splintered

@slivertm

as loved by jo.

1,012 posts

₊˚⊹⋆. gather and hear the ballad of crafted of sea foam

₊˚⊹⋆. for ofcourtfables as written by jo, she/her.

₊˚⊹⋆. view full introductions tag: here.

making something to memorialize a moment felt like a good way to celebrate her court. but not just that, but to celebrate all of the wonderful fae that she'd get a chance to know. whether or not they'd feel that way was up to them. but mika firmly believed everyone should get a chance to prove themselves. her stubborn nature could easily get her into trouble with this desire, but she didn't care. it was how she found herself making jewelry to celebrate the moment, a necklace that would honor the occasion. looking up, she flashed the fae in front of her a bright smile. "what's your favorite gem? i can make you a necklace, or even a bracelet to celebrate the occasion. it might be nice to remember this moment of calm amongst the storm."

@ofcourtfablesarchive

activity: beading & jewelry

feet growing tired of walking the markets, malaika thought it best to take a seat, discovering she'd sat at the beading table when she'd accidentally knocked over a bowl of small glass beads - feeling almost indistinguishable from the the pebbled ground. they insisted she not worry about it but unfortunately, malaika felt worried at the mess she could not hope to tidy herself. still feeling mortified at the embarrassment, "i'm sorry," she says, cheeks red at her simplicity, "i don't know too much about gems or anything like that. i don't know if i have one."

#m * malaika avar.#ma * mika teagarden.#darkstmercy.

lichtundschattens-deactivated20

She gave him nothing. No flinch, no spark of irritation, barely even a flicker of acknowledgment. Typical. She was nearly impossible to rattle, the complete opposite of Gaeul. Where Gaeul burned with sharp edges and shadows, this one radiated warmth, soft and sunlit in ways that made Ares squint when he looked too long. Once, long ago, she hadn’t seen him through a lens of disdain. There had been something gentler there, a reminder that there was light at the end of whatever tunnel he’d crawled into. He envied her for it, and he’d sooner die than admit it.

“You? Scared?” He drawled, his mouth quirking into something that wasn’t entirely a smile. “What’s this, an attempt to stroke my ego or just a little free entertainment?”

No trace of Gaeul, no Aerin clinging to her skirts... not that it mattered. Conversation with this one was better than talking to himself before he slunk off into the crowd again, eyes peeled for trouble like always.

He shifted his stance, casual as a shadow clinging to the edge of the lantern-lit street. “I’m doing what I do best,” he said finally. “Watching.” A beat passed before his gaze swept her up and down, deliberate, teasing. “And looking for Gaeul. Can’t really blame me, though. Easy mistake, from the back.”

unimpressed by the prodding, she scoffs, folding a delicate pair of palms against her knees. helene had never thought ares to be bad, but she hardly believed him to be good. his attentions and alliances were too fleeting - a stain upon satin being far more constant than he. ares was only forced to be bound to them for the love of the littlest ashway.

he grates on her nerves - the steel of his stance against the softness of her rind wins as she forces herself into battle with him. she hardly stands a chance against metal. "i suppose someone must at the end of the day. be it my tongue," (in his wildest dreams), "or your own lonely hand, yes?"

by the burn! she was foul for saying it - the uncharacteristic words sit heavily on her tongue. of all fae in prythian, ares rang in on the bottom of her list - just between a suriel and the gap of parchment, awaiting for the continuation of ink. although slim, the possibility of revisiting his placement still existed, it simply had yet to come.

"oh, you think? is that how you found your way into my sister's bed?" looking for the weakness in his defences, the fae twists her knife deeper, her smile saccharine as always. "tell me, ares, what good is watching if you can't tell left from the right?"

#m * helene ashway.#ha * ares nyxarion.#lichtundschattens.

ethercvl-archive

╰ ♡ her requests had been nothing for the general, more than happy to help her in executing this years celebration. it had to be one of the biggest with the fact that they had the majority of prythian in the summer court for it this year. all that noah wished to do was have her get to enjoy part of the night without worrying over every little detail of the celebration. ❝ perfect. ❞ seeing her extended palm, he immediately reaches his own over to lace his fingers between hers. ❝ you will find something else you want to change, there is no doubt in that. it is a matter of how long i can keep you distracted. ❞

the press of his palm against hers sees the high priestess melt into her husband, allowing her brain to rest for a moment. oh, how good noah was to her! "you're no distraction, my love." her head comes to the broadness of his shoulder as they walk along the trodden path, well-worn and known. she was happy to walk it by his side, content to be hand-in-hand at last. lavinia did not know how to slow down - an unfortunate side effect of the sisters' competition. thankfully, noah did. solid and steadfast. "you are the calm and everything else falls under the noise. i feel so tired and the day has hardly begun."

#m * lavinia dragomir.#ld * noah park.#ethercvl.

their smile softens for a moment. "that i am." even away from dusk, from the land that used to be their entire world, they are both here. if there's to be a constant, a foundation to rely upon, perhaps this is it.

rahim whoops at yìzé's pose, and they follow in the next beat, clapping over one shoulder then the next. "excellent! that means you're the expert once again, my lord." the line beings to shift, faes weaving through open spaces as they spin. "we must keep up!"

the soft edges of rahim's lips are like a shot of caffeine, yìzé's own smile growing brighter. dumbly, with a dumber grin, "indeed you are." it'd been so long since he'd felt free to do such a thing, too tense at the precarious state of their court to let loose. but, rahim always had the remedy.

the commander's steps quicken, following along to the rhythm of the drumbeat underneath it all, matching rahim's every step and jump - going so far as to cheer along with the crowd. knowing the next move is a spin, yìzé reaches for rahim's palm once more, pulling the healer into a dizzying twirl as he laughs. even if yìzé was an expert, "a dancer is only as good as their partner."

#m * zhou yize.#zy * rahim ahkter.#brckenrctual.#thats that me espresso

ethercvl-archive

╰ ♡ ❝ are you implying that one can have too much fish? ❞ kris is most definitely biased when it comes to the idea of eating fresh fish caught from the waters that surround adriata. ❝ nothing can compare to the freshness that is fish being caught in the early morning and prepared that same day. it's better than anything that you could have had. besides it's tradition to serve fish here in our solstice celebration. were we supposed to cater to every other court in our own celebration? would you have done the same if you were the one hosting us instead? ❞

nor resists the urge to roll their eyes, russet orbs losing the sparkle of humour. lips quirking upwards in a dry humour as she chews the wad of taffy, "it's no implication," nor responds. lolling her head towards the summer lord, the length of her hair swings in its lengthy braid, neat and secured with a dark ribbon. "it's a fact, actually. i have no desire to offend your hospitality, lord dragomir. i simply feel as if you serve fish - in celebration and not. difficult to peel apart of the difference."

#m * honoria vesper.#hv * kris dragomir.#ethercvl.

n1ghtsongs-deactivated20250913

when it came to the responsibility of the acheson line, roland himself never thought of what it would mean to have extended family involved. his siblings lined up as the part which he raised, and he thought his job was done. then iain came along, in a quagmire of parentage, and denial of claims, and one thing progressed from each other, and he resigned to the role. at first, it was true resignation: an eye roll, an apt excusing of why those who should have raised iain never showed up quite as the high lord saw them fit to. and from all this, tangential to the moment now, when he gives into his nephew's ( as good as one's ) devices and whims, and sits, rather regally, upon the stool across from him. has his eyes closed as if resting.

the line delivers itself like a dog delivering the hunted pheasant. roland's right brow is the first on-duty soldier to respond: quirking towards his hairline, leaving the left behind. that same eye cracks open, peering at iain. "is that so?" quipped. "and dare i ask where this idea sprung from? your well of creativity, your need to forge alliances?" who could say? perhaps it was due to a dream iain had, where he became a knight in shining armour, and wrangled with one of dusk's dragons to smite the king himself. anything was truly possible within those thinking walls. "please do tell me the match candidates."

barely does roland shift on the stool. his eye already drifts shut again. he could go to sleep with the sound of the brush strokes and the dolling of the sea breeze.

"candidates? no, you misunderstand me." they saw him as nothing more than a child. which - as younger than even willow - was somewhat understandable. but, the full depth of his emotion was incomprehensible. impossible to put into words. there's no way to fit lighting into the bottle of a boy, the electricity fighting to discharge. "i am not so disloyal that i should suggest marriage with any number of ladies for an alliance. and, admittedly, i do not believe myself to be so important that i would make a good match for any of the sour faced dusk ladies."

iain leans on the edge of his seat, much unlike roland's relaxed posture, energy running him rigid as he tries to translate the severity of this matter. although dismissed often times as childish, iain was an adult indeed - legally able to make his own decisions on marriage and home and the like. "i've decided that no other should do except for our lady tyanna zarathin, whom i love and have already married."

#m * iain acheson.#ik * roland acheson.#n1ghtsongs.

sweetbriarfm-deactivated2025112

Closed for Ambassador Iain Kwan (@slivertm)

"So, when were you going to tell me your married cousin? Or are you still holding a grudge against me?" After their heart-to-heart, the two had kept some distance. It felt rather strange not being able to run ideas by Iain as he regularly did, but the tides were turning, and Tiernan would no longer be passive in interfacing with these rapid changes. "You'd better treat Tyanna well."

"by the bloom! of course i will!" iain says, shushing his cousin with a firm finger pressed against his lips. "don't say it so loud! it's still a secret, tiernan. i told you in confidence." his ears tip pinkly. speaking it aloud is fresh and new, like a bud whose rose petals are only just starting to peek out. it was an olive branch of sorts despite the discomfort of their previous conversation. "i'm not holding a grudge. i told you in the end, didn't i?"

#m * iain acheson.#ik * tiernan acheson.#illuminatingeclipse.

oh, his sigh is a long one. not that he'll deny the order, nor is this the craziest request he's ever received, but there's --- it's simply ---- he'll just get distracted. he'll drift, thinking of a certain pair of bat wings and leather gloves and then santino will ask why his ears are blazing red and ---

maybe he should just slip back into the cauldron he birthed from.

licking his lips, he taps at the parchment. "i'll split this fifty-fifty with you if you carve it. i'll provide the base you carve, and then seal when you're done."

his eyes linger on the parchment another moment, considering the request. money, or his soul? "alright," he shrugs. "that's business."

although his retirement was spent following his passions - chevalier wasn't too precious about what work he did. it kept his hands busy, so he was happy to work. even on the stranger requests.

"thankfully," which was debateable, "the madame left a very detailed drawing for us to get started."

#m * chevalier de leon.#cdl * zacarías garza ybarra.#brckenrctual.

ARA SNORTED OUT AT THE SUPPOSED PIETY. She doubted many of the fae gathered around had truly been a pious as they had appeared. She knew a deity existed. The Mother made herself so very obvious, but... Ara didn't quite have faith in her. "Seeing your face is already a great blessing to my day, Chevvy, must you rip me off with idolatry as well?" she snickered, but picked up a carving nonetheless, running a thumb carefully across the figurine's visage & attire.

it had been exquisitely made.

"I'll take this one. But, only because it's so very beautifully made & because you made it yourself." plus, it would look great on her writing desk, with all the pretty candles & fountain pens, feathered quills & exquisitely made silver inkwells. The mahogany figurine would fit right in. "How much for it?" Ara asked, reaching for her pouch. She'll give him her entire daily allowance, if he asked for it.

sagely, chevalier replies, "it's hardly a rip off when every good follower should have their own figure of the mother."

although ara was an easy target because of their relationship, a sale was a sale. "i'd offer you a discount but who could fault me?" he heaves a heavy sigh as if it the money truly mattered. it did in someways, but he carved for the love of carving. "you and your cousins spend more on a single dress alone than i could hope to earn on one measly day."

"but, i shall offer you an exchange of the reasonable cost of a single gold coin." and at that chevalier smiles, happy with the sale. which was indeed a proper price for an idol of the mother carved in such detail it was as if the goddess had sat for the portrait herself. "is that fair, little ara?"

#m * chevalier de leon.#cdl * ara ashway.#arashway.

Now more striking than the waterfall, Santino looked at his companion with doubt washing over his face, as if he had not understood any of the words the healer had addressed to him.

"It’s possible to sweat out the drunkness in the hot springs? I didn’t know! This fae I talked to didn’t mention it⸻what was she called?" He pondered the name of the fae who had sold him the idea of that place over the course of a simple conversation; the sole reason he was there. He nodded, satisfied with that newly acquired knowledge about hot springs, which made the second fact a bit confusing. "So… does it work or not? It sounds dangerous to pass out in the hot water. I hear you can float better, though."

Was it real? That remained to be seen.

her lips quirk upward, amused by the wonder in his tone - had he been born yesterday? it was rare to find one so bright-eyed and fresh faced. it was refreshing against the bitterness inside her. "yeah, belly up like a dead fish." now, realistically, the amount of alcohol one could sweat out was not nearly enough to sober you up. however, "you can certainly try. but, it's not all that efficient is what i mean to say." the healer's gaze moves towards the water, spying the steady downward stream of water. "because you could pass out. so, be sure to keep your wits about you."

#m * iphigenia galathenea.#ig * santino.#botryoidals.

ethercvl-archive

╰ ♡ the spring high healer hadn't entirely thought of the trinket as something that she could keep as a memory of the summer court. or at least of her time spent in the summer court. ❝ interesting point, however does this mean i would need to keep it on me for if we get suddenly transported again? or will there be a trip to all the courts visited to retrieve our belongings left behind? ❞ not that willow loved the idea of even thinking of the predicament of them being stuck in the summer court. was there still a chance that they would be transported to another court before they saw the end of this? she had no way of truly knowing. ❝ too true, i guess it would still be cute to look at even if it ends up remaining in the summer court. ❞

great points were being made, but who knew when left up to fate! iphigenia had faith in the mother, but she was still weak, recovering from the battle as imagined from the lack of communication on her side to the temple. "well, surely the high lady and her wise ambassador will think to devise a plan to send along our things if we're unable to pack them ourselves." but, truthfully, iggy can't even recall what she'd left in the dusk court, or even the capital. "i feel as i'll get my trunks back and it will be a time capsule of a girl i haven't met in many moons."

#m * iphigenia galathenea.#ig * willow acheson.#ethercvl.

brows raise in surprise for a moment, but a smile settles soon after. "i don't think it's only meant for children. it can be decorative, like the paints and shadows used for an extravagant ball." the child pulls at his sleeve, and a flicker of concern washes over his face as he peers down at her. "though perhaps it should be done by better hands." the child shoves the mirror closer to her face, free hand still wrapped in his sleeve. zacarías tries not to grimace, pointing --- out of the girl's sight --- and mouthing to the newcomer, does she look okay?

jia despite her sharp wit, could not stand to use the sword against a child. “you are the prettiest little flower i’ve seen today!” behind the toothy grin the child shares with zacarias, jia throws up a thumb, nodding. it certainly didn't look as bad as it could, but not as good as she expected. when the girl scurries off, her eyes trail back to the palette, skeptical of his work. "are you volunteering to do this? the court didn't have the budget to hire a professional?"

#m * yronwood jia.#brckenrctual.#yj * zacarías garza ybarra.

sweetbriarfm-deactivated2025112

"Harem of females?" he practically choked on the words, repeating them. Is that what she thought of him? He wasn't in the business of entertaining women despite his representation preceding him. Trying to grow out of the party boy persona would take some time, but he felt as if he'd shown Jia his intentions, but clearly, he was missing the cut. "Scylla," he nodded, addressing the dragon, wanting to minimize all likelihood of being scalded alive. Tiernan could only imagine what Jia said about him, and with her current temperament, he wasn't standing on solid ground.

"Hello, sweet Jia," he said, offering her an apologetic smile. "I certainly could have provided some correspondence saying I've missed you and have been wanting to see you," he says, approaching her and taking her hand. "Please forgive me. I've been busy with my mother and other matters." Tiernan intended to keep her out of harm's way, yet in the process, he failed to prioritize their relationship. Despite all the charm and suavity he carried in his body, this was newfound territory. He felt inadequate standing before her, but he wanted to see this through. "How about breakfast by the beach in the morning? Undisturbed time to catch up, yeah?"

scylla, the traitor, purs. he remembered my name! she gushes, chirping happily. a well-manicured hand comes between them, putting space between the drake and the male — putting an early stop to any chance of alliance between them. “don’t try to soften me up with sweet words. one word from me and she’ll bite your head off.” to which scylla barks her disapproval but — unfortunately — jia was the conduit between them, allowing her unfaithful translations.

still, her own traitorous nature allows him to take his palm in hers, soothed by the gentleness of the gesture. oh, how easily won jia was. “where have you been?” she manages to ask, keeping her wits about her (which was increasingly difficult around tiernan). jia had a natural distrust for a male's charms, and yet, somehow the springtime fae had find the chips in her defences, forcing her walls done and creating this bizarre dependancy on his company. he seemed to find quarter in every corner of her mind and yet... mothers? jia understood mothers. but — “yeah? other matters?" every word of his mouth offends her, almost pissing her off further. "tiernan, i cannot stress enough how distressing it is that you find other matters more pressing than me. unfortunately, i cost more than a consolation prize.”

#m * yronwood jia.#yj * tiernan acheson.#illuminatingeclipse.

everleighsmithxoxo

"Well what do you like?" Briar raised a brow. "I can make custom pants and shirts too if that's more your style." She promised and watched her. "I am from the Spring Court, so flowy dresses are really something I have learned to make, but I do love a good pair of leathers too every now and again."

jia wouldn't mind a set of new riding leathers, having been unable to bring any of her clothing from the dusk to summer. but, how much did she trust someone who'd never seen a dragon up close to make her something to wear? "let us go for the skirts then," jia sighs. "anything but a buttercup. i detest yellow."

#m * yronwood jia.#yj * briar thomas.#briarthomas.

"sometimes, i simply wish to test you. after all, you could surprise me on that front." her laughter, a softer, deeper sound, entwines with the general's. she takes the proffered hand. "please, if you would. silly as it is, but i want to avoid blisters for the closing ceremony. may the mother bless the effort and have it be as flawless as possible."

ulka helps the high priestess step into the boat, fussing over her to ensure she is set-up before taking her seat on the opposite end. despite her relationship with faith (or lack thereof), ulka liked the fae. "your wish is my command," she says with a smile. "i don't find it silly at all. your hands are the mother's hands, after all. i think that would be offensive to be blistered and bruised."

#m * ulka aster.#ua * vijaya bhashyam.#brckenrctual.

rubbing his hand over his face, ruan groaned softly. at this point, he was exhausted. festivals and big celebrations weren't really his forte, or his cup of tea in the slightest. at this point, he just wanted a nap, but felt that it was his duty to keep an eye on all of the members of the day court as they celebrated. surely too much money couldn't be spent during this, right? but there were far too many booths for him to keep track of everyone. that was exactly how he found himself sitting by the fire, a tall glass of sparkling water in his hand. because ruan, didn't drink. how could you when you needed your focus on all of the money. hearing someone's footsteps close to him, he looked up at them. "please don't tell me that you've spent a ridiculous amount of money and you'd like me to calculate the total." ruan's voice grumbled softly. he was nice, really, but money was a sore subject at celebrations like this. "however, conversation and snacks would be rather welcome."

@ofcourtfablesarchive

ullka snorts, "must you always think the worst of me, ruan?" the day general comes to the bench, smile wide and breathless as she takes a seat. her chest heaves, unsubtle as she catches her breath from all her dancing. the fae's bare feet are dark with dirt, her imprint left in the earth around the fire. "i shant be using my brother's money to galivant around the markets, so fear not. i have no work for you to do." their master of coin worked far too hard (not that ulka made it any easier). "however, i do have a request!" she bats her dark eyes prettily. "may i have a sip of your water?"

#m * ulka aster.#ua * ruan carstairs.#darkstmercy.

splintered @slivertm - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag