stops at his side, do-hyun stills. not because he is intimidated by those that hold power, but because the woman beside him is at the heart of this court, the court in which they are now trapped, suspended, cursed into helplessness. while he's not ouright suspicious of her, he cannot dismiss her as a cynosure in this chaos. a focal point around which everything else spins into madness. what strings has she tugged from her seat of power? if she is not a player in these wild circumstances, she has been poised to struggle in the aftermath.
the archivist silently hopes the other courts do not lose faith in her. fae are always so eager to throw the blame.
"it matters less what we try and more what we see. this is an issue of vantage. whatever entity or force is behind this is operating from the high ground — they can see the whole chessboard, and we are bound to your court." his eyes flash as he turns his focus to her, curious of what she might know, what her archivists have revealed. "i'm trying to find a pattern in my logs," he says, his voice quiet, far away. "the stars foretell everything if we aren't too obtuse to see."
If she was going to find out any information, Saylee knew she needed to speak to as many other fae as possible. While she knew not everyone would be receptive, it still meant that she had to try. Winter had been through enough already, and she wanted to be sure that she could do it justice with information. Being a high lord had its perks, but it also had it's downsides, knowing that other fae wouldn't necessarily open up to her. Or perhaps it was that they'd feel the need to. Saylee relished in the fact that others underestimated her and never expected that with a soft spoken attitude that she could unleash a completely other personality underneath her.
"That's an excellent way of putting it. Whomever has stuck us here has a plan, that much I know. There wouldn't have been a mysterious voice terrorizing all of us otherwise." Looking down at him, she was curious, wondering if she should suggest he speak with her archivists as well. Perhaps together they could figure something out. "Perhaps I can set up a meeting between you and my archvists. Together, there will be a solution. Here in the winter, we tend to look for patterns in the snowflakes and the icicles. They tell us of how the ground and the Earth has changed."
even if it has been a long time since she has visited the winter court, it still feels familiar. so she slips through the corridors until she reaches a room she’d previously met @ofstarsfalls in, at another time that feels like a lifetime ago. in a time that feels so long ago. she makes a mental note to bring her something once they’re all safe and home and no one is making cryptic threats to the entirety of prythian. a thanks for her attempts to keep everyone as comfortable as she can in this, as well as for the added stress that winter faces at being blamed for this just because they are locked in winter. in the meantime, she’d stopped in the kitchens and made coffee and collected a handful of different foods that she could manage to fit on a tray she could carry, because at least they can be well-fed during stressful conversations. even if zaina does want to catch up with old friends, she’s found herself caught in the politics far more.
she slips through the doors, smiling at the high lady of winter. “hi, i was hoping to talk to you. and i thought brunch might be nice, with everything going on.” she shifts the tray as she speaks.
Saylee wouldn't tell anyone that she felt stressed, worried, or panicked in the slightest about the situation at hand. She didn't know what to do or how else to convince anyone that the Winter court had absolutely nothing to do with it. And so now, she'd retreated to the tea room, one that she felt very comforted in. It was full of snowflakes and beautiful decorations that explained winter very easily. The High Lady was slouched in her favorite chair, letting her body do none of the work. Her hair was undone from her fancy up do and now, it was splayed out on the back of the couch and down the sides, as it had quite a length to it.
Hearing the door, Saylee sat up, not sure who'd be walking in. When she saw Zaina, someone she'd met before, in a more calm setting, she lowered her body language quit a bit. Her eyes widened at the mention of food. "Brunch sounds delightful." Gesturing to the table in the tea room, Saylee stood up, making her way toward the table as well. "Was there anything in particular you wanted to discuss?"
— closed starter for saylee págos ( @ofstarsfalls ) / 𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊 𝚑𝚒𝚐𝚑 𝚕𝚊𝚍𝚢
— scene: training ring, late morning
training in the cold is a brutal thing. the biting air ravages the lungs, the skin becomes dry & brittle — bleeds easily — and the muscles grow weary and ache more quickly due to dehydration. most surprisingly, to those who aren't accustomed to the conditions, a pretty nasty sunburn is a real possibility even when that great tyrant star is hidden behind a veil of thick clouds.
since these events began, he's seen a great number of arrogant soldiers from other courts getting their ass whooped. and he's won a few too many (unfair) bets.
"let's go, saylee! pick up the pace." his voice booms, filling up the space. "you've got one more set, and i'll release you. let's go!"
speaking to a high lady like this — well, it took a great deal of time to get to this point. at first, it was a delicate balance. was she truly looking to become strong, or did she simply want others to think she could hold her own? lasher figured out quickly that his high lady had a lot more depth, cunning, and complexity than she liked others to think. it was a strategic approach to keep one's true nature safely guarded, and it was one lasher had come to respect and understand.
when she finishes her set, the commander walks in a wide arc around her, stopping when he's at her back.
"all right. strong work. you're free to go. [...] but the offer still stands. you pin me, and i'll give you a week off." he crossed his arms over his chest and tries to hide a blooming grin.
Saylee wanted to prove to the world that not only she could hold her own, but that she was strong enough to protect her court. Her aura was different from what most people believed she could be. She wanted others to fear her in a sense, to respect her, and understand that their court would be safe and special. As she continued the set, Saylee could feel sweat beads dripping down her back, a feeling that she wished would end. Her eyes drifted up to his, watching him watch her. There was something about him that captured not only her attention but desire that she couldn't place. Saylee was confused. She respected him, appreciated him, and enjoyed his company.
"What exactly are you trying to achieve here? Are we trying to tone or maim?" Her breath was quick, trying to keep the tempo of her legs as she finished the set. At this point, her court knew that the dynamic between the two of them was more casual, relaxed, and completely unlike how she treated other members of her court. But others, most likely didn't. Saylee found herself curious, wanting to know. Because she did like knowing what others thought of her, not out of needing their approval, but more out of interest, to get what she wanted out of other fae.
When she finally finished her last set, she leaned over, resting her hands on her thighs. She could actually feel him walking around her, and smell him too. Groaning loudly, she tried to trick him, making him think that she was tired. As she stood up, she turned around, nodding, wiping the sweat off her brow. "That's my prize? Not bad. Though I think we should be more creative next time. It's a shame I'm too tired, today." Saylee explained as she started walking toward the exit of the ring. But in the last moment, she turned around, and ran toward him, attempting to pin him.
Who: @ofstarsfalls
Where: In the hallway, ever vigilant
Régulo had creeped away from the crowd and the odd voice that followed. Too many people interested in his business. Too may people suspicious of him.
The accident haunted the young lord wherever he went. It was not his fault, yet he voluntarily took the blame. There was not a soul around that understood, and he assumed the rest of the Autumn Court would not want him around after the voice.
He passed through the hallway and next to the High Lady of the winter court. "My apologies" Régulo bowed his head politely to the High Lady. "I did not address you properly your highness"
Chuckling softly, Saylee shook her head. After hearing a voice that shook everyone to their very core, she knew that there wasn't any issues with being a little bit more casual. You needed to make sure you checked on everyone, and knew that you were safe. Pleasantries aside, she looked him up and down, curious about how he might be feeling. She could see there was some kind of emotion, but she wasn't going to assume anything, and instead, found herself curious.
"Please, we've all had a rough evening. There is no need for such things," Saylee explained, waving him off kindly. Tilting her head, she couldn't keep her curiosity at bay any longer. "Is everything alright?"
— open starter
— scene: along the ramparts at dusk
the chill in the air is a living thing, and do-hyun feels it sinking into his bones, nesting there, pooling like a frozen lake at his center. he welcomes the stillness all around him as another entity, listens, and tries to understand its energy. the high strangeness that's unfolded in this wintry court feels like a riddle he must solve, but despite his skill, the events feel too random. there is no pattern that's revealed itself.
his dark eyes drop to the brittle pages laid open upon his lap. his heavy cloak drapes around it, shielding the delicate tome from wind and moisture. a pale hand draws across the porous page, fingertips following the welts left by a scratching quill.
"the heavens are closed to me here," he whispers to himself, a shiver finally overcoming him. how many hours has he sat here, watching the clouded sky turn from glowy gray to lavender?
he doesn't start when he hears footsteps behind him, nor does he turn to greet who approaches. "if you're looking for answers, there are none here. welcome to pergatory."
At this point, Saylee was getting frustrated, unable to find answers. Each fae that approached her made her nervous, tugging at that gnawing feeling of anxiety she tried so hard to hide. Winter was her home, and here it was being used for some nefarious plot, one that she couldn't push aside. She couldn't simply use her powers and end it, or hold a conference and convince everyone that nothing would shatter their perfect image of Prythian. They had zero answers, nothing that could guide them to an understanding of what exactly to do next. This frustration burned inside of her, like an icicle threatening to melt. Saylee was feeling helpless.
Trying to find a quiet space, she finds herself almost lost in her own court, unaware of where she's going, or what she might find. Because now, it didn't feel like her home at all. It was a shell of what it used to be, now tortured by this voice and presence that was ripping away everything she knew. Saylee hadn't expected anyone to have left the party, for fear that the safety might be shattered again. "Purgatory? It sure feels like that. I've been looking for answers all night. I'm sure my archivists are as frustrated with me as I am." Saylee too a step closer, smoothing out her dress. "What all have you tried, if I may ask?"
( bella ranee campen, 34 / 340, SAYLEE PÁGOS, cis female, she/her ) Underneath the sparkling sky, did you see BELLA RANEE CAMPEN being tipped by the Cauldron? No, that's just LADY SAYLEE PÁGOS, who is the HIGH LADY from THE WINTER COURT. I heard that on most days they're CONFIDENT and COURAGEOUS but if you catch them on a dark night, they can be SARCASTIC and CHEEKY. But if you really get to know them, you'll know that they vibe with ROLLING YOUR EYES WHEN THE WORDS ARE BENEATH YOU, SKY ROCKETING YOUR KNOWLEDGE WITH POWER, AND SNEAKING INTO THE KITCHEN TO FIND CHOCOLATE. ( summer, est, 30+, she/her, n/a )
Now, the thing about Saylee is that she's not afraid to tell you that you're a complete turd, but she'll also turn around and tell you how much she'll protect your court and sing your praises. She grew up in a family that taught her to be timid, kind, and the perfect wannabe high ruler, but she became none of that. Very quickly, she learned who she should and shouldn't protect, and hated to see others in pain. So now, she's not afraid to step in their way and protect them whether they need it or not. She's strong, fearless, and loves to step on toes. Her parents reminded her that you should always go after what you want and not what you're told to do. Because it turns out, you'll find out exactly who you are and exactly who they are.
She grew up being handed everything and now, wants to work for it. Saylee is determined to prove that she knows how to do everything. Whenever she asks for help, it's because she wanted it, not because it was offered. But she knows how to get exactly what she wants. Because she's come to the conclusion that she's misunderstood. Everyone thinks she's sweet, kind, and will let people walk all over her. But Saylee is the exact opposite of that. She will let them think they have the upper hand and have a plan the entire time. She's not afraid of a challenge and will make sure that everyone knows it.
When she presents herself in front of her court, she's soft spoken, kind, and very compassionate. But behind closed doors, she has opinions, commanding energy, and knows how to rule her court. She's mastered the art and absolutely loves this fact.
